The initiative was launched under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s 100-day programme. (image-Facebook/Devendra Fadnavis)
Mumbai, Maharashtra: In a major digital leap, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday conducted its first-ever paper-free e-cabinet meeting, marking a shift away from bulky files and reams of paper to a streamlined digital dashboard. The initiative was launched as part of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s 100-day programme.
As part of this initiative, all cabinet proposals were uploaded and accessed digitally via a newly developed e-cabinet dashboard. The transition is estimated to have cost the state exchequer Rs 1.03 crore, including the procurement of high-end Apple devices for ministers.
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“This is a major administrative reform,” said a senior government official. “Each cabinet proposal typically runs over 200 pages, and about 50-60 copies need to be printed and circulated. The e-cabinet does away with that, streamlining access and strengthening control over sensitive information.”
iPads For All Ministers
Maharashtra purchased 50 Apple iPads, along with Magic Keyboards, Apple Pencils, and covers for each minister and top official. These were sourced from Innovative Techhub, the sole bidder to meet the government’s technical requirements, according to a resolution by the general administration department.
The breakdown of the cost is as follows:
- iPads: Rs 81.37 lakh
- Magic Keyboards: Rs 16.23 lakh
- Apple Pencils: Rs 5.69 lakh
- Covers: Rs 59,000
All models were required to be launched after 2024 to make sure they were the latest available versions.
“These days, everyone is tech-savvy. Plus, ministers have access to support staff and secretaries to assist if needed,” the official noted, adding that the dashboard is fully accessible in Marathi.
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How The E-Cabinet Works
The first e-cabinet meeting served as a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) session, where ministers were guided through the platform’s functionalities—including how to log in, view proposals, track departmental inputs, and see comment trails. The platform reportedly functions like a hybrid of email and collaboration software.
Officials emphasised that the e-cabinet mirrors the traditional approval process, with digital trails showing every individual or department’s input—from initial comments to reviews by finance, planning, and legal departments, before finally landing on the chief secretary’s desk.
“This platform makes the process transparent for the ministers while maintaining control over access,” the official added.
