Athawale urges state to enact law to stop diversion of social justice department funds
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Union minister of state for social justice
Ramdas Athawale
on Thursday said the Maharashtra govt must enact a law to prohibit diversion of funds from the
social justice department
to other departments.
"The Karnataka govt has already framed such a law, and the Maharashtra govt must follow suit," he said while reacting to claims of the state govt diverting social justice department funds for smooth running of 'Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin' and other schemes.
Addressing media persons at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Athawale said he understood the anger voiced by Maharashtra social justice minister
Sanjay Shirsat
over diversion of funds from his department.
"There is no need to close the social justice department as sought by an agitated Shirsat. I will speak with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and the two deputy CMs on the issue," he said.
Shirsat had, in the recent past, made multiple public statements that funds worth Rs 6,900 crore from his department were diverted for Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and also for the energy department.
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Meanwhile, Athawale once again appealed to VBA founder Prakash Ambedkar to bury differences and join hands with him for Dalit unity. "He is the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, and I will be happy to work under his leadership. I don't eye any post, not even that of a minister. For me, unity in the larger interest of the community is important," Athawale said.
Athawale had publicly appealed to VBA chief for forging an alliance, but the latter showed no response.
Earlier in Jalna, Athawale said that NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar would have become the President of the country had he joined NDA. "I don't think Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar are separated per se as they were together in the past and continue to be so now. Ajit Pawar's only argument is that if Pawar can join hands with Shiv Sena, then why not BJP. Pawar can still be with NDA and become the President of India," he said.
Regarding talks of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray coming together, Athawale said he does not see such a reunion taking place in reality, considering the differences between the two and the overall political scenario.
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