Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): The Odisha government’s expenditure on the official Pakhala Dibasa 2026 celebration has come under public scrutiny after official records revealed that the state-sponsored event cost ₹2,31,92,117 (approximately ₹2.32 crore).
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The event, organised by the Tourism Department to promote Odisha’s traditional cuisine and cultural heritage, has sparked a debate over the scale of public expenditure, with critics seeking greater transparency in the utilisation of government funds.
According to expenditure records, the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) received ₹1,54,03,940, while an event management agency was paid ₹77,88,177, including GST, for organising the programme.
The records indicate that a substantial portion of the expenditure was incurred on event management, logistics, publicity and operational arrangements. Among the major expenses, ₹31.35 lakh was paid towards the Guinness World Records fee associated with the event. Food arrangements accounted for ₹9.44 lakh, while ₹9.43 lakh was spent on accommodation-related expenses at Panthanivas facilities.
The expenditure statement also shows that ₹7.59 lakh was spent on souvenirs and promotional materials. In addition, nearly ₹2.92 lakh was incurred on air travel and about ₹2 lakh on hotel accommodation for officials and guests associated with the programme.
Official documents further reveal that OTDC charged supervision fees of 8 per cent and 10 per cent on different components of the project, apart from applicable GST. These supervision charges contributed significantly to the corporation’s overall payment.
The disclosure has prompted questions from opposition leaders and civil society members regarding the necessity and justification of the expenditure. They have called for a detailed public explanation on fund allocation, supervision charges, procurement procedures and the selection of agencies engaged for the event.
While the celebration was organised to showcase Odisha’s culinary traditions and enhance tourism promotion, critics argue that large-scale spending of public funds on ceremonial events should be accompanied by greater financial transparency and accountability.
The Odisha government has not yet issued a detailed statement responding to the concerns raised over the expenditure. However, the issue is expected to remain a subject of public and political discussion, with demands for greater disclosure regarding the financial management of government-sponsored cultural events.