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HC order to clear illegal marble shops from Sultanpur New Delhi, April 17 Justice S K Kaul ordered Municipal Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Magistrates Vasant Vihar and Hauz Khaz, Delhi Conservator of Forests and District Collector (Revenue) to take action, and thereafter file affidavits. The judge also asked Deputy Municipal Commission and the two SDMs concerned to be present in court on May 26, the next date of hearing. Last month, the court had issued contempt notice to all the district officials after it was informed that despite the court orders and assurances to the contrary, illegal shops selling marble and other unauthorised constructions had sprung up on Gram Sabha (Government) land in the area. In November 2000, the court was told that 80 per cent of the illegal and unauthorised structures in the villages had been pulled down and the remaining 20 per cent would be removed within 10 days. In December same year, the encroachers moved the court and sought time till March 31, 2001 to move out and promised not to return thereafter. The time was given and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner and the SDMs were made personally responsible to implement the order. It was also proposed that 20 per cent of the rent paid should be used by the forest department for forestation of the area. However, this was also not done. |
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Beautiful Noida dream turns sour Noida, April 17 Due to failures in planning, wrong policies and priorities, political interference in day-to-day activities, lack of transparency and rampant corruption, the area has not developed in a balanced way. Take for example, the all-pervading slum clusters, a huge migrant and floating population, encroachments, including those by the government departments like telecom and state police force, a huge cattle population, erratic and haphazard traffic management and illegal parking lots invariably blocking the roads. Last but not least, heaps of waste in every street corner choked drain, converting roads and streets, into ponds during monsoons. Then there are unplanned colonies whose number and boundaries keep expanding. Noida Industrial Development Authority was set up on April 17, 1976 for industrial development, by acquiring 37 villages. The main idea was to set up an industrial belt on the eastern bank of the Yamuna and to reduce the industrial pressure from Delhi. The real filllip to the town was provided by the Sectors 21, 25, 28, 29 and 37 where armed forces had set up residential colonies for the Defence officers. Noida has many firsts in North India, viz. first film city, north India’s first treasury mint, first dry port and Export Promotion Zone (NEPZ), Software Technology Park and the north India’s first Earth Station, All these activities have brought in substantial foreign investment to the area. While hundreds of IT units have been set up in Noida, Sector-18 market has proved to be the commercial hub of the area, eclipsing many of the Capital’s prestigious markets. Despite all this, there has been a dimming of the glitter and attractiveness of Noida of late. The main cause being the wrong policies and priorities and their wrong implementation. Five sectors in the thick of Noida, considered the gateway and the pride of UP are very filthy. They appear to be a dumping ground for wastage. In most of the markets and bazaars, the traders who got their shops allotted from the Noida authority by sinking their life’s savings are ruing their fate as they have almost reached bankruptcy. The reason? A large number of shops and commercial establishments have mushroomed in houses and in garages of bungalows. As regards the Noida villages, no law is applicable to these hamlets. That is why in case of fire accidents, there is not enough space for fire tenders to enter the congested villages. Roughly 12 per cent of the total area of 20316 hectare of Noida is occupied by illegal colonies. |
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Red Fort shootout: DJ rejects plea to transfer case New Delhi, April 17 “I find no justification for transfer of the case. Therefore, the prayer of the accused is dismissed,” District Judge J P Singh said and ordered the accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and Pakistani national Ashfaq Ahmed, to appear on April 19 before the court of Special Judge O P Saini who is presently trying the matter. Rejecting the claim of the accused that they will not get justice from the court of the Special Judge on account of the alleged proximity of Investigating Officer Surinder K Sand to the Judge, the District Judge said, “Every judicial officer is under oath and legal obligation to impart justice and decide the matter on the basis of material available on record.” Mr Saini was conducting the case on a day-to-day basis and must have seen the demeanour of the witnesses. Therefore, he was the best person to adjudicate upon the matter having voluminous record containing seven files, the District Judge said. “In my view, if the matter is transferred from one court to another, it will cause unnecessary delay and the direction of the High Court to expedite the trial will stand violated,” the District Judge said. On December 22, 2000 at 2105 hours, six LeT terrorists had stormed the historical Red Fort here and killed three Army personnel. Alleging that Public Prosecutor Baksheesh Singh was making unnecessary interference during the cross-examination of witnesses, the defence said once the accused had lost faith in the court, it was better that the case be transferred to some other court and that the matter be sent to the High Court for appropriate orders. The Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed the transfer of the case and submitted that the accused were deliberately delaying the proceedings by creating a scene in the court. Earlier also, two out of the 11 accused had misbehaved in the court and shouted that they were not getting justice from the trial court, the District Judge said. “In that scenario, the case file was sent to my predecessor who on April 20, 2002 had sent back the file to the same court which was hearing the case at that point of time, observing that it was not the wish of the accused which would prevail,” the District Judge added. The District Judge noted that the examination of 215 witnesses was completed in the case and only about 15-20 witnesses are remaining to be examined. The chargesheet in the case was filed on June 13, 2001 and the charges were framed against the accused on December 4, 2002. On April 12, 2004, Special Judge O P Saini had even granted permission to main accused Ashfaq to make phone calls to Pakistan after Ashfaq apologised for misbehaving in the court on April 7 this year. The same day, Ashfaq had created a ruckus in the court during a hearing in the case. Ashfaq, who moved an application today before the court, challenging an earlier order to keep him under fetters and handcuffs, misbehaved with Special Public Prosecutor Baksheesh Singh and refused to leave the courtroom even when ordered by the Judge. |
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Up in arms Sonepat, April 17 Mr Krishan Goel, president of the Ganaur municipal committee and the ‘arhtiyas’ also joined the protest. The ‘arhtiyas’ lifted the gherao when Mr Sharma assured them that the department would ensure immediate lifting of the procured wheat. According to a report, the HAFED had purchased 27,000 bags of wheat from the markets but these had not been lifted so far. Most of the procured wheat had been filled in the gunny bags but these were still to be closed with thread. Many traders complain that they have brought the fact to the notice of the authorities concerned but they were threatened with dire consequences if they raise
any voice against them. The farmers who are taking their produce to the market for sale are perturbed on account of shortage of space for unloading their produce in the markets.
Power cut order puts industry in a tizzy Noida: To placate the villagers during the election season, the state government has ordered the supply of power to rural areas for 24 hours. That meant power cut for industries and other urban sectors by 12 hours every day. This has upset the whole industrial and commercial sectors in the state. It is the first time in ‘Noida’s no power cut zone’ that 12-hour power cut has been imposed through an order of the state government. The Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA) gave an ultimatum to the Noida Authority and the UP Power Corporation officials to restore regular supply to Noida, else they will resort to agitation. The state government’s order to supply power to rural areas for 24 hours is clearly a vote-catching directive.
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Man held for selling liquor on the sly New Delhi, April 17 The haul includes as many as 923 bottles of expensive foreign brands of liqour and beer. The police seized the bottles during an intensified patrolling in view of the forthcoming general elections. During interrogation, Arora revealed that he used to procure the bottles from the embassies in Delhi and sell them to his select high-profile clientele in the city. His driver Sri Ram (30) was also arrested. Arora had only recently switched to this business. Earlier, he used to deal in foreign goods. |
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Poll promises Jhajjar, April 17 Addressing a nukkad sabha in Baharana village of the district, Mr Kadian said that the region is being given step-motherly treatment by various political leaders belonging to other parts of the state in terms of distribution of water, government jobs etc. The lack of committed political leadership to the people here is mainly responsible for neglect of the region, he added. Mr Kadian asked the people to give overwhelming support to Mr Hooda who could fill the vacuum of the leadership crisis and only then this biasness in welfare of people could be removed. The DCC chief said that Mr Hooda would fill the nomination forms on April 21, and invited the people to attend the procession during the filing of nomination in Rohtak. He will be holding 10 nukkad sabhas in the Beri constituency every day, Mr Hooda said.
Industrial development linking town with
rail line: BJP The BJP candidate from Rohtak, Capt Abhimanyu, expressed concern over the underdevelopment of the region and promised the people all-round development of the constituency if elected to Parliament. He said that despite being a district headquarters, the township of Jhajjar lacks almost all the city-like facilities. Giving details of his main poll plank in the Lok Sabha election, the BJP candidate said that he would strive for establishing a bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court at Rohtak for speedy deliverance of justice to the people of the region. He said that the Rohtak-Jhajjar townships should be developed in tune with Gurgaon by taking advantage of its proximity to the National Capital. Figuring his priorities for the constituency if elected, Mr Abhimanyu said that imbalance in the regional development is the reason of the region lagging behind in civic infrastructure. He stressed on the industrial development and linking the town with rail line so that new job avenues could be created for the unemployed youths. |
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BJP blames Sheila for Capital’s water woes New Delhi, April 17 In her public meetings, Ms Arya said that the INC government of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had failed to provide potable water to a large number of people and address the peoples concerns regarding the irregular supply of electricity. In her door-to-door canvassing today, Ms Arya interacted with the voters in Nabi Karim, Nimwala Chowk and Gali Hanuman Mandir. Ms Arya would campaign in Kishanganj and Rajinder Nagar tomorrow. Meanwhile, the BJP candidate from the South Delhi parliamentary constituency, Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, today interacted with the resident welfare association (RWA) in Sarvodaya Enclave. He later inaugurated his election office in Hauz Khas. Mr Malhotra addressed public meetings in Rajouri Garden, Janakpuri and Hari Nagar. He campaigned in the Janakpuri area. He ridiculed his rival, Mr R.K.Anand of the INC, for raising issues like shortage of potable water and choked drains. Mr Malhotra said that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was the chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and she was responsible for the acute water shortage. Similarly, the choked drains told a story of the inefficiency of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), where again the INC was in a majority, he said. |
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Illegal constructions dot Sonepat’s landscape Sonepat, April 17 The menace, which has been quietly spreading its tentacles, comes into focus as and when the authorities concerned suddenly decide to remove illegal and unauthorised constructions raised under their nose. Such constructions are given power and water connections only to be removed later on. If the money involved in real estate is any indication the sums are mind-boggling. According to an estimate, there are more than 5,000 illegal constructions in different parts of the city, both small and big, and public land is being encroached upon daily. Take the case of big houses built on the embankments of Drain No 6, passing through the heart of the city, in contravention of the laid rules. These are the outcome of a flourishing nexus between the officials of the Irrigation Department and the land grabbers as well as the district and police administration, the local politicians and above all moneyed builders. In another case, the shopkeepers have encroached upon land meant for a park near the ESI dispensary and the button factory and built a concrete platform for keeping their goods for sale and parking the vehicles. The municipal authorities have so far failed to take any action against the land grabbers in this area. The district authorities are now turning their attention to such buildings in other parts of the city although the manner in which targets are selected by them has raised doubts in the public mind. The feeling among the people is that the targets are selected by the authorities to force the owners of the particular building to fall in line and accept the wishes of the powers that be. Stoutly denying that there was any foul play in selecting the illegal constructions for demolition, an official said only those buildings were selected which were free from judicial complications as most of them had already filed suits to protect their illegal constructions. Citing an instance, an official said that the owners of such buildings had gone to the court of law once the notices were issued to them for the removal or demolition of their illegal constructions. Most of them even avoided replying to notices. As and when the courts dismissed their pleas, the authorities planned demolitions. He, however, admitted that whenever a demolition was taken up it was a common grouse that others had been left untouched. In come cases, the civic staff had been beaten up. Sometimes, non-availability of the police force for protection was a strong reason for the delay in demolitions and selection of only a few targets, he added. According to this official, no priority list had been drawn for demolitions. But certainly the field staff had been advised to concentrate on big buildings rather than wasting time on small cases. Why are such big buildings allowed to be built that later necessitate demolitions. Is it due to the negligence of the civic staff or its connivance? Sources in the municipal council and other official agencies admit connivance of their staff in allowing unauthorised constructions. The amount of money involved in the deals is certainly an allurement. But then nobody talks about the people who are ready to pay large amounts for undertaking illegal constructions. If people talk of a nexus they are part of it. Why do they opt for encroachments and illegal constructions and then offer huge amounts as bribe for regularisation. What the authorities do in the name of checking unauthorised constructions is just a drop in the ocean that hardly has any impact on the overall scene. The steps taken were just to set an example and were aimed at creating awareness among the people, he said. At the same time, he admitted that these steps had not affected the encroachments scene in any manner. |
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Search within The
very nature of sin is to give itself away. It is the nature of sin to expose the sinner. Vikas, an MBBS student of Nagpur, and Rakesh, a Dhanbad trader’s son, had perhaps not foreseen the consequences of their misdeed, when they yielded to the temptation of earning a fast buck by selling question papers of All India Medical Entrance Test at prices ranging between Rs 7 and Rs 10 lakh. Nearly 25,00,000 candidates appearing for the test had to go through a nightmarish experience owing to the uncertainty and postponement of the examinations, which also caused losses to the government apart from leading to a loss of faith in the system. It is a few from the middle class, out to make a fast buck, who cause havoc with the society, which again is not very sensitive about corruption. They rather easily fall prey to the few corrupt ones and enrich the few (the corrupt) with contempt for the rule of law. Consider the case of Vikas, a medical student, involved in the scandal, by no stretch of imagination we can conclude that necessity had forced him to take to the illegal route. The other day The Hindu reported arrest of a 39-year old woman, a Ph D in psychology, for cheating businessmen of lakhs of rupees by issuing bogus cheques. She was accustomed to a lavish lifestyle. Even her marriage had ended up in divorce as her husband failed to satisfy all her whims. The fake visa, fake loan and fake currency rackets, figuring in the papers recently, are also centered around members of the middle class seeking short cuts to their goal. The sliding middle class morality is attributed to several causes. Though religion has a hold on people and religiosity is increasing, the sense of righteousness that ought to accompany the fear of God is sadly lacking. As Pavan K Varma observes in his new book, “Indians do not consider corruption as bad so long as the goal is met.’’ Should not religion make an impact on the way people live? Should not the religious distinguish between the right and wrong? If the ‘‘righteousness’’ practiced by a believer is no way different from that of others making compromises all the way, then it is clear that such religiosity is devoid of morals and is of little use. Mahatma Gandhi used to emphasise that the means should be as honorable as the ends. And religion which does not cause people to think that they are accountable to a higher authority cannot be expected to bring good results but will perpetuate a kind of hypocrisy. A recent news item in a Western newspaper makes an interesting reading: ‘‘A boy, after watching the film, The Passion Of Christ, went to a police station and confessed to the crime of murdering his pregnant girlfriend who was a star ice skater. Her death was presumed to be a suicide as she was found hanged in her apartment. He said the movie convicted him so badly that he felt he could not ever be right with God if he did not confess his crime and pay the penalty for what he had done. So he turned himself in to the authorities.’’ A case of true confession and repentance motivated by faith. An adulterer may hide his sin until judgment day. A thief may cover up his crimes and not get caught in this life. Wicked hearts, evil thoughts, may remain unexposed before men. Hypocrisy might remain hidden for years under a pretense of piety. But the sin of half-heartedness will always find you out – here and now! So long as we are in the flesh, we have a battle with the desires of the mind, “with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.’’ And when one seeks to fulfill sinful demands of the flesh, he is bound to reap the consequences. Yet, if that person confesses to God with tears of repentance and atones wherever possible, he will receive mercy. As we go through life we are bound to stumble and fall; what is important is that we should get up and be on our feet every time we stumble. That is the route to repentance and reconciliation. ‘‘ He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.’’ (Proverbs 28: 13) Now, Vikas must have ruined his future and brought untold sorrow to his parents. He may not be the last boy to bring shame to his parents or cause a havoc in society by unethical behavior. What can prevent youngsters from falling into sinful ways? They need to have the right concept about God. That He is One who watches over our very thoughts, motives and actions. No one can hide anything from Him. A holy God will not be indulgent towards sin; while He loves the sinner, He hates sin. Of Him, it is said: “…His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step. There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evil doers can hide.’’(Job 34:21,22) God is no respecter of persons. He has no favorites. Sin is Sin, no matter who commits it. If we deliberately disobey God’s word, we have sinned. It is not a “shortcoming” or a “fault” or a “character flaw”: it is SIN! We cannot trifle with the word of God, go our own ways and still have His approval upon our life. Any who might think they can, are badly deceived. M P K Kutty |
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Polling stations relocated in Faridabad, Mewla Faridabad, April 17 According to a release issued here last evening, the changes have been made in the three polling booths of Faridabad (51) and four booths of the Mewla Maharajpur segment. (52) In the Faridabad segment, the polling station number 154 located at Dayanand Public School, Sanjay Colony, has been shifted to Vidya Niketan Private School, near 22 East India Colony. Booths number 155 and 156, also located in the Dayanand Public School, have been shifted to Vidya Niketan Private School. In the Mewla Maharajpur constituency, booth number 39 and 40, earlier located at Saurabh Bal Niketan, SGM Nagar, Block- E, Bhadkhal, have been shifted to Deep High School in the same block. Booths number 157 and 158, which were located at the Modern Vidya Niketan, Housing Board Colony, have been shifted to Modern Vidya Mandir School (Dalalwala) in the same locality and Community Centre of sector-29 respectively. Meanwhile, the district election officials have issued warnings regarding the violation of the Defacement of the Property Act, 1989. The authorities have announced that any person found defacing public or private properties would be punished with six months of imprisonment or a fine of Rs 1,000 or both. It is stated that defacement of property without the consent of the owner or the authorities would be treated as an offence.
Nomination papers filed Subhash Baghel of the Labour party has filed his nomination papers for the Faridabad Lok Sabha seat here. He submitted his papers in the office of the District Returning Officer in sector- 21–C here today. The nomination date ends on April 23. The scrutiny of papers will be done on April 24. The last date for the withdrawal of names is April 26. The election symbols will be allotted on April 26. The candidates have been asked to submit affidavits regarding their assets and the presence of any criminal cases against them. |
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Mobile phone bills plague poor villager Sonepat, April 17 Though he has lodged complaints with the Reliance authorities, the police and the village panchayat there is no relief for him and he continues to receive what he calls “fake bills”. According to Nathu Ram, the problem started a few months back when he received the bills from Reliance for the mobile phone number 3102747. As soon as he received the bill he informed the local Reliance authorities that he had never applied for a mobile phone and submitted an affidavit in this regard. The authorities assured him of taking necessary action. However, despite his written complaint the authorities did not disconnect the phone and continued to issue the bills. Fearing legal action against him, Nathu Ram also brought it to the notice of the village panchayat. His problems were further compounded when he received a bill of Rs 12,680 for another mobile number 3132264 a few days back. He again brought it to the notice of Reliance authorities but without any results. He has finally appealed to the district administration to rid him of this problem for which he is not to be held responsible. The employees of the local municipal council informed NCR Tribune that when he was not even in a position to afford a landline phone how could he venture to take a mobile phone connection. A number of such cases have started surfacing and in most of the cases the ration cards have reportedly been used for taking these connections. This practice has not only disturbed the mental peace of the victims of those who never took any connection but it is likely to cause revenue losses to Reliance as well. |
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Sonepat reeling from unscheduled power cuts Sonepat, April 17 According to a report, the areas falling under the jurisdiction of essential feeder remained powerless for hours last night because of local faults. Residents alleged that the authorities of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) were hardly bothered about their problems. Officials of the Public Health Department stated that the water supply was being adversely affected due to the unscheduled loadsheddings and low voltage. Residents alleged that the various civic agencies have tended to pass the buck instead of solving the problem. The officials of the UHBVN claimed that the power supply was regular for the main waterworks at Murthal and the boosting stations in this city. Special steps have been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the main waterworks, claimed officials of the UHBVN. Meanwhile, there has been an acute shortage of staff at the collection centres set up by the UHBVN. |
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Motorcycle stolen Sonepat, April 17 According to a report, a youth, Nitin Kumar of Sector 14, found his motorcycle missing after he had parked it outside a shop on the railway road. Later, he lodged an FIR with the Civil Lines police station. According to another report, an Atlas bicycle was allegedly stolen from the Town Park in HUDA Sector 14. The police have yet to register the case in this connection. The increasing incidence of vehicle thefts in this city has caused panic among the residents of the city.
Student missing A class III student, identified as Sajjan, was reportedly missing from his house in Ward No 1 at Ganaur town in this district since April 11. According to a report, the parents of the child have informed the police about the incident. |
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Woman crushed to death
on GT Road Sonepat, April 17 According to a report, the police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving and causing death against the car driver. The body has been sent for the postmortem examination.
Declaration of assets A candidate of the Jan Chetna Party for the Lok Sabha elections from Sonepat, Mr Sube Singh, filed his nomination papers before the Returning Officer, Mr M. R. Anand, here yesterday. According to a report, he has shown a total asset of Rs 35 lakh, including agricultural land worth Rs 30 lakh, Rs 1.46 lakh in cash, bank deposit of Rs 28,280, a plot worth Rs 50,000 at Rohna village, a house worth Rs 2 lakh and ornaments worth Rs 10,000. He has also shown that ornaments worth Rs 8,000 in the name of his wife. |
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Loadshedding announced New Delhi, April 17 |
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Child prisoner attacked by undertrial Sonepat, April 17 According to a report, the injured prisoner was immediately rushed to the local civil hospital for treatment. He was discharged after being administered first-aid treatment. Even though the police have not yet registered the case investigations were in progress. This is the second such incident, which had taken place within a week. Three child prisoners were injured in the clash that took place between two groups of prisoners. The injured prisoner belonged to Dubhalden village. According to another report, a farmer, Om Parkash, was shot at and wounded by three persons at Kheri Manajat village, about 10 km from here last evening. The injured person was rushed to the local civil hospital from where he was shifted to the PGIIMS at Rohtak for further treatment. The police have registered the case against the alleged assailants and further investigations were in progress. However, the alleged assailants were still at large. A dispute over the land is stated to be the main cause of the incident. |
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