News Digest: GST rollout looks unlikely by April 1, 2017

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, December 12, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		GST rollout looks unlikely by April 1, 2017 The Centre and states failed to approve the GST laws on Sunday and agreed to meet on December 22 and 23 to hammer out a consensus, dashing hopes that the crucial bills would be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament and making it tough to meet the April 1rollout date for the goods and services tax (GST) across the country . Women staff harassment in DGCA going unheard? Navi Mumbai teacher rapes his student, flees to Delhi More India News»

		Business
		GST rollout looks unlikely by April 1, 2017 The Centre and states failed to approve the GST laws on Sunday and agreed to meet on December 22 and 23 to hammer out a consensus, dashing hopes that the crucial bills would be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament and making it tough to meet the April 1rollout date for the goods and services tax (GST) across the country . Vijay Singh rejects Cyrus Mistry's charge on role in chopper scam Former defence secretary Vijay Singh on Sunday vehmently denied ousted Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry's allegations of having played a key role in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP choppers scam, saying the Cabinet had approved the deal well after he had retired from government service. GST Council meet inconclusive; Apr 1 target seems undoable With the Centre and states again failing on Sunday to sort out contentious issue of dual control of assessees, GST rollout from April 1 next year is now looking virtually impossible. States like Kerala and T Nadu said that meeting the deadline was not possible and GST could be rolled out from Sept. More Business News»

		Environment
		Cancel illegal salt pans in Sambhar Lake: NGT  Ancient trees at China's Mount Tai get digital ID cards About 20,000 ancient trees on the renowned Mount Tai in China's Shandong Province now have "digital ID cards" which will provide information about environment, condition of trees, climate, diseases and pests. The information is collected by a new monitoring system for ancient trees on the mountain. Clarify stand on 'illegal' distilleries: NGT to Centre The National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre to clarify its stand on distilleries and sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh that manufacture, store and transport ethanol without obtaining permission from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). More Environment News»

		World
		US not necessarily bound by 'one China' policy: Trump US President-elect Donald Trump questioned whether the United States had to be bound by its longstanding position that Taiwan is part of "one China" and brushed aside Beijing's concerns about his decision to accept a phone call from Taiwan's president. Syrian activists say IS has recaptured Palmyra Islamic State seized the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra on Sunday from government troops despite a wave of Russian airstrikes. The Syrian government had recaptured Palmyra in March. But the militants have been steadily advancing in recent days while the government was busy in an offensive in Aleppo. Paolo Gentiloni named new Italy prime minister Paolo Gentiloni was named Sunday as Italy's new prime minister following reformist leader Matteo Renzi's resignation in the wake of a crushing referendum defeat. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Suniel Shetty: You can't match Ranbir's acting In his 24-year long career, Suniel Shetty has seen several highs as an actor. Today, however, he is an anxious father backing his son, Ahan. After all, the 20-year-old will soon be making his Bollywood debut 'Ok Jaanu' trailer releases today Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, who mesmerised the audience with their romance and sizzling chemistry in 'Aashiqui 2', are back with director Shaad Ali’s 'Ok Jaanu'. Elli Avram moves to a new address Elli Avram is on cloud nine — she has bought a 3 BHK in a posh building in the suburbs. The actress has already moved into her new abode, even as work on the interiors is in full swing. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Record production of ethanol may cut fuel bill Sugar mills recorded the highest ever production of ethanol of more than 110 crore litres during 2015-16 crop year, over 50% more than what was produced during the previous year. Spider named after Harry Potter character A new spider species discovered by Mumbai researchers in the central western ghats has been scientifically named Eriovixia gryffindori, after the fictitious wizard, Godric Gryffindor. The name was given mainly because it resembles the magical hat worn by the wizard. New AI system can predict how scenes will play out More Science News»

		Sports
		4th Test: England succumb to spin after Kohli double Virat Kohli scored his third double-century as England were left gasping after being reduced to 182/6 on Sunday, still 49 runs adrift of India's lead and the prospect of batting for three more sessions to save the Test. Kohli's purple patch due to helpful tracks: Anderson Virat Kohli may be going through a purple patch of his international career but England pacer Jimmy Anderson took a slight dig saying that if Indian captain's technical glitches if any aren't visible because of the helpful Indian tracks which lacks pace and movement. EPL: Diego Costa gem sends Chelsea back to the top Diego Costa fired Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League as the Spain striker's late winner clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Government to launch 19 e-governance schemes for Digital India initiative MEA 's goal is to launch 19 e-governance initiatives by the next financial year and efforts are being made on a war-footing, persons familiar with the developments told ET. Among the key initiatives will be a stronger cyber security mechanism for ministry websites. 11 alternatives to WhatsApp video calling Social messaging application WhatsApp recently rolled out its video calling facility. Samsung smartphones the most traded devices of 2016 in India: Report Capturing 28.52% of the Indian mobile phone market, South Korean giant Samsung sold maximum number of devices in 2016, followed by Apple iPhone 14.87% and Motorola with 10.75%, a new report said on Saturday. More Technology News»

		Education
		Bihar CM writes to Sushma Swaraj, asks Centre to maintain autonomy of Nalanda University ​Hurt over George Yeo’s recent resignation as Nalanda University’s chancellor, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has written a strong-worded letter to the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, urging the NDA Government not to tamper with the essence behind the ‘idea of Nalanda’. Oxford University Press launches new integrated learning solution Aligned to the CBSE curriculum, “Oxford Advantage” includes content both in print and digital mediums. It also focuses heavily on the teacher community by helping them maintain an ascending learning curve of professional development and training workshops. Delhi Government streamlines admission process for Class VI More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbaikars throng Juhu street, transform it into open-air sports arena & art gallery SRK has said Pakistani actress won't be in city to promote film: Raj Thackeray 3 firemen on 'kite rescue' land up in ICU More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Compensate kin of girl who killed self: Ajay Maken Violence in Nand Nagri as 2 groups clash; 3 hurt Note ban scripts trouble for Sunday book market More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Man, son die after hut catches fire A man and his son died in the early hours of Sunday after their hut caught fire when a wire tripped, triggering a short circuit. Avoid strangers, don't leave campus alone, say schools From ensuring that children are not allowed to leave the premises without a guardian to beefing up CCTV surveillance, schools are doing everything to protect students. ​ Flea market ushers in festive spirit at CBD Not allowing the demonetisation blues to dampen pre-Christmas spirit, most parts of the city's central business district are decked up to welcome the festive season. ​ More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		A tragic reunion at the mortuary It was a tragic reunion for family members when they reached the Osmania General Hospital's mortuary to collect the body of Vishnu Ram Sahu, 32, alias Shiva on Sunday morning. Bribe for crash? Civic babus bend laws, float amnesty schemes to give legal tag Illegal houses are mushrooming in Hyderabad metropolitan region with tacit support from successive governments, say observers. From bending government laws to turning a blind eye to violations ­ albeit for a hefty `fee' ­ the local administration has done it all to encourage unlawful structures to dot the city. Survivors Recount Horror Tales Three days after the building collapse at Nanakramguda, tales continued to emerge of people who had close calls with death. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Counterfeiters running out of fuel after cash ban, say pump owners Cyclone Vardah brings rain to Chennai, to make landfall on Monday afternoon Very severe cyclonic storm Vardah is on its way to making landfall close to Chennai by Monday afternoon, the India Meteorological Department said. Trust unhappy with govt move to change Kamakshi temple consecration to Feb 9 More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		High-tension wire kills 18 flamingoes in Gujarat At least 18 flamingoes were killed on Saturday night when they flew into a high-voltage electricity transmission line in Kumbarwada, Bhavnagar.This is not the first time such an incident has taken place in the area. Gujarat University reviews affiliation of research institutes The Gujarat University has decided to review affiliation of research institutes such as ISRO, PRL, Sardar Patel Institute of Economic & Social Research (SPIESR), among others. The decision has been spurred by several cases at different institutes in which university norms were not adhered to for taking crucial decisions such as appointments and conducting interviews. Gujarat University divided over sports complex land The syndicate committee of the Gujarat University is divided over the proposal to hand over 10 acres of land for a sports complex in the university. Among those who opposed the move were none other than BJP members who were appointed by the state government. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		'Raise voice against atrocities' Crack down on custom of flowing bodies into Ganga SC-appointed mediation cell aims to nip disputes in bud More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Naveen Patnaik's plane pushed for Vice-President Hamid Ansari's jet parking Odisha to receive rainfall under impact of Vardah Kalahandi villagers take sarpanch hostage Struggling For Cash, They Demand Kerosene In Exchange Of Paddy More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		BJP states infamous for fake encounters: Vijayan Sanghis force Pinarayi to skip Bhopal event Incidentally, the placards show the photo of Vishal Kumar, a student who was allegedly killed in front of Chenganoor Christian College in 2012 by students who were in no way connected to SFI or CPM​ Hindi university has only four teachers University Says Recruitments By February Will Plug Gap (460 words) More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Saina's father to set up academy at Manesar Talks were also held with ace badminton player Saina Nehwal's father Harvir Singh, who is based in Hyderabad, for the setting up a badminton academy in Haryana. Woman dies 11 days after surgery A woman died in Rohtak on Saturday, allegedly due to complications arising out of a sterilization procedure performed on her by doctors at a government hospital on November 29. California marks November as Sikh month Community leaders highlight Sikh Americans' contribution More Chandigarh News»

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