North can yield good returns, says Montek 
New Delhi, November 3
Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia today said most northern states had shown growth rate higher than the national average of around 8 per cent in the past five years. He added that the North had the potential to give good returns and further attract investments. The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which will be ready by 2017, will further bolster the North’s attractiveness as a favourable investment destination.

PM spells out government initiatives in health sector
New Delhi, November 3Enhancing allocation for health in the 12th Five Year Plan, opening of more institutes on the lines of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, greater attention to medical education and plans to distribute free generic drugs in public hospitals are some of the major initiatives of the Union government, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. (Details on Nation page)

white house dreams
Rivals begin frantic tour of swing states
 With only hours left for campaigning, both candidates will this morning launch a final, frantic push for votes in the nine states critical to the outcome of the US presidential election next Tuesday. (Details on World page)

Badals eyeing vote bank through mega health camps
Mansa, November 3
Will the holding of  mega health camps fetch votes for the SAD-BJP alliance? Political observers feel that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is hoping that the health camps may translate into votes like his Sangat Darshan programmes during the assembly elections. (Details on Punjab page)

Revise cotton MSP to Rs 4,420, says Badal
Chandigarh, November 3
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today rejected the minimum support price (MSP) of cotton announced by the Centre and demanded that it be re-fixed at Rs 4,420 per quintal to compensate increase in input cost. In a statement here, Badal said the new cotton MSP for the year 2012-13 was “woefully inadequate and unjustified” and much below the expectation of the farmers. He termed it a cruel joke with "distressed" cotton growers.

Hyderabad hit Jiwanjot, Karan roadblock
Mohali, November 3
Trying as hard as they could, the Hyderabad bowlers just could not bowl out the Punjab openers —that was the long and short of the story on Day Two of the Ranji Trophy Group A match here on Saturday. The visitors pumped in all the ammo they had but returned empty-handed with their shoulders drooping. (Details on Sports page)