Faced with a loss in RS, govt avoids vote; Trinamool Congress, Opposition cry foul

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The failure of the government to get the Lokpal bill passed in the Rajya Sabha dominates the front pages of all the papers. "No vote on Lokpal; Rajya Sabha adjourns abruptly" reports the Hindu. Highlighting the blame game that has started the Mail Today writes "Govt says 187 amendments to Bill created web of confusion; BJP alleges govt choreographed RS debate to stall bill". The Times of India observes "Faced with a loss in RS, govt avoids vote; Trinamool Congress, Opposition cry foul".

The Prime Minister's address at a conference of the Dalits and Minorities International Forum is widely noticed. The Asian Age quotes the Prime Minister as saying "Dalits still face discrimination". With the Prime Minister rejecting the suggestion that his government hadn't implemented the recommendations of the Sachar Committee, the Hindustan Times writes "Eye on poll, PM talks of minority schemes".

With yet another arrest being made investigation in connection with the murder of an Indian Student Anuj Bidve in Britain are highlighted in most papers. "Fifth arrest in Bidve killing" reports the Tribune. The Hindu writes "Indian student's murder to be treated as racially motivated".

In a special story, the Hindustan Times writes that the CBI investigating the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission scam in UP has found that substandard drugs were sold to government hospitals by pharamceutical firms. The paper reports that the firms made a profit of 500%.

In international news, the escalating tension between the US and Iran over the latter's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers is prominently noticed in the papers today. "US, Iran gear up for strait fight" says the Times of India even as the Hindustan TImes reports "US carrier spotted in Iran wargame zone".

And finally...a did he or didn't he story. The Indian Express reports on its front page on how the makers of a Chattisgarhi film releasing today praised debutante actor Chief Minister Raman Singh at a crowded press conference yesterday but hours later the Chief Minister's Office clarified that he had not acted in any film.