The industry has been requested by foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee to cut salaries instead of cutting jobs to fight the bad times of financial meltdown across the globe, which has led to major cut in jobs in recent past.

According to Mr. Mukherjee, who also holds the charge of the finance ministry, there was a need to protect the labour force, even if it meant a slight reduction in emoluments.

New Delhi, Feb. 21 : As the criminal activities are rising in Punjab, a growing number of women have started keeping licensed guns to protect themselves.

With 541 licensed weapons registered for women, Bhatinda district comes first in the tally, followed by Patiala (256) and Faridkot (105).

Women feel that keeping a weapon would enable them to defend themselves and their families in crisis situations.

"One incident happened with me. One boy of my village molested me. That is why I have to keep this licensed weapon for my security," said Manpreet Kaur, a local villager.

New Delhi, Feb 21 : Railways have introdu

New Delhi, Feb. 21 : Railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Saturday said there were no differences among various constituents of the United Progressive Alliance.

Political churnings had earlier suggested that rifts were beginning to widen between Lalu's Rashtrya Janta Dal and Lok Janshakthi Party of Union Fertilisers and Chemicals Minister Ram Vilas Paswan with the nearing of the general election.

But Lalu denied any trouble between RJD and LJD saying both the parties were loyal to the UPA.

New Delhi, Feb 21 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday demanded a parliament probe in the Satyam Computers Services fraud case.

The BJP president Rajnath Singh claimed that the Congress is afraid to allow the parliament probe.

"The countrymen want to know who all have been involved in the scam. I know the present government would not allow the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the issue as I know many big personalities of the Congress party do not want to get entangled in the investigation process," Rajnath Singh told party functionaries here.

New Delhi, Feb 21 : Supreme Court Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, on Saturday expressed regret over the clash between the lawyers and police in the Madras High Court premises.

Reacting to the episode that has unfolded over the past two days, Chief Justice Balakrishnan told reporters here that he is still ascertaining the full facts and is in close touch with court authorities in Chennai.

He, however, dismissed the need for visiting Chennai for the purpose.

The advocates were protesting against the arrest of their colleagues in connection with an assault case.