After groundwater scheme ‘scam', Delhi govt drafting new borewell policy, green tribunal told
called the voluntary disclosure scheme (VDS) to extract groundwater a "scam", Delhi govt, in a new affidavit, informed the tribunal that a new borewell policy was being framed in consultation with
and other govt departments.A plea was filed in NGT by activist Varun Gulati against the illegal drawing of groundwater by guesthouses and hotels in Paharganj.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
In Nov 2023, Delhi Pollution Control Committee informed NGT that of the total 536 guesthouses and hotels in Paharganj, 442 were found to be extracting groundwater.
However, notices were initially issued to only 257 guesthouses as 185 were found to be extracting groundwater under Delhi Jal Board's VDS.After NGT questioned VDS in Nov last year, the counsel for Delhi govt informed the tribunal that VDS was not framed but was discussed in a meeting in 2013, and a public advertisement was issued for it based on the meeting. In Jan, NGT asked the chief secretary to conduct an inquiry and ascertain the loss from the unregulated drawing of groundwater in the name of the "non-existing" VDS in Paharganj.In a report dated May 5, Delhi govt said, "The council of ministers has also directed to prepare a new borewell policy to be placed before them for consideration at the earliest. Accordingly, the new borewell policy is being prepared in consultation with Central Ground Water Authority, DJB, revenue department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board." It added that the new policy would be submitted to NGT after necessary approvals.The affidavit stated that the additional chief secretary (revenue) would conduct an inquiry, on behalf of the chief secretary, on the unregulated withdrawal of water in the name of the non-existing VDS. "The outcome of the inquiry will be submitted to the tribunal," it added.Govt also said Rs 559.88 lakh was levied towards sewer and water cess charges on guesthouses and hotels in Paharganj. Besides, there is an outstanding amount of Rs 556.39 lakh, for which notices have been issued to the hotels/guesthouses by DJB, it said."To address the extent of damage caused to the environment and the effect of such an illegal action on the groundwater of the area concerned, notices were issued to 536 hotels by DPCC on Aug 4, 2021. Four hundred and twenty-three hotels or guesthouses submitted environmental damage compensation. Fourteen hotels have not deposited EDC while four hotels have partially deposited it. The penalty recovered from violating hotels amounts to Rs 4.16 crore to date," said the report.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bizman, held in 38 cr liquor scam, sent to jail
Ranchi: The special vigilance court here on Thursday forwarded Vidhu Gupta, the managing director of Prism Hologram, to Birsa Munda Central Jail under judicial custody in the liquor scam case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) arrested Gupta on the evening of June 25 after long hours of questioning at its office here and produced him before the special court the next day. Notably, Prism Hologram was awarded a contract under state govt's new excise policy in 2022. The company was accused of supplying fake holograms for liquor bottles. It may be stated here that ACB has so far nabbed seven persons including in connection with the liquor scam. ACB earlier arrested IAS officer Vinay Choubey (former secretary of the state excise and prohibitions department), former IAS officer Amit Prakash, former state excise commissioner Gajendra Singh, the then Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited general manager (GM) Sudhir Kumar Das and GM operation cum finance Sudhir Kumar, Raipur based businessman Sidharth Singhania and a local representative of M/s Marshan Innovative Security Service Limited Neeraj Kumar Singh since May this year in the Rs 38 crore scam.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Crackdown on underage driving in Bokaro district
Bokaro: A special crackdown on underage driving was launched in Bokaro on Thursday under the direction of Chas sub-divisional officer (SDO) Pranjal Dhanda. The campaign targets minors driving two-wheelers or four-wheelers without valid licenses and overloaded auto-rickshaws transporting school children. Traffic police carried out intensive checking near schools in Sector IV, home to major institutions like DAV Public School, DPS Bokaro, Kendriya Vidyalaya, St. Mary's School, and Kairali Public School. Several minors were caught riding two-wheelers. "This drive will continue," Dhanda stated. As per traffic police reports, 14 two-wheelers were seized from underage drivers. Additionally, overloaded school autos were penalised, collecting fines amounting to Rs 18,000. SDO Dhanda said, "The campaign's goal is to ensure road safety, prevent accidents involving minors, and spread awareness across schools, coaching centres, and both urban and rural areas of the district." He added, "We have urged parents and school staff to cooperate for students' safety."
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shahibaug businessman duped of Rs 66.66L in online trading scam
Ahmedabad: A 50-year-old businessman from Shahibaug area of the city fell prey to a cyberfraud involving a fake online trading platform and lost Rs 66.66 lakh between Jan and March this year. The city's Cybercrime police station has registered an FIR and launched a detailed investigation into the scam. The victim, a manufacturer of plastic liners, alleged that he was first contacted on Facebook on Jan 14 by a woman identifying herself as Vishika Agarwal. Their interaction soon shifted to WhatsApp, where she introduced him to an online trading platform called 'BITOP INDIA,' claiming it was a legitimate US-based investment portal offering high returns. Initially convinced, the businessman transferred Rs 1 lakh and received a return of Rs 50,292 — a move that gained his trust. Over the next two months, he transferred a total of Rs 66.66 lakh to multiple bank accounts based on instructions from Vishika and other alleged representatives of the platform. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad According to the complaint, the businessman was told his digital wallet held over 65,000 USDT — a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo However, when he attempted to withdraw his funds, he was asked to pay various charges, including income tax, green channel fees, and money laundering clearance. When no funds were returned, the businessman realised he had been duped and contacted the cybercrime helpline before filing a formal complaint. The FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy. Cyber officials said a technical analysis of digital footprints, bank transactions, and communication logs was underway to trace the accused.
