The Maharashtra state government's decision to allocate Rs 10 crore to the Waqf Board has sparked controversy and has since been retracted. This funding was intended to support the development and welfare of the minority community for the financial year 2024-25, as announced by the state's minority department. However, following criticism especially regarding the appropriateness of such a decision during a caretaker government the government decided to withdraw the allocation. It was clarified that the decision was made at an administrative level and that such policy decisions should not occur while the state is in caretaker mode.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis commented on the situation by tweeting that the Chief Secretary promptly canceled the government order (GR), since issuing it during a caretaker government was inappropriate. Fadnavis also mentioned that the appropriateness of the decision would be thoroughly examined once a new government is in place.
It has now come to light that the GR authorizing funds for the Waqf Board was issued due to an administrative error, which played a role in the rapid retraction of the decision. This incident has intensified the political debate in the state, with several groups questioning governance and decision-making during the caretaker period.