PM criticises USA for visa denial
New Delhi, March 19
Taking strong exception to the decision of the USA to deny visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said it was not “appropriate” to use allegations to make a “subjective judgement” to question a constitutional authority of India.

USA assessing India’s request
World page:
Modi visa denial based on NHRC findings: USA
Nation page:
Modi to address NY meeting via satellite
Visa denial a discourtesy, says BJP
Chandigarh page:
Denial of visa to Modi “unfortunate”
In video: (28k, 56k)

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President’s rule in Bihar approved amid walkout by RJD
New Delhi, March 19
The Lok Sabha today approved the presidential proclamation clamping Central rule in Bihar on March 7, amidst a walkout by members of the RJD, a key UPA ally, and senior regional leaders taking the opportunity to woo one another to break the impasse over government formation in the state.

No move to change law on Governor’s role
Nation page: Somnath to meet Speakers today
Perspective: Systemic reforms needed to rejuvenate the judiciary

BJP-ruled states not to implement VAT
New Delhi, March 19
The BJP-ruled states today decided to oppose the introduction of Value Added Tax from April 1 on the plea that “piecemeal” implementation of the tax was “undesirable”.
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Colleges to be disaffiliated from Devi Lal University
Chandigarh, March 19
In a move which will endear it to a vast section of college students in Haryana, the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led government has decided to disaffiliate colleges from Ch. Devi Lal University at Sirsa.

Pakistan test-fires Shaheen II Pakistan’s medium-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile Shaheen II takes off from an undisclosed location in this March 9, 2004 file photo. On March 19, 2005, Pakistan successfully test-fired its long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, which could travel up to 2,000 km (1,250 miles) and carry all kinds of warheads, a military official said. — Reuters

Indian envoy in Nepal briefs Natwar
New Delhi, March 19
There is not much change in the political situation in Nepal and King Gyanendra does not seem to be in a hurry to blink first vis-a-vis the political parties and Maoists. This is the sense which Indian Ambassador in Nepal, Mr Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, is understood to have conveyed to External Affairs Minister this evening.
  Opinions page: Power eludes Maoists in Nepal
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