Patna: In what may have put extra burden on state exchequer, Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has gifted microwaves costing Rs 30 lakhs to 243 legislatures, stating it's a gesture to thank them for doing their job.
As per an NDTV report, each microwave gifted to a MLA costs Rs 11, 125 to Bihar's education department.
"It's just a matter of about 30 lakh rupees. Please don't hype it up like this. It's unfair to compare this to other issues like salaries, condition of schools...we have given this so that when MLAs go to their areas they can heat food and eat," Education Minister Ashok Chowdhary was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Chowdhary further defended the act stating it's an age old tradition.
After the Budget is presented, the thanksgiving begins; each department hands out its gifts on a different day.
The report further quoted state's Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav stating, "Bihar is a poor state. The people who get elected here are not crorepatis but poor people. What is so wrong if they get some gifts? Please don't rake up such issues."
