New Delhi, February 8
A day after the Centre gave its approval to massive commercialisation of Delhi by notifying a brand new Master Plan for Delhi-2021, the Union Cabinet today sanctioned regularisation of 1,500 unauthorised colonies in an apparent populist move ahead of municipal poll here.

While much-awaited relief has been provided to about 30 lakh people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi, the plush Sainik Farms, Mahendru Enclave and Anant Ram Dairy have been dropped from the regularisation plan for now. Incidentally, unauthorised colonies in Delhi had been last regularised during late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s time.

The plan covers colonies that have been in existence since March 31, 2002.

Addressing a crowded press conference here today, the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr Jaipal Reddy, said that the move would provide relief to over 30 lakh people in the city. “It would benefit people, mostly poor, who had been living in such areas for the past about 30 years,” he said.

In what is clearly an effort meant to please the traders’ lobby and the vote bank, the Congress-led government, under fire from the BJP and powerful retailers’ lobby, also allowed mixed land use in residential areas and commercial activities in unauthorised colonies once they are regularised.

“Delhi is a traders’ and employees’ city,” Mr Reddy explained, adding that the government recognised the demand of traders’ body for more space.

The plan aims to legalise retail shops, schools, healthcare center’s running in these colonies in due course.

About 1,500 colonies have come up in an unauthorised manner over the past three decades in Delhi on both government as well as private agricultural land due to high rate of immigration in the NCR region. A proposal was moved in 1993 for regularising unauthorised colonies existing as on March 31, 1993. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet in 2001 but was subsequently revised in 2004.

The present approval will cover about 1500 unauthorised colonies. The actual verification of these colonies which have been in existence as on March 31, 2002, in terms of their eligibility for regularisation will be undertaken by the Delhi Government.

However, the decision would have to be placed before the Delhi High Court for approval and ultimate implementation. The issue of regularisation of affluent unauthorised colonies of Anantram Dairy, Sainik Farms and Mahendra Enclave would be taken up later.

Exuding confidence in the MPD-2021, which was notified yesterday, the minister said that he was sure there would be no objection by the court and they had provision for regularisation of such colonies. The MPD-2021 would, however, be subjected to review every five years.

“The Cabinet would take up the issue of regularisation of unauthorised colonies of Anantram Dairy, Sainik Farms and Mahendra Enclave later. The K.K. Mathur committee, which studied their cases, submitted its report only recently and there was not enough time to look into it,” he added.

In view of environmental concerns, colonies that fall in notified or reserved forest areas would not be eligible for regularisation. People living in unauthorised colonies, which had come up on private land, would also be exempted from paying development charges. “The government felt that they had paid the money to farmers at the time of purchase of the land,” Mr Reddy said.

But those living in colonies, which had come up on government land, would have to pay development charges that will be fixed by the government. This was being done as the government had paid the money while it had acquired the land from farmers. “Regularisation would entail payment of cost of land with some penalty for colonies built on government land,” he said.

Rebate is offered to unauthorised colonies equivalent to or part of lower and middle-income E, F and G category zones.

Elaborating on mixed land use, Mr Reddy said retail shops had been allowed in residential plots on ground floor on mixed land use streets, whereas commercial activities had been allowed on all floors on commercial streets.

In addition, small retail shops of up to 20 square metre had been allowed on ground floor, in residential areas, including group housing, A and B colonies, village abadis and unauthorised colonies

The Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr Ajay Maken, who was also present at the press conference, said that while preparing the plan, they had taken care of and made provisions for meeting the demand of water, electricity, road and other amenities in the area.

The Master Plan also allows clinics and dispensaries permissible within 20 sq metre area in residential area. 

New Delhi, February 8
In the wake of conflict between the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee and the MCD on the sealing of illegal shops in the Capital’s residential areas after finalisation of the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD), 2021 notified yesterday, the court today temporarily halted the closure of shops till February 12.

The court was informed by senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, amicus curiae in the case, that the monitoring committee (MC) has filed its report in the registry indicating that the MCD was not abiding by its direction to carry on the sealing drive.

On the other hand, the civic body had moved a fresh application for deferring the sealing in the wake of the notification of the MPD, he said.

After a brief submission made by Kumar, a bench headed by Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat said so far as the MC’s report and the sealing issue was concerned, it would take up the matter on February 12 and hearing on other related issues, including the MPD, would be held on February 20 as fixed earlier.

Till February 12, the MC and the MCD would not carry on the sealing drive, the court said. The MC has submitted its report in a sealed cover to the Court Registry.

In its fresh application, the MCD said that all the 2,183 roads and streets, notified for the mixed land use by two orders of September 7 and 15 last year by the Government, had been covered under the MPD and even allowed “pedestrian shopping” there. In the wake of this, the sealing should be deferred in these areas. The MCD had gone a step further to say that sealing action should be deferred on the notified roads till the court had fully examined the MPD and passed any order on it.

The government and the MCD had also moved applications earlier for extending the date for filing of affidavits by those traders whose shops were not covered under the courts relief to allow 23 types of small business ventures in residential colonies as per September 7 and 15 notifications. 

New Delhi, February 8
Almost all political parties have opposed the notification of the Master Plan for Delhi at this juncture saying that this was nothing more than a ‘political document’ for the national Capital.

“The UPA government notified the Master Plan without giving second thought for the future development of the city. This has been done to take benefit in the MCD elections which are due to be held in April,” the parties alleged.

The Bharatiya Janata Party lashed out at the Central and Delhi governments, saying, “The Master Plan is a political document issued for the sake of votes. It will not help in the development of Delhi, rather it will ruin the Capital.”

President of Delhi unit of the BJP, Dr Harsh Vardhan, said, “Most of the features of old Master Plan have been repeated in it. The new Plan allows constructing skyscrappers in Delhi, which comes under a very sensitive seismic zone. The government is silent on the issue of providing water, power, security, fire fighting measures and other basic amenities for these skyscrappers.” Dr Harsh Vardhan claimed that the bulk trade in Delhi would be completely ruined by this Master Plan.

The General Secretary of Delhi unit of CPI (M), Mr Pushpender Grewal, alleged that the Master Plan was ‘anti-poor’. “The government has approved the guidelines for regularisation of unauthorised colonies with a condition that residents would have to pay cost of land along with some penalty. The rate of land decided by the government is very high and is beyond the reach of the common people living in these colonies.”

Shoaib Iqbal, President of Delhi unit of the Janata Dal (S), alleged that the Master Plan had been notified in haste because municipal elections were approaching. “Once the elections are notified, the government will be unable to do anything to appease the citizens. Now, the Supreme Court has asked to examine the Master Plan. Let us see what the court’s statement will be on the issue,” he said.

Varinder Arora, an executive member of United Residents’ Welfare Association, claimed that the Master Plan was prepared without having future planning for development of the city. “In the new Plan, the Central government has allowed construction of four-storey buildings which was not demanded for the residents of the Capital. If the city goes vertical, there will be civic constraints because there are no provision for improvement of sewerage and drainage system, water and power supply. This will led to a chaotic situation in the national Capital after a few years,” Mr Arora pointed out.

However, the DPCC president, Mr Ram Babu Sharma, welcomed the Master Plan saying that it would open gates for all-round development. 

New Delhi, February 8
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which steered citywide movement of traders against sealing and demolitions in the city, termed the Master Plan 2021 as a ‘respiratory document’ for lakhs of traders, employees and their families who have undergone much mental and physical agony in the last one year.

The CAIT also said that though the MPD 2021 addressed most of the issues of the traders, yet certain section of traders especially those in so called A & B category and business establishments carrying activities on upper floors on mixed land use etc. were still awaiting relief. Commercial establishments that exist as on 31st December, 2006 needed to be regularised irrespective of any categorisation of areas, it demanded.

Office-bearers said that CAIT would continue its movement in order to secure justice for such traders.—TNS

Gurgaon, February 8
Haryana Government will soon come out with a policy regarding security of working women, especially keeping in view of the women employed at odd hours in Information Technology Related Services. This was disclosed here by the Labour Commissioner of the State, Mr K.K. Khandelwal.

The policy formulation is sequel to a number of administrative steps taken by the Labour Department in the past on the issue. They include absolute sanitisation of the work places in BPOs and call centres and regulation of the working schedule. The steps also include stringent measures with regard to the vehicles used for the transportation of women to and fro office place. The units employing women after sunset have to procure sanction from the department.

Mr Khadelwal further said that a ‘State Labour Conference’ will be organised by the Labour Department in Gurgaon towards the end of March. Owners of industrial units, employees unions and traditional trade unions and members from the department/government will take part in the proposed conference. Only the owners of firms employing 500 or more employees and employees union of their firms will be invited to the conference. However, details are still to be worked out, he added.

According to him, the conference has been proposed with view to maintaining industrial relations and ensure that there was industrial peace in the state, especially in Gurgaon.

He cited the bloody industrial unrest in Honda Scooters and Motorcycles Ltd in Gurgaon to say that efforts are being made to ensure that there was no recurrence of such incident in Haryana.

According to him, the conference will have many agenda points like parameters to fix minimum wage and stop exploitation of contract labour. In fact, the Labour Department has formed a committee which will study all issues relating to ‘minimum labour’ and submit its report to the Advisory Board. The Board will process the report and give its recommendation to the government.

He said that the present criterion of fixing minimum labour did not do justice to the workers, especially when per capital income in the state is highest in the country.

He gave broad indication that the present minimum wage of Rs 2,485 would be enhanced appreciably. The new wage structure will be announced by the state government, perhaps on May 1, the Labour Day.

Leaning in favour of workers on the debate on the minimum wage issue, he said that it is natural justice that if the industrial production of a unit goes up, its workers must also benefit.

With regard to contract labour, he said that the government will soon make mandatory that all the contract labourers harnessed for jobs have ESIC numbers and identity cards. Their wages will be given through banks. This would ensure that the middle persons, that is, the contractors do not exploit the contract labourers. The government would know what exactly was happening and the contractors will also be made accountable.

He lamented that there is lack of awareness among the workers that the contractors are also guided by the Industrial Dispute Act.

To redress the problem, the government will make it mandatory that twice a year a conference of contract labourers was organised with the coordinated efforts of the Labour Department.

He said that the department was focussing on a new work paradigm for its personnel. Rather than focus on prosecution, efforts will be on persuasion in matters relating to industrial disputes. As part of incentive, the designation of Labour Office will be re-christened to Assistant Labour Commissioner and that of Inspector to Labour Enforcement Officer.

Faridabad, February 8
The state government has been releasing about Rs 2.95 crore per month to disburse various types of pension under its social welfare schemes for the district. The amount and number of persons could vary or go up each month due to addition of beneficiaries each month. A total of about 87,557 people in the district have been receiving pension ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 600 per month.

According to details available from the department concerned, as many as 52,527 persons of 60 years or above were given a pension of Rs 300, last month. The total amount for this head has been calculated at Rs 1.58 crore. The government has earmarked Rs 17.78 crore for this purpose during the current financial year for Faridabad district. The majority of such beneficiaries belong to the rural areas, it is learnt.

The Department of Social welfare has about 29,191 women, who have been put in the list of beneficiaries for the widow pension. The government pays a sum of Rs 300 per month in this category. Against the head of pension for the physically handicapped persons, the department paid a total Rs 11.54 lakh to about 3876 beneficiaries, who had been in partial handicapped category. A sum of Rs 300 to each person is paid every month, according to the department.

However, this amount is Rs 600 per month for the person, who is categorized as 100 per cent physically handicapped. About 1,892 such beneficiaries have been identified so far. The present state government also launched a scheme named as ‘Ladli’, in which parents having daughters only were made eligible to get a monthly pension of Rs 300, from the age of 55 years, instead of the usual 60 years. A total of 73 persons have been found eligible under this category and they were given a total of Rs 21,900, last month. Meanwhile, according to the district authorities, the process of issuing ‘Yellow Cards’ to the families belonging to the Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in the district has been nearly finalized. While the village panchayats have been directed to display the list of the beneficiaries outside the village chaupal, the authorities here have decided to get the record cross- checked through various means. The total number of such families is expected to be around 40,000 this time, while there were about 28,500 families in the previous list. The last survey in this regard was done in 2002-03. The criteria to select the beneficiaries include a 13-point list, of which the applicant family should fulfill the maximum number of conditions.

It is also learnt that the government has been considering some changes in the eligibility criterion for BPL in near future.

New Delhi, February 8
Delhi Finance Planning Minister Dr A. K. Walia has announced that Central Sales Tax (CST) in Delhi would be reduced from four to three per cent from April 1, besides being phased out in stages.

Dr Walia said that the CST would be phased out with one per cent reduction every year starting from 2007-2008 and the same would be completely phased out in the year 2010-2011.

He complimented members of the traders’ community for their constructive contribution in making VAT system successful in Delhi.

Dr Walia further said that the VAT had proved to be a system of trust and transparency apart from providing an excellent mode of substantial increase in revenue collection. He said that enhanced revenue collection had accelerated pace of development in the Capital.

The Minister assured traders that the Department of Trade and Taxes would continue to implement ‘friendly policies’. All the members of the VAT Advisory Committee would be issued photo identity cards.

Giving a brief account of ongoing computerisation programme in the department, the Minister exhorted senior officers of the Department to make its all services online. He further said that the website of the department was quite extensive and all the information related to VAT rules, notifications and determination could be accessed by any person and the website had a dealer area where the dealer could have the access and find the information about their return, tax, refund forms issued to them.

The department is also planning to establish centralised registration cell and online payment of tax through authorised banks. It has also been decided to introduce digital signatures system, which would enable dealers to file their application and return from their own place without visiting office. The department has also introduced SMS services for its 1,900 registered dealers for communicating important messages. Refund claims of the dealers are being issued through ECS. 

New Delhi, February 8
Delhi Police will move the TADA court in Mumbai again seeking the custody of underworld don Abu Salem, as its efforts to lay hands on the extradited gangster suffered yet another setback yesterday.

The Special Cell said it had received a communication from Mumbai Police saying that they were unable to take Salem to the national Capital as he was not handed over to them by the authorities of Arthur Road jail, where he is lodged at present.

Accused Abu Salem who was to be produced at Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court in Tis Hazari on February 8 had not been handed over to the escort party as he was reported to be sick, the communication by Mumbai Police said.

The TADA court in Mumbai stayed his transfer to the national Capital earlier in the day after his lawyer made a plea that Delhi Police was not ready to accompany him during the 36-hour travel by train.

Ashok Sirogi contended that the train travel could also have adverse impact on Salem’s health as he has back ailments.

Delhi Police, however, rubbished the lawyer’s arguments saying Salem, a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, was to be brought here by the Mumbai Police and not by them as it was a jail-to-jail transfer.

“We will move the court in Mumbai again with the production warrant we secured from here,” the Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Mr Karnal Singh said.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police wants to quiz Salem in connection with two extortion cases dating back to 2002, while a third case of assault is registered against him by the Crime Branch. 

Noida, February 8
The district administration in G B Nagar is unable to make voters’ identity cards as some important details of the voters, including their names and addresses are missing. The relevant documents and registers containing the details of the voters are reportedly lost in the district election office.

As a result, most of the people in Sector 22 Noida are reportedly worst hit.

On the other hand, a large number of voters living in other sectors in Noida have been issued with voters’ identity cards having a number of mistakes in their addresses and even in the names of the holders of the cards.

The District Magistrate, Mr Ajay Chauhan, however, said that it had not been brought to his notice that the register of names and addressed of the voters had been misplaced, though he was aware of the complaints of the voters for not being issued with voters’ ID cards.

He said as the staff of some other departments had also been involved in this work, the matter would be probed thoroughly and those found guilty in the missing of documents would be severely dealt with.

A number of voters in Sector 22 were turned back by the election office staff in Sector 12 as their record was not available. Some residents of Sector 12 also complained that despite having made umpteen visits to the election office, their voters ID cards have not been issued for want of record.

The election office staff said since the record of the voters was missing, they did not have the basis to prepare their identity cards. They just cannot verify their names and addresses.

As regards the voters’ identity cards issued with wrong names and addresses, a spokesman of the department said that the ID cards had been issued as per the lists of voters available with them. They did not say whose responsibility it was to ensure that the lists of voters were foolproof.

New Delhi, February 8
Strongly criticising the CPI (M)-supported Central UPA government’s move to implement 100 per cent FDI in education, Delhi State Committee of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) has stated, “This move is for destroying the public education system in our country.”

This development would cause mushrooming of foreign universities and other educational institutes in India, and the domestic government universities would face the daunting task of competing with them in the backdrop of the gradual withdrawal of government from this sector as per the GATS agreement, the organisation said.

It added that “The government has shamelessly admitted that ‘It was a commitment made by the country at the WTO in 2003.’ If this step conducive to the GATS agreement is not withdrawn, commercialisation and privatisation of education particularly higher education will be further accelerated under the bulldozing effect of the capitalist global market economy by enhancing tuition fee exorbitantly which will confine the pursuit of education to a privileged few and deny the same for millions of poor and middle class sections.”

AIDSO said it would develop strong movement as this was against the interests of all sections of academic community. For the employees, this means fewer jobs with insufficient social guarantees and legal protection. 

Ghaziabad, February 8
An ex-army jawan and his accomplice are alleged to have raped a nine-year-old girl under Mussori police station area in Ghaziabad.

Girl’s father has filed a report with the Mussori police station against the armyman Sunil and his accomplice. Both the accused are reported to be absconding.

Girl’s father, a resident of Nurpur village under Mussori police station area, had gone to meet some relatives in Sargana village in Meerut with his family yesterday. After returning from there by bus in the evening, he was going to his village on a bicycle with his wife and nine-year old daughter when accused Sunil, also of the same village, and his friend passed by him on their bike.

As Sunil offered to carry the girl home in the village, her father sent her along with the duo. But instead of taking her to the village, the duo reportedly took the girl to a sugarcane field, beat her up and after tying her feet and hands both raped her by turn.

When family did not find her in the house, her father went to Sunil’s house but was informed that he had not come home yet. He tried to locate the girl with some villagers but did not succeed. A report with Mussori police station was filed against Sunil and his friend. Both the accused are reported to be absconding. The family has expressed apprehensions that she might have been killed by the ex-armyman and his friend.

Gurgaon, February 8
Even after 13 days, the police have failed to find any clue to the recovery of 10 precious Jain idols. A mahapanchayat has been planned by the Jain community on February 11 to chalk out the future strategy.

Ten invaluable idols, made of ‘ashtdhatu’, were stolen from Digamber Jain Mandir after breaking four doors on the night of 26-27 January.

Today, local leaders of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) led by former Deputy Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot with hundreds of party leaders reached the spot where relay hunger strike has been organized by the Jain community for the last 11 days.

While addressing the gathering, Mr Gehlot lamented that even the idols were not safe in the present government led by Congress Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The incidents of crime have increased manifold since the government took charge in the state, he said.

The incidents of murders, vehicle theft and other heinous crimes have almost doubled in the last two years, mourned the former Deputy Speaker and former local MLA.

Dinesh Aggarwal, general secretary of state youth wing of INLD, said that issue of stolen idols is not a political issue as all political parties and all communities condemned such cases as Jain idols are symbols of faith. The police must immediately ensure their recovery, he appealed to the administration.

Mr Pushp Chand Jain, vice-president of Digambar Jain community, said that most of the political parties, social, religious organizations and resident welfare associations have already extended their support to the mahapanchayat to be held on February 11.

He informed that the local Jain community is approaching round 220 Jain temples in Delhi and 120 temples in Haryana for their support for the recovery of idols.

Local sarpanches of all villages in Gurgaon have also been invited to take part in the mahapanchayat, he added.

Mr Devender Jain, general secretary of the community, further informed that a number of national level leaders of Jain community are also expected in the meeting.

Haryana police had also failed to trace three idols which were stolen from Jain Mandir, Rohtak in August 06 and two Jain idols which were stolen from Palwal (Faridabad) in July 06, informed the general secretary.

The general secretary said that five persons had been sitting on relay hunger strike throughout the day at Mahavir Park Jain Mandir for the last 11 days. Jain community’s peaceful demonstration has not moved the district administration as the administration led by Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Gupta and Senior Superintendent of Police Hanif Qureshi had assured the recovery of stolen idols within seven days, lamented the secretary.

Mr Jain said that the police must act fast to ensure the recovery of idols.

New Delhi, February 8
A Delhi court directed the in-charge of Nari Niketan to produce an alleged rape victim after her father moved an application seeking her custody.

Additional Sessions Judge Narottam Kaushal asked the Nari Niketan to produce the minor girl, who had earlier refused to go with her parents, in court on February 12.

The 13-year-old girl’s father and complainant, Shyam Sunder, moved the application saying that the girl had expressed her willingness to her mother, who met her two days ago, to live with the parents.

The minor girl, who was rescued from an accused on October 15, last year from Uttar Pradesh, had been sent to Nari Niketan here a day after she, in her statement before a court, said that she did not want to go to her parents’ house.

In the statement made before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CRPC (criminal procedure code), the girl said that she had married the accused Sonu after going with him on her own on October seven, last year.

The accused and his father were arrested on October 14 from Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh after Shyam Sunder lodged a complaint with the Uttam Nagar police station in West Delhi alleging that they had lured her daughter away.

A case invoking Section 363 (kidnapping), 366 (kidnapping for the purpose of marriage) and 376 (rape) of the IPC was registered against the father-son duo. The police had also filed a chargesheet against them on December five last year. The main accused Sonu is in the judicial custody, while his father Shishupal is out on bail. 

Greater Noida, February 8
Two bike-borne robbers, who came to a pertrol pump near Sirsa village under Greater Noida police station last night, snatched Rs 10,000 from the salesman at gunpoint and fled away.

According to the police, two bike-borne robbers came to the petrol pump near Sirsa village on Kasna-Dankore Road, got the tank filled up and then, putting a gun at the earpit of the salesman, Sunder, snatched the cash bag.—OC

New Delhi, February 8
Delhiites woke up to a comparatively cold morning today with both minimum and maximum temperatures closing in on to normal.

The met department recorded a minimum temperature of 10.1 degree Celsius, almost four degrees below yesterday’s figure and one degree Celsius above normal. There was thin fog in some areas early morning, but it dissipated as the sun rose.

Compared to yesterday’s maximum of 26.7 degree Celsius, the high today was two degree below at 24.0 degree Celsius, about one degree above normal.—TNS