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Rs 36,500 cr sought for Games, Metro
Delhi shivers as rain adds to chill
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New Delhi BJP chief in 3 months: Gadkari
JNU reviewing SC/ST quota in teaching jobs
Ensure night shelter for homeless, court tells MCD
Deaths in juvenile home natural: Govt
Only low-floor buses for Ring Road
Lohri celebrated amidst drum beats, bonfires
GDA to build park at Indirapuram
One more succumbs to H1N1 flu in Delhi
6-year-old sodomised
2 killed, 3 hurt in Noida road accidents
Vehicle thief arrested
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Rs 36,500 cr sought for Games, Metro
New Delhi, January 13 This was explained by Delhi finance minister A.K. Walia to Union finance minister Pranav Mukherjee at a pre-budget meeting held today. Walia sought financial help of Rs 36,500 crore from the Centre. He said that if the Centre failed to sanction the amount, projects of the CWG and DMRC might be delayed as the Delhi government was short of funds. The government could not complete all the works on its own, he said. Walia said that last year the Central government had given Rs 1,000 crore for the CWG projects and Rs 1,000 for the projects of Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JNRUM). At least this much should be sanctioned this year also, he added. Walia said that the government wanted Rs 1,265 crore for the second phase of Metro that is to be completed this year. The third phase is scheduled to begin from 2011. Walia also suggested that the DDA should be asked to pay for the development expenditure of the DMRC as it was the owner of the land. Walia said that a lot of the Commonwealth Games projects, including Ring Road bypass, clover leaf near ING Indoor Stadium, Games Village, UP Link Road near Apsara Border in Trans Yamuna area, renovation various roads and sports venues, were yet to be completed and the Delhi government was in dire need of finance. Besides, three major projects of the DMRC— Central Secretariat- Kutub Minar line, Kutub Minar-Gurgaon line and Jehangirpuri- Mundka line– were to be completed by September 2010, he added. |
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Delhi shivers as rain adds to chill
New Delhi, January 13 Adding to the chill, was light rain that started yesterday night and intensified in the morning . Even though Lohri traditionally marks the end of winter, Delhiites might have to bear the chill for some more time, as the Met department has predicted heavy fog and dip in the minimum temperature. “There is likely to be heavy fog in the early hours of both Thursday and Friday. However, whether the conditions will remain the same through the day will depend on the wind speed,” said a senior metrological department official. While the maximum temperature today settled at 14.9 degrees Celsius, 6.1 degrees below normal, the minimum temperature rose to 8.1 degree Celsius, up from yesterday’s 7 degrees and 1.1 degrees above the normal level. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Capital received 4.6 mm of rainfall since last night. The maximum temperature tomorrow is likely to settle at around 17 degrees and the minimum is expected to hover around 6 degrees. The minimum temperature is likely to dip further day after tomorrow. “The cold spell seems like endless. I just hope that the weather improves soon. It is so difficult to get out of bed during morning hours,” said Purti, a designer. However, the visibility, around 300 m, in the morning hours did not affect flights, but nearly 15 trains stood delayed today due to the backlog that had developed over the last few days. Also, nearly 20 trains from the Capital to other destinations in Northern India have been cancelled till the end of the month, owning to the cold conditions. However, traffic on roads could not escape the rain in the early morning hours and hence took to a snail pace, creating problems for office-goers. Faulty signals at several places also added to commuters woes. |
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New Delhi BJP chief in 3 months: Gadkari
New Delhi, January 13 He said that the Delhi unit of the party would be strengthened within three months and a new president would also be appointed. However, he preferred to remain silent when asked about the new chief of the party’s Delhi unit. Gadkari said that all mandal, district level office bearers and party leaders would participate in a meeting to be held in the Capital. The meeting would stress on disciplining party members and strengthening the party. There would also be a discussion on the anti-people policies of the government, especially in context of Delhi. Gadkari said the BJP would hold a demonstration against the UPA government for hiking the prices of essential commodities, on March 2 and 3. Later, he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discuss the country’s economic policy. Talking about the government’s economic policy, Gadkari said due to lacunae in the policy, people from various states migrate to metros. There are no job opportunities in the small towns and cities. Had opportunities been provided in small cities, people would have not migrated to Delhi and other metro cities. Due to migration population of metro cities have increased manifold and it has led to power, water and accommodation problems. The Maharashtra government had developed Navi Mumbai due to floating population. However, problems of metros could be tackled through public and private participation scheme, he suggested. Addressing the media, Gadkari said the BJP would prepare a vision for 2020-225 to pressurise the government to amend its policy so that life of people could be improved in coming years. Claiming that the saffron party did not target to win the elections, he said it wanted to work for citizens of the country. Members of scheduled castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities would be taken together to make party strong. |
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JNU reviewing SC/ST quota in teaching jobs
New Delhi, January 13 It took this decision at the council’s meeting that took place on the university campus last night. Refusing to drop the matter, the university administration has referred the agenda to the academic council (AC), where it initially generated. Standing out as the first central university to implement the government’s reservation policy in the recruitment of faculty members, JNU is now re-considering its decision. The university had implemented the reservation policy for SC/ ST categories at professor-level for the first time in the country, while other universities had implemented it only at two levels– assistant and associate professor. JNU has already advertised more than 100 vacancies under the category of assistant professor, associate professor and professor. Sources in the university alleged that the anti-reservation lobby among teachers was perturbed due to the implementation and had raised the issue in the AC meeting on November 25 last year. “Apprehensions were raised that so many posts under reserved categories could not be fulfilled and the matter should be revised at EC level,” said sources in AC. A teacher said the administration under vice-chancellor B.B. Bhattacharya was convinced by the logic and wanted to take up the matter in the EC. The issue of revising the implementation of reservation was one of the main agendas at the EC meeting. Journalist P. Sainath also attended the last night meeting of the EC. He reportedly rejected the proposal to re-look at the implementation of reservation. “We were of the view that the administration could not just roll back one of its crucial decisions on the assumption that the posts could not be filled,” said a senior faculty member at JNU. The teacher also said the posts which are still being advertised at JNU website could be taken back. A memorandum with signatures of more than 25 teachers of the university was also submitted to the vice-chancellor as a mark of protest towards the roll-back of its policy. The AC meeting that was scheduled for April will reportedly be held earlier. |
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Ensure night shelter for homeless, court tells MCD
New Delhi, January 13 A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, “We do not expect any modern civilised society to allow its people to die, whether it is Commonwealth Games or any other thing. This trend cannot be allowed.” It was referring to a temporary night shelter that was removed by the MCD on December 22 as part of its beautification drive for the Commonwealth Games later this year. Not satisfied with the MCD counsel’s submission that they have 27 night shelters, apart from the 16 run by the Delhi government, the bench said, “The present accommodation is insufficient.” It directed the MCD to make proper arrangements so that “at least 150 people can be accommodated at one night shelter”. It took note of the fact that a man had died after the night shelter on west Delhi’s Pusa Road, where he stayed, was demolished by the MCD on December 22. The court said, “It is the prime responsibility of the state to provide the homeless a shelter and we are reminding them of the same and it should be ensured that this will be followed in letter and spirit.” The court directed the MCD to make sure that no eviction would take place until an alternative arrangement for the homeless was provided and file a detailed compliance report by January 19. The court was hearing a suo motu case based on a newspaper report highlighting the plight of people rendered homeless after the MCD demolished the structure. The MCD had submitted that strict action was taken as people had encroached upon land and did not vacate despite several warnings. As the temperatures in the city dipped and biting cold set in, the move impacted the many homeless who used to take refuge in the shelter. Delhi has 40 night shelters - 27and 15 temporary structures for roughly 1,00,000 homeless people.
— IANS |
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Deaths in juvenile home natural: Govt
New Delhi, January 13 According to investigating officials, poor maintenance or lack of basic amenities could be contributing factors. The NHRC on Tuesday issued a notice to Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta asking for a detailed report about the cause of deaths of members of Asha Kiran Home and the state of affairs at the juvenile home, in north-west Delhi’s Rohini area. “The Delhi government has filed a reply to NHRC. Of the 12 inmates who died, one was under 18 years. Prima facie the cause of death appears to be natural. However, we won’t close investigations with this. In previous reports, the home was found to lack basic requirements and had poor sanitation levels. We are going to see if the deaths had anything to do with that,” said a senior official of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).
— IANS |
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Only low-floor buses for Ring Road
New Delhi, January 13 A senior officer of the DTC said the government had planned to ply all these buses on Mudrika route as it is considered to be a most lucrative and busy route which need better transport facility. About 400 Blueline buses are being plied on this route. If the new lot of low floor buses is plied on Mudrika, commuters would get relief and DTC would increase its revenue, said transport minister Arvinder Singh today. He said that since the DTC had plied low floor buses in the Trans Yamuna area, its revenue had increased. About 500-600 buses are still there in the area that would also be phased out very soon. The next target of the DTC would be South Delhi, he said. However, managing director of the Delhi Transport Corporation Naresh Kumar, today issued a guideline to
augment the bus services of inner and outer Mudrika routes. |
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Lohri celebrated amidst drum beats, bonfires
New Delhi, January 13 “We light bonfires and then everyone goes around it offering til, gur and ground nuts praying for prosperity and peace throughout the year,” said Sandip Singh, of Mayur Vihar. In localities like Rajouri Garden, Vikas Puri, Tilak Nagar, Dilshad Garden, people were seen dancing to Punjabi and Bollywood numbers. “We invite our neighbours. It gives us an opportunity to know them better,” said Kamaljeet Singh, who is celebrating the first Lohri of his grandson. Lohri is celebrated on a grand scale by families that have a newlywed couple or a newborn child. People eat rewri, a preparation made of sesame seeds and molasses, ground nuts and popcorn to keep themselves warm in the winter chill. In Punjab, farmers celebrate the occasion as their fields are ready with the Rabi crop. It also marks the beginning of the new month according to the Hindu calendar.
— IANS |
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GDA to build park at Indirapuram
Ghaziabad, January 13 Horticulture incharge S.P. Shishodia said, “For the beautification of Indirapuram, the GDA has planned a park. It will also beautify two circular crossings. The park will be developed in the Vaibhav Khand area of Indirapuram. The park will be constructed on two acres at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh. Two circular crossings will also be developed at of Rs 4 lakh.” He added that the layout of the park was being prepared. It will have beautiful landscape, mast light, eating kiosks and enough parking space. Besides, the GDA has approved a beautification plan worth Rs 15 lakh for the area opposite the GDA office and the Collectorate. Trees will be planned along the road. Roadsides will also be developed. However, Indirapuram residents feel that just one park is not sufficient. “Parks in the area are ill-maintained and roads are full of pot holes. It appears funds for maintenance are not being utilised fully,” said Krishan Malhotra, a resident of Indirapuram. |
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One more succumbs to H1N1 flu in Delhi
New Delhi, January 13 The city assistant nodal officer for H1N1, Dr Anjan Prakash, said, only five cases of the H1N1 flu were reported during the day and there was one death at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The details of the deceased are yet to be released by the hospital. “The number of cases is expected to remain low till extreme cold conditions prevail in the city. The schools are closed and children are staying indoors and so we are looking forward to decrease in the number of flu cases,” said Prakash. The total people affected by the disease as of date is 9,575, of which 5,329 are children. |
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6-year-old sodomised
Greater Noida, January 13 “The accused picked up the victim while he was playing. The boy went home
and told his mother about the incident. His father then lodged an FIR against the neighbour, identified as Manoj Kumar. The accused is absconding,” said S. K. Verma, superintendent of police. Petrol pump boy shot at Two bike-borne youths shot at a petrol pump boy for asking them to pay for the petrol filled in their motorcycle last evening at Mandi Shyam Nagar. The victim, Davinder Singh, was admitted to a local hospital. His condition was said to be stable till late evening today. |
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2 killed, 3 hurt in Noida road accidents
Noida, January 13 “In the first incident, which took place last night near Sector 41, a cyclist was critically injured when an Alto car hit him. He was rushed to Prayag Hospital, where he died today. He was identified as Davender Singh, a plumber,” said A. K. Tripathi, superintendent of police. “Another accident, which also took place last night, was reported from near Morna crossing. An unknown vehicle had hit a motorcyclist. The injured motorcyclist, Vikrant Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad, was admitted to Kailash Hospital.He died within hours,” said Tripathi. The third accident took place today. An unknown vehicle hit a Tata Sumo car near Shopprix Mall. Three persons were injured. The injured were admitted to Fortis Hospital. They are S. Sen, N.Mohle and Sweety, all BPO employees. |
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Vehicle thief arrested
New Delhi, January 13 Barrice, a resident of the New Seemapuri area, is a member of a gang which used to rob people after giving them lifts in stolen cars. The gang consists of eight members. A woman, identified as Rakhi Chauhan, is also a member of the gang, said the police. During interrogation, Barrice revealed that he along with his accomplices— Ballu, Naheem, Mohinder, Salim, Bilal, Kamal and Rakhi— used to rob cars at gunpoint. In a case, the robbers took lift in a car at Mahipalpur and fled with the vehicle when the driver went to answer nature’s call. “After robbing cars, they used to give lift to people and rob them at some isolated place,” a police official said. “They used to give the impression of a family to their victims,” the official added. “The police has recovered a .32 pistol from him,” a senior police official said. His arrest has also led to the recovery of three looted cars and four mobile phones. |
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