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Primary schools in Delhi shut till Nov 10 amid rising pollution levels

All primary schools in the national capital will remain shut till November 10 in view of rising pollution levels in the city, Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced on Sunday. For classes 6 to 12, schools have the option of teaching online. As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till November 10. For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes, Atishi said on X. A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the severe plus category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night. The air quality index deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday. Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that all government and private primary schools in Delhi will remain closed on November 3 and November 4, in view of rising pollution levels. Under the Centre's air pollution control pl

Kejriwal approves proposal for dismissal of CWC chairperson for misconduct

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved a proposal for the dismissal of a child welfare committee chairperson (CWC) for misconduct, officials said on Monday. The proposal was submitted by Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Atishi. Approving the proposal, Kejriwal said the Delhi government will not compromise on the care and betterment of children and those who show negligence "will not be forgiven". "In our government, there is a policy of zero tolerance for officials' negligent behaviour within the administration. The Child Welfare Committee deals with highly sensitive cases related to the care and safety of children. The role of the CWC chairperson is crucial in this regard," Kejriwal said. "Therefore, any laxity or irresponsible conduct by individuals in meeting the needs of children can have serious consequences," he added. Atishi said that several complaints were received against the CWC-IX chairperson, including delays in decision-making for critical cases

Delhi govt to set up more than 1,000 Chhath Ghats across capital: Atishi

In a high-level review meeting held with all the district magistrates on Wednesday, she directed the officials to begin the preparation for the 'Chhath Puja' festival in advance

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.

Efforts on to spruce up areas left out of G20 beautification drive: Atishi

Delhi minister Atishi on Tuesday said officials of various departments are on the ground to take stock of the work needed in areas that did not receive a facelift as part of the G20 beautification drive. The Public Works Department (PWD) minister inspected Press Enclave road in south Delhi on Tuesday morning. Talking to PTI video, she said, "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal promised the people of Delhi that we will beautify the entire national capital the way we did with several areas during G20." "We held a review meeting and debriefing with all the departments yesterday. Today, all the departments are on the ground and making efforts to achieve the goal," she added. Atishi on Monday said the Delhi government will extend its beautification efforts to all parts of the national capital after G20 designated parts of the city witnessed a facelift for the international summit.

Manish Sisodia leader of team education, says Delhi minister Atishi

On the occasion of Teachers Day, Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Tuesday said that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is the "leader of team education" and every moment spent with him was an opportunity to learn. Sisodia, who also held the education portfolio, has been in jail since February in connection with the excise policy case. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet amid the corruption allegations against him. In a post on the microblogging site X, Atishi wrote, "Manish Sisodia is the leader of Team Education. Every moment spent with him has been an opportunity to learn." "I would like to wish Manish Sir on the occasion of Teachers' Day today. It is because of him that the (Arvind) Kejriwal government has been able to take huge steps for the teachers and has been providing them world-class training facilities," she said. Atishi was appointed the Education minister in March. She was also assigned the charge of a few other portfolios in the absence of Sisodia.

BJP and L-G Saxena turned Delhi into garbage mound, alleges AAP's Atishi

Delhi cabinet minister Atishi accused the BJP and Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Sunday of turning the national capital into a garbage mound, while asserting that the MCD under the AAP has been working hard for the last six months to clean the roads. In an interview to PTI on Saturday, Saxena said lesser efforts would have been required to clean Delhi had the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the city worked throughout the last nine years. Atishi inspected the Moti Bagh stretch on Sunday. Reacting to Saxena's statement during her visit, she said, "Why has a need arisen to clean Delhi's roads? Why are mechanical sweeping machines being used on Delhi's roads? It is because the BJP did not do anything in its 15-year tenure in the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi). "In fact, the MCD was under the LG for a year, but where did he get the work done? It is with pain that I have to say that the BJP and the LG have filled Delhi with garbage and today, when the AAP-led MCD is cleaning

Rajghat Memorial Complex undergone unique landscaping for G20 meet: Atishi

Delhi PWD Minister Atishi on Wednesday said the Rajghat memorial complex, which will likely see visits during the upcoming G20 Summit, has undergone unique landscaping and a 115-ft Indian flag has been installed at the site. Assessing the preparations for the G20 summit being held next week, Atishi inspected the Shantivan Road stretch and the Delhi Gate stretch. Atishi said that it was a matter of pride for both Delhi and the country that the G20 Summit is being held in the national capital. Preparations for the G20 summit are in full swing across Delhi, with beautification efforts also well underway. Today, I visited Rajghat, a location that many delegates and heads of countries will visit during the summit, Atishi said. Over the past year, the stretch from Rajghat to Red Fort has undergone a stunning transformation led by the PWD. This area has been enhanced with features such as fountains, contemporary street art, open seating spaces, lighting and much more," she said. Rajghat,

Kejriwal pitched as INDIA bloc's PM face; Atishi says he is not in race

Two Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Wednesday pitched for Arvind Kejriwal as the prime ministerial candidate for the opposition INDIA bloc, saying that as Delhi chief minister he has given a model that the whole country can benefit from. Hours later, Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi clarified that Kejriwal does not have aspirations for the prime minister's post. The comments came a day ahead of the INDIA alliance's meeting in Mumbai during which the opposition leaders are expected to chalk out a joint campaign strategy to take on the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and iron out the differences among themselves. To a question on who should be the prime ministerial candidate for the INDIA alliance, the AAP's chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar told PTI, "As a spokesperson, I would propose our national convener Arvind Kejriwal's name." She said Kejriwal has constantly raised the issues of the people and "has given a model" which has led to the least inflation in Delhi. "He

Country still needs to work on education, health: Delhi Minister Atishi

India has progressed in the last 76 years but there are several areas where our country still needs to work such as education, medical facilities, unemployment, and discrimination, Delhi Education Minister Atishi said on Thursday. Felicitating the winners of statewide school competition 'India of my Dream in 2047,' where students shared their vision of India's future, Atishi said, "The students themselves said during the interaction that good education and medical facilities are required. Another student mentioned there shouldn't be any discrimination. Whether someone is Hindu or Muslim or Sikh or Isai (Christian), everybody should be treated equally." The Delhi minister further said that there are many such places where people still don't have access to good education, medical facilities, and job opportunities. "There are many who are unemployed and there are places where women are scared to step out of their houses," Atishi said. "If the Delhi government school students and the .

AAP govt will establish coordination between departments and NCCSA: Atishi

Delhi minister Atishi on Wednesday said the AAP dispensation has decided to establish coordination among different departments of the government and the National Capital Civil Service Authority. Citing a bill pending in Parliament to replace an ordinance on Delhi's services matters, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had deferred the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) meeting scheduled for July 28. At that time, the panel secretary had said it would affect the city administration. Following the enactment of the GNCTD (Amendment) Act 2023 on the control of services in the national capital, Atishi has issued directions saying that the meeting should resume. "There were several roadblocks due to which meetings of NCCSA were affected. The Delhi government has decided to establish coordination among different departments and NCCSA. Respecting the GNCTD Amendment Act, we want that meetings of the Authority are held and work of Delhi people is not affected," she told reporters .

Delhi L-G approves transfer of vigilance, services departments to Atishi

Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has accepted the chief minister's recommendation to transfer the charge of Vigilance and Services departments to minister Atishi Marlena, officials said on Saturday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on August 8 made the recommendation. The departments were earlier handled by Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj. A formal notification of the reshuffle by the General Administration (GAD) was awaited, they said. The proposal of the chief minister to allocate the portfolios of Services and Vigilance departments to Atishi Marlena was received at LG office on August 8, officials at Raj Niwas said. "At that time, Section 3A of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 excluding Entry 41 of the State List from the legislative domain of Delhi Assembly was in vogue," the LG wrote in a file noting. However, Section 3A of the Ordinance was omitted from the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Delhi govt to undertake energy audit for saving electricity: Atishi

The Delhi government will undertake an energy audit of all its buildings having sanctioned a load of 500 KW and above as well as street lights by certified auditors from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Power Minister Atishi said on Friday. The audit will pinpoint areas of excessive power usage in the government buildings and devise strategies to manage and control it, the minister said in a statement. "The energy audits of government buildings will not only suggest ways to minimise energy consumption but will also alleviate the financial burden on the exchequer. The energy-saving measures derived from the exercise will also help stabilise Delhi's overall power demand," she said. The audit will involve measuring the actual energy consumption of various devices and appliances within the buildings, comparing it with the estimated minimum energy required for the processes, and then identifying economically and technically feasible methods to achieve energy savings, Atishi said. Delhi

Delhi govt approves hike in circle rates of agricultural land: Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved a hike in circle rates of agricultural land and land near the Yamuna river to a maximum of Rs 5 crore per acre, Revenue Minister Atishi said on Monday. The notification for the hike in circle rates, fixed district wise, will be issued after the approval of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, she said. The minister said the new circle rates of farm land in South and New Delhi will be Rs 5 crore per acre. It will be Rs 3 crore per acre in North Delhi and South West Delhi districts and Rs 2 crore per acre in Central Delhi, she said. The circle rate of farmers' land in Delhi was Rs 53 lakh per acre since 2008.

Mentor teachers instrumental in bringing revolution in MCD schools: Atishi

Mentor teachers have been instrumental in bringing an "education revolution" in schools run by the MCD in the national capital, Delhi Education Minister Atishi said on Saturday. Interacting with mentor teachers of Municipal Corporation of Delhi schools after their five-day exposure visit to some of the prominent institutes across India, she said they are being empowered to "transform" MCD schools. "After learning from prestigious education institutes from across the country, our mentor teachers have gained a unique enthusiasm and self-confidence. "With this enthusiasm, they will create a fantastic learning atmosphere in their classrooms and introduce innovative teaching and learning methods to their fellow teachers," Atishi said. A group of 25 mentor teachers from MCD schools was sent by the Delhi government's State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to the Discovery Lab of Science, Math, Art and Technology in Palampur, the Yellow Train School and Isha Foundation

GST Council meet: 28% tax on online gaming from October 1, says Sitharaman

The Council will review the implementation of 28 per cent goods and services tax (GST) on online gaming, and casinos after six months

Delhi finance minister 'strongly opposed' to 28% GST levy on online gaming

Delhi finance minister Atishi has "strongly opposed" the GST Council's decision to implement a 28 per cent GST on online gaming platforms, an official statement said on Wednesday. The GST Council chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday decided that 28 per cent GST will be levied at face value of entry level bets placed in gaming platforms and casinos. The Centre will bring amendments to the Central GST law in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, following which states will pass the amendments to State GST law in their respective assemblies. According to the official statement, Atishi said that the BJP-led central government is not ready to reconsider GST rates on online gaming platforms and the 28 per cent tax rate could "restrict" the industry growth. "More than 900 startups in India are based on the online gaming industry. BJP's lack of futuristic vision will lead to the industry's destruction. The central government promotes startups but it seeks

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

Happiness Curriculum's five-year journey 'remarkable', says Atishi

The five-year journey of the Happiness Curriculum at Delhi government schools has been "remarkable", Education Minister Atishi said on Monday and added that it significantly helped children increase focus on their studies and life. Delhi government-run schools on Monday began celebrations to mark the Happiness Curriculum's five years with the 'Happiness Saptah - 2023', inaugurated by Atishi. Interacting with the children, Atishi said, "The Delhi government's Happiness Curriculum has been teaching people outside schools to be happy and stress-free. The curriculum is an answer to all the challenges a person faces in their lives." She added that the curriculum has instilled self-confidence in students of Delhi government schools. "The Happiness Curriculum has instilled self-confidence in Delhi government school children it is a positive sign for the future of the nation. Spending moments with schoolchildren amid day-to-day work and files is my happiness class," Atishi said.