Chandigarh Headlines

Cyclone-hit Orissa to get Rs 300 cr
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the Centre has decided to treat the super cyclone which slammed the Orissa coast yesterday as a national calamity8217; and announced release of Rs 100 cr from the National Fund for Calamity Relief besides giving an advance support of Rs 200 crore. This Rs 300-crore package is in addition to the Rs 250 crore released to the state government by the Prime Minister after his recent visit. 8220;This would help the state government in its relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations. In addition, all departments and agencies of the Central Government have been fully engaged in relief and rescue operations,8221; Vajpayee said.

Security finalised for Pope8217;s visit
Pope John Paul II will land at the Indira Gandhi International airport at 8 pm on November 5. From then onwards 8212; for the next 62 hours 8212; the Delhi Police in a joint effort with the country8217;s specialised security agencies, will ensure that he has a safe stay here. Policemen will guard all entrance and exit points at the airport two hours before the Pope lands. Only 15 selected people will be permitted to recieve him at the airport.

Bid to kidnap Mamta Kulkarni
Five unidentified men, including two wearing police uniform, today made an unsuccessful attempt to abduct Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni from a hotel here. Mamta was in Ludhiana to perform for a star nite today at Lodhi Club. Confirming the incident, J.S. Khaira, SHO Civil Lines police station said Mamta and her co-artistes have not yet given a written complaint.