New Delhi, January 8
The task force set up under the direction of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to check the water mafia found many tube wells dug out illegally in Sangam Vihar and Deoli village.

The mafia charged Rs 700 per month from every house in Sangam Vihar and Deoli village, said a spokesperson of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

A complaint has been lodged under the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the mafia. No arrest has been made so far.

The spokesperson said that based on the findings of the task force, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other senior officers of DJB visited Sangam Vihar and Deoli on Sunday and took over the illegal tube wells involved in the extraction of ground water for commercial purpose.

When the DJB received the information of tube wells, top officials of the board held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), South District, and carried out a combing operation in coordination with the DC's office and the police, the spokesperson said.

In order to provide security to the new installations, the RWA and residents who are direct beneficiaries have been asked to keep a vigil at these locations to thwart any possible attempt by vested interests to damage government property. The DJB has also temporarily posted security guards at these installations.

This is the first time such a task force has been set up by the DJB to eliminate such unscrupulous elements. The task force was mandated to find out discrepancies being caused in DJB's distribution services by the water mafia, the spokesperson said.

New Delhi, January 8
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today lauded the National Cadet Corps for their contribution towards building the nation and said that their spirit needs to be replicated in society to bring about social changes.

Addressing a gathering of NCC cadets, both girls and boys, at the DG NCC Republic Day Parade Camp that is being held here, Kejriwal said, "The NCC has trained and moulded our youth to become responsible, disciplined and motivated citizens and leaders in all walks of life."

On a lighter note, Kejriwal told the cadets that it was important to be a good human being. Switching over to Hindi, he said, "Apse koi puche ki beta badhe hoke kya banoge, toh kehna badhe hoke ek acha insaan banunga….Is janam ko bekar mat kar dena kewal paise kama ke." (A life which is dedicated to only earning money is a life wasted).

The Chief Minister also said that the NCC may be included as an elective subject in schools and colleges for the purpose of motivating the youth. "The NCC is grooming the youth to be responsible citizens in the future. As far as the Delhi Government is concerned, I assure you that all possible help will be extended," he said.

Kejriwal later met cadets from different states. He clicked photographs with them, as he met each contingent. He had arrived at the NCC camp in his Wagon R car and was dressed in his regular working clothes--a maroon sweater, grey pants and a grey scarf around his neck.

He had witnessed a 'Guard of Honour' by the cadets and also visited the 'Hall of Fame', a display of the NCC's collection of alumni photographs of the three wings of the NCC--Army, Navy and Air Force.

The Director General of the NCC, Lt Gen Aniruddha Chakravarty, said that 2,070 cadets, including 702 girls, from across the country, are attending the Republic Day Camp.

He said that the authorised strength of the organisation is 3.8 lakh cadets and this will be increased to 15 lakh between 2015 and 2016. 

New Delhi, January 8
Finalizing the amended budget estimates for the financial year 2013-14 and budget estimates for the year 2014-15 of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Standing Committee Chairman Mohan Bhardwaj today said that the proposals to increase the rates of property tax, theatre tax, sanitation fee for organising social events, road tax and trade licence fee have been rejected.

Besides, the Standing Committee has also rejected the proposals of increasing parking rates, usage charges for collection of door-to-door garbage, congestion charges for the year 2014-15, providing respite to the citizens from new taxes to the tune of Rs 600 crore annually.

Bhardwaj said that the NDMC had increased the yearly old age pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 from April 1, 2014.

He added that for the financial year 2014-15, the civic body had earmarked Rs 50 lakh for the renovation of roads, Rs 40 lakh for sanitation services, Rs 45 lakh for maintenance, Rs 15 lakh for repair and maintenance of streetlights and an amount of Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for development works in each ward on the basis of suggestions by the citizens.

To encourage girl students, an amount of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for yearly scholarship. For the school uniform of nursery students, Rs 70 lakh has been earmarked, whereas for akhadas and gyms Rs 40 lakh has been earmarked. 

New Delhi, January 8
Launching the advisory helpline to trap government officials who demand bribe from citizens, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he had to launch this number just two days after the swearing-in ceremony, but it was delayed as the state vigilance department was in bad shape.

The advisory helpline number is 01127357169. Another number in four digits will also be announced in five days. The helpline number will be functional from 8 am to 10 pm.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said this number was of a call centre from where the caller would get advice for taking video or audio of the officials who demand bribe and fix date, time and amount of the bribe. Thereafter, he will ask the caller to come with the clippings of audio or video that can be used as evidence in the court. After having seen the evidence, officials of the state vigilance department will lay trap against the suspected official. If need be, police help will also be taken.

The Chief Minister said that he had met the LG who assured him of providing the police help in trapping the venal officials.

Appealing to the citizens to help the government in curbing this crime, the Chief Minister said that this announcement would cause a fear which would be major check this crime. The people should feel themselves as anti-corruption inspectors. Their mobile phone will be their weapon.

A majority of the officers are honest. The other few should stop committing this crime or should be ready to go to jail, Kejriwal said.