MUMBAI: Chief Minister Narayan Rane said today that Union Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde has assured him that the ban on onion export would be lifted within a couple of days.

Hegde's assurance came during a telephonic conversation that Rane had with him regarding the ongoing agitation of farmers in Nashik.

Plea on Shaktiman

AURANGABAD: The Aurangabad Bench of Mumbai High Court today admitted a petition praying for banning TV serial Shaktiman, telecast by Doordarshan.

The petitioner, Ganesh Rahane, who is president of the Bharatiya Balmitra Academy, submitted before the court that many children had burnt themselves while others had jumped from high-rises in the hope that Shaktiman would save their lives.

Ban on lotteries

NEW DELHI: Centre proposes to bring in a Bill to ban all types of lotteries in the Budget session of Parliament, BJP MP Vijay Goel claimed here today.He said Home Minister L K Advani had assuredhim in this regard.

Samman award

CUTTACK: Eminent story writer, Achutanandapati has been selected for the prestigious Sarala Samman award, 1998 for his outstanding contribution to Oriya literature. The award, instituted by Sarala Sahitya Sansad, carries a prize of Rs 20,000 and a citation.

Mamata men held

CALCUTTA: Police rounded up seven Trinamool Congress activists who ransacked the headquarter of the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation at Victoria house and damaged vehicles outside during their protest against a hike in fuel surcharge.