Mumbai: The Maharashtra government scrapped its decision to purchase 886 trolley bags, each costing around Rs 10,000, to distribute copies of the state budget and related documents to legislators on a pendrive. The move came after strong criticism from opposition leaders and activists, who argued that spending Rs 82 lakh on bags was unnecessary, especially when the government is promoting digital initiatives like e-cabinets.
The issue gained public attention after reports on the government’s plan came to light. Following the backlash, the finance department issued a resolution cancelling the decision as reported by Times of India. “Administrative approval was granted for the procurement of 886 hard-top, four-wheeler luggage trolley bags for distributing budget publications in pendrives to members of the legislature and others. This decision is now being canceled,” the resolution stated.
Rohit Pawar Questions Mahayuti Govt’s Priorities
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar was among the voices criticising the expenditure. He questioned the Mahayuti government’s priorities, pointing out that while funds were unavailable to support families of farmers who had committed suicide, Rs 82 lakh was allocated for trolley bags for legislators.
In a post on X, he wrote, “With changing times, unnecessary customs must also change. If the practice of giving expensive bags is not stopped, even PM Modi’s Digital India policy will lose its meaning. Our finance minister is disciplined, DCM Eknath Shinde is a common man, and CM Eknath Shinde is a scholar—they should put an end to such traditions.”
Activist Vijay Kumbhar also questioned the necessity of such an expense. “A Rs 10,000 bag just to provide a budget copy on a pendrive? The total cost—Rs 82 lakh! The budget is available online, and if some MLAs struggle with digital files, a few physical copies can be kept in the legislature library. Why spend so much money on this?” he asked.
