Page 10 - Aap Government

Gujarat: 3-way poll contest in bipolar state politics, all eyes on AAP

Long caught between two polarities, Gujarat's electoral field has expanded to include a third party with the Aam Aadmi Party challenging the ruling BJP as well as the opposition Congress that has lost ground but still has significant presence. Elections to the 182-member state assembly will take place over two phases on December 1 and 5, the Election Commission announced on Thursday in the backdrop of the Morbi bridge collapse four days ago. As campaign knives get sharpened, the October 30 tragedy in which 135 people lost their lives could find emotive resonance. Besides, the freebie versus welfarism debate - over which challenger AAP and BJP have been sparring over the last several weeks -- and the ruling party's main poll planks of Hindutva, 'double engine' growth' and continuity in governance are likely to remain centrestage. Though elections were announced today, the buzz for what will be a three-cornered contest has been getting steadily louder over the last few weeks. Prime .

Govt not serious about tackling problem: Varun Gandhi on air quality

With the air quality in Delhi-NCT worsening, BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Thursday questioned lack of "concern and coordination" among multiple government agencies in tackling the crisis. Neither government nor people are serious about this monstrous problem, he said in tweets, claiming that hospitals are full of patients with breathing, heart and lung problems. "Eight out of 10 children in Delhi-NCR have respiratory problems. After years of discussions, why is there a continuing lack of concern/coordination between multiple government entities," he asked. Gandhi wondered if the cost of solving the problem is higher than lifetime respiratory care for 46 million people. With the air quality deteriorating, the BJP and the AAP, which is in power in Delhi and Punjab where incidents of stubble burning have shot up, have blamed each other for the annual crisis.

Punjab govt to spruce up healthcare infrastructure, says Bhagwant Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said infrastructure at government-run healthcare centres across Punjab would be developed to provide state-of-the-art medical treatment and diagnostic services. "During the Assembly elections, we had promised quality healthcare to the people and no stone is being left unturned for this," Mann said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating a new mother and child care hospital here. Mann said strenuous efforts were being made to equip government hospitals with ultra-modern facilities, according to an official release. A massive recruitment drive has also been started to fill vacant posts in the health department to ensure that people get the best healthcare facilities, he said. Mann said the government was focussing on opening new hospitals apart from upgrading the existing ones with latest facilities. Punjab will soon emerge as a hub of healthcare and medical education, said Mann, adding that 16 new medical colleges would be constructed

BJP's ideology favours rising air pollution: Delhi minister Gopal Rai

The ideology of the BJP favours rising air pollution levels as the party voiced support to bursting of firecrackers but did not help the Punjab government provide a cash incentive to farmers for not burning crop residue, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleged on Tuesday. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena would not have stopped the implementation of the "Red Light on Gaadi off" campaign to reduce vehicular emissions without instructions from the saffron party, Rai told reporters after inspecting a construction site here. "The mindset and the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) favour an increase in the air pollution levels. Punjab would have seen a large-scale reduction in stubble burning had the Centre supported the state government's initiative to provide a cash incentive to farmers for not burning crop residue," he said. "We also saw that those in the BJP were busy supporting the bursting of firecrackers in Delhi (on Diwali). They too live in Delhi. All o

AAP govt sends "Red Light On, Gaddi Off" file back again to L-G Saxena

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said that the file answering all questions raised by LG regarding the campaign has been sent

Delhi sets up 586 teams for inspection as GRAP Stage III kicks in

Latest stage imposed when air quality touched 'severe' levels with the overall AQI reaching 400 at 12:10 a.m. on Saturday

L-G asks AAP govt to reconsider 'Red light on...' campaign, sends back file

Delhi Lieutenant V K Saxena has asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to reconsider the 'Red light on, Gaadi off' campaign, questioning the effectiveness of such an "ad-hoc" measure as the national capital reels under high air pollution level, sources said on Saturday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi had earlier attacked the LG, alleging that delay in approving the proposal had forced it to postpone the October 28 launch of the campaign. But sources in the LG office claimed that city Environment Minister Gopal Rai had lied as the file sent by the chief minister mentioned the date of launch as October 31. The month-long 'Red light on, Gaadi off' campaign aims at encouraging drivers to turn off the ignition of their vehicles while waiting at traffic signals. "The LG has sent the file to Chief Minister Kejriwal with the advice to reconsider the proposal," a source said. The LG objected to the "inhuman" and "exploitative use" of Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) at extremely

Delhi L-G inspects Bhalswa Lake ahead of Chhath Puja, writes letter to CM

In view of Chhath Puja, Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday inspected Bhalswa lake in the national capital

AAP has proof of 'operation lotus' in Delhi, Telangana: Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday played an audio clip of an alleged BJP man purportedly luring a TRS MLA in Telangana and discussing the party's bid to poach AAP MLAs

30% consumers yet to apply for monthly electricity subsidy: Delhi govt

Nearly 30 per cent of the electricity consumers and subsidy beneficiaries are yet to apply for the power subsidy even as the last date of application, October 31, inches closer, government officials said on Friday. According to officials, over 33 lakh electricity consumers have so far applied for the power subsidy in the national capital. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had last month announced October 31 as the deadline to apply for power subsidy for the month. He had said that those who do not apply for the subsidy will have to pay their non-subsidised bills but can apply next month. There are 58 lakh domestic power consumers in Delhi, of whom 47 lakh avail the subsidy. Officials said that 33,14,488 lakh electricity consumers have applied for power subsidy, while the remaining 13.85 lakh consumers are yet to do it. This means that around 29.47 per cent of the electricity consumers availing subsidy, are yet to apply for it. The last date is October 31, a government official

AAP leaders stage protests over garbage mismanagement by MCD, slams BJP

Aam Aadmi Party leaders staged protests in several constituencies of the national capital on Friday against "garbage mismanagement" in the city by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The leaders and the party workers gathered with placards in their constituencies and raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). Staging protest near Govindpuri metro station, Kalkaji MLA Atishi alleged that the MCD has turned the entire city into a "dumping ground" and the BJP will come up with "16 more landfill sites" across the city. "The BJP has formed a mountain of garbage just at the main entrance of Kalkaji. This place will soon start turning into a landfill site. Even the Kalkaji residents are unhappy with the MCD. The BJP-led MCD has turned the entire Delhi into a dumping ground and they will come up with such landfill sites in 16 other places in the city," she said. Portesting near a pile of garbage in Tilak Nagar area, MLA Jarnail Singh said the BJP has to be "removed" from

Incorrect to say poisonous chemical used to suppress Yamuna froth: AAP

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Vice Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj on Thursday said it is "absolutely incorrect" to say that a "poisonous" chemical is being used to suppress the foam in the Yamuna, following the BJP's allegations over the issue. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Delhi government on Thursday of spraying a poisonous chemical to remove froth from the Yamuna ahead of Chhath Puja, during which devotees take a holy dip in the river. Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its allegations into the DJB's Yamuna-cleaning exercise, Bhardwaj said, "BJP leaders should learn something about science and technology. The DJB's anti-foaming chemical technology has also been recommended by the Centre's NMCG." The DJB had started preparations to reduce foaming in the Yamuna more than a month ago so that Chhath devotees could offer prayers to the Sun god, he said. "Later, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) also recommended similar steps as adopted by the DJB to contain foaming in the

Kejriwal visits Ghazipur landfill site, says garbage issue key in MCD polls

Amid a protest by BJP workers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Ghazipur landfill site on Thursday and asserted that the upcoming MCD polls will be fought on garbage issue. He also accused the BJP of failing to clear the three garbage mountains in the last 15 years of its rule in Delhi's three erstwhile municipal corporations. Kejriwal promised to clean the capital in five years if the Aam Aadmi Party wins the municipal elections that are expected to take place at the end of 2022 or early next year. Kejriwal also attacked several BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sambit Patra and Ramesh Bidhuri, during his address at the landfill site. As the drama ensued, the chief minister likened himself to a character from the Ramayana -- Shravan Kumar -- even protesting BJP workers called him a "liar". Ahead of Kejriwal's visit, drama ensued at the site and roads leading to the area as scores of BJP supporters staged a protest, showed black flags and raised sloga

'Share geo-locations of Chhath sites for transparency, smooth management'

Delhi Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot on Thursday directed district magistrates to share geo-locations of all Chhath sites to ensure transparency and smooth management. This year, the Delhi government is organising Chatth Puja at 1,100 sites in the national capital. During a meeting to review preparedness for the festival, the minister also directed officials to ensure devotees do not face any inconvenience and smooth management and organisation at all sites. To ensure transparency, Gahlot instructed the district magistrates (DMs) to share the list of new sites that are being added with local legislators. DMs were further instructed to share geo-locations of all sites compulsorily, according to a statement. The divisional commissioner has directed the DMs to share the list of the five sites which are expected to have the largest gathering. The DMs were advised to manage logistics in a manner that the Yamuna river bank is barricaded, and artificial ponds are created in a proper wa

Delhi govt spraying poisonous chemical in Yamuna to remove froth: BJP MP

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday accused the Delhi government of infusing poisonous chemical to remove froth from the Yamuna ahead of Chhath Puja during which devotees take a holy dip in the river. West Delhi MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma also challenged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna and alleged that the AAP chief's visit to Ghazipur landfill site was a ploy to divert attention from the issue of pollution in the river. Kejriwal visited the Ghazipur site Thursday and said the upcoming MCD polls will be fought on the garbage issue as he promised to clean Delhi in five years if his AAP wins the civic body election. "We visited the Yamuna to stock of the pollution situation there. We were surprised to find that a very poisonous chemical was being sprayed to hide the froth," the Northeast Delhi MP claimed. Last year, pictures and videos showing devotees offering prayers in the froth-filled Yamuna on Chhath Puja had triggered a political slugfest between the AA

Cracker ban flouted, AAP should accept it has failed to curb pollution: BJP

BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga shared on social media several videos of people defying the firecracker ban on Diwali to take a dig at the AAP government, while his party said the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation should accept that it has "failed" to curb pollution. Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana claimed that the air quality index (AQI) was in the "hazardous" category on the day of the festival and on Tuesday. According to forecasting agencies, the air quality in Delhi on the morning after Diwali was recorded in the ''very poor'' category but the situation was relatively better than previous years due to favourable meteorological conditions which diluted the effect of firecrackers and stubble burning. 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'. Using the hashtag 'DhuaHuaKejriwal', Bagga, among several videos, shared on Twitter clips of a boy and some

Tussle between Punjab Governor, AAP govt over Ludhiana VC turns murkier

The latest in a series of confrontations is Governor Purohit's directive to CM Bhagwant Mann to remove Satbir Singh Gosal from the post of Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor

Hefty loss to MCD due to parking fee collection irregularities, alleges AAP

The AAP on Saturday claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) suffered a big "loss to its exchequer" due to irregularities in the collection of parking fees and alleged the involvement of senior BJP leaders. At a press conference here, the AAP's MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak demanded that the lieutenant governor order an investigation into it, according to a party statement. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) allegation came ahead of the civic polls. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP or the MCD. The BJP was in power in the three civic bodies in Delhi before they were merged into the MCD. "BJP-led MCD gave a tender to a company to collect parking fees; people paid Rs 1.5 crore in total, but the collected amount never reached the MCD," Pathak alleged. The matter "went to the court", but the company did not pay the money, despite the court order in 2022. The MCD "suspended its licence" and "blacklisted" the firm, he claimed. Owners of that company opened several other

DSEU Lighthouse centres will help students get jobs, says AAP MLA Atishi

Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) Lighthouse centres will help students get jobs "immediately" after completing their courses, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi said on Saturday. Last year, the varsity had entered into an agreement with Pune-based non-profit Lighthouse Communities Foundation to set up centres near the city's slum clusters to help youngsters earn a livelihood. Interacting with students at the Lighthouse centre in Kalkaji to know about their learning experiences, Atishi said skill development needs of the youth coming from poor families are being met by the Delhi government and they are now ready for employment. "The Lighthouse (project) gives confidence to the youth, as they are able to learn skills and choose the job of their choice," she said. "Eighty-one students of the DSEU's Lighthouse centres got placements in sectors like retail, healthcare, information technology, information technology enabled services, hospitality, of these, 62 students wer

Delhi L-G flags 'inordinate delay' in receiving Lokayukta reports from AAP

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has flagged that he has received Lokayukta reports from the city government after an "inordinate delay" of three years, and said being the custodian of public trust, it should display appropriate alertness. Saxena has written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the matter. "I would like to advise that the minister concerned may please be guided appropriately to dispose such important matters of public interest within reasonable period, so that the statutory purpose of laying it before the legislative assembly is not defeated and Delhi is not deprived of its wisdom," the lieutenant governor (L-G) said in his letter. Saxena received the 16th and the 17th annual consolidated reports of the Lokayukta of Delhi, pertaining to 2017-18 and 2018-19, "after a delay of three years from Kejriwal" and has approved the laying of the reports before the Delhi assembly, L-G office sources said. While approving the reports, "he flagged the inordinate delay of