A reply obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has raised serious concerns over financial transparency at the Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, with records showing that nearly ₹16.80 lakh in public donations were collected entirely in cash, without any banking or digital payment system.
The RTI response was furnished by the office of the Co-District Commissioner (CDC), Dimoria, which has administrative jurisdiction over the area.
An RTI reply from the CDC Dimoria office reveals that nearly ₹16.80 lakh in donations at the Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra near Guwahati were collected solely in cash between September 2025 and January 2026. The funds were recorded manually, with no bank account, digital payment system, or audit mechanism in place.
What the RTI Reveals
According to official records shared under RTI:
- ₹16,79,880.75 was collected as public donations
- Collection period: September 24, 2025, to January 6, 2026
- All donations were received in cash
- Entries were maintained only in handwritten registers
- No dedicated bank account, UPI, or digital trail was reported
The RTI reply does not indicate the existence of any structured financial framework for fund management, reconciliation, or third-party auditing.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Located close to Guwahati, the Zubeen Garg Samadhi Kshetra attracts a large daily footfall of admirers and visitors paying tribute to one of Assam’s most influential cultural figures. Civic observers note that sites with high public engagement, especially around Guwahati, require basic financial safeguards to ensure accountability and public trust.
Experts point out that continued reliance on cash-only collections at such a prominent memorial:
- Increases the risk of misreporting or leakage
- Makes financial auditing difficult
- Falls short of the transparency norms increasingly expected in Guwahati and urban Assam
Administrative Preparedness Under Scrutiny
The RTI disclosure has triggered questions about administrative preparedness and oversight at the memorial site, particularly when Guwahati and its surrounding areas are pushing for digital governance and cashless transactions in public-facing institutions.
So far, there has been no official clarification on:
- How the collected funds are safeguarded
- Whether any audit has been conducted
- Plans to introduce banking or digital systems
What Happens Next
Civic groups and RTI activists in Guwahati have called for:
- Immediate opening of a dedicated bank account
- Introduction of digital payment options
- Periodic public disclosure of donation usage
Officials said further details may emerge if additional RTI queries are filed or if higher authorities seek clarification from the Dimoria administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearly ₹16.80 lakh was collected in cash between September 2025 and January 2026.
It is located at Sonapur, near Guwahati, under the administrative jurisdiction of CDC Dimoria.
