₹12 Lakh Water, ₹20 Lakh Lunch Bill for Demolition Drive

A major controversy has erupted in Rajkot after the municipal corporation presented a bill of ₹27.20 lakh for tea, snacks and lunch during the mega demolition drive in Jangaleshwar area in February.

The bill includes ₹6.30 lakh for tea, biscuits, poha, jalebi etc. and ₹20.68 lakh for special lunch packets, masala chaas and lemon-ginger sherbet. Additionally, ₹12.40 lakh was spent on mineral water and ₹6.70 lakh on mandap services, taking the total expenditure to around ₹46.31 lakh.

The Standing Committee has put the bill on hold and sought explanation from officials. Congress has alleged corruption, questioning how such a huge amount was spent on refreshments when poor people’s houses were being demolished.

Municipal officials say thousands of employees and police personnel were deployed for several days, making food arrangements necessary.