AAP, Delhi L-G Clash Over Bus Marshal Reinstatement
Delhi Bus Marshals: AAP and L-G Clash Over Reinstatement Delay
Thousands of bus marshals, responsible for ensuring the safety of women commuters on Delhi’s public transport, remain in limbo as a war of words erupts between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena over their reinstatement.
The controversy stems from Saxena’s October 2023 decision to cancel the appointments of over 10,000 civil defense volunteers who had served as bus marshals since 2015. While Saxena maintains that formulating a policy for their reinstatement falls under the Delhi government’s purview, Social Welfare Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj accuses him of deliberately delaying the process “at the BJP’s behest.”
In a note to the Delhi government, Saxena emphasized that the duty for engaging the volunteers “lies solely on the Council of Ministers.” However, Bharadwaj countered, asserting that formulating the policy is “the L-G’s responsibility.”
The standoff has left thousands of marshals, who played a crucial role in enhancing safety for women passengers, uncertain about their future. The AAP government, wich had initially appointed the marshals, is now facing pressure to find a swift resolution to the impasse.
Bus Marshals in Limbo: Delhi’s Safety Net Caught in AAP-LG Crossfire
New Delhi: A standoff between the Delhi government and Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena has left thousands of bus marshals, crucial for ensuring women’s safety on public transport, facing an uncertain future.The controversy erupted after Saxena’s decision in October 2023 to cancel the appointments of over 10,000 civil defense volunteers who had served as marshals as 2015.
While Saxena insists that formulating a policy for their reinstatement falls under the purview of the Delhi government, Social Welfare Minister saurabh Bharadwaj alleges intentional delay in the process “at the BJP’s behest.” In a note to the Delhi government,Saxena reiterated that the responsibility for engaging the volunteers “lies solely on the council of Ministers.”
Bharadwaj refutes this, stating that formulating the policy “is the L-G’s responsibility.” This exchange has left the future of the marshals, who played a vital role in creating a safer environment for women passengers, hanging in the balance. With mounting pressure on the AAP government, which initially appointed the marshals, to find a swift resolution, the impasse threatens to further exacerbate the already complex power dynamics between the elected government and the L-G.