New Delhi: Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actress Rekha are the worst performers in attendance in the Rajya Sabha among the 12 nominated members, according to an analysis by Factly.in, a data journalism portal.
While Mr Tendulkar has attended 23 of the 348 days since his nomination in 2012, Ms Rekha has attended 18. Further, Ms Rekha has not attended more than a single day in any session since her nomination in 2012.
While Ms Rekha attended the least number of days compared to those who were nominated along with her, the expenditure incurred on her is the highest till date: Rs 65 lakh as salary and expenses. Expenditure incurred on Mr Tendulkar is Rs 58.8 lakh, according to Rajya Sabha data.
The difference in the expenditure is only because of the allowances, since all other components are fixed for every member. If a particular Lawmaker attended the house more often than others and has travelled more extensively than others, the expenditure incurred on him/her would be high. In Ms Rekha's case, it is the opposite.
There are 12 nominated members in the Rajya Sabha. While two other Lawmakers were nominated in 2012 along with Mr Tendulkar and Ms Rekha, one was nominated in 2014 and the remaining seven were nominated in 2016. Four of the nominated members joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and are counted as BJP members in the house. A nominated member can join a political party within the first six months of being nominated to the house, according to the rules.
These members are nominated by the President based on the advice of the government of the day. Article 80(3) of the Constitution of India authorises the President to nominate a maximum of 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, and the members nominated shall have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art and social service.
Ms Rekha has not asked a single question in the house in her nearly five years in the Rajya Sabha. Mr Tendulkar fared better by asking 22 questions. Industrialist Anu Aga, who was nominated along with Mr Tendulkar and Ms Rekha, has also not asked a single question till date. Lawyer KTS Tulsi has asked the most questions among the nominated members.
Under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), each Lawmaker can suggest to the District Collector of the nodal district chosen by them, works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum. The nominated Rajya Sabha Lawmakers may select any district from any state for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.
Under MPLADS, the role of the Lawmaker is limited to the recommendation of works. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the district authority to sanction, execute and complete the works recommended by the MP within the stipulated time period.
The Rs 5 crore per annum is not automatically released each year. The first installment of Rs 2.5 crore is released without any condition. The subsequent installments are released subject to conditions such as utilisation of the previous installment.
(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. Rakesh Dubbudu is an RTI activist and a data/information enthusiast with Factly.in, a site dedicated to making public data meaningful. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org)
While Mr Tendulkar has attended 23 of the 348 days since his nomination in 2012, Ms Rekha has attended 18. Further, Ms Rekha has not attended more than a single day in any session since her nomination in 2012.
While Ms Rekha attended the least number of days compared to those who were nominated along with her, the expenditure incurred on her is the highest till date: Rs 65 lakh as salary and expenses. Expenditure incurred on Mr Tendulkar is Rs 58.8 lakh, according to Rajya Sabha data.
The difference in the expenditure is only because of the allowances, since all other components are fixed for every member. If a particular Lawmaker attended the house more often than others and has travelled more extensively than others, the expenditure incurred on him/her would be high. In Ms Rekha's case, it is the opposite.
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There are 12 nominated members in the Rajya Sabha. While two other Lawmakers were nominated in 2012 along with Mr Tendulkar and Ms Rekha, one was nominated in 2014 and the remaining seven were nominated in 2016. Four of the nominated members joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and are counted as BJP members in the house. A nominated member can join a political party within the first six months of being nominated to the house, according to the rules.
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These members are nominated by the President based on the advice of the government of the day. Article 80(3) of the Constitution of India authorises the President to nominate a maximum of 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, and the members nominated shall have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art and social service.
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Ms Rekha has not asked a single question in the house in her nearly five years in the Rajya Sabha. Mr Tendulkar fared better by asking 22 questions. Industrialist Anu Aga, who was nominated along with Mr Tendulkar and Ms Rekha, has also not asked a single question till date. Lawyer KTS Tulsi has asked the most questions among the nominated members.
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Under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), each Lawmaker can suggest to the District Collector of the nodal district chosen by them, works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum. The nominated Rajya Sabha Lawmakers may select any district from any state for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.
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Under MPLADS, the role of the Lawmaker is limited to the recommendation of works. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the district authority to sanction, execute and complete the works recommended by the MP within the stipulated time period.
The Rs 5 crore per annum is not automatically released each year. The first installment of Rs 2.5 crore is released without any condition. The subsequent installments are released subject to conditions such as utilisation of the previous installment.
(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. Rakesh Dubbudu is an RTI activist and a data/information enthusiast with Factly.in, a site dedicated to making public data meaningful. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org)
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