Kejriwal delivers on power, water promises to ‘aam aadmi’

Kejriwal delivers on power, water promises to ‘aam aadmi’

After water, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday fulfilled his second major election promise of cutting power bills of residents by half. The move to provide 50 percent subsidy in power tariff, expected to benefit an estimated 2.8 million out of 3.4 million households, applicable if consumption is below 400 units per month, came a […]

Telangana minister divested of legislative affairs portfolio

Telangana minister divested of legislative affairs portfolio

A couple of days before the Andhra Pradesh assembly is to begin a debate on the bifurcation bill, a cabinet minister from Telangana region was Tuesday divested of the legislative affairs portfolio. Civil Supplies Minister D. Sridhar Babu, a supporter of a separate Telangana state, was also holding the legislative affairs portfolio. In a move […]

Salient features of the power tariff subsidy in Delhi

Salient features of the power tariff subsidy in Delhi

The Delhi government Tuesday announced a subsidy of 50 percent in power tariff. The following are the salient points of this subsidy: – Subsidy to the extent of 50 percent would be provided to domestic electricity consumers who consume up to 400 units per unit. – A total of 28 lakh consumers or nearly 82 […]

Congress denies PM stepping down for Rahul

Congress denies PM stepping down for Rahul

The Congress and the government Tuesday scotched rumours that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would announce his resignation Friday to make way for party vice president Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) termed it dynastic politics. Television channels, quoting sources, said the prime minister is likely to […]

Bitterly cold North braces for New Year with snow, rain

Bitterly cold North braces for New Year with snow, rain

The New Year’s Eve Tuesday turned out to be wet and cold for people across most of north India, the hill regions receiving moderate to heavy snowfall and rain lashing the plains. Icy cold winds swept the large swathe from Punjab to Bihar. After nearly two decades, Kashmir Tuesday received heavy snowfall in the beginning […]

BJP wants Himachal CM to go, Virbhadra says ready for probe

BJP wants Himachal CM to go, Virbhadra says ready for probe

Around 300 protesters from the BJP’s youth wing were detained in Delhi Tuesday while demanding the resignation of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh over allegations of corruption. The chief minister denied the allegations, saying they were politically motivated. Police sprayed water at the demonstrators as they tried to break police barricades outside Congress vice […]

Kejriwal cuts power tariff, millions to benefit

Kejriwal cuts power tariff, millions to benefit

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday fulfilled his second major election promise and cut power tariff by half to benefit an estimated 28 lakh households. Kejriwal, who took oath Saturday, also suggested an audit into the power companies in the capital, giving them time until Wednesday morning to file their objections if any. In the […]

Kejriwal seeks CAG audit of Delhi discoms

Kejriwal seeks CAG audit of Delhi discoms

Newly-installed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday asked the state’s electricity distribution companies to state their objections to their likely audit by the nation’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). ”“We have given notice to power companies for audit. Power companies have been asked to send their reply on why there shouldn’t be an audit, by […]

India likely to attend Geneva II talks on Syria

India likely to attend Geneva II talks on Syria

India, which has always pressed for dialogue to solve the Syrian crisis, may attend the Jan 22 Geneva II peace conference, said a government official Tuesday. Around 30 nations are going to attend the conference in the city of Montreux, Switzerland. While a formal invite is yet to be issued, India has been informed “fairly […]

President greets nation on New Year eve

President greets nation on New Year eve

President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday greeted the nation on the eve of the New Year and called upon the countrymen to work unitedly towards the collective goal of inclusive development and growth. In his message, the president said: “On the joyous occasion of New Year, I convey my warmest greetings and good wishes to all my […]