Uttarakhand government in controversy for paying Kohli Rs 47 lakh from Kedarnath fund

Ajendra Ajay, a BJP member, who is also an RTI activist, has received an RTI reply that reportedly reveals that Kohli was paid Rs 47.19 lakh from the relief fund earmarked for the floods for making an appearance in a 60-second tourism video, . Kohli had at that time been recruited as the brand ambassador for the state of Uttarakhand.

"The RTI reply shows that the amount was paid by the district disaster management authority of Rudraprayag after a clearance given by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Management Authority through an email. Why were the state disaster bodies used to pay Kohli? Also, what is the requirement of a brand ambassador for the state? What role do they play in the long run? This is nothing but sheer waste of money," Ajay said.

In June 2013, a multi-day cloudburst centered on the North Indian state of Uttarakhand caused devastating floods and landslides making it the country's worst natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami centered on Andaman. More than 5,700 people were 'presumed dead' during the devastating disaster. 

Bunty Sajdeh, Virat's agent and founder & CEO of the Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment, has however denied any monetary transactions and said, "There has been no monetary transaction whatsoever."

Surendra Kumar, the media advisor to the CM, has also reacted to the allegations but hinted that the money was paid from the funds. 

He said, "Tourism forms the backbone of the state's economy, therefore what is wrong if a prominent face is chosen to promote the state's destinations? Everything has been done in a legal way. These allegations are baseless. People know that redevelopment of Kedarnath has always been the priority of our government. BJP is on the verge of losing elections, so it is coming up with such diversionary tactics out of frustration," reported The Times of India. 

"I will ask the relevant departments to check details of the payment made to Kohli. It is BJP that is alleging that Virat Kohli was paid the money through an RTI that they have obtained. If the cricketer's representative is claiming that they haven't received the amount, we will get it checked."

As per the RTI reply, Kohli was paid through singer Kailash Kher's firm Kailasha Entertainment Private Limited.