Covid: State got Rs 541cr through donations but used only Rs 132cr

Nagpur: Maharashtra government has received donations of over Rs 541 crore for special fund under Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to fight the Covid-19 pandemic from March 28, an RTI query has revealed.
The reply filed by Milind Kabadi, public information officer at CM’s secretariat in Mumbai, mentioned that of the total amount, Rs 132.3 crore was spent till August 3.
While replying to senior activist Abhay Kolarkar’s queries, Kabadi informed that about Rs 1.2 crore were handed over to Nagpur district collector towards relief measures.
Three hospitals were extended help from CM’s fund. These included St George Hospital in Mumbai (Rs20 crore), while district hospitals in Ratnagiri and Jalna were handed over Rs 1.07 crore each for fighting the deadly disease. On whether any hospital from Nagpur was provided financial help from this fund, the officer answered in the negative.
Kolarkar had also sought information about the names of donors who had deposited money in the chief minister’s fund. However, the secretariat declined to provide this information saying it was facing staff shortage due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Kabadi also informed that the data received from the government didn’t contain names, and only cheque numbers were mentioned which makes their task of finding out individual donors more complicated.
The officer informed that families of 16 migrant labourers who were killed after a goods train ran over them between Jalna and Aurangabad districts were provided assistance of Rs 5 lakh each from this fund. The workers had died while returning to their native state, Madhya Pradesh, on foot on May 8.
CM’s Relief Fund
Collected — 541.2
Spent — 132.3
Given to Nagpur collector — 1.2
St George Hospital, Mumbai — 20
Ratnagiri district hospital — 1.07
Jalna district hospital — 1.07
Kin of 16 labourers crushed under train — 8
(Figures in Rs cr)