Page 39 - Delhi Government

From crusader to liquor 'scam' accused: Kejriwal's arrest big blow to AAP

An IIT graduate, Kejriwal first led AAP to form the government in Delhi in 2013 with outside support from the Congress

AAP leader Gopal Rai calls for nationwide protest against Kejriwal's arrest

The AAP's Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai gave a call on Thursday for a nationwide protest against the BJP following Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Rai said Kejriwal's arrest is the "murder of democracy" and an "announcement of dictatorship". The ED arrested Kejriwal in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case on Thursday evening and took him to the agency's headquarters here, officials said. The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the federal agency. "I appeal to the countrymen to protest outside BJP offices across the country against this dictatorship. We will gather at the AAP office at 10 am on Friday and then protest outside the BJP headquarters," Rai, a minister in the Delhi government, said. "If Kejriwal can be arrested, anyone can be arrested and their voice can be suppressed. From today, the

Kejriwal will continue to work as Delhi CM, to run govt from jail: AAP

Arvind Kejriwal will continue as the Delhi chief minister, the AAP said soon after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday evening in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also alleged that the ED has become a "political tool" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre. Kejriwal's arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency. "He will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail since he has not been convicted," Delhi minister Atishi told reporters. The AAP alleged a "huge conspiracy" behind Kejriwal's arrest ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. In a post in Hindi on X, the party said: "Hold the torches of revolution. The time has come for total revolution. The dictatorial

Delhi govt develops portal for licensing cab aggregators, e-commerce cos

The Delhi government has developed a portal to facilitate licensing, payment of fees and regulate cab aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities. The Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme - 2023 was notified by the government last year. Service providers and e-commerce entities with more than 25 vehicles in their fleet will have to register on the portal to obtain a licence. "All licence holders are requested to register their existing fleets operating in the NCT of Delhi. All existing aggregator and delivery service providers operating within the NCT of Delhi shall obtain a licence within a period of 90 days," according to a public notice issued by the Transport department. The notice was uploaded on the department's website on Friday. The department's dashboard to monitor the progress of the scheme can be accessed at myfleet.delhi.gov.in. The licences will be valid for five years. The scheme mandates service providers to ensur

BRS MLC K Kavitha produced before Delhi court in excise policy case

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday produced arrested BRS leader K Kavitha before a court here in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. The agency produced the Telangana Legislative Council member before Special Judge M K Nagpal, who is likely to take up the matter shortly. "We will fight it (case) out in court," the BRS leader told media persons while being produced before the court. She was arrested by the central probe agency from her residence at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad last evening and brought to Delhi.

Delhi court grants bail to CM Kejriwal in case of skipping ED summons

A Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate against him for skipping summons in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra also allowed Kejriwal to leave the courtroom. "Offence being bailable, accused Arvind Kejriwal is admitted to bail," it said. The court further directed the ED to hand over documents related to the complaints to Kejriwal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed two complaints before the magisterial court, seeking Kejriwal's prosecution for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in the case. The latest complaint pertains to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor not honouring summonses no. 4 to 8 sent by the federal probe agency under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED had earlier moved the magisterial court seeking Kejriwal's prosecution

Delhi Cabinet gives nod to extend electric vehicle policy till June

The Delhi Cabinet on Friday approved the extension of Electric Vehicle policy till June this year. All current incentives and subsidies remain intact, and any vehicles purchased from January 1 onwards will be eligible for the benefits under this extension, a Delhi government statement said. The Delhi EV policy has been extended till June 30 or until the notification of Delhi EV policy 2.0, whichever is earlier, it added. The decision to extend the policy was taken in a Cabinet meeting on Friday. Comments and suggestions from various stakeholders are currently being considered for inclusion in the upcoming Delhi EV Policy 2.0, the statement said. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, "The extension of the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy underscores our dedication to fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly transport ecosystem in the capital. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, we are committed to making Delhi a leader in electric mobility at globa

Hindu, Sikh refugees protest against Kejriwal over his comments against CAA

Hindu and Sikh refugees living in various parts of Delhi staged a protest near Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Civil Lines residence here on Thursday, demanding an apology from him over his statements against the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The protesters assembled near the Chandgiram Akhara and attempted to march towards Kejriwal's bungalow, but were stopped by police. "The Narendra Modi government is giving us citizenship while Kejriwal is asking who will give us jobs and houses. He does not understand our pain," said Panjuram, one of the protesters. The protesters said Kejriwal should withdraw his statements against the CAA and refugees and tender an apology. Hindu and Sikh refugees living in Rohini, Adarsh Nagar, near Signature Bridge and Majnu ka Tilla took part in the protest. At a press conference on Wednesday, Kejriwal alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to settle poor people hailing from minority communities in Afghanistan, ..

Excise policy scam case: Kejriwal moves sessions court challenging summons

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved a sessions court here challenging the summons issued to him by a lower court on two complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate for evading its summons in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam. Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Syal is likely to hear Kejriwal's applications later in the day. Kejriwal moved the sessions court against orders passed by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra, who has directed Kejriwal to appear before the court on March 16. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed two complaints before the magisterial court seeking prosecution of Kejriwal for skipping multiple summons issued to him in the case. The latest complaint pertains to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor not honouring summons number four to eight sent by the federal probe agency under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED said. The ED had earlier moved the ...

Delhi govt fined for challenging order that gave health benefits to worker

The court noted that it was 'surprised' that a government that publicised schemes promoting the interest of women filed such a 'misconceived appeal'

To benefit citizens, Delhi govt built 63 flyovers in 10 yrs: CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the AAP government has built 63 flyovers in the city over the last 10 years and provided all possible benefits to citizens. Inaugurating a three-lane flyover at Moti Nagar, Kejriwal said it will cut down the travel time for commuters and provide relief to them from traffic snarls. "This flyover will provide relief to people from traffic jams. We have built around 63 flyovers since we came to power. What the previous governments have done in 75 years, we have done more in the last 10 years. All it takes is the will to do the work," he said. Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has government provided all possible benefits to citizens -- from free electricity to good education. "Our government schools are so good that there is no difference between the children of the rich and the poor. We have fixed the government hospitals, opened mohalla clinics, provided free bus rides to women," he said.

Northeast Delhi put under tight security after CAA implementation notified

Security was tightened in many parts of Delhi with paramilitary personnel conducting night patrols and flag marches in the northeastern parts of the city, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar and other sensitive areas after the Centre implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. The CAA bill was passed in Parliament on December 11, 2019, leading to protests across the country, including Delhi which witnessed months-long anti-CAA protests in 2019-2020 with Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh being the epicentres of the stir. In early 2020, the city witnessed communal riots in its northeastern parts over the issue in which 53 people were killed and over 500 injured. After the Centre implemented the CAA on Monday, notifying the rules four years after the contentious law was passed, police in Delhi's northeast district identified 43 hotspots and conducted patrols there. These areas include Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Mustafabad, Bhajanpura, Khajoori Khas and Seemapuri, an official said. "Polic

Man falls into borewell in Keshopur: Atishi visits water treatment plant

Water Minister Atishi on Sunday visited the Delhi Jal Board water treatment plant in Keshopur where a man fell into a 40-foot-deep borewell and said that action would be taken against the official who was responsible for this sewage treatment plant. The minister was briefed about the rescue operation by the teams deployed at the spot. "I have ordered all borewells in Delhi to be inspected in the next 48 hours and action will be taken against the official who was responsible for this STP (sewage treatment plant)," Atishi told PTI. She said that the borewell surrounding was completely locked when the rescue teams arrived and added that the police are looking into the matter. "The surrounding of the borewell where the person fell was completely locked. Those carrying out the rescue operations had broken the locks and entered. It wasn't a child who fell inside, it's an adult man. Police are looking into the matter now. It is not possible or even allowed for anyone to enter the area. ..

Delhi L-G, AAP govt trade charges over civic issues in slum clusters

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and the AAP government traded charges on Saturday over the city's civic issues as he shared on social media pictures highlighting cleanliness issues in the slum clusters of Tehkhand and Okhla. Posting pictures captured during his Friday visit to Golkuan in Tehkhand and Sanjay Colony in Okhla, both slum areas in southeast Delhi, Saxena requested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to take cognisance of it. In its reaction to Saxena's posts and pictures on X, the Kejriwal government alleged in a statement that three lakh slum-dwellers in Delhi have become homeless due to LG's decisions and directions. The LG office sent out a strongly-worded reply, saying, "This is typical and blatant lie being peddled, supposedly by Delhi government." "Not a single Jhuggi has been removed at LG's directions. In fact, on many occasions, the last being at Majnu ka Tila, demolitions were stopped due to LG's intervention," a Raj Niwas official said. The LG has made four

Delhi govt seeks L-G's nod on decision extending power subsidy to 2024-25

The Delhi government has sent the file of Cabinet decision to continue electricity subsidy scheme in 2024-25 for approval of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, government officials on Saturday said. The Delhi Cabinet on Thursday last approved the scheme for providing free electricity supply to consumers with monthly 200 units and 50 percent subsidy to those having 201-400 units consumption per month. However, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal speaking in the Assembly on Saturday on his government's budget for 2024-25 alleged that the BJP wanted to send him to jail and stop good works of his government like free electricity scheme and shut down Mohalla Clinics and hospitals. Finance Minister Atishi presented the Kejriwal government's budget with total outlays of Rs 76,000 crore in the Delhi Assembly on Monday. In Delhi, nearly 22 lakh families who consume up to 200 units of electricity will continue to get zero amount bills. Earlier, the chief minister after the Cabinet's decision to exte

Two Danics officers suspended for expenditure on ads by Delhi govt

The Centre has suspended two DANICS officers in connection with alleged "unproductive expenditure" on advertisements by the Delhi government, officials said. They said Shamim Akhtar and Manoj Dwivedi previously worked as the director of the Directorate of Information and Publicity, Delhi government. In separate orders issued on Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said Akhtar and Dwivedi were suspended with immediate effect by the president in exercise of the powers conferred by the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965. Akhtar, a 1996-batch officer of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Island Civil Services (DANICS), is currently posted at the Urban Development department of the Delhi government, while Dwivedi (DANICS, 2003) was last posted in the Andman and Nicobar Islands. Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had in January this year recommended to the MHA disciplinary action against the two officers. The MHA is the competent authority to tak

Delhi LG Saxena orders termination of two non-official members of DUSIB

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has ordered the termination of two non-official members of DUSIB who were serving as expert members without any requisite qualification in urban planning, Raj Niwas officials said on Thursday. Saxena issued the directions in the exercise of his powers under section 4(2) of the DUSIB Act, 2010, they added. However, the Delhi government later issued a statement saying the appointment of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) members lies in the domain of the elected government and not the LG. Raj Niwas officials earlier said that of the two officers whose services were ordered to be terminated, one has been serving as an expert member of DUSIB for nine years while the other was appointed as a non-official member on March 9, 2022. Both were drawing hefty remunerations in contravention of the law, they added. Saxena also sought a panel of fresh names for expert members who fulfil the requisite qualifications within a week, an official said.

Delhi records below average minimum temperature of 8.8 degrees, says IMD

It was a chilly morning in the national capital on Thursday as the minimum temperature settled five notches below the season's average at 8.8 degrees Celsius, the Met office said. The city is likely to experience a partly cloudy sky during the day and the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 25 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The relative humidity at 8.30 am was 75 per cent, the IMD bulletin said. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 179. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

Court directs CM Kejriwal to appear before it after fresh complaint by ED

A Delhi court on Thursday issued summons to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on a fresh complaint by the ED for allegedly evading its summonses in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra directed Kejriwal to appear before the court on March 16. The Enforcement Directorate filed the complaint before the court on Wednesday, seeking prosecution of Kejriwal for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in the case. The latest complaint pertains to the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor not honouring summonses number 4 to 8 sent by the federal probe agency under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED said. The ED had earlier moved a local court seeking Kejriwal's prosecution for not attending the first three summonses issued to him in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

2020 Northeast Delhi riots: Delhi's Karkardooma Court acquits 11 accused

These accused were charge-sheeted in a case of rioting and criminal conspiracy by Delhi Police in relation to an FIR lodged at police station Dayal Pur