Transparency International Georgia is releasing a report dealing with the outcomes of the activities carried out by majoritarian MPs elected in the Imereti region as a result of the 2012 parliamentary elections; the report also contains an analysis of the efficacy of those activities.

On 30 September 2013, we sent MPs from Kutaisi, Sachkhere, Tchiatura, Kharagauli, Zestaponi, Terjola, Tkhibuli, Baghdati, Vani, Samtredia, Khoni, and Tskaltubo letters requesting information about the meetings with local residents held by the MPs or their offices as well as about draft amendments initiated by these MPs to answer the needs singled out as a result of those meetings. We also inquired about the number of people employed in each bureau and the amount of payable salaries.

No answers were received from the bureaus of the following majoritarian MPs: Gubaz Sanikidze (Kutaisi),  Manana Kobakhidze (Sachkhere), Malkhaz Tsereteli (Tchiatura), Gogi kavtaradze (Zestaponi), Kakha Butskhrikidze (Terjola), Paata Lejava (Vani), Giorgi Kakhiani (Samtredia), and David Tchavtchanidze (Khoni).

In addition, at the bureau of the majoritarian MP in Khoni they stated  that they changed the address and that’s why they did not receive the corresponding  letter.Despite the fact that the letter was sent to the indicated address, they also denied receiving it  at the Samtredia’s majoritarian MP's bureau.

The information obtained from the bureaus shows that no research is conducted to identify the needs of the population. Problems are established as a result of the analysis of the issues singled out during the meetings with the electorate. In spite of the problems being identified, the bureaus of the majoritatrian MPs cannot take specific actions due to the lack of financial resources. In many cases, the solutions to the problems reported by the citizens is sought through redirecting them to other state agencies (mostly local self-government) or problems are resolved through the deputies’ personal contacts.

The study also shows that the majoritarian MPs from Imereti do not propose relevant legislative amendments to solve the identified problems. As to the proposed changes, they are initiated by a group of lawmakers and do not reflect the work of individual MPs.

Kharagauli - Nodar Ebanoidze

The Bureau of this majoritarian MP started functioning from October 22, 2012, and has 7 employees. Up until September 30 inclusive, the bureau received 414 applications and the MP held over 70 on-site meetings. According to the received information, the MP also had working meetings with the representatives of local agencies, the Transport Department and the Forest Department among them; the deputy also had meetings with the Chairman of the Agricultural Committee and small entrepreneurs.

The concerns identified during the meetings with the residents refer to the road infrastructure and communal problems. According to the letter received in response to our request, several issues were reported to the central government and certain activities were planned, including the construction of kindergartens in 4 territorial units, which is already underway.

The wage for 7 bureau employees is determined to be GEL 3 000, however, it remains unclear what the monthly salary per individual employee is. The employees have not received bonuses or premium payments.

N. Ebanoidze has initiated and co-authored 15 draft laws.

Tkibuli - Eliso Chapidze

The bureau of this majoritarian MP started functioning in November 5, 2012, and employs 4 people. 730 written and 1200 oral appeals have been filed to the bureau over the period from its opening date up until 30 September. The MP had 73 meetings.

According to the received information, a study identified the following priorities for the district: gas supply installation, medical services, and employment. It is not, however, specified whether the priorities were identified through special research or as a result of sorting through the received appeals.

The activities of this bureau include the coal waste disposal in the area. Among other activities seconded by the MP are conducting emergency surgeries and sending a mobile medical team to Tkibuli to provide free medical checkups.

Information about the bureau costs and its staff’s salaries is not provided. Also, it is unknown whether the employees have received bonuses or salary supplements.

Chapidze has initiated amendments to the Laws on Education and Broadcasting as well as the restoration of the so-called Regress Pension.

Baghdati - Paata Kiknavelidze

Given that Paata Kiknavelidze became an MP through midterm elections, the bureau began its operation from June, 2013 and has a total of 3 employees. As of September inclusive, it has received 60 written appeals and the MP has met around 100 citizens. Three meetings with the residents of remote high mountainous villages were also held.

The issues raised in the appeals sent to the majoritarian are of social nature and include gas supply, road grading and the provision of medical services. Meetings with the local residents identified problems related to drinking water supply in the city and several villages. The resolution of these problems will be prioritized within the Village Support Project. Among achievements the bureau refers to the fact that it was through P. Kiknavelidze’s direct intervention that the Dimi processing factory resumed grape take-in.

According to the received information, monthly wage fund for employees makes up the total of GEL 2 000.

Over the past period, the MP took part in initiating 2 group and 1 individual draft laws. Later, the deputy’s individual draft law on the Restitution and Compensation of the Property Transferred to the State Free of Charge and other related draft laws were withdrawn.

Tskaltubo – Akaki Bobokhidze

The majoritarian’s bureau started its operation in March 2013 and has 7 employees. Over this period, the bureau has received 12 written appeals. However, the number of people whom the MP had meetings with remains unknown. During the same period, 18 on-site meetings were held. The key issues discussed at the meetings in the so-called upper zone villages pertain to roads, drinking water and failing houses, while major concerns in the lower zones are gas supply and meter installation. The letter of response points out the suspension of the Tskaltubo Development Project.

The bureau did not provide data on salaries payable to employees. It is also unknown whether the bureau employees received any bonuses or salary supplements.

Not a single draft law or proposal has been initiated by the Tskaltubo majoritarian Akaki Bobokhidze.

Transparency International Georgia welcomes the fact of the majoritarian MPs meeting voters and inquiring about their needs. Nevertheless, the majoritarian MP's responsibilities should not be limited to only meetings with the local residents and getting feedback from them. Unfortunately, the recent surveys have shown that the initiatives submitted to relevant departments by the majoritarian MPs are not proportionate to the challenges that a given region is facing. Consequently, the Mps will not be able to carry out their functions to the full and resolve the problems weighing on the electorate by just conducting meetings that are not followed by adequate initiatives and actions.