GOVERNMENT EYES RS 11,000-CRORE STEEL SCRAP PER YEAR FROM VEHICLE POLICY

New Delhi: The government's proposed policy to push 28 million units of decade-old polluting vehicles off the roads would generate steel scrap worth Rs 11,500 crore annually, reducing import burden.

The government is eyeing a huge quantity of steel scrap from its proposed Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme (V-VMP) that offers incentives worth 8-12 per cent of the cost of a new vehicle for surrendering the old one.

"In addition to environmental and energy efficiency benefits, the V-VMP would be able to generate steel scrap worth Rs 11,500 crore domestically every year with the set-up of organised shredding centres of which 50 per cent would be generated by MHCVs (buses and trucks)," the government has said in its proposed policy.

This will help reduce India's import burden and improve the foreign-exchange reserves, it said.

The proposed policy, for which the government has invited comments and views from stakeholders, has been designed to minimise air pollution caused by vehicles.

Analysis of segment and age of vehicles causing air pollution has shown that MHCVs (medium and heavy commercial vehicles) constitute just 2.5 per cent of the total fleet but contribute to 60 per cent of pollution.

Besides, the older vehicles, typically more than 10 years of age and pre-BS I compliant, constitute 15 per cent of the total fleet but pollute 10-12 times more than a new vehicle because of drastic change in pollution norms, the government has said.

In light of these two trends, it's proposed to run a targeted vehicle modernisation programme to curb environmental pollution in the country.

"Implementation of the scheme for trucks and buses would result in 17 per cent reduction in CO emissions, 18 per cent reduction in HC+NOx emissions and 24 per cent reduction in PM emissions," the government said.

State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTUs) buses may be given complete excise exemption to ensure higher participation and modernization of their fleet.

Last month, the government announced the draft of the policy under which sops will come in three forms - scrap value from the old vehicle, a special discount by the automobile manufacturer and a partial excise duty exemption.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the V-VMP will be applicable on the vehicles bought on or before March 31, 2005.

"The total potential vehicles to be replaced with this definition are nearly 28 million," it has said.

Under the scheme, people surrendering their old vehicles and buying new ones are likely to receive three benefits amounting to 8-12 per cent of total cost of the new vehicle, the ministry said.

"To ensure that the resultant impact is beneficial to the environment, the replacement vehicle needs to be BS-IV compliant, which is going to be rolled out nation-wide by April 2017," the draft policy said.

Also, the policy would boost sales of automobile manufacturers leading to higher production capacity utilization and the automobile manufacturers would support the government in this initiative "financially by giving special discounts to customers buying vehicles under this scheme".

According to Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, the policy will boost automobile industry turnover over four-times to Rs 20 lakh crore in the next five years.

Subject to approval from Ministry of Finance, it has been proposed that vehicles bought under this scheme may get up to 50 per cent excise duty relief based on old vehicle and replacement vehicle category.

SQUATS FOR WOMEN: 5 VARIATIONS YOU SHOULD TRY

Let's face it, you can suck your tummy in and make it look seemingly lesser but there are areas you just can't hide. One of the biggest dilemmas hounding most women is how to get rid of that extra fat around the thighs and butt. There is an entire mechanism of exercising and lifestyle changes that needs to be put in place to achieve desired results. You've got to sweat it out, burn it down and eat strategically. Some of our previous articles have already made inroads for you to get those perfectly sculpted thighs and butt. Most of us know of exercises that target a particular area or a muscle group in the body, but eventually it boils to executing the theory.

We plan to roll out a series of articles educating our readers on how to get that perfect posture or a particular exercise right. What you saw on a video or read in an article can turn out to be completely different from what you actually end up doing in real life. There is a host of things that needs to be kept in mind while undergoing any physical activity, and of course there exists the mandatory dos and don'ts you need to abide by.

This time around we shall decode for you the intricacies of regular squats and how to take them a notch higher. To quote Sana Vidyalankar, founder of Soul-to-Sole Academy, "There is nothing like squats to get your lower body in shape, they work like magic. You can play around with the number of reps you do as well as the speed at which you do them to introduce variety and more challenge in your regime."

KASHMIR TERROR ATTACK IN WHICH 2 COPS DIED, CAUGHT ON CAMERA

In a second attack within 24 hours in Kashmir, two policemen were killed in Anantnag on Saturday. NDTV has now accessed a video footage which shows two terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles and firing at the police as they try to escape.

An assistant sub-inspector was among the two policemen who were shot and killed near a bus stand in Anantnag where they were stationed.

A photograph of the attack taken by a passerby is being widely circulated which shows one of the policemen firmly holding his service rifle even after he fell to terrorist bullets.

"He was loyal to his duty even after his death. In the photograph you can see he has not given up his weapon even after his death," a senior police officer said.

8 FACTS ABOUT FORMER BOXING CHAMP MUHAMMAD ALI

Eight facts about former boxing champ Muhammad Ali:

* Ali had a show-time personality, dazzling footwork and great hand speed that combined to make him a champion like his sport had never seen. His career record was 56 victories, 37 of them by knockout, and five losses. He held the world championship an unprecedented three different times.

* Fighting under his given name of Cassius Clay, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight competition at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. In a 1975 autobiography he said he threw the medal into a river one night after being refused service in a Louisville restaurant and being harassed by a gang of whites. Two biographers, however, said Ali actually lost the medal unintentionally.

* His first professional fight was a six-round decision in 1960 over Tunney Hunsaker, whose day job was police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia. Ali and Hunsaker became friends and Ali wrote in an autobiography that one of the hardest body blows he ever received came from Hunsaker.

* After Malcolm X helped Ali become a member of the Nation of Islam, he dropped his given name in favor of Cassius X Malcolm X later split from the church in a dispute but the fighter stayed on and changed his name to Muhammad Ali, which Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad said was his "true name."

* Claiming conscientious objector status, Ali refused to be inducted into the US Army in 1967. He was sentenced to five years in prison, lost his title and could not get a fight at a time when he was in his athletic prime. He never went to prison while his case was under appeal and in 1971 the US Supreme Court overturned the conviction.

* In 1984 Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome that apparently was linked to his career. It left him slow, shaky and unable to speak much above a whisper but close associates said he never lost his sense of humor or zeal for his faith.

* Ali, named the top sportsman of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated magazine, met world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein. He was given a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

* The US Army measured Ali's IQ at 78. In his autobiography he said, "I only said I was the greatest, not the smartest."

MANOHAR AICH, INDIA'S FIRST MR UNIVERSE DIES

Kolkata: Bodybuilder Manohar Aich, 104, who was once a household name in Bengal after becoming India's first Mr Universe in 1952, died at his Baguiati residence this afternoon, according to family sources.

"Aich was on a liquid died for last 10-15 days and had stopped talking. He breathed his last at 3.50pm," his son Khokan Aich told PTI.

Aich is survived by two daughters and two sons, one of whom manages a gym and fitness centre to fulfill his father's dream of making the youth "healthy and strong".

"Never quit exercise, he would always say. His mantra to stay healthy was simple - healthy eating and exercise," Khokan added.

Former Bengal cricket captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who is Minister of State for Sports, visited Aich's residence to offer his condolence.

Aich, who turned 104 on March 17, had become India's first Mr Universe when he won the 1952 National Amateur Body-Builders' Association Universe Championships.

Born in the district of Comilla (now in Bangladesh), Aich, at just four feet and 11 inches, was not the tallest of men.

But encouraged by English officer Reub Martin, Aich took up bodybuilding and made this his passion during his stint at the Royal Air Force under British colonial rulers.

He also went on to serve jail term when some years later he protested against colonial oppression, something which Aich considered as "turning point" in his life.

"It was in the jail that I began weight training seriously. This helped me prepare myself for the world championship," Aich had said after completing 100 years in 2012.

"In jail I used to practice on my own, without any equipment, sometimes for 12 hours in a day," he recalled.

Impressed by his dedication, jail authorities had in fact offered him special diet, he had said.

After Independence, Aich was released from jail and despite penury he continued to indulge in his passion for bodybuilding by taking up odd jobs.

Aich's first moment of reckoning came in 1950 when he won the Mr Hercules title and went on to be known as 'Hercules of India' and 'Pocket Hercules' for his pint-size.

The following year, he attempted the Mr Universe title in London only to finish runner-up but a determined Aich did not return.

He returned only after winning the coveted title in 1952.

He also later went on to win gold medals in Asian Body Building Championships.

His secret to longevity, Aich had said, was his abstinence from smoking and drinking.

"I would always try to stay happy. I had to struggle to earn money during my young days but whatever the situation I remained happy," he had said.

His sons, however, did not take up body building but they helped in pursuing Aich dream of producing champion bodybuilders.

Aich says his mentoring has earned him rewards. It has produced India's eight-time national champion, Satya Paul.

Another protege, Premchand Dogra, won the Mr Universe title in 1988.

However Aich died with a regret - of not able to meet his more celebrated counterpart and fellow Mr Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"His stunts in the movies were incredible," Aich had said.

West Bengal Governor and Chief Minister condole death

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep and heartfelt condolences at the demise of Aich.

In her condolence message, Banerjee said the passing away of Aich has marked the end of an era and it has deeply saddened her.

"104-year-old world famous body-builder Manohar Aich passed away today afternoon. His demise ended an historic era. Saddened at the passing. He made us proud," Banerjee said in her message.

"We had honoured him with the Bangabhibhusan award in 2015. May his soul Rest in Peace. Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss," the Chief Minister said in her message to the Aich family.

Describing Aich as a "legend of body building", West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi also expressed his grief over the demise of the former Mr Universe.

In a message, Tripathi expressed his heartfelt condolences to Aich's bereaved family and followers.