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20 students held at Oz mission
DU prepares for placement drive
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Delhi’s R-Day tableau designs rejected
Delhi-Mumbai train chugs out
166 projects cleared for Delhi villages
Discoms ‘prepared’
for summer
Pact to procure solar power signed
Hospital neglect alleged in patient’s death
Charges framed against suspected terrorists
2 LeT men get 7-yr jail
for keeping RDX
Two held for murder
Raids held to check sugar hoarding
Night shelters to be revamped
H1N1 cases
Adopters fight shy of special mother’s child
GDA seeks magistrate’s help for underpass construction
BPO employee robbed in Noida
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20 students held at Oz mission
New Delhi, January 12 The students, who were taken to the Chanakyapuri police station, were later released. In the past two weeks, alleged racist attacks on Indians in Australia have claimed lives of two young boys— Ranjodh Singh and Nitin Garg —, while one 29-year-old Jaspreet Singh is recovering from burn injuries. “It was a peaceful demonstration and we were not informed about the charges pressed against the arrested students,” said Ravi Rai, national general secretary of the All India Students Association (AISA). “Attacks on Indians are not a new thing in Australia. These assaults have only become more violent and frequent,” said Rai, while asking the Australian authorities why Indians constituted 30 per cent of the victims if the attacks were not racist as claimed by their government. The students alleged that the Australians authorities themselves were no less prejudiced against Indians. “The advisories issued to Indian students by the Australian government made clear its prejudices against the Indian community,” said Sucheta De from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of the protesters. The advisories said that “Indians should not talk in their native language loudly in public places or travel with expensive items like MP3 players on display.” Pointing out that the Indian government was making it easier for the Australian government to get away with the responsibility of ensuring safety of Indians residing in its country, Sucheta De said India must take stern and decisive measures to pressurise Australia to combat race crimes.
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DU prepares for placement drive
New Delhi, January 12 Beating the lingering recession, companies are flocking to the university to recruit students. Central placement cell officials say that at least 10 companies will be visiting the campus during the current placement drive and some of them may recruit big numbers. A central placement cell (CPC) official said, “We have been getting enquiries from different companies about recruitment and we expect that they will be recruiting more students this year as compared to last year. There is considerable interest in the industry about our students. Currently, we have been handling these enquiries and also preparing our students for placements which will begin soon. The last recruitment drive was held in December and then at least 45 of our students were recruited.” The CPC has also assured students that the highest pay package would be pegged at Rs 15 lakh which is on offer by a South African company. The varsity is also pushing for the recruitment of disabled students. A CPC official said, “It is the corporate responsibility of companies to recruit at least a few disabled students. We have broached this subject with different companies and received positive replies from some of them. In the last session, two disabled students had got recruited.” |
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Delhi’s R-Day tableau designs rejected
New Delhi, January 12 The Delhi government had chosen three themes for the tableau – Tryst with destiny (niyat ke sath sakshatkar): Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Delhi – a city of festivals and Delhi – India in one city. According to the sources, designs of these themes were not selected by the expert committee for selection of tableaux, ministry of defence, as they were not found fit for the Republic Day Parade. Director of the Directorate of Information and Publicity, Delhi government, Alka Dewan denied knowing about the tableau design for this year parade, saying that the Delhi government had no tableau for the Republic Day Parade for the last three years. The last tableau of the government was Stree Shakti, she said. Tender for all the designs were given in July 2009. As far as the Commonwealth Games were concerned, five companies who claimed to be expert in the design had submitted their applications, but Anakan Creative Products was given the contract for the design for Rs 56 lakh. But the contract was later given to some other company that led to a dispute among Anakan Creative Products, the ministry of sports, CWG organizing committee and the Delhi government. The row delayed the final design submitted to the expert committee, but it was not selected, the sources said. Chief secretary, Delhi government, Rakesh Mehta said that the joint design on the Commonwealth Games was submitted by the sports ministry. Protocol of the defence ministry can only tell why it was rejected, he said.
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Chill continues to hold grip
New Delhi, January 12 The minimum temperature, however, rose marginally and settled at 7 degrees Celsius. “The low maximum temperature made the weather chilly. But absence of fog ensured smooth air traffic movement,” said a metrological department official. However, some respite is expected to arrive tomorrow as the metrological department has predicted a rise in temperature but coupled with light rain. “The sky will remain partly cloudy and light rain is expected. We are expecting this to cause rise in temperature,” the official said. “The expected drizzle is due to a western disturbance and will impact the northwestern areas of the country,” the official added. While the weatherman predicts light rain tomorrow along with rise in minimum temperature, in the coming days, temperature is likely to dip further.
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Delhi-Mumbai train chugs out
New Delhi, January 12 The Chief Minister also inaugurated a mobile computerised ticket van and a first-class air-conditioned waiting hall at Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. Dikshit said that the train would provide concessions in fares to travellers in the age group of 18 to 45 years, low income group and to unemployed youth. However, for others, the cost of the ticket would be normal. Further, 60 per cent of the seats in the train will be reserved for the youth and those belonging to the low income group. For availing the concession, the youth and the low income group passengers will have to present a proof of date of birth as well as the registration certificate of employment exchange at the time of the booking of the ticket as well as while traveling. Flagging off the train, Dikshit said that the launch of Yuva Express on the occasion of the birthday celebrations of Swami Vivekanand was a gesture of the railway minister to provide a helping hand to the youth. Minister of state, Railways, K.H. Muniyappa; Member of Parliament, Sandeep Dikshit; MLA and parliamentary secretary to Chief Minister, Tarvinder Singh Marwah; Swami Shantatmanand, chairman, Railway Board; general manager, Northern Railways and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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166 projects cleared for Delhi villages
New Delhi, January 12 He said that the government is committed to providing all the basic facilities in rural areas before the beginning of Commonwealth Games. Chauhan also pointed out that the government is taking all necessary steps to improve the condition of roads, crematorium, parks, small drains and multipurpose community halls in the rural areas. He said the officials of DJB, MCD and electricity department have been issued necessary instructions in this regard. Chauhan said the government is also taking steps for the development of 476 ponds in all the 192 villages. He appealed to the MLAs of rural areas to present more proposals for the development of rural areas. |
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Discoms ‘prepared’
for summer
New Delhi, January 12 The discoms said they had started preparing for the summer. According to them, they have secured sufficient electricity for summer by supplying surplus power during lean months (January to March) to other states. The surplus power will be banked till March 31 and will be made available to BRPL and BYPL customers during Delhi’s peak summer months. “To have a comfortable summer, BRPL and BYPL in an agreement with the Delhi Power Procurement Group (DPPG) have not only started banking surplus power during lean periods but are also exploring options for banking additional power,” said a spokesperson of BSES. BRPL has started banking 233 MW of surplus power daily during the lean hours (night) in January. For February and March, it has firmed up arrangements to bank 297 MW, in each of the two months. Additionally, it is actively exploring options to bank an additional 200 MW daily, in each of the three months. “For January, BYPL has started banking 233 MW of surplus power during the night hours. For February and March, the company has firmed arrangements to bank 338.10 MW and 310 MW of surplus power, respectively,” he said. Discoms officials said that the banked power would not only ensure a comfortable power situation during summer months, but also cushion the power tariff burden to an extent, as there was no monetary transaction involved in banking. “For the purpose, an innovative method of banking is being adopted to reduce the burden of cost on the consumer,” said Gopal Saxena, CEO, BRPL. “This early preparations and buffer will ensure that the company is not caught unawares,” said Ramesh Narayanan, CEO BYPL. |
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Pact to procure solar power signed
New Delhi, January 12 At a ceremony in Shakti Sadan today, Gopal Saxena, CEO BRPL, and Ramesh Narayanan, CEO BYPL, signed their respective MoU’s with the ACME vice-chairman RB Mishra. BRPL and BYPL will procure 50 MW, 25 MW each from their Rs 750-crore solar thermal power plant coming up in Jaisalmer, at a tariff to be determined by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. The plant is expected to be commissioned by June 2011. “The solar mission forms a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and has a target of achieving 20,000MW solar power by 2020. Such steps will collectively go a long way in achieving India’s climate change agenda,” said Rajendra Kumar, secretary, power, Delhi government. |
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Venky graduate cooks his way to fame
New Delhi, January 12 Model, actor, chef, and now anchor for Chakh Le India, Aditya Bal was recently in the city for a campaign. One of the judges in the campaign, Aditya lets us quiz him. After completing his schooling from Sanawar, Aditya completed his graduation from the city’s Venky College. He has been a part of many fashion shows. How did he enter kitchen from the ramp? He replies, “I’m self-taught. My education in cooking is through self-experimentation and learning from chefs.” He worked in a friend’s restaurant in Goa and found his passion amidst the spices. For the next two years’ training at various restaurants, he learnt more on Italian, Mediterranean, Continental and French cuisine. On “Chakh Le India”, he says, “It’s a fine mix of the three things I love—travel, culture and cuisine. I have been exploring various aspects of Indian cuisines. I do not follow a set recipe. Eight out of ten Indian households still cook food at home and a set recipe wouldn’t please them all.” On his future plans, Bal says, “I am working on my cookery book. It is a universal cookery book to suit the present generation that doesn’t have much time to cook.”
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Hospital neglect alleged in patient’s death
New Delhi, January 12 The sons of the woman, Vinod and Tinku, have alleged it was due to negligence on the part of the treating doctors of the hospital as was reported in these columns. However, the medical superintendent of Safdarjung hospital, Dr K. T. Bhowmik said if the family feels that the patient has been neglected, it can take the course of law. Even as a decision was awaited on the future of her leg, Bimla’s life came to a close on January 2. “She succumbed to multiple-organ failure. She had collapsed after a perforation in the abdominal cavity,” remarked Dr Shivani Paruthi of general surgery. The woman’s sons alleged, “Our mother died due to the negligence of doctors, who kept us in the dark about her condition. All relevant tests weren’t carried out and she was discharged and sent to OPD despite being critically injured.” |
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Charges framed against suspected terrorists
New Delhi, January 12 Additional sessions judge Dharmesh Sharma charged accused Javed Ahmed Tontrey and Ashiq Ali Bhat under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Arms Act. In addition, Shariq has also been charged under Section 411 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court is yet to frame charges under the Explosive Substances Act. The accused allegedly tried to hatch a criminal conspiracy with Pakistan-based militants— HM supreme commander Syed Sallauddin, deputy commander Khalid Saifullah and Shahid— to carry out terrorist activities and procure arms. However, due to lack of evidence, the court did not charge the duo of offences relating to waging war against the country under the IPC. The court fixed March 29, 30 and 31 for recording evidences as both the accused did not plead guilty and wished to contest the charges against them. Tontrey and Bhat were apprehended by the Delhi police’s special cell on August 6, 2009 from Daryaganj for allegedly planning terror attacks before the Independence Day – August 15. The duo were caught possessing two AK-47 rifles, two hand grenades, two pair of magazines besides four packets containing 120 rounds of live ammunition with them, said the police.
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2 LeT men get 7-yr jail
for keeping RDX
New Delhi, January 12 The accused were arrested on March 5, 2005 for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to attack the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun. They were found possessing 10.5 kg RDX. Additional sessions judge Dharmesh Sharma held Hamid Hussain and Mohd. Shariq guilty of Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act (possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances) and Section 18 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh on Hamid and Rs 1.30 lakh on Shariq for possessing 10.5 kg of RDX. However, due to lack of evidences, the court denied the prosecutions claim that the convicts planned to attack the IMA. “The disclosure statement of the accused that they were members of the banned LeT and planned to the IMA is not admissible,” the magistrate said. Thereby, the court acquitted the duo of the charges under Sections 121, 121(a), 122 and 123 of the IPC relating to intention to wage war against the Indian government. Arguing on the quantum of sentence, M.S. Khan, the counsel of the accused, who were convicted on January 8, sought lenient punishment on the grounds that the duo were young and the only bread winners of the family with elderly parents to look after. The convicts have already undergone a jail term of four years and 10 months, Khan added. While the public prosecutor sought maximum sentence on the grounds that the convicts were found to be in possession of huge quantity of explosives that could have been unsafe for the society. On January 8, the court had found Hamid and Shariq guilty under the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. However, the court acquitted four other accused— Haroon Rashid, Mohammed Iftikhar, Masood Ahmed and Maulana Dilawar Khan— as the Delhi police failed to provide any evidence against them. The Delhi police’s special cell had unearthed the alleged conspiracy following the arrests of the convicts from Mukbara Chowk near Burari in Delhi. On the basis of information provided by them after their arrest, the Delhi police, while trying to arrest other accomplices, had carried out an encounter in Uttam Nagar. Three suspected LeT militants— Bilawal, Shahnawaz and one of their Indian accomplices— were killed in the encounter. The police had claimed to have recovered huge quantities of arms and ammunitions, including three AK-47 rifles, 450 detonators, 100 kg dynamite, one satellite phone and a Maruti car, from the killed men. In March 2005, the police arrested Iftikar and Dilawar. The special cell claimed to have recovered a Russia-made grenade from Dilawar. Eventually, Masood and Haroon were arrested. Masood was trapped near the Welcome Metro station. The special cell allegedly recovered a map of Dehradun and a book containing details of the IMA from their possession. |
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Two held for murder
New Delhi, January 12 On January 10, the police station of Mayur Vihar got information that Ram Chandran, alias Ramu, had been stabbed. He was identified to be a bad character in the record of police. The police took him to LBS Hospital where he was declared dead. During the investigation, Ramu was found involved in 11 cases. It was also revealed that in November, a case was registered against Ramu by Amit. Laxmi, with whom the deceased had been staying, disclosed that on January 10 at about 8 pm, three people visited Ramu’s jhuggi to inquire about him. One of them was Amit. Working on this information, the police conducted raid and arrested Shishpal and Amit from a TSR stand, near gurdwara, Trilokpuri. On interrogation, both the accused confessed to their involvement in the crime. |
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Raids held to check sugar hoarding
New Delhi, January 12 Keen to bring down sugar prices prevailing at a high of Rs 48 a kg, raids have been conducted at 14 places in the last three days. “Six enforcement teams are conducting raids across the city for the past three days. Raids were conducted on 14 big sugar traders but everywhere the storage was within the prescribed limit of 1,000 quintals,” said Delhi’s food and civil supplies minister Haroon Yusuf. “We have decided to intensify raids and more teams will be pressed into service. Sugar is a problem as we are a non-producing state,” Yusuf said. The minister added that five FIR’s had been registered separately during raids to check hoarding of rice. Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has warned that the country would continue to face sugar deficit for a year. — IANS |
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Night shelters to be revamped
New Delhi, January 12 “With the Capital already in the grip of a cold wave, we will ensure that the homeless in the night shelters get blankets and clothes to face the freezing nights,” said Subhash Arya, Leader of House. The MCD delegation examined the arrangements at several night shelters in the city last night.
Leader of House along with MCD Standing Committee chairman R K Singhal visited three night shelters in Fatepuri and Delhi Gate areas in the walled city and distributed blankets to the homeless. |
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Adopters fight shy of special mother’s child
Noida, January 12 Noida’s renowned gynaecologist Pratibha Singhal, said, “It is difficult to say through any test at this stage whether she will be mentally challenged. It may take several years to surface the symptoms.” “Several childless couples were coming forward and expressed desire to adopt the child. I have sent them to the city magistrate office to get approval. As it was premature delivery, the baby needs medical care,” said Rajrani Kansal, chief medical superintendent, District Hospital. City magistrate Raja Ram said, “No couple has approached me so far for adoption of the baby. Proper legal process will be followed before giving the child to any couple.” “We want a healthy child. We will wait for a few days till doctors declare her medically fit,” said one of the couples who had come today at district hospital. Another couple who had come from Delhi, said, “We changed our decision after seeing the baby’s mother who is mentally challenged. We too have decided to wait for a few months and only then we will take a decision to adopt this child.” However, some couples were still interested to adopt her. “We will adopt her as she is. We will get her treatment and keep her. Our marriage took place 10 years ago and I could not conceive a child. Only last week, my husband decided to adopt the child,” said a woman from Faridabad who had come to see the child today. Still some couples were reluctant to adopt the child as they feel the woman may be a rape victim who was lying unconscious in a place from where the Noida police took her to hospital two months ago. |
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GDA seeks magistrate’s help for underpass construction
Ghaziabad, January 12 The work at the two sites has been held up for the past one year. According to the plan, a 500-meter long underpass was to be built at Nasirpur railway crossing and the road around Jain temple railway crossing in Nehru Nagar was to be widened. But the problem with the Ghaziabad Development Authority is that the underpass cannot be constructed without closing the railway crossing and the railway board is not giving its permission for it. However, now traders have also come out against the construction of the underpass. They claim that the underpass will be of no use and so an overbridge should be constructed instead of an underpass. The Nehru Nagar-Ashok Nagar Vyapar Mandal has written to the Ghaziabad Development Authority to construct an overbridge at the crossing instead of an underpass. Mandal president M. P. Singh said Rs 20 crore would be wasted if underpass was constructed at the spot. “We have sought the district magistrate’s intervention to resolve the issu,” said N. Choudhary, vice- chairman, Ghaziabad Development Authority. He added that the GDA haziabad Development Authority was also considering the traders’ demand of an overbridge. |
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BPO employee robbed in Noida
Noida, January 12 I had walked few hundred meters when suddenly two bikes stopped near me. The pillion riders got down and assaulted me. They snatched my mobile phone and few thousand rupees that I was carrying,” said Ritesh Kumar, the victim who works with a BPO at Sector 63. “An FIR has been registered in this regard. We are trying to catch the culprits, but till late Tuesday evening, they were not traceable,” said P. P. Singh, station house officer, Sector 20 police station. |
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New Delhi, January 12
