AAP Advisors are Pulled-over While on Their Quest to Make a Better Delhi

A term is almost going to be over for the ruling government at center but their fight with the Delhi govt does not look like it is going to stop any soon. After scandalous activities by the central ruling party such as horse trading MLAs, cancelling membership of 20 MLAs, threatening with police/FIRs, taking away powers, false claims against AAP members, lawsuits, returning/stopping bills, unnecessary delayed appointments, etc., it seems that declaring the Delhi election process as unconstitutional will be their last option. With all these hurdles and muscle powers via LG and MHA office, AAP government is still able to perform. Just imagine the performance without these conflicts.

April 17, 2018 when 9 advisors of Aam Aadmi Party were removed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). These advisors were working with different ministries and shaping AAP policies. For example their achievements in Health and Education in Delhi are talked across the world, Delhi Budget, Water, Environment and Transportation initiatives have been making a significant difference in the capital as well. Advisors which were removed by the MHA are given below.

I am copying a paragraph from an article published by newslaundry. 

The question on everyone’s minds is: how can the central government sack an advisor to the Delhi government? The short answer is: Ever since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has come to power in Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government via a notification in 2015, took away the Services department from the elected government and transferred it to the LG. The absurdity of not having the power to appoint, post and transfer officials in one’s own government was forced on Arvind Kejriwal by a vindictive government to scuttle the AAP’s radical agenda to reform education, health, power and water sectors. In doing so, the BJP ensured that all of Delhi’s bureaucrats answered only to the LG and not to Delhi’s ministers, because there were absolutely no repercussions of insubordination. The Delhi government, with its wings clipped, relied on young, brilliant advisors to drive policy reform.

All the advisors were working on a token salary of Rs 1/month. Ragahv Chadda worked as an Advisor to Minister (Finance) for 75 days (Jan 15 - Mar 31 2016). During this time he helped the  Minister of Finance in preparing the Finance Budget 2016-17. This budget itself was well appreciated. One such feat was the "Outcome Budget" launched by Dy CM Manish Sisodia. Such ideas comes from a bright team. Here are letters from Raghav Chadda in response to the MHA decision. 

 

Another person who has done significant work in transforming Delhi's education system is Atishi Marlena. She worked as an Advisor to Dy CM Manish Sisodia. Delhi govt schools are quickly becoming model schools talked about in different parts of the world. In Feb, 2018, when I met Manish Sisodia in Boston during the India Conference, on multiple occasions Manish mentioned about Atishi and her hard work. Search Delhi Government School images on Google and all you will see are the transformed government schools with smart classrooms, swimming pools, state-of-the-art architecture, sport courts/grounds etc. It will be an injustice to Atishi if I don't mention that she is a Rhodes Scholar and an Oxford University graduate.

When it comes to students graduating from overseas universities, many people don't come back to India. Some of those who come back, opt to work for high-paying institutions. Atishi also taught in a private school after coming back to India for a while.  However, there are very few people who leave their career and work on  a token salary. 

It  is really socking to see when such a selfless qualified scholar is punished due to political revenge. Specially when Atishi is transforming basic education in Delhi (so India) and setting up new standards. Many people across the globe came forward in appreciation of Atishis' work and criticized the decision taken by the MHA. Here are some expressions from twitter users (originally shared by @AkshayMarathe).