With an eye on crucial polls in five states, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee appears set to appease the middle class with a likely increase in the income tax exemption limit, from Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh - as part of the Union Budget speech

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Prime Minister  Manmohan Singh's reply to the motion of thanks on President's address in Parliament on Thursday finds prominence in the Press. "Nothing we won't do to clean up public life: PM" is the headline in the Asian Age. "Singh admits to graft in CWG, 2G: Pledges to fight inflation", highlights the Financial Express.
The Mail Today writes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dragged the NDA government into the controversy over S-Band spectrum in the Antrix-Devas deal, saying the first discussions were introduced in March 2003, when the Atal Bihari Vajpai government was in office. "NDA initiated Devas Deal : PM" headlines the Hindustan Times.
"Libya protestors gear up for the 'Battle of Tripoli' " reports the Tribune, as forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi launched a counter attack yesterday on anti-government militias. "3 warships on Libya rescue mission" report the Times of India. Three naval warship - INS Jalashwa and two Delhi-class destroyers will head for Libya to ferry around 9500 Indians from Tripoli and Benghazi.
"Sensex tanks on Libya"- headlines HT Business - the paper writes - it turned out to be a terrible Thursday as Indian Stock Market witnessed their worst fall in more than 18 months after the ugly political crisis in oil producer Libya  took world crude prices to a 30 month high of 120 dollars per barrel.
Hostage crisis ends - headlined the Indian Express. "Safe and healthy, collector returns to garlands, drumbeats and Zindabad". Freed collector R V Krishna says, "Scope for debate on development, but Tribals must benefits."
The Times of India reports - "With an eye on crucial polls in five states, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee appears set to appease the middle class with a likely increase in the income tax exemption limit, from Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh - as part of the Union Budget speech on Monday".
And finally, papers report of the death of the legendary Anant Pai at 81, whose beautifully illustrated and simply narrated stories of the Amar Chitra Katha Comics and Tinkle Magazine reintroduced India to young Indians in a fun way.