Kejriwal seeks probe into Metro’s tie-up with Paytm

NEWDELHI: While calling the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) decision of allowing only one e-wallet company for cashless payments at 10 Metro stations “forceful”, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he will be seeking an inquiry into the matter. He also demanded to be shown the files that led to the decision.

“It’s being done forcefully, maybe as directed by the PMO. I will speak to the Metro (authorities) and ask for the files. How can be they force a decision like this? They are promoting Paytm through this. I will seek an inquiry and look into the files,” said Kejriwal.

The DMRC had earlier clarified that more e-wallets would soon be roped in and the contract was awarded to Paytm through an open tender process.

Explaining its stand, the DMRC stated, “Since Delhi Metro at present has an ongoing agreement with Paytm, and it bagged the contract through an open tender process, Paytm was the natural choice to make a start for cashless transactions at 10 stations.”

Alleging no reduction in corruption despite 50 days after the demonetisation announcement, Kejriwal demanded a “white paper” and an independent inquiry.

Dubbing it as the “scam of all scams”, he said, “Demonetisation is the biggest scam of independent India and is entirely guided by politics and corruption. We demand that an independent inquiry be conducted and a white paper be released on the what was gained and lost due to the demonetisation drive.”

Referring to Modi’s New Year Eve’s speech, Kejriwal said that the PM didn’t speak about the gains and losses of the currency move. The schemes could have been announced without enforcing any such measure, he said.

“The demonetisation move has neither managed to curb black money nor reduce terrorism or circulation of fake currency as counterfeit ₹2,000 notes are available in the market. It has not yielded any tangible benefits and has instead led to a spike in corruption,” he said.