S P O T L I G H T

ILD tariff slashed
Mumbai, July 19
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) and Bharti Televentures Ltd (BTVL) today announced a sharp cut of 40 per cent in their international long distance (ILD) tariff. The revised tariff, which is immediately effective, is pegged at Rs 24 per minute for a call to the USA, Europe, Africa, Oceania (islands of the Pacific and adjacent seas) and Rs 21.18 for the SAARC region. UNI

UP bans gutka, pan masala
Lucknow, July 19
The Uttar Pradesh Government today imposed a ban on the manufacture and sale of pan masala and gutka in the state in compliance with the Allahabad High Court’s directive in this regard. State Chief Secretary D.S. Bagga has directed the District Magistrates of all 70 districts of the state to strictly implement the ban in their respective areas. UNI