The Maharashtra government spends more money to take care of cattle than children in orphanages, even as NGOs say they have not received the government grant for years.

While the money allocated for a kid in an orphanage is Rs 30 a day for a meal, the amount spent on animals is Rs 70, said a report in Asian Age.

Quoting a senior official, the daily said the amount of Rs 156 crore sought by the woman and child welfare department has not yet been sanctioned by the state finance department.

Ruling BJP legislator Anil Bonde from Morshi constituency in Amaravati district wants the state grants given to children's homes run by NGOs to be increased.

“It is unfair that the government pays Rs 70 for an animal and a human child gets Rs 30 for food. The government should increase the grant to shelters to at least Rs 1,500 per month from the current Rs 900,” reported Asian Age quoting Bonde.

However, a senior official told TOI that they expect NGOs to raise funds on their own as they are registered with the charity commissioner. "The government aid is to support them in the social cause and they should not depend on government grants," he said.