When the average worth of each MP in the current Lok Sabha is Rs 5.1 crore, when the average assets of each minister in sadda Manmohan‘s team is Rs 7.5 crore, a good question to ask is if crorepatis can really relate to the woes of the crores of people they represent.
The flip side to the argument is provided by the Indian Express today, which asks if the honourable members of Parliament (MPs) who are worth so much can understand the travails of ordinary Indians whose backs are bent double by soaring prices of essential food items if they eat for so less.
Reason: the astonishing subsidy that MPs—and others including, yes, media people—enjoy at the canteens at the Parliament House complex that it can almost cause you indigestion.
Vegetarian thali: Rs 12.50
Non-vegetarian thali: Rs 22
Sada dosa: Rs 2.50
Masala dosa: Rs 4
Dal (assorted): Rs 1.50
Soup with one slice: Rs 5.50
Four chapatis: Rs 2
Boiled rice: Rs 2
Churumuri: Free
OK, not the last one.
How much do you pay for your dosa and thali?
Read the full article: Why soaring prices don’t worry this House
Also read: Did Marie Antoinette really say “let them eat cake”?
* Article tools sponsored by taketheirtrip.com. Photograph used for illustration purposes only. Actual parliament thali may differ depending on the day of the week or the size of MP.
churumuri 
Masala Dose – Rs.70 – Rs.90
Coffee – Rs. 20 – Rs.30
South Indian Oota – Rs. 80 – RS. 140
Dal – Rs. 80 – Rs. 340
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With elections another 4.75 years away, the BJP hell bent on self-destruction, and the Left parties already destroyed, why should the average MP, concerned mostly with re-election, care about any of this?
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Do they really carry the change to pay for their meals? I feel they don’t pay even this amount.
Btb do they accept Sodexho pass in partiament canteen?
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Shrinidhi : Excellent observation !
May be they have monthly credit system so that they can hog all month and leave a Rs 500 note behind..
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I have seen programs in NDTV where they show how our politicians have become suave and refined. They have personal fitness trainers and nutritionists. They wouldn’t eat from the parliament canteen when they can have dabbas delivered from home or some five star hotels by their servants.
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I think more than the MPs, the media brigade will oppose any attempts to make the prices realistic …is there a ‘To -Go / Parcel ‘ service btw ???
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Instead of free color TVs or loan waivers, I wish our MPs can provide all their constituents a 12.50 vegetarian thali :)
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Any idea how much does a by-two Churumuri cone costs these days?
7 bucks!
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The kind of meals I see in the picture should be provided to commoners at evry nook and corner of the country: Students, workers, labourers should get such meals at that price.
Just 12 rupees for MPs!!! MPs should pay atleast 50 rupees for such meals..
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Every MP should be made to eat what the poorest family in his/her constituency eats. This is not said in jest…in fact, it should be the first meal of every victorious MP, so that they know what is required to be done to improve the lot of their constituents! Conversely, one family (by lucky lots) in the Constituency should enjoy one meal, courtesy the MP (out of his salary) say once a week. And more realistically, every MP should donate Rs 50, along with every meal they have –subsidised or not–to fund a mid-day meal for the poorest of the poor in their constituency.
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Congrats to churumuri for brining out the figures. The common man is prepared to pay double the published cost of thalis . Will the Prime Minister, and M.P’s oblige ?
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