Govt rushes details on parl secy to EC

AAP MLA Sanjeev faces disqualification

Facing flak for delay, the Labour Department of the Delhi government on Wednesday made a last-minute dash to collect information on facilities used by parliamentary secretary Sanjeev Jha before sending it to the Election Commission.

Jha, who represents the Burari constituency, is facing an EC reference on a complaint seeking his disqualification, along with 20 other parliamentary secretaries, from the Assembly for using office space, amounting to holding an office of profit.

“We are giving all the details to the EC,” said an official in the Labour Department on Wednesday  – the deadline set for all district labour officials and Delhi Building And Other Construction Workers Board for giving details of perks, if any, enjoyed by Jha who was attached with Labour Minister Gopal Rai in March.

The attendance sheets and copies of minutes of meetings attended by Jha were sought by the Election Commission in a reminder sent earlier this month. The hectic activity in the Labour Department on Wednesday came in the backdrop of the displeasure expressed by the EC over incomplete information sent earlier.

A letter sent by the EC said: “..information has been provided only regarding attending of  some meetings by the parliamentary secretaries. 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. Whether the meetings referred to in reply were conclusive in nature or merely in the form of continued monitoring.”

Official space

The Labour Department is now furnishing details the EC on whether Jha dealt with any official file, in the capacity of parliamentary secretary.

Earlier, the Election Commission virtually saw through the AAP government’s claim that some facilities like accommodation or official space were provided to the 21 parliamentary secretaries in the capacity of MLA and not aides of ministers.

In response to the AAP government’s stand, the EC then sought a copy of the policy laid down on giving official space to the MLAs and inquired if “The allotment was done after these MLAs were appointed parliamentary secretary? If yes, then how many other MLAs who are not parliamentary secretary have been allotted similar accommodation?”

The 21 parliamentary secretaries face disqualification threat over a petition by advocate Prashant Patel alleging that they held offices of profit.

The Election Commission has also sought a copy of the policy of the legislative assembly to allot rooms to parliamentary secretaries/MLAs. Copies of room-allotment orders to the 21 parliament secretaries in the Assembly have also been sought.

The poll panel has also sought legible copy of the order of the legislative Assembly, keeping in abeyance the allotment of office space to parliamentary secretaries in the Assembly secretariat.