NCC to enlarge

New Delhi, Jan. 5 (PTI): The National Cadet Corps (NCC) will recruit an extra two lakh cadets.

“We will be adding two lakh more cadets to our existing strength of 13 lakh. This will help us expand our reach in the country and also give opportunity to more young people to join us. This process would be completed in the next five years,” NCC director-general R.K. Karwal told reporters on Monday.

Pepsico relief

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday admitted a petition filed by Pepsico India challenging a Kerala High Court judgment that denied sales tax exemption to the soft drinks major. The apex court has posted the matter for final hearing on March 3. It has asked the state not to take any coercive measure before that.

Reactor blast

Bharuch (Gujarat) (PTI): Three persons were killed on Monday and five injured when a reactor at a chemical factory in the Ankaleshwar industrial area exploded. Police said the reactor at Shivam Alum Chemical Limited burst because of increased pressure.

Auto panther

Amravati (PTI): Four persons were injured on Monday when the autorickshaw they were travelling in overturned after a panther pounced on it. Police said the driver lost control when the animal jumped on the auto when it was passing by a forest. The injured were taken to hospital.

Tourist death

Aurangabad (PTI): A Belgian tourist died of malaria on Sunday after battling for life for two weeks. Ven David, 40, had been admitted to a government hospital. He was on ventilator for the last four days. Ven’s father, Boom David, who had come to India on Saturday, donated his son’s body to the hospital.

Road tragedy

Datia (PTI): Three labourers, sitting by the side of a fire, were killed and seven injured on Sunday night after they were run over by a car near Madhya Pradesh’s Datia. The driver was also injured.