Microsoft, Gates Foundation to work with Maharashtra on AI in digital governance

Health, agriculture, infra key focus

geetanjali

Geetanjali Minhas | March 20, 2025 | Mumbai


#Maharashtra   #Microsoft   #Artificial Intelligence   #Technology   #digital governance  


Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates along with representatives of the Gates Foundation on Thursday met Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and discussed collaborating on use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health, agriculture and infrastructure in the state.

A statement from the chief minister’s office said that Gates has assured to provide technical and financial assistance for the Innovation City being set up on  300 acres area in Navi Mumbai along with intervention in other areas.

With the provision made in the state budget for the use of AI in the health and agriculture sectors, and shortage of doctors in rural areas, the chief minister has requested the Gates Foundation to provide quality health services and facilities.

Among some other discussion points, Fadnavis spoke of doubling the production of sugarcane in Pune district through the use of AI, and plans to using solar to provide 24-hour electricity to farmers. He said that since 2022 -23 the use of solar energy  generation has gone up from  30%  to 52% at present and the government now plans to make all the electricity feeders solar to provide 24 hour solar electricity to farmers.

Gates assured partnership with social organizations , government agencies, and companies for sustainable energy to benefit farmers.

“Since Maharashtra has great potential, Mr. Gates assured that efforts will be made to take Maharashtra's development model to the world,” said the statement from the CM’s office.

With the Gates Foundation interventions to control dengue, it has further assured to provide  technical and financial assistance for rapidly increasing malaria  patients in the state for which it will initiate work from Gadchiroli district.

In addition, Gates also said that Microsoft and the Gates Foundation will help in digitizing the entire financial transactions of women in Maharashtra government scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana .In the scheme eligible women will receive Rs 1,500 per month through direct benefit transfer to the bank account of the women.
 

Comments

 

Other News

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of Pune Metro projects

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth around ₹21,800 crore on Tuesday through video conferencing. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the PM extended warm Diwali greetings to the people of Pune and Maharashtra and remarked that f

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter