Tag: Delhi

CBI names P Chidambaram as co-accused in Aircel Maxis money laundering case

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

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday named former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram as an accused in the supplementary chargesheet filed in Aircel Maxis money laundering case in Delhi’s Patiala House Court.

Apart from Chidambaram and his son, the investigative agency has named 16 accused, which include some government officials, both serving and retired.

In the chargesheet, CBI said that two sets of money trails were discovered regarding Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance.

The agency filed its supplementary charge sheet before special CBI judge O P Saini who fixed it for considering on July 31.

In September last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had attached assets worth Rs 1.16 crore of Karti and a firm allegedly linked to him in connection with this case.

The Aircel-Maxis cases pertains to grant of FIPB clearance to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd in 2006 for investment in Aircel.

The Supreme Court had on March 12 directed investigating agencies — the CBI and the ED — to complete their probe into the 2G spectrum allocation cases, including the Aircel Maxis alleged money laundering case, in six months

The agency had said that the FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis FDI case was granted in March 2006 by Chidambaram even though he was competent to accord approval on project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore and beyond that it required the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

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

Crumbling infrastructure, dying cities

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

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Monsoon has arrived in Mumbai with full force and it has dissolved most of the arterial roads.

A foot bridge that connects the densely populated halves of Andheri east and west collapsed off, an arterial flyover between the two parts of the suburb, resulting in cordoning off the flyover for further repairs, throwing the area into traffic chaos. Sinkholes have appeared across the city, so is large potholes that make Mumbai seem the ideal venue to test out vehicles for the surface of Mars. While there are problems with construction on some roads, there are issues of water logging with others. Sometimes, accumulated water hiding the danger of large potholes and craters.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has attempted to fix the potholes, but the intensity of rain keeps washing away the freshly laid parts of the road. At the start of the week, the arterial Sion-Panvel part of the highway connecting Mumbai and Pune was so tattered, that the traffic snarl was backed up 11 kilometers. It has been a month since monsoon began and the death toll is going up. There were similar scenes from Delhi as last week’s rain brought the city to a standstill. Images of buses and other vehicles submerged in water mixed with sewer and uncollected garbage was flashing across the media.

There were media reports of Delhi Secretariat getting flooded. In 2015, we saw images of Chennai drowning post a severe downpour after roads became waterways and people were marooned in the city. Urban infrastructure in India seems to be creaking across the length and breadth of the country.

Cities are unable to cope with the mass of population, and their aspiration for a life with basic minimum dignity – food, clothes and shelter. These metropolis’ hold populations larger than population of smaller states. For example, Croatia, that was runner up in the World Cup football, boasts a population of 4.1 million people and New Zealand has a population of 4.6 million. If you look at other large cities, New York has 8.5 million people and London 8.1 million people.

At the very core, Indian mega cities are extremely large administrative units and the local government is unable to cope, and citizens are not able to demand accountability. Part of the problem is that we have colonial era systems to govern modern Indian cities. An unaccountable civil servant who calls the shots, while elected local government representatives look on.

The solution is two-fold, create smaller cities and devolve power to the city councils. The City Momentum Index, published recently looks at cities across the world – in developed and developing markets and analyses their ability to be prepared for a technology enabled world that attracts the right talent, the right industry and is capable of growing. Out of the 30 cities earmarked for being on the right track and poised for long term success, not one Indian city featured.

And, this is not just a problem that faces India, it is the case with cities in China, Africa and the rest of the developing world. Our cities are burgeoning, but without a plan. And this lack of planned growth is going to have dire consequences. Seven Indian cities featured in the second list of 30 – those with short term growth momentum. This is defined as cities with urban economies and real estate markets that are transforming the fastest.

Mumbai comes at number 20 and China has 11 cities on this list.

If the government of India is serious about making cities the hubs of innovation and commerce, then there must be a series of policy initiatives to make the metropolises worth inhabiting. Right now, it seems like we are working on a wing and a prayer, hoping that some hidden power will move us to a goal of prosperity. Urban development, at best, is haphazard, at worse is callous. Because people who take decisions for the city has no skin in the game and no accountability. Smaller cities may prove to be the solution, with local government, that is accountable to the voters, empowered to act. If we aspire to superpower status, it won’t happen if we don’t even get basic infrastructure right.

Right now, basic infrastructure is in shambles and that has to change.

Harini Calamur works at the intersection of digital content, technology, and audiences.

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

BMW Motorrad launches G 310 R, G 310 GS motorcycles in India; prices start at Rs 2.99 lakh

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

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BMW Motorrad has launched two of its smallest premium motorcycles in India today.

BMW G 310 R, the street-naked motorcycle is priced at Rs 2.99 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi and the adventure tourer, BMW G 310 GS at Rs 3.49 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Watch: BMW Motorrad India launches G310 R and G310 GS on July 18

At this price point, the BMW G 310 R will be competing with the KTM 390 Duke and the G 310 GS with the 390 Duke Adventure when it does launch in India.

Ever since the motorcycles were showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo, these two entry-level motorcycles from the brand have been most eagerly awaited.

Bookings of both motorcycles have been open since two weeks, across the nine premium dealerships in the country, with customers having shelled out a token amount of Rs 50,000.

As per the BMW Motorrad-TVS collaboration since 2013, 90% of the bike parts have been locally sourced from Indian suppliers and built at the TVS Hosur plant.

The same motorcycles have been exported to the European and US markets as well, where they are already on sale.

Both the G 310 R and G 310 GS are powered by a 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that liberates 34PS at 9,500rpm and generates 28Nm at 7,500rpm.

This motor is paired to a six speed transmission and both motorcycles feature a high-performance brake system with 2-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Top speed for both motorcycles is claimed to be 143 kmph and they clock 2.5 seconds in 0-50 kmph run.

These are two of the smallest motorcycles made by the Bavarian manufacturer and when it comes to design, the G 310 GS has been modeled on the R 1200 GS and given it’s an adventure tourer, it offers a slightly upright and relaxed riding position.

The G 310 GS gets dual-purpose tyres, an engine sump guard and comes equipped with longer travel suspension than the G 310 R.

The G 310 R has been built keeping the S 1000 R as reference and hence, the rider will have to slightly hunch over the handle bars giving one a slightly aggressive look.

The BMW G 310 R is available in three exciting metallic colours – Style HP, Cosmic Black and Racing Red.

You can get the 310 GS in Pear White Metallic, Cosmic Black & Racing Red.

BMW Motorrard is offering standard warranty of three years to all customers.

At this price, the manufacturer is geared up to challenge the KTM 390 Duke for some eager customers.

BMW Motorrad has ensured a strong premium dealership network across Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Kochi.

In the near future Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Indore and Kolkata too will start accepting bookings once the dealerships are in place.

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

Haryana to improve connectivity between Delhi, Gurugram

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

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The Haryana government will initiate new projects to improve connectivity between national capital Delhi and adjoining Gurugram city, a minister said on Monday.

Haryana Public Works Minister Narbir Singh said a plan to connect Vasant Kunj in Delhi with MG Road in Gurugram is being worked out, and the road would further be linked with the Delhi-Jaipur national highway.

“A U-turn would be constructed on Delhi-Jaipur Highway near Ambience Mall (Gurugram) to give relief to the residents living near the mall from traffic problem. The U-turn would be constructed at the cost about Rs 150 crore which would be equally borne by builders, DLF and Ambience (Mall),” the minister said in a statement here.

He said that the government is making efforts to improve connectivity between Delhi and Gurugram to remove traffic congestion.

“After opening of the KMP (Kundli-Manesar-Palwal) expressway on August 15, the traffic congestion would further be eased for the people living near Ambience Mall. A logistics hub would also be made with KMP Expressway so that all heavy vehicles carrying goods should not enter the (Gurugram) city,” he said.

Referring to the Dwarka Expressway project, he said that the expressway would be constructed at the cost of Rs 7,200 crore and its tenders have also been invited. The construction work would begin from next month, he said.

This would also improve the connectivity between Delhi and Gurugram and reduce the traffic volume, he added.

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

Petrol and diesel prices fall after 10 days

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

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Petrol prices fell around 10 paise across the four metro cities on Monday after rising nearly a rupee and a half in the the last 10 days. Prices of diesel also were down around 13-15 paise from the levels on Sunday.

Since fuel prices started an upward movement again on June 5, prices were unchanged on July 11 and July 15 (Sunday), according to data from the Indian Oil Corp’s website.

In the national capital, petrol was priced at Rs 76.84 on Monday, 11 paise down from the previous price of Rs 76.95 a litre.

In the other key cities of Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, the fuel was sold at Rs 79.51, Rs 84.22 and Rs 79.76 per litre respectively, against the previous levels of Rs 79.61, Rs 84.33 and Rs 79.87 a litre.

Domestic prices of transportation fuel are largely determined by market forces and global crude oil prices and are changed on a daily basis as per the dynamic pricing system.

The Brent crude oil prices have eased in the past one week and are currently around $75 per barrel.

Cost of diesel in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai were at Rs 68.47, Rs 71.03, Rs 72.65, Rs and 72.28 per litre, down from the Sunday’s levels of, Rs 68.61, Rs 71.16, Rs 72.80 and Rs 72.43 per litre.

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 govt gives ‘in principle’ approval for procurement of 1000 e-buses

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

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The Delhi government in Wednesday gave “in principle” approval for procurement of 1,000 electric buses that will hit the city roads from June-July next year, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. The approval to Transport department’s proposal for e buses was given in a meeting of Delhi cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

“Cabinet approves hiring of consultant to run 1000 electric buses in Delhi. A big step in modernising Delhi’s transport sector and reducing pollution,” Kejriwal tweeted.

The government has directed Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System(DIMTS) to submit its report on the proposal within three months, Sisodia said in a press conference.

“The e-buses will roll out by around June-July next year,” he said.

Terming the Cabinet decision as a very big step to address the issues of public transport and pollution, Sisodia said that no other country in the world except China has such a large number of e buses.

The Transport department had sought cabinet approval to engage 1,000 pure, low floor airconditioned electric buses, in the Gross Cost Model of contracting under the Cluster scheme, so that further process of hiring project consultant for the technical detailing and bid process management can be carried out, said a government statement.

DIMTS will be the project consultant, it said.

Transport department will construct bus depots at six locations – East Vinod Nagar, Bawana Sector 5, Burari, Rohini Sector 37, Revla Khanpur and Narela- for parking the e buses.

Earlier this month, Supreme Court had questioned the Delhi government’s proposal to procure the e buses over the time required to set up charging stations for the fleet.

Electric power for charging of electric buses and the housing of requisite numbers of charging units will be the responsibility of the concessionaire(s), who will arrange the infrastructure at their own cost, in consultation with discoms, said the statement

The court had also directed the government to explore the possibility of using hydrogen fuel cell powered buses that are considered more cost-effective than e buses.

“Transport department has also been directed to explore the possibility of Hydrogen (fuel cell) buses as suggested by the Supreme Court,” Sisodia said.

The Delhi government’s move to have e buses followed a “successful” trial of an electric bus in 2016. State transporter DTC had conducted the trial from March 10, 2016 to July 2, 2016, during which the bus clocked 16,915 kilometres and suffered only one break down due to a tyre puncture.

In India, only 30 e buses are being run — 25 by Himchal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation and five by BEST in Mumbai.

Ten cities in the country have recently invited tenders for 440 e buses, added the statement.

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

Supreme Court says Delhi lieutenant governor has to act on the advice of ministers: Key takeaways

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

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In a major victory for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Supreme Court on Wednesday said Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal did not have independent decision making powers, and that he was bound to act on the aid and advice of the council of ministers.

Key highlight: The judgement pronounced in the court by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, who was heading the Constitution bench, also held that the LG cannot act as an “obstructionist”.

Major takeaways:

• The Supreme Court said the Lieutenant Governor has no absolute powers as Delhi is not a full state, and that the status of the Lieutenant Governor was not similar to that of governors of other states.
• The executive branch would have to conform to laws made by the parliament, the apex court said.
• The Lieutenant Governor would have to act on the aid and advise of the council of ministers to implement the president’s decision.
• Neither state nor LG should feel lionized, but realise they are serving Constitutional obligations* There is no space for absolutism or anarchy in our Constitution
• Except for three issues, including land and law and order, Delhi government has the power to legislate and govern on other issues.

The decision is a major victory for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP government, which has been in a constant tug of war with the Lieutenant Governor over the power wielded by the two branches of the executive.

It was ruling on a batch of appeals filed by Kejriwal’s government challenging the Delhi High Court’s order holding the Lieutenant Governor as the administrative head of the national capital.

Virtually disagreeing with the High Court order, the Supreme Court said the Lieutenant Governor should not act in a mechanical manner and stall the decisions of the Council of Ministers.

It said the Lieutenant Governor has not been entrusted with independent powers and he can refer issues on difference of opinion to the President only in exceptional matters and not as a general rule.

The LG needs to work harmoniously with the Council of Ministers and an attempt should be made to settle the difference of opinion with discussions, the apex court said.

In his separate verdict, concurring with the rest of the judges, Justice Chandrachud said the real power vests with Council of Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor must bear in mind that it is not he but the Council of Ministers that will take the decisions.

The judge also said the Lieutenant Governor must realise that the Council of Ministers is answerable to the people.

“There is no independent authority vested with lieutenant Gogernor to take independent decisions,” he said.

Justice Bhushan, who also penned a separate but concurring verdict, said all routine matters do not require consonance of the lieutenant governor.

(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

Mild earthquake in Haryana’s Sonepat, tremors felt in Delhi

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

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Mild tremors were felt in the Delhi-NCR and some other parts other parts of north India after an earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter Scale hit Haryana’s Sonepat district and its adjoining areas. According to the India Metrological Department, the earthquake hit Sonepat, which is around 40 KM from the national capital, at 3.37 PM today.

There were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property from anywhere, officials said.

The tremors, which lasted for a few seconds, were felt in Sonepat and several adjoining districts of Haryana, besides the National Capital Region and 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

NDMC panel gives nod to lease out Town Hall to run it as heritage hotel-cum-museum

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

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Lying in neglect for years, Delhi’s historic Town Hall is all set to regain its glory, as the area’s civic body on Wednesday cleared a proposal to lease out the over 150-year-old heritage landmark to a private player to run a hotel-cum museum.

The standing committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) while approving the decision, imposed certain restrictions to ensure that the architectural integrity of the iconic Victorian-era mansion remains intact.

Built in the 1860s, originally known as the Lawrence Institute, the hall was the seat of the Delhi Municipality and is a Grade I structure, the highest ranking for any heritage building that forbids any change in its facade and original design.

NDMC standing committee chairperson Veena Virmani told reporters that the building would be leased out for a period of 33 years on an “as is where is basis” for a monthly licensing fee of Rs 1.96 crore.

A “global tender” will be floated to select the licencee and the NDMC would want the best in the hospitality sector to bid for it.

“The licencee shall also use ‘Town Hall’ in naming the hotel. Town Hall is our pride and part of the city history, and so if the original name is not there then its identity would be lost,” she said.

Virmani said restrictions include not changing the old design elements of the building, and the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Town Hall has to be in keeping with norms of the central government’s Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC).

The gardens in the front and back portions of the sprawling premises will remain as green areas in the overall redevelopment plan, she said.

The redevelopment plan seeks a conservation of the Victorian-era mansion that will also house a museum, retelling the history of Delhi, the centre-piece of the attractions that are to be built.

A craft baazar, a dancing fountain, a maze, light and sound programmes, street food, children activity area, restaurant, courtyard and sculpture garden, digital library, lecture rooms, fine dining areas, are also planned to be developed in its premises.

The cash-strapped corporation had decided to go for this new model for redevelopment, after its Centre-funded restoration plan got shelved.

After trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Town Hall housed the NDMC until it shifted to a swanky, multi-storeyed Civic Centre on the Minto Road here.

Asked, if public entry to access the museum would be paid for or free-of-cost, Virmani, said, “Let the tendering process be over. Other modalities can be deliberated and incorporated later.”

The NDMC has been toying with the restoration and redevelopment plan for the last few years, but had not been able to make much headway.

The Union Tourism Ministry had in early 2014 cleared a Rs 50 crore heritage renewal project for the building, but the fund release was subject to preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) by the NDMC.

The civic body could not come up with the DPR for the restoration of the Town Hall, one of the finest heritage buildings in the city.

Lying in neglect for a long time, the last restoration plan was to breath a fresh lease of life in it, but “bureaucratic delays” had shelved it.

The then North Delhi mayor Preety Agarwal last year had said that the Town Hall would be redeveloped as an attractive tourist destination with “international standards” after which the city landmark would emerge as a centre of cultural and social heritage, depicting the history, culture and the life of Delhi.

The redevelopment project is also expected to earn good revenue for the BJP-led corporation that has been facing financial crunch for the past several years.

After lying in doldrums, the fresh redevelopment plan has come has a much-desired fillip the Raj-era building needed that has seen the era of trams and Gothic clock-tower pass by in front of it.

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