Ministers use cars, only beacons barred

NEW DELHI: A week after travelling by Metro and other public transport for taking oath at Ramlila Maidan,reality of governing a city like Delhi is dawning on
Aam Aadmi Party ministers. They have started using their official vehicles-Toyota Innovas-citing various compulsions. On Friday, at least three ministers were spotted using official vehicles to come for assembly session.
It would not have been a big deal under normal circumstances but AAP, in its zeal to set high standards, had announced quite vociferously that their ministers would be using public transport just as chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been moving around in his own car and has also turned down all security. Now critics and rivals are pouncing on them, questioning their commitment.
PWD minister Manish Sisodia, who is No.2 in government, said party was against use of red and blue beacons on official cars and availing of sprawling bungalows. "We never said that we will not use official vehicles or houses. We were simply againstVIP culture that makes an elected representative different from an aam aadmi (common man)," Sisodia told TOI. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reiterated Sisodia's stand onuse of cars.
According to sources ingeneral administrative department (GAD), none ofseven ministers, includingchief minister, has given any official request for a vehicle. "Most ofministers are usingvehicle allotted to their predecessors that were being used bydepartment," said a senior officer ofdepartment.
Three ministers-Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti and Saurabh Bhardwaj-on Friday came to assembly in official cars. Birla and Bharti said they had, in fact, taken Metro and it was only because they had to rush for assembly session had they called for official vehicles.
"I have not asked for an official vehicle yet and will announce it at a press conferenceday I do," Birla told TOI, somewhat annoyed. Bharti, on the other hand, was quite candid and indicated considering option of seeking an official vehicle in future. "Today, I tookMetro to reach secretariat and from there asked for official vehicle to go to session. But considering amount of work I have (mentioning his three portfolios), I may consider the option," he told TOI.
"My car did not have fuel and I had given my ATM card to my wife. So, I had to use government car," said Bhardwaj, minister for transport, food and supply and environment. He also defended his cabinet colleague Birla calling for a car, saying "she is a woman and as a minister she has to commute even during night."
Having got an opportunity BJP was not letting it pass. "This simply reflects double standards of party which claims to be one of aam aadmi," said BJP MLA Sahib Singh Chouhan.
A GAD official, however, had the last word. Pointing out that this was the first cabinet that had not yet ordered 'new cars' for itself, he said: "These ministers are barely using department vehicle for official purposes like late-night visits or urgent meetings."