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In
Parliament Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss
Decision to shift Women Cell to SSP’s office flayed
Meter reading method faulty: Mukhi
JNU teachers seek changes in document on gender panel
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Photo exhibition on tsunami opens
No change in criterion for Jamia polls
One held in East Delhi fire case
Home Minister to open security exhibition
‘Guest teachers’ to be recruited to overcome shortage
Hospital staff to strike work on December 21
Book on terrorism by Pak journalist released
DIG’s house burgled
NIOS declares class X, XII results
One killed in group clash
Illegal power connections removed
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In Parliament Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 8 Replying to a calling attention motion by Mr Basudev Acharia (CPI-M) in the Lok Sabha, Health Minister Mr Anbumani Ramadoss sought to allay fears that hike in charges of medical investigation in the country’s premier health institute would discourage poor people from availing world-class treatment. “At AIIMS, poor patients will continue to get free treatment as hitherto even after rationalisation of charges. Besides, all patients admitted in the casualty, irrespective of their economic status will continue to get free treatment. There is absolutely no change in this provision,” he said. The rationalisation of charges at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) which has been carried out after a long gap of 12 years, is aimed at ensuring free treatment to poor people besides creating additional facilities in the institute, the Minister said and pointed that the procedure for exemption of charges at AIIMS is liberal and simple and does not take long time. The exercise of rationalisation was on for more than two years and was finalised after due consultations at various levels including the AIIMS faculty and appropriate statutory bodies. The rationalisation of charges include downward revision of charges in order to pass on the benefit in cost of consumables to the patients. Mr Ramadoss cited that the rates of plain X-ray have been reduced to Rs 25 from the current Rs 30 and that of HIV test has been reduced to Rs 30 from Rs 100. However, charges of 450 diagnostic tests have not been revised. The basic idea behind the whole exercise is to evolve a progressive revenue model with the thrust and focus on continued free treatment to larger number of people and needy patients coming from different parts of the country to AIIMS, the Health Minister said. “I would also like to reiterate the commitment of the government to provide free quality treatment to the poor and needy and affordable treatment to all at AIIMS,” Mr Ramadoss said. He added that the patient load at AIIMS had increased manifold over the years and this year the OPD attendance was more than 15 lakh while indoor patients were more than 80,000. The patients coming to AIIMS belong to all strata of society and patients from higher economic strata can afford to pay and are willing to pay reasonable price to avail of the state-of-art super-speciality treatment delivered by highly competent doctors at AIIMS, he argued. The Minister also pointed out that a section of patients who are otherwise undergoing treatment in costly private hospitals come down to AIIMS for consultation, who are ready to pay for diagnostic tests. The resources thereby generated would be utilised to provide diagnostic facilities and provide free treatment to more number of poor and needy patients, he said.
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Decision to shift Women Cell to SSP’s office flayed
Gurgaon, December 8 As per the order of the Director General of Police, all ‘Crime Against Women Cells’ constituted in each district since 2002 are being shifted to the office of Senior Superintendent of Police for better monitoring. However, a large number of residents have criticised the direction of the state police chief. Ms Rashmi Bhushan, coordinator of Jagriti Mahilla Cell (counselling centre) questioned the decision of the state government and said that women in distress used to visit the Women Cell and could lodge her complaint without hesitation. “Now, the affected woman will have to visit the police station and lodge her complaint,” said Ms Bhushan. She revealed that these Women Cell were constituted in each district with the objective to provide a platform for women for lodging her complaint. These cells were made functional in separate building in each district and used to be managed by the women police staff so that women could visit these places confidently, added
Ms Rashmi Bhushan. These cells were given the power to handle the cases under different sections of IPC including 304 B (Dowry Death), 498 A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 306 (Abatement of suicide), 376 (Rape), 363 (Kidnapping), 366 (Abducting or inducing women to compel her marriage), 354 (Assault or use of criminal force against woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 294 (Obscene acts and songs). Besides these sections of IPC, the Women Cells handled Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 and Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act 1987. The Inspector General of Police used to monitor the cell at the range level whereas an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police looked after the working of the cell at the district level. According to the police spokesperson, the Women Cell in Gurgaon received 264 complaints in 2005. Besides these direct complaints, local women cell further received 180 complaints from senior functionaries such as Chief Minister, Director General of Police, Deputy Commissioner, IG and SSP. Out of these, 51 cases were resolved after compromise, 87 cases were closed after investigation, in 28 cases the matter is in various stages and 14 cases are still pending with the cell. The different police stations in the district also forwarded 48 cases in 2005 to the Women Cell. In all, as many as 17 cases were closed after investigation and 18 cases are pending in courts. The District women cell handled 492 cases in 2005. The Women Cell did a very good job, said Mr Hanif
Qureshi, Senior Superintendent of Police. The Women Cell is being shifted to SSP office for better coordination and supervision, claimed the SSP. However, advocate Naresh Yadav said that the Women Cell at the SSP office would not serve the basic purpose. He suggested that it should be given more power and allowed to function from separate building.
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Meter reading method faulty: Mukhi
New Delhi, December 8 He alleged that those who earlier used to deposit Rs 400 to Rs 500 power bill per month now deposited about Rs 2000. This was open loot by the power companies. The Delhi Government should keep a check on it and press power companies to install mechanical meters instead of electronic ones. According to rules, when the KVAH method is adopted, industrial units are issued a notice for providing shunt capacitors to have correct meter reading. But no notice was given to the industrial units by the power companies. If the industrialists do not install shunt capacitor it is the duty of the power companies to install these. Mr Mukhi said the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in its order in 2005-2006 had fixed tariff rates of Rs 5 per KWT and Rs 4.35 per KVAH so that the industrialists could get benefit of the KVAH rates. But in the absence of shunt capacitors power factor fluctuations were being recorded in electronic meters and the discoms were sending the bills on that basis. He alleged that inflated bills were one of the reasons that industrialists used LPG cylinders for their production because it was much cheaper in comparison to electricity. This is the main cause of shortage of LPG cylinders in the open market. The industrialists purchase the cylinders in black market on higher rates. He said discoms had imposed fixed charges on domestic and non-domestic use of electricity and it was amazing that fixed charges were being imposed every year. In the year 2003-2004, fixed charges of Rs 20 was imposed upon small industrial units. It was revised to Rs 35 in the 2004-2005 and enhanced to Rs 50 per KW per month in the year 2005-2006. When DVB was in charge of power supply, the fixed charges were imposed only on large industrial connections. For residential use of electricity, discoms have imposed Rs 10 per KW as fixed charges. It has been increased to Rs 12 per KW per month. Delhiites are already crying over fast running meters and tariff increase. He demanded withdrawal of the fixed charges immediately from the Chief Minister. Yesterday, Mr Mukhi had alleged that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) was looting the citizens of the Capital by giving concocted water bills. The DJB is adding 50 per cent sewer maintenance charges extra in water bills. Prof. Mukhi expressed surprise on charging both service and sewer charges on one bill. The DJB has levied burden on water consumers by charging 50 per cent sewer maintenance in addition to service charges. Taking sewer charges from the unauthorised colonies is unethical as there is no sewage system in such colonies. Nowadays the average monthly water bill of a family ranges between Rs 300 – Rs 500, whereas availability is very less. He demanded a roll back of 50 per cent sewer charges from the water bills.
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JNU teachers seek changes in
New Delhi, December 8 Through the letter, which has also been submitted to the Executive Council, which met here on Monday, the JNUTA has put forth that in view of the Critical Note prepared by the GSCASH representatives, suitable amendments to certain offending clauses in the new document should immediately be effected. There was an uproar in the university with regard to certain amendments in the revised document of the GSCASH. A section of teachers and students had taken exception to certain provisions, including one, which called for reporting any “sexually deviant” behaviour on campus. The JNUTA members have also disapproved of the clause that calls for a face-to-face meeting between the accused and the complainant. “It is strongly felt that for the Complaints Screening Committee and the Enquiry Committee proceedings of the GSCASH, face-to-face meetings of the complainant and the accused would be completely opposed to gender sensitivity, and JNU should not allow such a thing to happen in its domestic enquiries,” the letter cited. However, cross-examination would be considered through the Enquiry Committee in writing in the interest of natural justice, the members noted. The letter further states, “It is also to be noted that the speculation that in the old draft of the Rules and Procedures, the GSCASH played the role of both the investigating agency and the judge is completely unfounded.” The letter says, “The old rules clearly state that the said meeting with the university authorities, in
which at least two-thirds of the Enquiry Committee shall be present, the Chief Enquiry Officer shall present the findings of GSCASH on the complaint, and shall communicate GSCASH’s opinion on the nature of the penalties (major/minor) that act of sexual harassment is liable to attract, and at the said meeting, the university authorities in consultation with GSCASH, shall
determine the nature and quantum of disciplinary action to be taken on the complaint, and if the offender is either a student or a member of the academic or non-teaching staff, arrange to enter the same in the relevant
Personal Record with a notice to the School/Centre/Department concerned”. The critical note prepared by the GSCASH says there is a “mismatch between the objective and the text of the revised document. The text on revised rules released by the JNU administration is highly patriarchal and uses inappropriate language to define sexuality and sexual offences. The formulations in this text do not initiate more wide-ranging application of the rules nor reflect the progressive nature of the earlier guidelines”. JNUTA also opposed the clause, which called for “keeping the Vice-Chancellor informed at every step during the investigation”.
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Photo exhibition on tsunami opens
New Delhi, December 8 Inaugurated by renowned photographer Raghu Rai the exhibition entitled ‘Pictures of Life’ will continue till December 11. Plan also released a volume ‘Rebuilding Lives Together’ and screened the film ‘Tsunami - Before and After’ to share its commitment in the Tsunami affected areas. The exhibition features a series of unforgettable photographs taken by children whose lives completely changed after December 26, 2004. The result is an extraordinary pictorial documentary that records the disaster effect and the rehabilitation process.
The testimonials of children in the form of visuals revealed that children see their world from a different perspective and knowing their views matters. The overall aim of these presentations was to bring to the fore the importance of involving children in the rehabilitation process. The film ‘Tsunami - Before and After’ made by children under the guidance of prominent film director Govind Nihalani gives a direct insight in how the disaster changed the lives of these children. It further showcased the important role that capacity building plays in rebuilding the livelihoods of children. The volume ‘Rebuilding Lives Together’ is a review of the relief work and rehabilitation efforts of Plan in the aftermath of the
tsunami. The ongoing photo exhibition is part of the three-year project ‘Social Equity Audit’ that aims at empowering children through active involvement in development programs. Boys and girls participate in the design, implementation and follow up and monitor the relief and rehabilitation processes in the coastal zones of Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu.
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No change in criterion for Jamia polls
New Delhi, December 8 A section of student opinion had got enflamed last week when 6 students sat down on a hunger strike after getting rejected from nomination on grounds of not meeting the required criterion for the poll. University authorities further announced that the poll would be held on schedule on December 15 and the last date for filing nominations will be December 9. An intensive scrutiny of the nomination papers would be held on December 10 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be December 11. On December 15, elections will be held between 9.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. and results will be announced the same evening. Most students at Jamia are rather relieved that elections will be held on schedule and are satisfied with the commitment shown by university authorities, especially the VC, in holding polls at Jamia after a gap of some eight years. In general, the feeling is that barring a section of disgruntled rejected candidates, the academic council’s decision to stick to the criterion earlier set is sensible. For instance, Danish Mirza, studying in MA (History) Previous says “you have to understand that elections are being held in Jamia after a significant gap of eight years. This is a big thing for the student community here and on the whole we are very satisfied with the commitment shown by the VC to hold elections at Jamia. The criterion issue is really a non-issue for most of us except a few and we support the decision taken by the academic council.” Another student Badri Alam feels “what the academic council has done is correct and the expected decision. Everything has its own criterion and our election is no exception. You cannot have a student who has been in the university for a few months or just a year contest in the polls. There is still a section of students who are upset but they are in a minority.” Shams Pervez who is planning to contest for President declares “the academic council’s decision is correct and we will appeal to the entire student community to keep this election peaceful.”
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Man held for defrauding Maltese fiancee
New Delhi, December 8 The police said the complainant approached the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police, alleging that she came in contact with the accused through the Internet. After long chats on the Net, the accused proposed to marry her. She wanted to come to India to meet his parents but the accused refused, saying that he wanted to go to Malta to meet her family. The complainant arranged for a visa and return tickets for him to Malta and reportedly spent $14,400 on his trip. After one month, the accused came back to India after promising to marry her. The complainant alleged that she informed the accused about her pregnancy but the accused asked her to terminate it and asked for $ 56,052 to open a gym in India. As she was committed to him, she paid the amount to him. After getting the amount, the accused changed all his contact numbers and never contacted her, said the police. During investigations, the police took the addresses of the accused from the Immigration Office at the Delhi Airport. Getting wind of the police attempts to net him, the accused approached Delhi High Court to cancel the FIR lodged with the EOW, which was dismissed. Later, he again approached the High Court for anticipatory bail but the court dismissed his appeal this time also. During electronic surveillance, the police got to know that the accused was working as a data engineer with Reliance Infocomm. Hence, a trap was laid and he was nabbed. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he did his 10+2 from Central School, Bihar Intermediate Board, Patna, Bihar and thereafter did diploma in engineering from Chottu Ram Institute of Technology, Kanjhawala, Delhi.
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One held in East Delhi fire case
New Delhi, December 8 M. K. Singh, who was in charge of the unit functioning illegally in a three-storeyed building in the Vishwas Nagar area just next to the office of the DCP East district, was arrested last night, police sources said here today. However, the owner of the illegal factory, Rakesh Grover, is yet to be arrested, said the police sources. Police officials claimed they had registered a case against factory owner Rakesh Grover and a contractor for causing death due to negligence. Twelve persons, including four women, were charred to death and two persons injured in the fire. Although the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, has initiated an inquiry into the incident, there is no reason why the state government has allowed the continuation of these illegal units even after the strict orders laid by the apex court in which it had been cleared that all industrial units had to be closed by the year 2004.
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Home Minister to open security exhibition
New Delhi, December 8 Over 130 participants, including 11 overseas companies will showcase products and services in the exhibition. Participants from Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Israel, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, the UK and the USA will display best of their safety and security products at the 4-day exposition. India Trade Promotion Organisation is organising the event in collaboration with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Addressing the media here on Wednesday, ITPO Chairman-cum-Managing Director N N Khanna and Director General of CISF SIS Ahmed said that the objective of the exhibition is to promote national and international trade, new investments, technology transfers, joint ventures, creation of awareness of the emerging security, fire and safety needs and educate security professionals and end-users on the latest developments in the field. The safety and security products on display will cover access control systems, perimeter protection devices, surveillance devices, burglar alarm systems, explosive detection and disposal, aviation security, disaster management, anti-gas devices, equipment for forensic science laboratories, fire alarm and fire-fighting equipment, personal safety and crowd control, radio communication.
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‘Guest teachers’ to be recruited to overcome shortage
Faridabad, December 8 The government has directed the District Education Officers (DEOs) to authorise the respective principals of the schools to recruit retired teachers in case of shortage. The teachers will be recruited till mid-March next year. In a letter dispatched from the office of the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Department of Education, addressed to the DEOs, it is stated that the local officials or the respective principals could appoint retired teachers with the preference to national or the state awardees. It is stated that these teachers would be paid on per lecture basis, with one teacher getting at least three periods per day. The rate of payment would range from Rs 45 to Rs 80 per period. It may be recalled that The Tribune had carried a report that due to the rationalisation process and shortage of teachers, the students of government schools were facing problems in finishing their syllabus. However, the district president of the Haryana School Lecturer Association (HSLA), Mr Sushil Kanwa, has claimed that the move to appoint ‘guest teachers’ may not work and the government should instead appoint regular teachers in order to overcome the problem effectively.
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Hospital staff to strike work on December 21
New Delhi, December 8 The 24 hours’ strike is being called by the Joint Council of Health Employees’ Organisation against what they allege are “anti-employee, anti- people policies of privatisation and contractualisation of various services in the health sector”. In a statement issued here, the JCHEO has mentioned a notice to this effect has already been served on the Union Health Secretary, the Director-General of Health Services, the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Commissioner, MCD among others. Listing their demands, Mr V. S. Dahiya, general secretary,
JCHEO, in the statement said C and D category employees were seeking the settlement of their 16-point demand charter, which includes filling all vacancies on regular basis, removal of pay anomalies, timely and assured career progress and department promotions, immediate constitution of the sixth pay commission and regularisation of all ad hoc and contractual appointments. The strike, which will begin on December 21 at 6 am, will affect services like OPD registration, operation services, pharmacy and laboratory work.
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Book on terrorism by Pak journalist released
New Delhi, December 8 The book was released on Wednesday at the India International Centre. This book follows as a sequel to Rana’s earlier book, ‘Gateway to Terrorism.’ Rana’s research has been considerable. The author was transparent about the fact that he used several contacts within both the Mujahideen as well as Pakistan’s ISI to write this book. His book gives an in-depth account of the leadership of the Mujahideen, its financial network and its recruitment policies. Rana’s current book traces the inception of the Al Qaeda back in the 80s and the heyday of the anti-Soviet Jihad down till today. Rana has described in detail incidents in Pakistan after the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2000 and September 11. He has candidly described the difficulties faced by Musharraf’s government in controlling Jehadi factions after US pressure increased on Pakistan to deliver in the ‘war on terror.’
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DIG’s house burgled
Noida, December 8 The DIG, Sanjeev Chandra, is posted with the CISF and lives in Sector-37. Recently Mr Chandra had shifted to his government accommodation in New Delhi. The police have registered a case and investigations have been initiated. In another incident, burglars broke into a house in Sector-29 and decamped with valuables worth lakhs and Rs.47,000 in cash. The owner of the house, Mr Ved Prakash Batra, had gone out at the time of the theft. Mr Batra has lodged a report with police in this regard.
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NIOS declares class X, XII results
New Delhi, December 8 The pass percentage of girls is higher than that of the boys, 33.89 per cent girls were certified at the secondary level and 32.85 per cent at the senior secondary level. The results have been declared in less than four week from the last date of examinations. Students can access their results
from the NIOS website www.nios.org or www.nios.ac.in Marksheets, provisional certificate and migration certificates are being dispatched to the study centres. Students may collect these from their respective study centres after four to five days. The examination fees for April 2006 examinations will be accepted as per schedule.
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One killed in group clash
Ghaziabad, December 8 According to reports, there was altercation between two persons, identified as Dhanna Pehlwan and Lalit, during a marriage procession in Kotwalpur village. Both Dhanna Pehlwan and Lalit clashed once again with their supporters the next day in which Budh Ram succumbed to his head injuries on the way to the hospital while Dhanna has been hospitalised. The victim’s brother, Satta, has filed a report naming Sukhbir, Raj Singh, Amit, Lalit and Manveer. However, none of the accused has been arrested so far.
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Illegal power connections removed
New Delhi, December 8 Over 300 kgs of wires being used for the illegal connections were removed by the team. The offence of direct theft carries an imprisonment of a term of not less than six months, but may be extended to five years or fine or both. “Theft has been a major reason for high AT&C losses and it has become essential for BSES to come down heavily on power thieves,” said a BSES spokesperson.
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New Delhi, December 8
