Greater Noida, March 14
Although the land rates in Greater Noida are already touching the sky, the GNIDA does not appear content with it. According to sources, the GNIDA is bringing a proposal to its board meeting scheduled for April 7 to further hike the land rates at least by 75 to 80 per cent.

The rates of residential land at present pegged at Rs 5900 per sq mt are likely to be hiked to over Rs 10,000 per sq mt. New rates will come into operation as soon as the proposal is approved by the GNIDA board, it is learnt.

According to sources, Greater Noida Authority has already come under additional burden of Rs 1500 crore with the increase in rates of land compensation. Besides, the Greater Noida Authority is bringing a number of major development projects in the current financial year. These include Night Safari, Bodaki railway station, Gautam Budh University, a hospital of international standards, two government inter-colleges and metro rail project.

Besides, all the villages in the area will be developed under Ambedkar Gram Vikas Yojna. For all these projects, GNIDA will need at least Rs 3000 crore. To augment its financial resources, the authority is planning to hike the rates of available land.

The rates of residential plots are at present pegged at Rs 5900 per sq mt. while rates for institutional plots range between Rs 1800 and 3700 per sq mt. The rates of industrial plot range between Rs 1100 and Rs 3700 per sq mt.

New Delhi, March 14
The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation of Architects (SAARCH-2008) conference was inaugurated recently by General N.C. Vij PVSM, UYSM, AVSM (Retd.), currently vice-chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority at the Ansari Auditorium of Jamia Millia Islamia University.

The students’ forum of the three-day event was hosted by the faculty of architecture and ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia, in continuation of its various outreach programs and in association of the Indian Institute of Architects at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi from March 12-14.

Present on the occasion were Khadem Ali, chairman of the SAARCH and other delegates and students who were welcomed by Prof. S.M. Akhtar at Jamia Millia Islamia. In his welcoming address, he called upon the architects and students of the SAARC countries to work for the development of a total safe environment and not just confine themselves to buildings and construction activities.

Some 80 students of architecture and 400 eminent architects from SAARC countries are participating in the event. Further, the students forum being held concurrently with the conference SAARCH-2008 at India Habitat Centre comprised various events like a design workshop, debates, mime, sculpture, painting and various vibrant on the spot events like Gali Cricket, Treasure Hunt and Pot-Pinata. 

New Delhi, March 14
A national conference on retail was organized this Friday by the University School of Management Studies (USMS), Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). Based on the theme of ‘Unleashing the power of retail’, the one-day conference provided a platform to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges in

the retail sector in India, share innovations in the retail strategy as well as required practices in the management of retail operations.  

“Retailing in India has a great future but the industry is still at a nascent stage in the country. More than anything else, there is a need to change the mindset on how retailing is viewed in India,” said Surendra Gupta, chairman-cum-managing director, Gold Souk. Gupta was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the conference.

Balvinder Singh Ahluwalia, president, Koutons India Ltd, informed the gathering that, “globally, retail industry is USD 7 trillion. Retail is the second largest industry in the US and second largest employment generator in the US and Europe. The ratio of organized versus unorganized retail sector in the US is 80%: 20%,

in Europe it is 70%: 30% whereas in India it is 5%: 95%, hence a huge opportunity lies ahead of us, but we need to move forward with a precaution.”

In his presidential address, Prof. K. K. Aggarwal, vice-chancellor, GGSIPU, highlighted the importance of behavioural training of the resource personnel in the retail industry. He said, “Human resource plays a crucial role in the retail industry because how a shop floor assistant/ manager responds and behaves with a customer makes all the difference.”

Other important speakers at the inauguration included Udayan Dravid, sr. president, Marketing, Subhiksha and Prof. R. K. Mittal, Dean, USMS.

The conference had two technical sessions, building competitive advantage in retail, where topics like challenges in establishing a retail network, managing supply chain issues, understanding consumer behaviour and information technology in retail, were discussed.

Besides the students of management, the conference was attended by academicians and representatives from the retail industry. 

New Delhi, March 14
Hema Malini,MP, has assured NGO Sumpurna of co-operation for setting up protection homes for victims of domestic violence. She also appealed to people to jointly co-operate such organizations which are engaged in creating awareness about their rights.

She said this at a function organised by Sampurna.

Any act or law can only be successful when the stakeholders is conscious of their rights under any law. Organizations engaged in onerous task of creating awareness amongst women appreciation.

Vijender Gupta, chairman, standing committee of Municipal Corporation of Delhi, said that concerted efforts were needed to curb the incidence of domestic violence. Education to girl child can only empower women. MCD is also making headway in this direction.

It is providing a stipend of Rs 200 to each and every girl child studying in its primary schools.

Dr. Sobha Vijender, president Sumpurna, giving details said that her organization was providing pre-primary education to children in the three to six age group, cutting tailoring and embroidering courses for women.

Besides, self-protection course, hair and skin trade, computer literacy, de-addiction centers are also being run by the NGO.

New Delhi, March 14
Rafi Marg will become a one way from Vayu Bhawan to Rail Bhawan roundabout from March 17 to facilitate construction of the Krishi Bhawan Metro Station of Phase-II.

The direction of traffic will be from Vayu Bhawan to Rail Bhawan roundabout.

Traffic from Rail Bhawan roundabout will be diverted via Rajendra Prasad Marg, Janpath to Maulana Azad Road. The bus stop on the Krishi Bhawan side of Rafi Marg will be shifted opposite CSIR Building .

The bus stop on the Udyog Bhawan side will be shifted to Maulana Azad Road.

To ensure easy movement of traffic, two traffic marshals will be deployed at all times on each end of the stretch to be made a one way.

The diversions will remain in place till the construction activities are completed.

New Delhi, March 14
Hanmer MS&L, a multi-disciplinary communications firm, yesterday announced that a two-day India Art Summit would be held in August here.

As India’s first international art fair, the summit will provide a platform for discussion on topics like — development of Indian art, fluctuations in the art market and investment trends, issues of valuation and authenticity of artworks among others.

Sunil Gautam, group managing director, Hanmer MS&L said, “India Art Summit is a step to help, organise and upgrade the art market in India. It would provide a common platform to network with artists, art lovers, collectors and other industry associates. We hope it improves the overall scenario for Indian art.”

Commenting on the initiative, artist Anjolie Ela Menon said, “Artists across the world get a chance to participate in biennials and triennials, where lots of progressive discussion takes place. India has always lagged behind in this. Artists here long for a similar platform.” 

Artist SH Raza said, “An initiative like this will go a long way for cultural development in India and abroad. I am glad that private organisations are coming forward to facilitate such works.”

Leading artists, galleries, art funds, auction houses, art insurers, art framers, art valuators and restorers, art movers and packers, interior designers, architects and art critics from across the world would support the annual event.

Apart from artists, art critics Keshav Malik, Sangita Jindal (art collector and publisher of Art India magazine), Jyotsna Suri (art collector) and Yash Birla (art collector and gallery owner) have also praised the initiative. 

New Delhi, March 14
As many as 11 cases of road rage took place in the Capital in January and February and the number is rising, the government said on Wednesday.

Minister of state for home affairs Radhika V. Selvi informed the Rajya Sabha that the cases were registered in various police stations till February 29.

In 2005, the number of road rage cases was 18, but this rose to 27 both in 2006 and 2007, Selvi added.

The minister admitted that the existing laws were adequate to deal with traffic violations, but added that the phenomenon of road rage was basically linked to “attitudinal issues”.

“Special care is taken by the Delhi Police to control traffic near schools, particularly during morning hours.

The Supreme Court has also given some guidelines to be followed by the school staff to help children in boarding or alighting from school buses, which have been incorporated in the Delhi Motor Vehicle Amendment Rules 1998,” the minister said. 
— IANS

New Delhi, March 14
The Supreme Court today allowed property owners in Delhi to raise the heights of their buildings up to 15 m as permitted by the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2021, thereby permitting all residential property owners to construct third floors.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, C K Thakker and Lokeshwar Singh Panta also permitted all plots having an area of 250 sq m to have dwelling units. Plots having an area of 250 to 500 sq m can now have five dwelling units, while plots of 500 to 1000 sq m can have seven dwelling units and those having an area of more than 1000 sq m can have a maximum of 10 dwelling units. The apex court, however, made it clear that all these relaxations, given in terms of the MPD 2021 shall be subject to outcome of the petitions pending before this court and even the subsequent buyers of these residential properties shall be bound by the final judgement of this court.

The apex court is presently examining the MPD 2021. The MCD, NDMC and DDA can now allow construction up to 15 m.—UNI