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Polio drops being given for Rs 50 in Vaishali Ghaziabad, February 3 And, if you try to stop them, you should be ready to be assaulted, said
D.N. Nath, a resident. They have reportedly given polio drops to quite a few kids at the rate of Rs.50 per child in the colony, he disclosed. Money apart, there is no guarantee about the bona fide of the so-called health workers; also there is no inkling whether the drops they administer are spurious or not. Usually they come calling on houses where children had taken polio drops during the last campaign. Generally, they move around in twos. One person carries the ‘polio drops’ while the other carries a register in which the names and addresses of all kids below five years are given. A resident has sent a complaint to the CMO, Mr MP Singh, saying that such young men are active in colonies across the Hindon river. The ‘health workers’ usually come knocking at the door in the afternoon, when the men folk are away to their places of work. The youngsters had even reportedly threatened some women, who did not shell out the money; the former claimed that they had been collecting the “charges” on behalf of the health department, which has deputed them. They further claimed that the administration and the police were giving them full cooperation. In some cases, when residents threatened to call the police, the ‘health workers’ threatened: “In that case, you will have to pay Rs.500 to the police”. The farce is being enacted for the last fortnight or so. A resident, Uma Devi of Sector-5, told the ‘health workers’ that their child had been given a polio dose on January 6, 2004; but for that too the latter demanded Rs.50. The poor lady had to shell out the money to avoid unpleasant consequences. Says ADM
R.K. Singhal, "I have got reports about this fraud that is being perpetrated on the simple folks of Vaishali.’’ He insists that polio doses are given free of cost. “However, I can ask the police department to take action only on receipt of a written complaint,’’ he added, expressing his inability to help in the matter.
Two arrested with
pornography material Noida: Two men were arrested and pornography material, including blue films and cassettes, were seized in a raid conducted by the Sector-20 police. Based on a tip-off that two men would be trying to sell blue film cassettes, the police nabbed Ravinder and Amit in Sector-19 and seized 8 blue film cassettes from them. The police also seized more than 70 duplicate CDs. Meanwhile, the police have seized a country-made pistol and two knives from two criminals arrested in Sector-19. The criminals, identified as Shahzad and Upender, were found hanging around, planning to commit a crime, the police said.
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Interim relief Noida, February 3 The court has as stayed the operation of UP Government order scrapping the districts and the commissionaries with immediate effect. The stay, according to experts, means that status quo will be maintained and the offices will continue to handle the work which they are currently doing. The next hearing will be on March 10. The Noida Lok Manch and District Bar Association had filed a writ petition in Allahabad High Court on January 28, 2004, challenging the state government decision. Other districts had also filed writs against the decision. The Noida Lok manch writ was heard by the Bench of Chief Justice Tarun Chatterjee and Justice Ashok Bhushan. After lengthy arguments on Friday, the Bench had reserved the decision for today. Union Minister Ashok Pradhan, who has
been in the vanguard of the agitation, said: “It is a big victory for people of Gautam Budh Nagar and indications are that we shall be successful in our struggle.” The role of Supreme Court advocate and member, Noida Lok Manch Legal Cell, who had filed the PIL, was lauded in a meeting of the Joint Action Committee in Sector-19 today. Sweets were distributed to the public on the occasion and firecrackers were burst. Later, the gathering marched towards Atta Pir, Sector-18. Get your greeting
cards recycled New Delhi: If you are the kind of person who stacks greeting cards for emotional reasons, you now also have a charitable purpose for them. Instead of throwing away the heap of old greeting cards stored at your home, all you need to do is pass on the message of love to the needy and underprivileged this year through TNT’s “Re-use and recycle cards” campaign. In this campaign, TNT would set up collection boxes in various locations where people can drop their old greeting cards. Cards thus collected will be sent to select NGOs and welfare organizations which will reuse these cards to make hand made paper items like pen stands, paper bags and greeting cards, or recycle the paper itself.
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Rallies, dharnas to continue for GB Nagar district Noida, February 3 The next phase is to collect five lakh signatures from people who support separate Gautam Budh Nagar district. Targets for this campaign have been assigned to workers of various social and political organizations. On Wednesday, a torch rally will be taken out under Bajrang Dal activists and on Saturday a car rally will be taken out under the aegis of western UP Vapar Mandal. A roaster programme has also been chalked out for continuing dharna for getting “our district” back at Surajpur
Collectorate. Dehat Morcha, BJP, Rashtriya Pravertan Dal, Bar Association, Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations, Congress party, Property Dealers Associations, Noida Lok Munch etc., will stage dharna in turns and according a schedule decided by the Sangarsh Samiti (Action Committee). The torch rally under Bajrang Dal on Wednesday will start from DM’s residence in Sector-27 at 5 pm and it will wind its way through Sectors 18, Naya Bans, Harolla and conclude at Sector-27 DM’s residence. The car rally by West UP Vapar Mandal will be taken out at 11 am on Saturday from Sector-1 roundabout and will pass through main market and residential area of the town. It will terminate at the same Gole Chakkar in Sector-1. “The campaign for saving our district is apolitical but emotional that is why it is a joint struggle by various parties and organizations,” Union Minister Ashok Pradhan said. MLA Nawab Singh Nagar said UP Assembly is meeting on February 4 and it will raise Gautam Budh Nagar district issue in UP Assembly on priority basis. “If need be, we shall sit on dharna in the House,” he said. We shall meet BJP high command also and build up pressure on state and BJP leadership too. |
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Surajkund remains a speck on the map only Faridabad, February 3 And all this despite the authorities, including the State Tourism Department, claiming each year that the infrastructure in the region will be developed, so that it becomes one of the most happening place in the NCR. But except for the infrastructure that is required for the mela, the area has seen little activity by the way of development in the past two decades. The authorities here have not been able to increase even the capacity of the craft village to accommodate more than 350 huts, although hundreds of acres of barren land is available. It is apparent that the Tourism Department has not been able to cash in on the popularity of the spot. The department has a five star hotel here, but the occupancy and the revenue has been dismal. During the mela, most of the rooms of the hotel and the tourist motel here are used to accommodate senior government officials and the artists. The authorities again claimed this time at the inauguration of the fair that they have a plan to develop the area. But, as against such lofty promises, the Surajkund–Bhadkhal road is yet to converted into a four-lane highway. It is learnt that the work on the project is proceeding at an extremely tardy pace. It is claimed that widening and proper lighting of the road would help in making the place easily accessible. However, it may be many months before that can happen . The Haryana Government, too, had decided to take up some major projects to attract more tourists in the area, but all the schemes have been on the paper only. The Chief Minister had also announced that infrastructure of international standards will be created at Surajkund, so that business fairs, on the lines on the ones held in Pragati Maidan in Delhi, can be hosted here. Again, there has been no progress in this regard. The last industrial fair held here had got only a feeble response. According to experts, the area could be developed into a major tourist spot if the authorities develop facilities like ropeways, fun rides, artificial lakes, swimming pools, aquariums, picnic spots, botanical and zoological gardens and other infrastructure found in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia. A regular visitor to the art and craft mela here said that the authorities had not been able to provide even basic facilities like public conveniences and parking. He claimed that the upkeep of existing spots had been poor and unprofessional. |
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‘Delhi govt is in undue haste to implement UAM’ New Delhi, February 3 The issue of four-page pro forma through post offices has created a stir and pressed panic button as general public has not been educated about various issues connected with method and manner of property tax assessment. This has given rise to mental torture and cause of harassment to public. Though the half-baked nature of the UAM, wrong categorisation of colonies, localities and the new system not being based on any scientific method has been pointed out number of times, yet none of the suggestions made by members of public, RWAs and associations have been heeded to so far. Thus, the new system would put extra burden on citizens, especially belonging to lower and middle class segments of population who are surviving on meagre incomes. It will also increase liabilities on old properties and the owners of rented properties will have to pay the double of the property tax under the new system. On the other hand, affluent segments of society, like big property owners, industrialists, farmhouses have been extended financial benefits and would be paying less property tax than at present. The properties paying property tax above valuing above Rs 50 lakh will pay less house tax now under the proposed UAM, whereas additional burden would be thrust on poor and middle classes and exempted properties. For example properties No (i) Five star hotel Site Grand Hotel, (ii) 1 LS, Ph-II, Munirika, Capt Court Bldg., (iii) Plot No 70, Nehru Place, (iv) Archna Cinema and (v) Park Royal Hotel, Nehru Place, the tax liability for the present year Rs 9,23,08,620 and under the propose UAM it would be Rs 2,39,13,228 giving a benefit of Rs 6,83,95,392 to these high category property owners. The matter came under discussion in the sub-committee of the standing committee in the chamber of the Commissioner, Mr Vijender Kumar Gupta, Municipal Councillor. And the members of the sub-committee pointed out various lacunae, anti-people and harsh nature of the UAM and strongly opposed the implementation of the measure in its present form without consultations with public representatives and NGOs to have a proper review of the entire measure so that there is no miscarriage of justice, victimisation of public and transparency and rationality becoming the guiding principle. It transpires that the rate of property tax in its present form and content is being presented by the Chairman of the standing committee in the MCD budget, is without any consideration of public feeling, their objections and suggestions. This will lead to massive protest from the general public having serious repercussions and consequences, Mr Gupta said. |
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Girl students, principal in tow, march Sonepat: Hundreds of students and teachers of the new Tagore Girls Senior Secondary School,
Bahalgarh, today took out a procession to Sonepat to protest against the “activities” of the school manager. During the 11-km march, which was led by the school principal, Ms Sushila Malik, students raised slogans against the management and even pelted stones at the residence of the manager. Later, they met the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, and handed over a memorandum demanding immediate action against the manager for his alleged misbehaviour with the staff and students. The Deputy Commissioner has ordered an inquiry by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate into the matter. While talking to media persons during the march, several students alleged that the conduct of the manager would offend the sensibilities of any woman. They further alleged that when their Principal tried to raise the matter with the Manager, the latter tried to browbeat her by threatening to remove her from service. He also took the help of the local police to intimidate the
principal, it is alleged. The manager, Mr Suresh Sharma, in turn has alleged that the principal was creating unfavourable conditions in the school. The students were supporting the principal as the latter has misguided them. However, according to the principal, on Monday Mr Sharma came to her residence and requested her to take charge of the school. But when she went to the school, the in-charge of Bahalgarh police chowki confronted her and asked her to report at the thana. She claimed that this was done at the behest of the manager. When the students came to know about the incident, they blocked the highway.
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Farmers bear the brunt of erratic canal water supply Sonepat, February 3 According to a report, as irrigation of the wheat crop that had already been sown has been hit hard by the water shortage. Some of the farmers who do not have alternative means of irrigation have been compelled to steal the water from the canal network through pipes. Although adequate canal water is available in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Sonepat, Rai and Delhi Water Service Divisions, but the farmers of Gohana Water Service Division who allegedly enjoy the patronage of the ruling party MLAs and other politicians, are indulging in large-scale theft of water. As a result, the farmers whose fields are situated at the tail end bear the brunt of the theft. It is alleged that the officials of the division are hushing up of most cases of canal water thefts in a bid to mint money for pocketing the same. Whenever canal cuts are made some unscrupulous and influential farmers, these are converted into the mishaps. In this way, the officials find an opportunity to dupe the government and misappropriate public funds by preparing bogus muster rolls in connection with the repair works and pocketing the money on this account. A high level inquiry into the racket is likely to expose the misdeeds of the officials of the Gohana Water Service Division in the district. The transfers of the executive engineer, the SDOs and other officials will ensure an independent and impartial inquiry in this regard. Though the state government has made available lakhs of rupees to various water service divisions in the district for the desilting and deweeding operations of the canal network but the position had hardly improved in the tail end fields of the farmers continue to remain dry and the canal water had not been reaching there. It is alleged that the bulk of the amount spent on these operations had been misappropriated by the officials entrusted to the job for cleaning operations. Some of the works executed remain on paper only and the officials made payment for the works, which actually had not been executed at all. It is further alleged that the muster rolls prepared by the officials also included the names of the persons who never put on the job. Expressing their grave concern over the inadequate and erratic supply of canal water, the farmers of many villages blamed the executive engineer and the SDOs concerned for not cleaning the canals. The farmers whose fields are situated on the tail end have demanded a vigilance probe into their complaints about the non-reaching of canal water and a stern action against those officials who are found responsible for it. The farmers also criticised the district authorities and other authorities of the irrigation department for their failure to redress their grievances about the shortage of canal water during the rotation period. They also feared that standing rabi crops, particularly wheat worth several lakhs of rupees, would suffer damage if timely steps are not taken to ensure adequate and regular supply of canal water. |
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Loadsheddings
throw normal life out of gear Sonepat, February 3 Several areas including Gita Bhawan, Mohalla Kalan Ram Bazar, Bus Stand, Sector 14 and 15 and Murthal road remained without power and water throughout the day yesterday in order to allow the passage of the Bhimkaya Reactor through these areas for its onward journey to the Panipat refinery. Representatives of various political parties, social and voluntary organisations along with the Sonepat Residents Welfare Association and the Sonepat Citizens Council today demanded immediate action against the officials of the UHBVN and the Public Health Department for their failure to give prior information regarding the frequent loadshedding. In a joint statement issued here, they alleged that the officials of both these departments had failed to give prior information regarding the frequent loadshedding and failed to redress the public complaints in this regard. |
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Arrangements for Mahasabha Gurukul Sonepat, February 3 According to a report, thousands of people are likely to assemble there to pay their respects to Bhagat Phool Singh, apostle of women education and founder of a number of Kanya Gurukul institutions. Mr Abhay Singh Chautala, MLA and president of the Haryana Olympic Association, will preside over this function and Mr Harender Malik, MP, will be the guest of honour on this occasion. Mr Chautala will also inaugurate a quarter in BPS ‘Awasua Parisar’. He will also honour 30 outstanding girl students of these institutions. The district administration has made all the necessary arrangement for security, traffic regulation and drinking water for the gathering. It will also make arrangements for special buses for the transportation of the people from Gohana to the venue of the function. The Inspectors General of Police, Mr S. S. Deswal and Mr Yash Pal Singhal and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh were among those who participated in this meeting. |
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Delhi digest New Delhi, February 3 Guru Angad Dev was born on March 31, 1504, at Muktasar in Punjab. He preached the gospel of Sri Guru Nanak Dev between 1539 and 1552. Guru Angad gave special attention to children’s education and made special efforts for the spread of Gurmukhi scripts and Punjabi language. The DSGMC is also celebrating the 400th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Granth Sahib this year. The first Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place in the year 1604 at Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns of six Sikh Gurus, 15 saints, 11 Bhatts and four Gursikhs. Observed this year will also be the 300th anniversary of the martyrdom of four Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and Mata
Gujri Ji, who laid down their lives in 1704 at Chamkaur and Sirhind in Punjab. The DSGMC has constituted a sub-committee comprising 31 members to oversee the preparations for the events. The sub-committee comprises among others DSGMC president Prehlad Singh Chandok, vice-presidents Nirwair Singh and Gian Singh and general secretary Harbhajan Singh Matharoo. Icy winds sweep Capital Icy winds from northern hills continued to sweep the Capital throughout the day today, neutralising the warmth of a bright sun. The minimum temperature continued to be three degrees below normal at 6.3 degree celsius. The day temperature hovered around 18 degrees, as against 22 degrees, the weather office said. The bone-chilling icy winds have followed a western disturbance, which caused rains in the Capital on January 30. The city experienced a sunny but cold and windy day yesterday as well. IACM Scholar Awards The Delhi Education Minister, Mr Arvinder Singh Lovely, gave away the IACM Scholar Awards 2003 among the college students. The IACM is an information technology institute. Kirorimal College student Ashish Kumar won the top prize while Abhishek Mishra of Shivaji College and Shangrila Dangayach of Hindu College won the second and third prizes respectively. The awards carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000, Rs 7,500 and Rs 5,000 for the first, second and third prizes respectively. “Networking is playing a dominant role in today’s globalising world,” said Mr Lovely. IACM director Ravinder Goyal was also present on the occasion. |
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NCR
briefs Faridabad, February 3 It is learnt that the door accidentally opened due to a sharp jerk and the boy lost his balance and fell off the train. He was rushed to a hospital here but succumbed to his injuries shortly.
Atal Sandesh Yatra Jhajjar:
The district unit of BJP today organised ‘Atal Sandesh Yatra’, which culminated at the office of the Deputy Commissioner after a memorandum was handed over to him. The party activists led by Mr Mahesh Kumar, district BJP chief highlighted the achievements of the NDA government.
Youth commits suicide Sonepat: A youth of Arya Nagar, identified as Deepak, was reported to have taken sulphas tablets and jumped into the Western Yamuna Canal near Rohat village, about 5 km from here yesterday. According to a report, some residents, who saw him jumping into the canal, unsuccessfully tried to rescue him. The police have sent the body for the postmortem examination. The 24-year-old youth was the son of a teacher in Shambhu Dayal Modern School, Sonepat.
Suicide by Housewife A young housewife, identified as Mrs Poonam (23), was reported to have committed suicide by jumping before a running train near the railway station here yesterday. She was a resident of Deviwada locality of this city. The Government Railway Police has sent the body for the postmortem examination. A family quarrel is stated to be the main cause of her taking this extreme step. Meanwhile, her parents have reportedly lodged a dowry death case with the police.
Woman killed An aged woman, identified as Mrs Bhugli (70), was killed by a speeding vehicle on the G T Road near Nathupur village, about 15 km from here yesterday. According to a report, she was crossing the road when the accident occurred. The police have registered the case in this connection and sent the body for the postmortem examination.
Girls honoured As many as 115 girl students were honoured and given prizes at the annual prize distribution function of the Kanya Gurukul Senior Secondary School at Khanpur Kalan Village, about 30 km from here yesterday. According to a report, a large number of prominent citizens and distinguished guests were present on this occasion.
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Man posing as MP arrested New Delhi, February 3 The accused, identified as Syed Nuzrat Ali, resident of Jamia Nagar, was posing himself as Mukhtiar Abbas Naqvi, MP and BJP spokesperson and was trying to get the transfer of one M S K Rao, Joint Commissioner, Customs, by making telephone calls. The Special Cell received a complaint that one person identified as Naqvi had contacted the Minister of State for Revenue, Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Finance Secretary for the transfer of one M S K Rao, Joint Commissioner, Customs. Based on the complaint, the sleuths apprehended Syed from the Chandni Mahal area. During interrogation, Syed told the sleuths that he came in contact with Vinayak Joglekar, PRO, Mumbai Port Trust, during his visit to Mumbai. Vinayak Joglekar told Syed that Roa wanted a transfer from Mangalore to Mumbai or Chennai. He also said that he would be paid if he managed the transfer. Since Syed had no means of livelihood, he came to Delhi and started contacting officials on phone posing himself as Mukhtiar Abbas Naqvi.
Gang of bus robbers busted The Crime Branch claimed to have busted a gang of bus robbers active in buses on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh routes. Based on a secret information that some persons were assembling near the MCD park in Hazrat Nizamuddin for planning a bus robbery, the police apprehended five persons and seized two button-actuated knives from their possession. They were identified as Taslim (20), resident of Loni, Yusuf (22), resident of New Mustafabad, Lal Mohammad (21), Shokeen alias Kanta (22) and Mohammad Imran (20), all resident of
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Criminal nabbed in encounter Noida, February 3 A country-made pistol and live cartridges were seized from the nabbed criminal. The police had been tipped off by the intelligence wing that three criminals were planning a crime in the area. The three criminals were surrounded from all sides after they were spotted on a motor bike on the Maycha road. However, when they were asked by the police to stop, they tried to speed away. The pillion riders even fired on the policemen chasing them in a jeep. When the police returned the fire, they jumped off the motorbike and started running. One of them was nabbed while two managed to escape. He was later identified as Jugal Singh, a resident of Dholana. A country-made revolver and live cartridges were seized from him. The two who managed to escape were identified as Promod of Aligarh and Bhoorey of Jarcha. The arrested criminal provided details of number of crimes committed by the gang. The police are on the lookout for the criminals who managed to escape. |
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