Page 66 - Delhi Government

Delhi govt 'misled' HC on transfer of schools, alleges L-G's office

Alleging that the Delhi government submitted "false" statements in the high court regarding the transfer of schools for children with special needs, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has directed the chief secretary to file an affidavit giving the "correct picture", his office said on Friday. No immediate reaction was available from the AAP dispensation to the charge by the LG office that may kick-start a fresh round of war of words between the two sides. "The AAP government inordinately delayed a file concerning handing over of the social welfare department's special schools for children with disability to the education department, and then misled the Delhi High Court on November 18, 2022 and again on February 17, 2023 saying that the file was pending with the LG," the LG office said in a statement. As a matter of fact, the file was "deliberately kept pending" with the government and was sent to the LG on March 28 this year, over four months after the high court was "misled" with fals

Delhi govt to plant 2 million flowering saplings in Delhi for G-20 Summit

The Delhi government has set a target of planting 20 lakh flowering saplings in the national capital as part of its preparations for the G20 Summit slated to be held in September. Of these, the forest and wildlife department will plant 12 lakh saplings and other agencies the rest. A forest department official said flowering species such as jacaranda and palas will be planted in large numbers. The entire exercise will be completed by July end. Over 10 lakh exotic potted plants will also add to the beauty of the national capital as it gets ready to host the G20 Summit, officials said. The horticulture wings of the central and Delhi government departments, including the Delhi Development Department, New Delhi Municipal Council, Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation of Delhi, have been asked to decorate public spaces, roundabouts, major intersections, flyovers and vertical greens in the city with exotic flowering plants. Special attention will be given to the stretch betwe

Punish schools for forcing parents to buy books from specific shops: Atishi

Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Friday directed the officials to initiate action against private schools that allegedly forced parents of students to buy expensive books and uniforms from specific vendors. She said the violation of the Education Department guidelines on books and uniforms by private schools "will not be tolerated" and that strict action will be taken against such schools. "Private schools must either stop forcing parents to buy books and uniforms from specific sellers or be ready to face severe consequences. Violation of education department guidelines will not be tolerated," Atishi said. The Education Department had issued instructions to schools on March 17 to comply with the guidelines on sale of books and school uniforms. It said immediate notice must be issued stating the reasons in case of any complaint. And in case of violation, action will be taken under the relevant provisions of the Delhi School Education Act 1973, it added. "There have been continuous

Ensure clean milk for citizens, no garbage for cattle: HC to Delhi govt

The Delhi High Court has asked the city government to ensure supply of clean and hygienic milk to citizens and see to it that cattle do not feed on garbage as it can have a detrimental effect the quality of milk and those who consume it. The order by a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma came on a petition by a lawyer seeking directions to the authorities to take all measures for ensuring clean and hygienic milk for the people of Delhi. The Delhi government counsel said adequate steps were being taken to ensure supply of clean and hygienic milk to city residents and proper regulations were already in place. He further said if the petitioner files a representation with the authorities about her grievances, it will be considered in accordance with law. Observing that "no further orders are required to be passed" in the matter in view of the stand of the government, the court said the petitioner is at liberty to file a representation before the authorities. "The State

Amid rising temperatures, Delhites struggle to find favourite beer brands

Liquor shops in Delhi have limited stocking space, and a low number of shops in the city naturally means a low total stock holding

Delhi to have 100 EV charging station with lowest rates by July-end: Atishi

Delhi is likely to have 100 "world-class" electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with the "lowest charging costs in the world" by the end of July this year, Delhi Power Minister Atishi said on Thursday. She further said EV charging rates in Delhi are the "lowest in the world" at less than Rs 3 per unit. Atishi said she has instructed officials to ensure that 50 EV charging stations are ready by the end of April, and all 100 by the end of July. "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi is leading the EV revolution in India. Over 16.7 per cent of total vehicles sold in the capital are electric, the highest share of EVs in total sales across the country," she said. Reviewing the progress of work to set up charging stations, the power minister asked officials to ensure timely completion of the project taken up on public-private partnership mode. The 100 EV charging stations will be established at metro stations, bus depots and public places across the city. Durin

MCD school to be upgraded on lines of Delhi govt schools in 5 yrs: Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reviewed the education system in MCD schools on Thursday and said they will be upgraded on the lines of Delhi government schools in the next five years. Chairing a high-level meeting with Education Minister Atishi and MCD officials, Kejriwal emphasised the need for a significant overhaul of the infrastructure of the schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. During the meeting, Kejriwal said even the best schools of MCD fail to match the standard of Delhi government schools. He identified several areas that require attention, including sanitation, toilets facilities, overburdened teachers and a lack of adequate number of non-educational staff, the government said in a statement. "The chief minister stressed that MCD schools need to be transformed on the lines of Delhi government schools. The Kejriwal Model of Education, which has transformed Delhi's government schools, will be implemented in MCD schools very soon," the statement added. The chi

Delhi govt to train people interested in wildlife conservation for free

The Delhi government, starting this year, will provide free training to people interested in forest and wildlife conservation, officials said on Thursday. A Forest and Wildlife department official said the goal of the programme is to share knowledge with the general public to boost conservation efforts in the national capital. The department has set up a four-member training cell while a website is being created. A third party from reputable institutions will be engaged to conduct the training. "To start with, we are inviting applications for those interested in understanding the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act and its application from everyone be it students, professionals," the official said. The programme will be very flexible, the official said, adding as an example that one can even ask for training on seeking permission for cutting and pruning trees. In due course, the training will cover all forest and biodiversity laws and conservation activities. "Involving the general .

Delhi Cabinet approves plan to make city roads free of dust pollution

The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to make the capital's roads free of dust pollution using water sprinkler machines and mechanical road sweeping machines. As per plan, the Delhi government will procure 70 mechanical road sweeping machines, allocating one machine per assembly constituency. In addition, 250 water sprinkling machines with integrated anti-smog guns will be deployed in the 250 municipal wards, according to an official statement. It has also been decided that the 1,449-km stretch of major roads of Delhi that come under the PWD will be cleaned by the department itself instead of the MCD, it said. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said a proposal was presented by the Environment Ministry to curb dust pollution in the city and also ensure sanitation of public places in the national capital. He said the first decision entails the procurement of 70 mechanical road-sweeping machines one for each Vidhan Sabha constituency in Del

DMRC writes to Centre on Reliance arbitral award high court order: Sources

Delhi Metro has asked the Centre and the city government for "further directions" on a Delhi High Court order that directed the two to help it pay dues of an arbitral award passed in favour of Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited, sources on Tuesday said. The DMRC sought directions in a letter dated March 28 addressed to the secretary, Union Ministry of Urban and Housing Affairs, and chief secretary, Delhi government, in separate copies, they said. DMRC officials, when contacted, did not comment on the issue. The Delhi High Court had on March 17 directed the Centre and the city government to attend to DMRC's request for extension of sovereign guarantees or subordinate debt to enable it to make payment of dues of an arbitral award passed in favour of DAMEPL, saying the governments cannot shirk from their liability to abide by judgements and decrees. The high court's verdict had come on an execution petition filed by Reliance Infrastructure-owned DAMEPL against the Delhi Metro

Atishi hits back at BJP over claims of 'poor results' of Delhi govt schools

Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Monday slammed the BJP for "spreading misinformation" and "concocting lies" about the results of city government-run schools. She was reacting to claims by the saffron party that 50 out of every 100 students studying in Delhi government schools dropped out in class 10 and that a similar dropout pattern was seen in classes 11 and 12. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also alleged that teachers were forced to write answers in almost blank answer sheets of below average students, especially in multiple choice questions section, and then pass them with minimum 33 per cent marks. In a statement, Atishi said the BJP is not concerned about the pitiable condition of the government schools in states ruled by it, adding that these schools function with classrooms made of tin sheds and in the absence of basic facilities. The Arvind Kejriwal government is doing everything in its control to improve the condition of government schools in Delhi and children over

440 jobs given by Delhi govt since 2015, Kejriwal lying about figure: BJP

BJP leaders accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday of lying that the AAP government has provided 12 lakh jobs to youngsters in the national capital, claiming that according to an RTI reply, only 440 jobs were given by it since 2015. No immediate reaction was available from the Delhi government or the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the allegations levelled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. Kejriwal has claimed that 12 lakh jobs were given by his government, but only 440 jobs were given to the aspirants during his rule since 2015, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told a press conference here. "Kejriwal is the biggest liar and the most corrupt and dishonest chief minister in the country. It sounds good that 12 lakh jobs have been given, but it is a false claim as has been proved by a RTI reply of his government itself," he said. During his visit to Assam on Sunday, Kejriwal promised jobs for all unemployed youngsters if the AAP is voted to power in the northeastern st

Arbitration off track

Delhi Metro shareholders should step up

IBA makes a case for biogas plants in PPP mode at landfill sites in Delhi

Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has urged the Delhi government to set up biogas plants under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model at landfill sites in the national capital to deal with the problem of mounting solid waste in an environment-friendly manner. In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the IBA said, "Biogas plants can be set up under the PPP model." The government can invite interested entrepreneurs to set up biogas plants at landfill sites, it suggested. Indore is the best example of how setting up biogas plants at landfill sites can reduce the environmental impacts of landfills and also help municipalities save costs, it added. The IBA opined that the biogas can help solve the landfill problem in Delhi by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and producing a clean and renewable source of energy. Further, it stated that it can help in making savings of Rs 750 crore by cost-effectively using the resources and through the generation of .

DCW issues suggestions to Centre over transgenders welfare board formation

The Delhi Commission for Women on Friday issued recommendations to the Centre and the Delhi government over the absence of a Transgender Welfare Board and implementation of the act to protect their rights in the national capital. The Government of India passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in 2019 and the Central Rules in 2020. However, the state rules for Delhi are yet to be notified, the women's panel said in a statement. In response to a notice by the panel, the Delhi government said the approved draft rules for the city were pending notification from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It also informed the commission that the formation of the board has also been approved and now they are awaiting notification from the home ministry. The commission's recommendations were marked to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Delhi government's social welfare department. In its recommendation to the ministry, the commission directed to expedite the notificatio

MCD to renovate 1,000 big parks in six months by installing green patching

The civic body plans to renovate a thousand big parks here in the next six months by installing green patching and refurbishing gym facilities wherever required, an official said on Friday. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) looks after 15,000 parks, including 1,000 big ones. A park is considered "big" if it is more than an acre in size. The renovation will include installing green patches and refurbishing the open gym and swings in the parks, the official said. The parks will be developed in a phased manner. "We are developing an action plan to refurbish the parks in the MCD area. We plan to develop the parks in phases. "We have 15,000 parks in total, of which around 1,000 are more than an acre in size. In the first phase, we will renovate such parks. Smaller parks will be renovated in the second phase," the official said. "Renovation of the big parks is the priority as their demands are more. The renovation will also include the development of gyms where there is a need a

Govt keeping eye on Covid situation, prepared to face eventuality: Kejriwal

The Delhi government is keeping an eye on the spurt in COVID-19 cases in the national capital and is "prepared to face any eventuality", Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday. Only three deaths have been reported over the last four-five days. In all three patients, co-morbidities were "very severe" and it has been assessed that the fatality was due to co-morbidities and perhaps Covid was "incidental", but one can't say that, he said. Addressing reporters after chairing a review meeting on the Covid situation in Delhi, Kejriwal, however, said there was no need to worry as of now and that the city government was taking all required steps. "The Delhi government is keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation and it is prepared to face any eventuality", he said. Delhi recorded 295 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday with a positivity rate of 12.48 per cent, according to data shared by the Health department. On Wednesday, the city had logged 300 cases, the first time since August 31,

Delhi govt watching Covid-19 situation, Kejriwal's review meeting on Friday

The Delhi government is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a review meeting on the matter on Friday, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said. Bharadwaj also assured people that there was no need to panic since the hospitalisation rate was low. He was speaking after holding a meeting on Thursday to review the COVID-19 situation in the national capital amid a spurt in cases. The meeting saw the attendance of senior health department officials, medical directors of state-run hospitals, epidemiologists and virologists. "We reviewed the situation. We have asked hospitals to advise coronavirus tests to those who are symptomatic. People visiting hospitals should wear masks," he said. The minister said the health department will brief Kejriwal on Friday on the situation following which he will issue directions to the government. "The chief minister will also be briefed about the Covid situation in other states and how they are tackling

Delhi govt launches drive to send overage vehicles for scrapping

The Delhi government on Wednesday kicked off a drive to send overage vehicles directly for scrapping. The move is aimed at encouraging vehicles owner in Delhi to come forward and scrap their overage vehicles, said Transport Department officials. "Under the new initiative, end of life vehicles will be impounded and directly sent to scrapping yard if they are found plying on city roads or parked in public places," said an official. On Wednesday, 10 teams of Enforcement Wing, Transport Department, impounded 50 vehicles which are more than 10 years old (diesel) and 15 years old (petrol) found plying or deemed to be plying (parked in public place) in Civil Lines area and handed over to RVSF (Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility), registered under RVSF Rules-2021, for scrapping, the official said. "NOC for diesel vehicles up to 10 years/ less than 15 years old petrol vehicles can be issued for any place in the country. NOC for diesel vehicles above 10 years and petrol vehicles above 15

CP, Dilli Haat most in-demand filming locations: Delhi govt official

Dilli Haat-INA, Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place are among the most sought-after locations for film and web series shoots in Delhi, which has witnessed over a dozen productions since the implementation of the city government's film policy last May, an official said on Tuesday. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation acts as a facilitator for film productions in the capital. The Tourism department has received 52 applications for film and web series shoots since the Delhi Film Policy - 2022 was introduced last May, the official said. Under the policy, a single-window e-Film Clearance portal has been created to bring over 20 agencies that grant the various approvals related to film production. The government has facilitated 13 film and web series shoots since the policy's implementation. These include two Hollywood films, the official said. "Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Dilli Haat-INA and Pritampura are the most sought-after locations. Producers are also ...