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Jan Sunwai highlights pathetic conditions of city’s poor
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Displaced victims of CWG relive pain
Biometric attendance for MCD teachers
MCD may raise tax on commercial properties
Over 600 illegal buildings get MCD notice
Ambedkar Park work to start soon
Girlfriend killed
70-yr-old found dead
Two factories robbed in Noida
Man arrested for thefts at wedding parties
2 Manipur terror outfit members nabbed
Woman gets jail in fake notes’ case
Servant held with Rs 2-cr stolen jewellery
Bright day forecast today
Teacher killed in Gurgaon accident
550-bed hospital at Shalimar Bagh
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DK rape: Gang leader arrested, 3 refuse TIP
New Delhi, December 7 However, Kamru and two other co-accused -- Shahid and Iqbal -- have refused to undergo the test identification parade (TIP). They claimed the police was prejudiced against them and the victim had already been approached by them to identify them as the ones who had gangraped her. The victim, a 30year-old woman from Mizoram who works here in a call centre, had earlier identified Shamshad and Usman in a TIP last week. They were the first ones to be arrested. The police believes that that the other three accused fear that the TIP would expose them as their identification by the victim could prove to be an important evidence. However, their refusal would not be a big jolt as accused often decline to undergo TIPs, knowing well that their identification would weaken their case. "We have a very strong case against them. If they refuse to undergo TIP, it is also indirect admission that they fear their identification by the victim. We are not depending only on the TIP to prosecute them. We have substantial evidence to prove their crime in the court," a senior official said. The five had allegedly abducted the BPO employee on November 24 when she along with a friend was covering the small distance to her residence from where their cab had dropped her. The accused, most of whom have a criminal background, were in a carrier when they spotted the two women. The victim's friend managed to run away but she was abducted and raped by the five. The first arrests were made by police on December 2 when they apprehended Usman and Shamshad from Dhaujj in Mewat area of Haryana. Shahid, another suspect, had surrendered to the police in Faridabad in connection with another case and was later arrested. A Delhi court yesterday sent Shahid, alias 'Chhota Billi', and Iqbal to Tihar Jail under judicial custody for two days for their identification by the victim, while remanding Shamshad and Usman in five days of police custody for interrogation. |
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Jan Sunwai highlights pathetic conditions of city’s poor
New Delhi, December 7 The testimonies included issues relating to child mortality due to difficulties faced by women in accessing hospitals and the indifference of hospital staff, neglect of young children for want of crèches and unsatisfactory functioning of anganwadi centres, inappropriate location of government schools forcing children to cross busy highways and expose them to accidents, and last but not least, the trauma of children with disabilities and the lack of preparedness of the government school system to teach them. Around 20 women from Madanpur Khadar, Sangam Vihar, Lal Kuan, Govindpuri, Khanpur resettlements and slums, presented their testimonies to a jury of eminent persons, comprising Shekhar, member, DCPCR; Dr Vandana Prasad, advisor to Commissioners of Right to Food; and C.P. Sujaya, former jt secretary, Women and Child Development. Rajbala from Navda shared her bad experiences with government hospitals. She said, "There is no health centre in our area. My daughter-in-law was pregnant and we took her to Safdarjang Hospital. There were complications during delivery and doctors said she had to be operated upon. They also said that the operation theatre was not free and told us to wait for six hours. Finally, we took her to a private hospital, but because of the delay, the baby died." Speaking on behalf of the jury, Dr Vandana Prasad, summarizing the proceedings, said, "This public hearing has revealed shocking neglect by the government with respect to allocation of ration card, widow pension, disability certification and provision of health care services. It is incomprehensive that after starting a 'single window approach' through Mission Convergence' and the GRCs, now these schemes have been withdrawn from its purview. It seems the Delhi government is not serious about the basic minimum needs of the people living in this area. Ramavati spoke of the dangers to basti children because of busy roads which have to be crossed to get to school. Jury Recommendations 1. In every slum, crèche and anganwadi centres must be opened with immediate effect 2. Children affected by disability must be found out and proactive measures taken to address their issues, including right to education in mainstream schools 3. Health centres must be located near slum/basti areas and equipped with obstetric facilities to provide safe delivery. Rude and callous behaviour of hospital staff needs immediate attention 4. Provision of water that is potable and regular garbage clearance must be strictly enforced 5. Schemes for Delhi's poor should be implemented properly and immediately since the policy for such schemes is already in place. |
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Displaced victims of CWG relive pain
New Delhi, December 7 Many of such victims shared their woes and demanded rehabilitation today at a joint forum of the NGO, 'The Coalition against Exclusion and Violations caused by the Commonwealth Games'. "My house was demolished and I am still finding it difficult to begin a new life," said Bhuwan Dass who had become homeless after his jhuggi was demolished at Bangali Camp near INA Colony. The police had demolished the jhuggies without giving notice to the residents. The government had even barred petty businessmen from working on roadsides, they said. Many said they went hungry often during the Games between October 3 and 14. Dass cried as he narrated his story. The Coalition today launched a charter of demands that would be submitted to the members of Parliament and Assembly, asking them to rehabilitate three lakh people who had been made homeless in the name of beautification for the Commonwealth Games. Besides, their major demands are adequate compensation for livelihood and homes lost due to the Games, rehabilitation of displaced families, payment of adequate wages and benefits to all the construction workers. Convenor of the Coalition, Shivani Chaudhary said that once she along with some jhuggi dwellers met Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, demanding board and lodging for them, but it was of no use, added Shivani. Indu Prakash, a social worker said that he had asked the chief secretary of the Delhi government that balloon sellers and other petty businessmen should not be stopped from working on roadsides. But he simply refused to do so. The government official even warned beggars if they were found begging in the city. This was violation of human rights, said Indu
Prakash. |
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Biometric attendance for MCD teachers
New Delhi, December 7 A senior MCD official said, "The MCD has been toying with the idea of introducing the biometric system at MCD schools for quite sometime though the final decision was taken only recently. The idea is to introduce accountability and much-needed checks at different schools." The majority of teachers are opposed to the idea. The MCD currently has around 20,000 teachers on its rolls and a proposal for the introduction of the biometric system had been pending since December 2008, but was not implemented due to opposition by teachers. The MCD has already placed its staff under the biometric system in other departments like administration etc. Further in August 2008, the MCD had introduced its first biometric system at the office of the municipal commissioner in Ambedkar Stadium and the Town Hall. MCD teachers are simply not ready to accept the biometric system. Arun Dayal, a teacher with an MCD school in South Delhi, said, "It is students who require attendance and not teachers. This idea of introducing the biometric system is insulting to most teachers. Even if this system is introduced, we will take every step to voice our opposition." Another teacher of an MCD school in Vasant Vihar, said, "The idea was introduced back in 2008 and the biometric system already works for office staff. Most of the teaching community is dedicated to its work, so the biometric system is not needed at all." |
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MCD may raise tax on commercial properties
New Delhi, December 7 This time, the budget will focus on increasing the revenue of cash-strapped MCD. The deliberative wing has asked the municipal commissioner to ensure that the budget presented is not a deficit one. Municipal commissioner K.S. Mehra will present the MCD's annual budget proposal for the financial year 2011-2012 in the standing committee meeting tomorrow. According to sources, the budget is likely to increase property tax on both commercial and residential establishments to elevate the civic body's revenue. However, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leaders said that the MCD had denied to put any extra pressure on residents of the city and added that they could approve increase in taxes on commercial properties. "We are not going to support any proposal levying more taxes on people, even if it is proposed by the commissioner. The MCD needs to improve its revenue collection, but there are still many people who do not pay taxes. So, it can be done by bringing more people in the tax net. There are more than 4,800 properties which owe the MCD more than Rs 5 lakh tax. Officials should concentrate on recovering taxes from such properties first," said standing committee chairman Yogendra Chandolia. "Increasing property tax on commercial establishments can be an alternative option for increasing revenue. Hence, it can be considered," added Chandolia. According to sources, the commissioner's proposed budget presentation has been decided after meetings with various departments. After this, the deliberative wing of the MCD will carry out extensive discussions for a month before approving the proposals. |
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Now, LMVs can ply on Barapulla Rd
New Delhi, December 7 The first-ever elevated road that has been commissioned as a green project will shorten distances. With the construction of the elevated road, an additional capacity for traffic movement from East Delhi to South Delhi has been created. This arterial road has been constructed right in the middle of the congested city without acquiring any land. The slim piers to support the elevated carriageway are in the bed of Barapulla Nallah. The road connects two points of Ring Road and Sarai Kale Khan near AIIMS flyover, reducing the distance from 12 to 8 km. This would also reduce 4 km travel from Ring Road Sarai Kale Khan to CGO Complex. The road will decongest Ring Road at Ashram and Bhairon Road. The cost of the project was Rs 498 crore. But the work has been completed in lesser amount with a saving of about Rs 25 crore in construction cost. This saving could be made due to technological innovation, optimisation and reduction in the prices of raw material like cement and steel during the last one and half years, Dikshit said. |
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Schools should initiate ‘child smile’ plans: CM
New Delhi, December 7 Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit while inaugurating a five-day dental health mela 'Delhi Smiles 2010', organized by Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), said that schools should initiate 'child smile' programmes aiming to prevent tooth decay in youngsters through early interventions. The Delhi government will start mobile dental check-up camps across the city soon to help the people protect their teeth. "Ninety-five per cent of the oral health problems are preventable, but people take oral health lightly. They take action only when the problem gets worse. Brushing teeth after every meal, daily flossing, seeing dentist at least once a year can help one maintain miles of smiles," the Chief Minister said. Dr Mahesh Verma, principal of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, said that the institute participated in the CWG 2010 and won accolades for the quality services offered to the participating contingents. |
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Over 600 illegal buildings get MCD notice
New Delhi, December 7 The civic agency has asked the owners of 638 buildings in the Shahdara South zone to conduct structural safety checking of their houses and apply to the MCD for regularising them. The MCD has put a renewed focus on unauthorised structures after a multi-storeyed building with illegal floors collapsed in Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar on the night of November 15, killing 70 people. “We have identified these buildings in the Shahdara South zone and have sent notices to them. These buildings have been constructed illegally without getting the building plans sanctioned. We are giving them an opportunity to regularise them,” said Yogender Chandolia, chairman of the MCD Standing Committee. Structurally weak and dangerous buildings will have to be demolished either by MCD or the owners themselves, he said. A number of buildings in Lalita Park have also been issued notices by the civic body. MCD had started carrying out an inspection survey in east Delhi after the collapse. |
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Ambedkar Park work to start soon
Noida, December 7 "Over a lakh trees have been planted at the park since the civil work was stopped by the Supreme Court last year. However, the court had allowed the tree plantation work," said the authority officer. Authority officers were visiting the park to see how to increase green cover and reduce concrete structures as per the Supreme Court guidelines. "On Tuesday morning too, several authority staff visited the park," said another employee at the site. Ram Sutar, the sculptor, said, "Money is not the only consideration for any sculptor. Appreciation of his work was what a sculptor yearns for. Though statues were installed at the site, but they were covered with sheets due to the court stay. Now I hope to get the public feedback of my work as they will be able to see the statues created by me soon." Though the Supreme Court has allowed the construction of park, the petitioners feel it was victory for them. "Only 25 per cent construction will be allowed and that too with riders and under supervision of the committee formed by the court," said Lokesh Batra, an RTI activist. Monitoring panel comprised an ornithologist from the ministry of environment and forests, a member of the apex court-appointed central empowered committee and CEO of Noida. "Due to stoppage of work for over a year, the cost of the project too may escalate by 25 to 30 per cent. Presently, construction activity at the park is on 32 per cent area. Now as per the SC directions, it will be reduced to 25 per cent," said an officer. The park plan was changed thrice earlier and now it will be the last revision. Initially there was 40 per cent concrete construction and 60 per cent greenery. Against the SC's earlier directions of reducing the concrete structure to 35 per cent, it was reduced to 32 per cent by the Authority. |
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Girlfriend killed
New Delhi, December 7 The arrests were made after investigation was taken into a missing report which stated that the victim had been missing from her West Jyoti Nagar residence from November 27, said DCP (north-east) Sanjay Kumar Jain. Intelligence was developed and it was learnt that the victim was having an affair with Amit for past two years. After a few days, the victim's father received a ransom call of Rs 25 lakh. Following this, the police registered a case of kidnapping. The call was traced to a telephone booth at Lal Kuan in Ghaziabad, said a senior police official. On December 1, the accused men allegedly made six calls from a mobile phone. Finally, the police managed to arrest Amit and Sumit. They have confessed to the crime. They told the police that they shot the victim and dumped her body in a river. "The victim wanted to marry him, but Amit was avoiding her as he was having an affair with another girl. So, he along with Sumit conspired to eliminate her," Jain said. Amit is a commerce graduate and is pursuing MBA. He was jobless since April, while Sumit worked in a factory manufacturing colour TV picture screen. |
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70-yr-old found dead
New Delhi, December 7 "The neighbours informed the police when a foul smell started emitting from the flat," said a senior police official. The man lied on the floor. His hands, legs and mouth was covered wit a cloth, the officials added. His body has been sent to the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital for postmortem. Father to three boys and two girls, all married, Mani used to live alone in the flat. The deceased who had a love marriage converted to a Christian from a Hindu. |
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Two factories robbed in Noida
Noida, December 7 "Two robbers overpowered the night guard Vinay Yadav at gunpoint. They bolted him inside a room and robbed Rs 6 lakh from the factory. It is suspected that former guard Sandeep Yadav is behind the crime. Except cash no other item was robbed," said V.C. Tripathi, deputy superintendent of police. Another robbery was reported from a factory in Sector 4. "Around six robbers struck at a C block factory and assaulted two guards Bhairav Jha and Puran Singh stationed there. They then robbed copper plate and wires worth lakhs from the factory. They had brought a Tata 407 with them. They loaded the robbed goods on the vehicle and fled," said Vijay Prakash, station house officer of the Sector 20 police station. "There was no clue in the robberies till late this evening. On the basis of the description of the robbers given by the guards, sketches are being made," said H.N. Singh, superintendent of police. |
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Man arrested for thefts at wedding parties
New Delhi, December 7 His arrest was made after investigation had been taken up into a complaint filed by Rajiv Bhardwaj, a resident of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, claiming that he lost two mobile phones during a marriage function at Barat Ghar in Lodhi Colony on November 27. Intelligence was developed and it came to be known that Vikram who had come out of jail could be behind the incident. Accordingly, he was apprehended. On interrogation, he confessed to the crime, Dhaliwal said. Vikram also told the police that he organised a gang of minors and used to visit marriage functions in Lodhi Colony and adjoining areas. They would steal mobile phones and purses of the invitees. The police has recovered five stolen mobile phones from his possession. |
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2 Manipur terror outfit members nabbed
New Delhi, December 7 The arrested persons have been identified as Huidrom Nanao Singh, alias Dinesh Singh, and Mayengbam Santon
Luwang. On November 27, the accused along with a member of Kuki Revolutionary Army allegedly kidnapped five officials of public health engineering department in Manipur from Senapati and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore for their release, a senior police official said. After negotiation, a ransom of Rs 70 lakh was paid to the accused. The officials were released on December 4. The police has seized seven mobile phones, an ATM card, two PAN cards, identity cards and a driving licene from the accused. They cadres had come to Delhi on November 30 for hiding, a police official said. |
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Woman gets jail in fake notes’ case
New Delhi, December 7 The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh on the convict, Raizwana (23), after holding her guilty under Sections 489B (use of forged currency notes) and 489C (possession of forged currency notes) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Rizwana was arrested by the Delhi police special cell on March 14, 2009. "Taking in note that fake notes worth Rs 18 lakh was seized from the accused, this is not a case where she should be let off with a lighter punishment. The offence committed by the accused was targeted to destabilise the economy of the country, as is apparent from the seizure of a large amount of fake Indian notes," the court said. |
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Servant held with Rs 2-cr stolen jewellery
Noida, December 7 "Vinod
Patel was arrested from his home at Dobra Dungerpur village in Rajasthan on Monday.
Rs 79,000, 720-gm gold and diamond jewellery were seized from him. The jewellery is worth Rs 2
crore. Patel worked as a domestic help at a house in ATS Green Tower. He stole the cash and jewellery between November 26 and 29. His master Bijendri Devi lodged an FIR on December 1," said
H.N. Singh, superintendent of police.
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Bright day forecast today
New Delhi, December 7 The visibility level at 9 a.m. was 400 metres. However, the traffic conditions on the roads did not suffer as the skies soon cleared up. The maximum temperature today settled at 23.3 degrees. Yesterday the maximum temperature settled at 23.9 degree Celsius. |
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Teacher killed in Gurgaon accident
Gurgaon, December 7 "Bhawna was a teacher at Rotary Public School. She was going to school on her two-wheeler when she was hit by a bus at Signature Tower crossing on the expressway around 8 am," said a police official. Bhawna was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors pronounced her dead.
— IANS |
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