Karnataka Speaker mulls to link MLA grants with performance to boost attendance

Speaker Khader has often insisted on greater attendance, and even during the just-concluded Winter Session, he urged MLAs, particularly youngsters, to participate in discussions and listen to veteran legislators.

Bengaluru: Speaker UT Khader is considering a plan to link constituency grants with the performance of MLAs in the Assembly, in an apparent bid to increase  MLAs’ attendance and participation in legislature proceedings. 

According to sources, the Speaker is likely to propose the idea to members of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka. Khader is the chairperson of the BAC.

A meeting of stakeholders may be held soon, but the final decision on providing grants rests with the government. 

Khader has often insisted on greater attendance, and even during the just-concluded Winter Session, he urged MLAs, particularly youngsters, to participate in discussions and listen to veteran legislators. 

According to data obtained by DH, 44 MLAs were absent each day on an average during the recent Belagavi session.

Absence of MLAs was highest (46.85%) on December 15, when the House adjourned after expressing condolences over the demise of veteran Congressman and sitting MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

It was minimum on December 09 (6.73%).

Lack of time

While MLAs across parties agree that there must be measures to increase legislative participation, some felt the lack of participation was due to short sessions.

For instance, the just-concluded Winter Session ran for 10 days, of which two days saw adjournments due to the demise of sitting members (HY Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa — both Congress MLAs).

Turuvekere JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa said it would be a good move to link grants with floor attendance but preferred longer duration of sessions for better discussions.

“The session should run for at least 60 days a year. It used to happen earlier but it has been reduced now. Shouldn’t the Budget Session run for at least a month? There should be scope for open debate,” Krishnappa added.

Shivajinagar Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad concurred with Krishnappa.

“Everyone wants to speak about them, their constituency, constituents, state’s development and so on. But the time is limited and the lack of interest [in participation] is because of lack of opportunities.”

Pointing out the practical difficulties, Arshad said the usual option for MLAs to talk during the session is to get their question starred, or get a calling attention motion.

However, he said, the calling attention motions were sometimes held at odd hours, making it difficult for all to participate.

“Instead of having the session from morning to night, it’s better to extend the session by a week or so,” Arshad added.

While there’s a view that increased participation of ministers will lead to more MLAs participating in debates, there’s also an argument that debates are often centered around ministers, restricting the scope for ruling party MLAs to speak. 

‘Extra grants’

Instead of linking their grants with attendance, the MLAs attending the House regularly should be given extra grants (Rs 5 crore or so), BJP Tumkur Rural MLA Suresh Gowda suggested. 

Gowda also emphasised that participating throughout the day is crucial, not just being present for a short while for attendance purposes.

“Chief minister, Leader of the Opposition and party presidents should attend sessions so that others will also follow suit.”

Presence matter

Speaker likely to propose plan to Business Advisory Committee Final decision on grants rests with govt  Some MLAs feel reduced attendance is due to short sessions Some suggest extending session by more days rather than holding it from morning to night everyday Another suggestion is to give more grants to MLAs who have more attendance