NEW DELHI: The passing of the women's reservation bill on Tuesday saw the return of a "mercurial" Mamata Banerjee.
A day after the Trinamool Congress chief and railways minister looked chirpy, sang along with her party MPs in Lok Sabha and went about garnering support for the bill she said she had always supported, her enthusiasm waned. Taking all including Congress president Sonia Gandhi by surprise, Mamata suddenly changed her stand on Tuesday afternoon and had her party's two Rajya Sabha MPs abstain from voting for the bill.
It was clearly her concern for Muslim votes and Congress' hobnobbing with her arch rivals, the Left, that seems to have changed her mood.
The official reasons she and her partymen gave were that the government did not tell them about the time of voting and that the manner in which marshals were used to evict some Rajya Sabha members was not right.
Even as discussion and voting on the bill was on in the Upper House, an angry Mamata told reporters that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had given her party an understanding that there would be an all-party meeting on the issue.
"We are in favour of the bill, but we must see that things have changed in 15 years. After the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra reports, one has to keep the interest of minorities in mind," Mamata said before she left in a huff. "My party is upset and angry," she said before she got into the car. Clearly, she had been swayed in favour of the minority factor after her long discussions on Tuesday morning with RJD chief Lalu Prasad and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who are opposing the bill demanding a quota within quota for minorities, dalits and backwards. Mamata also met a delegation of Muslim organisations who demanded that there should be a quota for Muslim women, within the quota for women.
It was obvious that Mamata was upset about the government hobnobbing with the Left, when she said, "This is not right...to pass the Bill forcefully by calling in marshals. This is a CPM method."
The railway minister also said it was made clear to her on Monday that the measure (voting) would not be adopted the way it was being done.
Union minister of state Dinesh Trivedi and Trinamool's chief whip in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay told reporters outside Parliament, "The way the bill was brought up for voting in the Rajya Sabha, we are shocked to see the procedure adopted on the floor of the House."
"Our party chief wanted the views of the Dalits, OBCs and Muslims to be taken on board. But unfortunately that did not happen. Trinamool Congress is for debate and discussion," Trivedi said.
"BJP and Left parties are hobnobbing now. A section of the government is dancing to their tunes. The government should talk to its allies and not keep them in the dark. There should be no communication gap," they added.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Advisory to be Issued for Afghanistan Workers
NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday asserted that its commitment to development partnership with Afghanistan remained undiluted and refuted reports that it planned to scale-down its presence in that country.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash dismissed reports that New Delhi was issuing an advisory to its citizens in Afghanistan to return home, saying such reports were baseless and factually incorrect.
“India's commitment to its development partnership with Afghanistan remains undiluted,” he said.
India was extending humanitarian and development aid worth $1.3 billion and there were about 3,500 Indians working in Afghanistan on projects, including infrastructure, education, and construction of buildings such as the Parliament building in Kabul.
Of them, almost 2,500 were in secure zones and the government had taken up the issue of security for the rest.
At the same time, it had advised those working in the private sector to alter the pattern of movement and consider plans to train Afghan nationals in India, who in turn, train other personnel for deployment in projects there.
Medical missions
After the February 26 terror attack in Kabul, which claimed the lives of nine people, including three Army officers, India announced temporary suspension of its medical mission in the Afghanistan capital. Four others in Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat continue to function.
India's commitment to stay the course in Afghanistan was reiterated during the visit of National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon to Kabul last weekend.
On his part, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai assured all assistance and security to Indian nationals.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash dismissed reports that New Delhi was issuing an advisory to its citizens in Afghanistan to return home, saying such reports were baseless and factually incorrect.
“India's commitment to its development partnership with Afghanistan remains undiluted,” he said.
India was extending humanitarian and development aid worth $1.3 billion and there were about 3,500 Indians working in Afghanistan on projects, including infrastructure, education, and construction of buildings such as the Parliament building in Kabul.
Of them, almost 2,500 were in secure zones and the government had taken up the issue of security for the rest.
At the same time, it had advised those working in the private sector to alter the pattern of movement and consider plans to train Afghan nationals in India, who in turn, train other personnel for deployment in projects there.
Medical missions
After the February 26 terror attack in Kabul, which claimed the lives of nine people, including three Army officers, India announced temporary suspension of its medical mission in the Afghanistan capital. Four others in Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat continue to function.
India's commitment to stay the course in Afghanistan was reiterated during the visit of National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon to Kabul last weekend.
On his part, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai assured all assistance and security to Indian nationals.
Mohsina Kidwai is the Chief of Haj Committee
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Mohsina Kidwai has been elected chairperson of the Haj Committee at its first meeting here, the External Affairs Ministry said.
Hasan Ahmed and Aboo Bucker were elected as the chairpersons at the meeting, the Ministry added.
The Haj Committee was reconstituted recently and the Ministry is the nodal authority for administering it.
Hasan Ahmed and Aboo Bucker were elected as the chairpersons at the meeting, the Ministry added.
The Haj Committee was reconstituted recently and the Ministry is the nodal authority for administering it.
Pak Offered Saddam N-Package
As troops amassed on his border near the start of the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein weighed the purchase of a $150 million nuclear “package” deal that included not only weapons designs but also production plants and foreign experts to supervise the building of a nuclear bomb, according to documents uncovered by a former UN weapons inspector.
The offer, made in 1990 by an agent linked to disgraced Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, guaranteed Iraq a weapons-assembly line capable of producing nuclear warheads in as
little as three years. But Iraq lost the chance to capitalise when, months later, a multinational force crushed the Iraqi army and forced Hussein to abandon his nuclear ambitions, according to nuclear weapons expert David Albright, who describes the deal in a new book.
Iraqi officials at the time appear to have taken the offer seriously.
They asked the Pakistanis for sample drawings as proof of their ability to deliver, the documents show.
“With the assurance of (Iraqi intelligence agency) Mukhabarat... the offer is not a sting operation,” an Iraqi official scrawls in ink in the margin of one of the papers.
Khan's alleged interest in selling nuclear secrets to Hussein has been reported in many books and news articles. An internal Mukhabarat memo that surfaced in the late 1990s discussed a secret proposal by one of Khan’s agents to sell a nuclear weapons design for an advance payment of $5 million.
But the newly uncovered documents suggest Khan’s offer of nuclear assistance was more comprehensive than known. A 1990 letter attributed to one of his business associates offered Iraq a chance to leap past technical hurdles to acquire weapons capability.
“Pakistan had to spend 10 years and $300 million to get it,” begins one of the memos. “Now, with the practical experience and worldwide contacts Pakistan has developed, you could have A.B. in about three years time and by spending about $150 million.” ‘A.B.’ was understood to mean “atomic bomb”, Albright wrote in Peddling Peril: How the Secret Nuclear Trade Arms America's Enemies, released this week.
At the time of the offer, Iraq was embarked in a crash programme to develop N-weapons in the face of a threatened US-led attack over its occupation of Kuwait. By that date, Iraqi scientists had acquired a limited amount of weapons-grade enriched uranium but lacked key components, including a workable design for a small nuclear warhead.
The alleged offer to Iraq is broadly similar to proposals Khan reportedly made to Libya and Iran in the 1980s and 1990s.
The offer, made in 1990 by an agent linked to disgraced Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, guaranteed Iraq a weapons-assembly line capable of producing nuclear warheads in as
little as three years. But Iraq lost the chance to capitalise when, months later, a multinational force crushed the Iraqi army and forced Hussein to abandon his nuclear ambitions, according to nuclear weapons expert David Albright, who describes the deal in a new book.
Iraqi officials at the time appear to have taken the offer seriously.
They asked the Pakistanis for sample drawings as proof of their ability to deliver, the documents show.
“With the assurance of (Iraqi intelligence agency) Mukhabarat... the offer is not a sting operation,” an Iraqi official scrawls in ink in the margin of one of the papers.
Khan's alleged interest in selling nuclear secrets to Hussein has been reported in many books and news articles. An internal Mukhabarat memo that surfaced in the late 1990s discussed a secret proposal by one of Khan’s agents to sell a nuclear weapons design for an advance payment of $5 million.
But the newly uncovered documents suggest Khan’s offer of nuclear assistance was more comprehensive than known. A 1990 letter attributed to one of his business associates offered Iraq a chance to leap past technical hurdles to acquire weapons capability.
“Pakistan had to spend 10 years and $300 million to get it,” begins one of the memos. “Now, with the practical experience and worldwide contacts Pakistan has developed, you could have A.B. in about three years time and by spending about $150 million.” ‘A.B.’ was understood to mean “atomic bomb”, Albright wrote in Peddling Peril: How the Secret Nuclear Trade Arms America's Enemies, released this week.
At the time of the offer, Iraq was embarked in a crash programme to develop N-weapons in the face of a threatened US-led attack over its occupation of Kuwait. By that date, Iraqi scientists had acquired a limited amount of weapons-grade enriched uranium but lacked key components, including a workable design for a small nuclear warhead.
The alleged offer to Iraq is broadly similar to proposals Khan reportedly made to Libya and Iran in the 1980s and 1990s.
UPSC prelims to change, test aptitude
The first big reform in the way India selects its civil servants is around the corner.
The government has decided to replace the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination with the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT), which will test candidates on their aptitude and analytical abilities rather than their ability to memorise.
The UPSC is further expected to push for changes in the Civil Service (Mains) Examination.“The CSAT is expected to come into effect from 2011,” Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Prithviraj Chavan, told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
A government source said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had last month approved the revamp of the preliminary exam on lines suggested by the Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC is further expected to push for changes in the Civil Service (Mains) Examination.
But this will be only after examining the response to changes in the first stage.
Nearly 1.7 lakh candidates take the objective-type exam in May every year.
The prelims consist of two papers: the first is on general studies and common to all; candidates can then choose the second paper from a list of two dozen-odd subjects. The general studies paper might be tweaked but it is the second paper that will undergo a major change.
The UPSC had told the government two years ago there was a need to test not just the knowledge of aspirants in particular subjects but their aptitude for "a demanding life in the civil services". It had also recommended bringing down the number of attempts a candidate could take. But Singh has kept this aspect on hold.
A top government official said UPSC chairman Professor D.P. Agrawal has constituted a high-powered committee - under former University Grants Commission vice-chairman Professor S.K. Khanna - to work out the details of the two papers. “The committee has been given time till April-end. Then the UPSC will discuss its recommendations with the government and finalise the content of the paper,” the official said.
The government has decided to replace the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination with the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT), which will test candidates on their aptitude and analytical abilities rather than their ability to memorise.
The UPSC is further expected to push for changes in the Civil Service (Mains) Examination.“The CSAT is expected to come into effect from 2011,” Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Prithviraj Chavan, told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
A government source said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had last month approved the revamp of the preliminary exam on lines suggested by the Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC is further expected to push for changes in the Civil Service (Mains) Examination.
But this will be only after examining the response to changes in the first stage.
Nearly 1.7 lakh candidates take the objective-type exam in May every year.
The prelims consist of two papers: the first is on general studies and common to all; candidates can then choose the second paper from a list of two dozen-odd subjects. The general studies paper might be tweaked but it is the second paper that will undergo a major change.
The UPSC had told the government two years ago there was a need to test not just the knowledge of aspirants in particular subjects but their aptitude for "a demanding life in the civil services". It had also recommended bringing down the number of attempts a candidate could take. But Singh has kept this aspect on hold.
A top government official said UPSC chairman Professor D.P. Agrawal has constituted a high-powered committee - under former University Grants Commission vice-chairman Professor S.K. Khanna - to work out the details of the two papers. “The committee has been given time till April-end. Then the UPSC will discuss its recommendations with the government and finalise the content of the paper,” the official said.
China's Space Mom Score Over Single Women
China believes that married women and mothers make better astronauts than single women.
Beijing has announced the selection of its first women astronauts for training to participate in the docking of its future space laboratory. Both women are aero-transport pilots of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and made it out of 15 women candidates tested since last year. Five men also made it.
“We had almost the same requirements for women as for men, the only difference was they must be married. We believe married women would be more physically and psychologically mature,” Zhang Jianqi, former deputy commander of China’s manned space programme, told Xinhua on Wednesday. Zhang reportedly said that women in space enjoy the advantage of ‘endurance and circumspection’ over men.
Last year, Chinese officials had said the astronauts must be ‘perfect humans’ — ruling out scars, bad breath and dental cavities.
This week, Xu Xianrong, doctor at the General Hospital of the PLA Air Force, was quoted as telling state media the mother’s-only criteria was “out of consideration of being responsible for lady pilots”. He may have meant it in the context of China’s one-child policy and concerns of potential infertility after space flight. “Though there is little evidence on how space experience will affect the female constitution, we have to be extra cautious,” he said.
Xu also said women astronauts have “more careful thoughts than males”.
Next year, China plans to launch Tiangong-1, an unmanned space module as a step toward the space lab.
Beijing has announced the selection of its first women astronauts for training to participate in the docking of its future space laboratory. Both women are aero-transport pilots of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and made it out of 15 women candidates tested since last year. Five men also made it.
“We had almost the same requirements for women as for men, the only difference was they must be married. We believe married women would be more physically and psychologically mature,” Zhang Jianqi, former deputy commander of China’s manned space programme, told Xinhua on Wednesday. Zhang reportedly said that women in space enjoy the advantage of ‘endurance and circumspection’ over men.
Last year, Chinese officials had said the astronauts must be ‘perfect humans’ — ruling out scars, bad breath and dental cavities.
This week, Xu Xianrong, doctor at the General Hospital of the PLA Air Force, was quoted as telling state media the mother’s-only criteria was “out of consideration of being responsible for lady pilots”. He may have meant it in the context of China’s one-child policy and concerns of potential infertility after space flight. “Though there is little evidence on how space experience will affect the female constitution, we have to be extra cautious,” he said.
Xu also said women astronauts have “more careful thoughts than males”.
Next year, China plans to launch Tiangong-1, an unmanned space module as a step toward the space lab.
Conserving Power, One Bulb at a Time
India’s first thrust with energy efficiency through Earth Hour in 2009, when Delhi saved 600 MW — 14 per cent of its daily electricity requirement — in an hour, is set to get bigger.
The country’s first two pilot projects on saving household energy — the biggest cause of climate change — by replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in Haryana’s Yamunanagar and Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the last six months have been a success so far.
Records indicate monthly household energy bill in the two towns reduced by 10-15 per cent.
“The pilots have worked well,” said Ajay Mathur, Director-General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a technocrat mandated with implementing government’s energy efficiency policies. “A template is now ready for replicating the scheme all over the country.”
Each CFL lamp can reduce up to 30-40 per cent in monthly electricity bill.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit plans to shut off lights in government buildings and monuments such as Qutub Minar on March 27 for Earth Hour 2010, to be organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with Hindustan Times in over 50 cities.
“We want to reduce per capita energy consumption to meet Delhi’s growing electricity demand,” Dikshit said.
BEE will launch the Bachat Lamp Yojana scheme, aimed at providing CFLs in 20 crore households around India by 2012, once it gets approval from the United Nations. By distributing CFLs, Mathur estimated up to 4,000 MW of power — enough to light up Delhi for a day — can be saved annually.
CFLs is one of many schemes initiated by the government to save up to 10,000 MW of power by 2020 (10 per cent of consumption), which Seema Arora head of climate division at Confederation of Indian Industry termed as achievable
A national mission to achieve the energy efficiency targets will be launched in April.
The country’s first two pilot projects on saving household energy — the biggest cause of climate change — by replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in Haryana’s Yamunanagar and Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the last six months have been a success so far.
Records indicate monthly household energy bill in the two towns reduced by 10-15 per cent.
“The pilots have worked well,” said Ajay Mathur, Director-General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a technocrat mandated with implementing government’s energy efficiency policies. “A template is now ready for replicating the scheme all over the country.”
Each CFL lamp can reduce up to 30-40 per cent in monthly electricity bill.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit plans to shut off lights in government buildings and monuments such as Qutub Minar on March 27 for Earth Hour 2010, to be organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with Hindustan Times in over 50 cities.
“We want to reduce per capita energy consumption to meet Delhi’s growing electricity demand,” Dikshit said.
BEE will launch the Bachat Lamp Yojana scheme, aimed at providing CFLs in 20 crore households around India by 2012, once it gets approval from the United Nations. By distributing CFLs, Mathur estimated up to 4,000 MW of power — enough to light up Delhi for a day — can be saved annually.
CFLs is one of many schemes initiated by the government to save up to 10,000 MW of power by 2020 (10 per cent of consumption), which Seema Arora head of climate division at Confederation of Indian Industry termed as achievable
A national mission to achieve the energy efficiency targets will be launched in April.
LS Vote on Women's Bill Likely After Budget
Securing the requisite support for the Constitution amendment bill that seeks to reserve 33 per cent of the slots for women in Parliament and State Assemblies is not a problem of numbers for the Congress and its UPA allies.
The government can count on the support of the BJP, most of its NDA partners as well as the Left parties which backed the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
But in the Lok Sabha where it is important for the Congress and UPA to demonstrate their majority at all times, the leading coalition party cannot just depend on the Opposition support to get the Bill passed. If that happens in the voting on the Bill whenever it takes place, it could be a huge political embarrassment, if not dangerous political gambit.
On Wednesday, Congress floor managers in Parliament dropped enough hints that they would avoid risks. So, they indicated that the first priority for the government would be insulate the Finance Bill from the cracks that have appeared within the ruling coalition and its supporting parties over the Reservation Bill.
The BJP made it clear during the day that it was under no obligation to help the government to pass the Finance Bill. In fact, it said it would move cut motions to the Finance Bill which must be defeated if the Finance Bill and, indeed, the government were to survive.
The Finance Bill is, therefore, likely to get priority over the quota bill in the list of government business in the Lok Sabha. Indications were that the Congress managers were contemplating bringing the Women’s Bill in the House only towards the end of the current budget session, after passing the Finance Bill.
According to Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Bansal, while the vote on account on the budget proposals will be taken up in the Lok Sabha this Friday, the voting on the Finance Bill has been tentatively scheduled for April 22.
This appeared to be inevitable as even parties supporting the Bill like the BJP, not to speak of its opponents like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), made it clear that they would not accept the use of marshals to evict from the House the members who might seek to stall the proceedings for the consideration and passage of the Bill.
In the Upper House, the protesting MPs were physically removed by the marshals ahead of the Tuesday’s historic vote. Even Trinamool Congress, a part of the ruling coalition, opposed the use of the marshals.
The party leadership made the first move during the day to pacify the Trinamool Congress which had abstained from the vote in the Upper House on Tuesday.
Party chief Sonia Gandhi met with Trinamool leader and railway minister Mamata Banerjee after which the latter appeared to have softened a bit.
Banerjee told newspersons following the meeting that her party was for the Bill but only felt that there ought to be sub-quota for the Muslims. She attributed her party’s abstention to a “communication gap.”
There was some more relief to the Congress managers. The Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, which had threatened to formally withdraw their outside support to the United Progressive Alliance during the day, did not carry that out.
There were also speculations during the day that they might move a no-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha against the United Progressive Alliance government.
But the two parties made it clear by the end of the day that they were not thinking on those lines.
But the Congress managers would have to engage the two parties as their support in the Lower House would be important for the stability of the government.
The government can count on the support of the BJP, most of its NDA partners as well as the Left parties which backed the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
But in the Lok Sabha where it is important for the Congress and UPA to demonstrate their majority at all times, the leading coalition party cannot just depend on the Opposition support to get the Bill passed. If that happens in the voting on the Bill whenever it takes place, it could be a huge political embarrassment, if not dangerous political gambit.
On Wednesday, Congress floor managers in Parliament dropped enough hints that they would avoid risks. So, they indicated that the first priority for the government would be insulate the Finance Bill from the cracks that have appeared within the ruling coalition and its supporting parties over the Reservation Bill.
The BJP made it clear during the day that it was under no obligation to help the government to pass the Finance Bill. In fact, it said it would move cut motions to the Finance Bill which must be defeated if the Finance Bill and, indeed, the government were to survive.
The Finance Bill is, therefore, likely to get priority over the quota bill in the list of government business in the Lok Sabha. Indications were that the Congress managers were contemplating bringing the Women’s Bill in the House only towards the end of the current budget session, after passing the Finance Bill.
According to Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Bansal, while the vote on account on the budget proposals will be taken up in the Lok Sabha this Friday, the voting on the Finance Bill has been tentatively scheduled for April 22.
This appeared to be inevitable as even parties supporting the Bill like the BJP, not to speak of its opponents like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), made it clear that they would not accept the use of marshals to evict from the House the members who might seek to stall the proceedings for the consideration and passage of the Bill.
In the Upper House, the protesting MPs were physically removed by the marshals ahead of the Tuesday’s historic vote. Even Trinamool Congress, a part of the ruling coalition, opposed the use of the marshals.
The party leadership made the first move during the day to pacify the Trinamool Congress which had abstained from the vote in the Upper House on Tuesday.
Party chief Sonia Gandhi met with Trinamool leader and railway minister Mamata Banerjee after which the latter appeared to have softened a bit.
Banerjee told newspersons following the meeting that her party was for the Bill but only felt that there ought to be sub-quota for the Muslims. She attributed her party’s abstention to a “communication gap.”
There was some more relief to the Congress managers. The Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, which had threatened to formally withdraw their outside support to the United Progressive Alliance during the day, did not carry that out.
There were also speculations during the day that they might move a no-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha against the United Progressive Alliance government.
But the two parties made it clear by the end of the day that they were not thinking on those lines.
But the Congress managers would have to engage the two parties as their support in the Lower House would be important for the stability of the government.
IIM-A Student Bags Rs 1.6 crore Package
Ahmedabad, March 10 -- An Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad student has bagged a record offer of nearly Rs 1.6 crore from Deutsche Bank, on par with the package an IIM-Calcutta student had secured on Tuesday.
The IIM-A authorities, however, declined to confirm the offer. "We do not want to comment on individual salaries, but the investment bank might have offered almost the same amount (as in Calcutta) here," a student associated with the placement process told HT on Wednesday.
IIM-A recorded an average domestic salary jump of 22.5 per cent from last year's Rs 12.17 lakh per annum to Rs 15 lakh this year, signaling that the worst is over for the job market. The average overseas salary also jumped by 33.5 per cent during the four-week-long placement process, which ended on Wednesday.The placement process for Post-Graduate Programme Agri Business Management, which began on the same day, is still on.
In 2009, average salaries saw a dip of more than 25 per cent (compared with 2008) in the wake of the global economic slowdown. But with the world economy showing signs of improvement, the average domestic offer has increased to Rs 14.94 lakh this year.
Even the average international offer went up by 33.5 per cent from $83,000 last year to $110,750 this year. Cluster-Week one, termed as an acid test by the placement office under its new system, saw 42 offers, which was also marked by the return of global majors.
PPO route, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Nomura participated in the finals process," Mansi Chitalia, student representative on the placement committee said.
The IIM-A authorities, however, declined to confirm the offer. "We do not want to comment on individual salaries, but the investment bank might have offered almost the same amount (as in Calcutta) here," a student associated with the placement process told HT on Wednesday.
IIM-A recorded an average domestic salary jump of 22.5 per cent from last year's Rs 12.17 lakh per annum to Rs 15 lakh this year, signaling that the worst is over for the job market. The average overseas salary also jumped by 33.5 per cent during the four-week-long placement process, which ended on Wednesday.The placement process for Post-Graduate Programme Agri Business Management, which began on the same day, is still on.
In 2009, average salaries saw a dip of more than 25 per cent (compared with 2008) in the wake of the global economic slowdown. But with the world economy showing signs of improvement, the average domestic offer has increased to Rs 14.94 lakh this year.
Even the average international offer went up by 33.5 per cent from $83,000 last year to $110,750 this year. Cluster-Week one, termed as an acid test by the placement office under its new system, saw 42 offers, which was also marked by the return of global majors.
PPO route, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Nomura participated in the finals process," Mansi Chitalia, student representative on the placement committee said.
Haldiram Bhujiawala Owner's Bail Rejected
Kolkata: The Calcutta high court today rejected the bail plea of the owner of Haldiram Bhujiawala, Prabhu Shankar Agarwal, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring and attempting to kill a tea stall owner.
A division bench presided by justice DP Sengupta rejected the bail prayer of Agarwal, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a city sessions court on January 29, along with four others.
Pramod Sharma, the nephew of the owner of the tea shop, which was reportedly blocking the view of the entrance of an upmarket food plaza of Agarwal at Nandram Bose Road in Burrabazar area here, was shot at on March 30, 2005. Sharma was shot in the leg by henchmen of Agarwal and was seriously injured.
Agarwal's counsel claimed before the bench that the land in question was in confectionery owner's possession since 1996 and there was no question of him conspiring to kill the tea stall owner Satyanarayan Sharma or making an attempt on the life of his nephew.
They also submitted that Agarwal, who owned business running into hundreds of crores in the city and elsewhere, would not abscond. Judge Tapan Sen of Bankshall court had on January 30 awarded life sentence to Agarwal, history-sheeter Gopal Tiwari and his henchmen Arun Khandelwal, Manoj Sharma and Raju Sonkar under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) IPC besides 10 years rigorous prison term under section 307/34 (attempt to murder/ common intention).
Tiwari was also found guilty under the Arms Act and sentenced to seven years in one section and three years in another.All the sentences would run concurrently, the judge had said in his order.
Agarwal, owner of the multi-crore food and confectionery chain which has outlets in many cities and also in London, had failed to persuade the tea stall owner to move out of the shop which was allegedly spoiling the facade of the food plaza he was constructing.
A division bench presided by justice DP Sengupta rejected the bail prayer of Agarwal, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a city sessions court on January 29, along with four others.
Pramod Sharma, the nephew of the owner of the tea shop, which was reportedly blocking the view of the entrance of an upmarket food plaza of Agarwal at Nandram Bose Road in Burrabazar area here, was shot at on March 30, 2005. Sharma was shot in the leg by henchmen of Agarwal and was seriously injured.
Agarwal's counsel claimed before the bench that the land in question was in confectionery owner's possession since 1996 and there was no question of him conspiring to kill the tea stall owner Satyanarayan Sharma or making an attempt on the life of his nephew.
They also submitted that Agarwal, who owned business running into hundreds of crores in the city and elsewhere, would not abscond. Judge Tapan Sen of Bankshall court had on January 30 awarded life sentence to Agarwal, history-sheeter Gopal Tiwari and his henchmen Arun Khandelwal, Manoj Sharma and Raju Sonkar under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) IPC besides 10 years rigorous prison term under section 307/34 (attempt to murder/ common intention).
Tiwari was also found guilty under the Arms Act and sentenced to seven years in one section and three years in another.All the sentences would run concurrently, the judge had said in his order.
Agarwal, owner of the multi-crore food and confectionery chain which has outlets in many cities and also in London, had failed to persuade the tea stall owner to move out of the shop which was allegedly spoiling the facade of the food plaza he was constructing.
Delhi Court grants bail to Sajjan Kumar
Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who has been chargesheeted alongwith others for his alleged role in the anti-Sikh riots cases, today appeared before a Delhi Court which granted him bail in the matter.
Former outer Delhi MP was granted bail on furnishing a personal bond and surety of Rs 50,000 each by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma.
Besides 64-year-old Kumar, seven other accused also appeared before the court and were granted bail.Kumar, against whom a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued, was already granted anticipatory bail by the Delhi High Court on February 26The court fixed the matter for further proceedings on March 20.
While co-accused Girdhari Lal was in judicial custody, one Khushal Singh was not present in the court. Meanwhile, scores of Sikhs gathered outside the Karkardooma court raising slogans demanding action against the accused in riots cases.The court had on February 23 issued fresh non-bailable warrants against Kumar and 11 others for failing to appear before it.The CBI had arrested Lal, one of 12 accused, who was remanded to judicial custody till March 9.
The CBI had on January 13 chargesheeted Kumar in a court in two separate cases of allegedly making provocative speeches, leading to the killings of 12 people in the riots.
The probe agency filed the two chargesheets after concluding its investigation into the cases registered on the recommendation of Nanavati Commission in 2005.
The cases, in which the chargesheets were filed against Kumar and several others, were registered in police stations in Sultanpuri and Delhi Cantonment following the killing of seven and five persons respectively in the riots that had broken out after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
Five persons named in the chargesheet in the case relating to rioting and killings of seven persons at Sultanpuri in north Delhi are Congress leader Kumar, Ved Prakash Pial, Peru, Khushal Singh and Brahma Nand Gupta.
Besides Kumar, those named as accused in the murder of five persons in Delhi Cantt during the 1984 riots are Balwan Khokhar, Mahender Yadav, Maha Singh, Capt Bhagmal, Santosh Rani, Girdhari Lal and Krishna Khokhar.
Former outer Delhi MP was granted bail on furnishing a personal bond and surety of Rs 50,000 each by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma.
Besides 64-year-old Kumar, seven other accused also appeared before the court and were granted bail.Kumar, against whom a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued, was already granted anticipatory bail by the Delhi High Court on February 26The court fixed the matter for further proceedings on March 20.
While co-accused Girdhari Lal was in judicial custody, one Khushal Singh was not present in the court. Meanwhile, scores of Sikhs gathered outside the Karkardooma court raising slogans demanding action against the accused in riots cases.The court had on February 23 issued fresh non-bailable warrants against Kumar and 11 others for failing to appear before it.The CBI had arrested Lal, one of 12 accused, who was remanded to judicial custody till March 9.
The CBI had on January 13 chargesheeted Kumar in a court in two separate cases of allegedly making provocative speeches, leading to the killings of 12 people in the riots.
The probe agency filed the two chargesheets after concluding its investigation into the cases registered on the recommendation of Nanavati Commission in 2005.
The cases, in which the chargesheets were filed against Kumar and several others, were registered in police stations in Sultanpuri and Delhi Cantonment following the killing of seven and five persons respectively in the riots that had broken out after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
Five persons named in the chargesheet in the case relating to rioting and killings of seven persons at Sultanpuri in north Delhi are Congress leader Kumar, Ved Prakash Pial, Peru, Khushal Singh and Brahma Nand Gupta.
Besides Kumar, those named as accused in the murder of five persons in Delhi Cantt during the 1984 riots are Balwan Khokhar, Mahender Yadav, Maha Singh, Capt Bhagmal, Santosh Rani, Girdhari Lal and Krishna Khokhar.
Toddler Death Was Accident
Indian national Gursewak Dhillon, accused in the death of three-year-old Gurshan Singh Channa, has reportedly told Australian police that he accidentally knocked the toddler down when he opened the house door.
23-year-old Dhillon admitted disposing of the toddler's body but denied deliberately injuring the child, The Age reported.
He told police the boy was accidentally knocked unconscious on Thursday at the house in David Street, Lalor, where he had been staying with the toddler's family.
Dhillon has claimed he panicked and put the unconscious boy in the boot of a car, drove for about three hours and dumped the body 20 kilometres away in Oaklands Junction without checking if the three-year-old was alive.
Victorian police, however, said that the toddler could have been saved if he had received timely basic first aid than being left lying in the boot of a car.
Stating that if Dhillon's version that he accidentally knocked him unconscious as he opened the house door was true, police said that it was possible that Gurshan would have recovered from the accident if he was not left trapped in a car boot for hours, the local media here reported.
Meanwhile, forensic experts also tested the car that was used by the Gursewak to carry the toddler. According to The Age, forensic experts will test the car to see if the boy could have suffocated in the boot or could have died through carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty exhaust.
23-year-old Dhillon admitted disposing of the toddler's body but denied deliberately injuring the child, The Age reported.
He told police the boy was accidentally knocked unconscious on Thursday at the house in David Street, Lalor, where he had been staying with the toddler's family.
Dhillon has claimed he panicked and put the unconscious boy in the boot of a car, drove for about three hours and dumped the body 20 kilometres away in Oaklands Junction without checking if the three-year-old was alive.
Victorian police, however, said that the toddler could have been saved if he had received timely basic first aid than being left lying in the boot of a car.
Stating that if Dhillon's version that he accidentally knocked him unconscious as he opened the house door was true, police said that it was possible that Gurshan would have recovered from the accident if he was not left trapped in a car boot for hours, the local media here reported.
Meanwhile, forensic experts also tested the car that was used by the Gursewak to carry the toddler. According to The Age, forensic experts will test the car to see if the boy could have suffocated in the boot or could have died through carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty exhaust.
PIL Filed Against Misuse of Public Money
New Delhi, March 10: The Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted a public interest petition on spending of huge amounts of money by the major political parties when in power from the state exchequer on advertisements eulogising their political achievements at the cost of public welfare schemes.
The PIL mentioned by noted constitutional expert and senior advocate, Mr Anil Diwan, for an urgent hearing, has named almost all the major political parties, including the Congress, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, BSP and the SP as “guilty” of furthering their “political interests” using public money by floating ads on their achievements.
It sought a direction to the Election Commission to freeze the symbols of these parties for violating the guidelines evolved by them in the all-parties meetings held on March 28 and April 1, 2009.
After Mr Diwan made the special mention of the petition before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G Balakrishnan and Justices R.N. Lodha and B.S. Chauhan, it was fixed for hearing along with the case against the UP Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, for spending crores of rupees from state exchequer on installation of her and other Dalit icons’ statues.
“In the national interest it is essential that the misuse of public money, public institutions and public welfare schemes of the government in the name of their political leaders ought be stopped by a direction,” the PIL has urged.
The PIL mentioned by noted constitutional expert and senior advocate, Mr Anil Diwan, for an urgent hearing, has named almost all the major political parties, including the Congress, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, BSP and the SP as “guilty” of furthering their “political interests” using public money by floating ads on their achievements.
It sought a direction to the Election Commission to freeze the symbols of these parties for violating the guidelines evolved by them in the all-parties meetings held on March 28 and April 1, 2009.
After Mr Diwan made the special mention of the petition before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G Balakrishnan and Justices R.N. Lodha and B.S. Chauhan, it was fixed for hearing along with the case against the UP Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, for spending crores of rupees from state exchequer on installation of her and other Dalit icons’ statues.
“In the national interest it is essential that the misuse of public money, public institutions and public welfare schemes of the government in the name of their political leaders ought be stopped by a direction,” the PIL has urged.
Defence Ministry Slammed for Scorpene Delay
Slamming the Defence Ministry over the nine-year delay in awarding contract to French firm Thales to build six Scorpene submarines in Mumbai, a Parliamentary Committee today said the indecisiveness resulted in cost overruns and undue favour to the vendor, besides adversely impacting Navy's operational preparedness.
Referring to a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for 2008 that rapped the Ministry for the delay, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also noted that this led to a cost escalation of the submarines by more than Rs 2,800 crore.
The CAG report had observed that "despite the Indian Navy's depleting force level, the Ministry took nine years to finalise a contract for the construction of the six submarines."
The PAC report in this regard was tabled in both Houses of Parliament today.
The committee noted that due to the delay in the finalisation of the contract for as long as three years from 2002 to 2005, there had been an escalation in the price of submarines by more than Rs 2,800 crore and an additional Euro 27.05 million commitment on the procurement of missiles for the naval vessel.
"Such indecisiveness and systemic flaws on the procurement of submarines led to time and cost overrun and undue favour to the vendor besides adversely impacting Navy's operational preparedness," the report said.
The report said the cost overrun was primarily due to escalations of exchange rate variations and increase in cost of missiles, despite a discount of 1.03 per cent by the vendor.
Seeking an explanation from the Defence Ministry for the delay in finalising the contract and for cost overruns, the PAC also expressed astonishment over its "inability" to quantify the exact financial loss from the Scorpene deal, also known as Project-75.
Expressing concern over the Ministry accepting an "unproven" design of Scorpene, the report said "deviations in respect to prescribed parameters such as stability, speed, endurance, noise levels, manoeuvring performances of the submarine cannot be ruled out" and asked the Ministry to compel Thales to take corrective steps.
Referring to the Ministry's reply attributing the delay on forwarding of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) note to Finance Ministry for examination and reference to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), followed by several rounds of deliberations, the report said the process was "too cumbersome" and asked it to dispense with the CVC route.
"It (CVC route) is unnecessary and totally uncalled for and resultantly leads to unacceptable delays, as has happened in the instant case," it added.
Noting that the construction of the Scorpenes at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks was very slow and consequently the delivery could be delayed, the PAC said the Ministry should have taken into account the "teething problems and the time taken for absorption of technology" before awarding contracts and indigenisation.
What caused concern in the PAC was the "systemic deficiencies", as corroborated by the Defence Secretary, who talked about "problems in the system, mindset and in the whole process" of procurement.
Pointing out that Pakistan had acquired Augusta 90B submarines from the same French firm at a much faster rate than their Indian counterparts, the PAC said, "in the name of transparency, things should not be allowed to linger on for an indefinite period, which would ultimately prove detrimental to the interest of the nation."
The Defence Ministry had also told the PAC that only Thales had responded to its tenders for the submarine construction out of the four firms to which letters of intent were issued and the French company had laid down conditions that only their combat suite should be selected for the submarines.
Moreover, the tube-launched missiles for the submarines from US and Russia were not compatible with either the HDW submarines or the Scorpene submarines that the Navy would have in its fleet and only the French firm's was suitable, it had said.
The Navy currently has a submarine fleet strength of 16 vessels of which 10 are of Russian-origin Kilo class, four are of HDW class and two are of Foxtrot class.
Apart from the six Scorpene under construction at MDL at present, the Navy is looking for second line of submarine construction at another shipyard, which is yet to be finalised.
As things stand today, the Navy is worried that its submarine fleet level will deplete by 30 per cent by 2015 and by 50 per cent by 2020, if there was a delay in delivery of the Scorpenes and the construction of the second line of submarines, as some of the older Foxtrot and HDW vessels would be decommissioned by then.
Referring to a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for 2008 that rapped the Ministry for the delay, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also noted that this led to a cost escalation of the submarines by more than Rs 2,800 crore.
The CAG report had observed that "despite the Indian Navy's depleting force level, the Ministry took nine years to finalise a contract for the construction of the six submarines."
The PAC report in this regard was tabled in both Houses of Parliament today.
The committee noted that due to the delay in the finalisation of the contract for as long as three years from 2002 to 2005, there had been an escalation in the price of submarines by more than Rs 2,800 crore and an additional Euro 27.05 million commitment on the procurement of missiles for the naval vessel.
"Such indecisiveness and systemic flaws on the procurement of submarines led to time and cost overrun and undue favour to the vendor besides adversely impacting Navy's operational preparedness," the report said.
The report said the cost overrun was primarily due to escalations of exchange rate variations and increase in cost of missiles, despite a discount of 1.03 per cent by the vendor.
Seeking an explanation from the Defence Ministry for the delay in finalising the contract and for cost overruns, the PAC also expressed astonishment over its "inability" to quantify the exact financial loss from the Scorpene deal, also known as Project-75.
Expressing concern over the Ministry accepting an "unproven" design of Scorpene, the report said "deviations in respect to prescribed parameters such as stability, speed, endurance, noise levels, manoeuvring performances of the submarine cannot be ruled out" and asked the Ministry to compel Thales to take corrective steps.
Referring to the Ministry's reply attributing the delay on forwarding of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) note to Finance Ministry for examination and reference to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), followed by several rounds of deliberations, the report said the process was "too cumbersome" and asked it to dispense with the CVC route.
"It (CVC route) is unnecessary and totally uncalled for and resultantly leads to unacceptable delays, as has happened in the instant case," it added.
Noting that the construction of the Scorpenes at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks was very slow and consequently the delivery could be delayed, the PAC said the Ministry should have taken into account the "teething problems and the time taken for absorption of technology" before awarding contracts and indigenisation.
What caused concern in the PAC was the "systemic deficiencies", as corroborated by the Defence Secretary, who talked about "problems in the system, mindset and in the whole process" of procurement.
Pointing out that Pakistan had acquired Augusta 90B submarines from the same French firm at a much faster rate than their Indian counterparts, the PAC said, "in the name of transparency, things should not be allowed to linger on for an indefinite period, which would ultimately prove detrimental to the interest of the nation."
The Defence Ministry had also told the PAC that only Thales had responded to its tenders for the submarine construction out of the four firms to which letters of intent were issued and the French company had laid down conditions that only their combat suite should be selected for the submarines.
Moreover, the tube-launched missiles for the submarines from US and Russia were not compatible with either the HDW submarines or the Scorpene submarines that the Navy would have in its fleet and only the French firm's was suitable, it had said.
The Navy currently has a submarine fleet strength of 16 vessels of which 10 are of Russian-origin Kilo class, four are of HDW class and two are of Foxtrot class.
Apart from the six Scorpene under construction at MDL at present, the Navy is looking for second line of submarine construction at another shipyard, which is yet to be finalised.
As things stand today, the Navy is worried that its submarine fleet level will deplete by 30 per cent by 2015 and by 50 per cent by 2020, if there was a delay in delivery of the Scorpenes and the construction of the second line of submarines, as some of the older Foxtrot and HDW vessels would be decommissioned by then.
Hypertension patients, vulnerable to kidney disease
New Delhi, March 11 -- Patients of diabetes and hypertension, time for a shocker. These two categories are the most vulnerable to chronic kidney disease.
"Kidney disease strikes silently and there are two categories that are at risk: diabetics and hypertension patients," says Dr S Bagai, nephrologist Batra Hospital. Dr D. Bhowmik, nephrologist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, agrees.
"50 per cent to 60 per cent of people with chronic kidney diseases suffer from hypertension and diabetes. They form the high risk group," he says.
The second Thursday of every March is celebrated as World Kidney Day. "This year, our focus is on the correlation between diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease," said Dr Bhowmik.
According to Indian Nephrology Society, there are 2,000,000 people with chronic kidney diseases in India. Of these, 900,000 require dialysis.
Chronic kidney diseases show no symptoms till 80 per cent of the kidneys are damaged. "In children, urine test should be done in case of fever, jaundice and rashes.
In adults, regular urine tests are a must for people with diabetes and high blood pressure," says Bagai.
"Kidney disease strikes silently and there are two categories that are at risk: diabetics and hypertension patients," says Dr S Bagai, nephrologist Batra Hospital. Dr D. Bhowmik, nephrologist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, agrees.
"50 per cent to 60 per cent of people with chronic kidney diseases suffer from hypertension and diabetes. They form the high risk group," he says.
The second Thursday of every March is celebrated as World Kidney Day. "This year, our focus is on the correlation between diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease," said Dr Bhowmik.
According to Indian Nephrology Society, there are 2,000,000 people with chronic kidney diseases in India. Of these, 900,000 require dialysis.
Chronic kidney diseases show no symptoms till 80 per cent of the kidneys are damaged. "In children, urine test should be done in case of fever, jaundice and rashes.
In adults, regular urine tests are a must for people with diabetes and high blood pressure," says Bagai.
Man Gets Five Years in Jail for Raping Lover
If a woman is in love, it does not give licence to her lover to rape her, said a city court, convicting an accused of raping an 18-year-old girl.
Dismissing defence arguments of consensual sex, Additional Sessions Judge Gurdeep Singh said, “Commission of sexual intercourse is purely the prerogative of the woman”.
Monica (name changed) alleged that on May 19, 2005, the accused took her to an isolated place and had forceful intercourse at knife-point. Later, he dumped Monica near her residence and threatened her to keep silent on the issue.
The prosecution said Ashok was married and had children and despite that he developed relations with the young school-going girl and raped her.
The prosecution contended that the girl went with Ashok as she trusted him, and he betrayed the trust.
The judge told the accused that his act rendered his family into never ending miseries, and also destroyed the life of the victim. The court has sentenced Ashok to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000.
Dismissing defence arguments of consensual sex, Additional Sessions Judge Gurdeep Singh said, “Commission of sexual intercourse is purely the prerogative of the woman”.
Monica (name changed) alleged that on May 19, 2005, the accused took her to an isolated place and had forceful intercourse at knife-point. Later, he dumped Monica near her residence and threatened her to keep silent on the issue.
The prosecution said Ashok was married and had children and despite that he developed relations with the young school-going girl and raped her.
The prosecution contended that the girl went with Ashok as she trusted him, and he betrayed the trust.
The judge told the accused that his act rendered his family into never ending miseries, and also destroyed the life of the victim. The court has sentenced Ashok to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000.
IM's South Connection
New Delhi, March 10 -- South India is the new recruiting ground for terror outfit Indian Mujahideen. This is what Salman Ahmed alias Chotu (21) has allegedly told the Special Cell of Delhi Police. According to the police, with Azamgarh under the glare of almost every security agency in the country, IM decided to move to South India to recruit their operatives. According to Salman, more than a dozen youth have been sent from South India to Pakistan for training via Dubai. "Salman himself sent at least eight young men to Pakistan. He used to take them to Dubai through Nepal. From there, they were sent to Pakistan, where these men received weapons and explosives training," said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media. The police said that most of the men who were recruited are educated professionals from universities and madarsas in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. "They have even managed to induct a number of computer professionals from Bengaluru. All the recruited men are in the age group of 21 and 27," added the officer. The police said on the basis of information provided by Salman, state police forces have started conducting raids in different parts of the country. The police said the IM was also using different social networking sites for shortlisting men they planned to recruit. The police believe as many as seven sleeper cells have already been formed and are currently stationed in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.
According to a senior Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorist Squad officer, the IM has become popular in recent times and many new members are joining it.
According to a senior Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorist Squad officer, the IM has become popular in recent times and many new members are joining it.
Warrant Issued Against Godman Anup Sahai
A Ghaziabad Court has issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against a 40-year-old godman who is presently absconding and wanted for allegedly abducting a 25-year-old woman from Ghaziabad, police officials said on Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raghubir Lal told HT that police have been able to procure a NBW against Anup Sahai and have initiated steps to seize his properties in Greater Noida and Noida areas.
Priyanka Srivastava (25), an MBA, went missing on February 15 from the Raj Nagar area.
Her family lodged an FIR on March 5 at Kavi Nagar police-station, suspecting Sahai’s hand in her abduction.
Sahai’s family members, speaking to HT, refuted the allegations and said the entire episode was staged to malign the image of the family even though both the families had long-standing relations.
“Priyanka's family never discussed the incident with our family-members and lodged an FIR to malign our image. I legally separated myself from Anup Sahai in 2004 and our family is being falsely implicated in the case,” said Ashutosh Kumar, Sahai's brother and a senior secretary-level officer with the government of India.
“I am in touch with police officials and would be the first to report about their whereabouts,” he added.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) A K Vijeta said Sahai was presently in India and reports about his fleeing the country were baseless.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raghubir Lal told HT that police have been able to procure a NBW against Anup Sahai and have initiated steps to seize his properties in Greater Noida and Noida areas.
Priyanka Srivastava (25), an MBA, went missing on February 15 from the Raj Nagar area.
Her family lodged an FIR on March 5 at Kavi Nagar police-station, suspecting Sahai’s hand in her abduction.
Sahai’s family members, speaking to HT, refuted the allegations and said the entire episode was staged to malign the image of the family even though both the families had long-standing relations.
“Priyanka's family never discussed the incident with our family-members and lodged an FIR to malign our image. I legally separated myself from Anup Sahai in 2004 and our family is being falsely implicated in the case,” said Ashutosh Kumar, Sahai's brother and a senior secretary-level officer with the government of India.
“I am in touch with police officials and would be the first to report about their whereabouts,” he added.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) A K Vijeta said Sahai was presently in India and reports about his fleeing the country were baseless.
Kirori Mal College to introduce Honours Courses in Hindi
New Delhi, March 10 -- Kirori Mal College (KMC) of Delhi University is set to initiate a breach in the language barrier of North Campus colleges. Come July, Kirori Mal College (KMC) will be the only co-educational institution in North Campus to have separate sections for students where Honours courses will be taught in Hindi.
The college will initially begin with History (Honours) and Political Science (Honours) from the new academic session. "The composition of classrooms is changing fast after the implementation of OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation.
We now have more students coming from Hindi medium schools. So the need for this is stronger than ever before," said Principal Bhim Sen Singh.
"We are currently focusing just on History and Political Science as most of such students are concentrated in these courses," said Singh. "Plus, teaching material in Hindi for these subjects is easily available," he added.
However, Kirori Mal College (KMC's )increasing number of students from Hindi-medium schools can also be attributed to the fact that it allows applicants to use their Hindi marks instead of English to calculate the best-of-four average. Comprising nine of Delhi University's most sought-after colleges, North Campus is usually perceived as the bastion of students from top English medium schools and with best Board results.
Even as many off campus colleges have separate sections for Hindi-medium students, institutions here, expect for a few papers of B.A. Programme, hold Honours classes in English.
The college will initially begin with History (Honours) and Political Science (Honours) from the new academic session. "The composition of classrooms is changing fast after the implementation of OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation.
We now have more students coming from Hindi medium schools. So the need for this is stronger than ever before," said Principal Bhim Sen Singh.
"We are currently focusing just on History and Political Science as most of such students are concentrated in these courses," said Singh. "Plus, teaching material in Hindi for these subjects is easily available," he added.
However, Kirori Mal College (KMC's )increasing number of students from Hindi-medium schools can also be attributed to the fact that it allows applicants to use their Hindi marks instead of English to calculate the best-of-four average. Comprising nine of Delhi University's most sought-after colleges, North Campus is usually perceived as the bastion of students from top English medium schools and with best Board results.
Even as many off campus colleges have separate sections for Hindi-medium students, institutions here, expect for a few papers of B.A. Programme, hold Honours classes in English.
Help for e'way Pedestrians
Working on various GURGAON: Working on various options to improve crossover movement of pedestrians on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has finally decided to construct five underpasses on the last leg of this 27.7 km long stretch between Rajiv Chowk and ter- minal Toll Plaza (Kherki Daula), at an approximate cost of Rs 300 crore.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has, however, dropped the costlier option of constructing an ele- vated track on the existing expressway.
At present, there are just two underpasses constructed on the 27.7 km stretch between Rao Tula Ram Marg (Delhi) and Kherki Daula.
The 9.5 km-stretch between Rajiv Chowk and Kherki Daula has just one underpass for res- idents of Sector 10, 10A, 9, 34, 35, 37 and nearby villages.
Commuters are forced to take five to seven-km-long detours to their destinations and pedestrians risk their lives while crossing the busy stretch on foot.
"We have finally decided on one of the three options we had been working on for improving crossover movement between the 9.5-km-long Rajiv Chowk and Toll Plaza (Kherki Daula) stretch," R.S. Singh, chief project director, Delhi- Gurgaon Expressway and chief general manager, NHAI, told Hindustan Times.
"We would construct five underpasses on this stretch instead of an elevated track above the existing expressway as it turned out to be a costlier proposition and involved an approximate expen- diture of Rs 1,000 crore," she added.
Out of the expense of Rs.300 crore, Haryana would share the expenses with NHAI to the tune of at least 50 percent of the total cost, Singh said.
"This option would not only take lesser time, it would also not hamper vehicular traffic," he added.
The underpasses are likely to come up at Naharpur-Rupa and Hero-Honda, Khandsa, Narsingpur and Begumpur Khatola crossing.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has, however, dropped the costlier option of constructing an ele- vated track on the existing expressway.
At present, there are just two underpasses constructed on the 27.7 km stretch between Rao Tula Ram Marg (Delhi) and Kherki Daula.
The 9.5 km-stretch between Rajiv Chowk and Kherki Daula has just one underpass for res- idents of Sector 10, 10A, 9, 34, 35, 37 and nearby villages.
Commuters are forced to take five to seven-km-long detours to their destinations and pedestrians risk their lives while crossing the busy stretch on foot.
"We have finally decided on one of the three options we had been working on for improving crossover movement between the 9.5-km-long Rajiv Chowk and Toll Plaza (Kherki Daula) stretch," R.S. Singh, chief project director, Delhi- Gurgaon Expressway and chief general manager, NHAI, told Hindustan Times.
"We would construct five underpasses on this stretch instead of an elevated track above the existing expressway as it turned out to be a costlier proposition and involved an approximate expen- diture of Rs 1,000 crore," she added.
Out of the expense of Rs.300 crore, Haryana would share the expenses with NHAI to the tune of at least 50 percent of the total cost, Singh said.
"This option would not only take lesser time, it would also not hamper vehicular traffic," he added.
The underpasses are likely to come up at Naharpur-Rupa and Hero-Honda, Khandsa, Narsingpur and Begumpur Khatola crossing.
Police Drag Info Commissioner to High Court, get stay on 'order'
New Delhi, March 10 -- Faced with a Central Information Commission (CIC) directive, Delhi police have gone all out to defend their turf. Admitting a writ petition by Delhi Police, the Delhi High Court has stayed what the police call "an order" by the Information Commissioner in connection with an allegation of refusal by the police to lodge an FIR in a case being heard by the Commission.
Justice S Muralidhar of Delhi High Court on Tuesday admitted the writ petition filed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) for Delhi police and listed the case for next hearing on July 14. Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi had last month asked the Delhi Police Commissioner and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner to inquire into an incident in which RTI users were allegedly beaten up at the behest of a local councillor in the presence of personnel from both the MCD and Delhi Police.
The incident happened during a joint inspection ordered by Gandhi in connection with complaints of unauthorised construction in north Delhi. DCP (North) Sagarpreet Hooda confirmed, "We have filed a writ against the CIC in the HC." Police counsel Vivek Kumar Tandon told Hindustan Times, "The scope of CIC is to be restricted under the RTI Act and he (Gandhi) cannot exercise his powers beyond the same.
The matter being investigated is to be dealt with by the competent authority (in this case the MM) and not by the CIC," he asserted. The CIC meanwhile is clueless about the entire issue.
"We have not received any communication in this regard," said a CIC official. In his letter to the Police Commissioner on February 18, Gandhi had pointed out, "Prima facie it appears that there has been serious collusion involved since the matter concerns unchecked encroachment of public land under MCD." He had written a similar letter to the MCD Commissioner.
The civic body submitted a report on Tuesday but the hearing is still inconclusive. Gandhi had further said, "You are hereby requested to kindly conduct an inquiry into the matter to ascertain into the allegations raised in the complaint.
You are directed to submit a copy of the inquiry report to the Commission to enable the Commission to take proper action."
Justice S Muralidhar of Delhi High Court on Tuesday admitted the writ petition filed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) for Delhi police and listed the case for next hearing on July 14. Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi had last month asked the Delhi Police Commissioner and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner to inquire into an incident in which RTI users were allegedly beaten up at the behest of a local councillor in the presence of personnel from both the MCD and Delhi Police.
The incident happened during a joint inspection ordered by Gandhi in connection with complaints of unauthorised construction in north Delhi. DCP (North) Sagarpreet Hooda confirmed, "We have filed a writ against the CIC in the HC." Police counsel Vivek Kumar Tandon told Hindustan Times, "The scope of CIC is to be restricted under the RTI Act and he (Gandhi) cannot exercise his powers beyond the same.
The matter being investigated is to be dealt with by the competent authority (in this case the MM) and not by the CIC," he asserted. The CIC meanwhile is clueless about the entire issue.
"We have not received any communication in this regard," said a CIC official. In his letter to the Police Commissioner on February 18, Gandhi had pointed out, "Prima facie it appears that there has been serious collusion involved since the matter concerns unchecked encroachment of public land under MCD." He had written a similar letter to the MCD Commissioner.
The civic body submitted a report on Tuesday but the hearing is still inconclusive. Gandhi had further said, "You are hereby requested to kindly conduct an inquiry into the matter to ascertain into the allegations raised in the complaint.
You are directed to submit a copy of the inquiry report to the Commission to enable the Commission to take proper action."
AArushi Murder Probe Officer Recalled
New Delhi, March 10 -- Two weeks after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had shifted out Deputy Superintendent of Police A G Kaul, the Aarushi Talwar (13)-Hemraj Banjade (14)-murder case investigating officer, he is back, to lead the probe. The agency's move, said a CBI source on condition of anonymity, was prompted by a likelihood that the officer's departure could have "further delayed" the 21-month-old unsolved case's probe.
Hindustan Times (HT) had on February 28 first reported the officer's shift to the agency's anti corruption wing - Anti Corruption Unit (ACU). Kaul, who was part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked to crack the case,, was handling the probe since September 2009.
The agency did not offer any comments about the ongoing probe into the murder case. The SIT was reconstituted last September after it lost services of two key officers, Joint Director (JD) Arun Kumar and Superintendent of Police (SP) Vijay Kumar.
While Kumar, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was repatriated to the Uttar Pradesh cadre, the SP shifted to the agency's anti-corruption wing. The earlier Special Investigation Team (SIT), whose work was supervised by Kumar, had held three suspects in the double murder case: medical assistant Krishna Thadarai, domestic helps Rajkumar Sharma and Vijay Mandal.
The then SIT had reached its conclusion on the basis of narco revelations leading to owning up of the crimes by Thadarai and Sharma; Mandal was apparently just a 'witness'. The re-constituted SIT, on the other hand, has been verifying possible leads afresh.
While it put Talwar's parents, dentists Rajesh and Nupur Talwar through narco tests in Gujarat's Gandhi Nagar three weeks ago, it is yet to put Thadarai, Sharma and Mandal back on its scanner. The SIT, though, does treat the trio as 'suspects', as HT recently reported.
Aarushi and Banjade were killed in an identical manner, their heads bludgeoned with a blunt object and necks sliced with a sharp weapon suspected to be a khukri, on May 16, 2008.
Hindustan Times (HT) had on February 28 first reported the officer's shift to the agency's anti corruption wing - Anti Corruption Unit (ACU). Kaul, who was part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked to crack the case,, was handling the probe since September 2009.
The agency did not offer any comments about the ongoing probe into the murder case. The SIT was reconstituted last September after it lost services of two key officers, Joint Director (JD) Arun Kumar and Superintendent of Police (SP) Vijay Kumar.
While Kumar, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was repatriated to the Uttar Pradesh cadre, the SP shifted to the agency's anti-corruption wing. The earlier Special Investigation Team (SIT), whose work was supervised by Kumar, had held three suspects in the double murder case: medical assistant Krishna Thadarai, domestic helps Rajkumar Sharma and Vijay Mandal.
The then SIT had reached its conclusion on the basis of narco revelations leading to owning up of the crimes by Thadarai and Sharma; Mandal was apparently just a 'witness'. The re-constituted SIT, on the other hand, has been verifying possible leads afresh.
While it put Talwar's parents, dentists Rajesh and Nupur Talwar through narco tests in Gujarat's Gandhi Nagar three weeks ago, it is yet to put Thadarai, Sharma and Mandal back on its scanner. The SIT, though, does treat the trio as 'suspects', as HT recently reported.
Aarushi and Banjade were killed in an identical manner, their heads bludgeoned with a blunt object and necks sliced with a sharp weapon suspected to be a khukri, on May 16, 2008.
No Relief for Colonies Near IGI Airport
In a set back to residents of Vasant Kunj, the Delhi High court on Wednesday allowed Director General of Civil Aviation to permit aircrafts to use runway 29 at the IGI air- port till repair works on run- way 28 was complete.
The night curfew (banning landing and take-off of flights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.) imposed in May last year on the newly commissioned runway has also been lifted for the time being.
The measure had been implemented following protests from residents of Vasant Kunj, Masudpur and Rangpuri, who complained that the sound of aircrafts flying low over their area was disturbing them 24 hours.
Delhi International Airport Limited's (DIAL) counsel Rajiv Nayyar said the repair work would be completed in four to five months.
"Prima-facie it does not appear that what they are doing is something perverse," a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta said.
As residents stiffly opposed even temporary lifting of ban on use of runway 29, Justice Lokur said, "They (DIAL and DGCA) are the best judges. The court is not technically quali- fied to take a decision."
DIAL and DGCA told the court that the nature of repair work necessitated complete shut down of the runway.
The night curfew (banning landing and take-off of flights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.) imposed in May last year on the newly commissioned runway has also been lifted for the time being.
The measure had been implemented following protests from residents of Vasant Kunj, Masudpur and Rangpuri, who complained that the sound of aircrafts flying low over their area was disturbing them 24 hours.
Delhi International Airport Limited's (DIAL) counsel Rajiv Nayyar said the repair work would be completed in four to five months.
"Prima-facie it does not appear that what they are doing is something perverse," a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta said.
As residents stiffly opposed even temporary lifting of ban on use of runway 29, Justice Lokur said, "They (DIAL and DGCA) are the best judges. The court is not technically quali- fied to take a decision."
DIAL and DGCA told the court that the nature of repair work necessitated complete shut down of the runway.
MCD, Why So Thrifty?
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been on a sealing spree in the recent months as it cracks down on traders, who have not paid the annual conversion and parking charges, in ‘commercial and mixed land use’ stretches of the capital.
It has sealed 500 properties in the last two months alone.
But what the civic body hasn’t done is spend the Rs 759 crore it has collected as conversion and parking charges since June 2007 from the 2,538 stretches that were notified as either commercial or mixed land use under the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021.
As per the master plan, basic infrastructure such as power and water, and civic amenities such as parking and sewage systems should be provided along the notified stretches from the charges collected.
“We are formulating a policy under which parking facility will be created. It will be implemented soon," said MCD's Press and Information director Deep Mathur to his defence.
The traders complain of choked roads, traffic jams and lack of basic facilities.
The MCD has also sent notices to Chandni Chowk traders asking them to pay conversion and parking charges.
Chandni chowk slapped with notice
"We got a notice from MCD asking us to deposit conversion and parking charges within seven days failing which, our establishment will be sealed,” said R.K. Mehra, chairman, Rupa&Co.
“We received a notice from the Ballimaran councillor asking us to pay conversion and parking charges failing which our shops would be sealed,” said Sanjay Bhargava, general secretary of Chandni Chowk market association.
“This is being done at a time when the court has specifically exempted special areas such as Chandni Chowk from paying any such charges."
The MCD's sealing drive, however, shows no signs of slowing down. "We will start the sealing drive from Okhla Industrial area from next week on the non-notified roads that have been carrying out commercial activities on Industrial plots," said a senior MCD official.
It has sealed 500 properties in the last two months alone.
But what the civic body hasn’t done is spend the Rs 759 crore it has collected as conversion and parking charges since June 2007 from the 2,538 stretches that were notified as either commercial or mixed land use under the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021.
As per the master plan, basic infrastructure such as power and water, and civic amenities such as parking and sewage systems should be provided along the notified stretches from the charges collected.
“We are formulating a policy under which parking facility will be created. It will be implemented soon," said MCD's Press and Information director Deep Mathur to his defence.
The traders complain of choked roads, traffic jams and lack of basic facilities.
The MCD has also sent notices to Chandni Chowk traders asking them to pay conversion and parking charges.
Chandni chowk slapped with notice
"We got a notice from MCD asking us to deposit conversion and parking charges within seven days failing which, our establishment will be sealed,” said R.K. Mehra, chairman, Rupa&Co.
“We received a notice from the Ballimaran councillor asking us to pay conversion and parking charges failing which our shops would be sealed,” said Sanjay Bhargava, general secretary of Chandni Chowk market association.
“This is being done at a time when the court has specifically exempted special areas such as Chandni Chowk from paying any such charges."
The MCD's sealing drive, however, shows no signs of slowing down. "We will start the sealing drive from Okhla Industrial area from next week on the non-notified roads that have been carrying out commercial activities on Industrial plots," said a senior MCD official.
MCD Goes Green With CFL Power Bulbs, Lamps
New Delhi, March 10 -- It will save 3.74 lakh units of power every month for Delhi. This translates into lighting of a whopping 74,80,000 tubelights per hour.
In a bid to conserve energy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to replace all existing light bulbs and lamps in various municipal buildings with energy efficient T-5 lamps and CFL lamps and bulbs. The move will also help the civic agency to save Rs 18.62 lakh per month.
The civic agency took this decision in accordance with the Energy Conservation Act (2001). It will take up the project in two phases at a cost of Rs 2.6 crore.
"The initial cost of switching to these energy efficient lamps would be recovered in one year," said Deep Mathur, director Press and Information, MCD. The civic agency had opened bids for the project earlier last month and has zeroed in on two private companies - Havells India Ltd. and Crompton greaves Ltd.
to implement the project. While Havells India will take up the work in the Civil lines Zone and Paharganj zone, Crompton greaves Ltd.
will implement the project in the rest of the municipal zones namely, Shahdara zone, Central zone, City zone, South zone, West, Narela, Rohini and Karol Bagh zone. The two private companies will look after the supply and installation of the new energy efficient lamps.
The MCD's high-powered standing committee approved the proposal in a meeting that took place on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the MCD had also launched a one-of-its-kind remote-controlled street-lighting system which automatically turns on and off according to the sunrise and sunset time of the geographical locations.
The project, according to the MCD, has been implemented at a cost of Rs 3 crore and.
In a bid to conserve energy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to replace all existing light bulbs and lamps in various municipal buildings with energy efficient T-5 lamps and CFL lamps and bulbs. The move will also help the civic agency to save Rs 18.62 lakh per month.
The civic agency took this decision in accordance with the Energy Conservation Act (2001). It will take up the project in two phases at a cost of Rs 2.6 crore.
"The initial cost of switching to these energy efficient lamps would be recovered in one year," said Deep Mathur, director Press and Information, MCD. The civic agency had opened bids for the project earlier last month and has zeroed in on two private companies - Havells India Ltd. and Crompton greaves Ltd.
to implement the project. While Havells India will take up the work in the Civil lines Zone and Paharganj zone, Crompton greaves Ltd.
will implement the project in the rest of the municipal zones namely, Shahdara zone, Central zone, City zone, South zone, West, Narela, Rohini and Karol Bagh zone. The two private companies will look after the supply and installation of the new energy efficient lamps.
The MCD's high-powered standing committee approved the proposal in a meeting that took place on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the MCD had also launched a one-of-its-kind remote-controlled street-lighting system which automatically turns on and off according to the sunrise and sunset time of the geographical locations.
The project, according to the MCD, has been implemented at a cost of Rs 3 crore and.
Save Power, Save Earth
New Delhi, March 10 -- It is a simple step that can go a long way as your contribution to fighting climate change. All you have to do is just switch off your lights and electronic equipment from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on March 27 to participate.
Buoyed by the success of its 2009 campaign, the World Wide Fund for Nature, India (WWF-India) on Wednesday announced holding a similar Earth Hour this year on March 27. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are official Earth Hour cities, among 15 Indian cities, during the 2010 campaign.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "Even though this (the Earth Hour) is symbolic, it is an extremely important symbol of conservation of power." Delhi government plans to run a campaign along with WWF-India asking individuals, commercial establishments, barring essential services, to switch off all energy consuming devices.
"Last year we saved 700 MW of power, this year we are aiming for more." "And not just contributing to action against climate change, a family can have a romantic candle light dinner when they switch off the lights," Dikshit quipped.
Actor Abhishek Bachchan, the brand ambassador for the campaign, called it as a "wonderful but unfortunately necessary movement". Bachchan specially thanked Dikshit for her suggestion of a candle light dinner and said, "My wife would be most happy.
I suggest all husbands do it and all the guys can also enjoy a candle light dinner with their girlfriends," he said amidst peals of laughter.
Buoyed by the success of its 2009 campaign, the World Wide Fund for Nature, India (WWF-India) on Wednesday announced holding a similar Earth Hour this year on March 27. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are official Earth Hour cities, among 15 Indian cities, during the 2010 campaign.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "Even though this (the Earth Hour) is symbolic, it is an extremely important symbol of conservation of power." Delhi government plans to run a campaign along with WWF-India asking individuals, commercial establishments, barring essential services, to switch off all energy consuming devices.
"Last year we saved 700 MW of power, this year we are aiming for more." "And not just contributing to action against climate change, a family can have a romantic candle light dinner when they switch off the lights," Dikshit quipped.
Actor Abhishek Bachchan, the brand ambassador for the campaign, called it as a "wonderful but unfortunately necessary movement". Bachchan specially thanked Dikshit for her suggestion of a candle light dinner and said, "My wife would be most happy.
I suggest all husbands do it and all the guys can also enjoy a candle light dinner with their girlfriends," he said amidst peals of laughter.
Burglars Strike in Gurgaon Again
Four days after residents of Sector 15 woke up to smashed windowpanes of 18 cars and missing music systems on Sunday, a house in this posh locality was burgled in the dead of the night on Tuesday.
The criminals struck without any fear of law enforcement agencies.
The victim's neighbour is a joint commissioner of police whose house is always guarded by police personnel.
The VVIP locality has houses of MLAs, senior IAS officials and bureaucrats, retired and serving defence and police personnel.
The burglary took place in the house belonging to G.P. Sangal, a retired senior officials of Central Government, in Sector 15. His neighbour is Gurgaon's Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Mittal.
“My immediate neighbour happens to be a retired admiral (636-B), next is a vacant plot and then the next house is of JCP Alok Mittal (636-D),” Sangal said.
He said the incident took place sometime in the late night hours when the burglars gained access into the drawing room at the ground floor by yanking out a bar from the window grill.
“Not even my grandson, who was awake till late night preparing for his class XII examinations, got an inkling of the presence of the burglars. They broke open the metal almirah and the safety case with some blunt object and fled with silver ornaments, idols and coins worth Rs one lakh,” Sangal added.
When contacted, the JCP Mittal said was away to Hyderabad for a training programme since the last three days and had no knowledge of the burglary.
The SHO of Sector 15, Devender Singh, was also not available for comments.
Sangal suspected the involvement of workers from an under-construction house next to his plot.
The criminals struck without any fear of law enforcement agencies.
The victim's neighbour is a joint commissioner of police whose house is always guarded by police personnel.
The VVIP locality has houses of MLAs, senior IAS officials and bureaucrats, retired and serving defence and police personnel.
The burglary took place in the house belonging to G.P. Sangal, a retired senior officials of Central Government, in Sector 15. His neighbour is Gurgaon's Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Mittal.
“My immediate neighbour happens to be a retired admiral (636-B), next is a vacant plot and then the next house is of JCP Alok Mittal (636-D),” Sangal said.
He said the incident took place sometime in the late night hours when the burglars gained access into the drawing room at the ground floor by yanking out a bar from the window grill.
“Not even my grandson, who was awake till late night preparing for his class XII examinations, got an inkling of the presence of the burglars. They broke open the metal almirah and the safety case with some blunt object and fled with silver ornaments, idols and coins worth Rs one lakh,” Sangal added.
When contacted, the JCP Mittal said was away to Hyderabad for a training programme since the last three days and had no knowledge of the burglary.
The SHO of Sector 15, Devender Singh, was also not available for comments.
Sangal suspected the involvement of workers from an under-construction house next to his plot.
Lawyers' strike in District Courts Today
NEW DELHI: Lawyers of all district courts have decided to strike work on Thursday to protest against rising corruption in the judiciary.
The co-ordination committee of all the bar associations is also protesting against the "overlooking of public interest by the high court in divesting the district courts of India from original jurisdiction in the garb of opening commercial divisions in the Delhi High Court".
Secretary of New Delhi Bar Association, Neeraj, said, "All lawyers of five district courts will abstain from work on Thursday. It's a token strike and we will decide the next course of action after that."
At a meeting of the bar associations, it was decided that lawyers will approach the government to bring appropriate legislation in respect of corruption and transfer of jurisdiction for providing fair and speedy justice. "We will meet the law minister on Thursday in this regard," said Sanjeev Nasiar, secretary general, co-ordination committee. Lawyers will submit a memorandum to the law minister, the CM and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The co-ordination committee of all the bar associations is also protesting against the "overlooking of public interest by the high court in divesting the district courts of India from original jurisdiction in the garb of opening commercial divisions in the Delhi High Court".
Secretary of New Delhi Bar Association, Neeraj, said, "All lawyers of five district courts will abstain from work on Thursday. It's a token strike and we will decide the next course of action after that."
At a meeting of the bar associations, it was decided that lawyers will approach the government to bring appropriate legislation in respect of corruption and transfer of jurisdiction for providing fair and speedy justice. "We will meet the law minister on Thursday in this regard," said Sanjeev Nasiar, secretary general, co-ordination committee. Lawyers will submit a memorandum to the law minister, the CM and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Woman Robbed in Delhi again
New Delhi, March 09: A debt-ridden young couple planned to earn some quick money by robbing an elderly woman living alone in the capital but ended up killing her, police said. Moreover, most of the ornaments they took from the victim''s house in north-west Delhi''s Rani Bagh were useless for them as they were artificial jewellery.
Police arrested 21-year-old Hema for allegedly murdering Manjeet Kaur, who ran a marriage bureau, with the help of her husband Gopal Aggarwal on February 23. "Hema was arrested from Budh Vihar yesterday.
She knew the victim and was in contact with her for sometime. They were under heavy debt and thought that they will be able to steal jewellery and cash from Kaur''s house," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-West) N S Bundela said today.
Kaur was staying alone and the couple thought that they could steal the articles easily and settle their debts. They went to Kaur''s residence to meet her on some pretext.
Kaur started shouting when they overpowered her and started robbing the house. The couple then allegedly slit her wrist and neck with a kitchen knife and she bled to death.
"They fled with cash and jewellery. However, later they found that most of the jewellery were artificial.
Hema then threw the ornaments into an MCD garbage bin in Mangolpuri," Bundela said. Efforts are on to arrest Aggarwal.Sajjan Kumar gets bail in 1984 riots case after evading cops
New Delhi: After evading arrest for almost 10 days, Congress leader Sajjan Kumar finally got some reprieve in the form of an anticipatory bail from the Delhi High Court on Friday. But the bail happened only after Sajjan had made a full mockery of the judicial system.
Sajjan, who has been accused of being one of the masterminds of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, failed to appear twice before the courts despite non bailaible warrants against him.
"Today (Friday) the High Court granted us anticipatory bail on a personal surety of Rs 50,000 and a bail bond of Rs 50,000," said Sajjan's lawyer IU Khan.
But his bail quickly snowballed into a political crisis with Akali Dal MPs raising slogans in Parliament, protesting against the court's decision.
For the families of riot victims, the Sajjan's bail was yet another evidence of the former MP's proximity to the Congress high command that helped him once again, especially when the party chose to remain silent even after the former MP went missing.
"He has evaded arrest not the Congress. Don't mix the two," said Delhi Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit.
Sajjan went missing from his residence on February 17, the day a lower court issued a non bailable warrant against him.
he continued to evade arrest till the time he got reprieve from the High Court. Now it seems that the Congress, the CBI and even the Delhi Police had almost been helping him in exercising his legal options.
Earlier this week the Delhi Police suspended Sajjan's PSO for making a false complaint suggesting that the Congress leader had gone missing.
Sources now say that this was more of a face saving measure and the officer would be re-instated soon.'Fire Brand' Gang Leader held again
The dreaded gang, which sets houses on fire after burglary, has once again struck a house in Sarojini Nagar in south Delhi.
Jaipal Singh, a soldier with the Indian Army, was out of station with his family when the burglars targeted his two-room house in Pillanji Village on Tuesday morning. Police said this is the second such incident within a fortnight.
Police said the neighbours noticed smoke coming from Singh’s house and called the police.
Singh was in his hometown of Amroha in Uttar Pradesh on a two-month leave along with his family. He is posted in AGI Bhawan in RK Puram and the police have informed him about the burglary and fire.
Police said they suspect this to be the handiwork of the gang of juveniles who are “expert house thieves” and always set the house on fire after taking everything.
“Prima facie it appears that they set the bed on fire before fleeing the house,” said a senior police the officer on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to media.
The police said Singh has been informed and only after his arrival can they ascertain the total loss.
On February 24, two juveniles were arrested for allegedly involved a burglary in government quarters in Sarojini Nagar and setting the house on fire.
This is the second such incident this year in the locality, which witnessed six such cases last year.
The police added that the gang is active mainly in Sarojini Nagar as they find it easy to break into government flats.
The gang sets houses on fire to erase evidence and treat it as their trademark, police said.7 Pak Cricketers face puniushing Bans, Probation
New Delhi, March 10 -- Only weeks ago, the cricket world was outraged at a decision by eight Indian Premier League teams to ignore all Pakistani players who were up for auction.
While no specific reason was given for the drastic action - life bans have never been handed out for anything other than matchfixing in the past - it is understood the PCB had enough with players picking and choosing tours, forming cliques, and holding the board to ransom.Two days before the tournament began, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a judgement that shocked the world, gave a clear indication of what they thought their players deserved. Seven players, including former captains Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik were either banned or fined and put on probation.
Soon after a recent tour of Australia that ended in January, where Pakistan lost nine matches, failing to win in any of the three formats, the PCB ordered an inquiry into the reasons for the cause of the defeat and the decline of Pakistan cricket.
"Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, keeping in view their infighting, which resulted in bringing down the team, their attitude has a trickle-down effect that's a bad influence for the whole team, should not be part of national team in any format," the PCB said, making the results of the inquiry public.
While no specific reason was given for the drastic action - life bans have never been handed out for anything other than matchfixing in the past - it is understood the PCB had enough with players picking and choosing tours, forming cliques, and holding the board to ransom.Saturday, February 20, 2010
Centre Asks UP to fix NREGS glitches
The meeting on Bundelkhand on Saturday saw representatives of the Centre and the UP government taking divergent positions on implementing central programmes in some parts of the region.
The meeting took place in Jhansi and it was called by the Centre to discuss the possibilities of converging centrally sponsored schemes in the part of Bundelkhand that falls in UP.
Bundelkhand is a region that covers parts of south-central UP and north-eastern Madhya Pradesh. The UP government on Saturday stated that Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta was not invited to the meeting.
According to sources, Union Joint Secretary (Rural Development) Amita Sharma referred to a report that pointed out anomalies in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in Mahoba and Gonda districts of UP. She said the UP government should take action on the report.
The NREGS is a Rs 40,000- crore social security scheme of the Centre, and is being implemented by the states. Mahoba falls in Bundelkhand but Gonda is outside it. The district magistrate of Gonda was, however, present at the meeting. UP Special Secretary (Rural Development) B.L. Agarwal talked about what the state government had done to set right the implementation of NREGS.
Union Rural Development Secretary B.K. Sinha said UP should develop model villages. Central officials expressed concern about the low participation of women in the NREGS and other schemes. Union Minister for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya said corruption remained a major challenge in implementing schemes.
There was discussion about NREGS beneficiaries not being paid in about six districts. Rural development commissioner Sanjiv Kumar and the district magistrates or chief development officers of 13 districts (including seven of Bundelkhand) were present.
The central team asked the state to update the database so that information on NREGS implementation was available online.
Centre asks UP to fix NREGS glitches
Umesh Raghuvanshi
Lucknow
The meeting on Bundelkhand on Saturday saw representatives of the Centre and the UP government taking divergent positions on implementing central programmes in some parts of the region.
The meeting took place in Jhansi and it was called by the Centre to discuss the possibilities of converging centrally sponsored schemes in the part of Bundelkhand that falls in UP.
Bundelkhand is a region that covers parts of south-central UP and north-eastern Madhya Pradesh. The UP government on Saturday stated that Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta was not invited to the meeting.
According to sources, Union Joint Secretary (Rural Development) Amita Sharma referred to a report that pointed out anomalies in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in Mahoba and Gonda districts of UP. She said the UP government should take action on the report.
The NREGS is a Rs 40,000- crore social security scheme of the Centre, and is being implemented by the states. Mahoba falls in Bundelkhand but Gonda is outside it. The district magistrate of Gonda was, however, present at the meeting. UP Special Secretary (Rural Development) B.L. Agarwal talked about what the state government had done to set right the implementation of NREGS.
Union Rural Development Secretary B.K. Sinha said UP should develop model villages. Central officials expressed concern about the low participation of women in the NREGS and other schemes. Union Minister for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya said corruption remained a major challenge in implementing schemes.
There was discussion about NREGS beneficiaries not being paid in about six districts. Rural development commissioner Sanjiv Kumar and the district magistrates or chief development officers of 13 districts (including seven of Bundelkhand) were present.
The central team asked the state to update the database so that information on NREGS implementation was available online.
Two Succumb to Injuries, Pune Toll Touches 13
A Navi Mumbai resident who were injured in the Pune blast have succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to 13.
Amjed-Al-Gozoly, 26, was a student of Wadia College in the city. Atul Anap, 30, was a Reliance Communication employee. Atul and wife Rita had come to Pune to meet relatives. His wife was also
injured.
Had Amjed kept his appointment with his friend at 6 pm last Saturday, he might have lived. “We had decided to meet at 6 pm for studies as an examination was scheduled on Monday. I was waiting for him when I suddenly got phone calls, first about the blast and later about Amjed,” classmate Bona Malul Atak said.
Amjed was an ace volleyball player and had participated in several volleyball and football competitions. He went to German Bakery with Anas AlFaith, another student from Sudan and a football player, and both were injured. Pune has a large number of students from Sudan. Officials from the Sudan consulate came down to Pune three days ago to review the situation.
The group Youth For Peace has planned a peace march on Sunday in five Indian cities, including Mumbai and Kolkata. It is being organised by friends of blast victims Anindyee Dhar, Ankik Dhar and Shilpa Goenka.
“We wanted to do something that would be concrete and a nationwide protest, after losing our friends,” said Abhimanyu Singh, a Pune student.
Pune police have asked residents, especially women, not to cover their faces while driving two-wheelers. The directive, issued on Saturday, will remain in force for next 15 days, traffic chief Manoj Patil said.Request to Shift EFR Camp Ignored
A senior official of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) blamed the district police and administration for the Maoist attack on an EFR camp in West Midnapore on Monday.
Covering his face with a black bandana as he faced TV cameras at the EFR headquarters at Salua, West Midnapore, Special Inspector General (EFR) Benoy Chakraborty vented his ire at the district police and administration.
It is not clear why he had masked himself.
On Monday, 25 people were killed by Maoists in an attack on an EFR camp at Silda in West Midnapore, about 170 km west of Kolkata.
“Higher officials in charge of the district knew that the camp was not safe. The SP, West Midnapore, was repeatedly told that the camp should be shifted, but he paid no heed,” said Chakraborty.
“Several radio messages requesting the SP to shift the camps went unanswered.”
However, another Inspector General of the state police said on condition of anonymity: “How can an officer criticise his own colleague in front of the media when the government had ordered an inquiry into the massacre?”
Meanwhile, two of the 14 people whose release the Maoists asked for as a condition for letting go Dalbhumgarh Block Development Officer Prashant Layek were on Saturday granted bail by a court in Ghatsila.
Additional District Judge M.M. Singh granted bail to Jasmi Mardi and her father, Bahadur Mardi.
A police outpost, with additional forces, has been set up at Phulwaria-Korasi village in Naxal-affected Jamui district in Bihar. At least 12 persons were killed and an equal number injured in a Maoist attack on Thursday morning.NOBODY LIKES THEIR KIDS TO BE GAY
“We cannot allow the campus to be a cradle of wanton behaviour like homosexuality,” declared P K Abdul Azis, vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, defending the recent suspension of a professor for being gay.
When told that homosexuality is no longer unlawful in India, he responded with a question: “Would anybody like his/her child to be gay or lesbian?”
On February 10, S R Siras, an AMU professor, was suspended for performing alleged homosexual acts in his official residence, although rights activists pointed out that gay sex was no longer a crime.
The university asked Siras, who headed the department of modern Indian languages, to vacate his official residence.
“I am 64 and in fragile health. The charge of active homosexuality levelled against me is absurd,” Siras said. “When the high court has decriminalised homosexuality, how can the university level such a charge?”
The suspension order against Siras, who was due to retire this year, came seven months after Delhi HC decriminalised adult consensual intercourse.
But Azis said since AMU has its own tradition of moral values, “I had to take preliminary action. Or, it would have sent a very wrong message.”
He said Siras’ alleged homosexuality could not be termed a private affair as the act was committed in the house allotted to him inside the campus.Opposition Demands Debate on Price Rise - Pawar to Face Flaks
New Delhi: With just two days left for the budget session in Parliament to begin, almost all political parties have decided to corner the government on the issue of price rise and have demanded discussion on the issue on the first day.
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“The opposition has agreed that there must be a discussion on the issue of price rise on the first working day of Parliament. If the government agrees to our demand, the proceedings of the parliament will not be disrupted,” said Sushma Swaraj, the leader of Opposition soon after a two-hour long meeting with the Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar.
Trinamool Congress and DMK who also attended the Speaker’s meeting have also demanded a full-fledged debate on the issue.
The CPI too has threatened that if the government didn’t agree to the demands of the political parties, they would move an adjournment motion.
CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said that the Left parties were also planning to raise issues of fertilizer price hike and the plight of unorganised sector workers.
Coming under attack from all quarters, the prime minister decided to step in to meet the challenge of the opposition parties. “We are ready to discuss all issues in Parliament,” the prime minister Manmohan Singh said after the meeting.
Swaraj added that BJP was also looking to take up the issues of growing Maoist violence, Ranganath Misra Commission report, Indo-Pak talks and Justice Sageer Ahmed’s report on Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy.Not Just MEA, Cabinet also Part of Foreign Policy: Krishna
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said there is no turf war between the Prime Minister’s Office and his ministry, and maintained that foreign policy is “the totality” and it is not being made “simply by the foreign affairs ministers” — but the cabinet.
In an interview with Vir Sanghvi on CNBC-TV18, the veteran Congress leader also said his induction into the cabinet was the biggest surprise of his political life.
“Foreign policy will not be made simply by the foreign affairs ministers or external affairs minister. It is the totality. It is the cabinet. For day-to-day carrying on of the ministry of external affairs there is total freedom and there is no interference from the PMO and I have the greatest respect and regard for the PM and it is amply reciprocated.”
The minister said, “With the PMO, I have an excellent rapport, with the PM himself I have an excellent rapport.”
On media reports on a turf war, the minister said the “media speculations and these media engineered assessments don’t bother” him at all.
The minister, unlike his deputy, Shashi Tharoor, doesn’t post messages on the micro-blogging site Twitter.
On being asked whether ministers should tweet, he said, “I think there we will have to draw the line. I think making policies is too serious a business and then it cannot be tweeted. I think it needs deliberation, it needs discussion, it needs contemplation and then ultimately it has to come out in the shape of a policy.”
But he maintained that it was up to the ministers to decide whether they should tweet or not.After J&K, PC says ready to Help Sikh Youth Returned
On the lines of the offer made to Kashmiri militants, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said the government is ready to facilitate the return of Sikh youths who took political asylum abroad during militancy in Punjab provided they give up violence.
“If Sikh youths want to return, having given up militancy, given up violence, given up the demands of Khalistan... We will certainly facilitate the return of Sikh youths,” he said.
Chidambaram’s remarks come two days after Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal slammed the Centre for leaving Sikh youths out of the ambit of its proposed move to facilitate the return of Kashmiri militants who have crossed over to PoK if they shun the path of violence.
The Home Minister said, “If the government of Punjab wishes to draw up a scheme. I will be very happy to consider that.”
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the country’s first integrated check post, which will provide support facilities to ensure smooth movement of people, goods and transport across the border.
“When the country is one, what is the harm in giving general amnesty to Sikh youths who want to shun violence and join the mainstream,” Badal had said.After J&K, PC says Ready to Help Sikh Youth Returned
On the lines of the offer made to Kashmiri militants, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said the government is ready to facilitate the return of Sikh youths who took political asylum abroad during militancy in Punjab provided they give up violence.
“If Sikh youths want to return, having given up militancy, given up violence, given up the demands of Khalistan... We will certainly facilitate the return of Sikh youths,” he said.
Chidambaram’s remarks come two days after Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal slammed the Centre for leaving Sikh youths out of the ambit of its proposed move to facilitate the return of Kashmiri militants who have crossed over to PoK if they shun the path of violence.
The Home Minister said, “If the government of Punjab wishes to draw up a scheme. I will be very happy to consider that.”
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the country’s first integrated check post, which will provide support facilities to ensure smooth movement of people, goods and transport across the border.
“When the country is one, what is the harm in giving general amnesty to Sikh youths who want to shun violence and join the mainstream,” Badal had said.Student Fire Burns Andhra
A student set himself ablaze in the Osmania University campus even as Andhra Pradesh police stopped hundreds of students from marching towards the assembly in Hyderabad on Saturday.
More than 300 students were arrested at different places in the city as they tried to defy prohibitory orders and take out a rally to the assembly.
The student, S Yadaiah, set himself afire by pouring kerosene to protest the delay in carving out a Telangana state. The 19-year-old suffered 70 per cent burns and his condition is stated to be critical.
In a suicide note, Yadaiah, a student of the city’s Noble College, wrote that he was taking the extreme step because the government was unresponsive to the aspirations of the people.
Tension prevailed in Osmania campus after the news of the self-immolation spread. Students gathered in hordes and tried to come out on to the main roads. But the police pushed them back into the campus.
Earlier in the day, students chanting ‘Jai Telangana’ marched to the assembly, but were stopped by the police near Vidyanagar. Some were arrested.
Angry protesters then set three buses on fire at the Jamia Osmania railway station near the university.
The students also vandalised Vice-Chancellor Tirupati Rao’s car when he tried to persuade them not to take out a rally, and instead hold a peaceful protest within the campus.
Police closed the gates of Nizam College near the assembly and City College near the high court to prevent students from coming out. Both colleges had announced support to Osmania students.
Authorities also stopped several trains on the Hyderabad-Warangal route, apparently to prevent students of Warangal’s Kakatiya University from reaching the city. Police, however, claimed that trains were stopped after a hoax bomb call.
South Central Railway cancelled almost all local trains in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
In Delhi, the Justice B N Srikrishna committee issued a notice seeking views and suggestions from the public, political parties and local organisations on Telangana.
The notice, published in major English dailies in Delhi and in Telugu, Hindi, English and Urdu newspapers in Andhra, said the suggestions should be sent within 30 days.Real Estate Carnival Gets Good Response
The three-day real estate carnival, which is a part of the month-long Delhi Shopping Carnival, organised by HT City, is fetching an overwhelming response. People from all walks of life have been frequenting the nine malls and eight markets in Delhi which are hosting the carnival.
Added attractions on weekends like a food festival, fashion shows and kids’ carnival have made the event more attractive.
Anjali Malhotra, says even her five-year-old daughter Aditi enjoys coming to the place as she has a nice time relishing the popcorns and enjoying the added attractions at the carnival.
The real estate carnival concludes on February 21.
CBI's Uphaar Report Sent to Senior Judge
A Delhi court today again refused to decide a legal question whether it is empowered to take cognisance of CBI's probe report giving a clean chit to former IPS officer Amod Kanth in 1997 Uphaar fire case and referred the matter to the senior most district judge.
District and Sessions Judge S P Garg, to whom the matter was referred for taking a decision, said he would not decide on the issue.
“I am sending the case to G P Mittal, the seniormost District and Sessions Judge at Tis Hazari,” Garg said.RWA Compels NHAI to make agreement public
Dwarka residents have won an year-long battle against the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and made it to agree to upload the agreement it entered into with Jaypee-DSC for the construction and operation of the Gurgaon Expressway on its official website.
With this, the agreement would now be under public scrutiny.
Running into 400 pages, the voluminous agreement between NHAI and Jaypee DSC Ventures Limited was signed on April 18, 2002 for the construction of 27.7 km long 8/6 lane Gurgaon Expressway, between Rao Tula Ram Marg (Delhi) and village Kherki Daula (Gurgaon) on National Highway No. 8.
Costing about Rs. 1000 crore, the project was awarded on built-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.
“Action has already been initiated to up load the agreement on the website of NHAI,” read an email from V K Rajawat, deputy general manager (Technical), NHAI to Rejimon CK, president of Dwarka Forum, the residents’ body that has been fighting for the cause of the commuters of Gurgaon Expressway for a long timeDelhi, NCR Schools Shine at Gobar Times National Awards
"This is the time not to know, but to do what we know, on the ground,” said Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit during her address at the awards ceremony of the Gobar Times Green Schools Programme, an initiative of the Centre for Science and Environment, on Saturday.
And that is exactly what the CSE attempts to achieve through the Green Schools Programme–to sensitise schools across the country about the need to protect the environment by managing water, air, land, energy and waste optimally.
On Saturday, 25 schools across the country that excelled in this objective in 2009 were felicitated in 37 categories.
The 20 national award winners included St George’s, Alaknanda; Ramjas School, Pusa Road; Salwan Public School (Morning), Old Rajinder Nagar; Salwan Public School, Gurgaon; Evergreen Public School, Vasundhara Enclave and the Pinnacle School, Panchsheel Enclave. Schools from eight other states were among the national winners.
Under the programme, schools prepare audit reports on their performance vis-a-vis environmental benchmarks.
Explained Sumita Dasgupta, who is coordinating the programme, “For instance, we urge schools to ensure optimal usage of drinking water. If they can maintain the government-recommended consumption of water, it is taken as a positive point. However, if the per capita consumption of water is above the limits prescribed, they get negative markings.”
This year, the awards ceremony was held in collaboration with the Delhi Government. Five thousand schools from across the country had vied for the national awards this year.He's on a Green Drive, Literally
One hundred and thirty two. That’s 122 cars more than what Dinesh Kumar was to look for in his neighbourhood as part of a school project on vehicles without Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.
“I devoted an hour daily during my summer vacation. So, instead of finding 10, I prepared a list of 132 cars,” he said. Kumar was in Class IV then.
Since then, his interest in environmental issues has grown. Kumar, now 21, is studying engineering at Bharti Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, and working on a carpooling portal.
“Most students drive to college. The idea is to prepare a database of students, the route they take and when they travel. Those interested in carpooling can get in touch with those who take the same route at the same time,” he said talking about his portal ‘Share your wheels’. Kumar expects the portal to be online in the next couple of weeks. About 82 students have already registered with him. The idea is among the 52 entries shortlisted for the Hindustan Times – Brightest Young Climate Leaders
However, this isn’t his first initiative. Over the last eight months, he has worked on sensitising people on waste segregation, which could not have been possible without his “green crew”, a group of eight like-minded friends he found through Facebook.
That apart, he has also contributed content for a children’s workbook on environmental issues called Project Search. “Ten per cent of the Green House gases are due to improper waste management. We have held workshops in schools to sensitise students about how to segregate waste at the house level itself,” he said.'Be Accurate in Narration of Facts'
A number of readers have been asking me for information on consumer courts, particularly on the correct way to file a complaint and seek redress.
I must clarify that even though these are popularly known as consumer courts, the redressal agencies constituted under the Consumer Protection Act are quasi-judicial bodies.
They follow simple, summary procedure. So you need not hire a lawyer to file your complaint.
However, you must ensure that your complaint is backed by adequate proof.
The documentary evidence could be receipts for payments made, contracts or agreements between the service provider and you, letters of complaint written by you or affidavits of persons confirming or supporting your allegation, expert opinions, case laws that support your case, even articles in newspapers and specialised journals.
Once you have put together all your documents, be accurate in narration of facts and be clear on the relief that you seek.
Begin by mentioning the District Forum before which you will file the complaint and provide space for the Forum to put the complaint number.
Next, give your full name and address as the complainant and the full name and address of the respondent.
Log on to www.fcamin.nic.in and click on the icon of ‘Department of Consumer Affairs’ to access the “Form for Complaint”.
This form should be of help to you in filing the complaint.In Real Life Copying Gets You Expelled From The College
Aamir Khan as Rancho in the film 3 Idiots managed to go scot-free after helping steal a question paper from the college principal’s room.
In real life, Naresh Malhotra (name changed), a second-year B Tech student was not so lucky. His college — Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology — expelled him and Delhi High Court upheld the decision.
On the night of April 23, 2009, Malhotra and two other students stole into the room of the coordinator of exams and got hold of the test paper on Theory of Computation, to be held the next day, from a computer.
Malhotra claimed innocence before the college. “I wanted to report the matter but never had the guts to do so,” he said. But the college was not convinced.
After an internal inquiry, the college senate recommended expulsion of all three on April 28 and gave them the option to withdraw from the college. The others withdrew, but Malhotra decided to challenge the expulsion.
“(Malhotra) stood guard when the others were copying and thus was an equal participant,” a bench of acting chief justice M B Lokur and justice Mukta Gupta.Music doesn't hit the high notes anymore
“There was a time back in the ’80s and ’90s when an artiste just wasn’t allowed to suck too badly... The fans would leave them. Now, I don’t think the fans really know the difference. Or they just don’t care.”
Much like his songs, the angst firmly echoes in singer Richard Marx’s words. Only this time, it is directed at the present music scenario and not the subject of one of his songs.
The rock balladeer, popular a decade ago, performed in the city on Friday night. This was Marx’s second time in India but his first major concert tour.
On his last trip to Mumbai in 2008, he didn’t get to see much but was amused, or rather thrilled, to shoot his video log. “From Bombay in India, can you believe it? We call it Bombay but here in India they call it Mumbai,” he says in the log.
But what he did get during his first trip to India was a sense of his following in the country. “I found out that many people in India knew my music. So I’m very anxious to come and perform there,” he told HT just before he started for India.
Allergic to smoke, he has ensured that his crew, as well as the entire Saket Sheraton floor on which he is staying, are strictly smoke-free. In stark contrast to the erstwhile boys and now men from Backstreet Boys, Marx’s down-to-earth demeanour charmed everyone from the hotel staff to mediapersons, who he even sang for on Friday.
Apart from the adults who were at the concert with a heavy shot of nostalgia, Marx had an eager bunch of teenagers in his audience.
The singer feels that the audience today just “doesn’t really care”. That, he says, makes music from then and now beyond compare.
“Everything is different. What music sounds like, what it music looks like and even where you can get it. I think the biggest difference now is that thanks to shows like American Idol, the public has a much lower expectation of talent. For those of us who pride ourselves on singing in tune and our music, this is pretty lame. There are popular artistes out there who can barely sing at all. But the public doesn’t really care.”
Marx started his career when he was a teenager and Lionel Richie, the popular ’80s singer, heard one of his demo tapes.
“When I was 18, I recorded a few songs and a friend of a friend knew Lionel and gave him the cassette. He liked what he heard, and my number was on the cassette, so he just called me. It blew my mind. ”
In keeping with the current trend of self-publishing, the 47-year-old digitally released his latest album Emotional Remains. “There was no major label interested in signing me, and I didn’t need anyone to fund my record, so I just did it myself.”Missing: Vendors and Charm
The ice-cream vendors were conspicuous by their absence. And so was the weekend buzz on Rajpath.
The stretch between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan had clearly lost a bit of its charm for its habitual visitors on Saturday.
“Most of us don't come here to soak in the heritage, but for the vibrancy this area represents," said Satyapal Singh (25), a regular and an engineer.
Rajpath is to Delhiites, what Chowpaaty is to Mumbaikars. The road, apart from India Gate, witnesses a huge rush of families and youngsters on weekends.
“The safety paranoia is excessive and completely destroying the wonderful places of Delhi,” said Ravi Sundaram, a fellow at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.
The vendors were ousted from Rajpath by Delhi Police earlier this week, as they are perceived as a traffic hazard. They are now confined to the bit of Shahjahan Road leading up to India Gate.
“Now if I have to eat something, I will have to walk all the way down to India Gate for this," said Kamal Kumar, a student.MCD's Hawk Eye on Hawkers
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi's latest “sanitation drive” is aimed at people.
A number of VIP areas are set to be highly sanitised, with the MCD deciding to disallow hawking and squatting at the main roads there.
Early this week, Delhi police chief Y S Dadwal had directed that hawkers who vend by roaming on Rajpath be removed. However, according to New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), all licensed hawkers can vend anywhere in NDMC area.
“If they have a license they can vend anywhere in NDMC area while roaming,” said P K Sharma, Medical Officer of Health, NDMC.
After the report was carried in HT, Delhi Police issued a statement clarifying move was initiated to maintain the sanctity of Rajpath.
“For safety reasons, it is essential that no vendor should be allowed on the road,” said Rajan Bhagat, spokesman, Delhi police. “However, vendors often come to Rajpath and park their vends in an unauthorised manner. No tehbazari (license) has ever been given by the NDMC to any vendor for parking and selling goods on Rajpath.”
The VIP areas which MCD targets include New Friends Colony, Defence Colony, G K-I, Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, Aurobindo Marg, Mathura Road among others.
“These areas were identified in consultation with the Delhi traffic police," said Deep Mathur, director Press and Information, MCD.
“We are planning to approach the court over this matter as removing hawkers in such a manner is hitting their constitutional right to earn a living,” said activist Madhu Kishwar.
More than one lakh vendors who vend by roaming in the city. The civic agency has given license to 16,400 vendors. “We are yet to come up with a rehabilitation policy,” said Anand Tiwari, spokesperson, NDMC.
Mindless Cheeps on Twitter
Mindless cheeps on Twitter Hindustan Times ePaper Two years ago, our daughter bought a tarted-up spiral notetarted-up spiral note- book and turned it into a diary. We discovered the thing the other day.
'Unrecognised Schools won't have to Match Government Salaries'
Union Minister Kapil Sibal’s statement on giving private schools the freedom to decide their teachers’ salary structure once the Right to Education (RTE) Act is implemented is not applicable to all unaided institutions in the Capital.
This prerogative will be limited to schools with insufficient funds to conform to the government salary structure, Sibal said on Saturday. The Delhi State Education Act (DSEA), 1973, makes it mandatory for all recognised schools in the Capital to pay salaries as per the Sixth Pay Commission.
The Right to Education (RTE) Act to be implemented across all states from April 1 — is silent on this issue and thus the provision of the Delhi education act should ideally prevail.
But Sibal feels an exception will have to be made for the unrecognised unaided schools once RTE comes into effect.
“An unrecognised school with inadequate funds will be forced to close down if it’s asked to pay teachers according to government standards,” he said. “Such institutions have a lot of poor kids and have to be protected.”
“The RTE does not aim to further marginalise the poor. Closing such schools is not an option. In fact, we will give them three years to conform to the infrastructure and teaching standards in the Act,” he added.
Sibal will meet CM Sheila Dikshit on Monday and then the other state heads to discuss this. “There are hurdles in implementing the RTE as each state has its own legislation on education. Between now and April 1, we will meet all state governments to build a consensus,” he said.Woman Shot in Thigh Outside Taj Mahal
Bangladesh-resident Farazi Vinti Ferdos’ visit to the Taj Mahal on February 14, Valentine’s Day, with her husband wasn’t quite as romantic as she expected.
A bullet hit Ferdos inside the Taj Mahal complex, one of India’s best-protected monuments. Almost a week later, security forces are clueless about where the bullet came from.
Ferdos was sitting on the lawn outside the Taj with her husband and child when something stung her thigh, making it bleed. She showed it to the security forces posted at the Taj Mahal, they advised her to get it dressed at a local hospital.
An X-Ray showed something embedded in her thigh, which the hospital advised her to get removed before dressing the wound.
In Delhi, Ferdos went to Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals on February 15, where an X-ray revealed an embedded bullet.
“We found a bullet in her thigh above the left knee. It had created a 1.5 cm wound but had not fractured or shattered the bone, which makes us suspect it had ricocheted off something before it hit her,” said orthopaedic surgeon Dr Yash Gulati, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, who did the surgery.
A medico-legal case was registered. Ferdos was discharged on Friday, February 19. Ferdos has left Delhi.
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