Calls offering crores were made with Kejriwal's consent: Former AAP MLA

NEW DELHI: Former AAP MLA Rajesh Garg, whom the party had recently suspended, today alleged that calls with the "consent" of Arvind Kejriwal were made to him and several other leaders offering them crores to support BJP.

Garg claimed that police had arrested a person on his complaint of receiving fake calls from Union finance minister Arun Jaitley's office offering him Rs 10 crore, who was later released on AAP's intervention.

"During the initial phase of government formation I got calls from someone who claimed to be calling from Arun Jaitley's office offering Rs 10 crore to support BJP.

"I took a screen shot of the number and lodged a police complaint who arrested a person. Then I got a call from Sanjay Singh asking me to withdraw the complaint. I didn't withdraw but they managed to get him released," he alleged.

Garg further claimed that all calls during that period were made with party chief Kejriwal's "consent from private and unknown numbers".

The former MLA from Rohini claimed that several other AAP MLAs had raised the issue of getting fake calls from Jaitley and Union minister Nitin Gadkari's office at a meeting of party legislators.

Garg had recently accused the Delhi chief minister of trying to poach six Congress MLAs to form the government in Delhi last year, leading to his suspension from the party on March 16.

He had recorded a telephonic conversation between him and Kejriwal, which later surfaced and was circulated in the media.

In October last year, he had questioned Kejriwal about the internal party democracy and also on whether he should have consulted people on conducting fresh polls in Delhi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Nitin gadkari,Arvind Kejriwal,Arun Jaitley,AAP's intervention

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi's PWD told to finish two roads this year

NEW DELHI: The public works department was on Monday asked to complete road construction work on two important stretches by the end of the year after an inspection by minister Satyendar Jain.

The 9km Gopalpur to Swaroop Nagar stretch, on which construction is on since the past three years, has been stuck due to land acquisition issues. "When the plan was originally drawn, around Rs 30 crore has been set aside for land acquisition on a 1.5km-long stretch near Swaroop Nagar. However, after the new law the cost has gone up to Rs 200 crore. The minister has proposed doing away with land acquisition and making the second carriageway on stilts over the drain running along the stretch," said sources. He also asked for a cycle track to be incorporated in the project.

For the stretch between Mukarba Chowk and NH-1 border, the minister asked PWD to conduct a feasibility study on construction of foot overbridges. "This project also needs to be completed by December 31. PWD will carry out a study and submit the proposal to the minister after which a decision will be taken," said sources.

The third project inspected by the minister was the Mukundpur Metro station area. While the station is still under construction, Jain asked PWD to look at the possibility of constructing a skywalk from the Metro station to the residential area to improve last mile connectivity. "The skywalk will start at the Metro station, pass over the supplementary drain and connect to the residential area on the other side," said sources.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Non-stop water supply tops DJB’s summer plan

NEW DELHI: To ensure minimum disruption to water supply in the coming summer months, Delhi Jal Board has put in place a summer action plan.

In a review by CEO Vijay Kumar, officers have been asked to ensure completion of all preventive maintenance work, rehabilitation and construction work pertaining to water supply by mid-April to ensure that no major shut downs need to be undertaken during the coming months.

The Board has commissioned eight new underground reservoirs and booster pumping stations at Sultanpur Dabas, Qutab Garh, Ramlila Ground, Kirari, Kirti Nagar, near ESI Hospital on Anandmai Marg, Janakpuri and Shalimar Park. For water deficient areas, 78 additional tubewells will be added to DJB's network by mid-April.

Out of 1,639 unauthorized colonies, 913 are getting water. Work of laying down water lines in 100 unauthorized colonies is in progress and the process of estimation and tendering is underway in 88 such colonies. DJB will be procuring 250 new water tankers for this season to help increase tanker trips from 6,100 per day to 6,400. DJB is also in the process of installing water ATMs in water deficient areas.

A 24X7 helpline to aid customers will be made functional shortly. Already 24 water emergency control rooms have been made operational for addressing and monitoring of complaints.

To prevent leakages and contamination of water, about 230km of old water pipe lines will be replaced this year, in addition to the 250km changed last year. About 4,400 major water leakages were repaired last year including 175 major leakages in water transmission mains. All 12 water testing laboratories, including 6 zonal labs, have been upgraded to carry out intensive checks of its water samples at the plants and at the consumers' end.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi looks at Singapore for recycling

NEW DELHI: Taking inspiration from Singapore, Delhi government plans an ambitious project to provide recycled water to clusters of 100-200 houses, bringing down the problem of water scarcity in the capital. While cost estimates are still being worked out, the administration plans to start some pilot projects by month-end.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Padma awards function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Monday said the pilot project will be implemented within a month.

"Delhi Jal Board Chief had gone to Singapore to study the system. Singapore also lives on recycled water as there is no natural source of fresh water. If this project is successful we will start it in 15-20 more locations," he said.

Kejriwal said finer points of the project will be discussed which will include the funding of it. He said the project will recycle water in such a way that water from the toilet goes back to the toilet while kitchen water is sent back to the kitchen after being recycled which will ensure a mineral water-like quality.

Plants will be set near clusters of 100-200 houses and will cost less than the development charges incurred on sewage system by residents. He also said the effort is to make the national capital self-sustainable in water supply.

Kejriwal said his government will also initiate a major anti-corruption mechanism in the national capital to fulfill its electoral promise.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fire breaks out in Delhi's Gandhinagar market

NEW DELHI: A fire broke out at east Delhi's Gandhinagar market on Tuesday afternoon. At least 20 fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the flames.

The market is considered the largest cloth market in Asia and it houses a number of textile units and factories.

According to Delhi fire department, they got a call about the fire at 3:15pm following which 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

"It is a medium-category fire and efforts are on to douse it. It started from a shop in Bhagwan Das building," said a fire official.

Police have evacuated the nearby buildings and area has been cordoned off to keep the crowd away.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=fire in Gandhinagar market,Delhi's Gandhinagar market,Asia's largest cloth market

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Travel agent dupes couple of Rs 2.5 lakh

NEW DELHI: A couple's honeymoon trip to Bali was ruined when they realized that the agent who had made their reservations in a hotel there had conned and robbed them of Rs 2.5 lakh.

The fraud was discovered when the couple reached Bali and found that their reservation had been cancelled. Apoorv Chadha was duped by one Gopal Pandian, a Bangalore based travel agent, who claimed that he could get cheaper air tickets and hotel bookings for the trip. Chadha had booked a trip five months ahead of his wedding and made a full payment of Rs 2.5 lakh.

He even called up the hotel in Bali to cross check his booking and received a confirmation from their side. .

However, when the couple reached Bali, they couldn't find the hotel valet at the airport. He assumed that there was some confusion and paid for the taxi and reached the hotel. But was taken aback when he was told by the receptionist that his booking had been cancelled and the amount was refunded to the travel agent.

When Chadha called Pandian, he told him that he had booked a better accommodation at a different hotel and directed the couple to another hotel in Bali. When the couple reached the other hotel they discovered that they were cheated again since there was no booking done under their names.

Chadha called up Pandian again and demanded that his money be refunded immediately but the agent made some excuse and hung up the phone. He stopped receiving the victim's calls after that.

Chadha had to borrow money from his friend to book a room for the trip. When he called up Pandian from another number, he promised to deposit the money in his account.

After repeated calls and messages the agent deposited Rs 10,000 in his account and absconded. All his numbers were switched off.

Police have registered a fraud case against the agent and further investigations are underway.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rs 600 crore facelift for Pragati Maidan

NEW DELHI: To bring Delhi's exhibition infrastructure at par with international standards, India Trade Promotion Organization's board has cleared a proposal to demolish six exhibition halls at Pragati Maidan to make way for a convention centre, hotel and vehicle parking.

Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will have to go for the proposed centre to come up. Of a total of 25 acres of land, nine acres will be used. A hotel will be built on four acres. A park will also be developed .

"Many events are held at Vigyan Bhawan and the building isn't equipped for big conferences. With 'Make in India' being promoted, many exhibitors from across the world are very interested in holding global exhibitions in the city. We have seen an increase of 30% in the number of requests coming in for holding exhibitions in India over the past two years," said a senior ITPO official.

Setting March 2017 as deadline for the convention centre, the agency will spend Rs 600 crore on the project. Officials say even health and handloom pavilions will be razed. The ministry of health has given its nod to bring down the health pavilion.

The first exhibition hall came up in 1972 and since then no redevelopment has taken place. Constructed in old style, there are a total of 18 halls used for exhibition purposes but, as there are no air conditioners, they fall in disuse during summers. "People are disappointed with the current infrastructure. Halls aren't air-conditioned and are scattered all over the place. Just as in other developed countries, this will be a state-of-art infrastructure," said the official.

Earlier, there were plans to turn some of the halls into heritage buildings and use them as museums. "But the plan was shelved due to high demand for exhibitions," the official said.

VIP entry for the convention centre will be through gate number 5 and business visitors will enter from gate number 2. On the way to the centre, a green area will be developed over 100 square metres. "We have other plans as well, and all halls will be demolished. But it will be done in a phased manner," said the official.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Accident victim’s kin get Rs 18 lakh

NEW DELHI: Family members of a 45-year-old man, who died after being hit by a rashly driven DTC bus, have been awarded a compensation of around Rs 18 lakh by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.

MACT presiding officer Manish Gupta asked United India Insurance Company Ltd, insurer of the bus, to pay Rs 17,70,056 to the family of Ghaziabad resident Prem Kumar Sharma, who died in January 2012 in Sahibabad area.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Experts sceptical of RTE cases 'closed' by NCPCR

NEW DELHI: Over 2014-15, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, disposed of 545 complaints on violations of the Right to Education Act from Delhi. Instead of being reassured by this—at least cases aren't dragging for years—activists are alarmed. The year has been a singularly unstable one for the apex body in charge of implementing RTE Act and they wonder how so many cases were closed so fast.

"NCPCR has been without a chairperson or members for many months. How are these cases being closed now? Are they following up on complaints or simply fixing things on paper?" asks Rashmi Gupta who'd filed a query under RTI seeking data on complaints received and disposed of since 2010 when RTE was first enforced. The second and final deadline for its implementation is March 31, 2015.

NCPCR's response doesn't inspire trust. The state-wise figures listed on the "total complaints" columns for 2012-13 and 2013-14 are identical, both totalling 3,309. This duplication renders the figures for complaints "carried forward" and "total complaints" in 2014-15 useless as both sets have been computed with wrong numbers. Then, Gupta points out, there are discrepancies even in NCPCR's information on funds allocated to the RTE Cell annually. As per NCPCR's March 2015 response, the cell received Rs 2.62 crore and Rs 5.18 crore in 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively. In 2014, its RTI response had stated the allocations were Rs 6.18 crore and Rs 6.53 crore.

The commission has also not furnished complete data on the number of notices served but says instead that "15 public hearings have been organized by the commission and notices were issued to officials during these public hearings". The RTE division received just 45 suo motu cases over the five years—the maximum, eight, from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Delhi with six.

The activists have a cause for concern. NCPCR has closed a total of 1,254 cases in 2014-15, more than double the second highest number in a year—600 in 2012-13 when NCPCR was running on all cylinders. Delhi, for instance, has had over 500 of its complaints "carried forward" to the next year every year from 2010-11 till 2014-15, when 545 were disposed. Rajasthan had 233 of its 314 complaints (this is not from the "total complaints" column in the response but has been computed separately) disposed of; Haryana, 117.

Many of these cases would've been drawn out from the start. The number of fresh cases has dwindled since the early days of RTE because state commissions have been established and faith in its ability to deliver a swift solution has declined.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

DDA okays Dwarka cycling hub

NEW DELHI: Over 150 cycling stations will come up over the next financial year in Dwarka, developed by DDA as a bicycling hub in the first phase of this project. The Authority decided in a meeting on Friday to allott Rs 120 crore in its budget for the entire project—which consists of a dedicated lane, docking stations and cycles.

Officials have agreed upon a workable financial model—to sell advertising space in the cycle infrastructure. "There will be big spaces at prominent and highly visible cycling stations up for sale. Advertisements will also be carried in cycle spokes. Eventually we're looking to break even DDA's costs by selling these spaces," said Anuj Malhotra of Center for Green Mobility, the NGO advising DDA for this project.

After registration for a fixed amount, a cycle would be provided to a resident who may ride it anywhere and deposit it at any other docking station in the city.

The whole project, to be completed in 4-5 years, will cover all of Dwarka. Around 400 docking stations are expected to be installed in the sub-city, each having 10-15 cycles. DDA officials said Metro stations and other nodal transport points will be picked first as venues for setting up the docking stations.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

CBI conducts surprise checks on Kendriya Bhandar outlets

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday conducted "surprise checks" on the premises of various Kendriya Bhandar outlets in Delhi in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in purchase of various items by the state-run retail facility.

The sleuths also seized certain relevant documents related to purchase, tenders and sale records from these stores besides picking up samples of masala items and others items from these stores for quality checks.

Sources said the latest action is part of a preliminary probe against the largest consumer cooperative society of the country, which operates nationwide outlets, and a formal complaint could be lodged if any allegations of corruption are found true.

CBI sources said agency sleuths made checks at the head office of the body, a central governments' employee cooperative society, in south Delhi's Madangir area and three outlets of the same in Pragati Vihar, Sarojini Nagar and Laxmibai Nagar areas.

"The agency conducted surprise checks on Kendriya Bhandar premises as part of its probe into alleged violations of guidelines of purchase policy rules, general financial rules and CVC guidelines that due processes were not being followed in procurement of items for sale at these outlets," said R K Gaur, press information officer in CBI.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=probe,Kendriya Bhandar outlets,Central Bureau of Investigation

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rivals heap scorn on AAP for it’s “immature politics”

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday drew flak and ridicule over its internal turmoil from rival parties which asked it to put its house in order and deliver on promises made to people of Delhi without wasting the opportunity with its "immature" politics.

Terming the continued tussle within Aam Admi Party(AAP) as a "struggle for power" and "opportunism", BJP said Delhi will not see any progress in such a situation and those who were elected to power will have to answer the public for the same.

Congress said the "laboratory of AAP experiment is on fire" and accused AAP chief and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of demeaning his party and the political class.

Taking a dig at AAP, former Jammu and Kashmir CM and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it was becoming more like "older parties".

The CPM, which had come out in open support of AAP in the Delhi assembly elections, however termed the ongoing tussle in AAP as an internal affair of the party but said the rift should not affect the welfare of the people of Delhi who had voted the party to power.

"The ongoing tussle is the internal affair of the party and they must resolve it so that the people of Delhi don't have to suffer," CPM politburo member and Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury told reporters in Jammu.

Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said, "With a lot of expectation and high hopes, people of Delhi had chosen the government. The promises which AAP and its leaders have made with public, they must fulfill them," Jaitley told reporters in Varanasi. "They should not let this historical opportunity go waste just because of their immature politics."

BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the turmoil in AAP is basically a power struggle. "It is a fight of opportunism," he said.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, it is the people of Delhi who are suffering the most due to AAP's internal turmoil. "First AAP should set its house in order and start delivering in Delhi. That is our concern, Delhi citizens' concern and Delhi community's concern. And this kind of laundering goes on in open spectacle every day... then I think Delhi is the biggest sufferer," Singhvi said, adding the allegations and counter allegations by rival factions in AAP are "extremely serious."

Another Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha said, "I understand that AAP is an experiment. But right now it so happens that the laboratory is on fire. That's all."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=rival parties,internal turmoil,immature" politics.,Aam Aadmi Party

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man ran fake notes ring in 3 states, held

NEW DELHI: A man was arrested on Saturday by the special cell for smuggling fake currency notes into the country. The accused, identified as Shahjahan Sheikh, was running a wide network of fake Indian currency notes from Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

A key player, Sheikh, was wanted for smuggling of FICNs from Bangladesh.

"He was arrested after a long operation carried out by our team in Kaliachak village in Malda, West Bengal. He was the most wanted Indian kingpin in this organized crime and was working with hostile agencies to destabilize the economy. A better understanding of FICN operations and modules active at present is expected to come to light during Shahjahan's interrogation," DCP Sanjeev Yadav said.

Shahjahan used different aliases in dealing with different retail chains and never met any unknown client directly, police said.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Some dues paid, but stir on

NEW DELHI: Following large-scale protests by sanitation workers, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation on Saturday evening released their salaries for the month of February. However, the employees refused to call off their strike citing non-payment of dues.

"We have released their salaries for the month of February. It is evident that EDMC is going through a financial crisis, yet arrangements have been made to release their salaries. Now, we expect them to get back to work,'' said Amit Yadav, commissioner of East corporation.

The sanitation workers also threatened to intensify their strike. "We will intensify the strike from Monday,'' said Rajender Mewati, president of Delhi Pradesh Safai Madoor Union.

Earlier in the day, some sanitation workers had dumped garbage on Vikas Marg near Laxmi Nagar and neighbouring areas, leading massive traffic jams.

"The main road was jammed for nearly two hours. In the fight between sanitation staff and civic agencies, it is we who are suffering. The dhalaos are overflowing and in some areas, the workers have dumped garbage on the main road," said Kapil, a resident of Laxmi Nagar.

Traffic police personnel said movement of vehicles was affected due to waste dumped on the main road. "The traffic flow was affected for nearly 2-3 hours,'' said a police officer.

Apologizing for the inconvenience caused to common people, Mewati said, "We don't want to cause any inconvenience to public. But we will not withdraw our protest till the corporations pay us. Most of us have not got salaries for the past two-three months. How will we survive without money? The Delhi government and municipal corporations have to find out a way to pay salaries, else we won't work."

Some of the sanitation staff protested outside AAP MLA Nitin Tyagi's residence. "He misbehaved with one worker and got him arrested. From Monday onwards, we will protest outside CM Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residences. We will dump garbage outside their houses. Even Mayors and other municipal officials won't be spared,'' added Mewati.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=sanitation workers,Salaries,large-scale protests,East Delhi Municipal Corporation

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kamal Khan performs at Tribe in Delhi

It was all about foot-tapping and soothing Sufi numbers, when Kamal Khan performed at Tribe in the capital recently.

Guests were seen grooving to songs like Maula, Ishq Sufiana and Wallah Re Wallah, as they partied till late. Jatin Khatri said, "Guests can look forward to our Friday Sufi Nights."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Kamal Khan,Jatin Khatri,Friday Sufi Nights

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

AAP NC meet begins, Lokpal told to skip to avoid confrontation

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party's internal Lokpal Admiral L Ramdas has shot off a letter to the party after being asked not to attend today's crucial national council meeting to "avoid confrontation".

The AAP national council meeting, which began at a resort in Kapashera here this morning, is expected to take a decision on the fate of founder-members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan whose expulsion is being demanded by Arvind Kejriwal loyalists after talks between the warring factions failed.

Yadav made the letter public on social media ahead of the NC meet, saying that he conveyed his "apologies" and sought Ramdas's permission in doing so.

In the letter, Ramdas mentioned the SMS he had received from AAP General Secretary Pankaj Gupta, on which several reasons were stated by the party for its decision, as it was "party internal affair" and "as indicated earlier term of Lokpal need to be renewed in the next NE (National Executive meet)".

Gupta also wrote that only MLAs and MPs have been invited apart from authorised NC members to the meeting and "no one else has been invited". "So (we) request you to not come to the meeting to avoid any confrontation," he wrote.

This came days after a section of AAP leaders expressed their displeasure over his continuance as the party ombudsman for his letter last month criticising the leadership.

In a letter to PAC, AAP's highest decision making body, ahead of the National Executive meeting on February 26, Ramdas noted that there were two camps emerging within the top leadership and had asked the party to consider 'one man, one post' arrangement.

Miffed over the snub, Ramdas said he had visited from his village in Maharashtra to attend the meet, however, he would not attend the meet to "honour" the party's request. "I am quite aware that the NC is a party internal affair. I am also aware that special invitees/observers have been invited to all bodies from PAC, to NEC to NC in the past," he said.

Taking umbrage to the reference to the need for term of Lokpal to be renewed, Ramdas said that the party had "in effect" already extended his initial term as Lokpal when it had asked to investigate the credentials of candidates from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana prior to the filing of nominations for the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Ramdas,national council meeting,Kejriwal,AAP

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mumbai don aide had 15 days to kill businessman

NEW DELHI: Had it not been for swift police action, the owner of Relaxo Footwear would have been shot by the hired guns of Mumbai don Ejaz Lakdawala, sources have said.

Lakdawala's north India operative, Yusuf Mia, who has been arrested by crime branch, revealed during interrogation that Lakdawala had given him a 15-day deadline.

Lakdawala, who called up Yusuf from a UK number, categorically told him to either carry out the killing at the businessman's house in Delhi or in his factories in Bahadurgarh. Yusuf told police that the don said another aide had been given instructions to kill him (Yusuf) if he could not complete the task on time.

Following this, Yusuf had rushed to Punjab to bail out his shooter Sonu alias Rajender who had been arrested by the Punjab Police in a drug trafficking case and was lodged in Kapurthala Jail.

Yusuf had hired five Jalandhar-based shooters to carry out three killings on Lakdawala's instructions. Apart from Relaxo's owner, Yusuf was to eliminate the owner of Suleman Mithaiwala, a sweet shop in Mumbai, and Haroon Builder, the brother of Iqbal Mirchi, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim.

When both Mumbai killing attempts were botched up and the third was taking time, Lakdawala got furious with Yusuf and reprimanded him over phone for doing a shoddy job. These calls were intercepted by security agencies.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Driving curbs in CR Park from next week

NEW DELHI: With a surge in the number of vehicles in Greater Kailash-II and Chittaranjan Park over the past few months, Delhi Traffic Police has come up with a traffic circulation plan for the area.

In the first phase, they have planned to allow only one-way traffic on Gurdwara Road, which connects Greater Kailash-II to Alaknanda Road. Henceforth, one may drive into it from Outer Ring Road but cannot travel back along the same route. The arrangement will be made effective from Monday.

"We will make this stretch one-way on a trial basis. If it is successful, plans will also be made for other stretches," special commissioner, traffic, Muktesh Chander, said. Traffic police are now consulting resident welfare associations on the matter.

Traffic officials have also planned a few other diversions in the area to reduce traffic pressure that has significantly increased since inauguration of the Sarita Vihar underpass. The plan is to allow vehicles to enter Gurdwara Road from Outer Ring Road via Savitri Cinema, but not travel back along the same route. Drivers will be asked to take Alaknanda Road and reach GK-II Main Road (from near M-block market) and head towards Savitri Cinema. "On-road parking reduces the four-lane Gurdwara Road to a two-lane thoroughfare," said a traffic police officer.

Traffic on this stretch has gone up significantly in the past few months since inauguration of the Sarita Vihar underpass. In a bid to avoid the busy Outer Ring Road-Nehru Place crossing, drivers choose to take the roads through GK-II, resulting in traffic mess. The aim is to streamline flow of vehicles in the area. The three traffic signals on Gurdwara Road, near Bipin Chandra Pal Avenue, 80 Feet Road crossing and Road Number 10 crossing would also be removed eventually.

A traffic police officer said that vehicles from Chittaranjan Park going towards Savitri Cinema will be asked to take the K-block road near Market No. 3. A separate plan is being made to decongest Chittaranjan Park, he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Muktesh Chander,Gurdwara Road,CR Park,Alaknanda Road

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cheque bounce case: Man jailed, asked to pay Rs 1.6 lakh damages

NEW DELHI: A man was sentenced to two months in jail in a cheque bounce case by a city court, which noted that he had opportunity to pay but failed to do so.

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh also asked Yogesh Kumar Sansanwal to pay a compensation of Rs 1.6 lakh to south Delhi resident and complainant Rakesh Sharma.

The order came on an appeal filed by Sansanwal against a trial court order sentencing him to undergo two months jail term and to pay Rs 1.6 lakh to Sharma.

The convict had approached the sessions court claiming that he was willing to make payment of the cheque amount and prayed for mercy saying more opportunities ought to have been given to him.

The court, however, dismissed his appeal and upheld the jail term saying, "the appellant (Sansanwal) offered to make payment of cheque amount as well as further settle amount to complainant (Sharma) several times before the trial court, for which his statement was recorded on three separate occasions, but he failed to do so".

"The trial court has already given more than sufficient opportunities to the appellant to have made payment of the settled amount. Even before this court, the appellant could have made the payment of the compensation as granted by the trial court in the impugned order but he has not done so," it said.

Sansanwal, who knew Sharma, had borrowed Rs one lakh from him in 2011 and issued a cheque. But when it was presented, the cheque was dishonoured by the bank with the remark 'account blocked'.

Thereafter, Sharma tried to approach Sansanwal but he did not respond. He then issued a legal notice to Sansanwal for the payment and followed it up by filing a complaint before the court under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act in November 2011.

After that also, Sansanwal issued several cheques to pay the money to Sharma, all of which bounced.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=UN Court,Reetesh Singh,Rakesh Sharma,Additional Sessions Judge

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Free cab rides to hospitals in Delhi from April 1

NEW DELHI: To ensure equitable access to health services to all Delhiites, a new initiative that promises to provide free cab rides to hospitals and medical centres of the patient's choice was launched here on Saturday.

Introduced by OXXY, claiming to be India's largest healthcare network and radio cab company, Uber, the service includes free rides to and from all hospitals, diagnostics and path labs in Delhi.

People can avail free rides from April 1 by either logging on to oxxy.in or calling on — 9999000102 24X7.

"Adding the facility for free pick-ups and drops to medical centres is a step forward to make healthcare accessible for all. We are planning to expand it in other cities as well," Pankaj Gupta, founder OXXY, said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Oxxy,Free cab rides to hospitals

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clearing BRT will be a multi-crore job

NEW DELHI: Once the BRT corridor is dismantled, the space that will open up will be sufficient for a six-lane road. And then, three lanes on each carriageway will be open to both public transport and private vehicles. The pedestrian and cycling path will continue to remain as they exist.

The construction cost of the project was around Rs 190 crore. It took another Rs 15-18 crore to maintain the corridor. Dismantling it will take anywhere between Rs 3.5 crore and Rs 11.5 crore, depending on whether the entire 5.8-km stretch is re-carpeted or repaired in parts.

While no instructions have been issued to PWD to start dismantling the corridor, officials estimate that work may take up to four months through which commuters can expect more traffic jams as the road will be closed in parts to allow work to take place. "The major work is that of dismantling the bus Q shelters and setting them up again. When they are set up again, a foundation will have to be built first. This is time consuming, especially since there will be a total of 20-odd such stops to be set up on either side of the road. Dismantling or re-installing of each shelter will cost Rs 10 lakh or so," said a source.

Government officials said next major work would be removal of the stones from the middle of the road that work as dividers. Along with this, the signalling system will have to be changed while the road may need to be re-paved entirely. "The signalling system itself is such a waste. Close to Rs 90 lakh was spent on it though it hardly ever works and signalling is often done manually. A lot of money has been spent on the project but considering the dangers it poses, the government will have to spend a little more and improve the corridor," said an official.

The work of removing the stones will require very little funds since it will be done manually, say sources. However, the other major expenditure that will be incurred will be in repairing the road. "Once the bus shelters and stones are removed, they will leave patches of broken road behind. These will have to be repaired. Once directions come from the government, the entire stretch will be surveyed to see whether all of it has to be relaid or only parts of it have to be repaired. If the entire stretch is relaid, it will cost around Rs 10 crore while repairs will cost about Rs 2 crore," added the source.

The project also seems to be nobody's responsibility right now. The operations and maintenance were with DIMTS until recently but the lieutenant governor asked PWD to take over the work. While maintenance is in the process of being handed over to PWD, the agency refused to take up work of operating the corridor, citing lack of expertise in the field. Consequently, nobody seems to be managing the corridor at present.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=PWD,multi-crore job,Clearing BRT,AAP

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Education minister Manish Sisodia refuses to meet govt school management committees

NEW DELHI: A group of school management committee members hoping to meet education minister Manish Sisodia returned disappointed on Wednesday. They had gone to his home — with appointment, they say — to discuss the functioning and budget of SMCs.

"We wanted to speak to him about organizing training for SMCs and allocation for that training. The SMC's role in formulating the school development plans (SDPs) must also be explained. We also wanted to demand that allocations for maintenance work in schools be increased," says Rekha Koli of city child-rights NGO JOSH, who'd accompanied the group of about two dozen from various schools in east Delhi.

The SMCs are crucial part of the school system as envisioned in the Right to Education Act. Composed of parents, civil society members, "local authorities", school teachers and principals, they are the bodies through which the community exercises control over and monitors schools. It has also been a much-neglected part of the system. In Delhi, these bodies were established in 2013, just days before the first deadline for the implementation of the RTE Act. In most schools, says JOSH's Saurabh Sharma, members weren't selected through elections. Since then, they've been left to their own devices. A survey by the RTE Forum shows that in the case of Delhi, only 66.7% of the members received training; and the majority of the training had been done by NGOs and not the government. Then, only 50% members had participated in formulating SDPs.

"We go to the meetings and there's a lot to do but nothing gets done for lack of funds," says Jagdish Prasad, SMC member for Janki Devi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Pocket II, Mayur Vihar. "We have a septic tank in the school that needs to be cleaned out frequently. We want our drains to be connected to the main sewer line but it hasn't happened." Prasad had gone - with about two dozen others - to meet Sisodia at home, as they'd been asked to, on Wednesday morning. "We just wanted to meet for two minutes and submit our memorandum. This is a very serious issue," says Prasad. "We wanted to meet him for the budget," adds Koli, "This delay means we'd have wasted a whole year."

Civil society organisations point out that Sisodia has, in the past, shown willingness to involve the public in governance of schools. During his first stint as education minister in 2014, he's entrusted to volunteers from the aam janta the task of gathering data on infrastructure problems in schools. School management committees already exist for that purpose.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Right To Education Act,Manish Sisodia,Janki Devi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya,Education minister

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

BRT corridor killed more people, wasted time and money

NEW DELHI: In 2012, the Delhi high court asked Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) to find out how effective the operational BRT was. CRRI trialled the 5.8km corridor both as a BRT and a normal road and recommended scrapping the BRT.

The institute's report clearly states: "The no-BRT option yields better benefits for this corridor" and adds, "The trial run scenario would reduce the total travel time and stopped delay in the year 2015 by 39% and 48% respectively." CRRI said letting other vehicles use the lane reserved for buses yielded "benefits for all the road users compared to BRT situation."

The study showed that the BRT had not only increased travel time but also the frequency of accidents. Above all, CRRI found out that the then government's most important reason for continuing with the corridor-that it served a large number of people travelling by bus-was not supported by facts. The report said buses tended to clump together in the corridor as the routes had not been rationalized, and only 4-5 passengers boarded or alighted per bus. This, the report said, "is obviously boosting the passengers per-hour-per-direction drastically and thus presenting an exaggerated figure."

The CRRI report also rubbished claims that the BRT has reduced the number of fatal and serious injuries or crashes on the stretch. Using police records, it showed that fatal road accidents had increased by 40% and the number of deaths by 48% after the BRT became operational. "At the same time, the number of simple/injurious road crashes reported by the traffic police has registered an increase of 7%," the report said.

The study showed fuel consumption on the stretch had increased significantly. Idling at intersections led to losses of 78-139ml for every petrol car, and 72-217ml for diesel cars through the day. The fuel loss ranged from 2% to 45%, said the report and the maximum wastage was on the stretch between Sheikh Sarai and Chirag Delhi, where it ranged from 17% to 41% through the day. The time wasted in idling ranged from 37% to 60% of the journey time, which amounted to many thousands of man-hours every day.

"The evaluation of passenger hours in terms of monetary values shows that there is a loss of Rs 87.91 crore in a year during normal BRT operation compared with the experimental run," the report stated. The total number of vehicle-hours saved during the experimental run-when the BRT was used as a normal road-was around 8,183 on a weekday and 4,366 on weekends for the 16-hour study duration, said the report.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sarai,Central Road Research Institute,BRT

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Multiple signals create problems for cops

NEW DELHI: Traffic cops have been facing a challenge in controlling traffic between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand due to the lack of lane discipline and confusion resulting due to multiple signaling in the Bus Rapid Transit system. Traffic officials welcomed the plans to remove the BRT, but have suggested other places where the system can be put into place.

"We are not against BRT, but the plan should have been implemented after a study of the composition of traffic and commuters travelling on this stretch. At present, only a fraction of the total capacity of the BRT is in use," said Muktesh Chander, special commissioner (traffic).

A senior traffic officer pointed out three major problems that could not be addressed even after they were given control of signals on this stretch. One of the problems was the difference in signal timing.

Traffic police in a report had pointed out the lack of proper movement of pedestrians from bus shelters in the middle of the road to pavements. Data shows at least five pedestrians are hit by vehicles in the process every day. A rough estimate shows that more than two lakh vehicles use the BRT out of which about 25% are buses, the rest being cars, two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws.

To reach the bus shelter, a pedestrian has to wade through oncoming traffic increasing the potential of an accident.

The third issue is lack of connectivity of the corridor to any other point. "Commuters from Ambedkar Nagar cannot be dropped at Moolchand and asked to take other means of transport.

This has made the stretch unpopular," said a traffic police officer.

Police had suggested that BRT could be introduces at GT Road in north-east Delhi, parts of Outer Ring Road in Rohini and parts of Najafgarh Road.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=traffic police officer,traffic police,BRT

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

HC had refused to judge the BRT battle

NEW DELHI: It took a government with a huge majority to finally wind up the controversial BRT corridor.The debate over utility of the stretch in south Delhi has remained mostly stuck to "rich car owner versus poor bus commuter" framework, despite studies showing how the corridor created traffic bottlenecks for every category of vehicles.

Even before Delhi high court, where the BRT system was repeatedly challenged, the then state government portrayed as if only a small section of car owners complained while a large category of daily passengers using public transport were satisfied.

The government's stand ignored a scathing report filed by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in 2012 that said that due to demarcation of lanes, a lot of time and fuel was being wasted every day . The report, prepared after several trial runs on the corridor, suggested that `NO BRT' option was most suitable under present traffic conditions.

During court hearings, the state government had dismissed the CRRI report terming it "unconstitutional" and "irrational" as it ignored the rights of bus commuters. Its stand was supported by advocate Prashant Bhushan who represented NGO National Alliance of People's Movement. Bhushan trashed the CRRI study as "unscientific" and anti poor commuter.

In its verdict the same year, the court dismissed a petition by NGO Nyaya Bhoomi seeking scrapping of the corridor. It said courts should not interfere with a policy matter aimed at promoting public transport. "Within the parameters of a scope of judicial review, the scattered material placed before us would not justify a conclusion that BRT as a concept is bad and is a misfit in Delhi and thus should be scrapped," the HC had observed.

The court had said motorists sooner or later would shift to public transport due to limited scope of expanding the width of roads. "Even if we were to accept the argument that as of today , with the implementation of BRT corridor some inconvenience is being caused, across the board, to everybody... there being no scope to expand the width of existing roads... We see no escape from the fact that citizens of Delhi have to, one day or the other, use public transport," it noted.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=HC,Government,CRRI,BRT corridor

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

On SEZ land, a global smart city

NEW DELHI: About 800 acres of the total land the Haryana government got back from Reliance Haryana SEZ Limited (RHSL) in February last year will be developed as a global city having all the attributes of a smart city as the Narendra Modi government has envisioned.

"The city shall be one of its kind in India. It will be designed by integrating smart community concepts ranging from water supply and power to integration of IT services in managing various utilities of the area. The project components would include festive and leisure (components), including an exhibition and convention centre, high value innovation and knowledge industries, central business district and township etc," says the concept note on the global city.

The project will be developed by a special entity through a 50:50 partnership between the Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) and Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC).

While the state finance minister said on Tuesday his government would investigate how the previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda government did not invite bids for the scrapped SEZ project, the new government seems to be keen on the global city project in the outskirts of Gurgaon.

In response to an RTI application filed by a Gurgaon-based activist, Aseem Takyar, the HSIIDC said DMICDC has appointed a consultant for preparing the master plan for the global city project. Sources in DMICDC said the state agency is working on the site boundary.

According to the RTI reply, the board of directors of HSIIDC had approved the setting up of a joint venture in its meeting on March 14, 2014. "Work is going on and the project may be rolled out by the end of this year," a government source said.

The concept note also mentioned that any excess land would be reserved for an exclusive township of HSIIDC and its "monetization to compensate for the opportunity cost of the land".

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Row over degree: HC issues notice to Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday sought response from city's law minister Jitender Singh Tomar on a BJP leader's plea seeking setting aside of his election from Tri Nagar assembly constituency over alleged wrong declaration of educational qualification in the nomination papers.

Justice Manmohan issued notice to the minister directing him to file counter-affidavit before May 17 on the plea of BJP leader Nand Kishore Garg, who had fought the assembly polls earlier this year against Tomar.

The court, meanwhile, has asked the authorities concerned to preserve all the documents filed during assembly polls by Tomar, who contested from Aam Aadmi Party's ticket, after Garg, the then candidate from BJP, contended that the law minister is presently an influential person and may destroy the documents from the custody of the poll panel.

The court notice was issued on Garg's petition alleging Tomar's election had been "materially affected by deliberate concealment, misrepresentation, wrong declaration and wilful suppression of the educational qualification in the affidavit filed along with the nomination form".

"The respondent No 1 (Tomar), at the time of filing the nomination, and thereafter, has continued to misrepresent himself to be a law graduate and advocate and has thus been successful in exercising undue influence over the voters, which amounts to corrupt practice within the meaning of the Representation of the Peoples Act," the plea, filed through advocates Laliet Kumar and Deepak Vohra, alleged.

The court of Justice Hima Kohli had recused from hearing the plea on Tuesday.

The issue of the validity of Tomar's law degree is being scrutinised by the high court on a separate petition, filed in February, alleging he had taken admission into the LLB course at the Bishwanath Singh Institute of Legal Study College in Bihar on the basis of a "fake" degree.

The Bar Council of Delhi also recently issued notice to Tomar, on the basis of a reply filed by the Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University in Faizabad, UP, which had said that the undergraduate degree, marksheets and roll number submitted by Tomar at the time of his admission to the LLB course were "completely fake".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar,AAP

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man shot at in Delhi, daughter saved

NEW DELHI: A 30-year-old man was shot at and critically injured after three attackers fired several rounds at him outside his house in Sangam Vihar on Monday night. The man's three-year-old daughter had a close shave as the bullets grazed past her and hit the man who was carrying her on his arms.

The three attackers, including one juvenile boy have been arrested. Police suspect a role of personal rivalry behind this incident.

The incident was reported late on Monday night when Viswambher Kumar was taking stroll outside his house with his daughter. The three attackers came to him and got into an argument with him, during which all of them pulled out pistols and started firing at him. Kumar was hit thrice on his abdomen and chest.

Hearing the shots, the locals managed to chase and catch all three of them. They were thrashed and handed over to the police. Two of them have been identified as Mukesh (23) and Prince (24)

Kumar was rushed to the hospital where his condition was said to be extremely critical. The child too had to under go treatment for injuries but was discharged.

A case of attempt to murder was registered.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi govt asks IT ministry to block Uber, Ola apps

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has asked Union information technology ministry to block mobile applications of taxi-hailing companies Uber and Ola in the capital city, a state government official told Reuters on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Delhi transport officials asked US cab company Uber and its Indian rival Ola to cease operations if they want their applications of radio taxi licence to operate in the city to be processed, letters seen by Reuters showed.

India had ordered all unregistered web-based taxi companies to halt operations nationwide in December after a female passenger reported she had been raped in New Delhi by a driver contracted to Uber.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Uber,Delhi Government,Ola

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

VIPs to face water cut during crisis: Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed Delhi Jal Board to cut water for even VIPs in case of water shortage in the future. "There is no reason for only the common man to suffer a water crisis. In future if there is a shortage, ensure that everyone, including VIPs, have to bear the brunt of it. The only people to be excluded are the President, Prime Minister, hospitals and embassies," he said.

READ ALSO: UP offers help to end water crisis
He also told the three BJP MLAs that if their party was finding it hard to run the municipal corporations, all councilors should resign and give the work to Aam Aadmi Party. The reason why the corporation has been going into losses, he said, was because of massive corruption and that it needs to own up to the losses suffered in the past months.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=water crisis,Delhi Jal Board,Arvind Kejriwal,Aam Aadmi Party

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing boy’s body found with hands chopped off

NEW DELHI: The body of a 10-year-old boy, who had gone missing from his house in northwest Delhi, was found with the hands chopped off along a railway track in outer Delhi's Samaypur Badli area on Sunday night. Police suspect that the child was murdered and his body mutilated before being dumped.

Around 7pm, locals discovered the body floating in a pit filled with water along the railway tracks. The boy was later identified as Amarjeet Singh who had gone missing from his house in Shalimar Bagh last Tuesday. A cop said the body had decomposed so badly that it was difficult to determine the kind of injuries. He said that apparently the hands of the boy were eaten by an animal. The body was sent for autopsy.

No suspects have been identified and no motive established for the possible murder yet. The victim's mother told police that she didn't suspect anyone for the murder. No ransom calls were received either, police said.

The boy was a student of Class IV at a government school in Shalimar Bagh. Last Tuesday, he returned home during lunch break and asked his grandmother for Rs 2, which she refused to give. Disappointed, he left home without having lunch.

When he did not return home by late evening, his family began a search. His mother approached police on Wednesday and a missing complaint was registered.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big bang catch: 3 men, 11 guns, 2,000 rounds

NEW DELHI: In what appears to be the biggest arms haul in recent years, the special cell of Delhi Police has seized a consignment comprising 1,800 cartridges and 11 single and double-barreled guns. Three persons, including the kingpin, have been arrested in this connection.

The trio has been identified as Ashok Singh, Rakesh Sharma and Ajay. Police also claim to have unearthed a new module of gunrunners led by Singh, which allegedly diverts ordnance factory-made weapons and ammunitions to anti-social elements.

Singh, the son of a retired deputy SP, runs a gun shop in Etah in UP, cops said adding that the seized weapons should ideally have gone to people having valid gun licences. But Singh had been selling them to criminals in lieu of huge money. Police are trying to track down the gangs of criminals who had placed the order for the consignment.

Special commissioner S N Shrivastava said the seized cartridges were of .22, 7.65 and .315-bore weapons. The consignment also included nine double-barreled breech loading and two single-barreled shot guns.

"On March 22, a team led by DCP Sanjeev Yadav received a tip-off about Ashok Singh coming to ISBT Sarai Kale Khan in a white Swift Dzire car to meet some receivers. Suspect Ashok was spotted but he moved towards Wazirabad on the Ring Road and reached ISBT Kashmere Gate where another person boarded the vehicle. The car moved towards Gopalpur and stopped at a secluded spot. They were apprehended while they were exchanging the bags," said Shrivastava.

The preliminary interrogation of the accused has revealed theirs was an interstate arms syndicate. Singh, who owns Ashok Arms Store in Etah, used to procures arms and ammunitions though his authorized quota from different dealers located in Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Etah etc.

"Each and every piece of the firearm/ammunition requires a transport licence (TL) to be transported. Singh collected the required TLs from big arms dealers and carried them to Etah. However, instead of updating his stock records and submitting the information to district authorities, he siphoned off the arms through a chain of peddlers," said DCP Yadav.

"He had been exploiting systemic flaws in the audit of gun shops. Local administrative staff who are supposed to keep a tab on the stock of licensed arms dealers in their area could also be involved in the racket," Yadav added.

Rakesh Sharma, one of the arrested persons, used to receive consignments from Ashok Singh. He would then supply them to NCR, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of UP. Their interrogation has revealed that of late, the demand for single and double-barreled guns has seen a rise in NCR as fake licences are prepared to sell the same to private security firms.

Police said Singh had been involved in the illegal arms trade since 1974. He was also found to be involved in a fake note case.

Sharma came in Singh's contact through a local criminal. "Belonging to Morena, MP and having been involved in several cases in Jhansi, UP, Rakesh has a deep knowledge of various criminal networks that helped him expand the business of the syndicate," Yadav added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Special Cell,Delhi Police,arms haul

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Long spring over, summer begins in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The prolonged spring in the capital this year appears to have finally come to an end with temperatures in the last couple of days inching above 30 degrees Celsius, marking the beginning of summer.

March this year had been unusually cool till Saturday (March 21), mainly due to record rains in the first half of the month which made it the wettest March ever in the capital. But with dry weather since March 15, temperatures have been gradually rising. On Monday, the maximum reached 32.8 degrees, two notches above normal.

The Met department said there had been a definite shift in the weather in the past days and maximum temperatures could hit 35 degrees by the end of the month despite the possibility of rain around March 29-30.

So far this month, 86mm rain has been recorded at the Safdarjung observatory, which is the highest ever seen in the month, beating a record that stood for 100 years — 78.2mm recorded in March 1915.

"The first half of the month was marked by a spate of active western disturbances (WDs) that led to multiple spells of heavy showers over Delhi and nearby areas. This kept the temperature on the lower side. Usually, by Holi one expects the temperature to start rising but this year it was cool enough till the middle of the month for people to continue wearing woolens," said a Met official.

Around March 25, a feeble WD is expected to affect the western Himalayan region which may lead to light clouding over Delhi on March 26. "Another WD, this time located closer to the plains, will impact the region from March 28 to 30. This will not only draw moisture from the Arabian Sea but is also likely to interact with winds from the Bay of Bengal and will bring light rain over Delhi between March 29 and 30," said B P Yadav, director, IMD.

The rise in temperatures is being attributed to westerly winds that will continue to blow over the northwestern plains till the WD strikes at the end of the month. That may lead to a marginal drop in temperatures but the relief would be temporary. Monday's minimum temperature was 19 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. Indirapuram and Noida both recorded a minimum temperature of 21.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in Delhi NCR.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Not on Twitter but trending for online free speech: meet Shreya Singhal

DELHI: Shreya Singhal is not on Twitter. But the 24-year-old law student who challenged section 66A of the IT Act, was trending on the social networking site on Tuesday morning after the apex court struck the act down, terming it unconstitutional.

Singhal, who will be the fifth generation lawyer in her family once she formally qualifies, says she is thrilled with the judgment. However, the student, who says she has about 800 Facebook friends, cautions against taking this as a free pass for posting hate speech or defamatory comments.

"There are other provisions in the IT Act, and also in the IPC that deal with unlawful content," says Singhal, who filed a petition in the Supreme Court shortly after returning from her studies in the UK in 2012.

READ ALSO: Supreme Court strikes down Section 66A of IT Act

Back then, the Delhi University Faculty of Law student had been reading news reports about the arrests that had taken place in the country. That year alone, there had been at least six arrests under the act, many of them for posts against politicians. The turning point was the Palghar case, where two college-going girls were arrested for a Facebook post questioning the bandh in their city on the death of a political leader.

"I was so shocked. The post was so innocuous. I could have written it. If they got arrested, I or my friends could be arrested in the future too," says Singhal, who had a conversation about it with her mother, Supreme Court lawyer Manali Singhal.

READ ALSO: Key points of apex court verdict on Section 66A

"As it often happens at home, a discussion turned into a debate and an argument. I asked her, if you are so concerned, then why don't you file a PIL? Two days later she had the first draft ready. She had worked on it with a lawyer," says Manali Singhal, who then encouraged her daughter to work further on the PIL. While the win is a definite feather in the legal hat, Singhal senior won't be resting on the laurels. "Her career has not even started," she says.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Twitter,student,Shreya Singhal,IT Act

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Not on Twitter but trending for online free speech: Meet Shreya Singhal

DELHI: Shreya Singhal is not on Twitter. But the 24-year-old law student who challenged section 66A of the IT Act, was trending on the social networking site on Tuesday morning after the apex court struck the act down, terming it unconstitutional.

Singhal, who will be the fifth generation lawyer in her family once she formally qualifies, says she is thrilled with the judgment. However, the student, who says she has about 800 Facebook friends, cautions against taking this as a free pass for posting hate speech or defamatory comments.

"There are other provisions in the IT Act, and also in the IPC that deal with unlawful content," says Singhal, who filed a petition in the Supreme Court shortly after returning from her studies in the UK in 2012.

READ ALSO: Supreme Court strikes down Section 66A of IT Act

Back then, the Delhi University Faculty of Law student had been reading news reports about the arrests that had taken place in the country. That year alone, there had been at least six arrests under the act, many of them for posts against politicians. The turning point was the Palghar case, where two college-going girls were arrested for a Facebook post questioning the bandh in their city on the death of a political leader.

"I was so shocked. The post was so innocuous. I could have written it. If they got arrested, I or my friends could be arrested in the future too," says Singhal, who had a conversation about it with her mother, Supreme Court lawyer Manali Singhal.

READ ALSO: Key points of apex court verdict on Section 66A

"As it often happens at home, a discussion turned into a debate and an argument. I asked her, if you are so concerned, then why don't you file a PIL? Two days later she had the first draft ready. She had worked on it with a lawyer," says Manali Singhal, who then encouraged her daughter to work further on the PIL. While the win is a definite feather in the legal hat, Singhal senior won't be resting on the laurels. "Her career has not even started," she says.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Twitter,student,Shreya Singhal,IT Act

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three Afghan men held in Delhi for molestation

NEW DELHI: Three Afghan men were arrested for molesting an Afghan woman while she was waiting for an auto near Select Citywalk in Saket on Saturday night. According to police, the men were drunk.

The accused were identified as Gul Rehman, Seelam and Haseemullah. All three of them stayed at Hauz Rani area of south Delhi and worked at a restaurant.

The incident was reported around 9.30pm. The couple was heading home when the incident occurred. The trio approached the woman when she waiting to hire an auto.

In her statement, the woman said that the men made obscene gestures and passed lewd comments at her. When she walked away from the spot to avoid them they continued to follow her.

When her husband intervened and asked them not to make such gestures, they started arguing with him, police said.

Meanwhile, visitors at the mall caught hold of the men and thrashed them for molesting the woman. The woman made a PCR call and informed police and the men were arrested from the spot. They were sent for a medical checkup where they were found drunk, said a police official.

During interrogation, they admitted to have committed such crimes earlier too.

Police have registered a case of molestation against them at Saket police station.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Highway robbery: Toll for no road in Faridabad

NEW DELHI: Commuters taking the Ballabgarh-Sohna toll road are seething. They pay to use the road but it's virtually impassable at one point where waterlogging and heavy truck traffic have created craters four-five feet deep. While trucks wobble over them at grave risk to axles, cars often get stuck.

Worse, this has been the situation for at least a month. Asked about commuters' daily nightmare, Faridabad deputy commissioner Amit Kumar Agrawal said the damaged portions at Alampur village would be re-laid only in a month or two.

The project is managed by Gurgaon Faridabad Toll Road Pvt Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure. Earlier this month, a company spokesperson told TOI that they have taken up the issue of a choked rainwater drain with the sarpanch of the village.

The company had claimed that there was a mutual agreement "for taking the drain across the project road to the other side and to dispose of this water in panchayat land" and that work would start immediately. But so far nothing has happened.

Sources said this is because of a tussle between two warring local leaders of Alampur. One faction apparently is vigorously opposing the construction of the drain. In a situation like this, it is obviously the duty of the local administration to sort out the dispute. But that hasn't happened.

When asked, Agrawal said the issue of anyone opposing the plan to drain out water has not been brought to his notice. "If anyone raises the need for providing support from administration, we will take necessary steps. We are concerned about the bad condition of road. I have asked the concessionaire to repair and make the road motorable as per the concession agreement," he said.

The existing drain passes through the property of one of the warring local leaders who has blocked the drain. Consequently, water accumulates and heavy trucks carrying boulders to the nearby stone crushing units have wreaked havoc on the highway.

Meanwhile, Haryana public works department (PWD) has served a notice to the concessionaire GFTR. "We have asked why the repair work cannot be carried out by us and recover the expenditure from the toll collection," said engineer-in-chief of PWD, Mahesh Kumar.

The 28.58 km stretch has developed several craters on the road at a few locations that are perpetually filled with muck. Accidents are common at two spots in the Alampur stretch of the road.

GFTR has got the right to collect toll till 2026, but on the condition that it will be a well maintained road. "There are also dozens of unauthorized and unscientifically build speed breakers need to be removed," said Chandan Sackhuja, a resident of Khori.

Even the concessionaire has blamed the highly overloaded trucks for extensive damage to the road.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=waterlogging,Ballabgarh-Sohna toll road,Ballabgarh-Sohna

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Riders escape 2 bus fires; 1 dies in building blaze

NEW DELHI: It was a fiery Sunday in the capital. While there were no casualties in the blaze at Parliament complex, one person choked to death in a fire at a commercial building in south Delhi and passengers in two buses had a narrow escape when these vehicles, in separate incidents, went up in flames seconds after being evacuated.

Both bus fires - one an air-conditioned DTC vehicle, the other an inter-city bus headed for Rewari - were reported in the morning from south Delhi. Initial probe suggests short circuits due to overheated engines caused both fires. The driver of the low-floor DTC bus averted a major tragedy by manually opening the automatically locked door the moment smoke was reported.

The early-morning fire at a building in Kotla Mubarakpur claimed the life of a 52-year-old driver.

The DTC bus (route no. 427) caught fire near Khanpur while heading towards Mehrauli from Nizamuddin. While travelling on the Mehrauli-Badarpur road, passengers seating at the rear noticed smoke coming out of the floor and alerted the conductor near the Asian Market. The driver immediately parked the vehicle by the roadside and opened the door manually.

As the last of the 20-odd passengers was getting off, the bus burst into flames. No one was injured and two fire engines reached the spot within 20 minutes due to the lean Sunday traffic. However, by then, the fire had spread and more than 70% of the vehicle was damaged before the blaze could be doused.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was caused by a technical snag. An enquiry has been initiated into the incident and we have also sought a report from the manufacturer," said R S Minhas, spokesperson of the DTC.

Police officials investigating the incident said that overheating of the engine had resulted in melting of the wire casing which had led to a short circuit. "We are also questioning the maintenance staff in this regard," said a police officer. A case under sections of causing mischief by fire has been registered.

This fire comes just over two months after 17 DTC buses were gutted as they lay parked at the Ambedkar Nagar depot after a short circuit on New Year's day.

In another incident, a private bus heading towards Rewari in Haryana caught fire near Sarai Kale Khan on Sunday morning. A handful of passengers present in the vehicle managed to get out after the driver raised an alarm.

Eyewitnesses told the cops that the bus was up in flames within five minutes of the passengers getting off the vehicle.

Police said that an enquiry suggests that the bus was more than 10 years old and was not maintained properly which resulted in a snag in the engine resulted in the accident.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Raahgirs' morning sex-ed session at CP in Delhi

A MUSICAL MORNING: Organized by Delhi Police and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) along with Embarq India and supported by The Times of India, this edition of Raah giri Day at Day saw attendees sing, dance and mportance of sex learn the importance of sex education. While they get to dance their hearts out almost every Sunday, this time Raahgirs also got to enjoy two early morning jam sessions when singer Bhuvan Bam and Vishudh, a Delhi-based band, started jamming in the TOI arena. Raahgirs also witnessed some socially relevant performances by college students when Jijeevisha, the street play society of Lady Hardinge Medical College, and a group of students from CVS put up performances on sex education and Earth Hour, respectively. Soon after CVS students shout ed slogans of 'Battiyaan bujha do,' to create awareness about Earth Hour, LHMC students started with their street play that had slogans like, 'Dil mein hai, dimaag mein hai, par zubaan par aaye toh haww - sex.' par aaye toh haww - sex.'

CAN'T MENTION RELIGION OR EDUCATION AND SEX IN THE SAME SENTENCE: Meenal, a member of Jijeevisha, told us, "We know a lot of parents come here, and they generally don't expect anything but padhai from medical students, but we want them to know that since talking about sex is taboo in our society, this is what leads to child abuse and teen pregnancy at times. To make sure that the au dience doesn't get offended, we had to tone down some of our scenes that we otherwise perform in col lege fests. Some people get upset if you mention religion or edu cation and sex in the same sen tence. Delhi is the perfect city for a play like this. Of course some Delhiites still hesitate to talk about sex, there is also a certain degree of change that one can see happening in the city."

PERFECT FOR KIDS AND EXPECTING MOMS: We met some parents who are regulars at Raahgiri, and who were su per happy because their kids have finally started going with them for morning exercise as well as young mothers who want the Raahgirs' energy on their babies. Bhavna, from to rub off on their babies. Bhavna, from GK, who was cycling with her 22-month old, said, "This is the only place where you can cycle without worrying about safety."

Archana from Patel Nagar added, "I am almost eight months pregnant. I don't get to step out very often, but my husband agreed to come with me to Raahgiri be cause it's full of energy and at the same time, it is not cramped."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Raahgiri Day,Raahgiri,CP

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi: Massive arms haul busted, guns and bullets seized

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police special cell busted a major arms haul in the capital on Monday when it seized a consignment of 1800 cartridges, 9 double barrel and 2 single barrel guns in an operation near Sarai Kale Khan in south east Delhi.

"We had a tip-off about these suspects and a special team led by DCP Sanjeev Yadav was constituted to nab them. The team had laid a trap on the basis of the information. Three people have been arrested," said S N Shrivastava, special commissioner of police.

The cops are yet to arrest the receivers of these arms, sources said. The operation is continuing. This is the second major haul of arms this year. Earlier, cell had nabbed smugglers with 900 cartridges.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Liquor seizure surged during Delhi polls, but cash haul saw decline

NEW DELHI: Liquor seizures by Delhi Police went up during the recent Delhi Assembly polls as compared to the previous election that was held merely 14 months earlier even though the amount of cash seized saw a steep fall.

As per the information revealed in an RTI query filed by a Mumbai-based activist, Anil Galgali, Delhi cops seized Rs 1.76 crore meant to be distributed among voters in December, 2013.

But the size of the seizure came down to around Rs 33 lakh in February, 2015, a decline of 78 per cent.

As to the liquor haul in 2013, Delhi Police had seized as many as 1,16,044 quarters, 4,038 half and 8,654 full bottles along with 630 bottles of beer and 2,407 litres of liquor.

The liquor seizure surged significantly in the high-stake electoral battle in February, 2015.

In the polls this year, liquor bottles in various sizes — 1,47,613 quarters, 7,235 half, and 6,929 full sized bottles — were seized along with 1,055 beer bottles and 10 litres of liquor.

This figure also includes seizure of 8,000 bottles of liquor allegedly from AAP candidate Naresh Balyan. However, Balyan has denied police charges and the case is still under investigation.

Galgali also sought to know the details of action taken against the "accused candidates" or their "henchmen". His plea has been transferred to the PIO of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.

Significantly, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had extensively raised this issue in his poll campaign.

Galgali, who has unearthed numerous scams through RTI, demanded that the Delhi Police and Delhi government put up the names of accused persons on their web portals.

"I have emailed chief minister Kejriwal, chief electoral officer for Delhi and the Commissioner of Delhi Police and have demanded that they upload the names of accused persons on their respective websites," Galgali said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=RTI query,liquor seizures,liquor haul,Delhi Police,bottles of beer

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colonies lose their gates to ‘CPWD men’

NEW DELHI: Last week residents of Motibagh and Nanakpura in south Delhi were pleasantly surprised when some people claiming to be CPWD staff inspected their colonies and promised to replace their rickety gates with new ones. The iron gates were then dislodged and taken away. However, their happiness was short-lived after the residents realized that it was a group of petty thieves who had made away with their gates.

Five such incidents have been reported from Motibagh and Nanakpura aeas in the past one week, police said. The thieves have struck at government quarters. The first incident was reported on March 13. Sangita Sharma, a resident of C block, south Moti Bagh, said she was ecstatic when some people claiming to be CPWD staff arrived at her home to replace her old iron gate.

Her son, who studies in class XI, was alone at home when a man rang the doorbell, police said. He claimed CPWD would bear the cost of replacing the old gates with new ones. The boy then allowed him to take away their main gate. The man, along with his aides, used iron cutters and other tools to dislodge the gate and took it on a bicycle. Suspecting foul play, the Sharmas then contacted the real CPWD officials a day later. It is then they realized that they had been duped.

Another incident took place in the same area on Thursday. Brijender Kaur, said, "A teenaged boy came between 3 and 4pm. He told me he was sent by the contractor to change my gate. When I asked him to make me speak to his contractor, he said he doesn't remember the number. He told me that he has been asked to change the gate of four-five quarters in the same locality." Kaur had even asked the youth if he would sell it to any scrap-dealer instead of returning it to the CPWD.

When Kaur contacted CPWD, she was told that it hadn't sent anyone. While Sharmas got a new gate installed by the CPWD a few days ago, Kaur is still waiting for her new gate.

Meanwhile, a CPWD junior engineer during his inspection found that the main gates of four houses were missing. CPWD has also lodged an FIR at the South Campus police station.

Cops suspect the thieves might have sold the gates to scrap-dealers to buy drugs. They are questioning scrap buyers to trace the thieves.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cops seek custody, court grants Pachauri relief

NEW DELHI: A trial court on Saturday granted anticipatory bail to TERI director-general R K Pachauri in a sexual harassment case a week before the scheduled hearing on his application. The relief came during a hearing on Delhi Police's application to reject Pachauri's interim bail on grounds of not co-operating in the investigation and trying to influence witnesses.

While the court of additional sessions judge Raj Kumar Tripathi dismissed police's plea, advocate Prashant Mendiratta, who appeared for the woman complainant, reacted sharply to the unexpected development. He said he would challenge the court's order in Delhi high court this week. "This is extremely disappointing. The court should not have granted Pachauri anticipatory bail. His application was not even listed for today."

Dismissing the police plea, the court observed that the investigating agency "is trying to play with the personal liberty of accused by asking for custodial interrogation even without giving him an opportunity for joining the investigation... Admittedly, no notice for joining the investigation has been served upon accused till date."

The court said it is a fit case for giving anticipatory bail, but made it clear that the conditions imposed on Pachauri would continue: he will have to join investigation when called by the investigating officer (IO), keep away from the TERI office and not contact the complainant and the witnesses. He cannot travel abroad without the court's permission.

Making a case for custodial interrogation, additional public prosecutor M Zafar Khan said Pachauri's assistant met him in hospital sometime ago and took down his version to give to police. He claimed Pachauri is not joining the investigation and under his influence even TERI officials are not co-operating. "We need his custodial interrogation to corroborate the evidence and to stop him from influencing the witnesses," Khan said. He added that two TERI officials who came to Lodhi Colony police station on Friday to submit Pachauri's laptops had tried to record videos of their conversation with the SHO "to help Pachauri in the case."

Police alleged Pachauri is placing hurdles in the probe's way: IT experts are either not allowed to enter TERI offices or made to wait. Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, who appeared for Pachauri, however argued that his client had gone on leave from TERI and conveyed to the DCP his willingness to join the probe after being discharged from hospital. "This application for recall of court's order is pre-conceived. Pachauri has tried to contact IO and DCP through email and phone but they did not respond and later filed the application in court," Luthra said.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

AIIMS: Fund crunch to treat rare diseases

NEW DELHI: AIIMS has told the Delhi high court that its non-plan budget is only sufficient to procure commonly used and emergency medical items and not for getting medicines for treatment of rare diseases.

AIIMS submitted to the court that it is constrained by time and budget to adhere to principle of maximum good for maximum people.

"It is not possible, given current budgetary constraints, to include treatment of specific and rare diseases in this list as the non-plan budget of the hospital is only sufficient to ensure procurement of commonly-used and emergency items," it has said in an affidavit.

The affidavit came in response to a plea for free treatment to a street vendor's two-year-old son suffering from a rare genetic disorder.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Spring-summer food fiesta at the launch of Pan Asian, WelcomHotel Sheraton in Delhi

Hida Siddiqui (L), Manisha Kapur

It was all about scrumptious food and trying out new dishes at the launch of the spring-summer 2015 menu of Asian cuisine restaurant Pan Asian, WelcomHotel Sheraton, in the capital recently. Food enthusiasts and many from the fashion fraternity tried out the new dishes like Okonomiyake - Japanese pancake, Gai Takay -chicken morsels in lemongrass from Thailand and Chinese Mapu Tofu steak, curated by three expat chefs along with chef Vaibhav Bhargava.
Chef Vaibhav said, "The new menu is focused on modern interpretive cuisine, where tried and trusted recipes are given a new twist with an emphasis on fresh, wholesome and seasonal ingredients."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=WelcomHotel Sheraton,Pan Asian

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

Subscribe to Top News Newsletter

Get updates on the most important happening of the day

{{if user.username || user.id}} {{:user.name}} {{else}} {{:user.name}} {{/if}} {{if user.points}} • {{:user.points}} {{:user.pointsNeeded}} more points needed to reach next level. Know more about Times Points {{/if}} {{if user.badge}} {{/if}} {{/for}} {{if user.badge.length > 3}} {{/if}}

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crisis in AAP: Yogendra Yadav, Bhushan score on PAC minutes too

NEW DELHI: Conceding half-heartedly to demands of dissident leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, AAP on Friday made decisions of the March 17 political affairs committee public. This is the second "concession'' that the party appears to have made in the last one week since AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal tasked his lieutenants to end the war of words.

Earlier this week, the PAC had decided that AAP would expand nationally and explore the possibility of elections wherever the organization is strong. These were part of two key demands made by Bhushan and Yadav in their note to the national executive that led to their eventual expulsion from PAC.

Yadav has been keen that the party expands beyond Delhi and Kejriwal has for the time being given the appearance of acquiescing to this. It is pertinent that the decision is likely to help Kejriwal in the 328 member strong National Council where several members are not from Delhi. Bhushan-Yadav had also sought that the party record the minutes of the meeting and make them public. This has not been done but the party has recorded the final decision of the PAC.

Meanwhile, there was speculation that Kumar Vishwas could be considered as a national coordinator for the party. Vishwas has so far played the role of a mediator for the Kejriwal camp and was also convener at the contentious NE meeting held on March 4. However, sources close to Kejriwal said there was no such proposal.

Among the other decisions were that for expansion, key leaders, workers and volunteers of the party will be given greater responsibilities. The party also decided that the "triumvirate of organisational strength, strength of local leadership and political realities would be judged before deciding when and where elections will be fought''.

The PAC has tasked the party to prepare a complete list of active volunteers across the country and involve them in the process of decision-making. It has also recommended setting up of a committee to ensure that proper processes are created to devolve the political organisation's operations and political plans to involve the active participation of volunteers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Yogendra Yadav,PAC,bhushan,AAP

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heed ban on political activity: DoE to schools

NEW DELHI: The directorate of education issued an order on Friday reminding school managements that "to participate in political activities by the school is banned under Delhi School Education Act and Rules 1973".

The order also reiterates that the school cannot be used "for communal, political or non-educational activity of any kind whatsoever" and that managing committees "shall not cause any situation by which, or due to which, the normal and smooth functioning of the school may be". It further tells them that they "shall not conduct the affairs of the school in such a way as to adversely affect the interest of the school".

Meanwhile, the management of Ryan International sent a reply to the directorate of education saying the campaign it had been conducting was for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. While confirming they've received a letter from the management, director, education, Padmini Singla says it claims the article published by TOI was done "with no documentary evidence". "They've written that there was no documentary evidence and that the school doesn't have any official WhatsApp identity. They've also said that teachers use a separate platform for communicating and the material on WhatsApp is not authentic," Singla said.

Government sources said the school had been pushing to have the notice issued to it taken back. "In the letter to DoE, the school management has said that it was only publicizing the Centre's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and that it did not stop payment of salary to any teacher. It wants us to take back our notice, but the government will take a decision on this matter based on the inquiry that has been ordered," said a source.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=schools,political activity,DoE

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Late-night joyride by minors ends in death of Class X girl

NEW DELHI: A late-night joyride went horribly wrong for two minors in south Delhi when the 17-old-year boy at the wheel lost control of the speeding car and smashed into a tree, killing his 16-year-old friend and leaving him with serious head injuries early Friday morning.

Police said the boy had sneaked out in his father's Maruti Zen after his parents had gone to bed and asked the girl next door to accompany him. The two had just taken their Class X exams and went out without telling their parents. Their fathers were colleagues at Air India and both families lived in the company-owned quarters in Vasant Vihar.

The two drove out of Air India Colony around 12.30am through Poorvi Marg and sped towards the Outer Ring Road. Eyewitness told the cops that the car lost control once they reached D-block Vasant Vihar near Paschimi Marg and sped towards a wall. In a bid to avoid hitting the wall, the boy took a sharp right turn and rammed a tree.

"The left side of the vehicle was crushed like a tin can the moment it hit the tree and came to a stop," said Santha Chhetri, a security guard in the area.

Hearing the crash, residents rushed to the spot and informed police. Fire officials were called in to rescue the two from the mangled vehicle. They were taken to the AIIMS trauma centre where the girl was declared dead on arrival and boy was said to be serious.

The boy's father, who works as an engineering manager with the airline, told the cops that his son had gone to bed around 11.30am, but later crept out of the house without their knowledge. He said he did not realize that his son was gone until they received a call from the police.

The family said the girl stayed at an adjacent flat in the colony. The two were friends since childhood. "They spent a lot of their free time together," said a family friend.

An FIR has been registered under Sections 304 A (causing death by negligence), 279 (causing hurt by act of endangering life), 279 (rash driving) of the IPC, said a police officer. The boy's father will also be challaned for allowing a minor to drive a vehicle.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vasant Vihar,South Delhi,Santha Chhetri,Minors,late-night joyride

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yogendra Yadav, Bhushan score on PAC minutes too

NEW DELHI: Conceding half-heartedly to demands of dissident leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, AAP on Friday made decisions of the March 17 political affairs committee public. This is the second "concession'' that the party appears to have made in the last one week since AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal tasked his lieutenants to end the war of words.

Earlier this week, the PAC had decided that AAP would expand nationally and explore the possibility of elections wherever the organization is strong. These were part of two key demands made by Bhushan and Yadav in their note to the national executive that led to their eventual expulsion from PAC.

Yadav has been keen that the party expands beyond Delhi and Kejriwal has for the time being given the appearance of acquiescing to this. It is pertinent that the decision is likely to help Kejriwal in the 328 member strong National Council where several members are not from Delhi. Bhushan-Yadav had also sought that the party record the minutes of the meeting and make them public. This has not been done but the party has recorded the final decision of the PAC.

Meanwhile, there was speculation that Kumar Vishwas could be considered as a national coordinator for the party. Vishwas has so far played the role of a mediator for the Kejriwal camp and was also convener at the contentious NE meeting held on March 4. However, sources close to Kejriwal said there was no such proposal.

Among the other decisions were that for expansion, key leaders, workers and volunteers of the party will be given greater responsibilities. The party also decided that the "triumvirate of organisational strength, strength of local leadership and political realities would be judged before deciding when and where elections will be fought''.

The PAC has tasked the party to prepare a complete list of active volunteers across the country and involve them in the process of decision-making. It has also recommended setting up of a committee to ensure that proper processes are created to devolve the political organisation's operations and political plans to involve the active participation of volunteers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Yogendra Yadav,PAC,bhushan,AAP

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Safety of women cops a concern

NEW DELHI: The home ministry's decision to reserve 33% of police jobs for women has got a mixed reaction. Some say it will help change the perception about police and empower women, others argue that women personnel on night and patrol duties will not be safe themselves.

India's first woman IPS officer, Kiran Bedi, tweeted: "Delhi Police to have 33% women cops is good. Comprehensive document on their recruitment, training, deployment, career planning is a must (sic)." But former Delhi Police commissioner BK Gupta said 33% is too big a share and "I would support only 20% reservation." Gupta added that women constables make good investigation officers but if they have to conduct raids or chase criminals at late hours, their own safety will be an issue.

"It's not safe for any woman, be it a police official, to be on the streets alone at night. But yes, we do need more women at a slightly senior administrative level. If there will be more women in the police station, women complainants will feel more comfortable in filing a complaint."

Women police officials, however, said they go through strenuous training. Monika Bhardwaj, additional deputy commissioner of police (west), said increased visibility of women cops will change people's mindset. "Women in police undergo training and only when they can protect others are they accepted in the force. It is very important for women to be a part of police so that cases involving crime against women can be handled sensitively."

Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said, "With this step, the Narendra Modi government has tried to fulfill its commitment towards providing a safe environment for women."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Women,police jobs,Kiran Bedi,Home Ministry

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More