Unveiling the Financial Mismanagement at Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra: An Eye-Opening RTI Response
A recent reply from the office of the Co-District Commissioner (CDC) Dimoria under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has raised serious concerns about financial transparency and administrative practices at the Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra in Sonapur. This memorial, dedicated to the revered cultural figure Zubeen Garg, has reportedly collected nearly ₹16.80 lakh in cash donations, with no banking or digital transaction records.
According to official documents provided by the CDC, a total of ₹16,79,880.75 was collected in cash donations from the public between September 24, 2025, and January 6, 2026. The RTI response confirms that these donations were recorded manually in handwritten registers, with no mention of a bank account or any digital payment options to manage and audit the funds.
This lack of financial oversight has alarmed many, particularly given the memorial’s significance and high visitor turnout. The reliance on cash donations presents risks of mismanagement, misuse, and lack of accountability. The RTI reply does not clarify whether a bank account exists for the Samadhi Kshetra, raising further suspicions about the handling of the funds. There are no provisions for UPI or other digital donation methods, even months after the memorial opened.
Rakesh Hazarika, Executive Director of the Centre for Efficient Governance and the RTI appellant, emphasized the seriousness of this oversight. “This is not a minor procedural lapse; it is a serious governance failure,” he stated. He pointed out that the rapid collection of nearly ₹16.80 lakh without a banking system undermines public trust, noting that, “A public-facing institution, especially one built on public sentiment, cannot operate outside standard financial norms.”
The RTI further reveals that government personnel were assigned to the memorial only from October 17, 2025, three weeks after donation collection commenced. The report does not disclose who was responsible for managing the cash during this early period, which raises questions about oversight and governance during the initial stages of the memorial’s operations.
As it stands, cash is being collected daily and reported manually, without digital records or third-party audits. This lack of transparency poses risks for inaccuracies at multiple stages, including collection, storage, reporting, and eventual use of the funds. Hazarika questioned why a dedicated bank account was not established from the start and why the system still operates without appropriate banking channels four months after opening.
Experts in governance suggest that this situation reflects a common problem where public memorials begin without solid administrative frameworks, relying instead on ad-hoc practices that can lead to entrenched issues. While the emotional connection to the memorial may have masked these shortcomings initially, the RTI findings highlight the need for urgent reforms.
Hazarika believes that the Samadhi Kshetra should be safeguarded not just as a memorial but as a public institution handling public money. “This memorial is built on the collective sentiment of the people of Assam. It cannot run on handwritten registers alone,” he stressed, calling for protective measures to maintain public trust.
The RTI disclosure has ignited calls for several corrective actions, such as opening a dedicated bank account, implementing digital payment options, issuing proper receipts, and providing regular public updates on donations and expenditure. With public confidence at stake, transparency is deemed essential for preserving the integrity of this cultural landmark.
As the issue unfolds, attention now shifts to the district administration and the bodies overseeing the Samadhi Kshetra to determine if they will take prompt action to address the gaps revealed by the RTI response or if questions about accountability will continue to overshadow this site honoring a beloved cultural icon.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/guwahati/lack-of-basic-financial-discipline-at-zubeen-garg-samadhi-kshetra-rti-reply
Category: Guwahati
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Publish Date: 2026-01-24 19:46:00
