Delhi’s Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Saturday announced plans to designate bus marshals as home guards to safeguard their employment and prevent inconvenience to passengers. This development comes amid a dispute between the Delhi government and the lieutenant governor’s office over the termination of civil defence volunteers’ services.
Gahlot asserted that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had not directed the termination of civil defence volunteers and emphasized that the LG Secretariat’s claim of Kejriwal proposing the termination was inaccurate. Gahlot, responsible for the home portfolio, revealed that the chief minister had instructed him to issue directives for deploying bus marshals as home guards.
Stressing the importance of bus marshals as trained personnel, Gahlot stated that this move would ensure their continued employment and enhance passenger comfort during bus travel. He disclosed having previously issued instructions to release the pending dues of civil defence volunteers working as bus marshals, accusing certain entities of attempting to hinder the AAP government’s efforts.
Gahlot maintained that both the AAP government and Chief Minister Kejriwal supported civil defence volunteers, reiterating their commitment to deploying bus marshals as home guards. Responding to allegations that Kejriwal had proposed the termination of bus marshals’ services, Gahlot clarified that the chief minister had consistently opposed such measures.
Contrary to Gahlot’s statements, the LG Secretariat contended that Kejriwal had indeed proposed terminating the civil defence volunteers’ services. An official from the LG’s secretariat highlighted that the LG had raised concerns about the volunteers’ livelihood and suggested exploring their employment as home guards. The LG approved the chief minister’s proposal to terminate civil defence volunteers’ services from November 1 but also directed consideration for their recruitment as home guards.
As tensions escalate, sources within the AAP government indicate a potential Supreme Court appeal if the termination of civil defence volunteers’ services proceeds. The LG’s directive to the chief minister to consider recruiting volunteers as home guards adds another layer to the ongoing conflict between the two sides.
