Tag: Delhi

Delhi mayor and deputy mayor elections scheduled for April 26; all you need to know

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

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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday announced that the election for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts will be held on April 26. A corporation house meeting has been scheduled for the same day to oversee the election proceedings.

An official notification in this regard said, “The Ordinary April (2024) meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11 am in Aruna Asaf Ali Auditorium, A-Block, 4th Floor, Dr Shayana Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, New Delhi. The election of the mayor and deputy mayor will also be held in this meeting of the corporation. It is issued by order of the mayor.”

During last year’s elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Shelly Oberoi was appointed as the Mayor unanimously after BJP candidate Shikha Rai withdrew her nomination. Meanwhile, Aaley Mohammad Iqbal of the AAP secured another term as deputy mayor after BJP’s Soni Pal withdrew her nomination for the post.

As per the official notification, the nominations for the posts — Mayor and Deputy Mayor — can be filed in the office of the Corporation Secretary on any working day from 11 am to 5 pm till April 18.

The Mayor post of the Delhi Municipal Corporation is reserved for Scheduled Castes for the third year, the notification stated.

This comes amid an ongoing political crisis in Delhi after the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam.

On Wednesday, Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court against the April 9 verdict of the Delhi High Court.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said he would look into the request for an early listing of Kejriwal’s plea and asked his lawyer to send an email.

“I will look into the e-mail (seeking early listing of plea). Please send the mail,” CJI Chandrachud told Kejriwal’s counsel and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi.

The High Court had earlier upheld Kejriwal’s arrest in the money laundering case and stated that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left with ‘little option’ after the AAP national convenor skipped repeated summonses and refused to join the investigation.

The Delhi Chief Minister was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the central agency. Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody till April 15 and is lodged in Tihar jail.

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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 HC rejects plea to remove Arvind Kejriwal as CM, says its his personal decision

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

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The Delhi High Court dismissed a plea on Thursday seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi’s Chief Minister following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy. The court emphasised the importance of national interests over personal interests.

In its ruling, the high court stated, “At times, personal interest has to be subordinate to national interest, but that is his personal decision. We are a court of law and must adhere to legal procedures. Your recourse does not lie here; it lies elsewhere. You should approach the appropriate forum.”

The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora, noted that a similar PIL seeking Kejriwal’s removal had been recently dismissed.

Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody, housed in cell number 2 of Tihar Jail. His arrest on March 21 came after the high court declined to protect him from coercive action by the ED. The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering related to the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was subsequently scrapped.

The ED has alleged Kejriwal’s involvement in the misuse of funds in the Goa election campaign of the AAP, where he serves as the convener and ultimate decision-maker.

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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

New Delhi now among world’s top 10 cities with most billionaires

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

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New Delhi secured a spot among the world’s top 10 cities with the most billionaires, according to the Hurun Rich List 2024. The national capital broke into the top 10 list for the first time, ranking ninth, with a tally of 57 billionaires, an increase of 18 over the previous year.

Here’s a look at the top 10 cities with the most number of billionaires:

Mumbai, India’s financial capital, also emerged as the fastest-growing billionaire capital worldwide, solidifying its position as Asia’s billionaire hub.  India, as a nation, witnessed 94 new entrants, second only to the United States. The country now has a total of 271 billionaires.

Pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and auto components, as well as chemicals, are the dominant industries driving this wealth surge. The cumulative wealth held by Indian billionaires stood at $1 trillion, accounting for 7% of the world’s total billionaire wealth. The average age of Indian billionaires is 67. 19 of the total Indian billionaires are women.

Among the notable figures contributing to India’s billionaire roster, Gautam Adani and family stand out with a surge in wealth, attributed to the success of their energy conglomerate, the Adani Group. Mukesh Ambani and family retained their title as India’s richest, the only Indian among the world’s top 10.

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

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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 | Fire breaks out at a factory in Alipur, around 50 fire tenders at the spot

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

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A fire broke out at a factory in Alipur, Delhi.

#WATCH | Fire fighting operation underway after a fire broke out at a factory in Alipur. 34 fire tenders at the spot

(Video – Fire department) https://t.co/H1N12NfBZK pic.twitter.com/9MSYtnou2j

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2024

As many as 50 fire tenders are at the spot, the Delhi Fire Service said, adding that further details are awaited, news agency ANI reported.

A witness in the area told news agency ANI that the incident where the fire occurred is a godown of clothes and fridge. He said the fire broke out around 5 am. He said there was no information on casualties at the moment.

#WATCH | Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services says, ” It is an oil fire, then oil has been filled..it is very slippery and it is difficult for people to stand steady…around 50 fire tenders are on the job. The cause of the fire is still unknown” https://t.co/RFgViMezta pic.twitter.com/9OQSfDDBQn

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2024

Atul Garg, the director of Delhi Fire Services, told ANI that it was an oil fire. Around 50 fire tenders are on the job. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Also Read: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: Fire breaks out at Mahakal Temple during Holi celebrations, 13 injured | Watch videos

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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

Who are the ‘South Group’ allegedly involved in the Delhi excise policy scam

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

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy scam case. The ED filed a 10-day detention request at Rouse Avenue Court in the national capital, alleging that Kejriwal requested ₹100 crore from the South Group for Punjab elections.

Last year, allegations of AAP leaders accepting bribes from a group of southern politicians, whom the ED later designated as the ‘South Group’, surfaced.

In February 2023, the ED said that the Delhi excise policy scam was a result of AAP leaders working hand-in-glove with the so-called South Group.

According to ED, the leaders of a few political parties were found to be involved in the excise policy scam. Not just that, they were found utilising proxies, dummies, and a network of exchanges and transactions to disguise their involvement, according to the ED’s remand report of Raghav Magunta, which was submitted in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on February 11, 2023.

Who are the ‘South Group’ members?

The South Group includes YSRCP Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (MSR), his son Magunta Raghava Reddy, and BRS MLC K Kavitha (represented by businessman Arun Ramachandra Pillai), as well as chartered accountant Butchibabu Gorantla, Hyderabad businessman Abhishek Boinpally, and leading pharmaceutical company director P Sarath Candra Reddy.

In a legal document filed against businessman Sameer Mahendru and AAP’s communication in-charge Vijay Nair, the ED claimed that they acted in connivance with K Kavitha, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and Sarath Reddy.

Furthermore, it stated that Mahendru and the South group planned with Nair to create the cartel to set up a smooth kickback system that would allow them to recoup the kickbacks that had been paid.

The arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister, the latest in the investigation, came when the ED arrived at his home late at night with a search warrant. The development came after Kejriwal failed to appear at their office despite the agency’s ninth summon.

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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

BRS leader K Kavitha denied bail by SC in Delhi excise policy scam

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

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The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy scam case.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi asked Kavitha to approach the trial court, saying it is a practice that this court is following and cannot bypass the protocol.

The bench said as far as Kavitha’s plea challenging the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is concerned, the court is issuing notice to the ED and seeking its response in six weeks.

“The petition challenging the provisions will come up with the pending matters,” the bench told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kavitha.

At the outset, Sibal said that people are being arrested based on an approver’s statement.

The bench said it is not going into the merit of the case at the moment.

Kavitha has moved the top court challenging her arrest by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

A member of the Telangana Legislative Council and daughter of former state chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Kavitha was arrested on March 15 and remanded to the ED’s custody till March 23 in the case.

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

Holi Parties in Delhi: Rang Rage 3.0 to Holi Haze, places you can celebrate the festival of colour this year

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

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As the festival of colours, Holi draws near, Delhi-NCR is buzzing with excitement, and rightly so. The city, pulsating with energy, is believed to be a hotspot for electrifying parties. The events organised for Holi in Delhi offer a diverse range of experiences for enthusiasts as per their preference whether they are into traditional gatherings or want to enjoy contemporary bashes. However, it is not only the diversity that is special about the Holi parties in Delhi-NCR. Apart from the plethora of options, what sets the Delhi NCR Holi parties apart are the sheer scale and grandeur with which they are organised.

In this article, we have explored the top Holi parties in Delhi-NCR for 2024. Join us to ensure you paint the town in the colour of love, positivity, and togetherness.

Holi Rangotasav Season 6

Hosted by Four Points By Sheraton, the Holi Rangotasav Season 6 is the biggest rain dance Holi party happening in the capital city. It starts at 10 am on March 25. The party will have a rain dance for women, couples and families, organic colours, live dhol beats, and a female DJ. The ones looking for entry into the party will be required to pay ₹ 2500 onwards.

Rang Rage 3.0

Witness the colours of fun spreading through the air at Privee Novele XO, in Connaught Place with Rang Rage 3.0 beginning at 11:00 am onwards. At this electrifying party, one can groove to Punjabi MC and DJ Yogii’s tunes as they take over the DJ console playing heart-pumping music. To enter one of the best Holi parties in Delhi in 2024, you will need to pay a total of ₹ 2,999 which goes up to ₹4,999.

Holi Hai – The Land Of Colors

For an experience of your lifetime and make your Holi the most memorable one, visit YOUnion Delhi, Qutub Hotel, New Delhi, on March 25. Here, the party will commence at 11 am. You can buy the tickets online via Paytm Insider for ₹2000 onwards.

Holi Haze

The Holi Haze celebrations will witness an extraordinary Bismil Ki Mehfil and Punjabi singer Dilbagh Singh along with BeatCrush spinning those UK Punjabi beats. Adding to the electrifying celebrations will be Progressive Brothers, and other top DJs from all over India. The event will be organised at The Backyard Sports Club, Gurugram.

Holi Bash 3.0

For the ones looking for an affordable venue to enjoy the pre-wedding festivities, the Holi Bash 3.0 is the perfect place to be. To be organised on March 24, 2024, at PUBG farmhouse, Noida, the tickets for this event start from ₹ 299 onwards. Additionally, they are easily available on Paytm Insider.

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 HC refuses to grant interim protection from ED summons to CM Kejriwal

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

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The Delhi High Court on Thursday, March 21, refused to grant any interim protection from coercive action to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. A division bench led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait said it was not inclined to grant an interim relief to the Aam Aadmi Party chief.

However, the court has sought a response from the ED on this fresh interim plea and listed the matter for further hearing for April 22, 2024.

Kejriwal had moved a fresh plea in the court seeking no coercive action against him. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued nine summons to him in the excise case till now.

On March 20, the court had asked Kejriwal on why is he not appearing before the ED for questioning in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case, as it sought the agency’s stand on the AAP leader’s plea challenging the summonses issues against him.

“Why don’t you appear on receiving the summonses? What is preventing you not to attend?” asked the bench.

Kejriwal has repeatedly refused to appear before the agency, calling the summonses illegal. The court said arrest on the “first or second day” is not the “normal practice” as an investigating agency first records the reasons to do so, if grounds are made out.

Kejriwal’s name has been mentioned multiple times in the chargesheets filed by the ED. The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal for formulating the excise policy that resulted in undue benefits for them, in return for which they paid kickbacks to the AAP.

A Delhi court granted bail to Kejriwal on Saturday on two complaints filed by the ED against him for skipping six of the previous eight summonses in the money-laundering case.

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

Delhi world’s most polluted capital city again, says report

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

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Bihar’s Begusarai emerged as the world’s most polluted metropolitan area while Delhi was identified as the capital city with the poorest air quality, according to a new report.

With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre, India had the third worst air quality out of 134 countries in 2023 after Bangladesh (79.9 micrograms per cubic metre) and Pakistan (73.7 micrograms per cubic metre), according to the World Air Quality Report 2023 by Swiss organisation IQAir.

In 2022, India was ranked as the eighth most polluted country with an average PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre.

Begusarai stood out as the most polluted metropolitan area globally with an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic metre. The city did not even figure in the 2022 rankings.

Delhi’s PM2.5 levels worsened from 89.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 to 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.

The national capital was ranked the most polluted capital city in the world four times on the trot starting 2018.

It is estimated that 1.36 billion people in India experience PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended annual guideline level of 5 micrograms per cubic metre, the report said.

Also, 1.33 billion people, 96% of the Indian population, experience PM2.5 levels more than seven times the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline. This trend is reflected in city-level data, with more than 66% of the country’s cities reporting annual averages greater than 35 micrograms per cubic metre.

IQAir said the data utilised to create this report was aggregated from the global distribution of more than 30,000 regulatory air quality monitoring stations and low-cost air quality sensors operated by research institutions, governmental bodies, universities and educational facilities, non-profit non-governmental organisations, private companies and citizen scientists.

The 2022 World Air Quality Report included data from 7,323 locations in 131 countries, regions and territories. In 2023, those numbers have grown to include 7,812 locations in 134 countries, regions and territories.

Causing an estimated one in every nine deaths worldwide, air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to human health.

According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million premature deaths worldwide every year.

Exposure to PM2.5 air pollution leads to and exacerbates numerous health conditions, including but not limited to asthma, cancer, stroke and lung disease.

Exposure to elevated levels of fine particles can impair cognitive development in children, lead to mental health issues, and complicate existing illnesses, including diabetes.

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