 |
|
|
Khurana fears fresh power tariff hike
Probe ordered into B.Tech leak
PIL questions rampant encroachments on govt land
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RWAs’ models to be showcased
Nip the backache in the bud, say experts
Revised BA syllabus approved
Garments worth crores gutted in showroom
Notice slapped on authority for stealing power
CM urges youths to join hands for building nation
Driver disposes of widow’s plot on the sly
Ex-councillor shot dead
BSES consumers warned against touts
Joshi calls for vocational training for women
In graphic: Metro expands network
|
|
Khurana fears fresh power tariff hike
New Delhi, December 18 “As if the recent 500-time increase in water tariff, uprooting of industries, inflated electricity bills and problems of unauthorised colonies were not enough, the Congress government here was planning another ‘installment’ of electricity rate hike.” Invoking the ‘warmth and support’, he received from Delhi which raised his profile from a small worker to a minister, chief minister, and subsequently, a governor over the years, Mr Khurana told mediapersons here, “I left the governorship not to accept any post here or anywhere, but to fight for the problems of Delhi.” Debunking rumours of trying to set up a ‘parallel platform’, away from the party, the BJP stalwart said ‘’I am here to work in cohesion with state party chief Harsh Vardhan and together we’ll force the Congress government to roll back its anti-people policies.’’ BJP Delhi state president Dr Harsh Vardhan while highlighting the latest ‘burdens’ of professional tax, backbreaking inflation and enhanced road tax, said Value Added Tax (VAT) would be a bane for the traders here as well as
the government as Delhi was a ‘distribution centre’ where 80 per cent of goods were re-sent to the states and merely 20 per cent consumed. “Seventy per cent of the Delhi government’s income comes from the sales tax which would be reduced to a trickle if VAT is introduced,” he said. The same Sheila Dikshit, who opposed it one-and-a-half years ago under the NDA rule, was now advocating it as the Congress is in power now at the Centre, he said. “I would also like to know why was her government remained quiet even after the CAG report indicted her government for the corrupt practices during power privatisation,” he asked.
|
|
Probe ordered into B.Tech leak
Greater Noida, December 18 The Vice-Chancellor has constituted a seven-member committee to inquire into the leak; the panel will give its report within seven days. On the basis of this report, a new schedule of B.Tech IV, V semester exams will be announced. Some students in Greater Noida had reportedly received the leaked papers on the night of December 15 via fax. Authorities fear the paper leak incident is a part of a bigger racket. Prof S. N. Srivastava, Examination Supervisor, said, “Vice-Chancellor D. S. Chauhan had gone to Mathura along with some college teachers. Prof Srivastava emphasised that there was no possibility of the paper leak at the college level. The third semester paper on Network and Systems of Engineering, being conducted by the UP universities, had reached the students in Greater Noida and Ghaziabad colleges a day prior to the date of examination. When the same paper was distributed to the students in examination halls yesterday the leak was confirmed but nobody in the university, it seems, was aware of the leak and none of the colleges
had informed the university authorities either. But the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Mr Durga Singh Chauhan, said he would have the matter probed and a re-examination could be ordered in colleges where the paper had been leaked. The Vice-Chancellor, who had come to Greater Noida on Thursday to preside over a seminar, had come to know of the leak. The VC said the answer books of all the affected colleges will be sent to an expert for scrutiny. A re-examination could be ordered in affected colleges. Mr Chauhan said that Hindustan College, Mathura, was the first college where the leak had come to light. The students of Sachdeva College were trying to smuggle out papers from there. After the teachers had caught them, the leak was confirmed. Out of the 10 students who were caught, five have been handed over to the police. A case has also been registered against them. All those caught will not be permitted to take their exam from any university, the VC said. The connivance of staff of some colleges is also alleged in the matter. “Two copies of the question papers are sent to those colleges in advance, where examination centres have been set up. The staff in these colleges could be involved in the conspiracy to leak the papers,” Vice-Chancellor D. S. Chauhan added.
|
|
PIL questions rampant encroachments on govt land
Faridabad, December 18 The court has issued notices to the respondents and the next date of hearing is January 18. The PIL highlights one such case in which a private builder of Sector 19 has been charged with encroaching upon several hundred square yards of government land. On the usurped land, the builder has built multi-storeyed flats for commercial purpose. It is reported that the builder has already built more than a dozen houses and even sold some of these. The land identified as Khasra (No 99), measuring three Bighas and 11 Biswas, had been acquired by the government through the Land Acquisition Department here for development of Sector-19 on September 8, 1979, vide Award no. 13. It is claimed that despite the owner of the land being awarded compensation by the government, the land was released only on paper, while the owner, who is a builder, got a multi-storeyed building constructed illegally. It is added that two other khasras, measuring about 1032 and 166 square yards, respectively, which were of ‘Shamlat Deh’ and ‘Shamlat Patti,’ were also encroached upon, with the ‘collusion’ of certain MCF officials and without getting the plan sanctioned. It is alleged that a false Change of Land Use (CLU) certificate was also obtained while it was not verified who was the real owner of the land. It is claimed that an enquiry conducted by the then Additional Deputy Commissioner in 2003 had found that the land did not belong to the builder and observed that a case of contempt of court was not filed by the officials concerned despite the fact that a stay had been provided by a local court on the construction. According to the petitioner, Mr K.
L.Gera, a social activist here, who has taken up similar issues through PIL, had lodged a complaint with the MCF authorities on June 28, 2004, but no action was taken against the guilty.
|
|
RWAs’ models to be showcased
New Delhi, December 18 The selection committee has no other alternative than to choose a known social service organisation of the area, Shahid Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal, to mark the presence of this district in the conclave. However, the president of the this organisation, Mr Jitendra Singh Shunty, denied any such ‘mercy berth’ and said that their track record was enough for their place in the event. A senior officer of the selection committee of this mega exhibition said that there was a total lack of coordination between the government machinery and the
RWAs. “There is no doubt that so many RWAs are performing well in this area, but they have not approached us. Then we have no other option than to select those who have approached us,” he said. Even the less aware and developed North-East district is sending four RWAs to showcase their development models in the exhibition. According to the Sub-divisional District Magistrate (SDM) of Shahdara zone, Mr R. K. Chauhan, all four selected RWAs have done
commendable work in their areas. “The RWA, Dilshad Colony has developed a very beautiful park at G– block without taking any help from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) or any other civic agency. The RWA, C- block, Dilshad Garden, has invented a unique safety network for the colony. The RWA, Mandoli Extension, has invented a new mechanism to combat natural calamities. The RWA, Brahapuri, has introduced a new technique for the garbage disposal,” said Mr Chauhan.
|
|
Nip the backache in the bud, say experts
New Delhi, December 18 The experts said that there can be many causes of backache. Most of them are benign, though there are some warning signals which the public should know. These signals, if ignored, can result in permanent disability. Pain in the thoracic part of the spine, pain associated with local tenderness in the spine, pain in the spine associated with difficulty in urination or defecation or with erectile dysfunction, pain in the spine radiating to any leg or arm, pain in the spine and back which increases on coughing, bending forward, laughing or sneezing, pain associated with stiffness worse in the morning which becomes better with movement, backache associated with increased ESR or platelet count on blood examination, etc, are some of the warning signals that the backache needs to be taken seriously. However, the most common cause of backache is faulty posture. While sitting, one should always try to keep the back straight and put a pillow to give support to the lumbar region. Similar support should be given during driving or sitting on a sofa. The experts said that one should remember that tuberculosis can occur in the spine and cancer from any organ can spread in the spine. In many situations, the first manifestation of cancer or TB may be spinal symptoms.
|
|
|
Revised BA syllabus approved
New Delhi, December 18 The revised courses for M.Sc. Botany and BA Hons. Economics will now be implemented from July 2005. The EC has also approved a single ordinance on the Library System to replace the three existing ordinances on the subject.
New DPS residential branch
The Delhi Public School Society has opened a new branch of the school in Pinjore. The residential school will be run by the management of Shemrock School, a chain or preschools. The school is located on a 12-acre campus in the foothills of the Shivalik, about four hours drive from Delhi and promises all round development of the children. It also aims at inculcating the best of Indian culture and tradition among the pupils and giving them the best of academics and other extra curricular exercises in crafts and arts. The school boasts of extensive audiovisual teaching aids, including Internet and multimedia, a well stocked library, art labs, amphitheater and a low student teacher ratio. The school will directly admit children from 70 branches of Shemrock after completing the Upper KG from their respective branches.
|
|
Garments worth crores gutted in showroom
Gurgaon, December 18
No casualty has been reported from the site. Deputy Commissioner Anurag Aggarwal, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vivek Padam Dhankar and Deputy Superintendent of Police Sube Singh personally supervised the fire fighting operations. At around 8 am, some shopkeepers of Sadar Bazar noticed that heavy smoke was billowing out of Suman
Vastralaya. Another shopkeeper informed Satish Singla, the owner of the shop at his residence about the fire, who later informed the fire brigade. Some eyewitnesses alleged that the fire could have been controlled well in time if the fire tenders had reached the spot in time. The fire had already engulfed the three-storey showroom when the fire tenders reached the spot. Congestion and dense fog in the morning had delayed their arrival, reasoned a fire-fighting department official. Subhash Singla, brother of Satish, informed this correspondent that they were celebrating 25 years of their entry into retail garment trade this year. It would be very difficult for the whole family to bear the loss.
|
|
Brr... cold wave coming
New Delhi, December 18 With a considerable drop in the visibility, driving in the early as well as the late hours of the day has become a nightmare. Motorists in the Capital have begun taking precautions and many of them can be seen using fog lights to cope with the poor lighting conditions. Children who leave for school early in the morning were affected most. Though this morning spelt some relief for the kids and their parents as most of the schools remain closed on Saturdays. The scene at the railway stations was no better, with the commuters anxiously awaiting the arrival and departure of trains, some of which were running more than four hours behind schedule. The air traffic was also hit and the flights began taking off only after 11 am. Though the city is yet to experience a sharp drop in the temperature, the Met department has warned of a substantial decrease in the mercury levels by the end of this month. The maximum temperature today remained at 25.1 degree Celsius. The forecast predicts a mainly clear sky with fog in the morning and the night temperature could touch 8 degree Celsius.
|
|
Notice slapped on authority for stealing power
Noida, December 18 The case came to light during the special campaign launched by the UP Power Corporation for penalising those who are stealing power. The Noida authority was allegedly running
its tubewell in Sector-56 without permission or a valid connection. An oversight of the billing department of the UPPC has also come to light in this connection: It seems the
corporation had failed to charge Noida authority and a hosiery firm for another tubewell. The UP Power Corporation has so far collected Rs 50,000 from consumers for illegally tapping its power. Nine cases have reportedly been filed in rural areas during the anti-power theft drive. According to the General Manager of the UP Power Corporation, B. B. Singh, this campaign had been launched for the third time to check power thefts. Giving the power vigilance team of GB Nagar and MD of Paschim Anchal Power Co, Aveneesh Awasthy, a pat on the back, the corporation announced an award of Rs 10,000 for the sleuths.
|
|
CM urges youths to join hands for building nation
New Delhi, December 18 Addressing at 34th Annual Convention and National Seminar of Indian Society for Technical Education, she said, “We must devise ways of retaining and attracting our talented brains. They should partner us in building an affluent, harmonious and humane society.” Ms Diskhit said the number of Indians serving abroad was so huge that if all of them were to return home, “the developed countries would probably stop developing”. Many talented youths eventually settle abroad in return for more money despite the fact that the country invests a fortune in their education, Ms Dikshit regretted. Speaking on the theme ‘Managing Talent for Competitive Edge’, Ms Dikshit urged the audience of IT professors to devise ways to ensure that the gifted Indian students served in their own country. Expressing concern over the inability to transform laboratory experiments into reality, she said the pace of incorporating innovations into daily lives should be speeded up. The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of sustainable development. She said, “We must not overlook the importance of ecological balance and always bear in mind that a balanced scientific development is necessary.”
|
|
Driver disposes of widow’s plot on the sly
Greater Noida, December 18 Lal Chand Sarin of New Delhi had purchased a 200 square meter plot in Alpha Sector in Greater Noida. Lal Chand had expired last year and the plot was transferred in his wife Krishna Sarin’s name. Following the transfer, the GNIDA imposed a penalty on the plot as the building had not been constructed within the permissible time-frame. When Sarin visited the Greater Noida authority to deposit the fine, she was shocked to learn that the plot did not stand in her name as it has been sold on December 13. When she said she had not sold her plot to anybody, officials told her that one Anil Thomas of Lado Sarai near Qutab Minar had sold it to one Mahender Kumar Vaish on December 13. Mrs Sarin said Thomas was her driver for two years and had left her service a month ago. It transpired that Anil Thomas had prepared duplicates of some documents and sold the plot with the connivance of some Greater Noida Authority employees and even the signatures of Mrs Krishna Sarin were forged on the sale deed.
Police post to be set up in each sector
In view of the serious law and order challenges thrown up by criminals in Greater Noida, the authorities have been decided to set up a new police station on the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway, while each sector will have separate police post in Greater Noida. Along with private security guards, home guards will also be deployed in the area. This has been decided in a meeting held in Greater Noida Authority office, where apart from authority officers, District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Yadav and SSP Piyush Mordia were also present.
|
|
Ex-councillor shot dead
Ghaziabad, December 18 The deceased Surinder Sharma, younger brother of ex-SP Mahanagar president Satpal Sharma, a resident of Mohalla Sarai Nazar Ali under City Kotwali area, a councillor from the same area. The incident occurred when he was sitting at a photo studio in adjoining Prem Nagar Mohalla along with studio owner Naresh Dogra and Bubbu. As Surinder Sharma was negotiating a narrow lane on his scooter on his way back home, some unidentified assailants who were waiting for him fired at him and walked away from there on foot. Later, some people identified Surinder Sharma lying in a pool of blood with the help of torches and informed his family and police. Sharma’s relatives rushed him to Yashoda Hospital in a serious condition where he was declared brought dead. Soon after the incident, the SP (City) and Circle Officer reached the
hospital. Further investigations are on.
|
|
BSES consumers warned against touts
New Delhi, December 18 According to BSES, the touts are getting the help of “some disgruntled erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board employees who have availed themselves of the voluntary retirement scheme”. “We have taken up this issue seriously and will deal with such cases severely and take legal action against them,” the statement said. It urged consumers to lodge complaints on its dedicated helpline 3999 9777.
|
|
Joshi calls for vocational training for women
New Delhi, December 18 Delivering the convocation address at the South Delhi Polytechnic for Women, Mr Joshi said that there was an urgent need to provide varied and suitable entrepreneurship options to women from different cultural and economic backgrounds. He said there was a need to constantly survey the nature of demands in the job market and upgrade the vocational courses. He stressed the need for promoting women’s education and incorporation of new modules of modernity in the education imparted to them. Mr Joshi gave away diplomas to distinction holders on the occasion. He also inaugurated an exhibition on Applied Art and Design put up by the students.
|
|
|
|
| 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 | |
