[wanabidii] News Digest: I-T dept releases list of 18 defaulters owing Rs 1,150cr

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, December 31, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		Business
		I-T dept releases list of 18 defaulters owing Rs 1,150cr Stepping up its 'name and shame' campaign, the Income Tax department on Wednesday made public a third list of 18 tax defaulters including gold and diamond traders whose dues totalled around Rs 1,150 crore. Sebi orders Sarada Pleasure to repay investor money Capital markets regulator Sebi has ordered Sarada Pleasure & Adventure Ltd and its directors to refund the money collected through issuance of preference shares to the investors. Sensex sinks below 26k-mark on profit-booking, down 119 points Markets on Wednesday failed to make good use of the early momentum in a fluctuating trade as the benchmark Sensex broke below the psychological 26,000-mark by falling over 119 points amid profit-booking and a mixed global trend. More Business News»

		Environment
		Norway to help India manage construction waste India will sign an MoU with Norway for training of human resource to handle construction and demolition waste, in tune with the Clean India Campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chill not to freeze New Year's Eve thrill in Himachal hills The snow will not freeze the thrill in the hills of Himachal Pradesh as the sun will add warmth to the celebrations. Tourists will thus herald the New Year on a sunny note, the Met office cheerfully says. There will be long sunny days at most of the tourist destinations in the state till the New Year dawns. Crows too know how to make and use tools! f you thought only humans or primates can forge and use tools, you are wrong. Crows can make, use, and even store for re-use certain tools while foraging for food, a new study shows. More Environment News»

		World
		Freed Afghan village reveals key to Taliban 'success' The Taliban remain largely unpopular in urban centres, but in many rural areas the puritanical movement has entrenched itself among alienated groups, competing directly with the government for public loyalty. The Taliban now control more territory than in any year since they were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion, with the UN estimating that nearly half of all districts across Afghanistan are at risk of falling. At issue in UN Syria ceasefire plan: Who is a terrorist? A UN plan to suspend Syria's nearly five-year-old civil war calls for listing which militant groups may be fought despite an eventual ceasefire, one of the toughest issues vexing diplomats trying to end the conflict. Frantic US fight against record floods Soldiers and volunteers packed sand bags Wednesday in a frantic effort to stave off floodwaters in the US state of Missouri, where 13 people have been killed and several towns have been engulfed. More World News»

		Science
		Brain activity of worms recorded in 3D Scientists have developed a new method to record 3D footage of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal, an advance that could help better understand how neurons coordinate action and perception in animals. Simple method to improve breast cancer treatment A simple and non-invasive imaging method can effectively replace the current practice in determining appropriateness of breast cancer treatment, thereby reducing the need for invasive tissue sampling, new research has found. Fitness freak? Too much exercise is bad for heart With many of us contemplating marathons or other endurance events in 2016, we, our spouses and other family members most likely have wondered whether such strenuous training could be harmful to our hearts. More Science News»

		Technology
		10 best mid-range smartphones of 2015 2015 was the year when mid-range smartphones came into their own. This was the year when smartphones under Rs 25,000 truly took on their much more expensive counterparts, giving buyers the option to get a powerful device without worrying too much about the budget. YU Yutopia review: Is it the flagship killer you were waiting for? YU Yutopia is a powerful smartphone and definitely worth considering at Rs 24,999. While heating issues and the fingerprint sensor are sore points, we expected them to be sorted out when YU pushes out the next major firmware update for the smartphone. 8 best laptops of 2015 The year 2015 saw the launch of many laptops across various categories like gaming, hybrids, and ultrabooks. More Technology News»

		Education
		Last date for JEE applications extended till Jan 11 The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended the last date of filling the online forms of Joint Entrance Exam JEE-Main-2016 to January 11. Even the attempts for taking the JEE have been increased; candidates can now take a shot at this entrance test thrice, instead of twice. To prevent exam malpractice, CCS varsity to stick bar code on answer sheets In a bid to curb racketeers involved in doctoring exam attendance sheets, authorities at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU) have decided to paste bar code slips on answer sheet and an identical counterpart on attendance sheets during final examinations.  University of the People opens doors to Indian students University of the People, which claims to be the world’s first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited American online university, has said it is dedicated to opening access to higher education globally. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai in 2015: Of public health scares & innovations In retrospect, 2015 will be remembered as the year when Mumbai’s healthcare giants scored while public health took a beating. Gujarat second to Maharashtra in most attractive investment destinations: Study Between 2009 and 2014, Maharashtra left Gujarat behind as the most sought after destination for global and domestic investors, as the latter recorded least growth rate of just over 2 percent among top 21 states in India, revealed a recently concluded study, ‘A Comparative Analysis of Investment Pattern in States’, by apex industry body Assocham. 8 cops in the dock after teen forced to marry her rapist The victim was repeatedly raped by two men and forced to marry one of them after it emerged that she was pregnant. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Govt sanctions 4227 additional posts in Delhi police dept The government has sanctioned 4227 additional posts in Delhi Police for the purpose of separation of crime investigation and law and order functions. Delhi Police tighten security on New Year's eve The police will be keeping an eye on crowded places, markets, bus stations, railway stations and other specific locations in the city to avoid any untoward incident. In fresh face-off, Centre declares Arvind Kejriwal govt's suspension of 2 officers 'null and void' In a fresh face-off with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Centre on Thursday rejected the suspension of two officers by the Delhi government, calling the move "illegal". Meanwhile, nearly 200 bureaucrats have threatened to go on mass leave in protest against the suspension of two DANICS officers. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Science and technology should touch farmers' lives, says CM Siddaramaiah The state government on Wednesday conferred awards to 25 scientists for the years 2013 and 2014 “with a view to recognising and rewarding talents from the field of science and technology“. Pointing out that India has a large population indulging in agriculture, chief minister Siddaramaiah said: “The fruits of science and technology must touch our farmers.“ COUNCIL POLLS: Old warhorses lose ground on home turf The results of the elections to 25 seats of legislative council from local authorities constituencies were a huge set back for some top leaders of all the major parties -the Congress, BJP and JD(S). Dynastic politics rules the roost The council election results seem to have thrown a big message: dynastic politics is here to stay in Karnataka. For, kin of several political leaders have been elected to the Upper House. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Power tariff hike proposed The AP Transco, AP Genco and distribution companies will present their annual revenue requirement (ARR) before the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Thursday with a request for 12 per cent hike in the power tariff. Andhra Pradesh power utilities seek 12% hike in tariff The APTransco APGenco and distribution companies will present their annual revenue requiremen (ARR) before the AP Electrici ty Regulatory Commission (APERC) on Thursday with a request for 12 per cent hike in power tariff. 12 IPS officers transferred in Andhra Pradesh In a minor reshuffle, the AP government on Wednesday transferred about a dozen IPS officers. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Customs official among nine held for stealing 52kg of silver bars from TN businessman The Madurai police arrested nine people, including a sub-inspector from the customs department, for allegedly stealing 52kg of silver bars from a businessman in November.  Customs official among nine held for stealing 52kg of silver bars from TN businessman The Madurai police arrested nine people, including a sub-inspector from the customs department, for allegedly stealing 52kg of silver bars from a businessman in November. Sri Lankan naval forces detain 29 Indian fishermen Sri Lankan naval forces on Wednesday detained 29 Indian fishermen and their three boats on charges of trespassing into the territorial waters of the island nation.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Drain water eroding Sarkhej Roza's beauty: Study Sarkhej Roza, the mausoleum of Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh, spiritual preceptor of Sultan Ahmed Shah (1410-1443 AD), has suffered becasue of neglect by authorities, says a study by CEPT University. Cops to focus on women's safety: New Year's celebrations Safety of women during New Year’s celebrations would be the prime concern for city cops. “We have deployed women police personnel in plain clothes to ensure safety of women during New Year’s celebrations. These women police officials will be posted in party venues and hotels to nab rogue elements,” said a senior police official. Cops to open phone conversation with "Jai Hind" Following the suggestions made by PM Narendra Modi, DGP P C Thakur has issued directives that from Thursday onwards, members of the 85,000-odd police force of the state should say “Jai Hind” whenever picking up a phone to talk on duty. DGP Thakur has directed senior police officials to conduct special sessions at police stations and ensure that the directive to say Jai Hind is followed strictly. He has also directed that the flag of Gujarat Police be hoisted at each police station in the state, and standard operating procedures (SOP) and norms for hoisting, upkeep and dignity of the Gujarat Police flag be ensured by city and district police. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Coming soon, English classes for government teachers Come January and the government teachers would hone their skills in speaking English so as to improve the standard of teaching. State government's designated institute would conduct special workshops for such teachers from the new year so that they can, in turn, help students learn basic English. Allahabad University puts up ramps for special students The Allahabad University authorities have taken note of the plight of their special students and have started building a ramp at the entrance of their Central library. Though a temporary arrangement, it would definitely go a long way in making the academic years of special students that much more memorable. Rs 2.98 lakh stolen from scooter dickey A retired railway official Govind Khanal was deprived of Rs 2.98 lakh on Monday. Thieves stole the money after breaking open the dickey of Govind Khanal’s scooter at Manmohan crossing under the limits of Colonelganj police. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJP cadres ransack pension venue rate BJP cadres marched into the pension distribution site at Uditnagar Parade ground and ransacked the place, including the welcome gate and the stage, where state textile minister Snehangini Churia was supposed to arrive and distribute pension to beneficiaries. The BJP cadres were reportedly angry that Rourkela MLA was not invited to the programme. Although Churia arrived in the steel city on Wednesday, she did not attend this programme. Maoist gives up arms in Angul Maoist Manoj Dehury, alias Madhab, of Sambalpur-Deogarh- Sundargarh division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) on Wednesday surrendered before SP (Angul) Rajesh Pandit. Tribal fest Parab from January 2 Noted Odissi danseuse Ileana Citaristi will be the star attraction of Parab-2015, the annual cultural extravaganza of Koraput district.Parab showcases the best of tribal art and culture. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Air China slapped with Rs 50K penalty for not providing veg meal to ex governor Air China, state-owned carrier of People’s Republic of China, was slapped with a penalty of Rs 50,000 by a Bhopal consumer court for not providing ‘Hindu Meal’ (vegetarian) to former governor of Manipur and Nagaland and his wife when they were travelling from Beijing to San Francisco. TOI impact: Police brutality victim gets relief of Rs 1 lakh Almost a year after TOI reported the horrific case of police brutality in Madhya Pradesh, in which a youth, Mohammad Anwar, was hanged upside down, chilli rubbed in his private parts and a rod thrust inside after pouring petrol, the home department has sanctioned an interim relief of Rs 1 lakh to the victim. On parents' job refusal, student scripts abduction drama A day after a 22-year-old M.Com student alleged she was kidnapped by a few people and sent a number of SMSs to her family, she on Wednesday said she had left house since her parents were not allowing her to do a job. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Soon, ordinance to ban polybags Punjab government has decided to issue an ordinance banning use of polythene bags in the state.The ban will come into force from February 1, 2016. Punjab gently prunes security of 90 VIPs The string of protests that Punjab faced in the past few months may have a flip side to it. Co-op banks make hay as candidates line up for no-dues slips Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.People wanting to contest rural polls in Haryana have to pay to prove that they fulfil the newly introduced no-loan clause. More Chandigarh News»

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