Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday strongly advocated for the widespread adoption of e-governance, emphasizing its vital role in improving public service delivery and fostering trust in the administration. Speaking at the inauguration of the 27th National Conference on e-Governance titled ‘Developed India: Safe and Sustainable e-Service Delivery,’ CM Shinde highlighted the swift implementation of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana as a testament to the benefits of e-governance.
He noted that through the use of e-governance, the state government was able to deposit two instalments of Rs 1,500 each directly into the bank accounts of eligible women beneficiaries in record time. “E-governance is not merely a technological advancement but a medium to change the mindset of people, leading to greater transparency and trust in the administration,” Shinde said.
The Chief Minister further pointed out that e-governance has simplified property registration processes across Maharashtra, allowing transactions related to buying and selling houses to be completed smoothly online. Shinde credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s principle of “minimum government, maximum administration” as a guiding force behind the state’s aggressive e-governance initiatives.
He also revealed that the Chief Minister’s Secretariat has fully transitioned to an e-office system, with plans to extend this to all ministries. Shinde emphasized that all services under Seva Adhikar in Maharashtra are now available online, reducing administrative delays and making the system more responsive to citizens’ needs.
In addition, Shinde announced the establishment of a central registration centre at the Mantralaya entrance, which has streamlined letter acceptance and saved citizens’ time. He also disclosed plans to develop a data centre hub in Navi Mumbai to further support these digital initiatives.
“Maharashtra is leading the way in implementing e-governance, with an information technology policy and plans to integrate artificial intelligence in various sectors like industry, agriculture, and health,” the Chief Minister stated. He underscored the government’s commitment to making administration more citizen-centric, inclusive, and efficient.
In a significant move towards enhancing governance, CM Shinde announced the renaming of the General Administration Department from ‘Administrative Reforms, Structure and Procedures’ to ‘Administrative Innovation, Excellence and Good Governance.’
