Hyderabad: The Telangana government has denied claims that it is spending ₹200 crore on hosting the 72nd Miss World pageant, set to take place in Hyderabad from May 7 to May 31. Smita Sabharwal, Secretary of the Telangana Government’s Tourism, Culture, Heritage, and Youth Affairs Department, clarified the funding details while speaking to NDTV.
“There is a standard agreement signed on paper between Miss World and Telangana Tourism,” Sabharwal stated, emphasizing that the state’s contribution is capped at ₹27 crore, covering only 50% of the event’s cost. “The exuberant numbers doing the rounds are absolutely false,” she added, dismissing the ₹200 crore claims.
Sabharwal highlighted that the bulk of the funding is sourced from corporate sponsorships, with over 100 sponsors eager to associate with the event. “There is no burden on the government,” she reiterated.
The government’s decision to host Miss World 2025 has drawn criticism from opposition parties, questioning the financial priorities amid public fund allocation concerns. Defending the move, Sabharwal underscored the economic advantages, positioning tourism as a “growth engine” for Telangana. “We have made rapid strides in infrastructure over the past decade. Now, it’s time to showcase our real potential,” she added.
The pageant will commence on May 7, with the grand finale scheduled for May 31 in Hyderabad.
The post Telangana Refutes ₹200 Crore Miss World Spending Claims, Clarifies ₹27 Crore Contribution appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
