Gurgaon, December 16
In order to ensure the safety and security of the women working in the BPO sector, Haryana ADGP-cum-Gurgaon police commissioner SS Deswal has sent some guidelines to the BPO companies, transporters and security agencies.

Deswal has directed the BPOs to keep a dedicated command centre or control room with an emergency telephone number operational round the clock at which the employees can call in case of any untoward incident.

As per the guidelines, a dedicated emergency cab should also be deployed round the clock, which can be used in case of emergency. The company management should tell the transporter/security agency to ensure that the antecedents of all drivers/security guards have been verified.

The drivers and guards should have proper identity cards, the guidelines maintain, adding that the drivers should be asked to pick women employees from their doorstep and wait till they have safely entered their house.

"The security guards must accompany the woman employees to their house in case the cab cannot reach their residence," the Commissioner said and added that the transporter and the BPOs should ensure that the cabs do not have black films or tinted glasses.

The company should inform the employee about the vehicle number, name of the driver and security guard in the vehicle. A team for conducting surprise check should also be constituted to ensure that security measures were being adhered to.

The guidelines maintain that in case of non-compliance, a clause of heavy fine should be there in the contract with the transporter and security agencies.

They further state that the employer should maintain a complaint mechanism, including a complaint committee headed by a woman and comprising women members in equal strength.

Besides, the women employees should be employed only in batches, of not less than 10 or two-third of the total night shift's strength.

A sticker bearing the name and telephone number(s) of the employer should be prominently displayed on the cabs. Asking the companies to maintain a database of all its employees, the Police Commissioner asserted that the police should have access to the database at any time.

Gurgaon, December 16
The women in this satellite town of the national Capital who use public transport can now feel safe as the police has started exclusive autorickshaws for women.

These autos will be pink coloured so that they can be identified easily.

The Gurgaon police has taken the step after a 30-year-old woman working in a BPO here was abducted from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and gangraped in a moving goods carrier last month.

Gurgaon police commissioner S.S. Deswal was on Wednesday present with police heads of all the nearby states in the inter-state coordination meeting at the Delhi police headquarters where the strategy to ensure security for working women, especially in Gurgaon and Delhi, was discussed.

"Twelve autos, especially for women, are being introduced first and if the need is felt, more such autos will be deployed in Gurgaon. Drivers verified with the Gurgaon police will run these."

"Initially, these autos will operate from Metro stations in Gurgaon to major destinations inside Cyber City," Deswal said.

The Gurgaon police is also open to the idea that female drivers operate these autos.

Initially, this facility will be available at four Metro stations.

"There have been complaints of eve-teasing when women travel with men in crowded autos. To make sure that women feel safe while travelling to work and back home, we have introduced these autos," a police officer said.

The Delhi Metro recently earmarked one coach exclusively for women in its trains.

Faridabad, December 16
The demolition drive of the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) has terrorised the land mafias, compelling them to join hands.

The joint commissioner, MCF, Old Faridabad Zone, Mukesh Kumar Solanki today reiterated that the civic body would not spare anyone found guilty of encroaching on public land or indulging in unauthorised construction.

The demolition squad of the MCF yesterday demolished boundary walls of four well-known banquet halls, including the one by the name Bill Gate, set up illegally on more than four acres.

All the banquet halls were located along the Surajkund Road.

The banquet halls were set up on forest area and Controlled Area of the MCF.

The three other banquet halls that yesterday faced action are Vaishali, Rose and Lovely. All of them encompassed areas ranging from one to two acres and were doing booming business.

More than 150 police personnel headed by two assistant commissioners of police had accompanied the demolition squad of the MCF.

Besides, the squad demolished more than 100 jhuggis and encroachments on about 15 acres of MCF land in Sarai Khwaja.

Apart from the jhuggis, land mafia had set up two shops in the area, which were also demolished by the MCF. Further, the demolition squad also razed eight shops in the Sarai Khawaj area.

According to the MCF personnel, the present action is being taken against those who are continuing with illegal acts in spite of notices issued to them.

Sources in the MCF say that the civic body has already prepared blueprints of more demolitions to be undertaken shortly.

The targets are being kept a guarded secret by the civic body.

Although the MCF action has come in for plaudits, many wonder why the culprits were not arrested.

The general apprehension is that in the absence of arrests and other stringent actions, the culprits would again reconstruct their demolished establishments.

Meanwhile, the land mafias who are under threat because of the tough stand of the MCF, have joined hands.

However, it remains to be seen if the MCF slows down its operation or continues the pace. 

Gurgaon, December 16
There's a famous saying that it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Hence, if the chaos on Gurgaon's roads frustrates you and you strongly feel that some immediate action is required to improve traffic management, here's an opportunity to get actively involved in the city's traffic management system.

The Gurgaon Traffic Police authorities have invited residents to become part of a team of traffic volunteers, being formed with support from members of public.

Owing to the acute shortage of manpower, the local police authorities have decided to seek active support of local residents and make them partners in traffic management in response to public demand for action and improved conditions on Gurgaon roads.

"We are looking for volunteers who are willing to put in a minimum of 2 hours a week at time convenient to them. With the efforts of traffic volunteers put together with our own staff, we will be able to achieve far greater results in our clampdown on traffic offenders," said Gurgaon DCP (Traffic) Bharti Arora in a statement issued here today.

She appealed to the people to come forward and help make Gurgaon a better city to live - and commute - in.

"We wish to target those who disobey red lights, block the flow of traffic by stopping in the wrong lane, use mobile phones while driving and violate other traffic rules and/or indulge in rash driving," Arora said, adding that active help and support from the public could play a great role in effective implementation of traffic safety rules.

"If you think it is time to move on from being an armchair critic to making a real difference with some real and tangible contribution, then this is the time to come forward and volunteer," she maintained.

The residents interested to serve as traffic volunteers can enroll themselves by sending an email at dcp.trafficggn@hry.nic.in or contact tel no. 0124-2217015 or sms on 09219592195 by typing @GTP followed by their details.

Besides traffic volunteers, Arora has also appealed to the people that in case they witness any traffic offence and are in a position to photograph the same, they should e-mail the details of the vehicle number, venue and time of offence along with photograph to dcp.trafficggn@hry.nic.in or post on the Gurgaon Traffic Police's facebook page or send by post to DCP Traffic office, Sector 51.

She said if anybody sees any corrupt traffic policeman who demands a bribe instead of issuing a challan with a receipt, he/she should report it through e-mail, post or telephone. 

New Delhi, December 16
The Supreme Court today took the DDA to task for demolishing two of the 64 night shelters that were built the last year at its instance and directed the authority to rebuild them within three days.

A Bench comprising justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma issued the order, after taking suo motu notice of news reports on the demolition of two shelters in the Nehru Place and Kalkaji areas, leaving the homeless out in the biting chill.

The Bench said that as a welfare state, it was the government's duty to ensure that not a single citizen across the country slept in the open when the weather was so harsh.

"We are greatly disappointed and astonished as to how the authorities could be so insensitive, impervious and callous when the winter is so intense," the Bench said.

The Bench directed the DDA to take disciplinary action against the officials responsible for pulling down the shelters. It was restraining itself from initiating contempt of court proceedings against the top brass of the agency, the Bench said.

Additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran should visit one of the night shelters to assess the condition prevailing there, it ruled. Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the PIL petitioner, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said only 25 of the night shelters were operational, supporting his contention with photographs.

New Delhi, December 16
"It is now universally recognised that the 21st century will be the Asian century and the socio-political-economic developments in India and China will occupy the centerstage," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while addressing the audience at the closing ceremony of the festival of China in India at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium today.

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. A number of Indian and Chinese diplomats and dignitaries were also there.

The Prime Minister added, "Development of sound relations with China has been a constant feature of India's foreign policy and I believe there is enough space in the world for both India and China to grow and flourish."

Jiabao also addressed the gathering. "Today, both India and China are brimming with vigour and our good relations have brought mutual benefits for both the nations. Currently, India and China are in a crucial stage of development and mutual cooperation will definitely go far," said Jiabao.

He added, "I had candid and indepth discussions with my good friend Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and am convinced that together we can write a splendid new chapter in India and China relations."

The closing ceremony had an array of colourful and active performances by a Chinese acrobatic troupe, dancers from Beijing Dance Academy and folk dancers from Fujian. Kathak dancers of Pandit Birju Maharaj’s troupe and violinist Anupriya Dotale also performed at the ceremony.

Some of the performances that stood out included the papercut girls' dance in which girls dressed in white and red costumes regaled the audience with delicate gestures. Then an acrobat displayed amazing juggling skills. This was followed by an instrumental rendition of the popular song 'Jai Ho' by both Indian and Chinese artistes.

A rather moving performance was given by Fujian folk dancers. They displayed a dance called 'Dance lotus of June', and this was followed by a song 'Ode to the Moon'.

Earlier, a 160-member Buddhist orchestra group, Shenzen Symphonique Orchestra, had performed for the inauguration..

New Delhi, December 16
The Delhi government has set financial limit for the Chief Minister's office, Cabinet ministers, chief secretary, additional secretaries and other senior officials to curtail expenditure.

According to sources, the Chief Minister's office has been given a limit of Rs 60,000; Cabinet ministers Rs 50,000; secretary and parliamentary secretaries Rs 25,000; chief secretary Rs 10,000; principal secretaries Rs 4,000 and additional secretaries Rs 2,000 per month.

This amount is being given to them to attend to their guests and visitors.

Sources said that it has been done to curtail government expenditure as expenses of these offices have crossed the six digit figure.

This was mentioned in one of the notices issued by the general administration (GA) branch of the city government to ministers. The notice was issued after the department concerned came to know that the canteen was not being paid its dues.

The Chief Minister's office, Cabinet ministers, chief secretary and other officials issue slips for getting tea and snacks from the canteen on the ground floor.

The canteen gets its payment from a special account.

According to sources, the ministers and officials would be issued credit cards now and would not be able to cross the limit of their budget.

If they do, they would have to pay from their own pockets. 

New Delhi, December 16
To attract commuters to use means of public transport, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has decided to reduce the charge of daily passengers on all routes' passes from Rs 50 to Rs 40.

The daily pass known as green card is valid in air-conditioned buses also. This facility is available from December 17 to January 31, 2011.

As many as 1,125 air-conditioned buses are plying on different routes in the Capital.

All depot managers have been instructed to ensure that the staff concerned be briefed about the corporation's decision in time.

New Delhi, December 16
Allegedly depressed over his poor financial status and mounting medical bills, a 32-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh, who underwent a heart surgery ten days ago, jumped to his death from the seventh floor bathroom of a government hospital in the central district today morning.

According to the police, the incident was reported around 7.40 am from the G B Pant Hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Naseem, who hails from Kavi Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. "Naseem had gone to the washroom while his mother, Zaida, was waiting for him outside. He then allegedly jumped from the window of the washroom at the seventh floor of the hospital," a police officer said, adding that he was rushed to the emergency section, but the doctors declared him dead. No suicide note was recovered from him.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Naseem was depressed over his health and mounting medical bill.

"He is the only earning member of the family and is survived by mother, wife and a three-year-old daughter. He had a heart surgery at the hospital a few days ago. The surgery had cost him enough money. It seems he had borrowed some money and was depressed about it," opined a police official.

Naseem, who lived with his family at lane number-6, Kardampur, worked as a tailor.

New Delhi, December 16
Two police officials were injured, while a PCR van was set ablaze by an unruly mob in the Shahabad Dairy area of outer Delhi last night. The incident took place when a police party had gone there, after it received a PCR call regarding a fight between two groups.

According to information, the incident took place around 11 pm when two groups of people came to blows during a function in the Mandir area. The police received a PCR call, after which a patrolling party reached the spot and tried to pacify the angry people. However, in the milieu, some people attacked the police party, while some torched the PCR van.

"When the policemen intervened, the groups pelted stones on them, injuring two of our men," deputy commissioner of police (outer) Chhaya Sharma said. When a wireless message was flashed by the assaulted policemen, the attackers fled.

"We have identified some of the attackers. Cases of rioting, damaging public property and preventing a public servant from discharging his duty have been registered against them. They will be arrested soon," she said. 

Greater Noida, December 16
A coloniser has been allegedly threatened by a gang of criminals to shell out Rs 11 lakh as extortion money. The extortionists have threatened the coloniser, living in Tulsi Vihar Colony at Dadri, that they would kill his entire family in case he reported the matter to the police. The family is extremely terrified.

The coloniser, Roop Singh, has developed a colony in Attar Vatika near Tulsi Vihar. He has also constructed a community hall (dharamshala) in the area.

Singh has been getting threats on his mobile phone for the past three days. The caller had introduced himself as Virun.

Singh says he has noticed some suspicious-looking strangers around his children's school. Two bikers have also been seen roaming around his house, but the police has not taken any action yet.

It is not the first case of extortion in Dadri. One trader here lost his life for trying to stop extortion attempts. But, the Dadri cops have failed to take any step.

Police circle officer (DSP) Ambesh Chand Tyagi said they would be nabbed soon.

New Delhi, December 16
The Delhi police has arrested two persons for being allegedly involved in several cases of motor vehicle thefts. The accused have been identified as Gulfam (35) and Yameen (25).

Gulfan and Yamin were arrested on a tip-off from Chandrawal Road near Peepalwala Chowk along with a stolen motor cycle.

On interrogation, the boys disclosed that the motor cycle was stolen around 10 days back from Dakshinpuri.

"They confessed to have stolen about 100 to 150 more vehicles. They had kept some stolen vehicles at a house in Chhijarsi, Noida, while had already sold other vehicles to their accomplices-- Ram Avtar and Billa," said a senior police official.

At their instance, Avtar and Billa have also been apprehended.