Thiruvananthapuram: Reports say that there are major irregularities in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. According to the accounts published on 13 August in its official website, the salary and pension challenge had garnered Rs.1205.18 crore.
However, the records of the Treasury Director, dated 8 August, shows an amount of Rs. 1510. 98 crore. This shows that there is a shortfall of Rs. 305.80 crore in the CM’s Relief Fund as shown by the website.
This points to major irregularities in the CM’s Relief Fund, which is projected as transparent and not subject to meddling by the government. The government often said that the relief fund was audited by more than one agency. However, the mismatch of the amount of funds collected by the Relief Fund raises serious question about the genuineness of the government claims.
The demand for serious investigations into the irregularities has been raised from various quarters. Many are wondering if this shortfall is just a clerical mistake in the website or is it a result of serious financial fraud from the side of the government.