Delhi Government Proposes Deployment of 10,000 Civil Defence Volunteers as Bus Marshals

The Delhi government has approved the reappointment of 10,000 civil defence volunteers (CDVs) as bus marshals. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that the council of ministers has urged their immediate deployment. This decision follows the removal of CDVs in October 2023 due to objections regarding their roles.

On Sunday, a report was presented to Chief Minister Atishi by the council of ministers, advocating for the swift reinstatement of these bus marshals. The proposal will be forwarded to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for approval. The CDVs were initially removed because their deployment as bus marshals was deemed against regulations.

Deployment and Duties

Atishi stated that CDVs would register at district magistrate offices starting Monday. Within two to three days, they will be assigned tasks such as managing pollution hotspots, preventing garbage burning, and controlling dust. These duties are part of efforts to enforce anti-pollution measures in Delhi.

The AAP government plans to submit a proposal for the permanent reinstatement of bus marshals to the Lieutenant Governor soon. Meanwhile, the temporary reinstatement aims to support Delhi's anti-pollution initiatives over the next four months.

Opposition's Concerns

Vijender Gupta, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, criticised the temporary reinstatement, claiming it has angered CDVs who seek permanent positions. Gupta argued that the AAP government has been playing politics over this issue for a year, delaying regularisation processes.

Gupta also accused the Delhi government of ignoring orders from the Lieutenant Governor and delaying action deliberately. He mentioned that Chief Minister Atishi had been contacted twice regarding this matter but failed to act promptly.

Atishi announced that bus marshals would begin duties by Tuesday or Wednesday. This delay means they will start on November 15 instead of November 1, resulting in a loss of half a month's salary. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to addressing pollution concerns with the help of reinstated marshals.

The AAP emphasised that these marshals will play a crucial role in combating pollution in Delhi during their four-month tenure. The party remains hopeful about securing permanent positions for them in the future.