The Election Commission of India (EC) has written to Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma that replies sent by him related to 11 queries on the appointment of 21 parliamentary secretaries by the AAP Government were incomplete and has directed him to submit complete information about the same latest by Thursday.
While a plea challenging the AAP Government’s order on the appointment of 21 Parliamentary Secretaries has already been set aside by the Delhi High Court, another petition seeking their disqualification on the ground that they held the office of profit in violation of the rules is being examined by the EC. Once ECI gives its report on the matter, President Pranab Mukherjee will decide whether 21 AAP MlAs should be disqualified. It would be pertinent to mention that this was the third reminder of the EC to the Delhi Government.
In a communication to the Chief Secretary KK Sharma, the EC has said that he had sent details only related to the official meetings attended by 21 MlAs. Queries “whether the post of Parliamentary Secretary has been defined or provided under the GNCTD Act 1991 or whether any other procedure has been prescribed under the Rules of Business of GNCTD” remained unanswered.
“From the same it could not be inferred as to in what capacity they participated in such meetings, whether these were advisory, consultative meetings or some executive decisions were considered in these meetings. Further, whether the meetings referred to in reply were conclusive in nature or merely in the form of continued monitoring,” EC told the Chief Secretary.
The EC has directed the Chief Secretary to provide the attendance sheet and minutes of each of the meetings attended by 21 AAP MlAs. The poll panel also directed the Chief Secretary to furnish details if the legislators had dealt with any official file in the capacity of the parliamentary secretaries.
The EC has sought details about facilities like accommodation or office space which were provided to the legislators either in the capacity of the parliamentary secretaries or as law makers of the city. It said, “Whether the allotment was done after these MlAs were appointed Parliamentary SecretariesIJ If yes, then how many other MlAs who are not Parliamentary Secretaries have been allotted similar accommodation by the departments / autonomous bodies/ PSUs /Corporation / authorities of the GNCTDIJ… A copy of the policy of the legislative Assembly to allot rooms to Parliamentary Secretaries/ MlAs may be submitted.”
The EC has asked the Chief Secretary to submit details of the payments of bills, if any, that have been made in the name of 21 legislators. It has also asked the Chief Secretary to provide a copy of the Delhi Members of legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification (Amendment) Bill 2015 with details like when it was presented and passed
by the House and what was its latest status.