Come May, and Bangaloreans will join citizens in other parts of the state to decide who will be steering the political fate of the city and Karnataka over the next five years. As voters, we are all accustomed to candidates across parties making promises or making excuses, especially before elections. But do we know enough about our chosen political representative – our area MLA – to really make an informed choice?
♦ How vocal has your MLA been in the Assembly about issues that concern you and your constituency?
♦ How has he utilised the local area development (LAD) funds to the benefit of your constituency?
♦ Has he been involved in any criminal case or any other controversy that was reported in media?
This is your chance to find out all about this and more, in one comprehensive, collated body of research, as Citizen Matters partners with Daksh, an independent initiative, to bring you detailed information about all MLAs across Bangalore’s 28 constituencies.
The Citizen Matters – Daksh research compiles data including the MLAs’ profile and assets, references to newspaper reports on each of them, MLAs’ performance report, their involvement in the Assembly, MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) fund utilisation and interviews with the MLA.
The data will be updated over the course of the next few months, as we continue and complete the research.
Where is the data from?
MLA profile, assets have been gathered and compiled from declarations in the candidate affidavits in 2008 and reports available in public domain.
MLA Performance
The MLA performance report is the outcome of a survey conducted by Daksh with the support of Namma Bengaluru Foundation on issues that are important to citizens and their perceptions about the functioning of MLAs in their respective regions. The MLAs’ general performance and how citizens perceived the MLAs performed on issues important to them were rated.
You can also participate in an online survey and share your feedback on your elected representatives and how well your neighbourhood has been developed.
Click here >>
Media reports
Newspaper reports primarily shed some light on what the MLA has been in the news for – good and bad – for example, the work done in their constituency, inaugurations /stone laying for projects, involvement in scams, or accusations and cases filed in the Lokayukta court against them.
Thus, for example, even while he is among the best-rated MLAs in terms of the aforementioned MLA performance report, you find that S Muniraju, MLA in Dasarahalli constituency, has actually been implicated by the Lokayukta in a land grabbing case. Or that S R Vishwanath of Yelahanka was actually accused of illegally amassing huge wealth and assets in a Lokayukta probe on disproportionate assets.
Role in Assembly
A major role of the MLA is representing his constituents’ concerns and requests in the Assembly and if need be initiate changes at the legislative level by amending laws and introducing new policies. MLAs’ involvement in the Assembly reports the number of questions that each MLA raised during the Assembly sessions during their term. This data was compiled by Child Rights Trust, Bangalore. And while some MLAs have made themselves heard, such as N A Haris of Shanthinagar who raised as many as 350 questions, there are others such as M Krishnappa (Bangalore South) who is known for having asked just one question during his stint!
Local Area Development Funds
The MLA LAD funds, amounting to Rs 1 crore every year for each MLA, is money allocated for constituency development. These funds are released from the District Commissioner Bangalore’s office after the MLA submits a list of works to be done and its cost and a list of works completed for the previous year.
The information on the total sum spent by each MLA was obtained through RTI by Citizen Matters. Unfortunately, the details regarding the projects on which such money was spent has not been shared.
Click here for the KLLADS funds utilisation.
To complement this information, Citizen Matters is also interviewing the MLAs to clarify and collect more information on their work. Keep a lookout for the interviews — coming soon.
The data is accurate to the best of our knowledge. In case of any correction, please mail us with details and documents. If members of the public have documented information on the public works carried out by your elected representatives, you are welcome to share your inputs and feedback (click here). Please ensure your data is valid and you do not impugn motives or cast aspersions on anybody.⊕
The public representatives do not owe responsibility to their electors nor to the state or nation. They are paid a fat sum by the government and basket full of pelf and no questions asked how they have served their constituency in the last 66 years as otherwise by now the fabric of eternal poverty, uneducated Indians, etc will be behind us by now.
Unapproved/fake plans are in use and construction activity flouting building aregoing on all over Bangalore..What our reps doing?.What is our BBMP doing? No check?
Why akrama /sakrama has not been seriously implemented.Atleast a cutoff date like should have been fixed beyond which irregular construction be demolished.one or two instances would deter flouters
Does the govt/BBMP has courage>
“Unfortunately, the details regarding the projects on which such money was spent has not been shared.”
What was the reason for not disclosing the projects on which the money was spent?
nothing is shared witht the public nothing related to budget nor any information we see our Mla only during election howeevr nothing happens for 5 yrs again they come back for taking the vote city is the same before 30yrs and same until 30 yrs no changes aprt from amny buildings getting constructed