M A I N   N E W S

Ease visa norms, say Afghan Hindus
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 11
Hindus and Sikhs living in Afghanistan have urged the Indian Government to waive all visa restrictions and have requested India to issue entry visa to all Afghan Hindu Sikhs.

In a communication to the Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Mr Tarlochan Singh, the Afghan Hindu Sikh Welfare Society said in the aftermath of Gujarat riots, Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan have been specially targeted and there had been reports of gurdwaras being destroyed in Jalalabad.

18 killed as bus falls into gorge
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 11
At least 18 passengers were killed and 20 others injured when a bus in which they were travelling fell into a gorge on the Samba-Mansar road near Majoor today. While 12 bodies have been kept in Samba police station four are in the mortuary of the local medical college.

The police said the bus was on its way from Samba to Udhampur when it overturned and fell into the gorge. At least 12 passengers died on the spot and four others succumbed to their injuries at the medical college.

According to the police, the bus driver of the ill-fated bus tried to overtake another bus and fell into the gorge. Civilians joined the police rescue team.

Interest rate on EPF may be cut
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 11
A special meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund, tomorrow is expected to recommend half per cent cut in the rate of interest on EPF accumulation of employees for the current year.

The cut in rate of interest from the existing 9.5 per cent to 9 per cent has been pending for long as the Government deferred the decision with Assembly elections in February in mind.

The Board at its last meeting on January 22 recommended as an interim measure to continue 9.5 per cent as rate of interest to EPF subscribers for 2002-2003 which was conveyed to the Central Government. There have been protests from trade unions over the proposed move.