Friday, May 23, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Minister’s PA, IT officer held on graft charges
New Delhi, May 22
A personal assistant (PA) of Minister of State for Finance Gingee N Ramachandran and an Income Tax officer were apprehended today by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of corruption and bribery while allegedly exchanging Rs 4 lakh for facilitating a transfer posting. In a related move, the Centre put on hold transfers of 54 IT officials after the arrests.

12 infiltrators shot
Srinagar, May 22
A day after Pakistan imposed restrictions on the activities of the Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) troops scuttled a major infiltration bid when they killed 12 heavily armed militants in Nowgam sector today.

Nation page: Lashkar ultra killed in encounter

Cut in EPF interest rate recommended
New Delhi, May 22
The sub-committee of Employees Provident Fund Organisation today recommended 0.5 per cent cut in the interest rate on economic consideration. It would have a direct bearing on over 24 million employees.

Cabinet expansion tomorrow
New Delhi, May 22
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will expand the Union cabinet on Saturday, it was learnt tonight.

Jathedars ‘lose their cool’
Authority to issue ‘hukamnamas’
Amritsar, May 22
Confrontation is brewing between Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, and Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh, over issuance of ‘hukamnama’ (edict) declaring Mr Mohinder Singh Romana, president, Takht Patna Sahib Management Committee, “tankhaiya” by the latter.

CET papers distributed from home
Jalandhar, May 22
The functioning of the Punjab Technical University (PTU) has come under a cloud with Chief Coordinator for the Common Entrance Test-2003 Sadhu Singh today distributing question papers for the exam to those in charge of various examination centres from his residence instead of from the university campus here.

Punjab page: Govt gears up for PMET
Take CET even if no admit card

From Pak jail to Haryana lock-up Yamunanagar, May 22 Barely a week after his release from the Quetta jail in Pakistan, Surinder Singh has again landed in lock-up. This time the charges against him are abduction of police officials and snatching away their identity cards and other government documents.