5 kerosene tankers gutted
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
Five oil tankers laden with kerosene and several shops were gutted in a fire which broke out in one of the vehicles and spread to the adjoining areas in Ali village on Mathura Road today. No one was reportedly injured in the fire, which was brought under control after two hours.

Panic gripped residents of Ali village as the news of the fire spread; they even began removing their valuables lest the fire spread to their dwellings The entire area was cordoned off and vehicular traffic diverted to facilitate fire fighting operations.

According to Delhi Fire Service, the fire broke out in one of the five oil tankers which were parked at the oil depot. When the fire broke out, three oil tankers were parked inside the oil depot premises and two outside. Eye witnesses said that suddenly one of the tankers with inflammable liquid erupted into flames, apparently after a cigarette butt was carelessly tossed near it. The fire soon spread to all the tankers, the oil depot and several shops in the vicinity.

The oil depot employees informed the DFS immediately at 12 noon and a few fire fighters were rushed to the spot. Since the fire was spreading to adjoining areas, additional tenders were rushed to the spot. In all, 31 fire tenders battled with the flames for over two hours before it was declared under control. Some pockets, however, continued to simmer till much later.

Such was the intensity of the fire that the DFS had to seek the help of the Central Industrial Security Force, which rushed three water tankers along with specially trained personnel to the spot. The CISF specialises in controlling factory fires. It’s tankers played a significant role in dousing the fire, a DFS official said.

When the fire started spreading, occupants of the surrounding houses and shopkeepers scurried to safety and tried to salvage their belongings. Within a few minutes the devastating fire had engulfed the houses and the shops. Several chicken and mutton shops were also gutted in the fire.

Agitated residents alleged that the oil depot should not have been allowed to be located in the congested residential area. They demanded that the kerosene depot be relocated to prevent recurrence of another tragedy like the Lal Kuan fire and the Uphaar cinema hall fire.

The police said that a case had been registered and efforts on to ascertain the cause of the fire. An assessment of the loss is also being made.

FARIDABAD
Water tanks rust, gather dust
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, August 21
About two dozen overhead water tanks constructed for supplying potable water to the residents have been lying unused for about a decade. Only two of the 26-odd tanks are in use at present while the rest of these structures just gather dust.

Built at a cost of about Rs 2 crore, the tanks had come up in the seventies and eighties when the urban development started in the state.

It is learnt that the public health department built at least one tank in each of the residential sector taken up by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda).

Each tank at that time cost the department about Rs 7 to Rs 9 lakh. While the majority of the tanks, as per the department were put to use initially for several years, but as the underground water level started decreasing, the use of the tanks was given up.

The officials found that as the water level decreased by 40 to 60 feet over the years, the motors installed to pump out water and supply it to the tank were not able to do so.

The discharge level of the water decreased drastically and the authorities decided to supply the water direct to the households instead of filling the overhead tanks and then releasing the supply.

According to technical experts of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) which is now the owner of all overhead tanks, the water level in the majority of the places in town, where the tubewells had been set up, went down from 50 to 80 feet earlier to a level between 110 and 150 feet now.

The water level in Sector 14, where the overhead tank is still in use, is less than 100 feet.

While the capacity of each of the tank is around one lakh gallons of water, the authorities believe that the tanks could be put to use again if the water level improves or the tubewells get adequate water supply from the ‘renniwell water’ scheme, likely to be in operation early next year.

But at least two of these tanks have been declared ‘condemned’ and even tenders had been floated by the authorities to demolish one of them a few months ago.

It is learnt that no contractor came forward to do the job at Rs 4 lakh. The residents of the town are now dependent on about 298 tubewells, which supply drinking water. As many as 120 of them have been handed over to a private company for operation and maintenance at a budget of Rs 11,500 each per month.

It is reported that the water level in the NIT area, western side of the Mathura Road, had been poor in comparison to the eastern side, where the majority of sectors are located. There are several tubewells in the NIT area where the discharge of water had been much below the standard requirement.

Apex court bails out lovelorn couple
Parmindar Singh

Ghaziabad, August 21
The Supreme Court has upheld the marriage of a young couple of Ganauli village in Loni, who had married after eloping, and instructed the police to escort the young couple home.

The decision of the apex court is expected to go a long way in changing the orthodox mind set of people in the area.

Anita, daughter of Teeka Ram Jatav, suddenly went missing in April. Later, the family learnt that she had eloped with a youth, Vicky, of the same village.

Anita's brother Udey Singh had registered a case with the police in May but the Loni police failed to trace Anita for four months.

Finally, Udey Singh filed a writ in the apex court, making an impassioned plea for tracing her. Accepting the plea, the Supreme Court directed the police to be present in the court on August 19. When the police reached the Supreme Court premises on the appointed day, Vicky and Anita also appeared before the two-judge Bench. Anita told the court that she was a major and had gone with Vickey of her own accord and that they had since married in an Arya Samaj Mandir.

The young couple presented before the court documents attesting the fact that they were adults and also those pertaining to their marriage. Accepting the facts and documents presented by the couple, the apex court declared their marriage legally valid.

The police, incidentally, were planning to arrest Vicky and Anita, immediately after they stepped out of the court. Anticipating the turn of events, the apex court directed the police to escort the lovers safely to their house.

Brother-in-law behind Rohini double murder
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
The Delhi Police today claimed to have solved the murder of a brother and sister in Rohini with the arrest of their brother-in-law, who lived in the same area, and his servant. The suspect, Vinay, allegedly killed his sister-in-law, Sarika (22) and brother-in-law, Bharat, as he wanted to grab their property. Their father had expired some time back. The incident took place on Monday in the house of the deceased when their mother, Neelam Kaler, was on duty in the State Bank of Patiala, where she worked as Special Assistant, the police said.

They were found dead by their mother in their house, F-19, Pocket-24, Sector 3, Rohini, when she returned from her work place. The deceased had strangulation marks around their necks. The house had been ransacked. The suspects had apparently bent the iron bars across the skylight to gain access to the house.

Sarika was last seen at 12.30 PM when she went to a neighbour’s store to purchase some food articles. Her brother, Bharat alias Bunty, usually came home at about 2 PM after school. They were alone in the house when they were assaulted.

While investigating the case the police came to know that Neelam’s eldest daughter Monica lived with her husband, Vinay, in E-Block in the same area. The police also learnt that the only person to visit the house since morning was Vinay alias Smarty, who had come to collect a cheque. It was also apparent that the murder would benefit Vinay directly as his wife was now the only surviving heir of her mother.

During sustained interrogation Vinay admitted to his involvement in the murder. He disclosed that he was heavily in debt and owed Rs one lakh. He thought that by killing the duo he would be able to grab the property of his mother-in-law and start his business.

Sarika was alone in the house on the fateful day. Vinay went along with his servant and asked Sarika to switch on the TV. While she was switching on the TV, he strangulated her with a belt. Bharat was in school. When he returned, he was also strangulated to death.

The police said that the house was ransacked to confuse the police, so that they did not suspect any relative’s involvement.

THE ACHIEVERS
A casual remark opens a new chapter in her life
Smriti Kak

New Delhi, August 21
A chance encounter and a casual remark were catalyst enough for Loveleen Kacker to put her pen to paper. A civil servant, a wife, a mother, an avid reader and a keen observer and perhaps one of the very few writers who can boast of having penned 17 book in 14 years.

“I was at a party where I happened to meet an editor of Harper Collins who said ‘in India there is a dearth of writers who write for children’. This set me a-thinking and within months of that incident, I had the draft of ‘Saloni’ and the ‘Green Eyed Killer’ ready on my table,” recalls Kacker, the Resident Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh.

‘Saloni’ and the ‘Green Eyed Killer’ set the ball rolling and Kacker saw herself writing sequels to the title. “Not only was my draft accepted, but the publishers wanted me to do a series for them. I have been very lucky that I have got very few rejection slips,” says Kacker adding, “I am yet to experience the writer’s block.”

For someone who had to join the services as that was the only way she could convince her family to allow her to work, the job has brought an incentive by way of providing ample opportunity to travel. “I cannot write through plain imagination. I have to see and experience everything before I write. I carry my notebook with me wherever I am and keep jotting. You never know where you need to use the piece of information or experience later.”

Extensive research and a thorough understanding of the Naxalite problem of Bastar in Madhya Pradesh, combined with writing ability is the recipe behind Kacker’s latest book titled, ‘Terror in the Jungle’.

“It took me two years to gather information and understand the Naxalite problem in Bastar. The book is a labour of love,” says Lovleen who is already working on her next opus and hopes to, “compile a book of Tenaliraman’s stories, which are known in some villages, but are yet to be bound in words”. Folklore and the tribals are fascinating to her. “I have a huge collection of tribal songs and feel that something should be done to save the tribal art and customs.” In fact, ‘Terror in the Jungle’ testifies her understanding and compassion for the tribals.

“There is an urgent need,” says Loveleen “for the educated and liberated women to come to the forefront and take up women’s issues. We do not have to be apologetic that we are raising feminist issues, why should we get scared that we might be labeled as hardcore feminists if we raise our voice.”

Wishing that women could do more than just talk about being liberated, she adds, “How many women are consulted in families vis-à-vis matters such as finance and property? How many women are there in politics and the services and for this the onus lies on women as well. They have to come out and stand up for what is their right.”

And she sure has stood up for hers. “I make sure that I get time for writing despite my hectic work schedule and my duties towards my family. One has to cut corners, but my family makes adjustments.”

Having earned the compliment of being, “a gifted story teller”, Kacker feels that the Indian writers writing in English are finding their place. “It doesn’t matter that we have come via the west, the fact that the Indian writers are catching up fast in their own country is a compliment and a good sign.”

Confessing, “writing is a tapasya (meditation)”, Lovleen insists on going deep into the subject because, “peripheral writing produces a bad copy”.

Student teaches college a lesson
Vipin Sharma

Rohtak, August 21
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Rohtak, has directed the Maharshi Dayanand University administration to refund the fee of a student of a 5-year LL.B. course at National Law College, Gurgaon. The complainant Tushar Bahmani had sought withdrawal of his fee amounting to nearly Rs 17,000 when he observed, immediately after depositing the fee, that the college did not have even the basic infrastructure which, he said, was necessary for a healthy academic atmosphere.

In the recently delivered judgement, Jagdish Chopra, president of the forum, ordered the university authorities to refund the fee, after deducting the tuition costs for August 2001, along with litigation expenses of Rs 1,500 to the complainant within 60 days from passing of the order.

The complainant had stated in his complaint that he got admitted to the college for the session 2001-2002 and deposited a sum of Rs 16,969 in the form of tuitions fee, development fee and other charges on June 27 last year. He said that he found the college devoid of even the basic facilities and infrastructure. Compelled by the circumstances, he decided to withdraw from the institution. He requested the college authorities to cancel his admission and refund the deposited amount accordingly on July 16 last year. He had to take shelter of the court when the authorities cancelled his admission, but refused to refund the deposited amount on July 18, 2001.

The complainant had also alleged that a majority of the college staff were having pro tem jobs at a consolidated salary with the special mention that their appointments would purely be of temporary nature and the incumbent wound have no right to claim regular service. After hearing both the parties, the president of the forum observed that the complainant was entitled to refund of the fee amount.

Crackdown on Gurgaon drivers
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, August 21
Drivers, better be on your guard while parking vehicles in unauthorised areas of old Gurgaon. Reason: The district administration has decided to intensify its eagle-eyed campaign against those violating the rules. The administration launched a drive on June 17 to streamline the traffic in old Gurgaon. The need for stern measures was felt following a brainstorming session convened by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Rastogi.

One of the decisions taken at the meeting was to tow away vehicles, if they were found parked in unauthorised zones. The drive is being headed by the District Red Cross Society.

For this purpose, the Red Cross Society has even hired a crane from Delhi and employed workers to lift errant vehicles. The impounded vehicles are released after payment of fine. Following the success of its drive, the administration appears set to give its campaign more teeth.

The authorities have created two parking enclosures, one at the old Veterinary Hospital and the other one at Kaman Sarai. While the first one has become functional, the Kaman Sarai one would be inaugurated towards the end of the month.

The crackdown was inevitable as drivers did not heed instructions not to park vehicles in unauthorised zones. As a result, driving in old Gurgaon has become a harrowing experience.

BJP leader for regularisation of services of teachers
Tribune News Service

Panipat, August 21
Coming down heavily on the rationalization policy of the state government for teachers, a senior BJP leader and former Haryana Education Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, today demanded the regularization of the services of the teachers working on ad-hoc basis and contract basis.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Sharma claimed that a recent Punjab and Haryana High Court decision had directed the state government not to remove these teachers as they had been recruited on merit. The government should review the rationalization policy in the interest of the teaching community, he said.

Taking the Chautala government to task for the worsening law and order situation, Mr Sharma urged the authorities not to ignore the views of the common man.

Flaying the national Opposition parties for the “negative attitude” towards the policies of the government, Mr Sharma defended the Union Government on the controversial distribution of petrol and gas agencies.

He said of the total allotments, only about seven to eight per cent had been allotted to the BJP members, adding that the BJP party members also had ‘the right to earn their livelihood.’

While the former minister took pains to expose the various acts of omission and commission of the Opposition parties, he parried questions on the alleged role of the Union Minister, Mr Parmod Mahajan, in the sensational Shivani Bhatnagar murder case. “I am not authorised to speak on the issue as the matter concerns the central leadership,” was his reply when he was grilled on the issue.

On the possibility of change of BJP leadership in Haryana, Mr Sharma, who is considered to be a front runner for the post, said this was not a priority issue with the party right now as the Assembly elections were far away.

Earlier, rich tributes were paid to a prominent BJP leader, Mr Mohinder Ranjan, who was killed by militants. Prominent among those, who attended the function at the BJP office included the president of the Municipal Council, Mr Sanjay Bhatia, and the district unit chief, Dr Manohar Lal Suneja.

Khurana accuses Sheila of gaining cheap publicity
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, of getting her picture printed on ration cards to gain political mileage. The Delhi BJP president, Mr Madan Lal Khurana, said the Antodaya Anna Yojana was launched by the Centre to distribute wheat at Rs 2 per kg and rice at Rs 3 per kg to the economically weaker sections of society.

Mr Khurana told mediapersons the cards should be withdrawn within a week and re-issued to the beneficiaries. The matter, he said, has been taken up with the Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Sharad Yadav, who has promised to take suitable action.

He further alleged there had been bungling in the survey conducted to identify the poor entitled for the Antodaya Anna Yojana. However, he did not offer to elaborate.

The party, meanwhile, will hold a sit-in at Rajghat on Thursday to lodge its protest over the Chief Minister’s statement reported in a section of the press wherein she called the people of Delhi thieves.

Mr Khurana said he would be present at the sit-in at Rajghat along with the party’s legislators, corporators and other office bearers.

Mr Khurana said the party had deliberately chosen the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan for the protest and would take a pledge to protect the honour of Delhiites.

He said a three-member committee headed by the leader of Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Mr Jagdish Mukhi, had been asked to prepare a list of corrupt practices of the Government of NCT of Delhi and present it before the people.

Jhajjar first in ‘Operation Social Security’
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, August 21
Rohtak Range has secured two out of top three positions during ‘Operation Social Security’, launched by the Haryana police from July 15 to August 4.

Stating this here today, Mr Resham Singh, IG of Police, Rohtak Range said that Jhajjar district bagged the first position in the state securing 44 marks out of 50. He said Faridabad attained second position with 42 marks and Panipat remained on third position with 41 marks.

Mr Resham Singh said the operation was launched for the detection and prevention of crime against women, senior citizens, minor children, disabled, mentally challenged and the deprived people.

He said the police solved 403 current and 536 old cases during the special campaign. The police received 2470 complaints out of which 2337 were solved on the spot. Besides, 208 previous complaints were also disposed of, he added.

The IG said the parameters for performance appraisal was fixed on seven points like the number of cases registered to detect and prevent such crimes, cases and complaints disposed of, number of camps organised for counselling to deal with cases relating to crime against women and sexual harassment, conduct of seminars and workshops for tackling the emerging gender issues, deaddiction camps for alcoholics and drug adicts and constitution of grievances redressal committees.

He said the districts falling in Rohtak Range disposed of 130 cases, whereas the fresh receipt was only 80 cases. The Range also redressed 547 grievances which included 458 new and 89 old complaints, he added.

8 power substations for Faridabad
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, August 21
At least eight new substations of 220 and 66 kv of power would be constructed and six others upgraded in the district to improve the availability and supply network of electricity in near future.

This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, after laying the foundation at Aurangabad village on Monday. The Chief Minister claimed that almost 37 per cent of power was being given to the residents in the state this year in comparison to last year.

He said that work on a Rs 70-crore project to strengthen the supply and transmission of power in Faridabad district had been on and about Rs 25 crore had been spent already in the direction. He said that eight new substations would come up at Palli, Prithla, Alawalpur, Aurangabad Escort-I (FBD), Bhupani, Fathepur Billauch, Hassanpur and Chhainsa villages. The existing substations at Palwal, Dhaiy, A-5, Faridabad, Ford, NH-3 and Sector-31 would be upgraded as part of the scheme.

About 26 feeders of 11 kv would be modernised and old transmission lines replaced.

He said that as many as 520 new transformers had been set up and 474-km-long transmission lines had been replaced in the district. The power department officials said that the new substation at Aurangabad would cost about Rs 3.35 crore.

Mr Chautala claimed that power theft had been a major problem and a main cause behind power cuts and trippings in the state.

He asked the residents and the district officials to save power and prevent its misuse. Later, the Chief Minister went to Badoli village, where he laid the foundation stone of the waterworks. The project is likely to provide drinking water to a population of over 13,000 in the area.

Books from Iran, Korea to jostle for space at fair
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
The eighth Delhi Book Fair, aimed at highlighting the capabilities of Indian publishing industry, introducing new publications and promoting reading habits among the younger generation, gets underway in the Capital from Saturday. Jostling with Indian publications, the nine-day long fair would have books from Iran, Korea and the European Union.

Being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), in tandem with the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), the fair at the sprawling Pragati Maidan complex will witness the participation of 270 exhibitors, publishers, booksellers, distributors and agents.

Announcing this at a curtain raiser press conference here today, the ITPO Executive Director, Mr Ranjan Chatterjee, said the book fair would be inaugurated by the senior BJP leader, Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP.

He said Pragati Maidan, where the annual Delhi Book Fair is organised, will soon have a round-the-year book exhibition in its complex.

‘’The icing on the cake will come from the fact that Delhi is poised to get the status of ‘The World Book Capital’ next year from the UNESCO, bringing the Indian Capital at par with Frankfurt, London, Tokyo and Singapore in terms of organisation of book fairs,’’ Mr Ranjan said

Mr Chatterjee said two other events, the Fourth Stationery Fair and Sajavat 2002 (a fair for home decors and furnishings), would also be held simultaneously by the ITPO.

‘’In terms of mobilisation, the eighth edition of the Delhi Book Fair will be the largest ever and the most ambitious event with 270 exhibitors giving their assent for participation as compared to 221 last year and 239 in 1998.

‘’Similarly, this year’s event will be organised on a net area of 4359 sq. meters as compared to 3956 sq. meter last year, 3600 sq. meter in 1999 and 3016 sq. meter in 1998,’’ he pointed out. Mr Chatterjee said the basic purpose of the book fair was to highlight the capabilities of Indian publishing industry, introduce new publications and promote reading habits among the younger generation.

The fair, to be organised in Halls 8-12, will have on display a vast panorama of books including fiction, non-fiction, academic, technical and textbooks, reference books, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, classics, children’s literature and religious and spiritual books, catering to a wide audience of students, teachers, researchers, academicians and general public.

Alongside the book fair, a series of seminars on topical interest have also been planned. Some of these are: ‘Beyond the World of Text Books’, ‘Copyright Laws’, ‘Building of Library Collection’, ‘Role of Library and Book Trade’, ‘Export of Books in the Present World Scenario-Problems and Prospect,’ ‘Relevance of Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga,’ and ‘New Emerging Concepts in Education’.

The fair will remain open from 1000 hrs to 2000 hrs daily and the entry is free of cost. A discount of ten per cent will be given on all the purchases while special discounts of 20 per cent will be given to early visitors and the lucky winners. Besides, debating competitions in Hindi and painting have also been planned as incentives for children’s participation.

Giving details about the ‘Fourth Stationery Fair’, the ITPO executive director said over 65 participants would display a wide range of stationery items including writing instruments, office and home stationery and computer accessories. ‘’Sajavat 2002’’ would cater to a wide range of home decor and allied products with over 125 participants displaying their wares, he pointed out. The products would include a comprehensive range of items such as furniture, household goods and appliances, coir products, entertainment electronics, handicrafts, gifts and novelties.

Civic bodies to identify sites for multi-level parking 
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
The civic bodies in the Capital have been asked to identify five sites for the construction of multi-level parking sites to enable smooth flow of traffic and to meet the growing demand of vehicle owners.

The Lt-Governor, Mr Vijai Kapoor, in a meeting today with the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, Police Commissioner, Mr R S Gupta and senior officers of MCD and NDMC discussed the need for holistic management of smooth flow of traffic and asked the civic bodies to identify the sites for parking places.

While the MCD has been asked to identify three sites, the NDMC has been asked to look for two sites for constructing multi-level parking on the pattern existing at Nehru Place. The parking lot would be allotted to private agency and would be given permission to utilise 30 per cent of the space for commercial purpose.

Mr Kapoor asked the local bodies to mark parking slots on the roads wherever it is feasible. Roads should be identified for creating such parking lots for orderly parking on the pattern of the recently developed parking area near Vikas Sadan by DDA.

He directed the DDA to replicate it in six more places. The DDA would be undertaking this work in Delhi University between Arts Faculty and Law Faculty, Laxmi Nagar District Centre and Janak Palace.

The Lt-Governor asked the Delhi Police to undertake a drive to remove encroachment on main arterial roads including Outer Ring Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Najafgarh Road from Zakhira to Najafgarh, Naraina Loha Mandi, Vikas Marg, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Thompson Road, Ajmeri Gate to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic.

Mr Kapoor observed that the DMRC would restore the dug out surface in original after completion of the construction work and it would not miss the opportunity to enhance the aesthetics by proper landscaping.

The DMRC officials presented the restoration plans for Connaught Place and New Delhi main railway junction. 

Senior Delhi Police officer passes away 
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
A senior Delhi police officer, Dr M. Ponnaian, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Police Control Room), died today morning of cancer.

Suffering from cancer for several years, the 55-year-old officer died at around 3.30 a.m. this morning. Dr Ponnaian, a DANP officer of 1987 batch, was to be promoted as an Additional Commissioner of Police. He was attending office as usual until a few days ago, till his condition worsened and was hospitalised.

An active officer, he was popular among his colleagues and mediapersons. He was awarded the President’s Police Medal for distinguished services and was also awarded with the Police Medal for meritorious services in 1993. He had also written several books on Tamil literature and criminology.

He was also awarded for his book on Tamil literature in 1999. Senior police officers said that the Delhi Police had lost a dedicated and sincere officer. 

Survey to identify problems of sex workers 
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
The Government of NCT of Delhi will survey the sex workers to identify their problems and draft an action plan to redress their grievances. Addressing a group of sex workers invited to an interactive session with the media and officials drawn from the Government of NCT of Delhi and Delhi Police, the Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, on Wednesday said offering free legal advice and disseminating information about their rights could be considered.

She said the survey that would start within a few days, would cover most of the 3,500 sex workers individually to enquire about their physical, mental and psychological problems. The Department of Social Welfare, she informed, would formulate schemes for their economic uplift.

The Health Minister, Mr A.K Walia, in turn, said Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) have been asked to adopt certain groups of sex workers for sustained medical attention. He said the government was considering providing health cards and mobile dispensaries to them.

CRIME

Fake certificates racket busted 
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21
With the arrest of three persons, the North-East district police today claimed to have busted a gang which used to make fake certificates and degrees of different universities in Delhi and surrounding areas.

The police have seized around 700 fake certificates of different universities including Delhi University, Choudhary Charan Singh University, UP board and CBSE. The police have also seized rubber stamps of different universities, principals and other authorities. The gang leader Abdul Samat Khan alias Mamu, resident of Ghaziabad was running this racket along with three associates Nadim (32), Chander Shekar, resident of Ghaziabad and Kishan Kumar (32), resident of Mukund Nagar. Acting on a secret information, the police searched their premises and nabbed the three accused, while the gang leader, Abdul Samat Khan, is still at large. Meanwhile, the police said that they have launched a manhunt to nab the accused.

Minor girl rescued: Seven months after a minor girl was kidnapped by a couple from Sultanpuri, the Anti-Kidnapping section of the Crime Branch rescued her from Aligarh and arrested one of the kidnappers. According to the police, the accused Mohar Singh along with his wife Meena, had kidnapped the girl. The police are in search of the second accused, Meena, who is still at large. The couple had illegally detained her at the house of their friends, Pancham and Leela Dhar. After questioning their friends, the police succeeded in nabbing one of the accused.

Snatchers held: The East district police have nabbed two chain snatchers and claimed to have solved six case of snatching in the district. The police have also recovered one Yamaha motorcycle, one Bajaj scooter, two gold chains, one mangalsutra, three gold rings and one mobile phone from their possession. The accused, identified as Atul Kumar Singh (19), and Sonu Kumar Singh (19), both resident of Khoda Colony in Uttar Pradesh, were nabbed. Upon sustained interrogation, they confessed to their involvement in several crimes.