Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Don't cover storm water drains : Green committee : Hindustan Times


Delhi high court to hear discoms before RWAs, NGOs


NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Tuesday said it would first decide the plea seeking an audit of accounts of Delhi's three private discoms by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India before dealing with other matters on the subject. It was hearing a PIL filed by NGO United RWAs Joint Action (URJA) seeking a CBI or independent probe into alleged irregularities committed by them as well as a CAG audit of their accounts. 

The PIL has said the then state government had given into pressure from the companies which sought a hike in tariff by faking losses and failed to fix the tariff for 2010-11. "We will go by the order dated August 24, 2011, and will deal with that limited issue (of CAG audit) first," a bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Jayant Nath said and fixed the matter for hearing on March 20. 

The high court had, on August 24, 2011, said, "...the issue that requires to be dwelt upon and addressed is the jurisdiction of CAG in respect of the said companies. It is further canvassed by them the same has to be tested on the anvil of the Constitution of India and the CAG Act, 1971. That apart, it is urged by them (discoms) once there has been a privatization of the electricity companies, they are not covered by the aforesaid Act. Issue notice on the question of admission. Regard being had to the limited lis (litigation) that has emerged before us, we would like the respondents (discoms and others) to file their respective counter affidavits only in this regard...," the bench said. 

During the hearing, Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, said, "This a very important public issue and this needs to be settled." "Of course, we will settle it for you," the bench said and enquired about the status of the appeals filed by discoms against a single-judge bench order refusing to stay the Aam Aadmi Party-led government's decision asking CAG to audit their accounts. The appeals were listed before another bench, Bhushan said. 

Three private discoms had filed appeals before a larger bench of the high court against a single judge bench order that had refused to stay the government's decision on CAG audit. The single judge bench had on January 24 not only refused to stall the CAG audit of discoms but also asked them to cooperate with the top auditor by furnishing the details sought.


with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Tata Power threatens tariff hike


NEW DELHI: With a hike in gas price looming over their heads, Delhi's power distribution companies are a worried lot. 

While the BSES companies are yet to chalk out a plan on how to control their costs, Tata PowerDelhi has asked Delhi government and Centre to consider re-allocation of power from gas-based power stations for them. The discom said that if re-allocation of power from gas-based power stations was not done, it would lead to an increase in cost of power purchase and, consequently, tariff. 

Delhi gets power from three central sector power stations—Dadri gas, Auraiya and Anta—and three plants owned by the Delhi government—Pragati power station, Bawana and gas turbine power station. The city gets approximately 1,255 MW power from gas-based power stations. 

"The cost of power procured from these power stations is about Rs 3.49/unit to Rs 4.15/unit which when compared to the cost of power from other plants is on the higher side. When gas prices are increased from April, cost of power produced from these plants will rise by about 66% over the present cost—Rs 5.34/unit to Rs 6.20/unit," said an official. 

According to Tata Power Delhi, it has made adequate arrangements for meeting the 2014 summer demand at much lower rates. It's also assured of meeting any contingencies at a price which, it says, would be much lower than the estimated price from gas station produced plants. Tata Power Delhi gets 237MW from gas-based power stations. 

"It is requested that power produced from these plants be reallocated to needy states for 2014-15 by the ministry of power. If reallocation of power from gas stations is not done it would result in an increase in tariff. During off peak/night hours when the demand is low, these stations are run at minimum capacity or not run at all thereby resulting in discoms paying up fixed costs for these plants," said a Tata Power official. 

The BSES discoms, Rajdhani and Yamuna, are trying to work out a formula on how to bring down costs but have not sent any official communication to the government yet. "Concerns are there, especially as we have long term PPAs with gas based power plants. We are looking at our options and working out a solution," said an official. 

The issue of increase in gas price from April 1 was raised by former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal recently. Kejriwal alleged that the price hike was a result of collusion between some union ministers and Reliance Industries and said that RIL did not produce adequate gas from its eastern offshore KG basin in order to put pressure on the government to hike the price. The central government should give KG-D6 wells to ONGC, he said.


with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Atmospheric pollution in Delhi !

Not only loss of man hours but a great environmental dangerous atmospheric pollution occurs if a traffic signal is mismanaged or managed half heartedly.Sir there is no logic for the signal to become red if a large number of vehicle have yet to cross.Automatic signals are useful when there is not much rush.In time of rush it should be managed manually & judiously by the traffic personnel.If there is rush on one side he should turn the signal red only when all vehicles have crossed  whether it may take 2 minnutes or ten minutes because when vehicles start moving,many vehicles can cross the signal in less time due to the increase in speed gained over more time.According to me it is illogical to stop the vehicles who have gained sufficient speed or are coming at high speed just to allow the vehicles in other direction to cross.While waiting ,not much energy & fuel is lost then while driving at slow speed .When all vehicles have crossed on one side ,the vehicles waiting for other side may be allowed to cross till such time that all have crossed & so on till the rush on each side reduces to a reasonable number.
No norms have been fixed by traffic head quarter for maximum duration of  any signal.It has to be manipulated for maximum benefit to the public.I f any one has any question he may ask the control room of traffic help line at number 25844444 .One can also obtain the telephone number of the incharge traffic of the particular area.
I t is our duty for our own benefit to see that each traffic signal is being managed meticulously to reduce the rush at signals.It should be seen that almost all vehicles waiting at a side are able to cross easily  & completely when signal turns green.This will prevent undue tension in minds of drivers who are tense to cross the signal before it becomes red & try to overtake  & speed up making them vulnerable for accidents.
With best wishes for a tension & pollution free delhi

Dr VK AGGARWAL

increase the average speed of traffic on ring road from Maharani bagh to Dhaula quan.

The Commissioner, Delhi traffic police
Sub: Suggestion to increase the average  speed of traffic on ring road from Maharani bagh to Dhaula quan.
Sir, There are number of flyover on this stretch of ring road.The dtc buses stops on bus stops before the start of fly over  & then climb the flyover to cross the intersection & again stops on the next bus stop ahead of the fly over.In the process there is clash of vehicles obstructing  the smooth flow of traffic leading to slow movement of vehicles.This can be avoided if the buses are asked to keep to left ,not to use the fly overs,use the traffic signal instead of flyovers to cross the road.By this ,the other vehicles which do not have to stop again & again will be able to move faster.When the average  speed of all the vehicles is increased it will increase the speed of buses also & will compensate the time lost on the red lights.
With regards,  Dr VK Agarwal 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

In case of President’s rule in Delhi : Hindustan Times


The L-G will be directly responsible for all areas governed by the state government. The New Delhi Municipal Council that reports to CM will start reporting to the L-G and so will Delhi Jal Board and power utilities including the private distribution companies, where the Delhi government has 51% stake.
 
The chief secretary of Delhi, who reports to CM, will report to the L-G. All Delhi government departments — health, transport, social welfare, education, public works, food and supplies etc — will be under L-G’s direct control.
 
The heads of other government corporations and agencies — the urban shelter board (DUSIB), the industrial development corporation (DSIIDC), the transport corporation (DTC), tourism corporation (DTTDC), finance corporation (DFC) etc will report to the L-G through chief secretary.
 
The three municipal corporations of east, north and south Delhi will come under the direct control of L-G. The director of civic bodies will report to the L-G.
 
The L-G may appoint a team of advisors to help him run different departments of the government.
 
The police and DDA are already under the direct control of the L-G, who reports to the Union home ministry.

Friday, February 14, 2014

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B S Vohra
RWABhagidari Blog
Voice of Delhi ( RWAs )
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation

Can Kejriwal's Muhalla Sabha Cure the Abysmal Governance and Delivery of Services in Delhi ?????

Dear Friends,

The Right thing MUST be done the Right Way or else it opens the door for unscrupulous people to use the same Precedence to Subvert Policy. In fact Kejriwal is doing what we in Civil Society had been protesting against during Sheila Dikshit Regime over the past 15 years. She too went about her way without caring to listen to Society or Opposition ...... SO WHAT HAS CHANGED.

Mohalla Sabha ...... aka SWARAJ ...... why is it needed ? We in Delhi are not suffering for Lack of Voice or Representation. Delhi suffers from the Multiplicity of Authority and the Thekedari concept of Governance wherein Archaic systems wherein a fixed Menu of Development, Repair and Maintenance is still followed, while the Needs and Lifestyles of Citizens have seen a sea change.

Kejriwal is putting the Cart before the Horse ..... Delhi does not need 5000 more representatives ..... just as Delhi got nothing from Shiela Dikshit doubling the number of Councillors from 135 to 270 .... other than Doubling the Public Expenditure in maintaining 135 extra Representatives ...... or for that matter Trifurcation of MCD was counter productive as it was done to satisfy Shiela's Ego and without Public Consultation.

Delhi does not need to restructure the Representation System, the RWAs have been successful in voicing all issues that need to be addressed. In fact Kajeriwal should Reflect that he came in and took up the issues that the RWAs had already brought to a Boil ..... may that be the issue of Power Tariffs, Water Privatisation, CWG/MCD Corruption, BRT, Security, Parking etc.

On 12-02-2014 RWAs from all over Delhi met in GK-II and deliberated on this issue. In one voice every speaker rejected the Mohalla Sabha concept. Some members even accused that this was an attempt to build a Cadre like it was done in West Bengal by the Communists. Others said that this move will edge out the Selfless Social Workers and encourage Professional Politicians and Power Brokers to usurp the RWA space ...... and many more arguments were put forth.

It was resolved that various RWAs, NGOs and civil society groups will come on a common platform and hold a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 14-02-2014 at 11:30 am. BE THERE.

FIRST THINGS FIRST ..... PUT GOVERNANCE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM ON TRACK ..... THEN MOHALLA SABHA ..... THAT TOO AFTER PUBLIC CONSULTATION.

Warm Regards,

Rajiv Kakria

Thursday, February 13, 2014

How can you overlook the RWAs of DELHI ?



Since last many years, RWAs are raising various Social & Civic issues, regularly, with the concerned authorities, and with great success. 

RWAs existed even before the term 'BHAGIDARI' came into existence and RWAs are still alive even after the collapse of Bhagidari.

But we can not understand the motive of the AAP Govt. that wants to sideline the RWAs of Delhi & want to introduce the Mohalla Sabha.

We hereby strongly object & lodge our protest with CM Arvind Kejriwal against Mohalla Sabha by overlooking the RWAs of Delhi.

Please join us to raise a collective voice.

B S Vohra
VOICE OF DELHI ( RWAs )
rwabhagidari@yahoo.in