Chief Minister's Relief Fund Dispenses Rupees 50 Crores For Draught Relief

In the past 45 months since declaration of draught in the state in 2015, the government of Maharashtra has disbursed Rupees 50 crores from the accumulated funds for draught relief of Rupees 87 crores as informed to RTI activist Anil Galgali by the Chief Minister's Secretariat. As of now Rupees 37 crores are lying unused.

Maharashtra is currently reeling with widespread draught, and  since declaration as draught affected in 2015, Anil Galgali has sought the details of funds received and spent to the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Mr.Milind Kabadi, Assistant Accountant at the Chief Minister's Relief Fund provided the details of past 45 months to Anil According to the information provided, in the 2015-16 financial yearthe Chief Minister's Relief Fund received Rupees 32 crores 21 lac 30 thousand  331 rupees whereas rupees 60 lacs was disbursed. In 2016-17, rupees 28 crores 53 lac 3 thousand 74 rupees were received and the state disbursed 30 crores 50 lac rupees. In the 2017-18 FY rupees 25 crores 61 lac 36 thousand 826 were received and 7 crores 91 lac were disbursed. From 1 April, 2018 to December 2018, One crore,15 lac, 72 thousand 530 rupees were received and 11 crores, 45 lacs 52 thousand were disbursed by the state. Since declaration of draught rupees 87 crores 51 lacs 42 thousand 761 were deposited into the Chief Minister's fund towards assistance for draught affected, from which rupees 50 crores 50 lac 52 thousand were disbursed. As of now rupees 37 crores 90  thousand 761 are balance.

Chief Minister's Secretariat failed to provide details of recipients of the amount disbursed instead informed that the funds are disbursed to district collectors as per the requisitions received from time to time. As per Anil Galgali, large sums funds are required for eradication of draught and funds need to be sourced from various corners but equally important is for the Chief Minister's Secretariat to upload the details of disbursements of funds for draught relief to district collectors on a website as stated in his letter to the Chief Minister.