Page 59 - Delhi Government

BJP slams AAP govt over waterlogging in Delhi, seek Atishi's resignation

Delhi BJP leaders on Sunday slammed the Kejriwal government over waterlogging in the city for the second consecutive day after heavy rains and demanded resignation of PWD minister Atishi. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said it is "shameful" that even as entire Delhi is flooded and people are experiencing hardships, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chose to go to Haryana for "political campaigning". Sachdeva was referring to Kejriwal's visit to Haryana's Panchkula where he launched the AAP's "Bijli Andolan" in the state. The BJP leader, who directed party councilors and workers to deal with waterlogging problems in their areas and help people, alleged that there was a "scam" in desilting of drains that caused flooding on the roads and streets. The BJP will protest at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office on Monday in protest against the "scam", Sachdeva said. Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri alleged that PWD Minister Atishi has failed to deal with the problem and said she

Monsoon woes: Flood warning in Delhi as Haryana releases water into Yamuna

The Delhi government issued a flood warning on Sunday after Haryana discharged more than one lakh cusecs of water into the Yamuna river from the HathniKund Barrage in Yamunanagar. "The first warning is being issued as 1,05,453 cusecs of water has been released into river Yamuna from Hathnikund barrage at 4 pm," the Irrigation and Flood Control department said in an order. Officials have been instructed to remain vigilant and take necessary measures at vulnerable areas. Quick response teams have also been deployed to raise awareness and warn the people residing within the river embankments. The Central Water Commission (CWC) warned that the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is rising and is expected to surpass the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Tuesday. According to the CWC's flood-monitoring portal, the water level in the Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge stood at 203.18 metres at 1 pm on Sunday. The warning level is 204.5 metres. The water level is likely to rise to 205.5 metres

Delhi schools to remain closed on Monday due to incessant rain: CM Kejriwal

All the schools in Delhi will remain closed on Monday in view of the incessant rain in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced. Delhi recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. An interaction between a Western Disturbance and monsoonal winds is leading to an intense rainfall spell over northwest India, including Delhi, which experienced the season's first "very heavy" rainfall on Saturday. "In view of the torrential rains in the last two days and keeping in mind the warnings of the meteorological department, all schools will remain closed on Monday," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. The Safdarjung observatory, the city's primary weather station, recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest since the 24-hour rainfall of 169.9 mm on July 25, 1982, a senior IMD official said.

Ordinance on control of services: SC to Delhi govt plea on Monday

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday 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 is likely to hear the matter. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi had mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing on July 6. 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) government has termed it as a "deception" with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. The ordinance, which came a week after

PM Modi takes dig at BRS during Telangana visit, calls KCR govt corrupt

In a veiled dig at the ruling BRS in Telangana and the AAP government in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it was for the first time that allegations of corruption deal between two political parties and state governments were cropping up. Pacts between two state governments for welfare and development issues like sharing water are common, but it is for the first time that such allegations are levelled against two parties, he said referring to the Delhi excise policy case. While AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Mninister Manish Sisodia has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the matter, BRS leader and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter, K Kavitha, had appeared before the ED for questioning in connection with the case. Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for various projects worth Rs 6100 crore here, Modi said the BRS government has used up an entire dictionary to shower abuses on the central government a

BJP spreading lies, wants to defame Manish Sisodia, says AAP leader Atishi

Senior AAP leader Atishi on Saturday lashed out at the BJP and the Centre, accusing them of spreading lies about jailed former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and attempting to defame him. This comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it has attached two immovable assets owned by Sisodia and his wife, apart from bank deposits worth Rs 11.49 lakh, in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. At a press conference here, Atishi alleged that as per an ED document, Sisodia has assets worth Rs 81 lakh. "The BJP is spreading lies about Delhi's former deputy CM Manish Sisodia by telling the media that the ED attached Manish Sisodia's assets amounting to Rs 52 crores in the excise case, whereas the ED document says that Sisodia has total assets of Rs 81 lakh only," she said. The AAP leader further alleged that the BJP is "trying to defame Sisodia" and asserted that her party was "not scared of the Centre and its agencies". "The BJP wants to tarnish the

Atishi Marlena inaugrates 32nd Annual Mango Festival in Delhi Haat

During the ongoing mango festival here, people can explore various varieties of the fruit from all over the country and enjoy cultural programs and competitions, the Delhi government said in a statement on Friday. On Friday, Tourism Minister Atishi inaugurated the 32nd Annual Mango Festival at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri. It will conclude on July 9. On this occasion, Atishi stated that the 'Mango Festival' organised by the tourism department is a unique initiative by the Kejriwal government to promote tourism in the city, familiarise the public with various varieties of mangoes, and provide a platform for small and large mango producers to expand their business. During this three-day festival, people can enjoy various cultural programs along with different types of mangoes from 12 pm to 10 pm. There is no entry fee for the festival, and a free shuttle service from Tilak Nagar Metro Station has been arranged for the convenience of visitors.

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

Under-construction building collapses in Delhi, many feared trapped

At least three people are feared trapped after two floors of an under-construction building collapsed in south Delhi's Ambedkar Nagar area on Thursday, police said. Rescue operations are underway. Police and Delhi Fire Services officials are at the spot. About 4.25 pm, the police received information about two floors of a building collapsing at J-Block, DDA Market, Dakshinpuri. At least three people are trapped in the debris, a senior police officer said. Fire services and police personnel are present and a rescue operation is underway, the officer said. Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg said five water tenders are at the spot. According to information from fire services personnel, the lintel of the fourth floor of the under-construction building gave way, resulting in a portion of the building collapsing, he said. Four to five people were trapped in the debris. However, one person has been rescued and a search operation is underway, Garg added.

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)

Delhi govts pitches Rs 5 lakh fine on property without rainwater harvesting

The Delhi government has proposed slapping an environmental compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh on property owners with an area of at least 100 square metres who fail to maintain a functional rainwater harvesting system. In a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital said the penalty could be increased by 50 per cent for non-residential units. The government has suggested implementing an environmental compensation of Rs 50,000 on properties on a plot area measuring 100 sq.m to 500 sq.m, Rs 1 lakh for a plot area between 501 sq.m and 2,000 sq.m, Rs 2 lakh for a plot area between 2,000 sq.m and 5,000 sq.m and Rs 5 lakh for a plot area measuring more than 5,000 sq.m. The Delhi government had made rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems mandatory in 2012 and non-compliance attracts a penalty of one-and-a-half times the water bill amount. A 10-per cent rebate is given on the water bill if an RWH system is ...

SC orders deferment of oath taking of chairperson designate of DERC

The Supreme Court Tuesday ordered deferment of the oath taking of Justice (retd) Umesh Kumar as the chairperson of the DERC and said it will examine the constitutional validity of a provision of the Centre's recent ordinance governing appointments such as that of the chief of the national capital's electricity regulatory authority. It also took on record the Delhi government's statement about deferring the oath taking ceremony of Justice Kumar, whose appointment has become yet another flashpoint in the turf war between the city's AAP government and the Centre. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha said it wanted to deal with the plea challenging the Centre's notification appointing Justice Kumar as the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairperson in a "non-controversial" manner on July 11 and so the administration of oath to him be deferred. Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner (Delhi government) ..

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

SC pulls up Delhi govt for not starting Delhi-Meerut rapid rail on time

The SC criticised the Delhi government for having funds for advertising the project but not ensuring smooth transport

SC directs Delhi govt to furnish details of funds spent on advertisements

The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Delhi government for expressing its inability to contribute funds for construction of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project and directed it to furnish details of funds spent on advertisements in the last three financial years. The funds were meant for construction of the RRTS stretch that will connect the national capital with Rajasthan and Haryana. A bench comprising Justice S K Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia directed the AAP government to file an affidavit enumerating details of funds within two weeks. The direction came after the counsel for the Delhi government told the bench that there was paucity of funds and expressed inability to provide monetary assistance. "You want us to get into what funds you are spending where. All funds for advertisement shall be diverted for this project. You want this kind of order? You are asking for it," the court said. "The Delhi government has expressed its inability to contribute funds for

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,

Top headlines: Reading limit on Twitter, Delhi gets Rs 1,700 cr in excise

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Atishi writes to new DERC chief, requests him to take oath on July 3 or 4

Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Friday wrote to newly appointed DERC Chairman Justice (Retd) Umesh Kumar and requested him to take oath of office on July 3 or 4, sources said. Justice Kumar was appointed chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on June 21. Lt Governor VK Saxena had earlier this week written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, flagging the "unnecessary delay" in administering the oath of office to Justice Kumar and said it should be done without further delay. Sources said Kejriwal forwarded the letter to Atishi the same day and asked her to administer the oath "as early as possible". In her communication to Justice Kumar, Atishi blamed the Power department for the confusion. Justice Kumar, a former Allahabad High Court judge, in a letter to the department, had said it was only after he was communicated that the minister would not be available in the national capital after June 29 that he came to Delhi. He said he had made himself available to

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

AAP demands Delhi L-G Saxena's apology over his remarks on freebies

The Aam Aadmi Party's chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Friday lashed out at Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena over his remarks on freebies and demanded an apology from him. She also said the LG should "give up the facilities" that he has been getting at the cost of taxpayers' money. A couple of days ago, Saxena had said the people of the national capital are now "used to freebies". The remarks made at an event titled 'Delhi 2041 - New Master Plan' seem to be directed at the AAP government's subsidies, primarily on water and electricity. At a press conference here, Kakkar said the LG should withdraw his statement and apologise to the public. "The LG has insulted the people of Delhi. He should know that Delhi collects the highest amount of tax. In last financial year, Rs 1.75 lakh crore tax was collected from Delhiites," she said. "The Centre's problem is Delhi has a staunchly honest government. The LG gets 3,000 to 4,000 free units of electricity, lives in Raj Niwas for f