TOP STORIES

CAS to stay put, rental scheme on the anvil 
New Delhi, December 23
In spite of the broad consensus that was arrived at in Tuesday’s talks, neither Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ravi Shankar Prasad nor Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is certain about the success of conditional Access System (CAS) in Delhi. None would risk a comment but what is certain (and Dikshit and Prasad are categoric) is that there is not going to be a rollback of CAS

spotlight
MCD bought sub-standard vaccine?
New Delhi, December 23
The former Chairman of the Health Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and BJP Councillor, Ms Arti Mehra, today alleged that the department concerned had ordered sub-standard anti-rabies vaccine worth lakhs of rupees from the Human Biological Institute in Kerala, in gross violation of the existing norms.

A woman rummages through the debris of her house, which was demolished by the MCD in Okhla Phase II in the Capital on Tuesday. — Photo by Kamal Singh

Fertility doctors claim success, but still have a long way to go

New Delhi, December 23 The claim of the medical fraternity — that the success rate of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is better than that of the natural process — sounds incredible and is a bit hard to digest. But even the doubting Thomases cannot deny that the artificial reproductive techniques have given a glimmer off hope to childless couples. Dr Anup Gupta, Director, IVF & Fertility Research Centre, and Dr Yoganand Shastri, Delhi Health Minister, with test tube babies.

More the murkier
23 STD booths in Saudi Arabia identified
Sonepat, December 23
The officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), working in tandem with the local CIA staff, have reportedly identified 23 STD booths located in Saudi Arabia with which the suspected ISI agents had established contact. The agents used to talk on the landline and on mobile phones.

Fog persists, but flights normal
New Delhi, December 23
The day temperature in the Capital dipped further, hovering at eight degrees below normal, as the sun refused to come out of hiding. The minimum temperature, however, went up to 10.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. It was 9.4 degrees, one degree below normal, yesterday.

Passengers stranded due to dense fog
Sonepat, December 23
Thousands of passengers, mostly government servants and school teachers, remained stranded for hours together on account of the late running of the long-distance and suburban trains running on this section due to the dense fog and poor visibility today.

Nothing like a huddle around a bonfire or a hot cup of tea in this bitter cold. — Photo by Kamal Singh

COMMUNITY

SC / ST Commission issues notice on complaint by Dalit employee
Faridabad, December 23
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has issued notice to the office of the Chief Post Master General, Haryana, to submit a reply in connection with a complaint filed by a physically challenged and a Dalit employee of the department here.

Government releases Rs 210 cr package for 49 towns
Panipat, December 23
Haryana Urban Development Minister Subash Goyal today said that the state government has implemented a scheme of Rs 210 crore in 49 towns of the state for bringing an all-round development of the towns. The steps of the scheme included improvement in environment, repair and construction of roads, strengthening of fire fighting services and shifting of truck unions, piggery and dairy units out of the municipal limits.

Chief Minister to open state-of-the-art jail in Haryana
Faridabad, December 23
Arua Mothuka - a small village of the district, will soon be a known place in the state as a new jail complex, which will be one of the largest in Haryana, is scheduled to come up here. The Chief Minister will lay the foundation stone of the state-of-the-art jail on December 25.

RCI launches barrier-free environment programme
New Delhi, December 23
To address the diverse access needs of the disabled, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has announced the release of a manual and a short-term programme on barrier-free environment.

Textile Minister Shahnawaz Hussain inaugurating the Lal Bhadur Shastri Memorial Foundation Exhibition of Handicrafts in the Capital on Tuesday. — Photo by Kamal Singh

Union Ministers Vinod Khanna and Vijay Goel inside a mobile medical clinic in the Capital on Tuesday.

in parliament
Govt offices owe Rs 270.63 cr to NDMC
New Delhi, December 23
Various government offices in the national Capital owe Rs 270.63 crore to the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. Replying to a question, the Minister of State for Urban development, Mr Bandaru Dattatraya, said the outstanding from the government offices was being taken on regular basis with concerned officials.

NCR Briefs
Man killed, another injured on Rohtak road
Jhajjar, December 23
One person was killed and another injured in an accident on the Rohtak road here today. According to information, one Virender along with his relative, identified as Gurmeet, were going to Rohtak on their motorcycle when a truck coming from opposite direction rammed into them. While Virender died on the spot, his relative, Gurmeet, was rushed to the hospital. A case has been registered with the police.

Man commits suicide Art of living camp Tower installation charges

Power disruption Anti-encroachment drive

CRIME

Husband, wife duo held for cheating Citibank of Rs 10.05 lakh 
New Delhi, December 23
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police arrested one husband and wife duo for cheating the Citibank by producing forged documents and obtaining loans. One Skoda Octavia, one Ford Ikon, two motorcycles, 17 fake rubber stamps, cheque books of different banks, three mobile phones, one computer with large number of forged documents were found in their possession.

3 Bangladeshi dacoits held, several cases solved
New Delhi, December 23
With the arrest of three Bangladeshi dacoits belonging to the ‘Zakir-Khalil Gang,’ the East district police claimed to have solved several cases of dacoities, robberies and burglaries.

Lift costs dear, car snatched
Sonepat, December 23
Four armed youths reportedly snatched an Indica car from its driver, Ajit Singh of Patiala (Punjab), on the G T Road near Murthal Chowk, about 8 km from here yesterday. According to a report, Mr Ajit Singh was on his way to Patiala from Delhi. Four youths asked for a lift near the Delhi by-pass. They also agreed to pay the fare for the journey.

BUSINESS

Special Focus on gurgaon
A high-tech shopping mall in Gurgaon soon
Gurgaon, December 23
The first and the only integrated township, Ambience Island, located on the Delhi-Haryana border facing Rajokri Greens here, along the National Highway-8, will soon witness the second phase of the development plans in it.

Creative Candles launches kit  for kids
New Delhi, December 23
Creative Candles has launched a unique candle making kit for kids, which enables even a child to make candles with fun at home or school without any professional guidance.

CULTURE

GLITZ&GLAMOUR
Christmas goodies for foodies: Bakeries at their best
Rows of tempting puddings, cakes and pastries alongside inviting pies and cookies…It’s a dream come true for the foodies. Christmas confectionery peeping from under the glass counters is irresistible.

The understated  chic look Funky range from Be:

Khosla ka Ghosla Walking tall in Italian heels

SPORTS

DSA to hold open trials for players
New Delhi, December 23
The Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) will hold open trials-cum-coaching camp to select the Delhi team for participation in the 40th Junior National Football Championship for the Dr B C Roy Trophy (North Zone) to be held from January 20 in Himachal Pradesh.

Chowrasia on second spot  in money list
New Delhi, December 23
Mukesh Kumar, who finished tied fourth in the Tata Open Golf Tournament in Jamshedpur on Sunday, jumped to the top spot on the Order of Merit list with a season’s earnings of Rs 5,61,690. The four-time ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ moved to his familiar position for the first time in the current season with nine top ten finishes, including two victories after the 11th leg of the Hero Honda Tour.

Rishab, Radhika win  in badminton
New Delhi, December 23
Rishab Talreja and Radhika scored comfortable victories in the boys and girls section respectively in the third Indian Oil Badminton Talent Contest held at the Ludlo Castle School court, organised by the Delhi Badminton Association.

Soccer for a good cause
New Delhi, December 23
The Delhi State AIDS Control Society, players of Delhi Police and the All-India Football Federation joined hands to organise a football match at the Ambedkar Stadium on Tuesday with the aim of spreading the message in the society that casual contact like hugging, shaking hands, working/staying in the same place or office do not spread AIDS and the stigma attached to the disease could be eliminated.

• Shanker stars in Keshav Puram’s victory

• Cricket for disabled

• Ganga School lift hockey title