While the conflict between the governor and the state government is on various issue, on the other hand, the state government is distributing huge amount of money every year on the demand of Raj Bhavan. The Maharashtra government has informed RTI activist Anil Galgali that more than Rs 60 crore has been distributed in the last two years. Compared to the year 2019, the expenditure of Raj Bhavan has increased by 18 crores in the last 2 years.
Anil Galgali, an RTI activist, had sought information from the Maharashtra government about the grant given by the government to the Raj Bhavan office. The General Administration Department has provided Anil Galgali with the information of last 5 years included in the Budget Estimates. An amount of Rs. 13,97,23,000 was provided in the year 2017-18. The Raj Bhavan office spent Rs. 12,49,72,000. The total provision in the year 2018-19 was 15,84,56,000 while 13,71,77,000 was spent. In the year 2019-20, the provision amount was 19,86,62,000 while the excess amount was distributed 19,92,86,000 out of which 17,63,60,000 was spent. The provision amount was 29,68,19,000 in the year 2020-21, but 29,50,92,000 was actually distributed, out of which 25,92,36,000 was spent. While the provision amount was 31,23,66,000 in the year 2021-22, the government actually distributed 31,38,66,000 out of which 27,38,56,000 was spent by the Governor’s Office.
After the Thackeray government of Mahavikas Aghadi came to power in the state, more generosity was shown in the governor’s office. In the last 2 years 60,89,58,000 were disbursed out of which 53,30,92,000 was spent. In last 2 year 18 crore increase in Raj Bhavan expenses. According to Anil Galgali, the Raj Bhavan office should make public the information about the increased expenditure and audit all the expenses and upload it on the website. Anil Galgali has sent the letter to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
