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July 2, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Sheila pleads for statehood at President’s doorstep New Delhi, July 1 The delegation gave him a written representation listing the problems faced by them on issues like relocation, land, public order and municipal governance. At the same time, they underscored the fact that the powers vested in the Delhi government were limited and truncated. The delegation included senior Congress leaders Ch Prem Singh, DPCC president, Mr Jagdish Tytler, Mrs Kiran Chaudhary, Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, Dr Narendra Nath, former minister, and Mr Mangat Ram Singhal, Chief Whip, CLP. The team sought to impress upon the President that the rights of a popularly elected government were being trampled upon by the Centre. Since subjects like land and police were vested with the Centre, the Delhi government found itself helpless in matters like city planning and ensuring the security of its citizens. All major organisations like the DDA, which have a bearing on the quality of civic services, were not within the ambit of the state government. Though the Delhi Government had written to the Ministry of Home as well as the Prime Minister on the need for devolving greater authority as a precursor to statehood, nothing had come out of the exercise even after a year. Without taking recourse to an amendment in the NCT Act, devolution of power could take place through executive orders passed by the Central government. Ironically, instead of looking into these valid demands, the Central government had given greater power to the Lt-Governor vide orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs, thus undermining the state government’s present status. The representation pointed out that after exhaustive consultations with diverse stakeholders in the city, the government had put forward the demand for statehood with special status for Delhi. Even the Assembly had unanimously passed resolutions asking for more powers for the local government. However, there had been no response from the Central government. Only through major institutional and structural changes, the democratic aspirations of 15 million people residing in the Capital could be realised. The delegation also informed the President that in response to its missive, the Election Commission had banned demolitions in slums till the completion of the poll process. |
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BJP
goes into Satyagraha mode New Delhi, July 1 Carrying placards, they marched from Shahidi Park to the Players Building, headquarters of the Delhi Government, where they were arrested. Describing it as a decisive battle against the Congress, Mr Khurana said a similar satyagraha would be organised in all 35 assembly constituencies. He said that in its four and a half years of rule the Sheila Dikshit-led government had not fulfilled even a single promise made in the manifesto. Mr Khurana said the government had failed to provide wheat at Rs 2 and rice at Rs 3 per kg to the poor and the economically weaker sections under the scheme of the Central government. He alleged that foodgrains provided by the Centre at subsidised rates were being sold in the black market. It was also pointed out that the Congress had failed to open even a single college during its tenure whereas the BJP had seven colleges to its credit, apart from Indraprastha College. Highlighting the failures of the Congress government, Mr Khurana said that cheques for as little as Rs 2 were given to farmers under the drought relief scheme. Blaming the government for failing to meet even the basic requirements of the people, Mr Khurana said the government had failed on all fronts. |
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Doctor’s Day advice: Physician heal thyself Faridabad, July 1 A step in this direction, the state government has banned the visit of medical representatives to the hospitals during duty hours and has instructed doctors to prescribe only generic medicines to patients. Further, the doctors have been told to issue only duly signed and stamped prescription slips to the patients at the OPD. A district-level meeting of officials, doctors, representatives of drug companies, chemists’ associations and the Indian Medical Association
(IMA) was held here recently. A list of about 250 drugs and medicines in the generic category had been prepared. This was circulated at the meeting. Despite the suggestions of the IMA for bringing about some changes in the list, the participants agreed to abide by the advise that only generic drugs be prescribed at government hospitals and at clinics being run by members of the IMA. Generic drugs cost less: their maximum retail price is several times lower than that of the branded drugs. “The branded drugs are generally marketed by well-known companies and cost more due to the expenses involved in advertising and promotional campaigns, said a chemist based at old Faridabad here. He admitted that the margin between the cost of production and the sale price of a branded drug could be huge and unaffordable for common man. This margin, it is claimed, is used to fund holiday packages and foreign jaunts of doctors prescribing a particular drug. The Health Department authorities have also decided to release the rate list of generic drugs and asked the drug stores and retailers to paste one such list at the counter for the benefit of patients. The chemists have been told to sell only those medicines which have been prescribed by the doctor. They have also been instructed to give proper bills and cash memos to the customers. Although the move may cheer the common man, its success will depend on its implementation. Mr Chander Prakash Bathla, general secretary of the Faridabad Chemists Association (FCA), said there was no hitch in implementing the new directions, but the main responsibility lies with doctors who prescribed the medicines. He feared that many doctors who run their own clinics or are attached with private hospitals may not adhere to the guidelines. The decision of the authorities to stop the visits of medical representatives in the government hospitals may not be easy to implement. “Moreover, doctors may entertain them at their residence,’’ pointed out a doctor. |
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All-woman team to man busy South City intersection Gurgaon, July 1 There are about 80 personnel in the traffic constabulary. Out of them, only five are women. The confidence generated by the functioning of the women cops at the IFCO bypass has encouraged the district police chief to double their number in the traffic dept in the district. The performance appraisal is to be seen against the backdrop of greater thrust to road safety and streamlining the flow of vehicular traffic. The administration also wants an iron grip on the law and order situation by improving the policing of the roads in the city. It is in this context that the district police has procured four speed guns from the government. This is in addition to the one which had been donated. The speed guns will be visible on the congested Delhi-Jaipur highway and the Sohna road. The guns will be put in place shortly. According to the authorities, traffic policing has become more effective. As a result, the police have been able to reduce the crime rate. However, it is felt that the people are still uncooperative. There are about 25 key intersections in the city, each of which is manned by a couple of cops. Officers of the rank of assistant sub-inspector have been given the power to issue challans. However, in the case of women cops, even head constables can issue challans. In another move, the district authorities have taken up the issue of haphazard parking of vehicles with the owners of the shopping malls on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road. One of the suggestions is to charge an entry fee from the vehicle owners at the time of exit. Also, there is a move to set up a police booth near the malls. The authorities have also pressed into service two tow away cranes. |
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SHORT—CHANGED Sonepat, July 1 This step was taken following public complaints against the owners of the petrol pumps.
Rs 12.69 lakh looted from LIC office Bhiwani: Two motorcycle-borne youths reportedly robbed Rs 12.69 lakh at pistol-point from an employee of the Life Insurance Corporation at the main office located near the mini-secretariat here today in broad daylight. The incident occurred when the employee was leaving for getting the cash deposited after collecting it from the cash counter. The branch employees immediately reported the matter to the police. The Superintendent of Police, who arrived at the scene promptly, has ordered putting nakas around the town. According to a report, two unidentified youths, who were sitting outside the office of the branch manager, swung into action at about 4.30 pm. Snatching the money bag from the class IV employee who was proceeding towards the security room, they fled on the motorcycle parked outside the front gate of the office. At least two employees, who witnessed the incident as they were standing outside, alighted and attempted to follow the miscreants. The employees said the miscreants fled towards the mini-secretariat. The assistant branch manager, Mr O. P. Meena, said the cash collected during the day was deposited in the security room at about 5 pm everyday. He said the money amounted to Rs 12,66,201 and 20 paise. A sum of Rs 3,353 was put separately in the bag. No arrests had been made till the filing of this report.
Four cops suspended for lapses New Delhi: A vigilance inquiry has been ordered against four errant police personnel, after it was found that there were serious lapses in an investigation. The irregularities came to light after an official intercepted two suspects who had escaped from police custody in Anand Vihar recently. The police also recovered Rs 24.80 lakh from the two suspects. The Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), B K Gupta, has ordered an inquiry against Inspector D P Joshi, SI Ehtsam Abbas, Constables Sanjeev and Qamar Abbas and placed them under suspension.
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DUPING THE
GULLIBLE New Delhi, July 1 The police also claimed to have seized a number of application forms, profiles, receipt books, computer hardware and accessories after a raid. The woman who had promised the moon — Bhawna Karir — has an office in Bikaji Cama Place, which runs under the banner of Media Ad Link. She was arrested following complaints about her involvement in the racket. Earlier, the accused has been arrested for taking and publishing lewd photographs of a minor girl in an obscene magazine. The police said that she must have duped at least 4,700 aspirants; she used to charge between Rs 5,000 and Rs 21,000 for preparing portfolios of the applicants in her laboratory. A complaint was received by the police from one Anil Kumar Saini that Bhawna had cheated her daughter. Bhawna used to make telephonic calls to the aspirants and entice them by promising attractive packages. Saini was one such victim; Bhavana had called him and his minor daughter to her office. She charged Rs 1,100 for enrollment and when Saini offered some photographs for the portfolio, she refused to accept them, questioning their quality. Later, she offered to prepare the portfolio in her studio and charged Rs 5,500 for the task. To win over customers, she would show attractive portfolios of some models doing well in the industry. |
Cong workers halt trains on
Taj corridor issue Noida/Ghaziabad, July 1 Congress workers stopped trains at two different places in Noida and Ghaziabad districts and courted arrest yesterday. Janata Express was stopped at the Dadri station in Noida by the protestors demanding a judicial probe into the Taj heritage corridor issue. They squatted on the railway tracks forcing the train to stop at Dadri although it does not have a scheduled stop there. In Ghaziabad, three trains were stopped by Congress workers at the New Ghaziabad railway station and at Kote village level crossing. Hundreds of Congress workers assembled at the Mali Wara crossing and marched in procession to the Naya Ghaziabad railway station. They stopped Shalimar Express and burnt an effigy of Ms Mayawati. Another passenger train and a goods train were also stopped there. Addressing the protestors, Dr Kishenveer Chaudhry, acting president of the Bharat Krishek Samaj, alleged that corruption had reached its zenith during Ms Mayawati’s rule in the state. The way the government had tried to sell off Taj was shameful, he said. While development works were at a standstill, officials were being demoralised and insulted without rhyme or reason. The Chief Minister was spreading the poison of casteism in the state, he alleged. Over 300 agitators who were squatting on the rail tracks were arrested at Kote village. The arrested persons were later let off on personal sureties. The district administration has already arrested over 1,100 Congress workers during the ‘rail roko’ agitation led by district Congress chief Ajay Chaudhary and Tej Pal Gujjar, the Youth Congress chief. It may be recalled that UP Congress president Jagdambika Pal had called for a state-wide “jam the rail” programme on June 30 and had also demanded a judicial probe into the Taj heritage imbroglio. |
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CPM drive to highlight woes of poor Rohtak, July 1 Mr Inderjit Singh, secretary of the state unit, said that during the fortnight-long campaign, the party would focus on a nine-point charter, exposing the NDA rule for its pro-imperialist and communal agenda resulting in compounding the miseries of common people in all sectors like agriculture, industry, education, health, democratic rights and social
justice. He said that the Sangh Parivar had once again resorted to reviving the Ayodhya issue despite no evidence having been found for the existence of any temple during the excavations of the Babri Masjid site. He said that all these desperate moves were aimed at diverting the attention of the people from the real issues keeping in view the forthcoming elections in five states and for the Lok Sabha next year. Analysing the political situation in Haryana, Mr Inderjit Singh said that the anti-people policies and over-centralisation of power during the Chautala regime had led to deep crisis and discontentment among all sections. |
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Don’t muzzle farmers’ voice: Vidrohi Sonepat: The Haryana Pradesh Janata Dal (U) president, Mr Ved Parkash Vidrohi, has condemned the ‘anti-farmer and anti-employee’ attitude of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Government and cautioned the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, against confrontation with the leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). He said it was neither in the interest of the farmers nor the ruling party. In a signed press statement issued here today, he said that the Chautala Government had failed to suppress the voice of the farmers even though it had arrested many BKU leaders and implicated them in false criminal cases. He accused Mr Chautala of misusing official machinery against the farmers agitating against his ‘misrule’. He warned that if Mr Chautala continued with his oppressive attitude against the farmers, the day was not far when the farmers would rise and revolt against him and his government. Mr Vidrohi also criticised the Chautala Government for adopting double standard and accused it of causing hardships to the employees by ordering retrenchments in various departments, nigams and boards. He contested the claim of Mr Chautala for providing adequate employment to the educated jobless youths and said that the announcements made by Mr Chautala about recruiting 20,000 employees in various government departments were false.
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Don’t hold polls during Ramzan: Third Front New Delhi, July 1 Mr Kapoor was urged to convey to the Government not to implement the CAS as it is ‘anti-consumer’ and aimed at benefiting certain individuals. The delegation also pointed out that the Ration Card Holders under the BPL scheme were not being given cheap rations despite the Delhi Government having lifted the quota allocated by the Centre. Among other issues taken up by the Front include regularisation of alterations made in the DDA flats, withdrawal of the recent power tariff hike and regularisation of unauthorised colonies. |
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Gupta exhorts police brass
to work fearlessly New Delhi, July 1 Addressing senior police officers on the 25th anniversary of the commissioner system of police in the Capital, the Police Commissioner said that this would be possible only if they worked with the public and for the public. He said that since Delhi was the national Capital, policing it was a complex affair and required both expertise and professionalism. Appreciating the achievements of the Delhi Police force on the occasion, Mr Gupta said the deaths of a number dreaded criminals and terrorists in police encounters and the arrest of other unlawful elements went to the credit of the policemen and officers. Incidents of robbery, fighting, cyber crimes and various heinous crimes have been brought under control, he claimed. He mentioned the encounters of Pakistan-based terrorists at Ansal Plaza, Tughlakabad, Humayun Makbara and one in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. Pointing out the unauthorised constructions and incidences of foreign nationals living illegally in Delhi, he said the national Capital directly or indirectly is affected by incidents that take place inside the country or outside. Besides, it has been a target of the terrorists because of the presence of a large number of VIPs. All these have to be tackled by the police. He appealed to the policemen that while dealing with sensitive issues in the Capital, they should not forget the minor incidents as these are directly connected with the people in general. The police will set an example and improve their image if they work to solve the problem of the people in general. He also mentioned crime against senior citizens and women. |
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Villagers
rally against erratic power, water supply Sonepat, July 1 According to a report, residents of these villages reached the office in tractor-trailers and other vehicles and forced their way into the 132 KV grid power substation. They also assembled outside the office of the SDO and sat on a dharna. Gheraoing the SDO for about one and a half hours, they dispersed peacefully only when the SDO assured them that steps would be taken to ensure regular power supply in their villages. After the assurance, the demonstrators left with the warning that if the situation failed to improve within a couple of days, they would have no alternative than to hold up traffic on National Highway 1. The residents alleged that the power supply was made available for only three hours a day. This had led to disruption in their normal life. They had to spend sleepless nights sweating it out at night. According to another report, a large number of residents, including women of Shamri village, held a demonstration in front of the office of the SDM at Gohana town, 35 km from here, yesterday. The demonstrators raised anti-government and anti-Public Health Department slogans. They broke their pitchers on the occasion. The SDM assured them that he would visit the village and take necessary action to ensure regular supply of drinking water in their village. Meanwhile, the residents of Nizampur village held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here yesterday. They sat on a day’s dharna there in protest against the alleged misuse of public funds allotted for the execution of development works by the sarpanch of the village and the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Kharkhauda. They shouted slogans against the sarpanch and the BDPO. Submitting a memorandum to the DC, they demanded a high-level inquiry into the public complaints and stern action against the officials and the sarpanch of the village. According to another report, a large number of residents of Bakhtawarpur village held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here yesterday in support of their demands for holding a high-level probe into the complaints regarding the malpractices and irregularities committed by the sarpanch and other members of his family. |
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Probe into CADA work on watercourses sought Sonepat, July 1 According to a report, they have alleged that most of the works executed by the CADA on watercourses were substandard and the senior officials of authority had remained silent spectators, thereby ignoring the complaints in this regard. They further alleged that the state government had been suffering a huge financial loss owing to the use of substandard materials in the construction of watercourses. Such an inquiry would expose the misdeeds of the officials entrusted with the job. |
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Nirankari
Baba returns from salvation tour New Delhi, July 1 This observation was made here by His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, Head of the Sant Nirankari Mission, while addressing a special congregation organised to welcome him and his spouse Pujya Mata Sawinder Ji as they came back to Delhi after a two-month-long ‘salvation tour’ of the UK and Europe. Thousands of devotees from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh participated in the gathering on Sunday. Picking up the above reference from Berlin Wall, Baba Ji pointed out that every wall seeking to divide humanity is first erected in the mind and then constructed on the ground. Again it is first dismantled in the mind and then only razed to the ground physically. What we need, therefore, is that we must rise above narrow feelings and be broad-minded enough to think in terms of the welfare of all. He called upon the world leaders to detach themselves from such considerations which divide humanity. He appealed to them to divert the resources from the production of weapons
to the economic development of the world. Baba Ji admitted that the diversities of culture, language, etc. may have to stay. It is but natural. However, we have to value the fundamental unity that pervades the entire universe. In fact, nature is the best guide on unity in diversity, which is achievable in human world through spiritual enlightenment. |
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‘Americans turning towards meditation’ Rewari, July 1 Addressing a large gathering of sisters, brothers and other disciples of the Brahma Kumaris Fraternity of the Delhi zone at the Om Shanti Retreat Centre (ORC) at Bilaspur, 30 km from here on Sunday, she said that during her recent tour of the US, she found that bonds of mutual love, along with an increasing inclination towards meditation, were fast taking roots among the American citizens. Further, they were gradually releasing that spiritual enlightenment alone could lead to a life – free of tension and panic, she added. Making a specific mention of the increasing rush of the American devotees at the Brahma Kumaris’ Peace Village in New York and the various other retreat houses throughout the US, she said that it was highly encouraging that Brahma Baba’s spiritual ethos was making an impact on the lives of American citizens, many of whom now aspired to undertake a pilgrimage of Madhuban at Mount Abu in Rajasthan, which is the international headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris. Giving description of her similar experiences made during her tour of the UK, Dadi Gulzar said that it was exhilarating to note that numerous English devotees had been listening to the Murli (the spiritual aphorisms of the Brahma Baba) broadcast at the Retreat Houses in London during early hours of the morning daily. Making a pointed reference to the utterances made by the Brahma Baba when they joined the order as small children, she remarked that these very children, who now constituted hierarchy of the Brahma Kumaris Organisation, were now engaged in the moral and spiritual uplift of mankind. It was something glorious that owing to the Baba’s guidance and inspirational incentive, lakhs of youths were now devoted to the community service in diverse areas with an exemplary dedication at the 6000-odd branches of the Vishwa Vidyalaya (PBKIV) working in India and 87 other countries of the world, she added. |
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SPECIAL
FOCUS ON GURGAON Gurgaon, July 1 Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Anurag Rastogi told the NCR Tribune that the ‘MG’ road stretch between IFFCO Chowk to Sikanderpur on the Mehrauli road had actually been developed in a planned way. However, most of the people parked their vehicles on the roadside, a non-parking area, resulting in congestion on the road, he said. The administration had directed the developers of DLF City Center, Metropolitan (MGF) and Sahara Mall (three malls where people throng) to ensure that the visitors must park their vehicles only in the allotted parking areas inside the malls and not on the road. “We would ensure that no vehicle is parked on the road. Strict action would be taken against the violators,” said the DC. Revealing the long-term strategy, he said that the administration had finalised a plan to acquire the land on both sides of MR Road to widen it and make side lanes. The work on the Sikanderpur bypass got delayed due to the shortage of ‘rori’ and other building materials following the order of the Supreme Court not to allow mining in Aravali hills. This road would soon be constructed, which would decongest the Sikanderpur area, added the officer. The administration had also decided to make another side road from the Delhi-Gurgaon-Mehrauli border leading from the Faridabad road to the Sohna road. This 10-km stretch would ensure that the most of the people, living in DLF, South city and nearby colonies, would not be forced to use MR Road as a transit road like now and would use it only when they are visiting the malls. In fact, MR Road would be the hub of shopping where all types of goods of leading brands and avenues of entertainment are available. Following the outcry by the masses, the administration had recently put up signboards on MG Road warning against parking vehicles on the road. The police have hired two cranes to tow away the vehicles parked in the non-parking areas. However, people park their vehicles on the road even now as the parking rate of Rs 15 is thought to be high. The mall developers should reserve some place for parking vehicles of short duration. |
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DELHI DIGEST New Delhi, July 1 Speaking at a public meeting following the launch of the week-long, ‘Family Health Awareness Campaign’ organised by the Delhi State Aids Control Society, Govt. of Delhi at the MCD Dispensary, behind Vijay
Ghat, Mrs Dikshit said undergoing treatment at the preliminary stage of the ailment is easy, cheap and helps build a healthy family. The Chief Minister also informed that a total of 850 camps have been set up under the campaign in various hospitals, health centres and dispensaries run by the Government of
NCT, the MCD and the NDMC. Dr Ashok Walia, Health and Family Welfare Minister, present on the occasion, said that there is no confirmed treatment of HIV/AIDS, but it is totally preventive. Highlighting the causes of the disease, he said that people should equip themselves with proper knowledge.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
remembered The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee held a special congregation at the historic Gurudwara Bangla Sahib on the occasion of the 164th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The ceremony, which took place here last week, paid tributes to the great Sikh king who welded Sikhs into a nation. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Harmohinder Singh lauded the achievements of the Maharaja. The late king’s virtues were recalled as the congregation paid homage to him. Present on the occasion were the acting president of the
DSGMC, Mr Harvinder Singh Sarna, Head Granthi, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and other members of the
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NCR BRIEFS Rohtak, July 1 Counselling for B Pharma Maharshi Dayanand University will conduct the counselling for admission to Bachelor of Pharmacy course for the session 2003-04 in institutions and universities of Haryana from July 7 to July 11. A spokesman of the university administration today informed that the candidates will have to pay a token fee of Rs 5,000 at the time of counselling. The remaining amount will have to be deposited by the candidates within a week, at the allotted colleges/institutions/departments of universities, he added.
MDU to conduct aptitude test Maharshi Dayanand University will conduct the aptitude test for admission to Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch) course on July 6. A university press release today stated that the test would be conducted in the University College, Rohtak from 1 pm onwards. The candidates who had opted to appear for this course in the CEET-2003 form are required to collect their roll numbers on July 6 from 8 am to 12.30 pm at the enquiry counter of the university.
88 released on bail Sonepat: Mr BN Singhal, District and Sessions Judge, yesterday ordered the release of 88 persons of Ahulana village on bail. According to a report, the police had arrested these persons after they had ruined the standing crops, in about 600 acres of panchayat land to forcibly occupy it on June 23. Meanwhile, the duty magistrate has directed these persons to furnish surety of Rs 25,000 each before they were released on bail.
Dreaded kidnapper shot dead Ghaziabad: The Sahibabad Police shot dead a dreaded criminal, Tilak Ram, who was fleeing with a stolen Indica Car, in an encounter. The police recovered a revolver, several cartridges and a stolen car from his possession. SP (Rural) Pushpak Jyoti said that the accused was involved in several kidnapping cases and would then demand ransom from the victims’ families.
New Ghaziabad DM Ghaziabad has got a new District Magistrate and Collector, Babu Lal Meena. He has been brought in to fill the slot vacated by Ram Kishen. It may recalled that Ram Kishen was suspended by Chief Minister Mayawati last week in village Bachhlota for having ‘neglected’ the development work in Ambedkar villages in Hapur Block. Rumours were making round that the suspended DM Ram Kishen had been trying for his reinstatement in state capital Lucknow since then.
Residents demand for road Narnaul: The demand for a road from the railway station to Rewari Road, through Adarsh Nagar, has again come up with the increasing pressure on inner path of the township. Regular traffic jams at various places in the city have compelled the residents to put forward their demand for an outer road from railway station to Rewari Road. |
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Suicide bid Sonepat: Joginder alias Joga of Chatia village, involved in a murder case, reportedly attempted suicide by consuming insecticide tablets in his house yesterday. OC |
Child rescued, kidnappers held
New Delhi, July 1 Auto thief nabbed The South district police today claimed to have nabbed one person who had been involved in car-stereo thefts. The accused, Sanjay alias Sonu, 27, resident of Hauz Khas, was
arrested while he was travelling in a stolen car. One spring-actuated knife and four car stereos were recovered from his possession.
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Banks surpass loan target in 2002-03 Sonepat, July 1 Mr Balwan Singh, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the meeting. Senior officers of PNB, SBI and NABARD were also present at the meeting. Mr Arora said that the nationalised banks had advanced a loan of Rs 212.62 crore to the farmers under various government schemes launched during the year under review. PNB, he claimed, topped other banks in advancing 48 per cent of the amount of loan to the farmers in this district. Various nationalised banks had advanced a loan of Rs 392.33 crore to the farmers as against the target of Rs 381.13 crore fixed by the government. The banks, he said, had advanced a loan of Rs 67.72 crore to the 1,385 farmers having Kisan Credit Cards in this district during 2002-03. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner asked the bankers to advance loans liberally to the farmers and poor people under various schemes launched by the government for improving the lot of the poor people in the district. He warned that any delay in providing loans would attract action by the government. He also asked the bankers to take immediate and effective steps for achieving the targets of loans fixed by the government for them. The DC also assured that the district administration would provide all-out assistance to the bankers in the recovery of loans given to the farmers and other poor people. He also announced that stern action would be taken against the defaulters. |
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With 3.2 m connections, BSNL set to enter Limca Book Panipat, July 1 He was speaking at the inauguration of a customer service centre here. The CMD also complimented the Nigam staff on providing excellent services to the subscribers leaving its rival service providers way behind. Mr Prithipal Singh said the BSNL was ‘mobile’ in the real sense and claimed its cellular services to be the best for the people as its wide network ensured that it worked at all places. The Chief General Manager Telecom, Haryana Circle, Mr AK Nagpal, said the Haryana Circle had rolled out phase I and II of the mobile project completely and its mobile network had the capacity to cater to 1,11,000 customers. With the achievement of one lakh mobile connections, the BSNL has become the number one mobile operator in the state, leaving behind Escotel, Airtel and Essar, he said. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the customer service centre, with a covered area of 1,500 square feet, will have four cash counters. For the first time in the Haryana circle, the customers will have the facility of a duplicate bill vending machine where they can get duplicate bill with the help of the touch screen without any assistance of the BSNL staff. Besides the sale of the application forms for the new connections, it will provide the facility of on-the-spot activation of new mobile connections. |
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Not good enough, say customers While the BSNL CMD claimed that customer services being provided by the Nigam employees were excellent, customers have a different story to tell. Some of the subscribers, present in Customer Service Center (CSC), interviewed by this correspondent expressed dissatisfaction with the customer services provided by the BSNL. They told the ‘NCR Tribune’ that except for the subscribers from Panipat, those from Samalkha, Bapoli, Israna and other areas of the district had to travel all the way to Panipat to deposit their mobile phone bills in cash in Old Customer Service Centre due to the absence of a proper working system of the department. Another subscriber said that though he had opted for the BSNL’s mobile phone services, he was dissatisfied as the private companies in the Haryana circle were providing better quality services at the same rates. The customers also demanded that the payment in cheque should be accepted till 5 pm in this
centre. TNS |
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