Subsidy on food in Railway-run Parliamentary canteens was abolished in the year 2015 after heavy public-criticism subsequent to disclosure of an RTI response. But later it was revealed that again heavy subsidy is being provided now in Parliamentary canteens. This is despite the fact that food-items are precured for meetings from reputed private shops at full market-price. In case of prolonged Parliamentary session for some day, it is more economical to provide food free-of-cost to attending Parliamentarians rather than burdening public-exchequer with subsidy which was once abolished after strong public-criticism.
Tariff-chart for Railway-run Parliamentary canteens should be equivalent to that of food provided in second-class railway-coaches. Furthermore system of procuring lavish dishes from private vendors for committee-meetings should be replaced by procuring snacks and beverages from Parliamentary canteens.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL