Finance Minister to host banquet for staff on Monday at cost of Rs 5 lakhs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister KN Balagopal on Monday will hosted a banquet for the employees of finance, taxation, GST Commissionerate and government press departments who worked in connection with budget preparation. The expense of the banquet for 750 people at Thycaud guest house is Rs 5 lakhs.

Officials from joint secretary and above in the finance department have been specially invited. There will be about 400 officials from the finance department alone. A special bus has also been arranged to take the officials to the guest house. 32 types of dishes are prepared for the event.

Employees work overtime for several days in preparation of the budget. Every year the government gives them a feast in recognition of this overwork. Ths has become topic of debate due to the controversial delay in salaries of government employees.