Congress criticises central government for funding Varanasi motorbike scheme

Waste of public money amid economic crisis: U.P. Congress on PM’s birthday celebrations By Priya Menon, BBC News India The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh has launched a blistering attack on the central government’s birthday celebrations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the festivities have been financed by a “shameless” allocation of public funds. The accusations centre on a scheme that, according to state party chief Ajay Rai, saw five hundred motorbikes handed over to the city of Varanasi under a contract that obliges riders to pay a daily charge of ₹700..

Rai claims the deal is a transparent ploy to divert taxpayer money into a political spectacle while the state grapples with soaring inflation and a widening fiscal deficit. Rai made his allegations during a press conference held on the prime minister’s 71st birthday, a date that has traditionally been marked by elaborate rallies, cultural programmes and a massive security operation across the country. “While ordinary families are forced to cut back on food and medicines, the government is busy handing out motorbikes that will cost the poor ₹700 a day to operate,” he said, his tone punctuated by a reference to the “unprecedented” cost‑of‑living crisis that has hit the nation since the pandemic..

The Congress spokesperson added that the scheme had not been approved by the state’s finance department, suggesting procedural irregularities and a lack of transparency. The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has defended the initiative as part of a broader “urban mobility” programme aimed at modernising transport in Varanasi, the prime minister’s parliamentary constituency. A senior official from the Department of Transport told reporters that the bikes were sourced through a public‑private partnership with a local manufacturer, and that the ₹700 daily fee would cover maintenance, insurance and a “subsidised” fuel charge..

“The scheme is intended to create jobs for youth and reduce congestion by encouraging shared rides,” the official said, insisting that the cost was “affordable” for the target demographic. Economic analysts, however, have expressed scepticism about the feasibility of the model. Dr Anand Kumar, a senior fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research in New Delhi, noted that the average daily wage for a blue‑collar worker in Uttar Pradesh is roughly ₹400..

“Expecting a rider to shell out ₹700 a day is economically irrational unless the government is providing a subsidy that has not been disclosed,” he warned. Kumar also pointed out that the state’s fiscal consolidation plan, which aims to cut the deficit to 4.5 % of GDP by 2026, leaves little room for large‑scale subsidies without jeopardising essential services such as health and education. The timing of the bike distribution has further inflamed public sentiment..

The Varanasi rollout coincided with the launch of a series of cultural events that included a fireworks display along the Ganges, a marathon, and a high‑profile rally featuring the prime minister’s family members. Critics argue that the spectacle was designed to showcase development achievements, yet the underlying costs have remained opaque. A Right to Information (RTI) request filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) last month seeks details on the total outlay, the identity of the private partner, and the terms of the revenue‑sharing arrangement..

Local residents have begun voicing their concerns in the streets of Varanasi. “We are being told that these bikes will help us, but we cannot afford the daily rent,” said Suman Devi, a 42‑year‑old market vendor from the Banaras Hindu University neighbourhood. She added that many families are already struggling to purchase basic food items, with the price of wheat flour rising by 12 % in the past six months..

“If the government truly cares about the poor, it should lower the cost or provide a genuine grant, not a rental charge that only the rich can meet,” she asserted. The Congress party has pledged to file a petition in the Allahabad High Court, seeking a stay on the Varanasi bike scheme pending a thorough audit. Ajay Rai announced that a “public interest litigation” would be prepared in collaboration with civil‑society groups, emphasizing the need for accountability in the allocation of public money..

The party also called for a parliamentary debate on the broader issue of celebratory spending by the central government, arguing that it distracts from pressing matters such as unemployment, agrarian distress and the recent spike in fuel prices. In New Delhi, the Ministry of Finance has yet to respond to queries about the exact amount spent on the birthday celebrations. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said that all expenditures were “within the guidelines of the Public Procurement Policy” and that the government “remains committed to delivering welfare schemes that benefit the most vulnerable.” The statement, however, did not address the specific concerns raised about the bike deal’s pricing structure or its impact on the state’s already strained budget..

Political commentators view the controversy as part of a larger pattern of partisan battles over development narratives. “Both the ruling party and the opposition use flagship projects to signal competence, but the reality on the ground often diverges from the rhetoric,” noted Shreya Mishra, a senior editor at The Economic Times. She added that in a year when the country’s inflation rate hovered at 6.7 %, the optics of lavish spending on motorbikes risk eroding public trust in governance..