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Sikh Forum seeks
apology for Bluestar Multiple
authorities inevitable in Capital, says outgoing L-G Outgoing L-G Vijai Kapoor with the Commissioner of Police, Dr K.K. Paul, at the former’s farewell function at the police headquarters in the Capital on Monday.
— Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal |
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Dacoity in Press
Enclave foiled
MCD spikes
Govt’s trifurcation move No change in UP
yet, says Arjun Singh Schools forcing
weak students to leave: Manch
Sibal bid to
mitigate parking woes
Dangerous wild
growth eating up Faridabad’s
green patches Toy train
stationmaster’s plea for parity rejected
Govt agencies
mistaking trees for woods? Poor power
supply irks ‘millennium city’ Drunk wife
smashes bottle on hubby’s head
Make merry on
this magnificent mall
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Sikh Forum
seeks apology for Bluestar New Delhi, June 7 A member of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and son of slain Jathedar Santokh Singh, Manjit Singh recalled his meetings with the militants’ leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Bhindranwale was killed just days before the military operation. “I met him on the third floor of the Akal Takht. He was holding an arrow in his hand and was flanked by gunners,” Manjit Singh recalled. “I told him that Army action was imminent and it could only be prevented if he lays down arms and comes out with a statement that negates his communal projection ... but several lobbies active inside the besieged Takht probably stopped him”. He said there was a need to assess both the trigger and the wounds from the trauma of the Army action on the holiest Sikh shrine. In his address, noted columnist Maheep Singh called for an open investigation into the events that led to Blue Star and said there should be an apology by the ruling party over the incident. He also criticised Delhi’s Sikh religious authorities for their “misplaced euphoria” over the swearing-in of Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. “I was shocked to see historic gurdwaras in Delhi being decorated with lights when Dr Singh took the oath of office. Also, it’s nice to see Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister but it should not mean forgetting history. An open probe into what led to this episode in Indian history is yet to be done.” In his speech, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Avtar Singh Hit praised Dr Manmohan Singh for his competence and honesty but pointed out that his installation as Prime Minister had nothing to do with his faith. The Sikh Forum, headed by Lieutenant General (Retired) Jagjit Singh Aurora, had to call a special meeting earlier to decide whether to observe the historical event or not in the light of Dr Manmohan Singh heading the government. “There are historical happenings everywhere and the world remembers them. Forgetting Blue Star just because you have a Prime Minister from your own community amounts to overlooking history”, Mr Hit said. |
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Multiple authorities inevitable
in Capital, New Delhi, June 7 In his last official press conference, Mr Kapoor said that a host of the problems being faced by the Capital could be attributed to the burgeoning population. The city has nevertheless witnessed “unprecedented development” over the years. It was no longer an urban village, Mr Kapoor said. He cited the flyovers, the Delhi Metro and the Millennium Park as examples to illustrate how development projects had changed the face of the city during his tenure of six years. He hastened to add that neither he nor the Council of Ministers could claim it as their personal achievements. He also clarified that his tenure was marked by consultation. It was a period of personal friendship and co-operation with Ms Dikshit, he told reporters. When asked about controversial areas which were said to have strained relationship between the Raj Niwas and the elected government of NCT of Delhi, Mr Kapoor said, harmony did not mean identity of views. There was always scope for difference of viewpoint in a system, he said. Responding to the oft-cited problem of multiplicity of authority, the Lieutenant Governor said that in a multi-dimensional city like NCT of Delhi, there were bound to be multiple institutions. Even London, he observed, has multiplicity of authority. Referring to the persistent demand by the elected representatives and the political parties for making NCT of Delhi a full-fledged state, Mr Kapoor said that a balanced and objective view should be taken in this matter. It was a difficult issue, he said. |
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Dacoity
in Press Enclave foiled New Delhi, June 7 The police had received a tip-off that some persons would assemble in the Press Enclave area to commit a dacoity. On the assigned day, the police rounded up five suspects who were sitting in a TSR vehicle. The suspects were identified as Gopal (24), a resident of Mandawali, Mohammad Arman (24), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Saif (23), a resident of Nabi Karim, Mohammad Faisal (32), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammad Asif (25), a resident of Nabi Karim. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they had information that a great deal of cash and jewellery were stashed away in a house in front of PVR cinema.
Cash snatched in CP Some unidentified assailants today snatched a bag containing Rs 1.75 lakh from a person in the Connaught Place area after throwing some chemical on his neck. The police said that the incident occurred at around 3 p.m., when Balkrishan (35), a resident of Palam, and a driver came out from Citibank in Connaught Place after withdrawing Rs 1.75 lakh. Balkrishan told the police that he had wrapped the money in a polythene bag and kept it in his scooter dickey when the assailants threw some chemical on his neck and fled with the booty. The police have registered a case.
Hunt for assailants The North district police is hunting for the assailants who stabbed to death Vicky and injured his two friends, Rajan and Ravi, near Japanese Park in Prashant Vihar area. The victims were good friends and had been having a discussion when the assailants asked them a question. In no time, they began arguing and a fight broke out. In the ensuing scuffle, the assailants stabbed the victims and fled from the spot. A case of murder and attempt to murder have been registered, the police said.
Eve-teasers nabbed The North district police claims to have nabbed five eve-teasers, including a UDC of Municipal Corporation of Delhi, this afternoon. The UDC, identified as Moti Lal (53), a resident of Palam, was nabbed from Roop Nagar area. The four other eve teasers were: Ravi Kumar (31), a resident of Gokulpuri, arrested outside Hindu College, Jagdish Bansal (35), a resident of Rohini, Shakeel (26), a resident of New Usmanpur, and Sunil (28), a resident of Tri Nagar.
Robbers held The North district police claims to have arrested two robbers — Qyammuddin (19), a resident of Sadar Bazar, and Aftab Alam (18), a resident of Sadar Bazaar — for robbing one Lal Ji of Rs 800 at gunpoint on June 7. However, their third associate, Mohammad Azar, who was also involved in the crime, is absconding. The police are trying to trace Azar. |
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MCD spikes Govt’s trifurcation move New Delhi, June 7 This decision was taken by moving a resolution. The resolution was moved by the leader of the House, Mr Satbir Singh, which was seconded by Mr Vijender Gupta, leader of opposition in the Standing Committee. According to the resolution, the MCD is a statutory body serving the Delhiites under the DMC Act 1958. It has been discharging its duties properly and providing civic amenities to the citizens. The MCD is already divided into 12 zones and further trifurcation is not required. When asked the reason for rejection, Mr Satbir Singh said that while taking the decision the corporation members were not taken into confidence. Even the mayor, who is the first citizen of Delhi, was not aware of the Delhi Government’s plan to trifurcate the corporation. Mr Satbir Singh said that the Congress councillors would send a representation to the AICC president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, protesting against the Delhi Government’s decision to trifurcate the corporation. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Subhash Arya, said that the corporation had not been given a copy of the resolution moved before the cabinet of the NCT Government of Delhi to trifurcate the civic body. The corporation members came to know about the government’s move from media reports. Clarifying BJP’s stand, Mr Vijender Gupta said the party’s manifesto contained a proposal for a separate corporation for Trans Yamuna area. But before taking final decisions, the authorities were expected to make everything clear. The trifurcation proposal reinforces the view that the Sheila Dikshit Government wants to grab power, he alleged. The resolution, he pointed out, had recommended that the Delhi Government should take over even obligatory functions of the corporation like primary education and health. In another development, the Opposition members boycotted the meeting of the House on the preamble of the Welfare Scheme for SC/STs, moved by the Municipal Commissioner. The members said that the amount recommended in the preamble for the welfare of SC/STs was very little and it should be enhanced. Most of the corporators condemned the CSE department, which had failed to desilt the drains. With monsoon just a month away, the CSE department has desilted only 30 per cent of the drains. If the drains are not desilted in time, the Capital will be flooded in the rains, they said. |
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No change in UP yet, says Arjun Singh Noida, June 7 Saying that “we are still trying to strengthen the Congress party in UP”, Mr Arjun Singh said no change was contemplated in UP as yet. The farmers, the poorer sections of people, the unemployed have lots of expectations and we have to meet their aspirations. He was confident that the new government at the Centre would come up to people’s expectations and accord due priority to their problems, especially those of farmers, women and children. “The electorate has rejected the NDA for its narrow and communal policies. People give their mandate after five years and we have to carry the people along otherwise they can throw us out next time,” the minister said. |
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Schools forcing weak students to leave: Manch Faridabad, June 7 According to the Manch general secretary, Mr Kailash Sharma, the Manch had received several complaints in this connection. It would help the parents of the affected students initiate legal action against such schools. Announcing that the Manch’s Helpline (Tel No. 2283101,2261864) was always available to any student or their parents in this regard, he said the authorities concerned, including the education department and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), ought to conduct surprise checks in the schools and take action against them if they failed to implement the rules and regulations in connection with the admission
guidelines. Asking the public and private schools to disclose the number of students who scored less than 65 per cent marks or failed or got compartment in a subject, Mr Sharma said that the majority of the so-called top schools tom-tom about the achievements of only 5 to 20 per cent students who get into merit, they do not tell how many got average or below average marks. He said the schools should also take responsibility of average and weak
students and should not harass them at the time
of choosing the subject or stream at plus one or
plus II. The Manch claimed that while the management and owners of certain schools had been scanning the city to get ‘brilliant’ students (who got 90 per cent or more) enrolled in their school, they had been asking their weak students
to get admission somewhere from the new
session. The Manch also alleged that these schools had been exploiting the parents financially. Nearly all the old students were being charged the fees and funds as if they had been fresh students. Quoting a recent
judgment of the Supreme Court, the Manch said the schools could not deny admission to their old students on any such ground. It had already received several complaints in this connection and would help the parents of such students initiate legal action.
One school for 1,500 villagers Noida: The UP state government has decided to set up a primary school in every village with a population of 1,500 or more while the one with 3,000 residents will have a higher secondary school each. This was declared by UP Basic Education Minister of State Manzoor Ali. He said the government had made all arrangements to supply free textbooks and other teaching aids
up to 8th class in all the schools. The state government attaches highest priority to proper education up to the basic school level. The government is also planning to set up a 125-bed hostel in Noida, the Education Minister said. The government, Shahid Manzoor Ali said, has 46,000 teachers. All these new appointees who were unemployed so far would be sent on training by
June 30. In the second phase, the problem of shortage of Urdu teachers would be addressed. “We shall take education to the doorstep of people in each village so that the children of poor and backward classes are not deprived of the benefit of education,” he said. In the second phase, the UP Minister of State for Education said that the dilapidated buildings of the primary schools would be restored for which Rs 7,500 per school would be spent through the basic education officer of the area
concerned. The state government was also committed to strengthening the education channels for the minorities. Some 67 Madras as would be provided financial assistance for the purpose and brought on a par with the government schools, he
declared. — OC |
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Sibal bid to mitigate parking woes New Delhi, June 7 In a meeting he chaired this morning, Mr Sibal discussed matters related to improvement of the corridor at SP Mukherjee Marg opposite Old Delhi Railway Station, widening or reconstruction of the Calcutta Bridge, besides improving the parking facilities. On parking, the proposal submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India was reviewed. It was decided that a joint inspection be undertaken by the minister and the ASI officials to identify sites that would help ease parking problems in the area.
Pratibha elected The newly elected Member of Parliament and wife of Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh, Ms Pratibha Singh, has been unanimously elected president of the women’s cell of Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha. She was elected at a function hosted by the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha at Hindu Mahasabha Bhawan. On the occasion, Ms Singh said that the community should stand united against all evils that plague today’s society. |
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Dangerous wild growth eating up Faridabad’s Faridabad, June 7 The district administration had set up a committee to deal with this problem last year. The heads of the various department and the representatives of the local bodies like Zila Parishad and the Panchayats had been directed to weed out the grass, which could prove `dangerous’ not only to human and animal population but could also affect the fertility of the land itself. However, it seems the efforts have been inadequate to meet this pressing problem in the area. The drive, which was launched last year after the monsoon, seems to have failed to contain this menace. There appears to be a heavy growth of congress grass in the area even before the monsoon season this year. It has been found in the green belts in the residential areas. According to health experts, it has an allergic character, which could lead to skin and respiratory problems among people who come into contact with it. When consumed by cattle, it could lead to problems not only to the animal but could also affect the milk yielded by it. Experts of plant sciences said the grass could have adverse impact on the overall fertility of agricultural land. They have recommended that the plant be pulled out from the root before it develops pollen grains and flowers. However, the danger is that it spreads very fast even without any care. |
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Toy train stationmaster’s plea for parity rejected New Delhi, June 7 A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice B D Ahmed refused to accept that the workload of the stationmaster with the Bal Bhawan was equal to that of ‘regular’ stationmasters. Counsel for the Bal Bhawan stationmaster had tried to equate his client’s job with other station masters and demanded the same pay packet as them. It was argued that the work and responsibilities for running the toy train were the same as that of a person on the same post working at any railway station in the country, only difference being the scale and size of the trains, tracks and station. In fact, there was more work involved in running the toy train at Bal Bhawan than probably some railway stations having only one pair of tracks and only one or two trains going through in a day, it was stated. The Bal Bhawan authorities were earlier even paying the same salary to their stationmaster as that given to the ‘regular’ stationmasters but refused to increase the pay after the railways announced a hike in pay of its stationmasters some time ago, it was added. The court said theoretically functioning of the two kinds of stationmasters could be the same but only superficially so, and practically there was a world of difference in the work. Besides, the Bal Bhawan was under the Human Resources Development Ministry while the (real life) railway stations were under the Railway Ministry, it further said.
PMT leak accused bail plea spurned A sessions court today rejected the bail plea of the PMT question paper leak accused Kuldip Tyagi. The court dismissed the bail plea after Tyagi’s counsel expressed a desire to withdraw the application. Tyagi, who runs a school in Ghaziabad, was arrested on April 16 following investigations into the leak. |
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Govt agencies mistaking trees
for woods? New Delhi, June 7 “For every tree that is uprooted from within the city, new ones are being planted on the outskirts. According to the regulation, for every tree that is cut one has to plant 10 new ones. But what is happening is not helping the city’s green cover,” said Kishore Wankhade of Toxic Links. He adds, “The central city is dying, the ridge is not adequately covered, but the border areas near Haryana are flourishing. It doesn’t make sense to cut trees from within the city and plant them on the outside”. But Director, Horticulture, MCD, Mr R. D. Singh, refutes the claims, “We have been planting within the city as well. There is lack of space for planting trees in the city. Ninety per cent of the area in the city is congested. Yet, we try to plant the maximum number of trees within the heart of the city.” Singh adds, “Even where flyovers are constructed we try to carve out a plantation area. One can see the green expanse in the city’s congested and busy areas, including Bhadurshah Zafar Marg, Subhash Nagar and even in places like South Extension, where you get to see two to three trees for every 100 yards.” Environment watchers have also pointed out that agencies like the NHAI, DDA and DMRC are far behind in their tree-planting schedule. “These agencies are yet to plant trees, in place of the ones that they cut down before starting their projects,” said an environmentalist. The DMRC refuted the charge by saying that it “has already paid the Forest Department in advance for the tree plantation drive”. DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal told TNS, “We are very keen on planting the trees, we have paid approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh for the plantation. In fact, we made suitable arrangements for the transplantation of some eco-friendly trees. The whole exercise is cumbersome and expensive and has to be carried out within three kilometers of the original site.” Reaffirming their concern for the environment, the DMRC also claims to monitor the growth of the trees. “We pay the maintenance money and also have a cell that monitors the growth of these trees,” said Dayal. Clarifying that the government agencies are keen on maintaining and extending the green cover, Mr Singh said, “We get more letters from people wanting us to cut and prune trees than asking us to plant trees from within the city. Space constraints often make people damage trees instead of nurturing them.” |
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Poor power supply irks ‘millennium city’ Gurgaon, June 7 Aggrieved by the current situation, a resident of Palam Vihar, Ms Kavita Rani, lamented that the power cuts in her locality were always unannounced and unplanned. Officials of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam never pay heed to the residents’ complaints, she alleged. A K Singla, president of Residency Green Resident Welfare Association, said that they were suffering unscheduled power cuts, that lasted even two
hours at times, two-three times daily. Industrial areas too are witnessing similar
situation. Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA) president Jagan nath Mangla said that unscheduled power cuts were obstructing the smooth functioning of operations. Industrial units must be supplied with uninterrupted and quality power as power cuts without announcement caused a lot of financial and labour loss to the industries, he said. Officials, however, claim that the power situation was normal and there were no unscheduled power cuts in any of the residential or industrial areas. According to an official, the department was changing large number of transformers in different parts of the city to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Power cuts occur only when the work is in progress, the official claimed. |
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Drunk wife smashes bottle on hubby’s head Noida, June 7 In a report filed with the police, Amit Cheemba has complained that at 8 pm on May 31, his wife, Supriya Cheemba was drinking with her lover, Mohit and another man in one of the leading hotels of Noida. When he learnt about it, he went to take her back. An altercation ensued between the two. Then Supriya’s lover and his friend assaulted him and she smashed a bottle on his head, injuring him seriously. While leaving, Supriya also threatened to have him killed. On Amit’s report, the Noida police have registered a case against Supriya, Mohit and their unidentified friend.
Father-in-law shot at A man had shot at and injured his wife’s father when he refused to send his daughter with her husband under Rabupura police station in Greater Noida. The victim was admitted to a hospital. One Harkrishan, a resident of Achhejapur village, had married his daughter to Rajerndre of Secunderpur. Their married life was full of tension and disputes. His wife had been living with her parents since April. Rajinder had come to take his wife back home, but her family members refused because Rajerndre’s family had maltreated her. Later, Rajinder took out a revolver and shot at his father-in-law, Harikrishan, injuring him seriously. |
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Make merry on this magnificent mall New Delhi, June 7 The EF3 Mall, being launched by Eros Group, will cater to the 2.5 million Faridabad residents who otherwise go to Delhi for entertainment and shopping. Strategically situated on the NH-2 highway in Sector 20A on Delhi-Mathura Road, Faridabad, Eros EF3 Mall will present an international retail and buying opportunity with its shopping mall-cum-3 screen multiplex spread on two levels. The total project is spread over 2.25 lakh sq feet, including three multi-level basements to accommodate 300 cars. The cost of Eros EF3 Mall is approximately Rs 53 crore. With the 130 shops here ranging from 300 sq. ft to 1000 sq. ft in three levels—Atrium, Entrance and Upper, the mall will provide 100 per cent power back-up, centrally air-conditioned facilities complete with the state-of-the-art escalators and glass capsule lifts in the grand atrium, waterfalls, cable and wireless Internet connectivity. On the occasion of the launch of the Grand EF3 Mall, Eros Group director Avneesh Sood said, “Last few years have seen the growing trend of shopping malls in and around Delhi and Gurgaon. The success apart from being an indication of our growing economy has also boosted the demand for world-class commercial property such as malls with the state-of-the-art multiplexes. So, to present the Faridabad residents with a truly world-class experience, Eros Group offers them an amalgamation of big labels, a variety of restaurants and an exciting choice of movies.” |
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New IACM centre New Delhi, June 7 Director IACM Ravidner Goyal informed that the new centre would train students on major international
certifications. — TNS |
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The Sikh Forum has sought an apology from
the Indian National Congress (INC) for the military operation inside Golden
Temple two decades ago. At a ceremony held on Sunday evening to mark the 20th
anniversary of Operation Bluestar, members of Sikh Forum and their guests said
such a move would prove the party’s secular credentials.
The outgoing Lieutenant Governor Vijai
Kapoor, whose resignation has been accepted by Rashtrapati Bhawan, has suggested
that there should be a consensus on developing the NCT of Delhi as a balanced
and forward-looking city, where linguistic and regional minorities could also
thrive.
New Delhi, June 7
