Thiruvananthapuram, July 12 (Reporter) The Joint Council, affiliated with the ruling CPI in Kerala, has demanded an investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds by the GST Department. The department's decision to spend Rs 48 lakh on a training program for nearly 200 employees at a five-star hotel has raised concerns, especially given the department's current financial crisis, Joint Council Chairman S. Sajeev and General Secretary K.P. Gopakumar said in a joint statement. The Joint Council further suggested that the government-run institutions like the Institute of Management in Government (IMG) and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) could have been utilized instead of using a five-star hotel for the training purposes. These institutions likely offer suitable facilities, including accommodation, at a lower cost. “Spending large sums through private agencies to organise training and provide accommodation at luxury hotels raises serious concerns of irregularities and corruption,” they alleged. They also criticised the department for indulging in such extravagance at a time when 18 per cent of Dearness Allowance arrears remain unpaid to employees. The training programme for officers of the Intelligence Wing of the GST Department, scheduled from July 11 for eight days, involves an expenditure of Rs 48 lakh through a private institution. A similar programme held last year reportedly cost Rs 42 lakh. The Joint Council urged the government to immediately review the matter and take appropriate corrective action...////...