New Delhi, 10 August (H.S.): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on Monday rode bicycles to the Delhi Legislative Assembly on the second day of the Monsoon Session, protesting outside the Assembly over alleged irregularities in the procurement of bicycles meant to be distributed to schoolgirls.

The AAP legislators alleged that the Delhi government had purchased bicycles under a welfare scheme at significantly higher prices than their prevailing market rates.

Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that bicycles available in the market for around Rs 4,200 each were procured by the government at approximately Rs 6,957 per bicycle. He claimed that the Delhi government had purchased around 1.30 lakh bicycles, resulting in an alleged excess payment of nearly Rs 3,000 per bicycle.

Bharadwaj said the AAP had purchased the same model of bicycle for around Rs 4,200, while the Delhi government had procured it for nearly Rs 7,000. He said the party had brought bicycles similar to those being distributed to girls to the Assembly as part of its protest.

“We have brought these bicycles to the Delhi government today. These are the same bicycles that are being distributed to girls,” Bharadwaj said, alleging a substantial difference between the government’s procurement price and the market price.

AAP Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha alleged that Hero had initially participated in the tender process for the bicycle procurement, but the bicycles were subsequently purchased through another dealer. He claimed that the government paid around Rs 3,000 more per bicycle than the prevailing market price.

Jha questioned why the government purchased the bicycles at Rs 6,957 each when, according to him, the same bicycles were available for around Rs 4,200.

He said the government should provide an explanation to the people of Delhi regarding the alleged price difference in the procurement of approximately 1.30 lakh bicycles.

The AAP legislators demanded greater transparency in the procurement process and sought an explanation from the Delhi government over the alleged discrepancy in the prices paid for the bicycles.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar