Ghaziabad, February 25
In Ghaziabad, BSP leader Mayawati today launched a no-hold-barred attack on Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and countered his allegations, providing a tit-for-tat to the Congress scion who had taken on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Noida.

Mayawati lashed out at the Congress and the UPA government, saying it was responsible for Uttar Pradesh being a backward state as it had ruled it for 40 long years in the past.

"We had asked for a Rs 80,000-crore financial package for the development of the state, but the Congress government at the Centre denied. We had to ask the private sector to invest in our schemes. We brought out a new land acquisition policy for farmers and even provided reservation in contract works," said Mayawati.

Mayawati's rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Kavi Nagar came a day after two successive rallies by a galaxy of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, in Ghaziabad.

"Rahul alleges that I have changed after coming to power in the state. These people were happy when I was fighting for the poor on the streets and was not in power. I must tell them that I have the master key to unlock the doors to UP," Mayawati told the gathering.

She sarcastically lauded the media for airing the news of the election commission issuing guidelines to cover idols and elephant statues in Uttar Pradesh before the Assembly polls.

Attacking the BJP, Mayawati said during its rule at the Centre, the party did not muster courage to bring back black money stashed abroad to India, about which it is making so much noise now.

"Don't let the Congress and the SP take power in the state, otherwise there will be 'goonda raj'," she said.

Noida, February 25
The crux of leaders' speeches being delivered in Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad and elsewhere in the state during the run-up to the polling day on February 28 has boiled down to one-upmanship.

While Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi mounts a scathing attack on the BJP, SP and BSP, alleging them of having failed the people of UP, the choicest attack is focused on Mayawati and senior BJP leader LK Advani.

Rahul today said that though the senior BJP leader had taken out a 'rath yatra' against corruption across the country, he is oblivious to corruption in the BJP-ruled states.

Speaking at Noida, the Congress scion lashed out at the BJP, accusing it of creating obstacles in passing the Lokpal Bill to check corruption in the country.

"The most senior leader of the BJP has closed his eyes to corruption in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat," said Rahul.

"Despite its claims of fighting corruption, the BJP has taken the most corrupt minister in Uttar Pradesh into its fold after being thrown out from Mayawati's Cabinet for graft," he added.

Rahul accused the BJP of not cooperating with the UPA government in passing the Lokpal Bill.

"When we brought the Lokpal Bill for voting in the Lok Sabha, senior BJP leaders smiled at us and pressed the red button to reject it. On being questioned by the media, Advani had said the Bill had never been a dream of the BJP," Rahul said.

He made a strong pitch over the Lokpal Bill, saying that it was the dream of the Congress, including Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, and the 'aam aadmi' alike to establish a strong Lokpal in the country. Attacking successive governments that ruled Uttar Pradesh over the past 22 years, Rahul said all the parties promised a lot, but delivered very little.

"The state has remained stagnant over the past 22 years even though Mulayam has been elected thrice and Mayawati four times. Mulayam rode to power each time on the promise of giving free electricity to the farmers, but ignored the same after becoming the chief minister," Rahul alleged.

Rahul also alleged that there was rampant corruption in the Mayawati government.

"Mayawati has siphoned off about Rs 1,000 crore meant for the JNNURM scheme, leaving urban development facilities like roads and drains in a complete disarray. An amount of Rs 8,000 crore given as financial aid by the Centre for the development of the Bundelkhand region was looted by her ministers," he alleged.

"It is not the money of the central government that has been looted, but the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of UP," he added.

Raising his pitch over the land acquisition row in Gautam Budh Nagar, Rahul said when farmers raised their voices against their lands being sold to builders, they had to bear the brunt of police brutality.

"A woman in Bhatta village told me that her land was acquired without her knowledge. When she complained to the police, it burnt her standing crop," said Rahul, while attacking Mayawati for claiming "that nothing had happened in the village and that Rahul had simply gone mad."

Making a departure from his earlier remark that people from UP go about begging on the streets of Maharashtra, Rahul said, "People from UP toil hard in other states like Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana to ensure the development of these states. Leaders should hold hands with public and work towards their development, but it is sad that most don't do so.”

New Delhi, February 25
The movement of rickshaw pullers in the city will be streamlined soon, according to senior leaders of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The number of rickshaw pullers, which currently stands at over 99,000, may increase as the civic agency is mulling to start their registration for issuing licences.

In 2007, to stop the increase in the number of rickshaws, the MCD had stopped issuing licences for them. It had suggested that plying of rickshaws was a non-viable option as they caused traffic jams. It had restricted their entry to certain areas, with majority of them plying in the Walled City.

However, after the Delhi High Court issued new orders in December, the cap was removed.

Senior municipal officials have said that the MCD would have to lift the ban and devise a plan to issue licences to rickshaw pullers. This will include deputing special licensing officials in zonal offices and creating parking sites for rickshaws, according to the officials.

The licences will be issued by launching a drive to register all rickshaw pullers in the city. The drive is expected to start by the end of February and will continue till June 30.

The registration will be done through the central bureau services counters in the municipal zones. The charges for the process have been kept very nominal.

The application form that has to be filled by the applicant will cost only Rs 2 and will be available at the counters.

The registration of a rickshaw will cost only Rs 100, which will be valid for one year. To issue the licence to a rickshaw puller, a fee of Rs 25 will be charged.

"We have issued directions to identify sites for the parking of the rickshaws. The registration can not be initiated unless we allocate parking spaces," said a senior municipal official.

New Delhi, February 25
Aimed at establishing a strong foothold of the northeast student community in Delhi University, Hindu College today organised a festival - 'NEtym'.

The festival provided an apt platform to the northeast students to showcase the best of their rich and diverse heritage. It was inaugurated by Falguni Rajkumar, ex-secretary, northeast council, Government of India; Neerja Rajkumar, ex-chief secretary, Karnataka government and Vinay Kumar Shrivastava, principal, Hindu College.

With best of the handicrafts of the region, globally acclaimed fine artistry samples and varied delicacies on the show, the festival presented the northeast in a new light. There were seminars to discuss issues faced by the northeast students in Delhi, a documentary screening, traditional dance recitals, rock band performances from the region, a Bhupen Hazarika tribute concert and an act by Lou Majaw (also known as India's Bob Dylan)

Eleven stalls were put up for showcasing artifacts, handicrafts and crafts of the seven northeastern states. The food stalls of different states were the major attraction. Delicacies of Assam such as narhipitteha, jalpan and dillor laddoo attracted a lot of crowd.

"The festival encompasses everything about the states, from history to culture. It showcases the region's handicrafts, food, clothing, literature, contemporary developments as well as highlights the problems and difficulties of all northeastern states through its seminar-- Revisiting India's North East: Exploring its hidden potential. Such events are very important for us because it not only helps other students to understand our roots and culture, it even helps us celebrate where we come from," said Tenzin, a student at the festival.

Falguni Rajkumar said, "Time has changed. Festivals like this should not attract only northeastern faces, but also faces from all over India."

Vinay Shrivastava said, "This event showcases the culture of the northeast to the northeasterners. But it should not be seen as ghettoization. The right way to see it would be to position it as a broad streaming."

"With about 10,000 students, the northeast is one of the largest student communities in the national capital. According to figures, there are more than a lakh northeastern people in Delhi. The event will become an annual one now on," he added.

New Delhi, February 25
The 20th World Book Fair kicked off today, with a host of youngsters thronging the halls at Pragati Maidan as 1,300 exhibitors displayed a magnum collection of varied books at 2,500 kiosks in 10 halls.

Being a Saturday, visitors looked rather relaxed and were seen reading their favourite books at stalls.

The fair began with good news for books lovers and the National Book Trust (NBT), the organiser, when union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal announced that soon the event might become an annual affair.

Inaugurating the fair at the Hamsadhwani open-air theatre, Sibal said looking at the rising popularity of the fair, talks were on to hold it every year.

"We publish over 1,00,000 books in several languages each year. We now stand as the third largest publisher of English books in the world after the US and UK. It is very important to promote events such as the Delhi Book Fair," Sibal said, praising NBT for its efforts.

The NBT had been trying to persuade the government to make the fair an annual event for many years now.

Reacting to the announcement, director of the National Book Trust MA Sikander said, "We have been seeking the annual status for quite some time now. If the government supports us, the fair can get bigger and entertain readers every year. Currently, non-profit organisations are supporting the event along with government-aided film organisations, universities and trade bodies."

"We are expecting a higher footfall this year. Many significant changes have been made this time. We are expecting footfall to go up by nearly 30 per cent this year. Last time, the fair had attracted well above 50,000 visitors," he added.

This time, the fair is themed to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema and its relationship with the Indian literature.

A good crowd was seen at Hall Number 7. Many enjoyed the slotted cultural programmes and various delicacies being offered at the food court.

For visitors' convenience, the NBT has set up an information counter that tells people about the different exhibitors and the main book releases and other events of the day.

"It is not necessary to be a book worm to enjoy books. The information center provides enough insight into the writers' profiles, bibliographies and catalogues that is helping people like us to explore more about books. It has become much easier for us to locate the books by names of the authors," said Prerna Mathur, a visitor at the fair.

Following complaints regarding the efficacy of its anti-stalking or anti-obscene call helpline (nos. 1096 and 27894455), the Delhi police recently conducted a test.

Two senior police officers, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dharmendra Kumar and Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Goel wanted to check the effectiveness of the facility. Kumar dialled the helpline and posed as the father of a girl who was being harassed by a boy, while Goel acted as the girl's brother.

New Delhi, February 25
The Delhi government has set up a commission of enquiry (CEO) to look into the issues and circumstances related to the alleged abuse of children at an unregistered children home, Arya Anathalaya, in Daryaganj.

The CEO has been set up after a preliminary enquiry conducted by the police and officials of the social welfare department of the Delhi government reported certain points. The CEO has been set up under Section 3 of the Commission of Enquiry Act 1954, according to a senior official of the department concerned.

The CEO will be headed by retired IAS officer Geeta Sagar and another retired IAS officer Janak Juneja will serve as a member. The CEO has been asked to submit its report along with suggestions and corrective measures to the government within one month time.

Dikshit has asked the CEO to go deep into the issues and submit a detailed report with all feasible suggestions to enable the government to curb such incidents in future and ensure an atmosphere conducive to the safety and well-being of the children in the Capital, according to the officer.

The CEO has been entrusted the responsibility of looking into the state of affairs of five children homes-- Arya Bal Grih, Darya Ganj; Arya Kanya Sadan, Daryaganj; Chhatrawas Chandra Arya Vidya Mandir, East Of Kailash; Chandra Arya Vidyalaya, East Of Kailash and Arya Anathalaya , Daryaganj.

The terms of reference are to look into the recent incidents of child abuse and related incidents, to study the management structure and supervisory mechanism of the five homes, the lapses in the day-to-day functioning and the overall management, including the persons responsible for such lapses, examine adherence to various rules and regulations regarding the care and protection of children and make recommendations and suggestions to prevent re-occurrence of such incidents in future. 

New Delhi, February 25
Two persons have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from people by posing as crime reporters for a weekly newspaper "Rashtra Ki Aawaj- Aaj Tak".

The accused are identified as Mithun Singh Rajput (24) and Gursharan Kaur (37).

Deputy commissioner of police (northeast district) BK Singh said, "The arrested persons allegedly indulged in extortion by posing as crime reporters of weekly newspaper "Rashtra Ki Aawaj- Aaj Tak". The extortion money, Rs 10, 000, has been recovered."

On February 24, the police received a complaint about the gang from Kaushalya, a resident of West Karawal Nagar. She runs an NGO "Jeevan Anmol- Nasha Mukti Kendra".

Kaushalya told the police that on February 23, two persons claiming to be crime reporters of "Rashtra Ki Aawaj- Aaj Tak" came to her office and demanded cash. They said if not given the money, they would stop the functioning of the NGO by highlighting it in the media.

The next day, about 11 am, they came again after finalising a deal for Rs 50,000. Kaushalya gave them over Rs 10,000 to Mithun. But they demanded Rs 30,000 more. She then telephoned the police. The police reached her office and apprehended the accused and seized the extorted amount of Rs 10, 000.

The accused revealed to the police that they used to blackmail people by telling them that they would write against them in the media. Under fear, the victims accepted their demands.

Identity cards of press reporters and MCD councilors and telephone diaries of government departments.

New Delhi, February 25
Eight persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting the chief security officer of the Jynxx Club and his three friends with iron rods at Surya Hotel in New Friends Colony.

The motive for the thrashing was a quarrel over a "friendship" with a girl.

The victims and the accused are known to each other and they all are working as bouncers for pubs and restaurants.

The police had raided a farmhouse in South Delhi, where five of the accused were arrested. The remaining accused were apprehended from Noida, Sangam Vihar and Greater Kailash.

They were identified as Anuj (26), Sandeep, Rocky (24), Bobby (26), Manender (27), Sunder (27), Devender (31) and Satyawan Awana, alias Dev. The police is now looking for a man named Sunny.

The CCTVs of Surya Hotel had recorded the footage of the victims being thrashed on February 13, evening. The FIR was also lodged at the New Friends Colony police station based upon the complaint of Bhupender Nagar, the chief security officer of Jynxx.

It took the police only a couple of hours to nab the assailants after the media played up the incident yesterday.

On February 13, at about 6 am, the police was informed about the incident. The policemen Bhupender Nagar, chief security officer and his friends, Vinod Kumar and Sharad, who sustained injuries during the assault to the hospital.

Bhupender disclosed to the police that after finishing his work at the club, he and his three friends -- Vinod, Manu and Sharad -- left for their homes in a car.

They noticed a Swift car pursuing them. They reached Surya Hotel and were stopped by security guards at the barrier of the gate.

Meanwhile, Rocky, Vikas Chauhan, Manender and Bobby, who are acquainted with Bhupender bolted out of their car and allegedly started beating him and his friends. They allegedly assaulted them with iron rods and one of the accused was brandishing a gun at the victims.

A police officer said, "Bhupender and Rocky had earlier fought with each other over a girl they were acquainted with. The main motive behind the assault at Surya Hotel is probably an argument between them over the girl."

The police questioned security guards present at the gate where the incident occurred. Raids were conducted and the accused apprehended. The Scorpio and WagonR cars used by the accused during the incident have been impounded.