DPCC CONDEMNS AAP GOVERNMENT’S MOVE NOT TO RENEW THE LICENSES OF GRAMEEN SEVA VEHICLES.

The Delhi Pradesh Congress  Committee today strongly condemned the Aam Aadmi Party Government’s move not to renew the licenses of  Grameen Seva vehicles. The Congress Government in Delhi had introduced 6158 Grameen Seva  services in 2010  as a “last-mile connectivity” for people to travel to far off places where there were no metro or DTC bus services.

Addressing a press conference at the DPCC office, Rajiv Bhawan, here today, Shadow Committee members Ishrat Jehan and Aman Panwar said instead of not renewing the Grameen Seva permits, the AAP Government should take corrective measures and allow the Grameen Seva services to continue as it was a question of the livelihood of thousands of poor people. Grameen Seva  union representatives Charanjit and Pramod from East Delhi, Rajesh from South Delhi and Negi from North Delhi were also present.

The Gramin Sewa Scheme was initiated by the Congress Govt in Delhi in 2011 to facilitate transport and last mile connectivity in rural areas, unauthorized colonies and JJ clusters up to the limit of inner ring road. They provide an important and essential service to commuters and local residents of the area. A total number of 6158 service operators were given permits. These people now being harassed by AAP Govt by not renewing their permits that are expired and by demanding extravagance charge for renewal. They are being asked to pay Rs.1,000 for 4 months, effectively Rs.15,000 for 5 years as against a sum of one-time payment of only Rs.2,000 for the same 5-year period during Congress rule.

From the attitude of AAP Govt, it’s evident that they are trying to discontinue these services. That’s why they are stringent about renewal of permits and charging such exorbitant renewal fees. When the Commissioner and  Transport Minister Shri Gopal Rai were questioned as to why the permits are not being extended they said that a lot of complaints have been received against Gramin Sewa.  So their permits cannot be renewed.

Surprisingly, a RTI on this issue proves otherwise. The Congress Govt had started a helpline no 42400400 for STA. The Gramin Sewa permit holders had sought a reply through RTI as to the number of public complaints against Gramin Sewa, Auto Rickshaw, Cluster Buses and DTC from 2014 to June 2015. The reply reveals that 12,000 complaints were filed against auto rickshaw; 7,800 against DTC and cluster buses and only 701 against Gramin Sewa. Out of these, 500 complaints are on mere technical grounds that can be sorted out on Departmental basis. Hence, the complaint issue is definitely being overplayed, probably at the behest of some transport lobby.

Shadow Committee member Ishrat Jehan said 500 permits have already expired, rest are due to expire in 2016. If immediate action is not taken to address this issue, it will not only affect the livelihood of these people, but also cause immense difficulties for the commuters.

She said another excuse taken by the Delhi Govt regarding discontinuation of the Gramin Sewa services is that they will introduce Metro feeder bus services. “If at all implemented, we do not oppose that. Feeder bus services are required, but not at the cost of Gramin Sewa service because these autos can ply on narrow roads where even a small bus cannot reach. Gramin Sewa Services are the provider of last mile connectivity in the truest sense. We demand that Gramin Sewa services are allowed to continue in parallel, supplementing the feeder bus services as and when, and if at all, these are introduced”.

Shri Aman Panwar said  by discontinuing these services, the Govt is taking away the livelihood of thousands of people, which in turn is going to affect lakhs of people, the family of these operators who are dependent on the meager income that these operators earn on a daily basis. He said the Aam Admi Party promised sun and moon to these people before the Delhi Assembly  election. But after forming the govt, they are not even willing to meet them or hear their grievances. He said these people are running from pillar to post just to meet someone with whom they can share their grievances. Instead of securing their livelihood, the AAP Govt is snatching it away and pushing these people into a hopeless situation, taking away their means and right to earn their livelihood with dignity and honesty. “We strongly condemn such policy and attitude of the AAP Govt”, he added.