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Jio effect: Airtel to give free unlimited 4G data for 90days

  Just after state run BSNL network announced free calling on the heels of Reliance's Jio's unmatchable offers, Airtel has also jumped in to make it merrier for the customers. Airtel has announced the launch of a new 4G data pack for its customers which will  offer free data for 90 days. The prepaid only pack will be available at Rs 1,495 for existing users, but new users will be able to avail the offer with their first recharge of Rs 1,494. Director - Operations (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel said, "Customers with 4G handsets generally consume large amounts of data and this proposition is specifically aimed at them." With this pack these customers can stay online round the clock without having to worry about exhausting their data limits or going for frequent recharges, the company added. The telecom operator says the new 'special 4G data pack' is currently available in the Delhi circle, but will be launched across other circles over the "next few days."The pack will however, include a FUP (Fair Usage Policy) that will force the user to browse the Internet at a reduced speed after using up 30GB of data over the 90 days period. The offerings have prompted competition including incumbent telcos to drop data rates by up to 67%.

SC issues notice to Lalu Yadav's son in murder case

  The Apex Court issued notices to Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin in connection with the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdev Ranjan today. “Issue notice to Bihar govt and the investigating agency, CBI Notice also issues to Bihar govt and CBI,” a division bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Dipak Misra and Justice C Nagappan, said after hearing the petition filed by Asha Ranjan, the wife of the deceased journalist. The apex court directed the CBI to file a status report of its investigation before it on October 17, the next date of hearing.  Asha had moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the case to Delhi alleging that media reports had shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.  She had sought reliefs including a direction to CBI to take up the investigation forthwith in view of the fact that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, have been spotted with Shahabuddin and the state Health Minister, where several cops were also present. Kaif surrendered in a Siwan district court of Siwan on Septmeber 21. 

TN CM Jayalalitha hospitalised

  Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalitha was admitted to Apollo Hospital on Thursday night at around 11.30 p.m. as she was suffering from fever and dehydration. According to the press release by Apollo Hospital read, "The Honourable chief minister of Tamil Nadu was admitted to Apollo hospital, Chennai with fever and dehydration. The honourable madam is stable and under observation."CM Jayalalithaa would be discharged after being kept in the hospital for 12 hours under observation. Security was beefed up around the hospital on the Greams Road. At least 500 policemen were deployed near the hospital. Police blocked traffic on the Greams Road from Anna Salai to College Road and diverted vehicles via other routes. Some offices in the area have reportedly allowed employees to work from home in anticipation of road blocks. CM Jayalalithaa’s health condition has been the subject of discussion for a long time now. Opposition party – DMK chief M Karunanidhi had earlier written a letter asking Jayalalithaa to reveal information on her health condition. Most people in the city were caught unaware due to lack of information about the CM's hospitalisation. It was reported that many patients had to be wheeled in to the area as the roads were blocked by officials.

KCR asks the Centre to sanction 300 Crore

  HYDERABAD: K. Chandra Shekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana requested Rajnath Singh, the Union Home Minister, to sanction Rs 300 Crore for laying roads connecting small villages along Pranahita and Godavari rivers in Karimnagar and Adilabad districts under Rural Road Plan. According to the CM, the proposed rural roads along Pranahitha and Godavari rivers include roads between Somini and Gudem, Gudem and Baba sagar, and Racharala and Vemanapally. It also includes a bridge from Kaleshwaram to Arjunagutta.   

TG’s PD is going to set up 100 petrol bunks

  HYDERABAD: On September 29th and 30th Bureau of Police Research and Development will hold the 5th national conference of heads of states’ prisons and Union Territories on prison reforms in New Delhi. With special reference to agriculture and industry, the Prison authorities of Telangana will be talking about the best practices in prisons. One of the main things that will be spoken about would be of setting up and operating petrol bunks in jails, DIG prisons A Narasimha said, adding that, the department of prisons had chalked out a plan to open a total of 100 petrol bunks throughout the state. 

AirAsia India starts its operations in HYD

  HYDERABAD: On Thursday, AirAsia India started its operations with a daily flight each to Bangalore and Goa from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd announced that, the airline would also connect Hyderabad to Kochi with its two daily flights from 8th of October and would also add two more daily flights to Bangalore. According to a release, with the addition of Air Asia India, Hyderabad airport is now served by 15 foreign and 4 Indian carriers connecting 19 international destinations; while 9 domestic carriers are connecting the city with 33 domestic destinations.

Separate sewage and storm water drains: KTR

  HYDERABAD: On Thursday, the Municipal Minister of Telangana, K.T. Rama Rao visited Mayur Marg and Allamthota Baavi in Begumpet that were flooded when Begumpet nala has overrun. Following heavy rains the officers were asked by KTR to look for ways to separate sewage and storm water drains. The minister also visited Nizampet as it faced maximum inundation on the previous day.  Water draining has been continued at the colonies that were inundated at Quthbullapur and Nizampet, especially at Bandari Residency till Thursday.  

TG declares two-day holiday for schools & colleges

  HYDERABAD: On Thursday, following heavy rains two-day holiday was declared by the government of Telangana for all the educational institutions located at Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district. A press note has been issued by the Chief Minister of Telangana, i.e., K Chandrasekhar Rao, stating that all the universities, colleges and schools falling under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction will remain shut due as heavy rainfall is expected in the coming two days. After reviewing the situation in the state, the officials were instructed by the CM to gear up for any eventuality.

BSNL to offer free voice calls

  BSNL is all set to introduce zero-voice-tariff plans from January at Rs 2-4 cheaper than Reliance's Jio's offering.  RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced free voice calls and free national roaming along with rock- bottom data prices on his new Reliance Jio network early this month. Targetting the 2G and 3G users, BSNL soon plans to bring a plan which will give neck to neck competition to Reliance Jio, as per a newspaper report. This will be unlike Jio's offer that is available for only 4G subscribers. Free voice calls to all BSNL users inclusing 2G and 3G. It plans to offer Lifetime free-voice-tariff plans from January at Rs 2-4 cheaper than Jio's offering. Jio's entry price is Rs 149.  BSNL mobile customers having broadband connection at home can also avail this offer. Also, BSNL users can use home broadband to route outgoing mobile calls through the landline network.

Indian selector's shocking details on Tendulkar

  According to former chief selector Sandeep Patil, Sachin Tendulkar, who had retired from ODIs in 2012, could have been dropped from the team had he not decided to bid adieu himself. "If Tendulkar had not announced his decision to quit then, we would have definitely dropped him," Patil said. "On December 12, 2012, we met Sachin and asked him about his future plans. He said he did not have retirement on his mind. But the selection committee had reached a consensus on Sachin... and had informed the board too about it. Perhaps Sachin understood what was coming because at the time of the next meeting, Sachin called and said he was retiring (from ODIs). If he had not announced his decision to quit then, we would have definitely dropped him." a report quoted him as saying. Tendulkar announced his ODI retirement on December 23, 2012. He played 463 ODIs, scored 18,426 runs and made 49 centuries - all three world records.

Mukesh Ambani is richest Indian:Forbes

  Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has topped the Forbes' '100 Richest Indians' list with a net worth of USD 22.7 billion in the annual India rich list released. The combined net worth of India’s 100 wealthiest is $381 billion, a rise of 10 percent from $345 billion in 2015. Ambani, who retains his number one spot for the ninth consecutive year, saw his wealth increase from $18.9 billion last year as shares of Reliance Industries rose by 21 percent in the past 12 months. The oil-to-retail conglomerate launched its 4G phone service, Jio, this September.   Sun PharmaBSE 1.03 %'s Dilip Shanghvi was ranked a distant second with a wealth of USD 16.9 billion. The Hinduja Family moved up to the third position (USD 15.2 billion) on the annual Forbes list of India's 100 Richest People. Wipro's Azim Premji slipped one place to fourth with a networth of USD 15 billion. Yoga guru Ramdev's aide Balkrishna, who is co-founder of consumer goods company Patanjali Ayurved, has debuted on Forbes magazine's '100 Richest Indians' list. Forbes pegged his net worth at $2.5 billion (nearly Rs. 16,000 crore) and he was ranked at 48th position on the list. The magazine attributed his net worth to his 97 per cent holding in Patanjali Ayurved, which he co-founded with yoga guru Ramdev. 

TG & AP will solve water disputes amicably

  HYDERABAD: On Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana accepted to solve all the pending disputes of water amicably. The decision has been taken at the Apex Council meeting which has been conducted on the very day in New Delhi. Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who chaired the Apex Council meeting, said that, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the Chief Minister of Telangana also accepted to meet in Hyderabad to solve the issues related to the sharing of Godavari and Krishna rivers’ water. KCR and Chandra Babu were also complimented by the Minister for their ‘proactive attitude’ to resolve the contentious issue.

Leaves for employees are cancelled by ID

  HYDERABAD: Irrigation department of Telangana following heavy rains instructed all its officials, staff and engineers, who are planning to take leave and who are on leave, to report to their duties as there is a possibility that water levels at various water bodies might increase. An emergency in the department was declared and all the department engineers were asked to be in their designated field locations by the irrigation minister T Hairsh Rao. The minister said, “The engineers are responsible for monitoring the inflows into the water bodies as well as the structural integrity of dams and bunds and are also responsible for taking immediate steps to prevent any breaches to these structures”.

Amazon is set to launch its pantry service

HYDERABAD: On Wednesday, Amazon India announced that it would launch a pantry service in Hyderabad, which allows the customers to choose from over 4000 every day essentials. The company’s statement said that, the customers could shop for over 4000 every day essentials using Amazon Pantry, adding that, “They can fill a virtual box of items and have them conveniently delivered at their door steps the following day”. It also said that, the service makes it convenient for customers to stock up for a basket of frequently purchased items while also increasing the savings when compared to shopping at the super markets.

Zuckerberg pledges $3bn to Fighting Disease

  Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and wife, Priscilla Chan have vowed to spend $3bn over the next decade to try and cure all diseases. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the limited liability company into which Mr. Zuckerberg and Dr. Chan put their Facebook shares, on Wednesday said it would invest at least $3 billion over the next decade toward preventing, curing or managing all diseases by the end of the century. "So if you even just assume that we'll be able to continue to make progress on that same trajectory, then that implies that by the end of this century we will have been able to solve most of these types of things," Mr Zuckerberg said in an interview.   In a speech to introduce the health initiative at an event in San Francisco on Wednesday, Dr. Chan said the work to cure disease was in keeping with her organization’s mission to advance human potential and promote equality. She gave an emotional preamble, describing how a high-quality education helped her succeed as the daughter of Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants. “We want to dramatically improve every life in Max’s generation and make sure we don’t miss a single soul,” Dr. Chan said, referring to her and Mr. Zuckerberg’s infant daughter, Maxima. “We’ll be investing in basic science research with the goal of curing disease.”

AAP MLA Somnath Bharati arrested

  Troubles seem to be mounting on the Aam Aadmi Party by the day. Earlier today, AAP MLA, Somnath Bharati was arrested for allegedly assaulting security guards of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) during an anti-encroachment exercise on September 9. He is the second AAP leader to be arrested in two days after Amanatullah Khan. Mr Bharti is out on bail in a case of domestic violence filed by his wife last year. AIIMS or the All India Institute of Medical Sciences had filed a complaint alleging that he and 27 of his supporters of misbehaved with guards on September 6. A senior police officer confirmed that Mr. Bharti was arrested in the morning.   The complaint read, "MLA Somnath Bharti and around 300 of his supporters assembled in Gautam Nagar near Nallah Road dead-end, and started breaking a fence on the boundary wall with the help of an earth mover to give access to unauthorised persons on AIIMS premises. They claimed that the road belonged to the general public. When our security guards tried to step in, he attacked them.” It said the MLA failed to provide any documents to support his claims. “During their aforesaid action, they used abusive language and caused disturbance to the patients and employees of the AIIMS.”

AP is going to set up Drone Corporation

HYDERABAD: A Drone Corporation has been planned to set up by the government of Andhra Pradesh under the name ‘Board 4.0’. The cabinet meet that has been scheduled at Vijayawada on Thursday will be taking a decision on the matter. The government of the state will be allotting RS 50 Crore as corpus for the board, which would have a chief executive officer and other staff. Drone cameras, CCTVs, and required software and hardware will be purchased by the board. The state will be using the drones to study the position of the crop as well as the water levels in reservoirs and will be supplying them on a rental basis for some private functions so as to regulate their usage.

PO will not apply to B-category seats: HC

  HYDERABAD: On Wednesday, Hyderabad High Court’s division bench stated that the article 371 D of the Presidential Order of the Indian constitution will not be applied to B-category seats in private colleges that offer BDS and MBBS courses. The bench comprising Justice V Ramasurbramanian and Justice Anis rejected the pleas of the several students who objected the Association of Private Medical Managements’ decision. The associations affirmed that the management quota seats would be filled on merit basis according to rank obtained in NEET and any student from India can apply for these seats.

Navjot singh sidhu does a U turn; says open to alliance

“Aawaze Punjab” forum welcomes any alliance for the betterment of Punjab and will not be a political party", said Navjot Singh Sidhu making a big u turn on the turn of events in Punjab politics. Navjot Singh Sidhu, who recently launched a forum called the Awaaz-e-Punjab, has abandoned the idea of following through with a new political party to contest the Punjab elections, leading to speculation about a renewal of negotiations with Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. Mr Sidhu said in a press release today that he is inviting parties to ally with his forum, which he emphasised is not political, "for the betterment of Punjab". According to a reports sources close to Sidhu have said that the cricketer-turned-politician is not interested in contesting polls as he does not want to divide the "anti-incumbency" vote. Rather, Sidhu, according to the news channel, is interested in looking at a pre-poll alliance with parties contesting the Punjab poll. “Our battle is to shake the system that has ruined Punjab. Politics is not a profession but a mission. There is no personal or political vendetta, just a burning desire to place Punjab ahead of us and reinforce the positive forces,” he said. The cricketer-turned politician claimed that the launch of the Aawaaz-e-Punjab has had a “rousing response” in the state.