Page 53 - Aap Government

Dinesh Arora worked on behalf of AAP leaders Sisodia, Vijay Nair: ED

Businessman Dinesh Arora, a CBI witness in the Delhi excise policy case, was "one of the main conspirators" in this alleged scam and was working on behalf of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Vijay Nair, the Enforcement Directorate alleged before a local court on Friday. The federal agency arrested Arora late on Thursday night after prolonged questioning. It produced him before the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court of Judge M K Nagpal on Friday which sent him to ED custody till July 11. "Dinesh Arora is one of the main conspirators in the entire Delhi excise policy scam who was working on behalf of (former Delhi deputy chief minister) Manish Sisodia and (AAP communication in-charge) Vijay Nair. He is a close associate of Manish Sisodia and other prominent AAP leaders. "On the directions of Manish Sisodia, Dinesh Arora connected with Vijay Nair and became part of the Delhi excise scam-related conspiracy and consequent acts of money laundering," the ED alleged while

GST collection in Q1 rose 15%, reflects honest governance: CM Kejriwal

The Delhi government's GST collection rose 15 per cent in the first quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal compared to the year-ago period, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying honest governance leads to increased revenue. According to figures shared by the chief minister on Twitter, the first quarter collections of goods and services tax (GST) in the past five years almost doubled from Rs 4,419.71 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 8,028.91 crore in 2023-24. Kejriwal said the growth meant his government will have more money to spend on building schools, hospitals and infrastructure. "Governments often say they don't have money for making good schools and hospitals. But our government in Delhi has shown that honest governance leads to increased revenue. "Delhi's first quarter GST collection has increased at an impressive 15 per cent from last year. This is how we will have money to build more schools, more hospitals, more infrastructure for the people of Delhi," he tweeted. Finance minister Atis

Excise policy scam: Sisodia moves SC seeking bail in CBI, ED cases

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking bail in the CBI and ED cases arising out of the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. He has moved the apex court challenging the two orders of the Delhi High Court which had dismissed his separate bail petitions in these cases. Sisodia, who also held the excise portfolio among many that he handled as the deputy chief minister of Delhi, was first arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the "scam", and has been in custody since then. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28. The high court had on May 30 denied bail to him in the excise policy scam case being probed by the CBI, saying having been the deputy chief minister and excise minister, he is a "high-profile" person who has the potential to influence the witnesses. On July 3, the high court had declined him bail in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the city government's excise policy, holding

Ordinance on services: SC to hear on July 10 plea filed by Delhi govt

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear on July 10 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 and Manoj Misra posted the matter for consideration after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing. "This is a plea challenging the ordinance in whole," Singhvi said. The bench then said, "List on July 10, Monday." 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)

SC orders deferment of oath taking of chairperson designate of DERC

The Supreme Court Tuesday ordered deferment of the oath taking of Justice (retd) Umesh Kumar as the chairperson of the DERC and said it will examine the constitutional validity of a provision of the Centre's recent ordinance governing appointments such as that of the chief of the national capital's electricity regulatory authority. It also took on record the Delhi government's statement about deferring the oath taking ceremony of Justice Kumar, whose appointment has become yet another flashpoint in the turf war between the city's AAP government and the Centre. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha said it wanted to deal with the plea challenging the Centre's notification appointing Justice Kumar as the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairperson in a "non-controversial" manner on July 11 and so the administration of oath to him be deferred. Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner (Delhi government) ..

Chhattisgarh CM Baghel hints a big 'LPG' surprise in Cong poll manifesto

Rajasthan has given LPG at Rs 500. Something needs to be kept for the announcement and if everything will be done now then what would be for the announcement (referring to the poll promise)

Power Minister Atishi falls ill, DERC chairman's oath postponed to July 6

Delhi Power Minister Atishi, who was scheduled to administer the oath of office to DERC chairperson-designate Justice (retd) Umesh Kumar on Monday, suddenly faced a "health issue" leading to postponement of the event to July 6, officials said. Kumar, the former Allahabad High Court judge, was appointed chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on June 21. The AAP dispensation has challenged his appointment in the Supreme Court. The appointment of DERC chairman is the latest flashpoint between the Delhi government and the lieutenant governor's office, following the Centre's ordinance on control of services. The AAP has also challenged the ordinance in the apex court. According to the Raj Niwas officials, Atishi wrote to the chairman-designate and asked for his availability to take the oath in her presence. "He accordingly confirmed the same," they said. Later, the event was postponed after Atishi took ill, the officials said. The Delhi government, in a statemen

Over Rs 1,100 cr property tax collected in Delhi this quarter: MCD Mayor

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has collected over Rs 1,110 crore as property tax in the April to June quarter, a surge of over 40 per cent from the same period of time the previous year. Addressing a press conference, Mayor Shelly Oberoi said the number of taxpayers has also increased to around 7.17 lakh. "A property tax of Rs 1,113 crore has been collected by the MCD," Oberoi said, adding that the figure was higher than that of 2021 and 2022. Oberoi said the Municipal Corporation was making losses before despite collecting taxes earlier also. The people of Delhi have shown faith in the Aam Aadmi Party government, she said. In 2021-22, the property tax collected was Rs 695 crore, while it was Rs 540 crore in 2020-21. Lauding the higher tax collection, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a tweet said that people are voluntarily paying their taxes due to the presence of an honest government in Delhi. "Earlier, people did not pay taxes during BJP's rule. They thought that th

SC directs Delhi govt to furnish details of funds spent on advertisements

The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Delhi government for expressing its inability to contribute funds for construction of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project and directed it to furnish details of funds spent on advertisements in the last three financial years. The funds were meant for construction of the RRTS stretch that will connect the national capital with Rajasthan and Haryana. A bench comprising Justice S K Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia directed the AAP government to file an affidavit enumerating details of funds within two weeks. The direction came after the counsel for the Delhi government told the bench that there was paucity of funds and expressed inability to provide monetary assistance. "You want us to get into what funds you are spending where. All funds for advertisement shall be diverted for this project. You want this kind of order? You are asking for it," the court said. "The Delhi government has expressed its inability to contribute funds for

Don't demolish religious structures in Delhi: Atishi urges LG Saxena

Delhi minister Atishi on Sunday urged Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to "withdraw his orders" to demolish religious structures in the national capital. The fresh request by the PWD minister came after a temple and a mazar were removed amid heavy police deployment in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura Chowk Sunday morning to pave the way for the construction of a flyover. Police said the decision to remove the two structures was taken at a "religious committee" meeting a few days ago and a proper dialogue was held with the residents and local leaders. Atishi tweeted about the demolition of the religious structures. "LG sir: Few days ago, I had written a letter requesting you to withdraw your decision to demolish temples and other religious structures in Delhi. But today a temple in Bhajanpura was demolished again. I request you again to ensure that temples and other religious structures are not demolished in Delhi. People's faith is attached to them," she said in a tweet in Hindi. The AA

AAP plans to contest all 60 seats, 2 LS constituencies in Arunachal in 2024

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has expressed its desire to field candidates in all 60 assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh in the general elections next year. AAP state unit general secretary Toko Nikam told reporters that the party is committed to providing free water, electricity, medical facilities till Rs 10 lakh and world class education if they come to power in the northeastern state in 2024. Nikam said that if elected to power, the AAP will repeal the controversial Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA) of 2014 and the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1978. Protests erupted in the northeastern state after the state government booked 40 people under the APUAPA in connection with a 72-hour bandh call in the state capital this year. Many organisations demanded that the state government repeal the Act which was enacted in 2014 by the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government in the state. According to the Arunachal Prades

Atishi writes to new DERC chief, requests him to take oath on July 3 or 4

Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Friday wrote to newly appointed DERC Chairman Justice (Retd) Umesh Kumar and requested him to take oath of office on July 3 or 4, sources said. Justice Kumar was appointed chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on June 21. Lt Governor VK Saxena had earlier this week written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, flagging the "unnecessary delay" in administering the oath of office to Justice Kumar and said it should be done without further delay. Sources said Kejriwal forwarded the letter to Atishi the same day and asked her to administer the oath "as early as possible". In her communication to Justice Kumar, Atishi blamed the Power department for the confusion. Justice Kumar, a former Allahabad High Court judge, in a letter to the department, had said it was only after he was communicated that the minister would not be available in the national capital after June 29 that he came to Delhi. He said he had made himself available to

Damage control won't save Cong from defeat in Chhattisgarh: BJP, AAP

The BJP and the AAP on Thursday took a dig at the Congress over T S Singh Deo's appointment as Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister and asked if he will be the party's chief ministerial face in the upcoming elections since people have lost faith in the incumbent CM, Bhupesh Baghel. A scion of the erstwhile Sarguja royal family, Singh Deo is currently holding Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education, Twenty Point Implementation and Commercial Tax (GST) portfolios in the state government. The ruling Congress announced on Wednesday that party president Mallikarjun Kharge had approved the proposal for his appointment as the deputy chief minister. Reacting to the development, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said Congress president Kharge appointing Singh Deo as deputy chief minister of Chhattisgarh is deeply problematic as it usurps Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's constitutional mandate. "Before Karnataka, Baghel used to fund the Congress, but soon after winning Karnataka, once an

Don't insult hard-working people of Delhi: Kejriwal to LG on freebies

Hitting out at Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena over his remarks on "freebies", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked him not to "insult" the "hard-working people" of the national capital. On Wednesday, Saxena said people of Delhi are now "used to freebies" at an event titled 'Delhi 2041 - New Master Plan' organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Saxena's remarks seem to be directed at the Aam Aadmi Party government's subsidies, primarily on water and electricity. Reacting to Saxena's remarks, Kejriwal said Saxena was an outsider and did not understand the people of Delhi. "The people of Delhi are hardworking. They have beautified Delhi by their hard work. LG sir, you have come from outside and you do not understand Delhi and Delhiites. Don't insult the people of Delhi like this," he said in a tweet in Hindi. The chief minister also said the Delhi government, unlike others, does not indulge in "theft". "We save money and provide facilities to people. What is your .

Delhi govt seeks action against appointment of DERC principal advisor

The Delhi government's vigilance directorate has written to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), recommending action against three former and a sitting DERC official in connection with the appointment of Ashok Kumar Singhal as the principal advisor (tariff) to the power regulator. There was no immediate reaction from the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on the issue. Singhal termed the whole matter "pointless". "There is no issue in it. My appointment was done in a proper manner," he told PTI. The directorate, in a communication dated June 27, said the matter of appointment of DERC member Singhal as the principal advisor (tariff) was examined by it. "It emerges that the DERC has not examined the issue legally and has been totally biased in selecting Ashok Kumar Singhal as the principal advisor (tariff) after he demitted the office of member DERC," it said. The directorate further said the DERC has "violated" section 89(5) of the Electricity Act, 2003, as

3 landfill sites in Delhi to be cleared in 18 months: LG VK Saxena

Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena on Wednesday assured that the three landfill sites in the national capital will be cleared in the "next 18 months" while the Najafgarh drain will be cleaned in the "next few months". Speaking at an event here on 'Delhi 2041 - New Master Plan', Saxena cited various initiatives undertaken in the development of Yamuna flood plains, revamping of roads, and removal of garbage dumps in the city, under his tenure in the last year. He called upon Delhi citizens to participate in the beautification and grooming of the city. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) issued a statement after the event which was also attended by Subhasish Panda, vice chairman of the authority, who said the Master Plan of Delhi 2041 (MPD-2041) would ensure sustainable development and will be notified soon. Highlighting the cleanliness work done in the national capital at an "unprecedented pace", Saxena assured that the three "garbage mountains" will be cleared in the next 18 months, and

Congress protests against AAP govt over power tariff hike in Delhi

The Congress on Tuesday staged a demonstration against the AAP government in Delhi over a hike in power tariffs in the national capital. The monthly electricity bills of the majority of domestic consumers in Delhi -- who use more than 200 and up to 600 units -- will be hiked by up to Rs 265 due to an increase in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC) levied by discoms, officials said on Monday. Party leaders and workers, who gathered outside the AAP's office in central Delhi, alleged that the city government has "failed to fulfil its promise" of providing free electricity to consumers. Power Minister Atishi said consumers who get zero bills with monthly consumption of up to 200 units will not be impacted. However, those who do not get a subsidy will have to pay nearly eight per cent more on their monthly bills. The hike in the PPAC surcharge by the discoms was allowed by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the officials said.

Delhi's state food commission not constituted as mandated: Officials

Delhi has not constituted a state food commission and not framed a grievance redressal mechanism as mandated by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, Raj Niwas officials said on Monday. There was no immediate reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the capital on the issue. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved the draft of the Delhi Grievance Redressal Rules pending since 2013 and slammed the city government for the "delay", the officials said. "Delhi has not constituted a state food commission and not framed a grievance redressal mechanism as mandated by the NFS Act, 2013 even after 10 years. The mechanism and the commission meant to look into critical aspects of transparent and corruption-free implementation of the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) under the NFSA was even ordered to be put in place by the Supreme Court and the high court way back in 2017, within the deadline in 2017 itself," a senior official said. However, despite the apex ..

Electricity prices to hike in Delhi: AAP, BJP indulge in blame game

Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Monday blamed the Centre's "mismanagement" for the hike in power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC), while the BJP claimed it was a result of "collusion" between the AAP government and power discoms. An "artificial shortage" was pushing up coal prices in the country. The Centre is forcing the power generation companies to buy at least 10 per cent of imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal, Atishi charged. "Delhi's consumers are being forced to bear the brunt of the central government's coal crisis through a hike in the power purchasing adjustment charge. Its power generation company NTPC is selling electricity to Delhi at a massive 25-50 per cent hike over DERC (Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission) stipulated rates," she charged. "Why is the BJP-led central government forcing power companies to purchase 10 per cent of imported coal, which is 10 times more expensive? Is the BJP also colluding with coal importers," she asked. Domes

Oppn meet attendees disagree with AAP's charge against Cong on ordinance

The Aam Aadmi Party's shrill indictment of the Congress over alleged apathy towards the central ordinance issue seemed to have few takers among those present at the recent opposition meeting in Patna. At least five leaders, who represented their respective parties at Friday's meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, appeared unimpressed with the AAP going into a sulk over the ordinance, which seeks to curtail the powers of the Delhi government. It is very unfortunate that the AAP seems to be looking at the issue through the prism of rivalry with Congress in Delhi and Punjab, said CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar. He asserted that it was wrong on AAP's part to say in an official statement that the Congress refused to oppose the ordinance at the meeting, despite being asked to do so by many parties. All parties were unanimous in the condemnation of the ordinance. But the AAP leadership must place the issue in a broader context. It is about the attacks on the