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May 6, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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A small man’s big gesture rebuffed New Delhi, May 5 Yet there are people who lose sleep over the impecunious state of the country’s passbook. Take the bizarre case of Mr Chottu Ram, a resident of Mahilana in Sonepat whose spirited aid to the government is being refused by none other than the government itself. According to sources in the
PMO, this farmer is pained over India’s huge external debt. He wants to help his motherland break free the shackles of foreign liability and, before his death, contribute his and his family’s share towards this end. He, therefore, keeps dashing off cheques to the Prime Minister’s Office, hoping that his humble effort would help the country avoid the debt
trap. Chottu Ram’s cheque for Rs 36,000 landed in the PMO recently. But this is not the first time that Chottu Ram’s charitabe instincts have been rekindled by visions of empty coffers. The first cheque came in 1998, the second one followed in 2000 and the third in 2001. The man, possibly, wants to hand over his inheritance and that of his family’s to bring the rose back into the nation’s fiscal cheeks. The government, touched by his gesture but ensnared by red tape, has decided to keep the best wishes and return the money. In a letter of gratitude, the finance ministry has duly returned the cheques with thanks instead of encashing them. Official agencies have also communicated to him that the external debt situation has greatly improved and is not at all unsustainable. Economic indicators have been cited to drive home the fiscal truth. Sources revealed that Chottu Ram may not be propelled by charity alone. Some cynical souls said that his decision to send cheques might have something to do with his own financial liabilities. It may enable him to get some form of tax exemption. |
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DTC told not to charge fare for untravelled distance New Delhi, May 5 ‘’There is no justification in charging the fare for a distance, which a consumer has not travelled. Under the circumstances, the DTC is directed to make suitable amendment in the present fare structure and instruct conductors to charge as per the fare structure from the point a passenger boards the bus and to the point he alights. The distance not travelled should not be counted,’’ the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum said in its order. The distance travelled and the fare charged for it should be measured and calculated from the point from where the passenger boards the bus and till the point where he alights, a three-member bench of the Forum, headed by President G D Sharma, said. Presently, the DTC is charging the fare as per the stage-to-stage structure wherein a unit of money is charged for a fixed distance of travel (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 kms and above in the present case) and this minimum amount had to be paid by a commuter even if he travels a lesser distance. The order said the passenger traveling from a later point should not be charged for the distance he has not traveled. The Fourm agreed with the DTC that the fare structure was a statutory function of the corporation, but rejected the plea that being a matter of policy, it was beyond the purview of the Consumer Protection Act. The Forum also directed the DTC to pay a fine of Rs 500 and a compensation of Rs 2,000 to a passenger who had filed a complaint before the forum, alleging that the transport corporation had overcharged him for the distance he had travelled. Advocate Ashok Aggarwal, appearing for the complainant C P Rai, submitted before the Forum that the DTC was not justified in charging for a distance which his client had not travelled. |
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Internet cafes or porn dhabas? Panipat, May 5 Belonging to a well-off landed family of a nearby village, Vikas has discovered the “entertainment” power of the internet only recently, when an acquaintance, who runs a cyber café, initiated him into the “wonderful” world of net. Ditto for hundreds of other surfers, most of them students, who don’t have to brood in leisure hours after the exams. It is a different matter that that some of the beginners are taken for a ride as they do not even know how to operate the search engine. And, it here that the ever-friendly cyber café owner comes to their rescue. The over 30 commercial cyber cafes, those having more than five PCs each, are the new haunts for the students. With hardly any law regulating the surfing of porn sites, the cyber cafe business is booming and the owners are laughing their way to the bank. The café owners concede that most students are only interested in surfing erotic sites. ``We can’t do much as denying students access would adversely affect business. Moreover, how can we deny them access when such sites are available online,’’ reasons a cyber café owner on the G.T. Road, who did not wish to be named. Another cyber café owner, Mr Sanjay Puniani of the Net4U, however, plays down the surfing of porn sites, saying that the practice was not widespread. Chatting, particularly with the opposite sex, seems to be the other hidden agenda, informs Mr Puniani. The modus operandi is equally simple as you only need to create your own ID. The ID gives you access to unlimited number of persons to chat with. On the other hand, students like Vikas continue to make a beeline for cyber cafes and have a good time. Says Vikas indifferently: ``What is wrong with watching a porn site. The fault lies with the government, which allows such sites, than with the surfers, who pay through their nose for their amorous forays,’’ he contends. Another regular porn site surfer, who did not want to be named, admits that watching porn sites gives him a kick. And, since hardly any other entertainment is available in the town and most cinemas show B grade fare, one has to fall back on the net to have some fun,” he points out. This class of surfers — along with the studious type who frequent the cafes for information and school kids who suffer from the video mania — forms the main clientele of the net dhaba business. It may be recalled that over 40 small cyber cafes have shut down since December when a local Internet Service Provider (ISP), Palcom, shut down its operations. And this has led to the small cafes raking in big
profits. However, surfing porn sites or chatting are not the only interests of the youth. A sizeable number of youth surf the net for information on job vacancies. ``Every alternate day I surf top job sites for the latest in the job market,” Says Mr Sumit Chawla, a senior sales executive with an electronics
company. |
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An inert admn ‘wakes up’ Ghaziabad, May 5 There is also a change in the gait of the BSP workers, a change in the way they look and the way they look at things and people around them. These are the signs of time. As soon as the new Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, had taken the oath of office, the officials seem to have been electrified and galvanised into activity. Take the case of a BSP worker, who wanted to set up a frozen meat factory in Dasna. The project, which had been on the backburner for months, has been approved within minutes. Even though there was considerable opposition to the project from the locals. This BSP worker had contested the Assembly elections as an MLA. Incidentally, one of his factories was closed by the Administration earlier on the ground that it was a polluting unit. He then made plans for starting the frozen meat factory, but the project was shelved at the eleventh hour when some people lodged a written complaint with the police and the Administration. Frustrated in his efforts, the MLA recently approached the District Magistrate Devashish Panda for sanction. The D.M. constituted a team, comprising of police and civil officials and headed by Mr V K Singh, the Dy D.M. The team was asked to submit the report within a week, keeping in view the law and order situation, the pollution and the prospects for industrial development. Interestingly, all the reports were promptly submitted by the officials, including the police department, the pollution department, etc. Some of the reports have been even back-dated, it is learnt, brushing aside all complaints from the locals against the project. The case is to be seen against the backdrop of the general confusion and uncertainty that prevails in the corridors of power. Civil and police officials are under great stress as large-scale postings and transfers are in the offing with the assumption of office by the new Chief Minister. Such is the fear psychosis generated by Ms Mayawati. |
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Lovers end lives in public square Ghaziabad, May 5 The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and society forced a pair of young lovers to end it all by swallowing sulphas tablets at a public water tap in Ghaziabad in full view of the people. When Bharati, daughter of Mahavir Balmiki of Seva Samiti Kunj on Freeganj Road in Hapur learnt that her father had finalised her marriage elsewhere, she was left with no option than to take the extreme step along with her beloved, Anesh, son of Baburam. Both of them jumped into the abyss of death. Three months ago, the two families had clashed over the issue, but some of their well-meaning common friends intervened and resolved the matter. The parents and families of both the lovers had forbidden them from meeting each other any more. All the same, the lovers were meeting under the rose. Meanwhile, Bharati’s family finalised her marriage with a Ghaziabad-based youth. Saturday was the day of her engagement. The news was gall and wormwood to the young lovers who decided to end it. They swallowed sulphas. Bharati managed to reach her house somehow, but Anesh collapsed near a water tap. The people of the colony were mute witness to their tragic end. Both the lovers were rushed to the nearby hospital but they had shuffled off this mortal coil even before reaching the portals of the hospital. Police have sent the remains for autopsy. |
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2 youths die in mishap on GT Road Panipat, May 5 According to information, Vinay Jain, a resident of the Jain Mohalla here, died on the spot. His friend, Suresh, a resident of Kabri village, was seriously injured and later died in a private hospital. The post-mortem was conducted at the local
civil hospital. The truck driver has been arrested and a case registered. TNS |
‘Juvenile Justice Act exists only on paper’ New Delhi, May 5 The High Court had appointed the amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the alleged callous handling of a watch-robbery case involving three boys. In his submission, the Amicus Manmohan said that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act exists only on paper, as there is no awareness about the Act among the authorities. He gave certain recommendations urging the provisions of the Act need to be implemented immediately to improve the situation. He alleged that the police were insensitive in dealing with the case involving juvenile crime and court’s action was not in consonance with the spirit of the Act while the Delhi Government had neither framed the rules nor constituted the designated authorities contemplated under the Act. A Division Bench, comprising Justices Devinder Gupta and Shameet Mukerjee, had appointed the advocate as amicus curiae and asked him to observe whether proper procedures prescribed by law were followed by the authorities in the
case. Though the police was aware of the accused being juvenile, they still registered the boys’ age as 18. Further, despite the Court being informed that the accused were juveniles, they remained in custody for several days, he added. Mr Manmohan indicated that the State Government had neither constituted Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee and Special Juvenile Police Unit, nor had it notified Observation Homes contemplated by the Act. He suggested that exhaustive guidelines must be laid down, detailing a methodology of age determination, to enable the police to verify claims pertaining age. The investigative officer must be directed to verify this fact within a fixed time frame, he added. The Bench has now asked the State Government to respond to Mr Manmohan’s
submissions. The court had taken suo moto action on a newspaper report, which claimed that the boys were told not to mention that they were below 18 and sent to Tihar
Jail. According to the Juveniles Justice Act, a person below 18 cannot be imprisoned. The accused has to be handed over to an officer trained to deal with juveniles. A magistrate is authorised to conduct an age verification of the person concerned and after verification, the case is transferred to a juvenile court, pending which the accused is kept in observation home. |
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Mandawali Railway Bridge waiting to see the light of day New Delhi, May 5 The members of this organisation have been sitting on dharna before the site for more than 3 months for the bridge. Before 1992, there was a small gate over this railway line which used to remain closed due to heavy movement of trains. Right now 134 trains cross over this line in 24 hours. It is one of the most accident-prone places in the area. More than 700 deaths have been reported so far. Consequently, there was a big demand for the railway bridge. Mr Singh said after the foundation stone ceremony, this project was handed over to Trafglore House Construction Company of Japan. The project cost was a little less than Rs 4 crore, and it had been decided that the railways would provide the technology for the bridge. On the lines of this agreement, work was initiated. Barely two months after, three workers burnt to death due to short circuit in cable and work was deferred. In 1995, the work was started, but was again stopped. The reason being three main lines of DESU, the Jal Board and the MTNL had appeared during the digging up process. There was no other option than to shift the lines. But how this uphill task will be fulfilled. When contacted in this regard, the officials just passed the buck on one another. Narula Construction Company had taken the tender for the construction of service lines for the bridge, but this complementary work also came to a standstill. The MLA of the area, Ms Meera Bhardwaj, said that they were trying their best to get this project completed soon. Mr Rajender Singh said that the project cost had gone up to Rs 15 crore. “It is sheer waste of government money,” he regretted. |
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‘Save Ganga Yatra’ from May 19 New Delhi, May 5 The ‘yatra’ will be preceded by a prayer at the Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi and a meeting at the National Gandhi Museum in the Capital, to discuss the problem of pollution in the Ganga and its tributaries. Ms Rauta, who has demanded a ban on discharge of untreated effluents from industries and untreated sewage from cities and towns to various rivers, has written to the President, the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers of the states through which the Ganga flows and urged them to take required steps in this regard. She said the Prime Minister in his response had pointed out that 35 per cent of the pollution problem in the Ganges had been tackled through the ‘Ganga Action Plan’ (GAP) launched in 1985. “It is regrettable that only 35 per cent of the problem has been tackled since 1985.’’ Stating that she had also written to various industrialists in this regard, Ms Rauta said none of them had responded to her letter. Expressing optimism, however, she said, “It is our deep conviction that making the Ganga and its tributaries completely and permanently free from pollution would certainly be a major step towards making other rivers pollution-free.” |
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DTTDC memento to company chief New Delhi, May 5 |
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NCR BRIEFS Rohtak, May 5 The newly appointed Press secretary of the union, Dr J.N.Sharma, said a delegation of the union would soon meet the Vice-Chancellor of Maharishi Dayanand University, Maj-Gen B.S.Suhag, in connection with the long-pending demands of teachers.
Truck Recovered With the arrest of two youths, the Sampla police on Sunday recovered a stolen truck, loaded with iron pipes. According to police sources, the SHO of Sampla police station erected a naka, following a tip off and intercepted the vehicle. A person, Manoj alias Nath, a resident of Kharhar village and Naresh alias Joni, a resident of Matan village were arrested in this connection. A case under Section 379 and 411 of the IPC were registered against them.
2 children killed Sonepat According to a report, while their father was engaged in some work near the accident site, the children were playing along the roadside. The police have registered a case against the car driver and subsequently arrested him on the charge of rash and negligent driving causing death. Mr Shaukat Ali, the father of the children was employed in a brick-kiln and belonged to the Idgah Colony in this city.
Carjack Three unidentified-armed miscreants are reported to have escaped with an Indica car of Mr Ajay Kumar (22), near the Rajlu Garhi village about 10 km from here on Saturday night. According to a report, the miscreants had hired the Indica car at Chandigarh for travelling to Delhi. When the car was on its way to Delhi, the miscreants used arms to force the driver to take the car towards Rajlu Garhi village. Subsequently, the miscreants pushed the driver out of the car and took him to a nearby field where they tied him to a tree. The miscreants stuffed cloth in the mouth of the driver, so that he would not be able to shout for help. The miscreants then fled away form the spot with the car. The driver was spotted by the residents of the village this morning who freed him immediately. Thereafter, when the police was informed about the incident, the Ganaur police registered the case and further investigations were in progress. A hunt is on to apprehend the culprits who are still at large. The incident has caused panic among the taxis drivers of the area.
Students’ wrath Students appearing for examinations reportedly smashed the windowpanes of an examination centre here on Saturday in a bid to force the authorities to allow them to obtain notes from outside the examination centre. According to a report, the officials of the Education Department had identified two students against whom action would be taken for disruption of the examination.
Group clash Five persons were seriously injured in a clash took place between two rival groups at Barona village, about 15 km from here on Saturday evening. According to a report, lahthis and other weapons were freely used in the clash. The injured persons, namely Naresh, Rajesh, Santi, Suresh and an aged man were immediately hospitalised. The police have registered a case against the alleged assailants, who are still at large. A hunt is on to apprehend them. A dispute over the construction of a drain was stated to be the main cause of the clash. In another assault case, two persons sustained injuries when they clashed with each other at Kabirpur village near here on Saturday evening. Both the injured persons were immediately hospitalised and they are stated to be out of danger. A dispute over a plot is stated to be the main cause of the assault. Three more persons including a woman were injured in clashes at Jakhauli village and in Devi Lal Colony of this city on Saturday. All the three injured persons were rushed to the local civil hospital where they are stated to be out of danger. The police were investigating the cases. However, no arrest was made.
2 Suicide attempts Two cases of suicide attempts were reported in the city on Saturday. In the first case, a youth, Gian Singh, took sulphas tablets in his house at Jakhauli village. In the other case reported, another youth, Rajesh, took insecticide tablets in his house in Hanuman Nagar of this city. According to a report, both the youths were rushed to the local civil hospital for treatment, and were stated to be out of danger. The Police have registered the cases and further investigations were in progress.
Free textbooks The Sarav Jatiya Vikas Manch is organising a function here on May 18 for the distribution of free textbooks among the poor and deserving students of various educational institutions. |
Robbery foiled in Sadar Bazar New Delhi, May 5 While he was doing his office work, the youths entered the office and demanded that he hand over all the cash and valuable in the office. Showing alertness and courage, Mr Pankaj Gupta, pushed one of them aside and raised an alarm. Having seen disoriented by the courage shown by Mr Gupta, the youths ran away. Having heard the alarm raised by Mr Gupta, two policemen on patrolling duty chased the suspects and successfully arrested one of them, who was later identified as Charanjit Singh alias Raju. A case of an attempt to robbery was registered against them. A hunt was launched to arrest the other accused who managed to escape, police said.
Constable killed A Delhi Police constable, Surinder Singh, was killed and his five-and- a-half- years-old daughter, Neelu, was injured, when a truck reportedly hit his motorcycle from behind near Nigam Bodh Ghat. The constable was on the way to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, when his motorcycle was hit from behind. Both the constable and his daughter fell down from the motorcycle. They were taken to the trauma centre, where the constable was declared brought dead and his daughter was discharged after administering first-aid.
Shops gutted At least 20 make shift shops were gutted in fire which broke out in timber-cum-vegetable market opposite the Shyam Lal College in Shahdra area of North-East district on Saturday night. However, no casualty was reported in the accident. Reportedly, the fire broke out at 3 am. It took about three hours for the fire tenders to control the fire. Twenty fire tenders were rushed into service. The cause of fire is yet to be established. |
SHOWCASE GOD could not be everywhere, so he made mother. Mother and motherhood, God’s greatest gift to human being. Mother, who is the symbol of love, affection and care, sacrifices herself for her children. Lalsons Jewellers, on the occasion of Mother’s Day – May 14, has unveiled a special collection of jewels. The collection with the theme ‘it is our day to give back’ and show our mothers just how much we love and appreciate them. The mother’s special collection is timeless and priceless. Toughened glass Passing through rigorous processing techniques and scientific approach, the glass becomes 4 to 5 times stronger than the annealed glass and attains greater longevity and durability than all materials known, making it safe and user friendly. The glass is impervious to insects, termites or bores and is resistant to most of the chemicals, which makes the toughened glass superior alternative to the conventional wood.
Trousers a la mode Zodiac has unfolded its new range of premium quality formal trousers. This latest collection of trousers encompasses the formal look that you need while at work. The colours in this collection showcase the ‘summer’ look for the season and are perfectly synchronized with the recently launched structured collection of shirts. The trousers are made from the finest quality fabric using superior 2-ply premium grade yarn, super 80s, 100s, 120s yarns in poly wool, 2/60s in poly blends and micro fiber. Sourced from the finest mills in India and abroad, the trousers are manufactured in modern plants with state-of-the-art machinery. These premium trousers have automatic welt back pockets for an accurate and uniform finish. While the ply-wool trousers have polyester knee-length lining. Special finishes on the trousers further enhance the fall and feel of the trousers.
Trendy collection The colours of the season are orange, sky, lemon besides the khakis, olives and anthras. The surprise element of the vivid collection is Flexease – an exclusive radical innovation for the season made from the new fabric with stretch allowing maximum flexibility and movement for body comfort. The range, along with the poly denims for girls in stunning ruby and bronze tints are the star products for this season.
Summer-friendly Thermoking air-conditioners is beating the heat in style. With the widest range of energy-efficient window and split air-conditioners and the new slashed prices across the board, Thermoking is all set to redefine the market standards this summer. This is for the first time that international quality is being made available at highly affordable prices in the Indian market. A perfect blend of technology, design, comfort and performance, the Thermoking range of air-conditioners integrate every aspect of perfect uniform cooling and air circulation system. The unique features are extra rigid utilised powder coated cabinet, copper coils with staggered tube design for more effective cooling and dehumidification, patented moisture removal system for quick evaporation and better cooling efficiency, heavy duty fan motor with permanent lubrication, ideal for hot, humid climates and original Kirloskar compressor, for long life and trouble-free operations.
Apparel for kids All Weekender Kids outlets have Harry Potter T-shirts, Harry Potter caps and Harry Potter bags.
Portable water When it comes to drinking water, we all know there is no compromise. And, what better than a cost-effective way of consuming medically safe, clean, odourless, pure drinking water. Medworld Technologies has brought to India PureAqua personal water filtration system, a portable and ready-to-carry purification system. The PureAqua works through lontech Resin technology, whereby water passes through the micro-porous filter, removing suspended particles like rust, silt, sediments and asbestos. It also removes harmful pathogens, such as cryptosporidium, giardia, algae, and cysts.
Trendy casual Freelook, the leading premium menswear and kidswear brand from Polki Garments, is geared up to create a splash. It has unveiled its spring summer collection. Designed on the concept of offering freedom at the workplace and beyond, the collection has a revolutionary look in both business casual and trendy casual. The trousers with freedom fit design allows free `n’ flexible movements to all body parts. It gives an excellent snug belt fit that wraps around your waist, tucking in your tummy and has special shape enhancing darts and leg shape to give the trim body fit. The collection has a wide variety of shirts in various themes like vintage in genuine pima cotton, 100 per cent combed cotton, silky denim in ringspun denim, crispy oxford and checks in voil, uni-cool, legacy and indigo. |
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Gurind Tuff toughened glass is all set to revolutionise the usage of glass by substituting the traditional and extensively used concrete, timber, ordinary glass in the field of architectural and industrial usage.
Lee Cooper has launched its spring/summer collection comprising exquisite style in topwears and bottomwears with an urban functional and trendy feel. 
Weekender Kids, smart casuals for children, is the sole licensee of Harry Potter apparel and accessories across the country. Rated as the number one kidswear brand, Weekender Kids has tied up with the Warner Bros. Bringing exclusively Harry Potter merchandise in their outlets in all metros and other cities, where the brand has a presence.