0.5 pc cut in bank, CRR rates
Markets improve on RBI steps
Mumbai, February 16
The Reserve Bank of India today made a reduction in the bank rate as well as the cash reserve ratio by half a percentage point each with effect from the close of business hours today.

• Economy: what next ?
  Starting today, The Tribune carries in the Business section what captains of industry expect from the coming Budget, their concerns on the state of the economy saddled with a massive earthquake burden and their suggestions to cope with the situation. — Editor

SGPC vice-chief Pannu dead
Jeep collides head on with bus
Bareilly (UP), February 16
Senior Vice-President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Mr Balbir Singh Pannu and three more including a girl, died in an accident on the GT-Lucknow road under the Fatehganj (East) police station here this morning.

• Punjab page: Pannu’s last wish

SC gives nod to Jaya’s trial
New Delhi, February 16
In a blow to AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalitha, the Supreme Court today directed a Chennai special court to proceed with the trial in the corruption case against her and cricket board president A.C. Muthiah.

Sonia rules out pact with BJP in West Bengal
New Delhi, February 16
The Congress high command, under growing pressure from a section of Congressmen in West Bengal to go in for “mahajot”, today declared that it would evolve the “best electoral strategy” to defeat the CPM but ruled out any truck with the BJP.

SC upholds order in Soren case
New Delhi, February 16
The Supreme Court today upheld a Delhi High Court order dismissing a petition by former JMM Member of Parliament Shibu Soren seeking quashing of an FIR lodged by the CBI against him for acquiring assets disproportionate to known sources of his income. 

SAD, Cong woo Christians
Majitha, February 16
Though the election is not being held in Bihar but the glimpses of caste and creed are discernible in this rural constituency during the electioneering. 

SDM manhandled, poll put off
MAUR MANDI (Bathinda), Feb 16
The elections for the post of president and vice-president of the local municipal council were postponed today after one of the municipal councillors, Mr Nirmal Singh, tore apart the ballot papers and manhandled the SDM-cum-returning officer, Mr Sukhminder Singh.

Hurriyat, govt trade charges Srinagar, February 16 The Hurriyat Conference and the government have been blaming each other for the violation of the unilateral ceasefire which began on November 28 last and has been extended twice.  Pak visit for peace: Hurriyat