tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Wednesday, November 18, 1998
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11 students die
BALASORE, Nov 17 (UNI) — At least 11 school students were killed and 50 seriously injured when the truck in which they were travelling overturned near Kuchiakoli under the Kharia police station today. The police said the mishap occurred when the students of four schools were going to visit a science exhibition at Khaira Government High School here. All the injured were admitted to Balasore Sadar and Khaira hospitals. The victims belonged to Rampur High School and Godapokhar, Bansdiha and Bagaipur Middle School.
Diesel price
CHENNAI, Nov 17 (UNI) — Diesel price is likely to be cut in tune with the fall in the international price of crude oil, the Union Petroleum Minister, Mr Vazhapadi K. Ramamaurthy, announced today. Addressing a press conference here, he however, gave no details about the quantum of price reduction or the date from which reduction would be effective. He ruled out any reduction in the cost of petrol and other petroleum products. In the case of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is used as a domestic fuel, the subsidy element which is Rs 72 a cylinder now would be progressively reduced and by the year 2002, the subsidy would be only 25 per cent of what it was now, he added..

MPs’ quota
NEW DELHI, Nov 17 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today struck down discretionary quota of ministers and MPs for admission of students in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) terming it violative of the Constitution and being "misused" for furthering political interests. A Division Bench of Justice R.C. Lahoti and Justice C.K. Mahajan in a judgement here said the scheme revived by the government this year after being withdrawn last year, was "ultra vires" and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution as it resulted in creating two artificial classes of students. The court, however, said the order would not apply to the students admitted till August 28, this year as it would "adversely" affect their career.
Ex-Secy fined
NEW DELHI, Nov17 (PTI) — The Supreme Court today fined former Law Secretary V.K. Agarwal of Rs 2,000 for committing contempt of court by influencing and questioning the decision making process of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal at Mumbai while he was occupying the official position. A Division Bench comprising Justice Sujata V. Manohar and Justice G.B. Pattanaik rejected the apology offered by Agarwal and observed "he has tried to influence or question the decision-making process of the tribunal."
Salman case
JODHPUR, Nov 17 (PTI) — A city court hearing the case against stars, accused of killing endangered animals, today fixed December 12 for hearing their applications seeking exemption from personal appearance before the court. The applications were moved by Mumbai-based stars Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabbu and Neelam at the court of Civil Judge Chandrasekhar Sharma. The stars are accused of killing endangered cinkaras and black bucks on October 26 while on location shooting near Jodhpur.
Thackeray’s diktat
PUNE, Nov 17 (PTI) — Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today said if the Indian cricket board had ‘any sense of shame’, it would not invite Pakistan to send its team here early next year. If the board still invited Pakistan, Thackeray asserted his party would not allow that team to play anywhere in India at any cost. Asked whether the Shiv Sainiks would dig up the pitches, Thackeray said "I have many ways and I don’t want to spell them out now". At a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Pune Union of Working Journalists, the Shiv Sena chief said "I am at loss to understand why we should be so polite and diplomatic with Pakistan when they don’t deserve it. If they don’t understand sweet language, then we should speak what they will understand".
Parvathi suspended
HYDERABAD, Nov 17 (PTI) — NTR-TDP President Lakshmi Parvathi was suspended for the day from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for stalling question hour for over three minutes. She was insisting on a discussion on the recent lathi charge on agitating tribals and women in West Godavari district. After Speaker Y. Ramakrishnudu disallowed her adjournment motion on the issue Lakshmi Parvathi started arguing with the Chair demanding a discussion setting aside rest of the day’s agenda. Refusing to heed to the repeated requests of the Speaker and other floor leaders, Lakshmi Parvathi contended that a discussion should take place immediately as women and tribesmen were mercilessly beaten up in Jelugimilli Mandal on November 11.
Sharif’s preference
ISLAMABAD, Nov 17 (PTI) — Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he wants to impose Islamic laws in the country as has been done by Taliban in Afghanistan and attacked the Opposition for blocking his Shariah Bill in the Upper House. Addressing a public rally at tribal areas bordering Afghanistan yesterday, Mr Sharif said that the pure Islamic system imposed by Taliban had made the neighbouring country a crime-free society. "Today in Afghanistan crimes have virtually come to a naught and I want this kind of system in Pakistan," he said. He said imposition of such laws will end "oppression and bring prosperity" in the country.
Detention upheld
CHENNAI, Nov 17 (PTI) — The Madras High Court today upheld the detention of ‘Al-Umma’ founder-President S.A. Basha and five others under the National Security Act (NSA). Dismissing petitions challenging the validity of their detention, a Division Bench, comprising Justice T. Jayarama Chouta and Justice A. Raman, held that the detention orders did not suffer from any infirmity, as contended by their counsel. However, the Bench set aside the detention of Sikkander, Madurai District Secretary of the outfit, on the ground that the Centre had delayed disposing of his representation against his detention by more than five months.
Chinese satellites
BEIJING, Nov 17 (PTI) — China would launch next year six satellites, including one jointly with Pakistan, a top Chinese aerospace official has said. A Ziyuan number one satellite jointly developed by China and Pakistan will be launched next year, Xinhua quoted Vice-President of China Aerospace Corporation (CAC) Wang Liheng as saying.