New Delhi, September 7
In what is being considered a deft political move, the Centre today notified certain amendments to the Delhi Master Plan 2001 to give relief to certain categories of commercial establishments operating out of residential colonies.

The notified amendments of the Master Plan were signed today by the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy.

The amendments provided major relief to traders by permitting a number of commercial activities in residential areas.

The amendments have been welcomed by all political parties. They had been asking the government to amend the Master Plan to provide relief to traders and other citizens of the Capital since the MCD began the sealing and demolition drive.

As per the amendments, which were notified by the Union Urban Development Ministry on the eve of the Supreme Court hearing in the matter, mixed land use will allow guesthouses, schools, nursing homes, banks, fitness centres as well as professional activities, including doctors, lawyers, architects and chartered accountants, in residential areas.

However, shops of building materials, firewood, coal, hazardous and bulky material, automobile repair shops, godowns, junk shops, warehousing, printing, dyeing and varnishing outfits will not be allowed in these areas.

While liquor shops have been kept out of the ambit of mixed land use, banquet halls will be permitted only in industrial and commercial areas. Coaching centres have been given time till the end of the current academic year.

There will be some restrictions on commercial use in the posh A and B colonies, where trading activities will be permitted if there is a specific request from the RWA.

Professional activities and already existing banks and fitness centres as well as guesthouses, nursing homes and pre-primary schools will be permitted in the A and B colonies.

In C and D type colonies, RWAs will be consulted in declaring streets mixed land use zones.

Streets with more than 70 per cent commercial activities and areas where 80 per cent of the residential plots are under mixed land use in the less posh E, F and G colonies can now be declared as commercial.

In A, B, C and D colonies, the minimum width for a street for allowing mixed land use will be 18 metres, while it will be 13.5 metres in rehabilitation colonies and nine metres in unauthorised, regularised colonies, resettlement colonies, the walled city, special areas and urban villages.

In E, F and G colonies, the corresponding width of roads will be 13.5 metres, nine metres and six metres, respectively.

The permitted space for professional activities has been increased to 50 per cent of the sanctioned FAR.

However, unlike what was being proposed by the government earlier, Ring Road has not been declared a commercial zone in toto.

Stretches on the arterial road will be declared commercial depending on the extent of commercialisation.

“The amendments have been made taking into account the recommendations of the Tejendra Khanna Committee. The changes were needed because there are huge commercialisation needs that could not be addressed by the DDA,” the Union Urban Development Minister said.

He said the amendments would bring relief to 95 per cent of the people of Delhi.

“Delhi has witnessed huge unplanned growth. We have tried to regularise a lot of it keeping Delhi’s long-term needs in mind,” Mr Reddy said.

The minister also informed that the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 would be ready in a few months, adding that it would take care of the concerns of the citizens which had not been addressed so far. 

New Delhi, September 7
The DUSU poll eve saw allegations and counter-allegations flying thick and fast. The ABVP cried foul over the reported distribution of liquor by its arch-rival, the NSUI, in a hostel late last night.

The ABVP, which has already filed a complaint with the university authorities, claims that NSUI candidates Abhimanyu Singh and Shashi Kant were caught on camera by a news channel distributing liquor to hostellers during late night campaigning.

This accusation is being trashed by the NSUI. “This is all baseless. The footage being shown is fabricated. The boys shown carrying liquor into the hostel are neither linked to the NSUI nor any liquor was found in Abhimanyu or Shashikant’s cars,” said Poonam Yadav, media coordinator of the NSUI.

The university, acting on the ABVP complaint, has, however, called for an inquiry. “We have asked the channel to provide us the original footage of the incident and then we will examine the issue,” said Prof Gurmeet Singh, Chief Election Officer. He added, “We will conduct a thorough probe and action will be taken against anyone found guilty.”

Dr Singh said that though the report of the probe would come after the elections, the guilty would not be spared. “Even if the guilty individuals manage to win the elections, they will be disqualified,” he said.

Meanwhile, the university has taken steps to ensure free and fair elections. Security has been beefed up and colleges have been instructed about the procedure for using the electronic voting machines.

“This is the first time we are using the EVMs. A total of 755 machines have been allotted for 125 booths in 52 colleges. The staff in these colleges has been instructed about the use of these EVMs,” Dr Singh pointed out.

He said security arrangements were in place for the elections, which would be held between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm for morning shift colleges and between 3 pm and 7 pm for evening shift colleges.

The police have deputed more than 200 personnel across the campus and colleges to ensure that no mishap takes place during the polling.

New Delhi, September 7
The MCD today removed 650 shops constructed on government land in the Seelampur market in Shahdara North Zone. Tin sheds and big boards were seized from the site. Temporary encroachments in a park by drivers of tongas, tempos and three-wheelers were also removed.

Today’s action was consequent to directions issued by the area’s ‘court commissioner’ who inspected the area recently.

Fifty-five shops were also sealed in Ram Nagar Extension, Subhash Park and Sonia Vihar for misuse. Temporary structures were sealed in Brahmpuri, Yamuna Vihar, GTB Enclave and Sonia Vihar.

More than 50 properties were sealed in Shahdara South, Najafgarh, Central, City and South Zones of the Capital.

The sealing and demolition squads were today accompanied by a battery of policemen as yesterday traders had put up stiff resistance when their shops were being sealed in Shahdara. The police later resorted to a lathi charge to disperse them.

Meanwhile, Akali Dal (Badal) has condemned the demolition of a structure at Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila near Wazirabad bridge. The party claimed that sentiments of lakhs of Sikhs in the Capital had been hurt by this move . The DDA took this action following a court directive that there should be no construction within an area of 300 metres of the Yamuna’s banks.

At a joint conference, party cadres said that religious structures should not be demolished. “As far as Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila was concerned, it has a history of 500 years. The DDA should have considered the history of the structure before resorting to demolition,” they said. 

Noida, September 7
The issue of a proposed botanical garden here has become a bone of contention between the Noida Authority and the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment.

While the Noida Authority had recently cancelled the lease of the land allotted for the project, as reported in ‘The Tribune’ some time back, the Ministry, according to sources, seems to be disinclined to return the 200 acres of land located in sector 38-A.

When the Noida Authority officials went to take over the land, the officials there reportedly refused cooperate with them. The Noida Authority maintains that the Ministry had been apprised of cancellation of lease, though it has not taken any direct action yet.

The Authority had changed the Ministry of making no progress in developing the garden in five years. But the Ministry officials maintain that the work is on. The agency which is looking after the project says it has not received any orders to stop the work.

In view of the controversy, the work of setting up a Metro station here has yet to be started. A Metro station, one of the six in Noida, was to be set up on a 5 acre piece of land within the garden premises.

The Noida Authority had issued a notification on July 11 cancelling the lease of the land. Its Additional CEO elaborating on the reasons for the withdrawal of land, had said that the land was allotted for a botanical garden on the condition that it would be fully developed within five years of allotment. However, he said a few saplings and plants were all that had been planted on the land during the period after the land was allotted to the Ministry in 1997 free of cost. This had left the Noida Authority with no choice but to revoke the allotment, he added.

Earlier, it was reported that the Noida Authority perhaps wanted to use the 200 acres of land for developing a housing sector or a commercial hub. However, the officials had denied the reports, claiming that only a botanical garden would be developed at the site and the project would be given to a state government agency. 

New Delhi, September 7
A Fast Track Court today framed charges against three men who allegedly gangraped a minor girl after kidnapping her from West Delhi last year.

An Additional Sessions Judge also framed charges against Deepa — sister of main accused Bhupender — in the alleged rape of 12-year-old girl.

A total of 10 people are facing trial in the case.

The court framed charges against Leelu, Gaurav, Sanjay and Deepa under Section 376 (2) (g) (gang-rape) of the IPC, while Deepa was charged under Sections 363 (kidnapping) and 366 (kidnapping of woman to compel marriage) of the IPC.

An FIR was lodged against ten persons — Bhupender, his father Nanku, brother-in-law Amrit Lal, his sisters Pushpa, Maya, Deepa and Manju besides his friends- Leelu, Gaurav and Sanjay — under various provisions of the IPC at Jahangirpuri police station on July 25 last year.

It was alleged that the accused administered intoxicating substances to the girl on July 19 before kidnapping her from her residence. They then took the girl to Kanpur and kept her there before they were finally arrested on August 5.

Gurgaon, September 7
All elected members of the Zila Parishad (Zila Panchayat) here boycotted its scheduled full house meeting today in protest against the Deputy Commissioner’s ‘unilateral’ decision to hand over Panchayat Bhawan to the Labour Department for setting up of a Labour Court.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the elected body, called off the meeting when the elected members did not turn up even after one hour of the designated time. The meeting was called off on technical ground of lack of quorum.

The elected members, including its Chairman, Rao Abhey Singh, are miffed over the Deputy Commissioner’s order to allot Panchayat Bhawan, a property of the Zila Parishad, for Labour Court. Rao Abhey Singh claimed that the full house of the elected members had already passed a resolution for earmarking the place for another purpose.

The Parishad members also alleged that the DC did not intimate the elected body of the move which is the norm.

Rao Abhey Singh said that the elected members would soon meet the Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, regarding this matter as well as other issues, including the way they were allegedly ignored by the concerned officials of the district. He said that they would resign en masse if the Chief Minister did not give them a hearing, adding that it was better to quit than face humiliation and tolerate “bureaucratism” and undemocratic practices.

According to him, the DC did not consider it fit to meet the elected members even when they want to meet him on official mattters relating to Zila Parishad. He further alleged that the BDPOs of all the blocks, except Taoru and Gurgaon, had not completed the development work relating to financial year 2005-2006.They have allegedly not responded to the letter of the Chairman of the Zila Parishad about the funds concerning the works. 

New Delhi, September 7
Tihar Jail authorities have adopted a three-tier checking and frisking mechanism, elaborate access control measures and a registration system for visitors.

The measures, part of the new Visitor Management System (VMS), are aimed at checking the smuggling of objectionable material into the prison complex and keeping track of visitors.

In the new system, visitors will have to register in advance for meeting their friends or relatives in the prison, whether it is in person or through telephone. The visitors will be allotted a time slot and shall hav e to pass through three-tier checking during which a special photo identity card will be issued to them, after they produce documents proving their identity. —TNS

Noida, September 7
The Noida Authority has decided to retrieve a piece of encroached land measuring 50 acres, worth over Rs 500 crore, in Naya Gaon village in Phase-II here.

According to information, the Noida Authority is likely to take action against the encroachers in a day or two. Besides, Noida and Greater Noida authorities are also expected to initiate action to raze buildings illegally constructed on encroached lands at other sites.

Discussions between officials of the district, police and Noida Authority are reportedly underway to decide over the issue. Having once failed in their efforts in recent days, the authorities are now not leaving anything to chance.

The anti-encroachment campaign would be launched with full preparation by deploying sizeable police and PAC forces, sources said.

In about a dozen villages, including Kakrala, Illabans, Yakubpur, Salarpur, Morna, Gijhore and Sadarpur under Phase-II police station, people have encroached upon government land in many places.

The encroachers have been asked to vacate the land, or face action. Besides, criminal cases may also be filed against them. The District Magistrate here has claimed that encroachments on Panchayat or government land would definitely be removed.

He said that the freed land would be encircled with barbed wire after the encroachments were removed, and notice boards declaring the plots as a government or Noida or Greater Noida Authority land. Six feet or higher walls or structures in Yamuna Pushtas would also be demolished, the DM said. The anti-encroachment campaign would be launched on a large scale in rural as well as urban areas of the district, he added.

Noida Authority was also considering a proposal to demolish the wall between New Ashok Nagar and Noida, he said.

New Delhi, September 7
Many Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in Delhi have criticised the hike in milk prices for the second time in the past six months by milk supply companies, including Mother Dairy and Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS). The hike, announced today, ranges from 50 paise to Rs 1 per litre.

The secretary of the RWA of Ram Vihar Colony termed the hike as ‘anti-people’. “It would adversely affect the household budget of residents of Delhi. The milk distribution companies, working as a cartel, should immediately roll it back”, he said.

Ms Parinita Arora, a housewife in Kiran Vihar, complained with prices of other essential commodities, including vegetables fruits and pulses, already skyrocketing the hike in milk prices would further affect the household budget.

Milk prices were hiked in February and within six months this was the second time.

Mr N. N. Mishra, president of the RWA of Pocket F Mayur Vihar Phase II said residents were still reeling from increasing prices of vegetables, fruits and pulses. “This hike would put an additional burden on the household budget. The Capital is becoming an expensive city to live in”, he added.

New Delhi, September 7
Discussions, quizzes and a display of her books will mark the 126th birth anniversary of the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, in the Capital this week.

Admirers of the creator of disarming detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple will begin the celebrations this week even though her birthday falls on September 15.

The British Council Library will have a special display of Agatha Christie’s works, including novels, short stories, plays, plays adapted into novels and DVDs of movies based on her novels till September 16.

On September 15, a panel discussion on the relevance of her writings in the 21st century will be held. Ms Shormishtha Panja, Dean, Faculty of Arts, and Head, Department of English, Delhi University, and film-maker Pankaj Butalia will participate along with university students.

A mystery quiz on September 16 at the British Council Library is another highlight of the week followed by the screening of films based on her novels, ‘Death on the Nile’ and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’.

“This is the first time we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Agatha Christie at the library and the members are excited about it,” said Ms Sudha Munjal, deputy head of British Council Library and Information Services (North India).

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, two billion copies of Agatha Christie’s books have been sold across the world over the years.

Faridabad, September 7
The decision of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) to shift the revenue sections of all sub-divisions in urban areas here to a single building has drawn flak from various quarters, with critics saying that it would cause inconvenience to consumers.

Flaying the decision, the All Haryana Power Corporation Workers’ Union has demanded that separate Customer Care Centres (Bijli Suvidha Kendra) be set up in each subdivision in the city for the convenience of the public. The city has a population of over 22 lakh and problems like corruption, inefficiency and acute shortage of staff in the power department also need to be addressed properly, the union claimed.

The office of the Chief Engineer, Operations, located in Delhi, had recently issued an order stating that in order to improve customer services, the control of revenue sections of all subdivisions in the urban areas of Faridabad under the jurisdiction of Operations Circle, DHBVN, was to be shifted to SDO, Customer Care Center (CCC)/BSK, as a pilot project.

The concept of CCC was introduced some time back to provide the centralised customer services. The revenue sections and subdivisions were also given a time frame to take up the consumers’ complaints, failing which they could approach the proper forum for redressal of their grievances.

It was felt that with the initiative, citizens would not be required to visit separate offices for their work. They could approach the CCC for all type of complaints and the centre would coordinate with other offices to get the work done.

The CCC deals with various types of services including new connections, billing service, disconnection or reconnection, extension of load and other miscellaneous services including complaints regarding supply. An official of the rank of SDO was put in-charge of the centre.

However, the decision has drawn opposition from various quarters.

A resident of sector 9 here pointed out that it was inconvenient to expect a person residing in sector 37, situated near Badarpur border, to visit the CCC located in sector 23, as the two places were 15 kms away. He added that the location of such a centre within four kms of one’s residence was appropriate.

A resident of sector 3 also expressed surprise over the purpose of this move. 

New Delhi, September 7
Jamia Millia Islamia is hosting a policy discussion on ‘Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2006’ tomorrow which would be attended by Mr George Verghese, Mr Saeed Naqvi, Mr Rajeev Dhawan, Mr Vibodh Parthasarthi and Mr Ajit Bhatacharjea.

Under the current draft Bill, which happens to be the 19th version, three important clauses from the draft circulated in June have been dropped. These are: No broadcasting network service provider can have more then the prescribed share of total consumers/subscribers in a city or a state subject of to an overall ceiling of 15 per cent for the whole country; the government may take management control of the broadcasting services in times of emergency and in public interest; and that the terms and conditions for the levy, collection and utilisation regarding the public service broadcasting obligation will be prescribed. —TNS

New Delhi, September 7
A 35-year-old man allegedly committed suicide today by jumping off the roof of North Block where he had gone to meet a minister.

The victim, Guna Shekharan, hailing from Tamil Nadu — as revealed by the voter I-card found in his possession — had gone to the Finance Ministry this afternoon and sought a meeting with the Minister of State for Finance, Mr S. Palanimanickan. The Minister was away on a visit to Chennai. The body has been sent for a postmortem examination and further investigations are on.

New Delhi, September 7
The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police today claimed to have arrested a proclaimed gangster, Shahadat, after a brief encounter.

At least eight cases of dacoity, robbery and murder have been solved with the arrest. A countrymade pistol and cartridges have been seized from him. The accused was also carrying a reward of Rs 2,500 on his head in Uttar Pradesh.

He was intercepted in the Kalindi Kunj area. After a brief exchange of fire, he was arrested. However, an accomplice, Amir, managed to escape under cover of darkness.

The accused had been evading arrest for more than five years.

New Delhi, September 7
With the arrest of five sex workers and two pimps in Shalimar Garden, the North-West district police today claimed to have busted a racket in the trans-Yamuna area.

A decoy customer was engaged. After a deal had been confirmed, a raid was conducted and arrests made. A case has been registered at the Bhajanpura police station. 

New Delhi, September 7
Hot and humid weather conditions continued to prevail in the Capital today with the Met Office forecasting dry weather for the rest of the week.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 35 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal, while the minimum was 26 degrees Celsius.

The Met Office has, however, also forecast a partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain and thundershowers during the next 24 hours. —TNS