"Different Rules": Criticism As Centre Allows Foreign Fund For Maharashtra CM's Relief, Not Kerala's, During 2018 Flood
The Central government accorded the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund a licence, making the state eligible to receive foreign funding under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Under the law, all associations and NGOs registered under the FCRA can receive foreign contributions.
The chief minister’s relief fund aims at providing immediate relief to the people in distress in Maharashtra, and it provides financial assistance to people affected by major natural calamities like floods, drought, fire accidents, among others.
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Notably, with the Union Government’s nod to the Maharashtra chief minister’s relief fund permitting to receive foreign donations, several netizens have dug up the Center’s approach to Kerala when the state was hit by one of the worst flood disasters in 2018. As Kerala was looking forward to getting back to normal life after being devastated by the flood, several foreign entities, including countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offered crores to help the state rebuild. However, the union government did not allow the state to receive foreign funds.
The Center refused to allow foreign funds to the state, though it permitted Indians staying abroad can send their donations to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund tax-free. Former Kerala Minister Binoy Viswam had approached the Supreme Court against the Center’s attitude to flood-ravaged state.
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As the Union Government now allows the BJP-ruled Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to receive foreign funds, users on X have alleged that the Center takes selective approaches to states, and that rules also change accordingly. “In 2018, the Modi government refused foreign aid for Kerala’s flood relief. Now that Maharashtra is BJP-ruled, the rules have changed,” author Mini Nair wrote on X.
In 2018, the Modi government refused foreign aid for Kerala’s flood relief.
Now that Maharashtra is BJP-ruled, the rules have changed. pic.twitter.com/CZnRQU5IbM
— Mini Nair (@minicnair) May 31, 2025
Sharing the report, journalist and lecturer, Sushant Singh echoed similar thoughts, stating the Modi-government declined foreign aid for Kerala for the flood relief in 2018. The columnist further wrote that the Centre’s nod for Maharashtra is because the state is being ruled by the BJP.
“In 2018, the Modi govt had declined foreign aid for Kerala state govt for flood relief. But now that Maharashtra is ruled by the BJP, different rules apply,” the journalist wrote.
In 2018, the Modi govt had declined foreign aid for Kerala state govt for flood relief. But now that Maharashtra is ruled by the BJP, different rules apply. pic.twitter.com/JntAPNnraz
— Sushant Singh (@SushantSin) May 31, 2025
The FCRA licence, which the Union government granted to Maharashtra CM relief fund, is a permit issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs that allows registered organisations to accept foreign funds for specific purposes, and they are crucial for NGOs, trusts and other entities seeking to receive foreign funding for social, cultural, religious or educational activities.
