TOP STORIES

Fire mishap turns out to be cold-blooded murder
Meerut, October 9
What appeared to be an accidental fire that charred to death six members of a family in Jani Kalan village under the Jani police station in the wee hours on Tuesday has turned out to be a case of arson.

Illegal settlers: Cops scratch at the surface
Panipat, October 9
The functioning of the local police has come under a cloud again over the illegal stay and employment of Bangladeshis in factories here. The partisan attitude of the police in not booking the owners of the factory from where 21 illegal immigrants were arrested on October 7 has given another dent to their image.

Teachers can play key role in mental health of kids
New Delhi, October 9
Mental health experts claim that children constitute nearly 40 per cent of the total population. Of these, at least 10 to 12 per cent, who fall in the under-18 category, suffer from abnormalities in behaviour and development.

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty: A securityman from the Rapid Action Force keeping vigil outside the venue of Lav-Kush Ramlila in front of the Red Fort in the Capital on Wednesday. The pandal at the venue is a replica of the Ram temple proposed to be constructed at the disputed site in Ayodhya. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

College molestations: Students get restive
Rohtak, October 9
Students of Government College for Women here are on a warpath in protest against the “laxity” on the part of college authorities in taking action against two employees of the college who allegedly molested two students in separate incidents recently.

When office hours depend on rly time-table
Sonepat, October 9
A large number of Haryana government employees, including some heads of departments, claim the city compensatory allowance (CCA) as well as the house rent allowance (HRA) despite the fact that they daily commute from the neighbouring areas of Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Karnal, Ganaur and Panipat.

Update industrial policy, at last
New Delhi, October 9
After a gap of nearly two decades, the Delhi Government proposes to come out with a new industrial policy, which would not only provide an impetus to industrial growth in the region but also help remove impediments.

Yamuna stretch most threatened ecosystem
New Delhi, October 9
The Wazirabad-Okhla stretch of the Yamuna is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world and is adversely affecting the water quality of Delhi, according to a World Bank-funded study.

COMMUNITY

Govt coaxes agencies on rainwater harvesting
New Delhi, October 9
In spite of modifying the building bye-laws to make rainwater harvesting mandatory in all buildings and group housing societies being constructed over a plot area of more than 500 square metres, there seems to be no takers for the Government of NCT of Delhi’s ambitious plans of conserving water.

Actors playing Ram, Laxman and Vishwamitra strike a pose. — Photo by Anil Sharma Devotees at the Jhandewala temple during the Navratra Pooja in the Capital on Wednesday. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

CM’s claims on drought ‘bluff & bluster’
Faridabad, October 9
The Haryana unit of the Janata Dal (U) has alleged that the Chautala government has been issuing misleading statements on the issue of drought and measures taken to tackle the problem.

BJP-Cong bouts: No end in sight
New Delhi, October 9
The political drama being played out by the BJP and the Congress does not appear to be drawing to a close just yet. If Delhi Pradesh BJP President Madan Lal Khurana has insisted on the NCT of Delhi becoming a State, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) is adamant on the withdrawal of the circulars issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Jat Mahasabha hails CM
New Delhi, October 9
The spokesman of the All India Jat Mahasabha, Mr Tara Chand Mor, today congratulated Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof P. K. Dhummal for his decision to grant job reservations to the Jats of Himachal Pradesh before the onset of Devali.

MCD ‘kindness’ may backfire
New Delhi, October 9
In its report for privatisation of toll tax, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has allowed contractors use of the vacant land of the corporation earmarked for plazas which could harm the interests of the corporation in the future.

Tihar inmates enact Ram Lila
New Delhi, October 9
Prisoners of Tihar Jail enacted roles of the Ramayana in the popular dance-drama form as part of a four-day Ram Lila festival. The programme was inaugurated last evening by the DIG (Prisons), Mr Mukesh Prasad, in Jail No. 3. The event is being organised by the 'Ramlakhan Religious Sabha' of Pitampura.

DELHI DIGEST
50 pc Delhi kids unaware of vision defects
New Delhi, October 9
About 50 per cent of schoolchildren in the Capital are unaware of the fact that they are suffering from vision defects, according to a report released here today. The report, released on the eve of World Sight Day, said Delhi showed an increase of one per cent of such cases in students over last year’s figure of 49 per cent. India has one-fourth of the world blind population and a majority of these 12 million suffers from correctable vision defects.

Nominations invited for award
New Delhi, October 9
The Indian Merchants Chambers (IMC) Ladies Wing has invited nominations for the 10th Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar for Woman Rural Entrepreneur 2002. The award, which was instituted in 1993 in the memory of Padma Vibhushan Jankidevi Bajaj, who had involved herself in the movement of rural entrepreneurship in more ways than one.

• Telecom engineers’ conclave

CRIME

Heroin worth Rs 1 cr seized, 3 nabbed
New Delhi, October 9
The Delhi unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has nabbed three persons, including a couple from Rohini, for distribution of indigenous heroin among the drug addicts in the Capital. The team seized 1.125 kg of heroin worth Rs 1 crore in the international market from a woman.

Blind murder solved
New Delhi, October 9
With the arrest of two persons the West district police today claimed to have solved a blind murder case of a eunuch, who was killed at a house in Rajouri Garden on October 4.

NCR BRIEFS
PCO owner robbed at pistol-point
Sonepat, October 9
Three unidentified armed youths are reported to have robbed more than Rs 400 from the owner of a PCO booth on Atlas Road here on Tuesday evening. According to a report, two of the three youths entered the booth and telephoned at no 460254.

• Body of youth found

Tribune scribe’s bag stolen
New Delhi, October 9
Three youths in the Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station on Tuesday lifted a suitcase of The Tribune Rewari Correspondent Nawal Kishore Rastogi. The suitcase reportedly contained clothes and medicines, and Rastogi had to cancel his travel following the theft. The Government Railway Protection Force registered a complaint of theft and launched a hunt to trace the culprits. Mr Rastogi and his wife Nirmala Devi went to the railway station at 3 pm to board Mahakaushal express to Chitrakoot.

BUSINESS

Handicrafts Fair  eyeing EU buyers 
New Delhi, October 9
Major buyers from Germany, France and other European Union (EU) countries are expected to visit the four-day Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair (Autumn 2002) to begin in the Capital from October 13. The fair is being organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

Loan scheme for medicos
New Delhi, October 9
Punjab and Sind Bank has launched a new scheme - P&S Bank Swasthya Scheme – for medical professionals. The scheme is launched with a view to meeting the credit needs of medical practitioners.

EDUCATION

CAMPUS
DUTA–UGC tussle: Will the real winner stand up?
The Academic Council was convened last week to take a decision on the issue of teachers’ workload. Various proposals were heard, ranging from a straightforward increase in workload to an assiduous defiance of the UGC recommendation. The meeting lasted for nearly 12 hours, ending late at night, with 128 members trying hard to diffuse the dispute.

A lot of gas Corporate citizenship Risk (y) courses

IILM graduates Paying for placements Innovision 2002

‘Our courses help students build international careers’  Wigan & Leigh College (WLC), Delhi, is planning to expand the global operations of the 150-year-old UK based college by undertaking a South-East Asian expansion plan. Having an active presence in 32 countries, the college is now planning collaboration with institutes in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore so as to provide local students access to international education. Mr Vinay Parischa, director, Wigan & Leigh College, Delhi.

Free uniforms for Sarvodaya students
New Delhi, October 9
The Department of Education of the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to provide free uniform to all students of classes I to IV enrolled in its Sarvodaya schools.

COURTS

A Pandora’s box opens in Noida Lok Adalat
Noida, October 9
It took the Noida administration 26 long years after its establishment to hold the first-ever Lok Adalat to help settle over 3,000 pending cases, some of which were quite unique. Many of the petitioners had already approached the courts, including the Supreme Court, to get justice. The results of the first Lok Adalat were, however, quite encouraging as 12 out of 100 cases were settled.

Ad hoc dental surgeons not to be removed: HC
New Delhi, October 9
Delhi High Court today restrained the Delhi Government from removing from service more than 20 ad hoc assistant dental surgeons employed in various government hospitals and dispensaries.

SPORTS

SAIL cruise into NN Mohan Cricket semis
New Delhi, October 9
Steel Authority of India Ltd.(SAIL) beat Indian Air Force by four wickets to enter the semi-final of the Padmashri N N Mohan Memorial All-India Cricket Tournament at the Mohan Meakins Stadium, Ghaziabad.

Tarun stars as Shastri Club enter final

New Delhi, October 9 Tarun Chaudhary blasted 72 runs off 69 balls with ten fours and two sixes to help Lal Bahadur Shastri Club beat Scindia Club India by seven wickets to enter the final of the second Shaheed Smriti Under-19 Cricket Tournament for the Rameshwar Trophy, organised by the North Delhi Cricketers’ Association, at the Ashok Vihar ground. DDCA Sports Committee member Praveen Jain presenting the man of the match award to Tarun Chaudhary.

Arjun Singh, Gaurav Ghei share lead
New Delhi, October 9
Arjun Singh and Gaurav Ghei shared the lead after the second round of the Royal Challenge Grand Prix Golf Championship at the Delhi Golf Club course. They were tied at eight-under par 136. Arjun carded the best round of the day, a five-under 67, to catch up with Gaurav, who shot 69.

Gaurav Chabra hits century for Salwan Boys 
New Delhi, October 9
Delhi Under-16 player Gaurav Chabra slammed his second successive century for Salwan Boys as the defending champions beat Don Bosco School by 132 runs and entered the quarter-final of the third Parle Cup Inter-School (Under-17) Cricket Tournament at the Bharat Nagar ground. In another match, St Mark’s School, Meera Bagh, defeated Bosco Public School by three wickets.

Young Boys, Uttrakhand earn full points
New Delhi, October 9
Young Boys trounced Union Football Club 5-0 and Uttrakhand Club beat Shastri Club 1-0 in the warm-up tournament being conducted for the Delhi Soccer Association A and B Division clubs by the Delhi Veterans Football Club at the Ambedkar Stadium on Monday.