Monday, August 9, 2010

Delhi: Tariff change unlikely this year

Delhiites can rule out any kind of electricity tariff revision this year — reduction or hike. With Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission  (DERC) chairman and two members unable to reach a consensus on tariff in Delhi, major decisions have been put on hold till the end of the Commonwealth Games in October.

Thereafter, new appointees in the Commission would be likely to review the situation afresh before reaching a final decision on what Delhi should pay for power — a decision not likely to be implemented before next year.

With present DERC chairman Berjinder Singh due to retire in third week of September, sources indicate that senior of DERC’s two members could be appointed as acting chairman. "This is a key point in the Delhi Electricity Reforms Act. This is also a practice followed by other regulatory commissions in the country where senior members are appointed as chairman. In an instance, if the senior member refuses, the junior member can also be appointed," said sources.

Where tariff fixation in Delhi is considered, the two DERC members, Shyam Wadhera and S R Sethi, have opposing views with the chairman. While Berjinder Singh has been pushing for a tariff reduction, the two members have been insisting on cost-reflective tariffs which may not necessarily mean a hike but ruled out a reduction. All eyes will be on the next person who will chair the commission after Singh’s retirement, to see what decision the commission would take in tariff fixation.

Chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said: "The issue for appointing a new chairman will be addressed when the time comes. Right now, our entire focus is only on the Commonwealth Games. Earlier also, the commission was functioning with just one member and chairman for a long time, so it won’t be a big deal if one of the members take over chairmanship for a period. It’s allowed in the Act."

Sources say that a hike in tariff next year will be on the cards mainly due to delay in commissioning dates of mega projects and increase in gas price. "Bawana has been delayed by almost six months, Dadri by two months and the power from Damodar Valley delayed indefinitely. This means longer durations where discoms have to purchase power from outside. If the numbers add up, the commission could be forced to announce a hike in 2011," said a highly-placed source.

Deadline passes, no sign of CWG caterer

Two months to go for the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the organising committee (OC) seems to be busier firefighting corruption charges than getting its management of the Delhi Games 2010  in order. Two of its important decisions the launch of the merchandising operations and a decision on the selection of caterers at the Games venues were still hanging fire on Monday. Both were to be decided on Sunday.

The OC's merchandising operations, which were to be launched on Monday, have now been delayed indefinitely. Sources in the OC claimed that the launch was expected to take place sometime "this week'', though no one had an idea when. The merchandising launch is an important event for the administrators of the Commonwealth Games in terms of revenue. The OC has been feeling the heat for the lack of sponsors, with the merchandising expected to make a dent in the revenue figures.

Sources in the OC confirmed that the decision on caterers for the Games venues was also to be taken by the top brass of the OC. Said Lalit Bhanot, secretary general, OC, "The committee is still discussing the matter (of selection of caterer) but we should have a decision soon.'' This was the response till late evening, though OC chairperson, Suresh Kalmadi, had categorically declared that a caterer would be chosen for the venues by August 10. Sources, however, said that the selection committee had already conveyed its recommendations and a decision was to be taken by the top officials (read Bhanot and Kalmadi).

Sources in the OC, in fact, confirm that the past few days have been more of firefighting than actual work in the OC office. Most decisions are pending, especially with the top officials caught in the crossfire. In fact, Kalmadi's preoccupation was more than apparent on Monday when even the signing up of a major sponsor Tata Motors for the Games didn't get the OC to come out with a media blitzkrieg. Added the official, "Most events that usually mark the run-up to the Games, like the launch of merchandise, are being kept quiet, since the top officials are avoiding public gaze.''

Only routine work like the inventory of Games venues is going as per schedule, added officials. The handover is still going on, with the OC having taken over 11 venues so far in the last week.

Eye on Games, black beauties gather steam

Indian Railways is gearing up to offer the Commonwealth Games  an old world charm. Those who have an interest in the big mean machines or wish to experience the Victorian era lifestyle will now be able to chug along to Rewari about 80km from the capital in one of the oldest serving steam locomotives of the country.

The Rewari steam loco shed built in 1893, a decade before the Old Delhi station was inagurated is undergoing a makeover. In a bid to conserve the British period edifice set up 117 years ago and promote rail tourism during the mega sports event, Northern Railway has decided to convert the only existing steam loco shed in India to a museum. And unlike those at Chanakyapuri's National Rail Museum, the engines at Rewari will be available for live demonstrations.

"Few are aware of the shed's historical significance in helping connect Delhi and Peshawar. It was the only loco shed in North India for a long time,'' said Vikas Arya, senior divisional mechanical engineer of Northern Railway who is in-charge of this facility.

"Besides displaying parts of the steam engine, the museum will exhibit old Victorian era artifacts used in the Indian rail network along with the old signalling system, gramophones and seats. It will have a library housing rare books collected from across India, US and Europe,'' added Arya.

At present, 10 engines each weighing around 125 tonnes are stationed at the shed. "These engines guzzle about 4,000kg coal and 5,000lt of water from Delhi to Rewari. Before commencing on the journey, they need at least 10 hours of heating. They may be old, but they are capable of running at about 100kmph,'' said Soorajbhan, a driver from the steam locomotive cadre. He last drove a steam engine on a commercial route in 1993 two years after which railways withdrew all steam engines from service. Soorajbhan says the thought of operating one of these today still gives him "childish delight''. Co-driver Jagram draws an interesting analogy: "It's like a choice between kulfi and the ice-cream bars. While the bars come in different flavours, the kulfis just cannot be done away with.'' Several film crews even of the recent releases such as Guru, Love Aajkal and Veer have visited the shed. "We were part of Gandhi My Father, which was shot here for over six days,'' said an excited Soorajbhan.

Some of the oldest steam engines will be pulling the heritage coaches during the Games. "This will be part of the special heritage runs on October 9 and 16. Four of these coaches are unique as they are constructed of only wood. We will also place three engines at New Delhi, Old Delhi and Delhi Cantonment stations to offer visitors a peek into railway's heritage. There will be special runs on the Ring Railway Network. All work at the site will be completed in time,'' said Arya.

Some old timers, however, fear the last-minute sprint might not augur well for the shed. "This flurry of activity is only due to the Games. The museum idea took shape only in February 2010. While the National Rail Museum has allotted Rs 10.5 crore to Northern Railway for heritage preservation only 29% of the amount has been diverted here,'' said one of the shed's 22 employees. "The shed was almost abandoned in the late 90s and it was on August 14, 2002 that former rail minister Nitish Kumar approved the plan to turn this into a `live' shed for steam locos,'' he added.

Concerned about the future of these steam locos, 60-year-old Lombu Ram said: "We have approached the divisional railway manager, Ashwini Lohani, several times to make proper infrastructure available to the technicians. Going by the present state of affairs, there will be no one to maintain these jumbo machines after we are gone.''

Commonwealth Games: Stench of corruption mars India's preparations

THE Commonwealth Games organising committee has fired one of its top officials as it investigates alleged irregularities in funding for an event in London.
The organising committee's joint director TS Darbari was given his marching orders at the request of India's sports ministry and will be replaced by VL Saxena. Darbari was already suspended for alleged corruption during the Queen's Baton Relay launching ceremony in London.

PTI said the sports ministry had not been happy with the suspension and wanted Darbari's position terminated.

Corruption allegations and delays in construction of venues and infrastructure have dogged the Commonwealth Games, which will take place from 3-14 October in New Delhi.

Last week, organising committee treasurer Anil Khanna resigned following allegations that his son's firm was awarded a contract to lay synthetic surfaces at a tennis stadium for the games. Khanna denied the allegations. Games organisers are under severe pressure to complete the venues in time for the opening of the biggest sporting event in India since the 1982 Asian Games. Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell has asked for a full report on the corruption allegations

To add to the Games problems, India's sports ministry and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have backed rival groups to run the game, casting doubt over the host country's participation at Games and other international events.

Two days after the FIH announced it had asked Hockey India (HI) to field a team for the women's World Cup in Argentina later this month, the ministry said yesterday HI could no longer represent the country.

Manmohan will take appropriate action

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will take “appropriate action” on the alleged financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games projects, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Salman Khursheed has said.

“Our first priority is the smooth conduct of the Commonwealth Games. Let the Games be finished, we are hopeful that the Prime Minister will take an appropriate action [on the alleged financial irregularities],” Mr. Khursheed told journalists here on the sidelines of the convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA).

On Kashmir, Mr. Khursheed said Dr. Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram were constantly monitoring the situation and were working hard to bring normality there. “There is an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. We must strengthen the hands of the government in the State where a young and dynamic Chief Minister is handling the situation,” he said.

Rousing welcome to Queen's Baton Relay

The Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) for the 19th Commonwealth Games-2010 was accorded a rousing welcome with thousands of people waving at it standing on both sides of roads in the Capital City on Monday evening.

The QBR which entered the State at Jamsola Gate on Sunday traversed through Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Cuttack to reach Bhubaneswar on Monday.

Athletes, sports administrators and top government officials accompanied QBR to historic Barabati Stadium where cultural programmes were organised to maintain the tempo in the run-up to the games.

The relay passed through busy roads of Cuttack where enthusiastic crowd welcomed it with great deal of fervour. Five platoons of police personnel were deployed to control the crowd.

The reception at the Capital City was equally magnificent. Dancers in traditional attire piloted the QBR contingent to Kalinga Stadium here. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Prabin Bhanja Deo and Panchayati Raj Minister Prafulla Samal received the QBR.

Along with ministers, several legislators, Members of Parliament, sports dignitaries and thousands of people witnessed the relay. Commissionerate of Police had made elaborate traffic arrangement in keeping in mind the huge crowds for the event. The QBR is scheduled to make a night halt at Bhubaneswar.

On Tuesday morning, the QBR will move to Puri which will be followed by a small relay at Konark. In the evening, baton relay for the State will culminate at Rabindra Mandap here for a State reception.

CWG scam : Opposition to target Centre, Kalmadi in fresh controversy

Even as the Opposition aims to target the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government in Parliament over issue of alleged financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games, fresh allegations have surfaced against Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi suggesting he was aware of payments made to controversial UK-based firm AM films and its sister concern AM Car and Van Hire.

In a report, the Times of India claims that it has procured enough evidence to prove that Kalmadi cleared payments due to AM films without a written contract or proper tender process.

The newspaper report alleges that more emails and faxed documents point Kalmadi’s involvement.

AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire reportedly received 247,000 pounds. Businessman Ashish Patel and Commonwealth Committee members, however, said that it was done for the 2009 Queen’s Baton ceremony.

“The report quotes an email dated October 24, 2009, on payments and with Kalmadi’s signature on it, saying “why so late…now there is no choice.” Publicly, Kalmadi claimed he didn’t know about the entire dealings with AM Films when the scandal first broke,” reports NDTV.

In his public statements, Kalmadi has fiegned ignorance and said there was no written contract with AM Films because things were done at the last minute, adding that the Indian High Commission in UK had recommended the Britain-based company.

The High Commission, however, has refuted making such a recommendation.

Commonwealth Games top official fired

The Commonwealth Games organising committee has fired one of its top officials as it investigates alleged irregularities in funding for an event in London, local media reported on Monday.
Press Trust of India said that the organising committee's joint director TS Darbari was given his "marching orders" at the request of India's sports ministry and will be replaced by VL Saxena.

Darbari was already suspended for alleged corruption during the Queen's Baton Relay launching ceremony in London.

PTI said the sports ministry had not been happy with the suspension and wanted Darbari's position terminated.

Games spokesman Lalit Bhanot did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Corruption allegations and delays in construction of venues and infrastructure have dogged the Commonwealth Games, which will take place from October 3-14 in New Delhi.

Last week, organising committee treasurer Anil Khanna quit following allegations that his son's firm was awarded a contract to lay synthetic surfaces at a tennis stadium for the games. Khanna denied the allegations, saying he had not started at the organising committee when the contract was awarded.

Games organisers are under severe pressure to complete the venues in time for the opening of the biggest sporting event in India since the 1982 Asian Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell has asked for a full report on the corruption allegations and urged local organisers to take action to ensure problems in the preparations do not tarnish the event.

IRCTC sells over Rs 18 crore worth of tickets for Commonwealth Games

IRCTC, the official online ticketing agency for the Commonwealth Games to be held during October 3-14, 2010 in New Delhi, has so far sold over $4 million (Rs 18 crore) worth of tickets for the sporting event, according to IRCTC's general manager, operations, Sanjay Aggarwal.

Aggarwal has further informed that the maximum tickets sold are for the event’s opening and the closing ceremonies whose tickets are priced between Rs 750 and Rs 50,000 each. For individual sporting disciplines, the ticket denominations are between Rs 100 and Rs 1,000 per seat.

No criticism please, we’re Indian

Suddenly, it is not cool to be against the scandal-plagued Commonwealth Games.

A commuter walks past the Commonwealth Games 2010 mascot in New Delhi October 3, 2009. REUTERS/Parth SanyalThe CWG was meant to be Delhi’s big coming-out party, India’s assertion that it is a global powerhouse capable of doing what China did with the Beijing Summer Olympics two years ago.

Instead, the Games, scheduled for October, are turning out to be a costly embarrassment, with daily revelations of corruption, fraud and political wrongdoing that has triggered big headlines and much hand wringing by outraged citizens, sportsmen and even politicians.

But suddenly, being against the CWG is almost unpatriotic.

In an “emotional appeal” with a visual of the Indian tricolour published in all leading newspapers on the weekend, industrialist Subrata Roy flayed the “recent continuous and negative media coverage” that has left organisers and volunteers feeling “totally demoralised and dejected”.

The media, Roy said, has overdone it, “causing very big damage in maligning the image of our country”.

The media should now postpone its campaign until after the Games, Roy exhorted, and an audit of the culprits and their punishment must be done “after our country’s greatest ever sporting event is over”.

Another well known voice, editor Shekhar Gupta of the Indian Express paper, eerily echoing George Bush’s infamous line, asked: Are you for the Commonwealth Games, or against?

Demonising the Games just because some people made some money is “colossal stupidity” and highlights the “worrying twitterisation of journalism”, Gupta wrote on the weekend.

Really?

Despite its many faults, one of the things that India has going for it is its vibrant media, which citizens and investors alike look on as a watchdog.

Yes, it’s shrill, amateurish and given to exaggeration at times. But it does its job and has triggered action from citizens and the government many times.

So why is the CWG being seen as a nationalistic holy cow beyond reproach?

Admittedly, the media has already moved on to other things, but this is a good time as any to sort out our feelings of nationalism and media responsibility.

What would you rather have, a mouthpiece for the state that toes the line tamely or a vigilant enterprise that does not hesitate to probe, expose or criticise?

Haryana to offer tented accommodation to Commonwealth visitors

IF YOU are coming from abroad for Commonwealth Games in India,  then you must come to adjoining Haryana. Visitors during the Commonwealth Games will be accorded special treatment of Haryanavi delicacies along with an insight into the state’s rich cultural heritage, if they choose to stay in the tented air-conditioned dwelling units specially readied for them.

The Haryana government is making concerted efforts to offer quality facilities to foreign guests, who come to witness Commonwealth Games. The Haryana government plans to put up at least 550 such tented units in Faridabad and Gurgaon areas.

This innovative initiative is being taken up by Haryana Tourism to lure foreign visitors, who would not only be provided with the facilities matching the standards of a three-star hotel, but will also be offered an insight into Haryana's rich cultural and historical heritage.

The tented accommodation would be open for both national and foreign visitors, Haryana Tourism feels that the idea would certainly be a big hit as it is a unique program.

“There would be Haryanavi flavour in every service provided there, ranging from dishes to hospitality and these will match the global standards in every respect,” said SN Roy, managing director, Haryana Tourism.

This is perhaps for the first time in the country when such tented accommodation having all facilities, matching that of three star hotels is being set up to promote tourism by Haryana. Such tents would come up at Surajkund in Faridabad district and at Dundahera in Gurgaon, as the two places are adjacent to the national Capital.

“This is for the first time when all kinds of luxurious conveniences, including split air conditioners (ACs), liquid-crystal display televisions (LCD TV) and mini refrigerators would be provided in the tented accommodation to the occupants,” said Roy. He said that about 550 such tented dwelling units would be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore.

"For the Commonwealth Games, about 250 tent rooms would be available, and the rest will come up after the Games and will be available for tourists throughout the year," he said.

He said that the Department of Tourism has also certified some private farmhouses in the national capital region (NCR) to accommodate tourists during the Commonwealth Games in October.
 


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