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May 2, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Ex-judge Mukherjee in CBI custody New Delhi, May 1 Mukherjee was produced before the designated Judge V K Jain and was remanded to custody of the CBI till May seven to facilitate interrogation. The CBI has alleged that he had given “doctored” orders pertaining to some DDA cases in return of illegal gratification. The CBI had registered a case against Mukherjee and four others on April 29 for alleged abuse of official position and entering into a criminal conspiracy to pass an order in favour of a particular party. The FIR also includes the names of sacked DDA Vice Chairman, Subash Sharma, alleged middleman Dharambir Khattar, suspended DDA official Ashok Kapoor and hotelier Vinod Khatri. The CBI had carried out searches at 11 places belonging to the accused yesterday and recovered some documents relating to the scam. The CBI had also questioned an advocate, Anshu Agarwal, last evening after her official and residential premises were searched. Her computer and some files had been seized. The CBI has alleged that Mukherjee took illegal gratification for delivering an order pertaining to the widening of Aruna Asif Ali Road in the Capital in favour of a particular party. The CBI has alleged that Khattar had entered into a criminal conspiracy with Khatri, who owned a restaurant on the road, after the DDA decided to demolish the same for widening the road in accordance with the master plan. The plan envisaged widening of the road by 30 metres as it connected the busy Outer Ring Road with Mehrauli and Mahipalpur. The work for the same was handed over to the PWD in 1993 with instructions to demolish illegal encroachments, the CBI FIR said. However, a stay was granted by the court against the demolition and two persons, Bimla Chodhury and Azad Singh, filed a civil suit. The matter came up in the court of Mukherjee. During investigations, the CBI found that the two petitioners were acting on behalf of Khatri, whose restaurant fell within the demolition area. On February 20, the former High Court judge gave an order favouring the petitioners. The CBI has alleged that it was allegedly done for some illegal gratification. There was a fracas outside the courtroom today as some supporters of Mukherjee had a scuffle with media persons present in the court room in large numbers. |
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SIGN OF
TIMES Rohtak, May 1 Even the fee structure of the university in other courses remains the cheapest. For M.A. Psychology, it is Rs 2,477 annually, for LL.B. 3-year, it is Rs 1,880 and for LL.B. 5-year course, it is Rs 2,380 annually. Even for LL.B. 3-year evening course, it is only Rs 5,880 per year. There are some courses where the annual fee structure in other institutes round the country is somewhere between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000. But in MDU, these courses also have the cheapest fee structure. For M.Sc. in Genetics, Bio-Chemistry, Botany, Zoology and Environmental Sciences, it is only Rs 6,660 and for M.Sc. in Bio-Technology, it is Rs 1,1660 per year. For the MBA 5-year course, it is Rs 10,547 and for other courses, the fee structure is quite cheap. For example, for B.Pharmacy, it is Rs 15,187 and for MCA, it is Rs 16,997 per year. Interestingly, while MDU charges the lowest fee from its students, it pays the highest salaries to its teachers. Almost 50 per cent of the teachers in the university departments get an annual salary of more than Rs 3.60 lakh. There is hardly any regular teacher in the university whose annual salary is less than Rs 2 lakh. Now the question is: For how long MDU can afford to provide the cheapest education, especially in these times of economic reforms? Is it going the way of the government-run schools where the fee is very low, teachers are highly paid and the quality of education and the intake is known to everybody. This should be given a serious thought, keeping in view the trend of establishing private universities where high fee is charged and the best possible education is provided. |
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LUNG POWER Sonepat, May 1 According to information, the examination was to begin at 2 pm and the students reached the centres before time. But just before the commencement of the examination they were told by the centre authorities that the questions paper had been cancelled following a leak on April 29 and another question paper had been despatched by the university authorities. Hence, the examination would commence at 4 pm. However, the question paper was brought to the centres after 4 pm and the examination could start only at 4.30 pm. But the question paper could not be distributed in the centre at GVM College till 5.10 pm and agitated students started protesting. Meantime, hardly half an hour has elapsed after the Commencement of the examination at three other centres- Hindu College, Hindu Girls College and CRA College when the supervisory staff at the centres started collecting the answer sheets from the students, stating that the university had cancelled the question paper. This last-minute decision of the university infuriated the Students. Trooping out of the centres, they started raising slogans against the university authorities. A number of students protesting at the CRA College centre angrily stated that this paper was scheduled to be held on April 29 but was postponed to April 30. When the authorities were aware of the leak on April 29 then why were they not informed in advance, they questioned. However, no untoward incident was reported. |
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JUDICIAL
ACTIVISM New Delhi, May 1 A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice B. C. Patel and Mr Justice A. K. Sikri said the recommendations, including provision of necessary infrastructure, should be complied with latest by August-end this year, failing which coercive action would be initiated against them. The hospitals also have to file a compliance report indicating the steps that have been taken to provide sufficient equipment, accommodation and personnel for manning the burns wards. The court had directed the eight-member committee to point out deficiencies in the present set-up, suggest ways and means to improve the burns wards and specify the estimated expenditure required to upgrade the facilities to international standards on October 10. The Bench had observed that the city should have first class burns wards capable of providing treatment to victims of bomb blasts and terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. At the same time it had said that such facilities should exist in every major hospital in the country. The Additional Solicitor-General (ASG), Mr Mukal Rohtagi, said the government was committed to setting up a state-of-the-art facility and funding was not a problem in this regard. The ASG also clarified that at one point the government had proposed setting up a National Institute of Burns, Plastic and Maxilo-Facial Surgery and considered a budget of Rs 30 crore for it. However, it was subsequently thought that four hospitals should be equipped for the purpose in place of one. The court was dealing with a PIL, initiated on a letter sent by Lt Col Y. K. Wahi, narrating the sorry state of affairs in burns wards and seeking their development and renovation. |
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THE ACHIEVERS Sonepat, May 1 According to a report, she left for greener pastures in January last year. It was destination Mumbai for this beautiful lass. Lady Luck was by her side. She gets to play the lead in the Hindi movie, “Khwahish”. She had earlier made a splash in BPL advertisements where she appeared with Bollywood biggies, Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Govind Menon, one of the leading directors of the film industry, picked her up out of more than 5,000 girls, giving her the leading role in his Hindi movie `Khwahish’. Mallika hails from the famous Chaudhary Chhajuram’s family. This Jat girl from Hisar broke free of the societal shackles binding her and managed to make a place for herself under the sun despite strict opposition from her parents. She spent her early years in Rohtak and later on graduated from Miranda College, Delhi. Her father, Mr Mukesh Kumar Lamba, is working as an executive engineer in the Irrigation Department, Haryana, and is posted at Delhi in the Yamuna Water Service Division of the department. Mr Lamba was so annoyed with his daughter when she decided to join the film industry that he stopped speaking to her. But her younger brother, Vikram, stood by her decision and constantly encouraged her. Mallika plays a significant role in the movie. The story is based on the developing relations between a lover and his beloved and presents the picture of the relationship between a man and his wife. Mallika stated that she had already got a lot of offers for acting but she expected more after the release of her first film. Her real name is Reema Lamba but in tinseltown she is known as Mallika Sehrawat. She said there were a large number of girls with the name Reema working in the film industry. Similarly, the Lamba gotra exists in several communities. Her mother belongs to the Sehrawat gotra. She disclosed that “Khwahish” has six songs sung by Asha Bhonsle and the film has cost more than Rs 3 crore. Now, her father feels he is the happiest man. He proclaims with great pride that his daughter has succeeded in making a place in the film industry with her concerted efforts. |
House tax recovery perks up Gurgaon, May 1 According to a senior officer of the municipality, a sum of more than Rs 80 lakh has been collected under the house tax head in April. The target for collection of house tax by the civic body under this year’s budget is Rs 3 crore. The total budget for 2003-2004 is Rs 19.55 crore. In fact, the amount collected is an all-time record by a municipality in the first year of any financial year. The money collected under house tax in the municipal limits is said to be about equal to the amount collected by Panchkula municipality during the corresponding period. However, according to many, Gurgaon municipality is said to be one as the entire area under its jurisdiction is part of the old city compared to a large area settled in Sectors in Panchkula. As is the phenomenon elsewhere, the residents in the old city are not forthcoming in paying house taxes in comparison to settlers in sector areas. The officials attributed the success to the municipality’s carrot and stick policy. It has launched a campaign to sensitise them on the virtues and benefits of making their deposits promptly. The landlords get concessions in case they deposit their house tax dues in the first 30 days of the fiscal year. Also, the municipality initiated an action to recover the last year’s dues. This sent a clear message to the possible defaulters that the civic body would not indulge in pussyfooting this year. Collections under the house tax is a major source of revenue for the municipality. The authorities are hopeful of meeting this year’s target much ahead of the deadline if the present momentum of collection is maintained. This would provide the body with the financial leverage to launch developmental projects towards the end of this financial year. Although the officials keep nonchalant, there are many who feel that the municipality will have to intensify its developmental projects in the city on account of the next assembly election in the state which is less than two years away. |
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON ROHTAK Rohtak, May 1 A sample collection centre of a US-based group, U.S. Dahiya International Inc. is likely to start the working of medical testing at Pt B D Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences soon as per the agreement reached between the company and the Haryana Government in December last. Dr Rajvir Dahiya, Chief Executive Officer of the company is reportedly a former student of the institute. He claimed that the testing methods prevalent in the USA, would be transferred to Haryana and the collection centre would be unique in terms of the latest technology. As per the memorandum of understanding, samples from the patients admitted to the PGIMS would be collected and tested at a highly advanced laboratory at Faridabad. The company would make arrangements for picking up the samples and provide results within a week. It would not only save precious time and money of the patients but also relieve them of the trouble of visiting Delhi for the same. Initially, only tests for cancer would be carried out to be followed by other tests. The accuracy, sensitivity and reliability of all tests would be controlled by standards prevailing in the USA, the sources said. According to PGIMS sources, the company had proposed much cheaper rates as compared to those prevalent in the local market. Moreover, the sources said the company would provide 20 per cent concession on these rates. For example, an amount of nearly Rs 600 is charged by various diagnostic labs for conducting ‘Alfa Feoto Protein’ test while the US-based company has mentioned a fee of Rs 300 to be charged for the same test. Besides, a discount of 20 per cent (Rs 60) would also be given to the patients. Certain tests would be conducted free of cost for the poor patients as per the provisions made in the agreement. Dr (Maj Gen) Virender Singh Poonia, Director of the PGIMS claimed that the move would check the malpractice of charging hefty amounts as fee for conducting different advanced tests by the private labs. He said the government would have to spend several crores to establish a laboratory for conducting such advanced tests at the PGI. He said the government had reached an agreement with this company to provide the latest facilities to the patients till the institute itself set up its laboratory. It is also learnt that the said company will ultimately provide similar facilities at all the district headquarters of the state. |
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MDU teachers’ polls on July 23 Rohtak, May 1 There are five vacancies in the membership of the Court and the Executive Council. Five teachers from among the readers and lecturers of the university, out of which at least two shall be readers, are to be elected to the Court. Two teachers of the university teaching departments, out of which at least one should be reader, are to be elected to the Executive Council. These teachers, however, should be other than professors. The Registrar, Dr A K Rajan, said that the university has notified the schedule of elections. The last date for submission of nomination forms is July 14 (up to 4 pm), the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers will be July 17 and the last date for the issue of final list of contestants will be July 18. The counting of votes will be held on the polling day immediately after the polling ends at 2 pm. |
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Fall in production of rabi crops upsets grain merchants in Bhiwani Bhiwani, May 1 Though the mandi administrations has made elaborate arrangements for smooth procurement, the grain merchants are not showing interest in the purchase. The businessmen of Bhiwani show more interest in the Delhi market for sale and purchase of crops as nearly all mandis are close to Delhi. The farmers even take their produce to these mandis directly. However, this year, in the wake of rising and fluctuating prices of several crops, the traders are simply not interested in the purchase. It is learnt that the production of sarson has been reduced from 45 lakh tonne to 32 lakh tonne this year on a national level. The fall in production led to an increase in the rates of sarson in mandis compared to last year. The traders say that the rates were quite stable last year due to record production of sarson. But this year, the rates have crossed the previous limit. On account of increase in the rate of sarson, the price of its byproduct ‘khal’ has also been affected. Khal is used to feed livestock only. The traders held direct purchase as the cause of fall in the prices. The traders say that since purchase centres have been set up in villages this year, the business of mandis in towns is falling. |
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Sonepat farmers honoured under ‘Krishak Uphaar Yojana’ Sonepat, May 1 According to a report, Mr Balwan Singh, Deputy Commissioner, performed the draw ceremony in which a large number of farmers and prominent citizens were present. Four farmers under the Sonepat Market Committee, Mr Sumer of Mehlana village, Mr Randhir of Dabarpur village, Mr Ran Singh of Kakroi village and Mr Vinay of Rohat village got the second prize of Rs 25,000 each. Similarly, four more farmers under the Gohana Market Committee also got similar prizes. They are: Mr Raghbir of Butana village, Mr Satya Narain of Bhambewa village, Mr Randhir Singh of Sargathal village and Mr Surinder of Garhi Brahmanan village. At least 12 draws were held for the third prize of Rs 10,000 each and the following farmers bagged the prizes. Mr Anup of Tihara village, Mr Ramesh of Bhatgaon village, Mr Ram Niwas of Hullehri village, Mr Ram Prasad of Nimohra, Mr Thandi Ram of Bali Brahmanan village, Mr Ranbir of Bhambewa, Mr Ramesh of Pugthala village, Mr Hoshiara of Chhatehra village, Mr Prem of Dhanana village, Mr Kishna of Bidhal village and Mr Rajbir of Durana village. |
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Record wheat arrival in Panipat markets Panipat, May 1 Disclosing this to mediapersons here, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. M. R.Anand, disclosed that out of the total arrivals, 1,96,930 metric tonnes had been purchased by different government procurement agencies, including 72,721 metric tonnes by HAFED; 41,119 metric tonnes by Haryana Warehousing Corporation; 34,860 metric tonnes by Food and Civil Supplies Department; 25,097 metric tonnes by FCI and 23,133 metric tonnes by the CONFED. The procurement was being done at Panipat, Samalkha, Israna, Bapoli and Madloda grain markets and at the eight purchase centres in the villages. The DC claimed that the administration had made elaborate arrangements for lifting of the stock from the centres. The farmers, as well as the commission agents, were provided all necessary facilities to overcome their problems in this regard. According to the Deputy Commissioner, the administration has appointed a nodal officer at each purchase centre to supervise the purchase, filling and lifting of the wheat stock and to redress the farmers’ grievances on the spot. The administration is also ensuring proper supplies of the electricity and drinking water at the purchase centres, he added. |
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No ex gratia for Noida labourers Noida, May 1 If a contract worker or labourer becomes a victim of any accident, there is no provision to pay ex gratia compensation to him or her under Noida Authority rules. After the death of a worker, Subash Tyagi, his family had approached the Noida Authority for some financial help. But when no financial help was forthcoming from the Noida Authority, the staff members of different departments had on the request of the federation of daily wagers association (contractor labour) contributed a day’s wage and collected Rs 65 thousand for the bereaved family. All the engineers of water works department in Sector-5 had also contributed along with other staff. The collected amount will be presented to the next of kin of late Tyagi on May 12, said Balbir Singh Bhatti, president of the workers’ federation. |
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Panic spreads after ammonia gas leak Sonepat, May 1 According to a report, some passersby were reportedly fainted and they were immediately hospitalised and discharged after the first aid. The Municipal Fire Brigade rushed to the site and succeeded in closing the leakage of the Amonia gas after a few hours. However, the police cordoned off the area and stopped the traffic on the road. This led to the saving of the lives of the people.
Workers’ rally Large number of industrial workers, bank and government employees as well as the workers of various trade unions took part in the procession taken out in the city today in observance of May Day. According to a report, carrying placards and raising slogans, they passed through the main streets of the city. A rally was also held and it was addressed by the leaders of the trade unions and political parties. They criticised the anti-worker policies of the Central and the state governments. |
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NCR BRIEFS Ghaziabad, May 1 The injured were rushed to Hira Lal Hospital in Shastri Nagar and Holy Cross Hospital, Mussori. The mishap occurred when a mini bus had stopped for passengers at Kuti Ka Bumba and a truck coming at high speed hit it from the rear with such a force that the bus was thrown off the road and turned turtle. The truck was carrying sugar from Sambhawali Sugar Mills. 8 hurt in clash Bhiwani: Two persons sustained injuries in a clash that took place between two groups at village Gujrani on Tuesday. The injured, Jai Kishan and Pradeep, were admitted to civil hospital here. In another group clash, nearly six persons were injured at village Sai Rewari. The injured were identified as Himmat Singh, Bijender, Devi Singh, Devender, Jitender and Shravan. Load-shedding on three days New Delhi:
The North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) today announced load-shedding on Friday, Saturday and Monday due to maintenance work and revamping of transformers at Shalimar Bagh area substations on a rotational basis. The affected areas on Friday will be AJ, AH and AK blocks, on Saturday BE, BC, BB, BA and BFH and on Monday BW block, a press release said. Life term for murderer Sonepat: The Additional Sessions Judge of the Fast Track Court, Mr B. S. Rawat, has convicted one Devinder of Kharkhauda town to life imprisonment for murdering a resident Manish, of the same town, on June 29, 2000. He was under Section 302, 201 IPC and Indian Arms Act. However, Mr Rawat acquitted Indrawati, mother of the accused in the case. According to the prosecution story, the Kharkhauda police had registered a murdered case against the accused and sent the challan to the court. New Block
Development Officer The Haryana government has appointed Ms Anjana Malik as the Block Development and Panchayat Officer at Kharkhauda. According to a report, she has taken over the charge and ordered the auction of Panchayat land in 39 villages of the block. Foot and Mouth disease More than 2000 animals, mostly milch animals, are reportedly suffering from foot and mouth disease at Ridhao village in the district. According to a report, the diseases have caused resentment among the owners of the animals. They alleged that in spite of repeated complaints no doctor of the animal Husbandry Department has visited to the village to treat the affected animals. They urged the district authorities to take serious note of the matter and stern action against the erring officials. Man arrested The Kharkhauda police have arrested one Satey of Gopalpur village under the NDPS Act following the alleged recovery of 500 grams of contraband charase from him. According to
a report, the police have also arrested seven persons in Sonepat city on a similar charge. Vaishya community is unhappy New Delhi: The Akhil Bharatiya Vaishya Mahasammelan (ABVM) representing about 16 crores people belonging to the Vaishya community have expressed their dissatisfaction over their political rights. In a conference organised, the chairman of the
ABVM, Mr Pradeep Mittal said that the behaviour of all political parties towards the community has not improved. He alleged that they were being used as, "cash banks by the leaders and the political parties to fulfil their aims during elections but the members have never been given any berth in any
ministry. TNS |
Pregnant woman stabbed by neighbour Ghaziabad, May 1 The injured woman was rushed to a private nursing home in a serious condition. The assailant woman has been arrested by the police with the help of the people of the locality. Rekha, alias Sullo, wife of Chander Singh in Mohalla Mandi under the Pilkhua police station, had a quarrel with Gori, wife of Danvir. The former allegedly stabbed Gori in the stomach, injuring her seriously. The victim, who was in the family way, was rushed to a private nursing home in Pilkhua but was later shifted to Mohan Nagar Hospital, Ghaziabad. According to police circle officer Shishpal Singh, the altercation ensued when Gori confronted Rekha about a rumour that she was spreading about Gori. The rumour doing the rounds in the neighbourhood was that it was Gori’s second marriage and that she had a child from her first marriage as well. Gori had accosted Rekha as to why she was spreading this unfounded rumour. At this, Rekha reportedly started abusing Gori and her mother-in-law. She then stabbed Gori. Neighbours ensured that Rekha could not escape after the incident. The police have arrested Rekha and seized the knife used in the attack.
Mother’s plan to sell daughter exposed Noida:
A resident of Dadri, who had struck a bargain for selling her young daughter for Rs 20,000 to a middle-aged man from Haryana, is reported to be absconding ever since her devious plan was exposed. Sensing the sinister designs of her mother, the young girl had eloped with a young man whom she had later married. The livid mother responded by lodging a missing report with the police. When the girl, Bareesa, was traced, she emphatically told the cops that she was 22-years-old and a major. She also spilled the beans about her mother’s evil plans. Now, the cops are trying to nab Aneesa, the mother. |
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Farmers robbed of Rs 90,000 Sonepat, May 1 The alleged assailants attacked both the farmers when they were engaged in counting the money, which they had brought from the Azadpur Mandi. They snatched the money at gunpoint and escaped immediately. Both the injured farmers were rushed to the local civil hospital for treatment. The police are investigating into the case. However, no arrest has been made in this connection, a report said.
Accused freed on bail According to another report, the Additional Sessions Judge, Ms Anita Chaudhary, granted anticipatory bail to four accused, namely Akash and Jagdish of Rithal village, Sandeep of Larsauli village and Sit of Rajpur village in a case of murderous assault. The city police had registered a case under Sections 307, 324 and 34 IPC against them on February 19, 2003. Meanwhile, the District Sessions Judge, Mr S. K. Sardana confirmed the bail application field on behalf of two accused. According to another report, the Additional Sesions Judge, Mr R. K. Bishnoi rejected the bail application of Pawan Jain of Delhi. |
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Newly wed killed for dowry Noida, May 1 Sushma, daughter of Sammai Veer of Faridabad, was married to Raja, son of Premsingh Balmiki of village Sorkha under Sector-49 Police station, on April 30, 2002. But soon Sushma’s in-laws started harassing her for a
scooter and a fridge. Sushma was allegedly killed on March 13. The victim’s brother, Sanjay, filed a case naming six persons. To cover up the crime, the in-laws had informed her parents that Sushma had killed herself by hanging. Sanjay alleged that Sushma’s husband Raja, his elder brother Jeetu, father Prem Singh, younger brother and mother had all forcibly hanged Sushma. In another incident, a gang of four members murdered one person today and looted 4 kg of silver from village Tugalakpur. Four armed-borne criminals looted Rama’s hut at 1: 30 am. When he resisted them, they killed him. His wife was also wounded by the criminals. |
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