Bihar considers doing away with practice of gifts for lawmakers from government departments during Budget session, reports NDTV.


For about two decades now, every government department hands out gifts to the state's MLAs in the Budget session to thank them for doing their job - raising questions in the house in public interest. The rationale offered for the startling tradition is that their contribution through the year helps departments decide which areas need focus when the state's budget is being prepared.

After the Budget is presented, the thanksgiving begins; each department hands out its gifts on a different day.


The tradition of giving away token gifts to the legislators had started many years ago. Earlier, each legislator used to receive dairies, watches or briefcases as token gifts every year during the Budget Session. But now, they are getting much more "useful" consumer durable items.


On Friday, each of the 243 legislators were gifted a microwave oven by the state's education department. On other days of the ongoing Budget session they have received suitcases and mobile phones.


Pic: Bihar MLAs at the secretariat with their gifts of microwave ovens and suitcases on Friday.