Maharashtra decides to set up a policy research institute

Mumbai city news: In 2013, the Congress-NCP government had also tried to introduce public policy think-tank but the proposal was rejected by the cabinet members.

The Maharashtra government has decided to constitute a policy research institute to formulate policies and evaluate the existing ones. Experts from various sectors will be appointed to help the government draft policies and suggest changes to existing ones. The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the institute will also study best policies, practices of other states, nations and make suggestions.(HT FILE)

“The Maharashtra Cabinet decides to set up a Maharashtra Policy Research Institute of global repute at Tathavade in Pune,” chief minister Devendra Fadanvis tweeted. “This Institute is for regular assessment of policies, policy research, adopting best practices &administrative reforms via continuous training. It will also study the best policies, practices of other states, nations and suggest the government accordingly,” he said in a series of tweets.

In 2013, the Congress-NCP government had also tried to introduce public policy think-tank but the proposal was rejected by the cabinet members.

A senior official from general administration department said the institute will be an advisory body which will work on projects or policies approved by the government and for the approval of a proposal, the government has to introduce a three-tier system. This means, an administrative reform cell will be formed in every department. After it identifies the policies that need reform, the proposal will be sent to the high power committee headed by the chief secretary, which will study the need and its repercussions. If cleared, the proposal will be placed before the apex committee headed by the CM. The proposal will be sent to the policy research institute only if the apex committee gives it a go ahead.

To devise basic structure of the institute, the state government has formed five-member advisory council, which will be headed by an eminent social scientist. Law expert, policy making expert, director general of Yashada, (A government-run administrative training institute, Pune) and chief of policy research cell of Yashada will be members of the council.