Hyderabad: The AP government which is faced with fiscal deficit of nearly Rs 18,000 fiscal deficit has in principle decided to gift expensive iPhone-6 smartphones to all 175 MLAs. This will not be the first time that MLAs will be presented with gifts after the Budget Session; iPads have been handed out on earlier occasions.

Each iPhone-6 costs over Rs 50,000, and the burden on the state will be nearly Rs 1 crore. This amount may double if the smartphones will be given to MLCs and senior officials. Interestingly, the government polled each MLA for their choice of smartphones. A majority of the public representatives sought the latest iPhone as their gift. The mobile phones will be presented soon.

Though the amount is not huge, the timing of gifting the expensive phones has come as a surprise as the AP government has been presenting a poor financial picture and is seeking funds and grants from the Centre.

When contacted by this correspondent, finance department officials refused to comment. “I am not aware of this development and I cannot comment on it,” said a senior official.