The consequences of political standoff in the country are real. Moody's Analytics, an economic research unit of international rating agency Moody's, has warned the politicians. Moody's Analytics also said: India's political infighting is denting business confidence. Key reforms such as the land acquisition bill, labour laws, and the goods and services tax have failed to pass Parliament. "Given the political seesaw, these are unlikely to be delivered until later this year or even 2016," the report felt. It is also against tampering with the independence of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in deciding on interest rates. In its report titled — India's Outlook: Waiting for Reforms to Fuel Growth, Moody's says the curbs would hurt India's economic prospects.

Govt becomes strict on urban development plan funds
States and union territories will be penalized for any delay in transfer of funds to the Urban Local Bodies under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) which was launched on June 25, 2015. This was stated by the minister of state for urban development and housing & urban poverty alleviation Babul Supriyo in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. Under AMRUT, central assistance ranges from one-third of the project cost for cities with a population of above 10 lakh to 50% for cities/towns with a population of less than 10 lakh.
 
HC rejects Ambika Soni, Kumari Selja's pleas against eviction
The Delhi high court on Thursday dismissed pleas of Congress MPs Ambika Soni and Kumari Selja challenging the central government's orders to evict them from type-VIII bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi. The two MPs said that they were entitled to the accommodation by virtue of being Rajya Sabha MPs and former cabinet ministers. However, the RS secretariat had told the court that the two were eligible for only Type-VII houses but not Type-VIII bungalows they are now occupying.
 
Two school children killed after train engine hits van
Two school children were killed and four others injured when a train engine rammed into their van at an unmanned railway crossing in Jharkhand's Lohardaga district on Thursday. The accident occurred when the van, carrying students aged 8 to 10 years to their school, was crossing the tracks at Mundo, Superintendent of Police Manoj Ratan Chouthe said.

Over 14,000 posts for persons with disabilities vacant
Over 14,000 posts earmarked for persons with disabilities have been lying vacant in various central government ministries, banks and PSUs, Rajya Sabha was informed today. The government had issued instructions in May this year to all concerned to take immediate necessary action for filling up of vacancies for persons with disabilities and to launch a special recruitment drive to fill up these vacancies by February 2016.

Digvijaya sparks outrage comparing Kalam's funeral and Yakub's hanging
Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has landed himself in hot waters once again. In a series of tweets about the execution of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Abdul Razak Memon, Digvijay Singh said, "Yakub Memon hanged. Exemplary urgency and commitment has been shown by Govt and Judiciary in punishing an accused of Terror."

MP, VIP to get reply from ministries within 15 days
Every communication from a member of parliament or a VIP should be acknowledged by ministries or departments within 15 days, the government said today. "Each communication received from a Member of Parliament or VIP, shall be acknowledged within 15 days, followed by a reply within the next 15 days of acknowledgement sent," Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to Member of Parliament or a VIP  quoting Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP).

Microsoft releases India pricing for Windows 10
A day after officially releasing its new Windows 10 operating system for PCs and tablets in India, Microsoft has now listed the pricing for the full version of the software. Users who do not qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 (including users of Windows Vista and XP), people who're assembling a new PC and Mac users can buy the full version of the OS at Rs 7,999 for the Home version and Rs 14,999 for the Pro version. The Windows 10 operating system can be purchased from Microsoft's official online store - Microsoftstore.com. Microsoft is offering free upgrade to Windows 10 for users of Windows 7 and Windows 10 users provided they update their systems within one year of the OS' availability.
 
DU admission racket busted, 4 arrested
Delhi Police crime branch busted a racket facilitating fake admissions in top colleges of Delhi University on Thursday. A college student and three others have been arrested while some college officials are under the scanner.

PSUs can get valuation done for their assets
The Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are free to get their assets including land, assessed at current market value as per accounting standards while accessing bank finance on the basis of their net worth. This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, GM Siddeshwara in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.