Could you begin by talking about yourself — what you do, and how you got into urban and civic issues in the city?

I’m an architect. I graduated from CEPT University Ahmedabad in 1999. After that, I was in practice for 10 years before I did my master’s and developed my skills in geographical information systems (GIS) and then eventually developed a course around it, started teaching postgraduate students pursuing urban design and urban conservation.

While teaching, I developed this portal, cityresource.in in 2012 or 2013 where I started storing a lot of big maps and then I realised that if these maps were interactive it would be better because then in my course, it became easier for me to simply open my website and demonstrate. There are also certain layers which are continuously needed for various types of GIS related tasks.

The portal primarily focused on Mumbai. At that time, a lot of NGOs and activists used to approach me and ask why we don’t have an interface like this, where citizens can understand what’s really happening and what the implications of the plan the government is proposing are. I started responding to such requests voluntarily and eventually these maps started coming up.I tried to work on how they can be made as simple as possible so that the master plans proposed by the BMC or the MMRDA are understood by the people.

Especially, when these development plans come up for suggestions and objections, the people on the ground have no clue whether any land use change has come and is applicable to their own Gaothans or Koliwadas or informal settlements. That’s how the platform developed.

Specifically on the mangrove tool you developed, what led you to create this mangrove-loss mapping tool?

When the news was published in the newspaper that 45,000 mangroves are getting cut, confirmed by BMC, I decided to give it a go.

I overlaid the coastal road alignment on satellite imagery using QGIS, which is a very easy tool to use and understand. I geo-referenced the master plan which was hidden on the BMC website and started drawing the alignment on the map. Then I calculated the area. [Editor’s note: You can access this tool here: https://cityresource.in/coastalroad/]

Even a conservative estimate shows that one hectare of mangrove loss is about 1,500 to 2,000 mangroves lost.

Even if we assume 1500 mangroves per hectare, the loss is in lakhs — 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh. That made me realise that people should be able to understand what that loss is. People living in Versova or Andheri Lokhandwala, which are right next to the coastal road alignment, should be aware.

When you draw on that alignment and click on it, it automatically calculates and tells you how many mangroves are lost based on the equation that is embedded in the code.

How did you communicate to people how to use the tool? Was there a learning curve, or did people grasp it and make their own assessments of the loss easily?

Osama Rawal, a Hindustan Times journalist, contacted me when he came to know about the tool and he said he wanted to cover and publish it.

I made a quick YouTube video on how to use the tool, which is there on that same page. You can see the video and draw to find out how many mangroves are growing in your neighbourhood. Osama covered that in his article.

The link to the page is also published in the newspaper and I believe many people have used it because I can see the number of hits during that period was high. I didn’t really reach out individually to teach, but I created a YouTube video which has been seen by many people.

How do you see this larger movement for mangroves and where do your efforts fit into it?

I think the loss is definitely going to create an impact locally. I mean a resident in Dahisar may not be able to feel what’s happening in Andheri or Goregaon, but locally it is definitely going to create some impact.

I mean the resistance to flood and everything will be reduced for sure because that is the first line of defence that we have, the mangrove edge and when the coastal road is being built, you have to consider that about a width of 60-metre patch is going to be cleared. It’s not a line, though it looks like a single line or maybe two lines on a big map, but the scale of that is enormous. The 50-metre width is going to get cleared because the construction equipment and everything has to reach that point where the piles are going to be driven.

As far as the citizen movement is concerned, I think they have definitely put some pressure on the BMC but I don’t see any deviation from what they have decided. They will definitely go ahead with it now that they have the high court’s go-ahead. Activists like Vanashakti have been very active in spreading knowledge about what’s really happening on the ground, and that they have even filed a PIL.

Collectively, we are responsible for at least being aware of what’s happening and as far as possible I try to integrate my teaching material also around what is happening in the city, rather than teaching something abstract.

I usually take up these problems in the studio and we try to understand and come up with ways in which things could be done in a different way.

Do you have any pointers for people wanting to get involved in urban and civic issues through technology and data?

There are a lot of free courses online nowadays that you can enrol in, and some very cheap courses too on geospatial technology and how to use it.

Whenever somebody asks me if I can conduct a training course, I always point them to a Udemy course which is just 500 rupees and it teaches you basic to intermediate level of QGIS which is very good, I’d say. I can’t go and teach everyone everywhere, but as far as possible I direct them to courses that already exist and are genuinely authentic.

I had recently conducted a hands-on workshop with the tribal communities at the School of Environment and Architecture (SEA). About 45 tribal families came for that workshop, which was free, of course, to make them aware of what the buffer zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is and how it was going to affect their settlements. They themselves could draw and see and used the screen shots in their suggestions and objections submitted to the BMC.

That workshop was voluntarily conducted by me at the college, where I teach. They were kind enough to give us this auditorium space where we all assembled. I demonstrated it on the screen and they got their laptops so they could do it themselves.

Finally, what are your hopes for how people will use the tools you create?

I’m not really an activist in the sense that I go to protests and so on, but this is a kind of soft power where I am able to expose things and make people aware.

I think that is my position. Static PDF maps don’t make any sense even if they’re put in the public realm. Its implications have to be understood by the common people.

That was the only intention. And this website is run voluntarily by me. It is completely funded by me, as of now.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your work, or about what’s happening in the city?

Being cynical does not really help in these circumstances. And there is always another way, a different way of doing the same thing. Why not explore it and make people aware of it? That is something that I always believe in.

Tell us about yourself and the community you call home.

A nelipot* heading the team of The Indian Ploggers Army, a vegan and core volunteer of Robin Hood Army fondly called Plog Raja. I am the founder of The Indian Ploggers Army, an eco-fitness movement where we don’t just run to stay fit—we run to heal the planet. To date, we have mobilized volunteers across 50+ cities to complete over 1,500 cleanup runs, successfully diverting 40 tons of litter from India’s landfills.

*someone who runs or walks barefoot

What first made you pay attention to the issue of littering in Bengaluru? Was there a specific moment that pushed you to act?

In 2012 my wife Archana and I had a deep discussion while we were planning to become parents. We decided to spend time volunteering for Mother Nature. We planned to name our baby Avni if we had a girl and ,fortunately, that happened in late 2012. The idea was just to keep us going every time we see our little girl. We wanted to have a deeper family connection to volunteering.

When you decided to act, what did you actually do first? Why did you choose that approach?

Between 2013 and 2016, I was a casual volunteer, planting trees and painting walls but without a clear focus. That changed one morning in late 2016 near the Windsor Manor bridge. I saw a group of painters cleaning up a notorious trash pile. I stopped my cycle to talk to them, and they said something that stuck with me:

That was my wake-up call. As a passionate barefoot marathon runner, I wanted to turn that spark into action. I discovered ‘plogging’ — a new trend from Sweden that combines jogging with picking up litter. I realized that running barefoot while cleaning up could create the positive buzz that Bengaluru streets desperately needed.”

What obstacles did you face? How did you navigate them?

Quite a few! Having been brought up in a traditional Brahmin family there was resistance from my family and friends but fortunately not from my better half.

I used to get random calls from people to get trash cleared. At times, a few waste pickers threatened me. When I used to take my kid for the plogs, her friends used to make fun of her. It hurt me for sure, however, I felt if I had to win the bigger battle I had to start with my own house, my family and my immediate circle.

Coincidentally, there was a cultural fest at my kid’s school — a fancy dress competition. I had her depict a Pourakarmika (a sanitation worker). Apart from winning the prize, she also won the hearts of many. The teachers and parents had never heard of any child enacting a waste picker in a school competition. It was like a strong vitamin dose for me to sustain my efforts.

What do you think has changed so far with respect to littering in Bengaluru?

While we’ve mobilized 7,000+ volunteers across 1,500 plogs, the true victory is the lasting change left behind. We didn’t just clean with corporate teams we transformed them. Out of the 65+ corporates we’ve plogged with, more than 30% have switched from single-use disposables to reusables. And at the community level, the magic happens when local residents join us — that’s where we see the highest success rate because clean spaces stop being a campaign and become a daily habit.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start but feels unsure or overwhelmed?

If someone wants to start plogging but feels overwhelmed the best advice is to demystify it. People often think they need to be an avid runner to be a plogger, but the true magic of plogging is that it scales down to exactly what you are comfortable with. Additionally the first thing we communicate to a plogger is that plogging in addition to burning calories, burns one’s ego as well.

What’s next for this issue and for you?

We would love to have multiple plogging groups across the planet for a decade or so and eventually go extinct. Yes, you read it right. We don’t want to exist a decade later. The happiest plog for us is the day we go out and find no trash. We would love to fail more often and thus succeed in the long run with a bigger mission of a litter-free planet!

Raghukumar Choodamani, is an Active Citizen, Citizen Journalist and retired textile and apparel businessman from Chennai. He has been writing for Citizen Matters since 2017 and has contributed over 60 articles on issues of public interest!

Tell us about yourself and the community you call home.

In early 2021, following a frustrating experience with officials of the Bus Route Road (BRR) Division of the Greater Chennai Corporation, I founded the Community Welfare Brigade.

The construction of a concrete median on Perambur High Road North Side, which had been duly tendered and awarded by the Corporation, was abruptly stalled due to pressure from commercial interests.

Around the same period, I was introduced to the Late Shri B. Govindraj, Founder Convener of the Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum. At over 92 years of age, he was looking for someone to continue the Forum’s work. Before his passing a year later, he entrusted me with that responsibility.

Our efforts have focused on improving public infrastructure and ensuring accountability in the delivery of civic services. Through community participation, documentation, media engagement, and constructive dialogue with authorities, we continue to work towards creating cleaner, safer, and more liveable neighbourhoods for residents of Perambur and North Chennai.

For the past year you have been flagging prevalent concerns in the public infrastructure in Chennai. Are you still working on these issues?

Yes, we continue to actively pursue several long-pending public infrastructure issues across Perambur, Vyasarpadi and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Over the past year, we have escalated concerns relating to the redevelopment of Perambur Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, restoration of the Perambur Loco Works Pedestrian Subway, prevention of railway track trespassing near the Loco Works Booking Office, removal of encroachments on Perambur High Road North Side and Madhavaram High Road, improvement of the deteriorating infrastructure at Vyasarpadi Railway Station, and restoration of dilapidated stormwater drains (SWDs) across our ward.

One of our major areas of focus has been the restoration of stormwater drain infrastructure. Following sustained engagement with the authorities, restoration works on the SWDs along Patel Road, Vadivelu Main Road, Nelvayal Road and Perambur High Road North Side were taken up last year and are now nearing completion.

However, several other streets continue to suffer from damaged and poorly maintained drainage systems. We are closely monitoring these issues and remain in constant touch with the concerned officials and elected representatives to ensure that the remaining works are prioritised.

Apart from local civic issues, I have also been involved in city-level policy discussions. In my capacity as Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Alliance of Residents Welfare Associations (TN AoRWA), I joined a group of active citizens and resident welfare association representatives from across Chennai in a series of consultative meetings with senior government officials.

These included interactions with former Chief Secretaries, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioners, Superintending Engineers of the Bus Route Roads and Solid Waste Management Departments, the Regional Deputy Commissioner (Central), Zonal Officials, the Member Secretary and officials of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA).

When you decided to act, what did you actually do first? Why did you choose that approach?

The first step I took was to leverage social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), because it was one of the fastest and most effective ways to draw the attention of officials at the local, state and central levels. In today’s digital age, social media provides ordinary citizens with a powerful platform to document issues, amplify concerns and demand accountability from public authorities.

One of the first issues I took up was the operation of a TASMAC liquor outlet located in close proximity to our residential neighbourhood. Through a combination of sustained citizen engagement, media reporting, social media advocacy and persistent representations to the authorities, we were able to highlight the adverse impact the outlet was having on residents. The articles I wrote on the issue helped bring wider public attention to the problem and eventually contributed to the closure of the outlet after a long and difficult struggle.

That experience reinforced my belief that informed and persistent civic engagement can produce meaningful results. It also demonstrated the importance of documenting issues with facts and evidence, engaging constructively with authorities and using both traditional and digital media to ensure that public concerns are not ignored.

Since then, the same approach has guided much of my civic work. Whether it involves public infrastructure, encroachments, road safety, stormwater drains or urban planning, I have found that a combination of evidence-based advocacy, media engagement and sustained follow-up often yields better outcomes than remaining silent or accepting the status quo.

What obstacles did you face? How did you navigate them?

During the TASMAC issue, there was considerable resistance from various quarters, and many people—including some residents—advised me to abandon the effort, arguing that it would be impossible to challenge an outlet operated by a government undertaking.

The journey was far from easy. At various points, anonymous complaints were filed using my name, and I was summoned for enquiries by different government departments and enforcement agencies. While these experiences were intimidating, I chose to cooperate fully, present the facts, and rely on documented evidence to support my position.

Another challenge was the lack of confidentiality surrounding citizen complaints. On several occasions, my identity as a complainant became known to individuals who were directly affected by the issues I had raised. This is a common concern faced by many civic activists and often discourages citizens from coming forward with legitimate grievances.

To strengthen my understanding of civic issues and build a support network, I began volunteering and collaborating with several citizen groups and organisations. These associations provided valuable guidance, exposure and encouragement.

I also learned the importance of documenting issues meticulously. Whether it involved encroachments, road safety concerns, public infrastructure or environmental issues, I made it a practice to collect photographs, videos and supporting documents before approaching the authorities. Maintaining a clear record of facts not only strengthened our representations but also helped protect us from misinformation and unnecessary disputes.

These experiences have only strengthened my conviction that active citizenship is essential for improving our communities. Meaningful change rarely happens overnight, but when citizens remain informed, organised and persistent, they can make a significant difference in the quality of governance and public infrastructure.

What improvements have you seen in public infrastructure?

Some of the notable achievements include:

• Restoration of several dilapidated stormwater drains (SWDs) that we had consistently reported and pursued with the authorities.

• Construction of a footpath along Madhavaram High Road, a long-pending demand of residents.

• Restoration of the Perambur Loco Works Pedestrian Subway and acceleration of the redevelopment of Perambur Railway Station.

• Improvements to traffic management and commuter safety in and around the Perambur Railway Subways.

These examples demonstrate that positive change is possible when citizens, community organisations and government agencies work together with a shared objective. While progress is often slower than residents would like, these initiatives show that persistent civic engagement can help bring important public infrastructure projects from proposal to implementation.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start but feels unsure or overwhelmed?

Do not let fear prevent you from becoming an active citizen. Fear of confrontation, criticism or bureaucratic hurdles often discourages people from taking action. However, meaningful change begins when ordinary citizens decide to engage rather than remain silent.

The first step is to connect with others who share similar concerns. Check whether there are Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), civic engagement forums, neighbourhood groups or NGOs working in your locality. Working collectively is often more effective than acting alone, as it allows residents to pool their knowledge, resources and influence.

Social media can also be a powerful tool when used responsibly. Platforms such as X provide citizens with direct access to government departments, elected representatives and public officials. Document issues carefully, present facts objectively and use social media to bring attention to matters that affect the community. Persistence is important. While authorities may not always respond immediately, consistent and evidence-based engagement often leads to results.

What’s next for this issue and for you?

Over the past few years, active citizens and resident welfare associations have had the opportunity to participate in consultative meetings with officials from CMDA, Chennai Metro Water, the Greater Chennai Corporation and CUMTA. During these interactions, we have presented a clear roadmap outlining what citizens expect in terms of quality public infrastructure, urban mobility, environmental protection and civic services.

Looking ahead, I believe Chennai’s urban development priorities should focus on the fundamentals:

- Scientifically designed roads with proper milling, drainage integration and durable restoration standards that ensure a reasonable service life.

- Cleaner, greener and safer neighbourhoods with greater emphasis on maintenance rather than periodic cosmetic interventions.

- Improved pedestrian infrastructure, including continuous and accessible footpaths.

- Expansion of CCTV surveillance and public safety infrastructure in vulnerable and high-footfall areas.

- Stronger promotion of public transport through seamless last-mile connectivity and multi-modal integration.

- Effective implementation and enforcement of a comprehensive on-street parking policy to reduce congestion and reclaim public spaces.

- Protection and restoration of trees, waterways, water bodies and other environmental assets that are critical to Chennai’s long-term sustainability.

- Relocation of liquor outlets away from sensitive public locations such as major bus terminals, railway stations and densely populated residential areas.

- Strict enforcement against the consumption of alcohol, narcotics and other intoxicants in public spaces.

- Increased police visibility and regular patrolling in residential neighbourhoods, around schools, railway stations, bus terminals and other locations vulnerable to anti-social activities.

- Greater focus on core civic infrastructure and services rather than short-term beautification projects that do little to address the everyday challenges faced by residents.

For me personally, the journey continues. My focus will remain on advocating for accountable governance, better public infrastructure, safer public spaces and sustainable.

Every five years, nearly a billion of us agree to hand over our power to Members of the Parliament and Legislative Assembly.

And then…we forget to supervise them.

MPs and MLAs are elected to question, scrutinise, and hold our governments accountable — on behalf of the people and the Republic. It is their job to ensure that the laws, policies, and expenditures of the government are aligned with the welfare of their constituency and the people of India in general. In short, they represent our interests.

Then, why do we not assess the performance of our representatives?

MP Tracker

We are excited to bring this collaboration between Oorvani Foundation and Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative to bring Parliament and policymaking closer to people.

As a first step to holding our elected reps accountable, we’ve come to you with an experiment — an MP tracker.

Maansi Verma, Founder of Maadhyam, has put together a comprehensive performance assessment of 11 MPs from Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai, from the recently concluded 2026 Budget Session. The reports show attendance records, questions, debates and issues raised by MPs from these three major metros.

The analysis has thrown up interesting insights.

For instance, Dayanidhi Maran, MP from Chennai Central, had only a 26% attendance record during the Budget session, while four out of five Mumbai MPs observed had a 100% attendance record!

Tell us what you think

This is where you come in. We don’t want to spam your inbox, but we do need to know if you find this useful. This is, after all, an experiment, and we need you to tell us if it works.

• Check out the profiles for your city: Bengaluru | Chennai | Mumbai

• Take this poll:

• Write to us: edit@citizenmatters.in or leaving a comment below the MP profile you read.

• Share the profile with your friends and family

• Share The Active Citizen with active citizens like yourself

More experiments, citizen profiles and civic insights are coming your way through The Active Citizen. We are glad you are here.

Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Shiv Sena

Member of Parliament, Mumbai North West, Maharashtra

At a glance

Questions Raised: 54

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Implementation of Kavach project for trains safety (Ref)

• Strengthening of diagnostic and critical care capabilities (Ref)

• Crowd management at high density stations in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (Ref)

• Progress of Mumbai Urban Transport Project-3 (Ref)

• Steps taken to strengthen urban flood risk management (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 5

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• Need to provide eco-restoration in four rivers of Mumbai, Maharashtra under Namami Gange like scheme

• Request for Strict Action Against Drug Peddlers in Mumbai Suburbs

• Request for Restoration and Development of Jogeshwari and Andheri Caves by ASI

Financial Business Debates: 2

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in a debate for Demand for Grants (Budget) related to:

• Ministry of Railways

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Lawmaking Debates: 3

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on 3 of them.

Finance Bill, 2026

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 1

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Sanjay Dina Patil, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)

Member of Parliament, Mumbai North East, Maharashtra

At a glance

Questions Raised: 46

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Delay in reimbursement of claims under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (Ref)

• Shortage of nursing manpower in Maharashtra (Ref)

• Consistently high air fares for short and medium haul flights from Mumbai (Ref)

• Heavy passenger rush in Maharashtra Metro Rail Corridor (Ref)

• Welfare of gig and platform workers in Mumbai (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 1

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• Demand to Restore Train Services and Increase Special Trains for the Konkan Region

Financial Business Debates: 1

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in a debate for Demand for Grants (Budget) related to

Ministry of Railways

Lawmaking Debates: 0

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on none of them.

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 1

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Budget Session Jan-Apr 2026 - MP Activity Summary

Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, INC

Member of Parliament, Mumbai North-Central, Maharashtra

At a glance

Questions Raised: 50

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Implementation of Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program in Mumbai (Ref)

• Operational Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Skill training) centres in Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai (Ref)

• Sustainable dairy development and support to small and marginal dairy farmers in Maharashtra (Ref)

• Delays and cost escalations in national highway projects connecting Mumbai to different cities (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 6

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• Need for issuance of NOC from Ministry of Defence for rehabilitation of Slum-dwellers on Defence land in Santacruz (East) in Mumbai

• Demand for Fair and In-situ Rehabilitation of Residents under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project

• Need for Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers Along Railway Land in Mumbai

Financial Business Debates: 2

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in a debate for Demand for Grants (Budget) related to

• Ministry of Railways

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Lawmaking Debates: 2

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on two of them:

Finance Bill, 2026

Delimitation Bills, 2026

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 3

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Anil Yeshwant Desai, Shiv Sena (UBT)

Member of Parliament, Mumbai South-Central, Maharashtra

At a glance

Questions Raised: 31

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Government grants to minority institutions (Ref)

• Concerns with respect to privatisation of IDBI (Ref)

• Loans provided by nationalised and private banks to businessmen over last 5 years (Ref)

• Lengthy procedures of resolving income tax disputes (Ref)

• Water sharing disputes between Karnataka and Maharashtra (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 2

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• Revival of Closed Textile Mills and Settlement of Workers Gratuity and Dues

• Need to reconsider the decision for privatisation of IDBI Bank

Financial Business Debates: 2

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

Supplementary Demand for Grants (Second Batch) for 2025-26

General Discussion on Union Budget, 2026-27

Lawmaking Debates: 1

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on one of them.

Finance Bill, 2026

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 3

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shiv Sena (UBT)

Member of Parliament, Mumbai South, Maharashtra

At a glance

Questions Raised: 29

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Mass voluntary retirement by Loco Pilots of Mumbai Division of Central Railways (Ref)

• Difficulties faced by Aanganwadi workers and helpers in Maharashtra (Ref)

• Progress of Sagarmala project approved in Maharashtra (Ref)

• Railways underpasses and overbridges sanctioned in Maharashtra and progress (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 4

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• To Restore Train Services and Increase Special Trains for the Konkan Region

• Need for integrated investigation into reported issues of missing women and girls in Maharashtra and other parts of country

Financial Business Debates: 1

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in one debate.

Demand for Grants (Budget) related to the Railway Ministry

Lawmaking Debates: 5

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on five of them.

Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

Delimitation Bills [Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First) Amendment Bill, 2026; Delimitation Bill, 2026; Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026]

Other debates: 2

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

The MP participated in 2 debates.

Resolution regarding removal of Om Birla as Speaker of Lok Sabha

Discussion on efforts to free the country from Left Wing Extremism

Committees: 3

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Dr. C N Manjunath, BJP

Member of Parliament, Bangalore Rural, Karnataka

At a glance

Questions Raised: 6

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Persons aged 70 years and above enrolled in Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, particularly in Karnataka (Ref)

• Problems faced by coconut growers in Karnataka and steps taken by government to deal with incidents of pests (Ref)

• Mapping renewable energy potential of government private land situated along expressways and national highways (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 0

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

Financial Business: 1

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in a debate for Supplementary Demand for Grants (Second Batch) for 2025-26.

Lawmaking: 0

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve government bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in none of them.

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 1

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

P C Mohan, BJP

Member of Parliament, Bengaluru Central, Karnataka

At a glance

Questions Raised: 60

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Expansion of Kempegowada International Airport, Bengaluru to cater to growing traffic (Ref)

• Progress made under India AI Mission in Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru (Ref)

• Steps taken by government to strengthen mental health services in country under National Mental Health Program (Ref)

• Incidents of accidents and fire mishaps in buses being operated by government and private operators (Ref)

• Current status of electronic waste generation and processing in the country, along with the steps taken to reduce accumulation of e-waste (Ref)

• Financial support provided and committed by State Government for Bengaluru Metro Rail Project (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 3

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• Need to take comprehensive measures to address growing threat of absorption of microplastics in food chain and human body

• Need to expedite Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and expand Namma Metro to address traffic congestion in Bengaluru, Karnataka

• Need to establish modern waste management clusters in Bengaluru, Karnataka under Swachh Bharat Mission

Financial Business Debates: 1

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in a debate for Demand for Grants (Budget) related to Ministry of Railways.

Lawmaking Debates: 0

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve government bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in none of them.

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 2

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Tejasvi Surya, BJP

Member of Parliament, Bangalore South, Karnataka

At a glance

Questions Raised: 58

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Railway stations in Bengaluru Circle being redeveloped under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (Link)

• Participation of youth and assessment by government of effectiveness of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 (Link)

• Preservation, development and promotion of indigenous sport (Link)

• Expansion of Bharat Taxi Platform to different cities including Bengaluru and Mysuru (Link)

• Status and key details of PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal proposed in Bengaluru (Link)

• Conservation of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura (Link)

Issues of Public Importance: 1

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

Regarding need to amend the Labour Code to include persons with rare diseases and immunological disorders within the framework of social security and workplace protection

Financial Business Debates: 0

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

Lawmaking Debates: 2

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on two of them.

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

Delimitation Bills [Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First) Amendment Bill, 2026; Delimitation Bill, 2026; Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026]

Other Debates: 2

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. Other than this, during the Budget Session, a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker was also moved by the Opposition and taken up for detailed deliberation.

Motion of Thanks on President’s Address

Resolution regarding removal of Om Birla as Speaker of Lok Sabha

Committees: 5

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

News coverage of Tejasvi Surya

• Congress MPs urge Speaker to expunge Tejasvi Surya’s remarks on Telangana; protest at Parliament

• Tejasvi Surya slams DMK's opposition to delimitation bill

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Dayanidhi Maran, DMK

Member of Parliament, Chennai Central, Tamil Nadu

In the budget session 2026, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, MP for Chennai Central, participated in Parliament, focusing on issues important to Tamil Nadu. He raised 14 questions on topics like pending approvals from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for excavations at eight sites such as Keezhadi, the prolonged non-operational status of Vellore and Neyveli airports and the high cost of repatriating mortal remains from abroad.

At a glance

• Focus areas: Approval delays from the ASI on excavation at 8 sites in Tamil Nadu, delay in operationalisation of Vellore and Neyvelli airports and high cost of repatriation of mortal remains from abroad.

• Committee engagement: NA

• Legislative participation: NA

Questions Raised: 14

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Reasons for delay in proposal pending with ASI for archaeological excavations at eight sites in Tamil Nadu including at Keezhadi (ref)

• Funds allocated for promoting growth, research and global dissemination of Tamil as classical language (ref)

• Prolonged delay in operationalisation of Vellore and Neyvelli airport in Tamil Nadu (ref)

• High cost of repatriation of mortal remains, including of an Indian citizen from Coimbatore who died in Cambodia (ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 0

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

Financial Business Debates: 0

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

Lawmaking Debates: 0

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on none of them

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 3

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, DMK

Member of Parliament, Chennai North, Tamil Nadu

In the budget session 2026, Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, MP for Chennai North, actively participated in Parliament, focusing on issues important to Tamil Nadu. A plastic surgeon by profession, Dr. Veeraswamy raised 23 questions on topics like rising air pollution in Indian cities, railway-related accidents in the past 3 years, implementation of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in Tamil Nadu, the rare Earth corridor proposed in the state among other things.

He took part in key debates, including discussions on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. He attended three out of the five committee meetings that took place

At a glance

• Focus areas: Rising air pollution in Indian cities, railway accidents, Rare Earth corridors proposed in Tamil Nadu, implementation of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Skill Development Mission)

• Committee engagement: Attended 3 of the 5 committee meetings on Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas and Joint Committee on Offices of Profit

• Legislative participation: Engaged in debates on Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026.

Questions Raised: 33

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Reasons for rising air pollution in India’s cities and steps taken by government to check pollution particularly in urban areas (ref)

• Details of railway accidents in last three years and accountability fixed; steps taken by government to undertake safety audit and ensure passenger safety (ref)

• Candidates trained, funds spent and placement secured under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Skill Development Mission) (ref)

• Rare earth corridors proposed in Tamil Nadu and economic benefits of the same (ref)

• Review of implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao in Tamil Nadu, steps taken for improvement (ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 0

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

Financial Business Debates: 1

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in a debate for Demand for Grants (Budget) related to Ministry of Railways

Lawmaking Debates: 2

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on 2 of them.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

Other Debates : 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. Other than this, during the Budget Session, a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker was also moved by the Opposition and taken up for detailed deliberation.

Committees: 2

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian, DMK

Member of Parliament, Chennai South, Tamil Nadu

In the budget session 2026, Dr. T. Sumathy, MP for Chennai South, actively participated in Parliament, focusing on issues important to Tamil Nadu. She raised 33 questions on topics like delays in the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway, rural employment, and the impact of global trade disruptions on local MSMEs. She also highlighted urgent concerns, such as the release of Tamil fishermen detained by Sri Lanka and the safety of Indians in West Asia.

Dr. Sumathy took part in key debates, including discussions on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, and budget allocations for agriculture and railways. She attended most meetings of the Jan Vishwas Bill Committee and her focus was primarily on local development and social welfare.

At a glance

• Focus areas: Infrastructure, rural employment, MSMEs, social welfare, and international issues affecting Tamil Nadu.

• Committee engagement: High attendance in the Jan Vishwas Bill Committee.

• Legislative participation: Engaged in debates on budgetary allocations and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026.

Questions Raised: 33

Lok Sabha rules allow an MP to submit up to 5 question notices per day—either starred (answered orally during Question Hour) or unstarred (answered in writing). All submitted notices undergo a random ballot selection. On any given sitting day, only 20 starred and 230 unstarred questions are listed for answering—if they meet admissibility rules. Even if an MP submits 5 notices daily, not all may pass the ballot or be deemed admissible.

• Delay in completion of the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway and steps for its completion (Ref)

• Pending assistance to Tamil Nadu under the rural employment program and status of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Ref)

• Impact of global trade disruptions on MSMEs in Chennai and Hosur (Ref)

• Opposition to the UMEED portal for digital registration of waqf properties due to technical issues (Ref)

• Anaemia prevalence in Tamil Nadu and funds released under Anaemia Mukt Bharat (Ref)

Issues of Public Importance: 3

In the Lok Sabha, MPs can use tools like Zero Hour submissions and Special Mentions to raise urgent public issues. However, with 543 MPs and limited time, each MP usually gets to raise only 1-2 issues per week—if at all. Opportunities can be lost if the House is adjourned due to disruptions or if the government prioritizes debates or Bills instead.

• Release of Tamil fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy

• Safety and evacuation of Indian nationals in West Asian countries

Financial Business Debates: 2

On financial matters and lawmaking, it’s the party—not the individual MP—that decides who speaks on budgets or bills. The time allotted to each MP follows parliamentary norms, with total speaking time proportional to the party’s seats in the House. So, limited participation by an MP in these discussions doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest.

The MP participated in debates for Demand for Grants related to:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

• Ministry of Railways

Lawmaking Debates: 2

Every Friday in the Lok Sabha, 3 hours are reserved for Private Member Business, where MPs can introduce up to 3 Private Member Bills and 1 resolution per session. However, in the Budget Session 2026, no Private Member Business took place. The government prioritized passing its own bills, using up the time allocated for private members. As a result, no MP could introduce any Private Member Bill or resolution.

This session, twelve Government Bills were taken up, of which nine were passed, with the MP participating in debate on 3 of them.

Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

Other debates: 0

Beyond Financial Business and Bills, Parliament sometimes takes up other issues of law, policy and constitutional subjects for detailed deliberation. Since Budget Session is the first session of the calendar year, it begins with an address of the President of India delivered to both Houses, which is then debated in both Houses through a Motion of Thanks. The Opposition also put forth a motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker during this session, which many MPs debated.

Committees: 3

Every MP is part of at least one Committee of Parliament. These Committees may be standing committees or ad hoc set up for a specific purpose. Committees are responsible for scrutinizing the budget, bills and workings of different ministries.

News coverage of Thamizhachi Thangapandian

• ‘We support women’s quota, retain 543-seat framework’

• DMK MP Objects To Third Language Policy Of CBSE, Says ‘Its Coercive Policymaking’

This report has been compiled by Maadhyam, a civic engagement initiative, with data collated from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research.

Puttenahalli Lake is a 13-acre lake in JP Nagar, South Bengaluru. Rapid urbanisation and pollution have heavily degraded the lake, but local residents have come together to revive it over the years.

Arathi Manay is one such resident.

She is a founder-trustee of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT). The trust, through sustained efforts of citizens and constant advocacy with the municipality, has now brought the lake back to life.

Over the years, Arathi has grown into a passionate lake conservationist who also advocates for a deeper involvement of citizens in managing Bengaluru’s lakes.

Recently, she launched a children’s book, The City That Learnt to Catch the Rain - The Story of Bengaluru’s Lakes, which explains how Bengaluru’s lakes were built, why they are important and why citizens must safeguard them. You can fill this form to request a copy of the book.

Tell us about yourself and the community you call home.

I’m a Bangalorean at heart. I was born and brought up in Bengaluru and grew up in the CBD [Central Business District] area, close to Cubbon Park. The neighbourhood looked very different then. Close by was Akkithimmanahalli Lake — which we called Mud Tank. Even in my childhood, there was still some water in it. Today, the lake has disappeared, and the space is occupied by structures like Divyashree Chambers, the hockey stadium and a playground.

For us, community was never about apartment complexes. It was the street itself. We knew every house on the road, and as children we would run up and down between homes, playing together and growing up with a strong sense of neighbourhood belonging.

In the mid-1990s, I started working and moved out of Bengaluru. Except for a brief four-year period, I spent nearly 25 years living elsewhere, including some time in Singapore. When I eventually returned and began living in an apartment complex in JP Nagar, I got my first real exposure to organised apartment community life.

I joined the apartment association’s management committee at the time, and that experience opened my eyes to what it takes to manage a large residential community. Behind the scenes, an apartment complex functions almost like a small ecosystem where many systems have to work together.

Alongside work, I have always had an interest in community and social activities during my college days. Those early experiences shaped my interest in community engagement.

What first made you pay attention to Bengaluru’s lakes? Was there a specific moment that pushed you to act?

Growing up in Bengaluru, I was aware that the city once had many lakes. For instance, Akkithimmanahalli Lake near my childhood home had already disappeared when I was young. As a student athlete, I also spent time at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, which stands on what used to be a lakebed. Seeing such changes, I knew lakes had been reclaimed over time as the city expanded.Honestly, it didn’t affect me deeply then.

Like many people, I assumed growing cities needed space for infrastructure.

My involvement [with Puttenahalli Lake] happened almost by accident when I was living in Brigade Millennium in JP Nagar. I didn’t even realise there was a lake nearby until Usha Rajagoplan, another veteran lake conservationist, started a “Save the Lake” campaign and reached out to us. At that time, I was the president of our apartment association, so a few of us joined the effort.

Eventually, four of us came together and formed a lake trust. I wouldn’t say I consciously set out to work on lake issues — the opportunity simply presented itself, and I felt it was worth supporting.

When you decided to act, what did you actually do first? Why did you choose that approach?

The lake is a public space, so our role was largely to ensure that the restoration work was being done properly. When the lake work began, contractors were excavating and preparing the bund. We would visit the site regularly and observe what was happening — whether the work was being done correctly and if the process made sense.

It was similar to watching a road being laid in front of your house. You can ignore it, or you can stand there and see if it’s being done properly. None of us were experts, but we learnt by observing and asking questions.

We felt that if the work was done right at the beginning, it would save a lot of effort and money later. Since we had formed the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) specifically to ensure that the lake was restored properly, it felt important to stay engaged during that stage.

For me personally, it also fit into my daily routine. My children studied nearby; so after dropping them at school, I would often spend time at the lake — walking around, observing birds and insects, and thinking about what kind of trees could be planted there.

In many ways, my involvement was quite organic. I simply had the time and interest to be present, and that made it easier to contribute consistently.

What obstacles did you face? How did you navigate them?

One challenge is the common mindset that public spaces are solely the government’s responsibility. In reality, a lake can remain healthy only if the community takes some ownership of it. A lake is not just a water body — it is a shared ecological and social space.

Another challenge is that people have very different ideas about how such spaces should be used. Some residents want bright lighting or concrete walking tracks around the lake. But from an ecological perspective, too much lighting disturbs birds and other wildlife, and excessive paving prevents rainwater from seeping into the ground.

Balancing these competing expectations can be difficult because everyone believes their perspective is reasonable.

There are also practical challenges on the ground. In our case, parts of the lake edge had long-standing encroachments, and waste dumping sometimes became an issue. At times, pollutants from nearby activities also entered the lake. Addressing such problems requires constant monitoring and dialogue with authorities and local communities.

Over time, I realised that working on public spaces involves negotiation and patience. You cannot always have things exactly the way you envision them, but consistent engagement can still help steer decisions in a more environmentally sensitive direction.

What do you think has changed so far with respect to Bengaluru and its lakes?

I think there is much greater awareness today about the importance of lakes in Bengaluru. People increasingly recognise that lakes are not just scenic spaces but also important urban infrastructure. Even if many people initially see them as recreational spaces, that itself helps bring attention to their value as ecosystems that support birds, fish and other forms of life.

The level of environmental awareness has definitely improved, especially among younger people. Forty years ago, when I was in school, I was not particularly conscious about environmental degradation. That sensitivity has grown over time, both for me personally and within the community.

One gap, however, is that many people still don’t fully understand why Bengaluru historically had so many lakes. Earlier, they were crucial for water management and sustaining the city’s ecology. Even though they are no longer the main source of drinking water, they still play an important role — something we are reminded of whenever heavy rains lead to flooding in areas where lakes once existed.

That realisation eventually led me to write a children’s book about Bengaluru’s lakes, to explain in simple language why the city had so many lakes and why they still matter today.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start but feels unsure or overwhelmed?

Today, there are many resources available for people who want to get involved in protecting lakes in Bengaluru. There are simple guides and step-by-step information on how citizens can begin — including resources on Citizen Matters. The first step is simply to be aware and to understand whether a place you see is actually a lake and its status.

One important thing to remember is that you don’t have to be an expert to get involved. In most lake movements, the people who first stepped forward were ordinary residents who were willing to learn along the way. Expertise can come later; what matters initially is curiosity and the willingness to ask questions.

I often think of it in very simple terms. If someone stops you on the street and asks for directions, you can either say you don’t know or you can ask someone nearby and try to help them. Civic engagement is similar. You may not always succeed, but if you care enough to try and to learn, that itself is a meaningful first step.

What’s next for this issue and for you?

Today, all lakes in Bengaluru are managed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority following court rulings that ended earlier citizen management arrangements. Going forward, I hope authorities will continue to involve local communities in lake stewardship. Every lake has its own ecology, topography and challenges, so the people living around it often understand its needs best. Decentralised participation can make lake management more effective.

For me personally, the next step has been focusing on awareness. That is how the idea for my children’s book on Bengaluru’s lakes came about.

We wanted a simple way to help young people understand why the city had so many lakes and why they still matter today.

The book is being distributed free through nature walks, lake events and schools for children in the primary grades. We are also planning to place copies in libraries and make a digital version available so more people can access it.

Editor’s note: You can also fill this form to request a copy of the book.

The aim is simple — if children grow up understanding the value of lakes, they may help protect them better in the future.

This is the second in our series on Active Citizen Profiles — ordinary citizens working to make their cities better. Want to nominate someone to be featured? Email us: edit@citizenmatters.in

Over 9000 mangrove trees are likely to cleared and another 45,000 are at risk. Understandably citizens are alarmed at the potential impact on fishing communities, increased flood risk, pollution and biodiversity loss. Worse, the Bombay HC has greenlit the mangrove felling with some caveats. At this point, it might be tempting to lose hope. But for some that is not an option.

Meet Natasha Pereira, Mumbaikar, environmentalist and a citizen who just doesn’t give up. Natasha started a campaign against the mangrove felling. She and other volunteers also drew attention to the issue at the glitzy Mumbai Climate Week. Natasha talks about how she views her role in protecting Mumbai’s environment.

Tell us about yourself and the community you call home.

I’m Natasha Pereira, 34 years old, born and brought up in Mumbai. I have always called Bandra my home.

I hold a BSc in Chemistry and a BEd degree. I have previously worked as a curriculum developer in education and I currently run a small home-based business. Alongside this, I am associated with the Fridays for Future climate movement and the Bombay Catholic Sabha, which is involved in social causes.

In my daily life I also try to practise sustainability through composting, proper waste segregation, energy saving habits, water conservation & using public transport wherever accessible.

Growing up, Bandra had many trees, clean streets and beautiful public gardens.

Unfortunately, in the last five years much of this charm has been affected by rapid concretisation, loss of trees for road development and the rise of tall buildings, increasing pollution & urban heat.

What first made you pay attention to the issue of mangrove cutting? Was there a specific moment that pushed you to act?

In biology, we learnt the structure of mangroves — they have pneumatophores (breathing roots) that stick out from the soil for respiration. And that mangroves are excellent breeding grounds for fishes — young fish seek shelter and safety near the mangrove roots.

Mangroves also shelter hermit crabs, which feed on leaf litter & decaying organic matter, help with carbon storage and through their burrowing and digging behaviors, help aerate the mangrove soil supporting healthy root systems.

I read a research paper, which says that mangroves capture 3-5x more carbon per hectare than tropical trees. Any destruction to the mangroves, results in the release of vast amounts of stored carbon and methane into the atmosphere, thus accelerating global warming.

That’s when I decided to act. Mangroves act as first line of defence against cyclones, thunderstorms & floods and need to be preserved at all costs.

When you decided to act, what did you actually do first? Why did you choose that approach?

I drafted a petition on the scientific importance of mngroves and sent physical letters to various departments — the Chief minister, Mangrove cell, NGT [National Green Tribunal] and MCZMA [Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority].

At the time I was also part of a WhatsApp group discussing the proposed Versova–Dahisar Coastal Road project. Many members were concerned but there was very little willingness to organise on-ground action.

Then I discovered this NGO, Greenmyna, involved in mangrove cleanups. They helped strengthen the campaign because they had a large group of participants who contributed to this fight to save mangroves.

For anything to take place, it’s important to network with the right community.

I also helped create awareness at public places such as Carter Road Promenade by creating visually appealing posters on the importance of mangroves and Mumbai being affected by annual sea level rise of 4.5mm — where waves are seen splashing across the Gateway of India and Marine drive during a cyclone.

What obstacles did you face? How did you navigate them?

The Government doesn’t care when letters are sent. They turn deaf ears on scientific logic, as money is more important for their pockets. A few people say nothing will happen for this cause, better to leave the country as it’s a losing battle.

It’s very easy for someone to give such advice especially when you’re born & brought up in Mumbai.

Running away from the city by shunning responsibility is selfish & cowardly behaviour.

Also, there is no use wasting time on someone who doesn’t understand Science. It’s like communicating with an illiterate [person]. It’s important to bring in like-minded, scientific and sincere people together to fight against this evil.

Gen Z and the younger generation have taken a great stand. I attribute this to environmental education taught in schools, introduced in the curriculum, in the late 90s. That’s the reason we see the younger generation having a better understanding of environmental issues.

What has changed so far with respect to the mangrove felling plans?

Thanks to our huge number of participants, we have sent mass letters and emails. On-ground gatherings have helped to stall the work from progressing. A legal battle is underway.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start but feels unsure or overwhelmed?

Do not have ‘what ifs’ and ‘buts’, this kind of thinking will only stop you from achieving your goals.

Do your research well, educate, explain in pictorials to draw attention from the public.

Network with the right people especially NGOs involved in a certain field who have a large number of volunteers.

What’s next for this issue and for you?

Legal battle is underway. We need to stop this project at all costs, as it’s a road for less that 2% of Mumbai’s population who are wealthy with cars.

Car-centric policy for the few wealthy isn’t sustainable, when more than 95% of the population are dependent on public transport. And buses have reduced from 4000 in 2009 to only 2700 buses in the year 2025 while population is increasing.

This doesn’t do justice to 95% of the population, who are struggling with long wait time for public transport, crowded local trains. And in Mumbai, one of the most expensive cities on the world ,where people struggle to make ends meet. This is criminal.

Any educated and scientific policy maker will say that this Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road is not even required, so why build this road?

Non-destructive solutions such as improving public transport will solve this problem, but it doesn’t benefit our policy makers & those holding power. People’s movement & awareness is necessary to fight against this corrupt and unscientific decision.

Were you scared standing at the Mumbai Climate Week with your posters about the Coastal Road?

Not scared. Here to raise awareness as mainstream media is not doing their duty in raising these issues.

This is the first of our ongoing Active Citizen Profiles — ordinary citizens working to make their cities better. Want to nominate someone to be featured? Email us: edit@citizenmatters.in

Here’s what we’ve been upto

Our reporter Gangadharan B. did a deep dive into the Peripheral Ring Road. This three part series shows how this project, touted as a panacea for Bengaluru’s traffic, has dragged on for two decades, leaving farmers in a limbo and our environment at greater risk. Ganga says this project was one of the most intense reporting processes he has been through, ably guided by our Editor Sahana Charan. Do read the series here: Bengaluru’s Peripheral Ring Road: Two decades on, who really benefits?

Meanwhile reporters Shruti Gokarn and Archita Raghu have been on an interesting journey, looking at hyperlocal air quality in their cities. Shruti has spoken to citizens in different localities in Mumbai about what they want the newly elected BMC corporators to do about air pollution in their neighbourhoods. Watch out for the series on our Instagram next week.

Archita and our digital media associate Garima Sane have been following an IIT Madras team’s auto! The auto is a mobile device for monitoring air quality in Chennai’s localities. Will this help our cities? The full video will hit our YouTube channel soon.

Events in March

Join us for the Bengaluru Public Transport Datajam by our data team OpenCity on March 7th, Saturday. More details and registration here.

More updates, stories from the ground, and civic insights are coming your way through The Active Citizen. We are glad you are here.

Happy New Year!

Is 2026 flying for you? It is for us at Oorvani. We have been keeping an eye on municipal elections in Mumbai and Bengaluru, tracking many stories on air pollution, planning a citizen clinic on special needs education, a datajam on heat in Hyderabad and our flagship India Civic Summit in Chennai on February 14th.

Whew! It’s a lot of exciting stuff and we wanted to share all that and more with you. Hence, this new and improved Substack Newsletter: The Active Citizen.

What is this all about?

The Active Citizen is our fortnightly newsletter where we share important policy updates from Indian cities, especially the ones that usually slip under the radar but affect daily life. We also feature active citizens who are quietly making change in their neighbourhoods, with stories we hope will inspire you and show what’s possible when citizens step up for their cities.

And you can meet some of these inspiring citizens and changemakers at the India Civic Summit (ICS) 2026!

India Civic Summit 2026

ICS brings together active citizens, civic practitioners, researchers, and policymakers working to improve how our cities are governed. It is a space to learn from each other, share experiences from the ground, and build practical, citizen-led solutions to urban challenges. Over the last two editions, the Summit has helped create new collaborations and lasting connections across cities.

This year, we are especially focused on bringing together people who care deeply about urban governance and want to engage more meaningfully in shaping their cities. If you have been looking to meet like-minded citizens and learn from others working in this space, the Summit is designed for you.

Check out the full schedule and what to expect on the day.

Registrations are now open, and we are offering twenty of our newsletter subscribers a special discounted rate. Just use the discount code: OFNEWS
We strongly recommend registering soon, as seats are limited and filling up quickly. Chennai folks over here, we are especially eager to meet you!

Register now!

More updates, stories from the ground, and civic insights are coming your way through The Active Citizen. We are glad you are here.

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