Delhi L-G honours DDA officials for efforts during G20 Summit

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Acknowledging the contribution of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in the holistic development of the city, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday honoured officials of the agency for their role in the successful conduct of the G20 Summit last year.

In his maiden visit to the DDA Head Office since taking charge as Chairman of DDA, L-G Saxena highlighted the remarkable contributions of the Authority in the recent past which has transformed its image.

These include preparing Delhi to host global dignitaries during the G20 Summit, rejuvenating the Yamuna, creating recreational green spaces like Baansera and Asita for public use, and restoring significant historical landmarks such as Vasudev Ghat, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, and St. James Church.

Baansera, located at Sarai Kale Khan on the western bank of the Yamuna, is a green zone developed as the Capital’s first bamboo-themed public space. Spread over an area of 12-15 hectares, Baansera falls within the 163 hectares of the Kalindi Aviral project and aims to restore and rejuvenate the floodplains of the Yamuna.

The L-G also remotely inaugurated DDA’s Housing kiosk at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station to provide help to home buyers.

He also distributed appreciation certificates to the DDA officers who played a critical role in the successful execution of the G20 Summit, recognising their dedication and hard work.

On the occasion, the L-G also paid floral tribute to M. Visvesvaraya on the premises of the DDA office, Vikas Sadan.

He encouraged Team DDA to think more in the direction of benefiting the public by creating spaces that prioritise convenience, enhance amenities, and make Delhi’s infrastructure more urbanised, including the development of villages under Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan.

Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, he urged the development of more green spaces and contributing to a greener and more verdant cityscape.

He said that DDA employees are doing commendable work by organising PM Uday camps on weekends.

“This has generated a positive atmosphere and thousands are coming to these camps for getting ownership rights of their properties in unauthorised colonies of Delhi,” he said.

–IANS

rch/dan

Related Posts

Rajasthan under cold wave: Fatehpur shivers at 0.1 degree Celcius, Sangariya at 1.3 degrees

Jaipur, Dec 18 (IANS) Rajasthan is reeling under a cold wave as minimum temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in most parts. Over half a dozen districts recorded minimum temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius. The cold wave is set to intensify from Thursday.

The coldest temperature was registered in Fatehpur, in eastern Rajasthan, at 0.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Sangariya which recorded the second lowest temperature of the state — 1.3 degrees Celsius.

Nagaur recorded 1.9 degrees Celsius, Churu 1.8 degrees Celsius, Sikar 2.8 degrees Celsius, Pilani 4.1 degrees Celsius, Bikaner 5.1 degrees Celsius, Ganganagar 5.9 degrees Celsius, Vanasthali 6.1 degrees Celsius, and Bhilwara recorded a temperature of 6.6 degrees Celsius.

A slight drop in minimum temperatures is expected from December 19, with the cold wave persisting. The Meteorological Department has predicted an intensification of cold conditions across the state on December 19 and 20, with minimum night temperatures in the Shekhawati region likely to decline further.

A cold wave alert, along with fog warnings, has been issued for several districts in eastern Rajasthan starting December 20. The Meteorological Center in Jaipur forecasts fog in many districts, with the possibility of frost in some areas.

According to Radheshyam Sharma, Director of the Meteorological Center, “A mild Western Disturbance caused a slight rise in minimum temperatures on Wednesday. However, from December 19 onward, the cold wave’s impact is expected to increase. Dense fog is likely to envelop several areas in the Bharatpur and Kota divisions over the next two days.

A yellow alert has been issued for cold wave conditions in the districts of Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Hanumangarh on Wednesday.

The Met department also sounded dense fog in districts like Churu, Nagaur, Sikar, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Jhunjhunu and other surrounding areas on Wednesday.

–IANS

arc/kvd

On completing two years, CM Sukhu launches six beneficiary schemes

Bilaspur, Dec 11 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched six schemes, mainly to strengthen the rural economy, and distributed financial assistance at a public meeting here to mark the completion of two years of the Congress government.

To promote natural farming, the Chief Minister introduced ‘Him Bhog Atta’ prepared from maize grown using natural farming practices.

The government procured 398 metric tonnes of maize from 1,506 farmers in 10 districts and transferred Rs 1.20 crore directly to their bank accounts.

With the state offering the highest support price for wheat at Rs 40 per kg and maize at Rs 30 per kg, over 1.98 lakh farmers across 35,000 hectares have been engaged in natural farming.

CM Sukhu launched a scheme to purchase organic compost and vermin compost at Rs 300 per quintal to benefit small farmers and livestock owners.

Payments of Rs 1 lakh were distributed among 100 farmers via direct benefit transfer (DBT). This initiative aims to boost farmers’ incomes, strengthening the rural economy.

The Chief Minister also handed over keys to 16 electric taxi owners under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme — 2023. Beneficiaries received a 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing e-taxis with the vehicles leased to government offices for five years.

This scheme ensures a stable monthly income for taxi owners. The government aims to provide around 150 permits to e-taxi owners in the first phase, an official statement said.

CM Sukhu also launched the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana by disbursing Rs 1.38 crore to the eligible 5,145 beneficiaries and providing them with eligibility certificates. The scheme aims to cover 23,000 children’s education and wellbeing of widows, destitute women, divorced women and disabled parents, offering them financial assistance for their higher education and wellbeing.

Eligible beneficiaries receive Rs 1,000 monthly for children under the age of 18 years and financial aid for higher education expenses.

With an annual budget of Rs 53.21 crore, the scheme aims to prevent child exploitation and provide a supportive environment for vulnerable families.

The Chief Minister also launched the Rs 1,292 crore Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition Project (HP Shiva) to expand horticulture development in seven districts.

The initiative would cover 6,000 hectares, promoting the cultivation of fruits like oranges, guavas, litchi and plums, benefiting over 15,000 farming families directly.

It was expected to produce 1.3 lakh metric tonnes of fruit annually with a market value of Rs 400 crore.

CM Sukhu also flagged off five mobile Ayush healthcare units to serve remote regions, comprising Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts and the Shillai block of Sirmaur district. Each unit would have an experienced medical team offering Ayurveda, Unani, or homoeopathy treatments based on local needs. This initiative aims to improve healthcare access in underserved areas.

The Chief Minister also extended financial aid of Rs 1.90 crore under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana (MMSAY) to 197 beneficiaries in Bilaspur district.

This scheme included a pension for 153 children, housing grants for 17 beneficiaries, marriage and higher education aid for 10 each and vocational training and start-up assistance for three beneficiaries each.

–IANS

vg/svn

NDA backs ‘One Nation, One Election’; Oppn calls it attack on federalism

New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The Centre’s decision to introduce the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday has sparked mixed reactions, with NDA leaders backing it as a move in “national interest” and the Opposition slamming it as an “attack on federalism.”

The Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday, seeks to enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and Union Territory Assemblies.

Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, is set to introduce two key legislations — the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill — in the Lower House.

According to the Centre, the legislation aims to streamline the electoral process, enhance efficiency, and reduce the financial and administrative burdens associated with staggered elections.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh defended the move, questioning the Opposition’s objections.

“One Nation, One Election is in national interest. Repeated elections affect development and waste resources. Until 1967, this system was in place. Did it harm the federal structure then?” he asked, accusing the Congress of “distorting the Constitution” for political gains.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, challenged the government, suggesting that if the Centre is so keen on the Bill, the Prime Minister should dissolve the Lok Sabha and hold fresh elections immediately.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan supported the Bill, highlighting the economic and logistical challenges posed by frequent elections.

“Simultaneous elections will reduce the burden on the economy and security forces and allow leaders to focus on development,” he said.

In contrast, Trinamool Congress MP, Kirti Azad, speaking to IANS, denounced the Bill as an “assault on federalism.”

“There was no discussion in the Business Advisory Committee. Are they trying to bring dictatorship? What happens if no majority government is formed? Will we have President’s Rule for five years?” he questioned.

Speaking to IANS, LJP (RV) MP, Shambhavi Choudhary expressed strong support, stating, “Simultaneous elections will save resources and time, allowing leaders to focus on development for a full five-year term.”

BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia also hailed the Bill, citing the recommendations of a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

“This will save resources and time and benefit the public. Hopefully, the Opposition will support it,” he told IANS.

Independent Bihar MP, Pappu Yadav, dismissed the idea, calling it “impractical.”

“The government should focus on unemployment and rising election expenses rather than ‘One Nation, One Election,'” he said.

Congress MPs Sukhdeo Bhagat and Rajesh Thakur slammed the Bill as impractical and a “threat” to India’s federal structure.

“This Bill is an attack on federalism. The Prime Minister’s narrative of ‘One Nation, One Election, One Man, One Rule’ reflects a dictatorial mindset,” Thakur told IANS.

BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar argued in favour of the Bill, stating that it would address unemployment and economic challenges.

“Holding elections together will strengthen national unity and bring economic stability,” he told IANS.

The proposed legislation has reignited debates over its alleged implications on India’s federal structure, economic efficiency, and democratic processes, setting the stage for a contentious discussion in Parliament.

–IANS

sd/rad