Rs 87 lakh spent on Film Festival

SHILLONG: Opposition member James Sangma (NPP) questioned the Government over the lavish expenditure incurred for conducting the Indian Panorama Film Festival in March, 2014.
In reply to a question by Sangma, Information and Public Relations Minister A.L. Hek said that over Rs.87 lakh (Rs.87,07,890) was spent for holding the festival.
To a supplementary question, the minister said that Rs.24 lakh was spent on lunch and dinner for the 32 state guests and as many as 135 local    participants from various districts of the State.
When Sangma pointed out that spending Rs.87 lakh for a single festival was excessive, the Minister said that the festival was held for providing encouragement and inspiration to the local talents.