Angered by members moving around the House immediately after Question Hour, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday pulled up MPs for treating the house like a school.

“What is happening? Is this a school?” asked the visibly anguished speaker as several members moved around inside and engaged in conversations.

Interestingly, the House had witnessed complete order during the first hour of business when it took up questions relating to various ministries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present during the entire Question Hour period.

However, noisy scenes erupted immediately after the Question Hour and the Prime Minister left. As it got difficult to continue with business, Mahajan asked the MPs to remain silent and bring order in the House. As the noise continued, the Speaker said “please, please, order in the House.” With the Speaker’s remarks, order was restored and the noisy scenes ended.

Indian captain Virat Kohli got a hike as much as double the amount of he used to get last year as the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced fresh annual contracts on Wednesday.

The Committee of Administrators (COA) met in Mumbai and decided on the Annual Player Contracts for men cricketers, enrolled under the BCCI, for the period ending September 30, 2017.

“The Annual Retainer amounts were enhanced for all the categories and Grade A players will be paid Rs.2 crore per annum, Grade B will be paid Rs.1 crore per annum and Grade C will be paid Rs.50 lakh per annum, which is double the amounts paid in the earlier years,” the BCCI said in a statement.

The board further added that the match fee hike will be effective from October 1, 2016 onwards.

The cricketers will get an additional amount in respect to the format of the game they play. BCCI has also stated that Rs.15 lakh per Test, Rs.6 lakh per ODI and Rs.3 lakh for T20Is will be paid to the cricketers under the contract. 

Here's how the pay hike looks like for cricketers from different grades:  

Grade A: Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Murali Vijay.

Grade B: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuvraj Singh.

Grade C: Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Amit Mishra, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Karun Nair, Hardik Pandya, Ashish Nehra, Kedar Jadhav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Parthiv Patel, Jayant Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shardul Thakur, Rishabh Pant

Actress Rajshri Deshpande, who has been roped in to essay the role of writer Ismat Chughtai in upcoming movie Manto, says she always wanted to be a part of the "beautiful world" that actress-filmmaker Nandita Das creates with her work.

"It's an honour to be a part of a story so great. Just like my other projects, Ismat Chughtai is not a character I'm playing, it's an emotional and mental state I'm getting into," Rajshri said in a statement. 

She will start shooting end of March.

Being helmed by Nandita, Manto is a biopic on late writer Saadat Hasan Manto. It will be tracing the life of Manto at the time of the India-Pakistan Partition. It features Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the prolific short story writer, and Rasika Dugal essays his wife.

Rajshri says she is "excited to be working with Nandita". 

"She puts a lot of heart in each of her stories. She creates a beautiful world with her stories and I've always wanted to be a part of her world," she added. 

Rajshri says working with Nawazuddin is inspiring, and she can't wait to get on the sets. 

She said: "He becomes the character he plays. You sometimes cannot differentiate between him and his character and that's what a great actor stands for. It's always a pleasure watching him, all you need to do is immerse yourself in his experience."

Talking about her role, Rajshri said: "This personality, Ismat aapa, comes with so much baggage and I'll find myself lucky if I am able to portray even one percent of who she was. My name being associated with her in any way is a big deal in itself. She's always believed in never being ashamed of anything. 

"Her liberal views and thoughts on unspoken and taboo subjects is what draws me to her. She has been a voice for so many women all over the country, only if we could live half the life she lived."

The film also stars Javed Akhtar and late actor Om Puri. 

Haryana's non-residential Indians (NRIs) living thousands of miles away in different time zones are facing property encroachment as one of the major troubles at their native places these days.

As per the data accessed by The Statesman, more than two dozens of complaints were lodged by the NRIs within merely a month (from January 25 to February end) of launching of NRI cell in Haryana, the interestingly majority of these complaints relate to land grab.

Mainly these complaints were received by the Haryanvis residing in United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Dubai, Australia, Singapore and other European countries and maximum of them have complained that their lands were illegally grabbed by the their family members or relatives.

According to Haryana Police, six complaints were received in January while rest 19 came during the month of February.15 out of these complaints were reported directly to the concerned officials heading the police in various districts. However, the department refused to share the details of these complaints.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) AS Chawla from the NRI Cell of the Haryana police, told The Statesman that a large number of these NRI through complaints have expressed their apprehension about the encroachment on lands by their family members or relatives.

He said, "However, there are some other complaints received by the people of Haryana living aboard, including missing of passports, mobile or other documents but maximum complaints relate to property encroachment. Each complaints is immediately marked to the concerned official for their timely disposal on merits."

"Haryana Police is committed to look into the grievances of NRIs on priority basis for appropriate redressal as per the law of the land. The details about the district police authorities are also available on this website, which can be utilised by the NRIs as per their convenience," he added.

Over a dozen complaints from a number of countries received in almost a month after launching the NRI cell, certifies the reach of Haryana police in foreign countries, Chawla added.

On the occasion of Pravasi Haryana Divas held earlier this year, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced to set up two dedicated cells for the NRIs saying that the grievances redressal cell would deal with their complaints, while the other would be to facilitate their investment and they would be able to give their suggestions.

The NRI cell was launched by the Haryana Police on January 25 on its Web Portal Harsamay 24X7 giving access to the NRIs for complaining regarding any issue requiring police intervention.

Himachal Pradesh Environmental Information System would organise one day seminar on “Renewable Energy: Sustaining a Green Future” on 23 March, in Shimla in collaboration with The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi.

Kunal Satyarthi, Joint Member Secretary said the seminar is expected to be attended by about 70 participants from line departments like HPPWD, HP Electricity Board, HIMUDA, Town and Country Planning, Ayurveda, Power Corporation, General Industries Corporation, HP Electricity Regulatory Commission, Urban Development Department along with academicians from various universities of the state.

Satyarthi said climate change and the need to manage diminishing fossil fuel reserves are, today, two of the biggest challenges facing the planet.

“In order to secure the future for ourselves and generations to follow, it is widely accepted that we must act now to reduce energy consumption and substantially cut greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,” he said.

He said the seminar is being organized for increasing awareness regarding the role of renewable energy under Smart Cities Mission. “Importance of Renewable Energy Technologies in making a green future and designing and development of energy efficient Green building would also be discussed in the seminar,” he added.

Himachal Pradesh Environmental Information System would organise one day seminar on “Renewable Energy: Sustaining a Green Future” on 23 March, in Shimla in collaboration with The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi.

Kunal Satyarthi, Joint Member Secretary said the seminar is expected to be attended by about 70 participants from line departments like HPPWD, HP Electricity Board, HIMUDA, Town and Country Planning, Ayurveda, Power Corporation, General Industries Corporation, HP Electricity Regulatory Commission, Urban Development Department along with academicians from various universities of the state.

Satyarthi said climate change and the need to manage diminishing fossil fuel reserves are, today, two of the biggest challenges facing the planet.

“In order to secure the future for ourselves and generations to follow, it is widely accepted that we must act now to reduce energy consumption and substantially cut greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,” he said.

He said the seminar is being organized for increasing awareness regarding the role of renewable energy under Smart Cities Mission. “Importance of Renewable Energy Technologies in making a green future and designing and development of energy efficient Green building would also be discussed in the seminar,” he added.

The Albert Park in Melbourne is set to host its 22nd edition of the Australian Grand Prix, starting the 2017 F1 Championship on Friday.

The last season saw Mercedes’ driver Nico Rosberg winning the Australian Grand Prix, who later gone to win the 2016 F1 Championship in the end. Keeping this fact in perspective, every driver would look to start with a victory here in Australia.

Here are some facts ahead of the first Grand Prix of the furious championship this year.

Technical trivia

The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit hosted its first F1 GP in 1996, where Damon Hill of Williams Renault was crowned champion, who later went on to win the calendar championship.

The Albert Park circuit is stretched to 5.303 KM and with covering 58 laps of the Australian Grand Prix it covers a total race distance of 307.574 KM.

Debonair driver on circuit

Legendary German driver Michael Schumacher has been the most dashing driver on this circuit as his record timing of 1:24.125, which he clocked winning the 2004 Australian GP with Ferrari, remains intact.

Clash to watch out for

Lewis Hamilton vs Kimi Räikkönen

The three-time Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton would be setting his sights on the forth one this year as his teammate Nico Rosberg, who won the championship in 2016, is no longer in the race to the crown.

However, it won’t be an easy circuit for the British driver as Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen would pose the biggest treat in front of him, especially in the Australian Grand Prix.

Both the drivers have won the Australian GP twice, maximum by any driver so far. Therefore, it would be interesting to watch who would leap forward to set a new milestone here.

Driving for Ferrari, Räikkönen won the Australian Grand Prix in 2007, though the McLaren Mercedes’ Hamilton disrupted his dominance as he lifted the title in 2008. Later driving for Lotus Renault, Räikkönen returned to winning route when he won the Australian GP in 2013. Mercedes’ driver Hamilton again came on top, winning the 2015 edition of the event.

What’s in the venue?

The Melbourne GP circuit has been designed beautifully around the Albert Park and connected to closed-off public roads.

Locals, dog walkers and cyclists are allowed to use the tracks and off-roads to it in the everyday life. Despite staging the speedy sport, the driving rules in Albert Park include the speed limit of 50 KMPH and overtaking is illegal here.

Rookie and the warhorse

This year’s Australian GP will feature only one rookie driver – Williams-Mercedes’ driver Lance Stroll. The 18-year-old Canadian would be the youngest as well in 2017 F1 Championship.

Ferrari’s Räikkönen, 37, will be the oldest driver on the circuit this year and the 2007 F1 Champion will definitely aims for his third Australian GP title.

Weather moods

The race to be held on March 24-26 would witness a partly cloudy weather. However, there is a chance of rain predicted for Monday.

Besides the word of the rain god, the party atmosphere in Melbourne will keep the F1 enthusiasts eager to on-look the best of Formula One action.

The Albert Park in Melbourne is set to host its 22nd edition of the Australian Grand Prix, starting the 2017 F1 Championship on Friday.

The last season saw Mercedes’ driver Nico Rosberg winning the Australian Grand Prix, who later gone to win the 2016 F1 Championship in the end. Keeping this fact in perspective, every driver would look to start with a victory here in Australia.

Here are some facts ahead of the first Grand Prix of the furious championship this year.

Technical trivia

The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit hosted its first F1 GP in 1996, where Damon Hill of Williams Renault was crowned champion, who later went on to win the calendar championship.

The Albert Park circuit is stretched to 5.303 KM and with covering 58 laps of the Australian Grand Prix it covers a total race distance of 307.574 KM.

Debonair driver on circuit

Legendary German driver Michael Schumacher has been the most dashing driver on this circuit as his record timing of 1:24.125, which he clocked winning the 2004 Australian GP with Ferrari, remains intact.

Clash to watch out for

Lewis Hamilton vs Kimi Räikkönen

The three-time Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton would be setting his sights on the forth one this year as his teammate Nico Rosberg, who won the championship in 2016, is no longer in the race to the crown.

However, it won’t be an easy circuit for the British driver as Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen would pose the biggest treat in front of him, especially in the Australian Grand Prix.

Both the drivers have won the Australian GP twice, maximum by any driver so far. Therefore, it would be interesting to watch who would leap forward to set a new milestone here.

Driving for Ferrari, Räikkönen won the Australian Grand Prix in 2007, though the McLaren Mercedes’ Hamilton disrupted his dominance as he lifted the title in 2008. Later driving for Lotus Renault, Räikkönen returned to winning route when he won the Australian GP in 2013. Mercedes’ driver Hamilton again came on top, winning the 2015 edition of the event.

What’s in the venue?

The Melbourne GP circuit has been designed beautifully around the Albert Park and connected to closed-off public roads.

Locals, dog walkers and cyclists are allowed to use the tracks and off-roads to it in the everyday life. Despite staging the speedy sport, the driving rules in Albert Park include the speed limit of 50 KMPH and overtaking is illegal here.

Rookie and the warhorse

This year’s Australian GP will feature only one rookie driver – Williams-Mercedes’ driver Lance Stroll. The 18-year-old Canadian would be the youngest as well in 2017 F1 Championship.

Ferrari’s Räikkönen, 37, will be the oldest driver on the circuit this year and the 2007 F1 Champion will definitely aims for his third Australian GP title.

Weather moods

The race to be held on March 24-26 would witness a partly cloudy weather. However, there is a chance of rain predicted for Monday.

Besides the word of the rain god, the party atmosphere in Melbourne will keep the F1 enthusiasts eager to on-look the best of Formula One action.

BJP MLA from Nahan and Chief spokesperson Rajiv Bindal on Wednesday said that the Congress party has already accepted defeat in Bhoranj assembly by-elections and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s statement proves the point.

Bindal said in a statement, Virbhadra Singh said if they do not win in Bhoranj, then he would lose faith in democracy. “The Chief Minister, on one hand, is hurt by change of candidate for Bhoranj bypoll, one the other hand, he seems to be vary of party candidate’s defeat,” he said.

He said the people of Bhoranj would vote for BJP as the government only promoted mafia raj in the state during four years rule instead of fulfilling promises made during 2012 assembly polls.

“The government has also failed in protecting the interests of employees, farmers and unemployed youth and now Congress would have face the consequences for the same,” he added.

BJP MLA from Nahan and Chief spokesperson Rajiv Bindal on Wednesday said that the Congress party has already accepted defeat in Bhoranj assembly by-elections and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s statement proves the point.

Bindal said in a statement, Virbhadra Singh said if they do not win in Bhoranj, then he would lose faith in democracy. “The Chief Minister, on one hand, is hurt by change of candidate for Bhoranj bypoll, one the other hand, he seems to be vary of party candidate’s defeat,” he said.

He said the people of Bhoranj would vote for BJP as the government only promoted mafia raj in the state during four years rule instead of fulfilling promises made during 2012 assembly polls.

“The government has also failed in protecting the interests of employees, farmers and unemployed youth and now Congress would have face the consequences for the same,” he added.

Veteran actor Raj Kiran, who plays the lead in upcoming Tamil drama Power Paandi, said on Wednesday that he is happy to be reintroduced as hero.

Talking to reporters here, Raj Kiran said: "After 27 years, Dhanush has reintroduced me as hero. I'm thankful to him and really happy."

Having started his career as a producer, Raj Kiran made his acting debut with 1989 Tamil film Enna Petha Raasa and went on to work in films such as Nandha, Jai and Sandakozhi.

In Power Paandi, Raj Kiran plays a 64-year-old character, rumoured to be a former stuntman.

The film marks the directorial debut of Dhanush, who has also produced it under Wunderbar Films.

In Tamil Nadu, the film will be distributed by Rajarajan of K Productions.

"I'm more confident about 'Power Paandi' than my next release 'Baahubali 2'," Rajarajan said.

Also starring Prasanna, Chaya Singh and Divyadarshini, the film is slated for an April 14 release.

Veteran actor Raj Kiran, who plays the lead in upcoming Tamil drama Power Paandi, said on Wednesday that he is happy to be reintroduced as hero.

Talking to reporters here, Raj Kiran said: "After 27 years, Dhanush has reintroduced me as hero. I'm thankful to him and really happy."

Having started his career as a producer, Raj Kiran made his acting debut with 1989 Tamil film Enna Petha Raasa and went on to work in films such as Nandha, Jai and Sandakozhi.

In Power Paandi, Raj Kiran plays a 64-year-old character, rumoured to be a former stuntman.

The film marks the directorial debut of Dhanush, who has also produced it under Wunderbar Films.

In Tamil Nadu, the film will be distributed by Rajarajan of K Productions.

"I'm more confident about 'Power Paandi' than my next release 'Baahubali 2'," Rajarajan said.

Also starring Prasanna, Chaya Singh and Divyadarshini, the film is slated for an April 14 release.

Former Congress veteran and ex-Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna on Wednesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its headquarters.

"It has been a great journey and I have landed at a very important stop in the service of the nation," Krishna said.

Krishna, who worked for over four decades – 46 years- in Congress as one of the top leaders in the party, resigned on January 29, claiming the party was in a "state of confusion".

Krisha was supposed to join the BJP on March 14 but the move was postponed due to the demise of his sister.

BJP party president Amit Shah was present at the event along with other key party leaders.

Former Congress veteran and ex-Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna on Wednesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its headquarters.

"It has been a great journey and I have landed at a very important stop in the service of the nation," Krishna said.

Krishna, who worked for over four decades – 46 years- in Congress as one of the top leaders in the party, resigned on January 29, claiming the party was in a "state of confusion".

Krisha was supposed to join the BJP on March 14 but the move was postponed due to the demise of his sister.

BJP party president Amit Shah was present at the event along with other key party leaders.

In keeping with the theme of this year's World Water Day, which is "Waste water", Union Environment Secretary Ajay Narayan Jha on Wednesday inaugurated an exhibition to create awareness on conservation of water.

 Titled "Jal Hai To Kal Hai", the exhibition was organised jointly by the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), a subordinate office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); Central Ground Water Board (CGWB); and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. On this occasion, a group of school children used Performing Art to deliver the message. 

 Every year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This year, it is "Waste water", an official communique on Wednesday said. World Water Day is held annually on 22 March, as a means to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993, as the first World Water Day.

 With rising pollution in water, today 1.8 billion people use a source of drinking water contaminated with faeces, putting them at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio, according to the communique.

In keeping with the theme of this year's World Water Day, which is "Waste water", Union Environment Secretary Ajay Narayan Jha on Wednesday inaugurated an exhibition to create awareness on conservation of water.

 Titled "Jal Hai To Kal Hai", the exhibition was organised jointly by the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), a subordinate office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); Central Ground Water Board (CGWB); and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. On this occasion, a group of school children used Performing Art to deliver the message. 

 Every year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This year, it is "Waste water", an official communique on Wednesday said. World Water Day is held annually on 22 March, as a means to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993, as the first World Water Day.

 With rising pollution in water, today 1.8 billion people use a source of drinking water contaminated with faeces, putting them at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio, according to the communique.

Much to the respite, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) now gets its own oxygen plant in the hospital premises that has started its operations.

IGMC, Senior Medical Superintendent, Ramesh Chand said, “With a functional oxygen plant in the hospital will now ensure non-interrupted supply of oxygen to the hospital for the patients.”

Previously the hospital had been making do with the oxygen cylinders transported in truck from Mandi district, 158 kms from Shimla, which often got affected and delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.

Now with the setting up of oxygen plant in the hospital premises will regulate availability of oxygen supply and also the company running the plant will make available a buffer stock of oxygen supply for two days at least, he added.

Owing to dependence of oxygen cylinder supply from Mandi had, on a number of occasions even lead to shortage of supply to the hospital often affecting oxygen supply to various wards under different departments to ensure that supply to all major sections of the hospital that include Critical care unit (CCU), Intensive Critical Care Unit (ICCU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the operation theatre of departments of Surgery, Cardio, Othro and Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the hospital was unaffected.