Graft or poor health? Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai relinquishes portfolio

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing health issues. His portfolio has been given to Satyendra Jain, who was the Health and PWD minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government till now. Last week, Rai requested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to relieve him from the responsibility of Transport Department on health grounds as he had recently undergone a major surgery. The departments left with Rai now include Labour, Irrigation and Flood Control, General Administration Department (GAD), Development and Employment. [caption id=“attachment_2833878” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Gopal Rai. PTI[/caption] “The Lt-Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi with Chief Minister of National Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to allocate portfolio of Transport Department to Satyendra Jain, Minister,” a notification issued by GAD on Monday said. Rai on Monday said that he had requested the Chief Minister to relieve him from the Transport Department portfolio as it had a very heavy workload. He has been undergoing physiotherapy, which is expected to last three months, at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre and is housed in the hospital. The development comes immediately after Rai had told the media on Monday that he will personally go to the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday to discuss about the allegations of corruption in the App based Premium Bus Service. He had also said that he is ready to face jail if found guilty of corruption. “They have been harassing my officers, calling them for questioning and grilling them. We will not allow this,” The Indian Express quoted Rai as saying. Last month, he had announced Premium Bus Service Scheme to encourage the car users to leave their vehicles and use public transport. Opposition as well as Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung had voiced concerns over the scheme, with the L-G revoking it later on suspicion of favouritism. The resignation comes at a time when 21 AAP MLAs face disqualification for holding “office of profit”. (With inputs from IANS and PTI)