Making MLAs, MPs accountable

I saw a photograph of an MLA watering his lawn because he had nothing else to do and I read that another MLA had uploaded a video showing him mowing the lawn at his residence. Both these references pertain to states where the harvest season is at its peak, as is the arrival at mandis. There is an acute shortage of migrant labour, harvester combines and many teething problems regarding procurement. I would have thought that this was the time for the elected representatives to be out in the field and seeing to it that everything was moving smoothly. They are the natural bridge between the people and the local administration. All this set me thinking about the responsibilities of an MP/MLA and what they lack in order to fulfil these.

As I see it, the role of the MLA and MP is twofold: first, to help in legislation. It is their duty to participate in debates on vital Bills keeping in mind the interest of their constituency. If they are members of any committees set up by the Speaker, they should participate actively. Second, they are meant to look after their constituency and list the common needs such as electricity, water, education, health, irrigation, etc. In addition, their constituents come up with personal problems which also need attention.

Over the decades, one has seen a steady deterioration in the quality of debates in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas; even the duration of the sessions is greatly reduced. When the legislative bodies are in session, most of the time of the MPs and MLAs is spent in the well of the House raising slogans against each other. This results in very little time for proper debates even on important national issues, so much so that Money Bills are passed without adequate discussion. As regards their responsibility vis-a-vis their constituency, there is no structured approach.

Whenever the MP/MLA is present in his area or at the headquarters, he’s usually surrounded by family members and others belonging to his coterie of unsavoury characters. Constituents can access their representatives only through them. There is a collection of muscle men, touts, security personnel and you will find very few respectable people in the throng. You will also find local police officers, revenue officials and other government servants hanging around, taking orders regarding disposal of important matters. Most of these officials owe their postings to the influence exerted by the MPs/MLAs, who want to have their own men in these positions. There are also allegations of money passing hands for various things, even postings and transfers.

MLAs and MPs have greatly handicapped themselves in handling the matters of their constituents because of lack of any infrastructure. At the very least, as in most developed democracies, they should be provided with offices in their constituencies, along with secretarial support. When the Houses are not in session, the MPs/MLAs should function from their offices. Even in their absence, the offices should continue to function and record the people’s representations. These offices should also function as ‘think tanks’ looking into the needs of the constituency and forwarding these to central party offices and government departments. They should concentrate on the development works needed in their areas and also follow up on the progress of ongoing works.

All of this would need proper follow-up action by these offices at the Vidhan Sabhas and Lok Sabha secretariat. At the Lok Sabha secretariat, a couple of qualified researchers should be attached to each MP. This would enable the member to be adequately briefed regarding pending legislation and the questions that he is likely to raise in Parliament. This would raise the level of the debate. MPs/MLAs are constantly upgrading their salaries, allowances, freebies, etc. It is in their hands to sanction the infrastructure for themselves so that they are able to function systematically. They do not have to ask any other government functionary to do this. I only hope that they want this infrastructure and not the present ad hoc functioning.

Lastly, I do not know as to how this can be done but it should be mandatory for every MLA and MP to periodically report to constituents regarding the number of days he has spent in the House, which debates he has taken part in, the issues he has raised regarding his constituency. These letters would then gradually initiate discussions within the constituency regarding the performance of the representative and also generate feedback. This could also be done through periodic meetings of elected representatives at the local government level. Of course, the whole edifice of parliamentary democracy rests on the cornerstone of elected representatives being of good character, great integrity and intelligent men of compassion enthused with the burning desire to take the country forward. This is up to the political parties who select these candidates.

I have taken up the role of only the political part of the executive, as the bureaucracy and police have been totally subjugated by the ruling parties. The judiciary appears to have opted out of the national debate on vital issues. Why so, your lordships? But then, who am I to pose this question. I am but just an ordinary, humble citizen like millions of others and humble citizens only follow and do not question.

— The writer is ex-chairman of UPSC & former Manipur Governor