RTI: Former UP CM gave ₹497 cr from discretionary fund

LUCKNOW: An RTI query by the state information commission from the chief minister’s office has revealed that former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had doled out Rs 497 crore from his discretionary fund during his five-year tenure as CM between 2012-17.

The information commission sought details from the CM’s office after an RTI petition by Mohammed Rafi, a terminated police constable, was rejected.

According to the information, the former CM had given Rs 497 crore to 39,154 persons following their request to the chief minister’s office.

This request was for financial assistance for treatment, compensation and ex-gratia to families of the deceased.

Out of this amount, the former UP CM had given maximum amount of Rs 50 lakh to the wife and family of deputy superintendent of Police Zia-ul-Haq, who was killed by a mob in Pratapgarh’s Kunda in 2013.

The second highest amount from the CM’s discretionary fund went to the family of Mohammed Akhlaq, who was lynched by a mob in Dadri in 2015.

The CM’s discretionary fund which has no financial limits and it is at the discretion of the CM can be given to anyone up to any amount.

The RTI query also revealed that BSP chief Mayawati had spent Rs 84.76 crore, around onefifth of what Akhilesh Yadav had spent during his tenure, from discretionary fund.

The information commission has fixed December 15 as next date of hearing.