After 11-month delay, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut finally forms pro-development DISHA committee in Mandi

MANDI: Nearly 11 months after winning the Lok Sabha elections, BJP MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has finally taken a key administrative step of forming the DISHA committee for her parliamentary constituency Mandi.

The official notification for the committee’s formation was issued by the Mandi Deputy Commissioner recently.
Newly elected MPs usually prioritise the formation of DISHA (District Development Coordination and Monitoring) committees as these panels play a crucial role in overseeing development projects funded by the central government and the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

However, Kangana Ranaut’s delay in constituting this committee has raised eyebrows, with many suggesting that “she may not have been fully aware of the process and its importance”.

Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur included as special invitee

Kangana Ranaut will serve as the chairperson of the committee, while Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur, has been included as a special invitee.
The committee also comprises all elected MLAs and local representatives from the Mandi parliamentary constituency.

Additionally, a list of nominated members has been finalised after a prolonged delay. The nominated members include:
• Rajni Thakur
• Monika Kumari
• Roshan Lal
• Pratap Thakur
• Kedar Nath
• Krishna Chand
• Atma Ram

Interestingly, Himanshu Sharma, the state coordinator of Salman Khan’s Being Human Foundation, has also been nominated as a member.

Why the delay?

Sources in the BJP said the primary reason for the delay was the late submission of nominated members’ names by the MP’s office.
Until these nominations were made, the administration was unable to proceed with the official committee formation.

Uncertainty over first meeting

While the committee has now been constituted, there is no clarity on when its first meeting will take place.
Party insiders suggest that even Kangana Ranaut herself may not have a clear roadmap for the committee’s operations.

Munish Sood