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.
The sanction of Rs 8 lakh from Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund for a dance troupe's visit to Thailand had sparked a row with the opposition questioning the BJP-led government's "priorities" at a time when the state is reeling under severe drought.
Now, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis's office has clarified on the alleged use of relief funds for a dance troupe. "It wasn't a commercial event but was performing arts competition. The CM's Relief Fund has separate accounts for drought relief , Jalyukt Shivar and others. The fund used here is neither from drought relief nor Jalyukt Shivar. Government employees are not entitled for any other private aid for cultural activities and this is the only way they can get the aid. This aid is as per the norms followed since many years," the office said
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. He sanctioned the sum that was transferred to Sachivalaya Gymkhana for the dance contest.
However, an official of the CMO said there is no wrongdoing in disbursing of the fund. Registered in 1967 with the charity commissioner, the CM's relief fund can be used for funding cultural activities, the official said, amid mounting criticism of the move.
Maharashtra Congress General Secretary Sanjay Dutt said the government's priorities are flawed. "It attaches more importance to funds for dance than funds for drought," he said. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that the state government "which does not have funds to help cancer and heart patients, was very prompt in giving money for the dance troupe's visit to Thailand".
The government should recover the money and if it fails to do so, Fadnavis should pay from his pocket, he said.
Congress member Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the state government.
The Gymkhana had sought aid to send its 15-member team of government employees to enable them to participate in a dance competition in Bangkok from December 26-30. The 5th Cultural Olympiad of Performing Arts 2015 is being held in Bangkok by Global Council of Art and Culture.
In 2008, former CIC Shailesh Gandhi had revealed through RTI that public money collected between 2003 and 2005, when Congress-NCP regime was in power, went to the organisers of a kabaddi competition, a women's football match, a ghazal contest, a Marathi actor's fan club and a Congress MLA's religious congregation.
"The disbursement of the fund is made at the discretion of the Chief Minister, and in accordance with the Chief Ministers directions," said the official.
Earlier, Shaina NC of the BJP had defended Fadnavis.
(With PTI inputs)
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 "Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis")
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