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Pune (Maharashtra), Jan 3 : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday called for reforms in the banking sector while pitching for greater autonomy in government-controlled banks.

"Public sector banks and financial institutions have performed very important role. There is a need to get the best talent into the system. There is a need for far greater autonomy to them. And, we also need to understand the problems that these banks themselves are confronting," Jaitley told reporters on the sidelines of a meet with officials of public sector banks.

New Delhi, Jan 3 : Bollywood playback singer Arijit Singh has been named as 2014's Most Popular Male Singer of the Year whereas Shreya Ghoshal bagged the Most Popular Female Singer for the year in a recent online poll.

According to a poll conducted by music streaming website Hungama. com, Shahrukh Khan starrer 'Happy New Year' bagged Most Popular Bollywood Album title while 'Desi Kalakaar' was awarded with the Most Popular Independent Album title.

The list called 'Hungama. com Chart-toppers 2014' awarded the musical duo Vishal-Shekhar with the Most Popular Music Director (Duo) with their hits like 'Happy New Year' and 'Bang Bang'.

Chennai - Auto major Ashok Leyland reported 48 percent jump in sales at 9,290 units in December 2014.

The Hinduja Group company had sold 6,275 units during the same month of 2013.

Sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles soared 85 percent in December 2014 to 7,210 units as against 3,890 units sold during the same month of previous year, the Chennai-based automaker said in a statement.

On sales of light commercial vehicles, the company witnessed 13 percent decline in December 2014, to 2,080 units from 2,385 units sold in December 2013.

Washington, Jan 3 : Quadrantid meteor shower will make this weekend's night sky sparkle, making it the first meteor shower of 2015.

Quadrantid meteor got its name from a constellation named Quadrans Muralis, the Wall Quadrant, which was incorporated into the constellation Bootes in 1922, CBS News reported.

While the Quadrantid meteor shower can produce as many bright meteors during its peak as the more famous Perseids, the shower's actual peak time is much narrower, making the chances of seeing a Quadrantid much less than those of seeing a Perseid.

Los Angeles - 'Gaurdians of the Galaxy' star Zoe Saldana has welcomed twin sons with artist husba

New York - Singer Elvis Presley's pair of personal jets will be up for auction for a piece of mile-high rock and roll memorabilia.

The jets, named Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II, which Presley designed himself will be offered together to bidders and are expected to fetch between USD 10 million and USD 15 million, the Beverly Hills, California, auction house said, reported the New York Post.

They are no longer airworthy, but have been on view for visitors at Graceland ? Presley's Memphis, Tennessee, estate ? for the past three decades.