Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, May 28: Forest minister Eshwar Khandre announced that the state government would cover the expenses amounting to Rs 80 lac incurred during PM Modi’s visit to participate in the Tiger Project-50 event organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in April 2023.
Minister Khandre's office released a statement, stating that it is customary for the state government to bear the expenses of visits by VVIPs like the Prime Minister and President of India to the state. Therefore, the forest department of the state government has decided to settle the Rs 80 lac hotel bill incurred during PM Modi's visit.
Minister Khandre clarified that the state government did not participate in the Tiger Project due to the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct during the legislative assembly elections last May.
Khandre explained, “When PM Modi visited Karnataka in April 2023, the Election Code of Conduct was in force due to the assembly elections. Consequently, the project was primarily organized by the central government. Initially, the estimated expenditure for this project was Rs 3 crore. However, the actual expenses escalated to Rs 6.33 crore. The remaining Rs 3.3 crore should be covered by the NTCA.”