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Denied ticket, AAP MLA Jagdeep Singh resigns from party

Hello Jammu News at 7:19:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jan 18 : AAP's Hari Nagar MLA Jagdeep Singh on Saturday said he had resigned from the party for being denied ticket for the February 8 Assembly election.

On speculation that he was planning to join the Shiromani Akali Dal, an ally of the BJP, Singh told that talks are still going on with the party.

Singh said he had quit the Aam Aadmi Party as he was unhappy after being denied ticket and also because the party gave the nomination to Rajkumari Dhillon, who joined the party from the Congress recently.

"Even during the Lok Sabha election, I raised my objection over alliance with the Congress and now they have brought in five people from Congress who are directly or indirectly associated with (anti-Sikh riots convict) Sajjan Kumar," he said.

Earlier in the day, AAP's Dwarka MLA in the outgoing assembly Adarsh Shastri joined the Congress. Shastri quit the AAP after it denied him ticket to seek re-election from Dwarka constituency.

AAP Arvind Kejriwal National New Delhi

We support govt's decision on J-K: Kejriwal

Hello Jammu News at 10:47:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Aug 5 : Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his party supports the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Kejriwal's comments came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha to abolish Article 370 of the Constitution after the president issued a notification, and introduced a Bill to divide the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

"We hope this will bring peace and development in the state," the chief minister tweeted.

Kejriwal said the AAP supports the Centre's move on Jammu and Kashmir.

Bhagwant Mann is the AAP's only MP in the Lok Sabha, while it has three MPs -- Sanjay Singh, Sushil Gupta and N D Gupta -- in the Rajya Sabha.

Kejriwal's stand on the decision drew criticism from various quarters with people questioning the reason behind supporting full statehood for Delhi, but backing the loss of this status for Jammu and Kashmir.

Among prominent people to question Kejriwal's stand were activist Kavita Krishnan, who questioned if federalism is the right of the people of Delhi but not Kashmir.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj defended Kejriwal's stand, saying Kashmir's situation is "180 degrees opposite to that of Delhi".

"We cannot compare Kashmir situation with that of Delhi & Pudducherry. Two-third of the original Kashmir is under occupation of Pakistan and China. There were around 150 incidents of infiltration that occurred last year in Kashmir. We cannot compare a peaceful state with a disturbed border state," he said in a statement.

"We have supported and opposed central government based on issues. Whenever there is a national interest or a policy of public interest, we have supported it. When we feel a policy of government is anti-people we have opposed it," Bhardwaj added. [Agencies]

Aam Aadmi Party AAP Arvind Kejriwal Chief Minister National New Delhi

Safety of Delhiites, especially women most important for AAP govt: Arvind Kejriwal

Hello Jammu News at 9:38:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jul 1 : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday said installation of CCTV cameras has started across the city and asserted that safety and security of Delhiites, especially women is "most important" for his government.

As per the government's plan, around three lakh CCTV cameras will be installed in Delhi as part of a project to boost security in the city.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led government has already begun work on installation of 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras.

"Safety and security of our citizens esp women is most imp for us. I am glad that CCTV cameras are finally being installed all across the city in such a big way. Cooperation, support and participation of citizens has made it happen (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.

In every assembly constituency, 2,000 CCTV cameras are being installed.

Last month, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Urban Development Minster Satyendar Jain had launched CCTV camera project in their respective constituencies.

At an event in his Patparganj constituency on June 23, Sisodia had said about three lakh CCTV cameras would be installed in the national capital as part of a project to boost security.

AAP Arvind Kejriwal Lucknow National Uttar Pradesh

LS polls: AAP releases first list of candidates in UP

Hello Jammu News at 3:40:00 PM 0

Lucknow, Mar 24 : The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday released its first list of candidates in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha elections.

Rajya Sabha MP and AAP state in-charge Sanjay Singh said the party has fielded Yogesh Dahiya from the Saharanpur parliamentary seat and Shweta Sharma from Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Satish Chandra Sharma is the AAP's candidate from Aligarh, he said.

The party is likely to contest the polls from 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

For rest of the seats, the process to select candidates is in the final stage, Singh said. [Agencies]

AAP Arvind Kejriwal Congress National New Delhi Rahul Gandhi

Congress rules out alliance with AAP in Delhi

Hello Jammu News at 4:26:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Mar 5 : The Congress will not form an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in the national capital for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit told reporters on Tuesday.

"A unanimous decision has been taken that there will be no alliance in Delhi," Dikshit said.

The announcement by the former Delhi chief minister came following a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi. [Agencies]

Aam Aadmi Party AAP Arvind Kejriwal bjp National New Delhi

Kejriwal speaking Pakistan's language: Delhi BJP

Hello Jammu News at 10:27:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Feb 28 : The Delhi BJP hit out at Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, accusing him of speaking the language of Pakistan over the prevailing tension between India and the neighbouring country.

The sharp attack on Kejriwal came after he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being busy with strengthening the saffron party's booth-level organisation at a time when the country was worried about an air force pilot being in the custody of Pakistan.

"Kejriwal is speaking the language of Pakistan. He will be given a befitting reply by people for degrading the sacrifice of soldiers," Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said.

Speaking in the Assembly, Kejriwal had said, "I received many phone calls. People are saying the prime minister should think about the release of the air force pilot, instead of strengthening his booths."

He also slammed the saffron party, saying, "The BJP is counting corpses, shame on such a party," referring to the killing of the 40 CRPF personnel in the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.

The prime minister interacted with thousands of BJP workers through video-conferencing as part of the ruling party's "Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot" campaign on Thursday.

Tiwari accused Kejriwal of playing politics at a time when the entire country stood with the armed forces.

"Kejriwal is speaking the language of Pakistan and trying to humiliate the country. He is showing his mindset and behaving like an ISI agent. The people of Delhi will give a befitting reply to him for politicising the sacrifice of our soldiers," the BJP leader said in a statement.

Modi had said this was a new India which would neither stop nor bow down and it was the BJP's pledge to bring him back as the prime minister after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he added. [Agencies]

Aam Aadmi Party AAP Budget National

AAP govt presents Rs 60,000 cr budget for 2019-20

Hello Jammu News at 1:02:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Feb 26 : The AAP government Tuesday presented a Rs 60,000 crore budget for 2019-20 in the Assembly and said it is "two times more" than the one presented in 2014-15.

Presenting the budget, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said the budget has been dedicated to soldiers martyred in the Pulwama attack.

The Delhi Assembly session began with a standing ovation to the the Indian Air Force for carrying out pre-dawn air strikes on terror camps inside Pakistani territory

"The budget estimates for 2019-20 are pegged at Rs 60,000 crore which is two times more than the budget presented in 2014-15," Sisodia said.

A 53,000 crore was presented last year. [Agencies]

Aam Aadmi Party AAP Arvind Kejriwal Chief Minister Delhi High Court GTB Hospital National New Delhi

HC quashes AAP govt circular on giving preferential treatment to city residents at GTB Hospital

Hello Jammu News at 11:59:00 AM 0

New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI) The Delhi High Court Friday quashed the Aam Aadmi Party government's circular on giving preferential treatment to Delhi residents over non-residents at the GTB Hospital here.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao had earlier reserved its verdict on the PIL filed by NGO Social Jurist challenging the Delhi government's pilot project.

The court was examining whether the AAP government's project at the GTB Hospital to give preferential treatment to city residents was violating the rights to equality and life enjoyed by others under the Constitution.

The bench had earlier said that it has noted the AAP government's "difficulties" related to infrastructure, staff and facilities and had said that it will consider if these are valid grounds to deny others their rights under Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

At the previous hearing, the Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra had told the court that no individual has so far filed a complaint against its October 1 circular initiating the pilot project at the hospital.

Mehra had said that no one was being denied treatment, access to tests or outpatient (OPD) facilities and the hospital was only prioritising whom to treat first.

He had also said that the Delhi government took this policy decision as the huge influx of patients was putting a lot of strain on its infrastructure and staff, and it was also leading to manhandling of doctors by patients or their attendants.

The bench, however, was unimpressed by the contention and had asked, "Who is responsible for this? The courts? Or is it mismanagement? If you cannot manage then stop the facilities."

The bench had said that the government ought to have evaluated the shortcomings and taken steps to rectify them, instead of taking away the rights of others by changing the manner in which they are provided treatment.

The NGO, in its plea filed through advocate Ashok Agarwal, had opposed the pilot project initiated by the Delhi government at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

It had challenged the October 1 circular issued by the government, claiming that it denies treatment to non-residents at the GTB Hospital.

Agarwal argued before the court that thousands of patients coming from outside Delhi and those not possessing a voter ID card of Delhi were being denied treatment at the hospital subsequent to the issuance of the circular.

The NGO, in its plea, had said that the hospital cannot discriminate against patients based on their regional identity and added that such discrimination was not seen anywhere else in the country.

The proposal to give preference to residents of Delhi at the GTB Hospital in east Delhi's Dilshad Garden was approved in August by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Under the pilot project, residents of Delhi get preference at registration counters, in-patient department, tests and medicine counter service and identification is done on the basis of voter identity card.

AAP Arvind Kejriwal National New Delhi

Delhi court summons Kejriwal, Sisodia, 11 AAP MLAs as accused in CS assault case

Hello Jammu News at 3:23:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Sep 18: A Delhi court Tuesday summoned as accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 11 AAP MLAs in the Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash assault case.

Prakash was allegedly assaulted during a meeting at Kejriwal's official residence on February 19 night.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal issued summons after taking cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police on August 13.

The court said there were sufficient grounds to establish the alleged charges against the accused in the case.

The charge sheet has also named 11 legislators of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- Amanatullah Khan, Prakash Jarwal, Nitin Tyagi, Rituraj Govind, Sanjeev Jha, Ajay Dutt, Rajesh Rishi, Rajesh Gupta, Madan Lal, Parveen Kumar and Dinesh Mohania as accused. (PTI)

Aam Aadmi Party AAP Lok Sabha Lucknow National Uttar Pradesh

Division of UP back in focus as 2019 LS polls approach

Hello Jammu News at 11:52:00 AM 0

Lucknow, Sep 11 : With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections months away, the issue of division of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, is back in focus as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said Monday it will launch a movement to fulfil the long-standing aspiration of the people.

The state accounts for the highest number of 80 Lok Sabha seats.

"Uttar Pradesh is a big state, both from the points of view of area and population. Its population is as much as that of any big country. It has become practically very difficult to govern such a vast state," AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh told PTI.

"The AAP is in favour of smaller states. It supports division of Uttar Pradesh into four parts, and for this, it will go the extent of even launching a movement. The party will finalise its strategy soon," he said.

On being pointed that other political parties have opposed division of the state, Singh said the BJP has been a supporter of formation of smaller states.

"People of Bundelkhand, Poorvanchal and Paschim Kshetra (western UP) have been demanding creation of smaller states for the last many years. This is a matter of public feeling and political parties must think seriously," the senior AAP said.

The party is of the view that for effective law and order system and conducive conditions for growth, formation of smaller states is necessary, Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, because of poor law and order and absence of development, schools, roads and hospitals are not being built. Sonbhadra district gives the maximum revenue, but see its condition. See the condition of Poorvanchal. If UP is divided into four states, it will be good," he said.

Speaking at an event in Noida on Saturday, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal advocated for the division of the state and said it has lagged in development because of its size.

"Uttar Pradesh should be divided into Awadh, Bundelkhand, Purvanchal and Pashchim Uttar Pradesh -- four states. This is the people's demand. And not only do we support it, we will struggle with the people of the state for the fulfilment of this demand," Kejriwal said.

The demand for splitting Uttar Pradesh into Harit Pradesh (western UP), Poorvanchal (eastern UP), Bundelkhand and Awadh is raked up from time to time and come elections, it gains momentum.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), headed by Mayawati, was once a strong supporter of the demand when the Samajwadi Party was in power, maintaining that smaller states could be governed better.

Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution had recommended the division of Uttar Pradesh in his book 'Bhashayi Rajya'.

As the chief minister, Mayawati had first raised the issue in 2007 and her government had even adopted a resolution in the state Assembly seeking its division into four parts.

Both the BJP and the Congress had supported the resolution brought by Mayawati in the 403-member House.

But, as Mayawati lost power in 2012 after winning just 80 seats against 206 seats in 2007, her demand lost steam.

The BJP-led NDA had carved out Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh from UP, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh respectively, giving rise to speculation that it might favour further division of the most populous state.

Besides the RLD, Raja Bundela's Bundelkhand Congress, Kalyan Singh's erstwhile Jan Kranti Party, Amar Singh's now defunct Rashtriya Lok Manch and Ayub Khan's Peace Party too had time to time pitched for division of the state.

In August this year, the issue suddenly bounced back into focus when around 250 people got themselves tonsured in Mahoba district demanding statehood for Bundelkhand region.

Under the banner of Bundeli Samaj, they demanded carving out of a separate Bundelkhand state from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on the lines of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

Convenor of the Bundeli Samaj, a social organisation, Tara Patkar claimed the BJP has forgotten its promise of giving a separate Bundelkhand state to the people.

Bundelkhand is a hilly region spread over Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Seven districts in Uttar Pradesh -- Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Jalaun and Chitrakoot -- and eight districts in Madhya Pradesh fall under this region.

AAP Congress CWC Ludhiana National Punjab

Will quit AAP if it joins hands with Cong: Phoolka

Hello Jammu News at 5:37:00 PM 0

Ludhiana, Jul 24: Senior AAP leader and legislator from Dakha, H S Phoolka today said he will quit the party if it joins hands with the Congress.

He made it clear here that any understanding with the Congress party would amount to giving a clean chit to the alleged "perpetrators" of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"I shall be the first person to quit the Aam Aadmi Party if and when it joins hands with the Congress (either) in a direct or indirect manner," Phoolka said here.

His statement comes after Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh supported senior party leader P Chidambaram's views on the need for a broad-based alliance with other opposition parties at the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at Delhi on Sunday.

Phoolka, a noted lawyer who has represented the riot victims in the courts, blamed the Congress for the violence that took place in the aftermath of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination.

The former leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly said he would continue to fight cases of the riot victims.

A total of 3,325 people were killed in the riots. (PTI)

AAP Chief Minister National Nitish Kumar Patna

Nitish cutting a 'sorry figure', should quit NDA: AAP

Hello Jammu News at 8:01:00 PM 0

Patna, July 21: The Aam Aadmi Party today said that the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was cutting a "sorry figure" as he was being made to "beg" before the BJP for a respectable share of seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and urged the JD(U) president to do a rethink on his return to the the NDA.

The party's Bihar in-charge Sanjay Singh also attacked the Narendra Modi government for trying to "fool" the people of the state by claiming that money spent on national highways passing through the state were part of a special package for Bihar.

He also charged the Prime Minister with failure to give due respect to leaders from the state who had allied with him.

Nitish Kumar had betrayed the mandate of 2015 assembly polls by walking out of the Grand Alliance and returning to the BJP-led NDA. But, today he is cutting a sorry figure. He is begging before the BJP for a respectable seat-sharing arrangement, Singh said.

And ever since his return to the NDA, his image of a good administrator has taken a beating with crimes against women having become a routine affair, added the member of AAP's political affairs committee.

Singh said the BJP was busy describing the current political situation in the country as Modi vs all and was reluctant to acknowledge the role of its allies.

While being photographed, Modi likes the entire focus to be on himself. He feels uncomfortable sharing the space with Nitish Kumar and Union ministers like Ram Vilas Paswan. It is traits like these, besides the vindictiveness of which we have been at the receiving end in Delhi, that makes AAP feel that BJP has to be fought and defeated, Singh said.

We are appalled to hear that the Modi government is of the view that money spent on national highways and other similar projects which cover other states also, are being dished out as part of a special package, he said.

It should cover only some specific demands of the people conveyed by the state government. The Modi government is cheating the people of Bihar. It is high time that Nitish Kumar did a rethink on his political collaboration, he added.

The AAPs in-charge of Bihar also alleged that BJP leaders in the state had indulged in irregular land transactions on a huge scale prior to demonetization.

He also distributed copies of one such alleged transaction in Begusarai district where a piece of disputed land was bought by BJP leaders.

One of the claimants to the land was brought to the press meet where he alleged that he was being pressurized by BJP leaders to give up his claim on the land to facilitate its transfer in favour of the party, which wanted to build its office there. (PTI)

AAP Arvind Kejriwal CCTV Chief Minister Narendra Modi National New Delhi Prime Minister

AAP hails SC verdict on Delhi power tussle, accuses Modi govt of creating 'chaos'

Hello Jammu News at 4:32:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jul 4: Heaving a sigh of relief over the Supreme Court verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre, the AAP leadership today accused the Narendra Modi-led administration of creating "chaos" in the national capital in the last three-and-a-half years.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the apex court verdict as a "big victory" for the people of Delhi and democracy.

"Can Modiji revoke 3 years 5 months of chaos in Delhi? Will Delhi people forgive BJP for ruining 3 years 5 months (sic)?," AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj asked in a tweet.

He drew a parallel between the previous Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government in Delhi and the current AAP regime and pointed out how the ruling party was obstructed from working in the national capital.

"AAP Govt was formed in Feb 2015, three months later, In May 2015, Modi Govt brought this notification which took away 'services' from AAP Govt. This means Sheila Dixit Govt had all control over her officers/employees, Kejriwal Govt was left with zero control (sic)."

"Modi Govt was formed in May 2014 & just 2 months later, Modi Govt brought a notification which took away powers of Anti-Corruption branch. Means Sheila Dixit had ACB for 15 years but was taken away because Modi was too scared of Arvind Kejriwal and his ACB (sic)," Bhardwaj said in a series of tweets.

He also said the provision of aid and advice of the elected government was binding on the Lieutenant Governor (LG) during Dikshit's rule, adding that it was done away with after Kejriwal became the chief minister.

"Under Sheila Dixit Govt, Aid & Advice of Elected Govt was binding on LG. LG was not free to reject schemes. For Kejriwal Govt, LG is free to take decisions, has been rejecting all important decisions of Govt. CCTV, Door step delivery of Ration, Muholla clinics rejected or delayed (sic)," the AAP leader tweeted.

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court today held that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal did not have independent decision-making powers and was bound to act on the aid and advice of the council of ministers.

The judgment pronounced by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, who was heading a five-judge Constitution bench, also held that the LG could not act as an "obstructionist".

It added that all the decisions of the council of ministers must be communicated to the LG, but that did not mean his concurrence was required.

"There is no room for absolutism and there is no room for anarchism also," the court ruled.

The decision comes as a major victory for the AAP government, which had been in a constant tug of war with the LG over the powers wielded by the two branches of the executive. (PTI)

AAP bjp National New Delhi

Delhi BJP welcomes SC verdict, says AAP should shun full statehood demand

Hello Jammu News at 4:29:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jul 4: The Delhi BJP has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the power tussle involving the office of Lt Governor and the AAP government, and said the ruling party should now shun its "political demand" of full statehood to the city.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said the apex court verdict today has directed the AAP government to follow the law and it is expected that they will do so.

In a landmark verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre, the Supreme Court today held Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal does not have independent decision-making powers, and is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

It said all decisions of the Council of Ministers must be communicated to the LG but that does not mean his concurrence is required.

"We welcome the SC verdict. The Delhi government should have been following the law even without the order of the court. We hope, they will do so after the judgement," he said.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the verdict has "decided" that Delhi is a Union Territory and the AAP should stop raising their "political demand" for full statehood to the city.

"It is now decided that Delhi is a UT. So, the AAP and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should stop raising the full statehood demand."

Kapoor said the judgement has directed for more cooperation between the LG and the city Cabinet and that all parties concerned should respect the verdict.

The apex court's decision is a major victory for the AAP government which has been in a constant tug-of war with LG Anil Baijal, and also his predecessor Najeeb Jung, over the power wielded by the two branches of the executive. (PTI)

AAP Anil Baijal Arvind Kejriwal bjp Chief Minister National New Delhi

BJP-AAP 'blame game' ends, they should start development of Delhi: Maken

Hello Jammu News at 2:11:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jul 4: The Supreme Court verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre had done away with all the possibilities of a "blame game" between the BJP and the AAP and the two parties should now ensure that the development of the national capital, which was "stalled" for years, started again, the Congress said today.

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court today held that Lieutenant Governor (LG) 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.

"Since the apex court has clarified about the powers in Delhi, we hope that the development, which has been stalled ever since the Congress was voted out of power over four years ago, will start again," Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken told.

He said the LG and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should stop the "blame game" now and develop Delhi as the Congress did during its 15-year rule (1998-2013).

The Supreme Court decision is a major victory for the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which has been in a constant tug of war with the LG over the power wielded by the two branches of the executive. (PTI)

AAP bjp Congress National New Delhi Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi hits out at AAP, BJP over redevelopment project in South Delhi

Hello Jammu News at 2:44:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jun 28: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today hit out at the BJP and the AAP over felling of trees in the national capital for a redevelopment project and called for fighting this madness .

Taking to Twitter, he said even children know the importance of trees in life and urged people to stand by the Congress against it.

In Delhi, the BJP with AAP's approval has hacked down thousands of trees in the past 4 years for development .

Even children know that trees are critical to our survival and difficult to replace. Stand with the Congress and together let's fight this madness, he said on Twitter.

The city government had announced that it would be cutting over 14,000 trees for building over 25,000 flats for government employees in seven colonies of south Delhi.

A major protest broke out against the decision, with locals and activists launching their own "Chipko Movement" and the project became embroiled in a political blame game. (PTI)

AAP Dr Harsh Vardhan National New Delhi Union Minister

Centre, AAP in blame game over permission for felling of trees in south Delhi

Hello Jammu News at 7:30:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jun 23 : The issue of cutting of trees for the redevelopment of seven south Delhi colonies triggered a blame game today with Union minister Harsh Vardhan claiming that the AAP government was responsible for granting the permission to fell trees in non-forest areas and the latter claiming that the clearance for the same was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in November last year.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is up in arms against the BJP government at the Centre, alleging that around 17,000 trees will be felled for the redevelopment plan.

Vardhan said according to the information he had, the area where the trees were to be felled was a "non-forest area" and the Forest department of the Government of India had nothing to do with it.

"For the non-forest areas, whatever local permissions are to be given, are given by the Delhi government. It is directly under the jurisdiction of the Delhi government and not governed by us," the Union environment and forest minister said.

The AAP countered the charge, saying the permission for the felling of trees was granted by Vardhan's ministry in November last year.

In a tweet, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "IMPORTANT - The file about "Redevelopment Project" says Environment Clearance for the project has been approved by MoEF & CC, GOI (Minister- Dr Harshvardhan ) vide letter dt 27.11.2017 @drharshvardhan ji, Did ur Department give Environment clearance to this project (sic)??."

He also claimed that the Lieutenant Governor was the "competent authority" for issuing permission for felling trees at a large scale.

The AAP dispensation is at loggerheads with LG Anil Baijal over a host of administrative and policy matters. Baijal has been accused by the ruling party of working at the "behest" of the Centre to "paralyse" the city government.

"Harsh Vardhan has chosen his words very carefully, but he refuses to say that the LG is the competent local authority for giving the necessary permission in this case," Bhardwaj told PTI.

He claimed that for the felling of a maximum of 10 trees, the deputy conservator of forest had to issue the permission, for a maximum of 20 trees, the conservator of forest had to issue the permission and the environment secretary of the Delhi government could permit the felling of trees in an area of less than a hectare.

"Above it, the LG is the competent authority," Bharadwaj added.

He also claimed that the Delhi government's environment minister, in his note-sheet, had protested against the felling of trees for the redevelopment plan.

"We have no objection to the Centre's project. But the felling of such a large number of trees is not good for the environment at a time when there is a looming threat of pollution."

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had earlier said 14,031 of the existing 21,040 trees would be felled for the redevelopment of seven south Delhi colonies -- Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Mohammadpur, Sriniwaspuri, Kasturba Nagar and Thyagaraj Nagar.

Bharadwaj claimed that the redevelopment plan involved construction of flats for politicians and bureaucrats, for which around 17,000 trees were to be felled.

He added that a protest against it would be held near Sarojini Nagar tomorrow evening.

The locals have launched a "hug the tree" movement on the lines of the famous "Chipko Andolan" of noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna in the 1970s.

Bhardwaj also alleged that the Centre was not addressing the environmental safety concerns before attempting the project.

"As per our information, no environmental assessment has been carried out. The Delhi government has also not been consulted as to how the transport, water and sewer requirements will be met under the redevelopment plan," he said.

The Centre, however, has claimed that the redevelopment would lead to an "increase in the green area coverage by about three times...and the compensatory plantation of trees will be done in the ratio of 1:10, thereby resulting in an enhanced tree-coverage area".

"The re-development of the seven colonies is being done with complete adherence to environmental sustainability and green building concepts and special care and attention is being given towards retaining the maximum number of the existing trees," it had said. PTI

AAP Arvind Kejriwal Chief Minister Top Stories

Open to discussions: Delhi officers after CM's assurance on security

Hello Jammu News at 8:09:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jun 18 : IAS officers of the Delhi government on Monday welcomed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's assurance that he would ensure their safety, saying they are open to formal discussions with the chief minister on the matter

The officers said that they look forward to "concrete interventions" for their security and dignity, a move that may break the four-month-long impasse between the AAP dispensation and the bureaucrats following an alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by some ruling party MLAs at the chief minister's residence in February

The association of officers of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union territories) cadre said that they continue to be at work with "full dedication" and "vigour".

"#DelhiAtWork #NoToStrike Officers of GNCTD welcome Hon'ble CM's appeal. We reiterate that we continue to be at work with full dedication & vigour.," the association tweeted.

"We look forward to concrete interventions for our security & dignity. We are open to formal discussions with Hon'ble CM on this matter," it said

Kejriwal had yesterday assured the bureaucrats that he will use all the powers and resources at his command to ensure their safety and security and called them part of his family

Sharing his statement on Twitter, Kejriwal had said, "I am told that IAS Officers Association has expressed concerns about their safety in a press conference today. I wish to assure them that I will ensure their safety and security with all powers and resources available at my command. It is my duty."

Kejriwal, along with his colleagues, have stayed put at the lieutenant governor's office since Monday, demanding that LG Anil Baijal should direct the IAS officers to end their "strike"

Kejriwal had said that he and his colleagues will not leave the LG's office until their demands were met. However, the IAS officers maintained that the bureaucrats were not on strike

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been on hunger strike since June 13 at the LG's office, was today taken to hospital after his health deteriorated, Kejriwal said.

Later in the day, Sisodia tweeted, "Happy for discussions with our officers. Del govt committed to provide them safe n secure environment. However, LG is head of both ?services? and ?security?. So, meeting shud take place in his presence so that assurances related to those subjects cud be given (sic)."

"Thats precisely why we have been sitting at Raj Niwas for so many days requesting Hon'ble LG to call all stakeholders and end this impasse (sic)," he said in another tweet

Health Minister Satyendar Jain was late last night hospitalised after his condition deteriorated. He was taken to the LNJP Hospital where his condition is stable, doctors said

According to the AAP government, the IAS officers have been on "strike" and were boycotting meetings with ministers since the alleged assault on the chief secretary.PTI

AAP Arvind Kejriwal CPI IAS Officers National New Delhi Rajya Sabha

AAP leaders, workers camp outside CM's residence

Hello Jammu News at 5:38:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jun 12: AAP leaders and workers camped outside the chief minister's residence here today in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues who have been staging a sit-in at the Lieutenant Governor's office, and asserted that they would continue the fight for the rights of the people without any compromise.
Tents have been put up outside Kejriwal Civil Lines residence.
This is a fight for the rights of the people of Delhi, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told reporters outside the chief minister's residence.
"At the instance of Narendra Modi, the Lt Governor has crippled Delhi government. We will not keep quiet now and fight till the last," Singh asserted.
Flanked by senior party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi Marlena, the party MP said that they were prepared for a long drawn battle over issues of full statehood, IAS officers' strike and the schemes of government including doorstep delivery of ration, allegedly curtailed by the LG.
"Modi is behind the crippling of Delhi government's functioning using the Lt Governor as a pawn."
Singh said that he was in touch with opposition leaders such as D Raja of the CPI and Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) over the developments in Delhi.
Singh also attacked former Delhi Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit over the full statehood issue.
"She ruled for ten years when Congress was at the Centre. Why did the full statehood was promised in their manifesto if they did not want it," he said
Bhardwaj said that the IAS officers of Delhi were on strike although they denied in a press statement yesterday.
Citing rules, he said that even "slowing down" work and not attending meetings called by ministers was a form of strike.
"Over a dozen show-cause notices and memos have been sent to the officers, but the situation is the same. They are shying away from openly admitting their strike because they will lose their jobs since rules do not permit it," he said.
Marlena said that government works including those related with education and pollution were hampered due to the strike.
Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendar Jain spent the night at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office to press for their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against officers who have struck work for "four months". (PTI)

AAP Free WiFi National New Delhi

AAP govt sets target of launching free Wi-Fi facility by March next year

Hello Jammu News at 1:36:00 PM 0

New Delhi, May 29 : Delhiites may get free Wi-Fi facility at public places next year as the public works department has set a target of launching the pilot projet for the same on March 31 next year.

According to the Delhi government's "outcome budget" under which various departments set target for executing their schemes and projects, tenders for providing free Wi-Fi facility will be awarded by September this year.

Free Wi-Fi at public places across the city was one of Aam Aadmi Party's key poll promises.

In March this year, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said that Wi-Fi project, which was earlier with the information and technology (IT) department, has been given to the PWD to "expedite" the work.

However in the 'risk factor column' in the outcome budget, the PWD said that in the meeting on March 27 this year, the department had intimated that the it will not be able to execute Wi-Fi project due to "non-availability of sufficient staff" and "no expertise" in this field.

The department said the expected date for issue of request for proposals (RFP) is June 30, 2018. It also said that expected date for "commissioning of Wi-Fi hotspots at pilot stage" is March 31, 2019.

In its 2018-19 budget, the Delhi government has allocated Rs 100 crore to provide Wi-Fi facility, even though the government did not mention a timeline for the completion of the project.

In February this year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that the AAP government was working on three to four models for implementing the project.

As the AAP formed its government in Delhi, the project was initially assigned to the Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) of Delhi chaired by the chief minister.

In March 2016, the DDC had started first free Wi-Fi facility on a three-month pilot basis in Sant Nagar market in north Delhi's Burari.

Thereafter, the ruling dispensation had promised that over 500 locations across east Delhi would be made high-speed Wi-Fi zones by December, 2016, but there was no progress.PTI

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