Tuesday, 1 March 2005, 2000 hrs

TOP STORIES
Vajpayee did nothing to stop Gujarat riots: Narayanan
The Gujarat riots were the result of a "conspiracy" between the state and the Centre, and led to the Army not being given powers to stem the violence, former President K R Narayanan has said

BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Job scene shining, thanks
to Chidambaram budget
After witnessing a jobless high growth, Indian youth may hope to find millions of jobs in the textile, pharmaceutical, IT and other manufacturing areas. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has announced a series of measures to boost employment in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors

Financial Express
It’s an election manifesto, not a Budget
The revised estimates of fiscal deficit targets given by the FM are only ‘estimates’ and we will have to look at the finer details and await final figures to make a final pronouncement, says YASHWANT SINHA

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Deccan Herald
A growth-friendly Budget
If the budget is not satisfying, it’s because the government has been wary in making structural changes to the economy, says PREM SHANKAR JHA


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Asia Times
Hillary Clinton woos India
She may deny having aspirations to follow in the footsteps of her husband, but Hillary Clinton isn't fooling anyone in India, where on a recent visit the New York senator aroused much speculation that she aims to become the Democratic nominee for US president in 2008. By SIDDHARTH SRIVASTAVA


Tribune
Stage-managed by army
It could only have happened in Pakistan politics. A blazing row broke out last week inside the Cabinet of Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, the Sindh Chief Minister. Dr. Ghulam Rahim has accused his Revenue Minister, Imtiaz Shaikh, of corruption and misuse of authority in allotting plots and transferring properties in various cities. The spirit of democracy is missing in Pakistan, says M B NAQVI


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Indian Express
Congress act: bully gets burnt
The biggest casualty of the recent election has been trust between the Congress and Laloo, and it is trust which is the cementing force in any coalition arrangement. By NEERJA CHOWDHURY

EDITORIAL PICKS

A friendly budget (Tribune)
Rail budget: congenial, lack lustre (Hindu)
Expectations met in fair measure (Hindu)
Scramble for Indian air show  (Pioneer)
Destination peace (Tribune)
Taj corridor case (Tribune)