In a move sparking both surprise and scrutiny, all 70 members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly were handed brand-new iPhone 16 Pro handsets this week. The distribution took place on the opening day of the Monsoon Session as part of the Delhi Assembly’s transition to a paperless model. Each phone, priced at around ₹1.5 lakh, was issued alongside new tablets and iPads under the Centre’s National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) initiative.
Officials confirmed that this digitisation effort aims to modernise legislative processes and align with the “One Nation, One Application” policy. Training sessions were also organised to help MLAs adapt to the tech-driven shift. “This step brings transparency and efficiency. Paperless operations are the future,” said an Assembly official. Notably, this comes just weeks after Delhi raised mobile reimbursement limits—₹1.5 lakh for the CM and ₹1.25 lakh for ministers—stirring controversy earlier in July.
While the government maintains the upgrade is essential for effective governance, public reaction has been far from unanimous. As news of the iPhone 16 Pro distribution spread online, social media erupted with criticism. Netizens questioned the timing and necessity of such high-end gadgets for public servants, especially when the capital is battling rising inflation and civic issues. Here is how people reacted on Twitter:
🚨 Unbelievable! While citizens struggle with basic amenities, our MLAs are getting a "major official device upgrade" in the form of iPhone 16 Pro and iPads for official use. This is a slap in the face to every taxpayer.
— Abhishek Dhiman | Himachal Diaries (@ankudhiman) August 5, 2025
Is this what "paperless initiative" means? A lavish… pic.twitter.com/h09pGqtTPT
While Delhi reels under waterlogging, garbage, and collapsing infrastructure, every MLA just got a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro, courtesy of the taxpayers.
— THE LAWYERED GUY (@thelawyeredguy) August 5, 2025
While the intent to go paperless is appreciated, gifting expensive gadgets like iPhones to all 70 MLAs seems like a frivolous expenditure when basic public services still lack funding 😏@grok
— Akash Verma 🇮🇳 (@AkashHumanBeing) August 6, 2025
I am speechless. iPhone 16 Pro + new tablets for Delhi MLAs. In a poor country like India this is not just wasteful load on the taxpayer, it is a sin. https://t.co/J3cSHCA49E
— Rosh 🇮🇳 (@roshd) August 5, 2025
🇮🇳🚨Delhi MLAs get free iPhone 16 pro
— Frontreport (@TheFrontReport) August 6, 2025
Centre's "One Nation, One Application" program. pic.twitter.com/ipUS7BteRd
"Luxury phones ride in pockets,
— Prakhar Goel (@Prakhar41393225) August 6, 2025
While wheels jolt over broken roads. Middle class dreams are taxed, to fund elite comforts, not public welfare.
MLAs are getting IPhone 16 pro and we didn't even get basic roads infrastructure. #Gurgaon #pathetic #1montholdroadcondition pic.twitter.com/16EkSXAgl1
The Delhi MLAs iPhone 16 Pro rollout, meant to mark a digital leap, has instead become a flashpoint for digital dissent.
