Page 62 - Delhi Government

Cost of Renovation of Delhi CM's residence Rs 52 cr: Report sent to LG

Renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence incurred a total cost of Rs 52.71 crore, according to a "factual report" submitted by the Delhi government's Vigilance Directorate to the lieutenant governor, official sources said on Thursday. The cost of Rs 52.71 crore included Rs 33.49 crore spent on the construction of the house and Rs 19.22 crore on a camp office for the chief minister, the report said, citing records of the Public Works Department (PWD). It is "unfortunate" that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after failing in all its attempts to malign Kejriwal's image over the last nine years, is now targeting the chief minister's residence, the Aam aadmi Party (AAP) said in a statement. "There is nothing in the report to say that any crime was committed. This is the first time that an official residence complex for the chief minister was created in Delhi, comprising the chief minister's residence, an office secretariat, an auditorium and staff quarters," it

High Court directs Delhi govt to consider Advocates Protection Bill

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Delhi government to consider the draft Advocates Protection Bill 2023 and hold a consultation with stakeholders on it.

Delhi mulls revision of user charge for services to augment non-tax revenue

The Delhi government has undertaken an exercise to revise user charges for services provided by its various departments and agencies with the aim to augment non-tax revenue, officials said on Wednesday. The Finance department wrote to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries earlier this month, asking them to furnish the details of user charges being collected for different services, they said. A Finance department circular noted the need to augment non-tax revenue in view of the "stretched state finances" due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2021-22 and the non receipt of GST compensation from the Centre since July 2022. "In this context, a need has arisen to augment non-tax revenue, which is currently at only 1.69 per cent and 1.35 per cent of total revenue collection of Delhi government during financial year 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively," said the circular. The major components of non-tax revenue are interest charged on loans or advances, dividend

Policy limitations hurting survival of transplanted trees: Forest dept

The survival rate of transplanted trees in Delhi drastically comes down after the first year due to multiple reasons, including limitations of the tree transplantation policy, the city government's Forest department found during an in-house audit conducted recently. The tree survival rate after one year of transplantation is up to 90 per cent. It drastically drops to 38 per cent after three years, a senior Forest department official, requesting anonymity, told PTI. Data collected after a preliminary audit and submitted to Delhi High Court in May last year showed that only 33.33 per cent of the 16,461 trees transplanted in the national capital over the preceding three years had survived. The Delhi government's tree transplantation policy states that agencies concerned must transplant a minimum 80 per cent of the trees affected by its development works. The benchmark tree survival rate at the end of one year of transplantation is 80 per cent. A three-member committee set up to identi

Delhi govt expresses concern over increasing atrocities on SC/ST community

The Delhi government on Tuesday expressed concern over "increasing" atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the national capital and a noticeable decrease in the conviction rate under the SC/ST Act. In a review meeting chaired by SC/ST Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, officials discussed urgent measures to address these alarming trends and ensure justice for the victims. The review meeting, attended by district magistrates and key officials, highlighted the need for effective implementation of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Delhi. Anand stressed the government's responsibility to provide immediate legal aid to victims from the SC/ST communities and emphasised the importance of registering complaints promptly to expedite the legal process. He urged the authorities to apprehend and prosecute the culprits responsible for crimes against members of the SC/ST communities. By ensuring swift justice, the government

Kejriwal to meet Mamata, discuss ordinance on administrative services

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to meet his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Tuesday, an official said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo is trying to drum up opposition support over his government's fight against the Centre over an ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital. Kejriwal is scheduled to land at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in the afternoon, following which he will visit the state secretariat Nabanna to meet the Trinamool Congress chief. "They are scheduled to have a closed-door meeting at the state secretariat. They may also hold a discussion on probable strategies for next year's general elections," a senior TMC leader said. Kejriwal has met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the ordinance issue and the latter has extended full support to AAP in its tussle with the Centre on the matter. The AAP chief may also meet Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP leader Sharad

Delhi govt to de-silt Ring Road trunk sewer line to lessen overflow issues

The Delhi government will de-silt all trunk sewer lines in the national capital for the first time this year, it said in a statement on Monday. The initiative aims to provide relief to Delhi residents from persistent sewer overflow problems, contribute to the rejuvenation of the Yamuna river and effectively address waterlogging on the roads, it said. The project will commence with the cleaning of the 9.8-kilometre Ring Road trunk sewer line from the Red Fort Gate to the Maharani Bagh sewage pumping station, benefitting areas such as Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj, Sarai Kale Khan, Ajmeri Gate, Pragati Maidan, Nizamuddin and Sunder Nagar. The decision to clean the Ring Road trunk sewer line was made following a directive by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The trunk sewer line, which has not been de-silted for over 18 years, has accumulated a significant amount of sediment, leading to reduced flow capacity and back-overflow situations during the rainy season, the government said in the ...

Special secretary of Delhi reinstated a week after being divested of charge

A week after being divested of his charge and alleging a break-in at his office for suspected "tampering of sensitive files", Special Secretary (Vigilance) of the Delhi government YVVJ Rajasekhar was reinstated on Monday. An order issued by the secretary (vigilance) said Rajasekhar will resume work "as usual" and all the assistant directors will maintain the status as on May 10 as far as the work flow in concerned. Rajasekhar was divested of all his work and files were taken away from him on the orders of Vigilance Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. The order also directed for the de-sealing of room numbers 403 (of special secretary, vigilance) and 404 (confidential section of the special secretary, vigilance) in view of a recent ordinance of the Centre bringing services matters under the lieutenant governor's control. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has launched a probe into a complaint from Rajasekhar in which he has alleged the opening of the lock of his office in the secretariat and ...

HC asks Delhi govt to file action plan on bomb threats received by schools

The Delhi High Court Monday asked the city government and police to submit an action plan to deal with bomb threats issued to schools to ensure safety and security of children, teachers, staff and all other stakeholders. Against the backdrop of a spate of such threats, Justice Prathiba M Singh said this never used to happen earlier and asked the Delhi Police as to what steps it was taking. The high court also asked the police to file a status report in respect of bomb threats received by Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, recently. It also impleaded Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private Schools as a party to the petition and said the association may also place on record its suggestions. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on July 31. It was hearing a plea by a parent of a child studying at DPS Mathura Road raising concern over a string of bomb threats to schools due to which parents, students and school staff were traumatised. Petitioner Arpit Bhargava, a .

Ordinance has been brought to investigate corruption of AAP: MoS Lekhi

Kejriwal said that he will seek the support of the leaders of the Opposition parties against the Centre's Ordinance days after the Supreme Court ruling empowering the AAP

Whatever happened in Delhi is a wake-up call, can happen anywhere: Mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who is visiting Karnataka, on Sunday appreciated the people for voting out a "fascist" BJP government in the state, but also cautioned people about the recent developments in Delhi, saying it was a wake-up call for everyone as it can happen anywhere in the country. Mufti was referring to an ordinance passed by the President on Friday, May 20, giving overriding powers to the Delhi's Lieutenant Governor -- a union government nominee -- to oversee the transfer, posting and disciplinary proceedings against civil servants in Delhi. The ordinance was brought in just a week after a Supreme Court Constitution Bench had ruled that powers over the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in the national capital lay with the Delhi government and not the Central government. The apex court had made it clear that the Central government cannot take over governance of elected state governments. "Whatever happened in Delhi is a wake-up call

Centre moves SC seeking review of Delhi govt's executive powers verdict

The Centre has moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its May 11 verdict which held that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over the administration of services except for public order, police and land. The review petition, submitted by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said the judgment "suffers from errors apparent on the face of the record and fails to consider the case submitted by the review petitioner". A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, in a unanimous verdict, had put an end to the dispute between the Centre and the Delhi government triggered by a 2015 home ministry notification asserting its control over services, holding the National Capital Territory administration is unlike other Union Territories and has been "accorded a 'sui generis' (unique) status" by the Constitution. The Centre had on Friday promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, with the AAP

Centre files review petition against SC order on Delhi civil services row

Transfers and postings of officials have been a bone of contention between the Centre and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government since 2015

Ordinance to say govt will have final say even if SC comes in way: Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday took a dig at the Centre over its ordinance on transfer of bureaucrats in Delhi, saying that the government has promulgated the ordinance to state that it will have the final say even if the Supreme Court comes in the way. The Centre on Friday promulgated an ordinance to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against IAS and DANICS cadre officers. The ordinance came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi. In a tweet, Sibal said, "Supreme Court to Government: Ruled to say: Hand over reins of 'services' to Delhi Government. Government to Supreme Court: Promulgated Ordinance to say: If you come in the way, we will still have the final say." The National Capital Civil Service Authority will comprise the chief minister of the government of the National Capital Territory of

Centre issues ordinance to take control of services dept of Delhi govt

This meant the L-G does not have sweeping executive powers over the national capital

Delhi L-G approves proposal to assign charge of Services dept to A K Singh

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday approved the AAP government's proposal to assign the additional charge of the Services department to IAS officer A K Singh, hours after a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP dispensation and the LG had locked horns over the transfer of Services Secretary Ashish More following the May 11 Supreme Court verdict giving the city government executive control over transfer and posting of bureaucrats. "LG has approved the proposal sent by the chief minister to assign additional charge of the Services department to AK Singh, IAS AGMUT 1995," said a statement from LG's office. Hours after the top court verdict, Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had removed More and directed the appointment of Singh as the new secretary. The AAP government had sent the file on More's removal from the post to the LG on May 17 for his nod.

No orders for staff to be passed by CS without his nod: Delhi minister

Delhi Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday directed that no orders pertaining to employees will be passed by the chief secretary or the services department without his approval, amid a growing discord between bureaucrats and the city government. The order comes close on the heels of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government seeking the Centre's approval to appoint 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service officer PK Gupta as the new chief secretary of Delhi. Gupta is currently serving as additional chief secretary in the general administration department (GAD) of the Delhi government. The present chief secretary, Naresh Kumar, is due to retire later this year, officials said. "In supercession of all earlier orders, it is hereby directed that no orders for any category of employees shall be passed by the chief secretary or secretary (services) or services department without the approval of the undersigned," Bharadwaj said in an order signed by him. This order is the latest in a

Stakeholder consultation for next phase of Delhi EV policy on May 24

The Delhi government has begun work on drafting a revised electric vehicle (EV) policy for the national capital, since the existing one will expire in August. The Delhi EV Cell of the Transport Department will hold a stakeholder consultation on May 24 for the second phase of the policy, in collaboration with Climate Trends. The consultation aims to bring together stakeholders, international sectoral experts and academicians to share achievements, learnings and experiences, and make recommendations towards the development of the next phase of the policy, according to its website. The Delhi EV policy -- introduced in August 2020 -- aims at increasing the EV share in total vehicle sales to 25 per cent by 2024. According to official data, over 1.12 lakh EVs have been sold under the policy.

Delhi govt launches 'I love Yamuna campaign' to boost participation

The Delhi government will encourage people to participate in cleaning activities of the Yamuna and increase the green cover on its banks as part of a campaign launched for the rejuvenation of the river on Wednesday. The "I love Yamuna campaign" was kicked off by Delhi Environment and Forest Minister Gopal Rai from Chhath Ghat, near ITO here. Nearly 1,500 students and teachers from Eco Clubs of different schools in Delhi registered to participate in the initiative, the minister's office said in a statement. The objective of this programme is to educate children about the significance of the Yamuna river and the issue of pollution in Delhi, the statement said. All children present during the programme actively participated in a slogan-writing competition related to the cleanliness of the river, and also pledged to keep Yamuna clean, it said. Additionally, the environment and forest department distributed medicinal plants to all those who attended the event. "Yamuna river is not jus

Delhi govt forms panel to fix routes, services for 'mohalla' bus scheme

The Delhi government has constituted an eight-member expert technical committee for deciding routes and operational characteristics of the 'mohalla' bus scheme, according to an official order issued by the transport department. The Arvind Kejriwal-led government plans to introduce 100 'mohalla' (community) buses in Delhi soon. These buses will serve narrow and crowded roads and poorly connected residential as well as commercial hubs, ensuring last-mile connectivity. The committee has been constituted by Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, DTC MD Shilpa Shinde, who also holds the charge of Special Commissioner (Cluster) said in the order issued on May 16. The expert technical committee will submit its recommendations to the transport department within three weeks from the date of the constitution of the committee, the order said. "The scope of work of the expert technical committee has inter-alia included nature of Mohalla bus services, pervasive branding, route length, fare, frequen