Seva Pandharwada Kicks Off Across Maharashtra With Citizens’ Services At Doorstep

Eknath Shinde inaugurates campaign at Mumbai Collector Office; Mobile vans, health camps, and land services to run till October 2

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the state-wide Seva Pandharwada campaign at the Mumbai Collector Office, Old Custom House, marking the beginning of a fortnight dedicated to public welfare and government outreach. Running from September 17 to October 2, the initiative is designed to bring revenue department services, health facilities, and welfare programmes directly to citizens across Maharashtra.

At the Mumbai launch, Shinde flagged off the Star Foundation’s D-Hub Mobile Van, which will operate for 15 days in South Mumbai, delivering revenue-related services such as property records, certificates, and documentation support. The idea, officials explained, is to reduce citizens’ dependence on crowded offices and take services to their doorstep.

Thane, Palghar And Mumbai Division Activities

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Revenue Department is holding service camps in collector offices and ward-level centres, assisting citizens with documentation, caste certificates, and scheme enrollments. In Thane, Shinde, who is also the district’s Guardian Minister, personally oversaw the campaign’s rollout. Local administrations are using the programme to speed up pending applications, land lease renewals, and encroachment regularisation.

In Vasai–Virar, mobile awareness vans are planned in collaboration with civic bodies to inform citizens about revenue services, property rights, and welfare schemes. Officials stressed that the fortnight will also be used to build digital literacy around online revenue services.

Nagpur Digitisation Drive

Nagpur district has turned the Seva Pandharwada into a transparency exercise by digitising service records and cash books of government officers. Officials confirmed that every Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) is undergoing a record update, a step hailed as a major reform in administrative accountability.

Jalna’s Multi-Phase Campaign

In Jalna, the campaign is structured in three phases:

• Surveying and registering “Panand” (farm approach) roads
• Regularisation of encroachments and issuing land leases
• District magistrate-led innovative programmes for local problem-solving

This phased model is being cited as an example for other districts to replicate.

Health Camps Across 36 Districts

Beyond revenue services, Seva Pandharwada is doubling as a health outreach drive. Under the “Namo Netra Sanjeevani” initiative, free eye camps, cataract surgeries, and distribution of spectacles are being organised across all 36 districts of Maharashtra. The government aims to reach lakhs of citizens, particularly senior citizens in rural areas who face barriers to access.

Kunbi Certificates And Maratha Outreach

Another significant development is the government’s decision to use Seva Pandharwada to fast-track the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates. This move is being linked to the ongoing Maratha reservation issue, with officials confirming that certificate distribution has begun in Marathwada districts and will extend to urban centres, including Mumbai.

Citizen-Centric Governance

According to the Revenue Department, the fortnight is not just about service delivery but also about building trust in governance. By combining Collector Office camps, mobile vans, and digital awareness sessions, the government hopes to create a citizen-first model of public service.

Eknath Shinde, addressing the gathering in Mumbai, said: “Seva Pandharwada is an opportunity for the government to connect directly with citizens, solve their issues quickly, and ensure that every household benefits from welfare schemes. Transparency and accessibility are our priorities.”

Looking Ahead

Officials confirmed that feedback from this year’s programme will be used to institutionalise Seva Pandharwada as a permanent annual exercise. Future plans include linking mobile vans with digital kiosks, Aadhaar-enabled services, and on-the-spot grievance redressal systems.

As Maharashtra observes this fortnight of citizen service, the combination of revenue facilitation, health outreach, and land reforms positions Seva Pandharwada as one of the state’s most ambitious governance experiments. Whether it succeeds in addressing long-standing public grievances will be measured in the months to come — but for now, citizens across Mumbai, Thane, Jalna, Nagpur and beyond are lining up to take part.

🟦 YNN Appeal To Citizens:
We urge every citizen — urban or rural, young or old — to step forward and take full benefit of Seva Pandharwada services in your district. From land records to health check-ups, from welfare enrollments to digital access, this is your opportunity to connect directly with the government. Do not miss out — this campaign runs till October 2.