New Delhi, July 23
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today came in for sharp criticism from the Supreme Court for the manner it was handling the issue of the sealing of illegal shops in the Capital’s non-approved commercial zones and the Master Plan Delhi, 2021.

Taking serious view of the MCD’s delaying tactics in carrying out the sealing operation and filing a report on available infrastructure for implementing the Master Plan, a special Bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat told corporation’s counsel that “if you think that the delay will take you out of the chopping block, you are sadly mistaken.”

The court which threatened to stay the Master Plan, passed various directions for the MCD and other government agencies to firm up their action if they want to see the plan in place.

While giving last chance of two weeks’ breather to the MCD and other agency to submit their replies on the available infrastructure facilities, the court was more angry with MCD slowing the entire sealing operation of illegal commercial venture and only targeting ‘selective’ shops even in the areas which were out of government’s two notifications last year and the MPD permitting mixed land use.

The court also pulled up the MCD for closing the date for accepting conversion charges of commercial ventures permitted in mixed land use zones on June 30 and asked it to give further time of one month for it.

The MCD had collected Rs 97 crore as conversion charges before closing date while thousands of applications still remained pending, the Monitoring Committee (MC) in its report had stated.

The court also directed the MCD to supply copy detailing the reasons for sealing the shop of each shop owner, as recorded by the MC when it was informed that they were being denied of the document and were not clear for the reasons to close their venture.

The corporation was further asked to make its stand clear on permission granted to small shop owners dealing in 24 permitted items by the court last year in commercial area whether the 25 square meters limit for such shops was strictly enforced, whether this limit was confined to just one shop or the owner could have more shops of the permitted size in one plot if its area is bigger.

On this issue, the response of the DDA was also sought as the Master Plan on the size of the plot is formulated by it.

The court also sought response of NDMC on MC’s report recommending the grant of permission for professionals like doctors, advocates, chartered accountants and accredited journalists in its area.

The MC stated that in the notified Lutyens’ zone falling under NDMC jurisdiction, these professionals were permitted to set up their offices, except in the government buildings. They could carry out their profession subject to payment of conversion charges and availability of parking space.

Till the NDMC submits its report on MC’s recommendations, the court extended its interim stay on closure of the offices of professionals till further order.

New Delhi, July 23
The commuters in the Capital continued to suffer for the third day today with most of the Blueline buses, which have failed to get the mandatory clearance from the government, staying off the roads.

The Delhi transport department has so far found only 712 out of the around 4,000 private Blueline buses fit for plying during a special checking drive carried out in the last two days.

Despite the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) operating around 2,800 buses on different routes to ease the pressure, the shortage of Blueline buses resulted in commuters waiting for longer hours for the buses, which were over-crowded.

The department has increased frequency of buses on ten busy routes like Azadpur, Nehru place, ITO, Laxmi Nagar, Vikas Marg, ISBT and outer Delhi for the convenience of the commuters.

Four special ladies buses are also plying on the Ring Road and the Outer Ring Road.

Meanwhile, the transport department is continuing the special drive at its 10 depots across the city as hundreds of Blueline buses were to get the clearance certificate.

The checking of private buses also affected buses deployed on school duty. A large number of schools in the National Capital territory of Delhi and Noida reported that the buses suddenly went off the roads in the afternoon leaving the children to fend for themselves.

Harried parents found themselves rushing around to make alternate arrangements to bring their children home after school.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had on Friday issued directions that the private fleet should not be allowed to ply for two days unless they conformed to all norms like installing speed governors.

The directions came after Blueline buses continued to cause accidents, bringing the efforts of the police and the government to rein in drivers indulging in rash and negligent driving to a naught. 

New Delhi, July 23
The Delhi government has decided to have a cabinet meeting on Thursday to bring Blueline buses under kilometer scheme. Besides, unauthorised colonies development board will also table its report before the cabinet. The board was constituted by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, sources said.

According to sources, this was being done to streamline the services of buses. Rash driving is the cause of accidents in the national Capital. Under the kilometer system, the contract system will be abolished and drivers will not be in hurry. They will drive vehicles smoothly.

Most of the Blueline buses are on contract. Owners do not drive these buses. Under the kilometer scheme, the conductor will be appointed by the government while the driver will be employee of the bus owner. The bus owner will have to pay the government according to the kilometers covered on the prescribed routes. Technically fit buses will be driven under this scheme.

The sources said that the government hoped that under this scheme, the rate of accident would be reduced as the drivers would not drive rashly. In the beginning when the public transport was privatized, the buses were under kilometer scheme but it was cancelled as the majority of the bus owners avoided to operate under the scheme as they had got less profit.

The sources also said that the guidelines for authorisation of unapproved colonies would also be finalized at the meeting and the report would be submitted to the central ministry concerned.

Faridabad, July 23
A complaint was registered against son of an MLA, a newly appointed IPS officer and others for assaulting two journalists at a cultural event on Saturday. However, the complainants alleged that the persons involved in the incident had not been named in the FIR registered by the police.

The case was registered under sections 148, 149, 323, 506 and 427 of the IPC against some unidentified persons.

The complainants alleged that the local police was trying to shield these influential persons, who had allegedly been involved in creating disturbance and assaulting employees of a media group, who had organised a cultural event at Magpie tourist complex here on Saturday evening.

Avinash, news editor, and Ajay Deep, a senior reporter of the Bhaskar group, were allegedly attacked by iron rods and sticks while they were leaving the place after the programme. Two district marketing managers of the company also sustained injuries in the incident.

The police took two youths into custody who had been handed over by the complainants and their supporters.

However, the district police chief has assured a delegation of victims and their friends that a suitable action against those involved in the incident.

The police ‘inaction’ has caused resentment among mediapersons.

It is reported that the incident took place after a scuffle between the media group employees and around 10 youths over their entry to the programme hall, where a fashion show was being held. The function was organised to mark the completion of the anniversary of the media group. While the entry was by card only, it is alleged that these youths who were allegedly under the influence of liquor tried to make a forcible entry. This led to a scuffle between the journalists and the youths. Later, when four employees of the group were leaving the venue after the function, they were attacked. The complainant alleged that the accused, included son of an MLA from Faridabad district and newly-selected IPS officer from Delhi, who was yet to join his training. 

Greater Noida, July 23
The drivers and conductors of UP Roadway buses have taken the buses off the Greater Noida-Sakanderabad route.

The drivers’ grouse is that some criminals beat them up near Dhandhola.

The transport authorities have told the police that they will not be able to ply the buses on this route until the staff are provided with security by police. Passengers are facing a tough time as no buses are plying on this route.

Two days ago, six youths had boarded a bus from Greater Noida to Sekanderabad. When the conductor asked them for a ticket, they told him to wait. When they reached near Dhandhola, the driver asked them to buy tickets. The youths then went ballistic and reportedly beat up the driver and conductor. When some passengers tried to come to their rescue, they were pushed down from the bus.

As other bus drivers learnt about the incident, they went on a lightning strike.

The roadways staff have complained to the manager that they will not ply on the route till security is provided to them.

S.P. Greater Noida was told by the manager that the roadways buses would be taken off the route until they were provided security. Though the S.P. Greater Noida has ordered Kasna, Greater Noida and Dankore police to provide security to drivers and conductors, bus service on the route has come to a standstill.

Dhandhola youths often beat up bus drivers and conductors and even the private bus owners have taken their buses off this route.

Three months ago, incidents of snatching of cash from the bus conductors had also been reported. Anti-social elements often extort money from the bus drivers.

Greater Noida Authority had deployed 60 buses on these routes to Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida.

New Delhi, July 23
Former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jai Bhagwan Malik allegedly attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself yesterday. However, Malik’s daughter Rajni sustained bullet wounds while she was trying to prevent him from shooting himself. Later, she succumbed to injuries.

According to police sources, the retired ACP was suffering from tuberculosis, kidney trouble and hypertension, due to which he was under a constant stress.

He was also disturbed by the separation of his daughter from her husband. Malik, 62, allegedly took a barrel gun and tried to shoot himself.

His daughter Rajni tried to grab the gun and in the scuffle a shot was fired in which Malik and Rajni both got injured.

Both were taken to Saroj Hospital where Rajni succumbed to her serious injuries.

Meanwhile, Malik is still in the ICU in a critical condition.

A case has been registered in the Shalimar Bagh police station.

New Delhi, July 23
BSES’s efforts to provide uninterrupted and quality electricity supply since July 2002 achieved a major boost this fortnight when 39 Single Point Delivery (SPD) Contractors were removed in West Delhi. With this over 500 (92 per cent) SPD system has been phased out. The remaining SPD Contractors are expected to be phased out later this year, thereby putting curtains on this controversial DVB/DESU legacy.

This has been possible following BSES decision to make substantial investments towards upgrading and strengthening its distribution network by investing over Rs 4,000 crore. Much of the capital expenditure was made to electrify the un-electrified areas like the ones under SPD control. This has benefited more than two lakh customers who have already become BSES consumers, a release said. Since July 2002, BSES has been systematically getting rid of these SPD contractors. From more than 550 at the time of privatisation, the number of SPD contractors today is a mere 44 (Central and East Delhi Zero; South - 42 and West - 2).

Plans are afoot to do away with even these by end of the year. In fact, BSES took over 39 SPD areas in West Delhi including areas in Vikaspuri, Nangloi, Laxmi Park, Uttam Nagar, Jai Vihar Pockets D, E, F, G and H and Hastasaal – catering to around 20,000 residents BSES has been repeatedly appealing to the residents in these High Power Theft areas to take BSES connections. For the purpose, BSES has been organising camps for immediate release of connections. The customers in these areas have been advised to either complete the formalities for new connections at these camps or approach the office of the Business Managers of their respective areas. The response, so far, however has been far from satisfactory. The residents continue to shirk from taking legal connections. If this continues, BSES will be left with no option but to disconnect electricity supply to these residents. 

Plagued with complaints of red tape in passing of building plans and harassment for securing a completion certificate, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has evolved a self-certification plan for approval of plans.

This plan gives the public complete liberty to plan homes within the bylaws, get these certified by architects registered with the Council of Architecture and finally, carry out their own checks after completion.

“We are putting our complete trust in the public and the architects by introducing this plan. The entire procedure has been simplified to the extent that repeated visits to HUDA officials have been done away with completely. At different levels of construction, certificates and affidavits from owners to HUDA have been introduced as a system of checks and balances,” explains TC Gupta, Chief Administrator, HUDA.

Under the new system, an allottee will be required to put in an application to the Estate Officer stating his intention to begin construction on his plot after clearing all his dues. “Following this, he will be issued a zoning sheet of the plot indicating buildable areas and other dimensions of construction along with building bylaws, forms and affidavits to be submitted from time to time and carry out physical demarcation of the site. From then on, the allottee’s only responsibility is to submit the affidavits at different stages of construction,” he explains.

In the second visit after demarcation, the allottee and the architect will submit a certificate, along with documents mentioned on the form. This would be treated as a 15-day notice to begin construction. If the allottee is not conveyed any objections within this period, he can begin construction.

Similarly, he would be required to submit affidavits at the stage of excavation and when he reaches the plinth level. Here again, there would be a 15-day break in construction to allow officials a random check if they choose to do so.

This procedure would be repeated at the time when the construction reaches the roof level.

On completion of construction, the allottee would have to submit a final completion plan along with certificates stating that proper procedures and specifications have been followed, along with photographs of the construction carried out. The Estate Officer would be required to issue a completion certificate within three working days after the submission of the completion plan.

“Since we are relying completely on the allottee and the architect to furnish information, we have introduced a clause stating that the occupation certificate would stand cancelled if any violations are detected till the time these are rectified. Also, action against the architect would be initiated for professional misconduct and recommendation to deregister him from the Council would be made,” he adds.

Taking a cue from similar procedures in place in Chandigarh, Greater Noida and Noida, the department has improved upon these to ensure the benefits reach the public. “The scheme had met with partial success in two of these cities because there was checking by officials at the completion stage. We have done away with that as well to make a success out of it since we want to save the public any inconvenience,” Gupta asserts. As of now, the making of zoning sheets for the residential areas has begun and the present system of passing plans would be continued as an alternative till the time the sheets for the plots are not ready.

New Delhi, July 23
The Delhi cabinet today adopted Mamta Friendly Hospital scheme to bring down the maternal and infant mortality, recommended promulgation of Delhi Fire Service Ordinance 2007 to the Lt. Governor and referred amendment to the Delhi MLAs’ (Salaries, Allowances, Pension etc.) Act, 1994 to the union government for its concurrence.

Talking to media after the meeting, Dikshit stated that her government was committed to providing equitable, quality healthcare to its citizens especially, the maternal and child segment of its population. An important component of healthcare aimed at reducing the maternal and infant mortality is the provision of ‘institutional delivery’ for pregnant women and an end to the practice of female foeticide.

Dikshit added that her government had decided to adopt Mamta Friendly Hospital scheme and its convergence with social welfare scheme for the girl child. The Mamta Friendly Hospital would be treated at par with the government institutions for giving the benefit of the ‘girl child protection scheme’ of the Department of Social Welfare.

The hospitals that become partner under the scheme would be paid at the rate of Rs 4,000 for each delivery.

The Chief Minister added that the adoption of Mamta Friendly Hospital scheme would provide an opportunity to expectant mothers of the weaker sections of society to avail benefits of nursing homes. Dikshit stated that the cabinet had decided to recommend promulgation of the Delhi Fire Service Ordinance, 2007 to the Lt. Governor. The proposed ordinance is a comprehensive document which has been prepared after suitably modifying and incorporating the provisions of the Delhi Fire Bill, 2001. It has suitable provisions on various aspects like organization, control and discipline in Delhi Fire Service, levy and control of fire tax, renewal of obstructions in firefighting and rescue operation, special provisions for fire prevention and fire safety, measures in multi-storeyed buildings, establishment of a fire training institute and power to declare fire service as essential services.

She expressed confidence that proposed ordinance once promulgated would be able to provide comprehensive fire safety and redefine entire aspects of fire safety. 

New Delhi, July 23
In a major move, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) has substantially increased its student intake beginning this academic session. It now offers a whopping 1,760 more seats in the forthcoming session than in the previous year.

The university has revised the intake in many of its sought after courses. This includes B.Tech, in which 600 seats have been added this year; BBA 240; B.Ed 300; MBA 250; BCA 103; B.A. LLB 70; MCA 90; and the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication 15.

The increase in the BBA intake is due to the introduction of evening shift at five of the affiliated institutions, including Institute of Information Technology and Management, Janakpuri, Jagannath Institute of Management Studies, Vasant Kunj, Maharaja Surajmal Institute, Janakpuri, Tecnia Institute of Advanced Studies, Rohini, and Ideal Institute of Management Technology, Karkardooma, with an intake of 60 seats each.

Further, six new programmes have been introduced by GGSIPU for the 2007-08 academic session, including a Master of Mass Media (with 40 seats), Master of Occupational Therapy (18 seats), B.Sc. Medical Technology Radiotherapy (with an intake of 4), M.A. English and Communication Studies (with 30 seats), B. Tech Civil Engineering (60 seats) and MBA Part-Time at Delhi Institute of Professional Studies (with 60 seats).