Delhi: Cabinet nod for proposal to deploy ex-servicemen in Transport dept

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, approved the deployment of ex-servicemen against the vacancies of foot constables for six months or till the vacancies are filled on a regular basis.

”The sanctioned strength of foot constables is 419 posts, 214 for head constables. Of these, only 18 posts of foot constables and 75 posts of head constables are currently occupied, the remaining lying vacant for more than 4 years now,” a government official said. The posts are to be filled to ensure enforcement of provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.

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Rai on Monday said that though the ex-servicemen were recruited before the odd-even scheme, they will remain on duty after the road rationing drive is over. The Cabinet on Tuesday also approved free travel facilities on AC & Non-AC buses of DTC and Cluster Scheme to persons suffering from disability in accordance with Disabilities Act. Free passes had been issued solely for 4,780 non-AC buses so far and not for the 1,275 AC buses.

Also discussed at the meeting was the fact that the transport department has 29 vehicles for field teams, each of which are about six-years-old and in need of replacement. The current sanctioned strength of the Enforcement Branch is 160 teams for which the Transport department requires about 175 vehicles more.

The cabinet therefore approved permanent procurement of 175 field vehicles or long-term hiring of these vehicles and the proposal to hire 175 ex-servicemen with driving experience for deployment. These Ex-Servicemen and Vehicles can also be used as QRT (Quick Reaction Teams) for Disaster Management or in public emergency, the official said.

At the meeting, the Cabinet also approved the constitution of the Fifth Delhi Finance Commission.

The commission will consist of a chairperson and three members including a Member Secretary, all of whom shall be appointed by the Lt. Governor on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

The commission was initially constituted for a year. However, the appointment of the chairperson and members shall be freshly notified as shall be the terms and conditions of the commission, a government official said. The recommendations of the commission are proposed to be effective from April 1.