New Delhi, March 4
The Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs today prosecuted 37 gas agencies during a drive against the sale of underweight LPG cylinders. The drive was carried out in all the nine districts of the city.

"The Legal Metrology Wing of Department of Food and Supplies has conducted these raids on the complaints received from the consumers regarding sale of such domestic cylinders. The weight of the gas in a domestic LPG cylinder should be 14.2 kg in addition to the weight of the cylinder," said a senior government official.

"The drive was taken up in all the nine districts by the teams under the zonal legal metrology officers of the department. The teams inspected 94 gas agencies across the city during the surprise raids. In 37 such agencies, irregularities were detected by the teams and the owners were prosecuted under Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 which provides the penalty of up to Rs 10,000 and for the second or subsequent offence, imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both," the official said.

As many as 11 cases were reported from Southwest district, while West, Northwest, New Delhi and Central districts reported five cases each. Four cases each were reported from South, East and Northeast districts. Besides, three cases came to light from North district.

New Delhi, March 4
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung today directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to ensure strict action against officials indulging in corruption.

He directed officials that all the complaints received through the anti-corruption helpline-1031-must continue to be investigated by the ACB. The ACB that was earlier reporting to the Chief Minister will now report directly to the Chief Secretary.

In a review meeting with the Principal Secretary, secretaries and HoDs, the LG asked them to fix hours for field visits every day. All the officers were directed to prepare a detailed plan for field visits and prepare an inspection report, to be submitted to the LG every week.

He instructed all the secretaries and heads of the departments, especially those related to public service departments, to supervise the work being done in their departments and stem any instance of corruption that may come to their notice. "Emphasis was given on eliminating and reducing corruption in all fields of government functionaries," said a senior government official.

Meanwhile, the Addl CP (ACB) V. Renganathan today said three cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, have been registered against Delhi government officials, who were shown to have demanded and accepted bribe by a news channel.

Investigation into the matter has been taken up by the ACB officials. "On viewing the programme telecast on March 3 conducting sting operations at various offices of the Delhi government, the ACB swung into action and contacted the department concerned. The TV channel was also requested to provide the copy of the CD of the sting operation, which it provided and is being thoroughly examined for further action," said a Delhi government official.

New Delhi, March 4
A three-member committee has been constituted to conduct a probe into alleged irregularities involved in the admission process of Delhi Technological University (DTU).

The committee, constituted under the directions of LG Najeeb Jung, will comprise Secretary R Narayana Swami, IAS (Retd) GS Patnaik and Principal and Education Secretary Arindo Majumdar.

Further, DTU Vice-Chancellor PB Sharma has already been ordered to go on medical leave pending inquiry following charges of corruption against him by the LG.

The case is related to the recruitment process in 2012 in connection with the vacancies advertised in December 2011. According to the Engineering Teachers' Association, various irregularities were observed during the recruitment process following which the teachers' association went to court, but the case was dismissed.

They then approached the High Court, but again it was turned down. 

New Delhi, March 4
The future of the flagship scheme providing 20 kilolitres of water to households announced by the former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hangs in the balance as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is yet to receive the final confirmation for provision of subsidy of Rs 165 crore for 2014-2015 from Delhi government.

The matter was discussed in the 115th Board meeting of the DJB today, which passed annual budget (Interim) of Rs 3,928.40 crore for the financial year 2014-2015.

"The Board was informed that on the matter pertaining to the provision of subsidy of Rs 165 crore for the financial year 2014-2015, by the Delhi government, in respect of the 20 kilolitres of free water scheme, the final confirmation for provision of subsidy has not been received from the Delhi government so far," said a senior DJB official.

"Therefore, it has been directed by the Board to seek confirmation from the Delhi government on the issue of providing the subsidy," a press statement issued by DJB said.

Out of the annual budget (Interim), a plan budget of Rs 1,724.87 crore has been earmarked which consists of loans and grants-in-aid from the Delhi government, funding from the Central government schemes such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and the Yamuna Action Plan.

New Delhi, March 4
For ensuring greater visibility, a police assistance booth has been set up at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station, which is one of the most crowded stations in Delhi.

The police assistance booth was inaugurated by the Delhi Police Commissioner, B S Bassi, today.

"Rajiv Chowk is the busiest Metro station with around 6 lakh commuters using it every day. The assistance booth will help commuters in case their pocket is picked or they misplace their belongings," said Bassi.

"Unlike a territorial police station, the jurisdiction of a Metro police station is spread across a long distance. It is essential to have the presence of police personnel at a designated point at a Metro station where a complainant could approach the police," said DCP (Railways) Sanjay Bhatia.