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.