Seema Sharma, a Patiala business- woman, has invested in a pistol and a revolver for her personal security. Tribune photo

Coal fire: Sonia firms up plan to take BJP head-on
New Delhi, September 1
Congress president Sonia Gandhi went abroad today for a medical check-up but only after she had laid down the roadmap for the party’s counter-offensive against the BJP on the coal blocks controversy. She is expected to return in a week.
De-allocation of coal blocks: Govt sets deadline

Haryana heads for Cabinet reshuffle
Chandigarh, September 1
The claims of the Delhi Police of working out a fool-proof case against former Minister of State for Home Gopal Goyal Kanda has cleared the way for a Cabinet reshuffle in Haryana. Almost three years down its five-year term, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is no mood to further delay the changes in his Cabinet.

16% dental colleges got nod despite deficiencies: CAG
New Delhi, September 1
The latest CAG review of dental colleges in India has shown that a large number of these colleges were set up despite negative reports against their managements.
(Details on Nation page)

Good August showers lower monsoon deficit New Delhi, September 1 Heavy August showers have significantly bridged the monsoon deficit, much to the relief of the Centre, which has been facing a volley of demands from the drought-hit states. What’s more, more rainfall is expected in the coming week and it may further lower the present shortfall of 12 per cent. Last week, the country received the highest all-India rainfall of the season — 6 % above long period average — resulting in the deficit improving by 2%