 |
|
|
Rickshaw-puller held for girl’s rape, murder
BJP to give memo on tainted ministers to Kalam
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
New cars, unlimited, free power for ministers ‘not okayed’ Congress gets brickbats on property tax issue
Wax worth lakhs gutted in fire Survivors of Bhopal gas disaster go on fast Rainwater harvesting must for Capital’s dwindling water table Is infrastructure upgradation scheme a non-starter? Industrialists vent ire over power crisis Monsoon to hit Capital in five days NCW seeks time from LG to discuss safety of women Need for original writing in Hindi stressed 6 NTPC GMs elevated 40 questioned about research director’s kidnapping Two RPF men assaulted by robbers
Prostitution racket busted in Rohini
|
|
Rickshaw-puller held for girl’s rape, murder New Delhi, June 18 The accused, who was arrested, has been identified as Yusuf, resident of Trilokpuri. The victim’s father registered a case of kidnapping on June 15 and the police started investigating the case. In the meantime, the body of the victim was spotted floating in Sanjay Jheel by certain morning walkers on June 16. During the course of investigation the victim’s father told the police that one rickshaw-puller had offered help to trace his daughter even though he did not have any connection with his family. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Nuzhat Hassan said since the police became suspicious about this person the police traced his whereabouts. During questioning he came out with some contradictory statements and finally confessed to having raped and murdered the 10-year-old girl on the night of June 14 in Sanjay Jheel in the Pandav Nagar area. He told the police he met the girl on June 14 around 4 pm and offered her some sweets. He asked her to meet him at Trilokpuri around 9.30 pm for an ice-cream. Accordingly, when the girl reached there the accused took her to Sanjay Jheel. He raped her there and then subsequently murdered her. He then threw the body into Sanjay Jheel. In another case, the North district police claimed to have solved the murder of a 60-year-old man in the Prem Nagar area. The victim, identified as Panna Lal, alias Baba, was found murdered on June 17 and the police during investigation received secret information that one Akhlakh Alam, alias Raju, had committed the murder. Accordingly, the police nabbed Akhlakh, resident of Ghazipur, UP. During interrogation, the accused told the police that he used to stay with Panna Lal who used to beat him everyday after consuming alcohol. To put an end to this, Akhlakh murdered him with an iron rod while Panna Lal was sleeping.
Unit making duplicate geometry boxes unearthed With the arrest of Raju Kumar and Dhirender Shukla the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police today claimed to have unearthed a manufacturing unit of duplicate geometry boxes of Natraj brand. Duplicate geometry boxes worth Rs 15 lakh were seized. M/s Hindustan Pencil Private Limited approached the Crime Branch with the complaint that some unscrupulous persons were indulging in manufacturing duplicate geometry boxes. A raid was conducted in Krishna Nagar in East district. The owner of the unit, Raju, has been arrested. Another raid was conducted on the premises (S-63/28) at Rama Road, Moti Nagar where a huge quantity of infringed packing of material of geometry boxes or accessories of Hindustan Pencil Private Limited by the name of Natraj were recovered. The owner of the unit, Dhirender Shukla, had been arrested, the police said. In another case, the Delhi Police today arrested Manoj Kumar, a member of a bogus surety gang. He was wanted in a case of bogus surety registered at the police station at Tilak Marg. He submitted bogus surety for Sanjay, a resident of Swatantra Nagar, Narela, by impersonating Bhopal Singh, a resident of Bhajanpura, by producing forged NSCs, a ration card and a stolen RC of Bhopal Singh’s damaged TATA Sumo (DL-3C-7970). The NSC was originally issued in the name of Mrs Aneema Ganguli from New Delhi, GPO. The gang member removed the name of Mrs Ganguly and prepared NSC in the name of Bhopal Singh. Thus, the bogus surety gang stood surety in the name of “Bhopal Singh” in nine different cases at Patiala House, Tis Hazari and Karkardooma Courts. The courts issued notices or warrants against Bhopal Singh for non-appearance of the accused. Finally, Bhopal Singh approached the Crime Branch which investigated the case and arrested Manoj Kumar, the police said. |
|
BJP to give memo on tainted ministers to Kalam New Delhi, June 18 Addressing a meeting at Raj Ghat, Delhi Pradesh BJP president Harshvardhan requested the President to examine their antecedents and “advise” Prime Minster Manmohan Singh to remove them from office. A former Union minister, Mr Sahib Singh Verma, claimed that even though Singh was against the inclusion of the ministers in question, “he did not have the power to deny them ministerial berths”. Deputy Leader of BJP in Lok Sabha VK Malhotra wondered as to how Union Minister of State for Agriculture Mohammad Taslimuddin of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) could be included in the INC-led UPA Government as he had been removed as minister from the Deve Gowda Government by the same party. |
|
Make CAG report public, demands BJP New Delhi, June 18 The party has also sought an explanation from the Chief Minister for not “directing” the Hardship and Anomaly Committee to “restrict increase of the property tax” by not more than a certain percentage. Mr Harshvardhan claimed that the chairman of Hardship and Anomaly Committee, Mr
Dharmarajan, has claimed that the Chief Minister had not given him any “directions”. He charged the Chief Minister with reneging on her promise of keeping the property tax at reasonable levels, a promise, which he said she had made on a number of occasions in the run-up to the Assembly and the Lok Sabha elections. He pointed out that the INC’s manifesto stated clearly that post-introduction of the unit area method, an owner of a property will not be made to pay more than 2.5 times the tax he was paying. Mr Harshvardhan claimed that the Hardship and Anomaly Committee has increased the problems of the owners of properties instead of providing relief to them. He quoted the chairman of that committee as having said that anybody who was not willing to pay the revised property tax should be prepared to face penal action. |
|
|
New cars, unlimited, free power for ministers ‘not okayed’ New Delhi, June 18 Ms Chandra told mediapersons that the Cabinet found it appropriate to provide a realistic number of fixed units of electricity to the ministers than remove the financial ceiling on the amount of electricity consumed. Also that this “proposal” (for introduction of a Bill after obtaining the specific order of the chief minister) talks about providing a ceiling on the number of units consumed as opposed to certain reports in the media that suggested that all caps have been removed. She clarified that the quantum (units of electricity to be fixed) would have to be worked out. The Chief Secretary said the Cabinet has sought an examination of the outgo on maintenance of the fleet of cars and to look into the possibility of purchasing cars that have a better track record in terms of fuel efficiency, cost of maintenance and road worthiness. A group of officials is expected to study the matter and give its recommendations. “The decision, if any, would be taken based upon the policy of rate contract available with the Delhi Government and the Government of India,” Ms Shailja Chandra said in the news conference. Ms Chandra offered a clarification to certain other reports that dwelled on the efficiency and viability of the high-capacity buses recently introduced in the Capital. She said they were prototypes that had been provided free of cost and without any workshop or backup support. “The performance of these two buses is no indication of what is to happen to buses that are supposed to be inducted in as per advice of experts and as a part of a more comprehensive transport policy of the government,” she told reporters. |
|
|
Congress gets brickbats on property tax issue New Delhi, June 18 Mr Vijender Gupta alleged that the Chief minister herself had announced that two and a half times capping would be allowed in cases where tax rise under Unit Area System was much higher. He doubted that perhaps it was announced keeping an eye on the Lok Sabha elections and hence the citizens of Delhi were being misguided. He regretted that withdrawal of announcement of capping the increase in tax could adversely affect thousands of citizens, especially widows, senior citizens and retired defence personnel. He said that Municipal Commission brought a preamble to the effect that increase in property tax under the Unit Area System in respect of residential properties be not more than two and a half times or property tax paid by the tax payers under the old system. The preamble was passed unanimously. The Municipal Commissioner mentioned in the preamble that keeping in view the assurance given by the Chief Minister that under the Unit Area System of assessment of property tax would not be allowed to increase beyond two and a half times of the tax under the old system and also because of the fact that this was the first year of implementation of the new system of assessment of property tax a preamble was being moved for the consideration of the Standing Committee and the approval of the corporation under Section 177 of the DMC Act, 1957.
‘Parents should not impose their dreams on children’
Sampurna, a non-governmental organization devoted to the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society, especially women and adolescent girls, organized a career counselling workshop in Rohini today. More than 50 students participated in the workshop to find out the appropriate avenues for excellence in life. The president of
Sampurna, Mrs Shobha Vijender, Dr V. K.
|
|
|
Wax worth lakhs gutted in fire Ghaziabad, June 18 Fifteen fire tenders took five hours to douse the blaze, which had started in the basement of the four-storey building. The owner of the building, Arun Kumar, who lives in the building, had gone out with his family and there was no one at the godown at the time of the blaze. The fire was so intense that it melted wax and started flowing through drain and choked all drains in the area with the result that sewerage water started entering the houses in the area. A smoke was seen rising from the back portion of the godown, when neighbours inspected it, they found melted wax flowing in the drains. Later, police and fire brigade were informed. Fire tenders from Noida, Modi Nagar, Hapur and NTPC were summoned. Openings in walls in the adjacent houses had to be made to fight and control the blaze and water hoses had to be taken via terraces of neighbouring buildings. A total of 80 tonne wax was stored in the basement and three floors of the building, owner Arun Kumar said. Since all water exit points and drains had been choked, water thrown up by fire tenders had entered godowns and buildings in the neighbourhood. Ultimately, the authorities had to summon department’s ATPC foam vehicle. |
|
Survivors
of Bhopal gas disaster go on fast New Delhi, June 18 The winners of this year’s Goldman Environment prize, the duo along with two other activists, have been demanding action against the Union Carbide and claim to have petitioned the government on this. The activists began their indefinite fast at the Jantar Mantar to propel the government to take action. They have sought the government to issue a statement to the Federal Court of New York to direct Union Carbide, USA, to decontaminate the area around its abandoned factory in Bhopal. The activists claimed that the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled on March 17 this year that the Union Carbide can be ordered to clean up its factory site only if the Indian government or the state of Madhya Pradesh seeks to intervene in this action or urges the court to order such relief. It was pointed out that apart from decontaminating the area, the government will also save itself inflated expenditure on cleaning the factory if it were to issue a “simple statement”. The activists said that while the Union Minister for Chemicals Ram Vilas Paswan’s reply “seemed positive” they were apprehensive of the Law Minister Hansraj Bhardwaj’s contention that the “1999 settlement covers all contamination”. This they alleged is, “untrue and unfair”. It was pointed out that the New York District Court, which is currently hearing the case, has given the Government of India time until June 30, to submit its statement. Citing the data collected by nine different studies on the effects of the chemicals and pollutants released by the factory, the activists said, the environment destruction predates the 1984 gas tragedy and so has nothing to do with the 1999 settlement. They said that the soil and ground water of the area have been contaminated and are damaging various organs including the lungs, the brain, liver, kidneys and other systems of all living beings. Even the breast milk of mothers has been found to contain toxic chemicals in high concentration. |
|
Rainwater
harvesting must for Capital’s dwindling water table New Delhi, June 18 In a survey carried out between May 2002 and May 2004 it was shown that sites where rainwater harvesting was implemented showed remarkable results in terms of rise in their level of groundwater. Intensive studies in its 11 rainwater harvesting sites, built and designed by the
CSE, spread across the Capital, showed that before and after the monsoon, there was a sharp rise in the water table, ranging from five metres in Sriram School in Vasant Vihar to roughly 10 metres in Janaki Devi College, Rajender Nagar. The results have further laid stress on the need to resort to rainwater harvesting to replenish the depleting groundwater level in cities. This is particularly important in view of the recent data of the Central Groundwater Board
(CGWB), which shows an alarming decline of 2-10 metres in the water table in different parts of the city. According to the
CSE, rainwater harvesting can revive Delhi’s dwindling water table. However, it is warned that paying lip service to the problem and not taking immediate steps to rectify it might make matters worse. It is the responsibility of the groundwater department to ensure that rainwater is harvested to replenish the water table and in this all civic bodies need to pitch in otherwise it is a waste, opine CSE officials. In the light of the Delhi Jal Board showing its incapability in providing the residents of Delhi with adequate water, not capturing water is a national waste, says the report. The report adds that even with 50 per cent efficiency the rainwater harvesting potential in the city stands at 450 billion litres annually which is one third the total requirement of Delhi. CSE senior officials say that groundwater is like a bank account, where one has to learn to live on the interest (recharge) and not on the capital reserve. According to the
CSE, though the city has enough water at over 200 litres per capita certain areas like New Delhi and the cantonment get over 400-500 litres per person while other areas do not even get 30 litres per person. The water management authorities of Delhi have been playing havoc with the system by allowing the continuous depletion of the groundwater without thinking about a sustainable model, they say. The
CSE, in its action plan for the government, has suggested several measures, including making it mandatory for all commercial users to do rain harvesting and redistribute the existing water supply in the city as it is totally lopsided. The report, however, admits that water harvesting is just one component that will improve the water situation in the Capital. More needs to be done in terms of deliberate policy and action at the city level. |
|
|
Is infrastructure upgradation scheme a non-starter? Faridabad, June 18 The scheme, known as ‘special cluster project’ to develop specific infrastructure, was launched recently with the direct assistance from the Union Government in this district. Like the other industrial hubs of the state-Panipat and Gurgaon being selected to be developed as textile and automobile ‘special clusters’ respectively-Faridabad has been selected as a ‘special cluster’ for the development of light engineering goods. It envisages funding of projects upto 75 per cent of the total cost, with Rs 50 crore per year as the upper limit for central funding. The remaining 25 per cent of the cost will be borne by the entrepreneurs and local industrialists along with the civic bodies. Even as the scheme has been hailed as “brilliant”, with great potential to develop the much-needed infrastructure, there are several hurdles before it can be successfully implemented. While the scheme envisages the setting up of a common research and development centre, machine testing laboratories for its beneficiary units and a designing centre, the industrialists here are more concerned about the development of basic infrastructure like roads, water, drainage and sewerage system in the industrial sectors. During a meeting of the entrepreneurs here recently, they raised the demand for the repair of roads, streetlight and drainage facilities. Surprisingly, the demand for the development of ‘clusters’ in the manner suggested in the scheme was not raised by any of the entrepreneurs. “It seems the scheme has either been misunderstood or the lack of civic amenities have continued to dominate the minds of entrepreneurs here,” admitted an office bearer of a leading industrial association here. While the resolution mainly focussed on developing basic civic amenities, sources in the Union Government claim that the scheme was to develop latest infrastructure, including hi-tech infrastructure needed for upgradation, which was not possible for the individual units to undertake, he said. As such, the proposal to use 75 per cent of the funds released by the Union Government on the development of roads and sewers may fall through. The authorities concerned have reportedly told the entrepreneurs here that the development of civic amenities was the duty of the local civic body, and funds meant for creating the much-needed infrastructure could not be diverted for it. It may be recalled that to receive the 75 per cent of the Central funds, the entrepreneurs would have to collect 25 per cent of the remaining amount from among themselves. However, the various associations here are still in the process of setting up of `area wise committees’ to start the initial work in this direction. Reportedly, the first proposal submitted by the entrepreneurs has been turned down. The town has been divided into seven main zones. It is stated that most of the 10,000 engineering units are located in the non-confirming zone, where the scheme could not be launched. Even as the entrepreneurs have decided to pinpoint a zone for implementing the scheme in the first phase, the question is: “will the government release the funds for development of roads, sewers and drains,’ asked Rajiv Chawla, General-Secretary of the Faridabad Small Industries Association (FSIA). |
|
Industrialists
vent ire over power crisis Noida, June 18 The Power Corporation authorities claimed that industrial sectors were being supplied power for 22 hours daily. The problems of industrialists were patiently heard and were assured that these would be addressed soon. NEA president Rakesh Katyal, senior vice-president Vipin Malhan and women entrepreneurs’ president Bimla Batham, expressed strong resentment against the erratic power supply system. An officer of UPPC defended his department by saying that it suffered from resource crunch. The District Magistrate said that power department could avail of a loan at 15 per cent from APDRP to meet the resource crunch. The NEA vice-president, Mr Malhan, countered it by saying that if power department was short of facilities, then why new plots for factories were being allotted. How could factories run if there is no power he asked? The Noida Entrepreneurs Association gave details of the break down time of all industrial sectors of Noida to DM in reply to power department’s claim that industrial sectors were given power for 22 hours daily. The DM was requested to have this matter fully probed. When power bills were being recovered on the basis of minimum charge and department fails to supply power, then this minimum charge should be done away with, said Bimla Batham. Their second problem with UP Power Corporation, the unit owners say, they are unnecessarily being victimised for lack of coordination between two industrial departments. They are being denied new power connection by the Power Corporation. The District Magistrate offered to solve the problem of some other units, which were being unduly harassed by the commercial banks who had advanced them loans. The DM also warned the officials of the pollution department that if they were found guilty of harassing unit owners, they will not be spared. The District Magistrate said he was shocked that no provision had been made for a transport market in the industrial town of Noida. Till a regular transport market was set up some makeshift arrangements could be made so that transporters could operate from a nearby area. |
|
Monsoon to hit Capital in five days New Delhi, June 18 The expected arrival of monsoons within five to seven days would mean the beginning of the rainy season ahead of its time. Meanwhile, pre-monsoon showers are expected in the next two days. The MET Department said that the monsoon is expected around June 29, but this year it has advanced rapidly, having covered Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, West Madhya Pradesh and some parts of Uttar
Pradesh.
FIIT-JEE students As many as 1,604 students, provided coaching by
FIIT-JEE have cleared the IIT examination. Informing this, Dr. D.K. Goel, Managing Director,
FIIT-JEE said the institute constantly endeavors to provide quality training to its students. |
|
NCW seeks time from LG to discuss safety of women New Delhi, June 18 In a letter addressed to Joshi, the NCW chairperson, Ms Poornima Advani, has sought time for a meeting to discuss his plan of action for ensuring safety of women in the national Capital. “Action taken reports from the Delhi Police would help in constant monitoring of the cases pending with the commission”, the letter reads. The commission has said that women helplines should be set up and their numbers should be displayed at bus stops, cinema halls and theatres. It has further suggested police patrolling around theatres, educational institutions and hospitals and deployment of special police squads in plain clothes in crime prone zones. |
|
Need for original writing in Hindi stressed New Delhi, June 18 The meeting held under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, was attended by senior officers of the nationalised banks and financial institutions in Delhi. Mr M.L Gupta, the Joint-Secretary, Official Language Department, Ministry of Home Affairs, was the chief guest on this occasion. Mr Prem Singh, Deputy Director, Regional Implementation Office, Ministry of Home Affairs and Mr Ramesh Babu Aniyeri, Deputy Director, Banking Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, was also present in this meeting. Mr V. K. Nagar, General Manager, PNB, Delhi zone, presided over the function. In his address, Mr Nagar stressed upon the need for the bank’s to make concerted efforts for the progressive use of Hindi to further augment the progress. He asserted the meaningful and pivotal role of TOLIC platform in this direction. Mr Gupta stressed the need for original writing in Hindi. He also emphasised the need for creation of reference books and the use of simple words and lucid terminology in our day to day work. The meet emphasised the need for achieving the targets as set in the annual action plan for 2004-2005. |
|
6 NTPC GMs elevated New Delhi, June 18 They are: Mr B. P. Singh, Executive Director (Col Mining and
Washeries), Mr K. Prakasa Rao, Executive Director (Engineering), Mr B. C. Ghosh, CEO, NTPC Hydro Ltd., Mr S. R. Yadav, Executive Director (Operation Services), Mr A. K. Dhar, CEO, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd and Mr J. Jha, Executive Director. Dr R. R.
Shonde, an eminent scientist and a fellow of National Academy of Engineers, has also joined as Executive Director (Energy Technologies) in the newly-created Energy Technology Department of NTPC for developing new generation power technologies and solutions, a release said. |
|
|
40 questioned about research director’s kidnapping New Delhi, June 18 Since Madhav’s mobile records revealed that he was in touch with some persons in Mumbai, specials teams were sent to Mumbai, Nainital and Mussorie to get information about him. The police have made a detailed analysis of his mobile records. Madhav is the son of a retired Naval officer and son-in-law of a Brigadier. The police said that Madhav, who had been staying at his in-laws house, left the house at around 7 am on June 14, and never returned. Thereafter, there was no trace of Madhav and even his family members did not receive any ransom call, said the police. A case of kidnapping was registered at the Mukherjee Nagar police station. |
|
|
Two RPF men assaulted by robbers New Delhi, June 18 The policemen were on night patrolling duty when they were attacked by the culprits. While patrolling the area the policemen heard someone crying for help. They rushed and found that the culprits were robbing a man of his belongings. The policemen intervened. The robbers attacked them with a knife and sticks and run away. The man, who was being robbed by the culprits, informed the police control room who took the RPF personnel to a nearby hospital. The incident took place at 4 am while an Assistant Commission of the RPF visited the hospital around 10 am, the police said.
Medical practitioner held The South district police has arrested a Resident Medical Practitioner (RMP) of Sonepat for allegedly lifting a bag of a woman patient, containing gold jewellery worth Rs 3 lakh, when she visited one Triguna Ayurvedic Clinic in the Nizamuddin area. The police said the victim, Kusum Wahi, resident of DLF Gurgaon, had visited the Ayurvedic clinic on June 9 and the accused, Ramesh Kumar, who had also visited the clinic the same day, lifted her bag and disappeared from the clinic. |
|
Prostitution
racket busted in Rohini New Delhi, June 18 When the police received information about few call girls being active in Rohini, Sector-15, they sent a decoy customer to strike a deal with the pimps. It was when the decoy customer was being escorted to the premises, the cops swung into action and nabbed the accused. The pimps used code names, like ‘battery’ for call girls, ‘self’ for clients and ‘inverter’ for pimps. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Waiting for the government to fulfil their demand, survivors of the December 1984 Union Carbide disaster, Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla, have begun an indefinite hunger strike.
The winners of this year’s Goldman Environment prize, the duo along
with two other activists, have been demanding action against the Union
Carbide and claim to have petitioned the government on this.
