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I'M IN BETTER HANDS: NAGA CHAITANYA { Page 11 } www.dailypioneer.com

DELHI'S AIR TURNS HAZARDOUS, CAB WILL NOT PASS JUDICIAL RS 10K-CR BANKRUPTCY CHARGES BOUGAINVILLE TO BECOME GOVT ISSUES HEALTH WARNINGS SCRUTINY: CHIDAMBARAM AGAINST MALLYA FROM 12 BANKS WORLD'S NEWEST NATION ir quality in India's capital New Delhi laiming that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is "blatantly welve state-owned Indian banks are petitioning for ex-billionaire Vijay he South Pacific archipelago of Aplummeted to "severe" on Wednesday Cunconstitutional", Congress leader P. Chidambaram said in the Rajya TMallya to be declared bankrupt over 1.15 billion pounds (Over Rs TBougainville on Wednesday due to a drop in temperature and wind Sabha on Wednesday that the government is introducing a new 10,000 crore) in unpaid debts. The banks and an asset overwhelmingly voted to become independent speed that trapped pollutants in the category called citizenship by arbitrary executive feat and this restructuring company, led by the State Bank of India, have of Papua New Guinea, becoming the world's atmosphere, prompting health warnings law will be struck down in the court. "I dare the taken the tycoon to a London court in what lawyers have latest territory to seek secession.Buka town from the government for the 12th time in government to lay the opinion of the law department. I described as "the end of the road" in their long-running on Buka island is the capital of the region, and two months. On Tuesday, the air quality dare the government to invite the Attorney General to battle. Mallya hasn't paid anything toward the debt, the houses the government headquarters.Around index crossed 400, indicating a level of pollution that affects healthy answer the questions. A small part of the banks' lawyers told the court Tuesday. It comes as Mallya, 300,000 people live in the territory, mostly in villages outside Buka and people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases, according to Constitution is being racked and being demolished who founded the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines Ltd., the two other main towns of Arawa and Buin, both on Bougainville government guidance. by these insidious people," Chidambaram said. faces extradition to India to face fraud charges. island. A 2011 census recorded the population as 249,358. AP DISHA ACT Naidu loses cool, AP approves Bill on faster trial of targets Tammineni PNS n AMARAVATI rape cases, harsher punishments Acrimonious scenes were wit- nessed on the third of the Assembly session on Greta l Special courts to try atrocities against women, give judgment in 21 days l Derogatory social Wednesday with YSRCP members demanding that Thunberg is media posts against women to invite jail terms l Longer jail term for POCSO convicts proposed Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu be sus- TIME's person SEELAM AROZI pended from the House. n VIJAYAWADA The House plunged into of the year-19 APSRTC merger pandemonium when YSRCP The state Cabinet on In another major decision, the draft bill envisaging the merger and Opposition TDP had a NEW DELHI: Climate activist Wednesday approved the of APSRTC with the State government was also approved by wordy duel over English medi- Opposition to undermine the Greta Thunberg was named Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law the Cabinet. As part of this, the Public Transport Department um education mooted in gov- importance of the post of Time Magazine's person of the (Amendment) Bill 2019 accord- has been formed. All the 51,488 employees of the RTC would ernment schools in the State. Speaker. Sitaram felt that lev- year 2019 on Wednesday. Over ing to which the Special Court At one stage, Naidu lost his eling baseless charges against the past year, the teen activist for Specified Offences against now be accommodated in new department. The Cabinet also cool and made some harsh him was nothing but belittling has come a long way. What women and children will be set approved the continuation of the services of outsourcing comments against Speaker the post of Speaker. started as her solo protest on up. The move assumes signifi- employees in APSRTC Tammineni Sitaram, inviting As soon as Chandrababu Fridays against global warm- cance in the wake of nationwide the latter's wrath. Naidu made the comments, ing outside the Swedish parlia- protests after the rape and mur- Sitaram said, "I have respect YSRCP members came to the ment last year, has unraveled der of veterinarian Disha in Cases pertaining to offences courts. Action would be taken for you but I demand that you rescue of the Speaker and into a global youth movement Hyderabad. As per to the pro- like rape, gang-rape, acid attack under Section 354 (E) of IPC take back your words and maintained that any com- demanding policymakers posed law, persons guilty of for the crime, investigation ered within 21 days. Earlier, the and sexual harassment against against any person that posts tender an apology." ments against him would around the world to take committing rape of women should be completed within maximum period for pro- women and girls will be tried in material on social media that is He said that being a senior amount to insulting BCs. greater action on climate would be liable for capital pun- one week and prosecution in 14 nouncement of the judgment special courts to be set up with- disrespectful to women. politician, it was unbecoming change. ishment. When there is evidence days. Judgment would be deliv- was four months. in the premises of the district ContinuedonPage3 on the part of the Leader of the Continued on Page 3

ISRO gets Jagan Assam in 2002 RIOTS pat for success Sucharita: Relief for flames with Rajya Sabha clears CAB Clean chit to

violent anti-CAB n of RISAT-2BR Kesava Reddy victims PNS NEW DELHI PM Modi from AMARAVATI: Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan PNS n AMARAVATI Relief will be provided to protests Rajya Sabha on Wednesday Nanavati Panel Reddy on Wednesday con- another 3.4 lakh victims, she PNS n GUWAHATI approved the Citizenship gratulated ISRO scientists for Home Minister Mekathoti said, disclosing that the SRO (Amendment) Bill, completing PNS n NEW DELHI the successful launch of Sucharita on Wednesday said value of auctioned assets of Assam turned into a battle- the legislative procedure for giv- RISAT-2BR1 and nine com- that of the Rs 1,150 crore Agri Gold was Rs 3,785 crore. ground on Wednesday with ing Indian citizenship to non- The Nanavati Commission mercial satellites by PSLV - C allotted to Agri Gold victims "Justice would be done to massive and violent protests Muslim migrants from report on 48. He wished the ISRO team in the Budget, the state gov- Kesava Reddy victims as across the state against the Pakistan, Afghanistan and the 2002 success in all its future ernment has already dis- well," Sucharita assured. Citizenship (Amendment) Bangladesh. Replying to a six- Gujarat endeavours. bursed Rs 263 crore to Bill, but the government and-a-half-hour debate on the riots 3,69,655 depositors. ContinuedonPage3 pushed the contentious legis- bill, Home Minister Amit Shah gives a lation through Parliament said the legislation seeks to pro- clean overruling a vociferous vide citizenship to persecuted chit to Twitterati voice Opposition that alleged it minorities in the three coun- the state was against the idea of India tries and not take away citizen- government displeasure as a secular nation. ship of anyone. then led by Narendra Modi, As thousands of people He rejected the Opposition who has been Prime over fuel prices including students hit the charge that the bill was against Minister of India since 2014. NEW DELHI: As petrol streets in Assam, police fired Muslims and said they have been given Indian citizenship in away citizenship of anyone. Action should be taken prices continued to hover at rubber bullets and tear gas nothing to fear. The Bill was past and the present law is to Indian Muslims are citizens of against the police who were Rs 75 per litre and above in shells and baton-charged the passed with 125 votes in favour tackle a specific problem the country and will remain so, ineffective in controlling the four metro cities, protesters leaving many of and 105 against it. Besides BJP, To repeated questions from he said. "Citizenship of Indian mobs and did not show the Twitterati on Wednesday them injured, while curfew its allies such as JD-U and SAD, opposition of Muslims being Muslims is not being taken "competence necessary" to tweeted their displeasure, was imposed in Guwahati the legislation was supported by left out, he said Muslims from away." "Citizenship bill is not to do so, says the report tabled apart from posting memes and a clampdown on internet AIADMK, BJD, TDP and YSR- other countries have the right snatch anyone's Indian citi- in the Gujarat assembly on and funny comments. services was announced Congress. Earlier the House to apply for Indian citizenship zenship. Muslims have no need Wednesday, five years after #PetrolPrice trended with across several districts of the rejected motions to send the bill as per existing rules. As many to fear or worry," he said. it was submitted to the state 1,169 tweets. One user state. Similar protests rocked to a select committee of the as 566 Muslims have been Shah said the bill seeks to government. remarked: "Everybody is several other North-Eastern House with 124 members vot- given citizenship, he said. correct the wrong done by the "There is no evidence to noticing onion prices but Narrow escape for Lokesh states, but the bill was passed ing against it as compared to 99 He attacked opposition the partition of the country on reli- show that these attacks were price of one commodity is by majority later in the in its favour. Congress saying statements by gious lines. He went on to either inspired or instigated increasing silently. Petrol evening in Rajya Sabha after The House also rejected sev- the party's leaders match those attack the Congress for alleged or abated by any minister of price today is Rs 77.83 in as drone falls from sky a hours-long debate, two days eral amendments moved by of Pakistani leaders on not just double speak on the issue, say- the state," the commission Chennai. This government after it was cleared in Lok opposition members to the the citizenship bill but also on ing the party had during its rule said in its report, which will ask us to go for bullock PNS n AMARAVATI walking towards the Council Sabha. The bill now requires bill, most by voice vote. scrapping of Article 370. given Indian citizenship to runs into over 1,500 pages in carts now. The FM will say I Hall on the AP Assembly President's signature to The Bill was passed by Lok Asserting that neither the citi- 13,000 Hindus and Sikhs from nine volumes. It said the have never travelled in a car Former minister and TDP premises on Wednesday. become a law. Sabha on Monday. It will now zenship bill, nor the previous- Pakistan without raising a word police at some places were so I don't bother about petrol MLC Nara Lokesh had a nar- Lokesh and his party lead- Army deployment was go to the President for his ly passed legislation making about the same for other com- ineffective in controlling the price". row escape as a drone fell just ers, who were with him at the announced in Tripura and assent. On why persecuted practice of triple talaq punish- munities. He also said the bill mob because of their inad- in front of him after beomg time, were shocked to see the Assam, where the influx of minorities from countries such able and the scrapping Article does not violate Article 14 of the equate numbers or because entangled with overhead drone fall on the ground right Bangladeshi immigrants has as Sri Lanka were not part of the 370 are anti-Muslim, he said the Constitution as it does not they were not properly TODAY power cables. The incident in front of them. always been an emotive issue legislation, Shah said Tamils present legislation is to give cit- prohibit laws based on reason- armed. ALMANAC took place when Lokesh was Continued on Page 3 for natives of the state. from the island country had izenship and does not to take able classification. Month & Paksham: Margashirsha & Shukla Paksha HYDERABAD ENCOUNTER PROBE Panchangam SC to begin in-chamber Tithi : Purnima: 10:42 am Nakshatram: Mrigashirsha: 06:19 am (Next Day) SC proposes to appoint former apex court judge Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start review on Ayodhya any important work) PNS n NEW DELHI matter on Thursday. The directions for the registration of PNS n NEW DELHI Rahukalam: 01:32 pm- 02:54 pm Supreme Court earlier agreed to an FIR against the cops and then Yamagandam: 06:40 am – 08:02 am The Supreme Court on hear a petition against an investigation by CBI, SIT, The Supreme Court will begin Varjyam: 11:58 am- 01:33 pm Wednesday said it proposes to Hyderabad Encounter on CID or team of police officials in-chamber review on peti- appoint a retired Supreme Court Wednesday. A bench headed by from other state to conduct the tions challenging the November Gulika: 09:24 am - 10:47 pm judge to conduct an inquiry into Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said it probe into the encounter. 9 verdict in the Ayodhya title Good Time: (to start any important work) the Hyderabad 'encounter' will also examine what is being The petition urged the apex dispute on Thursday. Amritakalam: 09:32 pm - 11:08 pm involving four persons alleged- monitored by the Telangana court that an independent inves- The apex court had allocat- Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:46 am - 12:31 pm ly accused in the rape and mur- High Court. tigation agency must be direct- ed the disputed site for the con- der of a veterinarian. The petition filed by two ed in accordance with the guide- struction of Ram temple, and bench who has replaced retired VIJAYAWADA Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said lawyers on Saturday seeks reg- lines laid down in connection granted five-acre land to Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. the court had initially asked for- istration of FIR against cops and with investigation (the PUCL Vs Muslim parties for the con- The in-chamber review will WEATHER mer Supreme Court judge P.V. an independent probe into the State of Maharashtra) in fake struction of mosque elsewhere begin at 1:40 p.m. A total of 18 Forecast: Clear with periodic clouds Reddi but he had declined to be matter, where four accused, in encounter killing. in Ayodhya. The new five- review petitions have been filed Temp: 31/19 involved in this inquiry. The the rape and murder of the The petition alleged that it judge bench is headed by Chief in the apex court in connection Humidity: 74% apex court emphasised on an Veterinarian doctor in was stage-managed encounter to Justice S.A. Bobde and compris- with its November 9 judgement. Sunrise: 06.36 independent inquiry into the Hyderabad, were allegedly killed shield the alleged lapses com- es Justices Ashok Bhushan, The bulk comprises review Sunset: 05.42 matter. The Telangana govern- which laid down guidelines in state to propose the name of a in an encounter. mitted by police, which led to S.A. Nazeer, D.Y. Chandrachud pleas from Muslim parties Current Weather Conditions ment said it has complied with encounter cases. former judge and said it will Petitioners G.S. Mani and the commission of the gruesome and Sanjiv Khanna. Justice expressing discontent with the Updated December 11, 2019 5:00 PM an earlier apex court judgement The apex court also asked the conduct further hearing in the Pradeep Kumar Yadav seek offence of rape and murder. Khanna is the new judge on the judgement. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 vijayawada 02

any political parties, of the Citizenship Act particularly the (Amendment) Bill, Amit Shah MCongress and the has notched up three major Left, are always ready to lend CAB gives identity to minority immigrants victories during the past six religious colour to whatever months. With the abrogation of the Bharatiya Janata Party The same governments 'secular' since it always sides Constitution says that there while paying scant respect to the Article 370, beyond doubt does. It is everybody's knowl- regarded the Hindu, Sikh and with the Muslims. Any person can become a citizen of the should be no discrimination lakhs of Hindu illegal immi- Jammu and Kashmir became edge that the Congress sepa- Buddhist immigrants shel- The Bharatiya Janata Party country. The Bharatiya Janata Party is firm towards anyone on the grounds grants from Bangladesh. the integral part of the coun- rated people on religious and tered here because of the introduced CAB to rectify the of religion. Some skeptics For example, thousands of try. The credit for paving the caste lines, and ruled the coun- repression unleashed on them blunders that occurred in the on weeding out illegal immigrants by belonging to the Opposition people belonging to Matua, a way for construction of Ram try for decades. The Congress in Pakistan, Afghanistan and country's history and to ren- undoing the injustice done in granting argued that the Supreme Court sect of Hindu religion, migrat- temple at the disputed site in was responsible for lynching of Bangladesh as 'illegal' immi- der justice to all sections of would quash the Bill on the ed to India from East Pakistan Ayodhya goes to this govern- thousands, raping many, and grants. To rectify the defect society. The Bill is not intend- citizenship. The objective of BJP is to give basis of Article 14. However, after 1970. There were people ment, after the SC verdict. perpetrating many atrocities. and to grant them citizenship, ed against any particular reli- identity to all citizens of the country and JPC gave its green light to the of other faiths too. They spread The government has succeed- Therefore, Union Home the Modi-led government has gion. The interests of any entitle them to access the country's bill as the Law Department across North-Eastern States, ed in averting any law and Minister Amit Shah, while decided to amend the Muslim are not going to be made it clear that the proposed West Bengal and in the north- order problem following the piloting the Citizenship Act Citizenship Act of 1955. harmed because of the Bill. resources and wealth Bill does not harm equality of ern parts of India. It is not dif- verdict. The introduction of the (Amendment) Bill, breathed The Hindus, Sikhs, Any person can become a cit- any section of society and is not ficult to understand the appre- Citizenship Act (Amendment) fire at the Congress. Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and izen of the country. The violative of religious rights of hensions of the Opposition if Bill will lead to ending the The introduction of the Christians of Indian origin Bharatiya Janata Party is firm on because of illegal immigrants Citizenship Act (Amendment) any community. these people get identity as cit- decades-old discrimination. Citizenship (Amendment) Bill suffered repression in Pakistan, weeding out illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Bill was referred to the Joint- On January 8, 2018 the Lok izens of the country. As a continuation of the Bill, (CAB) would not have been Bangladesh and Afghanistan, by undoing the injustice done in In its 2019 election mani- Parliamentary Committee Sabha passed the Bill. But, the The opposition parties are the government seeks to weed necessary had the Congress leading to their migration to granting citizenship. The objec- festo too, BJP men- once the Lok Sabha Opposition was successful in putting forward strange argu- out illegal immigrants and not divided the country on the India. What is wrong in grant- tive of BJP is to give identity to tioned how people passed the Bill. The getting the Bill stalled in the ments by comparing the implement the National lines of religion, Amit Shah ing them Indian citizenship? all citizens of the country and of the country JPC, comprising Rajya Sabha. Later, the Bill repressed non-Muslim Population Register to ensure said. He made it clear that the However, the Congress entitle them to access the coun- have been los- 30 MPs drawn became time-barred. minorities with the illegal people of the country have Bill was not against the prin- argues that immigrant try's resources and wealth. ing their cul- from Lok Therefore, BJP, upon coming immigrants. They are refusing right to access socio-econom- ciples of equality and secular- Muslims should also be given Over the past three decades, tural and Sabha and to power for a second term, to set right the historical injus- ic benefits. It will also facili- ism enshrined in the citizenship to uphold equality BJP has been cautioning the linguistic Rajya Sabha, introduced the Bill. This is tes- tice done to them. The oppo- tate the government to main- Constitution. and secularism. Is there any government against the dan- identity and toured many timony to BJP's sincerity to sition has been putting for- tain law and order sternly. Successive governments that instance of Muslims being gers of allowing illegal immi- livelihood places, reach its target of protecting ward the argument that the The anarchists and those ruled at the Center had lent repressed in Pakistan, grants into the country. Way options in including the interests of Indians. proposed Bill is antagonistic to who derive benefits by divid- support to the illegal entry of Bangladesh and Afghanistan? back in 1990, the BJP took part certain Jodhpur, During electioneering this the interests of people of the ing the people on the lines of Muslim immigrants across the The Congress has been paint- in the movement against the regions. In the Y Satya Kumar Ahmedabad, year, BJP gave wide publicity North-East. In fact, the Bill caste and religion find the Bill border and gave them identi- ing the BJP with religious presence of foreigners in process, BJP has Rajkot, Guwahati, to the proposed Bill. This has seeks to protect the interests of hard to digest. Evolution of ty, which is not justified, and colour, as the BJP has decided Assam. It gives equal impor- been trying to Silchar and Shillong sent shivers down the spine of people of the North-East. It modern India under the lead- regarded them as vote banks to give citizenship to people tance to identify true Indians. amend the Citizenship and interacted with immi- the Opposition, especially exempts people visiting ership of Narendra Modi is cer- and remained mute spectators belonging to various religious In its 1996 election manifesto, Act ever since it came to grants, civil society organiza- Trinamool Congress and Left Nagaland, Mizoram and tain as the people are going to as the illegal Muslim immi- groups except Muslims. It is BJP expressed concern over power for the first time with a tions, and elected people's parties in West Bengal. These Arunachal Pradesh from ignore such anarchist forces. grants encroached upon the ridiculous on the part of the the country's demographic huge majority. representatives. outfits regarded the illegal securing the Inter Line Permit. (The writer is BJP resources of local people. Congress to describe itself as profile undergoing sea-change On July 15, 2016, the draft Article 14 of the immigrants as vote banks, With the successful piloting national secretary) Rail Neer plant almost ready, IRCTC ready to meet demand NAVEENA GHANATE operational, the plant is expect- Rs 17.35 lakh. The estimated n HYDERABAD ed to manufacture about 6,000 total cost of the project is cartons (72, 000 bottles) of Rail around Rs 10 crore and is With the water bottling plant Neer PDW per day. likely to generate direct/indi- at Amaravati nearing comple- In its stations across the rect employment for 75 per- tion, IRCTC is gearing up to country, IRCTC supplies about sons. Even though the budget meet the bottled water 11 lakh litres per day of bottled for this project was allocated in demands of passengers of Rail Neer from its existing 10 2012-13, the plant remained a Telangana and Andhra plants which fall short of the non-starter for very long time. Pradesh. estimated daily demand of 19 The plant is being set up and The bottled water from this lakh litres of bottled water. The will be operated by M/s Biltech Jagan pat, Rs 1 lakh each for 2 girls plant will be distributed to sta- deficit is met by bottled water Engineers Pvt. tions within a range of 400 from other brands. Presently, Ltd./Chhattisgarh as PNS n AMARAVATI on Wednesday. President Vladimir Putin and km. Rail Neer is the bottled vivo water is being sold to pas- Developer cum Operator Ch. Maheswari, a Class X briefed him about their proto- water brand of Indian Railway sengers in the two Telugu (DCO) of 'Rail Neer' Packaged Two girl students of AP student of Pedapavani School types. In appreciation, Catering and Tourism speaking states due to lack of drinking water Plant at social welfare gurukul schools, in Prakasam district and KLP Jaganmohan Reddy presented Corporation (IRTC), a sub- Rail Neer plants. The bottles Mallavalli. IRCTC handed whose prototype on cattle alert Varshini, a Class IX student cheques of Rs 1 lakh each as sidiary of the national trans- were reportedly being pro- over the physical possession of system and a multi-purpose from Visakhapatnam, were incentive. Education minister porter. cured from Tamil Nadu to the plot to M/s Ganraaj Aqua agriculture robot were select- selected by the Russian govern- Adimulapu Suresh and secre- Vijayawada, Tenali, Guntur, Miriyalguda, Ongole, passengers. cater to drinking water needs. Pvt Ltd SPC (Special Purpose ed by Russia from the country, ment and given an intensive tary, AP Social Welfare Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Warangal, Kazipet, Kacheguda, As per official sources, the The plant is spread across Company) of DCO (Developer were felicitated by Chief training for 10 days in innov- Residential Schools, Col. V Ongole, Nellore stations in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Rail Neer Plant at Mallavalli, the area of 4254sqmt at Model cum Operator) - M/s Biltech Minister YS Jaganmohan ative technology. Both the stu- Ramulu were present on the Andhra Pradesh and in Nellore and other stations will Vijayawada is likely to get Industrial Park, Mallavalli. Engineers Pvt Ltd for further Reddy at the Secretariat here dents had also met Russian occasion. Telangana, Khammam, be providing Rail Neer to the commissioned shortly. Once IRCTC purchased the plot for process. VIT-AP holds session on USA AP PRIEST DUPES PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF GOD visa process PNS n SRIKALAHASTI A priest named K used to tell them to call on his then gave us his bank account inquiry officer to probe the mat- PNS n AMARAVATI Suryanarayana Murthy of the personal mobile number. And, number. When we verified ter and also to check whether A priest is considered to be an famous Rahu-Ketu temple was when the devotees used to call from the bank's branch, we there are any more such illegal David Josar, Fraud prevention important link between God caught duping the devotees with him further, he used to tell them found there are a number of practices by any of the temple manager and Sunita Thanneru and devotees. Devotees, after a fake temple website and using to deposit Rs 2,500 or in some deposits of either Rs 2,500 or employees or officials. We have fraud investigations assistant taking the blessing of the deity in its official number illegally to col- cases an extra Rs 500 with a Rs 3,000 since last one year, also given a notice to Murthy to visited VIT AP University cam- the temples, also take blessings of lect money from them. promise that he will send 'teertha' which now amounts to Rs respond with his version with- pus on Wednesday and interact- the priest as a mark of respect. The temple authorities, after (holy water) and prasadam to 56,000,'' Chandrashekar Reddy, in 15 days,'' adds ed with Registrar Dr CLV However, there are some temples receiving complaints, began a their respective postal address. Executive Officer, Srikalahasti Chandrasekhar Reddy. The Sivakumar Dr. PS Rama across the country wherein the probe after which it was found "To catch him red-handed, temple, said. Murthy has been Andhra Pradesh Endowments Sreekanth and international priests continue to cheat the that he was indeed running a fake we called on the official land- suspended from his duties and department, meanwhile, cau- relations coordinator on scope devotees. website and using the number to line number from where he a police case has also been tioned devotees not to fall prey and possibilities of various stu- One such incident was report- cheat the devotees. when any devotee from outside visit his fake website or dial on the directed the devotees to his lodged against him. to any temple-related fake web- dent exchange programmes. ed from Srikalahasti in AP. The police said that Murthy, (across India or abroad), used to particular telephone number, personal mobile number. He "We are appointing an sites or telephone numbers. Josar explained US visa applica- tion process and step by step process of applications. He also spoke on fraud prevention activ- Job mela for persons ities by US consulate. Josar told Greenland ice melt puts 400mn people at risk the students to approach US India Education Foundation for PNS n LONDON any clarification regarding their In 2013, the with disabilities Visa process and said there was About 400 million are like- PNS n VIJAYAWADA ing persons with disabilities with no need to go to consultancies. ly to be affected by coastal Intergovernment an average package of Rs 1.4 lakh flooding by the end of the al Panel on Youth4Jobs, an NGO working for per annum. VIJAYAWADA century if Greenland ice melt Climate Change youth with disabilities, in collab- The sectors from which com- continues at its current rate, oration with Andhra Loyola panies are participating are hos- BULLION RATES scientists have warned. (IPCC) predicted College and AP State Skill pitality, retail, banking and GOLD Greenland is losing ice seven that global sea Development Corporation, will finance, BPO, IT/ITes, travel and times faster than in the be organizing a job mela for per- tourism, e-commerce and man- ` 37,780 (10 gm) levels will rise ` 1990s, according to a study sons with disabilities, at the ALC ufacturing. 30 published in the journal by 60 premises in Vijayawada on Registration can be done on SILVER Nature. "As a rule of thumb, centimetres by Sunday, December 15 from 9.30 the spot and there is no registra- ` 43,000(1kg) for every centimetre rise in am to 2 pm. tion fee. The qualifications ranges ` global sea level another six 2100, putting Persons with orthopaedic, from Class X, ITI, diploma, million people are exposed to 360 million visual or hearing disabilities are degree and PG. coastal flooding around the people at risk of welcome to make use of this the Aspirants are advised to bring CHICKEN planet," said one of the study opportunity. with them their resume, copy of RATES `/KG authors Andrew Shepherd, annual coastal There are about 15 organisa- their Aadhaar card, ration card Professor at University of flooding tions that look forward to recruit- and disability certificates. Dressed/With Skin `162 Leeds in Britain. Without Skin `185 "On current trends, Broiler at Farm `112 Greenland ice melting will used regional climate models cause 100 million people to be Altogether, data from 11 Intergovernmental Panel on nario, which predicts seven to show that half of the ice loss- flooded each year by the end of different satellite missions were Climate Change (IPCC) pre- centimetres more. es were due to surface melting EGG the century, so 400 million in used, including measurements dicted that global sea levels will So 40 million more people as air temperatures have risen. `/ total due to all sea level rise," of the ice sheet's changing vol- rise by 60 centimetres by 2100, are likely to be exposed to The other half has been due RATES 100 Shepherd said. For the study, a ume, flow and gravity. The putting 360 million people at coastal flooding by 2100 than to increased glacier flow, trig- HYDERABAD 425 team of 96 polar scientists findings showed that risk of annual coastal flooding. earlier projected. "These are gered by rising ocean temper- VIJAYAWADA 454 from 50 international organi- Greenland has lost 3.8 trillion But this new study shows that not unlikely events or small atures. Ice losses peaked at 335 sations combined 26 separate tonnes of ice since 1992 -- Greenland's ice losses are ris- impacts; they are happening billion tonnes per year in 2011 VISAKHAPATNAM 470 surveys to compute changes in enough to push global sea lev- ing faster than expected and and will be devastating for - ten times the rate of the 1990s RETAIL PRICE `4.54 the mass of Greenland's ice els up by 10.6 millimetres. are instead tracking the IPCC's coastal communities," - during a period of intense (IN VIJAYAWADA) sheet between 1992 and 2018. In 2013, the high-end climate warming sce- Shepherd said. The team also surface melting.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 vijayawada 03

EXCESS KRISHNA WATERS State plans to fill irrigation AP lost out as TD neglected irrigation projects: Buggana PNS n AMARAVATI decision was as per the Bachawat projects in Rayalseema Award. Finance minister Buganna If the work done by the TDP PNS n AMARAVATI ernment had spent Rs 6,593 Rajendranath on Wednesday government in the construction crore on Handri-Neeva. During alleged that irrigation projects in of irrigation projects in Plans are afoot to fill all irriga- Naidu's rule, only Rs 198 crore Rayalaseema were grossly Rayalaseema region was taken tion projects in Rayalseema was spent on the Rayalaseema neglected by the previous TDP into consideration, the cost esti- within 50 days after floods, projects, including Gandikota. government. mate for Hundri-Neeva Srujala Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan The Chief Minister said that Speaking during the Question Sravanti project was Rs 5,000 Reddy has said alleging that the about Rs 400 crore was released Hour, the finance minister said crore, the TDP government had previous Chandrababu Naidu before elections under the R&R the Krishna Water Tribunal spent only Rs 13 crore in its nine- government had failed to com- package. Had Naidu in his (KWT-1), as per the Bachawat year rule. The YSR government plete the project works which is tenure could have released Rs Award, had stipulated that out of had spent over Rs 3,000 crore for why even after abundant rain- 420 crores and an additional Rs the capacity of 2,130 tmc ft in tance to irrigation sector and had the same project. fall the projects in the region are 980 crores Gandikota project Krishna river, the quota for AP taken up the projects in right With reference to the Galeru- not full. could have been filled. is over 800 tmc ft, over 700 tmc earnest. With this, Maharashtra Nagari Sujala Sravanti project, Rs Speaking during the Question He said that Rs 1,000 crore are ft for Karnataka and 500 tmc ft and Karnataka governments had 5,036 crore was spent between Hour in the Assembly on yet to be paid under R&R to the for Maharashtra was allocated. approached the tribunal and 2004 and 2014 and Rs 6,593 Wednesday, the Chief Minister Veligonda project and it will be The Bachawat Award had also moved court. crore on HNSS project. However, said an action plan would be filled by the upcoming June after clearly mentioned that of the The two states had ques- most of the amount was spent by ready within a month. It would the money is released. excess water, the States would not tioned how AP could construct the Rajasekhara Reddy govern- be designed in such a way that The CM said that they are get any quota if they construct projects if it had no right on the ment between 2004 and 2009. the projects in Rayalaseema planning to release Rs 980 crore new projects. excess water of the river. Had the TDP government, that would be filled within 50 days and Rs 1,000 crore under R & R The Brijesh Kumar Tribunal Then the YSR government had come to power after the of floods. The government for the Gandikota reservoir and was then formed and TDP com- had moved an Interlocutory death of YSR, spent anything on would invite tenders next month Veligonda project respectively. pletely neglected the issue. Later, Application (IP) seeking the the two projects, they would have for the project works and The Chief Minister said that the YS Rajasekhara Reddy gov- construction of five irrigation been completed by now, he increase the canal-capacity of a the government was planning to ernment gave utmost impor- projects by claiming that the finance minister said. few projects. Naidu credits TDP for development increase the capacity of the He said if Chandrababu had Pothireddipadu head regulator increased the capacity of canals from 44,000 cusecs to 80,000 and completed the Relief and cusecs and Telugu Ganga canal Naidu loses Rehabilitation packages in time, of Andhra Pradesh irrigation sector from 11,500 cusecs to 18,000 Nara Lokesh all the projects could have been cusecs. While the SRBC canal cool in filled with water today. PNS n VIJAYAWADA At one point water from capacity would be increased to The Chief Minister said that Srisailam project was released 30,000 cusecs from 21,000 leads TDP protest Assembly, the Gorakallu reservoir full Former chief minister N. flooding the island villages, he cusecs, KC Canal-Nippulavadu capacity was 12.44 tmc ft, but Chandrababu Naidu on said, observing that there was would be increased from 12,500 only 8 tmc ft of water was filled. Wednesday spewed fire on no water in many projects in cusecs to 35,000 cusecs. targets Speaker While the Gollapalli reservoir Chief Minister YS Rayalaseema region. The Owk tunnel capacity is on bus fare hike Continued from Page1 capacity was 1.9 tmc ft, only 1 Jaganmohan Reddy, alleging "Why has the government 20,000 cusecs, even after five PNS n AMARAVATI tmc ft of water was filled. In that there were major discrep- failed to fill the projects and years the capacity has been They said that Naidu had Anantapur, only 3.5 tmc ft of ancies between the his succes- dams when there were floods restricted to 10,000 cusecs and The TDP on Wednesday damaged the institution of water was filled in Mid Pennar sor's words and deeds. in the state? Naidu asked. now the government would staged a protest in the the Speaker. They said the reservoir while its capacity is 5 Objecting to the CM's state- During the past seven increase it to 30,000 cusecs. Assembly and across the state Opposition was not only tmc ft. ment that irrigation projects months, the state government He said that Gandikota canal over the revised bus fares of threatening the Speaker but Speaking about the were built during the rule of did not execute works on at capacity would be increased to the Andhra Pradesh State also insulting the downtrod- Chitravathi reservoir in Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, dation stones for Telugu- least a single project, he said 30,000 cusecs from 20,000 Road Transport Corporation den sections in the process. Pulivendula Assembly con- Naidu alleged that no CM had Ganga, Hundri-Neeva and claiming credit for water find- cusecs, HNSS canal capacity to (APSRTC) buses. They demanded that Naidu stituency, he said only 6.8 tmc caused so much harm to the Galeru-Nagari irrigation pro- ing its way into projects. It was 6,000 cusecs from 2100 cusecs, The state-run RTC's deci- be suspended from the House ft of water was filled as against state as YSR. jects, he said. due to digging canals during and Telugu Ganga main canal sion to increase bus fares came for his unsavoury comments its 10 tmc ft capacity. He claimed credit for the He accused the his rule, he claimed. capacity would be increased to into force on Wednesday. The against the Speaker. Jaganmohan Reddy said that TDP to bring irrigation facil- Jaganmohan Reddy govern- The TDP regime spent Rs 8,000 cusecs from the existing charges of Palle Velugu (ordi- YSRCP MLA Sidiri Appala only 12 tmc ft of water was filled ity to Chittoor district. It was ment of failing to fill reservoirs 70,000 crore for execution of 3500 cusecs. Moreover, the 2,000 nary) and city service buses Raju said that Naidu's men- in the Gandikota reservoir as former chief minister NT and dams in spite of floods to irrigation projects. Under cusecs of water from Gandikota were increased by 10 paise per reduce the hiked fares." tal health has deteriorated against its 26.5 tmc ft capacity. Rama Rao who first drew rivers Krishna and Godavari. Neeru-Chettu programme, 10 to CBR lift would be increased km and by 20 paise per km for Later Lokesh and his father, and he needed to be medical- In the Penna-Ahobilam plans to provide irrigation The government should lakh farm ponds have been to 4,000 cusecs. And, 4,000 other categories. The AP gov- former CM Chandrababu ly examined by the doctors in Balancing Reservoir, only 3.38 facility to the Rayalaseema have paid attention to filling dug, Naidu said. KIA Motors cusecs of water flowing from ernment and the RTC have Naidu, along with MLA N. the Assembly. "He should tmc ft of water was filled as region, Naidu said. reservoirs and dams rather project has been accomplished Gandikota to GNS main canal stated that they have increased Balakrishna participated in undergo treatment and only against its 11 tmc ft capacity and He added that it was NT than flooding his house in because of adequate water in would be increased to 6,000 bus fares to save the protest rally in front of the after being certified by the Brahmasagar Reservoir was able Rama Rao who laid the foun- Vijayawada, Naidu said. Gollapalli project, he said. cusecs. He said that Naidu had Corporation from losses fol- Assembly along with TDP doctors that he is mentally to store only 6.28 tmc ft of water never bothered about all these lowing the increasing price of MLAs and MLCs holding sound, he should be allowed as against its 17.28 tmc ft capac- projects. It had been only six diesel and other materials. placards. The premises echoed into the House," Appala Raju ity. against its 3 tmc ft capacity. The He said that if Chandrababu could have been filled with months since YSRCP came to On Wednesday, TDP took in slogans against the govern- said, demanding action The Chief Minister said that Paidipalem reservoir was filled Naidu had given Rs 980 crore for water today. From 2004 to 2014, power and the government had out protests along with Left ment demanding reduction against the Leader of the the Sarvaraya Reservoir was with 5.44 tmc ft water as against the R&R package of the Rs 5,036 crore had been spent started implementation of the parties condemning the "indis- of the hiked bus fares. Opposition for what he called filled with 1 tmc ft of water as its 6 tmc ft capacity. Gandikota project, the reservoir on the GNSS, he said. The gov- R&R package. criminate" bus fare hike in bus Speaking to reporters, insulting the people belong- stations across the state. Naidu said, "By increasing ing to the Backward Class Protesting the increase in charges everywhere YSRCP community. fares, former minister and wants to create inconvenience Stating that he was in MLC Nara Lokesh travelled in for people. It's atrocious to agreement with the view Justice done to SCs YSR Pension rules set a Pallevelugu (ordinary) to increase the fares without tak- expressed by the members Amaravati from Mangalagiri ing the Assembly and the against Naidu, Sitaram said, PNS n AMARAVATI 10,000 and urban people with Rs approval for illegal manufacture to attend Legislative Council Council into confidence "I have the responsibility to 12,000 monthly income would and transport of liquor, AP session. though the House (Assembly) take the session ahead. I and BCs, says Jagan The Cabinet on Wednesday be eligible for pension under the Goods and Services Tax Lokesh also bought a tick- is in the motion now." leave it to the conscience of gave its approval for the new scheme. (Amendment) Bill, introduction et along with his cadres. Slamming the Chief the members for the views PNS n AMARAVATI guidelines for the beneficiaries to Prominent among other deci- of English medium education Taking to Twitter, he said, Minister, Naidu said, "This is expressed herein." avail themselves of the YSR sions taken by the Cabinet are from Classes I to VI in govern- "Jagan has put burden of nothing but arrogance, he is act- With this, normally Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan CM: Gave key Pension Kanuka scheme. As per setting up of AP General ment schools and appointment charges on people who are ing like the way he wants, pre- returned to the House and Reddy on Wednesday reiterat- the new guidelines, rural people Insurance Corporation, AP of Vangapadu Usha chairperson already in trouble, the govern- suming that no one can do any- the Speaker resumed the ed that Andhra Pradesh was the post to Naidu's with a monthly income of Rs Millets Board, AP Pulses Board, of the AP Culture department. ment should immediately thing since he has majority." Question Hour. only State in the country to pro- mom-in-law vide reservations for SCs, STs, BCs, Minorities and women in aking potshots at nominated posts and the same Leader of the Narrow escape for policy will be implemented in TOpposition and TDP Relief for Kesava Reddy victims Lokesh as drone AP approves Bill on the case of selection of chairper- president N Chandrababu sons for corporations. Naidu, Chief Minister YS Continued from Page1 Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy falls from sky Intervening during Question Jaganmohan Reddy has said had promised Agri Gold victims faster trial of rape cases, Hour, the Chief Minister that he had ignored his The home minister told the during his padayatra that he Continued from Page1 brushed aside the allegations mother-in-law Lakshmi state Assembly that CID had would come to their aid. that nominated posts like cor- Parvati during his tenure as conducted investigation into 15 Accordingly, after coming to They heaved a sigh of harsher punishments poration chairpersons, advi- Chief Minister. cases registered against Agri power, he had allotted Rs 1,150 relief as no harm was caused sors, CEOs and others were "We have appointed her Gold across the State. She said crore in the Budget for Agri Gold to them. The drone, which Continued from Page1 Tax on Profession, Trade, being filled with members of a as chairperson of the Telugu charge-sheets were filed in all the victims. She said 94 per cent of was pressed into service for Callings and Employment particular community and said Academy," he said refuting cases. Investigation was pending the investors have been paid. security surveillance dur- If a person is a first time Amendment Bill-2019. It gave that there were about 160 more the TDP charge that nomi- in 11 cases, she added. In this connection, Sucharita ing the Assembly session, offender, he would be liable for its nod for increasing the salary posts which would be filled nated posts were being filled Sucharita said Agri Gold's said justice would be done to vic- fell due to faulty operation of imprisonment up to two years of VOAs, Sangamitras and after the ensuing panchayat with people belonging to a movable and immovable assets invested less than Rs 20,000. In tims of Kesava Reddy's financial the remote. Earlier, Lokesh and the punishment is four- Animators to Rs 10,000, bene- elections. particular community. were auctioned vide 15 GOs. The the first phase, the government fraud. Disclosing that 13 cases reached the Assembly by a year jail term for the second fitting 27,797 people. The composition after all the During the TDP govern- SRO value of the auctioned had disbursed Rs 263 crore to the were registered in this regard, she city bus from Mangalagiri. time offenders. The Cabinet also approved vacancies are filled, the Chief ment, intense lobbying used assets was Rs 3,785 crore, she dis- victims who had invested less said documents related to sever- He interacted with the pas- Persons guilty of commit- allotment of 15.28 acres of land Minister said, will be in tune to take place for nominated closed. The government had than Rs 10,000 in the company. al assets and vehicles were seized. sengers to know the public ting sexual offences against to APIIC to set up an industri- with the 50 per cent reserva- posts, but the present taken a decision to repay the Replying to a question, the A revision petition was filed in reaction to the increase in children would be liable for al park at Pamguru village in tions with SCs, STs, BCs, YSRCP government was amounts to the victims who had Home Minister said Chief the AP High Court, she said. APSRTC bus ticket fares. imprisonment for a period of Yerpedu mandal, Chittoor dis- Minorities and Women getting doing justice to all sections 10 years to 14 years. Earlier, trict. It gave the green signal for their due share. of people. The Opposition such culprits were liable for amendment to Section 21-a "We are the only government was making an unneces- three to five years of imprison- (1)(e) in Andhra Pradesh to make a legislation to provide sary fuss over nominated ment in such cases under the Cooperative Societies (APCS) reservations to the weaker sec- posts, he added. Exams for village secretariat posts fair, POCSO Act. act 1964. tions and after all the posts are The Cabinet approved can- filled the composition will Kapu stir cases cellation of residential and reflect our policy and letter and banks and marketing societies," The Cabinet also gave its commercial plots given to land spirit of the law we have passed,' he said. checks in place to prevent malpractice nod for withdrawal of cases owners who bought assigned he said. Jaganmohan Reddy read out registered against individuals land and pooled it for the state Ándhra Pradesh is the only the list of persons nominated as PNS n AMARAVATI and added, "We have set up one during the agitation for reser- sapital. The government decid- state that is giving 50 per cent chairpersons that included village secretariat for a popula- vation in jobs and education- ed to allot residential and com- reservation in nominated posts Vasireddy Padma, Nandamuri Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan tion of 2,000 people." al institutions for members of mercial plots to original and in contract works in the Lakshmi Parvathi, RK Roja and Reddy has said that the exams He said the Spandana pro- the Kapu community. Cases assigned landowners. country and the Cabinet itself Jakkampudi Raja among others. for village secretariat posts were gramme was reviewed at the pertaining to the Tuni incident In yet another important has 60 per cent of ministers rep- The question asked by held in a fair and transparent village secretariats every wherein a police station and a decision, the Cabinet okayed resenting the weaker sections. Anagani Satya Prasad and oth- manner and their functioning Tuesday. Social audit was done train were burnt would also be amendment to the AP State Of the five Deputy Chief ers, sought details of the num- are a reflection of efficient gov- with the list of beneficiaries withdrawn. University Act. It also gave its Ministers, four are from the ber of persons nominated and ernance. being displayed at the village nod for setting up of YSR weaker sections. Important appointed as chairmen, advi- During the short discussion secretariat. The list of those New department Architecture and Fine Arts portfolios of Home, Revenue, sors, CEOs and other adminis- on village secretariats, the Chief who were not eligible and the A new department related to University in YSR Kadapa dis- Education and the like are held trative posts and if reservations Minister said that the village sec- grounds of rejection along the affairs of the village secre- trict, amending the law to by these sections. were followed or not. retariats and the Spandana pro- with the procedure to apply tariat and village/ward volun- appoint AP State Council of "We have also provided The Chief Minister said that gramme were interlinked and afresh would also be available teer was given approval. The Higher Education (APSCHE) reservation in the posts of the post of advisor was of tem- revealed that 82.5 per cent of the at the Secretariat, he said. Cabinet made it clear that the chairman or his representative chairpersons of market yards porary nature and the persons village secretariat jobs were Earlier, Panchayat Raj min- objective of the new depart- as the ex-officio member in all and in Krishna district itself out appointed to it were those bagged by marginalised sections ister Peddireddy Ramachandra ment was to put in effective the universities in the State as of the 19 posts, 10 were given who had excellent track record of the society. Janmabhoomi Committees, a volunteers were also appointed Reddy said that there were no machinery for conduct of well as setting up of a cluster to weaker sections. We have in their respective fields. There Thanking the officials for system was put in place that and there were checks and bal- irregularities in the conduct of review of the activities taken up university by merging Silver also seen to it that half of the need not be any affiliations or the conduct of the fair and trans- would take the welfare measures ances with a toll free number the exams and members from by the village secretariats and Jubilee Degree College, KVR posts are reserved for women. motives attached as they were parent manner in which the and services of the government directly linked to the Chief the treasury benches lauded oversee their activities. Government Degree College We have followed the same pro- experts in their chosen fields, recruitment was done, he said to the doors of the beneficiaries. Minister's Office to deal with the functioning of village sec- The state Cabinet also and Government Degree cedure in district cooperative he said. unlike the previous This apart, 2.65 lakh village any charge of corruption, he said retariats. approved the Andhra Pradesh College in Kurnool. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 nation 04

SHORT READS NATIONAL REGISTER OF CITIZENS Russian navy ships in India Mosques in Karnataka urge Muslims to keep for joint exercise INDRA 2019 documents up-to-date PNS n NEW DELHI sile frigate. In addition, Dornier INDRA initially began as a and P8I Maritime Patrol Cong demands one Three Russian navy ships Aircraft, MiG-29K fighter air- have arrived in Goa to partici- bilateral naval exercise craft and other integral rotary rank, one pension for pate in the second edition of a between the Indian and the wing helicopters would also paramilitary forces tri-services exercise between Russian Federation navies participate in the exercise, it said. the armed forces of India and The Indian Army will be NEW DELHI: The Congress said Russia, officials said on in 2003. The exercise has fielding a Ghatak Platoon in the on Wednesday the one rank, Wednesday. now assumed a tri-service validation exercise on December one pension scheme should The aim of exercise INDRA 18, whereas an assortment of Su- also be provided to the 2019 is to enhance interoperabil- scope with corresponding 30MKI and Jaguar military jets, paramilitary forces as they too ity and develop an understand- maturity and gradual Mi-17 helicopters and an air- sacrifice their lives for the ing in order to effectively tack- borne warning and control sys- country. Raising the issue le common security challenges, increase in complexity and tem (AWACS) aircraft will be during Zero Hour, Adhir they said. level of participation, it said participating from the Indian Chowdhury, the leader of the "The Russian Federation Air Force, the ministry said. Congress in Lok Sabha, said Navy (RuFN) Ships Yaroslav "Tri-services Ex INDRA 2019 paramilitary forces, which were working for 16-20 hours, were Mudry, Viktor Konetsky and 10-19. held in two phases. The harbour 19, officials said. would help further strengthen PNS n BENGALURU Elyna arrived at Goa on INDRA initially began as a phase would be held at Goa "The focus area for the exer- mutual confidence and interop- The Imam said deprived of their legitimate December 10 to participate in bilateral naval exercise between from December 10-15 and cise at sea would be underway erability and also enable sharing Apparently in anticipation of dues. "One rank, one pension INDRA 2019, the second edi- the Indian and the Russian encompass planning confer- replenishment, air defence drills, of best practices between the nation-wide roll out of NRC sometimes there are should be introduced to them.... They are also tion of the tri-services exercise Federation navies in 2003. The ences, professional interactions, surface firings, visits board armed forces of both countries. (National Register of Citizens), differences in the sacrificing their lives for the between the Indian and the exercise has now assumed a tri- cultural visits, sports fixtures and search and seizure (VBSS) oper- "The exercise will be yet mosques in Karnataka have country," Chowdhury said. One Russian armed forces," the service scope with correspond- formal calls between flag officers ations and other tactical proce- another milestone in strength- given a call to Muslims to keep names in Aadhaar, Rank, One Pension (OROP) Indian defence ministry said in ing maturity and gradual and senior officers of the partic- dures, the statement said. ening security cooperation their documents up-to-date. PAN Card, Election scheme for former servicemen a statement. increase in complexity and level ipating navies," it said. The Indian Navy would be and will serve to reinforce the Imams and Moulvis have was earlier implemented by the The naval component of the of participation, it said. The sea phase of the exercise represented by INS Aditya, a long-standing bond of friend- been appealing them to set right Photo Identity Card BJP government. exercise would be conducted off "This year, the naval compo- would be conducted in the fleet support ship and INS ship between India and their documents if there are any the coast of Goa from December nent of the exercise would be Arabian Sea from December 16- Tarkash, a frontline guided mis- Russia," it said. anomalies in them. The Jamia (EPIC) and other Masjid in Bengaluru even documents. These Delhi Cong stages opened a 'Citizen Centre' three protest against months ago to assist people to anomalies should be keep their documents ready Citizenship Bill near Manmohan to attend J&K admin asks agitating and help in addressing the corrected to avoid anomalies, if any. BJP headquarters "It is essential for every citi- any problems in NEW DELHI: Delhi Congress one-year completion zen of India to keep their doc- future, he added leaders and workers on lawyers to call off strike uments up to date. Keeping that Wednesday staged a protest in view, an effort has been made against the Citizenship event of MP govt PNS n JAMMU through the Jamia Masjid government has money in (Amendment) Bill near the BJP where we are asking Muslims to excess then let them splurge)," headquarters on DDU Marg PNS n BHOPAL The Jammu and Kashmir properly maintain their the Imam added. here. Police put up barricades administration has urged records," Maqsood Imran, the Mohammed Shahnaz, resi- near the saffron party Former prime minister lawyers to call off their ongo- Imam of Jamia Masjid in dent of Basaveshwaranagar, too headquarters to prevent the Manmohan Singh will attend a ing strike in the "interest of Bengaluru, told PTI on confirmed that the mosque in protestors from marching function to be organised by the people" and assured them of Wednesday. his area has asked the Muslims ahead. The bill is a "divisive Congress here on December 17 making sincere efforts to "We have also set up in the tokeep all the documents ready ploy" by the BJP government at when the party-led government address their concerns, an offi- Jamia Masjid 'CitizensCentre and rectify any mistakes in the Centre, Delhi Congress in Madhya Pradesh completes cial said on Wednesday. where we are asking people to them. president Subhash Chopra one year in office. Singh will also The appeal was made by K keep certain documentsready These measures come said. release a vision document for K Sharma, advisor to Lt and ensure that they don't bear against the backdrop of Centre Madhya Pradesh on the occa- Governor G C Murmu, during any mistakes," he added. The making it clear that the NRC sion, state Congress spokesper- a meeting with the representa- Imam said sometimes there are will be rolled out across India Teenaged gang-rape son Narendra Saluja told PTI. Chief Minister's Office said in a tives of Jammu and Kashmir differences in the names in before 2024 polls. victim complains of Chief Minister Kamal Nath tweet on Tuesday. Nath was the High Court Bar Association Aadhaar, PAN Card, Election At a public meeting in invited Singh to the state, which Union Commerce and (JKHCBA) at the High Court Photo Identity Card (EPIC) Jharkhand during an election threat of 'Unnao-like' the latter accepted, he said. Industries Minister from 2004 to complex here, the spokesper- ue the strike or call if off However, he said the strike and other documents. These rally on December two, Home fate by accused: Police Singh and Nath will jointly 2009 and Union Roads and son said. because it was the General will continue till the next anomalies should be corrected Minister Amit Shah said he has address the media and speak on Highways Minister and Urban Work in the High Court and House which has taken the General House. to avoid any problems in future, set a 2024 deadline for imple- FATEHPUR (UP): A 16-year-old the country's "worrisome" eco- Development Minister between its subordinate courts has been decision to go for indefinite Accompanied by Financial he added. menting the NRC across the gang-rape victim here has nomic condition, a source close 2009 and 2014 when Singh was affected in most parts of strike," JKHCBA president Commissioner, Revenue, Imran, however, claimed that country, asserting that "each complained to senior police to the chief minister said. The the prime minister. Jammu region after JKHCBA Abhinav Sharma told PTI. Pawan Kotwal who also holds this drive has nothing to do and every" infiltrator will be officers that she is being Kamal Nath-led government The Congress plans to take went on an indefinite strike on Sharma, who was part of the the charge of Inspector General with NRC because, according identified and expelled before threatened by the accused with has accused the Centre of dis- out a mega rally in Delhi on November 1 against the gov- delegation which met the advi- of Registration in the Union to him, infiltration is not an the next general election. a "Unnao like" fate if she did not criminating against Madhya December 14 to protest against ernment's decision to divest sor, said a decision to convene Territory, advisor Sharma said issue in South India and hence, Home Minister of the BJP- withdraw the case against Pradesh by not releasing funds the state of the economy, unem- the judicial courts of its pow- the General House will be the powers of the registration there is no need to get scared of ruled Karnataka, Basavaraj them. "The victim had met ASP meant for the state. ployment and unprecedented ers to register various docu- taken later in the day. have been vested to the or worried about the NRC. Bommai too had expressed his on Tuesday and claimed she "We had sought 18 lakh met- price hike due to the "wrong ments and vest the same with "The General House will be Revenue Officers in the UT in "NRC is not an issue. It will views favouring the NRC in the was threatened with a 'Unnao ric tons of urea (manure) for policies" of the BJP-led govern- revenue department. briefed about the meeting with line with the practice in the rest not affect us in any manner. state. Bommai had said that he like' fate if she did not Rabi season from the Centre but ment at the Centre, a party "The General House will the government to help it to of the country, under the Hukoomat Ke Paas Paise Zyada would discuss the matter with compromise with the accused," it has slashed the quota," the leader earlier said. decide whether we will contin- make a decision," he said. Central Registration Act, 1908. Hain To Kharch Kare (If the the Union Home Minister. said Jafarganj Circle Officer Shripal Yadav. "We are probing the matter. If it is proved that the victim was threatened, a fresh case will be registered Inner Line Permit regime extended to Manipur; Prez signs order against the accused," he added. The teenaged girl was allegedly PNS n NEW DELHI regime states, outsiders, includ- protect the indigenous popula- While introducing the abducted and raped by four ing people from other states of tion. There have been wide- Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, men last month in a village in The inner line permit (ILP) the country, need to take per- spread protests in the 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Ghazipur near here. After regime was extended to mission. There are also protec- Northeastern region against Monday, Shah had said the ILP registering the FIR at the Manipur on Wednesday with tion for the locals with regards the bill following which the would be extended to Manipur. Ghazipur police station, police President Ram Nath Kovind to lands, jobs and other facili- home minister had announced He had also said an order in this arrested the main accused signing the order in this effect. ties. that the proposed law will not regard would be issued before Pradeep, but three others are The decision comes two days Manipur is the fourth state be applicable in ILP regime the proposed legislation is noti- still absconding. "We are trying after Union Home Minister after Arunachal Pradesh, states and areas governed under fied. to arrest the remaining three. Goa govt sends Searches are on to nab them," Amit Shah announced in the Nagaland and Mizoram where the Sixth Schedule of the According to the bill, mem- reminder to Lok Sabha that the ILP would the ILP regime is applicable. Constitution. bers of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, the circle officer added. be extended to Manipur to The ILP regime is applicable Under the Sixth Schedule of Jain, Parsi and Christian com- Javadekar on allay fears of the people of the under the Bengal Eastern the Constitution, autonomous munities, who have come from northeastern state about the Frontier Regulation, 1873. In councils and districts were cre- Pakistan, Bangladesh and Over 70 pc class 10 Mahadayi dispute contentious Citizenship terms of Section 2 of the Bengal ated in certain tribal areas in Afghanistan, till December 31, students of Delhi govt (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Eastern Frontier Regulations, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. 2014 facing religious persecu- PNS n PANAJI A notification in this regard 1873, citizens of other states The autonomous councils and tion there, will not be treated as schools opt for 'basic was issued by the Home require ILP for visiting these The main objective of the ment of other Indian nationals districts enjoy certain executive illegal immigrants but given maths' The Goa government has Ministry. To visit the ILP- three states. ILP system is to prevent settle- in the three states in order to and legislative powers. Indian citizenship. NEW DELHI: More than 70 per sent a reminder to the cent Delhi government school Central government about students appearing for class X its demand to withdraw the board exams in 2020 have environment clearance US body's view on Shah opted for 'basic mathematics'-- exemption given to Protest against CAB: FIR against an option introduced for the Karnataka for Kalasa Banduri first time. The Central Board of project on Mahadayi River. Secondary Education (CBSE) The state government on attack on our sovereignty: had earlier this year announced Tuesday wrote to Union AMU students for defying Sec 144 that it will introduce two levels Minister of Environment, of examination in mathematics n Forest and Climate Change BJP MP in LS PNS ALIGARH (UP) AMU student leaders for Class 10 students in 2020 Prakash Javadekar reiterating to cater to different kinds of n said that their protests its demand for withdrawal of PNS NEW DELHI An FIR has been registered learners. The nomenclature for the EC exemption given to against 20 students of the are "totally peaceful" and the examinations will be the Karnataka government. A BJP member in Lok Sabha on Aligarh Muslim University in it is their "democratic mathematics - standard, for the Speaking to the media on Wednesday slammed a federal connection with their protest right" to raise a voice existing level of examination, Wednesday, Chief Minister US commission's call for sanc- against Citizenship Amendment and mathematics - basic, for Pramod Sawant said a tions against Home Minister Bill, and security has been against the Bill which is the easier level, according to a reminder has been sent to the Amit Shah over the Citizenship beefed up in the campus, a not just against the letter circular issued by the CBSE. Union minister, as his 15-day (Amendment) Bill as an attack on senior official said on and spirit of the However, if the students deadline to sort out the issue India's sovereignty and asked all Wednesday. change their mind after the has already expired. parties to come together to send Rapid Action Force has been Constitution but is exam, they will be given the Javadekar, who was in Goa a "stern message" against this. deployed at the entry points to designed to polarise option of writing the standard on November 20 to inaugu- Raising the issue a day after a fed- American body has no locus the University campus, where an Indian people on mathematics paper during the rate International Film eral US commission on interna- standi. uneasy calm prevailed. compartment examination. Festival of India, had sought tional religious freedom sought According to the proposed leg- The police on Tuesday night communal lines and According to Delhi government 15 days time to act on the sanctions against Shah and other islation, members of Hindu, filed a report against 20 student ers." AMU Proctor Prof lines and divide the country. divide the country statistics, more than 70 per Goa government's demand to principal Indian leadership if the Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and leaders and 500 other unnamed Afifullah Khan said that on Secretary of the AMU cent students appearing for the withdraw its letter to bill with the "religious criterion" Christian communities, who persons for defying prohibitory Tuesday evening, students took Teachers Association, Prof exam have opted for basic Karnataka. The Chief is passed by Parliament, have come from Pakistan, orders under Section 144 and out a protest march from the Najmul Islam said, "We may not on the ramifications of the bill. mathematics. As per the Minister said he had person- Nishikant Dubey said the matter Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till holding a protest near Faiz Gate University Library up to the be participating in the ongoing "We are also trying to meet National Curriculum ally called Javadekar on was not about one party. December 31, 2014 facing reli- in the campus. University Circle. protest on the campus but we the Prime Minister in a bid to Framework, not only would the Tuesday reminding him The home minister is working gious persecution there, will not Civil Lines' Station House Khan, however, said the are sparing no efforts to per- persuade him to have a relook two levels of examination cater about his assurance. for the country's unity, security be treated as illegal immigrants Officer Amit Kumar said, march was peaceful. AMU suade all political parties includ- at the bill," he added. to different kinds of learners "Javadekar told me that he and integrity and the US commit- but given Indian citizenship. The "Section 144 has been clamped student leaders said that their ing the ruling party to have a Meanwhile, no untoward and allow different levels of was out of station. He was in tee's move is an attack on our sov- Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or all over the city and the students protests are "totally peaceful" relook at this bill as we foresee incident has been reported from testing, it would also reduce Spain and has returned on ereignty, he said. CAB was passed in the Lok had violated this provision by and it is their "democratic right" a very dangerous fall out of these the campus on Wednesday, overall student stress levels, Tuesday. He will look into the Dubey said opposition parties Sabha with 311 members favour- marching up to the University to raise a voice against the Bill events not just in the country according to an official the CBSE had said while matter," Sawant said. Goa is can come to power in future and ing it and 80 voting against it a Circle and trying to disturb the which is not just against the let- but in our neighbourhood also". spokesman of the University. notifying the introduction of firm on its demand to either the matter is not about about one little past midnight on Monday. peace due to which FIRs have ter and spirit of the Constitution Islam said they are inviting The spokesman said that option. withdraw the letter or keep it party. India had dismissed the On Wednesday, it was tabled in been registered under relevant but is designed to polarise senior political leaders of all annual examinations were held in abeyance, he said. commission's view, saying the the Rajya Sabha for its nod. sections against 20 student lead- Indian people on communal national parties for a discussion as per schedule. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 nation 05 SHORT READS CAB unconstitutional, divisive: Oppn in RS PNS n NEW DELHI Opposition parties led by the Bill introduced in LS to sentence abusers Congress in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday described the Citizenship Amendment Bill of senior citizens to six months in jail as unconstitutional, alleging it PSLV-C48 puts discriminates against refugees NEW DELHI: Those who intentionally abuse their parents or senior citizens under their care and protection RISAT-2BR1 in orbit on the basis of religion, and or abandon them may be sentenced to six months' imprisonment or slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 or cautioned the government both, according to a bill introduced to amend the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens SRIHARIKOTA: The Indian that the proposed legislation Act, 2007 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Space Research Organisation's would not stand judicial (Amendment) Bill, 2019, introduced in the House by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Oppn could get workhorse rocket PSLV-C48 scrutiny. Thaawarchand Gehlot, defines "abuse" as physical, verbal, emotional and economic abuses, neglect and blasted off from the spaceport Initiating the debate on the abandonment, causing assault, injury, physical or mental suffering. Similarly, "children" in relation to a numbers against here on Wednesday, carrying Bill, Congress leader Anand parent or a senior citizen means son or daughter, whether biological, adoptive or step-child, and includes India's radar imaging earth Sharma attacked the BJP say- son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandson, grand-daughter and legal guardians of minor children. The bill Citizenship observation satellite RISAT- ing the manifesto of any polit- provides for establishment of a tribunal for senior citizens to file claims for maintenance and assistance 2BR1 and nine foreign ical party cannot be above the and such applications from those above 80 years of age should be disposed off within 60 days. Only in (Amendment) Bill satellites. With clear skies in Constitution of India. exceptional circumstances and for reasons to be recorded in writing, the tribunal may extend the period the background, the 44.4 metre The ruling BJP has claimed only once for a maximum of 30 days. For other senior citizens or parents, their applications will have to be PNS n NEW DELHI tall rocket lifted off majestically that it had won "mandate" on Sharma said the proposed legislation settled by the tribunal within 90 days. According to the legislation, there will be a nodal officer at each at 3.25 pm from the first the basis of its manifesto which moved by Home Minister Amit Shah police station, not below the rank of an assistant sub-inspector, to deal with the issues relating to parents Senior Congress leader Ghulam launch pad of the Satish clearly talked about the amend- and senior citizens. Similarly, each district will have a special police unit for senior citizens' welfare and Nabi Azad on Wednesday said Dhawan Space Centre here. ments to the citizenship law. is ‘divisive’, ‘discriminatory’ and such a unit will have to be headed by a police officer not below the rank of DSP. the Opposition could get the Incidentally, the launch marks a The Citizenship against the fundamentals of the required numbers in Rajya Sabha significant milestone for the (Amendment) Bill, 2019, against the Citizenship space agency as it is the 50th which has already been Indian Constitution and judges will decide what (Amendment) Bill as parties flight of PSLV and the 75th approved by Lok Sabha, pro- you have done is constitution- that supported the BJP in Lok vehicle mission from poses to give citizenship to Minister, said that though the are saying this is a historic bill, al or not. Sabha might vote against the pro- Sriharikota. The 628 kg satellite Hindus, Christians, Parsis, Bill was part of the 2019 man- but how it would be evaluat- "Knowing this is unconsti- posed legislation in the wake of is meant for applications in Jains, Budhists and Sikhs fac- ifesto of the BJP, it cannot ed in the the history, this you tutional, I am afraid this gov- nationwide protests. various fields like agriculture, ing religion persecution in override the principles of the get to know later." ernment is ramming through The Leader of Opposition in forestry and disaster Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indian Constitution. Congress leader and former this Bill in order to advance its Rajya Sabha alleged that the Bill management support. Afghanistan. "Every political party has Union Minister P Hindutva agenda. is "totally discriminatory and It would also serve military Opposing the Bill, Sharma right to have its own mani- Chidambaram termed the Bill "This is a sad day. unconstitutional". purposes, ISRO sources said. said the proposed legislation festo. But the manifesto of any as "a slap on the face of Thankfully they are not The Bill has been rejected by moved by Home Minister political party cannot be above Parliament". amending the Constitution, one and all from Kashmir to Amit Shah is "divisive", "dis- the Constitution of this coun- "Parliamentarians are being they are only making a law, Kanyakumari, he claimed. Maha: BJP corporator criminatory" and against the try," the Deputy Leader of asked to do something uncon- and I am absolutely confident, "The northeastern states are gets 5-year RI in fundamentals of the Indian Opposition said. stitutional and then the baby I am absolutely clear in my burning and there are huge bribery case Constitution. Taking a dig at the Home is passed on to the judiciary mind, this law will be struck protests in other parts of the Sharma, a former Union Minister, Sharma said: "You and in the judiciary, lawyers down," he said. country," Azad told reporters. THANE: A BJP corporator was Asked about the Opposition on Wednesday sentenced to not having the numbers against five years' rigorous the Bill in the Upper House, he imprisonment by a court here Centre not concerned about protests against citizenship bill: Gehlot said, "Who knows, we may have in Maharashtra for taking bribe PNS n JAIPUR What is the intention behind the Citizenship unemployment, Ghelot said at Tax Department, Enforcement the numbers. I think a better in 2014. District Judge (special (Amendment) Bill? The Opposition is not being heard. the protest at the Gandhi Circle Directorate and Central Bureau sense will prevail on most of the Anti-Corruption Bureau cases) The Centre is not concerned here. The government is "arro- of Investigation are being mis- regional political parties and PP Jadhav pronounced Varsha about protests across the coun- We need to think where democracy is gant" and all decisions are used," he alleged. they will read through the rea- Bhanushali, the corporator in try against the Citizenship — ASHOK GEHLOT, Rajasthan Chief Minister being taken at the level of the Kashmir after abrogation of sons why this Bill should not be the BJP-ruled Mira Bhayandar (Amendment) Bill and trying Prime Minister's Office Article 370 was discussed passed." "I do not think that ever Municipal Corporation (MBMC) to divert attention from real Pakistan, Bangladesh and behind the Citizenship (PMO), he alleged. worldwide, the chief minister before, the northeastern states of Thane district, guilty under issues such as economic slow- Afghanistan escaping religious (Amendment) Bill? The oppo- Gehlot said a former RBI said. "There are human right have unitedly gone against a bill provisions of the Prevention of down, Rajasthan Chief persecution there. sition is not being heard. We governor has said that the violations in Kashmir and the passed by Parliament," the senior Corruption Act. The court also Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged "It is for the first time that need to think where democra- economy is suffering because government was criticised for Congress leader told reporters. imposed a fine of Rs five lakh on Wednesday. there is an atmosphere of fear cy is," the chief minister said. all powers are centralised at the that,"he said. Those parties that had sup- on her, additional public Gehlot was speaking at a sit- in the country. Protests are hap- The central government is PMO. Gehlot said the Congress will ported the Bill in Lok Sabha did prosecutor Vivek Kadu said. On in staged by the Congress pening, the North East is burn- being criticised but it is not "The economy is suffering hold a massive rally on the not know that there would be June 6, 2014, Bhanushali, who against the Bill that seeks to ing, but this government is not bothered and is trying to divert but the government is not con- issue of farmers, unemploy- such vehement protests against then represented ward 14-B of grant Indian citizenship to at all concerned. attention from real issues such cerned. The PMO has cen- ment and economic slowdown the Bill across the country, he the MBMC, demanded Rs 1.6 non-Muslim refugees from "What is the intention as economic slowdown and tralised all powers. The Income in Delhi on December 14. said. lakh from a shopkeeper to arrange permission to increase the height of his shop. It was agreed that he would pay Rs 50,000 as the first installment. CAB not communicated properly to NE: Rijiju The aggrieved shopkeeper approached the Anti- PNS n NEW DELHI Corruption Bureau, which laid a the trap of some mis-cam- indigenous people of the north Nagaland are excluded." being addressed. In Meghalaya trap and caught Bhanushali paigning," the Minister, who eastern region have been Clarifying about the issue of and entire Tripura autonomous while accepting Rs 50,000, the Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on hails from Arunachal Pradesh, addressed thoroughly," he said. ILP in Manipur, he said: council areas are being exclud- prosecution told the court. Wednesday said that protests in said. Thanking Prime Minister "Manipur was a big concern ed from the purview of the cit- the northeastern region against Rijiju explained to the media Narendra Modi and Home but for the first time, the Home izenship amendment bill and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, how the concerns of the north- Minister Amit Shah, he said the Minister has announced that Sikkim also has already being We don't divide 2019 are happening as "the eastern region had been taken core issue of Assam Accord has ILP system will be introduced told that its concerns and the issue has not been communi- into account while drafting also been addressed by imple- in the whole of Manipur. provision in the constitution people in Bengal: cated properly". the CAB. menting Clause 6. Talking about will not be changed." Mamata Banerjee Speaking to the media here "The Home Minister has "The entire region of north- the states of Attacking the opposition, DIGHA (WB): West Bengal Chief on the sidelines of 9th Global discussed and listened to the east has been protected in the Assam, he said: "The opposition is Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sports Summit 'Turf 2019', voice of the northeastern peo- Bill. All the states under the Meghalaya and making politics out of it. when Wednesday said organised by FICCI, the ple. This is a very important bill ILP (Inner Line Permit) Tripura, he was the time when northeast- unity in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the country... at the same regime like Arunachal said: "The core ern people were consulted diversity is Assam turns into leader said: "There are protests time, the concerns of the Pradesh, Mizoram and issues of Assam when a bill was introduced in the ethos of going on... there are concerns Accord are the Parliament? After 1985 the state but those concerns are being where was the implementation and people addressed." The issue has not been communicated properly... process of the Clause 6 or the battleground amid "The issue has not been or some people don't want to understand. We core issue of Assam Accord here are not divided on the communicated properly... or don't want northeastern region to fall in the which was signed in 1985? It basis of caste, creed and some people don't want to trap of some mis-campaigning has been addressed now only religion. Her statement came anti-CAB protests understand. We don't want under the leadership of PM — KIREN RIJIJU, Union Minister when the Citizenship northeastern region to fall in Modi." (Amendment) Bill is being PNS n GUWAHATI Citizenship (Amendment) Bill debated in Rajya Sabha. The is being hotly debated in the contentious Bill that seeks to Tens of thousands of protesters Rajya Sabha after its passage by provide Indian citizenship to against CAB descended on the the Lok Sabha. According to streets of Assam on student leaders who went live PM's shout-out, standing Riots probe report non-Muslim refugees coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Wednesday, clashing with on national TV, many agitators Afghanistan after facing police and plunging the state were injured in police action in religious persecution there, was into chaos of a magnitude front of the secretariat. ovation for BS Yediyurappa exposes ‘conspiracy' to passed in the Lok Sabha on unseen since the violent 6-year All senior civil and police Tuesday. "Unity in diversity is movement by students that officials were incommunicado PNS n NEW DELHI when he rose to address the the soul of the state and we ended with the signing of the but, according to unofficial BJP parliamentarians, said defame Modi: BJP don't divide people on the basis Assam accord. Though no accounts, hundreds of protest- Prime Minister Narendra Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. of caste, creed and religion. party or student body has ers have been detained in Modi urged BJP MPs to give "On behalf of the party, we PNS n GANDHINAGAR We believe in staying together. called a shutdown, protesters, Guwahati and other places like a standing ovation for BS gave him a standing ovation The riots took place We are one family and no one a majority of them students, Dibrugarh and Jorhat. Yediyurappa, the Chief but PM Modi, before his The Nanavati Commission after two coaches of staying here can say that he is fought pitched battles with A large number of agitated Minister of Karnataka, credit- speech, asked everyone to give report on the 2002 Gujarat Sabarmati Express deprived," Mamata said at security forces in the restive students blocked the road near ing him with the recent bypoll Yediyurappa and Karnataka riots exposes the "conspiracy" train were set on fire the Bengal Business Conclave state, including in front of the the secretariat complex and sweep that has firmly estab- ministers a standing ovation," by certain NGOs and the held in this coastal town. The secretariat, the seat of the BJP pulled down the barricade lished the party's majority and Mr Joshi told reporters. Congress to defame Prime near Godhra Railway conclave is being attended by government. Police fired tear erected on the arterial G S stabilized its government in "PM Modi is very grateful to Minister Narendra Modi glob- Station, in which delegates from 28 countries gas shells and baton-charged Road, provoking police action. the southern state. the people, he said there will ally, state Home Minister 59 ‘karsevaks' such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, protesters, who fought back. Police burst teargas shells and At a weekly meeting of BJP be a lot of development in the Pradeepsinh Jadeja said on returning from the UK, Poland, the US, Assam smouldered with baton-charged the protesters, MPs at parliament, PM Modi First, the Prime Minister state," added the Union Wednesday. Ayodhya were killed Australia, Thailand, Russia, Italy protests rocking several parts of who were seen lobbing back expressed joy at the Karnataka was given a standing ovation Parliamentary Affairs The commission's report, and China. the state on the day the the shells at men in uniform. win, leaders said. for his six months in office Minister. tabled in the Gujarat Assembly on Wednesday by BJP leader Jadeja, gave a clean the report in the House. chit to then chief The commission makes minister it clear that there was Narendra Modi- an attempt to malign Govt introduces Data Protection bill in LS led state govern- Modi's image, the ment for the BJP leader said, worst riots in the while naming NGOs l To send it to joint select committee of both Houses history of the like the 'Jan state where over Sangharsh Manch' and PNS n NEW DELHI government in the Lok Sabha the bill to be sent to the depart- Mohua Moitra of the TMC 1,000 people, mainly the 'Citizen for Justice for a growing "snooping indus- mental standing committee spoke against the bill, demand- of minority community, and Peace of activist Teesta The government on Wednesday try" under its watch and alleged headed by Tharoor, which had ing that it be examined by the were killed. Setalwad. proposed sending the Personal that the bill violated the recently decided to take up the standing committee concerned. The riots took place after "Several NGOs had been Data Protection Bill to a joint Constitution, Electronics and WhatsApp snooping case, Chowdhury said a "snooping two coaches of Sabarmati conspiring to malign the select committee of both Houses Information Technology despite reservations expressed industry" had grown and Express train were set on fire image of Gujarat, its people of Parliament amid protests by Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad by the BJP members on the Prasad's ministry was "riddled near Godhra railway station, and Narendra Modi (then the opposition, which said the refuted the charge and said a panel. with suspicions" about its con- in which 59 'karsevaks' return- chief minister of Gujarat). To right to privacy of citizens was parliamentary panel could Opposition parties walked duct. ing from Ayodhya were killed. fulfil their agenda, they made being compromised and examine it in the most-detailed out in protest as the House, Roy said people's privacy was "The commission's report clar- allegations that the riots were demanded that it be sent to the manner. where the ruling BJP-led NDA breached, referring to the row ifies all doubts among\ people state-sponsored, he said. departmental standing com- The government will move a has a massive majority, allowed over the use of Israeli software regarding the 2002 riots in the But the commission, in its mittee, headed by Shashi proposal to send the bill to the the minister to introduce the bill. Pegasus to spy on the WhatsApp state. It also exposes conspir- final report, has clarified that Tharoor of the Congress. proposed committee on Before the introduction, communication of some people. acy by certain NGOs and the the then chief minister held As opposition parties such as Thursday, he said. opposition members such as There was no necessity for the when the existing laws could Court judgment that said priva- Congress to malign Modi's review meetings, visited inci- the Congress and the Trinamool This, however, infuriated the Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the bill which, he said, would add deal with the matter. cy was a fundamental right to image the world over," Jadeja dent spots, and worked hard to Congress (TMC) attacked the opposition, which had called for Congress and Saugata Roy and one more layer of bureaucracy They also cited a Supreme question the bill. told reporters after tabling ensure peace and law and VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Not good enough By effectively allowing every Central agency to snoop on private data, the data protection Bill needs a relook Death of democracy he latest draft of the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, which is doing the Anti-intellectual trends and sectarian politics unfolding in nations ruled by elected Governments Trounds of Parliament, seems to have ruf- fled many feathers while pleasing some quar- ters at the same time. At first glance, it appears no less can push the world into a bottomless pit of cultural and civilisational decadence that the Bill has plugged many loopholes. It categorises data into three categories — crit- ical, sensitive and general — and calls upon social media firms to create a mechanism to keep a check on trolling. But it has also made some glaring exemptions. It has granted Government agencies the complete authori- ty to access personal data of Indian users without the need for a court warrant. This, the Government feels, is in the interest of the country and will protect its NITHIN AUGUSTINE sovereignty and integrity besides maintaining public order and developing friend- ly relations with other nations. The provisions of the Bill are in sharp contrast to emocracies across the globe are fighting a battle of survival today. the recommendations made by the BN Srikrishna committee last year. It had India, one of the largest democ- recommended that “processing (collection, recording, analysis, disclosure, etc) racies in the world, is facing an of personal data should be done only for clear, specific and lawful” purposes. existential threat from internal forcesD motivated by vested interests and nar- The current Bill does away with the need for definition of any sort. Moreover, row political gains. The ongoing attack on the authority for protecting personal data is vested with authorities in the Government democracy and the resulting authoritarian and bureaucrats. This, in essence, will give rise to a conflict of interest as it is regulations on people’s right to choose a Government of their choice, freedom of the Government against whom the public wants to protect data. Then the larg- expression, Constitutional validity and sup- er issue of data brokers, companies who routinely buy and sell data even out- pression of liberal voice will take the coun- side the country, remains unaddressed. Worse, their modus operandi is one that try back to the primitive times. Signs of such a trend are already looming large on the hori- comes within the legal boundaries. While demands for localisation have been zon with secularism and pluralistic worldview made, they do not figure in the current scheme of things. Besides, localisation coming under constant attack. An annual alone cannot ensure that the data will be protected within domestic confines, report by Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), published in 2018, titled, “Democracy Facing for even if the broker is located, is there any provision that can hold him/her account- Global Challenges” said that “autocratisation able? While there is little doubt that certain aspects of information cannot be is now manifesting in a number of countries, made fully private, fiduciary information, for example, much of that data is already including Brazil, India, Russia, Turkey and the known to many agencies. And on this count, several Indian firms have proven US. Autocratisation affects one-third of the world’s population, or some 2.5 billion peo- themselves to be particularly inept at handling it. Leaks, both inadvertent and ple. This represents a massive reduction in the malafide, are extremely common across the country. Whistle-blowers, who expose global protection of rights and freedoms.” the dark and dirty deeds of wrongdoing in the corporate sector and the Government, Democratic discussions and debates cating a gradual but deliberate dominating source of conflict Abraham Lincoln, is “A with a different worldview guid- have been greatly undermined in recent times, attempt to strangle and replace will be cultural. Nation states Government of the people, by the ed by reason and logic. A revis- leave a potential grey area for the misuse of personal data in the country. attacks on minority groups have seen a rise democracy are not only seen in will remain the most powerful people and for the people.” Its it of the same would usher in a With search engines very conveniently being left out of the latest draft Bill, and religion has almost taken the centre-stage India but across the globe. actors in world affairs but the very foundation, therefore, rests new era of positive change, char- it appears that the public affairs folks at Google must be pleased as punch. But in all political discourses. Anti-democratic The Varieties of Democracy principal conflicts of global on its people, their belief and the acterised by greater reliance on symptoms, such as attacks on certain sections report further adds that “aspects politics will occur between desire to be ruled by a leader who reason, logic and human intelli- is that one exemption too far as well? Nobody is debating that in a country like of society based on their food habits, curtail- of democracy that make elections nations and groups of different is capable of ensuring their safe- gence. India, personal data, even at a very granular level, is important to provide bet- ing of freedom of individuals and organisa- truly meaningful are on the civilisations. The clash of civil- ty and overall well-being. The enlightenment values ter public services. Most importantly, better information can lead to massive cost tion and interference with Government decline. Media autonomy, free- isations will dominate global Huntington, in his book, The are relevant even today, partic- institutions for political gains, are challeng- dom of expression and alterna- politics. The fault lines between Third Wave: Democratisation in ularly as the world remains savings and other efficiencies. Unlike many Western countries, where the pub- ing Indian democracy. In his book, tive sources of information and civilisations will be the battle the Late Twentieth Century, talks highly susceptible to religious lic at large is very touchy about their personal data, in a country as large and Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, the rule of law have undergone lines of the future.” about three waves of democrati- fundamentalism, strong ideo- diverse as India, things unfortunately have to be slightly different. At the same Science, Humanism, and Progress, Steven the greatest decline among Authoritarian regimes have sations, the challenges each of logical adherence to divisive Pinker said that “a good democratic democracy metrics in recent always resorted to extreme mea- them faced and the democratic politics and increasing anti- time, it is also evident that India has a high incidence of tax avoidance and all Government allows people to pursue their years. This trend affects both sures to silence public opinion, transitions that took place cross democratic trends. Further, the sorts of small scams that rob the public exchequer and taxpayer. Better analyt- lives in safety, protected from the violence of autocracies and democracies.” eliminate adversary groups and the globe. However, today, we anti-intellectual trends and sec- ics should make those crimes less prevalent, although they won’t remove them anarchy and in freedom, protected from the Besides, the dramatic rise in create an environment of fear. need a fourth wave that would tarian politics unfolding today violence of tyranny. For that reason alone, protectionist trends, deglobalisa- Democracy was an exception not necessitate any democratic in countries ruled by democra- altogether. Then there is the provision called the “Right to be Forgotten,” which democracy is a major contributor to human tion, hyper-nationalism and divi- that allowed and promoted free transitions but protect the exist- tic Governments could poten- should allow individuals to have some of their personal data removed from the flourishing.” sive politics will only worsen the speech, dissent and peaceful ing democracies. But this would tially push the world into a bot- internet. While this copies the European legislation around the same topic, the Currently, there are 103 democracies in current state of affairs. This is protests. However, democracy require what Immanuel Kant tomless pit of cultural and civil- the world with nearly 56 per cent of the glob- more evident during election today is crackling under exces- calls “enlightenment” or dare to isational decadence. practicality of such a provision in India, which is likely to be misused by con- al populations residing in them. But recent campaigns, where propaganda is sive pressure from politicians, know (sapere aude). However, active participa- men and fraudsters to remove unflattering remarks, is questionable. There are developments in the global political landscape skillfully employed to spread Governments and individuals Enlightenment, as Kant tion of people, unbiased report- concerns still about the unpreparedness of offline businesses to duly comply are giving rise to authoritarianism. The rise misinformation and instill fear in with vested interests. In the describes it, is man’s emergence ing by the media and a fair judi- with the provisions of the Bill. Of course, this is just a draft provision and unlike of an alternative form of democracy, like the minds of the people about words of Stephen Pinker, such from his self-imposed nonage. cial system can play a crucial theodicy in the Muslim world and authori- possible threats to their reli- trends were first witnessed in Nonage is the inability to use one’s role in upholding the sanctity many other Acts, which the Government is pushing through, this Bill is going tarian capitalism in China, is the primary rea- gious, cultural and ethnic iden- “the first decade of the 21st cen- own understanding without and ensuring the long life of through a Select Committee. Hopefully, all political parties will appoint their smarter son for the declining popularity of democra- tities from external forces. tury with the rise of populist another’s guidance. “This nonage democracy. New ideologies, and digitally aware parliamentarians to this committee to represent them. The cy. Stephen Pinker, however, says that “democ- Elections are, thus, won movements that blatantly repu- is self-imposed if its cause lies not innovative thinking and above racies themselves are blacklisting into author- and public opinion is held cap- diate the ideals of enlightenment in the lack of understanding but all, criticism, should be wel- data protection Bill should not be rushed through. It is a Bill that will be very itarianism with populist victories in Poland tive in manners never thought — liberty, progress, in indecision and lack of courage comed in the best interest of the important for the digital future of this country and indeed the world. and Hungary and the power grabs by Recep possible before. This not only Constitutional Government and to use one’s own mind without common good and the well- Erdogan in Turkey and Vladimir Putin in has a regressive impact on civil- fraternity. Today, they are trib- another’s guidance.” being of the nation and its peo- Russia.” It is true that democracies across the isations that evolved and alist rather than cosmopolitan, Enlightenment or the age of ple. Like 14th century Europe, globe have come under a major threat as elect- matured over thousands of authoritarian rather than demo- reason, which began in the 14th which experienced a revival in Look before you swipe ed leaders at times refuse to vacate the office years, but also threatens the cratic, contemptuous of experts century and ended in the 17th its thinking, political and intel- and, thus, cripple the democratic functions ideals of unity, harmony and rather than respectful of knowl- century, marked a new chapter in lectual views, enlightenment of the Government as mandated by the peo- mutual tolerance. Samuel edge and nostalgic for an idyl- European history that was previ- could trigger a new wave of As ATM and credit card thefts go up by 50 per ple. Similar trends are also being witnessed Huntington, noted American lic past rather than hopeful for ously plagued by ignorance, blind thinking and an awakening in cent countrywide, Delhi is the worst offender in the US and the UK. A Government, which political scientist, in his article a better future.” faith and supremacy of the us to guard our Constitutional ndian banking customers are being made functions without heeding to the needs of the titled, “Clash of Civilisations” What can save democracy Church. It was, perhaps, the rights and a democratic life. very people that elected it, tends to become says that the “Great divisions from a premature death? enlightened wisdom that laid the (The writer is a communica- to pay a price for convenience with the spi- authoritarian sooner or later. The trends indi- among humankind and the Democracy, in the words of foundation of modern Europe tions professional) Iral of crimes like phishing, identity theft, card skimming, cloning and vishing defrauding them of their hard-earned money. As the Government S O U N D BITE increasingly pushes for a cashless, digital econ- The CAB is an attempt by I am more interested in the The Gambia has placed The concept of one truth, omy, banks steadily adopt new technologies Modi-Shah Government to longevity of my films than by before the court a misleading one religion is good for an ethnically cleanse the their debut grosses. History picture of the situation in individual but not for a whole and online transactions shape what we buy Northeast. It is a criminal attack is rife with films that we love Rakhine state. Genocidal nation. Several truths should and sell, the consumer is consequently on the Northeast, their way of today that were ‘bombs’ on intent can’t be the only co-exist, a nation must have becoming more vulnerable. This is borne out life and the idea of India. their opening weekend. hypothesis in Rohingya case. room for all religions. by a recent survey that says illegal transac- Congress leader Filmmaker Nobel Peace prize winner Spiritual leader tions involving ATMs, credit and debit cards —Rahul Gandhi —Mahesh Bhatt —Aung San Suu Kyi —Dalai Lama and internet banking have gone up by 50 per cent in 2018-19 with 27 per cent of ATM frauds being reported from Delhi alone. These numbers are worrying as they come in the wake of the data sale reported by a cybersecurity firm Group- L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR IB in October. In a revelation that exposed vulnerabilities in the banking and pay- ment platform networks and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) alike, the firm report- No lessons learnt ic landscapes of nations across the MCD must get its act together world. Inequality has many invid- ed finding more than 1.3 million card details up for sale on the dark net. Of this, ious consequences. This because a whopping 98 per cent was of Indian banks, 18 per cent belonging to one par- Sir — This refers to the editor- his refers to the editorial, “Murder most foul” it is one of the few issues that ticular bank. The details were most likely accessed by using card readers or skim- ial, “Murder most foul” (December 10). It is tragic that more than 40 lives spans both the micro and macro (December 10). From Uphaar Twere lost in the deadly fire that swept its way through dimensions. Despite progress, ming devices installed at ATMs and point of sales systems. The vital informa- Cinema to Hotel Arpit Palace, an unregistered factory in the Anaj Mandi area. The fire group-based inequalities persist in tion on personal financial details and money from lakhs of Indian accounts was Karol Bagh, we never seem to tragedy, however, is neither the first, nor will it be the last. India, especially affecting women being sold for just `7,000 per card. learn our lessons. One fire Far too many mishaps have occurred in the capital alone and girls. The index can be fur- tragedy after another happens and have left behind a trail of familiar questions. The gris- ther brought down by imple- What is alarming is that fraudulent transactions continue with astonishing due to huge lapses, illegal enter- ly incident of an inferno that torched the Uphaar cinema menting a uniform civil code, regularity despite such revelations. Our response to this latest breach was just prises and our chronic tenden- theatre way back in 1997, leading to unending court cases, compulsory family planning and as predictable with the RBI asking banks to verify the data leak and issue new cy to short-change the law. is still vivid in our memory. Serious loopholes that were overcoming gender bias. The Anaj Mandi fire in a five- detected then should have led to exemplary preventive Srishti Mathur debit/credit cards to their customers. A classic case of locking the stable door storey building, which housed measures being taken but a predictable script still plays Ujjain after the horse has bolted. What we need are stringent gate-keeping provisions. dozens of illegal manufacturing out in all such tragedies. the building. What is sure is the fact the municipal author- The Government, while trying to enhance security, is making banks more liable units and warehouses and had The fire incident has also exposed the poor condi- ities have been lax in fulfilling their duties. The Municipal Don’t be fooled hardly any safety measures, could tions under which the migrant labourers are forced to work. Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had conducted an inspection in case of frauds. As per RBI guidelines, in case of a third-party breach, where have been averted had the rooms The factory was functioning illegally as it was located in only last week, knew that the factory was functioning ille- an illegal transaction has taken place and the fault lies neither with the customer been ventilated and all fire-relat- a residential complex where commercial buildings were gally but did not seal it. So it’s high time we get back to Sir — This refers to the editorial, nor the bank, the customer will get a full refund as long as the bank is informed ed safeguards put in place. Had a allowed only in the ground floor. The entry and exit routes the drawing board and address the root of the problem. “Shut out Russia” (December 11). few brave-heart firefighters not of the building were blocked. There was not even a sin- The State Government and the municipal corporations In actual fact, WADA has not put within three working days. The RBI has introduced an Ombudsman Scheme for put their own lives at stake to save gle window for ventilation, which led to the workers’ death must get their acts together if an Anaj Mandi like tragedy a blanket ban on Russia, which Digital Transactions in 2019 for resolution of complaints regarding digital trans- 25 people, the death count would due to suffocation. One wonders whether things like emer- is to be avoided. will mean that it can still compete actions on platforms other than banks. Its IT subsidiary, the Reserve Bank have crossed 60. gency exits really exist in factories today. It has also been Ganapathi Bhat in all events, albeit without its flag In the Karol Bagh incident, conjectured that the poor migrants were held captive inside Akola and anthem. It can also appeal at Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), had suggested including segregation too, as in the Anaj Mandi case, the Court of Arbitration for Sport. of network, monitoring of suspicious traffic and periodic threat-hunting within exit doors were blocked, making Unless strict sanctions are the network. It has further asked banks to upgrade software, install anti-skim- it tougher for people stuck in the authorities that they allow these Low on human index Development Programme imposed, which can make leaders building to come out. After every commercial establishments to (UNDP) did not come as a sur- accountable, how can we be sure ming devices on ATMs, issue PIN and chip-based cards and make their cus- such tragedy, there is an inquiry run without any licence or no- prise. Inequality and deprivation that the system will ever change? tomers aware about using their cards and net banking securely. However, the committee set up, financial aid is objection certificate after pock- Sir — That India inched just one continue to be high in the coun- Sweta Sankrityan banks as usual are dragging their feet, even if it means loss to the customer. Till announced to the victims’ fami- eting the bribe. When will the spot up to 129th out of 189 coun- try. Both issues — which are by no Delhi banks comply and the Central bank cracks the whip harder, just keep changing lies and then we move on. authorities act as they should? tries on the 2019 Human means limited to our shores alone Such is the casual approach Bal Govind Development Index (HDI) — have become a deeply-rooted Send your feedback to: your PIN number. of our administration and Noida released by the United Nations feature of the social and econom- [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN India losing race POINTCOUNTERPOINT IT (CAB BILL) IS NOT VOTE BANK POLITICS. WE TOLD IF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS HAPPY WITH THE BILL, to filariasis? THE PEOPLE BEFORE THE ELECTIONS AND WON THE THEN WHY IS THE ARMY CARRYING OUT FLAG PEOPLE'S MANDATE AND APPROVAL. MARCHES IN DIBRUGARH? The Govt needs to consider using the low-cost —UNION HOME MINISTER —LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN RAJYA SABHA and effective combination of DEC-fortified salt in order to meet 2021 targets AMIT SHAH GHULAM NABI AZAD Slip between cup & lip ARCHANA JYOTI If Gulf oil facilities continue to be targetted, the Asian century is unlikely to materialise as hough fortified rice, wheat, iodised salt, milk and oil are set to become a major part of the national malnutrition control plan soon, this oil, which fuels the engines of growth, is transported eastwards via the Indian Ocean Tit seems the Government has not warmed up to the idea of pro- viding fortified salt with the diethylcarbamazine (DEC) programme in States plagued by Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), a profoundly painful and disfiguring disease. This despite various studies asserting that a com- bination of fortified salt with the anti-filarial drug, DEC, could offer an intervention that avoids many of the barriers connected with tablet- based elimination programmes. The intervention has been success- fully tried in several countries including India — which has 40 per cent of the world’s LF cases — and has been used operationally in China and Tanzania to eliminate the disease. With just one year left to meet the 2021 target set by the Union KALYANI Health Ministry for LF elimination, concerns are emerging regarding VIKAS the feasibility of meeting the goal, using the current tablet-based Mass he present time is colloquially being Drug Administration (MDA) strategy. At least 160 districts of the coun- called the Asian Century for all the right try are in the grip of LF, a neglected tropical disease that attacks the Treasons. If the 19th century was Britain’s lymphatic system. It is caused by the transmission of filarial para- Imperial century and the 20th was American, sites that are transmitted to humans via mosquitoes. Currently, at least then the 21st century is apparently becoming the one million people in India are estimated to be infected by the dis- Asian century. By 2020, the economic growth ease and more than 23 million suffer from the disability associated (in purchasing power parity terms) of Asian with it, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research. giants put together will surpass the rest of the The LF elimination programme was kicked off in 2004, through world and that is likely to be the future trend the two-drug (DEC + Albendazole) MDA campaign, that requires a as well. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has minimum of five years to interrupt transmission of the disease. But played and continues to play a vital role in boost- ing this Asian prosperity by being the “road of it has failed to deliver the desired results. In December 2018, India development in the 21st century.” launched the World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended triple The major source of development for most drug therapy (TDT) comprising Ivermectin, DEC and Albendazole (IDA) of the Asian countries is oil, the supply of which OF LATE, SOME in five States, viz, Nagpur in Maharashtra, Arwal in Bihar, Simdega in comes from West Asia—the Gulf region—while INCIDENTS Jharkhand, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Yadgiri in Karnataka. TDT the major consumers, India, Association of IMPACTING OIL is capable of accelerating the process of LF elimination in two-three South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, SECURITY HAVE years. However, the Government is facing a challenge as it plans to South Korea and Japan lie to the East. EXPOSED THE scale up the programme to 16 districts in Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Of late, some incidents impacting oil secu- rity have exposed the vulnerability of Asian pow- VULNERABILITY Maharashtra and UP to meet its goals. Though the WHO had provid- OF ASIAN ed the IDA for the pilot project, there are no international donations ers to events occurring in the Gulf. The mine attack, which blew off the hull of a Japanese oil POWERS coming in for its extension programme and the Government will have tanker at a UAE port and 30 Indian sailors being TO EVENTS to fund it to meet the deadline. detained by Iran, who were on board a British OCCURRING IN Rekha Shukla, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry, says tanker flying a Panama flag, are cases in point. THE GULF. THE the demand is being calculated and tenders will be floated soon to However, of even greater concern is the MINE ATTACK, India’s economy and dent GDP growth ticated systems that can impact the presence. It is thus time to strengthen invite firms to provide Ivermectin. “This might take around 12-14 attack which took place on Saudi oil facilities WHICH BLEW OFF rate. For example, according to global economy and cause collateral India’s defence and foreign policy for months,” she admits. Given the long procedure of tendering and bid- on September 14, which has not received the THE HULL OF A Nomura, an increase in oil prices by damage of an unprecedented nature. IOR while focussing on maritime ding, the effort to scale up the programme is likely to get delayed. attention it deserves. If oil facilities continue to JAPANESE OIL $10 per barrel will lead to a drop in The threat in the Indian context is real security along with IOR countries. According to Shukla, the present LF elimination strategy has two be targetted in the Gulf, the Asian century is India’s GDP by 0.2 per cent points. This with Pakistan sponsored non-State Defence interactions focussing on unlikely to materialise any time soon as this oil, TANKER AT A UAE would place in jeopardy, the nation’s actors looking for opportunities to strengthening the air defence capabil- pillars, comprising of MDA, morbidity management and disability pre- PORT AND 30 vention for patients. However, experts feel that it is high time that the which fuels the engines of Asian growth, is trans- dream of becoming a $5 trillion econ- cause collateral damage within ity of the IOR countries, sharing the air ported eastwards from the Gulf via the Indian INDIAN SAILORS omy by 2024. Kashmir and across India. picture for better awareness and joint low-cost and effective combination of DEC-fortified salt is consid- Ocean. BEING DETAINED Safety of the Gulf: At present, the Attack drones can target high- exercises between Indian Air Force ered. They pointed out that if more than one per cent of the popula- As a share of oil imports, the Gulf region BY IRAN, WHO US has a strong naval presence in the value national leaders, critical infra- (IAF) and other air forces or air wings tion of an area tests positive for microfilaria, the parasite found in a accounted for 44 per cent for China, 63.6 per WERE ON BOARD Gulf (and in IOR as well) and has tra- structure, power grids, oil refineries, of the region will not only enhance the person infected with LF, then it is considered an endemic zone and cent for India, 86 per cent for Japan and 77.1 A BRITISH ditionally safeguarded its energy secu- military installations and population security of the IOR but also deter the all efforts must be made to limit its spread. While DEC tablets often per cent for South Korea, according to 2017 data TANKER FLYING A rity, including Sea Lanes of centres. Drones are highly versatile and elements wanting to disrupt the peace- cause acute adverse reactions in people with high filarial loads and/or compiled by the Observatory of Economic PANAMA FLAG, Communication (SLOC). It has can deliver explosives, biological, ful growth of the region. adult worms, DEC-fortified salt minimises this as it is given in lower Complexity. The security of the production cen- ARE CASES IN ensured the same for its allies or chemical agents and also act as the eyes India’s maritime borders are doses. tres as well as the oil’s transportation across the strategic partners. However, its relative and ears of the terrorists. exposed from three sides and there are sea lanes are thus vital for Asia and any disrup- POINT. HOWEVER, energy dependence on the countries of This is not mere speculation, many high-value assets located long It should also be possible to utilise a combination of both MDA OF EVEN GREATER with annual single-dose DEC plus albendazole and MDA using DEC- tion could put a huge question mark on the the region is diminishing with the because recently drones from the the Indian coastline. emergence of the 21st century as the Asian cen- CONCERN IS THE exploitation of shale oil and gas at the Pakistani side dropped weapons in Given the limited air power assets fortified salt. For example, DEC-fortified salt could be used in select tury. Oil thus is the most important governing ATTACK WHICH home front and it is less dependent on Punjab. A large number of AK-47 and constraints of the defence Budget, areas while annual MDA of TDT could be carried out in areas where factor of geo-politics these days and owing to TOOK PLACE ON oil from the Gulf. assault rifles and grenades dropped in conventional and non-conventional coverage is relatively easily achieved. The WHO suggests that MDA its criticality, the word “ge-oil-itics” needs to be SAUDI OIL The US still continues to provide Amritsar by heavy-lifting drones that aerial threats can only be tackled of 80 per cent of the eligible population in endemic areas is needed brought into common strategic parlance. FACILITIES ON a security umbrella over the region for came from across the border were for through a rejuvenated air-power phi- to stop transmission of and elimination of the disease. In India, where The first-of-its-kind stealthy air strike on SEPTEMBER 14, the sake of oil but in the last few years, terrorists to create trouble in Jammu losophy focussed on better integration pill distribution is hampered by the effects of a transient population Saudi oil facilities took place using drones and WHICH HAS NOT discussions with the Trump adminis- & Kashmir. The drones carried out of naval and air force assets. and illiteracy, DEC-fortified salt can be the solution. Neeraj Dhingra, cruise missiles. The attack was claimed by the RECEIVED THE tration have brought up the issue of eight sorties in 10 days in September It would not only give the nation head of the Health Ministry’s National Vector Borne Diseases Control Houthi rebels in Yemen but evidently, there were India and China being free riders to drop the weapons, including satel- insurance of predicted economic rise other powers behind it, using the Houthis as a ATTENTION IT banking upon American naval assets lite phones. but also give assurance to neighbour- Programme, too, said that DEC-fortified salt was under considera- DESERVES tion but nothing had been finalised in view of some ethical and com- front. The undetected strike, carried out with to protect their access to energy sup- If one can see the similarities in the ing IOR countries for mutual growth high precision left people speechless. When the plies from the Gulf without making pattern of usage of drones by non-State under a secured environment. mercial issues pertaining to it. Nupur Roy, Additional Director, NVB- Houthi rebels took responsibility for it, people any significant contribution them- actors against a State, it shall appear as Security And Growth for All in the DCP, pins hopes on combating LF with TDT itself. However, she also termed it a “black swan” event. selves. China has evidently increased the beginning of a larger plot against Region (SAGAR), which is India’s favoured DEC-fortified salt programme as an adjunct. “But then it is However, if one studies the consistency in its naval presence in the IOR and is India. Indian security forces thus need vision for Indian Ocean (Hind for the Government to take a call on it”, she added. However, Roy the effort, one will find that such strikes were continuing to do so because Xi Jinping to prepare to negate any such threats. Mahasagar) can become vision cautioned that salt fortification has its own challenges, similar to that being practised since January 2018 and it was has understood that in the long-run, This is a lesson which Indian policy- MAHASAGAR (Mutual, Aggregate, faced in iodine fortification, and requires careful deliberation. “Greater the 19th attempt, which was successful beyond “ge-oil-itics” will control geo-politics. makers, strategists and tacticians must Homogeneous and Assured Security emphasis needs to be placed in employing strategies tackling the source imagination. So this was a “grey rhino” and not Lessons for India: This attack by learn fast and evaluate the country’s And Growth for All in the Region) if of the disease – preventing mosquitoes to human transmission,” says a “black swan” event. And if it could happen to drones and cruise missiles has brought airpower preparedness for this kind of India actively assumes the role of secu- NK Ganguly, former DG, Indian Council for Medical Research and sug- one of the most heavily-guarded facilities in the out the lethality and accuracy of air attack from land or maritime borders. rity-provider through invigorated gests residual spraying, sleeping under insecticidal nets and avoid- world, then India also needs to pay attention to power, while defeating another pillar The recent events in the Gulf, the diplomatic and defence engagements the security of its own refineries and other of airpower which is air-defence unsettling situations in Iran, Iraq and with IOR nations. ing water logging as a preventive strategy. The writer is Special Correspondent, The Pioneer and has coastal strategic assets, given the threat of State- (detection, identification, timely inter- the Saudi kingdom and an ever- (The writer is Visiting Fellow at ( sponsored terrorism in the vicinity. ception and destruction). It also shows increasing Chinese footprint are a India Foundation and his area of collaborated with Nature India/India Alliance/ India Science Media Any strike on oil facilities will push up the that non-State or State-sponsored wake-up call to India to review its role research is defence and strategic stud- Fellowship.) price of oil which in turn will adversely impact non-State actors have acquired sophis- in the IOR with a reduced American ies) The conundrum of a vehicle ban FOREIGN EYE The intention to protect the environment and health of the citizens is no doubt vital but important policy decisions should not be a knee-jerk reaction to long-standing problems impacted over 37 lakh of Delhi’s one diligently tended to their automobiles appear. This in turn will increase crore registered vehicles, much to the and made sure that they were not freight costs and cause the prices of chagrin of owners who were sudden- adding to the pollution problems of essential commodities to rise. Will the ly faced with the prospect of having their city. The ban also impacts all eco- Government then give a life extension to buy new cars while their old vehi- nomic classes in one go. How is a mid- to old vehicles in order to keep infla- NOT AN EMPTY cles were fated to be impounded and dle class family that invested a substan- tion in check? This is the reason that scrapped, instead of being sold in the tial amount in the purchase of a vehi- even today in spite of the ban on 10- THREAT second-hand car market. Whatever cle, suddenly expected to scrap it and year-old diesel vehicles, we see rick- Pyongyang’s truce with hopes the citizens might have had of raise funds for a new one? Also, what ety trucks still plying because we have Washington could end with KOTA SRIRAJ getting some relief from the Supreme about those vehicles which were used a rule that cannot be fully implement- Court (SC) were also belied when the sparingly and have probably not done ed as the nation is not ready for the terrible results. To avoid apex court ruled in favour of the more than 60,000 to 70,000 km and consequences. Environmentally- that, global efforts — s the national Capital reels NGT’s order in October 2018. are in mint condition? Are they to be speaking, the vehicle ban was a long notably from the US — are under the impact of an increas- However, four years down the line, scrapped and the owner forced to buy time coming given the new heights needed. North Korea wants Aingly toxic air quality and once the implementation of the tribunal’s a new one? At a time when the coun- pollution has scaled in Delhi-NCR and to prod the US into again questions are being raised about 2015 order remains inconclusive, for try is going through an economic across the country. The much-publi- the measures taken to curb air pollu- many reasons. First, the Delhi slowdown, would people be willing to cised IIT-Kanpur study that formed concessions, not provoke it tion in Delhi-NCR, one of the deci- Scrappage Policy, 2018, provides for show fitness and registration validity old vehicles have fallen like never invest in a new car? Needless to say, the basis of the research eventually led into conflict. But the risk of sions taken by the National Green guidance on the procedure for scrap- for at least two to three years more, before. Even well-maintained vehicles, there is no one to answer such uncom- to the ban in Delhi-NCR. misunderstanding is real. Tribunal (NGT) in April 2015 comes ping of old vehicles (wherein automo- making it difficult to pull them off the with a lot of good miles left in them, fortable questions. The intention to protect the envi- The North Korean military to mind. The tribunal passed an biles registered in Delhi shall be bro- roads, as it would overturn the RC are available at throwaway prices. Across the world, the end of life ronment and health of the citizens is chief has warned that the order prohibiting 15-year-old petrol ken up only by an authorised scrap- issued by the Regional Transport The blanket ban on old vehicles policy for vehicles is very clear, logi- no doubt vital but important policy vehicles and 10-year-old diesel auto- per) but the vehicle class-wise scrap- Office. Understandably, the owners of also overlooked the provision of giv- cal and driven by a very smooth pro- decisions should not be a knee-jerk truce with the US “can turn mobiles from plying and asked for page charge is yet to be finalised. the vehicles are peeved since they paid ing a fair chance to owners to prove cedural system, unlike here. To under- reaction to long-standing problems. It into an armed conflict any them to be pulled off the roads with Second, the administration, too, the lifetime road tax for the automo- their fitness before it was condemned, stand the problem of vehicle ban fur- is high time that all stakeholders sit moment even by any immediate effect. The ban took the is yet to decide how to accommodate bile and now stand to suffer a loss on as no screening system was put in ther, let us take the example of the down and chart out a course for pol- accidental case”. This was nation, particularly Delhiites, by sur- the 37 lakh vehicles once they start that payment once the car is scrapped. place. The manner in which the pol- transport sector. Assuming, that as per lution control that is sustainable in another threat, of course. prise as the national Capital was one impounding them. Third, most of the Another negative fallout of the icy has taken shape and the law the rule, once all the trucks that are every way for everyone. of the first cities to be chosen for its registration certificates (RC) of the ban is the fact that the second hand passed, basically ignores the efforts of over 10 years old are scrapped, a huge (The writer is an environmental But it has a sad truth in it. implementation. The prohibition vehicles affected by the NGT’s ban still car market has crashed and rates for those committed vehicle owners who chunk of the freighter fleet will dis- journalist) (The Guardian, editorial) VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 money 08 GST rates may go up for various items to meet revenue shortfall PNS n NEW DELHI Centre and states, which met on in nine quarters. Tuesday to finalise recommenda- The all-powerful GST Council, headed by The last time GDP grew at a With pressure on revenue collec- tions for rate rationalisation, is slower pace was in the fourth quar- tion, the goods and services tax said to have considered various Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is set ter of 2012-13, when it had expand- (GST) rates and slabs may be raised options including raising rates ed only 4.3 per cent. during the GST Council meeting from 5 per cent to 8 per cent and to meet on December 18 in the backdrop of The compensation requirements next week. 12 per cent to 15 per cent, sources lower-than-expected GST collection and have increased significantly and are The all-powerful GST Council, said. unlikely to be met from the com- headed by Finance Minister A detailed presentation on rate pending compensation to many states pensation cess being collected. Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to meet rationalisation will take place dur- This discussion is quite critical as on December 18 in the backdrop of ing the GST Council meeting. lower GST and compensation cess lower-than-expected GST collec- The GST Council meeting is also November period of 2019-20, of Rs 6,03,900 crore for the year, he collections have been a matter of tion and pending compensation to likely to deliberate on raising cess according to government data. said. concern in the past few months, many states. on some products to meet the The actual CGST collection dur- In 2017-18, the CGST collection according to a letter written by the As of now, there are four slabs growing need of compensation, ing April-November stood at Rs was Rs 2,03,261 crore. GST Council to commissioner, under the GST regime -- 5, 12, 18 and among other issues. 3,28,365 crore, while the Budget Meanwhile, India's GDP growth SGST, of all states. 28 per cent. Goods and services under The Council can explore possi- Estimate is of Rs 5,26,000 crore for slumped to a 26-quarter low of 4.5 The Council has sought sugges- the 28 per cent category also attract bility of merger of slabs to bring these months. per cent in the second quarter of the tions, inputs or proposals as regards cess over and above the rate, which down the number of slabs to three, and explore whether cess can be The Central GST collection fell In 2018-19, the actual CGST col- current financial year as gross measures, on compliance as well as ranges between 1 and 25 per cent. sources said. levied on some services, the sources short of the Budget Estimate by lection stood at Rs 4,57,534 crore value added to the manufacturing rates that would help in augment- A group of officers from the It is likely to revisit exemption list added. nearly 40 per cent during the April- as against the provisional estimate sector contracted for the first time ing revenue.

CAPSULE Gold falls Part Panglossian, part Rs 73, silver slides by Rs 89 practical, Guv Das soldiers on PNS n NEW DELHI Gold prices fell Rs 73 to Rs PNS n MUMBAI platform," Chaturvedi told PTI. 38,486 per 10 gram in the Infosys awarded UN At the six-member national capital on When taking over the stew- Monetary Policy Committee Wednesday on account of a award in ‘climate ardship of the Reserve Bank, meetings, Das has ensured stronger rupee, according to neutral now' category taking along everybody and that every board member HDFC Securities. keeping the communication makes presentations and then The yellow metal had BENGALURU: IT services major channels open were his key have discussions on the issues closed at Rs 38,559 per 10 Aramco starts Infosys Ltd said on Wednesday messages. A year later, raised, he notes. gram on Tuesday. it was presented with the Shaktikanta Das can well claim Das, a 1980-batch Tamil "Spot gold for 24 karat United Nations Global Climate brownie points for keeping Nadu cadre IAS servant, had was trading down by Rs 73 in trading, gaining 10% Action Award in the 'Climate the promises as he steers the served as the economic affairs Delhi on a stronger rupee Neutral Now' category at the RBI's efforts to revitalise the secretary, among other roles, against dollar," HDFC UN Climate Change Conference financial sector and boost before taking charge of the RBI. Securities Senior Analyst in Madrid, Spain. The and reaching $ 1.8T growth that has hit a near- From day one, he has (Commodities) Tapan Patel Bengaluru-headquartered seven-year low. ensured that he engaged with said. In the early trade on PNS n RIYADH company said it is the first The career bureaucrat- all stakeholders. Whether it's Wednesday, the rupee appre- At a pre-trading Indian corporate to receive the turned-central banker walked banks, NBFCs, MSMEs, indus- ciated 12 paise to 70.80 Saudi Arabia's oil company award, a press release said. auction earlier into the 19th floor corner try bodies, foreign investors, against the US dollar. Aramco began trading for the in the morning, Every year, the United Nations room of the Reserve Bank on credit rating agencies or money Silver prices also fell by Rs first time on Wednesday, gain- honours outstanding December 12, 2018 after his market dealers, he has strived 89 to Rs 44,640 per kg from ing 10% in its first moments bids for achievements in combating A historic cash transfer to the climate change through the predecessor Urjit Patel sud- government, getting some of the crippled to put across to them the views its close of Rs 44,729 per kg on the market in a dramatic Aramco's shares Climate Action Awards. denly quit following a litany of of the RBI-something every- on Tuesday. debut that pushed it's value to reached the 10 public spats with the North state-run banks out of the RBI radar and body missed under the Patel In the international mar- USD 1.88 trillion, higher than Infosys said it won the award putting in place a new NPA framework in per cent limit on for its carbon neutral Bloc mandarins, leaving the era. Das, also a social media- ket, gold was trading at USD any other listed company in programme, which delivers relationship between the Mint June are among the major achievements savvy governor, has been work- 1,464.8 per ounce, while sil- the world. stock price scalable, innovative and Street and the government at a under Das' watch who completes ing to allay concerns of stake- ver was quoting at USD 16.62 The state-owned oil giant fluctuation practical climate actions that nadir. one-year as the governor on Thursday holders. per ounce. started trading on the Saudi allowed by the address climate change and A historic cash transfer to "He has been into econom- "Gold prices traded in nar- Tadawul stock exchange after a help drive progress on many the government, getting some ic policymaking during the row range with internation- mammoth USD 25.6 billion ini- Tadawul stock other sustainable development of the crippled state-run banks dented 35 bps reduction in of the Central Board of RBI, last eight years of his bureau- al spot gold prices holding the tial public offering that set the exchange goals, such as gender equality, out of the RBI radar and August. The same central bank describes Das as a per- cratic career. Despite not range near USD 1,464...ahead record as the biggest ever in his- health and well-being and putting in place a new NPA also massively slashed the son who brings in having an economics of the US Federal Open tory. Trading for Aramco shares This makes Aramco more economic opportunity, the framework in June are among growth forecast by a whopping pragmatism, com- background (Das is a Market Committee rate deci- began at 10:30 am in Riyadh. valuable than Microsoft or release said. the major achievements under 240 bps in between. mitment, trans- History honours from sion, while global markets are The company Apple, two of the top Das' watch who completes Earlier this month, the cen- parency and sin- St Stephen's), he is awaiting fresh triggers from had announced a listed companies in one-year as the governor on tral bank stunned investors and cerity to the table. not behind the the US-China trade talks, sale of 1.5 per cent the world. It's also Thursday. markets by deciding to hold "The governor has curve," says a person eyeing December 15 deadline of its shares at 32 worth more than the Since February 2019, the the rates, if not it would have in many ways suc- familiar with his work- of new tariffs from the US," Saudi riyals a top five oil compa- Das-led RBI has cut the repo the sixth straight repo rate cut, ceeded in getting the ing style. Even the RBI Patel said. share, or what is nies -- Exxon rate by a whopping 135 basis which is currently pegged at a government and other staff feel the governor is a $8.53. Mobil, Total, Royal points to support the sagging nine-year low of 5.15 percent. functionaries together and has balanced person and very At a pre-trad- Dutch Shell, growth, including an unprece- Sachin Chaturvedi, a member made the board a cohesive approachable as well. ing auction earlier Chevron and BP — in the morning, bids for combined. Aramco's shares reached the Aramco is selling 0.5 per Mercedes-Benz 10 per cent limit on stock price cent of its shares to individual India to increase Intel initiative fluctuation allowed by the retail investors — most of prices by up to 3 pc FSSAI asks industry to Tadawul stock exchange. That whom are Saudi nationals — to boost tech pushed the price of Aramco and 1 per cent to institution- NEW DELHI: Luxury carmaker shares to 35.2 riyals, or USD al investors, most of which are Mercedes-Benz India on among SMEs 9.39 a share. Saudi or Gulf-based funds. Wednesday said it will reduce level of unsafe food increase prices of its entire PNS n NEW DELHI product portfolio by up to 3 n PNS NEW DELHI There is “very per cent from January in order Tech major Intel, in associa- KredX raises to offset the impact of rising Stating that the public percep- low" public tion with the MSME ministry, Power demand falls input costs. The correction in tion about food overall in the confidence in the has launched a nationwide USD 26 mn in price would be up to the country is very low, Food food overall, the FSSAI initiative to enhance technol- 4.28% in November quantum of 3 per cent, varying Safety and Standards Authority ogy adoption among small across the broad model range, (FSSAI) Chairman Pawan chief said, "it is partially and medium enterprises, PNS n NEW DELHI According to the data, the funding led by the German luxury carmaker Kumar Aggarwal asked the due to perception but there according to India SME power demand shrank 12.94 said in a statement. "We have industry to bring drown the is some amount of reality Forum. Power demand in the country per cent to 98.36 BU in Tiger Global been reviewing the various level of 'unsafe food' to less A survey conducted by dipped for the fourth straight October this year compared to — PAWAN KUMAR AGGARWAL cost escalations, including the PNS n NEW DELHI than one per cent or negligible FSSAI Chairman the Forum across 19 states month by 4.28 per cent to 94.6 the year-ago month. The rise in the commodity and level in the next four years. also showed that over 34 per billion units (BU) in demand in October 2018 had input costs that have been Addressing a CII event, cent of the overall 1,29,537 November, mainly due to stood at 112.98 BU. KredX, an invoice discount- exerting pressure on our Aggarwal shared a four-point cent is low when compared to dards), regular monitoring of MSME respondents are weather shift. The demand started declin- ing platform, on Wednesday bottom line. To run a vision and noted that the first media reports of 60-70 per pesticides, anti-biotic residues employing digital means for According to data ing from August this year said it has raised USD 26 mil- sustainable business and aim is to bring down signifi- cent. In next four years, can and heavy metals besides communicating with from the Central when it fell 0.53 per lion (about Rs 187 crore) in protect our customers' cantly the level of unsafe, non- we bring unsafe food level to building capacity of primary employees, customers and Electricity cent to 112.1 BU in the a funding round led by Tiger investment in the brand, there standard and mis-branded less than one per cent or neg- producers, he said. suppliers whereas only 7 Authority, the month compared to Global Management. is a need to offset the impact food in the country. ligible level, while non-stan- Stating that there is "very per cent have fully embraced demand had stood 112.71 BU a year ago. The series B round also of these rising costs through a Citing a survey of one lakh dard food to 5 per cent and low" public confidence in the digital technology or SAAS at 98.84 BU in Before that, the power saw participation from an moderate price correction," samples of food conducted by mis-branded food to 2 per food overall, the FSSAI chief Solutions. November 2018. demand grew 6.72 per existing investor for a minor- Mercedes-Benz India enforcement officers over last cent?" he said expressing con- said, "it is partially due to per- Over half of the MSMEs "Power demand is cent in July this year to ity stake in the company, a Managing Director & CEO years, he said 3.7 per cent of fidence of achieving these ception but there is some highlighted several benefits down mainly because of 117.22 BU, against 109.83 BU statement said. Martin Schwenk said. food was found to be unsafe, 15 targets. amount of reality. Obviously including higher profitabili- early onset of winters and in the year-ago month. KredX was founded by per cent was non-standard This can be achieved we have to communicate well ty, operational efficiency and extended monsoon this year. The data showed that dur- Manish Kumar and Anurag food and 9 per cent was mis- through higher levels of sur- with the citizen so that gap improved customer engage- Last year, air conditioners ing April-July this fiscal, the Jain in 2015 to help busi- branded food. veillance, improved and tar- between reality and perception ment, however 70 per cent were used till early December. power demand grew 7.2 per nesses meet their short-term "The sampling was done in geted enforcement, review of is reduced. We need to take cited lack of knowledge as key That is not the case this year," cent to 467.02 BU compared to working capital needs by an area where safety was a food standards (in particular concrete actions to address barrier for wider adoption of a senior power ministry offi- 435.64 BU in the correspond- facilitating discounting of concern. The level of 3.7 per composition and vertical stan- this issue." technology. cial told PTI. ing period a year ago. their unpaid invoices. As on date, KredX has processed over five lakh Telenet selects Infosys invoices helping more than to lead its data 5,000 suppliers through ADB cuts India's growth forecast to 5.1pc for FY2019 10,000-plus investors across NEW DELHI: IT services major 36 cities. Infosys Ltd announced on PNS n NEW DELHI Wednesday that it has selected India at 5.1 per cent in fiscal “We are excited to partner Belgian telecommunication New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) "In South Asia, India's growth is now year 2019 (FY2019, ending 30 with KredX and believe the Asian Development Bank March 2020) and 6.5 per cent company has created an effi- provider Telenet as its seen at a slower 5.1 per cent in fiscal preferred IT partner to deliver (ADB) on Wednesday low- in FY2020 (fiscal ending in cient and trusted lending several digital and data ered India's economic growth year 2019 as the foundering of a major March 2021)," ADB said in the marketplace connecting initiatives for the next five forecast for FY2019 to 5.1 per non-banking financial company in 2018 supplement. Indian companies with insti- years. Telenet plans to cent on slowing job prospects, The ADB said India's growth tutional investors," Tiger leverage Infosys' ecosystem to rural distress exacerbated by led to a rise in risk aversion in the in the first half of the current Global Partner Scott Shleifer drive simplification of its poor harvest and credit crunch. financial sector and a credit crunch fiscal has slipped to 4.8 per cent said. existing landscape, build new The multilateral bank, how- as expansion in private con- KredX said it will use the digital and data capabilities, ever, expects the growth to pick sumption slowed to 4.1 per new capital to accelerate its extract relevant insights from up to 6.5 per cent next year on it had projected a GDP growth India's GDP growth projection cent and in investment to 2.5 expansion by hiring across data and leverage existing supportive government policies. of 7.2 per cent, which now has to 6.1 per cent from 7 per cent, per cent. functions including senior talent more effectively, the "In South Asia, India's been cut to 6.5 per cent. the World Bank lowered its Having already slowed year leadership and will step up Bengaluru- headquartered growth is now seen at a slow- The Reserve Bank of India estimate to 6 per cent. on year from 5.8 per cent in the the development of new company said in a statement. er 5.1 per cent in fiscal year last week in its bi-monthly The GDP growth forecast for fourth quarter of 2018-19 to 5 products. The partnership with Infosys 2019 as the foundering of a monetary policy review has cut South Asia for 2019 is also cut per cent in the first quarter of The funds will also be would also help Telenet save major non-banking financial and rural distress aggravated by Outlook 2019 Update. India's GDP forecast to 5 per to 5.1 per cent from 6.2 per 2019-20, growth in India fell used to further build intel- significantly on IT operating company in 2018 led to a rise a poor harvest. Growth should Earlier in September, it had cent from 6.1 per cent citing cent earlier and to 6.1 per cent further to 4.5 per cent in the lectual property and create a costs and structurally reduce in risk aversion in the financial pick up to 6.5 per cent in fiscal trimmed India's gross domestic weak domestic and external from 6.7 per cent next year second quarter of FY2019-20, niche in the supply chain the number of existing IT sector and a credit crunch. year 2020 with supportive poli- product (GDP) growth to 6.5 demand. (2020), the ADB said. the lowest quarterly rate since finance ecosystem, and applications, it said. "Also, consumption was cies," the ADB said in a supple- per cent from the earlier esti- While the International "These revisions reflect low- the last quarter of 2012, it towards strategic acquisi- affected by slow job growth ment to the Asian Development mate of 7 per cent. For FY2020, Monetary Fund (IMF) slashed ered growth projections for added. tions, it added. 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Thursday December 12, 2019

Child prodigies define the future of the field they excel in. Jahnavi Sri Lalita Mareddy is one of them. V SATEESH A ‘QUEEN' in REDDY speaks to the 11-year-old chess master who has been flooring her opponents with her impressive moves her own right t a first glance, she World Schools looks like a typical Championships. 11-year-old, a Incidentally, she had A bookworm who rubbed shoulders with inter- goes to school reg- national opponents before ularly. But seat her and held her own to win a in front of a chessboard and ‘Blitz bronze’ in West Asia she will drive her opponent Chess Championship-2019 to their wits end with her that climaxed in New Delhi moves and tactical dexterity. on September 10. An extra- It is for a reason that ordinary track record for one Jahnavi Sri Lalita Mareddy, who took to the royal sport studying Class V at DDMS P only five summers ago. A Obul Reddy Public School, is child prodigy at her best already being hailed as the with many more miles to go. next big thing in chess as one Speaking to The Pioneer, achievements in the Under-9 championships. I am keen on who is poised to join the elite Jahnavi says, “I am indebted and Under-11 State champi- improving my middle and torchbearers from Telangana, to my mentor, PDS Girinath on in 2017 and 2018, respec- end game skills in order to sooner than later. sir (the state’s first tively. She is India’s No. 10 in consolidate my positional She is now in the news for International master) for the Under-12 category. advantages on any given day. the bronze she won for the having the patience to work About her process in Of course, along the way, I coveted National Schools on my strengths and weak- approaching every match, will yearn to steadily Chess Championship in the nesses. I have gained a lot Jahnavi shares, “Before any improve my Elo ratings, Under-12 category that was and my approach to each game, I research about my which is at 1,380 now. I am recently held in Aurangabad. game has become more opponent and their style of thankful to my school man- She took everyone by sur- sophisticated ever since I playing. I analyse their agement for their over- prise in the way she stupe- came under his guidance strengths and weaknesses whelming support when I go fied even the big names with three years ago.” and plan accordingly. During for tournaments, my coach her skills, especially in the It has been a steady rise the game, I start on the for his mentorship and my last two deciding rounds. By for her. She has an impres- offensive to put opponents in parents for their constant virtue of her impressive sive haul of age-group titles defence. I observe their steps encouragement,” says achievement, she is set to and podium finishes at the and wait for them to make Jahnavi, who aspires to emu- take a major step into the big district and the state-level mistakes.” late the superlative exploits leagues having earned a competitions. An ample “I wish to achieve glory of her role-model, Judit direct qualification in the indication of her prodigious- and bring laurels to the Polgar, who achieved the Indian team that is to partic- ly gifted temperament (so country by winning medals Grandmaster title at the age ipate in next year’s Asia and necessary in chess) is her in the Asian and World of 15. Drinking tea, the ‘GREEN' way

ea is one of the most con- doctor Sheryl Salis lists the types and it bonding or creating a notion of Indians and their tea sumed beverages in India benefits of a few. class.” are known to be and it is safe to say that “Green tea with lime increases the “I believe it is best to try an array T there’s an emotional bond antioxidant potential of tea and the of different flavours and see what between Indians and tea. addition of lime in black tea is a suits your palette best and customise inseparable. The The habit of drinking good hangover remedy. Green tea the tea as required,” he adds. green tea is also on the rise among has a higher amount of antioxidants Also people often pick up the ubiquitous ‘chai' can be Indians. Thus, ahead of International and is known to induce freshness habit of green tea but they don’t Tea Day, we take a look at the bene- when consumed. It boosts metabo- know how to brew it. It is important found on all roadside fits of tea, while we also speak to lism and cuts down on visceral fat, to brew green tea very lightly as Masterchef Kunal Kapur. which are harmful for the body. longer brewed teas may lose its stores. Be it meeting “Tea is an integral part of the lives Hence it helps keep one’s health and health benefits and may turn bitter of a majority of Indians. The benefits weight in check.” which not many people may enjoy. new people or just of consuming tea, however, vary with Another go-to variety of tea is the “Another thing to remember is the type one prefers. Most tea vari- moringa tea, which is pocket-friend- that good quality green tea can never quenching one's thirst, eties are rich in polyphenols and ly whilst offering several health ben- taste very bitter or extremely grassy. flavonoids, which are a source of efits. Moringa leaves used to be an Analysing and understanding your antioxidants. These polyphenols are integral part of the Indian diet for type of tea by learning the way to tea is omnipresent. known to protect the body from var- generations and it is now regaining consume it as well, is important,” he ious diseases. At a time when there is its popularity. Apart from being rich said. Join us as we tread the so much pollution around us, we in antioxidants, Moringa also keeps “The millenials have especially need antioxidants more than ever, as one’s heart healthy, boosts metabo- picked up a taste for green tea. They path and find out the they clear out the dirt and waste lism and keeps glucose levels in have taken their time, understood its from the body,” said nutritionist check. benefits and it is now being incorpo- positives of tea ahead Sheryl Salis. Chamomile tea is a lesser known rated into their lifestyle. Green tea Given the fact that black tea is variant made of chamomile flowers, has seeped into our society and cul- of International Tea Day almost calorie-free, it is a known fact with almost no caffeine. This tea ture seamlessly and I think in the that it helps in weight loss and when helps in relieving stress and is a boon days to come, the array of flavours on Dec. 15, one sip at taken without sugar, it also helps reg- for people who have trouble sleeping. available to people might just go ulate the body’s blood pressure and It is always better to invest in pre- berserk. I see a major change in the a time, finds ANUSHKA blood sugar. ventative measures like these than to times to come,” Kunal concluded. Among the different varieties of wait till you need to take measures The International Tea Day cam- PRADEEP tea that people can experiment with, for cure. paign came into being in 2005 by the Sheryl advises, “It must be kept in trade unions, small tea growers and mind that tea should not be had civil society organisations in Asia immediately after food since it and Africa to address the issues of inhibits iron absorption in the body. living wages for workers and fair About 50 per cent of females are prices for small tea producers. already iron deficient and have low The International Tea Conference haemoglobin levels or anaemia.” in New Delhi came out with a decla- “It would be incredibly beneficial ration on the rights of workers and if corporates incorporated different small growers to help regulate Also people often pick up the habit types of tea in their offices thus cre- uneven competition, land ownership, It must be kept in mind that tea ating awareness about the choices safety regulations, rights of women, of green tea but they don’t know how should not be had immediately after available to the people, while ensur- social security and living wages. to brew it. It is important to brew food since it inhibits iron absorption ing easy accessibility of it.” green tea very lightly as longer When asked about his take on the in the body. About 50 per cent of importance of tea, chef Kunal Kapur brewed teas may lose its health females are already iron deficient said, “India has a very strong associ- GIVEN THE FACT THAT benefits and may turn bitter and have low haemoglobin levels ation with tea at both the communi- BLACK TEA IS ALMOST which not many people may ty and the personal level. Chai pe or anaemia. Corporates must Bulaana is more often than not, a CALORIE-FREE AND HELPS enjoy. Another thing to remember is incorporate different types of tea in reason to gather. It also plays a vivid IN WEIGHT LOSS, IT ALSO that good quality green tea can never their offices thus creating awareness role in breaking the ice between col- taste very bitter or extremely grassy. about the choices available leagues in office. Crockery by itself HELPS IN REGULATING THE may define status. Hence I believe BODY’S BLOOD PRESSURE CHEF KUNAL KAPOOR SHERYL SALIS tea as a beverage may play a key role NUTRITIONIST in several ways in the community be AND BLOOD SUGAR 10

Vijayawada Thursday December 12, 2019 what’s brewing? AMBEDKAR'S LIFE TO BE SPECIAL TRAIN BROUGHT ALIVE IN TV SERIES Hindi televi- said here on Tuesday. have been working in sion series is Historian and Marathi theatre and all set to researcher on the life Marathi serials for A narrate the of Ambedkar, long. This is my first SERVICE PLANNED story of Dr Professor Hari Narke, Hindi serial,” he said. Bhimrao has lent his expertise He is paired with Ambedkar, who is to the upcoming show, Neha Joshi in the regarded as the archi- which is written by show. “I will be seen as tect of the Constitution Shanti Bhushan and Ambedkar’s mother. FOR U2 INDIAThere GIG are pick-up and drop of India. titled Ek directed by Imtiaz It’s a big responsibility. bus services from multiple Mahanayak: Dr BR Punjabi. I hope it inspires the passengers to the concert Ambedkar, the show Bhushan feels there parents of today,” she head of Irish rock until Nerul station with lim- areas in and around the city, band U2’s first directly to the venue. features popular is so much to tell, and said. ited stops in between at Marathi actors as not much has been Shinde, who has just ever concert in Mahim and Kurla — con- Oscar-winning composer India, AR Rahman will be opening Prasad Jawade, Neha taught about wrapped up the fic- necting the Western, Central Joshi and Jagannath Ambedkar in history. tional Hindi show A BookMyShow has and Harbour routes for pas- for U2 when the Irish rock collaborated with band performs in Mumbai. Nivangune. “He was one of the Rajaa Betaa, feels Ek sengers headed for the show. Child actor Aayudh biggest leaders of our Mahanayak: Dr BR the Indian Railways to The service will run from Rahman’s performance will also feature his two daugh- Bhanushali will be country. He not only Ambedkar is a huge launch a special chartered the designated platform of seen essaying the wanted freedom from responsibility. suburban train service in the train as per its daily ters. Rahman will perform younger version of the British but also “It is also a matter of Mumbai on December 15. route once ahead of the con- Ambedkar, while wanted a change in pride to show it to you. The band is set to bring to cert and will make a return Ahimsa, a collaborative sin- gle with the rock band, Prasad will take over society,” he said and It is not an unknown Mumbai their acclaimed trip from Nerul until the starring role as the hopes that people are concept. It has been “U2: The Joshua Tree Tour” Andheri with the two stops which comprises frontman Bono, guitarist the Edge, story progresses. inspired by written with a lot of tour, celebrating their iconic in between, after the show is “He (Dr Ambedkar) Ambedkar’s story. emotions,” she said. 1987 album by the same over. bassist Adam Clayton and Customers can buy the drummer Larry Mullen Jr. fought for one India. Actor Jagannath The show, produced name. The concert, to be You will get to see his Nivangune feels fortu- by Smruti Shinde’s travel package for the special The band is popular for , held at Mumbai’s DY Patil With or without you journey since the time nate to be a part of the SOBO Films, will pre- Stadium, will be their first charter train service on hits like I still haven’t found what I’m he was five years of age show. “I play miere on December 17 gig in the country. BookMyShow. and Beautiful till the end,” Prasad Ambedkar’s father. I on &TV. The special service will There are dedicated bus looking for start at Andheri and ferry services for the concertwell. as day. Mahesh Bhatt set to make digital debut with web-series ilmmaker Bollywood exploring lover, as well as a Mahesh the relationship of a mentor. Bhatt is struggling filmmaker A tweet from the F venturing and a top actress of official Jio Studios into the that era! The greatest account said: digital location in the world “Delighted to space with a dramatic is the human heart. announce our col- web-series based on @VisheshFilms laboration with mas- the relationship of a @JioCinema.” ter storytellers struggling filmmaker This is not the first @VisheshFilms for and a top actress of time Mahesh is mak- web series based on the 70’s era. ing a film based on a a dramatic love story Mahesh’s Vishesh Bollywood actress’s set in 70s Bollywood Films and Jio Studios life. His 2006 film that explores the has joined hands for Woh Lamhe... starring highs and lows of the yet un-titled pro- Shiney Ahuja and the relationship ject. Kangana Ranaut, was between a married The director tweet- supposedly based on struggling film ed: “A perfect begin- Parveen Babi’s life, maker and a top ning. Happy partner- her battle with schiz- actress of that time.” ing with @jiostudios ophrenia and her Other details on our digital debut! relationship with related to the film A dramatic web- Mahesh Bhatt to are still under series based in 70s whom she was a wraps.

FUN TIME

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. 11

Vijayawada Thursday December 12, 2019 tollywood

ore than a year after actor liked it but felt it didn’t go will be the film’s USP. This layer Taxiwaala, starring well with his image. Months drove Nani to greenlit the film, Vijay Deverakonda, later, Naga Vamsi got to know as he felt the film’s story will be a RAHUL M opened in cinemas, that the director had another welcome change for him after a director Rahul script and upon hearing it, he family drama like Tuck Jagadish. Sankrityan has finally immediately felt it was tailor- A major part of the untitled film bagged his next. He has been made for Nani. He arranged a will be shot in Hyderabad. It’s pitching his scripts to multiple meeting between the actor and likely it will go to sets in June or actors in the past six months the director. The actor was nar- early July.” — NG Sankrityan and The Pioneer has under- rated the story 10 days ago and stood that he has got the nod he was sold. However, he had of Nani for his third director- some queries, which Rahul THE FILM WILL BE AN ial. Naga Vamsi of Sithara attended to. In the second narra- Entertainments will be pool- tion, the actor gave his go-ahead. INTENSE LOVE STORY to direct ing in resources for the pro- However, an official agreement BUT THERE’S AN EXTRA ject. to this end hasn’t been signed A source close to the devel- yet.” LAYER TO IT, WHICH opment exclusively tells us, The source adds, “The film WILL BE THE FILM’S “Rahul met Nani earlier this will be an intense love story but NANI year with a sci-fi script. The there’s an extra layer to it, which USP RAHUL I'M IN BETTER VIJAY signs a rom-com HANDS: CHAY ctor Rahul Vijay, who will commence shooting for Black and White with debutant director Naga Chaitanya talks to NAGARAJ Ravinder from today in Hyderabad, has GOUD about acting with Venky mama, A given his consent to another film. To mark the directorial debut of BV Surya who assisted Sreenu reasons for not working with debutant Vaitla in the past, the untitled film will be a romantic comedy. It will be directors, positive criticism and others launched in January-end and the shoot will kick-off in February. The he desire to work with tions in the film will see him director is planning to introduce his real life uncle graduating from college and as a two new actresses’ with the film, a Venkatesh was at the happy-go college boy who goes to Hyderabad set drama. Produced back of Naga his village to help his mama find by C Gopalakrishna Reddy, it will T Chaitanya’s mind for a a right girl to marry, the latter have music by Sai Karthik, while long time but at the portions will see him as an Army Eeshar Mahanti will make his same time he was sure that he man fighting across the border. cinematography debut. needs to gain more familiarity He is grateful for the film’s team Meanwhile, Rahul’s immedi- with his craft before rubbing to have designed a major action ate release would be College shoulders with the veteran super- block on him. “The action films Kumar, a Telugu-Tamil bilin- star. “Also, I wanted to do a film I’ve done till now didn’t find an gual with director Santhu. It with Suresh Productions since audience but the team of Venky will most likely hit the big my first film but it didn’t tran- Mama gave me a shot at action screens early next year. spire. Suresh mama sent me some once again with a military 10-20 scripts over many years for episode in Kashmir. It’s the most solo projects but somehow things challenging role I’ve got till now,” THE UNTITLED FILM couldn’t get going. Luckily with he stresses. Venky Mama, both my wishes got The actor went through his WILL BE A ROMANTIC fulfilled (Suresh is the film’s pro- share of box-office woes in the COMEDY AND WILL BE ducer). Suresh mama was instru- past but this year has been a Ashwathama mental in designing the story in a fruitful for him, as his Majili is LAUNCHED IN way that the film will be the best one of the year’s biggest earners, JANUARY-END AND one in my career,” Naga clocking more than Rs 50 crore. books its date Chaitanya tells us. He insists that when a film of his THE SHOOT WILL KICK- Chaitanya cuts a calm and fails, he analyses what went he filming of Naga Shaurya’s third relaxed figure on the sets but wrong before making the next OFF IN FEBRUARY home production, Ashwathama, is over. admits learning to be more move. Plus, he adds, “Social Directed by debutant Ramana Teja, the relaxed and positive by observing media is helping me to filter reac- film is gearing up for a release on Venky. “He is a hero with no tions. I believe in taking advan- T January 31. The film’s makers are fol- haters and after shooting with tage of positive criticism and lowing the Chalo sentiment. A box- him, I realised that he earned that working towards it. Yes, there will office winner, Chalo released on February 2 nearly tag because of his positivity. be people who will intentionally a couple of years ago. “Shaurya penned the story There were occasions where he write negative stuff but there will taking inspiration from real life incidents. The would lose his cool if he spots be genuine feedback as well. output has been good,” Ashwathama film’s produc- things not going according to Once a film of mine releases, I er Usha said at a presser in Hyderabad on plan but then his sudden temper will be very active on social Wednesday. also helps things to fall back in media,” he states his mantra. In the Visakhapatnam-set film, Shaurya will be order,” he points out, adding The actor of late has stopped seen as someone who boldly questions anything that in real life as well, they are giving his nod to debutant direc- that he finds to be unjust or inappropriate in the generally very reserved. tors. His films like Dhada, society. Mehreen is cast opposite him. “There’s a bond in our silence off Bezawada and Yuddham Meanwhile, Shaurya has shifted attention to sets. However, as I was playing Sharanam with debut directors shoot debutante Souujanya Medarametla’s film, a an extremely energetic role in failed to click, prompting him to love story. Sithara Productions is producing the the film, it took me 10 days to overlook fresh talent for some movie, which sees Ritu Varma alongside Shaurya. get adjusted. For 30 long years, time. He informs once he reach- I’ve behaved in a certain way in es a stable position as an actor, he front of him and it wasn’t easy will start encouraging new direc- to shed that inhibition in front tors. “I’m a director’s actor of the camera just like that. I and my performance solely have a lot of memories with rests on a director. Till I him even when I stayed in deliver two-three more Chennai. I share a special hits, I want to continue bond with him and it working with experi- helped the film’s emotional enced directors. I feel layer. The audience will feel I’m in better hands real connection between under them. New our roles.” directors might think Venky is known for twice to demand for his comic timing and another take from me Chay admits that it as I’m more experi- was difficult to match enced than them his senior. “I con- whereas experienced sumed a lot of takes to directors will not get my lines right. During yield until they get a some scenes I couldn’t con- perfect shot. Sekhar trol myself laughing seeing Kammula is doing his expressions. It was a the same with me blessing to work with him. for my next with In fact, working with him him and I’m enjoy- would be a plus for any ing the process. It’s a actor,” the actor smiles. planned risk I’ve While the initial por- taken,” he signs off. NIVETHA in talks for Pink Telugu remake ast seen in the successful the work the director did on her be a joint production venture Brochevarevaru Raa, role and the fact that the film between Boney Kapoor and Dil Nivetha Thomas is the addresses an important issue con- Raju. L frontrunner to reprise cerning women, Nivetha, it seems, is Pink, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu in Pink seriously considering the offer. It Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Telugu remake with wouldn’t be a surprise if the petite Andrea Tariang made a wave in the Pawan Kalyan in the lead. As the actress, who will be seen in super- country with its portrayal of young role required a performer with a star Rajinikanth’s Darbar next, women’s life in a patriarchal country good deal of experience, director makes the cut. and made the nation understand Venu Sreeram felt Nivetha was apt The film, yet to get a title, will go that if a woman says no she means and approached her, reports doing to floors after Sankranti, with Pawan it. It won the Best Film on Social the rounds indicate. Impressed by Kalyan joining it in February. It will Issues National Award in 2017. VIJAYAWADA | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2019 sport 12 TRIPLE TREAT Rahul, Rohit, Kohli power India to 240/3

PTI n MUMBAI INDIA'S HIGHEST TOTALS IN T20s L Rahul, Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli struck Score Overs Opponent Venue Date Kexplosive half centuries to 260-5 20 Sri Lanka Indore 22-12-2017 power India to a mammoth 240 for 3 in series-deciding third T20 244-4 20 West Indies Lauderhill 27-08-2016 against West Indies here at 240-3 20 West Indies Mumbai 11-12-2019 Wankhede Stadium on 218-4 20 England Durban 19 -09-2007 Wednesday. West Indies decision to bowl 213-4 20 Ireland Dublin 29-06-2018 first backfired as Indian openers MOST SIXES IN AN INDIAN INNINGS IN T20s KL Rahul (91 off 56 balls; 9x4, 4x6) and local boy Rohit Sharma (71 off Sixes Score Opponent Venue Date 34 balls; 6x4; 5x6) conjured 135 21 260-5 Sri Lanka Indore 22-12-2017 runs for first wicket in 11.4 overs. They took a listless opposition 16 240-3 West Indies Mumbai 11-12-2019 attack to cleaners and smashed 72 13 162-8 New Zealand Christchurch 25-02-2009 runs in first six powerplay overs. While Rohit completed his 50 off 13 213-4 Ireland Dublin 29-06-2018 23 balls, Rahul did it in 29 deliv- 13 212-4 New Zealand Hamilton 10-02- 2019 eries. 13 190-4 Australia Bengaluru 27-02-2019 And later in the innings, Kolhi (70 off 29 balls; 4x4; 7x6) showed MOST SIXES IN AN INNINGS FOR INDIA IN T20Is his class as he and Rahul put up a Sixes (Score) Batsman Opponent Venue Date 95-run-stand off 45 balls for third wicket to propel the hosts to the 10 (118) Rohit Sharma Sri Lanka Indore 22-12-2017 Mayank replaces highest total at Wankhede 8 (89) Lokesh Rahul Sri Lanka Indore 22-12-2017 Stadium. Rohit began with a cover 7 (58) Yuvraj Singh England Durban 19-09-2007 Dhawan for ODIs drive boundary off pacer 7 (72) Yuvraj Singh Pakistan Ahmedabad 28-12-2012 n Sheldon Cottrell. In sec- 7 (111*) Rohit Sharma West Indies Lucknow 06-11-2018 PTI NEW DELHI some more time before he ond over off Jason regains full match fitness,” the Holder, Rahul hit 7 (70*) Virat Kohli West Indies Mumbai 11-12-2019 pener Mayank Agawal was BCCI said in a statement. back-to-back bound- FAISEL FEATURES Oon Wednesday named as “The All-India Senior aries at the third man Shikhar Dhawan’s replacement Selection Committee has named region, the first coming from a was introduced into the attack, but However, West Indies pegged back in India’s ODI squad for the Mayank Agarwal as replace- thick outside edge. Rohit welcomed him with a tow- India by removing Rohit and one- three-match series against the ment for the injured Shikhar Rohit then stamped his class ering six over long-on. The next down Rishabh Pant (0) quickly. West Indies as the southpaw has Dhawan in India’s squad for the as he pulled Cottrell for a six and ball, Evin Lewis, almost pulled off Then Kohli joined Rahul as not yet recovered from his knee upcoming series against West followed by a four towards mid- a one-handed blinder, but could the two continued the onslaught. injury. Indies,” it added. off region. It was Rohit’s 400th six not complete the catch. Rahul Kohli was brutal on Holder, as he Dhawan had suffered a deep India will play three ODIs in international cricket to become inflicted more agony on Kesrick hit two fours and a six in the 15th cut on his left knee during a Syed against the West Indies in the first Indian to achieve the feat Williams as he hit two fours and over, as India scored 22 runs off Mushtaq Ali Trophy game Chennai (December 15), and third after Chris Gayle and a six in the sixth over. it. against Maharashtra in Surat Visakhapatnam (December 18) Shahid Afridi. Then Rohit hit two consecu- The last five overs belonged to and was subsequently ruled out and Cuttack (December 22). Rahul then struck a four fol- tive sixes and a four off Pierre as Kohli, who hammered fours and of the ongoing T20 series. Agarwal, who is currently lowed by a six over third man India raced to 102/0 after 8 overs. sixes at will as West Indies paid “The BCCI Medical Team playing Ranji Trophy match fence as India amassed 14 runs off This was third 100-run stand heavy price for indiscipline bowl- feels that while Dhawan’s stitch- against Tamil Nadu in Dindigul, 4th over by Jason Holder. between the two in T20s. At the ing. Fittingly Kohli finished the es are off and his wound is heal- will join the national team in Rohit Sharma, left, is congratulated by KL Rahul for scoring 50 runs during the third T20I AP Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre half-way mark, India were 116/0. innings with a straight six. ing gradually, he still needs Chennai before the first game. Pak dominate SL on day 1 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Kangaroos out to hunt Kiwis Live from 10:00am IST SONY ESPN NETWORK Australia vs New Zealand Live from 10:30am IST Dar set to break SONY SIX NETWORK AFP nPERTH Bucknor’s record ustralia will field the same team PTI n DUBAI feeling and a high point of my life Afor the third Test in a row when when I take the field here in they face New Zealand in sauna-like akistan’s Aleem Dar will break Australia; thousands of miles from conditions under lights at Perth – a PSteve Bucknor’s record of most where I started my international first under Tim Paine’s captaincy. Test matches as an umpire in the first career at home in Gujranwala,” said Coach Justin Langer has been Test today. Dar in an ICC statement. working hard to mould a steady XI The 51-year-old, who took up “Steve Bucknor was my idol and after thrashing Pakistan in two umpiring after a decade of playing and it is only sinking in now that recent Tests sees no reason to chop first-class cricket in Pakistan, will be I will have officiated in more Test and change for a tougher day-night standing in his 129th Test match as matches than him. In the nearly assignment against the Black Caps. on-field umpire after making his two decades of my international “We’ve been playing some real- debut in Dhaka in 2003 during career, I have had the good fortune ly good cricket, happy with the way England’s tour of Bangladesh. of watching some memorable it’s going so we’re trying to get a con- Starting his international career matches and achievements like sistent team together,” Paine told in 2000 during Pakistan’s home Brian Lara’s Test knock of 400 not reporters on Wednesday. ODI series against Sri Lanka, Dar out and South Africa’s epic chase of “And as I touched on after has officiated in 207 ODIs and is Australia’s score of 434 in an ODI Pakistani pacer Mohammad Abbas, right, celebrates after dismissing Dinesh Chandimal AP Adelaide (second Test against only two matches shy of the record in Johannesburg in 2006,” he added. Pakistan), the great thing is we’ve got of 209 matches in that format held RAWALPINDI: Test cricket made its spoiled a good 96-run start given by guys that are performing really by Rudi Koertzen of South Africa. long-awaited return to Pakistan after skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (59) well. Dar has also officiated in 46 T20 a deadly attack in 2009, with the and Oshada Fernando (40). “That’s what we wanted so Internationals. home team led by fast bowler Naseem Pakistan struggled for wickets in we’re going to go with the same “This is one milestone Shah dominating Sri Lanka on the first session as Sri Lanka reached team.” I had never thought of Wednesday. 89-0 at lunch. That means Mitchell Starc, Pat when I began my Naseem, who is just 16, grabbed Shaheen Shah Afridi trapped Cummins and Josh Hazlewood umpiring career. It is 2-51 on the opening day of the first Karunaratne leg-before soon after again lead the attack, with James a truly amazing Test which marked a momentous lunch to trigger a collapse which saw Pattinson and Michael Neser miss- occasion in Pakistan cricket at the visitors lose four wickets within ing out. Rawalpindi stadium. just 31 runs in the post lunch session. Paine suggested that might Sri Lanka won the toss and bat- Naseem then had Fernando change for the next two Tests in Kane Williamson and Tim Paine pose with trophy before the start of Test series ICC/Twitter ted and closed the day at a precari- caught at slip for 40, an innings laced Melbourne and Sydney, which are never lost at the new Perth Stadium nearly two years ago against ous 202-5 after bad light stopped play with six boundaries and a six. closer together. and have won all six day-night Tests England in Auckland and have 20.5 overs early. He also had Angelo Mathews “But at the moment the three they have played. only won three of 31 Tests in At close Dhananjaya de Silva was caught in the slips for 31. Mathews big fellas are fit and firing,” he said. That includes at Adelaide ear- Australia and have not claimed a unbeaten on 38 and Niroshan added 62 runs for the fifth wicket Australia have momentum lier this month. In contrast, New series on the other side of the Dickwella not out 11 as Sri Lanka with De Silva. going into today’s game. They have Zealand last played a day-night Test Tasman since 1985-86. PTI n VADODARA iating innings defeat. Asghar reappointed taying true to his word, Prithvi HARYANA EDGE MAHA SShaw on Wednesday appeared in his ROHTAK: Haryana seized the upper ‘2.0’ avatar and blazed his way into SHAW STOPPER hand against Maharashtra on the third Afghans captain national reckoning with a double hun- day of Group C encounter, having dred for Mumbai against Baroda. Prithvi scores maiden double hundred as Mumbai reduced their opponents to 61 for five PTI n KABUL Continuing his purple patch after in the second innings. returning to competitive cricket from edge close to big win over Baroda Skipper Harshal Patel did the star he Afghanistan an eight-month doping ban, Shaw turn for Haryana, taking four wickets TCricket Board re- smashed 202 off 179 balls to put mum use of the opportunity. Mulani taking two wickets. in the first innings, as Maharashtra were appointed former cap- Mumbai on the road to victory in their Shaw, who could be in contention all out for 247. And then in the second tain Asghar Afghan as Group B encounter at the Relaince for the third opener’s slot in Tests, took DELHI FACE INNINGS DEFEAT innings, Maharashtra were rocked early the skipper across all Stadium. a listless Baroda attack to the cleaners. THUMBA: Off-spinner Jalaj Saxena by Patel, who got SM Gugale (0) and CG formats of the game on Shaw had recently assured that it He will also be on the plane for India showed his Delhi counterparts how to Khurana (0) with the team score on Wednesday. will be ‘Prithvi Shaw 2.0 going forward’, A team’s tour of New Zealand. bowl on an unresponsive track with a zero. The decision taken and he lived up to that by hitting 19 The right-handed batsman had all six-wicket haul, raising visions of an The in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad (7, 26 by the ACB’s top management officials, comes seven fours and seven sixes. shots in the book as he raced to his 100 innings victory for Kerala. balls) and Shaik added 41 runs for the months after Asghar was stripped from captaincy across Mumbai, who had made 431 in in just 84 balls and then converted it On a track where Delhi’s Shivam third wicket before Kundu dismissed formats. their first essay, got the crucial first- into a memorable double ton. Sharma, Vikas Mishra and Tejas Baroka the former. Afghanistan’s poor show in a ‘home series’ against West innings lead after bundling out Baroda Shaw and Jay Bista (68) laid the disappointed, domestic warhorse Indies where they lost all in three formats may have for 307, who could add only six runs to foundation of the mammoth total by Saxena scalped 6 for 63 in 24 overs to K’TAKA GAIN LEAD prompted the authorities to call back Afghan. their overnight total. conjuring a 190-run stand for the first skittle out Delhi for 142 in their first DINDIGUL: Karnataka gained the all- “As per the decision by ACB Top management, senior For Baroda, opener Kedar Devdhar wicket. innings. This was after Kerala posted a important first innings lead against player Asghar Afghan is reappointed as team Afghanistan’s remained unbeaten on 160. The youngster from Virar then massive 525 for nine declared. Tamil Nadu in Group B encounter, captain across formats,” ACB wrote on its official Twitter Courtesy Shaw’s double ton and found an able ally in Surya, who raced With 383 runs in arrears, Kerala despite a superb ton by the experienced handle on Wednesday. skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s quick-fire his way to 102 not out in 70 balls, with captain Sachin Baby rightly asked Delhi Dinesh Karthik (113). In April, two months before the ODI World Cup, ACB unbeaten 102, Mumbai declared their 12 fours and five sixes. to follow-on and their openers Anuj Off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham had named Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan second innings at 409/4, setting Baroda The two stitched a 78-run stand for Rawat (87 off 103 balls) and Kunal was the star performer for Karnataka, as replacements of Asghar in the Test, ODI and T20 teams a mammoth target of 534. the fourth wicket to take the game away Chandela (51 off 103 balls) added 130 picking up six wickets for 110 runs. respectively. Mumbai’s second innings was all from Baroda. for the opening stand. Karnataka recovered from 23 for 3 However, after the World Cup after a disappointing about Shaw, who was playing his first Baroda, needing 534 runs for a win, At stumps, Delhi were 142 for one in the second innings to end the day at show in England, where Afghanistan lost all its nine match- first-class game after the suspension, finished the third day at 74/3 with in their second innings and still need- 89 for 5, a lead of 118 runs with a day’s es, all-rounder Rashid was named skipper across all for- and the pint-sized opener made opti- Mumbai left-arm spinner Shams Prithvi Shaw in action for Mumbai PTI/File Picture ing 241 to avoid what could be a humil- play remaining. mats.