Congress flays Modi government over Swarnim Gujarat

The Congress on Friday criticised the Narendra Modi government for its "extravagance" in celebrating the golden jubilee of Gujarat, and said the money could instead have been spent on providing relief to the people.

The Congress on Friday criticised the Narendra Modi government for its "extravagance" in celebrating the golden jubilee of Gujarat, and said the money could instead have been spent on providing relief to the people.

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"Crores of rupees are being paid to a Mumbai orchestra for a one minute song. Instead, adequate salary could be paid to existing government employees recruited on subsistence wages. The pride of Gujarat is in celebrating the golden jubilee of the state in a simple and sombre manner," said Congress's Shaktisinh Gohil, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly.

The Congress attacked the government for spending Rs 250 lakh on illuminations for the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. It said the government could have instead provided free electricity to widows for one year.

"Gujarat is known for simplicity and humility. Squandering money and exhibition of morbid ego is not the culture of Gujarat. A party can spend money from its funds, but it cannot waste public money," Gohil said.