Uttarakhand artist who ‘nails’ and frames his artworks

New Delhi: Dusted in muted blues, yellows and pinks, the staccato, precise lines on canvas can be mistaken for wood carving from a distance, but Shekhar Joshi (56) uses neither a chisel nor a brush. The Uttarakhand-based artist uses his own nails as a tool for his art, including portraits of legends, architectural wonders like the Qutub Minar and more abstract portrayals such as 'Mother and child in space' and 'Blue love and anger'. He has been doing so for last 25 years. PTI

Sivan K to be new ISRO Chairman

New Delhi: Noted scientist Sivan K was appointed Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation on Wednesday. He will replace AS Kiran Kumar. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Sivan’s appointment as Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Space Commission, for 3 years. Sivan is at present Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. PTI

Red Fort shootout:  LeT terrorist held

New Delhi: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Wednesday claims to have arrested an alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist, Bilal Ahmad Kawa, wanted for the 2000 fidayeen attack at Delhi’s Red Fort that left three Army jawans dead. Bilal was arrested from the IGI Airport in a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS and Delhi Police special cell. TNS

Hostel mess to attract 5% GST

New Delhi: Mess facility provided to students and staff will attract 5 per cent GST irrespective of whether it is provided by an educational institution or outside contractor, the finance ministry said today. The Central Board of Excise and Customs has issued the clarification in view of queries regarding the tax liability and the GST rate leviable on services provided by a college hostel mess. "Supply of food or drink provided by a mess or canteen is taxable at 5 per cent without Input Tax Credit, it said.  PTI

Cabinet nod to CISF cadre review

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday cleared a cadre review proposal of the Central Industrial Security Force by giving it 25 new posts, in a move aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the 1.49-lakh strong paramilitary force. The proposal for restructuring the Group 'A' category of executive officers will lead to the creation of new posts in various ranks from Assistant Commandant to Additional Director General (ADG) level. PTI