NEW DELHI: A political slugfest erupted on the first Monday of the second phase of the car rationing scheme here with BJP MP Vijay Goel driving his odd-numbered car on an ‘even day’ without a licence and insurance papers as a mark of protest.
Early in the day, Transport Minister Gopal Rai visited Goel, who had appealed people to join him in the protest, greeted him with a rose and requested him not to violate the rule, but in vain.
“My protest was against the political posturing by the AAP which is using the odd-even scheme’s advertising budget to plaster Arvind Kejriwal’s photo everywhere. I have been slapped with a fine of Rs 2,000 for violating odd-even rules.” Goel said, who also received a rose from the traffic cop who pulled him up. The BJP leader, however, said he had always supported any endeavour that reduced pollution and traffic congestion in Delhi.
Meanwhile, after the Chief Minister warned app-based cab services of strict action over surge pricing, Ola and Uber announced they were dropping the practice temporarily.
The High Court rapped the Delhi government, saying it couldn’t wash its hands of surge pricing by Ola and Uber and sought a detailed response.
Following the High Court rap, Kejriwal said in a tweet, “Strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding vehicle, to be taken against taxis which charge rates more than government prescribed rates”.
AAP Hits back, will put out More ads
New Delhi: The Delhi government will give “more” advertisements on the odd-even scheme, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday, noting that all the money required for the road rationing programme would be spent as it is a matter of people’s life. Reacting to the BJP’s charge that the AAP was spending “huge” funds on odd-even advertisements, he said, “We are not doing it for ourselves, we are doing it for the people of Delhi. We will advertise it even more and spend all the money required for odd-even scheme because it is a matter of people’s life in Delhi.” “Everyone, including the schoolchildren, are working for the success of the scheme, while Goel chose to violate it which is very unfortunate. This thinking of BJP is not proper, they are trying to fail Delhi and its people,” he said.