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| Friday,
December 20, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Emergency
DTC services started New Delhi, December 19 Transport Minister Ajay Maken said as many as 168 CNG buses of the DTC had been requisitioned to hit the roads by December-end. Ten extra DTC buses were plying and 10 more would be added every day. Claiming that an owners’ cartel was behind the strike, Mr Maken said that certain individual owners had 50 autos plying on the road and made Rs 3 lakh out of the business per month. “Otherwise, how can someone who has to shell out Rs 150 per day continue this strike when he has to feed a family?” he asked. Mr Maken said since the schools would soon close for winter vacation, 1,100-odd buses could also ply during rush hours in the morning. On the taxi operators joining the agitation, the minister said it was only a show of solidarity on a give-and-take basis. “Every time the taxi unions strike, auto drivers join and vice versa,” he said. Certain unions of autorickshaw drivers persisted with their agitation even as Mr Maken reiterated that electronic meters would have to be installed on the autorickshaws as per the direction of the Supreme Court. He said permits would be given to only those who had valid licence and badge owners. (An estimated 45,000 autos are plying in the Capital.) Police detained scores of autorickshaw drivers for blocking vehicular traffic in South Delhi. Police released the drivers after traffic on the busy roads in Delhi was cleared. The autorickshaw drivers had gathered in Malviya Nagar to demonstrate and continue the Chakka Jam as part of their agitation for a revision of fares. For the last 11 days, TSR operators have been demanding an upward revision of fares after the Government of NCT of Delhi launched a campaign to suspend permits of those TSR drivers who were not using electronic meters. Some of the 14-odd autorickshaw unions had called the indefinite strike to press their demands for fare hike. They want fares for the first kilometre to be fixed at Rs 10 instead of the current Rs 5. For every additional kilometre, current fare rates are Rs 2.50 while the autorickshaw operators are demanding Rs 5. Meanwhile, the three-member committee examining the gamut of issues thrown up because of the strike by autorickshaw operators is still to submit its report to the Government of NCT of Delhi. Mr Maken said the committee was examining the issue of revision of fares and would submit its report by December 24. The committee consists of a group of economists from NCAER and TERI and is chaired by Sales Tax Commissioner Rahul Khullar. |
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Held for bid to run over cop New Delhi, December 19 The incident occurred on the busy Mehrauli-Badarpur Road when the policeman on duty there spotted him talking on the phone while driving his Mahendra jeep. According to the police, the constable, Amit, posted near Savitri Cinema T- Point, asked him to stop. Instead of stopping the vehicle, Sachin reportedly increased speed and rammed into the constable who jumped in front of his jeep trying to make it stop. The constable, however, clung to the bonnet of the vehicle despite being injured. Hundreds of shocked passers-by and drivers watched the drama unfolding in front of their eyes. Sachin was forced to stop his vehicle near Tughlakabad village, his native place, because of a traffic jam. The constable then jumped off the bonnet and caught hold of Sachin. He was later taken to the nearby police station where the suspect reportedly threatened the constable with dire consequences. He said that his father was an ex-MLA from Tughlakbad area and at present he was senior leader of the LJP of Ram Vilas Paswan. He was produced before the court today and was sent in judicial custody, the police said. The traffic police constable suffered injuries. He was treated at a hospital and discharged later. This is the second incident in the last couple of days where the errant motorists when stopped by traffic policemen have tried to run them down. |
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MPs’ fund: Delhi netas no better than others New Delhi, December 19 The BJP has seven MPs in the Lok Sabha while the Congress has three MPs in the Rajya Sabha. Together, they spent only 70 per cent of the money released under the MPLADS in the financial year 2001-2002. Anita Arya spent the most and Vijay Goel the least. Among the Congress’ MPs in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Karan Singh spent only eight per cent; Ms Ambika Soni and Mr A. R. Kidwai did not spend at all as other pressing matters engaged their attention. Still, MPs cutting across party lines want the MPLADS fund to be raised from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore. According to the Union Ministry of Programme Implementation, 250-odd MPs have sought amendments to the guidelines governing the use of the MPLADS fund. Among the suggestions sought are provision of an assistant to MPs for the execution of the MPLADS and resting the choice of project implementation with the people’s representatives than the government agencies. Chandni Chowk MP and Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Vijay Goel says the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) should be faulted as it often cannot process quickly the estimates or accord approval to works. Mr Goel says the MCD administers the MPLADS in the NCT of Delhi. “The shortfall in recommendations with reference to the entitlement and delays in preparation of estimates, according approvals and implementation of works, hamper the utilisation of the MPLADS fund.” Under the MPLADS, MPs can recommend works to the district heads concerned. After technical and administrative approval, the district heads assign the work to implementing agencies for execution as per the established guidelines. The MPs also propose that purchase of land/building, books and furniture, vehicles, computers etc be included in the permissible list of the MPLADS in order to make the exercise development-oriented. The Ministry of Programme Implementation nevertheless says the utilisation of MPLADS fund has gone up from 54.6 per cent in 1998 to 76.3 per cent in November 2002. |
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Four of family killed as
vehicles collide Ghaziabad, December 19 At the time of the accident, the area was enveloped in thick fog. The family were going from Trilok Puri, New Delhi to participate in a religious function at Payal in Amrocha. Despite the thick fog, the van was allegedly driven at a high speed and collided with the vehicle, the police said. The front portion of the van was completely smashed. Mrs Roma Devi, her husband Sher Singh, driver Rajkumar (25) and Mrs Chameli (50) died on the spot. Anil Kumar, his wife Neenu, brothers Sunil and Kale Ram were seriously injured. Anil Kumar is said to be serious. According to the police, the driver of other vehicle sped away after the accident. On being informed, the Babugarh police reached the spot and rushed the injured to a private nursing home in Hapur. A large number of relatives of the family reached the hospital in the morning. Chhoya bridge has become a byword for road accidents. There is a sharp turn after the bridge, which makes it difficult for the drivers to judge the type of vehicle coming from the opposite direction as also its speed. |
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Mother Courage pregnant with 23rd kid Ghaziabad, December 19 The highly motivated woman will not stop at that, according to available indications. She aspires to wrest a coveted award from the government one day for having given birth to a record number of offspring. Till that day, Sonekali is determined to continue her procreative march. Sonekali and her husband Kushi Ram make a legendary couple, for wrong reasons, who symobolise the utter failure of family planning programmes in the country. No wonder, the family is as poor as a church mouse! Of her 22 kids, 15 have survived amid extreme poverty in the family. They get just an apology for a meal. None of the surviving children has ever set its foot inside a school. Most of them roam around in a state of nature. On the birth of her 21st child, Sonekali was interviewed by the TV channels and she thoroughly enjoyed the media attention. She rejected the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Daya Ram Prakash, who had asked her to undergo tubectomy operation. Sonekali has obviously been misled by someone, who told her that the woman who bears the record number of kids will be suitably rewarded for her achievement by the government. Last year, she gave birth to her 22nd child. Her 15 children sleep mostly in the open on a bed made by paddy husk. But the bold lady has the willpower to continue her quest for the coveted trophy. - not more a mention in Guinness Book! |
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Bhiwani
traders agree
to pay tax Bhiwani, December 19 However, traders’ representatives said that trade tax could be paid only if the municipal council provided facilities. Mr Pyare Lal Rangwala, president, Nagar Beopar Mandal, said that it was requested in the previous meeting that notices must be sent to those persons who had outstanding dues for a longer period but it was remained unheeded. Mr Rangwala added that full cooperation would be given to the council after realisation of outstanding taxes. |
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FARIDABAD Faridabad, December 19 It is reported that the JE, identified as Ram Singh, was posted in the NH 4 division of the nigam here. He had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 500 from Mr K.L. Sethi, a resident of Sector 21-B, in connection with the replacement of a wire of the power line leading to the latter’s house. The matter was reported to the DIG office, Vigilance, which formed a team of officials to conduct the raid today. The team, consisting of a tehsildar and an inspector, caught the accused with currency notes which had been powdered before being handed over to Mr Sethi. The accused was later produced in court. He has been remanded in judicial custody. A case under the Anti-Corruption Act has been registered. |
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Shahtoosh
shawls seized New Delhi, December 19 |
Delhi NGOs get most of the donations New Delhi, December 19 l An enormous two million NGOs function in the country, employing six million people. l Foreign receipts for the current year alone account for Rs 43,000 million while the government’s contribution stands at Rs 7,000 million, a measly sum in comparison.
Disclosures like these are a part of the attempt made to bring transparency and accountability in the voluntary sector. The Charities Aid Foundation India (CAF) in association with the Planning Commission, Government of India has embarked on the mission to provide genuine rating of the NGOs considering the legal aspects, programme and staffing, income profile and governance. In a function organised in the Capital yesterday, the CAF in association with the Planning Commission launched ‘Dimensions of the Voluntary Sector in India’, a book providing an insight into the voluntary sector. The book was released by Mr Mark Runacres, Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission. Addressing the conference, Mr Runacres said: “This initiative by the CAF India may enter the global network as a benchmark on validation of voluntary organisations as the voluntary sector is the key force of social development all over the world.” Dr Rajesh Tandon, chairperson, Charities Aid Foundation, described it as a step towards bringing transparency that would give impetus to the donors not only in India but internationally as well. |
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Felling
of trees along canal banks rampant Sonepat, December 19 According to a report, members of the forest mafia have been engaged in the cutting of trees at night to hoodwink the higher-ups. It is alleged that certain officials of the Forest Department are in league with them and collect bribe regularly for overlooking their illegal trade. The members of the forest mafia are selling these trees to owners of the sawmills situated on the deserted roads as well as in this city. Tractor-trolleys and other vehicles including mule carts, loaded with logs, are seen outside the mills in the early hours of the morning everyday in this city. The officials of the Forest Department are never bothered about the illegal felling of trees and selling of logs by the members of the forest mafia, it is alleged. A high-level inquiry and surprise raids are likely to expose the misdeeds of the officials and the scandalous activities of the forest mafia and some contractors. Illegal felling of trees is a crime under the Act but this process is continuing at a massive scale causing heavy losses to the state exchequer. The Forest Department Mazdoor Union and its leaders have raised their voice against the irregularities and malpractice of the department officials and demanded a high-level probe into the felling of trees. However, the state government has so far failed to take action against the corrupt officials of the department. |
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Youth falls from train, injured Sonepat, December 19 In another incident, two youths were injured seriously when the motorcycle, on which they were riding, skid on the G T Road last evening. The injured were identified as Manjeet and Somvir and both belonged to Purkhas village. Both were immediately hospitalised and stated to be out of danger. Another youth of Kurar village was injured in an accident on the G T Road near Murthal Chowk, 8 km from here, last evening.
HM found absent The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Civil) of Ganaur, Mr Jeet Singh Mehra, conducted a surprise raid on a government middle school at Garhi Kesri village, about 25 km from here, yesterday and found the headmistress absent from duty. According to a report, the SDM also found three teachers abstaining themselves from their classes. The SDM has recommended disciplinary action against the headmistress and the teachers. According to another report, Bal Vikas Shikhsha Sadan, Ganaur, has been declared second in the state by the Board of School Education for its excellent results in the annual examinations held during 2001. The teachers of this educational institution will be honoured by the management of the institution with commendation certificates. |
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IN PARLIAMENT New Delhi, December 19 Mr Fernandes said the Haryana Government was yet to give a positive response for providing the necessary infrastructure and meeting fully the financial commitments for opening and running of sainik schools in Haryana. The Defence Minister said there was no plan to consider any proposal for opening a military school anywhere. He said except for the proposal to open two sainik schools in Bihar, no other proposals, meeting the laid down requirements, were under consideration with the ministry. The Minister of State for Railways, Mr Bandaru Dattatraya, said there was a demand for opening a Railway dispensary at Sonepat, which had since been opened and was functioning effectively. However, no demand or representation had been received for opening a Railway dispensary at Bahadurgarh. The Minister of State of Petroleum, Mr Santosh Kumar Gangwar, informed the Lok Sabha the Indian Oil Corporation had acquired land in Asaoti village through the Land Acquisition Officer, Palwal, for its lube bending plant. As per the award by the SDO, Civil, Land Acquisition Collector, Palwal, an amount of Rs 1.68 crore had been paid by the IOC towards full compensation for the acquired land. Further, as per the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, an enhanced compensation for the land losers, amounting to Rs 3.84 crore, had been deposited in the bank through the Registrar of that court. Mr Gangwar said while compensation had been paid by the IOC, as per the decision of the government and the order of the high court, there was no need for recruitment as the required manpower had been generated internally. |
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Minor fire at AIIMS New Delhi, December 19 Bootlegger held The South-West district police have arrested a bootlegger, Rangrajan (50), resident of R.K. Puram, involved in more than 20 cases. The police have recovered a large quantity of illicit liquor from his possession. He was active in Gurgaon and at a number of other places in the national Capital.
Satta racket With the arrest of six persons, the Model Town police today claimed to have busted a satta racket. The police said that they had information that some people were involved in gambling on the cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa. The police have recovered Rs 20,000 cash, five landline phones, five mobile phones, one computer with printer, one laptop and two calculators. The accused were identified as Satish Kumar Bansal (36), Ritesh Bhatia (30), Ashwani Kumar, Jugal Kishore (45), Rajiv Verma (24) and Avinash Kumr (27). |
Man stabs uncle for Rs 30,000 Noida, December 19 Mohinder Singh of Kesraula village in Dadri, maternal uncle of Shripal, had loaned him Rs 30,000 a few months ago. This had become a bone of contention between the two. Yesterday, Shripal had gone to see his uncle along with his three friends. There was an altercation between the two regarding repayment of the loan. Shripal asked his uncle to accompany him to Dadri where, he said, he would borrow the money from someone and give the same to his uncle. Shripal was accompanied by Sidharth, Satender and driver Satbir. Shripal and his friends, instead, took Mohinder Singh to the forests of Kamoda village. Here, Shripal is reported to have attacked his uncle with a razor blade and ripped open Mohinder’s stomach. After committing the heinous act, the four sped away. When Mohinder Singh failed to reach his village in the evening, his family informed the police. The police flashed a message saying that Shripal had taken his uncle in a
Sumo with three others. Meanwhile, the police were informed by someone that a body was lying near Kamoda village. It was identified as that of Mohinder Singh by family members in Mussori police station. Immediately after this, the Mussori and Dadri police raided Kacheda village and a few other places, managing to nab the four assailants. |
Girl
raped Faridabad Two killed Panipat, December 19 |
IOC’s Kandla-Bhatinda pipeline bags quality award Panipat, December 19 The award was presented by Mr Sharad Yadav, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, to Mr A. M. Uplenchwar, director (Pipeline), IOC, at a function held in New Delhi. Also present on the occasion were Mr K. M. Bansal, executive director (Pipeline), headquarters, and Mr D. S. Gadhvi, GM, northern region (Pipeline), Panipat, and Mr M. M. Mohanty, chief human resource manager, IOC, northern region (Pipeline), Panipat. The award was in recognition of the successful operation of the ISO-9002 certified quality system and ISO-14001 certified environment management system by the pipeline. The pipeline has also implemented SAP and achieved 6.2 million accident-free manhours since the commissioning. The pipeline has also implemented various schemes under the community development programme of IOC, such as treatment of TB patients from the villages adjacent to the pipeline, construction of water storage tanks and schools with teaching aids. It had also enhanced the quality of pumps, thereby reducing losses during the year 2001. Instituted by the BIS in 1991, the award accords special recognition to the manufacturing and service organisations considered leaders in quality management in India. The award is on the lines of the prestigious international awards, like the Malcolm Balridge National Quality Award (USA), Deming Prize (Japan) and the European Quality Award, Mr Mohanty added. |
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Jankidevi
Bajaj Puraskar for Kanta Tyagi New Delhi, December 19 The 10th Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar for women rural entrepreneurs 2002 has been conferred on one such woman who has not just earned herself success, but has ensured empowerment for her kind. Ms Kanta Tyagi of the Kasturba Vanvasi Kanya Ashram in Madhya Pradesh is this year’s recipient of the award instituted by the Indian Merchants Chambers Ladies’ Wing. Ms Tyagi has been chosen for her contribution to the lives of the underprivileged rural women. The ashram runs a tailoring and knitting school for the village women and helps the villagers become self-dependent. They are involved in the manufacture and marketing of papad, badi and masala. The ashram also runs a health centre for tribal women and children, apart from serving the displaced and destitute. Ms Tyagi ensures that her social activities involve the tribals to gain their confidence and help in their upliftment. The award, which has been instituted in the memory of Padma Vibhushan, Jankidevi Bajaj carries a cash prize of Rs 1,50,000, a citation and a certificate. The award will be presented to Ms Tyagi at a function organised to mark the birth anniversary of Jankidevi Bajaj on January 7, 2003. The award aims at felicitating the inspirational rural entrepreneur who dedicates her life to make an outstanding contribution to the lives of the lesser privileged. |
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Haryana
lags behind in getting ISO certifications Panipat, December 19 This interesting fact came to light on the opening day of the two-day training programme on ISO-9001:2000 and total quality management (TQM), organised by the National Productivity Council (NPC) for the officials of the Industries Department of the Haryana Government. Addressing the delegates, Deputy Director of NPC, Mr A.K.Singh, stressed the need for providing quality service in the government departments as the expectations of the public, the investors and the entrepreneurs were rising in the new globalised world. Explaining the concept of TQM, he said the ISO-9001 was the first step towards inculcating the TQM culture. “Quality in government departments could be improved if the people respond quickly to the growing needs and expectations of the customers and there is focus on increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of processes, policies and objectives,” he asserted. |
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