Upset Delhi LG asks CM Atishi to expedite rehiring of bus chiefs

New Delhi, November 2 (IANS): The delay in the reappointment of bus service chiefs appears to be becoming a new flashpoint between Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena and the Delhi government, with Raj Niwas on Saturday pointing out to Chief Minister Atisha that her officials had missed the November 1 deadline. I’m doing this.

Disputing the unnecessary politicization of the issue by AAP leaders, the LG said, “Unfortunately, the government has not sent me any concrete proposal.”

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the LG highlighted the non-participation of around 10,000 Civil Defense Volunteers (CDVs) as bus captains and asked the CM to formulate a scheme for their immediate as well as long-term participation.

Demanding the CM’s immediate intervention on the issue, the LG said that she should direct the officials to prepare a proposal to be sent to Raj Niwas for their long-term cooperation.

The bus inspector services were discontinued in October last year.

Amid allegations and counter-allegations by Raj Niwas and AAP government officials about alleged attempts to delay the reinstatement of bus chiefs, the latest LG letter makes it clear that the ball is now in CM Atisha’s court.

With just three months left for the Assembly elections, the delay in the appointment of bus chiefs will be a hotly debated issue with the opposition BJP and Congress accusing the AAP government of mismanagement.

“I have requested you on October 24 to ensure that the bus masters are reinstated by November 1 in view of the festival season,” the LG wrote in Hindi.

He said attempts were made by the CM and her party colleagues to take political credit for the reappointment of bus chiefs, but “any delay in the welfare of these poor and helpless people should not be appropriate.”

Saxena said he had sought early reappointment of civil defense volunteers as a measure to combat air pollution in the city.

“Their timely restoration would help combat environmental pollution and promote their well-being,” LG said, expressing dissatisfaction with the delay in the matter.

Last month, the Delhi government passed a cabinet resolution to reinstate bus inspectors with immediate effect to improve safety in public transport.

Legislators of both AAP and BJP also met the LG last month on the issue as part of a resolution passed by the Delhi Assembly.