From DDA to rural board, AAP govt gets down to deploying army of MLAs

The party is also expected to appoint 15 parliamentary secretaries. Many more are likely to get posts in district development committees.

Appointing such a large number of parliamentary secretaries will set a new precedent. There were only three during the last Sheila Dikshit government.

Commenting on the plan to name 15 parliamentary secretaries, BJP senior leader and former MLA, V K Malhotra, said, “There is no cap on how many of them you can have. But as they get a car, an office and other benefits, the government should have a minimal number of them.”

Meanwhile, a list has been approved by CM Arvind Kejriwal having names of approximately 29 MLAs. Delhi Rural Development Board, which is scheduled to have 20 to 22 MLAs as members, will get Raghuvendra Shokeen, the MLA from Nagloi Jat, as chairman. AAP MLA from Bawana, Ved Prakash, will be the vice-chairman.

At the DJB, where the chief minister is usually the chairman, Karawal Nagar MLA Kapil Mishra will be vice-chairman. Prakash Jarwal, Deoli MLA and Ritu Raj from Kirari constituency will be members.

“Every party worker deserves to be included in the government. The final lists with the names of many more committees and their members will be announced soon,” a senior AAP leader said.

Sources in the government said a list of district development committees will also be announced soon. Members in these panels enjoy powers to scuttle or approve any project if in majority.

The party has decided to retain its Hari Nagar MLA, Jagdeep Singh, as chief whip. It is understood that Delhi Women’s Commission chief Barkha Singh will be allowed to continue till July 18, the day she retires.