New Delhi : In a major pre-Diwali announcement, Delhi’s AAP government declared that bus marshals in the city will receive temporary reemployment for four months as part of its efforts to combat pollution. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj shared the news in a video posted on X, revealing that bus marshals will be recruited to contribute to pollution control measures across Delhi.
Addressing bus marshals directly, Bhardwaj emphasized, “The fight that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been fighting for you is starting to bear results. You will now be rehired for the next four months to assist Delhi in its fight against pollution. Kejriwal stands with you, and we are determined to secure these jobs for you.”
The reemployment comes amid tensions between the AAP government and the BJP, with AAP leaders claiming that the initial removal of bus marshals from their positions was politically motivated. According to Bhardwaj, many bus marshals—young men and women from economically weaker sections of Delhi—were unjustly dismissed from their posts due to what he described as a “conspiracy by the BJP-led central government.” Bhardwaj accused the central administration of pressuring the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) to interfere with the hiring and dismissal of these employees, citing examples of alleged mistreatment.
In November 2023, over 10,000 bus marshals were removed from their positions, a move that sparked widespread criticism from the AAP, leading to an ongoing standoff between the Delhi government and the central administration. A delegation of AAP legislators requested a meeting with the LG to discuss the matter, but their request was reportedly denied. This impasse led to a series of discussions between Chief Minister Atishi and BJP legislators, although a resolution remained elusive.
Bhardwaj also alleged that the central government had finally conceded to AAP’s demands, allowing bus marshals to be rehired and their salaries to be paid by the Delhi government. In his statement, he criticized the LG’s approach, saying, “The LG writes letters as if he were an expert on every matter, yet seems unaware of basic requirements, like seeking court approval for tree-cutting permissions.” He credited Kejriwal with initiating and sustaining the bus marshal program and emphasized that it was AAP’s commitment to employment and public service that kept the program running.
As Delhi prepares for winter and the seasonal increase in pollution, the reemployment of bus marshals aims to bolster the capital’s resources in tackling air quality issues.
