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Now, Metro fares burden Delhiites
Bomb scare at Faridabad mall
CWG: Hotel rooms booked at peak rates
Woollies out as Delhi ushers in winter season
DU council rejects NAAC accreditation
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Games 2010: Sheila seeks cooperation of NCR board
Govt told to start helpline against child labour
Hizbul militant released
Rs 12-lakh robbed items recovered within hours
Maid beaten, locked for 2 days without food
Cylinder blast injures woman
Girl jumps to death
500 fined for breeding mosquitoes
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Now, Metro fares burden Delhiites
New Delhi, November 11 Announcing the revised fares, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials today said the fares had to be increased due to massive expansion of Metro network from 65 km to 165 km. After the implementation of the new fares in two days, the minimum and maximum fare for Metro journey would be Rs 8 and Rs 30 while the existing fares are Rs 6 and Rs 22, respectively. Since the Metro has started, this is the third time the fares have been revised. “The third fare fixation committee was constituted in June and the new fares will be effective from November 13 along with opening of Noida section,” said R.N. Joshi, director (finance), DMRC. Average increase in fares is between Rs 3 and Rs 6 in different slabs. The minimum increase is Rs 2 and maximum increase is Rs 8. The slabs have not been changed up to the distance of 27 km, after which the increased distance has been added to the upper and lower limits of slabs. The existing maximum distance slab at 39 km would be extended up to 44 km. “To encourage long distance travel on the Metro, the fare fixation committee has increased the distance of five subsequent slabs by up to five km while limiting the maximum fare increase to only Rs 8,” said Joshi. The present scheme of 10 per cent discount on smart cards will continue. On the lines of the London tube, DMRC has introduced a tourist card. The rate of this card, having a validity of a day, has been increased from Rs 70 to 100 and for three days, validity rate has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 250. The committee that was headed by Justice (Retd) E. Padmanabhan, Dr Noor Mohammad, member secretary, National Capital Region Promotion Board (NCRPB) and V.V. Bhatt, principal secretary (Finance) of the government of Delhi, has also considered the debt on DMRC. The DMRC officials said the corporation had huge debt repayment commitments in the coming years. Its interest and loan repayment would be in the range of Rs 500 crore to Rs 600 crore per year after the opening of Phase II sections. DMRC is also obliged to provide for huge depreciation, which is approximately Rs 700 crore per annum. Calling the hike reasonable, Joshi said a balance was maintained between rise in all components of cost and increase in consumer price index while increasing the prices. The first fare fixation committee was constituted in December, 2003, after the opening of first section in December, 2002, and the revised fares were adopted on March 31, 2004, after a gap of one year, three months. Fares recommended by the second fare fixation committee were made effective from December 31, 2005, after one year, nine months. “The committee observed that the revised fare would not be a burden on the commuters, keeping in mind comfort and quality of service provided to them,” said Joshi.
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Bomb scare at Faridabad mall
Faridabad, November 11 In a swift action, the police cordoned off the mall. However, the bomb call turned out to be a hoax as the police realised it after about three hours of search. The mall was emptied by the police during the time it continued its search. The bomb squad personnel and sniffer dog were pressed into operation. The exercise went on for about three hours. The operation was supervised by the area DCP. After the operation, the SHO of central police station announced that the intimation about the bomb was a hoax call. During the police operation, the customers faced a lot of hardship. SRS Mall is located in one of the most sensitive areas of the city. The mini-secretariat is near it along with the office of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the district court and the central police station.
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CWG: Hotel rooms booked at peak rates
New Delhi, November 11 According to the CWG officials, the rooms have been booked at an increased price of 15 to 20 per cent from the market rate. “There is a general increase in the tariff of all the hotels during October every year. Since the Games are taking place in the same period, the hotels have also considered the hike in the rates,” said a senior CWG official. A single room in a five-star hotel in Delhi has been booked between $350 and $375 (Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000); in a four-star hotel, it is $270 to $325 (Rs 9,500 to Rs 11,000) and in a three-star hotel, the tariff is $100 to $150 (Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000). In guesthouses, the rate is $60. Around 4,000 rooms have already been booked under various categories for the CWG delegates. The Ashok Hotel being the flagship venue has been book for the members of Commonwealth Games Associations (CWAs) of the various countries, Commonwealth Games Federation (CWF), International Sports Federation (IF) and the International Olympic Committees (IOCs). The Ashok will also have the offices of the president of the CGF and CGAs. It will host all the major conferences, events, dinners, etc during the Games. The hotel will act as a nerve-centre from where all the major decisions and policies will be taken and monitored. Stay for sports ministers have been arranged in the ITC Maurya and The Taj Palace. Observers, the officials from the countries who are looking forward to hosting the next Commonwealth Games or other similar sports events and sponsors will have their accommodation in hotels like The Oberoi, The Hyatt, Le Meridien, Radisson, Eros International, Radisson Marina and Crown Plaza. Though the international broadcasters will be given more centrally located places which include hotels like Claridges, Park and Janpath. The DDA flats in Vasant Kunj have also been booked for Indian journalists from small to medium media houses. The hotel Janpath has been made the full media hub from where journalists would be able to make direct contact with the offices in various states or countries.
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Woollies out as Delhi ushers in winter season
New Delhi, November 11 The cold wind was felt by the morning walkers in many areas of the Capital. Anil Saxena, a resident of the New Friends Colony, said that today was the first cold day of the season. He said that he would come to park in a woollen dress tomorrow. Rajbir Singh, a resident of Jasola Vihar, who takes a brisk walk near Kalindi Kunj every day, said that cold winds generally blow near the Yamuna, but today it was unusual and the beginning of winter. An official of the weather department said that the sky was cloudy in the afternoon. There is moisture in the air due to deep depression in the Arabian Sea. There was mist in the early morning and visibility dropped to 500 metres. He said that cloudy weather is expected tomorrow with rain and thundershowers in the evening or night. The weather of Delhi always depends on the changes in hill areas of western parts like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, the official said. He said that maximum temperature on Wednesday was 25.3 degree Celsius, a notch below average, while the minimum was recorded at 14.2 degree Celsius. An official of Indira Gandhi International Airport said that though there was mist in the morning, flights were not affected.
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DU council rejects NAAC accreditation
New Delhi, November 11 The general feeling prevailing among council members was that the NAAC is not acceptable since the university has its mechanism under Statute 30 to achieve the objectives of NAAC, thus, there is no need of any outside agency. However, the university has decided to create its Internal Quality Assessment Cell for self assessment purposes. Prof Khuntia, a member of the academic council, said: “We have rejected the NAAC and the university will create its assessment cell. NAAC is not suitable for our purposes, as it would prove to be a major disadvantage for many DU colleges. Also, it would negatively impact the funding of colleges.” The council also approved the general structure of the semester system that is being implemented at the university that is expected to be completed by March. However, various council members protested against it. The council also discussed the controversy over the Ph.D of St Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu. The Delhi High Court has asked Delhi University to state its position vis a vis Thampu’s degree. Members said since his degree in Theology was not recognised by the university, the clear position should be presented before court. The council also recognised granting permanent recognition to the Institute of Economic Growth by the university. The environmental biology department was renamed the department of environmental studies and two new courses were introduced. It proposed a new name for Deshbandhu College (E) that will be a day college after shifting it to a new building to be constructed on its campus. The proposed new name recommended is “Ramanujan College”. The council further resolved to come out with a proposal of giving extra attention to students belonging to SC/ST/ OBC/general, who are poor performers in studies. It also decided to review the Programme of Master of Comparative Law offered to foreign students, as this has some lacunae in terms of maintaining standards. A decision was taken to shift the faculty of Law and three law centres to Dhaka complex, near Mukherjee Nagar.
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Games 2010: Sheila seeks cooperation of NCR board
New Delhi, November 11 The Commonwealth Games is a pride for the whole country and in order to bring the infrastructure in place, the help of the entire country especially the adjoining area is required, she appealed. She also urged the NCR Planning Board to provide funds of Rs 222 crore for construction and modernization of ISBTs at Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan. Speaking in the meeting, Sheila Dikshit exhorted all member states to contribute their share for NCR Planning Board as the Delhi government had already released Rs 350 crore as grant in aid to the NCR Development Fund of the NCR Planning Board. The Delhi Chief Minister stressed the need of setting up a metropolitan planning committee as per the provisions of article 243 of the Indian Constitution. Dikshit admitted in the meeting that industries in Delhi had developed in an unorganized manner. Their planned settlement and development is constrained by the lack of availability of suitable industrial estates. Neighbouring states should team up with the industrial corporation and develop industrial estates in the NCR region to help decongest Delhi, she said. The Board released financial assistance of Rs 2,700 crore for the year 2009-10 and 2010-11. It also approved budget proposals. A presentation in respect to regional road rapid transit system in NCR region was also made in the meeting.
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Govt told to start helpline against child labour
New Delhi, November 11 A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar asked the government to consider starting the helpline. “You (government) should think of starting a helpline as well as a website for handling child labour cases more vigilantly,” said the bench while asking the government to file their response by November 25. The court also asked the government to file a report as to how many children had been rescued and what was the government doing for their rehabilitation.
— IANS |
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Hizbul militant released
New Delhi November 11 A special TADA court let off Dar, saying that there was no prima-facie evidence against the accused, as the CBI had filed a closure report. “There is no evidence against the accused to proceed with the trial since the CBI has filed a closure report in the case,” the court said. The CBI had sought closure of the case against Dar on the ground that it had failed to get a confessional statement on the charges levelled against him of receiving money from Salahuddin. Dar, along with Salahuddin, was wanted in the case registered under TADA for allegedly abetting terror activities in the country. The CBI had accused him of receiving $ 10,000 and a letter from Salahuddin in the FIR registered on April 20, 1991. Dar (53) hails from Baramullah and had evaded arrest for a long time. He was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police and was later quizzed by an investigating agency. |
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Rs 12-lakh robbed items recovered within hours
New Delhi, November 11 The police has recovered the cash, jewellery and valuables worth Rs 12 lakh. The accused Ramu, the driver employed by the family just three days ago, along with his three accomplices robbed the house after tying the mother and the daughter. “We came to know about the incident around 11 pm yesterday. The victim Usha lived with her daughter. She had hired Ramu as security guard-cum-driver three days ago and had not informed the police about it. She had not even recorded his details. He along with three others tied the mother-daughter and robbed the house,” said a police official. The robbers armed with knives and pistols decamped with gold and diamond jewellery, two mobile phones, two laptops, one I-pod, watches and Rs 12,000. “Raju and Bobby were arrested around 6:30 am from Nizamuddin Railway Station. They have confessed to the crime and have disclosed the names and whereabouts of their other partners,” the official added. Their other two accomplices were arrested from Sarai Kale Khan. Murder
The west district police has arrested one person for his alleged involvement in the murder of a woman named Samikasha that took place in Tagore Garden. DCP (west) Sharad Aggarwal said the accused, Dhirender Kumar, alias Murli, was a coconut seller and developed relations with Samikasha. “Samikasha had got married for the second time. But her husband was living aboard. Dhirender wanted to marry her and objected to her talking to anyone else,” said DCP Aggarwal. On November 6, Dhirender went to her house and had a heated argument with her. In a fit of rage, he stabbed her and fled. “Dhirender was arrested from Azadpur. The dagger used in the murder has been recovered,” the police said. Bike-borne assailants last night created panic in the Jyoti Nagar area of north-east district by robbing two persons at gunpoint within 15 minutes. Both the incidents were reported around 10 pm. “Tara Chand Pandey, who lives in DDA flat in the area, was taking a walk when he was robbed by the bikers. He told the police that two bikers stopped him and placed a gun near his forehead. The assailants fled with his valuables and mobile phone,” said a police officer. A case has been registered. It is learnt that the assailants had robbed other youth before him. The youth, whose name was not disclosed, claimed that the assailants kept him hostage for 10 minutes andlater fled with his mobile phone. |
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Maid beaten, locked for 2 days without food
New Delhi, November 11 According to information, Rubina was beaten by her employers’ after they suspected her of stealing valuables from the house. She was locked up in a room without food for two days. The police was informed by a neighbour who heard her cries. Her employers have been arrested. According to information, Rubina, a native of West Bengal, had been working in the house of one Inklee Roy Barooah at Sridhar Apartment in Mehrauli since July 5 this year. “Rubina told the police that Inklee was torturing her for the past two days as she suspected her of stealing valuables. On November 7, Inklee allegedly beat her up and when she resisted Inklee’s husband Anindya also thrashed her. Anindaya beat her up with a leather belt and locked her up in a room of their house,” said a police officer. “After receiving information, a police team was immediately sent on the said address to rescue Rubina. She has suffered multiple injuries and has been sent to AIIMS Trauma Center for medical examination and treatment. She along with her sister came to the police station yesterday got an FIR registered against her employers,” said a senior police officer. The Mehrauli police has booked employer couple under section 342/506/323 of the IPC and is investigating the matter.
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Cylinder blast injures woman
New Delhi, November 11 A senior police officer said the incident took place around 6 am at Ashoka Road. “Anju Aggarwal received 50 per cent burn injuries when the cylinder on which she was cooking food suddenly exploded. A leakage in the gag pipeline caused the explosion. Fire engulfed her whole body. Her husband, Ashok, rushed to a private hospital in the Model Town area, where she is undergoing treatment. Her condition is stated to be serious,” said a senior police officer. |
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Girl jumps to death
Gt Noida, November 11 The incident took place around 1 am on Tuesday. The girl has been identified as
Radha, a native of Agra. She was a student of Class XII. The Surajpur police said she was in love with her classmate from a different religion. When Radha’s family came to know of it, they stopped her attending the school. But the lovers kept meeting clandestinely. As a result, Radha was brought by her brother to
Kulesra. He fixed Radha’s marriage to his friend on November 20. Both the families were making preparations for the wedding. But Radha could not reconcile to this marriage. So she jumped off from the roof of the house, the police said. |
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500 fined for breeding mosquitoes
New Delhi, November 11 “Violators were issued warnings and served notices hitherto, but now they would be fined if found breeding mosquitoes. Nearly 500 people have been prosecuted today and about 2,000 have been prosecuted in the last two days,” said Dr N.K. Yadav, chief medical officer of MCD. Two contractors at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, builder involved in the Vasant Vihar Flyover project and officials of DJB and engineering department at Katchchebagh have been fined. The total number of prosecutions in the season is 6,501. Meanwhile, the dengue rage continued with 45 fresh cases reported here today. |
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The local police went in a tailspin following an anonymous phone call in central police station warning of a bomb planted in the crowded SRS Mall in the city.
