Wednesday, April 17, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

TDP writes to LS Deputy Speaker
Seeks debate on Gujarat CM’s issue
New Delhi, April 16
With deadlock persisting in Parliament on the issue of removal of the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, TDP, a key NDA supporter, today wrote to the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker demanding discussion on the matter, while JD (U) held informal parleys with some other NDA partners, including the Trinamool Congress, on the issue.

• TDP says no to Speaker’s post

• BJP may take action against Shanta

• Editorial: Gujarat: pointless poll talk

Houses adjourned again
Disruption challenge to NDA, says PM
New Delhi, April 16
For the second day running both the Houses of Parliament were in a turmoil over the Narendra Modi issue with an agitated Opposition stalling proceedings demanding ouster of the Gujarat Chief Minister and ruling BJP members seeking an apology from Mrs Sonia Gandhi for her remarks against Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Cong stages dharna  at Raj Ghat
New Delhi, April 16
The Congress will continue pressing for an adjournment motion or discussion under Rule 184 on the Gujarat situation in the Lok Sabha. The party will also keep pressing for acceptance for its notices on the issue in the Rajya Sabha.
In video (28k, 56k)

Work hit in PSUs, banks
Strike cost Rs 100 crore

New Delhi, April 16 Banking services throughout the country were paralysed today as more than 10 lakh employees and officers went on strike in protest against the Centre’s “anti-labour” policies. In video (28k, 56k) Strike cripples bank services

Employees of the State Bank of India hold a demonstration during the nationwide strike against the anti-labour policy of the Central Government in New Delhi on Tuesday. — Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal

3 civilians die in IED blast
10 exfiltrators held along LoC
Srinagar, April 16
Three civilians were killed and 25 others, including seven Army personnel, were injured in an IED explosion targeted at an Army convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway at Awantipora, 30 km south of here, this morning, even as the BSF foiled an exfiltration bid along the LoC.
In video (28k, 56k)

Jaish has Rs 900 in bank, Harkat Rs 2,741
New Delhi, April 16
Imagine Dr Ayman Mohammad Rabie El Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s most trusted man and “spiritual adviser” and the widely perceived number two man in Al-Qaida’s hierarchy, having a bank balance in Pakistan of $ 252.43.

India’s first train relives history
Mumbai, April 16
Acknowledging the spectacular reception accorded by hundreds of rail users to the special commemorative steam run between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Thane here on Tuesday afternoon, Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar has given a nod to the Central Railway to exhibit the seven heritage coaches at Matunga coach repair workshop at Dadar for some time.

• First Jan Shatabdi flagged off

A train pulled by two vintage steam engines makes its way through a cheering crowd in Mumbai on Tuesday to mark the 150th anniversary of the Indian Railways. The train travelled 60 km between Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus) and Thane, the route that India’s first train took on its maiden journey on the same date in 1853. — Reuters photo

Advani, Kanshi discuss tie-up in UP
New Delhi, April 16
In a development signalling the coming together of the BJP and the BSP, Mr Kanshi Ram today met Home Minister L.K. Advani and reportedly discussed a tie-up between the two parties for a coalition government in Uttar Pradesh.

SGPC not to recognise PSGPC Amritsar, April 16 In a significant development, the SGPC Executive today authorised Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, President, to constitute a high-powered committee to frame rules and regulations for the appointment, removal and functioning of Sikh high priests. The committee will consist of SGPC members, representatives of various Sikh organisations and Sikh intellectuals.