Indian Parliament costs ₹2.6 lakh per minute to run, even when suspended: Report
The Indian Parliament, the supreme legislative body of the country, is known for its drama, debates, and sometimes, delays. However, a recent report by ET Now has shed light on a staggering fact that might leave you wondering – even when the Parliament is suspended, it still costs a whopping ₹2.6 lakh per minute to run. Yes, you read that right! The total cost to run Parliament proceedings during the Monsoon Session is approximately ₹144 crore, which works out to a staggering ₹2.6 lakh per minute.
To put this into perspective, let’s break down the numbers. The Parliament has scheduled 10,800 minutes for both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which is the combined time allocated for the Monsoon Session. Considering this, the per-minute cost of running the Parliament, even when it’s suspended, comes out to be ₹1.33 lakh per minute. However, when you factor in security, staffing, and other expenses, the cost soars to ₹2.5-2.8 lakh per minute.
The report highlights that the cost includes expenses such as:
- Staffing: The Parliament employs a significant number of people, including secretaries, assistants, and other support staff. Their salaries, benefits, and perks add up to a substantial amount.
- Security: The Parliament building is a high-security zone, with multiple layers of security checks in place. The cost of maintaining this security includes the salaries of security personnel, equipment, and other expenses.
- Utilities: The Parliament building requires a significant amount of electricity, water, and other utilities to function. These expenses add up to a substantial amount.
- Travel and accommodation: Members of Parliament (MPs) and other officials often travel to and from the Parliament building, which incurs significant expenses.
- Printing and distribution: The Parliament requires a large number of documents, reports, and papers to be printed and distributed. This also adds to the overall cost.
These expenses might seem trivial to some, but when you add them up, they make a significant dent in the country’s finances. The report suggests that the total cost of running the Parliament during the Monsoon Session is approximately ₹144 crore, which is a staggering amount.
So, what does this mean for the country? The report raises several questions about the efficiency and accountability of the Parliament. For instance:
- Can the Parliament reduce its expenses by streamlining its operations and reducing staffing costs?
- Can the security expenses be optimized by implementing more efficient security measures?
- Can the utilities and travel expenses be reduced by adopting more energy-efficient solutions and reducing unnecessary travel?
These questions highlight the need for the Parliament to be more accountable and transparent about its expenses. The report suggests that the Parliament should work towards reducing its costs and increasing its efficiency to better serve the country.
In conclusion, the report by ET Now highlights the staggering cost of running the Indian Parliament, even when it’s suspended. The total cost of ₹144 crore during the Monsoon Session is a significant amount, and it’s essential to scrutinize the expenses to ensure that the Parliament is utilizing its resources effectively.
