News Digest: ED attaches assets worth Rs 157 crore in Odisha chit fund scam case

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, December 04, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		ED attaches assets worth Rs 157 crore in Odisha chit fund scam case ED has accused the firm of running a ponzi scheme and perpetrating an estimated Rs 800 crore fraud, duping numerous investors belonging to the state and a few others from West Bengal and Assam. SEZ developers mortgaged govt land to raise loans: CAG A few Special Economic Zone (SEZ) developers mortgaged government land and raised over Rs 6,300 crore from banks, and three of them managed to get over Rs 2,200 crore despite diverting land for other uses. Indian women in mental hospitals 'treated worse than animals' The HRW has recommended orderly inspections and regular monitoring of all such facilities to ensure that such people receive treatment on the basis of informed consent. More India News»

		Business
		ICICI, HDFC Bank cut FD rates A couple of days before RBI governor Raghuram Rajan decided to maintain a status quo in the monetary policy, the country’s two largest private banks had quietly brought down deposit rates. Following the reduction, which is in select time buckets, both banks’ best rates are now below 9%. Govt sets up high-level panel on tax issues The government on Wednesday set up a High Level Committee (HLC) to interact with trade and industry and identify areas where clarity on tax laws is needed, a move aimed at boosting confidence among taxpayers. Puff factory: Govt weighs cigarette-making permit The government is testing waters with the first proposal for manufacturing cigarettes in several years in a sector, requiring industrial licence, but controlled by a handful of local players. More Business News»

		Environment
		India makes a strong case for adaptation measures at Lima climate talks With the countries here negotiating crucial points in the run up to the next year's global climate agreement, India on Wednesday made a strong pitch for giving more weight-age to "adaptation" measures in the new agreement at the time when rich nations are more obsessed with "mitigation" (cutting emission) efforts and goals. Long-term environmental damage by CO2 emissions: Study Refuting common misconceptions that today's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a problem only for the future generations, researchers have found that a single carbon emission takes only about 10 years to reach its maximum effect. Andes glaciers, ailing giants hit by climate change Like ailing giants, the tropical glaciers of the Andes Mountains are melting at worrying speed, raising scientists' fears that many will disappear before anything can be done to save them. More Environment News»

		World
		No indictment in NYPD chokehold killing A New York grand jury has decided not to charge a police officer who killed an unarmed black man with a chokehold while trying to arrest him for illegally selling cigarettes, a lawyer for the victim's family said on Wednesday. Physicist-engineer tango in defence ties? When the defence chiefs of India and the United States meet next, it could well be an IIT engineer engaging an Oxford-MIT physicist. 30 yrs on, reliving Bhopal in Rome Artist Samar Singh Jodha's unnerving multimedia installation on the Bhopal gas tragedy 30 years ago, which has travelled to Rome in a container, is bringing to life the horror of an industrial disaster that killed thousands, the number itself disputed till date. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman sir is like king: Prabhudheva Ajay Devgn is a superstar and Prabhudheva, an extremely successful director. Ekta Kapoor finds a Liz Hurley lookalike! Ekta Kapoor is one person who not just encourages new talent, but she knows how to spot them. B'wood celebrities mired in controversies More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasa counts down to Orion's first step to Mars The Orion spacecraft, designed to carry humans farther in deep space than ever before, is poised to blast off Thursday in what Nasa hailed as a first step in mankind's journey to Mars. Secret behind green vegetables' capacity to improve heart's efficiency is out The secret behind what makes green vegetables so potent in improving the heart’s efficiency, blood supply to organs and reducing risk of diabetes and obesity has been found. DNA of Richard III reveals evidence of infidelity in his family tree Analysis of the DNA of Richard III has thrown up a surprising finding - evidence of infidelity in his family tree. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sports ministry appeals to AIBA to revoke Sarita Devi's ban Sports ministry has appealed to the Amateur International Boxing Association to revoke the suspension imposed on Indian boxer L Sarita Devi. ISL: FC Pune City defeat Mumbai City FC 2-0 Dudu Omagbemi scored twice in the second half as FC Pune City defeated Mumbai City FC 2-0 in their ISL clash to rise to the fourth spot in the points table. Singapore beat Indian Aces to register 1st IPTL win Singapore Slammers took their first IPTL victory when Tomas Berdych led the home side to a thrilling 24-23 victory over the previously unbeaten Indian Aces. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Online purchases by Indians are being subsidized by Wall Street Flipkart, Snapdeal and Seattle-based Amazon have, between them, already guzzled about half a billion dollars of investor money doling out lavish discounts. Amazon Kindle (7th generation) review: Touch goes affordable We’ve used the new Kindle for a few weeks to find out if it’s a big improvement over its predecessor. Here’s our review… Here's everything Google knows about you But before your privacy alarm goes up, it is important to note that Google is extremely open about what data it stores and also makes it very easy to delete that data. However, few people understand exactly what Google stores about you. Here's a ready reckoner on all that Google tracks about you... More Technology News»

		Education
		Opposition accuses govt of mixing mythology with education An apparently "non-controversial" bill passed on Wednesday in Lok Sabha became a platform for exchange of barbs and jibes between the government and opposition who sparred over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and HRD minister Smriti Irani's alleged inclination towards mixing mythology with education. UGC follows DST, hikes fellowship by 55% for 15 schemes Pacifying protesting researchers with a one-time hike in fellowship just before Diwali, the Centre had indicated that it wants to encourage science and research in the country. Leg up for engineering grads in small towns When Nisha (name changed), the daughter of a truck driver from Coimbatore, entered the final year of electrical engineering, she was rather nervous about landing a good job as she wasn’t from a topranked college. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Litfest installation rekindles writers' memories of city From the works of Saadat Hasan Manto to Rohinton Mistry, the city has featured as a background, or often, a character in itself. Can't bend rules, 7-yr law practice must for district judge post: HC A former judicial magistrate’s petition urging the HC to declare her qualified to appear for the examination for the post of district judge was dismissed by a division bench of Justice Anoop Mohta and Justice Nitin Jamdar. Shakti squads to ensure women are safe on trains The squad will start work next week and will focus on the trans-harbour section. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Doctor eyes med seat for kin, duped of Rs 37 lakh A city doctor has been duped of Rs 37 lakh by miscreants who promised to get his daughter admitted to a prestigious medical college in Delhi. Tihar to hold Urdu classes for inmates The Tihar jail administration has decided to teach Urdu to its inmates for better employment opportunity after their release. First-ever operatic Ramleela in Delhi There is an interesting cultural specimen on the global opera stage these days.He is the barihunk, a taut-bodied baritone. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bengalurean designs disabled-friendly car Here is some good news for the physically disabled. A compact and battery-operated wheelchair-cum-car, developed by B V Narayana from AGS Layout in Banashankari VI Stage, can help the disabled drive without any hassle. Excise raids have nothing to do with me: Sharma TOI interviewed IPS officer RP Sharma, who featured in a controversy involving security guards of the club Bangalore clubbed Club is facing the brunt of scrutiny from several government bodies. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Govt gears up for land acquisition Long-awaited revised guidelines likely to come into force in one week Second-hand homes in demand Absence of new projects said to be fuelling resale of houses Golconda loses its 'Moti' to ASI apathy The Moti Darwaza, one of the imposing main gateways to the historic Golconda Fort, collapsed early on Wednesday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Rajinikanth's film clears legal hurdle, set for release Super star Rajinikanth's new film 'Lingaa' cleared a legal hurdle on Wednesday, with the Madras high court dismissing a petition filed by a filmmaker who claimed ownership of its story. How can a govt run liquor business, asks Madras HC Blaming alcoholism for road deaths and many social evils, the Madras high court on Wednesday said if governments 't bring about total prohibition, they should at least restrict sale of liquor. Tamil Nadu govt curtails house session, opposition cries foul The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday decided to curtail the coming assembly session to just three days, perhaps anticipating the stormy mood of the opposition. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Mera brochure hai Japani: Vibrant global languages With a number of companies, especially from Japan and China, keen on investing in Gujarat, the state government has decided to prepare legal documents, procedural guidelines, and information brochures in Japanese and Chinese. High court fines Kalol panjrapol Gujarat high court frowned upon a cattle pound for not taking care of animals and for being obstinate in putting up meaningless legal fight against the owner of animals though most of the animals died in captivity. CM, Advani to inaugurate water treatment plant today Chief minister Anandiben Patel will inaugurate 400 MLD Jaspur water treatment plant in Ahmedabad on Thursday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Protest demanding strict action against accused lawyer Employees of Allahabad Development Authority (ADA), Vikas Bhawan, Nagar Nigam and tehsils boycotted work on Tuesday demanding clamping of National Security Act against the lawyer who had allegedly attacked the authority’s secretary on the court’s compound. AMC accused of lopsided dev Allahabad Municipal Corporation had adopted different yardsticks for developmental activities in different wards. CBSE gears up for NET Peeved over repeated complaints of cheating in National Eligibility Test (NET), the authorities of University Grants Commission (UGC) have taken several steps to make this year’s test fair and transparent. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Midday meal mishaps in state ring alarm bells Despite the state government putting in place several measures to ensure proper food to school children under the midday meal (MDM) scheme, frequent incidents of kids falling sick has raised alarm. Lady teacher booked for slapping kid Lady teacher Puspa Bista of a public school charged for slapping a Class I student. Brick kilns on river beds raise erosion concern 23 brick kilns found operating near Khurda and Puri district, raising concern within state government which wants them banned. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sadhvi Pragya narrates police torture story on video After receiving a complaint letter, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated a probe into the allegation that Melagaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur was illegally detained and tortured by the Maharashtra ATS and state police. Colonizers will have to make place for weaker sections in MP The Madhya Pradesh state cabinet led by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday decided that colonizers will have to reserve 6% of total built-up area for economically weaker sections in residential properties located under village panchayats near city limits. Bhopal gas tragedy-like crime should not recur: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged people to take resolve that Bhopal gas tragedy-like crime against humanity should not recur anywhere in the world. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Twist in Rohtak sisters' tale: 6 women give clean chit to men In a new twist to the alleged molestation of two sisters in a moving bus near Rohtak, six women co-passengers on Wednesday told the police that the three men were not at fault. Barricades gone, but no change in Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthaan stand Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthaan scaled down its confrontationist attitude on Wednesday, removed the barricades it had set up on the road leading to the dera near Jalandhar, and allowed people to come up to the gate.  Talking about 'loves' of Greek Gods Art historian Roberta Shaw will present a slide lecture at Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh on Thursday. More Chandigarh News»

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