BALCO deal put on hold
Fierce opposition to the BALCO-Sterlite deal today forced the Government to agree to put off finalising the sale agreement till the matter was discussed in Parliament. For the second day the issue rocked Parliament forcing adjournments in both the Houses.

India clears way for SAARC meet
India today cleared the last hurdle for a meeting of the South Asian leaders later in the year that could bring the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, face to face with Pakistan's Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

Gaps in reform process need action: Economic Survey
The economy is currently at a difficult stage. Some problems of growth are likely to be faced in the coming year. Because of irregular rainfall for the second successive year, agricultural growth was low or absent in 2000-2001.

Jogi wins from Marwahi
The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Mr. Ajit Jogi, today won the Marwahi Assembly seat even as the BJP wrested the Hindoli seat in Rajasthan and Shahpur (Madhya Pradesh) from the Congress in the byelections to 12 constituencies spread over nine States held on February 19.

Russia to tighten export control over n-tech
Russia is going to tighten export control over missile and nuclear technologies, but this will not affect its cooperation with India.

U.S. team emphasises the need for a `give and take'
The U.S. Congressional team, which visited India and Pakistan in the last four days, is returning to Washington with the impression that the differences between the two countries on all issues, including Kashmir, are not irreconcilable.

Pak. alleges plot to kill Hurriyat leader
Pakistan today alleged that involvement of Indian authorities and agencies could not be ruled out in the `plot' to eliminate the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader, Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat.