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Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
For ease of business, restaurants won't need key MCD licence: L-G Saxena
Restaurants in Delhi may no longer need to run from pillar to post every year to seek a key trade licence from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) — this requirement is being done away with to facilitate ease of business, according to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. Speaking at The Indian Express Expresso event, Saxena said, 'Today, there is a need for ease of doing business… People should not have to come to the government; the government should go to the people. We have ended the licencing system in the city. We have allowed the three-star and four-star hotels to operate 24 hours… If we talk about the MCD licence, I would like to tell you that it was cleared in the last meeting… MCD licences will not be required for restaurants.' The MCD issues a Health Trade Licence to restaurants, which is mandatory for operation and is renewed annually. Last month, the L-G had passed a notification that Delhi Police clearances would not be required for businesses such as hotels and restaurants. Saxena and India's G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant were guests at the Expresso on Culture. The session was moderated by The Indian Express National Opinion Editor Vandita Mishra. While Saxena asserted that Delhi is a complex city where governance is tough, Kant identified two issues, which he said, plague the national capital: encroachment and freebies. 'Even to repair a small patch of road, multiple departments have to be involved, as the road might belong to the PWD and the central verge might be under the DDA,' Saxena said. Asked about his image as a non-bureaucratic L-G and the related challenges, Saxena said, 'I am from the corporate sector. I believe that every bureaucrat should undergo training in the corporate sector for at least six months. There is a need to understand the difference between the corporate and the government working system. In the private sector, decisions worth crores are taken quickly in seconds… their focus is on quality and timely execution of the projects… we are trying to fix this responsibility, so as to promote quality…' Speaking about urbanisation, Kant said, 'Politicians have actively encouraged encroachments in Delhi. Before every election, they legalise encroachments. The minute encroachments come up, it is impossible to remove them. Delhi has got to put an end to this encroachment business.' According to Kant, the culture of freebies must also end or people would have to pay a price for it later. 'If you have to provide subsidised electricity and water to people, please do that and charge more from the rich people. But if you start providing 40 per cent of your population with free water and electricity, both Jal board and electricity board will go bust financially. You will pay a huge price for this at a later date,' he said. L-G Saxena, meanwhile, said that in a national capital, people should come to work from NCR towns to the city. 'But people live here and go to NCR cities for work… Delhi is the national capital, it should not look like a slum city,' he said. Saxena, 67, was appointed as Delhi L-G in May 2022 and was at the centre of several conflicts with the previous AAP government in the city. The L-G, however, sought to dispel the perception that his relation with former chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal was that of 'enemies'. 'It has always been portrayed by the media that we are enemies but it is not like that…we have had long meetings and conversations… our views might have been different but it is not like whenever we met we would take out our swords,' he said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Russian woman in custody battle may still be in India: Centre informs SC after she, her minor child go missing
In the custody battle between a Russian woman and her Indian husband, the Centre Friday informed the Supreme Court that the woman, who is reported missing along with their minor child, may still be in the country. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed a Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi that the woman has not left the country through legal channels. She added that lookout circulars, hue and cry notices, etc, have been issued and circulated across the country to find them. On Thursday, the bench had asked the Delhi Police to immediately find her whereabouts after the husband complained that she and the minor child were untraceable. Additionally, the court ordered the immediate seizure of the mother's passport and directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to contact the Russian embassy to request permission to enter the 'residence of the diplomat who was lastly seen in the company of the mother'. On Friday, Bhatti said the Russian embassy is cooperating fully with Indian authorities. The law officer Russian ambassador issued a WhatsApp communication regarding the matter, she added. The ASG said the woman had approached the Russian embassy and complained about her husband on July 5. The officials advised her to go to the police, the ASG said, adding that the woman had very little money in her account. Justice Kant said that the next two days will be crucial. The court wondered how the woman was travelling and looking after her child if she had only limited means. She pointed out that no international departure has been registered after April, and she was last seen in her rented premises on July 7, at around 2.10 pm. The mother of the woman had approached the embassy complaining that she was not reachable, the ASG informed. Justice Kant said, 'The possibility of collusion of one or two officials… because of any reason, they might have assisted or helped her… that needs to be verified…' including the possibility of procuring another passport. Bhati said, 'We will try to investigate that.' In its order, the court said the police will contact railway authorities and get information and also find out whether the petitioner is still in the National Capital Region or has left for some other destination. The court added that the husband and his family have some information that may facilitate the police in tracing the duo. The bench also called for a fresh status report in the matter by July 21.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Right to dignity will trump Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression: SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday verbally observed that Article 21 of the Constitution, which provides right to life and liberty that includes right to dignity , will " trump " Article 19 that provides freedom of speech and expression. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed this during the resumed hearing of a clutch of pleas alleging that stand-up comedians have made insensitive jokes mocking persons with disabilities. As ordered by SC at the last hearing, five comedians including Samay Raina and Vipul Goyal were present in the court. Speaking for the bench, justice Kant verbally remarked "individual misconducts, which are under scrutiny, will continue to be examined". He added that the right to dignity also emanates from Article 21. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tấm pin năng lượng mặt trời ở Vietnam: lắp đặt bao nhiêu tiền? (xem giá) Tấm pin năng lượng mặt trời | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "Suppose a race takes place between Article 19 and 21, Article 21 has to trump Article 19," justice Kant orally remarked. The court said that the proposed mechanism for regulation of online content must conform to the constitutional principles. The bench further said that the court will lay down guidelines in this regard.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SC declines plea to deregister AIMIM, suggests broader petition on communal appeals
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India to deregister parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalimeen as a political party. A bench of justices Surya Kant and justice Joymala Bagchi suggested that the petitioner could file a plea on the larger issue of political parties invoking communal statements. "We are not on communal parties , etc. Sometimes, regional parties invoke regional sentiments... So what should be done... There are parties who also invoke caste issues that are equally dangerous. Without criticising anyone, such issues can be raised," justice Kant said. The bench allowed the petitioner to file a fresh plea raising larger issues regarding the validity of political parties with religious objectives. The plea was filed by Tirupati Narasimha Murari , who alleged that AIMIM 's declared objectives were to serve the Muslim community alone, violating the principle of secularism, and hence it cannot be recognised as a political party. The bench, however, observed that as per the constitution of the party, its objective is to work for every backward section. The bench said the party's constitution is "for every backward class in society, including those belonging to minority community... backward both economically and in the field of education... that's what the Constitution professes". Justice Kant said, "There are certain rights guaranteed to minorities under the Constitution... party's political manifesto or constitution says it will work for the protection of those rights granted under the Constitution." The senior judge pointed out that India's Constitution grants protection to minorities. "Suppose a party says we will promote untouchability; that is absolutely offending. That must be struck down, that must be banned... Suppose a religious law is protected under the Constitution and a political party says it will teach that law, they will teach because it is protected under the Constitution... What is only within the framework of the Constitution (that may not be objectionable)," justice Kant said. SC advised the petitioner to file a "neutral" petition.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Dangerous': Supreme Court On Political Parties Seeking Votes On Religion, Caste
Last Updated: The court noted that identity-based politics is practised not only by communal parties but also by regional and caste-based parties The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a petition seeking the de-registration of the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalimeen (AIMIM), and instead advised the petitioner to file a fresh writ raising broader issues concerning electoral reforms and the functioning of political parties. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the matter should not be limited to any one party or religious group. It noted that identity-based politics is practised not only by communal parties but also by regional and caste-based parties. 'File a petition that doesn't name any particular person/party," Justice Kant told the petitioner's lawyer. 'Let's not confine it to the question of some communal parties. Regional Parties also sometimes do such things. They bank upon caste considerations. That is equally dangerous," he observed. The case was brought by Telangana Shiv Sena President Tirupati Narasimha, who argued that AIMIM's stated goals focus only on the Muslim community and that this violates the principle of secularism. His counsel, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, said that the party's constitution included aims like promoting Islamic education and teaching Sharia law, which should disqualify it under the Representation of the People Act. 'If you read all OBCs including Muslims are a part. That is what the Constitution also envisages. There are certain rights guaranteed to minorities. So parties manifesto says they will work of rights granted under the Constitution," the Court remarked. Justice Kant further added that there is no bar on religious education or reading religious texts such as the Vedas or the Quran. 'If the ECI raises objection against the teaching of Vedas, Puranas, Shastras, or any granth, please go to the appropriate forum. Law will take care of that. There's nothing wrong in the reading of our old treatise, books or literature or history. Absolutely no prohibition under law," he said. The court made it clear that only acts or declarations that go against the Constitution—such as promoting untouchability—would be grounds for banning a party. 'What is only within the framework of the Constitution may not be objectionable," the judge said. While the plea was withdrawn, Justice Kant acknowledged that the law in this area remains unclear: 'You may be right, there is some grey area." He advised that the new petition should avoid targeting any one party, and instead highlight the need for electoral reforms that apply to all. 'Without indulging any party, you can raise general issues… If need be, Court will take care," he said. (With inputs from agencies) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
