News Digest: Coal block auction for steel, cement off on poor response

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

		India
		Coal block auction for steel, cement off on poor response Tepid response from bidders amid depressed commodity prices and market conditions has forced the government to call off the fourth round of coal block auctions meant for deregulated industries such as steel and cement. Engineers are seeking transfer out of Bihar, says Gadkari Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that government engineers are not willing to go to Bihar and the state government has to do more to improve its law and order situation. In first Capital meet, dy CM leaves impact Gadkari said he has assured Yadav that the Centre will do everything possible to keep the commitments and announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a part of Bihar package and that political issues won't impact work. More India News»

		Business
		New drug price caps to help save up to 20%  The revision in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) by the government last week is expected to translate into savings of 10-20% for patients at the therapy level on widely used antibiotics, anti-infectives, cardiac and respiratory medicines. Govt approves amended TUF scheme, to create 30L jobs Government today approved an Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (A-TUFS) in place of the existing Revised Restructured TUFS for technology upgradation of the textiles industry, a move expected to attract investment of Rs 1 lakh crore and create over 30 lakh jobs by 2022. Record orders for BSE MF, 24x7 order acceptance soon Stock exchange BSE's mutual fund distribution platform BSE StAR MF today executed more than 72,000 orders worth Rs 161 crore — a record high for a day. BSE will next month introduce round the clock order acceptance facility along with multiple mode of payments including NEFT/ RTGS. 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
		Brussels cancels New Year's fireworks over terror threat Belgian authorities on Wednesday cancelled the annual New Year's Eve festivities and fireworks in the heart of Brussels after revealing an alleged jihadist plot to attack the capital during the holiday. Storm Frank batters northern Britain Torrential rain and gale force winds battered northern Britain on Wednesday, cutting power to thousands of homes and forcing some to evacuate flooded streets in the third major storm in a month. Life sentences for British attack plot couple A husband and his former wife convicted of planning a major attack to mark the 10th anniversary of the London suicide bombings were both sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Urvashi Rautela's selfie sessions with Seal When Urvashi Rautela (Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva-Miss Universe India 2015) represented India at the recently-concluded Miss Universe 2015, she didn’t think she would get to rub shoulders with international musician Seal. Blockbusters Shah Rukh Khan rejected Actresses who wore bikinis in debut films Bollywood is synonymous with fame and several debutantes enter the glamour industry every year in search of recognition. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		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. Indigenize is focus of this year's science meet "Industrialize or perish" was the clarion call given by Sir M Visvesvaraya, former dewan of Mysuru, and one of India's best known engineers. Today, many decades later, the slogan the country is embracing seems to be "indigenize or perish". Shopping can bring long-term happiness: Study In some good news for shopaholics, scientists have found that material purchases can provide more frequent happiness over time. More Science News»

		Sports
		Was hurt when dropped mid-series, says Sehwag Virender Sehwag admitted that he was "hurt" after being dropped in the middle of the 2013 Test series against Australia without any "communication from team management or selectors." Sarita Devi: Loving mother, champion boxer, guiding light Sarita is a former world champion and four-time Asian champion boxer who has spent the past 15 years inside the square ring. But there is life beyond the ring, and it was on full display when she met some friends and fans. Bengal stalwart Laxmi Ratan Shukla retires from cricket Former India cricketer and ex-Bengal captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Wednesday announced his retirement from all forms of the game. More Sports News»

		Technology
		In pictures: 9 big technology achievements of 2015 As the year ends, here's capturing in pictures some of the biggest technology feats. These innovations not only made an impact this year, but will also shape technology trends in 2016 and ahead. 15 best smartphones launched in 2015 2015 was the year when the Indian market saw a major shift to smartphones with high-end features offered at mid-range prices. 9 startups oppose net 'gate-keepers' A group of nine startups, including Zomato and Paytm, wrote to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman R S Sharma on Tuesday evening, requesting the regulatory body to "to issue clear regulations preventing telecom providers or content providers from acting as gate-keepers". 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
		From Jan 10, city tour on chopper People in the city will soon be able to enjoy an aerial view of their favourite landmarks as the state government launches “Mumbai Darshan” helicopter flights from January 10. WR panel bats for more 15-car trains, 2x2 seating Western Railway’s accident review committee has recommended introduction of more 15-car services, besides introduction of rakes with 2x2 seating arrangement and installation of escalators at upcoming foot overbridges to prevent casualties on tracks. Detain Class V-VIII students if needed, suggests education panel to MHRD The no-detention policy must be amended, a committee formed under the state school education minister, Vinod Tawde, has suggested to the Union ministry of human resource development More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi government bureaucrats to go on protest leave today The DANICS Officers Association passed a resolution to go on mass leave on Thursday and was supported by the IAS (AGMUT) Officers Association. The city has more than 90 IAS officers and some 150 DANICS cadre. Odd-even violators won't get to park in Delhi, says govt Commuters flouting the odd-even traffic restrictions coming into effect from Friday may find it difficult to park their vehicle. Centre's 42-point to clear air in a year Amid reports of alarming level of air pollution in the capital, the Centre on Wednesday issued a 42-point action plan to handle the situation and directed Delhi and three neighbouring states—Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan—to implement them in right earnest. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Raids on Gali Janardhana Reddy continue The Lokayukta raids on former tourism minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy continued on day two, with additional assistance being sought from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for building a solid and voluminous case against the tainted politician. Congress wins Karnataka legislative council polls Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah closed the year by posting a massive victory for his party in the legislative council polls results on Wednesday, with the Congress winning 12 seats, leaving the BJP far behind with 5, JD(S) and Independents one seat each in the 19 of the total 25 seats from the local authorities constituencies' declared so far. Council results today; Congress, BJP on edge Will the gamble by candidates who tried to woo voters with freebies and cash pay off? Will the rumoured BJP-JD(S) pact in some constituencies, and cross-voting by JD(S) legislators in favour of Congress candidates fetch the desired results? More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		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. Doctor alleges kidnap by business partner A 45-year-old doctor on Wednesday lodged a complaint with Hayatnagar police alleging that he was abducted by the henchmen of his former business partner and let off only after signing blank promissory notes. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		AIADMK meet gives residents newly laid roads No signs of the recent deluge can be seen on the route leading from Poes Garden to the AIADMK council meet venue in Thiruvanmiyur. Gleaming, smooth new roads, laid just for the meet, await the chief minister on Thursday. High court dismisses PILs seeking stalling of event Clearing the hurdle for the AIADMK's gen eral council meeting to be held at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Centre (SRMC) premises at Thiruvanmiyur on Thursday , the Madras high court dismissed two PILs against the event. Tamil Nadu CM plays it safe, tells ministers to car-pool to prevent gridlock Any big political event in the city and the traffic comes to a standstill. Apart from the daily travails, the common man on the street has to bear the brunt of the traffic chaos. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		HC stays attachment of Ayurved Uni registrar's property Gujarat high court on Wednesday stayed the authorities from attaching the personal property of Gujarat Ayurved University’s registrar in Jamnagar after the university failed to pay interest of retirement benefits to its former employee. HC stays sealing of shops in Gujarat capital Gujarat high court on Wednesday stayed Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC) to carry out its sealing of shops and commercial establishments that are being operated in buildings and plots meant for residential use in the state capital. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation seeks toy train maintenance renewal After realizing that the comprehensive maintenance contract for two toy trains at Kankaria lake front ended on December 24 the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has the filed for immediate renewal. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		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. Students to wear dhoti-kurta, sari at UPRTOU convocation This year’s convocation of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU) would write a new chapter in its history. Doing away with the tradition of wearing black robe and cap, as worn at earlier convocations, the students would wear dhoti-kurta and sari during the 10th convocation scheduled to be held on February 16. On public demand, UPPSC scraps CSAT exam pattern Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has made General Studies-II paper of ‘Combined State Upper Subordinate Services Examination (Preliminary)’ or PCS (Prelims) exams qualifying in nature by scrapping the controversial Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) pattern on Monday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Sevashram students shiver without blankets Winter has set in completely across the district with the night temperature in several interior pockets hovering between 7C and 9C, at least 27,000 students residing at sevashrams (residential schools meant for SC and ST students) of the district are sleeping without blankets. Incentives for doctors big plus, infant deaths big minus The Naveen Patnaik government took certain remarkable initiatives such as offering up to 100 per cent extra incentives to doctors posted in vulnerable areas and sacked 408 truant medicos in 2015. Nandankanan toy train, cable car off track Two prime attractions in Nandankanan-zoo-ropeway and toy train-are out of operation for more than one and half year. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Poster showing Pak flag & Sarang's picture sparks row An Eid Milad-un-Nabi poster in Bhopal city with a Pakistani flag and carrying a picture of local BJP MLA Vishwas Sarang stoked a controversy on Wednesday. Fearing failure, Shivraj Singh cancels New Year holiday, calls for performance report Taking a serious note of slack attitude by departments, who performed miserably to achieve their goals, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has cancelled his New Year weekly trip to a day’s out. Revive Class 5, 8 exams: CABE sub-committee The sub-committee of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) has recommended for reviving Class 5 and 8 exams in a meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Madhya Pradesh school education minister Paras Jain was a part of the meeting. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Solan girl breaks record, does kathak at 16,000ft A student from the dance department of Punjabi University, Patiala, has made it to the Limca Book of Records for performing kathak at an altitude of 4,890 metres (16,040 feet) on Baralacha La (pass) in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Shruti Gupta, who is pursuing masters in kathak, performed the classical Indian dance at Baralach La for seven minutes surpassing the previous record of 7,217.84 feet made in Bilaspur. Stray cattle destroy crops, pit farmers against each other Stray cattle menace in Barnala and Bathinda districts is causing friction among farmers. HMT's tractor unit may close down Disappointment was writ large on the face of Roop Singh, a farmer from Barnala, when he heard the news of HMT's tractor-manufacturing unit in Pinjore, Haryana, heading for a closure. More Chandigarh News»

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