{
  "id": 8331436,
  "title": "Waste of public money amid economic crisis: U.P. Congress on PM’s birthday celebrations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/waste-of-public-money-amid-economic-crisis-u-p-congress-on-pms",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T23:19:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/waste-of-public-money-amid-economic-crisis-up-congress-on-pms-birthday-celebrations/article71481573.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai has criticized the BJP-led state government for what he calls a waste of public funds on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday celebrations, coming at a time of floods and economic hardship across India. Mr. Rai expressed his outrage during a press conference in Lucknow, stating that the government's lavish displays of celebration were a luxury that people in flood-stricken areas could ill-afford. He alleged that millions of lamps were lit across the nation, with each lamp reportedly costing at least Rs. 5 to maintain, while children collected leftover oil from the lamps to cook dinner. Rai accused the government of failing to provide employment and jobs, and accused it of being responsible for the economic collapse in the country. He urged the Prime Minister to prioritize the needs of struggling families over extravagant birthday celebrations.",
  "summary": "State unit chief Ajay Rai alleged that 500 bikes were given in Varanasi with a deal that the people who ride them will have to pay ₹700 per day",
  "key_points": [
    "Government's lavish displays criticized during floods and economic hardship in India.",
    "Rai accuses government of failing to provide employment and contributing to economic collapse."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}