SRINAGAR: The annual Jhiri Mela in Jammu recorded total income of over Rs 2.14 crore, with expenditure figures closely matching the revenue, reflecting a fully structured and regulated festival economy, the Tourism Department informed the Legislative Assembly.
The government said the mela was organised through a planned framework that ensured transparent revenue generation as well as systematic spending on infrastructure, logistics and public services. Allocation of commercial space for shops, stalls, swings and rides was carried out through an open tendering process, while an Allotment Committee identified and demarcated zones at the mela site based on a pre-approved layout plan.
Officials stated that the installation of stalls and commercial units was undertaken in an orderly manner, keeping public convenience, safety, security and overall aesthetics in focus, with coordination among multiple departments and security agencies.
Expenditure details show that funds were distributed across key components, with Rs 2,08,045 spent on cultural events, including Rs 1,75,000 for cultural programmes. Logistics expenses stood at Rs 56,000, while information and publicity incurred Rs 75,000.
Administrative and miscellaneous expenses formed a substantial share, including Rs 1,37,712 under miscellaneous heads and Rs 1,29,500 towards administrative costs. Additional allocations included Rs 10,500 for volunteer equipment and Rs 45,000 for e-rickshaw services for persons with disabilities.
Security arrangements, including public address systems, accounted for Rs 1,88,135. Sanitation works saw a dedicated outlay of Rs 6,48,500, while funds were also released to key departments for essential services, including Rs 5,74,000 to the Public Health Engineering Department, Rs 9,96,000 to the power department and Rs 6,17,188 to the Public Works Department.
Infrastructure development emerged as a major expenditure head, with Rs 20,00,369 utilised for modular passenger sheds. Additional works included maintenance of roads and pathways, bush cutting, and establishment of control rooms for police and other security agencies, along with CCTV installations.
Event-specific arrangements included Rs 8,00,000 for stage, sound and lighting for the inauguration, Rs 2,49,200 for tent houses for pilgrims, and allocations for food courts, felicitation programmes and the culmination ceremony.
The government said the mela not only maintained financial balance between income and expenditure but also enabled wide participation of traders, local businesses and service providers, thereby contributing to economic activity and livelihood generation during the festival period.
