Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has sanctioned Rs 15 lakh from the chief minister’s fund for organising the Ganapati festival this year at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi. Notwithstanding that he had donated only Rs 10 lakh each, in 2016 and 2017, out of which, around Rs 1.5 lakh remained unutilised. Although the Fadnavis government has withdrawn the banning of photos and idols in government offices, this tradition of donating for the Ganesh festival from the CM’s fund may lead to controversy.

The Ganapati festival is being organised by the organising committee for many years in Delhi as the cultural festival of Maharashtra. The President of India, Lok Sabha Speaker, many Union ministers and chief ministers have attended this festival in the past many years.

With Rs 1.5 lakh remaining unutilised out of the Rs 10 lakh, each, donated over the past two years, by the CM, the government has asked the organising committee to deposit the balance Rs 1.5 lakh amount in the government account and the government will award Rs 15 lakh to the organisers.

The Fadnavis government had banned photos and idols of gods in government offices last year which led to controversy. After opposition and criticism by the Shiv Sena and others, the decision was withdrawn. However, the state cannot still promote or allow worship in government offices as the Constitution expects the government to be secular. As the government is not giving financial aid for festivals of all religions in other government offices, the government should frame a policy on the issue, said a senior officer.