A new tussle started between the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the inauguration of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprasth University in East Delhi.

Delhi education minister, Atishi had announced the inauguration of the university by the Delhi CM which prompted the Delhi LG to issue a statement saying, “Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself was aware of the fact that the L-G was scheduled to inaugurate the campus. In fact, they were also aware that they were supposed to be present in the function as Guest of Honour and distinguished guest, as desired by the L-G and had also consented to it.”

“Moreover, even on the day when Atishi made this claim in a press conference, i.e. 06.06.2023, earlier during the day, the VC of GGSIPU had announced on stage at the Convocation of GGSIPU, where Atishi was present as a Guest of Honour, that the East Campus of the University was scheduled to be inaugurated by the Lt. Governor on 08.06.2023,” it added.  

Reacting to this Delhi education minister, Atishi said that the L-G should not forget that education, higher education and technical education are all transferred subjects.

Even Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj reacted to this, saying that the L-G should focus on inauguration of buildings which come under Police, Land and Public order.

“The construction of this campus started when he (VK Saxena) was not the L-G. Manish Sisodia started this work and our elected government took it further. It is strange now for the L-G to say that he was asked by officials to inaugurate the university campus,” Bhardwaj said.

“At this rate, the L-G could say tomorrow that he would inaugurate Saurabh Bhardwaj’s office. That’s why L-G has kept all officers under his control and wants to keep it going. The CM is the one vested with the moral authority to inaugurate the campus. Such thoughts should not even come to the L-G’s mind,” he added.

Tensions have been rising between the Delhi L-G and Delhi CM for the past few years over various matters. Notably, in May this year a Supreme Court judgement had ruled that the Delhi government had powers over civil services in the Delhi after which the Centre had brought in an ordinance regarding civil services giving more power to the L-G, creating more friction between the two posts.

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Western Afghanistan Rattled by Another Powerful Earthquake

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A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck western Afghanistan, causing thousands of deaths and flattened villages a week earlier.

The latest quake, centered about 30 kilometers outside Herat, the capital of Herat province, is the fourth measured at 6.3 magnitude in the same area in just over a week.

The aid group Save the Children reported four deaths and 153 injuries, while the Baloch area of Rabat Sangi district collapsed, destroying several villages.

Authorities have provided lower casualty numbers, but the group urges assistance in any way possible. The initial earthquakes on October 7 flattened entire villages in Herat.

Earthquakes in Afghanistan have killed over 2,000 people, with over 90% of the casualties being women and children. The earthquakes struck during the day, with many men working outdoors.

The epicenter was Zenda Jan district, where most casualties and damage occurred. The initial quake, numerous aftershocks, and a third 6.3-magnitude quake flattened villages, destroying hundreds of mud-brick homes and schools, health clinics, and other facilities.

Survivors are struggling to come to terms with the loss of multiple family members, and living residents are often outnumbered by volunteers searching debris and digging mass graves. Earthquakes are common in Afghanistan due to fault lines and frequent movement among nearby tectonic plates.

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