New Delhi (Agency): Delhi’s governance structure has seen another significant change. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has proposed an additional charge for one of the capital’s prominent ministers. This decision comes right after the Delhi services bill received approval from the Rajya Sabha, indicating growing shifts in the city’s administrative dynamics.
On Tuesday, official sources revealed that Kejriwal forwarded a proposal to Lt Governor VK Saxena. This proposal suggests that Atishi, a leading figure in Delhi’s Cabinet, should be in charge of the city government’s services and vigilance departments. This decision was made shortly after a notable bill secured its approval in the Rajya Sabha. This bill, known as the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to give the central government more authority over Delhi’s bureaucracy. Out of the MPs who voted, 131 supported the bill, while 102 were against it.
Delhi Health and Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj previously managed the services and vigilance portfolios. However, sources from the Lt Governor’s Office confirmed that they received the file concerning this change from the Delhi government.
This new responsibility means Atishi now oversees 14 departments, more than any other minister in Delhi’s city government. Both she and Bharadwaj became part of the Cabinet in March after Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain stepped down.
A source mentioned, “She will be given additional charge of the services and the vigilance departments with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal forwarding the file for the Cabinet reshuffle to Lt Governor VK Saxena for approval.” However, the reason behind this reshuffling remains unspecified.
Just last month, Atishi was assigned to manage the revenue, planning, and finance departments. This move came after the Lt Governor gave a nod to a proposal to reorganize the Cabinet. Furthermore, she took over the public relations department on June 1. All these departments were previously under Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot.
Currently, Atishi’s diverse range of portfolios includes public works, finance, revenue, planning, women and child development, education, art, culture and languages, tourism, power, public relations and training, and technical education.
Atishi’s journey into politics began with the India Against Corruption movement, leading to the formation of the AAP in 2012. With a strong academic background, having topped Delhi University and securing a gold medal in history, Atishi’s educational journey is commendable. She even earned the prestigious Chevening and Rhodes Scholarships, allowing her to pursue master’s degrees from the University of Oxford.