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delhi state bill New Delhi, December 7 The report was tabled in Rajya Sabha earlier this week. In it, the 44-member committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee of the Indian National Congress has sought that the necessary safeguards be incorporated in the Bill to prevent its misuse for political ends. The Article 371-J sub-clause (3) seeks to confer executive powers on the President to give directions to the State of Delhi for governance and proper development. The committee was of the view that the said powers were “omnibus, sweeping and overriding in nature”. “It was apprehended that such overriding and sweeping powers may be used by the Union Government as a ploy to destabilise the elected government of Delhi,” the report said. The Delhi State Bill 2003 was introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament. “It was felt that such powers of the President, which shall be binding on the Government of State of Delhi, would impinge on the concept of Statehood proposed to be conferred on Delhi,” the report said. It felt that expressions like ‘good governance’ and ‘proper development’ used in the said clause were “not only ambiguous but also variable concepts”. The committee, which studied the administrative set-ups prevailing in federal countries like the US and Australia, also recommended that while granting Statehood to Delhi to fulfill political aspirations of the people, its “distinct identity as the national Capital should be preserved” keeping in view its “unique feature”. The committee has also suggested that the National Capital Territory of Delhi be renamed as “National Capital State of Delhi”. It favoured preservation of Delhi’s “distinct” identity as Capital of India as it considered the models of various countries. The committee felt that renaming the State will “not only preserve and promote general awareness attached to Delhi as being a national Capital but will also reinforce the fact that Delhi is first and foremost the ‘capital of India’ and then a State.” |
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Ghaziabad rocked by crime wave Ghaziabad, December 7 The Dholana Police on the other hand seemed to have looked the other way when a medicine dealer was robbed of Rs 53,000 by five criminals on his way from Gulawati to Ghaziabad. About six masked criminals had committed a dacoity in Nurpur village under Musori police station last night. On the outskirts of the village, sugarcane was being crushed. They had attacked about a dozen persons, six of them were working on the crusher and six sleeping. The assailants looted Rs 26,000 after tying the workers. When 16-year-old Sonu refused to pay the ‘hafta’, he was shot dead from the point-blank range and his elder brother Narinder was stabbed all over the body. He succumbed to his injuries in the Hira Lal Hospital this morning. Both of them belonged to Banauli in Bagpat police station area. Another 10 persons had also been badly beaten up when they tried to oppose the dacoits. Ravinder, the surviving brother of Sonu and Narinder, his brother-in-law Devinder and Rampal are admitted to a hospital. After about an hour’s terror, the criminals walked away waving their weapons. The villagers reached there after a while, but the criminals had fled. After rushing the injured to the hospital, the police seemed to have done little in arresting or even chasing the criminals. In Sihani Gate police station area, unidentified criminals shot dead a young man. His body was found at 10 am yesterday from the industrial area on Meerut Road. The victim has been identified as Varun Gupta, alias Pintu, of Delhi Gate. There were a number of cases of attempted murder against the victim and he had running feuds with a number of criminals, the police said. Three years earlier also, two murder attempts were made on him. In another sensational crime recently, a bus was hijacked under Dholna police station area. |
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Cabinet choice: Sheila walks a tightrope New Delhi, December 7 The transformation from being the outsider to the one who has made herself indispensable is so complete that the Congress Legislature Party’s endorsing her name for the post of Chief Minister for a second time is come to be accepted as a mere formality. Party sources said the CLP was likely to meet at the earliest and elect her as its leader. The CLP was expected to meet sometime today but the meeting was rescheduled because of the Congress Working Committee’s meeting in which the election results were analysed. Meanwhile, lobbying is on to secure a berth in the Council of Ministers and become chairmen of the various boards and corporations of the Government of NCT of Delhi. With several contenders, the opinion of the party high command is likely to prevail. The Chief Minister is likely to go in for a blend of youth and experience, which means not all her ministers in the previous ministry will find a place in the Cabinet. The exercise becomes tougher still since caste considerations would have to be balanced. Balancing the caste and community considerations and giving adequate representation to the rival factions led by the likes of Subhash Chopra, Prem Singh and the Sajjan-Tytler duo are likely to play a role in the exercise of constituting the ministry. Some of the ‘loyalists’ could be rewarded since the party has performed better in the New Delhi and East Delhi parliamentary constituencies in the recent election as compared to Outer Delhi, which is seen as the stronghold of Sajjan Kumar. The choices for the ministerial berths are likely to be from the Jat, Punjabi, Sikh, Dalit, Muslim and Vaish communities. With only six berths up for grabs, certain legislators are doing the rounds of the party’s who’s who to seek their ‘blessings’.
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Cremation ground controversy refuses to die down Faridabad, December 7 Certain residents of Krishna Colony where the site is located, told mediapersons yesterday that there had been no problem for anyone using it till November 7, when some residents allegedly prevented the relatives of a 90-year-old woman from cremating her body at the site. Though the police intervened and the body was cremated at the same spot next day, the incident triggered a slew of allegations and counter-allegation between two communities. It is reported that as the cremation ground is small and surrounded by houses from all sides, certain residents protested against using it for the ‘unclaimed’ bodies. Dalits of the area, however, alleged that certain upper caste persons had stopped them from using it as the body was of a Dalit woman. The activists and representatives of the two communities held panchayats separately to discuss the issue on November 16 and decided to stick to their stands. The upper caste persons demanded to shift the cremation ground to some other place, but the Dalits panchayat declared that it would not allow the shifting. The police booked about 13 persons under the ‘Harijan Acts’, including a member of the Municipal Committee and his wife. However, the issue had been flaring up intermittently due to the inflammatory statements of some local leaders. A former MLA and Congress leader, involved in the controversy, was criticised severely by the president of the Municipal Committee, Palwal, Mrs Khuban Devi, yesterday. She alleged that a member of the civic body named in the FIR and the former MLA were anti-Dalits and due to their stand, the controversy had erupted. She hoped that the police would be able to do justice to the victims. The residents of the colony claimed that the issue was not so serious as projected by the local leaders of various communities. They said the colony had poor civic amenities despite being one of the biggest and oldest colonies. There were no proper roads, street lights, cleanliness and parks for children in the colony, the residents said. It would be proper if the spot was made a park, and the issue was settled amicably. Meanwhile, Dalits of the area organised a public meeting at Palwal on Friday. It was attended by the RPI MP from Maharashtra, Mr Ram Das A Thawale. He announced to take up the issue in the Lok Sabha. The incident was shameful and anti-Dalits, he said. |
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loud protest
Ghaziabad, December 7 The police and administrative officers after visiting the spot ordered for the removal of loudspeaker from the mosque. As a precaution, a police force was deployed in the village to maintain peace. According to police, the Muslim community had taken permission from the Dy DM for using a loudspeaker atop the mosque in Mubarkpur village during the month of Ramzan. However, the loudspeaker was allegedly being used even after Ramzan. Late in the evening yesterday, a group of people from other community objected to its use which resulted in a clash. Stones were thrown by both sides. There was tension in the village. However, Rajiv Yadav of Babu Garh police station rushed with his force and controlled the situation. S P (Rural) Shekhar ordered the Police Station incharge Rajiv Yadav to investigate the incident. The officers gave a severe warning to the miscreants in both the groups to keep peace. OC
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Jharkhand CM confers with Chautala Sonepat, December 7 Both the Chief Ministers reportedly discussed the current political situation in the country as well as the BJP electoral success in the recent Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Mr Chautala had invited the Jharkhand Chief Minister for a cup of tea at the Rai Rest House after he learnt that Mr Munda was on his way to Panipat to attend a function at the industrial complex. Mr Munda was given a ceremonial reception when he arrived at the rest house. He was also given a guard of honour on the occasion. Mr Chautala was accompanied by Mr Sultan Singh, the former Governor of Tripura and the Chairman of the Chaudhary Devi Lal Samark Samiti, Mr Dev Raj Dewan, Mr Ramesh Khatak, Mr Suraj Mal Antil, Dr Ram Kumar Saini, Mr Padam Singh Dahiya and Mr Ranbir Singh Dahiya, president of the district unit of the INLD. Later, Mr Munda left for Panipat and Mr Chautala for Sonepat.
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Brick kiln owners in the mire Sonepat, December 7 The board has already sealed four brick kilns and also decided to initiate action against 70 others in the district, according to the regional officer of the board at Sonepat, Mr S. P. Rathi. Mr Rathi also pointed out that notices were issued to as many as 200 brick kiln owners last year to strictly comply with the directions, but most of them neglected the notices. Mr Rathi told the NCR Tribune today that following direction from the Delhi High Court, the Union Ministry of Environment issued guidelines to the state governments in 1999, making mandatory for the brick kiln owners located within a radius of 50 kms around a thermal plant to mix 25 per cent ash released by the plant in the soil while manufacturing the bricks in their kilns. He also informed that the Ministry of Environment has revised its guidelines this year and the radius limit has been increased to 100 kms around a thermal plant. “Though the brick kiln owners have been asked time and again to comply with the directions, but most of them adopted negligent attitude. On the other hand, the brick kiln owners have their own problems to tell. First of all, they have to bring the ash at their own expenses, which result in increase in cost of production, they explained. Further, they pointed out that the bricks made with ash mix, would be comparatively weak and the buyers would not like to buy these. Moreover, ash-mixed brick would be lesser in weight than the soil brick and different in colour, they pleaded. During a visit to number of kilns, the labourers working in the kiln highlighted their own problems, which they might face in mixing ash with the soil while preparing raw bricks. One Thambu explained that the mixing process would cause adverse affect on their health and their feet and hands might be wounded. “Another labourer Kala said, ”It will not be easy to make “golas” of the ash-mixed soil, particularly in the summer season, and it will slow down our daily output of preparing bricks.” One brick kiln owner also pointed out that the landowners whose land had been taken on lease for digging of soil were also knot agreeing for dumping of the fly-ash in their land. When Mr Rathi was asked about the problems of the kiln owners, he said that the Union Ministry of Environment must have taken into consideration all the aspects and general, suggestions are invited from all concerned on such matters before issuing directions for implementation. Perturbed over the actions initiated by the board, a delegation of the brick kiln owners association met the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, during his recent visit in the district and apprised him about their problems in implementing the directions of the board. However, the CM did not give any assurance, but reportedly promised to look into the matter. Being in the proximity to Delhi, brick kiln has a good business in Sonepat district and at present around 260 kiln are operating in the district. Now, when the radius limit has been extended to 100 kms, almost all the kilns have no other option except to comply with the directions issued under the guidelines of the High Court. Countrywide Strike:
According to a report, a one-day convention of trade unions will be held on December 21 in this city to chalk out the details of the programme in order to make the strike a success.
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Special Focus on
SONEPAT Sonepat, December 7 According to a report, since the frequency of the rail traffic is so high, the crossing had to be kept closed for a longer time. Taking all the trains passing through the city including mail, express, superfast, Shatabdi, passenger and goods trains, the figure comes to at least 50 trains in 24 hours. Near the college level crossing, in an hour, nearly four or five trains pass and the level crossing clearly cannot be opened for that time. But with the increase in vehicular traffic at times trains are halted at the outer signals for five to ten minutes till the tracks are cleared from the road traffic. This has affected the schedule of the rail movement. The railway authorities have other grievances against the people. They say that according to the Railway Act, the railway lines being dedicated permanent ways for the railways and have the right of way as they have acquired the land and they allow the movement for the vehicles and others through the level crossing by opening the gates. But certain rules for safety are to be followed, which are not respected by the impatient crowds, which could be extremely dangerous to life. A number of accidents take place when the people try to cross over the tracks while the gates are closed and they are run over by passing trains. The pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and even the rickshaw pullers add to the problem. The victims of such accident are not paid any compensation and it is treated as trespassing by the railways. The steel flaps on the boom at the level crossing gates are generally broken. Some mischievous people also try to stop the gate being locked properly for lifting the boom before the lock fails in place. The gate at the level crossing near Hindu College has been broken several times and the chains have to be replaced at times. Trains generally slowed down at the crossing to avoid any accident. According to the Haryana Roadways authorities, the bus services to Gohana, Jind and beyond are affected because of the frequent closure of the railway crossing near Hindu College. It has other fall outs like more fuel consumption, over-crowding, loss of man-hours. The railway authorities, however, feel that the traffic in the area should be regulated by providing grade separators at the vantage points. Meanwhile, the PWD (B&R) has prepared a scheme for the construction of an over-bridge on the level crossing for ensuring smooth flow of traffic in the area. As this level crossing divides the city into two parts and the scheme is aimed at improving the traffic condition. This scheme had been shelved about tow decades ago and in its place, an over-bridge on the railway track was constructed near the industrial area and the vehicles pass through it for going to Rohtak and beyond. Now, the scheme has been revived and it has been sent to the government for approval. According to the scheme, the road leading to the level crossing form Gita Bhawan (city) will be raised from the Batra petrol pump and it will be divided into two parts near Hindu College. One part would go towards Gohana and anther to Mission Chowk. If the scheme is materialised, this will benefit the people of the city and its surrounding villages. |
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THE ACHIEVERS A former officer in the country’s premier investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he claims to be the pioneer in this field and is of the opinion that a graphologist has to be trained otherwise he could end up giving the wrong traits of the person under consideration. Apart from investigating agencies, many private companies are now hiring the services of graphologists to ascertain the personality traits of potential employees. Dutt became fascinated and subsequently, involved in the art during his trip to England as a young CBI officer. In England he came into contact with an English police officer, who was an expert in this art. After few months of his tutelage, he also enrolled in a specialised course related to this art. The expertise he developed over the years helped Dutt in solving many blind cases during his 11 years long stint with the CBI. “It is very difficult to train a graphologist professionally. Although there are only 26 letters in English language, every single alphabet has dozens of meanings. To be an expert in this field you need to have immense patience, dedication, sincerity and keen interest in this field. It is inevitable to have command over the subject and to learn coding and meaning of various alphabets,” asserts Dutt. “Handwriting is directed by our brain and it is completely interrelated with our thinking. As we think, we write on paper. If you are puzzled and tense, you write differently from what you write when you are cool and calm. By changing one’s thinking pattern, one can also alter ones handwriting and vise versa,” says Dutt. Graphology report is very useful in self- discovery, personal selection, forensic assistance, matrimonial compatibility and psychoanalysis, claims Dutt. He is also toying with the idea of setting up an institute in Delhi to impart training to aspiring people in this field. Dutt regrets that there was no proper training facility in the country for this ancient art, which has been in existence since 120 AD in Greece, and is being widely used in many countries of world like Italy, China, Germany and England. |
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Goel slams MCD over new tax proposals New Delhi, December 7 Mr Goel in a statement issued here alleged that under the influence of the Congress, the MCD was continuously taking decisions, which are not in the interest of the general public and that the masses were sure to oppose the taxes. “The general publics was being looted in the name of ‘Betterment Tax’. It is totally unjustified of the MCD to impose tax on the consumption of electricity. The rates of electricity are already too high and the additional tax will overburden the consumer to the tune of Rs 70 crore,” pointed out Mr Goel. He also protested against the hike in the stamp duty, which had earlier been decreased to facilitate the transfer of property and its registration. Mr Goel went on to say that the MCD’s proposals of imposing parking tax at the time of purchase of vehicles will add to the burden being faced by the people. “By increasing the rate and penalty, the people of Delhi will be burdened with fresh taxes to the tune of Rs 50 crore. On top of this, the MCD plans to impose professional tax on the general public, which will burden them even more by another Rs 120 crore,” said Mr Goel. |
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‘Sadhu’ among 3 behind mystery murder Ghaziabad, December 7 The police found the body from the jungle of Bhoopkhedi village on October 9 after a villager reported that matter to the police. The youth had been killed with a sharp edged weapon. The police had circulated the photograph of the murdered man among the various police stations of the neighbouring districts. The slain man was identified as Vinod, son of one Jagdish of village Tusyana, under Bisarakh police station in Gautam Budh Nagar district. His family members, who were called to the Loni police station, confirmed the identity of the youth by identifying his clothes and his photo. Vinod was a member of a ‘kirtan’ group and played dholak. He accompanied the kirtan group for singing devotional music on October 8 along with Deval alias Sudama Giri alias Nam Sadhu, Sanjay and Harvinder. On the basis of this information provided by the family members of Vinod, the police interrogated Sanjay and Harvinder. During the interrogation, they told the police that they murdered Vinode along with Sadhu Sudama Giri. They said that a broken glass bottle was used to slit his throat. Later, his body was thrown in the jungle of Bhoopkhedi village. It was revealed that ‘Sadhu’ Giri Sudama had suspected Vinod of having illicit relations with Sudama’s uncle’s daughter-in-law. The two accused have been sent to jail. Vinod’s dholak was recovered from Sudama Giri’s house while he continuous to be at large. |
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Pine Infantry division remembers its Meerut, December 7 Speaking on the occasion Major- General R. K. Singh, VSM, called upon all ranks of the formation to follow the examples of their predecessors and pioneers, who made the supreme sacrifice for the honour of their motherland. The GOC also said that he was confident that in any future operations the formation will live upto its motto of `Fight to Win’, and will always emerge victorious even in adverse conditions. It was 33 years ago, on the fateful day in 1971, the brave troops of the 9 Infantry Division marched inside the Jessore Cantonment in erstwhile East Pakistan and unfurled the Tri Colour. Indian army needed an airfield for logistic support before taking over Dacca. The 9 Infantry Division was assigned the task to win the Jessore and Khulna cantonment. The lethal 32, 42 and 350 Infantry Brigade of the Pine Division attacked the Jessore cantonment from two sides and after a fierce battle, Jessore Cantonment was under our command by noon. The commander of the Pakistan’s 107 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Hayat Khan, surrendered before General Officer Commanding of the gallant division, Major-General Dalbir Singh, along with 81 Pakistani officers, 130 JCO’s and 3,476 soldiers, 207 other civil persons and tons of military hardware at the lawns of Khulna rest house. |
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ncr briefs Sonepat, December 7 Library building inaugurated The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, inaugurated a new building of the district library here last evening. According to a report, the two storeyed building, costing Rs 26 lakh, will have an office, a reading room, Bal Sahitya
Kakhsh, a computer cell, drinking water, toilet etc.
Three labourers fall into
manhole, die New Delhi: Three labourers died in the evening today when they fell into a manhole while working in the firebrigade lane behind Super Bazar. The victims were identified as Kamal (23), Chedi Lal (35) and Bhairon (19), all residents of Madhya Pradesh. The fourth person Mohan Lal escaped as he did not get into the manhole. The victims were rushed to the RML Hospital but declared brought dead. The victims were working under the NDMC’s contractor Harish Sharma. The police have registered a case of causing death due to negligence.
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Sonepat: A large number of residents, including women and children have fallen ill on account of continuous supply of contaminated drinking water by the Public Health Department in various parts of this city. According to a report, almost all the hospitals, private nursing homes and clinics are overcrowded with the patients suffering from various water-borne diseases. The residents of Mohalla Kaslan and its adjoining areas were hit most as they have been getting contaminated water for the past eight months. The tap water was not only contaminated but emits foul smell. The colour of the water was almost black. OC
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Highway dacoits arrested, goods worth New Delhi, December 7 The accused were identified as Amrit Singh, resident of Laxmi Nagar, Gurbachan Singh alias Pappu and Joginder Singh alias Kukku, resident of Bulandshahr. Based on a secret information that the dacoits were travelling in a looted truck to Delhi to dispose off the items, the sleuths laid a trap on the Delhi-Ghaziabad road in the Gazipur area. Accordingly, the sleuths intercepted the truck (No NL-05A-9495) and apprehended the accused. |
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Scooterist robbed of Rs 25,000 Sonepat, December 7 Later, the scooterist lodged a complaint with the police. Held for smuggling liquor:
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SHOWCASE Franco Leone has launched shoes for corporate world. This high-quality corporate style statement shoe offers the rich experience of craftsmanship. Meticulously crafted from the quality material, the enticing designs come to complement your formal as well as casual dressing. So get ready to pamper your feet with a truly elegant creation, which leaves behind your impression. Franco Leone’s mantra is comfort and freedom fit, which translates to the leather being supple enough to support the contours of the feet without restricting their movement, and proper cushions at the stress points. Chic shawls:
Punjab, a state well-known for its exclusive hand embroidery worldwide, is being promoted by Phulkari Emporium, a unit of Punjab Small Industry and Export Corporation. The enticing collection of shawls and stoles at Phulkari is catchy to the eyes, as Phulkari understands the need of contemporary ladies, particularly her need to present herself in stylish and elegant manner. One can select the matching stoles and shawls according to their wardrobe. This exclusive range keeps you cozy and enhance your beauty. For better joint mobility:
The product is well-equipped with clinically proven homeopathic ingredients that exert an anti-inflammatory action which supports healing of damaged tissues. It has a unique gel formulation that is non-greasy and non-staining and helps in easy absorption to the affected area and improves joint mobility. Music albums released:
Music album of the movie ‘Hum Do Humara Ek,” directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Smita Thackeray has been released by T-series. The film has eight songs and Sandeep Chowtha has composed the music for the film. Five-year diary:
This diary is undated and is designed for exceptional durability. It also has a comprehensive business directory and a perpetual calendar. With special spine embossment and metal cornering, this hard cased, round backed dairy comes with a page market and is available in three colours namely burgundy, blue and black. Redefining mobile computing:
Hand-stitched shoes:
In this range, the upper is hand-stitched with the sole alongwith the inbuilt grooves, giving a very classy look. The thick waxy threads used for the stitching provides extra strength to the already adhesive bonded upper and the bottom. Variants of Soups:
Child Specialist:
Hi Fi TV:
Infant toy brand:
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New Delhi, December 7