PM assures adequate funds
8 lakh tonnes of foodgrains released
NEW DELHI, April 25—The Centre today released more than eight lakh tonnes of foodgrains for drought-hit Rajasthan and Gujarat and declared that “paucity of funds” would not be allowed to hamper relief work in the affected states.

954 cr relief announced
NEW DELHI, April 25 — The Centre today said it had released Rs 954.43 crore as assistance to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to tide over the severe drought even as Railways announced free transportation of fodder and water to Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Village women with pots on their heads walk long distances to fetch water at Lekhar in drought-hit Rajasthan, where most of the wells have dried up. — AFP photo

Talks with Pak not now: PM
LS adopts Motion of Thanks
NEW DELHI, April 25—The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said there was no possibility of resumption of dialogue with Pakistan till that country stopped cross-border terrorism and hostile propaganda against India.

‘Harpreet was often beaten’

CHANDIGARH, April 25 — “Bibi Jagir Kaur would often abuse and beat Harpreet for her friendship with me and threaten to eliminate both of us.” This revelation was made by Kamaljit, alias Tinku, boyfriend of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of the SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, who died under mysterious circumstances a few days ago.

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HVC expels minister, breaks up
SHIMLA, April 25 — The two-month-long drama in the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) today culminated in a split, with the rival factions claiming majority support. The supporters of the party supremo, Mr Sukh Ram, and the PWD Minister, Mr Mohinder Singh, held parallel meetings at the residence of the former.

Pilot killed in MiG-23 crash
BIRDHNO (PATIALA), April 25 — A MIG-23 fighter plane crashed near this village, 40 km from Patiala this morning, killing its pilot, Sqn Ldr Raj Kumar. The plane had taken off from Halwara air base in Ludhiana just before 8 am and crashed about 20 minutes later near the village. No injury to any villager or harm to property was reported. Fire did spread in small tracts of ripe wheat fields, but was soon doused by the villagers.