Our privileged politicians don’t have to worry about using their quota of freebies provided by the government every year.
According to information accessed under the RTI Act, many such freebies can be carried forward to the next financial year if Members of Parliament are unable to avail of them fully. These include air or rail journeys, telephone calls, as well as their quota of free water and electricity at their spacious Delhi homes.
What’s more, an MP is also entitled to use next year’s free quota in advance.
The response to the RTI came after an application filed by Jammu-based RTI activist Balvinder Singh inquired if freebies doled to MPs get lapsed in the same way as government grants at the end of every financial year. Even subsidised rations issued through the public distribution systems get lapsed if not claimed by citizens. The same goes for subsidised gas cylinders.
The RTI reply stated that every year, an MP is entitled to 34 single air journeys alone or with someone. “Out of these 34 free air journeys, the spouse or companion of a member is entitled to travel alone a maximum of eight times...
The balance of unused air journeys shall be carried over to the following year,” the document said.
An MP is also entitled to have three free telephone connections — one each at the residence, office and native place of residence — with each phone granted 50,000 free calls. “The unutilised calls shall be carried over to the subsequent year. Similarly calls made in excess shall be adjusted against the quota available for the next year,” states the reply.
MPs are also entitled free to use water up to 4000 kl per annum and electricity up to 50,000 units per annum at their Delhi residences. These, too, can be carried forward to the next year or adjusted if the consumption is in excess.
The members also enjoy the luxury of having their sofa covers and curtains washed every three months. They are also allotted Rs 60,000 for durable furniture and Rs 15,000 for non-durable furniture.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}