Wednesday, February 27, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Second class passengers to pay more
   Rajdhani, Shatabdi travel spared
   Freight charges rationalised
   16 Jana Shatabdi Express trains  introduced
New Delhi, February 26
The Railways will charge the common man more for train travel from April 1 and hike the freight cost of several commodities, including grains and pulses, to mobilise additional revenue of Rs 1360 crore during the next fiscal year.
In video (28k, 56k)
Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar arrives to present the Rail Budget for 2002-03 at Parliament House in New Delhi on Tuesday.— PTI photo

Railway Budget in graphics

Anti-people & insipid: Oppn
New Delhi, February 26
Reacting on expected lines, the Opposition today termed the Railway Budget as “illusionary” and “insipid” saying it was “anti-people”. Revealing their party’s stand on the proposals in the Railway Budget for 2002-03, they said it would not benefit the farmers and the common man.
In video (28k, 56k)

Strong dosage of economic reforms must
Economic Survey warns of high fiscal deficit
New Delhi, February 26
A strong dose of reforms touching upon every aspect of economic life appears to be in the offing with the BJP-led NDA government listing such measures as priorities in the Economic Survey for 2001-2002.

     Nation page: Poverty down to low of 26 per cent

Economic Survey in graphics

Govt: ’92 won’t be repeated
Not convinced, says Opposition
New Delhi, February 26
In a firm response to the VHP’s threat to begin construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya after March 15, the government today assured that it would not allow a repeat of 1992 and would maintain the status quo at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

• Even riots can’t stop us, says VHP

Picked by Sonia, Amarinder to be sworn in CM today

Chandigarh, February 26 The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Capt Amarinder Singh, will be sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of Punjab at Raj Bhavan here tomorrow as the AICC President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, picked him to head the government. In video (28k, 56k)

Capt Amarinder Singh shakes hands with his supporters after being elected Punjab CLP leader in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

• Previous Chief Ministers of Punjab

CIA chief rushing to Pak on Osama hunt
New Delhi, February 26
Mr George Tenet, chief of the Central Intelligence Agency of the USA, is rushing to Islamabad tomorrow for a two-day visit following reports that Osama bin Laden is alive and enjoying the hospitality of tribesmen on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

New approach to Indo-Afghan relations
MR Hamid Karzai, Prime Minister of the interim government in Afghanistan, has concluded his delegation’s five-day visit to Teheran and is now in New Delhi. He is heading a strong delegation of 24 members, including 11 ministers.
In video (28k, 56k)

‘Let's bring harmony to animals' lives’ Edit page Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Pundit Ravi Shankar, laughs on a soft touch from a goat in New Delhi on Monday.  — Reuters  photo