National Events in July 2000
Jul. 2:
At least 30 people die after a boat collapses in Kumla river near Pratapur in Madhubani district of Bihar.
Jul. 3:
The Japanese Government gives its top civilian award of the order of the Sacred Treasure, golden rays with neck ribbon to Dr. Ashok Jain, Emeritus Scientist, CSIR, and Dr. Raj K. Buddhiraja, noted Hindi literary figure and president, Indian Council for Japanese Culture.
Jul. 4:
The Union Cabinet rejects J&K autonomy resolution.
The trial of the Bihar Chief Minister, Mrs. Rabri Devi, and the RJD president, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav in the disproportionate assets case begins.
Volvo's Environmental Prize for Prof. Amulya K. N. Reddy of India and three others for their work on how the world's energy resources can be made to suffice as the population grows.
Four white tigers die in the Nandankanan Zoological Park on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
Jul. 5:
The Prime Minister rules out restoring pre-1953 status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Six more tigers die at the Nandankanan Zoological Park.
Jul. 6:
India, Nepal sign agreement to set up a specialist joint unit to counter terrorism and share information about criminals operating along the border.
Mohan Lal bags Best Actor Award for his sensitive portrayal of a Kathakali artist in ``Vaanasprastham'' and the film wins the Best Feature Film and Best Editing Awards at the 47th National Film Festival-2000.
Jul. 7:
The 11th Finance Commission headed by Prof. A. M. Khusro submits report to the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan.
Another white tiger falls victim to the parasitic infection in the Nandankanan Zoological park.
Fifty peacocks die due to haemmorhage of stomach after consuming bajra mixed with fertilizers in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh.
Jul. 11:
Noted litterateur, Ms. Amrita Pritam honoured with the highest award for Punjabi literature for the century, the ``Shatabdi Samman.''
The Union Cabinet offers the five-lakh strong non-executive workforce of PSUs the option of choosing the periodicity of wage revision.
Jul. 12:
The Bangalore Police arrest S.M.Ibrahim, the brain behind all explosions at Churches in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.
Sixtyseven persons die in landslip triggered by torrential rain in Ghatkopar, a Mumbai suburb.
Jul. 14:
Kashmir will never secede from India to become independent or part of Pakistan, says the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
Jul. 15:
The Maharashtra Government gives the green signal to police to proceed against the Shiv Sena Chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray for his alleged role in the 1992-93 Mumbai communal riots.
Jul. 16:
World witnesses' a total lunar eclipse lasting one hour and 47 minutes, the longest such in 150 years and the second in a series of three in a month.
In the biggest ever haul of RDX in 11 years, security forces recover 315 kg of the explosive in a raid at Zaina Kadal area in Srinagar.
All the 150 Indian peacekeepers besieged within a UN base in the rebel stronghold of Kailahun in Sierra Leone since early May set free by a rescue team.
Jul. 17:
Fiftyfive persons die as a Boeing 737 of Alliance Air from Calcutta to Delhi via Patna and Lucknow, crashes at Gardanibagh, one km from the runway at the Patna airport.
The Government lifts ceiling on FDI in the power sector.
Jul. 18:
The Cabinet clears a turnaround plan for the HMT involving an investment of Rs. 250 crores, the closure of five unviable units and conversion of three divisions into subsidiaries.
In a second major haul, J&K police seize 70 kg of RDX from a hand-cart.
Jul. 19:
The Centre has no locus standi in Thackeray case, says the Prime Minister and rejects the resignations of Shiv Sena nominees in the Union Cabinet, Mr. Manohar Joshi, Mr. Suresh Prabhu and Mr. Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil.
Jul. 20:
In a nationwide swoop, IT Department officials search the residences of cricketers Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and former ICC Chairman, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya and recover incriminating documents.
Jul. 21:
The Union Government launches ``Sarvapriya'', a nationwide scheme to provide 11 essentials at PDS prices.
The alleged kingpin behind the serial blasts in Andhra Pradesh, Kaliq-uz-zaman and three others in detention.
The Russian crew in Purulia arms drop case set free after the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan remits their life sentence and waives the fine.
The Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee announces a special fund for population projects with the Planning Commission providing seed money of Rs. 100 crores, addressing the maiden meeting of the National Population Commission.
Jul. 23:
The Union Law Minister, Mr. Ram Jethmalani quits Cabinet after the Prime Minister shows him the door following the outbursts against the Chief Justice of India, Dr. A. S. Anand.
Jul. 24:
The Hizbul Mujahideen announces a ``unilateral ceasefire'' for three months.
The trial in the Rs. 133 crore urea scam resumes after about one year, in the special court for CBI cases in New Delhi.
Jul. 25:
The Shiv Sena Chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray courts arrest and the court of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Boiwada, Mr. B. P. Kamble dismisses the case because of six-year delay in pursuing it after the FIR.
Two Indians, Ms. Aruna Roy from Rajasthan and Mr. Jockin Arputham, founder of the Indian National Slum Dwellers' Association chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay award for public service.
The Manisana Wage Board for Journalists and Non-Journalists submits its final report to the Government.
The Government introduces in Lok Sabha the States Reorganisation Bills amid protest.
Jul. 26:
The Centre imposes a ban on employing children belowing 14 years as domestic servants by all Government employees in the All India services, at the insistence of the NHRC.
Lok Sabha opposes with one voice J&K resolution on autonomy and says there cannot be a ``nation within a nation.''
Jul. 28:
The Government announces a National Agriculture Policy favouring private sector participation through contract farming and land- leasing arrangements.
Jul. 30:
Veerappan kidnaps Kannada thespian Rajkumar and three others from the actor's farm house in Gajanur in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
Jul. 31:
The Government announces appointment of Mr. Justice B. M. Lal as Chairman of the MRTP Commission.
The Kargil hero, Air Marshal Vinod Patney,is appointed Vice-Chief of Air staff in a major reshuffle of top commanders.
The Centre and the NSCN(I-M) agree to extend the ceasefire in Nagaland by one more year. The ceasefire is in operation since August 1, 1997.
The Lok Sabha passes by voice vote a bill for creation of Chhattisgarh State.