logo
Ashish Sood announces INR 417 crore grant for DU colleges and unveils new education initiatives

Ashish Sood announces INR 417 crore grant for DU colleges and unveils new education initiatives

Time of India05-06-2025
NEW DELHI: With the BJP-led Delhi government completing 100 days in office, Cabinet minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday listed out the achievements of the departments under him, including releasing grant-in-aid of Rs 417 crore to 12 Delhi University colleges to introducing AI-based learning in government schools and announcing a fee regulation bill.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Addressing a press conference, Sood, whose portfolios include education, home, power, and urban development, said, "Delhi government has released Rs 275 crore as the first instalment of funding to 12 fully state-funded Delhi University colleges, ensuring timely salaries and operational support.
"The previous government did not release grants to DU where students from middle-class families study. But we released the money on April 1," Sood said.
Under the CM Digital Education Scheme, 1,200 students have received laptops, while a long-pending scholarship backlog has been cleared with the release of Rs 19 crore to 1,300 students from low-income families, the minister said.
Stating that free online coaching for NEET and CUET has been launched in partnership with MSTC and edtech platforms such as Physics Wallah, Sood said, "This step is meant for those students who cannot afford expensive coaching."
To bring more accountability in private education, the Delhi School Education Transparency Bill has been introduced, which prohibits private schools from forcing parents to buy books and uniforms from designated shops - a practice that went unchecked for decades, the minister said.
Sood also said that reforms in the EWS (economically weaker section) admission process have ensured fairness, preventing misuse of the quota.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
So far, 28,000 children have secured seats in schools, and a draw for the remaining 9,800 will be held on July 1, he said.
The minister also said that the government is establishing 75 CM Shri Schools featuring AI-based learning, smart classrooms, and training in data science and robotics, for which a special allocation of Rs 100 crore has been made.
The government will set up Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Language Labs in 100 schools to teach foreign languages such as French and German, while 250 schools will have digital libraries, he said.
Shifting focus to urban development, Sood reaffirmed the government's commitment that no slum will be demolished in Delhi. He said the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has been allocated a record Rs 700 crore to improve the living conditions in the slum areas by building better roads and toilets, and by ensuring electricity and water supply.
According to Sood, 2,500 homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which were left unoccupied due to political reasons, are now being restored and made livable with a budget of Rs 43 crore.
Referring to the Madarasi Camp case currently pending before the Delhi High Court, Sood said relocation was essential to prevent urban flooding, and of the 370 families, 215 have already been resettled in Narela. He also criticised the previous administration for "mishandling" the issue and failing to relocate people with dignity.
On the power front, the minister claimed electricity supply has improved significantly in the capital.
From February to May, the number of power cuts lasting over 30 minutes dropped to 1,946 - down from over 2,000 in previous years, he said.
Sood also said that subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana have been increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 30,000, making rooftop solar systems more affordable.
Talking about law and order, the minister said that forensic investigation has been made mandatory in all serious cases, while mobile forensic labs are being introduced for quicker response.
The government is also adding 100 new fire tenders for the high-density areas to improve emergency services, Sood said.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding a fee hike in Delhi Public School (DPS), Sood accused AAP leaders of shielding 'fee mafias' and cited past protests by the parents.
"The matter is in court, yet some people are trying to cover up these practices. But we will not let them succeed," he said.
"Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and inspired by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's principle of Antyodaya, our mission is to serve the last person (in the queue). And these 100 days are just the beginning," Sood added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mann Ki Baat inspires, rekindles confidence across nation: BJP leaders laud PM Modi's 124th episode
Mann Ki Baat inspires, rekindles confidence across nation: BJP leaders laud PM Modi's 124th episode

Hans India

time29 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Mann Ki Baat inspires, rekindles confidence across nation: BJP leaders laud PM Modi's 124th episode

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 124th episode of the monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, broadcast on Sunday, drew praise from several BJP leaders for its consistent messaging, emotional connect with the people, and emphasis on national pride and participation. Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar lauded the Prime Minister for remembering Bengal's revolutionary legacy. "In this Mann ki Baat Prime Minister mentioned so many things, especially in the context of Bengal. I would like to thank the Prime Minister, he named Khudiram Bose," Majumdar said, highlighting the recognition of Bengal's freedom fighters and their contribution to India's Independence. Echoing the sentiment, Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra praised the continuity and global uniqueness of the programme. "Since its inception, he has been speaking to the people on the last Sunday of every month without fail. This is truly unprecedented globally. Staying connected with the people and discussing even the smallest matters," Malhotra noted, underscoring how Mann Ki Baat has become a consistent platform for grassroots dialogue. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said the programme was helping rebuild India's national confidence. "The British rule tried to break India's self-confidence. PM Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat is an optimistic program that inspires the youth and rekindles confidence across the nation," she said. During the episode, Prime Minister Modi focused on the Swachh Bharat Mission, describing it as a powerful symbol of collective national will. "Sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people... But when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. 'Swachh Bharat Mission' is the biggest example of this," he said, adding that the mission, which will soon complete 11 years, remains just as relevant and necessary today. Calling the movement a 'true mass movement', the Prime Minister noted that public participation has made it successful. He pointed out that the annual Swachh Survekshan continues to encourage people to take ownership of their local environments and keep them clean. As Mann Ki Baat continues its journey into its second decade, it remains a key initiative connecting the Prime Minister directly with the people, offering inspiration, encouragement, and national purpose, one Sunday at a time.

'Misleading': APEDA rejects allegations on organic cotton certification
'Misleading': APEDA rejects allegations on organic cotton certification

Hans India

time29 minutes ago

  • Hans India

'Misleading': APEDA rejects allegations on organic cotton certification

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has strongly rejected the allegations made by an opposition leader regarding irregularities in organic cotton certification under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement said on Sunday. In the statement, the APEDA clarified that the claims made during a recent press briefing were "unfounded, unsubstantiated and misleading", and only serve to weaken the credibility of India's robust regulatory system. The NPOP, launched in 2001 by the Department of Commerce, is India's official organic certification programme for exports. It is implemented by the APEDA and follows a strict third-party certification process. The system has been recognised as equivalent to the standards of the European Union, Switzerland, and accepted by the UK, with a mutual recognition arrangement in place with Taiwan as well. Addressing the allegations that organic cotton production is concentrated only in Madhya Pradesh and involves a limited number of farmer groups, the APEDA said this is entirely incorrect. As of July 19, the NPOP covers 4,712 active organic grower groups across 31 states and Union Territories -- representing nearly 19.3 lakh certified farmers producing a variety of crops including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, tea, coffee, spices, and cotton. The APEDA also clarified that cotton is covered under NPOP only till the production stage. Post-production processes like ginning and processing are handled under separate private certifications, not under NPOP. The claims that farmers receive Rs 50,000 per hectare as a subsidy under NPOP were also dismissed by the APEDA, stating that neither the Department of Commerce nor the APEDA provides any such financial support under the programme. To ensure credibility, the NPOP has a multi-layered system of checks. Certification Bodies, both government and private, carry out annual audits and inspections of farms. These are further monitored by the National Accreditation Body (NAB) through unannounced audits coordinated by the APEDA. Any case of non-compliance or malpractice is thoroughly investigated, and strict action is taken against defaulting certification bodies or grower groups.

Draped in veshti and angavastram, PM visits iconic Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu
Draped in veshti and angavastram, PM visits iconic Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu

India Today

time34 minutes ago

  • India Today

Draped in veshti and angavastram, PM visits iconic Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the iconic Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district to pay tribute to the legacy of the Chola dynasty. The visit coincided with the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I, one of the greatest rulers of the Chola empire, known for expanding its reach as far as Southeast 11th-century Shiva temple, built by Rajendra Chola himself, stands as a monumental symbol of the dynasty's architectural and military prowess. PM Modi offered prayers at the temple and took a tour of the complex, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Great Living Chola Temples".advertisementDraped in traditional Tamil attire — veshti and angavastram — the Prime Minister participated in the rituals at the temple, offering prayers and performing customary ceremonies. PM Modi's visit is being seen as part of the BJP's broader cultural outreach in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has been seeking to expand its political footprint. The Chola emperor, often celebrated in Tamil literature and folklore, has also been referenced in PM Modi's past Cholapuram was the 'victory city' constructed by Rajendra Chola following his victorious maritime expedition to South East Asia about 1,000 years ago. PM Modi arrived at the temple to attend the Aadi Thiruvathirai grand finale of the festival that commenced on July 23 was marked by celebrations and Othuvamurthys, scholars well-versed in Saivaite scriptures, recited sacred hymns to welcome the Prime Minister. A special musical performance on Tiruvasagam by maestro Ilayaraja was also the occasion, Gangaikonda Cholapuram was adorned with floral green arches leading up to the temple, while police took control of the entire area to manage the security Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, Hindu Religious and Chartiable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar and Union Minister L Murugan also took part in the event.- EndsMust Watch

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store