The very foundation of legislative functioning is weakened by absenteeism. Legislators not turning up in the House points to a failure to respond to the public and is a waste of taxpayers’ money

Vidhan Bhavan, the seat of the state legislature, at Nariman Point. FILE PIC

In the recently concluded Maharashtra budget session, ministers’ absence from the Assembly and Council cost a total of three hours and 45 minutes of legislative time, accounting for a significant share of the total 8.3 hours lost overall in the four-week session.

The breakdown is telling. In the Assembly, one hour and 15 minutes were lost, of which 60 minutes were lost due to a minister’s absence. The Council saw a far greater disruption, losing seven hours and 20 minutes, of which two hours and 45 minutes were due to a minister not turning up.

This was not a disruption caused by protests. Nor was it the result of ideological clashes. It was entirely avoidable.

And that is what makes it serious.

Legislative time is not just about proceedings; it is about public accountability. Every question asked and every issue raised reflect the concerns of citizens. When the House cannot function because a minister is absent, it is not merely a delay in work; it is a failure to respond to........

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