Saturday, December 27, 2025

Delhi L-G seeks recovery of Rs 97 cr AAP spent on political ads in garb of govt ads

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday directed the Chief Secretary to recover Rs 97 crore spent by Aam Aadmi Party on political advertisements which it published as the government advertisements.

The L-G has directed Chief Secretary to implement the September 2016 order of the Supreme Court appointed Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA) and the pursuant order of Directorate of Information & Publicity (DIP), GNCTD, directing AAP to pay Rs 97, 14, 69, 137 plus interest, to the state exchequer, for political advertisements that it got published/telecast in the garb of government advertisements.

This, apart from being a gross case of misappropriation of Government funds for the benefit of a political party, also amounts to contempt of the Supreme and High Court, said LG Secretariat.

The Supreme Court in its order in 2015, while disposing a Writ Petition (Civil) of 2003, with regards to “restraining the Union of India and all State Governments from using public funds on Government advertisements which are primarily intended to project individual functionaries of the Government or a Political Party.. and laying down of appropriate guidelines by this Court..”, had postulated guidelines to regulate Government Advertising and eliminate unproductive expenditure.

Pursuant to this order, a three-Member Committee on CCRGA was constituted by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to regulate the content of Advertising and eliminate unproductive expenditure of Government Revenue.

The CCRGA, thereafter, in compliance of orders of the Delhi High Court, investigated the advertisements published by DIP, and issued orders dated September 2016, identifying specific advertisements published by GNCTD that were in stark violation of the guidelines set by the SC and directed the Directorate of Information & Publicity, GNCTD to quantify the amounts spent by it in such advertisements, and recover the same from the Aam Aadmi Party.

In compliance of the said order, the DIP, ascertained and quantified that an amount of Rs 97, 14, 69, 137 had been spent or booked on account of non-conforming advertisements that violated the Supreme Court order.

Of this, while payments amounting to Rs 42, 26, 81, 265 had already been released by DIP, Rs 54, 87, 87, 872 for advertisements published, were still pending disbursal.

Accordingly, DIP, vide letter dated March 2017, directed the AAP Convener to pay Rs 42, 26, 81, 265 to the State Exchequer immediately and directly pay the pending amount of Rs 54, 87, 87, 872 to the concerned advertising agencies/publication within 30 days.

However, even after lapse of five years and eight months, the AAP has not complied with this DIP order. This is serious, as public money, despite specific order, has not been deposited by the Party to the State Exchequer. Such defiance of a legitimate order, by a registered political party is not only contemptuous of the judiciary, but also does not augur well for the health of good governance, said the LG Secretariat.

The LG in his orders to Chief Secretary has also directed that all advertisements since September, 2016 also be referred to the CCRGA for vetting and ascertaining if they are in consonance with the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.

He has also asked for the money that has been spent in functioning of the said illegal Committee to be recovered. He has additionally asked for Shabdarth – the public agency formed by the Kejriwal Government, currently manned by 35 individuals, out of the total sanctioned strength of 38 officials, to be manned by government servants, instead of private individuals.

The finances of Shabdarth ever since it came into being shall also be audited, he has directed.

Couple in UP booked for forced conversion to Christianity

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Sitapur :  A couple, visiting Sitapur along with tourists from Brazil, has been booked under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act for allegedly forcing people to convert to Christianity.

The main accused, David Ashthana, was arrested late on Monday night.

Naimish Gupta, a resident of Sehbajpur village, lodged an FIR alleging that a couple from Lucknow, David Asthana and Rohini Asthana, reached their village with Brazilian tourists, identified as Rivaldo Joses DaSilva, Magnolia Maro Laronzera, Gulheram Nasimento Edalgo and Alexander D’Silva.

“They met the villagers and tried to force them to convert, ” Gupta said.

Circle Officer Mahmoodabad, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said, “A police team reached the village after getting information from Naimish Gupta. The Brazilians informed us that they were here on a tourist visa and were visiting Sitapur with the couple from Lucknow. Investigation is underway and the tourists will be questioned. We have registered a case against David and his wife. They were not able to explain why they took the tourists to a small village in Sitapur, ” Prasad said.

He said that the statements of villagers would also be recorded before initiating further action. Police said it is yet to be established how the tourists came in touch with the couple.

Dense fog envelopes Delhi, reduces visibility

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Dense fog enveloped Delhi and parts of northern India on Tuesday, lowering visibility to 25 metres in the national capital and affecting traffic movement.
“The lowest visibility reported at 5:30 hours IST Dated 20.12.2022: Bhatinda: 00; Amritsar: 25; Ganganagar: 25; Patiala: 25; Delhi (Palam): 25; Lucknow: 25; Delhi (SFD): 50; Purnea: 50; Ambala: 200; Agra: 200; Gorakhpur: 300; Bareilly: 500; Patna: 500; Gaya: 500; Kolkata: 500, ” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) tweeted.
The IMD has also issued a ‘cold wave’ alert in many other states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
As per the Department, the minimum temperature in Delhi on Tuesday was 6 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature is expected to be 22 degrees.
“Following the light winds at lower tropospheric levels over the Indo-Gangetic plains and moisture, dense to very dense fog in is very likely to be in some pockets over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during the next three days in the night and morning hours and dense fog in isolated pockets for subsequent two days, ” an IMD official said on Tuesday.
The Department also said that some parts of Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim may also experience dense fog during the next two days.
Minimum temperatures are in the range of 2-4 degrees Celsius over Punjab, Haryana and north Rajasthan.
“Due to dry north/northwesterly winds from the Himalayas, cold wave conditions are likely to continue in isolated pockets over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and north Rajasthan during the next 4-5 days, ” it said.
The IMD said that there will be no significant change in minimum temperature over the next 4-5 days.

Biryani : KING OF FOOD LIST

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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By Mahie JK 

What India ate the most in 2022 ? This is one among those questions which is mostly discussed, when we are talking of some other memories of this year. Well among all the vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes, Chicken Biryani topped the food list this year. According to many online food apps the most ordered dish of 2022 is Chicken Biryani .  This is the seventh time in a row that the dish has topped the chart. From the data of the Online food apps it is found that around 137 orders of Biryani were ordered every minute this year. Almost in all the top food apps, Biryani was found at the Top.

JIYA a student of Amity University, Noida who is residing as a paying guest says ” It is very difficult for me to prepare food when I come back from college, so I mostly ordered biryani from online food apps ”.  its so easy and fast, she added.

”A mention of biryani is enough to make ones mouth water and feel hungry and especially when it is in front of you steaming, the tendency is to launch a vicious attack and devour it” says Ajay another student of Delhi University.  Almost all the corporates and non-coporates offices  in Delhi NCR are ordering Biryani from us, says warsi a cook who privately runs a Biryani shop in South Delhi.

“Its one dish that never fails to brighten our dinner table,” feels Sunita   a housewife, who loves Biryani but can’t prepare it perfectly. Her family is very fond of Biryani so they order twice or thrice every week.  A plate of juicy meat combined with rice and spices is irresistible. Even some of our celebrities are found posting pictures of their favourite Biryani on social media.

No other Indian food has as many stories as Biryani has. Its story varies across the country as its taste and flavours. The handi of meat rice and spices is a complete meal in itself. Be it a formal or informal meeting , a handful of biryani is a must .

It is not a only a food item but many quotes are made on this popular dish. For some “BIryani is not food but Emotions” some say “it is not only a dish it is actually Love”. “ Burger and pizza are overrated, my love for Biryani will always stay” etc. BIRYANI is mostly liked dish of people across the country.  Food Delivery has become a very important part of our daily life now, whenever we are hungry and we crave for our favourite food, we order that with the help of our smart phones. It is so easy and convenient to relish our tasty dishes with the help of these online food apps. They have made our life so easier and comfortable. We can get our orders in minutes. It is very easy to throw a party at home, even when you come back from the office, said Anamika, a school teacher , who recently hosted a Biryani party at home with the help of these online food apps. So gather your friends and enjoy your favourite meal with New year.

Terror incidents In Jammu and Kashmir down by 168% : Anurag Thakur

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Union Minister Anurag Thakur Monday said that “terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir decreased by 168 per cent” since the Modi government came to power.

“The government undertook decisive actions which yielded definitive results,” Thakur said adding that Modi government has a “zero tolerance policy towards terrorism.” .

“Surgical strikes in 2016 were in response to the Uri attack. Balakot Air strikes in 2019 were in response to the Pulwama bombing, so all these decisive actions yielded definitive results,” he told reporters here.

Giving details of the decline in violence since Modi government came to power in 2014, Thakur said terror incidents has come down by 80 percent, and civilian deaths have decreased by 89 percent.

BSF thwarts infiltration by Pak drones at Punjab international border

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled Pakistan’s attempt of smuggling drugs and weapons across the border through drones. BSF apprised that the drone tried infiltration twice at different posts along the international border of Punjab.

BSF said that the drone was fired upon by the jawans at the border in Gurdaspur in Punjab, late on Sunday night.

According to the information, the drone’s activity was detected at Chandu Batala outpost around 10:20 p.m., in response of which the security force fired 6 illumination bombs and 26 rounds of rapid fire.

BSF informed that the drone tried to infiltrate Indian territory again at 10:48 p.m. near the Kasowal post in the sector.

The force retaliated by firing around 72 rounds in cross fire and 4 illumination bombs.

The drone was then seen going back towards Pakistan from above the fencing.

Senior officials were informed after the incident and search operations are underway in the area.

Gurdaspur DIG Prabhakar Joshi inspected the spot and interacted with the locals including jawans.

He said that the entire area was being intensively searched by the BSF and the police.

Joshi added that Pakistani drone activity has been observed three times in the last 2 days and claimed that a befitting reply to the attempts was given by the jawans.

AAP prepares pitch for 2024 at National Council met, expresses concern over national security

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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With the Aam Aadmi Party attaining national status, the party’s National Council met for its 11th meeting here on Sunday, to discuss its growth in the last decade and its plan going forward nationally.
The meeting concluded with the National Council noting the party’s achievements over the last decade and passing resolutions against rising inflation and unemployment and Chinese aggression.
Preparing the pitch for 2024 elections, national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said: “I have a vision for the whole country… AAP is only the medium that will help achieve the vision. I envision an India that is a global education hub, where no one sleeps hungry, where underprivileged get top-class education-healthcare and become rich. In our vision for India, there is no scope for caste-religion divides, if the nation can’t unite for once and for all, it won’t be able to progress.”
He said that this has been a successful year for us for several reasons and “I would like to congratulate you all for your hard work and all your efforts”.
“In the last one year, we went on to win the state elections in Punjab and form the government over there. We fought the state elections in Goa and have two MLAs in the state. We also fought in the recently-concluded state elections in Gujarat and were successful there as well, so I would like to thank the people of Gujarat for trusting us and giving us such support in our first election in the state, ” Kejriwal said.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann noted the party’s success saying: “Delhi gave us our first government, Punjab gave us our first MPs in the Lok Sabha, Goa opened an account in the west and people from Gujarat made Aam Aadmi Party a national party.”
Addressing party members, Kejriwal said: “In a generic sense, there are just three main political parties in the national sphere. There are other political parties as well in the legal sense, but across the country, there is only the BJP, the Congress, and the AAP. And, the AAP stands out among these three with the kind of work that it does. Since we are all meeting today after such a long time, I think it is worth revisiting those aspects that form our ideological base. AAP stands firm on three basic principles in Indian politics – ‘kattar deshbhakti, ‘kattar imandaari, and (being) corruption free.”
He also said that one issue that is bothering the people of this country is the way China has constantly been attacking us and trying to take over the land that belongs to India.
“Over the years, slowly they have tried to take our territory and attack our soldiers at the borders. Meanwhile, our soldiers have displayed bravery and thwarted all the attempts of China. We have even lost some of our soldiers at the borders in these battle, ” he said.
“In 2020-21, we bought goods worth $65 billion from China – this translates to about Rs 5.25 lakh crore worth of goods. The following year, they continued to attack us and bother our soldiers, but we increased our trade to buy goods worth $95 billion or Rs 7.5 lakh crore from them. What is happening over here? We should have been punishing them or telling them that either you behave yourself or we will stop buying goods from you, but the Centre only seems to reward them more when they are attacking our soldiers at the borders.”
“I would also like to urge the BJP-led government to show some courage and stand with our soldiers, ” he said, adding that the government should not be under any compulsion to buy goods from China.
“This is the 21st Century, and no country can just take over the territory of another country in this day and age. In the modern world, it is all about trade and economics. The day we show some courage and stop this $95 billion import from China, it will come to the terms that India has laid down for it, ” he added.

Punjab CM touring Chennai, Hyderabad to woo big industrialists for investment in state

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Chandigarh : In order to further propel industrial growth in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today started his tour to Chennai and Hyderabad to woo the industrial giants for investment in state.

The Chief Minister reached Chennai today evening where he will be meeting business delegations and prominent companies on December 19 (Monday) to rope in investments and strategic tie ups in key sectors. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann will be having interactive meeting with captains of industry at Hyderabad on December 20 (Tuesday). This crucial two day visit of the Chief Minister is likely to immensely benefit the state in roping in huge investments, Technical know how and expertise from big companies.

The Chief Minister will be extending invitation to the industrialists for the Investment Summit being organised by the state government on February 23-24 at SAS, Nagar, Mohali. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Mann reiterated his firm commitment to emerge state as an industrial hub adding that the state government will leave no stone unturned for it. He said that every effort is being made to put state on the orbit of high growth trajectory of industrial development.

The Chief Minister envisioned that the tour to big industrial hubs of the country will further accelerate the industrial growth of state on one hand and open new vistas of employment for youth on the other. Bhagwant Mann said that he will personally showcase Punjab as land of opportunities and growth to the entrepreneurs. He expressed hope that this tour will prove to be a milestone towards giving a major fillip to industrial growth of state.

PM calls for focus on wealth generation, peace for development of Northeast

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underscored the need to focus on eight pillars of Lakshmi (wealth), peace, power, tourism, 5G connectivity, culture, natural farming, sports and potential, for further development of the eight Northeastern states.
Addressing a meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, Modi said that the Government has gone beyond conversion of ‘Look East’ policy to ‘Act East’, and now its policy is ‘Act Fast for Northeast’ and ‘Act First for Northeast’.
The meeting marks the golden jubilee celebration of the NEC. It was formally inaugurated in 1972.
Hailing the contribution of NEC in the development of the Northeastern region, the Prime Minister said that the region is the gateway to Southeast Asia and can become a centre for development of the entire region.
“And to realise this potential of the region, work is going on the projects like Indian-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and Agartala-Akhaura rail project, ” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting the success of peace initiatives in the region, he said that many peace agreements have been signed, inter-state boundary agreements have been done and there has been a marked reduction in instances of extremism.
Discussing India’s commitment towards net zero, the Prime Minister said that the Northeast can become a powerhouse of hydropower.
This it said, will make the states of the region power surplus, help in expansion of industries and generate a large number of jobs.
Discussing the tourism potential of the region, the Prime Minister said that both culture and nature of the region are attracting tourists from across the world.
He added that tourism circuits are being identified and developed in the region also.
Talking about boosting connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister said that iconic bridge projects which were pending since several decades have now been completed.
In the last eight years, number of airports in the region has jumped from nine to 16, and the number of flights have increased from about 900 before 2014 to around 1, 900.
Many Northeastern states have come to railway map for the first time and efforts are being made to expand the waterways also. The length of national highways has increased by 50 per cent since 2014 in the region.
He said that with the launch of the PM-DevINE scheme, the infrastructure projects in the Northeast have gained more momentum.
He added that the government is also working on improving digital connectivity in the Northeast by increasing the optical fibre network.
Talking about development of 5G infrastructure, he said that it will help further development of startup ecosystem, service sector among others in the region.

Congress to question govt on Chinese transgressions at Alwar rally

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi will jointly address a rally in Rajasthan’s Alwar on Monday, where they will raise the issue of Chinese PLA’s trangsressions across the LAC.

Party sources said that after being denied from raising the issue in Parliament, the party is likely to raise the issue in the public meeting.

Gandhi on Friday had said that China is constantly preparing for war while theIndian government is asleep.

“Our government is hiding the information on the preparations of China. The Government of India does not work strategically, it works on an event basis. When it comes to geopolitics, events do not work there. Foreign Minister’s statements keep coming, but he needs to deepen his understanding, ” he said at a press conference.

Gandhi also expressed his surprise saying that no one, including the media, is asking questions on China, despite it occupying Indian territory and martyring 20 Indian soldiers.

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