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Arvinder Singh Lovely Sworn In as Delhi Assembly Opens, BJP Attacks AAP

February 24, 2025, 11:19 am

The first session of the Delhi Assembly began on Monday, with BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely sworn in as Protem Speaker at Raj Niwas. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena administered the oath. The election for the Speaker is scheduled for 2 PM.

BJP Ministers Slam AAP

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticized the AAP-DA alliance, accusing it of mismanaging Delhi for 12 years. He stated, “A new chapter will be written today… The CAG report will reveal the corruption done by Arvind Kejriwal over the last three years.”

Kapil Mishra called the day historic, emphasizing that the public holds real power. “Corruption has a limited time, and after that, it is over. Under CM Rekha Gupta’s leadership, this government will serve the people of Delhi,” he said.

Ashish Sood highlighted the BJP’s priorities after returning to power after 27 years. “We will ensure clean water, better sewage, improved roads, and clean air. The issue of water has been a nightmare for Delhi residents for the past 10 years,” he said.

Rekha Gupta Receives Public Support

Ahead of the session, people gathered outside Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s residence to congratulate her. Gupta, sworn in on Thursday, held her first cabinet meeting the same day. She announced the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme with a ₹5 lakh top-up and the tabling of 14 pending CAG reports in the Assembly.

Assembly Agenda

According to the Delhi Assembly bulletin, LG VK Saxena will address the session on February 25. The assembly will then table the CAG reports. A motion of thanks for the LG’s address will follow. On February 26, discussions on the motion will begin at 11 AM, followed by the election of the Deputy Speaker.

AAP Accuses Delhi LG, BJP of Betraying Delhi’s Bus Marshals

October 6, 2024, 5:30 pm

Delhi’s political landscape has heated up over the ongoing controversy regarding the reinstatement of bus marshals. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has accused the BJP of backtracking on their promises and avoiding the issue, which has left thousands of bus marshals in limbo since their termination in November 2023. Speaking to the media, Bharadwaj criticised BJP leaders, especially Vijender Gupta, for failing to push through the reinstatement of bus marshals as promised, despite a resolution being passed in the Delhi Assembly.

The bus marshals, deployed to ensure the safety of passengers in Delhi’s public transport system, were abruptly removed last year following questions from the revenue and finance departments about their deployment. AAP has maintained that the BJP and Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena have betrayed the marshals, despite promises to regularise their positions after the resolution was passed. Bharadwaj pointed out that the BJP had avoided engaging in the scheduled meeting with the LG, further stalling the marshals’ reinstatement.

In response, BJP MLA Vijender Gupta announced that the LG had accepted the proposal for reinstatement and that a meeting to discuss hiring provisions, especially for marginalized communities, would take place soon. However, the lack of immediate action has sparked protests from AAP leaders, including Bharadwaj, who, along with several others, was detained during a protest outside the LG’s residence.

Also read: 2024 US Vice President Debate: Walz Slams Vance’s Integrity, Debunks Immigration Claims

The tension between AAP and BJP continues, with both parties accusing each other of politicising the issue at the expense of Delhi’s bus marshals.

Delhi MCD Election: AAP Absent, Has BJP After All Changed Delhizen’s Mind With The Excise Policy Case?

September 27, 2024, 4:18 pm

The ongoing battle over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) Standing Committee election has ignited a political storm between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena’s intervention adding fuel to the fire. The crux of the dispute centers on the timing and manner of the election for a crucial sixth seat on the Standing Committee, a body that controls significant financial decisions in Delhi.

Initially, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi adjourned the election scheduled for September 26 to October 5, citing protests from AAP councillors over a mobile phone ban during the voting process. However, late on September 26, LG Saxena overturned this decision and directed the MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to hold the election by 10 p.m. that night. When the election did not take place, it was rescheduled for 1 p.m. on September 27, with the LG appointing Additional Municipal Commissioner Jitender Yadav as the presiding officer in the absence of the Mayor.

AAP leaders have called this move “illegal and unconstitutional,” arguing that only the Mayor has the authority to convene and preside over such sessions. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused the BJP and LG of attempting to “murder democracy” by forcing an election in the absence of AAP councillors. He likened this to similar political tactics used in Chandigarh’s mayoral election, suggesting that the BJP seeks to exploit AAP’s absence to gain control over the Standing Committee.

This election is critical because the Standing Committee plays a key role in approving financial proposals and projects in Delhi, including those related to urban development and sanitation. The vacant seat was left by BJP councillor Kamaljeet Sehrawat, who was elected to the Lok Sabha. Currently, the Standing Committee comprises three AAP and two BJP members, making this election crucial for both parties to gain a majority.

Complicating matters further are the recent defections of AAP councillors to the BJP. Three councillors switched sides just before the election, narrowing AAP’s lead in the MCD House from 125 to 113 councillors, raising concerns about cross-voting and shifting political allegiances.

The controversy over the Standing Committee election reflects broader tensions between AAP and the BJP over control of Delhi’s governance, with each side accusing the other of undermining democratic norms. The LG’s involvement has only intensified the conflict, as AAP leaders continue to challenge the legality of his orders.

Also read: Manish Sisodia: BJP Fabricated ‘Liquor Scam,’ Says Supreme Court Proved Them Wrong

This ongoing political struggle has implications not just for local governance but also for the broader political landscape in Delhi, where both parties are battling for control over critical civic functions. The outcome of the election will likely shape the future trajectory of urban governance in the capital.

Delhi: 223 DCW employees removed by LG VK Saxena

May 2, 2024, 3:25 pm

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has terminated the employment of contractual workers at the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), who were previously appointed by the ex-chief, Swati Maliwal.

Citing the reason, it is alleged that these employees were appointed without taking government’s permission, thus going against the rules.

223 employees from the Delhi Women Commission have been removed with immediate effect on the order of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. It is alleged that the then chairperson of the Delhi Women Commission, Swati Maliwal, had appointed them without permission, going against the… pic.twitter.com/wMZmaTuX9l

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2024

The statement further declared that due to the irregularities and illegalities in the DCW appointments, all such posts are deemed void or unenforceable (ab-initio), as proper procedures were not adhered to.

Besides, these DCW contractual staff were engaged without having sanctioned posts. This cannot be continued any longer.

“DCW has violated the statutory provisions of DCW Act, 1994 and various standing instructions of the Department of Finance & Planning Department, GNCTD by creating 223 posts and engaging staff without following due procedure i.e. no study was conducted to assess the actual requirement of additional staff and eligibility criteria for each post, no administrative approval and expenditure sanctioned was obtained from the GNCTD for engaging such manpower and applications for such posts were not formally invited, role and responsibility for any of these posts were not assigned and emoluments of some of the incumbents which were decided at the time of initial appointment, were enhanced very sharply and arbitrarily.” the order read.

SC to hear today Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest by ED in Excise policy case

April 15, 2024, 9:20 am

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and subsequent remand in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Monday. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will preside over the hearing.

Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to the top court contesting a Delhi High Court judgment that dismissed his plea on April 9, rejecting his claim of political vendetta amidst the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

As per the Delhi High Court, the probe agency possessed sufficient evidence to justify the arrest, asserting it was a consequence of his non-cooperation with the ED. Despite being summoned nine times in the case, Kejriwal did not appear before the agency.

The 103-page verdict by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the timing of the Chief Minister’s arrest could not be attributed to the central agency.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in connection with the money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy and was remanded to judicial custody until April 15 in the last hearing. He is the first sitting CM to face arrest in the case and is currently detained in Tihar jail.

Apart from Kejriwal, AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been in custody since February last year in connection with the excise policy case. While Sanjay Singh was also arrested in the case, he was recently granted bail.

The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22. The policy aimed to rejuvenate the city’s liquor business by replacing the sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders, promising improved stores for customers. However, it was scrapped shortly after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena called for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities.

Delhi LG approves compensation for mob violence, lynching victims

December 30, 2023, 3:28 am

Delhi LG V K Saxena has approved an amendment to the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme 2018, allowing ex-gratia payments to victims of mob violence and lynching, as per officials from Raj Niwas on Friday.

They noted that the Supreme Court had directed state governments in 2018 to formulate such a scheme within a month, but the Delhi government took five years to submit a proposal.
Under the changes in the scheme, the definition of ‘victim’ has been revised to include the guardian or legal heir of a person who has suffered loss, injury, or death due to mob violence and lynching. Interim relief is proposed to be paid to the victim(s) or the next of kin of the deceased within 30 days of the incident.

On July 17, 2018, the apex court mandated that state governments create a compensation scheme for lynching or mob violence within one month, following the provisions of Section 357A of the CrPC. The guidelines specified that in computing compensation, state governments should consider the nature of bodily injury, psychological injury, and loss of earnings and also take into account the loss of opportunities for employment and education. The scheme should address expenses incurred on legal, medical, and other sufferings resulting from mob lynching or mob violence.

The Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme, 2018, was notified with the approval of the then LG in a notification dated June 27, 2019. However, it did not cover compensation for lynching and mob violence, according to the official statement.

Delhi Minister urges immediate suspension of Health Secretary

December 30, 2023, 3:11 am

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has called for the immediate suspension of Delhi’s health secretary, SB Deepak Kumar, by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Central Government. The recommendation is based on alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines supplied to Delhi government hospitals, aiming to ensure a fair inquiry into the case.

The minister has also urged strict action against the then Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Nutan Mundeja, in connection with the matter. Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that after assuming ministerial responsibilities on March 9, he convened a meeting with the Health Secretary, DGHS, and other health department officials on March 21.

During the meeting, he issued a clear directive to the Health Secretary to conduct an audit of all medicines, equipment, and consumables purchased for Delhi government hospitals. The orders and decisions made during this meeting, along with the meeting minutes, were published on April 3.

However, he alleged that Health Secretary SB Deepak Kumar did not take any action on this directive and failed to initiate any audit related to the procurement of medicines. In July, after noting the directions from this meeting, he sent a reminder to the Health Secretary, questioning the lack of implementation of orders and the absence of an audit of medicines and other items purchased for Delhi government hospitals. Despite the reminder, the Health Secretary allegedly took no action.

Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that he has issued orders multiple times to the Health Secretary to conduct an audit regarding the procurement of medicines.

LG Saxena reviews regularization of unauthorised colonies

December 26, 2023, 2:25 am

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recently chaired a meeting to assess the progress of regularizing unauthorized colonies and rehabilitating slum dwellers in the capital. Attendees included the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (PWD), Vice Chairman (DDA), and Commissioner (MCD).

The meeting focused on reviewing the status of works related to the regularization of unauthorized colonies and the rehabilitation of slum dwellers under the PM-UDAY and PMAY (Urban) initiatives. LG Saxena emphasized the need for specific timelines for the complete implementation of PM-UDAY, PMAY, and the Land Pooling Policy of the DDA.
Issues such as ambiguity in the boundaries of unauthorized colonies, repeated extensions of cut-off dates, and uncertainty in notified slum clusters were discussed. The meeting acknowledged that these challenges, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, had delayed the progress.

Saxena urged officials to develop a concrete time-bound plan for the registration, verification, and subsequent regularization of unauthorized colonies, emphasizing the importance of simplifying and streamlining the process. He warned against any dereliction or corruption in this regard.
Regarding the rehabilitation of slums, LG directed the DDA to promptly identify alternative sites within a 5 km radius where in situ rehabilitation was not feasible. Slum dwellers were to be relocated to flats or houses already constructed under various schemes, ensuring a dignified life for them.

Delhi LG Saxena also instructed officials to ensure that the entire plan should be put into place within a month and concrete action should start immediately. He stressed that all tasks should be completed at least a year earlier than the outer limit of 2026, as provided in the NCTD Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2023 recently passed by Parliament.

LG VK Saxena participates in G20 tree plantation ceremony at Nehru Park

October 23, 2023, 1:14 pm

Delhi In the nation’s capital’s Nehru Park on Monday, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena took part in the G20 tree-planting ceremony. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who was speaking at the event, said: “Being in Chanakyapuri, while your excellencies will witness these trees gain ground in your vicinity, your successors will see these trees grow up to their full glory.” At the tree-planting ceremony in Nehru Park, attendees included EAM Jaishankar, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and representatives from the US, Egypt, Nigeria, Germany, UK, and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, recently discussed the upcoming G20 Virtual Summit, an initiative proposed by PM Narendra Modi in his remarks during the New Delhi Summit.

LG Saxena has set a deadline of June 30 for cleaning the Yamuna

April 9, 2023, 4:12 pm

On Sunday, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena set a deadline of June 30 for cleaning the Yamuna River in the National Capital. He also said he would not object if any minister wanted to claim credit for their job.

“River Yamuna will be cleaned in Delhi by June 30. I have no objection if any minister wants to take credit for our work,” LG VK Saxena said without naming anyone. “The cleaning of Yamuna is going on at a fast pace. Najafgarh drains are being cleaned. 15-16 drains have also been fixed. We will clear the 22 km stretch of Yamuna in Delhi by that time. The work of cleaning the filth on the banks of the Yamuna is also going on in mission mode. We cleaned the Qudsiya Ghat in 15 days,” he said.

Previously in March, VK Saxena chaired a meeting to devise ways for the revival of the Najafgarh Lake on the Delhi-Haryana Border, which is pivotal to the overall cleaning of River Yamuna in the national capital, an official release said.

Through the in-situ treatment plant, the amount of ammonia will be reduced in the water to such an extent that when the treated water is sent from there to the water treatment plant, that water can be completely treated there and become potable. Delhi Jal Board aims to get rid of this problem within 6 months, a press note from the Delhi government stated earlier.

As a matter of fact, the water that Delhi gets from Haryana through the Yamuna is treated in the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants of the city. Officials said that since December 11, Delhi is getting almost zero river water from Haryana. The water that is visible in the Yamuna near the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant is not actually of the Yamuna, but the industrial waste from Panipat and Sonipat, which is coming into the Yamuna through their drains.

The amount of pollutant elements in this water is so high that it is very difficult to cure it with a water treatment plant. Officials said that several letters have also been written by the Delhi Jal Board to the Haryana government on the issue of polluted water coming into the Yamuna. But the Haryana government has not taken any cognizance of those letters.

Delhi LG VK Saxena asks CM about miserable hygiene and sanitary conditions

March 11, 2023, 6:52 pm

LG VK Saxena writes to CM, flags the miserable hygiene and sanitary conditions at Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, that supplies drinking water to large parts of Delhi.

Let Delhi see what kind of water we are drinking.

LG also flags gross inaction on part of DJB in cleaning/desilting the pond reservoir behind Wazirabad barrage, that supplies water to Wazirabad and Chandrawal Water Treatment Plants.

Despite a desilting contract being in place since 2013, no desiltation took place resulting in the depth of the pond reducing from 4.26 Mtrs to a mere 0.42 Mtrs during the last 8 years.

The pond had a capacity to hold 250 million gallons of water, but it has now gotten reduced due to siltation ny 93% and can now holds only 16 million gallons.

Frequent water shortage in the City including the one that recently took place before Holi, on account of Wazirabad and Chandrawal WTPs not being operational fully, is solely due to this reason and not due to the Haryana Excuses that AAP makes to fool the people.