New Delhi, March 17
The ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP in the Delhi Legislative Assembly came face to face over an allegation of the latter that teachers allowed students to cheat during the annual examinations in government schools.

Countering the opposition's allegations Congress MLAs, including Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, said that this was an insult to the teachers and students. The BJP should apologize in the House. This led to a ruckus and the House proceedings were disrupted thrice.

The ruling party MLAs continued their demand for apology even after the leader of the opposition Vijay Kumar Malhotra said that saffron party members did not say anything against teachers. Their allegation is against the government which forced teachers to allow cheating. They demanded an inquiry.

When Speaker Yoganand Shastri appealed to the education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely for an inquiry into the allegations, the minister asked for evidence.

"There may be one or two schools where cases of cheating might have happened. But it is not in all the schools. Inquiry can be ordered provided the opposition submits evidence in support of their allegation," he said.

The Speaker said that instead of raising this issue on the floor of the House, the opposition members should have brought this into the notice of the education minister. They should have informed him in his office.

However, justifying his allegation the leader of the opposition said this was a public issue. There was no harm in putting this in the House.

Supporting the education minister, the Chief Minister said the opposition should put the matter in writing or withdraw the allegation against the teachers.

Other Congress MLAs Mukesh Sharma, Anil Bhardwaj, Travinder Singh Marwah stood up in support of the Chief Minister, demanding written evidence or apology.

Having seen the complex situation, the Speaker ordered to remove the issue from the record of the House and urged both the parties to let him run the House proceedings. However, the Congress MLAs continued to seek an apology from the BJP.

Later, the Speaker adjourned the House for 20 minutes.

Again when the House assembled, the Congress members stood up asking for an apology. The Speaker then adjourned the House twice.

New Delhi, March 17
The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) today has, in a report to the Delhi High Court, termed as "unreasonable" the fee hike by 25 private city schools, including Modern School and Delhi Public School (DPS), and indicted them for accounting irregularities.

"The schools did not follow the accounting standards while preparing their final accounts. There was no prescribed accounting format," said the CAG report, which runs into 64 pages.

The report for years 2006-09 was filed on the court's direction over a parents' association petition that challenged the Delhi government's decision to allow the private schools to hike their tuition and development fees.

The CAG report will be taken up by the court on Friday.

Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Siddharth Mridul March 8 asked the CAG to submit the report by March 18.

"There was no evidence of scrutiny of annual accounts and other returns to ascertain that the receipts and expenditures of the schools were in consonance with the projected budget estimates of the schools and any fee hike was not unreasonable," reads the CAG report.

"Inspection of the schools by the director of education (DoE) was inadequate. The director made only 10 visits in 25 schools during 2006 to 2009 against 75 envisaged in the law. Due to weak governances by the DoE, the schools continued to enhance the fees despite having surplus funds," said the report.

The audit report was only against the accounts of 25 out of the 1,211 private city schools.

The CAG said the schools, which earned profits, used to prepare accounts showing losses by transferring the surplus funds into the next financial year.

"The total cumulative revenue surplus as on March 31, 2009, was Rs.93.79 crore and the average cumulative revenue surplus per school during 2004 to 2009 ranged from Rs.2.51 crore to Rs.4.42 crore. Schools build up deficits when they overspend their budgets and carry forward the overspend to future years," the report said.

It suggested proper monitoring by the government of the accounts of the schools which were not only shying away from giving admissions to poor children but also paying salaries to their staff and teachers on the lines of their counterparts in government schools.

The CAG also pointed out lapses of chartered accountants who audited the accounts of the schools.

"Our scrutiny of audited accounts of the unaided private schools revealed that none of the auditors had qualified the audit reports in significant cases of non-compliance with the directions of the DoE and provisions of the DSE (Delhi School Education) rules by the schools."

"As this amounts to professional lapse, the matter may be taken up with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for suitable deterrent action," the report said.

The schools had recently enhanced fees by 15 per cent without assessing the actual requirement, it said, adding the parents were not apprised of the actual demand arising out of the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission.They should have first considered their surplus money and then, if required, raised the fees.

"The five schools with the most surpluses were DPS, Summerfield School, Vasant Valley School, Modern School and ASN School and their surpluses ranged from Rs.58.67 crore to Rs.9.26 crore during 2006 to 2009."

Schools did not admit students belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) category to the desired extent, the CAG said, adding the process lacked transparency in dealing with the issue.

The CAG asked the DoE to monitor the efforts made by schools to ensure admission of the poor children.

"The school should display the information on the DoE's website for adequate publicity," said the court. - IANS

New Delhi, March 17
To facilitate students belonging to economically weaker sections, the MCD today extended the date of admission to schools recognised by it under the EWS quota till May 10.

The decision to extend the admission date from February 15 was taken to facilitate parents as they had been facing problem in arranging documents required to avail admission under 25 per cent EWS quota, MCD education committee chairman Mahinder Nagpal said.

"Students belonging to economically weaker section can take admission forms to secure admission in MCD and MCD recognised schools till May 10," Nagpal said.

According to a Delhi government notification, a child belonging to economically weaker section means a child whose parents have a total annual income of less than Rs one lakh from all sources and who have been staying in Delhi for the last three years.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had on February 2 said the MCD has been told to implement the EWS admission process in true spirit as it is mandatory with the enforcement of Right to Education Act. The MCD will furnish a list of violating schools so that action could be initiated, she had said.

The MCD had then said notices are being issued to MCD-recognised 773 primary schools, asking them as to what steps they have taken to implement the 25 per cent quota.

Nagpal has repeatedly warned that action will be taken against the schools which do not implement EWS quota. — PTI

New Delhi, March 17
A woman Congress councillor alleged that she had been receiving extortion calls threatening that her children and husband would be killed if she doesn't pay Rs 50 lakh.

"I have been getting calls since last morning from two persons who are threatening to kill my husband and two children, if I don't pay them Rs 50 lakh," said Veena Saini.

According to Saini, she is getting such calls because of the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections next year.

"They asked me to pay the amount if I want to stay as a councillor," she said.

"I got the first call from a mobile number 9278342981, last morning. The caller said he was from the police and his name was Dhankar," said Saini.

"Another call came at 2 pm yesterday from a mobile number 9212513540. The caller said his name was Anil and he had called 9-10 times since then," she added. "I have lodged a complaint at Nihal Vihar police station. However, no response has come from the police," she said.

DCP (west) V Renganathan, he said: "Saini, a councillor from ward number 43 (Nangloi East) has filed a complaint with the police in this regard. We are inquiring into the matter." - IANS

New Delhi, March 17
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI), the caretaker of Indian heritage monuments, has a new plan for the Purana Qila.

After the much-loved boating ride at the adjoining lake, light shows and band performances at the Qila, there is plan to carry out commercial activity by introducing 'fish farming' at the lake.

"The fish farming will undoubtedly mean a cleaner and fresher lake. The renovation of the lake has also been pending for a long time. In other parts of India, including a couple of places in Bihar and Rajasthan, fish farming has already been introduced. Then why not Delhi?" said ASI Delhi Chapter director KK Muhammad.

ASI's Delhi circle has already floated Expression of Interest to "give the lake near Purana Qila for fish farming for three years from the date of contract". The lake, spread over 6.106 acres, is located on the northwestern edge of the Purana Qila at the junction of Mathura Road and Bhairon Marg. "The activity will further increase the footfall at the Qila and also generate some funds," he added.

However, there are concerns among the heritage activists who opine that introducing fish farming at the Purana Qila lake counters the law that says that no commercial activity is allowed inside or within 100 metres of any protected monument. "Currently, a boating facility is being run by Delhi Tourism which is very popular with the tourists round the year.

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) also runs a sound-and-light show on the Purana Qila premises. So the fish farming is not anything different," said another leading heritage expert from the city.

"I don't particularly see the need for fish farming. The lake can be kept clean otherwise as well. The activity may remove the focus from the main monument," said GK Menon, convener, INTACH's Delhi Chapter.

New Delhi, March 17
With the arrest of four persons, the Delhi police has claimed to solve the sensational robbery-cum-murder case of a commission agent, Atul Jain, who was robbed and shot dead outside his house on March 6 in the Laxmi Nagar area.

Jain worked as a commission agent and has been collecting money from various traders in Gandhi Nagar market when four assailants one a motor cycle shot him dead and decamped with the money.

According to OP Mishra, DCP (east), the accused have been identified as Mustakin, alias Bhoora, Zaki Anwar, Arshad and Nadeem.

"The inspection of the spot revealed that it was a planned murder and later the police learned about a person who has reportedly shared details regarding the cash that Jain was carrying with him. The information led to the arrest of Arshad and latter other accused also fallen in the police net," said Mishra.

Anwar was arrested a day later and disclosed the involvement of Mustakin and his other associate who were arrested by the joint team of the crime branch (SOS Unit) as well as the east district police yesterday.

"The detailed interrogation of the accused has revealed that the gang used to get the information regarding the carrying of the cash by the targeted persons through their sources who are working with various firms. They follow the victim and identify his route before commission of crime.

The crime is carried out by the gang members on specific information with prior planning," said Mishra.

New Delhi, March 17
A Delhi court has sentenced a man to 10 years in jail for repeatedly raping his wife's 12-year-old sister last year, resulting into her pregnancy and birth of a premature baby, which died two days later.

Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau sent the man to the Tihar Jail terming his crime as "ghastly and barbaric".

"Rape is an abominable and ghastly act. It worsens and becomes inhuman and barbaric when the victim is a little girl child, close relative of the abuser over whom the family has reposed faith as has happened in the present case," said Lau.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on convict Jai Prakash, 30, saying he took advantage of a "helpless and defenceless child" and raped her.

The "horrific" crime came to the light as ESI Hospital at Basaidarpur in west Delhi, where the 12-year-old girl delivered the baby, reported its death to the police, which got suspicious after seeing the mother's tender age and interrogated the victim's sister and her brother-in-law.

The victim, a school going girl, was the younger sister of Jai Prakash's wife and living with her at Ashok Vihar here since 2008.

Her sister had brought her to Delhi from Bihar for better education, she told the court. Her brother-in-law had raped her repeatedly.

The court convicted the man rejecting his plea that the girl was not a minor and she also consented to the sexual act.

"The defence is demolished from the medical reports showing that the victim has not even attained the age of 16 years at the time of the incident. The consent if any, under these circumstances, becomes immaterial," the judge said.

The court also relied on the forensic evidence, which corroborated the fact that Jai Prakash was the biological father of the child, which the victim had delivered. - PTI

New Delhi, March 17
Despite registering a case of robbery, the central district police is investigating whether the victim family has been really robbed or it is just a cooked-up story.

According to a senior police official from the district, the first wife of a scrap dealer alleged that the dealer's second wife and her sons barged into her house in the Karol Bagh area and decamped with cash and jewellery worth over Rs 15 lakh in the wee hours today. However, the police is doubtful of the allegations.

According to information, a PCR call was received around 3 am in which one Zannat said that her house had been robbed. The second wife of Zahir Ahmed, a scrap dealer who lives in D Block on Faiz Road in the Karol Bagh area, alleged that Zahir's first wife who stays with her children in the Laxmi Nagar area robbed them at gunpoint.

"Zannat made a PCR call around 3 am that Rajju, the first wife of Zahir, came to their house along with her children, carrying firearms. According to Zannat, Rajju and her sons held the whole family captive at gunpoint and robbed them of Rs 1 lakh besides gold and silver jewellery worth Rs 14 lakh," said the police official from DBG Road police station where the case has been registered.

However, the investigating team which reached the spot found contradictions in the statements of the victim family and is now questioning both the parties.

"It is not the first time when she made such a call. If found guilty, this woman would be booked," said a senior police official.

New Delhi, March 17
The Metro services will be curtailed till 2 pm at Holi on Sunday because of expected decrease in passenger footfall, Metro officials said today.

The move has also come along keeping in mind the security concerns during the festival.

All the six lines: Dilshad Garden to Rithala (Line-1), Jahangirpuri to HUDA City Centre (Line-2), Noida City Centre to Dwarka Sec-21 (Line-3), Anand Vihar to Yamuna Bank (Line-4), Inderlok to Mundka (Line-5) and Central Secretariat to Badarpur (Line-6) will be closed till 2 pm.

Metro train services will resume after 2 pm. In addition, the feeder bus services will not be available throughout the day on March 20.

"The passenger footfall is less in the first half of the day as it's a holiday and most people avoid travel. Also, there are security concerns, more so for the women passengers.

Last year also, we had suspended services at Holi," said a Metro official.

New Delhi, March 7
A Delhi traffic woman constable was allegedly molested by her colleagues in the Shahdara area of north Delhi.

According to information, the matter was reported at Civil Lines police station on March 11 and the accused have been arrested.

In her complaint, the victim charged that the three of her colleagues were drunk when they molested her in daylight inside a park from which she was crossing through. The constable was returning home after her duty hours at Shahdra Flyover near ISBT when the incident took place.

"After finishing her duty, she had lunch with her friend in the park and was walking towards the ISBT when the accused, identified as Pawan, Ajit and Raj Kumar, molested her," said a police official.

The accused ran away when the locals, who heard the victim shouting for help, gathered there.

While Pawan and Ajit were arrested earlier, Raj was nabbed yesterday. The senior police officials of the district pretend ignorance about the incident despite the registration of the case and arrest.

Greater Noida, March 17
The Uttar Pradesh Government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the four farmers injured in the shootout. Twelve others who were injured in the lathicharge will be given Rs 2.5 lakh each.

District magistrate Deepak Aggarwal said, "This was announced by cabinet minister Laxmi Narain at a meeting with the farmers. The meeting was held at Collectorate yesterday from 3 pm to 6.30 pm. Bhartiya Kisan Union representatives and farmers from Bhatta and other villages took part in the meeting."

Farmers were also told that the abadi land issue will be settled by the committee headed by the district magistrate. The seven per cent developed land given to them will have a mixed land use. They can have a commercial activity also on certain portions.

The minister further briefed on the new rehabilitation policy announced by the state in which farmers are given Rs 20,000 per acre for 33 years.

They can also get a one-time payment which will be around Rs 2.40 lakh per acre. Since January 17, farmers have been agitating at Bhatta Parsaul over the land acquisition issue. Their demand for 80 per cent of the authority land rate as compensation seems unjustified.

Meanwhile, Bhatta Parsaul farmers led by Manvir Singh Tevatia have not accepted the minister's offer on land acquisition. They will continue agitation.