No JPC probe into Balco deal
Oppn stages walkout in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, February 27
Braving a strong week-long offensive by the Opposition, the government came out with a clearer and morale boosting reiteration of its disinvestment policy, defending the Balco deal in the Rajya Sabha. It also stuck to its guns in the outright rejection of a demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Balco deal.

• TDP too flays govt

• Edit page: Factsheet: The story of Balco disinvestment

• Nation page: BJP backs govt on Balco issue

Former PMs join issue Vow to fight economic policies New Delhi, February 27 In a virtual re-emergence of the third front, three former Prime Ministers and leaders of the Left parties today took part in a rally here and pledged to unitedly fight against the economic policies adopted by the Vajpayee-led NDA government at the Centre.

Former Prime Minister V. P. Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Shabana Azmi at a rally organised by the Jan Chetna Manch in New Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI photo

Budget may spare common man
New Delhi, February 27
It is unlikely that the Budget 2001 to be presented by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha tomorrow will be harsh on the common man.

Top Hizb ultra gives up
Srinagar, February 27
Jahangir Khan, a top militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen having a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, surrendered before the Border Security Force at Baramula today. He handed over a pistol, a wireless set, 15 rounds, other ammunition and more than Rs 50,000 cash to the security forces.

Pak has not responded to peace offer: Advani
New Delhi, February 27
Pakistan has got isolated in the international community of nations by not adequately responding to India’s peace initiative in militancy-ridden Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister L. K. Advani informed the Lok Sabha today.

P. L. Handoo is dead
New Delhi, February 27
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs P.L. Handoo died here this morning following prolonged illness. He was 74. He is survived by wife, three daughters and two sons.

• J&K page: J-K Houses mourn Handoo’s death

Jatha to visit Pakistan
Amritsar, February 27
The SGPC executive today decided to send a jatha of pilgrims to Pakistan to mark Baisakhi. It will be after two years that the SGPC will send a jatha to Pakistan.

SC fines Punjab Chief Secy
New Delhi, February 27
In a rare instance, the Supreme Court today made the Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr N.K. Arora, who as Principal Secretary to the Local Government Department had deprived a president of a municipality from assuming charge, to pay Rs 25,000 to the elected representative.

Govt-ashram showdown imminent
Removal of encroachments
Faridabad, February 27
A showdown appears imminent between the Siddhata Ashram temple complex here and the state government on the issue of the removal of encroachments from the ashram on January 8. 

Oppn insulting Gujarat: PM
New Delhi, February 27
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today blasted the Opposition in Lok Sabha charging it with “insulting Gujarat by politicising” the situation arising out of the earthquake there and warned “we will put you in the dock.”

High Priests violate maryada Meeting held without Giani Puran Singh Amritsar, February 27 Even as Giani Puran Singh, Head Granthi of the Golden Temple categorically refused to attend the meeting, the five High Priests today held a meeting at Akal Takht in gross violation of the maryada.