Centre trying to derail Delhi’s health, education revolution: Kejriwal
The Hindu
There have been raids and investigations against us earlier too, nothing came out of them, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the Central government of going after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia through the CBI to “derail Delhi’s education and health revolution” even as the investigation agency raided his deputy’s residence.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had recommended a CBI investigation into “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” in the revamped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 on July 22 following which the AAP government had decided to scrap it.
As already reported by The Hindu, Mr. Sisodia’s role was under the lens in regard to the proposed CBI probe for allegedly providing “undue financial favours” to individuals and firms provided liquor retail licences under the new policy.
On the other hand, a Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) report on the matter, which has been accessed by The Hindu, indicted Mr. Sisodia for alleged departure from procedure by creating multiple files to reduce the number of dry days in Delhi from 21 to 3 of which seven Excise department officials, including then Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, an IAS officer, were also allegedly a part.
Citing a report in TheNew York Timesand without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr. Kejriwal accused the Centre of “sending the CBI” to the Excise Minister’s doorstep as part of a “witch-hunt” at a time when the world was praising him “as the best Education Minister.”
“America’s biggest newspaper The New York Times published our Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s photo on its front page, appreciated Delhi’s Education Model; I congratulate the whole country, it is a matter of pride; but it is shameful that the Centre sent the CBI behind Manish Sisodia hours after the news was published,” the Chief Minister said.
“We welcome the CBI with open arms, we will fully cooperate with them; there have been raids and investigations against us earlier too, nothing came out of them, we’ll come out clear this time too,” he added.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.