New Delhi, 31 August (H.S.): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers staged a protest outside the Delhi Secretariat on Monday, demanding an investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of bicycles for girl students enrolled in government schools. The protest was led by AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj.

During the demonstration, Bharadwaj accused the Delhi government of alleged irregularities in the procurement of bicycles. He claimed that the Delhi government had purchased around 1.30 lakh bicycles for girl students in government schools at a cost of Rs 6,957 per bicycle, while the AAP claimed to have purchased bicycles of comparable quality in the open market for around Rs 4,000 each.

Bharadwaj alleged that large-scale corruption had come to light in the procurement of bicycles meant to be distributed to girls from economically weaker families in Delhi. He claimed that the government had spent around Rs 90 crore on the purchase of approximately 1.30 lakh bicycles, raising questions over alleged corruption amounting to nearly Rs 40 crore based on prevailing market prices.

He said a standard bicycle is available in the market for around Rs 4,000, whereas the Delhi government had spent nearly Rs 7,000 per bicycle. Bharadwaj demanded a probe into the entire matter and called for accountability to be fixed for the alleged irregularities in the procurement process.

The AAP leader further alleged that corruption was being committed even in the procurement of bicycles intended for underprivileged girl students who were supposed to benefit from the government scheme. He said the government should clarify its position on the matter and make documents related to the procurement process public.

AAP Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha, Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar, along with several other party leaders and workers, were present during the protest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar