Decode Politics: Why a think tank is in the midst of latest row between AAP, LG

What is the DDCD?

The DDCD is a policy think tank set up by the Kejriwal government in 2015, after it came to power in Delhi for the first time with a huge majority, on the lines of the Centre’s Planning Commission and NITI Aayog. Seen as an official extension of the “dialogues” with citizens that was part of the AAP’s election game plan, the DDCD was meant to comprise domain experts, and help “consider ideas, identify the best practices and policies from around the world” and translate these into “concrete recommendations” to the Delhi government for “transformative change”.

Over the years, the AAP government has claimed that the think tank played a key role in shaping the “Delhi model of governance”.

Kejriwal served as the think tank’s chairperson. It also comprised a vice-chairperson and other non-official members. Their terms were to coincide with that of the incumbent government and their appointments were made by Kejriwal.

What are some of the measures undertaken by the DDCD?

According to the Delhi government, the commission worked on several key AAP government projects over the years.

These include the Delhi’s Rozgar Bazaar portal, a platform bringing together employers and employees that was conceived and created in July 2020 as an emergency response during Covid-19 to help both sides affected by the lockdown; as well as the One Delhi App, which helps track live location of public buses and facilitate contactless ticketing, among other facilities.

The AAP government says the DDCD also conceptualised the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, launched in August 2020, for mass adoption of electric vehicles to reduce vehicular air pollution in Delhi. The commission has helped the Delhi Transport Department operationalise ‘faceless transport services’, involving digitisation of 33 transport-related services such as getting a licence. The DDCD claims to have benefited 22 lakh users through this project.

Why was the DDCD shut down?

LG Saxena has alleged that the DDCD was created “only to extend financial benefits” and patronage to “certain favoured political persons” at the “whims and fancies” of Kejriwal, as only the CM approved its members till a mechanism was developed for “screening and selection of domain experts as its vice-chairman and members”.

Saxena also questioned why the positions in the Commission that earlier started out as honorary were later converted so as to involve “high” salaries and perks. The DDCD vice-chairperson, for instance, occupies the rank, pay and facilities equivalent to a Delhi government minister, while its non-official members enjoy perks comparable to a Secretary working for the Government of India.

The L-G alleged that there had been “no transparent process” of identification, screening and selection of suitable candidates to occupy the body and that these positions had been filled in an “arbitrary” manner without following due process.

Saxena added that the shutdown was “temporary”, till appointments to it could be made “as per rules”.

How has the AAP reacted to the move?

The AAP has termed Saxena’s move “illegal” and said it aimed to stop “all works and policy reforms” being carried out by its government. The party also threatened to move court over the issue.

The AAP has also justified that as the think tank’s main member and CM, only Kejriwal has the authority to take any action on appointments and dissolution.

The government has also stated that the appointment process for the DDCD vice-chairperson and members is “similar to the process followed for public commissions in all state governments across India, including in BJP governments”.

Has DDCD been involved in other rows?

In November 2022, Saxena had ordered the sealing of the office of DDCD vice- chairperson Jasmine Shah over allegations that he had used the office for political purposes.

The AAP challenged the move in the Delhi High Court. The matter is still being heard.