Financial crisis not a problem; Governor demands more money for hospitality and entertainment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has demanded more money for the expenses of Raj Bhavan when the state was going through severe financial crisis. Reports said the Governor has asked for a huge increase in six areas such as entertainment, hospitality and office expenses. The Governor is asking for a 20-fold increase in the expenses of hospitality and a 36-fold increase in entertainment. Along with this, he has demanded that the office expenses should be increased six-quarter times and the expenses for renovating the furniture should be increased by two-and-a-half times. It is heard that the government is considering governor’s demand.

The interesting part is that the governor himself, who has been criticizing the state government for their extravaganza despite the financial crisis, has demanded more money.

The governor while responding to the media on the suicide of the farmer in Kuttanad, harshly criticized the government. There is no shortage of celebrations even when the state is facing severe financial crisis. He had said earlier that the government is spending much in the name of celebrations. Many people are suffering without even getting pension and they are spending a huge amount of money on the personal staff of the ministers.

The allowances of the Governor are fixed as per the Governor's Allowances and Privileges Rules of 1987. As per that, the limit for six areas is Rs 32 lakh. However, the Raj Bhavan has asked the government to pay Rs 2.60 crore per year for the six items.