Page 12 - Delhi Government

Delhi govt extends last date to apply for power subsidy to November 15

The Delhi government has extended the last date to apply for power subsidy to November 15, officials said on Thursday. The last date to submit the applications, both online and offline, for subsidy on electricity provided by the government was originally set at October 31. Over 34 lakh of around 57 lakh consumers had applied for the subsidy by that date. The Delhi government has decided to provide subsidies to only those consumers who apply for concession. Consumers receive a full subsidy on electricity consumption up to 200 units a month. Those consuming up to 400 units receive a 50 per cent subsidy.

Sessions judge grants more time to decide Satyendar Jain's bail plea

A principal district and sessions judge has granted more time to a sessions court here for deciding the bail plea of AAP leader Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case. The judge directed that the pending arguments be concluded by November 11. The judge also noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took adjournment in the case because of non-availability of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju. The matter was posted for further hearing on November 7. Earlier, the judge had transferred the matter to the court of Special Judge Vikas Dhull and the time frame fixed for deciding the bail plea was about to end. Jain, arrested by the ED for corruption charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is currently in judicial custody. The ED had arrested Jain and two others in the money laundering case based on a CBI FIR lodged against the AAP leader in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He is accused of having laundered money through four companies allegedly l

Raaj Anand takes oath as Delhi minister after Rajendra Gautam's resignation

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Raaj Kumar Anand was on Thursday administered oath as a minister in the Delhi government by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in a ceremony at Raj Niwas. Anand took the oath in presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. "Administered the oath of office and secrecy to Raaj Kumar Anand as Minister in GNCTD. I convey my best wishes to him and hope that he will work for the betterment of Delhi and its People," Saxena tweeted after the oath ceremony. The Patel Nagar MLA was inducted into his Council of Ministers by Kejriwal after Rajendra Pal Gautam's resignation. Gautam who held charge of social welfare minister resigned last month from the post after he was embroiled in a controversy over his presence in a religious conversion programme.

Delhi govt to provide Rs 5,000 each as aid to 1 mn construction workers

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday directed Labour Minister Manish Sisodia to provide Rs 5,000 each as financial aid to 10 lakh registered workers due to pollution-related ban on construction activities in Delhi. With pollution levels worsening, the Centre's air quality panel had on Saturday directed authorities to impose a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, except on essential projects, and other curbs under stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan. GRAP is set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation. "Construction activities have been stopped across Delhi in view of pollution. I have directed Labour Minister, Sh Manish Sisodia, to give Rs 5,000 pm as financial support to each construction worker during this period when construction activities are not permitted," Kejriwal tweeted. The Delhi government will deposit Rs 5,000 in the accounts of over 10 lakh construction

100 special mohalla clinics for women to be opened in Delhi: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that 100 special mohalla clinics for women will be opened in the national capital. Inaugurating four 'mahila special mohalla clinics', he said children below 12 years and women will get free of cost treatment at these facilities. The mohalla clinic system is one of the flagship initiatives of the Kejriwal government and it is aimed at boosting primary healthcare in the city. "Four mahila mohalla clinics, special clinics for women where gynaecological services, tests and medicines will be available free of cost for them and children under the age of 12 years, are being opened today," Kejriwal said. "In the first phase, 100 such clinics will be opened for women and children," he said, adding that doctors and staff at these facilities will be women. The chief minister, however, did not comment on a timeline for opening of these clinics. On an average, each mohalla clinic handles 116 patients a day and together a total of ov

Child rights body asks Delhi govt to shut schools till pollution reduces

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality in the national capital improves. The national capital's air quality has deteriorated to 'severe' in the last few days, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Air pollution in the 'severe' category affects healthy people and seriously impacts children and those with existing diseases, according to the CPCB. The apex child rights body said it had taken a serious view of the matter and expressed concern over the 'severe' air quality impacting the health of children. NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has written to the chief secretary and strongly recommended considering appropriate action. He has urged the Delhi government to consider shutting schools in the interest of the children till air quality in the national capital improves.

Prez approves appointment of AAP MLA Raaj Kumar Anand as Delhi minister

AAP leader Raaj Kumar Anand will soon assume charge as a minister in the Delhi Cabinet, with President Droupadi Murmu accepting the city government's recommendation in this regard. The appointment was announced in a gazette notification issued on Tuesday. "The President is pleased to appoint, on the advice of the Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Shri Raaj Kumar Anand as a Minister in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with effect from the date he is sworn in," the gazette notification said. Days after Rajendra Pal Gautam resigned from the Cabinet on October 9 following a row over his presence at a religious conversion event, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said he had recommended the name of Anand, the Patel Nagar MLA, to the lieutenant governor for including him in his ministry. Gautam was the minister for departments of social welfare, SC and ST, registrar of co-operative societies and gurudwara elections. Like Gautam, Anand is also from the Ja

Free yoga classes under 'Dili Ki Yogshala' scheme will continue: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced that the free yoga classes being held by his government will not stop, while asserting that he will not let any work stop despite obstruction by the L-G and the BJP. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal also showed the file of 'Dilli Ki Yogshala' scheme and said his deputy Manish Sisodia had signed it on October 26 and it would have been sent to the Lieutenant Governor the same day or the next day. Sisodia had said that the scheme would be discontinued from Tuesday since no decision had been taken by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on its continuation, in what could trigger a fresh confrontation between the AAP government and the L-G. Sources in the government had claimed on Monday that the L-G has not approved the extension of the scheme after October 31. Sources in the L-G secretariat had, however, said the L-G's office has not received any file seeking permission for the extension of the programme beyond October 31 and

Centre to hold meeting on Nov 10 to discuss payment of dues to RInfra

In the last hearing on October 10, DMRC told the High Court that if Delhi Metro were to raise loans to pay the arbitration award to DAMEPL, it would fall into a 'debt trap'

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

Delhi govt, police to apply curbs on BS III petrol, BS IV diesel vehicle

As many as 120 enforcement teams of the Delhi government's transport department and the city police will implement restriction on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheeler in the national capital if such curbs are imposed, officials said. Amid worsening pollution levels in Delhi, the Centre's air quality panel Saturday directed authorities in the National Capital Region to implement curbs such as a ban on construction and demolition activities under the Graded Response Action Plan stage III. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) further said states might impose restrictions on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in the NCR considering the worsening air quality. This direction is non-binding on authorities. According to a Delhi Transport Department official, the 120 enforcement teams of the department will be implementing the restrictions along with Delhi Police. "We check the vehicles by uploading their registration numbers in the Vahan

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

Sisodia meets Delhi LG, seeks continuation of 'Dilli ki Yogshala' programme

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia met Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena on Friday, seeking the continuation of 'Dilli ki Yogshala' programme

War of words between Delhi L-G, AAP govt intensifies over air pollution

A war of words between the Delhi LG's office and the AAP government over the "Red Light On, Gaadi Off" campaign continued for the second day on Friday, with the former accusing city Environment Minister Gopal Rai of "lying" about the date of its launch and Rai questioning the lieutenant governor's seriousness about the pollution issue. Setting the stage for a fresh confrontation with LG V K Saxena, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi had said on Thursday it is postponing the launch of the campaign as the LG's office is yet to approve it. Sources in the LG's office said on Friday that Rai did not speak the truth about the date of the campaign launch and claimed that the AAP did so to coerce Saxena into taking a decision. On the other hand, Rai accused Saxena of making excuses for not giving a timely approval for the campaign and questioned his seriousness about curbing pollution in the national capital. The month-long "Red Light On, Gaadi Off" campaign aims at encouraging

Delhi govt hikes auto-rickshaw, taxi fares in view of rising CNG prices

The Delhi government has approved a hike in auto-rickshaw and taxi fares in view of rising CNG prices in the national capital, according to an official statement on Friday. According to the revised fares, the metre down charge (minimum fare) for the initial 1.5 kilometre for auto-rickshaws has been increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30, while the per kilometre charge after metre down has been hiked from Rs 9.50 to Rs 11. For taxis, the per kilometre charge after metre down has been hiked from Rs 14 to Rs 17 for non-AC vehicles and from Rs 16 to Rs 20 for AC vehicles. The last revision in the auto-rickshaw fares happened in 2020 while that for taxi which includes black-and-yellow taxi, economy taxi and premium taxi happened nine years back in 2013. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot had received many representations from the auto-rickshaw and taxi associations and unions on the issue of hike in fares.

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

BJP should not try to divert attention from garbage issue: Arvind Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the BJP should not try to divert attention from the garbage issue amid allegations that the Delhi government is spraying poisonous chemicals to remove froth in Yamuna ahead of Chhath Puja. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday accused the Delhi government of spraying poisonous chemical to remove froth from the Yamuna ahead of Chhath Puja during which devotees take a holy dip in the river. "The people of Delhi have given us five years to clean the Yamuna. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls will be an election of Delhi's cleanliness and garbage. The BJP should not deviate from the issue. They should give an account of their 15 years," he said in a tweet in Hindi. 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.

Firmly oppose language used for CM: AAP slams Delhi LG over Chhath Puja row

After Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena cautioned CM Kejriwal against "misleading" and "premature publicity" regarding 'Chhath Puja', AAP on Thursday hit back objecting to the language used for the CM

People will reject BJP and give AAP a chance in MCD polls, says Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said people of Delhi would reject the BJP in the upcoming MCD polls and give a chance to the Aam Aadmi Party to clean up the national capital. Speaking at a media briefing, Kejriwal challenged the BJP to show one good work it had done during the last 15 years that it had controlled the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). "Delhi's people will fight the elections and Gujarat's residents will fight the polls there. Ask (the) BJP even if they have done one good deed during the last 15 years in the MCD and in 27 years in Gujarat. "On the other hand, if you go out on the road and ask anyone about the work done by Kejriwal in the last seven years, you will know," he said. MCD polls are expected to be held at the end of 2022 or early next year. However, there has been no formal announcement regarding the dates. In 2017, the BJP swept the civic body polls, bagging 181 wards in the erstwhile south, north and east Delhi municipal corporations. Th