AUG 14, 2003

High temperatures take lives of many in France

According the Health Ministry estimates around 3000 lives were taken by the extremely high temperature in France. Extremely high temperatures have been set in many of the cities in France and the temperature is around 98 degrees in the capital city of Paris. The average August temperature in Paris is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The Ministry has reported that they have taken extra measures by buying extra fans and atomizers to keep their residents cool in the country.

Militant strike on Independence Day eve: Six lives taken

Six bus passengers were killed and fifteen others injured following a powerful bomb blast in the Lilong Bridge in Imphal West District at around 5.a.m, when a bus was passing over the bridge. The bomb planted on the bridge by Militants and exploded using a remote control device ripped apart the bus killing three instantly while two others died on way to hospital and one more seriously injured victim died in hospital. The bus was taking the passengers from Chandal district. The northern portion of the bridge and a part of the road along the NH 39, 15 km from here, were damaged. The militants escaped soon after the blast occurred. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh visited the injured and condemned the blast.

Opposition preparing to move no-confidence motion

Congress is getting ready to move a no-confidence motion on Monday against the government in the Lok Sabha. A notice has already been given to the government in this regard. According to party spokesperson Jaipal Reddy the decision comes after a weeklong impasse in Parliament over government's refusal to part with a CVC report to the Public Accounts Committee to probe defence purchases during the Kargil conflict. The decision to bring a no-trust motion was taken following a meeting held by the major opposition parties at CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee's residence last night. According to parliamentary sources, the discussion on the motion will continue the following day after which the Prime Minister will reply. Voting will take place on Tuesday evening.

A four-member high level committee formed by TN Govt to revamp secretariat work

The Tamilnadu government has formed a four-member high-level committee headed by Home secretary Syed Munir Hoda with the view of revamping entire working of the secretariat. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a fortnight. The government is intending to fix accountability and responsibility on employees, who would hereafter be liable for inter-departmental transfers as well as to any other place in the state. Performance appraisal would be done for every employee with a superior officer monitoring his or her working and preparing a confidential report. The number of holidays for government employees is to be brought down and plans are also being made to increase the number of working hours. The state government had ordered several regulatory measures, which included restriction on employees going out for tea or coffee during working hours and limiting lunch break duration.