Latest news with #AAP-era
News18
13-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Free Bus Rides For Delhi Women, But Only If You Have This New Smart Card
The AAP-era pink ticket is on its way out as the Delhi government rolls out a smart card system to ensure free bus rides only for city residents. The Delhi government is all set to replace the popular 'pink ticket' system with smart cards called Saheli Cards. Starting from August 15, only women and transgender persons with Delhi residence proof will be eligible for free rides in public buses, as per The Indian Express. This move comes under the new BJP-led administration, which wants to ensure that only local residents benefit from welfare schemes. What Was the Pink Ticket Scheme? Introduced in 2019 by the AAP government, the pink ticket scheme allowed any woman to travel for free in DTC and cluster buses without showing any ID or proof. Now, with Saheli Cards, the government plans to tighten the process and reduce misuse. What Are Saheli Cards? There will be two types of smart cards: Non-KYC Smart Cards: Easy to get with just a valid Delhi residence proof. These will work in both buses and the Metro, but free travel applies only to buses. KYC Smart Cards: These will have your name and photo, and can be topped up like a debit card. Issued by banks, they offer contactless travel and are National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) compliant. Why This Change? CM Rekha Gupta said in her Budget speech that welfare schemes should only help Delhi residents. She accused the previous government of 'votebank politics" and said their approach led to misuse of subsidies. The new smart card system aims to reduce misuse while keeping the process smooth and digital. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AAP, BJP spar over ‘rebranded' Arogya Mandirs
New Delhi: Delhi AAP convener Saurabh Bharadwaj and BJP's South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri sparred on Saturday over Delhi govt opening Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the city. Bharadwaj claimed the BJP-led Delhi govt "repainted" the mohalla clinics set up by the previous AAP govt and rebranded them as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Bharadwaj posted on X that he wanted Bidhuri to visit Chirag Dilli and see an old dispensary, which was repainted and rebranded as an Arogya Mandir to mislead people. Bidhuri "has publicly claimed that BJP govt has not rebranded any AAP-era mohalla clinics or dispensaries as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs after making cosmetic changes. He went so far as to assert that if such a case is found, he will quit politics. I accept Ramvir Singh Bidhuri's challenge", Bharadwaj added. Bidhuri claimed Bharadwaj was running away from the challenge of leaving politics by "resorting to lies". He said Bharadwaj alleged on June 17 that BJP govt was opening Ayushman Arogya Mandirs by repainting mohalla clinics. "He is now saying that an Ayushman Arogya Mandir has been opened in place of a dispensary in Chirag Dilli. I never said the Ayushman Arogya Mandir was not opened in place of a dispensary," he claimed, adding that the facility inaugurated by him on June 17 was opened by upgrading an MCD dispensary. "If he has accepted the challenge, he should be prepared to leave politics," Bidhuri said. Bharadwaj also claimed that the fee regulation ordinance would grant private schools "unchecked power to exploit parents".
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘2 boards illogical', govt begins phased dismantling of Delhi's own school board
New Delhi: Delhi govt has begun the phased dismantling of Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE), marking a significant policy reversal in the city's education system. Education minister Ashish Sood confirmed that no new admission would be allowed under DBSE and that students currently enrolled would be transitioned smoothly. "There will be no new admissions under DBSE. Students who completed Class XII are done, while around 1,800 students still studying in classes IX, X and XI will be allowed to continue. They'll have flexibility—they may shift to CBSE if they choose or continue their studies under existing arrangements. The phase-out will be swift, and we will not compromise students' future," Sood said. "Having two education boards in one state doesn't make sense. The previous govt created confusion by running DBSE alongside CBSE. This dual-board structure lacks logic," he added. As part of the transition, all 56 Schools of Specialised Excellence currently under DBSE are being moved to Central Board of Secondary Education , according to sources. Established in 2021 by AAP govt, DBSE was envisioned as a progressive alternative aligned with global pedagogical standards. However, according to officials, the board will soon cease to oversee curriculum and examinations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Students enrolling in Class IX for the 2025-26 academic session will be registered directly under CBSE, states an official directive issued by the deputy director of education. AAP has strongly opposed the move, calling it both politically motivated and educationally unsound. "Chief minister claims a 'parallel' board puts children's futures at risk while the education minister says having two boards in one state is illogical. But India has 65 education boards recognised by central govt, and 16 states and Union territories operate with more than one board—some with up to five," an AAP member pointed out. "Before DBSE, Delhi didn't even have its own board. If DBSE coexists with CBSE, how is that different from other states?" AAP also highlighted the contradiction in Delhi govt's position, questioning how opening a new set of CM Shri Schools is deemed logical while operating two boards is not. "This is selective reasoning, presenting illogical decisions as logical simply to reverse AAP-era reforms. CBSE and NIOS are national boards under the education ministry while CISCE is a recognised private board. Many states have three or more recognised boards. Has Centre risked children's futures in those cases?" Doubts persist over the validity of classes X and XII certificates issued by DBSE during its three years of operation. CBSE officials said they were awaiting completion of procedural formalities before proceeding with the enrolment of former DBSE students into their system. Meanwhile, a principal of a private school affiliated with DBSE confirmed that instructions had already been issued to follow CBSE guidelines for future admissions and curriculum. The current batches of classes X and XII will be the last to graduate under the DBSE framework. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Fee hike Bill, curriculum revamp: What's changing in Delhi schools under BJP's first 100 days
As the BJP government marks its first 100 days in power in Delhi on Saturday, its work in the education sector reveals a blend of reversals of previous policies, new rollouts, and sharp political messaging. Under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood, the government has made a series of announcements reflecting a shift from AAP-era reforms to newer strategies aimed at overhauling school infrastructure and curricula. Here's what's been done on the ground since the party assumed office in February: Fee hikes, protests by parents and a new Bill The BJP government's initial days coincided with a wave of discontent across the capital as hundreds of parents from several private schools protested over fee hike concerns. The Indian Express on May 21 detailed how many families were struggling, with one parent stating, 'Our salaries can't keep pace.' In response, the government introduced the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation of Fees) Bill, 2025, aimed at regulating private school fees through a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism and imposing penalties up to Rs 10 lakh on schools for violations. Several schools, however, had justified the hikes, saying it was necessary to meet infrastructure demands, pay staff salaries, among other things. Revamping schemes –Deshbhakti to Rashtraneeti Curriculum: Introduced by the previous AAP government, the current dispensation has replaced the Deshbhakti Curriculum with the Rashtraneeti Curriculum. Minister Sood described Deshbhakti as 'focused on emotional slogans and symbolism,' whereas Rashtraneeti is designed to 'instill values of democracy, active citizenship, and understanding of India's governance structures.' The new syllabus includes modules on constitutional values, civic duties, and policy debates, and integrates 'No-Bag Days' for experiential learning. It is being rolled out alongside the Science of Living programme to promote mental health and holistic development. A school principal told The Indian Express that 'special attention is also being given to mental health and social well-being programmes in schools as well as the Rashtraneeti curriculum.' –New entrepreneurial push: Under the AAP government's 'Business Blasters' programme, students in Classes 11 and 12 of Delhi government schools were given seed money of Rs 2,000 each; for Higher Education Institutions, it was higher at Rs 50,000. This was replaced with NEEEV (New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision), which is set to provide Rs 20,000 to student groups for entrepreneurial projects. The school principal quoted above, who is also involved in shaping the curriculum, said, '… this will be a better curriculum as it is more focused. Students from Class 8 would be first taught basic ideas and slowly introduced to more hands-on, complex projects by Classes 11 and 12. The money provided is also higher, which may motivate more students.' –Phasing out DBSE: A major structural change is the rollback of the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) created by the AAP government in 2021 for its Schools of Specialised Excellence (SoSEs). The BJP government has begun to transition these schools back to the CBSE. A report by The Indian Express on April 6 noted that the sudden announcement has led to confusion among educators and students, particularly around how the transition would impact those currently enrolled in DBSE-affiliated SoSEs. Budget claims and allocations Sood, in his Budget speech on March 25, contested AAP's education model. 'In 2020-21, Rs 15,383 crore was allocated to education. In 2021-22, Rs 15,904 crore was spent. In 2024-25, it increased to Rs 16,395 crore,' he said. However, he claimed Delhi spends just 1.5% of its GST revenue on education — less than smaller states like Manipur. He emphasised that the Rs 50,118 crore received by Delhi in GST compensation between 2018 and 2025 played a key role in sustaining prior allocations. Key budgeted commitments this year include: -Rs 100 crore for 60 CM Shri Schools with robotics labs, smart classrooms, and AI libraries. -Rs 100 crore for smart classroom upgrades in 7,000 rooms. -Rs 886 crore for ITI upgrades and Rs 20 crore to revive Pusa Polytechnic. 'The education proposals in this Budget will be implemented with complete integrity,' Sood asserted. When asked about changes in the education sector, Sood earlier told The Indian Express that while any previously introduced scheme, if found beneficial, would be retained, the new government would prioritise execution. Between 2015 and 2024, the AAP government introduced a range of schemes and initiatives in what it pushed forth as the 'Delhi education model'. These included constructing several classrooms, modernising government schools with smart boards and sports facilities, and launching initiatives such as the Happiness Curriculum and Deshbhakti Curriculum to focus on student wellbeing and civic values. Institutions like the Schools of Specialised Excellence and the Delhi Board of School Education were developed to support 'inquiry-based approach' and 'cutting-edge pedagogy'. However, AAP leaders frequently cited administrative and jurisdictional hurdles — particularly with the Lieutenant Governor's office — as impediments to executing some of their plans. In 2023, the AAP's proposal to send school teachers for training in Finland was initially rejected by the L-G, before later being approved for a cohort through SCERT. In July 2024, the Education Department ordered the mass transfer of over 5,000 government school teachers, which AAP opposed; the then Education Minister Atishi claimed the transfers lacked her consultation. Although the BJP government's rule has cleared out such concerns. What needs work But among the factors that are yet to be worked out are school infrastructure delays. The Indian Express reported on May 16 that two government schools, including one in Kirari, remained unused for several months despite being inaugurated. In a related case, the Delhi High Court instructed the government to begin admissions and make the Kirari school functional by July 15. The implementation of the newly announced measures is still pending. Speaking to The Indian Express, child rights lawyer Ashok Agarwal claimed that Deshbhakti classes were still being conducted at a Karawal Nagar school, indicating a curriculum transition lag. According to officials, NEEEV, Rashtraneeti, and a mental well-being programme are in the works, and a date of implementation is uncertain yet.
