Score Card for MPs in India

See NDTV coverage of Tamil Nadu Election Watch interview of candidate for the Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 , India

Score Card for MPs
  In Chennai, people have launched an audit system to periodically assess the performance of their MPs.
http://www.ndtv.com/news/videos/video_player.php?id=1088169

  Excerpts of the interview with the candidate is as below / as attached.   Kris Dev for TNEW, Chennai 9840852132

Excerpts of interview with Mr. R.S. Bharathi, DMK Candidate for Chennai South Constituency, Lok Sabha Elections, 2009 held on Apr 17, 2009 at 2 pm.

Q: What are your Strengths?

A: I have been Chairman of Alandur Municipality from 1986.

I was one of the first to implement projects under Public-Private-Partnership in Alandur:

1. Protected Water Supply
2. Underground sewerage system – first in Asia
3. Public Toilet and Mobile Toilet

Q: What are your weakness?

A: I have done in a Municipality of 1.5 lakhs. Now I have to try in a constituency of 11.5 lakhs. I have to try.

Q: What are your opportunities?

A: Tackle Environment management (solid waste management) and Public Health.

What are your development Agenda for your constituency on -

Q:  Infrastructure – improving water table, housing for poor, public toilets, better roads, reducing traffic congestion, street lighting, environment protection, etc.?

A: Yes. I am for improving infrastructure. If elected, I shall consult with the local and corporation officials and come up with a time bound action plan. None of us want to follow traffic rules. This needs an awareness on the part of the citizens and change of mindset. Lessons in civics is a must at the school level.

Q: Health - primary and secondary health – tackling air pollution, water pollution, mosquito menace, sanitation, hygiene, etc. ?

A: Yes. I am for improving health, hygiene, sanitation, pollution control, etc. I have already done this in Alandur. This needs public awareness and change of mindset. People do not want public toilet to be put up in  the vicinity of their houses. Shops do not have toilet facility. This is serious problem. I will work with people to change their mindset. It will take time.

Q: Education   Formal - primary, secondary, technical skill, professional;      Non-formal education - literacy, skills, sports, arts, culture, etc.?

A: I shall focus on improving the Government education infrastructure. Evolution through education is my motto.

Q: Employment and revenue generation - how would you increase productive employment for the unskilled, semi skilled, skilled and professionals?

A: Employment and revenue generation is already high in South Chennai. 

Q: Safety and security for children, women, adults, senior citizens?

A: This is a serious problem all over India. This has to be tackled at the state / national level. Societal awareness needs to be created in terms of traffic rules, pedestrian crossing, handicapped people, etc.

Q: How much of e-Governance do you want to support?

A: I am for e-Governance. I have introduced e-Governance in Alandur.

Q: What is the annual budget you propose for your constituency for the various welfare measures?

A: I am yet to compile.

Q: How would you enhance the tax collection and plug the leakages?

A: This is a State / local government subject.

Q: Would you consider setting up a public grievance cell and redress the grievances transparently in a time bound manner as envisaged in RTI Act 2005?

A: Yes. I have been meeting the Municipality citizens on a daily basis and visiting the Municipality on a monthly basis. I shall continue to interact with the constituency citizens and redress their grievances on a time bound manner.
 

Q: Would you be open to a quarterly public audit of your performance (if you are elected as an M.P.) and respond to the findings in a transparent manner?

A: Yes. I am open to a quarterly audit by any public interest group. As an M.P. I will be a public servant and not a public master.

--
Kris Dev
for TNEW
98 408 52132