An RTI revelation has raised serious questions over the spending of public funds on the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF), with allegations of financial irregularities and lack of codal compliance.
According to information obtained under the Right to Information Act, nearly ₹1.5 crore was spent on BCIFF 2024 without following codal formalities, while ₹3 crore has been earmarked for BCIFF 2025. The RTI further reveals that the same private agency is set to conduct BCIFF 2026, prompting concerns over transparency and accountability in the use of public money.
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Reacting to the disclosures, Madganvcho Awaaz and a youth leader said that public funds cannot be treated as a “free-for-all” and demanded stricter oversight in the release of government money. He stressed that funds should be disbursed only against proper documentation, including video and photographic proof of every activity undertaken during the festival.
The issue has sparked debate over financial governance and monitoring of publicly funded cultural events, with calls growing for greater transparency, adherence to established procedures, and accountability in the utilisation of taxpayer money.
