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»

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News Digest: Thieves uproot ATM in Sirsa

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, March 30, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Thieves uproot ATM in Sirsa Unidentified persons decamped with an automatic teller machine (ATM) of a private bank near Shiv Chowk in Sirsa on Saturday night. Factionalism in Punjab Congress fails to die down Punjab Congress's display of unity at a public rally here on March 23 did not last long. 5 food processing plants to come up in Punjab Punjab will set up five primary processing/collection centers and pack houses at various places for proposed multi product mega food park being set up by Punjab Agro Industries on 100 acres at Ladhowal, Ludhiana at a cost of Rs 140 crore. More India News»

		Business
		Govt banks may move to CTC structure If the state-run banks have their way, the just concluded wage settlement for close to one million employees may be the last such exercise. SBI set to buy Air India properties in Mumbai Country’s largest lender State Bank of India has received all necessary approvals to buy residential properties of cash-starved national carrier Air India, in south Mumbai for Rs 90 crore. Insurance companies offer job-loss covers Under it’s recently launched Safe Loan Shield (a critical illness cover) to salaried employees, Royal Sundaram provides a loss of job coverage of a maximum of three home loan EMIs. More Business News»

		Environment
		Drone-based surveillance likely in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve The Wildlife Institute of India is set to submit a report to the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Union ministry for environment and forest in the first week of April to start use of drones in tiger reserves. Rs 7 lakh a year expected from eco-tourism project In a bid to conserve the beautiful terrains of Kalsubai and Harischandragad fort, the forest department undertook an eco-tourism project by involving village committees for the first time. US to submit plans to fight global warming; others delay The United States will submit plans for slowing global warming to the United Nations early this week but most governments will miss an informal March 31 deadline, complicating work on a global climate deal due in December. More Environment News»

		World
		Air Canada plane crash lands at Halifax airport, 23 injured Twenty-three people were injured when an Air Canada jet struck an antenna and crash landed as it attempted to touch down in heavy snow at Halifax airport early Sunday. Sierra Leone ends anti-Ebola lockdown after three days Sierra Leoneans were once again allowed to leave their homes Sunday evening after the government announced the end of a three-day nationwide lockdown aimed at preventing a resurgence of the deadly Ebola virus. 'Missing men likely found amid NYC gas explosion rubble' Two bodies found on Sunday at the site of a gas explosion that destroyed three New York City apartment buildings last week, injuring 22 people, were believed to be those of two unaccounted for men, the city's top fire official said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		No headway with Rati Agnihotri's complaint It’s been around two weeks since Rati Agnihotri registered a case of harassment against her husband, Anil Virwani, pressing charges under IPC sections 498A, 323 and 506 for torture, assault and reportedly issuing death threats. Sanjay Dutt inspires Irrfan's look in Jazbaa Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta is happy with the way things are shaping up for his next, Jazbaa, the film that brings together Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan and Shabana Azmi. When Hrithik Roshan made headlines Reportedly, all is not well between the two as Hrithik is said to have walked out of his father's film, that is being produced by Abhinay Deo. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Speed bumps to generate power Speed bumps have always been cursed by motorists for reducing vehicle efficiency and wasting petrol. Fresh evidence for groundwater on Mars Researchers have found fresh evidence of the presence of groundwater on Mars. Scientists create night vision eye drops Researchers in the US have used special kind of eye drops to give a man temporary night vision, allowing him to see over 50 metres in the dark. More Science News»

		Sports
		Saina beats Ratchanok to win maiden India Open title Saina Nehwal defeated former world champion Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 21-16, 21-14 to win her maiden India Open Super Series title on Sunday. Srikanth beats Axelsen to win India Open men's title Kidambi Srikanth defeated Viktor Axelsen in grueling three games 21-18, 13-21, 21-12 to win the India Open Super Series title at the Siri Fort Complex. Australia crush New Zealand to win their fifth World Cup title Australia clinched the World Cup for the fifth time, thrashing New Zealand by seven wickets to provide a perfect farewell gift to skipper Michael Clarke. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google should be terrified right now Facebook is conducting an all-out assault on Google. Apple is Hitler: Chinese CEO The text across the top of the poster compares the attributes of the Android and iOS ecosystems. 10 mistakes that will kill your startup Here are 10 startup mistakes that needs to be avoided to survive past the initial roadblocks. More Technology News»

		Education
		PU senators suggest ways to generate revenue As the Panjab University (PU) senate on Sunday discussed and approved a budget of Rs555.30 crore for the financial year 2015-16 — carrying a deficit of over Rs100 crore — senators increasingly pushed for reforms at the university level to save and generate revenue, instead of increasing student fee, or looking at other sources. Students protest as VC presents a case for fee hike in senate Even as Panjab University (PU) vice chancellor (VC) Arun Kumar Grover almost justified the proposed 5% fee hike that will be implemented from the coming session, the item couldn't be tabled during Sunday's senate meeting. Proposed IIM-V not to affect driving test track Following the hue and cry over the upcoming Indian Institute of Management Vizag (IIM-V) swallowing up the driving test track of the road transport authority at Gambheeram, the state government has decided to hand over 245 acres in the first phase and another 120-odd acres in another survey number later for the premier B-school. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Women feel strong after a week in closed-door coach in Mumbai A ride on the city's lifeline with automated doors is still a novelty that commuters are literally grappling with. 'New body to curb civic medical purchase graft' The state government has decided to form a new Corporation which would restrict all municipal corporations and councils in the state, purchasing medicines and health related machinery directly at their level. Amrohi case: EOW tries for extradition of Dubai businessman The city economic offences wing (EOW) is in the process of issuing a red corner notice (RCN) against a Dubai-based businessman, Harish Ailsinghani, for allegedly cheating Shaheda Amrohi, daughter-in-law of Pakeezah movie producer Kamal Amrohi, to the tune of Rs 21 crore. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		DDA okays Dwarka cycling hub Over 150 cycling stations will come up over the next financial year in Dwarka, developed by DDA as a bicycling hub in the first phase of this project. Travel agent dupes couple of Rs 2.5 lakh A couple’s honeymoon trip to Bali was ruined when they realized that the agent who had made their reservations in a hotel there had conned and robbed them of Rs 2.5 lakh. Experts sceptical of RTE cases 'closed' by NCPCR The year has been a singularly unstable one for the apex body in charge of implementing RTE Act and they wonder how so many cases were closed so fast. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Driving to KIA airport gets dearer Bengalureans stranded in Yemen, wait for nod to fly home Film city: B'luru's loss is Mysuru's gain More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Boat collision in Hyderabad: Driver arrested A day after doubts were expressed over speed boat driver Shiva Koti's navigation skills, which may have resulted in the death of a Wipro employee in the speed boat-launch collision in the Hussainsagar, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation officials have clarified that the driver has over six years experience. Hit-and-run case: Deloitte manager yet to be arrested Three days after running over 36-year-old Infosys software engineer Soni Ramchandani and critically injuring her husband Hari Prasad allegedly in an inebriated condition, Deloitte HR manager Shwetabh Kumar still continues to elude police. Resource-starved GHMC goes for a record budget Despite severe resource constraints, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has projected a record budget of Rs 5,550 crores for the financial year 2015-16. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		'Koogai' spreads its wings, to reach more readers When Cho Dharman’s ‘Koogai’(The Owl) appeared in Tamil in 2005, the novel threw up disturbing images of the ‘karisal’ (black cotton soil) region of southern Tamil Nadu. Job racket busted, railway staff arrested A 52-year-old technician working in Perambur railway loco works was on Sunday arrested on charges of running a job racket. Kabbadi team's T-shirt helps cops nab two robbers It was a t-shirt with the name of the team member and the Kabbadi association which proved the undoing of two robbers. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Minority areas' TP schemes not yet cleared It's not with Fatehwadi alone. Over the past eight months the state urban development department has been refusing to sanction town planning schemes — essential for providing basic civic amenities — prepared by AMC for minority dominated areas like Sarkhej, Makarba, Maqdoomnagar, Shahwadi, Vejalpur, and pockets of Saijpur, Bhogha and Hansol. 3kg unclaimed gold found hidden in Ahmedabad's flight from Dubai The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs department recovered 3 kg gold worth Rs 80.32 lakh hidden beneath a seat in a SpiceJet flight on Saturday night at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport. Gold worth Rs 80 lakh seized from SpiceJet aircraft in Ahmedabad Three gold bars worth Rs 80.32 lakh were seized from under a seat of a SpiceJet aircraft at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		PCS-2015 paper leak sparks protests by aspirants News about question paper leak of Combined State Upper Subordinate Services Examination-2015, popularly known as PCS exam, sparked instant and furious protests by aspirants on Sunday. Angry protesters demanded immediate cancellation of exam and CBI probe into current UP Public Service Commission (UPPSC) chairman’s tenure. 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. The commission maintained that the exam was conducted ‘smoothly’ across the state amid ‘rumours’ of question paper leak. 11 killed as truck rams into stationary tractor-trolley Eleven persons were killed and a dozen other critically injured when a speeding truck rammed into a stationary tractor-trolley on Jhansi-Kanpur Highway near Moth on Saturday night. Locals rushed the injured to nearby community health centre from where they were referred to Jhansi Medical College. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Govt mum on coal block auction stand Though the industries department opposed competitive bidding of coal blocks in 2005, the state government seems shy of sharing the fact in the assembly. Modi visit: BJP bid to steal CM's Utkal Divas thunder Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Odisha on Utkal Divas poses a severe challenge to BJD government’s populist plans for the day. Green advice to bring down soaring mercury Experts here believe streetscape plantation and use of clay bricks instead of concrete ones in building pavements might help bring down mercury levels in the city. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Face off between MyCab and autos, FIR lodged Ongoing tussle between MyCab operators and auto drivers at Bhopal railway station has reached the GRP police. An FIR has been lodged against auto drivers on Saturday after complaint was received from MyCab operators. Alliance Francaise salutes Indian soldiers of WW-I Censored letters, chapattis and turbans rather than helmets were hallmarks of thousands of Indian soldiers, who fought in the World War I. Fee hike: Day after ruckus, parents assured action District education office has assured aggrieved parents of a private school their apprehensions over fee hike would be addressed in a couple of days. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Special probe team submits report in Chandigarh With the special probe team into delay in treatment of former CM Hukum Singh largely relying upon the report indicting officiating director of PGIMS Rohtak, Dr Rohtas Yahav and senior professor Dr Dhruva Chaudhary, troubling times seem ahead for the two. Juvenile Home seeks NCB help in tackling drug abuse in Chandigarh The rampant drug abuse among juveniles has forced the management of the Juvenile Home in Sector 25 to approach the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seeking their intervention and efforts to address the juvenile addicts. Multi-level parking lot to figure in Chandigarh's MC house meet The municipal corporation would take up the agenda of installing a power plant at the newly constructed multi-level parking lot in Sector 17 at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore. More Chandigarh News»

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