A heavyweight proves the administration 
is weak-kneed
Parmindar Singh

Khurja (Noida), April 1
When a certain heavyweight failed to return a bank loan, the administration decided to attach 62 bighas of his land. But when the land was to be auctioned, no bidders came forward as people were afraid to incur his wrath.

As a result, the bid had to be closed in the name of the district collector. Despite this, the district administration has failed to take possession of the land and the bully continues to reap the harvest on the land.

This has been going on for the past nine years.

Things could not possibly have come to such a pass without the connivance of the tehsil staff. The state exchequer is suffering a loss of lakhs of rupees on this account.

The district administration had received a recovery challan about the non-payment of a bank loan taken by Hoshiar Singh, a resident of Usmanpur village in Khurja in 1994. But the administration, like the bank, had also failed to effect the recovery of the loan from Hoshiar Singh.

On then SDM Dimple Verma’s orders that the officials should adopt a stern attitude for recovery from the defaulters, the Naib Tehsildar had on July 8, 1994, decided to auction 62 bighas of Hoshiar Singh’s land in Balran and Usmanpur villages.

As Naib Tehsildar Om Prakash did not find a single bidder, he closed the bid in the name of the DM for Re 1. One rupee was subsequently deposited in the government treasury also.

But till 1998 the land could not be transferred in the revenue records in the name of the district administration. Under the rules, after the auction the land would have become the possession of the district administration and a receiver should have been appointed for looking after the land.

The land in Balran village was later officially transferred to the government in the revenue records. But the actual possession still remained with Hoshiar Singh.

According to sources, even during consolidation of 12 bighas in Usmanpur village, Lady fortune continued to smile on Hoshiar Singh as the land was again transferred in his name. This only proves how weak-kneed the administration is.

According to tehsil sources, this is not the first case of its kind.

There are numerous cases in which land was to be transferred to the government but the needful has not been done. 

Firing on Jamia campus as students run amok
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
Two former students of the Jamia Millia Islamia and a mess boy were injured when a group of rusticated students clashed on the university campus while examinations were on and attacked the police picket, setting fire to three vehicles.

The police later fired four rounds in self-defence to disperse the rampaging group of former students. The police said that a mess boy, Israel, 22, was injured and he was rushed to the Holy Family Hospital where his condition was described as serious.

The two injured former students, Shah Hussain and Imran, who were injured in an exchange of fire with country made guns, have been arrested and are under treatment in a hospital. The police said that cases of attempt to murder and rioting have been registered and police presence has been strengthened on the campus.

There was total panic for several hours as students ran amok, shouting and screaming, following the exchange of fire between the two former students. Traffic in the vicinity of the campus was also disrupted for a couple of hours.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 11. 30 am while the examinations were on. The two former students, apparently nursing old grudges, arrived at the campus along with their supporters and entered into a verbal duel. Both of them then reportedly whipped out country made guns and fired at each other. Both Shah Hussain and Imran received pellet injuries. A police picket, posted there because of the examinations, grabbed Shah Hussain who started screaming in protest.

A number of his supporters and some students then reportedly attacked the half a dozen policemen and managed to rescue Shah Hussain who later got himself admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The other supporters went on a rampage, setting fire to a motor cycle and a scooter belonging to the police. Another motor cycle belonging to a civilian was also torched. They also fired from country made guns at the police.

The police fired four rounds in self-defense to disperse the mob. One of the bullets hit the mess boy, Israel. Reinforcements were summoned and the situation brought under control. Senior police officers also rushed to the campus and held a meeting with the university authorities. The police said that the situation was under control, but tense. Both Shah Hussain and Imran have several cases registered against them. Further investigations are continuing.

A university spokesperson said the situation was under control and examinations were conducted as scheduled. He said the clash was the outcome of some personal rivalry between the former students.

Life term for three in gang rape case
Our Correspondent

Meerut, April 1
Three accused who were convicted of gang rape were sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 by the Additional District and Sessions Judge here today under Section 376(2) G of the Indian Penal Code. This is the second consecutive judgement in a gang rape case pronounced by the Judge, Ms Vijay Laxmi, wherein she has awarded life term for the heinous crime, setting aside the defence lawyer’s plea for mercy.

The complainant Nepal Giri, a sadhu, and his disciple were meditating near their ashram in Daurala, 10 km away from the district headquarters, on the evening of February 7 last year. The accused, Sompal, Rishipal and Mukesh went to the ashram in a jeep and offered a cigarette containing some intoxicant to the hermit. The trio then dragged his lady follower, Sadhvi Laxmi Giri, to a nearby plot and raped her. They beat up the sadhu and threatened hium and sadhvi of dire consequences if they dared approach the police in this regard.

Nepal Giri lodged an FIR against the three. A case of gang rape was registered under Sections 323,328 and 376(2) G of the IPC in the Daurala police station.

The three accused were notorious criminals of the area and were history sheeters. Mukesh has 27 cases of murder, rape and extortion registered against him. He and his father are history sheeters at the Daurala police station.

The Allahabad High Court had directed the lower court to complete the trial within four months. But the trial court could not do so following some technical hurdles. It took 14 months for justice to be dispensed.

During the trial the Judge also came to know that the accused again gang-raped the sadhvi four days after the first incident with the police refusing to entertain the second complaint.

Canal from Karnal to Delhi to mitigate water woes
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
In order to augment the drinking water supply in Delhi, the Haryana Irrigation Department has undertaken the construction of a canal between Munak (Karnal) and Delhi. This scheme will cost the state exchequer Rs 75 crore.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, told mediapersons here today this work had been handed over to the Sonepat and Panipat circles of the Irrigation

Department. To ensure the regular supply of canal water in the agriculture sector, Rs 8.22 lakh was being spent on the construction of minors and bridges in this district.

He disclosed the state government had spent Rs 2.25 crore on the construction of Mahmoodpur minor and another Rs 2 crore had been spent on the construction of Katwal minor in Gohana subdivision of this district. Work on the Ahulana minor had already been completed at a cost of Rs 1.40 crore.

According to the DC, a sum of Rs 25 lakh had been spent on the construction of Tihar sub-minor whereas two bridges had been constructed at a cost of Rs 66 lakh each on the canals at RD 173000 and RD 199300. Besides, a sum of Rs 65 lakh had been spent on the construction of a bridge on a canal at RD 155500 in the Rohat assembly constituency of this district.

Referring to the anti-erosion works on the Yamuna, the DC disclosed that five stone studs had been built at a cost of Rs 22 lakh at Bega complex whereas three stone studs had been built at a cost of Rs 12 lakh at the Memarpur complex. He said Rs 1.50 lakh had been spent on the construction of a link drain between Bhatgaon and Nakloi villages.

He claimed the present Indian National Lok Dal government headed by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala had been engaged in the execution of development works in each sector.

His aim is to make every child smile like a flower
Nalini Ranjan

New Delhi, April 1
It was early 1982 when his elder brother, Prem Prakash Gupta, was killed in a road accident. He meant the world to him. It was a big loss. He was barely 16 years’ old and life, which was passing very smoothly, suddenly received a tremendous setback. It was heart-wrenching to see his nephews growing up bereft of their father’s affection.

For Chander Gupta, now 37 years’ old and a resident of the Krishna Nagar area, this incident proved to be a turning point in his life. He decided to do something for the children of a lesser God. But in order to do something in this direction it was imperative to have a sound financial status. After completing his B Com (Hons) degree from DAV College, he forayed into the field of event management. Here, he did fairly well. Subsequently, in 1999 he started his social service organisation, Muskan. Like the name suggests, this organisation has been instrumental in restoring the smile on the faces of thousands of destitute children, be it from slums or from orphanages, adoption centres, blind schools, beggars’ homes etc. The organisation has 42 active members in Delhi and with voluntary donation from these well-to-do members the organisation is carrying on with its good work. At present, 300 destitute children have been adopted by the organisation. All expenses of these children are being borne by Muskan. The organisation also provides regular assistance to Jangpura-based adoption centre in the form of chocolates, toys, milk packets, napkins and other essentials required in nurturing young children. Here, infants between the age group of six months and three years are kept for the purpose of adoption. The organisation financially supports a mentally challenged child from an East of Kailash-based social service organisation, Iswar. Despite being mentally challenged, this teenaged boy, Pankaj, is a good stage singer and two of his albums are going to be released in June this year.

Since its inception, Muskan has undertaken many projects for unfortunate children like organising blood donation camps, conducting free health check camps and awareness drives for their rights. Recently, it organised an awareness camp in the Karkardooma-based Amar Jyoti School for the disabled children. Calipers, tricycles and other kits were donated to these children. Recently, it also organised a painting competition for children studying in government-run schools of the trans-Yamuna area.

His father, Mr R. D. Gupta, is also a known social worker. Under his able guidance, a daycare centre for senior citizens is being run successfully at the organisation’s Lajapat-Nagar based office. Chander’s wife, Mrs Neesha Gupta, and his two children also render help for this noble venture.

VACATION TIME
Ten-day holiday bonanza for govt employees
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
All government offices in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh will remain closed for 10 days at a stretch between April 11 and April 20.

The gazetted holidays in these states are as follows: April 11 (Ram Navmi), April 12 and April 13 (Saturday and Sunday), April 14 (Dr B R Ambedkar Jayanti), April 15 (Mahavir Jayanti), April 18 (Good Friday), April 19 and April 20 (Saturday and Sunday).

Official sources revealed that most government employees have already submitted leave applications for April 16 & April 17, so that they could club these days with the gazetted holidays.

The banks in Punjab will remain closed on April 11 while April 15 will be a holiday in Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. However, April 11, 15 and 18 will be holidays in Himachal Pradesh.

There have been occasions in the past when the work in government offices has been paralysed on account of gazetted and other holidays. Alternative arrangements are being made by the postal department; the Punjab University is also making special arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual examinations beginning from April 3 next. This step is being taken to avoid any hardship to the examinees.

The complaint centres for drinking water and power supply will remain closed during the gazetted holidays and both the Public Health Department and the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam have not made alternate arrangements for attending to public complaints. The sanitation department of the civic bodies will also remain closed during this period in the cities and towns. However, a great rush is expected at the tourist complexes during these holidays.

PUCC deadline extended

New Delhi: The Minister of State for Transport, Mr. Ajay Maken, today announced that the date for obtaining a pollution under control certificate has been extended till April 15.

The earlier April one deadline was extended following requests from neighbouring states, said Mr. Maken. He added, “The enforcement drive shall be carried out from April 15”.

The Minister said the neighbouring states have been requested to set up computerised PUCC centres in the Capital for the benefit of vehicles registered in their territories.

The certificates will carry photographic imprint of the number plate. TNS

BURIED ALIVE
Bodies of trapped labourers dug out
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
After a non-stop effort for a marathon 40 hours, the administrative machinery, with the help of the local villagers, succeeded in retrieving the bodies of two labourers who were buried 35-feet-deep in mud. The incident happened while they were digging a well in a field in village Sandal Khurd on Sunday afternoon. The families of the victims in Rajasthan have been informed about the tragedy; the bodies will shortly be handed over to them for the last rites.

The administration had left no stone unturned in its efforts to dig out the labourers. However, the continuous displacement of mud during the digging hampered their efforts. Having failed to extricate the labourers manually, the JCB machines were deployed, but even they failed to dig out the mud.

Swarup is new DDA vice-chief

New Delhi: The Centre today effected secretary-level changes, appointing Suman Swarup as the new Vice-Chairperson of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in place of Subhash Sharma, who was removed in the wake of a scam.

Narayanaswami takes over at NDMC

New Delhi: Mr Ramesh Narayanaswami, an IAS Officer of the 1971 batch, today took over as the new Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation. He was administered the oath of office in a special meeting of the council. Mr Narayanaswami, who replaced Ms Parminder Mandip Singh as the Chairperson of the NDMC, will simultaneously hold the charge of the post of Principal Secretary (Home), Government of NCT of Delhi. TNS

SPECIAL FOCUS ON GURGAON
DLF ready to take on power department this summer, comes out with dossier
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, April 1
The builders of posh DLF City here, the DLF Universal Ltd, have learnt the bitter truth that playing ball with the electricity department need not bring it the dividends always.

Till a few years back, the management had been extending unsolicited support to the electricity department.

However, whenever power crisis pops up in the DLF City area, home to several high-heeled members of the society, the power authorities hold the management responsible claiming that it has provided transformers and other distribution system. Also, the authorities say that the management is responsible for the augmentation, operation and maintenance of the system. The DLF management has decided to put up its defence more effectively in case the electricity department passes on the responsibility to it this summer. It has prepared a dossier detailing the ground realities.

According to it, in any township, electrification design is done on certain norms, which are decided by the licensee (in this case the electricity department) of the area and not the coloniser.

The electricity department, in the case of DLF City Phase 1 and Phase 11, finalised the size of transformers and specification of associated wires, panels, cables etc and prepared the statement. The DLF paid the department the cost in full as demanded and also paid 24 per cent of the cost as departmental charges and 1.5 per cent more as inspection charges.

The management’s stand is that it has practically no control over any area of design, procurement and installation.

It has, however, involved itself by providing manpower for execution, free of cost at a later stage, to expedite the installation. Also for Phases 111 and 1V, the DlF, after obtaining design clearance, did the installation work itself after paying departmental charges and inspection charges as per the demand of the department.

The management says that sanction of electricity connection is given solely by the department to individual plot holder directly. But in actual practice, the department does not adhere to the norms laid down by it.

There have been several instances where the sanctioned load to individual plot holders has been in excess of the norms, overloading the system in the final reckoning. Also, there are hundreds of plots where commercial activities like shops, institutes, offices, nursing homes etc, who have taken power connections from the system far in excess of the norms, are being run. As per the norm, the system has to be augmented on a regular basis by the licensee because overloading meant increased consumption resulting in higher revenue.

A part of the revenue is to be spent on system augmentation as per the normal practice. The management’s calculation is that the department earns a revenue of about Rs 50 crore per annum from DlF City alone.

As per the Indian Electricity Act and the Regulatory Commission guidelines, operation and maintenance is the job of the licensee, who collects the revenue for supply of electricity from consumers. In the case of Gurgaon, the department, before supplying power, had also charged all colonisers 25 per cent of the total cost of electrification as operation and maintenance (O&M) charges.

This was to cover their cost of operation and maintenance for a period of five years or up to the period when 25 per cent of the total consumers get connections (whichever event happens later). After that no O&M charges are payable. The DLF management says that in actual practice, despite paying the O&M charges to the department, it continues to maintain the system because the department refuses to do it.

The management laments that even though it has been continuing with the goodwill gesture and doing the functions of the department, it has been blamed for the “inefficiency and insensitivity” of the personnel of the department.

Traffic diversion to BB Marg annoys residents
Priyanka Gupta

New Delhi, April 1
The decision of the Delhi Transport Corporation to divert 14 routes of DTC and private buses going towards trans-Yamuna area from Mall Road to Mukherjee Nagar from Haquikat Nagar point (Banda Bahadur Marg) from March 10 have made local residents and institutions worried. The diversion was ordered due to Delhi Metro project work in the area. The Sudhar Samiti, Haquikat Nagar, has forwarded a number of letters protesting against the decision to the authorities concerned without any result. The narrow stretch of Banda Bahadur Marg is congested and has been an accident-prone area. The diversion of buses has made the area chaotic.

The 150 sq ft-wide road is already under encroachments and has two DTC bus depots, Mother Dairy Depot and the Delhi Milk Scheme Depot. A number of institutions, including Sewa Kutir, Juvenile Court and six schools, are located here. The increased traffic is a threat to children’s safety. Scool buses drop the kids on the road only. The residents fear that more traffic on this road might result in accidents involving these children.

Poonam, a local resident, said: “Since the authorities diverted the buses, we have been living under constant tension. I am worried everyday till I bring my daughter home safely. This particular route has always been jammed and further diversion of buses has added to it.”

The blind youths of Sewa Kutir Hostel are also cut up. One of them, Nikhil Jain, said: “The speeding traffic, especially the Blue Line buses, endangers our safety. The shifting of bus stops due to the work on Delhi Metro project has aggravated our problem. People misguide us.”

Mr Suneet Mudgal, DTC spokesman, said, “This is a temporary diversion due to the DMRC work.”

Parochialism rears its head at national integration camp
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
Where is the question of national integration when they (the organisers) don’t even use the soil and water brought by us from our states for planting saplings? This was angry response of some participants at the week-long national integration camp that concluded here on Saturday.

They alleged mismanagement by the organisers, the Nehru Yuva Kendra, and instances of misbehaviour with women participants during the camp. As many as 125 youths from 15 states had participated in the camp.

According to information, the Nehru Yuva Kendra had reportedly submitted a list for inviting 250 youths from 20 states to the central government. Accordingly, the government sanctioned a grant of Rs 2.60 lakh for providing all facilities to the participants.

However, the participants alleged that the organisers did not provide proper facilities. “We were not given proper bedding and food during the camp. There were instances of eve-teasing and misbehaviour with mahila representatives from other states,” a participant told mediapersons on Monday.

But what irked most of them was another act of serious negligence. The organisers did not use the water and soil brought by the participants from their states for planting saplings as a mark of national integration.

When this came to the notice of prominent social worker and national president of Vanasthali Wildlife of India Ashok Bhardwaj, he has reportedly urged the participants to hand over the water and soil to him for using in planting “ratanjot” saplings. Accepting the request, the participants have handed over these to Mr Ashok Bhardwaj.

Representatives from Uttar Pradesh, for instance, had brought the soil from the courtyard of the house of veteran martyr and freedom fighter, Chander Shekhar Azad.

NCR BRIEFS
Six held after lawyers’ slugfest 
Our Correspondents

Jhajjar, April 1
The district police have arrested six persons today who allegedly accompanied the advocates’ group led by Mr Jaideep Punia and Mr Kapoor Singh Sahrawat following yesterday’s confrontation between two groups of the District Bar Association here.

A case under Sections 506, 148,149 and 452 of IPC was registered against 14 persons of this group which include six advocates. However, no advocate mentioned in the FIR was arrested so far.

The case was registered on the complaint of Mr Naseeb Singh Kadian, DBA president, who had alleged that Mr Sahrawat threatened him with dire consequences on telephone.

The lawyers against whom the case was registered are: Kapoor Sahrawat, Satish Chahar, Yashpal Saini, Bijender Saklan, Jaideep Punia and Navin Rahad. Those arrested are: Dinesh, Sukhbir, Rakesh, Jasbir, Ranjeet and Rajesh. Two others booked are: Pradeep and Praveen.

However, Mr Naseeb Kadian, DBA chief, demanded the registration of cases under the Arms Act against the culprits.

Army recruitment

Rohtak: The Directorate of Recruitment will hold a rally for recruitment to Indian Army in the police grounds here from April 2 to 5. The organisers of the rally expect good response in the land of war heroes.

Brig R D Sharma, VSM, Deputy Director General Recruiting, Headquarters Recruiting zone, Ambala has called upon the candidates and their parents to remain away from the menace of touting and anti-social elements as the process for recruitment was impartial.

Killed while crossing road

Sonepat: Kartar Singh, a resident of Hassangarh was hit by an unknown vehicle and killed on the spot on the G T Road near here last night.

According to a report, the victim was crossing the road when the accident occurred.

The police have registered the case and investigations were on. According to another report, Arjun, a youth of Magrauli village in Baghpat district of UP, was crushed to death by a bus on the G T Road near here last night. The police have sent the body for a post-mortem. Investigations were in progress.

Three persons including two women were injured in an accident that took place on the G T Road near Murthal Chowk about 8 km from here last evening. They were riding a scooter which was hit by a vehicle.

According to a report, the injured were identified as Mr Vinod, his wife Mrs Pooja and his sister Ms Ritu. All three were immediately hospitalised and were stated to be out of danger.

Falls from train

Rajnish, a second year student of Hindu Engineering Institution, Sonepat, fell from a running train and was killed on the spot between Sonepat and Sandal Kalan railway station about 3 km from here last evening. According to a report, the victim belonged to Ambala.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) have sent the body for a post-mortem.

DELHI DIGEST
More fuss over VAT
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
Even as the implementation of the new tax regime was deferred, the nationwide bandh by traders to oppose the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) system entered second day today. Most of the wholesale and retail markets in the Capital remained closed though there were reports of a few establishments being open.

Essential services including those in health and transport sectors were, however, kept out of the purview of the two-day bandh, called by Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal and Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

The traders’ associations in walled city said the bandh was for two days and “we have not made any change in our programme.” All wholesale commodity and retail markets remained closed paralysing commercial activities as over 300 trade bodies in the city participated in the 48-hour bandh.

One held for kidnapping: The North-West district police have apprehended one Naseem of Muzaffarnagar and claimed to have solved two cases of kidnapping for ransom and attempt to murder. The police also recovered one country-made weapon and three live cartridges from him.

Naseem along with his six associates had kidnapped Gaffar and Javed from Jasath village and demanded a ransom of Rs 3 lakh for their release. The police searched their hideout and rescued the kidnapped persons, while the other accused persons managed to escape on seeing the police.

Delhi youth shot at in Loni over land dispute 
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, April 1
Three criminals shot at and wounded a youth in Puja Colony of Loni yesterday. The police have registered a case against the three as an attempt to murder. The youth, Ram Kumar, belongs to Delhi. He was injured on the neck and forehead with sharpnels. He had come to his father’s shop in Puja Colony when four persons on scooters came and started abusing him.

When he opposed them, one of the assailants took out a country-made revolver and fired at him. When the first shot missed him, he fired another one, which hit him on the forehead and neck. The loud noise of gunfire attracted a large crowd at the shop. Ram Kumar was rushed to a hospital. Many persons saw the assailants escaping but could not stop them. A case was filed later in the evening naming the assailants. A land dispute is stated to be the reason behind the attack, the police said.

Held for abduction: The Ghaziabad police have nabbed the fifth accused in the abduction of a class 3 boy, Ashu, son of Pradeep Kumar of Hardwar. Shiv Kumar, who was arrested, is a taxi driver. During interrogation, he said that the kidnapping was done for collecting ransom, a part of which would have come to him as his share. He said that he had planned the kidnap along with Yash Pal. He had lent his Maruti car to the other four to kidnap the child.

The Indirapuram police had arrested four persons along with two pistols and some cartridges and rescued the boy who had been kidnapped from his school on March 27 for a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.

Newly wed allegedly killed for dowry
Our Correspondent

Noida, April 1
The in-laws of a newly wed are alleged to have killed her for failure to bring scooter and fridge in dowry. Her brother has registered a case against six persons in Sector-49 police station. Sushma, daughter of Sammai Veer of Faridabad was married on April 30 last year to Raja, son of Prem Singh Balmiki of Sorkha village under Sector-49 police station. But soon Sushma’s in-laws started harassing her for a scooter and a fridge. Sushma was allegedly killed on March 13.

Her brother Sanjay has filed a case naming six persons in Sector 49 police station today. To cover up the crime, the in-laws informed her parents that Sushma had ended her life by hanging herself. Sanjay has alleged that Sushma’s husband Raja, his elder brother Jeetu, father Prem Singh, younger brother and mother had all forcibly hanged Sushma.

Man killed: Four gangsters killed one person and looted four kg of silver from Tugalakpur village. Four armed criminals attacked Rama’s hut today at about 1.30 am as he resisted, he was shot dead by the intruders. His wife was also injured by the criminals.

Many labourers like Rama, who have come form Rajasthan, are employed in the construction of roads in Greater Noida area. The intruders took away four kg silver and left while firing in the air.

BUSINESS

BSNL mobile phone subscribers find it hard 
to foot the bill 
Our Correspondent

Panipat, April 1
Subscribers of mobile phone users having Sim Cards issued by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are upset with the early closing of cash counter of the department before the close of banking hours at the Commercial Service Centre (CSC) here in Panipat.

The subscribers from Samalkha, a sub-division of Panipat town, Israna, Bapoli and Panipat Refinery at Baholi suffer most as they come in a group to Panipat to deposit their bills in cash in Commercial Service Centre in the absence of a proper working system of the department.

A subscriber of the BSNL mobile phone said whereas the local banks have started accepting cheques up to 4 pm and cash up to 3 pm, working of this service centre up to 12 noon only seems unprofessional.

Its competitors, particularly Escotel in Haryana, have put up as many as 20 collection boxes for their subscribers at numerous prominent places which include all dealers, some bank branches and even electronic shop owners, who issue receipts immediately on receiving cheques or are having collection boxes where subscribers can drop their cheques.

The subscriber alleged that accepting cash up to 12 o’clock on the plea that they had to count the currency, make account sheet and then deposit the cash in the bank counter does not appeal to the subscribers.

A subscriber from Samalkha, who happened to be there in the service centre alleged that no bank branch has been authorised to collect the payment in cash or cheque in Samalkha.

For this very reason, they had to come to CSC Panipat, which is also closed at 12 o’clock, leaving the subscribers at the mercy of three to four banks here authorised by the BSNL, he said and added that in Escotel, their men used to collect cheques and cash there and then at their doorstep and issued receipt immediately.

Another subscriber alleged that they came to BSNL after leaving Escotel with the reason that BSNL is an old Government unit and pioneer in the line of landline phones. It would be the best in the mobile service and its rates were cheap with incoming calls free. But that attraction has also gone as all private operators in the Haryana circle are providing almost the same services with better results, he alleged.

When the service centre SDO was asked to comment on the problem faced by the subscribers in such a tough competition, he told the ‘NCR Tribune’ that they had four authorised banks on the G.T. Road, of which three banks; HDFC, Bank of Punjab and Punjab & Sind Bank are within half a kilometer distance and the fourth, Punjab National Bank is near National Fertilisers Limited unit.

New IOC Director (Refineries)
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
Mr Jaspal Singh has taken over as the Director (Refineries) of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., India’s largest commercial enterprise and flagship national oil company. Before taking over as Director (Refineries) of IndianOil, Mr Singh was the Executive Director of the fortune ‘Global 500’ oil major’s Panipat Refinery.

A graduate in Chemical Engineering from IIT-Delhi, Mr Singh joined IndianOil in 1969 and has handled a variety of important assignments in refinery operations, technical services and projects.

In the early eighties, Mr Jaspal Singh played a key role in development and implementation of plans for modernisation of various IndianOil refineries-dovetailing low-cost brown-field expansions with yield and energy improvement projects.

The visionary initiatives of Mr Singh as the Executive Director of Panipat Refinery ensured major improvements in operations of IndianOil’s most modern refinery. These include Debottlenecking of existing units to enhance their capacities, expansion of the refinery by 6 MMTPA and implementation of IndianOil’s first major petrochemical complex at Panipat Refinery.

Mr Singh played a pivotal role in securing exemption of entry tax on crude oil for the refinery expansion leading to a saving of Rs 250 crore per year paving the way for implementation of the project. Widely travelled in India and abroad, Mr Singh has participated and chaired several international conferences, representing IndianOil.

Mr Jaspal Singh’s clarity of vision and strategy besides his understanding of the intricacies of domestic and global refining industry will be of great advantage to the IndianOil’s Refineries Division.

Mr Jaspal Singh takes keen interest in reading and music and enjoys playing billiards.