The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Delhi and neighbourhood

MP demands probe into hoarding of essential items
New Delhi, June 25
The Outer Delhi Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar today demanded a ban on ‘future trading’ in commodities and imposition of Essential Commodities Act in Delhi to check the spurt in prices of essential items.

‘Terror-struck’ villagers complain to DIG
Noida, June 25
Villagers of Azampur-Hussainpur under the Kakhode police station went all the way to Meerut to lodge a complaint about the strong-arm methods of a wily woman who had become a terror in the area and appeal to the DIG to save them from her terror.

Girls participating in Super Model Hunt 2006 during a charitable programme to help poor girls marry, in the Capital. — A Tribune photograph

MCF corporator’s death mourned
Faridabad, June 25
Various social bodies and individuals have condoled the death of the elected member of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) from ward number- 29 here, Hawa Singh Rathi. A large number of residents which included political persons, businessmen and friends visited his residence in Sector-10 to express condolences. Mr Rathi had died after a heart failure in the early hours of June 23. Some of the social organizations, including the Haryana Sewak Samaj condoled the death at a meeting held here today.

Entrepreneur booked for bid to take over factory
Noida, June 25
The Noida police have registered a case of fraud and cheating against an entrepreneur who tried to take over a factory by preparing fake documents and getting it signed and stamped with a duplicate stamp of the bank manager.

Meet discusses problems facing Panchayati Raj system
Faridabad, June 25
The recent two-day state level convention of the Panchayati Raj bodies and the youth clubs held here highlighted various problems which ail the system. Though the government had been allotting funds to the village panchayats and other local bodies, several schemes do not take off due to lack of involvement of the people, it was felt.

MCD executive engineer suspended
New Delhi, June 25
An executive engineer under the Narela zone has been suspended for accumulation of wastewater in the Swatantra Nagar area in the zone, which was leading to unhygienic conditions.

Two held with 4.5 kg heroin
New Delhi, June 25
Two persons were arrested with 4.5 kg heroin here today. Official sources said the accused have been identified as Padamvir Singh and Sarfaroz Khan. The officials of Narcotics Control Bureau arrested the duo while they were waiting to hand over the contraband to one of their accomplice near Millenium Park in South district here.

Two drug peddlers being produced at Patiala House Court in the Capital on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Rajeev Tyagi

‘Monsoon still to arrive’
New Delhi, June 25
The turnaround in the weather in the national Capital territory of Delhi this week, which has led to several spells of rain, is not a pre-monsoon phenomenon, but the result of local developments, says the Met office.

Artscape
Rare exhibition of Tibetan, Nepali Thangkas
New Delhi, June 25
The Osian Asian here is holding a unique exhibition of Tibetan and Nepali Thangkas, Japanese Samurai armour, Japanese Ningyo, Javanese Goleks and Balinese Batuan paintings at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre from June 29 to July 19. Rare antiquarian books, lithographs and photographs showing popular culture along with travel posters, advertisements, calendars and playing cards will also be on display at the exhibition which is the fourth in the series.

Tiger skin seized

	‘Parcel mafia’ rules the roost at railway stations Nalini Ranjan New Delhi, June 25 At a time when the Railway Minister, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, is striving hard to give a clean and transparent image to the Indian Railways and provide better railway facilities to passengers, the three railway stations in the trans-Yamuna area—Anand Vihar, Vivek Vihar and Shahdara—are completely in the grip of the local luggage and parcel mafia. With the connivance of the Station Master, Railway Protection Force (RPF), the train ticket examiner (TTE), train driver, goods guard and other officials concerned, the mafia sends parcels worth lakhs every day through these stations without officially booking the items. Their influence is such that a train cannot depart without loading their parcels. They have direct contact with almost every passenger and EMU train’s power cabin in charge crossing through these stations, and needless to say, they are capable of converting a green signal to red if the need arises. According to sources, they are not only causing inconvenience to passengers but also evading paying lakhs of rupees every day which is rightfully precious railway money. “The worst hit stations are Anand Vihar and Vivek Vihar. They are most active from 6 am to 9 am and between 3 pm and late in the night everyday. During this timeframe, those stations look like parcel booking centres. It is interesting that at the time of loading of parcels, railway officials are present for collecting their respective commissions. It is worth mentioning the parcel booking facility is not available at any of the three railway stations. “Once the facility was available at only Shahdara railway station but due to some unavoidable reasons, the facility was wound up about 15 years ago,” said a local passenger. He said that passengers and EMU trains crossing through those stations were worst hit. “Most of these parcels are sent to Moradabad, Bareilly, Hapur, Gajraula, Amroha, Shahjahanpur. One can witness these illegal activities on the Delhi-Bareilly Intercity Express which departs every day in the evening from the Anand Vihar railway station,” he said. According to the president of the Trans-Yamuna Railway Passengers Association, Mr A. R. Vijnauri, “We have written many times in this regard to the officials concerned but to no avail. The parcel mafia is very powerful. Apart from their good connections with railway officials, they have strong political links. Precisely due to that reason, their illegal pursuit is continuing for years without any hindrance,” he added. When contacted, a senior officer of Northern Railway said the matter was grave. “Leave aside inconvenience caused to passengers, we are losing lakhs of rupees every day due to their illegal nexus. We will set up a team to investigate the matter and take stern action against those found guilty,” he reacted.
	Villagers gherao DLF police station Constable, two others ‘kidnap’ boy Ravi S. Singh Tribune News Service Gurgaon, June 25 A large number of residents of Chakarpur village today gheraoed the DLF police station to press for action against a constable and two others for allegedly kidnapping a boy of the village. The gherao continued for about an hour. The villagers relented only after an FIR was registered against the constable and two others in connection with the complaint regarding kidnapping. Also, the villagers were informed that one person had already been rounded up regarding the case. According to the villagers, the boy, Arjun (17), was sitting at his shop in DLF Phase-1 last evening when the constable turned up to demand a sum of Rs 500. When he was not obliged, the constable left the place in a huff. Later, the boy, a resident of the nearby Chakarpur village, was allegedly kidnapped. The police authorities have assured the villagers that the constable would be arrested shortly. It was an ugly scene at the police station, causing embarrassment to the police establishment and the government circles at large. Irate villagers were seen abusing police personnel. Today’s incident has caused immense damage to the image of the law-enforcing agency, which had been getting kudos of late for its apparent swift follow-up actions against crimes. The authorities will have to stretch themselves thin to restore public confidence in those donning the uniform.
	Cut-off goes upward in DU’s first list Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 25 With over a 1000 students having scored more than 90 per cent marks in their class XII examinations, netting the “few seats” in the Delhi University will be a difficult task. The first list released by the University “indicates a tough time for the admission seekers”, as cut-offs in most colleges having risen by one to two per cent from last year. While the cut-off have dropped marginally in few cases, there is an overall increase of about one to two per cent for Science and between two to three per cent for the Commerce and Arts streams. In Sri Venkateswara College, the cut-off for BA course is 80 per cent for the Arts stream, 84 per cent for Commerce and Science stream, in IP College the cut-off is 79-87 per cent, in LSR it is 88 per cent, 70 per cent in Maharaja Agrasen, 83 per cent in SGTB Khalsa, 81-83 per cent in Daulat Ram and 86 per cent in Hindu. For B.Com the cut-off in Sri Venkateswara is 90 per cent, while in Daulat Ram it is 88-91 per cent, in Delhi College of Arts and Commerce it is 88-93 per cent, in Kamla Nehru it is 84-88 per cent, in Zakir Husain it is 85-95 per cent. In Sri Venkateswara College, B.Com (Hons) has a cut-off of 93.5-95 per cent, in Lady Sriram College it is 94.25 per cent, it is 89.5-93.5 per cent in IP College, while it is 94.5-96.5 per cent in Sri Ram College of Commerce and 85-95 per cent in Zakir Hussain College. Economics (Hons) has a cut-off of 88.5-93.5 per cent in Hindu, 92.75 per cent in Hansraj, 81 per cent in Dyal Singh, 92.25-95.25 per cent in SRCC, 88.5 per cent in Kamla Nehru and 80 per cent in Deshbandhu College. In Sri Venkateshwara College, the cut- off for English (Hons), a popular course, is 83-90 per cent, 75-90 per cent in SGTB Khalsa, 74-75 per cent in ARSD, 75-78 per cent in Dyal Singh and 77 per cent in Deshbandhu College. In Daulat Ram College, the cut-off for Chemistry (Hons) is 79.5 per cent, in ANDC it is 74 per cent, 74 per cent in Dyal Singh and Deshbandhu, 78 per cent in Gargi, 84.66 per cent in Hansraj and 81.66 per cent in Kirori Mal College. The cut-off for B.SC in Biochemistry is 90 per cent in Daulat Ram, 84 per cent in Deshbandhu and 93 per cent in Sri Venkateswara College. The cut-off for B.Sc (Hons) Computer Science is 92 per cent in Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, 91-96 per cent in SGGSS College of Commerce. In Sri Venkateswara College, the cut-off for B.Sc Biological Sciences is 88 per cent, B.Sc Life Sciences is 80 per cent and B.Sc Physical Sciences is 65 per cent in Sri Aurobindo College. The cut-off for the restructured B.SC Physical Sciences course is 78 per cent in Miranda House, 72 per cent in Motilal Nehru College, 79 per cent in SGTB Khalsa and 72 per cent in Zakir Hussain. The cut-off for B.SC in Life Sciences is 70 per cent in ANDC, 75 per cent in ARSD, 80 per cent in Kirori Mal and 72 per cent in Zakir Hussain College. Mathematics (Hons) has a cut-off of 82 per cent in Daulat Ram College, 70 per cent in Dyal Singh, 81 per cent in ARSD, 76 per cent in Deshbandhu and 84-88 per cent in Sri Venkateshwara and 77 per cent in Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. Candidates can see the details of the cut- offs in colleges on June 26. Those who meet the requirements notified in the first list have been advised to complete their admission formalities in the colleges concerned by June 29. The colleges will also release subsequent cut-off lists on the basis of vacancy on stipulated dates.
	MP demands probe into hoarding of essential items Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 25 The Outer Delhi Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar today demanded a ban on ‘future trading’ in commodities and imposition of Essential Commodities Act in Delhi to check the spurt in prices of essential items. “A syndicate of traders is hoarding essential items and earning crores of rupees by using the Commodities Stock Exchange on the Internet, at the common man’s cost,” he said while addressing a press conference here. The price spiral was “artificial” as the traders, who benefited from the previous NDA government’s decision to allow futures trading in foodgrains were now conspiring against the Congress-led UPA government, he claimed. The Centre should immediately halt futures trading in commodities while the Delhi Government should order a probe into godowns stocked with wheat, rice, sugar and pulses, he said. The government should ensure that foodgrains stocked at godowns are not above a certain limit, he added, also demanding the immediate imposition of the Essential Commodities Act.
	‘Terror-struck’ villagers complain to DIG Parmindar Singh Noida, June 25 Villagers of Azampur-Hussainpur under the Kakhode police station went all the way to Meerut to lodge a complaint about the strong-arm methods of a wily woman who had become a terror in the area and appeal to the DIG to save them from her terror. The delegation comprised at least 35 villagers who told the DIG Range that even the local police were peeved at her antics. The woman, they told the DIG, was exploiting villagers by threatening them that she would involve them in false cases of rape. She was able to harass the police too as she declared that she belonged to the Chief Minister’s ancestral village. She claimed to know him well. The police were afraid to take any action against her. If policemen did not take any action on her complaints she reprimanded them and threatened them, too. At a panchayat meeting, she is alleged to have beaten up a poor man with her sandals and made him captive in Sefai village. The whole village had mutely watched this shameless spectacle. Nobody had shown the guts to oppose her. Though the DIG reportedly listened to the villagers and accepted their written complaint, assuring them of taking suitable action against the virago, the villagers are keeping their fingers crossed.
	MCF corporator’s death mourned Tribune News Service Faridabad, June 25 Various social bodies and individuals have condoled the death of the elected member of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) from ward number- 29 here, Hawa Singh Rathi. A large number of residents which included political persons, businessmen and friends visited his residence in Sector-10 to express condolences. Mr Rathi had died after a heart failure in the early hours of June 23. Some of the social organizations, including the Haryana Sewak Samaj condoled the death at a meeting held here today. Describing him as one of the most sincere members of the MCF, it said this unfortunate development had left all his friends shocked. The Samaj resolved to ask the MCF administration to name a prominent road in Sector- 10 and 11 after Mr Rathi. The Manav Sewa Samiti, the Faradized Abhibhawak Ekta Manch and the Residents Welfare Associations of Sector- 10 (DLF), Housing Board Colony, Sector- 11, Sector 8 and Sector- 9 have expressed grief over Rathi’s death. They have appealed to the MCF authorities to ensure immediate completion of all development work initiated due to his efforts.

	Entrepreneur booked for bid to take over factory Parmindar Singh Noida, June 25 The Noida police have registered a case of fraud and cheating against an entrepreneur who tried to take over a factory by preparing fake documents and getting it signed and stamped with a duplicate stamp of the bank manager. The police have registered a case and are trying to hunt the accused. Babu Lal of Gandhi Nagar, Delhi, has a factory in F-28, Sector-11 Noida. Babu Lal, who is sick, recently received a letter from the Noida Authority relating to the sale and transfer of his factory. The factory was to be transferred in the name of Sanjay Khanna, proprietor of a factory in E-24, Sector 11, Noida. When Babu Lal contacted Sanjay, the latter threatened him with dire consequences. Earlier, when Babu Lal contacted Noida Authority officials he was shocked to find that an application for transfer of his factory with his photograph and signatures on it had been counter-signed by a bank manager with his rubber stamp. Later, it was found by the Sector 24 police that the signatures and office stamp of the bank manager were fake. The police have registered a case for fraud and threat to murder against Sanjay Khanna. The police have launched a hunt for nabbing the accused Sanjay Khanna. According to the police, a number of fraud cases are pending against Sanjay Khanna at various police stations, including two Delhi police stations.
	Meet discusses problems facing Panchayati Raj system Bijendra Ahlawat Tribune News Service Faridabad, June 25 The recent two-day state level convention of the Panchayati Raj bodies and the youth clubs held here highlighted various problems which ail the system. Though the government had been allotting funds to the village panchayats and other local bodies, several schemes do not take off due to lack of involvement of the people, it was felt. Though the organizers of this convention, which was chaired by none other than Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs, claimed that over 500 representatives, including members of various local bodies and Nehru Yuvak Kendra’s took part, there were many participants who had been in the conference just to fill the attendance register. Some of the participants were aged even below 15 years, claimed one of the local representatives. He wondered how 100 people could take part in a group discussion on a particular topic as the participants were asked to form five different groups to talk about the selected topics and give their conclusion on paper. Some of the participants who were carrying just the participation tag on their shirts did not take part in the group discussion and used the occasion to create disturbance by making absurd comments while others were speaking from the dais, claimed a member of the organizing team of the event. The speeches clearly pointed to the lack of participation of the people in the decision-making and implementation of the various schemes at village level. While some of the sarpanches blamed the officials involved in the process for many problems, the youth clubs of the villages claimed that there was no provision of their participation in the meeting of the Gram Sabha or the accountability of the officials towards them.
	MCD executive engineer suspended Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 25 An executive engineer under the Narela zone has been suspended for accumulation of wastewater in the Swatantra Nagar area in the zone, which was leading to unhygienic conditions. Mohan Lal was today suspended by Leader of the MCD House Jitender Kochar during a visit to the area in the course of an extensive inspection of South Delhi nullahs. It was found that at Swatantra Nagar wastewater from houses was not being drained out. Consequently, it was getting collected in the streets, leading to unhygienic conditions. Mr Kochar said he, along with senior MCD functionaries, councillors and officials, would undertake inspection of various zones to oversee the desiltation work. The MCD Commissioner himself would join the inspection from Monday onward.
	Two held with 4.5 kg heroin Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 25 Two persons were arrested with 4.5 kg heroin here today. Official sources said the accused have been identified as Padamvir Singh and Sarfaroz Khan. The officials of Narcotics Control Bureau arrested the duo while they were waiting to hand over the contraband to one of their accomplice near Millenium Park in South district here. The NCB laid a trap to nab the accused and were arrested after receiving a tip-off. During interrogation, the accused revealed that they had come from Agra, sources said. The officials have also started a manhunt to nab the person, who was scheduled to come there to collect the drugs. According to information, the international value of the heroin seized has been estimated to be around Rs 4.5 crore. Further investigations were on.
	‘Monsoon still to arrive’ Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 25 The turnaround in the weather in the national Capital territory of Delhi this week, which has led to several spells of rain, is not a pre-monsoon phenomenon, but the result of local developments, says the Met office. The Met office said the heavy rainfall on Monday night and on Tuesday was caused by a fresh upper air cyclonic movement. The cyclonic movement, together with the high levels of humidity, resulted in the build up of clouds. Similarly, the heavily overcast sky and light rains yesterday were the offshoots of the high humidity levels and soaring mercury over the past few days. Also, the drop in temperature yesterday was caused by Easterly winds. The scheduled date for arrival of the monsoon in Delhi is June 29. However, there could be a deviation of a few days, a Met official said. The weather office said light rain or thundershowers are likely over the next 48 hours while there was a possibility of heavy rains at a few places in the adjoining states.
	Artscape Rare exhibition of Tibetan, Nepali Thangkas Ravi Bhatia Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 25 The Osian Asian here is holding a unique exhibition of Tibetan and Nepali Thangkas, Japanese Samurai armour, Japanese Ningyo, Javanese Goleks and Balinese Batuan paintings at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre from June 29 to July 19. Rare antiquarian books, lithographs and photographs showing popular culture along with travel posters, advertisements, calendars and playing cards will also be on display at the exhibition which is the fourth in the series. Curated by Neville Tuli, the exhibition is a manifestation of the continuing obsession of the Osian to rebuild one of the great knowledge bases of the civilization of the subcontinent as well as that of other Asian countries. Every item in the exhibition has been painstakingly collected by Osian to form part of its archive and library collection. Showcasing works of Benodbehari: The National Gallery of Modern Art here is holding an exhibition showcasing the works of the late artist, Benodbehari Mukherjee, at its gallery till August-end. Benodbehari Mukherjee was one of the better known artists of his time and his creations have been critically acclaimed all over. This exhibition is retrospective of his works. Exhibition at DLF Galleria: Quill and Canvas at DLF Galleria is holding an exhibition of the works of two contemporary artists, S. N. Sarkar and Amitava De Sarkar. The exhibition is on till June-end. Workshop by UK-based artist: For aspiring artists, the Visual Arts Gallery at the India Habitat Centre here is the place this summer. A UK-based artist, Gagandeep Singh is holding an art workshop daily till August-end for their benefit. The only criterion is that you have to be over 18 years of age to take advantage of the workshop. A Sufi experience: Shubha Mudgal, often referred to as a powerhouse of vocal talent, released her latest album, “The Awakening-Sufi Expressions” at a function here on June 21. Sponsored by Times Music, the album celebrates the awakening of the soul with rustic melodies and offers an extraordinary Sufi experience leading to self-realization.
	Tiger skin seized Our Correspondent Ghaziabad, June 25 The Sahibabad police arrested a Nepalese sadhu from the Delhi-Wazirabad road yesterday and seized a tiger skin from him. The skin commanded a price of Rs 2 lakh in the international market, the police said. The police are probing the matter under the provisions of the Protection of Wildlife Act. Sadhu Pashupati Giri, son of Shambu Giri, was arrested last afternoon near Tulsi Neketan Colony and the hide of the tiger seized from him.