Cong candidate Bihar Speaker
Left to vote against Nitish
PATNA, March 9 —The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government tonight appeared to be on its way out, facing heavy odds in the crucial confidence vote in the Bihar Assembly tomorrow as the 11-member Left combine of the CPI and the CPI-ML decided to vote against the government motion, after the ruling combine conceded defeat in the Speaker’s election.

Congress nominee Sadanand Singh who was elected
Speaker of Bihar Assembly. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar is seen in the background. — PTI photo

Troops destroy 8 Pak bunkers
JAMMU, March 9 — Indian troops have destroyed eight Pakistani bunkers in retaliatory firing opposite the Poonch sector, defence sources said here today.

RSS executive for change in leadership
NAGPUR, March 9 — The day-long national executive of RSS here today is understood to have favoured a change of its leadership with organisation chief Rajendra Singh alias Rajju Bhaiyya and General Secretary H V Seshadri making way for new leaders.

Fresh HP taxes to net Rs 24 cr
Panchayati Raj bodies to get more powers
SHIMLA, March 9 — The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, has proposed fresh taxes to net a revenue of Rs 24 crore in the Rs 1167 crore deficit budget for the financial year 2000-2001 which he presented in the Vidhan Sabha today.

Walkout in Punjab House
CHANDIGARH, March 9 — The proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha were today disturbed by a sit-in the well of the house, slogan shouting and a walkout by the entire Opposition. They were joined by the 12-member splinter group of the SAD legislature party.