Latest news with #CMRF
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Maha gets Centre's nod to receive foreign donations for CM Relief Fund
MUMBAI: In a first-of-its-kind move, the Union Home Ministry has granted permission to the Maharashtra government to accept foreign donations for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), marking a significant policy shift under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The CMRF, operated by the state government, provides financial assistance to individuals affected by natural disasters, accidents, communal violence, terror attacks, and also extends aid for medical treatment and educational support. Until now, the fund—like those in other states—could only receive domestic contributions from individuals and companies. 'This is the first time any state's CM Relief Fund has been allowed to receive foreign contributions under the FCRA,' confirmed Rameshwar Naik, a BJP functionary who currently heads the fund. 'The permission was granted by the Union Home Ministry on Friday,' he added. The development comes in contrast to a previous decision by the Centre in 2018, when it declined the Kerala government's request to accept foreign aid in the aftermath of devastating floods. Officials in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the move will enable the fund to tap into corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from foreign companies operating in Maharashtra. 'There are many multinational firms here with significant CSR allocations. These resources can now be used to help more people in need,' an official said. The CMRF is registered as a trust under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act and is administered by a dedicated cell in the CMO. While officials can sanction aid within a fixed limit, the chief minister has discretionary powers to approve financial assistance of up to ₹7–8 lakh per medical case. Donations to government relief funds are closely regulated by the Union Home Ministry under the FCRA to prevent misuse and ensure transparency. As per law, any trust, NGO, or organisation seeking to receive foreign funds must first register under the Act. The original legislation, enacted in 1976, was overhauled in 2010 and amended again in 2020—most notably to grant exemptions to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES). Former CMRF official Mangesh Chivate revealed that efforts to secure this exemption had been ongoing for years. 'Even during Eknath Shinde's tenure, letters were written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah seeking this approval. This hasn't happened overnight,' Chivate said. According to official data from the CMO, the CMRF disbursed ₹4.95 crore to 525 beneficiaries in Mumbai during the first four months of 2025. During his term as CM, Shinde sanctioned ₹419 crore to over 51,000 beneficiaries, while the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government had extended aid worth ₹2.5 crore.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Centre allows Maharashtra CM's Relief Fund to receive foreign funds
NEW DELHI The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has granted the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, registration to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Maharashtra, enabling it to receive foreign donations for 'social' programmes. This is the first time that a State government relief body has been granted permission to receive foreign funds under the Act to supplement financial assistance to those affected by natural calamities, major accidents, communal riots, terrorist attacks or those in need of medical and educational help. The relief funds of State governments usually run on domestic donations and contributions. In 2018, India had declined foreign aid for Kerala flood relief. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) of Maharashtra is registered as a Trust under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, its website said. It is managed by the State of Maharashtra under the chairmanship of Chief Minister who exercises overall supervision and control over the funds. According to a tender floated in February, the average number of transactions handled by the CMRF are between one lakh and 1.5 lakh per year. The Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund or the PM CARES Fund – set up in March 2020 to tackle distress situations such as that posed by the COVID-19 pandemic – was exempted from the FCRA provisions, and a 'separate account for receiving foreign donations' was opened. Registration mandatory The Home Ministry regulates foreign donations through the FCRA to ensure that such funds do not adversely affect country's internal security. It is compulsory to register under the Act, first enacted in 1976, if an association, group or NGO intends to receive foreign donations. The 1976 Act was repealed and replaced with a new legislation in 2010. It was further amended in 2020. Registered associations can receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural programmes. This year, FCRA registrations were granted to 244 NGOs or associations, including the Ramakrishna Mission in Kolkata, the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar, and seven Buddhist associations. As on Friday, there were 16,141 FCRA-registered NGOs in the country.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu varsities told to focus on faculty development and placement improvement
Tamil Nadu universities will receive ₹200 crore to develop plans to improve the performance of permanent faculty in government colleges, Higher Education Secretary C. Samayamoorthy told the Registrars of universities at a recent review meeting here. Registrars must ensure that permanent faculty in government colleges participate in development programmes under 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme, he told the university officials. The Registrars must device plans to improve the performance of the government college teachers and the teachers' incentive will depend on their performance, the secretary said. The Director of Collegiate Education must ensure that all faculty attend the development programme. The instruction came during a review meeting of placements under 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme with university Registrars earlier this month. Some universities had shown poor placement under the scheme. He said the officials should identify employment sectors in regions surrounding the universities and its affiliated colleges. Colleges must be instructed to train students in those sectors and improve placement. Mr. Samayamoorthy said university officials could hold video conferences with college placement officers and conduct meetings with controllers of examination. The onus is on Registrars to ensure that students are given proper guidance on employment, internships, higher studies and research. The university officials have been urged to identify students with arrears in fifth and sixth semesters and enable them clear their arrears in the subsequent attempt so that they get placed. Mr. Samayamoorthy mooted the idea of filling 30% of faculty posts in universities with retired and emeritus professors. The agenda would be placed before the Syndicates for its approval, he said. Universities have been advised to acquire the software that Anna University uses to provide affiliation to colleges and for Ph.D registration. It is proposed to create a common online portal for Ph.D registration and a centralised entrance examination will be conducted for Ph. D courses. Universities have been instructed to ensure that all Ph. D theses are translated into Tamil. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Collegiate Education instructed Registrars to use funds available in Chief Minister's Research Fund (CMRF) instead from the universities. Institutions must share the prospective list of research projects as well, the commissioner said. Fee increase All State universities except Anna University, will publish end-semester results by June 15 and the academic year will open for colleges on July 1. The decision was made at a meeting of State University Registrars held earlier this month. Universities have been permitted to revise fees by less than 20% and increase the fee for arrear examinations. Each department will fix a target to generate revenue. Universities have been encouraged to create merchandise, such as mugs, t-shirts, and caps, featuring their logo and the name of their founder or leader after whom the university is named.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh social welfare minister distributes Rs 35 lakh CMRF aid, slams Jagan over planned Podili visit
ONGOLE: Social Welfare Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy on Sunday handed over cheques amounting to Rs 35 lakh of Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF) to 49 beneficiaries from the Kondapi Assembly segment at his Turpu Naidupalem camp office. The minister interacted with beneficiaries' families, enquired about their health and treatment progress, and wished them a speedy recovery. He stated, 'Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has saved many lives through the CMRF. The TDP-led NDA government is committed to the welfare and health of the poor.' Dola emphasised that the State government prioritises the welfare of marginalised communities. 'Our government is a poor man's government. We will implement the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, offering free health services worth up to Rs 5 lakh,' he added. Dola slammed the YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over his visit to Podili on May 28 as part of the 'Porubata' programme demanding fair prices for tobacco farmers.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Funding boost for science & tech
Shillong: CM Conrad K Sangma on Monday announced that the Chief Minister's Research Fellowship (CMRF) funds forwarded presently for research in the field of arts and culture will now be provided for research in science and technology also. The CM made the announcement during his visit to Shillong Government College of Engineering , the first govt engineering college in the state that received the approval of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for starting engineering courses last month. Conrad, who made the assurance following an appeal by faculty members of the Shillong Polytechnic College, inspected the building of the engineering college and held consultations with the college authorities. He assured that all concerns will be addressed to upscale the infrastructure for making the Shillong Government College of Engineering operational as mandated by AICTE. The college is located at Mawlai Kynton Massar in the East Khasi Hills district and is affiliated with North Eastern Hill University (NEHU). It will start with two undergraduate programmes — civil engineering and electrical engineering — with an initial intake of 30 students each for the 2025-26 academic year.
