Odd-even rule not a game changer for pollution

The end of first week of odd even rule bought no improvement in pollution levels. Instead the PM 2.5 level saw two times rise on Saturday.

First time french soldiers to take part in Republic day parade

French soldiers will march down the Rajpath on Republic Day along with Indian troops in the presence of President Francois Hollande who is the chief guest for this year's celebrations.
This is a the first time when a foreign army would be marching down the Rajpath along with Indian troops as part of the Republic Day celebrations.

J & K CM passes away at 79

Not keeping well from past few days, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufit Mohammad Sayeed was flown to AIIMS, Delhi on December 24, where he was diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia. He breathed his last on Thursday morning after his platelets dropped dangerously.

He is survived by his wife, three daughter and a son. Sayeed's daughter 56-year-old Mehbooba is expected to take over as the first woman chief minister of the state subject to BJP's approval.

Sensex drops down again

Following the cues from China's halt, Sensex trolled down below the 25,000 mark. The market responded in such a way also due to offloading by investors,both domestic and foreign, as the sentiment got discouraged due to global signs of weakness. The Nifty slipped below  the 7,700 level.

No road tax, registration fee for electric vehicles in Maharashtra soon

"I am committing to you publicly that Mahashtra will waive VAT, Road Tax and registration for all electric vehicles in the state," said Union power minister Piyush Goyal to the reporters after inaugurating the bio-CNG plant at Mahindra World City near Chennai.

National Disaster managment experts warn of big quake in Himalayan region

The Union home ministry's disaster management experts have warned of a bigger catastrophe, earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.2 or greater on the Richter scale.The tectonic shift a series of these recent earthquakes have caused in the region -- Manipur 6.7 (Jan 2016), Nepal 7.3 (May 2015) and Sikkim 6.9 (2011) -- have re-ruptured the plates that had already developed cracks during previous temblors. This has led to conditions which might trigger multiple earthquakes which may go up to 8.0 in magnitude.

Supreme Court upheld ban on diesel cars

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a December ruling that temporarily banned the sale of large diesel cars in New Delhi to control air pollution.The court, however, agreed to hear the pleas filed by carmakers including Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota and Mercedes and asked them to show documentary proof whether diesel vehicles are less or more polluting than petrol.

Women representation enhanced in CRPF

With a view to enhancing representation of women in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the 33% posts at Constable level for being filled up by women. 

160 villages electrified last week

The Union minister of state power, coal and new & renewable energy tweeted the update that 160 villages were electrified in the last week. The breakup of which is 57 villages in Chhattisgarh, 40 in Odisha, 27 in Bihar, 16 in Rajasthan, 9 in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh each and one village falls in states of Tripura and Assam each.

Excise duty hike on diesel by Rs 2, petrol, 37 paise per litre; OMCs to bear burden

New Delhi, Jan 2 (UNI) Government today raised the Excise duty on diesel by Rs two per litre and petrol by 37 paise, but the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have decided not to pass on the burden to the consumers.
This is the third increase in the last two months of petrol and diesel, following today's enhancement on the basic Excise duty on the fuels.
Diesel prices will now be increased from Rs 8.