L-G Saxena, govt spar over reinstating civil volunteers
The Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) and the Delhi Government sparred on Wednesday over the reinstatement of bus marshals in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses.
Following the L-G’s approval of Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) to address air pollution concerns in the Capital for the next four months, Saxena also called for concrete steps to reinstate bus marshals.
The Delhi Cabinet, in its response, stated that it had unanimously recommended the L-G immediately reinstate bus marshals. However, saying that the creation of a bus marshal scheme falls under ‘Services’ and ‘Law and Order’ — both of which are within the L-G’s purview — they requested the L-G to formulate the scheme.
“Senior bureaucrats have informed the Delhi Government in writing that only the L-G is empowered to make policy for bus marshals. Until such a scheme is formulated, bus marshals should be reinstated immediately in the same manner as before October 31, 2023,” the Delhi Cabinet said.
“It may take the L-G months or even years to formulate the policy, so the Delhi Cabinet has urged for the immediate reinstatement of bus marshals on an as-is, where-is basis. The Delhi Government is committed to providing all necessary budgetary support for bus marshals. The L-G should offer a one-time relaxation for utilising CDVs as bus marshals,” it added.
Meanwhile, sources indicated that before the L-G’s recommendation, Chief Minister Atishi, in an official note, stated that the Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) had clarified that the issue of bus marshals falls under the L-G’s purview.
“Until a formal scheme is established, bus marshals should be reinstated immediately in the same manner as before October 31, 2023. The L-G should grant a one-time relaxation for the use of Civil Defence Volunteers as bus marshals. The issue of bus marshals and women’s safety in buses was extensively discussed in an all-ministers’ meeting held on November 10,” Atishi stated in her note.
