Latest news with #AshishSood
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
14 govt school students to visit Germany for vocational training: Delhi CM
New Delhi: Fourteen top-performing students from Delhi government schools on Thursday received special tips as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister Ashish Sood interacted with them ahead of their vocational training in Germany. At a special felicitation ceremony held at the Delhi Secretariat, CM Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood praised the students who, despite limited resources, gave wings to their dreams through hard work and excellence. The 14 selected students from Delhi Government schools will soon study in Germany under the APAL (Ausbildung Programm für Auszubildende in Deutschland) Project 2025 for a vocational education and training programme. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) of Germany, responsible for employment benefits and job market operations across the country, had launched a flagship initiative known as APAL - 'Training Partnerships with Latin America, India, and Uzbekistan.' CM Gupta stated that it has always been the commitment of the Delhi government to ensure that every child receives world-class education, skill development, and global opportunities, regardless of their socio-economic background. The selection of these children is a living example of that very commitment, she said, adding, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all these children. This journey is not just theirs, but also a step toward building a new India - one where dreams know no bounds." Sood also briefed the 14 students from Delhi Government schools who have been selected to participate in the APAL Project 2025. This programme offers an opportunity to young individuals to pursue dual vocational training in Germany, a global leader in skill development and education. Sood stated that a kind of exchange programme has been established between the Delhi government and the German government, focusing on both skilling and employability. Under this programme, these 14 students will go to Germany, where they will receive training and pursue their education for a duration of 3 to 3.5 years, and eventually secure placements. He further shared that the way Delhi's meritorious students are getting inspired in the field of education will open up many new opportunities for technical education and training, along with other countries. Sood said ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched initiatives like Skill India, the country's reputation has grown internationally. 'Under the guidance of the Government of India, the Delhi government has also made significant strides in the areas of skilling and employability. We have made conscious efforts to ensure that Delhi's children receive quality skill-based education and become employable,' he said.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi Cabinet approves free laptop scheme for meritorious students; hikes cash awards for Olympic winners
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday decided to provide free i7 laptops to 1,200 meritorious Class 10 students under the Mukhya Mantri Digital Education Scheme. Education Minister Ashish Sood announced the establishment of ICT labs in 175 schools, each equipped with 40 computers, criticizing the previous AAP government for the lack of functional computer labs in schools. The Cabinet has also hiked the cash awards for Olympic and Paralympic medallists from the national capital. To encourage the sports ecosystem, Olympic gold medallists will now be given Rs 7 crore, silver medallists Rs 5 crore, and bronze medallists Rs 3 crore. Olympic and Paralympic medal winners were earlier awarded Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore, and Rs 1 crore respectively. "As many as 1,200 meritorious students who have passed Class 10 with good marks will be given i7 laptops. This will benefit students from underprivileged backgrounds. This will be in line with the National Education Policy, and children from underprivileged backgrounds will benefit from this,' he said. He also hit out at the AAP dispensation over "non-functional" computer labs in government schools and announced that ICT labs will be established in all state-run schools. "There were some people who called themselves the fathers of the education revolution. There are 1,074 government schools. I invite you to witness the education revolution there... None of them has a functional computer lab," Sood alleged. "At a time when we are talking about experiential learning, AI, and data science, our government school students don't have functional computer labs or ICT labs," he added. Sood said the Delhi government will set up 100 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs in Delhi schools.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Delhi govt hikes Olympic medal cash prizes, approves free laptop scheme for meritorious students
Delhi government raised cash awards for Olympic medallists and approved free laptops for top students under the "Mukhyamantri Digital Scheme" to support youth and education. To support sports and education, the Delhi government announced two big plans on Tuesday. One is to raise the cash prizes for Olympic and Paralympic winners from Delhi. The other is the approval of the "Mukhyamantri Digital Scheme" to give free laptops to bright students. Minister Ashish Sood said these steps were taken "for Delhi's development, students and youth" during a Cabinet meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat and led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. He said "There were historic decisions made under the Mukhyamantri Khel Prothsahan Yojana. Earlier, Olympic and Paralympic medal winners were awarded Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore for gold, silver and bronze medallists, respectively. To encourage the sports ecosystem in Delhi, Olympic gold medallists will now be given Rs 7 crore, silver medallists will receive Rs 5 crore, and bronze medallists Rs 3 crore." Sood added that Olympic gold and silver winners will be offered Group A government jobs in Delhi, and bronze winners will be offered Group B jobs. Also, young athletes taking part in state and national competitions will get Rs 5 lakh each to support their coaching and training. Students from Class 6 to 12 will get honorariums. Earlier, winners of the National Games were awarded Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh for gold, silver, and bronze. Now, any medal at a national event will bring Rs 11 lakh. Additionally, "elite sportspersons" competing in national or international tournaments will receive Rs 20 lakh per year. Sood also spoke about the plan to give free laptops under the "Mukhyamantri Digital Scheme". He said As many as 1,200 meritorious students who passed Class 10 with good marks will be given i7 laptops. This will benefit students from underprivileged backgrounds." He said this is in line with the National Education Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi Raises Stakes For Olympic Medals — Up To 7cr For Winners
New Delhi: Announcing two major initiatives to boost sports and education, Delhi govt on Tuesday increased the cash awards for Olympic and Paralympic medallists from the city and announced the approval of the Mukhyamantri Digital Scheme to provide free laptops to meritorious students. Minister Ashish Sood said the decisions "for Delhi's development, students and youth" were taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Rekha Gupta at Delhi Secretariat. "There were historic decisions made under the Mukhyamantri Khel Prothsahan Yojana. Earlier, Olympic and Paralympic medal winners were awarded Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore for gold, silver and bronze medallists, respectively. To encourage the sports ecosystem in Delhi, Olympic gold medallists will now be given Rs 7 crore, silver medallists will receive Rs 5 crore, and bronze medallists Rs 3 crore," he said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Sood also announced that the Olympic gold and silver medallists will be given Group A jobs in Delhi govt while the bronze medallists will be given Group B jobs. The Cabinet also decided that young sportspersons participating in state- and national-level events will be provided Rs 5 lakh each for coaching and training purposes, he said. The honorarium will be given to students from classes 6 to 12. So far, National Games winners were provided Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh for winning gold, silver and bronze medals, Sood said. Govt has now decided to provide Rs 11 lakh for winning any medal in national-level sports events, he added. Govt will provide Rs 20 lakh per year to "elite sportspersons" who participate in national and international games and sports events, the minister said. Meanwhile, Sood said the move to provide students free laptops under the Mukhyamantri Digital Scheme was aimed to ensure their holistic development. "As many as 1,200 meritorious students who passed Class 10 with good marks will be given i7 laptops. This will benefit students from underprivileged backgrounds," he said, adding that this will be in line with the National Education Policy, and children from underprivileged backgrounds will benefit from the scheme. Sood also criticised the previous AAP dispensation over "non-functional" computer labs in govt schools. "There were some people who called themselves the fathers of the education revolution. There are 1,074 govt schools. I invite you to witness the education revolution there... None of them has a functional computer lab," he alleged, adding, "At a time when we are talking about experiential learning, AI and data science, our govt school students don't have functional computer labs or information and communication technology (ICT) labs. " Sood announced that Delhi govt will set up 100 ICT labs in state-run schools.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Illegal Constructions Raising The Roof, And Risk, In Chandni Chowk
New Delhi: Illegal construction activities have become widespread in Chandni Chowk and areas in the Walled City, adding to the chaos in the already congested streets. Properties there are being transformed into multi-storey structures that exceed height restrictions and allegedly breach regulations, resulting not only in administrative disorder but also heightening the risk of structural accidents. On July 18, the Supreme Court took note of the issue and ordered the sealing of unauthorised constructions in Chandni Chowk and the arrest of those responsible for violations of the norms. The court reprimanded the civic authorities for their inability to safeguard a heritage zone from unlawful developments. The municipal corporation is assessing the court directive and hasn't taken any other measures as yet. According to the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021, MCD was to have come up with a redevelopment plan for the Walled City within three years of the plan's 2007 notification. However, MPD21 was only presented to Delhi govt in 2018-19. Since then, no advancement has been logged nor a redevelopment notified. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "This area was given the status of a special area because it came up before 1962 when the first MPD hadn't even been notified," said a govt official. "The redevelopment plan included preserving the heritage structure and revamping the civic services given that the narrow lanes, sewers and the drainage system weren't capable of meeting current requirements." Asked about the redevelopment plan, Ashish Sood, minister for urban development, said MPD21 itself provided details and features for the special area. "We need to check what additions were provided in the redevelopment plan submitted by MCD and how they will serve the objective," he said. The delayed notification of the plan has adversely affected the area's integrity, according to local residents. They also pointed out the impracticality of current building regulations requiring stilt parking, citing the road width of 6ft wide roads that prevent easy vehicular access. According to Pradeep Gupta, president, Chemical Traders' Association, Khari Baoli, and a local resident, more than 50% of voters of the area have shifted out over three decades due to the congestion and overwhelming commercialisation. "This place is turning into a cage. Bollards at the entrance of each lane make it difficult to even access emergency services," he said. Gupta said that general building regulations couldn't be enforced in this place because it was vastly different from other parts of the city. "People initially made some effort to reconstruct their properties, but when they found govt had no intention to redevelop the area, they moved away. Also, properties here are caught in so many legal disputes," he said. Dheeraj Dubey, president, Walled City Residents' Welfare Federation, himself a resident of Chandni Chowk's Rang Mahal locality, shared how his family failed to renovate their 200-year-old haveli. "Besides taking permission from the heritage committee, we were also required to use the original material and technique for repairing the haveli without changing its height. While a private owner like me failed several times, builders have taken over the properties and are easily getting havelis revamped, obviously by flouting the norms," he alleged. Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal accepted the problem of illegal construction in the area. "It's high time MCD conducted a survey of the area and pursued the apex court to understand the definition of legal and illegal structures before acting against reported violators," he said. "Also, a one-time amnesty scheme to help needy people, though not violators, should be introduced in addition to implementing the redevelopment plan. " An MCD official claimed that while minor repairs did not require official permission, any structural alterations or safety-related modifications in Chandni Chowk and the Walled City needed the approval of the relevant authorities. "According to MPD21, a person can carry out basic repair work such as changing windows, tiles and roof restoration without permission," he pointed out. Vishal Pandey, a third-generation resident of Chandni Chowk, claimed he knew how unauthorised construction was carried out. "The contractors take permission for repair, and using that pretext, they erect a whole new building with up to five floors within 2-3 months," he maintained. "The work is done smoothly as it is facilitated by a nexus between contractors and officials. Only when the affected party goes to the court is some relief extended to opposing parties in certain cases. " He recalled instances of excessive digging for buildings that caused neighbouring structures to develop cracks, leading municipal authorities to declare them unsafe and order their vacation. "These buildings are later developed into multi-storey complexes or houses," he claimed. MCD clarified that building plans received approvals of the building department provided they strictly followed the regulations, particularly regarding the floor area ratio. "For a residential plot measuring 100 sq yard, an FAR of 350 is allowed with a maximum of 90 on each floor. For those bigger than 100 and up to 250 sq yard, 300 FAR is permissible, and from 250 to 750 sq yard, FAR of 215 is allowed," said an official. The official added, "According to a DDA gazette notification of Jan 17, 2011, unauthorised regularised colonies and village abadis are permitted full ground coverage and setbacks are not to be insisted upon. However, the number of dwelling units, floor area ratio, height of the building, basement and other conditions are to be as per MPD21." An elderly resident complained about adjacent construction to his shop, stating it was constructed without proper permits and blocked the shared roof access. "Despite legal intervention and notice served by MCD, the construction activities continued unabated," he grumbled. Khandelwal has called a meeting of RWAs and market associations to discuss the various problems of the area, including illegal construction, on July 25.
