According to officials privy familiar with the developments, CM Fadnavis was upset to learn that fund transfers had been stalled in some districts because district collectors were on leave during Diwali, which led to delays in signing disbursement orders
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed displeasure over the delay in disbursing financial assistance to farmers and citizens affected by recent floods and instructed officials to ensure that the relief reaches beneficiaries without further delay, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.
Fadnavis gave the directions during a cabinet meeting held in Mumbai, where several ministers reportedly raised concerns about the slow pace of financial aid distribution, PTI reported.
According to officials familiar with the developments, CM Fadnavis was upset to learn that fund transfers had been stalled in some districts because district collectors were on leave during Diwali, which led to delays in signing disbursement orders.
“The CM was categorical that such excuses will not be accepted in future,” a senior official who attended the meeting said, adding, “He also instructed the chief secretary to hold the officers concerned accountable and ensure that financial assistance reaches the beneficiaries without any further delay.”
Sources said the CM made it clear that the overall responsibility for ensuring the smooth transfer of relief funds would rest with the chief secretary.
Earlier this month, the Maharashtra government had announced a Rs 31,628-crore compensation package for farmers who suffered heavy losses due to rains and floods during this year’s monsoon season.
The package covers compensation for crop losses, property damage, soil erosion, hospitalisation, ex gratia payments, and support for damaged houses, shops, and cattle sheds.
Twenty-nine of Maharashtra’s 36 districts and 253 of 358 talukas were affected by heavy rainfall, Fadnavis had said earlier.
Last week, officials said the state government had sanctioned Rs 648.15 crore for the distribution of relief to farmers impacted by excessive rainfall and floods. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil said that his department has so far sanctioned around Rs 8,139 crore to assist farmers hit by natural calamities during the current kharif season.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday accused the Mahayuti government of “deceiving” farmers affected by floods.
Sapkal also reiterated that the government should provide Rs 50,000 per hectare to affected farmers instead of offering what he termed “inadequate relief measures.”
(With PTI inputs)
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