Page 11 - Atishi

ED didn't conduct searches, sat in living room of CM PA's house: Atishi

The ED officials who raided the premises of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar sat in the living room of his house and did not even pretend to carry out any searches, Delhi minister Atishi said on Wednesday. The officials did not search any rooms or look for any documents. They did not even care to explain in connection with which case they had gone there, she said at a press conference. There was no immediate response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Atishi's claims. Sources had said on Tuesday that the raids were carried out in connection with "irregularities" in a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) tendering process. The 'panchnama' document showed that the ED team took with it just two Gmail account downloads and three family phones from Kumar's house, Atishi claimed. The ED raids are nothing but an attack on Kejriwal to crush him because he is the only one who openly challenges the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she charged. About 10-12 premis

BJP-led Centre trying to scare AAP leaders by conducting ED raids: Atishi

Delhi minister and senior AAP leader Atishi on Tuesday said the BJP-led Centre is trying to "scare and silence" the party by conducting ED raids on its leaders. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the premises of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal secretary Bibhav Kumar and AAP Rajya Sabha MP and party's treasurer ND Gupta as part of a money laundering case, official sources said. Atishi said raids were being conducted by the ED at the premises of Kumar and Gupta since 7 am. More raids on the premises of other AAP leaders are to be conducted throughout the day, she claimed. The minister also alleged that the statements of witnesses and accused related to the excise policy case were extracted by the probe agency by force and threat. She alleged the BJP-led Centre using ED to "scare and silence" AAP by conducting raids on its leaders. Despite two years of probe, nothing has been found by the agencies in the alleged excise policy scam, she said. About 10 premises

Raja Harishchandra would be ashamed of Kejriwal, says Giriraj Singh

The AAP and the BJP are at loggerheads over the AAP's "poaching" allegations against the BJP and the saffron party's corruption charges on the Arvind Kejriwal-led party

Police notice over MLA poaching allegation does not mention FIR: Atishi

Delhi Minister Atishi on Sunday said the notice served to her by the city police in connection with the MLA poaching allegation made by her does not have any mention of an FIR or include penal provisions. She said at a press conference that they have sympathy for the Crime Branch officers who are being forced by their "political bosses" to indulge in such "theatrics". "Yesterday (Saturday), the Delhi Police's Crime Branch served a notice to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Today, they served a notice to me. However, the notice does not have any mention of an FIR. It does not even include any section of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) or CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) or PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) or Prevention of Corruption Act," she said. A team of the Delhi Police's Crime Branch on Sunday visited Atishi's home and served her a notice in connection with an allegation that the BJP was attempting to "poach" AAP MLAs. Police sources said the Delhi minister's staff

Central govt spends 4% on schools while we spend 40%: Arvind Kejriwal

CM Kejriwal and Delhi Education Minister Atishi laid the foundation stone for new school buildings in the National Capital's Rohini today

Delhi Budget session from Feb 15; health, education, roads among priorities

The Kejriwal government will present its tenth budget in the budget session of Delhi Assembly to be held from February 15-20, with a focus on health, education, roads and infrastructure, officials said on Friday. Delhi Finance Minister Atishi is expected to table the 2024-25 budget of the city government on February 17, they said. It will be the first budget presentation by Atishi, who was given the finance portfolio last year. A file of the budget session has been sent to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for his approval, said a statement from Delhi government. In the forthcoming budget, the Kejriwal government is set to address several significant issues, placing particular emphasis on education, health, electricity, water, roads, and infrastructure and various developmental projects, the statement said. The government is considering to start the 'Business Blasters' programme for final-year and pre-final-year students in colleges, aiming to enable them to start their businesses a

ED has become a 'political tool' in hands of ruling BJP, says Atishi

Senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi on Saturday lashed out at the BJP-led Centre, saying the Enforcement Directorate has become a "political tool" for the ruling party. Addressing a press conference here, the minister alleged that the BJP government in the Centre has been "targeting" AAP and other opposition leaders by "misusing" the central agencies. "The BJP has been targeting AAP leaders ever since they came to power. This is a political conspiracy," Atishi said. "The Central government has proven that ED is nothing but a political tool," she said. "They have targeted opposition leaders from all states and by the time the Lok sabha elections arrive, the ED will put all of them behind the bars," she claimed. Atishi also said the ED is misusing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against opposition parties, adding, "Getting bail under this act is almost impossible." The minister said the ED had allegedly summed two Dalit farmers under the PMLA when the duo had

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to leave for Gujarat on January 6, says AAP

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will leave for a three-day tour of Gujarat on Saturday in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, AAP sources said. The Delhi CM will address public meetings and party workers during his election tour, they said on Thursday. He is also likely to meet jailed AAP leader Chaitar Vasava during his three-day tour, they added. The development comes amid AAP leaders alleging that the Enforcement Directorate is likely to arrest Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Roads leading to Delhi CM house blocked ahead of ED raid, police denies

AAP sources on Thursday claimed that the roads leading to Arvind Kejriwal's residence here were blocked and police personnel deployed at all gates as the ED was "gearing up" to raid and arrest the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi Police, however, said the security around the CM house was beefed up to "manage" mediapersons who have gathered there since Wednesday after party leaders claimed that Kejriwal would be raided and arrested. "The roads leading to the CM house have been shut and police personnel are deployed at all the entry/exit gates. Event the staff deployed at the CM house has been stopped from entering," an Aam Aadmi Party source said. "The ED is gearing up to raid and arrest Kejriwal," another source from the party said. Delhi cabinet minister and AAP leader Atishi on Wednesday night said on X, "News coming in that ED is going to raid Arvind Kejriwal's residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely." A senior Delhi Police officer, however, said the "security was increased to man

ED likely to arrest Delhi CM Kejriwal, claim AAP ministers amid summons row

Taking to the social media platform X, AAP leader and Delhi's Law and PWD Minister, Atishi, said, "News coming in that ED is going to raid@ArvindKejriwal's residence tomorrow morning. Arrest likely."

AAP govt announces 'anywhere registration' policy for properties in Delhi

Properties in Delhi can be registered at any sub-registrar's office, Revenue Minister Atishi said on Thursday, announcing the 'Anywhere Registration' policy. The policy will save people from long queues for property registration, thus promoting transparency to help curb corruption, she added. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved the policy and the file has been sent to the Lt Governor for notification. The Delhi government's Revenue Department has decided to introduce the 'Anywhere Registration' policy, according to a statement issued later in the day. According to the policy, people wanting to register their properties can go to any sub-registrar's office in Delhi. Individuals will not be restricted to a specific sub-registrar's office for property registration, it said. Many complaints about the sub-registrar's office often reach Kejriwal, the statement added. One complaint received is that there are long queues in many sub-registrar's offices. Another complaint that is

We'll not be scared by threats.: Atishi on ED's fresh summon to CM Kejriwal

Hitting out at the BJP, Atishi said that the party fears Arvind Kejriwal's model of governance that's the reason why the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party are being sent to jail

Repair all potholes by Dec 31: Atishi pulls up officials for alleged laxity

Delhi PWD Minister Atishi on Saturday pulled up officials for alleged laxity in implementing road repair works and directed that all potholes be fixed by December 31. In an official communication to the principal secretary of the public works department (PWD), she directed that resurfacing of roads, where it is required, has to start latest by February 1 and must be finished by February 29. She also issued to the official an ultimatum to repair all potholes by the end of this year and asked for daily reports on the progress made. The minister directed the PWD principal secretary to ensure that timelines are strictly adhered to and strict action is taken against officers who cause delays. Expressing her displeasure at the state of disrepair of PWD roads, she said in the communication that it is shocking and unacceptable, and serious accidents are possible. Due to the PWD's laxity and apathy, Delhiites are at the receiving end, she said. "I have been directing the PWD for the past s

Delhi Jal board fund row: Finance secretary causing delay, says Atishi

Despite adherence to the prescribed payment schedule and timely submission of utilisation certificates, the finance secretary has persistently raised new queries, impeding the release of much-needed funds for the Delhi Jal Board, Water Minister Atishi has said. Atishi said this in an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday in response to a personal affidavit filed by Finance Secretary Ashish Chandra Verma in connection with a case related to the delay in release of funds for the DJB by the officer. While the first instalment of grant-in-aid/loan was released in May, the second instalment of Rs 2,031 crore was due in October, the minister said. "Despite adherence to the prescribed payment schedule and timely submission of utilisation certificates and requisite details by the DJB on September 12, the Principal Secretary (Finance), Finance and Planning Department, has persistently raised new and varied queries, impeding the release of the much-needed funds," she said. "I hav

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

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.

Delhi govt sends Bamnoli land acquisition report to CBI, ED; seeks probe

The Delhi government has sent to the CBI and the ED a report of Vigilance Minister Atishi alleging "prima facie complicity" of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in the Bamnoli land acquisition matter, requesting a probe, government sources said on Thursday. Kumar has denied any wrongdoing and alleged that "mudslinging" was being done by people with "vested interests" against whom vigilance action was taken for corruption. On Wednesday, the 670-page report of Vigilance Minister Atishi was submitted to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office. It has demanded Kumar's suspension and claimed that the scale of "undue benefits" in the matter was more than Rs 897 crore. "The report was referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after the chief minister gave his go ahead," a source said. Compensation for 19-acre land in southwest Delhi's Bamnoli village for the NHAI's Dwarka Expressway project was allegedly raised

Atishi submits primary report to CM over complaint against CS Naresh Kumar

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi has submitted a 650-page primary report to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a complaint against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar regarding the Bamnoli land acquisition matter, official sources said on Tuesday. The complaint alleged that the chief secretary's son was employed by a relative of a man who was awarded enhanced compensation for his land acquired for a road project. "Atishi has submitted a 650-page report on the matter to Kejriwal. The report states that an undue gain of Rs 850 crore was earned in the matter. The land was bought near the Dwarka expressway at Rs 75 lakh only in 2015," a source said. There was no immediate reaction from the chief secretary. Kejriwal had asked Atishi to conduct an inquiry into the complaint. The original award of the 19-acre land at Bamnoli, being acquired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was raised from Rs 41 crore to Rs 353 crore in May this year by the then district magistra

Bamnoli case: Vigilance minister starts inquiry against Delhi chief secy

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi on Saturday initiated an inquiry into a complaint against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and summoned all the files on Bamnoli land acquisition for further action, officials said. The complaint alleged that the chief secretary's son was employed by a relative of a landowner, who received an enhanced compensation for land acquired for a road project, official sources said on Friday. Atishi directed the divisional commissioner and vigilance director to provide all the files related to Bamnoli land acquisition to her by 7 pm on Saturday, the officials said. Sources said the Vigilance Directorate, in reply to a note from the minister, has cited various guidelines, including those from the Vigilance Manual of 2021, and pointed out that she has no authority to inquire into the matter, which is already being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, the minister was provided with a certified copy of all the files of the Directorate of ...

Ministers will work to ensure implementation of control measures: Gopal Rai

Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said all ministers of the Delhi government will work at the ground level to ensure strict implementation of air pollution control measures in the national capital. Addressing a press conference here, Rai expressed concern over negligence on part of officers in the implementation of measures outlined in the Centre's air pollution control plan called Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "We have now decided that all ministers will work at the ground level, they will conduct inspections and ensure strict implementation of all air pollution control measures," he said. While Rai will monitor the implementation of these steps in the North and Northeast districts of Delhi, Kailash Gehlot will conduct inspections in the Southwest and West districts. Atishi will be responsible for the East and Southeast districts, Saurabh Bharadwaj for the South and New Delhi districts, Imran Hussain for the Central and Shahdara districts and Raj Kumar Anand for the