Page 19 - Aap Government

AAP labels GST on research grants as 'tax terrorism', seeks withdrawal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) slammed the BJP-led central government on Saturday over the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on research grants, describing the move as "tax terrorism". The party also demanded a withdrawal of the tax on research grants. For the first time in history, a government is imposing a tax on grants received by research institutes, AAP general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said at a press conference. The Modi government has issued a notice to all institutes, proposing to impose GST on research grants received since 2017, he said, adding that it was a double layer of taxation since a part of the grants is used on consumables and equipment that are already taxed. Research grants are not taxed in any developed or developing country such as the USA, the UK, Germany, South Korea or Singapore. Imposing GST on research being done for the development of mankind and the country is "tax terrorism", Pathak charged. The Rajya Sabha MP also lashed out at t

Two ex-Goa MLAs were paid in cash by AAP for poll-related expenses: CBI

Two former Goa MLAs who contested the 2022 state Assembly polls on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tickets have alleged that they were paid in cash by a party volunteer for meeting campaign-related expenses, the CBI has said in its chargesheet in the Delhi excise policy case. The agency has alleged that of the total of Rs 90-100 crore of ill-gotten money paid by the "South Group" to tweak the excise policy in its favour, an amount of Rs 44.5 crore in cash was sent to Goa for meeting election-related expenses. In its fifth and final supplementary chargesheet in the case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the role of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with that of another accused Durgesh Pathak, a Delhi MLA and the AAP in-charge for the Goa polls, has surfaced in the transfer of the ill-gotten money and its use to meet election-related expenditures. The CBI has alleged that two former MLAs -- Mahadev Narayan Naik and Satyavijay Naik -- were approached by Pathak

For jobs, schools, hospitals in Haryana, press jharoo button on Oct 5: Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday told the people of Haryana that if they want good education, jobs and hospitals, they should vote for the AAP in the upcoming Assembly elections. On October 5, the people of Haryana are ready to write a new story, Mann said while addressing public meetings in Kalayat and Jakhal in the Kaithal and Fatehabad districts, respectively. "If you want good schools, good education, good hospitals, jobs... then press 'jharoo' (AAP's poll symbol)," he said. The 90-member Haryana Assembly is set to go to polls on October 5. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. The Congress on Thursday engaged in hectic consultations to explore the possibility of an alliance with AAP for the Haryana Assembly polls, even as some of its leaders expressed reservations over such a tie-up with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Addressing the gatherings, Mann claimed, "BJP was on way out in Haryana. Where is development? Corruption and unemployment are at pea

MLA RP Gautam joins Cong, alleges discrimination against dalits, minorities

Former Delhi government minister Rajendra Pal Gautam on Friday quit the AAP and joined the Congress, alleging discrimination against Dalit and minority leaders in the Arvind Kejriwal led party. Minutes after announcing his resignation from the AAP and all posts held by him in the party, Gautam joined the Congress. He has also resigned as AAP MLA from the reserved Seemapuri Assembly constituency. In his resignation letter addressed to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Gautam also criticised the party over appearing "very weak and helpless" before the BJP in raising issues like caste census, raising reservation limit above 50 percent, ensuring population based participation of 'Bahujan Samaj', and defending secularism. "I have to say it with a heavy heart that its impossible to imagine about works of social justice and social equality within AAP," he said in his resignation letter. Gautam said, as a soldier of Babasaheb Ambedkar, he was feeling for sometime that he won't be able to achie

Excise scam: SC reserves order on Kejriwal's bail pleas against CBI arrest

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's separate pleas seeking bail and challenging his arrest by the CBI in the alleged excise policy scam. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan heard arguments put forward by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal. "Thank you for the assistance. Judgment reserved," the bench said after the lawyers concluded their arguments. Kejriwal has filed two separate petitions challenging the denial of bail and against his arrest by the CBI in the the corruption case filed by the central agency. The AAP chief was arrested by the CBI on June 26. The Delhi High Court had on August 5 upheld the arrest of the chief minister as legal, and said there was no malice in the acts done by the CBI which was able to demonstrate how the AAP supremo could influence witnesses who could muster the ..

Excise policy scam: SC begins hearing Kejriwal's plea against CBI arrest

The Supreme Court on Thursday commenced hearing on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's pleas seeking bail and challenging his arrest by the CBI in the alleged excise policy scam. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the chief minister, told a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan that Kejriwal was not named in the CBI FIR and moreover, he is not a flight risk. Singhvi said the top court, while granting interim bail in the money laundering case, had said the chief minister was not a threat to society. What started in August, 2023 has led to arrest in March this year in the money laundering case, he said, adding the top court and a trial court have already granted him bail. The hearing is underway. The top court had on August 23 allowed the CBI to file its counter affidavit in the matter and gave two days to Kejriwal to file a rejoinder. Kejriwal has filed two separate petitions challenging the denial of bail and against his arrest by the CBI in the case. He h

AAP MLA Amanatullah dealt in 'tainted' cash transactions, avoided probe: ED

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan was dealing with "ill-gotten" money and indulged in "tainted" cash transactions to purchase an immovable property in Delhi, the Enforcement Directorate alleged on Tuesday. The federal agency has arrested the 50-year-old legislator from Okhla on Monday after conducting a search at his house. He was produced before a local court the same day that sent him to four-day ED custody. The agency also charged him with "non cooperation" and "avoiding investigation" in the case claiming he only appeared once out of the 14 summonses sent to him to depose and get his statement recorded by the investigating officer. The money laundering case against the AAP MLA stems from two FIRs, one by the Delhi ACB and the other filed by the CBI to probe alleged irregularities committed during his tenure as the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board from 2016-2021. He was been charged by the ED and the CBI with committing illegalities in the appointment of Group C and D employees in the De

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan sent to 4-day ED custody in money laundering case

A Delhi court on Monday night remanded AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan to four-day ED custody in a money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced Khan before Special Judge Rakesh Syal hours after he was arrested from his home and sought his 10-day custody, stating he was required to be confronted with other accused and evidence in the case. "Four-day ED custody, to be produced on September 6," said the judge who had earlier reserved its order on the ED's application The 50-year-old MLA from the Okhla assembly seat was taken into custody from his residence under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at 11.20 am. The ED had descended for a search at his residence just after 6 am. The money laundering probe against Khan stems from two FIRs, one registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi Wakf Board-related "irregularities" and another by the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch related to a case of alleged possession of disproportionate

Kailash Gahlot calls gig workers 'Pradushan Yodha', asks them to adopt EVs

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday called gig workers of food delivery companies as 'Pradushan Yodha' (warriors against pollution) as he spoke about the importance of electric vehicles. Addressing thousands of delivery partners, commonly known as 'gig workers', at an event organised by delivery companies Zomato and Blinkit at Talkatora Stadium, he called them the backbone of India's economy. "You are ensuring that millions of people can receive household essentials in minutes and enjoy meals from their favourite restaurants with just a click. Your dedication keeps our cities running smoothly. "Your commitment to your work and to protecting the environment is truly inspiring. The Kejriwal government is with you every step of the way. Together, let's make Delhi pollution-free by adopting electric vehicles (EVs)," he said. Gahlot emphasised the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles and said they are not just a technological change but also a crucial move to

Centre targeting our leaders, MLAs; Amanatullah arrested without proof: AAP

AAP on Monday said its MLA Amanatullah Khan has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a "false" case and the more the ruling BJP tries to suppress the Arvind Kejriwal-led party's voice, the more vocal it will be. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed Khan was arrested "without any evidence". The ED on Monday arrested Khan, the MLA from Delhi's Okhla, in a money laundering case against him and some others linked to him, official sources said. Singh opposed the AAP MLA's arrest, questioning if it was a "comedy or probe" by the agencies. "Is this an investigation or a comedy?' he asked in a post on X and claimed the CBI filed charge sheet in the Waqf Board case against Khan in 2016 and six years later said in its charge sheet "no economic offence has been committed". The Anti Corruption Branch(ACB) and the ED filed cases in the matter and Khan got bail after arrest by the ACB. The ED raided his house in 2023 but nothing was found, and in 2024 he was interrogated for

Amanatullah produced before Delhi court by ED in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday produced AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan before a Delhi court in a money laundering case. The ED produced Khan before Special Judge Rakesh Syal, where it is likely to seek his custody in the case. He was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the agency conducted a search at his residence in the Okhla area of the national capital earlier today.

Chronology of events in Delhi excise policy case involving AAP's Vijay Nair

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair in a money laundering case linked the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Following is the timeline of developments in the matter: *Sep 27, 2022: CBI arrests Nair in main corruption case related to Excise policy case. * November 13, 2022: Enforcement Directorate arrests Nair in a money laundering case stemming from the main excise policy case. * November 14: Trial court grants bail to Nair in CBI's main corruption case related to Excise policy. * July 3, 2023: Delhi HC refuses bail to Nair and other co-accused in the money laundering case. *Aug 12, 2024: SC seeks a response of ED on bail plea of Nair. * Sep 2, 2024: SC grants bail to Nair, says liberty is "sacrosanct" and needed to be respected even in cases involving stringent provisions.

SC reiterates 'jail is exception' as it grants bail to AAP's Vijay Nair

The Supreme Court expressed concerns that the ED had not adhered to its timeline for completing the trial, despite earlier assurances, and Nair has been behind bars for 23 months

Excise policy scam: SC grants bail to ex-AAP functionary Vijay Nair

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying liberty is "sacrosanct". Relying on the legal principle of "bail is rule and jail is exception" cited by a coordinate bench, the top court said pre-trial incarceration cannot be a punishment. A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti noted that Nair has been in jail for the last 22 months in the money laundering case where the maximum punishment is seven years. On August 12, the bench had sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the bail plea of Nair. Nair, who was arrested by the agency on November 13, 2022, had challenged the trial court's July 29 order dismissing his default bail plea. On July 3 last year, the Delhi High Court had refused to grant bail to Nair and other co-accused in the money laundering case. The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investig

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan says ED team reached his house to arrest him

Senior AAP leader and MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday claimed that a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reached his house here to arrest him. Sources said the ED team reached his house in Okhla as part of a money laundering investigation. Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force teams have been deployed at Khan's residence In a post on X, Khan said, "A ED team has reached my house to arrest me." "Early this morning, at the behest of the dictator, his puppet ED reached my house. The dictator is leaving no stone unturned to harass me and other AAP leader," said Khan, who represents Okhla in the Delhi Assembly. Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, saying agencies are targeting those who raised their voice against the ruling party. In a video on X, Khan also said he has been replying to all the notices being sent by the agency. But a team is here to arrest him on a search warrant,

AAP launches outreach campaign to directly connect with Delhi voters

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday kicked off the 'Aapka Vidhayak, Aapke Dwar' campaign to highlight the work done in the past five years under Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's leadership. With Delhi Assembly elections on the horizon, the AAP has launched an outreach campaign aiming to directly connect with voters across all 2,800 zones within a month. Senior party leader Dilip Pandey outlined the campaign's goals, highlighting the extensive meetings already held across key constituencies. Under this campaign, the AAP held meetings in Shalimar Bagh, Bawana, Palam, Mehrauli, Sultanpuri, Brijwasan, Kondli, Vikaspuri, Madipur, Timarpur, Timarpur Zone on the first day. The Timarpur MLA added that under the AAP's outreach campaign for the assembly polls, the organisation structure of all party workers, from the top to bottom level, is being re-evaluated. In this sequence, so far, party workers' conferences have been organised in 65 out of 70 assembly constituencies of Delhi, he said.

BJP protests against Kejriwal over high power bills, water woes in slums

The Delhi BJP on Sunday protested against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over allegedly high electricity bills and dirty water in slums of East Delhi's Chitra Vihar. City BJP president Virendra Sachdeva led the protest and alleged the people of the area face lack of basic facilities. They also have to pay high power and water bills, and they get dirty water. "What is the mistake of these slum-dwellers that they are getting this dirty water? They live in Delhi where Kejriwal makes false promises. He does not fulfil any promise," Sachdeva said. Responding to the allegations, the AAP said the BJP must end "such theatrics" as they are responsible for the woes of slum-dwellers. "The BJP rendered Delhi's 'jhuggi' dwellers homeless through large-scale demolition drives by its agencies, including the Delhi Development Authority, Railways, and the Archaeological Survey of India," an AAP leader told PTI. Shyam Bai, a slum dweller, told PTI Videos that "the problem is that we are not getting

AAP cries councillor Ram Chander 'kidnapped'; BJP rubbishes claim

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday accused the BJP of "kidnapping" its councillor Ram Chander, with the saffron party denying the charges even as the "abducted" member returned to his residence. Upon his return, Chander claimed that he was threatened on the pretext of being framed in ED-CBI cases by the opposition outfit. Ram Chander, who is a councillor from Ward No 28, was one of the five members who joined the BJP last Sunday. However, a few days later, he had a change of heart after he saw Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his dream and returned to AAP, he said. Later, in a video message, he said that he was taken by some people to BJP headquarters. "There they threatened me saying I would be framed by ED and CBI. My son Akash called the police helpline while our senior party leaders called the police commissioner. When they (BJP) got to know about it, they sent me back home," Chander said in the video message. "I want to tell BJP, I am not scared of ED and CBI. I have done .

Crime rate, rising debt likely to dominate 3-day Punjab Assembly session

The three-day session of the Punjab Assembly slated to begin from Monday is going to be anything but calm with the opposition parties set to seek accountability from the AAP-led government on law and order and rising state debt. The session of the Vidhan Sabha will start with obituary references and wind up on September 4. Congress leader and MLA Aruna Chaudhary said her party will raise the issue of deteriorating law and order in the state. "Deteriorating law and order is one of the biggest issues. Everyday incidents related to snatching, theft and extortion are taking place in the state," alleged the Dinanagar MLA. Chaudhary also accused the government of failing to fulfil its promise of giving Rs 1,000 per month to every woman. "The AAP government deceived women in Punjab." Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli said, "The AAP government had promised to set up 18 colleges in the state. Two and half years of the AAP regime have passed but they could not procure land for setting up

AAP will win all 70 seats if Delhi Assembly polls held now: Manish Sisodia

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Saturday asserted that his party will win all 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly if elections are held now. Speaking during his 'Padyatra' campaign in Rajender Nagar Assembly constituency, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi also attacked the BJP, accusing it of putting him and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in jail in "fake" cases. Recalling the "affection" he received during his campaign in different parts of the city, Sisodia said, "The Aam Aadmi Party will win all 70 Assembly seats if polls are held right now and get 70 per cent of the total votes." Delhi Assembly polls are due in February next year. AAP had won 62 out of 70 seats in the last assembly election but failed to open its account in the national capital in the recent Lok Sabha election. "The BJP people were troubled by the love and affection people were showing over me," said Sisodia who was released earlier this month after spending 17 months in Tihar jail following his arrest i