Page 101 - Delhi

AAP opposition to Delhi services bill aimed at hiding corruption: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the AAP's opposition to the Delhi services bill was aimed at hiding corruption of the Delhi government as he urged other opposition parties to not support it. Initiating the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Shah said the BJP and Congress had ruled the national capital without any confrontation, and problems arose only in 2015 when a government came that had no intention to serve but only be at loggerheads with the Centre. "The problem with the Bill is not about control of transfer and postings of officers, but to hide the truth of the bungalow worth crores by gaining control over vigilance and to hide the truth about the corruption that has taken place," Shah said. The MP from Gandhinagar in Gujarat also cautioned the opposition, which is building a coalition against the BJP-led NDA for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, saying that bills and laws were for the benefit of

DBC employees demanding regularisation protest outside Delhi CM's house

Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) tasked with containing the spread of dengue and malaria in the national capital Thursday staged a protest outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence here demanding regularisation and better equipment. The DBC employees were promised permanent posts as field workers by the government in March 2022. This has not been materialised as of yet. Several such workers have complained that their salaries barely cover the expenses of their families. On Thursday, scores of DBC employees gathered outside Kejriwal's house demanding regularisation. They held banners and placards stating their demands for better equipment, job security and financial safety. During the strike, organised by Anti-Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union, the protestors said despite working for several years, no official position was granted to them, owing to which they are not entitled to any medical benefits and post-retirement allowances. DBC employees were first introduced to the cit

UGC declares 20 universities as 'fake', not empowered to confer any degree

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday declared 20 universities as "fake" and not empowered to confer any degree with Delhi having eight such institutions, the highest. "It has come to the notice of the UGC that a number of institutions are offering degrees in contrary to the provisions of the UGC Act. Degrees awarded by such universities shall neither be recognised nor valid for higher education or employment purpose. These universities are not empowered to confer any degree," UGC secretary Manish Joshi said. Delhi has eight "fake" universities -- All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Sciences; Commercial University Ltd, Daryaganj; United Nations University; Vocational University; ADR-Centric Juridical University; Indian Institution of Science and Engineering; Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment; and Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), according to the UGC. Uttar Pradesh has four such universities Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith; National .

Haryana clashes: Security amped up at sensitive places, says Delhi Police

Security has been beefed up at sensitive places in the national capital in the wake of violence in some districts of neighbouring Haryana, the Delhi Police said on Wednesday. The Haryana Police on Tuesday said that mobs killed a cleric in a late-night attack on a mosque, torched an eatery and vandalised shops as communal violence that began in Haryana's Nuh spilled over into neighbouring Gurugram, taking the death toll to five. "Keeping in view the violence in some districts of Haryana, adjoining Delhi, elaborate security arrangements have been made at all sensitive places in Delhi and additional police forces have also been deployed where necessary. "Any attempt to harm Delhi's security and communal harmony will be dealt with strictly," the Delhi Police said. Hindu outfits Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are staging protests across the national capital against the Haryana violence.

GST Council meeting: Delhi FM Atishi to raise issue of tax on online gaming

Ahead of the GST Council meeting, Delhi Finance Minister Atishi on Wednesday sought reconsideration of the decision to levy 28 per cent tax on online gaming. The GST Council, in its meeting on Wednesday, is likely to finalise the modalities for determination of supply value in online gaming and casinos for levying 28 per cent tax. The minister, who met representatives from the online gaming industry on Tuesday, said the issue will be raised by her at the meeting. "Last month the @GST_Council decided to impose a 28% tax on Online Gaming. Many entrepreneurs and investors from the start-up ecosystem opposed this decision, as they felt that it would destroy this fast growing industry.Yesterday, I met several representatives from the Online Gaming industry to understand their concerns. "Today the @GST_Council is meeting again, and I will ask the Council to reconsider its decision. Promoting start-ups and entrepreneurship is the only way our economy is going to grow!" Atishi tweeted. Th

Delhi University announces first allocation list for UG admissions

Allocations have been done in all programs, in all colleges, except in those programs where the eligibilities include performance or practical tests

BJP alleges 'panic button scam', AAP says safety measure working properly

The BJP on Tuesday alleged a scam of crores of rupees in the name of panic buttons in buses in the national capital, while the AAP dispensation claimed all safety measures were functioning properly. Following media reports that the Anti-Corruption Bureau is carrying out an audit of panic buttons, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that the Delhi Transport Department has done a scam of crores of rupees in the name of panic buttons. Leader of opposition in the Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that a delegation led by Sachdeva would meet the lieutenant governor and submit a memorandum regarding this "multi-crore panic button scam". He demanded that Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot resign from his post taking moral responsibility till the investigation is going on. Meanwhile, the Delhi government said it is "not aware of any formal audit being carried out by the ACB, including whether appropriate technical protocols were being followed while conducting the audit or if

Plans on track to open 5 more sub-registrar offices in Delhi: Officials

In view of the mounting workload and increased property registrations, the Delhi government is gearing up to open five more sub-registrar offices in the city, officials said Tuesday. Presently there are 22 sub-registrar offices in the city and the number will increase to 27 after new offices are opened, they said. "The revenue department has sent a proposal for opening five more sub-registrar offices to the minister concerned Atishi. If accepted, the new offices will help reduce workload on the existing offices and speed up property registration," a senior Delhi government official said. It has been also proposed to hire workforce to handle the helpdesk at the sub-registrar offices to facilitate the people in completing documentation. The sub-registrar offices of revenue department at district level are responsible for registration of properties bought and sold, deeds and gifts involving substantial amounts. The stamp duty charged for documentation is a major source of revenue for

Delhi Police enhances vigil, on alert post communal clashes in Gurugram

The Delhi Police enhanced patrolling in the national capital on Tuesday after an alert was sounded following communal clashes in Gurugram and adjoining areas in Haryana, officials said. A senior police officer said the Delhi Police keeps a tab on the incidents in neighbouring states as well as other parts of the country that may have impact on the national capital. The officer said the force is prepared to respond to any situation arising in the national capital as a result of such incidents in neighbouring areas. Another officer said the force was holding meetings with peace committees. "We are urging them to maintain peace in their areas. Social media monitoring is also being done," the officer said. Police visibility has been increased in areas with mixed populations and sensitive places. Drones are also being used. "Keeping North Delhi safe & serene! Police deploys cutting-edge drone survey to watch over the area, ensuring harmony prevails and public safety remains top-notch,"

LIVE updates: Alert in 11 west UP districts in wake of Haryana violence

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Blackstone alum doubles down on Drone startups after 600% IdeaForge return

BotLab was established in 2016 at the technology business incubator unit at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Centre tables National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill in LS

The Union government on Tuesday tabled the contentious Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha, seeking to replace an ordinance related to the control of services in the national capital. The proposed legislation, which has brought the Delhi government and the Centre at loggerheads, empowers the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to have a final say in recommendations regarding the transfer and posting of Delhi government officials, received the nod of the Union Cabinet on July 25. Tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, the legislation will reverse the effect of the Supreme Court verdict in May that gave the Delhi government power over administrative services. The Opposition has been protesting against the Ordinance since the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Arvind Kejriwal-AAP government has challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court. In the past couple of months, Kejriwal toured across the countr

Bill to replace Delhi services ordinance most undemocratic paper: AAP

The AAP on Tuesday termed the bill to replace the Delhi services ordinance the most "undemocratic" piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament and asserted that it will replace democracy with "babucracy". Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Tuesday tabled the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to replace an ordinance related to the control of services in the national capital. The legislation, which has brought the Delhi government and the Centre at loggerheads, empowers the Delhi Lt Governor to have the final say in recommendations regarding the transfers and postings of Delhi government officials. It received Cabinet nod on July 25. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha said the bill is even worse than the previous ordinance and more against "our democracy, the Constitution, and the people of Delhi". Terming the bill the most undemocratic, illegal piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament, he said it essentially snatches a

Delhi's municipal corporation removes 2,181 positions across 14 departments

The decision came after an independent third-party audit by EY. Officials confirm that there will be no layoffs

Delhi services Bill listed for introduction in Lok Sabha for Tuesday

The Delhi services bill which seeks to replace an ordinance that mandated the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. According to the revised list of business for Tuesday, Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce the bill while his deputy Nityanand Rai will make a statement on the reasons for bringing an "immediate legislation" by promulgating the ordinance. The ordinance has become a rallying point for opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA. According to The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, all transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the central government a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected governme

Important roads, hotels linked to G20 meet being revamped: Raj Niwas

Sixty one important roads and twenty-three hotels associated with the G20 summit are being monitored by Delhi LG VK Saxena for their upkeep and revamp, Raj Niwas said on Monday. The recent rains and flooding had slowed down the progress of work and also caused substantial damage to revamp, especially in the central district along Ring Road/Yamuna and the Samadhi Complex, officials said. This prompted the LG to take stock of the situation afresh and ensure targeted efforts by ensuring inter and intra-agency coordination. Several areas of the city were flooded as the water levels of the Yamuna rose following heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund barrage. The flooding had led to the closure of several key stretches including Outer Ring Road and Vikas Marg. "Sixty one important roads along with the venue outside ITPO and 23 hotels, associated with the forthcoming Summit, spread over seven districts in the capital, are being monitored by the LG for their upkeep, spruc

Delhi reports 56 new dengue cases in past week, yearly tally crosses 240

Delhi reported 56 fresh dengue cases in the past week, taking the tally to over 240, according to a municipal corporation report on Monday. The national capital recorded 187 cases of the vector-borne disease till July 22. According to the latest report issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the tally was at 243 till July 28. The report said 72 malaria cases were recorded in the January 1-July 28 period. The number of dengue cases reported in July so far stood at 121, 40 in June and 23 in May. Delhi reported 169 dengue cases for the same period (January 1-July 28) in 2022, 52 in 2021, 31 in 2020, 40 in 2019 and 56 in 2018. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi recently said there is a possibility of a rise in dengue and malaria cases this year due to flooding in several areas, adding that directions were issued to departments concerned to take steps to check mosquito breeding and clear the silt and sludge left by the Yamuna's floodwater.

UP, Bihar, AP top states in child trafficking; Delhi records rise: Study

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are the top three states with the maximum number of children trafficked between 2016 and 2022, while Delhi has seen an alarming 68 per cent rise from pre to post-Covid times, according to a new study by an NGO. These statistics have been unveiled in a comprehensive report titled 'Child Trafficking in India: Insights from Situational Data Analysis and the Need for Tech-driven Intervention Strategies', jointly compiled by Games24x7 and the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation (KSCF), founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi. The report, released on Sunday, to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons', painted a troubling picture of the child trafficking crisis in the country. The report showed that Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are the top three states with the maximum number of children trafficked between 2016 and 2022. Notably, Delhi has witnessed a 68 per cent increase in child trafficking cases from pre to ...

AIIMS-Delhi got Rs 23 cr from govt in 5 years for rare diseases: RTI reply

The AIIMS-Delhi received more than Rs 23 crore in funding from the Centre for treatment of rare diseases in the last five years, according to information received through RTI Act. Overall the Centre has released around Rs 90 crore in funds to several Centres of Excellence (CoE) for treatment of rare diseases since 2019, the information received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act showed. The Delhi All India Institute of Medical Sciences, or AIIMS, one of the eight CoE for treatment of rare diseases in the country, said it received Rs 1 crore in 2019, nil in 2020, Rs 4.10 crore in 2021, Rs 7.12 crore in 2023, and Rs 10.93 crore in 2023. The Department of Health and Family Welfare said as per records maintained in the Rare Disease Cell, the government released Rs 1.30 crore in 2019-20, Rs 10 crore in 2020-21, Rs 3.15 crore in 2021-21, Rs 34.99 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 40 crore in 2023-24 (till date). The RTI query was filed by Noida-based social activist Amit Gupta. According t

Delhi services bill circulated among MPs before introduction in Parliament

The draft bill to replace the ordinance which mandated the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government is ready and has been circulated among the MPs before its introduction in Parliament next week. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023 will have the identical provisions for the appointments and postings of the senior officers in the Delhi government like the ordinance promulgated on May 19. According to the bill, all transfer and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the central government a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "With a view to give effect to the intent and purpose behind the provisions of article 239AA of