S P O T L I G H T

Long-distance calls cheaper
New Delhi, January 12
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has okayed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)’s proposed over 62 per cent reduction in long-distance call rates, paving the way for its implementation from midnight tomorrow. According to new tariff, the BSNL had announced that there would be only two time slabs, namely the peak period from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and off-peak period from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Also there would be only three distance slabs, between 50 to 200 km, from 200 to 500 km, and 500 and above. For the first distance slab of 50-200 km, the STD rates had been halved from Rs 4.80 per minute to Rs 2.40 during the peak hours while for the 200-500 km slab, the rates had been slashed to Rs 4.80 a minute from the existing Rs 11.60 per minute, the sources said. UNI

Gujarat quake toll
Ahmedabad, January 12
The official death toll in the January 26 earthquake in Gujarat stands at 13,805, Minister of State for Revenue Haren Pandya today said. “The latest tally of 12,221 deaths have been confirmed in Kutch district alone in addition to 1,584 deaths in other parts of the state, taking the toll to 13,805”, Mr Pandya told reporters here. PTI

Charas seized
Patna, January 12
Contraband charas worth Rs 1 crore in the international market was seized and a person arrested by Customs sleuths in Bihar’s East Champaran district yesterday, Customs Department sources said here today. They intercepted a jeep near Barnawa Ghat and seized 130 kg of the banned drug from a cabinet built under the vehicle. PTI