Delhi CM Atishi Urges LG VK Saxena to Reinstate Bus Marshals for Women’s Safety
In New Delhi, Chief Minister Atishi has written to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, requesting the creation of a scheme for bus marshals. The Additional Chief Secretary of Transport clarified that the issue falls under the LG’s jurisdiction as it involves ‘Services’ and ‘Public Order.’
Atishi highlighted that the safety of women on buses was a key topic in an All-Ministers meeting on November 10. She urged the LG to develop a scheme for bus marshals, with the Delhi government ready to provide necessary budgetary support. Atishi also requested the immediate reinstatement of bus marshals as they were before October 31, 2023, and suggested a temporary use of Civil Defence volunteers until a new scheme is implemented.
On November 12, the Delhi government proposed reinstating 10,000 bus marshals to ensure the safety of women and the elderly. In a press conference with Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi emphasized the importance of bus marshals for safety, noting that their absence made women and elderly people feel unsafe.
Atishi stated that the Delhi government, under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, has prioritized women’s safety by installing CCTV cameras and appointing bus marshals. The scheme, initiated in 2015, deployed marshals in two shifts on DTC buses to prevent misbehavior. However, since 2023, the BJP has allegedly obstructed the scheme, withholding salaries since April and removing marshals in October. The marshals protested their termination by LG VK Saxena in October last year.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi CM -: Delhi CM stands for Delhi Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in the Indian state of Delhi, responsible for making important decisions and policies.
Atishi -: Atishi is a politician in India who is currently serving as the Chief Minister of Delhi. She is involved in making decisions to improve the city and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
LG VK Saxena -: LG VK Saxena refers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena. The Lieutenant Governor is a government official who represents the central government in the state and has certain powers and responsibilities.
Bus Marshals -: Bus Marshals are people appointed to travel on public buses to ensure the safety of passengers, especially women and the elderly. They help maintain order and provide assistance if needed.
Women’s Safety -: Women’s safety refers to measures and actions taken to protect women from harm or danger, especially in public places like buses, ensuring they feel secure and comfortable.
Jurisdiction -: Jurisdiction means the official power or authority to make decisions and take actions in a particular area or matter. In this context, it refers to the LG’s responsibility over certain issues in Delhi.
Reinstatement -: Reinstatement means bringing back something that was stopped or removed. Here, it refers to bringing back the bus marshals who were previously working on public buses.
2015 Scheme -: The 2015 scheme refers to the program started in 2015 to have bus marshals on public buses in Delhi to ensure passenger safety. It was a government initiative to make public transport safer.