PUNE: The average annual self-income of 479 sitting MPs is Rs 30.29 lakhs, stated a report of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) along with National Election Watch (NEW) released on Saturday. The report analysed the self-declared affidavits of 479 out of the 521 sitting Lok SabhaMPs, which were submitted in 2014, prior to the general elections.
As per the report, Andhra Pradesh's 19 MPs analysed have the highest average annual self-income of Rs 105.9 lakhs followed by Odisha's 15 MPs analysed with average annual self-income of Rs 68.8 lakhs. 42 MPs did not declare their income and hence have not been included in the report.
Two MPs analysed of Goa have the lowest average annual self-income of Rs. 5.3 lakh, followed by 33 MPs analysed of Tamil Naduwith average annual self-income of Rs. 7.2 lakh. Out of 479 MPs analysed, 5 (2%) MPs have not given their profession in their affidavit.
98 (20%) out of 479 MPs have declared business as their profession, and 91(19%) MPs as agriculturist/ farmer, stated the report. 16 (3%) MPs who have declared their profession as actor/filmmaker/singer have the highest average annual self-income of Rs. 106.81 lakh while 40 (8%) MPs who have declared their profession as agriculture and business, have the second highest average annual self-income of Rs. 75.24 lakh. The report has further stated that 106 (22%) MPs have declared their educational qualification as graduate while the average annual self-income of these MPs is Rs. 41.28 lakh. Only 58 (12%) MPs are women. On average a male MP’s annual self- income is Rs. 30.54 lakh, whereas for a female MP, it is Rs. 28.46 lakh.
The report also makes certain recommendations which include that it should be mandatory for the candidates to declare their annual self-income in their affidavit, whether or not they have filed their I-T returns and there should be uniform categorisation of professions declared by the candidates