New Delhi/Srinagar: A delegation of opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, which wanted to visit Kashmir Valley to take stock of the situation there after the abrogation of Article 370 provisions, was not allowed to leave Srinagar airport on Saturday by the state administration and had to return to the national capital.

Chandigarh, Aug 24: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday expressed surprise over Punjab not being included in the list of states identified for on-the-spot assessment of flood situation by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

Chandigarh: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Saturday batted for abolishing income tax, hiking interest rate on fixed deposits and lowering it on loans to spur economic growth.

 Top Congress leaders on Saturday condoled the demise of former finance minister Arun Jaitley, with party chief Sonia Gandhi saying his contributions to public life will be remembered forever.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 11 leaders of other opposition parties who landed today at Srinagar airport were sent back to Delhi, news agency ANI reported. Restrictions have been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir since the centre withdrew special status from the state and divided it into two union territories earlier this month.

 Restrictions were lifted in most areas of Kashmir on Saturday, a day after strict curbs on the movement of people were imposed in the valley in view of the Friday prayers and the proposed march of separatists to the local United Nations military observer group office.

Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be cremated on Sunday afternoon at the Nigambodh Ghat, BJP leader Sudhanshu Mittal said.

 Top political leaders paid rich tributes to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who died on Saturday. The senior BJP leader died at AIIMS, where he was undergoing treatment for several weeks. He was 66. Prime minister Narendra Modi said he has lost a valued friend, whom he had known for decades.