News Digest: Giving land to govt? Get more money

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, July 24, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Giving land to govt? Get more money In an effort to ensure that land is available for public projects in cities, urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake tabled a bill in the house on Thursday to increase the compensation to twice the market value of the total area notified for the purpose. Maharashtra seeks speedy implementation of fee waiver scheme in region The state government has asked the education departments and respective district administrations to expedite process for executing examination fee waiver scheme for students for the academic year 2014-15. Identity in crisis: Marriage? not for 'keeps' Despite a liberal law, courts have come down heavily on a woman living with a married man while absolving him of all responsibility. More India News»

		Business
		Draft seeks to remove RBI guv's veto power The government has proposed to have a dominant say in deciding how interest rates are set in the revised draft Indian Financial Code, which was unveiled on Thursday and also seeks to remove the proposed veto power of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor. Hyundai plans to invest 4.5k cr for new plant Nearly two decades after setting foot in India, Korean car major Hyundai has decided to pump in fresh investment of over Rs 4,500 crore for a new factory to boost its production capacity to over a million vehicles. Maruti to roll out 'YRA' from Nexa outlets After the S-Cross crossover, Maruti Suzuki will launch another premium compact car, codenamed YRA, through the company’s top-end retail outlets Nexa. More Business News»

		Environment
		Tree with 40 types of fruit entering harvest season As if plucked from the pages of a fantastical children's book, sixteen trees especially cultivated by an artist in the US will soon be heaving with forty different types of fruit as they enter their harvest season. Kiwi bird genome decodes growth of nocturnal animals In a first, the genetic code of the endangered Kiwi bird, identifying several sequence changes that give insights into the evolution of nocturnal animals has been discovered. El Nino has affected monsoon adversely: Government The El Nino has adversely affected the monsoon in the country so far and is expected to further affect the rainfall in coming months, government today said. More Environment News»

		World
		Critics of Iran deal spinning 'fantasy': Kerry US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday mounted a furious counterattack against critics of the Iran nuclear deal, telling skeptical lawmakers it would be fantasy to think the United States could simply "bomb away" Tehran's atomic know-how. Sharif to meet Obama in White House in October Barack Obama is inviting Pakistan beleaguered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the White House in October, raising the prospect of a second such visit in two years despite the US President reneging on his pledge to visit Pakistan during his second term. Obama to visit Kenya, his father's homeland, on Friday Barack Obama embarks on Friday on his first visit as President to his father’s homeland Kenya – wishing he were not the President. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Bang Bang had the best action scene of 2014 With its slick Hollywood-style action, Hrithik Roshan’s water sequence in Bang Bang was the clear winner in this category. Watch: Sonam Kapoor's workout session! Khoobsurat actress Sonam Kapoor likes to stay fit. When Tina Munim turned down Anil Ambani More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Drug companies eye 'superhuman' genes Steven Pete can put his hand on a hot stove or step on a piece of glass and not feel a thing, all because of a quirk in his genes. Peter Higgs gets world's oldest scientific prize Nobel prize winner Peter Higgs has joined the ranks of Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein by winning the world’s oldest scientific prize, the Royal Society’s Copley Medal, for his pioneering work on the theory of the Higgs boson, which was discovered in 2012. Soon, smart windows to control heat, light Researchers are developing new smart windows that could allow people to control the heat and sunlight entering their houses. More Science News»

		Sports
		We feel this is the best pace attack: Patil differs from Dhoni The selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil in a polite yet firm manner made it clear that his point of view on team's pace attack is different from MS Dhoni. Leggie Amit Mishra makes Test comeback after 4 years The national selection committee, headed by Sandeep Patil, announced the Indian squad for the three-Test series vs Sri Lanka starting August 12. Pragyan Ojha picks three, Australia A 185/4 at stumps Bowling with a rejigged action, Ojha finished the day with figures of 3/52 as he had at one stage reduced Australia A from 57/1 to 75/4 in a space of 23 deliveries. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 new WhatsApp features you don't know about WhatsApp has just released a new update for Android smartphones that brings a bunch of new features for the popular app. Though the update has not been pushed to the Google Play Store, you can still download it from the company’s website and check out the new features. Micromax Yu Yureka Plus vs Lenovo K3 Note Apple grows faster in India than China India is proving to be quite a strong growth engine for Apple, the world’s most valuable company that sells the iPhone smartphones, iPad devices and Mac line of computers. More Technology News»

		Education
		Ragging norms to cover racial bias Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity or for being transgender and stalking will come for stricter punishment and will be part of the anti-ragging regulation in education institutions. Lucknow varsity's 15-yr-old prodigy to now pursue PhD She has secured the seventh rank in the University Research Entrance Test in environmental microbiology. Maharashtra government to withdraw circular allowing schools to cancel RTE quota for pre-primary classes Paving the way for smooth implementation of the Right To Education this year, the state government Thursday told the Bombay high court that it would withdraw a controversial rule and revive its earlier norm that set two levels of entry for admissions under RTE quota. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai man gets life term for killing son A sessions court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a man to life imprisonment for killing his son over an alleged property dispute last year. Jahid Ansari, 50, attacked his son Mohsin Ansari, 24, with an iron rod, causing severe head injuries. 'State can't decide coaching class fees' Even as the state government talks of a law to regulate coaching classes, a similar attempt in 2000 failed after tutorials moved court and the Act was struck as being “too harsh”. Delay housing society elections if term ends in monsoon season Elections to your housing or credit cooperative societies is likely to get postponed if the tenure of the existing managing committees ends in the monsoon season or amid any natural calamity. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		NGT ire: Volunteers take load off transport department staff Lack of personnel has meant lax enforcement, and Delhi’s transport department is facing the ire of National Green Tribunal as it has only 166 members in its enforcement team. Kejriwal blinks, sends Maliwal file to Jung After courting major controversy over the appointment of Swati Maliwal as chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women without first getting the go-ahead from the lieutenant governor, the Delhi government on Thursday finally sent him the file saying it did not want “to make an issue of it” I've been locked out of office: Swati Maliwal A day after the lieutenant governor of Delhi declared the appointment of Delhi Commission for Women chairperson “ultra vires” and “infructuous”, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s appointee Swati Maliwal stayed away from office, claiming that her office had been locked, nameplates removed and her staff denied access. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Mandya youth's heart beats in Patna Busy B'luru stretch halts as 22-year-old brain-dead man's organ is transported for 63-year-old patient Fear of oppn backlash forces govt to defer Lokayukta bill The government didn't introduce the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015 aimed at diluting the powers of the Lokayukta and bringing the anti-corruption watchdog under its ambit. Court quashes bail granted to Reddy's aide The high court on Thursday quashed the bail granted by a city CBI court to Kenche Mahesh Kumar alias Karapudi Mahesh, an associate of former minister G Janardhana Reddy, and accused in the illegal mining case. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		`Egg'tremists on the rise! The streets of Hyderabad, post-midnight, are being taken over by a notorious, home bred `criminal syndicate'. Godavari brims with life Heavy rains in the catchment area for the last three days brought copious inflows into river Godavari forcing officials to deploy more number of divers and expert swimmers at bathing ghats in AP and Telangana for protection of pilgrims attending the Pushkaralu. No highly polluting industries in Amaravati The seed capital area of Amaravati will have no space for ‘red’ industries that fall under the highly-polluting category. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		It's been over a year, but CWC remains headless One chair, two names and no face. The web site of the state department of social defence shows two former members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) as the chairperson on different pages, even as the position continues to be vacant for over a year now. More teens held for serious crimes The incidence of juve niles being booked for heinous crimes, includ ing murder and rape, in Tamil Nadu is growing and the law enforcement agencies are concerned. Just one govt psychologist for juvenile homes in Tamil Nadu For around 1,000 juveniles in correctional facilities in the state, there is only one government-appointed psychologist. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		2 Gulbarg case accused seek narco-analysis Six years after the trial commenced and now when it is in its final stages, two persons accused in the 2002 Gulbarg Society massacre case have requested the special trial court to permit them to undergo narco-analysis so they can prove their innocence. 'Op Rakshak' to protect citizens in eastern part of city Finally, the city police has swung into action to crack down on the menace of gangs operating in eastern parts of the city, especially in areas like Khokhra, Odhav, Amraiwadi, Ramol, Naroda and Vatva. Did threat letter to women cops probing Asaram came from Meghaninagar? The alleged threat letter received by women cell police officials probing the Asaram and Narayan Sai rape cases is suspected to have been posted from Meghaninagar area of the city. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Taj city roads claimed most lives in state: NCRB Agra's streets have turned out to be one of the biggest killers among the KAVAL towns claiming almost 492 lives. 2 headless bodies found in Kachar Panic gripped Mubarakpur village and adjoining areas under Nawabganj police station on Tuesday following recovery of two beheaded bodies in Kachar area on bank of Ganga. Lack of coordination hits mid-day meal's milk plan Mid-Day Meal authority’s initiative to replace kheer with milk every Wednesday faced a major roadblock on the day of inception on July 15. Reports revealed that only 42% students received protein diet on the first day. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Sanctum sanctorum in bad shape: SJTA The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday said the sanctum sanctorum is not in a good shape. Zoo to exhibit melanistic tigers on Tuesday The Nandankanan Zoological Park will celebrate the first birthday of melanistic (black) tigers on July 28. Puri servitor allows devotee on chariot, suspended The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday suspended a servitor of Jagannath Temple and served show-cause notice to another for allegedly allowing a woman onto the chariot of Jagannath on July 20. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Chouhan begins heart-to heart public meeting to shed off Vyapam blot In order to plead his innocence in Vyapam maga scandal, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan resorted to public meetings, through his state-wide Sadbhavna yatra which began from Bhabhra, the birth place of martyr Chandrashekhar Azad, in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. Burglar willing to reform if wife agrees to live with him Day after a four-member gang of burglars, in possession of valuables worth Rs 50 lakh, was busted by Habibganj police, cops on Wednesday said prime accused, during interrogation, said he was ready to earn his livelihood from a pushcart if his wife agreed to live with him. 3 medicos nabbed for ragging junior Three students of People's College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre were arrested for allegedly assaulting a junior for months at institute’s hostel in a suspected case of ragging. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Suggestions for smart city: Mohali MC meets residents Mohali municipal corporation officials held a series of meetings with city residents on Thursday to know their opinion and seek suggestions on the smart city project. Muslim councillors protest against no holiday on Eid Two Muslim municipal councillors from Chandigarh municipal corporation, Shagufta Parveen and Jannat Jahan-ul-Haq, on Thursday met Vijay Dev, UT advisor to the administrator, to lodge their protest against non-declaration of holiday on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitre on July 18. Punjab eyes 2,000MW solar vault With over 5,000 acres of land offered by farmers and NRIs across the state, Punjab's solar energy generation has jumped from mere 9 mega watt (MW) in 2012 to 541MW at present. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Nitish's Rahim parable on BJP directed at Lalu?

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, July 23, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Nitish's Rahim parable on BJP directed at Lalu? The JD(U)-RJD alliance, a doubtful starter from its inception, was tottering on Wednesday when Bihar CM Nitish Kumar tweeted a couplet by Saint Rahim to establish that he won't be polluted by bad company while replying to a question on his political ties to Lalu Prasad. Major uranium reserves found in Srisailam forests India’s plan for a ‘strategic uranium reserve’ received a shot in the arm with a joint research team of the city-headquartered Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) and Osmania University discovering significant quantity of uranium reserves in the Srisailam forests. Runaway Simi operatives in Karnataka? Intelligence agencies seem to be close to nabbing the three surviving Simi fugitives from Khandwa jail whose involvement is suspected in Bijnor and Chennai train blasts. More India News»

		Business
		Give Modi more time: Premji Wipro chairman Azim Premji said the government should be given more time to achieve its economic growth targets. Tata Communications may divest $500 million unit Tata Communications, the world’s largest carrier of international calls as well as the largest owner of submarine cables, has started the process to sell its data centre business for more than $500 million, or Rs 3,200 crore plus. Bhel gets Telangana projects sans bidding The K C Rao-led Telangana government has awarded the turnkey contract of three power projects - adding up to 6,000 MW capacity and to be built at a cost of Rs 27,360 crore ($4.3 billion) - in the state to government-owned power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) on nomination basis, without floating a mandatory competitive bid. More Business News»

		Environment
		El Nino has affected monsoon adversely: Government The El Nino has adversely affected the monsoon in the country so far and is expected to further affect the rainfall in coming months, government today said. Parliamentary panel flags Mumbai's weak links A parliamentary panel has flagged a number of environment-related issues which, it found, have been causing damage to Mumbai and Visakhapatnam and asked the Union environment ministry and respective state governments to take up urgent steps for improving infrastructure and strengthening pollution mitigation measures in these two coastal cities. Par panel concerned over pollution in Taj Trapezium Zone A parliamentary panel has voiced concern over industrial pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority area "adversely" affecting the Taj Mahal. More Environment News»

		World
		Republican infighting stoops to name calling Presidential elections in the world’s self-declared “greatest” democracy is descending into a farce after candidates began calling each other names in a show of petulance worthy of a high-school campaign. US indicts accused Charleston gunman for hate crimes A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted suspected white supremacist Dylann Roof on hate crime and other charges over the June 17 massacre of nine black parishioners in a church in Charleston, South Carolina. Thousands protest as Greece votes on bailout bill Thousands of anti-austerity protesters gathered in Athens on Wednesday night as lawmakers prepared to vote on a second batch of reforms that must pass if Greece is to unlock a huge international bailout. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Rana overwhelmed with 'Baahubali' response According to reports, SS Rajamouli's Baahubali has taken the box-office by storm and has crossed the Rs 250 crore mark. Rishi Kapoor did not want to marry Neetu While the nation has loved and adored this super cute couple, let's take a look at their love story behind the screen. When Bollywood film sets caught fire Here's taking a look at Bollywood film sets that caught fire... More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Oceans on Mars may have never existed: Study Ancient Mars never had oceans of water and could have looked more like an icy snowball than the warmer, wetter planet that many researchers have suggested, according to a new study. Zydus Cadila bets big on oncology After having established a strong presence in cardiology, respiratory and other segments, pharma major Cadila Healthcare, popularly known as Zydus Cadila, is betting big on oncology and aims to become the number one in the segment by 2020. Humans may be able to live on moon in next decade According to a Nasa-funded study, humans may be able to live on the moon in a little more than a decade from now. More Science News»

		Sports
		Rahul, Pujara help India A reach 221/6 on Day 1 L Rahul missed out on a hundred while Cheteshwar Pujara struck a solid fifty to take India A to 221/6 on Day 1 of first 'unofficial' Test against Australia A. No one is bigger than cricket: Laxman on IPL controversy Former India batsman VVS Laxman termed the suspension of two Indian Premier League teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals as unfortunate. Mustafizur Rahman capturing attention in quick time In cricket's recent past, no one has made as much of an impact on debut as Bangladesh's new pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman. More Sports News»

		Technology
		8 cheapest 4G smartphones in India If you primarily use your smartphone for accessing the internet, you’d be delighted to know that 4G is all set to mainstream this year. Here’s a look at 8 4G phones that you can buy without burning a big hole in your pocket… Micromax Yu Yureka Plus vs Lenovo K3 Note Apple posts another record quarter, but forecast weak While the iPhone is the engine of Apple's current success, many analysts and investors see the sleek new smartwatch as an important indicator of the company's ability to produce new products. More Technology News»

		Education
		Carcinogens, banned dye found in mid-day meal Five months after the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) took samples of spices and condiments used in preparing mid-day meals from a primary school in Khanpur, results from the food testing laboratory in Lucknow are shocking. Smriti Irani's ambiguous reply to House on MPhil, PhD via correspondence On Tuesday HRD minister Smriti Irani gave a ambiguous reply in Lok Sabha to a question on allowing Ph.D and M.Phil through correspondence. AIPMT: CBSE to install jammers to check cheating Use of mobile phones has been barred inside the centers and elaborate arrangements for frisking candidates before the exam have been put in place as well. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'Yakub was at airport to receive bomb planters' The confessions of Mumbai estate agent Mohammed Usman Jan Khan had sealed the fate of Yakub Memon in the 1993 blasts case. Three held for assaulting and robbing a man Three persons have been arrested allegedly for robbing a man of his mobile phone and cash worth Rs 11600 during the wee hours of Monday. 'Blasts conspiracy had element of revenge as Tiger's properties were set afire in 1992 riots' Tiger Memon, who shook Mumbai by conspiring and executing 12 deadly bomb blasts in the city on March 12, 1993, had been a man of revenge since his childhood. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Flyer missing, flight returns A Colombo-bound Air India flight had to return to IGI Airport on Tuesday afternoon when the staff realized that the plane had left with the baggage of a passenger who had not boarded the flight. Delhi may be spared tariff hike There’s good news on the power front as Delhiites may see a minimal or no hike in the tariff this year. 389 schools to be rented out Cash-strapped North Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to offer 389 schools under its jurisdiction on rent. These schools have morning shifts only and are free in the afternoon. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Angry club members chart out legal path Bangalore Club gets a breather with the Karnataka high court asking revenue department officials not to precipitate matters. Stick to gentlemen's agreement, says HC The Karnataka high court on Wednesday asked the state and its authorities to abide by a gentlemen's agreement visa-vis Bangalore Club. Club may have legal edge over government Bangalore Club, which has been facing the government's ire for a while now, appears to have the legal edge in the controversy over the revenue department's move to `reclaim' the land on which it stands. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Good response to e-boarding pilot project at Hyderabad international airport More than 7,000 passengers have availed themselves of the e-boarding process at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) so far. The process was launched as a pilot project in April this year. WhatsApp helps Andhra irrigation dept monitor project progress  Taking advantage of a freely available social networking app, at least one state government department has acquired an edge in getting its work done on time, monitor quality and in the process created an atmosphere of competitive peer pressure among the staff. And, top officials in the department no longer feel the need to look over their shoulders each day and worry about the status reports on the project.  Major cricket betting racket busted Task Force police busted an inter-state cricket betting racket and apprehended 13 persons from different locations in the city on Tuesday. They also seized Rs 26.48 lakh cash from their possession. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		3 yrs after joy ride death, Naga airhostess' family gets Rs 25L Nearly three years after a 20-year-old airhostess hailing from Nagaland died in an accident at an amusement park in Chennai, her 60-year-old mother was handed over Rs 25 lakh compensation in the Madras high court on Wednesday. Ex-cop, 91, undergoes open heart surgery When 91-year-old Nannuba was admitted to a private hospital in the city a few weeks ago with severe chest pain and breathing difficulty, he had no hopes of getting better any time soon. Engineering hostel warden, contractor held for 2005 murder of retd I-T official, wife The CB-CID police have arrested a 32-year-old engineering college hostel warden in Melmaruvathur and a contractor for the 2005 murder of a retired income tax officer and his wife in Virudhunagar. A court remanded the accused, S Karthikeyan and V Balamurugan, in judicial custody. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Ben to reap dam dividend! Construction work to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam on Narmada river to 138.72 metres - an important poll plank for chief minister Anandiben Patel who faces assembly polls in December 2017 - is all set for political delivery. No rain till Friday, says Met After disappointing Amdavadis with a dismal show, rains will once again do the disappearing act from Thursday. 'Need for revenge made me kill' Well built, dressed in blue denim and a dark shirt, Kirti Ghemar, the dreaded killer, was standing handcuffed behind his back and his leg chained in the city crime branch office. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		2 headless bodies found in Kachar Panic gripped Mubarakpur village and adjoining areas under Nawabganj police station on Tuesday following recovery of two beheaded bodies in Kachar area on bank of Ganga. Lack of coordination hits mid-day meal's milk plan Mid-Day Meal authority’s initiative to replace kheer with milk every Wednesday faced a major roadblock on the day of inception on July 15. Reports revealed that only 42% students received protein diet on the first day. AU starts admission even as hostels report shortage of rooms The Allahabad University has invited applications for hostel accommodation even as there are reports of shortage of vacant seats in AU hostels and other trusts. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Government to felicitate civil service qualifiers To encourage participation of more youths from the state in the all India civil service examinations (CSE), the state government is planning to felicitate the successful candidates of CSE 2014, results for which announced recently. Consult us on mega power project: State to Centre The state government has raised objection to the standard bidding document (SBD), prepared by the Union power ministry, to go for a fresh bidding for the proposed ultra mega power project (UMPP) at Bhedabahal in Sundargarh district. Naveen asks MPs to strengthen infra in rural areas After the Nabakalebara Rath Yatra began smoothly, barring a minor stampede, the ruling BJD has shifted its focus to the three-tier panchayati raj institution (PRI) elections likely to be held in 2017. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Mahabharata redux: MP varsity trains kids in womb Expecting mothers have to register at the centre run by the university and she is then imparted free training from 12 to 3pm every day. MP Assembly passes six bills in 40 minutes The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday passed its first supplementary budget and related appropriation bill with voice note to the tune of Rs 8,591.21 crore. Vyapam uproar cuts short MP monsoon session As Shivraj Singh Chouhan government continued to face Vyapam heat from opposition parties, Madhya Pradesh state assembly was adjourned sine die on the third-day of monsoon session after all urgent business of the House was hurriedly completed amid ruckus and sloganeering from the opposition. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Vij hails Parineeti as face of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign A day after skipping 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' function attended by actress Pareeniti Chopra at Gurgaon, Haryana health minister Anil Vij on Wednesday tweeted to welcome her nomination as the brand ambassador of the campaign in the state. Will launch fast to protest against discrimination: Navjot Kaur Sidhu Amritsar (East) MLA and chief parliamentary secretary Navjot Kaur Sidhu of BJP is on a collision course with the alliance partner SAD (Badal) just like her husband and former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu. Punjab has no powers to release Sikh prisoners: CM Badal Stating that the release of Sikh detainees, serving jail terms for terrorist acts, was not in the hands of the state government, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday advised people leading agitations in support of release of these prisoners to study the law and read directions of the Supreme Court and help the government maintain hard-earned peace. More Chandigarh News»

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