An RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali found that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved Rs 8 lakh for a government employee’s dance troupe to participate in a competition in Bangkok in December. Recently a few donations were made to the “CM relief fund for Jalyukta Shivar” to the tune of over Rs 500 crore.
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In his RTI, Galgali sought information from the CM Relief Fund desk about the assistance provided by it to the Sachivalaya Gymkhana.
“CM’s relief fund has separate accounts for drought relief, Jalyukt Shivar and other”, the Maharashtra CM said on Saturday.
Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on her part said, ” The Maharashtra Government is unable to address the problems of farmers who have been hit by the biggest drought in years, and added “The chief minister instead of addressing issues of the farmers is busy in giving money from chief minister’s fund for dance competitions”. “Out of that we sponsor people for cultural activities”, Mr Fadnavis said.
The dance troupe is slated to participate in the competition being held at Akshara theatre in Bangkok, which is organised by private bodies like Akhil Bhartiya Sanskrutik Sangh and the Global Council of Art and Culture comprising 15 artists for which Rs 50,000 each has been sanctioned totalling Rs 7,50,000. “It attaches more importance to funds for dance than funds for drought”, he said.
During his go to, the Chief Minister carried out “bhoomi pooja” for a brand new administrative constructing of Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), flagged off new buses and took half in different programmes. “Despite that he diverted this fund to Sachivalaya Gymkhana for foreign tour for their own enjoyment”. He should apologise for his shameful act.
Of course, Fadnavis is not the first chief minister to fund such extra-curricular activities. Fadnavis’ “fight against corruption, his credibility, his accountability is being talked about all over the country”, she said as she called for complete information to be put in the public domain.
However, an official of the CMO said there is no wrongdoing in disbursing of the fund.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the government should recover the money and if it fails to do so, Mr Fadnavis should pay from his own pocket.
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The grand event of performing arts will be held in “Aksra Theater” in Bangkok City from 26th to 30th December 2015.
