Arvind Kejriwal's oath-taking ceremony cost govt over Rs 6 lakh: RTI

MUMBAI: Delhi government spent Rs 6,33,802 for the Arvind Kejriwal government's oath-taking ceremony at the Ramleela Maidan, according to information obtained by Mumbai-based RTI activist Anil Galgali.

As per the reply by J P Sharma, Deputy Secretary of General Administrative Department, Delhi, the state government spent Rs 6,33,802 on Kejriwal cabinet's swearing-in, held on December 28, 2013.

The reply also said that information about expenses incurred by Public Works Dept, North Delhi City Corporation, Delhi Water Board, Delhi Fire Brigade Services, Police, Power Dept and Information & Broadcasting department for the function should be obtained from respective departments.

Sharma also stated, according to Galgali, that Rs 13,04,366 had been spent on oath-taking ceremony of Sheila Dikshit cabinet in 2008 (tent expenses Rs 5,53,715 and food expenses Rs 7,50,651).

The Delhi government, however, refused to reveal the number of guests on both occasions, as also the number of VIPs and VVIPs, and the number of security personnel.