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Two PCS officers suspended for helping land shark
Provide police protection to check theft, BSES tells govt
Prostitution racket smashed; pimp, two girls held
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RWAs protest against Aravali Hills’ degradation
Delay in Kalindi Kunj
Bypass Project to raise construction cost
Police need to improve image: DGP
Artscape
Traders to step up stir against power companies
Walk 10,000 steps a day for good health
NAD burns effigy of Sheila
Old woman moves court, seeks maintenance from husband
Food and Technology Expo from Sept 9
Bus travel in UP becomes costlier
Six robbers held, stolen goods seized
‘Harit Pradesh will be a reality’
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Two PCS officers suspended for helping land shark
Greater Noida, September 4 The Additional District Magistrate had sent a proposal under Section 4 to the administration in 2003 that the land under some khasra nos was not available in Rohillpur along the expressway in Sadar tehsil for being acquired for the Noida Authority. Here some land had been usurped by land shark Moti Goel in his own name and he had applied for getting this land freed from acquisition. The then Collectorate in-charge Rajeev Gupta, Sadar Tehsildar Chander Babu Gupta and Noida Authority OSD Vishal Srivastava had all connived to send a report to the state Revenue Board that 25 bigha pucca agricultural land of Rohillpur was abadi land. This was done to help Moti Goel to acquire the land. When the matter was highlighted in the media, then District Magistrate Venkatesh Lu had ordered a thorough probe. On being found guilty in the probe, the ADM had suspended Tehsildar Chander Babu and sent the Revenue Board report to the administration for taking proper action against SDM Rajiv Gupta and OSD Vishal Srivastava. On the District Magistrate’s report being found correct, SDM Rajiv Gupta and OSD Vishal Srivastava have been suspended. Rajiv Gupta is currently posted as SDM in Sadar Tehsil in Gautam Budh Nagar while Vishal Srivastava is currently ADM (F&A) in Kanpur.
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Provide police protection to check theft, BSES tells govt
New Delhi, September 4 BSES chief J P Chalsani said that the BSES had held several interactions with the Delhi Government seeking security cover in its effort to check pilferage. He also said that the utility had encountered problems in this regard which had resulted in huge distribution losses. Mr Chalsani said, “The biggest problem we are facing is of power theft in Delhi. Our distribution losses are still high despite having met the stipulations provided by the Delhi Electricity Regulation Commission. We have failed to check the menace as we did not get the security cover and facility of special courts as promised.” On the issue of inflated power bills, he said random checks had not revealed any fault in meters and it was general “perception” in people’s mind, which needs to be addressed. “However, we are not keeping quiet. We have launched an intensive drive against such complaints and decided to undertake process audit to monitor the translation of meter reading to actual bills,” Mr Chalsani asserted. The BSES will comply by October 7, the deadline set by the DERC for formation of two separate companies, BSES Yamuna and BSES Rajdhani and provide separate infrastructure to both, Chalsani said. He said that the BSES had already spent about Rs 1,500 crore and will infuse another Rs 1,000 crore in the next two years to revamp the structure inherited from Delhi Vidyut Board. He said though on paper the utility had earned an operating profit of Rs 228 crore, the DERC had kept this money in abeyance and asked the BSES to adjust at a later date. The BSES has already moved the court on the matter, Mr Chalsani said. He asserted that ever since the BSES took charge to run its areas of power distribution, there had been a vast improvement in reducing loadshedding and enhancement of quality power supply.
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Prostitution racket smashed; pimp, two girls held
New Delhi, September 4 The Crime Branch of Delhi Police got the information about the racket and a team was sent to raid the flat and arrest the accused. Police said that the pimp hails from Lucknow and had been into the sleaze trade for the last one decade. It was the first time that they were caught. The pimp has disclosed that even some senior police officials were their clients, said a police source. They used to charge from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 per night from the affluent businessmen. In turn, she was paying high salaries to the girls. The two girls arrested were from Kanpur and Lucknow. “She has appointed more than a dozen good-looking girls for this trade. The salary ranges from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 depending upon the girl,” said a police official. The accused were paying Rs 10,000 per month as the rent for the two-bedroom flat. The flat was allotted to some other government official and he has sublet it to the prostitutes. The police are also trying to find out the involvement of flat owner in this racket. Recruitment scam busted Two men who allegedly cheated more than 500 job seekers promising jobs abroad to amass Rs 1 crore have landed in jail. Prem Nath Singh (36) and Ashok Kumar Sinha (53) ran the Manpower International, which took Rs 20,000 as advance payment from people who were promised jobs abroad, police said today. The applicants were told that there were vacancies in the United Kingdom, Dubai, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Greece, police said.
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RWAs protest against Aravali Hills’ degradation
Gurgaon, September 4 The degradation was condemned at a joint meeting of the RWAs in the Suncity colony. The participants at the meeting wore black badges and held a candlelight vigil, a symbolic expression for safeguarding the ecological balance The Suncity Residents Welfare Association has been sore over the alleged non-action by the police in the case registered against Uddar Gagan Ltd builders in connection with alleged violation of the Supreme Court directive imposing a ban on mining in the Aravali Hills. The case was registered a few days back following a special committee set up by the Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon, Mr R. P. Bhardwaj, finding merit in the allegation of the RWA about damage caused to the Aravali Hills bordering Suncity Colony in Sector 54, which was once a part of Haiderpur Viran village. Incidentally, the alleged degradation of the Aravali Hills took place before Mr Bhardwaj assumed charge of the district. The case was registered under Sections 379 and 188 of the IPC and the Environment Pollution Act. According to the president of the Suncity Residents’ Welfare Association, Mr Abhey Poonia, the administration was apprised several times of tampering of the Aravali Hills by the builders, but to no avail. According to him, the company had got sanction for setting up a colony on more than 100 acres of land. The company was also obliged to carve out plots on about eight acres of land under the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) scheme on about eight acres of the land (part of the colony) under the Haryana Urban land and Regulatory Act,1986. However, it did not set up the plots in the EWS category. According to the RWA, the builders bought another 40 acres of adjoining land from farmers and encroached on eight acres of land by levelling the adjoining Aravali Hills in order to set up 150 plots in the EWS category. It alleged that the builders levelled off a portion of the Hills in violation of the Supreme Court’s directive banning any kind of mining or tampering of the Aravali Hills. The RWA further alleged that although it had brought to the notice of the authorities the damage to the Aravali Hills, the builder company was allowed to go in for a draw of lots for the 150 plots. According to it, about 20 of the plots where the Hills once stood are clearly located. The RWA is miffed over the fact that at the time of draw of lots the officials of the Town
and Country Planning Department represented the government side on the occasion. Meanwhile, the local unit of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board has issued notices to the builder in connection with the charge of tampering with the Hills. The office of the Deputy Commissioner has also sought reports from all concerned, including the Mining Department, in connection with the development in light of the Supreme Court’s directive.
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Delay in Kalindi Kunj Bypass Project to raise construction cost
New Delhi, September 4 Sources said that the cost of construction of the KK Bypass Project had been estimated as Rs 100 crore, including land price. The project of road construction commenced in 2003 and it was to be completed by 2007. If it is delayed, it may cost an additional Rs 5 crore. The land from NOIDA Toll Bridge to Kalindi Kunj Bridge was handed over to the Public Works Department of the Delhi Government by the Delhi Development Authority to construct the bypass which passes through Taimoor Nagar, Khidra Bad, Zakir Nagar, Joga Bai, Batla House, Canal Colony of UP Irrigation Department and Abul Fazal Enclave. The levelling of land has been completed till Batla House and beyond this point, the UP Government makes an objection. It claims that the land measuring 153 bighas from Batla House to Kalind Kunj Bridge belongs to the state government. Road construction work cannot be done without making payment of the land. Interestingly, the Delhi Government has paid Rs 35 crore to the DDA. When the Commissioner, Lands Management, DDA, Mr R K Vats, was contacted, he said that it was an issue between the governments. The issue will be worked out amicably. A flyover is to be constructed over Agra Canal, which divides Canal Colony and Okhla Village. A guesthouse of the Irrigation Department of UP Government is located at the bank of the Yamuna. The UP Government says it will not let the flyover constructed as it will disturb the peace of guesthouse. The Kalindi Kunj Bypass Project road will have junction at Toll Bridge Flyover which is being objected to by the NTBCL despite being approved by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). However, the Chief Minister of Delhi has called a meeting with the authorities concerned of the NTBCL to work out the issue. The NTBCL charges toll from traffic, which takes the route of the toll bridge as it has been built by the company on the Built, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. It is on lease of 33 years. Once the Kalindi Kunj Bypass completes, the traffic will prefer to use the Kalindi Kunj bridge instead of Toll Bridge which will reduce the revenue of the NTBCL. The estimated reduction of the revenue can be the cause of objection, sources said.
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Police need to improve image: DGP
Gurgaon, September 4 Addressing a meeting of police officers in the local Police Line, he said that the police stations should be prompt in registering FIRs on complaints. He also took stock of the law and order situation in Gurgaon. Responding to a question from media persons on the occasion, he said that a proposal has been submitted to the state government for upgrading the force and its infrastructure to the level at par with Delhi. In response to another question in connection with alleged involvement of a relative (Sub Inspector) of the former Director General of Police, Mr Mahender Singh Malik, in the murder of a dhaba owner in village Lukawas near here last Friday, he said that anyone found guilty will not be spared. According to him, four police teams have been constituted and the hunt is on for the suspected three persons, including the relative of the former DGP, alleged to be involved in the case. The police will soon nab them, he added.
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Romancing the past with colours
Ravi Bhatia Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 4 Born and educated in Rajasthan, Rameshwar has held numerous solo as well as group shows during the last two decades. His paintings, vibrant with the colours of the desert state, have come in for critical acclaim over the years and adorn many art galleries both in India and abroad. Winner of at least a dozen national and state level awards, Rameshwar works out of his studio in Jaipur. In devotion of contemporary art The recently opened Gallery Art Positive is holding its first exhibition entitled “Devotion” from September 2 to September 7 at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre here. The exhibition will showcase the paintings and sculptures of some of the well-known contemporary artists. The exhibition will move on to the Gallery Art Positive premises in Kalkaji after September 7 and will be open for public till September 22 Megha Utsav Lokayata-Mulk Raj Anand Centre in Hauz Khas village here is hosting Megha Utsav 2005 from September 1 to September 8, which consists of paintings of some of the better known artists of the country. The Utsav is being mounted in association with the Cicle d’art
A visual
dialogue Another well-known contemporary artist, Shifali Nitu Mehra held an exhibition of her recent works, mostly oil on canvas, entitled “ Odyssey 2005” at Arpana Fine Arts in the Sri Fort Institutional Area here. Shifali is one of those artists who manage to delve deep into their souls and reflect this in their paintings where the human form merges with nature. For Shifali, “art has always been a visual dialogue which enables her to communicate her understanding in ways that could not be expressed other wise”.
Classical dance at its best On August 30 and August 31, the well- known classical dance exponent, Sonal Mansingh, awed audiences with her two new choreographies, “ Intezaar” and “Sabrang”. In “Intezaar”, Sonal danced to melodies from the past and present, to voices different from the ones usually heard, to words of yearning and waiting and of longing and dreaming. “Sabrang” was a unique fusion of Hindi film songs and classical dance, spanning the two genres with the hues and colours of the rainbow. Described as a bold and novel choreography by critics, “Sabrang” managed to retain the integrity of both the classical dance as well as the filmy songs.
Fusion of dance styles Bharatanatyam dancer, Rashmi Khanna and the students of Kalyani Kala Mandir today presented a unique fusion of creative dance styles ranging from the western jazz and salsa, the folksy Bihu and Chau to the classical Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam at the Main Auditorium of the India International Centre here. Choreographed by Rashmi Khanna, a disciple of Kalyani Shekhar, the one and a half hour recital included six pieces performed either solo or as a group. Winner of numerous awards, Rashmi started dancing from the tender age of four and never looked back. Rashmi has used her creative sensitivity not only in the professional arena but also in her personal life. Trained as a special educator specialising in multiple disabilities, she has been working with children requiring special needs for the last five years.
Fateh Ali Khan in a new avatar The Music Today has released its latest album which features the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in a new avatar – singer of Hindustani classical. Entitled, “Khayal-e- Nusrat”, the album has two khayals and two qawwalis.
The Italian Embassy Cultural Institute here is observing “EU Cultural Week 2005”. The Week will include a performance of live electronic music, ‘United In Sound’, at the Orange Room, Ashok Hotel on September 8, a seminar on “Relations Between Old and New Media” at the Jamia Millia Islamia’s Mass Communication Research Centre on the same day and a ‘European Animation Festival’ at the British Council on September 10 and September 11.
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Traders to step up stir against power companies
New Delhi, September 4 The meeting was attended by the trade and RWA leaders from different parts of the city and it was decided to rope in others, including the group housing societies to protest against the power policies. The participants at the meeting strongly criticised the casual attitude of the Delhi Government on electricity issues and alleged that there is a nexus between the State government, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and the discoms. Praveen Khandelwal, secretary-general, CAIT, said that in the wake of irregularities, dictatorial attitude and anti-consumer policies of the electricity companies operating in Delhi, the participants recommended to scrap the monopoly of the discoms immediately and issue them new licence.
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Walk 10,000 steps a day for good health
New Delhi, September 4 Dr K.K. Aggarwal, president, of the Heart Research Foundation of India and the Delhi Medical Association, feels that if an individual walks 10,000 steps daily, this would make him feel quite energised. Besides, it would reduce the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and depression. The doctor says that 30 minutes of moderately-paced walking is about 4,000 steps and a 60-minute brisk walk is equivalent to 10,000 steps. On the whole, 10,000 steps would equal 5 miles worth of walk. The doctor suggests that most people can achieve this by multiple, short walks or by running. Dr Aggarwal has gone through the tedium of calculating a common man’s daily walking capacity which he has put at under 6,000 steps per day. He adds that sedentary people take fewer then 5,000 steps a day and should increase their walking capacity only gradually. The doctor feels that ideally, walking capacity should be increased gradually by walking an extra 500 steps a day till it reaches 10,000 steps.
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NAD burns effigy of Sheila
New Delhi, September 4 The demonstration was led by its president, Mr Paramjeet Singh Pamma. He said that the Sheila Dikshit government had given five per cent subsidy to the power companies as the government is given commission by them. The Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government had announced a hike of 10 per cent in power tariff, but it had to withdraw it due to pressure from within the party as well as outside. The power supply was privatised to improve the distribution and supply of the power in the national Capital. Instead of improving the supply, the government had unsuccessfully tried to hike the power tariff, Mr Pamma said.
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Old woman moves court, seeks maintenance from husband
New Delhi, September 4 The woman, Mrs Nirmal Gupta, alleged that her husband, Mr N K Gupta, who retired as Section Officer from the Ministry of Commerce, had not been taking care of her for the past five years after she returned from hospital where she had gone for the treatment of hip bone fracture. Acting on her application, Metropolitan Magistrate Ms Nisha Saxena issued summons to her husband directing him to appear before the court on September 21. In the application filed through her counsel Mr K K Sharma, the woman has demanded maintenance of Rs 4,000 per month claiming that her husband has been receiving a pension of Rs 8,000 per month. She alleged that though her husband was an old man, he is quite “hale and hearty” and can look after her, but he started neglecting and ill-treating her after she became disabled since July 2000. The woman claimed that after that her husband started living separately in the rear portion of the same house and there has been no communication between them for the last five years. Mrs Gupta told the court that she has to depend on others and her husband has no other liability. The couple’s two sons are unemployed while the daughter is married.
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Food and Technology Expo from Sept 9
New Delhi, September 4 A large number of companies of national and international repute are participating in the expo. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution Akhilesh Prasad Singh while Uttar Pradesh Food Processing Minister Choudhry Babu Lal will be the chief guest and APEDA Chairman K S Money will be guest of honour at the inauguration. To be jointly organised by the NNS Group and the All India Manufacturers Organisation (AIMO), the mega expo will have participation from the entire gamut of agri-commodity and food processing industry and trade. NNS Managing Director Rajesh Gupta said here that the participation in this exhibition would be a win-win situation for everyone starting from the processor to technology provider.
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Bus travel in UP becomes costlier
Ghaziabad, September 4 The Regional Manager of UP Roadways, Mr Rakesh Mohan Tiwari, said there has been no increase in bus fares as such, which remain 0.48 paise per km. However, passenger cess has been increased at various stages of fare, he added. The passenger amenity cess has been hiked by Rs. 1. For a journey upto 85km, the passenger cess has been increased to Rs 1.50 instead of Rs 0.50 previously, Mr Tiwari added.
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Six robbers held, stolen goods seized
Noida, September 4 During interrogation, the robbers confessed that they had broken into 36 houses and decamped with valuables, said the police chief. They identified the houses during the day and conducted robberies at night, he added. The thieves have been identified as Suresh, Abdul Alam, Abdul Kalam, Jagdish, Amaruddin and Ismail. Interestingly, one of the houses targeted was opposite the residence of the District Magistrate in Sector-27 Noida. Based on information from them, the police have recovered many stolen goods from a junk dealer in Atta.
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‘Harit Pradesh will be a reality’
Noida, September 4 Mr Singh was recently in Noida to unveil the statue of Charan Singh in the Charan Singh Park, maintained by the UP Irrigation Department at the Yamuna Barrage. He demanded that the government should increase the power generation in the state if it wanted genuine development in the state. The views of the former Prime Minister were still valid and the farmers should follow the path shown by him, he said.
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