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L-G urged to probe salary scam New Delhi, March 10 The caretakers are recruited by the private agencies for keeping a tab on the assets of the Slum and JJ Department. Explaining the modus operandi, Mr Gupta said that the Slum Department, in connivance with a placement agency, was engaging category C and D staff on a fixed monthly retainer. The recommended private agencies had cited monthly retainers for the security guards and resident caretakers at the rate of Rs 5,007 and Rs 6,568, respectively. However, a 20 per cent deduction was being made from the monthly payment to the persons engaged by the agencies, Mr Gupta alleged. In this manner, crores of rupees were being embezzled. Mr Gupta disclosed that the contract with the security agencies has been extended without the approval of the corporation. He further alleged that administrative approval for a lumpsum (Rs 1,89,55,020) had been demanded, but the details of the expenditure to be incurred on the security guards and the resident caretakers had not been given. Besides many ‘beldars’ in the MCD were without work. Had they been posted for the security of property in slums, the MCD would have saved crores of rupees. During his many visits to the slums, he never found any security guard or caretaker at Basti Vikas Kendras and other slum properties. |
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Police chief turns heat on cricket bookies New Delhi, March 10 Dr Paul, who was the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) when he smashed the match fixing scandal, has now ordered his men to conduct a market survey to identify the gangs for containing the betting racket during the upcoming series. “This particular series may generate enormous interest and excitement among the public. As the Indian team is going to play a full tour on Pakistani soil after a span of 14 years, the stakes are going to be higher than normal,” Dr Paul told NCR Tribune. Since the gangs were adopting various other means to keep the betting racket alive, Dr Paul said the Delhi Police were now looking into some new modus operandi adopted by the gangs to take action against the perpetrators of the racket. ‘Betting is also a form of organised crime and we are geared up to handle the menace’, Dr Paul said. Interestingly, Dr Paul said technology, which normally acted as a tool for development in many fields, was used as a business multiplier in the betting racket. Since these days one’s physical presence is not required, the racket can be operated through telephone lines, mobile phones, computers and other latest gadgets.
Liquor smuggling The Delhi Police Commissioner, Dr K. K. Paul, today ordered intensifying and conducting joint operations against smuggling of liquor and manufacturing of illicit arms in the run up to the general election (details page 3) |
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Noida
winks at illegal occupation Noida, March 10 The land in question is located in Shahadra village along the Expressway; its value is pegged at Rs 50 crore. The Noida administration is under political pressure to delay action in the matter. Besides, it is reportedly trying to find out ways to facilitate the industrial group. Efforts are also being made to make changes in the master plan, it is learnt. As per rules, any allotment of acquired land is the prerogative of the Noida administration. The industrial group reportedly purchased the 50-bigha land directly from the farmers and has started building small rooms on it. The construction work had stepped up after Mulayam Singh Yadav’s government came to power. The Noida sources said that the said land comes under Khasra No. 57, 59 and 65. Some alarming facts surfaced when an enquiry was instituted into the construction along a drain, about 12 km from the Amity crossing on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. It was apparent that the land meant for the green belt in Noida’s Master Plan was being put to other use. According to information, when the land department’s report reached the engineering department via Dy CEO Jagdev Singh, on 24 February 4, it had been decided to demolish those rooms on the plot. But somehow, the news of the authority’s action leaked to the industrial group, which got in touch with its contacts in the Samajwadi Party. The fallout was soon apparent. The Noida administration has not only shelved its anti-encroachment action on the plot, but efforts are also afoot to secure the land. The sources allege that to maintain the status quo, some changes in the Master Plan were being proposed, so that this land, earlier earmarked for the green belt, could be developed by the land mafia. The senior officers of Noida have said that they would probe the matter. If the allegations are found to be correct, the authority will have the construction razed and get the land vacated. And if any construction has been undertaken in violation of the Noida Master Plan, a penalty will be imposed, the officials said. |
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crackdown Faridabad, March 10 As the team led by Mr G. L. Singhal, Assistant State Drug Controller, lifted about five samples of the suspected fake medicine from the spot, the authorities had to requisition the police force to tackle the possibility of violence by the shopkeepers of the area, who came out in protest against the department’s action. However, a representative of the company whose medicines were recovered from the store, claimed that the drugs being sold were spurious. There was no proof of the purchase of the branded drugs by the retailer, he said. The drug officials seized several boxes of ‘Domistal’, a drug manufactured by the Torrent Pharmaceuticals’. It is reported that the team acquired at least five boxes (each containing 48 strips and each strip has 10 tablets), valued at Rs 2,000 per box. Each of the tablet has an MRP of Rs 5.20 in the market and it is normally prescribed by the physicians to control vomiting and related symptoms. But as the medicines were sold without proper receipt and the owner later denied that the drugs were sold by him, the team demanded to check the record and the documents of the drugs sold. But the owner protested against it. It is learnt that all the shopkeepers of the Dabua road pulled down their shutters and started raising slogans against them. As tension mounted, the team called the police to control the mob. |
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NDMC puts off unit area system New Delhi, March 10 He said that it had been decided earlier to introduce this system from the next financial year beginning April 1 in the council’s recently held meeting, but now “we have decided to drop this idea and continue with the existing value-based tax system”. Outlining the reason behind this, Mr Thapliyal said, “We were afraid that this new system would mitigate our revenue collection. As against the 20 lakh properties, only 1,200 properties fall into our area. Most of the properties in the MCD area are residential, but we have mostly commercial properties. A big part of our properties consists of government offices, government residential colonies and foreign embassies. We have also posh residential colonies situated at Golf Link, Babar Road, Jor Bagh, Diplomatic Enclave etc. from where we get hefty property tax.” He said that the NDMC annually collects about Rs 125 crore through these properties. The Land and Development Department is also increasing the tax rates year after year, but in the unit area tax system, rates can be hiked after three years. Besides, the unit area system can contribute to the increase in court cases and unwarranted litigation. |
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govt schools New Delhi, March 10 The Delhi State Education Minister, Mr Arvinder Singh Lovely, said that the papers for classes VI, VII, VIII and XI examinations, which had already been held without a hitch, would not be re-held. Only today’s and subsequent papers had been cancelled and these would be held in the first week of April. As for Class IX, the entire examination had been cancelled, including the paper already held. All the examinations will now be held between April 5 and 20, said the officials. The officials also said that an FIR had been filed. A departmental inquiry has been ordered and a high-level government inquiry has also been initiated to suggest a mechanism, so that such incidents did not recur in future. Mr Lovely said that the government has taken a serious view of the paper leak and cancelled all the examinations to ensure that the subsequent papers are not tampered with. |
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Students boycott classes against slapping incident Sonepat: The students of class XI continued to boycott their classes today in Motilal Nehru School of Sports at Rai, 13 km from here, in protest against the slapping of a student, Rajiv, the captain of the class, by coach Virender Singh. According to a report, the student felt a severe pain in the ear after the incident. He was rushed to a private hospital in Sonepat. After the treatment, the students called on the Principal Capt. V K Verma and apprised him of the case. However, the principal is reported to have snubbed the students for violating the discipline of the institution. He directed them to leave the class. Thereupon, the students became angry and started boycotting the class. The continuous boycott has the parents cut up as the examinations are due on March 13. The parents of a number of students called on the principal of the institute and demanded stern action against the coach involved in the incident. The principal assured the agitating parents that action would be taken if the coach was found guilty after an inquiry. However, the situation is still tense.
— OC |
BKU to finalise its poll strategy at Delhi meet Sonepat, March 10 Giving this information, the president of the state unit of the BKU, Mr Hari Singh Khokhar, listed their five main demands as: completion of the SYL canal in the Punjab territory; sanctioning remunerative prices to the farmers for wheat, paddy and sugarcane crop under the insurance scheme; farmers should not be arrested for their failure to payback loans and affordable medical and educational facilities to the wards of the farmers. He declared that the BKU would extend its support to those political parties, which included these demands in their election manifesto. He said that though the union had remained non-political up to now, the prevailing circumstances have forced the union leaders to side with the political parties in the Lok Sabha elections. Mr Khokhar also disclosed that the BKU would be organising rallies at Karnal (March 20) and
Kharkhauda town in Sonepat district (March 21), in which its strategy for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections would be announced. Kidnapped girl rescued
A minor girl, who was allegedly kidnapped by a youth, identified as Basant, from Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) was found from Pinana village yesterday in a raid conducted jointly by the Haryana and the Madhya Pradesh police. According to a report, the accused belonged to Pinana village in this district and was engaged in shoes business in Bhopal. The youth had developed an illicit relationship with the girl and had brought her to his village and married her. They were living together. Meanwhile, the family members of the girl came to know the whereabouts of the youth and informed the Bhopal police about it. Subsequently, the girl was rescued in a joint operation. However, the youth managed to escape. However, it is stated that the girl told the police that she had not been kidnapped but had left her house and got married on her own. Meanwhile, a hunt is on to apprehend the youth in connection with the case of kidnapping registered against him at Bhopal. According to another report, a minor girl, identified as Apoorva of Sikka Colony, along with her paramour, Eajat Kapur, were produced before a Judicial Magistrate here yesterday. While the girl was sent to a Nari Niketan at Karnal, the youth was sent to the district jail. The girl and the youth were caught at Solan (Himachal Pradesh) and brought to Sonepat by the parents of the youth, who later handed them over to the Civil Lines police. |
BJP takes Sheila to task for traffic jams New Delhi, March 10 Addressing a Resident Welfare Association meeting at G.K. Enclave and Basant Enclave, Mr Malhotra said that inefficiency and incompetence of the state administration had sealed the fate of the state transport policy, rendering it a lifeless document. He said most of the projects mentioned in the policy statement were lying badly stuck upon the ground, thus creating chaotic city conditions on the roads. He said he had already sent a letter to the Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, to justify the delays in the projects. Mr Malhotra also expressed his apprehensions that the real benefits of the centrally funded Metro Rail and flyover projects would not accrue to the public if the state transport system was not integrated fully and efficiently with the central projects. Meanwhile, Union Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma today said there were reasons for the countrymen to really feel good due to the revolutionary works done by the NDA government. He was speaking at a mass contact programme in the Saket Assembly segment of his constituency. He said that the NDA government had undertaken a number of good and progressive works that were benefiting the common man towards really feeling good. He said that today there were job avenues for the unemployed persons and also job security for a common man. Earlier, there were no insurance schemes for the unorganised sector but today a person working in an unorganised sector had insurance for him and his family. He also blamed the Congress party for encouraging corruption at all levels and exhorted the people to vote for the BJP. |
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Can society overcome its mental block? New Delhi, March 10 This was the message that came through a lively, interesting and stimulating interaction with achievers at the ongoing workshop for media and communication professionals on disability issues. The workshop, organised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), was inaugurated by the RCI Chairman, Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia. Speaking on the occasion, Major Ahluwalia appealed to mediapersons to disseminate awareness about media schemes and policies of the government and to create awareness about the rights of persons with disability. The workshop spread over three days is discussing various communication strategies to give visibility to the disability sector. Participating in the interactive session with achievers, Sujata Goenka, a multiple-challenged media analyst who lives independently in a flat in South Delhi said, “I do not like to be called an achiever because I have lived a normal life. I have never done anything away from the normal. I feel I have not achieved anything that has found me a place in the Guinness Book of Records. What I have done is to live a life of normalcy with disability. It is because my parents told me that I cannot live independently, which motivated me to live on my own.” Another achiever, Sangeeta Thakur, who works as a journalist in Patna, said that she had to face many barriers all through her life because of her hearing impairment. “The barriers were more mental than physical, but I have been able to prove that I can also be a good journalist,” says Thakur. However, she said that her life has been full of compromises, as she could not become a lawyer because her father dissuaded her from doing so. “He told me that because of my disability, I could never become a successful lawyer. However, what I feel today is if you have the will and determination to achieve, nothing can come in your way.” George Abraham, president, Cricket Association for the Blind, said, “Meningitis rendered me with visual impairment but my parents were very supportive and caring. It is love that builds the confidence and ambition of a child.” George, who felt that there is no limit or bar on achievements and it was the mind that defined the boundary, said media has an immense role to play to educate society about the potential and possibilities of persons with disability. “I believe in looking at the possibilities and not the problems.” Outlining the critical role of the parents in the development of mentally challenged children, Mr J.K. Mehta, father of Akhil Mehta, praised his mentally challenged boy, who now runs a photocopy shop in Gurgaon. “A special school is not the end of it, what we must try to do is to integrate children like Akhil in society,” said the emotionally surcharged Mr Mehta. Later, Akhil played the mouth organ before an enchanted audience. Sanjeev Sachdeva of ‘Samarthya’ said initially he could not accept his disability and there were several occasions when he used to cry. However, a meeting with Mr Rajender Johar of the ‘Family of Disabled’ changed his life. “Mr Johar told me to accept my disability that really changed my life. He told me that if a rape becomes inevitable lie down and enjoy,” said Sanjeev. From then onwards, it has been a journey with a difference for Sanjeev, who is now committed to promote a barrier-free environment and has been an advocate of accessibility issues. “I want to enjoy life to the fullest. Life is beautiful and time is short and I want to enjoy it as much as possible. Agreeing with Sanjeev, Anjali Agarwal, another achiever said that the beauty of life is to live but this could only happen if the persons with disability accept their disability. “Live life with dignity and grace and not give up.” Another achiever, the national bike racer, Bittoo Sondhi, recalled his younger days when he had to battle his crippling disability because of bone cancer in the leg. “I was wearing crutches for around two years and I learned to accept my disability,” he said, appealing to the media to “view achievements as achievements and not blow them out of context.” |
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Rs 3,000 fine slapped on postmaster Noida, March 10 The penalty has been ordered as a money order had failed to reach its destination even after many months. In the case of Mohd Aslam of D2-C, Sector 18, Noida, versus the postmaster, Sector 19 post office, Mohd Aslam had complained the money order sent by him on May 19, 2003, to Hameeda Khatun in Samastipur, Bihar, did not reach her even after a month. Aslam had complained to the Postmaster on June 18, 2003, but no action was taken. He had contacted postal authorities many times later also but no attention was paid to his complaints. At last, he lodged a complaint with the District Consumer Forum who sent a notice to the postmaster on August 23, 2003. The postmaster filed a reply that a duplicate money order had been sent and the money delivered to the addressee on September 1, 2003. The complainant was thus paid money after three months. The forum, in its decision, ordered that the complainant be paid Rs 2000 for mental and physical torture on account of inordinate delay in postal services and Rs 1000 towards expenses of the suit. The complainant had to be paid this amount within a month, the consumer court ordered. |
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Vehicle theft precursor of serious crime: Paul New Delhi, March 10 Addressing the Inter-State Crime Coordination meeting today, Dr Paul said motor vehicle theft should be taken very seriously as it was the precursor of other serious crimes. He was addressing senior officers from the adjoining states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan and stressed upon the commonality of purpose and action which would yield concrete results. He said the gangs needed to be specifically identified and jointly
targeted. Dr Paul also apprised the participants of the proposed computer linkage of Delhi Police and those of Gurgaon, Karnal, Jaipur and Meerut for real time communication and sharing of important information about crime and criminals . The meeting was attended by 13 police officers of the neighbouring states and Delhi Police Joint Commissioners of ranges, Deputy Commissioners of Police (Crime) and Narcotics. Other officers from the neighbouring districts were Rohtak Inspector-General Sharad Kumar, Jaipur Inspector-General Arvind Jain and Meerut Deputy Inspector-General C. B. Rai. |
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Stir threatened over non-payment of wages Sonepat, March 10 A delegation of the union, led by the state general- secretary and district president, Mr Anand Sharma, met the Deputy Commissioner and handed over a memorandum demanding the release of their wages. Later, talking to mediapersons, Mr Sharma said the union had also handed over a memorandum to the DC on February 19 in support of their demands. However, no progress had been made. He also informed that the union had organised a demonstration at the DFO’s office here on March 3, and later, a delegation of the union held a meeting with Chief Conservator, Ambala, on March 4. He said that more than 250 families of the workers were on the verge of starvation. Meanwhile, the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam has decided to keep its collection centres open on Saturday. Saturdays are a closed holiday in Haryana Government offices. According to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr M. R. Anand, the revenue collection campaign of the Nigam has led to positive results. Following an increase in availability of electricity, the Nigam has decided to make round-the-clock two-phase power supply, and at least eight-hour daily three-phase supply in rural areas of the district, the DC said. |
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Bust of Simon Bolivar installed in Capital New Delhi, March 10 Unveiling the bust, Mr Kapoor said that today’s function would serve as a monument to Simon Bolivar and also harmonise relations between Latin American countries and India. Simon Bolivar will be remembered as a great liberator, who would be remembered for his holistic vision throughout his life. Recalling the contribution of the great hero, the ambassador of Venezuela, said that he struggled to root out corruption and the conservation of environment. He said that the great hero was greatly influenced by Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and ideas of Ashoka. Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Uruguay, Mr Enrique Anchorodoqui said the great hero was a missionary soul. Earlier, welcoming the distinguished guests, Ms
Sindhushree Khullar, Chairperson, NDMC, said that it was a memorable occasion for the NDMC to have installed the bust of a great hero. |
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Goods destroyed in fire at Sonepat factory Sonepat: Goods worth several thousands of rupees were gutted in the fire which broke out in a factory located in the industrial area here on Tuesday evening. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. However, it was brought under control by the municipal fire brigade after about four hours. There was no loss of life caused by the devastating fire in the factory. According to another report, an electricity transformer was burnt in a fire caused by leakage in it near the general bus stand here last evening. On seeing the fire, an SOS was sent to the municipal fire brigade officials but fire engines could not reach the site for a long time. Thereupon, shopkeepers and residents of the area swung into action and brought the fire under control by throwing sand, earth and water on it. The affected areas remained powerless throughout the night following disruption in the power supply system.
— OC |
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ncr briefs Jhajjar, March 10 Six labourers hailing from Bihar boarded the 6 DJ passenger train at about 9 pm from Sampla railway station. The robbers, almost equal in number, also followed them in the coach. They were reportedly armed with sticks and knives. The GRP sources informed that the robbers started beating the labourers from Bihar and snatched the cash amount of about Rs 15,000 from Bijender and Rs 10,000 from Rajender. They also decamped with watches from some passengers. The desperadoes then fled from the train when it started slowing down near the next stop at Asaudha police station. However, the victims reported the incident at the Asaudha station and were given medical treatment at Bahadurgarh station. The GRP at Rohtak has registered a case under Section 382 of the IPC against the accused.
2,095 centres for
senior secondary, matric exams Bhiwani: The Haryana School Education Board has set up 2,095 examination centres to conduct senior secondary academic, vocational and matriculation examinations in the state. While stating this today, the secretary of the board said 10,474 candidates would appear in vocational examination and 2,10,396 in senior secondary academic examinations at 815 examination centres. Also, 34,4931 candidates would appear for matric examinations at 1,280 examination centres. He said 1,378 centre superintendents and 13,780 supervisors had been deputed on examination duty. The entire state had been divided into 174 sectors and officers concerned of the district administration would keep a vigil over the centres under their jurisdiction. Also, 473 flying squads had been formed to inspect the examination centres. Five control rooms had also been set up at Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Rohtak, Gurgaon and Kurukshetra to monitor the functioning of examination centres.
46 villages declared
sensitive Sonepat: The district and police administration have declared as many as 46 villages out of the total 306 villages of Sonepat district as most sensitive villages for the Lok Sabha elections. According to official sources, these villages fall under the jurisdiction of six assembly segments in this district. These are Kathura, Ahulana, Garhwal, Bindhana, Butana, Jagsi, Chhatehra, Gangana, Nooran Khera, Guhna, Tihar Malik, Juan, Mahra, Bayyanpur, Lehrara, Bhatgaon, Rathdhanna, Salimsar Majra, Jahri, Panchi Jatan, Purkhas, Ahulana, Kheri Gujjar, Bega, Bhainswal, Khanpur, Mundlana, Sardhana, Shamri, Lathi, Bichpari, Murthal, Mehndipur, Kurar, Rajpur, Bhigan, Larsauli, Piplikhera, Memarpur, Malikpur, Khewra, Deepalpur, Sewli, Jatheri, Jakhauli and Nahri. To ensure free and fair elections, special police pickets would be deployed in these villages by the government. |
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Delhi Digest New Delhi: Auto Expo may soon be happening daily. The annual event is being converted into mega daily shows by Malls Man Vijay Dixit, Managing Director, Senior Builders Ltd, who is setting up a five lakh sq feet construction extravaganza termed Senior Auto Mall to be built at Gurgaon NH-8. The concept of a mall showcasing every conceivable automobile on 10 storeys with a test track on the rooftop will have a huge floor space dedicated to various automobile companies under one roof. Also in the Auto Mall would be finance companies, ancillary companies and insurance companies giving one-stop shop experience to automobile buyers. Even more interesting would be the fact that one could walk in, buy the car, get the accessories fitted and get insurance done. Most importantly, the office of the Regional Transport Authority that registers vehicles would in all probability also be located there. Asia’s first auto mall would not only be a great shopping experience but would also be a platform for launching exhibitions and be a venue for press conferences. DUTA starts fast
at VC’s office The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) today started a relay fast at the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deepak Nayyar, to register its protest against his arbitrary functioning. The fast would continue for three days.
— TNS |
Double murder accused held New Delhi, March 10 Three criminals nabbed The North district police today claimed to have arrested three notorious criminals of the area and seized two pistols and a self-actuated knife from their possession. The suspects were identified as Ashu, Monu and Dharmender. The police received secret information that three persons having weapons were standing near bus stand on Kalidas Marg and planning to commit crime in the area. A team of the local police reached there and nabbed them. During interrogation they confessed to their intention to commit a robbery in the area, the police said. |
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