Eknath Shinde Sets Up a Separate Medical Aid Cell Amid Growing Internal Friction in Fadnavis-Led Mahayuti Government

Eknath Shinde, the Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief, has established a Deputy CM’s Medical Aid Cell at Mantralaya, appointing his close associate Mangesh Chivate as its head. This move comes amid rising internal tensions within the Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, which is already grappling with a rift among alliance partners over the appointment of guardian ministers.

This marks the first time a Deputy CM has established such a cell, despite the existing Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). Chivate clarified that the new cell will not provide direct financial aid but will work in coordination with the state public health department, headed by Shiv Sena minister Prakash Abitkar.

Parallel Setup Raises Questions

Chivate, who previously led the CMRF when Shinde was Chief Minister, said the new cell will work alongside the CMRF to assist poor and needy patients. During Shinde’s tenure, around 32,000 patients received financial assistance totaling ₹267.5 crore. However, after Fadnavis took over, Chivate was replaced by Rameshwar Naik.

Speaking about the initiative, Chivate said, “The DCM Medical Aid Cell will help implement the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana more effectively. While it won’t provide direct financial aid, it will guide patients in availing relief through schemes like the CMRF, the Charitable Hospital Scheme, the National Child Health Programme, and Ayushman Bharat.”

He further stated that the cell will also work to raise funds for expensive surgeries, including organ transplants, through various social organizations. “We will coordinate with state and central government schemes, as well as organizations like the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and Tata Trust, to generate financial assistance for patients,” Chivate added.​