New Delhi, Sept. 13 : An extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is scheduled to be held here today to assess the party’s poll prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections in half a dozen states and the Lok Sabha elections.

Elections would be held in six states - Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and also in Jammu and Kashmir in November or December.

The CWC could see party president Sonia Gandhi, who will chair the meeting, take an audit of how key central schemes such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Bharat Nirman programmes are working.

According to AICC sources, the agenda for the meeting is the current political situation and election preparedness.

New Delhi, Sept 12 : Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari released a book titled ‘Inner Peace’ by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda at a function organized by Yogoda Satasanga Society of India (YSS) here today.

Addressing the occasion, the Vice President said that YSS is serving mankind as one’s larger self through its activities. It is also doing commendable job by serving thousands of poor people.

He said that the Yoganandji found a yearning among large sections of society, for ancient teachings in India and techniques of God realization.

New Delhi, Sept 12 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today reviewed the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Flood hit Bihar at a high level meeting here.

Meanwhile Bihar has demanded over 8900 crore rupees for rehabilitation, construction and repair of the infrastructure damaged in the floods.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who met the Prime Minister on Friday also wanted him to take up with the Nepalese Prime Minister, Pushpa Dahal Prachanda the outstanding issue of Kosi river to prevent recurrence of devastation. Prachanda is coming to India on Sunday.

New Delhi, Sept 12 : India is expected to discuss US President George W Bush''s observations that the fuel supply assurances were not legally binding and seek clarity on the issue.

According to reports, the observation made by Bush to the US Congress while presenting the 123 agreement for consideration is seen here as a different interpretation of the pact.

India is expected to take up the matter with the US to seek clarity as it has the potential of creating uncertainty over the fuel supplies issue.

New Delhi, Sept 12 : The names for the National Agriculture Leadership Awards have been announced for this year by the National Committee which functions under the Chairmanship of Haryana Governor A. R. Kidwai.

The Life Time Achievement Award for this year went to three outstanding personalities for having served the Indian agriculture system for over four decades each, which positively impacted the growth in India''s farm sector, created newer opportunities and contributed to overall rural prosperity. They are Dr. V. Kurien, Dr. K. L. Chadda, and Dr. R. S. Paroda.

New Delhi, Sep. 12 : Dr. Naresh Kumar Trehan, the renowned personality in the medical world, is today viewed as a pioneer in the field of cardiology in India. He is a renowned cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon.

Earlier, Dr. Trehan was the Executive Director and Chief Cardiovascular Surgeon of the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre for 20 years. Over the years, he has made a tremendous difference in public opinion about heart ailments.