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Change of guard in BJP New Delhi, December 19 Sixty-seven-year-old Khurana sent his resignation to party President M Venkaiah Naidu, expressing his desire to quit “active electoral politics”. Announcing Khurana’s resignation, Naidu also confirmed the appointment of former Delhi Health Minister, Dr. Harshvardhan, as his successor in the Delhi BJP unit. Vardhan was BJP’s National Vice President. Sources said that it was still not clear whether Khurana would contest for the Lok Sabha elections next year. Khurana, who has been in Delhi politics for nearly four decades, on Wednesday quit his Moti Nagar seat from where he was elected to the state assembly. He was the Chief Ministerial candidate in the recent elections. Meanwhile, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi was today unanimously re-elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party in the Delhi assembly. Prof. Mukhi’s name was proposed by new Delhi BJP President Dr Harshvardhan at a meeting of the newly-elected legislators in the Old Secretariat. BJP Central Observer Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi later told reporters that Dr Harshvardhan’s name was unanimously approved by all the 19 party MLAs. Dr Harshvardhan, said Naqvi, was found to be the most suitable candidate for the post. In an interface with reporters, the newly elected Delhi BJP President, Dr. Harshvardhan, said his priority would be to strengthen the party set-up in Delhi ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha elections and reinstall Delhi as the BJP stronghold. He said the party would avenge the defeat in the Assembly elections and make an all out effort to win all the seven Parliamentary seats in Delhi. Prof. Mukhi, who was BJP Legislature Party leader in the previous Assembly, said he would try to prove within six months that the newly elected Congress legislators were not the right choice of the electorate. Maken elected Speaker Mr Ajay Maken was today elected Speaker of the Delhi assembly by a voice vote after Pro Tem Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh rejected the BJP’s demand for a division for its candidate S P Ratawal. Barring the 19 BJP legislators, all the MLAs in the 70-member House, including Ramvir Singh Bidhuri (NCP), Shoaib Iqbal (JD-s) and a lone Independent member, supported the motion in favour of Mr Maken. The Congress had filed four sets of papers, including the one from Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, in favour of Mr Maken’s candidature for the ceremonial post. Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, who was this morning elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party in the House, had filed the lone nomination for Mr. Ratawal. Ch. Prem Singh, however, turned down the vociferous demand of the BJP legislators and the motion was carried through by a voice vote. Congratulating Mr Maken, who held crucial departments of power and transport in the previous government, Ms Dikshit exuded confidence that the new Speaker would be able to discharge his new role as efficiently as he did as a minister. ‘’Mr Maken is an educated youth and I believe he will be able to discharge his duty as the Speaker with efficiency and success,’’ she said. Yesterday, Prof. Mukhi had said that his party was constrained to field a candidate for the Speaker’s post ‘’because of the high-handedness of the Chief Minister who did not consult us on the issue.’’ He said the BJP was in favour of unanimous election to the post, provided the Congress was prepared to leave the post of Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Public Accounts Committee to the Opposition in keeping with the Parliamentary tradition. The BJP has only 19 members in the house. Party state unit President Madan Lal Khurana, who had won from the Moti Nagar assembly constituency, resigned yesterday. |
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Harshvardhan hopes to give BJP a face-lift New Delhi, December 19 The 49-year-old three-time legislator and BJP national vice-president, who has replaced Mr. Madan Lal Khurana, as the Health Minister carried out the anti-polio campaign in 1994 with zeal and commitment, which almost stamped out the dreaded disease in the Capital. Taking cue from its success, the Union Health Ministry adopted it as a national programme. Another feather in the former Health Minister’s cap was his introduction of the Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers’ Health Protection Bill, which was later adopted by the House in 1996. This was the first Bill of its kind introduced in any legislature of the country. The attempt received worldwide acclaim, and Dr Harshvardhan was awarded the WHO’s Commendation Medal in May 1998 at a function in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1998. Born on December 13, 1954, in Delhi, he cut his teeth into politics early in life by becoming an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS). He was also the General Secretary and President of the Delhi Medical Association (DMA). Elected as a member of the first Delhi Legislative Assembly in 1993, he was made the Health Minister in view of his meritorious medical experience. Dr. Harshvardhan, who represents Krishnanagar assembly constituency, has been a recipient of several awards and fellowships from a number of national and international organisations. |
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BJP wants
STB purchases put on hold New Delhi, December 19 BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said CAS was passed by Parliament with the hope of benefiting the consumers and disciplining the cable operators and TV channels. ‘’If the channels and operators are fleecing and threatening the consumers then the government should review the law,’’ he said. The consumers should, therefore, resist the designs of the operators. The government should encourage resident welfare associations to run the cable operations, offering them all protection. Monopoly situation should not prevail in any area, he added. He said the implementation of CAS in Delhi was vital for its implementation all over India. There was no point in making the consumers pay higher than the recommended price of Rs 72 for viewing 36 to 70 channels. The BJP stand has come as a boost to the
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Co told to pay for delay in building flats Noida, December 19 The forum, in its order, said the delay in completing and handing over the flats might have been due to any causes but the failure of the company to complete construction within the stated time frame had caused mental agony to the complainant. The forum ordered the construction company to pay Rs 10,000 to the complainant for delay and Rs 1,000 as expenses towards the suit within one month of the date of the order. Col Ujjagar Singh had filed a case on behalf of his daughter Poonam Singh who had booked a flat in Greater Noida with M/s Alam Construction Co. The construction contractor had promised to deliver the completely constructed flats by October 2002. The agreement was for Rs 2.10 lakh. The complainant said the contractor had started harassing them from day one and had been pestering them for payment in advance. It was stated that even by December 9, 2002, when Ms Poonam Singh decided to approach the consumer court, the contractor had not completed the construction. Ms Poonam Singh had already paid Rs 1.91 lakh by that date to the contractor. It was also alleged in the complaint that the contractor had used sub-standard material in construction. The contractor in his reply had blamed the world situation for the delay in construction. The forum came to the conclusion that whatever factors might have been responsible for the delay, the fact remained that work had not been completed within the given time limit. This had caused mental and physical discomfort. The complainant was entitled to compensation, it held. |
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New Delhi: The Capital today experienced winter in all its glory: biting cold, blanket of fog, nippy wind and a cloudy sky. According to the Indian Meteorological Department spokesman, the condition might worsen in the ensuing days due to heavy snowfall and rain in the Himalayas in the past few days. The minimum temperature today dipped to 8.5 degree Celsius, which is one degree above normal. The weatherman said the cold wave conditions in the city might continue till Christmas or beyond. The visibility was less than 200 metres at 0700 hrs due to heavy fog. The Airport Authority had to reschedule many flights, as the early morning visibility was less than 100 metres. Many trains running to and from Delhi have been delayed or rescheduled.
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Trains run late, commuters cool their heels Sonepat, December 19 According to a report, the dense fog which engulfed the region delayed almost all long-distance and suburban trains passing through Sonepat. Poor visibility due to foggy weather conditions was the main cause of the trains running late. The incoming and outgoing long-distance and suburban trains ran behind schedule for hours on this section. The passengers had no option but to stay shivering in the chilly weather on the platforms, praying for the arrival of their respective trains. Most of the commuters, including government servants and teachers of educational institutions, reached their offices and schools at Delhi very late. They had to face the wrath of their bosses. Similarly, road traffic was also hit by the dense fog. The drivers of trucks, buses and cars had to use headlights even during the day due to poor visibility. However, there have been no reports of any accident so far. Meanwhile, Sonepat city and its surrounding areas are in the grip of a severe cold wave. Most of the residents kept themselves indoors till noon. Most of the government offices and schools looked deserted due to poor attendance. However, attendance was normal in the private educational institutions. |
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Rs 19 lakh Naraina robbery cracked, five New Delhi, December 19 Jitender Singh had handed over the cash to his three employees and asked them to carry the money to his office. While the employees were ferrying the cash, the suspects threw a bomb and decamped with the booty, the police said. According to the police, the arrested suspects have been identified as Uma Shankar, Raja Ram, Udai Singh, Sagir Ahmed and Mohammad Iftigar. Their other associates are absconding. After disclosures made by Uma Shankar, the police recovered Rs 1.30 lakh and bank documents worth Rs 30,000. The police had arrested Uma Shankar and Raja Ram from Naraina and Kirti Nagar yesterday. During interrogation they admitted that along with their associates — Bhura, Mohammad Ahsan, Chander Teja, Kalia and Minto — they had committed the
robbery. Uma Shankar disclosed that he hatched the plot with Raja Ram and Domma. They used to assemble daily at a designated place in the evening to watch the movements of the businessman. Domma asked Mohammad Iftigar to organise a locally made bomb for them. After committing the crime, they assembled at the house of Sagir in Naraina village and distributed the loot. They also disclosed that they used the auto of Subedar to commit the crime and promised to given him Rs 1 lakh. An amount of Rs 1.30 lakh and the looted bank documents were recovered from the house of Udai Kumar from Krishi Kunj, near Pusa Institute. According to the police, the auto used by the criminals was recovered from the left side of the Naraina flyover shortly after the incident. The owner of the TSR told the police he had rented the vehicle to Subedar whose address he did not know. However, the police managed to get it. A team was sent to Sultanpur district but he could not be arrested. The other suspects had also left their houses in the Capital for their ancestral village in eastern UP. The police said during interrogation the arrested suspects disclosed that the robbery had been planned meticulously over a period of six months. They followed the businessman a number of times to study the time and pattern of carrying the cash. Earlier, too, they had tried to rob the victim but could not succeed. On the fateful day, they followed him from the bank. Two groups kept a watch on him near Loha Mandi while another group kept an eye on the main road in the TSR, which was their getaway vehicle. They committed the robbery after exploding a crude bomb and escaped, the police said. |
THE most important constitutional machinery of Indian democracy is the Election Commission of India. In the beginning, it was a one-man commission. It has always been functioning impartially. It has consistently conducted itself honestly though it has been low profile in the earlier years. But right from T. N. Seshan to M. S. Gill and J. M.
Lyngdoh, it has been a three-man commission. All the three chief election commissioners have shown enormous maturity. They have made the election commissioners the most fearless and awful institution not by enormity of its task but by its excellence in performance. The chief election commissioners have worked superbly with their members. Together, they have worked as a well-knit body barring aberrations during T. N. Seshan’s stint. But very soon wisdom prevailed and
T.N. Seshan moved with Mr Gill and Mr Krisnamurthy harmoniously. Mr Lyngdoh, in his stint, has made the Election Commission of India the most reputed body. It has won for itself universal laurels. Despite all pulls and pressures during the elections to Assemblies of Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Lyngdoh, along with his members, proved it the most fair and fearless before the foreign observers. He has lived up to the most sceptic and rational expectations of the observers, given the most suitable reply to the most irrational neighbour and made a mark on the hearts of the great democratic people of India. However, the Election Commission has not applied its code of conduct to the candidates inviting film stars, who have obliged the politicians from all the political parties in the recent election to the assemblies of the five states - Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram. Some of the cinestars were among the nominated members of Rajya Sabha. These stars from the tinsel world helped the political parties for collecting and pulling crowds. They did not know anything of the work and performance of the rosy promises of the candidates. In this manner, they have helped some of the most unsuitable candidates in winning their seats. The candidates won’t serve the people. They will be parasites. Thus, they will do more harms than service to the people. Election Commission should pass strictures against such candidates for influencing voters in the most wrongful manner. UJJAL PAL SINGH
Haryana Giving raw deal to the disabled Apropos of Smriti Kak’s article ‘Is UPSC giving a raw deal to disabled?’ (NCR Tribune, December 11), I would like to add that Haryana is the most fraudulent state in service selection matters. And requisite intervention is desired to prevent the abysmal callousness of state service commissions since 1966. Caste is primary. Is HPSC or HSSSC not giving raw deal? Solid proof is in testimony to Smriti Kak’s writing. I have faced forty times to HPSC (college cadre post of Maths lecturer) from 1991 to 2003. I am single handicapped female applicant for post of lecturer in HPSC – Haryana who interviewed in HPSC office. Whether Mr Chautala is heeding such genuine request? Only god knows. What a great fashion of merit mania? DHIRAJ YADAV, Rewari
Peace from flowers This is with reference to M P K Kutty’s article ‘Delhi peace summit: Who will bring us peace?’ (NCR Tribune, December 14). It is stated that principles contained in all the major religions emphasise the virtues of peace and how it can be achieved. But still we see a state of peacelessness all around the world. In India, most of us daily chant ‘Om Shanti Shanti’. But immediately forget its significance, when dealing with others around us. In this connection, someone has aptly said, that we should learn the importance of peace from flowers. They too live in the peace environment. They too have to endure the pollution and decay of the world of nature. Yet, wherever they are found - by the congested roadside near the swamps, in the desert, amid the thorns and sometimes even on the dunghill - these are eternally beautiful, gay and fragrant. It is not by chance that flowers are given for every occasion, even the most sorrowful. Flowers call forth images of peace and tranquillity. It is their nature. Let’s, therefore, learn from the flowers and spread’ fragrance, all around us, as we are flowers of the garden of god. O. P. SHARMA Administrative
Tribunals In response to a well-informed piece of news which appeared with the headline ‘Seminar Discusses Role of Administrative Tribunals’ (NCR Tribune December 7, 2003), I would like to inform that the Department of Public Administration, Government College,
Gohana, was headed by me and I had conducted the programme mentioned. “Dr Dhingra also briefly highlighted the cases (decided by the Supreme Court and not) that had to be decided by the apex court.” Further, the citations of these two cases mentioned by Prof Dhingra are very important to be mentioned which are as follows: 1) Sampath Kumar Vs Union of India (1987) ISCC 124 and 2) Chandrakumar Vs Union of India JT (1997) (3) SC 589. The citation is important because the apex court dealt in depth about the merits and demerits of these Administrative Tribunal in these two cases. O. P.
WADHWA, Govt College, Gohana, Sonepat |
JBT scam: RLD seeks Chautala’s resignation Bhiwani, December 19 While talking to mediapersons here today, the state president of the party and Arya Samaj leader Swami Indervesh said that Mr Chautala should relinquish chief ministership after the direction of the apex court. Urging for equal distribution of canal water in the state, the RLD leader said that the state government should pressurise the Union and Punjab governments for an early completion of the SYL canal. Commenting upon the statements of the chief minister regarding adequate supply of water for irrigation to the farmers of the state, Mr Indervesh said that his statement was not true as canals were running without water and crops withered for want of water. He alleged that canals were running 30 days constantly in Sirsa and Fatehabad districts whereas it ran for only a week in other parts of the state. Charging Chautala for making false promises, he said that several crore of rupees of farmers were outstanding towards sugar mills while the Chief Minister was saying that the payment was being made to farmers immediately after supply. The RLD leader demanded that the government should reemploy the retrenched employees. Former state president of the party Balbir Singh
Grewal, Master Sohan Lal, district president of the youth wing Dhiraj Akharia and Ompal were also present in the press conference.  |
Haryana officialdom refuses to heed CVC directive Gurgaon, December 19 The CVC had, vide an office memorandum dated May 22, 2002 (marked confidential) addressed to the Chief Secretary, Haryana government, directed for action into a complaint of malfunctioning of the local unit of Arya Samaj (New Colony). The allegations related to the unjust decisions and corrupt practices, including financial bungling and mismanagement of the affairs of the schools under the Arya Samaj. The then president of the local unit, Mr K.L. Adhlakha, is in the centre of the controversy and the butt of the charges. The CVC was activated on account of a representation to it by the former secretary of Arya Samaj (New Colony) and a retired army officer, Mr Manohar Krishan Sharma. After directing the Chief Secretary for action, the CVC also asked Mr Sharma to be in touch with the office of the Chief Secretary for a follow-up action. Significantly, a special committee of Haryana unit of the Samaj called “Arya Pratinidhi Sabha” with its headquarters at Rohtak, had earlier probed into several charges, again relating to the gross mismanagement of the schools and affairs of the local unit and bungling of accounts and found them to be correct. The local unit was dismissed and election for new office-bearers held. However, even though the unit was reconstituted several months ago, Mr Adhlakha has not given charge to the new president. Also, even though the state unit of the organisation upheld the charges, the guilty have not been subjected to legal action. The members of the local unit of the Arya Sabha took the issue with the CVC after their representations to various district authorities, including the Commissioner, Gurgaon Division and the Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon, was not heeded to. A representation was also placed before the District Redressal Grievances Committee, which was then presided over by a Cabinet Minister of the Haryana government. But no meaningful action was taken. In fact, some public-spirited persons related to the Arya Samaj have been making representation to various authorities for more than three years, but of no avail. The district authorities sat over the matter even after the CVC’s directive to the Haryana government qua the Chief Secretary. In fact, a few months ago, following a hue and cry in some quarters, the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) was assigned to begin the proceedings of the probe. But those who have clamoured against corrupt practices and for reformation in the working of the Arya Samaj do not know the fate of the inquiry, which was closed a couple of months back after hearing both the sides. |
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Citizens forced to take their grievances to Faridabad, December 19 Complaints regarding the issue of arms licences should not take more than a week to redress them. As per the ‘Charter’, the issuance of licence for storing petroleum products could take upto two months, as it required reports from the police, sub-divisional officer and the Fire Department. But redressal of complaints in this regard by the office of the District Magistrate should be over within a week as per the ‘Charter’. For issuing of a `no objection certificate’ (NOC) for setting up of petrol pumps, the office of the District Magistrate (Deputy Commissioner) may take upto three months. However, complaints in this regard should be settled by the authorities concerned within 15 days. A similar time limit has been set for issuing of licence for arms dealership and redressal of complaints in this regard. For issuing of a passport or its renewal, the local authorities should clear it within a maximum time limit of 3 months if the fees had been deposited. The office of the DC was required to redress complaints into such cases within a week. For attestation of character certificate, freedom fighter’s certificate and licences for cinema and video, the procedure and time limit was almost the same. It was added that complaints could also be taken up in the fortnightly ‘Durbar’ held by the district authorities or in the monthly meeting of the ‘District Grievances Redressal Committee’. Further, if the grievances were not redressed, one could take up the matter in the ‘Special Complaint Cell’ headed by the Chief Secretary and looked after by the Director, Public Relations, Haryana, at Chandigarh. |
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Educational institutes get demolition notices Sonepat, December 19 It has also urged the district administration to appoint a duty magistrate and provide police assistance to officials of the council for launching the demolition operations in these educational institutions. These notices have caused panic among the managing committees of the educational institutions. They are planning to file suits in the court of law. The council, it may be recalled, had already sent a series of notices to the managing committees of these educational institutions but they had ignored these. The council authorities, however, say they have no alternative but to launch demolition operations by pressing into service the JCB machines. Aggrieved prof attempts
suicide An assistant professor of the Electronics Department in Chhotu Ram Government Engineering College, Murthal, reportedly attempted to commit suicide in front of the office of the college Principal on Wednesday by pouring kerosene on his body. However, other members of the teaching staff reached on the spot and stopped him. But he sat on a day-long dharna to protest against the discriminatory attitude of the Principal against him. |
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SPECIAL
FOCUS ON JHAJJAR/BAHADURGARH Jhajjar, December 19 To substantiate the claim of the Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Mohinder Kumar, in a press statement said that about Rs 17.5 crore had been spent for repairing and construction of roads in the district. The Haryana Agriculture Marketing Board had built 40 new roads with the total length of 127.40 km in the first and second phases by spending Rs 7.89 crore and spent another Rs 1.06 crore on repair of damaged roads, he said. He said that the Haryana Agriculture Marketing Board had so far constructed 103 km of roads in the district. Mr Kumar said Rs 135.72 lakh had been sanctioned for the construction of 23.06 km of roads in the second phase. Giving details of the work done by the PWD in this sector, the Deputy Commissioner said that 140.34 km of roads had been repaired at the cost of Rs 8.45 crore. However, there was no end to the problems of the commuters. The Bahadurgarh-Beri road continues to be in bad state. Even though Mr Abhay Chautala, the son of the Chief Minister, had inaugurated the construction work on this road more than a year back, the work remains suspended. The resident of the region, particularly the villagers of Sarai, Dighal, Chhara, Mandothi, Matan, Mahrana, Dujana and Beri were “angry” at the apathy of officials and the “irresponsibility” of the political leaders of the region. Another approach road, from Bahadurgarh to Kharkhoda via Asaudah and Jasaur kheri village has been damaged beyond repair. Despite repeated demands by the villagers to get the road repaired, the “irresponsibility” of the officials had ensured that the road remains a “nightmare” for the commuters. Other inter-district link roads to Rewari, Bhiwani, Rohtak and Sonepat via Sampla were full of potholes. Opposition parties have highlighted the pathetic conditions of the roads in the district and demanded an inquiry, alleging that the funds meant for repair works were being embezzled. The state secretary of the Rastriya Lok Dal, Mr Jagdish Rai Kaushik, in a statement alleged that the funds released by the Centre for maintenance of roads in the state were not utilized properly. Mr Kaushik demanded that the Governor, Babu Pramanand, institute an inquiry in the alleged misuse of these funds. |
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497 vehicle owners challaned Sonepat, December 19 According to official sources, the department had recovered Rs 11.18 lakh as penalty from the erring drivers. In this way, the earning of the department had risen by Rs 5.95 lakh. The department had also recovered an arrear of Rs 2,06,475 as token tax from different types of auto vehicles plying in the district. The department had also earned a revenue of Rs 30,20,071 during November 2003 as compared to Rs 19,34,125 recovered during the corresponding period last year. The department earned a revenue of Rs 43.92 lakh as passenger tax during November as compared to Rs 37.98 lakh earned during the corresponding period last year. Preparation for
HVP rally The secretary-general of the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP), Mr Surinder Singh will tour the villages of Rai Assembly constituency in Sonepat district from December 23 in connection with the rally of the party to be held on January 18 in this city. The rally will be addressed by the former Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Bansi Lal. Stating this, Mr Rajiv Jain, general-secretary of the party told mediapersons here today that Mr Singh will tour the villages of Rai, Rathdhanna, Harsana, Nasirpur, Bhowapur, Mohammadabad, GarhiBindrauli, Malahamajra and Nahra Nahri and address public meetings on December 23. He also disclosed that Mr Singh will tour Safidon Assembly constituency on December 24 and December 26, Julana Assembly constituency on December 25 and December 27, Boaroda Assembly constituency on December 28 and January 2, Gohana Assembly constituency on December 29 and January 1, Kailana Assembly constituency on December 30 and January 10, Bahadurgarh Assembly constituency on January 3 and January 4, Sonepat Assembly constituency on January 8 and January 15, Rohat Assembly constituency on January 9 and January 11 and Rai Assembly constituency on January 13 next. Mr Jain also disclosed that party workers have been deputed to make the rally of January 18 a success. He said that he would tour the villages falling under the Sonepat Assembly constituency and all the 31 wards of Sonepat city. |
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Authentic electoral roll unavailable in Noida, December 19 Mr Nagar was speaking in a meeting held in the district election office under District Magistrate L.Venkateshwar Lu in connection with the photo identity cards and electoral roll. He said it was important that a corrected and complete voters’ list should be made available at the earliest after carrying out the necessary correction and upgradation. He also emphasised the need for completing and issuing the cards which were pending for over eight years now. City Magistrate Achhe Lal said that the voters’ list has been updated on the instructions of the Election Commission and a revised voters’ list has been published as well. It is therefore not possible to carry out further corrections in the lists, he said. The electoral roll can again be examined on the Election Commission’s orders, the City Magistrate said. The voters, he said, could get improvements and correction made in the list by filling in different forms. Mr Nagar countered it by saying that only 5 per cent voters’ photo identity card has been issued by the administration so far. Even the voters photographed as back as in 1995 who were allotted serial numbers have not yet got their identity cards nor fresh photographs of the voters taken. City Magistrate Achhe Lal said these cards were distributed through the Tehsil staff. He said photographs of voters have been taken this year but the administration has failed to provide the covers for the cards which has stalled the process of making photo identity cards and their distribution. Those who were photographed after 1995, but did not receive their cards will again be photographed free of charge. Forms for making the cards could be deposited in the district election office as well as at Tehsil offices, the City Magistrate added. |
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11 students hurt in
van accident New Delhi, December 19 The accident took place near Sarai Rohilla flyover. The vehicle was reportedly rashly driven. When the driver turned the vehicle, he could not control it. Consequently, it overturned. The van driver, Suresh has been arrested, police said. BSES Discoms declares VRS The BSES Discoms has announced a special voluntary retirement scheme (SVRS) for all regular employees of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited and BSES Yamuna Power Limited. The scheme shall apply to all employees who have completed 10 years of service from the date of joining Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) or attained the age of 40. The current strength of employees in BSES Discoms is over 11,500. An employee whose application for SVRS is accepted will be entitled to 60 days’ salary as on December 31, 2003 for each year of service or the monthly salary multiplied by the balance months of service left till the age of retirement. The spokesperson for BSES Discoms said, “We have an additional unique concept… if the number of voluntary retirees crosses the threshold level, there would be an enhanced additional benefit for all of them. This is a benefit, which has never been given in any VRS in a utility before.” He added, “There is also an early bird incentive for the applicants received on the first and the second day.” The SVRS will be from December 22 to 31, 2003. RI to Afghan national A city court today sentenced 12 years’ rigorous imprisonment to an Afghan national. The court held him guilty of charges of possessing heroin. Additional Sessions Judge J. R. Aryan also slapped a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the convict Barat Ali. |
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BSF constable cremated with full state honour Sonepat, December 19 Mr Dahiya who belonged to 60th BSF battalion, was posted on the border of Jammu and Kashmir. He had died with the bullets of the enemy along the border. His body was brought to the village last night by the BSF personnel. UHBVN official dies Mr Shamlal, an ALM of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) who sustained serious burn injuries and was admitted to a trauma centre in Delhi, died yesterday. According to a report, the victim sustained serious injuries when he was working at a pole in a factory on G T Road on Wednesday. Youth held under Arms Act A youth, Ramesh Kumar of Khanpur Khurd village, has been arrested on the charge of violating the Indian Arms Act. According to a report, the police have recovered a country-made pistol and a live cartridge from his possession, while he was moving in suspicious circumstances near Nooran Khara village. |
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Wheat worth lakhs rotting Sonepat, December 19 A large number of paddy bags also became wet. Wheat procured by the state and Central government agencies could not be lifted to the covered
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NCR BRIEFS Jhajjar, December 19 The assailants have shot dead Chameli Devi, wife of Kartar Singh and son-in-law Dharamander, son of Kartar Singh’s sister, in their house and fled in a Maruti van. Both the victims were eyewitness in a murder case which is stated to be the cause of the crime. The police face opposition from the villagers in taking the bodies for post-mortem examination as they demanded the registration of the case against the assailants. The police have also registered a case against 14 persons on the complaint of Gulabo Devi, wife of deceased Chameli’s son Hariom. The assailants were identified as Ram Kanwar, Jai Bhagawan, Vinod, Ajit, Shamsher, Ashok, Nanha, Ramchander, Musta and his brother, wife of Ram Kanwar, wife of Ramchandar and two girls. Mr Shiv Dayal, DSP, Bahadurgarh, told the NCR Tribune that several police parties have been sent to different places to arrest the culprits. Doctor held for
sex determination test A local court in Bahadurgarh has sent a lady doctor and a government nurse in police custody. They were arrested yesterday under Pre-Natal Detection Test Act. A team of Health Department has raided a house in The police have registered cases against Dr Meena Taneja and nurse Santosh and seized an ultrasound machine, medicines of the government health centre and some other instruments being used in the sex test in the nursing home owned by the doctor. Councillors meet DC Bhiwani: A dissident group of local municipal councillors has approached the Deputy Commissioner conveying him through a letter that the general meeting of the council has not been convened for the past six months. Seeking an urgent meeting of the council, the letter signed by as many as nine out of 31 councillors, has drawn his attention to the overlooking of several important works of public interests in the wake of any meeting. The letter said that the orders of the Director of Local Bodies, Chandigarh were also being disregarded by the competent authorities in several matters. Pointing at the deteriorating sanitary condition in the town, the councillors said that there were several important matters waiting to be discussed in the meeting of the house. |
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IN
PARLIAMENT New Delhi, December 19 The scope of works envisages the construction of three platforms, two washing lines and three stabling lines along with other necessary service buildings and infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 85 crore, Minister of State for Railways Basanagouda R. Patil said in a written reply. He said detailed survey of the entire land has been conducted, master plan of terminal facilities developed and detailed estimate sanctioned. The tender for appointing architectural and design consultant for designing terminal facilities, station building and circulating area has been processed, Mr Patil said. Computerisation
of IT Dept The Lok Sabha was informed that the computerisation of the Income Tax Department is at an advance stage. As per the existing instructions, all returns of income are required to be processed with the AST software. For getting the connectivity, to make the software operational, an amount of Rs 7.85 lakh was deposited with the BSNL in October 2002. In spite of follow-up by the department with the BSNL, the Vaishali Building could be connected with the regional computer centre through a lease line only last month. Now, the work for site preparation and installation of computer system in Terminal Bank is in progress. |
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Worker killed, 15
injured as bus Panipat, December 19 According to information, the three-wheeler was taking 16 workers to a factory near Machhrouli village from Samalkha when it was hit from the rear by a truck. Even as the three-wheeler turned turtle, Sunil, a resident of
Samalkha, died on the spot. Four of the seriously injured persons have been admitted to the Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, while the rest have been admitted to the local civil hospital. The truck driver fled from the scene but a case has been registered against him. Meanwhile, a Class IV employee of the local Municipal Council, who was injured in a road accident few days back, died yesterday. |
SI held for taking bribe New Delhi, December 19 On the basis of the complaint, a trap was laid and the cop was arrested red-handed, DCP, Bhairon Singh Gurjar said. Auto-lifter caught The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police today arrested an auto-lifter who was externed from the West Delhi area. He was in a stolen Maruti car along with two associates near Japanese Park in Rohini. The police received information that three auto-lifters are moving in a Maruti car near the bank. A trap was laid there. The car was noticed near he bank and it was indicated to stop. Instead of stopping the vehicle, the occupants of the car tried to drive away. However, the police team managed to overpower one of them. He was identified as
Sandeep. |
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