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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh admn rolls out student safety guidelines, puts onus on schools
In a renewed push towards student safety, the Chandigarh education department has issued a fresh set of stringent School Safety Audit Guidelines, putting the responsibility squarely on schools. All schools in Chandigarh, including government, government-aided, private recognised and central government schools, must conduct a comprehensive safety audit assessing their infrastructure and submit compliance reports by August 30. (Shutterstock) The guidelines, issued by the UT directorate of school education, make schools directly accountable for ensuring the safety of their students, not just in terms of infrastructure but also psychosocial well-being. All schools in the city, including government, government-aided, private recognised and central government schools, must conduct a comprehensive safety audit assessing their infrastructure and submit compliance reports by August 30. The audit should assess building stability, fire safety systems, electrical infrastructure, access control at gates and readiness for natural or man-made disasters. On the psychosocial safety front, availability of counselling services, mechanisms for incident reporting, peer support networks and inclusive mental health programmes must be ensured. The directive mandates that any accident safety lapse or even a near-miss must be reported to the authorities within 24 hours. Failure to do so will invite strict penalties, reinforcing a culture of vigilance and responsibility. The step comes days after a July 26 directive from the Union ministry of education, asking all states and UTs to conduct safety audits in schools. The ministry's order followed a tragedy in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district, where seven students were killed and 28 were injured after a school building collapsed. The new guidelines go beyond routine checks. The directorate has also called upon the School Management Committees (SMCs), Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and local communities to play an active role in co-creating safe school environments. Schools are expected to involve stakeholders in 'Safety Walks', mock drills and feedback forums to ensure community-rooted resilience. UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma described the guidelines as a 'foundational reform', stating, 'These School Safety Audit Guidelines reflect our unwavering commitment to creating learning environments where safety, dignity and preparedness are non-negotiable. We are building schools that meet not only Indian standards but aspire to match international best practices in safety.' The guidelines also advocate for international-standard infrastructure and facilities in schools, with specific emphasis on accessibility, hygiene and security. Schools are required to provide well-lit classrooms and corridors, functional CCTV coverage at vulnerable spots, barrier-free access for children with disabilities, separate toilets for boys and girls, secure school transport and clean drinking water. A major component is the School Safety and Disaster Management Plan, which must be prominently displayed in every classroom and regularly updated with inputs from students and teachers. The district education officer will collect reports from all schools and submit a consolidated audit status to the directorate by September 10. While the Chandigarh Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) had previously conducted a safety review after the tragic tree collapse incident at Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, in July 2022, all highlighted issues have not been addressed. A senior officer said, 'This audit is far more comprehensive and places the responsibility on the schools themselves.'
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chandigarh administration expands electric vehicle incentives, increases quota for e-cars
In a bid to jumpstart the city's sluggish EV adoption, the UT administration has rolled out fresh initiatives to reignite public interest. As part of the renewed push for e-mobility, the incentive framework under the Chandigarh Electric Vehicle Policy-2022 has been expanded, following a sharp decline in e-car registrations after the initial incentive quota was exhausted. Under the original policy, the first 2,000 electric four-wheelers registered in the city were eligible for incentives of up to ₹1.5 lakh, calculated at ₹5,000 per kWh of fixed battery capacity. This quota was exhausted in Nov 2023, after which the number of e-cars being registered dropped significantly. From Nov to March 2024, only around 200 e-cars were registered. In the first quarter of the current financial year, it is learnt that not a single e-car was registered out of the 1,188 EVs recorded. To address this, the UT Electric Vehicle Advisory Committee , in its meeting held on Thursday, decided to increase the quota by another 1,500 e-cars, making them eligible for incentives under the policy. The administration also confirmed that incentives for the 200 e-cars registered after the original quota was exhausted (applications for which were pending) will be released within 15 days. So far, around ₹32 crore has been disbursed under the policy. The committee also approved new measures to promote two-wheelers and e-cycles . A new insurance incentive of up to ₹5,000 will be introduced for e-bikes priced under ₹1.5 lakh. For e-cycles, the upper limit of the monetary incentive is being increased from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000. As per the policy, the first 25,000 e-cycles purchased during the policy period are eligible for a 25 per cent subsidy on the cost of the bicycle, subject to the cap. The meeting, chaired by UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma, also reviewed the progress of EV charging infrastructure and discussed expansion. The final decision on the revised incentives and related measures will be submitted to the UT administrator for approval before implementation. The administration has set a target of achieving 18 per cent EV penetration by the end of the current financial year. In FY 2024–25, Chandigarh had already reached 13.5 per cent EV penetration, ranking third in the country, only behind Tripura and Delhi.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chandigarh administration expands electric vehicle incentives, increases quota for e-cars
1 2 Chandigarh: In a bid to jumpstart the city's sluggish EV adoption, the UT administration has rolled out fresh initiatives to reignite public interest. As part of the renewed push for e-mobility, the incentive framework under the Chandigarh Electric Vehicle Policy-2022 has been expanded, following a sharp decline in e-car registrations after the initial incentive quota was exhausted. Under the original policy, the first 2,000 electric four-wheelers registered in the city were eligible for incentives of up to Rs 1.5 lakh, calculated at Rs 5,000 per kWh of fixed battery capacity. This quota was exhausted in Nov 2023, after which the number of e-cars being registered dropped significantly. From Nov to March 2024, only around 200 e-cars were registered. In the first quarter of the current financial year, it is learnt that not a single e-car was registered out of the 1,188 EVs recorded. To address this, the UT Electric Vehicle Advisory Committee, in its meeting held on Thursday, decided to increase the quota by another 1,500 e-cars, making them eligible for incentives under the policy. The administration also confirmed that incentives for the 200 e-cars registered after the original quota was exhausted (applications for which were pending) will be released within 15 days. So far, around Rs 32 crore has been disbursed under the policy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo The committee also approved new measures to promote two-wheelers and e-cycles. A new insurance incentive of up to Rs 5,000 will be introduced for e-bikes priced under Rs 1.5 lakh. For e-cycles, the upper limit of the monetary incentive is being increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000. As per the policy, the first 25,000 e-cycles purchased during the policy period are eligible for a 25% subsidy on the cost of the bicycle, subject to the cap. The meeting, chaired by UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma, also reviewed the progress of EV charging infrastructure and discussed expansion. The final decision on the revised incentives and related measures will be submitted to the UT administrator for approval before implementation. The administration has set a target of achieving 18% EV penetration by the end of the current financial year. In FY 2024–25, Chandigarh had already reached 13.5% EV penetration, ranking third in the country, only behind Tripura and Delhi. CAP FOR E-CARS Capping for personal-use electric four-wheelers under the Chandigarh EV Policy-2022 increased from 2,000 to 3,500 Incentive: Rs 5,000 per kWh (fixed battery) Maximum: Rs 1.5 lakh per vehicle FOR E-2WHEELERS Buyers eligible for insurance support up to Rs 5,000 for the first year Incentive increased from Rs 5,000/kWh to Rs 10,000/kWh, capped at Rs 30,000 per vehicle Women buyers eligible for Rs 12,500/kWh, capped at Rs 37,500 per vehicle E-BICYCLES Incentive increased from 25% of cost (max Rs 4,000) to 25% of cost (max Rs 6,000) INCENTIVES DISBURSED TO EVs Total Incentives Released: Rs 35 crore E-cars: 2,000 (plus 200 pending) E-2wheelers: 3,052 Other Categories: 136 Total EV Registrations: 5,388 PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS – USAGE ON UPSWING Financial Year Earnings 2025–26 (Q1) Rs 20.9 lakh 2024–25 Rs 20 lakh AVAILING EV INCENTIVES EV Portal – Citizens can... Apply online for EV subsidies under the Chandigarh EV Policy Track application status in real-time Access a location-based map of all public EV charging stations across UT Chandigarh, integrated with Google Maps for easy navigation
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Chandigarh: Women to get higher EV subsidy in new push for greener transport
The Chandigarh Administration has proposed enhanced incentives for women purchasing electric two-wheelers — Rs 12,500 per kWh, capped at Rs 37,500 per vehicle. This special benefit formed the key highlight of the fourth Review Meeting of the UT's Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, said a UT official. The meeting, attended by senior officials including the Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Secretaries of Transport, Engineering, and Renewable Energy, focused on accelerating EV adoption in the Union Territory to achieve 18 per cent penetration target for 2025–26. Responding to rising demand, the cap on personal electric four-wheelers eligible for incentives may be increased from 2,000 to 3,500 units. For electric two-wheelers, the subsidy is likely to be doubled from Rs 5,000/kWh to Rs 10,000/kWh, with a maximum of Rs 30,000 per vehicle. Insurance support of up to Rs 5,000 for the first year is also proposed to reduce the overall cost of ownership. The policy also extends benefits to electric bicycle users, with incentives increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000, maintaining the 25 per cent cost subsidy structure. To support this transition, the Administration has resolved to expand EV charging infrastructure across Chandigarh, with a particular focus on setting up renewable energy-based charging hubs to ensure eco-friendly energy sourcing.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chandigarh launches electric vehicle portal, reviews solar initiatives
Chandigarh: The Electric Vehicle (EV) Portal – – was launched on Tuesday. "The portal aims at improving accessibility and transparency for EV beneficiaries in the Union Territory by providing a user-friendly digital platform. It enables eligible citizens to apply online for subsidies under the Chandigarh EV Policy, track application status in real-time, and access a location-based map of all public EV charging stations across UT Chandigarh, integrated with Google Maps for easy navigation," said a UT spokesman. The official launch took place during the governing body meeting of CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society) held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma. The chief secretary acknowledged that Chandigarh had achieved saturation in the installation of solar photovoltaic (SPV) plants across all government buildings – a significant milestone reflecting the city's commitment to sustainable energy and a low-carbon future. To ensure the continued efficiency and performance of the existing solar infrastructure, the chief secretary directed CREST to initiate third-party audits of all SPV projects that have been operational for five years or more. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More These audits will promote accountability and long-term sustainability of solar assets. He also emphasised that technically innovative projects – such as SPV plants proposed over cycle tracks – must be thoroughly evaluated for feasibility, performance, and aesthetics, with close coordination involving the UT chief architect. "The Chandigarh administration remains steadfast in its vision to transform the city into a model of clean energy by integrating smart technology, promoting renewable energy adoption, and advancing sustainable mobility," said the spokesman. MSID:: 122980826 413 |
