Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s move to set up a medical aid cell at Mantralaya has raised eyebrows in the State. File photo
| Photo Credit: –

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) Eknath Shinde has set up a medical aid cell at Mantralaya (State Secretariat) despite the existence of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) cell. This move by the DCM has raised eyebrows in the State as this comes days after Mr. Shinde’s formed a separate war room, a coordination centre to monitor the implementation of key infrastructure projects. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis already runs war rooms from Mantralaya that monitor all such ongoing projects across departments.

Speaking to journalists, Mangesh Chivate, head of the Shiv Sena’s Balasaheb Thackeray Medical Relief Cell, who will head the new medical cell, said that the newly formed cell will coordinate with the State Health Ministry for better implementation of State-run health schemes.

“The DyCM Medical Aid Cell will function in coordination with the State’s public health department and will strive for better implementation of healthcare schemes such as Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and other medical health relief schemes. This cell will not disburse funds but help needy patients in terms of guiding them on how to access relief through CMRF, the charitable hospital scheme, the National Child Health Programme, and the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme,” he said.

Financial support for needy patients would be coordinated through social organisations, he said, adding that the DCM medical cell will make sure that all the needy patients get free health services. Mr. Chivate maintained that the cell was not formed to counter the CMRF but to complement it.

Welfare measure

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said the DCM’s actions should not be politicised, because it is a welfare measure for the people of Maharashtra.

“Mr. Shinde has a soft corner and a personal attachment to the health department. Even when he was CM between June 2022 and December 2024, he prioritised clearing files related to financial assistance for patients. As a CM, he accelerated and widened the reach of the CM Relief Fund and disbursed ₹ 270 crores from the fund. He does not have any allegations of corruption against him,” he said.

After Mr. Fadnavis became the CM in December 2024, he merged the medical aid cell started under the Shinde-led government with the CMRF and replaced Mr. Chivate with Rameshwar Naik as its head.

The move has once again brought into focus tension within the Mahayuti, even as leaders claim that all is well.