Majlis Bachao Tehreek smells rat in CMRF grants

Hyderabad: Demanding that the government to provide details of all the beneficiaries of CM Relief Fund (CMRF), the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) on Thursday sought a judicial probe. The state government does not have details of funds worth Rs 85 crores, it said.

MBT spokesperson Amjedullah Khan said that there has been a cover up by the TRS government ever since it came to power. From the scam of police vehicles to currently unearthed CM relief scam, there have been discrepancies everywhere. “These kinds of scams can only happen, when there is a nexus between officials and corporate hospitals. The funds meant for ailing poor are being swindled. How can the administration not have details of 98.5 per cent of the beneficiaries? So, I demand a high-level probe into the scam,” he said.

An RTI filed by Vijay Gopal, an anti-corruption activist, revealed that the government has no idea about the people whose names have been listed next to the issued cheques worth of about Rs 84.9 crore. A Public Interest litigation (PIL), demanding an inquiry into the irregularities of the CM Relief Fund, has also been filed in the High Court.

Those applying for the CMRF have to furnish their ration card and contact details of the hospital where the beneficiary is undergoing treatment. However, the revenue department has not recorded such mandatory details for those who availed of the funds of around Rs 84 crores under CMRF. The CMRF can be availed by those who have health problems that require expensive medical care. The scheme is usually applied to families who lost their loved ones, those who have lost property or their source of livelihood due to natural calamities, and victims of road, fire and other accidents.