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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Old buses turned into a luxury hotel

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It costs just one dollar to ride a Singaporean bus, but $296 to sleep on it

Bus Collective is the first resort hotel in Southeast Asia to convert decommissioned public buses into luxury hotel rooms.

The project refurbished 20 buses that were once owned by SBS Transit, Singapore’s public transport operator, giving them a new purpose in the hospitality sector.

The resort hotel officially opens on December 1, and reservations are now available on its website.

The Bus Collective is located in Singapore’s Changi Village and is spread over an area of 8,600 sq m. The resort is close to attractions such as the Hawker Centre, Changi East Walk and Changi Chapel and Museum.

The complex offers seven different room categories, each with different amenities. Nightly rates start at S$398 ($296), and some of the rooms even have bathtubs and king-size beds.

Among the different room types, the Pioneer North room has handrails in the toilet and shower area, built to meet the needs of older guests, a representative of the resort told CNBC.

Each room covers 45 square meters and can accommodate three to four guests, according to the resort’s website. Although these retired buses have been completely refurbished, some features such as the steering wheel, driver’s seat and windows have been retained.

WTS Travel and partners wanted to show how tourism, nature and environmental protection can come together and be a “catalyst for creating unique and exciting new experiences,” Meeker Sia, managing director of WTS Travel, told CNBC.

Although The Bus Collective currently operates only in Singapore, Sia says the company may expand its reach in the future.

“We’re definitely open to exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation in the future, and we think the project has the potential to appeal to consumers elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region,” says Xia.

Alternatively, the Hamilton Place room is designed to be wheelchair accessible, equipped with an external accessible toilet and a ramp leading to the room entrance.

Photo: The Bus Collective

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