Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Despite strict restrictions on public events during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) spent over Rs 4.28 crore on public programmes and outdoor advertisements during the financial year 2020–21. This was over Rs 83 lakh more than what was spent in the previous year.
Between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 - when public gatherings were restricted for nearly six months due to the pandemic - the corporation’s Public Relations (PR) department incurred higher expenditures than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019–20, when Rs 3.45 crore was spent. The spending for 2018–19 stood at Rs 3.30 crore.
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): During the recent BMC budget meeting for 2025 financial plan, BJP councillor Selesh Sahu (Ward 15) raised serious concerns over the sharp rise in expenditure during 2020–21. He questioned the need for such high spending at a time when most public events were suspended. Sahu has demanded detailed records of all PR-related expenditures from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2025.
According to PR department records, in 2020–21 alone, over Rs 34 lakh was spent on flower bouquets, garlands, and stage decorations, while another Rs 15 lakh went towards photography and videography services for ‘events’—even when district collector had imposed restrictions that either cancelled or severely limited most public functions.
“This raises suspicion of corruption worth lakhs of rupees,” Sahu said while speaking to Free Press. “When events weren’t even happening due to the pandemic, how did the expenses increase? I will be writing to the BMC Chairman to demand an official inquiry into this matter,” he added.
Additional Commissioner and PR Department in-charge Devendra Singh Chauhan, speaking to Free Press, said that since he recently assumed office, he has no knowledge of the expenditures made during the COVID-19 period.
BMC Commissioner Harendra Narayan, who also was not with the BMC at the time, said, “All expenditures were carried out within the fixed rules and regulations, but as I was not with the BMC during that period, I cannot comment further.”
Mayor Malti Rai declined to make any comment until she had seen the comprehensive documents of the relevant period. BMC Chairman Kishan Suryvanshi assured that if a formal demand for an investigation is made, the matter will be thoroughly probed and suitable action taken.
Where did money go
Rs 34 lakh was spent on flower bouquets, garlands, and stage decorations
Rs 15 lakh expenditure on photography and videographer services for events
