Sunday, August 27, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Scientists voice fears over nuclear deal
New Delhi, August 26
Seven of the eight retired nuclear scientists, who had voiced their concerns over certain aspects of the Indo-US nuclear deal on August 14, today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and reiterated their fears.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shakes hands with former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman H.N. Sethna as National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan walks past prior to a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. — AFP photo

CAG raps Punjab for Rs 934-cr cess misappropriation
New Delhi, August 26
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has rapped the Punjab Government for misappropriating Rs 934.53 crore collected as rural development cess during 2001-05. The findings of the CAG has come at an inappropriate time for the Congress-led Amarinder Singh government in Punjab as the Assembly elections in the state are due to be held in February next year.

India: The Tasks Ahead
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

Punjab poll before March 17: CEC
Dehra Dun, August 26
The Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab and Manipur will be held before March 17 next year, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswamy said today. Briefing mediapersons after a meeting with Uttaranchal Chief Election Commissioner N. Ravishankar and the District Magistrates here.

Ignoring rules, Punjab virtually gifts land
to RIL
Chandigarh, August 26
In its haste to virtually gift government land worth hundreds of crores to Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited, the Amarinder government threw all norms to the winds. (Details in Punjab page)

PDP leader for dialogue with militants
Srinagar, August 26
Describing Kashmir as an “intricate issue with different dimensions”, senior PDP leader Tariq Hameed Qarrah here today advocated dialogue with militants, excluding foreigners, to find an everlasting and amicable solution to the problem in Jammu and Kashmir.

Clean chit to Amarnath Shrine Board
Jammu, August 26
The Mr Justice K.K. Gupta Commission today gave a clean chit to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, headed by Governor S.K. Sinha, in the controversy surrounding the formation of a man-made Shivlingam at the cave shrine of Amarnath in Kashmir.

Envoy delivers Hague’s response but no apology
New Delhi, August 26
The Netherlands' Government today communicated its response to the detention of 12 Indian Muslims, but there was still no apology. Instead, The Hague justified its action by sticking to its "suspicious behaviour" line of argument and maintained that this kind of behaviour "appeared to require urgent preventive action".
(Details in Nation page)

Hair under fire
Experts predict end of his career
London, August 26
Darrell Hair’s demand for $ 500,000 (approx Rs 2.33 crore) in return for quitting as Test umpire was today seen by experts as potentially the biggest controversy in the 129-year history of international cricket and many saw this as an end to his career. (Details in Sports page)

A Tribune Special Paralysed IMA ex-cadet gets relief after 11 yrs Chandigarh, August 26 Over 11 years after injuries sustained during training at the Indian Military Academy left him completely paralysed the chest downwards, ex-cadet Navin Gulia was awarded benefits due and consequential relief yesterday.