New Delhi, June 27
The Delhi government has decided to issue provisional regularization certificates soon to unauthorized colonies that came up before March 31, 2002.

The total number of such colonies is 1639. This includes 149 unauthorized colonies which came up as extension to village ‘aabadi’ and have not been notified as ‘lal dora’ extension.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that speedy completion of the regularization process would definitely make unauthorized colonies a better place to live in the Capital city. More than 40 lakh residents who reside in these colonies would be benefited by all basic amenities.

Sources said that before making the announcement, the Chief Minister has taken the consent of the AICC chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing a conference, she expressed commitment of her government to undertake and complete all on-going developmental works on a war-footing to enable it to issue formal final regularization certificates to these colonies at the earliest.

She described this as a historical decision, which would change the scenario of urban Delhi as far as basic amenities and infrastructure are concerned.

Dikshit stated that as per the gazette notification, it became necessary for the residents of unauthorized colonies to complete formalities including submission of lay-out plan.

The notification further makes the city government bound to immediately complete development works including construction of roads, drains, laying of water pipelines and electrification of colonies in the stipulated timeframe.

The state government is committed to completing this exercise to ensure issuing of regularization certificates.

Dikhshit said that only those colonies would be entitled to a provisional certificate which have completed all formalities. Another eligibility for regularisation is 50 per cent built-up area in the colonies.

The Chief Minister said that her government had earmarked Rs 2800 crore for execution of development works in unauthorized colonies in 11th Five Year Plan.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has laid water pipelines in 407 unauthorized colonies whereas it is all set to lay water pipelines in another 417 such colonies. A total of 1093 unauthorized colonies have been electrified whereas in 47 such colonies work is in progress.

New Delhi, June 27
The government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has received an overwhelming response from leading infrastructure developers across the country for building a new state-of-the-art ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminal) at Dwarka. 

In all, 25 applications have been received by the last date, June 23, highlighting the fact that a well-planned and conceptualised project gives confidence to potential investors. The objectives behind the project are well defined which provide a clear sense of direction and requirements to the investors, a spokesman said.

Delhi Integrated Motor Transport System (DIMTS) is acting as a project adviser in carrying out the bid process management for selection of a suitable investor for the project. The project will be developed on build, operate, maintain and manage (BOMM) basis.

The DIMTS has made several efforts to reach out to the infrastructure developers for this project through advertisements and direct outreach programme with the potential investors.

As a part of the investor outreach campaign, DIMTS had organised an investor meet on June 12, 2008 at PHDCCI. 

The meet organised in collaboration with transport department of the government of NCT Delhi and PHDCCI provided a platform to the industry members to interact with the policy makers and demonstrated strong investor interest in the project to deliver public services in sectors on public private partnership structure.

These initiatives clearly signify the governments’ efforts to build an investor friendly environment, as well as, taking care of public interest.

The proposed ISBT at Dwarka is located on a prime location and will be the first integrated transit hub in the country that will provide interconnectivity between multiple mode of public transport like interstate buses, local buses, Delhi Metro, rail and light rail.

The proposed ISBT is to be developed on 10 hectares of land near Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the world class convention centre developed by the DLF and a cluster of hotels planned by Delhi airport authorities.

New Delhi, June 27
The national Capital has reported a major increase in chicken pox and in the last six months has recorded over 2,250 cases, health authorities said today.

According to V.K. Moga, chairman of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) health committee, of the total cases about 1,500 cases have been reported from Delhi and less than 800 patients have arrived in the city from neighbouring states.

He said that hospitals get a number of chicken pox cases between January and April, but this year the numbers have been on the higher side. Health authorities said that they have instructed hospitals to be on alert.

Chicken pox is a viral disease, caused by infection from a person already having the disease. The disease starts with fever, and the typical rash appears after a day or two.

The rash starts with red spots, which become fluid filled blisters before bursting or subsiding. Patients often lose their appetites, and may complain of headache and sore throat. Itching is a common feature, and is often severe. — IANS

New Delhi, June 27
BSES, the private power distribution company, today launched a unique initiative that addresses two priorities – energy conservation and safe disposal of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

BSES’ new scheme provides its customers an opportunity to buy CFLs at discounted prices – and rewards them for turning in discarded CFLs and energy guzzling incandescent bulbs.

Dr A.K. Walia, minister for power and finance, government of the national capital territory of Delhi (GoNCTD), launched the BSES’ latest corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative at a function here. Other prominent attendees included Arvinder Singh Lovely, minister for education, GoNCTD, Haroon Yusuf, minister for transport, GoNCTD, senior BSES, Finolex and government officials.

Dr A.K. Walia said, “It is good to see the BSES participating in the Delhi government’s mission to conserve electricity. I once again appeal to all bhagidari partners and citizens of Delhi to take the lead in conserving electricity – the need of the hour.”

Haroon Yusuf said, “It is good to note that the BSES is not only encouraging the use of energy-efficient CFLs but also facilitating their safe disposal. Such schemes not only help conserve energy but also help in reducing harmful gases”

“Such energy and environment friendly measures will go a long way in restricting the power demand and reducing the greenhouse gases. BSES customers should take full advantage of this offer,” said Arvinder Singh Lovely.

Under the scheme, BSES customers can buy CFLs at hugely discounted prices. A twin 20W (savings of Rs 140) energy saving pack containing two 20W CFL is priced at Rs 200. Similarly, twin 15W (savings of Rs 110) and 11W (savings of Rs 105)) energy saving packs, containing two 15W and two 11W CFLs, respectively, are attractively priced at Rs 150 and Rs 135

“BSES customers turning in discarded (but not broken) CFLs and incandescent bulbs of any make will be eligible for an additional discount ranging between Rs 5 and Rs 12 on the twin energy saving packs,” an official explained.

Greater Noida, June 27
Workers of the All India Students’ Union of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) held a demonstration at Dankore tri-junction.

Threatening of a prolonged agitation, they have demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the recent incidents of cow slaughter.

Meanwhile, the pieces of slaughtered cows found near Knowledge Park in Greater Noida have been sent for forensic examination to Mathura. Action will be taken after the report is received.

A team of three veterinary specialists has sent them for forensic examination. The team comprises Dr C.B. Singh of Kheri Manota, Dr Madh Shyam of Jahangirpur and Dr P.K. Sharma of Kasna.

District veterinary medical officer Dr Pyara Singh said that veterinary doctors in Dadri, Kasna, Dankore, Javer, Jahangirpur, and Devla have been ordered to be alert and help the police in controlling cow slaughter.

He added that anybody apprehended for slaughtering cows would be punished under the Cow Slaughter Act that includes five-year imprisonment or a fine of Rs 5,000 or both. The police had restrained 66 persons under the law.

New Delhi, June 27
With the arrest of four persons, the crime branch of the Delhi Police has busted a gang of burglars. Dhruv, 38, Mintu, 26, Ramesh, 22 and Ram Suresh, 30 of Bihar were nabbed yesterday near Chatta Rail Chowk in Chandni Chowk.

Seventy cartons of imported footwear, 238 cartons of electric goods, a shutter lock cutter and some ‘bilties’ of transport companies have been recovered.

They disclosed that they were going to Tilak Bazar at Lahori Gate to change the locks of a cloth godown that they had targeted for burglary.

Dhruv, who is known as ‘seth’ in his village and had contested the last parliamentary elections from Motihari in Bihar, used to lure unemployed village youths to Delhi to assist him in crime for which he paid them a token sum. Dhruv has been arrested in four cases of burglary in the Walled City and nearby areas.

In 2007, Dhruv along with his associates had stolen 64 bags of cardamom worth Rs 50 lakh from Khari Baoli. It was sent to Nepal via Raxhoul. His associates were arrested but he escaped. He had been absconding since then. A reward of Rs 10,000 was declared on him.

After over 10 months he returned here and started his activities again with the help of new gang members. He has already committed more than half a dozen burglaries in Sarai Rohilla, Kalyanpuri, Badarpur, Gazipur and Mandawali.

His team members conducted a survey of the area and targeted a particular godown that did not have a central lock on its shutter. Then they used to cut the locks in the evening. Early in the morning they would come on a tempo and labourers would load the goods on it.

They also used to chat with the neighbours and told them that the owner had sold off the goods. They sent the tempo to transport companies to dispatch goods at Raxoul in Bihar. From there the goods were exported to Nepal for a handsome amount.

They used fake bills for transportation of the goods. People perceived them to be the workers of the owners. They thought that the owner had deputed them to do the work as they were using genuine keys to unlock the godown.

New Delhi, June 27
The special staff of the East District Police has arrested four robbers in connection with dozens of robberies in the Capital and NCR region, including a sensational shootout in which two brothers were shot and robbed of cash on the National Highway 24 in Mandawali in the wee hours of June 21.

Mukesh, Wasim, Karan and Chandan were arrested from Kichripur, Kalyan puri last afternoon. The police has recovered two pistols of .32 bore and one countrymade pistol along with four cartridges from the accused. A gold chain and three robbed mobile has also been found on them.

According to Ajay Chaudhry, DCP East, one of the accused — Karan — is also involved in a murder case, when he killed one Ravinder for teasing his sister.

The accused were responsible for stopping an Indica car at gunpoint on NH 24, Mandawali, on June 21.

As the occupants of the car, Bijender and Surender, resisted, the robbers fired six rounds from a pistol, seriously injuring them and robbed their cash and valuables. Just 15-20 minutes before this incident they robbed TSR passengers on gunpoint near Singla Sweets, Madhu Vihar in IP Extension. The incident was widely reported in the media.

The accused disclosed that they committed robberies mostly during the early morning hours as they felt lesser risk of being caught. They choose their target at lonely stretches of highways/ ring roads. One pistol recovered from them is of Indian Ordinance Factory.

On interrogation accused Waseem disclosed that this pistol is licensed and belonged to his brother-in-law who lives in Khurja. He stole this pistol for the robberies.

Greater Noida, June 27
Goods worth Rs 7 lakh were stolen from two shops of electronics goods in Greater Noida yesterday night.

In the first case, thieves decamped with valuables worth six lakh including laptops, batteries and inverters from an electronic goods shop in Amritpur. The owner of the shop Suman Bajpai is a resident of G-71 in Alpha-2.

He had bought goods worth Rs 6 lakh from Delhi on Thursday, which were lying in the shop. He closed the shop at 10 p.m.

But next morning, when he came to shop, he found that the padlock was broken and the shutters were lifted.

Goods including 60 batteries, 20 inverters and five laptops were missing. He reported the matter to the police, who is now investigating the case.

In the second incident, thieves barged into an electronic shop on Railway Road in Dadri and took away goods worth Rs 1 lakh. In this case also the thieves broke open the shutters.

New Delhi, June 27
With the release of the first cut-off list of Delhi University on Wednesday, it is now time for those lucky ones who have made it to the list to get into the admission process.

The colleges have announced that students need not rush, as admission based on the first cut-off list will take place for three days from June 27 to 30 (till 1 p.m. for day colleges and 4-7 p.m. for evening colleges).

Admissions to the hostels of various colleges will be made on merit-basis and colleges will notify the list separately.

Colleges are having a tough time in educating students about the required documents. The most common clarification being that the common admission forms are no longer needed and that they were required just to shortlist candidates.

Colleges have been informing students that they will have to purchase separate admission forms from the college counter and submit it in the department where they are seeking admission.

They are also required to carry their original marksheets of class X and XII, the provisional pass certificate in case they don’t have original, character and migration certificates from the institution they have last attended, date of birth certificate and at least five recent passport-size photographs.

Students who are seeking admission through SC/ST/OBC quota should carry the respective certificates. OBC students should ensure that their certificate has the non-creamy layer certification.

Similarly, students who are seeking admission on the basis of sports and extra-curricular activities quota should carry medical fitness and participation certificates. The second cut-off list is to be released on July 1.

New Delhi, June 27
Doctors will take out a rally on the rights of girl child at the India Gate on July 1. The rally will be organised by the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

The FOGSI has declared that July 1 will be observed as Girl Child Day.

Gynecologists from both public and private sector will pledge to eradicate the existing bias against girls in the society. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has chosen ‘Women’s health — newer horizons’ as the theme for the year. The hospital has decided to be part of the social movement to safeguard the rights of girl children in the country.

“People generally do not associate hospitals with social causes. We are joining the movement so that our hospital can provide special services to girl children,” said Dr B.K. Rao, chairman, board of management, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

The hospital authorities said that in spite of several concerted efforts and gender-specific health policies and acts, it is unfortunate that we have not yet been successful in ensuring quality health benefit to women.

The hospital took account of the deteriorating sex ratio in the northern states and extended solidarity towards FOGSI’s save girl child campaign.

“Female foeticide is not just a social issue, it is an economic concern and a development crisis,” said Dr Indrani Ganguli, president, Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Delhi.

Noida, June 27
About half a dozen Nepali youths, including Sangam Nepali were subjected to interrogation by the CBI after their arrest.

With the suspected involvement of Nepali domestic helps in Arushi–Hem Raj double murder case and some other criminal cases in Noida and Delhi, the police authorities have tightened their grip on the Nepali youth.

The residents have also grown wary of the Nepali youth as domestic help and employees.

The CBI had on Thursday taken six Nepali youths into custody, including Sangam Nepali, an employee in a cyber café in Sector-12, Noida. The CBI interrogated the Nepali young men for hours in the camp office in Sector-38 guest house.

According to sources, after interrogating Vijay Mandal and Raj Kumar, the CBI arrested three Nepali youths in Sector-25 on Thursday morning.

After this the CBI team reached Shop No. 17 in Sector-12 market along with them and picked up Sangam Nepali who was reportedly quite intimate with Vijay Mandal, Hem Raj and Krishna. Later, the team picked up two other Nepali youths from Nithari for questioning.

New Delhi, June 27
A 32-year-old woman hanged herself to death this morning in the Krishna Nagar area of East Delhi. A housewife, Vandana Gupta’s body was discovered dead hanging from a ceiling fan in her house in Sheetalawali Gali by her children when they woke up in the morning.

Her husband Pankaj Gupta was not at home while her mother-in-law was admitted to the Hedegawar Arogaya Hospital last night.

According to information, Pankaj has been absconding from his house for the past few days for fear of harassment by money lenders to whom he allegedly owes around Rs 40 lakh.

Last night, some of them had even come to his house and on not finding him, threatened Vandana of dire consequences if their money was not returned. Vandana’s mother-in-law suffered a mild heart attack after they created a ruckus and abused the family. She was rushed to the hospital.

Some neighbours believe that the threat to the family and financial problems could have spurred Vandana into taking the extreme step, though the police has refused to comment on the issue. “The police is investigating the matter,” said Ajay Chaudhry, DCP, East District.

New Delhi, June 27
Municipal commissioner K.S. Mehra on Thursday launched a website of Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) – II.

The Asian Centre for Organisation Research and Development (ACORD), an NGO has designed the website. The ACORD is implementing the Clean Yamuna Manch (CYM) programme on behalf of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The MCD had signed a memorandum with ACORD to complete the website at an estimated cost of Rs 1.95 crore.

ACORD chairman M.D.G. Koreth said that the website aimed to create awareness about Yamuna, its sources of pollution and the projects being undertaken by the MCD to clean it. It will enable people to connect and share their ideas, experiences and criticisms and contribute towards a cleaner Yamuna.

The MCD is carrying out the work to clean the river. In the first phase, YAP – I, the MCD identified the points that pollute the river. Under the YAP – II the MCD has entrusted the work to various agencies – M/S Indian Environment Society and M/S TERI, M/S Patheya, Sycom Projects Consultants Private Limited and Saraswati Devi Memorial Trust.

The government concentrates on pollutants from dairy farms, Dhobi Ghat, Antim Niwas and unauthorised colonies. The total expenditure in work will be more than Rs 8 crore, the municipal commissioner said.

He said that wastewater and solid waste including cow dung generated from various authorised and unauthorised colonies and dairy farms are discharged into the river.

He said that Dhobi Ghat is also one of the direct sources of pollution. Besides, cremation on the river’s bank is a traditional practice in Hinduism.

Poor people often release unburned or half-burned bodies into the river due to lack of adequate resources for funeral. The MCD intends to carry out ‘Anti Niwas Sudhar Yojna’ to prevent river pollution.