A large-scale demolition drive conducted by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) in Gujarat’s Jangleshwar area has sparked a political row after details emerged of the spending on food, refreshments, and logistical arrangements for officials and police personnel involved in the operation.
A proposal seeking approval for ₹27.20 lakh spent on tea, snacks, and meals has already been deferred by the Standing Committee, while additional pending bills for mineral water and mandap arrangements have taken the total related expenditure to around ₹46.31 lakh.
The RMC carried out what it described as its most extensive demolition drive on February 23 and 24, targeting encroachments along the Aji River and a 15-metre TP road. Around 1,400 illegal structures were demolished during the three-day operation in the sensitive Jangleshwar locality.
The spending controversy surfaced after a proposal for ₹27,20,946 on refreshments for municipal staff and police personnel was placed before the Standing Committee, which refused immediate approval and sought clarification from civic authorities over the unusually high costs.
According to the corporation’s submission, arrangements included tea, coffee, snacks, and meals for officials, police, and workers deployed at the site. The bill listed over 21,000 cups of tea with biscuits, hundreds of breakfast and lunch plates, and large quantities of food and drinks served over several days, totalling the amount under review.
Officials stated that around 4,800 personnel participated in the operation and that food was provided on-site to ensure continuous deployment without disruption. They also said the urgent nature of the drive meant normal tendering procedures could not be followed.
However, the controversy deepened after it was revealed that the ₹27.20 lakh proposal did not include other related expenses. Separate bills showed ₹12.40 lakh spent on mineral water and ₹6.70 lakh on mandap services, bringing the total expenditure linked to the operation to approximately ₹46.31 lakh.
Questions have also been raised over the mineral water bill, with critics pointing to the implication of a very large number of bottled water units being procured during the drive.
Opposition leaders, particularly from the Congress, have alleged corruption and misuse of public funds, arguing that the spending was excessive and insensitive given that the demolition affected many poor families. They have demanded a full investigation and accountability from responsible officials.
