Sunday, August 4, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

BJP projects Advani as next PM

New Delhi, August 3 The meeting of the National Council of the BJP held here today carried the stamp of Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani who gave a clear signal of the party’s commitment to the NDA allies. In video (28k, 56k)

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani at the BJP National Council meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.  — PTI photo

• BJP to ‘fulfil regional aspirations’

• Nation page: Political groups stalling development: PM

No troop withdrawal: George
Srinagar, August 3 Defence Minister George Fernandes said here today that infiltration of militants from across the border into Jammu and Kashmir had not stopped. “There are still ups and downs in infiltration”, he said in reply to questions from mediapersons.	Defence Minister George Fernandes at a lunch with jawans at an Army base in Shariefabad, 15 km north of Srinagar, on Saturday. — Photo Amin War

Haryana IG on the run
Sharma plotted to kill Shivani
Chandigarh, August 3
A team of the Delhi police today looked for Haryana’s Inspector General of Police (Prisons), Mr Ravi Kant Sharma, at his residence at Panchkula in connection with the Shivani murder case but left after it failed to trace him.

Mafia paid supari to kill me: Maya
Lucknow, August 3
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, today disclosed that some political parties, in collusion with mafia gangs, had hatched a conspiracy to eliminate her. She has sent letters to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, asking them to increase her security, though she already enjoys Z-plus security.

FM hints at more tax exemptions
New Delhi, August 3
Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh today hinted at more tax reforms and exemptions, stating that the objective of the government was to make the tax system people-friendly but at the same time ensuring high rate of growth of the economy.

Himachal declared drought-hit
Shimla, August 3
The Himachal Government today declared all 12 districts of the state as drought-affected and released Rs 25 crore from the calamity relief fund to carry out immediate relief measures. Dr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, said the decision was taken on the basis of the deficiency in rainfall since June 1 to date and the damage caused to the kharif crops by the protracted dry spell.

Jacob’s visit disappoints farmers Giana (Bathinda), August 3 The hard-pressed farmers of Talwandi Sabo subdivision of the district and some pockets of the neighbouring Mansa district returned disappointed as the visit of the Governor, Punjab, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob to drought-affected areas today failed to bring them any relief. Mr Naib Singh ploughs his dried paddy crop as Punjab Governor J.F.R Jacob looks on at Giana village on Saturday.  — Photo Kulbir Beera       Relief for Punjab farmers