New Delhi, June 24
The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) today urged the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, to take urgent steps to control the prices of essential commodities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The meeting, attended by the Chief Minister and her cabinet colleagues, discussed the fallout of the inflation, the highest in 13 years, and its possible impact on the outcome of the assembly elections scheduled for later this year.

The office-bearers of the DPCC were still recovering from the shock of its dismal performance in the recently held Cantonment Board elections in which the party managed to win only two seats out of the 10. Subsequent analysis by party pundits had identified price rise as one of the main reasons for the defeat.

Aware of the negative effect of the price rise on the assembly elections, the Delhi government had only last month heavily subsidised the price of the LPG cylinder by Rs 40 after the increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas by the Centre.

Delhi Pradesh Congress party sources said a damage-control exercise had already begun, with the Delhi government yesterday claiming that the rate of inflation was the least in the Capital as compared to other states. The Chief Minister had also stressed on the need for keeping a watch on the market to prevent hoarding.

The Delhi Congress leaders also decided in today’s meeting the importance of reaching out to the public to explain that the inflation was not because of the policies of the Congress government but a fallout of global developments.

The Chief Minister told the meeting that it was important for the party and the members of the Delhi cabinet to work in tandem to lessen the impact of the high cost of essential commodities by launching relief measures at the grassroot level. One such measure was the opening up of “rasois” (kitchens) in various parts of the Capital to provide at least one full meal to the poor under the “Aap Ki Rasoi” scheme. Such measures and programmes during the next couple of months could help swing the electorate in its favour in the assembly elections, she said.

The DPCC president, J.P. Aggarwal, also stressed on the need of total unity at this crucial time. Dikshit and Aggarwal had called on the party President Sonia Gandhi last week to discuss the possible fallout of the unprecedented rise in the prices of essential commodities on the assembly elections. 

Noida, June 24
The miscreants have become more active in this satellite town bordering the national Capital. Over 10 vehicles were stolen yesterday. No arrests have been made yet.

According to sources, the Noida Police had installed tracker devices on vehicles to bring down the rate of vehicle thefts. But, even this has failed to deter the courage of thieves. Three four-wheelers and seven two-wheelers were stolen yesterday.

A Santro (DL3CAG8090) belonging to Siddharth of Sahibabad was stolen from Sector – 27. A Scorpio (CH23T-7846) belonging to Dhirender of M-122 Sector — 25 was stolen outside Bal Bharti School. While a Qualis (UP-16D-0048) belonging to Rajender Mehta parked in Sector — 150 was also stolen.

Besides, seven bikes and scooters were also stolen in one day.

Siddharth, a company official had gone on a holiday with his family. Thieves broke into his house in Sector — 58. The neighbours had informed the police about the theft. After Siddharth returned after two days, he lodged a formal complaint.

SSP R.K. Chaturvedi agrees that there is shortage of policemen to check increasing thefts. But, vehicle owners also cannot wash their hands off from their responsibility.

Vehicles especially two-wheelers are not locked properly. Their locks are usually defective and thieves take advantage of this.

The shortage of police personnel cannot be ignored.

The police, Chaturvedi said, would soon examine the records of those who have been sent to jail in the past. The police would keep an eye on them.

New Delhi, June 24
Hundreds of people held a demonstration outside Ambedkar police station in South Delhi last night, alleging that the police was trying to save one of the culprits involved in a case of attempt to rape a minor girl. Although, the police has arrested Sandeep for the crime, people alleged that it was trying to save co-accused Sonu. The third accused Yash hais absconded.

According to the complaint filed at the police station, Seema (name changed), resident of Dakshin Puri, had left her house on Sunday night to go to toilet situated outside her house when three youths made her unconscious by giving her some drugs and took her to nearby house. When she recovered consciousness, she found herself inside an almirah. On hearing her cries, some passersby came and rescued her. The three accused were not in the house at that time.

Seema says she has no idea what happened to her after she was made unconscious but she is not feeling well ever since. She was taken for a medical examination later.

The protesting people alleged that the police was not taking action against the accused in the manner that it should have dealt in such a serious matter. “A thorough inquiry of the incident is important as the girl was drugged and there is a possibility of accused shooting her pictures or making videos of objectionable kind. But the police has merely written the complaint and is waiting for the accused to surrender before it,” alleged a protester.

The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of Yash and Sonu and left only after assurance of swift action was given by senior police officers of the district. 

New Delhi, June 24
A large number of students from the deprived sections at Delhi University (DU) are unable to opt for courses and colleges of their choice in spite of scoring the required marks. With the diverse fee structures of DU colleges, the primary consideration for some are the fees they would have to pay.

In a campaign initiated by the university students, Schedule Caste (SC) students would be made aware of the scholarships provided by the state government for their graduation.

“The object of the scholarships is to provide financial assistance to SC students studying at the post-matric and post-secondary levels. Sadly, advertisement of these scholarships remains inadequate,” said Robert Rehman Raman, state president, Students Federation of India (SFI).

Realising that the needy students remain unaware of the existence of such scholarships, senior students have published the related information on pamphlets, which would be distributed on the campus.

Students of the SC category specified by the state of residence of the applicant, are eligible for the scholarship after passing the higher secondary of a recognised state board.

“Monetary assistance would be provided to the students whose monthly family income does not exceed Rs 100,000 per annum,” said Robert.

Under the provision, the scholar would be paid enrolment, tuition, games, union, library, magazine, medical examination and other such compulsorily payable fees. A maintenance allowance of Rs 355 per month to the hostellers and Rs 185 per month to the day scholars would also be paid. Additional assistance would be provided to the SC students with disability.

All the state and UT governments announce by June the details of the scheme and invite applications by issuing an advertisement in the leading newspapers of the state and by other media outfits.

The application for scholarships should comprise one self-signed photograph, attested copy of certificates in respect of all examinations passed and the certificate of caste signed by authorised revenue officer. An income declaration by the self-employed parents and income certificate by employer of the employed parents should also be attached with the application. 

New Delhi, June 24
As the interviews for different courses are winding up at the St Stephen’s college, some faculty members continue to resent the involvement of the Supreme Council in the admission process.

There is division of opinion within the faculty. While one section believes that the teachers should be part of the decision-making process, the others are of the opinion that the council has the authority on the matter.

The college fraternity has been under turmoil since the Supreme Council decided to extend the quota for Christian students to 50 per cent. “We have never objected to the authority of the council to take decisions regarding the college. However, we should be asked for our opinions also,” said a teacher.

The teachers were reported to have written to the Bishop regarding the crisis in the college. The faculty has asked for an emergency meeting of the governing body of the college.

“I have a problem with the council taking over the admission process. We want our positions to respected,” said a senior faculty member.

Recently, several arguments were exchanged between mathematics teacher Nandita Narain and former principal Anil Wilson on the issue of the Christian character of the college on the internet.

According to Wilson, the Christian character of the college has been determined on the basis of the Supreme Court guidelines, irrelevant of the number of Christian students enrolled in the college.

New Delhi, June 24
Parents and guardians are the most effective source of knowledge to help young people go on to achieve higher levels of sexual confidence, a new study has found.

This was among the revelations in the latest Face of Global Sex Report from Durex, ‘A Path to Sexual Confidence’. It explores the effectiveness of sex education by examining data from 26,000 individuals worldwide.

Its analysis measured the level of sexual confidence as this is an indicator of the benefits of sexual education, with greater confidence being associated with higher satisfaction and education levels.

The study revealed that comprehensive and inclusive sex education between the ages of 11 and 16 years is vital for people to develop sexual confidence in later life. It also showed that those who have more confidence are better equipped to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.

But although parents and guardians were found to be the most successful confidence boosters, they were only listed as the eighth most likely source of sex education to be approached. This falls well behind friends, the most cited source overall, as well as internet and TV.

There were also distinct gender differences in where people go for information about sexual issues. Males were more likely to use the media – magazines, the Internet, TV and radio – or institutional sources.

Females, on the other hand, preferred more interpersonal sources, such as parents, partners, family and health clinic doctors. 

New Delhi, June 24
Members of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (NDMC) enforcement wing faced resistance from shopkeepers and beggars when they had gone to demolish illegal constructions at the Hanuman Mandir complex in Connaught Place today afternoon.

The scuffle between the NDMC officials and shopkeepers resulted in the injury of two NDMC employees. Two tempos of the NDMC were also damaged.

Inspector R.K. Gupta and driver Bittoo were injured in the stone pelting.

The trouble started when one member of the enforcement team slapped a worker of a shop in the temple complex. This enraged the shopkeepers who were protesting the demolition. According to eyewitnesses, the beggars too helped the shopkeepers in attacking the NDMC squad.

The NDMC officials and the shopkeepers indulged in stone pelting. The situation was brought under control only when policemen from the local police station reached the spot.

The enforcement wing later destroyed the properties of shopkeepers in the name of illegal construction. Some shopkeepers alleged that the NDMC sleuths had taken away their coolers. 

New Delhi, June 24
Four motor cycle-borne unidentified men opened fire at a lawyer and his relatives in the Shahdara area of North East Delhi yesterday night. Three persons were injured in the incident.

The police suspects it to be a case of gang rivalry and believe it to be the handiwork of the Salim Pahelwan gang that operates in Western UP.

The injured include lawyer Ahmed Ali’s brother Hashim, their relative Intezar and neighbour Abid. The incident took place outside Ahmed Ali’s house in Shahdara. According to the police, the assailants fired at least 12 rounds. Ahmed Ali retaliated by firing with his licensed pistol but the assailants managed to escape unhurt.

Hashim sustained five bullet injuries, while Intezar and Abid suffered two bullet injuries each. Ahmed Ali was unhurt, as he was inside the house at the time of the attack.

The injured were rushed to the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, where Hashim’s condition was stated to be critical. Hashim had received bullet injuries on the chest, shoulder and legs. “It seems to be the fallout of a gang war. Ali and Hashim’s elder brother Guddu Chowdhury is wanted in the murder of Salim Pahelwan (killed in April this year). However, Ali’s family allege it to be the handiwork of Salim’s brother Naeem,” said a senior police official.

No arrests have been made yet. 

New Delhi, June 24
A suspected Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militant, who managed to give police a slip in 2001, was arrested here last night by the special cell of the Delhi Police. Habib-ur-Rehman alias Babu carried a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head.

Acting on a tip-off, a team led by ACP Sanjeev Yadav nabbed Rehman from Sarai Kale Khan.

Rehman had managed to dodge the police in 2001 when he had tried to smuggle in eight kgs of RDX and detonators into the Capital. At that time, two of his accomplices, both Pakistani nationals, were arrested before they could strike. According to the police, it was Rahman who had managed their stay and other arrangements including information about the target. However, he himself fled before the police could reach him.

Rehman hails from Sambhal in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. 

New Delhi, June 24
Delhi finance and planning minister A.K. Walia has today claimed that that the National Capital Territory of Delhi has the lowest unemployment rate.

Walia said this while releasing the annual report of the National Sample Survey (NSS). According to the report, out of those eligible for employment in Delhi, about 54.26 lakh were employed whereas, 2.27 lakh were unemployed. A total of 3,71,000 people had lost their jobs during 2005-06.

The directorate of economics and statistics, Delhi has conducted the survey.

Walia said that an encouraging number of over 3.71 lakh people were employed in a year that reflects the sound and prosperous economic situation of the Capital.

According to the report, the total number of employed during 2004-05 was 50.55 lakh, which increased by 7.4% and rose to 54.26 lakh in 2005-06. Out of the total employed persons of 54.26 lakh about 51.71 lakh were employed in the urban area while 2.55 lakh were employed in the rural area.

The report suggests that there are ample employment opportunities in the organised sector, as about 29.99 lakh people figure in the category of regular salaried class and about 21.38 lakh people are self-employed. The number of self-employed people has gone up by 0.92 lakh while that of the salaried class by 9.53 lakh in a year.

Giving further details, Walia stated that out of 2.27 lakh unemployed people, 1.98 lakh are male while 0.29 lakh are female. Over 2 lakh people fall in the age group of 15-29 years, 0.23 lakh are illiterate, 1.53 lakh have passed the middle school, 0.30 lakh have passed 10+2 and only 0.21 lakh are graduate and others.

According to the report, the unemployment rate in urban Delhi is 36 per thousand as compared to 48 per thousand at the national level and 37 in Haryana, 50 in Punjab, 47 in Karntaka, 39 in Tamil Nadu, 42 in Andhra Pradesh and 56 in Maharashtra.

The survey estimated about 33.49 lakh households in Delhi with an average household size of 4.78 persons during 2005-06. The average household employment size is 1.62.

Noida, June 24
Noida and Greater Noida will soon emerge as the biggest IT hubs. Some leading industrial houses in the country have evinced keen interest in setting up IT Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the area.

In the past one and a half years, many leading industrial houses of the country have submitted 43 proposals to the UP government for setting up SEZs here. Out of the 43 proposals, 39 are for IT SEZs only. Of these 39, 15 are for Greater Noida.

Initially, the government was surprised with this. It is now speeding the process of their approval.

The large industrial houses have for the first time shown their keenness to make sizeable investments in IT here.

According to official circles, this has been possible because of the amendments and improvements in the policy made by the state government in 2006 for setting up SEZs.

The modified policy has given many incentives to industrial houses that are keen to make sizeable investments in industrial, especially the IT industry. The concession and incentives offered by the state government are in line with the special incentives being offered under the government of India policy.

It may be mentioned that earlier UP had received only 15 such proposals, which during the past 18 months had increased to 43.

According to sources in the state industry department, the Centre has given nod to 24 proposals while the remaining are under process.

According to economic specialist Arvind Mohan Shastri, the proposals are ideal for Noida and Greater Noida. No other state have been offered IT SEZs proposals in such large number. That is why the state government is showing interest in their speedy approval.