This is the only conclusion that one can draw from the letter that the govt has written in reply to the Governor's query about expenses incurred on the fast.
Were the central government's directives to the states the inspiration behind Narendra Modi's Sadbhavana fasts across the state? Outrageous as it may sound, this is the only conclusion that one can draw from the letter that the Gujarat government has written in reply to the Governor's query about the expenses incurred on the fast.
The home department wrote a letter to the Governor on March 2, in which it said that the Sadbhavana fasts had been held in the state to increase communal harmony. The letter further states that this was as per directions given to the "states by various ministries of the Central government to maintain and strengthen communal harmony in the states and with a vision to empower national unity."
Regarding Modi's three-day Sadbhavana fast held at the Gujarat University convention centre from 17 to 19 September last year, the letter states that the rent of Rs30 lakh for use of the convention centre was paid to the Gujarat University by the state's road and building department.
An expense of Rs1,57,18,275 was incurred on the function and it was borne by various state government departments, the home department's letter states.
According to the figures, the highest amount of Rs86.81 lakh was borne by the R&B department; the Information and Broadcasting department had borne Rs64.34 lakh followed by Rs4,97,209 contributed by the Sports, youth and cultural activity department; Rs56,832 by the Industries and Mining department, Rs46,800 by the Narmada, water supply and Kalpsar department and Rs2434 by the General Administration Department.
President of the Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP) Gordhan Zadaphia had written four letters to the governor, Dr Kamala, seeking details of the expenses incurred by the state government on the Sadbhavana fast. The governor had then sought details from the state government and it had received the letter in reply from the Home department.
Criticising the government stand, Zadafia said they had received a communication from the Governor house citing the state government's letter that mentioned that Sadbhavna fast was organised as per the instructions of the Central government. "The reply of the government is actually a lie. The government should explain in pursuance of which circular the Central government had organised the Sadbhavana fast," Zadafia said.
He further said that the state government had violated various rules of the Gujarat Financial Rules-1971 and had put the expenses in the account of Road and Building, Narmada and Water resources and Industries and Mining departments.
"The current letter of the Home department is interim in nature and it has hidden the actual expenses incurred on the three-day Sadbhavana fast," Zadaphia said.
Chief minister Narendra Modi has come under heavy criticism for the huge expenses incurred on the 34 Sadbhavana fasts he had held across the state on the ground that the fasts were increasing communal harmony and peace. The Opposition parties and the Congress have accused the Modi government for misuse of public funds for personal and political gain.
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