Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar set cricket pitches ablaze with his magical knocks. But the Little Master’s Rajya Sabha innings has been decidedly dodgy, marked by poor attendance and lack of application. According to PRS Legislative Research data, Tendulkar only had eight per cent attendance in the Upper House, asked just 22 questions and did not take part in any debates.

Throughout these six years Sachin’s performance in Rajya Sabha has been heavily criticised. Now at the end of his term, the cricketing icon has donated his entire Rajya Sabha earnings worth some ₹90 lakh to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. But even this move has not silenced his critics who say it does not absolve him of his failure as an MP. However, this writer begs to differ.

For one, this great stroke by Sachin shows that he has taken the criticism to heart. Agreed as one of the 12 special persons nominated by the President to the highest House, he could have talked about the plight of sports people in this country. But then again, not everybody has the aptitude or the oratory skill needed for Parliament. And Sachin has used his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs) funds judiciously. Sachin’s utilisation rate (77.49 per cent) is the best among the 12 nominated RS members. His funds have helped transform a nondescript Andhra village — Puttamraju Kandriga. Also, soon after the Elphinstone Road station tragedy, Sachin sanctioned ₹2 crore for revamp of rail foot over bridges in Mumbai. And, don’t forget that in 2012 he declined an official bungalow in Lutyens Delhi. Compare this with so many other MPs who pocket the salary and perks, and don’t do much. Film star Rekha with just five per cent attendance is a case in point. Now that Sachin has showed the way, can we ask all those MPs who have less than 33 per cent attendance in the House to forfeit their salaries, please?

Chitra NarayananEditorial Consultant

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