MUMBAI: In a veiled warning to bureaucrats to pull up their socks or face action, the Rane Government today transferred Housing Secretary V P Raja. Incidentally, Housing Department is responsible for implementation of the much-trumpeted Slum Redevelopment Scheme of the Sena-BJP Government. In a terse statement, Chief Secretary P Subramaniam asked Raja to vacate the post with immediate effect. Surprisingly, a new post Officer on Special Duty -- has been created for Raja in the Higher and Technical Education Department.

Hooch deaths

ARA: At least 12 persons died and over two dozens taken ill this afternoon after consuming illicit liquor at Ratnar and adjoining Khariacha village in Bihar's Bhojpur district, police said.

Gawli man killed

MUMBAI: Rajesh Roy, one of the top shooters of the Arun Gawli gang, was shot dead in a police encounter at Bhandup around 9.20 pm on Saturday. This is the third major blow to the Gawli gang, who lost Sharad Bandve andBandya Adivalekar in police encounters this year.

Afghan quake

KABUL: At least 50 people were killed and another 200 injured in a strong earthquake which struck East Afghanistan yesterday, the official radio Shariat said today. Preliminary reports had put the number of dead at four with 10 seriously injured. Foreign aid workers said the hardest hit area was around Mayden Sahr, about 60 km west of Kabul.