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| Wednesday,
October 23, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Three die in Punjabi Bagh building collapse New Delhi, October 22 According to the police the mishap occurred around 11 am when about two dozen labourers were present inside the building. Eye-witnesses said that there was a rumble and suddenly the entire building came crashing down, trapping the workers inside and causing panic in the West Delhi market. Some of the labourers, who were not seriously injured, managed to extricate themselves with the help of employees of neighbouring shops before the Fire Brigade and police personnel arrived on the spot. One of the victims was sitting in his car, which was parked near the building, when the rubble fell on the vehicle. He was identified as Ajay Kumar. The other deceased was identified as Malhu, a labourer. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals where the condition of at least two was described as serious. A local medical practitioner, Dr. R. S. Chandel, who was passing by in his car, sustained serious burn injuries when the car caught fire after the debris fell on the vehicle. He is reported to have sustained more than 60 per cent burns. The police said that a case of negligence had been registered and efforts were being made to ascertain the cause of the collapse. Samples of the material used in the construction of the building have been collected and these were being analysed. The owner of the building, Mr. Baldev Raj Kapoor, is said to be absconding. Efforts were being made to trace him. Hundreds of onlookers from the near by residential areas rushed to the spot on hearing the news of the collapse, causing traffic jams in the area. The traffic was also diverted from the market to facilitate relief and rescue operations. Fire Brigade personnel and a disaster management vehicle were rushed to the spot, soon after the Delhi Fire Service was informed of the incident. The rescue operations were supervised by the Delhi Fire Service and the police. |
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Jurists, civil servants maul home ministry circulars New Delhi, October 22 – Justice (Retd) Ranganath Mishra, a former Chief Justice of India The drift toward greater centralisation of powers is not for the betterment of democratic polity. It is an absolutely retrograde step and cannot be justified on any ground. – Zafar Saifullah, a former Cabinet Secretary The Union Ministry of Home Affairs came in for universal condemnation on Tuesday for clipping the wings of the popular, duly elected Government of NCT of Delhi by amending the Transaction of Business Rules. “Retrograde,” “appalling” and “despicable” were some of the expressions tossed about as speakers took turns to offer a constitutional and democratic perspective to the debate. Why the circulars ? What is the rationale ? Is it setting the clock back insofar as devolution of powers is concerned ? How will it impact Centre-State relations ? These were the questions to which there were no easy answers. The overwhelming sentiment though was steeped against the missives as jurists, academics and civil servants alike called the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) bluff. “The BJP clamours for statehood so that more powers come to vest in the elected government of Delhi. It also issues circulars that give primacy to the Lieutenant Governor. It defies reason as to why they should want to erode its autonomy ?” asks Prof Zoya Hasan of Jawahar Lal Nehru University. Dubbing the spirit of the circulars as being opposed to good governance, Zoya feels if the BJP is for federalism then its claim does not square well with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ treatment of the Government of NCT of Delhi. “No city as socially diverse and economically divided as Delhi can be indirectly governed by the Centre.” Zafar Saifullah says the established norm of devolving powers to the grassroots has been negated much to the disadvantage of the second tier of governance. “There used to be a rationale for a strong Centre … whether there still is and should that be at the expense of the spirit of governance is a moot point.” Justice Mishra defines the circulars as a singular act of assault on democracy and federal traditions. “It is an attack on the roots of democracy,” he told his audience and wondered why in spite of Delhi being the heart of the nation were we moving in a direction opposed to taking governance to the States and Panchayats at the grassroots. The convergence of opinion notwithstanding, Zoya Hasan would like the debate to extend to examining the relevance of a State of Delhi. “The circulars are against the devolution of political authority and democratic accountability … a direct assault on popular role. But is statehood essential ?” The professor of political science believes World Capitals like Washington DC, Canberra and Brasilia are ample proof. “Those cities do not have absolute powers but still function. That is because they have been given greater autonomy. Delhi is a microcosm of the nation that is India with a peculiar social composition and an economic divide. Good governance as opposed to more powers may be what is required,” she feels. The brainstorming session comes as a shot in the arm for Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Union Minister of Labour and a former chief minister of the NCT of Delhi Sahib Singh Verma however does not think so. He says the chief minister has not explained how the circulars cramped the government’s work. There cannot be a parallel government in Raj Niwas, the chief minister retorts. “If I have to construct a bus stop I have to get the prior permission of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission which I seek as every law-abiding citizen should. Unauthorised colonies need no such permission … They come up anyway. How does one explain that ?” she asks and reasons that the Lieutenant Governor’s powers to make or mar the confidential record of civil servants cannot explain their indifference to the elected government’s agenda. |
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You may not squirm at Trade Fair this year New Delhi, October 22 Speaking to the NCR Tribune, Safdar H Khan, General Manager (Security, Protocol, Commercial Publicity and Public Relations), ITPO, disclosed that security will take precedence, but it will also facilitate access and enable the visitors to move around without encumbrances. Young ladies can visit the fair without nagging fears of being subjected to lewd remarks. Elaborates Mr Khan, “For the first time, close circuit TV cameras will pan visitors at all entry points. More than 300 ITPO security guards and 500 Delhi Police constables will be on their toes. We have already held two meetings with the Delhi Police and it has been decided that the special staff and constables will roam around in civvies. We have made special arrangements for the Gujarat Pavilion. Also, four to five observation towers will be erected, so that police personnel can have an aerial view of the complex with the aid of binoculars. Outisde Pragati Maidan, the police will keep a vigil on the prospective pickpockets and shoplifters. In fact, briefcases, bags and other accessories will not be allowed on the premises. Schoolchildren from Delhi and its satellite towns will be allowed to enter the complex with an authorization letter, but only on weekdays. “We have also requested resident commissioners and VVIPs to visit the fair on weekdays in office hours,’’ says Mr Khan. ``We will, however, frisk all the visitors at the entry points and, again, when they enter any state pavilion. We have tried our best to be liberal. We want people to move around without fear. Most of the time visitors quickly hop from one pavilion to another because of fear of eve teasing, ’’ he adds. The Trade Fair tickets will be available at all Mother Dairy outlets. Also, special buses will ply to Pragati Maidan, especially on long routes. The parking is invariably a problem at weekend. The road remains jammed for hours and the situation veers out of control in the office rush hour. To cope with this problem, the parking area has been earmarked at India Gate. The visitors from South Delhi can park their vehicles at India Gate, buy their entry ticket at the spot and use the free shuttle service from there. “This will solve the problem to a large extent as 4000 cars and scooters can be parked in India gate lawns. There will be a surcharge on the tickets on Saturdays and Sundays. The ticket will cost Rs 20 on weekdays and Rs 30 at weekend,” Mr Khan explains. |
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MEERUT Meerut, October 22 She told the mediapersons that she would forward a letter to the government officials in Lucknow regarding the state of affairs of this hospital. Mrs Raj Bala, member of the State Woman and Child Development Commission, spoke to several patients and took note of the complaints. There was panic all around the hospital when Mrs Rajbala suddenly visited it at about 4 pm. Several senior hospital officials were unaware about the identity of the VIP visitor while the patients in wards were in a fix as to who was the VIP. Even the Chief Medical Superintendent was unaware about the visit. The member also found several used syringes and glucose leads lying on the floor in the wards. She also inspected the lavatories and found inhuman conditions almost in every nook and corner of the hospital. Several patients in the wards complained that the medicines were not available in the hospital. A patient, Rajpal of Durgaoti complained that he had paid Rs 4,000 to a hospital employee, Babulal, for treatment but no receipt was given. Chandmiyan from Muzaffarnagar complained that after more than 24 hours of his admission, no doctor visited him. The member also found several doctors, nurses and ward boys absent from the duty. She also found several nurses and women employees knitting sweaters. A nurse on duty Nira Yadav told Mrs Rajbala that there was no danger of infection from the dogs. While a doctor Sushma Prakash told the mediapersons that there could be infection from the dogs. Then the member visited the isolation ward and got angry seeing the condition of the ward as the rooms were stinking. Patients also complain about the potable water and lavatories. The member found a woman patient sleeping on the floor outside the ward. The patient was unable to walk due to swelling on her body, she told the member that the doctor had refused to admit her. Mrs Raj Bala warned the officials that she would write to the government about the irregularities in the hospital. Earlier, there had been some incidents when stray dogs took away newly-born children from the ward. The CMO, Dr Arana, said that he had written to the municipal corporation about the dogs but they did not pay any heed. The jittery senior officials were busy in patch-up work till late evening. |
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Commonwealth team visits NDMC New Delhi, October 22 The NDMC presented a multi-media presentation containing all activities of the NDMC. This was followed by discussions on financial resource and management of the NDMC, city planning, various commercial and welfare projects, road maintenance, system of electricity distribution, solid waste management and other activities being undertaken by the NDMC besides its obligatory functions. The delegation also exchanged views in respect of culture and administration of their country with the NDMC officials. Members of the delegation and officers of the NDMC hoped for cordial and friendly relations. The members of the delegation, Mr Len Duval, Greater London Authority, Dr Helen Nkandi, Association of Local Authorities of Namibia, Hon Minister Kwadwo Baah Wireu, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Ghana, Hon Sydney Mufmadi, Minister for Provincial and Local Government, South Africa, Mr Charles Katiza, Secretary-General, International Union of Local Authorities, Africa Section, Jocelyne Guertin, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Mr Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand, Mayor Larel Thomas, Association of Local Government Authorities, Jamaica, Dr Jatin Modi, President, ALLSG India, Mr Mike Ashley, Director, Local Government, International Bureau, Ms Lucy Slack, CLGF, London. |
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Govt to open more technical institutes Sonepat, October 22 Mr Verma expressed concern over the increasing unemployment among the educated youths and called upon them not to run after white-collar jobs but set up units for their livelihood. He said that the skilled youths can easily get jobs not only in the country but abroad also and they should not hesitate to go to the foreign countries for getting employment. Referring to the demands of the village people, the Minister announced that he would ask the government of Haryana to open an industrial training institute in this village. He also appealed to the people to follow the path shown by Sir Chhotu Ram in this part of the country and fulfil his dream for improving the lot of the farmers. Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, Mr Verma claimed that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, has given representation to the farming community in his Cabinet. Mr Vikram Verma, Union Minister of State for Sports said that the BJP was still weak in Punjab and Haryana and there was a need to strengthen the base of the party in these states. He also declared that the BJP in other states was so strong that it could contest the elections on its own. |
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Is spirituality a panacea for the ills of elderly? New Delhi, October 22 To address the issue, voluntary organisation HelpAge India, working for the disadvantaged older persons along with Rahat Charitable and Medical Research Trust organised a seminar at the India International Centre here as a part of the bimonthly seminars to propagate the concept of Active Ageing for Healthy Living. Prominent speakers Swami Nikhilananda from the Chinmaya Mission, Mr B K Asha, a senior teacher at the Bhramakumaris World Spiritual University and Director of Om Shanti Retreat Centre, and Ms Janaki Chopra who heads the Vedanta Institute spoke on the subject. A small meditative exercise followed to introduce many to the concept. Each speaker stressed the fact that spirituality is a feeling of being content within oneself, differentiating between the materialistic world of today and the heaven within ourselves. According to Ms Janaki Chopra, spirituality should start early in life. Spirituality is getting in tune with your mind, body and innerself, said Swami Nikhilananda. Talking about a healthy mind, housing a healthy body, he said, “Old-age is not a disease, it’s just an expression of life at a different age. Just because a person is old, should he/she be categorised as sick? There is no logic in it.” An interactive session followed, where the audience was filled with questions from a 27-year-old young man to an elderly 60-plus woman, restating the fact that spirituality is not just for the elderly but all age groups. Mr D R Kohli, president, HelpAge India, believes that the elderly have a wealth of potential waiting to be tapped, and that can only happen if they are content not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. HelpAge over the years has been working towards these very aspects, to provide the elderly with a life of quality and dignity, through its various programme such as the Mobile Medicare programme, income generation programme, ophthalmic care programme etc. By 2025, the population is expected to increase to 177 million bringing with it a major challenge in financial, health and emotional security of older persons. Besides the spiritual aspect, the seminars series would focus on the holistic aspects of living that encompasses the physical, mental as well as social dimensions. The topics intended to be covered are health and illness, nutrition and fitness, mental health and stress, social supports and recreation, purpose in life and meaningful existence. |
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Major overhaul demanded in ESI set-up Faridabad, October 22 This is the crux of the memorandum submitted by the Faridabad Industries Association (FIA) to the Verma Committee, set up by the union government to bring about reforms in the ESI set-up. The head of the committee, Mr M. C. Verma, had an interaction on the subject with the FIA members here recently. The FIA, in its memorandum, claimed that the 1.5 lakh persons insured in Faridabad, were directly affected by the mismanagement of the ESI. The memorandum states that even as there had been a sea change in the industrial scenario, the ESI scheme had continued with the same provisions. The association has asked the Verma Committee to take steps to make the system more viable and useful. The suggestions include issuing of a national identity card, which could enable a beneficiary to utilise the treatment facilities from the ESI hospitals or institution across the country. The FIA has stated its displeasure with the present method adopted during ESI treatment. It has demanded that the employees be allowed to utilise private medical facilities, instead of only going to an ESI hospital or dispensary. In fact, the ESI corporation has been contributing Rs 25-30 crore annually to the state government. The FIA has also called for a change in supervision and control system employed by the state governments for sanctioning funds to the beneficiaries. It claimed the present system was tardy and needed to be controlled by a team consisting of ESI employers and employees. The role of Finance, Labour and Health departments needed to be cut down. The FIA has also opposed the proposal of enhancing the wage limit for the coverage of ESI. It says that this would only complicate matters and lead to wastage of funds. It says the committee should seriously consider running hospitals and dispensaries on the pattern being adopted in Delhi and Noida. It has recommended that besides providing health and medical facilities to sick workers, the ESI should cover the health of the employees also, so that they could use facilities like health clubs. The FIA stated that since Faridabad has double the number of insured persons than Gurgaon, the nodal hospital should be first set up here. The FIA has also called for ensuring referral facilities to reputed private hospitals in the town. The other recommendations put forward by the FIA include providing insurance cover to workers while travelling to their place of work. Other recommendation in their memorandum stated that workers should be provided insurance cover for diseases like cancer, AIDS, and TB and setting up an independent directorate of ESIC at state level. |
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Water crisis grips Sonepat areas Sonepat, October 22 Many residents alleged that the stoppage of supply in the evening shift has become a routine thanks to the failure of the authorities and this has been causing inconvenience to thousands of residents who have to fetch water from distant places. They also alleged that their complaints in this regard have fallen on deaf ears. Meanwhile, the Residents Welfare Association and the Sonepat Citizens Council have deplored the inefficient working of the Public Health Department and demanded immediate transfers of the superintending engineer and the executive engineer as well as the suspension of other subordinate officials who are responsible for the crisis, particularly in the areas of old section of the city. In a joint press release, the representatives of these organisations pointed out that the PHD authorities had ensured at the time of commissioning of Rs 4.50 crore water supply scheme in Sector 23 by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, that the supply of drinking water would be augmented in the city but it has deteriorated in the old section of the city due to lack of control on the drivers of the boosting stations and keymen on duty. They urged the Chief Minister to order a high-level probe into the public complaints and take stern action against the officials found responsible for the crisis. If no action was taken against the erring officials, they have no alternative than to launch an agitation on this issue. Biradari meet:
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NCR BRIEFS Sonepat, October 22 According to a report, trouble arose after a quarrel between the children of two families. In the meantime, one Phool Singh fired a shot from his licensed gun which hit the victim. The police have registered a case and further investigations are in progress. The incident has created tension in the village.
Thieves’
gang busted With the arrest of five persons, the Civil Lines police have busted a gang of thieves operating in this city for the past few months. According to a report, the arrested persons have been identified as Rajiv of Balmiki Basti, Deepak, alias Bitta, of Mohalla Kot, Krishan, Surinder, alias Sita, and Dinesh, all residents of Mohalla Kot. The police have solved a number of cases of theft committed in Sector 14, Eight-Marla Colony, Mashad Mohalla and in a house of PWD residential colony.
Buffalo stolen A buffalo worth several thousands of rupees was allegedly stolen from the house of Mr Dharampal at Pritampura village, about 15 km from here, on Monday night. According to a report, the Kharkhauda police have Registered a case in this connection and further investigations are in progress.
Protest march by
CPI The CPI and the CPM have decided to take out a procession here on Friday to protest against the killing of five Dalits in Jhajjar district of Haryana. According to a report, the workers of these parties will assemble at the bus stand chowk. They will proceed to the mini-secretariat in a procession demanding immediate arrest of the guilty and compensation to the families of the victims. Meanwhile, leaders of various political parties and Dalit organisations have called for “strictest punishment” to the guilty persons involved in the ghastly murders of the Dalits.
Dowry
harassment case A young housewife, Mrs Menka of Pritampura village in this district, has lodged an FIR with the Kharkhauda police against her husband and her in-laws for dowry harassment. According to a report, she has alleged that her husband and other members of her in-laws’ family had been harassing her immediately after the marriage for dowry. The police are still investigating into the case. No arrest has been made in this connection.
Motor cyclist hurt Neetu, a motorcyclist, was injured when he lost control and fell down on the GT Road near Bhigan village, about 10 km from here, on Monday evening. According to another report, a woman was hit by a jeep near Mamoon Bhanja chowk here on Monday evening. Both the injured persons were immediately hospitalised and they are stated to be out of danger.
Four hurt in clash Four persons were injured in a clash which took place between two rival groups at Ridhao village, about 15 km from here, on Monday evening. According to another report, a youth was injured when he was allegedly attacked by a neighbour at Jhundpur Tanda village, about 14 km from here, on Monday.
Jawan cremated The body of Inder Singh Gulia, an Army jawan, was cremated at his native village, Purkhas, about 19 km from here, on Monday. According to a report, thousands of people of neighbouring villages were present on this occasion. They raised slogans against Pakistan and the militant organisations. Inder Singh Gulia was killed by the militants when he was returning to his base camp at night in the Ramban area of Jammu and Kashmir on October 18 last. One of his associates was also seriously injured by the militant attack. |
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DELHI DIGEST New Delhi, October 22 Power shutdown:
AIDS’ workshop:
Assembly session:
Condolences:
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Case against DJB
for causing death New Delhi, October 22 Poppy seized:
Murder solved:
Burglars held:
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