Page 40 - Delhi Government

ED files court complaint against Arvind Kejriwal for skipping summonses

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a fresh complaint before a Delhi court seeking prosecution of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in a money laundering case, official sources said on Wednesday. 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), they said. The court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra has listed the matter for hearing on Thursday. 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. The court of ACMM Malhotra has listed this matter (regarding summonses no. 1 to 3) for hearing on March 16. Kejriwal, 55, had called all the ED summonses "illegal" and informed the agency last time that

'Rs 1,000 honorarium scheme for Delhi women may roll out in Sep-Oct'

The Delhi government's new scheme under which Rs 1,000 will be given to adult women is likely to be rolled out in September-October, Finance Minister Atishi said on Tuesday, adding she expects it to translate into more women votes for the AAP in the Lok Sabha polls. Atishi presented her maiden budget with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore in the Delhi Assembly on Monday. In an interview to PTI, Atishi said the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana will be notified after the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha polls is lifted and expressed hope that the scheme will roll out from September-October. Another key scheme that will be rolled out in the 2024-25 fiscal is the Business Blasters scheme in Delhi government-run universities. Under the scheme, Rs 2,000 seed money is given to Class 11 and Class 12 students. "The government will be giving a seed money of Rs 25,000 to each selected team of student at its universities for start-ups. We expect 1,000 teams will be part of the scheme," she

Kejriwal skips 8th ED summon, says ready to appear virtually after Mar 12

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday skipped the eighth summons by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case and expressed readiness to appear before the agency through video-conferencing March 12, government sources said. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said the agency was examining Kejriwal's response. The agency might not allow Kejriwal's request to appear virtually and might issue a ninth summons to him for questioning in the case, they said. Kejriwal, in a press conference, said it was written in law that ED proceedings are like judicial proceedings. "That means the agency is like a court. In a court, any party is allowed to be present through video conferencing. If I am asking for video-conferencing, which is my right, I hope they will allow it," he said. The chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener also said he has no objection over a live streaming of his appearance before the agency if it so decides. "This is n

Delhi govt allocates Rs 16,396 cr for education in Budget 2024-25

The Delhi government allocated Rs 16,396 crore for education in its budget for fiscal year 2024-25 announced on Monday. Presenting the budget in the Delhi Assembly, Finance Minister Atishi said the priority of the state government is to focus on providing quality education to the residents of the city. The minister highlighted that the government schools under the Kejriwal-led state government have transformed significantly. "In the last 10 years, major changes have been introduced in Delhi government schools. We doubled the budget for education in the national capital. Today we are proposing a budget of Rs 16,396 crore for education in Delhi," she said. "Before the Kejriwal government, the condition of Delhi government schools were not good. People were forced to go to private schools to study," Atishi, who also holds the education portfolio, added. Atishi said former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had played a significant role in improving the education scenario in Delhi.

Atishi announces Rs 1,000 monthly assistance scheme for women aged above 18

Delhi Finance minister Atishi on Monday announced the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana' under which Rs 1,000 will be given monthly to all women aged above 18 from the fiscal year 2024-25. Atishi announced the scheme in her maiden budget speech. "The Kejriwal government will give a monthly amount of Rs 1,000 to every woman aged 18 or above. Under the Mukyamnatri Mahila Samman Yojana, women will be given this benefit," she said. Atishi presented the budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the Delhi Assembly on Monday with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, and said the government is trying to realise the dream of 'Ram Rajya'.

Kejriwal agrees to appear before ED virtually, seeks date after March 12

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his reply to the latest ED summons related to the excise policy case has expressed readiness to appear before the agency through video-conferencing after March 12, government sources said on Monday. Kejriwal has so far skipped multiple summonses of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), calling them illegal and asking the agency to wait as the matter was in court. The chief minister reiterated that the summonses are "illegal" but still he was ready to answer the questions by the probe agency, the sources said. Kejriwal also has to appear before a city court on March 16. The court has sought his personal appearance in a complaint case filed by the ED over skipping of its summonses by the him.

V K Saxena approves draft uniform policy for inter-dept allotment of land

If the allotment is for public utility, it would be free of charge, provided the allotting agency had the land in question, the statement said

Delhi govt's budget to be based on 'Ram Rajya' concept, says report

The Delhi government's budget for the 2024-25 financial year, which will be presented in the Assembly on Monday, is likely to be based on the concept of "Ram Rajya", sources said. The sources in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said on Sunday that the budget is likely to have something for every section of the society in the election year. "This time, the budget is likely to be based on the concept of Ram Rajya. This will be the 10th budget of the AAP dispensation. The budget is likely to have provisions for every section of the society, in accordance with the principles of Ram Rajya, in the election year," a source said. The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has often spoken about the concept of "Ram Rajya". In his Republic Day speech, he had said the AAP government has adopted 10 principles of "Ram Rajya" and is providing quality education, healthcare services, free electricity and water to people and ensuring women's ...

Delhi Budget: Govt likely to allocate Rs 1,000 cr for unauthorised colonies

The Delhi government is expected to announce a fiscal boost of about Rs 1,000 crore for initiatives to uplift unauthorised colonies in its upcoming budget, sources on Saturday said. Delhi Finance Minister Atishi is slated to present the budget 2024-25 on March 4. In the upcoming budget of the state government, Delhiites can expect a big fiscal boost for unauthorised colonies, especially for strengthening their road infrastructure, a source told PTI. "For the fiscal year 2024-25, the Kejriwal government may announce a budgetary package of nearly Rs 1000 crore," the source said. Delhi has nearly 1,800 unauthorised colonies, accommodating 30 per cent of the city's population. The Delhi government is likely to strengthen the road network in these unauthorised colonies and augment water supply pipelines and sewer networks. A total of 1,031 unauthorised colonies in the city are already connected to the sewer network, with a total installation of 4,000 plus kilometers of sewer lines, ..

Shortage of drugs at Delhi govt hospitals to be addressed: Health minister

Any shortage of medicines or other deficiencies at Delhi government-run hospitals will be addressed, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Friday. In a post on X, Bharadwaj said he held a meeting with top officials of all the hospitals under the city government to ensure the health system under the Arvind Kejriwal government runs smoothly and free medicines are available to all. In a post on X, the minister said he was informed about the availability of medicines and other issues at the hospitals. "The shortage of medicines and other deficiencies at the hospitals will be rectified," he said in his post. Earlier in the day, in another post on X, he wrote, "Held a meeting with the CDMOs of all the health departments on 27.2.2024 on Tuesday, it came to light that tests were not conducted in most of the mohalla clinics in February. "Instructions have been issued to make alternative arrangements to ensure that free tests should continue. Otherwise, the problems of poor people will

Power use in Delhi rises 37%, total consumers up 52% in last 10 yrs: Report

Power consumption in the national capital rose nearly 37 per cent in the last decade from 25,593 Million Units (MUs) of electricity to 35,042 MUs, according to the Delhi Economic Survey report 2023-24 tabled in the Assembly on Friday. The report tabled in the assembly by Finance Minister Atishi, also revealed that the number of consumers in the city rose over 52 per cent during the same period. Delhi, being an urban centre with high load density has seen electricity consumption increasing from 25,593 MUs in 2011-12 to 35,042 MUs in 2022-23. The distribution of electricity in Delhi to various categories of consumers increased from 21,361 MUs in 2012-13 to 30,054 MUs in 2022-23. During the same period, the number of power consumers in Delhi rose from 44.64 lakh to 68.51 lakh, said the report. Also, the the total power purchase in Delhi was 40,997 MUs in FY23. While 09.65 per cent of total power purchase is generated by the Delhi government power plants, 90.35 per cent is purchased

Delhi L-G stalling implementation of Solar Policy, alleges AAP's Atishi

Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Wednesday alleged that Lt Governor V K Saxena is obstructing the AAP dispensation's Solar Policy to ensure that it is not notified before the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls. Atishi raised the issue in the Delhi Assembly and also addressed a press conference on the issue. "First, the Lt Governor sat on the file. I asked the LG office personally about the policy file. When the file came back with several objections, it went from one officer to another. There is only one objective and that is to stop the policy from getting notified before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls kicks in," Atishi said. "Today, LG sir, despite sitting on a constitutional post, is batting from the BJP's side," she alleged during a press conference. She urged Lt Governor to not make efforts to delay the implementation of the policy. "It is an excellent policy and will lead to reduction in pollution. Please do not make efforts to

ED issues 8th summon to Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi excise policy scam case

The Enforcement Directorate has issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the eighth time for his questioning in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, official sources said on Tuesday. They said Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, has been asked to depose on March 4 at the agency's headquarters here. On Monday, Kejriwal, 55, skipped the seventh summons issued to him in the case, saying he would appear before the agency if a court ordered him to do so. A city court, approached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over Kejriwal skipping its summonses, has directed the chief minister to appear before it on March 16. The ED, while issuing the eighth summons, rejected the contention that a fresh notice for Kejriwal's attendance was wrong as the matter was sub-judice.

HC reserves order on BJP MLAs' pleas against suspension from Delhi Assembly

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday reserved its order on the pleas by seven BJP MLAs challenging their indefinite suspension from the legislative assembly for interrupting Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's address at the start of the budget session. Justice Subramonium Prasad asked the parties to file short written submissions, if any, within two days. The court was hearing petitions by the BJP MLAs -- Mohan Singh Bisht, Ajay Mahawar, O P Sharma, Abhay Verma, Anil Bajpai, Jitender Mahajan and Vijender Gupta -- challenging their indefinite suspension from the assembly till the conclusion of the proceedings before the privileges committee. Earlier, the court had asked the privileges committee of the Delhi Assembly to hold off its proceedings against the suspended MLAs in view of the pendency of the matter before it. The MLAs, represented through senior advocate Jayant Mehta, had contended their suspension till the conclusion of the proceedings before the privileges committee was in ...

'Delhi model' showing direction to whole country, says Kejriwal in Assembly

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said the Delhi governance model is showing direction to the entire country in terms of education, health and electricity. Kejriwal was highlighting the achievements of his government in Delhi in the three sectors during an address in the Assembly. Before he began, the chief minister asked the members to salute senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, who was arrested the same day last year by the CBI in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. "The AAP government has undertaken so much work in Delhi that was not done in the last 75 years. Today, the 'Delhi model' is showing direction to the entire country. I will talk about three sectors -- health, education and electricity," he said. Kejriwal said almost four to five lakh students in Delhi have left private schools and sought admissions to government ones. "If we can provide good education to poor children in Delhi, it can also be done in the country. Why are government sch

Delhi CM Kejriwal skips seventh ED summons; asks to wait for Court decision

AAP has emphasised that the matter is currently sub judice, with the next court hearing scheduled for March 16

Atishi declares order of appointing Delhi govt standing counsel 'invalid'

Delhi Law Minister Atishi has declared as "invalid" an order issued by the principal secretary (Law) appointing another lawyer as standing counsel to represent Delhi government before the Delhi High Court on interim basis instead of standing counsel (civil) Santosh Kumar Tripathi. The minister, in an order issued on February 15, said "Tripathi will continue to handle the responsibilities of standing counsel (civil), Delhi High Court, GNCTD". A copy of the order has also been sent to the registrar general of the high court. Earlier this month, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had said that government counsel have made "misleading" statements before the high court related to a report on the opening of liquor vends in conforming and non-conforming wards while implementing the now-rescinded excise policy in the national capital, officials had said. Later on February 14, the principal secretary (Law) issued an order stating, "As an interim arrangement and to ensure proper ...

Delhi L-G writes to CM to expedite 'stalled' process of Budget presentation

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urging him to expedite the "stalled" process of budget presentation in the Assembly. The Delhi government in a statement said the budget was en route to the LG office for his approval. "The budget was by Finance Minister Atishi with the presidential nod, around February 20. It is a financial document of utmost importance for the entire 2024-25 fiscal, so due diligence at micro level is required, and this takes time," read the statement. The Delhi Assembly's Budget Session, which started on February 15, was extended till the first week of March with the finance minister citing a delay in its finalisation and seeking approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Budget Session was initially scheduled to end on February 21. Saxena said that he addressed the Assembly on February 15, and the House was informed by the chief minister and the finance minister that the presentation of the budget

HC asks govt, police to inform about plan to tackle bomb threats to schools

The Delhi High Court has asked the city government and the police to inform it about an "action plan" to deal with frequent instances of bomb threats to schools in the national capital. The court also issued notice to the authorities on an application filed by the petitioner, lawyer Arpit Bhargava, who claimed out of five incidents of bomb threats to schools last year, three are yet to be investigated and taken to their logical conclusion. In a recent order, Justice Subramonium Prasad asked the Delhi government and the Delhi Police to file their response to the plea, and said, "The counter affidavit must indicate the action plan to be taken by the respondents". The petitioner is the father of a child studying at DPS, Mathura Road which received one such threat call last year. "Even this Hon'ble Court was targeted in a similar fashion when a bomb threat email on 15.02.24 sent everyone on their toes and a strict security drill had to be initiated in all courts across Delhi," the late

Delhi CM will be arrested in next 2-3 days, says AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj

Bharadwaj further claimed that the BJP is afraid that the party will face difficulty wherever the AAP and Congress form an alliance