Only LG can make policy for bus marshals, says AAP after temporary redeployment of volunteers

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday asserted that only the Lieutenant Governor (LG) has the authority to formulate a policy for the permanent reinstatement of bus marshals, as it pertains to both services and law and order.

The statement came shortly after Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena approved the redeployment of Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) for four months, from November 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, to assist in tackling the ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi. Saxena also urged the Delhi government to devise a dedicated scheme for bus marshals and take immediate steps to create official posts and ensure adequate budgetary provisions for a long-term solution.

"In light of the fact that the creation of a scheme for bus marshals concerns services and law and order, the LG has been requested to make a scheme for civil volunteers," the AAP said in an official statement. Senior officials from the Delhi Transport Department have also confirmed in writing that only the LG is empowered to make policy decisions regarding the marshals, the party added.

The AAP further emphasized that the Delhi government is committed to providing full budgetary support for the civil defence volunteers.

Last week, the Delhi government passed a proposal to reinstate the CDVs who were removed as bus marshals in October 2023. The proposal, which outlines redeploying the volunteers for the next four months to assist with anti-pollution enforcement measures, was sent to the LG for approval. The Delhi Cabinet also submitted a report to Chief Minister Atishi, recommending the immediate reinstatement of 10,000 bus marshals.

The removal of the 10,000 CDVs, who had previously served as bus marshals, followed objections from the Directorate of Civil Defence, which argued that these volunteers were originally designated for disaster management roles and not for public transport security.

In response, the Lieutenant Governor had approved the termination of the volunteers’ deployment as bus marshals last year. He had also recommended that the Delhi government consider utilizing these volunteers for over 10,000 sanctioned posts in the Home Guards, to better align their roles with their skill sets and service needs.