Contrary to their public posturing, ministers of Arvind Kejriwal Government have started using official vehicles. Though the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal still uses a blue colour Wagon R to travel in the city, as per sources, General Administration Department (GAD) has allotted an Innova to Women and Child Welfare department Minister Rakhi Birla, and another Innova to Transport Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, while (Dl 13 N 0001) allotted to law and legislative Affairs Minister Somnath Bharti.
Asked if coming by such cars was reflective of practising austerity, Kejriwal downplayed it saying the party never said its ministers will not use official cars. “We never said anything about not using cars. We said we will not use red beacon cars,” Kejriwal said in reply to a volley of questions by reporters. Asked about the issue, PWD Minister Manish Sisodia said the party was opposed to the VIP culture and there was nothing wrong in taking official cars.
The acceptance of official cars by the ministers came a day after the AAP Government won a trust vote in the Assembly with the Congress support. A number of AAP Ministers and MlAs had come to Delhi Assembly using public transport like metro and auto-rickshaw in the last few days in tune with their “aam admi” credentials.
“We said we will not use red beacon cars. If we use personal vehicle then the Government will pay traveling allowance or conveyance allowance,” said Birla, adding that she is a woman and as a Minister she has to commute even during the nights.
Echoed with Birla, Bhardwaj said that AAP’s affidavit has clearly stated that the party will end the culture of using red beacon by VIP.