Page 35 - Delhi

Rashtrapati Bhavan closed for visitors from Jan 21-29 for R-Day parade

The Rashtrapati Bhavan (Circuit-1) will remain closed for the general public from January 21 to 29 due to the upcoming Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat ceremony, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. Circuit 1 takes the visitors on a tour of the main building of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, showing them the forecourt and premier rooms of the Bhavan and long drawing room among others. The change of guard Ceremony will also not take place on January 11, 18 and 25 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan due to rehearsal for the Republic Day parade, said the statement issued by the president's office. The change of guard ceremony, held in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, is a military tradition. It is held every week to enable a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards to take charge.

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: PM Modi likely to inaugurate 32-km section soon

Two sections of the 32-km-long Delhi-Dehradun expressway are to be inaugurated soon. This expressway will reduce the travel time to two and a half hours between the two destinations

Nadda to take stock of Delhi BJP's poll preparation today, to hold meetings

BJP chief JP Nadda will take stock of poll preparations of the party's Delhi unit on Thursday, and hold meetings with the state election committee and other election panels, party leaders said. The elections for 70 member Delhi Assembly will be held on February 5. Counting of votes will be held on February 8. "The BJP president will hold a meeting with the election committee and other poll panels to review the direction of campaigning so far and the ground level feedback," a top Delhi BJP functionary said on Wednesday. The BJP has so far announced candidates for 29 of the 70 constituencies. The tickets for remaining 41 seats are likely to be announced by this weekend, party leaders said. The BJP is yet to share its manifesto for the assembly polls, even as the ruling AAP and the Congress announce poll promises, including monthly allowances for women. The Congress earlier in the day promised a Rs 25 lakh health insurance scheme if voted to power in Delhi. A senior Delhi BJP leader

Delhi Assembly elections: CEO meets political parties to ensure fair polls

The purpose of the meeting was to brief the parties on the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Election Expenditure Monitoring measures to ensure free, fair, and transparent election

Delhi Assembly polls: Govt issues MCC directives for Feb 5 elections

With the Model Code of Conduct coming into force for the assembly polls announced on February 5, the Delhi government on Tuesday issued various guidelines barring display of photos and references to the elected dispensation or politicians of any other party on official websites. The general administration department (GAD) in its order directed various departments to immediately remove photographs and references of the council of ministers, political parties and their leaders from official websites. In another order, the GAD directed that no advertisements will be issued highlighting the government's achievements at the cost of public exchequer in view of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) imposition. "If any advertisement has already been released for telecast/broadcast or published in the print media, it must be ensured that the telecast/broadcast of such advertisement on electronic media is stopped forthwith," said the order. No wall writing, pasting of posters or defacement in any

Will detox, go to Himalayas: CEC Rajiv Kumar on post-retirement plans

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday revealed his intention to "detoxify" himself and spend several months in solitude in the Himalayas post his retirement next month. Responding to a question while addressing a presser to announce the Delhi Assembly elections, he shared his post-retirement plans with an introspective touch. "I will detoxify myself for the next four-five months, go to the deep Himalayas, be away from the glare of all of you. I need some 'ekant' (solitude) and 'swadhyay' (self-study)," Kumar, who is set to retire on February 18, said. In October last year, Kumar was rescued from the remote Ralam village in Uttarkhand's Pithoragarh district following an emergency helicopter landing due to inclement weather and left stranded at over 12,000 feet. Kumar, a 1984-batch IAS officer from the Bihar/Jharkhand cadre, also shared a personal aspiration to give back to society by teaching underprivileged children. He recounted his humble beginnings, studying

45 mn VVPAT slips counted, not a single discrepancy found: CEC Kumar

The Election Commission will write to the cabinet secretary, informing that no Delhi-specific provision can be made in the Union Budget that can disturb the level-playing field, CEC Rajiv Kumar said on Tuesday. Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assmebly will be held on February 5 and the votes counted on February 8, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar announced. Responding to a query about the the Union Budget, scheduled days ahead of the polls, Kumar said, "We will write to the cabinet secretary that no Delhi-specific provision can be made in the Union Budget that can disturb the level-playing field." The last date to file nominations is January 17 and the scrutiny of nominations will be done by January 18. Candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations till January 20. Bypolls to two assembly constituencies -- Milkipur in Uttar Pradesh and Erode in Tamil Nadu -- will also be held according to the same schedule.

Air India flight returns to Bengaluru airport after midair engine failure

Delhi bound flight, returned to Bengaluru for an emergency landing after one its engines failed mid-air

Guidelines issued for EWS, other categories' admission in Delhi pvt schools

The online registration for entry-level classes in private schools of Delhi under the economically weaker section (EWS), disadvantaged groups and children with special needs categories will begin on February 2. In a circular dated January 3, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) outlined the guidelines for the admission process for nursery, kindergarten (KG) and Class 1 under EWS/disadvantaged groups (DG) and children with special needs (CWSN) in the city's private unaided recognised schools. The DoE stated that the online application process will commence on February 3 and the last date for submission of applications is February 19. The first round of the computerised draw of lots for selected students will be announced on March 3. According to the guidelines, the age limit for admission as of March 31 for students under the EWS and DG categories is between three and five years for nursery, four and six years for KG, and five and seven years for Class 1. For CWSN, the age limit

Over 15.5 mn registered voters in Delhi, 167,329 added in 2 months

There are more than 1.55 crore registered voters in Delhi, showing an increase of 1,67,329 electors in over two months, according to the final electoral roll published on Monday. The Office of Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) published the Special Summary Revision (SSR), 2025 ahead of the assembly elections. The total number of voters in the city are 1,55,24,858, including 83,49,645 male voters, 71,73,952 female voters and 1,261 third-gender voters. According to a statement from the office of Delhi CEO, over 5.1 lakh applications for new voter registration were received in the last 20 days, an unprecedented surge after the official claims and objections period ended on November 28, 2024. The updated roll reflects a net increase of 1,67,329 voters since the draft publication on October 29, 2024, the statement said. The Delhi electoral roll has witnessed a rise of 8,06,739 voters since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On January 22, 2024, before the Lok Sabha polls, the total number

HMPV alert: States intensify surveillance as 1st case surfaces in Bengaluru

Several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Telangana, have issued health advisories to enhance preparedness for potential outbreaks of HMPV and other respiratory viruses

Delhi's excise revenue up by 13% in first three quarters of 2024-25

Delhi government's excise revenue from liquor trade saw a jump of around 13 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024-25, officials said on Sunday. The revenue jumped to Rs 6,061 crore from Rs 5,361 crore in the corresponding period in previous fiscal, they said. The sale of liquor bottles on New Year's Eve, however, saw a decline. On December 31, 2024, a total of 23 lakh bottles were sold, as against 24 lakh in 2023. The decline was attributed to December 31 being a Tuesday, when many avoid liquor consumption owing to religious reasons. The department's revenue consisted of Rs 4,233 crore it got in excise duty and Rs 1,828 as Value Added Tax. In comparison, the department in April-December 2023, earned Rs 5,361 crore in excise revenue, including Rs 1,643 crore as VAT. A target of Rs 6,400 crore in revenue was set for the financial year 2024-25. In the 2023-24 fiscal, the total excise duty collected was Rs 5,164 crore.

Capital conundrum: Welfare promises versus infra push ahead of Delhi polls

Amid increasing poll promises ahead of Delhi elections, the spending choices of Congress and AAP regimes, and the fiscal challenges ahead for the next government

Delhi-Meerut travel now in 40 minutes, via RRTS; Metro Phase-4 kicks off

PM Modi also inaugurates Delhi Metro's Phase-IV stretch

PM Modi lays foundation for ayurveda institute worth Rs 187 cr in Delhi

India has immense potential to become the health and wellness capital of the world, and the day is not far when, along with 'Make in India', the world will also adopt 'Heal in India' as a mantra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. Modi made the remarks while virtually laying the foundation for a new Central Ayurveda Research Institute building in Rohini, terming it as "Ayurveda's next big leap". The ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, among other dignitaries. The new facility spanning 2.92 acres with an investment of Rs 187 crore will house a 100-bed hospital dedicated to advancing ayurveda research and providing healthcare services to people, an official statement said. Emphasising the Centre's focus on making healthcare accessible to the poorest of the poor, the prime minister said the government is promoting traditional Indian medicine systems like AYUSH and Ayurveda. Over the past decade, the AYUSH system

Delhi L-G VK Saxena relaxes job criteria for 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims

Lt Governor VK Saxena has approved relaxation in educational and age criteria to all 88 anti-Sikh riots victims who have applied for jobs under the Delhi government, Raj Niwas officials said on Sunday. The applicants have been granted full relaxation in required educational qualification and extended upper age limit to 55 years for all the 88 applicants, they said. The relaxation has been approved for their appointment as multi tasking staff in different government departments. "Repeated representations had been made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, public representatives and groups of victims, who had met LG recently, in this regard," said a note from LG office. A rehabilitation package, including provision of jobs was sanctioned by Union Home ministry on January 16, 2006, for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Revenue department of Delhi government in a subsequent special drive got 72 applications out of which appointment was given to 22 applicants by obtai

PM Modi promises no welfare schemes will end if BJP wins in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the AAP government in Delhi of wasting a decade fighting with the Centre and urged the people of the national capital to give the BJP an opportunity to turn it into a city of the future. The prime minister also assured that no public welfare scheme would be discontinued if the BJP assumed power but the party's government would weed out the corruption in their implementation. Addressing a rally in the Rohini area, Modi dubbed the AAP government a "disaster" that had struck Delhi and asserted the BJP would usher in change. "Only when this 'aapda (disaster)' is gotten rid of in Delhi, the double-engine of development will come in," Modi said. The prime minister said the Centre had been developing highways in Delhi, expanding the Metro network, starting the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System, and running big hospitals. "However, the moment you step out of a Metro station, you can see potholed roads, overflowing sewers. Some areas a

Special camps in Delhi for beneficiaries to avail DDA's 'Sasta Ghar' scheme

Special camps are being set up for beneficiaries to avail 'Sasta Ghar' scheme of the DDA which was approved by the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena last week, an official statement said on Saturday. The LG secretariat has written to the Chief Secretary to get special camps organised by concerned departments to make it convenient for beneficiaries to avail the recently announced Housing Scheme of the DDA, wherein certain sections will be able to avail buy houses at a discount of 25 per cent, the statement said. The identified categories include construction and other workers, auto/tax drivers, women, Vir Nari, ex-servicemen, divyangjans, gallantry and Arjun awardees and people belonging to scheduled caste/scheduled tribes category, it said. Accordingly, special camps will be launched by Delhi Building and other Construction Welfare Boards of construction sites of DMRC, NCRTC, CPWD, NHAI and other locations in a decentralised manner to avail this scheme and also for rolling out other ...

LG approves appointment of Delhi Waqf Board CEO, slams AAP for inaction

Delhi LG slammed the AAP government for callousness by not appointing a CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board, that resulted in Imams and Mutawallis, not getting salaries

PM Modi to launch multiple development projects in Delhi on Sunday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch multiple development projects, including the inauguration of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat RRTS corridor, worth over Rs 12,200 crore on Sunday and address a public meeting in the poll-bound national capital. According to an official statement, he will also travel in Namo Bharat train between Sahibabad RRTS Station to New Ashok Nagar RRTS Station. In a significant milestone in enhancing regional connectivity, it said, Modi will inaugurate the 13-km stretch of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar worth around Rs 4,600 crore. With this inauguration, Delhi will get its first Namo Bharat connectivity. This will significantly ease travel between Delhi and Meerut and will benefit millions of people through high-speed and comfortable travel along with unmatched safety and reliability, it said. Modi will inaugurate the 2.8-km stretch between Janakpuri and Krishna Park of Delhi Metro Phase-IV worth ar