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DESIRABLE TRAITS MAJOR SCAM ‘TOO ILL TO MOVE’ Actor Ankita Lokhande shares a thoughtful Superhuman fertility rate shown among Russian doctors say Alexei Navalny remains post on all the qualities that are women in their 60s leads to unearthing too ill to be transferred to Germany for treatment desirable in life LEISURE | P2 of major scam in Bihar TWO STATES | P7 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 141 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 | 2020 12 PAGES | `4.00

IRREGULAR by MANJUL VOTERS TO GET GLOVES, POLLING BOOTHS TO HAVE THERMAL SCANNERS It’s official, Dutee EC spells out poll norms Arjuna awardee POST NEWS NETWORK

AGENCIES Bhubaneswar, August 21: Ace athlete of the BY-ELECTIONS FOR TWO state Dutee Chand and 26 other sportspersons New Delhi, August 21: Voters of the country won the Arjuna Awards, the re- will be provided with gloves to ASSEMBLY SEATS DUE cipients of which were declared by the Sports press the EVM button and COVID- BHUBANESWAR: By elections for two Ministry Friday. 19 patients in quarantine will be al- assembly seats--Balasore Sadar and This apart, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna lowed to vote at the last hour of Tirtol are due in state. The by-elec- award was conferred on Rohit Sharma for tions to the two assembly segments Lucky you! Court feels your time is the polling day, according to broad Cricket, Mariyappan T. for Para Athletics, guidelines issued by the EC on are necessitated following death of Manika Batra for Table Tennis, Vinesh for 9 dead in T’gana important and shouldn’t be wasted. See, THERE SHALL BE MAXIMUM two sitting MLAs—BJP’s Madan I’ve been coming here for past 22 years! Friday for holding elections during Wrestling and Rani for Hockey. Interestingly, the coronavirus pandemic. 1,000 ELECTORS INSTEAD OF Mohan Dutta (Balasore Sadar) and Sakshi Malik and Mirabai Chanu’s names were The gloves will most likely be 1,500 ELECTORS IN A POLLING BJD’s Bishnu Charan Das (Tirtol). The removed from the final list. Their names were disposable. STATION, THE GUIDELINES SAID Tirtol seat is reserved for the sched- earlier recommended for Arjuna Award. power plant fire A separate set of guidelines uled caste community. Dutta died Similarly, the Dronacharya Award (Life Time SHORT TAKES A GROUP OF FIVE PEOPLE, June 17, 2020 while Das passed July would be issued for voters who are Category) will be given to Dharmendra Tiwary AGENCIES INCLUDING CANDIDATES, IS 6, 2020. Both the legislators have residing in areas notified as con- for Archery, Purushottam Rai for Athletics, ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN passed away due to serious health Bhadrak MLA tests tainment zone, the Election DOOR-TO-DOOR CAMPAIGNING problems. Both ruling BJD and the Shiv Singh for Boxing, Romesh Pathania for Hyderabad, August 21: COVID-19 positive Commission said. principal opposition BJP are eying to Hockey, Krishan Kumar Hooda for Kabaddi, All nine persons trapped in The commission has recom- FOR ROAD SHOWS, CONVOYS OF retain their respective seats in the Vijay Bhalchandra Munishwar for Para a huge fire at an under- mended mandatory sanitisation of VEHICLES SHOULD BE BROKEN Powerlifting, Naresh Kumar for Tennis and Om ground hydroelectric power BHUBANESWAR: Another ruling by-elections, which will occur follow- polling stations, preferably a day be- AFTER EVERY FIVE VEHICLES Parkash Dahiya for Wrestling. station in Telangana were Biju Janata Dal MLA Friday ing a notification from the ECI. fore the polls. INSTEAD OF 10 In a first, the awards will be held virtually killed, officials said Friday. tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of Thermal scanners would be August 29, the National Sports Day, instead of the All the efforts by rescue lawmakers infected by the virus placed at the entry point of every be held subject to adherence to assembly elections will be held Rashtrapati Bhavan this year due to the COVID- workers to save the trapped sonnel including those from in the state to nine. Bhadrak MLA polling station. Polling or para- COVID-19 guidelines. amid the pandemic. The polls are 19 pandemic. The criteria for the awards take into employees at Telangana the Central Industrial Sanjib Mallick announced that he medical staff will conduct thermal The district election officer should likely to be held sometime in consideration the athletes’ performances over State Generation Security Force (CISF) and has tested positive for COVID-19. screening of voters at the entry identify in advance dedicated October-November. a four-year period. A weightage of 80 per cent Corporation (TS Genco) the National Disaster "Today my covid test done and point of a polling station, it said. grounds for public gatherings with Asked why the norms have no is given to athletes winning medals at var- plant at Srisailam canal’s Response Force (NDRF) test results got positive. I am There shall be maximum 1,000 clearly marked entry and exit points. mention of "virtual" or "digital" ious international competitions with the left bank in Nagarkurnool were battling thick smoke to requesting all those who are in electors instead of 1,500 electors In all such identified grounds, campaigning, another official said remaining 20 per cent left to the dis- district were futile. retrieve the bodies. Some my contact please do covid test in a polling station, the guidelines the district election officer should the "broad guidelines have been cretion of the The rescue workers re- rescue workers have also and obey the covid positive said. put markers in advance to ensure framed based on COVID-19 guide- panel mem- covered the bodies of five reportedly become ill during guideline," Mallick, the first-time A group of five people, including social distancing norms are fol- lines issued by the Health Ministry bers. victims. They were identified the rescue operation. MLA tweeted. Odisha till Friday candidates but excluding security lowed by the attendees. and the Home Ministry to prevent as Assistant Engineers Earlier, personnel from has reported 72,718 COVID-19 personnel, is allowed to take part The district election officer and the spread of the virus." Mohan Kumar, Uzma the NDRF and experts from cases and 390 deaths. in door-to-door campaigning. district superintendent of police "Based on our guidelines, states Fatima, and Sunder, the Singareni Collieries For road shows, the commission should ensure that the number of will prepare their own set of three- Divisional Engineer Srinivas Company Ltd (SCCL) joined said, convoys of vehicles should attendees does not exceed the limit layered comprehensive guidelines Goud and Mahesh, an em- the rescue operations. Many low-lying be broken after every five vehicles prescribed by the State Disaster at the state, district and assembly ployee of a battery company. Telangana Chief Minister instead of 10 (excluding security Management Authority for public constituency level." The state spe- Efforts were on to trace K. Chandrashekhar Rao or- areas inundated vehicles). gatherings, the commission said. cific guidelines may talk of virtual the bodies of the remain- dered a probe by the CID Public gatherings and rallies can Bihar will be the first state where campaign, he said. ing persons. The rescue per- into the fire. BHUBANESWAR: Incessant downpour triggered by a series of low pressure areas formed over Bay of Bengal has claimed five lives in the state so far and HOPE OVER FEAR increased the water levels in E-court: 150 state cases heard several rivers, officials said. The state government, POST NEWS NETWORK Court against the Andhra Pradesh however, ruled out any fear of government’s decision to build the flood. It said though the water New Delhi, August 21: The multipurpose polavaram project level in some rivers had Supreme Court has taken up around on Godavari River citing that the crossed the danger mark, it is 150 cases of the state for hearing project will lead to submergence of likely to recede as the intensity through virtual mode in 100 days some areas in the state and many of rainfall in upper catchment and passed orders/judgments in tribal people will lose their homes. areas has now reduced. Several around 35 cases. The case was listed February 4 areas, particularly in During this period, the apex but the hearing was deferred after Malkangiri district, continued court adjudicated several promi- Odisha counsel sought a week’s to grapple with disruption in nent cases of the state, including the adjournment. Since then, the apex road communication caused by Jagannath Rath Yatra case. The court didn’t take up the matter for severe deluge, they said. Supreme Court had in June al- hearing. lowed the annual chariot festival of The apex court also didn’t take Lord Jagannath after several peti- VIRTUAL HEARING up another major water dispute BSY govt may tions were filed seeking permis- case between Odisha and Andhra sion to conduct the festival. The Supreme Court has heard more Pradesh over Vamsadhara river. ban SDPI, PFI The Supreme Court had initially than 15,500 cases through video The court had decided to take up the refused to grant permission due conferencing from March 23 till date petition filed by Odisha challeng- BANGALORE: The cabinet to the pandemic. However, the bench However, some major disputes in ing the verdict of Vamsadhara Thursday agreed in principle to the state, including the Polavaram ban Popular Front of India (PFI) changed its decision a day before the Water Dispute Tribunal and joint commencement of Rath Yatra. case, were not taken up by the apex survey of Neradi barrage for final and its political wing, Social court virtually Democratic Party of India Other major cases include al- consideration March 4. (SDPI), over their alleged lowing migrant workers from Surat A case related to reforms in Shri involvement in the Bengaluru to enter the state in May. The apex ernment officials, the apex court Jagannath Temple was also not riots and some other violent court had stayed the decision of slapped a fine of `50,000 for delay taken up through the virtual hear- incidents. But the decision will Orissa HC that banned their entry. in filing a petition and directed the ing mode. The Supreme Court had be formalised only after a It also granted bail to a tribal girl, government to recover it from the in 2019 directed the state government comprehensive review of who was charged for murder. officials responsible. to chalk out a strategy for hassle- evidence against the two The court allowed Orissa However, the Polavaram project free darshans by devotees. The apex organisations and legal Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris join hands after the former formally accepts the Democratic Party’s Minerals Development Corporation case was not taken up by the court last heard the matter in procedures. The cabinet asked nomination for President. In his acceptance speech, he said that America will choose hope over fear, facts ltd to resume mining operations Supreme Court through video con- January and adjourned it for four police to submit a report over fiction and fairness over privilege as he cast President Donald Trump as a failed leader who has shirked in Odisha. Dissatisfied over the ferencing mode. The state had filed weeks. It has not taken up the mat- detailing evidence on the responsibility while stoking hate and division PTI PHOTO lackadaisical attitude of state gov- an original suite in the Supreme ter since then. organisations’ suspected role in communal riots and anti- social activities. ` Selfie craze claims Man duped of 45L by mysterious foreign lady 2 lives in Bargarh MARKET WATCH THE ACCUSED, WHO PRETENDED TO BE AN INVESTOR IN INDIAN PROJECTS, WAS A MEMBER OF A GANG OF CYBER CRIMINALS POST NEWS NETWORK INDEX VARIATION POST NEWS NETWORK he received an email from one Ms Later, the accused, in order to Bargarh, August 21: Selfie craze SENSEX 38434.72 214.33 Elizabeth from UK who offered to win the faith of Misra, reached proved fatal as two students met Bhubaneswar, August 21: Cyber partner with Misra to invest in Odisha. She reportedly stayed at a their watery grave after falling

BOURSES NIFTY 11371.60 59.40 crooks often use emails to collect per- some projects in India. However, reputed hotel near Nalco Square into Kapil Dhara waterfall while sonal details of netizens or dupe Misra turned down her offer in Capital city where Misra also clicking selfies in Bargarh dis- DOLLAR 74.94 `0.22 them with fake financial offers. January 17, 2017. arranged a meeting of owners of trict Thursday evening, police EURO 88.24 `0.71 Many people have fallen into the trap Subsequently, she mailed an offer various projects. said Friday. CURRENCY of this emerging trend in crime de- to make Misra the manager in the After around eight months, some The deceased have been iden- GOLD `51,808 `343 spite continuous public awareness business she was supposed to fi- unknown persons identifying them- tified as Papu Mahakud (18) and programmes by various govern- nance in Odisha. Accordingly, Misra selves as staffers of Citi Bank in- Khirod Soni (20) of Jhipiki vil- SILVER `66,513 `1082 BULLION ment agencies. sent one signed agreement paper to formed Misra that Ms Elizabeth lage under Paikamal police limits In one such incident, a person Ms Elizabeth through email along died. in Bargarh district. from Cuttack has lost around `45 with some shortlisted projects. They asked him to take neces- According to sources, Khirod, lakhs to a gang of cyber criminals Few days later, Misra received a sary steps for transfer of Elizabeth’s Papu and a friend had visited WEATHER involving a foreign lady. The cyber phone call from some alleged cus- money to his account. Misra al- Nrusinghanath, Thursday after- y ` BHUB CTK crime police station at the Crime tom officials from New Delhi Airport legedly deposited around 45 lakhs noon. They proceeded towards Kapil

Branch office in Cuttack has initi- informing him about the detention fine in Indian currency on behalf million British pound sterling in various accounts as per the in- Dhara. They were enjoying at the wa-

k y m c MAX 30.9° 31.8° ated a probe on the issue after reg- of Ms Elizabeth for holding huge of the accused lady which he re- (Rs14.73 crore) in the Citibank’s structions of the cyber crooks who terfall, clicking selfies. At this mo- istering a case on the basis of the amount of foreign currency, British fused and asked the custom offi- branch in Mumbai. The accused were posing as Citibank’s officials. ment, Khirod and Papu lost their TEMP MIN 25.5° 24.0° Forecast complaint lodged by the victim Pound. Elizabeth had reportedly cials to initiate action as per the lady informed Misra that she had However, upon receipt of the balance and fell into the water. Humidity 93% 83% August 17. come to India for business pur- law. Meanwhile, Elizabeth in- mentioned him as the nominee amount, they did not contact Misra Police along with fire personnel Generally Rainfall Trace Nil cloudy sky As per sources, the victim, Manas poses. formed Misra that she had moved while filing the accounting open- and their phone numbers were from Paikamal Fire Station reached Ram Misra, 62, of Cuttack alleged They asked Misra to pay the to Mumbai and deposited £ 1.5 ing form. switched off. the spot and conducted rescue ops. P2 BEN AFFLECK WILL RETURN AS NETFLIX’S UNSOLVED MYSTERIES SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR BATMAN IN THE FLASH MOVIE WILL RETURN OCTOBER 19 Ben Affleck will return as Batman in the upcoming Netflix has announced that its Unsolved Mysteries reboot standalone The Flash movie, director Andy will return with rest of the six episodes October 19. The Muschietti has revealed. Affleck has previously first six episodes of the first season were released on the played the Dark Knight in two Zack Snyder films, streaming platform July 1. The new episodes will focus on

y leisure Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice more unexplained disappearances and tragic events in

k y m League, in addition to a cameo in Suicide Squad. hopes that the viewers may have the answer. c FORTUNE FORECAST Babushaan leads clarion call for honouring Dhyan Chand

POST NEWS NETWORK the National Sports Day. brating the glory of Indian hockey and Prateek, another co-founder of ARIES The campaign created a buzz with remembering Major Dhyan Chand and Signature 24 Productions said: “A lot of Bhubaneswar, August 21: A first-ever eminent personalities from all walks of his contribution. Those who will be at- unknown stories on Major Dhyan Chand Some cheerful news digital campaign to demand ‘Bharat life and common people across India tending the event are Gurbux Singh and will be discussed. There will also be dis- could put you in really high spirits today. The Ratna’ for the legendary hockey icon joining in to voice their support and to Harbinder Singh (both Olympic gold cussions on Indian hockey in the news could either be of a personal or Major Dhyan Chand has been initiated celebrate Dhyan Chand’s contribution to medallists). The event will also see the Olympics and the eight gold medals won professional nature – perhaps about by Joyeeta Roy and Prateek Kumar Indian hockey. presence of Arjuna awardee Ashok by India.” your career, or a social gathering, or Mishra of ‘Signature 24 Productions’. The campaign even attracted the at- Kumar (son of Major Dhyan Chand, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju was in- some monetary profit. It should be stated here that Major tention of the Parliament with some Olympic bronze medallist) and current vited to join in as the chief guest. However, Dhyan Chand’s birthday, which is August members stating that the iconic hockey player Yuvraj Walmiki. The event will due to prior commitments he will not be 29 is celebrated as the ‘National Sports player be conferred the ‘Bharat Ratna’. be hosted by eminent Odia actor and able to attend the meet. However he has TAURUS Day’of India. Even the Sports Minister of India, Kiren superstar Babushaan. conveyed his best wishes for the event. The campaign was started by BCCI Rijiju has constantly supported the Babushaan will be seen yet again in The event will be live on Facebook and You are likely to be in a president and former India captain Sourav initiative of ‘Signature 24 Productions’ with a new avatar which is going to be quite one may use any one of the links to view mood to get away from Ganguly and actors Babushaan Mohanty messages on his Instagram account. exciting for the actor himself. “He has the daily grind and take a the programme. much need break. You would naturally try and Rachel White. They had earlier said On the occasion of the first anniver- been excited and engaged in doing a lot www.facebook.com/bharatratnaford- to stay free from future concerns and that the hockey icon should have been con- sary of the campaign, ‘Signature 24 of research work for the past few days hyanchan commitments and keep all your woes and ferred the ‘Bharat Ratna’ on August 29, Productions’ is all set to bring together to prepare the questions himself that he www.facebook.com/signature24pro- worries aside for the day. last year. Incidentally it is also the birth- a plethora of hockey players to host a dig- would be asking the players”, said Joyeeta, ductions day of Dhyan Chand and is known as ital event with the sole agenda of cele- founder of ‘Signature 24 Productions’. www.facebook.com/Mohantybabushaan GEMINI A fun and frolic filled day awaits you. You will have a lot of fun with your fam- Taapsee-starrer Ankita shares what’s ily members, especially children. You will Mahesh Bhatt trolled help your children with their work. Marital life will be blissful. Relations with your spouse will be romantic today. A pleasure Rashmi Rocket goes on desirable in life after WhatsApp chat filled day awaits, says Ganesha. Mumbai: Actress Ankita Lokhande tion, deep conversations and being with Rhea goes viral floors this November has shared a thoughtful post on de- truthful to yourself,” Ankita men- CANCER sirable qualities in life. Her post is all tioned along with a heart Ganesha says that you about being true to yourself. She emoticon. will feel tiredness and shared her thoughts with a Sushant Singh Rajput’s ex-girl- weakness but in the black and white picture friend Ankita has been quite vocal office or business you will be relaxed , with less tension. of her that she posted in supporting a CBI probe into Ganesha suggests that you should be on Instagram. the late actor’s death right careful to fulfil new responsibilities “Do you want from the start. Recently, after entrusted to you. to know what’s the Supreme Court trans- desirable? ferred the case to CBI, she Efforts, hon- had posted: “Justice is the esty, pres- truth in action...Truth wins.” LEO ence, keep- Before venturing into You will attempt to ing Bollywood, Sushant had shot to Mumbai: Filmmaker Mahesh pressed! Jiah Khan was de- reschedule your daily routine to be able to prom- fame as a television actor with Bhatt started trending on pressed! Sushant Singh Rajput make the most of your ises, Ekta Kapoor’s daily soap Pavitra Twitter after screenshots of a was depressed! day. While it is easy to make plans, deep Rishta, which also starred WhatsApp conversation from All were depressed & that’s implementing them and sticking to con- Ankita. The two actors June 8, allegedly between him why they committed suicide. them depends on your own discipline nec- dated for almost six and actress Rhea Chakraborty, #MaheshBhatt don’t imposed and determination. years before made it to the new headlines the tag that they all were de- Mumbai: Sports drama Rashmi Khurana who directed Karwaan. parting Friday. Twitter has been flooded pressed & mentally unsta- Rocket starring the fierce Taapsee “We were all set to shoot when ways. with memes and trolls target- ble to hide d conspiracy,” VIRGO Pannu commences shooting this the pandemic struck. I’m glad IANS ing the veteran filmmaker, with tweeted a user. Issues regarding reli- November. that we’re resuming soon. The netizens claiming that people “#MaheshBhatt, Respect gious beliefs and spiri- Beginning in the salt pans of team and I have been waiting like him do not deserve to be and care for senior citizens.. But tuality will surface Kutch, Rashmi Rocket is about a eagerly to set off on this journey. respected. The screenshots of what about citizens like Mahesh today. Pursue your young girl from a village, blessed It’s a terrific story that I’m excited the chat, doing the rounds on Bhatt?? The younger generation goals single-mindedly to attain success in the field of your choice, and exploit with a gift — SPEED. She’s an in- to tell.” says director Akarsh social media suggests that Rhea is ashamed becoz of him!!,” your abilities and talents to the hilt, credibly fast runner. The village Khurana informed Mahesh Bhatt that tweeted another user. advises Ganesha. You will be more logi- fondly knows her as ‘Rocket’. “I have been involved in this she was leaving her boyfriend, Reports also emerged claim- cal and calculative, rather than emotion- When she gets a chance to show- project from the very beginning late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, ing that Rhea was inside Cooper al, in matters of your relationships. case her talent professionally, stage to make this one really June 8. Hospital at the time of she excels but also realizes that special. Just before the pan- Netizens allege it was Sushant’s post-mortem. the race to the finish line is pep- demic I was already three Mahesh Bhatt who started talk- Netizens are blaming Bhatt LIBRA pered with many hurdles, and months into my training period ing about Sushant’s depres- along with Rhea for the same. what seems like an athletic con- to transform into a physique sion after the actor’s death, “Who allowed rhea to go inside Ganesha says you will be able to spend ample test turns into her personal bat- closest to that of a sprinter. This just as he spoke about actress the hospital?? She stayed there time with your loved tle for respect, honour, and even has been a long break but with Parveen Babi’s mental health for 45min. What is she doing ones and may even her very identity. the kind of subject it is I am in the past. during these 45min??? of cource taken them out for lunch or dinner which Rashmi Rocket is written by excited to restart the journey “Parveen Babi was de- they are tampering the evi- will bring you more closer to them. You will Nanda Periyasamy, Aniruddha from scratch again starting with pressed! Divya Bharti was de- dences... ,” tweeted a user. IANS even try to please them by showering them with gifts and presents today. Guha and Kanika Dhillon. The my training.” says Taapsee film will be helmed by Akarsh Pannu. IANS

SCORPIO A creative thought or an SUDOKU innovative idea may spice post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, up your routine work. PEANUTS Apparently, you may CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers seem all worked up and disorganised, 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. but actually you may be quite systematic when it comes to your work. Keep the enthusiasm in you alive to make life happier, tips Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS You may have to make important decisions of life today, says Ganesha. Remember, haste makes waste, so take every decision only after thinking about its long-term conse- quences or end results. Be patient. CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN Mark this date on the calendar as today is going to be one of the most important days of life, the reason being you are going to meet somebody who is will stay with SOLUTIONS you through out your life. Though it may some time bore you, but your relation- ships will keep you busy today.

AQUARIUS You will try everything to please your colleagues and bosses, but they will still have something neg- ative to say about your performance. In BREVITY CROSSWORD order to be in the good books of everyone you end up hurting your own interests, feels Ganesha.

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You will have difficulty in

k y m c interpreting the behaviour of your life partner today. It is better to bring trans- parency in your relationship rather than to doubt it. Speak freely about your problems

and communicate with your spouse. Business CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU relationships will also face rough weather. INVITING DANGER SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR People flout social distancing norms while buying fish from roadside downtown vendors at Nayapalli in Bhubaneswar, Friday Beneficiaries in state received `60,865 cr through DBT BJP opposes sale of

Till August this year, around 40 crore people in the strengthened micro and small scale crore people of India. The eco- country have availed government assistance through industries in the country. “Around nomic policy of Prime Minister Dharmashala land 41 lakh people in Odisha have im- Narendra Modi has extended so- Jan Dhan Yojana, the biggest financial inclusion proved their financial condition by cial security cover to the poor programme of the world, said Union Petroleum availing loans from the Mudra and improved the living stan- Yojana,” he added. dards of the middleclass people,” Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Pradhan also praised the Pradhan said. POST NEWS NETWORK Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matru Standup India scheme of the The petroleum minister also Vandana Yojana in Odisha have re- Union government. “Standup claimed that the able leadership New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, August ceived a total of Rs 60,865 crore in India scheme has fulfilled the of PM Narendra Modi has brought 21: Union Petroleum Minister their bank accounts through the dreams of around 2,500 budding a massive change to the Dhamendra Pradhan Friday claimed DBT mode. entrepreneurs in Odisha. This Indian economy. that the inclusive economic policy “The DBT mode has helped the scheme has helped create entre- of the Narendra Modi government government as well as the benefi- availed government assistance and preneurship among women,” at the centre has strengthened the ciaries in Odisha. The government other benefits through Jan Dhan he said. financial status of people in the of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Yojana, the biggest financial in- The Prime Minister has tried country including in Odisha. is committed to bringing all house- clusion programme of the world, the his best to improve the financial The Union minister claimed that holds in the country into the bank- minister said. “Around 1.5 crore status of people by providing BJP activists stage a dharna in front of Bagala Dharmashala, Friday the beneficiaries of 65 central ing fold,” Pradhan said in a tweet people of 74 lakh families in Odisha them with banking facility, fi- schemes including the Pradhan while highlighting the inclusive have benefitted from the Jan Dhan nancial assistance, loan facility POST NEWS NETWORK ing only Rs 100. The state gov- Mantri Ujjala Yojana, Pradhan economic policy of the Centre. Yojana,” Pradhan said. and insurance cover. “The in- ernment had illegally transferred Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Till August this year, around 40 The petroleum minister said the clusive economic policy of the Puri, August 21: The district unit the dharmashala land to the own- Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi crore people in the country have Mudra scheme of the centre has Centre has become a reality for 130 of the Bharatiya Janata Party ership of the revenue department. (BJP) has opposed sale of Bagala Now, the administration is sell- Dharmashala land to lodging house ing the land to private parties,” owners who had been evicted for Sarangi alleged. beautification of the Srimandir Sarangi asked the district ad- surroundings. ministration to stop selling the Activists of the saffron party dharmashala land immediately led by Puri MLA Jayanta Kumar and cancel the sale deeds with six Rework tack to check Sarangi, Brahmagiri MLA evicted lodging house owners. Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mahapatra, “The administration is free to sell BJP district unit president Ashrit any other government land to Covid spike, DMs told Patnaik Friday staged a dharna in evicted people,” he said. The Puri front of Bagala Dharmashala (shel- MLA further claimed that around ter house) here and asked the dis- Rs 3 crore has been spent from a trict administration to refrain central scheme to improve infra- The rate and cause of spread from selling the shelter house land structure at the dharamashala differ from area to area. The to anyone. recently. nature of spread in rural area It is worth mentioning here that is different from that of urban Kanheialal Bagala had set up a and city areas. The border areas with shelter house for devotees in the neighboring states also have their Holy City here by purchasing land own uniqueness. As such, Collectors from the Bengal government in must rework their own district 1899. Bagala had donated the land specific strategies and the dharmashala to Puri Collector in 1905. At present, the ASIT TRIPATHY | CHIEF SECRETARY shelter house has 2 acre and 574 dec- POST NEWS NETWORK to grow serious, each district must imal land at Balagandi revenue have a robust strategy to pick them village here, sources said. Bhubaneswar, August 21: With up to the hospitals at an early an aim to blunt the continuous stage for proper treatment.” Demolition around Srimandir spike in Covid positive cases in Additional Chief Secretary The district administration had resumes many districts, Chief Secretary Health and Family Welfare earlier sold 340 decimals of Bagala After a gap of five months, the Asit Tripathy has asked Collectors Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra said, Dharmashala to six evicted lodg- district administration Friday re- to identify the exact causes of the “An expert body with experienced ing house owners. sumed demolition near Srimandir rise in positive cases and revise medical professors is now func- “A benevolent person had es- to lay a heritage corridor around their strategies to contain it. tioning in the state for providing tablished Bagala Dharmashala in the 12th century shrine. At least Tripathy gave this direction critical care advice to doctors. The Puri to provide night shelter facility three residential buildings close to while taking a district wise re- treating physicians in different to devotees. Poor devotees used to the west gate of the shrine were de- view of the pandemic on a digital districts should be in active con- stay in this dharmashala by pay- molished amid tight security. The mode with Covid observers and tact with the expert team for con- ing just Rs 20 each for a day. Besides, owners of these buildings had ear- Collectors Thursday. taining the death rate.” locals were organising weddings lier sold their land to the admin- “The rate and cause of spread Special Relief Commissioner A building near Srimandir in Puri is being demolished Friday for setting up of a heritage corridor around the shrine and other social functions by pay- istration, sources said. differ from area to area. The nature (SRC) PK Jena sought to encour- of spread in rural area is different age home isolation of a-sympto- from that of urban and city areas. matic or mild symptomatic posi- The border areas with neighboring tive cases instead of burdening states also have their own unique- the Covid care centers and NGT seeks info on Mahanadi encroachment ness. The growth centers with ad- hospitals. A review showed that joining villages may need a dif- the strategy adopted by Ganjam dis- POST NEWS NETWORK plain area or no development zone ferent approach. As such, Collectors trict administration was effective of the river. However, there is no ac- must rework their own district in reducing the rate of infection Bhubaneswar, August 21: The tion taken report. If the state au- specific strategies and should keep in the district. National Green Tribunal (NGT) thorities have found violations, it POST NEWS NETWORK updating the approaches with Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta has asked the state government to is for them to take remedial meas- changing situations,” he said. The Kulange said the strategies like look into possible encroachments ures to enforce the law,” it said. Bhubaneswar, August 21: The Collectors were directed to con- intensive house to house survey, on the flood plains of the Mahanadi All new projects of the govern- National Human Rights tain the spike of the disease in digitization of the survey data, river in Cuttack district. ment and private bodies on the Commission (NHRC) has asked rural areas within a week. Stating identification of vulnerable per- A two-judge bench tribunal was flood plains of the river Mahanadi the Chief Secretary to address the that Covid hospitals should be sons with co-morbidity, dedicated hearing a case on encroachment and adjoining areas have come woes of six Dalit families whose kept free for treating the patients call centers for incoming and out- on Mahanadi riverbed at Rantilo in under the lens of the watchdog. houses had been razed to ground requiring critical care, he said, going calls, strict enforcement of the district when it took suo motu Earlier, while hearing a case of by culprits at Shalevata gram “A robust home isolation mecha- containment zones while ensuring congnizance of the matter and ex- encroachment on the Mahanadi panchayat under Loisingha po- nism and frequent follow up with necessary services helped the dis- panded the hearing to more such the law. “During the hearing, it also nished within three months,” riverbed, the NGT sought formation lice limits of Bolangir the patients by health personnel trict administration in contain- areas in the district and asked the transpired that such encroach- it said. of a joint panel and asked them to August 11. would be more helpful for physi- ing the rate of infection. government to inquire into the mat- ments may be taking place at other The court meanwhile asked the visit the site and give their report The commission, while hear- cal and mental health of non-se- The Collectors of Rayagada, ter and inform them accordingly. locations of the flood plains, in- government to take action against to the NGT. ing an application filed by rights rious and asymptomatic cases.” Sundargarh, Cuttack, Khurda The NGT has asked the govern- cluding near the Cuttack Medical erring parties as per law. It also The joint inspection report by activist Himanshu Sekhar Nayak, Development Commissioner along with Bhubaneswar munic- ment to examine if the areas close College or near Bali Yatra Ground,” went through a Joint Inspection the district administration, State asked the Chief Secretary to di- Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, who ipal commissioner presented up- to the new campus of SCB Medical the order of NGT said. Report of the Joint Committee. Pollution Control Board, Central rect district authorities to take was also present at the meet, said, dated situation with strategies College and Bali Yatra Ground are “Let these aspects be looked into “...It is clear that the committee Pollution Control admitted appropriate steps within eight “Since Covid positive patients being followed in their reporting encroachments and ille- by a committee and a further fac- has found violations of law in rais- existence of illegal structures on weeks and intimate the com- with co-morbidity are vulnerable respective areas. gal structures in contravention of tual and action taken report fur- ing construction in the active flood the areas. mission. The panel has also sought stringent action against the culprits involved in the dem- olition of the houses of the ‘Pandemic hits reproductive health of women’ Dalit families. The sarpanch, Hemakanti Munda, misused the powers POST NEWS NETWORK vested with her by the state gov- ernment due to Covid-19 pan- Bhubaneswar, August 21: A re- POST NEWS NETWORK Rath had served as first Vice demic as per the provisions of the cent study by the Centre for Youth Chancellor of Gangadhar Meher Disaster Management Act, and Social Development (CYSD) Bhubaneswar, August 21: The University. He has profound knowl- 2005.The accused demolished the claimed that the reproductive health state government Friday appointed edge and experience in teaching houses of the Dalits constructed of women suffered a setback dur- retired IAS officer Bibhuti Bhusan and applied research in economics, under the Pradhan Mantri ing the COVID 19 pandemic. The Patnaik and ex-VC of Gangadhar finance, management and allied Gramin Awas Yojana-Gramin survey was done on close to 700 It highlighted While 66 percent Meher University Sudhansu Sekhar subjects. scheme. women and 2,278 school-going kids lack of access to preferred Rath as members of the State Public Rath has published many articles The landless families con- in six districts, mostly tribal ones. healthcare traditional Service Commission (OPSC). in national and international jour- structed the houses on vacant The study claimed that most services and treatments, 13 Patnaik retired as registrar of co- nals of repute. He has also extended government plots after getting women and adolescent girls strug- more reliance of per cent went to operative societies July 31. He consultancy services to World Bank, permission from Tehsildar and gled to get access to public health people on village quacks for served as tourism director, UNDP, NIPFP, IIPA, among others. revenue inspector. However, the centres due to non-availability of quacks and their treatment, Jharsuguda Collector and direc- At present, retired brigadier Sarpanch’s husband along with public transports. The report high- home treatment said the report tor, welfare of PWDs. Prior to that Laxmi Charan Patnaik is the chair- eight others bulldozed the houses lighted the lack of access to health- he had field experience in many dis- man of OPSC while Namita of the six tribal families with a care services and more reliance of total respondents, only 40 per cent sanitary napkins with them for the report said. tricts in various capacities. Mohanty is a member. JCB machine August 11. Later, po- people on quacks and home treat- could be able to avail iron and folic distribution during the lockdown In terms of education, the study lice arrested the lady Sarpanch ment. acid tablets,” the report said. period. claimed that during COVID era, and her husband after register- “While 66 percent preferred tra- “While inquiring about the san- It also said that 13.17 per cent of 70 per cent of families in six districts ing a case in this regard. Eight ditional treatments, 13 per cent itation aspect of adolescent girls, women were hungry and 19 per did not have smart phones. It also other associates of the Sarpanch went to village quacks for their it was found that only 35 per cent cent women skipped meals due to said that 40 per cent of school girls are still at large. treatment,” the report said. of respondents had accessed san- unavailability of food. The report received full sets of textbooks from Nayak urged the commission The survey said the menstrual itary napkins. School-going girls also said that many lactating women schools. to direct the authorities to pay health as well as consumption of used to get certain number of san- were deprived of nutrition sup- The team conducted their survey compensation of Rs 8 lakh to iron and folic acid was majorly dis- itary napkins every month from plements from Anganwadi cen- in six districts namely-Koraput, each family, 10 decimals land to rupted due to the pandemic. “The school free of cost,” the report said. tres. “Among lactating mothers, Mayurbhanja, Keonjhar, the landless families free of cost reproductive health services have The CYSD study said ASHAs re- 48% did not receive chhatua and Malkangiri, Rayagada and and exemplary action against been adversely affected. Out of the ported that they had no stock of eggs from Anganwadi centres,” Khurdha. the culprits. P4 SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Rain toll 5; govt allays flood fear nCoV recoveries cross

k y m c PNN & AGENCIES Kanyashram, while several trees 50K; caseload at 72,718 uprooted on National Highway-326, Bhubaneswar, August 21: an official said. Incessant downpour triggered by Water is also flowing at some a series of low pressure areas formed places on the road connecting Poteru, over Bay of Bengal has claimed Kankarkonda and MV-90. five lives in the state so far and in- Communication with Chhattisgarh creased the water levels in several has also been cut off. rivers, officials said. In Sundargarh district, a tem- The state government, however, porary bridge over National ruled out any fear of flood. It said Highway-215 near Narayanposh though the water level in some Command has been washed away rivers had crossed the danger mark, snapping connectivity between it is likely to recede as the intensity Kalta and Koida. The district ad- of rainfall in upper catchment areas ministration has started the repair has now reduced. works to restore normalcy, he said. Meanwhile, the Meteorological POURING WOES Several areas in Malkangiri grapple with disruption in road communication due to the severe deluge Centre here predicted more down- Specially-designed vehicles of BMC sensitise denizens on COVID-19 Many parts of the state have pour in the next few days as a fresh been battered by heavy rain uge, they said. district reporting 126.2mm and with submergence of some areas low pressure area is likely to de- PNN & AGENCIES detected during contact tracing. under the impact of four The fresh spell of rain has claimed Padia block in Malkangiri 112.3mm with water and road link disruption velop over Northwest Bay of Bengal The fresh coronavirus cases were back-to-back low pressure areas two lives due to wall collapse inci- rainfall during the last 24 hours following incessant rainfall, he said, and neighbouring areas around Bhubaneswar, August 21: State’s reported from all the 30 districts of formed over Bay of Bengal dents Friday. While a woman died till 8.30am of Friday. adding that many bridges in the August 23. COVID-19 tally surged to 72,718 Odisha, including the highest num- The fresh While a woman died due to wall collapse in Kuliana area While 22 blocks recorded more district are under water as they Fishermen have been advised Friday with 2,698 fresh cases while ber of 475 infections from Khurda spell of due to wall collapse of Mayurbhanj, another person than 50mm rainfall during the pe- are at low level. not to venture into the sea along and 10 more fatalities pushed the death followed by Cuttack (207), Ganjam rain has in Kuliana area of was killed in a similar incident riod, 59 blocks received rainfall be- Road communication between off Odisha coast from August 24 to toll to 390, an official of Health and (162), Rayagada (154), Koraput (146), claimed Mayurbhanj, caused by heavy rainfall in Riamal tween 20 and 50mm, Jena pointed Kalimela and Padia in Malkangiri 26 as squally weather with surface Family Welfare (H&FW) depart- Mayrubhanj (128), Sundargarh (103) two more another person was area of Deogarh district, Special out. continues to be snapped with water wind up to 55kmph speed may pre- ment said. The recoveries Friday and Balasore (102). lives due killed in a similar Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K The water level of Baitarani river flowing over a bridge near vail during the period. crossed the 50,000-mark. The twin cities of Bhubaneswar to wall incident caused by Jena said. stood at 17.94metre at Akhuapada Four deaths were reported from and Cuttack, meanwhile, reported collapse heavy rainfall in The death toll in rain-related in- in Bhadrak district as against the Ganjam, two from Khurda and one 324 and 149 cases respectively. incidents Riamal area of cidents in the state has risen to five danger mark of 17.83, but the em- each from Angul, Koraput, Ganjam, which used to register Friday Deogarh district as two persons had been swept away bankments of the river are quite Nayagarh and Subarnapur dis- the highest number of cases and by the strong current of a river in strong. The water level is likely to tricts, said the official. COVID casualties, has been wit- Many parts of the state have Moroda area of Mayurbhanj district fall as the intensity of rainfall in The 10 fresh deaths included six nessing a decline in the detection been battered by heavy rain under August 19 and another person was catchment areas has subsided, an males and four females. Four of of COVID cases in the past few the impact of four back-to-back low killed in a wall collapse incident official said. them were in the age group of days. The district is now in third pressure areas formed over Bay of August 16 in Patnagarh area of Similarly, the water level of Jalaka above 60 years, five in the age group position in the detection of COVID Bengal so far this month which Bolangir district, Jena said. river had risen to 6.6metre, much of 40 to 60 years and the rest one was cases daily as Khurda and Cuttack created a flood-like situation in Ruling out the likelihood of flood above the danger mark of 5.5metre, 35-year-old, the H&FW department districts have jumped to the first and some areas and damaged crops and in any part of the state at this junc- but there is no threat of flood and said, adding that of the 390 deaths, second position respectively. mud houses, officials said. ture, he said the intensity of rain- the situation is under control, said Ganjam district alone accounted for The state, meanwhile, crossed Several areas, particularly in fall has decreased and the state Water Resources Chief engineer 170 fatalities followed by Khurda (54). 50,000 recoveries as 1,926 more Malkangiri district, continued to recorded an average rainfall of Jyotirmaya Rath, adding ‘there is On the other hand, a total of 1,675 persons cured from the viral in- grapple with disruption in road 16mm since Thursday with no need to panic.’ A damaged culvert at Niliguda in Malkangiri district OP PHOTOS cases were recorded in quarantine fection Friday, the H&FW de- communication caused by severe del- Kosagumuda block in Nabarangpur Malkangiri district is grappling centres and the remaining were partment tweeted.

Utilise time fruitfully, AHEAD OF SHUTDOWN CM inaugurates minister tells pupils COVID tests in City Biluakhai bridge POST NEWS NETWORK go past 1 lakh mark in Jagatsinghpur Bhubaneswar, August 21: Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo POST NEWS NETWORK Furthermore, mobile testing POST NEWS NETWORK Friday asked students to utilise free vans jointly run by BMC and Capital time efficiently by improving their Bhubaneswar, August 21: The hospital also contributed in tak- Bhubaneswar, August 21: Chief skills and learning something new tests for the novel coronavirus in ing the figures to this level. While Minister Naveen Patnaik, Friday, in which, he said, the parents and the state capital crossed 1 lakh 10 mobile teams of the largest inaugurated a bridge over teachers should play a key role. mark, with the city registering Government hospital of the city are Biluakhai river in Jagatsinghpur He said this at a virtual felici- 1,04,390 tests, Friday. going to different places across through videoconferencing. He tation ceremony of Nayagarh stu- These tests mainly include: Real Bhubaneswar to conduct tests, also laid the foundation stone for dents who performed well in Class Time Polymerase Chain Reaction three teams remain there to man- a mother and childcare hospital in X and Class XII exams 2020. The (RT-PCR); Rapid Antigen tests and age the in-house requirements and the district. district retains top positions in True-Nat tests. While around 52,205 one team goes with the mobile test- The bridge has been constructed Class XII science and commerce accounted for RT-PCR tests, 21,445 ing van, which started August 2. on Biluakhai river near Shankhari results. In Class X examination, the tests were that of Rapid Antigen and Meanwhile, the city again saw Sahi in Jagatsinghpur at a cost Nayagarh students occupied fourth 353 for True-NAT. about 324 new cases in of Rs 61.42 crore. The foundation position. On the occasion, Sahoo Moreover, antibody tests, also Bhubaneswar Friday, taking city’s stone for the project was laid in said that a student’s bright future known as Serological Tests, were total COVID tally up to 6,720. This October 2016. depends on hard work. done on 5,042 persons to look for the is third time in a row that the The bridge will directly con- School and Mass Education A road near Unit-I market in Bhubaneswar, Friday, sees a heavy rush as people go on shopping spree ahead of Ganesh presence of antibodies, which are city observed cases over 300. nect Jagatsinghpur district head- Minister Samir Ranjan Dash puja and weekend shutdown OP PHOTO specific proteins made in response “As more and more cases are re- quarters with Cuttack Baishmouza praised the students and teach- to infections. ported following a rapid rise in and will reduce the distance from ers for their work during Covid- “While 79,042 tests were done at tests, four more experts are in- Jagatsinghpur to Bhubaneswar. 19 pandemic. government facilities, 25,348 tests ducted into rapid response team The Chief Shelter home head held for sexual abuse were conducted at private centres for contact tracing, especially at Minister said the across the city. The rapid rise in the COVID Control Room at BMC, bridge would help PRESS TRUST OF INDIA the SP said. The man has been ing, education, medical care and COVID-19 tests was possible with which is jointly run by BMC, accelerate the Robbers targeting booked under relevant sections of daily food to over 500 poor chil- opening of Rapid Antigen Test cen- Bhubaneswar Development pace of develop- Bhubaneswar, August 21: A 68- IPC, Protection of Children from dren, the sources said. tres at 16 health-care centres across Authority and Bhubaneswar ment in the women, elderly year-old man of British origin has Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and The organisation also has a train- the city,” said BMC Commissioner Smart City Limited,” district. been arrested on charge of sexually SC/ST (POA) Act, the SP said. As ing centre that prepares volunteers Prem Chandra Chaudhary. Chaudhary added. He laid the nabbed in Cuttack abusing a minor tribal boy, who per the complaint lodged by the to work as social workers in the foundation stone studies in a shelter home run by him boy, the man had sexually assaulted local communities. for 100-bed mother and childcare POST NEWS NETWORK in Jharsuguda district, a senior him when they were returning However, the hostel at the shel- hospital, which will be set up with police official said Friday. from Rayagada last year, sources in ter home has been closed since an investment of Rs 16.28 crore. Cuttack, August 21: A special The accused has been running the the police said. The incident came March this year in view of Covid- Besides, 10 ICU beds will be set up squad of the Commissionerate residential missionary institute at to light during a probe into mis- 19 pandemic, a police official said. at the DHH in Jagatsinghpur at an Police, along with officials of Jharsuguda with more than 500 use of funds being provided by a for- No senior official of the organ- estimated cost of Rs 2.29 crore. Mangalabag police here, Friday ar- children for about 25 years, eign NGO, they said. isation was immediately available Naveen said this facility would rested two notorious inter-district Jharsuguda Superintendent of The man had launched ‘Faith for comment on the incident. play an important role in provid- criminals who were robbing mostly Police (SP) Rahul PR said. Outreach’ along with his wife In a similar incident, a man who ing quality healthcare to moth- women and elderly. The man, who has adopted Indian around 25 years ago to provide ed- ran a child shelter home in ers and children in the district. Balakrushna Pradhan, 28, and citizenship, was arrested Thursday ucation to tribal students. It has a Dhenkanal had been arrested in Along with the ongoing battle A Ajit Rao, 21, both residents under on the basis of a complaint lodged centre which provides home and 2018 following allegations made by against Covid, focus will be given Kodala in Ganjam district, have by the minor boy, a hostel inmate. care for abandoned babies and a the inmates that he physically and on livelihood of the people in the been taken into custody on charges Further investigation is in progress, children’s home that provides cloth- sexually abused them. state, he said. of robbing a woman of Rs 50,000 here August 5, 2020. The incident took place around 11.30am when the victim, Manju Dei of Friends Colony here, was walking back home with Rs 50,000 Ganesh Puja ban dashes Jatni idol makers’ hopes withdrawn from State Bank of India’s SCBMCH branch ATM. POST NEWS NETWORK The grand celebration of “Suddenly, two bike-borne mis- COVID PLAYS SPOILSPORT Ganesh Puja has been a good in- VIOLATORS TO FACE ARREST creants snatched away her wallet THE GRAND CELEBRATION OF Khurda, August 21: The dis- come source for the idol makers containing the cash. Before Dei GANESH PUJA IN JATNI HAS trict administration’s decision here. The idol makers had ex- BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police will intensify could realise anything, the mis- BEEN A GOOD SOURCE OF banning grand Ganesh Puja cel- pected the same earning this year patrolling in City Saturday to check any violation of the order prohibiting community celebration of Ganesh Puja. DCP creants fled towards Ring Road EARNING FOR THE IDOL ebrations this year in Khurda’s as well. But the district adminis- MAKERS Umashankar Dash said that all the puja committees have been through Medical Gada,” said an of- Jatni town has cast a shadow on tration’s order regarding no com- informed about the administration’s decision. The committees also ficial quoting Dei’s police complaint. the hope of clay idol makers. munity puja celebrations this THE IDOL MAKERS HAD assured the cops that the celebrations will remain confined to the “We stumbled upon the duo on Every year as the festive sea- year has watered down their plans. EXPECTED THE SAME EARNING individual houses. Dash also warned that the cops will seize music the basis of the modus operandi THIS YEAR AS WELL son sets in, a kind of festive mood “Hoping for the situation to system and arrest anyone found violating the orders Saturday. of the crime. Rs 45,500 and the fills the air in Jatni town. Starting improve by Ganesh Puja, I had two-wheeler used in execution of BUT THE DISTRICT from educational institutions to made many small idols, some Puja has left us nowhere. I am not of puja celebration at pandals the crime have been recovered ADMINISTRATION’S ORDER clubs and puja committees, all get bigger and some large idols. We sure what to do with the idols and educational institutions is for from them. The duo usually target REGARDING NO COMMUNITY charged with this festive fervour. the idol makers here always long that we have already made,” idol people’s safety. If we get applica- women and elderly who withdraw PUJA CELEBRATIONS THIS Lord Ganesh is worshipped at for this festival as we earn hand- maker Sukant Behera said. tions from poor idol makers for as- cash from banks and ATMs,” the YEAR HAS WATERED DOWN over 200 pandals and the festi- somely during this time of the Khurda Collector Sanat sistance, we’ll take a call after

official pointed out. THEIR PLANS val lasts for 12 days in this town. year. The cancellation of Ganesh Mohanty said, “The cancellation evaluating the realities.”

k y m c P5 SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR state

Baitarani flows above danger

k y m Govt aid eludes many in Mayurbhanj c VARIOUS QUARTERS HAVE SNIFFED SCAM IN COVID SOPS AND SOUGHT INVESTIGATION level; floods loom in Bhadrak

POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK he the district has 6,06,943 ration Bhadrak/Aradi, August 21: Owing card holders in 26 blocks, two Baripada, August 21: The Centre T to incessant rains triggered by a cy- municipalities and two NACs has made a provision of Covid as- clonic circulation over the Bay of sistance for people with ration cards n the last four months, all the Bengal, the Baitarani is flowing to alleviate their suffering during Ibeneficiaries were delivered their above the danger level near lockdowns and shutdowns. However, quota of rations along with Akhuapada in Bhadrak district over 21,000 beneficiaries have not monetery aid while 21,033 Friday. The spate in the river has taken their assistance in beneficiaries have not received their brought fear and apprehension in Mayurbhanj district. monetary aid despite having the minds of the villagers living Each family with a ration card is received their rations close to the banks of the Baitarani. entitled to get Rs 1000 each month. As against the danger mark of Official records say, ration card t was learnt that the district 17.83 metres near Akhuapada, the holders have been provided free Icadministration has returned their river was reportedly seen flowing rations like rice and wheat. During assistance money worth Rs 20.93 at 17.84 metres at 7.00am Friday distribution of rations, the benefi- lakh to the Central government morning. The water level Thursday ciaries are supposed to be given was at 17.56 metres. such monetary benefits. rations in the last four months Rajesh Singh, a youth leader of been able to get 5 kg free rice despite The Baitarani flows through Various quarters have sniffed a while 21,033 beneficiaries have Baripada, asked when all benefi- repeated complaints. Keonjhar district before entering scam in it and demanded a probe not received their monetary aid ciaries were given rations why were Laxmidhar Habda, a former coun- ing came crumbling amid heavy into non-payment of assistance to despite having received their several thousands deprived of their cilor alleged that wealthy people rains in Bhadrak. the beneficiaries. rations. entitled money. are delivered rice, wheat, dal and fi- Gondia-Jajpur link snaps in Dhenkanal Stone packing from a nearly 100 Reports said, in view of the liveli- The district civil supplies de- There are lapses in the public nancial assistance while the poor feet long stretch of Kaiangola bridge hood and normal activities being af- partment has returned their as- distribution system, he added. are deprived of their entitlements. DHENKANAL: A road from of local villagers. approach road on Baitarani River fected by the pandemic, the cen- sistance money worth Rs 20.93 lakh “These beneficiaries are sus- Suspecting it to be a scam, he Tolakalundi under Gandia block Similarly, in another incident, at Bodak area along national high- tral government had provided funds to the Central government. pected to be ghost ones while their said civil supplies officials are in- stretching up to Turanga village rainwater washed away the con- way (NH-20) under Chandbali block four months ago to the families liv- On the other hand, utilization rations worth lakhs of rupees have volved in it. He demanded an in- under Dharmasala block con- crete-barricades of Baidyakateni in Bhadrak district collapsed ing below poverty line. Each bene- certificates of delivered rations been looted. If the district admin- vestigation into it. necting Gandia with Jajpur was bridge under Dhenkanal works Thursday night following inces- ficiary is supposed to get cash ben- and assistance worth Rs 1.89 crore istration carries out an investiga- District civil supplies officer completely inaccessible Friday department at Laulai village of sant rains in the region. efits directly. have not come from 13 blocks and tion, all things will be clear,” Singh Surendra Kumar Padhi said next due to heavy rains in the district Nihalaprasad panchayat in the According to locals, landslides had According to official informa- two NACs. observed. steps will be taken in delivery of over last two days. Traffic move- district. taken place here several times in the tion, the district has 6,06,943 ration Many youth leaders and social ac- A case in point is 70-year old monetary assistance as per the di- ment on this particular stretch Incessant rains have created a past posing a threat to the approach card holders in 26 blocks, two mu- tivists pointed out that if all bene- Banita Mukhi, a resident of ward- rection of the Collector. came to a complete halt. flood-like situation here leaving road. This had led NH authorities nicipalities and two NACs. ficiaries were given rations, why 27 under Baripada municipality. There will be discussions with According to reports, the road it entirely waterlogged. Town to go for stone packing here. It was learnt that all benefi- 21033 beneficiaries were deprived She has been living a miserable BDOs and executive officers about was handed over to Dhenkanal planning area, Gayatri Nagar, The stone packing work entrusted ciaries have been delivered their of monetary assistance. life in a shanty. Sadly, she has not delivery of assistance he added. works department a year back Karigara Sahi, Kanchan Bazaar to a contractor is underway. for carrying out repair work. and Kumbhar Sahi have been Hundreds of vehicles from Aradi, However, the road was not re- badly affected, official sources Jajpur, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar SHORT TAKES paired despite repeated demands informed. pass though this route every day. “The possibility of snapping of Baby elephant Types of patients who can’t the road connectivity cannot be ruled out in future. Repeated land- found dead slides could also deter vehicular movement in the days ahead,” a Sundargarh: The forest local man said. Stone packing work department Friday recovered donate plasma in Ganjam should be carried out properly, vil- the carcass of an elephant calf lagers demanded. from a pond near Khajurbahal POST NEWS NETWORK plasma donor. The tweet says village in Doghara section COVID recovered patients between under Hemagiri forest range in Ganjam, August 21: Ganjam 18 and 60 years, above 55 kilograms Sundargarh district. COVID-19 hospital Friday requested who were earlier diagnosed with The real reason for the death of COVID recovered patients in the COVID-19 and have tested negative the two-month-old male calf is district to volunteer for plasma do- since can donate plasma. Bhadrak district. So rainfall in the merged under floodwater. yet to be ascertained. However, nations so that serious patients Notably, health screening of neighbouring district also affects As Keonjhar district has been officials in the department can benefit from it. That said, the COVID-19 recovered patients in the Bhadrak district residents. issued ‘red warning’ for heavy to suspected that the baby hospital also put out a list of factors Ganjam district started from There has been very heavy down- heavy rainfall by the weathermen, elephant might have got highlighting the patients that are Thursday and it would go on till pour in both the districts in the the farmers in Bhadrak district trapped in the slushy mud in not eligible for plasma donation. August 26. During the screen- last two days. This has resulted in are already worried over the the pond in its bid to drink According to a tweet by the hos- ing, the recovered patients have the river being in spate and hun- prospect of severe crop loss. water. Some locals spotted the pital, if the recovered patient is a been asked to volunteer for dreds of acres of agricultural lands Meanwhile, a report from Aradi carcass and informed forest diabetic and under insulin s/he plasma donation. in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar said that an approach road of officials. They said, the baby cannot donate plasma. and Tihidi areas are already sub- Kaiangola bridge and its stone pack- elephant was part of a 15- Similarly, if the recovered pa- member herd seen near tient’s blood pressure is more than Health screening of recovered patients starts Khajurbahal village for the last 100-140mm Hg (Systolic) and 60- BERHAMPUR: Health screening tweet that the health screening of re- Direct flights to several days. Theere were 90mm Hg (diastolic) with or with- of recovered COVID-19 patients covered patients will help find out three calves in the herd. out medicine; if the patient has started here from Thursday, in- if they have any health issues like Mumbai, Bangalore uncontrolled diabetics or hyper- formed sub-divisional magistrate breathlessness and body pain. Bodies of woman, 2 tension with change in medication in a tweet. During this survey, AYUSH doc- from October 25 in last 28 days, if the patient is a can- His tweet also said that the re- tors, ANMs, Anganwadi and Asha kids found in well cer survivor or if the patient has covered patients were motivated workers will visit the houses of re- chronic kidney, heart, lungs or liver to donate their plasma so that lives covered persons. They will collect Koraput: Police recovered the diseases, then s/he cannot donate of others can be saved. The screen- data if they have any symptom of bodies of a woman and her two plasma. ing will continue till August 26. COVID-19. If anyone of them is children from a well under JHARSUGUDA AIRPORT mysterious circumstances in Likewise, if the recovered pa- About the screening drive, Ganjam found to be symptomatic, they will ward no-13 under Kotpad NAC tient is a woman and has ever been District Collector Vijay Amruta be immediately admitted to COVID POST NEWS NETWORK in Koraput district Friday pregnant she also cannot be a Kulange Wednesday informed in a hospital, it was learnt. morning. According to sources, Jharsuguda, August 21: SpiceJet the woman and her husband will launch direct flight services often fought over family issues. from Jharsuguda to Mumbai and Thursday evening, they again Covid stigma forces wife to light hubby’s pyre Bangalore October 25 onwards. entered into a verbal duel This will benefit people of western following which the woman left MALKANGIRI: The wife of a de- His body was then brought back Odisha who in the past had to first the house taking her 12-year- ceased COVID-19 patient had to to his native place – Mandapali come to Bhubaneswar or Kolkata old son and 3-year-old light the funeral pyre of her hus- village in Malkangiri district. before travelling to either Mumbai daughter with her. The trio did band as she did not receive any co- As he was a COVID-19 infected per- or Bangalore. not return home that night. operation from relatives and lo- son, co-villagers and relatives did not The information about the di- Some villagers spotted the cals. This incident took place at cooperate in cremation of the de- rect flight services to Mumbai and bodies in the well Friday Mandapali village under Mathili ceased. They refused to help the be- Bangalore was given by morning. They immediately block in Malkangiri district. The reaved wife and stayed away from Jharsuguda Airport director, informed Kotpad police who deceased, Krushna Chandra the family. Finding no other way, wife Kishore Kumar Senapati. reached the spot. With the help of fire services personnel and Nayak, breathed his last Thursday Pushpa cremated her husband’s According to Senapati, the flight villagers, they brought out the evening. The incident once more and diabetes. He was admitted to body as per tribal rituals, by wear- service from Jharsuguda to bodies from the well and sent illustrates the ignorance of people a COVID-19 facility in Jeypore ing personal protective equipment Mumbai will be started under them for postmortem. While in dealing with the COVID-19 in- after he developed complications (PPE) kit. The incident just goes to UDAN-RCS scheme. UDAN stands local people were of the fected people. due to the comorbidities. show the stigma which still remains for ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’ and opinion that the woman along The deceased had been working During routine testing Krushna in the minds of people regarding RCS stands for ‘Regional with her two children had as a block education officer (BEO) was found to be COVID-19 posi- coronavirus. In spite of constant Connectivity Scheme’. jumped into the well, police under Lamataput block in Koraput tive. After his condition deterio- awareness programmes on social “The AAI has given permission have launched an investigation. district. Before contracting the rated, a decision was taken to shift media platforms and on the phone, for the flights,” informed Senapati. They have detained the virus, Krushna had other comor- him to Visakhapatnam. However people still want to stay away from Flight services from this city has husband of the deceased for bidities like high blood pressure he died en route to Visakhapatnam. families affected by coronavirus. resumed from June 1 when the interrogation, it was learnt. Unlock 1.0 phase was on. Locals seek tourist hub tag for ‘Hati Minar’

POST NEWS NETWORK develop the site into a children’s that she did not take food for next n A tusker strayed into a park and planted 30,000 saplings 2-3 days,” said Dr Krushna Chandra Keonjhar, August 21: paddy field of Krushna for a herbal garden. Naik. He fulfilled his mother’s wish Notwithstanding a plethora of meas- Chandra Nayak Sept 7, It may be noted that a tusker and built the pillar. People from far ures by the forest department to 2009, but no sooner came wandering into a paddy field and wide visit the memorial, but no protect elephants in Keonjhar, there did it reach the paddy of Nayak September 7, 2009, but no step has been taken to accord it a has been no respite in the deaths of field to feed on the sooner did it reach the paddy field tourism status. animals in the mineral rich dis- ripe paddy, then it of Naik to feed on the ripe paddy Locals demanded that the state gov- raised its trunk to trict. The casualties of the animals after quenching its thirst at the ernment should develop this place touch the sagging high due to poaching, electrocution, road tension power lines nearby river, then it raised its trunk as an elephant memorial. Locals accidents shook the conscience of and fell to the ground to touch the sagging high tension said their area will be developed if Krushna Chandra Nayak, a retired power lines. Within seconds it fell the memorial is developed with var- lecturer. He felt the need for creat- n Nayak’s mother was to the ground. The forest department ious facilities. There are over 100 ing public awareness about the deeply shocked by its had cut off its tusks and buried its elephants in Keonjhar forest division. need for protection and safety of death and asked him carcass there. In the current year, four elephants animals whose population is grad- to do something Nayak’s mother was deeply have died while the animals are re- ually declining. memorable for the shocked by its death and asked him portedly facing a habitat loss. The de-

In January 2019, he built a 35-ft elephant to do something memorable for the struction of elephant habitats has

k y m c tall memorial pillar in memory of elephant. “My mother was too seen rising human-elephant con- an elephant which got electrocuted n In January 2019, he shocked about the elephant dying flicts over the years. on a paddy field at Jali village under built a 35-ft tall on our field. She asked me to build Their corridors were damaged Champua block. The pillar is called memorial pillar in a memorial for the dead elephant on and there is an urgent need for their ‘Hathi Minar.’ memory of the dead our paddy field where it died. She protection, observed environmen- He donated five acres of land to elephant at Jali village was so heartbroken over the death talist Ramesh Chandra Mishra. P6 SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS GDP/ENVIRONMENT If you can always smile at

life, life will always smile

k y m at you. c THE MOTHER BALANCE COSTS, BENEFITS

he Union government Proponents are required to obtain has sought to dilute many fresh EC after this period. The un- provisions of the derlying idea is that the Project Asthana in TEnvironment Impact Proponent has already recovered Assessment Notification (EIA its investment and it suffers no Notification) in order to speed up loss if the project is scrapped. the establishment of factories and There is need for reform of the new avataar mega cities and making of high- EC process. It needs to be fast- ways. As per the plan, the re- tracked. Projects are hit by the wo years after his highly publicized ouster from the Central Bureau quirement of public hearing is to long time taken in the grant of of Investigation (CBI), its former Special Director Rakesh Asthana has be removed for certain projects, the the environment, forest, wildlife, Tbeen named Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). ministry would be empowered to coastal and pollution clearances. Interestingly, he continues to hold additional charge of Director General, Narcotics grant post-facto Environment The government could make a Control Bureau (NCB). Checking narcotics smuggling remains a big concern; Clearance (EC) to projects that unified clearance process which and in the BSF, which patrols the borders, Asthana as DG is back in a posi- are presently operating without EC, looks at all these laws in one go tion where he can play a more active role. and large numbers of projects while, at the same time, strength- Asthana has served in the state government and at the Centre where he such as irrigation and dredging of ening these laws. served twice in the CBI. The 1984-batch IPS officer from the Gujarat cadre rivers are to be exempted from There is need for reform of the EC process. It The other area calling for re- also did a low-profile stint at the Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security. Bharat obtaining an environment clear- needs to be fast-tracked. Projects are hit by the form is the interference from the At the CBI, he was involved in investigating many high-profile cases. Jhunjhunwala ance, etc. courts. The copper plant of Vedanta During his first stint in the agency, he investigated the fodder scam, which The intention of the govern- long time taken in the grant of the environment, has, for example, been closed down resulted in the conviction of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. ment appears to be to help quickly forest, wildlife, coastal and pollution by the courts due to the violation He also achieved signal success in building a water-tight case for the extra- WE MUST establish mega cities and indus- of environmental regulations. clearances. The government could make a dition of escaped liquor baron Vijay Mallya from the UK. He led CBI’s case STRENGTHEN THE tries; and enable the speedier com- This has forced the country to im- in the UK courts. In Gujarat, he served in crucial posts such as Vadodara’s pletion of highway projects. Plans unified clearance process which looks at all port copper, leading to a huge loss. police commissioner under then chief minister Narendra Modi. ENVIRONMENTAL apart, a prompt EC is however There is a need to take a balanced necessary for securing an increase these laws in one go while, at the same time, view on this matter. Murmu rattles IA&AS LAWS AND YET in our GDP. The damage to the strengthening these laws That said, there is need for speedy The appointment of former Lt BABUDOM ENSURE SPEEDY environment pushes back our disposal of cases in the courts. The Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, GC GDP. A large numbers of our High Prime Minister will be well-ad- Murmu as India’s Comptroller and BYTES IMPLEMENTATION Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) have km, against about 1,300 km by efits of the projects must be as- vised to take steps in this direc- Auditor General (CAG) has not Dilip Cherian OF PROJECTS TO migrated from India and taken NW1, because the river meanders sessed dispassionately. At pres- tion. He may meet with the Chief been welcomed by the Indian Audit their money with them. One of like a snake while the rail runs in ent, the environmental regula- Justice of India to fast-track disposal & Accounts Service (IA&AS) offi- SECURE AN their grouses has been that the a straight line. Thus, the cost of tions do not require any assessment of case involving economic activ- cers. It is being seen as yet another instance of the dominance of the IAS cadre air and water in India are pol- transporting one tonne of material whether a project is beneficial for ities. Secondly, the government over other all-India services. Not that it’s been known to make any difference INCREASE IN GDP luted. Thus, establishment of pol- from Haldia to Varanasi is about the GDP or not. Also, the EIA, should increase the strength of to this Sarkar once it has made up its mind! luting industries may increase `1,370 by waterway and `1,080 by which is a precondition for grant judges in National Green Tribunal, Sources say that in becoming CAG, Murmu who is from the 1985-batch Gujarat GDP directly but can lead to an even rail, despite the NW1 having a of an EC, should be made by an in- high courts and the Supreme Court cadre of the IAS, has superseded at least six IA&AS officers. But he is not greater reduction in GDP due to lower per ton per km cost. This proj- dependent agency appointed by by five times so that projects that the first IAS officer to become the nation’s top auditor. Murmu’s immediate fleeing of our money. We are also ect clearly harms the GDP. the government. At present, the are truly beneficial for the GDP predecessor, Rajiv Mehrishi, was from the 1978 IAS cadre, and he too had fol- not able to attract tourists despite More so if we add the loss of project proponent appoints the are decided on speedily. lowed Shashikant Sharma, who belonged to the 1976 batch. Many would also having the Taj Mahal, the dolphins, Hilsa and other fishes, EIA Agency. Needless to say, he Thirdly, the number of work- remember CAG Vinod Rai, a 1972-batch IAS officer. Apparently, the last Himalayas, the Ganga and the deterioration in water quality, etc. who pays the piper calls the tune. ing days of our courts should be IA&AS officer to become CAG was A Baksi whose tenure ended in 1978. beaches of Goa because of poor Yet, the officials of the Inland Thus, EIAs suppress more en- increased. According to one study, Since then, CAGs have been from the tribe of the “heaven-born”; but, environment. Waterways Authority of India are vironmental impacts than they the Supreme Court works for 190 clearly, the IA&AS officers who have lost the race to become CAG are unwilling One of the reasons for the poor pushing the project for obvious disclose. For example, the envi- days a year; the high courts an to accept the IAS “outsiders”. Will the current resentment subside “naturally” state of our environment is that a reasons that are best left unsaid. ronmental assessment of NWI got average of 232 days and lower or will Murmu face rough weather? We’ll have to wait and see. number of projects meant osten- At their behest, moreover, the gov- done by no less an entity than the courts 244 days. They all should be sibly for the increase in GDP are ernment has sought to allow dredg- World Bank has ignored the fact made to work for 280 days. Tell-all tales actually bringing about the op- ing of the rivers, saying environ- that the distance is more through Environment protection and The arrival of “tell-all” books by Viral Acharya and Urjit Patel has whet- posite result. Take for example, mental regulation was a hurdle the waterways. The third area re- GDP go hand-in-hand. The prob- ted the curiosity of many who are looking to find some skeletons tumble out. the National Waterway No 1 (NW1) in the GDP growth. The truth is, quiring attention is that an EC lem lies in the slow working of Both economists did stints at RBI and left in more or less similar cir- being made on the Ganga. The GDP will increase if such ill- should be valid only for a specified the government officials and the cumstances – before the end of their terms. While Patel was RBI governor, cost of transporting one tone of ma- planned projects are stalled. The number of years. Every project Judges. We must strengthen the en- Acharya is a former deputy governor of RBI, who quit six months before his terial over a distance of one km on environmental regulations will has a "commercial life" built into vironmental laws and yet ensure tenure ended in 2019. NW1 is said to be `1.06, against do a yeoman’s service to the GDP its financial assessment. The proj- speedy implementation of proj- According to Acharya, Patel quit because of several attempts to undermine `1.36 by rail. It is said that the by stalling such projects. They ect is supposed to pay back the in- ects to secure an increase in GDP. the autonomy of the bank by the government. It was something that was widely NW1 would lead to a saving of 30 should be strengthened to help vestment in this period. The hydro- discussed in the media at that time. However, Patel had claimed that he had paise per ton per kilometer. But we grow the GDP. power projects in the United States, The writer is a former resigned for “personal reasons”, although it was widely speculated that one forget that the distance from Haldia One specific area that requires for example, are given clearance Professor of Economics at reason he disagreed with the government was on the issue of parting with to Varanasi by rail is about 800 attention is that the costs and ben- for 30 years and the Project IIM Bangalore. the central bank’s reserves. However, he seems to have mended fences now as he has been appointed as chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. Acharya, too, quit after a series of spats with government officials. His book was published close on the heels of Patel’s book which provides a glance into how India's bankruptcy code was weakened by several stakeholders within the broader banking system. Acharya has argued that numerous policies "re- SPECTRUM COVID-19 gressed" the economic climate in the country while he was deputy governor between early January 2017 and mid-July 2019.

Share a babu experience! Follow [email protected] . Let’s multiply the effect Russia’s vaccine and cautious welcome WISDOM CORNER ussia’s announcement of a the world for this vaccine. A ques- vaccine for Covid-19 is rem- tion is whether the vaccine could iniscent of the Space Race make an entry to India. The regu- The most distinguished persons become more revolutionary as they R during the Cold War period, when latory authority here would not grow older. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW Nikunja Bihari Sahu the US and the erstwhile USSR give its nod for mass inoculation of Get out of your head and get into your heart. Think less, feel more. were competing hard to place the the vaccine as the risk of its per- OSHO first satellite in Space and formance over a large population APPREHENSIONS thenRussia surprised the US and including the children and the old When the winds of change blows, some people build walls and the world by launching Sputnik-1 could not be lost sight of. PROVERB OF DANGER ARE others build windmills. Space mission on October 4, 1957. makes use of weakened particles gist and former head of infectious Again, this process is time-con- PRIMARILY DUE TO Now, Russia, the central entity of of the novel coronavirus (the spike diseases at Vector Institute, suming and many people would THE FACT THAT the USSR, is claiming another first. protein) to kick-start the body’s Alexander Chepurnov, has also ex- have died of the pandemic, they WORDSWORTH The vaccine named as Sputnik immune system response against pressed his concern over the safety being deprived of the vaccine at the THE VACCINE HAS V was developed by the Moscow- the invading pathogen. These co- of the vaccine and underlined the time of need. India could wait and based Gamaleya National Research rona virus particles in the vaccine dangers of an increase inthe spread carefully watch the effect of the Terrific BEEN CLEARED BY Center for Epidemiology and cannot harm the body as they can- of novel coronavirus instead of a vaccine over Russian population till REGULATORY Microbiology of the Russian not multiply.However, the an- subsidence of the pandemic. October. In the event of encour- ords often shift in meaning and decay in power through being adopted Healthcare Ministry. This is set nouncement has not been greeted Apprehensions of danger are aging results, we can go ahead with Was mere superlatives. Another example is horrid, which originally APPROVALS OF for mass immunization in Russia with excitement, as skepticism re- primarily due to the fact that the trials on our own population in a meant something so frightful as to make one’s hair stand on end but which THE RUSSIAN in October, after inoculating med- garding the efficacy and safety of vaccine has been cleared by regu- phased manner, keeping in view the — as the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary noted in its gently ical personnel and frontline health the vaccine is still looming large. latory approvals of the Russian highly extraordinary situation cre- chiding way a century ago — was then “especially frequent as a feminine GOVERNMENT workers. The vaccine will be given Significantly,the WHO has ex- government without passing ated due to the pandemic. term of strong aversion”. Terrific started out, around the time of Milton, as in two doses to stimulate and re- pressed concern over the potency through the crucial phase-3 human Caution is advised. We should the adjective related to terror, “causing terror, terrifying; fitted to terrify; WITHOUT PASSING inforce an immune system response and performance of the vaccine trials, wherein thousands of vol- keep in mind the fact that life of dreadful, terrible, frightful”, as the OED comprehensively puts it.However, THROUGH THE against the novel coronavirus. The and urged Russia to release all its unteers are dosed with the vac- even a single individual is pre- even before Dickens’s time, it had begun to be used for anything merely first dose of the vaccinewas ad- records of the vaccine trial for ex- cine candidate to check for its side- cious, and no one should be de- severe or excessive. A writer in 1809 complained that business was terrific CRUCIAL PHASE-3 ministered to Russian President amination by experts. It must be effects and the immune system prived of the blessings of science, when he meant that he was busy. Another in 1855 described applause as HUMAN TRIALS Vladimir Putin’s daughter herself noted, alongside, that top respira- response induced by it. Even the particularly when a solution is terrific when she wanted to say that it was intense and prolonged. Examples to reinforce the claims of safety tory doctor Professor Alexander phase-1 and phase-2 trials of the vac- lurking around the corner, from from later in the century mention a terrific explosion, which was powerful and efficacy. Chuchalin has quit the Russian cine have been completed in a very one or other unexpected quarters. but didn’t evoke terror, while a terrific velocity was merely substantial. T Notably, the preventive mecha- health ministry, citing ‘gross vio- short period of time of two months. nism developed by Russia is an lations’ of medical ethics con- Considering the above short- The writer is education adenovirus or a common cold virus- cerning the development of the comings, it is unlikely that there officer, Regional Science Tetrapyloctomy based viral vaccine. The vaccine vaccine. Russia’s leading virolo- would be too many takers around Centre, Bhopal. etraplyoctomy is the art or skill of splitting a hair four ways. Don’t be a mere Ttwo-way hair-splitter; grasp your pedantry firmly in both hands and split your hair crosswise into four.This word has found a secure if niche existence in Jobs for locals Dongria Kondhs’ plight Narrow village roads the lexicons of academics with a sense of humour since it was invented by Umberto Eco in his novel Foucault’s Pendulum, published in English in 1989. In a Sir, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s an- Sir, One among the Particularly Vulnerable Sir, There was a time when bullock mocking attempt to reform higher education, one character proposes a School nouncement on August 18, reserving govern- Tribal Groups (PVTG) in Odisha is Dongria carts, tractors, cars, and trucks have of Comparative Irrelevance, whose aim would be to turn out scholars capable of etters ment jobs for citizens of Madhya Pradesh may Kondhs. They are fewer in number and are re- passed through the village roads with endlessly increasing the number of unnecessary topics. In it would be a have its merit, but it also will aggravate the in- stricted to the Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada and great ease. In a space of the past 10 Department of Tetrapyloctomy, whose function would be to inculcate a sense of sider versus outsider issue. Also, what of an Kalahandi districts. Horticulture, shifting agri- years, it is very difficult for a bicycle irrelevance in its students. Another department would study useless techniques, TOL THE EDITOR outside woman married to a man from MP, or the culture and Nature's other offerstake care of rider to move along the village road. such as Assyrio-Babylonian philately and Aztec Equitation.The word combines Readers of Orissa POST like, or of children of term-bound private sec- their material requirements. The Dongria Kondhs Village after village, influential peo- tetra, four, with pilus, hair (as in depilatory), and the ending -tomy, a cutting. are most welcome to contribute letters tor and Central government employees who are simple and down-to-earth in their approach ple are occupying the road, storing (200 words), articles and study in the state, and of outside students study- to life. Their earningsare completely from Nature. sand in heaps, chips, crushed stone columns (between 750-1250 words). Contributors are ing in MP? Their contributions to the state’s They strive hard in their own farms to raise and other materials there for future LOL requested to send their economy cannot be ignored. The undercurrent vegetable crops and rare products like alsi, gin- use. Some are extending their home contact numbers and full of political employment and caste considerations ger, turmeric etc, as also fruits including pineap- and walls illegally on to the roads. The

postal address/email ID. They may also will be more pervasive, leading to a substan- ples, mangoes and oranges. Their income is also local administration or road authority

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c LORD RIDING WITH ME The preacher and suggestions, preferably by email, dard work culture. Unemployment is a burning by selling their own farm products and forest prod- is not taking action because those said, "Yes, I had the to: [email protected] problem demanding urgent attention. But when ucts in the local markets. The fear of the virus who such illegal acts have political tory goes that, late one night, a Lord riding with me." The a new law is enacted, it should not aggravate ex- spread has halted all public activities.These fam- clout or bribe the officials. Where is Spreacher was driving on a country farmer said, "Well, you better let him isting problems. ilies need governmental and other support. governance in this country, after all? road and had a wreck. A farmer ride with me, because you're B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, Prof Maguni Charan Behera Santosh Kumar Satapathy, Santosh Kumar Mohanty, stopped and said, "Sir, are you okay?" gonna kill him.” Bhubaneswar-751010 RGU, ITANAGAR PARALAKHE MUNDI CUTTACK NORTHEAST BIHAR P7

SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m In Bihar govt records, 65-year-old Tripura starts neighbourhood classes c

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE gave birth to 8 girls in 14 months Agartala, August 21: The Tripura government has launched ‘neigh- bourhood classes’ in open spaces Superhuman fertility the reason for the same, these with five students in each group women expressed bewilderment, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 rate shown among pointed towards their children, all among school students. women in their 60s leads middle-aged, and stated that it must Education and Law Minister have been decades since they last Ratan Lal Nath said that in accor- to unearthing of went into labour. District Magistrate dance with the Supreme Court major scam Chandrashekhar Singh has taken order and considering the future ac- a strong note of the flagrant ir- ademic effect of students, the ‘neigh- regularities and ordered a high- bourhood classes’ started Thursday PRESS TRUST OF INDIA level inquiry. and it would continue until regular The inquiry committee headed by and normal classes in educational Muzaffarpur, August 21: Additional District Collector Rajesh institutions resume. Superhuman rates of fertility, shown Kumar has found that prima “Students from Class III to XII at- among women in their 60s, all res- and for every so-called It facie the charges of ir- tended the classes in school grounds idents of an administrative block in childbirth `1,400 is unbelievable. regularities are true. or in nearby open spaces. Over Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, has led were transferred Leela Devi, aged 65, “Departmental ac- 27,500 teachers would go to the stu- to the unearthing of a major scam, into her pur- has been shown to have tion will be taken dents’ locality and teach them in officials said Friday. ported account given birth to eight girls in against those found small groups in open space,” Nath Students, adhering to Covid-19 safety norms, attend a class in an open space in Agartala, Friday. PTI PHOTO The bizarre phenomenon, which and shown as 14 months and for every so- guilty after a de- told the media. could have left the world of gyne- withdrawn by called childbirth `1,400 were tailed probe which He said study in open spaces, EDUCATION IN COVID TIMES ment two months back had started cology and obstetrics astir if taken the benefici- transferred into her would be in addi- outside schools, has already started virtual and online classes through at face value, has been reported ary,” he said. in Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, he state cable television networks and other purported account and tion to legal pun- Students n its first day, over one lakh government from Musahari block where records Similar dis- shown as withdrawn by ishment that may Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and T from Class III to students attended modes but around 94,000 students has started O have been apparently fudged by of- bursements be awarded by court Karnataka. XII in groups of five neighbourhood classes in open missed these classes due to nu- the beneficiary these classes ficials concerned to siphon off money have been shown of law in due “On the first day 1,00,258 stu- attend the classes in spaces maintaining social merous reasons including mobile meant for a scheme that seeks to in favor of sexage- UPENDRA CHAUDHARY I HEALTH course,” he said. dents attended the neighbourhood for students, school grounds or network and device related prob- OFFICER distancing incentivise the birth of girl child narian Shanti Devi, classes and it is expected that the who do nearby open The un- spaces lems. The syllabus was reduced by and prevent female infanticide. who, if the records of earthing of the irregularity number would gradually increase not have 30 to 50 per cent for the time being. television sets The matter came to light after National Rural Health Mission here has led to outrage among the people every day. However, the teachers uch classes have already started in Jammu The minister said teachers and or mobile Musahari Primary Health Centre were to be believed, gave birth to five whom the episode reminds of the in- would not force the students to at- and Kashmir, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh officials would take the opinion phones S in-charge Upendra Chaudhary smelt children in nine months. famous fodder scam of the ‘90s, in tend these classes,” Nath said. and Karnataka and suggestions of parents and a rat and lodged an FIR at the local Sonia Devi has, likewise, been which records had shown truck- “Schools and various other ed- guardians of students through IVRS police station recently. shown to have delivered four chil- loads of fodder meant for livestock ucational institutions have remained (Interactive Voice Response System). “It is unbelievable. Leela Devi, dren in five months. transported on scooters, and pay- closed for the past five months ham- resentatives from all political par- mittees steps are being taken to He said for admission in colleges, aged 65, has been shown to have When told about the benefits ments for the same being made to peo- pering education of students. We ties and organisations and on the provide teaching to the students.” 24,395 students so far submitted given birth to eight girls in 14 months purportedly received by them and ple running businesses like tailoring. have formed committees with rep- recommendations of these com- He said the education depart- online applications. This NE district is country’s cancer capital A village claimed by 2 states

In Mizoram, 1 out of every 5 has the risk of developing cancer in the age group of 0-74 years INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE

AGENCIES sophagus, nasopharynx, hy- Agartala, August 21: An official popharynx, stomach, colorectal, inquiry has been ordered after 130 Aizawl, August 21: Mizoram’s In Asia, Aizawl liver, gallbladder, larynx, lung, villagers of Phuldungsei situated Aizawl district has reported the cervix uteri and ovary. along the Tripura-Mizoram bor- highest age-adjusted cancer inci- district has the The highest incidence of tobacco- der were found enrolled in the elec- dence rate among males in the coun- highest incidence related cancers in the country was toral lists of both the states and try for five years from 2012, a study also reported from the northeast. drawing various services and ben- has found. rate of lung cancer East Khasi Hills district of efits, officials said Friday. According to the National Cancer in females and also Meghalaya had the highest pro- An official of North Tripura dis- Registry Programme (NCRP) 2012- portion of tobacco cancer with 70.4 trict said that the names of these 2016 report, Aizawl district has the highest per cent in men and 46.5 per cent in 130 Phuldungsei residents were recorded the highest age-adjusted incident rate of women. recently registered in the incidence rates among males with As for Mizoram, the proportion electoral rolls ahead of Tripura’s 269.4 cancer cases per one lakh pop- stomach cancer in of tobacco related cancer for men Mizoram’s August 27 vil- territories are ulation. males when was 43.3 per cent and 22.1 for women. lage council polls. These being taken away by Aizawl is followed by East Khasi Meanwhile, mission director of people were however a neighbouring state Hills district of Meghalaya and compared with National Health Mission (NHM), enrolled as voters in (Mizoram). It cannot Committee, told Raval H Kumar told IANS that he Kamrup (Metro) in Assam which re- Non-Asian Dr Eric Zomawia attributed the Tripura for many years, be accepted the media Friday would not be able to comment on the ported 227.9 and 213 cancer cases per countries high incidence rate of cancer in he claimed. PRADYOT KISHORE MANIKYA that he had con- matter as he is in home quaran- one lakh population, respectively. Mizoram to use of tobacco, con- Tripura’s Revenue and DEBBARMAN I ROYAL veyed to Chief tine after one of his family mem- With 219.8 cancer cases per one sumption of smoked meats and fer- Fisheries Minister FAMILY SCION Minister bers tested coronavirus positive. lakh population, Papumpare dis- mented foods, and unhealthy Narendra Chandra Debbarma Biplab Kumar Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional trict in Arunachal Pradesh has cer in females and also the highest in Aizawl district alone during the lifestyle. He said that the government told IANS that he had asked Deb to deal firmly with Magistrate Chandni Chandran said recorded the highest incidence rate incident rate of stomach cancer in same period. is making massive efforts to check Revenue and Finance Secretary the matter. the state government ought to take among women, followed by Aizawl males when compared with Non- In Mizoram, 1 out of every 5 per- the high incidence rate of cancer Tanushree Debbarma to inquire “Tripura’s territories are being a decision before she can act on district with 214.1 cancer cases per Asian countries, the study also sons (both males and females) has in the state into the matter and submit a re- taken away by a neighbouring state the matter. one lakh population among females, showed. the risk of developing cancer in Mizoram has one cancer hospi- port at the earliest. (Mizoram). It cannot be accepted,” She wrote a letter to the DM that the report which was released Aizawl district also topped in the age group of 0-74 years. tal in Aizawl’s Zemabawk locality Different tribal parties are al- said Debbarman, who quit the “Phuldungsei village as a whole, de- Tuesday said. colon cancer in the country among In Aizawl district, 1 of every 4 and a day care cancer clinic at ready agitated over the matter and Congress last year and formed a spite its eastern side falling in Mizoram as a whole recorded males and females. males and 1 of every 5 females are Lunglei civil hospital in the south- urged the central and state gov- regional party. Mizoram, had been accepted as part 207 and 172.3 cancer cases of all The report said the total number likely to develop any cancer site in ern part of the state. ernments to resolve it at the earliest. Tripura shares a 109-km border of Tripura territory,” emphasising sites per one lakh population among of people diagnosed with cancer the age group of 0-74 years. According to Zomawia, the gov- Tripura's erstwhile royal fam- with Mizoram and many villages, the urgent need to demarcate the men and women, respectively. in Mizoram during 2012-2016 was The NCRP also said that the NE ernment is making an effort to up- ily’s scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya mostly dominated by tribals, exist exact boundary between Mizoram and In Asia, Aizawl district has the 8,059, including 3,736 females while region has the highest incidence grade Zemabawk cancer hospital to Debbarman, a former President of along its inter-state borders. Tripura and incorporating the whole highest incidence rate of lung can- 4,080 cancer cases were registered rate in cancers of oropharynx, oe- tertiary care cancer centre. Tripura Pradesh Congress North Tripura District Magistrate of Phuldungsei village in Tripura. Bihar BJP leaders advocate Assam bets on free scooters 83 lakh affected in 16 virtual campaign for polls for top girl school students flood-hit Bihar districts AGENCIES The number of sufferers has also risen in Gopalganj district. REUTERS Patna, August 21: The flood sit- Of the 27 deaths, Darbhanga dis- uation in Bihar remained grim trict reported 11, followed by six in Guwahati, August 21: Assam is Friday with an additional 1.13 lakh Muzaffarpur, four in West trying a new tack to keep girls people bearing the brunt in 16 dis- Champaran and two each in Saran, learning - rewarding 22,000 of its top tricts in the past 24 hours, taking Siwan and Khagaria. performers with a free scooter for the total number of affected people Over 5,000 people are staying in passing final school exams. to 82.92 lakh, Disaster Management six relief centres, the bulletin said. The northeastern state hopes its Department bulletin said. The Ganga is flowing 10 cm above giveaway will encourage more Flood-related deaths remained the danger mark at Gandhi Ghat, girls to go to college, with the haz- unchanged at 27, the bulletin said. over 27 cm above the mark at ards of public transport often As many as 82,92,464 people have Hathidah (both in Patna) and more cited as a hindrance to further been affected by the deluge in 1,322 than 34 cm above the mark at education. panchayats of 130 blocks since Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur, a bul- “This will help many girl stu- Thursday. Additional five pan- letin issued by the Water Resources INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE and we have already put this point dents to have hassle-free trans- chayat areas faced flood fury in Department said. before the top BJP leaders. Our portation to their respective col- cording to a report by charity Child Sexual danger may be partly to the past 24 hours while the number The water level of the Ganga is Patna, August 21: BJP leaders in state leaders will elaborate on this leges,” Assam education minister, Rights and You (CRY). blame, with reports of assault in of blocks and districts remained the witnessing a rising trend in Buxar, Bihar have been unanimously idea at this meeting. The three- Himanta Biswa Sarma, said. The number of out-of- crowded buses, gropings in taxis and same at 130 and 16 respectively. Munger, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon pressing for a virtual campaign day meeting will also be held vir- The minister said the school girls across India rapes after dark now routine. Till Thursday, 81,79, 257 people while it has remained steady at for the Assembly elections to be tually,” Ranjan said. free scooters would aged 11-14 fell below The Assam scooter scheme had were impacted by the calamity. Digha and Hathidah. held later this year amid the Covid- “We have limitations in this elec- go to any girl who This will 5 per cent in 2018 a mixed reception after it was un- Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur re- Prominent rivers which are flow- 19 pandemic. tion campaign with arrangements scored over 60 per help many girl compared with veiled Tuesday. mained the two most affected dis- ing above the danger mark at sev- Rajiv Ranjan, vice president of for hand sanitizers and masks but cent in their end- students to have hassle- about 10 per cent In western Nalbari district, tricts where the number of people eral places included the Baghmati, Bihar’s BJP unit, pointed out that adhering to social distancing norms of-school exams, free transportation to their a decade ago, Gitashree Das was ecstatic at the hit by the deluge has increased. Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra and Khiroi. connecting with voters through a is not easy, hence going towards with delivery according to a idea of ending her hour-long com- normal campaign will be extremely the digital path is the only way to of the prizes respective colleges... We survey by edu- mute to college on a shared auto-rick- difficult and dangerous amid the fight against the pandemic and at due by mid- also see it as an attempt to cation non- shaw and cramped bus. pandemic as the voters may hesi- the same time connect with vot- October. empower girls and make profit Pratham. “With the (scooter), I can com- tate to assemble at one place. ers,” he said. “We also see them independent CRY said its mute in about 20 minutes,” “Hence, it would be wise to come Ranjan added that BJP has 75 it as an attempt 2019 survey she said.

up with innovative ideas to con- lakh dedicated workers in Bihar. to empower girls HIMANTA BISWA SARMA I showed that Yet for others, the perils of poor

k y m c nect with the voters through a vir- The chief guest at the national ex- and make them in- ASSAM EDUCATION MINISTER roughly one infrastructure persist. tual campaign,” he said. ecutive committee meeting on Day dependent,” he said. in every “I would request you to give a “Keeping in view the Assembly 1 will be former Maharashtra Chief Long distances and a three girls broadband connection ... being tech- elections later this year, we have Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while lack of safe transport are who drop out of school quit nologically sound is the foremost a national executive committee BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda will among the top reasons that prompt at aged 10, a full six to eight years requirement now,” said Sweety meeting coming up in two days be the chief guest on the last day. girls to miss class and drop out, ac- short of the usual school-leaving age. Basak on Twitter. Parliaments FORMER GOA CM CONTRACTS COVID P8 need to SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR ensure public Former Goa Chief Minister and participation in Congress MLA Ravi Naik Friday parliamentary tested positive for Covid-19, an oversight and improve official said. Naik is the second governance in this former Chief Minister and the fifth y national age of information state legislator to test positive for

OM BIRLA LOK SABHA SPEAKER

k y m | coronavirus c

of the day uote Govt unlikely to STRINGENT MEASURES It is my strong appeal to MLAs, both of the ruling party and INDIA TIGHTENS VISA RULES opposition in Uttar postpone NEET, JEE Pradesh, to rise THE DECISION WAS TAKEN AFTER SOME SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES WERE NOTICED INVOLVING above party politics and effectively raise the issues of CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS LINKED WITH CHINESE THINK TANKS public interest in the House and make the government and INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE The government has shared the cently banned several Chinese apps administration accountable. This list with the Ministry of External amid the military hostilities be- demand is in the wider public New Delhi, August 21: Issuance Affairs (MEA). The government tween the two nations. interest of visa to people associated with has also asked the MEA to put in The two countries are locked in

MAYAWATI | BSP CHIEF Chinese think tanks will be scru- place a process of stringent check more than three-month long stand- tinised by the security establish- before issuing visas to individuals off at multiple points in Eastern ments, the government has decided. associated with China's extensive Ladakh, hitherto unprecedented Corruption The decision was taken after outreach programme. The gov- along the border. China had changed breeds with some suspicious activities were no- ernment had sent a letter in this re- the status quo along the Line of lack of ticed involving certain individu- tries of strategic interest. gard to the MEA last month. Actual Control at various places, transparency. Lift als linked with Chinese think tanks. These think tanks could be used The letter stated: "In order to moving inside the Indian territories. iron curtain The security and intelligence agen- to identify and recruit people for es- closely monitor the activities in India has objected to it and is tak- @MamataOfficial cies have been asked to do back- pionage, said a senior officer with India, visas sponsored by Entities ing up the matter with China at all for facts to spill out ground check of people who get an intelligence agency. Many or- of Concern shall require prior se- levels. JAGDEEP DHANKAR | sponsorships from various Chinese ganisations across the globe, backed curity clearance. MEA may there- The troop disengagement hap- WEST BENGAL GOVERNOR INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE have requested for a change in the think tanks and advocacy groups be- by China, sponsor visas for policy fore appropriately sensitise mis- pened only at Patrolling Point-14 centre cities allotted to them, which fore the issuances of their visas. makers, think tanks, political par- sions abroad regarding in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh, New Delhi, Aug 21: Government is being looked into sympatheti- Indian intelligence agencies have ties, upcoming leaders, corporates, requirements of prior security the site of the June 15 clash, and After years of sources have claimed that there cally," said government sources. alerted the government that China academics and research entities, clearance granting visa." Patrolling Point-15 in Hot Springs. struggle by has been a rise of almost 50 per The admit cards for the NEET has set up various think tanks as part among others. The security clearance should June 15, as many as 20 Indian sol- Muslim cent in NEET centres this year as (UG), scheduled to be held of its extensive outreach programme. The agencies have prepared an be given only after thorough scrutiny diers and an unknown number of women, a law was compared to last year, and indi- September 13, are scheduled to be These have been set up with an ob- elaborate list of groups and indi- of suspected people or entities. The Chinese troops were killed in a vi- framed to ban the cated that enough arrangements are released shortly. Out of the total of jective to influence people in coun- viduals who are under scanner. development comes after India re- olent clash in the Galwan Valley. triple talaq in the in place to hold the competitive 15,97,433 candidates, 99.87 per cent country under the examinations, which many peo- are being given the first choice of leadership of Prime Minister ple want to be postponed, includ- their preferred city. Hooch tragedy: Narendra Modi, but few vile people ing BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Further, in order to facilitate BIRD LOVER are still playing with it Subramanian Swamy. the candidates in the wake of the BJP seeks CBI probe SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN | MP CM In what appears to be the Covid-19 pandemic, the NTA had Centre's decision to go ahead with provided the JEE (Main) candi- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE NEET (National Eligibility cum dates with an option to change SHORT TAKES Entrance Test) and JEE (Joint their centre cities five times, and Chandigarh, August 21: Accusing Entrance Examination), sources as many as 63,931 candidates have the Congress government in in the government cited the availed the same. Similar option was Punjab of shielding the illicit Six rescued Supreme Court order which said, also given to the NEET (UG) can- liquor mafia, BJP leaders and ac- Mumbai: Six persons were "We find that there is absolutely didates, and about 95,000 of them tivists Friday staged a protest de- rescued after a fire broke out no justification in the prayer have availed it. manding a CBI probe into the at a seven-storey commercial made for the postponement of As per the government sources, death of over 100 people in the re- building in south Mumbai the examinations in question re- elaborate arrangements have cent hooch tragedy. Friday afternoon, officials lating to NEET UG-2020 as well as been made to sanitise the cen- The police detained around 200 said. Smoke filled up `Raj JEE (Main), 2020. In our opin- tres before and after the exams, protesting BJP activists, led by Gour' building outside Masjid ion, though there is a pandemic provide the candidates with fresh state President Ashwani Sharma, Bunder Station (east) as the situation, ultimately life has to go masks and (on demand) hand who were demanding a probe by fire started around 2 pm, said on and the career of the students gloves based on the comprehen- the Central Bureau of Investigation a Fire Brigade official. At cannot be put in peril for long sive guidelines issued in view of (CBI) into the deaths and the 'flour- least five fire engines and a full academic year cannot the Covid-19 pandemic. ishing' illicit liquor mafia under reached the spot and the be wasted." Earlier on Friday, BJP MP the patronage of Chief Minister flames were doused within "Accordingly, the admit cards Subramanian Swamy had sought Amarinder Singh. They were forty-five minutes, he said. for the JEE (Main) were released Prime Minister Narendra Modi's marching towards the Chief by the National Testing Agency intervention to direct the Minister's official residence here (NTA) and the exam is sched- Education Ministry to postpone to stage a protest. Four arrested uled from September 1-6. Till NEET and JEE till Diwali, and "We are protesting against the date, out of 8,58,273 candidates, even warned of suicides by youth government and staging state-level Bangalore: Four people have 6,49,223 have downloaded their if the tests were not deferred. In blockades for nearly a fortnight been arrested in admit cards. his "urgent letter" to Modi, Swamy so that the government wakes up Chamarajanagar district for "Out of the total candidates, from its slumber," Sharma said. allegedly possessing a huge said: "Holding the exams, in my cache of prohibited wildlife 99.07 per cent have been given the opinion, may lead to a large num- A police official said that they had items including pelts, bones first choice (centre) of their pref- ber of suicides by youths around warned the protesters to vacate and claws. Acting on tip-off erence. So far, only 120 candidates the country." the protest site. A man feeds pigeons during the biweekly lockdown in Kolkata, Friday PTI PHOTO that some people were trying to sell wildlife products, forest officials carried out an 107-year-old operation Thursday night and arrested four of them, the Doc’s death: Yedi orders probe WOMAN SEEKS DIVORCE woman beats Covid department said in a statement Friday. All of them PRESS TRUST OF INDIA conducting only 25 or 26 (COVID) PRESS TRUST OF INDIA in their twenties are from tests (a day), then I will teach you FROM ‘PERFECT’ HUSBAND villages in Hanuru taluk in Bangalore, August 21: Karnataka a lesson. You were supposed to do INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE make a mistake, he always forgives Jalna, August 21: A 107-year-old Chamarajanagar, the officials Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa 150 tests a day," the officer is heard me for that. I wanted to argue woman and her 78-year-old daugh- said. Friday ordered an inquiry into the shouting at Dr Nagendra. Sambhal (UP), August 21: In a with him. I do not need a life ter have recovered from Covid-19 suicide of a government doctor The situation in Nanjangud was bizarre incident, a Muslim woman where the husband agrees to any- here in Maharashtra, overcom- who was handling COVID-19 cases tense following protests over his has sought divorce from her hus- thing." The Sharia court cleric, ex- ing the odds of high mortality Cop dies of Covid in a taluk, allegedly due to severe death. Representing the medical band on the grounds that he does pectedly rejected her plea for di- rate among elderly people, an of- work pressure. fraternity on coronavirus duty in not fight with her. vorce. When the Sharia court ficial said Friday. Kolkata: An Assistant He also announced an ex-gratia Mysuru, another government doc- The woman has approached a refused to grant her divorce, the The woman-daughter duo Commissioner of Police died of Rs 50 lakh for the family of tor Dr Ravindra poured the woes of Sharia court for divorce just 18 woman took up the matter with along with three other family of Covid-19 infection at a city Nanjangud Taluk (Mysuru district) medical professionals to the state months after her marriage. The the local panchayat which also members were discharged from hospital Friday, sources said. Uday Shankar Bandopadhyay, Health Officer, S R Nagendra. "Dr Yediyurappa expressed Medical Education Minister Dr K woman claimed that her hus- expressed its inability to decide a COVID-19 hospital in Jalna an ACP in Kolkata police's S R Nagendra has said he was com- his sorrow over Sudhakar, who is in charge of coro- band's love was 'suffocating' her. the issue. Meanwhile, the woman's city Thursday. The centenarian, central division, was mitting suicide as he was frustrated navirus management in Karnataka. "He does not shout at me and nei- husband said he loved his wife and her daughter, 65-year-old son admitted to a private hospital due to the harassment by his su- Dr Nagendra taking "Look at the attendance regis- ther has he upset me on any issue. always wanted to keep her happy. and two grandchildren, aged 27 in the city a few weeks ago periors. I will order a detailed in- his own life at his ter. Ever since the outbreak of coro- He even cooks for me and also He also requested the Sharia court and 17, were undergoing treat- with respiratory problems. As quiry into the matter to find out the navirus, Nagendra has not taken any helps me in performing house- to return the case. The court has ment for coronavirus for more his condition deteriorated, truth behind the incident," the residence at Alanahalli leave. He was staying alone for six hold chores," she told the court. now asked the couple to resolve than a week at the hospital, dis- Bandopadhyay had to Chief Minister said. in Mysore district months because he was afraid that She further said, "Whenever I the matter mutually. trict civil surgeon Archana undergo a Covid test and was Yediyurappa expressed his sor- his family may get the coronavirus," Bhosale said. detected positive for the row over Dr Nagendra taking his Thursday morning a teary eyed Dr Ravindra told Dr Residents of Mali Pura in old virus. He was immediately own life at his residence at Sudhakar. Pakistan resorts to firing, shelling Jalna, the family was admitted shifted to a private Covid Alanahalli in Mysore district be given to the next of the kin will The Karnataka State Medical to the hospital August 11 after hospital here. Thursday morning."Generally be given expeditiously. Meanwhile, Doctors Association has threat- Jammu: The Pakistan army Friday resorted to heavy firing and mortar they tested positive for the in- Rs 30 lakh is given to the doctors who an audio conversation purportedly ened to go on a statewide strike if shelling in forward areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch fection, she said. die in line of duty but considering between Nagendra and a senior those responsible for Dr Nagendra's district violating the ceasefire, officials said."At about 18:30 hours today, The centenarian had recently Man found dead this as a special case, Rs 50 lakh will district level officer who is heard tak- death are not suspended. "We will Pak army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms undergone a spine surgery and be given (to his family) and I have ing him to task for not conducting go on statewide strike from Monday and resorting to intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote when she tested positive for the Bulandshahr: A 65-year-old also decided to give a government enough tests, went viral. if those responsible for Dr sector," a defence spokesperson said. The Indian Army retaliated virus, her old age posed a major watchman was found dead at job to anyone of the family." "How many swabs have to be Nagendra's death are not sus- befittingly to the ceasefire violation by Pakistan, he added. A 65-year-old challenge in her recovery, Bhosale his employer's house in a Later, the Chief Minister said taken and how many are you ex- pended. Barring emergency cases, man was killed as the Pakistan army resorted to mortar shelling in Poonch said. suspected case of murder in district. One jawan too was killed in the Pak firing in Rajouri sector along the inquiry will be completed in tracting? Is it a joke? Have you come no cases will be taken up from Post-recovery, the family mem- a village in Uttar Pradesh's the LoC in another ceasefire violation this month. July 11, two women were Bulandshahr district Friday, seven days. He also said that be- here to play? You are playing with Monday," Dr Gulur Srinivas, pres- killed in the shelling by the Pakistani army on forward posts and villages bers were given a warm farewell police said. The exact cause sides Rs 50 lakh, whatever is due to the patients. For a week if you are ident, KSMDA said. along the Line of Control (LoC) in different sectors in Poonch district. by the hospital staff. of death is not yet known as police has sent the body for a post-mortem. MATTER OF LIVELIHOOD Ban on flowers from other states pricks Kerala florists

MP minister INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE homes or offices. flower markets in Tamil Nadu is ing flowers in the state capital. tests positive Vijayan directed that people at Thovala, located about 20 km A leading florists said that there Thiruvananthapuram, August should use flowers available in from the Kerala border. The econ- has been no supply of flowers Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh 21: Florists and small-time flower their neighbourhoods and not omy of the Tamil Nadu town is from outside the state for four Public Works Department sellers in Kerala are crying foul rely on those from neighbouring heavily dependent on flower sales months, adding that they were Minister Gopal Bhargava over Chief Minister Pinarayi states. "There are about 6,000 during the Onam season in Kerala. looking forward to the Onam Friday said he has tested Vijayan's directive to all to see florists in the state. It is a matter "What are we supposed to do? sales. "For the past four months, COVID-19 positive. He shared that flowers from neighbouring of our livelihood, especially dur- We know only this business of I was disposing my flowers and

y the information on his Twitter handle. "I got antigen test (for states are not used for Onam cel- ing Onam. We are now told that flowers, which we have been into flower petals by burying them in

ebrations. there is a new directive. We wish for three decades. Covid-19 has a pit. If we do not tend to plants

k y m COVID-19) done along with my c family and close staff, in The harvest festival spread to ask 'if flowers are a problem, hit us really bad. For more than by plucking flowers and pruning which I tested positive as per over 10 days will begin Saturday is Kerala not relying on other three months, we remained in- the plants, these tend to be de- the initial report. I am getting and end September 2. During states for fruits and vegetables?' doors. Onam is one festival we stroyed. We are now looking for admitted to a hospital on the the festivities, flowers are much This is not acceptable," a group of were all waiting for. This is not fair, markets within the state. We do advice of doctors," Bhargav sought after to make floral car- florists griped. this ban order should not be im- not know what will happen," said said in a tweet Friday. pets for decoration, be it at Incidentally, one of the biggest plemented," said a woman sell- another florist. RAY OF HOPE P9 At present, we are SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR facing the challenges posed by The Central Tibetan the pandemic. I hope and pray Administration (CTA) that Lord Ganesha bless us all has claimed that SORIG to overcome this at the immune boosters are earliest possible and we all proving to be highly y national live a happy and healthy life effective in the fight

against Covid-19

k y m RAM NATH KOVIND | PRESIDENT c

of the day uote RISKY TRIP WILL PURGE HATEFUL D J Halli riots are a Law and Order issue. The incident should POSTS BY PUBLIC have been investigated and the guilty should have been punished FIGURES IN INDIA: FB H D KUMARASWAMY | JD(S) LEADER

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE What sort of elections New Delhi, August 21: Facing would be held intense political heat in India over under these its alleged role in favouring the circumstances? Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Every polling station its platform, social networking will turn out to be a giant Facebook Friday clarified coronavirus infection centre after its position, saying it has removed elections, and it is difficult to and will continue to remove con- predict the extent to which the tent posted by public figures in disease might spread India which violate its commu- YASHWANT SINHA | FORMER UNION MINISTER nity standards. Ajit Mohan, Vice President and Eighty nine per Managing Director, Facebook India, NOT BIASED? said in a statement that Facebook cent of COVID-19 Recently, a Wall Street Journal has always been an open, trans- deaths in the report alleged that Facebook’s state have been due parent and non-partisan platform content policies favoured the to comorbidities like where people can express them- ruling party in India diabetes, cancer, selves freely. hypertension and “Over the last few days, we have cardiac disease been accused of bias in the way Since then, the ruling BJP and

MAMATA BANERJEE | WB CHIEF MINISTER Passengers without masks on a rickshaw pass through a waterlogged area due to high tide in Ganga river in Kolkata, Friday PTI PHOTO we enforce our policies. We take the opposition Congress have been allegations of bias incredibly se- trading barbs over social media riously, and want to make it clear giant’s alleged bias SHORT TAKES Mukherjee remains that we denounce hate and big- otry in any form,” Mohan said. filiations and backgrounds, they hemodynamically CBI to check CCTV of SSR’s He was referring to the contro- perform their respective duties 14 hospitalised versy generated after a Wall Street and interpret our policies in a fair stable, says hosp Journal (WSJ) report claimed that and non-partisan way. The deci- after gas leak Facebook's content regulation poli- sions around content escalations cies favoured the BJP. are not made unilaterally by just Chittoor: Fourteen people building for ‘tampering’ were hospitalised in Andhra The WSJ report sparked a wide- one person; rather, they are in- Pradesh following an AGENCIES aries seized from his Bandra flat spread debate in India, raising se- clusive of views from different ammonia gas leak from a and Lonavala farmhouse, mobile rious questions over Facebook's teams and disciplines within the dairy unit, Reuters partner Mumbai, August 21: The CBI phone and laptop. content regulation practices. company," he elaborated. ANI reported early Friday. Friday formally launched their The CBI team also collected pho- The report claimed that Amid the debate, BJP's IT cell The gas leak has been probe into the death of Sushant tographs of the crime scene, au- Facebook India's Public Policy chief Amit Malviya has claimed contained at the dairy, Singh Rajput. Within the first few topsy report and the statement of Head Ankhi Das had told staff that Mohan worked with the according to the ANI report. hours the federal team collected 56 people recorded in last two members that punishing viola- Planning Commission during the The latest incident comes the late actor's diary, laptop and months from the laptop of the tions by BJP politicians would UPA era. According to Mohan, three months after a deadly mobile phone among other crucial Mumbai Police, the source said. damage the company's business there is no place for hate speech on gas leak near the port city documents, and sources said they The CBI team also recorded the prospects. Facebook but they need to do more. of Visakhapatnam, at a have now set off to collect the close statement of Sushant's cook Neeraj Mohan said the policies at "We know this work is never over, plant operated by a unit of circuit television camera (CCTV) and his former servant Dipesh Facebook are "ever-evolving to which is why we will continue to South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA footage from the Bandra flat where Sawant earlier in the day. The source take into account the local sensi- invest in our efforts to combat killed 12 and led to the Sushant was found dead. if the CCTV was working on the day said that the agency is also ques- tivities, especially in a multicultural hate speech on our services. hospitalisation of hundreds. New Delhi, August 21: There The central agency will examine of the actor’s death or if it was tioning Sushant's flatmate Samuel society such as India". We welcome the opportunity to was no change in the condition if the camera recording was “tam- switched off by someone inten- Miranda. Meanwhile, The "An example is the inclusion of engage with all parties -- political of former president Pranab pered” with on the day of the 34-year- tionally. The source further dis- Enforcement Directorate (ED) caste as a protected characteristic or otherwise -- who want to un- 3 of family killed as Mukherjee and he remains he- old actor’s death (June 14) or if closed that the agency will also Friday questioned and recorded in our global hate speech policy in derstand our content policies and modynamically stable and on there were any “technical glitches”. communicate with the company the statement of Priyanka Singh, 2018," Mohan said. The Facebook enforcement more," he said, adding house collapses ventilatory support, the hospital Top CBI sources said that the agency which installed the CCTV cam- elder sister of Sushant Singh Rajput, India chief said that the employ- that Facebook's commitment to Dehradun/Pithoragarh: A said Friday. will collect the CCTV footage and eras and the company which car- in connection with a money laun- ees represent a varied political India and its people is unwavering. man and his two children Doctors attending to him said examine all the people who arrived ried out the maintenance of the dering case probe linked to the spectrum who have either served "Facebook India should appoint were buried alive when his vital parameters are being there before his death. CCTV cameras. Earlier Friday, actor's death, officials said. The in many administrations or have a new team so that the investiga- their house collapsed maintained. According to the doc- The CBI team will also collect the CBI team met the Mumbai statement of Priyanka Singh was political experience and take im- tion is not influenced," said following rains in tors, a patient is hemodynami- the CCTV’s DVR and send it for Police officials and collected all recorded under the Prevention of mense pride in being active con- Congress leader K.C. Venugopal in Pithoragarh district early cally stable when the blood cir- forensic examination. The source the documents pertaining to the Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in tributors to public service. "Despite a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Friday, while the body of a culation parameters - blood said that the agency will examine death of Sushant and also his di- Delhi, they said. hailing from diverse political af- Zuckerberg. woman was found in a pressure, heart and pulse rate, village four days after she are stable went missing in the wake of The ex-President and normal. a landslide. Intermittent developed a lung Mukherjee rains also lashed various infection this was admit- Is India nearing its parts of the state blocking No offices, shops in Haryana on weekends ted to the several roads, including week after he Army's those leading to the was operated for During the past couple of weeks, Haryana has registered a big spike in cases Research Himalayan temples. The a clot in the brain roads leading to Badrinath, and Referral peak of nCoV cases? PRESS TRUST OF INDIA August 10; he Kedarnath and Yamunotri Hospital in got blocked at several also tested Delhi AGENCIES rate more than 50 per cent, it said. Chandigarh, August 21: Haryana points with rocks and COVID positive Cantonment From 52.8 per cent June 17, the re- Home and Health minister Anil Vij boulders tumbling down the August 10 New Delhi, August 21: India's covery rate improved to 63.24 pc Friday said all offices and shops, hills following rains. and was operated for removal of COVID-19 recovery rate soared past on July 16 and further to 74.30 pc except those providing essential a clot in the brain. He had also 74 per cent Friday with a record as on date. So what about India services, will remain closed on tested positive for COVID-19. 62,282 patients having recuperated hitting the peak of the Covid-19 every Saturday and Sunday in the Thereafter, he developed a lung in- and discharged in a day taking the infection? Has it already happened? wake of increase in COVID-19 Heavy rain alert fection and is being treated for total recoveries to 21.5 lakh, the Or are we close to it? The SBI re- cases in the state. for Mumbai the same. Union Health Ministry said. port, released August 17, said that His health parameters are being The COVID-19 case fatality rate India has reported 10 lakh cases (or PANDEMIC CHAOS Mumbai: The India closely monitored by a team of has dropped further to 1.89 per cent 58,000 daily cases on an average) Meteorological Department specialists at the hospital. as on date. With more patients re- from July 30 to August 15. “All offices and shops except es- (IMD) has issued an ‘ "The medical condition of covering and being discharged “Still it’s a major question as to sential will remain closed in there has been a sudden increase Haryana has registered a big spike orange' alert for Mumbai, Shri Pranab Mukherjee remains from hospitals and home isolation, when will India reach its peak? Haryana on every Saturday and in cases,” Vij said. The shops and in cases. The infection tally has Thane and rest of the Konkan region of Maharashtra for the same. He is being treated the total recoveries have surged to Based on the select countries peak Sunday due to #COVID-19,” Vij offices in the state, except those crossed 51,000-mark with around Saturday, forecasting heavy for lung infection and continues 21,58,946 and exceeds active cases data and recovery rate we believe said in a tweet. He later told PTI dealing with essential services, 600 fatalities. The state had rainfall. The orange alert to be on ventilatory support. of coronavirus infection by 14,66,918 that India can technically reach that the decision was taken as will remain closed on Saturday Thursday registered its highest implies that authorities His vital parameters are being as on date. India's COVID-19 re- its peak when its recovery rate will cases during past few days have reg- and Sunday till further orders in single-day spike of 996 coron- should be ready to handle maintained and he is haemo- covery rate has risen to 74.30 per cent cross 75% mark, the average bench- istered a sudden increase. this regard, the minister said. avirus cases, just a day after it situations arising out of dynamically stable," the hospi- which is further bolstered by 33 mark across countries,” the SBI “We have taken this decision as During the past couple of weeks, recorded 994 infections. severe weather. tal said in a statement. states and UTs reporting recovery Ecowrap said. SHIFTING ALLIANCE SC allows Prayushan prayers Pak Army to use Chinese navigation system BeiDou in 3 Jain temples in Mumbai PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ent and it will become uncon- THE CHINESE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS AIMED AT REPLACING AND ENDING THE DEPENDENCE ON US-BASED GPS trollable and we understand the New Delhi, August 21: The situation for that but in this case INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE a monitoring station at its Space decades. China began to develop Supreme Court Friday allowed the situation is different," said and Upper Atmosphere Research the system in the 1990s and the first devotees of 'Shwetamber Jain' com- the bench, also comprising New Delhi, August 21: Pakistan Commission (SUPARCO) for satellite was launched in 2000 kick munity to offer Paryushan prayers Justices A S Bopanna and V is all set to use Chinese homegrown monitoring and assessing the starting the journey. for two days in three temples in Ramasubramanian. It said navigation system BeiDou for both BeiDou Global Navigation As Pakistan is buying Chinese Mumbai on the condition of "strict no permission for prayers would military and civil purpose, ending Satellite System (GNSS). defence equipment, it would be compliance" with the standard op- be given for any other temple in their dependence on the US-based The system was completed shifting to and be fully integrated erating procedures meant to con- Mumbai. Global Positioning System (GPS), August 3. "China announced the into BeiDou. Gradually, Pakistan tain the COVID-19 pandemic. The apex court, in a hearing sources in Indian security estab- completion of its navigation sys- Armed Forces will completely Making exception for the three conducted through video confer- lishments stated. tem project August 3," said a switch to the BeiDou navigation Jain temples located at Dadar encing, granted "reprieve" on the It is part of Pakistan and China's source adding that China is now system for all its critical military West, Byculla and Chembur in plea of 'Shri Parshwatilak defence and strategic cooperation. looking at expanding the network platforms, source said. Mumbai, a bench headed by Chief Shwetamber Murtipujak Jain Trust' y Sources said that China wants to end first in the Asia region. Pakistan is on a defence equip- Justice S A Bobde said however which has challenged the Bombay

the US-based GPS hegemony and An agreement on the coopera- ment buying spree from China to that the permission for ''Ganpati'' High Court order.

k y m c push for its own developed navi- A model of the BeiDou navigation satellites system is seen at an exhibition to tion in the field of satellite navi- deploy it along the Line of Control festival will have to be taken on a The top court considered the un- gation system first in the Asian re- mark China’s Space Day April 24, 2019 in Changsha, Hunan province, China gation between CSNO and SU- in Jammu and Kashmir region. case-to-case basis from the dertaking of the Jain trust that it gion. Chinese Satellite Navigation PARCO was signed in May 2013. Be it armour, air defence, ar- Maharashtra Disaster will abide by the Centre's guide- Office (CSNO) has agreed to es- Station (CORS) network in Pakistan. ularly in the field of surveying and The final launch of the system was tillery, UAVs, ships, submarines Management Authority. lines and the SOP in allowing devo- tablish BeiDou enabled It will help Pakistan in getting pre- mapping, construction and scien- done on June 23 after finally ending or fighter aircraft, Pakistan is "Upcoming Ganpati festival in tees inside the temples for two days Continuously Operating Radar cise geo-spatial application partic- tific studies. China has established a project that went on for two buying it all from China. Maharashtra is altogether differ- of the rituals. We are THOUSANDS EVACUATED AS P10 committed to SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR cooperating with the US CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES DOUBLE IN SIZE Federal Trade Dozens of lightning-sparked Commission’s inquiry California wildfires grew rapidly and answering the Thursday, forcing tens of questions the agency thousands of people to international may have evacuate homes in the San

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k y m | c of the day uote Putin critic Navalny ‘too ill to move’ We vote to Biden accepts nomination, vows to end ‘dark era’ honour those who came before us and to AGENCIES protect those who Biden’s Mumbai connection will come after us – Wilmington, Del., August 21: Joe because that’s what Biden accepted the Democratic Washington: When Joe Biden was elected as one of the youngest US community is all about and that’s Party nomination for the White senators in 1972, one of the first letters that he received was from specifically what this election is all House Thursday, vowing to heal a Mumbai, with the sender having the same last name as his. About five about United States battered by a deadly years ago, the Democratic Party's presidential nominee learned that pandemic and divided by four years INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE MEGHAN MARKLE | WIFE OF PRINCE HARRY there are five Bidens living in Mumbai, but is probably yet to make a of Donald Trump’s presidency. connection with them. The 'Biden from Mumbai', then known as Bombay, “The current President has had congratulated Biden on his election as the senator from Delaware Moscow, August 21: Russian doc- cloaked America in darkness for and told him that they were related to each other. Biden, then 29, wanted tors said Friday that Alexei Joe Biden is to follow up on the letter and get in touch with the ‘Biden from Mumbai’. your worst much too long. Too much anger. Navalny, a leading opposition fig- However, his family and active life in politics meant that this wish nightmare. He Too much fear. Too much division,” ure and a staunch critic of remained a wish, something he still wants to fulfil nearly five decades spent the last half Biden said. “Here and now, I give you President Vladimir Putin, remains later. The wish may have remained unfulfilled, but the 77-year-old Biden century in my word: if you entrust me with the too ill to be transferred to Germany never misses a chance to narrate the ‘Biden from Mumbai’ story when he Washington selling presidency, I’ll draw on the best of for treatment after a suspected meets Indian-Americans and the Indian leaders. The former Vice out our country and us, not the worst.” Biden’s speech poisoning. President assures them that he too has an India connection, however, ripping off our jobs and letting - the capstone of nearly five decades Navalny has been in a coma distant it might be. other countries steal our jobs in politics - was delivered inside a since Thursday after he fell ill

DONALD TRUMP | US PRESIDENT largely empty arena in his home- Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden hugs his during a flight from Tomsk to town of Wilmington, Delaware, at wife Jill Biden after his speech during the fourth day of the Democratic National 73 ex-Republicans endorse Biden Moscow and his plane made an the conclusion of a Democratic Convention, Thursday PTI PHOTO emergency landing in Omsk, The US push convention held virtually because Washington: Seventy-three former Republican national security officials Siberia, the BBC reported. to reimpose of the coronavirus pandemic that President. To represent all of us, not the nomination of Senator Kamala have endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, adding they After he was admitted to the UN sanctions has killed more than 170,000 just our base or our party. This is Harris, the first Black woman and will vote for him in the November 3 election. Shortly before the former Omsk Emergency Hospital, the on Iran will have Americans. not a partisan moment. This must Asian American on a major-party Vice President formally accepted the party's presidential nomination 44-year-old's spokeswoman Kira dangerous Describing the current moment be an American moment. It’s a mo- ticket. While Democrats laid out Thursday night, the former officials issued a letter, saying they “are Yarmysh tweeted that “Alexei has consequences... Iran as one of the most difficult times ment that calls for hope, and light, plenty of areas in which Biden firmly convinced that it is in the best interest of our nation that Vice toxic poisoning”. has exercised the country has ever faced, Biden and love.” would pursue dramatically differ- President Joe Biden be elected as the next President of the US, and we But Anatoly Kalinichenko, restraint in good faith… Now it is offered himself as a uniter who Democrats used the convention ent policies than Trump, includ- will vote for him”, Xinhua news agency reported. The former officials said deputy chief physician at the hos- the international community's turn would work “just as hard” for those to highlight the broad coalition ing immigration, climate change that “are profoundly concerned about our nation’s security and standing pital, told reporters that no poisons to counter the unlawful push by the who do not support him - drawing working to oust Trump, showcasing and gun safety, much of Thursday in the world under the leadership of Donald Trump”. “Through his actions were found in Navalny’s system, United States a stark contrast with the Republican liberals and moderates, elder states- was devoted to themes such as in- and his rhetoric, Trump has demonstrated that he lacks the character and thus doctors do not think he was competence to lead this nation and has engaged in corrupt behaviour MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF | Trump, who has kept the focus on men and rising stars - and even tegrity and faith. poisoned, TASS News Agency re- that renders him unfit to serve as President,” they added. IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER his base of voters. “While I’ll be a some high-profile Republicans, who The program also emphasised ported.“No poisons or traces of Democratic candidate, I’ll be an urged their fellow conservatives to Biden’s personal experience with poison have been found in his sys- American president,” said Biden, place patriotism above party. tragedy - his first wife’s and infant cancer - to underscore his ability to whose instincts are more combat- tem. I suppose the diagnosis ‘poi- SHORT TAKES who faces Trump in the November The event also put the Democrats’ daughter’s deaths in a car accident, empathize with suffering ive than comforting, of failing to soning’ is still at the back of our 3 election. “That’s the job of a diversity on display, particularly and the death of his son Beau from Americans. Critics accuse Trump, offer solace at a time of crisis. minds.” Israel strikes Hamas sites Beijing to soon go FIRE-FIGHTING Jerusalem: Israel launched NAMASTE GOES GLOBAL airstrikes on Hamas sites in mask-free as nCoV Gaza in retaliation after two rockets fired from the cases hit new lows Palestinian enclave fell near an Israeli security fence, the REUTERS military said Friday. An Israeli military spokesperson said in Beijing, August 21: Health au- a statement that warplanes thorities in China’s capital struck “a concrete Beijing have removed a re- manufacturing site used for quirement for people to wear underground infrastructure masks outdoors, further relax- and tunnel construction" that ing rules aimed at preventing belongs to the Islamic Hamas the spread the novel coronavirus movement, reports Xinhua news agency. There were no after the city reported 13 con- immediate reports of secutive days without new cases. casualties on both sides. Despite the relaxed guidelines, a large proportion of people con- tinued to wear masks in Beijing US Fort Hood AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Friday. With hand hygiene Some said the mask made them soldier missing Bormes-les-Mimosas (France), feel safe, while others said social In this photo released by Donghai Rescue Bureau, a rescue vessel tries to put out fire emerging from an oil tanker after August 21: The novel coronavirus emerging as the most pressures to wear the masks were it collided with a cargo ship near the Yangtze River estuary off Shanghai, Thursday. More than a dozen sailors were Fort Hood (US): The US Army doesn’t spare anyone and it seems also a factor. missing Friday PTI PHOTO is asking for the public's help most global leaders are aware of crucial preventive “I think I can take off my mask in a search for another this. Mindful of this indiscriminate measure against the anytime, but I’ll need to see if oth- missing soldier in Texas. Fort nature of coronavirus, French ers accept it. Because I’m afraid that Hood officials issued a President Emmanuel Macron and spread of coronavirus, people would be scared if they missing soldier alert German Chancellor Angela Merkel see me not wearing mask,” one Thursday night for Sgt. Elder Prime Minister PNG demands China explain were seen greeting each other with 24-year old Beijing woman sur- Fernandes, 23. Police in Narendra Modi had nearby Killeen said a ‘namaste’. named Cao told Reuters. Fernandes was reported As French President Emmanuel promoted the namaste It’s the second time Beijing’s missing Wednesday and was Macron received German health authorities have relaxed vaccine trial on Aussie miners last seen or heard from Chancellor Angela Merkel at his guidelines on mask wearing in Monday afternoon when his Mediterranean holiday retreat fort to stop the spread of the coro- the capital, which has largely re- ASSOCIATED PRESS these vaccination trials entering staff sergeant dropped Thursday, the traditional hand- navirus, global leaders avoided turned to normal after two rounds COVID-19 the country,” Manning added. Fernandes off at his home in shake was replaced with an Indian- handshakes and instead used na- of lockdowns brought it to a stand- Canberra (Australia), August The vaccine was administered to Killee. style namaste. maste to greet others. still. 21: Papua New Guinea prevented the 48 Chinese in China three days Emmanuel Macron welcomed With hand hygiene emerging Beijing’s municipal Centers for the arrival of a flight carrying before they landed in Port Moresby Angela Merkel for her first-ever as the most crucial preventive Disease Control first said resi- Chinese workers after a Chinese August 13, Health Minister Jelta UK government visit to the presidential summer measure against the spread of dents could go without masks in mining company claimed to have Wong said. “Details of the vaccine residence in with a namaste, palms coronavirus, Prime Minister outdoor areas in late April, though immunised employees against used ... are still not known,” Wong debt hits $2.6tn pressed together and bending at the Narendra Modi had promoted the the rules were swiftly reversed in COVID-19 in an apparent vaccina- said in an email to the AP late waist, in observance of social-dis- namaste. The PM said the world June after a new outbreak in a tion trial, authorities said Friday. Friday. Manning said the National London: The UK government debt has increased above 2 tancing guidelines against coro- was increasingly adopting the no- large wholesale market in the The Pacific nation’s pandemic Department of Health had not ap- trillion pounds ($2.6 trillion) navirus spread. The German contact way of greeting. city’s south. response controller, David proved any trials. for the first time amid heavy Chancellor reciprocated as she Earlier, videos of US President China has reported no new lo- Manning, banned COVID-19 vac- just to ensure that we continue to “Any vaccines imported into spending to support the too switched to namaste. Donald Trump, Prince Charles cally transmitted cases on the cine testing or trials after Ramu act in the best interests of our peo- PNG must be approved by NDoH economy amid the Emmanuel Macron had also opting for the Indian namaste at mainland for five days after suc- NiCo Management (MCC) Ltd. ple and our country,” Manning told and must go through vigorous vac- coronavirus pandemic, the gone for namaste as he greeted global forums had gone viral on so- cessfully controlling flare ups in claimed to have vaccinated 48 reporters in the capital, Port cine trials, protocols and proce- Office for National Statistics Spain's king and queen in March. cial media. Before him, Israeli the capital, Xinjiang and else- Chinese employees. Moresby. dures" and must be pre-qualified by (ONS) revealed Friday. The video of Emmanuel Macron Prime Minister Benjamin where. Manning also said he had sent “Until the Chinese government the World Health Organisation, he Spending on measures such and Angela Merkel going the Indian Netanyahu had urged his coun- Experts say the key to the back a flight carrying 180 Chinese through the Chinese Embassy in said. Wong said no applications for as the furlough scheme way has gone viral on social media. trymen to use the namaste instead country's success in control- workers on Thursday as a precau- Port Moresby provides that infor- such a trial had been received by his means the debt figure now This is, however, not the first of handshake or other physical ling the disease has been the tion. “In light of the lack of in- mation, I will be best guided by our government. equals the value of time that a global leader has used contact in form of greeting people strict enforcement of local formation of what these trials are health and medical experts here as A document on company letter- everything the UK produces the namaste greeting. The Indian- to prevent the virus’ spread. He had rules, including wearing and what possible risks or threat that to what would be the appropriate head titled “Vaccination Statement” in a year, the BBC reported. style greeting had gone global after also demonstrated the namaste masks, mandatory home quar- it might cause our people if they steps to take when considering look- said 48 Chinese employees “have Total debt hit 2.004 trillion the coronavirus outbreak. In an ef- gesture for people. antine and participating in were to come into the country, I ing at applications of Chinese na- been vaccinated with SARS-COV- pounds in July, 227.6 billion mass testing. had canceled that flight yesterday tionals that have been subjected to 2 vaccine” August 10. pounds more than last year, said the ONS.

Quake hits Pandemic could push 100mn into extreme poverty: World Bank Indonesia AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE amount of debt held by poor coun- The World Bank provide a safety net for their citizens, tinues to rise. Jakatra: A 6.9-magnitude tries at risk, going beyond the com- will not be in a better position to deal Malpass said the deterioration quake struck eastern Washington, August 21: The coro- mitment to suspend debt payments, has committed with the payments. is due to a combination of the de- Indonesia on Friday, the US navirus pandemic may have driven Malpass said in an interview with to deploying The amount of debt reduction struction of jobs during the pan- Geological Survey reported, as many as 100 million people back this news agency. needed will depend on the situa- demic as well as supply issues that but there was no tsunami into extreme poverty, World Bank Even so, more countries will be $160 billion in tion in each country, he said, but the make access to food more difficult. warning issued and no president David Malpass has obliged to restructure their debt. funding to 100 policy “makes a lot of sense.” “All of this contributes to push- immediate reports of warned. “The debt vulnerabilities are “So I think the awareness of this ing people back into extreme poverty casualties or major damage. The Washington-based develop- high, and the imperative of getting countries will be gradually, more and more ap- the longer the economic crisis per- In Kupang city, far south of ment lender previously estimated light at the end of the tunnel so parent” especially “for the coun- sists.” the quake's epicentre in the through June that 60 million people would fall that new investors can come in is tries with the highest vulnerability Newly-installed World Bank Chief Banda Sea, frightened into extreme poverty due to COVID- substantial,” Malpass said. 2021 in an effort residents ran outside as to the debt situation.” Economist Carmen Reinhart called

19, but the new estimate puts the de- Advanced economies in the Group The World Bank has commit- the economic crisis a “pandemic

k y m buildings and streetlights to addresses c swayed. The undersea tremor terioration at 70 to 100 million, and of 20 already have committed to the immediate ted to deploying $160 billion in depression,” but Malpass was less struck at a depth of more he said “that number could go suspending debt payments from funding to 100 countries through concerned with terminology. than 600 kilometres about higher” if the pandemic worsens or the poorest nations through the emergency June 2021 in an effort to addresses “We can start calling it a de- 220 kilometres south of drags on. end of the year, and there is grow- the immediate emergency, but pression. Our focus is on how do we Katabu on the island of The situation makes it “impera- ing support for extending that mora- But Malpass said that will not downturn means those countries, even so, extreme poverty, defined help countries be resilient in work- Sulawesi, the USGS said. tive” that creditors reduce the torium into next year. be enough, since the economic which already are struggling to as earning less than $1.90 a day, con- ing out on the other side.” P11 The UK is ‘CONSUMER SENTIMENT SUBDUES’ still seeing a SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR India's consumer confidence has dipped in V-shape bounce in August, 2020 by 1.6 percentage points, according activity. But...a hot to the monthly Refinitiv-Ipsos Primary Consumer summer can quickly Sentiment Index (PCSI). The monthly PCSI, which turn to a cold autumn is driven by the aggregation of the four weighted ELIZABETH MARTINS | SENIOR sub-indices, has shown a drop for at least 3 of the business ECONOMIST, HSBC

4 indices in August, a statement from Ipsos said

k y m c of the day uote FPIs invest $4 bn ‘Conclusion of US-India ‘Covid to leave PSBs with in Indian equities With linkage of Aadhaar PRESS TRUST OF INDIA with GST and trade talks to be PAN, there would be a centralised data capital shortages again’ New Delhi, August 21: After base available with pulling out massive funds in March phase-1 of bilateral deal’ the government INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE quarter, foreign investors pumped which will facilitate data analytics in nearly $4 billion in Indian eq- and help in checking tax evasion New Delhi, August 21: A sharp uities in the three months ended AGENCIES slowdown in India’s economic June on attractive valuations, lift- PRATIK JAIN | PARTNER & LEADER growth induced by the coronavirus ing of lockdown curbs and the New Delhi, August 21: Indian (INDIRECT TAX), PWC INDIA outbreak will hurt the public sec- government's efforts to kickstart Ambassador to the US Taranjit tor banks' (PSBs) asset quality and economic activity, says a Singh Sandhu has made a strong profitability, Moody’s Investors Morningstar report. case for conclusion of the ongo- With gas Service said in a report Friday. Besides, foreign portfolio in- ing trade negotiations which would demand Consequently, the PSBs’ already vestors' (FPIs) assets in Indian eq- become the first phase of a com- (growing at) weak capital buffers will be de- uities too surged after a sharp fall prehensive bilateral trade agree- CAGR (of) 8%, gas is pleted, said Moody’s Investors in the previous quarter. The value ment between the two nations. expected to account Service report on the Indian pub- of their investments in Indian Bilateral trade between India for around 10% of lic sector banks titled "Coronavirus stocks climbed significantly dur- and the US, which touched $150 India’s primary fallout will leave banks with capi- ing the quarter ended June 2020. billion last year, has dropped 25% energy supply by 2025 Our bilateral trade tal shortages again". According to the report, the 4 per cent in fiscal 2020," the re- This was largely on the back in the first half of this year, he has not been ES RANGANATHAN | DIRECTOR "We estimate PSBs will need INR the Indian economy is port said. of robust net FPI inflows, coupled said at webinar organised by in- immune to COVID-19 (MARKETING), GAIL 1.9 trillion-INR 2.1 trillion ($25 bil- "With a capital infusion of this with a strong recovery in the coun- dustry body Ficci Thursday. as total trade between the lion-$28 billion) in external capi- expected to contract magnitude, banks would also be try's equity markets. Sandhu observed that India's bi- two countries has reduced tal over the next two years to restore sharply in fiscal year able to maintain capitalisation at lateral trade has been growing at their loss absorbing buffers," the re- levels comparable to those of sim- the rate of 10% on a y-o-y basis, by nearly 25% in the first half COVID-19 has port said. ending March 2021 ilarly rated peers globally, with reaching $150 billion in 2019. of 2020 as compared to 2019 rippled a "The most likely source of cap- before returning to Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ra- "Our bilateral trade has not been TARANJIT SINGH SANDHU I INDIAN weakening ital to plug the capital shortfalls tios of at least 10 per cent." immune to COVID-19 as total trade AMBASSADOR TO THE US economy not only in will be government support, de- growth, though As per the report, to maintain fi- between the two countries has re- India but all over the spite the completion of a large re- nancial stability the government will duced by nearly 25% in the first half sues to boost economic ties. world. This, coupled modestly, in fiscal 2021 with already capitalisation by the government continue to provide capital sup- of 2020 as compared to 2019," he said. India is demanding exemption prevailing BS-VI changeover norms, several months ago." port for PSBs. The US is today India’s biggest from high duties imposed by the affected the automobile industry Accordingly, the report predicts "Uncertainty surrounding India's trading partner, but the real po- US on some steel and aluminium too hampering significantly its that PSBs' asset quality will dete- and credit costs will increase in economic recovery as well as the on- tential of the trade relationship is products, resumption of export ben- growth in the last quarter riorate, led by retail and small busi- the next two years, hurting PSBs' going cleanup of balance sheets yet to be reached, he added. efits to certain domestic items under ness loans."We expect the Indian already weak profitability and de- are making it difficult for most As of the quarter ended June, The Indian Ambassador to the US the Generalized System of RAMESH SURI | CHAIRMAN, SUBROS LTD economy will contract sharply in pleting their capitalisation." PSBs to raise equity capital from the value of FPI investments in said the "first step in realising this Preferences (GSP), and greater mar- fiscal year ending March 2021 (fis- According to the report, the PSBs markets. This means PSBs will con- Indian equities stood at around potential is to conclude the ongoing ket access for its products from sec- cal 2020) before returning to growth, will face large capital shortfalls tinue to need support from the gov- $344 billion, which is consider- trade negotiations which would be- tors such as agriculture, automobile, though modestly, in fiscal 2021. As again as credit costs rise. ernment to plug their capital short- ably higher than the $281 billion come the phase 1 of a comprehen- automobile components and engi- SHORT TAKES a result, formation of new non- "Under our base scenario, we es- falls, and we expect the government registered in the preceding quar- sive bilateral trade agreement." neering. performing loans (NPLs) will ac- timate PSBs in the aggregate will to infuse fresh funds into them as ter, a spike of almost 23%. Such an agreement would re- On the other hand, the US wants Yes Bank to celerate substantially, driven by need external capital of about INR it has done in the past," it said. "During the quarter ended June, flect the full potential of bilateral greater market access for its farm the retail and micro, small and 1.9 trillion-2 trillion in the next two "If PSBs, which dominate the FPIs were net buyers in the Indian and commercial relations, in- and manufacturing products, dairy exit MF biz medium enterprises (MSME) seg- years. Of the total amount, PSBs will banking system in India, fail to equity markets to the tune of $3.91 creasing bilateral investments and items and medical devices, apart ments," said the report. need about INR 1 trillion to build function properly in the absence billion, which was in sharp con- job creation in both the countries, from cut in import duties on some New Delhi: Yes Bank Friday "Although one-time loan re- loan-loss provisions to about 70 per of state capital support, the coun- trast to the net outflow of $6.38 he emphasised. information and communication said it will exit mutual fund (MF) business by selling its structuring allowed by the Reserve cent of NPLs, which will leave them try will face a deepening credit billion recorded in the previous India and the US are negotiating technology products. The US has also holdings in asset Bank of India (RBI) will prevent a with enough capacity to grow loans crunch, hampering its economic quarter," according to the a limited trade deal with a view to raised concerns over high trade management and trustee sudden increase in NPLs, NPLs 8-10 per cent annually, faster than recovery." Morningstar report. iron out differences on trade is- deficit with India. subsidiaries. The bank August 21, 2020 executed a definitive agreement for the IT dept refunds sale of 100% of the equity BIZ BUZZ shareholding of Yes Asset HONDA AIMS TO `88,652 cr issued Management (India) Ltd and Central Bank holds e-seminar SBILD shifted to Pahala Yes Trustee Ltd, both wholly- to 24.64L taxpayers owned subsidiaries of Yes Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar: To Bank to GPL Finance and FOCUS ON EXPORTS provide better training Central Bank of Investments Ltd (purchaser), India, the first environment for the AGENCIES it said in a regulatory filing. POST NEWS NETWORK Swadeshi Bank of internal employees the country SBILD, Bhubaneswar New Delhi, August 21: The Bhubaneswar, August 21: Atsushi organised e- Circle shifted its Income Tax department Friday Ogata took over as President, MD Rajabhasha Learning Centre from said it has issued refunds worth KVIC sends Lewis Road to Pahala. State Bank Institute of Learning and CEO of Honda Motorcycle & seminar under Rs 88,652 crore to over 24 lakh & Development (SBILD) Bhubaneswar was inaugurated legal notice Scooter India (HMSI). He is also the aegis of taxpayers so far this fiscal. This Nagar by SBI Chief General Manager (CGM) Ruma Dey in the New Delhi: Khadi and Village an Operating Executive at Honda include personal income tax (PIT) Rajabhasha presence of General Manager NW-I CLN Charyulu, Industries Commission Motor Co, Japan. Ogata landed in refunds amounting to Rs 28,180 Implementation General Manager NW II Bejoy Kuzur, Dy. General (KVIC) has issued legal India July 10 and had his first dig- crore issued to over 23.05 lakh Committee (Bank), Bhubaneswar under the Manager & CDO Satyajit Das at Pahala, Bhubaneswar notices to two firms: Khadi ital media interaction. While in- taxpayers and corporate tax re- chairmanship of Assistant General Manager Ranjit August 20, following all the COVID-19 guidelines. CGM Essentials and Khadi Global teracting Ogata was quiet opti- funds amounting to Rs 60,472 Kumar Mohanty at the Regional Office, Bhubaneswar. has reiterated on full utilisation of new SBILD in for “unauthorisedly” and mistic about Indian Market. Nirmal Kumar Dubey, Ministry of Home Affairs imparting knowledge and improving skills of crore to over 1.58 lakh taxpayers “fraudulently” using the According to Ogata, COVID 19 Department, Official Language, Regional employees. In this new set up, 104 participants can be during this period. brand name Khadi. In the pandemic is a global disaster in Implementation office (East Zone), Kolkata were present trained simultaneously with hostel facility for 66 notices served to the two one way but has brought with it new as esteemed guests. The programme was successfully employees. There are adding on facilities like Delhi-based firms in the first conference rooms and auditorium on the premises. The opportunities as well. Starting from ATSUSHI OGATA completed with the support of Alok Chaturvedi, Member week of August, KVIC has Director of SBILD Nibedita Mohapatra acknowledged maintaining safety and hygiene, President, MD and CEO, Honda Secretary, Official Language Implementation Committee asked them to immediately and thanked all the dignitaries’ presence. HMSI has come forward for own mo- Motorcycle (Bank), Bhubaneswar and all member banks. stop selling or promoting bility which will give boost to sale products using the brand of vehicles and HMSI is ready to price hike and its impact on 2- name Khadi and cancel the grab this opportunity. wheeler business, he told that this domain names Responding to a question about may bring a short-term impact but khadiessentials.com and AITUC flays airport privatisation, demands rollback khadiglobalstore.com. cutting down the ongo- in the long run things ing expansion of man- FIGHTING will be normal as per- New Delhi: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) ufacturing set up, Ogata sonal mobility is and Friday condemned privatisation of airports and asked refused and assured that COVID will remain priority. the government to withdraw the move. "AITUC condemns SBI to raise all pre-COVID plans are Assured consumer the Central Government's fetish for privatisation and sale `8,931 crore active and will continue to do so; satisfaction, safety and especially of all their assets to their cronies and warns that this abiding by all the COVID-19 guide- safety during COVID is the prior- step is against the interests of the ordinary commuters, "CBDT has, so far, issued re- New Delhi: The country’s lines. He has stressed that HMSI will ity for HMSI and many digital and and urges the Central Government to withdraw its latest funds of over Rs 88,652 crore to largest lender SBI Friday thrust on ‘export’. contactless facilities has been roped proposal," it said in a statement. The government had last more than 24.64 lakh taxpayers said its board has approved Catering to price sensitive Indian in by the company for customers year decided to privatise six airports under the public from 1st April, 2020 onwards. a proposal to raise Rs 8,931 rural market, HMSI is in the process to see, chose and book the vehi- private partnership (PPP) model. The Adani Group had won Income tax refunds of Rs 28,180 crore by issuing Basel III of rolling out new models, though cles. the bids for the six airports -- Lucknow, Ahmedabad, crore have been issued in 23,05,726 compliant bonds to he did not mention any specific With his unparalleled 35 years of Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. cases & corporate tax refunds of investors. The committee of timeline. However, he assured that rich experience at Honda across The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal Rs 60,472 crore have been issued directors for capital raising at its meeting held today it’s neither very soon nor far away. Europe and APAC, Ogata now as- for leasing out Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram in 1,58,280 cases," the Income Tax accorded its approval to Responding to a question on fuel sumes duty in India. airports through the PPP mode. department tweeted. allot 89,310 Basel III The Central Board of Direct compliant non-convertible, Taxes (CBDT) is the apex deci- taxable, redeemable, sion-making body in direct tax subordinated, unsecured, matters, administers personal in- fully paid-up debt ‘Smaller cities driving recovery across country’ come tax and corporate tax. instruments aggregating to The government has empha- Rs 8,931 crore to bond INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE tion solutions provider and Visa sised on providing tax related subscribers August 21, 2020, DIGITAL PAYMENTS and with support of these global services to taxpayers without any SBI said in a regulatory New Delhi, August 21: Tier-2 and partners, the company will introduce hassles during COVID-19 pan- filing. tier-3 cities and towns have been or overall digital transactions, east a technology that will enable "true demic and to that end has been in the forefront of the recovery in Fand north India are leading the democratisation of payments and clearing up pending tax refunds. digital payments and transactions recovery with digital payments at 75% accelerate the contactless revolution P-notes investment amid the pandemic, according to and 70% of pre-COVID levels in India, resulting in huge socioe- Manish Patel, Founder & CEO, respectively conomic benefits". continues to soar Mswipe. On the recent launch of its prod- Kharif sowing rises 9% mall merchants are also taking to New Delhi: Investments He is of the view that the speedy uct 'Bank Box', he said that the pay- contactless tap and pay through participatory notes adoption of digital payments, es- S ment solution will "revolutionise" New Delhi: Total area under cov- transactions with adoption levels (P-notes) in the domestic pecially QR payments, is on the the digital payment landscape for erage so far during this kharif more than doubling from 5% of capital market soared to Rs back of the increased preference for MSMEs by ushering in the era of (summer sown) season has risen transactions to 11% 63,288 crore till July-end, contactless transactions due to so- zero rental and zero MDRAA 9% to 1,062.93 lakh hectares on making it the fourth cial distancing norms. (Merchant Discount Rate) for POS better monsoon, the agriculture raditionally SMEs prefer accepting consecutive monthly rise. P- "For overall digital transactions, (point of sale) and payment gateway ministry said Friday. As on August cash over cards since there are notes are issued by T east and north India are leading costs associated with ownership and card payments for small businesses. 21, total kharif crops have been registered foreign portfolio the recovery with digital payments transactions on POS terminals Traditionally SMEs prefer ac- sown on 1,062.93 lakh hectare area,

investors (FPIs) to overseas at 75% and 70% of pre-COVID lev- cepting cash over cards since there against 979.15 lakh hectare area

k y m c investors who wish to be part els respectively, while south and are costs associated with owner- during the corresponding period of the Indian stock market west India are at 55% and 54% re- The Mswipe CEO said the com- els."Small merchants are also tak- the small merchant category," he ship and transactions on POS ter- of last year. without registering spectively. Tier 2, 3, 4 locations are pany has noted an increase in QR ing to contactless tap and pay trans- told IANS. minals, Patel said. He noted that "There is no impact of COVID-19 themselves directly. They, driving the recovery across the adoption, with transactions beating actions with adoption levels more He said that recently Mswipe through Bank Box the company is on progress of area coverage under however, need to go through country and closer to exceeding pre-COVID levels. QR payments than doubling from 5% of trans- partnered with MyPinPad, a UK- helping MSMEs and merchants kharif crops as on date," an offi- a due diligence process. pre-COVID levels," Patel said. have recovered fully to pre-Covid lev- actions to 11% of transactions in based secure personal authentica- eliminate the cost of ownership. cial statement said. P12 SATURDAY | AUGUST 22 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR sports

y Balcony turned into Sakshi, Mirabai denied Arjuna award

k k y y m m c c he Sports RAJIV Ministry Friday Tdecided against GANDHI interaction medium bestowing the Arjuna KHEL award on former Khel Ratna winners Sakshi RATNA Malik and Mirabai Chanu, pruning the list AWARD ROHIT SHARMA MANIKA BATRA RANI RAMPAL VINESH PHOGAT T MARIYAPPAN to 27, including ace Odia DRONACHARYA AWARD: (Hockey), Deepika (Hockey), Deepak (Kabaddi), Kale Sarika sprinter Dutee Chand, (LIFETIME CATEGORY): Dharmendra Tiwary (Archery), Purushotham Sudhakar (Kho Kho), Dattu Baban Bhokanal (Rowing), Manu Bhaker but accepted an un- Rai (Athletics), Shiv Singh (Boxing), Romesh Pathania (Hockey), (Shooting), Saurabh Chaudhary (Shooting), Madhurika Suhas Patkar precedented five recom- Krishan Kumar Hooda (Kabaddi), Vijay Bhalchandra Munishwar (Table Tennis), Divij Sharan (Tennis), Shiva Keshavan (Winter mendations for the coun- (Para Powerlifting), Naresh Kumar (Tennis) & Om Parkash Dahiya Sports), Divya Kakran (Wrestling), Rahul Aware (Wrestling), Suyash try’s highest sporting (Wrestling); (REGULAR CATEGORY): Jude Felix Sebastian (Hockey), Narayan Jadhav (Para Swimming), Sandeep (Para Athletics) & honour this year. Yogesh Malviya (Mallakhamb), Jaspal Rana (Shooting), Kuldeep Manish Narwal (Para Shooting); While Sakshi won the Kumar Handoo (Wushu), Gaurav Khanna (Para Badminton) DHYAN CHAND AWARD: Khel Ratna in 2016 for her bronze in Rio, ARJUNA AWARD: Kuldip Singh Bhullar (Athletics), Jincy Philips (Athletics), Pradeep Mirabai was bestowed Dutee Chand (Athletics), Atanu Das (Archery), Satwik Sairaj Shrikrishna Gandhe (Badminton), Trupti Murgunde (Badminton), N with the prestigious ho- Rankireddy (Badminton), Chirag Chandrasekhar Shetty Usha (Boxing), Lakha Singh (Boxing), Sukhvinder Singh Sandhu (Football), Ajit Singh (Hockey), Manpreet Singh (Kabaddi), J Ranjith nour in 2018, after her (Badminton), Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (Basketball), Subedar Manish Kumar (Para Athletics), Satyaprakash Tiwari (Para Badminton), exploits at the World Kaushik (Boxing), Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing), Ishant Sharma (Cricket), Deepti Sharma (Cricket), Sawant Ajay Anant (Equestrian), Manjeet Singh (Rowing), Late Shri Sachin Nag (Swimming), Nandan P Championships the pre- Bal (Tennis) & Netarpal Hooda (Wrestling). Rajasthan Royals team members arrive in Dubai, Thursday vious year. Sandesh Jhingan (Football), Aditi Ashok (Golf), Akashdeep Singh

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA As per the BCCI SOP, testing will but I can be out with the player in INDIAN CHALLENGE ENDS IN Bhagat hopes to meet be done on day one, three and six the following room,” a team source Dubai, August 21: Restricted to and after that teams can start train- told this agency. PRAGUE POST DOUBLES LOSS their rooms for six days, players ing for the league, beginning KXIP players can talk to their Sachin post Para Games who have landed in the UAE for September 19. immediate neighbour while using the IPL, spent their opening day Since no one is allowed to step the balcony but the heat in Dubai PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Diez and Blaz Rola. talking to each other through out of the room in the six-day would ensure they do it in daytime. Sumit Nagal, who lost to World INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ‘balconies’ besides following a isolation period, players made Royals pacer Jaydev Unadkat Prague, August 21: The Indian No.17 and three-time Grand fitness plan handed out by the full use of their dedicated bal- also posted a video on social media, challenge came to an end at the Slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka New Delhi, August 21: The on- teams’ trainers. conies to speak to each other but covering his first morning in Dubai. ATP Challenger Prague Open with in the singles, also lost his going COVID-19 pandemic has Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI following all social distancing Going by the video, he has an air the defeat of all three players com- doubles match to bow out of the turned a nightmare for many, but Punjab players arrived in Dubai guidelines. cycle in his room to keep him in peting in the doubles event. tournament. Nagal and Ilya for Indian para-shuttler Pramod Thursday evening while Kolkata The Royals have demarcated the shape and he used the outdoor area Top seeded Divij Sharan and Ivashka lost 2-6, 4-6 to Pierre- Bhagat, it has turned out to be a Knight Riders landed in Abu Dhabi outdoor area which a player cannot for his Yoga session. Robin Haase lost their quarterfinal Hugues Herbert and Arthur ‘blessing in disguise’. The five-time in the night. use if his next door teammate too Chennai Super Kings, Royal 3-6, 6-7(8-10) to Jiri Lehecka and Rinderknech. World Champion has now started While Royals’ squad completed is outside. Challengers and Mumbai Indians Tomas MacHac Thursday. It was the first competitive tour- court training after four months gap its day one testing as per BCCI’s “The players can use the out- left for UAE Friday. Delhi N Sriram Balaji and his part- nament for these three Indian play- at the Railway Indoor Stadium in Standard Operating Procedure door area alternately. For exam- Capitals and Sunrisers ner Kimmer Coppejans were ers since the game was halted by Bhubaneswar. (SOP) at the airport itself, KXIP ple, I can’t be in the balcony when Hyderabad players will leave also defeated in straight sets, the COVID-19 pandemic in March Bhagat, a World No.1 and the I’m fitter than ever before and, went for a repeat test Friday. the player next door too is outside India over the weekend. going down 4-6, 3-6 to Steven this year. reigning World Champion in SL3 sin- have gained strength in my left gles and doubles category, has been (disabled) leg and strengthened confined to his home in the state cap- my core. I am able to move the leg ital for more than four months now. more comfortably, which is a great But he has no complaints. Instead satisfaction. Mentally I feel very con- 3rd Test: Crawley propels England to 184/4 at tea he has used the downtime to at- fident about my movements now.” tain better fitness and mental The 32-year-old said the post- strength and is now raring to go all ponement of the Games had ASSOCIATED PRESS ery from paceman Naseem Shah England lead 1-0 and are look- out for his dream of a Paralympic brought ‘disappointment’. (1/45) that seamed away, with ing to clinch a first series victory medal at the Tokyo Games. For now, his dream is to win a par- Southampton, August 21: Zak wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan over Pakistan in 10 years, as well “I have made the most of this alympic medal in Tokyo next year Crawley (97 batting, 165b, 11x4) was taking a flying catch to his right. as a second of the summer after lockdown time to work on my fit- and meet his idol and cricketing leg- on the verge of posting his first Pope lasted 15 balls before he beating the West Indies 2-1. ness and strengthen my weak- end Sachin Tendulkar, whom he de- Test century as England reached was bowled by Yasir Shah (2/60) Fast bowler Jofra Archer was re- nesses. During our usual training scribes as a ‘humble human being tea on 184/4 on the opening day of trying to play the leg-spinner off called by England in place of Sam time, we distribute our time on and true sportsman’. the third and final Test against the back foot, leaving England Curran in the only change from the our skills, technique, tactics and fit- “A paralympic medal will fulfil Pakistan at the Rose Bowl Friday. 127/4. drawn second test on the same ness. Now that our training has two of my dreams at a time. Crawley was on a career-best Playing his eighth Test, ground in Southampton. Pakistan been halted, I had ample of time to Tendulkar ji is my idol and he met Test score of 97 and sharing an un- Crawley’s previous best score selected an unchanged team. focus on my fitness and mental the Olympic and Paralympic medal- beaten 57-run partnership with Jos was 76 against the West Indies Zak Crawley eases into a drive during well-being,” said Bhagat. lists of Rio 2016, even congratu- Buttler (24 batting) after England at the same ground in BRIEF SCORES: England 184/4 his innings against Pakistan, Friday “And I am more than satisfied lated them. I hope I can meet him lost captain Joe Root (29) and Ollie Southampton last month. Buttler (Zak Crawley 97 batting; Yasir with the outcome of these four next year after the Tokyo 2020 Pope (3) after lunch. is also seeing the ball well, strik- Shah 2/60) vs Pakistan. Match to months of work out at home. I have Games with a paralympic medal Root edged a beautiful deliv- ing four boundaries. continue. never felt so good about my body; around my neck.” KOEMAN VOWS TO CLEAN UP CLUB’S BARCA EVOLUTION ON CARDS IMAGE WITH COMPLETE CHANGEOVER

AGENCIES club in the world. Now we have to JORDI ALBA for him this year. Since it work hard to make sure Barca gets appears Bartomeu and BARCELONA: New Barcelona back to where they should be. There Having been a mainstay First team players facing axe at left-back, Alba sudden- Koeman have no place coach Ronald Koeman warned that is enough quality in the team to de- ly finds his career at a for the 33-year-old bat- any players who lack commitment mand the best results and to win tro- A herculean rebuilding job awaits Barcelona and their incoming manager Ronald crossroads. He signed a tler, he will certainly be or professionalism will be shown phies.” new five-year contract, with an astronomi- on his way out. Reports in the door as he vowed to lead the Koeman did not reveal which Koeman. But president Josep Bartomeu has – wisely or not – shown Barcelona’s hand cal 500million euro buy-out clause, in Spain this week say PSG are interested in team back to glory after last week’s players he would seek to move on by saying just eight members of the first-team squad are guaranteed to be staying for March last year, so no doubt Alba expect- Vidal, while he’s also been linked with 2-8 humiliation in the Champions from the club, although he made it ed to see out his days at the Nou Camp. Manchester United and Inter Milan. While League by Bayern Munich. clear he only wanted to work with the new campaign. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet, Nelson Semedo, Frenkie Obviously Barcelona will have to reduce obviously any suitor is only likely to get a “What we need to do is give a those who were fully committed. de Jong, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele as well as Ansu Fati along with the their asking price – maybe to 30mn pound couple of seasons out of him, Vidal could different image to what we gave “I don’t want to mention names, or under – and they’ll be hard pressed in prove a snip at 8mn or 9mn pound. against Bayern, that’s not the Barca we have to look in the club’s best talisman Lionel Messi, who is termed as ‘untouchable and non-transferable’ by the current climate to find anyone willing SAMUEL UMTITI we or the fans want to see,” Koeman interests and make the best squad to match Alba’s 10mn euro-a-season Bartomeu. And he left the door open for Philippe Coutinho, returning from his loan at It really has been a said at his presentation Wednesday possible to try and win games,” he salary for a 31-year-old. Bayern Munich, to stay if Koeman wants him season to forget for after signing a two-year deal with said. IVAN RAKITIC the French centre- Barca. “There are players of a certain LUIS SUAREZ GERARD PIQUE SERGIO BUSQUETS The Croatian midfielder, back, whose promi- “You have to be very happy wear age who you can start to doubt, al- nence in the side has the Barca shirt. You have to show though a player who is 31, 32 or The biggest name on the It was Pique who came You’d have thought a wise 32, appeared to be one of those transfer-listed for been diminished by foot and knee that with commitment, profes- even 33 is not necessarily finished, for-sale list, Suarez could out and said what old head like the 32-year- this summer even before injuries that restricted him to just 18 sionalism, with everything you be on the move despite every Barcelona fan – old midfielder could come it all depends on your hunger and the Bayern result happened with his con- appearances. Umtiti lost his place at an impressive return of 21 and no doubt quite a in handy as Barcelona have inside. If we do that, the image whether you want to give every- tract set to expire next summer. Links with the heart of defence to Clement goals and 12 assists in 36 matches this few of his teammates – were thinking completely revamp their squad. That’s will be totally different to what it thing for the club. Sevilla have been played down by their Lenglet but has always insisted he season. And it appears the 33-year-old (about all necessary changes) in the especially true when he has such a high was last week.” “I only want to work with play- sporting director Monchi and Rakitic has will see out his contract until 2023 Koeman left his role as ers who want to be here, and if Uruguayan could be poised to return to wake of Friday night’s humiliation. buy-out clause of 440mn pound on a con- now been linked with a move to the Premier and fight for his place. Bartomeu Netherlands coach to take charge they are not happy here then they Ajax, where he played between 2007 and Pique also said he would be ‘the first tract lasting until 2023 that he is essential- League with Arsenal, Tottenham and appears to disagree and Barcelona of Barca, who he helped win a first should say so. I only want people 2011. Reports say Ajax’s director of foot- to leave’ if necessary and it would ly unable to move anywhere. Surely there Manchester United the names in the frame. will hope to recoup most, if not all, of European Cup in 1992 during a who are going to give everything for ball Marc Overmars is already working on seem Bartomeu would agree that will be interest in Busquets, valued at The experienced player should be available the 22.5mn pound they paid for him in golden six-year spell in Johan Barca.” efforts to get him back to Amsterdam. It might be a good idea. And even newly- around 25mn pound, who should have two for around 9mn pound. 2016. It seems like most of the EPL’s Cruyff ’s so-called ‘Dream Team’. certainly seems a worthwhile move for promoted Premier League side Fulham or three more years at the top to offer. His top six are looking for decent centre- The Dutchman said that Barca Suarez, who was out of contract at have reportedly put an offer on the unexpected non-inclusion in Bartomeu’s ARTURO VIDAL halves at the moment so there could was his home, although he admit- Barcelona next year anyway. Juventus are table, and it’s now up to the 33-year- list means stories of interest have yet to The Chilean midfielder is out of contract be interest, but will they take a gam- ble on someone with such a che- ted it was not an easy time to return also reportedly eyeing a move for the old and Barcelona to see if there’s any appear but you can see him doing a job for next summer anyway so Barcelona were quered injury history? to the club, who are reeling from striker. interest in heading to west London. Juventus or one of the Milan clubs. always likely to try and get a bit of cash their first trophy-less campaign in 12 years. “We’re going to work very hard to build a strong team but we’ll NEW FACES IN FRAY & NEW SIGNINGS have to make changes because the image of the other day is not what MIRALEM PJANIC Barcelona players from past and present. Only rumors have faded recently. Koeman new boss Koeman. A report in time will tell how Koeman will use the still-blos- has obviously worked with Van de ‘Diario Sport’ claims the Catalan we want. We’ll have to work hard Barcelona signed the midfielder on soming midfield talent, who is considered as one Beek with the Netherlands national club will now push ahead with to recover our prestige,” he a deal that could rise to be worth 65 million euro. He was of the brightest prospects in the world. team, while a move to Barca would see their pursuit of Garcia this week. said. him link up with Frenkie de Jong again. It follows on from City boss Pep “It’s a big challenge involved in a swp deal with TRINCAO Arthur who headed to Juventus. Prior to his Guardiola claiming the player and it won’t be Barcelona signed Francisco MALANG SARR would not renew his deal at the English club easy because move to Juventus where he was a regular first-team player, Pjanic blossomed Trincao and Braga president Barcelona are reportedly considering making a and the defender is now taking centre stage of Barca al- into one of the world’s best midfield- Antonio Salvador believes the move for former Nice center-back. The Barcelona transfer news this summer. ways de- ers at Roma. attacker will be one of the world’s Frenchman is a stellar central defender who had mands the best in 10 years. Trincao signed a five-year deal a great season with Nice. His free GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM best of PEDRI with Barca in January for 31 million euro. The 20- agency is purely due to the Koeman reportedly wants to you, The exciting year-old Portuguese has a 500 mn euro release inability of the two sides to come bring Liverpool midfielder which attacking clause in his contract. He is capable of playing in to an agreement on a new con- Georginio Wijnaldum to the is the midfield- all positions across the front line and will offer tract. Eric Abidal had apparently Camp Nou. According to y way it er Barca an extra attacking dimension when he already reached out to Sarr ‘Algemeen Dagblad’, Wijnaldum is pretty

should joined moves to Spain next season. about a move to Barcelona given his free agency high up on Koeman’s wishlist and is thought

k k y y m m c before he left the club Tuesday. c be. the Catalans for just DONNY VAN DE BEEK to be ‘affordable’ as his contract expires in Barca five million euro. The 17- summer 2021. There has been speculation Koeman is reportedly pretty keen on Ajax midfielder Van ERIC GARCIA are still year-old has admitted he Koeman has advised the Dutch midfielder has looked to learn from de Beek. The 23-year-old has previously been linked with Barcelona are planning on making Manchester not to renew at Anfield. the biggest both Real Madrid and Manchester United but those City defender Eric Garcia the first signing under

1 Printed and published by Tathagata Satpathy on behalf of Navajat Printers and Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Navajat Printers, B-15 Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010, Odisha;Phone:7894447142(Marketing). Editor: Tathagata Satpathy, RNI No. ORIENG/2011/37159