Shunglu Committee report questions Kejriwal over several appointments

In a major set back to Aam Aadmi Party government here, the Shunglu Committee formed by former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to look into decisions taken by the government, has questioned several appointments made, including the appointment of Health Minister Satyendar Jain's daughter Soumya Jain in Mohalla Clinic project.

The committee reviewed 404 files of the Delhi government and found several irregularities with various appointments.

The report which is accessed by IANS, questioned Soumya Jain's appointment to the post of mission director in Delhi government's Mohalla Clinic project.

"Soumya, who is an architect, was made an adviser to Mission Director, Delhi State Health Mission. However she asserted her expertise with regard to Mohalla Clinics even though her CV does not support her claim. Second, the memorandum of Association of State Health Society (Delhi) and rules and bylaws do not support such appointment," the committee said in its report.

"The file contained no evidence of who approved her appointment," it said.

"These events can only be explained by the fact that Soumya Jain is the daughter of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain," the report added.

The three-member Shunglu Committee, headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) V.K. Shunglu, was set up by then Lt Governor Najeeb Jung after Delhi High Court gave primacy to the LG in Delhi administrative affairs in August last year.

The LG office has called over 400 files on decisions taken by the AAP government in Delhi, for review.

The Committee also raised questions on the appointment of Nikunj Agarwal as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Delhi Health Minister.

"The appointment of Nikunj Agarwal as OSD to Health Minister on co-terminus basis is a case of violation of recruitment procedure and lack of authority. Co-terminus appointment can be only made with the approval of the Lt Governor but the matter is not placed before the Lt Governor. The case does not seem fit for ex-post facto approval," the report said.

The Committee in its report also questioned the allotment of 206, Rouse Avenue -- a bungalow which belonged to a minister now used as party office -- to AAP.

--IANS

am/vgu/