Page 129 - Delhi

Fire breaks out in projector room of cinema hall in Delhi's Moti Nagar

A fire broke out inside the projector room of a Cinema Hall in west Delhi's Moti Nagar on Sunday afternoon, fire service officials said. No injuries were reported. A call about a fire at the Cinema Hall was received around 1.12 pm and seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a senior fire official said. "The fire had broken out in the machine and air-conditioner installed inside the projector room attached to auditorium 3 of the hall. "Sixty-seven people were watching movie when the incident took place. But everyone was evacuated safely and the fire was brought under control," he said. The fire was doused by 2.05 pm, he added.

Centre's ordinance on Delhi services insult to judiciary: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday came in support of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said that Centre's ordinance on services in the national capital was an insult to judiciary. "The Delhi ordinance is an insult to the judiciary. This is the result of negative politics of BJP and also of democratic-injustice," Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi. "BJP knows that it will be defeated in all the seats of Delhi in the Lok Sabha elections, that is why it is already taking revenge from the public. This is murder of mandate in the name of ordinance," Yadav added. The Centre promulgated the ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority empowered to transfer IAS and DANICS cadre officers and taking disciplinary proceedings against them. 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. Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief .

Nitish meets Kejriwal, assures support to AAP govt amid tussle with Centre

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at the latter's residence here and extended "complete support" to him in the AAP government's ongoing tussle with the Centre over the control of administrative services. Kumar was accompanied by his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The Centre promulgated the ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of IAS and DANICS cadre officers and disciplinary proceedings against them. This 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. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kejriwal said he will personally reach out to the chiefs of all opposition parties to seek their support in the matter so that any bill brought by the Centre to replace the ordinance is defeated in Rajya Sabha. "Day after tomorrow (Tuesday), I have a meeting with West .

Centre's ordinance necessary for maintaining Delhi's dignity: BJP

The BJP on Saturday welcomed the Centre's ordinance on transfer and postings of bureaucrats in Delhi, alleging that the Kejriwal government was "intimidating" officers and "misusing" its powers under the cover of the recent Supreme Court verdict on services matters. Speaking at a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the ordinance was necessary for maintaining the dignity of Delhi and protecting people's interests. The Centre promulgated an ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. This came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, in Delhi to the elected government. "Delhi is the national capital and whatever happens here has an impact all over the country and the world," Sachdeva said, adding the ordinance was necessary for maintaining Delhi's ...

Centre's ordinance 'unconstitutional', to snatch power from Delhi govt: AAP

The AAP on Saturday said the Centre's ordinance on the transfer of bureaucrats in Delhi is "unconstitutional" and a move to snatch the power given to the Delhi government by the Supreme Court in services matters. Addressing a press conference, Delhi minister Atishi said the Centre deliberately chose to bring the ordinance at a time when the Supreme Court has closed for summer vacation. The Centre promulgated an ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. This came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, in Delhi to the elected government. Atishi said the Centre's ordinance shows that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal" and the power of honest politics. "They are scared that if he (Kejriwal) gets power, he will do extraordinary work for De

Of total arms licence holders in Delhi, 2% women, majority sportspersons

Women account for just about two per cent of the arms licence holders in the national capital with a majority of them being sportspersons and those who got it through inheritance. Delhi Police Licensing Department data shows that there are 41,600 arms licence holders in the city's 15 police districts and of them, 888 are women. The information was provided by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Licensing) Bisma Qazi in an RTI reply to PTI. Requesting anonymity, a senior officer earlier posted in the department said," We do not have any special concession for grant of licence under the law on the grounds of an applicant's gender." "Whether a man or a woman, we analyse if there is a genuine threat to a person's life and then allow it," he said and added that the number women applicants is also very low. District-wise analysis of the data shows that the South police district, which has a number of posh colonies, tops with 264 women arms licence holders. It also has the highest number of a

BJP 'welcomes' Centre's ordinance on control of services in Delhi

The ordinance has been brought to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and it circumvents the SC judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case

Contempt of court: AAP on govt's ordinance on control of services in Delhi

The AAP on Friday hit out at the Centre for promulgating an ordinance to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre, calling it a "contempt of court". The ordinance comes a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in the national capital to the Delhi government. Cabinet Minister Atishi said the Centre's ordinance is a "clear cut case of contempt of court". "The Modi government has gone against the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court's constitution bench. The SC had directed that the elected government be given powers to take decisions independently, according to its will, according to the principles of democracy. But the Centre's ordinance is a reflection of the Modi government being a graceless loser. The Centre's sole motive to bring this ordinance is to snatch powers from the Kejriwal government," she said. Alleging that the Centre does not care for the

Delhi Metro starts special drive to clear encroachment outside 11 stations

The Delhi Metro has started a special drive to clear pedestrian pathways of vendors, encroachers and unauthorised hindrances caused by parking of e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws at 11 of its stations, officials said on Friday. The drive is running since May 17. The endeavour to "provide seamless and easy access to passengers at its prominent Metro stations having Multi Modal Integration (MMI) facility," the Delhi Metro said in a statement. It is undertaking the special drive to clear pedestrian pathways from vendors, encroachers and unauthorized hindrances caused by parking of e-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws etc., at these stations, it added. The objective is to ensure safe and smooth flow of pedestrians, intermediate mode of transport and general traffic for proper utilization of MMI facilities available at these stations and to provide a barrier-free movement for commuters while entering or exiting from these Metro stations, the statement said. This special drive is being undertaken

Kejriwal replies to Delhi LG's letter, says 'shocked' by its language

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he was "shocked" by the language of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's letter to him and the issues raised, and alleged that it smacked of "bickering". Saxena earlier in the day wrote to Kejriwal, raising the issue of alleged misbehaviour of Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj with Services Secretary Ashish More. In his response, Kejriwal said he cannot believe the lieutenant governor's words against Bharadwaj. Bharadwaj a person having "such calm and congenial nature" and yet if he indeed said anything Saxena could summon him and upbraid him as he was like his younger brother, Kejriwal said. The Delhi LG, in his letter to Kejriwal, referred to Bharadwaj's alleged misbehaviour with More citing a report filed by the officer with the chief secretary. "The officer with close to two decades of professional experience elaborated the misbehaviour meted out to him by Bharadwaj forcing him to sign his dictated statement," the LG wrote. Mo

Adequate security arrangements in place in view of farmers' meet: Police

In view of a farmers' meeting in support of protesting wrestlers on Sunday, the Delhi Police has made adequate security arrangements at the protest site at Jantar Mantar and on the national capital's borders, an officer said. According to police, vehicles entering Delhi will be checked and pickets will be increased in the border areas. A senior police officer said that adequate security arrangements will be made in and around Jantar Mantar and added multi-layer barricades have already been placed at the protest site. The whole area will be covered by CCTV cameras to monitor the situation round the clock. Another officer said that pickets will be placed in Delhi's border areas as well and checking will be intensified. If needed, additional security personnel will be deployed. Patrolling will also be increased on Delhi's borders. The 31-member committee advising the protesting wrestlers said on May 7 that if Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not .

Services row: Ministers to visit Delhi L-G to urge him to follow SC's order

A delegation of Delhi Cabinet Ministers will go to the LG's house on Friday to request him to follow Supreme Court orders on services matters, officials said. Earlier in the day, Delhi Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj requested Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to clear a file related to the transfer of Services Secretary Ashish More, saying several administrative changes were held up due to the delay. In a letter to the LG, Bharadwaj said the Delhi government had sent the file two days ago. "All the ministers of Delhi government will go to LG's residence post 4 pm today. They will question LG on the delay in implementing Supreme Court orders," said the official. The development comes a week after the AAP dispensation was given executive power in services matters, including transfer and posting of officers, in an important verdict by the Supreme Court. Hours after the Supreme Court order placed the control of bureaucrats working with the Delhi government, excluding those related t

Officials to use anti-smog guns amid spike in AQI: Environment Minister

Owing to the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Thursday directed officials to run anti-smog guns throughout the day and sprinkle water at construction and demolition (C&D) sites. The recent bump in the air quality index (AQI) of the national capital was due to strong dust-laden westerly winds from the Thar desert and Pakistan, Rai said at a review meeting with officials of his department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) at the Delhi Secretariat. "The Kejriwal government has always taken tough steps to curb increasing pollution in Delhi," an official statement quoted Rai as saying. The minister added, "On May 16 and 17, a significant portion of Delhi and NCR was engulfed by dust, causing reduced visibility." The contribution of dust pollution to PM10 levels rose from 11 per cent during May 1-15 to 65.77 per cent from May 16-17, Rai added. On Tuesday, the DPCC data showed PM10 levels soaring to 3,826 micrograms ..

Delhi HC constitutes committee to implement 2021 Rare Disease Policy

The Delhi High Court has constituted a five-member committee for the implementation of the National Rare Disease Policy-2021, including procurement and "indigenisation" of therapies and drugs for patients who are mostly children. The members of the National Rare Diseases Committee would include secretary, Union health ministry, or one of his nominee, director general of the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the Drug Controller General of India, and Dr Madhulika Kabra and Dr Nikhil Tandon from AIIMS-Delhi, the court ordered. It was dealing with a batch of petitions concerning the treatment of several children suffering from rare diseases. Justice Prathiba M Singh said urgent steps in close coordination among the medical community, therapy providers and government agencies were needed as under the present framework, Centres for Excellence were not centrally coordinated, leading to lack of timely availability and adequate therapies for patients with rare diseases. The court

Centre's approval sought to appoint PK Gupta as Delhi's new chief secretary

The AAP government has sought the Centre's approval to appoint 1989 batch IAS officer PK Gupta as the new chief secretary of Delhi, officials said on Thursday. Gupta is currently serving as additional chief secretary at the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Delhi government. The present Chief Secretary of Delhi Naresh Kumar is due to retire later this year, they said. The proposal regarding appointment of Gupta was sent from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to LG VK Saxena for concurrence of the Centre. The move comes days after the Delhi government was given executive power in services matters, including transfer and posting of officers, in an important verdict by the Supreme Court.

Delhi excise policy scam: Sisodia confesses to destroying two mobile phones

The source stated that a Section 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) notice was also served to Sisodia regarding the two mobile phones, and in response, he admitted to the same fact

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

Illegal dairies, lack of cowsheds behind cattle running amok in Delhi: MCD

A large number of illegal dairies and a dearth of space in the cowsheds are the reasons behind unleashing of stray cattle on the city roads, where driving is increasingly becoming difficult, and dangerous, with the stately jaywalkers in the way. The matter is hardly helped by porous state borders which allow cattle from other states to infiltrate and the intransigent attitude of the illegal cattle owners against authorities, say the authorities. A senior MCD official suggested microchipping cattle to identify the animal and its owner to control the issue. Last year, the civic body impounded over 13,000 cattle and took action against dozens of illegal dairies. Last month, an NGT panel rapped the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for "lacking comprehensive data" on dairy farms and cow sheds in areas under its jurisdiction and asked it to carry out a complete inventory of the dairy farms by June 30. The official acknowledged that the issue is far from under control due to a lack of ...

Around 15 shanties gutted in fire in Shastri Park slum, none injured: DFS

At least 15 shanties were gutted after a fire broke out in a slum in northeast Delhi's Shastri Park area on Wednesday, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officials said. No one was reported injured. The department received a call about the fire around 12.10 pm and rushed 12 tenders to contain the blaze, said the official. According to DFS, a fire broke out in a shanty which later spread to adjoining shanties leading to cylinder blasts. "At least 15 shanties were gutted in fire which led to multiple cylinder blasts," a senior fire official said. Though the fire has been brought under control, it was very difficult to contain due to multiple cylinder blasts, said DFS Director Atul Garg.

Delhi excise scam: CBI gives clean chit to former-excise commissioner

"Arva Gopi Krishan did not play any role in the incorporation of favourable provisions in the excise policy. He only followed the directions of GoM and Sisodia," CBI said