Latest news with #DelhiDialogues'
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Out of Rs 1,391 crore MLA funds, Rs 561 crore used by AAP: Delhi Minister Sood
NEW DELHI: Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood has revealed that a substantial portion of the MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) funds during the 10-year tenure of the previous AAP government remained unclaimed. Speaking exclusively in the 26th edition of the 'Delhi Dialogues' of this newspaper, the minister said that out of the total Rs 1,391 crore allocated under the MLA-LAD fund, only about Rs 561 crore — released in advance — was spent, while Rs 830 crore was never claimed by legislators. Emphasising to conduct an audit after a proper review, the Minister said that it apparently shows that the entire work was finished by the advance money or that money went down the drain. Notably, the AAP government in October 2024 approved a 50% hike in MLA-LAD fund, increasing the annual allocation to legislators from the earlier Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore. The then CM, Atishi, and her Cabinet claimed that Delhi has become the state (city) with the highest MLA-LAD fund allocation in the country. The BJP, however, had termed the move as 'nothing but a deception'.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Soon, Group A jobs, Rs 7 cr for international sports medallists: Delhi minister Sood
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is in the process of rolling out a policy that aims to provide Group 'A' jobs to sportspersons who win medals in international events, besides rewarding them with a cash prize of Rs 7 crore, Minister for Home, Education, Power and Urban Development Ashish Sood said on Wednesday. Sincere efforts are afoot to ensure the best possible facilities for these athletes, he added. Speaking at the 26th edition of the 'Delhi Dialogues' programme hosted by TMS, the Minister said, 'Since the Delhi government only offers jobs in the Group 'B' and Group 'C' categories, we have approached the Centre and the Union Public Service Commission to consider our proposal, which recently got the state cabinet's approval.' He said that sportspersons trained with state-provided facilities, after winning medals, shift to neighbouring states, where they are offered Group 'A' jobs. The government has already approved rewards for medallists, as those winning gold medals will now be given Rs 7 crore, silver medallists Rs 5 crore and those winning bronze Rs 3 crore will be granted. Earlier, Olympic and Paralympic medal winners were awarded Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively, for winning Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
