NEW DELHI: The eight-day strike by postal employees has been withdrawn with immediate effect, Minister of Communications Sushma Swaraj told the Lok Sabha today. The trade union leaders have agreed to clear the backlog as soon as possible and restore normalcy, she said in a statement. Replying to a question, the minister said government would implement the Talwar Committee report very soon.

Health stir

NEW DELHI: Health services in the capital will be severely affected from July 20 with Joint Council of Health Services comprising over 70,000 employees of government hospitals and dispensaries today deciding to go ahead with their indefinite strike accusing the government of ``giving scant regard to their genuine demands.''

Lakshya aircraft

NEW DELHI: Production of the indigenous pilotless target aircraft (PTA) `Lakshya' has begun and two of them are scheduled to be delivered to Air Force by next month, Lok Sabha was informed today. Defence ResearchDevelopment Organisation has undertaken limited series production of PTA to meet the urgent requirement of Air Force, Navy and Army, Defence Minister George Fernandes said.

Jain muni held

INDORE: A Jain muni, hailing from Wardha in Maharashtra, has been arrested by police for allegedly molesting four minor girls. Muni Haribhadra Sagarji was arrested last night following a complaint from parents of the girls. The girls were in the age group of five to 11. The muni was dragged out of the temple by the enraged crowd and handed over to police.

Nanaji in hospital

MUMBAI: NOTED social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh has been admitted to Jaslok Hospital. He is to undergo an operation for the removal of a spinal tumour on Friday. Deshmukh had been complaining of backache since the past five months. His condition worsened during the past two months. He was admitted to the Breach Candy hospital earlier and was shifted to Jaslok on Thursday morning. His condition is stable.