Delhi lost over 78,000 trees in last 10 years
New Delhi, Aug 10 : In the past 10 years, over 78,000 trees has been felled in the national capital, the Delhi Assembly was informed on Friday.
In a written reply, Environment Minister Imran Hussain told the House that by way of compensatory plantation, about 10 lakh saplings have been planted in the city.
"Between 2008 and 2018, the North Forest Department has chopped 16,235 trees, the South Forest Department 33,715 trees, while the west cut 28,313 trees," he said.
The total number of trees chopped was 78,263.
In compensation, the North Forest Department has planted 2,08,8452 saplings, the South Forest Department 3,77,103 and the West Forest Department has planted 3,94,678 saplings, the Minister reads.
Of this, only 2,94,990 plants in west department and 1,35,735 plants survived in the North Forest Department.
The South Forest Department is in the process of collecting the information of the plants that survived.
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Delhi polls: BJP's Parvesh Verma faces action for 'distributing' shoes to electors
New Delhi, Jan 15: The returning officer for the New Delhi Assembly segment has directed the police to investigate an incident of BJP candidate Parvesh Verma allegedly distributing shoes to electors at a Valmiki temple in violation of the poll code.
Citing complaints received about the alleged act of "corruption," the returning officer has instructed the station house office of the area to initiate the action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and has sought an action-taken report at the earliest.
Verma, however, claimed that he honoured the sanitation workers by placing shoes on their feet at the temple and no footwear was distributed.
Police sources confirmed that a non-cognizable report (NCR) has been filed based on the complaint against Verma, and further investigation has been initiated.
Under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (1) (A), offering or distributing any gift, gratification, or promise by a candidate or their agent, or by any person with the candidate's consent, to any elector is considered a corrupt practice.
According to the returning officer's order, advocate Rajnish Bhaskar filed a complaint through WhatsApp, alleging that Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate for the New Delhi seat, was distributing shoes to electors at the Valmiki Temple near the Mandir Marg Police Station.
The complainant also submitted two videos purportedly showing Verma "distributing" shoes to women.
Responding to the allegations, Verma, in a statement said that he personally honoured sanitation workers at the Valmiki Mandir by placing shoes on their feet as a mark of respect for their hard work in keeping the city clean.
"No shoes were distributed. Only a few shoes were offered as a mark of respect towards the sanitation workers," claimed an aide of the BJP leader.
The development comes amid corruption charges made against Verma by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his party members, accusing him of trying to sway voters in the BJP's favour using unfair means.
