Not an extravaganza: Nirani
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Defending the budget planned for the Global Investors’ Meet-2012, Major Industries Minister Murugesh R. Nirani said, “It is not an extravaganza. It is far from truth. The government had spent Rs 30 crore during the last GIM, of which Rs 8.5 crore went towards issuing advertisements.”
The minister said that since it is an international event, enough precautions have to be taken in advance to complete the tendering process. “Last time, IAS officer V. P. Baligar took extra care to avoid unnecessary expenses. This time too, sufficient instructions have been taken to avoid unwanted expenditure,” he said.
He defended the government’s spending on the arrangements and dinner for the guests. “During 2010, we did not pay Rs 500 for a single flower, as claimed by some sections of the media. But the entire bouquet cost us that much.”
He said, “The prevailing market rates were paid for the preparation during the GIM-2010. This year, too, the government has made it very clear to the officers that spending should not cross the approved limit.” Mr Nirani denied that there is a lack of amenities like water, power and land for investors. “The government has already earmarked 1.19 lakh acres of land for industries. GIM-2010 cleared gas, thermal, wind and biomass power projects to generate 18,000 MW of power. Of them, projects generating 12,000 MW would come in three years, he said.
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