Pune's e-Samarth Portal Pilot Hits Funding Roadblock, Rs 48 Crore Works Await Payment
Five months after the Maharashtra state government initiated the pilot phase of the e-Samarth portal in Pune district, aimed at digitizing and enhancing transparency for the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) and Hilly Area Development programmes, a critical issue has emerged: the district has yet to receive any funds under this new digital system. This delay has sparked significant concern among local legislators and contractors, who are now facing financial uncertainty as the fiscal year-end approaches.
Funding Shortfall Triggers Legislative and Administrative Alarm
At a recent district planning committee meeting, MLAs vocally raised the issue of the stalled fund disbursements. The matter was also escalated separately to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, despite these interventions, payments remain pending, with senior district administration officials noting that barely a month is left before the financial year closes on March 31.
As of the end of January, works valued at approximately Rs 40 crore under the MLALAD scheme and an additional Rs 8 crore under the Hilly Area Development programme had already been completed across Pune district. "An amount of Rs 20 crore is urgently required by the end of March to settle pending payments. Contractors are continuously following up for the release of funds," disclosed a district official. The total allocation for MLALAD in Pune should be around Rs 120 crore, based on Rs 5 crore for each of the 24 MLAs, with an estimated requirement of Rs 40-50 crore for the current fiscal year.
Administrative Hurdles and Systemic Delays
Officials have attributed the funding delay to pending orders from the state finance department, which are necessary to transfer funds into the dedicated e-Samarth bank account. "Due to the non-availability of funds, we are facing significant difficulties in implementing the pilot project effectively. We have been consistently writing to the government to expedite this process," the official added, highlighting the bureaucratic bottleneck.
The e-Samarth programme was conceptualized and rolled out in Pune under the guidance of the late deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister, Ajit Pawar. He had emphatically stated that all MLALAD and Hilly Area Development funds should be routed exclusively through the portal. Officials emphasized that the success of the Pune pilot is crucial, as it is intended to serve as a blueprint for a structured, transparent, and time-bound implementation of the system across the entire state of Maharashtra.
Legislative Push for Transparency and Efficiency
MLAs who corresponded with Chief Minister Fadnavis reiterated that the primary objective of the e-Samarth portal is to ensure transparency and prevent delays in fund disbursements. "The system was designed to fully streamline processes, including photograph submissions, bill approvals, and fund transfers. It would function seamlessly if funds were released promptly," an MLA explained to sources.
Currently, government funds under MLALAD in Maharashtra continue to be processed through the traditional drawing and disbursement system. The state government has already issued resolutions for opening a dedicated Bank of Maharashtra account specifically for e-Samarth fund disbursements. Additionally, holding accounts for all implementing agencies have been established. Officials confirmed that information on MLAs and details of works approved in the previous year have been collected from various districts for system integration, and both technical and procedural audits of the platform have been successfully completed.
Advanced Monitoring and Verification Features of e-Samarth
District officials elaborated on the portal's sophisticated capabilities, which integrate multiple layers of monitoring and verification. Every proposal submitted through e-Samarth undergoes digital vetting by the collector's office to assess technical feasibility and grant administrative approval. This process eliminates manual paperwork and aims to reduce procedural delays significantly.
The system also enables live tracking of project status, fund disbursement progress, and pending approvals. It features automated alerts for delayed tasks, overdue works, and under-utilisation of funds, providing real-time oversight. "This system empowers legislators to recommend work, while contractors are bound to meet deadlines. The government can now monitor real-time on-ground progress, determine pendency, and track fund utilisation accurately. The outcomes of the Pune pilot will directly guide a state-wide implementation strategy," an official involved in the rollout stated.
Despite these advanced features, the current funding impasse underscores the challenges in transitioning to a fully digital governance model. The situation in Pune serves as a critical test case for Maharashtra's broader ambitions to enhance transparency and efficiency in public fund management through technological innovation.
