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Plan to legalise some LBZ structures
City turns into citadel
Rs 965 cr for SCs/STs misused: RSP
Going smoke-free
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Chinese flavour
'60s look is back
Skill-deficit youth bane of India: Report
Patient’s kin beat up 2 AIIMS doctors
Bonus for power staff
Food security discussed
Kidnapped child found
Five sentenced for kidnapping
Wife kills self over promised Divali dress
Bandits loot Rs 4 lakh
Navigator launched
Fugitive arrested
Yamuna Satyagrah
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Plan to legalise some LBZ structures
New Delhi, November 8 According to the list being finalised by the CPWD, about ten politicians and senior bureaucrats, who have been found violating building norms in the LBZ, may get relief from the urban development ministry. The CPWD has submitted the list of those bungalows where illegal constructions can be made legal citing various reasons, said a senior ministry official. The relief likely to be granted by the ministry to VIPs include former Deputy Prime Minister and senior BJP leader L K Advani, union ministers Suresh Pachouri and Kumari Selja, former governor of Maharashtra P C Alexander and IB director P C Haldar. There are three basic reasons given for making them legal. While some additional constructions carried out are only minor deviation in nature, in some cases it has been attributed to security reasons. There are also three bungalows where additional structures are now integral structures of the main building, said the official, adding any attempt to remove the alterations would affect the main structure. While 71 VIP bungalows were found to have unauthorised structures, the ministry could remove only 16 by October 10. Those bungalows where modifications are still intact include those of cabinet ministers Arjun Singh, Ambika Soni, Ram Vilas Paswan, Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel and MPs Sushma Swaraj, V K Malhotra, M Venkaih Naidu, K Natwar Singh and S S Ahluwalia. The urban development ministry, in its first report submitted to the Delhi High Court, has pointed out that there were about 210 bungalows in Lutyens’ Zone with illegal constructions. The court had issued notice on September 4, 2006, giving occupants 90 days to demolish the illegal structures. After 90 days, nothing happened and the court directed the ministry to file an action taken report. The ministry scaled down the number of houses with illegal constructions from 216 to 71 bungalows after new guidelines regularised constructions in remaining houses. Government initiated proceedings against 71 houses. Sixteen out of 71 occupants voluntarily demolished illegal constructions. The court directed government on April 25 this year to remove unauthorised portions in remaining 55 premises within next three months. However, on July 19, the centre sought more time and on October 10 this year, the court again asked the CPWD to take immediate action against these constructions. While the next hearing is on January 16, 2008, the ministry is likely to take the plea for regularising some of these illegal constructions on various
grounds. — PTI |
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City turns into citadel
New Delhi, November 8 The Delhi Police has put in place heightened security measures to avoid any mishappening like the bomb blasts that rocked the Capital in October 2005 on the eve of Divali, claiming 59 lives. Metal detectors have been erected at the entry points of major markets like Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh. There was heavy deployment of security personnel across the city. The city hospitals have also been asked to be prepared to face any kind of emergency. A general announcement is being made from time to time informing the public to be alert and vigil about any suspected object or a person. “With Divali only a day afar, we are maintaining a state of alert through measures like intensified patrolling, deployment of sniffer dogs and bomb-disposal squads and constant vigil of crowded places,’’ Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said today. He said, ‘’The police after 1730 hrs will be conducting patrolling of all the main parts and markets of the city. No chances are being taken, and we are doing our level best to ensure that it is an incident-free Divali for the city residents. All our senior officers and personnel will be out there in the field to make sure the security apparatus is intact.’’ A constant vigil is being maintained at the railway stations too. “Already, railway authorities have stopped sale of platform tickets at New Delhi and Old Delhi Stations as part of its precautionary measures to avert any mishappening,’’ Bhagat added. Furthermore, those travelling by trains were being subjected to increased frisking. |
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Rs 965 cr for SCs/STs misused: RSP
New Delhi, November 8 Talking to newspersons here, Parishad president Jai Bhagwan Jatav said under the Right to Information Act, it found that Rs 965.5 crore was misappropriated during 2006-2007. He said the SCs/STs did not want any favour, but the government must ensure that students from these communities pursuing higher studies did not suffer due to financial constraints and their fee was paid from the allocated funds. He said the misappropriation was committed in the name of socio-economic-educational development of SCs/STs residing in Delhi, the budget provisions for which were made as per the guidelines of the Planning Commission. He further said that the fund allocated for individuals, families and hamlets under Schedued Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) under the commission’s guidelines must be made non-lapsable and non-divertible. He regretted that the government neither followed the guidelines and additional guidelines issued by the Planning Commission nor did they adhered to their own commitments. SSs/STs constitute one fourth of the country’s
population. — UNI |
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Going smoke-free
New Delhi, November 8 “Every bit of fireworks, including the little sparkler, adds to air pollution. They are bound to, as they contain compounds of phosphorus, sulphur and potassium, and all these are pollutants,” said the scientist, who did not want to be identified. “So Divali fireworks and ecological concern are a contradiction in terms,” the scientist said here Thursday. “If you really want a green Divali, the only way to light up your home would be to use earthen lamps with cloth wicks.” “It’s better to have wax rather than oil in the lamps,” the expert added. “You never know to what extent the oil is adulterated and what pollutants it may contain. With wax, you can dispose it of safely the next day.” The other environment-friendly way to celebrate Divali is the sky lantern. This is a large paper box with a hole below and an earthen lamp lit under it. The lamp heats up the air inside the box, which then rises in the air, just like a hot air balloon. The paper will fall to the ground eventually, but that is biodegradable. So is the frame of the sky lantern, as long as it is made out of bamboo slivers, like a kite. According to Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) —dust and smoke particles small enough to get inside the lungs—in the Capital’s air is very high and it’s better to refrain from bursting crackers during Divali. “The RSPM level in Delhi air is 350 microgram per cubic metre and this could increase 100 per cent during Divali if we don’t stay away from crackers. They are very bad for people’s health in general and environment in particular,” Narain told IANS. “Crackers, especially imported ones, emit a huge amount of sulphur dioxide and it’s a real threat to people suffering from asthma. The current smog witnessed in the capital skies reveals the amount of air pollution,” she added. However, Narain had a suggestion for Delhiites. “If you want to celebrate Divali with crackers then take off all cars from city roads for a month.”
— IANS |
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Chinese flavour
New Delhi, November 8 Kriti creations, a shop in south Delhi’s Khan Market, is a typical Feng Shui shop. But idols of goddess Lakshmi—the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity who is worshipped during Diwali—sit pretty on the shelves of the store. “Friday is the day of goddess Lakshmi and it’s a very auspicious occasion that this year Divali will be celebrated on the very day. The items in my shop, like that of goddess Lakshmi channelling wealth into a plate, is just what Feng Shui symbolises—channelling positive energy,” said Mukesh Goyal, owner of the shop. Similarly, another Feng Shui store in North Delhi’s Shakti Nagar area is busy selling Ganesha idols and other articles. “One of the most popular Feng Shui items, the Shri Yantra, is the hottest selling item right now. It brings prosperity to the family and is kept during the time of puja,” said Tenzing, the owner of the store. People are queuing up to buy the Shri Yantra, which is priced between Rs 101 and Rs 7000. In Feng Shui, the colour orange stands for gold. That is why almost every Feng Shui item has a hint of orange and holds great meaning especially on Divali. Also, cracker shops are flooded with Chinese firecrackers. A tad bit smaller in size than their Indian counterparts and packed with glazed paper with the image of a Chinese dragon or Sumo wrestler, these crackers are a big hit. “The thing is that people are enamoured of the foreign tag. Whether it’s the sparklers or the rocket bomb, if it has a Chinese tag people think it will be better,” said one of the shopkeepers in north Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar area. Whatever be the case, Divali has now come under Chinese influence for
sure. — IANS |
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'60s look is back
New Delhi, November 8 “This Divali will witness the comeback of the churidar kameez and nice long tunics. However, unquestionably sarees will reign the festive look in women’s wear,” fashion designer Anita Dongre told IANS. “Men must go for long kurtas teamed with churidars and stoles. During festivals, traditional outfits not only look auspicious but enhance the look, adding to the festivity,” she added. The designer suggested opting for a big chokar or long dangler earrings instead of too much jewellery. Designers also said that people are gradually veering away from traditional clothing, although the trend of dressing up in ethnic clothes will never come to end and will continually dominate festivals. “Looks and trends are changing with increased experimentation and people have reduced wearing ethnic clothes, including me. But it will never come to an end,” said Rohit Gandhi of the label Cue. “Divali is a festival of colours, so women must sport bright-colour sarees teamed with the kind of jewellery they want. It can be heavy or light. While men can choose kurta pyjamas in neutral colours,” he added. Call it the “Om Shanti Om” effect, this festival season people would go for the 1960s-70s hairstyles. “Women with long hair will tie them up in big buns like yesteryears’ Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore and men will go for spikes with hair covering their ears like actor Vinod Khanna,” said hairstylist Amjad Habib. “Ladies will also go for ‘khajur’ (dates) choti. For a glamorous look, they will leave their mane open. For hair, they will use lots of glitter and artifical beads,” he added. Make-up will also be of the 1960s-70s style. “This Diwali people will wear light make-up and not over do it as the wedding season is nearing. They will wear long eyeliners like the 1960s-70s actresses used to do,” said make-up artist Meenakshi Dutt. |
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Skill-deficit youth bane of India: Report
New Delhi, November 8 According to the study named India Labour Report 2007, almost 53 percent of the employed youth are suffering from some kind of skill-related problem while eight percent of the youth are unemployed. “The unfinished education and training reforms agenda denies our youth the economic equivalent of a right to vote. It perpetuates inequality of opportunity because ‘unemployability’ is now a bigger problem than unemployment,” Manish Sabharwal, chairman, TeamLease Services, said in a statement. “Repairing this needs money, but money not accompanied by structural change will be ineffective. We not only need more cooks in the kitchen but a different recipe. The skill deficit is more damaging than the infrastructure deficit, but its financing and delivery has seen less policy action,” Sabharwal added. Highlighting the deteriorating quality of human resource departments in companies, the study also noted that there is a huge demand and supply mismatch of competent manpower. As much as 90 percent of employment opportunities require vocational skills, something that is not taught in schools and colleges, the study pointed out. Due to this, a large number of graduates end up in low-income jobs rather than unemployment. According to TeamLease Services, about 45 percent of graduates makes less than Rs 75,000 a year.
— IANS |
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Patient’s kin beat up 2 AIIMS doctors
New Delhi, November 8 Unhappy over the incident, physicians in the premier institute have threatened to disrupt the services. Trouble erupted in the hospital at around midnight after a 24-year-old patient, who was admitted to the institute on October 12 after an accident, succumbed to the injuries. Angry relatives alleged that the death of the man, who suffered serious spinal injuries, was due to medical negligence and went on a rampage in the premises, smashing window panes and damaging hospital property. Two resident doctors suffered injuries on their hands and neck in the attack, Resident Doctors’ Association president Dr Kumar Harsh said. A case has been registered and three persons were detained in this connection, a senior police official said. Harsh threatened that the rda will be forced to go on a strike if authorities are not given adequate security on the hospital campus. Harsh said such incidents were recurring in the campus and they will be forced not to attend patients if adequate security is not provided. Resident doctors at the Safdarjung Hospital were on strike for three days from November 1, after relatives of a patient manhandled one of the physicians. |
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Bonus for power staff
New Delhi, November 8 Walia while appreciating remarkable achievement of DTL stated that it had been able to achieve target because of dedicated and sincere efforts of employees. The transmission losses have been brought down from 3.84 per cent in 2002-03 to 0.72 per cent in 2006-07 resulting in a profit of Rs 168 crore. He further stated that PPCL has recorded profit of about Rs 118 crore during 2006-07 and has paid Rs 21.97 crore as dividend to Delhi government. The minister of power has, hence, fulfilled assurance given to employees. The representatives of employees were assured that a reasonable amount would be distributed among the employees keeping in view their performance. |
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Food security discussed
New Delhi, November 8 This initiative on the part of MCKS is an attempt to generate awareness among students at the college level of the acute crisis of hunger and deprivation in India. The MCKS, Delhi has also earmarked a strategy through which several other activities will be carried out in various colleges and universities to generate awareness about food security. The awareness campaign was largely an interactive session with students and faculty members. The core idea that emerged from the discussion was the need of a legal entitlement to guarantee every citizen his /her right to food as a fundamental right. The role of some concrete citizens action in the form of a national campaign was also brought up. An overwhelming number of students came forward to volunteer for taking forward this campaign. |
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Kidnapped child found
New Delhi, November 8 A day after the child had been picked up by the kidnappers, a call was received by his mother Bano from the alleged accused demanding a ransom of Rs 5 lakh. The location of the call was confirmed as Aligarh. The police were doubtful about the involvement of some professional kidnappers in this case. Another call was received yesterday by the family of the child for confirming the point of delivering the money. Police laid a trap around the given point, which was around the Aligarh bus stand. The alleged accused were apprehended as soon as they appeared at the bus stand. Two mobile phones were recovered from the alleged accused. The child was recovered later on the instance of one Bhupender, from the outskirts of Aligarh. During interrogation, it was revealed that Azruddin’s father Asgar was an associate of Bhupender in one robbery. However, the total amount of the theft money which was Rs 5 lakh was thrown away by Asgar while escaping the scene. Bhupender wanted to recover that money from Asgar as he did not trust his story and decided to kidnap Asgar’s son. Asgar has also been arrested on the charges of robbery. |
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Five sentenced for kidnapping
New Delhi, November 8 Additional sessions judge (ASJ) H S Sharma held Puneet Suneja, Vineet Suneja, Nitin Aggarwal, Ram Bahadur and Gaurav Gupta, all in their thirties, guilty of kidnapping one Nidhi Jain (27) and demanding a ransom of Rs 30 lakh. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 2,000 on each of them. The court, however, had earlier acquitted their accomplice Jatin Kharab, due to lack of evidence on May 18, 2004. Another accused Ganga Das died during the pendency of the trial. According to the prosecution, the accused on September 22, 2000, had abducted Nidhi from her Shakti Nagar residence here in West Delhi and kept her in detention and threatened to kill her. Nidhi, the daughter of a rich businessman S Jain, was studying in the Software Technology Group (stg), an institute imparting computer education in Shakti Nagar, from where she was abducted, the prosecution added. A ransom of Rs 30 lakh was demanded. However, her father paid Rs 10 lakh to the accused. She had identified all the accused in the court. The prosecution produced 34 witnesses, including Nidhi and her father S Jain, to prove its case. “I am of the firm opinion that the prosecution has been able to prove its case against all the five accused beyond reasonable doubts,” the court said in a recent order. The court convicted them under Sections 120-b (criminal conspiracy), 364-a (kidnapping for ransom) and 34 (common intention to commit a crime) of the Indian Penal Code. |
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Wife kills self over promised Divali dress
Greater Noida, November 8 According to police, Richpal was married seven years ago with Sunita of Chhapraula Hajipur Khera village and the couple have four children. She had been pressing her husband Richpal for new dress for herself and her children for the Divali festival. Richpal had promised that near Divali he would arrange for new dress for everybody. On Wednesday, the couple again had an argument over the issue. Suddenly Sunita, in a fit of anger, sprinkled kerosene and put a match to self before locking herself in a room. By the time the door was broken opened, it was too late. Badly charred Sunita was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared brought dead. |
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Bandits loot Rs 4 lakh
Noida, November 8 But police, however, suspect something fishy in the robbery that reportedly took place in a crowded area. Store in-charge, Arun Roy of the furniture factory in D-149, Hosiery Complex, and car driver Sachin were carrying Rs 4 lakh from factory’s head office in Panch Kuan Road. |
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Navigator launched
New Delhi, November 8 Navigator can be mounted on the windshield or dashboard while driving or carried in hand while sitting on the backseat. It will guide a person by providing visual map instructions supported by voice prompts. “In countries like India, where either roads don’t have names, or road signs are not clearly marked, following directions based on road names or other traditional method can be frustrating,” said Rakesh Verma of CE Info Systems. “With the GPS technology telling a person where to take the next turn, anonymous roads or unclear road signs are no longer an issue. The navigator will guide one to the destination effortlessly,” he added. Besides, navigator can play movies, music and video games. |
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Fugitive arrested
New Delhi, November 8 Police team developed information about Joginder after keeping eye on his movements for a long time. |
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Yamuna Satyagrah
New Delhi, November 8 On the occasion, Singh also released a booklet titled 100 days of Yamuna Satyagrah. |
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