Punjab annuls all water pacts
Cong, Akalis join hands on issue
Chandigarh, July 12
A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today unanimously passed the Punjab Termination of Agreements Bill, 2004, thereby “knocking down” the very basis on which the Supreme Court had passed its order on construction of SYL — Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal on June 4, last.

The Punjab Governor, Justice O. P. Verma (retd), greets SAD President Parkash Singh Badal who accompanied Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to Raj Bhavan to submit a Bill for his assent passed by the Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Monday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

It will lead to constitutional crisis, warns Chautala
Chandigarh, July 12
Haryana leaders have reacted sharply to the Punjab Termination of Agreements Bill, 2004, passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha at its special session here today.

Haryana page: SYL must as parallel water carrier

Darbari Lal is Deputy Speaker
Chandigarh, July 12
Professor Darbari Lal was today unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He steps in the place of Mr Bir Devinder Singh, whose resignation was earlier accepted by the Speaker, Dr Kewal Krishan.

A view of 74th Street in Jackson Heights, which has been formally named “Kalpana Chawla Way”. — PTI photo

SP won’t contest RS post
Mulayam seeks package for Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi, July 12
While Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, seeking a special package for the state, he gave clear indications that the Samajwadi Party was not in the race for the post of the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
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Central team to visit flood-hit areas
New Delhi, July 12
Army has been pressed into service to evacuate people in the flood-affected regions of Bihar and Assam and to undertake relief measures on war footing.

Landslides block J&K highway
Nation page: Rs 212- cr relief for Assam, Bihar

Patil, Vohra discuss Kashmir
New Delhi, July 12
Amid reports that the third round of talks between the Centre and the Hurriyat might get delayed, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today held a crucial meeting with Centre’s interlocutor on Kashmir N N Vohra and discussed on the latest situation in the Valley.

Major tax reforms in next Budget FM ready to relook at transaction tax rate New Delhi, July 12 Amidst mounting pressure from the stock-broking community, Finance Minister P.Chidambaram today promised to have a ‘‘relook’’ at the transaction tax rate of 0.15 per cent. Chidambaram to meet Left leaders Reverse proposal on FDI limit: Left Editorial: Dissident voices Business page: 8 pc growth difficult, says Chidambaram