Times of India: Koppal: Friday, March 21, 2025.
An RTI response has uncovered alleged financial irregularities to the tune of around Rs 7 crore during Kanakagiri and Anegondi festivals and silver jubilee celebrations of the district's formation last year.
Brinjal, usually considered
as garnish in most of the dishes, was extensively used during last year's
Kanakagiri festival, with records showing a consumption of 2.56
tonnes at Rs 75 per kilogram, incurring a total expense of
Rs 1.92 lakh. Additionally, 145kg of
ginger, a spice typically used in small amounts, especially in sambar, was used
at a cost of Rs 36,250.
These financial details were uncovered through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by social activist Ravi Agoli. "The financial records for all three celebrations for 2023-24 highlight these inflated costs. It is not a coincidence that district in-charge minister Shivaraj Tangadagi oversees Kannada and culture department, where many of these irregularities are concentrated," Agoli alleged.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, the allocated budgets included Rs 8.23 crore for Kanakagiri Utsav (on March 2 and 3, 2024), Rs 4.82 crore for Anegondi Utsav (March 11 and 12), and Rs 1 crore for the Koppal district's Silver Jubilee celebrations (March 10 and 12). "These documents indicate that nearly half of these funds have been misappropriated," Agoli said.
Tangadagi has rejected the allegations. "Such claims are typical when it comes to large-scale events. Funds are disbursed only after thorough document verification. Since these events were held simultaneously, some confusion may have arisen," he said.
However, Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy challenged the minister's rationale. He said, "Kannada and culture department, which allocated Rs 8.23 crore for the Kanakagiri festival, was reluctant to release funds for Anegondi festival, which is equally important as Hampi. Ultimately, only Rs 4.82 crore was granted. Even after a year, those who incurred expenses for the festival have yet to receive payment. The minister, who accuses us of unnecessary spending, doubled the funding for the Kanakagiri festival, which happened in his own constituency, and also misused half the amount."
The RTI response has uncovered other irregularities. The bills for vegetable purchases list an address associated with an aluminum utensils shop. "The bills, amounting to lakhs, were handwritten and contained altered details." Agoli said. "The total bill was submitted without a breakdown of expenses, which included a Rs 2 lakh charge. Despite this, the former ADC Savitri Kadi approved the bills without any objections."
Agoli has filed a complaint with the governor, chief minister and chief secretary, urging an investigation into the financial details of these festivals and calling for appropriate legal action against any officials and contractors found to be involved in misconduct.
An RTI response has uncovered alleged financial irregularities to the tune of around Rs 7 crore during Kanakagiri and Anegondi festivals and silver jubilee celebrations of the district's formation last year.
These financial details were uncovered through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by social activist Ravi Agoli. "The financial records for all three celebrations for 2023-24 highlight these inflated costs. It is not a coincidence that district in-charge minister Shivaraj Tangadagi oversees Kannada and culture department, where many of these irregularities are concentrated," Agoli alleged.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, the allocated budgets included Rs 8.23 crore for Kanakagiri Utsav (on March 2 and 3, 2024), Rs 4.82 crore for Anegondi Utsav (March 11 and 12), and Rs 1 crore for the Koppal district's Silver Jubilee celebrations (March 10 and 12). "These documents indicate that nearly half of these funds have been misappropriated," Agoli said.
Tangadagi has rejected the allegations. "Such claims are typical when it comes to large-scale events. Funds are disbursed only after thorough document verification. Since these events were held simultaneously, some confusion may have arisen," he said.
However, Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy challenged the minister's rationale. He said, "Kannada and culture department, which allocated Rs 8.23 crore for the Kanakagiri festival, was reluctant to release funds for Anegondi festival, which is equally important as Hampi. Ultimately, only Rs 4.82 crore was granted. Even after a year, those who incurred expenses for the festival have yet to receive payment. The minister, who accuses us of unnecessary spending, doubled the funding for the Kanakagiri festival, which happened in his own constituency, and also misused half the amount."
The RTI response has uncovered other irregularities. The bills for vegetable purchases list an address associated with an aluminum utensils shop. "The bills, amounting to lakhs, were handwritten and contained altered details." Agoli said. "The total bill was submitted without a breakdown of expenses, which included a Rs 2 lakh charge. Despite this, the former ADC Savitri Kadi approved the bills without any objections."
Agoli has filed a complaint with the governor, chief minister and chief secretary, urging an investigation into the financial details of these festivals and calling for appropriate legal action against any officials and contractors found to be involved in misconduct.
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