Only Rs 30 Cr expended on PM's visit in Sept

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 19: How much does the country's Prime Minister's visit to a State costs ? Well it costs at least Rs 30 crore.
The actual amount spent may be higher.
The Rs 30 crore mentioned here is only a portion spent on "preparations" for the PM's visit to Manipur in September recently.
Speaking to this paper, highly reliable sources said around Rs 30 crore spent in preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur in September this year have not been fully reimbursed or repaid to contractors.
The staggering amount of Rs 30 crore was spent on preparation of gifts, provision for food/eatables, reconstruction and renovation of roads, construction of helipad, water supply, procurement of chairs on rent and information related activities, said the highly reliable sources.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on September 13,  more than 2 years and 4 months after conflict broke out in the State on May 3, 2023.
The Prime Minister's visit was criticised by different sections for being "very late".
He visited Churachand-pur and addressed a public meeting in Imphal's Kangla.
The Prime Minister spent only some hours in Manipur before heading to Assam for a 2-day visit.
Ahead of his visit, roads were renovated, decorated and barricades were constructed along the expected travel routes.
Meanwhile, the sources said the around Rs 30 crore spent on preparations for the PM's visit has not been fully released.
The money was spent on works done under the Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering Department, GAD, DIPR and other departments, said the sources.
Instead of awarding administrative approval (AA) and releasing the amount incurred in one go, the amount is being released in piecemeal manner, added the sources.