News
Delhi Families Can Apply for Ration Cards Again After 13 Years
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday that people can once again apply for new ration cards in the capital after a gap of nearly 13 years. The fresh application system became active from May 15.
During a media briefing at the Delhi Secretariat, she asked low-income families to submit forms through the e-District website. She said the main aim is to make sure food support reaches families that need it the most.
The government has also reopened old pending files. Applicants whose forms were left incomplete in past years can now update their papers and upload fresh documents before sending the forms again.
After reviewing the ration system, Delhi Government officials found a large number of invalid names in records. According to official figures, more than 7.71 lakh names were removed during the checking drive.
Officials said over 6.46 lakh people did not match the income rules set for ration benefits. Around 95,000 card holders had not collected ration for over a year. Records also showed names of dead people and duplicate beneficiaries in several cases.
With these names removed, close to 7.72 lakh new spots are now free for eligible families.
The government shared that over 3.72 lakh requests for new ration cards and nearly 99,500 applications for adding family members are still waiting for clearance. Since many of these requests are old, people will now need to file forms again under the latest rules.
Rekha Gupta said Delhi has started work under the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026 linked to the National Food Security Act, 2013. Several changes have also been made in ration shops to reduce fraud cases.
Electronic weighing machines are now being placed at fair-price shops in place of old machines. Fingerprint-based checking has also been made compulsory while giving ration to card holders.
The Chief Minister said all ration card work can now be completed online. This covers new applications along with adding or removing names from family records. People may also visit nearby service centres for help.
Under the updated process, applicants must submit Aadhaar cards, address proof, fresh income papers and Aadhaar details of all family members. Officials said stricter document checking will help stop fake entries.
Applications will pass through many levels before approval. Food and Supply Officers will first examine the forms online. Field visits may also take place in some cases. Assistant Commissioners will then review the checked forms before a district committee led by the District Magistrate gives final approval. Approved ration cards will later be downloaded online.
Rekha Gupta also said the yearly income limit for getting ration cards has already gone up from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.20 lakh. The government is now discussing another increase to nearly Rs. 2.5 lakh so more families can come under the food scheme.
Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said earlier governments had slowed down the ration card system for many years. He claimed this had stopped many needy families from getting food benefits.
News
Delhi Power Cut Alert for June 7: Full List of Affected Areas and Outage Timings.
Several parts of Delhi may face temporary electricity cuts on Sunday, June 7, due to planned repair and maintenance work on the power network.
People living in the affected areas should charge their phones, laptops, power banks, and other important devices before the scheduled shutdown period begins.
Areas Likely to Face Power Cuts
Mundka
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Tagore Garden
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Nangloi
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
anakpuri
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hauz Khas
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Power officials said the work is being carried out to keep the electricity system in good condition and help ensure a smoother supply in the coming months.
Advice for Residents
People in these localities should plan their day in advance and complete important tasks before the shutdown starts. It may also help to keep emergency lights, charged batteries, and power banks ready.
If residents face any power-related issue outside the announced timings, they can contact the customer support team of their electricity company.
Power Cuts Reported Across Delhi on June 6
Many areas of Delhi also saw electricity interruptions on Saturday, June 6, due to repair work and system improvement activities.
Palam, Janakpuri, Mundka, Saket, Sarita Vihar and Nangloi were some of the localities that were affected at different hours of the day.
News
Delhi-NCR’s Old Trucks and Buses Are in Focus as Centre Clears Rs 9,585 Crore Plan
The Centre has cleared a new Rs 9,585 crore programme aimed at reducing pollution from older trucks and buses operating across Delhi-NCR. Approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, the two-year initiative is designed to speed up the shift towards cleaner and less-polluting vehicles in one of the country’s most polluted regions.
Officials say the transport sector remains a major source of poor air quality in Delhi-NCR. While heavy commercial vehicles account for only a small share of the total number of vehicles on the roads, they release a disproportionately high amount of harmful pollutants. Trucks and buses together make up roughly 3 percent of the vehicle fleet but are linked to more than one-third of PM2.5 emissions generated by road transport.
Government estimates show that older heavy vehicles release significantly more pollution than newer models. According to officials, a heavy-duty vehicle operating under emission standards older than BS-VI can pollute as much as several newer vehicles combined. Even BS-IV vehicles produce far higher emissions than those meeting the latest norms.
To address this issue, the new scheme will encourage owners of BS-IV commercial vehicles to move to BS-VI-compliant or electric alternatives. The programme does not cover vehicles owned by government departments.
A package of financial benefits has been prepared to make the switch more attractive. Vehicle owners will be eligible for lower borrowing costs through a five-year interest subsidy on loans. They may also receive fuel support through monthly vouchers, with the amount varying by vehicle category. Additional one-time incentives will be available for those choosing electric vehicles or participating in certificate trading mechanisms.
State governments joining the programme will offer their own set of benefits. These include removing registration charges and providing long-term relief on motor vehicle taxes. New vehicle buyers could receive full tax exemptions, while purchasers of used vehicles may qualify for partial concessions. Authorities will also clear outstanding dues attached to old vehicles brought into the scheme.
The Centre’s contribution to the programme will be Rs 5,041 crore, while participating states are expected to provide support through tax-related relief estimated at around Rs 1,601 crore.
Funding will be routed through the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will work together on implementation.
Official figures indicate that transport activities are responsible for a sizeable share of pollution across the region, contributing around 14 percent of PM2.5 levels, 40 percent of carbon monoxide emissions and nearly two-thirds of nitrogen dioxide emissions.
More than 2 lakh commercial vehicle owners are expected to fall within the scheme’s scope, including nearly 1.91 lakh truck owners and over 16,000 bus operators.
The benefits will not be available for BS-III or older vehicles. Such vehicles will have to be dismantled at authorised scrapping centres. Owners of BS-IV vehicles, however, can either send them for scrapping or transfer them to locations outside NCR where air quality norms permit their use.
Those seeking benefits under the programme must replace their old vehicles with a new BS-VI-compliant or electric vehicle and register it within NCR. Delhi will follow stricter rules, requiring light goods vehicles purchased under the scheme to be fully electric. Buses, meanwhile, will be allowed only if they run on BS-VI CNG technology or electricity.
News
91 Illegal Colonies in Yamuna Floodplain Come Under Court Focus

Image source: NDTV
The Delhi High Court has raised serious concerns over continued construction activity inside the Yamuna floodplain and signaled that government officials may be held responsible if fresh violations are found. The court said development of residential areas within Zone O remains a matter of concern due to the area’s environmental importance.
While hearing the matter, the court observed that new structures appear to be coming up despite restrictions in place. It questioned how such activity could continue without the knowledge of local authorities. To fix responsibility, the court asked for details of executive engineers handling the affected areas and directed them to remain present at the next hearing.
The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora stated that officers who fail to prevent fresh violations could face legal action.
Records placed before the court showed that dozens of unauthorized colonies already exist inside Zone O. Although these settlements have not received legal status, they are currently covered by temporary relief granted under a special law applicable in Delhi. This protection remains valid until the end of December 2026.
In its submission, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs clarified that residents living in these colonies are protected from certain enforcement measures for a limited period. However, the arrangement does not give them ownership rights over the properties they occupy.
The ministry further informed the court that the population living across these settlements is estimated to be between five and six lakh people, spread across roughly one lakh homes. Officials also said discussions are taking place among the Centre, the Delhi Government and other departments regarding future plans for the area and possible rehabilitation measures.
The judges made it clear that no additional structures should come up in the floodplain. They instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to keep a close watch on construction activity and ensure that repair work is not misused to put up completely new buildings.
The matter gained attention after photographs submitted to the court showed fresh building activity at several locations, including Jagatpur, Wazirabad, Ram Ghat and New Aruna Nagar near Majnu Ka Tila.
To address the issue, the court asked representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the DDA to meet on June 8. The agencies have been told to prepare a report explaining what action has been taken to stop new encroachments and deal with illegal structures in the floodplain. The report will be reviewed during the next hearing.
-
Entertainment1 month agoMichael Jackson biopic nears $200M in North America after big second weekend.
-
News1 month agoRain, Thunder and Dust Storms May Hit Delhi-NCR in Next 48 Hours
-
News1 month agoPink Smart Cards Ignored by Most Women in Delhi — Govt May Make Them Compulsory
-
News3 weeks agoDMRC Launches Delhi’s First Hydrogen Shuttle Bus Near Central Vista
-
News3 weeks agoDelhi Govt Announces Rs.10 Crore Loan Scheme For Women Entrepreneurs
-
News4 days ago91 Illegal Colonies in Yamuna Floodplain Come Under Court Focus
-
News2 weeks agoDelhi CM Clears Rs 1,000 Crore Plan To Clean Yamuna River
-
News3 weeks agoDelhi Bus Driver, Helper Arrested After Woman Alleges Rape Inside Moving Bus
