10 Delhi MLAs feel the heat

Soon after Sonia Gandhi's resignation, MLAs in Delhi rushed to 10 Janpath to express solidarity.

Soon after Sonia Gandhi's resignation, MLAs in Delhi rushed to 10 Janpath to express solidarity. After their symbolic show of strength, they began digging old files to determine what is an office of profit in Delhi and how many MLAs hold them.

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The spotlight in Delhi has shifted to 10 MLAs. Nine of them are chairmen of the nine district development committees (DDCs) while one is chairman of the trans-Yamuna Development Board (TYDB). The administrative order that created the posts is silent on whether these are offices of profit. Both the DDC and the Yamuna Board have substantial financial powers and the chairmen enjoy perks.

The Act mentions that some posts like chairman of the DSIDC, DTTDC, DTC and the various agricultural produce marketing committees aren't offices of profit. Due to this specific clause in the Act, MLAs are not appointed as chairmen to these corporations and boards. Bureaucrats have been given the charge of three of the corporations due to political wrangling in the recent past.

CM Sheila is the chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board which has substantial financial powers.