Tuesday 20 January 2015

New BJP Govt in Maharashtra spends Rs 98.33 Lakhs Govt funds on swearing in ceremony

At a time when Maharashtra is facing severe drought and also the claim of empty coffers of the state by BJP, the party went ahead and spent Rs 98.33 Lakhs of govt funds to organise a lavish swearing in ceremony of its first state govt at the Wankhede stadium, this information was revealed in a reply to an RTI query filed by RTI Activist Anil Galgali. Mumbai BJP has failed to respond to the query of Galgali, about the actual amount spent by the party too during the govt swearing ceremony. RTI Activist Anil Galgali had filed a RTI query with the Maharashtra Govt and Mumbai BJP, seeking information about the expenses incurred by it on the swearing in ceremony of the Devendra Fadnavis led BJP Govt at Wankhede stadium.

In reply to the query, Under Secretary Shri S G Moghe informed that the govt spent Rs 98,33,830=00, of which the departments of Executive Engineer (Establishments) City & Executive Engineer (Electric) has been approved of Rs 67,00,660/= & 30,60,670/= . The Addl Police Commissioner (South Region) was approved of Rs 72,500 for provisioning DFMD / MHMD for security screening at entry points on rent. The govt has still to pay the bills as on date.

  # Mumbai BJP UnTransparent?

Mumbai BJP unit has failed to even acknowledge the query put forth by Anil Galgali on 31st October 2014, forget replying to it. That the BJP speaks of a clean and transparent administration, but in reality practice vice versa is their own prerogative stated Galgali, the least it can be expected of them is that the put the figures spent on their website for all to see.

# Benevolance of Sharad Pawar

Why did the state govt plan the swearing in ceremony in Wankhede  stadium is still an issue of intrigue, also that is the response of the Sharad Pawar led MCA, which immediately convened a meeting and offered to host the swearing in ceremony free of cost, it also recommended the state govt to seek the services of it appointed catering service provider. The State govt has not paid rent for the venue nor any deposit.

    # Why Wankhede Stadium?

Anil Galgali also sought to know why only Wankhede stadium was selected for the purpose and also sought to know the rules pertaining to swearing in ceremonies. In response the govt provided a copy of letter from the Governor, directing the govt to hold the ceremony at Wankhede Stadium, and stated that there are no specific rules and regulations for the swearing in ceremonies. The Governor had directed the Chief Secretary, Swadheen Kshatriya to hold the swearing in at the Wankhede Stadium, vide his letter dt28th October 2014.

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