Bike Taxis Coming Soon to NCR

Bike taxis, a new concept that has been creating a buzz across the world, have received the Haryana government's approval and will soon be seen driving around Gurgaon. According to a report in Hindustan Times, the regional transport authority has given the approval to a private entity for the debut of the aforementioned service in Gurgaon.

One must note, after Goa, Haryana becomes the second state to approve bike taxis in India. Globally, this service is offered in several countries Sweden, China, Cameroon, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brazil.

Baxi, the operating agency owned by a Gurgaon-based company, intends to cater to daily travelers looking to commute to their respective destinations from metro stations and bus stops.

Ashutosh Johri, an IIT-Delhi alumnus and managing director of the company, said, "Our pilots (drivers) will be trained in hygiene, etiquette, safety and other aspects to make passengers comfortable with using our service. They will carry helmets and hair nets for pillion riders. Our bikes will be easily visible from a distance and all our pilots will be wearing uniforms."

The bike taxi service, with 100 motorcycles in its fleet, will be launched by the end of November.

NCR continues to struggle with congested roads despite the presence of the Delhi Metro and initiatives like Car Free Day. Perhaps the introduction of such services, even if one region at a time, may contribute towards the resolution of this issue that has the tendency to become a nightmare during rush hours.

Suspected Mastermind of Paris Attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, Dead: Reports

Washington:  Within hours of the French Ambassador telling NDTV that there were indications that Belgian Abdelhamid Abaaoud -- the suspected mastermind of the Paris terror attacks -- had killed himself, US daily Washington Post reported Abaaoud is dead.

The Post cited two unnamed intelligence officials, who said forensic experts confirmed it while combing through the aftermath wreckage at the building of a Paris suburb after a 7-hour siege. Reuters, which cited the Post report, said it could not independently confirm it.

"I have information that led us to suspect that he has committed suicide. I do not have any particular documents saying that but that is the first indication we have received," Ambassador Francois Richier said. "We need to wait for confirmation of the outcome of the operation."

A DNA test is expected to provide the final evidence.

Abaaoud, the 28-year-old member of the Islamic State terror group, was believed to be among the suspects who were holed up in an apartment during the seven-hour raid by the French police and army.

Abaaoud was initially believed to be in Syria.
 

Today's raid targeted Abaaoud, said police sources. Gunfire and explosions erupted at around 4.30 am this morning at Saint Denis.

Two terrorists were killed, including a woman who detonated a suicide belt. The woman, say unconfirmed reports, was Abaaoud's relative.

Abaaoud was thought to have pulled the strings from Syria for the attacks that killed 129 people in Paris on Friday.
 

Soldiers flooded into the area and heavily armed police were seen deploying along a street full of shops in the center of the district, while ambulances and fire engines filled the streets.

Some residents were evacuated, some still in their underwear, and authorities warned residents to keep away from windows.

The raid came as Europe was placed on high alert after footage from the scene of one of Friday's attacks in Paris, which killed 129 and injured 350, revealed a ninth suspect may have taken part.
 

Story First Published: November 18, 2015 23:55 IST

INCREDIBLE | VIDEO | Woman makes a beautiful rangoli in minutes.

Where is Lokpal? Opposition Asks Kejriwal on Twitter and in Assembly

New Delhi:  Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal faced some sharp criticism on Wednesday over his government's failure to pass the Jan Lokpal bill despite the Aam Admi Party's brute majority in the assembly. The same question was raised by the BJP inside the assembly, and outside by the Congress.

#KejriwalWhereIsLokpal shot up to become a top trend on twitter, hours before the Delhi assembly session began this afternoon.

As #KejriwalWhereIsLokpal trended for long hours on Twitter, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's political rivals also demanded to know why his government has failed to pass the Jan Lokpal bill despite his party's majority.

The Jan Lokpal bill, which provides for a strong anti-corruption ombudsman, was one of the main election planks of Mr Kejriwal's party for the February assembly elections. But it is not among the six bills listed for passage in the current session of the assembly, though the AAP government has said it will be brought in this session, which ends next week.

Ajay Maken, Delhi Congress chief noted on Twitter,
Outside the Delhi assembly Mr Maken, whose party did not win a single seat in the February elections swept by AAP, led a demonstration to protest against "AAP government's failure" to bring the Jan Lokpal Bill.

In the House, the opposition, made up of three BJP lawmakers, said, "Jiske liye sarkar chhodi, wahi bill nahi aaya hai (the bill for which Mr Kejriwal resigned from government, hasn't come)", in a reference to Mr Kejriwal's first stint that began in December 2013 and lasted 49 days.

But it was on Twitter, a platform Mr Kejriwal uses regularly, that he drew the most scathing criticism.

Soon the BJP's supporters joined in.

TrustBJP that counts Prime Minister Narendra Modi among its followers tweeted,
 
So did, the BJP president's fans
   

Story First Published: November 18, 2015 16:45 IST

Khalnayak May be Remade But by Bhansali, Not Johar

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali wants to remake 1993 film Khalnayak but is yet to buy its rights, confirmed the film's director Subhash Ghai.

"There was a talk for sure when he (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) had come for lunch at my home and he wanted the rights of Khalnayak," Mr Ghai told PTI. "I have asked for around Rs 8 to 9 crore. I think he is too tied up with his current film production (Bajirao Mastani)," he added.

Mr Ghai, however, denied reports that filmmaker Karan Johar also wanted to remake Khalnayak. "No, it is not true. But other producers, yes. I can't reveal names," he said.

Khalnayak revolved around the escape and capture of a terrorist, Ballu (Sanjay Dutt), by Inspector Ram (Jackie Shroff) and Ganga (Madhuri Dixit).

"Suddenly this (Khalnayak) has become the hottest product being talked about in market today. We are getting offers from few more producers," Mr Ghai said.

Last year, the director sold the remake rights of his blockbuster film Ram Lakhan to filmmaker Karan Johar, which will be directed by Rohit Shetty.

Pakistan's Umar Akmal Denies Doing Anything Wrong

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said Umar Akmal was in contention for the 16-man squad for the T20I series against England, but was dropped over an incident in Hyderabad in which he was alleged to have "misbehaved" with women at a party. 

 

Karachi: Pakistan's talented but controversial batsman Umar Akmal on Monday denied any wrongdoing in a party which led to his axing from the Twenty20 team for the three-match series against England later this month.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said Umar was in contention for the 16-man squad but was dropped over an incident in Hyderabad in which he was alleged to have "misbehaved" with women at a party.

The PCB has also served a show cause notice to the 25-year-old batsman whose career has been chequered with disciplinary problems.

Umar, younger brother of Kamran and Adnan Akmal who also played for Pakistan, on Monday responded to the PCB show cause notice.

"I attended a dinner party after being granted official permission by my team manager," said Umar in his response to the PCB notice.

Last year Umar was jailed in Lahore after he had a scuffle with a traffic warden over running a red light.

He was also left out of the team after the 2015 World Cup, with head coach Waqar Younis complaining about his insubordination during the event.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan last week said Umar would be given an opportunity to defend himself.

Umar meanwhile has labelled the allegations baseless.

"I am not answerable to anyone apart from the department I am playing for," Umar told reporters. "Cricket is my love and I want to represent Pakistan for a long period of time."

Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has also reportedly backed the embroiled batsman, asking the PCB to clear Umar and then reinstate him in the squad.

Pakistan play England in a three-match T20 series with matches in Dubai (November 26 and 27) and Sharjah on November 30.

Story first published on: Tuesday, 17 November 2015 16:30 IST

Seventh Pay Commission Report on Thursday, 15% Hike Expected: Sources

Central government employees and pensioners are likely to be disappointed as the 7th Pay Commission is expected to propose an approximate 15 per cent hike in salaries starting January 1, 2016, sources told NDTV.

The recommendation, which will become effective after a Cabinet nod, will impact 50 lakh central government employees and 54 lakh pensioners.

The 15 per cent salary hike likely to be recommended by the 7th Pay Commission will be much lower than the 35 per cent hike employees got on implementation of the 6th Pay Commission in 2008.

A 15 per cent salary increase would push up the central government's salary bill by Rs 25,000 crore, which is 0.2 per cent of India's GDP, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch estimates.

Economists expect the wage hikes to boost the consumption-driven recovery in the domestic economy. Sales of affordable homes and consumer durables such as cars, two-wheelers and other electronic items are likely to pick up, analysts say.

On the flip side, salary hikes are also expected to stoke inflation and fiscal pressures, economists say.

According to sources, the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission will be submitted to the finance minister on Thursday. The 7th Pay Commission is unlikely to suggest changes in the retirement age of central government employees, sources said.

Pay Commissions are meant to review the salary structure of central government employees and are set up every 10 years.

Story first published on: November 17, 2015 16:15 (IST)