New Delhi, March 21
With the arrest of two persons, the Narcotics Branch of the Delhi Police today claimed to have seized 1.5 kilograms of heroin worth Rs 1.5 crore in the international market.

The accused have been identified as Muslim Raza (46), and Salim (38), both residents of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Acting on a tip-off that two persons from Uttar Pradesh would be supplying huge quantity of heroin in Delhi, and accordingly, a team laid a trap in Bhajanpura and nabbed the accused.

During interrogation, the accused told the sleuths that they have huge families and in order to earn easy money they started supplying heroin in the markets.

In another case, with the arrest of an inter-state burglar and proclaimed offender in 10 cases, the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police today claimed to have worked out at least 10 cases. The accused was also found involved in as many as 40 house burglaries in Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Ambala, Panchkula districts of Haryana.

New Delhi, March 21
The Appointments, Promotions, Disciplinary and allied Matters Committee of the MCD has cancelled the appointment of two Deputy Commissioners as they were reportedly appointed without the prior sanction of the Corporation.

Mrs Madhu K. Garg, DANICS officer, was appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner on deputation basis and Mr N. K. Mishra, DANICS officer, to the post of Deputy Commissioner by the Municipal Commissioner, Mr Rakesh Mehta.

Mrs Grag was given the charge of Advertisement and R. P. Cell and Mr. Mishra as Deputy Commissioner Shahdara (South Zone). Both the officers are working in the Health Department of the Delhi Government.

According to the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Ajeet Singh Chaudhary, the Municipal Commissioner has no power to appoint Deputy Commissioners.

Before taking such decisions, he should have taken the sanction of the appointment and allied services committee or the House of the Corporation. The Municipal Commissioner moved the preamble of these appointments before the appointment committee after taking the final decision, so it has been referred back and appointments have been cancelled.

The Leader of the Opposition and member of the Appointment Committee, Mr Subhash Arya, said the appointment of the Deputy Commissioners without informing the committee showed the dictatorial attitude of the Municipal Commissioner.

The Municipal Commissioner was not available for comments.

New Delhi, March 21
The Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill was today passed by the Delhi Assembly in the absence of the Opposition BJP members, who were marshalled out of the House after they expressed their opposition to it.

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2005, introduced in the state Assembly by the Finance Minister, Mr A. K. Walia, on March 17, exempts traders with a turnover of upto Rs 50 lakh, but does not involve any additional financial implications for the state.

According to the amendment, a dealer will have to pay tax if his turnover exceeds Rs 50 lakh. In the present Act, this limit is Rs 25 lakh.

The Delhi Government has already made it clear that it will implement the VAT regime from April 1, a decision opposed by a section of traders who sat on a hunger strike today to press for its deferment.

New Delhi, March 21
As the government has estimated that Delhi’s water demand is likely to shoot up to 1,150 million gallons per day (MGD) by 2012, three more water treatment plants would be set up in the Capital, the Government told the Rajya Sabha today.

At present 850 mgd water is required in the Capital as against the Delhi Jal Board supply of 675 mgd water, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Ghulam Nabi Azad said in reply to a written question in the House.

Three more water treatment plants have been planned for the city, one each at Bawana, Dwarka and Okhla, he said. Among various other measures to augment water supply, the Delhi Master Plan 2021 proposes recycling of treated waste with separate lines for potable and recycled water, he said.

Besides, capacity of existing water treatment plants will be augmented and new plants set up. Special emphasis will be laid on conservation of ground water and water bodies and check on extraction of ground water.

DDA land: Approximately 1,400-acre DDA land is under unauthorised occupation of jhuggi jhompri clusters and unauthorised colonies, the Minister said.

However, the DDA has reclaimed 433.98 acres during the period between April 2002 and March 2004, he said.

New Delhi, March 21
The Army Wives Welfare Association of Northern Command recently organised a health mela for families and children of serving soldiers at Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir). The aim of the health mela was to provide a comprehensive package of health check-up and impart health education to families of serving personnel on importance of early detection and prevention of morbidities. This was a unique venture where consultation and counselling was provided through a team of medical and dental officers. On this occasion, a health exhibition was organised at the site of the health mela to disseminate information on HIV and AIDS, various preventable diseases and common ailments in children and their prevention.

The medical camp was attended by a large number of families including children. Various specialists carried out health check-up of 1000 ladies and 500 children. Ladies above 35 years of age were screened for early detection of breast and cervical cancers. During the camp, a ‘healthy baby show’ and a quiz competition on first-aid and health matters were organised in which large number of families participated.

New Delhi, March 21
With the arrest of three persons, the police at the Indira Gandhi International Airport today claimed to have solved the murder case of a lawyer practising in the Tis Hazari courts. The body of the victim, identified as Deepak Parashar, a resident of Mahavir Enclave, was found lying in a deserted place near Shahabad village in Mohammad Pur on March 18.

The accused have been identified as Mohammad Shakeel, alias Bhola, Kamal Tyagi and Devraj, alias Deboo, residents of Sadh Nagar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGIA) U. K. Chowdhury said that during investigation, the police found that the deceased had telephoned one woman from a public telephone and told her that he would be meeting one Bhola.

After establishing the identity of Bhola, a bus conductor on the bus route (No 721) plying from Palam to Tis Hazari, his associates Kamal and Devraj, were also identified.

Chowdhury said that when the suspects Bhola and Kamal were questioned by the police separately, the police found discrepancies in their statements and Kamal also had a deep injury on his right palm.

The police found out that both Bhola and Kamal had a criminal background.

Earlier, they were involved in cases of attempt to murder, and this led to their confession.

The accused said that they were clients of Deepak and one Krishan Solanki, alias Billoo Pahelwan, a criminal, used to make extortion calls to the accused. Since Billoo Pahelwan also happened to be the client of Deepak, the accused approached Deepak for his intervention in the matter.

Greater Noida, March 21
A man, who had come to visit his relative in Allouda Jagirpur village under Dankaur police station, was strangulated. Later, his body was dumped in a canal. An argument over a minor issue is said to the cause of the crime. The brother of the deceased has filed a murder report. The police have arrested the accused and found his body from a canal near village Shakka.

Onkhpal, a relative of Fateh Singh, had been living in Allouda Jagirpur village. On March 16, Fateh Singh visited Onkhpal’s house, from where he never returned. When Fateh Singh’s family came looking for him in Onkhpal’s house, they did not find even Onkhpal. Subsequently, they filed an abduction report against Onkhpal Singh. The police arrested Onkhpal from Alipur village under Kakode police station on Sunday morning.

During investigation, Onkhpal confessed that he had murdered Fateh Singh. He guided the police to the canal where he had dumped the body.

According to the SO of Dankaur, Naresh Sengar, Fateh Singh and Onkhpal had gone to the Collectorate, and from there they went to Bilaspur. In Bilaspur, they consumed liquor at a vend and then left for home late at night.

On the way, they argued over some minor issue. Onkhpal went ballistic suddenly and strangled Fateh Singh. He dumped his body in a canal on the way, S.O. Sengar revealed. 

Faridabad, March 21
A retired teacher of Adarsh Colony of Ballabhgarh town here got the shock of his life when a sum of about Rs 1.90 lakh withdrawn by him from the bank today, was allegedly stolen by someone, while he was going to his house on a bicycle this noon.

The money was kept in a bag at the time of the incident.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim, identified as Lakhi Ram, he had withdrawn Rs 2.90 lakh from the local branch of the State Bank of India at about 1 pm today and was going home on a bicycle, when he found that something had got stuck in the cycle chain.

He said he got down and removed the thing from the chain.

However, when he tried to ride the bike again, he found that the bag hanging at the handle had been missing.

Lakhi Ram said he had kept about Rs 1.90 lakh in the bag, while the rest of the amount was in his pocket. He went to the local police station and lodged the complaint.

This has been one of the many cases of theft of money and valuables in the past four weeks. At least two cases of cash stolen in such a manner have been reported recently.

New Delhi, March 21
The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) today organised a peaceful march here in protest against the proposed ‘Paramedical and Physiotherapy Council’s Bill-2004’, which was to be tabled in the forthcoming session of the Parliament.

The physiotherapists said that the proposed bill, besides calling physiotherapists as non-medical personnel, curtails their independence by asking them to practice under the supervision of an MBBS.

The bill, according to its definition of physiotherapy, puts the practitioners at par with paramedics and nullifies the whole exercise behind the professional education and practice of the medication system, he said.

It also allows occupational therapists to be registered under physiotherapy while the two disciplines are totally different and require separate registration,

The Convenor of the Council Act Committee, Dr Bela Sethi, said, “Having undergone a four-and-a-half years Bachelor degree and two-years post graduate degree course, nobody would like to be called a paramedic. It will bring tremendous depression and mental agony of professional perception,” she said.

New Delhi, March 21
Delhi University has spelt in black and white the harsh consequences for those indulging in Holi hooliganism on the campus. While the college authorities have been briefed on the measures to prevent mishaps, students have been asked to refrain from playing with colours or throwing water balloons.

Principals, provosts and heads of departments have been asked to form committees of teachers, students and karamcharis to stop the entry of outsiders into colleges and hostels and only those with a valid identity card will be allowed in. All heads and principals have been asked to take action against those engaged in hooliganism. Help has also been sought from the Delhi Police to maintain law and order. Besides, the varsity has sought help from the Transport Department to ensure that girls are not harassed in buses. Students with grievances can call the control room on 27667221 to register complaints. —TNS

New Delhi, March 21
Pandit Ranjan and Pandit Sajan Mishra enthralled thousands of classical music lovers with their mystic performance last evening against the backdrop of lush green trees
at the Nehru Park, Chankyapuri, under the NDMC’s ongoing series of ‘Evening Ragas’.

Pandit Kishan Maharaj mesmerised the audience with his tabla performance. The Lt-Governor, Mr B. L. Joshi, along with senior officers, diplomats and thousands of music lovers witnessed the performance.

The New Delhi Municipal Council, Star India and SPIC MACAY jointly organised the programme. Ms. Sindhushree Khullar, Chairperson of the NDMC and Mr Ravi Kumar, Vice- President of the Star India, felicitated the artistes.

The NDMC is the first civic body in the country that has started promotion of art and culture in its area as part of its discretionary function provided under its Act.

The objectives behind the organisation of such programmes are to upgrade the urban life, which is otherwise deteriorating day by day, and also to bring art and culture out of the confines of museums and auditorium to the open where the general public could participate in large numbers.

So far under the series of ‘Evening Ragas’, sitar maestro Pandit Debu Chaudhary, Dhrupad vocalist, Ustad Fahimuddin Khan Dagar, sehnai wizard Ustad Bismillah Khan, vocalist Shubha Mudgal, violin maestro, Dr. L. Subramaniam and flute maestro, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia have performed at the Nehru Park as part of the revival of classical music in the park.

New Delhi, March 21
Early morning showers kept the Capital cool, temporarily warding off the unusual heat. The rains are normal for March during which the northern western region is visited by two or three western disturbances, said officials at the Meteorological Department.

The Capital after recording 3.8 mm of rain this morning received a total rainfall of 14 mm as against an average of 14.8 mm. The Capital had received 0.8 mm rain in the early hours yesterday. 

New Delhi, March 21
The NDPL today announced power shutdowns for March 22 in parts of Vishram Nagar and Indira Nagar (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m); C, E and G Blocks of Kirti Nagar (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.); pocket B-5 to 7 Sectors and Lal Jyoti Apartments, Sector 9 of Rohini and BG-1 and BH West Blocks of Shalimar Bagh (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m)