tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Saturday, December 19, 1998
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Mishra gets bail
NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (PTI) — The Supreme Court today ordered release of former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra after granting him bail in a fodder scam conspiracy case but adjourned till January 5 the hearing on the bail plea of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Laloo Prasad Yadav. A three-judge Bench headed by Mr Justice GT Nanavati, while allowing the appeal of Mr Mishra against the Patna High Court order, directed that the former Chief Minister would be released from Beur Central Jail subject to the satisfaction of the special judge at Patna trying the fodder scam cases.

Parcel bomb killings
HYDERABAD, Dec 18 (UNI) — Eleven persons, including a woman and two children, were killed when parcel bombs, sent by a Naxalite outfit, exploded in five places in Andhra Pradesh during the past 24 hours. Red Tigers, a splinter group of the CPI (ML) (Praja Prathighatna, the first militant group to use the parcel bombs, was mainly involved in extortion of money from businessmen.

'Fire' not screened
MUMBAI, Dec 18 (PTI) — Resumption of the screening of controversial movie 'Fire' at a theatre here was today put off despite elaborate security arrangements as a decision on its recertification was expected early next week. Sharvan Shroff, partner of the Cinemax Theatre said, "The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has informed us that the Censor Board is re-evaluating the movie and will take a decision by next Monday or Tuesday." The theatre had yesterday received an assurance from city Police Commissioner Ronald Mendonca that full protection would be provided for resuming the screening of the movie.

Bill for chief whips
NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (PTI) — The Lok Sabha today passed a Bill to provide stenographer and additional telephone facilities to leaders and chief whips of recognised parties and groups in Parliament. Moving the Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana said a humble beginning was being made to allow leaders and chief whips to have one stenographer and Rs 10,000 worth of local telephone calls free per quarter.

'Trishul' trials
NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (PTI) — User trials of naval version of 'Trishul' missiles would be completed next year, Defence Minister George Fernandes said today. Replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Fernandes said the missile would enter into production and induction phase after the user trials are completed in 1999.

Minister's arrest sought
NAGPUR, Dec 18 (PTI) — Pandemonium prevailed in the Maharashtra Legislative Council today as the Opposition trooped into the well of the House, demanding immediate arrest of Social Welfare Minister Babanrao Gholap for his alleged involvement in corruption in three corporations under the state government. Leader of Opposition Chhagan Bhujbal and Chief Minister Manohar Joshi were engaged in an argument over the issue when Mr Bhujbal read out an affidavit of a broker, Vijay Mehta, alleging that Mr Gholap was paid kickbacks for investing Rs 4.5 crore in Anwar Mercantile Bank, on the verge of liquidation.

Postal strike
NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (PTI) — Postal unions today withdrew call to strike work on December 21 and 22 following the government’s decision to extend benefits to extra departmental agents. The Federation of National Postal Organisation and the National Federation of Postal Employees withdrew the strike call following Communication Minister Jagmohan’s statement in Parliament yesterday to extend benefits to agents, an official release said.