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Decision on auto fare hike soon
New Delhi, July 29
Bhartiya Mazdoor Auto union president Rajinder Soni and Airport Taxi union president Virender Singh Ujjainwal called on Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh, appealing to him to raise the fare of auto and taxi in view of the rising fuel prices and inflation. They said that the minister assured them that he would soon take the decision in this regard.

IN FOCUS
If the helmet saves, wear it!
New Delhi, July 29
The longstanding issue of the city government making the wearing of helmet by women compulsory is still alive as the government has yet to put the finishing touches to the proposed law. Women across the various religions, including Sikh, prefer wearing the helmet while driving two-wheelers on the roads in the national Capital.

The Gandhian supporters were seen in many places in New Delhi on Sunday. ANNA MANIA: The Gandhian supporters were seen in many places in New Delhi on Sunday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui


EARLIER STORIES



BJP blames govt for school bus mishaps
New Delhi, July 29
The BJP has held the Delhi government responsible for the recent fatal accidents involving school buses that claimed lives of two children in the Capital. An innocent child lost his life on Friday due to the negligence of a cab driver. Such incidents occur every year, but the government does not take steps to prevent it, said the party.

Sunday morning, pleasant enough for merrymakers
ALFRESCO SNACK: A family enjoying a day out in New Delhi on Sunday. New Delhi, July 29
Though the Sunday morning was pleasant, it became humid later. However, it did not stop people from enjoying at the India Gate. The rains eluded the city during the day. It did drizzle in some parts of the Capital when many were seen playing in the open.

ALFRESCO SNACK: A family enjoying a day out in New Delhi on Sunday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

Burglars held
New Delhi, July 29
With the arrest of one Rama Kant Gupta and his two juvenile accomplices, the Delhi police today claimed to have worked out a burglary held in Begumpur on July 23. The police has seized a computer CPU, monitor and keyboard, 19 mobile phones, 20 phone recharge coupons and one motorcycle used in the commission of the crime from the accused.

 





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Decision on auto fare hike soon
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29
Bhartiya Mazdoor Auto union president Rajinder Soni and Airport Taxi union president Virender Singh Ujjainwal called on Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh, appealing to him to raise the fare of auto and taxi in view of the rising fuel prices and inflation. They said that the minister assured them that he would soon take the decision in this regard.

The union leaders said that in 2010, the rate of CNG was Rs 21.90 per kg. At that time, the auto fare was hiked to Rs 19 for the first two kilometers and thereafter Rs 6.50 per kilometer.

Now the CNG is available at Rs 38.35 per kg, but there is no change in the auto and taxi fare. Besides, the rates of other commodities have also gone up manifold. Keeping this in view, the government must increase the rate of auto and taxi fare, they said.

The union leaders proposed that the new rate of auto fare should be Rs 30 for the first two kilometers and thereafter Rs 10 per kilometer. The taxi fare at airport is Rs 20 for the first two kilometers at present. The new rate should be Rs 40 for the first two kilometers and thereafter Rs 18 for every per kilometer.

While proposing the new fare slab, the union leader opposed the installation of the GPS system in auto and taxis. They said that the government had made a commitment to install GPS in buses, but it has not been done so far. First, the government should install this system in DTC buses, then it should think of autos and taxis.

They said they have also submitted the proposal to the Transport Commissioner Chandra Prakash.

However, a spokesman of the transport ministry said that the department had not received any proposal so far, but the leaders did meet the minister, appealing to him to hike the fare.

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IN FOCUS
If the helmet saves, wear it!
Religions quite fair to the fair sex
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service


A HELMETED RIDER: Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

New Delhi, July 29
The longstanding issue of the city government making the wearing of helmet by women compulsory is still alive as the government has yet to put the finishing touches to the proposed law. Women across the various religions, including Sikh, prefer wearing the helmet while driving two-wheelers on the roads in the national Capital.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Sudhir Yadav, clarified that the move to make the wearing of helmet compulsory for women has not become a law. A lot of issues are still to be resolved.

While the Delhi government could not make it compulsory, women across the communities have started donning the head-protecting gear, giving priority to their safety. They are of the view that most of the accidental deaths are reported due to head injuries.

Data available with the traffic department shows that since women have started wearing helmets, the cases of accidental deaths have come down. It was 48 in the year 2010, 47 in 2011 while only 11 death cases were reported in the first half of this year.

Jatinder Kaur (35) said, "My life is more important than any other thing. I wear a helmet for protection. Roads of Delhi are congested. Just a little hit makes the life of a person crippled. As far as Sikhism is concerned, it does not oppose the measures for safety and security.

"A few years ago, the government tried to make the helmet for women compulsory, but the Sikh leadership demanded that women of the community be exempted from the law. Instead of taking into account the views of politicians while making the law, the government should consider the views of general people while talking of safety issues," added Jatinder Kaur.

Maveen Kaur, a school student, said, "I wear helmet while driving a scooty. My parents never oppose me. I reside at Krishna Nagar where young boys drive vehicles in a zigzag manner. Cases of accidents are often reported. In such a situation, one's safety should be given priority."

Yasmeen, a young girl who is doing a computer course from Anjuman Taraqqui Urdu Hind, Urdu Ghar at DDU Marg, said, "There is no restriction in Islam on wearing a helmet as this is for safety. Many women who don't wear burquas wrap scarves on their heads. So, it is not difficult for them to wear helmets. When they take off the helmet, they rewrap the scarves. Wearing a helmet is not an issue at all. It is good for safety," she said.

Savitri, who studies in Deshbandhu Gupta College, felt that on the issue of personal safety, gender should not be brought since safety is not for the men only. Helmet protects a person from head injuries. The government should make it mandatory as soon as possible.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president, Paramjit Singh Sarna said that wearing a cap is not allowed in Sikhism. That is why the Sikhs oppose the move on wearing a helmet. Instead of making it compulsory for women, the government should make it optional. "If a women wears a helmet, let her wear, we do not oppose it," said Sarna.

Delhi unit chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Manjit Singh (GK) said if a Sikh woman wears a helmet for safety, the leadership has no objection. But some women follow the religion strictly. In that case, they cannot drive two-wheelers if wearing a helmet becomes mandatory.

Transport Secretary-cum-Commissioner, Delhi government, Chandra Mohan said when the government had announced a few years ago that it would make the wearing of helmet for women compulsory, the Sikh leadership opposed the move.

Later, an NGO Ulhas P. R. filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, appealing to make the helmet mandatory for all women. Now the court has sought an explanation from the Delhi government. The government has been given time till December to reply to the court. There may be some changes while giving the finishing touch to the provisions, added Mohan.

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BJP blames govt for school bus mishaps
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29
The BJP has held the Delhi government responsible for the recent fatal accidents involving school buses that claimed lives of two children in the Capital. An innocent child lost his life on Friday due to the negligence of a cab driver. Such incidents occur every year, but the government does not take steps to prevent it, said the party.

"The schools do not take responsibility in these cases. Whenever such incidents happen, the government just issues statements but does nothing," said Delhi unit chief of the BJP Vijender Gupta.

"The lives of lakhs of children of government and private schools are at risk. The parents of these children are apprehensive about their safety. Neither the government nor the private schools have sufficient number of buses. Private schools are being run as businesses. These schools admit more children than their capacity, violating the standards. Also, the school authorities do not take responsibility of the transportation of the children. They do not have sufficient number of buses. The parents have no option but to send their children in private taxis, autos, cycle rickshaws, scooters, motorcycles etc. Taxi and van drivers generally do not follow the rules announced by the government a few years ago," Gupta added.

Gupta demanded that in cases of school vehicles meeting with accidents, the parents should be sufficiently compensated and the responsibility for the accident be fixed so that the guilty could be punished.

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Sunday morning, pleasant enough for merrymakers
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29
Though the Sunday morning was pleasant, it became humid later. However, it did not stop people from enjoying at the India Gate. The rains eluded the city during the day. It did drizzle in some parts of the Capital when many were seen playing in the open.

An official of the Met department said that the maximum temperature was recorded at 31.8 degree Celsius, two degrees below normal, while the minimum was recorded at 27.9 degree, one degree above normal.

The humidity oscillates between 76 and 87 per cent.

The Met also predicted the same weather for the next few days. It could be cloudy tomorrow also with one or two spells of rain.

The temperature could be around 26 and 32 degree Celsius.

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Burglars held
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29
With the arrest of one Rama Kant Gupta and his two juvenile accomplices, the Delhi police today claimed to have worked out a burglary held in Begumpur on July 23. The police has seized a computer CPU, monitor and keyboard, 19 mobile phones, 20 phone recharge coupons and one motorcycle used in the commission of the crime from the accused.

According to the police, the robbery had taken place in the shop of Ashok, owner of a mobile repairing shop.

Through its informers, the police learnt about the involvement of Rama Kant Gupta in the robbery. Through mobile surveillance, the police arrested Gupta from Kirari Suleman Nagar. His interrogation led to the arrest of his two juvenile accomplices. They have reportedly admitted to their involvement in the crime.

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