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All set for showdown in DSGMC
Now ‘Student’s Voice’ to provide feedback to AICTE
Robbers fail to break open bank vault
Noida buildings unsafe in case of fire
SP councillor mired in land scam
Greater Noida on ‘Pragati’ path
99 old persons murdered in three years
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Man held in acid attack case
Vidrohi demands revision of minimum wages for labourers
Jamia puts up ‘no smoking’ board on campus
Importance of food quality stressed
Rollback on diesel tax expected
Hand over 10 CETP to industrial societies: SC
No sanitation tax in unauthorised colonies: Kochar
Joshi stresses need to meet deadline of construction projects
Shortcomings in coordination will be removed: CM
Set up more scout and guide units: L-G
Free eye camp today
Feasibility study on Metro link to Faridabad
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All set for showdown in DSGMC co-option politics
New Delhi, April 26 The forty-six members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee will choose between Mr Gaganpreet Singh Sachdeva, son of the late Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader, Manmohan Singh Sachdeva, and Mr Harvinder Singh Sarna, brother of DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna. The twelve members of the SAD and an 11-member group led by Akali Dal (Santokh Singh) president Manjit Singh, opposed both to Mr Badal and the Sarnas, today pledged support to Mr Sachdeva. ‘’Mr Sachdeva is the son of an Akali leader and the SAD will support him,’’ SAD Secretary-General Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said. The coming together of the SAD and rival Akali Dal (Santokh Singh) for tomorrow’s co-option aimed at keeping Mr Harvinder Singh Sarna at bay as his possible entry to the DSGMC is seen as part of a strategy by the Committee chief – who is legally not allowed to run for a third term in the body’s annual executive elections due in November – to retain control of the powerful administration within the family. ‘’If Mr Harvinder Singh Sarna makes it to the Committee tomorrow, there is every possibility he will be the potential candidate for the top slot in the November poll,’’ said a Committee leader, who requested not to be named. At a news conference here, Mr Manjit Singh withdrew his candidate Davinder Pal Singh in support of Mr Sachdeva, whose father’s death had necessitated the co-option. Insiders say battle lines have been drawn between Mr Badal’s party and Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, who ended the SAD’s two-decade sway over Sikh religious power in the Capital in the DSGMC’s 2002 elections but shook hands with it last year to become the Committee president again. However, most recently, their one-year ‘’alliance’’ became a source of big political embarrassment for the SAD after Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, speaking at a felicitation ceremony held in his honour by Mr Sarna, slammed Mr Badal and the SGPC under his party’s control for what he called their religious incompetence. Mr Sarna, however, also claims majority support for his brother’s co-option to the DSGMC, which has faced allegations of corruption and horse-trading. But in the past elections, prominent leaders, and even scholars associated with the Committee, have switched sides overnight while showing up at the rival camps during the day time. Sources say all key groups were holding meetings to plan strategy for tomorrow’s election that will determine the future leadership of Delhi’s large Sikh population.
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Now ‘Student’s Voice’ to provide feedback to AICTE
New Delhi, April 26 “We have received over 130 mails within the first four days of the launch. It has given us an unhindered insight into the problems faced by students,” said Ms Anuradha Gupta, Member Secretary, AICTE. She said the initiative is part of the efforts made by the AICTE to alert students about unscrupulous institutes and unapproved courses. “We are trying to forewarn students so that they are not taken in by unapproved institutes and technical colleges promising recognised degrees,” Ms Gupta pointed out. Public announcements and updated list of approved institutes on its website have been mooted by the AICTE to prevent students from being misled. To allow students access to information on approved colleges and institutes, the AICTE has compiled a list that has been posted on its website. A students’ facilitation centre has been established in Chandigarh, Bhopal, Chennai, Kanpur,
Bangalore, Kolkatta and Mumbai. “These facilitation centres have all the information that students require, from the procedure of admission to the facilities that are offered,” said Ms Gupta. But the recent move inviting queries and suggestions from students through the website has been a clear winner. “They can write to us for seeking information, clarification and even suggestions at ,” the Member Secretary pointed out. “Three months ago we made all inspection schedules public. The inspection that we carry out will no longer be a hush-hush affair and we also made it mandatory for all institutes to invite students for an interaction with the inspection team and have that videographed. But later we received some letters from students claiming that out of fear of the management, they could not say what they wanted to, which is why we thought of the students voice,” she added. Students and faculty can now write to the AICTE registering their grievances. “We take prompt action against all complaints. There are times when students tell us how unapproved courses are being run by approved institutes and how deemed universities are offering unapproved courses through distance education. We act on all these complaints and have even laid rules for portable water for institutes,” she said.
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Robbers fail to break open bank vault
New Delhi, April 26 However, nothing could be taken away from the Vikas Marg branch of the State Bank of India, as the burglars could not break open the vault chest. It looks like the attempt was perhaps made last night but was noticed this morning at about 9 a.m. when the bank opened today. ‘’No loss has been reported, only an attempt was made,’’ the police said. The incident replicates the one on April 23 when robbers broke the outer gate of the United Commercial Bank in Anand Vihar area, situated in the Karkardooma court premises in East Delhi, but failed to take away anything despite reaching the bank vault where the cash was kept. This is the second case of its kind in East Delhi in four days and fourth one involving a bank in about two weeks time.
Robbery foiled in Shastri Nagar
With the arrest of three persons, including a former Punjab terrorist, the West district police today claimed to have foiled a daylight robbery in Shastri Nagar. The police also claimed to have seized two country-made weapons along with eight live cartridges, one knife and a stolen Maruti car from their possession. The accused persons were identified as Raj Kumar, alias Raju, alias Kala (32), resident of Patiala, Neeraj Kumar (22), resident of Karnal and Jugnu (28), resident of Nangloi. The police said that Raj Kumar is a former TADA detainee from Civil Lines, Patiala, from 1992-95. He was arrested for bringing 18 kilograms of RDX, 10 hand grenades, five pistols, 100 live cartridges, one AK-47 rifle and detonators from Batala in Punjab. Acting on a tip-off that some persons were planning to commit robbery and would assemble near District Park, Outer Ring Road, Paschim Vihar, the police laid a trap and nabbed them.
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Noida buildings unsafe in case of fire
Noida, April 26 The firefighting department is keeping its fingers crossed with the advent of summer. During 23 days of April, as many as 12 fire incidents have been reported in the city in which five people were charred to death and property worth lakhs was gutted. The latest trend is for high-rise buildings – multi-storey residential complexes, commercial and business centres – are coming up to meet the needs of increasing population in the city. But proportionate development and modernisation of fire brigades have not been witnessed. In the latest report of the fire department, it has been admitted that 70 per cent of industrial units, commercial complexes and residential sectors in Noida are unsafe from fire hazards. Any blaze in these places can result in heavy losses in terms of life and property. The Noida Authority, which appears to be constructing more and more high-rises, has not paid adequate attention to modernising the fire brigade facilities. It may be mentioned that apart from high-rise buildings and Sector-18 market plaza, the Noida Fire Services has been found wanting in dousing the blazes in slums and nearby villages. Apart from five deaths in 12 fire accidents recently, 10 persons were partially charred also. Though announcements have been made for two hydraulic platform-fitted vehicles, they are yet to join the fire brigade. These hydraulic platforms can help fighting blazes up to 30 metres height. At present, many multinational companies have their own firefighting facilities, which often come to help Noida fire brigade, a source said.
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SP councillor mired in land scam
Ghaziabad, April 26 Ghaziabad Nagar Municipal Commissioner Ram Bodh Morya said a report has already been sent to the administration for taking the necessary action. An FIR is also being registered against Haji Khalil. Morya said the land in question is situated near a girl’s school of Nagar Nigam in Chaman Colony. The Samajwadi Party councillor had some land adjacent to the Nagar Nigam land. He had first usurped 300 sq mt public land which he sold later. Earlier, Haji Khalil had usurped and sold off 750 sq mt land. The piece of land is worth Rs 2.50 crore in the market, Morya said. The Samajwadi Party in Ghaziabad is in turmoil on the reported fraud by one of its councillors. Some political party leaders have been involved in land scams in Vijay Nagar, Bhovepur. The BJP is planning to create an uproar in the Nagar Nigam on the issue, it is learnt. Minor sold for Rs 50,000 in Loni A man enticed a minor girl in Loni and handed her over to another man in Aligarh for Rs 50,000 two months ago. Her widowed mother has been going from pillar to post in search of her daughter. She even spent five days in Aligarh, but was not allowed to meet her daughter by certain influential people. In a letter to the SSP Ghaziabad, the mother of the victim, Salma, who works in an ice factory, has accused her neighbours, a police informer and his son, of having lured her 17-year-old daughter Afsana and sold her for Rs 50,000 in Aligarh. On April 20, Salma had lodged a written complaint with the police, naming the Loni police informer for the crime. The SSP, Ghaziabad, Mr Jai Narain Singh, said the case is under investigation and the guilty will not be spared.
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Greater Noida on ‘Pragati’ path
Greater Noida, April 26 When the Hi-Tech International Exhibition mart was being planned here, many thought nobody would go to Greater Noida leaving Pragati Maidan located in the heart of New Delhi. But today not only leading Indian companies are there, but we find a good representation of Italy, the UK, China and Korea in the mart. The exhibition mart is spread over 60 acres and will be fully developed by October. The centre, a Rs 700-crore project is a joint venture of Textile Ministry, Export Promotion Council of Handcrafts (EPCH) and Handicraft Exporters of Greater Noida Authority. The 20-lakh sq ft mart will provide exhibition halls, exposition marts, restaurants, conference centre, food plaza, hotels helipad etc under one roof. Mr Amar Singh assured the organisers that he would use his influence with the state government and provide all concessions. In the end, Mr Amar Singh asked everybody to spread word of good work being done in UP, especially Greater Noida belt. According to Mr Navrattan Samdaria, Chairman, India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML), the proposed exposition centre in Greater Noida is first of its kind with world-class services and facilities. “Utmost care has been taken during its construction for safety, environment norms, wireless internet (Wi-Fi) modern power back up, and energy saving,” he added. He said trade fairs have become major engines of economic growth worldwide. In Germany, the economy of the country revolves around trade fairs held in various cities there. He said that the exposition mart will help the major manufacturers, exporters and producers, who don’t have a permanent year round marketing platform, as it has the latest Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC) system to provide comfort to occupants in line with latest trends world-wide. HVAC having 2800 TR capacity has been designed in accordance with the latest norms for fresh air as per the US standards. The HVAC system also involves ventilation for car parking and other utility areas. Car parking having capacity of 8,000 cars and 200 trucks has been provided with CO2 sensors for better ventilation. Mr Rakesh Kumar, Managing Director, IEML, said the mega project has been conceived on the lines of Business to Business (B2B) mart set up in Dallas and Atlanta (USA) Singapore, China, Ultrecht in Holland etc.
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Delhi in Parliament
New Delhi, April 26 Nine cases were pending investigation and as many as 16 closed because suspects/accused were untracked, Union Minister of State for Home S Regupathy told the Lok Sabha today. He, however, said a number of steps had been launched by the Delhi Police to ensure the safety of old people. The disparity between the number of cases reported and worked out also tells their own story, even as a number of crimes go unreported mostly due to failure of the city police to register an FIR. In 2002, 67,409 cases were reported and 47,184 worked out. In 2003, 67,571 were reported and 50,634 worked out. In 2004, 76,827 were reported and 57,596 worked out. This year till March 31, 19,909 were reported and 13,556 worked out, he added. Maximum road accidents Delhi also has one of the maximum number of road accidents anywhere apart from being termed as the crime capital. In 2002, 784 people were killed in road accidents; in 2003, 1,629; in 2004, 798; and this year till March 31, 186. Out of these, 9,631 people were killed by heavy transport/goods vehicles, 548 by chartered buses, 377 by tempos and 221 by Blue Line buses, the minister informed. Talking about the city’s three-wheeler scooter rickshaws and taxis, he revealed that there were 18 cases between 2002 and March 31 this year involving drivers robbing their customers and four cases of them even killing the commuters.
Car thefts
Other glaring statistics related to a number of reported car thefts and their numbers recovered. In 2002, 3,609 cases were reported and 1,096 recovered (30.36 per cent detection rate), in 2003 3,478 cases were reported and 801 recovered (23.03 per cent), in 2004 3,891 cases were reported and 762 recovered (19.58 per cent), and up to March 31 this year, 862 cases were reported and 113 recovered (13.10 per cent).
Per capita water production
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Ghulam Nabi Azad told the Lok Sabha today that per capita production of water in the Capital is about 48 gallons (216 lts) daily. Responding to a question by Mr Sajjan Kumar, he denied that the water availability was the poorest in the country, and added that according to a record of 35 metro cities in the country, water supply ranged between 65 liters per capita per day and 264 lpcd.
Facelift to CP
About the plan to give a facelift to Connaught Place, he said New Delhi Municipal Council had prepared a concept plan for the redevelopment of the area and its precincts with an estimated expenditure of Rs 74 crore. However, the proposal was still at a preliminary stage. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had redesigned the Central Park of Connaught Place considering the proposed underground interchange station under construction, he added. The landscape proposal for the same had been firmed up which included a water body around open air theatre, above ground metro structures such as skylights, ventilation shafts and public conveniences, with an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. This project was scheduled for completion by June 2005, Mr Azad said.
No illegal colonies on green belt
The minister denied that unauthorised colonies were coming up on ‘green belt’ areas in the city. He also informed that as many as 2,125 demolition programmes could not be carried out due to non-availability of police force during the last three years.
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Man held in acid attack case
New Delhi, April 26 The police said that the accused Guddu, resident of Katra Gokul Shah, knew the girl for two years and the girl had been avoiding his company. Infuriated with this, the accused sought the help of his younger brother, Imran and a woman, Rakhi, to teach a lesson to the victim. Accordingly, the three followed the victim on her usual route to Khan Market and Rakhi allegedly threw acid on the girl. After the incident, the trio sped away on a motorcycle. The police said that the investigations were underway and have launched a massive hunt to trace the whereabouts of Imran and Rakhi.
Five held in robbery case
With the arrest of five persons, the North-East district police today claimed to have worked out a sensational bank robbery case, which took place in Burari in North district on April 9. The police also claimed to have recovered one country-made pistol along with two live cartridges and two button-actuated knives from their possession. The accused persons, identified as Mohammad Islam, alias Salu, alias Sallaudin (21), resident of Gokulpuri, Praveen (21), resident of Khajoori Khas, Dushant Kumar, alias Bittoo (23), resident of Khajoori Khas, Irfan (20), resident of Khajoori Khas and Salim (21), resident of Badarpur, had robbed Rs 5.25 lakh from the bank. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East), Mr R. L. Meena, said that after the sensational robbery, the police constituted a special team and the police arrested two persons identified as Mohammad Islam and Praveen, who were earlier involved in a burglary case in Gokulpuri area. The police took them into custody remand for three days. During interrogation, they disclosed that they had committed the robbery along with their four associates. Raids conducted by the police could not result in the arrest of the suspects. However, acting on tip-off the police arrested Dushant and Irfan from Brij Puri chowk and Shiv Vihar Tiraha respectively. Subsequently, Salim was arrested from Nathu Colony and a country-made pistol along with two live cartridges were recovered from his possession. During interrogation, the accused persons disclosed that they formed a group and hatched a plan to rob the Canara Bank in
Burari.
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Vidrohi demands revision of minimum wages for labourers
Faridabad, April 26 In a statement issued here today, Mr Vidrohi claimed that the labourer class has been facing with severe financial problems due to the non-revision of the wages for them for the past several years. Though the previous government had promised to take an action in this connection, but no favourable move was made, he added. Claiming that it is the right time to take a step in this direction, he said that it is only the Congress, which could ensure measures for the welfare of the common man, especially the poor sections of the society. He said that the minimum wages should be revised to at least Rs 3,500 per month. The government ought to take proper measures to ensure that there is no violation of the labour rules by the industrial units and other organisations, which hire labours through contractors. Mr Vidrohi has also raised the issue of the irregularities and improper functioning of the government machinery engaged in the procurement of the rabi crops in the mandis of the state. Claiming that the farmers are being harassed unnecessarily by the officials and the agents, resulting in heavy resentment among the growers who come to mandis to sell their produce. However, though a bumper harvest of the mustard crop has been reported in the southern Haryana this time, the procurement process has not been smooth as expected by the people after change of the government, Mr Vidrohi said. He also claimed that the attitude and style of functioning of the official machinery had not changed and the government should deal firmly with the officers who do not do their duty properly. He demanded that the wheat and other crops lying in the open should be procured at a faster pace and be shifted to covered godowns as there had been chances of squalls and thunderstorms in the region.
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Jamia puts up ‘no smoking’ board on campus
New Delhi, April 26 In an effort to enforce the ban on smoking in public as also to reiterate the consequences of smoking and chewing tobacco, JMI Vice-Chancellor Prof Mushirul Hassan has issued an order banning tobacco and betel on the campus. In an official release, it was pointed out that the Vice-Chancellor has authorised all Deans, Departmental Heads and Proctorial Department to enforce the ban. A notice, that reads, “We care for your health and well-being. Please co-operate with us” has been put up on the campus that instructs students to refrain from smoking and spitting betel juice on the campus. The notice signed by the registrar, further says, action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the orders.
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Importance of food quality stressed
New Delhi, April 26 During his inaugural speech, Dr Mangala Rai, Secretary, DARE and Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), highlighted the importance of issues related to food quality and safety standards from production till consumption. He also urged that there was urgent need for food quality testing laboratories and trained human resources to undertake development of appropriate technology, quick quality and risk assessment, food-safety, surveillance protocol and human resource. He said that the government was committed to promote safety and quality. He stressed that in future the consumers would ask for specific attributes like amino-acid profiles, protein content etc., which should be possible to obtain through
genetically-architectured specific produce. He said their handling and storage environment for maintaining good quality till these are consumed is also important. All the stakeholders from producer of raw material to processors to consumers must take the responsibility to maintain food quality and safety. The seminar provided a great opportunity for food scientists, process engineers, producers, suppliers, exporters and other concerned to interact with experts about quality and safety standards of food and food products during the seminar. The organising secretary of the seminar, Dr D. S. Uppal, said that about 200 delegates from different ICAR institutes, Agricultural universities, leading private sector organisations and industries participated in the seminar. As many as twenty lead lectures were delivered on quality and safety aspects of different commodities.
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Rollback on diesel tax expected
New Delhi, April 26 “We will (partially) roll back tax on diesel, but I will announce how much it will be tomorrow,” Mr Walia told media persons after a meeting of the Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers on VAT. The committee worked out a plan whereby the Delhi Government’s demand for giving relief to consumers on diesel rates has been taken care of, VAT panel chairman Asim Dasgupta said. When asked about the plan, Mr Dasgupta merely said,” you will have to wait till tomorrow.” Mr Walia said he could not exactly give the rate of roll back since a decision on a cut in diesel has to be taken by the Cabinet tomorrow. Delhi will also have to take diesel out of VAT as Dasgupta made it clear that there would not be any VAT on petroleum products. The Empowered Committee has earlier decided on keeping petroleum products out of VAT since their prices are not fully market-determined. However, Delhi had imposed 20 per cent VAT on diesel in its Budget for 2005-06. Delhi had sales tax of 12 per cent on diesel till last fiscal.
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Hand over 10 CETP to industrial societies: SC
New Delhi, April 26 The ten CETPs will be commissioned and made fully operational before handing them over under the supervision of the Environment Pollution Control Authority headed by Mr Bhure Lal. A Bench comprising Mr Justice Y. K. Sabhrawal and Mr Justice Tarun Chatterjee, which issued the direction, observed that effluents from industries could not be permitted to flow into river Yamuna without proper treatment. The court directed the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) Counsel, Mr Vijay Panjwani, to file a comprehensive report on the performance of the CEPTs within eight weeks. The court also asked CPCB to suggest a time-bound action plan for setting up new pumping stations and connecting sewers and drains to achieve optimum results.
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No sanitation tax in unauthorised colonies: Kochar
New Delhi, April 26 This was announced after the Municipal Commissioner, Mr Rakesh Mehta, replied to a question of sanitation in unauthorised localities. The Congress Councillor from Janakpuri, Mr Sanjay Puri, said that this proposal had been rejected earlier. The corporation has been doing the sanitation work for years without charging money from the residents. Secondly, the Delhi Government has assured the sanction of Rs 84 crore for the sanitation work in unauthorised colonies. The Municipal Commissioner said that residents generally throw garbage in drains, streets or in parks. They do not carry the garbage to dhalaos. The corporation has started a process of giving contract to NGOs to carry garbage from residences to dhalaos for which the corporation is charging Rs.30 from each house. He referred to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, which clearly states that 30 per cent of the total collection of property tax should be spent for various developmental works. Mr Mehta said that so far desilting work of 27 drains had been started and the work would be completed before the beginning of the monsoon.
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Joshi stresses need to meet deadline of construction projects
New Delhi, April 26 Reviewing the progress of flyovers, road over/under bridges in the Capital at a high-level meeting, he also told the agencies involved in such projects to consult other agencies before finalising their draft plans. The Urban and Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, Mr A. K. Walia, PWD Principal Secretary, Municipal Commissioner, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation MD and Joint Commissioner Traffic attended the meeting. On the occasion, Dr Walia announced that the government would be setting up a committee under the chairmanship of the Delhi Chief Secretary that would oversee the integration of flyovers on seven major congested roads in the city. The committee would comprise a member each from the engineering departments of DDA and PWD, besides director Planning and Joint Commissioner Traffic. At the meeting, the L-G was given presentations on the construction work being undertaken at many flyovers in the Capital.
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Shortcomings in coordination will be removed: CM
New Delhi, April 26 “We have always worked together with the MLAs. All the legislators are equally important for us,” said Mrs Dikshit, who came under severe attack from detractors in the party, who alleged that she had not been paying due attention to them. “But it is possible that there may have been some shortcomings, which we will attempt to remove. We will work together with all MLAs and local MPs,” she told reporters after a Cabinet meeting to review the water situation in the Capital. On the issue of setting up of a committee for “better coordination” between the party and the government, she said it would be done “if needed”. An election manifesto review committee already existed, she added. The Chief Minister got a reprieve last night after a week-long crisis following her walk out from a DPCC meeting on April 19 when party president Sonia Gandhi intervened and held a meeting with both Mrs Dikshit and one of her main detractors, the Delhi Congress chief, Mr Ram Babu Sharma.
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Set up more scout and guide units: L-G
New Delhi, April 26 The state unit of Bharat Scouts and Guides, he said, was doing a good job of character building and inculcating the value of self-reliance among children in Delhi. He said establishing scouts and guides units all over the state would help achieve this objective. The Lieutenant-Governor gave away Rajya Puraskar to 132 scouts and 109 guides belonging to 33 groups.
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Free eye camp today
New Delhi, April 26 The medical team of St. Stephen’s Hospital will check eye patients and give them medicines and select them for cataract operation at their hospital, Ashok Jain, president of Tarun Mitra Parishad said. Virender Singh Jaryal, president of Mitra Sangam, said that the Delhi BJP Chief Dr Harsh Vardhan would be chief guest.—
TNS
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Feasibility study on Metro link to Faridabad
New Delhi, April 26 Though the DMRC has yet to receive a formal intimation on the decision of the Haryana Government. The cabinet has also approved in principle a Metro link between Delhi and Gurgaon.
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