AAP spent lakhs from state funds to celebrate its win in Punjab polls: RTI
Chandigarh: August 6: The Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab spent lakhs of rupees to celebrate its victory in Assembly elections 2022, claimed RTI activist Manik Goyal.
According to Goyal, Bhagwant Mann spent government funds on AAP's "Vijay Yatra" even before taking oath as the state's Chief Minister. "It is illegal to spend money from the exchequer on a party's programme; authorities should be held accountable," the RTI activist stated.
The Aam Aadmi Party celebrated its victory in Punjab with a "Vijay Yatra" at Sri Amritsar Sahib on March 13. The party had invited workers from all over Punjab in government buses.
According to information obtained through RTI by Mansa resident Manik Goyal, the Aam Aadmi Party's 'Victory Yatra' was funded by the government treasury rather than party funds. Several lakhs of rupees were spent.
As per the RTI reply, lakhs of rupees were spent on five-star hotels, decorations, gold-plated swords, phulkari, and other items for Delhi's leadership. Even though Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had not yet taken the oath of office, around 15 lakh rupees were spent in a single day.
"Besides spending lakhs of rupees on victory celebrations, government buses were employed to transport party workers to Amritsar, which cost lakhs of rupees from the state exchequer. The government is avoiding replying," Goyal said.
Notably, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took the oath of office on March 16, while this "Vijay Yatra" at Sri Amritsar Sahib was held on March 13. Bills costing lakhs were collected from the exchequer, and everything from flex boards to food items was spent from the state exchequer in the victory yatra.
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According to RTI information, Rs 1,51,851 was spent on accommodation at the five-star Taj Swarna that day, Rs 4,83,800 was spent to decorate the streets with fresh flowers, and around Rs 75,000 was spent to greet the Delhi leadership.
Tents and chairs costed Rs 5,56,424, drums cost Rs 54,500, flower bouquets cost Rs 16,800, phulkari cost Rs 18,000, gold plated swords cost Rs 34,000, flex cost Rs 45,398, photographer cost Rs 17,500, and so on.
According to RTI activist Manik Goel, before taking office, Bhagwant Mann said that the public treasury was empty and that people's money had been wasted. "I'm curious who ordered the authorities to use public funds for the party's programme. At the time, Bhagwant Mann had not yet taken his oath, and it was a party celebration. Did they not think twice before spending this money illegally? Officials who spend money will face consequences because illegal spending on party programmes is corruption.
Manik Goyal further mentioned that this RTI was submitted to the DC Amritsar in March, but he did not respond. Goyal submitted a second appeal with the State Information Commission after the authorities failed to respond to the first. "This response came five months later. The AAP government has narrowed rather than simplified RTI responses, notwithstanding its promises about transparency," he said.
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-PTC News
