The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Tuesday, April 4, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

S P O T L I G H T

Niaz Naik mum on visit
NEW DELHI, April 3 (PTI) — Pakistan’s former Foreign Secretary Niaz A Naik today maintained silence about his visit here in the wake of reports that he had come to open channels for track II diplomacy with India as he had reportedly carried out during the Kargil conflict. Mr Naik, who attended a meeting of the Coalition for Action on South Asian Cooperative (CASAC), posed for photographers along with former Foreign Secretary Muchkund Dubey but parried all questions from reporters about his visit.

Civil Services result
NEW DELHI, April 3 (UNI) — The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the results of the 1999 Civil Services (Main) written examination today. The commission will commence the interviews of qualified candidates from May 1.

Bihar Cong revolts
PATNA, April 3 (PTI) — Stung by the denial of key ministries during yesterday’s portfolio distribution in Bihar, several Congress ministers today rose in open revolt threatening not to take charge of their departments until a respectable settlement is reached. “We will prefer to remain ordinary MLAs than to become non-performing ministers. Laloo has betrayed the Congress and we will not keep silent,” Minister of Tourism Chandrashekhar Dubey said.

Medha hospitalised
MUMBAI, April 3 (PTI) — Fasting Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar and her two colleagues were rushed to hospital at Dhule in north Maharashtra after a fall in sugar level. She had been on fast in front of the neighbouring Nandurbar district collectorate for the last five days demanding joint survey of the land claimed to be available for resettlement of Sardar Sarovar Dam oustees.

New envoy to Pak
NEW DELHI, April 3 (TNS) — India’s Ambassador to China Vijay K. Nambiar was today appointed the new High Commissioner to Pakistan, succeeding Mr G. Parthasarthy, who retires in May.