New Delhi, December 20
Keeping in view the parliamentary elections, the BJP-ruled three municipal corporations in Delhi would not levy any fresh tax. Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel today announced that the corporations would not hike parking and house tax rates.

Goel chaired a meeting of the leaders from the MCDs and also discussed several measures to make the civic bodies transparent and people-friendly.

Addressing a press conference along with senior leaders of the MCDs, Goel said, "A new rationalised policy for farmhouses converted into motels, hotels and banquet halls is on the anvil. This would be displayed online so there is no ambiguity."

The MCD has decided to list 64 items online, including booking of community halls, to make the administration people-friendly. Booking of community halls and the payment can be done online. All the payments to contractors are now made through the Electronic Clearance Scheme (ECS); property tax on heritage sites would be waived. A delegation of BJP leaders would meet the Lieutenant Governor to sort out several issues, he said.

Goel said, "There have been attempts by the Congress government to scuttle various welfare measures taken by the MCD. Funds were not released on time. There is still an attempt to make certain officials as commissioners of the MCDs. We would be taking up this issue with the Lieutenant Governor. The BJP would resist any attempt to hinder the working of MCDs. We have discussed the ways and means of making the civic bodies more responsive besides establishing stronger communication network so that people's feedback can be incorporated in the policy making."

New Delhi, December 20
Lashing at the Congress, Vijender Gupta, former president of Delhi BJP, said that the Congress is trying hard to stop the Modi wave in the coming parliamentary elections by supporting AAP unconditionally.

The Congress is frustrated after the defeat in assembly elections. In order to make itself acceptable to people, it is ready to compromise with AAP. It is a mockery of democracy that the common people who gave a verdict against inflation, government policies, crimes against women and children are again going to get the same kind of government. It is nothing but a dirty joke played on the people of Delhi, Vijender said.

He said that the Congress believes to rule only. It does not hesitate to follow the divide and rule formula of the Britishers. Delhiites should be ready for the elections as the Congress and AAP have only one agenda, that is to stop BJP one way or the other. The 18-point formula sent to the Congress and the BJP by AAP does not have inflation as an issue, Gupta said.

Attacking the AAP, Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel also questioned the Congress for granting more time to the Aam Aadmi Party to form a government. He said it seemed both the parties were not able to finalise a 'deal'.

Goel termed it as a 'drama' the way AAP is approaching people on the issue of forming a government. "The statement by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde that the Centre would give more time to AAP for the formation of government in Delhi has led to suspicion that both the parties are in for any kind of 'unholy' alliance.

Talking to the media, Goel said that AAP seems to be preparing for the next elections.

New Delhi, December 20
With the arrest of an accused, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police today claimed to have busted a gang of extortionists who used to lure the victims into their trap with the help of girls. Eight accused, including two constables and three pimps, have already been arrested in this case.

The accused arrested today was identified as Jitender, alias Kathura, who was the mastermind in the 'Honey Trap' case in which one constable of Mongolpuri police station and one of the Crime Branch have been caught so far.

The police said that it had received a complaint in August last year about extortion of Rs 3 lakh by the police personnel with the help of accused persons. According to the complaint, the victim was lured by one woman and her accomplices in Rani Bagh. He was detained there for several hours and beaten on the pretext that he had committed rape. The accused posed themselves as the Crime Branch officials. They had demanded Rs 6 lakh and were finally able to extort Rs 3 lakh after negotiations.

New Delhi, December 20
Several workers' organizations today held a demonstration against the Indian government and said that its approach is one-sided in the case of Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade in the United States.

The organizations expressed outrage at the Indian government's reaction to the case of visa fraud and exploitation of her domestic worker.

Ashim Roy from New Trade Union Initiative said that the Indian government should file a case against Khobragade in India for fraudulent practices. Anannya Bhattacharjee of Gharelu Kamagar Sanghatan - Haryana condemned the "narrow-minded Indian government's protection of official employers of domestic workers".

"In its dealing of the case, the Indian government is only seeking to protect the dignity and honour of Khobragade, and has shown a complete lack of respect for the underlying issue that of the abuse of a worker by a senior official," said Meeta, convenor of the organisation.

New Delhi, December 20
The emporium hub of the city, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, will come alive as Delhi Tourism will be organizing 'Dilli Ke Pakwaan' festival, which is the fourth in the series from December 23-29.

The festival, aimed at promoting cultural tourism and offering the visitors a glimpse into Delhi's heritage, will be inaugurated by Delhi Chief Secretary D.M Spolia on December 23.

There will be culinary delights of Purani Dilli. The festival was started in 2010 and since then, it is organised every year.

It has been receiving encouraging response from Delhiites and foreign tourists alike, said a senior Delhi Tourism official.

The festival will have vendors from Purani Dilli, who will showcase their expertise in grafting some of the most delectable, mouth-watering cuisines. Visitors will be able to savour mutton korma, chicken tikka, kabab, special chaat, hot jalebi, ice candy, various flavours of kulfi, rabri falooda, firni and much more. There will be more than 150 varieties of food on offer for the visitors.

"The venue of Dilli Ke Pakwaan will redefine the culinary delights of Purani Dilli. The entrance gates of the venue will be designed in the shape of a samosa and malai tikka. There will be theme corners where visitors will be able to enjoy the taste and also get a vivid glimpse of the city's culture and tradition," said the official.

Renowned chefs will be giving interactive sessions on cooking besides there will be various competitions for the visitors.

Another addition to this year's festival is that a special kid's zone has been designed. Various competitions such as quiz contest and painting competition will be held for children in that zone. A special Christmas Tree will also be in place at the venue where free candies will be distributed to children.

"To highlight the history of Delhi, the entire venue will be redefined with the Old Delhi charm. Cultural performances every day and music will bring the festival alive," he said.

New Delhi, December 20
School Choice Campaign, the flagship programme of Delhi-based think tank, Centre for Civil Society, today organised the 5th Annual School Choice National Conference (SCNC) on the theme "Education 2025: Student First" at the India International Centre here.

The daylong conference, deliberating on the changing paradigms of education system in India and the innovation and planning needed to reach Vision 2025, was attended by over 100 leading educationists and policy experts.

School Choice Campaign, a campaign launched in 2007, aims to bring about the much-needed reforms in India's education system towards a school choice model that brings affordable and quality education to all children.

On the occasion, representatives from civil society organisations and the government, along with school leaders examined whether today's education system is equipped to meet the growing aspirations of young India; how to provide education with equity; and the role of technology in classrooms of the future.

Ankur Shah, head of sector strategies and education portfolio lead at the Acumen Fund, said: "With a view to ensuring accountability, efficiency and equity in the use of public funds and to catalyse the education market for affordable education, the Centre for Civil Society aims to focus on building robust funding models, supporting coalitions, reducing entry and expansion barriers for private colleges, improving RTE implementation and generating evidence for policy making."

Harsh Shrivastava, CEO, Centre for Civil Society, said that through the School Choice Campaign, "CCS hopes that by 2025, the difference in learning outcome between the government and private schools is minimised so that students and parents are able to get the best education possible."