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| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
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Do MPs have a right to an enjoyable meal? Light Refractions by Lucien Rajakarunanayake This was the topic of animated discussion at the regular water hole last Thursday evening, when I dropped there for a few tots of my regular coconut spirits. The interest was because of the cost of MPs meals taken in Parliament had been raised in the House earlier that day. "If the country spends so much to elect them, why should anyone grudge paying even more to have them well fed, especially knowing very well the amount of physical energy an MP may need at any time to survive a brawl in the House?" That was Gourmet Rasabojun, always ready for a choice spread before him. "But the question raised is why the people should subsidise the meals of MPs, when the meals of the people are not subsidised" asked Rasamusu Gameykadey, who always enjoyed a good lunch packet of rice and curry from his favourite "bath kadey" and often brought the spicy packets for others too. "This is all a question of political envy. Who says the meals of the people are not subsidised" asked Gourmand Sakalabojun, one who always insists that man lives to eat, and not the other way about. "Just look at it honestly. Do the people not get subsidised bread? Do they not get their rice at a reasonable price, although somewhat high, if not for the subsidies given to cultivators for fertilizer and the refusal to impose a water tax? Doesn't the Government help keep the price of vegetables down, as much as it is possible because of the subsidy on diesel? Now who decides on all these subsidies other than Members of Parliament, who are always concerned about the cost of living of the people? Where are these decisions to grant all these subsidies taken, other than in Parliament? So why should the people in turn not subsidise the meals of MPs? After all it is not as if they have a feast every day at the people's expense, because Parliament does not meet so often these days." "But apparently the problem is that MPs who represent the people, in a country where at least half the population is said to be living below the poverty line, which I can't believe seeing the waistlines of anyone I meet, having special meals in Parliament and not the same type of meals as the people have. Those who oppose the subsidy on luxury meals for MPs say that the people's representatives must eat as the people do, and not above the level of the people who elected them. To put it simply the criticism is about MPs having five-star meals at the people's expense", said Kanabona Janarasa, taking a sip of his glass of imported beer. "That is utter nonsense", said Gourmet Rasabojun, pouring another drink of his favourite premium single malt whisky. "Don't forget that it was more than two decades since we were told by that old dharmishta fox that we have a five-star democracy. If we are two decades past achieving five-star status in democracy, what's wrong in MPs of such a democracy enjoying five-star meals, even with the people paying for it?" "I think Gourmet has something in what he says. Why do you think people get elected to Parliament, if they can't even have a good meal with the people paying for it," asked Rasamusu Gameykadey. "Just think of all the work they have to do for the people; all the brain power needed by those in power to implement election pledges, and the similar mental exercise of those in Opposition make the people believe that the pledges are not being met. The Opposition has an even tougher task trying to work out strategies of coming back to power. Can all this be done, on a mere 'bath packet' as some people want the chosen representatives of people to be satisfied with?" "Whatever you may say, it has now been officially suggested that the meals be supplied to MPs at the parliament restaurant at the market price. That seems a very reasonable decision. They will then begin to really understand the cost of eating of the ordinary people. I think the market price should prevail; then MPs too will feel the rise and fall, if any, of the cost of living", said Kanabona Janarasa. "I'm not pleased with all this talk of the market price. It depends on what market one refers to. Is it the Mariyakade market, the Pettah market, the Borella market or the Kollupitiya market? If it is the Kollupitiya Market, then the prices will definitely be higher than at other places. Will they price their vegetables at the Gangodawila pola rate, the Dambulla rate or the Meegoda rate?" asked Gourmand Sakalabojun. "If this market price system is to be followed, the cost of meals for MPs in the parliament restaurant will see so much fluctuation day by day, that it may become necessary to publish a daily price index on the cost of MPs meals in parliament, similar to the Stock Market." "Who knows this may be the means for the big super market chains to enter parliament through its restaurant, making MPs have regular meals of one brand of sausages or the other, and then advertising them as the choice meal of the people's representatives. One may even have MPs endorsing one market or the other, or even saying that he or she gets all one's ideas by eating a particular brand of sausages, frankfurters or lingus," said Rasamusu Gameykadey with marked concern. "I'm sure that MPs from both the Government and Opposition will find an easy way of solving their meal problem, whether at the market price as suggested, or any other method," said Gourmet Rasabojun, having placed an order for a large portion of special Nasi Goreng. "What I'm concerned is why all these people are only concerned about subsidised meals for MPs. What about all the subsidised meals that directors and higher executives in the private sector enjoy. Why is that not questioned?" he asked. "Surely they don't have subsidised meals. They pay for it from their own income or at company expense. They must have expensive meals for promotional work, and at business meetings. How can one find fault with that?" asked Gourmand Sakalabojun. "Gourmet is right" said Kanabona Janarasa. "All these corporate meals are full of hidden subsidies. They are written off taxes as necessary expenses. One must not forget that they enjoy all these meals from the huge profits they make from the people, whether it is by selling sausages, milk foods, over-priced essential drugs and massive profits and commissions on government tenders. One should take a good look at how the public pays for these meals, too. For example, can the price of milk foods be brought down if the directors and higher executives of milk food suppliers are more frugal about their meals? "I don't grudge an MP his subsidised meal, when I don't object to his subsidised car or the special fee he is paid for attending every session of parliament, the very thing an MP was elected for. I only hope that no MP takes any subsidised meals home for the rest of the family. That would mean the people subsidising the meals of the MPs family too. I'm not for that" said Gourmet Rasabojun. I took another drink of my regular old stuff and decided I had heard enough to come home and file this copy. |
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