Govt rules out JPC probe
Volcker panel findings
New Delhi, December 9
The demand by the Opposition for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Volcker findings on food-for-oil scam was rejected by the government in both the Houses of Parliament today saying Justice R.S. Pathak Inquiry Authority had already started its work and its scope was “very wide”.
In video (28k, 56k)
Natwar Singh in Patiala
Punjab page: SAD for probe against Chief Minister

PM keeps hopes of EPF interest hike alive
Left warns of “imminent confrontation”
New Delhi, December 9
Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today did not announce the hike in EPF interest rate from 8.5 per cent, he kept the hopes of four crore subscribers alive by promising to discuss the issue with the Labour Minister and officials concerned to consider the demand.

J&K page: Sonia visits quake-hit villages
	Special article: Killer earthquake UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi consoles earthquake victims at Sultan Dhaki in Uri tehsil of North Kashmir on Friday. —  Tribune photo by Amin War

Anjali loses sexual harassment case also
Bangalore, December 9
In a double blow a day after she was ordered dismissed from service, an Indian Air Force Court of Inquiry today ruled that Flying Officer Anjali Gupta had failed to prove her complaint of sexual harassment against three fellow officers.

Power cuts in Punjab, Haryana
Chandigarh, December 9
Power supply in the northern region has been adversely affected with the Northern Grid facing a shortage of 5000 Mega Watt. As a result, Haryana has announced scheduled power cuts and a compulsory weekly off on industry, while Punjab is also resorting to scheduled power cuts.

India: The Tasks Ahead
   SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

	PUNJAB: Volcker report: SAD for probe against Chief Minister
	HARYANA: State to change pension policy
	HIMACHAL: BSNL, IPH give harrowing time to residents
	DELHI: Two SIs, 7 cops suspended for criminal’s escape
	J&K: Sonia visits quake-hit villages
	CHANDIGARH: Ali regales legal luminaries from India, Pak
	LUDHIANA: Man held on rape, blackmail charges
	OPINIONS: New quota Bill
	BUSINESS: Aiyar for Rs 50 hike in LPG price
	NATION: Pesticides in soft drinks: NGO raps govt for inaction
	WORLD: Iran President’s remarks “shock” Annan
	SPORTS: Virender Sehwag likely to miss Test

SC open to easing norms for appointing High Court judges
New Delhi, December 9
The Supreme Court today said it was open to any suggestion for streamlining the guidelines for appointing High Court judges and even relaxing the age limit of 45 years for making the appointment of a practising lawyer to ensure that no post of judge remained vacant.

PM faces tough diplomatic task at East Asia Summit
New Delhi, December 9
When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh travels to Malaysia on December 11 to be with leaders from 16 countries to attend the high-sounding First East Asia Summit, he will be hoping to build a free trade area extending from Mumbai to New Zealand’s Christchurch, and finally expand the area, which covers 3 billion people — the worlds’ largest of its kind.

HC nod to RIL demerger
Mumbai, December 9
The Bombay High Court today approved the demerger of Reliance Industries Ltd. whereby the empire would be carved into separate groups under the control of Mukesh and Anil Ambani.

Jayaprada paid Rs 40 lakh for dance recital Lucknow, December 9 The reported favouritism shown to Samajwadi Member of Parliament Jayaprada during the Lucknow Mahotsav by paying her more than 13 times than renowned Hindustani vocalist Pandit Jasraj threatens to snowball into a political controversy.