Another problem for AAP MLAs?

With the office of profit issue hanging over their heads, the fate of another 27 AAP MLAs still hangs in the balance for holding the post of chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samiti (patient welfare committee) in each government hospital. 

In June 2016, law student Vibhor Anand had written to the EC, alleging that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had named 27 MLAs as chair of Delhi’s Rogi Kalyan Samiti to monitor the working of various state-run hospitals. 
Anand demanded the termination of the the defendants’ roles as MLAs, alleging that heading the organisation amounted to holding an office of profit.

The proposed probe is separate from the earlier office-of-profit accusations against 21 party MLAs over their appointment as parliamentary secretaries.

“The EC, that time, had said that it will hear one case at a time. I had filed my case late so it will take some more time. Once this is done, the commission will look into the second case. I don’t think it will take much time as it seems to be an open and shut case,” Anand said. 

The MLAs, he claimed, could only become members of the Samiti and not its chairpersons. Among the 27 MLAs Anand cited in his complaint, 10 are already accused of violating the office-of-profit norms as parliamentary secretaries.

In May 2015, a letter by the Delhi health minister had directed all Delhi government hospitals to create a designated office space for local MLAs on the hospital premises.  

The letter, signed by Satyendra Jain, Delhi Minister of Health and Family Welfare, had asked all medical superintendents of Delhi government hospitals to immediately provide office space to AAP MLAs nominated as chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samiti (patient welfare committee) in each hospital. 

The welfare committee also includes people’s representatives, MLA/MPs, health officials (including an Ayush doctor), local district officials, representatives of the Indian Medical Association and members of local bodies and Panchayati Raj representatives. 

The committee has the power to utilise all government assets and services to impose user charges at hospitals. It is also free to determine the quantum of charges on the basis of local circumstances.