In a significant decision, the Members of Parliament have unanimously decided to forgo the food subsidy that was made available to them in the Parliament canteen.
According to the reports, the Members of Parliament, by a consensus, decided to do away with food subsidy at Parliament canteen. The decision was taken after a suggestion from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Reportedly, members of all parties have agreed to do away with the food subsidy in the canteen. The discussion was held during a meeting of the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee.
With the decision, the Parliament secretariat will save Rs 17 crores annually, reports have said, as the food in Parliament canteen will now be sold at the actual cost. The Parliament canteen was subsidised to the extent of 80 per cent of its cost in 2015.
The Northen Railway runs canteens at Parliament House, Parliament House Annexe, Parliament House Reception and Parliament House Library Building. The food at canteens inside Parliament premises is provided at lower rates to MPs, officials and visitors.
Earlier this year, the Northern Railway had demanded Rs 16.43 crores from the Lok Sabha Secretariat as the cost for running four canteens in Parliament. The amount which Northern Railway claimed was towards subsidy and establishment cost.
The food prices in the parliament canteen were increased during the last Lok Sabha and subsequently, the government had also reduced the subsidy bill. However, this time, the government has decided to eliminate subsidy completely and all MPs have agreed.
