Visakhapatnam: GVMC draws flak for spending ₹2.88 lakh on Simhachalam temple darshan tickets
The Hindu
Mayor says she has reimbursed the entire amount spent from special funds
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has come under severe criticism after it came out in the open that the civic body had spent ₹2.88 lakh on VVIP tickets for darshan at the Simhachalam temple during the annual ‘Chandanotsavam’ held on May 3.
The corporation reportedly purchased more than 200 VVIP tickets each costing ₹1,200 and gave two tickets each to all the corporators and the council members, irrespective of their political affiliations. However, the corporators of the Left and other opposition parties condemned the move of spending public money on the tickets what they called as ‘personal purpose’.
They also demanded that those who had got the darshan tickets must reimburse the money to the GVMC with immediate effect.
Jana Sena Party corporator (Ward N0: 22) P.L.V.N. Murthy on Friday staged a protest. Dressed as a beggar, Mr. Murthy stood at the entrance gate of the civic body’s office and sought alms from the onlookers.
“At a time, when much has to be improved in the basic amenities such as roads, drains and sanitation, the GVMC is spending public money on personal purpose. I came to know later that the darshan tickets given to us were not free passes and that they were purchased with the GVMC money. I deposited the money for the tickets given to me at the GVMC counter,” said Mr. Murthy.
Asked about him begging, he said: “I hope the GVMC does not buy tickets of Mahesh Babu-starrer Sarkar Vari Pata for the corporators with the public money. I collected ₹4,800 by begging and deposited it GVMC counter. The civic body can use it for buying the movie tickets for corporators if it wishes so.”
The corporator also demanded the Mayor must resign and sought a White Paper on the transactions made in the corporation in the last one year.
Odisha Governor designate credits Atal Bihari Vajpayee for Kargil war success, golden quadrilateral, tribal ministry, and more.
Four years after the Union government launched the Svamitva scheme to digitise property records in rural areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute 58 lakh property cards providing ‘Record of Rights’ to owners in over 50,000 villages across 12 States on Friday at a virtual event
M. Suhaib, Additional District Judge, Kozhikode, suspended for alleged misconduct towards female court employee in official chamber.
Foundation laid for new auditorium at Sivakasi Government Arts and Science College with financial support from local businesses.
Telangana to introduce new clean energy policy to meet rising energy demands sustainably, aiming for 20,000 MW renewable capacity by 2030.
The girl, who was admitted to Aster CMI Hospital with alarming breathlessness and significant pallor, was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis (now known as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis or GPA), a rare autoimmune condition that causes spontaneous bleeding in the lungs, leading to acute respiratory failure.
Puzhal prison officials investigate fire accident that destroyed old files and cardboard boxes, possibly caused by prisoners.
ACB files case against IPS officer N. Sanjay in Andhra Pradesh. The official is accused of manipulating the tender processes for awarding contract for development and maintenance of AGNI-NOC portal, and conducting awareness meetings for SC/STs. It is alleged that the total value of properties stolen, or involved in the case is estimated at ₹1,75,86,600.
The holiday season spanning from Christmas to New Year has seen a surge in tourists visiting Mysuru with the hospitality sector announcing 100 per cent occupancy for the entire duration.
BJP leader and former MP, Prathap Simha, has backed the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) proposal to name a stretch of KRS road in the city after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Tourists flock to Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts for holidays, leading to full occupancy in hotels and attractions.