THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government denied payment of Rs 20 lakh as requested by the Governor for the Independence Day party expenses conducted at Raj Bhavan. The government proposal is to take the amount from the budget allocated to Raj Bhavan.

At the same time, the governor wrote to the government stating the long-followed norm of government allocating money for any such receptions or events. The reception (at home) was held at Raj Bhavan as per the central instructions. In 2022, the At Home function was cancelled due to discord with the government. The Center had suggested that freedom fighters and their dependents should be given importance in this year's banquet. The chief minister also attended the reception. Rs 12 lakh were spent on entertaining 1,000 people in the courtyard of Raj Bhavan.

The governor's letter reasoned that if the entertainment expenses are to be taken from Raj Bhavan's budget, the amount for daily expenses will fall deficient. After receiving this letter, Rs 59 lakh was sanctioned to settle the arrears of fuel expenses and purchase of food items.