Subsidy on food served in the Parliament has ended after years of continuous efforts. Last week, Lok sabha speaker Om Birla had announced that food served in the parliament canteens for the MPs and others will become more expensive.
Recently, announce prices show most dishes to be sold at a price more than the market rates. A roti will cost ₹ 3, a vegetarian meal ₹ 100, while a non-vegetarian lunch buffet ₹ 700.
The Mutton Biryani from now will cost at ₹ 150 and the British heirloom of boiled vegetables ₹ 50.
Whereas before Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani used to cost at ₹ 65 and boiled vegetables at ₹ 12.
Since at least 2016, the government has issued several circulars regarding the end to canteen subsidy will end. But despite modest revisions in rates, they failed to get a thumbs up.
Speaker Mr Birla did not specify any implications from the move, although sources say that the Lok Sabha Secretariat can annually save over ₹ 8 crores with the subsidy coming to an end.
Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary session which is beginning from January 29, the Lok Sabha speaker said that the parliament canteens will now be managed by the India Tourism Development Corporation or ITDC in place of Northern Railways.
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The end to food subsidy in parliament will also end the taxpayer support for meals for politicians.
As per sources, back in 2019, ₹ 13 crores were being spent on subsidised food sold in the parliament canteen.