Tag: Delhi

Delhi to double manpower for doorstep delivery of services, says minister

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Delhi Revenue and Administrative Reforms Minister Kailash Gahlot on Sunday announced that the AAP government will increase the number of lines, call centre executives and mobile “sahayaks” for doorstep delivery of services.

“From Monday, the number of outgoing and incoming lines will be increased from a mere 50 to 300. Instead of just 40 call centre executives, 600 of them will work in two shifts whereas number of mobile ‘sahayaks’ will be increased from 70 to 300,” Gahlot told the media here.

The decision, Gahlot said, came after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reviewed the “overwhelming” response to doorstep delivery of services scheme in a Cabinet meeting.

Gahlot expressed his disappointment over “some organisations” deliberately trying to sabotage the scheme aimed at public welfare.

“It is saddening that even after such an overwhelming response, BJP and other opposition parties want it to fail,” Gahlot said.

“I am saying this because we have been receiving fake calls from some call centres and not from a mobile phone. When we try to call back at these numbers, either they do not pick up or the number is not reachable,” he added.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also claimed that some of their mobile “sahayaks” were intentionally delayed from timely reaching out to intended beneficiaries.

On this, Kejriwal tweeted: “If they block out 10 lines, we will create 100 more. If they block our 10 mobile ‘sahayaks’, we will put 100 more to work.

“Their religion is demolition, our religion is service. You follow your religion, we will follow ours,” he added.

Launched on September 10, the doorstep delivery of services scheme facilitates delivery of 40 government certificates and licences at homes by mobile “sahayaks”.

From 10 a.m. on Monday till 5 p.m. on Saturday, a total of 8,971 appointments had been fixed and 1,952 home visits completed, a government statement said

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Narendra Modi cleans school premises in Delhi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reached Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj and took up a broom to clean the surroundings.

As part of his ‘shram daan’ or voluntary work, he cleaned the school surroundings with a broom.

Wearing a pale pink half-sleeve kurta, Modi was seen picking up pieces of paper and disposable plastic glasses with his hands.

He also used a shovel to gather the garbage at one place.

After reaching the school, he paid floral tributes at a statue of B R Ambedkar.

He was seen interacting with some students, apparently giving them a talk on the importance of cleanliness.

The prime minister later tweeted, “With enthusiastic young friends at the Baba Sahib Ambedkar Secondary School in Delhi. It is India’s youth that have led from the front and ushered in a positive change when it comes to cleanliness.”

Earlier, he interacted with people via a video link to launch “Swachhata Hi Seva” movement, a fortnight-long event.

The ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ movement aims at generating greater public participation towards Swachhta (cleanliness) and is being organised in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission, on October 2 2018, which will also mark the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Prime Minister’s Office said no special traffic arrangements were made for the movement of the prime minister and that he reached the venue in usual traffic conditions.

Baba Sahib Ambedkar School near Ambedkar Bhawan on Jhansi Rani Road, Paharganj, is a higher secondary school affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education.

The school has been operating under a trust named as Delhi Schedule Caste Welfare Association registered under Society Registration Act. The Society has been registered on June 17, 1946.

The campus was bought by Dr B. R Ambedkar himself in 1946 with an aim to advance the educational, social and economic wellbeing of scheduled castes.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Freight rates fall on excess trucks availability and limited cargo movements

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Freight rates for the nine-metric tonne pay load section for select destinations weakened by Rs 1,000 at the local truck transport market Saturday on excess position of trucks amid tight cargo movements. Transporters said heavy availability of trucks along with restricted cargo movements, pulled down some of centers freight rates.

Delhi to Kolkata, Baroda and Mumbai freight rates moved down by Rs 1000 each to Rs 33,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 29,000.

Rates to Goa, Hyderabad and Mysore also went down by Rs 1000 each to Rs 58,000, Rs 56,000 and Rs 66,000.

Following are today’s freight rates per nine-tonne load (in Rs): Jaipur 18,000 Hyderabad 56,000 Chandigarh 19,000 Vijayawada 60,000 Ludhiana 21,000 Bengaluru 63,000 Kanpur 22,000 Chennai 65,000 Indore 23,000 Mysore 66,000 Ahmedabad 23,000 Puducherry 67,000 Baroda 25,000 Coimbatore 72,000 Patna 28,000 Kochi 75,000 Surat 27,000 Thiruvananthapuram 82,000 Mumbai 29,000 Goa 58,000 Pune 31,000 Gwalior 15,000 Kolkata 33,000 Guwahati 59,000.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

It’s ITC vs Tata Group as Taj Mansingh sale process begins

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The iconic Taj Mansingh is set to go under the hammer once again.

After seven years, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has set the date for the eauction of the property to the 28th of September.

Interested parties have to submit bids between the 12th to the 20th of September and sources say on day 1, the two most prominent players have thrown their hat in the ring.

CNBC-TV18 learns from sources that Tata Group’s Indian Hotels and ITC have both submitted technical bids for Taj Mansingh on the first day itself to operate the landmark property on lease.

“The two giants have been clashing ever since the auctions started and it’s clear that both are putting their best foot forward,” said a source privy to the details of the auction.

“The Tata Group has been very competitive in the previous attempts and has a clear advantage having owned and operated Taj Mansingh since 1978. However, it will be a tough fight between the two,” source said.

In all previous attempts of auction, both Indian Hotels and ITC had submitted bids but the auction itself failed to go through. It’s unclear if the other hospitality giant Oberoi Group will be submitting its bid.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18 in May, Indian Hotels CEO had confirmed that the company will be bidding for Taj Mansingh and wants the prestigious property to remain in its arsenal.

A Complicated History

The iconic Taj Mansingh has been embroiled in controversy since 2011. The property was leased to Tata Groups’ Indian Hotels in 1978 for a period of 33 years.

While the lease ended, NDMC was unable to revive the auctions as it was tied up in a legal battle with Indian Hotels.

Since 2011, Indian Hotels has been operating Taj Mansingh with nine temporary extensions. The civic body, since 2011, has made 23 attempts to sell the property.

However, with strict eligibility criteria’s for the technical bids to go through, it has been unsuccessful.

Finally in August, NDMC decided to relax the eligibility criteria for bidders and reduced the minimum number of bids required for an auction to be done, from three to two.

In previous attempts, the auction has to be cancelled as it did not get the required number of bids.

“NDMC has relaxed the eligibility criteria to ensure that the auction goes through and is confident that it will be third time lucky,” source added.

The Process

Interested operators can submit technical bids between from the 12 to 20 of September.

CNBC-TV18 learns that NDMC will identify shortlisted players by the September 25 based on the financial and technical specifications and if they meet the eligibility criteria’s outlined by NDMC.

Shortlisted players will then be allowed to participate in the e auction on the September 28.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Delhi backs incentives for clean energy switch to combat pollution

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Authorities in Delhi approved measures on Tuesday to encourage businesses to use clean energy as one of the world’s worst polluted cities stepped up the fight against deadly air pollution.

The Delhi city government gave the go-ahead for financial incentives for restaurants switching to electric or gas tandoor ovens from coal, its food and supply minister Imran Hussain said on Twitter, without elaborating.

“Delhi government has taken several steps to tackle pollution,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted.

The city cabinet also approved various incentives to industries switching to Piped Natural Gas, said Hussain, who is also Delhi’s environment minister, as the cheaper, safer and less polluting fuel is consumed across the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors.

A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in May said India was home to the world’s 14 most polluted cities, with Delhi the sixth most polluted.

Illegal crop burning in farming states surrounding New Delhi, vehicle exhausts and swirling construction dust have contributed to what has become an annual crisis.

Modi’s government opened two new expressways around the capital in May aimed at decongesting its streets and reducing pollution.

Globally about 7 million people die as a result of polluted air a year, the WHO said, with people in poor Asian and African countries at most risk.

Two years ago, Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party government restricted the use of private cars for two weeks, allowing them to be driven only on alternate days, going by their odd or even number plates.

Last November, India’s top court upheld a ban on the use of petroleum coke, a cheaper and dirtier alternative to coal composed mainly of carbon, in and around New Delhi.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Private equity firms, foreign airlines express interest in Jet airways and Jet privilege 

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Jet may have stepped the pedal with its plans to raise capital. Investors have started expressing interest to invest into the company as well as it’s loyalty program, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Jet airways was exploring options to raise capital via a fresh issue. Simultaneously Jet was also looking to sell most of its 49 percent stake in its loyalty program, Jet privilege, for $500 million. Sources say that investors have started sending expression of interests for both.

The company’s bankers were running both the stake sales separately. Investors have expressed interest in acquiring a stake in both together. Sources say that investors have expressed interest to invest in Jet Privilege and part equity in Jet Airways.

A consortium of private equity investors led by Blackstone has expressed interest in Jet Airways stake as well as in Jet Privilege and simultaneously. TPG Capital, GIC and Indigo Partners have expressed interest in acquiring stake in only Jet Privilege.

Also Read: RoC orders inspection of Jet Airways for alleged siphoning of funds

Airline majors have also thrown their hat in the  ring. Air France-KLM and Delta are likely to have expressed interest in acquiring Jet Airways stake and Jet Privilege.

“Jet Airways after interest from prospective investors, is exploring options to club sale of loyalty program with equity dilution;” said a source close to the development. ” For now the sale process for both will be run simultaneously  and that the decision to sell to a single investor dependent on value maximisation.”

Post receiving expression of interests, sources say jet airways management will begin with engaging with investors. Only post detailed consultations will a formal bidding process begin.

When contacted, Jet responded with a detailed statement on the company’s plans.

Following the decision of the Board of Directors, the airline’s management has commenced the execution of its Turnaround strategy. The process includes a careful evaluation of all opportunities in order to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the organisation – a process that has the complete support of Jet Airways’ strategic partner – Etihad Airways.

The airline will make the necessary announcements in this regard in due course, post receipt of all necessary approvals and is unable to comment on specific queries at this time.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Law Commission releases draft report, bats for simultaneous elections

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies is a solution to prevent the country from being in constant election mode, the Law Commission said on Thursday in its draft report and recommended changes in the constitution and the electoral law to hold the mammoth exercise.

As a first option, the Law Commission recommended elections to twelve state assemblies and one union territory (with legislature), could be synchronised with the elections to the Lok Sabha in the year 2019.

The draft said elections to the legislative assemblies of five states, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Telangana are due with the elections to the Lok Sabha and, therefore, stand synchronised.

The Law Commission said if there is political will, and consensus is arrived at, elections to four state assemblies, namely, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Delhi (union territory with legislature), can also be held along with the Lok Sabha and the five states, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Telangana, in 2019, subject their voluntarily agreeing to take recourse to Article 172(1).

“In case of the other four states, namely, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan, where elections are due in early January of 2019 (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) and end of 2018 (Mizoram), extension of up to six months is required to attain synchronisation with the elections to the Lok Sabha in 2019, which will entail amendment to Article 172 of the constitution,” the report said.

But the 171-page draft report pointed that holding simultaneous elections in 2019 will be impracticable for the remaining 16 states and Puducherry (union territory with legislature).

(With inputs from PTI)

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Airlines feel the pinch as jet fuel prices in India up 44% in last 12 months

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The rise in global crude oil prices have led to a sharp rise in the jet fuel prices in India.

The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has jumped 44 percent in last 12 months and almost doubled since February 2016, when it had hit a low.

For instance, the price of ATF as of August 1, 2018 in Delhi is at Rs 69,090 per kiloliter as compared to Rs 48,110 per kiloliter, a year ago.

Though, the rise in ATF prices in India has not yet translated into higher airfares.

Sample this. A Delhi-Mumbai round trip ticket is now available at around Rs 11,000 -13,000 range, almost the same price at which it was available a year ago.

According to faredetective.com, which provides historic airfares data, the average ticket price for a Delhi-Mumbai round trip was around Rs 12,000 during August 2017.

However, industry experts are predicting that rising oil prices will push up the cost of air travel.

According to the annual business travel forecast from Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the airfares in India might go up more than seven percent in coming months.

The skyrocketing jet fuel prices have also deteriorated the financials of Indian airline companies as they have struggled to raise prices to match the increase in fuel costs.

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, reported a 97 percent decline in its June-quarter net profit to Rs 811.14 crore, a year ago.

SpiceJet reported a loss of Rs 38.06 crore during the same quarter against a profit of Rs 175 crore in the same quarter a year before.

Jet Airways has earlier posted a loss of Rs Rs 1,036 crore in the March ending quarter which eroded the profits posted in the previous three-quarters.

However, the airline is yet to declare results for the previous quarter as the company has deferred its June quarter results.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

PNB in talks with tax department to sell old headquarters for Rs 1k crore, says report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Punjab National Bank (PNB) is in talks with the direct and indirect tax wings of the revenue department to sell its erstwhile headquarters in South Delhi for Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 crore, reported The Times of India.

The bank has already started the process of sale and has opted against a transaction involving the private sector to avoid controversy, the report said citing unidentified sources.

PNB, which is recovering from Rs 14,000 crore fraud allegedly committed by diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, recently sold a property in central Delhi to financial institution Sidbi for Rs 47 crore.

The report added that the bank is also looking for buyers for its 32.8 percent stake sale in PNB Housing Finance as well as a small portion of its holding in its insurance wing, PNB Metlife.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow