Page 84 - Arvind Kejriwal

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

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)

LG's move to stop specialists' engagement will throttle work: CM Kejriwal

Stopping the engagement of specialists and advisors will "completely strangulate" Delhi government and its services, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday, hoping the move will be quashed by the Supreme Court. Kejriwal's remarks came days after Lt governor VK Saxena approved the termination of engagements of 400 specialists working with the Delhi government. In a follow up to the mass removal, the Services department on Wednesday wrote to different departments and agencies of government to stop engagement of persons as fellows and advisors without the approval of the LG. "This will completely strangulate Delhi govt and its services. I don't know what does Hon'ble LG achieve by doing all this? I hope Hon'ble SC immediately quashes it," Kejriwal said in a tweet on Thursday. Saxena terminated the services of around 400 'specialists' appointed by the Kejriwal government in different departments, citing alleged irregularities in recruitment. "... All the ...

Will challenge in court: Delhi govt after L-G terminated 400 pvt employees

Not even a single show cause notice was issued, and no explanation or clarification was sought at any stage. This unconstitutional decision will be challenged in court, it further added

LG Secretariat rebuts 'overturning CM's decision' charges on Delhi officers

The National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), set up by the Centre through an ordinance, has been reduced to a "complete farce" as bureaucrats are "overturning" Delhi chief minister's decisions and "dictating" their own will, the CMO said on Sunday. The statement by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) came two days after the second meeting of the NCCSA during which two member-bureaucrats "did not oppose" Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's stand but later on cancelled his decisions. However, LG Secretariat rejected the CMO's claims and said their statement is not giving "true picture" of developments that took place in the civil services authority's meeting. "A narrative is being projected that officers are not listening and need absolute control. NCCSA shall release the draft minutes to the press to verify the truth in public domain," the LG Secretariat said. The three-member NCCSA was set up by the Centre through the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance,

Modi govt looted India more than Britishers did in 250 yrs: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged the amount of "loot" by the Narendra Modi government in the last nine years surpassed the loot of India committed by Britishers in 250 years during their rule. Addressing a public rally at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, where Assembly elections are due by this year-end, Kejriwal also targeted the Congress for "looting" the country over 75 years. He appealed to people to vote Aam Aadmi Party to power to rid Chhattisgarh of corruption. Modi ji became angry at me saying I am distributing 'revdis' (welfare sops) in Delhi. Yes, Modi ji I am distributing. But your people are looting revdis and taking it to their homesWhy are you worried when I am putting revdi in the hands of poor?" Kejriwal asked. He alleged the prices of essential commodities are touching the sky. "Vegetables, milk, flour everything became costly. Have you (people) ever thought about why prices are rising? Modi ji has slapped so much tax which was unprecedented after .

'Widespread inflation everywhere', Delhi CM attacks PM Modi in MP

Aam Admi national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday hit out at PM Modi and the ruling BJP over inflation, blaming him for the rise in the prices of essential food grains

Kejriwal attacks PM Modi over price rise, says 'open' loot going on

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday attacked Prime Minister over price rise, saying it was the result of the "open" loot going on in the country. Addressing a rally in Gwalior of Madhya Pradesh, where Assembly elections are due by the year-end, he also narrated the story of a fourth class pass king whom he said God unseated. Incidentally, Modi was addressing a function in the Shahdol district of the state at the time. Modiji got too angry with me as I have given seven revdis' (freebies) in Delhi free electricity for 24 hours, free schooling, free health care, free water, free bus travel to women, free pilgrimage facility to old people and employment to youth, he said. The Aam Aadmi Party convener blamed Modi for price rise while crediting himself for bringing smiles on the faces of people with revdis. The state exchequer is being looted. A loan of Rs 34,000 crore to a friend of his has been waived in Mumbai, Rs 22,000-crore loan of a man from Gujarat has also been ..

Delhi Cong prez seeks time with CM Kejriwal to discuss power tarrif hike

Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary has written a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought time to discuss the issue of hike in power tariff in the national capital. "A delegation of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee would like to meet you to apprise you of the concerns of Delhiites, who are troubled by the increase in electricity bills by your government in Delhi," the letter read. "We hope that considering the seriousness of the situation, you will meet the delegation of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (on Sunday or Monday)," it added. Earlier, the Delhi Congress had also staged a demonstration against the AAP government in Delhi over a hike in power tariffs. 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 earlier. The hike in the PPAC surcharge by the discoms wa

Improving Delhi's air quality has been most difficult task: CM Kejriwal

A day after the Environment Ministry said Delhi registered the highest number of 'good to moderate' air quality days this year since 2016, barring 2020, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said improving air quality in the city has been the most difficult task. Delhi also experienced the least number of days with 'poor to severe' air quality in the first half-year period (January to June) in 2023, compared to the corresponding period since 2016, except for COVID-19 affected 2020. "This was perhaps the most difficult task -- improving air quality. But a series of steps taken by Delhiites helped us achieve this seemingly impossible task. Still a long way to go. But Delhi people have always done what others thought impossible," Kejriwal said in a tweet. The average AQI (air quality index) for Delhi during this period also remained in 'moderate' category -- below 200. Delhi reported its lowest average AQI during 2023 (JanuaryJune) compared to the corresponding period for the seven .

Delhi govt moves to Supreme Court against Centre's services ordinance

The Delhi government on Friday moved the Supreme Court against the Centre's ordinance over control of services in the national capital, officials said. Earlier in the day, the AAP had announced that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will burn copies of the Centre's ordinance at the party office in central Delhi on July 3. The party had on June 11 organised a maha-rally against the ordinance. The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of IAS and DANICS officers in Delhi, with the AAP government calling the move a circumvention of the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. The ordinance, which came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers. Transfer and postings of all officers of the Del

Kejriwal holds review meeting with DJB officials over clean water supply

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday held a review meeting with officials of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and instructed that there should be "no shortage of money" to supply clean water. During the meeting, it was decided that the DJB will end the problem of dirty water in a few areas, use modern technology to find out pipeline leakage issues and solve it permanently. "Arvind Kejriwal held a regular review meeting with the Delhi Jal Board today and discussed about the detailed plan for ending the problem of dirty water in some of the areas. DJB officials said that to end the problem, they will use modern technology like helium gas and cameras to identify the pipeline leakage and find a permanent solution to it," the chief minister's office tweeted. He said that there should be "no shortage of money" to supply clean water to the people of Delhi. The chief minister directed DJB chairperson and minister Saurabh Bharadwaj that the issue of dirty water should be resolved at the

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 .

Kejriwal rejects posting of edu deptt official mired in vigilance inquiries

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday rejected the appointment of some officials in the Education department citing ongoing vigilance inquiries against them, officials said. The CM deliberated with officials on several matters related to appointments in the second meet of the National Capital Civil Service Authority. In another matter, there was a proposal to remove some "good" officials from the Education department, but the CM objected to it and stopped it from getting passed, they said.

Delhi Motor Aggregator Scheme could adversely impact gig workers: IAMAI

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) on Wednesday said the implementation of the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme by the city government could adversely impact the livelihoods of countless gig workers across the national capital. The scheme was approved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last month. Mandatory panic buttons in taxis, integration with emergency response number '112', and phase-wise transition to electric vehicles (EV) are some of the highlights of the scheme to regulate cab aggregators and delivery service providers in the national capital. The IAMAI, a not-for-profit industry body representing the digital services industry with over 500 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, said it supports the development of the country's electric vehicle (EV) industry and recognises the importance of pragmatic policies that systematically target environmental issues. "However, it is crucial to acknowledge the presen

AAP extends 'in-principle' support to UCC, wants govt to hold consultations

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday extended its "in-principle support" to a Uniform Civil Code but said it should be brought in with a consensus after extensive consultations with stakeholders. The government should hold extensive consultations on the proposal with all stakeholders, including political parties and non-political entities, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said. "The AAP supports UCC in principle. Article 44 (of the Constitution) also supports it," Pathak told PTI. But the government should bring in UCC only when there is a consensus among the stakeholders, he said. "We believe that on such issues we should go ahead with consensus. We believe that this (UCC) should be implemented only after there is a consensus among all the stakeholders," Pathak said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters.

Delhi L-G writes to CM Kejriwal asking for swearing-in of new DERC chairman

The letter from the governor stated that the president appointed Justice Kumar as Chairperson DERC in accordance with the extant statutory provision through a notification

CAG audit of Kejriwal's residence will expose AAP's corruption: Delhi BJP

The Delhi BJP on Wednesday welcomed the CAG audit into alleged irregularities in the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence, saying it will expose the "corruption" of the AAP government. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is country's topmost audit body of high repute and its inquiry will soon reveal under whose "pressure" the officials "violated" laws and constructed the "palatial bungalow" for the chief minister otherwise eligible for only a 'Type VII' bungalow, said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. "The CAG must bring out the fact as to how repeated amounts were approved for the bungalow by the Kejriwal government whose ownership title was not clear and relevant authorities like Delhi Urban Arts Commission and Municipal Corporation of Delhi had rejected PWD sanction plan approval requests," he claimed welcoming the audit. Party MP Manoj Tiwari said earlier Kejriwal used to carry CAG reports levelling allegations of corruption against opposition

Delhi has become India's electric vehicle capital: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the cost of using electric vehicles in Delhi is the minimum across the country, while stressing that the city has become the nation's "EV capital". Kejriwal inaugurated 42 new ultra-low-cost EV charging stations at an event at GTB Nagar. The chief minister said with the addition of these 42 facilities, Delhi now has a total of 53 ultra-low-cost EV charging stations. With an increase in the number of EVs in the national capital in the recent years, air pollution has also been on the decline, he pointed out. "Data shows that compared to 2014, the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 are lower by 30 per cent. Earlier in the year, we had several days where the AQI (Air Quality Index) was in the severe category. These were days with very high pollution levels. But now, there are hardly any such day," Kejriwal said. He said besides curbing air pollution, the EV policy was formulated by the city government as the "future belongs to electric vehicles".

Criminal investigation needed: Congress on Kejriwal's house renovation

Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on Tuesday said a full-blown criminal investigation is required into the "egregious expenditure of Rs 171 crore" on the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence. He welcomed the Comptroller and Auditor General's probe into the "squandering" of public funds on Kejriwal's "sheesh mahal". The Union home ministry has recommended a special CAG audit, taking note of a May 24 letter by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena which pointed out the "gross and prima facie financial irregularities" in the "reconstruction" of the chief minister's official residence. "A full-blown criminal investigation is not just needed; it's a demand of justice. It's outrageous that public money was squandered on Dior-polished imported marble, million-rupee curtains, and kitchen appliances worth crores, all while demolishing a British-era heritage structure and callously decimating trees," Maken said on Twitter. "Sheesh Mahal Breaking News: Encouraged to see the CAG .