News Digest: Chhattisgarh babus cling to plum posts after formal innings

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, February 08, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Chhattisgarh babus cling to plum posts after formal innings At a time when the Narendra Modi government directed all ministries not to hold up senior babus beyond their tenure, in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh there is a bureaucratic empire on which the sun never sets. Pragya feels 'betrayed' by Rajnath, pins hope on Modi Six years after she first walked out from captivity on Sat urday for an hour to meet her critically ill mother, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur broke down recalling her torture in prison and pinning hope on PM Narendra Modi. Two bar owners confess to I-T about paying bribe to Kerala finance minister Two bar owners raided by the income tax (I-T) department last Tuesday reportedly admitted to I-T sleuths that they had contributed funds which were eventually paid as alleged bribe to state finance minister K M Mani for obtaining certain favours from the government. More India News»

		Business
		Govt to infuse Rs 6,990 crore in 9 'efficient' PSU banks The government on Saturday decided to infuse Rs 6,990 crore in nine state-run banks under new criteria which reward efficient banks with extra capital to strengthen their position. IDCO signs pact with Indian Rare Earth Ltd in Odisha As part of its diversification programme, the state owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) today signed an MoU with public sector Indian Rare Earth Ltd (IRE) to set up a mineral separation plant in Odisha's Ganjam district. West Bengal likely to fall short of revenue target this fiscal West Bengal's revenue collection this fiscal is likely to be lower than the projected Rs 45,000 crore, a senior government official said today. More Business News»

		Environment
		'Developing equipment to tap gas hydrates from Ocean' To meet India's growing demand for energy, the ministry of earth sciences is developing high-end equipment to harness and exploit the deposits of gas hydrates in Indian Ocean, said a top official here Friday. Bengal tiger confronts a new creature: Development A plan drawn up by the state government will see building of roads, hotels and other tourism infrastructure in ecologically sensitive Sundarbans. Forest officers to brain-storm on changes in green laws Government will take the view of forest officials from across the country before proposing amendments to key environment laws. More Environment News»

		World
		Fire Volcano in Guatemala erupts, spewing rock and ash The Fire Volcano in southern Guatemala exploded incandescent rock and ash over surrounding towns on Saturday. 5 dead, including gunman, in US shooting Five people were dead, including the gunman, after a shooting in a housing development in suburban Atlanta that also left two children injured, police said. Nigerian presidential poll postponed until March 28 Nigeria's electoral commission on Saturday announced a six-week postponement to the presidential elections, citing fears over security and the Boko Haram insurgency. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Balika Vadhu actor fined for drunk driving According to an IANS report, Balika Vadhu actor Siddharth Shukla was caught driving under the influence of alcohol by traffic police in Mumbai. Amy Jackson replaces Kriti Sanon in Akki's next There has been a lot of speculation about Akshay Kumar’s next entertainer Singh Is Bling. Ranbir Kapoor: I can't hide an engagement For the very first time, he talks exclusively to the Bombay Times about the status of the Sanjay Dutt biopic and how he is yet not engaged to his lady-love Katrina Kaif. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Spray to help you sleep Silicon Valley startup Sprayable has sold more than 40,000 bottles of its topical caffeine spray since launching it in 2013. Red wine compound may help prevent memory loss: Study A compound found in common foods such as red grapes and peanuts may help prevent age-related decline in memory, according to an Indian-origin researcher. Study: Women with diabetes likely to die earlier than male diabetics A new research has found that women who are suffering from type 1 diabetes face a higher risk of dying early as compared to men. They are also twice more likely to die of heart disease as compared to men with the same condition. More Science News»

		Sports
		Injured Ishant ruled out of World Cup, Mohit likely to replace him Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the World Cup owing to a knee injury after he was the only one among the four injured cricketers who failed in the fitness test. La Liga: Atletico thrash woeful Real 4-0 in Madrid derby Atletico Madrid blew the La Liga title race wide open by extending their unbeaten run over Real Madrid to 6 games with a 4-0 thrashing of European champions. EPL: Ivanovic sinks Villa as Chelsea extend lead at top Branislav Ivanovic's second-half goal earned Chelsea a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa as the Premier League leaders moved 7 points clear at the top on Saturday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Myntra planning to shut down its website by year-end Myntra is expecting to take traffic and sales from mobile to 90% by the year end, which is when the e-tailer's web portal may cease to exist. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos's advice to anyone running a business Ask yourself what won't change and then put all your energy and effort into those things, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says. 10 smartphones with 'best' battery life Here’s a look at 10 smartphones available in the Indian market that come with big batteries... More Technology News»

		Education
		100 Kaushal centres from coming academic year: UGC The proposed Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood (Kaushal) centres will be set up from the upcoming academic year, a senior University Grants Commission (UGC) official said today. Not many willing to recruit integrated graduates The popularity of integrated courses is high among students abroad and now they are gaining acceptance here as well. Colleges woo students with integrated courses Chennai-based B-school, Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM), is setting up a university to offer integrated programme in engineering and management. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		It's shameful that Obama's lecturing us: Digvijaya Singh Addressing the seventh convention of Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) in the city on Saturday, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh deplored that the US President Barack Obama was lecturing us on our Constitutional rights. Maharashtra gets Rs 135 crore for Swachh Bharat Union minister of urban development Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday called for people, public, private partnerships (PPPP) to develop Indian cities. 10 SGNP monkeys 'poisoned' to death At least 10 monkeys were found were found dead near Tulsi lake in Mulund on Saturday afternoon. An animal activist said that the monkeys were possibly poisoned. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Afghan held for stabbing girlfriend A man was caught red-handed by policemen, who were on election duty, when he tried to escape after stabbing his girlfriend at Kalkaji in southeast Delhi on Friday night. Elderly woman shot by accident An elderly woman was shot dead by unidentified men at Khajoori Khas in northeast Delhi on Saturday. Delhi assembly elections 2015: Exit poll results predict win for Kejriwal's AAP As soon as the voting closed for the 70-seat Delhi assembly, various agencies which took surveys of exit polls started releasing their predictions. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Togadia can't address meet virtually: Cops The VHP's plan to have its leader Praveen Togadia address the Virat Hindu Samajotsava in the city on Sunday through video-conference has been forestalled by the Bengaluru police. Students want trucks off the road The movement of heavy vehicles impacts areas like Whitefield, Varthur, Gunjur, Kadugudi and Kannamangala. Vikram Sampath chosen for President programme This is part of the President's initiative to open up his official residence to citizens. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Centre turns down Chandrababu Naidu's Rs 20k cr aid plea In what is being viewed as yet another setback to Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s plans of constructing a world-class capital in the residuary state, the Centre has reportedly turned down his request for Rs 20,000 crore financial assistance. Success rate for Veena-Vani separation over 80%: Doctors Two London-based doctors have brought new hope into the lives of 11-year-old conjoined twins Veena-Vani, based at the state-run Niloufer hospital by asserting that the success rate to separate the duo is more than 80%. Ulema & civil society must fight ISIS Two developments within a span of less than two weeks have brought back the spotlight on the activities of the ISIS and its ripple effect across the world, especially in Hyderabad. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		3 held for Ranipet effluent tank crash that left 10 dead The Crime Branch CID on Saturday arrested three people in connection with the Ranipet industrial accident in which 10 workers were killed when an unauthorised storage tank of a common effluent treatment plant collapsed and watery sludge entered the adjacent tannery where they were sleeping. Lack of humane approach to medical care causes deaths Lack of humane approach to medical care in the country has caused many deaths, and it is time we learnt from them, said Medical Council of India vice-president Dr CV Bhirmananandam. Former minister's son hangs himself A son of former state fisheries minister K P P Samy committed suicide by hanging at his house in K V K Kuppam near Thiruvottiyur on Saturday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Lovelorn couple jump to death An Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) team retrieved the bodies of a youth and a teenage girl from near Gandhi Bridge on Saturday morning. H1N1 terror continues unabated For the last four days, an average of 60 cases tested positive and seven patients died of the dreaded virus. Primary school principal sends brother to his computer exam in Ahmedabad So far, the state had witnessed the cases of dummy writers for students but on Friday, the Gujarat Technological University (GTU) officials caught a dummy candidate who was appearing for a school principal. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		HR panel orders probe into custodial death State Human Rights Commission has ordered probe into alleged custodial death of a man at Bahraich’s Jarwal Road police station on Monday. VHP urges Hindus to unite for Ram Temple Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday called upon the Hindus to “unite as a single entity by shunning caste as the community faces bigger challenges in the form of Ram temple construction and conversions among others”. 50 youth duped on pretext of job in UAE Scores of unemployed youth of Gonda district were duped of lakhs of rupees in the name of providing jobs in Abu Dhabi. A case has been registered with Umribegumganj police and two teams have been formed to go to Etah and Ghaziabad for further investigations. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		It's raining wickets at Barabati Saurashtra nose ahead as 16 wickets fall on second day Odisha let Saurashtra off the hook Pacers reduce visitors to 99 for eight but fail to capitalize as Saurashtra make 218 in their first innings Odisha need to change home truth Saurashtra banking on Pujara for miraculous leap in Ranji Trophy More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Students of MANIT in swine flu panic in Bhopal Students turned panic after ‘rumour’ of swine flu spread on the campus of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) on Saturday. Railways to compensate for thefts in train Now, railways will have to compensate for theft of luggage during train travel. In a landmark judgement National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, has held railways responsible over theft of passenger luggage during journey and ordered to compensate a Bhopal-based passenger, whose goods were stolen near Mathura while she was going for her daughter’s marriage. 20 years later, woman ostracized for remarrying Twenty years after her second marriage, 40-year-old woman of Lodhi community in backward Chhatarpur in Bundelkhand region was ostracised for tying the knot again. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Find ways to cut delay in criminal trials, HC tells state They have been told to ensure trials should not suffer due to the absence of officials. Close to cracking Rohtak rape case: Cops Haryana police on Saturday claimed that it was about to crack the brutal rape and murder case of a Nepali woman last week. Solar park inaugurated in Fazilka A solar park set up by French company was inaugurated in a village of Fazilka district on Saturday. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Ex-chief of open schooling guilty of sexual harassment

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, February 07, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Ex-chief of open schooling guilty of sexual harassment Former chairperson of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) S S Jena has been found guilty of sexual harassment by the complaints committee of the HRD ministry. AC trouble on Delhi-Milan flight leaves AI Dreamliner grounded in Milan An Air India Dreamliner flying from Delhi to Milan on Tuesday with over 120 passengers on board saw three of its four AC units’ components called cabin air compressors (CAC) — which supply air and maintain pressure in the passenger cabin — fail. Seamless transit across borders comes closer to reality Four member countries of Saarc - India, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh — are likely to sign the agreement for seamless transit across borders of passenger, personal and cargo vehicles in the next three months. More India News»

		Business
		Govt explores new ideas to fund infrastructure The government is working on innovative ways of financing infrastructure projects to ensure that India moves into a trajectory of non-inflationary growth. RIL's 4G play helped seal tie-up with SBI Reliance Industries’ (RIL’s) nationwide 4G spectrum was a deciding factor in State Bank of India (SBI) agreeing to pick up a 30% stake in the payments bank that Mukesh Ambani’s flagship company plans to launch. Sahara scuttled deal, says Mirach Sources said Sahara group has begun looking for new investors to garner necessary funds and the Mirach deal was off the table, while it would soon take a call on initiating legal action against Mirach Capital, run by Indian-origin businessman Saransh Sharma. More Business News»

		Environment
		Forest officers to brain-storm on changes in green laws Government will take the view of forest officials from across the country before proposing amendments to key environment laws. Hilsa captive breeding hits roadblock as fries don't survive The research on the captive breeding of Bengal's favourite fish hilsa in saline tank water continues to hit roadblocks as the young fries are not surviving, said an official from the state's fisheries department. 'India, Russia working actively to save rare wildlife species' India and Russia are actively working together for protection of rare wildlife species, including tigers and leopards, and a working group, formed consequent of the bilateral cooperation signed over 10 years ago, will soon hold its next meeting in this regard. More Environment News»

		World
		109 Boko Haram fighters killed after attack in Niger: Minister Niger claimed troops killed 109 Boko Haram fighters when the Islamists carried out their first major attack in the country on Friday, while four soldiers and a civilian were also left dead. UAE likely to resume fights in US-led coalition against IS soon: US The United Arab Emirates is likely to resume air missions as part of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in the coming days. Merkel, Hollande arrive for Ukraine talks with Putin: Official The French president arrived in Moscow minutes after Merkel's plane touched down at Vnukovo airport and they headed straight to see Putin. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Dhanush is scared of still cameras Dhanush on Sonam’s beauty and traces of Rajinikanth in him Anushka's film has more producers than actors Anushka Sharma recently launched the trailer of her action thriller NH10 along with co-star Neil Bhoopalam, director Navdeep Singh and a team of producers. Funny mistakes in Bollywood blockbusters More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Study: Women with diabetes likely to die earlier than male diabetics A new research has found that women who are suffering from type 1 diabetes face a higher risk of dying early as compared to men. They are also twice more likely to die of heart disease as compared to men with the same condition. Human evolution is still going on Humans are still evolving even though modern housing and sanitation, medical science and a rich and varied diet appear to have largely insulated much of the population from the life-or-death struggle of natural selection, a study has found. Hubble catches rare 3-moon parade in front of Jupiter Nasa/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has recently captured a rare triple moon transit of Jupiter. More Science News»

		Sports
		2015 World Cup will be different from past editions: Sachin Sachin Tendulkar feels the upcoming 50-over World Cup will be different from its past editions because of changes in rules and the advent of Twenty20 cricket. Indian skipper MS Dhoni becomes father of a baby girl Just a week ahead of the cricket World Cup, India skipper MS Dhoni became a father after his wife Sakshi gave birth to a baby girl at a private hospital. Zidane could be future Real Madrid coach, says Ancelotti Zidane, who is currently coaching the Real reserve side Castilla, "has all the qualities" required to take the the helm of the club, Carlo Ancelotti said. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Vishal Sikka rejigs Infosys's top deck Vishal Sikka has undertaken the biggest restructuring in Infosys since he took over as the company’s CEO in August last year. How tech startups are 'changing' IIT placements Kishore Natarajan turned down an offer from a reputed multinational company during placements at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras. 10 smartphones with 'best' battery life Here’s a look at 10 smartphones available in the Indian market that come with big batteries... More Technology News»

		Education
		Not many willing to recruit integrated graduates The popularity of integrated courses is high among students abroad and now they are gaining acceptance here as well. Colleges woo students with integrated courses Chennai-based B-school, Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM), is setting up a university to offer integrated programme in engineering and management. IIM Trichy wins Annual CFA Institute Research Challenge he team will now compete for the Asia Pacific finals to be held in Manila, the Philippines, on March 11 and 12. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Three hurt, 14 houses gutted in Byculla blaze Three people were injured and 14 houses gutted in a blaze that broke out in a two-storey residential building near Byculla railway station around 8.45 am on Friday. GRP squad to combat mobile phone thefts The growing menace of cell phone thefts on the railways has prompted the GRP to launch a special squad of officers who will make rounds of train compartments in plainclothes from today. Indoors-only nod for today's Owaisi rally The city police on Friday asked the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) to conduct their Saturday’s public rally, to be addressed by party leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, indoors. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi assembly elections 2015: Number games: Who will come out swinging As Delhi heads for polls for the third time in a little over a year, can the numbers from the previous two elections provide clues to which way things will go?  Fog delays 30 trains, today may be cloudy It was another chilly morning in Delhi with minimum temperature dropping further and dense fog delaying over 30 trains. Priya Pillai offloaded after intelligence: Centre The Centre on Friday claimed before the Delhi High Court that Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai was offloaded from an international flight because she was “involved in anti-national activities.” More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		HC upholds Praveen Togadia ban The high court on Friday refused to stay the Bengaluru police commissioner's order banning VHP leader Praveen Togadia's entry into the city till February 11. 'BJP govt's silence over church attacks baffling' Terming the Centre's silence on attacks on five churches in Delhi baffling, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, said here on Friday that the incidents are like terror attacks. A view from the outside Former English professor Susan Daniel has translated Devanur Mahadeva’s popular Kannada novel, Kusumabale, into English. Published by the Oxford University Press, the book was released recently at the Times Litfest. Daniel shares her experience of translating one of Devanur’s most powerful novels. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Senior MIM leader passes away at 64 Senior Majlis-e-Itthedaul Muslimeen (MIM) leader and former Karwan legislator Mohammed Muqtada Khan, popularly known as Afsar Khan, passed away on Friday. Miscreants damage activist's car in Old City Unidentified persons damaged the car of Sunitha Krishnan, a well-known social activist near Charminar in Old City on Friday morning. '23 villas in Indu Projects given to influential people' This was in clear violation of the agreement that Indu Projects entered into with the housing board, the witness said. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Sludge tragedy: Ranipet co asked to pay Rs 75 lakh The southern bench of National Green Tribunal has directed the company that operated a common effluent treatment plant at Ranipet SIDCO complex to pay a compensation of Rs75 lakh to the state government for causing pollution. Corporation gets transgenders, drummers to make hotel pay tax When a star hotel in the city defaulted on paying property tax, Chennai Corporation made a song and dance of it. Literally. And it paid off. To protect Rajini's rights, HC blocks censor-certified film The Madras high court has blocked the release of censor-certified Hindi film 'Main Hoon Rajinikanth' on the ground that it would hurt the 'personality rights' of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Pure vegetarian Gujarati kidney! Anita Gharat (42), battling for life since 2007 waiting for a kidney, got a new lease of life after she received an organ for transplant on Friday. Ahmedabad's pvt hospitals told to get 20% more beds for swine flu cases Ahmedabad municipal commissioner D Thara has asked private hospitals in the city to increase the number of beds available for swine flu patients by at least 20%. '70% H1N1 patients delay consulting a physician' Kantilal Patel, 40, from Datiwada in Banaskantha district, had a sore throat and running nose for a week.He assumed he had a common cold, but it was an error that cost him his life. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		IMFL smugglers' gang busted, 4 held A joint team of Cyber Crime Cell and SWAT (Special Weapons & Tactics) arrested four persons near Nehru Park on Thursday and claimed to have busted an inter–state racket involved in smuggling of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) bottles from Haryana. AU team raids hostels, moves out 76 illegal occupants The Allahabad University finally swung into action and caught and moved out 76 illegal inmates from Sir Sunder Lal (SSL) hostel during a raid on Thursday. Railways restores several trains as winter begins to fade Railways is planning to revoke cancellation of several trains during the month of February after a significant improvement in the weather. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Govt, Oppn ready for assembly fight With the opposition seemingly having no new issue to nail the ruling BJD in the Budget session, starting Friday, the Naveen Patnaik government is planning to turn the heat on the Centre by opposing the recent Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Ordinance and lack of assistance for the Puri Jagannath Temple’s Nabakalebara festival in July. Govt to set up 45 courts for speedy disposal of cases The state government on Thursday announced to open 45 more courts within a distance of 50 km of the other during 2015-16. Sub judice cloud over scam debates Will the Budget session see heated debates on major scams that have rocked the state government in recent times? More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Kalbelia dancers regale the audience at Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal The ongoing Rajasthan Mohatsav 2015 at Bharat Bhavan saw a heart-stopping performance recently when traditional Kalbelia dancers from the desert state showcased their skills with daring stunts during the show. Basking in win, they get ready to straddle two worlds Women Corporators Spend Time Family Ahead Of Tougher Challenges Ahead Rebels show political parties they deserved better Last phase of urban civic polls have thrown up results that show that best candidates may not have been given tickets by political parties. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		NRI torture case: Video footage genuine, says CFSL In relation to an alleged torture of an NRI Amit Saini by police and then being framed for attacking a police party, the court of additional sessions judge Dilbagh Singh found the video of the torture - which was recorded on a mobile phone - to be genuine after confirmation from forensic experts. One more HC judge recuses himself from hearing One more high court judge has recused himself on Friday from hearing a petition filed by controversial advocate Mukesh Mittal's clerk Ajay Singh, seeking quashing of an enforcement case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Swamy sells Make In India at 'Harvard Class in PU' Once a Harvard faculty and an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) professor, Subramanian Swamy on Friday pushed for local innovation rather than looking at the West and emulating institutions like Harvard. More Chandigarh News»

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