Page 2 - Rekha Gupta

Priyanka urges PM Modi, Delhi CM to act on pollution; BJP hits back

Flagging the issue of air pollution in Delhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to intervene and take immediate steps for clearing the "filthy smog" people are breathing. The BJP hit back at the Congress general secretary, claiming she never spoke up about Delhi's pollution situation during the rule of her party or Aam Aadmi Party but has chosen to comment when the BJP government is working round the clock to fight both air and water pollution. In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said that while returning to the Delhi air from Wayanad first, then Bachwara in Bihar is truly shocking. The pollution enveloping this city is like a grey shroud thrown over it, she said. "It's really about time all of us get together regardless of our political compulsions and do something about it. The central and state governments need to act immediately, we will all support and cooper

Congress slams Delhi govt's cloud seeding experiment, calls it 'cruel joke'

The Congress on Sunday took a swipe at the Delhi government over its cloud seeding experiment for improving air quality and said getting slight improvement in a limited area for a day or two as is now being claimed is a "cruel joke". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Delhi government has spent Rs 34 crore on the winter cloud seeding experiment in order to improve air quality. On December 5, 2024, the Union Minister of State of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, had answered a question in the Rajya Sabha saying that three specialised agencies -- the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCT, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Indian Meteorological Department -- had clearly advised against winter cloud seeding to improve air quality in Delhi, Ramesh said. Then on October 31, 2025 --- that is just the day before yesterday -- the well-known and prestigious Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at IIT Delhi issued a detailed report

Watch: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta takes part in Chhath Puja celebrations at Yamuna ghat

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined scores of devotees in offering ‘Arghya’ to the rising Sun along the banks of the Yamuna River on the concluding day of Chhath Puja on Tuesday.

Delhi gears up for first cloud seeding experiment to fight air pollution

The experiment, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and the IMD, aims to trigger artificial rainfall and curb worsening air pollution as the capital braces for its peak winter smog season

Delhi government to launch its first official logo on Nov 1: CM Rekha Gupta

The Chief Minister said the government is introducing an official logo to give national capital a distinct identity, reflecting its democratic values, technological progress, and citizen participation

Cloud seeding on Oct 29: Delhi ready for first artificial rainfall trial

After a successful trial in Burari, CM Rekha Gupta said Delhi could see its first artificial rain on October 29 through cloud seeding to reduce post-Diwali pollution

Cloud seeding essential for Delhi to tackle pollution: CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said that cloud seeding is essential for the national capital as it could play a key role in controlling rising pollution levels during the winter season. Speaking about a successful test run of the experiment carried out on Thursday, Gupta said, Cloud seeding is something that has never happened before. We want to carry out this trial over the city as it could help reduce air pollution. We believe this technology will be successful. It can be used to tackle environmental challenges in the future, especially those faced during the winter months, she added. On Thursday night, Gupta said in a post on X that a successful trial of the project was conducted in the Burari area. For the first time in Delhi, preparations have been completed to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a significant technological milestone in the capital's fight against air pollution. Experts on Thursday successfully conducted a trial test in the Burari

Delhi CM launches water pipeline at BSF camp devoid of supply since 1982

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched a water pipeline project at a BSF camp in Chhawla in west Delhi, and celebrated 'Bhai Dooj' with the paramilitary force personnel, officials said. The camp of the 25th Battalion of Border Security Force (BSF) set up in 1982 was deprived of piped water supply since then. During her previous visit to the camp to take part in a 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' event on August 11, Gupta had promised to provide piped water supply to the camp, the officials said. The pipeline, which will be connected to the Dwarka water treatment plant, will also improve water supply in the neighbouring villages, Gupta said while addressing a gathering at the launch event. The chief minister also said that Delhi government will ensure laying of a synthetic track on the camp premises for sports, as requested by BSF officials. "After going back, the first thing I will do is to pass an order for providing water connection to your camp. When I visit you next, I will c

Less pollution this year on Diwali despite cracker-bursting: Delhi CM Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said air pollution in the city on Diwali night was less this year as compared to the previous year. Her assertion came a day after monitoring stations showed that Delhi's air pollution hit a four-year high on Diwali, with particulate matter 2.5 peaking at 675. The chief minister said she will meet a Punjab minister on Thursday to inform the state government about Delhi's concerns over crop residue burning, a major cause of pollution in the national capital during winters. "The pre- and post-Diwali gap (between average AQI) this year is less compared to the previous year, even though firecrackers were allowed this time," Gupta said at a press conference. She insisted that her government was taking all necessary steps with "greater alertness" to curb pollution. On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Air Quality Index in Delhi was 341 before Diwali and it rose to 356 afterwards, up by just 11 points. T

Delhi to develop 17 model Chhath ghats, withdraw cases against devotees: CM

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday announced that her government will develop 17 model Chhath ghats along the Yamuna across Delhi and withdraw all cases registered against devotees for celebrating the festival on the banks of the river. Addressing a press conference here, she said her government aims to ensure that Chhath Puja is celebrated in Delhi with the same grandeur as Diwali. Chhath Puja, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, will be celebrated from October 25 to October 28 this year. The festival holds special significance for the Purvanchali community, which constitutes a large part of Delhi's population. "In the past, Chhath Puja was not allowed on the banks of the Yamuna but we have allowed it for the devotees this year. We will nullify all the complaints of the past years and withdraw all such cases from our side," Gupta said. She said the government has received more than 1,000 applications from various puja samitis to organise the festi

As Delhi breathes toxic air after Diwali, political blame game erupts again

A political blame game has erupted once again with BJP and AAP accusing one another for the worsening air quality in the national capital, a day after Diwali

Delhi breathes 'very poor' air on Diwali morning; Stage II curbs imposed

Delhi-NCR records 'very poor' air quality with AQI above 300 on Diwali; CM Rekha Gupta urges citizens to use only green crackers in the city

Delhi govt's GST refund gift to traders ahead of Diwali; ₹738 cr disbursed

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said that her government has so far disbursed Rs 738 crore in goods and services tax (GST) refund to the city traders ahead of Diwali. The government earlier announced a GST refund of Rs 1,600 crore to city traders, pending since 2019. The process remains ongoing, with modern technology enabling faster and more efficient refund processing, Gupta said. Highlighting the government's efforts to ensure timely GST refunds, she said that the Trade and Taxes department has successfully cleared pending refund cases amounting to Rs 1,002 crore, of which Rs 738 crore has already been paid to business establishments and traders. So far, 8,259 refund applications have been processed, a record number, including 7,409 claims below Rs 10 lakh. The prompt disposal of these smaller claims has provided much-needed relief to small traders and business owners across Delhi, she said. The refund system has been fast-tracked with the Trade and Taxes department coming

Delhi's Diwali goes green: Inside how US and China regulate their fireworks

The Supreme Court said that Delhi residents will be allowed to burst only certified low-emission crackers between October 18 and 21, from 6 pm to 10 pm, including on Diwali and the day before

Over 17,000 rooftop solar plants installed in Delhi under govt's green push

The adoption of rooftop solar plants in the national capital is picking up gradually under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna, with over 17,000 plants installed so far in a joint green push by the Delhi government and power discoms, officials said on Friday. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in an open letter to residents of the city, had appealed for the adoption of solar power. Under this scheme, the Delhi government is providing a capital subsidy of Rs 30,000 for solar plants up to 3 KW capacity. The banks offer loans for solar panel installation at the rates of 6.50-7 per cent, she said in the letter. If someone installs a solar rooftop plant up to 3 KW, they will receive a total subsidy of Rs 1.08 lakh, Rs 78,000 from the Centre and Rs 30,000 from the Delhi government. Furthermore, if a consumer's monthly electricity consumption is 500 units, they will enjoy a zero electricity bill after installing the 3 KW rooftop solar plant. Additionally, they will receive a monthly ...

Reliability of Indian brands key to their global reach, says Delhi CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday emphasised the need to establish the "reliability of Indian brands" so they're used across the world, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'swadeshi' vision. Addressing the ninth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 held at the Yashobhoomi convention centre, she said every technology that takes the country forward should have Indians' contribution to it. "When the prime minister talks about 'Vocal for Local' and 'swadeshi', he not only means small enterprises but also sectors like defence, technology, healthcare, and education, among others," Gupta said. The prime minister believes that India should not only produce everything needed by its people but also be in a position to supply it across the world, she said. "We use brands from other countries but we have to now establish the reliability of Indian brands so that the whole world uses them," she added.

Delhi CM inspects ghats, reviews Chhath Puja preparations on Yamuna banks

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inspected the Yamuna ghats here to assess arrangements for the forthcoming Chhath Puja. She also took a boat ride on the river. The chief minister, accompanied by Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra, directed the officers to ensure proper preparations for the four-day festival likely to be celebrated from October 25-28. Gupta had earlier announced that her government would set up temporary ghats on both sides of the river. However, she made it clear that immersion in the Yamuna waters is not allowed by the courts. Meanwhile, the Delhi government's Irrigation and Flood Control Department has identified at least 100 points along the Yamuna River and other areas where temporary arrangements are being made, officials said. The department will be handling the preparation of ghats, while the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will be responsible for suppressing the white foam at Kalindi Kunj, which is an annual occurrence, they said. A part of

Amit Shah to inaugurate Delhi Jal Board projects worth over ₹1,800 crore

The Bharatiya Janata Party launched a two-week-long Seva Pakhwada on the occasion of PM Modi's birthday, which will conclude on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2

Delhi inaugurates six switching sub-stations to power DTC electric fleet

Six dedicated power sub-stations opened in Delhi, as the city pushes to cut emissions and expand its electric vehicle (EV) fleet by 2026

Delhi CM to transfer Ladli scheme honorarium to 40k beneficiaries on Oct 1

The Delhi government will credit honorarium to nearly 40,000 beneficiaries under its Ladli scheme on October 1, an official said on Tuesday. The move is part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada (service fortnight) to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday. "The transfers will be made in a single click at an event to be held at Talkatora Stadium, where Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are expected to participate," the official said. Earlier this year, the Women and Child Development department initiated a district-wise drive to identify Ladli Yojana beneficiaries who have not claimed their entitled payments. Many children change districts for schooling but do not renew their registration under the scheme, often due to a lack of awareness. Others discontinue their education midway, further complicating the renewal process, according to the department. "To address this, officials overseeing the scheme in Delhi's 11 districts were ...