tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Sunday, August 23, 1998
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Jaswant-Talbott talks tomorrow
WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (PTI) — The Prime Minister's special emissary, Mr Jaswant Singh, will on Monday meet US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott for a crucial fourth round of parleys on the issue of adherence to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and other nuclear issues. Official sources said they expect Mr Singh to place before Mr Talbott India's proposals on the twin issues. Mr Singh's visit comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's statement in Parliament that India remained committed to a dialogue with key interlocutors.
40 dead in Kenya
NAIROBI, Aug 22 (Reuters) — Up to 40 persons have died in Kenya after drinking bootleg alcohol and licking a deadly herb, Kenyan newspapers said today. The Daily Nation said Mr John Litunda, District Commissioner of Nakuru, north-west of Nairobi, said 23 persons died between Sunday and Wednesday after drinking the alcoholic substance. It added 11 more had died since and 11 others had gone blind. The Kenya Times reported seven died in Kuria after an Army officer forced villagers to lick a traditional herb.

No to Opposition demand
BANGALORE, Aug 22 (PTI) — The Janata Dal government in Karnataka today rejected the Congress and BJP demand for convening a special session of the state legislature to discuss the recent Cauvery accord. "For what purpose should the House be convened?" Major Irrigation Minister K.N. Nage Gowda asked at a debate on Cauvery, stressing that all political leaders had accepted the agreement at a meeting called by Chief Minister J.H. Patel at New Delhi on August 5.
Missing plane
KATHMANDU, Aug 22 (UNI) — Nepal has requested Indian assistance in tracing a domestic airliner which has been missing in north-western Nepal's mountains since early yesterday with 18 persons, including two Indians, on board. According to the Civil Aviation Ministry here, facilities of the search-and-rescue satellite system linked to Delhi airport's air traffic control, have been sought to trace the missing plane which has so far eluded ground and air search teams for the past more than 24 hours.
Flood toll 382
DHAKA, Aug 22 (AFP) — The Bangladesh capital Dhaka was bracing for more flooding today with officials warning the overall situation was expected to get worse in the crowded city with the death toll climbing to 382. Dhaka Mayor Mohammad Hanif said today "one million of Dhaka's nine million residents have been directly hit by the deluge."
RJD calls for bandh
PATNA, Aug 22 (PTI) — The ruling RJD in Bihar has called for a statewide bandh on August 24 to protest against the CBI raid on the official residence of Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her kin, party sources said. Meanwhile, the BJP today asked Governor Sunder Singh Bhandari to immediately recommend the dismissal of the Rabri Devi Ministry following the raid in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
Task force set up
NEW DELHI, Aug 22 (PTI) — The government today set up a task force to introduce modern technology in handling, storage and transportation of foodgrains. Headed by Food and Civil Supplies Secretary, the task force will comprise senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Surface Transport, Commerce, Finance and Railways besides the Planning Commission, an official press note said here.
Orissa bandh
BHUBANESWAR, Aug 22 (PTI) — Shops and business establishments all over Orissa remained closed today in response to a strike call given by the Federation of All Orissa Traders' Associations (FAOTA) demanding total abolition of octroi. The Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association (UCDA) also supported the strike call as medicine shops all over the state pulled down their shutters. Business areas here and in Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur and Sambalpur presented a deserted look.
MP to lift ban
BHOPAL, Aug 22 (PTI) — The Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to lift the ban on private practice by doctors of the Health and Family Welfare Department with immediate effect. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Digvijay Singh here yesterday, according to an official note today. However, the ban on practice by doctors of medical colleges would continue, it said, adding that doctors of medical colleges would be given non-practicing allowance on a par with the rates of the central government.
MD arrested
NEW DELHI, Aug 22 (FOC) — The Delhi police arrested the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Hoffland group of companies and Osprey group of companies, Mr B.B. Sharma, allegedly for duping the public of more than Rs 100 crore. Mr Sharma, who was arrested from Varanasi, had floated over 32 companies for getting funds from the general public at the interest rate of 24 per cent and 36 per cent. His associate, Suraj Pal Sharma, was also arrested. He was one of the Directors of the Osprey group of companies.
Buses torched
CALCUTTA, Aug 22 (PTI) — The police lathi charged and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a mob that went on the rampage and torched three buses after a boy was run over by a bus in Central Calcutta today. The mob stoned fire brigade and police personnel who rushed to the spot after the incident, the police said. The police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control.