NEW DELHI: Amid allegations of corruption in ‘scam’ in the Premium Bus Scheme, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai resigned from post on Tuesday saying his health condition was not good enough to carry out the amount of work the ministry entails.
Rai also was questioned by Anti-Corruption Branch in the alleged scam for almost an hour after he went along with transport official by his own to join the probe.
Anti-Corruption Branch head Mukesh Kumar Meena said, “We have started an investigation after we received a complaint on the app based bus services. Allegations have been made that there are violations of the Motor Vehicle Act and it's been done with connivance with a shuttle company. “
He further stated that the transport minister Gopal Rai was questioned by the investigative officer of the case for an hour. He was asked several questions related to the case, and was also sought documents of cabinet note, tendering process and files and noting of the proposal.
“We are looking whether there is a need to probe other officials also. I can't comment whether he came up with the facts. We will analyse as per merits and who so ever is needed will be called for questioning. It has been alleged that the service was meant for this company. The company has already advertised presuming that the bus service will start by Delhi government,” he said.
When asked whether Rai will be questioned again, Meena said, “If needed, he as well as other suspects in the case will be called for questioning again.”
Premium bus investigation" refers to the probe by the Anti-Corruption Branch into allegations of favouritism underlying the notification of a policy to enable app-based premium buses in the capital as a ploy to extend benefits to a Gurgaon-based private operator.
The ACB probe started on the basis of a complaint filed by BJP legislator Vijender Gupta, who has alleged that the AAP government was "trying to benefit" a particular private bus aggregator.
In the meantime, AAP on Tuesday said Rai was leaving "on health grounds" and not on because he was questioned by ACB in a case. Refuting the allegations of corruption, Rai said that he was "ready to go to jail" if corruption was proven against him.
Rai was relieved of the charge of the Transport Department and the portfolio has now been given to his cabinet colleague Satyendar Jain.
Jain, who is known to be close to Kejriwal, already holds key portfolios of PWD, Health, Power and Home. The departments left with Rai now include Labour, Irrigation and Flood Control, General Administration Department (GAD), Development and Employment.
Rai said he had requested the Chief Minister to relieve him from the Transport Department portfolio as it had a very heavy workload. He has been undergoing physiotherapy, which is expected to last three months, at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre and is housed in the hospital.
“Rai recently underwent a very major surgery at Apollo in Delhi and thereafter went to Hyderabad and Chennai for further treatment. He is presently undergoing treatment at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in Delhi. He wanted to get relieved of the Ministry looking at his health condition and the amount of work the Ministry of Transport entails,” the state government issued a statement.
