19% legislators in Himachal Pradesh had criminal cases against them as per report of Association for Democratic Reforms
Himachal This Week, Shimla
The analysis of this report further reveals that 10 out of total 36 legislators (i.e. 28%) of Congress, two out of 27 legislators (i.e. seven percent) of BJP and one out of a total of four independent legislators (i.e. 25%) had criminal cases pending against them. The report further discloses that 45 legislators out of a total of 68 (i.e. 66%) had property worth in crores. The Congress had maximum 75% (i.e. 27) crorepati legislators, BJP 52% (i.e. 14) crorepati legislators, Himachal Lokhit Party (later merged with BJP) had one (i.e. 100%) legislator and 75% (i.e. three) independent legislature corepatis.
How Qualified Are Public Representatives?
Eight out of a total of 68 legislators representing Himachal were only 10th passed. Four had passed 12th class, 21 passed graduation and 17 were post graduates. Only one legislature had doctorate degree.
Only Four Percent Women Representation
Women empowerment is the hottest topic of debate in the country. But when it comes to empowering women to the level of Vidhan Sabha, there is not much to be proud of. There were only three MLAs in Vidhan Sabha while rest of the 65 constituencies were represented by men. It means the percentage of women representation in Vidhan Sabha was only four percent in in this hilly state while rest 96% had dominance of men.
Tainted Politicians
Party Total MLAs No. of MLAs with Cases Pending Against Them Percentage
Congress 36 10 28%
BJP 27 02 7%
Independent 4 01 25%
Richest Legislators
MLA Constituency Total Property (in crores)
BBL Butail Palampur 169
Balbir Sharma Chopal 41
Ram Kumar Doon 36
Virbhadra Singh Shimla Rural 34
Anil Kumar Mandi Sadar 29
Highest Annual Income
According to Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reports and income return filed by the legislators for 2011-12, G.S. Bali and Balbir Sharma were the only two MLAs with annual income of more than one crore rupees. MLA from Kangra constituency Pawan Kajal stood at third position with annual income of Rs. 45.93 lakh. Ravi Kumar from Lahaul & Spiti stood at fourth position with annual income of Rs. 29.63 lakh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh stood at fifth position with annual income of Rs. 18.66 lakh. This annual income included the income of legislator, his wife or husband and dependents also.
Lowest Property
It is not that all the legislators of Himachal Pradesh are super rich. Some belonged to humble background too. It includeed Yadvinder Goma from Jaisinghpur who had a total property of worth five lakh rupees. Hans Raj from Churah and Vikram from Bhatiyat segments had property worth seven lakh rupees each. Vinod Kumar from Nachan had total property worth Rs 16 lakh while property of Jagjivan Pal from Sulah constituency was worth Rs. 26 lakh.