Delhi government bicycle purchase faces scrutiny as AAP questions the ₹6,957 procurement price against a ₹4,200 retail bicycle and raises branding concerns.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised questions over the Delhi government’s purchase of bicycles for schoolgirls, alleging a significant difference between the government procurement price and the retail cost of a similar bicycle.
At a press conference, Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj displayed two bicycles side by side and claimed that one similar bicycle was purchased at retail for ₹4,200, including tax, while the Delhi government reportedly procured 1.30 lakh bicycles at ₹6,957 per unit. The Delhi government bicycle purchase has now become a fresh political flashpoint between the AAP and the BJP-led government.
AAP highlights price difference
Bharadwaj said the bicycle purchased by AAP cost ₹4,000, with an additional ₹200 paid as tax, taking the total to ₹4,200. He compared it with the bicycle supplied under the government programme, for which he claimed the procurement price was ₹6,957 per unit.
According to Bharadwaj, the two bicycles have broadly similar specifications, but he alleged that the government-supplied model uses relatively cheaper components. He pointed to differences in tyres, rims and brake levers while making his comparison.
The AAP leader argued that the alleged price gap becomes significant because the government purchased the bicycles in bulk. Based on the figures cited by him, the difference is nearly ₹2,800 per bicycle.
Questions over bicycle components
During the demonstration, Bharadwaj said the bicycle purchased by AAP had wider Metro-branded tyres, which he claimed cost considerably more than the tyres fitted on the government-distributed bicycles.
He also highlighted the brake levers, saying the retail bicycle had aluminium levers while the government-supplied bicycle had plastic ones. According to him, these differences raise questions about the specifications used in the tender and the price ultimately paid by the government.
The Delhi government bicycle purchase has also come under scrutiny over the branding displayed on the bicycles distributed to students.
AAP raises ‘Skyler’ branding issue
Bharadwaj alleged that the government-distributed bicycle carries a ‘Skyler’ sticker and claimed that the original Skyler model had been discontinued by Hero Cycles.
He further alleged that the trademark associated with the model had expired. On this basis, he questioned how bicycles carrying the Skyler branding were procured and supplied under the government programme.
However, these allegations are claims made by AAP and would require verification from the concerned government authorities, manufacturer and procurement records.
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AAP seeks explanation from CM and education minister
Bharadwaj said AAP would take both bicycles to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood for a direct comparison. He demanded that the government clarify which bicycle meets the prescribed specifications and explain the procurement price.
He also said that the purchase receipt for the ₹4,200 bicycle would be shared publicly, including details of the ₹200 tax component.
The Delhi government bicycle purchase issue comes amid a wider political confrontation between the AAP and the BJP over government spending and procurement decisions.
Sanjeev Jha alleges irregularities
AAP MLA and Delhi Assembly Chief Whip Sanjeev Jha also questioned the procurement process. He claimed that a Ludhiana-based bidder, SK Bikes, had indicated that it could supply the bicycle for around ₹4,100.
Jha further claimed that he had informally received information from Hero that a bicycle matching the government’s procurement could potentially be supplied at an even lower price. These claims have not been independently established in the information available.
Calling for an investigation, Jha alleged that the price difference could indicate irregularities in the procurement process. He also questioned why the Delhi government had not allowed a detailed discussion on the issue.
AAP demands discussion in Assembly
According to Jha, the party has sought a discussion on the matter both inside and outside the Delhi Assembly. He argued that a formal discussion would allow the government to place its procurement documents and explanations on record.
The AAP has therefore demanded greater transparency over the tender process, specifications, supplier details and final procurement cost.
For now, the Delhi government bicycle purchase remains at the centre of a political dispute, with AAP demanding answers from the BJP-led Delhi government. The allegations, including those concerning pricing, components and branding, will need to be examined against official tender documents, procurement records and responses from the government and concerned suppliers.
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