MMRDA incurs expenditures of Rs 3.37 crores on public rally addressed by PM Modi

It is a known fact that all public rallies of PM Modi are special. Similarly the rally held in October 2015 which lasted only a few hours costed the MMRDA coffers Rs 3.37 crores, has come to light vide reply to an RTI query filed by Activist Anil Galgali. RTI activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the MMRDA administration about the expenses incurred on the rally addressed by PM Modi at the MMRDA grounds on 11th October 2015. In its reply the MMRDA informed that a total of Rs 3 crores 36 lakhs 81 thousands 366 was spent for the rally. The water proof Tent consisting of Aluminum and tarpaulin was erected by the contractor M/s Pratap D Thakkar costing Rs 93 lakhs 35 thousand 70. M/s Jess Ideas Pvt Ltd supplied the chairs, tables, sofas, podium, carpet Teepoys, Chemical toilets, barricades, Railings, cloth partition, flower decorations and drinking water totally costing Rs 1 crore 12 lakhs 97 thousand 104. The Electrical systems, video hall and relay arrangements were done by M/s Shree construction costing Rs 71 lakhs 67 thousand 465. The advertisements costed Rs 20 lakhs 85 thousand 647. Since the land was owned by MMRDA itself, no cost was incurred on it, almost 73,500 Sq Mtrs of land was used for the rally purpose and additional 36,500 Sq Mtrs of land was used for parking arrangements. 3000 Brouchers for the rally jointly meant for Metro line and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial in Marathi and English costing Rs 111/- each was printed. It was costed Rs 3,33,900/-. Podium logo, banners, stage back drop, welcome boards, direction boards, and Thank you boards costed Rs 34 lakhs 62 thousand 180. The MMRDA administration's Engineering dept which always is in look out for avenues to raise the project costs, took almost 5 months to provide this information surprisingly. Anil Galgali expressed his opinion that at a time when the state is facing acute funds crisis coupled with drought, the govt could have avoided the public rally lasting just few minutes and incurring a huge fan cost. The inauguration could have been done. And the funds could have been put to use on a better reasons, said Galgali.