Traders in a black mood, burn UAM effigy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
The first day of the Unit Area Method of House Tax, implemented by the MCD in Delhi today, faced strong opposition from hundreds of trade and social organisations of Delhi. The traders observed a ‘Black Day’ today under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders, and staged demonstration at MCD headquarters, Ghantaghar, Chandni Chowk. Later, they burnt an effigy of UAM book. The day marked with black flags depicted in all major markets of the city and protest rallies were also taken out in different markets. The demonstrators wearing black bands shouted slogans like Unit Pranali Ka Naya Hisab-Dilli Sarkar Hui Benakab and Unit Pranali Baraye Karon Ka Bojh-Dilliwasi Karengey Shor.

The demonstration held at Town Hall, Chandni Chowk, was participated by a large number of trade associations besides leading social organisations, including Nagrik, Sadbhav and Chandni Chowk Nivasi Mahasangh and resident welfare organisations of Delhi.

Confederation secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said that the new system would increase house tax from five per cent to more than 50 per cent. The tax should be linked with the services provided by the MCD and this fact has been completely overlooked while dividing Delhi areas under various categories.

Mr Khandelwal challenged the Delhi government to an open debate on any public platform where the so-called merits of the system can be brought to the knowledge of Delhiites. Traders and citizens are ready to participate in any such debate. Let the government respond to it, added Mr Khandelwal.

He said that computation of house tax under the new system by the property owner himself is a funny aspect as the computation process is very complicated and even the MCD officials may not be expected to comply with the system.

He charged the Delhi government with a conspiracy to impose inspector raj and architect raj on the people of Delhi which will not only encourage corruption but will also generate fear of imprisonment or penalty among Delhiites for even unintended lapses in meeting the formalities of the system. The Unit Area will force Delhi citizens to leave the city, feared Mr Khandelwal.

School for scandal: 11 principals in 7 years
Deepender

Jhajjar, April 1
Political interference coupled with groupism among the school staff and nepotism in appointments, have marred the image of the Model School here. The school is run by the District Education Society, with the Deputy Commissioner as the ex officio chairperson.

The school has been in the eye of the storm since it got an independent status in 1996, as it has seen 11 principals in seven years.

The latest controversy, which led to the ouster of the principal and suspension of another teacher, has created a fresh crisis as the new academic session is beginning today.

The district administration’s decision to seal the office of the school and postponement of the inauguration of the nursery wing building has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the admission process. As the image takes a beating due to the recent row, the sources admitted that the enrolment of the new students would be affected adversely.

The sources acquainted with the internal politics of the school said here today that the interference of the local politicians of the ruling party has affected the school image.

The ruling leaders interfere in the internal matters of the school, including the selection of teachers, principal and even the educational policies of the school, the sources said.

The Model School was a branch of the Model School, Rohtak before 1996. After a few years of its separate entity, the school turned into a hub of nepotism and groupism.

Mr R.C. Yadav who was the eighth principal of the school got replaced by Mr Sinha then. However, Mr Yadav returned after some time. A dispute of some teachers as a result of groupism, during the second stint of Mr Yadav, led to the ouster of three teachers, Dharmender, Randeep and Vinod during that time.

This incident was followed by the exit of Mr Yadav and the senior-most teacher, Ms Deepa Yadav took over the reins of the school. Another important event took place at the same time in which some senior members of Education Society belonging to the Haryana Vikas Party, including Mr Manphool Singh, a senior HVP leader, resigned from the society to make way for the ruling INLD due to the transfer of power at the state level.

Fake currency
Bangladeshi jumps bail
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
Mohammad Tayyab, a resident of Bangladesh and an undertrial prisoner arrested in the case of fake currency notes, is reported to have fled after getting the one-month bail from the court of Mr J S Jangra, Additional Sessions Judge of Sonepat on January 3.

According to a report, Mohammad Tayyab failed to turn up in the court on the date of hearing in the case yesterday. The period of the bail has already ended on February 3 last but he did not turn up in the jail also.

As a result, the judge has issued arrest warrants against the accused and those persons who had given sureties for him. These include Mr Ramesh a lambardar who is already involved in a fake bail scam following the escape of Rajesh, a dreaded criminal after his release by furnishing fake bail bonds.

The judge has ordered that the accused along with those persons who had given sureties for him, should be produced before him on April 28 next.

Mohammad Tayyab had been living in Delhi and associating with one Sharafat Ali in manufacturing fake currency notes and circulating them in the market. The Gohana police had arrested him during the surprise raid along with Vinod, Ramesh Kumar and Jashbir of Kharkhauda town in this district and two women Jaidevi and Seemadevi of Gohana town.

The accused told the police that they had engaged in getting fake currency notes from Mohammad Tayyab, Sharafat Ali and Mohammad Akhtar Hussain of Delhi on half the price before circulating them in the market.

Sharafat Ali is still absconding whereas Mohammad Tayyab and Mohammad Akhtar Hussain were arrested by the police. Now again, Mohammad Tayyab had fled.

Firm gets contract with fake FD
Parmindar Singh

Noida, April 1
A company is learnt to have used the receipt of a fake FD to secure a contract worth Rs 1 crore from Noida Authority. The company had been granted a contract for laying sewer line in Sector-122 Noida, about two years ago. Noida Authority has ordered that an FIR be filed against the defrauding company–Credit and Investment P Ltd, K-35, Nehru Nagar Ghaziabad. The probe for this had been assigned to Inspector Harsh Vardhan Bhadoriya, posted in Noida Authority by Secretary Arun Veer Singh. The probe has brought out startling facts. The FD receipt was shown to have been issued by Rite Ganj branch of Allahabad Bank. TD V No.020148 is printed on the FD receipt for Rs 5.27 lakh, dated 13 March 2002, Inspector Harsh Vardhan said. The FD receipt was used by the firm to secure a sewerage contract for Sector-122 Noida as the security money deposited with the authority.

The firm had secured a contract of over Rs 93.95 lakh from Noida Authority. The contract bond was deposited on 26 June 2002.

The senior bank manager, Mr Ratesh Mohan, has informed the authority in writing that the said FD receipt was not issued by his bank. Chief project engineer O P Tiwari of Noida Authority had reportedly helped the firm to secure this contract. The firm has three directors, Avineesh Yadav of Ghaziabad, Rachna Pande of Vasant Kunj and Shrikant Upadhyay of Patpar Ganj. Addl. CEO Debashesh Panda has, meanwhile, ordered that the FDs of all the firms which secured contracts during that period should be checked similarly.

Ironclad security for VVIPs during polls
J T Vishnu
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
To ensure the safety and security of VVIPs during their campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in the National Capital Territory, the Delhi Police in coordination with other security agencies has devised elaborate security measures to avoid any untoward incidents.

The security guidelines have been devised taking into consideration the threat perception from the subversive elements.

Sources said that the terrorists could use powerful weapons and sophisticated improvised explosive devices like radio-operated bombs, timebombs, vehicle and human bombs to disrupt the electoral process.

Since the police and security agencies have the direct responsibility to provide protection, control crowds and other necessary security arrangements at the VVIP programmes, the police have asked the political leaders and workers linked with the programmes to play a role that would ensure a trouble-free atmosphere.

“The role of the organisers of VVIPs programmes and functions of political leaders and workers is to cooperate and coordinate with the police so as to facilitate the work of the police and not
to create any impediment which would hamper the security arrangements at the venue,” said a senior security officer.

The police also asked the political parties to nominate someone to make liaison with them to inform about the programmes. The police also advised them not to make last-minute changes once the programme is finalised as adequate security may not be available at short notice.

The number of dignitaries who would receive and see off VVIPs at the airport or point of arrival and departure should be finalised in advance in consultation with the security agencies and the numbers being kept to the minimum as per the security requirements.

The invitees should also be issued with invitation passes by name in consultation with the police authorities.

“In case invitation cards are being issued for the functions, these should be serially numbered, issued by name, be made non-transferable and sent through reliable delivery system to avoid any tampering,” said sources.

Also the number of dignitaries to be seated on the dais with the VVIP should be kept to the minimum and settled in advance.

The organisers are also asked not to crowd around the VVIPs as in such cases, undesirable elements might gain access and create confusion. The venue of the VVIP functions and its approach should be selected carefully in consultation with the security agencies to ensure that the arrangements are well in place.

To cap it, the police asked the organisers to furnish a list of persons like electricians, caterers, technicians and others employed for various duties at the venue.

Besides, the organisers have been advised to take care of the car parking, lighting and fire-fighting arrangements.

The organisers must also depute leaders and senior party functionaries to be present amongst the party workers in order to help identify the workers greeting VVIPs. Presentation of shawls, bouquets and garlands should also be restricted to the minimum and furnished to the police in advance for necessary security check and frisking.

Hard knocks
Third earthquake in a fortnight
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
The Capital experienced another earthquake at around 11 am today. This is the third earthquake in the last fortnight.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the tremors measured 1.5 on the Richter scale.

The epicentre of the quake lay in the Delhi region—28.6-degree North altitude and 77.2 degree east longitude. A quake, measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale had jolted the Capital on March 18. The city was again shaken by tremors of slight intensity (1.6) on March 28..

Doctor held for rape

A 52-year-old homeopathic doctor has been arrested by the East district police on charges of raping a 21-year-old woman last evening.

The victim alleged that she had visited the SDN Hospital last evening. The accused Dr Agarwal (52), made her unconscious initially and then raped her, the woman alleged.

Civic body takes steps to check dengue

With the four cases of dengue fever reported in the Capital, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has taken precautionary measures to protect the residents from the fever. These cases may be due to infection caught three-four months ago, medical experts and municipal health authorities said today.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has written letters to the government hospitals concerned to match the blood samples of the four persons with their clinical profile, Dr. K. N. Tiwari, Health Officer at MCD said here today. The environment was not conducive to the disease as it is generally reported between September and December, he said. “The cases reported in the Capital do not have the symptoms of the disease,” he added.

“People who were reported to be positive for dengue might have caught the infection in December last year and may be carrying antibodies,” he said.

Two Bhati gangsters held
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
The East district police today claimed to have arrested two persons of the Naresh Bhati gang after a brief encounter near the ISBT Anand Vihar. The police also claimed to have recovered three weapons, including two foreign pistols, one country-made weapon and 13 live cartridges from their possession. The police on March 31 received a secret information that two criminals of the Naresh Bhati gang would be coming near Tikona Park behind ISBT Anand Vihar. Accordingly, a special team under the supervision of Inspector Rakesh Dixit and others was constituted and the gangsters were overpowered after an encounter.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Nuzhat Hassan said that the accused were identified as Vikram Singh, alias Pehlwan, resident of Najafgarh and Hanumant Singh, alias Hannu, resident of Karampura.

During interrogation, the accused told the police that on March 19, they along with their associates Rakesh, alias Vakil, resident of Meerut and Shiv Pal Bhatti, entered the house of Balaji Associates in Meerut and fired at the owner Yad Ram Sharma. When Sharma returned the fire, Hanumant sustained bullet injuries. Nuzhat said that Hanumant is a BC of Moti Nagar and has been involved in at least 20 cases of attempt to murder, robbery and other cases.

Cong government criticised for shelving power project
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
The BJP candidate from the Outer Delhi parliamentary constituency, Mr Sahib Singh Verma, on Thursday visited certain pockets of the Bawana Assembly constituency. He was weighed in coins by his supporters at several places during his campaign in Sultanpur Dabas, Pooth Khard, Bajitpur, Nangal, Dariyapur Kalan, Harewali, Auchandi, Kutubgarh and Chandpur.

Criticising the Sheila Dikshit Ministry for shelving the Bawana electricity project and the water purification plant, Verma said the Congress party had burdened the people by introducing the new house tax regime.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister of State and BJP candidate from the Sadar constituency, Mr Vijay Goel, today held the Congress government responsible for the acute drinking water shortage in Delhi. He warned the Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, to resolve the crisis or be ready to face the wrath of the people in the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Goel said the Sheila Dikshit government has not been able to commission the Sonia Vihar project, which has caused a serious water crisis in the Capital. “We hold the lukewarm attitude of the Delhi Government responsible for it”, he said, and added, it would lead to the Congress debacle in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He said the Jal Board under the Delhi Government has already decided to increase the rate of water, which has been withheld due to the elections.

Meanwhile, in his election meetings on Thursday, Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra said “The hike in the tariff of the Delhi Metro has compounded the woes of the Delhiite, who were already reeling under the weight of the new unit area method of assessing house/property tax.” Blaming the Sheila Dikshit Ministry for not taking adequate steps to improve the water and electricity situation in the Capital, Malhotra said the attempts being made by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her party, the INC, to privatise the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), had added insult to injury of the people. He addressed meetings in Munirka, Kalkaji, Shivalik Apartments and Greater Kailash II.

LJP slams Mayawati
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
Accusing the BSP leader Mayawati of failing to fulfil the dreams of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the general-secretary of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Mr Ashok Sherwal, said that money was being taken for issuing party tickets. He said that Mayawati was surrounded by sycophants. Mr Sherwal was addressing a press conference here on Wednesday after resigning from the state presidentship of the BSP.

He was accompanied by the national general-secretary and incharge of party affairs in Haryana, Mr Lalit Gautam, state LJP president, Capt Shamsher Singh Malik and other office bearers.

Mr Sherwal hinted that the Ms Mayawati has been trying to promote the interests of the vested interests rather than protecting the interests of the Dalits. He also pointed out that the position of the party as well as the workers had worsened due to the autocratic behaviour of Mayawati. This was particularly evident after the hospitalisation of the BSP founder, Mr Kanshi Ram.

Mr Gautam stated that discussions were on for a tie-up between LJP and Congress in Haryana. He said the party had demanded the Sonepat Lok Sabha seat for its state president Capt Malik.

Probe demanded into short supply of canal water
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 1
Despite heavy expenditure incurred on the maintenance of canals, distributaries and minors, the supply of canal water to the tail-end villages has hardly improved. Expressing grave concern over the inadequate and erratic supply of canal water, the farmers blamed the Executive Engineer, the SDOs and the JEs concerned for not cleaning the canals and distributaries despite the clear cut instructions by the state government

The farmers have demanded a high-level probe into their complaints about the short supply of canal water and action against the erring officials.

The farmers of the tail-end villages alleged that the short supply of canal water remains a major problem in the Rai Water Service Division.

The canal water was in short supply even during the rotation period, the farmers alleged.

Farmers alleged that the embankments of various canals and distributaries were facing the problem of siltage, resulting in water-logging in the area.

They also alleged that officials of this division were involved in preparing bogus muster rolls.

Such an inquiry into the ‘racket’ was likely to expose the misdeeds of the officials of the Rai Water Service Division in this district.

The farmers also criticised the district authorities and other senior officials of the Irrigation Department for their failure to redress their grievances about the shortage of canal water during the rotation period. They also maintained that Rabi and Kharif crops worth several lakhs of rupees had suffered damage due to the failure to ensure adequate and regular supply of canal water.

Farmers alleged that most of the irrigation schemes in this district, particularly in the Rai Water Service Division, were used by the officials to “make money”.

According to informed sources, the bulk of the amount spent on these schemes had been misappropriated by the officials entrusted with the job of the execution of these schemes.

Payments have been made for “works executed only on paper”. The muster rolls included the names of persons who were never put on the job, it was further alleged.

NCR briefs
Girls practise ways of self-defence
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
The girls of Birla Vidya Niketan school, Pushpa Vihar, today presented a spectacular demonstration of self-defence techniques. The valediction function for the girls was conducted by the CAW cell after a 15 days training capsule. The CAW cell has trained as many as 7,000 women in self-defence in the city.

Desperate gangster held

The Special Cell has arrested a desperate gangster, identified as Dharmender Kumar, who was allegedly involved in 11 cases under the Arms Act, robbery and dacoity in different parts of the city.

A trap was laid after receiving an information that the accused was seen in the Model Town area.

The police laid a trap and nabbed him from the area. The police seized a spring-actuated knife from his possession.

Three persons acquitted

Sonepat: The District and Sessions Judge of Sonepat, Mr B L Singal, yesterday acquitted three accused, Satish of Shastri Colony, Sonepat, Ajay of Murthal village and Vijay of Samalkha (Panipat), in a case of murder committed on March 9, 2003. According to the prosecution story, the police had arrested Mr Dayanand, father of the accused Satish and sent their challans to the court.

Block Panchayat Samiti election

Mr Bal Kishan Sharma was elected as the Chairman of the Sonepat Block Panchayat Samiti. He defeated Mr Bhagirath, a resident of Harsana village, at a specially convened meeting of the samiti held here yesterday.

According to a report, Mr Sharma received 17 votes, whereas his rival candidate secured 12 votes. One vote was declared invalid. Mr Suresh Kumar, a member of the samiti proposed the name of Mr Sharma for the post of the Chairman whereas Mr Roshan Lal seconded it. On the other hand, Mr Vijay Kumar, proposed the name of Mr Bhagirath, whereas Mr Ram Chander seconded it. Mr Jagmohan Bharadwaj, District Development and Panchayat Officer DDPO) monitored the proceedings of the elections. OC

Delhi digest
Vietnam Bazaar at Dilli Haat
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
Delhiites will have an opportunity to take a look at the culture of Vietnam at a special ‘Vietnam Bazaar’ being organised at the Dilli Haat. The two-day festival, which begins here on April 3, will display unique Vietnamese handloom and handicrafts.

The festival is being organised as part an Indo-Vietnam friendship initiative to promote craft, cuisine and culture of both the countries.

Besides, martial art of Kerala, Rajasthani folk langas and manganiyars would also be performed at the Dilli Haat complex as part of a ten-day programme of folk music and dance. This programme would also begin from April 3.

Renowned artistes like Iqbal Hussain Banda (sufiana Qawwali), Shubha Mudgal (Nirgun Sangeet) and Wadali Brothers (Sufiana Kalam) would participate in this festival.

Cong praised for upholding secularism

Paramjit Singh Pamma of the INC has accused the NDA of “committing contempt of court by harping on INC president Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin”. The apex court has settled the issue once and for all,” said Paramjit Singh Pamma, who recently joined the INC.

Pamma, who quit as president and member of National Akali Dal to join the INC, told a news conference the INC was one of the few political parties to have upheld the spirit of secularism as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Referring to the progress notched up by the party in the NCT of Delhi, he said the fact that the INC was voted back to power for an unprecedented second consecutive term was an acknowledgment of the good work of the Sheila Dikshit Ministry.

Loadshedding announced

The power supply would be affected in the ESI Hospital, DSIDC, Najafgarh, Chaawla, Rama Park, Kakrola and adjoining areas tomorrow on April 2 from 10 AM to 5 PM. According to the officials, the supply would be affected due to repair and maintenance work that would be carried out tomorrow. 

Three burglars arrested, 18 cases solved
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
With the arrest of three persons, the South district police claimed to have solved 18 cases of burglaries in various parts of the city. The arrested persons were identified as Mohammed Israr alias Rohit (22), Mohammed Basul (21) and Wasim Raza Siddiqui alias Raza (23).

According to the police, the culprits were arrested during a special drive launched to curb crime during the summer vacations.

The police received a tip-off about a gang active in the area, which committed crime during daytime in locked houses.

A police team led by Inspector Rajender Singh laid a trap and nabbed them near the Jahan Panah jungle, where they were allegedly planing to commit another burglary.

The police seized three knives from their possession. During investigation, the police also seized computers, TVs, CD players, artificial jewelry, cellular phones and other household articles.

Two held for smuggling liquor

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police arrested two persons allegedly involved in smuggling liquor from Haryana. The smuggled liquor was supplied in the slum clusters here. The arrested persons were identified as Pratap Singh (35) and Sanjay (25). Of these, Pratap is a resident of Rohtak while Sanjay is a resident of Bawana.

The police said that a team was constituted to nab them after a tip–off was received that some people were smuggling liquor to the national Capital.

The police conducted several raids in different parts of the city and arrested Pratap from the Rohini area along with 490 quarters of liquor from a Maruti car.

The police arrested another accused, identified as Sanjay, from his house in Bawana and seized 454 quarters of liquor from his possession. The police have also seized a Maruti car (DL-1CB-1115) from their possession.

Chain snatchers nabbed

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police arrested two persons who were allegedly involved in chain snatching in different parts of the city. With their arrest, the police claimed to have solved four cases of chain snatching that were committed using a motorcycle.

The arrested persons were identified as Santosh Singh alias Ganesh (24) and Shailendra Singh (24).

Santosh is a resident of Sabzi Mandi while Shailender is a resident of Jahangirpuri. The police have also arrested Gulshan Singh, a jeweller at Sabzi Mandi, Ghanta Ghar.

The police seized three gold chains, a locket and a motorcycle from their possession.

Shailender claimed to be a graduate from Satyawati College and Santosh Singh was a pickle seller. The police said that they were involved in crime to finance their luxurious lifestyle. The police said that they used to follow their victim to a lonely spot and targeted them.

BUSINESS

BSNL begins SMS on basic phone in Meerut
Our Correspondent

The CGM said that 70,000 BSNL basic phone surrendered during last one year while 80,000 new connections were installed by the department during that period.

UP beckons industrialists to set up shop
Our Correspondent

Noida, April 1
At a meeting of the western UP zonal council of the Confederation of Industries (CII) held in Noida, the Divisional Commissioner, Meerut, Mr Rajiv Kumar, and the Chief Investment Commissioner, Mr C. K. Sharma, invited industrialists to come to UP. They asked them to bring to UP their projects as the state presented an ideal milieu for industrial growth.

“Let us be proud of UP” was their constant refrain. In the past six months more than enough had been done in UP, they claimed.

A new industrial policy in the state was on the anvil and UP was flush with funds and power. Besides, law and order were as good there as in Mumbai or elsewhere.

According to Chief investment Commissioner C. K. Sharma, the perception about UP was much worse than the ground realities. With SP general secretary Amar Singh at the helm of affairs at the UP Development Council things had started moving fast on the development front.

While the Reliance Group was setting up the world’s biggest gas-based power plant in UP the Sahara group was setting up 50 new cities near most of the metros and other towns of the state. Big technology colleges, IT and management institutes were also on the anvil.

Mr R. C. Bhargava, former Maruti Udyog Chairman, said the state was rejected by Maruti Udyog as a possible location for setting up their second plant due to the bad law and order position, corruption, inadequate power and uncommitted labour unions.

One of the initial mistakes made in Indian industrial development, according to Mr Bhargava, was that private investors were not involved. The whole burden of setting up huge infrastructure industries was put on the bureaucracy which was not trained for the job. Over the years the ruling class and the bureaucracy developed a vested interest, which along with a regime of controls and corruption had inhibited industrial growth and development in the country.

“Our leaders as a whole lack political will, bureaucrats lack transparency and commitment and investors simply want to make profits without any transparency or care for the shareholders and consumers.

Our leadership, bureaucracy and even industrialists are not focussed on the requirements of global competitiveness.

We must be aware of the challenges to people, entrepreneurs and the government that globalisation has posed.

Ours is a society where controls or inspector raj still persist. We have not yet opted for trade liberalisation and worldwide competition.

For entering a new market long-term investment and long-term perspective were a must. There was vested interest in power distribution in UP. Good management in infrastructure was a must. This had already taken China much ahead of India.

P&S Bank opens its 31st extension counter
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1
Punjab & Sind Bank has opened its new extension counter at Heart & Lung Institute, Panchkuian Road, New Delhi. This is the 31st extension counter of the bank in Delhi and it has a network of 759 branches across the country besides 132 extension counters. The counter was inaugurated by V K Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank.

On the occasion, Dr G K Mani, eminent cardiologist and director of the institute was also present along with his team of specialist doctors who appreciated the bank’s decision to start extending banking services from the precincts of the institute.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chopra, CMD of the bank, said that the bank has a long history of rendering dedicated and efficient services to the public for the last nearly 96 years and opening of this new extension counter at Heart & Lung Institute, Panchkuian Road, New Delhi is another step in this direction.

The extension counter at the institute will extend the reach of the bank’s Gole Market branch to which the counter is attached for its efficient operations and is expected to go a long way in serving the patients, the doctors and the staff of the institute besides the residents of the area, who were long aspiring for a bank to start functioning from near their vicinity.

Mr Chopra informed that the bank is high on the path of technological improvement.

At present, 39 branches of the bank are fully computerised and 765 branches partially computerised. Thus, 88.39 per cent of the total business of the bank is already computerised against the CVC target of 70 per cent.

As part of its diversification strategy, Punjab and Sind Bank is one of the first few banks which has started insurance business, informed Mr Chopra. It has already received the necessary licence from IRDA in this regard and tied up with renowned M/s Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co Limited to market its wide range of general insurance products through its network of branches all over India.

Corporates morally responsible to society: Khattar
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, April 1
The Managing Director of Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), Mr Jagdish Khattar, supported the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and stressed that businesses and corporates are morally responsible to improve the quality of life of the citizens of this country. Speaking at a conference of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Haryana State Council, here on the theme “Social Development in Haryana”, he expressed the view that the state today is unable to cope with the size and complexity of the task. NGOs have resources, skills and competences but lack funds. Therefore, it is left to the Corporates to step in, he added.

The Vice-Chairman of CII Northern Region, Mr Rakesh B. Mittal, said that the concept of CSR has emerged as an increasingly important feature of the business philosophy in the recent years. No longer is business seen as basing its decisions solely on economic criteria. Business is now expected to consider the ethical, moral and social impact of their actions and decisions.

A corporate that is sensitive to its surroundings and to the needs and aspirations of the community in which it operates not only creates goodwill and a strong market for its business, but also helps support a sustainable neighbourhood, he added. The newly elected Chairman of CII Haryana Council, Mr Ashok Kapur, in his welcome address stated that CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. It is a business strategy that works. With the expansion of global economy, the corporate world is acknowledging that sustainable development is crucial for a company’s future success in the global market, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Director, ILO, Sub-Regional Office for South Asia, stressed on better working conditions and welfare programmes for labour and underlined the need for eradication of unemployment.