Guests at an event to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the Parliament’s Estimates Committee were served on silver dinner plates and enjoyed an expensive catering
NEW DELHI /MUMBAI — An event hosted by the Maharashtra government to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the Parliament’s Estimates Committee has triggered sharp criticism and political backlash over alleged extravagance, particularly the use of silver dinner plates and expensive catering.
The two-day function, held at the Vidhan Bhavan on June 23-24, was attended by around 600 Members of Parliament, legislators, and officials from across the country. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the event, which aimed to highlight the role and achievements of the Estimates Committee over the last 75 years.
However, what was meant to be a moment of parliamentary pride has now turned into a controversy, with opposition parties and activists accusing the state government of wasting public money. The Maharashtra Congress alleged that each guest was served meals worth ₹5,000, reportedly on silver plates rented at a cost of ₹550 each.
“This is a royal mockery of taxpayers’ money at a time when the state is facing financial distress,” said senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. He further alleged that loan waivers for farmers were pending and welfare schemes were being cut, while the government chose to host such a lavish event.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal also attacked the Devendra Fadnavis-led government and echoed his party colleague Wadettiwar.
“They (Estimates Committee delegation members) feasted on a Rs 5,000 meal served on Rs 550 worth of silver plate each. Was the fund spent linked to the money found in the Dhule government guest house when the state estimates committee was touring?” he asked.
Social activist Vijay Kumbhar also took to social media to highlight what he called the “unjustifiable expenditure.” According to his estimates, the cost of catering alone came to nearly ₹27 lakh. He also pointed to additional expenses on luxury tents, red carpets, chandeliers, and grand welcome arches set up at the venue.
Government sources have rejected claims of wasteful spending, clarifying that the plates were not made of pure silver but were only silver-coated, and that the overall cost per guest was less than ₹4,000. Officials insisted that the arrangements were in line with standard hospitality protocols for high-level parliamentary events.
Nonetheless, the clarification has done little to pacify critics. Opposition parties continue to demand a full disclosure of the event’s budget and a justification for such spending during a period of alleged economic hardship in the state.
The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny over the government’s fiscal management, with many arguing that public funds should be prioritised for pressing social and developmental needs rather than symbolic displays of grandeur.
The state government has yet to release an official breakdown of the expenses incurred during the event.
