Fadnavis said that a portion of CM’s funds are kept for funding cultural activities too justifying the use of money.
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“What could be the greater travesty, money meant for relief fund or for an unforeseen situation is used in peccadilloes in Bangkok, it is a greater travesty and calls for the resignation of the chief minister”, Congress leader Manish Tewari told ANI here. A query filed under the Right to Information Act by activist Anil Galgali found that Mr Fadnavis had approved Rs 8 lakh the dance troupe to participate in a competition in Bangkok in December.Mr Fadnavis however denied any wrongdoing in disbursing of the fund to the Sachivalaya Gymkhana for the contest. A sum of Rs 8 lakh was transferred to Sachivalaya Gymkhana for the dance contest.
The Opposition even demanded the CM’s resignation, accusing the government of insensitivity.
The relief fund is administered by the chief minister directly. It stated that the relief fund has separate accounts for drought relief, Jalyukta Shivar (the water conservation scheme) and money used here is not from these accounts. “Those making baseless allegations should check the facts”, the CM said.
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. The victims or survivors of disasters such as floods, drought, accidents due to fire or any other major natural calamities are provided immediate assistance from the CM Relief Fund. Assistance is also provided to economically backward sections amongst the communities in cases of medical treatment for various critical ailments, Galgali said.
The farmer suicide toll has touched 660 this year. People are seeking relief for chronic diseases like cancer and heart attack.
The 5th Cultural Olympiad of Performing Arts 2015 is being held in Bangkok by Global Council of Art and Culture.
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Thane: Any unholy nexus between builders, Corporators and civic officials won’t be tolerated in Maharashtra and strict motion can be taken towards those that flout norms or bask in corruption, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Saturday warned. The government should recover the money and if it fails to do so, Fadnavis should pay from his pocket, he had said.
