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Capital’s water woes: Tehri offers hope
Irregularities alleged in construction of Ghazipur abattoir
Sheila concerned over city’s power situation
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Cattle menace: HC in no nonsense mode
World Punjabi Organisation honours Pakistani guests
CGHS scam: No actual transfer of land, says Azad
No compensation to workers treated in private hospitals
No anti-rabies vaccine in govt hospital
CVC examines Sonia Vihar treatment plant
Proper plan for Metro security being finalised
HC asks ASI for status report on city monuments
Clear Jama Masjid area of illegal structures: HC
Film festival in Pragati Maidan
Noida authority officials face transfer orders
40 criminals placed under Goonda Act in Gr Noida
Huge haul of illicit liquor
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Capital’s water woes: Tehri offers hope
New Delhi, August 3 THDC CMD R K Sharma, who updated Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on the progress of the work on the Tehri project, said after the meeting that impounding of water was expected to begin in October and water could be supplied to Delhi from December. “We propose to get the T2 Tunnel ready and begin impounding water in October. As far as THDC is concerned, we can start giving water to Delhi by middle of December,” Sharma told reporters. Sharma said, to begin with, 30 cumecs of water could be supplied to Delhi, and depending on the water inflow, more water could be released to the Capital. Earlier, Uttaranchal Government had reportedly expressed inability to release water from Tehri due to technical problems in the tunnel. Also present at the meeting were Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Rakesh Mohan and officials of the Power Ministry. “The THDC says it is ready to give water and will get the tunnel ready by October-November this year,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said. But apparently playing safe in view of the turnaround by Uttar Pradesh on its announcement to give water to Delhi this summer, she said, “the Water Resources Ministry, the Power Ministry, Delhi and UP will sit together and discuss the supply of water”. But she made it clear that Delhi’s demand was for 300 cusecs of water from the dam. “There should be no doubt on this,” she said.
Its construction completed last year, the Rs 800-crore Sonia Water Treatment Plant, seen as the key to solving Delhi’s water problems, has been waiting for water ever since to start functioning. Meanwhile, Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi today held a meeting with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Rakesh Mohan and NDMC Chairperson Sindhushree Khullar regarding the deteriorating water situation in the capital. After a detailed presentation made by the DJB officials, Mr Joshi said “As water is a limited resource we have to rationalise and optimise its use for the Capital which looses a huge percentage to leakage and pilferage.” The presentation showed that an alarming 40 per cent of the total water loss was caused by leakages and a faulty distribution system. “We have to plug the leaks and look for alternative strategies as getting water from other states in a problematic solution. Instead line patrolling and making water harvesting compulsory for all new buildings is the way to go,” the LG observed. Mr Joshi also called for putting in place a strict maintenance regime to ensure no loss of treated water. Using non-potable water for parks was another way of maximising water use. Jal Board officials said that a proposal to increase line patrolling not only by engaging home guards but also by tapping youth like engineering students was also made in the meeting. The DJB also stated that nearly 12 lakh gallons of water has been saved during the current year by various new steps being put in place like the in-situ lining of existing lines. While privatisation in toto of the DJB was ruled out, some services were likely to be privatised to help improve the situation.
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Irregularities alleged in construction of Ghazipur abattoir
New Delhi, August 3 A thorough inquiry of the expenditure in the construction of the abattoir should be made to find out the minute details of money spent on the construction work, he said in a press conference. He said that construction of the Ghazipur slaughter house has started following the direction of the Supreme Court and the finance has been given by the Central Government. In the year 2004, tenders were invited and contract of construction of abattoir was given to a contractor. In the beginning the cost of construction was estimated as Rs 65 crore. Later the scope of work was expended, and consequently the cost has increased to Rs 150 crore. To make the competent authority aware, the Municipal Commissioner should have tabled a proposal before the Standing Committee explaining the reason for increasing the cost of construction. This procedure has been followed in the corporation for a long time. Instead of adopting the procedure, the Municipal Commissioner took this decision himself without informing the Standing Committee and House, Gupta alleged. Mr Gupta claimed that contract of Ghazipur abattoir was given to the contractor who was awarded contract of Idgah slaughter house without inviting any tender, which is a violation of MCD rules. So far only Rs 4 crore have been spent on project site whereas payment of Rs 45 crore have been made to the contractor. It is also astonishing that original consultant was appointed at a fees of Rs 0.5 per cent of the total cost of project. Now the contractor has been given power to appoint consultant at a fees of three per cent of the total cost of the project. He alleged that Supreme Court directed the MCD that slaughtering capacity of the modern abattoir should be of 10, 000 animals in a day. But the proposed slaughter house has the capacity to slaughter only 2500 animals.
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Sheila concerned over city’s power situation
New Delhi, August 3 Several parts of the city still faced load-shedding problems throughout the day and the angry residents blamed the government and the Discoms for their inability to improve the power situation in the capital. Meanwhile, visibly upset over the dismal performance of Discoms in the Capital, Delhi Chief Minister Ms Sheila Dikshit yesterday held a meeting with Delhi Power Minister Mr Haroon Yusuf and representatives of the Discoms and sought a progress report. The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Mr S Reghunathan, Special Secretary (Power) Mr Arun Goyal and BSES MD Mr Rakesh Aggarwal. Mr Arun Goyal said that the Northern Grid has been facing shortage of about 5000 MW and since most of the units have been shut, the Discoms were compelled to do load shedding on rotation basis. Despite the low frequency, Delhi has been able to meet 3200 MW of power. The Delhi Government has been in touch with Gujarat to get about 100 MW, he said. The Capital is facing a shortfall of about 500-600 MW due to closure of power generating units at Singrauli, Rihand, Unchahar-II, Aurya and Aunta, according to sources. In the
meeting, Mr Rakesh Aggarwal submitted a 12-point action taken report, which include restructuring of its set up by separating the management of its Yamuna and Rajdhani units. As directed by the government, the reliance-owned company has constituted offices of two separate Chief Operations Officers (COO) for BSES Rajdhani Ltd and BSES Yamuna Ltd. General Managers YP Mehra and VV Khullar have been appointed to the posts respectively. Mr Aggarwal said that BSES has also appointed PROs in all the branches and Assistant Managers in all complaint centres to strengthen the redressal system so that the problems of the public would be handled in a smooth manner. Regarding replacement of defective meters, Mr Aggarwal said that the BSES has given an option to the public to test the faulty meters with the Discoms or to buy meters from private suppliers according to the specifications provided by the Discoms. He said that a website has been launched from which consumers can now get bill details, payment details and specification of the meters and vendors. They can also obtain duplicate bills from the website and lodge their complaints through it. The Discoms are also organising a training module for all its employees in association with NIS Sparta to ensure ‘decent’ interaction, he said. However, he refuted the charges of inflated billing by the Discoms and said that the Discoms were charging only according to the guidelines prescribed by the
DERC.
Meter testing drive conducted
New Delhi, August 3 The CPRI experts tested 45 meters using an optical scanner having high accuracy in the presence of consumers. One meter was apparently found running slow beyond the prescribed guidelines.
— TNS
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School education should be holistic: CM
New Delhi, August 3 Speaking at a Bhagidari workshop on ‘National Curriculum Framework -Aims of Education’ in the Capital today, Ms Dikshit said that school education must be holistic and apart from academics should also focus on a child’s health, nutritional status and well-being, and on the overall improvement in personality. The curriculum should also enable a student to acquire inquiry skills, language, design and quantitative skills, stimulate his investigative ability and creativity and instill a scientific temper, she said. The curriculum should use the Information & Communication Technology by providing information, communication and computing resources at all levels in such a way that equal opportunity is provided to all students. Ms Dikshit said that quality education supported by required infrastructure for children in the Capital has been the professed goal of this Government. In creating responsible and empowered citizens of tomorrow, education plays an extremely important role and constant efforts on her government’s part had led to significant improvements in this field. She also suggested that Curriculum, Syllabus and Textbooks should be guided by a mix of criteria based on the child’s learning requirements aims of education, and the socio-economic and cultural context of learners and not on the requirements of the examination system. Instead of a single textbook, a package of teaching learning material should be used to engage the child in active learning.
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Cattle menace: HC in no nonsense mode
New Delhi, August 3 A division bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice S K Kaul ordered that if the reason for such non-compliance was not satisfactory, the chief of the corporation will be summoned to the court on the next date of hearing. “‘Despite earlier court order and directions, the corporation is doing nothing and misleading the bench about its sincerity and measures,” said Justice Kaul while refuting the arguments of MCD counsel Najmi Waziri. “It is complete chaos at the public street where even in the heart of the city, stray cattle are found roaming freely, posing inconvenience to public at large,” said Justice Kaul. If the MCD was facing difficulties in taking such stray cattle off the roads, the task should be given to interested individuals for monetary benefits, observed Justice Patel. Earlier, the court had ordered for the joint responsibility of civic agencies with a permanent monitoring mechanism to solve the problem of cattle menace. The bench had asked the authorities to submit the joint agencies’ report on the drive to make the city free of stray cattle to the court every fortnight. The court was hearing a PIL filed by Common Cause counsel.
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World Punjabi Organisation honours Pakistani guests
New Delhi, August 3 The exhibition, to be held between November 10 and 16, would see top Indian industrialists visiting Pakistan under the leadership of FICCI. The function held at a five-star hotel in the city today not only once again brought out the existing camaraderie and goodwill between the two countries, but also saw some of the most illustrious Punjabis from the city gathering to honour their Pakistani counterparts. Among those present were Apollo Tyres Chairman Onkar Kunwar, Raj Babbar, Tejinder Singh Luthra, Tiger Joginder Singh, Tarlochan Singh, Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Munawar Bhatti, Kuldeep Nayar and of course, the indomitable Navjot Singh Siddhu. Vikramjit
Singh Sahney, who is also a co-chairman, Foreign Trade Committee, FICCI said, “Ever since the inception of WPO in 1998, we’ve been actively fostering social, economic and cultural links among Punjabis spread across the world. Punjabis dominate the political and social milieu of Pakistan and so winning their confidence has only helped to ease relations”. According to FICCI, India hopes to set up 200 stalls and negotiations with Indian companies are on. The Exhibition will be of two segments: industrial machinery, automobile and consumer durables which will on for display, while the other segment will have non-durable goods like textile, home décor and even a food court that hopes to represent cuisine of all the Indian states. State governments have already been approached for the same. The evening had speakers from both India and Pakistan again stressing for the need for greater Indo-Pak ties and that need for easier movement of traders, which would eventually pave the way for better relations between the two countries.
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CGHS scam: No actual transfer of land, says Azad
New Delhi, August 3 “No land had been allotted to any of the 135 societies. Only the names were forwarded by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies to the DDA,” Mr Azad said in reply to a query by BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra during Zero Hour. The DDA then referred the matter back to the Registrar for proper verification. In the meantime, Lt Governor B L Joshi ordered a CBI inquiry, and Delhi High Court ordered a thorough probe. The CBI then conducted raids at the official and residential premises of officials of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and some builders and others, Mr Azad said. “It was the Lt Governor who ordered the CBI inquiry,” Mr Azad said, adding that the government would take stern action against those involved after the inquiry. Earlier, Mr Malhotra said the guilty should not be protected whether they were politicians, ministers or higher officials, and justice should be done. The scam, involving Rs 5,000 crore, should be unearthed fully and poor people should be allotted plots. The Urban Development Ministry should provide staff and funds to the CBI as directed by the High Court, he added.
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No compensation to workers treated in
Gurgaon, August 3 Compensation would also not to be paid to 22 injured workers who are currently in Bhondsi jail with other 40 workers against whom the police had lodged an FIR under various sections, including 307 IPC, informed Dr Avtar Singh, Divisional Commissioner, Gurgaon Range, Gurgaon. As these workers are culprits, no compensation could be paid to them, clarified Dr Singh. Satvir Kumar, an injured worker, said that over 300 workers and he himself were taken to the Sadar police station after the incident on July 25. First-aid was given to them at around 2 am. All of them were then told to leave the police station. Intimidated by the police brutality, the workers walked on foot and reached their homes in a serious condition. Next day, Satvir was admitted to Sheetla Hospital by his relatives. His right hand was fractured. Another injured worker, Ram Kumar of Kurukshetra, had gone to his native place and got himself treated at Civil Hospital,
Kurukshetra. He also had a fracture in his right hand and five stitches on head. Yet another worker Pawan reached his rented home at Hans Enclave, Gurgaon. He got an X-ray done at Civil Hospital next day, but its report was not given to him. Afterwards, he got himself treated in a private hospital. His left hand had two fractures, Pawan was told. The administration refused to pay compensation on the grounds that they were not treated at government hospitals, lamented Subhash of Sirsa district. He has plaster on his left hand. Another worker Ram Kumar added that the Honda company had also refused to reimburse their medical bills if they had got treatment in the hospitals, not falling in their panel list. However, Gaurav Sharma, official spokesperson of Honda said they had already announced that the company would foot the medical bills of all workers injured in the lathi-charge.
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No anti-rabies vaccine in govt hospital
Noida, August 3 A 14-year-old girl, resident of Sector-39, was bitten by a stray dog. She developed rabies infection as the anti-rabies injection could be administered to her on time. She had to be referred to a Delhi hospital. In Noida, Private doctors and clinics are making a killing for want of anti-rabies vaccine in the government hospital. They are charging up to Rs 500 per injection. Normally anti-rabies injection of Avantis Co is given. It costs Rs 300 per shot. A short while ago, anti-rabies injections were stolen from the government
hospital. — OC
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CVC examines Sonia Vihar treatment plant
New Delhi, August 3 The Chief Technical Examiner (CTE) organisation of the CVC has carried out examination of the plant, Union Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in a written reply to the House. He said out of the 36 points raised by the CTE, 21 had been dropped after the response of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Further comments have been sought by CTE in respect of 15 points, Azad said. In respect of civil works, observations were made by CTE on 93 points, out of which replies have been sent by DJB on 89 points. Meanwhile, in reply to another question, Azad said the NGO ‘Paani Morcha’ has made a proposal to generate 360 million cubic metres of water to be shared between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The proposal envisaged setting up of a flood plain reservoir and re-establishing Najafgarh Jheel.
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in parliament Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 3 The plan will have provisions for rescue and evacuation with a station-wise link up with police and fire stations, hospitals, ambulance services and help groups, Minister of State for Home S Reghupathy said in a written reply in the Upper House of Parliament. The decision to draw up the plan was taken at a high-level meeting convened by Home Secretary V K Duggal on security of the Delhi Metro following the blasts on the London Underground on July seven. Other aspects of the plan include access control, checking of commuters and baggage and protection from terrorist and subversive activities. A squad of sniffer dogs and bomb squad has already been deployed by Delhi Police to detect RDX and other raw materials utilised for manufacturing explosives, the Minister said.
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HC asks ASI for status report on city monuments
New Delhi, August 3 A Division Bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul issued the direction after ASI counsel Sanjay Jain submitted that ASI’s requirement of about Rs 5 crore per annum and 576 personnel, including 684 monument attendants, had already been submitted to the government. The Bench asked the Culture Secretary and ASI Director General to file compliance affidavit by October 19, the next date of hearing. The Court, which had earlier set up a permanent committee comprising representatives from Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi Government, Delhi Police and civic agencies to ensure removal of encroachments in and around protected monuments here, regretted that there was hardly any progress on this front. It asked the committee to submit a status report with regard to each of the protected monuments in the Capital within six weeks and sought speedy removal of encroachment in and around the monuments. Earlier, it had expressed displeasure over the passing of buck by ASI and other agencies on the removal of encroachments near the monuments protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. The court is hearing a PIL by Heritage and Culture Forum seeking direction to the Centre and ASI to publish a list of protected monuments in India and publicise it to educate people about their rights and duties towards these.
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Clear Jama Masjid area of illegal structures: HC
New Delhi, August 3 A Division Bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice S K Kaul asked the three agencies and the Waqf Board to file a joint status report by September 21. The Court said in case the directions were not complied with within the set deadline, the Vice Chairman, DDA, MCD Commissioner, Commissioner of Police and Waqf Board CEO shall remain personally present before the Court on the next date of hearing.
— TNS
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Film festival in Pragati Maidan
New Delhi, August 3 The festival will kick off with Ramgopal Verma’s latest release Sarkar, which will be screened tomorrow. From August 5-11, Amitabh Bachchan’s latest film
Viruddh will be shown. Zee TV’s part movie, part animation project
Bhagmati - Queen of Fortunes will be screened from August 12 to 18. On August 19, moviegoers can watch
Waqt, starring Akshay Kumar, while the following two days will be reserved for
Parineeta. According to ITPO, the tickets have been priced at Rs 45 and Rs 60 and will be available at Gate Number 5 of Pragati Maidan.
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Noida authority officials face transfer orders
Noida, August 3 Under the move, officials of Noida authority could now be posted into Greater Noida authority office and vice versa. This decision of the state government, it is understood, has been taken after the draw fiasco of the residential scheme of Noida authority last month. Many of the officials were perceived to have developed vested interests in the authority office because of their long stay at one place. As a rule, the officials of state government are shifted to different office after three years. The same is true of the Central government officers. Some observers are also viewing this decision in the light of some complaints against certain Noida authority officials. The Industrial Development Commissioner and the Principal Secretary, vide his letter No. 436077-4-2005 of July 26, has ordered that all CEOs of industrial development authorities and corporations that their employees will be liable to be transferred henceforth. All employees/officials with a basic salary of Rs 8,000, including GMs, OSDs will also be covered by this order. Officers and employees stationed in Noida since the inception of Noida authority in 1976 will be moved to some other offices of the authority out of this district.
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40 criminals placed under Goonda Act in Gr Noida
Greater Noida, August 3 Kasna police have initiated action against Dhandola resident Sunder Bhatti and Sonu while Surajpur police have taken similar action against Sudhir and Titu, son of Roohtesh of Girdharpur. Leelu, son of Medhraj of Girdharpurhas been placed under Gangster Act. Noida’s Sector-20 police have taken action against Rakesh, Jagat Singh, Manjul, Charan Singh, Yograj Sunil, Sonu, Anil Choudhary, Izhar, Major, Om Veer, Satbir, Asif Hussain. Sector-49 police have placed Yash, Anurag, Dhanjay, Parag, Ritesh, Hira Promode, Pakanj, Lalman and Sunil under Goonda Act. SSP Piyush Mordia said that nobody would be allowed to create disturbance during the elections and the police would closely monitor the situation.
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Huge haul of illicit liquor
Faridabad, August 3 The Deputy Commissioner, Mrs G. Anupama, called a press conference yesterday morning at the office of the Excise department and said that an intensive campaign had been launched to nail the smugglers of illegal liquor. She said the raid had been conducted on her directions. Stressing the need to create awareness on the dangers of illicit liquor, she said it was not only unlawful, it could also take innocent lives. She said checking such an activity was the responsibility of both the administration and the people and unless people come forward to inform the authorities, it was difficult to contain it. She said the seized liquor bottles bore the label of a popular brand. The officials recovered as many as 50 cases of the liquor, which had been stored in house number 2687, Gali Number 4 of the Jawahar Colony, owned by one Subhash. While Subhash was arrested, his accomplice identified as Rajkumar, alias Mattoo, fled leaving behind his two-wheeler.
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