Page 139 - Delhi

Excise policy scam: Delhi court adjourns hearing in Sisodia's bail plea

The ED submitted before the bench of special judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court that Sisodia had planted fabricated e-mails to show that there was public approval for the policy

Gopal Rai asks depts to prepare action plans to curb summer air pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday directed all departments concerned to prepare their respective action plans within a week to curb air pollution in the summer season. He said the government will focus on 16 areas including road dust, industrial pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, solid waste management, tree plantation and transplantation, open burning of garbage, city forests, urban farming, rejuvenation of water bodies and parks. Addressing a press conference here, Rai said based on data generated during a real-time source apportionment study, neighbouring states will be asked to take preventive action to curb pollution. The departments have been asked to submit their respective plans within a week. The Delhi government implemented a summer action plan to check air pollution for the first time last year. During its winter action plan, the government focuses on stubble management, dust pollution, vehicular emission, open burning of garbage, industrial ..

ED makes 'false cases' under political pressure: AAP MP Sanjay Singh

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate has obtained "false statements" from some people putting them under duress in the Delhi excise policy case and said he will raise the issue before the privilege committee of Parliament. Addressing a press conference here, Singh alleged that the ED sleuths beat up one Chandan Reddy so badly to obtain his false statement during interrogation that he is facing hearing loss. "Chandan has moved (Telangana) High Court complaining against the ED," Singh said. The AAP leader also showed purported copies of the petitioner's medical certificate and said he will raise the matter before the Parliament's privilege committee along with the documents. "These documents prove that ED makes false cases under political pressure, defames governments and levels false allegations... There is no liquor scam, Singh said. He claimed that alleged liquor scam accused Sameer Mahendru, Arun Pillai and three others have also

'False' cases filed against Manish Sisodia, says AAP as it stages protest

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday staged a protest outside the party office here alleging that false cases have been framed against its leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. Scores of AAP leaders and workers gathered at DDU Marg and raised slogans against central agencies. The security outside the AAP office has been beefed up with a large number of police personnel deployed in the area. Barricades have also been put up and water canons kept on standby. AAP national convener Gopal Rai, AAP MLAs Kuldeep Kumar and Jarnail Singh, among others, participated in the protest. "Two kinds of struggle are going on - one in the prison and the other on the streets by us. We stand by Manish Sisodia. All cases against him are fake," Rai said. Posters and hoardings reading "We miss you Manish Ji" with a picture of the former deputy chief minister have been put up by the party workers across Rouse Avenue road, ITO and East Delhi. "These posters have been put up in support of Man

School in Delhi's Defence Colony evacuated after bomb threat via email

A school in Delhi's Defence Colony was evacuated Wednesday morning after an e-mail said there were bombs on the premises, police said. The bomb squad and other agencies are inspecting the school for any such explosive substances, they said. A senior police officer said a person named Brijesh of Indian School, BRT Road, informed them about the email. The email was received at 10:49 am, the officer said. The school has been evacuated and a thorough check is being conducted by the team, he added.

Bengaluru in close race with Delhi in direct tax collection: I-T dept data

Mumbai's share in overall kitty remains highest, but down at about 30% now

15 Covid-19 related deaths reported in last 12 days in Delhi: Data

Amid rising cases of COVID-19, 15 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in the national capital in the last 12 days, according to official data. In one of these 15 fatalities, Covid was the primary cause while in the rest of the cases, Covid was "incidental", according to data shared by the city health department. In the March 30-April 10 period, 15 fatalities have been recorded, including four deaths on April 9. More than 5,500 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the last two weeks, while the active cases tally has risen by 150 per cent in the same period, according to official data. Meanwhile, mock drills were conducted at various hospitals in Delhi on Tuesday to check COVID-19 preparedness. Delhi reported 699 cases of COVID-19 and four deaths on Sunday, 484 cases with a positivity rate of 26.58 per cent, and three fatalities on Monday. Delhi recorded 535 Covid cases on Saturday with a positivity rate of 23.05 per cent. The city had logged 733 Covid cases -- the hi

Delhi reports 980 fresh Covid cases in a day; positivity rate at nearly 26%

Delhi logged 980 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 25.98 per cent, meaning one in every four people tested returned a positive result, according to data shared by the city government's Health department. The national capital also reported two more Covid deaths, the bulletin said. However, it added that COVID-19 was not the primary cause of death in one of the fatalities while the case sheet on the other death was awaited.

Facilitated around 2300 EV charging points in Delhi, 900 more coming: BSES

BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL have facilitated the installation of around 2300 charging points in Delhi for electric vehicles (EVs) and are in the process to set up 900 more in the coming months, company's officials said on Tuesday. The 2300 charging points installed at over 900 locations across south, east, central and west Delhi include 1,123 private ones, 745 public and 419 for captive BSES use, the officials said. The company is in talks with several partners to expand the charging infrastructure further, they said. "BSES will facilitate the installation of additional 900-plus charging points over the next few months," an official said, adding BSES discoms aim to convert their entire fleet of vehicles to EVs by 2030. Presently, BSES has 80 EVs and the number is expected to reach to 150 in the next two years, they said. The Delhi government's EV policy aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the city to reduce air pollution and improve public health. The policy ...

MCD begins survey to identify 'dangerous' buildings for demolition, repair

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has begun an exercise to identify "dangerous" buildings in the city to initiate demolition or repair work of such infrastructure to prevent any "mishap" during monsoon season, an official said on Tuesday. The civic body has asked its field staff to initiate the yearly survey of buildings or houses in their areas, he said. In this regard, a circular 'Pre Moonson Measures', had also been issued on April 6. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) underlined that the demolition action should not be "delayed" if a house is found to be in a dangerous condition. The survey is expected to conclude by June 30, the official said. "The survey of dangerous buildings or houses in approved colonies is conducted every year before the monsoon season by the field staff to identify dangerous or repairable buildings and houses," he told PTI. "In case of buildings or houses found irreparable or in a dangerous condition, necessary action will be initiated immediatel

'Atonement for past deeds' of Sangh Parivar: Kerala CM on PM's church visit

"Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were seen visiting all the churches in Kerala. So there is no harm here. There is no harm in taking a different position," he added

Health Dept is on high alert in view of rising Covid-19 cases: Delhi Min

"If anyone has a cold, fever, or cough, do not go to public places, and wear a mask when you go out," he said

Delhi adds 484 fresh Covid-19 cases, positivity rate 26.58%, shows data

Delhi on Monday logged 484 fresh COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 26.58 per cent, meaning that nearly one in every four people tested returned a positive result, according to data shared by the city government's Health department. Three people suffering from COVID-19 died in the national capital. However, the health bulletin stated that COVID-19 was not the primary cause of death.

Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav to appear before ED on Tuesday: Report

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav may appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi on Tuesday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the railways land-for-jobs scam, sources said Monday. Yadav, 33, was questioned by the CBI in this case last month. The ED booked a separate case under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the CBI FIR and it is expected to record the statement of Tejashwi Yadav, the son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, on Tuesday, the sources said. Tejashwi Yadav's MP sister Misa Bharti was also questioned by the ED in this case on March 25, the same day he had deposed before the CBI. Both the central agencies recently initiated action in the case, with the CBI questioning Lalu Prasad and his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and the ED carrying out raids against the RJD chief's family. The ED, after the searches, said it seized "unaccounted cash" of Rs 1 crore and detected proceeds o

Have signatures of over 1 mn Delhiites against arrest of Sisodia, Jain: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday claimed to have collected signatures of more than 10 lakh Delhiites against the arrests of its leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain. The signatures were collected during a door-to-door campaign launched by AAP on March 13 across Delhi to demand justice for the release of its senior leaders lodged in jail. Party's state convener Gopal Rai said now a letter will be sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the protest. "The people of Delhi wish to convey one message to the nation's Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Do good work and let the administration of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal work in Delhi," he said. Delhi environment minister said Lok Sabha in-charge, district in-charge, co-ordinators, MLAs and councillors of the party visited around 2,800 polling stations in the 70 Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Delhi and collected signatures from the people. "We set a goal of collecting roughly 10 lakh signatures of the residents of Delhi against the

Notification on upcoming Delhi mayoral poll to be issued on Apr 12: Report

Notification on the upcoming Delhi mayoral poll is expected to be issued on April 12, official sources said on Monday. After the notification is issued, the nomination process is likely to end on April 18, and the mayoral poll is expected to be held on April 26, they said. Incumbent Shelly Oberoi will continue to hold charge of the top post till a new mayor is elected, official sources had said on April 3. The fresh mayoral poll in Delhi is likely to be held late April, officials had said. Oberoi, an AAP councillor, was elected as the mayor of Delhi on February 22. She defeated BJP's Rekha Gupta by a margin of 34 votes. Oberoi polled 150 votes, while Gupta received 116 votes out of the total 266 votes polled. The voting was held at the Civic Centre the headquarters of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Delhi had got the mayor in the fourth attempt since the earlier elections were stalled amid ruckus over voting rights being given to nominated members. The city gets a ne

MCD to increase green waste management centres to 52 in Delhi: Official

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning to increase the number of green waste management centres to 52 across the capital to achieve 100 per cent composting of organic waste in coming years, an official said. This move would help in terminating the need to buy compost while helping in checking air pollution and encouraging the scientific disposal of green waste, an MCD official told PTI. Green waste is any organic waste that can be composted like grasses, leaves, small branches and pruning. According to the official, at present, 38 green waste management centres are functional across Delhi with average monthly production of 70 MT compost. The erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) now merged with other North Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) had first started green waste management. "We have been doing green waste management for the last few years in SDMC. Now that all three corporations have been merged to bec

People with flu-like symptoms should wear masks, says Saurabh Bharadwaj

Covid cases in Delhi are expected the rise in the coming days as the city is densely populated, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said Monday and asked people with flu-like symptoms to wear masks and avoid public places. The national capital reported 699 COVID-19 cases and four deaths on Sunday. Three deaths reported on Sunday were due to various diseases and Covid was "incidental". In one case, the primary reason was Covid, Bharadwaj told reporters. "Any death is unfortunate," the Delhi health minister said, adding the "Delhi government and its health department is on high alert". Bharadwaj cautioned people that Covid cases are expected to rise in the city in the coming days. "Delhi is a densely populated city. Cases will rise and many people will exhibit flu-like and influenza-like symptoms such as fever and cough. But they will recover," he said. "People with such symptoms should not venture out in public places. If at all one has to go to such places then one should wear a ma

Air India returns to deboard unruly passenger from Delhi-London flight

Air India on Monday deboarded an unruly passenger from its Delhi-London flight, which returned to the national capital, according to sources. The sources said flight AI 111, which had around 225 passengers, returned to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here as there was an unruly male passenger onboard. The unruly passenger was deboarded at the airport and later the flight took off for London Heathrow, they added. A statement from Air India on the incident was awaited.

Maximum temperature in Delhi likely to soar to 35 degrees Celsius

Delhiites woke up to a pleasant Monday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 15.7 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average. The relative humidity at 8.30 am was 52 per cent. The weather office has forecast partly cloudy skies for the day with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius. Delhi's air quality index stood at 194 at 9.10 am. The AQI of neighbouring Gurgaon was 183, Faridabad 159, Ghaziabad 192, Noida 190 and Greater Noida 227. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.