Even though the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) exists, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde established the medical aid cell. Mangesh Chivate, a close associate to Eknath Shinde, will lead the newly formed medical cell. The action is taken in the midst of continuing disputes over the selection of guardian ministers and other matters among Mahayuti supporters in the state administration.
Speaking about this cell CM Devendra Fadnavis while addressing the reporters on February 19 said that since the goal of the cell is to assist people, there is nothing wrong with its creation. I had established a similar cell while I was the deputy chief minister.
On February 18, Dy CM Eknath Shinde declared that there is "no cold war" with CM Fadnavis.
The creation of the cell, according to Eknath Shinde, is a step forward in their joint endeavours to aid citizens. He went on to say that the cell will be connected to the Chief Minister's War Room and that its goal is to improve service delivery rather than establish a rival system.
"We are not engaged in a cold war at all. We are fighting together against those who are against development. Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister at the time, established a similar cell on October 31, 2023, when I was the chief minister. I have merely reconstituted it with my people supervising its operations," said the Deputy CM.
Mangesh Chivate stated that this cell will not provide any financial aid to people, rather it would guide them about how they can access the existing schemes of the government and avail its benefits. It will guide people about schemes like CMRF, the charitable hospital scheme, the National Child Health Programme, and Ayushman Bharat.
Chivate said that it aims to enhance the implementation of Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojna, reported PTI.
Chivate said that when Eknath Shinde was CM of Maharashtra he was doing the same work using CM Relief Fund. Now he will do the same work except that this cell will not give financial aid but will assist the needy patients, reported PTI.