Maharashtra finance dept questions OBC welfare dept’s proposals on Dhangar schemes

In August 2019, the then state government headed by Devendra Fadnavis announced extending over 16 schemes exclusively meant for the ST community to Dhangars. It was an attempt to pacify the community that has been demanding ST status. Of these, work on 13 schemes has begun and nine of those are being implemented by OBC welfare department. An outlay of around Rs 1,000 crore was approved for the implementation of the same.

As per the data, the OBC welfare department has not received the money. In 2020–21, it was given Rs 51.50 crore, in 2021-22 Rs 85 crore, in 2022-23 Rs 125.48 crore and in 2023-24 Rs 140 crore have been released till now.

“The plan was to implement the schemes meant for ST community as it is to Dhangars. It includes training for police and army recruitment, hostels for students, residential coaching facilities, nuclear budget for the community, exam fee facilities, housing scheme, enrollment of Dhangar students in prominent English schools etc,” an official from the OBC welfare department said.

As per the budget data, the total outlay of OBC department is of Rs 6,000 crore. It has now raised demands with the finance department for additional funds to be released in the supplementary demands which will be announced in the winter session of the state legislature.

The finance department is controlled by Ajit Pawar while the OBC welfare department is held by Bharatiya Janata Party’s Atul Save. As per the documents, Save’s office has been following with the finance department seeking release of funds and approval of new schemes. A review meeting will also be called soon.

Sources confirmed that over 14 files seeking additional funds for the department are pending with the finance. In August 2023, Save even had confrontation with Pawar over the release of funds and even asked the secretaries present to face the people, if they do not release the funds.

Sources within the finance department said that there could be delay in certain cases but every proposal has to be cleared with due diligence. “We are gradually increasing the funds released over the years. There could be some delay in few cases but we will go forward with caution,” said a senior official from the finance department.