Five must-read stories—January 3

Demonetisation takes toll on investment, manufacturing

The worst fears about demonetisation are coming true. There has been a sharp fall in new investment proposals since November 9, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). The Nikkei Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) also shows manufacturing contracting in December, reports Mint.

Centre stalling judicial transfers, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday accused the Centre of allowing transfers of Chief Justices and judges of various High Courts to “languish on somebody’s desk” for months together, even as senior advocates, including Ram Jethmalani, told the apex court that it is “time the judiciary taught the government a lesson,” reports The Hindu.

Service charge by hotels and restaurants are not mandatory, says Centre

Service charges billed by restaurants are optional and it is up to the customers to pay it, the Department of Consumer Affairs said on Monday. It cited complaints that hotels and restaurants were levying an additional 5 to 20% in bills in lieu of tips, regardless of the kind of service provided, reports The Economic Times.

Thousands turn up for J&K cop’s funeral

In the backdrop of militants issuing threats to Jammu and Kashmir policemen in the Valley, north Kashmir’s Langate village witnessed a huge funeral procession for a policeman who was killed by militants, reports The Indian Express.

Was Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ dated wrongly?

Until recently, academics believed that Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in early 1601, when Elizabeth I was still on the throne after more than 42 years. Researchers have found that this is the wrong date and that the Bard did not produce the finished version for another two years. A PTI report in The Hindu.