New Delhi, June 14
Alleging that rampant corruption in DTC ranks is responsible for paralysing the public transport system in the Capital, the staffers of the state-owned corporation today demanded a high-level judicial probe into the irregularities.

Addressing a press conference here, the Delhi Parivahan Karamchari Sangh, a major trade union of the Delhi Transport Corporation, alleged that massive corruption involved in purchase of high speed buses, sale of scrap, purchase of spare parts and granting of subsidy for the corporation's social responsibilities were responsible for heavy losses suffered by the DTC, which in turn had paralysed the public transport system in the Capital.

Speaking at the press meet, Sangh chairman Jai Bhagwan Goyal alleged that no new diesel buses had been purchased by the DTC in the last 15 years while no new CNG buses have been inducted in the national Capital over the last five years.

Goyal, who was flanked by Sangh president Om Prakash Vashisht and general secretary Sunil Gupta said spare parts were not being brought from the manufacturer Ashok Leyland but were being purchased locally which resulted in frequent breakdowns of DTC buses in Delhi.

"Out of a total of 330 buses, over 100 buses can always be found parked at bus depots due to technical and other faults at any given time," Goyal alleged.

Alleging that the high-tech buses sought to be introduced in the city was aimed at fooling Delhiites, "Over 2500 CNG buses can be brought with the amount sought to be spent on the project - the dedicated corridor itself costs a whopping Rs 350 crore and five buses will cost Rs 47 lakh each."

Also, despite surplus staff, all feeder services including to and from metro stations and at Chandni Chowk were being given to private contractors.

"CNG leakages are also not being rectified on time, causing a loss of Rs 5,000 for each fault," he said.

"It seems a deliberate attempt is afoot to present DTC as a loss-making outfit to pave way for private operators," the Sangh alleged.

Goyal demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the massive corruption and bungling in the DTC and exemplary action against public servants and government officials found guilty for their acts of omission and commission.

New Delhi, June 14
In news currently for seven deaths in a week's time, Tihar Jail here suffers from poor medical facilities and a severe shortage of doctors.

The jail hospital, which had a sanctioned strength of 70 doctors, had about one-third of its posts lying vacant, a senior prison official told.

And even as the number of inmates had doubled since 1998, the number of posts of doctors was yet to be revised.

"We have written to the government about the shortage of doctors. We will also be putting forth this issue before the official asked by the government to probe the deaths", the official said.

Medical facility was a matter of concern there. It was inadequate and needed to be completely reviewed, he said.

The number of doctors at Tihar was increased to 70 from 12 in 1998. At that time, there were about 7,500 prisoners in jail, while the number had shot up to 13,717 now as against the capacity of 6,250.

But there had not been any commensurate enhancements on the healthcare front, he said.

He said the hospital had basic facilities, but did not have any experts such as cardiologists and radiologists.

It did not have any facility to perform surgery for major complication. The patient has to be referred to Deen Dayal Hospital.

Faridabad, June 14
The district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a demonstration in protest against the short supply of water and power in the city and district.

Demanding resignation of the state government on the issue, party leaders and workers have asked the authorities concerned to ensure round-the-clock availability of basic amenities.

A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through the office of the deputy commissioner.

The protest was led by former minister Krishan Pal Gurjar and was supported by Anand Sharma, a former MLA, Gopal Sharma, district chief of the party, and Deep Bhatia, members of the state executive of the BJP, among others.

Describing the shortage of water and power in the district, the party has blamed the state government and its machinery and has demanded immediate relief from the problem.

According to the memorandum, the power supply was for not more than five hours daily, while prior to the elections round-the-clock supply had been promised.

Claiming that the state government was not serious towards increasing power generation in the state, it said no concrete project in this direction had been launched.

The memorandum went on to say the life of the common man had been adversely affected by the non-availability of basic facilities.

In case the government failed to deliver, it was the moral responsibility of the government to give up the reins of power.

Seeking immediate measures to solve the problem, the party has threatened to take to the roads soon if the issues taken up are not addressed properly and in a timely manner.

A majority of the protesters in today's demonstration hailed from the Mewla Maharajpur assembly constituency.

Several such protests had taken place in the district in the past fortnight. Residents of certain villages had blocked traffic on various roads to seek adequate supply of water in the rural areas.

Two of the protests had turned violent. Residents had even pelted stones on officials and their vehicles.

New Delhi, June 14
With the arrest of Mohd Kabeer (35), Mohd Nuroon (18) and Parvez (22), the North-East district police claimed to have solved a blind murder case committed in Bajrang Bali Mohalla, Maujpur, about two weeks ago.

Afsar Hussain (52) was found murdered at his second floor flat in the locality.

Three blood-stained knives were recovered from the spot and there were two deep stab injuries on the left side of his waist.

Initially, there was no clue about the motive of the murder.

Later, it was learnt that Mohd Kabeer was standing outside the house of the deceased and four persons, including Israel, had come out of the house around 10 in the morning.

During investigation, it was found that Kabeer and Israel used to stay in the factory of the deceased. Following a tip-off, on the basis of suspicion, they were arrested near the Metro station, Seelampur, roaming in suspicious conditions.

During interrogation, they allegedly confessed their crime. They had come to know the deceased had received a payment of Rs 6 lakh recently.

They demanded money from the deceased. When he refused to do so, they stabbed him with knives in frustration and a fit of rage, the police said.

New Delhi, June 14
In yet another development at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in the series of events following the February 19 event, the Proctorial Committee has issued show-cause notices to 11 students, including three office-bearers of the Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union (JNUSU).

The registrar of the university was gheraoed by the students as part of the workers' minimum wage struggle on February 19.

The administration took serious note of the incident and issued suspension letters to nine students. However, this move was taken back after a students' movement in the university.

Now, the committee has framed charges against 11 students on the ground of serious misconduct. The students have been asked to submit their replies earliest by June 15. No replies have been submitted as yet.

"It was the mandate of the General Body Meeting not to comply with the Proctorial Committee. We are trying to talk to the administration but nothing positive has come out so far," said Dhananjay, president, JNUSU.

New Delhi, June 14
The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has reacted strongly against a letter issued by the Directorate of Higher Education.

The letter is addressed to the 12 fully funded Delhi government colleges. This letter directs these colleges to get their accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) as early as possible.

The Academic Council and the Executive Council of DU has rejected NAAC accreditation unanimously since 1994, time and again.

In the DUTA press conference today, vice-president of the organisation Surender Singh Rana called it unconstitutional for the Directorate to issue such directives to the University.

DUTA representatives will be meeting Arjun Singh in the later half of the day on the issue.

"We also want to discuss other issues that have been pending since sometime," said Amar Deo Sharma, president, DUTA.

If NAAC is imposed in Delhi University, the teachers' union is pledged to heat up the university as and when it reopens.

Gurgaon, June 14
If reiteration from foreign quarters on the growing industrial power of Gurgaon in north India was yet needed to validate its emerging status, it has now come from Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority of Ras Al Khimah emirate of the United Arab Emirates.

The representatives of Ras Al Khaimha Free Trade Zone Authority made a full-blown representation of the authority, inviting industrialists to give a thought to the place if they want to expand their business or set up liaison office to capture markets in Africa, the Middle East and part of Europe, especially countries like Turkey.

The presentation was made at a seminar organised by the Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) here in which a number of industrialists took part.

Gurgaon, June 14
Urban policing will start with the commissionary system in Gurgaon district, claims IGP Gurgaon range, Mohinder Lal.

The new system will be operational within a fortnight. The IGP level officer would head the commissionary.

Instead of one SP at present five deputy commissioner of police (DCP) of the rank of superintendent of police (SP) will supervise the police force.

One deputy inspector general rank officer will be appointed as joint commissioner of police who would act as a link between the commissioner and the DCP.

Gurgaon district has been divided into three zones_ East, West and South, each headed by one DCP.

One DCP will look after crime exclusively while the fifth DCP will be stationed at headquarters to assist the commissioner.

There will be a total of six assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) of the rank of DSP. As Gurgaon is fast emerging as an IT -enabled services centre, five computer programmers will be posted to deal with cyber crimes.

Various steps would be taken to train the police force and especially the constabulary so that their working style improved.

The IGP said the tenders for installing cameras for surveillance at intersections, markets and commercial buildings, malls, have already been invited.

The Gurgaon police would also have wireless sets based on digital trunking system.

This system ensures that the policemen at the control room can speak to an individual staff like mobile phone, a group of staff (an SHO can speak to all his subordinates) or to all police personnel of the district at one time, added the officer.

Presently, the district has the system where the control room broadcast the message and every policeman carrying the wireless set listens to it, added the officer.

Then they would inform their male members who in turn commit robbery in the locked houses.

No high-rise hotel at  Games Village
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 14
The Organising Committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi has decided not to push for the high-rise hotel project at the Games Village following objection from the Akshardam Temple authorities.

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi said here today after the Executive Council meeting that the "hotel idea has been scrapped as we did not want the hotel building to overshadow the skyline near the Akshardam Temple".

He said all the formalities had been completed for the construction of the Games Village and other infrastructure as venues briefs had also been submitted by the international sports federations.

Kalmadi said the construction work would start in staggered manner from July, and the works would be completed by 2009 end.

The stadiums would then be handed over to the Organising Committee to hold the trial games, test the equipment and other facilities and training of the technical officials.

On the matter of budget, Kalmadi said Rs 767 had been approved against the Rs 900 crore sought initially, and "re-validation of the budget is in progress".

New Delhi, June 14
A fine knock of 69 by Saurabh Passi helped Sarojini Nagar Gymkhana defeat Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) by 56 runs in the Rs 5 lakh prize money Delhi and the District Cricket Association Hot Weather Tournament at Yamuna Sports Complex I ground here today.

Scores: S.N.Gymkhana: 216 for 8 in 40 overs (Saurabh 69, Rahul Tyagi 45, Sanjeev Sachdeva 32, Harpreet 2 for 54).

CWC: 160 all out in 33.3 overs (Sachin Badana 54, Raghvender Singh 4 for 37).