New Delhi, August 8
Even as the opposition parties, including the Left, have announced to raise the CWG cost escalation issue in Parliament, demanding resignation of the Delhi Chief Minister, Delhi transport minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said that the government had gone through the entire report of the CAG, but there was no mention of the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and other ministers of the city government in it.

"We are the policy-making body. We make policy on the basis of the proposal submitted by the secretaries of the department concerned," Lovely said.

"We have consulted the legal experts also who suggested that there was nothing against us," Lovely said.

The BJP demand for resignation of the Chief Minister on the basis of the CAG report does not make sense. The CAG is an accounting body. It audits accounts. It just points out the cost escalation and what should be the next course of action. It is not an action-taking body, Lovely said.

Every year in March, the CAG makes it report public which points out the fault in the accounts of union government, state governments and public undertaking bodies. If the BJP demand for CM's resignation is accepted, it means every year the government should step down on the basis of the CAG report, he said.

The CAG has pointed some objections on the tender process of the streetlight, but tender is not dealt by the ministers. The report is not final. Now it will be placed before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is headed by a senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, the minister said.

"The PAC will scrutinize the report. The government will submit all the documents required by it. It is not going to hide anything from the PAC," Lovely assured.

"The CAG has not used the word corruption and scam anywhere in its report. It has mentioned the weaknesses of the administration," he said.

The CAG pointed out the cost escalation in streetlight and streetscaping though it was not done by the Delhi government only. Besides the city government, DDA, MCD, NDMC and other agencies were involved. Why is the BJP pointing out the projects of Delhi government only? All the agencies are equally responsible.

Moreover, in the host city agreement, streetscaping and lighting were mandatory Lovely said.

When scribes asked about the buses and bus queue shelters that have been pointed out by the CAG, he said, "I asked the TATA to supply some buses at the time of CWG for sportspersons. They were our guests. It was our duty to provide them better buses. There were 328 buses that were delivered just a few days before the Games."

As far bus queue shelters, Lovely said, "A total number of 1,200 bus queue shelters were to be constructed. It was a cabinet decision of April 2007 to construct 257 bus queue shelters before the Games and the remaining after the Games. Now the remaining shelters are under construction."

New Delhi, August 8
A large number of BJP activists in the leadership of Vijay Kumar Malhotra marched towards the Chief Minister's office at Delhi Secretariat from Shaheedi Park, demanding her resignation on the basis of CAG report that pointed out financial irregularities in the CWG projects.

Malhotra said that it seems that the UPA government at Centre is trying to save the Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

In the past also, the Shunglu Committee and CVC had indicted Sheila Dikshit and her government. The CBI has not included the names of Chief Minister and her cabinet colleagues even as the CAG has asked for CBI investigations into gross corruption in PWD, health and other departments of the city government.

He pointed out discrepancies and mismanagement in procurement of buses, ambulances, equipment for health department and beautification of Connaught Place.

The issue related to procurement of streetlights at exorbitant rates was also raised in the Delhi Assembly, but the Delhi government denied these charges, Malhotra said.

He said that the Chief Minister should resign taking responsibility of financial irregularities pointed by the CAG.

New Delhi, August 8
Four core members of team Anna, including Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, today met Delhi police commissioner B.K. Gupta to decide upon the protest site for social activist Anna Hazare who intends to sit on indefinite fast on August 16, demanding a strong Lokpal Bill with Prime Minister in its preview.

However, despite the meeting, suspense looms on the place of protest as the police has sought two days to consider the alternative sites suggested by team Anna.

According to police sources, the MCD has given the no-objection certificate (NOC) to Anna for holding the protest at Ramlila Grounds and team Anna today expressed the desire to hold the protest there.

The Delhi police had earlier refused them permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on the grounds that the site could not be allowed to be used by one particular group for an indefinite period and also the fact that it did not have enough capacity to hold the large number of people expected to join the protest.

Team Anna had sought permission to hold the protest at either Boat Club, Rajghat, Ramlila Maidan or Shaheedi Park, near the ITO. However, since even after five days, the Delhi police has not intimated team Anna about the venue, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia met the police chief today evening.

"The meeting was attended by police commissioner Gupta, special commissioner (law and order) Dharmender Kumar and joint commissioners of North and New Delhi zones. Team Anna is more keen to hold the protest at the Boat Club but we are yet to decide and have sought two days to decide upon the most feasible venue," said a senior police official.

He added that team Anna is not ready to hold the protest in Burari.

After refusal to permit protest at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi police had suggested a site in Burari, on the outskirts of Delhi, but this was refused by team Anna on the grounds that place does not have suitable Metro and bus connectivity that would create inconvenience for people wanting to join the protest.

New Delhi, August 8
To fill all OBC category seats, Delhi University will come up with eighth and ninth cutoff lists.

A condition that required that the maximum difference between the OBC and general category cutoffs should not exceed 10 per cent has been done away with.

In a statement to the colleges, the DU registrar has stated that the OBC seats should be filled only by OBC students and no conversion of seats to general category should take place.

"In pursuance of the high court order, the unfilled OBC seats are to be filled only by OBC candidates. The colleges are required to inform the registrar by August 9 about the eighth cutoff list. They can lower the cutoffs by more than 10 per cent (if required)," said the statement.

The admissions on the basis of the eighth cutoff list will take place on August 10 and 11. The submission of fees will also take place on the same days.

"The colleges should aim to lower the cutoffs as they need to fill in all OBC seats. The colleges should also inform the registrar about the number of vacant OBC seats in every course," the statement said.

If the seats are not filled through the eighth cutoff list, the colleges are supposed to come up with a ninth cutoff list for the OBC candidates. The ninth cutoffs will be announced on August 11. The admission and payment of fees for this list will take place on August 12, 13 and 16.

The colleges are supposed to send a final list about the status of OBC seats to the university after August 16. The strategy to fill rest of the seats will be communicated to the colleges later.

New Delhi, August 8
St Stephen's College today announced the creation of the St Stephen's Institute for Management Excellence (SSIME). This is the first time that Stephen's has ventured into business education.

SSIME's first offering, accelerated development programme (ADP) for mid-career professionals, will begin in October at the executive facilities of the India International Centre in New Delhi.

College alumnus and business education entrepreneur Sanjay Saigal will serve as the director of the institute.

The institute will offer training and conduct research in business management.

Stephen's principal Rev Valson Thampu said, "Over its history, St Stephen's College has simultaneously deepened and extended its educational mission while consolidating academic strength and societal relevance. As the landscape of employment evolves, the need for world-class business and entrepreneurship education has become increasingly critical. SSIME is our response to this need. We are starting with the area of greatest need: mid-career professionals. "

ADP has been created in partnership with the Jones School of Business at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA. The associate dean for executive education at Jones School, D. Brent Smith, will serve as SSIME's curriculum advisor.

Having previously trained Indian executives, Smith has been a strong supporter of Rice's collaboration with SSIME.

"Since the opportunity to teach business management at St Stephen's College was first discussed, my reaction has remained extremely positive," said Smith.

"I knew of Stephen's academic reputation and its remarkable alumni record. But what especially caught my interest was its strength in economics and related disciplines such as history and mathematics. These subjects provide tremendous leverage in understanding why management practices evolve and how new practices can be best adopted by the traditional and emerging Indian business sectors," he added.

New Delhi, August 8
Indira Gandhi National Open university, after signing a pact with the Aditya Birla group, is preparing to reach out to the underprivileged sections of society by running special courses for them in garment stitching.

An official from IGNOU said about the course, "The university has been wanting to benefit the underprivileged by running short-term courses to help empower them and get them the much-needed employment. We are currently providing a basic and an advanced course in garment stitching and a third course in garment stitching and quality control. At least 200 students will be enrolled per year."

The official further added, "The students of the course will study in centres set up by the Madura Fashion and Lifestyle Institute which is a part of Aditya Birla's assets."

Vice-chancellor VN Rajasekharan Pillai adds, "Later, these courses can lead to a diploma programme or a certificate programme."

Noida, August 8
To check power thefts, the Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVNNL) will use satellite imaging. A private software company has been asked to prepare a plan on an experimental basis for one substation.

The plan is expected to be completed by December this year.

As per the PVVNL records, transmission and distribution losses amount to 7.6 per cent every year. Last year, 325 consumers were caught stealing power and FIRs were registered against them. The nigam collected Rs 278 lakh as fines, which included compounding penalties in 278 cases.

"In the last two months, we have collected penalties of Rs 22 lakh, while Rs 39 lakh has been collected as fine for pilfering power.

Through satellite imaging, PVVNL officials would be able to monitor the distribution cable network of any substation and detect any theft through 'katias', illegal power connections.

Through modems, automatic reading of the transformers could be generated.

Officials will be able to detect any abnormality in the power network from substation to the consumers.

At Sector 58, a control room is being set up where the data would be analysed and put on various PVVNL networks to be viewed by the officers through passwords.

In the jhuggi areas, there are hundreds of illegal connections made through 'katias' on power cables. PVVNL officials are aware of theses thefts, but fail to take action allegedly due to political pressures.

To check the thefts, the PVVNL had even used enamelled cables in which 'katias' do not function.

But this too has proved ineffective, as the residents devised other ways to steal power from pole points.

New Delhi, August 8
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) that looks after the entire Lutyens' zone and the VVIP areas of Delhi today appointed a new chairperson Archana Arora, an IAS officer.

The Central government in consultation with the Chief Minister has appointed Arora as per the notification issued on July 14 by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Arora has served in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. She has also served in Delhi government in various departments, including education, trade and taxes, transport and energy.

"As commissioner VAT, she was instrumental in introducing a number of reforms related to the new VAT Act. She was instrumental in complete computerization of the VAT department. During her tenure, the department experienced a significantly high growth rate," said a senior NDMC official.

Besides, Arora has served in various capacities in the state government of Goa and Arunachal Pradesh. She has worked in the Central government in the Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Personnel and Training and Election Commission of India.

The new chairperson of NDMC also administrated oath to the two nominated official members, Arun Goel, Joint Secretary (Delhi and Land) and Mahmood Ahmed, Land and Development Officer, Ministry of Urban Development as members of NDMC.

New Delhi, August 8
The municipal councillors today explored the possibility of constituting a sanitation and health committee in their wards to check the spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria.

The committee would comprise principals of all the municipal schools, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), market associations, junior engineer, assistant sanitary inspector and malaria inspector of the area.

The councillors will convene the meeting at regular intervals to monitor the situation.

The initiative was discussed at a workshop organized by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.

Delhi Mayor Prof. Rajni Abbi stressed the point that 'prevention is better than cure' as no vaccination of the dreaded disease is available. She also advised that bulletin boards should be placed in every office which is open to the public.

"A little alertness can check the spread of the virus. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi on its part is making all-out efforts to check these diseases," she said.

Municipal health officer Dr N.K. Yadav said that the Central government has identified 96 places to check the density of mosquitoes so that dengue virus can be detected early before its spread.

Dr Yadav said that for rigorous monitoring, 34 sentinel surveillance hospitals have been provided with IDs and passwords for an online reporting of the cases.

Chairman of the Medical Relief and Public Health Committee of the MCD, Dr V.K. Monga cited the example of polio which was eradicated with the public participation.

New Delhi, August 8
A 20-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by his employer and his men in the Bindapur area of southwest Delhi this afternoon following which the angry mob pelted the police with stones and burnt a police Gypsy.

According to information, Arun, a daily wager, had gone along with his friend to collect his wages from his employer Prasad who resides in the Nanhe Park area of Bindapur when the incident took place. There was some argument between the two and Prasad refused to pay wages to Arun and later beat him up with sticks leading to his death.

Meanwhile, Arun's friend managed to flee from the spot and told about the incident to others. When the police came and tried to take the body, Arun's sympathizers protested and demanded the arrest of Prasad and did not allow the body to be taken.

"Hundreds of protesting people collected and pelted the police with stones while burning a scooter parked there. Police Gypsy was also damaged and the SHO Bindapur and the area ACP were also hurt in the incident. Armed policemen were called in later and things are under control now," said a police official, adding that investigation in the matter is on and both the parties have been detained and are being questioned.

New Delhi, August 8
The Delhi police has apprehended five persons, including a Nigerian national, for trading in heroin, cocaine and ganja. The three arrested persons of a drug syndicate revealed that the main dealer got crude heroin from the opium-growing areas of the Naxalite-affected regions of the country.

The Delhi Police Special Cell, Northern Range, arrested Gulsher, Nabi Hassan and Mohammed Alam, who were some of the members of the heroin syndicate. The police recovered 1.15 kg of fine-quality heroin from them. The three accused and other members--Anjar Ahmed, Ameen and Mosma--would receive heroin from the suppliers of drug dealers.

"They were active in Bawana, Narela, Jama Masjid, Shastri Nagar, Kasim Vihar and Ansar Vihar. We kept a watch on their activities," said Arun Kampani, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell.

On August 5, the police was informed about Gulsher, who would deliver a consignment of heroin to Hasan near Maujpur Chowk at night. The police nabbed them as Gulsher gave a packet of 500g heroin to Hasan.

During the interrogation, Hasan disclosed that he had given 700g heroin to Alam about a week ago. On August 6, the police raided the residence of Alam where they arrested him and recovered 350 g heroin. The police also raided Hasan's house where they recovered 300 g of the same drug.

Furthermore, the Crime Branch arrested a Nigerian textile merchant, Chidi Henry Obika for trading in cocaine and recovered 15g of the drug from him.

Sanjay Bhatia, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Crime Branch, said that the recovered cocaine was worth Rs 11 lakh on the international market.

Bhatia said that Obika was apprehended with the cocaine near the National Heart Institute in East of Kailash. 

New Delhi, August 8
Yana Ngoba and Raj Singh, husband-wife designer duo from the northeast, have showcased the rich tribal heritage of Arunachal Pradesh through a fashion show in the Capital.

"Our tribal attire is rich in terms of weaves, colours, designs and patterns. It's a tad unfortunate that no one has attempted a fusion on it before. We are very hopeful that the tribal-western fusion collection shall find many takers in metros as well as international markets," Yana said here on Sunday.

"It's time that our age-old tribal heritage gets the place on world map it truly deserves. This and our forthcoming shows are an endeavour in this direction," she added.

Organised by Yanaraj Desizns, the event saw tribal attire inspired from the interiors of Arunachal. The collection presented the tribal attire with western styles to produce a range that's ethnic yet contemporary. Accessories like headgears and exotic ornaments added to the charm.

The highpoint of the fashion show was dresses made of polythene and plastic waste like packaged water bottles, noodle packets and pan masala sachets, an attempt to promote the message of a clean and green Arunachal.

Also present on the occasion was Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin, who is also Yana's brother.

"We express our gratitude to the state government for supporting the cause and especially to the Chief Minister for his interest in promoting the rich heritage and tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh. Promotional events like these shall set the stage for increase in tourist traffic and export of our tribal produce," Raj said.

He added that the couple was in the process of finalising participation in Paris Fashion Week the next year.

"We are planning for Paris Fashion Week. We have already got one approval and the second approval will be made clear by August 27. There is one international designer under whom there will two northeast designers -- one of them will be Yana and other will be from Mizoram," added Raj. -- IANS