 |
|
|
‘Contempt of Court Bill’ to be introduced, says Bhardwaj
PM greeted by black flags by JNU students
Raped and cheated, woman moves court to register case
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
HC refuses to vacate stay on Police Memorial
HC asks CBI to take action in housing scam case
CM inaugurates Delhi Pavilion at IITF 2005
Faridabad comes under NURM
New Municipal Commissioner takes charge
18 new dengue cases reported in Capital
Vaish community objects to offending ad
Capital to play host to Bollywood stars
Violence erupts as farmers allege faulty weighing of sugar cane
Teacher brutally killed
Two inter-state robbers held
Tax advocates criticise VAT authorities
Paharganj hotels asked to install CCTVs
|
|
‘Contempt of Court Bill’ to be introduced, says Bhardwaj
Gurgaon, November 14 Dwelling on the issue, he said that while one school of thought feels that ‘truth’ should be the defining feature, the other school of thought wants that it should be linked to ‘public interest’. He said along with the Right to Information Act the proposed ‘Contempt of Court Act’ will give a new dimension to freedom of expression. Speaking at the seminar organised by Communication Management Foundation (CMF) and its associate IMI, headed by former Director of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dr J.S.Yadav, Dr Bhardwaj lamented that the fruits of Information Technology and computerisation had not come to the aid and assistance of the poor in the country in the true sense of the term. Telephones spreading to unheralded areas is all right, but they do not rejuvenate the poor, who suffer from lack of basic amenities. He referred to some of the national missions like ‘Drinking Water Mission’ and ‘e-governance’, undertaken by the government headed by late Rajiv Gandhi, to point out how IT should be harnessed for the public welfare. He lamented that endearing relationship between teacher and the student, the hallmark in the earlier days, is missing today. Modern India has failed to integrate the legacy of our civilisation and culture in the education system. The institution of teacher is not getting proper attention, he added. Mr Bhardwaj also expressed concern over undesirable elements seeping into the political system. According to him, work on a national project to link every court in the country with the Supreme Court in an effort towards e-governance was on. The pro-Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Open University, Dr
S.C. Garg, also spoke on the occasion. Dr J.S.Yadav, said that IT revolution has yet to benefit the poor to the desired extent.
|
|
PM greeted by black flags by JNU students
New Delhi, November 14 The demonstrators were later dispersed by the police. The protest during the Prime Minister’s visit by the red brigade has left the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration red in the face. Taking cognisance of the demonstration the administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Speaking to The Tribune, Vice Chancellor, Prof B B Bhattacharya said, “we have taken note of the unfortunate incident and we have assured the University community that action according to the JNU statutes will be taken against those found responsible for this shameful incident”. The Vice Chancellor said an internal inquiry would be conducted to identify the culprits and necessary action taken after “consultation”. He added, “these people went back on their word, they had been assured that they will be allowed to put forth their demands and views to the Prime Minister, but there was to be no protest”. Prof. Bhattacharya added, “the Prime Minister after finishing his address was waiting for the JNUSU representatives to submit the memorandum, but this could not be carried out because of the disorder”. Condemning the incident and calling it a “breach of faith”, the VC said, “appropriate steps would be taken to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future”. Incidentally Haryana Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda too was at the receiving end of such a protest when he came to the campus here last week. Earlier this year AISA’s Mona Das refused to present a bouquet to the President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam because of his contribution to the country’s nuclear programme. “A section of students have maligned the name of the whole JNU community. All the parties had agreed that there will be no untoward incident, but a handful of students not only disrupted the event, but also disrespected the PM’s office,” said NSUI activist, Maruf Hussain. As teachers and students got together to censure the incident, the CPI (ML) backed All India Students’ Association (AISA), Democratic Students Union and Progressive Students’ Union that were responsible for the disturbance remained unapologetic. “We have a right to be heard…this is a democracy. We have nothing against the PM, but we are against his government’s policies,” said Avdesh, an AISA activist. While JNUSU President Mona Das was conspicuous by her absence, there was speculation that the AISA remained divided over today’s protest. “Mona was party to the agreement that nobody will protest when the PM is in the campus. Teachers and students led by their respective unions had decided to submit memoranda to the PM and the HRD Minister, but it is unfortunate that some sections chose to go against the JNUSU position,” Shona Mitra, of
the SFI.
|
|
Raped and cheated, woman moves court to
New Delhi, November 14 Metropolitan Magistrate Narender Kumar directed Vasant Vihar police to investigate the case and file its report, on an application filed by the complainant Roma Mishra. According to the application filed through counsel R D Rana, Jaan Mohd Jaan, alias Sahil, contacted Mishra, an entrepreneur in the handicrafts business, in August 2004, and persuaded her to invest some more money promising to help promote her business. Mishra says she even sold a house belonging to her, and entrusted Sahil with eight lakh rupees for investing. Meanwhile, strained relations with her husband made Mishra move with her son to a rented house, where she was regularly visited by Sahil. In May this year, when asked to return the eight lakhs, Sahil gave Mishra two cheques of four lakh rupees each, instructing her not to present them till later. In July 2005, a drunk Sahil allegedly entered Mishra’s home and raped her at knife-point. He even took nude photos of the complainant and later threatened to kill her and her son. A kidnap attempt against Mishra was also allegedly made by the accused from a moving car in the crowded Saket area. However, Sahil was caught by the police, and later released on bail, after which he continued to threaten her. On September 1, Mishra complained to the Vasant Vihar Police Station, which did not register a case against Sahil. In her application, Mishra also alleges that the local police were hand in glove with the accused.
|
|
HC refuses to vacate stay on Police Memorial
New Delhi, November 14 A division bench comprising Justices Vijender Jain and Rekha Sharma asked the Centre to approach DUAC within two weeks for seeking advice on the monument and its construction. The DUAC was asked to give its suggestion within eight weeks of receiving the documents from the Centre. DUAC chairperson Charles Correa, in an affidavit, had submitted that the under-constructed police memorial was “inapproprately located and would not be conducive to maintaining the grandeur and perspective of the area”. DUAC Secretary Dina Nath had said, “It would compromise the elegant simplicity of this fine urban landscape, removing forever the memory of the vista with which this important part of New Delhi has been identified”. The memorial is directly in the line of Shantipath and the dome of Rashtrapati Bhawan and thus interferes with the visual integrity of the vista by obstructing almost completely views of the dome, said the affidavit. In a meeting of the DUAC attended by its Chairman Charles Correa and members Jasbir Sawhney, Prof Mohd Shaheer and Dr Narayani Gupta, it was decided that either the memorial should be removed from the site or to be lowered to 31 metre height so that it did not obstruct the view of the President’s House. The DUAC suggested that it was willing to assist and advise the Centre in identifying a suitable site for the prestigious project. Two months back Mr Correa was asked by the court to file a report on the controversial police memorial being constructed in Lutyens’ Delhi in contravention to the Capital’s master plan. He was asked to file the report considering the aesthetic, architectural and environmental aspects of the structure without being influenced by any authorities. The Delhi High Court on July 22, 2004 had stayed the construction of the Police Memorial at Chankyapuri in the heart of the Capital on a suit filed by six prominent citizens of the city. The Union Government, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), DUAC were the respondents. Challenging the construction of the 47-metre high steel structure as part of the Memorial near the Shantipath-Kautilya Marg intersection, the plaintiffs — senior journalist B.G. Verghese, social activist Anita Vikram Lal, senior citizen A.N. Mishra, secretary-general of the Heritage Society of Delhi, Trilochan Singh, senior
architect and structural engineer Mahendra Raj, and art historian Dr. Shobita Punja — urged the Court to direct the respondents to dismantle or remove the structure from the present site.
|
||
|
HC asks CBI to take action in housing scam case
New Delhi, November 14 A division bench of Justices Vijender Jain and Rekha Sharma asked the CBI to probe the affairs of the association and submit the report in two weeks. Amicus curie K C Mittal submitted that there was a nexus between the Association and some of the CGHS as Pawan Kumar Jain was an executive member of the Bihar Bandhu CGHS and President of the Association. The Association was also asked to file its stand in an affidavit by the next date of hearing on the authority to file the writ on behalf of the 135 CGHS for the quashing of the impugned order of the RCS. Some of the CGHS had submitted that they had never authorised the association to file the writ in the court on their behalf. The court had asked the CBI to probe the nexus between the builder mafia and the staff of the RCS in the Rs 4000 crore housing scam. The CBI had given clean chit to Anjali Women, Baba Nanak, Bhanu Bhaskar, Bihar Bandhu, CISR CGHS, Directorate of Adult Education CGHS, Harbans Lal Parwana, Jubilee, Kanwar, Madhuban Estate, Padmini, Rail Mantralaya, Ramjas, Sana, Sant, Sant Vivekanand, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, Shri Shanti Sagar, New Shivani and Yagya Jyoti after a probe. Hearing the petition of Yogi Raj Group Housing Societies, the court observed that the objective of the cooperative movement was defeated due to the nexus between corrupt officials and the builders. “It is the element of profit making in view of difference of market value of
land and the value on which land is allotted to the societies, has resulted in the nexus of builders and officials to reap gain by unholy alliance,” the order said.
|
||
|
CM inaugurates Delhi Pavilion at IITF 2005
New Delhi, November 14 Ms Dikshit while appreciating the work at the Delhi Pavilion said that it helps in expressing commitment of making Delhi a world class modern and better city. She added that the Delhi Day would be celebrated on Wednesday, the November 16 in Delhi Pavilion.
|
||
|
Faridabad comes under NURM
Faridabad, November 14 The district administration has submitted a detailed project of Rs 91 crore for the construction of over 6000 flats for the poor here for final approval. According to reports, the population living in the slum colonies is over two lakh. A proposal had been received by the local authorities from the NURM recently, which stated that it had selected some of the cities where it had drawn a coherent urbanisation strategy to cope with the massive civic problem caused by sharp rise in the urban poor and the tremendous pressure caused by the slum-dwellers on the basic services and the infrastructure. The Mission has planned perspective frameworks for a period of 20-25 years with five yearly updates indicating policies, programmes and strategies for meeting fund requirement that would be prepared by every identified city. Such cities would be required to prepare and submit detailed project reports. The funds would be released to the designated state nodal agency, which would in turn leverage additional resources, in addition to creation of a revolving fund for operation. Faridabad is among 28 cities, which have been included in the B category, having a population of one million plus as per the 2001 census. Ambala in the second city of state which has been included in this list. According to the project report prepared by the district authorities, a budget of at least Rs 91 crore would be needed in the next five years period for construction of about 6016 flats for people living in slum colonies here. The officials concerned have identified three localities of Bapu Nagar, Dabua colony and Mirzapur village area for construction of the residential units. It is learnt that the cost of each unit would be around Rs 1.55 lakh and the mode of payment could be in easy installments. It may be recalled that a similar plan had been prepared and implemented several years ago, but it could not be a success due to several problems. Though the authorities claim that over a lakh people reside in about 167 jhuggi clusters in the city, it is reported that the total number of population could be very huge if the attention was focussed on the available civic amenities. There were still a large number of colonies in the city, which had no supply of safe drinking water, roads and sewerage facilities. According to sources, while about 50 colonies were still unauthorised, the total population in these could be around three to four lakh. “The city, which had a total of over 14 lakh people, required a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem of slums and just the construction of 6000 flats would be largely insufficient,” claimed a senior elected member of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF). He said Haryana as well the NCR board should provide a special package to the city to cope with the ever-growing problem of urban slums, with a special focus on civic infrastructure.
Faridabad is the only city in Haryana, which has a civic body of corporation level.
|
|
New Municipal Commissioner takes charge
New Delhi, November 14 Mr Nigam, who is an IAS officer of 1974 batch of AGMUT cadre, took over the charge of the coveted post of the Municipal Commissioner from Mr Rakesh Mehta this morning. Mr Mehta has worked with the MCD, the second largest corporation after Tokyo in the world, for more than three years. Mr Nigam has worked as Chief Secretary in Arunachal Pradesh and Development Commissioner in Goa. He has a rich administrative experience spanning his career of nearly three decades in important positions in various government departments. He had also worked as Additional Commissioner in the MCD before going to Goa. While addressing the newsmen, he said that he was brought up and educated in Delhi and held various important posts in the MCD. He is well-versed with the challenges before the civic body. Having worked at various positions in Delhi Government, State Government and the Central Government, he has wide experience of co-ordination of local bodies like the MCD and other with governments and its institutions at different levels. When asked about the trifurcation of the MCD, he said that before making any comment about the issue he would have to go through the details.
|
|
18 new dengue cases reported in Capital
New Delhi, November 14 However, four of the patients belonged to other states—two from Haryana and two from Uttar Pradesh, Municipal Corporation of Delhi sources said. Of the total number of Dengue patients, 592 were residents of the city while 116 were from UP, 59 from Haryana, one from Rajasthan and 100 from other states. The maximum number of patients in Delhi were from Najafgarh zone in SouthWest Delhi (121) followed by 109 from West Zone. Four of those who died were from the capital and five from other places. While three people had died and 484 cases reported last year, 33 people had lost their lives and 2720 cases were reported in 2003.
|
|
Vaish community objects to offending ad
New Delhi, November 14 In a statement, Federation chief Ramdas Aggarwal said that by portraying tax evader as a person belonging to a particular a caste from among the Vaishs, the advertisement had insulted the whole community. Mr Aggarwal, who was joined by some media personalities, demanded immediate withdrawal of the offending advertisement and an apology from those who had issued it. They said if the advertisement was not withdrawn, members of the Vaish Federation and MPs from the community will hold a demonstration outside the Parliament on the day both Houses assemble for the start of the Winter Session. Mr S. K. Tijarawala, a spokesman of the Vaish Federation, said that they had received reactions from all parts of the country against the offending
advertisement. — TNS
|
|
Capital to play host to Bollywood stars
New Delhi, November 14 For, shooting begins later this week for Aamir and Kajol’s under-production film, Kunal Kohli’s ‘Fanaah’ at the Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi Railway Station and several historical monuments in the National Capital. Those hoping to get a glimpse of the stars are, however, in for some disappointment as the locations will be out of bounds for the general public. The portions of the film to be shot in Delhi have Aamir playing a guide taking a Kashmiri girl (Kajol) through a sightseeing tour of Delhi, including the historical monuments. Consequently, shooting will be held at several historical monuments like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, Purana Qila and Lodhi Gardens. Trade sources say director Kunal Kohli (of ‘Hum Tum’ and ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge’ fame) had sought permission to shoot in these places from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities, which was initially reluctant as officials feared damage to the monuments due to the shooting and presence of a huge crowd of people to watch the celebrities. Eventually, only a small area of these monuments has been allotted for shooting, at Rs 5,000 per day, sources said. Also, parts of the monuments where the shooting would be held will be cordoned off to keep away curious onlookers. The remaining portions of the monuments will, however remain open to the public. Trade sources say the film was to be shot in the Kashmir Valley but security concerns made the filmmakers change their plans. Initially, the film was to be shot in Delhi for two days only. However, the schedule has now been extended to nine days. ‘Fanaah’ is the second Hindi film in recent months to be shot at Delhi’s historical monuments. Earlier, Rakesh Mehra’s ‘Rang De Basanti’ was shot in and around the historical monuments of Delhi.
|
|
Violence erupts as farmers allege faulty weighing of sugar cane
Meerut, November 14 Some two dozens unidentified assailants stormed the mill gate and attacked the employees, including guards in the early hours of Sunday. Five of the mill employees, identified as Phool Singh, Ishwar Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Sunil, Shokinder and Sumit were seriously injured and had to be hospitalised. The mill employees alleged that attack was carried out by farmers of Karnawal village. Later, a ‘Mahapanchayat’ of several adjoining village, including Kaithwari, Pukastya Karnal and Naroupur was organised by hundreds of farmers to discuss the violence and the faulty weighing. According to Mr Davendra Pradhan, (Head) of Kinauni village, who presided over the ‘Mahapanchayat’, the whole drama started two days back when some farmers were involved in “hot exchanges” with the mill staff over faulty weighing. Mr Davender told The Tribune that the root cause for this episode was “Ghattauli”. He added that over one thousand farmers raised the issue of “Ghattauli” during the ‘Mahapanchayat’. He alleged that even though the weighing centres of Kinauni Sugar Mill were committing “Ghattauli”, none of its weighing centres had been sealed by the Measurement and Cane Department. The sugar mill also remained closed for over two hours. The farmers demanded the removal of the management of Kinauni Sugar Mill, alleging that it is creating caste rift between farmers. The farmers also demanded transparency in the weighing system. Earlier in the morning the PAC and local police had to be deployed to meet any contingency. According to sources, several weighing centres of the mill were being run by unlicensed weighing personnel. Meanwhile, the unit head of Kinauni Sugar Mill, Mr R. K. Agarwal, told media persons that he will look into the matter and the guilty will be appropriately punished. He also added that some anti-social elements want to create rift between the farmers and the mill.
|
|
Teacher brutally killed
Ghaziabad, November 14 The teacher, identified as Khadak Singh, was immediately rushed to Ganesh Hospital in Ghaziabad at 4 a.m. yesterday. According to the hospital administrator, Mr Balvir Singh, Khadak Singh’s cries were heard while he was asleep in his room. There was a bottle found nearby which smelled of
petrol. — OC
|
|
|
Two inter-state robbers held
New Delhi, November 14 The
accused persons who were arrested have been identified as Subhash and
Anil, both residents of Ballabgarh. Their leader, Akram Ali, resident of
Kasaiwada was arrested near MCT building in Okhla area after a brief
encounter. Acting on a tip-off that Subhash would come to ISBT, Sarai
Kale Khan along with his associate on November 13 at around 9 pm, the
sleuths reached the spot and spotted them at Rajiv Gandhi Samriti Van
near ISBT, Sarai Kale Khan. When the police team asked them to surrender
the accused persons whipped out pistols and started firing at the police
personnel. However the alert cops managed to overpowered them and no one
was injured during the firing incident. During interrogation, the
accused persons confessed that their gang was involved in several cases
of dacoity, robbery, attempt to murder and Arms Act in Delhi, Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Efforts were being made to nab
their associates.
|
|
Tax advocates criticise VAT authorities
New Delhi, November 14 Forum’s President, M K Gandhi expressed his deep concern against VAT authorities issuing default assessment against several traders without giving them a notice or having discussions with the alleged defaulters, which is a total violation of the principles of natural justice. Mr Gandhi also alleged that even for minor errors in the VAT returns, the traders were summarily penalized under the draconian section-86 of the VAT act. “This is not only arbitrary but defies all norms of justice,” said Mr Gandhi.
|
|
Nagar Kirtan organised
New Delhi, November 14 A grand colourful Nagar Kirtan in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, decorated in Palki Sahib with Panj Pyaras and Nagara decorated in a separate vehicle. A large number of school and college children with their colourful bands, Gatka Parties and a number of Kirtani Jathas, elephants participated in the Nagar Kirtan. The Nagar Kirtan started from Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and after going through Chandni Chowk,
Fatehpuri, Khari Baoli, Lahori Gate, Qutab Road, Teliwara, Azad Market,
Pul Bangash, Roshanara Road, Ghanta Ghar, Subzi Mandi, Rana Partap Bagh terminated at Gurdwara Nanak Piao Sahib, G T Karnal Road in the evening. Paramjit Singh Sarna, President, Jathedar Baldev Singh Rani Bagh, Sr Vice President, Tarjit Singh
Nagi, Jr. Vice President, Ravinder Singh Khurana, General Secretary, Bibi Daljeet Kaur Khalsa, Joint Secretary, Tarsem Singh, Chairman Dharam Parchar Committee and a number of other prominent members of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee participated in the Nagar Kirtan. Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, a revolutionary Saint, brought religious tolerance among different communities with a message of unity in diversity. Guru Nanak was the founder of casteless and classless society and showed the right path to the
suffering humanity. Guru Nanak Sahib approached God with an open minded love that embraced all religious principles and rejected all dogmas. On November 15, a huge congregation will be held at Lakhi Shah Vanjara Hall, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, New Delhi. A large number of Kirtani Jathas will take part in Shabad Kirtan. At night, all the historical Gurdwaras will be illuminated. Guru Ka Langar (free community kitchen) will be served to all irrespective of caste, colour and creed.
|
|
Paharganj hotels asked to install CCTVs
New Delhi, November 14 This would help keep a record of all visitors to the hotel besides assisting in the nabbing of the culprits who often use unsuspecting hideouts before carrying out heinous crimes, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range) Deep Chand. “All hotels, lodges and guesthouses in Paharganj have been asked to install the cameras at the earliest, whose recordings could come in handy during investigations,” he said. The Jt CP, however, denied that any deadline has been given for installing the cameras which he said could provide crucial inputs in nabbing terror suspects or criminals, who remain untraced due to false addresses or names recorded in hotel registers. “Until the cameras are installed the hotel owners have been asked to keep photographs of all visitors with the records of their details,” he added. We expect the people to cooperate with the police as it was in their welfare and to avoid any later inconvenience, he added. Meanwhile, hotel owners in Paharganj, while scoffing at the very idea of installing cameras at the hotel’s entrance, said it was a costly affair and would not be easy to implement. They said most of the nearly 650 hotels, roughly half of what Delhi has, in Paharganj were low-budget ones whose range begin even at a paltry sum of Rs 50 — for a few hours of accommodation — and implementing the CCCT ‘direction’ would incur heavy investment given the largescale recordings needed on a daily basis. Of the nearly 1300-odd hotels in Delhi, Paharganj, which was one of three sites where the November 29 blasts took place, has about 650 hotels.
|
| 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 | |
.jpg)
New Delhi, November 14
.jpg)
New Delhi, November 14
.jpg)