Over 90% favour free travel for women, says Gopal Rai

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 18

The AAP government had announced a proposal to make Metro and bus travel free for women in the city earlier this month. 

After facing opposition from the BJP, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had directed the party MLAs, councillors and its women wing to hold meetings across the city to seek the people’s feedback on the proposed scheme.

The referendum was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on June 7. Over the past 10 days, the party has launched a massive exercise to gauge public opinion on the proposal.

AAP’s Delhi convener and Minister for Employment, Development, Labour, General Administration and Irrigation Gopal Rai said, “From June 8 to 17, AAP MLAs, councillors, and the women’s wing met women across the city. In 10 days, around 1,120 meetings were held with a cross-section of people in slums, unauthorised colonies and housing societies.  As many as 71,592 people were questioned during these meetings and 64,972 said they seconded the proposal.” 

This means that 90.8% people approved the free travel for women.

The Cabinet minister said, “A report has been prepared and will be submitted to the Chief Minister. The government’s next course of action will be based on the outcome of the survey.”