Will make Delhi a WiFi city in a year, promises AAP ka CM Arvind Kejriwal

February 21, 2015

New Delhi, Feb 21: After a week in office, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said his government was going to cut power tariff and launch a free water scheme "very soon" in line with election promises made by Aam Aadmi Party.

WiFi Kejriwal
Kejriwal said his government has already finalised a "blue-print" on issues relating to power and water which were focus areas for AAP during the election campaign while it willtake at least a year to make Delhi a "wi-fi city".

"Our team has rolled out a blue-print for electricity and water. I hope to give the good news to you all very soon to reduce the rates of power and water. We are working on the lines of our governance model that we followed during our 49- day stint," Kejriwal said.

The Chief Minister said his government was also working on implementing the poll promise of free wi-fi and added that it will take at least one year.

"A few days back, you all voted for us giving a heavy majority. Congratulations to you all. It's a big burden. It's a big responsibility. You all have very high hope. We are working round-the-clock. We are focusing on work and talking less," Kejriwal said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the annual Garden Tourism Festival at Saket in South Delhi. In its manifesto, AAP had promised to cut power tariff by 50 percent immediately after coming to power and said the rates will be revised based on the findings of an CAG audit which the Kejriwal government had announced during its first stint.

He said people of the city have lot of expectations from his government on the electricity and water issues and it was going to fulfil them.

The AAP in its manifesto had also promised 20 kilolitres (20,000 litres) of free water to every household per month. The previous AAP government had introduced the free water scheme but it was discontinued after it quit.

On wi-fi facility, Kejriwal said his government was working on it. "Even my children were asking when wi-fi will come. We are also working on it, but it would take some time.

It will not take five years. It should be done within a year." Resolving to come down hard on those involved in corruption, the Chief Minister said the level of graft has gone down after AAP government came to power.

"I have heard that the level of corruption has gone down after our government has taken guard. But we have to eliminate it. We are working on an anti-corruption helpline. When 2-4 corrupt people are punished, then corruption would come down.

It would be announced very soon. "So, we are going to give you the good news very soon -- launching of anti-corruption helpline, reducing electricity tariff and supplying free water," he said.

The Chief Minister said his government was working on "many fronts" including curbing inflation.

"We would tell only after doing some concrete work. Announcing something before doing the job is not fair. We will not be able to do it alone. Whatever, we will do. we will do with all your cooperation and due deliberations," he said.

On tourism, he said it would be his government's objective to make Delhi a hub for tourists from across the world.

"It would magnify, not only raise, stature of Delhi but it would also create job opportunities. We want to make Delhi a tourism hub for domestic as well as international tourists.

"I asked the officials of tourism department to prepare a roadmap and present it to me. I assure you that all the impediments would be addressed," he said.

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News Network
December 6,2025

pilot.jpg

New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faced major operational turbulence this week after failing to prepare for new pilot-fatigue regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The stricter rules—designed to improve flight safety—took effect in phases through 2024, with the latest implementation on November 1. IndiGo has acknowledged that inadequate roster planning led to widespread cancellations and delays.

Below are the key DGCA rules that affected IndiGo’s operations:

1. Longer Mandatory Weekly Rest

Weekly rest for pilots has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours.

The government says the extended break is essential to curb cumulative fatigue. This rule remains in force despite the current crisis.

2. Cap on Night Landings

Pilots can now perform only two night landings per week—a steep reduction from the earlier limit of six.

Night hours, defined as midnight to early morning, are considered the least alert period for pilots.

Given the disruptions, this rule has been temporarily relaxed for IndiGo until February 10.

3. Reduced Maximum Night Flight Duty

Flight duty that stretches into the night is now capped at 10 hours.

This measure has also been kept on hold for IndiGo until February 10 to stabilize operations.

4. Weekly Rest Cannot Be Replaced With Personal Leave

Airlines can no longer count a pilot’s personal leave as part of the mandatory 48-hour rest.

Pilots say this closes a loophole that previously reduced actual rest time.

Currently, all airlines are exempt from this rule to normalise travel.

5. Mandatory Fatigue Monitoring

Airlines must submit quarterly fatigue reports along with corrective actions to DGCA.

This system aims to create a transparent fatigue-tracking framework across the industry.

The DGCA has stressed that these rules were crafted to strengthen flight safety and align India with global fatigue-management standards. The temporary relaxations are expected to remain until February 2025, giving IndiGo time to stabilise its schedules and restore normal air travel.

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News Network
December 16,2025

bengal.jpg

The deletion of over 58 lakh names from West Bengal’s draft electoral rolls following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has sparked widespread concern and is likely to deepen political tensions in the poll-bound state.

According to the Election Commission, the revision exercise has identified 24 lakh voters as deceased, 19 lakh as relocated, 12 lakh as missing, and 1.3 lakh as duplicate entries. The draft list, published after the completion of the first phase of SIR, aims to remove errors and duplication from the electoral rolls.

However, the scale of deletions has raised fears that a large number of eligible voters may have been wrongly excluded. The Election Commission has said that individuals whose names are missing can file objections and seek corrections. The final voter list is scheduled to be published in February next year, after which the Assembly election announcement is expected. Notably, the last Special Intensive Revision in Bengal was conducted in 2002.

The development has intensified the political row over the SIR process. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress have strongly opposed the exercise, accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of attempting to disenfranchise lakhs of voters ahead of the elections.

Addressing a rally in Krishnanagar earlier this month, Banerjee urged people to protest if their names were removed from the voter list, alleging intimidation during elections and warning of serious consequences if voting rights were taken away.

The BJP, meanwhile, has defended the revision and accused the Trinamool Congress of politicising the issue to protect what it claims is an illegal voter base. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the ruling party fears losing power due to the removal of deceased, fake, and illegal voters.

The controversy comes amid earlier allegations by the Trinamool Congress that excessive work pressure during the SIR led to the deaths by suicide of some Booth Level Officers (BLOs), for which the party blamed the Election Commission. With the draft list now out, another round of political confrontation appears imminent.

As objections begin to be filed, the focus will be on whether the correction mechanism is accessible, transparent, and timely—critical factors in ensuring that no eligible voter is denied their democratic right ahead of a crucial election.

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