Benefits provided to an MP: What Rahul Gandhi stands to lose

Members of Parliament enjoy several perks along with different monthly allowances. Check out what benefits Rahul Gandhi will be cut out of after being disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has lost his Lok Sabha seat on Friday after he was convicted over his ‘Modi surname’ remark. He was sentenced to a two-year term on Thursday by a local court in Gujarat over a criminal defamation case.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi leaves parliament building in New Delhi.(AP)

The Lok Sabha secretariat said in a notification that he has been disqualified from the day of the conviction under the Constitution’s Article 102(1)(e) read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act.

According to parliamentary rules, Union legislators lose their seat if convicted of a crime for two or more years in prison. Similarly, they cannot continue to enjoy certain benefits, that are otherwise, given to them as a Member of Parliament.

Check out benefits a Member of Parliament enjoys:

1. An MP is entitled to a licence-fee free accommodation or a hostel facility throughout their term. They can also avail a bunglow-type accommodation after paying the normal licence fee. The allotment of residences is made by the Accommodation Sub-Committee based on a set criteria. Water and electricity bills are exempted up to a certain limit. Furniture within monetary limits, periodic washing of sofa covers and curtains and remission in rents for improvements or additions are some of the other residential facilities.
2. According to Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2010, they get a monthly salary of ₹50,000. They also receive ₹2,000 as daily allowance to attend Parliament sessions.
3. They also receive a constituency allowance of ₹45,000 per month.
4. MPs get travel allowances to conduct businesses related to their duties including travel to attend a session. For instance, they get one executive class or first class AC pass by train, one and one-fourth air fare of any airline and ₹16 per kilometre of travel by road. A total of 34 single air travels per year are allowed to each member along with their relatives.
5. They also get ₹45,000 per month as office expense, including ₹15,000 for stationary and postage expenses. The allowance could be utilised to pay the wages of secretarial assistants.
6. Members pay ₹500 every month to avail free medical treatment for them and their families.