Page 12 - Atishi Marlena

Day after Delhi LG recalls files, Gahlot loses law portfolio to Atishi

Kailash Gahlot was divested of the Law and Justice portfolio in the AAP government on Friday, a day after LG V K Saxena recalled files related to judicial infrastructure and administration in the city as they remained pending with him for months, officials said. They said the Chief Minister's Office wrote to the LG office recommending to assign the charge of the law ministry to Atishi and it has received Saxena's nod. The AAP government has not officially responded to queries. With this change, the number of portfolios held by Atishi has increased to 14, the highest among the ministers of the Kejriwal government. Earlier in October, she was handed over the charge of water department. In June, Atishi was given charge of the Revenue, Planning and the Finance Departments, the portfolios earlier held by Gahlot. Gahlot now holds the charge of Transport, Home, Administrative Reforms and Information Technology departments. Saxena on Thursday recalled files related to courts, judicial .

Atishi writes to Centre flagging 'irregularities' in 12 DU colleges

Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Friday wrote to the Centre flagging "irregularities" in 12 colleges of the Delhi University that are funded by the city government. In her letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, she said, "The Delhi government has noted several serious irregularities and procedural lapses involving hundreds of crores of rupees from the public exchequer." "Since these colleges are directly affiliated with DU, they're not answerable to the Delhi government for the judicious utilisation of funds," she said. She suggested that the 12 colleges can be merged and brought under the Delhi government or the Centre may take their full control and in that case, the Delhi government will stop allocating funds to them. There was no immediate reaction from the university on the matter.

Delhi's tech institutions should lead in research, innovation: Atishi

Delhi's technical education institutions should lead in the fields of research and innovation, Education Minister Atishi said on Thursday while inaugurating two new state-of-the-art academic blocks at Delhi Technological University. She said the goal of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government is to provide every student studying in their institutions with excellent facilities. The newly inaugurated blocks at the Delhi Technological University (DTU) are each eight-storeyed and equipped with "world-class modern facilities", Atishi said. These academic blocks will serve as an example where the students will have all the necessary amenities to help shape their careers in the future, she added. "Our technical education institutions should lead in the fields of research and innovation," an official statement quoted the minister as saying. The minister said since coming to power, promoting technical education has always been a priority of the Kejriwal government. "We have consistently

Atishi submits preliminary report to Delhi CM on charges against chief secy

The Vigilance Minister in her Preliminary Report to the Chief Minister also recommended the immediate removal of Naresh Kumar (Chief Secretary) and Ashwani Kumar (Divisional Commissioner)

AAP MLAs urge Kejriwal to continue as Delhi CM even if he is arrested

Minister Atishi said that if Kejriwal is arrested, they will approach court to seek permission for him to carry out official work from jail

AAP claims BJP wants to finish party, after Kejriwal summoned by ED

Atishi alleged political rivalry the reason behind arrests made by central agencies in the Delhi Excise Policy scam

Policy can't be drafted to reduce pollution without data on sources: Atishi

Earlier, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Wednesday that there is a need for the Central government to sit with states and make a long-term plan to curb pollution in Northern India

Will seek withdrawal of tax notices to online gaming companies: Atishi

Delhi Finance Minister Atishi on Saturday said tax evasion notices worth Rs 1.5-lakh crore to online gaming companies will finish them and vowed to seek their withdrawal at the GST Council meeting during the day. She said the sector employed over 50,000 youths and attracted Rs 17,000 crore foreign investments, therefore it is important to withdraw the notices to protect the industry. An "unstable, erratic tax environment" will deter foreign investors in the online gaming industry and impact the overall start-up ecosystem in the country, she said. GST Council decisions in the past including the 28 percent tax on online gaming industry adversely impacted the industry, she said. The GST Council, chaired by Union finance minister and comprising state ministers, will meet here on Saturday. In the previous meeting on August 2, the council had approved amendments to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) laws to provide clarity on the taxation of casinos, horse racing and online gaming.

Officials threatened by vigilance counterparts record conversations: Atishi

Delhi cabinet minister Atishi has claimed that vigilance officials are "threatening" their counterparts in other departments to make them issue "illegal orders" and directed officials to record their conversation if anyone tries to intimidate them. Atishi, who holds charge of vigilance and services departments, said this in an order issued on Monday. The minister said she has learnt that officials from the vigilance department are "threatening", "intimidating and "harassing" officers from different departments to make them issue "illegal orders". In view of this, she directed officials to record phone calls in case they receive a threat on the phone. "In case the officers are called into the vigilance department and the threats are made in person, then the official who is being threatened or intimidated should record the conversation on their phone recorder," read the order. Atishi noted that these recordings are admissible as evidence in both disciplinary and legal proceedings.

As Delhi PWD minister, I was never called for any G20 prep meeting: Atishi

Delhi PWD minister Atishi Saturday dismissed Lt Governor V K Saxena's allegation that AAP ministers attended just one G20 preparatory meet, and said "had he involved us in preparations, we would have done better". The minister also said the AAP dispensation asked for Rs 927 crore from the Centre for the G20 preparations but did not get a single penny. However, she insisted now is not the time for a credit war. "This is not the time to say this is their work or this is our work. It is a matter of pride for the country that we are hosting the G20 Summit. I feel that if we work together, it will be good for the country," Atishi told PTI in an interview. With the countdown to the G20 Summit beginning, a political slugfest has erupted in Delhi with the BJP claiming the work has been done by the Centre, and the AAP rebutting it. "Till date, the Centre has not not given us a single penny for G20. We had asked for Rs 927 crore but we did not get anything. We didn't make it an issue thinkin

Why previous complaints against rape accused official ignored: Atishi

Delhi cabinet minister Atishi on Saturday wrote to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar asking how the official accused of raping and impregnating a minor was allowed to work in the WCD department despite previous sexual harassment complaints against him. She sought a detailed report on the issue, including the timeline of receipt of complaints of harassment by the officer along with details of the person who handled them, by 5 pm on August 28. Premoday Khakha -- a deputy director in the city government's Women and Child Development (WCD) department -- allegedly raped the girl several times between November 2020 and January 2021, according to the Delhi Police. His wife Semma Rani allegedly gave the girl medicine to terminate her pregnancy. Shortly before he and his wife were arrested in the case on Monday, Khakha was suspended from his post following a direction from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In her letter to the chief secretary, Atishi, who holds the charge of the Delhi WCD ...

Atishi to hold charge of services, vigilance; file sent for L-G's approval

Delhi Minister Atishi will be given additional charge of the services and the vigilance departments, a government source said, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal forwarding a proposal to L-G VK Saxena for approval. The move comes a day after the Delhi services bill secured parliamentary approval after the Rajya Sabha passed the measure that will give the Centre control over the bureaucracy in the national capital. The two portfolios were earlier held by Atishi's Cabinet colleague Saurabh Bharadwaj. Atishi was given additional charge of the revenue, planning and the finance departments in June after Saxena approved a proposal to rejig the Cabinet. These three departments were earlier with Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. Atishi -- the only woman minister in the Delhi Cabinet -- will now hold 14 portfolios, the highest among all ministers in the city government.

GST Council meeting: Delhi FM Atishi to raise issue of tax on online gaming

Ahead of the GST Council meeting, Delhi Finance Minister Atishi on Wednesday sought reconsideration of the decision to levy 28 per cent tax on online gaming. The GST Council, in its meeting on Wednesday, is likely to finalise the modalities for determination of supply value in online gaming and casinos for levying 28 per cent tax. The minister, who met representatives from the online gaming industry on Tuesday, said the issue will be raised by her at the meeting. "Last month the @GST_Council decided to impose a 28% tax on Online Gaming. Many entrepreneurs and investors from the start-up ecosystem opposed this decision, as they felt that it would destroy this fast growing industry.Yesterday, I met several representatives from the Online Gaming industry to understand their concerns. "Today the @GST_Council is meeting again, and I will ask the Council to reconsider its decision. Promoting start-ups and entrepreneurship is the only way our economy is going to grow!" Atishi tweeted. Th

Atishi pulls up top bureaucrat over delay in disbursal of flood relief sum

The tussle between the AAP government in Delhi and its bureaucrats resurfaced on Saturday with Revenue Minister Atishi "pulling up" chief secretary Naresh Kumar over the disbursal of flood relief amount, according to a Delhi government statement. The minister directed the Chief Secretary to ensure all officers are deployed on Saturday and Sunday to process the ex gratia sum promised to the flood-affected people so that the money can be transferred to their bank accounts on Monday. Atishi in a note to Kumar said she was "shocked" when she, during a revenue department meeting convened over the disbursal of relief amount, found that only 197 out of 4,716 affected families staying in relief camps had received Rs 10,000 of the ex gratia relief sanctioned by the Delhi government. "It has been 10 days since the Cabinet took the decision to give Rs 10,000 relief to families affected by floods. But in 10 days, 19 IAS and 18 DANICS officers - along with 6 DMs, 6 ADMs and 18 SDMS - have not be

Responsibility of youth to build fair, egalitarian society, says Atishi

The responsibility of building a better, fair, and egalitarian society lies with every youth of the country, including recently inducted students of the National Law University (NLU), Delhi Education Minister Atishi said on Sunday. Speaking at the orientation programme of the National Law University, Atishi said as a law student, it is crucial to keep in mind the profound significance of the country's Constitution. "Five years at the NLU will give students an opportunity to unleash their potential, broaden their horizons, and acquire legal expertise to serve the country. It is one of the world's top institutions - raising the lawyers, judges and CJIs for India's future," Atishi said. She further stated that the Delhi government is making all possible efforts to ensure better facilities for students studying in Delhi's higher education institutions.

PWD working on war footing to ensure roads return to normalcy: Atishi

Delhi minister Atishi on Saturday said the Public Works Department (PWD) has started pumping out water, cleaning roads and opening them up for traffic movement in view of a fall in the Yamuna water level. The PWD minister also said that the Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Bhairon Marg have been opened for vehicular traffic. After wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in parts of Delhi close to it, the swollen Yamuna on Saturday morning followed a downward trend, albeit at a slow pace of a few centimetres per hour. However, it was still flowing more than two metres above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. "As water levels in Yamuna have started receding, PWD has started pumping out the water, cleaning the roads and opening them up for traffic. ISBT and Bhairon Marg are open for traffic now," Atishi tweeted. She also said the PWD was working on war footing to ensure that roads and traffic return to normalcy as soon as possible. Earlier in the day, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar said

Atishi issues order to save Delhi govt school buildings amid heavy rain

"As we are aware that during last few days, the city has faced continuous heavy rainfalls and it might have affected the conditions of government school buildings," stated the order

Atishi Marlena inaugrates 32nd Annual Mango Festival in Delhi Haat

During the ongoing mango festival here, people can explore various varieties of the fruit from all over the country and enjoy cultural programs and competitions, the Delhi government said in a statement on Friday. On Friday, Tourism Minister Atishi inaugurated the 32nd Annual Mango Festival at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri. It will conclude on July 9. On this occasion, Atishi stated that the 'Mango Festival' organised by the tourism department is a unique initiative by the Kejriwal government to promote tourism in the city, familiarise the public with various varieties of mangoes, and provide a platform for small and large mango producers to expand their business. During this three-day festival, people can enjoy various cultural programs along with different types of mangoes from 12 pm to 10 pm. There is no entry fee for the festival, and a free shuttle service from Tilak Nagar Metro Station has been arranged for the convenience of visitors.

Power Minister Atishi falls ill, DERC chairman's oath postponed to July 6

Delhi Power Minister Atishi, who was scheduled to administer the oath of office to DERC chairperson-designate Justice (retd) Umesh Kumar on Monday, suddenly faced a "health issue" leading to postponement of the event to July 6, officials said. Kumar, the former Allahabad High Court judge, was appointed chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on June 21. The AAP dispensation has challenged his appointment in the Supreme Court. The appointment of DERC chairman is the latest flashpoint between the Delhi government and the lieutenant governor's office, following the Centre's ordinance on control of services. The AAP has also challenged the ordinance in the apex court. According to the Raj Niwas officials, Atishi wrote to the chairman-designate and asked for his availability to take the oath in her presence. "He accordingly confirmed the same," they said. Later, the event was postponed after Atishi took ill, the officials said. The Delhi government, in a statemen

Don't demolish religious structures in Delhi: Atishi urges LG Saxena

Delhi minister Atishi on Sunday urged Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to "withdraw his orders" to demolish religious structures in the national capital. The fresh request by the PWD minister came after a temple and a mazar were removed amid heavy police deployment in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura Chowk Sunday morning to pave the way for the construction of a flyover. Police said the decision to remove the two structures was taken at a "religious committee" meeting a few days ago and a proper dialogue was held with the residents and local leaders. Atishi tweeted about the demolition of the religious structures. "LG sir: Few days ago, I had written a letter requesting you to withdraw your decision to demolish temples and other religious structures in Delhi. But today a temple in Bhajanpura was demolished again. I request you again to ensure that temples and other religious structures are not demolished in Delhi. People's faith is attached to them," she said in a tweet in Hindi. The AA