SRINAGAR,16 Feb(KMW): The cash-starved Jammu and Kashmir has spent over Rs 22 crore on the travel, accommodation and phone charges of its Ministers and in the maintenance of helicopters.
“The government has spent Rs 2.04 crore on the renovation of two bungalows of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in Srinagar and Jammu and on their TA/DA and telephone bills during the same period,†official statistics has revealed.
It further stated that the Chief Minister spent Rs 5.32 lakh on telephone bills and his deputy Tara Chand spent around Rs 4.04 lakh on telephone bills during last two years.
The official data revealed that the government has spent over Rs 1.38 crore as TA/DA and telephone usage of Ministers in 2011-12.
In 2012-13, Rs 1.21 crore was spent on the travel and telephone charges of the ministers.
It revealed that Rs 4.56 crore has also been spent on the renovation and repair of government bungalows in last two years.
Rs 2.50 crore has been spent on the renovation of private bungalows and quarters of Ministers the report said.
According to the figures, National Conference Ministers spent Rs 2.92 crore on the renovation of their houses in Srinagar and Rs 1.16 crore in Jammu, while Congress Ministers spent Rs 1.10 crore in Srinagar and Rs 93.39 lakh in Jammu.
According to official data, Rs 20.23 lakh was spent on renovation of official residences of the Congress leader and party Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed. “Similarly, the government spent Rs 13.13 lakh on renovation of bungalow of Congress Minister Raman Bhalla’s in Srinagar in last two years. Rs 14.46 lakh was spent on renovation of Congress minister Sham Lal Sharma’s official residence in Srinagarâ€. (COURTESY www.newindianexpress.com)
