The Karnataka government spent a total of Rs 27.78 crore to conduct the winter session of the State Legislature in 2024 at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi, according to information obtained under the Right to Information Act.
RTI activist Bhimappa Gadad disclosed these details while addressing a press conference at the Kannada Sahitya Bhavan in Belagavi on Friday.
He said the 10-day winter session held in 2024 saw the Legislative Assembly function for 63 hours and 56 minutes, while the Legislative Council met for 51 hours and 48 minutes. In total, the House proceedings lasted 115 hours and 45 minutes.
Based on the total expenditure, Gadad said the government spent nearly Rs 24 lakh per hour on the 2024 winter session. This was about Rs 4 lakh more per hour than in 2023, when the Belagavi winter session cost around Rs 20 lakh per hour.
A major share of the expenditure went towards accommodation. Around Rs 7.83 crore was spent on lodging ministers, legislators, senior officials and staff in 82 hotels across Belagavi.
Temporary infrastructure, seating arrangements and other urban development works undertaken by the Public Works Department cost Rs 4.94 crore. Food expenses — including meals and breakfast for ministers, MLAs, officials and media personnel — exceeded Rs 2.76 crore.
Transport arrangements also added to the bill. The deployment of 75 KSRTC buses for police personnel alone cost Rs 1.19 crore.
Gadad highlighted that police-related expenses were particularly high. Costs towards police accommodation, food, fuel, allowances and CCTV surveillance together crossed Rs 9.14 crore.
Despite the government spending Rs 27.78 crore on the 2024 winter session, Gadad criticised the outcome, stating that the session failed to deliver meaningful decisions or tangible benefits for public welfare and development. He described the expenditure as an injustice to the people of Karnataka, especially those from North Karnataka, who continue to face several unresolved issues.