Quicktakes

CBI swoops down on Air Cargo
MUMBAI: The Anti-Corruption branch of the CBI conducted surprise checks on several offices of customs in the Air Cargo Complex of the Sahar airport on Thursday. In one fell swoop, the CBI got at least 15 officers who could not explain the presence of cash in their possession, sources said. Some residential premises were also brought under the searchlight. It was not known whether any Class One officer was among those quizzed. Amounts from Rs 5,000 to 35,000 were recovered, sources said.The action was continuing till late Thursday evening.

Cyclone toll
BHUBANESWAR: The death toll in the October 29 supercyclone in Orissa HAS risen to 9,574 even as the state government’s efforts to procure more polythene sheets to provide the homeless shelter continued. The toll had risen by just one since yesterday with the lone casualty reported from Balasore district, official sources said. Reports of deaths were coming in even three weeks after the cyclone hitthe coast causing high floods.

New WB Governor
NEW DELHI: Noted industrialist and former BJP MP Viren Shah will be the new governor of West Bengal, Chief Minister Jyoti Basu said today. Basu told reporters after meeting with Advani the union government has proposed Shah as the new governor and "it is acceptable to me".