Hyderabad municipal panel’s move to gift itself iphones put on hold

Hyderabad:  After public uproar over the decision to buy 17 iphones for outgoing mayor, deputy mayor and other members of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) standing committee, the state government on Friday put the decision on hold.
Arvind Kumar, secretary, urban development said he spoke to GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar and the decision to buy iphones had been put on hold indefinitely.
Outgoing GHMC standing committee, at its meeting on Thursday, decided to gift 17 iPhone 12 Pro Max (512 GB), each costing Rs 1.6 lakh, to Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, Deputy Mayor Baba Fasihuddin and 15 other members.
The committee, the highest decision-making authority in GHMC, approved a budget of Rs 27.23 Lakh for purchasing the gadgets.
The decision triggered an outrage as it came at a time when the state’s revenues have taken a hit due to COVID, GHMC is reeling under financial crunch and the city recently saw one of the worst floods in its history.
The term of the standing committee is also ending on February 10, 2020. Elections to GHMC were held on December 1 but a new mayor is yet to be elected.