Today marks the beginning of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. Newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs), who recently won in the Lok Sabha elections, will take their oath of office. Once they do so, they will officially become members of the house. Many MPs are taking the oath for the first time in their parliamentary careers. With their new status as MPs, they will start receiving the privileges and responsibilities associated with being representatives, transitioning from ordinary citizens to public figures.
How many MPs will take oath for the first time?
In the 18th Lok Sabha, the majority of MPs who have arrived in Parliament are first-time MPs. Specifically, 52% of MPs will be taking their oath as Members of Parliament for the first time. This amounts to a total of 280 MPs. In Uttar Pradesh alone, there are 45 MPs who are first-time MPs, while Maharashtra has 33 MPs who have been elected for the first time.
First-time elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will now be part of the House and will benefit from the facilities provided to Lok Sabha members. Let’s find out what facilities MPs will receive from today onwards.
What benefits will MPs get
After becoming MPs, members typically receive several benefits including salary, allowances for travel, medical facilities, housing, telephone facilities, pension, etc. According to changes made in the salary and allowances effective May 11, 2022, MPs receive a salary of one lakh rupees. In addition to this, they receive a daily allowance of Rs. 2,000 for home meetings.
In addition, MPs are provided with travel facilities to attend sessions, committee meetings, and other official engagements. They are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred for attending sessions and returning home. MPs absent for fewer than 15 days during a session are eligible for travel reimbursement.
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Moreover, MPs are entitled to free travel in first-class railway coaches for certain journeys, and there are specific rules regarding accompanying family members during travel. MPs from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are provided with a steamer facility. Various conditions apply for travel allowances and discounts, which MPs can avail based on specific criteria.
Furthermore, MPs receive funds for office expenses such as staff salaries, according to the official website. They are allocated Rs. 20,000 as office allowance, Rs. 4,000 for stationery, Rs. 2,000 for postage, and funds for staff expenses. Each MP is provided with two FASTags—one for a vehicle in Delhi and another for their constituency—to facilitate toll-free travel. MPs also have access to several places and protocols that are restricted to the general public.
As per your query, here are the rules regarding pension for Members of Parliament (MPs):
- Pension Amount: Every MP receives a monthly pension based on the duration of their tenure in each parliamentary session. Currently, this amount is set at Rs. 22,000 per month.
- Continuation of Pension: MPs who continue to serve in subsequent sessions are eligible to receive pension for those sessions as well.
These pensions are part of the benefits provided to MPs after they complete their tenure as Members of Parliament.
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