Page 11 - Delhi

GST reforms to boost economy and ease inflation burden: CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the GST reforms will strengthen national economy and provide relief from inflation. Gupta, who is set to participate in the 'GST Savings Festival' at Totaram Market in Tri Nagar on Monday afternoon, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to simplify the tax system and make it citizen-friendly has ushered in Diwali early for the capital's traders. "It feels as if Diwali has come early this year for the people of Delhi. A festive spirit is already visible across the city's shopping areas," she said, adding that the simplified Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure will also provide relief from inflation and give a new direction to development. Highlighting that now essential items, including medicines, and key services will be available at lower rates, Gupta said the new GST structure will provide significant relief to common citizens and middle-class families. She stated that Delhi, being a major consumer and commercial hu

CM inaugurates Delhi's first large-scale biogas plant at Nangli Dairy

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated the national capital's first large-scale biogas plant at Nangli Dairy, calling it a "proud moment" and emphasising that the city needs several such facilities to process cattle dung and municipal waste. The 200-tonne-per-day (TPD) capacity plant, spread over 2.72 acres, will treat cattle dung and biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG) and manure, officials said. "This plant will not only help in cleaning drains and reducing pollution in the Yamuna but also generate green energy and revenue. Delhi produces nearly 1,500 metric tonnes of cow dung daily and one plant is not enough. The city will need many more such units in the future," Gupta said. Attacking the previous AAP government, Gupta alleged that the project was delayed for years despite funds being sanctioned in 2018. "It took eight years to complete this project because the previous government kept blaming Modi ji instead of working. They indulged in politics

Datanomics: Delhi's deadly drives, overspeeding remains top cause

Road accidents touched the 81,144 mark in 2023, the highest in four years. Of these, Delhi and Bengaluru alone accounted for over 13 per cent

CM Rekha Gupta hails DUSU poll winners, promises support from Delhi govt

With the RSS-affiliated ABVP bagging three posts in the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday congratulated the poll winners, urging them to fulfil their responsibilities towards the university. "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all young comrades on ABVP's splendid victory in the DUSU election. This victory is not just of an organisation, but of every youth who considers patriotism, discipline, service, and struggle as the guiding path of their life," Gupta said at the 'Vikshit Bharat Ke Rang, Kala Ke Sang' event. Reflecting on her own experience in student politics, she added, "I am proud that I, too, lived and learned these values as the president of the Delhi University Students' Union. This result shows that the youth of Delhi remain steadfast on the path of knowledge, humility and unity, a path that ABVP established decades ago." The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) bagged three posts in the high-stak

Delhi riots: SC defers hearing on bail pleas of Khalid, Sharjeel to Sept 22

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned to September 22 the hearing on bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider in the UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Manmohan deferred the pleas. The activists have challenged a September 2 Delhi High Court order which denied bail to nine people, including Khalid and Imam, saying "conspiratorial" violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens could not be allowed. Besides Khalid and Imam, those who faced bail rejection are Fatima, Haider, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Shadab Ahmed. The bail plea of another accused, Tasleem Ahmed, was rejected by a different high court bench on September 2. The high court said the Constitution affords citizens the right to protest and carry out demonstrations or agitations, provided they are orderly, peaceful and without arms

Delhi govt working on formulating model EV policy, says CM Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday that the government is working on a new model Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy and affirmed that all public transport vehicles will be electric by the end of 2026. Speaking at an event organised by The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Gupta emphasised that drivers are responsible for accidents. "Accidents happen every minute, every hour. Vehicles are not to blame; it is the drivers. We need to change the Indian mindset. Many take pride in not wearing seat belts. There must be stricter enforcement of traffic rules. If you fear breaking traffic laws abroad, you should not be allowed to break them here," she stated. Gupta urged people to adhere to traffic rules "not for the sake of the government, but for their own safety." She acknowledged the persistent legacy issues in Delhi, such as garbage mountains, traffic congestion, and pollution, and assured that the government is addressing these problems. "We can give yo

CM Stalin slams Delhi dominance, defends DMK's use of 'union govt' term

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday slammed "Delhi's dominance" and said the term union government is stressed to assert that states constitute the nation's robust foundation. Addressing the DMK's "Mupperum Vizha," Stalin listed 'Hindi imposition,' Centre's 'refusal' to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET, 'non-release' of education funds to the state and 'concealing' the antiquity of Keeladi findings and declared that hence, it is 'no-entry' in Tamil Nadu for the BJP. He said: "States constitute the robust foundation of the nation, we stress, use term union government to emphasise that." When the AIADMK was founded in 1972, when asked about its ideology, the party had said that "Annaism" (Dravidian icon CN Annadurai's principles) was its ideology. Under Palaniswami, however, it became "Adimayism," (servitude) and Palaniswami has now totally surrendered before Union Minister Amit Shah, the DMK chief alleged.

Delhi CM launches barrier-free city campaign for differently-abled persons

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday launch a campaign to create awareness and encourage citizen participation in building a barrier-free city for disabled people on the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister also said that caregivers of persons with disabilities (PwD) who require special assistance. would be given a monthly assistance of Rs 6,000 under a new scheme. Gupta said, "Our vision is to make Delhi a model accessible city with barrier-free transport, education, healthcare, and public spaces. Inclusion cannot be achieved by government alone; it requires active participation from every citizen." "The objective is to ensure that persons with disabilities get the support they need and can live with dignity," she said. Speaking at the launch event of NAMo Sugamya Rath and Sugamya Delhi Yatra, Gupta said that her government is committed to providing the necessary facilities for persons with disabilities and added that it is the government's resolve

Delhi BMW crash: Court extends custody of accused driver till Sept 27

A Delhi court on Wednesday extended till September 27 the judicial custody of the woman who drove the BMW car involved in a crash that left a senior finance ministry official dead and his wife injured in Dhaula Kuan here. Judicial magistrate Ankit Garg extended her judicial custody. The court also issued notice on a plea by the accused seeking preservation of the accident's CCTV footage. The plea will be heard on Thursday. Arguments on her bail plea were also heard by the court, which posted the matter for Saturday. Gaganpreet Kaur, 38, was remanded to two days of judicial custody on September 15 after being arrested on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences. Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Navjot Singh (52), a resident of Hari Nagar, was killed in the accident on the Ring Road near the Delhi Cantonment Metro station on Sunday afternoon. They were returning home after visiting the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara.

Delhi BMW crash: Accused and the hospital controversy; what we know

A BMW crash near Dhaula Kuan in Delhi has left a senior Finance Ministry officer dead and his wife critically injured.

Delhi govt likely to start interstate bus service from September 25

The Delhi government is likely to launch its interstate bus service on September 25, over a decade after it was halted after transition of DTC buses to CNG, officials said. Earlier this year, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) approved a plan to introduce 100 electric interstate buses on 17 routes. Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said, "Tomorrow is PM Narendra Modi's birthday. Delhi and the entire country is going to celebrate it as a festival. He has always thought about the welfare of people, development of India. Hence, you will see a big celebration tomorrow. I pray for PM's long life. We are going to flag off interstate buses." According to officials, the buses are likely to be flagged off on September 25 and will be travelling to Baraut. In the first phase, the government is launching the services to a nearby location to test waters. There are likely to be three buses that will ply. Speaking about the next phase of the rollout, the official said the initial plan to

Delhi to give ₹6K monthly aid to caregivers of persons with disabilities

The Delhi government on Tuesday announced a special financial assistance scheme for caregivers of persons with disabilities requiring high support, aiming to provide them and their families with economic relief and social security. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said eligible persons with disabilities will receive Rs 6,000 every month to cover the cost of caregivers, therapy, assistive devices, counselling, and other essential services. The financial assistance will be credited directly into the beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The chief minister said the scheme was approved in a previous Delhi Cabinet meeting and will be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. "Persons with disabilities are an integral part of our society and have the right to live with dignity and self-reliance. This scheme will ensure that they and their families do not feel neglected or helpless due to disability," she said. The scheme applies to individu

Delhi govt set to release Rs 140 crore EV subsidy dues after HC rap

The Delhi government will soon begin clearing pending electric vehicle (EV) subsidy dues of about Rs 140 crore, officials said on Monday. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said the department will verify all subsidy applications to address the backlog, which has accumulated over two years. According to an official, the government is also preparing a portal for clearing the pending dues. The development comes in the aftermath of directions by the Delhi High Court. The court on September 3 ordered the Delhi government to take immediate steps to disburse the subsidies promised to customers for buying electric vehicles and said procedural hurdles cannot be used as a pretext to delay payments. A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhayaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that the government cannot hide behind the fact that the Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy of 2020 does not prescribe a timeline for disbursing the amount. Officials stated that the order will be followed,

Delhi BMW accident: Accused drove victims to distant hospital, says FIR

The wife of the senior government official killed in a collision between their motorcycle and a luxury car near the Delhi Cantonment Metro station had repeatedly pleaded with the accused couple to get them admitted to a nearby hospital, but to no avail, according to the FIR lodged in the case. "The lady took us to a small hospital in GTB Nagar, far from the accident site," the bereaved woman told police in a statement, which is now part of the FIR. Van driver Mohammad Gulfam, who had rushed all four injured people to the hospital, has also made a similar claim. "I was driving a loading vehicle, stopped and rushed the injured to a hospital in Azadpur after the man and the woman in the car asked me to take them there," he told PTI. Police have contacted Gulfam to record his statement. Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Navjot Singh (52), a resident of Hari Nagar, was killed in the accident on the Ring Road near the Delhi Cantonment Metro station on Sunday afterno

Flu wave grips Delhi-NCR: 69% of households report viral symptoms

Doctors link the surge in Delhi-NCR to H3N2 flu and advise annual flu shots to reduce hospitalisations and prevent severe illness

Delhi CM launches first hotline maintenance vehicle for electrical repairs

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched Delhi's first "hotline maintenance vehicle" capable of carrying out electrical repairs without requiring a supply shutdown. She announced that similar machines will be deployed across the city. Speaking at the launch of the vehicle in her Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency, she said the machine, worth Rs 1.5 crore, will ensure that residents face no inconvenience during repairs of electrical faults. "Delhi government plans to have these hotline maintenance vehicles for the entire city," Gupta said. The vehicle has been procured by the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), a discom that supplies power in North Delhi. Regarding the ongoing work of shifting overhead electrical lines in Shalimar Bagh, Gupta said her government wants to expand the project in other parts of the city, especially in Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar. Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood, who was present at the launch event, said people had to endure hours

Hyderabad business family buys ₹140-crore Jor Bagh bungalow in Delhi

Hyderabad's Vishwa Samudra Group executives buy a ₹140-crore bungalow in Delhi's Jor Bagh; the sale deed was registered in June this year, with the buyers paying a stamp duty of ₹8.96 crore

Delhi seeks Haryana's assistance to drain floodwater from southwest areas

The Delhi government has sought help from Haryana to drain out the floodwater from Jharoda Kalan and some areas of Najafgarh that were inundated after a 50-foot embankment of Mungeshpur drain was breached. The breach occurred on Tuesday evening, leading to nearly five feet of water entering Geetanjali Enclave and adjoining pockets of Jharoda Kalan village near Baba Haridass Nagar in Delhi's Dwarka. Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated following the breach. "The drain breach has been repaired in coordination with the Haryana government. But the flooding is still there. We are pumping out the water using submersible pumps but it is taking time," an official said. He added that they have sought help from the Haryana government to deploy manpower and pumps to aid the operation. "Waiting for the sun to dry the water will take a considerable amount of time. We have asked them to help us in the operation," the official said. The evacuated people have been housed in temporary shelters at B

Umar Khalid moves SC against Delhi HC order rejecting his bail plea

The Delhi High Court, while denying the bail, stated that while the Constitution grants citizens the right to protest, "the right is not absolute" and is "subject to reasonable restrictions"

Tribunal awards more than ₹2.52 crore to family of accident victim

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal here has awarded more than Rs 2.52 crore compensation to the family members of a 30-year-old man who died in a road accident in 2023. Presiding Officer Shelly Arora was hearing the claim petition by the family members of the victim, Yaseen Khan, who was run over by a bus while riding a two-wheeler on May 19, 2023. The claimant's advocate, Sumit Chaudhary, informed the tribunal that Khan was a senior resident doctor in a hospital earning more than Rs 1.43 lakh each month and that he is survived by his wife, three minor sons, a son who was born four months after his death, and parents. The counsel argued that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle. In an order dated September 8, the tribunal cited a 2017 verdict of the Supreme Court, according to which, "In a case of death, the legal heirs of the claimants cannot expect a windfall. Simultaneously, the compensation granted cannot be an apology for ...