Saturday, December 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Kelkar retains harsh proposals
Recommends slashing interest rebate limit on housing loan to 50,000
New Delhi, December 27
The Kelkar task force on tax reforms has reworked some of its original recommendations while retaining the increase in the tax exemption limit to Rs 1 lakh and fixing two slabs of 20 per cent for those earning Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh and 30 per cent beyond Rs 4 lakh.
Mr Vijay Kelkar, former Finance Secretary and Adviser to the Finance Minister, makes a point at a Press conference in New Delhi on Friday. — PTI photo

Miami, December 27 A human baby was born through cloning, the first on record, French scientist and member of the Raelian cult Brigitte Boisselier said. The baby girl was born yesterday by caesarean section.

Talks soon with J&K leaders, says Advani
Jammu, December 27
Talks between the Government of India and the elected representatives in Jammu and Kashmir for restoring normalcy in the state will start soon. 
Mr L. K. Advani inaugurates the new terminal building complex Apron and extended runway at Civil Enclave, Jammu Airport, on Friday. — Photo Sarbjeet Singh.

HPCL, BPCL disinvestment put off again
New Delhi, December 27
No decision on the disinvestment in oil PSUs — the HPCL and BPCL — could be taken at the Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment meeting today as the Disinvestment Ministry could not take the opinion of the Attorney-General, Mr Soli Sorabjee, on the issue.

CBI alerts Interpol on Quattrocchi
New Delhi, December 27
Unable to locate the whereabouts of controversial Italian businessman and an accused in the Bofors pay-off case, Mr Ottavio Quattrocchi, the CBI has approached Interpol for tracking him.

Striking lawyers can be barred from practice: SC
New Delhi, December 27
Holding that no reason is good enough to paralyse the working of the courts through strikes, the Supreme Court has warned that if self-restraint is not exercised, then the courts can think of framing rules debarring striking lawyers from appearing for cases.

Arrest of Sekhwan stayed
Chandigarh, December 27
Staying the arrest of Punjab’s former minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan in an alleged corruption case, Mr Justice Viney Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court — sitting during the winter vacations — today issued notice of motion to Punjab’s Advocate-General for February 17.

Himachal hikes daily wages Okays 808 school posts Dharamsala, December 27 The Himachal Cabinet today gave its approval for creation of 808 posts in the recently upgraded schools and for appointment of 50 veterinary doctors. The Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, also approved 9.09 per cent hike in the wages of daily-wage earners in the state.