 |
|
|
Gujjar bandh today; Cops on alert
Gujjar leader appeals for peaceful protest
Rain leads to fall in power demand: Assocham
Check blackmarket of cooking gas: Vardhan
|
|
|
DU all set for admission
Drains stay clogged despite funds
Conserve energy, stresses seminar on climate change
Jagriti Yatra reaches Noida today
Safety drive for cyclists launched
One held for impersonating as cop
Godmother, 3 held for murder
Medical tourism course launched
|
|||||||||
|
Gujjar bandh today; Cops on alert
New Delhi, May 28 Delhi police officers said pickets had been set up in some Gujjar-dominated areas in East, West and South Delhi and paramilitary troops put on alert there. Patrolling was being intensified in these areas and uniformed policemen were being deployed in all main markets. Next to Rajasthan, Delhi and its adjoining areas have a sizeable population of Gujjars. Senior police officers will monitor the situation constantly and move the reserve forces if the need arises. Armed policemen will also man all major intersections in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Police vehicles with armed personnel will also carry out mobile patrolling on major roads to ensure that there were no blockades. The police also said the number of personnel deployed on border checkposts were being increased to maintain a better vigil and to ensure that no trouble makers entered the Capital during the bandh. The police said that particular attention was also being paid to the security of the railway tracks passing through the Capital as the protesters have in recent cases caused considerable damage to them. Patrolling along the track is being intensified in cooperation with the railway police. A close liaison was also being maintained with the police forces of the neighbouring states bordering the National Capital Territory of Delhi. In wake of the threat to transportation of essential commodities to the Capital, Srivastava said that protestors would not be able to do so. “We are aware that protestors will try to block transportation of essential commodities in the city but we will not let them succeed in their intention. Due protection will be given to all commercial vehicles entering the Capital.” The police have asked the general public to avoid National Highway 8, Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, Mathura road, GT Karnal road and the Noida Link road
tomorrow. |
|
|
Gujjar leader appeals for peaceful protest
New Delhi, May 28 However, he appealed to the Gujjar community not to block the supply of essential goods including food items to the national capital region.
He appealed to the protesters not to disrupt the normal lives of people or damage public and private property. He further appealed to Gujjars to extend financial support to the families of those killed in the police firing in Rajasthan. Every Gujjar village should adopt one family each of those killed in order to give strength to the struggle and honour their sacrifices. Till now, 40 people have been killed in the firing. |
|
|
Rain leads to fall in power demand: Assocham
New Delhi, May 28 As per an Assocham release, the average loadshedding in May has been virtually nil, which saved around 15 MW of power each day. Whereas in May last year due to higher loadshedding the daily power consumption went up by 20 MW. The most significant fall in the demand this month was seen among residential consumers, hospitals, shopping malls, industrial and educational institutions. Assocham president Venugopal N. Dhoot said that in May this year, electricity bills for both domestic and industrial consumers would be less because neither coolers nor air-conditioners were used much, as temperature remained mostly within 30-32° Celsius. The rains have not only brought down the temperature but have also raised the water reservoir levels of hydro plants like — Nathpa Jakhari, Chamera and Salal to produce over 30% more power, added Dhoot. He said that rise in water levels would mean that even if the temperature rises in June, the Capital would continue to get higher allocation of power from central hydro-power utilities and, thereby, would be able to avert power crisis. Because of the fall in power consumption this month, Delhi did not resort to excess withdrawing of power supplies from the Northern grid and the Capital’s transmission lines have not faced any stress. In May 2007, the excess withdrawal of power from the Northern grid was around 400 MW that affected the transmission lines badly, says the Assocham release. |
|
|
Check blackmarket of cooking gas: Vardhan
New Delhi, May 28 Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan demanded strict action against the gas agencies supplying LPG cylinders in black market. The government is not taking any steps to stop the blackmarketing. While new connections are not being issued, the security deposit for the connection has been increased to Rs 1,250 on paper. Previously this amount was Rs 850. The price of regulator has also been increased by Rs 50. Now regulator is being given at the rate of Rs 150. He said that blackmarketing of cooking gas is being done all over Delhi. The gas cylinders allotted for domestic consumption are being sold to the hotels and restaurants. The supply is given after two to three weeks of booking. Gas agencies have also stopped booking gas on telephone. The senior citizens are thus facing great difficulty, Vardhan said. The government has completely bowed down to the price spiral. It is planning to end the subsidy on petrol. The government wants that the price of petrol should be increased by Rs 17 per litre. If that happens, the inflation will increase to 16 per cent in India and the country will starve, the Delhi BJP chief pointed out. He said that the Congress has already suffered in the elections to Delhi Cantonment and Karnataka Assembly. Yet it is not ready to change itself. The UPA government wants to loot people openly by increasing the present inflation twofold. It wants to leave gigantic problems before the next government, Vardhan added. |
|
|
DU all set for admission
New Delhi, May 28 The university has already started councelling for aspiring students on its helpline. The dean of students’ welfare has clarified that forms for reserved seats under extra-curricular activities and sports quota will have to be filled separately for individual colleges. “We have got enough forms printed and assure that they will be available till the last date. A centralised form along with the university prospectus will cost Rs 30,” said a student councillor. DU had devised centralised forms a few years ago. The forms made the admission procedure much easier. Now, with one form, students can apply for all courses in all colleges. “Students do not have to go to individual colleges to submit forms. One form is enough for all courses and colleges,” said another councillor. Fifteen admission information centres will sell forms. This year the information centre for those applying for reserved seats will be at the Faculty of Arts. Centres at North Campus include the office of dean, students’ welfare; Kirorimal College and Faculty of Arts. South Campus centres include, the office of deputy dean, students’ welfare; Deshbandhu College, ARSD College, Gargi College, PGDAV College and College of Vocational Studies. There will be three centres in East Delhi. These include Shyam Lal College, Vivekanand College and Maharaja Agarsen College. Zakir Husain College will be the only information centre in Central Delhi. West Delhi information centre include Rajdhani College and Bharti College. This time, DUSU will provide free air-conditioned bus service that will shuttle between the metro station and colleges. “Along with individual assistance, DUSU will also provide cold water to students,” said DUSU president Amrita Bahri. A booklet containing information about different courses, colleges and previous cut-offs will be released on May 31. Student organisations and DUSU will organise admission assistance camps. |
|
|
Drains stay clogged despite funds
New Delhi, May 28 He said if the corporation did not take up the issue in the court sincerely, it would have to pay a penalty of Rs 25 lakh. The corporation has a budget of Rs 37 crore to clean drains but nothing has been done so far. A few drains were desilted but the silt was not removed from the site. During the recent rains, the silt went back into drains. If the attitude of the corporation remains so, the entire national Capital will turn into a slum due to waterlogging in the coming monsoon season, he said. Capt Khavinder Singh, another opposition member, was of the view if NGOs were given contracts for desilting of drains, work could be done in a better way. When the Congress was in power in the corporation, NGOs used to do de-silting work and the results were better. Supporting the leader of opposition, Rajni, BJP councilor, asked the reason for the desilting work not having been done. Officers should be held responsible for this lapse, she said. “We should appeal to the higher court to discuss our case further,” she advised. However, she claimed that this year cleaning work of drains was being done in a better way. Mohan Bhardwaj, another BJP councillor, was of the opinion that the PWD and DDA should be held responsible for waterlogging in city. They have bigger drains in their possession in which water of small drains falls. As the bigger drains are not desilted, water accumulates on roads during rains. Sunil Kakkar, BJP councillor, said there was no lack of safai karamcharis in the corporation but they did not work. Action should be taken against them. Expressing concern over the issue of penalty imposed by the court, chairman of Standing Committee Vijender Gupta that the court had taken up the issue of 2006, 2007 and 2008. The department concerned should handle the issue carefully. Municipal commissioner K. S. Mehra said that desilting of drains had been started from February this year. At least 1,350 drains have been de-silted. But silt was not transported from there to landfill sites. He said the consumer court had taken up the issue of 2006 and 2007. The corporation has to remove 9 lakh metric tonnes of silt from drains which is never done. Hardly 4 lakh tones of silt is transported from drains to landfill sites. As for as the employees’ lacklustre performance is concerned, the municipal commissioner said corporation will implement employees information system to see he number of men on duty. Those found not doing their duty will be punished. |
|
|
Conserve energy, stresses seminar on climate change
New Delhi, May 28 “We do not inherit this planet from our ancestors, in fact we borrow it from our children, and whatever is borrowed is meant to be returned,” said Kapil Sibal. While talking about the adverse affects of climate change, Sibal said that it was crucial to stabilise climate and maintain balance in the atmosphere. “Even if there is one per cent increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the temperature will increase manifold,” he said. Sibal urged people to conserve energy and save environment by being careful in our day to day activities like — switching off the lights and computers when not in use. “Global warming can have devastating effects. It can lead to variations in sea levels, which can wipe out countries and 35 to 40% species may even face extinction,” said K.K Aggarwal, vice-chancellor, GGSIPU. “Unfortunately, this is happening due to human activities. It is our responsibility to leave better environment for the next generation,” Aggarwal added. |
|
Citizen’s Voice
Paharganj railway station is the first choice for travellers of most Shatabdi Expresses: Arrivals & Departures from Platforms 1 & 2; Entry into Business District.
Life was smooth till a couple of months ago when the Authorities allowed entry and exit to cars from the State Entry Road and kept the Gate to Platform 1 open, although during specific hours. This practice had been in vogue since the launch of the Shatabdis. Gate-opening schedule suited Shatabdi travellers and the area shown black (see map) gave plenty of space for parking. The total time to to reach Connaught Circus took a mere five minutes and life was easy. However, this gate from the State Entry Road was closed a couple of months ago and now all entry and exit must be through Main Entry and via Chelmsford Road. And there begins the nightmare. The minimum time to enter and exit has risen to a colossal 45 minutes due to the following reasons: 1.Total jampack and chaos in the Main Car park area. It takes 20-30 minutes to reach the car and exit. Exit from the car-park is further slowed down by the traffic congestion on Chelmsford Road 2. Extreme traffic congestion at the multi-junction of Chelmsford, Bazaar and Basant roads, which is further aggravated by shops, rehriwalas and hawkers at the junction 3.Traffic signal on Chelmsford Road on the Connaught Circus side before this junction. and entry to Railway Station. 4. U-turn which all DTC buses take across the Chelmford Road before the traffic light across the jampacked road. And, bus frequency is as high as one every few minutes. 5. Potholed roads/car park on the Railway premises slows the traffic through the station. Slightest rain turns the potholes into puddles and makes a total mess of clothes, adding to the misery. With all this chaos, a clear margin of 45 minutes to clear the last 300m stretch to the Railway Station has become a must. With 900 passengers on every Shatabdi, it is a daily waste of 700 manhours. Isn’t it a sheer waste of precious time of the highest-paying professional passengers? Access through the State Entry Road must be restored immediately. It is also high time Railways began work on a long-term solution. Without quick access, high-speed Intercity Expresses lose their meaning. |
||
|
Jagriti Yatra reaches Noida today
Noida, May 28 The yatra will reach Noida after staying in Ghaziabad for a night on May 28. The procession will be received by the Sikh Sangat of Noida in Sector 62 near Mamora Crossing. The receiving ceremony would include chanting of Shabad Kirtan by devotees. Several district and Noida authority officers are also expected to pay their respect to the first handwritten copy of the Granth Sahib. Historic arms and weapons used by tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes are also being shown to the devotees en-route. The yatra will stop at Noida for about half an hour, after which the vehicular convoy will proceed in the form of a royal procession to other Gurduwaras of the town in the following order: Pilot Jeep followed by 22 motor cycle riders, Khalsa Band from Punjab, Sawari of Shri Guru Granth Sahib ceremonially placed in a special vehicle, about 20 vehicles of Noida Sangat, an ambulance and a fire engine. The next stop of the Yatra will be near Flex factory. From there it will proceed towards the Gurdwara near Nehru Bal Bhawan in Sector 12. The Yatra will stop here for refreshment and Langar from around 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. From sector 12, the convoy will proceed to Gurduwaras in Sector 25 and Sector 37 and the Guru Nanak Mission Gurdwara via Sahara Complex, Noida Stadium, Shipra Mall, Gurdwara, Sector 25, D.M. residence, Kailash hospital, DPS Crossing, road dividing sector 30 – 28, and Red Market in Sector 37. About 500 metres before each Gurdwara the Yatra will proceed very slowly so that devotees can pay their respect while walking along the Granth Sahib vehicle. Refreshments will be served en-route. After a few minutes of stay at Guru Nanak Mission Gurdwara in Sector 37, the Granth Sahib Jagriti Yatra will be accorded a reception in front of Army Public School at about 5 p.m. Then the Yatra will proceed towards Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Sector 18 via Ganga Shopping Centre and Atta Crossing reaching there tentatively by 7 p.m. Here a big Dewan with Shabad Kirtan will be held in the evening followed by Guru Ka Langar (community dinner) up 10 p.m. After the night stay at Sector 18 Gurdwara, the Yatra will leave for New Delhi at 10 a.m. next morning via DND flyover The 300 years of the Guru Granth Sahib is being celebrated through a year- long programme being organised throughout the country. The Jagriti Yatra had started from Takhat Hazoor Sahib, in Abchal Nagar, Nader in Maharashtra and has already covered Amrtisar, Punjab and Haryana. The original handwritten copy of the Granth Sahib is being carried in the Yatra in a special vehicle to spread the message of universal brotherhood, universal peace and service to humanity, charity and unity of god, enshrined in the holy Granth. Three hundred years ago, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh had declared at Hazoor Sahib Gurdwara in Nader, Maharashtra that Guru Granth Sahib will be the future Guru of the Sikh. |
||
|
Safety drive for cyclists launched
New Delhi, May 28 The move comes in wake of a recent report of the DTP road safety cell, according to which pedestrians, scooterists/bikers and cyclists constitute 83% of the accident victims in the Capital. Cyclists are the third largest victims. Out of the total victims, cyclists constitute about 8%. In order to prevent accidents in night involving cyclists, primarily because of the non-visibility of cycles to drivers of speeding vehicles, the DTP teams are affixing reflective tapes on the mudguards. According to Delhi Police PRO Rajan Bhagat, “Three teams comprising 2 sub-inspectors and 10 head constables/constables each from the road safety cell and traffic circles are affixing reflective tapes on the mudguards of cycles.” These tapes being durable would ensure the safety of cyclists to a great extent, he added. The report further states that the accidents are caused because the reflector paint/tape used by the cycle manufacturers does not last long. Moreover, manufacturers mostly use white paint. The mudguards are also multi-coloured and, thus, have poor visibility especially during night. Rajan Bhagat said that the special drive would last at least for another week. “Reflective tapes have been fixed on over 33,000 cycles. We hope to affix reflexive tapes on 50,000 cycles by the next week,” said he. He added that cyclists were also being briefed about road safety and safe cycling norms. The teams, presently working in East, West and North district, would target other districts in the coming week. |
||
|
One held for impersonating as cop
New Delhi, May 28 According to the police, Subhash earlier worked with a security agency. Benefiting from the experience, he used to pose as a traffic policeman and extort money from commercial vehicle drivers. A traffic police uniform, Rs 500 note and certain documents have been recovered from him. Subhash Chand was nabbed after Ashok Bhasin, owner of a Blueline bus was going to Seemapuri with a driver last evening. At the red light of Shastri Park, Subhash dressed as a traffic policeman stopped the bus and asked Ashok to show the documents of the bus. He threatened him to suspend the permit of his bus, if he did not pay the money. Subhash had taken Rs 500 from him, but in the meantime, the driver of the bus came and informed that he was the person who had extorted money from him at Ajmeri Gate Chowk earlier. This raised suspicion and Ashok asked him to show his identity card. Subhash tried to run away. They raised an alarm and the police team patrolling in the surrounding overpowered Subhash Chand. |
||
|
Godmother, 3 held for murder
New Delhi, May 28 According to the police, Shahnaz, fondly referred to as ‘Godmother’ among various gangs in Bulandhshahr in UP, along with her accomplices strangled Moninder Jha, 32, on March 31. The arrests were made on the basis of surveillance of their mobile phones. Anwar, Irfan and Hakikat had contacted Shahnaz for the killing, as Jha had replaced Anwar in a factory. On the night of March 31, when the deceased was returning from work, the three beat him up. Later, Shahnaz strangled him. |
||
|
Medical tourism course launched
New Delhi, May 28 |
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
