Page 10 - Delhi Government

MCD elections: Counting of votes on Wednesday, 42 centres set up

Authorities here are all geared up for the counting of votes polled in the Delhi municipal elections, with officials saying 42 centres have ben set up for the Wednesday exercise which will begin at 8 am amid tight security. Delhi recorded a voter turnout of 50.48 per cent in the keenly-watched polls held on December 4, results of which may have ramifications beyond the national capital. The election was largely touted as a three-way contest among a spirited AAP, a confident BJP and a hopeful Congress. There are 250 wards in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and 1,349 candidates are in the fray in this election. "We are all set for the counting of votes tomorrow for which 42 centres have been set up. Counting will take place amid tight security arrangements," a senior official of the State Election Commission told PTI. The centres are located in areas, including, Shastri Park, Yamuna Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Nand Nagari, Dwarka, Okhla, Mangolpuri, Pitampura, Alipur and Model ...

Delhi govt bans plying of BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel four-wheelers

The Delhi government on Monday imposed a ban on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the city till December 9, in view of restrictions clamped by the Centre's air quality panel under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The sub-committee for implementation of GRAP held a meeting on Sunday to review the air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and the air quality index of Delhi as air pollution turned severe. "As per the directions as provided under Stage III of the revised GRAP and under section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, it is hereby ordered that there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (four-wheelers) in NCT of Delhi with immediate effect till December 9 or till downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier," read an order issued by the transport department. Vehicles deployed in emergency services and government or election work are exempt. "If any

Govt wants Delhi-Centre power dispute case be referred to larger SC bench

The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it has filed a fresh plea seeking reference to a larger bench of nine or more judges a matter involving a constitutional issue related to the control of services in the national capital. The Delhi government, represented by senior advocate A M Singhvi, opposed the Centre's plea before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha, saying, "this will only create delay and such tactics cannot be allowed". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said at the outset "there are no facts to be controverted. But, I have filed an IA (interim application) stating that this matter (Delhi-Centre case) may have to be referred to a larger bench". Singhvi opposed the submission, saying it amounted to seeking a review of the apex court order which had said the matter did not require reference to a larger bench and the only issue remaining between the parties was the dispute pertaining to control

HC seeks Delhi govt's response on compensation to manual scavengers' kin

The Aam Aadmi Party Government was directed by the Delhi High Court to file an affidavit regarding the compensation payment to the two safai staffers who recently died during manual scavenging

We will not let our Yoga classes stop at any cost: Delhi CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said free yoga classes in the city will continue irrespective of the availability of funds for the scheme. The remark comes against the backdrop of issues surrounding the 'Dilli Ki Yogshala' scheme of the city government. "Stopping yoga (classes) is a sin, rest of the politics can go on," Kejriwal said in his address after felicitating yoga instructors at an event here. "But, we decided that we won't let the classes stop, whether funds come or not," he asserted. Sources in the government had earlier claimed that Lt Governor Saxena has not approved the extension of the scheme after October 31. However, L-G secretariat sources have claimed that the office has not received any file seeking permission for the extension of the programme beyond October 31. Hence, it was wrong to say that the LG has not approved the extension, they added. The Delhi chief minister had on November 1 announced that the free yoga classes being held by his gover

MCD polls: BJP leaders target CM over corruption, say party will romp home

BJP leaders, including Union ministers, mounted a joint attack against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, saying he has looted Delhi by giving protection to the corrupt and is now looking to loot the municipal corporation. Campaigning for various party candidates in different wards ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls, the BJP leaders said if the party is voted to power in the civic body, its double-engine government will ensure the all-round development of the capital. The BJP has ruled the MCD for 15 years and is seeking a fourth term. "Earlier Kejriwal was known for U-turns, now he is known for doing politics of lies and deceit... By giving protection to the corrupt, Arvind Kejriwal looted Delhi and is now eager to loot the MCD," Union Minister Anurag Thakur said at a public meeting. The AAP is trying to "buy votes" after "selling tickets" for the civic elections, he said. Union Minister Narendra Tomar said if the BJP wins the elections and its ...

Delhi to observe dry days from Friday to Sunday due to MCD polls

Delhi will observe dry days from Friday to Sunday during which the sale of alcohol will be prohibited due to the MCD elections, the city excise department has announced. The election of 250 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in the national capital is on Sunday. The counting of votes will be done on December 7. The excise department has announced that December 7 will also be observed as a dry day. In a notification, Delhi Commissioner (Excise) Krishna Mohan Uppu on Wednesday said that in pursuance of the provisions of Rule 52 of Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, it is hereby ordered that December 2 to December 4 and December 7 will be observed as "Dry Days". Dry days are days when the government prohibits the sale of alcohol in shops, clubs, bars, etc. on a specific day "From 17:30 Hours of December 2, 2022 (Friday) to December 4, 2022, up to 17:30 Hours (Sunday), the above shall be observed as 'Dry Days' in addition to the Dry Days," the notification said. Also, "from 00:00 Hou

BJP extorted, looted money from traders for 15 years: Manish Sisodia

Ahead of the municpal polls here, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Wednesday accused the BJP of extorting money from traders in Krishna Nagar in east Delhi and said Arvind Kejriwal will help them get rid of this "curse". Sisodia, who is the deputy chief minister of Delhi, held marches in various wards of Laxmi Nagar, Krishna Nagar and Patparganj. He also interacted with people on civic issues faced by them. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls are being seen as a high stakes contest with the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress eyeing to wrest it from the BJP which ruled it for 15 years. "Water accumulates on streets and causes many diseases, but the BJP has completely ignored all this over the years. The BJP has never considered garbage management as their duty in the past five years," Sisodia said, adding that in most of the colonies drains were choked and overflowing. The BJP extorted money from traders and imposed conversion charges arbitrarily, but

Kejriwal's law dept reject legal bills of sr advocates hired by Delhi govt

Law Department of Delhi govt has refused to pay several bills raised by advocates, due to blatant non-compliance with financial rules and violation of terms of engagements by minister Kailash Gehlot

Considers himself owner of Delhi: Haryana CM hits out at Kejriwal

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar took on the main opposition Aam Aadmi Party in the run-up to the MCD election saying that Arvind Kejriwal considers himself the owner of Delhi

Delhi L-G takes note of AAP's tweet, asks Police Commissioner to act

After Manish Sisodia alleged that the BJP is conspiring to kill Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi L-G VK Saxena directed the city Police Commissioner to ensure that such incidents do not take place

Influential people get all kinds of favours: Ex-law officer of Tihar Jail

Amid a row over videos purportedly showing Delhi minister Satyendar Jain getting "massages" in his prison cell, a former law officer of Tihar Jail has claimed that such "illegal" practices were "normal" there and he knew of sexual favours being arranged for influential inmates during his tenure. Speaking to PTI, Sunil Gupta, who served as a law officer and spokesperson in Tihar from 1981 to 2016, claimed the "high and mighty people" used to get all kinds of favours and "special treatment" within the prison premises from officials as well as inmates in the country's largest jail. Action was also taken in some cases after he reported them, Gupta said without elaborating. Tihar is in the eye of a storm for alleged VIP treatment to influential prisoners after videos emerged in the public domain on November 19 showing Jain, who has been arrested on money laundering charges, getting massages from some inmates, one of whom was later identified as a POCSO accused. Various reports have ...

Delhi govt to pay over Rs 16L to judicial officer for Covid treatment

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to reimburse forthwith over Rs 16 lakh to a serving judge of the district judiciary towards the cost of Covid treatment incurred by him during the second wave of the pandemic. The high court refused to accept the submission of the Delhi government's counsel that the private hospital, where the Additional District Judge (ADJ) was treated, shall be asked to explain why it charged amounts higher than those prescribed in a government circular. The hospital, he said, shall be directed to refund the overcharged amount of Rs 16,93,880. Justice Rekha Palli said the fact remains that during April-May 2021, when the residents of Delhi were not only struggling to get hospital beds but there was also a huge shortage of oxygen, the petitioner judge had no other option but to seek treatment at a private hospital and has thankfully survived. One shudders to think what fate the petitioner would have met if he had not, at that point, been treate

Fresh videos showing Satyendar Jain having raw food emerge from jail

Fresh videos of AAP's Satyendar Jain emerged from Tihar jail on Wednesday in which he is seen eating uncooked vegetables and fruits in his cell, days after the minister moved a city court alleging that he is not being provided raw food as per his religious beliefs. However, the purported videos are dated September 13 and October 1. A Delhi court had on Tuesday sought the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) response to a plea by Jain seeking a direction to Tihar officials to provide him food items like fruits, dry fruits and dates as per his religious beliefs as he was observing a fast. The petition, filed on Monday, claimed that the jail administration had stopped providing him basic food that is partaken under his religion for the last 12 days. "The CCTV footage from Jain's cell in Tihar negates his claims of not getting proper food in jail. He has been getting the food of his choice, including fruits and dry fruits, as the video shows," sources said. They also said that contrary to .

Man giving massage to Satyendar Jain prison inmate, says report

The masseur who was seen in video footage giving a massage to Satyendar Jain is not a physiotherapist but an inmate of the Tihar Jail, sources said on Tuesday, even as AAP had claimed that the jailed Delhi minister was receiving physiotherapy. The Aam Aadmi Party had drawn flak on Saturday after videos of Jain purportedly receiving massage and meeting visitors in his prison cell emerged, with the BJP and the Congress demanding his sacking and questioning the "silence" of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had claimed that Jain was receiving physiotherapy following a spinal injury and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of doing "cheap" politics on health issues by illegally leaking CCTV footage. However, sources claimed that the man, who was seen giving Jain a massage in the videos, was a prisoner named Rinku. "He is lodged in the prison in connection with a rape case and sections of the Pocso Act. Rinku is not a physiotherapist," the sources ...

SC seeks Centre, Delhi govt replies on plea of conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Centre and the Delhi government on plea of conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar seeking that he be shifted from the Mandoli jail here to any other prison in the country. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar, which was hearing two separate petitions of Chandrashekhar, asked him to move a representation to jail authorities on increasing the visiting hours with his lawyers. Chandrashekhar, through his lawyer, claimed that he was assaulted in Mandoli jail, which is evident from his medical records and said that he is facing a threat to life in the prison. He said 28 cases are pending against him in six cities across the country and for that he needs to meet his lawyers for 60 minutes every day as against the 30 minutes each twice a week provided under the Delhi Prison Rules. Chandrashekhar's counsel said after his disclosure statements that Rs 10 crore was allegedly extorted by Delhi's Jail minister Satyendra Jain, he is facing

To seek direct transfer of fund from Centre to MCD: Delhi BJP head

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta has said if the party retains power in the MCD poll, it will demand direct transfer of funds from the Centre to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi through the LG, rather than via the city government. In an interview to PTI in run-up to the December 4 MCD polls, Gupta also asserted the the BJP will beat anti-incumbency and win more seats than it did in the 2017 elections. "It's not possible to make everyone happy. The BJP ruled the municipal corporations for 15 years and tried to work in the larger interest," Gupta said in reply to a question on anti-incumbency and charges of corruption being levelled against its leaders by their rivals in the AAP, which rules the city government and the Congress. The BJP has been ruling the municipal corporations since 2007. The three corporations were unified to form one MCD by the Centre in May this year. Gupta claimed the Kejriwal government crippled the MCDs financially by stopping funds worth Rs 42,000 crore dur

Fix timeline to rectify cause of poor AQI at hotspots: NHRC asks Delhi govt

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Delhi government to fix a timeline to rectify the cause of poor air quality at hotspots and inquired about the status of alternative landfill sites. The NHRC on Friday held the third hearing of chief secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi on air pollution in Delhi NCR in light of reports submitted by them in response to its directions in the last meeting. Seeking further reports, the next date of hearing has been fixed for November 25. "The commission asked the Delhi government to fix a timeline to find out and rectify the cause of poor air quality at the hot spots and when these will become normal. The commission also enquired about the status of alternative landfill sites for garbage disposal and cleaning thereof," it said in a statement. While taking note of some of the actions taken by the state governments to control air pollution by managing stubble, dust, and hospital sewage, among others, the panel ..

Delhi L-G asks Kejriwal to remove Jasmine Shah as vice chairman, DDC

Delhi L-G VK Saxena has asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to remove Jasmine Shah from the post of Vice Chairman of the Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC)

Projects aimed at easing traffic await Delhi govt's approval: Sources

Ten projects related to construction of roads, including that of the Dwarka Expressway Package, aimed at easing traffic in the national capital along with redevelopment of residential accommodations are pending with the Delhi government's Environment Department for approval, official sources claimed on Thursday. The sources said Delhi LG VK Saxena took up the matter in various discussions with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in their weekly meetings and had also written to the CM on August 17 and September 30. "Ten projects of critical importance to the city that include construction of roads aimed at easing traffic and facilitating public transport, arterial roads, road under/over bridges, National Highway and ambitious redevelopment plans for residential accommodations, are yet pending with the Environment Department of Delhi Government some of them since as long as 2019," a source said. The sources said all pre-requisites, including money as compensation and land for compensatory