Sunday, March 24, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

PDS price for APL families cut
Clear power dues, Centre warns states
New Delhi, March 23
The Union Cabinet today announced several measures, including reduction in central issue price for foodgrains meant for Above Poverty Line by Rs 100 per quintal for three months to liquidate the surplus foodstock of around 58 million tonnes. The Cabinet also decided to extend by another six months the tenure of Justice Nanawati Commission of Inquiry probing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Advani’s five terms for talks
Gurgaon, March 23
India today reaffirmed that normalcy could be restored with Pakistan only if Islamabad passed a five-point “litmus test” laid down by New Delhi.
In video (28k, 56k)

Forget force, let’s talk: Musharraf
Refuses to hand over ultras sans proof
Islamabad, March 23
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today again offered to hold talks with India to resolve Kashmir and other outstanding bilateral issues while warning New Delhi not to entertain hopes of settling them through force.
In video (28k, 56k)

Two killed, 20 injured  in blast

Srinagar, March 23 Two pedestrians including a woman, were killed and over 20 injured when militants hurled a grenade in a busy market place at Habbakadal here this afternoon. Police sources said the grenade was targeted at a picket of the security forces. In video (28k, 56k) Arifa Bano, the daughter of grenade explosion victim Abdul Ahad, is consoled by relatives in Srinagar on Saturday.  — Reuters photo

• 4 LeT men held in Hapur 
  In video (28k, 56k)
  

Puri seer for truce outside court
New Delhi, March 23
The Shankaracharya of Puri, Nishchalanand Saraswati, today suggested that political parties, including the BJP and the Congress, should make a joint initiative to pave the path for the construction of an imposing Ram temple at the birthplace of Lord Rama.
In video (28k, 56k)

Air chief: combat planes airworthy
New Delhi, March 23
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, today categorically stated that there was not even one unairworthy combat plane in the Indian Air Force fleet and that his pilots were not flying unairworthy planes.

• Probe Sekhon case: Dhindsa

• Edit page: Sekhon’s exit raises many disturbing questions

BJP move to replace party chief
New Delhi, March 23
The fast-eroding credibility of the party with the electorate has forced the decision makers in the Bharatiya Janata Party to think of ways, including a change in leadership, for a total revamp of the party.

Relief for farmers on anvil: CM Thousands throng martyrs’ memorial Hussainiwala, March 23 The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, has assured people of the border areas that the Union Government will release Rs 176 crore to compensate farmers for crop loss due to the laying of mines and other activities of the Army. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh pays tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev Singh on their Martyrdom Day at Hussainiwala on Saturday. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan