Oped Najma: Rajya Sabha’s most visible face Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee receives a bouquet from a child of Khalidmul Islam Madarsa before the release of Devnagri transcription of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s ‘Tarjumanul Quran’, in New Delhi on Saturday. Najma Heptullah is also seen in the picture. — PTI photo

Liquor to be costlier in Himachal
Cabinet approves ban on lotteries
Shimla, February 28
A marginal increase in excise duty on various brands of liquor, incentives for the export of liquor, relaxation in permit conditions for home-brewed liquor in the tribal areas and reduction in duty on ready-to-drink beverages are the highlights of the new excise policy which will fetch an additional revenue of Rs 35 crore to the state during 2004-05.

Now insurance policy for school kids
Chandigarh, February 28
In yet another attempt to woo voters, the Punjab Government today announced an insurance scheme for school children.

 

Farmers bring rail traffic to a halt Patiala, February 28 Agitating farmers of the Bharti Kisan Union — Ekta (Ugrahan faction) and the Kisan Sangharsh Committee today blocked rail traffic in the city for five hours in protest against the failure of the government to concede their “genuine” demands. Farmers sit on a dharna on the railway tracks in Patiala on Saturday. — Photo by Rajesh Sachar