SHILLONG: The total expenditure on gala dinner incurred during the recently held South Asian Games in the state is a whopping over Rs 41 lakh (Rs 41,15,370).
The Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma in reply to a question by Donkupar Roy (UDP) said in Assembly that the gala dinner was organized by the state government through the Arts and Culture department.
As per the break- up of the gala dinner, the Minister said that the cost of the venue was Rs 13,22,400. The details of other expenditure are fabrication ( Rs 3 lakh), sound ( Rs 1,75,000), lights(Rs 2,20,000), video (Rs 1,75,000), camera set up (Rs 55,000), power (Rs 90,000), artists (Rs 5,60,000), travel for artists (Rs 1,20,000), stay in Shillong (Rs 1,08,000), management fees (Rs 4,68,810) and service tax of 14.5% ( Rs 5,21,160). The total expenditure is Rs 41,15,370.
To another question, the Minister said that the total expenditure incurred as allotted by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to the state government is over Rs 15.39 crore.
The break- up of expenditure is up gradation of sports infrastructure (Rs 3. 92 crore), face lifting of civic amenities by Municipal Board (Rs 2.50 crore), equipment for security by state police (Rs 7. 77 crore) and launching of Shillong leg ( Rs 1.20 crore).
To a question on whether the expenditure incurred was for items which are durable ,the Minister said that that certain sports infrastructures were upgraded and renovated.
The beautification process included renovation of drains, paining works in different areas, and renovation of dividers among others.
To a supplementary question by Paul Lyngdoh (UDP), the Minister said that the artists included MC female, camp girls, fountain girls, red carpet girls, DJs, and singers among others.
In reply to another supplementary question by Roy, the Minister said that the details as to how the police benefitted from the allotted amount are not known.
However, the Minister added that more vehicles were purchased by the police for mobility besides the security related equipment strengthening the police.
In reply to a supplementary question by Ardent Basaiawmoit(HSPDP), the Minister said that payment for civil works carried out by the contractors is being made.
