Page 70 - Delhi

SC grants AAP time till June 15 to vacate offices at Rouse Avenue

The Supreme Court on Monday granted the Aam Aadmi Party time till June 15, 2024 to vacate its offices at Rouse Avenue here after noting that the land was allotted to the Delhi High Court for expanding judicial infrastructure. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra asked AAP to approach Land And Development Office for allotment of land for its offices. "We would request the L&DO to process the application and communicate its decision within a period of four weeks," the bench said, adding AAP has no lawful right to continue on the land. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the city's ruling party, submitted that AAP is one of the six national parties in the country. "They are telling us as a national party we get nothing. I'm given Badarpur, while everyone else is in better places," Singhvi said. "In view of the impending general elections, we gant time until June 15, 2024 to vacate the premises so that land allotted to expand

Delhi Metro gets Rs 500 cr in Budget, 6 mn use service every day: Atishi

The Delhi government allocated Rs 500 crore for the Delhi Metro in its 2024-25 Budget tabled on Monday, with Finance Minister Atishi saying in the assembly that more than 60 lakh people commute on the service every day. In 2014, around 24 lakh passengers used the urban transporter daily, Atishi said. Presenting the 2024-25 Budget with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, Atishi said providing good public transportation facilities to every resident of Delhi is the responsibility of the government. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, "significant improvements" have been made in the public transportation sector in Delhi, she said. By March 2015, a total 193 kilometres of metro network and 143 stations were established in Delhi. However, in the past nine years, the Delhi Metro network has doubled in length to 393 kilometres while the number of stations has increased to 288, she added. Atishi said in her address that around 24 lakh passengers travelled daily in the metr

Delhi Budget FY24-25: Focus on education, women, and health. All details

Delhi Finance Minister Atishi introduced the Delhi government's Budget of Rs 76,000 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25 in the state Assembly

Delhi govt's budget to be based on 'Ram Rajya' concept, says report

The Delhi government's budget for the 2024-25 financial year, which will be presented in the Assembly on Monday, is likely to be based on the concept of "Ram Rajya", sources said. The sources in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said on Sunday that the budget is likely to have something for every section of the society in the election year. "This time, the budget is likely to be based on the concept of Ram Rajya. This will be the 10th budget of the AAP dispensation. The budget is likely to have provisions for every section of the society, in accordance with the principles of Ram Rajya, in the election year," a source said. The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has often spoken about the concept of "Ram Rajya". In his Republic Day speech, he had said the AAP government has adopted 10 principles of "Ram Rajya" and is providing quality education, healthcare services, free electricity and water to people and ensuring women's ...

Delhi Budget: Govt likely to allocate Rs 1,000 cr for unauthorised colonies

The Delhi government is expected to announce a fiscal boost of about Rs 1,000 crore for initiatives to uplift unauthorised colonies in its upcoming budget, sources on Saturday said. Delhi Finance Minister Atishi is slated to present the budget 2024-25 on March 4. In the upcoming budget of the state government, Delhiites can expect a big fiscal boost for unauthorised colonies, especially for strengthening their road infrastructure, a source told PTI. "For the fiscal year 2024-25, the Kejriwal government may announce a budgetary package of nearly Rs 1000 crore," the source said. Delhi has nearly 1,800 unauthorised colonies, accommodating 30 per cent of the city's population. The Delhi government is likely to strengthen the road network in these unauthorised colonies and augment water supply pipelines and sewer networks. A total of 1,031 unauthorised colonies in the city are already connected to the sewer network, with a total installation of 4,000 plus kilometers of sewer lines, ..

Rain lashes in parts of Delhi, pollution levels improve with AQI at 114

Rain lashed parts of the national capital on Saturday, bringing down the pollution levels in the city. Delhi's maximum temperature settled at 25.2 degree Celsius, two notches below the season's average, the India Meteorological Department said. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 18.2 degree Celsius, five notches above season average, the weather office said. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital was recorded in the "moderate category with a reading of 114, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 6 pm. 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". The weather department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with light rain for Sunday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 26 and 15 degrees Celsius respectively on Sunday, it said.

Rat-hole miner Hassan rejects another house offered in Dilshad Garden

Rat-hole miner Wakeel Hassan, who had lost his house in a demolition drive, has rejected another offer of a house in Dilshad Garden here by the authorities, he told PTI on Saturday. "On Friday night, four government officers, including an SDM, came and offered me a house in Dilshad Garden but I refused to accept it as they wanted me to shift on a temporary basis," Hassan said. "It was also not in writing. That house belongs to an NGO," he said. Hours after the demolition, DDA officials offered Hassan to move to an EWS (economically weaker sections) flat at Narela, which is far from Khajoori Khas in northeast Delhi. Hassan rejected it saying it was "far and unsafe". On being asked why he is rejecting the second offer as Dilshad Garden is located near Khajoori Khas unlike far-flung Narela, he said the cost of his house, which was razed by the DDA (Delhi Development Authority), was more than Rs 1 crore and if the government wants to compensate, then the cost of the house should be ...

'Avg daily passengers count in DTC buses yet to reach pre-Covid levels'

The average daily count of passengers travelling in DTC buses declined from 33.31 lakh in 2019-20 to 25.02 lakh in 2022-23, while the corresponding figure for cluster buses fell from 17.71 lakh to 16.39 lakh, according to the Delhi Economic Survey 2023-24. Finance Minister Atishi presented the Economic Survey in the Delhi Assembly on Friday. According to the survey, the average daily passenger count in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses is yet to reach pre-pandemic figures. The report showed that while the bus fleet in DTC has declined from 3,951 in 2017-18 to 3,937 in 2022-23, the cluster bus fleet has grown from 1,744 to 3,293. According to the Economic Survey, the average daily number of passengers travelling in DTC buses stood at 29.86 lakh in 2017-18. It rose to 30.15 lakh in the next financial year and then to 33.31 lakh in the 2019-20 fiscal. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed due to it, the figures fell to 12.24 lakh in 2020-

Power use in Delhi rises 37%, total consumers up 52% in last 10 yrs: Report

Power consumption in the national capital rose nearly 37 per cent in the last decade from 25,593 Million Units (MUs) of electricity to 35,042 MUs, according to the Delhi Economic Survey report 2023-24 tabled in the Assembly on Friday. The report tabled in the assembly by Finance Minister Atishi, also revealed that the number of consumers in the city rose over 52 per cent during the same period. Delhi, being an urban centre with high load density has seen electricity consumption increasing from 25,593 MUs in 2011-12 to 35,042 MUs in 2022-23. The distribution of electricity in Delhi to various categories of consumers increased from 21,361 MUs in 2012-13 to 30,054 MUs in 2022-23. During the same period, the number of power consumers in Delhi rose from 44.64 lakh to 68.51 lakh, said the report. Also, the the total power purchase in Delhi was 40,997 MUs in FY23. While 09.65 per cent of total power purchase is generated by the Delhi government power plants, 90.35 per cent is purchased

Delhi per capita income rises by 22%, economy to grow at 9.17% in FY24

Delhi's per capita income increased by 22 per cent in two years to Rs 4.61 lakh in 2023-24, Finance Minister Atishi said on Friday while projecting a 9.17 per cent economic growth for the current financial year. Tabling the Economic Survey for 2023-24 in the Assembly, the Delhi finance minister said the city's economy has grown at a record pace despite hurdles created by the Centre, LG and officers in the work of the Kejriwal government. Atishi said that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Delhi at current prices is likely to reach Rs 11,07,746 crore in 2023-24 with a growth of 9.17 per cent. "The GSDP of Delhi in 2022-23 was Rs 10,14,000 crore. In post-COVID times, our real GSDP grew at 8.76 per cent in 2021-22 and 7.85 per cent in 2022-23, faster than the rest of the country," she said. Delhi's contribution to the national GDP is nearly 4 per cent despite its population being just 1.5 per cent of the total population of the country, she said. Atishi said that the Delhi ..

Silkyara tunnel mission's rat-hole miner's house razed, Delhi LG reacts

The DDA offered Hassan temporary accommodation but he declined the offer. The officials have also offered him a house in the Govindpuri area but he refused the deal

2020 Delhi riots case: Karkardooma Court acquits 7 men accused of vandalism

The court also said that even the identity of the mob behind the incidents was not established. Allegedly, there were two mobs from two communities

Builders bought 415 acres in Delhi-NCR for Rs 9,120 crore: Report

Real estate developers bought 415 acres of land in Delhi-NCR for about Rs 9,120 crore last year to build housing and commercial projects amid rising demand, according to JLL. In a statement on Tuesday, real estate consultant JLL India highlighted that "Delhi-NCR led both in terms of number and area of land deals, with 415 acres acquired across 36 separate transactions valued at approximately Rs 9,120 crore." Of these 415 acres, around 264 acres (64 per cent) valued over Rs 5,300 crore were acquired in Gurugram. This was followed by Noida with over 59 acres (14 per cent) land being acquired at Rs 1,775 crore. Delhi, Faridabad, and Sonipat contributed the rest. JLL India has not included Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) in this analysis and only outright purchases by real estate developers have been considered. With rising property demand, the consultant noted that real estate developers are building a robust supply pipeline by investing in acquisition of land across the country.

Water supply will be available at low pressure due to Yamuna pollution: DJB

The water supply will be available at low pressure due to high level of pollutants being received in Yamuna river at Wazirabad pond, the Delhi Jal Board on Monday said. Issuing a notification on social media platform 'X', the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said, "Due to high level of pollutants (Ammonia more than 2.5 ppm) being received in River Yamuna at Wazirabad pond, water supply will be available at low pressure till the situation improves. Residents are advised to store sufficient quantity of water in advance as per requirement. Water tanker will be available on request." Shortage in water supply, mud accumulation in water buckets and sewage smells in water are some of the problems that the Resident Welfare Associations in North, South and Central Delhi have raised. The RWA presidents have alleged that despite making several complaints in the past, no action has been taken by the Delhi Jal Board to resolve the issue. North Delhi RWA president Ashok Bhasin claimed that the frequency of

'Delhi model' showing direction to whole country, says Kejriwal in Assembly

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said the Delhi governance model is showing direction to the entire country in terms of education, health and electricity. Kejriwal was highlighting the achievements of his government in Delhi in the three sectors during an address in the Assembly. Before he began, the chief minister asked the members to salute senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, who was arrested the same day last year by the CBI in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. "The AAP government has undertaken so much work in Delhi that was not done in the last 75 years. Today, the 'Delhi model' is showing direction to the entire country. I will talk about three sectors -- health, education and electricity," he said. Kejriwal said almost four to five lakh students in Delhi have left private schools and sought admissions to government ones. "If we can provide good education to poor children in Delhi, it can also be done in the country. Why are government sch

Shahi Imam successor: Investiture ceremony underway at Jama Masjid

A 'dastarbandi (investiture)' ceremony during which Jama Masjid's incumbent Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari will declare his son "as his successor" is currently underway in the courtyard of the grand mosque. The ceremony at the Mughal-era mosque built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century is expected to last more than an hour. Several 'ulemas (Islamic scholars)' are attending the ceremony for which the mosque -- a veritable symbol of old Delhi or Shahjehanabad and a celebrated landmark -- has been decked up. Some congratulatory posters bearing images of the Shahi Imam and his son have been put up along the street running in front of the mosque, whose architecture draws awe from both locals and foreign tourists. The ceremony involves tying a 'dastarbandi (turban)' on the head, according to the old 'riwaz (tradition)' associated with the investiture, the official said. Syed Shaban Bukhari (29) was anointed as the mosque's Naib Imam in a 'dastarbandi' ceremony in November 2014, the

Won't end agitation until our demands met, says farmer leader Pandher

Farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' call will not end their agitation until their demands are met, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Saturday while indicating that their stir may continue even after the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls comes into force. Thousands of farmers have been staying put at Khanauri and Shambhu points on Punjab's border with Haryana along with their tractor-trolleys and trucks after their march to the national capital to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, was stopped by security forces. Last Wednesday, the 'Delhi Chalo' march, spearheaded by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), was put on hold by farmer leaders for two days after a protester was killed and around 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri. The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades. Speaking to

Farmers' Delhi chalo march: Singhu, Tikri borders to be partially reopened

Authorities here initiated the process of partially reopening Singhu and Tikri borders with Haryana on Saturday, almost two weeks after they were sealed in view of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, officials said. A Delhi Police officer said one lane of the service lane at the Singhu border and one lane at the Tikri border are being opened to allow movement of vehicles. The opening of Singhu and Tikri borders will bring relief to those travelling from Delhi to Haryana. The two borders were sealed on February 13 as protesting farmers from Punjab began their 'Delhi Chalo' march to press their demands, including minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a farm loan waiver. Thousands of farmers have been camping on the Punjab-Haryana border near Ambala, about 200 kilometres from Delhi, after their march was thwarted by security personnel.

Death in cattle attack: BJP demands compensation from MCD for victim

The BJP's Delhi unit on Saturday demanded that the MCD should give a compensate of Rs 1 crore to the family of the man who has died in a stray cattle attack here. At a press conference held at party's Delhi unit headquarters, Leader of House in AAP-led municipal House Raja Iqbal Singh said if such incidents occur again, the BJP will protest against Mayor Shelly Oberoi and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). He demanded that the affected family be given a financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the MCD. The man being killed by a stray cattle in Khanpur Ward is a "result of the negligence and failure of the Aam Aadmi Party-headed Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Mayor Shelly Oberoi", the Delhi BJP alleged in a statement. BJP councillors will not allow the functioning of the MCD House until the mayor takes "moral responsibility" for this incident, and action is taken against officials of the veterinary department, it said. Subhash Kumar Jha, 42, a resident of Khanpur, was wait

Haldwani violence 'mastermind' arrested from Delhi: Uttarakhand police

The Uttarakhand Police on Saturday arrested the February 8 Haldwani violence alleged mastermind Abdul Malik from Delhi and brought him here, officials said. Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Narayan Meena said six teams were formed to search for Malik and his son Abdul Moid in different states including Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. One of the teams arrested Malik, who is in his 50s, from Delhi but his son is still on the run, Meena told reporters. "We have brought Malik to Haldwani. He is in our custody. He will be produced before a court at the earliest," he said. Apart from Malik, two more rioters were arrested on Saturday which takes the total number of people arrested so far in the case to 81. Malik allegedly built an "illegal" madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani. Its demolition led to the violence in Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani in Nanital district on February 8. Malik had vehemently opposed the administration's action and h