Maharashtra government has failed to use Rs 388.96 crore accumulated by collecting 15 paise surcharge on bus fares since 1971 for the Bangladeshi refugees of Liberation War.
The amount was lying idle with the government and not being utilised to meet the purpose it was collected for, reports the PTI.
On Friday, Bombay High Court asked Maharashtra government to explain how it would use Rs 388.96 crore when it was levied to mop up funds to provide relief to Bangladesh refugees during the Indo-Pak war. A Bench headed by Justice S J Vajifdar also asked the government to declare whether it would continue the surcharge, which is being collected by state-run transport bodies for more than four decades.
Hearing a PIL, the Judges asked the State to file an affidavit on the aforementioned issues by February 21. The respondents to the petition include Thane Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and other transport bodies.
The Liberation War of Bangladesh began on March 26, 1971 that continued the next nine months. Bangladesh achieved Independence from Pakistan in December 16, 1971.
1971 witnessed the worst human influx from Bangladesh to neighbouring India. Indian government reported that around 8-9 million migrants took shelter in 829 refugee camps and they provided necessary support including food, cloth, medicine to them.
The PIL, filed by social worker Vikram Tawade, said an RTI query revealed an amount of Rs 388.96 crore had been collected by charging bus commuters 15 paise surcharge on every ticket to provide relief to the Bangladeshi refugees.
The petition alleged that through RTI it had learnt that one of the reasons for increase in crime rate in Mumbai was that refugees were indulging in such activities.
No relief was being given to the refugees and on the other hand, they (refugees) were indulging in crime, the petition claimed. The PIL demanded the authorities either stop collecting the surcharge or use this amount for noble causes like tackling drought, malnutrition and security of women.
Neha Bhide, the State counsel, said the surcharge was being levied because the ordinance enforcing it was still in force and the amount thus collected was with the government. A decision on whether this sum should be used for some other purpose or not is yet to be taken, she said.