Dispur: At least two journalists on Thursday returned mobile phones that they received from the Assam government as New Year gifts, Scroll reported.
It is reported citing an official that more than 2,200 journalists registered with Assam’s Directorate of Information and Public Relations were to receive the gift.
The price of the phone online ranges between Rs 12,600 and Rs 16,000.
Some journalists got the mobile phones at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s press conference in Guwahati on Thursday.
Others will get the devices from the district commissioners by Magh Bihu to be celebrated on January 14.
The government’s gift to the journalists come just as the state is heading for Assembly elections in the next four months.
‘All the DIPR cardholders will receive the Samsung Galaxy F17,’ the official reportedly said, adding ‘Every year we give some gifts to the journalists. We had given laptop bags, leather bags, water bottle, etc among others.’
Umanand Jiaswal of The Telegraph and Bikash Singh of The Economic Times have reportedly returned the mobile phones.
The Congress government in 2011 distributed laptops to accredited journalists as well those completed 10 years in profession.
Meanwhile, Sarma administration announced what the report said ‘direct benefit transfer schemes for students and women’, among others.