Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit being presented with a kirpan by the Sikh Welfare Society. Congress leader Paramjeet Singh Pamma is also seen in the picture.

Cong demands probe into job theft charge against BJP man
New Delhi, April 13
The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee has described as shocking the news that the jobs reserved for ex-servicemen should have been usurped by a BJP politician and his family. That politician and his family are alleged to have obtained the right to transport coal from Chhattisgarh to cleaning companies which work in the reserved category meant for ex-servicemen and their dependants.

Hot days & sweaty nights sans power, a routine here
Sonepat, April 13
Despite the claims of the Indian National Lok Dal government headed by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala about round-the-clock power supply in all sectors and there being a surplus in power generation the precarious power supply situation in the urban and rural areas in Sonepat region of Haryana has hit the people hard.

COMMUNITY

Water crisis disrupts normal life
Sonepat, April 13
Water crisis continues unabated in Sonepat city, particularly in the old city section. According to a report, the disruption in water supply without any prior notice by the Public Health Department has forced the residents to purchase waster at the rate of Rs two per bucket to meet their daily requirements.

A catwalker sporting an outfit of Adarsh Gill during the launch of Spring Summer Collection 2004 at a fashion show in the Capital. — Photo by Kamal Singh

Fire Service Week aims to spread awareness about safety norms
New Delhi, April 13
Emphasising the need to spread awareness about fire safety norms among the people, especially among those living in the slums and congested area, the chief of the Delhi Fire Service, Mr R. C. Sharma, said that the department has made adequate arrangements for the summer season.

Farmers plagued by frequent fires in wheat fields
Sonepat, April 13
Like previous years, incidents of fire in wheat fields, mostly due to a short circuit, continue to haunt farmers during the current harvesting season. Nearly a dozen incidents of fire have been reported from different parts of the district during the past 48 hours, causing an estimated loss of nearly Rs 20 lakh.

With glut in mandis, farmers being denied MSP
Sonepat, April 13
While there is a glut in the mandis and the wheat purchasing centres that are choked with heavy arrival of the crop in this district and elsewhere in the state, a nexus of traders and buyers has reportedly been active in cornering a huge profit through buying and selling of rabi crops in the market. The nexus, taking advantage of the glut, is denying the farmer the minimum support price of his produce, which is Rs 630 per quintal.

DELHI DIGEST
Workshop highlights cause of disadvantaged children
New Delhi, April 13
The cause of the disadvantaged children was the focus at interactive art workshops organised by Udayan Care, a Delhi-based NGO from April 8-13, in collaboration with some of the well-known schools of the Capital. The workshops were attended by some of the leading artists in Delhi.

• Cancer detection camp held

NCR BRIEFS
Two youths kidnapped in Bahadurgarh
Jhajjar, April 13
Two youths were kidnapped by car-borne miscreants in Bahadurgarh today. According to information, Ajay, resident of Delhi village, and his friend Jagbir, resident of Johri Nagar here, were sitting in the latter’s house when an unidentified person called them outside the house.

• Lovers commit suicide

• 2 acquitted in dowry harassment case

• Free eye operation camp

Four held for robbery, pistol seized
New Delhi, April 13
With the arrest of four persons, the North-East district police claimed to have solved three cases of robbery and snatching in the New Seelampur and Maujpur areas. One country-made pistol, two knives and Rs 4,400 in cash were recovered from their possession.

Dreaded criminal shot dead in encounter
Ghaziabad, April 13
A dreaded criminal was shot dead in an encounter by the Sahibabad police. The police recovered a country-made revolver, live cartridges and a motorbike from the criminal, identified as Doonger alias Puppoo, who was wanted in 17 cases in various police stations in Noida. His other companion was able to escape in the darkness.

Five autolifters held, 35 cases solved
New Delhi, April 13
With the arrest of five autolifters, the South district police claimed to have worked out 35 cases of vehicle thefts. The police also claimed to have recovered five stolen cars and some narcotics substance from their possession.

Sonepat house robbed of gold, silver
Sonepat, April 13
Thieves reportedly broke into a house in the Garhi Ghasita Dev Nagar area here last night and escaped with Rs. 55,000 in cash, 15 tolas of gold and 1.5 kg silver ornaments worth several thousands of rupees.

Attempt to loot motorcyclist foiled
Sonepat, April 13
Three unidentified car-borne miscreants made an unsuccessful attempt to rob a motorcyclist near the main bus stand here last night. According to a report, Manish was returning to his home in Sector 14 last night when he was waylaid by the car-borne miscreants. The miscreants drove away after Manish immediately raised an alarm.

HC wants remedial measures on Cable TV Act violation
Faridabad, April 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has delivered its judgement in connection with two public interest litigation filed by a social activist based here regarding the alleged violation of the Cable TV Act by the cable operators here and the encroachment on public land by the shopkeepers in the NIT area here. The court has directed the local authorities to take appropriate action in the matter.

Lawyers protest against shifting of courts
New Delhi, April 13
The lawyers today demonstrated in front of the Delhi High Court to protest against the proposed transfer of shifting of certain courts from Tis Hazari to other newly built court complexes. They also protested against the shifting of the courts dealing with the cases of cheque dishonour to Karkardooma courts.

Members of the Delhi Bar Association protesting against the decision to shift civil cases for East Delhi to Karkardooma courts, in front of the Delhi High Court in the Capital on Tuesday. 
— Photo by Kamal Singh

Spring-summer collection for men and women
NEXTT 2000 claims to have launched, “the widest range of premium international line of shirts, trousers and suits for men and dresses for woman to catch the fancy of young, trendy and fashion conscious people in search of warmth, comfort and style.”

A model in W’s spring collection.

• Sonali show set to dazzle fashionistas

• Many facets of Indian environs

• Shopping with soap stars

• Move in style

• Striking colour with an antique touch

GHPS annex Ajit Singh Hockey Gold Cup
New Delhi, April 13
Guru Harkrishan Public School, India Gate pulled off an exciting 1-0 victory over Lyallpur Khalsa School, Jalandhar to annex the second Sahibzada Ajit Singh Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, at the Shivaji Stadium on Tuesday. 

Players of Guru Harkishan Public School (India Gate) with the 2nd Sahibzada Ajit Singh Gold Cup trophy, who beat Lyallpur Khalsa School, Jalandar by 1-0 in the final at Shivaji Stadium in the Capital on Tuesday. — Photo by Kamal Singh

Bal Bharati School sail into semi-final
New Delhi, April 13
An all-round display by Shubham Gupta (47 and 4 for 9) and a quickfire 32 by Abhisekh Raman helped Bal Bharati School, Pitampura defeat Gyan Bharati School, Saket by six wickets and entered the semi-final of the second Pankaj Jain Under-14 Inter-School Cricket Tournament at the Bal Bharati School ground, Pitampura.

• Ankit, Nitin shine

• Akhil, Ankit star in title win

• ICICI Bank enter final

Vikaspuri Coaching Centre lift U-17 cricket title
New Delhi, April 13
An all-round display by Pradeep Sangwan (32 n o and 4 for 41) and a dashing half century by Shashi Kant Talan helped Vikaspuri Coaching Centre defeat R P Academy by 10 runs to annex the inaugural R C Sharma Memorial Under-17 Cricket Tournament at the Vikaspuri ground.
The Vikaspuri Coaching Centre cricket team, who won the R C Sharma Memorial Cricket Tournament Trophy, with well-known cricket coach R C Sharma (fourth from left, standing).

Sonu Vaid shines
New Delhi, April 13
An all-round display by Sonu Vaid (3 for 32 and 52 n o) and penetrative bowling by Pramod Bhati (3 for 25) helped Rajdhani Sports defeat Sriniwaspuri Club by eight wickets and entered the quarter-final of the fifth ARBDM Cricket Tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Sonu Vaid was named the man of the match.

• Goswami cricket