New Delhi, January 1
First day of the Delhi Assembly session today wore a different look as a large number of AAP activists along with their MLAs wearing party cap written with Aam Aadmi reached Vidhan Sabha to witness the oath taking ceremony. MLAs took oath of office and secrecy administered by pro tem Speaker Matin Ahmed.

Being new in the House, the AAP MLAs were not aware of the rituals, so they were helped by officials of the Assembly Secretariat. After taking oath they were led to the Speaker to shake a hand and then sing a paper.

The oath taking ceremony was begun with the Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, then minsters followed by MLAs. Kejriwal shook hand with the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Harsh Vardhan and the Congress MLAs after taking oath.

It is first time in the Delhi Legislative Assembly that common men entered the press gallery with their mobile phones and nobody was there to keep check on them. There was huge rush of people at the reception for entry pass. It was difficult to identify the MLAs and the other activists as everybody was wearing cap.

Party MLAs Jagdeep Singh, Akhilesh Tripathi, Surender Singh and Som Dutt said that it is an Aam Aadmi government, common man should be allowed to see the first day of the session.

Rohini MLA Rajesh Garg, who came in an electric rickshaw, said, "The citizens of Delhi have given us a big responsibility. We will perform it honestly."

Rakhi Birla, Minister for Women and Child Welfare, took everything lightly saying, "Besides women security, other issues are mentioned in the 18 points sent to the Congress Party and the BJP."

Making comment on AAP activists, Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan said that they were first timers. They are enthusiastic and their activists have reached Vidhan Sabha in enthusiasm.

Delhi, January 1
The Delhi Government today announced a series of measures to provide roof to the homeless in biting cold sweeping the city and decided to replace all night shelters being run from plastic tents with porta cabins.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also directed SDMs to conduct inspections in their respective areas during night hours and ensure night shelters are being run properly.

SDMs have also been asked to prepare a list of areas, where night shelters are required, by the morning of January 4.

"We have come to know that there are many government-run night shelters which are operating from plastic tents but they cannot stop cold wind.

"A order has been passed to replace them with porta cabins in 3-4 days time," Kejriwal told a press conference here today.

The Chief Minister said SDMs have been asked to identify locations, where a large number of homeless are sleeping in the open, by January 4, so that porta cabins can be put in place there.

"During night-time inspections by our ministers Manish Sisodia and Rakhi Birla and AAP leader Sanjay Singh, it came to our knowledge that many people are sleeping under flyovers and other such places and not willing to move to night shelters. The government has decided to provide porta cabin-based shelters to them on the spot," said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal said the government is also seeking the assistance of all MLAs in ensuring better facilities at the night shelters.

"We are writing to MLAs, saying their help is also needed in this matter and sending them a list of night shelters in their respective areas. We are appealing them to visit night shelters," he said, adding that the ministers and AAP volunteers will also assist them in this initiative.

Slamming the previous government over its failure to provide relief to the homeless, Kejriwal said a case has been going on in the Delhi High Court since 2010, but no actions were taken by the government for the welfare of the destitute.

Kejriwal said AAP volunteers, along with members of NGO Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan, would conduct a survey to locate places where porta cabins are required.

"Members of the NGO today met us and gave a list of 45 locations where the homeless are living. Tonight AAP volunteers and NGO members will visit those 45 locations and prepare a list of spots where porta cabins are required by tomorrow," said Kejriwal. — PTI

New Delhi, January 1
Leaving the Assembly House by the Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, while the oath taking ceremony was going on has become an issue as senior BJP MLA Sahib Singh Chauhan and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Chief Minister had exposed himself by living the House in between.

They said that Kejriwal claims to be the leader of common man. When he does not have one hour time to attend oath taking ceremony of the MLAs, how will he spare time to work for the common man.

Sirsa said, "Seriousness of the AAP leaders to work for common man is not reflecting from their attitude. Coming by Metro train or being dropped by someone to Vidhan Sabha will not help the AAP leaders to work for needy. It seems that they do not have agenda for the people who have voted them to the Delhi Assembly. Today was the first day of the session. The Chief Minister should have given complete time to the House. But he has left the House just a few minutes after his oath."

On one hand the Chief Minister showed that he worked while he was suffering from fever, on the other he left the oath taking ceremony in between.

When asked about SAD (Badal) stand, he said "there is no change in understanding of my party. The SAD (Badal) has alliance with the BJP and I stand by it."

Harmit Kalka, another SAD (Badal) leader who contested election on the BJP symbol, said the AAP was not following its manifesto which said water and power tariff would be reduced to give relief to the citizens of the capital.

New Delhi, January 1
At least seven motorcycle-borne assailants robbed Rs 83 lakh from three men, when the victims were standing outside their employer's house at Pitampura to deliver the money last night.

The police were informed about the incident by the complainant, Vijay Goel, who is a rice trader and a collection agent. He runs his office at Lawrence Road near Britannia Circle in Pitampura.

Goel informed the police that the robbery took place outside his house. It happened when his three employees, Atma Ram, Sonu and driver Vijay, reached his house to deliver the money as part of a daily routine. The robbers accosted Goel's employees when they took out the money from the trunk of the car that was parked outside the gates of his house.

"They trained their guns at Goel's employees, snatched the bag and fled on three motorcycles," said a police officer.

A case has been registered at the Maurya Enclave police station. The police have formed several teams to search for the robbers. Investigators are also examining the CCTV footage of a nearby house.