Tuesday, July 23, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Gujarat issue rocks LS, RS
New Delhi, July 22
Gujarat was back in focus in Parliament today as an agitated and determined Opposition paralysed proceedings in both the Houses over the dissolution of the Gujarat Assembly, demanding the dismissal of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and imposition of President’s rule in the state.

    Time not ripe for poll in Gujarat, Cong tells EC
In video (28k, 56k)

    BJP’s no to Central rule in Gujarat
    Nation page: EC holds informal talks on Gujarat poll
    Editorial: A case of double standards

Bad weather halts yatris
IED explosion in CRPF camp in Srinagar
Jammu, July 22
Hundreds of pilgrims were stranded here today as the authorities suspended the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine in the Kashmir valley because of bad weather. It is estimated that more than 10,000 pilgrims were stranded here by the evening. Their number was further swelling as bus loads of people were reaching here from various parts of the country for the annual pilgrimage.

Blast on yatra route Members of a bomb disposal squad examine a damaged car after an IED explosion in a CRPF camp in Srinagar on Monday.  — Reuters photo

Cabinet to decide railway issue
New Delhi, July 22
Despite the BJP-led NDA taking exception to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee issuing yet another ultimatum in Kolkata yesterday to review the bifurcation of Eastern Railway, the Prime Minister’s Office said here today that the issue would be “considered” and an “appropriate decision taken” at the next meeting of the Union Cabinet.

    Mamata defers Bengal bandh

 ‘Transfer PPSC scam to CBI’
Chandigarh, July 22
Acting on a petition filed by an advocate seeking the transfer of the Punjab Public Service Commission recruitment scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation, Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion to the state of Punjab, the Home Secretary, the Director General of Police and two other respondents for August 5.

    Punjab page: Sidhu’s plea on loose cheques rejected
    Decision on Dheera statement today
    Chandigarh page: CJ’s order on work withdrawal contested

3 CMs to meet on July 25
SYL canal, control of headworks on agenda
Chandigarh, July 22
A meeting of the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has been called by the Union Government on July 25 in Delhi to discuss various issues pertaining to river waters, according to informed sources.

PSEB to cut salaries of employees
Patiala, July 22
In an unprecedented move, the cash-starved PSEB today decided to deduct 25 per cent of the carry home salary of Class I and Class III employees and 10 per cent of the salary of Class IV employees for July and August.

USA, UK revise travel advisories
New Delhi, July 22
The USA today revised its travel advisory for its citizens regarding India and allowed US Government officials to “travel freely on official business”, but asked them to avoid travel to all border areas between India and Pakistan, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Crops perish in south Haryana Faridabad, July 22 Drought looms large in all districts of south Haryana due to the continuous dry spell and failure of monsoon so far. Farmers whose fields are parched are having sleepless nights as they see no chance of revival of the crops already damaged due to lack of water, even if there some respite from the heat comes in the next few days.