There’s exciting news for India’s rail passengers. Instead of addressing concerns like passenger facilities like toilets and water, concessions, lateness, cleanliness and debt, the Modi government is spending Rs 1.62 crore to set up “selfie booths” across 50 railway stations.
That’s right – each “3D selfie booth” will have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image, according to RTI replies accessed by The Hindu. Some are permanent (Rs 6.25 lakh each) and others temporary (Rs 1.25 lakh each).
My RTI reply received from @Central_Railway reveals 3D Selfie Points and Booths of PM Narendra Modi Installed across Crly
— AJAY BASUDEV BOSE (@AjayBos93388306) December 24, 2023
Total = 30 Temporary Selfie Points Installed each Costing Rs 1.25 Lacs & Total = 20 Permanent Selfi Booths Installed each Costing Rs 6.25 Lacs
Total Amount… pic.twitter.com/iGK9mNUV7k
The excitement has spilled over to social media.
slight higher budget also can considered pic.twitter.com/grcVB6VDSw
— Aakar Patel (@Aakar__Patel) December 27, 2023
3D selfie points https://t.co/Ff4ZBfFK57 pic.twitter.com/gvOv2ZZR0v
— (@WiccanKarnak) December 25, 2023
Are they supposed to take a selfie with Modi ji after deboarding the train? pic.twitter.com/bt3CCKtHIS
— Kaushik Raj (@kaushikrj6) December 27, 2023
- Passengers trains are overcrowded.
— Narundar (@NarundarM) December 27, 2023
- Trains are running late.
- Train accidents happen regularly.
- Booking tickets is a struggle.
- Cleanliness is a major issue.
Government - Take a selfie with Modi Ji.
⦿ Suspends concession for senior citizens in Railways.
— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) December 27, 2023
⦿ Spends ₹6.25 lakh on every selfie booth with Modi’s image at railway stations.
Elect a clown, expect a circus. pic.twitter.com/DLcJo5acl0
1.25 laks & 6.25 lakhs are the expenses incurred by Railways for each Modi selfie booth at railway stations. Already see them in different stations. After petrol pumps, another public space suffused with PM's personality cult. pic.twitter.com/zwmoyivT2D
— Asim Ali (@AsimAli6) December 26, 2023
Two examples of our tax money being spent… Only one of these will make us Vishwaguru! pic.twitter.com/PeAc6xwsn8
— Reena Gupta (@Gupta_ReenaG) December 27, 2023
Indian Army asking for donations for Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund. As Indian Government can’t take care of Forces, maybe IA can charge tickets to click Photos at Modi Selfie Points they have to construct. Also for fees send forces to cheer Modi Modi during rallies
— Joy (@Joydas) December 10, 2023
Let's say (generously) that this thing costs 25k. That's 50 cr that goes into a big hole. https://t.co/i39q5ZAF2J
— Che Guruvara (@yeddy_bear) December 27, 2023
Then again, just a few years ago, we learned that taxpayer money was funding chartered plane trips for Modi’s ministers, with multiple tickets booked for a single trip – because why not? Rail officials at the time bent rules to provide charter planes to their own railways minister. Read all about it here.
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