Sachin Tendulkar appears at the Rajya Sabha, stays away from asking questions

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar was present at the Rajya Sabha yesterday. This was the Master Blasters very first meeting in a long time. Though Tendulkar was present at the Upper House, he kept himself away from asking any questions. Famous Indian boxer Mary Kom was also present on the occasion.

Background:

Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agarwal had questioned the seriousness of Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood actress Rekha when it comes to parliamentary issues two days earlier. He stated that both these celebrities should resign from their posts citing the example of their low attendance. “They should resign if they are not interested in Parliament. They are hardly present in Parliament.” he said.

Tendulkar and Rekha are the worst performers among the 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members. It looks like Sachin answered his question in the best way possible, by turning up at the Rajya Sabha.

Both Rekha and Sachin were appointed as members of the Upper House on April 27, 2012. While Rekha has a significantly low attendance of 5 percent since then, Tendulkar is just a little better with 7 percent. However Sachin has asked 22 questions in his span while Rekha did not come up with a single question to date.

Rekha’s maximum attendance was 10 per cent during the Winter Session in 2013. Sachin’s best attendance records to 16 percent during the Budget Session in 2015. However, he did not attend a single session in 2012 Budget Session, 2012 Winter Session and 2013 Winter Session. Both of them enjoy the privileges of a Parliamentarian which involves Rs.50,000 cash per month. Besides the cash, an MP is rewarded with a number of allowances which include medical, housing, telephone facilities etc and for regulating the payment of daily and travelling allowances under The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954.