Friday, February 17, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

President outlines UPA govt’s reform agenda
New Delhi, February 16
In the backdrop of Left parties’ serious differences with the government over economic policies, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today rolled out the government’s reform agenda for the economy announcing ambitious plans in the several sectors including infrastructure, a new civil aviation policy, creation of a common market for agriculture, rail freight corridor and an attractive FDI regime.

Highlights of economic agenda In video (28k, 56k) The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is escorted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee (centre) as he arrives to address Parliament on the opening day of the Budget session in New Delhi on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

Kalam airs concern over infiltration
New Delhi, February 16
The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today expressed the UPA government's commitment to the ongoing composite dialogue with Pakistan but underlined India's concerns over infiltration and cross-border terrorism.

Nation page: Kalam’s address ‘lifeless, directionless’: BJP

Centre announces mega projects for Punjab
IISc-like institute on anvil
New Delhi, February 16
With an eye on Assembly polls in Punjab next year, the government today announced setting up of mega projects in the state, whose results would prove to be a boon for the Congress-led Amarinder government to overcome anti-incumbency factor.

Haryana seeks Rs 178 cr relief from PM
New Delhi, February 16
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to include the damage to crops due to sever cold under the list of natural calamities and sought an immediate relief of Rs 178.18 crore to the state for providing compensation to the mustard growing farmers.

Cop held for rape, murder
Amritsar mob gheraos police station
Amritsar, February 16
The local police today booked constable Kewal Krishan on charges of raping and murdering a middle-aged woman, mother of four children, in an abandoned room of the Grain Market here today, even as hundreds of residents blocked traffic for about four hours in protest against the crime.

India: The Tasks Ahead
   SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

	PUNJAB: “Dead” terrorist runs away
	HARYANA: Rohtak-Jhajjar -Rewari rail track approved
	HIMACHAL: Truckers call off strike
	J&K: BSF jawan, two militants shot
	CHANDIGARH: No regrets for killing parents: Pawandeep
	LUDHIANA: Reema’s body parts recovered from factory of accused
	DELHI: MCD ordered to remove big commercial ventures from residential areas
	Opinions: Forces of integration
	BUSINESS: Betapharm won by Dr Reddy’s for $480 m
	NATION: Kalam’s address ‘lifeless, directionless’: BJP
	WORLD: Chirac embarks on India visit this week
	SPORTS: India clinch series

Direct flights from Amritsar to London soon
Chandigarh, February 16
Direct flights to London from Amritsar will become a reality soon. The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, today cleared a proposal of Jet Airways to start such flights on a regular basis.

India lodges protest
New Delhi, February 16
Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Munawwar Bhatti was called in to the Ministry of External Affairs today and conveyed India’s strong protest over the killing of an Indian fisherman by Pakistani forces in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast three days ago.

MPLAD scheme under SC scanner
New Delhi, February 16
The MPs Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme over which questions were raised recently after some members were shown taking bribe from the contractors executing projects under it in a sting operation, came in for close scrutiny of the Supreme Court today even as the government admitted certain “flaws” in it needing correction.