Maharashtra government on Thursday signed MoUs with actor Nana Patekar`s Naam Foundation and Tata Trusts for healthcare and rural development, officials said.
Maharashtra will speed up its development through partnerships with voluntary organisations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.
He was speaking at Sahyadri Guest House during the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Tata Trusts and Naam Foundation.
The state government has signed 12 agreements with Tata Trusts and one agreement with Naam Foundation to support development work across Maharashtra.
CM Fadnavis said the government’s priority is to improve healthcare, nutrition, water security and livelihood for every family in the state.
He said these partnerships would help government welfare schemes reach people more effectively and create a positive social impact.
He added that support from Tata Trusts to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has helped provide financial assistance to patients suffering from serious illnesses. The aim, he said, is to ensure that no one dies due to lack of medical treatment.
Support for mothers, children and rural communities
The agreements will strengthen healthcare services for mothers, newborns, children and adolescents. They will also focus on preventing malnutrition, reducing stunting among children under two, and tackling anaemia among adolescents.
Efforts will be made to expand telemedicine services, improve emergency response systems and provide better primary healthcare in both urban and remote areas.
Special attention will be given to districts such as Gadchiroli, along with drought-prone regions in Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Water conservation and climate-resilient farming
The partnership includes work on water conservation, desilting of lakes and rivers, groundwater recharge and soil conservation projects. It also aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture, livestock development and forest-based and rural non-farm livelihoods.
Naam Foundation, founded by actor Nana Patekar, has been working in water conservation, especially in low rainfall areas.
The Chief Minister said its contribution, along with support from Tata Trusts, has helped strengthen water conservation efforts in the state.
Integrated rural development approach
The MoUs will promote integrated village development by linking health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and livelihood programmes.
Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata said the organisation will work with various government departments and communities to improve the standard of living of ordinary citizens. He said the partnerships aim to create coordinated and long-term positive outcomes.
Senior ministers and officials, including Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, were present at the event.
