Ahmedabad, Sep 20: A public interest litigation was filed in the Gujarat High Court on Monday demanding explanation on expenditure incurred during Chief Minister Narendra Modi's three-day ‘Sadbhavna' fast and seeking directions for recovery of money, if spent from government exchequer.
The PIL, filed by NGO Vikalp Trust, seeks court directions to government authorities to explain the amount of money spent on the event at the Gujarat University Convention Centre.
Petitioner's counsel K G Pandit said they have demanded information regarding the procedure that is to be followed to organise such a function.
“There was no advertisement in newspapers from any state department inviting people at the fast venue. Normally, the government does so in case of a public function,” he said.
The PIL has been filed on the basis of media reports that nearly Rs 60 crore was spent on the event. The NGO wants to know whether the money came from government treasury.
The petitioner said if the fast was a personal, party or sponsored event, why should government functionaries sanction the amount or administrative machinery be allowed to be used.
Besides Modi, the petitioner has made Chief Secretary, Secretary (Finance) and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as the respondents.
The PIL is likely to come up for hearing later in the week. PTI
