The Arvind Kejriwal-led government had proposed the scheme while presenting the Delhi budget for financial year 2018-19 earlier this month
Transport and Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot has alleged that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has "objected" to the proposed 'Teerth Yatra Scheme' for senior citizens. The Arvind Kejriwal-led government had proposed the scheme while presenting the Delhi budget for financial year 2018-19 earlier this month.
"Now LG objects to Teerth Yatra Yojana. LG wants it to be restricted to BPL (below poverty line). LG forgets that many children do not support their old parents. They would be happy to receive govt support. And every govt facility should not be restricted only to BPL," Gahlot said on Twitter.
However, refuting the claims, Baijal's office stated that in his suggestion, it was only "advised" that it will be equitable to have some income criteria to ascertain eligibility of beneficiaries. This has become yet another issue where the government and the L-G are seen at loggerheads.
The alleged "objection" prompted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to resort to Twitter saying, "I feel very very sad that LG is practically obstructing every scheme and every project of Delhi Government. How do we run government like this? My appeal to BJP - Dont obstruct our work. I challenge your governments in other states to compete with us in work."
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, during his budget speech, while taking a dig at Baijal had said, that the government will set aside Rs 53 crore for the scheme meant for the elderly to be taken on pilgrimage free of cost.
"L-G has sought clarification as to why a certificate from area MLA is necessary regarding residence of applicant when election voter card has already been mandatory to be eligible as a beneficiary. With all the above suggestions, L-G had returned the file to the minister on March 8 and invited him for a discussion. However, no attempt has been made by the office of the minister to discuss the matter.
"It is reiterated that a reasonable income criteria has been advised and not BPL (as quoted by the Hon'ble Minister) so that scarce government funds are used for the benefit of the needy," the statement said.
The scheme is aimed at taking the 77,000 senior residents in the Capital for pilgrimages once a year.
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