New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Delhi Legislative Affairs Minister Parvesh Verma on Monday categorically rejected the allegations of Opposition AAP MLAs regarding irregularities in the distribution of 1.3 lakh cycles to Class IX girl students under the Vidya Vahini Yojana.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Rekha Gupta government, he said the entire procurement has been carried out through transparent open tendering, strictly in accordance with CVC guidelines and prescribed financial procedures.
“It is unfortunate that the Opposition is trying to create unnecessary controversy around a pro-women initiative aimed at supporting girls’ education and mobility,” he said.
The same pattern is visible in their opposition to other women-centric measures, including the Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to women of Delhi, he said.
Instead of politicising every initiative benefiting women and girls, the Opposition should support their empowerment, said Parvesh Verma, adding that the AAP leaders’ repeated attempts to obstruct such measures only expose the anti-women mindset of their party.
“It is even more unfortunate to see allegations being made against the Assembly Speaker and his impartiality,” he said.
Parvesh Verma said the Speaker is a senior member of this House and deserves the respect of every member, irrespective of political affiliation.
“He is not just the Speaker of one party or one side; he is the Speaker of the entire House. We may disagree with a ruling or a decision, but we must never forget the dignity of the Chair,” he said.
The Minister said questioning the Speaker’s integrity merely because a particular decision does not suit the Opposition sets an unhealthy precedent.
“We should remember that parliamentary democracy is not only about having the freedom to disagree – it is also about having the maturity to respect the institution and the person presiding over it,” said Parvesh Verma.
–IANS
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