Raising subsidised Parliament canteen food issue a 'conspiracy': SP minister

New Delhi, Aug 3: Amid controversy over subsidised food in Parliament canteen, an SP member on Monday, Aug 3 said there was a "conspiracy" to sully the image of parliamentarians and asked the government to come out with details on how many MPs actually eat in the canteen.

Virtually in agreement with SP's Naresh Agarwal, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the matter as "a very serious issue" as it involved the prestige of the House.

Raising the issue as soon as the Rajya Sabha met for the day, Agarwal said there was a "conspiracy to sully the image of members of Parliament" in the raising of the issue relating to the huge subsidy bill of the Parliament canteen.

He wanted the government to give data on how many MPs actually consumed canteen food as well as how many Parliament staff, security personnel and journalists ate the same below market priced food. "We condemn attempts to sully the image of MPs. The House should pass a resolution on it," Agarwal said.

While Minister of State for Parliament Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue, Prasad said a very serious issue has been raised by Agarwal and as it involved prestige of the House, a discussion can start immediately.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said asked members to move appropriate motion for a discussion. "Since there is no motion, I cannot allow discussion," he said.

PTI