Women don't feel safe in Delhi: Sheila Dikshit

Women do not feel safe in Delhi, chief minister Sheila Dikshit admitted Wednesday.

"Women don't feel safe in Delhi. Fears have risen. I'm shocked to learn about the Lajpat Nagar attempted rape case. It's a big setback for us," she said referring to the rape bid on a 19-year-old woman Tuesday.

The Class IX student fought off the rape bid in her own house by an electricity contractor, who thrust an iron rod into her throat to quell her cries for help. The accused has been arrested.

However, the chief minister promised to do everything possible to provide safety to women.

"My government will do everything possible to provide a conducive atmosphere for the women in the city," Dikshit said.

But CPM leader Brinda Karat criticized Dikshit.

"It is clear that women in Delhi are insecure. The chief minister is speaking the truth. But it is surely not enough. What is her responsibility as chief minister?

"Women's security issues have become political football between central and state government. Chief minister blames Delhi Police; central government defends police. It's a shame."

Public health university in Ghummenhera

The national capital will soon have its own public health university with the state government today allotting around 51 hectares of land in Southwest Delhi to the Indian Public Health Institute for this purpose.

"The state government had signed an agreement with IPHI in 2007, according to which a public health university will be established in Ghummenhera area," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said today in a statement.

Stressing on the need to improve health facilities, Dikshit said there was an urgent need for trained health workers to reach out to the needy.

State Health Minister Kiran Walia said the proposed institute would strengthen infrastructural facilities in the health sector. "Such institutes across the city would help in public health and research and policy making," Walia added.

Bottoms up! Delhi to open 83 more liquor shops

The Delhi government Wednesday decided to open 83 more liquor shops in the city and allow opening of alcohol vends in malls too, but said its excise policy encouraged consumption of mild liquor instead of hard drinks.

The decision was taken by a Delhi cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. With these 83 new shops, the number of government controlled liquor shops in Delhi will go up to 590.

'The Delhi cabinet approved the Excise Policy for the year 2009-10, which would encourage mild drinks over hard ones while allowing newer outlets for the sale of liquor,' it was announced after the meeting.

Delhi Finance and Excise Minister A.K. Walia said a new type of licence for wholesale supplies of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) is being introduced where the wholesale supplier would be allowed to open retail shops of his own products registered in Delhi.

'It also permits opening of new vends in malls. A new type of licence for stand-alone restaurants is being introduced where only wine and beer will be served,' Walia added.

The excise minister said that with these new decisions, the government wanted to ensure 'safe and good quality liquor to the people and check illicit trading in liquor'.

The revenue collection for the current year is 14 percent higher than last year and with the opening of new outlets, an extra increase in revenue in terms of duties and fees is anticipated, Walia said without giving details.

The minister said the retail prices of country liquor in Delhi had also been revised in the meeting.

'In view of the revenue potential of increase in retail prices, the Delhi cabinet approved increase in rate of quart from Rs.50 to Rs.60, pint from Rs.25 to Rs.30 and nips from Rs.13 to Rs.15. This would help to increase government revenue to about Rs.35 crore (Rs.350 million),' he said.

Of the 83 new shops, 54 will be of IMFL and 29 will sell country liquor. 'With this, the total number of IMFL vends in Delhi will be 468 and country liquor vends will be 122,' Walia said.link