New Delhi, February 4
Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely said the party will submit a memorandum to LG Najeeb Jung about the unconstitutional Jan Lokpal Bill which has been brought in to create a "political drama" and will request him to stop the government from implementing the bill.

Lovely said the government flouted constitutional norms by not sending the proposed legislation to the Union Home Ministry for approval. He said the Delhi Cabinet's decision to pass the bill was not only against the rules, but also unconstitutional.

"The intention of the government was not to bring a strong Jan Lokpal in Delhi. How can the Jan Lokpal Bill, whose foundation has been laid in an unconstitutional manner, could get constitutional validity. This step has been taken to confuse and misguide the people," he said.

Senior Congress leader Mukesh Sharma said the government should get clearance from the Home Ministry before tabling any bill. "By clearing this Jan Lokpal Bill, the AAP government is fooling the residents of Delhi."

"AAP MLAs are playing games by Okaying the bill. Kejriwal is playing a big game to kill politics in India, which is dangerous for our democracy," Sharma said.

The party also condemned the letter written by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeking action against former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for the regularization of the unauthorized colonies.

Lovely said, "By raking up the issue of the regularization of the unauthorized colonies, the Delhi government has made it explicit that it is against the development works being carried out in these colonies."

Had these colonies not been regularized, development works could not have been carried out in these areas, he said.

The Delhi government has insulted those living in the unauthorized colonies by writing a letter to the President, he added.

New Delhi, February 4
Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel today said the proposed Jan lokpal Bill of the Delhi government that has to be tabled before the Delhi Legislative Assembly was unconstitutional.

He said the government had no power to pass the Jan lokpal Bill. The city already has Lokayukta. The government can only make amendment in the Lokayukta and Uplokyukta Act. Before tabling the bill the city government should have discussed the issue with LG and the President and then the bill should be referred to the select committee by the assembly House.

He said this was all being done to divert the people's attention from the government's failure as Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government completely failed to fulfil its promises.

He demanded resignation of AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Somnath Bharati for being "corrupt and unethical".

Addressing a press conference here today, Goel said, "Today's demonstration of AAP at BJP leader Arun Jaitley's home accounts to political blackmail. As the BJP is exposing AAP every day, so the AAP is now using these tactics to take the attention of the people away from the real issues."

He alleged that Education Minister Manish Sisodia misused foreign funds granted to his NGO 'Kabir' for personal use. An inspection by the Controller of Accounts of the Union Home Ministry in 2012 concluded after inspecting NGO Kabir's accounts, "in several cases, payments are not supported with relevant documents and are routed through Sisodia in cash", he said.

New Delhi, February 4
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe the case registered by the Delhi police following the airing of a sting operation by a private news channel, Aaj Tak, today against police personnel who have been shown taking bribes.

The Delhi police have suspended the policemen, who include constables and inspectors posted in different police stations in the city.

In the sting operation, they have been shown allegedly taking money from the undercover reporter of the channel for issues such as not accepting complaints and preventing the registration of a case.

New Delhi, February 4
The Delhi government today wrote a letter to the Lieutenant Governor informing him about the alleged paucity of funds with the power distribution companies (discoms) and their subsequent failure to supply power.

In the letter, the Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, said the government may have to step in to control the situation created by the three discoms. "Discoms have claimed inability to supply power due to their financial crisis. There may not be any alternative with the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) but to suspend or revoke their licenses and take over the management of the companies," the letter stated.

However, discoms said the proposed cancellation of licences in this situation is arbitrary and illegal, and will "de-motivate" its employees. The discoms said the government's proposed step is a huge setback to power sector reforms, with "grave" repercussions for the country's future economic growth.

"The government has refused to appoint its nominees to the committee directed to be formed by the DERC, to examine the precarious cash flow situation and take remedial measures. We expect the DERC to proceed independently and in accordance with laws, rules and regulations," said BSES spokesperson.

According to the discoms, the DERC's failure to provide appropriate tariffs to cover increase in power purchase costs has led to under-recoveries of over Rs 15,000 crore from consumers.

"The current payment crisis is simply the result of the DERC refusing to allow recovery of these past arrears through consumer tariffs. We are deeply concerned by media reports of the government seeking cancellation of our Delhi power distribution licences," said the official.

New Delhi, February 4
As three Ugandan women staying at Khirki Extension alleged that they were forced into prostitution, the AAP today said the victims' statements are a vindication of their last month's raid and protest against prostitution and drug rackets in the area.

The police yesterday registered a case in regard to the complaint. The government and the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) are trying to send the women back to their country.

"The women have requested that they be sent back. We have written to the Ugandan Embassy. The Delhi government has been in constant touch with the MEA over the matter," said MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

Delhi Education and Urban Development Minister Manish Sisodia said the three women had approached Law Minister Somnath Bharti to complaint about their ordeal. "The women, who had no trust on the police and the Ugandan Commission, approached the Law Minister, seeking help and protection. So, those people who were trying to project him as a villain over the midnight raid incident can now see what is happening there. I am astonished that the police have not carried out a raid in the area," he said.