New Delhi, December 14
Delhi transport minister Arvinder Singh today claimed to have imposed a fine of Rs 4 crore on Tata Motors for “not properly” maintaining the low-floor buses supplied to Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Six of the low-floor buses caught fire in a span of three weeks.

The government has also suspended the payment of Rs 150 crore of Tata Motors. The government has to pay the amount for 300 buses delivered to the DTC, said the transport minister responding to the questions raised by the opposition members in the Assembly.

The minister said that a committee had been constituted to find out the cause of the fire. It started working on December 11. CNG kits of all the buses have to be checked. As far as rust is concerned, this is because of salty water in depots. The transport department has decided to install water-softner in each depot that will be used to clean the buses.

When the opposition raised the issue of cost of the bus, the minister said that in comparison to other states, the Delhi government purchased the bus at cheap rate. The cost of each low-floor bus in Delhi was Rs 50 lakh while Chennai purchased the same bus for Rs 90 lakh.

The maintenance of the low-floor bus is also cheap. The annual maintenance charge of the low-floor bus is Rs 42 per km while it is Rs 62 for the DTC bus, the minister pointed out.

The government has also decided to appoint a mechanical engineer in each depot to check all the buses for any technical snag.

The minister said that the accident rate of low-floor buses was also less in comparison to Blueline and DTC buses. In 2008, Blueline buses were involved in 126 accident cases, DTC buses in 36 cases while low-floor buses were involved only in two accident cases.

As far as speed governor is concerned, the new buses have engine management software that will stop the bus exceeding the limit of 40 km per hour, the minister claimed.

New Delhi, December 14
The much-debated Valiathan Committee report, which suggests 31 reforms for the better functioning and administration of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), has finally come within the reach of the faculty members of the institute.

This has happened after three years of repeated complaints and reminders by the faculty of AIIMS (FAIIMS). The report was submitted in October 2006.

It was decided in the governing body meeting of AIIMS on December 8 that the report would be circulated among the faculty members, and the faculty is expected to give its inputs before or during the next governing body meeting after the winter vacation in January, said a member of the governing body, Prof Rani Kumar.

Even as discussions on the Valiathan report are yet to begin between the AIIMS administration and faculty members, the institute has already implemented the enhancement of the superannuation age from 62 to 65 as delay would have kept many retiring doctors from availing themselves of the benefit.

However, the gazette notification is yet to be given by the law ministry on the issue.

Among the various reforms suggested by the Valiathan Committee, headed by eminent cardiologist Dr M.S. Valaithan, expansion of the out-patient department to decongest the AIIMS has received the nod of the governing body.

The body seems to be fractured on suggestions pertaining to AIIMS running on the model of IITs and IIMs and the objection raised on the union health minister’s ‘overpowering’ role in the internal affairs of the institute.

Prof Rani said patient-care service of AIIMS can’t be equated with the service of IITs and IIMs and the health minister by virtue of being the president of the institute should have a say in the governing affairs. “The practice should continue,” she asserted.

The director of AIIMS, Dr R C Deka said, “The recommendations have been accepted in principle by the governing body of the institute, and out of many issues, the matter of paid consultancy has been rejected.”

New Delhi, December 14
Teachers of Delhi University (DU) have argued that unbiased action against violators and not just biometric attendance would bring transparency in the system.

Talking to The Tribune, the teachers alleged that when it came to taking concrete action against those found flouting university rules, the DU administration never acted.

Pointing out the case of Sri Aurobindo College, the teachers said DU administration did not take even the minimum action against the evening college principal Bimlesh Yadav.

“There is prima facie evidence of financial irregularities, embezzlement and mismanagement against her, but the vice-chancellor did not take any action against her till the inquiry was being conducted,” said Abha Habib, member of the academic council (AC) of DU.

She said based on initial evidence in the matter there had been a demand to suspend the principal. “The teachers of the college as well as the university committees asked the administration to suspend the principal,” said Habib.

The teachers alleged that the vice-chancellor refused to suspend her.

“None of the teachers’ organisation supported the culprit in this case, but the administration did not take any action. Something somewhere is clearly wrong,” said Vijaya Venkatraman, another AC member.

She said there were several cases of sexual harassment where the administration did not take any stand and the culprits were still teaching in the university.

“When the administration did not take action against so many violators, what is the surety that it would not be biased in taking decisions on the records of the biometric attendance,” said Venkatraman.

The teachers also highlighted the need to review the internal assessment system. They said the review was overdue and no initiative was being taken to update it.

“There are issues related to transparency in the internal assessment system that need to be addressed. Some sort of moderation is to be introduced,” said Rajeev Kumar, a faculty member.

He said the teachers’ community was giving full support to the administration on internal assessment, however, instead of addressing the immediate issues, the university authorities were investing on biometric attendance, a system that hasn’t been implemented in any academic institute in the world.

New Delhi, December 14
The Assembly today approved "The Delhi Excise Bill, 2009" which is broadly based on the Model Excise Bill, 2005, circulated by the union ministry of food processing industries.

The Delhi finance minister Dr A. K. Walia said that under the new Bill, all offences entailing punishment for two years or more have been made non-bailable whereas in the existing Act only running a "bhatti" is a non-bailable offence.

Under the new Bill, unlawful import-export, transport, possession, sale of liquor are acts which attract punishment between six months and three years and fine between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000.

Rendering denatured spirit for human consumption is punishable with imprisonment between two years and five years and fine up to Rs 2 lakh. Mixing noxious substance with liquor is punishable with death or life imprisonment and fine up to Rs 10 lakh in case death is caused as a result of such an act.

In case of disability or grievous hurt, the imprisonment will be between six years and life imprisonment with fine up to Rs 5 lakh.

These offences are bailable in the existing Act and involve imprisonment up to three years and a fine of Rs 2,000.

In respect of an offence for consumption of liquor in public places, the present punishment or fine up to Rs 2,000 has now been made more stringent.

Under the new Bill, specific provisions have been made in respect of filing of challans, the powers to confiscate the intoxicants, the powers of compounding of offences, levying of single duty to make existing duty much simpler and rational. Further restriction on employment of women has also been removed.

New Delhi, December 14
The most eco-friendly mode of transport, bicycle, seems to be back in fashion in the Capital that holds a reputation of being choking up with the ever-increasing vehicular pollution.

On the first day today that the Delhi Integrated Multi Model Transit System (DIMTS) started renting out bicycles to passengers on five BRT corridor stations, almost 90 per cent of the cycles were taken.

The move is particularly being appreciated in the light of the climate change talks currently being discussed at global forums.

The green cycles on offer at stations like Siri Fort Junction, Andrews Ganj, Sheikh Sarai, Chirag Dilli and Ambedkar Nagar became so popular on the very first day that many sought details if they could purchase them.

“The congestion on the roads is horrible during peak hours. What I like the most about cycles is that one can pass through a traffic jam very swiftly,” said Pratik who rented a cycle at Chirag Delhi.

Noticeably, it was mainly the young, office-going and foreign population that thronged the stations to rent in cycles.

While all 10 bicycles at Ambedkar Nagar station were rented out, the Andrews Ganj counter rented five; Siri Fort seven, Sheikh Sarai five and Chirag Delhi rented out the maximum 12 cycles.

But for Delhiites, these bicycles are not just an answer to health and environment problems, but also a saviour during strikes and jams when the city auto drivers hold the passengers to ransom.

“The moment it rains or there is a strike in the city, auto drivers refuse to run by meters and charge exorbitantly. Now at least we will have an option,” says Mitali, who is a member of a local cycling group in Delhi.

Delhiites can rent cycles from 6 am to 7 pm. The charge for four hours has been fixed at Rs 10 that has been fairly welcomed by the city.

Confirming the figures, a DIMTS communication cell executive said, “Some foreigners were so eager to rent the cycles that they were even ready to leave their visas as identity proofs. The model and the design of the bikes have been widely appreciated with many queries about purchases as well.”

Rahul, a consultant with NGO Pratham, sportingly said, “The move is definitely welcome not just because it is eco-friendly but is also a healthy alternative. Now sweating in expensive gyms and paying for trainers is not required. One can stay healthy and contribute their bit to the environment as well.”

The move is likely to get more popular in the coming days and DIMTS plans to increase the number of stations renting out cycles and also number of cycles per station very soon.

New Delhi, December 14
Delhi University teachers are drawing up a massive plan for agitation and strike that will run through December and January. Teachers are agitating to get a hearing on three main issues: the semester system, biometric attendance and service conditions.

The programme for agitation will be finalized at a general body meeting of the DUTA on Tuesday. A dharna will also be held tomorrow outside the VC office where teachers will raise slogans and voice their demands.

Additionally, teachers are planning a number of dharnas at different colleges on December 18. They will also march from Jantar Mantar to the HRD ministry on December 22. The DUTA has planned an agitational programme in January as well.

“We will not take the administration’s highhandedness lying down and have planned a programme of agitation in December and January. We are opposed to three main issues: the semester system, the biometric attendance and we also want our voice heard on the proposed UGC draft regulation on service conditions of teachers,” says Aditya Narayan Misra, president DUTA.

“The semester system was not debated or discussed among teachers. It has been simply imposed on us and we want it revoked. The varsity has to discuss the system among teachers and hear their views before it is passed in the executive council,” says Misra.

Many teachers are of the opinion that the negative points of the semester system will outweigh any positive benefit that may accrue from it. Teachers opine that two examinations in a year will prove disastrous for students. Not only will this put undue pressure on students but will also delay the result.

A professor of Hansraj College says, “Holding two exams in a year is not a good idea. Not only will it create confusion in the system but will also put pressure on students. To cap it, there will be delay in results. The dates of second-term exam could well clash with those of competitive exams. The semester system should not be applied without debate and discussion.”

Teachers are equally opposed to the biometric attendance. They have termed this move as “humiliating”.

Prof Misra says, “This is a very insulting step taken by the VC. Teachers cannot be restricted to the four walls of a college. We all perform our duties diligently. No foreign university has an attendance system for teachers.”

New Delhi, December 14
Delhi finance minister Dr A.K. Walia today introduced the Delhi Value Added Tax (amendment) Bill, 2009, in the Assembly with an idea to raise tax on consumer goods.

The Delhi Value Added Tax Act, 2004 is proposed to be amended to incorporate certain provisions aiming at addressing some anomalies and discrepancies that have come to notice in the course of the implementation of the Act. 

It is expedient to remove them in order to prevent erosion of faith of the business community and the public in general, the Bill stated.

It has also been observed that certain provisions in the existing Act requires appropriate amendment for making tax administration more efficient and effective and also to plug the loopholes in the Act for better tax compliance.

The Bill states that the Union government has asked the state government to raise value added tax rate from 4 per cent to 5 per cent to partially compensate the loss incurred due to phasing out of Central Sales Tax.

The Union government has also intended to calculate the compensation to be paid for the year 2009-10 on the basis of presumption that state has increased value added tax rate from 4 per cent to 5 per cent from Mach this year.

To avoid loss and to generate additional resources, it is proposed to enhance value added tax rate on goods specified in the third schedule except declared goods under Central Sales Tax Act, 1956. 

This enhancement of tax rate is likely to generate additional resources to the tune of Rs 500 crore.

The proposed amendments will remove confusion, prevent leakage of revenue and simplify the procedure for dealers.

New Delhi, December 14
The Delhi police yesterday arrested three men for allegedly running a counterfeit currency racket in the Capital and seized fake notes worth Rs 70,000. The accused have been identified as Rahis (27), Jaspal Singh (28) and Ashraf.

The police said apart from fke currency notes, unfinished fake Indian currency notes, computer and peripherals used in printing of notes have also been recovered.

Rahis disclosed that they were involved in printing and circulation of fake Indian currency notes from a house in Pratap Khand at Jhilmil Colony. He further disclosed that he was earlier apprehended with a consignment of fake Indian notes of Rs 11 lakh in 2004.

He came in contact with Japal Singh in Tihar Jail. Jaspal has been earlier arrested in 2004 in connection with a fake visa racket. About six months ago, after their release from jail they came together to earn fast money.

Rahis and Jaspal purchased a computer, scanner and printer and started printing and circulating fake Indian currency. Till date, fake notes of approximately Rs 5 lakh have been printed and circulated by them.

New Delhi, December 14
Five days after the sensational daylight dacoity in which armed men robbed Rs 7.39 lakh from Mayur Vihar-based Development Credit Bank, the east Delhi district police today claimed to have solved the case with the arrest of four men and recovery of Rs 5.17 lakh. The arrested accused have been identified as Vipin Mavi (23), Shiv Prakash (23), Sunny (21) and Pradeep (23), all residents of the Loni area of Ghaziabad.

On December 8 at about 3.20 pm, five men barged into Development Credit Bank, overpowered the security guard, snatched his weapon, held the bank employees hostage at gunpoint and decamped with Rs 7.39 lakh carried by the cashier. They fled on two motorcycles. This daring dacoity was conducted in just five minutes.

According to Anand Mohan, Addl. CP (East), the breakthrough came after a minute scrutiny of all those released from jail recently. The CCTV footage of the bank verified that the physical features of all the criminals involved in the dacoity were the same as those of criminals of the Vipin Mavi gang.

“Later, it was found through sources that they have shifted their base from Loni to Nawalgarh, Rajasthan, immediately after the bank dacoity. This further established their complicity in the dacoity. A raid was conducted on their hideout and four criminals were apprehended. They disclosed their involvement in the bank dacoity,” said Mohan.

According to police, Vipin Mavi disclosed that after coming out of jail, he strengthened his gang. First he committed a dacoity in the area of Harsh Vihar and then with the help of his informers, he targeted this bank.

The investigation is in progress and efforts are being made to arrest the fifth accused.

Ghaziabad, December 14
The Ghaziabad police along with their Delhi counterparts have arrested a notorious carrier of drugs identified as Javed from Khajuri Khas in the national Capital.

Javed, who was arrested on Saturday, carried an award of Rs 2,500 on his head. He tried to evade arrest by jumping from the terrace of a three-storeyed building in Khajuri but he injured his feet and was arrested.

He was admitted to the district hospital in Ghaziabad.

Javed, alias Kalan, a resident of Kela Bhatta here, is one of the top 10 criminals of city kotwali.

In February 2009, when a police team had gone to arrest him, his supporters pelted stones at them. This helped Javed to escape.

The police had got an information that Javed had taken over the business of his father Kalan. Raids were conducted but he could not be nabbed. The police had therefore announced an award of Rs 2,500 on Javed’s arrest.

New Delhi, December 14
Sixteen years after the death of six persons in a road mishap here, a Delhi court has upheld the two-year jail term awarded to an errant truck driver by a trial court in 2004.

Additional sessions judge J.R. Aryan said, “Though, the incident happened in 1993, the gravity of the offence prevents this court from considering any kind of leniency on the point of sentence awarded by the trial court.”

Aryan upheld the conviction of Puran Singh, a resident of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, by a magisterial court on December 3, 2004 under various provisions of the IPC dealing with causing death by negligent acts and injuring persons.

The truck, carrying around 25 passengers, was driven rashly by the convict on the evening of August 1, 1993. The speeding vehicle had collided with a pole in the Badarpur area before overturning.

Six persons died in the mishap and around 19 others received injuries.