N-Deal PM offers to face House n Let us complete formalities with IAEA, NSG n Left unconvinced, says will pull out New Delhi, June 30 Breaking his silence over the stand-off with the Left parties on the nuke deal, the Prime Minister said today that all he wanted was the authority to complete the next stages of negotiations at the IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) after which he would face Parliament before the deal was finally operationalised.
	I agree to come to Parliament before I proceed to operationalise the deal. What can be more reasonable than this?		There is nothing new in it. Our Politburo’s stand (of withdrawing support) is very clear

Vohra asks Azad to prove majority by July 7
Srinagar, June 30
Two days after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) pulled out of the coalition government, Governor N.N. Vohra today asked Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to prove majority in the Assembly by July 7.

Editorial: The best way-out

Income Limit for Creamy Layer
Panel to submit report today
New Delhi, June 30
With the upper income limit for creamy layer within the OBCs all set to be doubled, the reservation debate is ready to get a new pitch. A formal recommendation in this regard will be made to the government tomorrow by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which is expected to recommend a raise from the existing Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

OPEC rejects call for oil price band
Madrid, June 30
Oil cartel OPEC today rejected India’s call for regulating crude prices through a price band, saying the market was the best judge and forecast prices climbing to $ 170 a barrel on summer demand in the US. “Producing and consuming nations never agree on any price... they never agreed with (OPEC) price band (that operated between 2000 and 2005).

MC Elections
Heavy turnout amidst sporadic violence
Chandigarh, June 30
Punjab today witnessed overwhelming participation in elections to to 95 Municipal Councils (MCs) of the state recording 75 to 85 per cent polling. Even as the SAD-BJP alliance claimed landslide win results trickling in put the ruling alliance ahead of their main rival, the Congress, but not in an enviable lead.

Kewal Krishan dead
Chandigarh, June 30
A former speaker and finance minister, Dr Kewal Krishan, passed away this evening. He had suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to Jalandhar from his native town Mukerian. In a condolence message, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal described Dr Kewal Krishan as multifaceted personality, true statesman, great patriot and above all fine human being.

Holiday in Punjab today

SC bans export of non-basmati rice Paddy growers stand to lose good monsoon, high prices notwithstanding Chandigarh, June 30 Despite hope of a bumper crop due to good monsoon and high international prices of non- basmati rice, paddy growers in Haryana and Punjab will not be able to cash in on the prevailing market conditions, as the Supreme Court (SC) today stayed further export of non-basmati rice.