Eknath Shinde lagging behind in collecting donations to Chief Minister's Relief Fund

Eknath Shinde lagging behind in collecting donations to Chief Minister's Relief Fund

Eknath Shinde is lagging behind in collecting donations to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Compared to the previous 3 Chief Ministers, Eknath Shinde did not bring special donations, but this year only 65.88 crores has been collected. The Chief Minister's Secretariat has informed RTI activist Anil Galgali about the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund. Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis have significantly increased this fund when they were Chief Ministers.

RTI activist Anil Galgali had sought information about the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund from the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Sanjay Tambe, Assistant Accounts Officer, Chief Minister's Secretariat informed Anil Galgali that the balance as on April 1, 2022 is Rs 418.88 crore and the balance as on March 31, 2023 is Rs 445.22 crore. Chief Minister's Assistance Fund year-wise donation information is available from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2023. If we compare the tenures of Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray and current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde when they were Chief Ministers, Shinde is lagging behind.

Thackeray's highest increase in funds

Devendra Fadnavis increased in Chief Minister's Assistance Fund by 614 crores in 5 years while as Chief Minister, while Uddhav Thackeray increased by 793 crores in 2 years. Eknath Shinde only increased in this fund by 65.88 crores.

Fadnavis tops in helping the needy

Devendra Fadnavis has been top among all the three Chief Ministers in helping the needy in the last 8 years. During the tenure of Fadnavis, 1 lakh 7 thousand 782 applications were received out of which 63 thousand 573 citizens were given assistance worth 598.32 crores. Uddhav Thackeray helped 4 thousand 247 citizens out of 10 thousand 712 to the tune of Rs 20.28 crores while Eknath Shinde helped 7419 citizens out of 14 thousand 566 worth 57 crores.

According to Anil Galgali, appointing intelligent and responsible IAS officers in the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund Cell will increase the fund and maintain the transparency. Providing a complete list of beneficiaries will prevent some level of fraud.