Page 14 - Delhi Government

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Why clean air comes at a premium under a central plan to reduce pollution

The NCAP is a pollution control initiative aimed at reducing the concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere by at least 20 per cent by 2024

To boost night life, Delhi LG allows 300 firms to operate round-the-clock

In a move that will boost Delhi's night life, LG VK Saxena has approved more than 300 establishments, including online shopping and delivery shops, hotels, restaurants, and transport facilities, to operate round-the-clock, officials at LG office said on Sunday. The Lt Governor has approved a proposal to exempt 314 applications, some of them pending since 2016. He has directed that notification to this effect be issued within seven days, they said. Approving the proposal, Saxena took a "very serious view" of "inordinate delay, adhocism, randomness and unjustified discretion" on part of the labour department in disposing of applications made by the firms for these exemptions, officials said. The LG has ordered that such applications are disposed of within a strict timeline to foster an investor and business-friendly environment in Delhi. Starting next week, the 300-plus establishments will be able to operate on a 24X7 basis in the national capital, they added.

Delhi CM Kejriwal takes jibe at LG Saxena, asks him to "chill"

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a swipe at Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and asked him to go "chill" as he drew parallels between Saxena and the former's wife.He also highlighted the L-G's scoldings."As much as L-G sahib scolds me every day, even my wife does not scold me," tweeted Kejriwal.Calling out the number of letters and inquiries that LG Saxena wrote, Kejriwal said,"In the last six months, my wife has not written me as many love letters as L-G Sahib has written to me."The Delhi CM lined out a piece of advice on a lighter note as he jibed at the Centre and BJP without naming anybody specific."LG sahib, chill a bit. And also tell your super boss, chill a little," he added.The tug of war has been evident ever since the L-G's appointment.Earlier on October 6, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena expressed displeasure over the unjustified and inordinate delay in payments by the Kejriwal government and directed the Chief Secretary to take immediate steps to clear all dues ..

How Delhi effigy makers bounced back in business post-Covid pandemic

Apart from making effigies two-three months before the festive season, the artisans usually get their source of income from different businesses for the rest of the year

As cases decline, Delhi to dismantle its last three Covid care centres

On Wednesday, the capital reported 96 fresh Covid cases with a positivity rate of 1.42 per cent

Delhi authorities to dismantle last 3 Covid care centres as cases decline

Authorities have stressed on the need to keep a continued vigil against Covid-19 in view of the festival season, even as they gave their nod to dismantle three remaining Covid care centres in the city and vacate the land. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority, in its meeting held on September 22, discussed the Covid-19 situation in the national capital. Delhi LG V K Saxena, who is the chairman of the DDMA, said that Delhi could do a little better on the vaccination front. Out of a total of 1.33 crore beneficiaries eligible for the precaution doses, it was found that only 31.49 lakh (24 per cent) had taken precaution doses till September 20, according to the data shared during the meeting. In view of the festivals ahead, Saxena said there is a need for a continued and strict vigil. This will be a critical period as people may ignore COVID-appropriate behaviour during festivals, he said. It is important to adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour and to create a mass awareness among

DCW issues notice to Delhi govt's divisional commissioner over acid sale

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to the divisional commissioner of the Delhi government seeking action against those SDMs who have not been implementing rules to regulate the sale of acid. The Supreme Court had given several directions to the Centre as well as state governments to regulate the sale of acid to prevent acid attacks in the country. To regulate the sale of acid, the Delhi government had passed an order which empowered area Sub-Divisional Magistrate to impose penalty of up to Rs 50,000 for violations. "However, it is extremely unfortunate that acid continues to be sold openly in the capital. In order to ascertain the status of implementation of the order in Delhi, notices were issued by the DCW in August to all District Magistrates seeking specific information regarding acid sale in their district," the panel said. Information was sought regarding the number of inspections conducted by the SDMs, number of penalties imposed along with the amount collect

L-G Saxena orders investigation into Delhi govt's power subsidy plan

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has directed the chief secretary to conduct an enquiry over the alleged non-implementation of power subsidy payment to consumers through DBT as was ordered by the DERC in 2018, sources at the LG office said on Tuesday. The top official has been asked to submit a report within seven days, they said. The action followed after a complaint received by the LG Secretariat raised issues of "impropriety and discrepancies" in the power subsidy scheme of the Kejriwal government in Delhi, the sources said. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) had in its order on February 19, 2018, stated that the Delhi government may consider transferring power subsidy to the consumers through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode. "The complainants including eminent lawyers and jurists have alleged that a massive scam was effected after Delhi government appointed directors and a private discom," the sources claimed. No immediate reaction was available from

2.5 million apply for power subsidy in Delhi; more expected in coming days

Kejriwal had said many people want to opt out of the subsidy scheme and those who do not require it should not get it

Delhi govt to connect all unauthorised colonies with sewer system

The Delhi government will connect all unauthorised colonies and villages with sewer system to prevent effluent from flowing into the Yamuna and polluting it. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday approved various Delhi Jal Board projects on these lines, an official statement said on Saturday. The statement said that under these projects, the Delhi government will conduct a study on newly constructed lakes to assess the groundwater flow. It said that the existing capacity of Rohini Lake No 1 and 2 will also be increased. Capacity of Keshopur Phase-I STP will be increased from 12 MGD to 18 MGD, this will help in better treatment of wastewater, the statement quoted Sisodia as saying. The Delhi government will build a chamber to connect Sant Nagar, Singhu, Shahbad, Pradhan Enclave, and Kureni GOC with house sewer connection. The move will connect 10 villages and 64 colonies with house sewer connection, the statement said. To stop the wastage of water, the city gover

Old vehicles plying on roads will be impounded and scrapped: Delhi govt

Delhi government on Saturday cautioned people against driving old vehicles in the national capital, an act which violates the Supreme Court orders, saying that such vehicles will be immediately impounded. In 2018, the Supreme Court had ordered that plying of diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 years and 15 years respectively is banned in Delhi, adding that the vehicles violating the order will be impounded. "Now, it has come to notice that inspite of these orders, such vehicles are still found plying and parked on the roads of Delhi. The Enforcement wing of the transport department has been undertaking robust enforcement drive for impounding of such vehicles if found plying or parked on Delhi roads," a statement issued by the transport department read. "The 15 years old vehicles after being impounded will be immediately handed over to the authorised scrapper for scrapping," it said. It further advised people to neither drive nor keep or park such vehicles in any public place.

Delhi govt's new electricity subsidy scheme kicks off from today

The Delhi government's new electricity scheme, under which only those consumers who opt for the subsidy will receive it, came into effect from Saturday. According to officials, 25.63 lakh consumers have so far applied for the power subsidy, after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced last month that people can give a missed call or send a WhatsApp message on 7011311111 to opt for the subsidy. The domestic power consumers in the city eligible for the subsidy will not get it by default from October 1. Kejriwal had said many people want to opt out of the subsidy scheme and those who do not require it should not get it. The chief minister had also said the subsidy will continue for those who apply. There are 58 lakh domestic power consumers in Delhi, of whom 47 lakh avail the subsidy, including 30 lakh who get zero bills and 16-17 lakh who get a 50-per cent subsidy. At present, the consumers with a power consumption of less than 200 units do not have to pay any charges and those wi

Delhi govt earns Rs 768 crore revenue in one month under old excise policy

The Delhi government earned a revenue of Rs 768 crore in one month under the old excise policy regime implemented from September 1, officials said on Friday. The government had reverted back to old excise regime from September 1, withdrawing its new policy (2021-22) implemented from November 17, 2021. The Excise Policy 2021-22 was withdrawn by the Delhi government after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had in July this year recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in its implementation. "Under the existing policy implemented from September 1, a revenue of Rs 768 crore has been earned including Rs 460 crore as excise duty and an estimated amount of Rs 140 crore as VAT," a senior Delhi government officer said. Under the existing policy, four corporations of Delhi government -- DTTDC, DSIIDC, DSCSC, DCCWS -- have opened retail vends across the city. The September month profit of the four corporations was Rs 40 crore, the officer said. So far, the four corporations have open

Delhi govt launches 15-point winter action plan to combat air pollution

The action plan includes the installation of 233 anti-smog guns and at least 150 mobile anti-smog guns

Arrested businessman made Rs 50 crore by violating Delhi excise policy: ED

Liquor businessman Sameer Mahandru, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi excise policy money laundering case, earned Rs 50 crore as "proceeds of crime" in less than a year by violating the provisions of the liquor scheme, the agency told a local court. Mahandru, the managing director of an alcoholic beverages manufacturing company called Indospirit, was taken into custody by the federal agency around 9 am on Wednesday and the court of special judge M K Nagpal later sent him to the Enforcement Directorate custody till October 6. He was questioned by the agency overnight at its headquarters in central Delhi, sources said. The agency claimed before the court that "proceeds of crime" in crores were generated and "major violations" were done by the accused involved in the case. The excise policy 2021-22 has now been scrapped after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a probe into its planning and implementation. "Though the prime object of the said poli

Power discoms seek clarification from Delhi govt on disbursal of subsidy

Power discoms have sought clarification from the Delhi government on the disbursal of subsidy to consumers considering their different billing cycles, sources said on Wednesday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier this month said that subsidy will be given to only those consumers who will demand it. He said that consumers who apply for subsidy up to October 31 will be provided subsidy for the month of October. However, sources said that discoms do not follow month-wise billing cycles. "The billing of power consumption starts from the date a new connection is energised. So it is different for consumers. Supposedly, if a consumer starts consumption of power after getting connection from 25th of a month, his bill will be generated for a period up to 25th of next month," said a source. Kejriwal had said that those consumers who do not apply for subsidy will not get it. However, they will start getting it if they apply for it again, he said. According to official figures, there are

Delhi Excise policy case: ED arrests businessman Sameer Mahendru

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested businessman Sameer Mahendru, one of the prime accused in Delhi's excise scam case involving Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia

HC sends notice to Delhi govt on financial irregularities in tree plantings

The Delhi High Court issued notice to the Delhi government, MoEFCC, and others on a plea to ascertain the numbers and kinds of tree saplings planted in the national capital and its cost in 5 years

Delhi govt has started process of preparing its budget for 2023-24

The Delhi government has started the process of preparing its budget for 2023-24 and asked its departments to furnish estimates after a "realistic assessment" to ensure funds are utilised within the given financial year, officials said on Saturday. The Finance Department has initiated the process of preparation of the revised estimates (RE) for 2022-23 and budget estimates (BE) for 2023-24, asking departments to stick to prescribed format in furnishing facts and figures, they said. The departments should formulate estimates based on "realistic assessment of funds required so that situations like actual expenditure being less than original budget estimates do not occur", the Finance Department said in its budget circular issues earlier this month. The departments will ensure that the entire funds projected through budget estimates will be utilised during the financial year, it said. Pointing discrepancies in budget estimation by departments, it said that it has also been noticed tha