Hyderabad: Forest Minister Konda Surekha announced on Wednesday that the Telangana Government has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for this year’s Bonalu festival. Official orders have been issued to this effect.
Konda Surekha directed officials of the Culture Department to ensure the arrangements for the Bonalu celebrations emphasise the state’s culture and traditions. A preparatory meeting for organizing the Bonal festival was held at Golconda Fort under the chairmanship of Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, with Minister Konda Surekha also in attendance.Konda Surekha expressed displeasure over the delayed arrival of senior officials to the high-level meeting. She questioned if the officials intended to attend the meeting only after the ministers and the GHMC Mayor had arrived. She instructed that a memo be issued to the negligent officials, emphasising that the Bonalu festival attracts lakhs of attendees, necessitating meticulous planning. The concerned officials had been informed well in advance about the importance of the meeting, yet chose to arrive late. Surekha warned that such negligence would not be tolerated in the future. (INN)