Chennai: MLA runs along the assembly hall corridor, carrying a package wrapped in prizes or enjoying luxury biryani for lunch during the budget session throughout the month maybe it is from the past.
Call it a savings, the chairman of the first minister M K Stalin seems to have issued stern instructions to the head and minister of department to eliminate the practice.
MLA must make their own arrangements to eat or rely on the assembly kitchen.
Outside of debate and walkout, the Assembly budget session has been famous for lunch provided by each department for MLA, ministers and staff, police, secretariat staff and journalists, when their demand for grants was taken during the month.
Long session.
Already practiced for more than a decade, when members too, get a high-cost prize from the minister, who moved the request for the grant for his department.
“The Assembly is the highest forum for the making of law and intellectual debate and is known for its simplicity.
But these prizes and luxury food tend to reduce their dignity and decorum,” said a senior bureaucrat.
Demands will be taken for debates between August 23 and September 21.
Each department will spend nearly RS three lakh a day to feed more than 1,000 people, and there are several occasions when Mla is served breakfast at Hostel Chepauk.
There is no budget provision for lunch which is presented during the budget debate, but these departments are intended to make members happy with the spread of luxurious vegetarian fish and vegetarians from top restaurants and fees brought under different accounts, said sources.
Mola opposition prefers food in their party office in the secretariat complex with their own arrangements.
From high cost suitcases to trolleys, watches for electronic items, handicraft items to ornamental fish and fish boxes, Aavin products to spices and forest products, milletbased products for traditional rice varieties, MLAS is spoiled by ministers.
“Members will sign a register stored in the library and get prizes from the department staff,” said the former Mla.
Sources said the cost of lunch and prizes jumped after the death of the former Main Minister J Jayalalithaa and when the ministers enjoyed the influence in the affairs of the daily department.