(This story originally appeared in on Jul 18, 2015)

NEW DELHI: In a clear breakaway from AAP 's pitch for austerity in governance, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's confidant and vice chairman of Delhi Dialogue Commission Ashish Khetan has been accorded salary and perks -bungalow and transport benefits - at par with a cabinet minister. Opposition members have hit out saying that public finances are being exploited by the government to reward supporters.In ratio to an assembly of 70 MLAs, Delhi council of ministers includes the CM and six ministers in keeping with norms. Now, perks are being handed out to someone who is neither elected nor an officer but happens to be a member drawn from the political fabric of AAP. A senior official said the cabinet approved the facilities for Khetan on Thursday and he will also be entitled to free electricity, telephone and office staff.On February 27, the cabinet had set up the nine-member DDC to implement the 70-point agenda set out by AAP in its manifesto. When DDC was formed, Khetan's elevation to the post came with an assurance that he was joining in an honorary capacity and not drawing any salary. AAP government changed its stance making way for a party person in governance with a salary from the state exchequer.However, DDC's performance in terms of delivering out of the box solutions to many problems of the state are yet to show any concrete results. At a press briefing, Khetan confirmed the development. This created a flutter as BJP shot back labeling the move as unconstitutional. An embarrassed government then issued a clarification stating: "Ashish Khetan has not been accorded the status of cabinet minister. He will be entitled to receive reimbursement of travelling boarding expenses and remuneration at par with the ministers to facilitate him to discharge his function as the vice chairman of DDC on full time basis."BJP's Vijender Gupta hit out saying, "Those who were elected on the plank of austerity are now exploiting government finances to assuage their supporters. They are coming up with unconstitutional offices and accommodating their supporters on unsanctioned posts while dispensing public money as ostentatious salaries and perks." Congress state president Ajay Maken said, "The move by the state only proves that there is nothing "aam" about this government. Moreover, this is wrong and far removed from the ideological stand that AAP once propagated."