Arvind Kejriwal reiterates stance on providing free Delhi metro rides to women even as Centre rejects proposal. Here's what he had to say

Minutes after Centre rejected AAP's government proposal of providing free Delhi Metro rides for women, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and said that Delhi metro has submitted its proposal to Centre. He ded that "in principle" Delhi metro's proposal is agreeable to AAP government, however, it is studying details.

Reiterating his stance, Arvind Kejriwal wrote, "I repeat that as anunced Delhi government is committed to provide free metro rides to women".

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In a response to questions by TMC MP Saugata Roy in Lok Sabha, Union Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri denied that Union Government has any proposal for free rides for women in Delhi Metro. He also denied being approached by Delhi government for getting approval on  proposal. 

Early in June, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal anunced free rides in metro and in buses for women, dressing a press briefing. scheme is estimated to cost Delhi government approximately Rs 1,600 crore.

" safety of women is most important thing for AAP government. Keeping this in mind, government has decided that in Delhi all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses and Metro will be free for women so that maximum number of women can use public transport. This is said to be safest for women. y are t able to use se services also because of increase in Metro fares," Kejriwal h said. 

Meanwhile, re has been massive backlash for Arvind Kejriwal with Opposition alleging "freebies" for people of Delhi ahe of elections. anuncement came by AAP government months ahe of Delhi Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year.

Mr Sreedharan, first managing director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposed AAP government's proposed scheme, saying it would set "alarming precedence".

Delhi BJP chief Maj Tiwari concurred with  concerns raised by Mr Sreedharan and said that Kejriwal government should pay heed to him and review its proposal.

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(With ncy inputs)