• Edit: Earthquake economics
  

Armed forces continue work NEW DELHI, Jan 30 — Relief and rescue operations by the Indian Armed Forces continued in full swing today in quake-devastated Gujarat even as the death toll continues to mount. Russian rescue workers bring out Ummerben, an elderly woman who survived for over 100 hours in Bhachau, 70 km from Bhuj, on Tuesday. — Reuters photo

Budget will be harsh: PM
LUCKNOW, Jan 30 — Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the coming budget would be harsh and people should be prepared for fresh taxes in the wake of devastating earthquake in Gujarat.

Staffers missing in relief work
They are hurt, dead or aggrieved
BHUJ, Jan 30 — With a large number of its employees dead or devastated and relief piling up, the Gujarat Government is faced with a piquant situation.

Arora new Chief Secy of Punjab
CHANDIGARH, Jan 30 — Mr Naresh Kumar Arora, an IAS officer of the 1965 batch, will take over as the new Chief Secretary of Punjab here tomorrow. (Punjab page)

Brigadier among 5 killed in copter crash
JAMMU, Jan 30 — Five Armymen, including a Brigadier, were killed in a helicopter crash at the Sanjichhat helipad near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine today.

With cracks in houses they brave chill in open
BATHINDA, Jan 30 — As many as 35 families of Mohalla Norhian and Gali Gangaramwali of ward number 24 of this town have been living under constant danger to their lives since wide cracks appeared in the roofs and walls of their dwellings about 25 days ago.

Quake to cast shadow on Surajkund Mela FARIDABAD, Jan 30 — The earthquake tragedy in Gujarat is likely to cast its shadow on the proposed Surajkund Crafts Mela to be held here from February 1. Although the authorities have got prepared and sent invitations to the VIPs and other guests, the mela which otherwise has been a big draw for tourists and visitors from India and abroad is threatened with lukewarm response.