New Delhi, August 9
Baba Ramdev's second round of protest that he declared open with a three-day fast here at Ramlila Grounds today looks to have emerged a hit, at least, this is what the unprecedented sight suggested right on the first day when followers could be seen thronging the venue till the evening.

Keeping aside all fanfare that characterises every gathering of the self-styled healer, it was the faith people repose in his lessons of yoga that became noticeable as his supporters could be seen swaying, with the tricolours in their hands as he declared a fresh battle against black money, demanding a stringent Lokapal Bill and transparency in appointment to some of the top posts in the country.

There were supporters both from the agrarian as well as wealthy class from several states, with many turning up to join their "Swami ji" as they call him with reverence. And many were spotted performing yoga moves and relaxing through meditating postures.

"Baba doesn't have a hidden agenda. All his work is for the public and even this is for us. He has taught yoga with which he has benefited all by several ways," said Naresh Sharma, an owner of a music and CD company, from Noida.

A staunch follower of the baba's yogic lifestyle, Rukmini Bali, a professor of English at Lalal Lajpat Rai College, Mumbai, had taken four days' leave from work to join the protest here. "I am going to retire and still look so young. This is due to yoga and meditation that I do daily. Both my sons are doctor and even my husband has adapted to yoga. This has brought a discipline in my life and I am sure even this protest will bring a change in the corrupt system," she said.

Chander Singh, a farmer from Brij village, UP, said, "The government is giving mobile phones at low prices even as hundreds in the country go to bed on an empty stomach. We want our children to be educated and give them good food. But the poor still become victims of corruption."

Sharing the same predicament, Mahesh Saraf, an accountant from Patna said, "There is big gap between the have and the have-not and the solution lies in bringing back the country's black money stashed abroad. Under the guidance of baba we have gathered here for the second struggle of Independence to see that parity in all fields."

Jassu Bai Sagar, a businessman from Baroda, Gujarat, feels that people in villages are better connected to Ramdev and so even the second Independence (as they call the yoga guru-led agitation) will come through villages. "Baba ji's followers are concentrated in villages where yoga and meditation is practiced religiously. People in the city lead a stressful and fast life more influenced by western lifestyle," added Jassu, who claimed to be accompanied by 2,500 supporters from Rohtas districtin Gujarat alone.

"I am about to retire from work and still look young. This is due to yoga. Yoga has brought discipline in my life and I am sure this protest will bring a change in the corrupt system" 

"The government is giving mobile phones at low prices even as hundreds in the country go to bed on an empty stomach. We want our children to be educated and get good food. But, the poor still beocme victims of corruption.”

"Baba doesn't have a hidden agenda. All his work is for the public and even this is for us. He has taught yoga with which he has benefited one and all”

New Delhi, August 9
The Planning Commission today approved Delhi's size of Annual Plan for the year 2012-2013 at a meeting held between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The approved size of Annual Plan is Rs 15,862 crore, including Rs 862 crore Public Sector Undertaking's plan. The size of Annual Plan 2012-13 is Rs 1,662 crore higher than that of the last year. The utilization during the last year touched 96 per cent. The 12th Five Year Plan size has been fixed at Rs 90,000 crore.

The meeting was attended by the members and senior officials of the Planning Commission, Chief Secretary of Delhi government, Commissioner (Transport), Principal Secretary (Finance and Planning), Principal Secretary (Tourism), Principal Secretary (Power), Principal Secretary (Health), Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council, Secretary (Education), CEO-DJB and others.

Ahluwalia appreciated the projects prepared for the supply of water and sewerage sector. These projects include modernization of distribution system, full utilization of sewage treatment capacity of the STPs, interceptor sewers, promotion of rain water harvesting, ground water recharge and regulated exploration of ground water resources.

The initiative taken by the city government for increasing the green cover in Delhi was also appreciated. The Planning Commission also suggested that the mapping of all the water bodies in Delhi may be undertaken for their maintenance.

At the meeting, Ahluwalia had detailed discussions on a number of issues related to Delhi. He supported Delhi's demand for setting up a separate grid. Islanding of vital installation of Delhi is necessary. The Planning Commission would support the demand, he said.

New Delhi, August 9
The Special CBI judge in Saket Court has convicted Dalip Pawar, Assistant Sub-Inspector and Yogendra, constable, both of the Delhi police, on the charges of taking a bribe, a CBI release said.

Daleep and Yogender were imprisoned for three and a half years with a fine of Rs 40,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.

The CBI had registered a case against the accused under section 120B IPC and under sections 7 and 13(1), 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in a bribery case in 2006.

The investigation revealed that the accused during their posting in the police station (Narcotics), Kamla Market, had allegedly pressurized the complainant into giving them a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. Both the accused were arrested.

The trial court found the accused guilty and convicted them, the release said.

New Delhi, August 9
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has set a target to establish 70 fire stations across Delhi by the end of this year and add 1,242 more persons to its staff pool. At present, there are 54 fire stations, including the two newly constructed ones at Mayur Place and Udyog Nagar.

The decision has been made to increase the efficiency of the fire department by reducing the response time in cases of emergency.

Of the planned 16 new stations, work at 10 stations is in the final stage, said AK Sharma, director, DFS, at the three-day safety convention organised by the Institute of Engineers, Delhi State Centre and Safety and Quality Forum.

"To overcome manpower shortage in the department, which has only 1,850 employees, recruitment process for 1,242 vacancies of fire operators is already on," he said.

New Delhi, August 9
The old Town Hall in Chandni Chowk, also the former headquarters of unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi, has at last been put to some use by the municipal leaders.

Converting it into a revenue-generating asset, the conference room of Town Hall will now be made available for organising workshops, functions or conferences to private organizers by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).

"In an important decision, the NDMC has decided to rent out its old and new meeting halls in Town Hall, the headquarters of the erstwhile MCD. The halls would be made available for various purposes such as arranging workshops, meetings, conferences, etc," said Meera Aggarwal, NDMC Mayor.

The charges for the new meeting hall would be Rs 70,000 per day and for the old hall, it would be Rs 30,000 per day. The cost for a half day booking would be Rs 35,000 for the new hall and Rs 15,000 for the old one.

Aggarwal said that Chandni Chowk is an internationally renowned commercial area where there are a number of organizations. "The halls would help them organize meetings and allied activities in the nearby area and this will also help the NDMC to maintain its aesthetics with the revenue generated through rent," she said.

Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association became the first organisation to use the building for its meeting. The association organised its first function yesterday in the presence of the NDMC Mayor.