₹5,000 Meals on Silver Plates Spark Outrage at Maharashtra Conclave
Amid serious fiscal strain and public protests, the Maharashtra government invited sharp criticism after hosting a lavish two-day Estimates Committee conclave in Mumbai, where guests were reportedly served ₹5,000-per-head meals on exquisite silver plates.
The event, held at Vidhan Bhavan on June 23, brought together chairpersons and members of state budget scrutiny committees from across India. Reports suggest that the state paid around ₹550 per plate to rent silver dinnerware. The extravagance drew sharp rebukes from opposition lawmakers and activists, who questioned why such expenditure was chosen when the state faces deepening economic woes.
Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar condemned the lavish setup, stating the state was “virtually on the brink of bankruptcy” yet splurging on ornate hospitality. His colleague Harshwardhan Sapkal highlighted the irony of spending ₹5,000 on a single meal, served on pricey silver plates, while essential welfare schemes were reportedly underfunded.
Social activist Vijay Kumbhar, tallying total expenses, estimated the costs to have reached a staggering ₹27 lakh for 600 attendees, nearly half a million per meal. According to Kumbhar, the event featured AC-lit dining tents, chandeliers, red carpets, and luxurious stays at top-tier hotels such as Taj Palace and Trident—features he described as a “royal mockery” of public funds.
The timing of such opulence drew further criticism. Maharashtra is grappling with mounting debt, widespread farm distress, and court rebukes over delayed relief measures. The contrast between public austerity and private extravagance provided strong grounds for political backlash.
The controversy threatens to undermine the ruling party’s standing ahead of upcoming state elections. With debates raging in the assembly and media outlets spotlighting the spending, the government is under pressure to justify the costs or face further public disapproval.
The silver-plated extravaganza may have been intended to showcase Maharashtra’s official camaraderie and organisational capabilities. Instead, it has become a symbol of misplaced priorities—an ostentatious feast that many believe reflects a disconnect between governance rhetoric and socioeconomic realities.
