News Digest: NREGS' essence is its problem now

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 03, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		NREGS' essence is its problem now Guarantee' and 'employment' - the very two words that brought sheen to NREGS for many years - have become the biggest challenge to one of the most ambitious pro-poor schemes in the world. Awarding of highway projects up by two times in 2014-15 Award of highway projects has increased over two-times during 2014-15 in comparison to 2013-14, a development that would help government push more construction in the next two years. Did the advent of ultrasound machines kill Gujrat daughters? In the past eight days, four repeat offenders have been caught in Ahmedabad and Surat performing sex determination — a process often followed by killing the girl child in womb. More India News»

		Business
		'Does Apple Inc knows how to build cars of future' As tech companies foray into the automobile sector and auto companies drive into the digitized future, the lines are blurring on both sides. Chennai power cos welcome solar tariff extn Opposition parties are crying wolf over the extension of solar power tariff but power producers say further reduction of per unit power price will dampen investor enthusiasm. World Bank's tech push for urban bodies in Chennai Administration of urban local bodies in the state is likely to get a great deal more efficient over the next few years as it piggybacks on a World Bank-funded technology enhancement drive. More Business News»

		Environment
		Himalayan vulture makes a comeback in the Aravalis The Himalayan griffon vulture, a threatened species was recently spotted in the Aravalis along Gurgaon-Faridabad highway, near Mangar Bani sacred grove. Mice sing like songbirds to woo mates Male mice sing surprisingly complex songs to seduce females, similar to songbirds, according to a new study. Some ants have more taste for human food than others It's not just people who love the food in New York City. So do certain ants. More Environment News»

		World
		2 NYC women arrested on charges they plotted to build bomb Two women were arrested Thursday on charges they plotted to wage violent jihad by building a homemade bomb and using it for a Boston Marathon-type attack. Ex-lawmaker says Obama is like crash co-pilot, stirs row Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann went over the top on Tuesday, comparing Obama to the German pilot whose mass murder—suicide has captured the headlines in recent days. Netanyahu tells Obama Iran deal 'threat to Israel's survival' The framework nuclear deal agreed with Iran would jeopardise Israel's existence if implemented, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman quoted him as saying to US President Barack Obama on Friday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Neha Sargam loses 7 kilos for a show Neha Sargam, who was last seen in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?... Ek Baar Phir has been finalised to play the lead in Sudhir Sharma's show titled Siddhi. Why Karanvir Bohra returned to 'Qubool Hai'? Actor Karanvir Bohra, who plays Aahil in 'Qubool Hai', was in the news recently for quitting the show. He shot his last episode last week and had then considered it the end of his journey on the show. However, the actor has decided to revoke his decision. He confirms, “I had a meeting with the production house recently and they convinced me to stay back.” Actors caught sleeping on the sets Daily soap actors are more prone to hectic schedules and back to back shoots. The long, never ending working hours sometimes takes a toll on their health and the actors fall asleep on the sets without realizing that they are actually at their work places. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Exploding head syndrome' hits 20% of US teens Exploding head syndrome sounds like a mock malady but it actually affects one-fifth of college students, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Sleep Research. This helmet will tell your way Motorcyclists will no longer have to rely on maps or GPS systems, both of which require riders to take their eyes off the road, once a new Russian smart helmet goes on sale this summer. Centre nod to mega research on mobile radiation Sixteen leading scientific institutions across India have been allowed to conduct research on the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly radiating from cell phone towers, on human health. More Science News»

		Sports
		Jwala slams sports ministry over funding scheme snub Jwala Gutta lashed out at the Indian government after finding herself left out of the scheme to fund the country's top prospective medal winners at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Kamal removed from ceremony after refusing to apologise It was only after Mustafa Kamal allegations on the integrity of the match officials which resulted in his removal from the World Cup presentation party. Saina Nehwal storms into Malaysia Open quarterfinals Saina Nehwal continued her rampaging international run, notching up straight games victory over China's Yao Xue to enter Malaysia Open Super Series Premier quarterfinals. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Centre working on new law similar to Section 66A: Fadnavis Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Centre is working on formulating a new law under IT Act. Gionee gearing to launch Elife E8 in June Gionee president William Lu told TOI Tech the company’s new flagship phone will be released in June 2015 globally, including India. 17 things you didn't know your iPhone could do Most of us nearly attached to our iPhones — we use them all day everyday, but you may be surprised to learn that there are still a handful of things it can do which you probably didn't know about. More Technology News»

		Education
		Internal inefficiency hampers UGC functioning, says senior member Senior UGC member M M Ansari has said the regulator suffers from "internal inefficiency" while also blaming the HRD ministry for "dwarfing the body and crippling its role in regulation of higher educational institutions". Record 14% of aspirants clear central teachers test The Central Teacher Eligibility Test 2015 results have seen a significant improvement compared to past record. Seeking Gujarati heart in Kenyan economy When Misha Mintz-Roth worked as a financial executive in Nairobi a decade ago, he was intrigued by the extent to which Gujarati families populated Kenya’s business community. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Colaba cleared of hawkers again, but only for a VIP It seems to be turning into a routine. Hawkers are cleared from Colaba Causeway and lanes leading off it before a VIP pass-through and are allowed to return promptly afterwards. High costs a worry for renal failure patients Experts estimate that over 2 lakh Indians develop end-stage kidney disease every year. But less than 10% of these can afford treatment because of the high costs. Mulund dump fire under control Fires at dumping grounds in the city seem to have become a common affair. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi corporation contractors plan strike from Monday After sanitation workers, municipal contractors are now threatening to go on strike over non-payment of dues. Waste now flung on North Delhi roads Sanitation workers of North and South Corporations have gone on strike as their demands for regularization of their jobs and a cashless medical insurance scheme have not been taken up. Delhi government won't take excuses for electric cuts Delhi government on Tuesday warned the city's three discoms BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna and Tata Power Delhi of "serious consequences" if they resort to unreasonable excuses for load shedding and directed them to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the national capital. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Marg darshan speech: LK Advani doubtful, BJP hopeful Even as the three-day BJP national executive meet opened in Bengaluru on Thursday, party leaders are keeping their fingers crossed on whether the party’s patriarch LK Advani will give them “marg darshan” (guidance), a convention he established in 1980. Land bill takes centre stage at BJP meet in Bengaluru The land bill, a big concern of the Narendra Modi government, became the focal point at the BJP national executive meeting that took off in Bengaluru on Thursday morning. Bengaluru mourns its bright daughter Struck by grief and shock, Pavagada voluntarily shut down on Thursday to mourn the town’s teenager, Gouthami Ramesh, who was allegedly shot dead by her college attendant in her hostel room in southeast Bengaluru on Tuesday night. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Now, you can register property on the net The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday formally put in place the “anywhere online registration“ scheme that enables a property owner or buyer to complete most of the process, including payment of the fee, online. They need to go to the sub-registrar office only for the final act of registration. Hyderabad HC suspends JNTU circular on faculty selection The high court on Thursday suspended the circular issued by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) directing all engineering colleges to have one nominee from the university in the selection committees which are meeting to select faculty. Robotics may hold the key for autistic children Autistic children got rare lessons from a robot in a first-ever move that could eventually revolutionize the way these special children are taught better ways to communicate and learn. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Chennai woman who came to buy gilt goes with gold She came as if to buy gold-plated ornaments, and left with the saleswoman's seven sovereigns of gold. TN asks AIR to vacate Marina campus Eyeing takeover of a premium piece of real estate, the Tamil Nadu government has asked All India Radio (AIR) to return the property opposite Marina Lighthouse leased to the broadcaster 60 years ago. ED action result of political vendetta: Maran A day after the Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth 742 crore belonging to him and his family in the Aircel-Maxis deal case, former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran said on Thursday the move was a result of political vendetta. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Ahmedabad cops ask HQ of messaging app for leak details Despite several arrests in the Biology paper leak case, police now know that the leak is widespread but can’t identify the recipients of the leaked paper. Dengue-like virus rears its head in Ahmedabad Even as swine flu is receding because of rising temperatures, dengue seems to be raising its head in Ahmedabad. 1500 villages under scanner for Lion census beginning from May 2 The much awaited Asiatic Lion census, covering one of the biggest ever area in its census will cover over 1500 villages around the sanctuary. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Protest against PSC chief turns violent Violence broke out in the city on Wednesday during a protest against UP Public Service Commission with hundreds of aspirants and students going on rampage pelting stones at policemen, vandalising dozens of vehicles, including a Provincial Arms Constabulary (PAC) bus, setting city bus afire and raising slogans against the commission and the state government. CCTV footage help cops nab notorious auto-lifters Finding no other option for tighten the noose around auto-lifters, the men-in-khaki are now taking assistance of CCTV footages to nab them. Railway yet to launch train to Kanpur Even as the railway department had made a tradition to announce new trains during the railway budget every financial year, the much anticipated Prayag-Kanpur Intercity Express, announced in the past interim railway budget of financial year 2014-15 has not yet been launched. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Extra item on Berhampur menu Badi chips were served along with rice and dalma at four places here on Wednesday after the launch of Aahar scheme. 'Delay in MPLAD projects led to wasteful spending' The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found that projects taken up with MP local area development (LAD) funds in the state suffered from slow progress. Medical college tag for IGH Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Rourkela with a medical college and announced a second bridge over the Brahmani near Rourkela on the Biramitrapur-Barkote section of NH-143. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Harassment of minor on train: Kin demand watertight case Parents of 10-year-old survivor who was sexually harassed by a law graduate on a train between Jabalpur and Bhopal on March 16 have alleged police have not made a watertight case against the accused. Face of anti-tobacco campaign Sunita Tomar dies in Gwalior Sunita Tomar, 28, who became the poster girl of India's anti-tobacco campaign after the Union ministry made a 30-second video - 'Sunita' - highlighting the devastating effect of smokeless tobacco - died on early on Wednesday in Gwalior district. Sexual harassments on train A 21-year-old woman was sexually harassed by a drunk soldier on Rajdhani Express on Tuesday night.The woman managed to contact police after which the accused was arrested at Bhopal railway station. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Gang rape victim ends life in Sonipat of NCR In yet another shocking incident, a 17-year old girl, who was allegedly gangraped by two youths in September last year, committed suicide at her house in Sonipat city of NCR area of Haryana on Thursday morning. Yadav-Bhushan supporters to hold 'convention' in Chandigarh Days after Yogendera Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were expelled from the national executive of Aam Aadmi Party, their supporters from Punjab and Haryana would meet in Chandigarh on April 7. Three underpasses in Gurgaon get Haryana CM's nod For thousands of harried commuters who waste precious time and money to cross the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway, relief might soon be at hand. More Chandigarh News»

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