 |
|
|
ABVP goes on rampage, disrupts CABE meeting
Jailor accused of killing prisoner for not paying ‘service cess’
Land scam unearthed in Greater Noida
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GDA to sell property at throw away prices
KNC aims to become a centre for cultural excellence
Fake driving licence racket busted
Positive response to new industrial policy
DJB nod for global bidding to clean Yamuna water
Notice to DC for ‘misuse’ of DCA club
NGO wants building byelaws to be sensitive to needs of disabled
Special show on freedom movement for orphans
Pollution turns Hindon into drain
Special prayers held in gurdwaras
‘International Safety Award’ for BHEL
Summer school to study Jain philosophy
Seminar takes stock of environmental issues
Gang of robbers smashed
|
|
ABVP goes on rampage, disrupts CABE meeting
New Delhi, June 7 The ABVP activists stormed the conference centre, smashed property as they raised slogans protesting against the draft of the proposed National Curriculum Framework, which will now be further discussed. The police was called in to control the drama that unfolded even as the Union Minister of HRD, Mr Arjun Singh, chaired the CABE meeting, called to approve the proposed NCF drafted by the National Steering Committee headed by Prof. Yashpal. Reacting to the BJP’s allegations, Mr Arjun Singh said, “their participation was limited to not participating. They did not read the draft and their allegation that of the 35 members of the national steering committee most were from Delhi, is also incorrect. Fourteen members were from outside Delhi”. “There is nothing parochial about the whole process…I was never in any way associated with it, the whole exercise has been conducted by academicians and will be released by them,” the Minister added. Reiterating that he is keen to keep politics away from education, Mr Singh said, “we have been asked to extend the discussions further. There will be countrywide discussions in July and feedback and suggestions will be sent to the Director, NCERT, in August. Thereon, the curriculum will be drafted, the syllabus made and textbooks written for the academic session 2006-07.” Commenting on the statement made by the BJP leaders’ led by the Education Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Ghanshyam Tewari, that they will refuse to accept the NCF, Mr Singh said, “all schools, even in the BJP ruled states, that are affiliated to the CBSE will have to adhere to the NCF. For others, we cannot force them”. The Central Advisory Board for Education (CABE) met today to approve the new curriculum framework of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Incidentally, like the previous CABE meeting, this one too witnessed a showdown by the BJP, who have accused Mr Arjun Singh of pursuing a “divisive education policy”. The Education ministers from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand walked out of today’s meeting claiming that “they will not allow Arjun Singh to have his way without a fight’’.
|
|
Jailor accused of killing prisoner for
Ghaziabad, June 7 It is learnt that Riazuddin has sent an affidavit to the higher authorities and has also lodged a written complaint with the Human Rights Commission. The jail superintendent has, however, termed this allegation as baseless. In his written complaint to the District Magistrate, Ghaziabad, Riazuddin has stated that when he had met his son in the jail about a fortnight prior to his murder, he had told him that the jail superintendent, Mr Rajesh Kesherwani, and the deputy jailor, Mr Komal Singh, were torturing him by hanging him upside down for refusing to pay “service cess” to the jail staff. He has alleged that Kamarudin was killed during one of these ‘torture sessions. Riazuddin, resident of Subhapur Milan Garden, New Delhi, has submitted the affidavit and sent a complaint to the Human Rights Commission in this regard. It may be recalled that a controversy had been created in connection with the murder of Kamaruddin in Dasna jail. Now the affidavits and complaints of Kamaruddin’s father have given a new twist to the case. An atmosphere of corruption and maladministration in the prison has reportedly been highlighted by Riazuddin’s affidavits.
|
|
|
Land scam unearthed in Greater Noida
Greater Noida, June 7 It is learnt that the land, which is worth Rs 150 crore, had been transferred fraudulently. The Deputy District Magistrate, Sadar, has cancelled all these entries when he found them to be fake. According to information, he has ordered an FIR to be registered against all those involved in the crime. The 126 bigha of barren, saline gracing land of Dara village was fraudulently transferred by tampering with the land records. The Deputy DM, Mr R. K. Singh, said this area was part of Secunderabad tehsil of Bulandshahr when the fraud was committed. It is alleged that the accused entered their names in the Khatoinis of these crop year through the connivance of the employees of the record room. The market value of this land, according to Mr Singh, has been estimated to be Rs 150 crore. However, before these people could take advantage, their misdeeds have been exposed. The Tahsildar, Sadar, has been ordered to file an FIR against all the accused. The District Magistrate of Bulandshahr has been requested to take action against the guilty
employees. — OC
|
|
|
GDA to sell property at throw away prices
Ghaziabad, June 7 According to the sources, a new scheme pertaining to commercial complexes and towers in Vaishali and Kaushambi has been
floated by the GDA for the purpose. The decision of the Ghaziabad Development Authority to dispose off the property worth crores at throw away prices has raised many questions. The commercial cell of GDA maintains that the reserve price is no rate as the bid price always goes up many times. In case a particular bid does not bring attractive offer, the bid can always be cancelled. The towers built on
500 sq mt and 750 sq mt plots in Kaushambi, 219 one-room tenements built in Kaushmabi and
15-storey Ganga towers and commercial towers have been gathering dust for the last two decades. On many occasions,
the GDA tried to sell these towers, but could not succeed. On 27 May 2005, the GDA tried once again to palm off these towers – all that they succeed in was selling four forms, but no prospective buyer came forward to bid really. Now, the big questions are why the Ghaziabad Development Authority repeatedly fails to sell its property and why it takes so long in officering its property to public after registration? And also, why it has to repeatedly revise its property prices, which have umpteen times been rejected by court? There must be something basically wrong with working of premier UP government development agency, a source said.
|
|
|
KNC aims to become a centre
New Delhi, June 7 “It is not a back door admission as it is sometimes perceived. These students, who come through the ECA category, will have to, from day one, prove their mettle,” she said. Keen to highlight the talent in the college, Dr Chatterjee wants to present the college as a centre for cultural excellence. “We have a good dramatics club, we have a lot of talent in singing and instrumental music and we want to work on that to showcase the best,” she added. The college has a film appreciation club. “We have a film club called ‘Wide Angle’ and we are thinking of starting an art appreciation club as well,” Dr Chatterjee said. She pointed out that the college with its 700-seat auditorium can be a venue to stage theater and
other performing arts. “We will encourage theater groups, the NSD and other performing bodies to use our auditorium, which is well-equipped and spacious,” the principal pointed out. Keen to bring in more avenues, she said the college would offer a degree course in fashion design and technology in the next academic session. “The UGC has already provided us the grants and we are now awaiting the go ahead from the Academic Council of the Delhi University,” she said. Apart from offering under graduate courses, the college also allows students to opt for add on courses, which can be pursued alongside their degree courses. “All departments in the college have been instructed to run add on courses. Each department does something. Then we have language courses
like French and courses in Advertisement and Sales and students of Geography can opt for courses in Tourism and Photography,” Dr Chatterjee pointed out. “The English Department can look forward to translation work, we are finalising the details of a certificate course in Gender Studies, the Political Science students can opt for courses in Human Rights and the History Department is looking forward to mapping Siri Fort. We hope to work with the INTACH or the Archeological Survey of India in this venture,” she added.
|
|
Fake driving licence racket busted
New Delhi, June 7 The police came to know about the matter after a local resident informed the police that he got his driving license from the accused for Rs 1,000. He also informed that the license appeared to be a fake one. During investigation, the police raided the said office of motor training school and seized fake stamps of doctors, PPS to Minister of External Affairs and other documents. The accused named some other persons who are also involved in the racket and a hunt is on to nab them.
Man held for murder
The Delhi Police have arrested one person for his alleged involvement in a murder of a person that took place on the intervening night of May 7-8 in the area of Seelampur. The accused has been identified as Sibbu (19), a resident of New Seelampur. Sibbu, illiterate, works as a labour in a factory at Jheel Khureji. On the night of the incident, a PCR call was received that a person was stabbed in Seelampur area. When the police reached the spot, the victim was already taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead. During investigation, it was revealed that the victim, Asif, had illicit relations with the mother of Sibbu. Asif had given some money to his mother for her daily needs. And Sibbu was not happy with their relations. On the fateful night, they got into an altercation and in a fit of anger, Sibbu stabbed Asif to death.
|
|
|
Positive response to new industrial policy
Gurgaon, June 7 The president of the Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr Mohit Jain, welcomed the policy saying that it seeks to consolidate the past progress and push the industrial growth of the state. The approach is “coordinated” as it seeks to integrate all sectors of the economy for the harmonious growth of the state. It will help in increasing employment, expand industrialisation and increasing the GDP base. The GCCI singled out the proposal to set up economic clusters, Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and lauded the effort to give a push to the small and medium units. However, the GCCI urged that there should be stability and continuity in the policy. The former president of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr P. K. Jain, even while lauding the document, stressed that the provisions announced should be implemented forthwith with suitable orders and notifications. Also, there should be a high-powered monitoring committee to see the implementation as well as to assess its impact. The newly-elected president of the Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA), Mr V.P.Bajaj, described the policy as ‘creative’, aimed at encouraging industrialisation in the state. He further said that the policy intends to ensure all-round growth. However, he hoped that if any shortcomings are noticed, the industry would be able to take up the same with the government for a course-correction. The GIA said that although the entire provisions in the policy paper are welcome, some of the measures to improve the infrastructure, particularly those relating to transportation, stand out. They hoped that the policy will end the ‘Inspector Raj’ and facilitate administrative decisions to be taken within a time-frame. The president of the NCR Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Mr H.P.Yadav, remarked that the policy is industry-friendly and job oriented. He said that it focuses mainly at infrastructure development and generation of employment. He expressed satisfaction over the decision to implement the citizen access to public information and modernisation of administrative process and electronic delivery of services. Also, the NCCI appreciated the government for introducing self-certification schemes. Mr Yadav, however, was critical of the government for doing nothing for the existing industries in terms of expansion of their business and relief in various development charges, tax, etc. The genuine demand raised by the various trade organisations on enhancement of floor area ratio(FAR) and reduction of development charges were not considered by the government. The president of the Haryana unit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr Jayant Davar, as well as the Northern India unit of the body, singled out the proposals for setting up Special Economic Zones, clusters and the single window system, which would have positive impact on industrialisation. The document as a whole is positive and will help in the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the state, Mr Dawar added.
|
|
DJB nod for global bidding to clean Yamuna water
New Delhi, June 7 The board also approved an administrative proposal for setting up of an Iron and Impurity Removal Plant in Alipur block, so that residents of Palla and Burari areas can get good quality of water from tubewells and rainy wells. Another measure was discussed to ensure renovation of water rising mains through trenchless technology, using epoxy resin for lining in a length of six-kilometer. This measure would minimize water losses and leakages from the rising mains. The board also took decision on issues like welfare of the Jal Board employees, improving the sewerage system and creation of the new Department of Safety and Disaster Management. During the meeting, the welfare of C and D categories of Jal Board employees were discussed and it was decided to provide enhanced insurance cover to all categories of employees considering the mishaps that often occur in sewers. The board also directed DJB to enhance the corpus and scope of Labour Welfare Fund to provide immediate compensation to the relatives of the affected employees. The board also approved the creation of a new Department of Safety Disaster Management within DJB to focus on implementing an integrated plan of disaster management. An administrative approval was also given for taking up the work of desiltation and relining of sewers.
|
|
Notice to DC for ‘misuse’ of DCA club
Faridabad, June 7 The Deputy Commissioner, who is the ex-officio chairman of the club, is among those who have been served a legal notice in this regard. The legal notice has asked the Deputy Commissioner to either take action against the alleged violations or face legal action soon. In the notice served by Mr Krishan Lal Gera, a social activist based here and Mr Subhash Sharma, a member of the club, several violations of the rules and regulations have been alleged on the part of the club management. Moreover, they have expressed surprise that the Deputy Commissioner, an ex-officio chairman of the club, was unaware of the facts. It is claimed in the notice that the club has perhaps strayed from the larger objectives for which its had been allotted precious land near the stadium in the heart of the city. The complainants are offended for leasing out of the ground of the club for a paltry sum. It is stated that the lessee of the ground had erected permanent structures and had installed generators, which was not only illegal but was creating air and noise pollution in the area. It is alleged that there has been ‘misuse’ of the various facilities there. According to the notice, the swimming pool, constructed for the members, had also been thrown open to ‘outsiders’, which it claimed was against the rules. Moreover, it adds that leasing out the pool to a private party was also ‘unwarranted’. In the notice, the Deputy Commissioner has been asked to seal the accounts of the club so that a probe into the matter could be conducted. They have also asked for a copy of the constitution of the DCA club and the copy of the agreement on the basis of which the land was allotted by the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF). The complainants have announced their decision to file a PIL in the High Court after a period of two months if their demands seeking corrective measures were not taken up. The Chief Secretary, Haryana, and the Commissioner, MCF, have also been served the notice in this regard.
|
|
NGO wants building byelaws to be
New Delhi, June 7 The spokesman of the NCPEDP said that minimum performance standards and specifications, which are being developed for the buildings, should include ‘disability access’ as one of the key requirements for the buildings to comply to. The planning byelaws pertaining to land use and density, height and setback of buildings and parking requirement must also take into account the needs of persons with disability. He said that as the new building byelaws rely on professional certification, the architects and construction engineers on the MCD record should have a thorough knowledge on disability access and universal design. There should be a bridge course to train the professionals. One of the minimum qualifications to be listed on MCD record should be knowledge on disability access and barrier-free environment, the NCPEDP demanded. The NGO has appealed to the experts in the field of disability access to involve themselves in the preparation of the new building byelaws.
|
|
Special show on freedom movement for orphans
New Delhi, June 7 The special show saw the participation of not just the kids but also a number of VIPs, including the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, the Petroleum Minister, Mr Mani Shanker Aiyer, Congress leaders Ambika Soni, Moti Lal Vohra, Ajay Makan, Lalit Suri and Padma Laksmi. Commenting on the special show, Ms Archana Dalmia, patron, Rajiv Gandhi Educational Society, said, “We organised this special show for orphan kids because they don’t get access to the true history of India. It is an important task to tell them the true meaning of freedom, a freedom won and maintained by sweat and blood of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.” The director of `1947’, Mr Amir Raja Hussain, stated, “This special show is a small step in our quest to enlighten these torchbearers of the future. We have always tried to make the young minds creatively enrich and I am sure that this special show would help these kids to imbibe that nationalist fervor and zeal, which our ancestors had for their motherland. The general secretary, Rajiv Gandhi Educational Society, Mr Abhishek Dutt, stated, “Rajiv Gandhi Educational Society is committed towards gearing the youths of India towards a utopian era as envisioned by late Rajiv Gandhi. We are thankful to Mr Amir Raja Hussain for the help that he has extended in our endeavor.”
|
|
Pollution turns Hindon into drain
Noida, June 7 The ratio of liquid oxygen in the river has been found to be zero. The biological oxygen has, however, been found to be six times more than the accepted norms. These data have been collected from the Hindon river at Kulesra bridge. According to sources in the department, about 350 tonnes of waste is generated in Noida daily. This fact was emphasised by the Principal Secretary, Environment, Mr Vinod Malhotra, in a meeting in Noida six moths ago. However, experts feel that the Noida authority has failed to realise the gravity of the matter and failed to take concrete steps to tackle this problem so far. These findings were the result of a study conducted by the department during the month of May 2005. In spite of the findings of this study, no evident step has been taken to undo the damage, according to experts. It is also well-known that the sewer water is being poured into the Hindon river. Due to excess waste and sewer water being poured into Hindon, the river water has become stagnant, with the result that the content of liquid oxygen cannot increase any further. According to the lab in-charge of the department, Mr K. K. Pandey, the content of liquid oxygen in water at Kulesra bridge has been found to be zero. The content of biological oxygen was found to be 20 instead of 3, which effectively means that no plants, fish etc can grow or survive in this water.
|
|
Special prayers held in gurdwaras
New Delhi, June 7 A meeting of the Shiromani Gurdwara Sewadar Committee was held in East Delhi to pay tributes to the departed souls. The vice president, Darshan Singh of the panel, appealed to the community to maintain harmony, peace, unity and love in the country and work for the welfare of the humanity. Joginder Singh Tiger, Jathedars Karan Singh, Jarnail Singh, Inderjeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Bibi Ravinder Kaur, Bachan Singh and many other reputed persons of the Sikh community attended the
meeting. — TNS
|
|
‘International Safety Award’ for BHEL
New Delhi, June 7 BHEL’s other plants located at Haridwar, Bhopal, Hyderabad and Trichy have also been awarded the prestigious award by the British Safety Council, a press release
said. — TNS
|
|
Summer school to study Jain philosophy
New Delhi, June 7 The programme started with the recitation of ‘Navakar Mantra’ by the visiting scholars from USA and Canada. It was followed by lighting of lamp and a special sitar performance by Ms Renu Jain. Dr Sulekih Jain, programme director (USA) briefed the guests about the plan of the school to take Jain academic studies to different universities.
— TNS
|
|
Aditya Dahiya tops in PMT
New Delhi, June 7 The academy’s students have also bagged 16 among the first 100 PMT ranks, grabbing nearly one-fifth of the top merit list. The institution also boasts of three students among the first 10 PMT top-rankers.
|
|
|
Seminar takes stock of environmental issues
New Delhi, June 7 Expressing serious concern on the increasing water problems in Delhi, he said the problem was multiplied by the government’s attitude towards it and the ignorance of the citizens. The seminar was organised by the Green Institute for Research and Development (GIRD) and Humane Touch, an NGO.
|
|
|
Gang of robbers smashed
New Delhi, June 7 The police were tipped-off that that the accused are present in the DDA park, Sagarpur, Dwarka, and accordingly, the police nabbed them. Some country-made weapons were recovered from their possession. The accused were allegedly involved in robbing poor passers-by in the area during odd hours. One of the accused Deepak, alias Deepa, was allegedly involved in a rape case of a minor girl in April 2004.
— TNS
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
