Tuesday, July 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Parties reject EC order
To pass Bill in Monsoon Session
New Delhi, July 8
In a rare show of unanimity, the country’s political parties today united to prevent efforts to encroach on their legislative competence. They decided to introduce and pass a Bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to replace the recent Election Commission guidelines to check the criminalisation of politics and corruption in public life.

Editorial: Not in the right spirit

Poll panel stands by its directive
New Delhi, July 8
The Election Commission today made it clear that its order requiring candidates to disclose their criminal antecedents in the form of an affidavit along with their nomination papers will remain in force despite an all-party meeting rejecting the move.

Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani and K. Jana Krishnamurthi, Union Minister for Law and Justice, at an all-party meeting on electoral reforms at Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday. — PTI photo

SAD backs EC order, MLAs to declare assets
Chandigarh, July 8
Taking a stand different from all other political parties, the SAD (Badal) today supported the directive given by the Supreme Court for electoral reforms and the steps taken by the Election Commission of India in this connection.

G.C. Saxena to be replaced
Dulat, Pant front-runners for Governor’s post
New Delhi, July 8
A change of Governor in Jammu and Kashmir is on the cards, with Mr A.S. Dulat, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Kashmir, appearing to be a front-runner to replace Mr Girish Chandra Saxena because of his extensive contacts with various Kashmiri groups, including pro-Pakistan ones.

An unidentified supporter of the Congress party hides her face during a pre-election rally in Srinagar on Monday. The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has threatened to sabotage the Assembly elections due to be held later this year. — Reuters

Nitish firm on bifurcation
Ready for debate in Parliament
Patna, July 8
The Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, today categorically ruled out any review or withdrawal of notification concerning the creation of new East-Central railway zone headquartered at Hajipur but said he was ready for a debate in Parliament on the subject.

Hi-tech sensors along LoC soon
New Delhi, July 8
Hi-tech ground sensors and other observation equipment needed to monitor cross-border infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) are to be deployed soon, with a highly acclaimed US military equipment manufacturing firm having already prepared a pilot project.

Way paved for removal of tainted appointees
PPSC recruitment scam
Chandigarh, July 8
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has cleared the file with regard to the removal of the candidates of tainted batches recruited by the PPSC during the tenure of Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu as its Chairman.

• PSSSB ex-member held

SAD submits complaint to CM
Chandigarh, July 8
The SAD which has been feeling demoralised following the registration of corruption cases against certain leaders of the party by the Amarinder Singh Government, has started building up a counter-attack against the Congress Government and its important leaders.