*CM Atishi inspects the site of the fire in Rajouri Garden; directs Fire Department to conduct a fire safety audit across Delhi
*MCD and Fire Department had already canceled the restaurant's NOC and ordered its closure due to inadequate exits: CM Atishi
*Despite restaurant being shut, fire broke out; Police are investigating and strict action will be taken against those responsible: CM Atishi
*Post fire safety audit, no commercial activities will be permitted in buildings lacking Fire NOC: CM Atishi
NEW DELHI - 10th December 2024-Chief Minister Atishi visited the site of the fire that broke out in a restaurant in Rajouri Garden on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, CM Atishi stated, "A major fire broke out yesterday at a restaurant in Rajouri Garden, which has a coaching center above it. The situation was so dire that children had to jump to safety from the building. As soon as the fire was reported, 11 fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Service reached the spot and managed to control the blaze after several hours of effort."
She further added, "Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident. However, a woman sustained a fractured leg while jumping to escape the fire. She has been hospitalized and is receiving treatment."
Explaining the violations, CM Atishi said, "The restaurant's Fire NOC had been canceled by the Fire Department because fire safety clearance mandates two exits for every restaurant. In this case, one exit was blocked by the restaurant itself, leading to the NOC cancellation. Additionally, the MCD had ordered the restaurant's closure. Despite these orders, activities were still being carried out in the kitchen, which is now under investigation by Delhi Police."
The Chief Minister assured strict action against those responsible, stating, "Whoever is found guilty in this incident will face the strictest action. I have also directed the Delhi Fire Service to conduct a fire safety audit across the city. If any restaurant is found violating fire safety norms, immediate action will be taken. Commercial activities will not be allowed in any building that lacks a valid Fire NOC to prevent such incidents in the future."
CM Atishi also shared her concerns on X (erstwhile Twitter), posting:
"The unfortunate incident of a fire at a restaurant in Rajouri Garden occurred yesterday. Today, I visited the site to inspect the situation. MCD and the Fire Department had already canceled the restaurant's NOC and ordered its closure due to inadequate exits. Yet, the fire occurred. Police are investigating the matter, and strict action will be taken against the culprits. To prevent such incidents in the future, the Fire Department has been directed to conduct a fire safety audit across Delhi."
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*AAP Govt introduces 'Business Blasters Seniors Program' in all universities and ITIs; students to become entrepreneurs, combat unemployment
*CM Atishi’s message to students at Business Blasters Seniors Launch: "Become job creators, not job seekers, make India world's No. 1 country”*
*Under Business Blasters Senior Program, Delhi Government will provide seed money of up to ₹50,000 per team to help students start their own ventures
*India is brimming with talent, but fear and societal pressures have confined our youth to seeking jobs instead of creating them: CM Atishi
*Business Blasters has instilled confidence in our students, empowering them to take charge of their futures
NEW DELHI- 10th December 2024 -After remarkable success in Delhi Government schools, the Business Blasters program has now been launched in all universities and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the Delhi Government.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Atishi announced the launch of "Business Blasters Seniors" program for all universities and ITIs of Delhi Government at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi.
A panel discussion featuring successful entrepreneurs who were former students of Delhi Government schools was organized during the launch event. They shared their journey of starting businesses with an initial seed fund of ₹2,000 and explained how they transformed their business ideas into successful enterprises.
Under this program, students from Delhi Government universities and ITIs will receive seed money funding of up to ₹50,000 per team for their business ideas. Additionally, they will receive mentorship to help them establish and grow their startups.
Congratulating everyone on the launch of the Business Blasters Senior program, CM Atishi said, “The introduction of Business Blasters in our higher education institutions will create future job creators who will tackle unemployment and make India the number one country in the world."
CM Atishi stated, “Schools and colleges teach many subjects and hold numerous exams, but why did we feel the need to introduce the Business Blasters program? Delhi Government universities like Ambedkar University, NSUT, and IIIT-Delhi have excellent placement records, with students receiving lucrative packages. Despite this, why was there a need to introduce the Business Blasters Senior program here?”
She further added,”This vision started when we observed the global landscape. Today, Indians hold leadership positions in many of the world’s largest and most renowned companies."
CM Atishi remarked,”Indians are extremely talented and lead major global companies, yet unemployment in our country remains high. About 42% of graduates are unemployed. Back in school, we read in our economics textbooks about three types of countries: developed, developing, and underdeveloped. India was classified as a developing nation, expected to become a developed country by 2020. But even after 2020, our economics textbooks still describe India as a developing nation."
She added:"Despite having talented individuals, India hasn’t progressed as it should. Our talented youth face fear and pressure from parents and society at a young age to secure a ‘good job’ or risk failure in life. The entire purpose of education has been reduced to securing a job."
CM Atishi said, "This fear has instilled a mindset to avoid risks. While youth in other countries launch big startups, our talented youth are busy looking for jobs. If all our youth join the line to seek jobs, who will create jobs? Business Blasters was launched to answer this question."
She added, "India needs jobs more than anything else to boost its economy. According to a McKinsey report, India will require 90 million jobs by 2030. But who will create these jobs?"
Addressing the students, she said, "Today, three young entrepreneurs from Delhi Government schools confidently shared their startup journeys on stage. If these 19-year-olds are guiding university students on launching startups, I’m confident they will fulfill this need for jobs. With the Business Blasters Senior program, I’m certain you too will become job creators for the nation."
CM Atishi stated, "Business Blasters has eliminated the fear ingrained in our students since childhood. They are now willing to take risks, knowing they can start another venture if one fails. They no longer need to depend on anyone to advance their lives or the country’s economy."
Sharing success stories, she mentioned Ashish, a student who started a logistics startup under the Business Blasters program while in 12th grade and now employs 50 people.
She also highlighted a girl from East Delhi whose startup idea of Bluetooth speakers impressed an investor. When asked about scaling her business, this 12th-grade student replied she would hire IIT Delhi mechanical engineering graduates for her company.
She said, "The confidence of our students assures me they will succeed because they not only dare to dream but have the determination to realize those dreams."
CM Atishi affirmed, “The dream we envisioned for our schools through Business Blasters is now extended to our universities. With the launch of the Business Blasters Senior program, we will provide ₹50,000 in seed money to teams to turn their business ideas into startups. I’m confident that in the next 10 years, students sitting here today will become major entrepreneurs, founders of big startups, and contributors to making India the number one country in the world."
*What is the AAP Government's Business Blasters Seniors Program?*
The Delhi Government has launched the Business Blasters Seniors Program, building on the success and experiences of the Business Blasters Program already running in schools. This initiative will now be implemented across technical and higher education institutions, including universities, Institutes of Technology (formerly polytechnics), and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Delhi.
The primary goal of this program is to help students transform their innovative ideas into successful businesses. Through this initiative, the Delhi Government aims to foster entrepreneurship among students, enabling them to launch startups and contribute to the country’s economy.
*Objectives of the Program*
1. *Identifying and Developing New Startups:* The program focuses on discovering and nurturing innovative business ideas.
2. *Creating Employment Opportunities:* Selected startups will generate jobs not only for their founders but also for others.
3. *Solving Problems:* The chosen startups will aim to address societal or market challenges, including those related to technology, social issues, or the environment.
4. *Encouraging Innovation:* The program will create an ecosystem in Delhi's universities and ITIs that promotes innovation and new ideas.
5. *Startup Launches:* Students' ideas will evolve into successful businesses, strengthening the country's economy.
6. *Collaboration Between Industry and Education:* The program seeks to enhance synergy between universities and the industry.
7. *Skill Development:* Students will gain a platform to work on their ideas, equipping them to compete globally.
*Programme flow*
* Students from Delhi Government institutions, including universities and ITIs, will participate in the program.
* At the initial stage, teams will pitch their business ideas. Out of these, 1,000 teams will be provided with seed money to launch their businesses.
* From these 1,000 teams, 100 teams will be selected for the finals, where they will present their ideas to potential investors.
* Each team will consist of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 students.
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*BJP has been misleading Bus Marshals for last one year: Saurabh Bharadwaj
*Under conspiracy created by BJP, Lieutenant Governor removed 10,000 Bus Marshals from their jobs: Saurabh Bharadwaj
*BJP Is lying when they say Bus Marshal recruitment must be done by the Delhi Govt: Saurabh Bharadwaj
*Chief Secretary and Transport Commissioner under LG have also acknowledged that recruitment process falls under LG’s jurisdiction: Saurabh Bharadwaj
NEW DELHI: 10th December 2024-The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has taken potshots at the BJP, pointing out BJP’s role in a conspiracy that led to the removal of over 10,000 Bus Marshals from their jobs. Delhi Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj highlighted how the BJP and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) orchestrated this move, undermining a critical safety initiative in DTC buses. He emphasized that despite the BJP’s misleading claims, recruitment authority lies with the LG, a fact acknowledged by both the Chief Secretary and the Transport Commissioner.
Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj highlighted the plight of over 10,000 young men and women of Delhi who had been working as bus marshals in DTC buses for the past year. He stated, “These young individuals were ensuring the safety of Delhi’s women while commuting on public transport. However, under a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), they were abruptly removed from their roles by the Lieutenant Governor (LG), appointed by BJP.”
The Delhi Urban Development Minister highlighted that the bus marshals’ salaries were stopped, followed by their sudden removal from their positions. He said, “For several months, BJP leaders deceived the bus marshals, claiming, ‘You should get a call from the cabinet minister once; our BJP has already spoken to the LG, and the LG will immediately reinstate you.’”
Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “The bus marshals would often tell us that they had spoken to BJP leaders Vijender Gupta, Virender Sachdeva, and Manoj Tiwari, who assured them that if the cabinet ministers requested, the LG would immediately reinstate them. When Vijender Gupta met CM Atishi, he reiterated the same.”
He further revealed that the issue was discussed on November 5th, and the meeting was video-recorded. “On that day, all the cabinet ministers signed a proposal and sent it to the LG, but the LG took no action,” Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
“Ten days ago, all Delhi ministers again sent a proposal to the LG, pointing out that his suggestion of framing a policy, creating recruitment rules, and establishing posts would take an unreasonably long time. Even the officials appointed by the LG’s own administration have indicated that such measures are not feasible,” he added.
The Urban Development Minister stated that the current Transport Commissioner, along with other officers, has acknowledged in writing that the responsibility for drafting a policy and managing the services of bus marshals falls under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
He added, “About 10 days ago, the entire Cabinet of Ministers sent a proposal to the LG through all Cabinet Ministers, stating: You are talking about making a policy, and your officers have confirmed that it is your responsibility to do so. When you decide to make it, you can proceed.”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “We know this process will take several months, but it’s evident that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to keep these bus marshals in a state of deception until the elections.”
He further stated, “Ultimately, the truth is that they do not want to retain these individuals as bus marshals. This reality is clear to all of us.”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Whenever I meet bus marshals, I tell them clearly, ‘They are just deceiving you.’ In response, on behalf of the entire Cabinet, we wrote to the LG, saying: ‘When you create the policy, you can proceed, but until then, the bus marshals should remain in their positions as before’.”
He further stated, “Yesterday, a note came from the LG’s office, and in that note, the Bharatiya Janata Party has completely exposed itself. They tried to craft the note carefully, but they have fallen into their own trap.”
Explaining the contents of the note, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “The LG repeatedly claims, ‘I did not remove them; your government said they should be removed, so I did. I wanted to keep them.’ This is what LG is saying over and over again. Even the previous Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, repeatedly sent notes requesting their retention, but they were not kept in their roles.”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj continued, “The Bharatiya Janata Party has placed a condition in front of the bus marshals and us, and we have fulfilled it. All the Cabinet Ministers agreed to it, and the Chief Minister then sent the proposal saying that if You claim that you removed them at the Chief Minister’s request, but now the Chief Minister is asking you to reinstate them.’
Questioning the LG, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj added, “The LG doesn’t want to reinstate them and is making excuses. This is part of a larger conspiracy by the BJP to remove these bus marshals. Now, with the entire Cabinet repeatedly writing to you, there is no excuse left.”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj pointed out a critical statement in the LG’s note that he believes exposes the BJP’s motives. “In paragraph 252, the LG writes: ‘I have already approved the callout of CDVs, particularly those who were deployed, to engage and utilise them specifically for air pollution mitigation activities, upto the period of 28.02.2025’
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj further stated, “This line reveals that the LG himself acknowledges that when civil defense volunteers are called for duty, it is the government’s responsibility to instruct the LG to act. This admission lays bare the BJP’s attempt to shift blame.”
The Delhi Minister stated, “In his own note, the LG has exposed himself. The responsibility of calling out civil defense volunteers lies with the government’s request. The LG had removed them, and now the government is asking the LG to call them out again for their duties as bus marshals. Yet, the LG is making excuses.”
He added, “This completely exposes both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the LG. When the government is clearly asking you to call them out for three months, why are you refusing to reinstate them as bus marshals? By not doing so, you are exposing yourself in your own note.”
Minister bSaurabh Bharadwaj highlighted yet another instance of deception by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) regarding Delhi’s bus marshals.
He said, “The BJP has repeatedly deceived these individuals, and this is evident in the LG’s own note. It states: ‘It may be noted that, under my direction, the Home Department has given special preference to Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) in the recruitment of Home Guards. Consequently, in the latest selection of 1,669 volunteers, 263 CDVs have been selected.’”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj explained, “When the LG removed the bus marshals, the BJP and the LG assured them that they would be recruited as Home Guards. The process was initiated by the LG under the promise that bus marshals would be taken in. However, formal recruitment processes come with requirements such as age criteria, physical tests, and medical tests. Many of these Civil Defence Volunteers, who have been working as bus marshals for 10 years, are now too old or no longer meet the qualifications.”
He added, “This is precisely why, as mentioned in point 253 of the note issued by the Lieutenant Governor, only 263 Civil Defence Volunteers out of 1,669 were selected for the Home Guard recruitment process. The rest were excluded either due to their age, insufficient educational qualifications, or other similar reasons.”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj emphasized, “These figures clearly demonstrate that if bus marshals were required to go through the same formal recruitment process, none of them would meet the criteria. Not a single bus marshal would be reinstated under this scheme.”
He compared the situation to that of guest teachers, and concluded by saying, “It will be just like how guest teachers fought for years to be regularized. The BJP introduced new criteria and recruited new people, leaving the long-serving guest teachers out.”
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