“The irony is that there are a lot of MPs who live a life of simplicity. Travel by bus to Parliament. Use trains. Work for their constituents.”
Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam said he does not support any such move. “I think it is better to travel like a common man. Moreover, our MPs already get executive class tickets... I feel it is not necessary.”
While the protocol to accord such special services to MPs have been in existence for over three years now, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation, in a fresh directive to all airlines, has pointed out that the airports and airlines were “not adhering to the guidelines on protocol norms and courtesy to be extended to Members of Parliament.”
The protocol, which is “to be followed by all concerned, including private airports and airlines”, includes reserved lounge facilities, complimentary tea, coffee or water, free access in the terminal building and designation of one officer of airport as Protocol Officer to extend all facilities and courtesies to MPs.
Apart from Air India which has been extending such courtesies to the MPs so far, the other airlines which have been instructed are Jet Airways and the no-frills IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir.
However, Union minister Praful Patel, who once headed Civil Aviation Ministry, saw nothing wrong in the directive. “If an MP is given a little bit of privilege, a little bit of respect, I don't think this should be blown out of proportion.”
