Delhi LG VK Saxena Dissolves Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission

Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has approved the temporary dissolution of the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission (DDCD) and the removal of its non-official members. This decision aims to develop a new screening mechanism for selecting domain experts.

The LG’s office criticized the DDCD’s creation as a means to extend financial benefits to favored political persons. The release stated that politically appointed persons were allowed to continue in their positions without a transparent screening process, receiving high salaries from the public exchequer.

The Planning Department of the Delhi Government noted that there was no work allocation among DDCD members, making their continuation both undesirable and illegal. The LG has also asked the Finance Department to explore the possibility of recovering the salaries paid to these non-official members.

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj reacted to the decision by calling it ‘petty politics.’ He pointed out that similar practices exist in other government bodies, including the Central Government and BJP-ruled state governments. Bharadwaj also questioned the process of VK Saxena’s own appointment as LG.

In 2022, DDCD vice-chairman Jasmine Shah was restricted from his duties, and his office was sealed following an order by the LG.