Fake depositors cash in on loopholes in rules
New Delhi, October 31
Owing to the increasing incidence of fake bank accounts, the police are worried that criminals are taking advantage of the laxity involved in the new account verification process.

Women having a dekko at the moon before ending their fast on the occasion of ‘Karva Chauth’ in the Capital. — Tribune photo

Criminals stalk DLF City
Gurgaon, October 31
Incidents of crimes such as chain snatching, theft of jewellery, cash and other household goods, scooters, cars, etc have increased manifold in DLF City recently.

Fake depositors cash in on loopholes in rules
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
Owing to the increasing incidence of fake bank accounts, the police are worried that criminals are taking advantage of the laxity involved in the new account verification process.

In the last one month several cases have come to light in which persons familiar with the working of banks have used loopholes to open accounts, which were later used for underhand dealings. The police have rounded up a few suspects in this connection.

A gang, involved in stealing cheques and demand drafts sent through a courier service, had opened three accounts in fake names in two leading private banks in the Capital; the gang would deposit the stolen cheques and drafts in fake accounts and then withdraw the money.

In the other case, two extortionists had opened an account in a bank after giving a fictitious name and address. Later, they forced a businessman to deposit Rs one lakh in the account.

The police say that in both the aforesaid cases, the lapses in the verification process adopted by the banks, to check the identity and address of the applicants, were exploited by the accused.

“No member of the courier gang even visited the banks where they had opened the accounts,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Rajesh Khurana.

They merely sent photocopies of forged documents, including Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards, with the application forms.

After that, one of the gang members, MBA graduate Ashok Pandey, convinced the branch officials on the phone that it was impossible for him to come in person because of his busy schedule. The officials opened the account.

The modus operandi used in the second case was even simpler. Ranjit Kumar Mishra and Pramod Kumar simply took a house on rent under a fake name and then furnished the name, address and phone number of the landlord in the application form of a leading private bank.

On the side lines of the Press conference, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Mr. Rajender Luthra, said, “The bank officials called up the landlord and asked whether any person by that name had a rented room there. When they got a positive reply, they opened the account without conducting further verification.”

The bank officials, however, deny that there was any laxity in the verification process.

“We adhered fully to the procedure laid down in our rule book. The criminals must have been aware of the process and used it to their advantage,” said a senior official of one of the branches, where a fake account was opened.

But an official of another bank admitted that private banks did not follow the same strict verification procedure as adopted by nationalised banks.

“It is feared that too much probing will turn away customers,” he said.

Motor theft cases solved

With the arrest of one person, the Delhi Police claim to have solved five cases of motor vehicle theft. The police have also recovered three motorcycles with the arrest. The accused has been identified as Kapil Bharti, a resident of East Vinod Nagar in east district.

The police arrested Kapil from east district, where he was allegedly on his way to pick up another motorcycle from the area. The police said that two cases were registered against him in Kalyan Puri police station while one case was registered in Pandav Nagar police station. — TNS

Criminals stalk DLF City
Abhay Jain

Gurgaon, October 31
Incidents of crimes such as chain snatching, theft of jewellery, cash and other household goods, scooters, cars, etc have increased manifold in DLF City recently.

R S Rathi, president of DLF Qutab Enclave Residential Welfare Association (QERWA), said that the state police and DLF security have become ineffective as there are at least two or three incidents of thefts in DLF City daily. The police have not bothered to lodge even a simple FIR of these incidents which further embolden the petty criminals.

Two days back, thieves barged into three houses in L Block, DLF City Phase 3 and sprayed some chemicals to make the house owners unconscious. They decamped with jewellery, cash and other valuables from the houses, informed Mr Rathi.

The theft of two and four-wheelers have also increased, added the QERWA president.

Stating an example of boldness of thieves, S K Sharma, president of DLF City Phase 3 Association, said that some thieves took even the sewer cover just outside his residence, broke it into pieces and sold it to the nearby scrap dealer. They were caught red-handed and handed over to the DLF security officials and the police, said Mr Sharma. The police did not take any action against the thieves and the scrap dealer, alleged the president.

The residents of DLF City pay 36 paise per square yard per month to the DLF management for maintaining the security. The amount comes to lakhs of rupees every month. But the DLF officials have not cared two hoots for the security of the residents, lamented Mr Sharma. Going deep into the problem of petty crimes, People’s Action, a leading NGO has taken a major initiative and started the drive for the verification of house servants, drivers, maid helpers and other assistants working in DLF City.

Sanjay Kaul, president of the NGO, said that they had filled more than 1,900 forms with the photos of the servants and deposited them with the police so that their identification can be verified from their native places in Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and even Bangladesh.

Taking the clue that these migratory labourers might indulge in minor crimes, the police department has promised to verify these forms within three months, said a police official. The NGO had requested Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala to augment the district police with a specialised cadre that understands the demands of a highly aware and literate class. There is an urgent need to upgrade the police infrastructure with computerisation of all police posts and stations, demanded Mr Kaul.

Eight plots auctioned for Rs 500 cr in Noida
Our Correspondent

Noida, October 31
Eight residential plots have been auctioned by the Noida authority for Rs 500 crore, touching a new high for prices of residential plots.

The highest bid was for a plot in Sector-93-A which will give the authority over Rs 68 crore, said the Noida Authority Chairman, Mr Deo Dutt.

Plot No. 93/1 in Sector-93 fetched the bid of over Rs 39.28 crore which was annexed by Purvanchal Construction Co. This gives the authority Rs 27.59 crore as additional income.

The second highest bid was for D-3A plot in Sector-44 which was annexed by Medium Construction Co, beating all other bidders. Its bid was over Rs 58 crore in which the authority is said to have earned Rs 41.23 crore additional income.

The authority is slated to be richer by about Rs 500 crore with the auction of eight plots.

The plot No D-8A in Sector-44 which had a price of over Rs 58.20 crore brought in the highest bid which will yield an additional income of Rs 37.62 crore to the authority.

In Sector-50, the authority will get more than Rs 27 crore from plot No F-21A. Plot No E-4 in Sector-50 gave the authority over Rs 27 crore additional income.

In Sector 110, plot No GH04 was annexed by BL Gupta Constructions Co which will give the authority Rs 11.91 crore extra.

The eighth plot GH-01 also in Sector-40 which Shajnabad Show Company had annexed gives the authority an additional income of over Rs 10.64 crore, added the Noida Chairman, Mr Deo Dutt Sharma.

Debunking myths about pregnancy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
Dr Anita Gupta, gynaecologist, Women and Child Clinic, G M Modi Hospital, claims that women are often misled into believing “myths” that are handed down from one generation to the other during pregnancy.

“People very often consider pregnancy to be a very delicate condition. Pregnancy can make you tired and sick at times, but delicate? No way. It is the hormonal, metabolic and physiological changes in your centre of gravity that make you go through these moments of distress”, says Dr. Gupta.

Dispelling the misconceptions that women often end up harbouring, she says: “They are told to eat a lot as you are ‘eating for two’. The fact is as a pregnant women you should choose to eat those foods that are more helpful in building and maintaining healthy body functions for yourself as well as your growing baby. The second person you are eating for only needs about 300 calories a day. You should have small frequent meals. Your diet should include milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, grain products, eggs, liver, meat, fish, poultry, along with the vitamin and mineral supplement prescribed by your obstetrician. Fat should be in small amount only”.

Dr. Gupta also debunks the second myth that women should not take any medicine, as it may harm the foetus. “You should not pop a pill for every ache and sniffle. But if you are suffering you can take help from your obstetrician. For example, Acetaminophen is safe for conditions like body ache, headache, fever or backache. And if you are suffering from a chronic condition like asthma or epilepsy or heart problem, it can be more dangerous not to take the medication than to take it. But always check with your obstetrician before self-medicating”.

As for the notion that women must take lot of rest during pregnancy and avoid new exercise, Dr. Gupta says, “Pregnancy and labor represent some of the most difficult and rewarding work a woman will ever do. It makes sense to prepare oneself physically for this by participating in a regular pregnancy exercise programme under proper guidance. Walking is also a good exercise. You can do 30 to 40 minutes of comfortable walking every day. Exercise keeps you fit, actually increasing your stamina and can alleviate typical pregnancy problems such as backache and ankle swelling. But never over do any exercise”

She adds, “I have also heard that a woman should not use a microwave during pregnancy. Pregnant rats were exposed to microwave radiation and were found to have no negative effects. Pregnant women can comfortably use a microwave oven because it is virtually impossible for the devices to leak radiation and there’s even a safety device on the door, so they cannot start until they are properly shut”.

Dr, Gupta also points out, “Hormonal changes during pregnancy offer great benefits for many, including stronger fingernails, thick and silky hair. So, moms-to-be just relish them while you can. Hair returns to its normal thickness after the baby”.

Fake visa racket busted
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
With the arrest of a person, the Delhi Police claim to have busted a gang which was active in the city for issuance of fake visas. The police have arrested one Kunal, a resident of Pitampura, in this connection. The police said that Kunal was earlier arrested several times by the police, including by special cell. The police in Connaught Place last arrested him in February this year.

The police said that one Gursharan Singh (19), a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab, came in contact with one Bishan Kumar of the same district. Bishan promised to arrange a visa for UK for Rs 5 lakh. He then took Gursharan to Delhi in Chuna Mandi, Pahar Ganj.

There Bishan introduced him to Nakul and Kunal. They asked Gursharan to pay Rs 1 lakh in advance. Gursharan agreed and paid the money to them. After one month, Gursharan contacted the person who gave him a visa and asked for money. At this, Gursharan asked for a photocopy of the visa, so that he could get it cross-checked. When he contacted the UK high commission, they informed him that the visa he had was fake. He immediately contacted the police and a raid was conducted at the premises.

The police arrested Kunal from the spot while the another accused, Nakul, managed to escape from the spot. The police said that Gursharan, the victim, was in BA II year in Government College in Gurdaspur, Punjab.

Ban sought on aerated drinks in school canteens
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
Concerned over the increasing dependence of school-going children on junk food, a complaint has been lodged with the Public Grievances Cell to include aerated drinks in the list of junk food to be banned in school canteens.

Tapas, a non-governmental organisation, has approached the appellate authority, seeking a ban on the sale of aerated drinks, which it says cause obesity and high blood pressure in children.

The organisation put forth the view that the Directorate of Education’s move to ban junk food in canteens is a welcome step, but aerated drinks are equally harmful.

According to Tapas, the consumption of aerated drinks by school-going children affects their health and leads to diseases at a young age. Tapas went to the Public Grievances Cell after a reply was given by Director of Education, Gitanjali G Kundra, in response to its earlier representation. The response omitted any mention of aerated drinks.

According to Ms Kundra, none of the government-run and aided schools allow sale of junk food and aerated drinks on their premises. The children in these schools have been made aware of the ill-effects of junk food and aerated drinks through lectures in prayer assembly, group discussion, quiz programmes, talks by experts, skits and awareness rallies, she said.

Rekha Sharma, chief dietician at the All India Institute of Medical Sciencies, said school canteens should promote consumption of health food. A list of ‘healthy finger foods’ by Ms Sharma has preparations like ‘missi roti’, ‘missi puri’, ‘dhokla’, ‘vada with sambar’, ‘whol dal idli with sambar’, roasted dal, roasted soya, sprouted dal chaat, flavoured milk and flavoured curd. 

Students clamour for revision of bus pass rate
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, October 31
The student community here has urged the Haryana government to revise the rate of concessional bus passes offered by the Haryana Roadways.

The students have regretted that the Haryana Roadways charge Rs 300 per month for a pass. The distance between Gurgaon and Dhaula Kuan, for which the passes are provided, is merely 20 km. Although the comparison is out of context, the students have pointed out that the Delhi Transport Corporation charges Rs 62 for five months and they can commute to any part of Delhi.

The students here have organised themselves under the banner “The Students Welfare Foundation”. They have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala on the issue of bus pass rates.

According to many, the comparative rates of the two states in this context is misplaced as the DTC provides concessional rate for travels within the geographical limits of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Haryana Roadways, however, charges the rate for travels in intra-states from Gurgaon (Haryana) to Dhaula Kuan (Delhi). By the same logic, the DTC does not provide concession rate for intra-state transit.

However, according to many, the demand of the students should be considered in the context that all are not from the well-to-do families and they are pursuing a career, which would culminate in building up national asset on account of formation of a productive human capital for the country through their enterprise. The general feeling is that the government of Haryana must give it a thought on human consideration.

The students regret that the state governments of Delhi and Haryana have failed to evolve a coordinated policy of National Capital Region in promoting the necessary infrastructure and other amenities on identical terms and conditions. This disparity is responsible for the demographic explosion in Delhi and growth of slums and unauthorised colonies in it. Their view is that the time is ripe when the National Capital Region Planning Board should take responsibility to provide equitable services to the people living in and around Delhi, especially in Gurgaon and Faridabad.

“It is against this background that we request the Haryana government to bring the rates of concessional pass for students at par with the Delhi Transport Corporation,” they added.

The students have warned that if their demand was not accepted, they would mobilise Delhi Students Union and the universities and colleges in Haryana.

“The student power must be kept in mind by the government as they had tremendous energy to transform Haryana into a great powerhouse of knowledge and information,” they added.

MCD chief under fire on privatisation
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
The President of the Municipal Safai Kamgar Congress Delhi State, Mr Mulak Chand Bainiwal, has said that Municipal Commissioner, Mr. Rakesh Mehta, is gradually privatising the CSE department by appointing more people on daily wages.

Appointment of daily wagers in the CSE department is against the assurance he made in October 2002, when he said that CSE department was not being privatised. The daily wagers are being appointed as the corporation is short of safai kramcharis staff.

The total population of Delhi is 1.5 crore; against this, the MCD has 35, 531 safai kramcharis, which is not enough for cleaning the national Capital. At least 13, 832 safai kramcharis are working on daily wages. The corporation had promised in 1991 that 23,573 recruitment for regular safai kramcharis would be made. But so far nothing has been done, he said. 

Bulandshahr, Noida lose their heroes
Our Correspondent

Noida, October 31
Captain Arjun Sardana and Major-General D P Singh, who were killed in Army helicopter crash near India-China border on Friday along with Lt. Col. P.K.Pandey, belonged to Noida and Bulandshahr, respectively. Capt Sardana’s family has been living in Sector-26 Noida for many years. The news of his death cast a gloom in the family and the residents of the sector.

Captain Sardana, married last year, has left a four-month-old son. His body was brought to Noida on Sunday and the last rites were performed with full military honours and traditions. Maj-Gen. D.P. Singh, born at village Chandpur in Bulandshahr, had started his education from the village primary school. The bodies of all the three soldiers were brought to the Mountain Div Hqrs in Bareilly.

General D.P. Singh, GOC of 6 Mountain Div. had left on a routine recce of Joshi Math forward area along with pilot Lt. Col. P.K. Pandey, 39, and pilot Captain Arjun Sardana, 26, in an Army Chetak helicopter on Friday. Captain Sardana, who had acquitted himself well in Kargil war in 1999, was the youngest in the family. His two brothers and a sister are also in the Army.

Maj-General D.P. Singh of Bulandshahr was commissioned into the Army in 1969 and had seen action in Kargil war. Besides, he was posted in Rajouri and Poonch sectors of J&K. 

Institute in select group
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
The SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) is the only Management Institute from Asia to be selected in addition to 11 management institutes from across the globe for a two-year action learning project titled ‘Teaching Innovation Program’. The Aspen Institute, US, directs this project with support from (General Electric) GE Foundation. The Aspen Institute is a reputed international non-profit organisation that fosters enlightened leadership, appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues.

Cabins dedicated

The Outer Delhi MP, Mr. Sajjan Kumar, today dedicated the newly constructed 99 Pota cabins in five Municipal Primary Schools at village Mithapur, Mithapur Extension, Molad Band Extension and Madanpur Khadar Phase I and III. The Pota cabins have been constructed at a cost of Rs 1.19 crore. — TNS

Move to cancel Punjabi teaching posts draws flak
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
Punjabi writers and scholars in Delhi have protested against the Delhi government’s move to abolish around two dozen posts of Punjabi teaching in state secondary schools, saying it contradicts an earlier promise to promote the language.

They alleged that instead of taking steps for implementation of the second language status, some officials with an ‘’anti-Punjabi bias’’ were conspiring for ‘’systematic elimination of the language from Delhi’’.

Assembled under various banners, the scholars, in a representation to Delhi Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely yesterday, said the government had failed to meet the Punjabis’ expectations that the upgradation of official status of the language on Republic Day this year would arrest the declining influence of their language, ethos and culture in the Capital.

They said none of 50 posts of Punjabi teachers lying vacant for more than two years in the schools had been filled up. 

Husband deserted by better half
Parmindar Singh

Modi Nagar, October 31
A pregnant woman, a mother of six children already, has forsaken her husband and eloped with a nephew half her age. She is reportedly living with her nephew for the last two months.

The woman and her lover were brought to the office of police circle officer (DSP) where the woman said categorically that she would stay with her lover, Sanjay.

Anari, the 32-year-old wife of Ramkishen of Sakhera village under Nivadi police station, had eloped with her 17-year-old nephew, Sanjay, along with her two children over two months ago. Her husband had filed a missing report in Nivadi police station. Sanjay is employed in Punjab. He had come to CO, Anil Jha’s office, along with Anari as Ramkishen’s family had pressurised the police to solve the case.

While Sanjay stood with downcast eyes, Anari was remorseless. She asserted that she would continue to live with Sanjay. She told the police that though she had borne six children, only two were alive and the seventh she was carrying in her womb.

She said her husband was a drunkard.

Air show at Hindon station on Nov 6
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, October 31
The Hindon Indian Air Force station will be the venue of a prestigious air show on November 6 and 7. A French delegation is also coming to watch this show, it is learnt. So, the authorities have banned the sale of meat, fish, chicken, etc from the open stalls in the area so that they don’t attract birds in the sky.

Besides, all illegal butcheries will be closed in the area. The district authorities have sent a letter to the district police for securing the compliance of this order, it is learnt.

According to Addl DM (City) CK Pande, it will be a big and important show by Indian Air Force in which the ace pilots and airmen will perform the daredevil acts.

To ensure safe take-offs, display in the air above Ghaziabad region and safe landings of the aircraft, sale of meat/mutton, etc has been banned.

It is well known that the wastage from mutton shops is thrown carelessly all around, which attracts birds, posing a serious threat to the IAF aircraft. Even a small bird-hit in the aircraft can cause fatal accidents.

Missing youth’s body found
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, October 31
The body of a youth reported missing from Kirana village under Hafizpur police station area has been recovered from the bank of the canal this morning.

Zakir, 25, had gone missing from Kirana village three days ago. The police have started investigations after taking possession of the body. SP (Rural) B.K.Shekhar said that Iqbal Ahmed of Kirna village had lodged a report with the police that Zakir, son of Jamil Ahmed, had been missing from the village for the last three days. The family informed the police after they had failed to locate Zakir.

The body was recovered from the jungles by the side of the canal this morning, Mr Shekhar said. Zakir’s body bore signs of deep wounds on his head. The police have sent the body for autopsy, though the cause of the death could not be determined.

Condition of three workers on hunger strike serious
Our Correspondent

Greater Noida, October 31
The condition of three workers of Punjab Fibres Co. who have been on hunger strike in front of Collectorate in Surajpur, has become serious.

The workers have been on hunger strike, demanding payment of arrears and bonus to them by the company. They had also appealed to the state Chief Minister for his intervention in the matter.

The doctors of government district hospital, Noida, were sent for and the police got the workers admitted to the hospital on their advice.

The workers said they had handed over a memorandum to District Magistrate Santosh Yadav, on October 20 who had assured them to resolve the issue by talking to the company management. But they have not heard any further in the matters. 

Artscape
Art buffs warm up to galleries as winter sets in
Ravi Bhatia
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 31
What has weather got to do with the art scene? A lot, if one goes by the sudden spurt in activity in the Capital’s art galleries. There have been a series of exhibitions in the Capital in the last fortnight, ever since the mercury took a sudden dip and decided to remain there much to the relief of summer scorched Delhiites.

The Kumar Gallery II in Sunder Nagar has been buzzing with activity with art lovers thronging the halls to enjoy the works of some of the best known artists of the century being showcased there. The exhibition, which will be on till November 20, is aptly called the “Spirit of A Century”. The works of Chugtai, Jamini Roy, Souza, Husain, Krishen Khanna, Shobha Broota, Arpana Caur, Paresh Maity and Dhiraj Chowdhary share the wall space with many other many other members of the art fraternity.

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is also abuzz with hectic activity as it prepares to celebrate its 50 years of existence on November 8. The growth of the NGMA, which is now recognised as the sole and largest repository of the country’s modern art, has been a slow but steady one. Starting with less than 200 works when it was inaugurated at the Jaipur House here five decades ago, it now boasts of a collection of more than 16000 paintings, sculptures, graphics and photographs.

The seed of the idea of a national art gallery was planted way back in 1949 at a three-day conference attended by more than 35 well-known artists, art managers and aestheticians at Kolkata, which was for long recognised as the cultural Capital of the country. The conference was presided over by the then minister for education Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The conference unanimously adopted a resolution proposing setting up of a National Art Gallery. It was rechristened National Gallery of Modern Art in 1953.

The Art Alive Gallery also showcased the works of the notable new generation sculptor, K. S. Radhakrishnan, at the Shridharani Gallery here. Called “The Ramp”, the works clearly illustrated the artist’s love for modelling and bronze casting over new materials. It is precisely this trait which makes him stand apart from his contemporaries.

The Ravindra Arts Gallery at the Lalit Kala Academy here is showcasing Strokes of Life –V, a solo exhibition of paintings by Indira Punia. The two-day exhibition will be inaugurated on November 5 and will remain open till November 7. The exhibition is being described as a tribute of the artist to nature and life in its purest form.

Briefs...
DUSU strike plan

New Delhi, October 31
The Delhi University Students’ Union has announced its decision to declare a strike on November 4 and 5 to oppose the “negative attitude of the University Officials”. DUSU President Narinder Tokas has demanded that the university expedite the process of declaration of results of the Campus of Open Learning, restore the marks allotted to students as internal assessment by their respective colleges and stick to a time-bound declaration of the marks obtained in internal assessment.

Sheila ankle in a cast

Delhi CM Shiela Dikshit has fractured her right ankle, which is now wrapped in a cast and is keeping her in a wheelchair. Sources today said she suffered the injury some time during shifting of her residence from Mathura Road to Motilal Nehru Marg around 10 days ago. It was suspected to be a ligament tear initially and had been bandaged. An X-ray yesterday revealed the injury to be a fracture and her ankle was encased in plaster, the sources said. Ms Dikshit, however, attended the function to mark the 20th death anniversary of Ms Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal today. — TNS