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Politicians for division of MCD into smaller bodies
‘Nari Niketan’ ill-equipped to house destitute women
Sahil had phoned Noida’s Sonal
Master Plan to provide for cheap housing
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Noida residential scheme for senior citizens
Meat shops to be desealed on filing of affidavit
‘FCI found wanting in purchasing crops at
minimum support price’
Five officials booked for issuing illegal mobile connections
INLD to launch drive against bias for Reliance
Arab Cultural Center to be set up at Jamia
Searing hot conditions continue to prevail
Exhibition of diamond
jewellery
Admissions open at UK university
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Politicians for division of MCD into smaller bodies
New Delhi, June 10 The recommendations came forth at a seminar organised by the committee headed by former bureaucrat Mr Omesh Saigal to elicit the views of local politicians. “The Committee headed by Mr Omesh Saigal to study the issue of restructuring the MCD will look into all the recommendations put forward by the participants of the seminar today,” said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who has been a strong votary of dividing the civic body into smaller, better manageable corporations. “We have received recommendations such as division of the MCD into smaller bodies. These recommendations will be considered and analysed in our future meetings,” Mr Saigal said. He, however, said the committee will not be able to meet its June 27 deadline for submitting its recommendations to the Centre. “Our report will be ready in another 15-20 days, most probably by July 15,” he added. Leader of Opposition Mr Jagdish Mukhi suggested the division of MCD into five corporations, also recommending a three-tier system of administration. He, however, questioned the timing of the restructuring process and termed it “a ploy to postpone (MCD) elections”. “If the strategy is to postpone the MCD elections, saying that restructuring is being done, we will oppose the process tooth and nail,” he said. The Opposition BJP has been criticising the Government’s decision to set up the committee on restructuring of MCD, saying it was a strategy to delay the civic body elections due next year as the Congress was not very confident of doing well in the polls. Bringing more accountability and reducing corruption in the functioning of the body figured in the recommendations of all speakers cutting across party lines. “Corporators have to be made more integral to the executive decisions as they have greater contact with the masses. This will ensure better accountability,” said Mr Sandeep Dikshit, Congress MP, also making a pitch for full statehood for Delhi. “Steps must be taken to bring more accountability and reduce corruption without curtailing the functions of the municipal system,” said Mr Vijender Gupta, BJP councillor and member of MCD’s Standing Committee. Representatives from the Congress said MCD must be brought under the purview of the state government. “The MCD must be brought under the state government so that there is better coordination,” Congress MLA Narendra Nath said. MPs, MLAs, Corporators and members of some Resident Welfare Associations participated in the seminar. |
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‘Nari Niketan’ ill-equipped to house destitute women
Faridabad, June 10 A teenaged girl recovered here at Ballabgarh town on Friday was one of the victims sent to the Niketan by the police yesterday. The girl aged around 18 years had allegedly been abducted by three boys. Her parents had no information about her whereabouts. “While Faridabad and Gurgaon have emerged as the biggest conglomerate of urbanisation and development over the years, the state government has not been able to expand the facilities required to cope with the challenge thrown up by the various social issues,” claims Mr Ravi Kant, Head of ‘Shakti Vahini’, an NGO based here and working for the welfare of women and children. Stating that there had been several cases of abduction of girls and trafficking of women in the region during the past few years, he said the Social Welfare department of the state, which deals with the lodging and rehabilitation of the victims, was ill-equipped to provide the required relief to the victims. He said the state had only one hostel for such victims in Karnal. According to the social activists, the present facilities are insufficient to meet the growing requirement. The authorities at district levels and the people engaged in such work feel helpless in discharging their duties. According to a spokesperson of another NGO, both officials and activists face problems in coordinating with the victim and the authorities due to distance. Quoting the incident of recovery of a teenaged girl here yesterday, he said the officials could have properly handled the repatriation of the girl to her parents if there were any such facility here. Mr Rishi Kant of Shakti Vahini, which has rescued several minor girls brought from states like Assam, West Bengal and Jharkhand and allegedly sold here as ‘brides’ over the past many years, stressed the need to improve the facilities and sensitise the district and police administration on the issue of girl trafficking, especially in the Mewat region of Haryana. He claimed that there had been a lack of policy to deal with such issues and many of the victims fail to get justice. |
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Sahil had phoned Noida’s Sonal
Noida, June 10 Sonal, who was till a year ago, the life of night parties in Noida and Delhi, had taken a long leap to Mumbai where she is now considered to be among the five top models. All those who had seen her at Noida’s Centre Stage Mall, speak enthusiastically of Sonal’s glamour even today. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri, Sonal had overnight become a celebrity by scoring the maximum SMS at 8888 at the beauty contests. This had enhanced her status and she was soon elected as Miss World Tourism in Malaysia. It had added to the number of people calling at her Sector-14 residence. Whenever she went to parties, a few close friends always accompanied her. Father Raghu Raj Chauhan’s contacts were always helpful to sort out untoward incidents. Her brother acted as her bodyguard, who had often thrashed Romeos tailing her sister. The family had initially frowned at her modelling, but acquiesced in it as it proved to be a good source of income. Sonal’s father is the officer in charge of Khatauli police station in Muzzafarnagar who has confirmed that Sahil had called her up on June 1, 06. The details of Sahil’s phone have also confirmed that he had made five calls on her cell phone No. 9820280856 and talked to her for a few minutes. Sonal has said that she had met Sahil some eight months ago in a party. She, however, was reluctant to talk about Sahil’s phone on June 1, but said that she would cooperate with the police, if required.
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Master Plan to provide for cheap housing
New Delhi, June 10 Noting that so far the planning of Delhi did not have any provision for service providers, Minister of State for Urban Development Mr Ajay Maken said it had resulted in encroachments in the form of slums. “In the new Master Plan, provision will be made for cheap housing in the form of multi-storeyed apartments for service providers so that they can also live a comfortable life,” Mr Maken said after inaugurating a link road connecting Mathura Road with the Nizamuddin Railway Station, constructed by DDA, here. He said the government will play a pro-active role in this regard. Elaborating on the proposed Master Plan for Delhi-2021, Mr Maken said its focus will be on preserving the heritage of the city in a manner so as to restore its old glory and on conserving its green cover. The green cover of Delhi, which is the highest at present compared to other metros, will be preserved and extended to match the increase in population by 2021, he said. “Delhi will be a world class city with its old grandeur restored and its green cover,” Mr Maken said.
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Noida residential scheme for senior citizens
Noida, June 10 The Noida authority determined 50 years as senior citizens. The authority is learnt to have invited applications for vacant plots in Sector 50 from the group housing societies. But the only condition is that the societies should have been set up and registered before January 2004. A processing fee of Rs 1 lakh has been determined for the scheme while the registration cess should be Rs 2 crore. The solvency amount has been fixed at Rs 3 crore, a Noida authority official said. A rate of Rs 18,000 per sq mt has been fixed for this plot measuring 25,500 sq mt. After the tenders, the criterion of eligibility will be determined. The last date of the scheme is fixed on July 5, 06. It has also been clarified by the authority that only flats will be allowed to be constructed here. Besides, some facilities for the aged like lifts etc will be provided.
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Meat shops to be desealed on filing of affidavit
New Delhi, June 10 Those traders who wish to totally change their business from meat to some other product will also submit an affidavit to this effect and their shops will be de-sealed. The authorities concerned said that receipt of the affidavit from the traders will be examined and subsequently de-sealing will be done under the personal supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of the Zone. This has been said after Supreme Court’s direction for sealing of meat shops on the basis of a petition filed by the shop owners. In the order, the apex court said, “Applicant in these applications says that he under takes not to carry out the meat trade from premises in question without obtaining the Municipal Trade License and undertakes to furnish the under taking before the MCD to this effect.” The MCD’s counsel said, “Let the undertaking be furnished and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with law.” Butchers community who approached the court for de-sealing of the shops said that non-renewal and non-issue of license was leading to increase in price of meat, causing hardship to the consumers. Mutton which was Rs 120 per kg now available at the price of Rs 160. The chicken was available at a price of 70 per kg but after sealing of shops its price had gone to Rs 90 per kg. Following the order of the Apex Court, the Veterinary Department has framed several guidelines to ensure citizens to get wholesome and hygienic meat. All the shops that had been sealed recently were required to be given time to upgrade their shops and infrastructure. There are a total of 1971 licensed shops and 1800 unlicensed in the city. The Zonal Veterinary officers had sealed almost all unlicensed meat shops.
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‘FCI found wanting in purchasing crops at
minimum support price’
Gurgaon, June 10 Dr Singh made this observation while inaugurating the 7th All India Conference of FCI Officers Association. In response, the officers regretted that the FCI was found lagging on account of the private parties entering in the arena. While the FCI was acting under the prescribed rules and minimum support price fixed by the government, the private parties were acting on commercial lines and as market forces. They were of the firm view that the FCI would perform better in competition if it was allowed to procure the grain at commercial rates. However, the Association assured the minister to make all-out effort to build up the image of the Corporation and the government. The minister was positive to the suggestions of the officers and asked them to prepare details about the matter for his ministry’s consideration. The Association put forth the grievances of officers before the minister. Demand of the officers include providing medical facilities to the retired officers at par with the serving officers, more funds for pension, formation of better HRD policy, increase of the role of officers and a sound transfer policy. The officers were particularly concerned over the induction of deputationists in FCI. Their grouse was that the induction of officers from outside skewed their promotional avenues of the cadre officers of the body. According to the General Secretary of the Association, Mr
J.S. Tuli, the minister was sympathetic to all the grievances of the officers. |
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Five officials booked for issuing illegal mobile connections
Gurgaon, June 10 Senior Superintendent of Police Hanif Qureshi informed that the police got a complaint from Ashwani, a resident of Nuh, stating that a number of mobile connections had been issued using his identity by Hutch mobile company. The police investigated the matter and raided various places. They found out that around 12,023 connections had been issued to 12 persons, informed the SSP. Mr Qureshi added that the police lodged the FIR under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 469, 471 and 120 B of IPC against Sanjay Mukharjee, Director; R Shiv Shankar, Vice-President, Operation; Raman Kumar, General Manager; Rajnish Vasudev, Zonal Manager; and Nirmal Kumar Verma, Zonal Manager of Hutch mobile operator of Haryana. Ravi, owner of a shop which had sold some of the connections to one person, has also been named in the FIR. The SSP revealed that out of 12 persons, against whom the connections have been issued, five belong to Rewari and Mewat district each while two persons hail from Gurgaon. However, no arrest has been made till now by the police, said the officer.
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INLD to launch drive against bias for Reliance
Gurgaon, June 10 Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the former Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha and INLD stalwart, Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot, and the district president of his party, Mr Aant Ram Tanwar, also said a few days back the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) auctioned three plots measuring about 1,940 sq yd in all at Rs 290 crore. The formalities for the public auction were not completed and this was done in a hush-hush manner. Had the auction been transparent more money could have come to the public exchequer, they added. They further said that even by the standard of the hush-hush auctions, the Reliance group was being given the land at a low price. The Director of the HSIDC, Mr Vinay Rathee, however, swiftly rebutted the charge of the INLD, saying that all formalities, including inserting advertisements in newspapers and other media several times for the auctions, had been done. There was good response and participation from the public.
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Arab Cultural Center to be set up at Jamia
New Delhi, June 10 It may be recalled that Saudi Arabia had recently announced a grant of US $30 million to Jamia Millia Islamia University for the proposed Arab Cultural Center. The proposed Arab Cultural Center will complement Jamia’s Department of Arab and Islamic Studies and the Centre for West Asian Studies. This center is expected to enlarge the focus of Indo-Arab ties from trade and commerce into creating a significant space for Arab culture, literature and arts at Jamia. The centre will be a repository for information on the Arab world, particularly on Saudi Arabia and provide a reference point for information. The library is expected to house an extensive collection of books, journals, magazines, manuscripts, web-based catalogues, audio-video collections, digital resources etc The centre will also in turn facilitate cross-cultural exchanges between writers, scholars and thinkers from India and the Arab world at both the academic and non-academic level. It may be pointed out that Jamia was also granted Rs 165 crore by the government to be utilised over a period of five years.
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Searing hot conditions continue to prevail
New Delhi, June 10 The last time the mercury in the Capital had crossed the 43 degree mark was on May 6 when the heat wave sweeping through the Capital saw the maximum temperature touching a five year high of 44.5 degree C. A mainly clear sky and bright sunlight led to searing hot conditions, forcing most people to remain indoors in the comfort of their houses or the airconditioned offices. The mercury in the Capital has been witnessing a rising trend since Monday, after three days of pleasant weather over the last weekend. From nearly 30 degree C over the weekend, mercury rose to 38.3 degree C on Monday, and subsequently to 40 degree C on Tuesday, to 40.4 degree C on Wednesday, 41.4 degree C on Thursday and further to 42.8 degree C yesterday. Weathermen say the scorching hot conditions are likely to prevail in the coming days. The weather office has forecast a mainly clear sky with dust or haze during the next 24 hours. They have also forecast a maximum temperature of 43 degree C tomorrow.
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Exhibition of diamond jewellery
New Delhi, June 10 This gala event will provide jewellery enthusiasts ample opportunity to take in the latest and most dazzling collection of OTM jewellery. The exclusivity of a diamond has been brought to life as OTM showcases its exclusive range of resplendent rings, exquisite earrings, beautiful bracelets, pendants and much more in the exhibition. Every piece of jewellery made at OTM is hallmarked by BIS. The success of OTM showrooms at Defence Colony, Karol Bagh and Noida are a testament to the response it has achieved in every initiative taken till date, be it in their choice of target market or their marketing strategy. OTM has been organizing such events in the past and promises to carry this tradition forward in the future also by holding such exhibitions constantly all over the country. — TNS
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Admissions open at UK university
New Delhi, June 10 A range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered at the University in subjects from art, media and design, business, environmental management to multimedia, hospitality, tourism and education.
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Police guilty of inaction on cow issue: DIG
Noida, June 10
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