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Gangsters in guise of lawyers shoot criminal
UP earmarks
Rs 736 cr for Metro link to Noida
Demolition squad at it on Africa Ave; BJP burns effigy
Car dealer ordered to compensate customer |
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A girl participating in a computer programme run by Drishtee Foundation.
Official apathy limits benefits under RTI Act
Top officials summoned to explain Yamuna’s pollution
Contractor robbed of
Rs 1.50 lakh, jewellery
Police chief ordered to save properties from defacement
Kamal Nath to open Asia’s biggest handicrafts show
Unwanted lovers sent
to jail
INLD workers rally for restoring Devi Lal’s name to power plant
‘AIDS does not go off BBC agenda’
Mela artistes’ struggle for survival
Punjabi folk dancers performing a ‘giddha’ dance during the closing ceremony of 20th Surajkund Craft Mela.
— Tribune photo by Rajeev Tyagi
‘Kids should be screened for eye ailments’
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Gangsters in guise of lawyers shoot criminal
Gurgaon, February 15 According to the police sources, five unidentified youths, three wearing lawyers’ uniforms shot dead Dharamvir Gujjar when he along with other criminals were being taken to the court at about 10 am. As Dharamvir and other criminals in police custody were moving towards the court from the bus, two youths in lawyer’s uniforms appeared and fired two shots at his chest from point-blank range. They also fired at least three rounds in the air to terrorise the public. After committing the crime, they ran outside the court and sped away along with their three more colleagues, informed the police officials. Dharamvir was immediately taken to a nearby private hospital where he was declared dead after sometime. The Inspector General of Police, Gurgaon Range, Mr Mohinder Lal, and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Hanif Qureshi, reached the court premises soon and inspected the place of the crime. Mr Mohinder Lal informed The Tribune that the criminals had adopted new tactics by coming in the guise of advocates. It was very difficult to trace the criminals as they were reportedly carrying some files, wearing black trousers, ties and coats when they committed the crime. In the past, criminals used to come in police dress to hoodwink the real police, added the IGP. The police personnel in the court tried to chase the criminals, but they disappeared taking advantage of the congestion on the court premises, added the officer. Mr Lal further informed that Dharamvir had a rivalry with a number of other criminals. The police are on the job and would soon arrest the criminals, claimed the IGP. It may be recalled that Dharamvir was forced to surrender before the court in December last year when the district police announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for the clue to his arrest. He was reportedly involved in 18 cases of murders, attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity, kidnapping, arms Act and other crimes since his criminal record of 1995. Dharamvir took the political colour in his career when he fought the election of a member of Zila Parishad last year. Though he lost elections, he successfully made himself a known political person. When the police were searching for him in a case of attempt to murder of a property dealer in October 2005, the villagers of his village, Ullawas had organised a panchayat and demanded that the police should not arrest him as he was not involved in the case, informed a police official. It is a dangerous trend in Haryana when the hardcore criminals seek political patronage like they do in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, observed a police official. Arun Sharma, a senior advocate said the lawyers and clients were shocked by the boldness of the criminals as it was a very congested spot where the criminals shot dead Dharamvir Gujjar. The police should be more cautious while producing the criminals in different courts in future, suggested Mr Sharma.
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UP earmarks
Rs 736 cr for Metro link to Noida
Noida, February 15 Entering Noida from Ashok Nagar, in Delhi, Metro rail will connect Gole Chackar near Sector-15, Sector-16, Sector-18 Market, Sectors-28, 29, Golf Course and City Centre in Sector-32. The state government had already given its nod, but a formal commitment for the project outlay was awaited. Besides, some agreements were to be signed by the authority, and UP state government with DMRC in connection with some tax exemptions and other facilities sought by DMRC from UP on a par with the Delhi Government. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had sought exemptions totalling Rs 611 crore from the UP Government. Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is keen that the project extending Metro connection to Noida be completed by 2009—in time for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and Noida in 2010.. It is felt that Noida’s coming on Metro map will not only improve its connectivity with the national capital Delhi, but will also accelerate the region’s economic development.
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Demolition squad at it on Africa Ave; BJP burns effigy
New Delhi, February 15 He said that the owner put up no resistance as he had already been served notice by the department concerned. Only some parts of the building were demolished because the entire building was not unauthorised. Besides demolition in Africa Avenue area, action has been taken at 18 places at Lajpat Nagar, Bhagirath Place, Sector 2 DSIDC in Bawana, Swadeshi Market, Sadar Bazar, West Jyoti Nagar, Model Town near Wazirpur Industrial Area, Rama Road Industrial area, DSIDC in Nangloi, Sector 11 in Rohini, Gandhi Nagar and West Punjabi Bagh area. Meanwhile, BJP activists continued their campaign against the Delhi Government on the demolition issue. They burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and blocking traffic at the Defence Colony flyover and Patel Nagar Chowk, and later courted arrest. The Leader of Opposition, Mr Subhash Arya, and Delhi BJP secretary Vijender Gupta alleged that the hammer of the MCD was falling on the weaker and middle-class citizens while leaders and other influential people are being protected. They demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister. They also demanded that the demolition drive in Delhi be suspended and the constructions be regularised. Accusing the government and the MCD of adopting double standards, Delhi unit president of the BJP Harsh Vardhan claimed that the buildings constructed by the “builder mafia” were not being demolished. “Only those people are being victimised who have built an additional room or extended their balcony,” he added. He said the government must frame new laws to regularise these colonies.
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Car dealer ordered to compensate customer
New Delhi, February 15 “The opposite parties should replace the vehicle of the complainant with a new one... The complainant was physically harassed and mentally agonised, he is therefore liable to be paid by opposite parties jointly or severally a compensation of Rs 10,000,” Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (North) led by K K Chopra observed. Complainant Sunil Prasad had purchased a Fiat Uno on January 21, 2004 from Atil Auto and promised one-year warranty and regular service. However, the car developed technical snags after just two days of the purchase. Prasad took it to the dealer who turned down service on the pretext of not having stock of the required spare parts. Repeated visits to the dealer from March 2004 to July 2004 went in vain and the car’s defects only multiplied over the time. Distressed, Prasad approached the Forum with a plea to either replace the car or to compensate in monetary terms equivalent to the price. Dismissing the contention of the opposite parties that there was no deficiency in service, the court directed them to pay Rs 1,000 as litigation costs.
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Offering villagers entrepreneurship model through ICT kiosks
New Delhi, February 15 Drishtee Foundation has taken ICT in the form of information kiosks into 8 states and 52 districts and helped put into place over 700 information kiosks offering basic computer and internet access to villagers, telephone service, digital photography, insurance policies, link-ups to Escorts hospital, e-governance services etc. One of the most important services rendered by Drishtee is of offering villagers a social entrepreneurship model through the kiosks and the services offered. Moreover, they also provide new opportunities of entrepreneurship to villagers facilitating better living standards. Subhash Chandra Saharan of Village Pokhara in Sirsa district of Haryana runs a kiosk in his village, which provides numerous facilities to the villagers like digital photography, e-governance services, computer education and insurance policies. The CEO of Drishtee, Satyen Mishra, feels, “Our vision is to connect India village by village. The basic concept is that ICT kiosks at the village level can make a huge impact on rural India.” Arun Bora from Boralimora in Sonitpur district of Assam is not only running an ICT kiosk in Boralimora but is also providing computer education and raising awareness about it. “Drishtee Foundation has really evolved out of the need for building a link between people and technology, creating awareness of this technology,” says Renu Suri, the chief operating officer with Drishtee at their Noida office. “We also help promote customer engagement between the villager and his community,” says Renu.
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Official apathy limits benefits under RTI Act
New Delhi, February 15 The government has failed to ensure some of the basic facilities like the unhindered availability of forms to apply for information. It is indicative that forms are unavailable in the departments and the only way that an application can be made is online. In effect, it means that those who do not have online facility cannot seek information from the various departments of the government. Daleep Kumar, a government employee, said that the government had announced that all government offices would be computerised. He wanted information regarding the money invested in computerising the departments and the total number of departments fully computerised. However, when he approached the Information and Technology Department for a form from the nodal officer to apply for the information, he was told that the forms were unavailable but they could apply online. Later, when the office of secretary to IT Department was contacted for this purpose, the official on duty said that forms are available with the Administrative Department. In another case, a person was refused application forms when he wanted information about the number of government buildings, which have been issued notices by the Delhi Fire Service for violating the safety norms. Later, however, he managed to get the same information “through his own connections”. Interestingly, Secretary, Information and Technology Department, Prakash Kumar and Deputy Director, Administrative Reforms, Dr K.B. Rai have written a book on Right to Information in which they have detailed how information could be procured. When Dr K.B Rai was asked about the procedure for getting information under the Right to Information Act, he said that earlier the information seeker had to fill up a prescribed form and attach a bank draft of certain amount. However, now the information could be sought on a simple application with the bank draft and forms are available on demand, he added.
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Top officials summoned to explain Yamuna’s pollution
New Delhi, February 15 A Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma asked the three top officials to personally appear in the court on March 1 and explain their stands. The Bench sought the presence of the three top brass after the Delhi Government and the MCD failed to furnish any affidavit on the measures being taken to prevent discharge of sewage into the river and other water
bodies. — TNS
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Contractor robbed of
Rs 1.50 lakh, jewellery
Ghaziabad, February 15 Two miscreants pressed the bell of contractor Vijay Gupta’s house in Lal Bagh last afternoon. The door was opened by 17-year-old Rohit, son of Mr Gupta. The visitors told him they had been sent by his uncle Anand (elder brother of Mr Gupta) from Baghpat and had to meet Mr Vijay Gupta. When Rohit told them that his father was not at home, they said, “We can talk with your mummy”. As Rohit went in to call his mother, the criminals also followed him into the house. They immediately gagged Mrs Chitra Gupta, wife of Mr Vijay Gupta, putting a gun against her head and threatening to kill her. In the meantime, their two more accomplices also entered the house. When Rohit tried to go upstairs to raise the alarm, another criminal put a gun on his chest. The intruders then tied the hands of mother and son and pushed them into a corner. Then they asked Chitra the whereabouts of Rs 1.50 lakh in the house. She shakily handed over the keys of the steel cupboard from which they took out Rs 1.50 lakh in cash, a 150 gm jewellery set, gold rings, earrings etc. They also made Mrs Chitra Gupta part with her gold necklace, four bangles and earrings. After ransacking the house for 15 minutes the robbers fled, collecting their booty along. Later, the mother and son raised the alarm and the SO police with his force too visited the house.
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Police chief ordered to save properties from defacement
New Delhi, February 15 A Division Bench of Justice Vijayendra Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma asked Police Commissioner K K Paul to take action against the SHOs of Maurice Nagar, Punchkuian Road, Vikas Puri, Najafgarh and Malviya Nagar, as the Metro pillars in these areas were found to be defaced with posters, banners and stickers. The court asked the SHOs concerned to be present on March 29, the next date of hearing. Producing photographs before the court, the petitioner and counsel Manisha Arora said people were defacing the Metro property all over the Capital and the authorities were not initiating any action. In a PIL, Ms Arora had sought the court’s direction restricting defacement of public and private building in the Capital particularly during the students’ union elections of Delhi University.
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Kamal Nath to open Asia’s biggest handicrafts show
Greater Noida, February 15 More than 1,875 leading exporters will display their products in the IHGF-Spring, 2006 which is being held in an area of 80,000 sq m. It is expected that more than 7,000 overseas buyers representing importers and wholesalers from 57 countries will attend the IHGF. The five-day event will provide a wide spectrum of handicrafts of the country, though the focus shall be on lesser known handicrafts. The fair is expected to generate spot orders worth Rs 1500 crore besides giving a major impetus to efforts on a long-term basis. The India Expo Mart Ltd, a massive state-of-the-art structure, has an area of 2,35,000 sq m. With 900 permanent showrooms, eight exhibitions halls, conference halls, banquet hall, restaurants, food kiosks, 16 escalators, 17 passengers and freight lifts, parking for 8,000 cars and 200 trucks, elaborate fire fighting system, LED screens, water fountains, signages and guided system managed through integrated building and management system. Pragati Maidan was found inadequate due to lack of modern facilities required for business-oriented exhibitions. The EPCH, organiser of the fair, expects more than 8,000 overseas buyers to register themselves for the forthcoming show which has been fixed in a manner so that it falls in the span of international calendar of exhibitions in the handicrafts sector. The product range of display at the IHGF will be predominantly gifts, decoration pieces, art metalware, woodware, home utility items, fashion jewellery, fashion accessories like bags, purses etc, handcrafted home textiles and furnishings, clocks, furniture, floor coverings, Christmas and floral decorations, brocade goods, handprinted textiles and scarves, etc. For the past 11 years, the Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair has come to be recognised as a ‘one stop sourcing event’ among the overseas community. The IHGF displays around 800 types of designs, styles, colours, concepts and raw materials. All these styles show the uniqueness of Indian culture and heritage and are now finding a greater potential in the overseas market. By the end of 2005, the handicraft exports have shot up to Rs 13,000 crore from Rs 3160 crore in 1994. The IHGF, in the 11 years of its existence, has played a tremendous role in providing an international platform to Indian artisans and exporters to project their products and thus increase the exports of handicrafts from India.
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Unwanted lovers sent
to jail
Noida, February 15 The girls informed the police that they were being harassed. The accused had reportedly hid their weapons in the bus to escape from police scrutiny, but in spite of this they could not save themselves. Both were arrested with local revolvers and daggers by the Sector 20 police. The girls had alighted at Sector 19. They were followed by two young men who also got down at the same bus stop. Even after being spurned, they insisted on presenting flowers to the young girls. When the girls opposed them, two youths, Bubble and Minto, grabbed the girls’ hand and tried to pull them to the roadside. The girls raised the alarm, hearing which the cops reached there. On seeing the cops, the miscreants jumped into a bus. But a message was flashed by the cops and the compulsive Romeos nabbed by Atta police post in-charge
Hindveer. — OC
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INLD workers rally for restoring Devi Lal’s name to power plant
Gurgaon, February 15 Workers of INLD took out a procession and staged demonstrations in protest against the Haryana cabinet’s move vis-a-vis Tau Devi Lal Thermal power plant at Panipat. The cabinet has taken a decision to remove the name of Devi Lal, patriarch of INLD. The INLF agitation was led by former Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Assembly, Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot and the district president of the INLD, Mr Ananat Tanwar. The procession of about 200 workers started the proceedings from near the Civil Hospital and ended at the camp office of the Deputy Commissioner. The processionists submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.P.Bhardwaj, urging for restoring the name of Devi Lal to the thermal power plant. They cautioned that the INLD would be compelled to launch a state-wide agitation on the issue. They charged that the decision of the government to re-christen the name of the power plant was politically motivated. ‘Tau’ Devi Lal was the architect of modern Haryana and messiah of the farming community. In another development two students organisations, the Students Federation of India and the All India Students Union jointly held demonstrations for the second consecutive day today in protest against the government’s decision to privatise technnical education. The government has decided to hand over six major ITIs of the state for upgradation and modernisation to the private sector. The agitators said that this was a cover to privatise technical education.
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‘AIDS does not go off BBC agenda’
New Delhi, February 15 Addressing mediapersons on the need for involving media industry leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Mr Richard Sambrook, Director Global News, BBC, said that it is very easy for people to say that HIV/AIDS has been done to death, but the BBC encourages its programme producers to cover HIV/AIDS as thoroughly as possible. Asked if the BBC has an editorial policy on HIV/AIDS, Mr Sambrook said that although they have no fixed policy on the issue, they encourage its coverage and do an annual follow-up of programmes. Mr Sambrook and Mr Dali Mpofu, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation are Leadership Committee members of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) and are here to challenge media industry leaders worldwide to prioritise HIV/AIDS at the Commonwealth Broadcasters
conference. — TNS
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Mela artistes’ struggle for survival
Faridabad, February 15 Their appeals to the government and the authorities concerned seem to have fallen on deaf ears, reducing them to be just showpieces in such an event. The 15-day extravaganza came to an end today. Rohtash Nath (45) holds the Guinness Book of World Record for playing ‘been’. A professional snake charmer, he is one of hundreds of people in the National Capital Region, faced with the burden of survival in view of the ban on the display of snake by the charmers. Now the snake-charming community has been reduced to playing flute in just cultural events, social gathering and marriage parties. Talent of Rohtash was recognized by the well-known body of the Guinness Book of World Records in Taiwan in 1980s when he played the ‘been’ continuously for 10 hours at a stretch. Hailing from Bhopani village in the district, he claimed that nearly two dozen families living in the village had been struggling to make two ends meet. He said the government had been inviting him and his group every year to the Mela, but he was not satisfied in playing just film tunes. The art of snake-charming for which the country was once known all over the world had come to an end. Claiming that hundreds of families spread in various villages in the region had either given up this age-old profession or had been forced to play film tunes just to make a living. He said though the government was providing support to revive the art, it might meet an untimely death. Another national-level artisan, who was awarded the National Award for Excellence in Kalamkari (handpainting), is one of those strugglers, feeling dejected by the poor response from the crowd here. He told The Tribune that the authorities concerned even tried to stop him from participating in the Mela. There had been a poor response from all quarters to the art for which he was given the award way back in the 70s. It appeared that the work prepared by the machines was preferred to the artwork of a craftsman who toil hard for several days, he regretted. Another participant in the Mela also was unhappy as he claimed that many of the persons allotted stalls were not real artisans, but rather traders, who earn huge margins by selling their products here.
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‘Kids should be screened for eye ailments’
Noida, February 15 This was stated by Dr Hitching, President of the European Society for Glaucoma and Dr.Robert Stargant from the University of Colorado, USA, while addressing a seminar at ICARE here on
Tuesday. — OC
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Officials told to expedite completion of hospitals
New Delhi, February 15
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Faridabad, February 15
