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How education, wealth and criminality affect MPs' attendance in Parliament
Last updated on Jan 31, 2018, 02:52 pm
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The issue of absenteeism of MPs has plagued the Indian Parliament since years. Even well-known names including Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha have fallen prey to this disease.
While Tendulkar attended 23 of 348 days during 2012-17, Rekha attended 18.
Are there common factors affecting MPs' attendance? A Centre for Policy Research report has boiled it down to education, criminality and wealth.
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Sample
MPs were chosen based on duration of service
![MPs were chosen based on duration of service]( "MPs were chosen based on duration of service")
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The author shortlisted all 362 MPs who served the full 2009-14 term but weren't ministers.
Three aspects were considered: moveable wealth (assets that can be quickly mobilized), education and criminality.
The average moveable wealth was Rs. 19.6L. 18% were facing at least one "serious" criminal charge, and 31% had a postgraduate degree.
The information was taken from the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).
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Attendance
MPs of larger parties had 10% more attendance
![MPs of larger parties had 10% more attendance]( "MPs of larger parties had 10% more attendance")
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The average attendance of this sample was 80%, the author notes. Those of the six largest parties, comprising 75% of the sample, displayed more attendance (82% average) than smaller parties (72%).
This data was obtained from PRS Legislative Services.
The author then correlated MPs' education, criminality and wealth with their attendance and found statistically significant results.
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Findings
Education, wealth and criminality were significantly linked to attendance
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The probability of at least 90% attendance for postgraduates was estimated at 25%; for those with lower education levels, it was 15%.
Major criminals had a 5% probability of high attendance, while those with less-serious charges were rated 15%.
Probability of high attendance also decreased with increasing wealth, from 45% for those with assets worth Rs. 1L, to 2% for those worth Rs. 10cr.
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Data
Tendency to field rich criminal candidates likely to increase
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Criminality and wealth among MPs have been on an upward trajectory. The proportion of MPs facing serious criminal charges increased from 12% in 2004 to 21% in 2014. Wealthier candidates are preferred as they can self-finance their campaigns and have stronger chances of winning.
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Government
Modi has tried to rein in absentee MPs, without fruit
![Modi has tried to rein in absentee MPs, without fruit]( "Modi has tried to rein in absentee MPs, without fruit")
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Last August, after the ruling NDA couldn't get a crucial bill cleared in the Rajya Sabha due to lack of party MPs, PM Narendra Modi cautioned them: "You keep doing what you want to. I will do what I have to in 2019."
In March, he had told them he would strictly monitor their attendance.
However, things don't seem to have improved much.
