For the first time since ’89
MP evicted from RS
New Delhi, April 24
Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, on Thursday, were completely stalled with the Opposition, including the Samajwadi Party, objecting to the removal of AIADMK leader V. Maitreyan from the Rajya Sabha after he sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s response to charges against shipping and transport minister T.R. Baalu for favouring his sons’ firms.

Nation page: Relieve me, says Speaker

Punjab names its tainted
Chandigarh, April 24
The Punjab government today put its elite cadre in the dock. In the first series of lists submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court today reveals court cases, vigilance enquiries and departmental proceedings are pending against 18 IAS officers. Another eight have criminal cases pending against them.

Comments on Iran
No finger-pointing at India, says US
Stung by criticism from India over a state department spokesman’s comments on Iran, a Bush administration official on Wednesday clarified that the spokesman was not “pointing the finger at India.”

World page: N-deal bound by 123 agreement: Boucher

Family meets Sarabjit in jail
Lahore/Islamabad, April 24
The wife, daughters and sister of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian prisoner on the death row in Pakistan, met him in the city’s Kot Lakhpat Jail today and called for his release. Meanwhile, family members of the victims killed in bombings allegedly engineered by Sarabjit demanded that he be hanged.

Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit, and his daughters being escorted to Lahore jail on Thursday. — AFP photo

Health Meter
Ludhiana cops take a beating
Ludhiana, April 24
Keeping vigil day and night has taken a heavy toll on the health of Ludhiana policemen with over 70 per cent of them performing duty despite bad health. Their medical examination at a camp last week proved that the crime busters were suffering health wise and needed immediate medicare.

Editorial: Rape and worse

Canada starts 3-yr work permit
New Delhi, April 24
In a move to attract more foreign students, Canada has allowed foreign students to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer.

Sabotage of Arjun tank trial? New Delhi, April 24 The government today spoke of the “possibility of sabotage” in winter trials of the country’s indigenous Arjun Tank prompting Army chief, Gen Deepak Kapoor, and other top officials to rush to the Avadi tank factory to carry out fresh inspections.