Gujarat govt spent over Rs 28 crore on festivals in 2 years

Gandhinagar

The Gujarat government spent more than Rs 28.29 crore to celebrate various festivals during the last two years, according to its written reply during question hour at the ongoing budget session in the state Assembly here today.

In his written query, senior Congress MLA from Siddhpur and party chief whip Balwantsinh Rajput sought these details from Gujarat State Tourism Minister Saurabh Patel about expenditure incurred by the Gujarat government to organise various state-sponsored festivals.

Rajput sought to know the expenditure incurred on celebrating Rann Utsav, Patangotsav and Naratri Mahotsav during 2013 and 2014.

Patel stated that a total of Rs 28.29 crore were spent to organise these three festivals during 2013 and 2014, including Rs 15.75 crore in 2013 and Rs 12.53 crore in 2014.

In 2013, the Gujarat government had spent Rs 7.44 crore on celebrating Rann Utsav, Rs 3.56 crore on Patangotsav and Rs 4.75 crore on Navratri.

In 2014, government spent Rs 1.81 crore on celebrating Rann Utsav, Rs 3.02 crore on Patangotsav and Rs 7.69 crore on Navratri Mahotsav.

Replying to Rajput’s sub-question about expenses incurred in extending “special treatment” to foreign delegates during these festivals, Patel stated that since not a single foreign delegate or visitor took part in these events, there was no question of spending any money on them.

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