TOP STORIES

Fog causes chaos
New Delhi, December 28
Life in the Capital was today thrown out of gear with a thick blanket of fog enveloping the city and its neighbourhood, disrupting rail and air traffic as the visibility dipped to the lowest level of the season. The weatherman has predicted little respite in the coming days.

The Capital was shrouded in a thick blanket of fog on Friday.
— Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

IGL gets nod for CNG pipeline
New Delhi, December 28
The Indraprastha Gas Limited on Friday received the much-awaited nod from Lieutenant Governor Vijai Kapoor for laying of a new pipeline stretching from Dhaula Kuan to GT Karnal Road.

Outdated vaccine being used in MCD hospitals
Faridabad, December 28
Despite the claims of the Mayor, Mr. Shanti Desai, that better quality medicines are being used in the hospitals, there have been frightening allegations from a large number of people that an outdated anti-rabies vaccine was being administered in the hospitals run by the Corporation.

As a duck takes to water... Keep calm and unruffled on the surface, but paddle like the devil underneath. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Noida brings down MLAs’ house of cards
Noida, December 28
The Noida Authority has finally cancelled the 9,750 sq mt residential plot allotted to the UP legislators’ housing cooperative in July 2001; the cooperative had failed to deposit any amount with the Noida Authority even six months after the allotment.

A phone(y) war is in the offing
Faridabad, December 28
The Telecom Department, rechristened as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) last year, is likely to face a tough competition from the entry of a private phone company which came into the field in Faridabad and Gurgaon district on December 26.

DSGMC staff up in arms against ‘rude’ members
New Delhi, December 28
The employees of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee today threatened to launch an agitation against the ‘rude’ behaviour of the DSGMC executive body members and protest against other financial issues.

NCR BRIEFS
Youth held, 1 kg charas seized
Rohtak, December 28
The district police today arrested a youth of nearby Titauli village and seized 1 kg charas from him. According to police sources, a CIA team nabbed Mahender Singh at the bus stand of the village following a tip-off and seized the contraband. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered.

COMMUNITY

Heavy vehicles run down SC directive
New Delhi, December 28
The narrow Mehrauli-Masoodpur road goes through one of the posh colonies of South Delhi, Vasant Kunj. Though the Supreme Court had directed that heavy vehicles be banned from plying on this narrow road, not only the directive continues to be flouted, but it has become a major cause of accidents on the road.

A yatra for peace in time of war
New Delhi, December 28
Undoubtedly, the recent attack on Parliament has raised concern and anger in the whole nation to such an extent that we are now readying for a war against terrorism, read Pakistan. While our political leaders, especially those of the ruling formation, indulge in war jingoism, several citizens and organisations are throwing their mite, not to war, but to maintain peace.

CM launches clean Delhi  campaign
Clampdown on posters, billboards

New Delhi, December 28 The Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, today said that action was being taken against those pasting posters, handbills and putting up banners on government property. The action included a fine of Rs 1,000 or six months of simple imprisonment under the West Bengal Prevention of Defacement of Property Act that has now been extended to the National Capital Region.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Urban Development and Health Minister A. K. Walia tearing down posters pasted on the walls of her official residence on Friday at the launch of her drive. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Delhi to set up VAT council 
New Delhi, December 28
A Value Added Tax council would be set up in the Capital with representatives from all the zones of the country. It would meet every 45 days to help in sorting out various issues in the initial years after the introduction of the VAT regime from April 1, 2002.

Traffic restrictions for New Year
New Delhi, December 28
The Delhi Traffic Police have made elaborate traffic regulation plans in and around Connaught Place on the eve of New Year, and have advised the public to co-operate with the authorities.

Cong always stood for people: DPCC chief
New Delhi, December 28
The Indian National Congress today celebrated its 116th foundation day. To mark the occasion, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee hosted a public meeting in which senior leaders recalled the sacrifices made by the party workers in the freedom struggle and rebuilding of the nation after Independence.

SPEAKING OUT Sent on a wild goose chase for a missing scooter The woes of motorists exist even when they are not driving. Even parking the vehicle is a matter of great concern as they can never be sure whether they will find the vehicle parked once they come back after finishing their work after a few hours. The nightmare of parking blues became a reality when I went to the Delhi Vidyut Board payment collection centre near Radhu Palace in East Delhi to deposit the electricity bills. Shortage of parking space is a big deterrent for owning a vehicle

CRIME

Huge haul of spurious cosmetic items, 3 held
New Delhi, December 28
With the arrest of three persons, the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has claimed to have unearthed a racket of sale and supply of spurious cosmetic products by some traders.

• Gang busted

EDUCATION

DUSU seeks more  U-specials
New Delhi, December 28
The Delhi University Students Union has urged the Delhi Government to increase the number of U-specials to reduce the commuting woes of students. It also sought the establishment of additional bus pass counters on the campus.

HEALTH

Lady Nicotine causes head and neck cancers
New Delhi, December 28
Head and neck cancers have become more common in India. The most affected organs are in the so-called upper aero-digestive tract. Cheeks, lips, tongue, gums, pharynx and larynx are the organs hit most. It is not difficult to understand why this region is afflicted by this disease.