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Seth murder
accused held on Nepal border
Chandok told not
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A jhuggi dweller tries to douse the fire that raged in Yamuna Pushta on Tuesday.
— A Tribune photogrpah Noida faces
crisis as water table sinks
It is time you
thanked your doctor Devi Roopak Yojna
still to find desired popularity DGP orders revamp
in Ghaziabad Uneasiness mounts
over development charges Lifetime
Achievement Award for Subbulakshmi
DERC wants to
check tariff shock
Self-defence
camp by NGO ends Woman, two kids
succumb to burns Six thieves
held, 11 two-wheelers recovered One arrested on
charge of fake allotments Lensmen load up
cameras for contest
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Seth murder accused held on Nepal border New Delhi, June 22 Lt General H S Seth and his wife Roop Seth had been arrested in Maharajganj in Gorakhpur while he was trying to cross the Indo-Nepal border. According to Dr Paul, the arrest was made at 10.30 p.m. last night near Sounali; the accused was travelling in a bus at that time. The Uttar Pradesh Police had been tipped off by their counterparts in Delhi; the latter had even released a picture of the suspect. The accused Bharat Bhandari (27) is of Nepali origin. The police say that the prime motive of the murder was robbery; the UP police have recovered two medals with the general’s name inscribed on them and Rs 5,000 in cash from the possession of the accused. Ironically, while the Police Commissioner was addressing the Press conference today the general and his wife were being cremated. A large number of retired senior army officers, friends and neighbours of the general attended the cremation, which took place in Delhi Cantonment this morning. A special team has been dispatched to Maharajganj to bring the accused on transit remand to Delhi for detailed interrogation and for matching the fingerprints. Dr Paul said that the police had identified Bhandari’s co-accused and teams were trying to trace the accomplices. Since the police suspected that the crime may have been committed by an insider who knew the topography of the house very well, a detailed verification of the antecedents of maids, security guards,
ex-servants and other employees had been done. During the investigations, it was learnt that one Top Bahadur was in the General’s employment for 17 years between 1983 and 2000 and during this period Top’s son Bhandari and daughter Kanchi also worked in the house. Kanchi is now working in a beauty parlour. The police also found that Bhandari was involved in a burglary case in South-West district in 1994 and was sent to Tihar jail for a year. After his release, Bhandari had worked in a tea stall on the Indo-Nepal border. The police also learnt that Bhandari had started frequenting the general’s house recently and had complete knowledge of the family members and the household. Dr Paul said the police suspected Bhandari’s hand in the murder as he and his friend went missing from their house on the fateful day. During interrogation both Bhandari’s father and sister gave valuable information about the accused and that he might be heading towards the Indo-Pak border, which led to his arrest in Maharajganj. Dr Paul appreciated the sincere efforts made by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Shalini Singh, her entire team, and the forensic experts in solving the murder in a short time.
Two commit suicide after tiff A 12-year old girl, Sheetal, and Ram Charan, 40, reportedly committed suicide in two separate incidents here today. According to information, Sheetal, a resident of Meethapur, Badarpur, committed suicide following a verbal duel with her six-year-old sister last night. The police said that Sheetal hanged herself from a ceiling fan after locking the room from inside soon after the altercation. The Badarpur police have initiated inquest proceedings. In another case, Ram Charan (40), a resident of Saboli Khatta, Nand Nagri, reportedly committed suicide due to some personal dispute with his wife. The victim was an employee in a shutter-making factory in Ashok Nagar and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. The police said that the deceased was married 18 years ago and used to have arguments with his wife everyday. |
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Chandok told not to visit office till he
is cleared New Delhi, June 22 The Akal Takht, the highest seat of Sikh temporal authority, has summoned Mr Chandok for having presented a Siropa (holy stole) in a Delhi club to Union Minister of State for NRI Affairs Jagdish Tytler. “Mr Chandok should stop going to the religious office until he is cleared by the Akal Takht,” said Mr Harvinder Singh Sarna, General Secretary of the
SADD.
Rajdhani delayed The Mumbai-bound Rajdhani Express was delayed this evening at Okhla station for more than two hours following a hoax call. An anonymous caller had said that some explosive material had been planted on the train. The train, which departed from the New Delhi Railway Station at 4 p.m. this evening, was stopped at Okhla station for checking. After a thorough search of the train by the bomb disposal and the dog squad, the call was dubbed a hoax. The police said that an anonymous call was received at around 4.02 pm from a mobile phone, which said that a bomb had been planted on the train. The train was given the green signal at Okhla station after two hours. Only then, it could proceed. |
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Scores of jhuggies gutted New Delhi, June 22 The fireman, Mr. Jai Singh, has been admitted at the LNJP hospital and is reportedly out of danger. The doctors on duty said that he would be discharge sometime today. Though the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained, eyewitnesses said that smoke was seen emanating from a jhuggi, which within a few minutes was engulfed by a major fire. The residents tried to douse it, but the blaze could not be controlled. Soon, the fire had engulfed the neighbouring jhuggies. Eventually, the residents informed the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) which rushed a large number of fire tenders to the spot. But by the time the DFS vehicles reached the cluster, the fire had become a major one and engulfed 750 jhuggies. As the fire raged, the jhuggi dwellers ran out of their shanties along with their family members. They heaved a sigh of relief only after they reached the ITO bridge. But the gathering at the bridge resulted in traffic jams on Vikas Marg. In turn, the jam delayed the fire fighters also. A few vehicles of the DFS were stranded in the traffic at ITO. The firemen said that had they got clear passage they would have saved a large number of shanties. The fire at Yamuna Pushta had become an annual summer ritual, disclosed a fireman. The authorities should take some tangible steps to stop such incidents. If the government cannot remove the jhuggies, it should ensure proper electric wiring. Electric wires can be found dangling in the cluster. The fires are mostly caused by sparking and short-circuits. The fire broke out at 1.05 p.m. and it was brought under control at 2.40 p.m. Twenty-four fire tenders had been rushed to the site, they said. The Mayor, Mr A. R. Verma, visited the Yamuna Pushta twice and issued directions to the sanitation and health department to make adequate arrangements for removal of waste material and sanitation of the area. He also issued instructions for positioning of mobile dispensaries for the needy. He also met the affected families and expressed grief over the loss of property. Such fires are known to erupt with the onset of summer. Yamuna Pushta generally bears the brunt of such fires. |
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Noida faces crisis as water table sinks Noida, June 22 In a couple of years, the water table has reached from 20 feet to 70 feet, heralding an acute water crisis in the area. Three years ago the Central Water Commission had imposed a sanction clause for installing any equipment for pumping out water from the soil and marketing it. The Noida Authority has just become a passive observer as numerous private companies are known to be pumping out thousands of litres of water from illegal pumps for sale in the area The whole operation is being carried out in gross violation of the Central Water Commission guidelines. The water harvesting system is also not being implemented to raise the water level. The Noida Authority officials, however, claim that it is going to make water harvesting obligatory in new buildings and houses. Meanwhile, it has come to light that a large number of villagers have sunk tubewells in their fields simply to sell water in tankers in areas and villages facing water scarcity. They are selling it at Rs 500 to Rs 750 a tanker. In Silarpur, Hoshiarpur, Bhenghel and many other villages, people are engaged in this illegal trade only. The Noida Authority is not taking any action to stop this illegal water pumping and marketing which will have far-reaching repercussions on the underground water table in the area. According to Noida Authority sources, the Central Water Commission had made a provision that before installing any equipment for pumping water out of the soil permission must be taken. But these rules are being openly flouted in the Noida area these days. As a result of this, a number of villages where the Noida Authority has not supplied potable water are facing an acute problem as they are dependant on hand pumps and the water table is drying up fast there. Years ago potable water could be pumped out of the soil from a depth of 20 to 30 ft but now the water table has gone down from 70 to 120 ft, says mechanic Ramchander who has been installing hand pumps in the area. Even the Noida Authority has to bore up to 200 ft for sinking tubewells in the area today. In spite of this some 20 Noida Authority tubewells are lying idle because the water source has dried up Three years ago the Noida Authority Board had taken a decision to strictly implement water harvesting system in the area. |
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It is time you thanked your doctor
New Delhi, June 22 In trying to salvage the medics from the “negligence” that is heaped on them by patients who forget to say “thank you,” a pharma major has declared to step up the celebrations on July 1, which is the Doctor’s Day. The company, Panacea Biotec, has been urging people to “thank their doctors”. They see the initiative as an exercise to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. The company has been asking patients to give a bunch of roses to the doctor to express gratitude and to bridge the gap between the two. It leads patients to think about the doctors who deserve a thought for their contribution. With pointers such as, “Doesn’t your doctor need to feel special in this world for at least one day” the company has decided to woo patients to join them in the celebrations.
— TNS |
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Devi Roopak Yojna still to find desired popularity Faridabad, June 22 While the exact figures regarding the number of people who have adopted this scheme, launched on the birthday (September 25) of late Devi Lal in 2002 in the state, is still to be known, it has attracted only about 12 couples in this district so far. The district has a population of 21. 93 lakh, according to the 2001 census. The scheme provides a cash amount of Rs 500 each month for a period of 20 years in the name of the girl child if the couple declare and prove that they had adopted family planning method and would not have any child after it. The amount is deposited in a joint account in the name of the girl, but maintained by the parents. This amount can not be withdrawn till the girl attains the age of 20 years. It can only be withdrawn by her after the stipulated period. Social experts believe the scheme was brilliant as it provided parents the financial support they normally required when their daughter became an adult or attained marriageable age. It was claimed that this amount was big enough for the parents to either use for the purpose of higher studies or at the time of marriage and the girl became financially independent also. The scheme, however, provides financial support of only Rs 200 per month if the couple have a girl as their second child and decide not to have more children. A similar amount is also paid to the couple if they adopt family planning measures after having two daughters. The population of the state, which was 1.36 crore in 1971, increased to 2.01 crore in 2001. It was an increase of about 28.06 percent over the figures of 1991. According to a survey in 1998-99, the birth rate had been about 2.88 which was higher than the target rate of 2.01 percent of the total population of the state. Similarly, the sex ratio in the state has been on continuous decline, threatening to pose a serious social problem in the near future. The number of females per thousand of males in the state, which had been 870 in 1981, declined to 861 in 2001, which is one of the lowest in the country. Mr Subroto and Mrs Kajori Malik of Sector 7-A here are among the selected couples in the district who have adopted this scheme in its truest sense. They have one girl child and in January 2003 they applied for the scheme. They claim that the scheme was wonderful. Dr Narender Bhati of Malerna road, Ballabhgarh, Mr Pal Singh of Sector 3, Ajai Singh of Tigaon, Randhir Singh of Saran village, Rajkumar of Lakadpur and Komal Prasad of Adarsh Nagar, Ballabhgarh town, are among those who have come forward to adopt the scheme. “The government ought to simplify the conditions attached, involve the social bodies and provide some motivation besides the required publicity in the rural areas”, says Rishi Kant of Shakti Vahini, an NGO based here. |
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DGP orders revamp in
Ghaziabad Ghaziabad, June 22 A list of such police personnel has been prepared and orders for such a revamp of the district police are understood to have come from the UP Director-General of Police, Lucknow. The axe is likely to fall on those who have stayed over three years in urban police stations and five years in rural areas. Action to remove such sub-inspectors, head constables and constables has already been initiated. The work on this was started in right earnest and such cops are being relieved of their duty forthwith. Those who do not obey the orders of their superiors can be suspended. On the basis of the communication from headquarters, orders have been issued to all police stations in the district for compliance. There were some obstacles in implementing these orders as a number of head constables were recently promoted to the rank of SI and sent for training. SSP J. N. Singh said all circle officers, SOs of police stations and SPs have been acquainted with his order. Some 38 drivers fitting into this time limit had already been relieved, the SSP said. According to SP (City) Umesh Srivastava, a couple of SIs were found to have overstayed in the same police station. The SSP said 116 constables had been transferred from the civil police to the armed police and 79 jawans of the PAC had been transferred to the civil police. The Superintendents of Police will now be empowered to transfer cops at the police station level only. The area circle officer (DSP) will be able to post cops at police checkposts. SSP J. N. Singh said all necessary steps would be taken to check corruption and streamline the police force in the district. |
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Uneasiness mounts over development charges Gurgaon, June 22 The Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) has issued notices to more than 1,000 units located in Udyog Vihar for payment of EDCs at the rate of Rs 348 /sq yd. According to the industry, the units were set up several years back. Plots had been bought at a rate ranging from Rs 25-50 /sq yd. The plots were initially sold by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). Later, the entire jurisdiction over the plots was transferred to the HSIDC. As a rule, the HSIDC should have paid the EDCs to HUDA. With the HSIDC allegedly delaying the payment for several years the EDCs, which would have been about Rs 10/sq yds when the plots were sold, soared to Rs 402/sq yd. With pressure building up on the HSIDC due to the demand from HUDA, the HSIDC opted for passing on the buck to the industry, say the industrialists. However, there was a hue and cry in the industrial circles. The industry has been agitating over the rate for more than two years now. The government relented and pegged the charge at Rs 348/sq yd. |
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Lifetime Achievement
Award for Subbulakshmi New Delhi, June 22 Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit presented the award to Ms Subbulakshmi’s granddaughter at a function yesterday. Ms Subbulakshmi could not receive the award because of her poor health. “It is a small token of love for you from the people of Delhi,” Ms Dikshit said on the occasion. Ms Subbulakshmi is a recipient of the Bharat Ratna. In her message, which was read out by her granddaughter, Ms Subbulakshmi said the money be donated to the Sri Sri Sri Mahalakshmi Mathrubutheswarar Trust. It is raising a grand memorial of the sage of Kanchi at
Orirukkai, a tiny village of Kanchipuram. The sage was a great source of strength and inspiration to the artiste. The Chief Minister said the award for the doyen of classical and devotional music was part of Delhi Commission for Women’s efforts to honour outstanding women.
Temperature dips Pre-monsoon rain continued to lash the Capital, bringing the temperatures down. IMD sources said that the wakening of the cyclonic circulation has disturbed the early onset of the monsoon. The showers that were received in the early hours brought down the temperature six degrees below normal. |
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DERC wants to check tariff shock New Delhi, June 22 The DERC has in a letter dated June 7 asked the government to take steps to avoid an unwarranted hike in tariffs arising from the treatment of dues owed to Delhi Vidyut Board. It has placed the additional sector revenue gap at Rs 330 crore on account of receivables as per which figure a nine per cent increase in the tariffs would be required to bridge the gap. In its latest order on annual revenue requirements for private distribution companies, it says the government could take requisite action to protect the consumers. Under the scheme worked out by the government at the time of privatisation of DVB in 2002, receivables against DVB arrears were to be shared between the holding company and the distribution companies in the ratio of 80:20. The DERC felt it would be fair and equitable if the revenue realised on account of the recovery remains in the sector and is passed on to Delhi Transco instead of the holding company. The new tariffs announced by the DERC have come into force from June 19.
BSES told to rush meters The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has asked the Reliance Group of companies – BSES Yamuna Power and BSES Rajdhani Power – to complete the work of installing new electronic meters quickly. It has directed the two companies to complete installation of electronic meters for all consumers. The DERC has also criticised them for inadequate progress in this regard and directed them to ensure that adequate investments were made to strengthen the distribution network. |
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Self-defence camp by NGO ends New Delhi, June 22 The response was very positive and encouraging as the need for self-defence and developing qualities of courage and self-confidence among women has undergone appreciable quality change to prevent increasing cases of molestation, chain snatching, eve-teasing and even rape cases. To celebrate the completion of the course and distribute certificates to the successful candidates a valedictory function was held today at Maharana Pratap Community Hall, Sector 9, Rohini, Delhi-85. Mr A. R. Verma, Delhi Mayor, and Mr Sanjay Singh, DCP North-West district, were the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively. Besides Mr Jai Bhagwan, local MLA, Mrs Simmi Jain, Chairperson of the Delhi Social Welfare Advisory Board, and Mr Vijender Kumar Gupta, area councillor, also graced the occasion. The distribution of certificates to the successful candidates was greeted with applause. The enthusiasm about the camp was quite visible and apparent all through the valedictory function which emphasised and appreciated the enthusiasm of women and girls to protect themselves from the evil designs of “unsocial” elements. The Mayor in his speech expressed gratitude to Sampurna for organising such a grand show. The zeal of lady members to protect themselves was greatly applauded. Mr Sanjay Singh, DCP, also expressed satisfaction about the self-defence camp and its advantages to society. |
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Woman, two kids succumb to burns Ghaziabad (Loni), June 22 In all, 10 persons, including seven children, were badly charred as the Pooja Colony transformer had suddenly exploded in Loni on Sunday. The people had again blocked the Delhi-Saharanpur road and the markets had remained closed for the day. The transformer opposite Sadaqpur village had been out of order for about eight days and on Sunday it burst soon after power was restored by the UP Power Corporation employees. The flames of the burning oil from it had badly charred 10 persons within a radius of 20 feet. Out of the injured, Aslam, 8, Yamin, 10, and Mukta, alias Leela, had succumbed to their burn injuries at 12 in the night. Among the others, Heera Lal, Neetu, 8, Nadim, 12, Sabir, 12, Saleem, 8, Dinesh, 13, and Shammo, 8, are also critical. As the news of the deaths reached Pooja Colony, people started collecting in front of houses of the deceased. The SDM and the circle officer with a police force had been deployed in the area. Angry residents had downed the shutters in the colony market and had come out to block the Delhi-Saharanpur highway in protest. The protesters were demanding that all guilty officials of the Power Corporation should be arrested. |
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Six thieves held, 11
two-wheelers recovered Noida, June 22 One of the gangs had reportedly fired at cops to evade arrest but they were soon overpowered. Two local pistols and four knives were also recovered from the vehicle thieves by the police. Six of the vehicles had Delhi number plates. According to the SP, Noida, Mr Anant Dev, the SO of the Sector 39 police station, Mr N. S Senghar, and the anti-vehicle theft cell chief, Mr R. K. Paliwal, had come to know through a tip-off that a gang of vehicle thieves was coming to Noida. Four criminals were arrested by the police teams. The four identified themselves as Raju Dutta, Bubli Bhatti, Devinder and Raju Negi. Two stolen motorbikes were recovered from them. Circle Officer S. R. Yadav said the arrested criminals were expert vehicle thieves. With their help the police recovered five vehicles from a kutcha house. The Phase-II police had arrested two thieves and recovered three motorbikes and one scooter from them, the SP said. |
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One arrested on charge
of fake allotments New Delhi, June 22 The suspect was identified as Pradeep Sharma, a resident of Rewari. According to the police, he issued fake allotment letters of shops and cheated many of lakhs of rupees. It was after a complaint lodged by an official in the Delhi Metro Corporation that the police arrested him. The accused allegedly cheated five youths of Rs 3 lakh on the pretext of providing them shops. The racket came to light when Pooja Singh, a resident of Mangolpuri, who had given Rs 40,000 to the accused for getting a shop, went to the DMC office to take possession of the shop at the Tis Hazari Metro station. The police is looking into similar other complaints. |
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Lensmen load up cameras for contest New Delhi, June 22 As part of the annual World Environment Day celebrations in Barcelona, Spain, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is launching its fourth International Photographic Competition on Environment, sponsored by Canon Inc. The UNEP International Photographic Competition on Environment 2004-2005 will run until October 24, 2004, and is open to all nationalities and ages. A Gold Prize of $20,000 will be awarded to the winner. |
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