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`MCD not serious about dengue threat'

NEW DELHI: Dengue threat may be looming large over the Capital, but it seems that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is still not serious in dealing with the situation. If the allegations of Leader of MCD Jitender Kochar are to be believed, the civic body's Health Department has okayed the use of the same insecticide that failed to kill aedes mosquitoes last year.

"A private agency that was blacklisted last year for using ineffective insecticide to kill mosquitoes has again managed to get a similar contract this year by merely changing its name. Interestingly, our health officials failed to check this anomaly. By giving the charge of spraying insecticide to a tainted firm raises serious doubts over our preparedness," Mr. Kochar said at the Standing Committee meeting, asking Municipal Commissioner A.K. Nigam to probe the issue.

More funds demanded

NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) held a protest demonstration outside the Administration Block on Tuesday seeking expansion of the net of financial assistance to students. While the University provides scholarships to undergraduate, masters and even M.Phil students, the facility is not available for those studying Ph.D according to Union members.

"The assistance is only provided at the moment to students with family income of up to Rs. 75,000 a year. We feel that it should also be increased to those with Rs. 1 lakh annual income too. The Union conducted a survey a few months ago and found that 59 per cent of students said that they needed assistance. The assistance provided is Rs. 600, but the mess bills are Rs. 1,000 a month. We want to increase it to Rs. 1,500,'' said JNUSU vice-president Dhananjay.

Officials held for graft

NEW DELHI: Two officials of the Sales Tax Department of the Delhi Government have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation for allegedly demanding and accepting bribe from a trader. According to the CBI, the accused, VAT Inspector Mohar Singh and Assistant Sales Tax Officer C.P. Kataria, posted in ward No. 95, were arrested at the office of the complainant on Monday.

The CBI said the accused had accepted Rs. 5,000 from the complainant for clearing his Trader Identification Number (TIN) and not to harass him in future. Both the accused have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and remanded to 14-day judicial custody.

Arrested for bribe

NEW DELHI: A Revenue official was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the State Government on Monday for allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs. 1,000 from a person to measure his land. Braham Dutt Yadav, a resident of Jafarpur, lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Branch alleging that a Revenue official, Ram Nath Mehto, employed at the Najafgarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate office, demanded an illegal gratification of Rs. 5,000 to measure his land. However, the amount was negotiated and settled at Rs. 1,000. The Anti-Corruption officials laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed.

Auto thief nabbed

NEW DELHI: A 23-year-old man allegedly involved in auto-theft cases was arrested at R.K. Puram in South-West Delhi on Monday.

The accused, Ajay Ahuja, was a registered bad character of the Ambedkar Nagar police station. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to his involvement in 20 cases.

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