Lal Batti Gone, But Will MPs Start Paying Taxes and Utility Bills?

New Delhi: The Modi government has ended the ‘lal batti’ culture with an order to remove red beacons from all vehicles, except the ones used by emergency services. The order also applies to vehicles used by the Prime Minister, the President and Chief Ministers. Following suit, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued similar orders.

The ‘lal batti’, however, is not the lone symbol of privileges enjoyed by our netas. Here’s a list of the others:

SALARY

— The salary of our elected representatives is not taxable

— MPs are entitled to a daily allowance of Rs 2,000 when Parliament is in session

TRAVEL

— They get 34 free domestic air tickets a year

— They are entitled to free business-class tickets abroad

— They get daily allowances on overseas trips. The allowance depends on the country they are visiting

— Their spouses are allowed eight free flight trips to Delhi annually. These trips are meant for when Parliament is in session

— MPs’ train travel is first-class and free of cost

HOUSEHOLD

— MPs enjoyed subsidised food in Parliament canteen. The food is up to 65% cheaper

— They get 50,000 units of free electricity a year. They don’t have to pay water bills

— Their household expenses like laundry are paid for

— MPs are allowed three phone lines and 1,70,000 free calls a year

— They stay in a house furnished and maintained by the government

SECURITY

— Roughly 17 policemen are deployed to protect someone with VIP status. Around 8,000 Delhi Police personnel are on security detail of VIPs

— VVIPs don’t have to stop for security checks at airports

Here's what the aam aadmi has to say about our netas' perks: