MPs give up Parliament canteen subsidy | Photo Credit: IANS

New Delhi: In a unanimous decision, the Members of Parliament on Thursday decided to not avail of any subsidy at the Parliament canteen. Sources said the parliamentarians decided to let go of the subsidy after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla mooted a suggestion in the regard.

Sources said the savings could add up to almost Rs 17 crores annually once the practice to provide subsidised food at the Parliament canteen stops.

The food at canteens inside Parliament premises is provided at lower rates to MPs, officials and visitors. The issue has been a controversial one for years now.

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 cost was for fiscal 2017-18, as per an RTI query.

The amount which Northern Railway claimed was towards subsidy and establishment cost.

It may be noted that NR runs canteens at Parliament House, Parliament House Annexe, Parliament House Reception and Parliament House Library Building.

Earlier, in December 2015, the Lok Sabha Secretariat had announced that from January 1, 2016, the canteens would operate on "no profit, no loss" basis.

As per an RTI reply received in December 2018, a roti at Parliament canteens costs Rs 2, assorted dal Rs 5, rice Rs 7, masala dosa Rs 18 and chicken curry Rs 50.