Almost Rs 3 crore in just three days have led to a controversy over expenses incurred in an anti-encroachment expedition in the Old City of Ahmedabad.
Around Rs 1.5 crore was spent on buying heavy machines like JCB and tractors for demolition of “illegal” structures as per the details of expenditures, the report stated. There was also an allocation of Rs 24 lakh has been reportedly earmarked for the videography of the operation.
The expenditure statement also reveals that almost Rs 23 lakh was disbursed for drinking water for personnel engaged in the drive, as well as Rs 27 lakh for breakfast and other ‘other expenses’.
The unusually high expense is raising both political heat and public reproach, many wondering whether such high operational costs are warranted as a three-day demolition exercise and publicizing such expenses. Critics have called for the authorities approving the payments to be held accountable for the expenses incurred and questioned them for details of these expenses.
The dust-up comes when several big financial irregularity cases are on investigation in the country. The Enforcement Directorate’s recently attached assets to fresh investigations into the alleged Advantage Overseas Private Limited fraud of Rs 1,266 crore in the SBI included Rs 3.66 crore. Another investigation pointed out a Department Programme Officer was probing a Bihar District Programme Officer who had allegedly been transacting money over Rs.2.5 crore in bank through a post office salary of roughly Rs. 2.7 lakh in a span of 32 months.
The authorities haven’t yet provided any comprehensive information about expenses on the Ahmedabad demolition drive. In the meantime, calls for more transparency and for the independent review of the expenditure are building.