An analysis of self-declared affidavits of outgoing Lok Sabha MPs shows that 19 from Andhra Pradesh have an average annual self-income of Rs 1.05 crore, the highest among all MPs in the country. The figures also reveal an inverse relationship between educational qualification and income — 106 or 22 per cent of MPs who are graduates have an average annual self income of Rs 41.28 lakh while six MPs who have declared their educational qualification as Class 5 pass have an average annual self-income of Rs 1.41 crore. The analysis by the Association of Democratic Rights (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) of the affidavits of 479 Lok Sabha MPs submitted before the 2014 general elections also reveals that Odisha, one of the poorest States, sends some of the richest MPs to Parliament.
The ADR-NEW figures show that after Andhra Pradesh, the State's 15 MPs have the second highest average annual self-income of Rs 68.8 lakh. Other States and MPs who figure in the top 10 in this category comprising states and union territories are Gujarat's 24 MPs (Rs 59.5 lakh), Punjab's 13 MPs (Rs 51.4 lakh), Haryana's 10 MPs (Rs 42.6 lakh), Jharkhand's 14 MPs (Rs 39.07 lakh), Assam's 13 MPs (Rs 32.7 lakh), Uttar Pradesh's 72 MPs (Rs 32.03 lakh), Rajasthan's 20 MPs (Rs 30.7 lakh) and Telangana's 14 MPs (Rs 30.6 lakh). BJP's Kirron Kher, the lone MP from Chandigarh, declared an annual self-income of Rs 1.72 crore.
The ADR and NEW have analysed the self-declared affidavits of 479 out of the 521 sitting Lok Sabha MPs, which were submitted in 2014, prior to the general elections. 42 MPs did not declare their income and hence have not been included in the report.
According to report, 98(20%) out of 479 MPs have declared business as their profession, and 91(19%) MPs as an agriculturist/ farmer. 16(3%) MPs who have declared their profession as Actor/Filmmaker/ Singer have the highest average annual self-income of Rs 106.81 lakh.
As far as the other southern states are concerned, Telangana's 14 MPs have average annual income of Rs 30.6 lakh, Karnataka's 27 MPs have Rs 26.4 lakh, Kerala's 17 MPs have Rs 10.6 lakh and Tamil Nadu's 33 MPs have annual average income of Rs 7.2 lakh. Two MPs analysed of Goa have the lowest average annual self-income of Rs 5.3 lakh, followed by 33 MPs analysed of Tamil Nadu with 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. The report said that 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. As many as 106 (22%) MPs have declared their educational qualification as graduate. The average annual self-income of these MPs is Rs 41.28 lakh.There are 6 MPs who have declared their educational qualification as 5th pass. The average annual self-income of these 6 MPs is Rs 1.41 crore.
It further stated that as many as 150 MPs aged between 46-55 years, have average annual self-income of Rs 40.54 lakh whereas 54 MPs aged 66-75 years, have average annual self income of Rs 16.72 lakh.Only 58 (12%) MPs are women. On an average a male MP's annual self- income is Rs 30.54 lakh, whereas for a female MP, it is Rs 28.46 lakh.
