Story in numbers: With privilege comes neglect for some Rajya Sabha MPs

Of the 213 sitting members analysed, as many as 124 have not provided any details, the data compiled by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) shows.

Up to 20 per cent of the compliant members have a pecuniary interest, it shows. Shareholding and professional engagement are the areas where a higher proportion of members have a pecuniary interest. In the paid consultancy domain, less than 1 per cent have made a declaration. About 11 per cent preside as directors in firms.

The BJP’s R K Sinha from Bihar has come on the top in shareholding-related pecuniary interest by declaring it to be worth Rs 747 crore. D Kupendra Reddy from Karnataka, belonging to the Janata Dal (Secular), is the top MP to declare a remunerative directorship, about Rs 40 crore per year.

Eminent laywer Abhishek Manu Singhvi and former finance minister P Chidambaram (both from the Congress) have declared that they earn from professional engagements.

The late Arun Jaitley had not made any declaration of such interest, the data shows.

Rajya Sabha procedures require members to submit relevant documents if they have pecuniary interests in these five categories: Remunerative directorship in a company, any regular remunerative activity, shareholding of controlling nature, paid consultancy, and any kind of professional engagement.