Dy CM @msisodia inaugurates 101 Anganwadi Hub Centers; move set to bolster early childhood education training and learning outcomes for children across the city #DelhiEducationRevolution

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia inaugurates 101 Aanganwadi Hub Centers

Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Manish Sisodia on Monday inaugurated 101 modern Anganwadi HUB Centres across Delhi, as part of the ongoing reforms in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme.

The main programme was organised at a Hub Center in Okhla and was attended among others by the local MLA and Waqf Board chairman, Amanatullah Khan.

Inaugurations of 100 other centers were done by the respective area MLAs.

“In continuation of our focus on Delhi’s children, we recognise that care for children starts from the time when they are in their mothers wombs and the learning starts from the day they are born. Our 10,000 plus Anganwadi centres are the platform to provide this care and learning. The first six years, when our children are at our Aanganwadis, are the most critical years as foundation of a healthy, happy and curious child, who is eager to learn, is laid in these years,” Mr Sisodia said.

Anganwadi HUB Centres, a reform measure initiated by the government, are spacious and vibrant play schools for children aged 3-6 years.

Earlier this month, the government also finished the training of Anganwadi Workers under its new early childhood education (ECE) curriculum. The new curriculum was developed in collaboration with ECE experts and has many new learning features and techniques based on latest research on early childhood learning and development.

Government expects the new curriculum to make their children school-ready. Poor early learning experience in early years is the beginning of the learning gap that gets further perpetuated as children progress to higher classes. Government school children start formal school in class 1 and are already at a disadvantage compared to those who go to playschools which use various tools for cognitive development during early childhood.

Last year, the Delhi Government had substantially increased the salaries of  Aanganwadi workers. From an earlier honorarium of Rs.5000 per month, the government more than doubled it to Rs. 10,678.

While complying with the long-standing legitimate demand of the Anaganwadi Workers, the salary increase is commensurate with the responsibility that they are expected to undertake, and the learning and health outcomes that are expected from their Anganwadi centres. 5.5 lakh children aged between 0-6 years are beneficiaries of 10,000 plus Anganwadis across Delhi.

 

PWD Minister @SatyendarJain to implement Rs. 120 crore CCTV deployment in Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli Jails; move to transform transparency and justice in prison administration #DelhiGovernance #AAPatWork

Cabinet approves Rs 120 crore proposal for CCTVs in Tihar, Rohini & Mandoli jails

The Delhi cabinet in its meeting on Monday chaired by the Chief Minister, Shri Arvind Kejriwal granted its approval to the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) recommendation for the installation of high resolution CCTV cameras in Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli prison complexes at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore.

This proposal of the Home Department will be executed by the PWD and will include supply, installation, testing and commissioning of CCTV Surveillance System including comprehensive Maintenance at Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli Prison complexes.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DECISION :

The decision for the installation of adequate number of high resolution and ultra modern CCTV cameras in the three prison complexes has been taken for the following reasons :

• To ensure there is no VIP treatment to rich and influential inmates inside the jail as has been repeatedly alleged and even reported in inquires conducted by various authorities, including judges in the past.
• To ensure safety and security of inmates, since there have been incidents of violence which have even resulted in serious repercussions, including murders.
• To ensure in complete transparency in the functioning of jails, since there have been reports that inmates are subjected to exploitation and violation of human rights.
• This is for the first time in the country, that any state government has agreed to provide such a large amount for better functioning of jails and introduction of transparency in their functioning.
• CCTVs are a very strong support system for the prison’s administration and when properly implemented and maintained, there is sufficient evidence to state that it plays a critical role in deterring crimes.   

Salient features of the project as submitted by PWD to Prison department are as follows:

• PWD has already carried out the detailed survey of the three prison complexes along with the respective jail superintendents
• All the three jails have desired maximum areas to be covered under CCTV supervision, which are legally permissible.

Integrated CCTV system with strong backbone connectivity will involve:-

1. a)    IP cameras for surveillance (73 Nos. PTZ, 1646 Nos. Bullet, 3910 Nos. Dome)
2. b)    Storage Area Network (SAN/NAS) using RAID 6 Hard disk arrays.
3. c)     All the new cameras shall have in-built Video Analytics.
4. d)   Network Switches for active connectivity.
5. e)    Fiber Cable for backbone connectivity.
6. f)      Copper cable for frontend connectivity.
7. g)    Back up for 30 days at two locations (Main Control room & Jail Control room)
8. h)    Five years Operation & comprehensive Maintenance.

 EFC Recommendations:

The proposal for Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of CCTV Surveillance System at Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli Prison Complex was considered by the EFC in its meeting held on 12/12/2018 at an estimated cost of Rs. 120 crore. EFC in its meeting also recommended the following:

1. Proposal shall be placed before the Cabinet for approval and sanction.
2. Project shall be completed as per approved scope of work at the sanctioned cost within stipulated period. No cost escalation will be considered in future.

Delhi to become City of Lakes; CM @ArvindKejriwal approves Rs. 376 crores for rejuvenation of 159 lakes and creation of 2 mega lakes in Rohini and Nilothi with NEERI, IIT Delhi and WAPCOS as key partners #SDGsInDelhi #SustainableCities #HappyCommunities

• DJB approves Rs. 376 crores for rejuvenation of 159 lakes all over Delhi
• Board also approves Rs. 77 crores for the creation of two mega lakes in Rohini and Nilothi
• Approval in line with the vision of Chief Minister to rejuvenate 200 lakes all over Delhi

In a major decision, which would help recharge groundwater, create additional reserves of water among other benefits, the Delhi Jal Board on Monday December 24 approved the proposal for Rejuvenation of 159 water-bodies all over Delhi along with the creation of 2 mega lakes at Nilothi STP and Rohini STP. Rs. 376 crores were approved for rejuvenation of 159 lakes while more than Rs. 77 crores were approved for creation of two mega lakes.

With the approval of Nilothi and Rohini mega lakes, the total number of lakes to be created in Delhi goes up to five. Dwarka and Najafgarh are already approved and Timarpur will be approved soon.

Cumulative Lake area will be spread across over 350 Acres with water potential to hold 1581 Million Litres or 135 Million Gallons. Water-bodies will be designed scientifically to recharge groundwater to the maximum extent possible.  Apart from Rainwater, Treated Water from STPs will be polished using natural wetlands and other methods to maintain the water levels in the water-body throughout the year.  The step will improve depleting groundwater levels of Delhi apart from making Delhi sustainable for water supply. Excess water from the ground will be taken out to augment Delhi water supply wherever required.

In addition to the lakes being created and rejuvenated by the Delhi Jal Board, 29 lakes are being rejuvenated by the Irrigation Flood Department. This is being done in line with the announcement made by the Chief Minister of rejuvenating 200 water bodies in Delhi.

Landscaping, public areas and open spaces would be created around the mega lakes and other big lakes. Maintenance of the lakes is also a part of the project to keep them well. The consultants for the project are NEERI, IIT Delhi and WAPCOS.

Different models would be used for different lakes depending on the condition in the area. Some would have treated sewage water of the local area, those in the dry areas will be revived through nearby STPs.

The total cost for the rejuvenation of 159 lakes is Rs. 376 crores, while Rs. 53.85 crore is the amount for 32-acre Rohini mega lake and Rs. 23.5 crore for 25-acre Nilothi mega lake.