Role of an MLA

It is commonplace that most people across the state complain that their MLAs generally fail to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people of their respective constituencies. The primary responsibility of an MLA is closely tied to the smooth and efficient functioning of the State Assembly. The three major functions of the Assembly are to make laws, to hold the state executive accountable and to sanction public expenditure. As a representative of the citizens of a State, therefore, the responsibilities of MLAs include the following – (i) Introducing, debating and amending bills, making laws and voting on the subjects mentioned in the State List and also the Concurrent List.

An MLA who is not a Minister, should use the Private Members' Bill to move what they think is appropriate to be passed as an Act; (ii) Raising matters of public importance during the Assembly session; (iii) Ensuring that projects/schemes announced by the state government are executed in their constituencies. For instance, if an entire constituency does not get potable drinking water supply, the MLA can raise the issue in the Assembly as it impacts every citizen of his constituency; (iv) Scrutinising how the state is spending taxpayers' money and raise issues with the Finance Minister in case of discrepancies; and (v) Ensuring that the state government's policies are implemented by the Executive.

In order to perform these tasks, an MLA has to work hard and understand the intricacies of good governance, must be fully aware of the problems and issues affecting the people of his or her constituency, must understand the meaning of sustainable development and how it affects lives of the common people, must be well-versed with the rights, including women and child rights, must be non-partisan and unbiased, must be studious enough to work extra time to understand complex issues, and must have clarity of thought and action. No citizen or voter wants his or her MLA to keep snoring in the Assembly. Likewise, no citizen wants his or her MLA to be ignorant about human development and rights. Also, no citizen wants his or her MLA to be corrupt, unempowered, hopeless and ineffective.