THE RS 35,000 CRORE DEBT WAIVER
An offer Punjab can’t afford to refuse
Chandigarh, October 6
The Punjab political leadership has an opportunity to end the ruinous politics of populism and return to fiscal discipline and responsible governance. The offer is huge: Rs 35,000 crore. The political parties have a chance to cut the state debt by half and start afresh.

THE carrot and the stick
Punjab page: Politicians refuse to go along with Manpreet
Economists call for need-based subsidies
Industry all for accepting Centre’s proposals
Bureaucrats give thumbs up

Badal to take action against Manpreet
Chandigarh, October 6
The core committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that held an emergency meeting here this evening has authorised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to decide on an appropriate action, if any, against Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal for criticising the fiscal prudence of the SAD-BJP government.

Foeticide Punjab’s shame: President Says the menace may lead to imbalance in society
Amritsar, October 6 Expressing concern over skewed sex ratio in Punjab, President Pratibha Patil today called upon the people to protect the girl child to save future generations. President Pratibha Patil, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Missing from Prez conference: Sidhu  Sidelights

The Tribune Ladakh Relief Fund: An Appeal To Readers

6 more golds take Indian tally to 24 at Games
New Delhi, October 6
Hosts India maintained their gold rush with shooter Gagan Narang showing the way in the 19th Commonwealth Games here today. Gagan Narang team mate and Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra to retain the individual gold medal in 10m air rifle event after having struck gold in the pairs event yesterday.

Gagan Narang celebrates after lifting the gold in the 10m air rifle (singles) at the CWG on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Revolt in Karnataka, CM loses majority
Yeddyurappa gets six days to win confidence vote
Bangalore, October 6
The trouble-prone BJP government in Karnataka plunged into a fresh crisis - arguably the most serious one in its 28-month tenure - with 19 legislators, including seven ministers, withdrawing support to the government and reducing it to a minority.

RSS no different from banned SIMI: Rahul
Bhopal/ Delhi, October 6
In provocative remarks, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi today described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as “fanatical”, saying it was no different from banned terror outfit SIMI and that both held “fundamentalist” views.

He deserves death, says Priya’s mother Jammu, October 6 “Today, I am feeling as shattered as I had felt on the day my daughter was raped and killed in Delhi 14 years ago,” were the first words of Rajeshwari Mattoo over the death sentence to the murderer of her daughter Priyadarshini being commuted into life term by the Supreme Court. Nation page: Priyadarshini Mattoo Murder Case Mattoo’s father dismayed, CBI satisfied Vyas ‘sad’ Cab driver held guilty of raping BPO staffer Editorial: Acquittal, gallows, life term The victim’s sister Sangeeta and mother Rajeshwari Mattoo in Jammu — A Tribune photograph