Page 13 - Atishi

Delhi govt on high alert as water discharge from Hathnikund rises: Atishi

Revenue Minister Atishi on Saturday said the Delhi government is on high alert due to discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna. Some parts of Yamuna Khadar (floodplains) might get inundated if the water level in the river rises to 206.7 metres but the government is ready for evacuation, she said in a statement. According to Central Water Commission (CWC) data, the flow rate at the Yamunanagar-located Hathnikund Barrage crossed the 1 lakh-mark at 9 am and oscillated between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh cusecs between 10 am and 4 pm. The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25. Atishi said regular 'munadi' (announcement) is being done in vulnerable areas to inform residents about the threat of flooding. Relief camps have been inspected and preparations made for people to stay there. The Delhi government is on high alert due to the discharge of more than 2 lakh

MCD schools will be completely transformed in coming years: Education Min

Schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will be "completely transformed" in coming years, Education Minister Atishi said on Saturday, and asserted that the AAP-led civic body is committed to provide world-class education to its students. She emphasised that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal believes that when teachers receive world-class exposure, they can provide world-class education to children, and in this direction, MCD school teachers will soon be sent abroad for training. Schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Saturday hosted a mega Parents Teachers Meet (PTM). During the PTM, parents actively engaged in discussions about their children's learning, performance, and ways to enhance it, the Delhi education department said in a statement. Atishi and Mayor Shelly Oberoi interacted with parents and children at MCD schools located at DDA Flats Kalkaji and Indira Kalyan Vihar, Okhla, it said. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, educat

Yamuna water level rising but not a threat for people in Delhi, says Atishi

Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi on Monday urged people to stay in relief camps as the Yamuna water level was showing a rising trend again. Due to heavy rains in some areas of Haryana on Sunday, the water level of Yamuna rose slightly, she said. "The Central Water Commission estimates that it can reach 206.1 metres overnight. But there is no danger for the people of Delhi from this. "But all the people living in relief camps are requested not to go back to their homes just yet. Go back to your homes only after the water level goes below the danger mark," Atishi said in a tweet in Hindi. The Yamuna water level in Delhi at 12 noon rose to 205.80 metres from 205.58 metres at 9 am. The water level was 205.52 metres on Sunday night. The water level of Yamuna, which breached the previous record of 207.49 metres last week and crossed 208 metres on July 12, was still flowing above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

Atishi asks officials to expedite water drainage from sections of Ring Road

Delhi Public Works Department Minister Atishi directed officials on Sunday to expedite the process of water drainage and road cleaning from sections of Ring Road to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Atishi visited the flood-affected spots at Chandgiram Akhada, Monastery Market, Nigambodh Ghat, Hanuman Mandir, Shantivan, Rajghat, ITO and Sachivalaya Road on Ring Road. During her inspection, she observed that several areas from Chandgiram Akhada to ISBT-Kashmere Gate were facing waterlogging issues and there was also mud on the roads due to the flood caused by heavy rain over the last few days. Atishi directed the officials present to expedite the process of water drainage and road cleaning from the section of the Ring Road to ensure a smooth traffic flow and provide relief to the people of Delhi. She also directed them to work round the clock to remove the flood water from Ring Road as the road is very important for central Delhi and serves as a crucial route for lakhs of vehicles daily

Ensure access to toilets, electricity for those living in camps: Atishi

Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi wrote to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar on Saturday and asked him to ensure that people affected by flooding and living in relief camps in Delhi have access to toilets and don't face a shortage of water or electricity. She asked the chief secretary to immediately address the issues. Parts of Delhi have been inundated after the Yamuna in the city breached its banks following days of heavy rains in its upper catchment areas, prompting the evacuation of thousands from low-lying areas. After rising for three days, water levels in the Yamuna started receding on Friday. According to the Central Water Commission, the Yamuna's water level came down to 207.62 metres by 7 am on Saturday from its peak of 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday. In her letter to Kumar, Atishi said, "Since yesterday, there have been complaints regarding facilities in relief camps -- shortage of water and toilets, no electricity, poor quality of food." "The people who have been evacuated

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Water, water everywhere: Waterlogging hits Delhi NCR; all you need to know

The Regional Weather Forecasting Centre has issued a "yellow alert" indicating moderate rains to thunderstorms on July 10 in Delhi

BJP slams AAP govt over waterlogging in Delhi, seek Atishi's resignation

Delhi BJP leaders on Sunday slammed the Kejriwal government over waterlogging in the city for the second consecutive day after heavy rains and demanded resignation of PWD minister Atishi. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said it is "shameful" that even as entire Delhi is flooded and people are experiencing hardships, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chose to go to Haryana for "political campaigning". Sachdeva was referring to Kejriwal's visit to Haryana's Panchkula where he launched the AAP's "Bijli Andolan" in the state. The BJP leader, who directed party councilors and workers to deal with waterlogging problems in their areas and help people, alleged that there was a "scam" in desilting of drains that caused flooding on the roads and streets. The BJP will protest at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office on Monday in protest against the "scam", Sachdeva said. Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri alleged that PWD Minister Atishi has failed to deal with the problem and said she

Wall collapse incident: Atishi orders inspection of all Delhi govt schools

After a boundary wall of a government school collapsed here following heavy rains, Delhi minister Atishi directed senior officials of the education department, principals and vice-principals to conduct a physical inspection of all government schools on Sunday. In case of any deficiencies or serious problem is found, the school should be cordoned off to avoid any mishap, according to a statement from the education minister's office. It has been directed to all Regional Directors, Deputy Director of Education - Zones and District, Principals and Vice-Principals that they conduct a physical inspection of all the Government Schools under their jurisdiction on Sunday itself and ensure that on the opening of schools tomorrow there are no such deficiencies are found which may cause problems for the security of the school children, the statement said. They have been asked to submit a report by Sunday itself. In case, any serious problem is found then the school should be cordoned off to av

BJP spreading lies, wants to defame Manish Sisodia, says AAP leader Atishi

Senior AAP leader Atishi on Saturday lashed out at the BJP and the Centre, accusing them of spreading lies about jailed former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and attempting to defame him. This comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it has attached two immovable assets owned by Sisodia and his wife, apart from bank deposits worth Rs 11.49 lakh, in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. At a press conference here, Atishi alleged that as per an ED document, Sisodia has assets worth Rs 81 lakh. "The BJP is spreading lies about Delhi's former deputy CM Manish Sisodia by telling the media that the ED attached Manish Sisodia's assets amounting to Rs 52 crores in the excise case, whereas the ED document says that Sisodia has total assets of Rs 81 lakh only," she said. The AAP leader further alleged that the BJP is "trying to defame Sisodia" and asserted that her party was "not scared of the Centre and its agencies". "The BJP wants to tarnish the

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

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Atishi inspects Delhi subways, directs officials to improve facilities

PWD Minister Atishi on Saturday began inspecting subways in Delhi following the end of her one-month deadline for fixing all maintenance issues. According to a statement from her office, Atishi inspected five subways in south Delhi's Masjid Moth, Nehru Place, Lajpat Nagar, Andrews Ganj and near the metro station at Lajpat Nagar. During the inspection, she found that the subways had been cleaned and their maintenance improved. New lights and convex mirrors have been installed, there is sufficient lighting to ensure women's safety and security guards are being deployed. The drainage systems have also improved, the statement read. Atishi said the department has been working to improve the conditions of subways across Delhi but there is room for further improvement. She directed the officials to focus on further improving the facilities. In the last week of May, the minister gave a month's ultimatum to department officials to improve cleanliness, maintenance and women's safety across a

IIM training to enable MCD school principals to give best education: Atishi

The Principals expressed gratitude for the government's commitment to improving MCD schools during their interaction with the Minister

Atishi writes to new DERC chief, requests him to take oath on July 3 or 4

Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Friday wrote to newly appointed DERC Chairman Justice (Retd) Umesh Kumar and requested him to take oath of office on July 3 or 4, sources said. Justice Kumar was appointed chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on June 21. Lt Governor VK Saxena had earlier this week written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, flagging the "unnecessary delay" in administering the oath of office to Justice Kumar and said it should be done without further delay. Sources said Kejriwal forwarded the letter to Atishi the same day and asked her to administer the oath "as early as possible". In her communication to Justice Kumar, Atishi blamed the Power department for the confusion. Justice Kumar, a former Allahabad High Court judge, in a letter to the department, had said it was only after he was communicated that the minister would not be available in the national capital after June 29 that he came to Delhi. He said he had made himself available to

MCD school principals to train at IIMs to 'revolutionise' education: Atishi

Principals of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools will undergo leadership and management training at IIMs to "revolutionise" primary education in the city, Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced on Tuesday. She told a press conference that the first batch of 50 principals will be sent to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad on June 29 for a week-long training programme. There are around 1,700 MCD-run primary schools. On the tenure of the BJP in the MCD, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said primary education in MCD schools was deplorable, and this impacted higher education of students. "We have decided to transform the education system by introducing the training at IIMs for principals of MCD schools," said Atishi, whose party won the last year poll to the civic body, wresting control from the BJP after 15 years. "We have given world-class training to principals of Delhi government schools. We have also started a series of world-class training. The best

Electricity usage above 200 units in Delhi to cost more, Atishi slams govt

Power consumers in Delhi with monthly usage of over 200 units will have to pay more after an 8 per cent hike in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC), prompting Minister Atishi to allege that electricity is getting costlier in the city due to the Centre's "mismanagement". Atishi, the power minister in the city government, told reporters on Monday that the hike will not impact consumers whose electricity consumption is 200 units or below. There will be a 8 per cent hike in PPAC surcharge in power bills of those consumers who do not get subsidy, she said. "I just want to tell the consumers that only the Centre is responsible for this hike. It has forced the use of imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal. This is despite no lack of coal mines or availability of coal in the country," she said. The PPAC is revised every three months and it can increase or decrease depending on the prevailing prices of fuel such as coal and gas used in power generation. Harish ..

AAP to move SC against appointment of ex-HC judge Umesh Kumar as DERC chair

The AAP government will move the Supreme Court against the appointment of former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar as the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman, Power Minister Atishi said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, she said the government had recommended the name of Justice (retd) Sangeet Lodha for the post on June 21. However, it was "sidelined and former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar was appointed as the chairman by the BJP-led Centre. This has been done to 'trouble' the elected government of Delhi. In the coming days, we will approach the Supreme Court against this 'illegal' appointment," she said. A statement issued by the lieutenant governor's office on Wednesday night said Justice Kumar has been appointed the DERC chairman by President Droupadi Murmu. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had in January recommended the name of retired high court judge Rajeev Kumar Shrivastava for appointment as the chairperson of the power regulator.

Atishi explores partnership with UK's UCL to transform MCD schools

The UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, known as the Institute of Education (IOE), is the world's leading centre for education and social science research, teaching, and engagement

Atishi visits school in London, says insight will help reinvent MCD schools

Delhi Education Minister Atishi visited a community-based school for children from low-income groups in London, to gain insights into its "successful education model" with an aim to improve civic schools here, her office said on Saturday. The Delhi minister is currently on a visit to the UK. She visited the Tollgate Primary School, "a community-based institution catering to the academic needs of children from low-income groups and diverse cultural backgrounds in London, known for providing high-quality education," her office said in a statement. During her visit, she was deeply impressed by the school's unique approach to education. "The school challenges the conventional 'blackboard-faced' model of a classroom, instead fostering group-based, community learning, allowing children to interact and learn with remarkable freedom. "The most captivating aspect of classroom learning at Tollgate is the use of roundtables, where students sit and learn together in a group," Atishi was quote