CAG report on Maha Kumbh exposes SP govt's claim: BJP

Pathak alleged of the Rs 1,152.20 crore released for the event, only Rs 1,017.37 crore was utilised

Attacking the Uttar Pradesh government over CAG report on Maha Kumbh Mela, BJP today said the shortcomings pointed out by the auditor has "exposed" the dispensation which had "patted its back" for organising the religious event successfully.

"The CAG report tabled in the Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) yesterday has exposed the SP government which was patting its back for successfully organising the event," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

He said right from financial management to construction works and crowd management, the CAG has pointed out "serious" shortcomings in organising one of the world's biggest event.

Pathak alleged of the Rs 1,152.20 crore released for the event, Rs 1,017.37 crore was utilised, whereas more than Rs 130 crore remained unutilised.

He alleged that the state government did not release a special grant of Rs 800 crore received from the Centre for the Mela instead the amount was used to compensate the state share.

"As a result, while the Centre's share was 99 per cent (Rs 1,141.63 crore), the amount of state share reduced to merely one per cent (Rs 10.17 crore)," he alleged.

The spokesman said some of the works which were carried out for the Mela were not related to the event.

He alleged that CAG detected shortcomings in crowd management, which included security, traffic rules, safety, health services and food security.

"There were serious lapses in the security of the pilgrims as CAG has pointed out towards shortage of necessary equipment," he said.

The BJP leader said those who were taking the credit of organising the Mela, must also own the responsibility after the CAG report.

"All shortcomings pointed out by the CAG expose tall claims being made by the SP government. Now it must tell what action it was contemplating to take on the CAG report and wether an inquiry would be conducted," he said.

In the report tabled, CAG has criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for financial mismanagement, absence of co-ordination between different departments and lack of planning in traffic management during last year's Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.