Thursday, April 24, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

PM open to talks on Kashmir issue
New Delhi, April 23
India today came close to recognising ‘Kashmir’ to be the core issue between India and Pakistan as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the talks between the two countries could take place on all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.
In video (28k, 56k)

Pervez welcomes offer
Editorial: Pak precepts & practices

Vohra meets ANC leaders
Shabir Shah chooses to stay away
Srinagar, April 23
The Awami National Conference of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister GM Shah has sought a “realistic approach” to the vexed Kashmir issue.
In video (28k, 56k)

Govt to curb bulk defections
Size of ministries to be restricted
New Delhi, April 23
In major political reforms, the Union Cabinet tonight decided to curb bulk defections through legal splits by amending the anti-defection law and bring in a constitution amendment to restrict the size of ministries at the Centre and in the states by fixing an upper limit of 10 per cent of the House strength.

Truckers call off strike
New Delhi, April 23
The 10-day nationwide truckers’ strike was today called off following negotiations between the All-India Motor Transport Congress and the government.

 TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION 
‘Pay Rs 8.5 lakh and clear PMT’
Kingpin claims proximity to Badal, Dhindsa
Amritsar, April 23
The kingpin in the CBSE PMT entrance test scam has reportedly claimed during his interrogation that he had close links with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.

CM concedes farmers’ demands
Chandigarh, April 23
As Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, today accepted certain demands of the farmers organisations at a meeting with them, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) called off its three-day-old agitation being held at Matka Chowk here.

Amarinder to participate in farmers’ dharna

Suspected SARS case in Bathinda
Bathinda, April 23
Mr Jagdish Rai Sharma, a 47-year-old guard in the Indian Railways, was admitted to the Civil Hospital here today on suspicion of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Health Ministry to chalk out counter-SARS plan
World page: SARS claims 9 more lives in China

Govt’s no to medal for Jaswant
New Delhi, April 23
The government has turned down the Army’s proposal to give a special medal to the Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh, for his contribution during the Kargil war which India fought with Pakistan in 1999.

3 pc DA for Punjab staff
Chandigarh, April 23
Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh today announced 3 per cent additional dearness allowance (DA) from January for government employees, pensioners and employees of the government-aided institutions.

TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION  Criminal-police nexus exposed Gambler provides Tehelka-type tapes Ludhiana, April 23 In a shocking repeat of the Tehelka episode, a criminal-police nexus involving gamblers, murder accused and about 20 policemen of Ludhiana, stands exposed in a video-cassette made secretly by an alleged gambler (darr-satta operator) in the city.