Author: Sharad Natani
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has raised serious concerns over the renovation of the official residence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at 6, Flagstaff Road in New Delhi—popularly referred to as the “Sheesh Mahal”. The audit findings highlight significant cost overruns and procedural lapses, bringing the high-profile project under scrutiny. Major Cost Overruns Highlighted According to the CAG report, the renovation project witnessed a sharp escalation in costs beyond initial estimates. The audit points to excessive expenditure, raising questions about financial prudence and adherence to budgetary norms. Such overruns, the report suggests, indicate…
In a move aimed at tightening quality control, the Delhi Excise Department has made it compulsory for all wholesale licence holders to submit samples of every registered Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand for regular testing. The directive applies across New Delhi and requires quarterly submission of samples to government laboratories, marking a stricter regulatory push to safeguard consumer interests. Quarterly Testing Now Mandatory Under the new order, all L-1 licence holders must submit samples of each approved liquor brand every quarter to the excise control laboratory. These samples will undergo detailed quality checks to ensure they meet prescribed safety…
In a significant policy shift, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi is now unlikely to offer road tax and registration fee waivers for hybrid vehicles. The move marks a clear U-turn from its earlier stance and signals a sharper push toward fully electric mobility. Under the draft of the upcoming EV policy (2026–2030), financial incentives are expected to be reserved only for pure electric vehicles, excluding hybrids altogether. Clear Tilt Towards Electric Vehicles The revised policy indicates that only zero-emission vehicles will benefit from incentives such as road tax and registration waivers. This reflects a strategic shift in…
An alarming situation is unfolding in Gurugram, where the eco-sensitive Aravalli Biodiversity Park is reportedly being used as an illegal dumping ground. Residents say large-scale dumping of garbage and construction and demolition (C&D) waste has been happening inside the protected zone for the past 8–10 months, raising serious environmental concerns. The park, meant to preserve biodiversity and act as a green lung for the city, is now witnessing the opposite—mounds of debris, broken boundaries, and unchecked vehicle movement deep inside plantation areas. Dumping Shifts After Crackdown Elsewhere Residents claim that illegal dumping intensified after stricter enforcement was introduced along the…
The rollout of smart prepaid electricity meters in Noida has hit resistance, with residents’ groups raising concerns over billing errors, power cuts, and system reliability. The Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations has urged authorities to temporarily halt the installation process until existing issues are resolved. During a recent meeting with officials of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, RWA representatives highlighted that consumers are facing “serious operational problems” after the installation of smart meters. Billing Issues and Sudden Power Cuts Raise Concerns According to FONRWA general secretary KK Jain, residents are experiencing unexpected disconnections even after making payments. He pointed…
In a major logistical move ahead of the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, the administration of Ghaziabad has ordered the arrangement of around 800 buses to transport attendees. Alongside this, all schools in the district have been directed to shift to online classes for the day of the event on March 28, 2026. The decision was confirmed by District Magistrate Ravinder Kumar Mandar, who stated that the administration has the authority to requisition buses to ensure smooth transportation and traffic management during the high-profile inauguration ceremony. Massive Transport Planning for Mega Event The buses are being arranged…