PIL on Mayawati’s Cash Garland: Is it Wastage of Public Resources?

The media and Internet have been swamped for days with speculation about the exact value of the cash garland worn by the UP Chief Minister Mayawati to a rally. While her party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), claimed it cost Rs 21 lakh, the income tax estimates have valued it at an astounding Rs.5 crore. While the debate itself is mundane, the issue is grave considering the garland was made from public funds, which could have been undoubtedly put to much better use.

Public Outcry against Mayawati Cash Garland

The Mayawati 'mala' case has brought to the spotlight the issue of misappropriation of funds by ministers and other government officials. It has also drawn attention to the fact that most ministers undervalue their assets and earnings before the Tax Commission. The public has, however, woken up to such deception. Three individuals filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on March, 18; alleging that approximately Rs.200 crore of public funds were invested in the rally and Mayawati’s Garland. The dismal news is that the PILs were dismissed by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The main prayer of the PILs had been to seek CBI probe into the alleged expenses. This brings attention to the bleak scenario of jurisdiction in the country when it comes to making effective inquiry about leaders occupying positions of power; wherein when responsible citizens seek judicial attention, their pleas are ignored by courts of law.

The Cause of Protecting Dalit Rights

Mayawati is just one of many ministers in the country, whose vulgar display of wealth and power have crippled her state's development. However, her party insists that she has been targeted because she is a Dalit who represents the cause of Dalits in the country. The Indian judiciary has not intervened in this issue at all. The need of the hour is to go on record with the prevailing general public sentiments about the incident, institute an inquiry and penalize the relevant people who held positions of power while encouraging and collecting such funds at public rallies.