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Pvt vehicles to become dearer after new taxes
Sleaze racket busted, two girls held
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Sikh Sangat pays homage to Guru’s arms
Police cell for security of senior citizens
Congress to pay
for anti-people
policies in polls: BJP
NGO on a mission to change the ‘vatavaran’ of Shahpur Jat
Two customs officials suspended in blast case
Like adults, children also struggle against stress
Youth’s body found near girls hostel
Manufacturers’ plea to notify industrial areas
Dozen criminals get
arms licences
Science exhibition inaugurated
Masti wows Mall shoppers
Mayor to solve rly colonies’ problems
UP to initiate poultry farming in rural areas
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Pvt vehicles to become dearer after new taxes
New Delhi, October 4 According to the Cabinet decision, two per cent tax would be imposed on the value of petrol-driven vehicles costing up to Rs four lakh. The quantum of tax on petrol-driven vehicles costing more than Rs four lakh will be four per cent. The Cabinet also decided that an additional two per cent tax will be imposed on diesel vehicles. The diesel vehicles costing up to Rs four lakh would have to pay four per cent tax while those priced above Rs four lakh would have to pay six per cent tax. The sources said that the Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here this morning, decided to bring an Ordinance imposing two per cent to six per cent vehicular tax on private vehicles in the Capital. Briefing media persons on the decisions taken by The quantum of tax, which was earlier charged on the basis of weight of vehicles, was planned in July but kept in abeyance following protests from some sections of businessmen. Now the government has decided to rationalise it by making it cost dependent. The government clarified that the proposal to levy the tax pertained only to private vehicles and not commercial ones. It was further clarified that the armed forces and those government servants who have transferable jobs would be exempted from paying the tax. The sources said that the Ordinance has been sent to Lieutenant Governor B. L. Joshi for his approval, after which the decision would come into effect. Incidentally, Delhi has the largest number of vehicles than all the other three metros put together.
MCD nod for erecting gates on roads in colonies
New Delhi, October 4 The conditions include that the fencing or gates should be properly located and designed and do not lead to disputes among residents. The gates should also not cause unreasonable restrictions on right of way, thoroughfare, passing through the colony for access to other areas. Such gates should contain proper written directions enabling a person or vehicle to approach the colony easily particularly for essential services like water, electricity, telephone, sewer, fire brigade etc, the MCD spokesman said. Besides, a proper lay out of the colony indicating the existence of gates and the regulation of time of entrance or exit from these gates should be given to
the local fire brigade
station, police station,
traffic inspector and the MCD office. The resident welfare association is advised to approach the Deputy Commissioner of zone concerned for permission to erect gates and for regularisation of existing gates. The application for permission or regularisation should be accompanied with a lay out plan of the colony and “no objection certificate” from committee constitute by the police and fire departments for granting permission. The Deputy Commissioner concerned will place the case before the ward committee and after its approval, the gate will be erected. It is mandatory for all Residents Welfare Association or societies to take permission before erecting of any gate on road or street and get regularise the existing gate failing which such gates will be treated as unauthorised and action under section 320 of the DMC Act will be taken, he said.
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Sleaze racket busted, two girls held
New Delhi, October 4 The two girls arrested are residents of Rohini and Mangolpuri area. The police arrested the accused near M2K Cinema in Rohini Sector 2. The police unearthed the racket after a decoy customer managed to strike a deal.
Bitta bomb attack accused
The Delhi Police took into custody one of the accused in the bomb attack on M. S. Bitta near the Youth Congress office on the Raisina Road in 1993. The accused, identified as Harnek Singh, was in police custody in Ludhiana, and was brought to Delhi today. During interrogation, he disclosed that he brought the RDX used in the blast from one Baldev Singh in Ludhiana. Later, the Punjab Police arrested Baldev for possessing illegal arms and ammunition. The police had earlier arrested two other accused, identified as Davendra Pal Singh Bhullar and Daya Singh Lahoria. While the court had acquitted Daya Singh Lahoria, Bhullar had been sentenced to death, said the police.
Three criminals arrested
The Delhi Police have arrested three criminals in two different incidents last night. In first case, the police arrested one Dinesh, alias Billoo, from Majnu Ka Tila area, who was reportedly involved in 11 criminal cases. In another incident, the police arrested one Akhtar Parvez, a resident of Bara Hindu Rao, who was reportedly involved in eight criminal cases. The police also arrested Harish, a resident of Sarai Rohilla from New Rohtak Road. He was involved in four criminal cases, the police said.
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Sikh Sangat pays homage to Guru’s arms
Meerut, October 4 The memories of Bhagain battle became fresh after seeing the historical arms of Shri Guru Gobind Singh. Besides, International Religious Exhibition Saharanpur also displayed models of gurdwaras and temples and other places of historical importance in India
and abroad. On the occasion of 400th Prakash Utsav lighting day, Guru’s historical arms were brought from Poanta Sahib and displayed in an exhibition here. Before that, the holy arms were kept in a glass box on a decorated mini truck, and took out a Nagar Kirtan, throughout Begam Bridge,
Satiganj, Khuin Pul, Thapar Nagar and various other parts of the city. Thousands of people, including Sikh Sangat paid homage to the holy arms, amidst shouting
slogans. These arms include Khandra of 10 Paatsahi, Kripan,
Sava Chanda. Talking to ‘The Tribune’, the Manager of Shri Ponta Sahib Gurdwara, Shri K. S. Chaudhry, said that King Fateh Chand of Pauri defeated King Medhani Prakash of Nahan several times. Guru Gobind Singh ji had fought a battle with Fateh Chand on
16 Baisakh, Samvat 1746 and defeated him. The guns, talvar, safajam, bhala
barchi, and kara, used in that
battle, were demonstrated on
the occasion. The Sikh Sangat also had a holy darshan of various religious places, which were displayed there in the shape of models. These included Meeca
Madina, Buddha temple in China, Nankkana Sahib, Pakistan and modes of various gurdwaras in Iraq, Japan, Australia, Iran and other countries. Man Mohan Singh Sahota of Sikh Sangat said that it was a great experience of having a darshan of holy arms of the Guru. He also added that the arms were brought several years ago from England.
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Police cell for security of senior citizens
New Delhi, October 4 The Senior Citizen Security Cell consists of one Inspector, two Sub-Inspectors and two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and operates from the Police Headquarter. Two female police personnel-one Sub-Inspector and one Assistant Sub-Inspector-are also part of the Cell. A senior police official said senior citizens were vulnerable in the national Capital and the formation of this Cell would go a long way in assuring them of their safety. As many as 4, 500 senior citizens have registered themselves with the Delhi Police and a large number of them live in South Delhi, he added. The members of the SCSC interact with at least 20 senior citizens everyday in different areas of the Capital, and try to understand their problems, particularly those related to their security. They also look into the verification of their domestic help and inform the local police about their vulnerability, who keep in touch with them. In their constant interaction with the senior citizens, the members of the SCSC seek their advice regarding the security arrangements in the area. The Cell has a special telephone number on which the senior citizens can register their complaints, the officer said.
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Congress to pay
for anti-people
policies in polls: BJP
New Delhi, October 4 The President of the Delhi unit of the BJP, Dr Harshvardhan, who addressed a joint press conference with his party’s candidates for the October 13 Assembly byelection to Rajouri Garden and Baljit Nagar constituencies, said that those issues would cost the Congress in the coming polls. “We are getting good response from the people, who had only less than a year ago showed their preference for the Congress,” said Mr Ramesh Khanna and Mr Raj Mehra, candidates for Rajouri Garden and Baljit Nagar seats, respectively. Mr Khanna said his area was facing great water and power crisis. Even the little quantity of water supplied was contaminated and had foul smell. The area has no proper sewerage and roads once dug up for laying pipelines are never patched up, he alleged. Baljit Nagar candidate Raj Mehra said the extent of under-development in his constituency could be gauged from the fact that it has no higher secondary school, no park and no post office. Meanwhile, Dr Harshvardhan alleged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not granting his party an appointment it had sought with him in connection with alleged corrupt practices in privatisation of electricity distribution in the Capital. “We had asked for an appointment with the Prime Minister as we wanted to place before him the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report indicting the Sheila Dikshit
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NGO on a mission to change the
New Delhi, October 4 This path breaking initiative was kick-started with a comprehensive cleanliness drive in Shahpur Jat village today by a dedicated team of Vatavaran’s volunteers in the presence of Mr Meer Singh, Chairman, MCD (South Zone), Mr P.K. Beniwal, Senior Superintendent, MCD (South Zone), Dr Iqbal Malik, Director, Vatavaran and Dr Anjali Kawatra, a key official of Vatavaran. Urban villages are traditional rural settlements, which have been changed and merged with urban areas due to interaction of different forces of urbanization, industrialization and migration. There are 160 such urban villages, which have been incorporated over time into the urban limits of the present city of Delhi. Today, the prevailing scenario in these settlements is deplorable and there is a dire need to improve it. Among the principle factors, which have resulted in the deterioration, the most potent has been the policy of urbanization as well as the lack of specific development policies for these settlements. Shahpur Jat is one of such urban villages that is in the Lal Dora area and is plagued by haphazard and unplanned growth near the Asiad Village. Its total population, according to the 2001 census, is more than 20,000 and is increasing at a rapid rate due to the continuous migration. The Vatavaran’s study revealed that the deplorable conditions have in fact had an adverse impact on the psyche of the natives to such an extent that some of them even disown the fact that they belong to Shahpur Jat village. Instead, young residents prefer to mention their address as the neighbouring Panchsheel Enclave or the Asiad Village rather than Shahpur Jat village. Some of the younger generations have moved their residence out of the village leaving their old parents behind or renting out their entire premises to commercial establishments. “Clearly these traditional settlements have lost their ruralness and at the same time, have not been integrated with the urban Delhi in a desirable manner. Some of them have literally become slum pockets.” According to Dr Iqbal Malik, Director, Vatavaran, “the solution lies in adopting a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving the total environment of these villages. The emphasis has to be on the broad concept of re-habilitation and re-vitalisation aimed a upgrading entire areas”. Elaborating further, Dr Anjali Kawatra, a key official of the Vatavaran, who has conceptualized a ten-year plan for Shahpur Jat village, said, “it must be realised that the active support and participation of existing residents is essential for the long-term success of any such programme, from the planning to the implementation stage.” This ten-year plan will address environmental issues of the area, such as piling of garbage at garbage dumps, lack of open spaces and green areas, reduced light and ventilation on the streets as well as the houses and water harvesting; physical problems like encroachment, restricted vehicular movement, inaccessibility of fire tenders and ambulances; neglect and misuse of unprotected monuments; infrastructural problems like mismanagement of water supply and poor sanitation, water logging, lack of electricity, absence of vocational training institutes and social problems like unemployment and gender abuse. Dr Kawatra felt that such a scheme will make Shahpur Jat a clean and green area, giving back its natives a sense of local pride; moreover it does not require any external funding and the funds generated by the re-cycling of the garbage will be used for the welfare programmes for the residents. “Our success in Shahpur Jat will motivate the rest of the urban villages in India to adopt this model for remedying the faults of the unplanned development of such settlements,” she said. The Vatavaran initiative was hailed by the MCD executives present on the occasion, who promised support and cooperation for this project.
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Two customs officials suspended in blast case
Ghaziabad, October 4 It was also confirmed that the scrap trucks had been manually custom-cleared at inland container depot Tughlakabad before being allowed to proceed to Bhushan Steel Factory. The Army authorities have quarantined the whole area. The local police and the media personnel are also being kept at bay from Kanha Upvan. About another 100 rockets projectiles and explosives in some eight more trucks which are yet to be cleared continue to pose a challenge to the Army Bomb Disposal experts at the Bhushan Steel Factory on Link Road, Sahibabad. As the whole area has been handed over to the Army, civilians are not allowed in the vicinity. Even the local police are not privy to the proceedings now. To cap it, the police inquiry officer in-charge of the case does not have information about the nature, potency, range, etc. of the explosives found and detonated by the Army personnel. The Army has meanwhile placed the missiles and rockets in 10-ft-deep trenches. Some eight trucks with scrap are still parked in Kanha Upvan. Yesterday, scraps of only two trucks could be examined. As the matter has now engaged the attention of the Central government departments and agencies, D.M. Santosh Yadav said the Army was doing the work in its own way. The intelligence wing of the Central Excise and Customs has also initiated a departmental inquiry into the clearance given at Kandla Port to the explosives and scraps for the factory. The department is trying to establish if a proper scrutiny of the cargo was conducted at Kandla Port before it was allowed to be transported to Tughlakabad container department. All the Central government intelligence agencies like the CBI, customs intelligence wing, IB, etc. are learnt to have become alert after the incident. Senior officers of Central customs and excise department are learnt to have taken along documents vide which the Kandla Port custom authorities had cleared the consignment.
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Like adults, children also struggle against stress
New Delhi, October 4 According to statistics, four to five per cent of children worldwide suffer from learning disorders. However, anxiety cannot be ruled out even though it is prevalent to a lesser degree “Children with separation anxiety have difficulty going to sleep, have unrealistic fears of animals, ghosts, being alone in the dark. Persistent fears, if not attended, can lead to long-term serious developments and most of the children can be helped through counselling,” claims Dr Samir Parikh, psychiatrist. He adds such children often make excuses to go to school and the symptoms (read excuses) often subside once they are allowed to skip school. “Going to school is not an enjoyable exercise for all kids… refusal to go to school often begins after vacation or holidays or a brief illness or even a change in school, or house,” says Dr Parikh. Communication, say experts, helps parents in assessing the state of the mind of their children. “Depression and even anxiety in children does not manifest like it does in adults. You will not see them looking sad… there can be an increase or decrease in appetite. They may cut down on interaction with peers or they may spend more time watching TV,” says Dr Swati
Bhave, visiting consultant, Apollo. She adds, “It is difficult for the parents to understand that their children can be stressed, which can manifest itself as somatic symptoms (aches and pains) that are basically psychosomatic.” Stress, anxiety and even depression in some cases can lead to suicide if left untreated, says
Bhave. “A sensitive child might not want to go to school if he feels he has been humiliated by the teacher while scolding or punishing him in the presence of the whole class. Forcing him to go to school will lead to anxiety, and if left unattended, can have serious implications,” she says. “For children with learning disabilities, emotional support, special educators, even provisions by the CBSE and psychiatric help are needed for effective management,” adds Dr Parikh. Effective communication helps parents gauge the state of mind of the children. “Parents often complain that their adolescents do not speak with them, the reason in most cases is that they often fail to connect with these children during the early years and expect them to talk when they turn older. Adolescents become secretive and do not like to share much, therefore parents must inculcate a habit of spending quality time together from the very beginning,” says
Bhave. She adds, “It should be a routine to ask the child how the day at school was, eat together at least once a day to learn more about what the child is experiencing and how he feels…but listen without being judgmental.” Mood swings, lasting for longer duration or change in habits, irritability are the signs to watch out for, claim experts.
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Youth’s body found near girls hostel
Noida, October 4 The police could not get any clues. But it appeared the youth had been strangled. He appears to be about 30-35 years old. The ground from where the body was found, is normally used for waste dumping, CO Sewak Ram Yadav said. A murder case has been registered against the unidentified killers in Sector-58 police station and the police are trying to identify the body.
Widow appeals to PM for justice
Noida, October 4 Mrs Pravesh Sharma had been going around police stations and other offices for the last four months. She complained that her husband Ashok Kumar Sharma, a Delhi Municipal Corporation employee, did not reach home Some people said he had been seen near the railway crossing after alighting from a train from Delhi. His brother and son went, but could not trace him there. Next morning, a body was found in a drain near the railway station. Some people told the family that there was a scuffle near the drain and muddy footprints of some assailants were also found near that spot. The family had repeatedly informed the Kakode police about this, but they did not conduct any investigation. The woman had complained to the SSP also, but no action was taken. As a last resort, Mrs Pravesh Sharma has sent an SOS to Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and the Prime Minister seeking appropriate action.
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Manufacturers’ plea to notify industrial areas
New Delhi, October 4 Addressing a press conference today, the association’s office-bearers said that disconnection of electricity and water supply to the industries located in areas with 70 per cent or more concentration of industries should be stopped.
Scindia boys to meet for old times’ sake
New Delhi, October 4 The association in collaboration with OLINA will present a two-act monologue play ‘Massage’ by actor Rakesh Bedi on the occasion. The play written by celebrated writer Vijay Tendulkar is a well-acclaimed comedy.—TNS
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Dozen criminals get
arms licences
Noida, October 4 SP City A. K. Jain is understood to have warned the SOs of the police stations that action could be taken against them for recommending the licences to criminals. The Sector-58 police station Noida leads in recommending licences to seven persons with criminal background. On the DM’s orders, a campaign for the scrutiny of such licences has
been launched. All the licences issued to the criminals are being viewed
very seriously. After scrutiny,
it has been confirmed
that a dozen criminals
had managed to procure the licences. SP Anil Kumar Jain said if it is found that the arms licences have been issued to the persons of criminal record or background, the SO of the police station concerned will also have to face the music. So far, seven arms licences under Sector-58, three in Sector-24, and one each in Sector-20 and 49 police stations, had reportedly been issued. The SP has sternly told all the staff officers to identify people of criminal record who have walked away with the licences.
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Science exhibition inaugurated
New Delhi, October 4 CBSE in collaboration with Intel India organised the event to promote and generate students’ interest in science and to foster the spirit of joy and innovation. In the final round, 110 schools have been selected to participate in the two-day exhibition. Some of the exhibits on display are based on the themes of energy, transport and communication. Twenty exhibits from the event will participate at the National Jawaharlal Nehru Science Exhibition, organised by the NCERT in November.
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Masti wows Mall shoppers
Gurgaon, October 4 His posters and banners had been placed in and around the mall, mentioning the visit. As part of his visit, Ashok Masti also dined with two lucky winners who won the quiz contest, conducted by the Sahara Mall management during the week. As the shoppers swayed to the peppy tracks belted out by the singer, including, `Wah Bhai Wah’, Masti Hi Masti’ and `Haari Yaari’, Ashok Masti interacted and signed autographs for his fans.
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Mayor to solve rly colonies’ problems
New Delhi, October 4 The Railway officers were apprised of deteriorating condition of railway colonies situated at Chhoti Mor Sarai, Badi Mor Sarai, Naya Bazar, Pul Mithai and Mori Gate. Roofs of quarters are leaking and roads are in bad shape besides non-functional streetlights. The railway officers have been assured by the Mayor that till December, all the roads and quarters will be repaired and the streetlights will be made functional. While addressing officers, the Mayor said that in all markets and streets of Old Delhi, old and open cables are dangling and any untoward incident could happen any time owing to short circuit. Besides, residents are harassed by the continuos load-shedding. The BSES officers assured that up to March 31, all old cables will be changed and the old transformers will be replaced by modern transformers with high capacity so as to curb load-shedding. The Mayor directed the engineering department officers that development works proposed for Naya Bazar area should be started soon. The Congress, who represents the walled city segment of the corporation, directed the Deputy Commissioner of the City Zone that adequate arrangements of sanitation and streetlights should be made during the ensuing festivals like Navratras, Durga Pooja and Ram Leela.
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UP to initiate poultry farming in rural areas
Noida, October 4 This was stated by UP Minister of Animal Husbandry Verinder Singh. He said each youth would be given 25 chicks each, along with the expenses for their feed etc for three months. This will provide employment to a large number of rural youth along with promoting poultry farming. The Animal Husbandry Minister had returned from a tour of five countries as part of a 17-member delegation led by UP Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad. He appeared worried over the increasing sale of Oxitocin injections in the state. Orders to contain it have been issued by the state administration and if the situation is not controlled within a month, action will be taken against the veterinary doctors of the area, Mr Verinder Singh said. The minister claimed that the state had produced 10 million litres more milk this year than last year. He said he is not answerable for the illegal sale of synthetic milk in the state as it is being looked by different department. Verinder Singh said he had realised after his trip abroad that there was a good scope of promoting tourism in the country and particularly in UP.
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