New Delhi, December 11
A large number of people from the national capital, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and even Uttrakhand today reached Jantar Mantar to support Anna Hazare, who sat there on a one-day fast to demand a strong Lokpal Bill.

The supporters started reaching Jantar Mantar early morning. In fact, some of them came as early as 6.30 am to occupy the front seats near the stage where Anna was to sit. The supporters were wearing Anna caps and chanting slogans like "Inquilab Zinadabad, "Anna tum sangharsh karo ham tumahare saath hain". The venue bore a fair-like atmosphere as people were seen selling flags and caps, batches, wrist bands etc.

The Ghandhian first paid respect to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat around 9.30 am. Later, he along with his supporters left for Jantar Mantar. When Anna reached there at 10.30 am, half an hour before his scheduled time, the place was full of his supporters. As Anna stepped on to the stage, he was greeted with loud cheers, claps and slogans.

The supporters had come in groups carrying the tri-colour and placards.

People from all stratas of society had come there to lend support to the campaign. There were students, daily wage workers, office-goers, women and children. Though they did not have much knowledge of the Jan Lokpal Bill, they knew that Anna was fighting against corruption. Some of them even shared their experiences of corruption.

Two third year MBBS students -- Tatton and Himanshu Gupta--, who had come from Agra, said they pay bribe to get signatures of their section officers on any documents.

"Getting marksheets and certificates after passing out from an institution is a right of every student, but in our college, this is not possible without paying a bribe", they said.

Arjun Paswan from Khora village in Ghaziabad said, "I have been employed as a POP worker for the past 20 years, but could not construct a house. But some fourth class job holders in government offices have good houses. This is because of corruption. This should be stopped. If Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill is passed, it will control corruption."

A young man from Uttarakhand had dressed up like Ravana to depict corruption. As soon as he reached near Jantar Mantar, he was surrounded by youngsters, who escorted him to the venue.

An aged couple --BS Bajwa and Sunita Bajwa-- said due to corruption, the inflation had gone up.

"Public money is going into the pockets of politicians and to foreign banks. It is the duty of the government to prevent it. If the government is not doing anything, people like Anna Hazare should come forward to lead the citizens against corruption," the couple said.

A group of youngsters from Najafgarh had brought a huge garland for Anna, but they could not reach the venue as it was packed and so, left the garland near the Kerala Bhawan. 

New Delhi, December 11
Some supporters of Anna Hazare today had a heated argument with activists of an NGO, Krantikari Lok Adhikar (KLA), who were sticking posters which read that only law would not prevent corruption. The Anna supporters opposed the view of the NGO, saying that the Jan Lokpal Bill was the need of the hour.

Corruption is rampant in India and that strong laws were needed to check it, said Anna supporters. They suggested the KLA activists that instead of sticking posters, they should join Anna's stir.

Countering Anna supporters, an activist of the KLA Seema, said laws against corruption already existed and what was needed was a better implementation. "Instead of making new laws, we should demand a better enforcement of the existing laws," she said.

She suggested that people should come forward to ensure a better enforcement of the existing laws, instead of holding dharnas and fasts for new laws.

However, A 60-year-old resident of Gandhi Nagar in east Delhi, who had come to support Anna, said his hand cart was challaned a few months back. "When I went to the official concerned to get my cart released, he asked for Rs 2,000, though the price of a new cart is Rs 1000. How can we control this kind of a corruption? Anna's demand that all government officials be brought under the jurisdiction of the Jan Lokpal Bill is correct," he said.

Noida, December 11
Chief medical officer RK Garg, on the direction of district magistrate Hridesh Kumar, has started issuing notices to the hospitals that are running their OPDs from the basements of their buildings, asking them to shift the department to the ground floor. Further, the hospitals have been asked to get an NOC from the fire department.

"We have started sending notices to the hospitals where the OPDs are being run from the basement. The hospitals have been directed to shift their OPDs from the basement to upper floors," CMO RK Garg said today.

"At OPDs, doctors sit in their cabins and see patients. Besides, the paramedical and other staffs too assemble there. Moreover, inflammable materials are kept in the basements. In the case of an incident of fire, the chances of people coming out safely are very remote," said Garg.

"Further notices are being issued to all hospitals, nursing homes and clinics to get their fire safety arrangements inspected by the fire department and get an NOC issued from it. They have been asked to submit the NOC to the CMO within a fortnight," said Garg.

"In the event of non-compliance, the OPDs running from basements would be sealed. Further, those hospitals, nursing homes or clinics which do not submit the fire NOC within the stipulated period too will be sealed," said Garg.

When asked why the department had woken up only after the fire in a Kolkata hospital and did not act before, Garg said, "Earlier, hospitals used to claim that they have the approval of the authority. Moreover, I have taken the charge only a few months ago."

When asked about the fire safety arrangements at the government primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs), Garg said, "Today, I sent an inspection team that will provide fire extinguishers to all PHCs and CHCs that do not have them."

He admitted that several PHCs or CHCs might not be having the required number of fire extinguishers.

However, disagreeing with Garg, a representative of the Indian Medical Association, Dr AC Bisaria, said," The hospitals which are running their OPDs from the basements of their buildings have made all necessary fire-fighting arrangements as per the fire department advisory. They should not be asked to shift the department."

New Delhi, December 11
The city that has served as the political epicenter to many empires and dynasties over the centuries, New Delhi is all set to turn 100 tomorrow as the national Capital of India.

Celebrations have already started throughout the capital celebrating the remarkable history that the city houses, but there is much more in store over the coming months.

It was on December 12, 1911, that the then Emperor of India, George V, announced Delhi to be the new capital of the British Raj from the earlier epicenter, Kolkata.

Delhi has traditionally been the centre seat of a series of empires and regimes that have ruled India since over 3,000 years back.

It has housed more than eight cities over the centuries and each empire has left behind an unforgettable impression of its heritage that it still preserves.

With the national Capital turning 100 years now, it has brought forth an opportunity to celebrate the continuity of its rich habitation over centuries.

Also, this is the year when Delhi is seeking nomination for a "world heritage city" status under UNESCO's list. Under that process, heritage NGO's like INTACH, State Archeological Department and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) have planned a host of events and heritage walks for the common public. The intention has now strengthened with city's centenary celebrations, as INTACH has decided to increase the number of these events and also increase the frequency of heritage walks.

For a city that owns such a rich culture, it is important for its residents to be aware of it. This is one of the major criteria for Delhi to be recognised as a world heritage city.

The Delhi government in association with other cultural agencies such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations has planned year-long celebrations across the capital. The celebrations will actually kick off in January when the ministry of culture has lined up a number of events that will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the city.

Unique exhibitions will showcase several aspects of Delhi's rich history and culture, which will be planned specifically over a period of time and at different venues.

One of such exhibitions, "Dastan-e-Dilli" will be also inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Shiela Dikshit and L-G Tejendra Khanna on Wednesday.

The exhibition will chronicle the culture of Delhi right from its ancient days to the modern period where both the heritage sites and modern day buildings co-exist today.

A photo exhibition is also on the cards as a part of Delhi's centenary celebrations that will focus on all the historical monuments of the city.

The Delhi government is also in the process of releasing special souvenirs, including a book on the history of seven cities of Delhi and detailing the account of how the present city was constructed.

The book will be released by Dikshit. Though there will be no official ceremony to mark the occasion, the book will be released in the evening.

New Delhi, December 11
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has now written to the human resources development (HRD) ministry seeking to start new engineering courses at all the premier Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) in the country.

These courses have been proposed, keeping in mind the demand of talented engineers for the upcoming Metro projects all over the country.

DMRC chief E Sreedharan has said that there is a definite need for engineers specially qualified in this modern technology.

The IIT-Delhi already runs a diploma course on Metro technology with full funding from the Delhi Metro. The course was started three years ago and has 25 engineers in one batch who are imparted lessons by officials and engineers from the Delhi Metro before they join the organisation.

"We started our own course with IIT-Delhi and we are funding the course entirely. Then they are given hands-on training in the Metro technology and are assured with a job," said Sreedharan.

"The post-graduate courses in various disciplines relating to the Metro technology should be started in all IITs and a minimum of 50 engineers should pass out every year, keeping in mind the rising demands in the future," he said.

"We have suggested (to the HRD ministry) that IITs should start courses in the Metro technology. It is not mere civil engineering, but we need professionals in signaling, electrical and air-conditioning engineering," he said while speaking to mediapersons.

He said when the Metro construction initially began in the late 1990s, the technology was new to Indian engineers and there were not many experts in the field. But over the time, with successful projects like the Delhi Metro, some of the best engineering minds in the field of underground Metro building now belong to India.

"Now we have the resources. In the early days we were depending upon different consultants. We can use that experience to train many more young talented engineers. We have gained lot of experience now. Some of our engineers are among the best in the world. Foreign expertise is still required at times, but such a course will bring forth many more talented engineers in Metro technology," he added.

New Delhi, December 11
The industries department, Delhi government, has made certain suggestions to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for amendment of Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) - 2021 for improvement of functioning and development of industries and growth of Delhi as a modern city, a senior official of the department concerned said.

He said the industrial policy of Delhi prescribes for development of the industrial areas so that the concept of walk to work is encouraged. This requires that the housing for people working in the industrial areas should be provided within the industrial areas.

However, the current master plan does not allow development of any residential housing in the industrial area. It is, therefore, suggested that the residential housing component should also be incorporated in the norms of development of the industrial areas, the official said.

The Master Plan Delhi-2021 provides for 4 to 5 per cent land to be used as the industrial area on the basis of its population, growth and

development. Keeping this in view, the department suggested the DDA that it should be given approximately 2,794 acre of additional land in urban extension for development of industries, he said.

The official said redevelopment of the industrial areas and industrial clusters needed provision for use of the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) through land amalgamation. The land amalgamation and TDR model of redevelopment might be based on the principles of identity of industry, entity of developer, number of new industrial units and existing units.

The department also suggested the DDA that there was a need to go vertical in the industrial areas, leaving larger ground space for green areas and parking. It is, therefore, suggested that the restriction on height for flatted group industries should be changed to no restriction (subject to clearance from the Airport Authority of India/Fire Department) as is being done in case of residential group housing, he added.

New Delhi, December 11
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is now inviting applications for its management programmes for July 2012 session through an entrance test called the OPENMAT-XXXI to be held on February 12, nest year all over the country.

There are seven degree/diploma programmes for which the application is invited, including master of business administration (MBA), diploma in management (DIM), post-graduate diploma in management (PGDIM), post graduate diploma in human resource management (PGDHRM), post-graduate diploma in financial management (PGDFM), post-graduate diploma in operations management (PGDOM) and post-graduate diploma in marketing management (PGDMM).

These programmes have multi-media design and technology aided delivery systems. Candidates with 50 per cent marks in graduation for general category and 45 per cent for reserved category are eligible to apply for admission. However, candidates with bachelor's degree and three years of supervisory/managerial/professional experience or professional degree or masters degree in any subject are also eligible to apply.

Candidates who have successfully cleared the entrance test for admission into management programme conducted by institutions like CAT, MAT and state-level tests need not appear in the OPENMAT.

The cutoff percentage for admission of these candidates will be decided by the university.

Non-graduates (10+2 or equivalent) with six years of managerial/supervisory/professional experience are eligible for taking admission into diploma in management only after clearing the entrance test.

Candidates who qualify the entrance test can submit the registration form, available in the student handbook and prospectus along with the hall ticket of the entrance test to the respective regional centres with the required fee on any day after the receipt of the result card.

Provision for online registration for admission to the successful candidates will be made available on the university website www.ignou.ac.in after the declaration of the entrance test result.

New Delhi, December 11
The city government authorities, including the traffic police and MCD, have been asked by the Delhi High Court to devise an effective mechanism to rid traffic snarls on various roads.

A special bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and S Muralidhar directed the authorities to convene a meeting and "work out a formula" to implement a court-appointed panel's recommendations for decongesting various city roads.

Earlier, a task force appointed by the high court had identified various congested city roads in six different localities, both in the NDMC and MCD areas, especially those in the Walled City, and had recommended measures to decongest them.

The bench asked the authorities of the city government to examine efficacy of those measures as well.

The agencies were also asked to collect certain data about the existing traffic problems on those roads where the recommendations are to be implemented.

The court order came after the standing counsel, Delhi government, Najmi Waziri informed the bench that lanes were not properly marked in some roads and the signages, streetlights were also missing as a result of which the police finds it difficult to implement the suggestions.

Waziri said the MCD was required to properly mark the lanes as dedicated corridors for non-motorised vehicles (NMV). He also said deep inroads made by the Delhi Metro had made it difficult to carve out pedestrian ways and NMV corridors everywhere, as envisaged in the cour's previous order.

The special bench is monitoring the ongoing work of a task force to decongest city roads even while allowing all types of vehicles, including non-motorised ones, to ply at the same time.

Following its February 2010 order, the panel has evolved a traffic system under which no mode of traffic, including non-motorised bicycles and cycle-rickshaws, are denied access to some roads in the Walled City area.

The bench, however, had asked the panel to ensure that non-motorised vehicles plying on these roads do not lead to a traffic congestion or snarl.

Earlier, the bench had passed the order on the plea of an NGO, Manushi Sangathan, which pointed out that the court had set up a task force to decongest the traffic in the Walled City area more than a year ago, but it is not known as to what it has done in the intervening period.

It was on the plea of the NGO that the high court had last year taken objection to the police decision of banning cycle- rickshaws and other non-motorised vehicles on some key roads in and around Chandni Chowk and had allowed them to ply on these roads. — PTI

New Delhi, December 11
In a rare show, over 140 women, including officers and family members of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), today participated in a car rally to spread message on significance of paper recycling.

The AAI is the first public sector unit in the country to support the cause of Government Recycled Office Waste (GROW) by recycling all its waste papers and converting these into office stationery and gifts.

The rally included 75 cars and covered a distance of 50 km. The event was being organised by Kalyanmayee, the CSR arm of the AAI. The theme of the rally was "Passionate for Speed and Compassionate for Nature".

"The rally was organised to create awareness on the AAI's unique initiative on promotion of environment friendly recycled paper and the impact it could have on our everyday lives," said Archana Agrawal, president of Kalyanmayee and the brain behind this unique initiative.

"Driven by the concept of promoting better practices for environment conservation, the AAI became the first PSU in India to establish the paper recycling unit and is a pride for the AAI. This unit converts paper waste from the AAI offices across the country into useful stationery products like file covers, file folders, visiting cards, envelopes, letter heads, corporate gifts, calendars and several other paper products. Earlier, the paper waste was being dumped or sold. Now the recycle unit significantly caters the paper stationery needs of the AAI offices situated across the country," said VP Agrawal, AAI, chairman.

Thousands of reams of paper being used by 125 airports and air traffic control offices - AAI is the custodian of all Indian airports - are being recycled daily and converted into various products. This also gives employment to over 20,000 people.

The ministries of home affairs and rural development have already approached the AAI to help them recycle their old papers into new products.

"We thought women can be the best companion for environmental cause and that led us to this idea. We hope to spread message among public on why paper recycling is important and why you should take a closer look at recycle papers used in your daily lives," said Agrawal.

As a milestone event in the history of AAI, all paper branding materials of the rally, including car stickers, registration pack, booklets, etc., will also be made out of recycled papers.

New Delhi, December 11
The south-district Delhi police has claimed to have busted a gang of fraudsters and arrested six persons for allegedly encashing fake cheques of government, semi-government and private companies.

The accused have been identified as Tripurari Prasad, Harvinder Singh, Arshad Ahmed, Devender Singh, Harmeet and Amandeep.

A senior police officer said the arrests followed several complaints about fake cheques being used to siphon off huge cash from the bank accounts of different government and private companies.

"The interrogation of the accused has revealed that the gang members used to obtain scanned copies of the cheques of different government, semi-government and private companies. After this, they used to check the balances of the accounts of these companies and fill in the cheques accordingly," said the officer.

"The cheques were then forwarded to the accounts of either the gang members or their acquaintances, who were given commission for this. The cash was withdrawn as soon as it was credited to the account. We have got some clues from a company in Chamoli, Uttrakhand, whose five cheques have been fraudulently encashed by the gang at different places, causing a loss of about Rs 2 crore," he said.

Two of the accused were arrested on December 4 from the parking lot of the Siri Fort Sports Complex. They had gone there to deliver fake cheques, said the officer.

Their arrest led to the recovery of a signed Punjab National Bank cheque of Bharat Bhusan and Co. and two blank cheques for Rs 30,30,656. The cheques bore the signatures of the authorised signatory of Life Insurance Corporation of India, Meerut, and Indian Overseas Bank. A self cheque for Rs 25,000 of ATM Agro Products Ltd was also seized from them.

"A close examination of the cheques revealed that they were fake. It was learnt that the accused had planned to withdraw huge amounts through the fake LIC cheques. A case has been registered at the Hauz Khas police station," he said.

"At the instance of the two accused, the police further arrested Jamir, his son Arshad and his accomplices, who used to supply fake cheques to the gang. They had their base in Meerut," he said.

Later, three more members of the gang

-- Devinder Singh Mehandiratta, Hardeep and Amandeep-- were also arrested.