New Delhi - In response to Pakistani queries, India on Friday provided written replies that a senior Indian minister said provided "a solid basis" to punish perpetrators of November's Mumbai terrorist attacks.

A set of 30 questions were raised by Pakistani investigators who studied India's dossier containing evidence linking the Pakistan- based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to the assault that left at least 170 people dead and over 300 injured.

New Delhi, Mar 13 : The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said a Maharashtrian should also be given an opportunity to occupy the Prime Minister's chair.

"There is a feeling among Maharashtrian people that a number of states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka have got a chance to occupy the Prime Minister's office. So Maharashtra should get an opportunity as well," Pawar told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

New Delhi, Mar. 13 : The Home Ministry has advised IPL organizers that it may not be possible to hold the cash-rich Twenty20 series as per BCCI's revised schedule.

Due to the concerns of the various State Governments, the ministry has advised the IPL organizers to further revise the schedule and submit it for approval the ministry. The IPL organizers are meeting this evening on the matter.

Karnataka has expressed its inability to provide security for two Bangalore matches, but has agreed to accommodate the rest of the matches.

New Delhi, Mar 13 : Meera Shankar, currently Ambassador of India to Germany, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United States of America.

She will succeed Ronen Sen, whose extended term ends on March 31.

She is expected to take up her assignment shortly.

Key representatives of US, Indian business and industry, and the Indian-American community have hailed Shankar's appointment.

Shankar, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1973 batch was posted in Washington from 1991 to 1995.

New Delhi, Mar 13 : Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday submitted answers to the 30 questions forwarded by Pakistan on the Mumbai attack to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

"India's reply to Pakistan's 30 queries is comprehensive and now it is up to Pakistan to prove its intent by acting on the details," Chidambaram said.

New Delhi, Mar. 13 : Pakistan Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has reportedly given a 24 hour deadline to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to convince President Zardari to accept the new political deal backed by Washington and London.

If Zardari does not accept the new deal, then the Army and the foreign powers will be left with no option but to implement the ''minus-one formula'' which will include Zardari's removal from the Presidency.