New Delhi, November 16
The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has directed the three private discoms to put in place infrastructure so that domestic consumers may supply solar energy to the transmission grid.

"We have directed all three power distribution companies to put in place infrastructure as soon as possible so that consumers can supply excess solar power from their homes and offices directly to the transmission grid," said DERC chairman P D Sudhakar.

The national Capital has been facing severe power shortage during peak summer months and the regulator is of the view that solar energy can bridge the gap between the demand and supply of electricity in the city as well as keep the tariff under control.

Aiming to encourage domestic and commercial consumers to go for solar energy, DERC told the Reliance Infra-backed two BSES discoms and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd to upgrade their networks at the earliest so that people can sell excess power to them without any difficulty.

"It is a major focus area for us and we are hopeful that people will go for solar energy in a big way," he said.

He said under the plan finalised by the DERC, consumers will be able to sell solar power to the discom of the area from their homes, at the market rate or opt for adjusting their bills if they continue to draw electricity from the discom.

"We have set a target of generating around 100 MW solar energy in a couple of years and then touch 500 MW and beyond within five years," Sudhakar said.

The DERC has already issued detailed instructions to the companies regarding installation of metering devices that can record supply of solar energy to the transmission grid as well consumption by the owner of the solar panels.

Sudhakar said any consumer having own solar energy generation unit, will be able to supply either directly to the grid or use it partially.

New Delhi, November 16
Hoping to find a solution to the issue of Sanskrit vs German language in Kendriya Vidyalayas, German Ambassador Michael Steiner today said Sanskrit needs to be respected, but the needs of globalised reality are different.

"I am a fervent supporter of Sanskrit. I believe cultural identity is important and Sanskrit is something which should be respected to preserve and foster the culture of India. But learning a modern language is also important to accept the globalised reality," Steiner said.

He was speaking at the restoration function of the Chausath Khamba heritage site near Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. The restoration work was done by the Archaeological Survey of India and Agha Khan Trust for Culture.

He said a mutual befitting solution will be found by the leaders of the two countries. "We will find a solution that will be in the interest of students. It has to be respected in the Indian law as well," he said after inaugurating the conserved heritage site.

The heritage monument Chausath Khamba was restored in four years' time. The foreign office financially supported the restoration of the monument.

New Delhi, November 16
The DDA today postponed the draw of lots for its housing scheme 2014 as a mock trial has taken a lot of time because of a large number of applicants, multiple categories of flats, multiple preferences for locations and reservations.

The trial took eight to nine hours that is inordinately long and the process needs more time for optimization of data and process. Some technical experts have been called to check the process and give their opinion so that during the real draw, there are no technical snags, said Neemo Dhar, a DDA spokesperson.

The new scheme offers 25,034 flats-EWS, LIG, MIG, HIG, Janta flats and one-room apartments.

The 22,627 one-bed room apartments were a major draw for the people this year, and the DDA has received over 10 lakh applications for it.

C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), which had conducted the draw for DDA's last housing scheme in 2010, has been roped in this time again for the event.

The draw was slated to be held tomorrow at the Conference Hall of the DDA headquarters at 11:30 am. A new date will be announced later after the technical experts give positive reports.

The housing authority would be "webcasting live" the entire draw on the Internet with a dedicated URL for the same.

New Delhi, November 16
The BJP is strategically trying to woo Dalit, Sikh and Muslim voters by raising issues of development in their localities. The Dalits and Muslims have always been the Congress vote bank in Delhi, but this time the BJP has deployed its leaders to focus on these vote banks.

According to party sources, the BJP has started meeting Dalit leaders in different districts, unfolding its ideas for their development. Dr Udit Raj, MP from north-west Delhi and BJP's seniormost Dalit leader, is playing an active role in getting the Dalit electorate in the BJP fold, the sources said.

The sources said Dalit and Muslim leaders are concentrating in north, north-west, east areas where Dalits and Muslims are in a sizeable number. To woo Sikh voters, the BJP has placed posters in Gurumukhi outside gurdwaras, highlighting their issues.

The sources said a membership drive has also been launched in the west Delhi areas where Sikh voters are in a good number. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Badal, that has alliance with the BJP is using its resources to bring Sikhs into the BJP fold.

DSGMC president Manjit Singh (GK) said, "We have a historical alliance with the BJP. The entire Delhi unit of the SAD will work for the party to woo Sikh voters."

The saffron party which earlier had no say in the Muslim areas is carrying a membership drive in the minority areas. So far, it has worked in Navin Shahdara, Chandni Chowk and Najafgarh. It will have a camp for membership in Seelampur tomorrow, said Atif Rashid, president of the minority cell of Delhi BJP unit.

Attacking the AAP, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said, "Delhi Dialogue is its latest drama. Delhi has seen many such gimmicks in the past three years. Arvind Kejriwal is an expert in the art of exploiting human sentiments."

New Delhi, November 16
People in and around Connaught Place will now be able to avail themselves of free Internet services as the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) today launched free public Wi-Fi at the biggest commercial market.

The NDMC has partnered with Tata Teleservices to provide Wi-Fi service, which will cover the inner and outer circles of one of the most significant business and leisure centres in the city.

The first 20 minutes of the service would be free of charge and after that one has the options of buying a recharge card, starting from Rs 10 for 30 minutes, Rs 20 for 60 minutes and Rs 50 for 180 minutes.

The service can be availed by 5,000 peoples at a time with the speed 512 kbps. The Wi-Fi service will cover more than 5 sq km area, while the Wi-Fi hotspot service will be applicable in the inner and outer circle of Connaught Place, including Central Park. This service will be the largest ever in India.

"It will not only connect the people, but the initiative will also make them empowered with connectivity and information," said Meenakshi Lekhi, while inaugurating the project. She expressed the desire to launch one seamless Wi-Fi connected stretch from IGI airport to Connaught Place.

The NDMC chairperson said the council is the first municipality in India to have a free public Wi-Fi zone. "The citizens and visitors of New Delhi will be empowered with Wi-Fi connectivity for the civic services in transparent way," the chairperson said.

"The first 20 minutes free service would be aimed at connectivity, access to public services, community services, municipal online services and emergency-related information. Thereafter, the Wi-Fi would be paid for, according to the chairpeson.