Ayyappa Sangamam: Govt says ₹36 lakh spent on Vijay Yesudas and Ishaan Dev performances

Thiruvananthapuram: The grand finale of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pamba, featuring a musical performance led by Vijay Yesudas, Veeramani Raju, and Sudheep, cost a total of ₹36 lakh, according to figures provided by Minister VN Vasavan in the Kerala assembly.

The government spent ₹28 lakh on Vijay Yesudas’ concert and ₹8 lakh on Ishaan Dev’s music program.

Although the expenditure for Vijay Yesudas and his team was estimated at ₹28 lakh, only around ₹14 lakh was actually paid, the reply stated. Similarly, while Ishaan Dev’s program was budgeted at ₹8 lakh, only ₹4 lakh was disbursed. Minister Vasavan clarified that allegations claiming bills for the event were inflated to twice the sanctioned amount were incorrect, in response to queries from MLAs K. Babu, Mathew Kuzhalnadan, KK Rama, and TJ Vinod.

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The minister clarified that Ishaan Dev’s program was held instead of Nandagovindan’s performance, and the reports stating that Nandagovindan performed bhajans were a mistake by the event management group, the Indian Institute of Infrastructure.

Incomplete or unclear bills submitted by agencies will not be accepted, and any pending payments will only be released after the Devaswom Board task force reviews the audit report from the Sangamam, the reply stated.

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Minister Vasavan also clarified that Kerala Bank was not a sponsor of the Ayyappa Sangamam. In response to questions from N Samsudheen MLA, the minister stated that Kerala Bank did not provide any funds under the sponsorship category.