Aaj Ki Janta

Mumbai, April 17 – In a significant overhaul of its data governance strategy, the Maharashtra government has revised the Maharashtra State Data Policy 2024 (MSDP) barely a month after its initial launch. The updated policy, introduced on Thursday, brings in new leadership roles and institutional structures aimed at fostering transparent and efficient use of government data.

A key change is the elevation of Praveen Pardeshi, Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), as co-chair of the apex governing committee alongside the Chief Secretary. Previously, Pardeshi served only as a committee member. In a further consolidation of responsibilities, he will now also head the State Data Steering Committee (SDSC), replacing the Additional Chief Secretary (Planning).

The SDSC, now comprising 12 members including two invitees, will be tasked with overseeing the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the policy across all government departments and agencies.

The earlier version of the policy, unveiled on March 17, was officially scrapped on April 9, making way for this revised framework.

According to the policy document, the updated MSDP is designed to break down data silos and promote a data-driven decision-making culture across the state. “Despite increased data generation, much of it remains trapped within individual departments. The MSDP 2024 addresses this through a robust data governance framework and a dedicated State Data Authority (SDA),” it states.

The SDA, which will function under MITRA, is expected to create comprehensive guidelines and standards for managing the entire data lifecycle, including privacy and protection. It will also be responsible for monitoring compliance and ensuring lawful data use across all state entities.

Under the new policy, ownership of personal data will lie with the Data Principal, i.e., the individual whose data is being collected. The collecting department or agency, termed the Data Fiduciary, will manage this data and must ensure its use is lawful, consent-based, and in line with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. All personal data will be masked with unique identification numbers for privacy.

The policy also mandates that data generated through digital and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, such as PM Kisan, PM Awas, and scholarships, must be made accessible to the SDA to support public service improvements and better governance outcomes.

These sweeping reforms are aimed at unlocking the transformative potential of data in governance, enabling cross-departmental integration, enhancing transparency, and ensuring accountability in public administration.