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Journalism of Courage
While discussing the programme for the inaugural function to celebrate the 150th year of the 1857 revolt, most of the members of the National Implementation Committee felt that the budget of Rs 26.35 crore for the Red Fort event was too high and wanted it reduced. Ambika Soni thought such a high budget would invite criticism. Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said had his ministry been involved in the planning, the budget would have been significantly lower. Finally, the budget for the cultural component of the programme, initially pegged at Rs 6 crore, was brought down to Rs 3.4 crore. But one Cabinet member, whose ministry was responsible for the programme, was certainly not amused. His argument was that if the Government could spend nearly Rs 30 crore on an 11-minute function at the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games last year, paying hefty amounts to Bollywood stars, why should there be a problem in spending far lesser money for nearly 1,500 folk artistes?
