Rs 28 lakhs spent for ganamela led by Vijay Yesudas at Global Ayyappa Sangham, says minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An amount of Rs 28 lakhs was spent for the ganamela led by Vijay Yesudas, Veeramani Raju and Sudeep on the concluding day of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. Rs 8 lakh was spent for Ishan Dev's musical programme. A total amount of Rs 36 lakh was spent, Minister V N Vasavan informed the assembly while replying.

He also clarified in his reply that although the cost of the programme led by Vijay Yesudas and his team was fixed at Rs 28 lakh, only Rs 14 lakh was paid. Rs 8 lakh was fixed for Ishan Dev's program but only Rs 4 lakh was paid. Vasavan clarified that the allegation that bills of double the amount allocated for art and cultural programs were not true. He said this while replying to K K Rama, T J Vinod, K Babu and Mathew Kuzhalnadan.

‘Ishan Dev's programme was conducted due to the inconvenience of Nandagovindam’s. It was a mistake of the event management group, Indian Institute of Infrastructure recording the performance of Nandagovindam Bhajans. Incomplete and unclear bills given by the agency will not be allowed. The remaining amount will be given only after the devaswom board's task force examines the deficiencies in the audit report. Kerala Bank was not a sponsor of the Ayyappa Sangamam. Kerala Bank has not paid money for the sponsorship,’ clarified the minister.