Ahmedabad: A controversial bill of approximately ₹16.74 lakh (around PKR 4.9 million) spent on tea, snacks, and refreshments for rescue and relief teams at the site of last year’s Air India plane crash has triggered widespread anger among social media users in India.
According to reports, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation approved the expenditure for emergency relief operations conducted after the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025. The incident had claimed the lives of more than 240 passengers and crew members, making it one of the country’s most devastating aviation disasters.
The approved bill covers refreshments such as tea, biscuits, bottled water, and milk provided to municipal workers, police personnel, and volunteers engaged in rescue operations at the crash site. Officials said these supplies were continuously arranged for nearly one month during recovery and debris clearance efforts.
However, the disclosure of such a large amount spent on basic refreshments has sparked a strong reaction on social media. Many users questioned the justification of allocating millions of rupees for tea and snacks, especially during a national tragedy, arguing that public funds should be used more transparently and efficiently.
Critics also raised concerns about possible overbilling and lack of oversight in emergency procurement processes, while others defended the spending, noting that large-scale disaster response operations often involve sustained logistical support for hundreds of workers over extended periods.
The controversy has reignited debate in India over government spending practices during disaster management operations, with calls for stricter auditing and accountability mechanisms.
Officials have not yet issued a detailed clarification regarding the breakdown of the expenses, but the issue continues to trend on social media platforms, reflecting public frustration over perceived financial mismanagement during emergency response efforts.
The Air India crash in Ahmedabad remains a painful memory, and the latest revelations have once again brought attention to the administrative handling of the aftermath of the disaster.
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