Kejriwal: Allow Students Half Fare On Metro

New Delhi: School and college students will get free travel in buses if AAP govt is re-elected, former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday. He further proposed a 50% rebate in fare for them in Delhi Metro.

Kejriwal also wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi early on Friday and urged him to share the financial burden of the proposed 50% waiver for students in the metro since the project is a joint venture between the Centre and Delhi govt. The AAP national convener stated that the students were dependent on Delhi Metro to commute to their educational institutions. "To reduce the financial burden on students, I propose a 50% concession for them in Delhi Metro. Since the Centre and Delhi govt are equal partners in Delhi Metro, the expenditure should be borne equally," he stated in the letter.

"From our side, we are devising a scheme to make commuting in buses free for students," he added.

Addressing a press conference later, Kejriwal said AAP govt was already providing free bus travel to women in the city. "Now, we will extend the same benefit to students to ease their financial burden and promote education accessibility," he added.

"Education is the foundation for the nation's advancement. There are many underprivileged people and children whose education gets interrupted as they lack the financial means to attend school or college."

The AAP convener further said that the announcement could not be implemented immediately due to the model code of conduct currently in place because of assembly polls. He added that the scheme would be a priority for his govt if re-elected.

"I hope the Prime Minister accepts this request for the benefit of our children and youth," Kejriwal said.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that despite being in power for 10 years, Kejriwal never thought of giving travel facilities to students. "Instead, Kejriwal govt shut down the University Special bus service. The youth of Delhi understands that his announcements are hollow, as he didn't do anything for them in the one last decade he was in power. AAP govt in Punjab did nothing noticeable for the youth and students," he claimed.

AAP has so far announced various schemes for auto-rickshaw drivers, full financial assistance to children from the Dalit community for pursuing higher education abroad, a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,100 for all women aged 18 and above, free treatment for senior citizens in private and govt hospitals, Rs 18,000 a month to pujaris in temples and granthis in gurdwaras, and waiver of incorrect water bills.

The Delhi assembly elections are scheduled to be held on Feb 5.