G.S Gayathri In one year, Parliament runs for 80 days. Each day business in both houses is conducted for around six hours. Out of 250 Rajya Sabha members and 543 Lok Sabha members, at least 350 ministers attend a parliament session. A parliament session discusses bills and make amendments in old bills. Every minister needs special arrangements before coming for a parliament session. At least 10 cars for each minister is provided to ensure security. Expenditure is incurred on security personnel employed for each MP. They are also given TA/DA (Travelling Allowances and Daily Allowances) for attending parliament sessions. When the parliament is in session, various internal resources like printer, fax and internet is used. To top it all, the electricity used inside the Parliament House is also charged.
The irony is that, when any bill is introduced in the parliament in national interest or for any public utility, there is a serious argument between the ruling party and the opposition, but when the bill was introduced for upward revision of pay of the MPs, it was passed in a minute, without any discussion. That shows how committed are the MPs for the development of our nation.
Approximately Rs.2 lakhs per minute is spent on the MPs attending the parliament sessions. Not only this, the MPs do not have to pay any income tax. Along with the salary, the MPs are entitled to constituency allowance of Rs. 45000 per month, office expenses of Rs. 45000 per month, travel facilities of 34 air journeys per year, free flat or hostel accommodation, free telephone facility, free water and electricity, free medical facility, and many more such benefits. Every MP is entitled to pension of Rs.20000 per month even if he becomes a member of parliament for a day, whereas an Indian citizen working in a government office or serving in the armed forces is required to serve a specific period of time ranging from 15-20 years to be eligible for pension All this expenditure is met with taxpayer’s money. Is this the most efficient use of taxpayer’s money by the government? If no, then why nobody is raising this issue?
