EC announces poll in 5 states
New Delhi, October 14
The Election Commission today announced the assembly poll schedule for five states — Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh — but remained undecided on Jammu and Kashmir that is currently under President’s rule.
Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

Sonia takes on Maya, visits Rae Bareli
Says ready to go to jail
Symbolically defying Mayawati’s attempts to put a stop to her scheduled visit to her constituency, Congress president Sonia Gandhi kept her appointment with Rae Bareli and declared that she was ready to go to jail for the sake of development.

Now, MP denies permission for Sonia rally
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi addresses the media at Lalganj railway station in Rae Bareli on Tuesday. — PTI

Fill vacant OBC seats by general
category: SC
New Delhi, October 14
The Supreme Court today directed the government to fill by October 31 vacant OBC seats in IITs, IIMs and other centrally-run higher educational institutions with eligible students from the general category. The five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, also observed that the government was trying to benefit the “cream out of the creamy layer” by raising the income ceiling to Rs 4.5 lakh a year for OBC families for availing of the 27 per cent quota for OBC students.

City Centre Scam
SC sets aside Lahoti’s appointment as arbitrator
New Delhi, October 14
In a case that has the potential of changing political equations in Punjab, the Supreme Court today set aside the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice’s order appointing Justice R.C. Lahoti as the sole arbitrator to resolve the dispute between the Ludhiana Improvement Trust and Today Homes and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.

25 die in Uttarakhand road mishaps
Dehra Dun, October 14
Twentyfive persons were killed and 24 injured in two separate road accidents in Uttarakhand today. While 20 persons lost their lives after a bus fell into a gorge in Tehri district, five others were killed when a jeep met with an accident near Kolhu Khet on the Mussorrie-Dehra Dun highway.

Accused throws acid on rape victim
Moga, October 14
A Dalit of nearby Ghal Kalan village, who had allegedly become a victim of rape and police high-handedness early this year, was allegedly attacked with acid by one of the accused and his associates last night. She was admitted to the district hospital with burns on her abdomin and legs. However, her condition was stated to be out of danger.

Admn ignores rights panel guidelines

7 hurt in Kanpur blast
Lucknow, October 14
Seven persons, including four children, were injured when a crude bomb exploded in the Sisamau area of Colonelganj in Kanpur this evening. SSP, Kanpur, Hari Ram ruled out the explosion being a terrorist attack. The country-made bomb, wrapped in a polythene bag and kept on a bicycle, went off around 6.45 pm, he said.

A Tribune Special Mera Gaon Mera Gurgaon IV Haryana’s ‘leading light’ in the dark Gurgaon, October 14 Haryana’s “leading light” is fluctuating, tripping and blacking out more frequently than the public and the industry would relish. Virtually back to the dark ages, it is a pity that residents in this “powerful” pocket are starved of power and the crisis is only worsening with every passing day. If nothing else, the state’s Power Utilities have proved a great leveller.