Latest news with #MCD
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt holding weekly camps to resolve public grievances
The Delhi government is holding weekly Jan Sunwai camps led by the district magistrates to hear and resolve public grievances, the chief minister's office said on Sunday. These camps are being held in all revenue districts and are attended by officials from various departments, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Delhi Police, and the power department. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta. (ANI) Chief minister Rekha Gupta said that she also meets people at her residence to personally address their concerns. 'Public trust is our greatest strength. Our government is alert, compassionate and fully committed to resolving every public issue,' she said. These programmes are held at government offices and community spaces such as schools, local chaupals and banquet halls, the chief minister's office said. Delhi also has a 24x7 Public Grievance Monitoring System (PGMS) to ensure continuous redressal of complaints, the statement added. Complaint boxes are being placed outside government offices to allow people to submit their complaints easily, the statement said. The Jan Sunwai camps receive complaints about departments such as revenue, Delhi Jal Board, PWD, food and civil supplies, social welfare, health, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), education, irrigation and flood control, among others. Complaints are also received about the Delhi Police and MCD, covering issues such as encroachments, dark spots, sanitation, potable water, sewage problems, stray animals, road maintenance, illegal constructions, non-functional street lights and tree pruning, it added. Officers at the camps attempt to resolve issues on the spot and unresolved issues are referred to the concerned departments for timely action, the statement said. Recently, Jan Sunwai camps were organised in subdivisions like Model Town, Kanjhawala, Seelampur, Kotwali, Civil Lines, Karol Bagh, Vasant Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Kapashera, Sarita Vihar and Dwarka. More than 600 people attended the most recent weekend camps. At least 1,260 people participated in the Jan Sunwai camps held on May 17, and more than 1,350 people participated in the camps on May 24.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Complained to MCD but they give excuses': Garbage woes hit upscale South Delhi colonies
In the heart of South Delhi's most affluent enclaves — some are home to top judges, senior bureaucrats, and retired officers — lie garbage heaps, uncleared silt, and construction debris. From Neeti Bagh to Defence Colony, residents have voiced their growing frustration over erratic municipal cleaning, illegal dumping, and a lack of action. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is responsible for maintaining sanitation in these areas. Due to delays in the constitution of the civic body's Standing Committee — an 18-member body without whose approval no proposals exceeding Rs 5 crore can be cleared — agreements of contractors to whom garbage collection is outsourced have not been renewed, or new contractors have not been hired. The Standing Committee was finally formed this month after a delay of almost two-and-a-half years. Some councillors The Indian Express spoke to said the situation should improve now. The Indian Express visits some of these colonies to take stock. Neeti Bagh In this upscale locality, where most nameplates outside houses sport high-flying designations at the Supreme Court and High Court, complaints of irregular cleaning and garbage heaps are a constant. At the end of one street in Neeti Bagh, which boasts of being home to two former attorney generals, two former Supreme Court judges, and three sitting Delhi High Court judges, there is a mound of garbage comprising plastic bags of trash from residences, construction debris, and plastic wrappers. In another street, weeks' worth of waste collected from the park lie in a heap. Gopal Singh, Honourary Secretary, Supreme Court Bar Cooperative House Building Society Limited, blames the civic body for the state of affairs. 'Instead of issuing fines to residents for their violations, the MCD sanitary inspector takes some money and lets them go scot-free.' He adds, 'The MCD collects scavenging tax from us, but households have to pay a private vendor, individually, to have their garbage collected. If anyone doesn't pay, it is not picked up.' Hauz Khas councillor, AAP's Kamal Bhardwaj, blames residents for the illegal dumping of waste in their backlanes. 'If people alert us to any waste, we get it cleaned up in 30 minutes. But a lot of times, people throw their own waste in their backlanes or just let the construction debris lie there,' he adds. Defence Colony Defence Colony too has not been spared. In Block C, trash spills out from the garbage collection spot and lines the street. 'I have lodged numerous complaints with the MCD regarding cleanliness and the flooding issue we face here,' says Darshan Paul, a 75-year-old resident. 'Is this how they treat retired senior civil servants? Every time we complain to municipal authorities, they say they have a manpower shortage,' says Promodh Chopra, another resident. Another common sight is mounds of silt on the roadside. 'They removed silt from the drains to clean them before the monsoon, but left it on the road. This was a good job done undone,' says Major Ranjit Singh (Retired), President of the Defence Colony Welfare Association. Andrews Ganj councillor, BJP's Anita Basoya, acknowledges the problem of silt getting accumulated and says it is only removed once a substantial amount is gathered. 'The problem of garbage lying around in the open is due to the residents themselves. While garbage is collected in the morning, many homes are cleaned later in the day. Domestic help often dump waste on road corners or green areas — not in the designated area,' she says. 'The last firm enlisted by the MCD was working on an extension for the last two years. A new company is supposed to take over. Now, things will start to get better in a week,' she adds. New Friends Colony Complaints about garbage not being collected echo here, too. 'We have complained to the MCD so many times, but they come up with some excuse or the other — that we don't have enough workers or tippers. Even when tippers come to collect the trash, they are so small that much of the waste remains uncollected,' says Lal Singh, Office Secretary, New Friends Colony Residents' Welfare Association (RWA). In the backlanes, street ends, or other areas less frequented in Block D, horticulture waste, like branches and leaves, remain lying for weeks and get mixed with construction debris and household waste. According to Rajpal Singh, BJP councillor from the Sri Niwas Puri ward, the problem will be resolved in 15 days. 'While we do get the streets cleaned every day, the entire South Zone is facing a problem with garbage collection due to fewer tippers being used. For the last two-and-a-half years, tenders for appointing a new garbage collection agency were not passed because the Standing Committee had not been formed,' he says. 'So the old contractor was doing a half-hearted job. Once a new contractor is assigned, things will improve.' Green Park A mosquito repellent is plugged into a socket outside the front door of a sprawling bungalow in Green Park Extension, Block D2. Just outside the gate, and slowly creeping up the ramp, is a heap of garbage — green waste like leaves and plastic wrappers. 'Look at the repellent… why do you think I have put this outside?' says the 37-year-old resident of the house as she tries to convince her 10-year-old to eat his food. 'The garbage attracts a lot of mosquitoes, and I am scared for my child,' she adds. 'For the last five-six years, the MCD cleaner has been sweeping the garbage and keeping the heap here. It is collected only after a couple of weeks. I have called the MCD many times, but no one listens to me,' she adds. Green Park councillor, AAP's Sarita Phogat, did not respond when contacted for comment. South Extension In South Extension's Block P, garbage lines the streets at many spots. In front of the neighbourhood temple, too, a mound of garbage lies unchecked. 'Whenever sweepers or MCD vehicles visit the area, they ignore the backlanes,' complains Abir Phukan, 43, an advocate who lives in the area. 'The drain, which is also open at some places, is a breeding place for mosquitoes,' he adds. Kotla Mubarakpur councillor, AAP's Kusum Lata, did not respond to requests for comment. Greater Kailash Here, some backlanes sport mounds of construction waste. Sanjay Anand, General Secretary of Greater Kailash RWA, says, 'When we complain to the MCD, they always make excuses like we don't have enough workers or workers are busy elsewhere. Sometimes cleaners don't come for days on end, and garbage gets accumulated along the roads.' Former area councillor, BJP's Shikha Roy, did not respond to calls seeking comment. Roy was elected to the Delhi Assembly in February. The ward doesn't have a councillor as bypolls have not taken place. Soami Nagar In Soami Nagar, in front of posh Panchsheel Enclave, residents are largely satisfied with cleaning, but there are still complaints about how areas that are less frequented have become a dumping ground. 'Areas that are not residential or abandoned are neglected by cleaners. Sometimes, the cleaners come and dump garbage there,' says Naveen Grover, RWA Member. 'We don't see the benefit of paying so many taxes to the MCD. We always have to run after them to clean up one particular spot or another,' Grover adds. Krishan Jakhar, AAP's councillor from Chirag Delhi, says the MCD is grappling with staff shortage. 'The BJP is now running the MCD, and no new staff have been recruited. Even then, if we get a grievance, we try to get it resolved immediately.' Devansh Mittal is a trainee correspondent with The Indian Express. He studied political science at Ashoka University. He can be reached at ... Read More
India Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Delhi eases business licensing, removes police role in several key sectors
In a major administrative reform, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi has issued a notification removing the Delhi Police from the licensing process for several business categories in the capital. The responsibility will now be vested with local urban bodies and concerned departments, streamlining the process and reducing bureaucratic to the notification, the police will no longer be responsible for issuing licences or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for businesses such as hotels, guest houses, restaurants, motels, swimming pools, video game parlours, discotheques, auditoriums, and amusement parks. advertisementInstead, the authority has been transferred to civic agencies like the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta hailed the move as a landmark step toward administrative transparency and efficiency, stating that the reform reflects the central government's vision and reduces the burden of licensing on police, allowing them to focus on core responsibilities such as law and order, crime prevention, and women's safety.'The change will not only ease the licensing process for businesses but will also reduce the burden on the police, allowing them to dedicate more time to focus on maintaining law and order, preventing crime and focusing on women's safety. The decision comes in response to longstanding complaints from traders and industry stakeholders about corruption and delays in the grant of licences by Delhi Police. Both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court had earlier recommended the removal of licensing powers from police. Tune InMust Watch
Miami Herald
13 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
McDonald's to suffer massive boycott from customers
Over the past year, McDonald's (MCD) has struggled to resonate with consumers after facing backlash for dramatically hiking its menu prices during inflation. To add fuel to the fire, it also suffered a temporary E. coli outbreak in a few of its restaurant locations in October, further scaring away customers. Amid these challenges, McDonald's sales have declined over the past few financial quarters, despite its efforts to win back customers with menu changes and deals, and the trend continued during the first few months of this year. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter McDonald's first-quarter earnings report for 2025 revealed that its U.S. comparable sales decreased by 3.6% year-over-year. This contributed to the company facing a 3% year-over-year decline in its operating income, which is its profit after paying operating expenses. Related: McDonald's CEO sounds alarm on major customer problem Also, according to recent data from the number of customers that visited McDonald's stores during the quarter fell by 2.6%. During an earnings call on May 1, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that the "impact of inflation and heightened anxiety about the economic outlook" impacted sales during the quarter. "We entered 2025 knowing that it would be a challenging time for the QSR industry due to macroeconomic uncertainty and pressures weighing on the consumer," said Kempczinski. "During the first quarter, geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected." As McDonald's struggles to attract customers to its restaurants, it has another major problem on its hands that threatens to impact sales. Between June 24 and June 30, the fast-food chain will face a major boycott from customers, which The People's Union USA is organizing. The group previously organized boycotts of Amazon, Walmart, and Target earlier this year. In a recent Instagram post, The People's Union USA founder John Schwarz said that the group is calling for a boycott of McDonald's for five reasons. First, he alleges the fast-food chain pays "less in taxes than the people serving their food." "McDonald's benefits from loopholes and offshore tax havens, allowing them to pay a fraction of what they should," he wrote in the post. "Meanwhile, their minimum wage employees pay more in effective taxes than the billion-dollar corporation they work for." Related: McDonald's announces major store change to win back customers Second, he claims McDonald's is "one of the worst offenders of price gouging" as it has "dramatically raised prices in the last few years," despite raking in record profits. Third, Schwarz claims McDonald's "has a long history of anti-union tactics, silencing employees, and avoiding accountability." "They use franchise loopholes to dodge direct responsibility while lobbying against higher wages and benefits," wrote Schwarz. Fourth, he alleges that McDonald's exploits "global supply chains and environmental loopholes" as its supply chain is connected to "deforestation, poor labor conditions, and unsustainable agricultural practices." Fifth, he said McDonald's likes to "perform DEI for the cameras but fund the opposite." "While McDonald's runs DEI-focused ads, their political donations and lobbying often support candidates and legislation that undermine equity, labor rights, and marginalized communities," he wrote. The People's Union USA has been organizing "economic blackouts" of large corporations since February. So far, it has organized specific weeklong boycotts aimed at Amazon, Walmart, General Mills, and Target. Starbucks, Home Depot, and Lowe's are next on its list. According to the group's website, it aims to "expose corruption and exploitation" and "hold corporations accountable" through these boycotts. More Food + Dining: Domino's Pizza unveils generous deal amid alarming consumer trendSteak 'n Shake's beef tallow fries aren't as healthy as they appearThe Cheesecake Factory makes bittersweet changes to its menu "We're building a people-powered force that's not just pushing back, but preparing to take power back from the corporations, the billionaire class, and the political parasites that have been feeding off our work, our wages, and our rights for far too long," said The People's Union USA on its website. Amid heightened political tensions, more consumers nationwide are opting to protest with their wallets. According to a recent survey from CLYDE/Ipsos, 53% of Americans said that if a company takes a stand on an issue they disagree with, they are less likely to buy their products or use their services. Related: Dollar General suffers major boycott from customers The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Dublin Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Malahide Castle gigs tickets, transport, banned items, and all you need ahead of Charli XCX, Justin Timberlake, and more
MCD has issued some important information for fans attending concerts at Malahide Castle this summer. This year the iconic venue will play host to a spate of mega artists, kicking off with English singer Charli XCX on Tuesday, with heavy metal icons Iron Maiden, legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young, pop star Justin Timberlake, Grammy Award-winner Alanis Morissette, '80s pop rock outfit Duran Duran and folk stars Mumford & Sons all set to take to the stage this summer. Thousands of music fans are set to descend on Malahide Castle over the next three weeks for the much-anticipated gigs and here is everything you need to know about the upcoming shows, from prohibited items to parking and transportation. Transport Concertgoers are being urged to book their return travel arrangements in advance of the gigs allowing at least an extra three hours travel time to and from the venue. As traffic and parking delays are inevitable, attendees are encouraged to walk, cycle, use public transport and event bus services. Promoters do not operate transport to/ from venue - this is a matter for customers. Please allow plenty of time for concert entry procedures, ticket checks and searches. Everyone will be subject to a search permissible under law and a condition of ticket purchase and entry. Additional security checks may take place once inside the venue. No overnight or early queuing is permitted. The DART will be running rail services to and from Malahide DART Station for the concert, with the station just a 10-minute stroll from the venue entrance. In addition, there will be car parking at Malahide Castle for the concert via the Back Road. Gig goers travelling via car are advised to pre-purchase their parking in advance from Malahide Castle is located a 10 minute drive from dublin -airport> Dublin Airport and a 25 minute drive from Dublin city centre. On show day, there will be road closures in place, and a comprehensive traffic plan will be in operation. Do not try to to park illegally in the surrounding area of Malahide Castle or in local residential areas, as parking enforcement rules will be in operation at the event and your vehicle may be clamped or towed. Pedestrians will only be permitted into the grounds of Malahide Castle via Hogans Gate (near DART station). Pedestrians will not be permitted to enter through any other park gate. Tickets Concertgoers are being urged to download their tickets before arriving at the venue. Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted. Download the Ticketmaster app from the App Store or Google Play store. Sign in to your account using the email used at purchase then tap on 'My Events' to locate your order. Select the concert name to view your tickets. Ticketmaster box offices & guestlist collections are located next to the arena entrance. Tickets to a number of this summer's gigs at Malahide Castle are still available purchase via Ticketmaster at the time of writing. Banned items No alcohol or drinks are permitted to be brought into the venue with the exception of water and soft drinks in sealed plastic bottles up to 500ml. Empty reusable plastic bottles are permitted into the venue. There are drinking water points onsite. Other banned items include backpacks, large handbags, bags over A4 size, garden furniture, deckchairs, fold up chairs or shooting sticks, umbrellas, selfie sticks, flares/ fireworks, laser pens, megaphone/air horns, aerosols, spray cans, smoke & gas canisters, nitrous oxide & any associated equipment, glass, drones', professional cameras with a detachable lens, video cameras, audio recording devices. Items left unattended will be removed and disposed of accordingly. Due to health and safety, there are strictly no camping/collapsible chairs/stools permitted on site. Ticketholders are advised to do not bring these items as security will have to refuse you entry with them. What else do I need to know? Under 16's must be accompanied at all times by a Parent/Guardian over 25, who take full responsibility and remain with them throughout the event. Strict age monitoring in place. Unaccompanied under 16's will be refused entry without refund. Malahide Castle is a green field site, and routes of entry may require a significant walk. It is recommended concertgoers wear sturdy shoes runners or wellies. Sandals, flip flops, and high heels of any kind are strongly discouraged. All venue bars will be cashless and have contactless card payment facilities. Food vendors will take card and cash payments. There is a strict Challenge 21 policy on site and only the following forms of ID will be accepted for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products: Passport DrivingLicence GardaAgeCard An Garda Síochána will operate a ZERO tolerance policy on anti-social behaviour, such as on-street drinking, urinating etc. The Promoters and An Garda Síochána reserve the right to refuse admission without refund to anyone deemed to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Accessibility Customers who have purchased accessible tickets do not need to contact MCD. They will be contacted directly regarding accessible parking and our accessible facilities onsite. If concertgoers need assistance on the day, keep an eye out for offsite stewarding volunteers in the areas surrounding Malahide Castle. They will be wearing a Pink Hi-Vis and will be able to guide you to the concert entrances. Uniformed security are deployed inside the venue and will also be able to assist. 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