The controversy over reemployment of civil defence volunteers as bus marshals refused to end as the Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday hit out at the Delhi government saying the Kejriwal government has never ever came up with any scheme for "Bus Marshals". In a note to Atishi, Saxena said the chief minister should direct the transport minister and Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) to formulate a comprehensive law-backed scheme with required budgetary support expeditiously and thereafter submit the matter for his consideration regarding civil defence volunteers as bus marshals. “They (AAP government) made a fool of people by simply orally announcing Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) as Bus Marshals,” he said.
Earlier, Atishi wrote to Saxena seeking the re-appointment of bus marshals, adding that a proposal signed by all AAP ministers in this regard was sent to him on November 13.
In a detailed note, Saxena pointed out the necessity for a well-defined scheme backed by a rationale of requirement, deployment details, reservation provisions, and adequate budgetary allocation and the proposal to allow CDVs to act as bus marshals temporarily was submitted by the Chief Minister, along with a group of ministers, pending the finalization of a new scheme.
However, the Lieutenant Governor criticized this move, stressing that it was the responsibility of the government to create the scheme, ensuring it adhered to legal processes, budgetary allocations, and constitutional requirements.
Rejecting claims that the matter comes under him, he said, “It is an unacceptable proposition to suggest that a scheme for engaging bus marshals should be formulated by the constitutional head of government. By that absurd logic, I should also start exercising the powers of Council of Ministers on a whole range of transferred subjects. I feel disappointed that even though the Chief Minister has full knowledge of the facts of the case, she has chosen to send this flippant reference in the matter.”
Saxena pointed out that the term "bus marshals" was misleading, as those previously designated as such were merely Civil Defence Volunteers, who had been removed last year following recommendations from then-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The LG expressed disappointment that despite being fully aware of the situation, Chief Minister Atishi sent what he described as a “flippant reference” to him, instead of addressing the core issues with the proper governmental processes.
The Lieutenant Governor further highlighted the constitutional responsibilities of the Delhi government in matters related to job creation, recruitment processes, and job reservations for SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories. Saxena also noted that the proposal for engaging bus marshals should have been a well-thought-out policy matter for the Delhi government, rather than a directive to the LG.
“The Transport Department should clearly spell out its policy framework and term and conditions before such deployment. Based on the policy decision taken by the Government and the scale and nature of posts decided by the Government, the matter related to creation of those posts and approval of recruitment rules framed by the department shall come up for my consideration,” he said.
In his note, Saxena also referenced ongoing discussions about deploying Home Guards for security in buses, with a proposal already initiated by the Transport Department. He suggested that Delhi Police could assist in this matter, ensuring optimal use of resources.
He urged the Chief Minister to direct the Transport Department to create a comprehensive, lawful scheme, including budgetary provisions and post-creation processes, and submit it for his consideration once finalized. Saxena also reiterated his approval of temporary engagement of CDVs for air pollution mitigation activities until February 2025, but emphasized that a permanent solution for their employment must be found through legitimate means.
