Govt funds must not be used for religious functions in Maharashtra

Mumbai, December 18: Maharashtra government in a circular directed not to spend government funds on religious and social functions organized by private institutions. According to the circular, the local bodies will not spend money on Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Ramzan, Eid, Chhath Puja, Gudi Padva, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti and Dr BR Ambdedkar Jayanti. 

While objections followed after the circular was released favouring that this move may hurt the religious sentiments of the people.

According to the circular dated November 29, 2017, as per the court directives in Pradeep Jangan versus the state of Maharashtra case, the government has decided not to spend funds on any religious and social functions. As per the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949 and the Constitution of India, it is ultra-virus to spend government money on religious functions.

Pradeep Jangan in his petition said that the expenditure on religious functions organised by private organisations is borne by the government. "This is completely contradictory to the provisions of the Bombay Municipal Act 1949. It is loss of public money. There are various social and religious organisations which regularly seek government funds to celebrate their functions such as Dasma Devi festival, Mahashivratri Utasav, organised by Dharavi Devi Mandir Trust," he said.

The judgment further reads that the Municipal Corporation must also bear in mind that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution and the municipal funds are primary required to be spent on civic amenities.