A fresh RTI disclosure has stirred a major debate over public spending at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) in Belagavi, with activist Bhimappa Gadad calling for complete transparency and accountability from the government.
Speaking at a press conference in Belagavi on Friday, Gadad said the RTI documents expose “wasteful and excessive expenditure” on furniture and oil portraits inside the SVS, warning that “if the government does not curb such misuse of taxpayers’ money, a legal battle may become inevitable.”
According to the RTI replies:
- ₹42,93,940 was spent on crafting a new chair and table for the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
- ₹1,98,240 went towards refurbishing the Legislative Council Speaker’s chair, including plywood work, upholstery and cushions.
- A massive ₹67,67,964 was utilized to create and install 11 oil portraits of personalities linked to Anubhav Mantap, along with an additional painting — all produced by well-known artists.
Gadad noted that this new spending surpasses even the ₹36,60,000 spent in 2011 for furniture prepared ahead of the President’s visit during the SVS inauguration.
He further pointed out discrepancies in earlier approvals. On February 27, 2023, the government sanctioned ₹13,34,564 for seven portraits (8×5 ft) to be painted by reputed state artists. However, after a review by the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, a report dated October 25, 2025, stated that many of these paintings did not resemble the personalities they were meant to depict. Following this, the government issued a new order, releasing ₹28,49,200 to recreate the paintings.
Additionally, on February 4, 2025, another ₹25,84,200 was sanctioned for installing the Anubhav Mantap artwork on the first floor’s western wing and for handing over the widely appreciated Mahatma Gandhi portrait.
Gadad said these numbers raise serious questions about fiscal priorities, oversight, and the need for greater transparency in decisions involving public money. He insisted that citizens deserve clear answers on whether such expenditures are justified and aligned with public interest.