New Delhi, June 6
The alacrity shown by the Congress government in the Capital in slashing taxes on LPG cylinder indicates its concern over the issue of price rise in the election year.

By this move the Sheila Dikshit government has tried to soften the impact of the stupendous increase in fuel prices.

For the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) the hike in fuel prices could not have come at a more inappropriate time, as it is still striving to recover from the shock of its defeat in the recently held Cantonment Board elections.

The hike can adversely affect the party in the forthcoming assembly elections that is barely five months away.

The DPCC had identified price rise of essential commodities and anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission as the prime causes of the party’s lacklusture performance in the Cantt elections that was held almost after a decade in the national Capital.

The local leadership feels that not withstanding the Prime Minister’s address to the nation, explaining the soaring prices of fuel to voters would be a difficult task.

The DPCC that was looking forward to complete a hattrick by winning the nearing assembly elections is now a bit apprehensive about shaping its election campaign.

According to sources, the party feels that no development and improvement in infrastructure in the Capital during the last decade can mitigate the plight of people reeling under enormous price rise of essential commodities.

“Ultimately, it all boils down to roti, kapada aur makan,” said a senior DPCC leader. “And if political parties cannot deliver these at affordable rates, chances of success in elections is rather slim,” he maintained.

The DPCC strategists who had earlier decided to highlight the development works and social welfare schemes launched for the benefit of the poor and minorities under the Bhagidari scheme are now apprehensive about the fact that if it will work or even dilute to some extent the dreaded incumbency factor.

Senior DPCC leaders including, president Jai Prakash Aggarwal are unanimous that the electoral strategy needs to be reviewed in view of the developments because of the hike in fuel prices and the cascading effect it will have on other consumer items.

The leaders are unsure about the fact that reduction in the price of cooking gas by Rs 40 will have an impact on the electorate. The general public still feels that the price that has increased by Rs 10 is anti-public.

The Delhi Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, is gloating over the increase in fuel prices as it believes that the ruling Congress will have to take the blame for the run away inflation and the unprecedented increase in the price of essential commodities.

The Delhi BJP which was desperately trying to look for an issue that could influence the assembly elections has finally got one.

New Delhi, June 6
The Delhi government could have given subsidy on petrol and diesel, but it did not do so because Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit wanted people to use the public transport, as it would reduce the pressure on city roads, sources said.

The issue of subsidy was discussed at a cabinet meeting held yesterday. The Chief Minister immediately agreed for a subsidy on LPG and directed the state finance minister and officers concerned to arrange for it.

At present, the Capital has approximately 50 lakh vehicles. Most people use their own vehicles, as they do not have access to public transport. If they opt for public transport, traffic chaos can be controlled to a great extent.

Majorities of private vehicles run on petrol and diesel. With the hike in prices of petro products, people may opt for buses and metro rails.

With the intention of attracting maximum people to travel by public modes of transport, the government is increasing the number of low-floor general and air-conditioned buses. It is planning to introduce 10,000 buses in the Capital.

However, a senior officer said that the annual revenue from petrol and diesel is just Rs 1,000 crore.

hile if subsidy was given on petrol and diesel, the revenue generated from sales and excise tax could have covered the loss.

New Delhi, June 6
The Delhi Pradesh Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) activists today staged a demonstration under the leadership of party president Harsh Vardhan against the rise in fuel prices.

They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased prices of cooking gas, petrol and diesel. The BJP will initiate movement in Delhi to protest against the price spiral, said Harsh Vardhan.

Braving the police’s water cannons, the protesters broke the barricades and marched towards the Parliament. Some party men were arrested. However, they were released later.

Addressing the workers, Harsh Vardhan said that the Congress government was imposing economic emergency in the country. It has tried to snatch the daily bread of the common man.

The effect of the price rise of petrol, gas and diesel is showing off now. The rate of inflation has gone up to 8.24%, which might further shoot to 20%.

Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Left parties have given their nod to the price hike. They are now concealing their deed and have advised states to reduce taxes, Harsh Vardhan alleged.

The Centre gets revenue of 57% from gas and oil. If the taxes are reduced to half, the prices of cooking gas, petrol and diesel will come down. The government has conspired to use the public as profit making company.

Terming the subsidy of Rs 40 on LPG cylinder as betrayal to the public, Harsh Vardhan said that the subsidy would stop Delhi’s development. The money, which should have been spent for development, is being used for electoral gains.

The people of Delhi will punish the Congress government in the forthcoming assembly elections, he said.

Senior BJP leader V.K Malhotra said that people did not suffer so much during the last 61 years.

The Congress’ record shows that whenever it has come to power, it has made the lives of people a hell.

New Delhi, June 6
The havoc of domestic servants in the Capital continues. After a spate of murders committed by helps in the past few weeks, last night a servant decamped with cash and jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh from a house in the Kohat Enclave area of Pitampura.

The incident took place at around 11 p.m. yesterday in the house of Amit Kumar, a businessman dealing in chemicals.

When Amit reached his two-storied house, he found his house ransacked and the jewellery and cash missing.

According to Amit, there was no family member in the house last evening. The house was left to their two servants Munna, 25, and Ram Bahadur, 23.

While Munna was found sleeping in an inebriated condition, Ram Bahadur was found missing. The doors of the house were open.

“We had gone out for shopping last evening, as one of my daughters is getting married in November. There were lots of cash and jewellery in the house. Now everything is gone,” said the weary Amit. He added that he had lost about Rs 50 lakh in the theft.

Munna told police that Ram Bahadur’ friend had visited the house after Kumar’s family left in the evening.

They consumed alcohol together. He disclosed that he was intoxicated and was woken up only when his master came.

The police s has detained him for questioning. Couple of beer bottles was found from the house.

It was found that the family had not conducted the police verification of their servants. While Munna has been working with the family since the last four years, Ram Bahadur, a Nepali citizen, was hired only 15 days ago.

“Prime facie it appears that Ram Bahadur has committed the crime. We are trying to nab him,” said a police official.

Noida, June 6
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that has conducted the second lie detector test on Dr Rajesh Talwar, accused of killing his daughter Arushi and domestic help Hem Raj, now intends to question his wife and relatives.

After having sent Dr Rajesh Talwar to a judicial custody for 14 days, the agency proposes to question his wife Dr Nupur Talwar and relatives.

It feels that Nupur is hiding facts. Though she has been questioned, the CBI intends to intensify interrogation.

It is learnt that a team of psychologists will assist the agency. Dr Nupur Talwar and the couple’s relatives will be grilled individually.

Meanwhile, it seems that the investigating agency had nothing more to question Dr Talwar, as it did not request the CBI court, Ghaziabad to extend his remand.

Or if the CBI has got something in its kitty, it is waiting for the proper time to nail the dentist.

As per sources, at one time the CBI felt that Arushi’s father knew a lot about the blind double murder. But it seems that it has not yet reached a conclusion about the killer/killers.

Now, the CBI is waiting for the results of the tests conducted on Dr Talwar. The drains around his flat L-32 in Sector 25 are being flushed and searched for the weapons used in the crime or some other clues.   

A polygraphic test was conducted on Dr Talwar on Thursday, in which he was repeatedly questioned about the weapons of murders. But Talwar stuck to his guns and expressed his ignorance. 

The CBI has also confirmed that a large number of people connected with the case are being quizzed.

However, it stays mum over any arrests or detentions. The CBI sleuths are hopeful that the test results will lead to some clue.

Greater Noida, June 6
A sub inspector, in-charge of a police post and four others including security guards and the owner of construction company in a Dadri village have been accused of the murder of a youth, beaten to death by the guard and other staff of the company.

SSP RK Chaturvedi has already ordered a probe in the case. A team has been constituted to nab them.

The enraged family of the victim, Satish and villagers had jammed the GT Road near Dadri. They protested for three hours with Satish’s body.

They were demanding action against the construction company and the police for killing Satish and keeping the matter under wraps.

According to sources, Satish of Ghori Vachhera village was employed by the construction company in Raipur Bangar village.

He had a dispute with the company proprietors regarding some payments due to him. Satish was called in for inquiry and was beaten up by security guards — Bihari and Ferasat.

As a result, he died. Later, the victim was admitted to the Ghaziabad Civil Hospital under a fake name. The accused tried to erase his named tattooed on his wrist, alleged his father.

When Satish failed to return home for three days the family lodged a report with Dadri Kotwali.

The police told his family members to go to the Ghaziabad Civil Hospital because an unclaimed body was lying there in the morgue.

Satish’s father Gyan Singh alleged that company officials, sub inspector and in charge of Ahaib Pur police post Shakil Khan and Inderjit respectively had colluded in the case with the company owners and security guards.

Both the policemen knew Satish, as they would collect illegal gratification from Satish whenever he would transport a consignment for the company.

How could they say that the dead body was of an unknown man, a shattered Gyan Singh asked.

New Delhi, June 6
People from two different castes clashed and indulged in stone-throwing and arson on Thursday night in the Anand Parbat area of the Capital after two boys from two communities had a tiff.

Tension flared in Gali Number 2 of Than Singh Nagar when Sanchit (8) came in front of the motor cycle driven by the son of Ram Niwas, a local muscleman. Although Sanchit was not hurt, Ram Niwas’s son allegedly abused him and his family.

Sanchit called his father Jaipal who in retaliation attacked the house of Ram Niwas with his supporters.

Heated arguments between the two groups led to a fistfight and abuse.

“Ram Niwas is a bully and often threatens our children if they pass by the road in front of his house. Every other day our children are beaten by him or his men,” alleged a resident of the area, refusing to identify himself.

“Jaipal and his men attacked our house and burnt our motor cycle. We only retaliated,” said Sandeep Thakur. Several people were injured in the incident.

They were later taken to hospital for first aid. The police reached the spot and avoided the situation taking an ugly turn.

Ram Niwas, Jaipal and Satbir were detained at the police station and interrogated. Till this morning, the two communities were swearing against each other.

Although no case has been registered, the police is recording statements of people from both sides.

“Each group is justifying what they did and is blaming the other one. We are still keeping an eye on the situation in the area and any miscreant will be severely punished”, told a police official.

New Delhi, June 6
A teenaged girl allegedly committed suicide in South West Delhi today morning. According to the police, Twinkle, 14 consumed a poisonous substance at her house in Dabri.

New Delhi, June 6
The first Clean India Photo contest — 2008 on sanitation concluded on the World Environment Day yesterday.

A.M Shudhagar of Salem, Tamil Nadu in the published photo category, won the contest. The other winners included Sudhanshu Malhotra from Delhi and Astro Mohan from Karnataka. The awards were presented at a function here yesterday.

To contest was organised by WES-Net India, the largest network of professionals and agencies working in the area of water and sanitation in India.

It was supported by Plan India, Water Aid, UNICEF and the department for drinking water supply, ministry of rural development, government of India.

Photojournalist from across the country highlighted various aspects of cleanliness, water waste management and environment.

The dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included Bhagyashri Dengle, executive director, Plan India; Depinder Kapur, country representative, WaterAid India; Lizette Burgers, chief, water and environmental sanitation section of Unicef India; Vijay Bhaskar, joint secretary, department for drinking water supply, ministry of rural development; photographer Prashant Panjiar from Live Wire Images; Padma Bhushan Major H.P.S Ahluwalia, president, Indian Mountaineering Foundation and founder and chairman of Indian Spinal Injury Centre.

New Delhi, June 6
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) laboratory was recently awarded an ISO certificate by the Bureau of Indian Standard.

It can now test civil engineering material for quality assurance for the works to be executed within the MCD’s jurisdiction.

This is first MCD laboratory to be given ISO certification, MCD spokesman Deep Mathur said.

More than 30 types of civil engineering materials are being tested as per required CPWD, BIS, IRC and other relevant specifications.

Job mix design for pavements and cement concrete are also being conducted. Adequate machines have been installed to test materials, he said.

New Delhi, June 6
Mayor Arti Mehra has assured that the MCD would provide full co-operation to the Delhi government in preventing and controlling water-borne diseases.

Mehra said that there had been a noticeable difference in the prevention of these diseases. The situation has improved, but a lot still needs to be done.

She said that water pipes normally have a life span of 25 years, but in many areas they have not been replaced timely, leading to corrosion.

Since these pipes have been lying adjacent to sewers, drinking water in several areas get contaminated.