In a monumental step toward reducing financial barriers to education, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced a major guarantee of providing free bus travel to all school & college students in Delhi. Additionally, Arvind Kejriwal formally proposed a 50% concession on metro fares for students, urging the central government to collaborate with the Delhi government in sharing the cost of this initiative.
Explaining the rationale, Arvind Kejriwal reasoned that these measures are designed to remove a significant financial burden on students, ensuring that access to education remains uninterrupted by economic barriers.
Addressing the media, Arvind Kejriwal reiterated that the Aam Aadmi Party and its government prioritize education above all else because only when people are educated will the country progress. “Education is the foundation for the nation’s advancement. There are many underprivileged people and children whose education gets interrupted because they lack the financial means to attend school or college,” he said.
Having already announced half-a-dozen welfare guarantees for the people of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal went on to make a major announcement for students: “once our government is formed, bus travel will be made free for students. Currently, women enjoy free bus travel, so female students benefit from this, but male students do not.”
He also noted that in Delhi, a large number of students, especially male students, rely heavily on the metro for transportation. “The metro is the lifeline of Delhi, but it has become very expensive. For an average student, affording metro travel is a significant burden.”
To alleviate this burden, the AAP Convenor proposed a 50% concession on metro fares for students: “The Delhi Metro is a 50-50 joint venture between the Delhi government and the central government. Profits and losses, as well as capital investments, are shared equally between the two. Today, I have written to the Prime Minister, requesting a 50% concession on metro fares for students. The cost of this concession should also be shared equally, with the Delhi government and the central government each bearing 50% of the expense.”
Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that this initiative is purely in the interest of public welfare and should not be politicized. “I hope the Prime Minister will accept this request for the benefit of our children and youth. After the elections, we will implement free bus travel for students and hopefully a 50% concession for students traveling by metro. This announcement is a step towards creating a more equitable and accessible education system in Delhi. I am confident that this move will bring joy and relief to students and their families,” he said.
He also took to X to share the announcement: “The expense of bus and metro fares will no longer be a hindrance to education. Once our government is formed, we will start free bus travel for school and college students and will also provide concessions in metro fares. Every penny spent on students is an investment in the future of the country.”
Responding to a media query, Arvind Kejriwal said, “We are saying that students’ metro fares should be reduced by half. Does the BJP agree to this, and will they include it in their manifesto? If the BJP does not include this in their manifesto, why should students vote for them?”
Arvind Kejriwal writes to PM Modi, proposing 50% metro fare concession for students
Prior to the press conference, Arvind Kejriwal also sent a letter to the Prime Minister, officially proposing the concession. He wrote: “I am writing this letter to draw your attention to an important matter concerning the students of Delhi’s schools and colleges. A significant number of Delhi’s students rely heavily on the metro for their daily commute to and from their educational institutions.”
“To reduce the financial burden on students, I propose offering a 50% concession on metro fares for them. Since the Delhi Metro is a joint project between the Delhi Government and the Central Government, with equal 50:50 collaboration, the costs for implementing this concession should also be shared equally between the two governments. From our side, we are planning to make bus travel completely free for students. I am confident that you will agree with this proposal,” the letter further read.
Having announced 6 guarantees, free bus travel for students to be Arvind Kejriwal’s 7th guarantee
1. Guarantee for Delhi’s Auto Drivers
On December 10, Arvind Kejriwal announced his first guarantee for auto drivers in Delhi, making five promises:
a). Marriage Assistance: ₹1 lakh for the marriage of an auto driver’s daughter.
b). Uniform Allowance: ₹2,500 twice a year (on Holi and Diwali) for new uniforms.
C). Insurance: ₹10 lakh life insurance and ₹5 lakh accidental insurance for every auto driver.
d). Coaching Support: Government-sponsored coaching fees for children of auto drivers preparing for competitive exams.
e). Revival of ‘Poocho App’: The app will be relaunched to benefit auto drivers.
2. Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship
This scheme offers full financial assistance to children from the Dalit community for pursuing higher education abroad. Its goal is to ensure economic challenges don’t hinder talented students from achieving their potential. Once admitted to a foreign university, the Delhi government will cover all expenses, including tuition, travel, accommodation, and study-related costs.
3. Mahila Samman Yojana
To empower women, Arvind Kejriwal has guaranteed a monthly Samman Rashi of ₹2,100 for all women aged 18 and above who are residents of Delhi and listed on the voter roll. Women working in government jobs, serving as MPs, MLAs, councillors, or receiving pensions will not be eligible.
4. Sanjeevani Yojana
Aimed at providing free, quality healthcare to senior citizens aged 60 and above, this scheme allows treatment in both private and government hospitals. All medical expenses will be covered by the Delhi government.
5. Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana
Arvind Kejriwal has promised ₹18,000 monthly Samman Rashi to pujaris in temples and granthis in gurdwaras as recognition of their spiritual contributions and efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
6. Incorrect Water Bill Waiver
As his 6th guarantee, Arvind Kejriwal promised that after the elections, the AAP will form the government, and he will get Delhiites’ incorrect bills waived off.
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