Page 52 - Aap Government

'Sad no one cares', says Supreme Court on DERC chief appointment

After hearing arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court said that would appoint the chairperson of DERC as an ad-hoc measure

Delhi govt's challenge to Centre's ordinance referred to constitution bench

The Supreme Court Thursday referred to a constitution bench for adjudication the Delhi government's petition against the Centre's recent ordinance taking away the control of services from the city dispensation. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra said the detailed order referring the case to a larger bench will be uploaded on the apex court website later in the day. We will refer it to the constitution bench, the bench said after hearing brief submissions advanced by senior advocates Harish Salve, Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and the Delhi government respectively. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the Centre. The top court had recently issued notices to the Centre and the lieutenant governor on the plea while refusing to grant an interim stay on the ordinance on control over services in Delhi. The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory

Surge in snake sightings as floodwaters recede, govt sets up response team

With a surge in snake sightings across Delhi as floodwaters recede, the city government on Tuesday decided to establish a rapid response team to effectively handle the situation. According to an official, this is the first time such a team has been assembled, reflecting the severity of the recent flooding as the swollen Yamuna River reached farther into the city than it has in over four decades. Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the rapid response team will be operational in all flood-affected districts of Delhi, ensuring comprehensive coverage in addressing the snake-related concerns. To provide immediate assistance and streamline the reporting of snake incidents, the forest department has introduced a dedicated helpline number, 1800118600. Over the past few days, there have been multiple reports of snakes emerging from houses, posing a risk to residents. Concerns have been raised about snake encounters near flood relief camps, a statement said. An official informed PTI that mo

Homes washed away, Delhi flood victims stare at battle to stay afloat

They survived Delhi's devastating floods but now stare at the challenges of the aftermath -- rebuilding a home, restarting a life! Aruna Devi (35) lived in the Yamuna Khadar area before the water of the swollen river came gushing in last week, sweeping away the modest structure she called home and destroying her children's books. The family was evacuated to a relief camp, and as the water recedes it prepares to come back. Their immediate challenge is that one of them has fallen sick, but their longterm challenges are more daunting. "I am worried for the education of my children," says Aruna, who worked in agriculture fields. "The flood washed away their books and other essentials. When I went back to get them, the police did not let me. I do not know what I shall do." The consequences of the floods have been devastating with over 26,000 people being evacuated from their homes. The waters inundated key landmarks, roads, monuments and residential areas. The estimated loss of property

Delhi Jal Board spent Rs 1,011 cr under Yamuna Action Plan in 8 yrs

The Delhi Jal Board has said it received Rs 1,071.37 crore from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in the last eight years and spent Rs 1,011.67 crore under the Yamuna Action Plan - III during the period. In response to an RTI query, the DJB said it received another Rs 205 crore in funds from the NMCG in the last five years and spent all of it in expenditure under the Namami Gange Project. With the NMCG funds, nine major projects were taken up since 2015-16 and the most expensive among them was the construction of 564 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Okhla under the Yamuna Action Plan III at a cost of Rs 431.40 crore, the DJB said. The DJB, responsible for the production and distribution of drinking water as also for collection, treatment and disposal of domestic sewage in the national capital, shared the figures in response to a query by Noida-based RTI activist Amit Gupta. Sharing the year-wise details of funds received in the last eight years, the DJB said it got

Delhi floods caused under conspiracy by BJP: AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj

Delhi Cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday alleged that flood in the city were caused by the the BJP-led Centre and Haryana government wilfully releasing water towards the national capital. Addressing a press conference here, Bharadwaj said it has not rained in Delhi in the last 3-4 days, yet still the water level in Yamuna reached 208.66 metres. "The water from Hathnikund Barrage is released from three canals -- Western Canal, Eastern Canal and Yamuna. As part of a conspiracy, between July 9 and 13, water was released from Yamuna canal only towards Delhi. There was no water released through the Western and Eastern Canal," he claimed. Similar charges were made by him and Delhi Chief Ministr Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, even as the city government butted heads with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena over a broken regulator that allegedly caused inundation on the Vikas Marg. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on fresh allegation made by the Aam aadmi Party on Saturday.

Yamuna water level in Delhi stabilises, will start receding soon: CWC

The water level of the Yamuna river in Delhi has stabilised and will start receding tonight, a senior Central Water Commission official said on Thursday. According to the CWC flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose to 208.62 metres at 1 pm and remained stable till 4 pm. "The water level has stabilised and it will start coming down in the next four hours. It is expected to drop to 208.45 metres by 3 am on Friday," Central Water Commission (CWC) Director Sharad Chandra told PTI. He said the rate of water flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana dropped to 80,000 cusecs at 4 pm. The raging river has inundated several areas, impacted public and private infrastructure, road and rail traffic and caused immense hardships to people living near the river. The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night, with the CWC terming it an "extreme situation". Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged the Centre to .

DDA flats 2023: All Dwarka units sold out in the first few hours of booking

Under the DDA scheme, 1-BHK flats are on offer in Narela, Siraspur, Rohini, and Loknayak Puram, and 2-BHK flats are in Narela and Dwarka. 3-BHK flats are located in Jasola

Govt spying on AAP through central agencies, alleges Saurabh Bharadwaj

The Delhi Minister said that in one instance he noticed a group of seven people roaming outside AAP headquarters in Delhi. While three among them went in, four stayed outside

Waterlogging now annual ritual in Delhi, AAP govt retorts: LG Saxena

A blame game erupted Tuesday even as people were plagued by multiple problems due to the heavy rain over the weekend, with Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena saying the city faced the "annual ritual" of waterlogging as drains were not properly desilted, prompting a sharp reaction from the AAP government. Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj slammed the LG, saying he is blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government even though he had earlier claimed that the drains were desilted and the Yamuna was cleaned. Taking stock of the rising water level of the river at the Yamuna Bazar area, Saxena said preparations should have been made beforehand to deal with the unprecedented rain. "The people of Delhi are hassled due to waterlogging that has become an annual ritual. Proper cleaning of drains and water harvesting are not being done. These have not been done for years, which is why waterlogging happens every time. "Desilting of the Yamuna and the Najafgarh drain should be regularly done

GST Council: Oppn-ruled states raise concern over ED sharing info with GSTN

Several opposition ruled states expressed concern over Centre's decision to allow enforcement directorate (ED) to share information with GST Network, with finance minister of AAP-ruled Punjab Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday saying it amounts to 'tax terrorism' and scaring small business. The finance ministry, through a notification, brought in an amendment to the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as per which GSTN, which handles the technology backbone of Goods and Services Tax, has been included in the list of entities with which ED will share information. At the 50th GST Council meeting on Tuesday, Aam-Aadmi Party ruled Delhi and Punjab voiced concerns over the notification and demanded a discussion. "A lot of finance ministers raised the issue... Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Rajasthan have voiced their concern and said that it should be discussed in GST Council," Delhi finance ministe

Delhi roads under water because of poor cleaning of drains: LG V K Saxena

A blame game started on Tuesday even as people were plagued by multiple problems due to the heavy rain over the weekend, with Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena saying the city faced the "annual ritual" of waterlogging as drains were not properly cleaned, prompting a sharp reaction from the AAP government. Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj slammed the LG, saying he is blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government even though he had earlier claimed that the drains were desilted and the Yamuna was cleaned. Taking stock of the rising water level of the river at the Yamuna Bazar area, Saxena said preparations should have been made beforehand to deal with the unprecedented rain. "The people of Delhi are hassled due to waterlogging that has become an annual ritual. Proper cleaning of drains and water harevesting are not being done. These have not been done for years, which is why waterlogging happens every time. "Desilting of the Yamuna and the Najafgarh drain should be regularly d

Delhi rains: CM Kejriwal convenes meeting to discuss waterlogging situation

Delhi Education Minister Atishi issued an order to ensure the safety of schools amid incessant rains, on Sunday

Stay alert, reach out to needy: CM Mann asks ministers as rain plays havoc

In the wake of flood-like situation due to incessant rains in several parts of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Sunday directed all the cabinet ministers, MLAs and officials to stay alert and reach out to people in need. According to an official statement issued here, Mann asked ministers, MLAs and officers to ensure that an elaborate flood protection mechanism is put in place to safeguard the life and property of people. He also advised them to visit their respective areas and ensure relief to the affected people at the earliest. Mann directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) to expedite the relief work in their respective districts to provide succour to the masses. The chief minister said alerts have been issued in low-lying areas, especially those around riverbanks, advising people not to venture out of their homes unless necessary. He said the state government is keeping a tab on the areas where a flood-like situation has emerg

Delhi schools to remain closed on Monday due to incessant rain: CM Kejriwal

All the schools in Delhi will remain closed on Monday in view of the incessant rain in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced. Delhi recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. An interaction between a Western Disturbance and monsoonal winds is leading to an intense rainfall spell over northwest India, including Delhi, which experienced the season's first "very heavy" rainfall on Saturday. "In view of the torrential rains in the last two days and keeping in mind the warnings of the meteorological department, all schools will remain closed on Monday," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. The Safdarjung observatory, the city's primary weather station, recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest since the 24-hour rainfall of 169.9 mm on July 25, 1982, a senior IMD official said.

Ordinance on control of services: SC to Delhi govt plea on Monday

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea filed by the Delhi government challenging the constitutionality of the ordinance on control of services. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha is likely to hear the matter. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi had mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing on July 6. In its plea, the AAP government has said it is an "unconstitutional exercise of executive fiat" that attempts to "override" the top court and the basic structure of the Constitution. Besides quashing the ordinance, the Delhi government has also sought an interim stay on it. The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has termed it as a "deception" with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. The ordinance, which came a week after

Delhi Congress slams AAP as monsoon rain brings national capital to halt

The Delhi Congress said the AAP's promises to control waterlogging in the national capital had "fallen flat" as heavy monsoon rain inundated roads and flooded drains on Saturday, creating mayhem in residential and commercial areas of the city. Delhi Congress President Anil Chaudhary hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi governmnent and Municipal Corporation of Delhi, saying, The promises made by Delhi PWD Minister Atishi and MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi of making all the preparations to address water logging and traffic jams fall flat. Heavy rains brought the city to a total standstill. Chaudhary claimed that the citizens are troubled due to the monsoon showers despite the AAP promising to address all civic problems prior to the MCD elections. The AAP had promised to address all the civic problems of Delhiites and yet they are troubled due to the monsoon rains. Broken roads brought vehicular traffic to a total halt, stranding people for hours, Chaudhary added. Delhi on Saturday ...

PM Modi takes dig at BRS during Telangana visit, calls KCR govt corrupt

In a veiled dig at the ruling BRS in Telangana and the AAP government in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it was for the first time that allegations of corruption deal between two political parties and state governments were cropping up. Pacts between two state governments for welfare and development issues like sharing water are common, but it is for the first time that such allegations are levelled against two parties, he said referring to the Delhi excise policy case. While AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Mninister Manish Sisodia has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the matter, BRS leader and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter, K Kavitha, had appeared before the ED for questioning in connection with the case. Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for various projects worth Rs 6100 crore here, Modi said the BRS government has used up an entire dictionary to shower abuses on the central government a

BJP spreading lies, wants to defame Manish Sisodia, says AAP leader Atishi

Senior AAP leader Atishi on Saturday lashed out at the BJP and the Centre, accusing them of spreading lies about jailed former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and attempting to defame him. This comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it has attached two immovable assets owned by Sisodia and his wife, apart from bank deposits worth Rs 11.49 lakh, in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. At a press conference here, Atishi alleged that as per an ED document, Sisodia has assets worth Rs 81 lakh. "The BJP is spreading lies about Delhi's former deputy CM Manish Sisodia by telling the media that the ED attached Manish Sisodia's assets amounting to Rs 52 crores in the excise case, whereas the ED document says that Sisodia has total assets of Rs 81 lakh only," she said. The AAP leader further alleged that the BJP is "trying to defame Sisodia" and asserted that her party was "not scared of the Centre and its agencies". "The BJP wants to tarnish the

ED running fake news of attaching Rs 52 cr assets of Sisodia: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the BJP-led Centre of defaming AAP leader Manish Sisodia by running "fake news" of the Enforcement Directorate attaching assets worth Rs 52 crore belonging to the jailed leader in the Delhi excise policy case. He said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has, in fact, attached properties worth Rs 80 lakh of Sisodia and his wife. The ED on Friday said it has attached two immovable assets of Sisodia and his wife apart from bank deposits worth Rs 11.49 lakh of the ex-deputy chief minister in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said in Hindi, "Prime Minister, when you did not find anything against Manish Sisodia, you started defaming him through ED. Your ED is running fake news on TV channels saying that Rs 52 crore worth assets of Manish Sisodia have been attached." Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, clarified that in reality, Rs 80 lakh worth of assets have been attached. T