News Digest: Cable operator who took poison before judges dies in Amritsar

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, March 31, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Cable operator who took poison before judges dies in Amritsar A cable operator who was a witness in the infamous Amritsar Siti cable sex scam of 2003 died in a hospital on Monday, two days after he consumed some poisonous substance in front of a few judges during a seminar on March 28. Good roads top priority: HP CM Government has always given top priority to the construction, repair and maintenance of roads, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh said here on Monday. AAP leaders in Punjab, Haryana: Who's siding with whom in Delhi The turmoil in Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) central leadership seems to have created fissures in the Punjab and Haryana units of the party as well. More India News»

		Business
		'Rules not in sync with new-age business' When it comes to India's booming e-commerce market, Amit Agarwal is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's go-to man. Government rejects BP's request to sell jet fuel The government has rejected BP's application for selling aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, saying its $477-million investment in India so far does not qualify it to get a fuel-retailing licence, but has allowed it to apply afresh with more details. New platform for startups to tap markets: Sebi To help startups and young entrepreneurs raise funds, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday proposed an ‘Alternate Capital Raising Platform', where such firms can raise money from institutions and HNIs from the capital markets under a relaxed regulatory regime. More Business News»

		Environment
		Delhi's waste-to-energy plants 'toxic, costly, inefficient' Waste-to-energy incineration plants may not help Delhi deal with its massive trash problem. Leopard trapped in Jalpaiguri, released in forest A full grown female leopard at Binnaguri tea garden here was captured and released in a forest on Monday, forest department officials said. Sunderbans sea level to rise 3-8 mm per year: World Bank The water level in the Sunderbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is rising at an "alarming" level, endangering the habitation, a World Bank report has suggested. More Environment News»

		World
		16 dead in Peru bus accident: Police At least 16 people were killed on Tuesday when a bus went off a mountain road in southeastern Peru, plunging 1,000 meters into a ravine, police said. IS-inspired teenager in Austria faces terrorism charges The teenager, referred to as "Merkan G", is accused by the St Poelten city prosecutor's office of downloading plans on the internet for the construction of a bomb. HP ex-CEO '90% certain' to fight US president poll in '16 The American Presidential election campaign was electrified over the weekend with the announcement by a prominent female Silicon Valley executive that she would run for the White House in 2016. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Being on the wheel chair took a toll on me' Kalki Koechlin is free-spirited, full of love and calm. Her role as Laila who is suffering from ‘Cerebral Palsy’ (a kind of spasticity) in her upcoming film 'Margarita With A Straw' is by far the toughest role she has played till date. Clicked: Ahaana's baby shower pic Dharmendra and Hema Malini's younger daughter Ahaana Deol is expecting her first baby Payal-Sangram confirmed on Nach Baliye Rashami Desai and Nandish Sandhu — the on-off couple — is all set to participate in the upcoming season of the dance reality show, Nach Baliye More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Marijuana cultivation tied to US drought? The current drought in Cali fornia, one of the most se vere on record, could have been exacerbated by marijuana cultivation, scientists say. China plans huge solar power station in space China plans to build a huge solar power station 36,000km above the ground in an attempt to battle smog, cut greenhouse gases and solve energy crisis, much on the lines of an idea first floated in 1941 by fiction writer Isaac Asimov, state media reported on Monday. Child's water wonder shapes tech that can change lives Like other kids his age, Aritra Ghosh loved the sight of tiny beads of raindrops rolling over lotus leaves in the waterbody behind their house in Durgapur. More Science News»

		Sports
		ICC president takes on Srinivasan for ceremony snub The fight within the ICC escalated as its president accused chairman N Srinivasan of snatching his rights to hand over WC trophy to World Champions. Respect Virat and Anushka's personal lives: Yuvraj Singh Out-of-favour India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has appealed to the cricket fans to respect Test captain Virat Kohli and his actress girlfriend Anushka Sharma's personal lives. Groom young bowlers to regain Cup glory: Vengsarkar Vengsarkar suggested that cricket authorities should spot a handful of young pace and spin bowlers and make them play in county cricket during off season. More Sports News»

		Technology
		You can still get into trouble for online posts: Digital law experts The internet in India is freer now, but individuals could still to get into trouble for online posts, say digital media and law experts. Indian online buyers among world's unhappiest: UN After the US, China and the UK, India has the fourth largest number of complaints made against companies selling online. 10 fascinating facts about Steve Jobs Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli's new book, "Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader," is full of interesting nuggets and facts about the Apple co-founder. More Technology News»

		Education
		CU teachers write to governor against VC's security steps The Association of Calicut University Teachers (ACT), the largest teacher union in the varsity, has written to Governor and Chancellor, P Sathasivam urging his immediate intervention to withdraw the police picket set up on the campus along with the severe security measures currently in force in the varsity. Hafeez Contractor's architectural plans for new IITs, IIMs accepted by HRD panel With a host of new IITs and IIMs coming up in the next few years, noted architect Hafeez Contractor has prepared architectural plans for central educational institutions like IITs, IIMs, NITs and central universities. Gujarat University may close down external courses Gujarat University (GU) vice-chancellor M N Patel has hinted that the external courses or distance education for its various faculties may soon be closed down. There are around 15,000 external UG and PG students who are registered with GU. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Congress and MIM compete for Muslim vote in Bandra bypoll With around 84,000 votes, Muslim voters can play a decisive role in the triangular fight in Bandra (E) bypoll on April 11. Respect for national flag must be taught in schools, says Bombay HC The Bombay High Court on Monday said children must be taught how to respect the national flag in their schools, while urging creating awareness rather than penal action against violators. BEST bus fare hike from tomorrow Commuters will have to shell out Re1 to Rs10 for traveling on BEST buses from April 1. BEST has also decided to alter some routes, besides introducing a ‘Flag the bus’ scheme on many routes across the city. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi's PWD told to finish two roads this year The public works department was on Monday asked to complete road construction work on two important stretches by the end of the year after an inspection by minister Satyendar Jain. Delhi looks at Singapore for recycling Taking inspiration from Singapore, Delhi government plans an ambitious project to provide recycled water to clusters of 100-200 houses, bringing down the problem of water scarcity in the capital. Non-stop water supply tops DJB's summer plan To ensure minimum disruption to water supply in the coming summer months, Delhi Jal Board has put in place a summer action plan. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Music will bring history alive here on Heritage Day Revisiting history while listening to some great classical melodies - the culturati couldn't ask for more. Victoria Hospital - Damaged water pipe puts dialysis on hold A water pipe problem is hitting dialysis patients hard, at the government-run Institute of Nephro Urology in Victoria Hospital premises, patients denied treatment said. TOI campaign - Church St can become a model urban space Unfortunately, our Church Street doesn't even have walkable footpaths, drains are overflowing with sewage and pedestrians get electrocuted by loose electric wires. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Centre releases Rs 1,500 crore for construction of new AP capital The NDA government on Monday sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore for the construction of Andhra Pradesh's new capital. HC quashes Vijayawada police search operations order The city police received a jolt on Monday when the Hyderabad High Court struck down their 'night domination' search operations. Lokayukta seeks report on alleged fee sop scam Lokayukta B Subhashan Reddy on Monday directed the TRS government to submit a report on the alleged irregularities in the fee reimbursement scheme on or before April 28. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Erode farmer develops herbal pesticides from leaves Whenever K M Chellamuthu sprayed pesticide on plants that he grew, he became allergic to the toxic components. A small-scale farmer, he could not afford to hire someone for the job. Three, including student, killed as school van plunges into canal near Nagercoil A school van plunged into a canal near Nagercoil here on Monday morning, killing the driver, a school student and a woman bathing in the canal. TN govt to dole out 52% more in salary to staff in next 3 years The state government will have to gear up for a 52% increase in salary bills over the next three years. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Congress stages silent protest over police complaint The opposition Congress on Monday staged a silent protest by wearing black strips on their mouths in the assembly against the police complaint registered against 19 of their MLAs in the case of vandalism last week. ED files prosecution in Biotor's Rs 509cr fraud case The Ahmedabad zonal unit of Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday filed prosecution in five-year-old Rs 509 crore fraud case of Vadodara-based Biotor Industries against 16 accused. Betting racket: FSL receives 11 laptops, 8 pen drives The cyber forensics department at Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS), Gandhinagar have received 11 laptops and eight pen drives seized by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with multi-crore betting racket busted near Vadodara earlier this month. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Violence breaks out in front of UPPSC headquarters over paper leakage Violence broke out in front of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission headquarters here today when youths demanding the removal of the Chairman over the issue of leakage of question papers indulged in stone pelting and damaged a state roadways bus. 10 villagers arrested for attack on cops The Kaushambi police on Sunday claimed to have arrested as many as 10 villagers allegedly involved in the attack on police party in Jalauli village. Paper leak a rumour, exam peaceful: UPPSC The leaked General Studies-I question paper of PCS (pre)-2015 was not officially cancelled by UP Public Service Commission (UPSC) till reports last came in on Sunday evening. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odias in Kolkata to celebrate Utkal Divas From traditional songs and Ranappa to a performance by a conch shell troupe, Odias in Kolkata are ready to celebrate the 79th Utkal Divas in a big way. Puri priests set out in search of neem trees for Nabakalebara A centuries-old tradition came alive in Puri on Sunday when a group of priests set out on a 49-day expedition in search of neem timbers for formation of new idols (Nabakalebara) of the sibling deities of Jagannath Temple. PRIs to be restructured in phases: Minister To strengthen the administration at the grassroots and make it people-friendly, the state government is planning to reorganize the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs). More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Paedophiles on prowl at home, POCSO brings swift justice Serial rapist Saurabh Jain stalked children on streets of Bhopal and sexually assaulted them before he was nabbed on Saturday, but paedophiles run amok within the four walls of homes and district court is flooded with such cases. Lokayukta could close 21 of 161 cases against ministers, CMs in 31 years Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, state's anti-corruption ombudsman, could complete investigations in only 21 out 161 cases registered against chief ministers and ministers of the state in the last three decades. Tiger cub found dead at MP deputy speaker's farm A tiger cub died in a trap kept at a farmhouse of former Congress minister and deputy speaker of legislative assembly Rajendra Singh in buffer zone of Bandhavgarh National Tiger Reserve in Umaria district. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Rain, hailstorm spell more misery for Sirsa farmers After facing the fury of rains and hailstorms in the past one month, rainfall coupled with high-velocity winds damaged more standing crops in Haryana in the past 24 hours. Sonia's Punjab visit deferred Congress president Sonia Gandhi's visit to Punjab to take stock of crop loss due to untimely rains on March 31 has been deferred due to bad weather forecast. City's water share to go up Deepak.Yadav@timesgroup.The hurdle of additional water supply of 40 MGD through a new pipeline from Punjab has finally been crossed. More Chandigarh News»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Top Headlines | Tech | Entertainment | Movie Reviews | Life & Style