Cut pay for absent MLAs: Speaker
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu on Wednesday urged that salaries and allowances of public representatives who skip Assembly sessions be cut, and suggested that habitual absentees should be sent back to the “people’s court” by enabling voters to recall them.
Addressing the 86th All India Conference of Presiding Officers at the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Speaker said it was “most regrettable” that some MLAs elected in June 2024 have not attended even a single day of Assembly proceedings or taken part in any debate so far.
His remarks come amid the continued absence of 11 YSR Congress Party MLAs, including former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, from the House. Mr. Patrudu said it caused him “great pain” that such members were drawing salaries and allowances despite remaining absent, calling the conduct unethical.
Noting there are no specific rules to curb this, he said he would seek guidance from the Lok Sabha Speaker and consult other presiding officers for a way forward.
Stressing that transparency is vital for accountability, he said legislatures must function effectively to debate issues, make laws, and hold governments answerable. He also recommended that legislatures should sit for at least 60 days a year, as working days have been falling despite rising public problems.