1 - News-in-brief

Mayawati Rally : Targeting the UPA government at the Centre, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati today accused it of hindering the state's development by not providing a special economic package to it as demanded by her party.Addressing a poll rally here, she alleged the economic package sought by the BSP from the UPA government was yet to see the light of the day.This had put obstacles in the state's development, the BSP leader said.

Voters choices ; With Gautam Budh district facing polls in the sixth and last phase, the results in the area are expected to be a major deciding factor as to which party will run the state. For many living in western Uttar Pradesh, memories of Mulayam Singh Yadav's 'gunda-raj' over the state haven't faded away. On the other hand, Mayawati's blatant display of wealth and corruption allegations have left many disillusioned. In such a situation, the race between the elephant and the cycle ultimately becomes a question of whether the voters can forgive Mayawati's corruption and Mulayam's violence.

Politicians on Noida Authority Composition : A section of voters and representatives of UP�s three main opposition parties � BJP, SP and Congress � are on the same page regarding the need to bring in public participation in the Noida authority board. Speakers and participants at HT�s Noida First conclave said publicrepresentation was a must in a body that decides policy matters and clears development projects for the city. The conclave was held to bring candidates of all major political parties together ahead of the Assembly elections and discuss how to realise Noida�s true potentia,

l.Arushi Case Uppdate : The Supreme Court is likely to hear the petition of parents of slain Noida teen Aarushi Talwar on Tuesday.Dr Rajesh Talwar and Dr Nupur Talwar are seeking that the case be transferred from Ghaziabad to Delhi, citing security concerns. Dr Rajesh Talwar was attacked in the Ghaziabad court premises by a man in February 2010.The Supreme Court had earlier granted bail to Aarushi Talwar's father Rajesh Talwar till February 4 and asked him and his wife Nupur Talwar to stand trial once the bail period expires.

Sushma Rally :Alleging that SP and Congress were hand in glove as Mulayam Singh has several times bailed out Congress, BJP today said the two parties would form a post-poll alliance to keep the saffron party out of power in Uttar Pradesh.�BSP and SP bail out Congress whenever BJP attacks the party over wrong policies which have led to rise in prices and corruption. They either vote in favour of the Congress or abstain and provide indirect support,� BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said at an election rally here.She said SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had recently talked about post-poll alliance with Congress in Uttar Pradesh to keep BJP out of power.Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri said that BSP has become an �epitome of corruption� and BJP can fulfil the expectations of people.Former Uttrakhand Chief Minister Koshiyari was also present at the rally held at the Ramlila ground here.

INCR fixes no deadline : n a fresh jolt to home-buyers in the stuck Noida Extension projects, the NCR Planning Board has refused to set a deadline for clearing the Greater Noida Masterplan 2021, without which the projects cannot take off.Four months ago, however, the Allahabad high court gave a compromise formula, saying while the land would remain with the builders, farmers would get increased benefits.The trouble began in May 2011, when the HC returned the land to farmers in the Shahberi village and the Supreme Court upheld the order. The HC quashed acquisition in the Patwari village too..

Action Against Poll Officers : The district administration has filed an FIR against 42 officials from various government departments for dereliction of duty as they did not attend the poll-related training programme organized between February 3 and 8. In all, 249 officials were absent from the training. The administration had warned that if the guilty officials failed to depose before the chief development officer by February 11 and provide valid reasons for their absence, they would be booked. "The FIR was filed against those 42 officials who did not heed this warning," said DM, Hirdesh Kumar.

Polling Turnout:According to the state election office, about 46 per cent voting was recorded in the second phase of the last assembly polls in 2007. Ten districts of western UP, including Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad, saw less than 50 per cent turnout in 2007. However, the district administration claims that there will be a definite increase in voters' turnout this year. "We identified certain areas in the district where there was low turnout in the past. The administration has conducted specific awareness programmes to make people realize the importance of exercising their franchise," said Hirdesh Kumar, district magistrate.

Tributes paid by Air Chief : Air Chief Marshal of Indian Air Force N A K Browne today paid homage to martyred soldiers at Shaheed Smarak here. The Air Chief Marshall placed a wreath at the Smarak at an annual wreath laying ceremony. "We feel privileged to be a part of this solemn ceremony, to pay homage to honour our brave martyrs. I salute all the brave-hearts for their exemplary patrotism...," the Air Chief Marshal said. The tributes were led by the Air Chief Marshal along with Major General A K Parnaik and Rear Admiral Brijesh Jhang. Every year, Martyr's Day is celebrated at Shaheed Smarak by families of defence personnels. The spirit of patriotism prevailed as students of Army Public School performed soul-stirring numbers on the occasion.

Handicrafts Fair : The 33rd edition of the Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF-Spring 2012) opened here on Sunday.Dr Rahul Khullar, Secretary Commerce at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, declared the four-day long event open at India Expo Centre and Mart here.Around 2,300 exhibitors from 28 states are participating in the fair which will see overseas buyers from around 60 countries.Organised bi-annually in February and October, it is promoted by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.

Private Builders Checkmated :In a bid to conserve groundwater, Noida Authority has decided to initiate legal action against private developers wasting the precious resource during construction work. From now on, developers will have to submit affidavits assuring that they will minimise the wastage of groundwater before seeking permission for construction .The decision came after a meeting of Noida Authority, State Pollution Control Board and Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Saturday.

Noida Flower Show : The city will play host to the 26th edition of the Noida Vasant Utsav from March 10-12.With over 100 participants and more than 600 varieties of flowers, the show will be held at Noida Stadium in Sector 21A. As many as 40 categories will compete for a favoured position during the show. Special categories for the competition include bonsai, cacti & succulents, bottle gardens, roses, bulbous plants, a large section of foliage, hanging baskets, cut flowers and vegetables. "This year, Coleus and ferns have been added to the basket to spruce up the show," said Deepa Pasricha of the Floriculture Society. Residents, corporates, hospitals and schools in Noida and Greater Noida have been invited to participate in the competitions.

Shifting of banka : : Banks that have been displaced by the Supreme Court order have written to the lead district bank asking %it to forward a request to the RBI to issue standard guidelines on the shifting process. Banks have expressed %their inability to shift out by March 5, considering that some are yet to find alternate commercial locations.

More than 1Crore seized by Noida Police : The Noida police on Friday seized Rs 1.05 crore from a cash van on the DND Flyway. The cash was being sent to replenish 21 ATMs of Citibank in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad. Police said those carrying the cash failed to produce relevant papers. Following an election commissionguideline to check use of black money in the ongoing assembly elections, the police have been conducting checks.“Two men in the van — Chandra Mohan and Manish Sharma — said they were carrying the amount to replenish ATMs but the authorisation letter they carrying bore the date of January 10,” a police officer said.

Land use survey : Residents who have fallen in line with the Supreme Court order, of reverting to the original land use of their properties, are feeling cheated by the Noida Authority. With the sealing date of March 5 approaching, residents allege that Authority officials, under the garb of curbing all unauthorized commercial activity being conducted from non-conforming areas, are being impartial in their surveys.

Vote for Development says parties : Candidates of all major political parties have modified their campaign strategies to woo the 2.5 lakh strong urban voter base in Noida assembly. Instead of the usual promises, they have decided to focus on issues that affect the everyday lives of residents, such as law & order, transport, sanitation, healthcare, electricity and quality of water supply.

Land acquisition hearing postponed by HC: Three-judge full bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday deferred the hearing of the writ petitions filed by the farmers challenging the notifications issued for acquisition of their agricultural lands by the Noida and Greater Noida authorities in Noida, Greater Noida.till March 27, as the chief standing counsel of the state, M C Chaturvedi, requested the court to adjourn the hearing "as the officers are busy in state assembly elections."

Cardiovascular conference : Cardiovascular experts from India and abroad today participated in a science conference held at Amity University here. Experts from USA, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan besides India participated in the International Conference on Recent Advances in Cardiovascular Sciences and Translational Medicine conducted here. During the conference, Dr Masatsugu Hori, President of Osaka Medical Centre for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases said, "Dabigatran, a new and improved anticoagulant will revolutionise the way heart patients are cured in India."

"Metro City Center Station parking lot improvement work begins : The increasing number of vehicles at the City Center Metro station spilling over the pavement and road has finally caught the attention of the Noida Authority and it has begun to renovate and expand the existing parking area in sector 32.

Surajpur Bird Sanctuary Development Plan prepared : The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Greater Noida Authority and the district administration have chalked out a makeover plan for the Surajpur bird sanctuary. In an effort to boost eco-tourism, the Authority, WWF and the Gautam Budh Nagar forest department will metamorphose the 800 acres wetland into a natural reserve forest area. After the facelift, projected to be completed in the next five years, the bird sanctuary will be equipped with a watchtower, communication facility and a bird information centre.In a meeting held recently, the Greater Noida Authority, besides approving Rs 10 lakh for the project, gave the nod for developing several eco-friendly huts for tourists and birdwatchers in addition to sanctioning the fencing of the sanctuary.

E Waste Management: Unable to decide what to do with your old computer or defunct mobile phone? The UP Regional Pollution Control Board (UPRPCB), Noida is now offering help to all residents to dispose all electronic waste in an environment-friendly manner rather than sell it off to the local scrap dealer.Following directions from the state government, the UPRPCB is trying to put in place a "model system" of e-waste disposal across the district. Work on the same will begin after the assembly elections, said Paras Nath, regional officer of the pollution control board, Noida.

Now PGs to be ousted : Getting tough on paying guest (PG) accommodation owners, the Noida authority has ordered them to shut operations before the sealing of commercial establishments begins in early March. The move is expected to affect more than 7,500 professionals and students as 300 PG hostels in 20 sectors across Noida will face closure."We are strictly following the Supreme Court orders by getting a survey done by RWAs to make our sealing drive error-free. We want to identify unmarked commercial units. We have also directed RWAs to issue notices to such unauthorised units to move out within the given deadline or else the landlords will lose their plots," said authority's chief executive officer SK Dwivedi.

50 Story Tower : Supertech, a Delhi-based real estate developer, is coming up with 50-storey luxurious res­idential development in Sector 74, Noida. Christened ORB, the project will consist of three 50-storey towers, spread across five acres. It is part of 50-acre integrated township ‘Cape Town’. Another luxury project ‘North Eye’, which the company claims to be the north India’s tallest residential development, is also part of the 50-acre township. The project will involve an investment of app­ro­ximately Rs 500 crore.

Hindon River Floodplain encroachment removed : The Gautam Budh Nagar administration, in collaboration with the Noida Authority, on Wednesday began a week-long demolition drive of illegal structures that have come up on the Hindon floodplains in Noida. However, when residents of the area protested, they decided to spare inhabited structures and, instead, raze boundary walls erected by builders to demarcate plots.Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gyanendra Singh, who arrived at the spot around 2 pm, told villagers, “We have decided to only demolish uninhabited structures in nine villages along the Hindon floodplains. We are also demolishing all boundary walls erected by builders to demarcate plots. Selling these plots as residential areas is completely illegal because no permanent structure is allowed on a floodplain. We are demolishing boundary walls because the plots are yet to come up, and we want to remove any notion that this land belongs to builders who bought them illegitimately.”

Samjhauta Express blast : Former RSS worker Kamal Chauhan, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Noida on February 12, confessed to the media on Tuesday that he planted a bomb on the Delhi-Lahore Samjhauta Express that killed 68 people in February 2007.�I carried out the blasts. I did it of related stories Samjhauta bomber�s confession puts BJP, RSS on the defensive my own accord,� he said while leaving a special court after the hearing of his remand plea.

Honda Cil Resumes production : The Indian unit of Honda Motor Co. Wednesday resumed normal car production at its factory in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, having recovered from a shortage in supply of parts from Thailand following heavy floods there last year. Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. aims to make 370 cars a day in two shifts, rising to 440 cars a day from next week, said Jnaneswar Sen, the company's senior vice president for marketing and sales. "Honda has been carefully monitoring the part supply process and has taken all the necessary recovery actions to normalize [the] production situation with critical components now being sourced from Japan and China," Mr. Sen said.

Hindon Encroachment : The district administration has decided to delay the demolition of illegal structures from the floodplains of Hindon that have been reportedly encroached on by the land mafia.The administration was all set to reclaim thousands of acres of fertile land from February 14, but the drive has now been delayed as security forces had been occupied with keeping an eye on Valentine's Day celebrations, said district magistrate Hirdesh Kumar.

Samjhauta Express blast accused presented in Court : Even as National Investigating Agency (NIA) produced Kamal Chouhan before a Greater Noida court on Monday after declaring his arrest in connection with the Samjhauta Express blasts, his family members in Indore alleged he was illegally detained by the probe agency.Chouhan�s wife Seema and father Radheshyam told media persons that he was picked up by the NIA without any explanation from Moorkhedi village, around 45 km from Indore, on the night of February 10.

DLF Land Deal in Noida : Reports says that India's biggest real estate firm DLF is close to selling two 25-acre plots of land in Noida to Bharti Realty, the realty arm of Bharti Enterprises, for 250 crore. The two plots of land in sector-144 of Noida have permissions to build IT parks under the IT park scheme of Noida and the buyer can build close to 2.5-3 million sq ft of office space on each of the two plots, said two persons close to the development, who did not wish to be named. Both DLF and Bharti Realty spokespersons said they do not comment on market speculation.

Noida Police Revenue from Challans goes up : Traffic officials add that challans issued by them have already generated a revenue of Rs 3.34 lakh. Cars in no parking areas and driving without seat belts account for almost one-third of the traffic offenses this year, said the police. There have been a total of 1,117 challans issued for illegal parking, while driving without seat belts has resulted in 1,036 fines.

Election updates : "All candidates are required to properly maintain the expenditures incurred by them during the election campaigning phase," said DM of Gautam Budh Nagar, Hirdesh Kumar. "They have to enter each expenditure incurred by them into the register from the day on which they filed nominations till the results are declared. The administration, in accordance with the norms set by the EC, would inspect these account books on at least three occasions prior to the polls," added Kumar.

Traders seek SC relief : With the sealing deadline approaching fast, the Noida Entrepreneurs' Association is planning to approach the Supreme Court for relief. The industrialists' body is hoping that the court helps them by stalling the March 4 deadline when the Authority will start the sealing process of all "unauthorized" premises flouting land use in Noida. The Authority has already issued shutdown notices to about 1,000 units that supply raw material to nearly 6,000 industries across the city.President of the Association, Vipin Malhan said the decision to approach the apex court was taken on Monday when the final talks with the Noida Authority CEO remained fruitless.

Metro Phase -III Link 2 Noida updates : The Noida authority has completed preparations for a new Metro link between Noida and south Delhi.The land department of the authority has approved allotment of 30,000 square metre of land. The department has submitted details and its no objection certificate (NOC) to theauthority. The authority now expects NOCs from various other departments, including those looking after sewer, electricity and water supplies.�Once these formalities are completed, the authority will sign a MoU with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Work on the new line will begin soon,� said a Noida authority official.

The district administration has filed an FIR against 42 officials from various government departments for dereliction of duty as they did not attend the poll-related training programme organized between February 3 and 8.In all, 249 officials were absent from the training. The administration had warned that if the guilty officials failed to depose before the chief development officer by February 11 and provide valid reasons for their absence, they would be booked.

Musical Maya : After being enthralled by Lady Gaga and Pitbull, Noida residents swayed to the tunes of musician Edward Maya on Saturday. The Romanian producer and composer - who was in the city for the second time in four months - performed at a private university.The concert, organized by Amity University as part of its "Youth Festival", started at 8pm and was attended by over 10,000 students from Delhi-NCR. "The audience comprised only of students. Students from the university were allowed to enter by showing their college ID cards while those from other universities were issued passes after an online registration," said an Amity spokesperson.

Gift to Noida BJP Unit: Miffed at being denied a party ticket to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, BSP leader Sharvan Kumar Sharma today announced his decision to join the BJP."BSP has repeatedly failed to keep its promises, so I have decided to join the BJP and will now extend support to the party's candidate from Noida Assembly seat," said Sharma, who is also the former Commissioner of Meerut.Sharma claimed that he was promised a ticket for the Noida Assembly seat by party chief Mayawati after he was inducted into the ruling party last year but the Chief Minister "failed to keep her promise".

Election updates : District authorities today ordered filing of an FIR against 42 officers for not reporting to election duty training. "As it amounts to obstruction in election work as per the law, I have ordered FIR against 42 personnels," said chief development officer Pawan Kumar. Around 249 presiding and election officers were found absent during their training period from February 3 to 8, without giving any ground for their absence. They were given a last chance to report. Today 207 personnels reported at the CDO office, however, 42 were still found to be absent, the CDO said.

Noida Authority says No to "Amity Station" : The Noida Authority is mulling over changing the name of one of the stations that will fall between the Botanical Garden and Kalindi Kunj Delhi Metro route. The Authority has written to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation about changing the station name near sector 125 on the proposed 3.9km phase-III stretch from 'Amity Noida' to 'Okhla Bird Sanctuary'. The Detailed Project Report for extension of the route will soon be approved by the Authority.

The Noida police have arrested three persons, including a maid, for robbing a city-based businessman of jewellery worth nearly Rs 1.5 crore from his house. While the jewellery has been recovered, the police are also planning to take action against the businessman for not getting the domestic help's verification done. The accused have been identified as Rani (20), her aunt Ruksana (24) and uncle Shakeel.Police said the robbery took place in the residence of LP Bothra, living in B Block of sector 40.

Noida Extension : Buyers have filed an RTI application with the Reserve Bank of India demanding to know how the banks, both private and government, sanctioned the housing loans for Noida Extension in the first place considering that many developers confess that they had known all along that the area was disputed. The buyers claim that the banks had taken processing fees during sanctioning of their loans for these projects after ascertaining the "authenticity" of these projects and, thus, legalized the transaction.

Election updates : 24 candidates filed their nomination papers today for the three assembly seats under Gautam Budhh Nagar district. Today was the last date of nominations. For Noida assembly seat 11 nominations were filed today. With this total nominations rose to 31. For Dadri seat six nominations were filed today taking the total number of nominations to 17. For Jewar assembly seat total nominations are 22 of which seven were filed today. Prominent among those who filed their nominations today were Congress candidate Samir Bhatti from Dadri assembly seat. Tomorrow scrutiny of nominations papers will be done. Last date of withdrawal of nominations is February 13 and polling is scheduled for February 28.

Handon Bank encroached: Noida district magistrate Hridesh Kumar on Wednesday took the unprecedented step of ordering FIRs under the National Security Act (NSA) against the land mafia for grabbing plots on the Hindon River floodplains. Kumar also ordered action against stone-crushers operating illegally in the floodplains.The clampdown was ordered at the end of a meeting of top officials that was vitiated by allegations from UP irrigation department officials that the Noida police did not act on nearly 100 police complaints they had lodged against the offenders.

Tewatia files his nomination: Jailed farmer leader Manvir Singh Tewatia, who is out on parole, filed his nomination papers as JD-U candidate for Jewar assembly seat on Wednesday. On court's directives, Tewatia came out on parole yesterday but was unable to completed the work prior to filing his papers. He had led the farmer agitation in Bhatta Parsaul villages demanding higher compensation and amendment in Land Acquisition Act. He was arrested on July 9, 2011 on charges on murder and rioting.

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Today's VoiceWho's who of Noida sets development agenda .Sandeep Marwah, V K Sharma, Yogendra Narayan, Usha Thakur, Justice O P Garg, Mahesh Saxena, Dr Narendra Gupta, Anand Chauhan...Commodore (Retd) Lokesh Batra.

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