If you fail to exercise your franchise in the AMC election in October 2010, state election commission will serve you a showcause notice
DILIP PATEL
Beginning October 2010, 35 lakh voters in 56 wards of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will have to vote. Compulsorily. In a first-of-its-kind decision in the country, the state government has set the ball rolling to make it mandatory for all voters to cast their vote in local self bodies elections.
The state government has already legalised the framework for the same and will present it during the two-day Vidhan Sabha session to start on Thursday. The law will also have a no-vote provision for voters who do not find a candidate worthy of their vote.
The state government has proposed a law granting 50 per cent reservation for women in local self-government bodies’ elections, Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel told Mirror.
“The decision to make voting mandatory will be the first of its kind in the country. We are also taking a lead in 50 per cent reservations for women in local self government body elections,” Patel said. He said that voters who do not exercise their franchise will be served a show cause notice by the state election commission and asked to give a clarificaition in 30 days. If the voter fails to safisfy the state election commission than he will be declared a defaulter.
The state government is in the process of framing the rules for penalty or punishment for defaulter voters.
The state government will amend three laws under the Gujarat Local Authorities Law Amendment including the BPMC ACT, the municipalities act and the panchayat act to accommodate the new law.
The Gujarat local self government bodies have 3.5 crore voters. There are 13,000 gram panchayats, 225 taluka panchayats,167 municipalities and 27 district panchayats besides seven municipal corporations. All of these will go for an election between September and December 2010. The state government is also in the process of forming a Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation following the high court order.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
AMC’s neglect prompts pvt water project
Juhapura residents drill borewell, lay pipelines themselves for drinking water
DILIP PATEL
After tolerating the negligence of the civic body for years silently, residents of three societies in Juhapura reeling from acute water crisis have taken the onus of drawing running water to their homes on themselves. Sinking a borewell, they are laying pipelines under private land.
The 400 feet borewell was initially drilled by Abdul Qarim (32), a resident of Juhapura, for personal use. But the residents of the nearby Gulab Park, Golden Park Society and Hill Saz Park societies approached him for water. Qarim could not turn down their repeated requests.
A deal was struck between them. Each house owner of the societies agreed to pay Qarim Rs 100 a month for water twice a day. They also decided to bear the expenses of laying pipelines, estimated to cost Rs 85 per feet.
Twenty of the 700 houses have started getting running water. The rest will get water connections in 10 days.
Qarim is going ga ga over the project. “It’s win-win deal for me. I am doing a social work. The residents of the societies will bless me for my goodwill gesture. Besides, their monthly contribution will help me recover a portion of Rs 1.75 lakh I have spent in installing the borewell.”
The beneficiaries of the project are also just loving it. Noorjahan Ansari, a resident of Golden Park, said: “I had to fetch water from a hand-pump. But now I’ll get running water.”
The people’s solution to water crisis in Juhapura triggered a few posers on its legitimacy. But Nadeem Syed, a social worker, said the project did not flout any norm of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) because no Town Planning (TP) scheme had been made for Juhapura, in the New West Zone, till date.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (New West Zone) MD Modiya said: “Laying pipelines under TP roads is illegal. There is nothing wrong if a borewell is drilled on a private land and pipelines pass through private land.”
DILIP PATEL
After tolerating the negligence of the civic body for years silently, residents of three societies in Juhapura reeling from acute water crisis have taken the onus of drawing running water to their homes on themselves. Sinking a borewell, they are laying pipelines under private land.
The 400 feet borewell was initially drilled by Abdul Qarim (32), a resident of Juhapura, for personal use. But the residents of the nearby Gulab Park, Golden Park Society and Hill Saz Park societies approached him for water. Qarim could not turn down their repeated requests.
A deal was struck between them. Each house owner of the societies agreed to pay Qarim Rs 100 a month for water twice a day. They also decided to bear the expenses of laying pipelines, estimated to cost Rs 85 per feet.
Twenty of the 700 houses have started getting running water. The rest will get water connections in 10 days.
Qarim is going ga ga over the project. “It’s win-win deal for me. I am doing a social work. The residents of the societies will bless me for my goodwill gesture. Besides, their monthly contribution will help me recover a portion of Rs 1.75 lakh I have spent in installing the borewell.”
The beneficiaries of the project are also just loving it. Noorjahan Ansari, a resident of Golden Park, said: “I had to fetch water from a hand-pump. But now I’ll get running water.”
The people’s solution to water crisis in Juhapura triggered a few posers on its legitimacy. But Nadeem Syed, a social worker, said the project did not flout any norm of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) because no Town Planning (TP) scheme had been made for Juhapura, in the New West Zone, till date.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (New West Zone) MD Modiya said: “Laying pipelines under TP roads is illegal. There is nothing wrong if a borewell is drilled on a private land and pipelines pass through private land.”
GHOSTS BANE DOST
In eight years, crime rate in Sanand has fallen by 50 per cent. Installing tombstones of warriors who had laid down their lives protecting their village led to drop in crime rate, say ‘humble’ policemen
DILIP PATEL
In the past eight years, the crime rate in Sanand has dropped by half. Hold on. Don’t applaud the cops just yet. The real crime-fighters are some friendly ghosts. And before you start slamming us, this is what the cops themselves claim.
The story dates back to July 29, 1988 when the Sanand police seized a truck smuggling antique goods being out of Rethal village. They had been tipped off by Pravinsinh Vaghela, a resident of Rethal, who later identified the goods that had been stolen. Among the booty were nine tombstones almost 200 to 300 years old. According to Pravinsinh, these tombstones belonged to men who had laid down their lives trying to keep the village safe from dacoits and pillagers.
GRAVE ERROR
THE STONES were dumped in the station’s backyard. In 2003, the crime rate in Sanand began shooting up. Two policemen from the station got suspended.
The constables and PSI felt the ill-luck was being brought about by the disrespect shown towards the tombstones. They restored the tombstones and conducted a havan. Lo and behold, the situation began to improve.
IDOL WORSHIP
AND NO less than the police inspector backs this claim with figures. Inspector M M Jhala, said, “The then inspector N J Jhala got the tombstones installed at one spot and got a havan done to appease the offended spirits. Since then, every morning, ASI Vishalsinh Vaghela conducts pooja and applies tilak on the idols.
“The crime rate has dropped by half in the past 7-8 years. In 2001-02, we registered seven loots in Sanand. In 2008-09, there were just two. The murder rate dropped from six in 2001-02 to three in 2008-09. No case of rape has been registered in the past two years.”
He adds, “The staff here feels that since the stones have been installed here, the atmosphere has filled with positive vibes.”
PROOF POSITIVE?
MEANWHILE, Rethal villagers are trying to retrieve the tombstones, but to no avail. Said Pravinsinh, “The case ran in court for 14 years. Till then, the police had custody of the antiques. To retrieve it, we need to furnish proof that the tombstones belonged to our village.
We also need to give a bill copy. But the tombstones were not bought.
After so many years, how do we prove that they belonged to our village? As we do not have the necessary documents, we can’t claim the tombstones.”
=======
OTHER SPIRITED STORIES
COPS RUN SCARED OF GHOST
The Ramol police station,referred to by villagers as bhoot thana, was set up on a rented premises on October 5, 2007.The Ramol police claimed a ghost, believed to be a woman poltergeist, used to overturn furniture and shove cops working in the night shift at the police station.Some police officials even complained they felt someone was strangling them.The ghost was “contained by a tantrik” a few days before Diwali in 2008.‘Ghost trouble’ at the police station has ended, but cops continue to be a bit leery of the premises.
HAVAN TO TACKLE SPIRITS
Policemen living at Danilimda quarters opposite Ganjshouda Kabrastan faced a ‘grave’ problem.Their families believed the houses were built on part of the graveyard, bringing bad luck to residents.The quarters were built four years ago.However,the families shifted here only a couple of years ago.The presence of the graveyard opposite the houses fuelled a lot of rumours which gained strength after the death of two people.To put all rumours as well as spirits, if any, to rest, the cops conducted a havan and a urs on October 2, 2009.
KALIGAM OUTPOST’S CLOSED
A police outpost in Kaligam near Ranip was closed about four years back after a constable apparently spotted a ghost. Sources in the Sabarmati police station, which managed the outpost, say the constable — Joravsinh — left the outpost claiming that he was slapped by a ghost.They say eventually all officials of the outpost stopped working there.A senior official at the Sabarmati police station said that outpost was closed following reports of “suspicious activity”.
ARMY’S GHOSTLY LEGEND
It is not just local policemen who harbour superstitious beliefs.The Indian Army has its own dear ghost: Harbhajan Singh of the Dogra Regiment. Harbhajan Singh drowned in a glacier during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. His body was found three days later and cremated with full military honours. It was said Harbhajan led the search party to his body, and later, through a dream, instructed one of his colleagues to build and maintain a shrine after him.A camp bed is kept for him and his boots are polished and uniform kept ready every night.The sheets are reportedly crumpled every morning and boots muddy by evening.The soldier continues to draw a salary and takes his annual leave. Every year on September 14, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in Kapurthala district in Punjab.Presently the late soldier is treated as honorary captain.
DILIP PATEL
In the past eight years, the crime rate in Sanand has dropped by half. Hold on. Don’t applaud the cops just yet. The real crime-fighters are some friendly ghosts. And before you start slamming us, this is what the cops themselves claim.
The story dates back to July 29, 1988 when the Sanand police seized a truck smuggling antique goods being out of Rethal village. They had been tipped off by Pravinsinh Vaghela, a resident of Rethal, who later identified the goods that had been stolen. Among the booty were nine tombstones almost 200 to 300 years old. According to Pravinsinh, these tombstones belonged to men who had laid down their lives trying to keep the village safe from dacoits and pillagers.
GRAVE ERROR
THE STONES were dumped in the station’s backyard. In 2003, the crime rate in Sanand began shooting up. Two policemen from the station got suspended.
The constables and PSI felt the ill-luck was being brought about by the disrespect shown towards the tombstones. They restored the tombstones and conducted a havan. Lo and behold, the situation began to improve.
IDOL WORSHIP
AND NO less than the police inspector backs this claim with figures. Inspector M M Jhala, said, “The then inspector N J Jhala got the tombstones installed at one spot and got a havan done to appease the offended spirits. Since then, every morning, ASI Vishalsinh Vaghela conducts pooja and applies tilak on the idols.
“The crime rate has dropped by half in the past 7-8 years. In 2001-02, we registered seven loots in Sanand. In 2008-09, there were just two. The murder rate dropped from six in 2001-02 to three in 2008-09. No case of rape has been registered in the past two years.”
He adds, “The staff here feels that since the stones have been installed here, the atmosphere has filled with positive vibes.”
PROOF POSITIVE?
MEANWHILE, Rethal villagers are trying to retrieve the tombstones, but to no avail. Said Pravinsinh, “The case ran in court for 14 years. Till then, the police had custody of the antiques. To retrieve it, we need to furnish proof that the tombstones belonged to our village.
We also need to give a bill copy. But the tombstones were not bought.
After so many years, how do we prove that they belonged to our village? As we do not have the necessary documents, we can’t claim the tombstones.”
=======
OTHER SPIRITED STORIES
COPS RUN SCARED OF GHOST
The Ramol police station,referred to by villagers as bhoot thana, was set up on a rented premises on October 5, 2007.The Ramol police claimed a ghost, believed to be a woman poltergeist, used to overturn furniture and shove cops working in the night shift at the police station.Some police officials even complained they felt someone was strangling them.The ghost was “contained by a tantrik” a few days before Diwali in 2008.‘Ghost trouble’ at the police station has ended, but cops continue to be a bit leery of the premises.
HAVAN TO TACKLE SPIRITS
Policemen living at Danilimda quarters opposite Ganjshouda Kabrastan faced a ‘grave’ problem.Their families believed the houses were built on part of the graveyard, bringing bad luck to residents.The quarters were built four years ago.However,the families shifted here only a couple of years ago.The presence of the graveyard opposite the houses fuelled a lot of rumours which gained strength after the death of two people.To put all rumours as well as spirits, if any, to rest, the cops conducted a havan and a urs on October 2, 2009.
KALIGAM OUTPOST’S CLOSED
A police outpost in Kaligam near Ranip was closed about four years back after a constable apparently spotted a ghost. Sources in the Sabarmati police station, which managed the outpost, say the constable — Joravsinh — left the outpost claiming that he was slapped by a ghost.They say eventually all officials of the outpost stopped working there.A senior official at the Sabarmati police station said that outpost was closed following reports of “suspicious activity”.
ARMY’S GHOSTLY LEGEND
It is not just local policemen who harbour superstitious beliefs.The Indian Army has its own dear ghost: Harbhajan Singh of the Dogra Regiment. Harbhajan Singh drowned in a glacier during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. His body was found three days later and cremated with full military honours. It was said Harbhajan led the search party to his body, and later, through a dream, instructed one of his colleagues to build and maintain a shrine after him.A camp bed is kept for him and his boots are polished and uniform kept ready every night.The sheets are reportedly crumpled every morning and boots muddy by evening.The soldier continues to draw a salary and takes his annual leave. Every year on September 14, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in Kapurthala district in Punjab.Presently the late soldier is treated as honorary captain.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
ENVIRONMENT Gandhinagar, barren land into a green oasis
ENVIRONMENT
Green, it’s his favourite colour
Dilip Patel
Not very long ago, Gandhinagar was a barren expanse only visited by hot dusty winds. Difficult to believe that in just 18 years’ time, we first associate greenery — more than politics and governance — with our state capital.
All thanks to the tireless efforts of former chief conservator G A Patel. Without batting an eyelid, he accepted the then chief minister Chimanbhai Patel’s challenge of making Gandhinagar a green city. The project began in 1989. And in two years, he planted 36 lakh trees in 58 sq km area of the city. Even when Ahmedabad simmers in the scorching heat, Gandhinagar stays warm and pleasant. G A Patel earned accolades for executing this mammoth task. After all spreading a green carpet on what was a wasteland in just two years, only happens in cartoon movies. Patel was hailed as a green crusader after carrying out this Herculean task.
With 32 lakh trees — made up with 35 species including neem, gulmohar, banyan, pipal, mahua and rhine — for a population of 1.5 lakh, Gandhinagar has an enviable 22 trees per person and 425 trees per hectare. That is not the only feather in Patel’s cap.
The 52-acre land where Chetna Kendra stands today was earlier with the Public Works Department. Patel fought with the PWD which later handed it over to the forest department. Similarly, the 150-acre land where Indroda Natural Park has come up could have been a garment park, had it note been for Patel’s intervention.
But things weren’t as easy as writing the paragraph you just read. He faced several obstacles in his career and was pitted against some of the most powerful policy makers. He even stopped setting up of industries in the area in Jamnagar where Marine National Park today stands. “Professional hazards, what to do,” says Patel adding, “It pains me to see people treating nature and wildlife with disrespect. We should learn to live and let live.”
Green, it’s his favourite colour
Dilip Patel
Not very long ago, Gandhinagar was a barren expanse only visited by hot dusty winds. Difficult to believe that in just 18 years’ time, we first associate greenery — more than politics and governance — with our state capital.
All thanks to the tireless efforts of former chief conservator G A Patel. Without batting an eyelid, he accepted the then chief minister Chimanbhai Patel’s challenge of making Gandhinagar a green city. The project began in 1989. And in two years, he planted 36 lakh trees in 58 sq km area of the city. Even when Ahmedabad simmers in the scorching heat, Gandhinagar stays warm and pleasant. G A Patel earned accolades for executing this mammoth task. After all spreading a green carpet on what was a wasteland in just two years, only happens in cartoon movies. Patel was hailed as a green crusader after carrying out this Herculean task.
With 32 lakh trees — made up with 35 species including neem, gulmohar, banyan, pipal, mahua and rhine — for a population of 1.5 lakh, Gandhinagar has an enviable 22 trees per person and 425 trees per hectare. That is not the only feather in Patel’s cap.
The 52-acre land where Chetna Kendra stands today was earlier with the Public Works Department. Patel fought with the PWD which later handed it over to the forest department. Similarly, the 150-acre land where Indroda Natural Park has come up could have been a garment park, had it note been for Patel’s intervention.
But things weren’t as easy as writing the paragraph you just read. He faced several obstacles in his career and was pitted against some of the most powerful policy makers. He even stopped setting up of industries in the area in Jamnagar where Marine National Park today stands. “Professional hazards, what to do,” says Patel adding, “It pains me to see people treating nature and wildlife with disrespect. We should learn to live and let live.”
ON DUTY Happily married to work R J Patel Asst Road Transport Officer
Dilip Patel
Happily married to work If you are looking for the office of RJ Patel, assistant road transport officer at the RTO headquarters, it is rather simple. Look for the longest queue inside the building and that is where it is. R J Patel, 57, is a workaholic. He enters his office at 11 am sharp. His day begins with processing 1,500 applications related to traffic police, recovering of penalties, vehicle registration, post registration work, collection of fines and penalties. He looks into 5,000 papers attached to these documents and attests at least 2,500 signatures. And while he does all that, he never cribs. Patel loves his work and that is exactly why he takes it on with gusto. Also, with just 14 months for him to retire, one can understand his hurry.
When he locks his desk at 5 pm, there’s nothing pending. Patel never carries forward his duties. “My work is like that of Lord Hanuman. I handle problems no one else wants to take up,” Patel says.
The average applications he receives daily includes 200 for release of detained vehicles, 50 for issuance of international driving licences to Indians going abroad, 50 of foreigners seeking Indian licences and applications for cancellation of vehicle registrations. He even issues no objection certificates.
“My policy is clear. Finish your day’s work and leave. That is what you are paid for. Not a single paper is left unattended when I leave my office.” His efforts put Rs 30 lakh every day in RTO’s kitty.
However, Patel rues the fact that most people who come to his office are illiterate. “They don’t know what they need to submit. It annoys me. I tell them to at least learn how to read and write.” We already know what this married-to-work man is going to do after he retires.
R J Patel Asst Road Transport Officer
Happily married to work If you are looking for the office of RJ Patel, assistant road transport officer at the RTO headquarters, it is rather simple. Look for the longest queue inside the building and that is where it is. R J Patel, 57, is a workaholic. He enters his office at 11 am sharp. His day begins with processing 1,500 applications related to traffic police, recovering of penalties, vehicle registration, post registration work, collection of fines and penalties. He looks into 5,000 papers attached to these documents and attests at least 2,500 signatures. And while he does all that, he never cribs. Patel loves his work and that is exactly why he takes it on with gusto. Also, with just 14 months for him to retire, one can understand his hurry.
When he locks his desk at 5 pm, there’s nothing pending. Patel never carries forward his duties. “My work is like that of Lord Hanuman. I handle problems no one else wants to take up,” Patel says.
The average applications he receives daily includes 200 for release of detained vehicles, 50 for issuance of international driving licences to Indians going abroad, 50 of foreigners seeking Indian licences and applications for cancellation of vehicle registrations. He even issues no objection certificates.
“My policy is clear. Finish your day’s work and leave. That is what you are paid for. Not a single paper is left unattended when I leave my office.” His efforts put Rs 30 lakh every day in RTO’s kitty.
However, Patel rues the fact that most people who come to his office are illiterate. “They don’t know what they need to submit. It annoys me. I tell them to at least learn how to read and write.” We already know what this married-to-work man is going to do after he retires.
R J Patel Asst Road Transport Officer
PARTIES UNITE FOR STATE’S PROGRESS
DILIP PATEL
In a rare show of unity, political leaders from different hues on Friday vowed to bury their differences and work together for the progress of the state.
As many as 520 former and present MLAs and MPs of Gujarat, including Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and his predecessors Madhavsinh Solanki and Keshubhai Patel, took pledge to not to allow petty politics halt Gujarat’s development at Swarnim Gujarat Legislative Conference held at Assembly hall from 2.30 pm.
They also said year-long Swarnim Gujarat celebrations, which will tee off on May 1, 2010, would be an apolitical affair — for Gujaratis, of Gujaratis, by Gujaratis.
Addressing the conference, Modi said: “Every Gujarati has contributed to the development of the state. If all Gujaratis take a step forward, there will be 5.5 crore steps towards development.”
Going a step ahead, Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said: “Development is present in the gene of every Gujarati. There are 6.5 crore Gujaratis, including NRGs. If we work together for the development of the state, nothing is impossible.”
He also said: “There should be mass participation in Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. It should not be a show of strength of any political outfit.”
Former chief minister Solanki said: “Gujarat has given birth to several national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Purushottam Mavlankar. If we give up politics, Gujarat will develop fast.”
Patel, another predecessor of Modi, said: “If we are united, we can go a long way. Uplift of the standard of life of the poor will herald true development of Gujarat. Our target should be high.”
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani said: “Hardly one can see all political parties working together for the development of a state. Gujarat has set an example through Swarnim Gujarat for others to follow.”
Lauding Gujaratis’ zeal to succeed, Governor Dr Kamla said: “Gujaratis don’t give up any task mid-way. If they take up an assignment, they complete it successfully.”
She added, “Every political party contributed to the state’s progress. I’m from Rajasthan. It has adopted several things practised in Gujarat.”
Total 750 former and present MLAs and MPs, including five former chief ministers, were invited to Swarnim Gujarat Legislative Conference. Barring 230, the rest turned up. Of the five former chief ministers invited, two showed up at the event that continued up to 4.15 pm. Speaker Ashok Bhatt, BJP state president Purshottam Rupala, three Union ministers Dinsa Patel, Bharatsinh Solanki and Tusar Choudhry, and two former governors Viren Shah and Kumud Joshi were present among others. Pictures of all the late chief ministers and speakers were unveiled at the exhibition hall in the Assembly during the
In a rare show of unity, political leaders from different hues on Friday vowed to bury their differences and work together for the progress of the state.
As many as 520 former and present MLAs and MPs of Gujarat, including Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and his predecessors Madhavsinh Solanki and Keshubhai Patel, took pledge to not to allow petty politics halt Gujarat’s development at Swarnim Gujarat Legislative Conference held at Assembly hall from 2.30 pm.
They also said year-long Swarnim Gujarat celebrations, which will tee off on May 1, 2010, would be an apolitical affair — for Gujaratis, of Gujaratis, by Gujaratis.
Addressing the conference, Modi said: “Every Gujarati has contributed to the development of the state. If all Gujaratis take a step forward, there will be 5.5 crore steps towards development.”
Going a step ahead, Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said: “Development is present in the gene of every Gujarati. There are 6.5 crore Gujaratis, including NRGs. If we work together for the development of the state, nothing is impossible.”
He also said: “There should be mass participation in Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. It should not be a show of strength of any political outfit.”
Former chief minister Solanki said: “Gujarat has given birth to several national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Purushottam Mavlankar. If we give up politics, Gujarat will develop fast.”
Patel, another predecessor of Modi, said: “If we are united, we can go a long way. Uplift of the standard of life of the poor will herald true development of Gujarat. Our target should be high.”
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani said: “Hardly one can see all political parties working together for the development of a state. Gujarat has set an example through Swarnim Gujarat for others to follow.”
Lauding Gujaratis’ zeal to succeed, Governor Dr Kamla said: “Gujaratis don’t give up any task mid-way. If they take up an assignment, they complete it successfully.”
She added, “Every political party contributed to the state’s progress. I’m from Rajasthan. It has adopted several things practised in Gujarat.”
Total 750 former and present MLAs and MPs, including five former chief ministers, were invited to Swarnim Gujarat Legislative Conference. Barring 230, the rest turned up. Of the five former chief ministers invited, two showed up at the event that continued up to 4.15 pm. Speaker Ashok Bhatt, BJP state president Purshottam Rupala, three Union ministers Dinsa Patel, Bharatsinh Solanki and Tusar Choudhry, and two former governors Viren Shah and Kumud Joshi were present among others. Pictures of all the late chief ministers and speakers were unveiled at the exhibition hall in the Assembly during the
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