Jorabat, Jan 25: A recent response to a Right to Information (RTI) request from the Co-District Commissioner’s office in Dimoria has raised alarms regarding the management of public donations at the Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra. Records indicate that approximately Rs 16.80 lakh has been amassed solely in cash, lacking any banking or digital documentation.
Documents acquired through the RTI reveal that from September 24, 2025, to January 6, 2026, a total of Rs 16,79,880.75 was collected from visitors.
These funds were only recorded in handwritten logs, with no indication of a dedicated bank account, UPI options, or any formalized system for fund management.
This revelation has reignited previous concerns regarding the transparency of donation records.
In November, local organizations highlighted inconsistencies in the financial records, pointing out that around Rs 4.5 lakh was reported as collected in the first 40 days following the artist's passing, while a subsequent 19-day period showed Rs 4.63 lakh. This pattern has been described as “suspicious,” leading to calls for an investigation into the accurate accounting of all public donations.
In response to the RTI findings, Rakesh Hazarika, executive director of the Centre for Efficient Governance and the RTI requester, emphasized that donor trust cannot be maintained through informal cash handling. He stated, “Despite collecting nearly Rs 16.80 lakh in a brief period, there is no banking system in place. This is fundamental governance.”
The RTI response also indicated that government staff were assigned to the Kshetra only from October 17, despite collections commencing on September 24, creating a gap in accountability during the initial weeks.
Concerned citizens are now advocating for immediate reforms, including the establishment of a dedicated bank account, the implementation of UPI, and regular public disclosures of financial accounts along with audits.
Hazarika remarked, “The Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra is a tribute to the sentiments of the people of Assam,” stressing the need for transparency in its operations to maintain public trust.
