Maharashtra, Tata Trusts sign MoUs to boost public service delivery in underdeveloped regions

The Maharashtra government and Tata Trusts on Thursday formalised a multi-sector partnership aimed at improving public service delivery across the state, particularly in the underdeveloped regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada. 

The collaboration was sealed through the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that seek to support integrated development and strengthen key social sector outcomes. The partnership builds on the long-standing association between the state government and the philanthropic organisation, with a renewed focus on improving last-mile delivery of welfare schemes. 

Health and nutrition are focus areas

According to the government, the MoUs will provide focused support to priority areas such as health, nutrition, water conservation and rural livelihoods, leveraging technology, digital innovation and improved connectivity to enhance efficiency, and transparency in public systems. 

The agreements also include partnerships with six accredited hospitals to extend financial assistance to underserved patients. An MoU under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) aims to bolster institutional support for vulnerable individuals facing critical health emergencies. 

Speaking at the event, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Improving health, nutrition, water security and livelihoods for every family in our state remains a central priority of this government. These focused partnerships will help strengthen key public programmes and schemes so that the benefits of development reach people more effectively in areas of rural and urban Maharashtra.” 

The interventions under the partnership are designed to strengthen reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services; address stunting and adolescent malnutrition; improve dietary diversity among vulnerable groups; promote sustainable water resource management; and advance climate-resilient agriculture and livestock development. 

Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, said, “By partnering with the Government of Maharashtra, we aim to continue with our efforts to raise the quality of life of the communities we serve by enabling convergence across health, education, nutrition, livelihoods, water and sanitation programmes.” 

Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, added, “Through this collaboration, our focus is on supporting the broader ecosystem of government programmes by integrating evidence, technology, and community-led implementation.” 

Under the health vertical, the MoUs aim to strengthen maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services, improve quality of care, including telemedicine, enhance urban health systems and comprehensive primary healthcare in remote areas, and support emergency response systems through Integrated Emergency Management Services (EMS). 

In nutrition, the partnership will focus on preventing stunting in children under two, reducing low weight incidence and wasting among children aged 0–6 years, addressing adolescent malnutrition and anemia, improving dietary diversity, and strengthening the delivery of schemes such as ICDS and Take-Home Ration. Special focus districts include Gadchiroli. 

Palms for water harvesting and conservation

The water component includes water harvesting and conservation measures such as check dams, rejuvenation of ponds and lakes, desilting of water bodies and river stretches, and improving groundwater recharge. Digital tools and a unified platform will be used to strengthen planning and monitoring of soil and water conservation schemes, especially in water-scarce regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha.