Page 117 - Delhi

L-G declares electricity as essential service, extends ban on strikes

According to the notification the ban on the power service providers in Delhi has been extended for another period of six months with effect from July 4 to January 3, 2024

Nasscom calls Delhi's Motor Vehicle Aggregator Scheme 'unrealistic'

Nasscom has flagged concerns over "unrealistic electrification targets" for EVs in the national capital citing supply constraints, inadequate charging infrastructure and challenges ahead for cab drivers in its submissions on Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme. Nasscom highlighted that only 0.16 per cent of the total vehicle in use in Delhi are currently EVs, as it pointed to the vast difference in electrification targets and current realities. "In its observations, Nasscom raises concerns about the unrealistic electrification targets for EVs in the capital, citing supply constraints, inadequate charging infrastructure, high entry costs and challenges ahead for the cab drivers," the industry body said. The note said the current share of EVs in Delhi is a mere 0.74 per cent, 30.3 per cent and 0.16 per cent for two, three and four-wheeler vehicles, respectively. Nasscom opined that Delhi's electrification targets will negatively impact the mobility of

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) ..

Dedicated lanes for Kanwariyas in northeast Delhi, drones to keep vigil

Around 1,000 police personnel and drones have been deployed for surveillance and dedicated lanes created for Kanwariyas in northeast Delhi, officials said on Tuesday. A similar number of civil defence volunteers have also been deployed in the district, which has been divided into zones, they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey said the Kanwar Yatra commenced on Tuesday. "Kanwariyas will start coming from Tuesday. However, the number is expected to rise significantly from Wednesday and Thursday. The devotees will offer holy water on July 15 and 16," he said. "We have deployed 1,000 police personnel and as many civil defence volunteers on the ground. We have also asked for 15 companies of central forces," he said. "We have 25 drones that will be used strategically. There will be adequate presence of security personnel on the ground during the yatra. The security personnel will work in three shifts, with each shift starting an hour before the last one ends," Ti

Delhi declaration, 2 joint statements adopted in India's presidency: Kwatra

The leaders of the SCO, under India's presidency, adopted a Delhi declaration and two thematic joint statements - one on cooperation

Services curtailed on section of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line for hours

Services on a section of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line were curtailed for several hours on Tuesday due to waterlogging on a portion of the tracks between Dabri Mor and Janakpuri West segment of the corridor, according to officials. The Magenta Line connects Janakpuri West in Delhi to Botanical Garden in Noida. "Train services on Magenta Line (Line-8 from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden) were regulated today owing to waterlogging between Dabri Mor and Janakpuri West section on the upline track (trains going towards Janakpuri West)," the DMRC said in a statement. Train services were provided through single-line operation between Janakpuri West and Terminal-1 IGI Airport stations via the downline track from 10 am to 3:35 pm. As a result, trains were available at a lesser frequency in the section during this period, it said. Services on the remaining section of the Magenta Line, from Terminal-1 IGI Airport to Botanical Garden, were running normally during this period through, both the

Supreme Court quashes PIL for setting up of 'National Commission for Men'

Several important matters were taken up for hearing by the Supreme Court on Monday

Power Minister Atishi falls ill, DERC chairman's oath postponed to July 6

Delhi Power Minister Atishi, who was scheduled to administer the oath of office to DERC chairperson-designate Justice (retd) Umesh Kumar on Monday, suddenly faced a "health issue" leading to postponement of the event to July 6, officials said. Kumar, the former Allahabad High Court judge, was appointed chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on June 21. The AAP dispensation has challenged his appointment in the Supreme Court. The appointment of DERC chairman is the latest flashpoint between the Delhi government and the lieutenant governor's office, following the Centre's ordinance on control of services. The AAP has also challenged the ordinance in the apex court. According to the Raj Niwas officials, Atishi wrote to the chairman-designate and asked for his availability to take the oath in her presence. "He accordingly confirmed the same," they said. Later, the event was postponed after Atishi took ill, the officials said. The Delhi government, in a statemen

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

Over Rs 1,100 cr property tax collected in Delhi this quarter: MCD Mayor

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has collected over Rs 1,110 crore as property tax in the April to June quarter, a surge of over 40 per cent from the same period of time the previous year. Addressing a press conference, Mayor Shelly Oberoi said the number of taxpayers has also increased to around 7.17 lakh. "A property tax of Rs 1,113 crore has been collected by the MCD," Oberoi said, adding that the figure was higher than that of 2021 and 2022. Oberoi said the Municipal Corporation was making losses before despite collecting taxes earlier also. The people of Delhi have shown faith in the Aam Aadmi Party government, she said. In 2021-22, the property tax collected was Rs 695 crore, while it was Rs 540 crore in 2020-21. Lauding the higher tax collection, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a tweet said that people are voluntarily paying their taxes due to the presence of an honest government in Delhi. "Earlier, people did not pay taxes during BJP's rule. They thought that th

Excise policy scam: SC dismisses ED's plea against bail to Sameer Mahendru

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea of the Enforcement Directorate challenging the six-week interim bail granted to liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M Trivedi told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, that it is not going to interfere with the order of the Delhi High Court. Raju submitted that the Delhi High Court order is "shocking" and is based on wrong facts and cannot be treated as a precedent. The bench said, "Sorry, for six weeks bail, we are not going to interfere. The period is going to run itself out in the next 10-15 days". On June 12, the high court had granted six-week interim bail on medical grounds to Mahendru in the money laundering case. The high court had observed that the accused was suffering from life-threatening diseases warranting immediate medical attention and post-opera

Delhi-Meerut RRTS: Section from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot starts this month

The work on 42-km-long Sahibabad to Meerut South station has also been completed

Drone spotted flying over PM Modi's residence; nothing suspicious found

An "unidentified flying object" was reportedly seen over the prime minister's residence here in central Delhi on Monday morning, police said. However, police have not found anything suspicious. A PCR call was received around 5 am that a drone-like object was seen flying over the prime minister's residence, police said. However, police and other security agencies did not find anything suspicious, a senior officer said, adding that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) also did not find anything. "An information was received at NDD control room with respect to unidentified flying objet near PM residence. Thorough searches were made in nearby areas but no such object was detected. Air traffic control room (ATC) was also contacted, they also did not detect any such flying object near PM residence," the Delhi Police said in a statement.

LG Secretariat rebuts 'overturning CM's decision' charges on Delhi officers

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday held talks with visiting Justice Minister of Vietnam Le Thanh Long. In a series of tweets in Hindi, Meghwal said the meeting will further strengthen bilateral ties, including promoting legal and judicial cooperation, between the two countries. He said the talks were held to mark the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam, and completion of seven years of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

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,

Don't demolish religious structures in Delhi: Atishi urges LG Saxena

Delhi minister Atishi on Sunday urged Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to "withdraw his orders" to demolish religious structures in the national capital. The fresh request by the PWD minister came after a temple and a mazar were removed amid heavy police deployment in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura Chowk Sunday morning to pave the way for the construction of a flyover. Police said the decision to remove the two structures was taken at a "religious committee" meeting a few days ago and a proper dialogue was held with the residents and local leaders. Atishi tweeted about the demolition of the religious structures. "LG sir: Few days ago, I had written a letter requesting you to withdraw your decision to demolish temples and other religious structures in Delhi. But today a temple in Bhajanpura was demolished again. I request you again to ensure that temples and other religious structures are not demolished in Delhi. People's faith is attached to them," she said in a tweet in Hindi. The AA

Delhi PWD demolishes 2 religious structures in Bhajanpura for road widening

This included a temple and a Mazar, and the demolition action was meant to pave the way for a proposed road widening project, officials said

'Widespread inflation everywhere', Delhi CM attacks PM Modi in MP

Aam Admi national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday hit out at PM Modi and the ruling BJP over inflation, blaming him for the rise in the prices of essential food grains

Delhi govt collects Rs 1,700 cr in excise duty, VAT in April-June quarter

The Delhi government's Excise department has earned nearly Rs 1,700 crore in excise duty and value added tax in the first quarter of 2023-24, official data showed. In the 2022-23 fiscal, the department had raked in Rs 6,821 crore by selling over 62 crore bottles of liquor. The amount included Rs 5,548.48 crore as excise duty and Rs 1,272.52 crore as value added tax. The Excise department expects the revenues to increase in the next few months with the opening of more liquor shops. "Beer is preferred during the summer months by customers. It has a lower excise duty, which is why the revenue collection in the first half is always relatively lower as compared to the second half of the financial year when whisky sells more," said an official. The city government's Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation and Delhi Consumers' Cooperative Wholesale Stores operate 574

Atishi inspects Delhi subways, directs officials to improve facilities

PWD Minister Atishi on Saturday began inspecting subways in Delhi following the end of her one-month deadline for fixing all maintenance issues. According to a statement from her office, Atishi inspected five subways in south Delhi's Masjid Moth, Nehru Place, Lajpat Nagar, Andrews Ganj and near the metro station at Lajpat Nagar. During the inspection, she found that the subways had been cleaned and their maintenance improved. New lights and convex mirrors have been installed, there is sufficient lighting to ensure women's safety and security guards are being deployed. The drainage systems have also improved, the statement read. Atishi said the department has been working to improve the conditions of subways across Delhi but there is room for further improvement. She directed the officials to focus on further improving the facilities. In the last week of May, the minister gave a month's ultimatum to department officials to improve cleanliness, maintenance and women's safety across a