CM Fadnavis Expands Rural Cluster Scheme to Assembly Level
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, 18 June 2026 chaired a meeting in Mumbai to expand the Sansadiya Sankul Vikas Pariyojana from the parliamentary to the assembly constituency level across Maharashtra, signalling a sharper focus on last-mile delivery of welfare schemes in tribal and remote areas.
Context
Addressing officials and key stakeholders, Fadnavis directed that village clusters of 10 to 20 villages per assembly constituency be formed to maximise the reach of welfare initiatives. A dedicated Nodal Officer will be appointed in each constituency to ensure inter-departmental coordination and timely execution. The Chief Minister emphasised that schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar Yojana must reach 'every single family from tribal and remote areas.'
The meeting was attended by MP Dr. Hemant Savara, Sansadiya Sankul Vikas Pariyojana Rashtriya Sanghatak V. Satish, former Minister of State Bharatitai Pawar, former MP Heenatai Gavit, and Dr. Gajanan Dange, Founder and President of the YOJAK Center for Research and Strategic Planning for Sustainable Development, along with senior officials.
Policy Backdrop
The Sansadiya Sankul Vikas Pariyojana is a cluster-based rural and tribal development initiative currently implemented across seven states including Maharashtra. Its design draws on the convergence model pioneered by the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, launched in October 2014, which enabled Members of Parliament to adopt and develop model villages by linking parliamentary representatives with district administration in tribal and backward regions.
The scheme's expansion to the assembly constituency level is intended to bring governance closer to the ground. Core priorities outlined by Fadnavis include women's empowerment, tree plantation, water conservation, preservation of natural resources, and providing market linkages and skill development opportunities for youth — components that align with frameworks under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and Forest Rights Act implementation.
Stakeholders and Impact
Maharashtra has significant Scheduled Tribe populations concentrated in regions such as Vidarbha, North Maharashtra and parts of Konkan — areas historically vulnerable to out-migration driven by lack of local employment. The scheme's stated goal of 'curbing migration caused by a lack of local employment' directly targets this demographic pressure.
Rural women are a focal point of the expanded programme, with empowerment explicitly listed as a priority pillar. Youth in remote areas stand to benefit from structured skill development and market linkage components, while the integration of PM Surya Ghar Yojana is expected to extend rooftop solar access to underserved tribal households.
What's Next
Officials have been directed to begin forming 10-to-20-village clusters at the assembly constituency level, with Nodal Officers to be appointed for inter-departmental coordination. The measurable integration of PM Surya Ghar Yojana and allied welfare schemes in tribal hamlets is expected to feature in 2026-27 district planning cycles. The success of the expansion will hinge on how effectively the new cluster structure bridges the gap between scheme design and delivery in Maharashtra's most remote communities.