Men of Privilege

BJP MP Babubhai Katara’s arrest last fortnight took the lid off a well-known secret: that when it comes to using their parliamentary privileges, many of our elected representatives know their job. A look at what’s on the House for MPs:

BJP MP Babubhai Katara’s arrest last fortnight took the lid off a well-known secret: that when it comes to using their parliamentary privileges, many of our elected representatives know their job. A look at what’s on the House for MPs:

Diplomatic passports: Issued to MPs, spouses and their minor children (a courtesy extended in 1977 to MPs when A B Vajpayee was minister for External Affairs). What it means: MEA can issue note verbale to embassies and high commissions for visas, and MP and spouse can travel to several countries without a visa. Basically, easy to take anyone abroad on these diplomatic passports, few questions asked

Accommodation: Bungalows in prime areas. What it means: Easy to sublet, rent or run business from the bungalow or part of it. If caught, MPs can always explain away the tenants as “house guests”

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Monthly grant: Rs 20,000 grant for any number of assistants, secretaries in any city/town of the country. What it means: MPs hire relatives, cronies

Air Tickets: 32 business-class air tickets annually (increased to 34 recently) to fly to anywhere in the country, and which are transferrable. What it means: Even touts can be sold these tickets. However, the entry of private airlines has limited the misuse

Train tickets: Prority access to “emergency berths” on trains, which are cleared a few hours before departure time. What it means: MPs can technically give signed letters to rail touts, who can sell the tickets commercially

Attendants while travelling: If MPs travel AC Ist class, their attendants are entitled to AC 2nd, free of cost. What it means: Spouse of an MP can travel back and forth from the constituency to the capital up to eight times in a year

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Quota in schools: A quota of two seats each year in Kendriya Vidyalaya admissions. What it means:They can oblige with admissions