tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Wednesday, December 30, 1998
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17 dead in accident
AURANGABAD, Dec 29 (UNI) — At least 17 persons, including six women and children, were killed and 14 injured when a bus in which they were travelling collided with a dumper near Bidkin village on the Aurangabad-Paithan road this morning. According to the police, the luxury bus from Mumbai was carrying schoolchildren and some passengers. The bodies were brought to the Aurangabad Medical College Hospital where the injured have also been admitted.
Govt accepts demands
NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (UNI) — The Union Cabinet today decided to accept the demands of the striking health employees of Delhi and central government run hospitals in the capital for favourable service conditions and enhancement of various allowances, an official spokesman said here. The decision will immediately benefit 16,000 workers in the central government run hospitals while for the remaining 54,000, who are employed in Delhi Government hospitals, the state has been asked to consider their cases.
Stamps released
NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (PTI) — A series of four stamps on Indian musical instruments was released today by the Department of Posts as a tribute to the country’s musical heritage. The stamps, the first of their type in Indian philately, depict rudra veena, sarod, pakhawaj (a percussion instrument) and bansui (a wind instrument).
Couple held
PRATAPGARH (UP), Dec 29 (PTI) — A couple was arrested on the charge of burning the hands of seven Scheduled Caste children with hot mustard oil, the police said here today. The police alleged the couple put the hands of all seven children into a pot containing hot mustard oil one by one, suspecting them to have stolen their watch. The couple was assisted by their son, who was absconding.
Demand for probe
PATNA, Dec 29 (PTI) — The Bihar Police Association (BPA) today demanded a cbi inquiry into the alleged defalcation of crores of rupees meant for strengthening intelligence network by senior officials of the special branch of the state police. The BPA President, Mr U.P. Singh, and Secretary Umesh Prasad Singh said in a joint statement here that several crores of rupees had been "swindled" by senior officials of the special branch during the past five years. They charged the officials with trying to destabilise the intelligence network "to serve vested interests".

TULF leader shot
COLOMBO, Dec 29 (PTI) — The ltte killed senior Tamil politician and Northern Jaffna district secretary of the moderate Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) P. Mathimugaraja as he was tipped to take over as the Mayor of Jaffna town, state-run "Observer" said here today. Mr Mathimugaraja was shot dead in Jaffna two days ago while he was attending a meeting to commemorate the 11th death anniversary of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran.
Judges take oath
PATNA, Dec 29 (PTI) — Five new judges of the Patna High Court were today administered oath by Chief Justice B.M. Lal at a simple function at Marble Hall here. The judges who took oath of office are — Justice Shil Kirti Singh, Justice D.P.S. Chaudhary, Justice Deoki Nandan Prasad, Justice Anil Kumar Sinha and Justice Manohar Lal Visa.
King's birthday
KATHMANDU, Dec 29 (Reuters) — More than 100 prisoners were granted pardon to commemorate the 54th birthday of Nepal’s King Birendra today, the Home (Interior) Ministry said. The ministry said in a statement 141 prisoners in jails across the country had been pardoned. Every year a similar number of prisoners are released to mark the King’s birthday.