Disabled sports neglected in CWG: disability activist

New Delhi, Aug 9 (UNI) On the one hand the city is struggling to make Commonwealth Games, one of the biggest sporting events, a success, on the other the country's disabled sports persons are finding it hard to retain their place in it.

Only 54 days are left for the Commonwealth Games and the Ministry of Sports continues to neglect disability sports even when they form an integral part of the upcoming Games, disability activist Javed Abidi said today.

''When the Games take place in October, as many as 45 medals will be at stake under disability sports. Medals won or lost will impact the nation's medal tally! The Sport Minister can afford to neglect it, but the nation cannot!'' he warned.

Under the banner of Disabled Rights Group (DRG), disabled sports persons will stage a protest outside Sports Minister M S Gill's residence here tomorrow to highlight the ''corruption'' in the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

''We have written enough letters to Mr Gill but he is least bothered. Disability sports is not on his radar screen,'' Mr Abidi regretted.

He alleged that Mr Gill has left it to his 'babus'. ''They are all hand in glove with the PCI, the extremely corrupt sports federation,'' he charged.

Mr Abidi also lambasted the Games Organising Committee for not picking any disabled athlete in its list of six brand ambassadors for the event. Referring to the money earmarked for the disability sports, he asked ''Where has the amount of Rs 13 crore gone?''

''Further, why is proper coaching not being provided to our elite disabled athletes like Prashant Karmakar in swimming and Farman Basha in power lifting, who are our only two medal hopes in the Games? Similar is the neglect towards our table tennis players and athletes,'' he said.

Talking about other concerns, he mentioned the instance of Prashant Karmakar not being considered for an Arjuna Award and similarly the Dronacharya Award eluding Ramesh Tikaram, coach for badminton and athletics.

Remove Sheila, Gill & Kalmadi before CWG: BJP

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) The BJP today demanded removal of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Minister MS Gill and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chief Suresh Kalmadi from their posts and formation of a new team for proper conduction
of the Games.

''The Chief Minister, Sports Minister and CWG Organising Committee's Chairman should be removed for their total failure in preparing for the Games,'' Delhi BJP Chief Vijender Gupta said at a press conference here.

After the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report had exposed the high-level corruption in the run up to the Games, the government should take affective and concrete step to address the complaints, he said.

''Even after the CVC assessment report, the Prime Minister has said everything related to the Games is going well. This shows how casual they are towards 'national pride','' Mr Gupta said.

To a query that at a time when only 60 days are left for the mega sporting event the BJP's demand of the removal of the three would cause further delay, he told UNI, ''They are corrupt officials. If the genuine ones will come, the work will surely be done in a better way.''

The BJP today issued a 'white paper' on the corruption and delay of projects in the Games.

Naidu criticises PM for his silence on corruption in CWG

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) BJP senior leader Venkaiah Naidu today came down heavily on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for keeping mum after the Central Vigilance Commission report had exposed corruption in the Commonwealth Games.

''Why are the Prime Minister, the Central and Delhi governments are silent on the CVC report, which has highlighted large-scale corruption in the Games,'' Mr Naidu said at a press conference here.

He added that they should have been alert in addressing to these complaints and not think the people were innocent. ''The Prime Minister will have to reply on four-point
allegations-- delay in the projects, use of sub-standard material, high-level corruption and misuse of authority,'' he said.

''What was the need of 87 foreign visits by the government officials even to those countries which have no link to the Games?'' the BJP's Delhi In-Charge asked.

Criticising Union Sports Minister MS Gill for not taking the Games seriously, Mr Naidu said all the responsible officials have only focused on ''creating wealth instead of commonwealth''.

''The main idea behind the name 'Commonwealth' was to create wealth in common and for all. However, unfortunately the concerned officials have been engaged in creating individual wealth leading to misuse of the event and harm the cause of the sports and the pride of the country,'' he alleged.

Reacting to the reports of leaking roof of weight lifting auditorium inaugurated on August 1 by Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy, Mr Naidu quipped, ''When the water must have fallen on his head, the Minister then would have known the
reality.''

The senior BJP leader claimed that the BJP was the strongest supporter of sports in India and was never against the Commonwealth Games. ''Unfortunately despite reminding the government from time to time about the delay in works related to the Games it did not take it seriously and now the nation's pride is at stake,'' he said.

CWG broadcasting: BJP claims preparations by DD not started yet

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) Broadcast Engineers Consultants India Ltd (BECIL), a Union Government's enterprise that integrates the expertise of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) and is responsible for telecasting the Commonwealth Games internationally, has not yet even started the preparations, the BJP alleged today.

''The agency, which is responsible for works like construction of camera platform, commentary box, air-conditioned studio, among others, was provided with Rs 20 crore for the preparations. They had to finish the work by June 15. But, the work has not been started till yesterday,'' the party alleged in a 'white paper', it issued today on corruption and delays in Commonwealth-related works.

The Doordarshan officials were escaping media on this issue, it said. ''The officials have no idea when the BECIL would provide all these services,'' it added.

The party noted that this issue was very sensitive as the equipment needed for proper broadcasting require regular test and servicing much before the event whereas even the work has not started yet.

On August 1, a top DD official had claimed that since they had got the venues very late, things had spilled over to August as their work can start only after the completion of the venue.

The official had stated that they had started the work and everything has been mapped on the spot. ''Camera positions are identified and cabling is almost 30-35 per cent over. Some construction work is needed to be done according to our requirement but by August end everything will be ready,'' the official had said.

Sheila will have to go to jail after CWG: BJP

New Delhi, Jul 31 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will have to go to jail if charges of corruption and irregularities in the works for the coming Commonwealth Games detected by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) were proved, BJP said today.

''Following the CVC assessment report, chances are that the Chief Minister will have to go to jail after the Games are over,'' BJP state president Vijender Gupta told reporters here.

Charging Ms Dikshit with ''emotionally blackmailing'' Delhi citizens in the name of upholding national pride in the Games, he came down heavily on her for her comments ''Do you want me to go to jail?'' when she was asked yesterday whether she was ready to take responsibility for adverse assessment made by the CVC.

Condemning Ms Dikshit for her alleged ''irresponsible attitude'', Mr Gupta said she would have to reply all the charges against her and her government made in the CVC report. ''It is a clear case of established crime and corruption in organising the Commonwealth Games.''

Referring to the alleged money laundering by the Games Organising Committee which transferred over Rs 2 crore to a London-based firm A M Films, he said there were
many more such issues which have not been exposed till now.

Sheila says unaware of CVC report about CWG irregularities

New Delhi, Jul 30 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today denied knowledge of any Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) assessment report exposing allegedly corrupt officials in the street lights upgradation for the Commonwealth Games even when a CBI probe into the case has been sought by the Commission.

''I am completely unaware of any CVC report. When it will reach us, it will be taken care of,'' Ms Dikshit told mediapersons today, a few hours after the Commission requested the CBI to register corruption cases against the MCD officials allegedly
involved in the 'shady deals'.

The assessment report of the CVC, prepared after several complaints of corruption poured in, specifies 16 projects amounting to nearly Rs 2,000 crore, where procedural violations, corruption and clear signs of 'official' collusion for benefit have been found. Of these, six projects were of the Public Works Department (PWD), three of the MCD, two each of Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and one of RITES.

In the street lighting case alone, the contractor, who won the bid on the basis of 'lowest price quote' was later allowed to raise the contract amount in order to milch profits for himself and officials involved, thereby fleecing the exchequer of tens of crores of rupees, as per CVC findings.

CM unsure of meeting Aug 31 deadline for CWG-related work

New Delhi, Jul 30 (UNI) With just two months left for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the Chief Minister is still not sure about the completion of work on time.

Referring to the deadline of August 31 for the completion of the Games related projects, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said it could be shifted further by around a week.

''There are chances of overlapping of work by seven to eight days after August 31 and so the time needed by the agencies will be given,'' she told mediapersons.

In addition, she said the work on Shivaji Stadium, which will be used as a training venue for hockey, is also unlikely to be completed till the Games start. ''Since it is a practice stadium, so it is not going to harm the Games,'' Ms Dikshit said.

The stadium was supposed to have been ready by June 30, according to New Delhi Municipal Council's (NDMC) own deadline.

However, the Chief Minister claimed that all the works were going on time and will hopefully be completed before September. ''All the finishing touches and small left overs will be done in September,'' she said.

To a query regarding inconvenience being caused to the locals due to the Games-related work and the unclean look the national capital is bearing, Ms Dikshit said in such situation when so many mega projects were being carried out simultaneously, it was quite natural that during the execution the city was giving an unkempt look. ''It is just a matter of few days...We have been taking weekly monitoring of all agencies involved in construction and also ensuring their coordination,'' she said.

The Chief Minister said that 16000 tonnes of major debris has already been cleared by the agencies till now. ''All the rest, consisting of major quantity, will surely be
cleared by August 10. Whatever small ones which will be left, we will see what could be done for it,'' she said.

She added that the work of street-scaping having a large component of horticultural development along the roads was planned in a manner so as to make the plantation component coincide with the monsoon.

Will Dikshit, Gill & Kalmadi run on CWG tracks? : BJP

New Delhi, Jul 19 (UNI) Lamenting the dropping out of top athletes for participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the Delhi BJP today quipped if the Chief Minister, along with her counterparts, now run on the tracks.

''Will Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Sports and Youth Affairs minister M S Gill and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi now run on the tracks constructed for the Games?,'' Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta
said.

He said a notion has been created in the minds of people outside the country due to which they were not taking the Games seriously and this was hurting the image of the nation.

''The Delhi Government has been misguiding people for long. Crores of rupees have already been spent on the preparation for the Games, for which only 76 days have left and still the city is not ready,'' Mr Gupta said.

He even criticised the government for not even taking responsibility for the inconvenience caused to the people ahead of the Games.

''The roads get waterlogged, traffic remains choked, frequent power cuts, inadequate water supply even after three-hour-long rains. Is the Chief Minister going to showcase 'tooti-footi, khudi huyi dilli' (broken and dug up Delhi) to our foreign
guests?'' the Delhi BJP chief questioned.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza will be the country's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

Mr Gill had yesterday expressed disappointment over the series of pullouts from international athletes for the Commonwealth Games for which world class stadia have been built in the city.

The top athletes who have pulled out of the mega-event include Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, Australian tennis player Lleyton Hewitt, British tennis ace Andy Murray, and British cyclist Chris Hoy.

Govt using sub-standard material for CWG infrastructure: BJP

New Delhi, Jul 14 (UNI) The BJP today alleged that the Delhi Government was using sub-standard material to build the infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games resulting in deaths of people.

When heavy rains lashed the city two days back, life was thrown out of gear with waterlogging and traffic snarls causing rain-related accidents in many areas.

Walls collapsed, trees were uprooted, electric poles fell down and roads caved in across the capital taking lives of at least 17 people till now.

''The government is responsible for the deaths due to rains in the city. They are using low quality material in making buildings, roads and other infrastructure
and so taking lives of people,'' Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta told mediapersons here today.

Earlier, he had even demanded that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit should resign. ''The government has spent crores of rupees for the infrastructure development for the Games. But the heavy rains have exposed the government's preparation,'' Mr Gupta said. The Chief Minister should resign from her post owing moral responsibility for the deaths, he added.

BJP to submit white paper on CWG preparations to LG on Aug 3

New Delhi, Jul 14 (UNI) Calling it a ''game of corruption'' between the Delhi Government and corporates involved in preparation for Commonwealth Games' venues, BJP today said it will submit a white paper to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor exposing how the people in the city have been cheated by the government.

A delegation of the Delhi Pradesh BJP, headed by its president Vijender Gupta, initiated a tour to all the Games' venues to ''bring into light their real condition in front of the citizens and pressurise the government to speed up their tasks at least now.''

''We will visit all the venues one by one on day-to-day basis in next 15 days and exactly two months before the Games, that is on August 3, we will submit a white
paper to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejender Khanna in this regard,'' Mr Gupta told UNI here.

On the first day of the tour, Mr Gupta along with other senior party leaders, including former Delhi Chief Minister Madanlal Khurana and former party legislator Vijay Jolly, visited two places in Central Delhi -- Shivaji Stadium and subway in front of Super Bazar in Connaught Place.

Mr Gupta added that the BJP is ready to provide every kind of support to the government in the run up to the Games. ''They never asked us for any help. They should let us know if they have anything less, be it volunteers. But they should not put the nation's pride on stake,'' he said.

Accusing the government of mismanagement, Mr Khurana asked, ''what was the need of destroying the whole Shivaji Stadium,? Whatever they are, building was already there. They just had to renovate it a little.''

Mr Jolly blamed the government of losing a golden opportunity to build the infrastructure in the city. ''They are just destroying and remaking all the existing stadiums present in the capital. They have not build even one on their own,'' he said.

No power cuts during Commonwealth Games, assures Dikshit

New Delhi, Jul 1 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today assured that there will be no power shortage during upcoming Commonwealth Games while cautioned all private discoms to upgrade their systems.

''There will be no power shortage and no loadshedding during the Commonwealth Games. Even these days, when the temperature is soaring, there have been not much complaints of such shortage and we have been able to meet the challenges,'' Ms Dikshit told mediapersons.

The Chief Minister stated this almost a week after she directed the power distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to meet the rising demand.

Admitting to the two major power projects at Bawana and Jhajjar running behind schedule, the Chief Minister explained that there have been certain problems faced by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) due to which the delay has
occurred.

However, she maintained that the national capital will face no power shortage anytime during the Games and also claimed that in next five years the city will be able to produce three times more power than present.

''We have achieved such great heights and I am hopeful that in next five years, Delhi will be able to produce 15,000 MW of electricity and may sell to other states too,'' Ms Dikshit said.

Giving a word of caution to the power companies, Delhi Transco Ltd (DTL), Indraprastha Power Generation Company Ltd(IPGCL) and Delhi Power Company Ltd (DPCL), she said there was a need to upgrade the systems being used currently. ''In times when the nature doesn't help us, we have to perform better and for that our systems have to be perfect,'' she said.

She added that losses due to power theft has already come down to around 19 per cent from 52 per cent. ''But we are aiming to reduce it further to at least 11 per cent,'' she said.

The Chief Minister was speaking on the sidelines of the eighth foundation day of the three discoms celebrated here today. Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta and IPGCL MD R K Gaur were among the other dignitaries present on the occasion.

IPGCL spokesperson said the work at Bawana power plant is in full swing. ''It is expected that at least two gas turbines will be commissioned before the Commonwealth Games,'' he said. He expressed hope that the first unit of Aravali Power Company
Ltd which is a joint venture of IPGCL with Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd (HPGCL) and NTPC will also start generating power before the Games.

Book on Delhi Metro released to help tourists during CWG

New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) In an effort to make commuting in the capital more convenient, especially for tourists, ahead of Commonwealth Games, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today released a guide book on Delhi Metro.

The book written by Dr M Ramachandaran, Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development and Chairman, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC), gives station-wise details of interest to the metro users.

''The Delhi Metro has changed the travelling scenario in the city altogether. With the network's commencement, problems of pollution, congestion on roads, time wastage and cleanliness have been contained,'' the Chief Minister said while addressing
mediapersons.

The book titled 'Delhi Metro Stations and Surroundings' provides details of 143 stations with their classification, commencement date, location, facilities available, frequency of train services, availability of parking and footfalls received at the station.

The books, released earlier, have been of great help to the youth of the capital, especially the college students, who are now able to reach their classes and movie shows on time, she quipped. The Chief Minister expressed pleasure on the book as it also gives information on other modes of transport in the city.

''Many of us do not know which bus to catch from which Metro station to reach our destination. It has all the information about the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus stands,'' she said.

The book would also give one an insight into the locality in which the station is situated with landmarks nearby viz educational institutions, religious places, sports centres, health institutions, places of historical and tourist interest,
among others.

Referring to the Delhi Metro's expanding network, the Chief Minister said soon it will cover 190-km-long route and it is bound to become the life-line of the city after completion of Phase III and Phase IV when its total network length will be
around 414 km. Express Airport Line and other routes will prove to be very helpful during Commonwealth Games, she added.

DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan, who was present on the occasion, described Dr Ramachandaran's tenure as Chairman of DMRC as a Golden Era of the Delhi Metro. Dr Ramachandaran expressed confidence that the book, priced at Rs 100, will become a valuable guide to Metro users and visitors.

''The book is also a great source of knowledge for people who do not know the meaning of terms like gauge over which they travel daily,'' he said. The book will be available at all Metro stations in a week's time. ''Interested readers will be able to avail the book from the Station Managers,'' DMRC chief PRO Anuj Dayal told UNI.

Scholars debate on Commonwealth Games ''national pride''

New Delhi, May 13 (UNI) Delhi may be slowly approaching the goal of becoming a ''world class city'' ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2010, but has the process actually benefited the Indian society at large, argued scholars here today.

Questions have been raised on the various dimensions of the Games, especially the level of expenditure on a one-time sporting event and actual delivery of benefits to the masses.

''In the process of making the Games a successful event, multiple violations of human rights, constitutional rights, especially of marginalised sections, should not have been done,'' former Delhi High Court Chief Justice A P Shah said.

Referring to homelessness and deportation as a result of building infrastructure for the 12-day international event, Justice Shah said, ''People have become insensitive towards demolitions. It is expected that the people who are residing in slums and JJ clusters will just vanish if their shelters are demolished.''

Rehabilitation and proper housing was important, he added.

Categorically speaking about begging in Delhi, Justice Shah said, ''To abolish begging, there are two goals -- nobody should beg and nobody should have to beg. It seems the city government has forgotten the second more significant aim.''

He quipped, ''The decision to deport beggars to their respective states is weird as Delhi is a city of migrants where almost 70 per cent of the population is from outside the city.''

Justice Shah was speaking while launching a report titled, ''The 2010 Commonwealth Games: Whose Wealth? Whose Commons?'' here.

The account, prepared by the Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN), put forth many findings questioning the rationale for spending crores on the event, and outlined key general recommendations suggested to be done pre and post-event.

The launch was followed by a panel discussion chaired by former United Nations Special Rapporteur Miloon Kothari, Professor of Economics in Jawaharlal Nehru University Amitabh Kundu, Director of Hazards Centre Dunu Roy and members of HLRN.

Mr Kothari stressed that the entire process of the Games was in contravention of India's Constitutional obligations and the excessive costs involved are hard to justify in a country with high levels of poverty, hunger, inequality, homelessness and malnutrition.

Delhi prepared for CWG, nothing left to be addressed: Dadwal

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Delhi Commissioner of Police Y S Dadwal today said the city police was ''totally prepared for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and nothing is left to be addressed.''

''I categorically state that the Delhi police is totally prepared for the Commonwealth Games and all required arrangements are in place,'' Mr Dadwal said, while briefing mediapersons here.

He cited the number of test events held in the capital before the Games and said they all went perfectly without any security issues.

''Various major sporting events were organised in Delhi including IPL cricket matches recently. The analysis puts into perspective our security preparedness for the Games,'' the Commissioner said.

He explained that the security arrangements for these events were not restricted to providing security at the stadia only but also meant to secure the places of stay of participants, team and technical officials besides airport and routes to reach the game venues.

Athlete protection also involved transformational security and securing the places of visits of the participants. This also involved covering the media briefings and visitor management and control at the stadia and hotels, he said.

''Security was also provided during the practice sessions of the teams and the same level of security was extended to the participants as was done for the main event,'' Mr Dadwal said.

In addition, elaborate traffic circulation plans were also put in place, he noted and advised the general public to support the police and play a role of responsible citizen at least during the traffic movement.

Reacting to some media reports regarding security arrangements for the Games, the Commissioner appealed that ''It is better to publish the report after confirming from us because they go to world press and create apprehensions about security arrangements made here.''

CW writers deny giving space to climate change in their fiction

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) Award-winning writers in the Commonwealth region believe that writing about climate change and getting involved in the global warming discussion is not their forte.

Expressing their immense love for fiction, they feel discussing climate change in their books and making the world leaders and their people realise their duties to bring about a revolution is calling for friction.

''We love fiction, but not friction,'' they say.

Regional winners of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2010, to be held here tomorrow, are in the Capital to promote quality literature through a series of discussions and events among the people.

As a part of this run-up to the event, a panel discussion on ''Writing in a Changing Climate'', hosted by Crossword bookstore, was held last evening. It was attended by three of the finalists - Daniyal Mueenuddin, Shandy Mitchell and Michael Crummey who
interacted with young readers on the topic.

''You are trying to use a wrong instrument. Fiction is about describing things but not taking any positions'', Mueenuddin a writer from Pakistan, said. He has won critical acclaim with his first collection of stories- 'In Other Rooms and Other Wonders'.

Supporting his view, Mitchell, a Canadian writer, said, ''This is true. I cannot imagine myself taking a position to convince others. The non-fiction world is enough for that''. Her first book 'The Unbroken Sky', has been nominated under the Best First Book prize category.

She asserted that fiction writers write with naturalism and never with a set mind. '' The ideas keep generating while you write. However, if writing for climate change, then it will be for a purpose, a purpose that’s may be politically motivated,'' she said.

Crummey, another Canadian writer whose book ''Galore'' has been shortlisted in the Best Book category, added, ''If one starts writing with a political motive, 99 per cent it will come out as a bad fiction''.

He explained, ''What is important for a fiction novel is a good story because only that can travel, irrespective of what message it passes on''.

However, this thought process of the writers making them shy away from such an important issue left the audience disappointed, who also put their point in front of them.

''If one goes back to the history, he will find that writers have done wonders in bringing about a change in the mindset of people and society as a whole. I can feel that you are undermining your capabilities'', Ashok Sehgal, a banker, pointed.

Commonwealth Foundation’s director Mark Collins was also present on the occasion.

The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize organised and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation, is a leading award for fiction that was first awarded in 1987. The aim of the prize is to encourage new Commonwealth fiction, and to ensure that works of merit reach a wider audience outside their country of origin.

Mayapuri lapse: A question mark on CWG preparation

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) As the city government spends crores to upgrade infrastructure for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, it will have to ensure that accidents like the recent radiation leak in Mayapuri do not mar the Games.

Panic had gripped Mayapuri Industrial area on the night of April 8 when, after coming in contact with a material, scrap dealer Deepak Jain and four of his employees showed allergic reactions and started vomiting.

The skins of two of them turned completely black. They also had burn injuries and rashes all over their bodies.

The material causing the damage was identified as Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope of Cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous and grey metal. Cobalt is used in making colours and pigments for jewellery and paints.

In an interaction with UNI, Suneet Chopra, senior CPI(M) leader said, ''The material has been lying there for a long time. What proper screening is being done to
save other people from a similar accident?''

''If we leave the situation like this, we would not know how many shipments are still lying in the area,'' he added.

He also said the government should now institute a commission of eminent scientists to probe the incident.

''Those affected are not likely to survive since cobalt radiation has no known cure,'' he felt.

The accident has certainly raised apprehensions of the common people regarding security. With the Commonwealth Games approaching fast, Delhi cannot afford
to have such lapses.

Scrap dealers handle hazardous chemicals everyday and Mayapuri, also a site for disposal of military waste, employs lakhs of such dealers.

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Delhi, president Ramesh Khanna told UNI, ''It is all right to spend crores over roads and bridges but what about the
safety of people and tourists during the Games?''

''The hospital which was the source of the radioactive chemical and the government, which was responsible for security lapse, are both to be held accountable,''
he said.

Cobalt is known to have strong penetrative power which can cross anything but lead. Cabins storing Cobalt are thus made of lead.

''But junk dealers are illiterate and uneducated people. They must be taught the proper way of handling such substances,'' Mr Khanna added.

The area has been gripped by panic and many shopkeepers are avoiding to go there.
''We came to know about the radiations, so we are scared to enter the area now,'' Dinesh Goel, a Mayapuri-based printing press owner said.

Delhi Budget 2010-11: Traders claim to lose trade worth Rs 60k cr

New Delhi, Mar 24 (UNI) Delhi will lose trade worth about Rs 60,000 crore annually if the proposed hike in fuel and VAT rates in the Delhi Budget 2010-11 persists, city traders claimed today.

Lambasting the Delhi Government for its ''anti-people'' Budget, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today estimated that as the city would be more expensive, large amount of its business would be shifted to other states.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said out of city's total annual business, the VAT collection was around Rs 15,000 crore per annum.

''However, by Delhi Budget proposals, it is expected that Delhi would loose around 30 per cent of its trade and a VAT revenue approximately of Rs 5000 crore,'' he noted.

Mr Khandelwal re-asserted his demand that the Delhi Government should rollback diesel and VAT slabs. ''There would be a price hike of about 15 per cent, burdening the 'aam aadmi' including traders,'' he said.

He alleged that the Government was forcing the Commonwealth Games on the city and country has nothing to gain out of the event.

''Delhi does not need these games if the prices are so high to bear in present and future,'' he said.

Left parties to hold nat'l protest against Delhi Budget

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) Condemning the Delhi Government for its ''anti-people Budget'', the Left parties today demanded immediate withdrawal of proposals to increase prices of LPG, diesel and CNG through hike in VAT in the Delhi Budget 2010-11 and declared to hold a national protest demonstration on March 26.

The Left parties, including CPI(ML) and CPI(M), lambasted the Congress Government for prioritising corporates and Commonwealth Games at the cost of the poor.

''The Delhi citizens have already been bearing the burden of increase in bus and metro fares, water tariffs, milk price, along with other essential items. The Delhi Budget proposed yesterday will only add to their woes, '' CPI(M) Secretary P M S Grewal said.

He alleged that the subsidy on LPG cylinders provided in June 2008 by the State Government had a political motive.

''The subsidy was put in place only for getting political gain in the 2008 Assembly elections. As no such compulsions exist now, the government believes that the people no longer count,'' he said.

Referring to the State Government's justification of raising resources for upcoming Commonwealth Games, the party said hundreds of crores of rupees had already being pilfered in the Games' preparations.

''Rather than raising requisite funds by cracking down on corruption, the Delhi Government is resorting to looting people,'' Mr Grewal said.

CPI(ML) Delhi State Secretary Sanjay Sharma said, ''The Budget has proven that for the Congress, the priority is to appease corporates and hold extravaganzas like Commonwealth Games, not to protect poor from skyrocketing prices.''

The party has demanded that the budgetary proposals to hike LPG, diesel and CNG prises be withdrawn on immediate basis and strict measures be taken against hoarding and blackmarketing.

Mr Sharma said the protest demonstration would be held in the national capital and be addressed by senior Left leaders.

Delhi Govt will consider all views on VAT hike in Budget: Sheila

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) Faced with mounting criticism over the hike in VAT on several items and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG as proposed in Delhi Budget 2010-11, the Delhi Chief Minister today said State Government would give consideration to all view points before taking the final decision on the matter.

''We are open to all view points on the issue and they will be considered before giving the final reply on March 29,'' the Chief Minister's told reporters here this evening.

It is notable that the Chief Minister is to reply on the discussion on the Budget in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on March 29.

In view of mounting criticism of hike in VAT rates on many items and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG, it is expected that the State Government might consider partial rollback on the VAT rates on several items announced in the Budget.

The Chief Minister's latest statement could be seen as a comedown on her stand this morning when she ruled out any rollback in the VAT rates.

Talking to reporters this morning, she had said the hike was necessary to ensure the development of the city in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

Defending the withdrawal of the subsidy on LPG, the Chief Minister said the Delhi Government was the only one to retain the subsidy even when other states had withdrawn it.

Assuring that the hike in VAT rates would not have an adverse impact on the common man, the Chief Minister said the prices in Delhi were far lower compared to several other states.

LPG price hiked, VAT on many items raised in Delhi Budget 2010-11

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Life for ''aam aadmi'', already burdened by skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, is set to get tougher with the Delhi Budget for 2010 presented in the Delhi Legislative Assembly today increasing VAT on CNG, diesel, dried fruits, desi ghee, glucose and tea while also withdrawing the Rs 40
subsidy on LPG.

Addressing reporters after presenting the Budget in the State Assembly, State Finance Minister A K Walia said the enhancement in VAT rates and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG were necessiated by the increased expenditure on infrastructural projects related to Commonwealth Games 2010.

''In view of increased expenditure due to the Commonwealth Games related projects and schemes and inadequate collection of taxes due to down turn in economy, additional sources of revenue are required,'' Dr Walia said.

The Budget removes the current subsidy of Rs 40 on the LPG which will lead to increase in prices to Rs 322.80 per gas cylinder.

The withdrawal of subsidy will relieve the State Government of a burden of Rs 160 to Rs 170 crore per annum.

The VAT on CNG for use in transport sector has been hiked to five per cent which will translate into a hike of Rs 1.09 per litre while the VAT on diesel have been increased from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent which amounts to a hike of Rs 2.37 per litre.

The VAT on kerosene stoves, embroidery and Zari items has been increased to five per cent while that on dry fruits, desi ghee, plastic containers, paint brushes, inverters, cocoa, coffee, glucose, fertilisers, locks, weights and measures and tea has been hiked to 12.5 per cent.

Further, the VAT on writing instruments, watches above Rs 5,000, mobile phones and accessories above Rs 10,000 and readymade garments has also been enhanced.

Dr Walia, however, assured that there would be no extra burden on the ''common man'' as the prices of essential commodities would not be increased.

''In any case with the implementation of GST next year, the subsidy on most items will have to be withdrawn,'' Dr Walia said.

The Budget also hikes the VAT on bio-inputs like fertilisers and micro nutrients and plant growth promoters to five per cent and on wood, timber, plywood and laminated boards, utensils and cutlery items, except those made of precious metals, fibre board and particle board to 12.5 per cent.

The VAT rate on aerated drinks has been hiked from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent, a hike that is likely to generate an additional revenue of Rs 10 crore.

Maximum registration fee on stamp has been increased to Rs 500 and that on other slabs proportionately. The State Government is likely to generate an additional revenue of Rs 6 crore.

Justifying the hike in the VAT rates and withdrawal in LPG and other subsidies, Dr Walia said, ''It was necessary to manage the finances required for building infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games. In this regard, it may be noted that despite several states withdrawing subsidies on several items many years ago, the Delhi Government had retained the subsidy, but in the present situation it was necessary to get the money required for infrastructure development for the Games.''

At the same time he assured that as soon as the financial position eases out, the government could announce more subsidies and make some concessions in the VAT rates.

Dr Walia said the subsidy on the consumers using 200 KW of electricity as well as that on pulses would continue.

The Opposition BJP in the Assembly, however, protested the Budget proposal. The presentation of the Budget was followed by uproarious scenes from the Opposition benches culminating in the walkout by the BJP members.

Presenting the Budget in the Assembly, Dr Walia said the Revised Budget Estimate of 2009-10 was estimated at Rs 25,800 crore against the original Budget Estimate of Rs 23,043 crore.

Total Budget Estimate for the year 2010-11 is Rs 26,000 crore that includes Rs 11,200 crore for plan expenditure, Rs 140 crore for expenditure on Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Rs 14,660 crore for non-plan expenditure.

Maximum 38 per cent allocation in the Budget has been to the transport sector at Rs 4224 crore. Thirteen per cent allocation has gone to urban development and water supply and sanitation, and 11 per cent allocation has gone to health, ten per cent to education and seven per cent to social welfare.

Among the initiatives announced in the Budget in the transport sector is mordernisation of the DTC fleet with the addition of 3775 low floor buses costing Rs 2019 crore, setting up a SPV to develop and maintain ISBTs, bus depots, Bus-Q-shelters and introduction of special non-stop service on 50 important routes.

Work on the approach road, for the Signature Bridge costing Rs 1131 crore has been started while the construction of the main bridge will start shortly.

In the health sector, Dr Walia said construction of 500-ward block at GTB Hospital at Shahadra was nearing completion and would be fully functional during year 2010-11.

Construction of Phase II of ILBS has also started.

Further, the Government plans to set up three 200-bedded hospitals at Vikas Puri, Burari and Ambedkar Nagar, and a 750-bedded hospital at Dwarka under PPP mode.

In the education sector, the government has increased the rates of uniform subsidy to students of MCD primary schools from Rs 200 per annum to Rs 500 per annum bringing them at par with students of the Delhi Government and Government-aided schools.

Also students of class sixth to twelfth of the Delhi Government and Government-aided schools will get an increased subsidy of Rs 700 per annum from the academic session 2010-11.

Further, the government has decided to extend benefits of uniform subsidy and textbook subsidy to the boys students of Government-aided schools (at present it is available only to girls) from the 2010-11 session.

The amount of scholarship to educationally backward minority students has been hiked by Rs 50 from the next academic session.

The Budget has also proposed an additional amount of Rs 749 crore for provision of services in unauthorised colonies.

In the social sector, the Budget proposes an amount of Rs 420 crore to provide age-old pension to one lakh more senior citizens.

It also announces setting up of nine tribunals under the Senior Citizens Maintenance Act for timely disposal of grievances of senior citizens.

Dr Walia said the proposed expenditure of Government of Delhi will be funded from Own Revenue Receipts of Rs 19,631 crore, Small Saving Loan of Rs 1000 crore, Central Plan Assistance of Rs 1284 crore, share in Central Taxes of Rs 325 crore and Rs 3760 crore from other sources.