Rs 42L lost a day if Houses don't work

How much does it cost to let our lawmakers deliberate questions about our lives? Close to half a crore of public exchequer's money per
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And yet the story of the Karnataka legislature sessions isn't quite happy. In the 52 days of session since the BJP government assumed office (May 30, 2008 to September 2009), the Congress and JD(S) have staged 40 dharnas in the assembly, according to information accessed by The Times of India under the Right to Information Act.

As another legislature session — touted to be a heated one with the mining issue on the slate — gets under way next week, more protests and prolonged procedural wrangles aren't ruled out.

Data furnished by the secretariat says the JD(S) staged 23 dharnas and the Congress 17 in the sessions held from June 9, 2008 to September 16, 2009. In the council, the two parties notched up a protest tally of 16 for the period.

While the Rajya Sabha is now considering a legislation to prevent members who have asked questions from absenting themselves, Karnataka law minister S Suresh Kumar has decided to convene a meeting of presiding officers of both Houses, the chief minister and opposition leaders to discuss the issue next week.

"I will elicit opinion on ensuring attendance of all the members and also regulating the question hour. The question hour cannot become a debating hour and no protests should cross the limits,” the minister said.

It isn't uncommon, sources say, for some to members sign in and stay away from the House, thus claiming sitting and travel allowances.

Of the total expenditure of Rs 41.17 lakh incurred per day, the sitting and travel allowances of legislators in both Houses add up to a whopping Rs 24.44 lakh.