M A I N   N E W S

Centre begins talks on Balco

New Delhi, April 15
In a bid to break the deadlock between Balco’s striking workers and the new management, Sterlite Industries, over its privatisation, the Centre today began talks with representatives of the Chhattisgarh Government and unions which remained firm on their demands.

While seven unions kept pressing for reversal of the Centre’s decision and demanded 10 per cent equity for workers, the Union Minister for Mines, Mr Sunderlal Patwa, told reporters after the two-hour-long tripartite talks: “We have started to understand each other’s position and will continue discussion tomorrow.”

Chhattisgarh Industry Minister Mahendra Karma avoided all contentious issues including the allegations of kickbacks in the Balco deal involving top officials in the Prime Minister’s Office. PTI

Ultimatum on Ram temple

New Delhi, April 15
Mounting pressure on the Ram temple issue the Sangh Parivar, in one voice, today served an ultimatum on the BJP-led government to clear all obstacles in its path by March 12 next year and asked Bajrang Dal activists to give a “befitting reply” in the shrines opponents.

In a show of strength on the eve of the resumed Budget session over 11,000 dal volunteers, who were presented with tridents (Trishul) at a ‘Dharma Raksha Sammelan’ (protect religion conference) here also took a pledge to liberate the disputed structures at Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura.

Reiterating the ultimatum given by the ‘Dharma Sansad’ during the Mahakumbh. RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan asked the government to remove all obstacles in the path of the temple’s construction at the disputed site by March 12. PTI