The Arvind Kejriwal Government has decided to set up offices for all MlAs in each of their constituencies
in the Capital in order to establish the ‘Office of Assembly Constituency’.
The Government has also decided to provide essential infrastructure like computers, furniture, Fax machines and support staff to all these offices, which will be paid for by the legislative Assembly Secretariat.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has written to all the MlAs and asked them to identify convenient locations in public places in their Assembly constituencies so that they could be permitted to open an office there.
“The Delhi Government has conveyed its in-principal agreement to the concept of establishing an office of the Assembly constituency in each of the constituencies. This office should be approximately 700 to 1,000 sq ft in size and should be located at a convenient location which is easily accessible to the public. Office infrastructure like staff, furniture and equipment like computer, fax will be provided by the Assembly Secretariat.
“The Government requests that this office should not be located near or in a hospital, dispensary or school as far as possible. MlAs are therefore requested to identify suitable spaces for the office of their Assembly constituency in any Government office and premises located in their Assembly constituency and inform the Speaker within a week,” Goel said in his letter.
The initiative to upgrade the facilities of AAP MlAs started with the appointment of 21 Parliamentary Secretaries after which the Delhi Dialogue Commission was formed to accommodate party volunteers as well.
The salaries, perks and allowances of some volunteers are much higher than those of the MlAs. Now the process has started to justify the demands of MlAs as well.
According to reports, at least 20 AAP MlAs have appealed to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hike their salaries and other allowances. The MlAs have cited problems in meeting expenses that include the cost of maintaining an office in their constituencies, transportation and running a household.
Criticizing the move, the Delhi BJP has opposed it saying that AAP MlAs now want to enjoy the fruits of power.
leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly and BJP MlA Vijendra Gupta said it is “hypocrisy” on the part of AAP MlAs considering an action plan is “ready for providing offices” and the Speaker in his letter has “requested MlAs to identify office spaces for their respective Assembly constituencies within a week.”
He accused the Government of playing with the sentiments of the people by saying it has no money to work. “The AAP Government says it has no money and office to work from but now they have got it. Why didn’t Kejriwal reveal thisIJ” he asked.
Earlier, besides providing office space at Delhi Assembly to 21 Parliamentary Secretaries, the Kejriwal Government has passed a Bill to remove 21 AAP Parliamentary Secretaries from office of profit.
The Arvind Kejriwal Government claimed this would facilitate smooth functioning of the Government machinery but made it clear they won’t receive any remuneration or perks of any kind from the Government, thereby implying they would not be a burden on the exchequer. An order issued in this regard, however, permits Parliamentary Secretaries to use Government transport for official purposes and earmarks space for them in the Ministers’ offices to help them in the official work.