Delhi CM announces direct transfer aid for 'Kanwar' Committees

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that 'kanwar' committees will receive financial assistance through direct benefit transfer without any tendering process, saying it will eliminate corruption.

Following a cabinet meeting, Gupta announced at a press conference that a committee headed by minister Kapil Mishra will decide on the upper limit of the assistance. The Mukhyamnatri Dharmik Utsav Committee will also have four other MLAs.

She also announced that the Delhi government will also bear the cost of up to 1,200 units of electricity to the 'kanwar' camps.

"We have taken a historic decision. Earlier, tendering was done for putting up tents and only two or three people applied. They got the tender and then sublet the work. Even till last day, tents were not erected and kanwar committees would get into trouble," Gupta said, adding that "crores" would be spent on the exercise.

"Ending all corruption, we have decided that all 'kanwar' committees involved in the process will get direct benefit transfer. There will be no contractor involved and no tendering process," she said at a press conference.

Gupta said the committees that are not registered will have time till July 30 to apply for permission.

"For traffic and security also we will have meetings and we will ensure that people face no problems. Civil defence volunteers will also help in the camps," she said.