Rajasthan: ₹12,500 Spent on a Single Floor Mat for Government Schools, BJP MLA Faces Allegations from Congress Leader

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Rajasthan after serious questions were raised over the purchase of floor mats for government schools at an allegedly inflated cost. The issue centers around BJP MLA Virendra Singh Kanawat from Masuda (Beawar district), who is facing sharp criticism from former Congress MLA Rakesh Pareek over the procurement of khadi durries (woven floor mats) costing ₹12,500 per piece.

The matter has gained traction on social media following the circulation of an official recommendation letter issued by the sitting MLA, granting financial and administrative approval for the purchase of khadi floor mats for government schools in Masuda and Bhimay blocks. The opposition has termed the purchase “highly irregular” and has alleged misuse of public funds.

160 Mats Purchased at a Cost of ₹20 Lakh

According to official records, on February 20, 2025, MLA Virendra Singh Kanawat issued a recommendation approving expenditure from the MLA Local Area Development Fund. Under the proposal, ₹30 lakh was sanctioned for Masuda block and ₹20 lakh for Bhimay block.

The Block Education Officer (Bhimay) approved the purchase of 160 khadi floor mats, each measuring 10×15 square feet, at a total cost of ₹20 lakh—bringing the per-unit cost to ₹12,500. Former MLA Rakesh Pareek expressed astonishment at the pricing, questioning how a single floor mat for schools could cost such a high amount.

Allegations of Financial Irregularities

Raising the issue publicly, Rakesh Pareek stated that MLA funds belong to the public, and any irregularities in their use would not be tolerated. He alleged possible financial mismanagement and demanded a transparent and impartial inquiry into the procurement process.

Pareek has formally submitted complaints to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, urging them to order a thorough investigation. He further demanded a comparative review of development work carried out during his five-year tenure versus that undertaken during the current MLA’s term, so that “the truth is brought before the public.”

Complaint Sent to Prime Minister, Demand for Asset Probe

Adding to the controversy, a local resident of Masuda, Shobhagya Singh, has leveled serious allegations against MLA Kanawat. He claimed that prior to the Assembly elections, Kanawat had declared assets worth only ₹1–1.5 lakh, which have now allegedly grown into assets worth several crores.

Shobhagya Singh has written directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an investigation into the MLA’s movable and immovable properties. He alleged that while Kanawat earlier lived in a modest house, he has now constructed a multi-crore property, raising concerns over the source of funds.

Political Fallout Intensifies

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the Rajasthan government, as allegations of commission-taking and corruption have recently surfaced against multiple legislators. With opposition leaders intensifying their attacks, the issue of the school mat purchase is expected to further heat up the political atmosphere in the state.

As of now, no official response has been issued by MLA Virendra Singh Kanawat regarding the allegations. All eyes are now on the state government to see whether a formal inquiry will be initiated into the matter.