New Delhi, October 30
A policy on financial and non-financial initiatives to promote green buildings in the national Capital is being drafted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

While addressing Delhi Environment Summit, Sanjiv Kumar, Secretary, Environment and Forest, Delhi government, said today that the DDA will soon come up with a policy defining the financial and non-financial initiatives to be offered to those who live in green buildings. The policy will set a precedent for development of 'smart cities' across the country.

New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who was chairing the session, advocated constructing effluent treatment plants instead of low-cost compost.

"While the non-financial initiatives include additional floor space index, the financial ones are likely to include some waiver in property tax or lower property tariffs," said Dr Prem C Jain, chairman, India Green Business Council, while elaborating the policy draft.

"The government has assured us of supporting in this regard and agencies other than the DDA will also help implement the green building culture in all the areas," she said.

"Similarly, the building constructions should also involve the use of micro-simulators which ensure utilisation of waste as resources," Lekhi added.

Delhi Environment Summit themed 'Planning today for tomorrow' is a daylong session jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and UNESCO to deliberate upon various environmental issues, solutions for environment conservation and green concepts in Delhi.

New Delhi, October 30
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna and general secretary Harvinder Singh Sarna today alleged that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh (GK) and general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa allegedly misused the relief fund meant for flood-affected people in Jammu and Kashmir.

They said GK and Sirsa engaged a private jet aircraft to Sri Nagar and stayed there for only half an hour. They did not interact with the affected people and delivered lectures just praising their efforts.

The Sarna brothers showed video of a certain Khalsa News organisation in which victims narrated their painful stories, saying they received no help from the DSGMC.

They said Khalsa News approached the flood-affected people in different areas of Kashmir where the victims said that they had lost everything. It will take 25 years to resettle them.

The brothers said GK and Sirsa did the same thing during the floods in Uttarakhand.

They forgot that the community offers money in the 'golak' with a great reverence to the Guru.

New Delhi, October 30
The Delhi Police today relaxed prohibitory orders for 12 hours in Trilokpuri, which was hit by communal clashes, but people were still apprehensive that stone-pelting incidents may start again.

"The prohibitory order relaxation was effective from 6 am to 6 pm," said Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Beniwal.

Many shops opened but schools and government offices in the area remained closed.

People were a little comfortable but the fear of riots could be seen on their faces.

"The police are here but we still fear that stone-pelting may start again. My children are in fear. They say they do not want to go to school," said Trilokpuri resident Mohd. Razza.

Two groups of Hindus and Muslims clashed on Diwali October 23 after which the authorities imposed prohibitory orders banning gathering and movement of people.

The police also organised a community meeting this evening in the four most affected blocks of the area.

Residents sang the national anthem in the presence of leaders from both the communities. Senior police officers were also present.

Yesterday, the Police relaxed prohibitory orders for six hours during Chhath Puja. So far, 68 people have been arrested for the clashes. — IANS

New Delhi, October 30
Delhi Directorate of Education has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31 as a National Unity Day through all the government and government-aided schools.

It has directed the heads of schools to commemorate the day in a suitable manner. On that day, all schools will organize a special assembly in which, at least two students speak about the contribution of Sardar Patel. Speech will be in two topics - "The freedom movement in India" and "Unifying India".

"Heads of schools or special invitees will address students and highlight the need to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the country. It is also instructed that schools will organize a march past within the school campus with a banner of 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas'," said a senior government official.

On this occasion, schools will also organize quiz competition based on freedom struggle, North Eastern states of India, festivals and dances of India.

"We have also given the instruction that all the district directors of education and education officers will visit, at least, two schools in each of their respective areas (separately) and mail inspection reports to Additional Director of Education (School) in respect or the activities observed and after the completion of above events," he said.

New Delhi, October 30
Four persons, including a woman, have been apprehended for allegedly extorting Rs 40 lakh from a pathological lab owner in Punjabi Bagh, west Delhi.

They blackmailed him by using a sting video, which portrays him as a conduit for conducting sex determination tests.

The accused have been identified as Jai Kochar (24), Dhan Singh (30), Ram Sharan (32) and Pushpa (36).

The gang allegedly targeted well-established doctors and owners of nursing homes, according to a police officer.

"A woman member of the gang would approach the doctor on the pretext of being pregnant and for conducting prenatal sex determination test. If the victim would refuse, then a dubious strategy of asking leading questions would be adopted,” Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime).

“The gang members stationed outside would guide the woman through concealed communication devices and the matter would be recorded by her on spy cameras. They would ask to get the DNA tests done if there is nothing incriminating and later they would fabricate the recordings by altering the conversation. They would then extort money from the victims," added the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime).