Quicktakes

Steep hike in postal tariff
NEW DELHI: Postal services in the country will turn dearer from August 31 with the government deciding to steeply hike the tariff for various services. The hike, however, has left ordinary post cards untouched. Under the revised tariff, competition post card will cost Rs 3, letter cards Re 1.50, letters up to 20 gm Rs 3, money order form 25 paise and acknowledgement form Rs 2.

Pak may sign CTBT
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has conveyed to the US its willingness to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty without any preconditions, reports a leading newspaper, The Daily, today. The paper said America had been given such an understanding days before the US held bilateral talks with India on Aug 24 and with Pakistan on Aug 25.

Jaya on support
CHENNAI: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalitha said today that the question of her support to the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP-led coalition at the Centre was 8220;still under review8221;, although she had not set 8220;any timeframe.8221;

Centaur MD out
MUMBAI: The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday suspended Hotel Corporation of India Managing Director Kamal Sharma and appointed the deputy secretary in the ministry, VK Sadhoo, as acting MD. The suspension came after Civil Aviation Minister Ananth Kumar went on a surprise visit to the New Delhi property of the hotel and found it to be not in conformity with five-star standards.