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Metro to Anand Vihar running late
Dip in DU global ranking: VC
DELHI DIARY
UNDER THE NOSE OF MPs: In violation of government rules, a vendor sells cut fruit at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Friday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui |
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ASI sure of making history ahead of mega-sporting event
2009 brought cheer to consumers seeking rights
Jevar Airport: UP asked to prepare feasibility report
Most low-floor buses off road
Delhi shivers at 5.5°
Delhi power dept in profit: Report
IGNOU opens centre in CP
Singhal joins as Gt Noida CEO
Fake call for fire in
low-floor bus
Noida gets public facility centre
Retd banker robbed of cash, jewellery
Plan to set up computers in mosques: CM
Man dies after getting stuck between doors of school bus
10 hurt as bus drives into divider
The low-floor bus and the accident-scarred passengers near Moolchand flyover in New Delhi on Sunday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui
1 more swine flu death
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Metro to Anand Vihar running late
New Delhi, December 27 With the load of metro accidents that have taken place this year, DMRC officials are forced to sit back and take extra precaution before opening any new line. DMRC learnt yet another lesson with recent opening of the Noida line. There was chaos immediately after the line opened for public as the metro officials underestimated the ridership. Though metro officials told The Tribune that the line was absolutely ready to be opened and the delay was due to the four official holidays this month, the reason seemed to go beyond that. Passengers had to wait for more than half an hour for arrival of train as the stations became extremely crowded. The trail runs that began on the Anand Vihar line on December 12 are already over, but DMRC has not received the approval of Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). According to the previous schedule the line, had to be opened for public on December 29. “The deadline was the end of December, but now it doesn’t seem likely, there are no substantial reasons for this,” said sources in DMRC. The new tentative opening of the line is January first week now. “The delay is not much as we are planning to open it in first week of January, though we can’t tell the date right now,” said the official. The total length of this corridor is 6.17 km. The Metro would pass through five stations— Laxmi Nagar, Nirman Vihar, Preet Vihar, Karkarduma and Anand Vihar. The daily station load forecast for the Anand Vihar station is almost 2.5 lakh for 2011. The Anand Vihar line that would extend upto Vaishali soon is part of the larger transport hub that would make buses, trains and metro services compatible at the Anand Vihar station. The Anand Vihar ISBT has been functional for a few years now and the Indian Railways was coming up with a terminal for all east-bound trains by the end of this month.
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Dip in DU global ranking: VC
New Delhi, December 27 “Due to change in the ranking parameters of Times Review, the university has been formidably pulled down,” said Prof. Pental. He said the university’s data included the 2 lakh students of the School of Open Learning, which adversely affected the teacher-student ratio from 1:20 to 1:200. The rare opportunity of talking their hearts out with the highest administrator of the university was provided to DU students at the Summit of Olympus that ended in the university yesterday. Prof. Pental added that more creativity was required on the part of the university as far a designing the courses was concerned. India was now facing serious competition from Asian countries because of their technological aggression and thus it became imperative for the university to encourage greater research in scientific engineering and product development, he said. Answering a question on extra-curricular activities in the colleges, the vice-chancellor said they contributed in holistic development of the students. A physics student from Hansraj College wanted the college fee to be hiked by 10 times to facilitate better infrastructure, especially for science students. On this, Prof. Pental stressed that a macro view of the situation needed to be taken. He said infrastructure was a crucial matter and the university needed to look for alternative solutions. He also stressed the semester system. “Semester system fosters greater professionalism and uniformity. And Indian undergraduate course duration would witness an increase from three years to four years, similar to that of the engineering courses,” he said. Students of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies complained of insufficient college infrastructure. Prof. Pental said that the college deserved a better building which was being seriously looked into. |
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Turkey rules the roost on Xmas
Christmas celebrations in the Capital have become increasingly elaborate over the years. Upscale hotels now make provision for turkey which is traditionally served on this occasion while confectioners stock up on Xmas puddings, cakes and mince pies. The churches are, of course, the centre of activity as the devout make a beeline for the Midnight Mass. With more people joining in the festivities, grand arrangements were made at Pragati Maidan this year for Xmas celebrations. Roadside vendors selling Christmas caps did brisk business as was evident from the crowds which streamed out from the venue sporting the red caps. Boys, girls
separated
The stampede in a senior secondary school in Khajori Khas in the Trans Yamuna area has forced the Directorate of Education to end the Common Exam system (CES). The stampede resulted in the death of several girl students. Most government schools in the Capital have two shifts – the first is for boys and the second for girls. Both boys and girls appeared for the examinations together in a single shift. However, the authorities have had a rethink on this arrangement after the stampede. The education department has now decided to conduct the exams in separate shifts for the girls and boys. Rift over semester system
Joint opposition by Delhi University teachers pushed the Vice-Chancellor into dropping the proposal for the introduction of biometric attendance, but there are differences in its ranks on implementing the semester system in the university from the 2010-11 session. While a large section of teachers is opposed to the semester system, describing it as “disastrous and unwieldy”, the others are resigned to its introduction. For instance, the history department has given its verdict against the semester system, saying that it will take no step to implement it in the department. The English department is also in agreement. On the other hand, the Sanskrit and political science departments have started modifying the syllabus for the semester system. Undoubtedly, the Vice-Chancellor will have his hands full in getting the teachers accept the system. Power distribution companies in Delhi have made a New Year resolution to provide uninterrupted power supply to the residents in 2010. With Delhi Electricity Regularity Commission recently slapping a fine of over Rs.1.5 crore on BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, for overdrawing power from the Northern Grid and intensive loadshedding in the Capital, residents are wondering if the discoms will be able to fulfil their promise. However, even as they are making these resolutions, the discoms are pushing for a hike in power tariffs on the plea that the cost of power procurement has increased by 92 per cent since 2002 whereas the average cost of power has only increased by 46 per cent. Are you Albert Kahn?
A foreign visitor to the National Gallery of Modern Arts who had come to view the Albert Kahn exhibition did a doubletake when a young girl walked up to him eagerly and asked, “Sir, are you Albert Kahn?” Puzzled and confused, the visitor paused and then replied politely, “Umm….Sorry to disappoint you, but he is dead. Albert Kahn was a 17th century French philanthropist who financed French photographers to document the length and breadth of the planet. And this here is an exhibition of his works. Anything else I can help you with?” Needless to say, the questioner was left squirming. (Contributed by Syed Ali Ahmed, Charu Singh, Himani Chandel, Akhila Singh and Jyoti Rai) |
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ASI sure of making history ahead of mega-sporting event
New Delhi, December 27 The superintending archeologist, Delhi chapter of ASI, K K Mohammad stated, “All monuments would be ready much before the CWG and by the deadline of July 31. Though, after that we have a buffet period of three months during which any unfinished work and details would be taken care of.” The heightened spirit of ASI officials emerges from this year’s allocation of Rs 18 crore by the union ministry of culture that is apparently the highest-ever funding received by the conservatory department for giving a facelift to the monuments. Otherwise, the funds have always been nominal, i.e. within Rs 2-3 crore. On the condition of anonymity, a senior ASI official remarked, “The government has to propel its efforts for conservation by diverting more funds towards protection and preservation of monuments. You need a strong hand to conserve and market thereafter. Thanks to CWG, as never before, we had so much amounts, until the latest Rs 18 crore under this year’s planning head.” Adding that culturally, India treasures one of the richest and diverse heritage that the world has ever known, the official feels the attention given to conservation of historical structures has been very dismal in India and hence, China, Italy and England should stand as modals for the government. Nonetheless, the ASI is leveraging upon the opportunity to showcase the city’s history in all its grandeur, while the national Capital’s monumental heritage is basking in revival spirit, given the augmented attention. The entire uplifting exercise involves excavation, conservation, landscaping, illumination and finally sprucing up of the monuments and the two thrust areas in the whole plan are arrangement of toilets of international standards and putting signage before June. The major portion of the work at the Lal Quila, Purana Quila, Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb and Safdarjung Tomb, which are going to be the focal points of visit, has been finished. “Among the monuments, Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb have already been spruced up with renovated entry-point, ticket-house, toilet and drinking water facilities. We want to place the best before the visitors,” informed Mohammad. Though in a token manner, the CWG would surely act as a platform to show the world the pluralistic character of the Indian history through its architectural heritage and monuments. “The occasion is going to be an excellent opportunity to showcase our rich heritage. And with fewer than 10 months to go for the mega-sporting event, the work is now being taken up at one stretch and with a higher speed instead of phased manner,” outlined Mohammad. Though there are no doubts on the potential of the ASI, only time would tell whether it would keep its word as only half of the work has been finished since it started in March 2008.
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2009 brought cheer to consumers seeking rights
New Delhi, December 27 The year 2009, however, will be best remembered for a decision of the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission saying a critical patient cannot be shifted from an ICU to a general ward of any hospital merely on monetary considerations. “The prime object of the medical profession is to render service to humanity. Reward or financial gain is a secondary consideration and any deviation from such norms could amount to deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act,” the apex consumer body said. Even, premier private hospital Indraprastha Apollo was not spared by Delhi Consumer Commission for delay in treating a critical patient who died later. The Commission directed the hospital to pay Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. Similarly, when reputed homoeopathic clinic Dr Batra refused to divulge details of ailment to a patient, the District Consumer Forum considered it “deficiency in service” and directed it to apprise the consumer about the disease along with compensation. The National Commission awarded a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to a patient whose kidney was removed by the doctors without his consent. Consumer panels also came to the rescue of passengers ‘harassed’ by aviation companies — Ethopian Airlines, SpiceJet and Air India. Similarly, Air India was directed to pay Rs 1.40 lakh to a woman for not allowing her to board even after carrying a confirmed ticket. LIC was rapped repeatedly by the panel either for repudiating the genuine claims of consumers on artificial grounds or its failure to explain clearly risk factors of policies, making the policy holder more prone to risk. Further, it said the delay in informing an insurance company in a vehicle theft case is not a ground for denying claim if a policy holder filed a case immediately after the incident. The court said the criminal background of a policy holder would not be a hurdle for an insurance company to deny claim to his or her nominee. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) was asked to pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to a consumer by the panel for supplying a LPG cylinder with manufacturing defect which exploded later killing his only son. Delhi University came under the scanner of consumer court when aggrieved students approached it opposing transfer of Russian study centre from south to north campus.
It directed the university to provide alternative teaching facilities for Russian studies at the south campus itself. A series of complaints were filed against forcible recovery of loans and loaned vehicles by financial companies with the help of muscle-men in the consumer courts. They took exception to these practices employed by the banks and imposed penalty on them for harassing customers. The State Commission deprecated the practice of including the credit card holder’s name by Credit Information Bureau India Ltd (CIBIL) in the loan defaulters’ list despite having settled all disputes and held that it amounts to unfair trade practice. Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Private Ltd was directed to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to a Delhi-based doctor who was hospitalised after consuming company’s soft drink, the bottle of which contained fungus. A dairy owner who lost 19 buffaloes due to negligence of a veterinary doctor was compensated when the consumer court directed the Delhi government to pay Rs 5 lakh to him as compensation. Mineral bottles sold at varying prices to consumers by companies was held to be as an unfair trade practice by the consumer panel. The Delhi Consumer Commission held that bottled mineral water cannot be sold by different companies at varying prices as the product is not like other drinks having distinguishable
features. — PTI |
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Jevar Airport: UP asked to prepare feasibility report
Greater
Noida, December 27 This was revealed when Gautam Budha Nagar (Noida) Member of Parliament Surindra Singh Nagar raised the question of Jevar Airport in the Lok
Sabha. "In reply to my question on Jevar Airport, minister of state (independent charge) of civil aviation Praful Patel submitted that the government has considered the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh government for in-principle approval for setting up of an international airport at Greater Noida and referred it to the Group of Ministers. The Group of Ministers has desired a revised Techno Economic Feasibility Report
(TEFR). The state government has been asked to prepare a supplementary
TEFR," said Nagar. "Regarding modernization of other airports in Uttar
Pradesh, Patel submitted that Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken up the upgradation work at Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow Airports in UP," said
Nagar. "Besides, the state government has also forwarded a proposal to set up of a new Greenfield airport at
Kushinagar," he added. Nagar said, "As the airport site is along the under-construction Yamuna Expressway, one will get a signal-free non-stop drive to Jevar airport from East Delhi and South Delhi. Moreover,
Faridabad, Ghaziabad and surrounding district will get signal-free connectivity to the airport through Eastern Peripheral Expressway." |
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Most low-floor buses off road
New Delhi, December 27 Tata Motors Limited, manufacturer of the bus, said that poor maintenance of buses could be the cause reason fire and wheel-jam incidents. A total of 1,000 low-floor buses are there in Delhi. Of them 700 were off the road. As it was weekly off day today, there was less rush of passengers on roads. At various places like Delhi Zoo, Nizamuddin and other places, people were seen on bus stops waiting for the low-floor buses. They had to board Blueline buses after a long wait. Yoginder Singh, who had come from Badarpur to Delhi Zoo along with his children, said that it was comfortable to travel in low-floor buses. But only a few buses were on roads. They were visible on BRT corridor. Joginder who travelled from Mehrauli to Anand Vihar said that on this route also, just a few low-floor buses were seen. If the buses do not come on road till tomorrow, there will be a major problem as tomorrow is a working day. Naresh Kumar, managing director, Delhi Transport Corporation, said that today 700 buses were on road. Maintenance work of 300 buses is being done. Tomorrow all the low-floor buses will ply. |
New Delhi, December 27 “The minimum temperature recorded in the morning was 5.5 degrees, at least three degrees below normal. Last year, its was 7 degrees on Dec 27,” an official of the India IMD told IANS. As predicted, the city witnessed moderate foggy conditions with the visibility at 200 m, the official said. Apart from the thousands of commuters who drove cautiously on Delhi roads, the last one day match between India and Sri Lanka here was also delayed by at least 15 minutes. “It was bit hazy in the morning and we drove slowly to avoid any accident,” said Dipayan Das, who lives in east Delhi. “It’s certainly cold and we are not taking any chance while going out of our home. Two layers of woolens and a cap is what I am resorting to these days,” Das added. IMD officials said the weather conditions were normal for this time of the year. “Its very normal. Expect a maximum of around 22 degrees today (Sunday) and tomorrow, the minimum may increase to six degrees. More than the temperature, its the chilly wind that is affecting Delhiites,” the official added. — IANS
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Delhi power dept in profit: Report
New Delhi, December 27 In 2008-2009, DTL had earned a profit of Rs 63.51 crore, which is 22.84 per cent more than the last year. The report said that the rise in the profit is despite the fact that during the financial year 2008-2009, the company had incurred net liability towards revised power purchase cost amounting to Rs 135.78 crore. The report claimed that company’s profit may increase if it is given its share of Rs 17.21 crore from NDMC revenue. Director operation, DTL, Kaul A. K. said the subsidy was for the poor consumers of power. Middle and High class residents of the capital were not given subsidy. They were exempted from the subsidy. It is useless to say that withdrawing subsidy has effected the power tariff. So far nothing has been done in connection with the power tariff. Former president of Delhi unit of the BJP Harshvardhan said it seemed that Delhi government was playing in the hands of the private power companies – BSES and NDPL.
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IGNOU opens centre in CP
New Delhi, December 27 The centre has been established at YMCA Tourist Hostel in Connaught Place and is the only city centre opened by the university in the country. Any information required by students aspiring to be part of the university could earlier be obtained by going to Indira Gandhi National Open University campus in Maidan Garhi which is located at a distant place. The university spokesperson said the students were finding it difficult to get to the university’s headquarters at Maidan Garhi. Facilities like distribution, deposition and collection of documents like registration forms, exam applications, etc would be provided at the centre set up in 1,400 square feet area on the YMCA premises. There are seven staff members recruited by the university to run the centre. A student guidance cell has also been set up at the centre. The administration is also planning to set up a counseling cell on the premises.
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Singhal joins as Gt Noida CEO
Greater Noida, December
27 Singhal served Etah, Bijnor, Kanpur as collector and DM. Since 2004, he had been on deputation at Centre in Finance & Revenue Departments. He had returned from deputation on October 31 this year and had since been waiting posting. Addressing the media today, Singhal said, “My priorities will be to implement the state government policies for the welfare of the people. Main thrust will be on industrial development. Farmers’ issue would be settled through mutual discussion. The administration will be made more responsive and transparent. City will be developed as per plan. Public grievances will be heard and addressed on priority.” |
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Fake call for fire in
low-floor bus
New Delhi, December 27 Personnel in the PCR van asked the driver to find out the caller. But the driver expressed ignorance and simply said that there was no fire. Naresh Kumar said that the caller might be some anti-social element who had made the call to create panic. The police would nab the caller on the basis of the telephone number recorded in the police control room.
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Noida gets public facility centre
Noida, December 27 The centre will issue instant certificates connected with various services. Initially, certificates of caste, income and residence will be issued. Information related to ration cards and surrender certificates will also be available at the centre. Railway reservation facility has been planned at the centre. Copy of land records, mutation papers, revenue court-related list and certificates for pension schemes of old age, widow and handicap will be available at the centre. Presently one has to go to the Greater Noida collectorate or tehsils to get these certificates. Now these will be available at Noida itself.
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Retd banker robbed of cash, jewellery
New Delhi, December 27 The robbers were armed and had covered their faces with monkey caps. They broke open the grill of the house of S K Sharma in the Preet Vihar area around 5 am. The robbers woke up Sharma, his wife and family members, and tied them with a rope before decamping with Rs 2100, a gold chain and a bangle, said the police. Moreover, the robbers also asked Sharma and his family members to keep quiet and not to raise the alarm. Police said the family members claimed that the armed robbers seemed to be Bangladeshis. “The case is being investigated. Efforts are on to identify the robbers,” a senior police official said. |
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Plan to set up computers in mosques: CM
New Delhi, December 27 Installing a computer at madrassa Imtiyazul Uloom in Majidia Mosque, the Chief Minister said that the government had a longstanding plan to install computers in madrassas as well as mosques. It also planned to impart computer training to imams and caretakers of the mosques. She said that the Delhi government had constituted a committee to find out a list of madrassas and mosques. A senior officer has been given this task. Now the computers are being purchased by the Delhi Urdu Academy.
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Man dies after getting stuck between doors of school bus
New Delhi, December 27 The accident occurred around 1.15 p.m. inside the premises of the Birla Vidya Niketan in Saket in south Delhi. “Sanjay was cleaning the bus which was parked inside the school. There was no one except him. He might have pressed the close button of the automatic door and got stuck while trying to get out,” a police official said. He added the bus was a low-floor one similar to those run by the state
transport. — TNS |
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10 hurt as bus drives into divider
New Delhi, December 27 The incident took place early in the morning around 7.30 in Lajpat Nagar when the bus bound for Bajitpur from Badarpur hit the divider. Police officials said that ten people, including a woman, were injured in the incident. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Sources said that the bus was in full speed. The driver lost control over the wheels. The driver and conductor fled the scene leaving the passengers stranded on the road, the police said. |
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1 more swine flu death
New Delhi, December 27 However, the details of the person are not known. The city reported 77 new cases of swine flu. It has so far reported over 9,100 cases of H1N1, they said.
— TNS |
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Christmas celebrations in the Capital have become increasingly elaborate over the years. Upscale hotels now make provision for turkey which is traditionally served on this occasion while confectioners stock up on Xmas puddings, cakes and mince pies.
New Delhi, December 27
