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May 24, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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DDA engineer’s wife, son’s
friend stabbed to death New Delhi, May 23 The victims were rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital by a PCR van where they were declared brought dead. They had sustained multiple stab wounds, the police said. According to the police, when the incident occurred Meena (40), her daughter Poornima (21), son Gulshan (14) and his friend Gaurav (18) were in the house. The husband, Nand Lal, was away in Lucknow. The suspects reportedly rang the doorbell and forced their way into the house as soon as it was opened. They immediately attacked Meena with knives. When Gaurav, who had come to visit his friend, tried to intervene they stabbed him too. Hearing the commotion, Poornima, who was in the adjacent room, came to their help. But she was also attacked. Somehow, Gulshan managed to escape and telephoned the police. When the police reached there the victims were lying in a pool of blood. The PCR van took them to the hospital where Meena and Gaurav were declared brought dead while Poornima, who had received some injuries, was being treated there. In a statement, Gulshan told the police that he could not recognise the suspects but he was able to give their identifications marks. There was no ransacking of the house. The police suspect that some old enmity could have led to the murderous attack. The husband of the victim has been informed and the police are making a list of his friends and others whom he suspects of being involved in the case. A large number of neighbours subsequently thronged the house when they came to know of the murders. They alleged that law and order in the area had deteriorated considerably and demanded additional patrolling. Incidentally, none of the neighbours claimed to have heard the commotion when the housewife and the guest were being attacked. The police said fingerprints had been lifted from the gate and other places and they would be matched with those of the suspects. A special team has been constituted to investigate the case. |
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‘Non-performing’ govt schools break the jinx New Delhi, May 23 “This is a marked improvement, but we are not very satisfied. There is scope for improvement and we are looking at far better results”, Director of Education, Mr. Rajinder Kumar, told the NCR Tribune. Congratulating these schools, he said: “The hard work of the staff and the students has paid off, but we have set higher goals for ourselves.” The Director pointed out: “There are 32 schools with 100 per cent results and more than 160 schools with 90 per cent results, which proves that government schools can also perform”. Mr. Kumar went on to add, “Thanks to the available infrastructure and the motivation, we have been able to improve the results”. Earlier, the directorate had issued letters to principals across the city, asking them to show a discernible improvement in results or face the consequences. The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas maintained a lead over the other schools with a pass percentage of 96.34 per cent, which is 3.90 percent more than last year. While the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan recorded commendable results with a pass percentage of 94.32, the independent schools in the Capital have recorded a pass percentage of 90.48. Though Delhi had the highest number of students booked for using unfair means, there was a decrease in the number of students placed in compartment. This year, 12.69 per cent students were placed in compartment compared to last year’s 14.76 per cent. In Delhi alone, 2086 students have secured more than 90 per cent marks and 109 students have secured more than 95 percent marks; 724 students will be awarded merit certificates compared to last year’s 435. The CBSE Chairman, Mr. Ashok Ganguly, pointed out that the changes made in the evaluation procedure have resulted in a better performance. However, the CBSE is yet to take a decision on the |grading system. Speaking to newspersons, Mr. Ganguly said that the model for grading was ready, but could not be implemented as other boards in the country were still to adopt a similar system. This year students did not have to rely on schools and the CBSE website to check the results. The students could check the results through IVRS and SMS also. However, most students, despite being able to access theirs result on the website, decided to re-check the same in the schools. Some students complained that they could not access the results on SMS; again, heavy traffic made checking the result on the net a cumbersome procedure. “Information technology is a great facilitator and students were spared the agony of waiting for the schools to post the results. However, they still came to the school to rejoice with their teachers and friends”, pointed out Ms. Lata Vaidyanathan, Principal, Modern School, Barakhamba Road. |
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Khattar’s gold links unravelled New Delhi, May 23 The agency sleuths, while probing the various angles in the DDA scam, stumbled upon some fresh leads which suggested that Dharamvir Khattar used to give money to his brother for purchasing gold for allegedly bribing DDA officials and Mukherjee, sources said. The CBI found Davinder had purchased 24 kg of gold worth Rs 1.40 crore from the government-run Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) and the same was allegedly handed over to Mukherjee, Sharma and other officials of the DDA, whose names figured in the scam. Davinder was placed under arrest late last night after he failed to give any convincing replies during interrogation. The sources said the MMTC officials, quizzed by the CBI, had identified Davinder as the person who had taken gold over a period of time. |
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DDA to evict societies for land misuse New Delhi: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) says it will “conclude” soon the eviction proceedings against the two societies that have Dharamvir Khattar as an office-bearer and which misused the institutional land allotted to them. The allotment of institutional land to these societies was cancelled in 1998. Another society, of which Khattar is an office-bearer, has been given 15 days’ time to hand over the possession of the premises back to the DDA. The allotment of institutional land to this society was cancelled on May 14 this year. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed four cases since March 26 relating to corruption in the DDA, the country’s biggest urban development agency. Khattar’s name figures in all four cases. Khattar and others are in CBI custody. In a statement released to the media today, the DDA said eviction proceedings against the two societies in Siri Fort Institutional Area and East Patel Nagar will be concluded very soon. Legal action for evicting the allottee will be taken after the expiry of the notice period in the case of the society in Vasant Kunj. Hari Chand Prakash Wanti Charitable Society was allotted Plot No 3 in Siri Fort Institutional Area in 1982 for building a temple/dharamshala. The allotment was cancelled on September 2, 1998, because a “guesthouse” had been built on the land. Institutional land in East Patel Nagar was allotted to Shri Bharov Ji Mandir Samiti in 1985 for religious purposes. The allotment was cancelled on September 2, 1998, because a “hotel” had come up on the land. TNS
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SPECIAL
FOCUS ON JHAJJAR/BAHADURGARH Jhajjar, May 23 The Bhindawas lake situated along the Jhajjar-Dadri approach road, 17 km from Chhuchhakwas village here, is spread on a sprawling 1,017 acres. The bird sanctuary, an abode of migratory birds, came into existence about 20 years ago. Over 15,000 to 20,000 winged visitors belonging to as many as 50 species arrive here from overseas and far-off places in the country. According to information, till 1995, these birds used to flock to the lake in good strength, but since then the number of birds arriving here has started declining. However, after the floods of 1995, `Jalkumb’ (a kind of water grass) started growing in the lake and they subsequently covered about 75 per cent of the water body. Due to this wild grass, birds started turning away from the sanctuary. The wildlife officials tried to remove the grass with the help of tractors but could not succeed. Although during the last winter, the number of birds increased and some more species of migratory birds were spotted here. The state government has now prepared a project to give a facelift to the land near the lake and also to resurrect the lake by ensuring adequate water in it and the renovation of the HUDA rest house here. Mr Mohinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, told the NCR Tribune that a three-pronged development of the area has been planned, in which the Forest Department, Wildlife Department and Haryana Tourism would work in tandem. He informed that the water body (spread in 750 acres) would be segregated from the wetland by building two bundhs. The lake would be filled up to at least five feet water and the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal passing along the lake would provide water. He said that iron gates would be raised on drain number 8 to stop the outflow of water from the lake. Special mounts are also to be created to provide space for the birds. A grant of Rs 33 lakh under the Gramin Rozgar Yojna (SGRY) would be sanctioned for this project. Mr Mohinder Kumar said that 180 acres have been given to the Forest Department to plant saplings. On another 100 acres, a herbal garden would be developed. Moreover, the Tourism Department would renovate the HUDA Rest House situated there. A library with material about wildlife and bird sanctuary would be set up in the rest house. The Tourism department has also planned to construct landscape and huts in 50 acres. The agriculture land in about 3,300 hectares of nearby villages could be irrigated by the lake. The DC said that to attract tourists the approach road would also be carpeted and widened. He informed that Rs 6.5 crore has been sanctioned for carpeting the road from Jhajjar to Bhindawas, which would be taken up by the Public Works Department. He said that the periphery of two-km area has been notified as controlled area in which no construction for commercial purposes will be allowed. |
The marriage of a daughter is a cherished dream of her parents. But what will be the condition of those parents whose daughter’s “baraat” turns back from the wedding venue just because they are not able to fill the belly of greed of the groom and his parents? Take the example of Nisha Sharma. Her parents faced the same situation. Her father D. D. Sharma had to send back the baraat, a difficult decision especially when there were more than 2,500 guests gathered for the wedding. Munish Dalal, a schoolteacher who earlier claimed to be a computer engineer, reportedly asked for Rs 12 lakh, a black Maruti Esteem and electronic goods of specific brands as dowry. Mr Sharma says that the Dalals had started raising dowry demands only after the engagement ceremony. On the wedding venue, Vidya Dalal repeated the demand for Rs 12 lakh. When Mr Sharma was not able to entertain their demands, Dalals reportedly abused and slapped Sharma and spat on him. Moreover, the groom, Munish, shouted that he would have thrown Nisha from the terrace, if she had married him. Nisha’s brother then rang her on her cellphone and informed about the assault on her father. She immediately rang telephone number 100 and handed her groom over to the police. Nisha was unperturbed and had the full support of her parents while her relatives were weeping at the wedding venue. This is the story of a brave girl who, in spite of trying to abide by the society’s ways, had to turn against it. She has thus saved her future. But how many girls act like Nisha and how many parents would help their daughters to take this sort of strong step? Now Nisha is looking ahead about her career and says that she will complete her software engineering from Guru Gobind Indraprastha University. This is the right step to make for her to ensure a bright future. Education plays the vital role in anybody’s life, especially in that of women, who can thereby become self-dependent and will be able to take their own decisions. Education is the only way to empower women. Many seminars and workshops are held on women’s issues. Many NGOs and other organisations are doing a lot of work for the betterment of women. Their efforts have borne some results but still much needs to be done. Besides education, women must raise themselves through their own efforts so that the future generation will be more responsible towards society. They have the ability. They are second to none. For this, the young generation of women must come forward to shoulder more responsibility. Instead of wasting time, energy, money and mental power in indulgences like designer clothes, glamour, gossiping and others, they must try to devote more time in constructive activities. They must work hard to achieve simplicity and draw inspiration from the examples of Mother Teresa and others such great women. SHWETA KOHLI, Shahdara, Delhi
It wasn’t creditable, NAAC! This is in reference to the report, “Colleges give poor marks to grading system” (NCR Tribune, April 14). I am really pained to read that “In the gradation exercise, the reputed Hindu College, Sonepat has been graded in `B’ category by the NAAC team”. I endorse the feelings of the Principal, Dr S. S. Goyal, who “has rejected the gradation ouright”. Scholars in particular and public in general should/would reject the gradation of this college by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The NAAC was established by the UGC in 1994. Its headquarters is at 1075, Rajendra Nagar, Bangalore - 560010. The prime agenda of the NAAC is to assess and accredit institutions of higher education, help them to work continuously to improve the quality of education. Assessment is a performance evaluation of the institution whereas accreditation refers to the certification given by the NAAC. This certificate is valid for a period of five years. The assessment by the NAAC is done with a set of parameters mentioned as follows: I) Curricular Aspects; 2) Teaching-Learning and Evaluation; 3) Research, Consultancy and Extension; 4) Infrastructure and Learning Resources; 5) Student Support and Progression; 6) Organisation and Management; and 7) Healthy Practices. The UGC had made it mandatory for all universities to get accredited before December 2002 and for colleges before December, 2003. About 300 universities and 12,000 colleges are functioning in India. About 125 colleges are affiliated to Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) and about an equal number of colleges are affiliated to Kurukshetra University. Assessment of these colleges by the NAAC is on a war footing. Since the establishment of the NAAC in 1994 and till November 12, 2002, two universities — Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (KUK), three colleges affiliated to KUK and one college affiliated to MDU were assessed and accredited by the NAAC. Kurukshetra University has been given `B’ grade whereas MDU, which was recently assessed, has been given 5-star grade. Again, it requires to be mentioned here that the scholars and ordinary people can well grade the gradation given by the NAAC to KUK (B grade) and MDUU (A++). I have been a member of the flying squad of MDU for about 7 years and have visited almost all colleges affiliated to MDU except those in Gurgaon. I can distinguish the standard and performance of these colleges on the basis of my personal experience. However, the gradation of Hindu College, Sonepat, by the NAAC is absolutely not done on a scientific basis. OM PARKASH WADHWA, Lecturer, Government College, Gohana
Rules for Haryana schools The NCR Tribune had reported “Fate of thousands of students hangs in the balance” (May 16) from Panipat. The report said that with the Haryana Government tightening the noose around the private schools after the notification of the Haryana School Education Rules 2003, thousands of students of certain private and unrecognised schools face a bleak future, as some of these schools are likely to be closed down for their failure to implement the new norms. In this connection, I wish to say that the Education Rules 2003 have been issued under the Haryana School Education Act, 1995, which received the assent of the President of India on May 4, 1999 and was published in the Haryana Government Gazette (extra) of June 4, 1999. The necessity of passing the Act arose due to the arbitrary functioning of the private unaided public Schools, mostly affiliated to the CBSE. These schools were financially harassing parents year after year, particularly in relation to the arbitrary and exorbitant tuition fee hikes including other charges/funds, in utter disregard of the provisions of the CBSE - Affiliation Bye-laws and the conditions of “No Objection Certificates” issued to them by the State Directorate of Education at the time of their affiliation with the CBSE and the terms/conditions of land allotted to them by the HUDA at throwaway prices for setting up these schools. Further, the situation in the private public schools, mushrooming in cities, small towns and even villages, not affiliated to the CBSE or recognised by any government authority, became even worse, as such schools were not following any rule(s) or norms except pretending to follow the CBSE pattern of education. The tragedy has been that these private public schools run by powerful societies/trusts/influential individuals had not been caring for any government department/authority or board and became a law unto themselves. It is clear from these reasons that the state government was forced to enact the Haryana School Education Act, 1995 and issue the notification of the Haryana School Education Rules 2003 now to rein in erring and wayward private public schools, which are indulging in crass commercialism and financial exploitation of the parents. It is important to note that the Rules 2003 have been notified after four years of the Act coming into force. It means that the Rules have been framed after due deliberations, considering all pros and cons. It is my firm belief that the Rules 2003 will not allow the private public schools to defy them. Any pressure from these schools to tone down certain provisions of the said rules would be strongly resisted to curb commercialisation of school education once and for all in Haryana. O. P. SHARMA, Faridabad
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Man who took poison in protest dies Meerut, May 23 Several socialists, human right activists and senior citizens here mourned his death. Priyank had alleged that a senior Inspector and a senior Sub Inspector, both posted at Meerut, had been harassing him and his family for money. Priyank stated in his statement from the deathbed that he was being harassed on the direction of a local Samajwadi Party woman leader and he had been booked in some bogus cases. When his complaints in the regard were not acted upon even after he approached senior administrative and police official, he consumed some poisonous substance on the premises of the DM’s residence. He was first rushed to LLRM Medical College Hospital. Dr V. B. Bhatnagar operated on him on May 10 and removed the damaged parts of the intestine. But his condition deteriorated and Dr Bhatnagar referred him to the AIIMS. Priyank’s father Suresh Chand Sharma told the NCR Tribune here that Priyank was shifted to G B Pant Hospital on May 19. He breathed his last on May 21 in LNJP Hospital. |
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NCR
BRIEFS Rohtak, May 23 The robbers knocked at the door of the house around midnight. When Naresh Kumar opened it, they barged into the room and tied both his wife Meena and him with a rope. When Meena raised the alarm, the assailants strangled him and made good their escape with the booty. Forensic experts from Madhuban have taken fingerprints of the robbers. The police here have registered a criminal case of murder and looting against the unidentified assailants.
One dead, two hurt in cracker unit blast Faridabad: One person was killed and two others received serious burns after the crackers they were making went off leading to a blast near Tigaon village in the district yesterday. This is the second such incident in the district in the past one month. The earlier such incident had claimed the lives of three members of a family at Palwali village. According to reports, three persons were engaged in making crackers at a house near Tigaon village when the blast took place. The blast was so loud that the persons residing within 1 km thought it was an earthquake. While 35-year-old Hariya, a resident of Tigaon village, died on the spot, Manoj and Sunil received serious burns and have been referred to Safdurjung Hospital in New Delhi in a critical condition. Senior district Officials visited the spot today. An ex gratia of Rs 11,000 has been announced for the kin of the deceased by the District Red Cross.
Delhi-based property dealer found murdered Jhajjar: A Delhi-based property dealer was found dead in his Indica car near the canal on Jhajjar Road in Bahadurgarh yesterday. According to information, the deceased, identified as Rajesh Bhatia of Papankalan, was allegedly killed with a sharp-edged weapon. The body was spotted by some passers-by. A team of Delhi Police also reached the spot on getting the information. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.
One killed in road accident Sonepat: One person was killed and another sustained serious injuries when a speedy jeep hit a motorcycle on the Kharkhauda-Gohana road near BhainswalKalan village, about 25 km from here, last evening. According to a report, the victim, identified as Dharambir of Mandi Hero village was on his way to his in-laws house. Sube Singh of Dodwa, who was injured, was rushed to the local civil hospital from where he was referred to PGI Rohtak, for further treatment. Sanitation work on contract Bhiwani: In view of the deteriorating state of sanitation, a proposal is ready to allocate the work on contract basis. Such a proposal will be discussed at the monthly meeting of the municipal council on May 27. It is learnt that that if the meeting adopts this resolution unanimously, the council may face protest from sweepers. However, sweepers are gearing up to oppose the move.
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More showers likely at weekend New Delhi: The heat wave dissipated as intermittent showers brought down the temperature in the Capital on Friday. With that, the dusty conditions also disappeared. At least, 5 mm rainfall has been recorded since last night, which led to a dip in the night temperature by about 10 degrees Celsius to 21.2 degree Celsius, which was six degrees below normal, Meteorological Department Director R. D. Singh said. Delhi generally gets about 17.9 mm of rain in May, he said, and predicted more showers over the next two days. The north-western parts of the country also experienced some light-to-moderate rain due to south-westerly winds. The monsoon hit the South Andaman Sea and the adjoining South East Bay on schedule on May 16. However, since then, it had not advanced further. TNS
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Two women robbed of cash, gold at
railway station Sonepat, May 23 According to a report, both the women belonged to Surat (Gujarat). They have been identified as Ms Sunita and Ms Devi Bahal. They immediately informed the Government Railway Police (GRP) officials but they declined to register an FIR and take action against the pickpockets. This has caused much resentment among the travelling passengers and other residents of the city. The Daily Railway Passengers Welfare Association has expressed concern over the increasing incidence of crimes at the railway station and lack of action of the GRP on the complaints of the victims. It has urged the state government to order a high-level probe into the incident. |
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Hides of seven leopards seized Panipat, May 23 A case under Sections 39-B, 49-B (3) and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 has been registered. The Superintendent of Police, Ms Suman Manjri, told newspersons that one Badlu of Hanuman Basti in Samalkha and Richhpal Singh of Namunda had been trading in hides of wild animals for the last over 10 years. They had been doing it under the guise of selling handloom items, including television covers, bedspreads, mats and tablecloth in Ranikhet, Dehra Dun, Paonta Sahib, Haldwani and Almora districts of Uttaranchal. According to the SP, they sold the animal hides to a person, Ayub, at the rate of Rs 30,000 per leopard skin and Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 for an ud-bilaav skin. The hides had been purchased from their counterparts in the jungles of Uttaranchal at the rate of Rs 6, 000 for a leopard skin and Rs 600-Rs 700 for an ud-bilaav skin, she informed. The raid was conducted under the charge of DSP Samalkha Mr Badan Singh Rana, Sub-Inspector Amar Nath and Assistant Sub Inspector Chander Singh. |
Subscribers resent BSNL decision to collect Faridabad, May 23 Residents of the town have started receiving telephone bills each month, which has led to a lot of resentment. Some of them have lodged their protest with the BSNL authorities here, who in turn have assured them of taking up the issue with higher authorities in Delhi. A senior official of the BSNL, when contacted, admitted that the new practice was not only inconvenient to consumers but also to the department. He informed that the matter had been taken up with the BSNL head office in Delhi and hoped that their request would be accepted for reviving the practice of collecting bills in every two months. It is reported that the BSNL’s decision to start collecting bills every month has been based on the directions given by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). But a majority of consumers here see the move as a way of harassing and causing inconvenience to them. According to Mr S. S. Chaudhary, a senior architect based here, nobody would like to stand in the long queues for depositing the telephone bill after every four weeks. He said if it was going to be so, then many people might go for disconnection of the BSNL phone. He claimed that the system of distributing and collecting bills by the BSNL was already faulty. Now it was asking the consumers to the deposit bills every month. Raj Kumar Gaur of Sector 15-A said that it was totally unjustified. He said the department should withdraw the decision or it would have a negative impact both on the BSNL and the consumer. Raju of Fajjupur village also expressed unhappiness as he said that the BSNL had failed to provide satisfactory services in the rural areas. He said it was not possible for consumers go through the long waiting in the queues to deposit the bills. He suggested that the BSNL should collect bills after every three months. Mahender said it is very inconvenient to get in a queue each month and said it might breed corruption and growth of agents who will charge commission for depositing the bills. The president of the District unit of the Mahila Congress, Ms Sharda Rathaur, and JD(U) leader Ved Prakash Vidrohi have also condemned the move. |
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