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CAG flays MCD for financial mismanagement
JNUTA irked by lack of elected representatives on AC
‘Fidayeen’ attacks feared, matchless security in Delhi
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Computerised toll plaza to facilitate
smooth flow of traffic
Boy killed for teasing girl, three held
Man charred to death in liquor vend blaze
Six suffer burns in LPG accident
Court takes lenient view of bed-ridden convict
2 suspected polio cases in Faridabad
NPTI stops taking aid from Centre
Fashion show for Singhs and Kaurs
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CAG flays MCD for financial mismanagement
New Delhi, April 16 According to the report, 433 projects remained incomplete at the end of this financial year despite an expenditure of Rs 11.06 crore, which was 91 per cent of the total amount involved in the contracts. Moreover, the MCD failed to levy a penalty of Rs 1.02 crore on the defaulting contractors. As many as Rs 1.68 crore went down the drain as the outfall drains constructed with this cost in rural areas in Narela zone during 1988-2003 were not connected to the flood control department’s main drains. This resulted in continued stagnation of sewage water in open lands or ponds exposing local residents to various diseases like malaria and typhoid. The civic body also failed to achieve the target of constructing 197 km of outfall drains during 1988-2004 despite availability of funds. It could construct only 77.84 km of drains. The MCD’s afforestation plan also met a similar fate. Though it initiated a survey for the project through private agencies in 1995, no survey had been done till March end despite incurring an expenditure of Rs 11.02 lakh. The CAG said that scheme funds of Rs 2.56 crore were diverted to other projects without approval of the Delhi Government in violation of the conditions stipulated in the sanction. The civic body also suffered a loss of Rs 1.38 crore during 2001-04 by failing to keep funds not required immediately in an interest bearing account, the CAG said.
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JNUTA irked by lack of elected
New Delhi, April 16 Incidentally, while the demand of students seeking elected representation on the Academic Council of the university and the Board of Studies/Special Committees of various Schools, has been recommended by the Namwar Singh Committee, the teachers demand is no where close to realisation. Agitated by the delay, the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) has now decided to take up the issue with the Ministry of HRD. “We are going to work on it and are planning to meet the minister. I have written to the Vice-Chancellor also, but there have been no results thus far,” said Prof. Rupamanjari Ghosh, president JNUTA. In her letter to the VC, Prof. Ghosh said, “the JNU EC has recommended such elected representation of teachers time and again. From the previous records on the subject that we received from the Registrar, the last time the issue was officially raised in the university was in 1990.” It was pointed out that the representation can be in the form of three teachers of the university, one Professor/Senior Fellow, one Associate Professor/Fellow and one Assistant Professor to be elected by and from amongst the respective category of teachers, through direct elections, provided that the faculty members holding the position of Rector, Dean will not be eligible for election. “For the sake of democratisation, we must have elected representation in all components of the university. It is unfortunate that the authorities have not been able to support this long standing demand,” said Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, the former DUTA president. It was further pointed out that the EC in its meeting in 1980 on the request of JNUTA had decided that the existing number of three teachers of the university be inducted in the EC through direct elections, which was rejected by the Visitor in 1981. It was again recommended by the EC in 1982 and 1990. The elected representation in the AC and EC, claim teachers will “help bring transparency and order in the functioning of the university.” A source pointed out, “recently in the meeting of the AC, the VC managed to have his name passed as Professor Emeritus even as his tenure ends in June. This is unprecedented and had there been elected representation, this could have been stopped. There are many proposals, which the university manages to pull through despite disapproval because there is no one to stop them in the Council meetings.” He went on to add, “it could check this kind of highhandedness.”
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‘Fidayeen’ attacks feared, matchless
New Delhi, April 16 Since both Mr Singh and Mr Musharraf face high security threat, security agencies, including Special Protection Group, Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, National Security Guards, Delhi Police were working overtime to ensure foolproof security. “There were inputs suggesting ‘fidayeen’ attacks and car-bomb explosions during the cricket match as terrorist outfits were unhappy with Mr Musharraf witnessing the match along with Mr Singh. In view of the intercepts, we have made adequate security arrangements to thwart the attempts by such outfits,” informed a security officer overseeing arrangements. Sources maintained that Mr Singh has a high positional threat from the Sikh and Kashmiri militants, Muslim fundamentalist outfits, North-Eastern insurgent groups, left wing extremists and LTTE. According to inputs, some Sikh and Kashmiri militants had been planning to target Mr Singh since November 2004. These militants were considering different options for a possible attack such as one on the Ikhwan hotel in Srinagar. Mr Singh also faces threat from various Sikh extremist outfits since the Sikh radicals hold the Congress responsible for ‘Operation Blue Star’ and anti-Sikh carnage of 1984. Sources also pointed out the possibility of a militant attack on unidentified targets in New Delhi by a Bangladesh terrorist squad, who are reported to have sneaked into the Capital in the last few days. This squad comprising six Bangladeshi militants are planning to launch ‘fidayeen’ attacks. However, the location and affiliations of the squad are not known. The security agencies are making efforts to trace their hideouts. The ISI leaders in Bangladesh identified as Mohammad Musararsh Hanan and Mustak have instructed the North Eastern insurgent leaders to eliminate important leaders witnessing the cricket match. While as many as 44 Anti-Sabotage check teams began sanitising the Ferozeshah Kotla since April 11, the final check ended today around 5 pm. The rooftops and windows of the buildings facing the route and around the venue would be guarded and the residents have been instructed to inform the police about any suspicious movement of strangers in their locality. The local police have also been instructed to cover all high-rise buildings next to the venue. Police are also instructed to keep a watch on RDX type material, cells, wire and other powerful sources, which can be used to trigger explosions, while frisking and checking visitors. The Police Control Room (PCR) has been asked to keep vigil on the VVIP route. A PCR van with a commando force will be stationed near the venue for any emergency. Police personnel are also deployed on special duties in AIIMS, RML and GB Pant hospitals. The food from the Taj Man Singh hotel will also be checked by the Anti-Sabotage teams in stadium kitchen.
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Musharraf to receive original birth certificate
New Delhi, April 16 The request for the birth certificate had come from President Musharraf’s mother, Begum Zarin, who visited the Capital last month. During her stay in Delhi, she had visited the hospital in Kamla Market area. The NDMC traced out the certificates after a month of frantic search. The NDMC spokesperson Madan Thapliyal said the records show birth of a female child on July 19, 1941 and two male children born on August 11, 1942 and July 22, 1945. The name of their father is given as Musharraf, whose father is mentioned as Shaffiuddin. There is, however, no mention of the mother’s name.
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Computerised toll plaza to facilitate
New Delhi, April 16 It was thrown open to the traffic coming from Haryana side after a formal inauguration. It will facilitate turning back non-destined commercial vehicles in compliance of the Supreme Court directions as well as smooth flow of traffic at toll tax posts. The Mayor, Mr Satbir Singh, Chairman, Standing Committee, Mr Mukesh Goel, Leader of Opposition, Mr Subhash Arya, senior Municipal Councillors, Brij Mohan Sharma and Jitender Kochar were present. The Chairman of Environment and Pollution Control Authority, Mr Bhure Lal, Municipal Commissioner, Mr Rakesh Mehta, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Mr Qamar Ahmed and Ms Sunita Narain from the Center for Science and Environment were also present at the inauguration recently. The Mayor, Mr Satbir Singh, informed that in compliance of the Supreme Court directions, the toll plazas will be built at Singhu border
(KGT), new Mandoli border, Apasara border (GT Road, Shahdara), Gazipur border, Kalindi Kunj border, Badarpur border, Aya Nagar border, Tikri border, Kapashera border, Rajokri border (to be integrated with the National Highway Authority of India’s project). These border points account for nearly 80 per cent of total collection. The toll collection strategy comprises fees from the vehicular traffic entering Delhi. Tollable vehicle consists of commercial vehicles including taxi, tempo, trucks and buses, trucks-trailers and multi axle vehicles, or any other vehicle being used for such purpose.
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Boy killed for teasing girl, three held
New Delhi, April 16 The accused persons have been identified as Manish (22), Manoj Kumar (21) and Chamal Lal, alias Kake (21), residents of Nangloi. The victim was identified as one Sandeep Kumar, son of a businessman Balbir Singh, who owns a factory in Bahadurgarh. Based on the disclosure of the accused persons, the police recovered the decomposed body of Sandeep from the Delhi-Jaipur highway near Rewari. Acting on a complaint from the victim’s father, Balbir Singh that his son Sandeep had been missing since April 7, the police started making local inquiries to trace his whereabouts. Later, Balbir Singh told the police that he received a call from his son’s mobile and the caller demanded Rs 5 lakh as ransom money. Technical investigations revealed that one Manish was using the MTNL phone and when Manish was questioned, he initially tried to mislead the police. During interrogation, he disclosed that the mobile was given to him by Manoj and was making ransom calls as per the directions of Manoj. Manoj and Chamal were subsequently arrested by the police and during interrogation, they confessed to have committed the murder since Sandeep had teased the sister of Manoj. The victim’s clothes, shoes and mobile phone were recovered by the police. In another case, the North-West district police today claimed to have arrested two persons on charges of murdering a labourer in the Sultanpuri area. The accused persons were identified as Upender (22) and Parmod (23). The police found an unidentified body of one person on the railway line in Sultanpuri on April 14. The body was later identified as one Shajahan, a labourer in Rakshit Enterprises, Prem Nagar. Since his face and private parts were smashed severely, the police started looking into the sex angle. During investigation, the police found out that Shahjehan became close to his colleague, Chhote Lal, resident of Prem Nagar. When Shahjehan started visiting the house of Chhote Lal, he developed physical relations with Chhote Lal’s wife, Savita. Chhote Lal’s nephews, who were enraged with Shahjehan, offered him drinks on April 14 and then murdered him with a broken bottle.
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Principal accused of renting out school premises
New Delhi, April 16 The general secretary of the ABSGS, Mr Ramesh Chahan, alleged that the principal, Mr Kishan Lal, had rented out a part of the school campus to private persons without obtaining permission of the department. It was alleged that the tenant pays Rs 3,000 per month and has constructed concrete jhuggis on the school campus. The general secretary also alleged that Mr Lal had “submitted bogus bills” regarding various purchases. He was also accused of misusing funds meant for the school welfare society. The organisation also alleged that no teacher had been appointed for vocational classes. The Delhi Government has a scheme of appointing guest teachers in schools where the administration is short of staff. The principal is authorised to appoint the guest teacher. In case of Hari Nagar, Ashram Boys Senior Secondary School, the principal has appointed a guest teacher of commerce, Mahabir Singh. The letter claimed that nobody in the school has seen Mahabir Singh. Even students do not know him. His name is not on the timetable but his salary is being drawn. However, when the principal was contacted, he said, “All allegations levelled against him were baseless. He had joined the school two years back when the school’s result was very poor. The result of class 10 was only 23 per cent. In the first year, the result has risen to 28 per cent and last year, its result was 44 per cent.” “Due to my strict administration, the teachers have levelled charges against me. Now, the teachers have ganged up against me. The men who live inside the school are PWD workers. They are not private persons, ” he added. The Deputy Director, Mr B. N. Bajpai, said that he had not received any complaint so far. He will check it with the District Education Officer. The Education Officer (South District), Mrs Anita Saikia, said, “I personally talked to the principal in connection with the private persons living on the school premises. They are PWD workers involved in whitewashing and other works in the school. As far as other allegations are concerned, I do not have any complaint.” One of the workers, Sunil, who reside on the school premises, said, “We work in the school as
well as outside and take shelter in the school during night.”
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Man charred to death in liquor vend blaze
Ghaziabad, April 16 The deceased, Kharak Singh, 29, a resident of Almora, was sleeping in the shop at the time of fire. Prem Kumar is the owner of the country liquor shop. The main reason why the fire tenders could not reach the liquor shop was the jurisdiction dispute between the Noida and Ghaziabad police. After the incident, a crowd had collected outside the liquor den. But since Kharak Singh had bolted both the doors from inside, he could not be rescued by the people. According to the eyewitnesses, the blaze in the liquor den was caused by some mischievous elements. Police who reached there belatedly are inquiring into the cause of the blaze. The body of Kharak Singh had been sent for autopsy. |
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Six suffer burns in LPG accident
Faridabad, April 16 According to reports, the fire broke out at a house owned by one Ravinder, when he was stated to be adjusting the pipe of the LPG cylinder kept in the kitchen. It is learnt that there was some leakage from the cylinder at that time and as he lit a match, there were flames in the kitchen and his house. But before it could be put out, the fire had already spread to the adjoining house where not only the valuables burnt down, it also led to the burn injuries to the occupants of the house. The injured have been identified as Poonam (7), Manoj(14), Sunita (22) Ravinder (38), Virender (15) and Bhuria (41). This is the second such incident in the town this season. Earlier, two minor children have received burn injuries after a fire had engulfed about seven jhuggis at Rahul Colony, a few days ago. Meanwhile, a married woman was allegedly raped by an unidentified person in a house at Ashoka Enclave in Sector- 37 here. According to the complaint lodged with the police, the victim was alone when a youth forced his entry into the house and committed the crime. The accused could not be identified. A case has been booked.
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Court takes lenient view of bed-ridden convict
New Delhi, April 16 The Special Judge went down from her court room in the building’s first floor to the parking lot after she was informed that the man—she held guilty today in a 1993 corruption case—was brought there in a stretcher in an ambulance as he was suffering from a life-threatening diseasese and was unable to come up to her court. The medical report produced by convict Yugal Dhari Singh and endorsed by the prosecution stated that his ailment was incurable as he was suffering from multiple fracture of ribs due to osteoporosis—wherein he is prone to fractures without sustaining any injury—besides fading vision and hearing. He was also financially very poor, the court was told. The judge was informed that there was no chance of his recovery and the old man would be bedridden for the rest of his life. The judge said she was in a dilemma for some time as on one hand it was her statutory duty to hand down punishment to him (ranging from one to seven years imprisonment for his offence) and on the other, he was nearing death. Finally in her order, the judge took “a humanitarian view after seeing the pathetic condition of the convict that he can’t be sent to jail, as it would pose a serious threat to his life”. “I take an extremely lenient view and sentence him to imprisonment till the rising of the court and a token fine of Rs 50 for the offences,” the judge added. The CBI alleged in the October 1993 case that Singh, then a cashier with Oriental Insurance Company, had misappropriated Rs 1.1 lakh from premium of 122 insurance policies by entering less amount in the cash receipts.
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2 suspected polio cases in Faridabad
Faridabad, April 16 According to reports, an 18-month-old child in Raniala Khurd village is suspected to have been affected by the disease. The infant had been administered polio drops. The child is the grandson of a former Sarpanch of the village. The stool of the child has been sent for laboratory test. However, the second case has also been reported from the same village, in which a four-year-child, identified as Irfan, has been affect by the same disease. The parents of Irfan reported that the right limbs of the child had stopped functioning abruptly, though polio drops had been given to him regularly. The stool has been sent for examination. It may be recalled that two cases of polio had surfaced in the district in the last year, too.
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NPTI stops taking aid from Centre
Faridabad, April 16 This was stated by the Director-General of the
NPTI, Mr B. S. K. Naidu, while interacting with the mediapersons here today. Headquartered at Faridabad, the institute has been engaged in the field of education, training and development of human resources in the power arena. According to Mr
Naidu, the financial performance of the institute has improved considerably in the past few years. And as a result, the earnings have equalled the expenses of the institute in 2004-05 and it would no longer be dependent on the government aid or grants. The self-earnings, which were just 36 per cent of the expenditure, had gone up to 100 per cent in this year. He said the revenue earnings of the
NPTI, which were just Rs 269 lakh in 1999-2000, have now gone up to Rs 1,333 lakh. He said the main sources of the income generation have been the training and consultancy done by the institute each year. In 2004-05, as many as 11,575 persons were trained in comparison to 1880 in 1999-2000, while the number of trainee weeks, which were just 17,686 in 1999-2000, had gone up to 75,005 this year.
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Fashion show for Singhs and Kaurs
New Delhi, April 16 This is for the first time such an event took place for the Sikh youths. It was largely attended by invitees. Sarabjaspreet Singh Minhas student of MBA final and son of Principal S S Minhas has been declared ‘Sikh of the Year-2005’ and was awarded Golden Kalgi worth Rs 30,000 along with a trophy by the Chief Guest S Tarlochan Singh, Chairman Minority Commission and Member Rajya Sabha. He also sang a song ‘Bulle Ki Jana Main Kaun’ which was highly appreciated by the audience. Mr Sarabjaspreet Singh Minhas is a singer of repute who also participated in Indian Idol organised by Sony TV in Bombay and is an approved artist of Punjabi Academy. The 2nd runner-up was Rajbir Singh and the 1st Arshkabeer Singh. Sarabjaspreet Singh and the 2nd runner-up Rajbir Singh are both products of Guru Harkrishan Public School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi.
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SGSC greetings on Guru Angad Sahib’s
New Delhi, April 16 The vice-president of Shiromani Gurudwara Sewadar Committee, Mr Darshan Singh, has said that the Sikh youths in Punjab should stop trimming their beard and hair. He urged them to abstain from intoxicants. The message of universal brotherhood, harmony and unity as preached by Sikh gurus is a need for today, he observed.
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Kochar elected leader of House in MCD
New Delhi, April 16 The seat had fallen vacant after Satbir Singh was elected as the Mayor. Mr Kochar was a member of the Standing Committee. The chairman of the Standing Committee, Mr Mukesh Goel, presented his name for the post, which was seconded by the newly elected Deputy Mayor, Mrs Razia Sultana.
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Worker succumbs to burn injuries
Noida, April 16
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