Rajasthan: BJP MLAs to return government's iPhone 13 'gift'
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Rajasthan have decided to return the state government's 'gift' of iPhone 13 to ease the state government's "financial burden." The decision came as the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government gifted iPhone 13 to 200 of its MLAs after the state budget was presented in the assembly on Wednesday. Notably, BJP has 71 MLAs in a 200-member house.
Why does this story matter?
Usually, after the presentation of the budget, MLAs are given a copy of the budget in a briefcase at the time of leaving the house. This time, it was handed over in a smart leather briefcase with an iPhone 13 inside. It is estimated to have cost the state nearly Rs. 1.5 crore. Last year, iPads were presented with a copy of the budget.
BJP cites 'financial burden' to return the gift
Most MLAs were reportedly delighted with the government's gift and had accepted it. However, late on Wednesday, Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia said the party's MLAs would return the gift. Poonia tweeted that the decision was taken after discussion with the leader of opposition Gulab Kataria and deputy LoP Rajendra Rathore and other legislators "keeping in view the financial burden on the state government."
What did Gehlot announce in his budget?
Gehlot's Budget for 2022-23 has various sops for the common man, including a cut-back on electricity rates which the state government will subsidize. It includes an urban employment guarantee scheme too, similar to that of the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act. It also proposed a return to the old pension scheme for state government employees. Gehlot also presented a separate budget for farmers.
BJP called the budget populist
Meanwhile, BJP has criticized the budget and called it populist. Leader of Opposition Gulab Kataria alleged that the state government is announcing one scheme after another but didn't have money to fulfill the schemes. Commenting on the budget, Poonia said it looks as if the budget was taken to a beauty parlor and was presented with good makeup.
