|
|
|
|
|
Thousands march up to India Gate, Jantar Mantar
Students bunk classes to back Anna
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Lawyers too advocate cause
Farmers’ relief cheques not bouncing, says GNIDA chief
Court pulls up DDA over delay in plot allotment
CM assesses flood preparations
SC orders resealing of Delhi market
Cong MLA re-elected chief of DSCB
|
|
Thousands march up to India Gate, Jantar Mantar
New Delhi, August 17 The public asserted their outrage at Anna's arrest yesterday and accused the government of stifling democracy. Others staunchly voiced that till the Jan Lokpal Bill by Hazare would not be introduced in Parliament, the public movement on roads would continue endlessly. Holding the Indian flag up high and shouting slogans like "Sonia jiski mummy hain, woh sarkar nikammi hain" and "Vande Mataram", thousands of protesters walked in a single-lined procession from India Gate to Jantar Mantar this evening. The gathering had initially planned to march down till Sansad Bhawan, but was prevented by the police. Others had a harder hitting message for the government on their placards like, "loktantra ki hatya nahi chalegi", "humare hath Anna ke saath" and "Humari sarkar humare khilaf hain". After sunset, the massive congregation of people assembled at India Gate to showcase their solidarity by organising a huge candlelight vigil for Anna, now being called names like the anti-corruption crusader and the second Gandhi. The congregation grew in number with every passing minute as people reached out to many more through mobile text messages. There were some compelling protestors who donned caps, similar to that of Anna's and referred to themselves as Anna, flaunting slogans like "I am Anna" on their caps. "This movement has started from the hearts and minds of the public. They are angered by the government for being an anti-corruption regime by arresting Anna. The crowd of people, especially youth, has developed the spirit to fight against political dictatorship in India. And as long as the people have the spirit to fight, the movement will continue," said Prabhat Paliwal, from Greater Kailash, who decided to participate in the protests instead of going to his health and consultancy firm. Some chose a more graphic and visible form to garner attention to the cause. Rajendra Pal Singh, covered in chains from head to toe said, "These chains binding me convey how our democracy is shackled by the government. This feeling is now inherent within all the people who are protesting here today. Everyone wants the Jan Lokpal Bill to be implemented," he said. Rahul Singh Rathore, who teaches English at the Kalka Public School, said Anna was the torchbearer of the campaign against corruption. "He is a guiding light and now the public is ready to continue this struggle to make it successful. It is very important that corruption is removed from the bottom rung of the system. If the Jan Lokpal Bill is implemented, then the CBI and the Primie Minister should be included in it," he said. He added that the administration of the system had to be powerful to eradicate the menace, which he called corruption. |
|
Students bunk classes to back Anna
New Delhi, August 17 While some decided to help out with crowd management and small water and food needs at protest venues, others were helping in managing the campaign against corruption and for Anna's support online on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. Delhi University (DU) students participated in a march supporting Anna at North Campus today, and a students' political party is also planning a DU bandh tomorrow. A group of students at DU is helping the organisers at "India against Corruption" in supplying food and water supplies to those being held at Chhatrasal Stadium and those outside Tihar Jail today. "We approached the organisers asking them if we could be of help in any small way. We wanted to contribute our bit, in anyway we can. We have been helping out at Tihar Jail today. Trying to manage the huge crowd of supporters and making sure the day was peaceful. Also, because there are a lot of kids and women in the crowd, we have to attend to their needs as well," said Prapti Juneja, one of the volunteers at "India Against Corruption". Another support group at Jawaharlal Nehru University has taken upon themselves to paint the college campuses across Delhi with Anna support posters. The students are individually starting support pages online and inviting as many supporters for events like candlelight vigil and shutting down shops in support of Anna's campaign. However, not just students, but the Anna frenzy has gripped the teaching community as well. Teachers at Delhi University, Jamila Milia and Jawaharlal Nehru University are also actively participating in the campaign. Teachers at JNU, for instance, have decided to peacefully register their support by wearing black and gathering at the lawns
tomorrow. "All the teachers cannot manage to leave the classes together. Hence, we have decided that we would support Anna in whatever way we can. Our students are also going out of their way to mobilise support. While we participated in the candlelight march this evening at India Gate, tomorrow on campus, we will wear black and gather in front of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium during lunch and hold a silent protest," said one of the faculty members at JNU. |
|
Cops have tough time as people take to streets
New Delhi, August 17 However, when policemen saw the protestors coming towards Minto Road, they closed the main entrance of the Ramlila Maidan. But, some still managed to enter the ground from the other side. The protestors, who were stopped at the main entrance, raised slogans like "Anna tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain". When the people refused to leave the Ramlila Maidan, a senior police officer tried to convince them by saying that so far there was no official information that Anna had accepted the government's appeal to change the protest venue from JP Park to the maidan. Once the police received official information, the ground would be opened for the protestors, he said. Among the protestors were also some auto drivers. They said it was their duty to support Anna who was fighting corruption. An auto driver Ramesh Kumar said, "I have taken a day off from work to support the movement against corruption. The adamant attitude of the government over the inclusion of the Prime Minister, judges and powerful people under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill is not a good sign for healthy democracy. When thousands of people have come on the streets in support of the movement, the government should accept the demand," he said. Omprakash and Naresh Kesari, LIC agents who had marched from Connaught Place to JP Park on cycles, said Anna had launched a movement against corruption. "Releasing Anna from judicial custody on conditions is unethical. The government should release him without any condition," they said. When asked what they knew about the Lokpal Bill, they said, "Generally, no action is taken against ministers, the Prime Minister and judges. The involvement of ministers is always suspected in scams. But there is no law to check this. Once the Lokpal Bill is passed, this type of crime will be controlled." |
|
Lawyers too advocate cause
New Delhi, August 17 Addressing their colleagues, lawyers of the apex court Manohar Singh Bakshi, KK Baid and KG Bhagat condemned Anna's arrest and said the magistrate who remanded Anna to seven days of judicial custody had failed to exercise his judicial discretion. The SC lawyers association adopted a resolution, supporting the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by the team of the civil society. Besides, around hundred lawyers, under the banner of the Adhivakta Parishad Delhi Pradesh (APDP), a lawyers' wing, assembled outside the Delhi High Court. The lawyers said, "The Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by the civil society is an effective instrument, weapon and machinery to curb corruption in the democratic society with a strict hand." Advocate Virendar Pratap Singh said there was rampant corruption in administration and elsewhere, but the government was trying to suppress Anna's movement by arresting him and not allowing his supporters to relay hunger strike. "Many people have come from far off places and are emotionally involved with the issue. Organising demonstrations, protests, dharnas, hunger strikes and processions is a democratic right of citizens in a democracy. But by arresting Anna, the government has violated the fundamental rights of the citizens given by the Constitution," he said. |
|
Protestors defy orders, gather at JP Park
New Delhi, August 17 Many of them gathered at the site defying the orders and the police detained a few who were later released. A few of the supporters managed to slip the police cordons and enter the area, but were pulled by personnel later. There were several protest groups, from several parts of the country, who marched to the park and then marched back towards India Gate after a show of support. "We have been asking people not to assemble here and at any given time if more than four people gather near the park, they will be detained," said a police official at
the site. |
|
Anna fever grips Delhi
New Delhi, August 17 With emotions running high, people poured in large numbers and the atmosphere around various protest sites was rent with anti-government and pro-Anna Hazare slogans - "Government is corrupt", "We are with you Anna Ji" - throughout the day. Thanks to the Congress-led government's ill-management of the anti-graft campaign that Delhi has become a melting-pot, especially after the arrest of septuagenarian Gandhian Anna yesterday and now the writing on the wall seems to be resounding loud and clear - "Nothing for us, without us"- as read several placards carried by protestors. "Civil society's participation is crucial in law-making process in a democracy. And if the government wants to suppress people's voice it is mistaken as now the message has spread like a fire and the whole nation is standing behind Anna Ji," said Ashok Kumar at JP Park, who came to Delhi last evening from Madhya Pradesh after listening to news of Anna's preventive detention. Strongly condemning government-backed police action, supporters of the anti-corruption crusader took it to the streets to express their dissent over the denial of basic democratic right to protest. There were people from distant parts of the country who even after being detained for hours yesterday were in no mood to relent. "There is no looking back. We are with you Anna Ji and you carry on the struggle," said Nasik-resident Shivlal Dhanwate, who was picked in the morning at India Gate and released at Lahori Gate in the evening. "The government is making a mockery of the country and all politicians are in the same boat. The democracy stands choked and the police and the government, both party to whatever has happened have aroused the wrath of people. The government has isolated itself, away from commonmen and public is frustrated," said Surinder, a resident of South Ex. II, who had gone to Chhatrasal to support the movement and was on his way to join the candlelight solidarity later in the evening. There were many, like Rakesh Nautiyal, a resident of Durga Park, Mayur Vihar Phase III, who feels that all politicians and government departments are rigged in corruption, be it the Central Vigilance Commission or Crime Bureau of Investigation. "How can the corrupt be left to decide the rules and punishment against themselves? All existing laws in the country are only for the powerful and the mighty and common man continues to suffer," rued Natuiyal. As outburst against the corrupt system and draconian governance swayed the sea of supporters across the capital, the man in the epicenter - Anna has emerged as a face of non-violence, with people already equating him to Mahatma Gandhi. "We definitely cannot have two fathers of the nation. Mahatma Gandhi was an inspiration while Anna is a symbol and you can see people following his path here. It is an activity (the crusade hailed by Anna) at the most appropriate time and sooner or later the government has to give in the form of a strong Lokpal Bill," stressed Sanjeev Chatwal, vice-president of a leading hotel chain around Connaught Place. |
|
Farmers’ relief cheques not bouncing, says GNIDA chief
Greater Noida, August 17 He was speaking at a press conference held in the authority office around 5 pm today. "Till last evening, cheques for Rs 121 crore were cleared by various banks," said Raman. Farmers of Patwari village had alleged that their compensation cheques were not being cleared by the bank. The banks reportedly had told them that they had instructions to clear the cheques only after August 18 after the authority submits their papers in the court on August 17. Raman appealed to the farmers to have trust in the authority and work for the development of the city rather than giving reverse gear to the development which he feels is not beneficial to anyone. All stake-holders, including farmers, builders, investors and authority will suffer, he feels. He asserted that farmers should shed misconception that the authority was earning a huge profit. "We are ready to invite farmers to inspect our accounts and see how the money was being spent and what is the cost of developed land to us," said Raman. "Our per square-metre land cost calculates to Rs 10,500 to 11,000. We give industrial and institution allotments at the subsidised rates. This was compensated from sale of commercial land," he said. "Till date, 950 farmers from Patwari village have signed the pact. Around 650 are left. Theses are the farmers who do not live in the villages but want benefits of 8 per cent developed land," said Raman. "The authority does not get any funds from the state government. We take loan for acquiring land. Then after developing it, sells it off and gets funds and develops the city. Any extra funds accrued from the sale, spent on the infrastructure development such as planning metro projects, buying buses for public transport and other public welfare projects. Around 500 houses for poor are developed and allotted free of cost," he said. "Today the Supreme Court has dismissed as withdrawn the SLP filed by one of the farmers. He had challenged the constitution of larger bench. The Allahabad High Court senior judge of large bench withdraws from the bench and proceedings could not take place. Now new bench would be constituted," he said. |
|
Court pulls up DDA over delay in plot allotment
New Delhi, August 17 "It is pathetic to hear that some of the applicants have even died," a division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said. The vice-chairman of DDA will have to take the responsibility, the court said. "You file an affidavit about your layout plan and specify the reasons as to why they have not got their plots during last three decades," the court said, asking the DDA to file its response within three weeks. The court came down heavily on the housing agency saying that the Delhi Development Authoritywas only making verbal assurances but had not proceeded in making any layout plan. "We are not at all satisfied with the submission made by the DDA," said the court. The court asked the authority if it was right to say that it took two-and-half year just to clear a layout plan. "You sit on your drawing board and fetch your plan by September 7, the next date of hearing in the case," said the bench. Earlier, the bench questioned as to how the Delhi Development Authority could undertake various other housing projects, carry out draw of lots and even hand over many flats to cooperative group housing societies in Rohini after 1981. "Shouldn't these people on waiting list have been given priority," the bench asked.
— IANS |
|
CM assesses flood preparations
New Delhi, August 17 The Chief Minister instructed the agencies concerned to make coordinated efforts to ensure that there was no loss of life and property. She was informed that all arrangements were in place and the employees of the departments concerned had been deployed in three shifts so that the relief services were available round the clock. It is expected that the water level will touch the mark of 205 metre in Yamuna within a few hours. According to the forecast, the level of the river is expected to touch 206 metres till Friday. However, the discharge of water from Hathinikund has started declining. The discharge from Hathinikund at 8 am today was 3,83,000 cusecs and 3,57,000 cusecs at 9 am. It declined to 1,88,000 at 3.30 pm. If the decline continues, the level of Yamuna will start receding by this weekend. Walia said evacuation of the people in the low-lying areas had started and they were being given shelter in tents of the revenue department. "The relief and rehabilitation measures are being finetuned and announcements are being made, requesting people to move away from the low-lying areas," he added. "All SDMs in north-east, north, central, east, south and north-west districts have been alerted and instructed to keep their staff ready to take up any challenge. The pumps are in place and have been tested properly. A central control room at the Gandhi Nagar SDM office, with phone No. 22051234, is functional. The government is all set to supply food in the flood-affected areas," the minister added. The officers concerned of the irrigation and flood control and revenue departments have been keeping constant vigil in the flood-prone localities. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been asked to get ready for the sanitation arrangements in the flood-prone areas, he said. |
|
SC orders resealing of Delhi market
New Delhi, August 17 An apex court bench of Justice V.S. Sirpurkar and Justice G.S. Singhvi passed the "resealing" order against Razapur market in Rohini area during the hearing on two reports submitted by its monitoring committee dealing with illegal constructions. The court ordered the resealing after its query seeking a copy of Lt. Governor Tejinder Khanna's order of December 1, 2010, directing de-sealing of 54 shops in the market, could not be answered satisfactorily. The court sought the copy of the order, saying that it wanted to know the mind of Khanna when he passed the de-sealing order. "We want to know the mind of the Lt. Governor (when he passed the de-sealing order). Was he aware of the proceedings before the Supreme Court. Was he told about it or he took it upon himself to decide," Justice Sirpurkar asked. Upon not getting the copy of the orders passed by Khanna, the court said: "It does give an impression that it was a telephonic order." The court was told that Khanna ordered de-sealing of 54 shops and other shopkeepers themselves tampered with the seals and broke them open.
— IANS |
|
Cong MLA re-elected chief of DSCB
New Delhi, August 17 "Now, the loan facilities are being provided to farmers, workers, government employees and middle and low-income group persons," he said. He said after being elected chairman of the board of directors , the bank had been earning profit the bank had reserves of Rs 200 crore. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Classified Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
