The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

NDMC throws ASI norms to the winds
Building coming up near Jantar Mantar
Rohit Wadhwaney

New Delhi, November 8
It is a case of bending the rules time and again; and then citing precedents to justify the successive digressions.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has sanctioned and approved the construction of a commercial building on plot number 14 on Janpath Lane, which is “barely 30 meters” away from Jantar Mantar. That this is a violation of the Ancient Monument Archaeological Sites and Remains Act -- which prohibits any construction or mining within 100 meters of any protected site -- doesn’t hold water for the NDMC.

With characteristic nonchalance, the chief architect of the corporation, Mr R. L. Aggarwal, retorted: “So what?” and cited yet another precedent to defend the NDMC’s actions. “The DLF building is not even 15 meters away from Jantar Mantar,” he pointed out.

"The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had given the layout for the commercial building, which was sanctioned by the NDMC. There was no reason not to sanction the building. Moreover, once the ministry gave its nod, how could we oppose it?” Mr Aggarwal reasoned. However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said it was completely wrong on the part of the NDMC to sanction a building within the prohibited area of a protected monument without even consulting it.

Speaking to The NCR Tribune, a senior ASI official, requesting anonymity, said: “We were not even aware of the construction of the building until the residents, who are living as tenants on that particular plot, complained. We have now taken necessary action and asked the builder to stop the construction.”

“It is because of such illegal constructions that the condition of the ancient monuments is deteriorating. What can the ASI do if the other agencies keep approving structures without consulting it? This only goes to show that there is no co-ordination among various governmental agencies,” the official pointed out.

Meanwhile, Mr Aggarwal said they had advised the landlord “not to go ahead with the construction until such time they obtain a no-objection certificate from the ASI”. “But if so many other structures have come up within the prohibited area near the monument, what is the problem if we sanctioned this one?” he asked.

The ASI officials said the NDMC must not have given permission for construction in the first place. If the corporation had bothered to inform the ASI, the latter would have stopped the work a year ago, he said.

Tenants residing on the plot said their landlord had tied up with a builder and started the construction of the commercial building. The damage had already been done, they said. The landlord and the builder have been using “unfair means” to evict the tenants, who have been living there for decades.

Mr J. M. Mehra, one of the residents, said: “Even though the construction has been stopped for a while now, a 30-feet pit has been dug up right behind our houses, which is a death trap. Anyone can fall into it. There are people living all around it. Sewage water collects in the pit, a source of epidemics,” he said.

In a letter to the residents, the Executive Engineer (Sewerage Maintenance), Mr S. K. Gupta, wrote some time back: “The NDMC sewer line is running properly. The sewer connection line within the premises of 14, Janpath Lane has been damaged during the excavation for the basement (which the builder was constructing) in the plot.”

More importantly, cracks had begun to appear in the walls of their houses, whose foundation has already become weak due to the continuous digging, the residents said. “Who will be responsible if my house collapses," asked Mr Mehra, who has been living there since 1947.

Moreover, the builder has stacked "highly inflammable" material like wooden logs in the area. The construction has been stopped and cannot begin till the ASI approves it.

Embargo on US goods in Muslim pockets
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
The sale of American and British products has declined in areas where there is a predominantly Muslim population, following a fatwa (decree) issued by Darul-Uloom, Deoband, asking Muslims to boycott US and UK goods in protest against the attack on Afghanistan. The decree was issued on October 17 and its copies were distributed in Muslim localities last Friday. The decree, printed in Urdu, was also distributed in mosques. It was printed on the letterhead of Darul Uloom, a world famous madrasa, and signed by scores of Islamic scholars. The sale of cold drinks and other beverages, manufactured by multinational companies, such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Thumps Up, Limca, Sprite, Mirinda, Bisleri, Aqua Fina, Kinley and Fanta has come down since then. Instead of these, people are asked to opt for Maza and Campa Cola, which are manufactured by Indian companies.

The fatwa is being strictly observed in Jamia Nagar area, Walled City, some trans-Yamuna areas and other Muslim localities. The effect of the decree is most pronounced in the Jamia Nagar area, where locals have stopped demanding Pepsi and chocolates made by the US and British companies. Shopkeepers have also stopped stocking these items as there is no demand for them in the area, say some of the shop owners.

The decree listed 42 American and British goods, including City Bank, some hotels and restaurants. “Purchasing these goods or availing these services will be tantamount to helping American and British governments which are attacking Afghanistan,” the decree said.

Demolition bid foiled
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
Three policemen received minor injuries today when they tried to prevent some encroachers from demolishing the boundary walls of Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI) in the Chanakyapuri area. Three persons were arrested for “unleashing violence against the policemen on duty”.

The injured policemen were taken to a hospital but were discharged later after receiving first aid. According to the police, a dozen encroachers tried to demolish a wall that has been constructed to indicate the boundary of the CSOI’s area. The demolition was in retaliation to Sunday’s incident when the police had cleared up an encroached area belonging to the CSOI, which is situated next to the Delhi Police Security Lines. According to the police, some people had been residing in the high-security area, where several senior police officers and personnel of the Prime Minister’s security have their offices, for the last few years and had refused to vacate the area.

The police claimed that its personnel were careful not to touch Panch Peer Mazar in the area during the demolition drive on Sunday. “In fact, we had demarcated the Mazar area and left it untouched while demolishing the illegal constructions including several houses in the area,” a police officer said. However, this morning, a group of alleged encroachers descended on the area and attacked the policemen on duty. Reinforcements were rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control. While three persons were arrested on the spot, the others were chased away by lathi-wielding cops.

Free risk cover for truck drivers
R. Suryamurthy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
With Divali round the corner, several schemes to woo the consumers have hit the market. This one is for one of the most neglected communities in the country -- truck drivers. Petroleum major Bharat Petroleum (BP) has announced free accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh each truck driver valid for a period of six months.

About 80,000 truck drivers across 95 centres in 14 states, including Delhi, would be covered during the three-day campaign to be launched from November 10, Mr K. R. Venkataraman, general manager of BP, told The NCR Tribune here today.

Some of the other cities covered under the scheme include Ambala, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Pathankot and Ghaziabad.

The global lubricant major with an annual turnover of over $ 131 billion dollars is spending Rs 23 lakh for the scheme. The company has tied up with the New India Assurance Company and is paying a premium of Rs 26.25 per truck driver for providing the insurance cover.

More than 5,000 trucks enter the Capital each day and the drivers would be insured for a period of six months and the company would bear the insurance premium cost.

The company had plans to cover about 3 lakh truck drivers during the next phase of the campaign, Mr Venkataraman said. “This is a move to establish a long-term relationship with truck drivers, who are not cared for by the people,” he added.

Mr Sher Singh, a truck driver, said, “I am overwhelmed by the scheme. This is the first time that somebody has come up with a scheme for us. The cleaners should also be provided with the insurance cover, as they also face similar risk in case of an accident,” he said.

Spare a thought for your animal this Divali
Gaurav Choudhury
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
Cats and dogs are readying for carpet bombing. But unlike the war-weary Afghans, they cannot scurry into trenches to drown the deafening decibel levels during Divali.

Even though we are yet to see any fireworks in the run-up to Divali, animal protection activists are spreading the message that the decibel levels must be kept low.

“Fireworks frighten animals as they do not realise that the deafening sounds are in the spirit of levity,” a spokesperson of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said.

Animal protectionists and behavioral scientists say that high levels of sound could have a serious fall-out for animals. “There are several instances of animals going crazy. This is because they are unable to determine the cause of the cacophony; unable to rationalise, they deduce that a highly unnatural activity is taking place,” a Delhi-based behavioural scientist said.

The situation is somewhat identical to that of a solar eclipse when the sudden onset of darkness may force animals to scamper for shelter, an animal psychologist said. “In this case, animals are unable to determine the reason for the sudden rise in noise levels. Unlike human beings, animals cannot rationalise and their knee-jerk reaction is to run for cover, ” he said.

In Delhi and some other parts of the country, a campaign is on to reduce the use of crackers during Divali. The Supreme Court has imposed a ban on bursting of crackers exceeding 125 decibels and the Delhi Police (Licensing Branch) has banned 20 types of high-decibel crackers.

Psychologists have also warned that crackers can have ill-effect on the psyche of a child and NGOs and corporations have joined hands with schools to spread awareness about the adverse impacts of fireworks.

For instance, Bharat Petroleum has joined hands with the Delhi Public School to organise a drive against firecrackers in Delhi. Animal protection activists, however, say that not much is being done for the other species. ``In the cacophony, many animals run away from their homes. The lucky ones are reunited with their masters, but some of them are lost for god. Some suffer serious injuries or even die….’’ the PETA spokesperson said.

On its part, the PETA has suggested a series of measures to minimise the impact on animals. Masters have been recommended to keep their pets inside the house and pull down the shutters. If possible, a radio or a television should be turned on. It also needs to be ensured that the animal is wearing a collar and an up-to-date identification tag. They are also advised to make sure that firecrackers are not thrown at animals.

Thus, even as we celebrate Divali, for dogs, cats, birds and bees it may seem to be a terrorist attack of a different kind.

COMMUNITY

Sonepat sucked in by single-digit lottery; admn helpless
R. D. Sapra

Sonepat, November 8
The spectre of lottery is haunting this city and elsewhere in the district. The trade has exploded to phenomenal heights in the recent past. Unfortunately, there seems to be no solution.

The lure of easy money has sucked in both the young and the old. The tragedy is that the lottery trade has been authorised by the government. Now, every street corner in the city has the friendly lotterywalas. In fact, there has been a major boom in the lottery trade in city over the past few months and now the lotterywalas can be seen almost on every street.

The cancerous growth is attributed mainly to the advent of single-digit lotteries which unfortunately have again been authorised by various state governments. Investigations have revealed that since a lot of ‘satta’ was being played on the last digit of various lotteries even earlier, the state governments thought of a novel idea and launched specific lotteries on which money can be put on the last digit.

The result: Innumerable people can be seen standing at ramshackle stalls put up by lottery sellers at various places deeply involved in betting every day. Countless houses have been ruined by the lure of lotteries.

With the number of people involved in the various lotteries on the rise, there seems to be no alternative available except to ban them. However, a large drawback in any attempt to ban it is the absence of any government legislation to contain the menace.

Another related problem is the one-digit lottery which has become immensely popular and thousands have been addicted to it. This has proved to be a new form of social evil which is affecting the society at large. It has impoverished many family and broken homes in this region.

Realising its pitfalls, even those involved in the trade feel that there is a need to eradicate this particular form of lottery. It has become a popular form of gambling among all segments of the society.

Even as the indulgence of people is on the increase, the police say that they have no authority to curb this practice as most of the daily lotteries are authorised. Besides, the vendors selling the lotteries on the street have valid tehbazari rights. Defending their position, the police said that “We have no authority to remove these vendors from the different places in the city.”

The civic authorities have been issuing the tehbazari rights without any proper verification. In fact, shops are offering vacant corners to lottery vendors for this lucrative business. Informed sources felt that the one-digit lottery could well be used to launder black money. The real winner rarely claimed the money, they pointed out. To make the matter worse, these lotteries have even spread its tentacles in the nearby villages. The young and the old like from these villages have increasingly become hooked on this social menace.

This new form of popular gambling will not only lead to more impoverishment but may also see rapid increasing in crime rate in the area. Effectively then, this lottery business has the potential to threaten the social fabric of the area also.

MCD gifts Rs 1.25 cr to Vasant Kunj; residents sceptic
Rohit Wadhwaney

New Delhi, November 8
What happens when in a rare event residents of Delhi see a host of Municipal Corporation officials come calling. Scream, arguments, lots of unanswered questions and absolute chaos!

That is precisely what happened in Vasant Kunj today when Municipal Councilor Ms Vimla Choudhry along with some officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) came to discuss the problems of the residents and declared, “Rs 1.25 crore had been sanctioned” for the colony for the maintenance of its roads and parks.”

The minute the MCD officials entered the park in Sector B-2 of Vasant Kunj, where the meeting was held, the residents welcomed them with a storm of questions. “What is the MCD doing? We never see any MCD workers doing their job?”

The common refrain of most residents was, “There has to be some transparency. We have all the right to know what the governmental agencies are doing. After all, we are tax payers.”

Dr Avtar Krishan, president of the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) of Sector B-1, in a rather agitated tone, asked the councilor: “This is not the first time the MCD is sanctioning money for the welfare of Vasant Kunj. But more importantly, what happens after the money is sanctioned? Who is responsible for implementing the various plans? What is the whole point of sanctioning the money if the MCD is just going to sit on it?

Ms Vimla Coudhry said: “This time we will see to it that all the funds are properly utilized in repairing the roads and the parks of the colony. We have already started the work and before the end of the year, all the work would be completed.”

One of the biggest colonies of Delhi, Vasant Kunj has a population of about 60,000. There are about 103 parks in the colony, most of which don’t even have a blade of grass on them.

“Most of the parks have become garbage dumps. Our children cannot even play in these parks because they are full of stones, mud and muck,” said Suresh Thakur, Vice-President of the Forum of RWAs of Vasant Kunj.

S.S.Chauhan, Assistant Director (Horticulture) said: “It is not that the MCD does not want to work. We are always short of funds. But since the funds have been sanctioned now, all the parks of the colony would be improved and maintained.”

“The roads are full of potholes. You cannot even walk on them. When we bought our houses here, we thought we are coming to a posh locality but this is worse than living in a village,” said S.C. Dey, president of Sector B-10 RWA.

Mr Dey said the roads of the colony needed immediate attention. “They have been in very bad condition for the past 7 years. Nothing has ever been done. Whenever the election time approaches they cover the roads with coal tar for a day or two.
And then it is back to square one after the elections are over,” Mr Dey said.

The residents requested the MCD officials to make proper speed-breakers. The ones that have been built are “less of speed-breakers and more of car-breakers,” residents said. Junior Engineer Anil Mittal assured the residents that some of the work, which they have started, would be completed soon and the rest would be commenced immediately after the Diwali and “will definately be completed before the new year begins.”

Councilor Choudhry told The Tribune on the sidelines of the meeting: “I have got these funds sanctioned for Vasant Kunj because I realize their apathy. The MLA has not done anything.

They have only made promises but done nothing for the residents. I will see to it that the work is implemented.”

However, few of the residents present in the meeting felt the governmental agencies are not the only ones to be blamed and that the residents are also responsible for their own condition. Dr Rajesh Kumar, President of Sector B-4 RWA, one of the new blocks in Vasant Kunj, said: “If you see our colony you will realize how much work is being done there. The parks are beautiful. The block is full of greenery. We have no shortage of water and the roads are perfect.”

“The residents have to stop cribbing and do some work themselves. In our block, we have our own people who maintain parks and roads. We pay from our own pocket. And following us even the MCD has started working in our block.”

Yogesh Khanna, President of the Forum of RWAs, said: “Residents should work but we cannot do anything without the help of MCD. Till now, we have been maintaining the streetlights, the roads, and a few parks from our own pockets. But for how long can we spend our own money? After all, what is the purpose of the MCD?

Mr Khanna said several complaints to the MCD in the past have borne no fruit. “Even this time we are not sure whether they will implement the work they are promising or just declare the sanctioned money and never show their faces again.”

Even while being skeptical of the declatory policy of the MCD, Mr Khanna hoped that “this time the MCD would get to work and realize the pathetic state in which we are living.”

However, only time will tell whether this declatory sanction of Rs 1.25 crore to the colony is actually any different from the past when the MCD often made such promises before the local elections in order to entice the voters.

Jats clamour for OBC status
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, November 8
Mr Tara Chand Mor, co-convenor and spokesman of the Haryana Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, today strongly criticised the inordinate delay on the part of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government headed by Mr Om Prakash Chautala in accepting what he called as the just and legitimate demand of the samiti for the inclusion of Jats in the category of other backward classes (OBCs).

In a signed press statement issued here, he said that if this demand was accepted it would extend the benefit of reservation in government jobs to the Jat community as per the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. He said that the Jats were educationally backward and engaged in farming. Therefore, they deserved to be included in the list of the OBCs in all states on the same pattern as had been done in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. He also demanded immediate implementation of the Mandal Commission report on this issue.

Mr Mor also condemned the delaying tactics adopted by the Chautala government in declaring the inclusion of Jats in the category of other backward classes. He asked the district convenors of the samiti to launch a mass contact campaign and mobilise the Jats for the movement to be launched by the samiti against Mr Chautala for delaying the declaration of reservation in government jobs to the Jat community. The delaying tactics adopted by the state government, he warned, would worsen the situation in the state.

The samiti leader also disclosed that he along with the office-bearers of the All-India Jat Maha Sabha would tour the districts of Panipat and Karnal during the current month in connection with the mass contact campaign. They would mobilise the Jats against the state government for its failure to implement the Mandal Commission report.

He also disclosed that a meeting of the All- India Jat Maha Sabha would be held today at New Delhi to chalk out the future course of action for launching the statewide agitation for the inclusion of Jats into the list of OBCs.

Mr Dara Singh, a noted film actor and President of the All-India Jat Maha Sabha would preside over the meeting, he added.

The samiti leader also appreciated the support extended to the samiti by various political parties, institutions and individuals on this issue.

Living under perilous roof for a decade
Nalini Ranjan

New Delhi, November 8
The renovation of the dispensary-cum-staff quarters of the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) at Jangpura has been completed. That is on paper. In reality, all the problems that had been plaguing the complex which houses 21 staff quarters remain intact.

Several letters have been sent to the officers concerned in this regard, but no action has been taken so far, say residents of the quarters.

The complex was built in 1984. In 1988, 18 quarters were allotted to employees of the dispensary which is being run in the remaining three quarters. The building was constructed so carelessly that cracks started appearing on the walls soon after and the plasters on them began falling, residents allege. Residents say they have been living under fear that the building could collapse at any time for over a decade.

Facing the danger to their lives, residents shot off several complaints to higher authorities. Following these, a renovation-cum-maintenance work was initiated in January 2001. Officially, the renovation was completed in March 2001.

However, according to residents, the drive was carried out only on paper. “Our plight remains the same. We are running from pillar to post to no avail,” said one of the residents.

A visit to the complex revealed that not only the condition of the complex was deplorable but there was also no proper arrangement for sewerage and electricity as well.

FARIDABAD
Plots turn into dustbins
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 8
Plots lying vacant in the urban sectors here have virtually turned into dustbins, thanks to the inefficient waste disposal system in the town. In fact, scarcity of such plots has forced the residents to pay for disposing of the daily household waste.

There are hundreds of plots in these sectors, which are used to dump the garbage, which is left to get disposed of its own or is being burnt by residents themselves. Such spots have become a favourite haunt for stray animals and scavengers. Domestic animals, including cows, usually become a victim of such a waste. It is learnt that several cows die because of the harmful products consumed by them, including plastic and polythene bags thrown in the waste. Experts are of the view that the milk of cows consuming such materials becomes dangerous in nature as it is unfit for consumption due to suspected development of cancerous tissues in the affected animals.

The municipal corporation, which is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring removal of domestic garbage, has failed to provide adequate facilities. While the problem has become a source of headache for residents of HUDA (Urban) sectors, it has assumed acute and serious proportions in the NIT area, which is more densely populated. The improper disposal and dumping of garbage in open plots and on the side of roads has led to stinking civic conditions in many areas, especially in NIT, old Faridabad and Ballabgarh towns.

Although there are several trucks and mobile dustbins for the collection and disposal of garbage with the municipal corporation, the failure to provide the facility in a proper manner has led to aggravation of the problem.

It is reported that one of the main reasons that has prompted the authorities to privatise the cleanliness work in eastern parts of the town from July this year had been the inability of the corporation to provide satisfactory service. While Sulabh International, which has been assigned the contract in urban sectors, claims to improve civic conditions considerably, a large number of residents seem to be unhappy with the work so far.

CRIME

Petrol pump dacoity foiled, six held
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
With the arrest of six members of a gang of dacoits, including two Burmese, the West district police today claimed to have foiled a dacoity in a petrol station in Paschim Vihar. The dacoits were arrested while they were reportedly planning to commit a dacoity in the petrol station, Abhishek Motors.

The dacoits were identified as Moti Lal and Mohan Lal, two Burmese brothers settled in Delhi, Yassin, Raj Kumar, Pappu and Abbas. Two button actuated knives and two iron rods were seized from their possession.

The Burmese brothers migrated to India in 1971. They performed their operations in such a secret manner that nobody could suspect them of being criminals.

Murder solved

Aquil Ahmed and Mohammad Azad, residents of Bulandshahar, and Niamatulah were arrested in connection with a blind murder case. Sadiq Hussain was shot dead in May last year while he was going to the mosque for Friday prayers in Mehrauli.

Niamatullah, who was a relative of the deceased, hired Aquil and Mohammad Azad on a contract of Rs 50, 000 to kill Sadiq. Both had enmity for a long time. Aquil and Azad are allegedly desperate criminals of Bulandshahar. One loaded countrymade 12 bore revolver along with two live cartridges were seized from their possession.

During interrogation, Aquil and Azad confessed to having shot dead Sadiq, the police said.

Robbed of Rs 3000

Four unidentified youths reportedly robbed a person of Rs 3,000 on Wednesday night in the Trilokpuri area. Nand Ram, a resident of Kalyanpuri, was on his way to his house, when the incident occurred at around 9.30 pm.

Nand Ram was going underneath the Trilokpuri bridge when three boys snatched his bag.

However, when the victim raised the alarm, Maheshwar Singh, one of the youths, was arrested by the police patrolling party, while the other three managed to escape from the spot.

The Trilokpuri police has registered a case of robbery and launched a manhunt for the absconding three.

Freed from chain

In another incident, Sunita (28), a resident of Bara Hindu Rao, was robbed of her earrings, ring, chain and Rs 5000. The incident happened when the victim was alone at her residence.

Four unidentified youth managed to enter the house and rob her. The police said a case of robbery had been registered.

Youth burnt

Sonepat
A Nepali youth, Arjun, was reportedly burnt by pouring kerosene on him by three youths in a motor workshop on the G.T. Road near Murthal Chowk about 8 km from here on Wednesday night.

According to preliminary reports, the youth sustained serious burn injuries and rushed to the local civil hospital where he was shifted to a Delhi hospital for further treatment. The police arrested the alleged culprits. A police official has also been sent to Delhi for recording the statement of injured Nepali youth.

The cause of the incident was not immediately known. However, it is stated that the culprits reached the workshop when the Nepali youth was engaged in preparing the meals.

They had consumed liquor and after altercations with the Nepali youth, they poured the kerosene oil on him and set his clothes on fire before they fled from the spot.

Manhunt

The Murthal (Haryana) and the Baghpat (UP) police have launched a massive hunt to apprehend the culprits allegedly involved in the clash between two rival groups, which occurred at Machhrauli village in this district on November 6 last.

According to official sources, the culprits are still at large .Two teams of police officials have been formed to conduct raids at their hideouts for arresting them.

It may be recalled that two persons, including a woman, were killed and nine others injured in this clash following a dispute over 20 acres of agricultural land.

Student hurt

A student of CRA College sustained knife injuries when he was allegedly attacked by a group of other students here on Wednesday.

According to a report, the injured student was immediately hospitalised and he is stated to be out of danger. The police has registered a case. Further investigations are in progress. However, no arrest has been made in this connection. The police is ascertaining the cause of the assault.

Held for rape

Faridabad
The police was arrested a man, Rati Khan from the Railway station at Alwar town of Rajasthan on charges of abducting and raping a teenaged. It is learnt that the accused accosted the victim aged about 15 years from Bahin village and took her to a secluded place after giving her eatables laced with some substances.

Man posing as CBI SP held
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police yesterday claimed to have arrested an alleged impersonator who posed himself as a superintendent of police of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and demanded blank certificates of the Bhatnagar International School in Vasant Kunj.

The suspect, Ashish Aggarwal, allegedly threatened the principal of the school, Ms Anjana Sahajwal, that an arrest warrant would be issued against her if he was not given blank certificates of the school. The principal lodged a complaint with the Special Cell alleging that a person introducing himself as the SP of the CBI, Mumbai Branch had been constantly calling her up asking for the blank character and provisional certificates of the school.

The police kept the telephone number of the complainant under observation and voice of the suspect was recorded and he was arrested from the Shakarpur area of East Delhi.

Preliminary inquiries by the police have revealed that the suspect had failed class X examination and thought up this novel way of procuring character and provisional class 12 certificates.

Couple arrested in fraud case
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 8
A district court here has held three persons including a couple for fraud, in a case booked against them in June 1999. The court is likely to deliver the sentence on November 10.

As per details, the main accused Sunil Behal and his wife Savita, resident of sector-16-A here, had allegedly committed a fraud with a Chennai based company, worth several crore on promise to get a loan of about 100 crores from International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) a subsidiary of World Bank to the firm.

It is reported that Sunil Behal had posed as vice-president of the IBRD at the time signing the deal with the company. It is stated that while the

accused allegedly cheated the `group of companies' in connection with developing of a residential colony in Gurgaon district, another complaint was lodged by a Green Park (New Delhi) based firm against the accused in the central police station here on June 27, 1991 under sections 420, 406, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B against the accused.

The third accused has been identified as Surender Mohan of Delhi. The Judge Mr Jagdeep Jain after hearing from both sides, delivered the verdict that they are guilty. The court, which was due to announce the sentence today, has fixed November 10 for the purpose. The couple was arrested about two years ago.

Physician held for patricide
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
In a bizarre incident, a physician was arrested today by the West district police on the charge of poisoning to death his 70-year- old a father, Dharamvir Singh.

However, the police does not rule out the angle of property dispute in this case and strongly suspect that this could to be a cause for the murder.

Devender, a physician, allegedly killed his father, Dharamvir Singh, on November 1 by lacing his tea with sedatives.

Singh had reportedly come to India on October 31 from the USA where he had gone to meet his younger son.

According to the police, Devender received him at the airport and brought him to his house at Sitapur.

The next morning he served tea (adding sedative tablets) to both his father and mother.

The couple immediately after having the tea fell unconscious. Devender used this chance and immediately injected poison into his father’s body, following which he died.

The physician later disposed the body of his father in a drain in Karkola village. The decomposed body was recovered today at the instance of the suspect, the police said.

BUSINESS

Industry seeks abolition of entry tax on vehicles
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
The draft Delhi VAT Act has evoked mixed reactions from industry chambers, which want entry tax on motor vehicles to be done away with.

The general perception is entry tax hinders movement of goods into Delhi, resulting in delays.

Opinion among various chambers weighs predominantly against levy of local taxes other than the desired ones under the value added tax (VAT) regime.

Reacting to the provisions of the draft Act, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has said that services should not be included under VAT as service tax is already being levied by the Centre.

Furthermore, the chamber feels, transporters should not be made liable to pay entry tax since they are simply a “bailee” and not owner of goods.

Opposing the provision of requisition of transporters as dealers under the draft Act, the PHDCCI has submitted that “such a provision is ultra vires as transporters do not trade in goods.”

The disappointment of chambers stems also from the fact that this provision of the draft Act is not in vogue in any other state.

Suggesting modifications in respect of the tax structure to make the introduction of VAT simple and transparent, the PHDCCI has sought two main and two special rates of taxes instead of the six-rate structure proposed in the draft Act.

Also sought is the reduction of maximum rate from 40 per cent to 20 per cent. The provision of setting up checkposts and barriers, it is apprehended, would aid corruption and avoidable harassment.

Last but not the least, in the Chamber’s view, there is a need for reducing central sales tax since it is a necessary precondition for introduction of VAT.