State MPs attend Parliament and raise questions, but stay away from debates

By Tushar Kaushik
BENGALURU: Members of Parliament (MPs) from Karnataka have been reasonably good at attending Parliament sessions and raising questions, but not keen on participating in debates, as per data from the 16th Lok Sabha.

Karnataka MPs, on an average, have clocked almost the same attendance and raised more questions than the national average. But, they are behind the national average in debate participation. Also, some MPs have recorded extremely low attendance or have not raised a single question or been part of any debate.

As per figures compiled by the research institute PRS Legislative Research, as of February 13, 2019, Karnataka MPs clocked an average attendance of 79%, slightly lower than the national average of 80%. As per a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), each MP has raised 305 questions on an average.

From Bengaluru’s three constituencies, two MPs — DV Sadananda Gowda and HN Ananthkumar — served as Union ministers, who don’t have to sign in the attendance register and have to answer questions raised. PC Mohan from Bangalore Central had 83% attendance, raised 315 questions and was involved in 21 debates.



There is lot of variation in the figures of Karnataka MPs. Overall, JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, who is contesting from Tumkur this time, is among the least active members, having recorded 55% attendance, raised no questions and participated in 20 debates. Bijapur MP Ramesh Jigajinagi, although having attended 97% of the sessions, has raised just a lone question and not been a part of any debates (until he became a Union minister in July 2016). Chikballapur MP Veerappa Moily (12 questions, 23 debates) and Kolar MP KH Muniyappa (no questions, 23 debates) have been the other not-so-active MPs from the state. Chikkodi MP PB Hukkeri (34%) and former Bellary MP B Sriramulu (52%) had the least attendance. Some MPs have checked all the boxes and recorded high figures in every category. Udupi Chikmagalur MP Shobha Karandlaje raised 736 questions and took part in 111 debates. Other active MPs have been Haveri MP SC Udasi, Chamarajanagar MP Dhruvanara-yana and Tumkur MP Muddahan-umegowda.

Founder-chairman of NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) Trilochan Sastry said these numbers are important for MPs. “It is the job of an MP to attend Parliament regularly, participate in debates, ask questions,” he said.