GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat government spent over Rs 14.74 crore in organising state-sponsored 'Rann Utsav' and 'Patang Utsav' (kite festival) during 2014 and 2015, the Legislative Assembly was told today.
In his written reply during Question Hour, Tourism Minister Saurabh Patel stated that more than Rs 7.82 crore was spent in 2014 while over Rs 6.91 crore in 2015, respectively, on the festivals.
Patel was replying to the written query raised by Congress MLA Bholabhai Gohel about the expenses incurred on these state-sponsored festivals during last two years.
Giving the break-up, the minister stated while Rs 4.22 crore was spent on 'Rann Utsav' and Rs 3.60 crore on 'Patang Utsav' in 2014, the expenditure stood at Rs 2.93 crore and Rs 3.97 crore, respectively in 2015.
Replying to a sub-question of Gohel, Patel stated that a total of 24,197 foreigners visited both the festivals in two years.
In 2014, Rann Utsav attracted 2,697 foreign visitors and the number shot up to 4,807 in 2015. In 2014, Patang Utsav attracted 4,383 foreign visitors and 7,210 the next year, the reply stated.