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BJP drama to divert attention, says PM
On Board PM’S official Aircraft, December 7
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today set the proverbial cat among the pigeons when he described the ongoing disruption of Parliament by the BJP as a drama and an attempt to deflect attention from its internal problems.

Opposition targets Sonia, walks out from
both Houses

Natwar hands over resignation to PM

Says he is willing to die but will someone tell him his crime

New Delhi, December 7 Having been pushed to the wall to quit the UPA government after being removed as a member of the high power Congress Steering Committee late at night on Monday, Union Minister without Portfolio K Natwar Singh called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh within hours of his return from Moscow here this evening and handed over his resignation. Mr Natwar Singh stands outside the Prime Minister residence after handing over his resignation in New Delhi on Wednesday. — AFP photo

Editorial: Good riddance

India: The Tasks Ahead
   SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

12 charred to death  in Delhi New Delhi, December 7

At least 12 persons, including four women, were killed and four others seriously injured in a fire which ravaged a four- storeyed garments factory in the congested Vishwas Nagar area of East Delhi, today.
Firemen go through burnt debris following a fire at a clothing factory, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. — AFP photo

EPF interest rate cut to 8.5 pc
New Delhi, December 7
Despite vehement protests by trade unions and the Left parties, the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation today decided to reduce the interest rate by a percentage point to 8.5 per cent for the fiscal 2005-06.

Patiala to have defence varsity, says CM
Patiala, December 7
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said that a defence university would be soon set up here as the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy had agreed in principle to establish the same.

No witch-hunting by my govt: Nitish
New Delhi, December 7
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that his government was not indulging in witch-hunting as the development work and establishing law and order in the state was his priority.

Akash missile  test-fired
Balasore, December 7
For the second time in five days, India’s surface-to-air missile Akash was today test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, 15 km from here. The missile, which was test flown on December 3 last from the ITR, was fired from a mobile launcher at 1.40 pm.

Navy pilot Pannu cremated Amritsar, December 7 The body of Indian Navy pilot Lieut-Comdt H.S. Pannu, who died in a jet crash on Monday in Goa, was today cremated with full Naval and state honours at his native place here. Grief-stricken mother and widow of H.P.S. Pannu in Amritsar on Wednesday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma