Bargarh MP Prabhas Singh has failed to perform his role as a member of parliament. He has failed to fulfill the expectations of the people as well.
This performance analysis is one of the instruments and testimony of our parliament member (MP) that also stands as a key indicator of the healthy democracy and its legislative process.
Currently a sitting MP can spend up to Rs. 25 crores in his term of five years in their respective constituencies based on their own discretion. Under this scheme the MPs are expected to create durable assets in their respective constituencies related to drinking water, electricity, libraries, primary education, public health, sanitation and roads among others. Recently the Prime Minister of India has introduced a new scheme Sansad Adarsha Gram Yojana (SAGY) with an objective to holistic development of the identified Gram Panchayats.
Let us examine his performance from all aspects:
Participation in Parliament
In 2014 to 2015, in one year period, the parliament runs for a total of 90 days including special session, budget and winter session. Bargarh MP Dr. Prabhas Kumar Singh attended special session, budget session, winter session and again budget session. He signed total 84 sessions while not signed 6. His performance in aggregate is 93.32%.
Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members. MPs ask questions in the parliament to raise issues of concern, to hold the government accountable to its actions and so on. He has raised 7 questions and participated in 5 debates in total.
MPLAD Fund Utilisation
Currently a sitting MP can spend to a tune Rs. 25 crores in his term of five years in their respective constituencies based on their own discretion. Under this scheme the MPs are expected to create durable assets in their respective constituencies related to drinking water, electricity, libraries, primary education, public health, sanitation and roads among others. Recently the Prime Minister of India has introduced a new scheme Sansad Adarsha Gram Yojana (SAGY) with an objective to holistic development of the identheified Gram Panchayats. He could not spent any amount in 2014-2015 from the available amount that is 2.5 crore.
Sansad Adarsha Gram Yojana
Recently the Prime Minister of India has introduced a new scheme Sansad Adarsha Gram Yojana (SAGY) with an objective to holistic development (personal, human, economic and social) of the identified Gram Panchayats. This includes basic facilities, livelihood, access to rights and to create models of local level development and effective local governance which can motivate and inspire neighbouring Gram Panchayats to learn and adapt. The approach will be leveraging the leadership, capacity, commitment and energy of the Members of Parliament (MP) to develop model Gram Panchayats. He has adopted Sukuda panchayat of Bhatli constituency but there too he has failed to perform significantly.
It has been observed that the elected representatives are not serious about their local area development and their poor participation in parliamentary affairs shows their weak political will. There is greater need of citizen participation to prioritise their needs and aspirations of development and also ensure greater transparency and accountability. MPs use MPLAD fund spending the entire funds on ‘visible image building exercise’ so as to enhance the chances of winning again. This has to be changed and people’s priorities should be respected. MPs should give priority to the pressing challenges in basic necessary sectors like water and sanitation, public health, electricity and irrigation. Political parties and candidates should publicly disclose MPLAD fund utilization in their election manifesto and should give in writing to the voters for 100% efficient and better utilization.
