RTI: 5-star rooms, air-tickets for NRIs at Pravasi Haryana Divas
What's the story
The Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana has provided 384 5-star hotel rooms and over 200 air tickets for NRIs who attended the Pravasi Haryana Divas held at Kingdom of Dreams from January 10-11. Gurgaon-based activist Harinder Dhingra got the information after filing an RTI for the same. The government gave out freebies worth almost Rs. 1.5 crore for the event.
Background
What is Pravasi Haryana Diwas?
The Pravasi Haryana Diwas is an initiative by the Khattar government seeking to recognize the achievements of NRI, PIO Haryanvis and help them "reconnect with their roots." The event sought to attract investments to the state. The government would highlight avenues of investments and other initiatives to improve the state. This year, 23 Pravasis had offered to invest Rs. 17 crore in the state.
Details
Details of expenses incurred
The government booked 384 rooms in five-star hotels including Taj Vivanta, Crowne Plaza Today, Hyatt Palace and more at a cost of Rs. 62 lakh. The state tourism department bore the cost of the Haryana Darshan at Rs. 19 lakh. The government did not release the data on the two-way airfare for 100 pravasis. However, analysts pegged it at close to Rs. 60 lakh.
Information
Were any investments agreed upon?
The Khattar government claimed that 24 MoUs, entailing investments of up to Rs. 20,000 crore were signed at the event. However, former CM Bhupiner Singh Hooda said "No investment is coming to Haryana on ground. It's only coming in the CM's speeches."