Six months after the Nava Kerala Sadas, questions remain about the programme's costs. The government's reluctance to disclose expenses has raised concerns about financial transparency.
Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet of ministers touring the state as part of the Nava Kerala Sadas. (Supplied)
Questions are raised over the expenditure of the Nava Kerala Sadas, an ambitious mass contact programme of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government.
Held from 18 November to 22 December, the programme was designed to address citizens’ concerns. However, the government’s hesitance to reveal the costs involved has raised questions about the financial transparency of the event.
This cloud of secrecy is the latest to cast a shadow over the LDF government.
In the ongoing Kerala Assembly session, multiple MLAs have persistently questioned Chief Minister Vijayan about the costs associated with the Nava Kerala Sadas.
CM’s response to questions on expenses.
Questions like details of costs involved in the advertisement, flex, stage decoration, light, and sounds, seating arrangement, food, breakfast for eminent personalities; reconstruction of walls, which were demolished to make space for the Nava Kerala bus; details of amount received via sponsorships, local bodies, and via conveners; details of government vehicles used and others were asked.
However, the response to all these questions has been consistently vague.
“It was the committees that get constituted at the constituency level which organized the programme through sponsorships and other means. The data regarding this has not been compiled,” the Chief Minister stated, offering little clarity on the financial aspects.
Adding to the opacity is the finding about the regional review meetings conducted in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
These meetings, held as a precursor to the Nava Kerala Sadas, significantly exceeded their budget, South First has found.
Initially, the state government had sanctioned ₹10 lakh each for the respective district collectors in September 2023, earmarked for organising these events.
However, it has now emerged that three district collectors—Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, and Thrissur—incurred additional expenses beyond the allocated funds.
On 17 February, 5 March, and 19 March, these collectors reached out to the government, disclosing a combined overspend of ₹9.73 lakh, bringing the total expenses beyond the sanctioned amount.
While the Thiruvananthapuram district collector stated an additional expense of ₹3,17,165; Thrissur and Kozhikode district collectors highlighted that they had incurred ₹4,65,591 and ₹1,90,389, respectively, as additional expenses.
Three districts seeking an additional amount
Considering their requests, the government on 22 June sanctioned the additional amount.
This financial overreach comes even as Kerala is grappling with a severe fiscal crisis.
The state’s budgetary constraints have been a topic of concern for months, and the government’s lack of transparency regarding the Nava Kerala Sadas expenses has only fuelled suspicions.
Critics argue that the government’s opaque handling of the programme’s finances raises serious questions about accountability and fiscal prudence.
“The people deserve to know how their money is being spent, especially when the state is in such a dire financial situation,” said an MLA who wished to remain anonymous. “The government’s evasive responses are unacceptable.”
Earlier, the Opposition had alleged that the Nava Kerala Sadas involve extravagant spending on events, accommodations, and logistics. This is seen as wasteful, especially in a state that has faced financial constraints and crises, such as the devastating floods in recent years and the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They also alleged that it was a political stunt designed to bolster the ruling party’s image, considering the Lok Sabha elections, rather than genuinely address developmental issues.
It was also argued that the funds could be better utilized in direct welfare programmes or infrastructure development rather than on high-profile events.
However, the government highlighted that of the 6,45,099 complaints it received during the outreach programme, 5,33,465 have been settled.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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