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Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Row over Delhi CM's phone allowance cap: Kejriwal, Sisodia bought high-end devices during AAP's rule, says minister
The political row over the revised phone reimbursement cap for the Delhi Chief Minister and Cabinet escalated, with the BJP accusing former AAP ministers of purchasing expensive phones, exceeding the allotted amount, during their tenure. This came after AAP Delhi convenor and former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had attacked the BJP government, saying that it is ignoring the promises made to women during the Assembly elections and giving importance to purchasing expensive gadgets. On July 9, the General Administration Department in Delhi revised the ceiling for purchase of mobile handsets — for the chief minister, the upper limit is Rs 1.50 lakh, while it is Rs 1.25 lakh for the ministers — after 12 years. On Thursday, senior BJP leader and Power Minister Ashish Sood shared phone bills and receipts of mobile phones purchased by former CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and other ministers — amounting to lakhs and exceeding the allocated reimbursement limits. Waving some documents, Sood said that as per the 2013 order, the cap for purchasing a phone set for the CM was Rs 50,000 while it was Rs 45,000 for the ministers. He alleged that the then chief ministers Kejriwal, Atishi and ministers Sisodia, Bharadwaj and others violated the rules and purchased high-end mobile phones beyond the permitted limit. He also accused the previous AAP regime of pushing government officials to cover the cost of the mobile phones. Addressing a press conference, Sood said, 'A few days ago, the AAP made a comment questioning the current government over the revision of phone reimbursement cap and asked vikas kiska ho raha?… We are replying to this because it is a question about an institution… These days, mobile phones are not a luxury… All of us work (on our) phones… The CM and ministers receive a lot of complaints through WhatsApp and e-mail…' Taking a dig at the AAP, he claimed, 'I feel that even Atishi and Bharadwaj are tired of their leaders Kejriwal and Sisodia, that is why they are highlighting these issues — so that we can expose their reality before the public.' According to an official document, between 2015 and 2022, Kejriwal bought the iPhone 6s Plus and 7 Plus, and iPhone 12 and 13 Pro Max worth a total of Rs 4,53,800. Sisodia purchased phones worth Rs 5.23 lakh between 2017 and 2022. 'All these exceeded the Rs 50,000 and Rs 45,000 limits… Kejriwal's office even sought post-facto approval for the excessive expenditure, stating in internal notes that the amount spent is on the higher side…,' alleged Sood. He also accused Atishi of buying phones worth lakhs. The minister alleged that Atishi split the bill into two payments — one for Rs 45,000 and the second for Rs 89,000 — to 'avoid scrutiny'. 'Bharadwaj bought an iPhone for Rs 61,000 in 2023 but was reimbursed only Rs 45,000. He assumed his bill would also be passed like those of senior leaders — but that didn't happen,' Sood alleged. On Tuesday, Bharadwaj had alleged, 'The BJP had promised Rs 2,500 per month to lakhs of women starting March 8. Yet not a single rupee has been disbursed. When it comes to buying Rs 1.5 lakh-worth phones and sanctioning unlimited bills for themselves, the BJP acts without delay. But when it comes to women, they hide behind committees.' The phone reimbursement cap has been revised after 12 years, officials had said, adding that the last revision took place in 2013. Earlier, the ceiling was set at around Rs 50,000. 'Though the previous cap was set at Rs 50,000, the CM and ministers in the previous AAP regime have bought expensive iPhones which went above the allocated allowance, touching more than Rs 1 lakh. Viewing the current market price and value of phone sets, the department decided to revise the amount,' a senior officer had said on Tuesday.
Buzz Feed
17-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
9 Products To Deal With Germy Public Surfaces
COVID-19 made us all a little more wary about germs and the risks of transmissible illnesses that can be passed along in shared spaces. It's completely understandable if touching surfaces in public sends a shiver down your spine, and if it does, you might find that this roundup of useful products and tools can help alleviate some of your anxieties. Shop a sanitizing solution perfect for the frequent flyer, cult-favorite hand sanitizing mists, and much more. A no-touch keychain tool I recently saw someone using this tool on TikTok. It allows you to open most doors and operate public key pads or buttons without ever having to touch the surfaces with your own hand. This set comes with three metal keychains, each fitted with a stylus button, and three replacement stylus a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99. A 50-pack of flushable toilet seat covers When you use a public restroom, you can't always be sure that seat covers will be available. This pack comes with five travel packs, each containing 10 covers made from septic-safe and biodegradable materials. They are also thicker than the standard tissue-thin covers you find in most public restroom a 50-pack from Amazon for $9.99. A bulk order of disinfecting travel wipes The germ-killing powers of Clorox wipes are conveniently available in this set of 24 travel packs that are perfect for keeping in your purse, pocket, car or stroller. These layered wipes are bleach-free and kill 99.9% of viruses and a 24-pack from Amazon for $23.76. An anti-microbial iPhone case by OtterBox Your cellphone is a high-touch item that can be 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. This thin yet ultra-protective case by OtterBox is treated with a silver-based antimicrobial additive to inhibit microbial growth and defend against many common bacteria. Get it for iPhone 12/13 Pro Max from Amazon for $28.32+ (available in 10 designs) or for iPhone 14 Pro Max for $25.89+ (available in 17 designs). A UV phone sanitizer Cleverly dubbed "Phone Soap," this UV sanitizing box disinfects and charges your phone simultaneously using a 360-degree germicidal UV-C light. You can charge virtually any device using either the USB-A or USB-C ports on the side of the it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in seven colors). A 10-pack of airplane tray covers These disposable covers are made with 20% recycled plastic and slide over most standard airline tray tables. Each one also comes with boredom-busting activities on the a 10-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a 20-pack). A 100-pack of antibacterial portable soap sheets These portable sheets of soap are antibacterial and formulated with nourishing plant extracts. All you need is a little bit of water to turn one sheet into a rich foaming lather, no matter where you a 100-pack of three scents from Amazon for $9.88 (also available in other pack styles and sizes). A trio of atomized Touchland hand sanitizers Touchland's cult-favorite hand sanitizers don't smell or feel like typical gel sanitizer, even though they can kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria. Dispersed in a light atomized mist, the formula is non-sticky, fast-absorbing and made with moisturizing emollients to keep skin from drying a three-pack from Amazon for $30+ (available in multiple styles and pack sizes). A mini UV light with box This UV-sterilizing light with attachable box is small enough to tote around and features an attachment loop for keeping it secured to bags. The light portion clicks on or off the box and is rechargeable via USB port, making it perfect for disinfecting keys, pacifiers or jewelry. It uses a U-V-C light sanitizing system, which the maker says can eliminate up to 99.9% of it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in two colors).
