Expect fuel hike today as oil soars to $135
PM: Oil Cos to get help
New Delhi, May 22
As global crude prices shot to a record 135 dollar a barrel, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government would not let them suffer. "We will not allow oil companies to suffer," he told reporters at the fourth anniversary celebrations of the UPA government at his residence.

Moderate voting in Punjab, HP
Brisk in Haryana, Karnal DC Malik removed
Chandigarh, May 22
Brisk and peaceful polling was reported from all three assembly constituencies of Haryana, while Punjab and Himachal Pradesh reported a moderate turn out of voters during the byelections today, amidst the immediate transfer of Karnal DC B.S. Malik on the orders of the Election Commission of India.

Women, armed with photo-identity cards, line up to vote in Garhi Birbal village of the Indri assembly constituency in Karnal district. — Tribune photo by Ravi Kumar

2,700 more posts for defence forces
New Delhi, May 22
In an apparent move to placate the armed forces in view of the insufficient financial benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission, the Ministry of Defence has now agreed to have about 2,700 additional posts distributed at the top-level across the three services.

Nation page: Nod to 67,000 houses for defence staff
118 medical posts upgraded to select ranks

Rs 330-crore relief for Godhra riot victims
New Delhi, May 22
The UPA government being already into the election mode, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced a relief package of Rs 330 crore for the victims of the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat.

UPA’s 4th Anniversary
Stage set for new alignments
New Delhi, May 22
The UPA government’s fourth anniversary celebrations today became an occasion to set aside old misunderstandings and forge fresh friendships.
(Details on Nation page)

India blames World Bank, IMF for food, fuel crisis
United Nations, May 22
Firmly rejecting the contention that rising consumption in developing nations was responsible for the soaring food and fuel prices, India has blamed the policies of the World Bank and the IMF and "excessive and unsustainable" demand in developed countries for the crisis.

25 years on Kapuri waterfront waits to bloom Kapuri (Ghanaur), May 22 The fight for water rights of Punjab brought this village in national limelight in April 1982 when the Akalis gathered here to launch the Kapuri morcha in protest against giving state’s waters to Haryana. Twenty-five years down the line, farmers of Kapuri and its neighbouring areas still are fighting for water; this time it is for a lift irrigation scheme, which they claim, is only salvation from near penury. Kapuri morcha survivor Joginder Singh (second from left) with other villagers at Kapuri.  — Tribune photo by  Rajesh Sachar