News Digest: Plan panel to be revamped before Budget?

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, June 28, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Plan panel to be revamped before Budget? A head of the Budget to be presented July 10, PM Narendra Modi may reconstitute the Planning Commission with a new deputy chairman. More 'fake' trouble for Indian art mart Fake! This four-letter word continued to cause a tizzy in the Indian art world on Friday, especially with questions swirling around more works featured in the auction catalogue of Bangalore-based Bid & Hammer. Congress takes dig at one month of Modi govt Congress on Friday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his government’s completion of a month, saying his work involved the rail fare hike, rising sugar prices and a policy that would see regular hike in prices of petroleum products. More India News»

		Business
		Walmart decks up kirana stores for larger India pie Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is leaving no stones unturned to gain market share in India’s booming cash-and-carry business. ONGC to invest over Rs 5,700 crore in Mumbai field State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corpoaration would invest over Rs 5,700 crore to push up production by 6.9 million tonne of crude oil and 5 billion cubic metres of gas by 2030 from its Mumbai High (North) oil and gas field in the west coast. Volkswagen lines up string of budget cars for India Unable to make a big dent in the highly-competitive Indian car market, German car major Volkswagen is lining up a slew of budget cars to go head-on against market heavyweights like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda. More Business News»

		Environment
		Jayalalithaa to head panel to preserve eco-sensitive areas Amidst growing concerns over damage to ecologically sensitive and heritage sites, the state government on Friday decided to set up a body to protect such places. The proposed Tamil Nadu Authority for Preservation of Eco-sensitive and Heritage Areas will be headed by chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Wildlife enthusiasts spot giant flying squirrel in Gujarat's Polo forests Wildlife lovers staying in northern region of Gujarat need not travel to eastern or southern parts of the state to sight a flying squirrel. Climate change prompting Arctic birds to breed early Earlier spring seasons and snow-melt brought about by climate change are causing migratory birds that breed in the Arctic Alaska to breed sooner, says a study. More Environment News»

		World
		Bicycle, a symbol of freedom for Afghan women Trundling down dun-coloured mountain slopes, they ignore hard stares and vulgarities from passing men, revelling in an activity that seemed unthinkable for previous generations of Afghan women — riding a bicycle. Yemen ceasefire breached as violence flares Fierce clashes erupted between rebels and tribes backed by an army unit in a northern Yemeni city close to the capital on Friday, breaching a week-old ceasefire, a defense ministry official said, as the country's leaders said assailants were plotting to destabilize the country. Call for dialogue over Central Africa conflict All sides involved in the deadly conflict in the Central African Republic need to work together if the country is to get over the current gridlock, the president of neighbouring Chad has said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		EK Villain: 5 reasons to watch the film 'Bigg Boss gave me recognition of being a wrestler' Together they look like a cute telly couple as they address each other as Sangramji and Payalji. Meet the much in love Sangram Singh and Payal Rohatgi Alia Bhatt proposes to Varun Dhawan Alia Bhatt had a surprise up her sleeve at a recent award show, where she and Varun Dhawan were promoting their upcoming film, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Poison-immune 'super-rats' on the rise in UK Mutant super-rats that are immune to commonly used poisons are rising across Britain. Soon, a simple blood test to predict breast cancer risk A simple blood test will soon be able to tell the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer, even when she isn’t in the high risk category. Experts slow degeneration in motor neuron mice Japanese stemcell scientists have succeeded in slowing the deterioration of mice with motor neuron disease, possibly paving the way for human treatment, according to a new paper. More Science News»

		Sports
		Chiellini calls Luis Suarez ban 'excessive' Italy's Giorgio Chiellini has said the ban Fifa handed down to Luis Suarez is 'excessive' and that he feels no anger towards the controversial Uruguay striker. Djokovic in last 16 after injury scare Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon hopes looked in serious jeopardy against Gilles Simon on Centre Court but he recovered to win 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and reach the last 16. Record-breaking teen Shaw joins United Luke Shaw became the most expensive teenage footballer in history after joining Man United from Southampton in a 4-year deal worth reported £30m. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Narayana Murthy to enter e-commerce space with Amazon NR Narayana Murthy, who is stepping down as the executive chairman of Infosys, is getting ready with his next big bet. Have a Nexus 5 or new Nexus 7? You can get Android L now Unlike in the past when Google used to release the finished versions of Android, now Google is releasing beta versions called developer previews. Google I/O 2014: Complete coverage Google I/O 2014: Complete coverage More Technology News»

		Education
		Bangalore University's new integrated system gives student a range of choices Even as Delhi University's four-year undergraduate programme is mired in controversy, Bangalore University (BU) is the first in the state to introduce Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in all its UG and integrated masters degree programmes. DU agrees to roll back FYUP, admissions from next week Vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh, who had kept a low profile in the past few days, issued a statement announcing that FYUP would be rolled back. Bengali text book withdrawn after controversy A Bengali text book for Class 12 which contained a long para on contribution of former rebel Trinamool Congress MP and singer Kabir Suman to contemporary Bengali music, was on Friday ordered to be withdrawn. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		At 87mm, Mumbai's June rainfall is third lowest in 63 years With only three days to go, the current month is set to hold the record for the lowest rainfall in June in the last decade. Admissions for education Act quota seats go offline Schools are conducting offline admissions as enrolment of only 1,195 students was confirmed in unaided non-minority schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act quota through the online system. Will state government move pass legal test? Two days after chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced a 16% quota for Marathas and 5% for Muslims, questions are being raised about whether the decision will stand up to legal scrutiny, especially in the light of critical observations made by the Supreme Court and the Andhra Pradesh high court on reservation. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi requires power to acquire land: Lieutenant governor Joining the chorus for a review of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, Delhi government has put forth before the Centre the urgent need to empower Delhi with the powers to acquire land. Stray mauls baby to death In an incident that has led to widespread anger and shock, a stray dog mauled to death a two-month-old girl in Paharganj on Thursday night. DU council to decide BTech future today, students fume The decision to roll back FYUP has left some students worrying sick about their future. Those currently enrolled for the BTech courses will have to wait for the academic council to decide their future on Saturday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bangalore doctor is Obama-Singh fellow Ann Sarah Koshy is happiest pulling out sticky, wailing babies into the world. For her, delivering the bundles of poor women and sharing their joys matters most. Now, the young intern with a rural hospital off Sarjapur Road is off to Harvard University to research how Vitamin B12 helps in neonatal growth.  Forget round-the-clock power supply, says Karnataka govt Karnataka is heading towards a grave energy crisis. Bangalore is likely to bear the brunt of it. A weak monsoon and widening supply-demand gap have raised the spectre of prolonged power cuts. Pillow principal took part in 1999 Kargil war The school principal who allegedly had a pillow fetish and pestered his girl students for their bedding was, in fact, an ex-serviceman who essayed a non-combative role in 1999. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Blast deepens power crisis The power crisis in AP and Telangana worsened on Friday due to the pipeline blast at Nagaram and technical hitches in the plants across the two states. Serenity that's often disturbed A series of irrigation canals and sea creeks intermingled with thousands of tall coconut trees, oil palm, cashew orchards and paddy fields welcome visitors as one crosses the Dhowlaiswaram Barrage across the Godavari, downstream of Rajahmundry city in East Godavari district. Konaseema or "corner region" is one of the most picturesque locations in the country. Locals up in arms Tension prevailed at the Nagaram village all through Friday, as villagers created a human chain and blocked the two roads leading to Rajole and Amalapuram, in protest against the “negligence“ and “high-handedness“ of GAIL. Residents of neighbouring villages too trooped in to extend their support to these agitators. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Madras HC grants extra mark, disabled woman now ready for teacher job The Madras high court has come to the rescue of a disabled candidate who said she lost one mark in the teacher eligibility test held in May this year for a question that had two right answers. The court granted her one mark, making her eligible for the post of postgraduate assistant in Tamil. Free textbooks found on sale in Coonoor Higher secondary school textbooks meant for free distribution in government and aided schools were found on sale at Coonoor municipal market on Friday. Jayalalithaa to head panel to preserve eco-sensitive areas Amidst growing concerns over damage to ecologically sensitive and heritage sites, the state government on Friday decided to set up a body to protect such places. The proposed Tamil Nadu Authority for Preservation of Eco-sensitive and Heritage Areas will be headed by chief minister J Jayalalithaa. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Police Sub Inspector's son alleges torture by dad, stepmother A 15-year-old boy, studying in standard 10, approached Sola police officials on Thursday morning and accused his father and stepmother of ill-treatment and physical torture. Three who fired shots in air nabbed Three persons who fired shots in the air near Marutinandan Hotel in Sola during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday were nabbed by crime branch sleuths on Thursday evening. Hearing begins in case against Aamir, 'Lagaan' crew Gujarat high court on Friday began hearing on a petition filed six years ago by Bollywood star Aamir Khan and his 'Lagaan' team on proceedings against them in a Bhuj court over allegations of killing a chinkara during shooting of the film in 2000. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Rally against drug abuse held Various events were organized to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday. Woman's body found near lake, rape suspected A woman's body was recovered near Baghel lake on Thursday. There were injury marks on the head and face and the neck slit.Police suspected it to be a case of rape and murder. Seminar on Pandit Mishra A seminar on renowned litterateur Pandit Shitla Prasad Mishra was organised on Thursday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		No clarity on number of priests allowed on chariots With two days left for Rath Yatra, the Jagannath Temple administration is walking a tightrope and is yet to make public its decision on the exact number of priests who would be allowed to ascend the chariots. College teachers grab Rs 4.4 crore grant by fraud Ten teachers of five non-government aided colleges allegedly secured Rs 4.4 crore government grant-in-aid (GIA) by 'planned fraud', the accountant general (AG) office found out during an audit. Anthrax spreads its tentacles Contrary to the district administration's claim that all necessary measures are being taken to contain anthrax, the disease is spreading to new areas of tribal-dominated Koraput district. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Fibre sheet factory blast claims owner's life A major blast in Govindpura industrial area on Friday evening claimed the life of a factory owner and left two employees injured. Congressmen clash with cops, protest against PEB scam There was high drama during the protest of Youth Congress against MPPEB scam at Banganga on Friday as the protestors tried to scale the barricades and clashed with police in a bid to make their way to chief minister’s house. Local cloud formation only sliver of hope More than normal temperature and humid conditions made denizens sweat throughout the day and even mild showers in Bhopal on Friday failed to offer any relief from sultry weather. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Patil praises BSF and ITBP for securing borders of the country Giving inaugural address in a workshop on Digital Eye –Real Time Border Surveillance, the Punjab governor and administrator UT Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil said that national security of India, its territory and integrity is guarded, and protected by its defence forces. BJP leaders look for industrial development in Chandigarh BJP national chief convener of industry, Niraj Tayal and Roopinder Singh Roopi, national industry convener from Chandigarh welcomed and appreciated the immediate steps taken by Rajnath Singh, union home minister for the industrialist of Chandigarh which was long pending issue for the industries of Chandigarh. Do not give allowance to municipal councilors: Lawyer writes to UT Following the disruption of monthly house meeting in last two days after verbal altercation of both ruling Congress and opposition BJP municipal councillors, city based lawyer Ajay Jagga on Friday requested Chandigarh administration’s Anil Kumar not to give allowance to municipal councillors for wasting time and public money. More Chandigarh News»

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