Page 4 - Delhi Government

Delhi govt sets up 24x7 'Green War Room' to curb winter pollution

The Delhi government has set up a 24x7 'Green War Room' to enhance the execution of its 21-point winter action plan aimed at curbing pollution in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday. Addressing a press conference, Rai said that a team of eight environmental experts will manage the war room, which has been assigned seven key responsibilities. A new task assigned to the war room this year includes analysing drone mapping and conducting real-time source apportionment studies, Rai said. "The war room will also analyse satellite data of stubble burning, along with information from 13 pollution hotspots," said the minister. Additionally, it will monitor AQI (Air Quality Index) data and assess information from 24 pollution monitoring stations managed by the Delhi government, he said. Regarding the use of artificial rain to reduce pollution, Rai said that he would again seek approval from the central government, as his previous request had not received a ..

Govt orders special audit of 12 DU colleges over financial irregularities

The Delhi government has initiated a special audit of 12 DU colleges fully funded by it to investigate allegations of financial irregularities flagged by Chief Minister Atishi. The Directorate of Audit has assigned an eight-member team to conduct the special audit after a status report was submitted by a high-level committee. In an order issued last week, the Audit department directed the secretary of Directorate of Higher Education to instruct the colleges to make all necessary records available to the audit team. "I am directed to convey the approval of Competent Authority for conducting a Special Audit on the examination of issues related to 12 colleges (fully funded by the Delhi Government) affiliated with the University of Delhi, as per the status Report of the High Level Committee," read the order dated September 27. The order further instructed that the concerned colleges provide all records, sitting arrangements and secretarial assistance to the audit team. Last month, in

Delhi govt to launch facility for quick clearance of investors' application

The Delhi government will next week launch a single window facility for faster clearances of investors' applications, boosting ease of doing business in the city. The beta version of the single window system will be launched by Industry Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday, said a government statement. "The platform aims to streamline pre-operation approvals, reduce compliance, promote sector-specific reforms, shorten project timelines and enhance ease of starting and doing business in Delhi," Bharadwaj said. The portal will help realize objective of speedy processing of clearances and providing investor-friendly environment to business, he added. So far, 59 services across 12 stakeholder departments have been onboarded on the platform. Specifically, 37 services from seven departments namely labour, MCD, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, weights and measures, DJB, power discoms and industries were onboarded on the single window system in the first phase of the plan, the minister

Delhi govt launches anti-dust campaign, sets guidelines to combat pollution

In a bid to curb rising dust pollution during the winter months, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Saturday unveiled a comprehensive 14-point construction guideline as part of the city's 'Winter Action Plan'. The rules aim to tackle dust pollution from the construction sites, which is a major contributor to the city's declining air quality, Rai said. He stated that these guidelines will be strictly enforced starting October 7 adding any violations after this date will lead to penalties with the repeat offenders facing a halt in the construction activities. The rules mandate that all construction sites must be covered with tin sheets to prevent dust from spreading into the surroundings. "People involved in any kind of construction work whether private, government or company-driven must ensure compliance with these rules," Rai emphasised during his press conference. Rai stated that all construction areas must be enclosed with tin sheets, vehicles transporting construction ...

Delhi CM Atishi announces hiked minimum wage for unorganised sector workers

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday announced Rs 18,066 in minimum wage for unskilled, Rs 19,929 for semi-skilled, and Rs 21,917 for skilled workers in the unorganised sector. In her first press conference after taking charge as the Delhi CM, Atishi said that under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP government implemented minimum wages for city labourers which were "highest" in the country. She accused the BJP of being "anti poor" and claimed that the minimum wages in states ruled by the saffron party were "perhaps half of what was being paid in Delhi." Atishi said that the Kejriwal government not only implemented minimum wages through court, but also ensured its revision twice every year, despite obstruction by the BJP.

Delhi to organise 'e-vehicle parade' in October to boost usage, sales

Delhi's environment department will organise an 'e-vehicle parade' at Rajghat in early October, aimed at encouraging the purchase and use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city. Officials anticipate that over 500 EVs will participate in this event, with a registration link for interested owners to be announced shortly. A senior official from the environment department said that a tender has been issued for the event, which is expected to cost around Rs 5.76 lakh. Bids will be accepted until September 30, and the parade will be conducted within five days of awarding the tender. "The primary objective is to promote EV usage in Delhi and raise awareness about their benefits. We encourage as many EV owners as possible to join the parade," an official said. "Transitioning to electric vehicles will contribute to reducing vehicular pollution in the capital," the official stated. Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who recently resumed his role following the formation of a new cabinet, emphas

Direct benefit transfer for women: Key task for Delhi's new CM Atishi

In the last few weeks, for the on-going Assembly elections in J&K and in Haryana, all the major political parties in the fray have announced monthly allowances for women

Will move out of official residence during Navratri: Delhi ex-CM Kejriwal

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that he would move out of his official residence during the upcoming Navratri festival that begins on October 3. In his first public address after tendering his resignation on September 17, the AAP chief also hit out at the BJP for allegedly implicating him in a false case and asserted that he cannot live with the "stain of dishonesty". "I cannot even live, let alone work, with the stigma of being dishonest. If I were dishonest, would I have made electricity and bus travel free for women? Would I have improved government schools and hospitals?" he asked the gathering. Released on bail from Tihar jail on September 13 after over five months in prison in connection with the excise policy case, Kejriwal said that he joined politics to serve the country and not for any greed for power or post. Asserting that for the last 10 years, the AAP ran government in Delhi with utmost honesty and gave facilities to people like free water a

13 portfolios for Delhi CM Atishi, Bharadwaj in charge of 8, others retain

New Delhi Chief Minister Atishi will retain all the 13 portfolios, including education, revenue, finance, power and PWD, that she held in the previous government in the national capital headed by Arvind Kejriwal. A proposal from the chief minister for allocation of work among the ministers of her cabinet has been approved by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, officials said on Saturday. Atishi's predecessor Kejriwal did not hold any portfolio. Atishi, the eighth chief minister of Delhi, has retained four ministers from the previous government -- Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Imran Hussain. First-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra Mukesh Ahlawat is a new member in her cabinet. Bharadwaj will retain his previous portfolios and also have the charge of the social welfare and cooperative departments that were earlier held by Raaj Kumar Anand, who resigned in April. His other portfolios include health, urban development, irrigation and tourism. Bharadwaj will have eight ...

Atishi hails Kejriwal's morality, urges Delhiites to make him CM again

In her first remarks after taking oath, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi hit out at the BJP on Saturday for hatching a "conspiracy" against her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal and urged the people of the capital to ensure that the AAP national convenor returns to the top post again after the Assembly polls due early next year. Addressing a press conference here, Atishi said it is an "emotional day" for her as Kejriwal wil not continue to be the chief minister. "It is an emotional moment for me as he will not be the chief minister. He understood the pain of every person. He ensured free treatment for people, worked to improve the lives of the students of government schools, brought the provision of free bus rides for women. "The BJP implicated him in a false case and did everything to break him," the chief minister said, as she referred to Kejriwal as her "guru" and thanked him for giving her this opportunity. With the Assembly polls due early next year, Atishi said the people of the nationa

Manoj Tiwari asks Delhi CM to inquire excise case, fix roads, reduce bills

He also requested that the work to repair the roads under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) be carried out immediately, claiming that most of the roads are broken

After Kejriwal's resignation, Atishi takes charge as youngest CM of Delhi

Atishi became Delhi's youngest CM at 43 on Saturday, days after Arvind Kejriwal's resignation. Her tenure is expected to be short, ending with the Assembly term in February

Exploring journey of India's women Chief Ministers: From Sucheta to Atishi

Mayawati became the first Dalit woman to hold the post, meanwhile, Syeda Anwara Taimur was the first Muslim woman

Atishi likely to take oath as Delhi CM on Saturday evening: Report

The swearing-in ceremony of AAP leader Atishi as Delhi chief minister is expected to take place at Raj Niwas on Saturday evening, officials said. The official details of the timing of the oath ceremony are awaited as the process for gazette notification for resignation of outgoing chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, formation of the new government and oath of the new chief minister are still underway, they said. "The oath ceremony is expected to be held late Saturday afternoon or in the evening, after all the formalities are completed," the officials said. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources claimed that the ceremony may be held around 4.30 pm on Saturday. There was, however, no clarity if Atishi will take oath along with her council of ministers. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be a low-key affair as the mood in the party is not upbeat because of Kejriwal's resignation and also because of the delay in approvals, leaving little time for preparations, said an AAP leader. After Kejriwa

Delhi govt to unveil Winter Action Plan on Sep 27 to combat air pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday the Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution in the city in the coming months with steps like the odd-even scheme and artificial rain will be released on September 27. According to a statement, the government, for the first time, will use drone technology this year to monitor pollution at 13 identified hotspots across Delhi. "The Winter Action Plan, set to be unveiled on September 27, targets pollution hotspots, vehicle and dust pollution, industrial emissions, and introduces innovative emergency measures such as the odd-even vehicle scheme and artificial rain to combat severe pollution spells," it said. The plan, based on 21 key focus points, was prepared following a meeting between the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) that was chaired by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai at the Secretariat on Friday. "To effectively combat winter pollution, the government has intensified its preparations

Delhi will see power hikes like UP if Kejriwal not elected CM: Atishi

AAP designated Chief Minister Atishi warns of power cuts and high electricity prices like BJP-led UP, without Arvind Kejriwal's leadership

Atishi's task: To expedite pending welfare policies before Delhi polls

When Atishi takes oath as Delhi Chief Minister on September 21, she will enter history books as being only the third woman to accomplish the feat after BJP's Sushma Swaraj and Congress' Sheila Dikshit. Atishi's elevation to the top post comes at a crucial juncture for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is looking to return to power in the Delhi Assembly polls early next year as well as for the government, which will have to fast-track pending policies and schemes for public welfare. The senior leader will have her task cut out after assuming office and will be running against time to ensure implementation of schemes like Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0 and doorstep delivery of services among others. However, Atishi is not new to rising to such situations. Her induction into the cabinet also happened when the government was going through testing times following the arrest of deputy chief minister and the then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's trusted

AAP MLA Mukesh Ahlawat to join Delhi Cabinet as Atishi prepares for CM role

AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, and Imran Hussain will retain their portfolios in the Delhi Cabinet

CM house necessary for Arvind Kejriwal's safety but he will vacate it: AAP

On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal resigned from the CM post of Delhi, announcing that Atishi will succeed him. The AAP chief has vowed to return as CM only when people elect him

Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Delhi Chief Minister, Atishi set to take over

Opposition calls her elevation a 'stop-gap'