MPs Decide To Forgo Food Subsidy At Parliament Canteen, Move Will Save Rs 17 cr Annually

Not just the Parliametariansand House staff, journalists, cameramen, photographers who cover proceedings and visitors holding valid passes are authorised to consume food from the canteens.

Representational Picture (AFP)

New Delhi: MPs on Thursday unanimously decided to let go of the subsidy that they avail at the Parliament canteen. The members, by consensus, decided to do away with food subsidy at Parliament canteen. The major decision was taken after a suggestion from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, sources have said. Reports say at least Rs 17 crores would be saved annually after the decision. In the year 2015, a right to information plea had revealed that the government faced losses to the tune of Rs 14 crore in 2013-2014 because of subsidy provided at the four Parliament canteens. There was a furor  when it was known that the Parliament Canteens was being subsidized to the extent of 80% of its cost. The then BJD Lok Sabha MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda wrote a letter to the Speaker saying if the government is urging voluntary surrender of cooking gas (LPG) subsidies, by those who could afford it, Parliamentarians forgoing subsidized canteen privileges would also be "a right step in achieving greater public trust" in lawmakers. Not just the MPs andHouse staff, journalists, cameramen, photographers who cover proceedings and visitors holding valid passes are authorised to consume food from the canteens. Reports say the House canteen items are priced far lower than the cost of the ingredients.