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Delhi High Court raps civic body over death of UPSC aspirants, slams freebie culture

The Court also slammed the freebie culture offered by the Delhi government.

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The Delhi High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the city government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for the recent drowning deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding of the basement of Rao’s IAS Study circle coaching in Old Rajendra Nagar. The Court also slammed the freebie culture offered by the Delhi government.

The court, headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, sought accountability from the authorities by calling for the Director of the MCD to ascertain who was responsible for the tragedy. The court expressed its annoyance over the lack of effective urban planning and inadequate infrastructure to tackle such emergencies.

In this regard, Manmohan said, “There is a vulnerability in this city to such weather conditions; what preparedness and planning does the MCD have in store? If you think you can fight with nature, with buildings, you are mistaken. What kind of planning is this? One day you complain of drought, and the next day there is a flood?” the CJ remarked, pointing out the inconsistency in the city’s infrastructure responses to environmental challenges.

The court’s criticism also targeted the policies of the ruling AAP, especially its “freebie culture.” The AAP government is known for providing free or highly subsidized public services related to electricity, water, education, and health. With the increasing population and lack of infrastructure in the city, the bench asked how long these policies would be viable.

“There is a population of 3.3 crore people, and the city was planned for six or seven lakh. How do you plan to accommodate so many without upgrading infrastructure?” asked the court, while also urging the government to introspect its strategy.

The single judge of the High Court has intervened as the infrastructure and governance of the city have started to cause public concern. The court has emphasized that such tragedies should not recur simply due to lapses in urban planning policies, and has called for a general improvement in the city’s infrastructure.

The next course of action by the court will depend on the response and stern warnings have been issued to the MCD and the Delhi government to address these issues. The incident has raised broader questions about the city’s preparedness to deal with extreme weather and, above all, the effectiveness of its governance. These remarks emphasize the urgency needed for different government institutions to coordinate their efforts for the safety and well-being of Delhi’s citizens.

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NHAI expands Rs 350 monthly toll pass to 121 toll plazas: How to apply 

NHAI has expanded its digital FASTag Local Pass to 121 toll plazas. Check who is eligible for the Rs 350 monthly pass and how to apply online.

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Toll plaza

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has expanded its digital FASTag Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across India, making it easier for eligible local commuters to obtain a monthly toll pass without visiting a toll plaza.

Under the new system, eligible commuters can apply for the Local Pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile app. The facility removes the need for physical visits and manual submission of documents where the required information can be verified digitally.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the initiative is aimed at making National Highway travel more convenient and citizen-friendly.

Who is eligible for the Rs 350 monthly toll pass?

The Local Pass is intended for residents living within a 20-km radius of an eligible toll plaza.

The monthly pass, starting at Rs 350, allows eligible commuters to make unlimited journeys through the respective toll plaza during the month, subject to applicable rules.

It can be particularly useful for people who regularly cross the same toll plaza for work, daily errands or other routine travel.

However, the digital Local Pass facility is currently available only at 121 toll plazas. Commuters therefore need to check whether their toll plaza is covered before applying.

How to apply for the NHAI Local Pass

Eligible commuters can apply for the Local Pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile app.

The digital system uses consent-based integration with government platforms such as DigiLocker and VAHAN to verify information related to the applicant.

The details checked include the applicant’s residential address, vehicle information and the FASTag linked to the vehicle.

The applicant’s eligibility is then determined through GIS-based verification, which checks whether the registered residential address falls within the prescribed 20-km radius of the relevant toll plaza.

What information is checked?

After obtaining the applicant’s consent, the system retrieves relevant information from digital government records.

The information includes:

  • Residential address
  • Vehicle details
  • FASTag linked to the vehicle
  • Location of the registered address in relation to the toll plaza

According to the Ministry, digital records and GIS-based verification eliminate the need for manual documentation and physical verification where the required information can be verified digitally.

Where is the digital Local Pass available?

NHAI has extended the digital Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across the country.

Commuters can check the list of eligible toll plazas through the Rajmargyatra portal before starting the application process.

The facility was initially introduced in July 2026 at the Mundka-Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Delhi’s Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II). It was subsequently expanded to more than 120 toll plazas.

The government has said the facility will be rolled out at additional toll plazas in the coming months.

Why has NHAI introduced the digital system?

Previously, commuters seeking a Local Pass had to visit the concerned toll plaza and submit documents to establish that they lived within the required 20-km radius.

The new digital process is intended to reduce paperwork and manual intervention while making the eligibility verification process quicker and more transparent.

The government has described the initiative as part of the Digital India vision and its efforts to improve the Ease of Living for citizens.

For eligible local commuters who frequently use a covered toll plaza, the monthly pass starting at Rs 350 provides an online alternative to the earlier physical application process.

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DoT asks telcos to block new SIMs for subscribers with 9 connections

The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to deny new SIM connections to subscribers who already have nine mobile connections in their name.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom service providers to deny new mobile connections to subscribers who already have the maximum permitted number of nine connections in their name.

According to an official circular dated August 17, telecom operators must put appropriate technical and organisational measures in place from August 24 to identify subscribers seeking mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit.

The operators have been asked to inform such subscribers that they have already reached the maximum number of mobile connections permitted to an individual and that another connection cannot be provided.

Digital Intelligence Platform to help identify subscribers

The DoT has directed telecom service providers to use the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for the process. The platform has been established by the department using subscriber data records uploaded by telecom operators.

The circular said details of subscribers who have already obtained mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit are available on the DIP.

From August 23, a representative image of the photograph of each subscriber who has already reached the prescribed limit of mobile connections in their name will also be made available on the platform.

The move is aimed at helping telecom operators identify subscribers attempting to obtain additional mobile connections after reaching the prescribed limit and prevent them from crossing that limit.

Telecom operators asked to streamline process by November 30

The DoT has asked telecom service providers to streamline the process with the Digital Intelligence Platform by November 30.

The circular also provides for action against mobile connections activated beyond the permitted limit until the required measures are implemented.

It said that, until such measures are implemented by a telecom service provider on a post-facto basis, any mobile connection activated beyond the prescribed limit for a day would be immediately suspended, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Customer Application Form (CAF).

The connection would remain suspended until the issue related to crossing the permitted limit for mobile connections is resolved.

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Union Cabinet approves Jammu and Kashmir High Court bench for Ladakh

The Union Cabinet has approved setting up a Jammu and Kashmir High Court bench in Ladakh to improve access to justice for people in remote areas.

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The Union Cabinet has decided to set up a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday.

Shah said the decision, taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will significantly improve access to justice for citizens living in remote areas of the Union Territory.

According to the Home Minister, the establishment of the bench will reduce the time required for people in Ladakh to access the legal services they are entitled to.

“The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of the PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, has decided to set up a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh,” Shah said in a message posted on X.

He added that the move will significantly enhance access to justice for citizens living in remote parts of Ladakh by reducing the time needed to avail themselves of legal services.

Shah further said that the government is fully committed to the all-round development of Ladakh and to ensuring constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.

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