What is the Cost of Running the Parliament?
Every minute of Parliament of India costs taxpayers around ?2.5 lakh, making meaningful debates essential to ensure public money is not wasted.
India is the world’s largest democracy, and its Parliament—made up of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—meets three times a year: the Budget, Monsoon, and Winter Sessions.
But do you know how much it costs to keep Parliament running?
According to former Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, every minute of Parliament costs around ?2.5 lakh. Former Lok Sabha Secretary General P. D. T. Achary reiterated this estimate in 2023.
That means one full day of proceedings costs nearly ?9 crore, while an entire session can cost anywhere between ?140 crore and ?200 crore or more.
This expense covers everything from building maintenance, electricity, and security to salaries, allowances, and staff costs.
Parliament is where the nation’s most important issues are debated and laws are made. With so much public money involved, every minute matters.
When sessions are disrupted by protests and walkouts, it is not just time that is lost—it is the taxpayers’ money.
In a democracy, debate is not a luxury. It is a responsibility.
