'Permanent asset' created, says government after allegations of G20 overspending
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has refuted Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale's allegations of spending 300% more than the allocated budget on the G20 Summit, calling it "misleading."
An X post by the government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check team dismissed Gokhale's claims, stating the expenditure was primarily for "permanent asset creation" and infrastructure development, not just for hosting the summit.
Notably, the summit concluded on Sunday, and India handed over the rotational G20 Presidency to Brazil.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Gokhale, the TMC's national spokesperson, alleged on Monday the allocated budget for hosting the G20 Summit was Rs. 990 crore.
However, the government spent over Rs. 4,100 crore, making it 300% over the budget, he added.
He claimed the extra expenditure was for "Modi's self-advertisement" for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Thus, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should be made to pay the extra Rs. 3,110.
The Congress also accused the BJP of using public money to shine their image.
Twitter Post
Here's what PIB fact-check team posted
A tweet claims Govt spent 300% more on #G20 than funds allocated in budget#PIBFactCheck
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 11, 2023
1 This claim is misleading
2 The quoted expenditure is majorly towards permanent asset creation by ITPO & other infrastructure development which is not limited to hosting G20 Summit alone pic.twitter.com/CRGkraJw3J
Details
Bharat Mandapam built for Rs. 2,700 crore
The PIB fact-check team countered Gokhale's claims, saying the government's India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) spent the money on creating permanent assets and infrastructure that will be used in the future.
To recall, the summit was held at Bharat Mandapam—reportedly India's largest exhibition hall—at the International Exhibition-Convention Centre (IECC) in Delhi's Pragati Maidan.
Spanning 123 acres, it was built for Rs. 2,700 crore, News18 reported. However, the venue reportedly saw waterlogging on the summit's final day due to overnight showers.
Twitter Post
Waterlogging managed swiftly, said PIB
According to this video by a journalist, the VENUE OF THE G20 SUMMIT has gotten flooded today due to rains.
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) September 10, 2023
After spending 4000 crores, THIS is the state of infrastructure.
How much of this 4000 crores of G20 funds was embezzled by Modi Govt? https://t.co/6MWBRfcKsW