Shiban Khaibri
A Member of Parliament is expected to play a very purposeful constructive and contributory role as a spokesperson of peoples’ interests, as a law maker, as a facilitator and as an examiner of the work of the government. He or she is also expected to see how money or revenues collected from taxation is spent by the government. An MP should increasingly participate in Parliamentary debates, discussions and be in a position not only to criticize the government decisions or policies but also suggest and provide an alternative solution or remedy; such should be his acumen and knowledge about the problems of the electorate, the administrative wings and the country as a whole. An MP should be well versed with up-to-date information in order to understand and debate the great range of legislation and other important issues dealt with by the House. A lot of reading, perusing various reports, international and national issues – economic, political, social, cultural etc must be gone into and studied by a Parliamentarian to prove effective and thus contribute to the process of the functioning of the House.
Under Article 80 of the constitution, Rajya Sabha is composed of 250 members, 12 out of whom are nominated by the President of India who are normally very distinguished persons having excelled in different fields of activities like art and literature, academics, social service, science and technology, commerce and industry, journalism etc so that the nation receives services of these distinguished persons. A few of prominently known personalities having been nominated to this august House include Dr. Zakir Hussain, Prof. Satindranath Bose, Prithviraj Kapoor, Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachhan, Prof. Gadgil, scientist Dr. Raja Ramanna, cartoonist Abu Abraham, Habib Tanveer, Khushwant Singh, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Lata Mangeshkar etc. These (nominated) members are expected to enrich the proceedings of the House with their experience, skills, dexterity, knowledge etc by means of their active participation in debates and discussions. Parliament is an august platform for constructive and healthy debates and discussions but a few nominated members not only take no part in debates but they do not prefer even to attend the whole of a particular session. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is one of such examples who has reportedly never taken any part, even symbolically, in any Parliamentary debates so far. His attendance in the House has been abysmally lowest with 98% absenteeism. He can get time to fly to London to watch sports events but not attend the Parliament, thus abjuring responsibility of an MP in our Parliamentary democracy. Watching IPL matches whether played in the country or abroad, attending social events, attending film fare awards and all “non -Parliamentary engagements” are perhaps preferred to attending Parliament. It is totally unacceptable that an MP draws salary and enjoys perks associated with the seat but shall ipso facto not perform as an MP, not even by his or her presence. Another example is about Ms. Rekha, the noted film star who very rarely makes her presence in the House and has never spoken a word by participating in any debate, nor asked a question in the most important ‘Question Hour’. How do they justify themselves as MPs? If they are so busy with their profession, though now not that actively, they should turn down the nominations or tender resignations even now. What about the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) Kitty fund of Rs.25 crore granted to them per term and how much these Hon’ble nominated MPs spend on the welfare schemes or are these funds untouched, should be made known to the people as that is the public money?
It is intriguing to know that these two Hon’ble MPs have not refused being made members on “Information Technology” and “Food and Civil Supplies” committees respectively when they rarely make their appearance in the House. It may be known that becoming by nomination a Rajya Sabha MP is not like getting a Film award or some prize or citation but that of shouldering a great responsibility, shoulder it and perform or else decline taking it but not shirk it at any cost. There have been known figures similarly nominated for the Rajya Sabha like Rahul Bajaj, Sham Benagal, Javid Akhtar with as much as 86%, 74% and 50% attendance record respectively. How much important can a member of the Rajya Sabha be, can be gauged by the fact that Dr. Manmohan Singh, Rajya Sabha member remained the country’s PM for ten years. About Sachin Tendulkar, there is one more very important factor of having been conferred the highest honour of the land – the “Bharat Ratna”. Despite being a Bharat Ratna, he is seen doing small TV commercial ads for pecuniary benefits which is tantamount to grossly diluting the dignity of the award. There are many people in the country who even question the wisdom of the UPA2 government in not deciding about the conferment of this highest honour in favour of the most deserving legendary Hockey wizard, Dyan Chand . Iconic players like Dyan Chand who brought laurels to the country like the coveted Olympic gold were getting very little financial support in their times, as against cricketers of the day who are rained with money in lacs, should never be forgotten by us. It disturbs when a noted sports star with comfortable financial position, also a Bharat Ratna should take interest in commercial activities, promoting sales of commodities of common use and take salary as MP too but not seem to shoulder the responsibilities of an MP.
Now let one more classical example of a Hon’ble MP be analyzed in terms of his active contribution towards the parliamentary proceedings, participation in debates and asking questions. He is the Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi who has been found wanting in to take a role of an active Parliamentarian in the Lok Sabha. As of last month, Lok Sabha’s productivity was 103% and Rajya Sabha’s 97%. While debates were progressively going on in the House on 9th ultimo, he was seen taking comfortable naps and intermittently yawning in his seat. On 6th instant, unexpectedly all of a sudden, he trooped into the well of the House rolling up his sleeves, along with a group of Congress MPs and raised slogans complaining of “government is not keen on discussions”. On comparative analysis, we find that the productivity of the House has increased as compared to previous budget sessions and the number of questions answered during Question Hour has increased significantly. He has raised not a single question nor participated in any debate. Did he do it in an attempt to emerge relevant or was it because of an internal rebellion questioning his leadership or his theory of the “BJP Ka Gubbara Phat Jayega” having proved utterly wrong? Finance Minister Arun Jaitley aptly remarked, “Those who don’t speak claim that they are not being allowed to speak….a reaction to a Palace Coup.” Rahul while speaking to media persons had dragged in the Hon’ble Speaker in an unfound controversy of “being partial”. He wanted a discussion on “growing communal violence in the country.” Analysts argue why the word “country” instead of “Uttar Pradesh” used by him, perhaps not to antagonize the ruling Samajwadi Party which has been a faithful ally of the Congress led UPA dispensation. His another unfounded charge of “only one man’s voice matters in this country” falls flat as that one man is the Prime Minister of India who speaks only when required and speaks the truth tangibly and fearlessly while strongly believing in the freedom of expression. Let Rahul Gandhi find some other way to ease the pressure that is mounting on him to make a mark, even if much belatedly.
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