Monsoon has been 7% short

 Mukesh plans health care foray, sets eyes on 26% stake in Fortis

The fierce gunbattle that raged for almost 6 hours yesterday morning - between the security forces and the Maoists in West Bengal's Midnapur District - is predominantly covered by the Press. The Indian Express writes that there are unconfirmed reports that the  Maoist Military  commission regional chief - Akash - has been killed in the operation.

In this connection the Times of India reports that the Indian Army  has started preparing for the possibility of being called upon to tackle what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calls India's gravest internal security threat, by keeping about 50,000 soldiers in readiness to help civilian authorities.

The Hindustan Times report that the June - September monsoon has been 7% short and that the Government is watching carefully, as the rains will decide if food inflation can be controlled.

Repercussions and accusations in the 1984 Bhopal Gas disaster refuse to die down. The Statesman quotes a Congress spokesperson as saying "Across eight administrations in 25 years, if their is a feeling that no justice has been done in the Bhopal Gas tragedy issue, than it is a systemic failure, so no purpose would be served by pointing fingers.

The Hindustan Times writes that Railways Minister Mamta Banajrjee wants to do away with Government Railway Police  and hand over its power to the Railway Protection Force, in order to get rid of the dual authority and the problems arising out of this.

The Ambani brothers continue to make headlines. The Financial Express writes "Mukesh plans health care foray, sets eyes on 26% stake in Fortis", and the Hindustan Times informs us that after exactly five years of acrimony, Anil and Mukesh Ambani and their spouses may  face each other amicably amid thousands of shareholders at the annual general meeting of Reliance Industries Ltd. on the 18th of this month.

The Hindustan Times writes that cyclists in the country are faced with an "Orange" prospect, as the Government, to ensure their safety and that bicycles are clearly visible even at night, wants to change their colour from black to Orange.