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September 20, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Faster trains, fully automatic signal on Tri Nagar section New Delhi, September 19 “After a detailed discussion on the programme, there was complete understanding between the Centre and the state government regarding the functioning of Metro. Both the governments will jointly organise the function,’’ the minister said. The section would have four stations at Pul Bangash, Pratap Nagar, Vivekanand Puri and Tri Nagar. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety had partially inspected the section yesterday, and the final inspection would be done tomorrow; the safety certificate is expected by September 25. The main feature of the project would be the increase in the speed of Metro trains — from the existing 50 km per hour to 80 km per hour — and the upgrading of the signal system with full automatic train protection. This type of system was being introduced for the first time in the country, he said.d. The Delhi Metro, which was breaking even with stakes in property development and advertisements, has decided not to revise the fare, which is pegged between Rs 4 and Rs 8. The train services would be from 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. Initially, six trains would ply at an interval of eight minutes, which would be reduced to six minutes and ultimately five minutes, he said. Moreover, two trains would be kept as standby, so that no cancellation takes place on account of an emergency, the minister said. He said that sufficient parking facilities were being provided at all stations. At the Tri Nagar station, bus bays would be provided while at Pratap Nagar station arrangements would be made for passengers to change over from Subjimandi station. The Delhi Metro has spent Rs 5,500 crore till now and the
total cost of the project is Rs 10,571 crore. The work is in progress on the 9-km-long Tri Nagar-Rithala section of Line 1, which would have eight sections. This section would be open for commercial service in March 2004, thus completing the line 1, the minister said. The underground corridor from Vishwa Vidyalaya to Kashmere Gate, covering a 4-km stretch with four stations, was scheduled for commercial operation by December 4, 2004, and the section from Kashmeri Gate to the Central Secretariat, covering a stretch of 6 km with 6 stations, would be opened in September 2005. A separate car park was being constructed at Khyber Pass for catering to the underground corridor. All civil contracts for Line 3 from Barahkhamba Road to
Dwarka, covering a length of 22.8 km and 21 stations, have been awarded and the work has started. DMRC was making an effort to complete Line 3 by September 2005, including a third depot at Dwarka. There is a proposal to extend Line 3 to Dwarka City by 6.5 km, with six stations in its ambit. Investigations and design work were on, he said. |
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Businessman waylaid, robbed of Rs 3 lakh Faridabad, September 19 It is reported that the victim, Vinod Kumar, and his accountant, Surajpal, were on their way to Delhi from Punhana town in Gurgaon district, after collecting Rs 3 lakh in payments. As he approached Neemka village, three armed youths in a car intercepted Vinod’s vehicle. The robbers immediately surrounded his car and asked for cash and valuables. They even fired in the air to intimidate the businessman and his associate. They snatched the jewellery worn by two women occupants in the car. The complainant told the police that he used to visit the area every week to collect payments. He had a wholesale business at Khari Baoli in Delhi. A case has been lodged. The police is stated to be clueless so far. Criminals greet new SSP with brazen looting
Loot incident greets new
SSP GHAZIABAD: A looting incident in Loni greeted the new SSP and SP City when they assumed office in Ghaziabad today. This looting, which took place shortly after the new crime busters took charge, is posing an immediate challenge to the men in khaki. The criminals decamped with Rs 5 lakh in cash, three cell phones, a wrist watch and some gold ornaments. They had come in a Maruti Alto car and executed the deed with great finesse. The victim happens to be a stool merchant based in Gulab Vatika. In a backlash, traders gheraoed the Loni police station and gave the police an ultimatum to crack the case within 12 hours.
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TAKEN FOR A RIDE New Delhi, September 19 The builder, Manjeet Singh, was arrested on Wednesday and produced in the court, which remanded him in two-day police custody, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Economic Offences Wing) Ajay Kumar said. According to the Additional DCP, the suspect was arrested following the filing of an FIR against him in May by Dr Veena Pandit and others. The accused had purchased a property, M-47, Greater Kailash-I, in 1978 and mortgaged it with the Punjab and Sind Bank for a loan of Rs three lakh. Later, another loan for the purchase of a Mercedes car
was added to this pledging. Thereafter, a three-storied building, comprising nine flats, was constructed on the property and the flats were sold to different buyers with an assurance that there was no liability over the property, the Additional DCP said. The owners started living in the flats, but 20 years later,in 1997, they received notices from the Debt Recovery
Tribunal, informing them that the property was lying mortgaged with the bank. The property was ultimately decreed for auction and the flatowners had to deposit Rs four lakh with the Tribunal and Rs 25 lakh with Delhi High Court to get the auction stayed, despite the fact that they had already paid the value of the flats at the time of purchase, he said. |
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LEST WE FORGET Rewari , September 19 The Samiti is organizing its samaroh at the prestigious Rao Tula Ram Park in Rewari while Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has deftly made the historic fields of Nasibpur the venue of the official function. (The most decisive battle of the first War of Independence was fought in Nasibpur on November 16, 1857). Both RTSSS, as well as the INLD brass, are leaving nothing to chance to demonstrate their strength. Incidentally, the two samarohs have acquired a political hue with senior Congress leader and MLA, Rao Inderjit Singh, who is also the convenor of the Samiti, personally mobilizing people of Ahirwal for the meet. Mr. Rao has been harping on the raw deal given to Ahirwal by the previous governments. While all efforts are on to make the samaroh a success, the HPCC President, Mr. Bhajan Lal, and his loyalists are not expected to attend the meet. Thus, the samaroh will remain confined to party MLAs who constitute the ‘anti-Bahajan Lal’ faction. However, Mr Nawal Kishore Sharma is expected to be the chief guest at the venue. As against this, the INLD brass is straining every nerve to make their Nasibpur conference a grand success. The political observers here and elsewhere in Haryana will be keenly watching the two martyrs’ memorial conferences to gauge the impact which they might make on the political fortunes of the Congress and the INLD in
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BJP rebels return
to party fold PANIPAT: The crisis in the local unit of the BJP over the resignation of the four councilors from the party seems to have blown over with the councilors today returning to the party fold and expressing satisfaction over the “working” of the Municipal Council chief, Mr Sanjay
Bhatia. Talking to reporters in the presence of Mr Bhatia, the councilors — Mr Shyam Sundar
Kamal, Mr Harish Sharma, Ms Sunita Khurana and Ms Amarjit Khurana — said they weree satisfied with the assurance of the council chief that developmental works in their wards would commence in 10 days’ time. They had earlier alleged that the council officials were discriminating against them in the matter of completion of the works in their wards. Mr Bhatia said that the 11 councillors had decided to raise the contentious issues within the party fora and refrain from going to the press over “minor” differences. Mr Bhatia also informed presspersons that Prime Minister, Mr A B Vajpayee, will visit the Panipat refinery on October 18. Again, BJP president Venkaiah Naidu and Mr Rajnath Singh, Union Agriculture Minister, will address a state-level BJP rally on October 14, Mr Bhatia said, adding that efforts were being made to bring the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L K Advani, to the rally. It may be recalled that the four councilors had resigned recently and demanded the resignation of Mr Bhatia for his failure to complete developmental works in their respective wards. Mr Tarun Gandhi, treasurer of the state unit of the
BJYM, and Mr Navin Bhatia are considered to have played a major role in the “homecoming” of the rebel
corporators. TNS |
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Hard decisions needed to save Delhi from hard knocks New Delhi, September 19 Speaking after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Save the Walled City,’ he said most of the problems of the city would be easily solved, if civic laws were strictly enforced. But for that to happen, there is a need for political will. The minister rued that whenever anyone enforces laws to clean the mess in the city, he is immediately dubbed a “demolition man”. He was peeved at the criticism of demolitions carried out in the old city when he was Lt. Governor of Delhi. Mr. Jagmohan pointed out that changes should be made in the existing laws, but their non-implementation was no solution. The minister suggested that the whole Yamuna river front, right from Jama Masjid to Maharani Bagh, should be cleaned of muck and developed into a green area. This, he said, will change the city landscape. The minister also suggested the development of areas around the Walled City to ease pressure on it. He called for the development of a huge park on the Ramlila Ground and making use of the vast land in the Minto Road area and redevelopment of Begum Ka Bagh in the old city. Interacting with mediapersons, he supported the idea of creating an all-powerful board, mooted by Chandni Chowk MP Vijay Goel. Such an agency was needed to speed up implementation of laws. Delhi Lt Governor Vijay Kapoor, who was also present on the occasion, advised Delhiites not to nurture too any romantic notions about preserving the city in its old shape. He said that change is the law of nature and no city can be static. He added that the only thing we have to monitor is the extent and direction of change, so that the city retains some of its old features while making room for changes required with the passage of time. Mr. Kapoor endorsed Mr. Jagmohan’s suggestions for developing areas around the walled city to ease pressure on it. He also said that a new transport network for old Delhi will have to be etched out once the Metro stretch becomes operational in 2005. The LG pointed out that there were plans to shift the five wholesale markets of food grains, textiles, dry fruits, spices and paper; the process will take about 12 to 18 months. Chandni Chowk MP Vijay Goel suggested the creation of an all-powerful Walled City Board for single window clearance of all measures required for speedy and planned development of the city. Mr Goel also suggested that the old Delhi Railway Station should be shifted to some other place as it was designed for handling only 10,000 passengers while today two and a half lakh people use the station on a daily basis. He also called for bringing out a White Paper, listing the problems of the old city and their solutions. |
Unregulated polluted water turning into health hazard Faridabad, September 19 The polluted water has turned into a ‘health hazard’ in the rural areas, as it is supplied to the ponds and fields. Although the authorities have constructed sewer treatment and disposal plants at various points, the inadequate capacity and the excess release of untreated water directly into this canal has led to this acute pollution. The colour of the water has turned black and dark and everyone here agrees that the canal water has become unfit for irrigation purpose. The canal, which starts from the Okhla barrage in Delhi and stretches upto the border areas in the south, receives polluted water from about 18 to 20 drains in the Delhi itself. Besides these, treated and untreated water is released into the canal at several other places as it passes. Under the Yamuna Action Plan, the state government had set up three treatment plants at Bhadshahpur (20 million litre), Mirjapur (45 million litre) and at Gonchhi (50 million litre) to treat the sewerage water before releasing it into the canal. However, it has been reported that these plants had not been functioning to their optimum due to the heavy rains this monsoon season. The district administration, which reviewed the functioning of the disposal plants, decided to restart the disposal plant near Sector-24 and direct the sewer water into the Gonchhi drain. It also discussed the proposal of setting up a pumping station at Sector-25 in order to collect and direct the rainwater into the Gurgaon canal. The authorities directed the officials to ensure proper functioning of disposal work so as to avoid the mixing of sewer water with storm water. The authorities stressed upon the need of diverting the rainwater from sectors such as 7,8,9,10,11,14,15 and 15-A so as to check the mixing of sewer water with storm water. It was decided to disconnect the illegal sewer connections of houses and factories in various parts of the town. The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is likely to complete the work of sewerage disposal system at Sector 33 within a period of two months. |
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Murder of journalist condemned Jhajjar, September 19 In a condolence meeting held here today, a two-minute silence was observed for the departed soul. The vice-president of the district unit, Mr Pratham Sharma, said that the murder of Mr Goyal is a direct attack on the freedom of the press. He said a similar incident had also occurred earlier this year when another journalist, Ramchander Chharpati, was shot dead in Sirsa. He called upon the journalists to come together when their right to freedom of expression was being challenged. Mr Manmohan Khendelwal, general- secretary, Mr Mukesh Chawala, state secretary, Mr Praveen Khurana, Mr Neeraj Tuteja, Mr Balram Sharma, Mr Dinesh Bhardwaj and Mr Dinesh Sharma also attend the meeting. |
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People fail to turn up for ‘Janata Durbar’, cumbersome process blamed Sonepat, September 19 Reportedly, not a single person from around three dozens villages of Rai development block turned up for the scheduled ‘Janata Durbar’ organised by the district administration to list his grievances on Thursday. According to reports, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mr Sujan Singh, along with the block samiti chairman, Mr Ajit Singh Antil and other officers of the Haryana Vidyut Prasharan Nigam, Food and Civil Supplies Department, Agriculture Department, Public Health Department and the Police Department waited for more than two hours to listen to the grievances of the public. But astonishingly, and perhaps for the first time in the history of this forum, not a single person from the area turned up at the Rai block office for the redressal of their grievances. However, the time was utilised to review the ongoing development works being executed in the villages, as the officers from various departments dealing with public were present on the occasion. Interestingly, the response of the people in Kathura block to the ‘Janata Durbar’ was also similar, as only three complainants from more than 30 villages responded to register their complaints. It was presided over by the SDM, Gohana, and officers of other departments were also present in the meeting. It has also been pointed out that the complainants recorded at the block level ‘Janata Durbars’ have been on the decline, hardly ever crossing double figures. There are different opinions about this trend. The administration claims that complaints are bound to decline as the grievances are redressed promptly. On the other hand, the complainants believe that complaints lodged with the ‘Janta Durbar’ takes unduly long time to reach the concerned department and be redressed. “If we lodge complaints directly with the dealing department, the action is timely,” remarked a block samiti member from Kathura block. However, he mentioned that if the ‘Janta Durbars’ were to be presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, the response would be much better. For the present, “these block level ‘Janata Durbars’ have turned into complaint collection centres,” he added. |
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Jyoti Jyot Anniversary on Sept 22 New Delhi, September 19 A large number of devotees are expected to join the congregation held at Gurdwara Nanak Piao Sahib, G T Karnal Road, Delhi. The programme will start from the early morning with the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib and Nitnem. Hazoori Ragi Jatha
of Bhai Sahib Bhai Satwinder Singh will perform Asa Di Var with Shabad Kirtan. Bhai Sahib Bhai Satnam Singh Ji, Head Granthi, will revive the memory of the devotees about the life and achievement of Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with Shabad Vichaar. Thereafter, Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji, Hazoori Ragi, Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji, Paounta Sahib Wale, Bhai Balbir Singh from Amritsar and Bhai Jagjit Singh Komal from Ludhiana will continue Shabad Kirtan. Prominent persons will deliver lectures on Guru Nanak Sahib’s achievements such as Unity in Diversity, Humility and Secularism. The programme will continue with Shabad Kirtan and conclude with a regular Kavi Darbar. Guru Ka Langar (Free community Kitchen) will be served to all irrespective of colour, caste or creed. Meanwhile, Guru Tegh Bahadur Model School within the premises of Gurdwara Bhai Lalo Ji, Rani Bagh, Delhi was inaugurated by Sardar Paramjit Singh Sarna, president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi State, on September 15, here. Jathedar Baldev Singh, Rani Bagh, Chairman of Guru Tegh Bahadur Model School, Sardar Paramjit Singh Sarna, president, DSGMC, office-bearers, members of Executive Committee and other prominent members of DSGMC, were present in the huge gathering. |
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SPEAKING OUT
There are a number of rail travel concession rules issued by the Railway Ministry for the benefit of general public, but the apathy and ignorance of some of the officers becomes an impediment for the public. To quote one instance, the railway officers at Bhiwani Railway Station, particularly the computer reservation personnel, are not so familiar with all these rules and some of the rules they misinterpret in such a way that the actual benefit may not reach the right individual. Serial number 3 of Part-A of the rail travel concessions available to various categories of passengers allows the “unemployed youth up to the age of 35 years” to avail 50 per cent rail travel concession to attend an interview. Although, the rules clearly says that the concession can be availed after production of two documents – one is a copy of the application that they have submitted to the organisation and the other is the copy of an interview call letter received from the respective organisation. These two documents have to be attested by the gazetted officers. But, the officers at the counter were not ready to honour the appeal and when the matter was taken before higher authorities, the ADM, who was there to extend his assistance, refused to give the concession and started arguing. They literally wanted to define the word “interview”. According to the authorities, the concession can be availed of only to attend the interview and not for written test. As per general meaning, I am sure the Railway Board has formed the rule of this particular concession to be availed of by youth of under 35 age to secure employment. But the apathy of certain officers is such that they wanted to drag the things in other way. Nowadays, most of the organisations want to see the merit of the candidates in their written papers and thereafter to conduct the so-called interview. I want to bring it to the notice of the authorities concerned to check and clarify the status, correct position of the particular rule to the Bhiwani Railway Station, whether the written test conducted by government organisation falls under the category of “interview” or not. — M.F. SHERIFF, Principal, Jindal Educational Academy, Tosham, Haryana Be a regular reader “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man and writing an exact man...” Reading and writing abilities are the most lovely gifts to us by god and one should make the best use of them. Reading helps us in developing a dynamic vocabulary and thus by reading various types of books, one can definitely be at complacency and gain self-confidence. Knowledge is what makes a man to think beyond the usual and thus good books are more than an afflatus for us. Thus, the books that make us think the most are the ones, which help us the most. Reading novels or any other book not only gives us pleasure but also helps us in developing a wide imagination power. Reading a book is like watching a movie through the eyes of our mind. Writing on the other hand helps us to proselytise our thoughts into words. It is like an endless sky of words where we can just go on forever expressing ourselves and reaching that final destination high above the sky, where the veritable flower of erudition is waiting for us to be picked up. Thus, if you wish to develop your reading skills, read several books at a time, turning from one to other, as your mood changes - a biography, a novel or any book about your business. Be a regular reader and with only fifteen minutes a day you can read twenty books in a year. —
A. CHAUDHARY,
Model School, Rohtak
Action replay This is with reference to the article, ‘Change yourself instead of trying to change others’ (Principalspeak, Madhu Chandra, NCR Tribune, September 8). Ms Chandra is right in observing that wisdom lies in accepting our behaviour and our actions and insulate ourselves from excuses. This means, that apart from behaviour, our action play an important role in our life. It is said that every action has reaction. In this context, I want to add something more on action. According to the eminent writers and thinkers: (I) If I consider, all my actions are for God, then every task becomes a pleasure to perform. (II) No matter how great your words may be, you will be judged by your actions. (III) There are two things – action and the impact behind the action. Even if the action is ordinary, the impact must be positive, productive and creative. (IV) As thoughts are the seeds of all actions, let me plant only good and pure seeds, so that fruit will be best (V) You may say you know, but by your actions it is known. (VI) What separates a highly-developed man from others? His actions. (VII) If you spend on hour in worthwhile actions, there is 100-fold gain. If you waste an hour in useless actions, there is 100-fold loss. (Viii) Your actions influence others, so use them the best way you can. (IX) When the mind is tired, every single action requires great effort. —
ANUP KUMAR, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi
On fee hike This is with reference to various reports published in The Tribune and other national dailies regarding students’ unrest over the matter of fee hikes for various ordinary and professional courses. In fact, the problem rests somewhere else. The students as well as universities are not at fault alone. The main reasons are: Supreme Court’s verdict regarding payment seats, University Grant Commission’s directives to universities for introducing self-financing schemes and enhancing the financial resources and the drastic cut in grants given by various state governments. The universities are forced to enhance the fee for their survival and to provide quality education to its students. Moreover, various concessions are being provided to underprivileged meritorious students. I make a humble request to the students’ organisations and opposition parties not to sidetrack from the main goal of the university system and help these because of light to survive. The universities shouldn’t be utilised as breeding point for future political leaders; rather these should be given a helping hand. —
DR SWARNLATA,
University College, Rohtak
Ramps: Hurdle for many Anti-encroachment drive has been going on in Haryana for a long time. And it has been successful to a large extent. Kudos to Chief Minister of Haryana Om Prakash Chautala for his right initiative. But, still a lot of work is to be done in this direction. Some people make ramp or steps in front of their houses and thus create hurdles for the passersby. Some places in Rewari, the ramps which have reduced the twelve feet wide streets to just six feet. And this causes great inconvenience to the passersby. The concerned authorities should take notice of this thing so that the right initiative taken by our Chief Minster does not go waste and the purpose of the anti-encroachment drive is not defeated. The length of these ramps should be made limited. —
KARAN SINGH YADAV, Rewari
Bonded labour It is a matter of great satisfaction that seven children, who worked as bonded labourers in an embroidery unit in Okhla, were rescued by BBA (Bachapan Bachaao Andolan) in Delhi. It includes 11-year-old Mansoor form Bihar. He was taken to Delhi on the pretext that he would be better paid. But, his employers have paid him Rs 20 per week for the work from 8 am to 10 pm. Of course, such types of employers are a slur on society. They should be booked and isolated in society. Whoever may be the defaulter, he should be punished. —
SUBHASH C. TANEJA, MDU, Rohtak
Virtues of forgiveness Mr M. P. K. Kutty in his article ‘Forgiving spirit: A mighty weapon to heal all rifts’ (NCR September 14), rightly stated that all scriptures contain exhortations to followers, to develop a spirit of forgiveness and tolerance towards all fellow beings. In this connection, I wish to say that apart from scriptures, many eminent writers, philosophers and religious teachers have extolled the virtues of forgiving forgiveness. I quote a few of these for the benefit of NCR readers: * Forgiveness is the Kernel of all human relations. It consoles not just one person, but two and sometimes more. * To tolerate someone else’s mistake is one thing. To forgive is even greater. * We win by tenderness. We conquer by forgiveness. * Forgiveness requires a deliberate sympathetic understanding towards others. Being difficult to attain, forgiveness demands poise, great patience, self-control, forbearing, and fortitude. * Forgiveness and tolerance, with delight constancy, chip off and chisel the corners of the human heart. * Humility constitutes the basic and necessary foundation for forgiving. It always expresses grace/dignity. It is the expression of self-control. * Forgiving and being forgiven are reciprocal. * People who do not forgive, live in the past. * Forgiveness breathes the chain of hatred and revenge. It leads to harmony with other beings - person, animal, plant. * Forgiveness begins at home, because family relations often generate conflicts and friction. * To forgive is the highest most beautiful form of love. —
O. P. SHARMA, Faridabad
Public servant or the master Gone are the days when communications addressed by name to the higher officers by public in a quest for redressal of their complaints, which did not receive any attention by their subordinates, were promptly acknowledged in the first instance. Substantiating this deplorable tendency, I would like to cite my case. Despite repeated reminders, I am not getting the refund of telephone installation fee of Rs 1,000, which is pending with the General Manager, Telecom District, Rewari (Post office Receipt No 9479, dated 8.1.1992). Not only that, my latest letter, dated 18.7.2003, sent to A. K. Nagpal, Chief General Manager, Telecom, Haryana circle, has yet to be acknowledged. —
MADANLAL MAGOO, Rohtak
Defunct streetlamps Our houses are situated near the railway track. During night, owing to darkness and non-functioning of the streetlights, the whole place becomes lonely. Hence, there is need for proper functioning of streetlight. Owing to non-operation of streetlights at night, the residents of the area are facing great inconvenience. For example, they are afraid to come out of their homes even during early hours of night. Thus, entire area presents a deserted look. Residents remain apprehensive that some anti-social elements may take undue advantage of the situation. This may result in dangerous consequences. Therefore, the concerned authorities should immediately look into the matter and have the streetlights fully operational without further delay. —
SANJEEV SHARMA, Srinivaspuri, New Delhi
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SONEPAT Sonepat, September 19 According to a report, the injured student was returning to his home after attending school. The injured boy was rushed to the local civil hospital for medical treatment. According to another report, a bus driver was injured in a road accident near the Rai village about 13 km from here last evening. He was immediately hospitalised.
Man arrested for running fake ghee unit The police have arrested one Jagdish, the owner of fake ghee manufacturing unit and launched a hunt for another culprit involved in this case. According to a report, Jagdish was produced before the Civil Judge, Mr A D Gaur, yesterday, who remanded him to police custody for five days for further interrogation. The accused will be produced before the court on September 23 next.
CM’s Visit The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, will visit the Kailana Assembly constituency of this district on September 21 and 22 in connection with the mass contact campaign under the ‘Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar’ programme. According to a report, Mr Chautala will visit the villages of the constituency to hear the public complaints.
Corruption inquiry Mr V.S. Malik, Inquiry Officer-cum-District Development and Panchayat Officer, recorded the statements of Mr Satpal Goel and Mr Satbir Singh Ahlawat, chairman and the executive officer respectively of the Sonepat Municipal Council here yesterday in connection with the allegations of corruption against them. It may be recalled that as many as 14 Municipal Councillors had levelled corruption charges against them and submitted it to the Deputy Commissioner last month. The DC had ordered an inquiry into the allegations and deputed the DDPO as the inquiry officer. It may be recalled, the inquiry officer has already recorded the statements of seven municipal councillors, who had turned up before him. However, the other seven municipal councillors had retreated and failed to turn up before the inquiry officer. The inquiry officer will submit his report to the DC shortly.
Photo identity card
for voters The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, Mr Balwan Singh, has asked the people who have not yet enrolled themselves to get themselves photographed so that their photo identity cards could be prepared. According to a report, the photography work started Yesterday and would continue till September 30. The electorate can visit the district electorate office between 9 am and 4 pm everyday to get themselves photographed.
Journalist’s killing
condemned The Sonepat Press Club and different political parties have condemned the murder of Kaithal-based journalist and district president of the Haryana Union of Journalist, Mr Paramanand Goyal, in his house on Thursday morning. A condolence meeting of the club was held last evening in which the club president, Pawan Bansal, criticised the murder and termed it as an attack on the freedom of the press. He demanded the immediate arrest of the alleged killers and suitable compensation to the bereaved family. The general-secretary of the club, Krishan Duhan, expressed serious concern over increasing incidents of attack on journalists in the recent years. The meeting attended by Sonepat journalists observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the departed soul. Meantime, on receiving the information of the murder of Mr Parmanand, the HVP general secretary, Rajiv Jain and other party workers held a condolence meeting at the party office and observed two-minute silence. |
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Wheat distribution to BPL families SONEPAT: The district administration has decided to distribute wheat instead of wheat flour to the families living below the poverty line (BPL) in this city and other parts of the district. According to a report, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, has already issued instructions to the authorities of the Food and Supplies Department in this regard. This action followed the receipt of public complaints by the Deputy Commissioner about the distribution of sub-standard wheat flour at the fair price shops in the district. The wheat will be distributed at the rate of Rs 4.65 per kg whereas the wheat flour was being distributed at the rate of Rs 5.65 per kg among the BPL families. There are about 31,000 ration cardholders of BPL families in this city.
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NCR BRIEFS Jhajjar, September 19 According to information, the student of
Derpal, Bahadurgarh, was admitted in the engineering college in September 2001 and deposited a fee of Rs 5,200 along with all his original certificates. Subsequently, however, he also managed to get admission at an engineering college in Delhi. To his surprise, when he asked the college authorities of PDM Engineering College to return his original certificates so that he could deposit them at the time of his admission in Delhi, the college authorities said that the certificates would be returned only after he paid the fee for the full year amounting to Rs 19,200. Even though he tried to reason with them that he had only been enrolled in the college for three months, the certificates were returned only after he paid the fee for the full year. Later, the aggrieved student appealed to the consumer forum, which directed the college to refund Rs 19,200 and fined the college Rs 2,000 for harassing him.
Machinery, furnace oil destroyed in fire SONEPAT: Machinery and about one thousand litres of furnace oil were destroyed in a devastating fire, which broke out in a factory situated in the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation
(HSIDC) complex at Kundli village, about 25 km from here last evening. According to a report, the municipal fire brigade rushed to the site from Sonepat and brought the fire under control within a few hours. However, the cause of the fire was still unclear.
1.50 lakh children administered polio drops NOIDA: Even as 1.50 lakh children were administered pulse polio drops in the recent campaign, the district administration has taken serious view of the “obstruction” created by some residents and ordered a probe into the incident. In a shocking incident, people associated with the Residents Welfare Association of Ram Vihar Colony in Sector-30 reportedly had become “abusive” and had threatened to “obstruct” the work of the pulse polio team. |
Bogus sureties racket busted, five held New Delhi, September 19 The cartel had over the years collected genuine names and addresses through pickpockets, snatchers, burglars, robbers and other criminals, who had come across documents for the purpose. The documents were subsequently scanned for persons who appeared vulnerable to cheating and filed for future reference, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Deepender Pathak said. The racket came to light following a complaint lodged by Bhopal Singh, a resident of Bhajanpura, who received summons and warrants from various courts on the pretext of being court sureties to accused, whereas he never stood surety for anyone. The Anti-kidnapping Cell of the Crime Branch registered a case and had started investigation. Inquiry vindicated that someone else had appeared as surety in the name and address of Bhopal Singh. During investigation of the case, the sleuths of the kidnapping cell zeroed in on Ram Avtar. His interrogation led to the arrest of other suspects. They were identified as Surender, Om Prakash, Shankar Lal and Ms Raj Rani alias Sethani, all residents of Delhi, and have been arrested on charges of cheating and impersonation. During interrogation they confessed to be involved in the racket for easy money. Inquiries in the various courts led to the revelation of at least 73 other bogus surety cases. The documents gathered in connection with the complainant anomalies revealed that Dena Bank drafts, national saving certificates and ration cards had been forged. The DCP said that involvement of unscrupulous racketeer lawyers and court staff could not be ruled out. The bogus surety menace is troubling the policing in particular and the criminal justice system in general. Time and again the issue is discussed in various police meetings. The menace helps the professional criminals in facilitating their criminal activities and nexus, the DCP said. |
Worker-friendly group insurance scheme Panipat, September 19 To be implemented by the Office of the Textile Commissioner in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), the scheme comprises of two components – the Janashri Bima Yojana (JBY) and the add-on Group Insurance Scheme (GIS). The schemes can be availed of either individually or jointly, sources said here today. With a view to not burdening the powerloom workers, their contribution had been kept at Rs 40 per annum out of the total premium of Rs 200 under the JBY. While Rs 100 would be the contribution from the social security fund of the government of India through the LIC, the Textile Commissioner would contribute an amount of Rs 60. Similarly, in the case of add-on GIS, the beneficiary will have to shell out Rs 90 and an equal amount would be paid by the Textile Commissioner; and for both, the components beneficiary would contribute Rs 130 and the Textile Commissioner Rs 150. The LIC’s contribution would remain Rs 100 out of the total premium of Rs 380. Powerloom
workers in the age group of 18 to 59, engaged in weaving, twisting, winding, warping and sizing, were eligible to
enroll in the scheme along with weavers’ families, owning up to four powerlooms. According to the Deputy Director of the Textile Committee, Mr S. Tilak Prasad, natural death, accidental death and disabilities would be covered under the JBY. Both types of deaths, natural and accidental, would be covered under the add-on GIS. While Rs 20,000 would be paid for natural death under the JBY, Rs 50,000 would be paid for accidental death. The beneficiary will benefit by Rs 50,000 for total permanent disability and 25,000 for partial permanent disability. Under the add-on GIS, an amount of Rs 30,000 each would be paid for natural and accidental death to the nominee of the worker. The families of the workers subscribing to both the components would get Rs 50,000 for natural death and Rs 80,000 for accidental death. As an added advantage to the children of the workers, an educational grant of Rs 300 per child would be given every three months under JBY. To a maximum of two children, studying in IX to XII standard, the grant will be given under LIC’s Shiksha Sahyog Yojana (SSY), and would be available for four years, provided the students do not fail in their class. The scheme would prove to be a boon for the unorganised powerloom sector, since a majority of the workers lived below or marginally above the poverty line. Besides high mortality rates, the disabilities, both partial and total, were common among the powerloom workers and under the new scheme the financial condition of the families would not be affected in case of any emergency. |
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