Haryana govt gifted Bhagwad Gita books to VVIPs bought for Rs 38,000 each, Opposition smells scam

The Haryana government's spending during the International Gita Festival held last year raised many a eyebrows. In the latest development, information obtained through Right to Information into the spending during the event, held between November 25 and December 5, has revealed shocking details of how public money was spent.

Opposition party Indian National Lok Dal questioned the purchase of 10 copies of the holy book for a whopping Rs 3.8 lakh. As per the RTI, each copy came at a price of Rs 38,000. These were gifted to VVIPs during the event.

Dushyant Chautala, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader and Lok Sabha MP from Hisar, told India Today, "Bhagwad Gita is available at a much lower price both online and at the Gita press. The Manohar Khattar government should explain the purchase of 10 copies of the book at such an exorbitant price."

RTI details reveal that two BJP MPs were also paid to perform during the event- while Hema Malini was paid Rs 20 lakh, Manoj Tiwari was paid Rs 10 lakh.

"PM Modi says his government has zero tolerance towards corruption, but his MPs are being paid handsome money, that too for religious functions," alleged Chautala.

He said that the cost of the annual event has shot up to several crores, which during the Chautala and Hooda government was few lakhs only.

"If the Haryana government doesn't conduct inquiry then I will write to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to investigate misappropriation of public money," the Indian National Lok Dal leader said.

As the RTI details, Rs 1 crore was spent on repair of Brahm Sarovar, but in 2016 Rs 38 lakh was spent for the same purpose.

INLD also alleged that certain contracts were awarded to near and dear ones of several BJP leaders.

Meanwhile, the Haryana government denied these allegations. Senior minister Anil Vij told media persons that the Gita Mahotsav was an international event of great repute.

"We will order a probe and if any official is found guilty, strict action will be taken against them," Anil Vij said.