TOP STORIES

Phase-out will hinge on CNG supply: Maken
New Delhi, December 25
The Government of NCT of Delhi has drawn up a 32-month time-table for phasing out diesel-run buses in accordance with the Supreme Court directions. Accordingly, 200 buses would be phased out every month.

Delhi Govt delaying pipeline: IGL
New Delhi, December 25
Responding to Transport Minister Ajay Maken’s statement that there was a shortage of CNG fuel and that Indraprastha Gas Limited’s claims to the contrary were “misleading,” IGL’s Director (Commercial) L Lobo told NCR Tribune “there was no shortage of CNG and the Government has also confirmed the availability of adequate gas to IGL and, if required, more can be made available.”

Children performing at a Christmas Day special programme organised by Ashima-Leena in the Capital on Tuesday.  —  Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Harassed driver sets self afire
Sonepat, December 25
A driver of a tempo made an attempt to immolate himself on the premises of the general bus stand here last evening. According to a report, Krishan sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a civil hospital. He was later sent to a Delhi hospital for further treatment. His condition is stated to be serious.

Backdoor taxes can defeat VAT purpose
New Delhi, December 25
The proposed introduction of Special Additional Tax (SAT) by the Delhi Government could well defeat the very purpose of the Value Added Taxation (VAT) regime, which comes into force from April 1, 2002.

Factory gutted in blaze
New Delhi, December 25
Property worth several thousands of rupees was destroyed in a fire which broke out in the first floor factory of a flask manufacturer in the industrial area of Moti Nagar in the early hours this morning.

When garbage takes precedence over environment
New Delhi, December 25
The Delhi Government’s proposed move to denotify the Asola and Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary for developing a landfill site in Bhatti mines has evoked a sharp reaction from environmental agencies as it would adversely affect the Capital’s ecology.

COMMUNITY

Posh Saket caught in PVR jam
New Delhi, December 25
There was a time when South Delhi’s posh locality Saket was a peaceful place to live in. There was hardly any traffic, so no jams. But ever since PVR, India’s first-ever multiplex, came up in the area, traffic jams are common in this part of the Capital.

SNAPSHOT

In a traditional rural style, Outer Delhi MP and former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma felicitating Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 77th birthday in the Capital on Tuesday by presenting him a turban and sweets.

Seer gives call to unite in face of terrorism
Sonepat, December 25
The Jagat Guru Shankaracharya, Swami Divyanand Tirath of Bhanupura Peethadhish, has called upon the countrymen to be ready to protect the sovereignty and unity of the country and be prepared to face the challenge, posed by the neighbouring countries.

LJP launches Vikas Rath Yatra
New Delhi, December 25
The Delhi unit of the Lok Janashakti Party today launched Vikas Rath Yatra to highlight the corrupt and anti-people policies of the Congress- led Sheila Dikshit government in the National Capital Territory.

Kashmiri pandits submit memo to PM
New Delhi, December 25
The members of the displaced Kashmiri pandit community presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the Capital today. The Kashmiri Samiti, a representative body of the migrants, has demanded that appropriate housing facilities should be provided to those who continue to live in camps in Delhi as well as Jammu and that fresh registration for identification purposes should be carried out. 

OUT OF FRAME

Housing mela: Allotment letters given to 5,000 owners
New Delhi, December 25
The allotment letters to 5,000 owners of the MIG and Janata flats were handed over by the Union Minister of Urban Development, Mr Ananth Kumar, as part of the 'housing mela', organised by the Delhi Development Authority here today.

59 minors rescued from red-light area
New Delhi, December 25
In one of its largest operations during the year, the Kamla Market Police have rescued 59 minor girls from the G B Road brothel, after a raid which lasted three to four hours.

NCR BRIEFS
Glowing tributes paid to Parliament shootout victim
Sonepat, December 25
Rich tributes were paid to Nanak Chand, ASI Delhi Police, killed in the terrorist attack on Parliament, at a prayer meeting held in Rathdhanna village about 5 km from here on Monday.

MAN ASSAULTED SHOPKEEPER HELD ANNUAL DAY INCOME TAX COUNTER

DANCE COMPETITION LEADER RELEASED TRAFFIC JAM

CRIME

Stolen vehicles recovered; 1 held
New Delhi, December 25
The East Delhi police with the arrest of one person today claimed to have solved four cases of motor vehicle thefts. They have recovered four stolen vehicles from him.

Man shoots at wife, kills himself
Ghaziabad, December 25
Satyapal (48), who was living in a rented accommodation at Arhtala village in Sahibabad, shot and seriously wounded his wife Neelam (38) this morning after which he shot himself dead with his licensed gun.

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Ritu Kumar traces decades in world of colour & design
WHAT began on a really small platform today has spanned across continents and is a name to reckon with in the world of fashion. Ritu Kumar has woven the fabric of Indian textiles like a piece of tapestry. And today after 40 years of designing she is celebrating her years in the world of colour and design.

• Tons of Toons

• Band of Boys

Indian label sets its sights on Italy
AGAINST heavy odds, an Indian label has taken the plunge to make the country’s presence felt in the world of chic at the Mecca of fashion in Florence, Italy.

• Dance festival
  

Smokers can kick the cancer stick now
Noida, December 25
India’s first clinic, launched to help smokers quit smoking, has shown remarkable progress. The quit smoking clinic has been started by the Noida Metro Hospital. It has shown encouraging results, thanks mainly to its unique approach to tobacco cessation programme.

NMC holds psychiatry camp
Noida, December 25
The present day life, full of stress, tension and strains is causing more and more people psychiatric and neurological problems. To attend these people, Noida Medicare Centre organised a “Free Psychiatry and Neurology Camp” on 23 December 2001 at NMC, Sector-30 Noida. Over 200 people received free consultation from renowned the psychiatrist Dr P.S. Das and neurologist Dr Sanjay Saxena.

SPORTS

Hindustan record huge victory in DSA League
New Delhi, December 25
Hindustan Club recorded a huge 6-0 victory over Frontiers Club in a Group A preliminary round match of the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA)-SAIL Senior Division Football League Championship at Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Tuesday. Three goals each were scored in either half.

Rs 131 cr disbursed to educated jobless
Sonepat, December 25
The nationalised banks in Sonepat district have disbursed an amount of Rs 131.56 crore among the educated jobless youths under the various self-employment schemes, launched by the Central and the state governments by the end of September.