Tag: Delhi

Delhi aqi

Air Quality In Delhi Remains Severe For 3rd Day On Trot

By LokMarg

The overall air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day on Saturday morning, as per the SAFAR-India.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India, the overall air quality in the national capital Delhi (Overall) is in the ‘severe’ category with Air Quality Index (AQI) of 504.

The latest ANI drone camera footage from the ITO area showed a layer of haze covering the city.

In the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3) the AQI was recorded 571.

Delhi’s Dhirpur on Saturday recorded an AQI of 542.

The increasing pollution in the city has escalated concern among the residents, who claimed that they are having difficulty breathing. “Since 3-4 days, pollution is very high. Delhi govt must take some initiative…now the situation is such that we have to wear masks…we are having difficulty in breathing,” said Krishan Kant, a resident of Delhi.

Meanwhile, similar situation was recorded in Nodia as AQI plunged to the ‘severe’ category recording 576. In Noida Sector-116 AQI stands at 426 and in Noida Sector 62 at 428 as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

Speaking to ANI, Abhay Kumar a Noida resident said, “Pollution level has increased. It feels like getting choked…The air feels heavy.”

Gurugram recorded an AQI of 512 keeping the air quality under the ‘severe’ category.

Delhi had the highest PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 levels in the country in the month of October and has been experiencing a consistent upward trend since 2021, according to the Respirer Report.

As the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of Delhi-NCR is reeling under the ‘severe’ category, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday sought responses from the Chief Secretaries of the affected states and directed to take immediate remedial action and submit the action taken report before the Tribunal.

NGT in a statement said that immediate action is required for the prevention and control of air pollution in these cities so as to ensure better air quality to the residents.

“In view of the NGT seeks response of Chief Secretaries of the States where the cities AQI has dipped to severe, very poor and poor, are directed to take immediate remedial action and submit action taken report before the Tribunal,” added the statement. (ANI)

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Regional Rapid Transit System ( RRTS )

PM Launches India’s 1st Regional Rapid Transit System Corridor

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor at Uttar Pradesh’s Sahibabad RapidX station– a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution aimed to transform regional connectivity in the country through construction of new world class transport infrastructure.

The Prime Minister also flagged off the RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to Duhai depot, marking the launch of RRTS in India. This is India’s first RapidX train which will be known as “Namo Bharat”.

The 17 km priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor will connect Sahibabad to Duhai depot with stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai on the way. The foundation stone for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2019. With the train service operational, the travel time between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot will be 12 minutes, which would usually take around 30-35 minutes by road.

The RRTS project is developed in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to transform regional connectivity in the country through construction of new world class transport infrastructure. The RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system.

With a design speed of 180 kmph, RRTS is a transformational, regional development initiative, which is designed to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, which can go up to a frequency of every 5 minutes as per requirement.

A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified to be to be developed in the National Capital Region (NCR), out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I including Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor; Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar Corridor; and Delhi – Panipat Corridor.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore, and will connect Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour of travel time going through the urban centres of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar. The 82-km Delhi-Meerut section is likely to be completed by 2025.

RRTS, being developed in the country, is a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution, and is comparable to the best in the world. It will provide safe, reliable and modern intercity commuting solutions in the country.

In line with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will have extensive multi-modal-integration with Railway stations, Metro stations and Bus services. Such transformative regional mobility solutions will boost economic activity in the region; provide improved access to employment, education and healthcare opportunities; and help in significant reduction of vehicular congestion and air pollution.

This new dedicated, high-speed, high-capacity, commuter service, the RRTS is different from both conventional railways as well as Metros.

It is better than conventional railways as it provides reliable, high-frequency, point-to-point regional travel.

It is different from Metros as it caters to passengers who are looking to travel a comparatively longer distance with fewer stops and at a higher speed.

Offering comfortable seats and air conditioning, the priority section of RRTS is going to uplift travel in Ghaziabad.

Otherwise, the options so far for the commuters were public autorickshaws and buses, or private buses or taxis, amid the hot and humid weather clubbed with traffic.

The Sahibabad RRTS station from where the Prime Minister flagged off India’s first RapidX train is just 4 km away from the Vaishali Metro Station situated on the Blue line of the Delhi Metro. (ANI)

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Manish Sisodia

Court Extends Judicial Custody Of Sisodia

By LokMarg

The Rouse Avenue court on Thursday directed counsels for accused persons to inspect un-relied documents in the Delhi Excise policy case at CBI Headquarters.

The Court adjourned the CBI case in Delhi excise policy till November 22. The court also extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia till the next date of hearing.

Special Judge, M K Nagpal has directed counsels to inspect the documents from 2 to 7 PM on every working day at the CBI office as per the schedule drawn according to the convenience of the counsels.

The court also directed the counsels to email requests to the Investigating officer. Thereafter, the IO shall make a schedule for the inspection of documents.

The court directed the CBI to supply the hard copies of the second supplementary charge sheet to one of the accused. It further directed the agency to supply the soft copy of the second charge sheet to some of the accused.

The court said that you (counsels) need not file an application. You may mail directly to the investigation officer (IO).

The court also noted that the IO is claiming that the copy of all the charge sheets and documents as well as deficient documents already supplied.

The counsel of one accused claimed that the soft copy of the supplementary charge sheet is yet to be supplied. Another counsel said that the hard copy of the second supplementary is also not yet supplied.

However, the IO submitted that the same will be supplied within a week. He also said that the list of un-relied documents has also been supplied to the counsel via emails.

The court also directed the CBI to supply the list of URD of supplementary charge sheets. One of the counsels returned the copies claiming that it is not paginated.

The court said that a list of un-relied documents (URD) list be sent by email to the counsel.

Counsels for the accused persons submitted that the Inspection of the URD is still going on. The counsel requested the court and seek permission to inspect the said documents.

“Accused persons have the right to inspect the URD in terms of the judgement of the Delhi High Court,” the counsel said.

The court said that the counsel shall send a written request to the IO by email within a week. IO shall chalk Out the schedule for inspection. (ANI)

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Official Secrets Act (OSA)

Five Convicted In 2008 Murder Case Of Journalist Soumya Vishwanathan

By LokMarg

Delhi’s Saket court on Wednesday pronounced the verdict in the 15-year-old murder case of Journalist Soumya Vishwanathan convicting five accused under provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The court has convicted the four accused namely Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik and Ajay Kumar for the offence of murder under sections 302, 34 of IPC and 3(1)(I) of MCOCA.

The fifth accused Ajay Sethi has been convicted for the offence of possession of stolen property under 411 IPC and 3 (2) and 3 (5) of MCOCA.

Ajay Sethi was discharged from the offence of murder. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) delivered the judgement.

The Court said that the prosecution has proved beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused Ravi and others had committed the murder of the victim intending to rob her.

“The prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that all accused persons convicted offences under MCOCA,” the court said.

The court has directed the Prosecution and the accused persons to file an affidavit and Secretary of Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to submit a report regarding the accused persons under the victim compensation scheme and expenses incurred in prosecution of the case.

The parents of the deceased, MK Vishwanathan and Madhvi Vishwanathan were also present in the court. They expressed their satisfaction with the judgement of the court.

Detailed judgement on the matter is awaited.

Delhi Police had invoked the stringent Act MCOCA given the previous criminal cases against the convicted. This is a 15-year-old case related to the murder of a journalist that dates back to September 2008.

News Channel journalist Soumya Vishwanathan was shot dead at Nelson Mandela Marg while returning home after her night shift on September 30, 2008. A case was registered at police station Vasant Vihar. She was shot in the forehead.

This case was disclosed during the investigation of the murder of call centre executive Jigisha Ghosh who was killed on March 19, 2009.

Delhi Police had invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) based on the involvement of accused persons in other cases.

On March 28, 2009, during the investigation of the Jigisha Ghosh murder case, Delhi Police arrested Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla and Baljeet Malik. They were arrested in the present case based on their disclosure statement.

Delhi Police, on June 22, 2009, filed the first charge sheet against all five accused persons under section 302 (murder) and 34 (Common intention) IPC. The court framed charges against all accused persons except Ajay Sethi for the offence of murder.

On October 8, 2009, the first supplementary charge sheet was filed by Delhi police under MCOCA against accused Ravi Kapoor. Delhi police had booked all other accused persons in this case.

The court on May 9, 2011, charged all accused persons under MCOCA for allegedly running an organised crime syndicate.

Advocate Amit Kumar represented accused Amit Shukla and Baljeet Malik who argued that the sanctions under MCOCA were mechanically accorded without application of mind.

It was also argued that there is no evidence to prove that these two accused persons have shared the alleged common intention with anyone to commit the alleged offence of murder.

Advocate Amit Kumar also argued that there is no eye witness or CCTV footage on record to prove the participation of these accused persons as alleged in this case. (ANI)

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Raghav Refers Chandigarh Mayoral Unconstitutional

Raghav Bungalow Row: Delhi HC Sets Side Order To Evict Residence

By LokMarg

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday set aside an order by the Patiala House court that paved the way for the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to evict Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha from his official residence in the national capital.

Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Delhi High Court to set aside a court’s order to evict the AAP MP from his official residence and said that the decision to revoke his official accommodation was arbitrary, unreasonable, and unjust.

The follow-up on the Raghav Chadha Residence row arrived a week after the AAP MP moved the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court’s decision to vacate an interim order that gave a nod and paved the way for the Rajya Sabha secretariat to evict him from the government bungalow allotted to him.

After the Delhi HC set aside the Patiala House court order, Raghav Chadha said, “This is not a fight for a house or a shop, this is a fight to save the Constitution. In the end, truth and justice have prevailed. I welcome the decision of the Delhi High Court to set aside the order of the trial court, which was against me.”

Speaking about the development further Chadha said, “The cancellation of this allotment was a clear case of political vendetta, aimed at silencing a young, vocal parliamentarian. The decision to revoke my official accommodation was arbitrary, unreasonable, and unjust, representing a new low in political vendetta.”

“This incident marked an unprecedented departure from democratic norms, as it was the first time in the 70-year history of the Rajya Sabha that a member faced such political harassment for holding the government accountable. Not only was this cancellation driven by malicious intent, but it also contained glaring irregularities that clearly violated established rules and regulations,” the AAP MP added.

“Every Member of Parliament is entitled to official accommodation, and what has been given to me is identical to what many many of my fellow first-time MPs have received. Opposition voices, those who represent the concerns of millions of Indians, are being deliberately targeted. Till now, I have delivered two speeches in parliament holding the BJP-led Central Government accountable,” said Raghav Chadha.

He further stated, “After my first speech, my official accommodation was cancelled. After my second speech, my membership as a parliamentarian was suspended. No parliamentarian can function if he is made to worry about what his forthright and honest speech will cost him next. However, I am not afraid, and I am ready to make any sacrifice to uphold the principles of democracy and hold this government accountable for its misdeeds.”

“On the issue of suspension from the Rajya Sabha, yesterday, the Supreme Court took up the matter and issued a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, seeking their response on my suspension. As the matter is pending before the Supreme Court I do not want to state anything further in that respect,” he said.

“All I want to say is that they can remove me from my official accommodation, they can remove me from Parliament, but they can’t remove me from the hearts of millions of Indians, where I hope I really reside,” he stated further.

The bench of Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani last week had kept the order reserved after hearing the parties at length.

Recently Trial Court passed an order vacated and recalled the stay order which granted interim relief to the Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha that he would not be dispossessed from the current accommodation without due process of law.

The trial Court Judge Additional District Judge Sudhanshu Kaushik in an order passed on October 5, 2023, stated that on April 14 an interim relief was granted to the plaintiff (Raghav Chadha) that he would not be dispossessed from the accommodation without due process of law.

Earlier on April 18, the Court in its interim order directed that Raghav Chadha, who is staying there with his parents shall not be dispossessed from the Bungalow without due process of law.

Court had also said a prima-facie case is made out for issuing directions to the effect that plaintiff/Raghav Chadha shall not be dispossessed from bungalow No.AB-5, Pandara Road, New Delhi without due process of law.

The balance of convenience also lies in favour of the plaintiff as he is residing in the accommodation along with his parents. Plaintiff would indeed suffer irreparable injury, in case, he is dispossessed without the due process of law, said the Court.

Accordingly, till the next date of hearing, the defendant is directed not to dispossess the plaintiff from bungalow No.AB-5, Pandara Road, New Delhi without due process of law. Notice of the application under Section 80 (2) of CPC be issued to the defendant to show cause in respect of the relief claimed in the suit, added to the court in the order passed on April 18, 2023.

Raghav Chadha in his civil suit stated that he on 6.7.2022, was allotted bungalow No.C-1/12, Pandara Park, New Delhi which falls under the category of Type VI bungalow. Thereafter, on 29.8.2022, plaintiff/Raghav made a representation to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha requesting for the allotment of Type-VII accommodation. The said representation of the plaintiff was considered and on 3.9.2022, in lieu of earlier accommodation, he was allotted bungalow No.AB-5, Pandara Road, New Delhi from Rajya Sabha Pool.

The plaintiff accepted the allotment and started residing therein along with his parents after carrying out renovation work. It has been stated that the plaintiff took the physical possession of the bungalow on 9.11.2022 and the allotment made in his favour was notified in the official gazette. The plaintiff has mentioned that he came to know that the allotment made in his favour had been cancelled arbitrarily and this fact was communicated to him on dated 3.3.2023.

Through the suit, Raghav Chadha has sought directions that a letter dated 3.3.2023 issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat may be declared illegal. He has also sought a permanent injunction to the effect that the defendant and their associates may be restrained from taking any further action in consequence of the letter dated 3.3.2023 and they may also be restrained from allotting the bungalow to some other person.

Apart from this, Raghav Chadha has also sought damages to the tune of Rs 5,50,000/- from the defendant for causing mental agony and harassment, stated the suit. (ANI)

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Earthquake Of Magnitude 4.1 Strikes Arunachal

Earthquake Of Magnitude 3.1 Strikes Delhi-NCR

By LokMarg

An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 on the Richter scale struck Delhi-NCR on Sunday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) informed.

NCS is the nodal agency of the Union government for monitoring earthquake activity in the country.

According to the NCS, the tremors were felt at 4.08 p.m.

“Earthquake of Magnitude:3.1, Occurred on 15-10-2023, 16:08:16 IST, Lat: 28.41 & Long: 77.41, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 9km E of Faridabad, Haryana,” NCS posted from its handle on X.

This was the second time in a fortnight that tremors shook the national capital.

Earlier, on October 3, strong tremors were felt in the Delhi-NCR region, with locals rushing out of their homes and offices in panic.

The NCS stated in a release that tremors were from two earthquakes that struck Nepal on October 3 — the first of magnitude 4.6 magnitude and the second recorded at 6.2 on the Richter Scale. (ANI)

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P20 Summit

P20 Summit In New Delhi Concludes Successfully

By LokMarg

The two-day P20 Summit in New Delhi concluded successfully on Saturday, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla thanking all the dignitaries for their contribution to the success of the event in India.

There will all together four high-level sessions that were held during the P20 Summit — Accelerating SDGs, Sustainable Energy Transition, Women-led Development, and Transformation in People’s Lives through Public Digital Platforms.

On the first day of the summit itself, the joint declaration for the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) was adopted with consensus to engage in parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue in relevant fora as a catalyst for promoting international peace.

The concluding part of the declaration mentioned, that the members reaffirmed their commitment to continue “joint work to make an effective and meaningful parliamentary contribution to the G20 process, as appreciated by the G20 Leaders.”

“I am confident the discussions that were held on SDGs, green energy, women-led development and digital public infrastructure and your valuable views and inputs will further strengthen the G20 process for human-centred development,” Om Birla said in valedictory session.

“The discussions held over the past two days have clearly underlined the importance of the parliamentary dimension of the G20 and have also established how our Parliaments can work together to achieve the collective goals of One Earth, One Family and One Future,” Birla said.

He said many members also highlighted important global challenges beyond the development agenda selected for discussion during the P20.

“These include recent geo-political events and economic issues. Several members also mentioned the situation in West Asia/Middle East,” Birla said.

“Some other members noted the need to strengthen multilateralism, promote international trade, and streamline supply chains. I have listened to these mentions carefully,” he said.

The participating dignitaries thanked the Parliament of India for hosting the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit and for its warm hospitality. They also congratulate India on the inauguration of the new building of its Parliament this year, befitting its ancient traditions of people’s participation in governance and decision-making.

The P20 Summit is being hosted by India under the broader framework of its G20 Presidency. The event is an international forum for debate and deliberations.

Prime Minister Modi on Friday inaugurated the P20 Summit and addressed dignitaries, saying it is the “mahakumbh” of parliamentary practices of the world.

The theme of the Summit is Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future, which draws inspiration from the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is one Family). (ANI)

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Air Quality In NCR

PM’s Principal Secy Chairs High-Level Task Force Meet On Air Quality In NCR

By LokMarg

Principal Secretary to Prime Minister PK Mishra chaired a high-level task force meeting on air quality in the NCR.

The Principal Secretary emphasised the need to shift to cleaner fuels and EVs and develop EV Charging facilities.

Meanwhile, the States were also asked to control stubble burning; biomass management and shift to alternate crop varieties to improve air quality.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi along with Secretaries of GOI and Commission of Air Quality management (CAQM).

Earlier in the morning, the air quality in the national capital was recorded in the ‘moderate’ category, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research SAFAR-India.

The air quality index (AQI) at Lodhi Road is satisfactory at 72, while at the Pusa Road area, it is moderate at 159.

The AQI near Delhi University was recorded at 313 in the ‘very poor’ category, and 212 in Noida (UP) which is again in the poor quality zone. The air quality in Delhi’s Anand Vihar was recorded as poor with an AQI of 257, while in the Bawana area, it was recorded at 347, which is again in the poor zone. The R K Puram area recorded an AQI of 214, at Dwarka-Sector 8 it was recorded at 219, while at Narela it was at 285, all in the poor category.

With the air quality index in Delhi dropping to the ‘poor’ level earlier on October 6, authorities in the National Capital Region (NCR) were asked to strictly implement measures under Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

This included a complete ban on the use of coal in roadside eateries, hotels and restaurants.

The Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand. There are six AQI categories, namely Good + Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. Each of these categories is decided based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints).

According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between 0 and 50 are considered “good”, 51 and 100 are “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 are “moderate”, 201 and 300 are “poor”, 301 and 400 are “very poor”, and 401 and 450 are “severe” and “severe+” when AQI exceeds 450.

Earlier, the Centre’s air quality panel directed authorities in the National Capital Region to enforce a ban on coal usage in hotels and restaurants and take punitive measures against polluting industries and thermal power plants as the air quality in Delhi plunged into the “poor” category.

This action came as part of the government’s pollution control plan known as the ‘Graded Response Action Plan’ (GRAP) which is implemented in the Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution during the winter season. (ANI)

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Aam Aadmi Parry (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan

Newsclick Row: Delhi HC Dismisses Prabir, Amit Plea Challenging Arrest

By LokMarg

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the petitions moved by NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha and its Human Resources head Amit Chakraborty challenging their arrest and remand in the UAPA case registered by Delhi Police’s special cell. Recently both were arrested in the case and are currently in judicial custody.

The Bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on Friday while dismissing the petition said they didn’t find any merits in the case. Earlier this week on Monday after hearing at length the matter from all sides, the same bench had kept the order reserved.

During the arguments, Kapil Sibal appeared for Prabir Purkayastha and submitted that grounds of arrest are to be given to the magistrate. “This is far more serious. To date, we don’t have grounds for arrest,” he said. 

“We are dealing with liberty here. The prosecution can call counsel from legal aid but you can’t call the defence counsel? This whole argument about Kashmir. I will show you the email- it is shocking. Had lawyers been present, he would have argued on merits. Not a penny has come from China,” counsel said. 

The counsel appearing for Amit Chakravarty submitted that he is suffering from 59 per cent disability, is paralysed and cannot function without a wheelchair.

“Since 2021 I have been summoned by the Delhi Police and Enforcement Directorate on various occasions and a lot of my information about bank accounts, emails – everything has been seized. Not once did I apply for Anticipatory bail. I was not on interim protection at any stage and I’ve never been arrested,” counsel said. 

“I’m not responsible in any way for the content that is published on the website & I perform administrative tasks. Throughout this arrest remand arrest, I have been clubbed together & I haven’t got an opp regarding my circumstances. The Remand app makes no mention of my physical disability etc,” said Amit Chakravarty’s lawyer to court.

While opposing the pleas, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for Special Cell and submitted that one of the most serious allegations that came to light between the email exchanges between petitioners and people sitting in China where they were planning to create a map of India without Arunachal Pradesh, they call it the northern border of India.

Huge funds come from China and the purpose is to ensure that the integrity of the country is compromised. Thus the offences are very serious. This is an arrest under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Solicitor General argued.

Judge in his order said that keeping in view the fact that serious offences affecting the stability, integrity, sovereignty and national security have been alleged against the petitioner, this Court is not inclined to pass any favourable orders.

The Delhi Police’s Special Cell in its FIR against news web portal NewsClick’s founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha stated that People’s Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd. has been used for intentionally peddling these false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of Rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of the conspiracy. It is further learnt that big Chinese Telecom companies like Xiaomi, Vivo, etc.

Delhi Police FIR further stated that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, security of India.

Foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by domestic and foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, security of India, FIR stated. (ANI)

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Air Quality Delhi

Delhi’s Air Quality Recorded In Moderate Category

By LokMarg

The air quality in the national capital was recorded in the ‘moderate’ category on Friday morning, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research SAFAR-India.

The air quality index (AQI) at Lodhi Road is satisfactory at 72, while at the Pusa Road area, it is moderate at 159.

The AQI near Delhi University was recorded at 313 in the ‘very poor’ category, and 212 in Noida (UP) which is again in the poor quality zone. The air quality in Delhi’s Anand Vihar was recorded as poor with an AQI of 257, while in the Bawana area, it was recorded at 347, which is again in the poor zone. The R K Puram area recorded an AQI of 214, at Dwarka-Sector 8 it was recorded at 219, while at Narela it was at 285, all in the poor category.

With the air quality index in Delhi dropping to the ‘poor’ level earlier on October 6, authorities in the National Capital Region (NCR) were asked to strictly implement measures under Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

This included a complete ban on the use of coal in roadside eateries, hotels and restaurants.

Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand. There are six AQI categories, namely Good + Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. Each of these categories is decided based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints).

According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between 0 and 50 are considered “good”, 51 and 100 are “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 are “moderate”, 201 and 300 are “poor”, 301 and 400 are “very poor”, and 401 and 450 are “severe” and “severe+” when AQI exceeds 450.

Earlier on October 9, during a press conference, the AAP Chief Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “In 2022, the air quality in Delhi improved further by 8 per cent. In 2023, this improvement has reached 31 per cent. According to a report, in the last 8 years, excluding the COVID period, the air quality in Delhi has been the best in the year 2023.”

Earlier, the Centre’s air quality panel directed authorities in the National Capital Region to enforce a ban on coal usage in hotels and restaurants and take punitive measures against polluting industries and thermal power plants as the air quality in Delhi plunged into the “poor” category.

This action came as part of the government’s pollution control plan known as the ‘Graded Response Action Plan’ (GRAP) which is implemented in the Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution during the winter season. (ANI)

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