K Shiva Kumar and M Venkatesh By

BENGALURU: Empty benches in the Assembly have become so routine that they are rankling Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa. It is not just absenteeism, but also the unabashed misuse of perks that has assumed alarming proportions. Many MLAs sign the register and then breeze out of the Vidhana Soudha, neglecting their duties in the House.

Some go to the Legislators’ Home to chat with people from their constituencies, while others meet bureaucrats to get work done. But a good majority are nowhere in the vicinity of the Vidhana Soudha.

The MLAs become eligible for allowances by just signing the register. Some cite medical reasons for their absence.

Thimmappa (82) said it was unfortunate that the MLAs had to be told to be present for Assembly deliberations.

He attributed the poor attendance to the background of the members. “We see people without any involvement in social movements coming to politics,” he said.

Recalling his involvement in the Kagodu peasant movement, he said leaders of his generation were shaped by agitations and public causes.

Belgaum Excuse: The Assembly-bunking trend became conspicuous during the winter session in Belgaum. There, some MLAs claimed, they were not comfortable with the boarding and lodging and did not participate in the proceedings. Of 224 MLAs, 190 turned up for the joint address of Governor Vajubhai Vala in Bengaluru on February 2. On an average, 160 to 170 legislators sign the registers placed at five points in the lounge. Over the last three days, a reality check revealed that only 90 MLAs stay on inside the House. The numbers sometimes go up marginally during Question Hour.

The Opposition has occasionally drawn the attention of Thimmappa to the low turnout in the treasury benches.

Former Parliamentary Affairs minister S Suresh Kumar (BJP) refused to comment on the trend.

Ashok M Pattan, chief whip of the Congress Legislature Party, said he had served notices to some MLAs. “This problem is not confined to the ruling party. Many Opposition members were also not present on Wednesday,” he said.

Shettar’s Worry: Jagadish Shettar, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, is unhappy about the attitude of many in his own party who show little interest in the proceedings. “We have warned them,” he added. Shettar feels it is high time people in the constituency automatically got to know if their MLAs were bunking Assembly.

“It is the MLAs’ privilege to raise issues and draw the attention of the government to the cause of the poor and the needy. But now, becoming an MLA has become a business,” Thimmappa said.

About truant MLAs, he said, “I have observed the trend. Most of the time, between 80 and 95 members attend the session.” Thimmappa said he was paid Rs 5,000 a month when he first became an MLA in 1968.

“Things have changed now,” he remarked. “The pay is good, and MLAs should use their privileges well.”

He said some first-time MLAs were, however, doing impressive work, and deserved emulation.

On the proposed bill to raise the salary and perks of legislators, he said informal talks were on. “I am not aware when the government intends to table the bill,” he said.

What’s Their Official Salary?

Karnataka legislators get a monthly salary of Rs 65,000, in addition to other allowances. Their constituency travel allowance is Rs 25,000 a month. They are paid Rs 1,000 a day for attending Assembly sessions. They also get an allowance of Rs 1,000 a day for attending any meeting in the state, and Rs 1,500 for attending any meeting outside. They get a travel allowance of Rs 20 a km irrespective of the mode of transport.

Only 40 of 224 Present on Wednesday

The highest turnout, over the first three days of this week, was 160 on Monday, but the actual head count did not cross 93. The numbers fell even further on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, opposition leaders protested against the empty treasury benches. Barely 40 MLAs were present when the House reassembled after lunch, but during question hour, 76 had returned. The presence of MLAs usually goes down in the post-lunch session. Even only a few of those who remain in the House join the debates. They leave soon after getting a reply to their questions.