Govt to install CCTV cameras, deploy marshals in buses

Delhi Government has promised to deploy 2,500 marshals and install CCTV cameras in the Delhi Transport Corporation buses after rivals launched a scathing attack on the Arvind Kejriwal-led government on Monday. 

Both the BJP and Congress are supporting the DTC staff union’s demand for a Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of the DTC driver killed in the road rage incident. 

Delhi government said it will pay for the daughter’s education and the ongoing treatment of wife of the 42-year old Ashok Kumar, who was beaten to death on Sunday. The victim’s family was approached by officials of the Transport Department, according to a government official.  Following directions from the Chief Minister, the Transport Department is drawing up an emergency plan for deployment of marshals in DTC buses. Transport Minister Gopal Rai said 2,500 marshals will be deployed in the first phase. 

“The department in consultation with the Department of Home will declare its plan very soon about the utilisation of home guard jawans for the purpose. It has also been decided to plan installation of CCTV cameras in buses at the earliest,” a statement issued by the government said.  Rai called the strike by the DTC staffers as ‘illegal’ and accused the BJP of playing politics over the bus driver’s death.

“BJP has provoked DTC workers to go on strike. We held a meeting with the police officials and have decided to give security to DTC employees, ” he said.  BJP president Satish Upadhyay, who led a candlelight march at Jantar Mantar, said the Arvind Kejriwal-led government has forgotten its promise of providing security in DTC buses after coming into power. 

He alleged that the government is playing politics on “giving compensation to families of Government employees dying on duty”.  The BJP president accused the AAP of adopting dual stands on the issues of compensation. He cited the example of a police constable who was paid Rs 1 crore as compensation which he while he was killed on duty. 

Earlier on Sunday, the Transport Minister had announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family and a permanent job in the Transport Department for one member of the family.

The Congress too has launched an attack on the AAP government. “The DTC bus driver’s family should be given Rs 1 crore as compensation and his next of his kin should be given a permanent job in DTC, ” said party spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee at a press conference here.

“The entire incident is deplorable, ” she added.But the AAP government officials hinted that there is a remote chance of enhancement of the compensation for the slain driver.