The Central government has announced financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in Meena Haz fire in Saudi arabia in April, a press release said. Such families from Mumbai city (Mahim to Sion) should immediately contact the Collector of Mumbai along with necessary evidence, in his office at, General Sub-section 1, Old Custom House, Shahid Bhagatsingh Road, Mumbai-1. Tel 2661231, ext 106.

Admission woes

The president of the Shah Foundation, Ashwin Shah, has urged state government to take immediate action against the malpractices during the admissions in various reputed colleges in the suburban area for STd. XI class.

In a press statement, Shah pointed out that the agents are taking money from students ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for the admissions. He further mentioned that agents are operating actively for admissions charging Rs 25,000 for Ruparel and Ruia College, Rs 20,000 for Potdar and Rs 5,000 for Kirit, Mithabai and other colleges.

Staffer retires

Ajitchandra Kar, a darkroom assistant with the Indian Express group retired today after putting in 43 years of loyal service. Chandrakar was accorded a fond farewell by the photography department, the publisher, the general manager and the editors of the various publications of the Express group.

A staunch loyalist of the newspaper, his no-nonsense attitude was endearing.Bail granted

Gul Muhammed, an accused in the Bombay Bomb Blasts trial, was granted bail by the TADA court today on a personal bond of Rs 3 lakh and two sureities worth the same amount. The order was passed on the basis of `categorisation' which was initiated by the former judge J N Patel. Gul Muhammed is accused of being a conspirator in the blasts after being sent to Dubai for mercenary training.

The defence counsel for the accused, H H Ponda and Oves Siddiqui, pleaded before the court that as categorisation had been ratified by the Supreme Court, and since the accused was not directly involved in the conspiracy, he should be granted bail. Acting on the plea, Judge P D Kode ordered that Gul Muhammed be released on bail.

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