Wednesday, March 12, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Jaswant rolls back urea price hike
New Delhi, March 11
Barely 10 days after presenting his maiden General Budget, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh today announced the first rollback in the fertiliser prices under political compulsions.

Highlights Agriculture credit to be cheaper by 2 to 3 pc Loans to SSI to be cheaper New Farm Credit scheme through post offices New LIC pension policy on anvil New pricing scheme for urea units from April 1 Interest on Central loans cut

Cong seeks withdrawal of diesel cess

Mayawati justifies birthday bash
Admits spending 76 lakh from state fund
New Delhi, March 11
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today charged that the Opposition was raking up her birthday bash only to “hide its own weakness.” Using the caste card to counter the criticism, she said “there was no criticism when upper caste parties have their meetings in five-star hotels or when upper caste women wore diamonds, but when a “Dalit ki beti” does such a thing, it draws all-round condemnation.
In video (28k, 56k)

SGJC stays Jathedar’s selection
Amritsar, March 11
The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission (SGJC) Bench today ordered status quo as it exists today to be maintained by the SGPC. It said no new Jathedar be appointed in place of Prof Manjit Singh by the SGPC till March 26 reserved as the next date for hearing in the case.

Decks cleared for Nanakshahi calendar
Chandigarh, March 11
The SGPC’s Dharam Parchar Committee, which met here today under the Chairmanship of Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, has endorsed the Nanakshahi calender thus clearing the decks for its implementation. Informed sources said it would be most probably enforced from Baisakhi this year.

Sports page: Lee, McGrath rout Kiwis McGrath ends 7-year wait Ganguly keen to settle scores Australian bowler Andy Bichel is lifted off his feet by teammate Brett Lee after the dismissal of New Zealand batsman Chris Cairns in the World Cup Super Six match in which Australia defeated New Zealand by 96 runs on Tuesday. — Reuters

PM’s statement on Iraq today
New Delhi, March 11
The country’s stand on the Iraq issue will be outlined by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee tomorrow during his statement in Parliament.

UN vote on Iraq delayed
US sanctions on Indian company

12 farmers hurt in firing
Tarn Taran, March 11
At least 12 farmers were injured seriously when the police fired on farmers at Piddi village today when the farmers were celebrating receiving the pending dues on their cane crop of the last year.

HPSSSB chief’s house searched Hamirpur, March 11 Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board Surendra Mohan Katwal today joined the team of the Enforcement in the seal-and-search operation of the records of the board. The department had started sealing the office of the board and the residence of the Chairman following reports that records of the board were being destroyed by the staff. Enforcement Department team entering the house of Chairman of the HP Subordinate Services Selection Board at Hamirpur on Tuesday afternoon. — Photo Chander Shekhar Sharma