The Art of living has sought Rs53 lakh towards Central Government sponsorship as part of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan for the mega event that is to be organised on the Yamuna riverbed in the next three days.
The funds will be used to erect 500 makeshift toilets and installation of over 200 dustbins on the banks of Yamuna.
According to a letter by the AOl to the Urban Development Ministry, it has also sought Rs 3 lakh as cost for appointing 200 Swachh Bharat Inspectors (volunteers) with branded T shirt and caps for the festival. Each toilet will cost around Rs9,000 while the cost of each dustbin will be somewhere Rs2,500.
“The total cost of 500 toilets would be Rs45 lakh while total cost of 200 dustbins would be Rs5 lakh. Swachch Bharat Inspectors would be paid Rs1,500 (for all days of the event) and would be given branded T shirts and caps. This would cost Rs3 lakh,” the letter said.
These volunteers would stand next to dustbins and sensitize the people on the importance of segregating waste into biodegradable and non biodegradable waste. The letter was written by Tripta Dhawan, Trustee, AOl. A copy of the letter is possession with The Pioneer.
The AOl letter claimed that around 35 lakh people are expected to attend the event which included dignitaries from India as well as other countries in addition to various others who shall travel to attend the event.
“It will be a big event to showcase the initiatives taken by the Delhi Government to keep the city clean and spread the message of cleanliness. On this momentous occasion where people in such large numbers congregate, it becomes eminent to keep the venue clean of all the litters and showcase our country at its hygienic best,” the letter said.
It has also urged to create a social media campaign spreading awareness about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Interestingly, the Ministry of Urban Development has forwarded the letter of AOl to the Delhi Government and asked them to explore the possibility of extending support to the organisers of the event.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who acted carefully in the entire controversy and refrained from launching an all-out attack like other political parties on ruling BJP for allegedly turning a blind-eye to environmental violations.
Kejriwal welcomed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order allowing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of living festival to be conducted at the banks of River Yamuna. Kejriwal called it a grand cultural event and urged political parties to stop politicising the event. “Now that NGT has given its verdict, all politics and controversies around AOl event should be put to rest. It’s a huge cultural event wherein people from 155 countries are coming. Delhi welcomes all guests,” Kejriwal tweeted.
As a civil activist, Kejriwal had met Sri Sri on multiple occasions. The AOl founder was also related to Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement and they are said to be at good terms.
On the other hand, Delhi Congress president and former Union Minister Ajay Maken said nobody should be allowed to break the law, howsoever big he may be, to hold such a festival without proper environmental clearance. Maken said according to information, preparation for the event was being held without clearance from police, fire and the water authorities. Maken said nor has it got the nod from Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) about the Environmental Impact Assessment. Maken alleged that Sri Sri was being rewarded for his support to the BJP during the lok Sabha elections.
The former Union Minister said this gives a clear indication of Kejriwal’s collusion for organising this event, as the Tourism Minister of the AAP Government has given his consent for the event.
The Congress leader said Kejriwal had given his support when the Aurangzeb Road was renamed, which proved that AAP was the B Team of BJP and RSS.