Fadnavis Spends Rs 8 Lakh From State Relief Fund For Dance Troupe

However, activists questioned the government's logic and said the corpus was meant for relief so it was "gross misuse of power" to divert the funds in another direction. The CM's Relief Fund has separate accounts for drought relief, Jalyukt Shivar and others. Mr Fadnavis however denied any wrongdoing in disbursing of the fund to the Sachivalaya Gymkhana for the contest.

"The fund being donated for drought, such as recent donations by a few Bollywood personalities through cheques or cash, goes to the "CM relief fund for drought", while the one for quake relief goes to "CM relief fund for earthquake" with a clear mention on the cheque or a note attached to the cash or cheque".

"So 15 of our government servants have been selected for performing at an Art competition in Bangkok, but somehow it has been shown that the "drought relief fund" has been spent instead", Fadnavis added. During his visit, the Chief Minister performed "bhoomi pooja" for a new administrative building of Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), flagged off new buses and took part in other programmes. "If money has been misappropriated for a cause for which the money has not been collected, it is a very serious issue". He said the opposition must insist for Fadnavis resignation.

The dance troupe is slated to participate in the competition being held at Akshara theatre and is being organized by private entities like Akhil Bhartiya Sanskrutik Sangh and the Global Council of Art and Culture. "Common man from all walks of life including students are chipping in their best to the CM Relief Fund so as to enable the CM and the government to provide maximum relief to the population hit by the calamity", he said maintaining that it was a clear violation of the rules of the Relief Fund as reported by the Indian Express. "What could be a greater travesty". "At a time when farmers are dying, and 49 per cent of the state is under drought, is there a need to spend such amount on sending dance troupe". This can not be tolerated.

The government should recover the money and if it fails to do so, Fadnavis should pay from his pocket, he said.

BJP leader Shaina NC however took a staind against Fadnavis and said that "Accusing Devendra ji is not right because he is the only Chief Minister who raises his voice against corruption". His transparency, accountability and credibility are talked about across the nation.

The grand event of performing arts will be held in "Aksra Theater" in Bangkok City from 26th to 30th December 2015.