Central rule may come any time, Gupta warns State
Union Home Minister Indrajit Gupta has rejected demands for the imposition of President's rule in Maharashtra, for the time being, but warned the State Government that a repetition of the recent violence would not be tolerated in the future.

20 die as twin blasts rock Jerusalem
At least 20 people were killed and 150 injured when a pair of suspected Palestinian suicide bombers blew themselves in a historic crowded market in west of Jerusalem yesterday.

MPs being watched: Now, IB snoops around in Parliament House
The Intelligence Bureau has planted at least a dozen officials among the Watch and Ward staff of Parliament to snoop on the members and keep tabs on political activity in general.

UGC against move to cut subsidies
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken strong exception to the Union finance ministry's proposal to reduce subsidies for higher education from 90% to 50% over the next three years.

Jatias may give back majority stake in Wimco to Swedish Match Company
Swedish Match Company, which pulled out of Wimco Ltd in 1991 by divesting its 39.49% stake, is in talks with the present promoters, the Jatias, for acquiring a majority holding in the match maker.

Peerless Shipping paid forex before approval
Peerless Shipping & Oilfield Services had bought two ships from Essar Shipping in March 1994, paying $28 million in foreign currency before obtaining the government's approval for a dollar loan.

Disclosure scheme immunity not for benami property purchases
The Union finance ministry and the Central Board of Direct taxes (CBDT) have clarified that benami property purchases will not be eligible for immunity under the voluntary disclosure of income scheme 1997 (VDIS-97).

Ministries, power producers meet fuels heat, no pact
The meeting of the power and petroleum ministries with the independent power producers (IPPs) yesterday failed to arrive at a consensus on issues relating to the fuel supply agreement (FSA) for the liquid fuel-based power projects.