Madhya Pradesh, the second largest Indian state by area and the fifth largest state by population with over 72 million residents has seen shorter and shorter sittings of its state assembly that has met on an average for only 16 days a year since 2019. The longest sessions were the 3rd session (July 8 to July 26 2019) and the 8th session (February 22 to March 26, 2021). Both had 13 sittings each.
The highest number of hours contributed for assembly sittings were 116.83 hours in 2019 where assembly had 26 sittings. The lowest number of hours contributed for assembly sittings were 1.53 hours in 2020 where assembly had 4 sittings.
Figure: No. of sittings held in Madhya Pradesh Assembly during the period 2018-2023
Figure: Year Wise Total Time Contributed for Assembly Sessions (in Hours)
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Madhya Pradesh Election Watch (MPEW) have through joint RTI applications to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretariat analysed the information received pertaining to the performance of the MLAs and the Legislative Assembly. This report released by ADR and available here, is based on information available on the website of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly and from the RTI responses received
Analysis of Attendance of MLAs in Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly
- The details of MLAs with highest attendance are given below:
| S.No. | Name Of the Member | Constituency | Party | Total Sitting Held | Attendance | Percentage of Attendance |
| 1 | Kunwarji Kothar | Sarangpur (SC) | BJP | 79 | 77 | 97% |
| 2 | Khatik Harishankar | Jatara (SC) | BJP | 79 | 77 | 97% |
| 3 | Dilip Singh Parihar | Neemuch | BJP | 79 | 77 | 97% |
| 4 | Shyam Lal Dwivedi | Teonthar | BJP | 79 | 77 | 97% |
| 5 | Sudesh Rai | Sehore | BJP | 79 | 77 | 97% |
Table: MLAs with highest attendance
*15th Session (11th July 2023 to 12th July 2023) 2 Days Attendance data not available on the website at the time of making this report.
Figure: Party Wise Average Attendance
* Including MLAs resigned / elected through Bye –Elections
The ADR has also analysed the number of 1uestions asked by MLAs in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly; here’s what the information reveals:
- 235MLAs have asked questions. These MLAs asked a total of 29484
- The details of top5 MLAs who have asked the highest number of questions are given below.
| S.No. | Name Of the Member | Constituency | Party | Total Number of Questions Asked |
| 1 | Rampal Singh | Silwani | BJP | 390 |
| 2 | Yashpal Singh | Mandsour | BJP | 387 |
| 3 | Dr. Hiralal Alawa | Manawar (ST) | INC | 383 |
| 4 | Umakant Sharma | Sironj | BJP | 381 |
| 5 | Rajendra Pandey | Jaora | BJP | 377 |
Despite being in the opposition, the Congress representatives can be observed not raising too many questions in the period. Highest number of Questions were related to Urban Development and Housing, Panchayat And Rural Development, Revenue, School Education and Public Works
Table: Top 5 MLAs who have asked maximum number of questions
Figure: Party Wise Average Number of Questions Asked
* Including MLAs resigned/elected through Bye –Elections
Figure: Top 15 – Category Wise Questions Asked
An analysis of the Bills tabled and Bills passed in Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly reveals that there were a total of 140 Bills tabled in the 15th Madhya Pradesh Assembly. Out of these 140 Bills, 127(91%) Bills were passed.
Figure: Percentage of Bills Passed in 15th Madhya Pradesh Assembly