New Delhi, January 16
Demanding the possession of their flats today, a large number of DDA flat allottees today staged a demonstration amid heavy security in front of Vikas Sadan.

The protestors were carrying placards and chanting slogans. They said that they were not to be blamed for the DDA scam and why they should suffer because of wrongdoings of a handful of people.

They also asked for the direct intervention of union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy, his deputy Ajay Makan and the CBI, saying when the entire scandal was spread far and wide, it should be inquired by no less than the central agency.

‘’What is our fault, if some people in connivance with a few DDA officials committed irregularities in allotments. We are genuine allottees and we should be given possession of our respective flats without any delay,’’ they added.

Some of the women protestors even carried their infants with them during the demonstration.

One of the allottees, said, “Why should we pay for others. At least the original allottees should be given their flats. If the inquiry goes on for years we are not foolish to wait for so long.”

“This was the first time that I applied for the DDA flats. I am a widow and I was seeking a better accommodation. I got the flat but it seems that it has gone before I can get it,” says another allottee.

Though the allottees were to stage the demonstration in front of the DDA headquarters, the police stopped them and shifted them some metres away.

New Delhi, January 16
In case substantial proof of fraud in allotment of DDA flats is found, Delhi police would recommend cancellation of the entire allotment scheme.

Speaking about the issue, Delhi commissioner of police Y S Dadwal today said, “This is a matter of speculation and only after the investigation is complete, I can comment on the issue. But yes, if there is ample proof of large-scale irregularities in the allotment of flats under the DDA scheme, we can certainly recommend the cancellation of allotments,” said Dadwal reacting to the question whether after exposure of scam the entire allotment could be cancelled.

Meanwhile, a team of EOW officials today rushed to Bulandshahr (UP) for investigation after M L Gautam, the arrested ex-official of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), said that he had used details of people from that district to apply for flats under the reserved category. This team is expected to visit villages falling under Sikandarabad tehsil from where Gautam has used the identity of some people to fill in the forms under SC/ST category.

Gautam, 62, had filed over 1,200 applications under reserved categories and 40 flats were allocated against these.

Gautam, who retired from the DDA’s telephone exchange department in 2005, has come out as the brain behind the scam. He had an office at Milansar Apartment in Paschim Vihar and lived in another flat in the same locality.

Police has so far made four arrests in this connection, including those of Gautam and a Dwarka-based real estate agent Raju Ram. Ram gave Rs 9 lakh to Gautam to apply for 150 flats under the reserved category.

New Delhi, January 16
Delhi police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal today urged the residents of city to be vigilant and inform the police if they notice anything suspicious. “Residents support is must for effective policing anywhere in the world. We seek people’s support to combat any crime in the city and with Republic Day celebrations round the corner, residents need to be extra vigilant,” said Dadwal today addressing media on the security issues related with the Republic Day celebrations. He said that market associations, hotels and cinema halls should see that their in-house security is up to the mark.

With rehearsals for the parade beginning from tomorrow, including full dress rehearsals on January 23, route diversions and check points are bound to cause some inconvenience to people. “The public would be informed about the route diversions during the parade through advertisements so that they can plan their movement well in advance. If possible, one should defer movement till further announcement,” said Dadwal, adding that the traffic police would try to enforce minimum traffic diversions.

With about 198 companies, including 55 paramilitary companies deployed for security during Republic Day parade, the Delhi police is fully geared to thwart any untoward incident.

Talking about the security scenario, Dadwal said that electronic surveillance and intensified checking at entry points is likely to be increased in the days to come. He also said that night patrolling too is bound to be increased.

Dadwal told the media that once the Republic Day celebrations are over, the Delhi police would intensify its servant and tenant verification drives and survey of senior citizens in February. According to him, these would be the priority areas for the Delhi police in the days to come.

Regarding the increasing traffic violations on city roads, Dadwal said that 210 motorcycled traffic pool which chases and challans would be doubled. “Another 210 motorcycles would be added to the already existing pool of 210 motorcycles by February 15. Besides, another 50 PCR vans would be equipped to challan violators of traffic rules in days to come. We want to see that no violator goes escort-free,” said Dadwal. 

New Delhi, January 16
Merely 34 per cent of the total rural population in India have access to diagnostic centres for chronic ailments like diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, says a study carried out by the Chronic Care Foundation (CCF).

The CCF had carried out a study on ‘Non-communicable chronic diseases in India’ to look at the gaps, quality and cost of care of diseases at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Announcing the findings today in the Capital, chairman of CCF’s medical advisory board Anoop Mishra said, “Doctors, hospital management, government healthcare institutions, policy makers and even patients would benefit from the study.”

The study revealed that 86 per cent districts with high rural population did not have enough basic diagnostic tests required for treating these chronic diseases.

Only 34 per cent people living in rural areas found access to diagnostic centers.

Nearly half of the Public Sector Units (PSU) surveyed did not have treatment facilities for any of the three ailments.

Most people visited healthcare centres outside their village due to non-availability of services, stated the study.

CCF board of trustees’ chairman Harpal Singh said, “Through this study we will build an agenda by working in partnership with stakeholders.” He added, “Collective action was needed to initiate action by all concerned bodies, including government, policy makers, service providers and the community.”

According to the study, 80.9 per cent of PSUs in rural areas did not have treatment facility for any of the chronic ailments.

Further, the findings revealed that only 45 per cent of the total respondents found easy access to medicines.

It was the most difficult for those suffering from stroke and chronic kidney diseases.

The study showed there was high dependence on private facilities due to inadequate services at government-managed units.

Boiling is the most common treatment method used in rural areas. Primary health care units lack infrastructure.

Moreover, lack of basic education made it extremely difficult for the populace to understand measures to prevent chronic diseases.

New Delhi, January 16
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that the ban on use of plastic bags in Delhi had caused anxiety amongst the trading community.

Expressing regret on the sudden move of the government, the CAIT passed a resolution at a meeting here today asking the Delhi government to keep the ban order in abeyance till such time alternative packaging material was made available sufficiently, said Parveen Khandelwal, secretary-general of the CAIT.

Proposal of the government to use jute bags is a costly affair from the point of view of packaging. At present, eco-friendly bags are not easily available, he pointed out.

If the government gives assistance, the trade association may install fabrication units for manufacture of eco-friendly papers or jute bags, he said.

New Delhi, January 16
The city continued to experience warm weather today with the maximum day temperature reaching 24 degrees Celsius, 3 notches above normal and minimum temperature being 9.2 degrees celsius, 2 notches above average.

However, according to the meteorological department, the night temperature is likely to fall in the next two days. “Night temperature may come down from 19th onwards,” said S.C. Bhann, a Met official.

There could be partly clouded sky tomorrow morning with a possibility of light showers.

The expected maximum temperature is 22 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature could go to 13 degree Celsius, confirmed the Met department.

Meanwhile, flights and trains operated on schedule.

Noida, January 16
The Maha Maya Kanya Aashirwad Yojna (scheme for girl child’s welfare) launched on the 53rd birthday of the UP Chief Minister Mayawati will benefit the girl child born from January 15, 2009 onwards in the families living below the poverty line.

Each of the four baby girls born in district hospital in Noida after 12 am on January 15 became eligible for a grant of Rs 20,000 in the form of fixed deposits. The gift made the parents of newborn daughters very happy.

Geeta of Bhangal village had given birth to a girl child in government hospital, Noida, at 12.50 am on January 15. Though already a mother of two daughters, Geeta and her whole family were happy to learn that her newborn would get a fixed deposit of Rs 20,000 in her name under the Chief Minister’s Aashirwad Yojna.

Geeta’s husband Mohan said, “A sum of Rs 20,000 as FD will be a great relief for poor parents at the time of daughter’s marriage. Daughters could now be given good education also, Mohan added.

Chief of maternity ward in government hospital, Dr Rita Wadwa said eight babies were delivered in the ward after 12 am on January 15.

Four boys and four girls were born. When the parents of all the newborn baby girls learnt about the government’s scheme, they all welcomed the scheme and said it would be a great help for the families living below poverty line.

It is like the “Ladli” scheme of the Delhi government which also gives financial help of Rs 20,000 to parents of girl child.

Gurgaon, January 16 
Showing concern on the increasing number of accidents taking place on the Expressway, deputy commissioner Deepti Umashankar has written a letter to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) asking to ensure safety for road users.

The letter, addressed to the project director of NHAI, says that the district administration has observed that the rate of accidents on NH-8 has increased due to non-adherence of road safety measures. It is to be stated that DS Construction Company was not adhering to the concession agreement, wherein it has been prescribed that safety and traffic management would be attended satisfactorily by the concessionaire to ensure safety of the road uses throughout the concession period.

As per the concession agreement, the concessionaire shall operate and maintain the project highway during the concession period so as to permit safe, smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic during normal operating conditions.

Further, as per schedule W, slow-moving vehicles like scooters, motorcycles, cycle, rickshaw, animal and tractor drawn vehicles are barred from plying on the main carriage way, but the concessionaire and NHAI were unable to control these barred vehicles properly which are the major cause of accidents.

The deputy commissioner has also highlighted the duty of concessionaire under Clause 18.1 (operation and maintenance) and schedule L in which he has to ensure safety to the road users.

The administration has also warned that if the issue was not addressed immediately then the district administration would be forced to resort to its own course of administrative action.