A big hole in your pocket
n Govt decontrols petrol prices n Petrol up by Rs 3.5 a litre, diesel Rs 2 a litre n LPG to cost Rs 35 more n Kerosene dearer by Rs 3 a litre
New Delhi, June 25
Evoking sharp reactions from both the common man and the Opposition, the Congress-led UPA Government today decided to decontrol the petrol prices, leading to an increase in rates of petrol by Rs 3.50 a litre. Diesel prices have also gone up by Rs 2 a litre.

Business page: ‘Deregulating petrol pricing major economic reform’
Nation page: Allies, Oppn slam fuel price hike
Editorial: Govt bites the bullet

CITU activists protest against the hike in New Delhi on Friday.

PC meets Malik, presses for action against Hafiz Saeed
First Indian Home Minister to visit Pak in three decades
India on Friday opined that Pakistan was not doing enough as far as terrorism was concerned and asked for action against Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and also the three Pakistani Army officers for their association in planning and executing the Mumbai attacks.
Home Minister P Chidambaram is welcomed by Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik upon arrival at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi on Friday. — AP/PTI

All eyes on India-Canada talks
Manmohan, Harper likely to sign N-fuel supply agreement to resume supplies suspended after Pokhran-1998
Dr Manmohan Singh will be the first Indian Prime Minister in 12 years to visit Canada when he lands in Toronto tomorrow after a ‘technical halt’ here at Frankfurt. The last time an Indian PM visited Canada was in 1998 when Inder Kumar Gujral was received by the Canadians. Soon thereafter, Canada imposed sanctions on India following the Pokhran nuclear test.

PM: G-20 will deliberate on sustainable, balanced growth
New Delhi, June 25
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the G-20 Summit was expected to deliberate on a framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth.

35,000 ex-servicemen to lose toll plaza jobs
NHAI to take over plazas and auction them through open bidding
New Delhi, June 25
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to take over the toll plazas from the ex-servicemen and auction them to the private parties through an open bidding. The order in this regard was passed earlier this week. At least 25,000 ex-servicemen are running NHAI-owned toll plazas while another 10,000 provide logistical support.

Queen’s baton comes to India 100-day countdown to Games begins Amritsar, June 25 The 100-day countdown for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games began today when the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) arrived in India from Pakistan through the historic Wagah-Attari border amid much fanfare here. IOA president Suresh Kalmadi carries the Queen’s baton for the Commonwealth Games 2010 at Wagah on Friday. Pakistani Punjab Governor Salman Taseer (left) and Shera, official mascot of the Games, flank him. — PTI