Andhra Pradesh law makers get iPhones despite deficit revenue

Despite the state being cash-strapped, AP legislators gave themselves swank I Phones, each costing around Rs 50000.

All the 175 MLAs got the phones on Friday. This entailed an additional expenditure of Rs 1 crore to the state exchequer.
The amount is likely to go up further if all the MLCs and senior officials too are given the smartphones. Interestingly, the government polled each MLA for their choice of smartphones. A majority of the public representatives wanted the latest iPhone as a gift. Though the amount is not huge, the timing of gifting the expensive phones has come as a surprise as the AP government has been presenting a poor financial picture and is seeking funds and grants from the Centre.