Maharashtra Govt Scheme

The scheme would be on the lines of another scheme by which the government had promised to provide free-of-cost houses to over 40 lakh slum dwellers in the megapolis. Those who were present on the occasion included Mayor Vishakha Raut and Suresh Gambhir, MLA, the release said.

Hong Kong

Speculation in Hong Kong's booming property market will be a serious matter for the territory's post-handover government and solutions will require a delicate touch, Governor Chris Patten warned yesterday. "I don't want to say that things are getting out of control but I do agree that it is going to be a serious issue for the (post-handover) government to tackle," Patten told reporters. With the handover to Chinese rule just 15 days away, the administration of future leader Tung Chee-hwa has begun to formulate plans to curb property speculation. On Saturday, a Tung senior aide said speculation was rampant in the territory and should be brought under control.