|
|
New chapter in school norms lauded Faridabad, March 21 The Manch has asked the government not to bow to any pressure by the private schools owners to get the provisions of the rules amended. In a statement here today, Mr Kailash Sharma, general secretary of the Manch, said that the private schools facing a stiff action by the authorities for not meeting the guidelines, now launched a campaign to press the state government to either withdraw or amend the new framework, in view of the elections. Claiming that the grounds being given by the private school owners against the new rules as baseless, he said only those schools working as ‘teaching shops’ and exploiting both the parents and the
children in the name of education, were faced with the closure. He said such schools had no right to run or function in the given manner. First of all, the Haryana Schools Education Act was not enacted by the present government, but it had been adopted by the state Assembly in 1995 and after due deliberations, the new rules were modelled and drafted on the lines of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973. Thus, he said, Haryana was not the only state in the country to frame such rules. Stating that the majority of the private public schools were run by resourceful societies, trusts or individuals, and they hardly care for the rules set by the department concerned, he said the lenient attitude of the state government and the bodies like the CBSE had helped directly or indirectly in the ‘commercialisation’ of education and various ‘fraudulent practices’. Quoting the Secretary of the Haryana Education Board, Mr Sharma said at least 50 per cent of the private schools affiliated with it, were allegedly involved in unfair practices in the state. He said there were many instances of schools functioning from two or three rooms with no building or infrastructure. He said many schools affiliated to both the CBSE and the Haryana Board had been hiking the fee and other charges arbitrarily and had virtually become a law unto themselves. The Manch has sought the implementation of the new policy in a firm manner. |
SC clicks ‘ok’ button for computers in govt schools New Delhi, March 21 A Bench comprising justices RC Lahoti and Ashok Bhan removed all legal hurdles before the government in swinging into action on its decision by setting aside a Delhi High Court order which had quashed the tender document inviting bids for the Rs 100-crore project. The High Court had held that the government, by putting the clause that only those firms having a turnover of more than Rs 20 crore could participate in the tendering process, had acted arbitrarily and shut out small firms. Accepting the contention of Solicitor General Kirit N Raval, the Bench said the terms of the invitation to tender were not open to judicial scrutiny, the same being in the realm of contract. Saying that the government must have a free hand in setting the terms of the tender, Justice Bhan, writing for the Bench said, “The courts would interfere with the administrative policy decision only if it is arbitrary, discriminatory, mala fide or actuated by bias.” Justice Bhan said, “The courts cannot strike down the terms of tender prescribed by the government because it feels that some other terms in the tender would have been fair, wiser or logical.” Allowing the appeal of the government, the Bench noted that in 2000-01, 115 schools were taken up for imparting computer education at a cost of Rs 14.65 crore. There the schools were divided among the bidders. This practice of dividing the computerisation process among the bidders was again adopted in 2001-02 when the computerisation of 275 schools was taken up at a cost of Rs 30 crore. However, in 2002-03, tenders were called for all 748 schools and the government thought that the earlier turnover clause of Rs 2 crore should be raised to Rs 20 crore as small firms would not be able to provide for the hardware costing Rs 40-50 crore within a year. Finding no fault with the tender clause objected to by the small firms, the apex court said, “It was for the authority to set the terms of the tender. The courts would not interfere with the terms of the tender notice unless it is shown to be either arbitrary or discriminatory or actuated by malice.” When the small firms said that there had been a fall of prices of the computer components and there should be a fresh tender, the Bench said, “It is for the Delhi Government to decide whether to continue with the tenders already floated, if necessary by making negotiations so as to bring down the rates quoted or to invite fresh tenders.” |
Political slugfest ends in fisticuffs New Delhi, March 21 The crowd that assembled for a live debate on a TV channel had no inkling of the unruly scenes to follow. Irked by a question posed by a member of the audience about the BJP’s anti-farmer policies, Verma apparently lost his composure and used a derogatory term for Raj Kumar Chauhan, a member of the Sheila Dikshit Ministry, alluding to his caste. Chauhan, who addressed a news conference along with Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Prem Singh at the party office today, claimed that Verma beat his son Keshav when the latter tried to “save” the man who had posed the question from getting surrounded by the Union Minister and his supporters. The police, he alleged, filed a case only after a wait of four hours. DPCC President Prem Singh, in turn, said that the party strongly condemned the incident. “Mr Sahib Singh should be arrested and should be dismissed from the Union Cabinet for his behaviour unbecoming of a minister,” he said. |
Crime maze Sonepat, March 21 There have been more than a dozen incidents of thefts—eight on a single night on March 16. The culprits managed to take away the stolen articles and cash each time and escaped.. The police seem to be clueless about the culprits. The thieves struck at two shops of spare parts on Bahalgarh Road on Friday night and took away tyres and cash worth lakhs of rupees. The agitated shopkeepers raised slogans against the police. They said that an electronic shop had been burgled in adjacent Sector-14 market last month. Besides, three shops on the same road near the civil hospital were attacked in a single night last year. They also alleged that despite their pleas, the municipal council authorities have not made arrangements for lights on the road. The police patrolling was not effective either, the shopkeepers lamented. It may be recalled that on Monday last, as many as eight shops on Rathdhana Road near the police post were attacked by the burglars at night. Cash and some articles worth lakhs of rupees were stolen from the shops. The livid shopkeepers urged the police authorities to intensify patrolling during night. They also approached the council authorities for the streetlights. There was also a public protest against theft in a juice corner shop on March 8 night on Bahalgarh Road. The protestors expressed concern over the increasing incidents of thefts in the shops in various markets of the town. A number of shopkeepers of Bahalgarh Road were concerned about the spate of thefts. They said that they would have no other alternative than to sleep in their shops. |
MCD ordered to appoint 8 ex-servicemen in schools New Delhi, March 21 The Delhi High Court has also asked the MCD schools to pay Rs 5,000 each to these men for denying them the appointments. Justice Pradeep Nandrajog said it was unfortunate that even after the court had decided about three years ago that ex-servicemen qualify for the said posts, appointment letters had not been issued to them. Nandrajog also directed the MCD to recover the said amount (Rs 40,000) from the official responsible for
not giving the letters to the ex-servicemen. The court had earlier rejected the corporation’s argument that the ex-servicemen did not have the required educational qualification or training, and upheld the petition’s argument that their service itself qualified them on both counts. Earlier on February 12, 2001, Justice S K Kaul had directed the MCD to appoint the five petitioners as Assistant Teachers with all consequential benefits of seniority as well as monetary benefits within three weeks. Then on April 1 that year, the High Court had to issue contempt notice to the MCD after the orders were not complied with. The appointments were made subsequently. |
Blind with love, girl gets her parents killed Bulandshahr, March 21 The police arrested three persons, including the daughter and her lover, and recovered the car and the sharp-edged weapon used in the crime. One accused is still absconding. On the night of March 14, Dhani Ram and his wife Kamlesh, were murdered in the jungle of village Naya Gaon when the couple were returning home after seeing their daughter Sangeeta off on a train to Lucknow. The police said Sangeeta had decided to eliminate her parents and brother who were objecting to her amour. Her lover Harinder and his cousin then killed Sangeeta’s parents, the police said. The girl’s brother Sanjeev was spared as the killers could not locate his house. According to SO, Incharge Kotwali, Subash Narayan Yadav, Sangeeta who was studying in the Government High School, Lucknow, was having an affair with Harinder, a law student in Meerut
and a resident of Ganga Nagar, Meerut. |
Chautala and Sangwan are ‘Guru Bhai’, says LJP Sonepat, March 21 Addressing a party meeting at village Kabirpur, Capt. Malik, who is also the candidate for the Sonepat Lok Sabha constituency, explained that earlier the hike in the prices of diesel and petrol used to be announced at midnight. However, the BJP-led NDA government at the centre has allowed the customers to be cheated by announcing the hikes weeks or days in advance, he alleged. There have been number of scams during the tenure of the BJP-led NDA government. Even senior leaders of the BJP have been found accepting illegal money, he said. Inspite of all this, the BJP continuous to claim that there is a “feel good” factor in the country. Do you feel good to know that, he asked the audience. He also criticised the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L K Advani, for fooling the people by repeatedly raising the issued of cross border terrorism. Mr Advani is required to take care of the internal security of the people, which is being threatened by the criminal gangs and other armed groups in the country, he remarked. Capt. Malik also targeted the BJP candidate and sitting MP, Mr Kishan Singh Sangwan and alleged that the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala and Sangwan were “Guru-Bhai”, as Sangwan has called himself the fifth son of the late Devi Lal. The LJP would urge the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Election Commission to release the details of the discussions in the Lok Sabha to know how much time Mr Sangwan had devoted to the issues pertaining to his constituency. The general secretaries of LJP-Vazir Singh Dahiya and Sanjay Rathi, president SC/ST cell and district president Sarvesh Gupta also spoke on the occasion.
Panchayat angry over police inaction A large number of villagers participated in the Maha Panchayat held in the Government Girls Senior Secondary School at Farmana village, about 20 km from here yesterday, to chalk out the future course of action in connection with the alleged kidnapping of three year-old son of Dr Dharmendra Sharma. According to a report, the Maha Panchayat expressed its concern over the inaction of the police in the case and warned that if the child is not rescued soon, the villager would vote against the ruling party in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, a deputation of the Maha Panchayat called on the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, here yesterday and demanded immediate steps for tracing the child. Mr Chautala assured the villagers that he had asked the district authorities to take stringent measures to trace the child.
Power disruption Unscheduled loadsheddings enforced by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) has continued to trouble the residents of this city and its suburbs. According to a report, the power disruption continued for most part of the night, which forced people to sleep in the open. Earlier, the entire city and its adjoining areas remained powerless in the evening, disrupting business activities. The hospital services were adversely affected due to the power disruption.
Medical shop gutted Fire broke out in a medical shop near Sector 14 of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) here last evening. According to a report, the fire was brought under control by the municipal fire brigade. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. |
|
Nirmala Devi felicitated on 81st birthday New Delhi, March 21 Present on the occasion were national coordinators from various countries, politicians, bureaucrats and luminaries from various walks of life. The felicitation programme was presided over by Union Minister, Sahib Singh Verma. The programme got underway with Mr V J Nalgirkar, the national coordinator from India, reading out the felicitations sent from various parts of the world for the occasion. Praising Mataji for her devotion in spreading ‘Sahaja Yoga’ in different parts of the world, Mr Sahib Singh Verma said: “Mataji’s accomplishments over the years make her a fine example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Countless people have benefited from her endeavours and she is ideal ambassador of world peace and harmony.” Blessing the ‘Sahayogis’ and the distinguished guests present on the occasion, Mataji said, “I was born as a very simple persons and I don’t understand money”. The felicitation function was followed with a Kuchipudi dance performance by Ms Lena, a Russian, who was trained in one of the musical schools set up by Mataji in Maharashtra. |
Disabled electors clamour for rights New Delhi, March 21 Confident of their strength and aided by the knowledge of their rights, these differently abled people decided to raise issues at a time when no political party can afford to let them down. They have made it clear that issues affecting the disabled could no longer be excluded from their agenda. At a National Convention of the Political Rights of the Disabled People, convened yesterday by the Disabled Rights Group (DRG), political parties were challenged with posers vis-a-vis the rights and problems faced by them. It was pointed out that successive governments have failed to address their grievances adequately, forgetting that the people with impairments were also making their contribution in the building of the nation. A charter of demands adopted at the convention called upon the political parties contesting the Lok Sabha elections to include in their manifesto implementation of the provisions of the Disability Act. Among other demands are ensuring a barrier-free design and access features for the disabled in all future constructions, bringing in an anti-discrimination legislation to promote employment opportunities in the private sector and extension of all facilities that are at present available only to the orthopaedically, visually and hearing impaired people to those with mental impairment as well. They also demanded reconstitution of the National Disability Commission and amendment in the Disability Act of 1995 to include in the definition of disability impairments such as autism, hemophilia, thalassaemia and learning disabilities etc. Speaking on the occasion, Convenor DRG Javed Abidi announced that they would soon be petitioning the Supreme Court to provide hassle-free access to the polling booths to the disabled. Addressing the convention, BJP general secretary Mukhtar Abbas and assured the disabled that his party will take into consideration their demands while framing its Vision document. He stressed the need of framing a national policy for the disabled. CPI (M) leader Nilotpal Basu also spoke on the occasion. |
Akali Dal leaders urged to be united New Delhi, March 21 They should unite leaving behind all differences. If the Akali Dals unite only in Punjab, the larger interest of Sikh community will be ignored. The general secretary of the committee, Mr Amar Singh, said that Punjab was one province of the country Akali leaders have to think of Sikhs leaving in other states too. President of the Delhi Unit of Sewadar Committee appealed Sikh youths to come forwards and take pledge to serve the community forgetting all their differences.
Navratra Mela begins at Jhandewalan Devi temple Navratra Mela is celebrated at the historic Badri Bhagat Jhandewalan Devi temple from today till March 30. On the first day of the Navratra Mela, Shailputri Swaroop of Maa Durga was worshipped with religious fervour. Thousands of devotees waited for hours in serpentine queues to catch a glimpse of the deity. The temple will remain open from 4 am till midnight. It will, however, remain closed between 6 pm and 7 pm for cleaning and Sandhya Aarti. Bhajans and kirtan will be performed by various performers daily from 3 pm to 6 pm.
PWD worker assaulted Dayaram, a PWD worker, was beaten up badly by a resident of Babarpur in North-East district. He was admitted to GTB Hospital. He sustained serious head injury and his condition is critical. According to the police, the victim was on duty in Babarpur, where a bridge was under construction on a drain. The suspect, Bunty, allegedly came and tried to stop him from doing the construction work. When the victim said that he was assigned the job by the department concerned for the same work, the suspect attacked him with an iron rod. The victim received head injury and fell down. The fellow workers reported the matter to the local police. The victim was admitted to GTB Hospital immediately. The police have registered a case against Dharambir and his son Bunty. |
Glimmer of hope for 180 Tihar undertrials New Delhi, March 21 However, they have a ray of hope now. District and Sessions Judge J. P. Singh has directed trial courts to consider their cases and take appropriate remedial measures within 10 days. The direction follows an order of the Delhi High Court in February 2003 on a criminal writ petition filed by the Rotary Club District. The order was for early release of the undertrials on relaxed surety conditions and where necessary, on personal bonds. The list of 180 undertrials, which stands updated till December 2003, includes 12 women too. While four of them are lodged in jail number one, the rest are in jail number six. The jail number one also houses the largest number of undertrials – 122, who are facing incarceration even after being granted bail. While 28 inmates in the list of 180 have been booked under the Arms Act, 18 face charges under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Prevention) Act, the sources said. Three are serving life terms, while two others have seven-year terms on them and one a three-year term. The list also includes alleged offenders under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Excise Act and even Motor Vehicle Act. |
Noida engineers get notice for substandard work Noida, March 21 Earlier, similar notices had been issued in Sector-82 and 93 for bad quality of inter-locking tiles and the quality of drain to the project engineers and works engineers of the work circle. According to the ACEO, Mr Debashis Panda, a notice have been issued for fixing the responsibility of the concerned engineers. The samples of material used in Sectors 72 and 93, have also been collected. The road from Sector-72 under construction will link the Sector with Phase-II. The inspection work in Sector-72 was completed by senior project engineer, Mr
A.K. Goel. ACEO Panda said inspecting the quality of work is among the primary responsibilities of the project engineers concerned. But in spite of this, the project engineers are found wanting in the discharge of the duties. A special charter has been formulated for the inspection by engineers, ACEO added. A meeting of senior project engineers, chief works engineers and entire work circle staff will fix the responsibility and also acquaint the staff with the strong punishment /action such dereliction of duty can invite.
Ghaziabad prepares for Advani’s Yatra on March 23 Ghaziabad: The Ghaziabad district administration is not taking any chances with the security of Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani who is arriving on his Bharat Udey Yatra at Ghaziabad on 23 March. The administration has put five magistrates on duty while over 2,000 policemen will be deployed for security of Deputy Prime Minister who will reach Lal Queen of Ghaziabad at 7 pm on Tuesday via Secunderabad and Dadri. Mr Advani will address a public rally at Ram Leela Ground near Clock Tower. After this, Mr Advani will reach Mela Plaza Hotel for the night stay. On 24 March, Mr Advani will proceed for Bagpet via Loni. The SP, City, Mr Umesh Kumar, Srivastava, said apart from police cops, Leopard and Zebra police vehicles will continue to be present around the Deputy Prime Minister’s Yatra. PAC and RPF will also be responsible for the security of Mr Advani, apart from the local police. |
|
Two killed as crane capsizes Noida, March 21 The axle of the truck had given way last night and its two wheels had become detached, thus blocking the road and crane was called to remove the truck to a side. The car driver was an engineer who was going to Delhi on some job. Chand Khan, driver of Truck No. HR-38 B, 2916, and R.S. Rawat, driver Maruti Car No. DL 2CB-8297 had been crushed under the crane. |
|
Decomposed body found Sonepat, March 21 According to a report, the body still remains unidentified and the police believe it to be a case of murder. A case has been registered in this connection. Further investigations were in progress. Two held with charas The Gohana police have arrested two persons, identified as Prem of Madina village and Bijender, for allegedly possessing 260 grams of charas. |
|
Four take Rs 2.50-cr loan, abscond Noida: A report has been filed in Sector-20 police against four persons, including a woman, who are absconding after having obtained Rs 2.50-crore loan to set up factories. The report has been lodged by Manoj Saxena, Dy. Manager Finance of PICUP, a UP Government Financial Co., against D.S. Ahluwalia of New Delhi. Ahluwalia had obtained a loan of Rs 84.50 lakh for putting up a unit. The loan was not paid back. Now the loanee is not traceable. Manoj Saxena has filed a case of fraud and cheating against D.S. Ahluwalia, his companion Ajit, and Mrs Ravinder Kaur. In another case, a company deputy manager J.S. Negi has filed a similar report against Suman Jain of Panchsheel Park for not repaying a loan of Rs 1.5 crore. He is also at large. A case under Section 420 has been registered against him.
OC |
HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |