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The inauguration of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan, Maharashtra, has sparked controversy over the exorbitant cost of temporary helipads constructed for the event. Rohit Pawar, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA, has vehemently criticized the Mahayuti government, alleging that the state spent a staggering Rs 2 crore on these helipads, a sum nearly equal to the statue's cost of Rs 2.4 crore.
Pawar took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his outrage, stating that the expenditure on the helipads is disproportionate to the statue's cost, comparing it to a situation where the doors and windows of a house are more expensive than the house itself. He highlighted that the state government spent Rs 78 lakhs, Rs 44 lakhs, and Rs 79 lakhs on constructing three temporary helipads, questioning the rationale behind such a hefty expense for a temporary structure.
Pawar further raised concerns regarding the tender process, noting that it was floated in December 2023, while work orders were issued two months prior in September 2023. He alleged that the hurried tender process points towards a possible lack of transparency and potential corruption, demanding an investigation into the matter. He emphasized the need for the state government to provide answers regarding the exorbitant cost and the irregularities in the tendering process.
Echoing Pawar's concerns, Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, from the Congress party, also condemned the government's actions, terming it a blatant display of prioritizing events and commissions over the welfare of the people. He pointed out the swift construction of the helipads, contrasting it with the sluggish pace of addressing people's concerns, questioning the government's priorities. He accused the government of prioritizing event management and profiting from commissions at the expense of public welfare, criticizing the government's actions as a betrayal of public trust and a disregard for the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The controversy surrounding the helipads has further intensified the political climate in Maharashtra, with the opposition parties launching scathing attacks on the ruling Mahayuti government. The opposition alleges that the government is prioritizing extravagant events and lining their pockets with commissions at the expense of the people's well-being. This event highlights the ongoing tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition, raising questions about the government's priorities and fiscal accountability.