New Delhi, August 12
The Delhi government has decided to merge its two oldest power production companies, Pragati Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) and Indraprastha Power Generation Limited (IPGL), with a view of future expansion and growth.

The surplus funds in the combined entity will be utilised for business growth, including new ventures like solar power, pit head based power plants, coal mines, etc.

Additional Secretary YVVJ Rajasekhar said the decision has been taken to facilitate brand building for raising funds from financial institutions. "The single company will have increased total assets and turnover of combined entity will augment substantially," he said, adding that it will also help in better bargaining capacity for procurement of equipment, fuels, availing services, etc.

The government plans to reduce overall reduction of general overheads by uniting the PPCL and IPGL like number of staff separate employed to look after same type of work. "We will significantly reduce the compliance cost after the union like sales tax, value added tax, service tax, income tax, etc. It will have appointment of single auditors there saving a lot of time, efforts and money on internal audit, CAG audit, etc.

Rajasekhar said several manpower issues had cropped up due to two companies setup. "Major issue of transfers, pension eligibility, which creates confusion among employees, can be settled," he said.

The total capacity of PPCL and IPGCL is 994.5MW. The 330 MW PPCL was set up by the Delhi government on fast-track basis to bridge the gap between demand and supply and to give reliable supply to the capital city. Due to paucity of water this plant was designed to operate on treated sewage water which is being supplied from Sen Nursing Home and sewerage treatment plants.

Under IPGCL two power stations are in operation, 135 MW Rajghat Power House and Gas Turbine Power Station of 270 MW. Whereas, under PPCL, only one power station is in operation Pragati Power Station.

New Delhi, August 12
Days after the Vigilance Branch of Delhi Police launched a WhatsApp number for people to report corruption incidents against police personnel, the Delhi Police have booked five police officers for allegedly demanding bribes.

On August 6, the branch launched a helpline number- 9910641064. The department has requested people to send audio and video recordings of corruption by police personnel on WhatsApp.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) Sindhu Pillai said, "On the helpline number, two video and three audio clips regarding demand and acceptance of bribe have been received and action under the PoC Act 1988 has been initiated against the erring police officers."

In the first incident, a video clip received revealed that the recording was of a assistant sub-inspector demanding money from the complainant in lieu of police verification at the Himmat Garh police post.

On Monday, the complainant gave a written complaint to the Vigilance Branch in the matter. According to the complaint, the officer identified as Tuki Singh posted at Hauz Khas took Rs 400 from the complainant.

The complainant had recorded Tuki's conversation on his mobile phone while he was allegedly accepting the bribe from him. "A case under the relevant sections of the PoC Act 1988 has been registered and is under investigation," said the officer.

In the second incident, another complainant sent six audio recordings in which some police personnel posted at the Ranjeet Nagar police station are allegedly demanding a bribe from the complainant for allowing him to run his shop in the main market at Ranjeet Nagar.

The audio recording revealed that on August 21 last year, constable Santram came to the complainant's shop and demanded a monthly amount of Rs 1,000. It was settled that the beat officer will be given Rs 800 per month.

"In September 2013, head constable Kuldeep Tyagi took Rs 25,000 from the complainant for not sealing his shop on the order of the court. Complainant alleged that on August 2, this year, constables Ravi and Bijender came to his shop and demanded Rs 500 monthly for running a godown. After negotiations, he finally agreed to take a monthly of Rs 300," said the officer.

New Delhi, August 12
Keeping in view the traffic jam ahead of the full dress rehearsal of the Independence Day celebrations tomorrow the Delhi Traffic Police today advised the Delhiites to avoid roads leading to the Red Fort, emphasizing to use Metro.

"Owing to the full dress rehearsal the entire city will be under heightened security. Barricades and checking will be intensified within the city and at the borders. Citizens are requested to plan their movements accordingly. For hassle-free journey, commuters may avail the services of the Metro," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla.

Major roads around the Red Fort area would be closed for general traffic from 5 am to 9 am tomorrow.

Restrictions on traffic would apply to Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail, Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail, SP Mukherjee Marg from HC Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk, Chandni Chowk from Fountain to Red Fort Chowk, New Daryaganj Road from Ring Road to Netaji Subhas Marg and Link Road from Esplanade Road to Netaji Subhas Marg, the police said.

Vehicles which do not have parking labels may avoid Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Subhash Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Ring Road between Nizammuddin Bridge and ISBT Bridge and take the route as advised, he said.

Local city buses including DTC would be restricted on Ring Road from 5 am to 9 am tomorrow between Hanuman Setu and Bhairon Road 'T' point.