DELHI (national capital territory)

New Delhi: The Delhi Assembly is set to provide opportunities for young researchers and professionals by appointing over 100 fellows and assistant fellows. These appointees will assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and the Assembly Secretariat in research, report preparation, and policy-making activities. Fellows for MLAs and Secretariat:Each MLA will be assigned a fellow to support legislative work, including research, report drafting, and policy analysis. In addition, approximately 35 fellows will be appointed to the Assembly Secretariat to assist committees and broader research tasks. The Assembly had earlier attempted a similar recruitment in July 2023, but the process was canceled due to lack of approval at the highest level and procedural issues. Focus on Merit and...

New Delhi: Commuters in Delhi Metro have recently faced difficulties obtaining new smart cards, prompting several complaints. Many passengers took to social media platform X to report that new metro cards were unavailable at several stations. Complaints from Passengers:One passenger asked why new metro cards were not available at Ballabhgarh and Noida Electronic City stations. Another reported being asked to purchase an Airtel-branded card instead when requesting a metro card at Chawri Bazar station. Similar issues were reported at Badarpur station, where staff informed commuters that certain cards were no longer being issued. Government’s NCMC Initiative Behind the Change:Responding to the complaints, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) clarified that the changes are part of the...

New Delhi: Delhi has officially implemented the Delhi Food Security Rules 2025, bringing major changes to the ration card system. Ration cards will no longer be issued on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Instead, committees at the district level will determine quotas based on population, ensuring that genuinely needy residents receive benefits. Government Decision:Previously, Delhi did not have a district-wise quota for ration cards. Cards were issued to applicants meeting minimum eligibility criteria, often favoring those who applied early. Under the new rules, quotas will be set according to the district’s population until the next census. A committee, headed by the District Magistrate, will review applications to prioritize those most in need. Addressing Existing Gaps:Delhi cur...

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has taken a strict stand against encroachments and traffic violations in the Chandni Chowk area. The court has decided to form a committee that will monitor the situation on a daily basis. The move came after the Chandni Chowk All Traders’ Association petitioned the court, urging immediate action against traffic violations and illegal activities in the area. Traders’ Association Demands:The association highlighted that despite the area being designated as a non-motorized zone, a large number of vehicles continue to operate there. They also raised concerns over fines being settled in Lok Adalats, which undermines enforcement. Currently, a fine of ₹20,000 is reduced to ₹200 in Lok Adalats, leading to widespread disregard for traffic rules. Court’s Dec...

In a bid to decongest traffic, authorities have initiated a traffic study to make Pankha Road completely signal-free from Uttam Nagar Bus Terminal to Delhi Cantt (Kirby Place). The Public Works Department (PWD) has also written to relevant departments to remove encroachments near Sagarpur Red Light, where a 200-meter stretch on both sides of the road is currently obstructed. Flyovers to Ease TrafficThe plan includes constructing two new flyovers over a 6-kilometer stretch, from Desu Colony to Janakpuri D-Block, to streamline traffic at key junctions. While the road width varies from 33 meters to 41 meters, the designed width of Pankha Road exceeds 60 meters. The stretch includes seven T-junctions: Lal Sai Marg, Major P. Srikumar Marg, Mall Road, Dada Sataram Mamtani Marg, Seva Marg, Pt....

In a significant move to boost local development, all Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) councillors will now receive an annual budget of ₹2 crore for their respective wards. The funds will be disbursed in four quarterly installments. Details of the BudgetThe announcement was made during a special house meeting on Wednesday by Standing Committee Chairman Satya Sharma, who presented the revised budget estimates for 2025-26 and the budget proposals for 2026-27. Each councillor will now have a dedicated annual fund of ₹2 crore, a substantial increase from the previous allocation of ₹25-40 lakh per year. Purpose of the FundsCouncillors can utilize the budget for a wide range of development activities, including: Repair and construction of roads, lanes, and culverts Installation ...

Two historic buildings of the national capital, Krishi Bhavan and Shastri Bhavan, are set to be demolished, marking the end of an era in Delhi’s architectural and administrative history. Both structures played pivotal roles in shaping independent India’s governance and development. In their place, the government plans to construct the fourth and fifth buildings under the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Project. A Legacy of Krishi BhavanBuilt in 1957, Krishi Bhavan was designed by architects from the Central Public Works Department and served as the headquarters of the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development, and Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries. It was here that India’s Green Revolution strategies were formulated in the 1960s. Eminent agricultural sci...

The Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DDCDRC) has held Ola Cabs guilty of “deficiency in service” for shutting down a passenger’s ride without resolving her complaint. The commission directed the app-based cab service to pay ₹10,000 to the passenger for the mental distress caused. The CaseAccording to the commission’s order, the complainant, Sheetal Rana of Geeta Colony, booked a round trip with Ola on 13 March 2023, traveling from Delhi to Vrindavan and back, paying ₹4,797. However, the trip was abruptly stopped in Vrindavan, leaving her and her family stranded. With no alternative, she booked another cab from Vrindavan to Kidwai Nagar, Delhi, for ₹1,767. The forum, headed by President Monica A Srivastava and Member Kiran Kaushal, observed that Ola had failed to...

In a remarkable policing initiative, DCP Hareswar V Swami of Outer North Delhi has significantly curbed street crime in the Narela Industrial Area through a strategy he terms “Innovation Intelligence Investigation.” Known for pioneering positive policing methods, DCP Swami shared insights with NBT on how his team has made the district safer. Transforming Crime Control“Beyond routine patterns, we needed innovative measures for crime control,” says Swami. “We introduced Innovation Intelligence Investigation to focus on street crime and cases affecting women’s safety. Every call is tracked with accountability, ensuring cases are prioritized and resolved efficiently.” Building Public TrustSwami emphasizes direct engagement with citizens: “I often visit public places like markets and rest...