Surat Civic Body’s ₹1 Lakh Bhajiya Bill Raises Questions

A bill of nearly ₹1 lakh for bhajiyas served at a Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) general board meeting has raised fresh questions over how public money is spent by civic bodies. The controversy comes months after a disputed refreshment bill during Rajkot’s Jangleshwar demolition drive prompted scrutiny and an investigation, while concerns over pricing differences in municipal purchases have also emerged in Madhya Pradesh.

At the centre of the latest controversy is the reported purchase of more than 130 kg of bhajiyas for the SMC’s last general board meeting before Diwali. The snacks were reportedly ordered at ₹800 per kg, with a discount of just ₹50, bringing the final rate to ₹750 per kg.

This is significantly higher than the ₹350–₹500 per kg at which bhajiyas are generally available in the local market.

The reported expenditure has revived a broader question: are civic bodies exercising adequate financial checks when spending taxpayers’ money on refreshments and other administrative requirements?

The SMC reportedly arranged refreshments for corporators, officials and other attendees at its pre-Diwali general board meeting. Bhajiyas were ordered at a rate of ₹750 per kg after a discount, with the quantity exceeding 130 kg and the total bill approaching ₹1 lakh.