No tenders, direct benefit transfer to ‘kanwar’ committees: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

In a move aimed at curbing corruption, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that Kanwar committees will now receive financial assistance directly through bank transfers, eliminating the earlier tender-based system.

Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Gupta said that the decision marks a major policy shift. “Earlier, tenders were floated for setting up tents, but only two or three people applied. They bagged the contracts and sublet the work. Even on the last day, tents weren’t set up, causing distress to Kanwar committees,” she said. “Now, by ending all corruption, we have decided to provide direct benefit transfers (DBT) to all registered Kanwar committees. No contractors, no tenders.”

The amount of assistance will be determined by a committee headed by minister Kapil Mishra, along with four MLAs, under the Mukhyamantri Dharmik Utsav Committee.

Gupta further announced that the Delhi government will bear the cost of up to 1,200 units of electricity for each Kanwar camp. “This is a historic decision,” she said, adding that “crores” of rupees will be spent on the initiative.

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Committees that are not yet registered will have time till July 30 to apply for official permission.

Gupta also assured that arrangements will be made to ensure public convenience during the Kanwar Yatra. “For traffic and security, we will hold coordination meetings. Civil defence volunteers will assist in managing the camps,” she said.

(With inputs from PTI)