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Games 2010
Woman held for stealing MIL’s jewellery
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185 women raped in Delhi this year
Check illegal bottled water units: HC
HC strikes down move to ban rickshaws in Noida
Consumer panel urges curb on overcharging by mobile operators
NCR to have 4 passport kendras
No-holds-barred catfight hits a low
Green Park crematorium to be converted into CNG furnace
Hostage appeals for help
Denied money, son axes father
Bike-borne brothers waylaid, robbed
He smuggled liquor to fund kin’s studies
3 caught for duping diamond merchant
Guru Teg Bahadur Memorial ready
Rain to give further respite
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Games 2010
New Delhi, May 30 While the civic agencies are busy sprucing up the city ahead of the sporting carnival, the NGOs and owners of brothels in Delhi’s oldest red light area on GB Road have taken it upon themselves to improve the living conditions as their requests to officials have fallen on deaf ears. Their effort appears to have paid off in many of the 84 brothels. While fancy tiles now decorate what were once stained walls, split ACs, refrigerators and LCD TVs have appeared as the latest additions in these brothels which too hope to benefit from the Games extravaganza when thousands of tourists are expected to flock the Capital. While the owners themselves provide most of the money, funds have also come from National Network for Sex Workers which, in turn, is funded by the Ford Foundation. Apart from renovating the brothels, non-voluntary organisations are also focusing on health and hygiene of workers here. “During the CWG there is bound to be a surge in clients (largely tourists). To ensure the safety of sex workers, we have been conducting medical tests to identify those who are HIV positive and are counselling them,” said Anand Sharma of Savera Voluntary Organisation. Besides, routine medical tests, the organisation also supplies free medicines to sex workers. Another NGO, Bhartiya Patita Udhar Samiti recently wrote to external affairs minister S.M. Krishna and health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad asking them to instruct Indian embassies abroad not to issue visa to any foreigner without a complete medical check-up. Khairathi Lal Bhola who heads BPUS believes that tourists bring “alien diseases to the country and the government must adopt measures to check it.” He says tourists must be barred from entering GB Road to ensure the safety of sex workers. “During the Asian Games in 1982, there was a rise in STD cases. So such measures must be taken,” Khairathi says. However, this effort has not gone down well with sex workers who believe they are capable to safeguard themselves and should not be barred from benefiting during the period. “While there are many organisations that are helping us, there are some who are going all out to sabotage the efforts which will only put us out of business,” says Ratna (34), a sex worker. She says, “No condom, no sex. Even if they pay more we don’t want to risk the contraction of STDs. As for abusive customers, they would be deftly handled by the naikas (bouncers).” Many of the brothels have even started teaching basic English to sex workers. “Every morning we have one hour session where we are taught simple English. We learn words like ‘hello’, ‘how are you?’ and ‘please use condoms’,” Shilpa, another sex worker, shares. Many workers in brothels are, however, concerned that the bad state of roads would turn away tourists. “We have approached the MCD many times requesting them to remove improve the conditions of roads” says a brothel owner. MCD officials admit that they have no plans on the anvil for GB Road.
— PTI |
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Woman held for stealing MIL’s jewellery
New Delhi, May 30 Five of her relatives, including mother and brother, were also arrested for allegedly helping her in the crime, deputy commissioner of police (West) Sharad Aggarwal said. The arrested have been identified as Meetu Talwar, her mother Parvinder Kaur (45), brother Kamal Singh (24), aunt Jagminder Kaur (42), uncle Sukhbir Singh (55) and a relative Maher Singh (50). "Meetu said that she had taken a large sum of money on interest for the treatment of her first husband Narender. It was due to the pressure of repayment of loan that Meetu decided to decamp with gold jewellery," a police official said. It was on May 15 that Meetu approached police claiming that cash and jewellery worth Rs 30 lakh were missing from her residence in Tilak Nagar. But, she along with her daughter, mother and brother went underground three days later after police began suspecting her role in the case, Aggarwal said. Meetu's mother-in-law Har Kaur had told police that the former used to manage the house. She suspected Meetu and her brother Kamal. She was first married to Narender who died due to some illness. Later, she married Narender's younger brother Nir Mohan, who is based in London. Police had received information that the suspects were hiding at Manikaran in Himachal. A team went there but by that time they had left for Delhi, Aggarwal said. They were arrested from the residence of Mehar Singh, son-in-law of Timmy, whom they owed money. On sustained interrogation, Meetu told police that she served mango shake added with sedatives to Har Kaur and decamped with gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 30 lakh. Police recovered jewellery worth Rs 24 lakh. |
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185 women raped in Delhi this year
New Delhi, May 30 According to Delhi police statistics, the city recorded 185 rape cases till May 15 this year, up from 170 such incidents reported during the corresponding period last year. However, this year’s figure was less than those reported in the corresponding period in the past seven years from 2004 except for 2009. In 2004, 195 rapes cases were reported followed by 232 (2005), 197 (2006), 216 (2007) and 188 (2008). A senior police official said the rate of rape incidents per one lakh population was coming down in the Capital in the past seven years despite an increase in population by 25.49 lakh. In 2004, Delhi’s population was 1.53 crore while in 2010, it has reached 1.79 crore. The rate of incidents of rape cases was 3.58 in the 2004 which increased to 4.16 next year. However, it had steadily come down to 3.82 in 2006, 3.57 in 2007, 2.7 in 2008 and 2.65 in 2009, the official said. “It is clear that in spite of the increase of population by 25.49 lakh from 2004 to 2010, the rate of incidents of rape cases has declined from 3.58 in 2004 to 2.25 this year,” the official said. The official said the detection rate has significantly improved from 75 per cent to 91 per cent in comparison to the percentage of last year. “In almost all cases of rape, the accused were previously known to the victims, which indicates that the rape cases being reported have more to do with the socio-economic scenario prevailing in the affected pockets. “The profile of accused persons arrested reveals that 52 per cent were illiterate or school dropouts and majority of them come from the lower strata of society. In 2009, in 97.23 per cent of the cases the accused were known to victims,” the official said. The official said Delhi police was taking steps to control crimes against
women. — PTI |
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Check illegal bottled water units: HC
New Delhi, May 30 Justice S. Muralidhar directed the government agencies to crack down on units manufacturing and selling drinking water without a licence and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification. The court was hearing a petition filed by the Bottled Water Processors’ Association. The association moved the court, saying there were a large number of units in Delhi not complying with the norms. It was alleged that despite the central government’s attention being drawn to illegal manufacturers, no action was taken to stop such activities. The court also sought the constitution of a task force for action against units without a licence and BIS certification. “The force will comprise the secretary of the ministry of health and family welfare, senior representatives of the department of prevention of food adulteration and the BIS and a senior Delhi police official,” the court said in an order passed last week. “The task force will coordinate amongst various departments and constitute special crack units which will undertake surprise checks at various locations of manufacture of packaged drinking water and initiate strict action in terms of the provisions contained under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, as well as the BIS Act and rules made under those statutes,” the court said. “Considering that water-borne diseases are on the increase during the summer months, time is of the essence for all of the directions,” the court said. “It is mandatory for packaged drinking water to be manufactured, sold or exhibited for sale only with a BIS certification mark. Packaged drinking water has to conform to the stipulated Indian standards specification,” the court said.
— IANS |
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HC strikes down move to ban rickshaws in Noida
Allahabad, May 30 The Samiti has challenged the decision of the Noida Authority to prohibit plying of cycle-rickshaws in Sector 18 and six main roads of the city. Pronouncing the judgement, the court took exception to the fact that the decision to prohibit plying of rickshaws was taken at a meeting of the traffic management cell comprising officials of the administration and of the Noida Authority. The views of cycle-rickshaw pullers and the public were not obtained nor taken into consideration, it said. “The cycle-rickshaw pullers are one of the poorest sections of society,” the court observed. “The public in general who uses the cycle-rickshaw as the most frequent and cheap means of transport may also be put to inconvenience by restrictions unless their convenience is taken into consideration,” the Bench said. It, however, said, “Restrictions can be imposed in the public interest, but all aspects of the matter have to be looked into by the authority.” The court directed the Noida authorities “not to create any hindrance in the rights of rickshaw pullers from plying their rickshaws in any part of the city.”
— PTI |
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Consumer panel urges curb on overcharging by mobile operators
New Delhi, May 30 A commission bench, comprising its president Justice B.A. Zaidi and member Salma Noor, was hearing a petition filed by private telecom operator Bharti Airtel seeking to set aside a compensation of Rs 25,000 awarded by a district forum to Nitin Jain, a consumer who was charged for a service that was not activated. Jain contended that Airtel even charged him for free SMSes. The bench sought the TRAI’s help to inquire whether ‘mistakes’ in bills were unintentional or on purpose. Pointing out that prima facie it was seen that Airtel was earning huge profits by inserting such charges in bills, the commission said when a protest was lodged, it rectified the error and made adjustment in the bill. “The forum pointed out that this amounts to unjust enrichment and dishonest practice. It needs, however, a thorough enquiry by the TRAI to ascertain the circumstance and we believe that it will do so in public interest,” it added. Upholding the district forum’s order of compensation, the commission said, “Since there was an error in billing which has been accepted (by the company), the consumer becomes entitled to the damages and we would only say that the damages are very honest.” Jain had received the bill for the month of March-April 2005 in which undue charges were levied with regard to a ‘hello tune’ service which was not provided to him and for free SMSes.
— IANS |
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NCR to have 4 passport kendras
New Delhi, May 30 Two PSKs will be located in Delhi, including one in east Delhi, besides one each in Ghaziabad and Gurgaon. These facilities are likely to be set up before the end of this fiscal, a senior official said. The three PSKs, developed by the ministry of external affairs with the help of Tata Consultancy Services, are part of proposed 77 such facilities to be set up across the country. The pilot project was inaugurated in Bangalore by external affairs minister S.M. Krishna on Friday. "The effort is to deliver passport services in a timely, transparent and in a comfortable environment through a streamlined process," the official said. Once these PSKs are operationalised, long queues witnessed at collection centres will be a thing of the past as it is designed in a way that one will be out of the facility within 45 minutes after entering it. Also, the centres will collect applications for seven hours as against the present four hours. "A data operator files your details in the computer and your photograph is taken. Then the documents are checked and your biometrics taken in the second stage. It is forwarded to the granting officer who will decide on whether your application can be accepted or not. This will not take more than 45 minutes," the official said. After the application is accepted, it will be forwarded to concerned district police headquarters for verification. "The current police verification process is undergoing change. Now the police cannot just say the applicant is not there. They have to say where he is," the official said. The MEA has also increased amount given to police for verification from Rs 100 to Rs 150 per application. He said such kiosks will be of great help to applicants. "The number of passports issued went up by 133 times from 1958 to 2006. From 2006 to 2010, the applications have doubled," the official said adding, the future expected growth is around 18 per cent per annum with passport demand reaching over one crore by 2011.
— PTI |
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No-holds-barred catfight hits a low
When the House was echoing with councillors' verbal abuses hurled at each other, a duel between two woman councillors, Nafisa Khatoon of the Congress and Sarita Chaudhary of the BJP, became so fierce that leaders from both the parties had to intervene to stop them from coming to blows. When the House met again and the members took their seats, a woman member told the mayor that she needed no apologies as it would not ensure justice. "Hum nayay apne aap le lenge, bus hume ekbar do-do hath karne ka mauka diya jaye. (We will get justice ourselves. You just allow me to have a go at her)," she said. ‘Minister sahib is not available’
Social welfare minister Mangat Ram Singhal has been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late. The countless deaths in Asha Kiran, a home for children with special needs, have brought his ministry considerable opprobrium from civic groups and media. Not known for his communication skills, the veteran politician came up with a not-so-smart way to dodge reporters when Asha Kiran was in the news again for the death of some of its unfortunate inmates. "Minister sahib is not available," he apparently told a few journalists who called him on his mobile, thinking that the callers would not identify his voice. The minister perhaps did not want to miss any call on his number and, at the same time, was determined not to answer uncomfortable questions from the media. Singhal, of course, denies adopting such tactics, asserting it is just a figment of media's imagination! Pvt institutes eye admission mela
Private educational institutes have come up with innovative ways to attract DU aspirants, whose numbers will run into a few lakhs and an overwhelming majority of whom would not find a seat in the coveted university. They have tied up with student bodies active on campus. You have hoardings across the North Campus welcoming you with things like "DUSU president and Grewal Accountancy Course welcome you to DU". Apparently, the private bodies are spending the money and the student leaders or parties are getting publicity without spending a penny. They need to reach out to new students as
well and this publicity exercise suits both the parties. Ironically, this mega DU admission exercise will be most beneficial for these private institutes which are sure to reap a windfall once the university is done with admissions. Rao’s ouster spurs BJP
The removal of Delhi Assembly secretary Siddhartha Rao continues to excite political parties and BJP legislatures recently submitted a memorandum to Lt-Governor Tejendra Khanna, condemning Rao's ouster from the coveted post. The saffron party thinks it can embarrass the ruling Congress on this issue even as the officer ruffled many feathers during his tenure. Rao was controversially "absorbed" in the Assembly when Chaudhary Prem Singh was the speaker. To "appease" the more powerful section of the government, he ordered to stop the salary of his former mentor, Prem Singh, when he was no longer the speaker. A determined government, though, went ahead and replaced him with PN Mishra. People close to Rao say the officer is trying hard to ensure that his "absorption" is not invalidated as demanded by some. Legal troubles mellow the man
His swagger is gone and so are his supporters and sidekicks who used to shout slogans in his support outside the court premises. Congress leader Sajjan Kumar looks like just any other accused these days when he humbly presents himself before the court, hearing anti-Sikh riots cases filed against him. However, there is no change in him in other aspects: his impeccable white dress and his aversion to media which he holds largely responsible for his legal troubles. Many elderly riot victims know and admit that they may not see him behind bars in their lifetime even if he is convicted by the trial court. They are apparently contented with the sight of the once-powerful leader standing with many others in the muggy court premises, waiting for his turn to be called before the
lordship. (Contributed by Himani Chandel, Syed Ali Ahmed, Akhila Singh, Rashi Agarwal) |
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Green Park crematorium to be converted into CNG furnace
New Delhi, May 30 The agency getting the contract will also undertake the related civil works, officials said. The Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) will take up the works related to CNG supply and laying of pipeline up to nearby sub-station in the crematorium. The officials said that the civic body proposed to shortlist firms. The interested firms should have adequate technical and financial base and experience of having successfully completed similar projects. The civic body has also invited Expressions of Interest from NGOs, self-help groups and other such organisations for adoption, development and maintenance of Nigam Bodh Ghat cremation ground, CNG crematorium in MCD’s Civil Lines zone and Sant Nagar cremation ground in Karol Bagh zone. |
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Hostage appeals for help
Ghaziabad, May 30 “My son fears for his life as 25 pirates are covering the ship with guns and other weapons,” said Chirag’s father Pradeep Bari. “Chirag is also disturbed as drinking water and food materials will last only four days,” the distraught father said. Out of 19 crew members, 16 are Indian, one Ukrainian and two belong to Bangladesh. Pradeep Bari said the family members of the Indian crew have sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking help for their safe release.
— PTI |
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Denied money, son axes father
Ghaziabad, May 30 Ram Prasad, 60, of Navada village in Loni had two married sons—Sanjay and Praveen. Praveen lives with his family in Moti Nagar, Delhi while Sanjay put up at Babarpur in Delhi. Ram Prasad had recently reprimanded his sons for having shifted to Delhi, leaving him and ignoring his flourishing business. Though Sanjay returned to the village, he often quarrelled with his father on money matters. The father and son had clashed on Friday night also. The family members said the son picked up an axe lying nearby and hit his father who died on the spot. |
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Bike-borne brothers waylaid, robbed
Noida, May 30 Chaman Lal, 38, and Veerpal, 45 of Nangla Charandas, were returning on their bike after meeting their maternal uncle in Sorkha at 11.30 pm on Friday night when five assailants hit them with a lathi near Kakrola Pushta. Chaman Lal threw a brick on them and tried to flee along with his brother. One of the bandits then fired shots and wounded him. The first bullet grazed Chaman Lal’s left arm, while the second one hit him in the stomach. The criminals also beat Veerpal with lathi blows and pistol butt. They fled with Rs 15,000, wristwatches, gold chains and cell phones. A little later, a police Gypsy chanced to pass that point and rushed Veerpal and Chaman Lal to Prayag Hospital. Noida Phase-II Kotwali has registered a case against the unidentified criminals. |
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He smuggled liquor to fund kin’s studies
New Delhi, May 30 Pramod Jaiswal, who resides in Uttam Nagar, was apprehended during a routine check near a wine shop in Outer Delhi’s Begumpur last Thursday, deputy commissioner of police (Outer) Chhaya Sharma said. “The police team saw Jaiswal taking a U-turn just ahead of the picket and intercepted him. A search of his car led to seizure of 16 cartons (768 quarters) of illicit liquor and six cartons of beer,” she said. Jaiswal told police he had to raise Rs 1.5 lakh to pay the fees to an institution in west Delhi’s Rajouri Garden where his younger brother was pursuing a course in animation. “His brother had secured 85 per cent marks in Class XII and was presently doing an animation course from a private institution. The accused told us that he had to arrange the money,” Sharma said. He also told police that he used to procure illicit liquor from Haryana and transported it to Delhi in his car and supplied it to petty dealers in unauthorised colonies of Nangloi, Aman Vihar, Balbir Vihar and Nihal Vihar. A school dropout, Jaiswal stays with his wife, parents and brother. “He fell into bad society and came in contact with liquor mafia. He was unemployed and had no other source of income. So, he started smuggling illicit liquor,” Sharma
said. — PTI |
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3 caught for duping diamond merchant
New Delhi, May 30
The trio had allegedly opened a shop Riddhi Siddhi Diamonds in Karol Bagh in February and started contacting big diamond merchants, deputy commissioner of police (Central) Jaspal Singh said. Johri used to keep record of conversation with merchants in his diary and kept contacting the merchants or executives whoever showed interest in them. Meanwhile, he developed contact with the owner of Kanpur-based Shree Sidhartha Exports. The trio met the owner and initially took only one diamond worth Rs 4 lakh on April 26 and returned it three days later to win the confidence of the owner, Singh said. On May 11, sales executive Charanjeet Singh Malhotra visited their shop and showed the diamonds worth Rs 40 lakh to them. “They took the diamonds and all the three then left the shop keeping it open,” the DCP added. During investigations, it came to light that Bharadwaj took the shop on rent. He was arrested on May 12. His interrogation led to the arrest of the other two. |
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Guru Teg Bahadur Memorial ready
New Delhi, May 30 She said that the objective while designing the memorial was to use landscape as a commemorative environment. Visitors will get the joy of coming to a memorial of Guru Teg Bahadur and seeing a landscaped garden. Guru Teg Bahadur stood for human rights and laid down his life in Delhi for the same cause. In this fight he was accompanied by three of his followers who also laid down their lives. Guru Teg Bahadur’s significance in Delhi can be gauged by the fact that the two historic gurdwaras in Delhi— Sis Ganj where Guru Teg Bahadur and his disciples were beheaded and Rakabganj, his final resting place—are important places of pilgrimage, the Chief Minister said. |
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Rain to give further respite
New Delhi, May 30 The maximum temperature was recorded at 39.2 degrees and minimum at 26.5 degrees. The maximum temperature was two degrees below normal at this time of the season, the Met office said. |
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Democratic institutions have long turned into battlegrounds for warring parties and members who do not shy away from physically attacking each other.
The recent meet of Municipal Corporation of Delhi added another ugly chapter to this sorry state.