Despite the Supreme Court’s opinion on the odd-even road rationing scheme as “mere optics,” L-G VK Saxena accused the AAP-Delhi government of trying to deceive the public and courts by publicly announcing the scheme without official approval for implementation.
In response, the AAP government stated that it was the city’s bureaucracy misleading the L-G based on an old file that did not address the odd-even scheme at all.
L-G House officials alleged that the announcement of the scheme’s roll-out from November 13-20 was a tactic to divert attention from the ongoing pollution crisis in the capital. They claimed that the decision to implement the scheme as part of measures under GRAP IV was not approved by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai.
They also alleged that CM Arvind Kejriwal’s office approved all proposals, except the one related to odd-even, and accused them of misrepresentation in their notings to the CM Office.
Refuting the allegations, Rai claimed that the capital’s bureaucracy was misleading Saxena and stated that the file being referred to only dealt with the decision to implement provisions under GRAP IV due to the dip in AQI.
He clarified that the decision to implement the scheme was taken on November 6, and the process for moving the proposal for its implementation was underway.
“Transport Department is currently working on this proposal, and the file related to it will be sent to the L-G for approval,” Rai added.
According to officials, the closure of schools and restriction on vehicles, including odd-even plying of vehicles, were part of the mandatory GRAP procedures and were proposed for consideration and approval.
Additionally, they provided a timeline of the file’s movement and notings to support their claims that no decision had been taken with regards to implementing the Odd-Even Scheme.