TOP STORIES

Sulking troika dampens BJP poll mood
New Delhi, March 1
After the recent drubbing in the four states, the BJP Delhi unit has suffered another set back with the party’s senior leader and head of the manifesto committee for the civic polls in the Capital, Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, resigning from the post, protesting against the high-handedness of the local leadership.

Bandh evokes a mixed response
New Delhi, March 1
The call for Delhi bandh given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its allied organisations to protest against Wednesday’s massacre of kar sevaks at Godhra in Gujarat evoked a mixed response today.

Delhi Police personnel marching through the Karol Bagh area, following the bandh call given by the VHP in the Capital on Friday. —Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

NITISH CASE
HC wants DNA report in 10 days
New Delhi, March 1
The Delhi High Court today ordered the completion of the DNA test of the charred body recovered from Khurja in 10 days in the Nitish Katara murder case, even if experts had to be mobilised for the purpose.

THE ACHIEVERS
There’s light for them at the end of the tunnel 
For others, the lines are just snatches of a poem, but for Dr Uma Tuli, helping the children of a lesser god is a mission. Fired with a messianic zeal, she set up Amar Jyoti Trust, a non-profit, voluntary organisation in July, 1981 with the aim of helping the differently abled lead a fuller, integrated life.

Giants locked in ‘phoney war’

Panipat, March 1 The mobile phone scene is Haryana will never be the same again. With the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) announcing its decision to start the cellular mobile telecom service (CMTS) by August, the mobile war is all set to hot up. In fact, the government-controlled telecom giant–BSNL– seems to have woken up from the slumber rather late in the day.

Sikh census survey over
New Delhi, March 1
The house-to-house survey of Sikh census has been completed and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management will set up camps in four gurdwaras in Tilak Nagar to enable those whose names could not be included in the headcount process to register themselves.

Lokayukta notice to MLA
New Delhi, March 1
The Lokayukta has issued a notice to Congress MLA, Jaspal Singh, on a complaint filed by an assistant engineer of Delhi Vidyut Board, accusing the legislator of “demanding a bribe” and further of “harassment’’.

CBSE Day 1 without hiccups
New Delhi, March 1
The first day of the CBSE exams passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported. Mr. Ashok Ganguly, Chairman, CBSE, told this correspondent: “The exam was conducted peacefully throughout the country. We have received no negative feedback.

COMMUNITY

Bandh passes off peacefully in region 
Gurgaon, March 1
The bandh called by the VHP and its allied organisations in protest against the carnage at Godhra in Gujarat passed off peacefully in the district as well as in the region. In Gurgaon district, most of the markets remained closed here today. No untoward incident was reported throughout the day.

• Chautala calls for peace,  communal  harmony

Transporters in Gurgaon cry foul
Gurgaon, March 1
The Haryana Government, through its transport authorities, has allegedly given a raw deal to the private bus operators having CNG specification certificate. The affected operators do business on the Gurgaon-Badarpur route. The transporters allege that even false cases are fabricated against them. 

DGP unfazed by soaring crime graph in Panipat
Panipat, March 1
Even as the indications point to an upward swing in the crime graph in Panipat district, the Haryana DGP, Mr M.S. Malik, claimed here that the crime was “well within control”.

SPEAKING OUT
Pensioner penalised for the fault of authorities
I am an old and infirm defence widow of the 1962 war and drawing family pension from DPDO, Rewari, payable at PNB Main Rewari. A sum of Rs 1,45,000 in arrears is lying for the last 4 to 5 months in the DPDO office as my PPO is not to be found in the pension file.

Godhra killings flayed Phones in coma Hostel ambience

EC’s appointment Join Ravi Shankar

NCR BRIEFS
Heated exchanges mar council meet
Sonepat, March 1
Acrimonious exchanges among councillors marked the proceedings of the meeting of the Sonepat Municipal Council held here on Thursday. Mr Ashok Arora, vice-chairman of the council, presided over the meeting.

Board exams MLA  bereaved

Shop looted

DELHI DIGEST
Bhatnagar takes over as grievances panel chief
New Delhi, March 1
Mr P. S. Bhatnagar took over as Chairman, Public Grievances Commission, today in place of Mr S. C. Vaish whose term expired in December last year. Prior to this assignment, Mr Bhatnagar had served in a number of important and senior positions, which included the administrator of NDMC, Secretary of Food Processing Industries in Government of India and Chief Secretary of Government of Delhi.

CRIME

Infant crushed to death by tractor
New Delhi, March 1
Three persons, including an infant, were crushed to death in separate incidents in North-East and North-West districts of the Capital today. In the first incident, two-and-a-half-year-old Sahil was crushed to death by a tractor in the Bawana area of North-West district this afternoon.

Sarpanch charged with embezzlement
Jhajjar, March 1
The sarpanch of Akehari Madampur has been charged with the embezzlement of Rs 29,341, allocated for various purposes to the Gram Panchayat, during his tenure since 2000.

BUSINESS

Industrial units miffed over EDC waiver 
Gurgaon, March 1
The industrial organisations of Udyog Vihar and Sector 18 are peeved about the way the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) is handling the controversial issue of external development charges (EDC).

LPG dealers hoard cylinders after hike in prices
Sonepat, March 1
While the Union Budget evoked a mixed reaction among political parties and residents in the city, LPG dealers closed outlets and denied delivery of cylinders to many consumers here soon after the Budget proposed a hike in LPG prices on Thursday.

CULTURE

Cuban troupe to perform at Dilli Haat
New Delhi, March 1
The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd (DTTDC) in association with the Cultural Department of Cuba is organising a musical extravaganza by a Cuban group, Son Havana, at Dilli Haat on March 3.

SPORTS

Akram plays Super Selector with Moon Moon & Riya

New Delhi, March 1 Pakistan’s charismatic all-rounder Wasim Akram, along with Bollywood beauty Moon Moon Sen and her charming daughter Riya, will play Super Selector, on the show to be aired on Saturday, March 2 at 8 pm on Star Sports and at 11 pm on ESPN. SPORTING ENCOUNTER: Wasim Akram, Moon Moon Sen and Riya Sen.

Formula One to rev up sporting action
New Delhi, March 1
After a four-month hiatus the 2002 FIA Formula One world Championship revs up this weekend in Melbourne, Australia and ESPN STAR Sports is on the starting grid to deliver the most extensive Live coverage of the thrilling F1 action.

Indian women’s cricket team captain Anjum Chopra, being honoured by former Indian captain Kapil Dev in the Capital.

Delhi Police split points with IAF
New Delhi, March 1
Delhi Police held former league champions Indian Air Force (IAF), New Delhi to a goalless draw in a Group A Super League match of the Delhi Soccer Association-SAIL Senior Division Football League Championship at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Friday.

• Orissa to meet Sikkim in NFL opener

Dev Dutt, Sudesh star in athletic meet
Rohtak, March 1
Dev Dutt Malik and Sudesh Rathee were adjudged the best athletes among men and women respectively of the 24th Annual Athletic Meet of Maharshi Dayanand University, which concluded here today.

Rao Raja Hanut Singh Cup Polo
New Delhi, March 1
Off Season will meet Charlotte’s in the final of the Rao Raj Hanut Singh Cup (open with handicap) Polo Tournament at the Army Equestrian Centre Polo ground in the Capital on Saturday.