DDCA probe on even if Centre strikes it down: Kejriwal

December 29, 2015

New Delhi, Dec 29: Striking a defiant note, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the Commission of Inquiry ordered by his government will probe alleged irregularities in DDCA even if it is struck down by the Centre.Arvind

Kejriwal said the file pertaining to setting up of the commission has been forwarded to the PMO by the Home Ministry even as head of the probe panel Gopal Subramanium has written to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, seeking a list of five officers each from IB, CBI and Delhi Police to assist him in the inquiry.

"Is it true that MHA has sent DDCA file to PM to decide whether to declare Enquiry Commission illegal. What will PM do- declare it illegal or allow enquiry? Though it will have no impact on ongoing enquiry commission," Kejriwal tweeted.

Delhi's Lt Governor Najib Jung had questioned the legality of appointment of the probe panel by the AAP government to probe the affairs in Delhi and District Cricket Association, triggering a new round of confrontation with Kejriwal dispensation.

The Delhi Chief Minister also made a fresh allegation against DDCA officials who he did not name, suggesting that they had sought sexual favours in selection of players. The AAP has been targeting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, alleging that wrongdoings took place in the DDCA during his 13-year tenure till 2013 as its head.

On his part Subramanium, a former Solicitor General, also wrote to Kejriwal requesting him to send the names of five "outstanding" investigative officers from the Anti-Corruption Branch with their dossiers.

Subramanium told Kejriwal that he has written to Doval as the Central government "itself called upon the Delhi government" to get an investigation done into alleged irregularities in the DDCA.

"Obviously, this means that the Central government would render all possible assistance in this regard," the top lawyer wrote. In his letter to Doval, Subramanium said that "some of the disclosures may also pertain to national security".

"It is important that I must ask you to step in and offer suitably qualified officers who will also be morally endowed to assist the Commission," he wrote.

From Doval, Subramanium sought shortlisted dossiers of five of the "best officers of the IB, who should be of the level of joint director and below", five officers from the CBI and five officers of the Delhi Police, with their records.

"I would leave it to your discretion to choose any officers(s) from any of the other state cadres, you believe to be competent," he added.

Asked what will be his move if the enquiry panel is declared null and void by the Centre, Subramanium said, "Prima facie all the procedures have been followed in institution of the enquiry."

"But still if something happens or somebody overturns it, I cannot refuse. I am not here to fight or adjudge the defamation of the Constitution. I can proceed on basis of what has been granted to me and ensure that a transparent enquiry is held," he said.

Subramanium said he wants to pick someone "who is competent enough". This is part of any enquiry procedure that one needs to have have logistical infrastructure in place at the beginning of the probe, he added.

"The reason to seek his (Doval's) help is also his ability to judge if there is any issue relating to the security which I am very particular about in the matter as anything may come up during the investigation," he added.

Yesterday, the former Solicitor General had strongly pitched for live telecast of the proceedings to make it transparent.

Formally accepting to head the Commission, Subramanium had said that its formation was in tune with provisions in the Constitution, notwithstanding Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's reservations over it.

The Delhi Cabinet had on December 21 approved setting up of the one-member Commission of Inquiry under Subramanium to probe alleged irregularities in DDCA.

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News Network
June 8,2020

New Delhi, Jun 8: India on Monday reported the highest single-day spike of 9,983 more COVID-19 cases and 206 deaths in the last 24 hours.

With this, the country's coronavirus count has reached 2,56,611, including 1,25,381 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

1,24,094 patients have been cured/discharged so far and 7,135 succumbed to the deadly virus. While one patient has migrated.

With 85,975 cases, Maharashtra is the worst-affected state in the country followed by Tamil Nadu at 31,667 cases.

A total of 1,08,048 samples were tested for coronavirus in the last 24 hours and overall 47,74,434 samples have been tested till now.

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News Network
April 21,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21: Not just in China, but in Kerala also robot is now playing a key role in the health workers' fight against COVID-19, thanks to the innovative spirit of a group of young minds and the support of the state Health Department.

Named "Nightingale-19", the robot is deployed to provide food and medicines among patients at the district coronavirus centre in Ancharakandi in Kannur district where a large number of cases have been reported.

The special display facility, attached to it, also allows patients to communicate with health workers and their relatives if necessary, the health minister's office here said.

Designed by the students of Chemberi Vimal Jyothi Engineering College with the support of the Health Department, the remote control-operated robot can carry food and water for at least six persons at a stretch.

Also Read: Pandemic Podcast: How the lockdown is affecting women

The machine, which can travel up to one kilometre, distributes food, water and medicine in each room, a department statement said.

The robot would be disinfected after each use, it said.

Health Minister K K Shailaja inaugurated the new venture from here recently through the robot's video facility, the statement added.

Robots have been put to use in other parts of the country to help in the health workers' fight against COVID- 19.

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News Network
January 28,2020

Mumbai, Jan 28: Flag carrier Air India has kept one of its 423-seater jumbo planes ready in Mumbai for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Wuhan in China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in that country, an official source said on Tuesday.

The airline is awaiting necessary approvals from the ministries of external affairs and health to operate the special flight, the source said. The health ministry's nod is required because the operating crew has to fly in a virus outbreak territory.

"We have kept a Boeing 747-400 ready in Mumbai to operate an evacuation flight to China whenever we get a go ahead from the government," the source said.

Some 250 Indians are to be evacuated.

At a meeting of top secretaries called by the cabinet secretary on Monday, the government decided to be prepared for possible evacuation of Indian nationals in Wuhan.

Accordingly, Ministry of External Affairs will make a request to the Chinese authorities for evacuation of Indian nationals, mostly students, stuck in Wuhan city. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health will make arrangements for transport and quarantine facilities respectively, an official release said on Monday.

Wuhan along 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. The death toll climbed to 80 with 2,744 confirmed cases.

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