Report Highlights Sharp Decline in Maharashtra Assembly's Productivity

A report by a city-based NGO has highlighted a notable reduction in the number of working days and questions posed by MLAs during Maharashtra's 14th legislative assembly, which operated from 2019 to 2024. The Praja Foundation released this report on Tuesday at the Mumbai Press Club.

The 14th assembly had only 119 working days, a significant drop from the 206 days in the 13th Assembly (2014-2019) and the 201 days in the 12th Assembly (2009-2014). The number of questions asked also saw a decline, with only 11,132 questions during the 14th Assembly compared to 22,404 in the 13th Assembly and 40,512 in the 12th Assembly.

Performance Evaluation of Mumbai MLAs

The report assessed the performance of 34 out of 36 MLAs from Mumbai. According to Milind Mhaske, CEO of Praja Foundation, assembly speaker Rahul Narvekar and minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha were not included in this evaluation. Top performers included Amin Patel of Congress, Sunil Prabhu of Shiv Sena UBT, and Varsha Gaikwad of Congress. On the other hand, Nawab Mallik of NCP and Shiv Sena MLAs Sada Sarvankar and Prakash Surve were ranked lowest.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mhaske expressed concern over the decline in legislative productivity. He suggested that technology could have been used to expand deliberations. "The scope of deliberations should have been expanded, leveraging technology," he said.

Historical Context and Upcoming Elections

This report comes just months before the assembly polls in Maharashtra. Praja Foundation has been releasing report cards for Mumbai MLAs and corporators since 2011. The findings are particularly relevant as they provide insights into legislative performance ahead of elections.

When questioned about Malik's performance, given his prolonged jail time due to an Enforcement Directorate case, Mhaske commented that Malik could still have raised questions related to his constituency or vacated his seat. This highlights concerns about accountability among elected representatives.

The report underscores a worrying trend in legislative engagement and productivity. It calls for a re-evaluation of how assemblies function, especially during crises like the pandemic. The findings serve as a critical tool for voters to assess their representatives' performance.

The detailed analysis provided by Praja Foundation aims to foster transparency and accountability within Maharashtra's legislative framework. By highlighting both high and low performers, it offers a comprehensive view of the current state of legislative affairs in Mumbai.

The release of this report card is expected to influence public opinion and voter behaviour in the upcoming elections. It serves as a reminder of the importance of active participation and accountability among elected officials.

The findings also stress the need for innovative solutions to maintain legislative productivity during unprecedented times. Leveraging technology could be one such solution to ensure continuous engagement and effective governance.

In conclusion, this report by Praja Foundation sheds light on crucial aspects of legislative performance in Maharashtra. It provides valuable insights for both policymakers and voters as they prepare for the forthcoming assembly polls.