Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis recently found himself in the eye of a storm when an RTI query revealed that his government has spent Rs 8 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to send a government employees’ dance troupe to Bangkok for a competition. “Twenty five percent of the fund is reserved for cultural activities and that is what was used to fund the tour”, Mr Fadnavis said.
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Registered in 1967 with the charity commissioner, CM’s fund can only be used in natural disaster but looks like the government was reckless to farm crisis wherein farmers’ death toll reached to 660 in 2015.
Following the criticism from all quarters, the CM office clarified that the programme in Bangkok was not a commercial event but was performing cultural art competition. Recently a few donations were made to the “CM relief fund for Jalyukta Shivar” to the tune of over Rs 500 crore. Mr Fadnavis however denied any wrongdoing in disbursing of the fund to the Sachivalaya Gymkhana for the contest. In the past, chief ministers have funded the participation of favoured groups in sports and cultural competitions, drawing money from the chief minister’s Relief Fund. Fifteen state government employees, who are members of the Sachivalaya Gymkhana, will be participating in a dance competition in Bangkok in December.
“The fund being donated for drought, such as recent donations by a few Bollywood personalities through cheques or cash, goes to the “CM relief fund for drought”, while the one for quake relief goes to “CM relief fund for earthquake” with a clear mention on the cheque or a note attached to the cash or cheque”. “If money has been misappropriated for a cause for which the money has not been collected, it is a very serious issue”.
The dance troupe is slated to participate in the competition being held at Akshara theatre and is being organized by private entities like Akhil Bhartiya Sanskrutik Sangh and the Global Council of Art and Culture, says the daily. NCP, too, flayed Fadnavis for granting the aid to the dance troupe, saying, “Maharashtra is facing a severe drought and thousands of farmers are committing suicide”. People are seeking relief for chronic diseases like cancer and heart attack.
Coming to the defence of the Maharashtra chief minister, BJP leader Shaina NC said that claims by the opposition were “baseless”.
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The Gymkhana had sought aid to send its 15-member team of government employees to Bangkok from December 26-30.
