TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 12, 2025 — The Chhattisgarh Government has strongly refuted allegations made by a news portal accusing Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary of lavish spending, calling the reports “misleading” and part of a conspiracy to tarnish both his and the government’s image.
According to the official clarification, certain reports have been using phrases such as “Shahi Daftar of ₹13 crore 89 lakh” and “Jhoomar” to portray the minister in a negative light. However, the government has stated that the mention of ₹1,389 lakh in the Public Works Department’s list under the third supplementary budget for 2023-24 was purely a clerical error. The actual amount was ₹13.89 lakh.
The discrepancy was formally addressed on February 12, 2024, when the Chief Engineer wrote to the government during the Assembly session explaining the mistake. Two days later, on February 14, 2024, an amendment notice was presented and read out in the Legislative Assembly at 12:03 pm, and the official budget documents were updated accordingly. Both the paperwork and the Assembly session video are available for public viewing.
Despite these facts, the government alleges that the news portal continues to circulate the incorrect ₹13.89 crore figure to mislead the public.
Finance Minister Choudhary clarified that the office in question was built to provide proper seating for visitors, who previously had to wait in garages or stand outside in sun and rain. “Thousands of people have visited and seen this office themselves. It was constructed solely for public convenience,” he said. The Minister also confirmed that legal action is being considered against those spreading false and defamatory claims.
