Raise import duties: Sonia
Blasts Centre for being anti-farmer
New Delhi, February 25
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said the Centre should raise import duties on agricultural products in the forthcoming Budget so that farmers of the country get remunerative prices for their crops. Addressing a big kisan rally here today, Mrs Gandhi said import duties on agricultural goods were not adequate and this was directly hitting the farmers.

Edit: Bad news for Congress

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit draws Sonia Gandhi’s attention to a section of a crowd during a farmers’ rally in Delhi on Sunday. — AFP photo

Railway Budget today
New Delhi, February 25
The Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, is expected to announce the introduction of several new trains and extension of some others during the 2001-2002 Railway Budget which is being presented in Parliament tomorrow.

Snow, rain break dry spell in HP
Shimla, February 25
Farmers heaved a sigh of relief as snow, rain and hail lashed the state today. While the city had sleet and rain in the afternoon, Solan, Mandi, Manali, Kulu and Palampur were lashed by brisk showers. The higher reaches of tribal areas had intermittent snow.

L. Nk kills Inspector, dies in encounter
Ferozepore, February 25
In a shocking incident, a Border Security Force Inspector was shot dead by his subordinate in Mamdot, near here, this morning. 

New ray of hope for Hurriyat
New Delhi, February 25
Fresh indication by the government on the issue of giving passports to All-Party Hurriyat Conference leaders has given a new impetus to the moves aimed at carrying forward the process started by the unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.