How are legislators expected to maintain their households?

I recall accounts by friends who participated in the 1971 insurrection on how they were instructed to engage in political organising. They were to live like ascetics. They could, if unavoidable, pay to go to a location to meet the party faithful and engage in educational or recruitment activities.

- Rohan Samarajiva

But they could not spend any money on food and accommodation while being there. The costs of transport to the next destination had to be borne by their hosts. Clothing and other essentials had to come from party members.

These practices resonated with the people, perhaps because of the ingrained respect for the Sangha and the laity’s obligations toward them. It is not surprising that even five decades later and now in power, some of those practices live on as ideals in the minds of the decision makers (and have the implicit support of the public).

Official payments to MPs

The basic salary of an MP is Rs. 54,285 a month. In 2019, before rampant inflation drove up all prices and before utility costs were adjusted to cover actual costs, the average household expenditure was Rs. 63,130, according to the government. Now it’s much higher. The salary is insufficient to meet the basic requirements of a household.