The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) is facing intense scrutiny over a staggering Rs 46.31 lakh bill for food, refreshments, mineral water, and mandap services incurred during a recent demolition drive in the city’s Jangleshwar area. This massive expenditure has ignited a political controversy, with the civic body’s Standing Committee putting a significant portion of the bill on hold and the opposition alleging corruption.

The core of the controversy revolves around a proposal seeking approval for Rs 27.20 lakh spent specifically on tea, snacks, and meals for the personnel involved. This figure includes arrangements for an astonishing 21,310 cups of tea with biscuits and 13,390 special lunch packets, alongside other breakfast items and beverages. The sheer scale of these provisions has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about financial oversight within the municipal corporation.

The demolition operation, described by the RMC as its largest and most extensive, took place on February 23 and 24, extending over three days in the highly sensitive Jangleshwar locality. Its objective was to clear approximately 1,400 illegal structures encroaching along the Aji River and a 15-meter-wide TP Road. While the drive itself garnered praise from civic officials for its execution, the subsequent revelation of its associated costs has shifted public attention to the financial management.

When the proposal for the Rs 27.20 lakh food and refreshment bill was presented, the RMC’s Standing Committee refused to grant immediate approval. Committee members, including those from the ruling party, expressed concern over the unusually high expenditure. They have since demanded a detailed written explanation from civic officials to justify the substantial amount spent on refreshments and meals during the operation.

According to the details submitted by the Municipal Corporation, the Rs 27.20 lakh expenditure covered a wide array of items. This included Rs 6,30,946 for tea, coffee, snacks, and meals, which encompassed the 21,310 cups of tea with biscuits, 50 plates each of ganthiya-jalebi and poha, and 360 breakfast and lunch plates served on various days. Additionally, a sum of Rs 20,68,500 was allocated for 13,390 special lunch packets, masala buttermilk, and 4,000 bottles of lemon-ginger sherbet provided between February 21 and February 27.

The controversy deepened further when it became clear that the Rs 27.20 lakh proposal did not represent the total cost. Separate pending bills for mineral water and mandap services pushed the overall expenditure related to the Jangleshwar demolition to approximately Rs 46.31 lakh. Specifically, the Municipal Corporation spent Rs 12,40,028 on bottled drinking water and another Rs 6,70,678 on mandap services, adding significantly to the final tally.

The expenditure on mineral water, in particular, has drawn sharp criticism. With Rs 12.40 lakh spent on bottled water, questions have been raised about whether nearly 240,000 bottles of 200 ml mineral water, typically costing around Rs 5 each, were actually procured and consumed during the operation. This specific detail has fueled public skepticism regarding the transparency and necessity of such high costs.

Officials from the Municipal Corporation have attempted to justify the expenses, stating that more than 4,800 municipal officials, police personnel, and employees from various government departments participated in the demolition. They explained that food and refreshments were arranged for everyone present, including workers and labourers, to ensure the operation continued without interruption and personnel did not have to leave the site during duty hours. Furthermore, officials cited the need to complete the demolition within a limited timeframe, which they claimed prevented them from following normal tendering or price quotation processes, thus precluding a formal contract for catering arrangements.

However, the opposition Congress party has vehemently rejected these explanations, accusing the Municipal Corporation of corruption. Opposition leaders voiced their dismay, highlighting the unfortunate contrast between poor families watching their homes being demolished and officials allegedly enjoying elaborate food arrangements at public expense. They contend that the unusually high expenditure is a clear indicator of corruption and have demanded a thorough inquiry, along with strict action against officials responsible for approving these bills. The Congress has also expressed concerns that despite the current public outcry, these bills will eventually receive approval, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance and accountability.

This ongoing controversy underscores broader concerns about the judicious use of public funds and the transparency of financial practices within civic bodies. As the Standing Committee continues its review, the public awaits a clear explanation and decisive action regarding the substantial costs incurred during the Rajkot demolition drive, ensuring that accountability is upheld.