Page 119 - Delhi

Delhi's retail liquor trade records sharp decline compared to Q1FY23

The retail liquor trade in Delhi has recorded a sharp decline as compared to the first quarter (April-June) in 2022, when the now-scrapped excise policy of the city government was in place, according to a report prepared by the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC). The new excise policy of the Delhi government was withdrawn in July 2022 after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in its implementation. The policy was finally wrapped up on August 31 last year. The old policy under which Delhi government corporations opened liquor vends in the city was rolled out on September 1, 2022. Despite all the disruptions related to the excise policy changes and non-availability of many brands, Delhi maintained a healthy annual growth rate of 36 per cent year on year, the CIABC report said. However, a closer analysis shows that much of this growth is attributed to the first quarter of 2022-23, when various trade schemes and .

Delhi govt sets up GST registration cell to boost revenue collection

The Delhi government has set up a centralised GST registration cell Sewa Kendra to improve the registration process, combat tax evasion and boost revenue, said an official statement on Tuesday. Setting up of the Sewa 'Kendra' marks a significant milestone in the journey towards improving the GST registration process, Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said. "Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it is a testament to the Delhi government's commitment to promoting transparency, curbing tax evasion and optimising revenue collection," the minister said. The Trade and Taxes Department of the Delhi government has taken a significant step towards improving the GST registration process with the establishment of the centralised GST registration cell. This new initiative aims to streamline the registration process, minimise deemed registrations, and combat tax evasion, thereby safeguarding government revenue, the statement read. The primary objective of the cell is

Delhi has become India's electric vehicle capital: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the cost of using electric vehicles in Delhi is the minimum across the country, while stressing that the city has become the nation's "EV capital". Kejriwal inaugurated 42 new ultra-low-cost EV charging stations at an event at GTB Nagar. The chief minister said with the addition of these 42 facilities, Delhi now has a total of 53 ultra-low-cost EV charging stations. With an increase in the number of EVs in the national capital in the recent years, air pollution has also been on the decline, he pointed out. "Data shows that compared to 2014, the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 are lower by 30 per cent. Earlier in the year, we had several days where the AQI (Air Quality Index) was in the severe category. These were days with very high pollution levels. But now, there are hardly any such day," Kejriwal said. He said besides curbing air pollution, the EV policy was formulated by the city government as the "future belongs to electric vehicles".

Delhi's Deer Park de-recognised as 'mini zoo', deers to be shifted out

Delhi is set to lose its famous Deer Park with the central authorities cancelling its recognition as a 'mini zoo' and deciding to translocate the animals due to their rapidly increasing numbers and inadequate manpower. An order to this effect was recently issued by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, officials said on Tuesday. "Six deer were introduced in the park in the 1960s and over time, the number swelled to approximately 600. It had been given the status of a 'mini zoo' by the CZA," a senior official said. The park, officially known as A N Jha Deer Park, in south Delhi's Hauz Khas area is a popular picnic spot and a popular hangout zone. It comes under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The CZA issued the order cancelling the Deer Park's recognition as a 'mini zoo' on June 8. "Rapid growth of population, inbreeding, possibility of spread of disease and lack of trained manpowe

'Jungle raj' in Delhi, people feeling unsafe, alleges CM; Lekhi hits back

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday targeted the Centre and the Lt Governor over Delhi's law-and-order situation following a robbery inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel, claiming "jungle raj" was prevailing in a city gearing up for the G20 Summit. He asserted that if the AAP government is given the charge of law and order, it will make Delhi the "safest city" in the country. Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi hit back, claiming that Kejriwal wants control over the city's law and order "to protect his corrupt ministers and MLAs". A delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint by four motorcycle-borne men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the Saturday incident. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event to inaugurate new electric vehicle charging stations, Kejriwal said, "It seems that the Centre does not have a solid plan to improve the law-and-order situation in Delhi. "Some men ..

Police seizes Rs 5.50 lakh worth fake Indian currency in Delhi, arrests 2

Two men were arrested for allegedly printing and supplying high-quality fake Indian currency notes in Delhi and NCR, police said on Tuesday. One of the accused planned to print fake Indian currency notes (FICN) as a means to earn easy money. He was inspired by the web series "Farzi", they said. The accused were identified as Tajeem and Irshad of Uttar Pradesh's Kairana district. Fake currency equivalent to Rs 5,50,000 (Rs 5.50 lakh) -- all in Rs 2,000 denomination -- was recovered from the pair, they said. The accused printed and circulated currency notes of Rs 2,000 denomination to take advantage of its phasing out. The police received a tip-off on June 21 that a member of a gang circulating fake Indian currency would come to Alipur to deliver a consignment. A trap was laid and Tajeem apprehended with high-quality FICN, equivalent to Rs 2,50,000 (2.50 lakh), was recovered from him," Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said. Tajeem revealed that he had recei

Coaching centre fire: ABVP protests near Kejriwal's home over negligence

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists protested near the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday accusing his government of being "negligent" in implementing fire safety measures at coaching centres of the city. A fire had broken out at a building housing coaching institutes in northwest Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar area on June 15. Students of coaching institutes smash windows, climbed down ropes and took the help of ladders in desperate attempts to escape the blaze. The ABVP activists staging the protest in north Delhi's Civil Lines area accused the AAP government of being "anti-students" and blamed it for "negligence" in fire safety measures across the coaching hubs in the national capital. They also demanded compensation for those injured in the Mukherjee Nagar fire incident. The agitators said that security personnel were deployed at the protest site in large numbers and extra barricades were placed there. "There has been negligence on the part of

Jungle raj prevailing in Delhi as it gears up for G20 Summit: CM Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday targeted the Centre and the Lt Governor over Delhi's law-and-order situation following a robbery inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel, claiming "jungle raj" was prevailing in a city gearing up for the G20 Summit. If given the charge of law and order, the AAP government will make Delhi the "safest city" in the country, he claimed. A delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint by four motorcycle-borne men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the Saturday incident. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event to inaugurate new electric vehicle charging stations, Kejriwal said, "It seems that the Centre does not have a solid plan to improve the law-and-order situation in Delhi. "Some men carried out a robbery inside the Pragati Maidan underpass. The G20 Summit will be held near the underpass. People are feeling unsafe in Delhi. This is 'jungle raj'," t

1,500 detained, 270 vehicles seized in during night patrol: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police detained more than 1,500 people and seized around 270 vehicles from its central district during an intensified night patrol to contain street crimes in the national capital, officials said on Tuesday. The move comes days after a delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint by four motorcycle-borne men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the Saturday incident. In the Central district alone, more than 1,500 people were detained Monday night under section 65 (persons bound to comply with the reasonable directions of a police officer) of the Delhi Police Act and over 270 vehicles were seized, a senior police officer said. The vehicles were seized under section 66 (police to take charge of unclaimed property) of the same Act, he said. According to the police, action was also taken against "bad characters" and those for disturbing peace under relevant sections of the CrPC. Officers

Delhi EV capital with highest number of electric vehicles: CM Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said Delhi has become the country's EV capital with the highest number of electric vehicles being bought in the city. Speaking at the inauguration of 42 charging stations, Kejriwal also claimed that pollution levels in the national capital have declined since 2014. "We started promoting EVs to curb pollution and keeping in mind that they are the future. We framed a policy in 2020 for EVs and set a target that, by 2025, one-fourth of all vehicles bought in Delhi will be electric," Kejriwal said. The Delhi EV Policy was launched in August 2020 with the aim of establishing the city as the country's EV capital and accelerating the pace of EV adoption across vehicle segments, especially in the mass category of two-wheelers, public and shared vehicles and goods carriers. "...I am happy to share that 13 per cent of all the vehicles bought in Delhi are electric ones. Since August 2020, 1.28 lakh electric vehicles have been bought in Delhi," he furt

Congress protests against AAP govt over power tariff hike in Delhi

The Congress on Tuesday staged a demonstration against the AAP government in Delhi over a hike in power tariffs in the national capital. The monthly electricity bills of the majority of domestic consumers in Delhi -- who use more than 200 and up to 600 units -- will be hiked by up to Rs 265 due to an increase in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC) levied by discoms, officials said on Monday. Party leaders and workers, who gathered outside the AAP's office in central Delhi, alleged that the city government has "failed to fulfil its promise" of providing free electricity to consumers. Power Minister Atishi said consumers who get zero bills with monthly consumption of up to 200 units will not be impacted. However, those who do not get a subsidy will have to pay nearly eight per cent more on their monthly bills. The hike in the PPAC surcharge by the discoms was allowed by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the officials said.

Light rain in parts of Delhi-NCR brings respite, yellow alert issued

The downpour brought respite to common people from the sweltering heat

I assure you there will be no compromise on free electricity: Atishi

PPAC hinges on the prices of coal and gas. Though it is different from electricity charges but is levied in consumers' electricity charges

Delhi's state food commission not constituted as mandated: Officials

Delhi has not constituted a state food commission and not framed a grievance redressal mechanism as mandated by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, Raj Niwas officials said on Monday. There was no immediate reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the capital on the issue. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved the draft of the Delhi Grievance Redressal Rules pending since 2013 and slammed the city government for the "delay", the officials said. "Delhi has not constituted a state food commission and not framed a grievance redressal mechanism as mandated by the NFS Act, 2013 even after 10 years. The mechanism and the commission meant to look into critical aspects of transparent and corruption-free implementation of the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) under the NFSA was even ordered to be put in place by the Supreme Court and the high court way back in 2017, within the deadline in 2017 itself," a senior official said. However, despite the apex ..

Electricity prices to hike in Delhi: AAP, BJP indulge in blame game

Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Monday blamed the Centre's "mismanagement" for the hike in power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC), while the BJP claimed it was a result of "collusion" between the AAP government and power discoms. An "artificial shortage" was pushing up coal prices in the country. The Centre is forcing the power generation companies to buy at least 10 per cent of imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal, Atishi charged. "Delhi's consumers are being forced to bear the brunt of the central government's coal crisis through a hike in the power purchasing adjustment charge. Its power generation company NTPC is selling electricity to Delhi at a massive 25-50 per cent hike over DERC (Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission) stipulated rates," she charged. "Why is the BJP-led central government forcing power companies to purchase 10 per cent of imported coal, which is 10 times more expensive? Is the BJP also colluding with coal importers," she asked. Domes

Economic offences pose serious threat to country's financial health: Court

A Delhi court has denied bail to a man accused of cheating people by inducing them to invest money in different schemes promising exceptionally high returns, saying economic offences were "posing serious threat to the financial health of the country". Vacation Judge Pawan Kumar dismissed the bail application of Priyesh Kumar Sinha and said the allegations against him were "grave and serious in nature". The judge said there was "strong" apprehension that he may influence or hamper the trial. According to the prosecution, Sinha was one of the directors of Bluefox Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and used to cheat people by persuading them to invest money in different schemes with the promise of exponential returns on their investment. More than 200 complainants have come forward so far, it said. "The accused being the director of the company cheated a large number of people who invested small amounts of money in different schemes to the tune of Rs 8 crore... The allegations and accusation .

Electricity usage above 200 units in Delhi to cost more, Atishi slams govt

Power consumers in Delhi with monthly usage of over 200 units will have to pay more after an 8 per cent hike in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC), prompting Minister Atishi to allege that electricity is getting costlier in the city due to the Centre's "mismanagement". Atishi, the power minister in the city government, told reporters on Monday that the hike will not impact consumers whose electricity consumption is 200 units or below. There will be a 8 per cent hike in PPAC surcharge in power bills of those consumers who do not get subsidy, she said. "I just want to tell the consumers that only the Centre is responsible for this hike. It has forced the use of imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal. This is despite no lack of coal mines or availability of coal in the country," she said. The PPAC is revised every three months and it can increase or decrease depending on the prevailing prices of fuel such as coal and gas used in power generation. Harish ..

1,500 drivers write to Kailash Gahlot on Motor Vehicle Aggregator Scheme

Over 1,500 cab drivers have written to Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and given suggestions on the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Scheme 2023. The scheme was approved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last month. Mandatory panic buttons in taxis, integration with emergency response number '112', and phase-wise transition to electric vehicles (EV) are some of the highlights of the scheme to regulate cab aggregators and delivery service providers in the national capital. In their petition, the drivers cited the higher cost of electric vehicles as compared to other vehicles. They have also demanded easy loan options to make the transition smoother. They have suggested that a scheme be launched to balance the costs of making the shift. The drivers have also requested the minister to make some provisions so that the vehicles come installed with panic buttons and extra costs to install them should not be borne by them.

Southwest monsoon arrived in Delhi, Mumbai together today, says IMD

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall with lightning and thunderstorm lashed parts of the national capital on Sunday, bringing respite from the scorching heat

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