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BJP slammed for huge payments to Hema, Asha
Main opposition Congress on Wednesday charged the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh with indulging in large-scale corruption in organising the state`s Foundation Day function on November 1.
Bhopal: Main opposition Congress on Wednesday
charged the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh with indulging in
large-scale corruption in organising the state`s Foundation
Day function on November 1, and alleged that it paid more than
sanctioned amounts to playback singer Asha Bhosle and actress
Hema Malini for their performances here.
The matter was raised during Question Hour by Arif Aqueel of Congress who alleged that both Hema and Asha were paid Rs 64 lakh and Rs 16.70 lakh respectively by the Culture Department instead of the sanctioned amounts of Rs 35 lakh and Rs 12 lakh. Aqueel questioned the authority of any minister to make payments above the sanctioned amount and also wanted to know whether Hema was invited in her capacity as BJP leader.
Replying to the charges, Culture Minister Laxmikant Sharma said the state government has a policy to invite artists of repute for such events and in the case of Hema Malini also, similar analogy was applied and not due to the party affiliation. On the issue of the huge sum, he said besides artists, the payments were also made for their troupe`s boarding and lodging and for that necessary permission from the Finance Department was taken.
The minister said the Foundation Day function was widely appreciated by one and all and in future also similar programmes will be organised in the state on such occasions.
PTI
The matter was raised during Question Hour by Arif Aqueel of Congress who alleged that both Hema and Asha were paid Rs 64 lakh and Rs 16.70 lakh respectively by the Culture Department instead of the sanctioned amounts of Rs 35 lakh and Rs 12 lakh. Aqueel questioned the authority of any minister to make payments above the sanctioned amount and also wanted to know whether Hema was invited in her capacity as BJP leader.
Replying to the charges, Culture Minister Laxmikant Sharma said the state government has a policy to invite artists of repute for such events and in the case of Hema Malini also, similar analogy was applied and not due to the party affiliation. On the issue of the huge sum, he said besides artists, the payments were also made for their troupe`s boarding and lodging and for that necessary permission from the Finance Department was taken.
The minister said the Foundation Day function was widely appreciated by one and all and in future also similar programmes will be organised in the state on such occasions.
PTI