The big news: Mamata says RBI should not be used for political gains, and nine other top stories
In other headlines: Evacuation operations began in Aleppo, and chief economic adviser said India was prepared to deal with US Federal Reserve's hike impact.
A look at the headlines right now:
- Stand up to the demonetisation onslaught, Mamata Banerjee tells RBI Governor Urjit Patel: The West Bengal chief minister said the Reserve Bank of India should not be used for political gains.
- Evacuation begins after second ceasefire deal between rebels, Assad government in Aleppo: ‘They have crossed the front line and are on their way to rural parts of western Aleppo,’ a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross said.
- India well-positioned to absorb US Federal Reserve’s rate hike impact, says chief economic adviser: Arvind Subramanian said the Reserve Bank of India had also accounted for an increase in its decision to leave its policy rate unchanged.
- Four security personnel killed as militants ambush police team in Manipur’s Chandel: The first attack took place at Lokchao and the second one in the Bongyang area in the same district.
- Digital transactions are a parallel mechanism, not a substitute for cash payments, says Arun Jaitley: The Union minister said ‘cashless economy is actually a less-cash economy as no economy can be fully cashless’.
- I-T raid finds Rs 60 crore in 20 fake accounts at an Axis Bank branch in Noida: The accounts, which were opened in the names of low-income workers and labourers, were reportedly being used by companies to cover up black money.
- Air Force personnel cannot sport beard even on religious basis, says Supreme Court: The apex court upheld the IAF’s decision to sack a Muslim man who refused to shave off his beard.
- MK Stalin demands report on Jayalalithaa’s death from Tamil Nadu government: The DMK leader also sought a detailed report from the Centre on the treatment given to the former state chief minister, who died on December 5.
- Niti Aayog announces awards of up to Rs 1 crore to promote cashless transaction: The National Payments Corporation of India will also give away Rs 1,000 each to 15,000 winners for the next 100 days, and 7,000 weekly awards for merchants.
- BCCI chief Anurag Thakur lied to Supreme Court under oath, says amicus curiae: Senior lawyer Gopal Subramanian said the board chief tried to obstruct reforms to the body suggested by the Justice Lodha panel.