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Delhi Poll Scene
Don’t wish to vote? Make use of code
49-O
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Security up in booths
2 SAD/BJP workers hurt in attack
Mumbai attacks, not a poll issue: Jaitley
20,000 weddings may lead to poor voter turnout
FIR on toll-free SMS; info on click of mouse
Ranchi scribe gets Prabha Dutt Fellowship
JNUSU condemns Mumbai attack
Students protest against institute
Students get diplomas
VC of GGSIPU gets fond farewell
Friendship club cracked, 3 held
Bodies of 3 kids fished out of canal
5 railway stretches prone to mishaps
Noida plot rate issue taken to HC
Noida cable operator shot dead
IMF celebrates golden jubilee
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Poll panel urges people to vote in large numbers
New Delhi, November 28 Chief election officer Satbir Silas Bedi urged all eligible voters to not sit at home and said: “If we don’t vote, then in a way we are supporting the cowardly act of terrorists.” She added that the poll panel was well prepared to hold elections in the city in a peaceful manner. “We are keeping our fingers crossed and hope no unfortunate incident occurs,” Bedi told reporters here. Polling officers have reviewed the security arrangements in the city and at the polling stations for Saturday, Bedi said. “We are keeping an eye on all television channels and if they show any election related advertisements, we will book them for violating the code of conduct,” the official added. “We have also asked the police to keep a strict vigil, especially at the Delhi borders so that no unwanted elements enter the city,” Bedi said. Polling will be held in Delhi Saturday to elect a new state assembly, with 863 candidates from as many as 69 parties contesting the elections. Voting will be held for 69 out of a total 70 seats and counting of votes will take place on December 8. Voting will begin at 8 am and end at 5 pm. A total of 10.7 million people, nearly 25 per cent more than in 2003, are eligible to vote at nearly 11,000 polling booths. Over 1,500 booths have been declared ‘sensitive’ and ‘hypersensitive’ — a five-fold increase since the last election. — IANS
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Don’t wish to vote? Make use of code
49-O
New Delhi, November 28 Many may not be aware about the provision called 49-O in the Conduct of Elections Act, 1969, which enables people to go to the polling booths, confirm their identity, get their finger marked and convey to the presiding election officer that they would prefer not to vote. A student organisation Youth for Equality has launched a helpline to make people aware about the provision. “Many people don’t vote as they feel that their candidates are useless and corrupt. So by casting this protest vote, we can sow our dissent and disapprove these candidates,” said Jiten Jain, a member of the organisation. According to Jain, the helpline is flooded with phone calls from people interested in knowing the procedure of the provision. “For those wishing to invoke the provision should convey the election booth officials that they want to go for 49-O and register their signature in the form available there,” Jain said. People who want to know more can call on helpline numbers 9868340420, 9899223732. The organisation has also launched an SMS service with the help of Google to send alerts about 49-O on election day to remind voters about their power to say “I vote nobody”… and show their disapproval of current politicians. “We have around 1,00,000 members subscribed to this service and most of them are first time voters,” Jain said. Around 10.7 million people are eligible to vote to elect a 70-member Delhi assembly. Voting will begin at 8 am and end at 5 pm at 11,155 polling booths across the Capital.
— IANS |
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Security up in booths
New Delhi, November 28 Chief election officer, Delhi, Satbir Silas Bedi said that she had a meeting with the Delhi police commissioner and discussed the arrangement. A total of 54,000 police personnel and government employees will be on duty tomorrow to make the election a success.. Elaborating the election arrangement, she said EVMs will be installed by the early morning tomorrow. 15% of EVMs would be kept in reserve stock for emergency.
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Factsheet
New Delhi, November 28
No. of voters: 10,582,368 Women voters: 4,698,393 Male voters: 5,883,976 Total candidates: 863 Women candidates: 81 Constituency with most candidates: New Delhi (25) Constituency with least candidates: Ghonda (3) Major parties in fray: BJP, Congress and BSP Largest constituency in terms of voters: Vikaspuri Smallest constituency in terms of voters: Delhi Cantt Total polling stations: 10,993 EVMs: 12,565
— IANS |
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2 SAD/BJP workers hurt in attack
New Delhi, November 28 A complaint has been lodged and Manoj and Shaitan Singh have been arrested. Bobby and Kasim, injured in the head, are SAD workers. They have been admitted to DDU Hospital. SAD/BJP candidate Sardar Avtar Singh has demanded that the culprits be taken to task soon. They injured claimed that the attackers belonged to the Congress. According to Bobby, he and Kasim were at the party office in W-block last night. About 7 to 8 persons barged into the office around 9 pm and attacked them with swords. The attackers destroyed the office furniture, he said. Bobby revealed that some people in the group had threatened him a few days ago not to support the BJP. They had warned him of dire consequences. |
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Mumbai attacks, not a poll issue: Jaitley
New Delhi, November 28 “Mumbai terror attacks are a national issue and not an election issue. But if we cannot manage to win even in the prevailing situation, there is no point to be in politics,” said a senior Delhi BJP leader. Delhi BJP in charge Arun Jaitely in an interaction with reporters on the poll-eve termed the attack as a national shame. When asked about the impact of the Mumbai terror attacks on Delhi poll, Jaitely said that the party was not making it an election issue. It has emerged as a national issue and people across India are shocked on how such a large-scale terrorist operation could take place in the commercial hub of India, he said. Reacting on the statement of home minister Shivraj Patil, Jaitely said, “The home ministry is trying blame the defence ministry by claming that the terrorists came through the sea route. Wherever they may have come from, the government is answerable to the families whose kin are either dead or maimed.” Hitting hard on the incompetent Intelligence Bureau, Jailtey said it was difficult to believe how it remained unaware of the strategy. “It is a grave failure of intelligence agencies that terrorists in large numbers came to Mumbai through sea route with large ammunition while establishing command centres in big hotels,” he said. “It is difficult to believe that the intelligence agencies are clueless about the terrorist activities going on in the financial capital of the country for so many days,” he added. Meawhile, the party’s chief ministerial candidate V.K. Malhotra said that he would be the first to cast vote at the New Delhi constituency. On the contrary, Delhi Congress president J.P. Agarwal said that he would cast his vote around 1 pm after visiting the constituencies.
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20,000 weddings may lead to poor voter turnout
New Delhi, November 28 Large crowd can be seen at various beauty parlours in the city, including branded outlets of Lakme, Loreal, VLCC, Kaya, for women and Habib’s for men. Even unisex saloons have caught on in the Capital. “Brides and bridegrooms like to go to their make-up sessions together, where they can have a good time,” said Anjana Rathi, a beautician. For those who are ready to spend lavishly even in the midst of recession, many couples thought of tying the knot by making luxurious arrangements at private farm houses. Musical bands and gazal singers also have their place. According to pandits, Saturday is supposed to be an auspicious day to tie the knot meaning thousands would be too busy in making arrangements rather than voting. There will be traffic jams. The traditional manner of ‘ghud-chari’, followed by band parties and relatives dancing all over the road could possibly be seen everywhere in the city. Besides there is another class which makes it more classy by hiring luxury cars to give the procession a princely look. Travel agencies are booking dream cars, including Mercedes, Camry and Sonata. “A lot of people booked these luxury cars this year. It is better because by just paying around Rs 10,000, you can make it a memorable time,” said Rajat Tyagi, a travel agent in Greater Kailash. Apart from this, a change was observed in trousseau. Breaking the trend of wearing red gowns, a lot many brides tried neutral and pastel shades to make it look different and exclusive, confirmed bridal designer Rita Kohli. Apprehensive of a lower voter turnout affecting the political scenario in the Capital, several candidates made personal appeals to people to vote. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, “I would like to appeal to the people to take out some time and vote as marriages generally take place during the evenings.” Votings will begin at 8 am and end at 5 pm at 11,155 polling booths across the Capital. Around 10.7 million people are expected to vote. Chief electoral officer Satbir Silas Bedi said that it is not the marriages but the traffic that will hamper the percentage of voting. Considering the poor turnout of 47 per cent in 2003 elections, the election office has done special campaigning to motivate people to vote. Moreover, traffic police has also made special arrangements to regulate traffic at some busiest chowks of the Capital. But not everyone is sure to turn up at polling stations. Ramkumar Choudhary, a resident of South Delhi, said, “My son is getting married tomorrow, it would be difficult for us to vote as there is a lot of work to be done. Maybe two or three members of the family may go out, but not all.”
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FIR on toll-free SMS; info on click of mouse
Gurgaon, November 28 The Gurgaon police today went hi-tech with the launch of a toll-free SMS facility, which is claimed to be the first of its kind in the country. With the beginning of this service, anybody can file his/her complaint or lodge FIR through SMS on toll-free number 0124-100. At the same time, the official website of Gurgaon police was also launched. Gurgaon police commissioner Mohinder Lal gave a presentation of this newly introduced service before the representatives of Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) at the meeting hall of the mini-secretariat here today. He disclosed that on the request of Gurgaon police, the Union Ministry of Communications had allotted number 100 for sending SMS to the police and message to Gurgaon police could be sent on 0124-100; i.e. by dialing STD code of Gurgaon before the allotted number. This is a toll-free number, he said, adding that a person in distress could send a short message to the police and after that the police would call back on the number and reach the spot immediately. Lal also launched the official website of the Gurgaon police and said all the information pertaining to the police in Gurgaon would now be available just at the click of mouse. “Now anybody can know the status of his complaint, passport or service verification by logging on the website, www.gurgaonpolice.net, which is the first of its kind in the country as it is the only site where complaints and FIR can be lodged online,” Lal asserted. The police commissioner maintained that the contact numbers of all police officers deputed in Gurgaon were also available on the website. Application forms for obtaining various licences can also be downloaded from the website, he added. He said the Gurgaon police would seek assistance of RWAs in conducting verifications for service, passport and arms licences. Refering to community policing, Lal said that he was in favour of empowering the RWAs to strengthen community policing. “The RWAs will be involved in traffic management and security of their areas. The schedule of police patrolling would also be shared with the RWAs and on their advice more police personnel can be deputed at critical places,” he maintained.
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Ranchi scribe gets Prabha Dutt Fellowship
New Delhi, November 28 The fellowship was awarded in presence of Prabha’s family and friends. Giving a brief introduction of her proposed project Illusion of flood control: False Promises, Dubious intentions, Anupama said, “My research would address issues related to the Kosi river projects in Bihar and Nepal. Hundreds of people get displaced every year when Kosi changes its path.” She added, “The region is flooded almost every year. The government spends enormous money to tackle the problem. I want to find where this money goes.” Anupama expressed her interest in looking at ways of avoiding the Kosi floods. “It would be good if I could help address issues of the residents of Kosi belt through this research,” she said. Journalist Sevanti Ninan spoke about ‘Women Researchers in Indian Journalism’. “I believe most journalist researchers are women in India. Small fellowships like this would help researchers take up valuable research work. Starting a fellowship in Prabha’s name was the best tribute anyone could have given to her,” she said. Several senior journalists remembered Prabha as a committed journalist. “She was a hard working and beautiful human being. When suddenly we lost her, we decided start this fellowship in her name,” said Usha Rai, journalist and close associate of Prabha. The Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellowship of Excellence in Journalism has been instituted to honour and perpetuate the memory of Prabha Dutt whose bright and promising career as a fearless journalist with Hindustan Times and India Today was cut short. The fellowship is for a period of ten months and offers Rs 60,000.
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JNUSU condemns Mumbai attack
New Delhi, November 28 “We condone the death of innocents and security personnel,” said Mobeen Alam, joint secretary, JNUSU. While appealing to all sections to maintain peace, JNUSU asked the government to extend all relief and security facilities to the victims and citizens of Mumbai. “The government must show the nerve to institute a fair inquiry into the conspiracy which gave shape to this large-scale terror act,” said
Mobeen. |
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Students protest against institute
Faridabad, November 28 The students took to road when two students alleged assault by the management. The police had a hard time in controlling the agitating students that had a good number of female protesters too. Jeetender, a journalism student, alleged that he was beaten up by the management when he was apprising his head of department that the institute was not fulfilling its promise of providing special training in the final semester. He said the security personnel of the institute had beaten him up. He showed the bruises on his body to prove his point. Jaspal, a mechanical engineering student, also alleged that he was beaten up when he reminded his head of department that the institute had failed in holding any classes for the last three months. Neha Taneja, a student of graphic designing, alleged that at the time of admission the management had assured of campus placement and her starting salary would be Rs 25,000 per month. Now when her course was nearing its end, she was being offered a job with meagre Rs 4,000 salary. Other students alleged that at the time of admission the management had promised them they would be sent to Canada for training as part of their course. However, the management restrained from commenting.
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Students get diplomas
New Delhi, November 28 The emphasis was on younger designers and a new design council which is in the making. Alongside, diploma students of the 2007-2008 batch of jewellery, interiors and fashion design were awarded with diplomas on this occasion. The president, Chandraakant Dalal commented at the function, “It’s been 20 years and, we feel proud of the designers like Rocky S, Shane and Falguni, Urvashi Kaur, to name a few who, have been a benchmark in fashion industry. Their association as a student with JD is an example of the quality the institute believes in.” |
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VC of GGSIPU gets fond farewell
New Delhi, November 28 A farewell function was organised at the university today, which was attended by Tejendra Khanna, Lt-Governor of Delhi and Chancellor of the university, Rakesh Mehta, chief secretary, government of NCT of Delhi, and Dr D.K. Bandyopadhyay, vice-chancellor-designate, GGSIPU, besides other senior government officials, employees and students of the university. Professor Aggarwal was felicitated on the occasion by Khanna with a silver plaque, a shawl and a memento. Khanna spoke at length on the contributions made by him in the field of education, saying, “I am sure that with his knowledge and experience, Professor Aggarwal will continue to serve the academic world.” An eminent IT expert, Professor Aggarwal joined the university as its founder-vice-chancellor on December 1, 1998. In his tenure, spanning a decade, GGSIPU emerged as a hub of professional education in the Capital with national and international presence, offering over 70 academic programmes through 10 university schools of studies and almost 90 affiliated institutions. Speaking on the occasion, Professor Aggarwal remarked, “I am so proud of the university today. The work culture we have been able to create here is remarkable. Here, all officers, faculty and staff members work with utmost passion as it is their own institution.” He also expressed his gratitude to the employees, students and other stakeholders of the university for the affection and support extended to him, during his term in office. |
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Friendship club cracked, 3 held
New Delhi, November 28 A complaint was received by the special team of Crime Branch that one Ajay a.k.a. Ashish had taken Rs 3,000 from the complainant and promised him contact number of a college girl as a willing friend. After taking the money, he was given two telephone numbers saying that the numbers belonged to modern English-speaking college girls. Initially, two different girls took his telephone calls but soon his calls were rejected. Then the numbers became inoperative. His efforts to meet Ajay were futile. Acting on the complaint, a police team started conducting enquiries and found that Ajay was operating from a IInd floor office in Anuvrat Tower Wazirpur, Delhi. A raid was conducted leading to the arrest of Neeraj (21), Prashant (20) and a woman while a hunt for the arrest of Ajay has been launched. Three mobile telephones, seven SIM cards and registers kept by the club were also seized. All the telephone numbers and the bank accounts had been taken on fake names and addresses. Investigation has revealed that Ajay has been running a profitable racket by renting the office for which he paid Rs 12,000 per month. He has been running friendship clubs since January this year and the total membership of the clubs is about 400 persons till date. Active members as on date are more than 350. The total gross earning by the club till now was more than Rs 16 lakh.
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Bodies of 3 kids fished out of canal
Ghaziabad, November 28 The three schoolchildren were feared to have been jumped into the canal and their bodies were found at about 10.30 pm on Thursday. Local residents blocked the New Delhi-Howrah rail track for nearly five hours to protest the way the issue was handled by the district administration. The parents and relatives of the dead children demanded immediate construction of an underbridge so that people can cross over to Anand Vihar and Ramprastha. The locals demanded compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the family members of the dead children. “Had the administration been sensitive towards our needs, the incident would never have happened. The administration has assured us to construct an underbridge,” said Mohammad Arif, a local resident. Officials promised the protesters that they would take up the matter with the railways within seven days. The families of the dead children would be paid an immediate compensation of Rs 5,00,000. On Thursday, five schoolchildren were killed when the Patna-bound Shramjivi Express from Delhi ran over them when they were crossing the railway track on their way home. The incident took place around 1.30 pm while the kids were crossing the rail track near Ramprastha locality here. “About 20 students of class 8 were returning to their residences at Maharajpur locality from school. They took a short cut below an over bridge when the speeding train crushed them,” station officer of Link Road police station Parashuram told reporters here. The dead children include Vivek Tiwari, Imtiaz, Rahul and Rakesh.— IANS
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5 railway stretches prone to mishaps
Ghaziabad, November 28 “At least five other spots are highly prone to accidents,” an official of the district administration said, adding that the railways have done nothing about it. Some of these death spots include the Sahibabad railway crossing, Mohan Meakins and Kotgaon crossing. These have witnessed as many as 25 accidents during the past one year. “Every day there is some mishap or the other. We have made numerous representations to the district administration and railways, but we are being cheated. Motorist cross the busy railway line as there is no other way to cross the track and many of them have fallen prey to speeding trains in the past,” said Ramesh Chaudhary, a local resident. Five schoolchildren were killed on Thursday afternoon when a speeding train ran over them at a railway track near Ramprastha locality, in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, adjoining the national capital Delhi. They had taken a shortcut below an overbridge when the speeding train crushed them. “We are aware of the dangers that the stretch offers to the pedestrians and two-wheelers. We have also written on our behalf to the division office but it is finally upon them to pursue the civil work,” a senior official at Ghaziabad railway station said.
— IANS |
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Noida plot rate issue taken to HC
Noida, November 28 Noida Authority officials confirmed that petitions regarding increased rates of plots have been accepted by the court. A number of allottees in reserved as well as general category had approached the court, which has not so far issued any directions in this connection. Their plea is that the scheme was brought out in 2004 so why they are being punished for the sins of omission and commission of the Noida officials. The petitioners have pleaded that the losses suffered by Noida Authority should be compensated by the guilty officials. Recovery of this financial loss from allottees, who are innocent, is patently wrong, they have pleaded in their applications to the court. Noida Dy CEO N.P. Singh has confirmed that the writ by a number of applicants has been accepted by the court. |
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Noida cable operator shot dead
Ghaziabad, November 28 Sharma who was shot in the head had a piece of cloth stuffed into his mouth. Ashok was having differences with some people, Dy SP R.K. Gautam said. A few vital clues have been found from the car in this connection, including some objectionable things. The police has come to the conclusion that some women were also involved in the murder in one way or the other. Some people coming from Lal Quan had noticed a white Alto car on NH 24 bypass near Vijay Nagar on Thursday. A young man’s blood-soaked body was lying on the front seat next to driver’s seat. The police had to get the car lock opened by a mechanic. On the basis of the car registration number, the car’s owner was identified as Ashok Sharma, 26, son of Suresh Chand of Nithari village, Noida. DSP, R.K. Gautam said Ashok had gone out of his house on Wednesday evening to watch a film in a multiplex in Sector-18, Noida. He was murdered somewhere else and his body dumped in the car which was parked by roadside near Vijay Nagar, Gautam added. |
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IMF celebrates golden jubilee
New Delhi, November 28 As a part of the 50th year commemoration, the Prime Minister released a poster, ‘Save Himalayas’ and a special cover on IMF. He said, “It gives me great pleasure to be here amidst you at this function to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. President, IMF, H.P.S Ahluwalia said, “In its proud history of 50 eventful years, IMF has to a large extent, fulfilled the vision of our leadership and patrons. Before Independence, Indian teams attempted hardly two to three minor peaks. Since then, Indians have climbed almost all the major peaks in Himalaya.” To ensure safety and monitor climbing expeditions, IMF assumed the role of approving the expeditions, both Indian and foreign, organising national and zonal level climbing competitions and conducting various courses. Every year, not fewer than 59 foreign and about 70 Indian expeditions are being permitted. |
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New Delhi, November 28
