The office of Charity Commissioner has issued an order to various temples and other religious institutions to adopt drought-affected areas in the state every year and provide funds to provide food and shelter to farmers and animals staying in those areas.
The Charity Commissioner's office has divided Maharashtra into eight zones and will be setting a committee to oversee the contribution of religious institutions towards drought-affected areas. The order was passed on Wednesday.
The office has been receiving complains from social organisations working in the drought-affected areas seeking financial help, the order states that the excess amount kept in bank by religious institutes must be used to help the needy in those areas.
Speaking about the new order, Shivkumar Dighe, Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra, said, "Often, extra funds are kept in the bank by religious institutes. We have ordered them to use of that money in adopting villages or areas that are drought-affected. In the drought-affected areas, just like farmers, the animals too suffer a lot. This adoption initiative will ensure timely food, water, and shelter to the farmers as well as the animals."
This year, areas in and around Marathwada and Vidarbha region have been listed for adoption. Every year, the list of affected areas in which the initiative will be carried will change according to the list of affected areas issued by the government. Every year, until the monsoons start, the adoption initiative will be carried out.
He added: "The committee will oversee the functioning of the religious institutes. The institutes will have to give a report on their work done on ground which will be monitored by us."
Over 1,000 religious institutes are registered with the Charity Commissioner's office in the state.
CHARITY WORK
- Over 1,000 religious institutes are registered with the Charity Commissioner’s office in the state.
- The charity office has divided Maharashtra into eight zones and will be setting a committee to oversee the contribution of religious institutions towards drought-affected areas.
