PMO defends Odisha coal block allocation, says it was ‘on merit’
New Delhi, October 19
Under attack from the Opposition on allocation of a coal block in Odisha, the Prime Minister's office today categorically rejected any criminality asserting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took the decision on "merits". The PMO emphasised Dr Singh was the "competent authority" to have cleared the proposal moved by the Coal Ministry in 2005.

India home to highest number of ‘slaves’
New Delhi, October 19
Days after a terribly brutalised child domestic worker was rescued from her employer’s house in an upscale Delhi locality, the first global documentation of slavery has revealed that India houses the maximum number of “modern-day slaves” in the world.

Punjab parties battle for Dalit votes via temple politics
Chandigarh, October 19
A big political fight has begun between the ruling SAD-BJP and the Congress to corner the community-based vote banks, especially the largest Dalit chunk, in Punjab. It would appear that the function organized by the SAD at Amritsar yesterday to lay the foundation stone of Valmiki Temple was aimed exactly at that. Addharmis and Valmikis are two powerful sub-groups among Dalits.

Pak shells 26 Indian posts, two more BSF men wounded
JAMMU/PARGWAL, October 19
In the biggest ceasefire violation along the 191.5-km International Border in a decade, Pak Rangers rained mortars and heavy machinegun fire on at least 26 Indian posts and some villages in Jammu and Samba districts. Two BSF personnel were injured on Friday and a Pakistani intruder was killed in retaliatory firing.
A policeman shows tailfins of 82mm mortars fired by Pakistan Rangers in Rangpur village of the Pargwal sector. Tribune photo

Dhoni’s ton goes in vain

Skipper MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 139 went in vain as Aussies took 2-1 lead in the seven-match ODI series. Adam Voges’ unbeaten 76 off 88 balls and his 91-run partnership with James Faulkner scripted a thrilling 4-wicket win on Saturday night at Mohali. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Relief for HP pvt varsities as HC quashes regulatory Act
Experts say court verdict to have far-reaching consequences for quality education in the state
Shimla, October 19
The Himachal Pradesh High Court today quashed the State Private Educational Institutions (Regulatory) Act, 2010. The verdict will have far-reaching consequences for the higher education sector, which is already in a mess in the state in the absence of effective regulation.