Saturday, February 25, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Lalu’s please-all Budget
*No hike in freight rate, passenger fare

*Airconditioned rail travel cheaper

*AC “Garib Rath” to run on pilot basis

In video (28k, 56k)

New Delhi, February 24
In the run-up to the Assembly elections in five states, Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presented a please-all Budget for 2006-07 in the Lok Sabha today leaving passenger fares untouched, reducing AC-I and AC-II tier fares by 18 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, bringing no changes in across the board freight rates and simplifying the tariff mechanism for military traffic on a no profit, no loss basis.

Nation page
55 new trains, 35 extensions
Lalu denies giving preference to Bihar
Bhilai rolls out world’s longest rails
Editorial: Lalu on right track

New trains for Punjab, Haryana
New Delhi, February 24
Punjab and Haryana have got an economic bonanza from the Railway Budget presented by Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. He announced the doubling of the 78-km Jalandhar-Jammu Tawi line in Punjab and J&K. It will be in addition to the ongoing work on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana line, under which work on the Chandigarh-Morinda route has been completed, he said.

Ludhiana page: Please-all Railway Budget hailed
Himachal page: Rail Budget cold-shouldered state: CM

9 get life term in Best Bakery case; perjury notice to Zahira
Mumbai, February 24
Nine of the 21 accused in Gujarat's Best Bakery carnage were today convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a city special court, which conducted the retrial on the order of the Supreme Court. In video (28k, 56k)

Editorial: Conviction at last

Bird flu: last human sample tests negative
New Delhi, February 24
The last human sample at the Pune-based National Institute of Virology has tested negative for human avian influenza. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health, Vineet Chawdhry told TNS here late on Friday evening that the result had ended 12 days of nationwide anxiety about the possible outbreak of human avian influenza.

Over 200 migratory birds found dead
Opinions page: 'Bird-brained' in Bikaner

India: The Tasks Ahead
   SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

	PUNJAB: Amarinder’s no to CBI probe into Sukhi case
	HARYANA: Deletion of words: govt gives INLD an issue
	HIMACHAL: Rail Budget cold-shouldered state, says CM
	J&K: Strike hits life in valley
	CHANDIGARH: UT plans 4,100 houses for govt employees
	LUDHIANA: Please-all Railway Budget hailed
	DELHI: Jessica case: Women’s groups seek CBI probe
	Opinions: Lalu on right track
	BUSINESS: Cairn offers India assets to ONGC for $3.8 b
	NATION: 55 new trains, 35 extensions
	WORLD: London Mayor suspended over Nazi jibe
	SPORTS: India beat Pak, at last

RS panel for Sakshi’s expulsion
New Delhi, February 24
The Ethics Committee of the Rajya Sabha today recommended the expulsion of Samajwadi Party MP Sakshi Maharaj for "compromising" the dignity of the House and "inappropriate conduct" in the sanction of funds under the MPLADS.

Judicial probe ordered into Bhagalpur riots
Patna, February 24
The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar today ordered a judicial probe into the 1989 Bhagalpur riots which reportedly claimed over hundred lives and rendered thousands homeless.

PM’s roundtable conference today
Pandits, Gujjars to take part
New Delhi, February 24
The roundtable conference on Jammu and Kashmir called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow will provide the first opportunity to several groups and communities in the three regions of the state to present their views before the highest level in the government.

HC seeks report from Delhi Police Jessica Lall murder case  New Delhi, February 24 As the detailed judgement in model Jessica Lall murder case has highlighted lopsided investigation and shoddy prosecution by the Delhi Police, resulting in the acquittal of all nine accused, including key accused Manu Sharma, the Delhi High Court in an unprecedented suo motu action sought entire details of it from the city Police Commissioner. Delhi page Jessica case: Women’s groups seek CBI probe Opinions page: The murder of Jessica Lall