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Massive investment in infrastructure planned by HUDA
HC questions security for ‘frivolous people’
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Noida authority to pay 6% interest to plot applicants
Noidaites allowed to exercise right to information
30,000 cases disposed of by Lok Adalats
Special police force to be deployed at Trade Fair
HC summons MCD official over illegal constructions
Spirits run high at this HIV awareness centre
Walk the talk for your vision of DU
LG, CM condole Narayanan’s death
Raid on hospital for illegal power connections
Youth gets 7-yr RI for raping girl
Notice to Nafed for “illegal disbursement”
Korean ambassador meets Mayor
Gopashtami celebrated
Hypertension check-up week on
Power shutdown
Cop, kin held for printing currency
Qutub festival treat from November 11
Panel welcomes verdict on gurdwaras
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Massive investment in infrastructure planned by HUDA
Gurgaon, November 9 According to the administrator of the local unit of HUDA, Mr
S.P. Gupta, the money will be spent from the pool of External Development Charge (EDC) that HUDA has in its kitty. HUDA charges extra money from buyers of plots and developers for building infrastructure in the city. The policy of charging the EDC was started in 1989 to cope with the increasing strain on the agency to provide infrastructure in the wake of large-scale expansion of the city. According to HUDA, it had collected an amount of Rs 1,600 crore till March 2005 and was yet to collect an additional Rs 568 crore lying as arrears. However, HUDA had spent only Rs 665 crore till the end of the last financial year. In fact, the Society for Urban Regeneration of Gurgaon and its Environs (SURCE), headed by a former Chief Secretary of Haryana, Mr
M.C. Gupta, which has been demanding that the government give an account of the EDC money collected so far, has already taken the matter to the Punjab and Haryana High court. According to a source, HUDA has already submitted its future plans of expenditure from the pool of EDC fund to the court. Mr Gupta today disclosed that the substantive portion of the money that is proposed to be spent from EDC will be on setting up of an underground channel for storage of untreated water at a cost of Rs 280 crore, including land costs. Another Rs 414 cores will be spent on augmenting the water supply network for the city. HUDA has planned the projects to cater to the 22 lakh population, which the city is projected to have by the year 2021. While a master sewage plan will be set up at a cost of about Rs 44 lakh, a master plan for draining out storm water from the city will be laid at a cost of about Rs 50 crore. Also, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for setting up of a flyover or underpass at Sikandarpur on Gurgaon-Mehrauli Road. An amount of Rs 86 crore has also been earmarked for broadening and strengthening the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, right from IFFCO crossing (first bypass of the city to Mehrauli border). An amount of Rs 55 crore has been set apart for horticulture and Rs 5 crore for electrical works. Mr Gupta, who recently took charge, said that he would take up the issue of amendments in the building bye-laws with the government so as to bring uniformity in the rules in the city. Different yardsticks and rules for different parts of the city were sources of corruption, he said. He identified the grant of “Completion Certificate” as another major source of corruption in HUDA. To stop the post-certificate violation of rules, HUDA will survey the buildings and bring to bear strict punitive measures in such cases, he added.
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HC questions security for ‘frivolous people’
New Delhi, November 9 A Division Bench of Mr Justices Vijender Jain and Rekha Sharma asked the MHA and the Delhi Police to file the detailed report by December 7, mentioning the antecedents of some of the people who had been given security at the government cost. The court asked the authorities to state the reasons for providing security to Gauri Vadhra, mother-in-law of Priyanka Gandhi, Gauri Advani, estranged daughter-in-law of BJP president L K Advani, Avairaj Sinha, son-in-law of a former governor, journalists Sunil Sharma, Naveen Kumar, Tarun Tejpal etc. Reading a report submitted by the MHA before the court, the Judges said even the security provided to senior lawyer and politician Ram Jethmalani, businessman Sandeep Puri, K B Mishra, advocate Ajay
Aggrawal, Sanjay Rungta, Shiv Sena leader Jai Bhagwan Goel and others might be uncalled for. “When common men are being killed in bomb blasts on the street, old people are strangulated in their houses, what is the reason of providing individual security to so many people?” the court questioned. The MHA filed an affidavit stating that 391 persons, including the President, the Prime Minister and ministers are being provided with security. As many as 3,000 police personnel are engaged in providing security cover to the VIPs in the Capital, said counsel Rajendra Awasti appearing in person. Counsel Mit Malhotra, appearing for the Centre, said the authorities had already chalked out a plan to separate both wings of police and he would produce the details about the VIPs and the threat perception to them. On August 4, the court had given final opportunity to the Centre to implement its order to separate crime investigation from law and order duty at the police station level in the Capital within two weeks failing which the Union Home Secretary shall personally appear before it.
Observing that the Centre appeared to have no political will to take a decision on the issue, the court expressed strong displeasure over inordinate delay in the implementation of its order.
On May 18, it had asked Union Home Ministry and the Delhi police chief to explain why action should not be taken against them for failing to implement its order to separate crime investigation from law and order duty here. The recommendation to separate crime investigation from law and order duty was made by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) which was accepted by the government.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation here, the Bench disapproved of the manner in which the authorities treated the court’s November 2003 order. Petitioner’s counsel Rajiv Awasthi said the order was supposed to have been complied with by March last year but it had not been implemented till date.
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Noida authority to pay 6% interest to plot applicants
Noida, November 9 More than 1.5 lakh applicants of this disputed scheme are still hopeful on getting a plot through a “fair draw”. The Allahabad High Court had last month ordered the authority to conduct a redraw within four weeks. The time expired on 3rd of this month. Now everybody is waiting for the court’s next orders. It may be recalled that as a first step towards the shady deal, certain officials connected with the scheme were shifted. Then some plots in Sector-44 were added to the scheme for draw and it was ensured that most of the VIP applicants could get their plots allotted in Sector-44 only. The expiry date of the scheme was then extended by 10 days and later to December 31, 2004. The draw was then prolonged to a lengthy duration–putting a question mark over the scheme. Even after December 31, 2004, the authority’s residential department officials had not called for the application forms lying in the banks for weeks. It was followed by the infamous decision to have computerised draw conducted through UPDESCO which further made it suspicious. UPDESCO’s credentials for a fair draw were besmeared when it could not satisfy the applicants in a mock draw on May 21, 2004. Again on July 1, the applicants remained unconvinced of UPDESCO’s ability for the draw and created a commotion. At that time, the authority had handed over dissatisfied applicants to the police which sent them to jail. After the draw on July 2, the applicants were in for a shock, seeing the list of successful allottees. Realising the fact that the draw was rigged, Noida Chairman Dev Dutt cancelled it in an impromptu press conference called on July 4, 2005. The exercise for a fresh draw has been under way since then. Despite the High Court’s direction, the authority has failed to hold the redraw within the stipulated one month. Now the authority finds itself in an unsavoury situation–it will have to pay crores of rupees by way of 6% interest on registration amount deposited by each of 1.50 lakh applicants. It is as per the terms of the printed brochures regarding the scheme. This is the first time that the authority will have to suffer not only a loss of face but also a loss of crores of rupees for its negligence.
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Noidaites allowed to exercise right to information
Noida, November 9 In a form designed for the purpose, the information seeker is required to give complete information about him first. A scale of fee has been fixed for perusing files and getting photocopies of the documents. It is learnt that the authority bosses are trying to keep certain categories and levels of information out of the purview of the Right to Information Act. According to an authority official, the person seeking any information under the Act will be obliged to state his name, address, phone, PAN no, passport and ration card numbers, e-mail address and certain other details. He will also have to mention as to from which official the information is sought. A fee of Rs 10 will have to be paid for perusing one file for an hour after which Rs 5 for every 15 minutes. An information floppy will cost Rs 50. Information could also be provided through e-mail. Details such as tender rates etc are proposed to be kept out of the purview of the people’s right to information. The authority is understood to have undertaken this exercise in view of the public pressure.
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30,000 cases disposed of by Lok Adalats
Faridabad, November 9 Presiding over a legal awareness camp, organised on the occasion of the ‘National Legal Awareness Day’ at sector-12 here today, the District and Sessions Judge, Mr L.N. Mittal, said Lok Adalats had proved to be a boon for litigants. The Chief Judicial Magistrate and the Member- Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Mrs Anita Dahiya, said that as many as 165 Lok Adalats had been organised in the district. As many as 68 legal awareness camps were also held in which free legal services were provided to the needy. It was also announced that the next Lok Adalat in the district would be held on November 12 in the court complex at sector- 12 here. The Judge of the Special Environment Court, Mr Faleet Sharma, said here that the free legal services provided by the authorities were aimed at fulfilling the constitutional obligations to provide free legal aid to the needy. He said persons with an annual income of less than Rs 50,000 could take the benefit of such facility, besides all residents belonging to the Dalit community. The District Bar Association welcomed the frequent holding of Lok Adalats as it would solve the legal problems and empower the citizens. A legal awareness camp was also organised at Bhim Basti locality of Old Faridabad on the occasion.
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Special police force to be deployed at Trade Fair
New Delhi, November 9 The traffic police officials claim they have made adequate arrangements to avoid traffic jams around the trade fair area. Besides, special security arrangements have also been made by the police to avoid any untoward incident. Police officials said a special police force had been deployed at the Pragati Maidan in uniform and plain clothes. These policemen would be present at every part of the trade fair and would be in contact with the security forces. Besides, CCTVs and other metal detectors have been installed at various points to check people at different levels. After the three bomb blasts that took place recently in the city, the police have pumped in extra force at the Pragati Maidan. Sources said that more than 2000 policemen had been deployed in and outside Pragati Maidan. These policemen include traffic policemen, Delhi Home Guards and the local police. Sources also claimed that all pavilions and halls would be fitted with CCTVs and close supervision would be kept at these places.
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HC summons MCD official over illegal constructions
New Delhi, November 9 A division bench of Justices Vijender Jain and Rekha Sharma summoned the Additional Commissioner (Establishment) to be present in the court on November 30, the next date of hearing, with the records of posting of Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and other staff in various zones of the Municipal authority. ‘’If the MCD and its officials were vigilant, the unauthorised constructions would not have taken place,’’ observed the Court while hearing a petition filed to remove illegal constructions in Pitampura and Rohini in West Delhi. The Court also directed the High Court Registry to club all the cases related to illegal constructions in the Capital. The court said unauthorised constructions went on unabated and no serious efforts had been made to check them. It was a lucrative business to permit the people to illegally construct structures flouting building bylaws, said the Court. Until and unless serious action was initiated against the erring officials, illegal constructions would remain rampant, observed the Judges.
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Spirits run high at this HIV awareness centre
New Delhi, November 9 Narrow seedy lanes run into each other in Jahangirpuri and refuse dumps line the lane of an overbuilt, overpopulated colony. The DESH office here is a humble affair but it is teeming with young people. “Most of our work is done here through our peer educators,” says the DESH project coordinator at Jahangirpuri. “We have intensively trained some youth from the colony and they form the backbone of our work here,” says the coordinator. There are currently some 70 peer educators, both young boys and girls who are doing substantial work in generating awareness on HIV-AIDS in this colony and also on imparting basic life skills education to young people here. The message is given out to the public by this band of young people often through the medium of folk theatre. Training in basic life skills is imparted through a detailed life skills module specially developed for this area. This includes social skills, health, nutrition, changes during adolescence, anatomy, physiology, substance abuse, gender, values, relationships, marriage, legal literacy and reproductive health, responsible sexual behaviour, RTI, STI, HIV, sexuality and abuse. A youth resource centre has also been set up here and works as a forum for imparting information to the youth on issues related to health, life skills and also provides linkages to vocational courses. Take Neha, a smart young girl from Jahangirpuri. She has been a peer-educator for the past two years, “I think this experience as peer-educator has been extremely helpful for me and I have got to know about the dangers of HIV infection through this. I have got immense satisfaction out of imparting my knowledge to others and in helping them. Also, the many training programmes that the coordinator here and CARE have arranged for us have greatly benefited me.” Neha smiles. She adds, “The youth centre is a boon for us, there are books here and we can study here, it is so quiet.” Nazir Khan, another peer- educator, feels, “I was curious to know about this disease, HIV, why it happens and what it is. Once I got this information I wanted to share it with others. This knowledge has been of great value for us and I am going to spread it as far as I can.”
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Walk the talk for your vision of DU
New Delhi, November 9 Students, teachers and alumni can finally have a say in the way the University of Delhi needs to shape up. The administration has set out an ambitious plan to not just reform the existing systems, but is also formulating a vision for the university. The Vice-Chancellor, Having solicited suggestions for reforming the examination system, Delhi University officials are hopeful that ideas and feedback will be forthcoming even on what an individual feels the University of Delhi should be like in five years from now and how that can be achieved. Apart from proposing amendments and changes in the curriculum and syllabus, research and examination system, individuals can also send in their views on the administrative reforms that are needed. Suggestions can also span across to areas like professional development of teachers, library facilities, computing facilities and university network - e-resources, infrastructure including laboratories, classrooms, common areas among other things. While no separate committees have been set up to assess the feedback received, the process of examination reforms is being studied more extensively. The Vice-Chancellor has set up a committee to study the examination reforms that need to be undertaken. “It is for the first time such measures are being taken. And the process has already begun,” said Dr Kiran Dattar, former Dean of Colleges, who heads the examination reforms committee set up by the Vice-Chancellor. The committee is expected to take stock of the current examination and after discussions propose steps to make it more efficient. “There will be wide-ranging consultations and there will be many structured meetings. The exercise is to see where the examination system needs to be tightened”, said Dr Dattar. With many having expressed the view that the process is long overdue, the committee will examine in detail the changes that need to be brought in. “People have suggested that the examination system needs revamping, there should be smoother interaction between the college and the examination branch, students should not be made to run around too much before the exams and so on. We are looking forward to receiving more suggestions and inputs from students,” Dr Dattar added. With Delhi University facing flak for administrative delays as also for a dip in standards, these reforms, it was pointed out, were the first steps to prevent a further downslide.
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LG, CM condole Narayanan’s death
New Delhi, November 9 In his message, Mr Joshi said Mr Narayanan had a brilliant public career and was an asset to the nation. The nation would always remember him for his great statesmanship as a diplomat and as the President of India, he said. In her message from Spain, where she had gone on a three-day official visit to attend the Second World Summit Conference on Information Technology, Ms Dikshit said he was a great leader and a great statesman. Speaker of Delhi Assembly Prem Singh also condoled his death. Mr Narayanan was an asset to the country who always fought for the causes of all sections of society, including the downtrodden, oppressed and the have-nots, he said.
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Raid on hospital for illegal power connections
Ghaziabad, November 9 It is alleged that the doctor was constructing residential flats in Doctor’s Park in Vasundhra, Ghaziabad, without obtaining legal power connection. It was alleged that during a raid on Tuesday afternoon, power sleuths found that 23 KV power was being used without any legal connection. According to reports, Dr Nagar has paid Rs 5 lakh through cheque and has been asked to deposit the balance by November 15. Dr Nagar’s housing society is building three buildings, though none of them have valid power connections, it is alleged.
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Youth gets 7-yr RI for raping girl
New Delhi, November 9 Rejecting the mercy plea of the convict that he should be released on probation as he has to look after his parents, pregnant wife and nine brothers and sisters, the Additional Sessions Judge S C Malik held Nazim guilty of rape and keeping the victim in confinement for almost a fortnight. The court also imposed a fine of Rs.6000 on the convict after finding him guilty under section 376 (Rape), 366 (abduction) and 344 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC. As per the prosecution, the convict, a neighbour of the victim in Jheel Khuranja locality of east Delhi, was having an affair with the victim. On the night of January 11, 2005, Nazim, after assuring the victim that he will marry her, eloped with her and took her to a flat in Dilshad Garden. Later, prosecutrix, after knowing that convict was already married, tried to flee. The convict kept her in confinement till January 24 and sexually assaulted her several times during the period. The girl managed to escape from the clutches of the convict when he was sleeping after consuming liqour. Medical examinations of the victim confirmed the rape. The prosecution examined four witnesses including the victim to prove its case.
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Notice to Nafed for “illegal disbursement”
New Delhi, November 9 A Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Rekha Sharma issued the notices on the PIL filed by a social activist Vikas Jain seeking a direction for a CBI inquiry into it and asked them to file their replies on February one. The petitioner alleged that Nafed, without verifying the antecedents, stood guarantee to the banks and firms which had been “blacklisted” by nationalised banks for misusing credit facilities and also took loans from various financial institutions and gave it to them, totalling to Rs 3,500 crore. “Though the relevant Act empowered Nafed to obtain loans only up to 10 times over and above its working capital, the latter had procured loans over 15 times of the permissible limit to favour the vested interest,” the petition alleged. Jain contended that though the sole object of Nafed was to promote the interest of the poor farmers by way of market intervention programmes, the organisation had been indulging in “several illegal activities in blatant violation of the bye-laws”.
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Korean ambassador meets Mayor
New Delhi, November 9 The Ambassador also mentioned that as many as four Cabinet ministers from India had visited South Korea in the recent past which had further added impetus to cooperation between India and South Korea. He further added the South Korean Government would welcome cooperation and exchange in the field of culture, trade, commerce and in other fields. The Ambassador also discussed the ongoing development works in Delhi as also in other parts of the country. He also mentioned that South Korea was a part of the Metro Rail in Delhi.
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Gopashtami celebrated
New Delhi, November 9 The main function of Gopashatmi was held at Shri Ram Hanuman Vatika at Ramlila grounds in the presence of Mahant Shri Ram Krishan Das Mahatayagi. On this occasion, a major Gopashatmi Mahotsav was held at Vatika where thousands of people assembled from across the Capital and worshipped the cow and calf for prosperity in their families. Addressing the devotees, the mahant said according to ancient history Gopashatmi has been celebrated since the childhood period of Lord Krishna and continues till date.
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Hypertension check-up week on
New Delhi, November 9 During this week, the focus will be on effective and detailed check-up of hypertension and free consultation on all problems of hypertension along with creating awareness among people about this “silent killer”. Expressing his views on the alarming rise in the number of hypertension patients in India, Dr Manish Mohil of G. M. Modi Hospital said, “Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart, kidney, eyes and cerebral disease. According to a recent study, about one in every four Indian adults over 50 years has high blood pressure, which is an alarming figure. We at G. M. Modi Hospital want people to be aware of this problem at an early stage”. Around the world, hypertension has earned the notoriety of being a silent killer because it usually produces no symptoms and yet it can effect heart, kidney, eyes and result in a stroke. Sometimes, breathlessness on exertion, headache
or giddiness could be the only symptoms with a dreading end. Dr Mohil further added, “Usually hypertension affects in the middle age groups and old age but nowadays the younger generation is also getting equally affected. The only way to prevent damaging effects of high BP is to detect it, get a thorough treatment done under the supervision of a medical physician and keep blood pressure within normal limits by lifestyle modification, exercise and if required through medicines”.
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Power shutdown
New Delhi, November 9
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Cop, kin held for printing currency
Ghaziabad, November 9 The currency was in the denominations of Rs 1000, Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes, totalling to Rs 7.15 lakh. Forged identity cards and currency printing machines have also been seized from the duo. They were operating from a flat at Shalimar Garden in Sahibabad. The kingpin of the gang, Satish, alias Lala, and his companions are absconding. SSP J.N. Singh said the duo were arrested by the Loni police near Chitar Lok cinema when they were going to meet Satish in Delhi. Rakesh belongs to Bulandshahr and is in Rajasthan police. At present, his battalion is camping in Ghazipur, Delhi, it is learnt. Pushpinder is a tempo driver in Loni. Rakesh had given a forged identity card of Delhi Police to his brother-in-law. The duo used to print the currency and pass it on to Satish, alias Lal, and his friend Manoj for marketing.
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Qutub festival treat from November 11
New Delhi, November 9 Jointly organised by Delhi Tourism and Sahitya Kala Parishad, the 13th annual function will be supported by Ministry of Culture, Indian Airlines and the ITDC. This event, which has been traditionally presenting Indian classical and contemporary musical shows, will focus only on vocal and instrumental performances this year. The three-day function will commence with exotic performances by Shafqat Ali Khan, a Sufi singer from Pakistan. Associated with the Sham Chaurasi Gharana, Shafqat is known for his Drupad singing style, ghazals, sufi songs, thumri and fusion music. Internationally renowned qawwali singer Chand Afzal will also perform on that day. The second day will provide a musical treat with Punjabi songs by Hans Raj Hans and Sufiana qawwali by Aslam Sabri. The last day will showcase performances by Bombay Jayshree Ramnath and Orange Street. While Bombay Jayshree is one of the most sought after classical Carnatic musicians, the Indian western classical band, Orange Street, is a combination of heavy rap and rock. As the musical bonanza showcases the cultural art forms of the country, the organisers want to make it an attraction for Indian youth apart from making it a mere tourist attraction. “Our aim is not only to attract the tourists. We organise these fests as we want the younger generation to participate in these functions so that they get to know more about their own cultural heritage”, said Mr Ramesh Negi, Secretary, PR, Government of Delhi, at a press conference organised at Dilli Haat today. A series of other events are also going to be organised by the DTTDC to mark the festival season. Under the sponsorship of the ITPO, the Embassy of Vietnam and Delhi Tourism, fashion and music shows by a cultural troupe from Ho Chi Minh City will be oraganised on November 12 and 14 at Dilli Haat and Pragati Maidan, respectively. A three-day special event for children will begin at Dilli Haat on November 11. A set of four original stories about children produced by the Dastkaari Haath Samiti will be released on the first day. Culminating with the celebration of Children’s Day, the programme
will also include magic shows, puppet shows and handcrafted products for children.
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Panel welcomes verdict on gurdwaras
New Delhi, November 9 The verdict directed that nobody would be allowed to make a building or a gurdwara in the name of Gurus or their family members. Nobody will be allowed to collect money in the name of historical temples of Sikhs in South India.
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Bail plea denied New Delhi, November 9
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One held with smack
New Delhi, November 9 The police said the accused received the smack from one Prakash, a resident of Ghaziabad. He further disclosed that he was into this illegal trade since the past five months. He was incited into the illegal trade by one of his relatives and was arrested five month back in similar case.
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New Delhi, November 9
