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Maharashtra CM Relief Fund
June 3 , 2025
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- The Union Home Ministry has granted the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 registration to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund of Maharashtra.
- This enables it to receive foreign donations for “social” programmes.
- This is the first time that the Union Home Ministry has granted FCRA nod to a state government relief body.
- It aims 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, Government of India 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.
- It is managed by the State of Maharashtra under the chairmanship of CM who exercises overall supervision and control over the funds.
- The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund or the PM CARES Fund – was set up in March 2020.
- It aims to tackle the distress situations such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- It was also exempted from the FCRA provisions.
- 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- The 1976 Act was repealed and replaced with new legislation in 2010 and was further amended in 2020.
- Registered associations can receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural programmes.
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