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Take MCD to task for public litter: Court
Fresh move to give face-lift to Noida
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Foul play in woman’s death
Body of minor found after rape
New Chamber launched for industries in NCR
Conference
on SSIs
Sheila for modernisation of govt schools
Artscape
Battery vehicles could lessen pollution, suggests EPCA
Conviction of former RBI clerk upheld
Congress flayed for ‘anti-people’ policies
Advani releases IILM magazine
Service to others stressed by Baba Hardev
Pulse polio rally held
Demand to revamp PDS
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Take MCD to task for public litter: Court
New Delhi, November 21 A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice Ahmed had issued the directive. The judges ordered the Delhi Government and the MCD to give adequate publicity through the media to provisions of the Re-cycled Plastic Manufacturing and Usage Rules 1999 and the Environment Protection Act 1986. The law requires that only virgin white/transparent plastic of more than 20 microns could be used for foodstuff and not re-cycled plastic. The re-cycling of plastic also had to be done only in accordance with the norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards . The court said the MCD should provide separate bins for biodegradable and non bio-degradable/ recyclable waste all over the Capital; the bins should also have provision to be shut properly, so that animals did not feed on the garbage. The bins would have to carry names and phone numbers of the officials responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the area, so that the residents could contact them if things were not in order. In case the officials did not respond, the aggrieved persons could file a complaint under the Delhi Plastic Bag Manufacturing, Sales and Usage and Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act 2000 and Rules 2003 before a magistrate, who would have to dispose it off within six months. The court was dealing with a PIL filed by NGO Tapas chief V K Jain, which had sought proper management of the 8,000 million tonnes of garbage produced daily in the city. As against this, less than 5,000 million tonnes was lifted and dumped without segregation at landfill sites, the petitioner pointed out. HC turns down NGO’s PIL on petty offences The Delhi High Court has rejected a PIL filed by the Society for Securing Justice (SSJ), an NGO, seeking to quash a 25-year-old notification empowering the Head Constables to investigate petty offences under the Arms and Gambling Acts. The PIL had alleged that the policemen were “framing” innocent people. A division Bench comprising Chief Justice B. C. Patel and Justice B. D. Ahmed refused to entertain the petition, saying that it was vague and had cited no details of such alleged instances. The petitioner, Dr Vijay Jindal, President of the SSJ, had sought that such crimes should be investigated by Assistant Sub-Inspector or Sub-Inspector, claiming that the Head Constables were “planting” (arms) and “manipulating/fabricating” evidence “framing innocent” people, who were mostly poor The notification was in conflict with the provisions of the Punjab Police Rules that prescribed only ASI or above ranked police official could investigate petty ‘non heinous’offences, it added. The petition sought that the court should be considerate in granting bail to persons charged with such offences, especially when there was no evidence on record that the knife (arm) in question had not been used in any crime. It sought that the mystery about how (buttondar/gararidar) knives in such huge quantities get into the Capital and these cases should be solved. Such people should be booked and the knives seized and destroyed to eliminate any chance of “misuse” later, it added. It also sought that a committee of social workers, advocates and judges should be formed to identify other safeguards for avoiding implication in such cases. The petition pointed out that while crime on the whole had declined, cases under the Arms, Gambling and Excise Acts had gone up by 100 per cent and as high as 122 per cent under the Arms Act alone. Incidents of “framing” under the Arms Act were similar to what used to happen in cases where narcotic substances were “planted”, prior to the introduction of the NDPS Act,
it added.
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Fresh move to give face-lift to Noida
Noida, November 21 According to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Dev Dutt Sharma, a Special Economic Zone
(SEZ) will be set up in Noida. The SEZ, developed in an area of 25 acres, along with the Expressway will go a long way in enhancing Noida’s image worldwide, Mr Sharma said. It was also decided to set up 2500 acres sports complex in the city. The sports complex will have infrastructure for national and international competitions. It has also been decided to develop a boating and rowing facility near the Okhla barrage. In another major decision, the Noida Authority has decided to give a flip start to cultural activities, for which it has decided to set up a Dr Harvansh Rai Bachchan Academy of Arts along with a Habitat Centre on the pattern of the India International
Centre, New Delhi. It was decided to amend the proposal of the B.S. Mathur Commission, with the result that the registration of the 298 industrial plots and 57 institutional plots have been extended to February 28, 2005, without the payment of any penalty. The fee for the approval of the architectural plan has been hiked to bring it in line with DDA rates. The proposal for raising the rate of plots has been postponed for the time being. Industrial plots, institutional plots and those meant for senior citizens will now be allotted on 2-bid system. The allotment will be on the basis of net worth, turnover and experience, Mr Dutt said. The penalty for late registration of property has been waived off. It was also decided that physically challenged persons will be allotted flats on the ground floor and any penalty for delayed registration of new property will be waived off. In such cases, even if one member of the family of an allottee is physically challenged, the family will be allotted a ground floor. The study for the Metro rail link to SEZ will be conducted by Rites, which will be jointly financed by Noida and the Greater Noida Authorities. It was decided to have two Metro rail links in
Noida. While one of the Metro rail will link the city centre from Ashok
Nagar, Gole Chakker, Naya Bans, Atta, Golf Course, the other will link the Noida entry gate in Sector-14A through the Express way to
SEZ. In all, 29 of the 54 items on the agenda were approved, while seven were rejected and eighteen items were deferred, as they could not be discussed for lack of time, the Chairman added.
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6-yr-old rescued from captivity
New Delhi, November 21 The police said that the three accused on October 22 asked for a ransom of Rs 70 lakh from Dilshad, the father of the kidnapped boy. They used a mobile phone to demand ransom and were in Bihar at the time the call was made to Dilshad. During investigation, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police managed to locate the kidnappers and raided their premises in Motihari in Bihar. The police had recovered one 12 bore double barrel gun, one .315 bore single barrel rifle, one 12 bore country made pistol, two .315 bore country made pistols and live cartridges from their possession. The police said that Madhukar Singh, one of the accused, fired at the police party but the shot luckily went astray. Three more accused, who were also present at the time of the raid, managed to escape from there. They were identified as Durga Singh, Sanjay Singh and Shiv Shankar, all native of Bihar. During interrogation, it was revealed that Arshad had borrowed Rs 3000 from Dilshad, the father of the victim. An altercation took place between the two over the non-payment of the sum. In another case, the Southwest district police arrested two persons for allegedly kidnapping and killing a 19-year-old boy from Najafgarh area on October 14. The police had registered a case of kidnapping after the family received a ransom call on November 15. The abductors made another call on November 20 and asked the family to hand over Rs one lakh at the Sai Baba Mandir. The police laid a trap and arrested the duo when they reached the Mandir to collect the money.
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Foul play in woman’s death
Greater Noida, November 21 The postmortem examination report has revealed that the young woman died due to internal bleeding. Signs of injuries have been found all over her body. According to the police, the pregnant housewife was savagely beaten-up, which caused internal bleeding in her abdomen, resulting in her death. The engineer, identified as Neeraj Gupta, was a resident of A-9, L.G. Housing Colony, Greater Noida. Sonu Gupta was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her house on November 17. Her uncle, Kishen Pal, had lodged a dowry death report with the police. Neeraj Gupta was arrested the same day and sent to jail. The postmortem examination report has revealed that there were a number of injury marks on Sonu Gupta’s body, which had led to internal bleeding. According to the police, someone seems to have helped out Neeraj in the crime. The police have been on the look out for that person.
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Body of minor found after rape
Ghaziabad, November 21 Ranju had reportedly gone to a CD seller’s shop to watch a movie on November 17. When she did not return, her father, identified as Arjun, lodged a report with the Sihani Gate police. Her body was found in a park near the MMH College on November 18. The police said that her clothes were torn and the body had signs of injuries. The police suspect that the victim was raped before being murdered.
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New Chamber launched for industries in NCR
New Delhi, November 21 The president of the newly formed association, Mr H. P. Yadav, said that the Chamber would serve various needs of the industrial and business communities by providing an effective platform to address the issues related to trade and industry to the government, both at Centre and State level. The NCRCCI has been constituted by a team of dedicated businessmen to boost the industrial and trading activities in the region. We are committed to help the industry and trade in meeting the challenges of liberalisation and globalisation through a vital link to explore the world of new opportunities, explained Mr Yadav, while addressing the mediapersons at the launch of the chamber here last evening. We intend to adopt very scientific strategy with a view to encourage free, healthy and competitive business environment. The body will represent the industry’s view and sensitise the government machinery on policies and legislation, which affects industries and trade, said the president. In addition to this, the Chamber will give a special focus on exports from Haryana. It will do its best to promote exports from the region and fight for more concession to the export units. For this, the Chamber will conduct a comprehensive study on the problems of the exporters, added
Mr Yadav. The newly set-up body is committed to work together with the government in creating an investment climate and employment generation in the state. Addressing the local problems, the body would give special focus on decongestion of traffic in Gurgaon, free flow of taxis, auto rickshaws and buses across the Delhi-Haryana borders. It will also urge the government to bring Gurgaon under a powerful single development agency. Towards this, the Chamber will very soon prepare a blue print in consultation with experts and submit the same to the government, claimed Mr Yadav. The formation of various forums including those for environment and energy, industrial relation, export, power, excise and taxation are in the pipeline, revealed Mr M. N. Ajaya Kumar, Secretary General of the association.
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Conference
on SSIs
Noida, November 21 The Noida Convener of the Rashtriya Executive, Mr Raman
Chawla, said that small-scale industries were being discriminate against, although it was
the backbone of the country’s economy.
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Sheila for modernisation of govt schools
New Delhi, November 21 At the Indira Awards ceremony for the best government schools on the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister, Ms Indira Gandhi, she said teachers are being trained in computers by the world’s largest software provider Microsoft Corporation. Ms Dikshit said modernisation of the government schools would lead to these institutions becoming centres of excellence. “Then students from private schools will seek admission in government schools,” she said exhorting the students to emulate Mrs Gandhi’s “love for her country” to become ideal citizens. Ms Dikshit said it is not just the future of the country that rested with the children, but “today is also yours”. The Education Minister, Mr Arvinder Singh Lovely, presided over the awards ceremony, which was also attended by Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf. The ‘Chief Minister’s Trophy’ for the Best School in Delhi was bagged by the Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya No.1, Shakti Nagar. The school principal Vijay Mohan received the trophy from Ms Dikshit. Awards were also present to ‘best teachers’ of different districts and zones. Children’s Day celebrations Children’s Day was celebrated by the Shemrock group of schools. Children were told stories about the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, whose birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day. A contest to pick the Shemrock ‘Prince’ and ‘Princess’ was also organised.
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An exhibition that turned out to be a walk down the memory lane
Ravi Bhatia Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 21 And adding to the delight was the fact that some of the well-known British illustrators, whose works are on display at the exhibition, were themselves present at the opening to narrate their experiences. The exhibition, which is on till November 28, is the brainchild of the world famous illustrator and writer of children’s books, Quentin Blake. It includes works of legendary artists like Angela Barrett, Patrick Benson, Stephen Biesty, Raymond Briggs, John Buningham, Emma Chichester Clark, Lauren Child, Sara Fanelli Michael Foreman, Tony Ross, Posy Simonds and Charlotte Voake. These works are by no means inferior to ‘fine art’. It is an art, which, on its own scale, shares characteristics with earlier kinds of Western paintings, says Quentin Blake. He said that selecting works for such an exhibition was enjoyable, but not easy. “This is a rich crowded sea and there is enormous diversity- imagine a shoal in which every fish is different. We have tried to reflect that diversity in the age and gender of the participants and in the way they handle their material and the way they respond to life,” says Blake. Patrick Benson, who has enhanced Walter De La Mare’s stories with illustrations, says, “The most important thing an illustrator has to do is to provide lots of visual clues, bits of information rather like snapshots — that will act as a sort of springboard for the imagination and help the child visualise the surroundings in which the story is happening.” British Council India Director Edaward Marsden, who inaugurated the exhibition, said the works displayed were among some of the best specimen of contemporary British art. “Illustrations play a great role in making children’s book attractive and interesting. But they are not just decorative additions to the book. They very often help the child visualise the idea an author wants to convey.” Britain is fortunate to have so many great illustrators today working on one period. They are enriching the ancient tradition of illustration in the country, he said. For two days, on November 19 and 20, the Utsav Hall at the Vasant Continental here was the centre of activity with a regular stream of visitors to see the glittering range of exclusively designed jewellery by the world acclaimed designer, Shobha Asar. Blending exotic but contemporary designs with traditional craftsmanship, Shobha has emerged as a favourite designer of the discerning buyer. Another exhibition, which caught the fancy of art aficionados in the Capital last week, was the “Underlying Spirit” at the Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat Centre. The exhibition, an inaugural one by the Osian’s Archive Collection, displayed a wide range of paintings, photographs. posters and memorabilia on various subjects related to popular arts, heritage architecture and cinema. The works of some of the well-known names in the Indian and Asian contemporary art scene shared the space at the unique exhibition curated by none other than Neville Tuli, a well-known name in the art circles here. The nine-day exhibition concluded on November 18. Three young artists — Rashmi Sharan, Vidya Sagar Singh and Sachin Jha — are also showcasing their art in a solo exhibition at the Habiart Gallery, India Habitat Centre, here from November 21 to November 26. Entitled “Wordsworth and More”, the exhibition strives to create a balance between abstract and realism. The medium used is mostly oil on canvas.
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Cops have a hard day reining in record crowd
New Delhi, November 21 According to DCP New Delhi district Anita Roy, “We have deployed eight companies of police to control the public. The rush is such that one is ejected from an exit gate without much effort. We have also made some preventive arrests to check incidents of pick-pocketing.” The police has underscored the use of pavement and the over bridge. No one is being allowed to stop near the Pragati Maidan. Similar arrangements have been made at the ITO crossing to facilitate free traffic flow and confine the pedestrians to the pavement.
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Battery vehicles could lessen pollution, suggests EPCA
New Delhi, November 21 In its report to the Supreme Court, the EPCA noted that these vehicles were vital to the transportation plan of the city as they carry more people than private cars. “It needs to be promoted,” the EPCA felt but said in the interim, till the Delhi Government came out with a concrete plan, “increase in the number of three-wheelers should be allowed only in the category of zero emission vehicles, namely battery-operated three-wheelers”. Claiming that all was not well with the enforcement of the clean fuel norm for three-wheelers, the pollution control body added “the data from the visible pollution drive of the Delhi Government shows that autos are contributing to the pollution load in the city.” Another factor which contributed to the pollution was that low quality and illegal loose oil was being sold in open market contrary to the orders of the Supreme Court, the EPCA said.
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Conviction of former RBI clerk upheld
New Delhi, November 21 The convicted person is Mahender Pratap Juneja, ex-employee of Reserve Bank of India. The court observed, “Despite the fact that RBI was a good pay master, Mahender Pratap Juneja, who was working there in a responsible position, betrayed and continuously forged 15 drafts and cheated the bank.” The court, however, reduced the sentence imposed on him from three to two years rigorous imprisonment in addition to imposing a fine of Rs 20,000. The ASJ also ordered release of co-accused Chander Prakash, Vijay Kumar and Kuldip on probation for two years.
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Congress flayed for ‘anti-people’ policies
New Delhi, November 21 The memorandum reads: “It seems under World Bank pressure the Delhi Government has prepared a plan to make the Delhi Jal Board a self-sufficient organisation. If all the services to the public are to be provided on purely commercial basis, then there is no justification in putting any tax on public.” The BJP leaders pointed out that instead of heavy increase in the water rates, the government should check the 30 per cent wastage of water.
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Advani releases IILM magazine
New Delhi, November 21 At a function, Mr Advani told the senior staff, faculty and students of the IIML that he was impressed with the content, design and style of the magazine. He said he liked it not because the magazine had featured an interview of his, but its contents and presentations were rich.
Gurmat contest
The GHPS, India Gate, organised its investiture ceremony. The Chairman of the GHPS Hospital, Gurdwara Bala Sahib, was the chief guest on the occasion. The chairman of the school, Mr Shamsher Singh Sandhu, was the guest of honour. The school also organised an inter-school ‘Gurmat Contest’ as part of the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib. The winning trophy was awarded to the GHPS, Nanak Piao. The GHPD, India Gate and Guru Teg Bahadur Third Centenary Public School, Mansarovar Garden, were declared second and third respectively.
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Service to others stressed by Baba Hardev
New Delhi, November 21 Besides, some physical exercises, the Sewa Dal volunteers presented a colourful cultural programme emphasising the importance of services to the mankind in different ways. They revealed that their services are not confined to the followers of the mission but they are meant for one and all. Earlier, in his discourse at the end of the day-long congregation late last evening, Baba Ji observed that true religion removes delusions and tensions and brings man closer to man despite all kinds of diversities. It promotes human values that turn the earth into heaven. Baba Ji said that man today had many worldly qualities and achievements to his credit, but he did not seem to have reached the destination simply because he was more concerned with body, not the soul. Even in the name of religion, he is concentrating more on reading and reciting the teachings of saints, Gurus and prophets contained in holy scripts.
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Pulse polio rally held
New Delhi, November 21 The District Governor of the Rotary Club, Mr Ramesh
Chander, was the chief guest. A team of more than 20 foreign delegates also joined the rally. It has been decided to distribute blankets to the poor at the Mayur Public School on November 29.
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New Delhi, November 21
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