Food in Parliament Canteen to Cost More Soon as MPs Agree to Forego Subsidy

New Delhi: Lawmakers may soon have to shell out more for food served in the Parliament canteen, having reportedly decided to forego the subsidy amid allegations of apathy at a time when onion, a staple in Indian food, is zooming beyond the common man’s reach.

As per sources, the decision was taken after a suggestion from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with leaders across party lines on Thursday agreed with him and saying it is not appropriate to provide such hefty concessions.

The new rates, however, are yet to be notified.

The waiver of subsidies will result in saving around Rs 17 crore annually, official sources said, adding many food items will cost almost double the current prices once the decision comes into effect.

The subsidies in these canteens have long been a contentious issue and the government had reduced them a few years ago following a hue and cry after it came to light that Parliament canteens were being subsidised to the extent of 80% of the cost.

Following a meeting Birla had with floor leaders of different parties of Business Advisory Committee, a decision was taken to do away with the subsidies altogether.

"It was decided in the business advisory committee after the Speaker's initiative. MPs are of the view that it is not appropriate," said BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a member of the business advisory committee.

Out of the total subsidy of Rs 17 crore, currently Rs 14 crore is availed by Parliament staff and others who visit the premises while Rs 3 crore is by MPs.

As per the subsidised rates, a plate of vegetarian 'thali' costs Rs 30, while non-veg 'thali' costs Rs 60 in the Parliament canteen. As per sources, the price of meals is likely to at least double — a plate of biryani, which now costs Rs 56, will be at least Rs 112 after the move.

The subsidised rate card.

Screenshots of the rate card have been shared widely on social media in recent days during protests against a fee hike in Jawaharlal Nehru University, with many questioning why MPs get to enjoy subsidy when students are being made to shell out more.

There are currently five canteens in the Parliament complex run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Sources said now the IRCTC will fix the price of each item, calibrating it with the steep onion prices and submit the same to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, which will then take a final call.

(With inputs from PTI)