A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Hyderabad High Court over an iftar party organised by the K Chandrasekhar Rao’s government in Telangana – at a reported cost of Rs 66 crore.
The Telangana government’s iftar party on 8 June, was attended by party leaders and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi , among others.
The PIL, as reported by India Today, alleged that public funds (Minorities Welfare State Sector Schemes) of Telangana were being spent on organising the iftar. Activists alleged the celebrations, which included the distribution of gift packets across the state, were a “waste of public money”.
One of the petitioners, activist Lubna Sarwath, who filed a petition against the state government in the Hyderabad High Court, had asked residents to boycott the annual event.
People of Telangana should decide if they approve such ridiculous spending culture from the taxpayer’s money.Lubna Sarwath, as reported by PTI
“Government money is only and only for welfare of the public without distinction or discrimination of religion, caste, gender etc," she said, adding that if the government truly wanted to make a difference, it could offer free bus and local trains passes for the physically and visually challenged people instead.
Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesman Amjed Ullah Khan also alleged that government officials were engaging in corrupt practices, while using Ramzan festivities as a guise. He demanded a probe into how much was actually spent on Muslim welfare, the India Today report adds.
(With inputs from PTI and India Today)
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