Latest news with #V.K.Saxena
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
111 Delhi villages get PNG connection; 116 more to be covered soon: CM
The Delhi government on Thursday extended the supply of piped natural gas (PNG) to 111 villages in the city. Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena inaugurated the initiative, which took the total number of villages connected by PNG to 241. It was facilitated by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). The initiative is part of the BJP government's efforts to supply PNG to every village in the Capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated a PNG facility in 41 villages under the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan in March 2024. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said it was not just the launch of a facility but the 'ignition of a new era that brings security, dignity, and sustainable growth to every household'. Power Minister Ashish Sood highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove smoke from all household kitchens. He said till 2022, about 30% of the villages still used conventional ways of energy, but this had changed now with the PNG initiative. 'A new chapter has been started with 111 villages,' he said. The L-G said the initiative resonates with the spirit of the Delhi Gramodaya Abhiyan, which aims to equip villages with urban-level infrastructure and ensure holistic and balanced development. He said it marks a major milestone in realising the vision of a Delhi free from polluted air and embracing clean and sustainable energy. The initiative to supply PNG is the second phase of IGL's mission to connect all of Delhi's villages with a reliable and eco-friendly fuel source. With 130 villages already covered in the first phase, and 111 villages now getting connections, the Chief Minister pledged to connect the remaining 116 villages by the year-end. 'From clean kitchens to cleaner air, this pipeline fuels more than just stoves — it fuels hope, health, and progress,' she said.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Delhi L-G slams previous AAP govt for ignoring his solar energy tips
New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena, on Monday, criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for ignoring his suggestions in the past for expanding the solar energy footprint of the state Assembly. "I guess this auspicious and historic task was destined to be done by Speaker Vijender Gupta as my earlier suggestion for installing a bigger solar plant in the Assembly were not taken seriously," said L-G Saxena, addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony for 500 KW solar energy plant at the Delhi Assembly. He added that the message being sent out on Monday from the Assembly premises is that the Delhi government is serious about the adoption of solar energy. "Vision and resolve are the key to converting challenges into opportunities," he said, pointing to the Delhi government's commitment to give the best services to people. The new green energy source proposed at the Assembly is expected to result in zero electricity bills, generating estimated savings of nearly Rs 15 lakh per month, while dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of one of Delhi's most vital democratic institutions. Speaker Vijender Gupta highlighted that the Legislature aspires to be a source of inspiration for the people. "This fast-tracked implementation of the solar project highlights the government's urgency and commitment to transforming governance into a model of environmental stewardship," he said. Describing "zero power bill" as the target of the Assembly, the Speaker said the project would recover the cost within the first year of operation. The foundation stone-laying event marks not only an environmental milestone but a powerful declaration of intent -- signalling a future where governance and sustainability go hand in hand, said the Speaker, urging people to adopt solar energy. He added that if citizens adopt solar energy, they would be able to reduce their power bills and also earn money by setting up solar power generation units and selling power to the grid. Apart from the Speaker, the foundation laying event was attended by Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, State Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and State Power Minister Ashish Sood. The upcoming 500 KW installation -- scheduled for completion within just 45 days, ahead of the Monsoon session and well ahead of the original 60-day timeline -- will significantly expand the Assembly's existing solar infrastructure, Speaker Vijender Gupta said. The old 200 KW rooftop solar system is being dismantled to make way for the new installation, which will enable the Assembly to run entirely on solar power, he added.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Water dispute: Delhi BJP seeks LG's help to stop Punjab's ‘injustice'
New Delhi: On a day when Punjab and Haryana High Court took exception to the water dispute between Punjab and Haryana, the Delhi BJP met Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena and submitted a memorandum regarding the artificial water crisis allegedly being imposed on the people of Delhi by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of Bhagwant Singh Mann. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi MPs Manoj Tiwari, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Yogendra Chandolia, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Praveen Khandelwal, and Bansuri Swaraj met the LG and sought immediate intervention to prevent the city's taps from going dry due to reduced raw water supply coming to Delhi. The memorandum stated that the AAP government in Punjab has announced a cut in water supply from the Bhakra Canal flowing into Haryana, thereby imposing an artificial water shortage on Delhi. Earlier, remarking on Punjab's alleged move to cut water supply to Haryana, the HC said while India has decided to take such tough measures – of stopping river waters – against Pakistan, the states within the country should not be doing the same against each other. 'We are doing this to our enemy country. Let us not do this within our states," said the High Court, referring to suspension of Indus Waters Treaty by India to stop river waters flowing into Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The verbal war in Delhi over river water sharing escalated during the day when Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma accused AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of punishing Delhiites for his party's electoral defeat by asking his party's Punjab government to restrict water supply to Haryana and Delhi. His remarks evoked a sharp response from AAP leader and former Delhi CM Atishi who asked Verma to resign if he was unable to provide water to people despite being in office for two months. 'Delhi gets water from the Yamuna and the Ganga and none of these two rivers flow through Punjab. So, there is no question of accusing Punjab of stopping Delhi's water supply,' she said. Earlier, the Delhi BJP memorandum given to the LG professed that there was no shortage of water in the Bhakra Dam Canal yet, for politically motivated reasons, the AAP government in Punjab had announced a major reduction in water supply from the canal. --IANS rch/rad
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
DDA approves Rs 8,720 crore budget for FY26, with focus on civic infra, housing, and environmental projects
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), in a meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Wednesday, approved its budget for the financial year 2025–26, outlining a significant push towards civic infrastructure, housing, environmental rejuvenation, and improved revenue mechanisms. With a total outlay of Rs 8,720 crore, this year's budget earmarks Rs 4,140 crore for capital expenditure, including the development of new roads, civic infrastructure, parks, and initiatives aimed at improving the city's air quality. DDA reported record housing receipts of Rs 3,176 crore in FY 2024–25—a 132% jump from the previous year—and aims to raise Rs 4,000 crore in FY 2025–26 through continued monetisation of unsold housing stock. The budget projects a revenue surplus of Rs 840 crore, significantly higher than last year's Rs 372 crore. Revenue targets include Rs 1,000 crore from license fees, and overall estimated receipts stand at Rs 9,560 crore. Saxena lauded the authority's financial turnaround and called for continued efforts to make DDA financially self-sustainable. Key highlights include Rs 4,140 crore allocated for civic infrastructure across Narela, Dwarka, Rohini and other areas. In transport, Rs 75 crore has been allocated for Delhi Metro Phase IV and Rs 38 crore for multi-level parking projects at Nehru Place, Bhikaji Cama Place and Netaji Subhash Place. Environmental projects saw a major thrust, with Rs 82 crore allocated for rejuvenating Yamuna floodplains, including Asita East, Baansera and Vasudev Ghat. An additional Rs 100 crore is marked for the Bharat Vandana Park in Dwarka, while Rs 204 crore is set aside for upgrading green spaces across the city. Efforts to revive water bodies and improve STP infrastructure are also included. The Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan, aimed at modernising newly urbanised villages, gets Rs 357 crore. Projects to manage storm water and improve drainage infrastructure in Kirari, Dwarka, and Rohini have received Rs 145 crore. In sports, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for building new complexes in Dwarka, Rohini, and Narela, including a golf course. Housing development continues, with Rs 580 crore for ongoing projects, Rs 263 crore for TOD-compliant apartments in Karkardooma, and Rs 35 crore for in-situ slum rehabilitation. To sustain revenue, DDA will dispose of land through licenses for new commercial projects, including hotels, hospitals, and sports complexes. Conversion charges from leasehold to freehold properties and pre-determined rates have been increased by 10% for the year.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
DDA records revenue surplus of ₹1,371 crore in FY 2024-25
New Delhi The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has posted a revenue surplus of ₹1,371 crore at the end of financial year 2024-25. This is the second consecutive year when DDA has recorded revenue surplus, the agency said on Wednesday. This comes after the DDA has been in a revenue deficit for 12 years. The DDA has credited the surplus primarily to the unprecedented sale of housing units across all categories at various locations. In a statement, the DDA said 'According to the data received on March 31, 2025 there has been a steep and steady upward trend in the actual surpluses registered in the General Development Account (GDA).' GDA account is the main account of DDA and deals with transactions relating to disposal of Houses and shops, license fees from built up properties, management of sports complexes, etc. They said that the total receipts in 2024-25 stood at ₹3,477 crores, while the total expenditure was ₹2,106 crore, and the surplus was of ₹511 crore, compared to 2022-23 financial year, when the GDA reported a substantial loss of ₹1,304 crore. The statement further said that the when Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena took charge of the DDA in the capacity of chairperson, the DDA was incurring losses mainly due to its massive unsold inventory of flats, and Mr. Saxena had directed officials to take corrective measures to curb the losses and make DDA financially self-sustainable. There was a relaxation of conditions in its housing policy to expand the customer base. A key policy change was to remove the restrictions on repeat buyers. Earlier, those who already owned a DDA flat could not apply for more. 'This instantly increased the buyers' pool,' an official said. For the first time since it was established in 1957, the DDA roped in a consultancy firm in 2024 to understand buyers' expectations. 'The firm's role was to point out DDA's shortcomings,' an official explained. According to a source, the firm cited high prices and lack of connectivity to houses in Rohini and Narela as the reasons for decline in purchase.
