Kumaraswamy’s 7-min swearing-in cost Karnataka exchequer fortune: Food, hotel charges...

The swearing-in ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy as the chief minister was reportedly more like a getaway for all the ministers who visited Karnataka to embrace it. This claim is supported by a few documents that have surfaced now, which give out the billing details of their accommodation and beverages. And this is no less than a fortune. 

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who arrived at Hotel Taj West End on May 23 at 9.49 am and checked out on May 24 at 05.34 am seems to have utilised the services worth Rs 8,72,485. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was known to be the face of anti-corruption, also reached Taj West End on May 23 at 9.49 am and departed on May 24 at 5.34 am, having made use of services worth of Rs 71,025 including beverages worth Rs 5,000. 

 

 

This shocking revelation came to the fore after an RTI reply was accessed by an activist. According to the documents, the seven-minute ceremony burnt a hole of Rs 42 crore in the coffers of Karnataka government. 

As per the documents available, the State Hospitality Organisation, Government of Karnataka, did not disburse any money during the swearing-in ceremonies of former CM of Karnataka, whereas it spent Rs 37,53,536 on accommodation and food at two five star hotels Taj West End and Shangri La, in Bengaluru, on May 23, 24 and Rs 4,35,001 on a buffet at Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall on May 23.
 

 

 

Although AP CM was the most expensive out of the lot, actor-turned-politician, Kamal Haasan is also not behind in the race. His bill reportedly came out to be no less than Rs 1 lakh.

 

 

Activists like Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, feels, the government could pay salaries to the pourakarmikas (municipality’s workers), who have been fighting for it for long.

These revelations give rise to a key question as to when the state is battling with such grave concerns, then why syphon out the money after such extravaganza?