The 'Bend it like Bipasha' yoga demonstration in Bengaluru which took place a fortnight ago has put the state government in a disarray as the event which was only for an hour, cost Rs. 45 lakh. The government was stunned by the bill which increased 4 times in comparison to last year and has disowned any payment to Bollywood actress, Bipasha Basu, as well as directed the organisers to authenticate the expenditure.
Bipasha was a part of the second edition of International Yoga Day celebrations, on June 21 that took place at Kanteerava stadium. It was conceived by the state government's Ayush (Directorate of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unnani, Siddha and Homeopathy) in tandem with Shwaasa, a Yoga teaching institute run by yoga expert Vachananand Swamiji.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah along with some of his cabinet colleagues and two union ministers took part in the programme to perform yoga on the dais and even though the event was a success the developments have been interesting. Shwaasa has been demanding the government to release the funds for the event and remuneration due to Bipasha whereas Ayush Director Subhash K Malkhede informed a popular newspaper, "No payments have been made to the private organisers so far."
Ayush officials said, "The programme was organised by the government and no formal invitation was extended by the state to Bipasha Basu. The government was in no way connected to her presence at Kanteerava Stadium and has no idea about the remuneration payable to her. The private partner (referring to Shwaasa) has submitted bills for various expenses and all of these are not acceptable."
Ayush officials maintain that confusion arose after the private parties came on-board. In fact, Ayush had submitted a request to the state government seeking Rs. 10 lakh to conduct the public event at Kanteerava Stadium this year. While the finance department was considering the request a letter from the chief minister's office to the health department changed the game. The letter directed the health department to release Rs. 25 lakh to a yoga program being planned by Shwaasa and the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA). The health department reverted stating it needed extra funds. But the government maintained while Ayush would spend Rs. 20 lakh from its budgetary allocation the remaining Rs. 25 lakh will be contributed by KOA. Accordingly, a bill for Rs. 45 lakh was raised after the event.
Sources in the finance department raised questions: "How can the expenditure for the yoga event go up from Rs 10. lakh last to Rs. 45 lakh this year. Moreover, the celebrity guest (Bipasha Basu) is no longer a top-notch actress in Bollywood."
Source: pinkvilla
