Rajya Sabha MPs to get latest gadgets like smart TV, projector, wearables for smooth functioning

The Rajya Sabha MPs will now be entitled to smart TVs, smart projectors, wearables, and other gadgets.

The decision was made under the 'Scheme of Financial Entitlement of Members of Rajya Sabha for Computer Equipment', where members of the Rajya Sabha, under the The Provision Of Computer Equipment (Members Of Rajya Sabha And Officers) Rules, 2008, get equipment to perform their duties better.

A meeting for the same was held on May 23.

What is the scheme?

The financial entitlement of a member for purchasing computer equipment and software under the Scheme shall be as follows:

a) Rs 2,00,000/- if elected/nominated to Rajya Sabha for a term of more than three years.
b) Rs 1,50,000/- if elected/nominated to Rajya Sabha in a bye election on a casual vacancy for a term of three years
or less.
c) Additional Rs 1,00,000/- would be available to a Member after three years of his / her term, subject to
the condition that the minimum period of term left is not less than six months

Rajya Sabha MPs are already entitled to facilities like a desktop, a laptop, a pen drive, a printer, a scanner, a UPS, and a smartphone.

The latest gadgets to have been added to this list are

Smart TVs and smart displays
Smart projectors and portable projector screens
Tablet computers and keyboards
Smart speakers and wearables (such as smartwatches)

Accessories to the IT equipment

Anti-Virus Software
Speakers
Headphone
Microphone
WebCam
Bluetooth Headset/AirPods

Members will have to produce original bills of purchase to claim reimbursement.