Quicktakes

Duma puts off vote on Chernomyrdin
MOSCOW: The Duma postponed on Friday a vote on approving the acting Prime Minister, avoiding a confrontation with President Boris Yeltsin as pressure mounted on hardline lawmakers to compromise. Lawmakers voted 294-54 to postpone the vote after parliament leaders said Yeltsin had called for more talks. The Duma had been expected today to reject acting Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin for a second time.

Teachers8217; stir on as talks fail
NEW DELHI: Fresh talks between the government and the striking teachers on Friday failed to find a solution to the 25-day long stir. Education Secretary P R Dasgupta held another round of talks with representatives of various teachers8217; associations this afternoon in an effort to break the impasse after yesterday8217;s unsuccessful discussions with them. The Federation of Central Universities Teachers8217; Associations president S N H Jafri and secretary M Rais Khan said the teachers would observe the Teachers8217; Day tomorrow as a8220;Black day8221;.

Dropsy probe
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday asked CBI to probe outbreak of dropsy caused by adulterated mustard oil in the Capital and other parts of the country even as Delhi government ordered a judicial inquiry into causes of the ailment which has claimed 46 lives so far in the city and affected hundreds. The decision to hand over the probe to CBI was taken by Union Home Minister L K Advani.