Rajkot civic body faces controversy over alleged ₹27.2 lakh refreshment bill in Jungleshwar demolition drive

A fresh financial controversy has emerged within the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) following allegations of irregularities in refreshments provided during the Jungleshwar demolition drive.

A catering bill worth ₹27.20 lakh, submitted by a team of former office-bearers, has raised serious concerns within the civic administration and prompted scrutiny over the claimed expenses.

Taking note of the alleged discrepancies, the Chairman of the RMC Standing Committee has put the proposal on hold pending detailed verification.

Questions raised over refreshment expenses

Initial details from the invoice reportedly show unusually high charges for refreshments supplied during the demolition operation. Among the items listed, ₹34,650 was billed for just 150 snack plates.

The invoice also allegedly billed individual pieces of kaju katli at ₹231 each, drawing further attention to the pricing structure.

Bill includes tea, coffee, biscuits and lemon juice

According to the invoice details, the catering order included thousands of cups of tea and coffee, biscuits, and nearly 4,000 lemon juices. The proposal also included a separate food bill from a restaurant.

The volume of refreshments claimed, coupled with the overall cost of ₹27.20 lakh, has triggered questions regarding the authenticity of the expenses and the accuracy of the billing.

Standing Committee orders verification

With concerns mounting over the expenditure claims, the Chairman of the Standing Committee has halted the proposal until a thorough verification process is completed.

The alleged refreshment bill has now become the centre of a fresh controversy within the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, with the authenticity of the claims expected to come under detailed examination.