A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed stark discrepancies between the funds collected and the funds disbursed from Maharashtra’s Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) following the devastating September 2025 floods in Marathwada. According to the response, the CMRF received an enormous ₹1.06 billion in donations in October, but only ₹75,000 was released to farmers.
The information was disclosed in an RTI response to Maharashtra-based activist Vaibhav Kokat. In the reply, CMRF official Manisha Sawant stated, “The contribution the CM Relief Fund receives to support flood-hit farmers is disbursed to farmers according to the order or direction given by the Chief Minister. In October 2025, flood-hit farmers were distributed ₹75,000.”
The revelation has intensified public scrutiny at a time when Marathwada remains one of the most severely affected regions. Relentless rainfall in September triggered widespread flooding, destroying crops, damaging homes, and deepening the financial crisis facing thousands of farmers. While farmers’ unions and opposition parties have been demanding a loan waiver and immediate compensation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has yet to announce a comprehensive relief package.
In a post on X, Kokat criticised the state government’s handling of public donations.
“During the September floods, people across Maharashtra donated generously to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, believing their contributions would reach struggling farmers. Government employees gave a day’s salary, MLAs donated their monthly pay, and sugar factories were instructed to contribute ₹10 per tonne of cane,” he wrote.
Kokat added that the RTI findings were “deeply disappointing”. “Donors trusted the government. Some cut down personal expenses, some even contributed from their pension. If the state cannot show where the money has gone, why would anyone donate again? I believe the government must create a transparent public dashboard detailing monthly collections and how the money is spent. Otherwise, how will farmers still battling the aftermath of the floods ever see real relief?” he said.
