New Delhi [India] June 4 : Delhi Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday addressed a press conference to mark 100 days of the Delhi government and said that the welfare of the poor is our duty, and the government has done great work to uplift the poor.
Speaking to ANI, Minister Ashish Sood said, "'Antyodaya' is our 'sankalp.' The welfare of the poor is our duty, and the government has done great work to uplift the poor. We have developed the CM Shree School to give poor children a toilet in the slum of the poor, give a toilet and bathroom to the poor's slum, given a stipend of Rs 16 crore to EWS children, established language classes and taken steps against fee mafias."
He added, "Opposition has constantly raised questions. What do you expect from them? Based on the data, in the last five years, electricity cut-offs have been at their lowest in these four months (February, March, April, and May). In 2020, electricity was interrupted 27,000 times. I have proved this with statistics and data."
He said that the administration, under Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's leadership, was rooted in the philosophies of Deendayal Upadhyaya and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on "Antyodaya", the principle of uplifting the last person in society.
The minister highlighted that the central government constructed 2,500 houses for the poor after coming to power. An investment of Rs 43 crore was used to open the way for redevelopment.
He announced, "For the first time, a budget of Rs 700 crore has been given in Dusiv." He added that the government prioritised improving education and living conditions for slum dwellers.
Ashish Sood claimed that major relief was provided to students and teachers, and grants for 12 colleges and their affiliated universities were transferred to students' and teachers' accounts on April 1.
He said, "The life of the teachers of 12 colleges affiliated to the university had become difficult. The grant reached the accounts of these middle-class students on the evening of 1 April."
For students from families earning less than Rs 3 lakh annually, the government provided Rs 19 crore in relief. The administration also arranged free online coaching for underprivileged students.
The government committed to building digital libraries in 250 schools and developing an APJ Kalam Language Lab. Under the Chief Minister Digital Scheme, 1,200 meritorious students were expected to receive laptops by September.
He said that 2,200 students would benefit under the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Mission.
The minister called the introduction of the Delhi School Education Transparency Bill a major reform. "The biggest work that has been done is to bring the Delhi School Education Transparency Bill, bring ordinances, and make laws to stop looting," he said.
Speaking on the corruption issue, Sood stated, "We have done very little work on wrong recovery and corruption."
He challenged previous administrations over the lack of transparency in EWS (Economically Weaker Section) admissions, claiming, "I challenge you to make EWS admission easy. This year, no one can make a single complaint of rigging." He said 28,000 out of 38,000 admissions had been completed.
Sood revealed that the government had signed MoUs with major institutions like Suzuki to enhance vocational education and employment.
He also stressed the need for reforms in law enforcement. "To improve law and order, all the points of the three laws should be notified, forensic investigation should be done on the spot, the mobile lab should be set up, and arrangements should be made for this," he said.
"The law reaches the last man standing," he added.
The minister concluded the press briefing by reinforcing that the government's mission remained focused on transparency, development, and justice for the poor.