Mumbai : The famous Siddhivinayak Temple Trust has spent a scandalous amount of Rs. 24,38,734 from the donations of Lord Ganesh Devotees, for hosting Temple Summit in the 7 starred hotel "ITC Grand Central Sheraton" at Parel Mumbai.
The Siddhivinayak Trust’s scandalous financial functioning has already been the reason for the its recent disgrace and yet amidst the awaited legal proceedings in the matter, another case of the Trust’s misuse of funds has come to light. Shri. Kashiram Parab, the member of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has acquired the details from Sanjay Bhagwat the Trust’s CEO in reply to his application as per the Right to Information Act. Some of the major highlights of the Trust’s misuse of Funds as mentioned in Shri. Bhagwat’s reply are given below.
Everyone participating in the Temple Summit was accomodated under 7 star facility in which accomodation rent amounted to Rs. 7,24, 990 and lunch and dinner expenses amounted to a stunning Rs. 6, 73, 312 While travelling expenses amassed Rs. 2,39,022 extra travelling expenses in an air conditioned van amounted to Rs.42, 500 The Fusion Music Show demanded Rs. 31, 000 in all totalling to Rs. 11, 04, 844. Out of the total expenses of the Trust almost half the amount has been spent only on eating, resting and travelling in seven star style .
Other expenses included publicity and decoration (Rs. 4,35,032) and creative reasons (Rs. 1,387,278). What it means is known only to the trust. Inspite of large amount of staff employed in the Temple & many volunteers working selflessly Rs. 43, 400 has been alloted to extra expenses in terms of Helpers.
Earlier, an amount of Rs. 16 lakh was mentioned as sponsored in informal talks by the trusties.But in reality, only Rs. 8,75,438 have been collected through sponsors. Even then this amount too could have been used for more fruitful purposes. Apart from this sponsored amount, the remaining expenses of Rs. 16 lakh have been used from Donations of devotees.
Even though the Trust claims to have spent a total of Rs. 24,38,734 there is evidence from sources that the actual amount is more than that.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had begun signature campaigns and protest demonstrations to create awakening among the people about the Trust’s Corrupt Functioning. This campaign has been continued till this date and the last Tuesday witnessed the 11th consecutive protest demonstration held by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The Samiti has objected to the use of Public Donations for the Summit and has demanded that those responsible for this scandal must repay the Trust from their own pockets.
