Sat Nov 02 19:43:33 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Government Faces Backlash Over Delay in Reinstating Civil Defence Volunteers
**New Delhi, November 3, 2024:** The Delhi government has come under fire from both the Lieutenant Governor and the BJP for delaying the reinstatement of around 10,000 civil defence volunteers, who were dismissed last year over alleged irregularities in their recruitment.
The volunteers were reinstated in October by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, headed by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, but were required to be re-employed by the Delhi government by November 1st. This deadline has passed without any action from the government.
In a letter to Chief Minister Atishi, Saxena expressed his displeasure at the delay, stating that the government has yet to submit a proposal for the volunteers’ future engagement. He accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of engaging in “undesirable politics” and urged them to swiftly address the issue.
Meanwhile, the BJP has threatened to hold a protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday if the volunteers are not reinstated. The party claims the AAP government has no intention of re-employing the volunteers and is using their reinstatement as a political tool.
The AAP, however, has defended its actions, stating that they have consistently advocated for the reinstatement of the volunteers and are working to ensure they get their jobs back soon. The party has also criticized the BJP, alleging that they were responsible for the volunteers’ initial dismissal.
The Congress has also joined in the criticism, accusing the AAP government of “cheap politics” and failing to honor the L-G’s directions.
The reinstatement of the volunteers was intended to help the government enforce pollution control measures in the city. The delay in their re-engagement has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing air pollution in Delhi.
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