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| Saturday,
January 5, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Gurdwara polls: Akalis gear up for battle royale New Delhi, January 4 “The party is reviewing the performance of the sitting members and assessing their winnability,” said the DSGMC general secretary of the SAD (Badal), Mr Kulmohan Singh. He said, “These are early stages. The poll fever would pick up momentum once the Government notifies the election dates.” Mr Kulmohan Singh, however, admitted that a large number of ticket-seekers are already doing the rounds as the holding of election is almost certain. “It is now a question of date,” he added. However, the DSGMC head and SAD (Badal) Delhi unit president, Mr Avatar Singh Hit, has stated that if the elections are held on the basis of 1999 voters list, it would not be truly democratic. Several persons, who have attained the age of 21, since the voting age was revised, would not be allowed to exercise their franchise, he said, adding, if the elections had to be carried out on the basis of 1999 voters’ list, then why the polls had not been held then. Observers said that the views of Mr Avtar Singh seemed to be in a minority as several DSGMC members favoured holding of elections which were unlikely to be postponed. Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi, the pro-Tohra faction, said that they had formed an 11-member election committee to examine the candidates for the party. He said that the party had almost finalised the candidates for most of the seats and the names of the candidates would be announced within 48 hours of the notification of elections. The former director of Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Mr Avtar Singh Sethi, said that the updating of electoral rolls, changing the existing jurisdiction of Gurdwara wards or for suggesting amendments to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971, could be taken up after the elections. “Raising such issues at this juncture will only delay the polls,” he added. Mr Sarna, however, stated that for a couple of seats, the party would consider supporting good candidates or other parties. The party has formed a five-member election campaign team, which would evolve the poll strategy for the party, he added. The president of Shiromani Vishav Akali Dal Jathedar Balbir Singh Bir has submitted a memorandum to the Lt-Governor, Mr Vijai Kapoor, and Delhi Finance Minister Mahendra Singh Saathi, in charge of gurdwara polls, urging them “not to hold the gurdwara polls until eight of their demands are fulfilled.” The demands include reduction of voting age, voters’ I-card for the Sikh electorate, electronic voting machine for polls, increase in the security deposit fee. Candidates are also required to disclose their financial status The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi government to hold the polls before March 15. And Mr Mahendra Singh Saathi has gone on record that the state government would announce the DSGMC poll dates, once the election dates for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are announced. |
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NDMC throws morning ragas into the garbage bin New Delhi, January 4 In an apparent sign of wilting under political exigencies, the NDMC has discontinued the monthly morning raga programme, conducted by classical maestros, on the ground that it is “elitist”. Instead, the civic body will deploy the funds for garbage disposal. Garbage, it seems, is a more politically correct idiom for the New Delhi Municipal Corporation than music. The decision to scrap the programmes, which have been graced by veterans like Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt. Jasraj, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Dr L Subramaniuam, Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Shubha Mudgal and Pt Bhajan Sopori, was reportedly taken amidst high political drama. (The last of the ragas in the sprawling Nehru Park took place on December 23 last year.) Sources in the NDMC maintain that heated debates preceded the final decision, even as it is learnt that office bearers of the NDMC were opposed to the idea of closing the programme abruptly. However, several members of the 15-member strong local body came out in chorus against “wasting public resources” on such “elitist” programmes and instead suggested that the limited resources could be better utilised for improving garbage disposal and public sanitation facilities etc. Sources said that among the vocal opponents of the `morning raga’ programme were Sarojini Nagar MLA Ram Bhaj and Minto Road MLA Tajdar Babbar. It was pointed out that each programme costs the NDMC between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. The ragas were part of the NDMC campaign to promote art and culture; and it kicked off the drive by organising open-air concerts. The ostensible objective was to elevate mundane urban life to a new high, which is increasingly losing touch with its cultural ethos. It was also seen as a move to bridge the chasm between art and culture, on one hand, and the masses on the other; it was also felt that the ragas would infuse some moments of tranquility in an otherwise stressful environment. Moreover, NDMC sources said, the idea was also to shatter the myth that stalwarts perform only in high profile auditoria and cater to a specific audience. However, with the concerts being scrapped, it remains to be seen what decision the civic body would take regarding the dance programmes. In the meantime, the political tribe of Delhi has once again proved that votes are of paramount importance. Cultural serenity be damned. |
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Dangerous liaison: Domestic helps stabbed to
death New Delhi, January 4 There was considerable commotion in the upmarket South Delhi colony when the police arrived and took the bodies for a post-mortem examination. Both the victims were employed as servants in the neighbouring houses. Pushpa was working as a maid in B-255 house. The police said that while Vinod had multiple injuries on his body Pushpa had only two deep stab injuries. The suspects were known to the victims as there were no signs of forcible entry or struggle, the police claim. A preliminary inspection of the room revealed that the couple apparently had eaten something in the room before going to bed. Vinod was clad in his underwear and vest while Pushpa was semi-nude. The police said that they were looking into the sex motive. Investigations have revealed that Vinod was employed in Mona’s house for more than eight years. He owned a fridge, a VCR, camera, television and other expensive gadgets. Pushpa was married and had two children. Her husband and the children live in Sundar Garh in Orissa. In fact, she had taken leave on December 22 to visit her native place and returned from Orissa only yesterday. Vinod even picked her up from the Nizammudin Railway Station. According to the police, both Vinod and Pushpa were in love and wanted to marry. Vinod even introduced Puhspa to his employer, Mona, and told her about their wedding plan. The house owner, Mrs Mona Oberoi was in a state of shock as she could not believe that this had happened in her house. She told the police that Vinod was quite reliable and regular in his duties. She was also aware that Pushpa used to visit him often as both of them claimed to be in love. |
20 pc rebate mooted on property tax New Delhi, January 4 He also recommended that an additional rebate of 20 per cent would be given to all such houses built on a plot up to 32 square metres so that the poor section of the society living in such houses could get an over-all rebate of 40 per cent. Besides, people whose property were in the tax net but could not be assessed so far would be given 50 per cent rebate provided they deposit their property taxes on a self-assessment basis. Addressing the House, Mr Sawhney announced that a life insurance scheme had been launched for the students of primary schools of the MCD and each student would be insured to the extent of Rs 25, 000 with the New India Insurance Company Limited. A provision of Rs 8 lakh had been allocated for this purpose in the budget estimates for the year 2002-2003. He said that all the students of primary schools were provided school bags, textbooks, uniforms, jerseys and mid-day meals free of cost. During this financial year, 65,000 dual desks were provided for sitting arrangements. The process of procuring 1.5 lakh desks during the next financial year was under finalisation, he said. In the improvement of village account, Mr Sawhney proposed that the present provision of Rs 50 lakh must be increased to Rs 1 crore. Similarly, for the development of rural areas in Najafgarh and Narela, he proposed an increase of Rs 50 lakh. Mr Sawhney disclosed that the MCD had sent a proposal to the Central Government for providing Rs 600 crore for the relocation of jhuggis located on the bank of the Yamuna. It is to be recalled that the Supreme Court ordered that these jhuggis be relocated somewhere else so as to clean the Yamuna. While refuting the allegations of the Opposition, Mr Sawhney disclosed that during the last four years, there had been a constant increase in the income of the MCD. The civic body was now fully self-sufficient and did not need help of any agency to run it. There was an 80 per cent increase in the total income and 53 per cent increase in the per capita revenue which is quite satisfactory. |
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Computerised Braille production unit for visually impaired New Delhi, January 4 Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kohli appreciated the efforts being put in by NAB towards the cause of the visually impaired persons who are being taught various skills in mobility, daily living and Braille as part of the Integrated Education Programme (IE). The programme aims to incorporate the use of modern technology so that the visually impaired persons can stand on their own legs. Mr Kohli informed that PNB provided various opportunities to visually impaired persons. According to CMD of the PNB, there are over 80 visually impaired employees, including 7 in officer cadre in PNB. Two of visually handicapped employees of the bank were bestowed the National Award by the Vice President of India, Mr Krishan Kant in December 2001 for their outstanding performance. The two visually handicapped employees were recognised as the most efficient disabled employees of the bank. Besides its contribution to the welfare of the blind, the PNB has also proved itself a socially responsible corporate organisation. The PNB has been playing a leading role through contributions to various societies, organisations engaged in the task of helping the poor and downtrodden. It has also contributed to better health care by helping in the fight of major deadly diseases like cancer and AIDS. The bank has firmly stood along with the country men in the hours of national calamity. As a relief measure, the PNB has made a contribution of Rs 2 crore to the Prime Ministers’ Relief Fund in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake. A sum of Rs 50 lakh was contributed to the Indraprastha Cancer Society to fight cancer. Besides, the bank has been active in protection of environment through tree plantation campaigns, educating the rural people about developments in agriculture and allied activities, arranging for medical check-up and blood donation camps. Earlier, welcoming Mr Kohli, the President of National Association for the Blind, Delhi, Jagdish Kapur, said that the NAB was working for the cause visually impaired persons since 1986.The NAB is engaged in various activities like providing quality education, computer training, employment and placement services, talking book library and other outdoor and indoor activities. Deeply concerned over the fact that India has the largest population of blind in the world, the NAB believes that prevention is always better than cure. |
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Police launch SMS for enquiries New Delhi, January 4 Inaugurating the SMS centre at the police headquarters today, the Delhi Police Commissioner, Mr Ajay Raj Sharma, said that the service would be very helpful to the public and the details would be available to them immediately. The computer centre of the crime branch would function with the help of Essar Cellphones. Apart from providing aid and assistance to the investigating officers for making queries online, even specialised services could also be made use of by the general public, said Mr Sharma. The system would also be extended to the traffic police, licensing branch and PCR in addition to the above services launched today. The public who wish to make queries are advised to use syntax like for stolen vehicle search: SV<Regn.No or Engine No or Chasis No>. For example, SV DL9C5005. Unclaimed vehicles: UN<number>; passport verification status: PV<file number>; and stolen firearm search: AR<firearm number>. In case no match was found for a particular query, the SMS originator would receive a message “No information found”. |
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Patrol Act invoked in Gurgaon Gurgaon, January 4 The DM, Mr Aproova Kumar Singh, said that the contravention of the order was punishable under Sections 9 and 11 of the Punjab Village and Small Town Patrol Act, 1918. The village
panchayats, constituted under the Gram Panchayat Act, 1952, falling in Gurgaon district would be responsible for providing patrol and for ensuring the performance of patrolling. All places of worship, railway tracks, railway lines, railway stations, bus stations, electricity installations, power lines, telephone lines, water works, bridges, canals, government buildings, public buildings etc. in the districts have to be guarded, said the order. The order stated that all the able-bodied adult male inhabitants of all the villages/small towns concerned should be liable to perform duty during day and night for the safeguarding of the above-mentioned installations and places with immediate effect. Mr Singh informed that the Block Development and Panchayat Officers of the villages concerned would supervise and make surprise inspection to ensure compliance with the order within their respective jurisdictions. The order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain operative for three months unless revoked or cancelled earlier. |
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SPEAKING OUT IN over five decades since Independence, India has joined the nuclear club and is on its way to becoming an information technology super power. We export brains, skills and manpower to all the advanced nations. So much so that countries like Germany, Japan and France are revising their immigration policy and inviting the Indian professionals to meet the countries’ work-related needs, especially in the IT area.
India has built a massive infrastructure in communication, transport, water and power supply, health care, education, agriculture and industry, but a great deal more needs to be done. With our population crossing the one billion mark, there are many more to be fed, clothed, educated and provided with sources of livelihood and civic amenities. Ironically, India is among the 10 most industrialised nations yet is one the poorest. With the state governments’ performance failing in the rural areas, lakhs of migrants have been flooding the cities. Delhi, for instance, is bursting at the seams with the huge influx of migrants from every part of the country. This in turn, has spawned slums with filthy living conditions. The number of the hungry and the indigent has multiplied. Millions of underfed children face a bleak future as they have neither education nor opportunities. According to our scriptures, in our present life we can improve our destiny by good deeds, and consequently, the next birth will be better. Sharing our comforts is an important aspect as whatever we have shared with our needy fellow human beings, will be duly accounted for in the statement of our good deeds, and we will be appropriately rewarded. Good deeds are service to humanity, compassion for the creations of God. Scriptures say that one should not harbour ill-will against anyone. One should have a helpful attitude and humane approach to the downtrodden and share our prosperity with as many as possible. Misdeeds cause physical and mental harm to the human beings and other creations of God. Grabbing worldly comforts by foul means, and depriving others of their rightful possessions, cannot remain hidden from the Omniscient. Seeing the sufferings of the less fortunate brethren and against the backdrop of above philosophy of life, a ‘Human Care Charitable Trust’ was set up with a mix of young and experienced individuals on August 12, 1996. Since then, it has been engaged in carrying out the philanthropic work under my guidance from D-94. Saket, New Delhi. N.P. Thareja, New Delhi. Paying through their nose for water
It was shocking to learn that there was no drinking water in Lajpat Nagar in the Capital. The residents have been buying mineral water, spending a pretty penny for about two decades now I fail to understand why the problem has not been solved. If this is the position in the nation’s Capital, what happens in the remote areas of the country, one could well imagine. This problem must be solved on a war-footing and potable water must be supplied to the residents of Lajpat Nagar at the earliest. Subhash C. Taneja
(MDU), Rohtak Tunnel Trouble With all the good intentions, the Government dug out a tunnel beneath the railway lines going to Nizammuddin railway station. For the residents of Siddharth Extension and the adjoining Jeewan Nagar, this was a boon as they were saved from crossing the rail tracks or walking all the way to Ring Road. It also became convenient for the car owners and those travelling by rickshaws to commute However, it has become a nightmare for the residents of late, as jams lasting over 45 minutes have become a regular affair. Those travelling to Ashram, New Friends Colony or even trans-Yamuna to save time often cut across through the subway, adding to the jam. The heavy rush of traffic and careless driving make the narrow passage a tunnel of trouble, with the vehicles inch forward at a snail’s pace and pedestrians snaking their way out. Even though two policemen are posted right outside the entrance to the subway, there is no traffic management. It is time that a traffic policeman was deputed at the spot to keep tabs on careless driving and prevent the heavy vehicles from passing through the subway. Amrit Kaur,
New Delhi 14 Dug-up roads Even as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Government of the NCT slug it out over who should control the finances earmarked for the developmental work, it is the common man who suffers most. Thousands of residents of the Indraprastha Extension area, which has over 120 society flats, bear the brunt as most of the roads have been dug up for one reason or the other. The traffic in the area is also hit hard as the motorists are forced to make a detour which often prove fatal. Do You Have A Grouse?
Do you have a grouse against the apathetic attitude of the authorities? Are you fed up with the dilly-dallying tactics of officialdom and the stranglehold of red
tapism? If so please write to us. We have a full half page every week reserved just for you. The letters should be clearly marked Speaking out, NCR Tribune, First Floor, Dyal Singh Library Building, 1 Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg, New Delhi-110002. A lot of dust is raised around the dug-up roads, adding to the pollution level and forcing the residents to inhale the dust-laden air. Would it be too much asking the authorities to expedite the works and let the residents breathe clean air? Pankaj
Yadav, Delhi. |
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Bhagidari extended to hospitals, schools New Delhi, January 4 Reiterating her government’s resolve to carry these
proposals through, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said the
visitors’ council would be formed to monitor the performance of
schools and also facilities being provided to students. The
nine-member council, she said, would also ensure the upkeep and
maintenance of school buildings. The Chief Minister announced these
after laying the foundation stone of a 200-bed hospital in Pocket H
4/5 of Pitampura and inaugurating the municipal primary school in Rani
Bagh. The government would, in the interim period, provide finances
to equip the schools with modern facilities like computers. The idea,
Ms Diskhit said, was to make parents proud of their wards enrolled in
the government-run schools and encourage more guardians into sending
their children there instead of public schools. She also said that
patient welfare committees would be set up in all the government-run
hospitals under the Bhagidari scheme. With the formation of these
committees, the services in these hospitals, she hoped, would improve
as hospital administrations, doctors, citizens and patients would get
to interact frequently. The Health Minister, Mr A. K. Walia, who
accompanied the Chief Minister, said the outpatient department (OPD)
would be made operational next year and the 200-bed multi-specialty
hospital in Pitampura costing Rs 70 crore commissioned in 30 months.
Delhi, he added, would get 15 full-fledged hospitals by the end of
next year apart from GB Pant Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Guru Tegh
Bahadur Hospital and Deen Dayal Hospital. The Chief Minister said
the Bhagidari scheme would facilitate better interaction between the
hospital administration, doctors, citizens and the patients as all
these people would be involved in the decision making process. |
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Bomb hoax at MCD HQ New Delhi, January 4 Members of
the Standing Committee and other councillors rushed out of the House
soon after getting the information. They had a plan to attend the
second shift of the Standing Committee meeting. Mayor Shanti Desai was
among the first to rush out of the Town Hall, leaving others behind.
Minutes after the rumour, chaos ruled the area. All officials working
in the two buildings of the MCD, including Commissioner S. P. Aggarwal
ran out leaving their belongings inside their cabins. The police said
that both the offices of MCD Headquarters were thoroughly searched but
nothing was recovered. |
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Khurana, Verma join BJP’s unity show New Delhi, January 4 Present during the show of unity were Mr Sahib Singh Verma and Mr Madan Lal Khurana and giving them company was the Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Vijay Goel. Repeated spats and the game of one-upmanship between the Mr Khurana and Mr Verma saw the latter staying away from the rally held by the former recently to raise civic issues. Charting the party’s course over the past year, Mr Garg told mediapersons that the BJP would continue its campaign to oust Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for her alleged corrupt dealings, particularly the Lokayukta’s suo motu inquiry into the Delhi Jal Board scam. Accusing the Congress government of including a number of illegal colonies built by its “favourite colonisers” among those regularised, he said that was in spite of the Centre’s approving 1,071 unauthorised colonies for regularisation. |
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Pig owners restrained under Sec 144 Sonepat, January 4 The district administration, it may be recalled, has taken this step following public complaints that the unhindered movement of pigs in the towns of the district had resulted in frequent accidents and the creation of unhygienic condition. Moreover, there was a growing incident of pig bites leading to serious health hazards. Unhindered movements of pigs had created unhygienic conditions causing health hazard. The district administration clarified that the order, which comes into force with immediate effect, would continue till further orders. According to official sources, domesticated pigs should be confined in hygienic and humane conditions and should not be allowed to wonder about outside their premises. It is essential to prevent the uncontrolled and unregulated movement of pigs within the municipal limits of the above mentioned towns. The district administration also clarified that the order would be applicable within a radius of two km of the four municipal towns in the district. The order empowered the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council, Sonepat and the secretaries of the Municipal Committees of
Gohana, Ganaur and Kharkhauda to make adequate arrangements for rounding up stray pigs within the municipality limits. The order further states that the expenses incurred in rounding up the stray pigs would be met out of the concerned municipal funds. |
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Three sadhus die in jeep mishap Sonepat, January 4 According to a report reaching here, the jeep belonged to Baba Kamlesh Giri who was travelling along with his eight of his followers from Kiloi village to Ganga Tehri village in Jind district. As it neared Nuran Khera, Baba Giri, who was standing on the rear side of the jeep, fell down. Thereupon, he raised a hue and cry and the driver who heard the commotion lost his control and the jeep fell into the canal. Residents of the nearby villages arrived on the scene and they succeeded in rescuing four persons while three others, Inder (22), Satish (27) and Kishan Singh (16), lost their lives. Those escaped unhurt included the driver of the jeep, Itbar, and other followers of Baba Giri, Om Parkash, Dharampal, Ram Sarup and Vir Singh. The bodies of the victims are still to be retrieved as the fire brigade employees failed to trace them. The civil authorities are taking steps to close the canal to recover the bodies. |
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Schoolboy crushed Faridabad: A 12-year-old student of a government school here was killed in an accident this morning. He was run over by a school bus on the National Highway-II. The deceased, Umesh, son of Ramkishan, was a student of the government school. He was going to school when the incident took place. The driver of the bus has been arrested. Jackal attack Faridabad: About five persons, including three children, were bitten by a jackal and a monkey in two villages in the last 24
hours. The first incident took place in Badoli village, where a three-month-old girl was bitten by a monkey. In another incident, a jackal attacked four persons on the outskirts of Anangpur village in Aravalli hills.
Contractors protest Faridabad: The majority of the contractors on the panel of the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad have decided not to respond to the tender notices of the corporation till the clearance of their pending payments. It is reported that about Rs 9.60 crore is pending as payment for the work done by the contractors so far. |
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