The AAP Government decided at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to seek public consultation over the app-based Premium Bus Scheme issue after lieutenant-Governor Najeeb jung’s objections citing administrative matter.
On the other hand, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Wednesday initiated a probe into the proposed bus service following a complaint filed by BJP leader Vijender Gupta that it did not have l-G’s approval and that the scheme is being launched to benefit a Gurgaon based private bus aggregator.
Top sources told The Pioneer that at an emergency Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reported to have discussed the objections raised by the Raj Niwas. “The Cabinet has also decided to seek public consultation on the Premium Bus Scheme. A detailed reply is being prepared. There was consensus in the Cabinet meeting that the Delhi Government should not accept the objection raised by the l-G,” said the sources.
Over the past one year, the Delhi Government has firmly held the view that elected Government is supreme.
last week, the l-G had refused to give a go-ahead to the AAP Government’s ambitious ‘app-based premium bus service’ which was to be rolled out from June 1 and sought explanation from Transport Commissioner Sanjay Kumar for “misusing” his name while issuing a notification in this regard.
Jung had then pointed out that his approval had not been sought over the issue and asked for the file pertaining to the scheme. The Delhi Government had earlier issued a notification on the app based Premium Bus Scheme on May 20. While the Government had maintained that Jung’s approval was not needed for the scheme, it had still agreed to send the file to the lG’s office.
The l-G and the Delhi Government have repeatedly locked horns over approval for several files pertaining to postings and schemes by the latter. While the Delhi Government is waiting for Jung’s approval on several issues, a source said, “Many files are being sent back to us for clarifications.”
On the other hand, the ACB has started probe into a complaint of BJP leader Vijender Gupta on this issue. Addressing media persons at a Press Conference, Gupta said he had written a comprehensive letter highlighting the malafide lapses on part of the Kejriwal Government calling for in depth probe.
“The procedure adopted leaves many questions unanswered. Though the scheme is not urgent in nature and the Government could have followed the laid down procedure of compulsory consultation with law and Finance Department, yet the rules and regulations were deliberately bypassed smacking of malafide intentions of the decision making authorities in the Government,” he said.