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Mumbai, October 28 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over the delay in providing financial assistance to flood-affected farmers and citizens. Sources said that during the weekly cabinet meeting he directed the Chief Secretary to take immediate corrective steps to ensure that payments are made on time.
Fadnavis intervened after several ministers, including Girish Mahajan, Gulabrao Patil and Dattamama Bharne, pointed out that despite the government releasing funds, financial assistance had not reached beneficiaries in many districts. The ministers alleged that the delay occurred because the officials concerned had gone on Diwali leave, resulting in administrative blockages.
According to officials aware of the Cabinet proceedings, the Chief Minister was quite upset to learn that fund transfers had come to a halt in some districts as district collectors were on leave, pending distribution orders.
“The CM clearly said that such excuses will not be accepted in future,” said a senior official who attended the meeting.
He directed the Chief Secretary to hold the officials concerned accountable and ensure that financial assistance reaches all eligible beneficiaries without any delay.
Cabinet sources said Fadnavis made it clear that the overall responsibility of ensuring smooth and timely transfer of relief funds will rest with the Chief Secretary.
The state government on October 7 had announced a relief package of Rs 31,628 crore for farmers who suffered widespread losses due to heavy rains and floods during the monsoon this year. The package includes assistance for crop loss, damage to life and property, soil erosion, direct financial assistance to farmers, hospitalization expenses, ex-gratia payments and damage to houses, shops and animal sheds. 29 out of 36 districts and 253 out of 358 talukas in Maharashtra were affected by excessive rainfall.
Officials said the state government has already sanctioned Rs 648.15 crore for distribution of relief to farmers affected by excessive rainfall and floods. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makrand Jadhav-Patil last week had said that so far, the Relief and Rehabilitation Department has sanctioned about Rs 8,139 crore to assist farmers affected by natural disasters during the ongoing Kharif season.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis said the government has already deposited ₹8,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of 40 lakh farmers affected by the rains and floods. The Cabinet on Tuesday also approved the release of additional ₹11,000 crore under the same package.
The Chief Minister said, “So far, Rs 8,000 crore has been released under the government’s assistance. The money has reached the accounts of about 40 lakh farmers. Today the Cabinet approved the release of another Rs 11,000 crore. Since this amount was not in the budget, it has been approved as a special measure. We have ordered that this money be deposited in the accounts of farmers within the next 15 days.”
–IANS
SJ/PGH