Ex-servicemen march in unison for odd-even role

“You have been serving the nation this far and we want you to serve the nation further. We want you to serve Delhi in its fight against corruption and pollution by working with us,” Transport Minister Gopal Rai told the ex-servicemen.

Watch video Odd-Even Phase II Scheme: Ex-Servicemen March In Unison For Odd-Even Role

Earlier this month, the Delhi Cabinet approved proposals for deploying ex-servicemen in the enforcement wing of the transport department as well as the second phase of the odd-even scheme. The transport department, which was understaffed for about four years, is short of 401 foot constables and 139 head constables.

“I was a part of the defence forces till 2014. I retired as a Subedar after 30 years of duty in the Military Engineering Services. Fighting corruption and maintaining law and order feels similar to my defence job,” said H S Yadav, an ex-serviceman who had been busy with his farm produce export business in Uttar Pradesh when he got a call from the RajSainik (Welfare Board for ex-servicemen, government of Rajasthan) this month.

Ex-servicemen in Delhi and neighbouring states got a call for enlistment in the Delhi transport department. After Friday’s flag march, the ex-servicemen will be called for a three-day training programme for the odd-even rules, said officials.

“I applied in the Kendriya Sainik Board after I retired in 2010 because I wanted to work with the government even after retirement from the army. I got a call for the odd-even scheme and came to Delhi this morning from Muzaffarnagar. The Delhi government has promised Rs 25,000 a month,” said an ex-servicemen.

However, when they reached Najafgarh, they saw a police van and decided to dump the vehicle in an isolated place.

They also took off the registration plates of the taxi and hid them in the boot of the car, said sources.

“After dumping the victim’s car, they went to a local market in Tilak Nagar, where they had some snacks. They then booked another cab and went back home,” said sources.