LG has objected to Teerth Yatra scheme, claims AAP Minister Kailash Gahlot

New Delhi: Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot on Friday alleged that the Lt Governor Anil Baijal had "objected" to the government's proposed "Teerth Yatra" scheme for the elderly, prompting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to accuse the LG of "obstructing" every AAP project.

Reacting to the minister's remarks, the LG office said that it returned the file to the revenue minister on March 8 and invited him to discuss so that a considered decision could be taken in the benefit of the people of Delhi. However, no attempt has been made by the office of Gahlot minister to discuss the matter, it stated.

"It is reiterated that a reasonable income criteria has been advised on the same lines as other states and not BPL (as quoted by the minister) so that scarce government funds are used for the benefit of the needy," the LG office said in a statement. Under the scheme, which was proposed in the 2018-19 Delhi Budget, the Kejriwal government plans to send senior citizens on pilgrimage for free of cost. The Chief Minister also asked the BJP not to "obstruct" his government's work.

"I feel v v sad that LG is practically obstructing every scheme and every project of Del Govt. How do we run govt like this? My appeal to BJP - Don't obstruct our work. I challenge your govts in other states to compete with us in work (sic)," Kejriwal said on Twitter. The Delhi government has proposed to set aside Rs 53 crore for the scheme that aims to send 77,000 elderly people, who are bona-fide residents of Delhi, on religious trips.

Gahlot alleged that Baijal "objected" to the scheme and said it should be "restricted" to people in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

The LG has forgotten that many children do not support their old parents, who will be happy to avail the government's scheme, he said.

"Now LG objects to 'Teerth Yatra Yojana'. LG wants it to be restricted to BPL. LG forgets that many children do not support their old parents. They would be happy to receive govt support. And every govt facility should not be restricted only to BPL (sic)," the minister tweeted.

During the Budget presentation last week, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had said, "But approval of Lt Governor is still awaited. Hopefully, he will approve this important scheme for senior citizens of Delhi at the earliest."