New Delhi, November 19
The National Human Rights Commission today came down heavily upon government agencies, especially the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, for allowing the now-collapsed building to come up at Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar. The fall of the building killed at least 69 persons and injured over 85.

The commission, headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, has observed that the tragic affair is a serious violation of human rights of the people who perished in the crash. The commission has asked the chief secretary, Delhi government, and the municipal commissioner to reply to its three questions in four weeks.

So far, the authorities have maintained a shocking silence on punitive actions against the responsible officials, but the NHRC seems to have taken a dim view of the inaction. The commission has asked both officials to inform it about the action they plan to take against the erring public officials responsible for the construction of such illegal buildings. The commission has also asked them to share with it their plans for the safety of those living in the 38 unsafe buildings identified by the MCD. It has also sought to know about the remedial action they are taking for the survivors of the tragedy and their kin. The NHRC has taken suo-motu cognizance of media reports on the collapse of the building.

"The Municipal Corporation of Delhi served notices to 38 buildings with flooded basements in Laxmi Nagar, asking the residents to evacuate them within 24 hours even as a blame game is going on within the civic body over the issue of illegal constructions. No official is willing to comment on how illegal floors were allowed to be constructed in the building which collapsed. The MCD has no record. The only record of the building dates back to 1971 when it was just a one-room establishment," the NHRC commented today.

Nailing the culpability of the authorities, the commission said information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi in a complaint filed in November 2009 before the anti-corruption branch (ACB) had pointed out that four-storey buildings in the area had come up without even applying for approval, and it appeared that there was a clear modus operandi to ensure construction of illegal buildings without any hindrance. Gandhi had moved the ACB on receipt of an appeal against rampant illegal constructions in the area.

New Delhi, November 19
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today asked the Delhi police's cooperation in controlling unauthorised construction and illegal encroachment on the Capital's roads, paths meant for pedestrians and the government land.

It alleged that whenever the civic body along with the local police and station house officer (SHO) chalked out a plan against illegal encroachment or construction, the constables would alert encroachers and the MCD found nothing during the raid.

"When the SHO sanctions the force, only then the MCD can take any action. Sometimes it has been complained that the beat constable passes the information to encroachers. As a result, when the MCD team along with the police reaches the spot, it finds nothing," said Jagdish Mamgain, chairman of MCD works committee.

Mamgain said that the Supreme Court has issued an order that directs the Delhi police to maintain status quo, after the MCD takes demolition or removal action against illegal activities.

"As the newly-appointed police commissioner is cautious of the police's image, we expect that the police officials who indulge in illegal construction or encroachment are penalised. The Delhi police may set up a vigilance enquiry team to ascertain the role of its employees in the ongoing illegal construction and strong action may be taken against them," he said.

He said that it was a general perception that illegal construction and encroachment was not possible without the support of the local police and the MCD staff. "It is said that for monitory favours, the police and the civic agency allow illegal construction. Due to some corrupt officials, both the agencies have a tainted and corrupt image," he said.

New Delhi, November 19
Thousands of passengers boarding the overcrowded Metro train on the Central Secretariat-Qutub Minar stretch were evacuated this evening, after a power shut down brought the train to a halt.

Passengers remained locked in the train and many started having breathing problem as the AC was not functioning.

They forced open the emergency gate, even as the Metro officials called in emergency services to evacuate passengers.

Eyewitnesses said that there were a number of ambulances outside the Udyog Bhawan Metro Station, near which the train got stuck, and some persons were immediately provided medical aid.

"We pressed emergency alarm but it was not working. We had some harrowing minutes inside. It was very crowded," Atul Saxena, a stranded passenger, said.

A couple of other trains that were on the way were also stuck and their passengers were evacuated as well.

A Metro official said that their engineers were working to rectify the problem which caused the power failure. Services remained affected for over two hours and the snag has not been fixed yet.

The woes of commuters were exasperated as the crisis took place in a tunnel, triggering panic.

However, the official said that the AC started functioning in a few minutes.

Ghaziabad, November 19
The National Capital Region (NCR) Board has decided to start an orbit rail in the area.

According to Alok Bhardwaj, project head of the board, a fast train will connect Dadri in Gautam Buddh Nagar (UP) to Sonepat in Haryana via Lal Kuan in Ghaziabad, Loni and Bagpat.

The train will be connected with Eastern Peripheral Project. Another high-speed train will connect Palwal and Kundli with Ghaziabad.

The board is also reported to have put its project of a high-speed train connecting Anand Vihar near Ghaziabad to Palavpuram in Meerut on top priority. According to NCR Board officials, this train will cover 76.6 km between Anand Vihar and Palavpuram in 45 minutes at a speed of 150 km/ hour.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 280 crore, the board officials said.

New Delhi, November 19
From bandhini chunaris and accessories at Rajasthan Pavilion, masalas and phulkari work at Pakistan Pavilion to papads, achaars and dhoklas at Gujarat Pavilion, everything sold like hotcakes as the India International Trade Fair-2010 today opened its gates to the common people.

To the surprise of the visitors, they were greeted with an organised scenario at the venue and they couldn't help but appreciate the strict patrolling at the venue gates. Last year, local vendors had set up small stalls at the venue gates and littered the pathway to the Pragati Maidan Metro station

While Rajasthan Pavilion had artistes performing dances and puppetry shows, dancers at Karnataka Pavilion managed to pull a huge crowd. Not just families, but many youngsters also thronged the fair today to shop at one of the most-awaited fairs of the year.

While the accessory stoppages at the West Bengal, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu pavilions turned out to be one of the top favourites among young ladies, others made it a point to visit the international stalls to purchase affordable electronics.

"We have been coming to the fair for more than 10 years now. I look forward to purchase Pashmina shawls, jewellery from West Bengal Pavilion and other accessories from Rajasthan Pavillion," said a visitor.

"The trade fair is an excellent place to purchase home decors. I have purchased some bedding from the Bengal Pavillion and also planning to buy some carpets at the Rajasthan Pavillion. Also, my daughter purchased an integrated makeup kit at the Chinese mart. She had wanted one for a long time now. Visiting the fair every year is now like a tradition for us," said Samantha Chabbra, a housewife who was at fair with her family.

Apart from shopping, visitors enjoyed hearty meals at the food court. Non-vegetarian delicacies at the Pakistan food stall had been the talk of the town even last week. Most of the food items at the food court are within affordable limits and the visitors seemed to be enjoying all sorts of cuisines from north Indian to south Indian and from Continental to Chinese.

New Delhi, November 19
"Sense of competition is must to win in any field, even in sports. Now, sports have a plethora of avenues and opportunities," said Sushil Kumar, world wrestling champion and gold medalist in the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games at sports meet held at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University today.

This is an era of competition. The government should encourage the subjects that incite an environment of competition among the students. But sports are the best, he said.

Vice-chancellor of the university D.K. Bandyopadhyay said, "Once Swami Vivekanand had said that a playground was a must in any educational institution for physical as well as mental development of students. This opinion is more relevant today."

Around 2,500 students from 60 affiliated colleges of the university are participating in the sports meet. The university's focus is on badminton, football, volley ball, basket ball, chess, arm wrestling and tug of war. The participants have been screened through the preliminary test held at six zones in the NCR.

"Apart from physical games, we are focusing on mental games like -- chess. After the successful organisation of the Commonwealth Games and the outstanding performance of our participants, the new generation, especially students, have been inspired a lot to do something in this field," the vice-chancellor said.

New Delhi, November 19
The Capital's government schools have been imparting quality education and have outshined public schools. Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit said this today while presenting Indira Awards 2010 to the best schools, best teachers and students, including special kids.

Dikshit also paid tributes to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Dikshit presented the State Best School Chief Minister Trophy to Co-ed Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Sector-9, Rohini. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. Eleven district-level best schools were presented with the Education Minister Trophy, which carries the cash prize of Rs 50,000. Twenty-eight zonal-level best schools were also presented with a trophy along with cash prize of Rs 21,000. Under 'A' category best schoolteachers were awarded with a silver medal along with Rs 11,000. Zonal-level best students of class X and XII were also awarded. Besides, subject toppers in class X and XII were awarded. The students were given a silver medal, a certificate and Rs 2,100.

Distributing the awards, the Chief Minister said that government schools were being preferred because of the hard work and commitment of teachers. She lauded the teachers for their contribution, labour and sincerity which have brought a sea-change in quality of education imparted in Delhi schools.

Gurgaon, November 19
A blood donation camp was organised to mark the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi here today. Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, who is also the vice-chairman of the blood donation wing of the Indian Red Cross Society, was the chief guest.

As many as 482 units of blood were collected during the camp organised at Dronacharya Government College by Rotary Club (South City). A large number of students, including girls, turned up for blood donation. However, nearly 150 girls were not allowed to donate blood because of their low haemoglobin (Hb) level.

Paying floral tributes to the late leader, Hooda pointed out that she played an instrumental role in resolving disputes of south Asia. "She not only launched the first atomic research plant in India, but also laid the foundation of green revolution to meet the country's food-grain demand," he asserted.

The MP congratulated and encouraged the blood donors and observed that though science has progressed a lot, still it had not been able to discover or invent any alternative of blood. Hence, donating blood was a noble act of human service, he added.

Referring to the demand of a blood bank in Gurgaon put up by the Rotary Club (South City) president Mukesh Sharma, Hooda assured that he, along with the Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Sukhbir Kataria and HPCC working president Kuldeep Sharma, would forcefully put their demand before the Chief Minister.

Sharma had asked only for land and maintained that they would construct the blood-bank building on their own.

At another programme organised at the mini secretariat, the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister was observed as 'Qaumi Ekta Day' (Communal Harmony Day) by the district administration. City Magistrate KK Gupta administered the oath of communal harmony oath to the local government officials.

The officials also paid floral tributes to the departed leader.

New Delhi, November 19
With the arrest of two persons, the Delhi police crime branch has busted a racket that was allegedly involved in stealing crude oil.

The accused have been identified as Shamsher Singh (42) and Md Shamid (30) of Mundka.

With their arrest, the police claims to have solved four cases of crude oil theft from the pipeline passing through Jhajjar, Rewari and Panipat.

The arrests were made, after the police learnt that the members of a gang would be coming with a crude oil tanker. A trap was laid and the accused were arrested from Mathura Road, Badarpur.  

Two countrymade pistols along with live cartridges, plastic pipe used for siphoning off oil and an oil tanker used in the thefts have been seized from them.

Singh told the police that he along with Shamid stole crude oil from the pipeline which carried oil from Bombay High to Panipat Refinery.

“The accused used to hire abandoned factories in remote areas near the pipeline. Then they dug a tunnel from the factory to the pipeline. With the help of drilling machine, they made a hole in the pipeline and installed a valve to steal oil,” said a senior police official.

This is how they siphoned off crude oil worth crores, he added.  

Singh who posed as a property dealer ran a shop named J.K. Builders at Mundka.

He has purchased land and property in Mundka allegedly from illegal activities.

Shamid is one of his close associates.

New Delhi, November 19
The Delhi police yesterday arrested two car-borne robbers allegedly involved in several cases, cops said today.

The accused have been identified as Deepak (22) and Vikas Arora (31).

The police has recovered an Accent car and three robbed ATM cards from their possession.

The two accused men were nabbed from near Kashmere Gate Metro station.

On interrogation, it was learnt that Deepak was the gang leader.

He is a school dropout and got into robbery to meet his financial needs.

The gang, which is allegedly involved in 10 cases of snatching and robbery, used to give lift to passengers at bus stops then rob them and leave them at isolated places.