Sources say as part of new initiative, hourly update of BJP MPs’ presence in both houses being sent to PMO.
New Delhi: With the general elections less than a year away and several crucial legislations stuck in Parliament, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to micro-manage the attendance of its Members of Parliament in both Houses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself understood to be monitoring the presence of his legislators on an hourly basis.
Highly-placed sources told ThePrint that as part of a newly introduced practice, an hourly update of BJP MPs’ presence in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha is being sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It is followed especially on days when crucial bills are introduced during Parliamentary sessions.
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Twice, for three days each, the BJP has issued a whip to its members, asking them to be present. Sources said that staff at the BJP offices has been tasked with keeping track of the attendance of the members.
The Prime Minister, sources say, has been very particular about the presence of MPs in the house as crucial legislations are pending. Some of them include the bill to grant constitutional status to the OBC commission, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (second amendment) Bill, 2018, which has been passed in the Lok Sabha but is stuck in the Rajya Sabha, and the Criminal Law (amendment) Bill, 2018, among others.
Presence monitored, even from abroad
Even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Uganda and Rwanda, the attendance of ministers in both houses was sent to the PMO, sources said.
“The PM has been very particular that ministers should be present in the house to listen and reply to the questions related to their respective ministries and follow the roster duty with due diligence,” a senior party leader said.
“Many would have thought that they can take breaks with PM not present in the country, yet his office was keeping track of the ministers and their presence in the House,” the leader added.
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“The PM had in fact in the past as well iterated his sentiments that BJP MPs and ministers should ensure maximum attendance in Parliament. He had admonished MPs of both houses for poor performance last year. Despite this, many MPs skip sessions. This has not gone unnoticed,” the senior party leader further said.
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist,Barnala(Punjab)
We already have a plethora of laws! There is constitution also ! Then IPCs and CrPCs too !
Who bothers for the laws especially those in responsible hi- fi positions ?
Is presenting bills and making laws not a futile exercise frittering away energies and time all
in vain ?
No more dramatics and theatrics, please, we had had enough of these !
First of all, we have to learn the art of honouring “the already existing laws” !
Why cannot this energy and time be utilised in arresting menace of mob- lynching effectively ?
In fact diktats should be sent to the Chief Ministers,MPs and MLAs of all the states to avert the growing
number of mob-lynching !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala (Punjab)
On 1,55,000 deaths from motor vehicle accidents annually with loss of 3% of GDP the Modi govt. failed to pursue even Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill. Gadkari failed to implement existing Motor Vehicle Act and increased road damage coupled with increase in accidents by permitting Overloaded Axle Weight beyond capacity of roads, tyres, brakes, steering just to please sand , coal mafia and construction industry.