tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Monday, November 22, 1999
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Vishnu Kant may replace Rama Devi
NEW DELHI, Nov 21 — The Centre is shifting the Himachal Pradesh Governor, Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, to Karnataka. A decision to this effect is understood to have been taken and a formal announcement will follow soon, informed sources said here tonight. Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri is to be the new Governor of Himachal, the sources said. After the recent round of appointments of Governors only Karnataka remained to be filled. The term of the present Governor, Mr Khurshid Alam Khan, ended on September 19. The BJP leadership wanted to appoint the Senior Vice-President, Mr K. Jana Krishnamurthy, in Karnataka but it is understood that he declined the order.

Rebels kill 20 in Algeria
ALGIERS, Nov 21 (Reuters) — Muslim rebels disguised as government soldiers killed 20 persons at a bogus roadblock in Algeria, local dailies reported today. The rebels stopped a bus and a taxi near the Chiffa area, 50 km south of Algiers, yesterday. They killed the victims, including women and children by slashing the throats of most of the them and shooting others with machine guns as they tried to escape, Le Jeune independent newspaper said. Seventeen persons were wounded, the newspaper added. Government security forces gave a different toll yesterday, saying that 15 persons were killed and eight wounded.

Chinese spacecraft
MOSCOW, Nov 21 (PTI) — The Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou tested today in unmanned mode has been copied from the Soviet-designed Soyuz spaceship, local NTV channel quoted Russian experts as saying. Few years back Moscow had sold one fully assembled Soyuz spaceship and its technical documentation to Beijing, experts said, adding that China could launch its first astronaut sometime next year depending on how soon the Chinese space scientists are able to develop a reliable life-support system for the manned flight.

Threat by bank staff
PATNA, Nov 21 (UNI) — Bank and insurance employees have threatened to go on countrywide strike if the insurance regulatory authority Bill was taken up for discussion in Parliament. Bank Employees Federation of India general secretary Shanti Bardhan told reporters here that the trade unions of both bank and insurance sectors have decided to fight for their cause jointly. He said that the Verma committee report on the performance of three "weak’’ banks identified United Bank of India, UCO Bank and Indian Bank, had put the blame on their employees.

Docs’ stir today
MUMBAI, Nov 21 (UNI) — Around 5000 doctors from all over the state under the umbrella of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) will strike work from tomorrow indefinitely to press for better pay scales and improved working conditions. A last minute effort by Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar to avert the indefinite strike failed yesterday with the doctors remaining firm on their demand for a 60 per cent hike in their stipend.

Train derailed
GUWAHATI, Nov 21(UNI) — A goods train was derailed in an explosion between Safari and Lakowa stations in Sibsagar district of Assam yesterday, official sources said. No one was injured in the explosion. Senior railway officials rushed to the spot to restore train services to the region. The police have begun an investigation into the blast which they suspect was set off by ULFA militants.

Reservation
AGRA, Nov 21 (PTI) — Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav has said Brahmins and Thakurs in UP should also get reservation. Brahmins and Thakurs should get 10 per cent reservation in UP on the lines of Vaishyas, who had got reservation in Bihar, Mr Yadav told reporters here last night. Stating that he would start an agitation for 54 per cent reservation in UP, he said the percentage was based on the percentage of the backward and Scheduled Castes in the state.

Prasar Bharati
NEW DELHI, Nov 21 (PTI) — The government is retiring two members of Prasar Bharati Board tomorrow in a bid to restructure and professionalise the powerful body which controls Doordarshan and All India Radio. Sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the members to be retired are Romila Thapar and Rajendra Yadav and added "some further steps are likely to be taken soon to professionalise Prasar Bharati."