Page 72 - Arvind Kejriwal

Goa court summons Arvind Kejriwal in code of conduct violation case

A court in Goa on Tuesday issued a summons to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in an alleged case of violation of the model code of conduct, asking him to remain present on November 29. The local unit of the Aam Aadmi Party said it had received the summons but was not aware of the details of the criminal case against the Delhi chief minister. As per court sources, the case is registered under the Representation of the People Act and section 171 (E) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with bribery. The Judicial Magistrate First Class at Mapusa issued the summons. AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar said they received the summons on Tuesday, only a day before Kejriwal is supposed to appear before the court. It looks like the charge sheet was filed in 2018. We do not know the details of the case, he said. Palekar, who is also a lawyer, said he will appear in the court on Kejriwal's behalf on Wednesday. We will get documents and then take a call on whether to challenge the proceedings

Previous govts 'looted' exchequer, we're spending on welfare: Kejriwal

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday slammed previous governments in Punjab for allegedly looting the state exchequer. He also called his party-led dispensations in Punjab and Delhi honest, saying, we have not come here to enjoy power" but to serve people. He further said his party, which he claimed did not have any money power, defeated several "big" political parties in Punjab and Delhi with "people's blessings". Kejriwal was addressing a gathering after the launch of the Punjab government's pilgrimage scheme 'Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojana' on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was also present on this occasion. Kejriwal said, Today is a pious day. It is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. On this day, I am happy to note that Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana for elderly people started in Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief said none of the governments facilitated people for 'tirth yatra' in the past 7

CM Mann, Kejriwal launch free pilgrimage scheme for elderly in Punjab

On the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Punjab government Monday launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojna' under which elderly people of the state would be sent on pilgrimage free of charge on trains and buses. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who attended the launch event along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, said the state government will bear the expenditure for the pilgrimage. "Today is a pious day. It is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. On this day, I am happy to note that the Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana for elderly people started in Punjab." The first train carrying devotees left Amritsar for Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra. Around 300 pilgrims from Amritsar, 200 from Jalandhar and 500 from Dhuri were on this train, said Kejriwal, who is also the chief minister of Delhi. Under this scheme, people will be able to visit religious places such as Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Patna Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Mata Naina Devi temple, ...

BJP alleges scam in sewage plant projects, demands Kejriwal's resignation

The BJP on Monday alleged a scam in the tendering process for upgrading sewage treatment plants operated by the Delhi Jal Board and demanded that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tender his resignation immediately. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed the Delhi Jal Board invited bids for upgradation of five sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the city and for upgradation and augmentation of another five to increase their capacity. While the estimated cost of the projects was around Rs 1,500 crore, they were awarded to the contractors at an increased rate of Rs 1,938 crore, Bhatia claimed. "Bids were invited and tenders were awarded only after cartelisation to ensure that no honest contractor gets the project.... This is worrisome, Arvind Kejriwal you have committed one more scam," the BJP spokesperson charged. "Look at Arvind Kejriwal's mechanism. The L1 (lowest) bid was at Rs 392 crore but the contract was awarde

Kejriwal accuses central agencies of bias action on party's foundation day

On this day in 2021, Kejriwal founded AAP from the India Against Corruption movement in 2011, which was launched, under the leadership of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare

Why can't Delhi L-G, CM meet: SC on names for appointment of chief secy

The AAP government and the Centre on Friday clashed over the issue of the appointment of the new Delhi chief secretary in the Supreme Court, which suggested that the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre propose a panel of names and the Delhi government may choose one of them for the post. The court asked why LG V K Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cannot meet and amicably discuss names for the post. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing a plea of the Delhi government against any move by the Centre to appoint, without any consultation with it, the new chief secretary or extend the tenure of the current top civil servant Naresh Kumar who, otherwise, is set to demit office on November 30. The Delhi government has questioned how the Centre could proceed with the appointment of the chief secretary without any consultation with it while the new law is under challenge. "Why can't the LG and the CM meet? Last time we s

LIVE: Opec+ meeting delayed over a dispute over some members' output

Catch the latest news updates LIVE from around the globe

BJP calls Kejriwal 'dishonest' over Delhi-Meerut RRTS project funding dues

The BJP on Wednesday flayed Arvind Kejriwal and called him an "outright dishonest and useless" chief minister, alleging that he is only concerned about benefiting his friends in liquor business and using public money for self-promotion and not the welfare of people. The BJP's attack came a day after the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi government for not providing funds for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors to Alwar and Panipat and said if the dues were not paid within a week, the funds allocated by the AAP government for advertisements will be transferred to the project. The apex court said budgetary provision was something which the state government should look into but if such national projects were to be affected and money was spent on advertisements, it would be inclined to direct that those funds be transferred for this project. Latching on to the top court's observation, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia targeted Kejriwal and said, "The Supreme Court's

Buses from other states may face curbs if Grap Stage IV invoked in Delhi

The Delhi government has notified that the entry of buses, barring CNG, BSVI diesel and electric ones will be regulated in the capital, if restrictions under the final stage of the Centre's air pollution control plan are invoked. Stage IV is the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "Entry of all buses, including All India Tourist buses/ Contract Carriage buses/ State Transport Buses or holding any other kind of permit into Delhi from other states except CNG / Electric or BSVI diesel buses will be restricted as and when GRAP IV invokes. "The above mentioned restrictions shall stand automatically applicable, as and when GRAP - IV is invoked from the date of issuance of this order in Delhi Gazette, and if the GRAP IV is revoked the said restrictions stand terminated automatically, no separate order will be issued," an official gazette notification said. Last month, the Delhi government directed that all buses entering the national capital from Haryana will have to be

Bamnoli case: Atishi alleges chief secretary tried to save official

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi on Wednesday submitted a supplementary report to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on corruption allegations against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, claiming the bureaucrat tried to save an official in the Bamnoli land acquisition matter, government sources said. In the fresh report, Atishi reiterated her recommendation for suspension of the chief secretary, they said. There was no immediate response from the chief secretary on the supplementary report. He had earlier denied any wrongdoing and alleged that people with "vested interests" against whom vigilance action was taken for corruption were indulging in "mud-slinging". The matter pertains to alleged corruption in acquisition of 19 acres of land in southwest Delhi's Bamnoli village. In her first report submitted to Kejriwal, Atishi had alleged "prima facie complicity" of the chief secretary in the land acquisition matter. The compensation for the 19-acre land was hiked from Rs 41 crore to Rs 353 cror

RRTS fund delay due to finance secy not clearing file: Kejriwal govt

In the wake of a dressing down by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the Arvind Kejriwal government alleged it had to face the court's ire because the Finance secretary failed to clear the file he had been sent a month ago for the release of funds for the RRTS project. The Supreme Court earlier in the day pulled up the Delhi government for not coming up with funds for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors to Alwar and Panipat, and said if the dues were not paid within a week, the funds allocated by the AAP government for advertisements will be transferred to the project. The Kejriwal government in a statement said that it supports the RRTS project and welcomes SC order. It said it had released the first tranche of funds, approx Rs 80 crore, a few months back. "The file for release of the remaining funds was approved by the Transport Minister and sent to the Finance Secretary over a month ago yet the funds haven't been released. As a result, the Delhi government had to hear

Delhi may face severe water shortage over Jal Board fund crisis: Atishi

Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Tuesday said there could be a severe water crisis in the national capital since funds have not been released to the DJB. She requested LG V K Saxena to intervene in the matter. The minister alleged that despite written directions from her, who also holds the finance portfolio, funds were not released to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). "There could be a severe water crisis in the national capital. There are no funds to carry out routine work and paying salaries. The contractors have refused to carry out work. This could lead to a severe water crisis in Delhi, overflowing sewers and dirty water," she said. She also claimed that funds were not released by the Finance Department on the directions of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. There was no immediate reaction from the chief secretary's office or the Finance Department.

India's journey in World Cup was exceptional, says Delhi CM Kejriwal

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Rohit Sharma-led side's determination through their "noteworthy" campaign and said that they have brought immense pride to the nation

State Assembly polls LIVE: Congress promises caste census in Rajasthan

Check out the latest updates on Assembly elections in five states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Mizoram

Delhi govt to increase minimum wages of MCD employees to Rs 17,234

The Delhi government has decided to increase the minimum wage of MCD employees, a civic official said on Monday. Monthly minimum wages for unskilled workers of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will be increased to Rs 17,234 from Rs 16,792. The wage will rise to Rs 18,993 from Rs 18,499 for semi-skilled workers and to Rs 20,903 from Rs 20,375 for skilled workers. Dearness allowance will be paid to all MCD workers staring April 1, the officials added. The AAP had announced dearness allowance for all MCD employees with effect from April 1. A government proposal on increasing the minimum wages will be tabled for approval in the next MCD House meeting. The accumulated dearness allowance for civic employees will be released after it is approved by the House, the MCD official said. The minimum wages for clerical and supervisory staff will also be increased in all scheduled employment, according to the agenda of the MCD House meeting. According to the proposal, the minimum salar

This is Kejriwal's model: BJP slams Delhi CM over toxic foam in Yamuna

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Kejriwal of spending thousands of crores given by the Centre on advertisements or "doing corruption" instead of cleaning Yamuna

Devotees stand knee-deep in toxic foam in Yamuna in Delhi for Chhath Puja

The toxic foam is due to the high phosphate content in the Yamuna River, which can cause skin and respiratory problems

83 more Delhi shops, commercial establishments allowed to operate 24x7

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has granted permission to 83 more shops and commercial establishments in the city to operate round the clock. Once approved by the lieutenant governor, these shops and commercial establishments will be able to operate 24 hours, according to an official statement. With this, the total number of shops and commercial establishments operating round the clock in the national capital has gone up to 635, the statement said, adding that from 1954 to 2022, only 269 shops and establishments were allowed to run 24 hours. The shop owners must comply with the provisions and regulations outlined in the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act of 1954, it said. The government will monitor these shops to ensure compliance with the regulations and take action against violations. The operation of these commercial establishments for 24 hours will not only boost the economy, but also create new job opportunities for youngsters, the statement said. Under the Delhi Shops a

Delhi CM Kejriwal sends report to L-G demanding sacking of chief secy

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sent Vigilance Minister Atishi's report accusing Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of using his position to enable a "lucrative collaboration" between a company in which his son is a partner and the ILBS to to the Lieutenant Governor, sources said on Saturday. The report was submitted to Kejriwal by the Vigilance Minister on Thursday. The report recommended Kumar's suspension and a CBI investigation in the matter. Sources close to the chief secretary have claimed that his son is not a signatory of any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the company and the ILBS. He is not at all connected with the company in question as a shareholder or director or partner or employee, they claimed. The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in a statement on Thursday denied the allegations as "totally baseless and without merit." "ILBS confirms that it did not issue any purchase order or made any payment to any Al software developer or company," sa

Ensure BJP doesn't get single seat in Delhi in LS polls: Kejriwal tells AAP

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday sounded the poll bugle and asked AAP workers to go to every household in the national capital and tell people about the "conspiracies" of the BJP and ensure it doesn't get a single seat here in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a congregation of AAP workers (karyakarta sammelan), Kejriwal also told them to ask people in every household if they want him to continue to serve as the chief minister from jail in case he is arrested or should he resign. "I have no lust for the chief minister's post. I am probably the world's first chief minister who resigned after 49 days without anyone asking me to do so," he said. "I have held meetings with councillors and MLAs who said that I should continue being the chief minister if I am arrested. I am assigning you a task -- go to every household, talk to people, ask them whether I should continue as the chief minister from the jail and tell them about BJP's conspiracies. Ensure that they do not