Patna
Besides the ovens given to the legislators costing the state exchequer an estimated Rs 25 to 30 lakh, suitcases and mobile phones / tablets were other gifts doled out to them by various departments of the government headed by Nitish Kumar during the first budget session after it assumed office in November last year.
The justification by the state ministers for giving the lavish gifts ranged from an old custom to using the ovens to heat the food served in midday meal scheme in the constituencies of the MLAs. Bihar has 243 legislators.
The MLAs, ruling as well opposition, are being given luxury suitcases, tablets and other expensive gift items provided to them by departments listed for special debate and whose budget is listed for approval on that particular day in the House.
Friday was the turn of the state education department to provide microwave ovens to the legislators. Every day, loads of gifts could be seen neatly stacked up near the main entrance of the Assembly not far away from Chief Minister’s chamber which the MLAs pick up after signing in front of their name in the list while going for lunch after the morning session.
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