S P O T L I G H T

DA slab for Haryana staff
Tribune News Service
CHANDIGARH, June 18 — The Haryana Government today released another instalment of dearness allowance (DA) to its employees on the Central pattern with effect from January 1, 2000. Now the employees would get DA at the rate of 38 per cent of their basic pay, thus registering an increase of one per cent in the dearness allowance. Mr Sampat Singh, Finance Minister of Haryana, said the employees would get this enhanced DA in cash with their salary for the month of June to be paid in July. The arrears from January to May, 2000, would be credited to their GPF accounts.

15 Tigers killed
COLOMBO, June 19 (UNI) — At least 15 Liberation Tigers were killed in artillery fire by government troops in Northern Jaffna, while Sri Lankan Navy rescued 66 civilians stranded in a islet at Adam bridge. A government spokesman said the stranded civilians, who were rescued by a naval craft on patrol, were later handed over to Talaimannar police.

CPM leader killed
AGARTALA, June 19 (PTI) — A local CPM leader was killed today by NLFT insurgents at Champahour in West Tripura district, the police said. An armed group of ultras stormed into the local CPM office at the Champahour area, about 70 km from here, and shot dead Sanjib Purakayastha, the police said.

Meeting on deficit
NEW DELHI, June 19 (PTI) — To check the fiscal deficit, a meeting of financial advisers of all ministries will be held here on Wednesday to monitor expenditure control exercises, including closure of sick public enterprises. The meeting, to be chaired by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, will be attended among others by 28 financial advisers.