Polls in mind, C’garh Govt hikes funds allotment

With an eye on the Assembly polls scheduled for next year, the Raman Singh Government has opened its coffers for ministers by making a five to eight fold increase in discretionary funds allocated through them.

With an eye on the Assembly polls scheduled for next year, the Raman Singh Government has opened its coffers for ministers by making a five to eight fold increase in discretionary funds allocated through them.

The state Cabinet has increased the discretionary grant amount of its council of ministers. A cabinet minister in the Raman Singh Government will now be able to disburse a grant amount of Rs 50 lakh each year, an increase of five times, as they were earlier entitled to make discretionary grants of Rs 10 lakh.

The discretionary grant amount for state ministers has made an eight fold increase to Rs 40 lakh from an earlier amount of Rs 5 lakh.

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The decision was approved by the Cabinet through which the 13 ministers in the Government have been allowed to make grants to individuals and NGOs in the state. Government sources said the ministers can make a discretionary grant of a minimum amount of Rs 500 and a maximum amount of Rs 50,000 in each case.

Raman Singh said the amount can be utilised by ministers to help people facing economic hardships and organisations that were working for the welfare of the masses. “The Government is sure that these funds will be utilised judiciously,” the Chief Minister added.

The discretionary grant amount is a fund that is available to ministers for providing immediate relief to people and organisations in need of funds. “As the funds are released immediately, at the discretion of the minister, there is always a chance of misappropriation,” sources said. The annual fund of Rs 50 lakh for a cabinet minister and Rs 40 lakh for a state minister will be over and above the funds available under the MLA Local Area Development Fund.

However, the Opposition Congress has branded the move as an attempt by the Raman Government to oblige its rank and file and organisations supporting the BJP Government. “This hike will only help relatives and acquaintances of ministers as these funds never reach the needy,” said Ajit Jogi, former Chief Minister.

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