New Delhi, Sep 11 : The Union Government on Thursday increased the annual quota for Haj pilgrimage to 1.23 lakh. However, there will be no corresponding increase in the amount spent as Haj subsidy.

“Till now, 110,000 pilgrims were able to perform the Haj on government subsidy. This year, the number has been raised to 123,211,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

“The airfare for these pilgrims has been pegged at last year''s level of Rs 12,000,” the Minister added.

New Delhi - India said Thursday it was taking steps to initiate nuclear commercial cooperation with foreign partners like Russia and France after the Nuclear Suppliers Group's waiver, but would first sign bilateral pacts similar to that with the US.

The Nuclear Power Cooperation of India has also begun preliminary discussions with US companies, an official spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Navtej Sarna said in a statement.

"We have informed the US about our intent to source state of the art nuclear technologies and facilities based on the provisions of the 123 Agreement from the US," Sarna said.

New Delhi, Sept 11 : With the Indo-US nuclear deal text being sent to the American Congress for a final nod, India on Thursday began preliminary discussions with U. S. companies for nuclear trade.

In a statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said: "Following the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) statement which enables civil nuclear cooperation by NSG members with India, The Government is taking steps to realise commercial cooperation with foreign partners in the field."

New Delhi, Sept 11 : Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora will flag off the relief material contributed by the Oil companies for flood-hit Bihar on September 12.

In order to provide relief and better medical care to the Bihar flood affected people, Deora has decided that one of the Oil PSUs should undertake medical relief operations each of the five flood affected districts Bihar.

New Delhi, Sept. 11 : President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari today greeted the nation on the occasion of Onam, which is being celebrated tomorrow.

In her m message, Patil said on the auspicious occasion of Onam, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens.

"May this unique festival, coinciding with the harvest season, bring happiness and prosperity to their lives and reaffirm our pride in the composite culture of India," she added.

New Delhi - More than 30 people were feared to have drowned after a boat capsized in India's eastern Bihar state on Thursday, police said.

The overloaded boat capsized in the Harohar river in Sheikhpura district, 40 kilometres north of Bihar capital Patna, an official at the state police control room said.

One woman passenger and about five men swam to safety, but more than 30 passengers were still missing, the official said.