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August 4, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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PM amenable to dialogue on Master Plan New Delhi, August 3 He told the office bearers and members of the Delhi unit of the BJP that the Union Government was ready for a debate on the issue. It was amenable to a discussion on the perceived negative impact of the decision to make a certain number of unauthorised colonies “legal.” Otherwise, he said, “Such talks (of the apprehensions raised by certain political parties) would not lead us anywhere …. Let us decide together. I feel Delhi should enjoy a marvellous place among the capitals of the country. That day will come.” The criticism notwithstanding, the prime minister felt the decision to incorporate the long-standing demands of the people of NCT of Delhi while formulating the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 would go a long way in improving the conditions of the people. (The Delhi Development Authority has pasted the guidelines for the information of the general public on its website , so that all the stakeholders could give their comments or suggestions in what it describes as a process of extensive consultation and participation.) Appreciating the problems the city’s indiscriminate growth has brought with it, the prime minister suggested moving to the outskirts of the Capital in the times to come for a better life. For that to happen, he said, the administration should provide better transportation and infrastructure in those areas to make access to the Capital easier. The prime minister also acknowledged decongestion of the Capital was a must. He criticised the previous governments for not working on development of the National Capital Region (NCR) which, he felt, could have gone a long way in easing the problems of the people of NCT of Delhi. “If development in NCT of Delhi had been a continuous process and right progress achieved, today’s situation would not have come,” he pointed out. He said the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Union Government should work together for fulfilling the aspirations of the people. |
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Noida Authority shelves five top projects Noida, August 3 The five scuttled projects, which were announced with lot of hype, are: IT City, Bio Tech City, Medical City, NRI City, a shopping mall and a commercial hub. These projects will are being recast in view of the suggestions received after Chief Minister Mayawati’s recent foreign jaunt. This, at least, is the official version. But other versions are also doing the rounds. The Noida Authority had in January 2003 invited proposals from top companies interested in investing in these projects. The Noida Authority had also earmarked suitable sites for the development of these projects: Three hundred acres for IT City in Special Development Zone V, 185 acres in Special Development Zone VI for Bio-Tech City, 150 acres in Special Development Zone VII for Medical City, 30 acres in Sector 132 for the development of the international mall and the commercial hub. Besides, 450 acres were reserved for the NRI City. March 31 was announced as the last date for receipt of tenders for all these projects. But when no tenders were received by March 31, this deadline was extended to May five. On May 5 again these projects were announced through press advertisements and a fresh deadline (July 15) was set. By this time Chief Minister Mayawati and a team of senior bureaucrats had returned from a visit to the US, the primary aim of which was to sell these projects abroad and to woo American capital for UP’s development. According to sources, all these projects will be drastically recast in view of the suggestions received from the CM’s team. Top Noida Authority officials, including the CEO, have confirmed that the projects will be presented to the public again after a thorough overhaul.
Asst commissioner suspended Ghaziabad: The Commissioner, Trade Tax, Deepak Singhal, today suspended an assistant commissioner for allegedly accepting Rs 80,000 as bribe from a trader. The mobile team of the trade tax department, under the assistant commissioner, Dhalwal Prakash, had seized a truck loaded with pipes on July 20 on the UP border. Pipes worth Rs 3.25 lakh were loaded in the truck (no. HR-39-3737), which was brought to the Mohan Nagar check post on the morning of July 20, 2003, by the assistant commissioner, who later allegedly accepted Rs 80,000 as bribe from the trader for releasing the truck. |
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I-DAY RITUAL New Delhi, August 3 Senior officials said that the entire force has been put on a maximum alert following “ inputs” from Jammu and Kashmir recently. The “inputs” from Jammu and Kashmir said that the LeT planned to carry out subversive activity in the nation’s Capital around the Independence Day. The inputs from Jammu and Kashmir also expressed apprehension that the three-member squad might have already reached Delhi and might be lying low before carrying out a strike, highly placed sources said. Sources said that following this, Delhi Police and intelligence agencies have mounted surveillance across the Capital and are carrying out random searches at hotels, lodges, guest houses and other suspected hideouts. Security around vital installations was also being reviewed while additional policemen were being deployed in markets and other public places. Security around the central vista near India Gate has already been upgraded . Senior police officials said that while a watch was being kept at the border check posts, the help of the police of the neighbouring districts was also being sought in view of reports that the terrorists might be harbouring in Uttar Pradesh or Haryana. Senior officials of Delhi Police and other security agencies have had several rounds of discussions to give final touches to the security arrangements around the historic Red Fort, from where the prime minister delivers his annual Independence Day address to the nation. Teams of experts have visited the Red Fort several times and are overseeing the arrangements being made there. Particular attention is being paid to the spot from where the prime minister will address the nation. A section of the area in the Red Fort is already off limit for the general public; plainclothesmen are keeping a 24-hour vigil, so that it remains sanitised till the Independence Day. Equal attention is also being paid to the area where the VVIP enclosure is normally located. The police said that while the workers’ antecedents were being vetted, senior officers were monitoring the preparations to ensure that no improvised explosive device (IED) is planted ahead of the function. |
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Criminal with reward on head overpowered New Delhi, August 3 The accused, Rajesh alias Talli, who carried a reward of Rs 30,000 for his involvement in more than 17 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and robbery, was hunting for a potential target when he was nabbed. The sleuths, after receiving a secret tip-off that Rajesh would be striking near Miranda House, deployed a special team for the purpose of apprehending him. At around 6.30 am, Rajesh was spotted on a motorcycle (No DL-8S-R-8548). When asked to stop, he started speeding but soon rammed into an iron gate. When the police party approached him, he started running towards Khalsa College, but the determined police officials chased him. In panic, he whipped out a revolver and fired at the police party. However, Constable Anil, who was part of the police team, pounced on him and overpowered him. |
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LEGAL CORNER New Delhi, August 3 While issuing the notices to Union Home Secretary, L-G, Secretary Delhi Administration, MCD Commissioner, Delhi Police Commissioner, DCP North, DCP Police Control Room and the SHO of Sadar Bazar, Justice S K Kaul asked them to file their replies by September 2, the next date of hearing. Alleging mixing of buffalo meat with that of goat and sheep, petitioner Md Amjad of Young Qureshis Front Against Social Evils complained that there were no trained inspectors to effectively check the menace. Due to official apathy, as also due to the ignorance, Delhiites purchase meat of illegally slaughtered dead and sick animals and there were no checks on the quality of meat sold in the Capital, the petition filed through advocate M T Siddique alleged. The petitioner, himself a butcher, claimed that he “makes complaints to the PCR (Phone No.100), as a result of which defaulters are arrested and fined.’’ Contending that the Departments of Customs and Income Tax follow the practice of rewarding the informers, he requested the court to direct the authorities to give him 20 per cent commission on a permanent basis on the fines realised from the erring butchers. |
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URBAN TRAPS New Delhi: A 50-year-old resident of Faridabad today died after he fell down from a swing in Appu Ghar this afternoon. The victim, Ramesh Sehgal (50), came to Appu Ghar this afternoon with his wife and two kids. He and his children were taking a ride in a swing when the lock of the chair accidentally opened, killing him on the spot. The Appu Ghar staff immediately took the victim to a nearby hospital, but Ramesh was declared brought dead. The police have lodged a case against the Appu Ghar authorities and investigations are on. A family member of the deceased lamented that a day of fun and frolic had ended in a tragedy for them. The Appu Ghar authorities were not available for comment. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Manoj Lal said investigations were on to ascertain how Ramesh died. ``We are investigating whether it was a natural death or he died due to his fall from the swing, caused by a technical snag.’’
Building collapses,
10 trapped At least ten persons were feared trapped when a multi-storeyed building collapsed in East Delhi area today, the police sources said. While no casualty had been reported till reports last came in, 10 people were fered trapped in the debris. The rescue operations were on.
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Third Front protests against damage
to new flyovers, roads New Delhi, August 3 Chairman of Third Front Ramvir Singh Bidhuri then led his colleagues and supporters to the residence of Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, where he handed over a memorandum to her. Criticising the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Government of NCT of Delhi for not attending to the problem of water-logging, Bidhuri claimed that crores of rupees had been siphoned off in the name of desilting of nullahs, drains and sewers. “Driving on the roads,” Bidhuri said, “had become a nightmare … the government is neither repairing the roads nor cleaning the nullahs … this is also one of the reasons for the incidence of diseases like cholera, dengue and malaria.” Bidhuri was joined in the demonstration by Janata Dal (S’) Shoaib Iqbal, MLA; Nationalist Congress Party’s Sukhbir Panwar; Samajwadi Janata party’s HN Sharma; National Akali Dal’s Paramjit Singh Pamma; Shakti Dal’s Gopal Jha; and National Lok Dal’s Rattan Singh. |
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON SONEPAT Sonepat, August 3 According to a report, farmers of Garhi Ujale Khan village have alleged that the canal water does not reach tail-end fields and this has resulted in the withering of the paddy crop. They pointed out that they had sown paddy crop expecting a good monsoon. Poor irrigation due to canal water problems and to top it, the rainfall was lower than expectations. This has hit the crop badly. The farmers of Sainipura village too had a similar complaint. The standing paddy crop has started withering away due to scanty rainfall and canal water supply, they said. The supply of canal water, they lamented, was erratic and quite inadequate. Moreover, the cases of canal water theft are increasing on account of the failure of the officials to check the menace. The fields that are at the tail end are the worst hit. Farmers of Gamri village said that the Israna distributary has become dry and there has been no supply of canal water in it. In Kakana village, the farmers said that despite several complaints to the concerned officials about non-supply of canal water, no action has so far been taken. They also alleged that some officials of the Gohana Water Service Division are hand in glove with the influential farmers and were instrumental in hushing up the cases of water theft. As a result, the irrigation of the paddy crop that had already been sown has been badly hit. The irked farmers also blamed the Gohana Water Service Division for not cleaning the canals, distributaries and minors despite being instructed by the state government about the same. They also alleged that the desilting operations carried out by the officials in the past were merely an eyewash. The farmers whose fields are situated on the tailend have demanded a probe into the matter and said that stern action should be taken against the officials responsible for it. They also alleged that the officials were misleading the district and departmental authorities by insisting that the canal water was reaching all the fields and the farmers had no problems. Meanwhile, representatives of various farmers organisations including the BKU have also refuted the claim of the irrigation department authorities that the canal water had reached the tailend villages during the rotation period and described the claim as incorrect and misleading. They said that the farmers were still facing the erratic supply of canal water for irrigation purposes and their crops were withering away on account of this. They urged the state government and the Chief Minister to take a serious note of the matter. |
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Underweight ghee and oil packets being openly sold: Consumers Sonepat, August 3 Consumers complain that even after several complaints, the authorities have failed to take any action against the shopkeepers or the manufacturing companies. According to information, ghee and refined oil packets, which actually weigh lesser than what is mentioned are being openly sold in the market. The consumers complain that in practice, the shopkeepers sell a pack saying that it weights one litre, whereas the weight mentioned on the pack is 897 g and if actually weighed, it would be only 800 g. However, there is no reduction in the price of these products. And when a customer complains about this to the shopkeeper, the latter blames the manufacturing company said a consumer. According to a shopkeeper, on receiving such complaints, when he took up the matter with the dealers of the company, they blamed the company for the fault. Another shopkeeper revealed that the dealers did not hesitate to say that if the packs were seized, they would refuse that the supplies were made by them. It is also pointed out that sometime back, the Chief Minister had also asked the owners of ghee manufacturing companies about the supply of lesser weighing packets during a meeting at Karnal. The owners had reportedly assured the CM that there would be no such complaint about this in future. However, the situation still remains unchanged. |
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Women extortionists held in CP New Delhi, August 3 The victims — Anup Singh, a bus owner who resides in Sultanpuri, and Ramvir Singh, a bus conductor who resides in Kanjhawala – were in Connaught place last evening for some shopping. After completing their work, they decided to take an auto to Nangloi from the Madras Hotel. It was around this time that four women — Kiran (40), a resident of Shadara, Anita (30), a resident of Old Seemapuri, Nitu (25), a resident of Usmanpur, and Sunita (25), a resident of Inderpuri, surrounded them. Asking them to give all their money, they also threatened the duo that if they failed to oblige, they would raised an alarm. Anup immediately handed over Rs 730, but by then an eyewitness had informed the police and the women were arrested.
Eye check-up camp A free eye checking camp was organised today by the Tarun Mitra Parishad at Swastic Nursing Home. In the medical camp, a team of doctors of Venu Eye Institute examined over 176 patients and identified 35 patients for cataract operation. The patients who were identified would be provided free medical facilities, board and lodging, and medicines including lenses.
Kidnapped boy rescued With the arrest of three persons, the East district police today claimed to have solved a kidnapping-cum-extortion case of a 16-year-old boy from the Kanti Nagar extension. The kidnappers demanded Rs 6 lakh for the safe release of Tapesh Kumar from his parents. They also instructed the parents of the Tapash that the money should be delivered to them at Garh Mukteshwar Railway Station. Accordingly, a police team which was deputed along with Tapash’s father reached the railway station and overpowered the accused Nempal alias Swamiji (34), Kirpal (36) and Suraj (33)—all residents of
Bulandshahr. |
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SFI to step up stir against fee hike Rohtak, August 3 A decision to this effect was taken at a two-day meeting of the state executive committee of SFI which concluded here today. Mr Jai Bhagwan, general secretary, state executive committee of SFI, said student meetings were being held at colleges, universities and medical and engineering colleges to mobilise students for the statewide student strike to be observed on August 8. He said the state had been divided into three zones which were handed over to different leaders of the federation to make the proposed strike successful. He said the first zone comprised Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Ambala and Panchkula. The second zone consisted of Rohtak, Bhiwani, Jind, Panipat, Sonepat, Jhajjar and Faridabad. Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Mahendragarh and Rewari fall in the third zone.
Cong meet postponed The Congress party workers’ conference proposed to be held today jointly by the urban and rural units of Block Congress Committee was deferred following the direction of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief, Mr Bhajan Lal. Stating this here today, Mr Subhash Batra, a former minister said the decision had been taken in view of the accident of a cousin of the Opposition leader, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda who had been missing for the past few days in Hardwar. He said the next date for the conference would be declared soon by Mr Bhajan Lal. Despite the inclement weather, a large number of party workers reached the venue to attend the conference. |
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Two-week cleanliness drive launched Sonepat, August 3 According to a report, the drive would continue till August 15. Under the campaign, the safai workers and the inspectorate staff, adjudged the best, would be honoured on the Independence Day. The council authorities will tour every ward and monitor the work done by the safai workers and the inspectorate staff. Later, the names would be recommended and sent to the office of the Deputy Commissioner. The Sonepat municipal council, it may be recalled, had 250 safai workers at present whereas the population of the city has crossed over 2 lakh. There are about 4,000 places where the garbage is dumped. At least 90 tonnes of garbage is accumulated in the city which is to be removed by the safai workers on tractor-trolleys. About 60 tonnes of garbage is thrown by the owners of the houses and another 12 tonnes by the owners of industries. The remaining garbage is accumulated by the builders. |
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NCR BRIEFS Sonepat, August 3 The government has, however, opened three new offices of the CADA in Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Fatehabad. The work in these offices has already been started from August 1. The executive engineer, posted in the office of the CADA at Gohana, has been transferred to Panipat whereas the other staff have been shifted to Kaithal. The furniture and other goods of the Gohana office have been sent to Fatehabad. However, no reason has been given for the closure of the offices. It is also claimed that the work for the construction of watercourses has almost been completed in Gohana, Rohtak and Palwal.
Rai students strike Students of Motilal Nehru School of Sports at Rai observed a complete strike yesterday to protest against the alleged beating up of two students by a coach. According to a report, the trouble arose when these students were found taking meals in the mess without the uniforms as ordered by the coach. The students of Class X, Class XI and Class XII also started hooting the teachers in their classrooms. Subsequently, the school administration carried out the search of the hostel. During the search operations, household goods including VCD players and CD cassettes were found which were prohibited in the hostel. The striking students have urged the deputy commissioner and the school authorities to intervene and take action against the coach. They also threatened to go on an indefinite strike if no action was taken against him.
HUDA makes payment The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has made payment totalling Rs 25,48,887 to the Gohana municipal committee in lieu of the 14 acre acquired by it for the development of Sector 7 at Gohana town in this district. According to a report, this followed the order of the attachment of the office of the Estate Officer at Sonepat, issued by the District and Sessions Judge, Sonepat. The amount was related to the second instalment of the compensation to be made by HUDA. With the payment of this amount, the order of attachment has been withdrawn by the court of law. HUDA, it may be recalled, had acquired this land by promising about Rs 40 lakh to be given to the municipal committee as compensation.
Snakebite A woman was admitted to the civil hospital here last evening after the snakebite at Tikola village in the district. According to a report, the condition of the woman is stated to be out of danger.
Road stretch washed away Jhajjar: Vehicular traffic was disrupted on the Jhajjar-Gurgaon road, about 10 km from here today, when a 12-metre stretch of road swept away in flash floods. According to information, the heavy flow o0f rain water denuded the road near Dulina police post today. The district administration is using sandbags to fill the breach. The traffic to Gurgaon was diverted via Badli. |
No FIR registered in truck hijacking case Ghaziabad (Hapur), August 3 Jurisdiction has been cited as the problem for non-acceptance of the complaint by the police. A team of Delhi police visited Hapur yesterday in this connection, but no tangible progress has been reported in the case so far. According to Shiv Kumar Singh, resident of R K Puram Delhi, his truck was hired by one person on July 16, for Hapur from Metro Transport Co for bringing his household items to RK Puram from
Hapur. At Hapur three persons, who it was learnt were arranged for loading of goods of the hirer, also boarded the truck, said Singh. However, on reaching the out skirts of
Hapur, the three intruders, at gunpoint, took over the control of the truck. They tied the driver, Sunil’s, and the owner’s nephew’s hands and threw the two in fields near
Gajraula. The accused then drove away the truck. When the cleaner and the driver managed to free themselves, they informed the Gajraula police and the owner Shiv Kumar Singh about the incident. Though Gajraula police took the written complaint, they refused to take any action advising Shiv Kumar Singh to contact the Delhi or Garh police as the incident had taken place in that area. Even as 18 days have passed, the police have not registered an FIR, said Singh.
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SHOWCASE Hindalco has launched an exclusive Aura Alloy wheel for Tata Indigo which looks sleek and is designed by the Telco department. The Aura Alloy wheel, specially designed for the Indigo, provides a wide range of benefits. It improves fuel efficiency, ensures faster pick-up and increases tyre/tube life due to faster heat dissipation of the wheels. Aura wheels are 100 per cent X-ray and leak-tested and come with a one-year warranty. The wheels also provide for a smoother and comfortable drive due to better road impact absorption. Superior breaking efficiency and lower emissions due to its lightweight are other benefits of Aura.
A fillip to sound quality Philips India has introduced the MX 3800 D Home Theatre, the all-in-one DVD/CD player with the Philips patented woox technology, which ensures superior bass. Ms Sharmila Sahai, GM, Consumer electronics, said, “Philips has enjoyed a very strong position in the audio and video segment and earned considerable customer loyalty for itself. Hence, we are constantly researching market trends, which has proven that the quality of sound deliverance is critical to the consumers of today.”
Reebok India has announced the launch of “Rockport ROCS” collection for men. Designed to fit the casual lifestyle of the independent and self-confident 20 to 35-year-old men. The collection comprises four shoes Dearborn, Lake Meadows, Calderone and Tengalia. The Rockport ROCS collection is a casual shoe with a hip attitude and a distinctive trendy look. The collection brings classic Rockport comfort and style to a whole new generation. The unique features of the product are full grain leather with padded collar and tongue; Eva rubber outsole for durability and traction; removable foam footbed with heelcup make this stylish collection an authentic one.
A blend of aesthetics and functionality Hindustan Sanitaryware and Industries Limited has launched Selecta, an exquisitely designed one-piece closet that is a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality. The Selecta EWC has an innovative dual flush system that offers two different volumes of water for flushing. The cistern has two push buttons – one can press the large button for a total flush of six liters and the small button for a flush of three liters.
For peaches and cream skin Clarins, the skincare specialist has introduced the Clarins Multi Active Day cream protection plus line for the Indian women. The skincare line protects the skin from the day-to-day stress by removing the expression line and induces freshness and vitality to the skin. As a result, the skin is perfectly hydrated, comfortable and ready to face the hectic day schedule.
Lightweight sandals Woodland has introduced a range of slip-ons and sandals for men with unique ultra lightweight and eco-friendly technology. The floaters are attractive with its dry milled / oil pull up; softy and Nu-buck leather uppers, cushion insole and add on lightweight feature using PU sole.
Latest liquid soap Reckitt Benckiser has launched Dettol Liquid soap skincare, its latest variant in the Dettol Liquid soap stable. The liquid soap gives protection against germs and illness along with an excellent mild fragrance and added moisturizers. “The launch of the skincare variant will now offer our customers unbeatable protection which is also gentle on hands,” said Chander Sethi, MD.
The musical way to unwind yourself Onkya music systems has launched Stress Buster–complete home theatre system targeted at the middle-income group. The compact-sized combination DVD player and 5.1 channel digital surround receiver Stress Buster on DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II and PCM, one can play DVDs, MP3 CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs and Video and Audio CDs. The system also comes with a perfectly matched subwoofer to elicit maximum impact of movie or music. |
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