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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
ACB registers case against Saurabh Bhardwaj, Satyendra Jain in multi-crore hospital scam
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case against former Delhi Health Ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendar Jain in connection with large-scale corruption in health infrastructure projects of the Delhi government, an official statement from the police said on Thursday. 24 hospital projects, 11 greenfields and 13 brownfield, were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 5,590 crores in 2018-19. These projects are mired in inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns, indicating large-scale financial embezzlement, according to a statement from the Joint Commissioner of Police, Madhur Verma. Massive irregularities, unexplained delays, and significant misappropriation of funds have been found in the construction of various hospitals, polyclinics and ICU infrastructure across the city. Substantial deviations and cost escalations, amounting to several hundred crores, were observed. Not a single project was completed within the prescribed timeline, the Head of the Anti-Corruption Branch stated. ACB registered the case after receiving approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act from the competent authority. On August 22 of last year, then Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, currently the Speaker of Delhi Assembly Vijendra Gupta submitted the complaint highlighting grave irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects under Delhi Government. The complaint named former Health Ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain, alleging systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds, and collusion with private contractors. According to police, Vijendra Gupta alleged 24 hospital projects worth Rs 5,590 crores were sanctioned. However, these projects remained largely incomplete, with substantial and unexplained cost escalations. Similarly, the Rs 1,125 crore ICU Hospital Project, covering 7 pre-engineered facilities with a total of 6,800 beds, remains only 50 per cent complete after nearly three years and expenditure of Rs 800 crores, despite an initial six-month completion timeline. Verification of the complaint revealed unauthorised additional construction at government hospitals in Jwalapuri (by Parnika Commercial & Estate Pvt Ltd) and Madipur (by Ramacivil India Construction Pvt Ltd), carried out without approval from the competent authorities. Notably, the Madipur hospital project was to be completed by November 2022, but remains abandoned and far from completion, Jt. CP Madhur Verma stated. Further, it was revealed that the 7 ICU hospitals, contracted to SAM India Buildwell Pvt Ltd, have witnessed cost escalations exceeding 100 per cent, with construction still incomplete well beyond the deadline of February 2022. According to Jt. CP Madhur Verma, verification also found that the New Block at LNJP Hospital, awarded to Swadeshi Civil Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, saw project costs escalate from Rs 488 crores to Rs 1,135 crores over four years, with the structure still incomplete beyond its January 2023 deadline. Additionally, the Polyclinic Project also indicated misuse of funds - only 52 out of 94 planned clinics were constructed, while the cost rose from Rs 168 crores to Rs 220 crores. Many of these polyclinics remain non-functional. Despite a public announcement in 2016-17, the Health Information Management System (HIMS) - a crucial tool for ensuring financial transparency in the health department - remains unimplemented. A free, cost-effective solution from NIC (e-Hospital) was deliberately rejected without justification, Head of ACB Madhur Verma stated. Serious violations of rules, tender conditions, and financial protocols were uncovered during scrutiny, revealing deliberate delays, inflated project costs, rejection of viable alternatives, and the creation of idle assets, collectively leading to massive losses to the public exchequer. Based on the findings, a proposal seeking prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was submitted against the former Health Ministers. Approval was duly granted by the competent authority. ACB then registered an FIR under Section 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, read with Sections 409, 420, and 120-B of the IPC at Police Station Anti-Corruption Branch, New Delhi against Saurabh Bhardwaj, Satyendra Jain, unknown government officials, and private contractors. ACB has launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and determine the roles and accountability of the former Ministers, officials, and private entities involved. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM marks 11th International Yoga Day at sports club by the Yamuna
New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta took part in a yoga session early Saturday morning at the Sonia Vihar Water Sports Club, marking the 11th International Day of Yoga. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and leaders, including PWD minister Parvesh Verma, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, tourism minister Kapil Mishra, and deputy speaker of the Delhi Assembly Mohan Singh Bisht, performed various yoga positions (@gupta_rekha) 'I wanted to celebrate this day by doing yoga by the Yamuna,' Gupta said addressing the event, which is aligned with the 2025 theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' Gupta and leaders, including public works department (PWD) minister Parvesh Verma, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, tourism minister Kapil Mishra, and deputy speaker of the Delhi Assembly Mohan Singh Bisht, performed various yoga positions such as Bhujangasana, Pranayama, and Vajrasana along with all other participants. Emphasising the connection between personal well-being and the health of the planet, Gupta said yoga will help in taking care of health, which will unite the world. This year's theme aligns with India's broader vision of global harmony through traditional wisdom, she said, drawing a connection among well-being, nature, and civic responsibility. A live stream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations at a grand event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was played at the event on Saturday. 'This was such a rejuvenating experience. I had been looking forward to this day. It is a different feeling when you actually wake up early in the morning and do physical exercise,' said Jagat Narayan Gupta, a local who had attended the session. The students of Sonia Vihar Water Sports Club brought down the curtains to the event with a special show.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta participates in Yoga Day event; calls for reviving Yamuna River
New Delhi: On the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in a large-scale yoga session at Sonia Vihar Water Sports Club, located near the banks of the Yamuna River. The event witnessed the presence of several prominent leaders, including Minister Parvesh Verma, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, Minister Kapil Mishra, and Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly Mohan Singh Bisht. Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts gathered early in the morning to take part in the session, held in the scenic backdrop of the Yamuna. The Chief Minister used the moment to emphasise the connection between well-being, nature, and civic responsibility. Speaking at the session, CM Rekha Gupta said, 'I was reminded of my sense of duty. Just as the Yamuna flows continuously here, it should appear the same throughout Delhi wherever the Yamuna passes, with even more water flowing in it.' The event was one of several organised across Delhi as part of the nationwide 'Yoga Sangam' initiative. In Thyagaraj Stadium, Minister Parvesh Verma led another well-attended yoga session. Minister Ashish Sood performed yoga at Chhatrasal Stadium, while the Yamuna Sports Complex in Surajmal Vihar hosted a lively morning of 'asanas' and meditation. At Qutub Minar, one of Delhi's most iconic heritage sites, a mass yoga demonstration drew a large and diverse crowd, further reflecting the day's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' These events formed part of the broader national celebration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Visakhapatnam, where more than one lakh locations across the country hosted synchronised yoga sessions involving over 2 crore people. Now in its 11th year, International Day of Yoga has evolved into a global phenomenon. The day is observed across continents and cultures, and India continues to play a pivotal role in promoting mindfulness, discipline, and sustainable living through the practice of yoga. The 2025 theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' has further emphasised the connection between personal well-being and planetary health, aligning with India's broader vision of global harmony through traditional wisdom.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Delhi govt to name projects after Chaudhary Brahm Prakash: Parvesh Verma
Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Monday said that the BJP government would consider naming new projects in the city after the Capital's first Chief Minister Chaudhary Brahm Prakash. Addressing an event organised in Delhi Assembly premises on the 107th birth anniversary of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, Verma said he was a social worker who strived to develop the city. 'It would be a sin to forget his contributions,' he said. 'My father (Chief Minister Sahib Singh) in 1997 got Chaudhary Brahm Prakash's statue installed in the Assembly premises which is today the centre of events to mark his anniversary,' he said. The Minister thanked residents of Outer Delhi who joined the anniversary event and said that the Delhi government would consider naming new projects in the city after Chaudhary Brahm Prakash. 'Even though he was not associated with our party, we have gathered here to honour him and remember his contributions. In the coming days, we shall work closely with his family and do everything possible to pay tributes to him,' he said. Earlier, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta recalled Chaudhary Brahm Prakash's contributions, vowing to realise his vision for the city and its rural areas. Chaudhary Brahm Prakash became Delhi's Chief Minister at a young age of 33 years, after taking part in the Independence struggle and even spending time in prison, said Gupta. 'We remember him as a dedicated social worker who was among the founders of Independent India,' he said. The granddaughter of Delhi's first CM said her family hopes that the work started by him is taken forward. 'The Delhi envisioned by my grandfather should become a reality and his name should not remain confined to history books,' she said, thanking the Speaker for organising the event. At the event, the Assembly Secretariat had made arrangement for freedom fighters to pay tributes to the first Delhi CM, an official said. Chaudhary Brahm Prakash became the first Delhi CM in 1952 and held the office till 1955. He also represented Delhi in Parliament and even served as Union minister, including as Minister for Food, Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperatives.
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju lays foundation stone for e-vidhan project in Delhi Assembly
New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday laid the foundation stone for e-Vidhan (Paperless Assembly) project at the Delhi Assembly in the presence of the Delhi Assembly speaker, Vijender Gupta, marking a significant milestone in the digitisation of legislative governance. Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta also graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while the Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Mohan Singh Bisht, Minister of Industries, Food & Supplies and Environment, Forest and Wild Life Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Chief whip Abhay Verma were present as the Guests of Honour, according to a release. Speaking on the occasion, Kiren Rijiju said, 'The laying of the foundation stone for the e-Vidhan Project at the Delhi Legislative Assembly is a commendable step towards adopting technology for legislative efficiency and transparency. While several states have already implemented the e-Vidhan system successfully, it is encouraging to see Delhi joining this important national initiative. I am pleased to be part of this progressive development. I want to see the Delhi Assembly as a model assembly, and this initiative will certainly help in achieving that goal.' Rijiju further noted that, given Delhi's unique and complex administrative structure, this digital transformation carries special relevance. He emphasized that the e-Vidhan initiative is not merely about going paperless, but about enhancing transparency, public participation, efficiency, and digital security in legislative processes, according to the release. Speaker Vijender Gupta described the initiative as a historic milestone aimed at making Assembly functioning more efficient, transparent, and environmentally conscious. The project, being implemented under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), is expected to digitize legislative operations, reduce paper usage, and provide lawmakers with real-time digital access to legislative business. The Speaker also informed that the tripartite MoU to implement NeVA was signed on March 22 between the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, GNCTD, and the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. Gupta further said that the Delhi Assembly has received grants of over Rs 9 crore from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (MoPA), out which more than Rs 1 crore has granted in first instalment. He also said that the Delhi Assembly is on track to become the first in the country to run entirely on renewable energy, with a 500-kW solar power project being installed. Additionally, efforts are underway to transform the Assembly's traditional library into a modern e-library and to complete the renovation of the House before the upcoming Monsoon Session, according to the release. Gupta further highlighted plans to develop the Delhi Assembly premises--where India's first Parliament once convened--into a heritage and cultural site. A legislative museum, interactive exhibits, and guided tours are proposed, with support from institutions like IGNCA and the National Archives. The project aims to celebrate India's democratic legacy while integrating cultural, environmental, and technological innovation in governance. CM Rekha Gupta said the e-Vidhan project marks a significant leap towards strengthening transparency, efficiency, and environmental responsibility in legislative functioning. She emphasized that transitioning to a paperless system would not only modernize the legislative process but also set a benchmark for digital governance in the capital. Reacting to this, Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht called the project a decisive step towards transforming the Delhi Legislative Assembly into a technologically empowered and transparent institution. The e-Vidhan Project aims to make the Delhi Legislative Assembly fully paperless and digitally integrated. It includes provisions for electronic documentation of legislative proceedings, online access to bills and reports, digital mechanisms for questions and answers, and real-time updates of Assembly business. (ANI)
