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January 6, 2003, Chandigarh, India |
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Sheila sounds election bugle New Delhi, January 5 Addressing a rally organised by the party at Mahavir Swami Park in Gandhi Nagar, East Delhi, the chief minister sought to remind the BJP there was more to India than ‘Gujarat.’ “The BJP resorted to cheap politics to seek votes there but that ploy will not work everywhere, least of all in NCT of Delhi,” she told the gathering. Launching the party’s campaign for the elections slated later this year, she recounted the achievements of her party’s four years in office to assert NCT of Delhi had been transformed into a modern city befitting the status of Capital by sheer dint of labour. “Instead of indulging in cheap gimmicks we have given Delhiites a government that responds,” she said. The launch of Delhi Metro, introduction of clean fuel for public transport and cleaner environment all came for particular mention as Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) President Subhash Chopra joined the chief minister in listing the Sheila Dikshit Ministry’s achievements over the past four years. Referring to the Delhi Metro, Chopra said the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had dreamt of such a mass rapid transport system before any other party or politician. The Delhi Metro, he said, was introduced in spite of roadblocks put by the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and was, therefore, a matter of pride for the Congress. Ridiculing the BJP for wanting to take credit for Delhi Metro, Chopra said that the party was never interested in development. “It is nothing but cheap politics,” he said and narrated the work done by the Congress to ensure the project progressed according to schedule and that Delhiites got a quick and cheaper mode of transport. The BJP came for particular criticism for its disinterest in solving the problems of slum dwellers and small-scale industries. “The Centre,” he said, “has done nothing to protect the interests of the people living in unauthorised colonies. We send the Centre a rehabilitation package which they ignored because of petty politics,” he added. The wrangling over Delhi Metro found a mention in almost all the speeches as speaker after speaker hit out at the BJP and its president Madan Lal Khurana for throwing democratic norms and conventions to the winds. Criticising Khurana’s appointment as chairman of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), they said it was in irony that Khurana was swooning over a project that he himself had opposed in 1993. “Is it not an irony that the same person is appointed as its chairman just two day before the launch of Delhi Metro’s services ?” they asked and accused Khurana of “misleading” the public and indulging in petty politics to gain some mileage ahead of the polls. The large turnout had choked the roads leading to the venue. Many of the Congress supporters had begun trudging to the Mahavir Swami Park since morning. |
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INLD gets wise to urban concerns Rohtak, January 5 According to Deputy Commissioner Ashok Yadav, an amount of Rs 3 crore would be spent on constructing a water tank of three crore-gallon capacity so as to augment the supply in the ancient town. Old sewerage pipelines would also be replaced. The Chief Minister, he said, has sanctioned Rs 21 lakh for developing the Gau-Karan Talao and its surroundings. Mr Yadav disclosed that a 30-meter-high mast light would be provided in the Mansarover Park and a couple of other places in the town. The work on this project is likely to begin within a week. Medical Mor and Bhiwani Stand are the other locations where the high- masts would be installed, he hinted. The widening of roads and remodelling the chowks at the Sheila bypass and Delhi bypass have been entrusted to HUDA. The work on these projects would start next week, Mr Yadav said. The sewer drain from Bhiwani Stand up to the old bus stand would be lowered and brought up to road level. At present, the sewer drain is higher than the road level. The Chhotu Ram Chowk, situated in the heart of the city, is being renamed Kisan Chowk. The fountain existing in front of the Chhotu Ram Park is being demolished. The administration proposes to install a statue of a farmer on that spot. A statue of legendary kisan leader, Sir Chhotu Ram, will be installed on Jhajjar Road, Mr Yadav said. The Deputy Commissioner said that the plans were being formulated to develop a park at the Mata-Darwaja Chowk, opposite Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. The statue of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh would be placed in this park. The existing 3.5-feet statue of Bhagat Singh would be replaced from Bhiwani Stand, he said. The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that the railway crossing on Sonepat Road and ‘double phatak’ near the Shiela bypass on Hisar Road, would be widened to match with the width of the road. These crossings are narrow and cause traffic jams. The administration would soon deposit Rs 10 lakh to enable the railway authorities to start remodelling of these crossings. He said that the General Manager, Northern Railway, is likely to visit the town to discuss the feasibility of constructing a metalled road, parallel to the rail tracks within the municipal limits. Mr Yadav said that a park on 1.5 acres was being developed at Jassia village. It would be named after the former Deputy Prime Minister, Ch Devi Lal. A 12-feet statue Ch Devi Lal, would be installed in that park. The land has been donated by the village panchayat, he said. |
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HC wants all dairies out of Capital New Delhi, January 5 Taking strong exception to the Delhi Government and the two civic bodies’ failure to check the menace of stray cattle in the Capital, causing traffic hazards and presenting a dismal picture of the city, the court has directed the authorities to prosecute errant dairy owners and imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 on each animal. The court said: “The menace of stray cattle is hazardous and causes traffic snarls. It affects the safety of human beings on roads. Besides, it depicts a dismal picture of the Capital city.” The court also directed that the electricity supply companies should disconnect power to all the unauthorised dairies with immediate effect. Coming down heavily on authorised “Gosadans (cow sheds)” for their “mismanagement” and the Government for allowing illegal dairies with more than 30,000 animals to function, the court said: “The MCD and NDMC shall cancel the licence of a dairy in case the cattle belonging to it stray out of its premises.” “It appears the city government and its agencies are impervious to the menace and this has affected the quality of life of the citizen,” the court observed. “The failure of the government and its agencies to deal with the problem impinges upon the fundamental rights of the citizens,” the court said. While the Capital’s milk requirement was more than 15 lakh litres a day, the Delhi Milk Scheme and Mother Dairy together could supply only 7.3 lakh litres, it said. It also took the government to task for allowing allottees in eight authorised dairy colonies either to sell their plots or using them for establishing small industrial units rather than dairies. The Government had allotted 8,805 plots to dairy owners in
these localities out of which 1,840 have been used for setting up
factories. |
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FARIDABAD MULTIPLEXES Faridabad, January 5 Mr Anil Jindal, Director of the ‘SRS Commercial’ company based here, told mediapersons today that his company was coming up with an ultra-modern multiplex, ‘SRS World’, at City Centre in Sector 12. He said while the foundation stone of the multiplex was laid on May 19, 2002, it would be complete by June-end. Mr Jindal claimed that it would be a new generation multiplex with a potpourri of fun, entertainment and shopping. He said the shopping mall was fully air-conditioned and the multiplex would have several world-class features like ‘Glass Tunnel’, sophisticated lifts, ‘autowalk’ system linked to lifts, gymnasium, bar and three theatres with a total seating capacity of about 900 persons at one time. He said that for the first time perhaps, the multiplex would have a terrace garden restaurant and a swimming pool on its rooftop. Several gadgets and building material were being imported and the total cost of the complex would be around Rs 25 crore. He said there would be three separate theatres on the second floor and they would have the facility to run one or different movies at one time. He claimed that parking space in the basement would be able to accommodate about 2,000 cars and would have 100 per cent power back-up. The project architect, Mr Ajay Gautam, said that the multiplex would have a total of about 90,000 sq ft of area and would offer special club membership to the residents for the first time. Ansal Plaza is another multiplex on the Main Mathura Road near Ajronda Chowk. It would start functioning soon. Some more multiplexes have also been proposed in the next couple of years. It may be recalled that a multiplex developed by the Haryana Urban Development
Authority (HUDA) on the National Highway in Sector 19 is still awaiting customers. It is reported that the HUDA authorities may auction this building soon as the efforts to sell the floors and shops have not borne fruit. Although the Main Mathura Road has a number of industrial units lining on both sides, the general slump in the manufacturing has led to disposing of the industrial plots to commercial companies, developing tourist spots.
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Only lovers are interested in Panipat’s Panipat, January 5 The tourist complex of Panipat Memorial and the Kala Amb near here is one such place.
Besides commemorating the historic battles, it has turned into a lovers’ nest. Though the complex is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, its maintenance leaves much to be desired. Keeping the historical significance of the place, it does not draw visitors to the extent expected. However, the number of lovebirds, engaged in amorous encounters far from the prying eyes of the city residents, is sizeable. The tourist complex, run by the Haryana Tourism, has allegedly become a den of immoral activities to boot, particularly during daytime, keeping the tourists at bay. The memorial has a mine of valuable information about the three battles, including the First Battle of Panipat which established the Mughal Empire in India. But people, it seems, do not care two hoots about the historical value of the memorial. The district administration has failed to market it as a tourist destination. The result? The maintenance of the complex is the first casualty. Lawns are unkempt and swings for children missing. An ambitious plan to develop a water feature has been hanging fire for ages due to resources crunch, sources said, adding that the maintenance was bound to suffer since the place did not generate enough revenue for its upkeep. On the positive side, the engravings about the First Battle of Panipat (1526) between Ibrahim Lodhi and Babar inform that Babar used artillery for the first time in India during this battle which led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India. There is a pictorial representation of the Second Battle (1556) between Hemu and Akbar’s military commander Bairam Khan. However, the ‘piece de resistance’ is the site of the black mango tree (kala amb), near which the Third Battle of Panipat was fought between the Maratha Confederacy and Ahmed Shah Abdali in 1761. The battle dealt a deathblow to the Maratha power. Legend has it that so much blood flowed during the battle that the mango tree turned black. Defacing the engravings poses another set of problems. Although defacing the national monuments entails a punishment up to three months and a fine of Rs 5,000 under the Act, nobody seems to bother, especially couples eager to immortalise their names. Reaching the memorial can be quite a task. As a stretch of Sanoli Road is being recarpeted, crossing that part can be a nightmare. Traffic jams are common as three-wheelers,
tractor-trailers and taxis, besides slow-moving traffic, try to overtake each other. A source said the main reason that turns off tourists is the security, particularly of women. Hooligans from the neighbouring villages pass lewd remarks at women. At times, scuffles have been reported between the visitors and the rural youths over eve-teasing. Till a secure environment was created, the memorial would continue to wear a deserted look, said Mr Navjot Singh, a tourist from Bathinda, who dared to visit the memorial with his family. |
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Online bidding in Azadpur from today New Delhi, January 5 The electronic auction will be restricted to sale of one commodity only. “The new system will be introduced only on three platforms for the bidding and sale of apples,” said an official. The APMC will review the performance of the electronic auction after a couple of months before extending it to other commodities. Bangalore is the other city to have electronic auction but of cut flowers. The National Institute of Agriculture Marketing, Jaipur, has developed the software. The software, the official said, had been designed to process, compile, collate and display data in real time. Electronic auction will enable online accounting and combine speed with precision to streamline the bidding. The biggest advantage, said the official, would be the transparency in business transactions. “The new system will eliminate scope of complaints by buyers or commission agents,” the official said.
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Leopard’s lair: Cops knock at farmhouse doors New Delhi, January 5 Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has constituted a committee to conduct a probe into the killing of the leopard. It will be headed by the South Department Wildlife Commissioner, Mr. S S Yadav. In another development, the zoo authorities today recovered the second bullet from the ashes of the cremated animal. The zoo personnel have maintained that the animal died from injuries caused by bullets fired by the Delhi Police personnel in Thursday’s rescue operation. The authorities had claimed that the leopard had no external injuries, except in the thigh, that could have revealed the bullet shots. The leopard is suspected to be a pet animal because of its claws and owing to its robust build. Though the animal has been incinerated, the claws have been preserved and will be sent for forensic examination. The claws will also be compared with that of other leopards held in captivity at the Delhi Zoo. That should help solve the mystery of its origins. |
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Cong not serious about SYL canal: BJP Rohtak, January 5 Addressing newspersons here yesterday, Mr Pradeep Jain, spokesman, Haryana BJP, alleged the Congress was not serious about taking care of the interests of the people of Haryana. He said the SYL canal was considered to be a lifeline for the residents, especially the farmers of the region, and its completion would prove to be a boon for them. However, he alleged the Congress had adopted a negligent attitude towards its completion and made no sincere efforts in this connection. It had restricted itself to just issuing press statements. He said the primary membership drive of the party would continue till January 31 while the active membership campaign would be carried out till March 15. He claimed the party had registered 1.75 lakh primary members so far. He said the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha would hold an international youth conference on terrorism in Delhi on February 10 and 11.More than 122 nations had confirmed their participation in this conference so far, he claimed. |
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Panipat
municipal corporation gets nod Panipat, January 5 Ambala, Panipat, Hisar, Yamunanagar, Rohtak and Gurgaon will have corporations. Faridabad already has a corporation. In fact, a resolution for the constitution of the corporation was recently passed at a meeting of the municipal council and forwarded to the Haryana Government. The Haryana Government had fixed criteria of a population of three lakh for the formation of the municipal corporation. The council had already started the process of including newly developed colonies in the city to achieve the three-lakh mark. Yamuna Enclave, Noorwala and the areas bordering Ugra Kherwi village, Risalu village, Kabri and Jatal Road would be included in the jurisdiction of the city. After the notification, the civic body would have a new political set-up as elections would be held again. It is proposed that 25 wards would be constituted in the new set-up against the present 31 wards. The 25 councillors, in turn, will elect a new Mayor, who will have more powers as compared to the council president. The formation of the corporation is likely to boost the financial resources of the civic body. Currently, the council has an annual income of about Rs 4 crore, including Rs 3 crore collected through house tax. On the expenditure side, the staff salary amounts to a whopping Rs 3.6 crore per annum. The council president, Mr Sanjay Bhatia, hoped that grants-in-aid from the central and the state governments would be substantially hiked for the upgradation of infrastructural facilities in the city, which were in a bad shape.
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SPECIAL FOCUS
ON SONEPAT Sonepat, January 5 The Sonepat Municipal Council, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the Country and Town Planning Department and other official agencies are all equally responsible for this state of affairs, as they have done little besides blaming each other. The menace particularly comes into focus when the authorities suddenly decide to remove illegal and unauthorised constructions raised under their very nose. These illegal constructions are often sanctioned power and water connections only to be removed later. According to a report, if both big and small constructions are taken into consideration, there are more than 5,000 illegal constructions in different parts of the city. The report indicates that encroachment on public land has shown no sigh of coming to end. Take the case of houses built on Drain No 6, in contravention of the laid rules. A flourishing nexus between the officials of the Irrigation Department, and the land grabbers along with the police administration and the local politicians are evident. In another case, the shopkeepers have encroached upon the land meant for a park near the ESI dispensary and the button factory. The shopkeepers have built a concrete platform for selling their goods and parking their vehicles. The municipal authorities have so far failed to take any action against the land grabbers in this area. However, the authorities as well as the builders have conveniently shifted the blame for the encroachments. Even though the district authorities are now turning their attention to such illegal constructions, the manner in which the ‘targets’ are selected has been resented by the people. The feeling among the people is that the ‘targets’ are selected by the authorities to force them to pay bribes. However, denying that there was any foul play in selecting the illegal ‘targets’ for demolition, an official said only those buildings are selected which are free from judicial complications. He said most of the owners of these buildings have filed suits to protect their illegal constructions. The official said that the owners had approached the court once the notices were issued to them for the removal or demolition of their illegal constructions. Most of them did not even reply their notices. He said as and when the courts dismiss their cases, the authorities plan to demolish them. Explaining his problem, he said in some cases, the civic-staff have been beaten up while doing their duty. Sometimes, the non-availability of police force for their protection is one the major reason for the delay in demolition drive. According to this official, no priority list has been drawn up for demolition. However, the officers have been advised to concentrate on big buildings rather than wasting time on small cases. However, the main question is, why are such big buildings allowed to be built? Is it due to the negligence of the civic staff or its connivance? Sources in the Municipal Council and other official agencies admit to a total connivance of their staff in allowing unauthorised constructions.
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Fuel crisis puts police patrolling on hold Meerut, January 5 Patrolling vehicles of the Meerut police have been stationed in the Police Lines for want of fuel. Patrolling work is suffering as a result of this fuel crisis. It is anybody’s guess how a decline in the crime graph can be recorded when the police force is struggling for necessary resources like fuel for patrolling. According to some highly placed sources in the Police Department, the district police have 50 motorbikes, 13 heavy vehicles, 6 medium vehicles like Tata 407, 23 Gypsys and 45 Jeeps for police use in the district. The vehicles are authorised to get fuel from the Police Lines filling stations. The district Police Lines filling station has been dry for the past three days. A motor bike is entitled to get 30 litres of petrol per month while police Jeeps get 100 litres of diesel per month. Since the area of patrolling is very wide and the condition of vehicles is also very bad these vehicles do not have adequate fuel for patrolling. Patrolling these days is a must during night due to the dense fog. Senior officials remained tight- lipped on this issue when asked how they would be able to record a low in the crime graph. One of the top district police officials confirmed that not registering an FIR was the only way out at this “crucial” juncture. Senior Superintendent of Police Mukul Goel told NCR Tribune that he had already written to the police headquarters at Allahabad in this regard and the situation would be normalised within a week.
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Three children killed in fire New Delhi, January 5 The building is owned by Nandlal in the Dugal Colony of Ambedkar Nagar, who along with the family members live on the first and the second floors. The victims were trapped in the fire and injured seriously. They were taken to Batra Hospital where doctors declared them brought dead, the police said. Other family members were rescued by the Disaster Management team. About 20 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze. Short-circuit is said to be the cause of fire, the police said. Fire broke out in an electric feed box at Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s residence here late last night. The Chief Minister’s residence is located on the Mathura Road. The Delhi Fire Service rushed three fire tenders to douse the fire, which was controlled within 30 minutes. According to preliminary inquiry, the cause of the fire could be short-circuit, a DFS spokesman said. In another incident, two fire service personnel were injured while fighting a fire that razed a godown in the Matiala area of West Delhi this evening. Jawahar Singh and Ramesh Chander were injured while battling the fire that engulfed the 2000 square feet godown, where
aluminium powder was stored, the spokesman said. While Jawahar Singh was discharged after first aid, Ramesh Chander was admitted to a hospital in Najafgarh. In yet another incident of fire, three children, who were trapped in a “major fire” that broke out in a furniture shop in Ambedkar Nagar area of the Capital last night, were killed, the police said. The shop is located on the ground floor while two other floors are used for residential purposes. |
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Shopkeepers
down shutters Sonepat, January 5
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Woman strangulated in her house, alleges father Sonepat, January 5 Mr Baljit Singh, father of the victim and a resident of Jahri village, in his complaint to the police has alleged his daughter was married on April 16, 2000, to Sandeep of Thana Kalan village and she was being harassed by her husband and other members of her in-laws’ family for not bringing sufficient dowry at the time of marriage. He also alleged they were demanding Rs 2.50 lakh from his daughter in order to get Sanjeev recruited as a cop. But she had declined to get this money from her parents. Poonam had also stayed at her parental place for seven months in the past. However, she was sent to her in-laws’ house on the intervention of some persons of the village. Mr Baljit Singh also said he was informed about the death of his daughter yesterday by someone on telephone. He rushed to the village along with his brothers and some other residents of the village to find his daughter’s body lying in the house. Youth missing:
According to a report, the youth disappeared two days after his marriage. He left his house on the evening of January 1 but had failed to return to his house so far. The police have been informed about his disappearance. Pulse
polio: According to a report, the response to the campaign was overwhelming as parents and guardians of small children were seen waiting for their turn at several posts. The Health Department set up as many as 675 booths in the urban and rural areas of the district for this purpose. Each booth was manned by four employees. Moreover, 15 mobile booths were deployed for administering the drops at bus stands, railway stations, brick-kilns and slums. This campaign will continue till January 7 and the second phase will start from February 9. Trains
delayed:
According to a report, the Railway officials have failed to remove this coach despite repeated complaints made by the passengers, who have been facing great inconvenience due to the stoppage of the passenger trains at the outer signal for a long period daily. The Daily Railway Passengers Welfare Association has urged senior officers of Northern Railway to order the removal of this damaged coach from the railway track for ensuring uninterrupted rail traffic. It also warned that if no step was taken for its removal, the passengers would be left with no other alternative but to picket the railway track. |
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Youth with opium held
outside minister’s house New Delhi, January 5 During interrogation, he said that he was an unemployed youth and had been sanctioned a loan from a bank. However, the loan had not been delivered to him. He had wanted to approach the minister for getting his loan from the bank. He did not disclose the name of the bank, the police said.
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Labourers
beaten up Sonepat, January 5 Five persons injured: Groups Clash:
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