Delhi L-G VK Saxena Directs Deployment of Terminated Bus Marshals for Pollution Mitigation Duties

Civil defence volunteers, who lost their roles as bus marshals last year, will now be assigned to pollution control tasks for four months. This decision follows an order from Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena. Officials stated that the governor has also urged the city government and the chief minister to devise a long-term plan for these volunteers after this temporary period.

The termination of around 10,000 civil defence volunteers from public buses occurred last year. This was due to objections from the finance and revenue departments, which stated that their engagement should be limited to natural disaster duties. In a letter to Chief Minister Atishi, Lt Governor Saxena mentioned that their services ended on November 1, 2023, based on a recommendation by her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal.

Pollution Mitigation Duties

Saxena highlighted the severe air pollution in Delhi during a DDMA meeting. He noted that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had pointed out insufficient enforcement of anti-pollution measures. Consequently, he suggested deploying civil defence volunteers for air pollution mitigation activities from November 1 until February-end.

The lieutenant governor proposed that these volunteers could be stationed at pollution under control certificate centres, pollution hotspots, and other relevant agencies. This would help enforce anti-air pollution measures effectively during this period.

Future Employment Plans

Saxena advised that during these four months, the Delhi government should develop a comprehensive scheme for the future employment of these volunteers. He emphasised that any decision regarding their deployment as bus marshals should involve deliberation by the Council of Ministers on their roles and eligibility criteria.

In response, Atishi accused Saxena of terminating the bus marshals at the BJP's behest. She expressed satisfaction that "the BJP bowed down before the bus marshals." Atishi credited Arvind Kejriwal with providing jobs to young people from poor families as bus marshals for women's security.

Political Accusations

Atishi further alleged that the BJP was responsible for removing data entry operators, DCW staff, and DJB contract workers from their jobs. She asserted, "The one who provides someone a job is greater than the one who takes it away." She assured that AAP and Kejriwal would work to reinstate all terminated contract workers.

Saxena stressed the need for a legal approach to address the livelihood concerns of these volunteers. He noted that despite assurances from Atishi to set up a committee for this purpose, no follow-up action had been reported. He urged the government to consider humanitarian aspects while addressing this issue.

The lieutenant governor felt compelled to intervene due to the lack of proposals from the government. He reiterated his suggestion for engaging civil defence volunteers in pollution control tasks and called for a structured plan for their future roles.