Flattened in region
Freak hailstorm hits harvesting
Chandigarh, April 5
It is a bad beginning of the harvesting season for rabi crops, especially wheat — the most vital crop vis-a-vis the food security of the country. Raging winds, accompanied by moderate-to-heavy rain in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan have played havoc on crops.

This picture, taken in Amritsar district, speaks of Saturday’s havoc after the skies opened up. — Photo by Vishal Kumar

Sex Ratio in Haryana
Suddenly, a slump in ‘good’ dists
Kaithal/Fatehabad, April 5
In a development that has sent alarm bells ringing in Haryana, the sex ratio in a number of “performing” districts of the state has begun to slip. The fact that the girl child is in danger is undisputed, but this reversal of trend in seven districts, which had thrown up encouraging results in building up on their girl child population in the past three years, has come as a bolt from the blue.

Punjab pulse: Prices zoom
Patiala/Fatehgarh Sahib/Ludhiana, April 5
The development rhetoric of the UPA regime has hit a roadblock with the surging prices of essential commodities. This has also derailed the household budget of the common man.

Sena attacks Bachchan, praises Rajni’s stand
Mumbai, April 5
After Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s Raj Thackeray kicked up a storm questioning the loyalty of movie star Amitabh Bachchan to Mumbai and Maharashtra, it is the turn of his uncle’s party to hit out at the superstar.

Don’t you think I have done enough for 
M’rashtra: Big B

TN puts Hogenakkal on hold
Chennai, April 5
Tamil Nadu today put on hold the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project, ending a week- long standoff between the state and neighbouring Karnataka over the issue which had sparked violence in both the states.

Jaya opposes Karuna’s move

Man with toy gun held at Sonia’s rally
Karaikudi (TN), April 5
A man with a toy gun was detained at the entrance of the venue of a farmers rally here where Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressed a rally. Sivashanmughavel was found carrying a “pistol” when he was frisked near the metal detector frame installed at the entrance, they said adding initially there was some confusion about the nature of the gun.

India plans tourist visa on arrival
Singapore, April 5
With the aim of increasing tourist arrivals, India plans to introduce visa on arrival facility for foreigners, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said here today. The proposal, if endorsed by the home ministry, can be implemented with regard to certain select countries on pilot basis, she told reporters after inaugurating an “Incredible India” cultural extravaganza.

CAG bares toll tax racket Chandigarh, April 5 It is not only about burdening the common man by imposing toll tax, but it is also wrong utilisation of central government funds. The annual performance audit of the Punjab’s Public Works Department by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has brought out shocking facts about the way the state government unnecessarily went ahead to levy toll tax to recover cost of the projects given to private contractors on built operate and transfer (BOT) scheme whereas it had been given Rs 103 crore by the ministry of road transport and highways.