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PUBLISHED FROM DELHI & KOLKATA VOL. 3, ISSUE 87 | Saturday, 1 April 2017 | Kolkata | Pages 16 | Rs 3.00 NO HALF TRUTHS nNIFTY 9173.75 (00.00) qSENSEX 29,620.50 (-26.92) qDOW JONES 20,697.69 (-30.80) pNASDAQ 5,916.73 (+2.39) pRUPEE/DOLLAR 64.85(+0.07) pRUPEE/EURO 69.34 (+0.37) qGOLD/10GM 29,060.00 (-190.00) qSILVER/K 42,150.00 (-150.00) FROM TODAY, SHARP EXCHANGES SINDHU DOWNS ‘I MUST CALCULATE YOUR BETWEEN LOP SAINA IN HAVE DONE OWN PROPERTY TAX AZAD AND NAQVI THRILLER, SAMEER SOMETHING WITH UAA PG3 IN RS PG5 BOWS OUT PG14 RIGHT’ PG16 Quick News44 ASSEMBLY PASSES AMENDMENT BILL Indian student beaten DA CASE: HC removes Life term for cow to death in Poland, Swaraj seeks report stay on Virbhadra arrest slaughter in Gujarat MPOST BUREAU NEW DELHI: An Indian student was report- HC dismisses Himachal Pradesh CM, his wife’s plea to quash case edly beaten to death in Poland’s Pozan city on GANDHINAGAR: The Guja- Wednesday. External Affairs Minister Sushma MPOST BUREAU rat Assembly on Friday passed an Swaraj on Friday sought a report on the issue amendment bill prescribing life from the Indian Ambassador to Poland. NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on imprisonment for those found “I have just spoken to the Indian Ambassador Friday dismissed Himachal Pradesh Chief guilty of slaughtering cows. in Poland and asked for a report,” Sushma said in Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife’s plea The Gujarat Animal Preserva- a tweet. “On Wednesday, an Indian student was seeking to quash the disproportionate assets tion (Amendment) Bill also has a Tough provisions beaten to death by unidentified persons, are still case filed against them by the CBI. provision for ten-year imprison- »»The bill also bans the trans- at large. The boy had a cut on his head because Justice Vipin Sanghi also vacated the ment for transportation, storage or portation of animals from one he fell after being hit on the edge stall,” a report Himachal Pradesh High Court’s interim sale of beef. It provides for perma- place to another in the night. published in Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, said. order of October 1, 2015, restraining the nent forfeiture of vehicles involved Despite medics and passerby alerting police CBI from arresting, interrogating or filing a in the transportation of progeny of »»Those involved in the slaugh- about the incident, the boy couldn’t be saved charge sheet in the case without the court’s cows and beef. ter of cows, calves, bulls and as cops failed to understand the word “beaten”, permission. The bill also bans the transpor- bullocks, would face imprison- the report said. Last month, an Indian engineer “The writ petition is dismissed. Stay is tation of animals from one place to ment up to life, but not less Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in United vacated,” the court said. another in the night. than ten years. States’ Kansas City. AGENCIES Singh has sought directions from the The bill, which seeks to amend court to quash the FIR registered against the Gujarat Animal Preservation onment up to 10 years, but not less Petrol price cut by Rs 3.77/ him and his wife under Sections 13(2) and Act, 1954, by introducing stringent than seven years, for those found 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act punishments, was passed in the to be involved in transportation, litre; diesel by Rs 2.91 and Section 109 of IPC by the CBI on Sep- absence of Congress MLAs, who sale and storage of beef. Earlier, the tember 23, 2015, here and urged the court to were suspended for a day for creat- maximum punishment for the same NEW DELHI: summon records of the preliminary inquiry ing a ruckus in the House. was three years. Petrol price was and the FIR. Introducing the bill, state Home Under this Act, those found on Friday night Virbhadra and his wife Pratibha Singh Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja said, involved in slaughtering cows and cut by Rs 3.77 have claimed in their plea that there was no “Cows not just have religious sig- related crimes are fined Rs 50,000, per litre and the order, direction or judgment by any court Department were not taken before raiding High Court restraining the CBI from arrest- nificance, they also have an eco- besides the jail term up to seven rate of diesel was that had authorised the CBI to inquire, inves- the residence of a sitting chief minister. ing, interrogating or filing a charge sheet in nomic significance in our society. It years. lowered by Rs tigate or register regular cases and exercise The CBI had contended that the allega- the case without the court’s permission. is utmost necessary to increase the In another change, the Guja- 2.91 per litre. The jurisdiction in the territory of Himachal tions against Singh in the case are “very seri- The matter was transferred by the punishment to deter those involved rat Animal Preservation (Amend- cut in rates, effective from Friday midnight, is Pradesh.The chief minister has contended in ous” as a huge amount of money was involved Supreme Court to the Delhi High Court, in the slaughtering of cows.” ment) Bill also proposes that all excluding state levies and the actual decrease in his plea that the raids on his private residence and the state government has shown “over which on April 6, 2016, had asked CBI not As per the bill, those involved in offences shall be considered cogni- prices will be slightly higher. Indian Oil Corp and other premises were conducted with anxiety” in protecting him. to arrest Singh and had directed him to join the slaughter of cows, calves, bulls sable as well as non-bailable. In the (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hin- “malafide intentions and political vendetta” The agency had said it had jurisdiction the probe. and bullocks, would face impris- present Act, such offences are con- dustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) revise rates of by the central investigating agency. to register and investigate the case in Delhi On November 5 last year, the apex court onment up to life, but not less than sidered only “cognisable” and not petrol and diesel fortnightly. AGENCIES He has alleged that CBI had overstepped as the disproportionate assets were allegedly had transferred Singh’s plea from Himachal ten years. “non-bailable”. its jurisdiction in filing the case as the cause acquired by the Congress leader from the Pradesh HC to Delhi HC, saying it was not In the present Act, which was To deter transportation of beef Coal India director R Mohan of action did not arise in the territory of income generated here when he was a Union expressing any opinion on the merits of the amended in 2011, the maximum jail or bovine for the purpose of slaugh- Delhi. minister during UPA regime. case, but “simply” transferring the petition term for such acts was seven years, tering, the state government has Das’ services terminated Singh has also claimed that the permis- Singh had on October 1, 2015, got an “in interest of justice and to save the institu- but not less than three years. proposed to permanently “forfeit” sion of the state government and Home interim order from the Himachal Pradesh tion (judiciary) from any embarrassment”. The bill also proposes impris- vehicles. NEW DELHI: State-owned Coal India on Fri- day announced the termination of the services GRANDSON OF LEGENDARY ACTOR CONTEMPT CASE of one of its directors R Mohan Das with effect SOUMITRA CHATTERJEE from March 30. As a director (Personnel and Industrial Relations) with Coal India (CIL), Das Justice Karnan appears before Supreme Court was responsible for the formulation and imple- mentation of personnel policies of our company, Actor Ronodeep Bose critically MPOST BUREAU the PSU said in a filing to BSE. His services were At the outset, the bench, Prime Minister. A suo motu terminated as per the directions received by the also comprising Justices Dipak contempt proceeding was initi- PSU from the Coal Ministry, it said. Das’s “ser- injured in bike accident NEW DELHI: Controversial Misra, J Chelameswar, Ranjan ated against me. Before hearing vices is terminated w.e.f March 30, 2017 as per Calcutta High Court judge Gogoi, M B Lokur, P C Ghose me, my work was withdrawn. the directions received from the Ministry of OUR CORRESPONDENT Justice C S Karnan on Friday and Kurian Joseph asked Jus- My dignity has been hurt in the Coal...and hence he ceased to be the director of appeared before the Supreme tice Karnan as to whether he eyes of general public. I am also the company,” Coal India informed. However, KOLKATA: Bengali actor and grand- Court which granted him four was willing to tender an uncon- holding a Constitutional posi- the company did not specify the reasons for his son of thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, weeks’ time to respond to the ditional apology and withdraw tion. Do I have any respect, or termination. AGENCIES Ronodeep Bose, was seriously injured contempt notice while rejecting his earlier communications in dignity?” Justice Karnan said. in a major bike accident at New Ali- the submission that his admin- which he had made allegations He said police officials had pore at around 2 am on Friday. One istrative and judicial powers be against various judges. entered his office to serve the of his friends Joydip Banerjee, who restored. As Justice Karnan was not warrant and since he is a sitting In today’s was the pillion rider, was also injured. A seven-judge bench forthright in his response, the judge holding a Constitutional Though Joydip’s condition was headed by Chief Justice J S bench suggested him to take office, “the insult is not only to paper stated to be stable, Ronodeep under- Khehar took note of personal time and legal assistance in caste and said that even the me, but to the entire judiciary”. went a major surgery in a private hos- appearance of Justice Karnan, responding to the question. Supreme Court issued the con- To this the bench said that ... pital in the city as he sustained severe a first in the history of Indian Justice Karnan in his tempt notice and took away earlier, it had issued notice to CITY head injuries. judiciary, and asked him to response, alleged discrimina- his administrative and judicial Justice Karnan and when he Ronodeep was heading to his home respond to the allegations lev- tion and “social boycott” by rights without hearing him. failed to appear before it then 10 AC MINIBUSES TO PLY IN CITY 4 on Thursday night along with his eled against various judges in companion judges on vari- “I made complaints to the only it issued a bailable warrant NATION friend when the accident took place his several communications. ous grounds including his Chief Justice of India and the against him. at P-Block in New Alipore. PM ‘DISRESPECTING’ TN FARMERS 6 Police suspect after speaking to local people that the duo was travel- SC ban on liquor vends along highways to stay EDIT ling at a high speed. Joydip looked to some other side while riding the bike MPOST BUREAU shall remain operative for areas other The 220-metre criterion for allowing CAREFUL IMAGE MAKEOVER 8 and crashed into a wall. He underwent a surgery in the pri- than specified in Friday’s order. liquor vends along highways will also be INTERNATIONAL Police said that none of them vate hospital on Friday morning when NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court mod- The bench, also comprising Justices made applicable to hill states like Sikkim, was wearing helmets. As a result, the legendary actor Soumitra Chat- ified on its order banning liquor vends D Y Chandrachud and L N Rao, said that Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh. US STATES MAY DEFUND ‘ABORTION’ CLINICS 11 Ronodeep received severe injuries on terjee was also present in the health within 500 metres on national and state the verdict was given keeping in mind The apex court’s decision came on his head and legs. It is learnt that he care unit. highways, reducing the distance to 220 road accidents owing to drunken driving. pleas seeking a relook at its verdict ban- BUSINESS fell unconscious after the collision and Many friends and well-wishers of metres in areas having a population of It clarified that licences given to liquor ning liquor vends within 500 metres of suffered excessive bleeding. Ronodeep, rushed to the hospital. The up to 20,000. vendors prior to the December 15 judge- national and state highways from April AADHAAR MUST TO FILE I-T RETURNS 12 The road was deserted when the talented actor received critical acclaim A bench headed by Chief Justice J S ment would be valid up to September 30 1 with Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi accident took place in the wee hours. for his roles in Anjan Dutta’s Dutta Khehar, however, made it clear that its this year. The other liquor vends will have having said that the judgement needs rec- SPORT Joydip somehow managed to attract Vs. Dutta (2012), Moinak Bhowmik’s December 15, 2016 order banning such to be shut down from tomorrow (April 1) tification as the “budget of the states will INDIA NOT HOSTING IOC SESSION IN 2019 14 the attention of some passersby and Family Album (2015) and Kamaleswar vends within 500 metres of highways as per the December 15 judgement. go for a six”. sought help. Mukhopadhyay’s Khawto (2016). Govt slashes small saving Don’t go overboard, UP govt tells anti-Romeo squads interest rates by 0.1% MPOST BUREAU drive has been launched to free pub- essary harassment of boys and girls lic places of anti-social elements and moving around or sitting at any place, NEW DELHI: The govern- two schemes is 8 per cent. LUCKNOW: Acting on the Alla- check incidents of eve-teasing, inde- an official release said. ment has lowered interest rates Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) habad High Court’s order asking anti- cent behaviour and passing of lewd Anti-Romeo squads, a poll prom- on small saving schemes like investments will yield 7.6 per Romeo squads to follow guidelines, comments at women and girls. ise of the BJP that secured a remark- PPF, Kisan Vikas Patra and cent and mature in 112 months. the Uttar Pradesh government on Fri- The UP Home department has able victory in the Uttar Pradesh Sukanya Samriddhi scheme by The one for girl child sav- day directed the police to ensure that issued fresh directives to identify election, drew criticism from certain 0.1 per cent for the April-June ings, Sukanya Samriddhi no inhumane measure was adopted those involved in misconduct at quarters with visuals of policemen tar- quarter, a move that would Account Scheme, will offer 8.4 in the name of ensuring security to schools, colleges, bus stations, rail- geting young boys and girls going viral prompt banks to cut their per cent annually, from 8.5 per women. way stations, malls and markets. on TV and on social media. deposit rates. cent at present, while it will be There should be no shaving of The government is also firm on “The idea is to question, check For April-June, these have the same at 8.4 per cent for the heads, blackening of faces or “murga checking unnecessary harassment of group of boys or boys alone near col- been lowered by 0.1 per cent 5-year Senior Citizens Savings pose” (sit-ups while holding ears), a girls and boys merely in the name of leges and other places and create fear across the board compared Scheme. The interest rate on senior official said here. curbing eve-teasing in public places among potential harassers in public to January-March. However, the senior citizen’s scheme is The guidelines have been issued like coffee shops, markets and parks. places,” said a police officer. interest on savings deposits paid quarterly. after the intervention of Chief Min- The government has also made it However, it was being dubbed has been retained at 4 per cent Term deposits of 1-5 years ister Yogi Adityanath amidst reports clear that vigilantism of any sort in this as an attempt at moral policing and annually. Since April last year, will fetch a lower 6.9-7.7 per of harassment by anti-Romeo squads. regard will not be tolerated. widely criticised in some quarters as interest rates of all small saving cent that will be paid quar- These special squads of UP Police With TV channels reporting that the modus operandi was being com- schemes have been recalibrated terly while the 5-year recur- were formed after the Yogi Adi- couples were being harassed and pared with the infamous ‘Operation on a quarterly basis. ring deposit has been pegged tynath government assumed office The court’s Lucknow bench of jus- administrative and police officials in humiliated by anti-Romeo squads at Majnu’ in 2005, in which boys at A finance ministry notifi- lower at 7.2 per cent. this month, fulfilling one of the poll tices Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and San- districts to regularly review the steps some places, Adityanath asked offi- crossings and markets were pulled up, cation said investments in the “On the basis of the deci- promises of the BJP. jay Harkauli had given the order on a being taken for women security and cials to ensure there was no “unnec- and couples in gardens were thrashed public provident fund (PPF) sion of the government, interest The Allahabad High Court had on PIL that alleged that police were not inform senior officials on a regular essary harassment”. by police. scheme will fetch lower annual rates for small savings schemes Thursday directed the Uttar Pradesh following the guidelines during the basis, the official said. The Chief Minister asked the The officer sought to clarify that the rate of 7.9 per cent, the same as are to be notified on a quarterly government to ensure that guidelines drive, aimed at checking eveteasing, Stressing that his government was Principal Secretary (Home) to chalk only job (of the anti-Romeo squads) 5-year National Savings Certifi- basis,” the ministry said while were followed by anti-Romeo squads and was harassing couples. firm on upholding the security and out clear guidelines for anti-Romeo was to ensure safety of women and cate. The existing rate for these notifying the rates. MPOST and action was taken as per the law. The chief minister has also directed dignity of women, he said a state-wide squads and ensure there is no unnec- that eve-teasing does not take place. 2 town mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 FIVE BOOKS TO LOOK forward to in April 2017

or all those of us eagerly look- ing forward to making the most With an ever expanding list of books releasing during the month, of summer by indulging in read- ing some new offerings, April is – bookworms may be faced with a platter that is as diverse as it can get forF all intents and purposes – the month of joy. With an ever expanding list of books releasing during the month, book- worms may be faced with a platter that is as diverse as it can get. Narrowing down the list and pick- ing up that one perfect book, which not sense of who they are. a smile plastered to his face all the time? only meets your choice and genre but also ‘A History Of Indian Sports Through 100 Behind the cranky exterior there is a story keeps you apace with changing times is Artefacts’ by Boria Mazumdar (Harper) and a sadness. always a challenge. And alas! What a regret This book brings together rare objects So when one November morning it is to read a book after seeing rave reviews – tickets, scorecards, telegrams, letters, a chatty young couple with two chatty and praise, when you had overlooked it in newspaper reports – and facts from the young daughters move in next door and the first place. annals of Indian sporting history. There accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is As marketing and hype gain promi- is a wealth of tales and nuggets within the lead-in to a comical and heartwarm- nence in the publishing industry, it is per- these pages: Mohun Bagan defeating the ing tale of unexpected friendship. All of haps the worst of times to judge a book by East Yorkshire Regiment in 1911 to lift the which will change one cranky old man its cover, or author or publisher, for that IFA Shield, Ranji’s love poems for Mary and a local residents’ association to their matter. More books hit stands today than Holmes, the 1932 cricket tour of England, very foundations. ever earlier and many-a-reader falls prey India’s hockey exploits at the Olympics, ‘Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation: to the marketing honchos behind these Lata Mangeshkar’s special disc in honour The Relentless Invention of Modern India book covers, only to be left with a sense of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian by Adam Roberts (Hachette) of regret later. cricket team and more. As India stands on the threshold of global Profusely illustrated and beautifully dominance and as it seeks to control its Here are the five books across genres that designed, this seems like a collector’s edi- relationships with China and Pakistan, we can’t wait to read in April: tion that no sports lover can resist. to revitalise its economy and improve the ‘Maid in India’ by Tripti Lahiri (Aleph) as more and more urban women work in In a country teetering on the brink of can whisk people far away, if perilously ‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Back- health and education prospects of its citi- This is a pioneering book in many the mainstream. civil war, two young people meet – sen- and for a price. As the violence escalates, man (Hachette) zens, the key to understanding its future ways that attempts to capture the com- What is also interesting is that Lahiri sual, fiercely independent Nadia and gen- Nadia and Saeed decide that they no lon- Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon – the may lie in understanding its leader, Prime plex and troubling relations between the provides a historical layer to her offering tle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a ger have a choice. Leaving their homeland kind of man who points at people he dis- Minister Narendra Modi. maids and their masters in India. The by reminding the readers that for much of furtive love affair, and are soon cloistered and their old lives behind, they find a door likes as if they were burglars caught out- In this book, Adam Roberts, formerly author travelled widely to the villages from India’s independence, only a handful could in a premature intimacy by the unrest and step through. side his bedroom window. He has staunch South Asia bureau chief for the Econo- where women make their way to work afford to have servants. roiling their city. When it explodes, turn- ‘Exit West’ follows these remarkable principles, strict routines, and a short mist, builds up an unflinching portrayal in upper class homes in cities and met- ing familiar streets into a patchwork of characters as they emerge into an alien fuse. People call him “the bitter neigh- of the man at India’s helm, the country’s ropolitans. The author points out in the “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid (Penguin checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin and uncertain future, struggling to hold bour from hell”. But must Ove be bitter enormous potential – and its equally vast book that life largely depends on maids Random House) to hear whispers about doors – doors that on to each other, to their past, to the very just because he doesn’t walk around with challenges. IANS Bid adieu to Thin body ideals make overweight DAYINDAYOUT puffy face consumers spend more What’s on Around Town A CULINARY JOURNEY EVEN SUBTLE visual remind- This April, The Leela Ambience Conven- ers of idealised, thin bodies may tion Hotel, Delhi takes you to Kolkata, the encourage overweight consumers to indulgently overspend, a new final pit stop of the Grand Trunk Culinary study has found. Journey. The food festival celebrates and eyes to decrease bloating. Apply cold cal- Researchers, including those cuisines from across the NH1, bringing to amine lotion on the face and leave it on for 15 from Colorado State University in you mouth-watering dishes from various minutes and then wash. You can use a natural the US, compiled two studies. cities that come along the way. Chef De face mask with fuller’s earth or a rose water In one study consumers were Cuisine Ashwani Kumar Singh travelled dipped cold cloth on the face. shown an object with a thin, to Kolkata to gather the secrets hidden 4 Alcohol affects almost every organ in the human-like shape. body, however the liver is the worst affected Researchers found that high- amongst the busy lanes of a city famous as this is where alcohol is processed. The BMI consumers were more likely for its indulgent variety of Bengali blood vessels widen up when you take alco- to buy a higher-priced, branded cuisine. Delight your taste buds and spoil IF YOU NOTICE your face bloating, then avoid hol which leads to swelling, puffy appearance bottle of water than a lower-priced, yourself by dwelling in the culinary trea- caffeine and alcohol, apply a cold towel on the and redness of the face. generic-brand bottle. sures and the ambience of Kolkata. 4 face and get eight hours of sleep, suggest experts. Sodium is not only the salt or soya sauce that Another study on shopping WHEN: March 31 – April 15 Geeta Fazalbhoy, Dermatologist and Manag- people consume. It includes other sources found that high-BMI consumers ing, they added. ing Director and Founder Member – Skin & You such as sausages, sauces, canned vegetables were more willing to take on credit “In our research, we show that WHERE: The Leela Ambience Convention Clinic, and Vandana Punjabi, Consultant Der- and processed and packed snack foods. Our card debt after seeing a thin (vs. exposure to body cues (i.e. shapes) Hotel, Delhi matologist, Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, body tries to retain water in order to dilute wide) shape because they felt less can have unintended consequences have a few useful tips: the excess of sodium in the body. Avoid capable of managing their spend- on seemingly unrelated behav- MEXICAN FILM FESTIVAL 4 Facial bloating can be due to various causes processed or packed foods and try to be as ing impulses. iour, such as spending,” said Mari- The Embassy of Mexico in collabora- like increased salt intake or product allergy. natural as possible. IANS It was found that mere remind- sabel Romero of Colorado State tion with the India Habitat Centre has A balanced diet high on fruits and vegetables ers of the thin-body ideal can cause University. organised a film festival for all the film with normal salt consumption, less of pickles overweight consumers to feel worse “We demonstrate that seeing a lovers in the Capital. The festival will be or processed packaged food is advised. about their own abilities, including thin (vs. wide) human-like shape featuring the best of Mexican cinema, 4 You should also get your thyroid levels feeling less capable of managing leads high-body-mass-index con- including Los Parecidos (The Similars) I, checked. their spending impulses. be counterproductive, research- sumers to make more indulgent 4 Lack of water intake, especially in summer The findings suggest that con- ers said. spending decisions” said Adam W directed by Isaac Ezban on March 30 at months, can lead to facial bloating. So will sumer advocates should be wary The implications are particu- Craig of University of Kentucky 9 pm and Almacenados (Warehoused) lack of sleep. So get eight hours of rest and of reinforcing the link between larly important given the negative in the US. The findings were pub- I, directed by Jack Zagha Kababie on avoid caffeine. weight, self-control and finan- consequences such messages could lished in the Journal of Consumer April 2 at 6:30 pm. 4 You can also apply a cold towel on the face cial achievement, as doing so can have on consumer debt and spend- Research. PTI WHEN: March 24 – April 2 WHERE: India Habitat Centre CULTURAL REVOLUTION To mark the 50th anniversary of the Cul- tural Revolution in Tibet, an exhibition of photographs by Tibet Museum, Depart- ment of Information and International Relations, Central Tibet Administration, Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Dharamsa- la will be inaugurated on April 1at 6:30 and will continue for a week. WHEN: April 2 – 8 WHERE: Annexe Art Gallery, IIC TIMING: 11 am – 7 pm KHUSHRANG ART EXHIBITION With an aim to bring visibility and credibility to the works of deserving talented artists who have largely been RAAS: REVIVING DYING ART overlooked within the mainstream OUR CORRESPONDENT turing this craft from 1992-2017. on the reverse. The elaborate floral bor- “It would have been a pity if this discourse, Khushrang, The ‘Chamba Rumals’ are embroi- ders, ornamentation and portrayal of beautiful art form was left to die. In the a group art exhibi- skillful blend of painting dered square cloths from Chamba in figures and animals reflect the sophisti- absence of any institutional support or tion, curated by Erum Khan, will have 25 and embroidery – ‘Chamba the state of Himachal Pradesh. They are cation of miniature paintings. The exhi- avenues to help them market their art renowned artists participating and will Rumals’ are handcrafted by used for covering platters, as gifts for bition will be showcasing a range of these form, many artisans had given up this display a variety of paintings, mass artisans and are a beauti- auspicious occasions and for offerings handcraftedrumals along with honour- tradition. However, we decided to renew Aful representation of the rich art tradi- to a deity. During weddings, rumals are ing artisans and craft persons who have this tradition and revive it by initiating media, installation, photography, sculp- tions of Himachal Pradesh. As part of its exchanged between the families of the endeavored to keep this unique art form a series of measures, including training tures and more. This group of young in- efforts to infuse a fresh lease of life into bride and groom as a token of goodwill. alive. The Council is also offering guided and skilling of artisans in this traditional collections of various museums across cluding international artists promoted by this dying art, Delhi Crafts Council has Pahari miniature artists, usually tours of the exhibition to help discerning art form, and efforts to popularize them. the country and abroad was undertaken. Erum Khan are young upcoming talents undertaken a series of efforts to revive men, drew the outlines on fine hand- art lovers get an in-depth understanding The Council has also been successful in A core collection of selected rumals was who are breaking traditional thoughts and popularize this art form. spun and hand woven unbleached mus- of this unique art form. re-introducing naturally dyed silk floss then re-created by the artisans from with contemporary vision and are all set An art exhibition from April 3 to 8, lin. Traditionally, women of the upper Often called ‘Paintings in Embroi- for the embroidery. The Delhi Crafts Chamba and exhibited at various cities dedicated to this unique art form is to be classes then embroidered upon these dery’, the ‘Chamba Rumal’ was losing Council is happy to have contributed across India. The next step was the for- to be the masters in the times to come. inaugurated at the Visual Art Gallery at compositions using untwisted coloured its relevance and the skills required for to the revival of this marvelous tradi- mation of ‘Charu’, a centre in Chamba, WHEN: March 31 – April 6 Indian Habitat Centre. ‘Chamba Rumal: silk floss. The double satin stitch tech- it were fast disappearing when the Delhi tion,” says a representative of the Delhi where, with the help of regular interac- WHERE: All India Fine Art and Craft Life to a Dying Art’ traces Delhi Crafts nique used is known as ‘do-rukha’ and Crafts Council took up the challenge of Crafts Council. tive workshops, the artisans are trained Society Council’s journey in reviving and nur- ensures exact duplication of the image conserving and reviving this art. A detailed study of old rumals in the to improve their skills. TIMING: 11 am – 7 pm

Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors, publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. “MILLENNIUM POST”, Published & printed by Durbar Ganguly on behalf of Front Row Media Pvt. Ltd. from 36/4, Prince Gulam Mohd. Shah Road, Kolkata - 700 033 & printed at Aajkaal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., BP-7, Sector-V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata - 700 091, Editor: Durbar Ganguly, Executive Editor: Arya Rudra, Resident Editor (Kolkata): Tarun Goswami. Email: [email protected], [email protected], Editorial and Marketing Office: Tivoli Court 1A, Ballygunge Circular Road, Block-A, Flat-94, 1st Floor, Kolkata-700 019. For marketing, contact: 9836292306, 9830532306. For editorial, call: 9836072100 city 3 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp Lawyers’ protest FLYOVER COLLAPSE: ONE YEAR ON hampers work From today, calculate your Hakim assures repair of Gaznavi in city courts bridge, Chandannagar flyover KOLKATA: Hearing of cases OUR CORRESPONDENT were severely hampered at High Court and other courts own property tax with UAA KOLKATA: Gaznavi bridge across Bengal on Friday with and Chandannagar flyover will lawyers abstaining from work OUR CORRESPONDENT https://www.kmcgov.in. Or else found that there is no addition be given a thorough repair, as part of a nationwide protest a property owner can visit the or alteration or change in ten- Firhad Hakim, state Urban against the proposed Advocates KOLKATA: Come Saturday, assessment-collection depart- FACT SHEET ancy in case of tenanted prem- development department min- (Amendment) Bill, 2017. the Kolkata Municipal Corpo- ment of the KMC borough UNDER the new Unit Area Assessment (UAA) system, ises, there will be 10 percent ister said on Friday. “On a call by the Bar Coun- ration (KMC)’s much awaited offices or e-governance cen- one can calculate his own quarterly tax liability based rise in KMC’s tax structure. The The state government had cil of India, members of all bar property tax assessment is all tres of the civic body located on parameters already made public by the KMC property tax of shops in malls engaged RITES to study the associations in the state joined set to get rolling. across the city. will be calculated on the basis condition of all the flyovers the protest against the pro- Shifting from the age-old It may be mentioned that OR ELSE a property owner can visit the assessment- of the area it occupies. Also, the after a portion of Vivekananda collection department of the KMC borough offices posed Advocate (Amendment) Inspector Raj, the new unit- Mayor Sovan Chatterjee had or e-governance centres of the civic body located tax of marriage and ceremony Road flyover collapsed on Bill, 2017 by abstaining from area based property tax regime earlier announced that the new across the city houses will be calculated on the March 31, 2016, killing 27 work for the day,” Bar Coun- for taxpayers will simplify mat- system would be introduced basis of the area and the loca- people. cil of West Bengal chairman ter to a great extent. Under the from 2017-18 financial year. THE GENERAL Revaluation will be done once in tion where they are situated. Hakim said RITES had con- Ashok Deb said here. new Unit Area Assessment The Asian Development five years and if it is found that there is no addi- At present the property ducted a study and found that Banti Mali pays tribute to his Terming the bill as “draco- (UAA) system, one can calcu- Bank (ADB) had requested tion or alteration or change in tenancy in case of tax is calculated on the basis the condition of most of the father who died due to collapse of nian, undemocratic and anti- late his own quarterly tax liabil- KMC to streamline its revenue tenanted premises, there will be 10 percent rise in of notional value and because flyovers and bridges like Seal- Vivekananada flyover on the first lawyer,” Deb said “the state Bar ity based on parameters already collection system way back in KMC’s tax structure of this there is rampant cor- dah flyover, Brabourne Road anniversary of the mishap Council will draw up its future made public by the KMC. 2000 when Subrata Mukherjee ruption in the revenue depart- flyover and some others was on Friday PTI course of action against the bill The UAA will not only was the Mayor and it was then ment. The property tax goes fine and only minimum repair proposed by the Law Com- streamline KMC’s Assessment that the entire concept of Unit up where the owners refuse to was required. Chingrighata fly- However, the state govern- mission to the Government of department by making the Area Assessment came up. pay bribe. In case of marriage over is also in fine condition. ment has principally agreed India so that the same is not whole process of calculating A committee was set up houses, the owners give two The department will take up to allow only light to medium enacted by the Government.” property tax transparent but with the then Municipal Com- receipts to the user. One receipt repairs in course of time, he vehicles and two wheelers “The abstention was total it would also bring an end to missioner Alapan Bandyopad- which is shown to the KMC, maintained. on Vivekananda Road and with no lawyer attending court rampant corruption associated hyay as its chairman to study the amount at which the prop- Chandannagore flyover and no heavy vehicles would be for hearings,” Calcutta High with property tax evaluation. the new method of assessing erty has been let out is much Gaznavi bridge would be given allowed. There is no plan to Court Bar Association presi- Under the new UAA sys- property tax. Civic officials vis- workshops to make both prop- into seven zones depending less that the actual amount at a thorough repair as their con- pull down the flyover as cost dent Suranjan Dasgupta said. tem, a property owner can ited several cities where UAA erty owners and councilors on infrastructure, location etc. which the property is let out to dition had deteriorated over of demolition would be huge. The high court and other assess his/her own property was being implemented. But and MLAs aware of the new Property owners will be able to hold the function. The UAA is the years. Hakim said that he would dis- courts in the metropolis and online and determine the the Left Front did not imple- method. Meetings were held calculate the property tax and likely to increase KMC’s reve- Hakim said the department cuss the matter with senior offi- districts wore a deserted look amount of property tax pay- ment UAA fearing that prop- with house owners and their deposit the money. The General nue and there will be less bur- would follow the report sub- cials of the department and the as there were neither lawyers able using the instructions erty owners would not accept views have been incorporated. Revaluation (GR) will be done den on the property owners mitted by RITES and would Chief Minister before taking nor litigants present. AGENCIES given in the KMC website— it. The KMC held a series of The city has been divided once in five years and if it is as well. taken up work accordingly. any final call in the matter. Mamata to hold core committee meeting today Kolkata Traffic Police organises OUR CORRESPONDENT case and the photographs were doctored. Secondly, the by-election in Kontai KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress supremo South will be held in April. Chandrima sensitisation programme Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting of Bhattacharya, president Trinamool Mahila the party’s core committee on Saturday. Congress and former minister is contesting OUR CORRESPONDENT about traffic norms. Teams The meeting will be held at her Kalighat from the seat which fell vacant after Diby- comprising officers from Kol- residence. After the discussion, she would endu Adhikari resigned and contested in KOLKATA: In a unique drive kata Traffic Police had been vis- leave for West Midnapore, Purulia, the Lok Sabha polls. in what may be termed as an iting different schools to create Bankura and Burwan districts where from Banerjee had assured to rehabilitate initiative to sensitise people awareness among students. she is expected to announce the bifurcation Bhattacharya and was visibly unhappy about road safety norms, a pro- This was done so that school- of Jhargram and Burdwan districts. when she lost to Tanmay Bhattacharya gramme was organised by all goers and college students can Political experts said Saturday’s meet- of CPI(M) in Dum Dum North seat. Her the traffic guards of the Kolkata go back home and make others ing is of great importance for three reasons. encouragement to party leaders before any Traffic Police. aware of the same. First, the Trinamool Congress has election works as a tonic and she is likely Kolkata Police have taken Kolkata Traffic Police already taken out rallies in the city con- to take up this issue on Saturday. The meeting will be held up a series of projects to create recently organised a sensitisa- demning the vindictive attitude of the BJP As the Panchayat elections will be held at her Kalighat residence awareness on road safety mea- tion programme from March Kolkata Police have taken up a series of projects to create awareness in conducting the Narada sting opera- in 2018, the Chief Minister is likely to give sures through different pro- 26 which continued till March on road safety measures through different programmes among people tion probe. her instructions regarding the same as well. Thirdly, Abhishek Banerjee will attend grammes among people of all 30. During the event, people of all ages PIC/MPOST The party has already taken out two The two-day Panchayat conference was a the core committee meeting after a gap of ages. On August 18 last year, from all walks of life took part rallies on March 30 and 31 respectively great success and she has asked leaders to several months. He was injured in a car Chief Minister Mamata Baner- in different games and other in Maidan, taxi-drivers, auto- have also decided to hold a which were led by Chandrima Bhattacha- hold the meet every year. crash in October, 2016. He will be address- jee had launched the state-wide activities based on road safety rickshaw drivers, app-cab competition on short-films rya, president of the party’s women’s wing The World Bank has granted Rs 2,000 ing several meetings in South and North campaign “Safe Drive Save measures. Each and every traf- and private car drivers were made by aspiring film makers and Mayor Sovan Chatterjee respectively. crore for strengthening every Panchayat. 24 Parganas next week as well. Life” to curb road accidents fic guard organised the pro- involved along with school that has to be made based on It is expected that Banerjee will announce Also, the work of constructing toilets in It was learnt that Banerjee is not happy that claimed several lives. As a gramme in their respective children. The initiative to create traffic safety and management. the party’s future strategy in combating every rural household is going on smoothly with the infighting that has affected the part of the campaign, the Kol- areas. The traffic guard head- awareness among school-goers The best short-film makers will BJP’s political vendetta. Political experts and April 30 will be celebrated as “Nirmal party in certain pockets and the leaders kata Police took up several pro- quarters held the same which through different competition be awarded and the films will said that she had already stated that her Bangla Divas” when seven districts will be allegedly involved in infighting are likely grammes and emphasis was continued for three days. In has become very successful. be shown at important inter- party leaders were not involved in Narada declared Open Defecation Free. to be pulled up. given to make students aware the programme that was held The Kolkata Traffic Police sections to create awareness. PRESENT TENSE State to construct medical Fruits of success: NKDA’s rooftop college and hospital in Purulia garden yields organic veggies OUR CORRESPONDENT The medical TARUN GOSWAMI KOLKATA: The state gov- college will have ernment will set up a medical KOLKATA: The roof- college and hospital in Puru- an administrative top garden concept that lia at an estimated cost of Rs block, classrooms has been generated by New 350 crore. Town Kolkata Develop- The tender process is com- and lecture ment Authority (NKDA) pleted and construction will theatres, hostels has produced satisfactory begin soon. The medical col- for the students, results and many people in lege will accommodate 100 New Town have shown keen People, who were not able to get their invalid notes exchanged with new currency notes, show their students to start with and will quarters for interest to use their own roof- passports outside RBI in Kolkata on Friday. The deadline for the exchange by residents who were come up at Hathara. Apart doctors & nurses tops for the same. abroad during cash ban ends on Friday PTI from Kolkata, this will be the The state Urban Devel- sixth state-run medical college and group D staff opment department minis- batch of consignment was sent retail outlet and price of the in south Bengal. The others ter Firhad Hakim and state in last year’s December. vegetables are kept 20 per cent are situated in Murshidabad, to provide drinking water in Agriculture minister Purn- There is a craze for organic less than the market price. The Water woes for South Kolkata: Drinking Burdwan, Bankura and West rural areas. endu Basu visited the garden vegetables which are healthy retail outlet is being run by an Midnapore. The medical col- Senior Health depart- house atop the NKDA market and free from chemical fertilis- NGO that uses the space allot- water supply to be affected today lege will have an administrative ment officials said construc- IC near Novotel and appreci- ers. Many NRIs who either stay ted by NKDA. block, classrooms and lecture tion of a state-run hospital in ated the quality of the vegeta- in New Town or come to the There is a water tank on the OUR CORRESPONDENT there will not be any supply of repairing of the valve was long theatres, hostels for the stu- Purulia would help the locals bles. Hakim also congratulated area during vacations prefer to ground floor of the market with drinking water in Behala, Gar- overdue and it was planned in dents, quarters for doctors and immensely. NKDA for taking such a unique have these organic vegetables. 20,000 litre storage capacity. KOLKATA: Adding to the den Reach, Jadavpur after 10 such a way so that people face nurses and group D staff. During Independence, venture. Growing vegetables on This water is lifted to the roof- woes of the Kolkata deni- am on Saturday which include minimum hassle. They have After coming to power in there were three medical col- It may be recalled that small rooftops are not uncom- top garden with the help of a zens already suffering from Boroughs 10, 13, 14 and 15. also asked people to store water. 2011, Chief Minister Mamata leges in the state, namely, the NKDA is the only develop- mon but having a garden cov- pump run by solar power. the scorching heat, the sup- In Boroughs VIII, IX, XI, Repairing will be taken up on Banerjee had made elaborate Calcutta Medical College and ment agency in the state that ering an area of nearly 6,000 The garbage cleaning cost ply of drinking water in vast XII and XVI the supply of a war footing and will be com- plans to develop three districts Hospital, RG Kar Medical has come up with such a useful square feet is a rarity. The roof has gone down along with the areas of South Kolkata and drinking water will be par- pleted on time. KMC has kept — Purulia, Bankura and West College and Hospital and NRS venture. He said that other civic is being used in a four-fold cost of vegetable storage. When southern fringes will be affected tially affected. There will not water tankers ready to supply Midnapore respectively. Medical College and hospital. bodies and people should rep- manner. asked whether many more on Saturday due to repair be any supply from Kalighat, drinking water in the most The state government has Later, Calcutta National licate the model so that more Firstly, organic farming and such gardens would come up work at Garden Reach water Garfa, Chetla, Ranikuthi and affected areas. so far set up several Industrial Medical College and Hospital and more organic vegetables secondly for rainwater harvest- in New Town, NKDA chair- supply station. Golfgreen booster stations on Such major repair work is Training Institutes (ITI) in was set up along with a Post are produced. ing. This is followed by solar man Debashis Sen said it was a A valve will be installed and Saturday. However, the supply taking place after several years Purulia. The state Public Health Graduate institute at SSKM. A It may be recalled that panel and for recycling mar- pilot project and NKDA another will be repaired at the will be back to normal from which will lead to the supply and Engineering department medical college and hospital organic vegetables from Nadia ket waste to create compost. wanted people to come for- Garden Reach water supply sta- Sunday morning. getting affected in almost the has chalked out a scheme at an was also set up in north Bengal district had recently been The organic vegetables have ward and replicate it and use tion on Saturday. As a result, KMC engineers said that entire South Kolkata area. estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore and Burdwan. exported to Europe. The first been sold through Sattiwk, a the rooftop effectively. Heatwave kills 45-yr-old, mercury to rise further in 5 S Bengal districts OUR CORRESPONDENT due to sun stroke. In another inci- air is getting restricted here. As a dent, a student of Balaramdihi Pri- According to the MeT result there is moisture in the city’s KOLKATA: The intense heat- mary School at Jhargram fell ill in dept, there would atmosphere. When the city dwellers waves on Friday claimed the life of the classroom on Friday morning have almost started experiencing the a woman in the state. A 45-year- and was taken to the hospital where not be much change uncomfortable summer with high old ICDS worker fell ill due to the she was provided with necessary in temperature in humidity, residents of five South scorching heat at Jhargram in West treatment. As per the prediction the city in the next Bengal districts have to take extra Midnapore and was pronounced of the meteorological department, precautions before coming out of dead after being taken to a hospital. the temperature in districts includ- few days their houses, especially in the after- This comes at the time when the ing Purulia, West Midnapore, noons as they may fall prey to the Regional Meteorological depart- Bankura, Birbhum and industrial its adjacent areas will continue to scorching sun. ment predicted heatwave in five part of Burdwan will be more than remain normal. The temperature in People have already started to south Bengal districts. 40 degree Celsius on Saturday which Kolkata is recorded at 33.5 degree avoid coming out of their houses The victim, Bibha Maity, fell ill is more than 5 degree Celsius above Celsius on Friday. in the afternoons until and unless while she was on her way to a rel- the normal temperature. According to the MeT depart- it is quite essential. Doctors have ative’s house at around 11 am on The temperature in Purulia on ment, there would not be much advised people not to come out in Friday. Locals said she suddenly Friday recorded 40.9 degree Celsius. change in temperature in the city in the afternoon without sunglasses fell down on the road and lost The dry air from north and North- the next few days. Unlike the dis- and umbrellas to avoid direct sun- consciousness. She was declared western part of the country has led tricts, where heatwave has been pre- light. They have also advised people brought dead when taken to Jhar- to the increase in temperature in the dicted, the weather in Kolkata is to carry water and to sprinkle water gram Super Specialty Hospital. Doc- five districts. quite humid. With the southerly on the face in case one feels restless tors suspect that she might have died The temperature in Kolkata and wind flowing into the city, the dry while travelling. 4 city mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 MISSING FOR 3 DAYS Fake egg case: Shopkeeper arrested; more samples go for test OUR CORRESPONDENT The retail shopkeeper Minor girl found KOLKATA: The Health department of Tiljala had bought of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) bought three crates of eggs from eggs worth Rs 95,000 a shop in Sealdah which were later sent from a wholesale shop for necessary tests. The police on Friday arrested one owner in Sealdah hanging inside Selim Ansari who had sold ‘plastic’ eggs to Anita Kumar, a resident of Tiljala. tic eggs looked so original that she A KMC team led by Atin Ghosh, could not differentiate. The matter was member, mayor in council (Health) detected when her daughter felt sick raided a shop on Manmohan Dey and complained of stomach ache after club room Row in Sealdah and bought three crates eating an egg. of eggs. Ghosh said that the Sealdah shop Mayor Sovan Chatterjee had on had received bulk supply of eggs from On Tuesday, the girl left home saying she would go to Thursday ordered an inquiry after Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. He fur- Kumar allegedly purchased eggs made REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE ther said that with the advent of a friend’s place and did not return. Family members of plastic from Ansari. She had also summer, KMC had intensified its drives alleged that her daughter had fallen ill He said the retail shopkeeper of Til- which were sent for tests. However, no against cut fruits and coloured water. alleged she was gang-raped before the murder after consuming a plastic egg. jala had bought eggs worth Rs 95,000 fresh complaint of purchase or sale of He urged people not to panic and Ghosh said the eggs had been sent from a wholesale shop owner in Seal- plastic eggs has been reported. assured that KMC would take every OUR CORRESPONDENT to the directorate of Animal Resources dah. The KMC teams also visited several The woman who had lodged the possible step to find out the source of and Animal Health for necessary tests. markets and collected samples of eggs complaint had alleged that the plas- plastic eggs. KOLKATA: The body of a minor girl, who was missing since Tuesday, was found inside Cop on-duty tries a club room situated in a mar- Hotel Golden Parkk fire: Owner, manager ket complex at Ratua in Malda. to stop speeding Local people broke open the door on Friday and recovered remanded to 5-day judicial custody dumper, driver the body which was hanging from the ceiling fan. runs him over The victim’s family members OUR CORRESPONDENT ments of Hotel Golden Parkk. alleged that she was murdered Though necessary equipment OUR CORRESPONDENT after being gang-raped. KOLKATA: Owner of Hotel were present in the hotel, they The victim used to stay at Golden Parkk, Bhupinder were not used properly used KOLKATA: A police consta- her maternal uncle’s house and Gujral and manager Gautam when the fire broke out. ble was killed when he hit by a she went missing after leaving Majumdar were remanded to Moreover, the faulty duct dumper on the Farakka-Haldia the house on Tuesday morning. judicial custody on Friday. of the air-condition led to Badshahi Road in East Mid- She left home saying that she Police had arrested Gujral the death of the two persons napore on Friday morning. had to go to a friend’s house. and Majumdar on Thursday as they did not burn to death Police said that the victim She did not return till late in evening in connection with the but were asphyxiated due to Pulakesh Mitra was posted the evening much to her fam- On Friday morning, some local people fire that led to the death of two the smoke. with Baranjha police station. ily members’ worries. They went broke open the door of the club and persons. The victims died due to suf- He was on-duty when the acci- to the police after failing to find The police had initiated a focation as the entire hotel was dent took place. her in any of her friends or rela- found the girl hanging from the probe on the basis of the com- filled with smoke after it passed People who witnessed tives’ house. ceiling fan, following which, the cops plaint lodged with Shakespeare through the AC ducts that were the incident said that Mitra The search continued but Sarani police station by the not properly sealed. was performing his duty like none of her friends could give were informed state Fire and Emergency Ser- Mayor and the state Fire all other days at a distance any information about the vic- vices department. and Emergency Services of around 10 metre from a tim. On Friday morning, some the family. demanded the arrests of the Cases under sections of the minister Sovan Chatterjee market. local people broke open the Her family members also accused. Though the family Indian Penal Code (IPC) on had said that stringent steps He found a dumper door of the club and found the alleged that the accused had members were yet to identify charges of punishment for cul- will be taken if any hotel is approaching the area at a high girl hanging from the ceiling killed their daughter thinking the accused, they suspect that pable homicide not amounting found not following the set speed. Apprehending that the fan. They informed the police that she would lodge a com- some youth from the adjacent to murder and various sections norms to ensure proper fire- it may lead to an accident, as and the body has been sent for plaint against them which would village along with some local of the Fire Act had been initi- fighting system. hundreds of people were pres- an autopsy. lead to their arrests. people committed the crime. ated against the accused in this On Thursday, after the fire ent in the market, he tried to Her family members alleged The room, where the body The family members alleged connection. cial custody for five days. will be taken to make all hotels broke out in the hotel, as many stop the vehicle. that the girl was kidnapped and was found along with some of its that some youth used to keep a Counsels of the accused Both the Kolkata Munic- in the city follow the set norms as 10 fire tenders were pressed taken to an abandoned house adjacent area were cordoned off. tab on the girl. Thus, the victim’s pleaded before the court to ipal Corporation and the to ensure proper firefighting into action and it was due to The victim was and she was kept there till the No one was allowed to enter the family members suspect the grant bail to both of them. Fire and Emergency Services arrangements. the alertness of the firefighters night. She was taken inside area for the sake of investigation. same youth to be behind the The state’s counsel objected department have started tak- It was pointed out in the that the death toll in the inci- alive when taken the club room on the same The incident led to a ten- crime. Meanwhile, the police to the bail plea for the sake of ing necessary steps to ensure preliminary investigation that dent did not rise. The firemen to the hospital but day where the accused alleg- sion in the area as the victim’s will interrogate some local peo- investigation. The court thus, that such incidents do not take there were several loopholes quickly responded and evacu- edly gang-raped her, alleged family members and relatives ple in this connection. remanded both of them to judi- place again. Thus, initiatives in the firefighting arrange- ated the boarders. later succumbed to his injuries

Instead of paying heed to 2012 model murder IIT Kgp student found dead beside tracks the constable, the driver of the dumper accelerated the vehicle OUR CORRESPONDENT was a mere accident. and hit Mitra. The driver, how- The police initiated a probe ever, managed to flee with the case: Accused lover KOLKATA: The body of an and came to know that when vehicle. Other police officers, electrical engineering student had he left the premises of who were on-duty in the vicin- of IIT Khargapur was recov- the institution. Police came to ity rushed to the spot and took arrested from Patna ered from beside the railway know after preliminary investi- Mitra to a nearby hospital with tracks at Kharagpur on Thurs- gation that Sairaz had attended the help of local people. Mitra day night. some classes in the morning. had received severe injuries on OUR CORRESPONDENT Police are yet to ascertain But his friends didn’t see him his head and chest. He was alive The 39-year-old whether he committed sui- in the campus after that. when taken to the hospital. KOLKATA: After five years of man had been cide or he was hit by a train Police also spoke to some Later, he succumbed to the murder of a budding model, accidentally. local people where the body his injuries in the emergency Bidhannagar Police arrested running from one Police said that the victim was found but are yet to come department of the hospital. the accused Ajay Shukla from city to another Sana Sairaz was a resident of to the conclusion whether it Local people initiated a Patna on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh. He was a stu- was an accident or suicide. search for the accused driver The 39-year-old man to avoid getting dent of third year of the electri- Police also came to know and the offending vehicle. More had been running from one arrested. Finally, cal engineering department of that Sairaz was an introvert. policemen have been posted at city to another to avoid get- the Bidhannagar IIT Kharagpur. Thus, he felt shy to reveal the spot where the incident took ting arrested. Finally, the Bid- The victim’s father came his problems to the authori- place to avoid repetition of such hannagar Police tracked his Police tracked his to IIT on Friday and claimed ties of the institution. The incidents. mobile phone tower location mobile phone before the media that his son’s ragged for the past three years. home leaving his studies. But ing everything aside he would police would also go through A police officer said that they and arrested him from Patna. death was an outcome of rag- He alleged that his son had it was his father who made him become successful in life. his exercise books and diaries are planning to set up a check On April 26, 2012 the vic- tower location ging. He alleged that Sairaz had told him about the ragging understand that it was mat- The police are, however, to find whether he had written point ahead of the market so tim Sonia Sarkar’s body was and arrested him committed suicide after failing that he had been facing. He ter of some more days. If he trying to ascertain whether anything which suggest that he that no vehicle can accelerate at found from the lawn of the to bear of the pain of getting had even wanted to go back can continue his studies keep- Sairaz committed suicide or it was depressed. that stretch of the road. Uniworld City Housing Com- from Patna plex at New Town. Initially, police had suspected that she worse when she started press- had committed suicide by ing him to marry her. In a bid Ten AC minibuses to ply in Alert drivers avert jumping from her rented flat to get rid of the “trouble”, Ajay in the twelfth floor of the resi- had decided to kill Sonia. dential complex. On April 26, 2012 he took But the police had not her to the balcony of the flat major train accident ruled out the possibility that and pushed her from there. city from April 10 on 2 routes the death could be of homi- He had not left any clue in the OUR CORRESPONDENT cide in nature as they came to flat which would raise suspi- OUR CORRESPONDENT A Sealdah-bound know that a person often used cion that Sonia was murdered. KOLKATA: The alertness of to visit her flat. The budding The police came to know about KOLKATA: The state Trans- drivers averted a major train Naihati local model had rented the flat in Ajay after going through the port department will introduce accident when two sub-urban train and down Uniworld City Housing Com- call details of Sonia and started ten air-conditioned minibuses trains came on the same track Hasnabad local plex as she had preferred to stay tracking him. on two important routes in the at Bidhannagar Road Station somewhere close to the airport. But he kept hopping from city on April 10. on Friday afternoon. came on the same Police came to know that she once city to another and he This is the first time in the Around 1.40 pm on Friday track. Fortunately, had started staying alone after used to keep changing his history of the state’s Transport a Sealdah-bound Naihati local the reported rift in her parents’ mobile phone number often. sector when sophisticated air- train and down Hasnabad local the drivers relationship. Further investiga- Finally, the police tracked him conditioned minibuses are came on the same track. Fortu- applied the tion had revealed that she had and arrested him from Patna. going to ply in the city. nately, the drivers applied the emergency brakes got engaged in a relationship He was produced before Suvendu Adhikari, the state emergency brakes and averted with Ajay. She was unaware a court on Friday and Transport minister, said: “Peo- any major mishap. and averted any that Ajay was married and had remanded in the custody of ple have to travel in the scorch- As both the trains were major mishap a kid. The situation had turned police for five days. ing heat during the summer entering the platforms, their months in the state. Thus, the speed was relatively slow aim is to increase the num- which made it easier for the Hooghly on December 10 last ER fines 45k passengers for ber of air-conditioned buses drivers to stop the trains by year. An up Tarakeswar local so that people can travel com- applying emergency brakes at was waiting at platform num- travelling without tickets fortably in the summer.” a distance of around 100 metre ber 4 to leave Serampore sta- “The buses will start plying from each other. tion when a Howrah-Burdwan KOLKATA: As a result of the intensive ticket on the routes from April 10,” to travel in the buses can get According to eye-wit- galloping local came on the checking drive conducted by Eastern Railway all he added. Five buses will be plying on Kolkata a ticket using the newly intro- nesses, when they found both same track from the opposite Five buses will be plying on Airport to Esplanade route while the duced e-ticketing system. At the trains approaching each direction. The accident was over its jurisdiction from March 24 to March 30, Kolkata Airport to Esplanade the same time, one can also other on the same track, averted due to the alertness of 2017, altogether 45,084 persons were detected route while the remaining five remaining five will operate between check the real time location of people waiting on platforms the drivers. travelling without or with improper tickets and will operate between Behala Behala Joka to Esplanade the buses in the Pathadisha app started shouting apprehending As it happened in Bidhan- carrying unbooked luggage and an amount of Joka to Esplanade. that was launched by the state a collision. nagar on Friday, drivers of Rs 86,90,960 was realised from them. In a state- The buses will be fitted Transport department recently. The chief security officer both the trains at Serampore with GPS system and sur- the buses. Each of the buses cost Rs It may be mentioned that sought a detailed report in con- too applied emergency brakes ment on Friday, ER said it would continue such veillance cameras. More The police will be alerted 17.85 lakh and they will have the state Transport department nection with the incident and and stopped the trains. vigorous drives against ticketless travelling and importantly, there will be a when the button is pressed and 30 seats. Since the buses are has introduced 115 new buses necessary steps will be taken Commuters demanded carrying of unbooked luggage. Meanwhile, ER re- panic button in all the new they will easily identify the real comparatively smaller in size, in 2016-17 financial year and a to find out the reason. proper steps to avoid repeti- quested passengers to travel in trains with proper buses. Passengers can press the time location of the bus and it can easily take turns in nar- target has been set to introduce It may be recalled that tion of such incidents which panic buttons if they face any reach the spot to assist the row roads. more than 100 buses in 2017- a similar incident had taken could lead to accidents claim- tickets /authority and travel with dignity. MPOST problems while travelling in commuter. Moreover, one who wants 18 financial year. place at Serampore station in ing hundreds of lives. 5 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp nation Fine for non-maintenance Rename West Bengal to Sharp exchanges between of minimum balance Bengal: TMC MP is just organised loot: MP demands in LS LoP Azad and Naqvi in RS MPOST BUREAU NEW DELHI: A TMC MP on Friday demanded MPOST BUREAU NEW DELHI: A Lok Sabha change of name of West MP on Friday asked the gov- Bengal to 'Bangla' say- NEW DELHI: Sharp ernment and the RBI to strictly ing the existing name exchanges were witnessed in direct banks to scrap their plan was pushing the state the Rajya Sabha on Friday to levy a penalty on non-main- "backwards". when Leader of the Opposition tenance of minimum balance "The name West Bengal Ghulam Nabi Azad charged in accounts from April 1, term- is pushing the state back- the government with trying ing it an "organised loot". wards. I demand that the to push legislative business Raising the issue during state be renamed as Bangla on Fridays when there are less Zero Hour, K C Venugopal as people of the state want members and Union Minister (Cong) said the SBI and other Congress leader K C Venugopal it," Soumitra Khan (TMC) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi vehe- banks have taken a "unilateral said in the Lok Sabha dur- mently opposing it. decision" to levy the penalties then the bank will charge Rs 50 ing Zero Hour. Azad accused the govern- Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi speaks and have found "a new way to plus service tax. The West Bengal Leg- ment of going back on its word Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks in the Rajya Sabha in the Rajya Sabha loot" the people. The charges and MAB var- islative Assembly had in by pushing contentious bills "Government and the RBI ies according to the location of August last year passed a by taking advantage of lack of list of business for the day lists to get the Enemy Property Bill the bill passed otherwise and unless there was consensus. must give strict direction to bank. It is minimum in the case resolution changing the opposition members on Friday The Factories (Amendment) approved. uses absence of the opposition Kurien said the Chair was banks to avoid this organised of rural branches. name of the State to 'Ben- late afternoon. Bill 2016 after the private This was despite being members to get crucial bills concerned only about the loot," Venugopal said. Venugopal said although gal' in English and 'Bangla' Naqvi, the Minister of State members' business today. He "unanimously" agreed at the passed. assurance given on the floor of The Reserve Bank has per- the government has asked in Bengali. Approval from for Parliamentary Affairs, shot wanted the bill not to be taken Business Advisory Committee Naqvi said the Enemy Prop- the House. mitted banks to levy charges the banks not to impose such Parliament is necessary to back saying ensuring the pres- up today. (BAC) of the Rajya Sabha that erty Bill was referred to a Select "If private members for breaching the minimum charges but the banks are going give effect to the change of ence of opposition members Deputy Chairman P J the discussion on the bill will Committee of the House and business collapses before 5 balance limit. ahead with the move from name of any state. was not his job and the listed Kurien said if the private mem- not be taken up unless a con- when private members' busi- pm, then the Chair is duty- As per the list of revised April 1. Raising the issue of legislative business can be ber business collapses before 5 sensus is reached, Azad said. ness collapsed that day, the bill, bound to go to the next (listed) charges of SBI, the failure to Raising the issue of disin- increasing 'jehadi' activi- taken up once the private mem- pm, the Chair has no option but The government, he said, which was listed in the business item," he said. "But if there is maintain Monthly Average Bal- vestment of Cochin Shipyard ties in Bangladesh, Adhir bers' business collapse. to take up the listed business. did not inform the opposition of the day, was taken up. consensus in the House ance (MAB) in accounts will in the Lower House, N K Prem- Ranjan Chowdhury (Cong) Post-lunch session of Rajya Azad said no bills should be of its intention to take up the He said it was not his not to take up a particular attract a penalty of up to Rs 100 achandran (RSP) demanded demanded that the neigh- Sabha on Fridays is usually taken up on Friday afternoon Bill on Friday after the private responsibility to ensure legislation, then the item can be plus service tax. that the government should bouring states of West reserved for private members' even if the private members' member business. "This was the presence of opposition postponed. If there is no con- In metropolitan areas, there "withdraw" the plan in view of Bengal, Tripura and business where lawmakers business collapses. against the spirit of decision members. sensus, the Chair has no other will be a charge of Rs 100 plus the workers' strike. Assam should be sensi- bring in non-government res- He recalled that the govern- unanimously taken," he said. To this, Azad shot back say- option but to take up the listed service tax if the balance falls The government is plan- tised about the "alarming olutions or bills for approval. ment had used the absence of He alleged that the gov- ing the government had given bill," he said as he sought the below 75 per cent of the MAB ning to launch an Initial Pub- spark" of such terrorist Raising the issue, Derek almost the entire opposition on ernment has chosen this route an assurance that the Bill will opinion of the House on the of Rs 5,000. If the shortfall is lic Offering (IPO) in Cochin activities. AGENCIES O'Brien (TMC) said the revised a Friday earlier in this session knowing that it cannot get not be taken up for discussion Factories Bill. 50 per cent or less of the MAB, Shipyard. Pak using social media to incite GST Council approves 5 rules; IN THE HOUSE youth in Kashmir: Rajnath RS MEMBERS GREET DY CHAIRMAN MPOST BUREAU P J KURIEN ON HIS BIRTHDAY rates to be discussed in May NEW DELHI: ‘Janam din ki badhaai’ (Happy Birth- NEW DELHI: Home Minis- day) was the pleasant salutation, instead of the usual ter Rajnath Singh on Friday MPOST BUREAU cancellation of unique identify ‘Namaskar’, that greeted Deputy Chairman P J Kurien accused Pakistan of using the number. as soon as he took the Chair in the Rajya Sabha this social media to incite youths NEW DELHI: The all-pow- The changes in rules for fil- morning. Members cutting across party lines greeted in Kashmir to storm encoun- erful GST Council on Friday ing returns says that certain ter sites to help holed-up mili- approved five amended rules category of persons need not Kurien, who turned 76 on Friday. They shouted ‘Happy tants, after some members in for the Goods and Services file annual returns. Birthday’ from their seats and thumped desks to greet Lok Sabha raised the issue of Tax regime and gave "tenta- Also, the requirement of him. “Let me tell you a secret. ... I never celebrate this death of three civilians in Bud- tive" nod to the remaining registration of debit/credit card birthday... But today you turned it into a celebration. gam in firing by security forces. four as the central government for payment of tax with the Thank you very much,” he said. Responding to Saugata Roy sprints to meet the July 1 roll- GST-Network has been omit- (TMC) expressing concern say- out target. ted from the payment rules. UNIVERSAL SCREENING OF CANCER, ing the situation in the Kashmir used to gather youths at places The final nod to the four Refund rules now pro- Valley was very grave and seek- of encounters. These groups are rules as also fixation of GST vide for new norm for refund DIABETES, HYPERTENSION LAUNCHED ing his intervention, Singh said based in Pakistan. rates for major commodities of advance tax deposited by NEW DELHI: The government has launched universal the security forces were dealing "Security forces are dealing and services will be done in Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley non-resident taxable person, screening of diabetes, hypertension and cancer in with terrorism in a way they with terrorists exactly the way the next meeting in Srinagar addresses a press conference after chairing the 13th GST Council while the changed invoice rules 2100 districts of the country, which would be extended should and they will surely be they should and will continue on May 18-19, Finance Minis- Meeting at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. Revenue Secretary provide for consolidated tax across the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on successful. to do so. I want to say that we ter Arun Jaitley said. Hasmukh Adhia is also seen invoice on daily basis instead He said the strife-torn will definitely be successful," he Headed by Jaitley and com- of individual invoices for sup- Friday. Responding to several questions on the Health region had seen a "new trend" said. Pakistan-sponsored ter- prising representatives of all calculated and claimed, valu- nally cleared at the September plies less than Rs 200. Ministry during Question Hour, Health Minister J P of late in which youths from rorists are trying to destabilise states, the Council gave final ation of supply of goods and 30, 2016 meeting but had to "GST input tax rules, valu- Nadda also said the government aimed to have AIIMS nearby villages gather at the not only Kashmir but entire approval for changes in rules services, method for intima- undergo minor changes fol- ation rules, transitional pro- in all states and was working towards that objective. sites of encounter between India, Singh said. K C Venu- for filing tax returns in the new tion for opting for composition lowing stakeholder comments visions, composition... Those He said work was under way to set up 20 state cancer security forces and terrorists gopal (Congress) also raised regime, registration of entities, levy and transitional rules were and bringing them in line with rules have been tentatively institutes at a cost of Rs 150 crore per institution. and pelt stones to help the mil- the issue of deaths of civilians. payment of GST, invoicing and given "tentative" approval, Jait- model GST law. approved by the GST Coun- itants holed-up there to flee. Roy noted that he was a refunds to make them compat- ley told reporters after the 13th In the registration rules, the cil," Jaitley said. SUSHMA TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON "I will appeal to youths not member of the all-party delega- ible with GST laws approved by meeting of the Council. changes approved include cer- He said the Council has to be misled by Pakistan. Some tion which had visited Kashmir the Lok Sabha this week. He said the five rules tification of registration being decided that the final corrected ATTACKS ON AFRICAN STUDENTS social media applications like earlier and the situation there The remaining rules on which received final nod digitally signed by proper offi- drafts be put up for industry to NEW DELHI: Government on Friday termed as “un- Whatsapp and Facebook are had again become very grave. how input tax credit is to be from the Council were origi- cer and procedure for grant or make suggestions. fortunate” the incidents of attacks on African students in Greater Noida and said External Affairs Minister Cabinet approves changes Bengal Chemicals Sushma Swaraj will make a statement on this in the Lok When will debate on Goa, Manipur Sabha on Wednesday. Parliamentary Affairs Minis- will not be closed ter Ananth Kumar assured the House of an impartial in proposed Motor Bill down, Centre probe in the matter after Rajeev Satav (Congress) Guvs be held, asks Digvijaya raised the issue during the Zero Hour, asking the NEW DELHI: The Cabinet lived its utility on several fronts. on Friday approved amend- The proposed law specifi- assures workers government to take serious note of this and make a NEW DELHI: Congress leader ments in the Motor Vehicles cally targets traffic offenders statement. “The whole House shares the concern of the Digvijaya Singh once again (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The with stringent penal provisions. OUR CORRESPONDENT member (Satav). Two incidents have happened and raised the issue of his pending bill was introduced in the Lok It has identified priority areas they are unfortunate. Sushma Swaraj has spoken to the substantive motion on the con- Sabha on August 9, 2016 and for improving road safety. NEW DELHI: Union Chem- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. Action has already start- duct of Goa and Manipur Gov- was referred to Departmen- Stricter penalties are pro- ical and fertilizer minis- ed. Inquiry will be impartial. When the House meets ernors on Friday and sought tal Standing Committee on posed for high risk offences ter Ananth Kumar on Friday next on April 5, she will give a statement,” Kumar said. to know when Leader of the Transport, Tourism and Cul- such as drunken driving, dan- assured a workers’ delegation House Arun Jaitley will find ture, headed by Mukul Roy. gerous driving, overloading, led by TMC MP Sougata Roy APPOINT ‘REGULAR’ DEFENCE time to decide on the date of a The Cabinet has endorsed non-adherence to safety norms that iconic Pharmaceutical discussion on the matter. nearly all the suggestions made by drivers (such as use of seat Industry of Kolkata would not MINISTER: JD(U) MP ASKS GOVT When the House met for the by the Standing committee, belt, helmets). be closed down. Last year in NEW DELHI: A JD(U) member in Rajya Sabha today day, Singh said he has become a Road Transport & Highways The bill also provides for December, Union cabinet pre- asked the government to appointment a “regular” "laughing stock" as people and Minister Nitin Gadkari said. facilitating delivery of services sided by Prime minister Naren- journalists keep asking him The bill is likely to be tabled to citizens and transporters. It dra Modi had decided strategic Defence Minister, while expressing concern over some Congress MP Digvijay Singh speaks in the Rajya Sabha on Friday about what happened to the in Parliament next week, the proposes Aadhar-based ver- sale of Bengal Chemicals. recent incidents of fire in ordnance factories. Raising substantive motion he gave two "Please assure that the Originally, Singh had minister said. The Motor Vehi- ification for grant of online Government had also the issue during the Zero Hour, Harivansh said the NDA weeks ago. motion will be taken before the moved a notice under rule 267 cles Act 1989 is a 30-year-old services including learner s formed a three member cabinet government had come to power raising issues relat- "Till today, Leader of the session ends," he said. "Chair- seeking suspension of busi- instrument which had not licence. This would ensure the committee headed by Kumar ing to defence and it should pay serious attention to House (and Finance Minister) man can call the Leader of the ness to discuss conduct of the kept pace with the change of integrity of the online services to supervise the strategic sale. defence matters. Arun Jaitley has not taken any House and me and decide on Goa and Manipur governors in dynamics of road transport and and also stop creation of dupli- It was also decided that if no decision," he said, adding that the time and date." not inviting Congress, which information technology. cate licences. buyer was found for the Gov- NO MOVE TO BAN CYCLES ON ROADS, hardly six sittings of the Rajya Singh has been raising the emerged as the single largest The bill proposes major The bill aims to provide for ernment share then factory Sabha are left of the ongoing matter in the House almost on party after assembly elections, amendments to the three- maximum governance with would be closed. The Central CLARIFIES NITIN GADKARI Budget Session. a daily basis. to form the government. AGENCIES decade old Act that has out- minimum Government. AGENCIES Government would sell the MUMBAI: Ruling out any move to ban cycling on land of the factory and would roads, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari pay the dues of the workers as much as possible. has said the Government rather wants to promote the India never allows intolerance: President Now it’s been almost three activity to curb pollution. “There is nothing like this. I months over. No buyer was can tell you as the transport minister that we want to OUR CORRESPONDENT found for stratagic sale of the promote cycling,” Gadkari said here. share. The workers of the fac- GUWAHATI: President tory feared that the Govern- Pranab Mukherjee on Friday ment now would close down said intolerance has never been the factory. For that reason they allowed in India and unity in had rushed to Delhi to meet the diversity with mutual coexis- Union minister. After meet- tence and understanding is the ing the Union Minister, MP strength of the country. Sougata Roy on Friday told Mukherjee said the mutual the media that minister had co-existence and understand- assured them the iconic Phar- ing is the country's strength macutical company would not and managing this diversity its be closed. This was the first pri- greatest power. vatisation since sale of Jessop "If it is said Indians are Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Governor Banwarilal Purohit Priests offering Arati during the opening ceremony of the Namami and Co in 2003-04 under the argumentative, I will agree. But presenting a traditional hat to President Pranab Mukherjee during the Brahmaputra River Festival in Guwahati, Assam, on Friday NDA Government headed by if it is said Indians are intoler- inauguration of the 'Namami Brahmaputra' festival in Guwahati PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. ant, I refuse to agree. Intoler- while all major seven religions that we are one nation, have BPCL and HAL are among ance has never been allowed," the capacity to find the bond Brahmaputra'. are practised in the country. one Constitution, living under the public sector units that he said. of unity", the President said He said there are 200 lan- "Nowhere in the world is one flag, one system maintain- NITI AYOG has identified for "There will be diversity of here after inaugurating the guages spoken across the found so much ethnic diver- ing regional identity. We are sale of Governments major- opinion. People of India have five-day river festival 'Namami length and breath of India sity," Mukherjee said. "Despite one nation," he said. ity stake to private companies. 6 nation mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 Panel trashes graft charges ‘PM Modi disrespecting drought-hit TN farmers’ against Guj govt under Modi MPOST BUREAU NEW DELHI: Congress vice- OUR CORRESPONDENT overall report. president Rahul Gandhi on Fri- Broadly, in all nine cases of day accused Prime Minister GANDHINAGAR: The Jus- land allotment, the allegations Narendra Modi of "disrespect- tice M B Shah Commission has of corruption cannot be sub- ing" the drought-hit farmers found no substance in allega- stantiated as land was alloted as of Tamil Nadu by not initiat- tions of corruption, including per the industrial development ing talks with them over their in land allocation to Tata Nano policies of the central and state demands for relief package. project, levelled by the Con- governments, the report stated. He made the remarks dur- gress against Narendra Modi The Congress leaders had ing a visit to Jantar Mantar to when he was the chief minister alleged that a concession of express solidarity with the farm- of Gujarat. Rs 33,000 crore was given to ers from the southern state who The Commission, whose Tata Nano plant for bringing are camping here for the 18th Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi met Tamil farmers who are report was tabled in the Leg- it to Sanand from West Bengal day in a row. agitating for loan waivers and compensation for crop failure at Jantar islative Assembly on Friday, where it was stuck. Gandhi also accused the Mantar, New Delhi on Friday PTI looked into the allegations As per the panel, Tata Nano Modi-led government of being which mostly pertained to project was not the only one "anti-poor and anti-farmer" with the protesters and their 40,000 crore from the Centre, allotment of land for major to be provided with conces- which, he alleged, only pan- leader P Ayyakkannu. During farm loan waiver and setting up industrial and infrastructure sion on allotment of land and ders to the demands of a select the 15-minute interaction, he of Cauvery Management Board. projects including nine cases other benefits in Gujarat and group of industrialists. took note of all the demands of The protesters on Friday wore related to Tata Nano plant, in other states. "The farmers have been sit- the protesters and assured them 'rudhraksha' (seeds traditionally Adani Group's Mundra Port "There is no substance in ting here for so long. But neither that the Congress will "fight for used for prayer beads) indicat- and SEZ, and Larsen and the allegations that Tata Motors the government nor the Prime them" and raise their grievances ing a life of saints who has given Toubro. Limited was favoured in any- Minister are listening to them. "in Tamil Nadu as well as in up all earthly needs. "Public interest, particularly ing Shaktisinh Gohil and Arjun demands made by the Con- The panel has probed thirteen way as contended," it said. The people and farmers of Tamil Delhi and Parliament". "We will die at the national for the state of Gujarat, was a Modhvaida, had submitted a gress during the ongoing Bud- out of fifteen allegations, stat- The panel also found no Nadu deserve to be heard by the The Centre needs to pro- capital instead of returning paramount consideration for memorandum to the then get session. ing that "the subject matter of substance in allegations against Prime Minister who is disre- vide debt waiver, drought relief to our state empty-handed," inviting Tata to establish Nano President in July 2011, listing The Commission submit- rest two is either in high court the Modi government's deci- specting them by not initiating and better support price to the Ayyakkannu said. project and automotive hub in 17 allegations of corruption ted to the government its first or supreme court". sion to allocate lands to Adani any dialogue," he said. farmers. Also the Prime Min- It has not rained and ground the state of Gujarat. The said against Modi who was at the report in September 2012 on As per the Assembly Sec- Group for Mundra Port and "Over the last three years, ister should at least start talks water levels have gone down at policy decision was taken in helm in Gujarat. nine allegations related to the retariat, the state government SEZ. debt worth Rs 1.4 lakh crore with them, Gandhi said. many places in the state. The conformity with the central Modi had set up the panel land allotments to various com- provided only one copy of the Regarding the allegations held by 50 industrialists have He was accompanied by water bodies are also drying. government policy of estab- under retired Supreme Court panies including Tata Nano in report, which was kept in its of favouring L&T, the report been written off. Tamil Nadu Congress chief Su. The poor farmers, who depend lishing automotive industry," judge M B Shah in August 2011 Sanand, Adani SEZ in Mun- library for everybody to view. stated that the land was alloted "Why the same is not being Thirunavukkarasar and senior on their crops, are the most vul- the two-part report stated. to enquire into 15 out of 17 alle- dra and Larsan and Toubro MLAs were not provided with to the company when Modi done in case of the farmers? party leader Mani Shankar nerable section of the society The report ran into more gations, as remaining two were in Hazira. The second report the copy of reports. was not the chief minister, but Why are their debts not being Aiyar. Farmers belonging to and they always become vic- than 5,500 pages and has 22 sub-judice. related to another six allega- The commission has given the chief minister was from the waived? It is the Prime Min- the Cauvery belt in Tamil Nadu tims of various vagaries, the volumes. The report was tabled in the tions was submitted to the gov- separate reports on all the alle- party (Congress) which had ister's responsibility to do so," are protesting here demanding National Human Rights Com- Congress leaders, includ- House in the wake of repeated ernment in November 2013. gations, which form part of the made allegations. Gandhi said after interacting a drought relief package of Rs mission had said. Girls of residential school CM Adityanath visits cow We won’t sack HP Punjab Police withdraws 800 forced to strip by principal shelter run by Mulayam kin CM in wake of CBI cops deployed OUR CORRESPONDENT downstairs (from the hostel). OUR CORRESPONDENT Madam made us take off our with VIPs MUZAFFARNAGAR: A clothes saying she will beat LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chargesheet: Cong group of girls at a residen- us if we did not. We are kids, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath CHANDIGARH: About 800 tial school here were alleg- what could we do? She would on Friday visited a cow shelter MPOST BUREAU personnel deployed with VIPs, edly threatened and forced to have beaten us if we did not run by SP patriarch Mulayam including politicians, have been strip by the principal, follow- obey her," one of the students Singh Yadav's younger daugh- NEW DELHI: Congress on withdrawn by the Punjab police ing which an inquiry has been said. The principal, however, ter-in-law Aparna Yadav where Friday ruled out the removal of following a review of the secu- ordered into the incident. has denied the allegations. he gave tips on hygiene and bet- Himachal Pradesh Chief Min- rity cover provided to various According to a complaint "No one asked them to ter upkeep of bovine animals. ister Virbhadra Singh, who protectees in the state. filed by the parents of the vic- remove clothes. All this is a Accompanied by deputy has been charge-sheeted by "About 800 police person- tims, the junior class students conspiracy by the staff because chief minister Dinesh Sharma the CBI in a disproportionate nel have been withdrawn from of the residential school in they do not want me to stay and ministers Suresh Khanna assets case. various protectees. The secu- this district were on Thurs- here. I had been asked to and Swati Singh, Adityanath Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditiyanath feeds a cow during his Congress spokesperson rity has been reviewed on the day forced to strip by the check whether the staff were took a round of the 54 acre visit to a 'gaushala' run by Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Abhishek Singhvi said there basis of threat perception, intel- principal. performing their duties. I am 'Kanha Upvan' shelter in Saro- was "nothing to worry about" ligence and norms," a senior Aparna Yadav (L) in Lucknow on Friday PTI The principal allegedly strict, that is why they hate jini Nagar here, raising many in the case as it was done out of police official said here on threatened the students of me," she said. a eyebrow in Lucknow politi- rescued from smugglers would "political vendetta" and Singh Friday. dire consequences if they Meanwhile, 35 out of the cal circles. be provided shelter and medi- UP bans strikes will fight it out and emerge he will fight it out and emerge However, those who were disobeyed her command, total 65 students of the school A saffron saree clad Aparna cation. There are 1,850 bovines victorious. victorious," he said. being given 'Z plus' and 'Y plus' District Primary Education left after the reports of harass- and husband Prateek Yadav wel- at the Kanha Upvan including in varsities, Singh and his wife were ear- The Delhi High Court had security cover would continue Officer Chander Kesh Yadav ment by the principal sur- comed Adityanath, who fed jag- 900 cows, 950 bulls and calves. lier on Friday charge-sheeted earlier in the day refused to to get the same, he said, adding said. An enquiry has been faced. Many students have gery and fodder to the cows. Adityanath is himself colleges under by the CBI in a special court quash the disproportionate fresh threat perception reports ordered, he said. come forward with similar The Chief Minister stressed involved in the 'gau sewa' (serv- here in a disproportionate assets case filed by CBI against were also being prepared to "There was no teacher allegation, Yadav said, add- on more hygiene in the areas ing the cows) at his ashram in ESMA assets case, hours after the Singh and his wife. The Court ascertain the threat level to vari- around. We were called ing the matter is being probed. where cows were kept and gave Gorakhpur. His visit evoked Delhi High Court denied him also vacated the Himachal ous individuals as part of secu- a direction to ensure availabil- much speculation in the politi- LUCKNOW: The any relief and removed the Pradesh High Court's October rity review exercise. ity of green fodder to them, an cal circles as this is the second Yogi Adityanath interim stay on his interroga- 1, 2015 interim order restrain- During the previous SAD- official release said. time he was meeting Aparna tion or arrest. ing CBI from arresting, inter- BJP regime, several political NATION BRIEFS He suggested that sheds and Prateek after taking over as government in Uttar Singhvi, when asked if rogating or filing a charge sheet leaders were allegedly enjoy- BALUNI APPOINTED BJP’S MEDIA HEAD be extended in the shelter and the UP chief minister on March Pradesh on Friday Singh would be removed, said, in the case without the court's ing police security more than underlined the need for better 19. The couple had called Adity- banned any strike by "Certainly not. It is a very old permission. the prescribed norms. NEW DELHI: BJP chief Amit Shah on Friday appointed utilisation of by-products of anath when he was staying at employees in state case and only the charge sheet "There is no factual basis The new Congress-led Pun- the party spokesperson Anil Baluni as the head of its cows. Taking stock of the ongo- a VVIP guest house here. The universities and has been filed now. There have brought on record to claim jab government has committed media department and Sanjay Mayukh his deputy. ing works for extending sheds meeting lasted for about 20 min- been many verdicts on this. In that the registration of the FIR to end VIP culture and prune Baluni replaces Shrikant Sharma, who is now a cabinet for 700 additional cows and utes and it is learnt that couple colleges till June 30 Virbhadra Singh's case, it has against the petitioners (Singh their security which was being minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, and hails bulls under the Kanha Ashray had invited the chief minister under the stringent been stated that this is a politi- and his wife) is actuated or shown as a status symbol by from Uttarakhand. He is seen as an affable and Pashu Kalyan scheme, Aditya- to visit Kanha Upvan. Essential Services cally motivated case framed out legally or factually mala fide or many political leaders. nath said they should be made Asked about Adityanath's of vendetta. that the registration of the FIR/ The Director General of media savvy leader who enjoys Shah’s trust. Mayukh, Maintenance Act. ready at the earliest. visit, Aparna said, "He is every- ESMA gives police "We are confident and have RC is a result of political ven- Police Suresh Arora had con- an MLC in Bihar, had earlier also served in the party’s The chief minister asked one's CM and we invited him. enough concrete evidence to detta," the judge said. stituted a State Level Review national media wing before being moved to the state. minister Khanna to set up Yogi Adityanath too runs cow the powers to arrest, prove that this is a case done Singhvi said “We are not Committee under the chair- 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) in shelters in his Gorakhpur, so without a warrant, out of political rivalry. I feel even minimum scared. Do not manship of DGP Hardeep ARJUN MEGHWAL RELEASES BOOK other districts of the state as we requested him to visit ours anybody violating the there is nothing to fear as it is ever for a minute think that Singh Dhillon to review the ON ECONOMIC CRISES well and improve the conditions and give us some tips on how Act's provisions. out of political vendetta and ‘Geedar bhabkis’ (threats) are security provided by the state in the existing ones where cows to improve it," she said. Virbhadra Singh has said that going to scare us”. police to various 'protectees'. BJP MLC suspended from Bihar govt to pay power bill party for 'sexual harassment' subsidy to consumers: Nitish OUR CORRESPONDENT PATNA: BJP on Friday sus- pended its Legislative Council OUR CORRESPONDENT Uttar Pradesh and West Ben- member Lal Babu Prasad for gal in 2016-17 fiscal. allegedly sexually harassing a PATNA: Bihar Chief Min- Giving details, he said for woman LJP MLC. ister Nitish Kumar on Fri- Kutir Jyoti (KJ) for BPL fam- "Lal Babu Prasad, MLC, NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Finance Arjun day announced in the state ilies with limit of 50 units, was suspended from the pri- Ram Meghwal released book titled “World Economic Assembly that the state gov- BERC had announed Rs 6.08 mary membership of BJP," Crises and India” on Thursday. Lok Sabha Secretary D ernment would provide per unit rate. On this the state senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Bhalla has authored the book, which explores various subsidy on power bill to con- government would provide Modi said in a tweet. recessions happened in world right from the Great sumers instead of power com- Rs 3.58 per unit subsidy after A show cause has also been reportedly thrashing a party panies from 2017-18 fiscal. which the final rate would issued by the party to Prasad, MLC for "sexually harassing" Depression of 1929-30 to that of 2008. Speaking on The CM's statement came come down to Rs 2.50 a unit. Sushil Modi told reporters. the former's wife who is an the occasion, Meghwal said that in recent decades, six days after Bihar Electric- He said this was Rs 3.44 The Chairperson of State LJP MLC. A BJP MLA rained when the developed countries across the continents are ity Regulatory Commission a unit in West Bengal and Rs Legislative Council Awdesh blows on Prasad in the Council struggling with distinct economic crises, Indian economy (BERC) had come up with 3.17 per unit in UP. Narayan Singh announced in premises on Wednesday after has grown and become stronger with time. an unprecedented hike of 55 For dometic consumer in the House that the matter had Bablu's wife had complained per cent in power tariff that rural areas, the Commission been referred to ethics com- to him about Prasad sexually sparked protests. suggested tariff of Rs 6.45 per mittee of the House for probe. harassing her. Some BJP mem- Kumar said that decision unit on which the state would The chairperson said he bers had separated the clashing to file a tariff petition before Bihar CM Nitish Kumar with BJP senior leader Nand Kishor Yadav during provide Rs 3.10 per unit sub- took this decision after taking legislators in the corridor in BERC for 2017-18 on zero the last day of the Budget session of the Assembly in Patna on Friday PTI sidy on which the final rate suo motu cognisance of the between Council and Legisla- subsidy was part of a "well would come down to Rs 3.35 a sordid episode in Legislative tive Assembly. thought strategy" on the "Subsidy amount would be "Officials told me that unit, he said adding the same Council premises on March 29. The woman JD(U) MLC basis of which the Commis- spelled for clear-cut under- senior officials of the Cen- is Rs 4.75 and Rs 3.35 per He further announced that raised the issue in the Council sion issued its tariff list with- standing of a consumer," he tre have appreciated the con- unit in West Bengal and UP Prasad has been removed from and RJD's Rabri Devi sought out subsidy. said in presence of Energy cept. If this succeeds it would respectively. Council's Committee on Pollu- action against BJP MLC Lal "This will help consumer minister Bijendra Prasad be followed by others too," For Urban domestic con- tion and Environment. Babu Prasad. The matter came understand at which rate elec- Yadav. he said. sumer, BERC rate was Rs 6.48 The episode had created a up in state Legislative Assem- tricity has been made avail- The CM said Bihar was The Bihar announced per unit, subsidy is Rs 1.48 a major embarrassment for BJP bly also on Friday when JD(U) MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra with his South Korean counterpart able to it and how much the first state to experiment major rationalisation of unit and final charge is Rs 5 and NDA. Ruling Grand Alli- member Ranju Geeta raised Young Sup Joo in New Delhi subsidy is given by the state this policy of providing power tariff for different cat- per unit. This is Rs 5.02 a unit ance MLCs had on Thursday the issue. She was supported government on his consump- power subsidy straightway to egories of consumers which in West Bengal and Rs 5.28 raised in the Legislative Coun- by party and other women tion," Kumar said. consumers. he said was lower than that in per unit in UP. cil the issue of a BJP MLA legislators. 7 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp nation SC refuses urgent hearing on After LPG, Govt to roll out Ayodhya land dispute case ‘give up’ subsidy plan for PDS MPOST BUREAU NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to States asked to follow ‘Give Up’ concept, encourage beneficiaries to opt out from getting subsidies accord an early hearing on a batch of civil appeals pertain- DHIRENDRA KUMAR amount from this move. households in the country. ing to the Ayodhya Ram Tem- However, no response has Commenting on the gov- ple-Babri Masjid case. NEW DELHI: Buoyant over been received from any state/ ernment’s decision, social activ- During the hearing, a the successful implementa- UT in this regard, Chaudhary ist Nikhil Dey said, “Instead bench headed by Chief Jus- tion of “Give it Up” scheme for said in reply to a question of of providing more benefits to tice J S Khehar told BJP leader LPG refills, the government has Vijila Sathyananth in the Upper weaker sections, the govern- Subramanian Swamy that the decided to roll out the subsidy House on Friday. ment is asking needy ones to court was made to believe that giving up plan for all govern- According to sources, the leave benefits. The PDS ben- he was a party to the ongoing lingering Ram Janmabhoomi- Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara ment-funded schemes. Under give up concept would also efits are being not availed by litigation. This had led to the Babri Masjid land dispute at and the 'Ram Lalla'. the new proposal that has been be implemented for subsi- those who are economically Chief Justice of India offering Ayodhya, observing that issues On February 26 last year, sent to all concerned stake- dies on fertilisers, education, sound as it’s the poor popula- to mediate between the parties of "religion and sentiments" can the apex court had allowed holders, including states, the etc. Under the subsidy opt out tion who need foodgrains at to the litigation, the court said. be best resolved through talks. Swamy to intervene in the Centre has asked them to fol- plan, the beneficiaries would subsidised rates.” "You did not tell us that you Chief Justice Khehar had pending matters relating to the low the ‘Give Up’ concept and not be ‘directed’ to give up their Recently, Uttar Pradesh’s were not a party to the case, we also offered to mediate even as Ayodhya title dispute with his encourage beneficiaries to opt benefits rather they would be Muslim Waqf and Haj Minister only got to know that from the the bench headed by him sug- plea seeking construction of out from getting subsidies. too whenever any scheme or “As like LPG subsidy giv- ‘encouraged’ as government Mohsin Raza has also vouched press," the bench said. Swamy, gested that the parties to the Ram temple at the site of the As per the government’s assistance is given to any ben- ing up scheme, the government belief that there are several ben- for giving up Haj subsidy. A however, said that he had made dispute adopt a "give a bit and demolished disputed structure. decision, the subsidy giv- eficiary, real cost of service and would launch a major public eficiaries who can ‘voluntarily’ few days after taking over the it clear that he was on the issue take a bit" approach for a mean- The BJP leader had moved ing up design would be first subsidy/benefit given by the campaign to motivate benefi- offer to opt out from the sub- charge, Raza had said that it’s of his Fundamental Right to ingful and sincere negotiations the plea for a direction to allow implemented in public distri- government. ciaries to opt out from subsidy sidy bracket. the poor who deserve govern- worship. "My Right to Pray is to resolve the vexatious issue. construction of the Ram tem- bution system (PDS) on the According to a senior gov- benefits. Since, PDS is operated The Pradhan Mantri Ujj- ment subsidy for Haj pilgrim- affected by the pending case The Lucknow bench of ple at Ayodhya at the disputed lines LPG subsidy. According ernment official, the subsidy under the joint responsibility of wala Yojana (PMUY), which age, not the affluent Muslims. and I had filed an intervening Allahabad High Court had in site and claimed that under the to a written reply by Minister amount that would come to the Centre and state govern- is an ambitious social welfare The Centre provides sub- application," Swamy said. 2010 ruled for a three-way divi- practices prevalent in Islamic of State for Consumer Affairs the exchequer by the giving up ments, states have also been scheme of the Centre, is the sidy to Muslim pilgrims to The bench then said that sion of the disputed 2.77 acres countries, a mosque could be CR Chaudhary in Rajya Sabha, scheme would be used for pro- requested to follow the give up outcome of ‘Give it Up’ initia- Mecca annually by reducing it was not going to fast track area at the site in Uttar Pradesh. shifted to any other place for the government has decided to viding foodgrains and other concept in PDS,” the official tive. Under the Ujjwala Yojana, airfares in official carrier Air the matter. The three-judge bench, by public purposes like construct- implement the give up concept services to persons who need said, adding that government the government is provid- India and has a quota for dif- Earlier on March 21 the a majority of 2:1, had said the ing a road, whereas a tem- in other government schemes it most. is aiming to ‘save’ a handsome ing LPG connections to BPL ferent states. apex court had suggested an land be partitioned equally ple once constructed cannot out-of-court settlement to the among three parties, Sunni be touched. SC removes age cap of 25 yrs for At Hackathon, PM to address RSS frames action plan candidates taking NEET exam over 10K engineering students OUR CORRESPONDENT hours continuously and com- MPOST BUREAU to promote social equity plete digital solutions for the NEW DELHI: Prime Minister problem statements through OUR CORRESPONDENT tice incurred by ancient Brah- Swayamsevaks with inter-caste NEW DELHI: The Supreme Narendra Modi will address programming to create com- minical system." "Due to the marriages than anybody else." Court on Friday removed the through video conferencing puter software or a mobile NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Sway- discrimination of thousands At the same time, he also age cap of 25 years for candi- over 10,000 students at ‘Smart app,” it added. amsevak Sangh (RSS) is going of years, there would be anger, escalated the misperception of dates appearing for the NEET- India Hackathon’ aspiring to The software created will to introduce new action pro- sometimes even hatred and still society towards RSS and added, 2017 examination for MBBS/ be young innovators. be evaluated by judges drawn grammes for social equity we should continue to strive for "There were well-intended peo- BDS courses and allowed fill- The hackathon, a first-of- from the respective minis- and harmony. It feels there building bridges," he added. ple in the society who believed ing up of forms through online its kind initiative by the HRD try and industry experts and should be 'One Temple', 'One At the same time, he also that this organization must be portal of the CBSE till April 5. Ministry at such a large scale the best solutions will be Cremation Ground' and 'One pitched for inter-caste mar- in support of the caste system A bench of Justices Dipak is intended at promote inno- awarded with cash prizes of Water-Body' for all in a non- riage and also assured that or caste-based discrimination. Misra and A M Khanwilkar on or before April 5, 2017," the who had challenged the notice vation, out-of-the-box think- Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs discriminatory way. The RSS Swayamsevaks will stand for Then, this issue was publically held that prima facie the age bench said in its interim order. issued by the CBSE on January ing among young minds 50,000 for the top three teams chief Mohan Bhagwat vouched these issues. In an interview of discussed about the Sangh. This limit for the May 7 examina- It said that forms submit- 31, 2017 stipulating the maxi- especially the engineering respectively. that, "The first and foremost pro-RSS magazine 'Organizer' perception was there and there tion fixed by the CBSE, can- ted by any candidate after April mum age limit of 25 years for students. According to HRD The awarded software will remedy is a continuous pro- the senior Sangh leader men- were many people who used not be determined by way of 5 will not be accepted as the the eligible candidates for the Ministry officials, the PM will also be used by the concerned cess in which we should learn tioned that, "many issues arise this to unfairly target the RSS." issuing notice on the basis of Central Board of Secondary examination. address the innovators on Sat- ministry or department for to completely reject all kinds in public life, like inter-caste Union Minister of States instructions issued by the Med- Education (CBSE), which is The court also restrained urday at 10 pm through video improving their governance of discriminations in our per- marriages. Those issues also Piyush Goyal said that, reports ical Council of India (MCI). conducting the examination, the high courts from interfer- conferencing. systems, if necessary, with sonal, family, professional and face opposition. We insist that and the society use to misguide The National Eligibility will be facing problems. ing in the matters like choice “The grand finale of Smart suitable upgrade. “All the prize social behavior. We will have Swayamsevaks should stand in all and convey a wrong message Entrance Test (NEET) is sched- The apex court directed that and allocation of centres and India Hackathon will start at 8 winners would be connected to change our habits for that." favor of such reformative mea- about both Sangh Karyakar- uled to be held on May 7 for if the CBSE seek any logistic said that if any contrary order AM tomorrow and would end to form a Community of Bhagwat also asserted that, sures. Generally, it happens and tas and BJP workers. “But they which the last date for filling support from the agencies con- has already been passed by any at 8 PM on April 2 at 26 dif- Innovative Minds,” the state- "The issue of discrimination it should happen. If you take should work together for for up forms was March 1. cerned for having additional of the courts, then the CBSE ferent locations in the country ment said. crops up in the form of injus- a survey, you will find more progress,” he said. "As we, prima facie, find centre in any area, then the dis- shall be bound by the order of with each location handheld such an age limit could not trict collector or the commis- apex court only. by one department or Minis- have been determined by way sioner of the city will extend Directing the CBSE that its try,” an official statement said. of a notice on the basis of the all the support including mak- online portal shall remain open “For the preparations of instructions issued by the ing different centres available from this evening, the bench the finale, online trainings Medical Council of India, it is so that the examination is held said that all required assistance were given to students by appropriate to direct that all on the date fixed. shall be extended to Sanyam approximately 2110 mentors the desirous candidates will be The bench was hearing a Bhardwaj, the joint secretary of appointed for the purpose. allowed to fill up the forms on petition filed by one Rai Sabya- the board responsible for con- During the finale, the selected the online portal of the CBSE sachi and other NEET aspirants ducting the test. groups will be locked-in for 36 Maoists attack Odisha railway station to oppose Modi visit

BHUBANESWAR: Maoists station premises. Parida and a attacked a railway station in token porter Gobind Hikaka Odisha's Rayagada district were also detained by them for early on Friday, triggered a a brief period, he said. blast and put up posters pro- The attackers snatched the testing against the proposed walkie-talkie of the station visit of Prime Minister Nar- master, and forced staff of a endra Modi to the state goods train standing outside next month. the station to shut down the Around 15-20 Maoists engine, Mishra said. stormed Doikalu railway sta- Rayagada Superintendent tion under Sambalpur Division of Police K Siva Subramani, shortly after mid-night and who rushed to the spot, said ransacked the station master's minor damage was caused to office, Chief Public Relations the engine of the goods train. Officer of East Coast Railway No railway staff or local (ECoR), J P Mishra said. people was, however, hurt in The ultras pulled out sta- the incident, the CPRO said tion master S K Parida and adding control room has been triggered an explosion in the able to speak to the staff.AGENCIES To attract more foreigners, govt relaxes e-visa regime

OUR CORRESPONDENT medical visas will be granted within 48 hours of application NEW DELHI: India has upon urgent requests, it said. decided to liberalise e-visa “The liberalisation of the regime from Saturday by visa regime will considerably increasing the time limit for facilitate entry of foreigners seeking the entry permit from into India for tourism, busi- existing 30 days to a maximum ness and medical purposes. of four months. Consequently, the arrival of The duration of stay for for- foreigners in India is expected eigners, coming into the coun- to go up substantially in the try through select categories of coming years. “This will in turn e-visa, has also been extended give a boost to tourism, medi- to two months from existing cal and business sectors result- one month, the Union Home ing in substantial increase in Ministry said in a statement. direct and indirect employ- There will be three new sub- ment in these sectors,” the categories for grant of e-visa, statement said. i.e. e-tourist visa, e-business Under the e-visa scheme, visa and e-medical visa, from an applicant receives an email tomorrow. In addition, two authorising him or her to more new categories –Intern travel to India after it has been or (I) visa and Film or (F) visa approved. The tourist can travel –will be granted for foreigner with a print-out of this authori- seeking internship in non-gov- sation. On arrival, the visitor ernment organisations, and has to present the authorisation those seeking to shoot movies to the immigration authorities in India, respectively. who would then allow the entry Also, both business and into the country. 8 editorial mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 EDITORIAL Careful image makeover Foot down on BJP is acutely aware that a major communal conflagration air pollution can undo the advantages it gained since 2013 AMULYA GANGULI n a significant development earlier this week, the Supreme here was an element of sub- Court directed transport authorities to ban the sale and terfuge in the BJP’s selection registration of vehicles with Bharat Standard (BS) III of Yogi Adityanath as the UP emission norms from April 1. As per a Union govern- chief minister. Throughout Iment order, cleaner fuel complying with BS IV standards will Tthe campaign, the party maintained a be available across India starting April 1, 2017. Prima facie, the deafening silence on its chief ministe- court seems to be sending out a message that public health con- rial candidate. Various names did the cerns will always trump short-term business considerations. rounds like those of Home Minister Unfortunately, the decision could have adverse implications Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for for many auto companies, especially those manufacturing two- Railways Manoj Sinha and others, but wheelers and commercial vehicles. With over 8 lakh vehicles there was no mention of the firebrand (a small fraction of the 19 crore vehicles on Indian roads) mahant of the Gorakhnath Math, cred- worth up to Rs 20,000 crore at stake, these manufacturers had ited with being the most popular BJP asked that the April deadline be enforced only for the sale of Given Yogi leader in the state. vehicles and not their registration. The Centre supported the Adityanath’s Was the party scared that an pleas of these companies, clearly an unwise move in hindsight. announcement of his name would Unsurprisingly, the court remained unmoved. In response to reputation, most frighten not only the minorities but the order, these companies are desperately scrambling to sell observers would several other sections of the elector- their inventory at massive discounts and upgrade their emis- ate as well? So it played its only card sion technology, besides considering export options. Nonethe- have thought - Narendra Modi - whose appeal cuts less, it is not as if these companies were not forewarned. The that the BJP was across caste and religious barriers. The Government and the Environment Pollution Control Author- ploy worked with the BJP winning a ity had given them one full year to prepare for this eventual- taking too much mammoth 312 seats out of 403. When ity. Moreover, the Centre has also spent vast sums of money of a risk by the state was safely in the bag, the Yogi in upgrading refineries to produce BS IV fuel. The money has emerged from the wings to be at the come from the taxpayers, and it should be utilised for a cleaner entrusting him centre of the stage. environment. Any consideration for the profits of big auto- with the top job Although there hasn’t been any egre- mobile companies is set aside. Reports, in fact, indicate that gious misstep by him till now, the BJP some vehicle manufacturers have themselves called for a shift in UP. But the step is apparently a trifle nervous. Hence, to higher emission standards after investing in cleaner tech- may have been its intemperate reaction to a New York UP CM Yogi Adityanath, left in saffron robes, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi nology over time. Bajaj Auto, for example, announced earlier Times editorial which has said that the this year that its entire product range sold in India had become intended to send Yogi’s choice was a “shocking rebuke to reassure the international commu- As of now, it is a winning formula fron hardliners to hold their fire. If Yogi compliant with BS-IV emission standards. Even in its review a message to all to religious minorities and a sign that nity and particularly the investors that since it appeals to a broad cross-section pipes down, as he did earlier when he of the Auto Fuel Policy nearly two years ago, the Parliamentary saffron hardliners cold political calculations” before 2019 Yogi’s appointment does not signify any of the people as the UP outcome has backed off from the gharwapsi and love Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas said that have made the BJP “believe that nothing change in Modi’s development-oriented shown. It is evident, however, that a mis- jihad campaigns, then the other hawks the Centre should implement the less polluting Bharat Stage to hold their fire stands in the way of realizing its long- priorities. Yogi, too, has echoed his mas- step can upset the delicate balance. This cannot but cool off. (BS)-IV quality of fuel standard across the country by 2017. It’s held dream of transforming a secular ter’s voice by promising development is what happened in Gujarat in 2002, How long Modi - and Yogi - will nearly four months into the year. If there was any miscalcula- republic into a Hindu state”. Consider- for all and appeasement of none. He which robbed Atal Bihari Vajpayee of be able to keep the hotheads at bay tion, it was on the part of certain vehicle manufacturers. They ing that it was no more than an opinion has told the anti-Romeo squads not to his expected success in 2004, as he later is a million-dollar question, not least had apparently pinned their hopes on the probability that the piece, it was strange that the Modi gov- harass courting couples and assured said, and handed the Congress a victory because the BJP is only one wing of deadline for the shift from BS-III to BS-IV norms would be ernment would wheel out an external meat-sellers that only the National on the platter. the Sangh Parivar. There are others like relaxed. Nonetheless, the court’s uncompromising approach affairs ministry spokesman to express Green Tribunal’s norms would be fol- The BJP cannot afford to make the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, which will have little real impact on pollution levels, although it does misgivings about the “wisdom of doubt- lowed concerning the abattoirs, which the same mistake again although the are not interested in the economy so set a clear precedent for vehicle manufacturers. ing the verdicts of genuine democratic the BJP threatened to close down in its Congress’s Mani Shankar Aiyar said in much as in their communal agenda of On-road vehicle movement is one of the major contribu- exercises … both at home and abroad”. manifesto. 2014 that his party was waiting for the advancing towards the establishment of tors to the poor state of urban air quality. In a study, the Central The last four words are particu- Arguably, this show of moderation Godhra moment to unmask Modi. That a Hindu Rashtra. They have been wait- Pollution Control Board had found that 30-50% of ambient larly intriguing for they suggest that by the former rabble-rouser is an exer- moment hasn’t yet arrived. The BJP is ing since Vajpayee’s time for the BJP to particulate matter pollution in six major cities—Delhi, Mum- the Modi government is disapprov- cise in what can be called soft or con- acutely aware that a major communal start building the Ram temple as the bai, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Kanpur—came from vehi- ing of not only the NYT’s comments trolled Hindutva, which eschews the conflagration can undo the advantages first step towards fulfilling their dream cle exhaust and road dust. For companies, they must now pay on Indian politics but also on Ameri- earlier rabid variety. However, some it gained since 2013 when it won four of a Bharat where the minorities will be heed to the next deadline. “We have decided that we will move can affairs. Is the Indian government of that venom is still oozing out as can state elections in the build-up to the second class citizens. But the cautious to BS-VI norms across the country directly from BS-IV norms telling the NYT and, by implication, be seen from a BJP MLA’s threat to party’s 2014 success. moderation of the BJP leaders from by April 1, 2020. This is a revolutionary decision and neces- the entire US media, not to be critical break the bones of those who do not Given Yogi Adityanath’s reputation, Vajpayee to Modi has been thwarting sary to address pollution,” said Union Road, Transport and of Donald Trump and thereby trying say Vande Mataram or kill cows. But, most observers would have thought their ambition. Now Yogi has become Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said earlier this year. Evi- to keep the new US administration in overall, Yogi is emulating Modi’s tight- that the BJP was taking too much of the latest addition to the list of moder- dently, the government has decided to leapfrog BS-V norms good humour? rope walk between his economic agenda a risk by entrusting him with the top ates. IPA and move to BS-VI. It must now also ensure it executes the There have been suggestions that and the saffron brotherhood’s commu- job in UP. But the step may have been (The writer is a political analyst. court’s orders so that lower-grade fuels do not impact catalytic the Modi government’s intention is nal inclinations. intended to send a message to all saf- Views expressed are strictly personal.) converters (emissions control device) of the new batch of vehi- cles. Shift to cleaner fuel is definitely the order of the day. It is dear imperative to note, however, that exhaust from vehicles is not Quote martial FOR BETTER CONNECTIVITY EDITOR millenniumpost.in the only source of air pollution. There is road dust, which is earthen material or dirt that becomes airborne, primarily by The government hopes that its Digital India initiative will ensure quicker and effective Log on to write letters to the the friction of tires moving on unpaved dirt roads and dust- You can’t cross implementation of decisions. Making services available to people digitally is a very fitting editor or send them to covered paved roads. In Delhi, for example, crop burning in the sea merely by Punjab and Haryana in the winter months is also a significant idea in an ideal modern setting. One of the core components of the initiative is to ensure [email protected] contributor to air pollution, not to mention poor waste man- standing and staring digital literacy. This very component is going to decide the success of this initiative. If not, You can also send your agement practices. In a recent column, Sarath Guttikunda, a at the water comments to The Editor, leading expert on urban air pollution in India, illustrated some this initiative will only enlarge the gulf between the digital haves and the have-nots, and of the long-term policy measures Delhi needs to take. But the Millennium Post, crux of his column talked about what it means to take the long RABINDRANATH TAGORE engender a fresh problem. Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah view. “Real policy is not short-term emergency measures that S KARTHIK Via email Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 are defensive in nature,” writes Guttikunda. “We need a pro- active policy spanning multiple years, and we need to act fast, local and through multiple agencies across multiple political parties to take the long view on air pollution in Delhi.” There are various causes responsible for Delhi’s bad air and some of Judicial reform begins with lower courts the solutions required to tackle them will involve consistent efforts from government agencies and responsible citizens beyond the current news cycle. Families are already mov- Shobhit Mathur and Ram Prasath VR argue that immediate improvements are possible ing out to the city to avoid the pollution. Some have installed expensive air purifiers. Those who cannot move out or afford by horizontally replicating proven procedural innovations the latest anti-pollution technology are suffering. One study in 2010 found that the deadly PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 was f the 30 million all lower courts in Tamil Nadu. linked to between 7350 and 16,200 premature deaths and a pending court There are no significant differ- stunning six million asthma attacks per year in the national cases in India as of ences in the number of vacan- capital. If authorities take note and act on these concerns, we December 2014, cies between various lower may not have this conversation next year. Oover 80 per cent are in the dis- courts, so the huge difference trict and subordinate courts, in their performances cannot which are short of about 5,000 be explained solely by a short- A nationwide (23 per cent) judges. But fill- age of judges. Worrying ing vacancies may not be the The answer would seem to analysis is universal answer, according lie in procedural innovations, possible if to our analysis, which found which needs to be analysed developments only a weak direct correla- and documented at the high we have tion between the shortage of performing courts. aily life was once again paralysed in Kashmir on standardised data judges and performance of Our key point is: District Wednesday following the death of three civilians lower courts. courts can learn from each during an anti-militancy operation in Budgam dis- to compare lower India’s judicial delays are other’s successes and failures. trict. It is the same story once again with the recent courts across the legendary, and its shortage of For example, Chennai courts spikeD in militant activity. Security forces operating in the state country. There is judges well-known. Despite may learn from Ariyalur are dealing with angry crowds, every time they lay siege upon the constraints, some courts courts how to better dispose of these militants. Military experts argue that sympathisers incite an urgent need manage to perform better than civil cases and may learn from and exploit these non-combatants to ensure that the militants others, sometimes significantly their own experience with dis- escape. It leaves the security forces in an impossible situation. for collecting so. Data can help identify such posing of criminal cases. Earlier this year, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat stated case data in a courts, as well as their inno- A nationwide analysis that the Army would treat “over-ground workers of terrorists” as structured and vations and best practices so is possible if we have stan- anti-national elements. Many saw his comments as an attempt that these can be replicated in dardised data to compare at extending greater freedom to security forces when operating standardised other courts. lower courts across the coun- in troubled areas. In another significant development, the Min- format across the India has over 600 district Representational Image try. There is an urgent need for istry of Home Affairs made fresh authorisation of 4,949 pump courts. Identifying the high collecting case data in a struc- action guns (a ten-fold increase), widely known as pellet guns, various courts in performers and replicating tured and standardised format for Central Reserve Police Force personnel deployed in the India. This will their best practices in other The state average for pen- and criminal cases, being sig- Ariyalur courts will dispose across the various courts in region. During last year’s agitation, more than 1,000 civilians courts can make an immedi- dency duration of civil cases is nificantly slower than the state of all their pending cases in India. This will enable deeper were left with impaired vision due to pellet guns. These develop- enable deeper ate impact. 2.95 years -- a civil case takes average. nine years, after accounting insights and precise policy ments seem to indicate there is little or no political engagement insights and about three years to reach a Cases accumulate when the for new cases that will be insti- prescriptions. with Kashmir. There is talk of the government reaching out to Tamil Nadu illustrates conclusion. Ariyalur is the rate of disposal is lower than tuted each year. While long-term issues separatist Hurriyat groups, but this seems like a fool’s errand, precise policy India’s problem worst performing district in the rate at which new cases are Next, the criminal cases: such as shortage of judges grab considering today’s so-called radicalised teenagers have little prescriptions Without standardisation this regard -- a civil case takes instituted. Tamil Nadu accu- Chennai lower courts per- policymakers’ attention, they regard for them. What the state needs are reserves of political in data across lower courts, 4.65 years on average, that is, mulated 43,973 cases in 2015. form the best in disposing of must also tackle the immedi- will and confidence building measures to regain the faith of their performance cannot 50 per cent slower than the Of these, 36,945 were civil and criminal cases -- they conclude ate problems. In the near term, people. More guns do little to achieve such an outcome. What be compared directly. So, we state average. 7,028 criminal cases. 7,700 criminal cases more than immediate improvements are is exceedingly worrying is the precedence of a particular ide- studied Tamil Nadu, whose Thiruvarur performs the First, the civil cases: Of the instituted each year. At this possible by horizontally rep- ological bent behind the recent spurt in violence. In a recent average duration of the pen- best with an average pendency 32 districts in Tamil Nadu, rate, Chennai will dispose of all licating proven procedural video published online earlier this month, Hizbul Mujahideen dency of cases approximates duration of just two years. only five are disposing of more its pending cases in 5.4 years. innovations. IANS commander Zakir Rashid Bhat was heard urging Kashmiri the national average. For criminal cases, aver- cases than the number of cases This is far better than any other (In an arrangement with youth to fight for Islam’s supremacy rather than a new nation- Also, the Madras High age pendency duration is 3.23 instituted, with Ariyalur per- district in the state. IndiaSpend.org, a data- state. It is a sentiment more prevalent among the disillusioned Court is one of the few in the years for all of Tamil Nadu. forming the best and Chennai Coimbatore’s lower courts driven, non-profit, public youth of the state. This completely disregards the spirit of Kash- country whose latest annual Madurai performs exceedingly the worst. are the slowest in disposing of interest journalism platform. miriyat, which speaks for religious harmony and brotherhood. report, for 2015, provides a well with an average pendency Chennai lower courts accu- criminal cases too. Shobhit Mathur is Executive The nature of militancy has indeed changed, especially with the detailed analysis of the lower duration of 1.75 years, while mulate more than 6,000 civil Director, Vision India Foun- arrival of a profoundly reactionary strain of Sunni Islam in the courts under its jurisdiction. Perambalur is the slowest with cases each year, while Ari- What vacancies have to do dation, where Ram Prasath Valley. One must not forget that the origin of the clamour for an average pendency duration yalur courts dispose of 1,000 with efficiency V.R. is a Research Intern. The “azaadi” (freedom) was secular and trans-religious. Civil case takes, on aver- of 5.29 years. Kancheepuram cases from its pending pile We also analysed the num- views expressed are strictly age, three years to conclude performs poorly in both civil each year. If this continues, ber of judicial vacancies across those of IndiaSpend.) 9 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp in focus Fight against drought starts well Rajasthan has launched an ambitious programme to become drought-free in four

SUSHMITA years. Despite a good start there is a long way to go for the state administration SENGUPTA aghuvir Singh Tomar, a farmer in Rajasthan’s Loo- harwas village, says that for the first time in two Ryears he expects to make a profit of Rs 1.2 lakh by selling around 6 tonnes of wheat, he cultivated on his 3 hectares farmland. “Earlier, it was difficult, even to recover the investments because I had to spend Rs 20,000 on buying tanker water for irrigation.” But the construction of 19 water conserva- tion structures in the village situated Geographic in Sikar district by the Watershed and Soil Conservation Department information (WSCD) last year has significantly system (GIS) and improved the situation. The struc- tures include contour check dams, remote sensing mini percolation dams, soak pits technologies and farm ponds. As a result, soil are being used moisture has increased in the vil- lage. “This season, I could irrigate to get data on my field from my well,” says Tomar. groundwater India’s desert state is witnessing a revolution of sorts. In January 2016, level, soil the government launched its ambi- moisture, tious Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlam- ban Abhiyan (MJSA) to make the topography and state drought-free by 2020. Within rainfall to decide six months, 94,941 water harvesting structures were constructed in 3,529 the location of of the state’s 21,000 villages. About structures. Geo- Rs. 1,300 crore spent during this first phase of the programme. And the Representational Image tagging is being impact is starting to become visible. used to track the Hardas Ka Bas, another village with almost uniform distribution (GIS) and remote sensing technol- and the collector can use this fund of us could not buy water to irrigate the stakeholders. While the Neeru in Sikar, has harvested a bumper over the state’s 295 blocks. In all, ogies are being used to get data on even in other blocks if required,” he our crops,” says Kumar. Officials, Meeru programme mentioned the projects, and crop this year, just like Looharwas. 96,000 works were undertaken, of groundwater level, soil moisture, adds. “We can also ask for funds if however, say that since Hardas Ka importance of keeping contractors the government “I have earned more than R1 lakh which 94,941 had been completed topography and rainfall to decide there is a shortage,” says Rajendra Bas already had a few watershed at bay, it did not happen. Prasad by selling tomatoes and mustard. before the onset of monsoon, a phe- the location of structures. Geo-tag- Prasad, superintending engineer, projects underway, they decided to says that in Rajasthan contractors publishes the This is five times of what I made last nomenal success as far as implemen- ging is being used to track the proj- WSCD, Sikar. focus improving the water availabil- are carefully monitored and work progress online year. The village now has access to tation is concerned. Also, 2.8 million ects, and the progress is published ity in that village, hoping that the under direct supervision of govern- the uninterrupted supply of potable trees were planted, all around these by the government online, informs Fears with top-down approach villages around too would benefit. ment officials. water,” says Nathu Singh. water-harvesting structures. A five- Sushila Yadav, deputy director, GIS Though many villages have ben- Some also suspect that MJSA Nirmal Sengupta, National “The overhead tank in the village year maintenance plan has been Lab of WSCD. efitted from MJSA, some say there may end up helping only contrac- Fellow at the Indian Institute of gets filled up with groundwater in given to the forest department, Geo-tagging also helps in com- are major lacunae in the planning tors, which is what happened in Advanced Study, Shimla, believes just 80 minutes. Until last August, which is the nodal agency for plant- pleting projects in time due to bet- process. Lakshman Singh, secretary Neeru Meeru, a programme simi- government officials should be in it took more than three hours to fill ing trees under the project.” ter monitoring. “Almost 99% of and founder of non-profit Gram lar to MJSA, launched in Andhra constant communication with vil- half the tank,” says Kailash Kanwat, the 96,000 water harvesting proj- Vikas Navyuvak Mandal based Pradesh in 2000. The programme lage communities, learn from them sarpanch of the village. The mechanism ects planned in the first phase were in Laporia village, says, “MJSA depended too much on technology and ensure that the programme “The first phase of MJSA got over The key feature of MJSA is that completed before the monsoon last is not concentrating on the plan- and ran without much participation grows into a mass movement. It in June 2016. The plan is to make all it brings all water-related projects year,” claims the chief minister. ning phase in a proper way. Only of stakeholders. It was also based on is too early to assess the impact villages across Rajasthan self-sus- undertaken by various government The government has also allowed the influential people of the village a top-down approach. of MJSA, says Rampal Bisht, pro- tainable in terms of water sources departments under its umbrella for district-level officials some discre- are involved. Due to this, several In initiatives like MSJA and gramme manager of Rajgarh-based within four years,” says Anurag effective implementation. No new tion in using the funds. Kunj Bihari villages that face water crisis have Neeru Meeru, the village com- charitable trust Lakshmi and Usha Bharadwaj, Commissioner of the construction is taking place under Gupta, District Magistrate of Sikar, been left out.” munity signs a memorandum of Mittal Foundation. WSCD, Rajasthan. MJSA itself. MJSA follows, what says, “Though the location of struc- Naragaon, which comes under understanding with the district The start, though, has been When asked how many villages the officials call, “ridge to valley” tures is decided in consultation with the Hardas Ka Bas panchayat, is authorities to allow them control good. DOWN TO EARTH have benefitted from the MJSA, approach to conserve and harvest various stakeholders, MJSA allows one such village. Kailash Kumar of over the running of the programme. (The writer is a geologist by train- Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje water—from the catchment area the district magistrate to determine Naragaon says people from his vil- Gradually, the bureaucracy com- ing and works on the policy related said: “In the first phase, which has in the ridge to the valley where the which village needs water struc- lage have to go to Hardas Ka Bas to pletely takes over what is supposed issues of water management and been completed on June 30, 2016, runoff flows. tures first. For each block, R2.25 get drinking water and to buy tanker to be a participatory process. This sanitation. Views expressed are some 3,529 villages were taken up Geographic information system crore has been allocated by the state, water for irrigation. “This year most gives rise to resentment amongst strictly those of Down to Earth.)

tweet UP govt’s drive against eve-teasers RETWEET

Anti-Romeo squads could prove to be effective in catching eve-teasers RAJNATH SINGH despite their unconventional nature, writes Debdeep Chakraborty @rajnathsingh here are times when a government has little choice but to Our security forces are adopt unconven- giving befitting reply Ttional methods while dealing to terrorist groups and with deep-rooted problems in society. The creation of infiltrators in Jammu anti-Romeo squads by the and Kashmir. For those raising new BJP government in UP the issue of is one such unconventional measure aimed at checking moral policing, the alarming rise in crime the performance against women in the state KAVITA KRISHNAN over the last several years. The @kavita_krishnan audit report of state government’s decision the Comptroller to create such squads has not come as a surprise since the Another teen, 17 yr old and Auditor party explicitly talked about Kashmiri blinded by General of India such an initiative after com- ing to power in its Lok Kalyan the Indian State. We on empowerment Sankalp Patra - 2017, the BJP Indians whose eyes are of women in UP manifesto released before the whole, this happens Assembly election. during the period Considering that the objec- because we choose not 2010-11 to 2014- tive behind the creation of to see. 15 can serve as a these squads is to make the valuable guide state safer for women, one would have expected the ini- S L HABIB tiative to attract widespread Representational Image support. However, that has not @irfhabib been the case. A few differ- ate. After all, Romeo is a highly increase in cases of kidnap- down cases of eve-teasing and tions against eve-teasers. ing voices, including the self- likeable character in the play ping and abduction of girls molestation? In the coming period, the Sad to hear about our proclaimed liberals, are up in with his idealism and passion and women during 2013-14 Given that these squads, government is expected to take iconic Regal cinema arms, claiming that the task overshadowing the traits of as compared to the previ- consisting of both male and some more steps in the inter- assigned to the anti-Romeo impatience and immaturity. ous year. Shockingly, 59% of female police personnel, est of women’s safety. These in CP closing down. squads amounts to moral That though is a minor issue. rape victims and 71% of the in uniform as well as plain- include setting up of three My first film here was policing. This viewpoint is What matters is the intent victims of kidnapping and clothes, operate with an ele- new women police battalions, a classic Sanjiv-Jaya rather difficult to under- behind the setting up of anti- abduction were minor girls. ment of surprise and swiftness, a special investigation section starrer Koshish in stand and seems to be a weak Romeo squads, which is zero The audit also found that cases the possibility of catching eve- consisting of women officers ground for opposing the ini- tolerance towards misdeeds of assault on women with teasers and stalkers is con- for dealing with cases of crime 1972. Nostalgic tiative, especially since UP has against women. intent to outrage her mod- siderably high. Besides, the against women, new fast track gained a reputation for being For those raising the issue esty increased from 2,989 in squads have already succeeded courts, three women police unsafe for women. Ideally, in of moral policing to oppose 2010-11 to 7,972 in 2014-15. in instilling a sense of fear in stations in every district and such a situation, any measure the creation of anti-Romeo A total of 35,527 cases were miscreants since their mem- deployment of more women ELON MUSK aimed at preventing crimes squads, the performance audit registered under crime against bers can turn up anytime, any- officers in police stations. @elonmusk against women should receive report of the Comptroller and women during 2015, accord- where, unannounced. Desperate times call for unconditional support from Auditor General of India on ing to the National Crime In the last few days, there desperate measures. When it all quarters. empowerment of women in Records Bureau. These figures have been a few cases where comes to the law and order Of course, there can be dif- UP during the period 2010-11 clearly show that conventional anti-Romeo squads, perhaps situation in UP, it can’t get Incredibly proud of ferences of opinion over the to 2014-15 can serve as a valu- policing methods had failed over-enthusiastically, mis- any more desperate. The need the SpaceX team for name assigned to these squads. able guide. to check the consistent rise takenly picked up innocent of the hour is to support the Some people may argue that Between 2010-11 and in crimes against women in people. In such situations, the government in its crackdown achieving this mile- linking the character of Romeo 2014-15, there was a 61% the state over the last several police personnel involved were on criminals, without being stone in space! Next from William Shakespeare’s increase in the incidence of years. promptly disciplined by the judgmental. famous play Romeo and Juliet crime against women, the So, what is the harm in government. In a bid to ensure (The opinions expressed goal is reflight within 24 to units set up for apprehend- performance audit reported. adopting an unconventional that such mistakes don’t occur in this article are the author’s hours. ing criminals with a perverse It also revealed that there was method of setting up anti- in the future, strict guidelines own and do not reflect the bent of mind is not appropri- a 43% rise in rape cases, 21% Romeo squads if it can bring have been laid down for opera- views of this newspaper.) 10 world mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 SpaceX conducts historic launch, landing with ‘used’ rocket WASHINGTON: US space ter in Florida. booster successfully landed orbital, ones. firm SpaceX made history About 10 minutes later, the SpaceX achieved a space upright on solid ground at SES has been known on Friday as it launched an first stage achieved a success- industry first in December Cape Canaveral, Florida, after to be “a strong supporter” already-used Falcon 9 rocket ful landing on the “Of Course 2015 when its Falcon 9 launching 11 small satellites of SpaceX’s approach to back into space for the first I Still Love You” droneship into orbit. reusability over the years. time and then landed its first that was stationed in the rocket booster successfully The feat has since been Back in 2013, it was the stage on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, Xinhua news landed upright on solid repeated both on land and at first company to launch a Atlantic Ocean. agency reported. ground at Cape Canaveral, sea, but SpaceX has yet to re- commercial satellite on a Fal- The two-stage rocket, “Falcon 9 first stage has Florida, after launching 11 fly one of its used rockets. con 9 rocket. carrying a communications landed on Of Course I Still SpaceX’s rival firm, Blue The satellite operator satellite into orbit for Luxem- Love You — world’s first small satellites into orbit Origin, owned by Amazon hailed the launch as “one bourg-based satellite operator reflight of an orbital class founder Jeff Bezos, success- step closer to rapid rocket SES, blasted off at 6:37 p.m. rocket,” the company tweeted. sion flew in a cargo resupply the US space agency NASA ellite will provide telecom- SpaceX achieved a space fully completed similar rocket reusability” and “one step EDT (4:07 a.m. Indian time) Previously, the first stage of mission to the International in April 2016. munications services to Latin industry first in December recovery tests, but all of its closer to faster, easier access from the Kennedy Space Cen- the rocket for the SES-10 mis- Space Station cargo for the Once in position, the sat- America. 2015 when its Falcon 9 rocket missions were suborbital, not to space.” AGENCIES At least 25 killed as EU: Brexit is blast rocks Pakistan Sturgeon writes to PM May, punishment PESHAWAR: At least 25 people were killed and 65 others injured enough for UK on Friday when a powerful car bomb ripped through a crowded market outside a Shiite imambargah in Pakistan’s restive north- LONDON: European Council west tribal region in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. demands independence vote President Donald Tusk has said The car bomb went off near the main gate of the imambar- the EU will not punish Brit- gah in the central bazar of Parachinar, Kurram Agency where a BRUSSELS/LONDON: Scot- ain, because Brexit is “punish- large number of people were shopping for fruits and vegetables. tish First Minister Nicola Stur- ‘In these very ment enough”, as he released a At least 25 people were killed and 65 others injured in the car geon wrote to Prime Minister changed set of draft guidelines on Fri- bomb blast, Geo TV reported. Theresa May on Friday for- day for the two-year Brexit The condition of the majority of those injured was stated to be mally demanding that she circumstances, negotiations. critical. Of those critically wounded, 27 were airlifted to Pesha- allow a second referendum to the people of Tusk spoke at a news con- war hospitals. Scores of vehicles were also damaged in the blast. be held on Scottish indepen- ference in Malta on Friday after An eyewitness told The Express Tribune that security person- dence ahead of the United Scotland must the guidelines were sent to the nel at the Imambargah were busy checking devotees at the central Kingdom’s exit from the Euro- have the right heads of the 27 remaining Imambargah’s entrance for women, when an unidentified per- pean Union. members of the EU, reported son parked a car next to the building which exploded. Jamaat- The results of the June to choose our the Independent. The draft ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed Brexit referendum called the own future - in guidelines appeared to offer a responsibility for the attack. Security forces cordoned off the area country’s future into question concession to Prime Minister while emergency services were dispatched to the site. because England and Wales short, to exercise Theresa May, suggesting that The administration has declared an emergency at all hospi- voted to leave the EU but Scot- our right of self talks on future trade arrange- tals in the area. An Army medical evacuation helicopter has also land and Northern Ireland ments could begin once “suf- been flown to Parachinar for evacuation of the injured, an Inter- voted to stay. determination’ ficient progress” was made on Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said. On Tuesday, Scotland’s the initial Brexit deal. Tusk Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the blast devolved parliament voted to Brexit were agreed and a future said that the EU will not seek and condemned the attack. “It is our responsibility to continue the hold a referendum on secession trade deal with the European to punish Britain in the initial war against terrorists,” he said. Sharif reiterated his government’s in 2018 or 2019, but the UK Union was struck, something stages of the talks. “We will not resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country at government in Westminster May envisages before March be punitive. Brexit itself is puni- all costs. “The network of terrorists has already been broken and must give its approval before 2019. tive enough,” he said. Maltese it is our national duty to continue this war until the complete any such poll can he held. “There appears to be no Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, annihilation of the scourge of terrorism from our soil,” he said. May has already said it is rational reason for you to who is the incumbent rotating The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities to extend not the right time for another stand in the way of the will of EU President, appeared along- all possible assistance to the local administration. Interior Minis- referendum, having only just the Scottish Parliament and side Tusk at the conference and ter Chaudhry Nisar ordered an inquiry into the blast. formally begun the complex I hope you will not do so,” said the Brexit negotiations will Pakistan has been rocked by a slew of terror attacks that have two-year divorce talks between Sturgeon said. A spokesman be tough but “it will not be a claimed scores of lives. Pakistan army also launched a nationwide the UK and its 27 EU partners. for May said the UK gov- war”. He warned both sides that military operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to eliminate terrorists and Scots rejected indepen- ernment would respond in citizens in Britain and other EU consolidate gains of its counter-terrorism operations. AGENCIES dence in a 2014 vote by 55 to 45 due course but ruled out dis- nations should not be used as percent, but Sturgeon says the would leave the UK outside the self determination,” she wrote. be legislated for by the Scottish cussions on a second seces- “bargaining chips”. situation has changed because European single market “I am therefore writing Parliament.” sion vote. “At this point, all Going into the 2-yr negotia- of Brexit. “In these very changed to begin early discussions Sturgeon said she agreed our focus should be on our tion period triggered by Article In her letter, Sturgeon said circumstances, the people of between our governments to with May that it would be negotiations with the EU, 50 of the Lisbon Treaty (official she wished May well in negotia- Scotland must have the right agree an Order under section wrong to hold a referendum making sure we get the right process to leave the EU), the tions with the EU, but added it to choose our own future - in 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 that immediately but that it should deal for the whole of the UK,” EU would think of the people seemed inevitable the outcome short, to exercise our right of would enable a referendum to take place after the terms of the spokesman said. AGENCIES first, Tusk said. AGENCIES ‘Notifica’ to alert WORLD BRIEFS people about TILLERSON ATTENDS FIRST immigration raids NATO MEETING BRUSSELS: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on by US authorities Friday attended his first NATO foreign ministers WASHINGTON: US President meeting in Brussels where he urged the alliance Donald Trump’s immigration to boost spending and increase its presence in the policy has sparked the creation Middle East. He arrived at the gathering of top of a new application to alert peo- diplomats for the one-day event that had originally ple about immigration raids by been scheduled for April 5, but was brought for- US authorities. The new mobile app, called ward to ensure Washington’s representative could Notifica, will allow undocu- attend. Tillerson said it was important to ensure that mented migrants to alert rela- the trans-Atlantic alliance “has all of the resources, tives, friends and attorneys if financial and otherwise, that are necessary for they become victims of immi- NATO to fulfil its mission”. Tillerson focused on the gration raids by Immigration topic of combating the Islamic State (IS) terror and Customs Enforcement. “There have always been group in the Middle East. The ministers gathered in deportations, but after Trump’s Brussels are due to decide on an agenda for the executive order signed during full NATO summit slated for May. his first few days in office, almost all undocumented migrants are SIKHS IN US ‘INTIMIDATED, targets for the federal govern- ment,” Efe news agency quoted HARASSED’ AT ALARMING RATE app creator Adrian Reyna. WASHINGTON: Sikhs in the US are reporting an Reyna added that he and increase in violent threats and harassment against others thought it would be a the community amid rising incidents of hate crimes good idea to provide the com- against Indian Americans in the country. Chairman munity with a tool of this kind. According to Reyna, who is of the Sikhs Political Action Committee (SikhsPAC), director of digital strategies for Gurinder Singh Khalsa, said so far there have been the pro-immigrant organisa- two death threats and two reports of vandalism tion ‘United We Dream’, the sys- against Sikhs in the state of Indiana, TheIndyChannel. tem, which will be available for com, an ABC Television Network affiliate, reported iOS and Android starting April on Thursday. One incident included a direct threat 10, will allow users to select a series of telephone contacts to against a Sikh from a man carrying a handgun in be notified immediately if they Fishers city, according to the report. “Somebody are detained. showed him the gun and asked him: ‘Who are you? Using Notifica, one can What country do you belong to?’” Khalsa said there select several contacts at the have been other incidents too where Sikhs were same time, with different per- threatened. Sikh-American physician Amandeep sonalised and predetermined messages, thus sending dif- Singh said he was directly threatened last week with ferent messages to — for a text message and doesn’t understand why this is instance — one’s relatives, one’s happening to Sikhs around the nation. Singh said he attorney, the boss or the chil- felt a range of emotions after the threats, including dren’s school principal. fear for his family and his patients. All the messages will be sent simultaneously with the touch CHINA CONFIRMS RETURN OF KIM of a button and will be erased once they are opened, using a JONG-NAM’S BODY technology similar to that of the BEIJING: China on Friday confirmed that the body well-known app Snapchat. of Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of the North Korean Reyna stressed on the need leader, was flown back to Pyongyang from Kuala of the app among undoc- Lumpur via Beijing on Friday, following authorisa- umented families to make emergency plans before being tion from Malaysia. “The body of the North Ko- deported, especially if there are rean citizen killed in Malaysia has returned today children involved. (Friday) via Beijing,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Although the technology spokesperson Lu Kang at a press conference, without will not stop deportations, it explicitly mentioning the name of Kim Jong-nam, the will help families who become older brother of Kim Jong-un. Lu added that two targets of the authorities to know when to execute their other North Korean citizens — suspected by Malay- pre-arranged plan for such an sia of involvement in Kim Jong-nam’s killing — also eventuality, said Reyna, who is flew from the Malaysian capital to Pyongyang, but the undocumented Mexican did not disclose details of their identity, Efe son of parents who also have news reported. no papers. AGENCIES world 11 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp Indonesia: Muslim protesters march Global warming may explain Arctic’s green ice against Jakarta’s BOSTON: Thinning sea ice — a food for indigenous communities result of global warming — is caus- living in the Arctic. Phytoplankton Over the past decades, Christian governor ing microscopic plant life to exten- should not be able to grow under Arctic ice has gotten sively bloom at the North Pole, the ice because ice reflects most sun- JAKARTA: Undeterred by the potentially disrupting the marine light light back into space, blocking darker and thinner arrest of hard-line protest leaders, food chain, according to scientists it from reaching the water below. due to warming thousands of Muslims marched who claim to have solved the Arc- However, over the past decades, in Indonesia’s capital on Friday, tic’s green ice mystery. Arctic ice has gotten darker and temperatures, allowing calling for the jailing of the city’s In 2011, researchers observed thinner due to warming temper- more and more minority Christian governor. Fol- something that should be impos- atures, allowing more and more lowing Friday prayers, the protest- sible — a massive bloom of phy- sunlight to penetrate to the water sunlight to penetrate ers marched from Istiqlal Mosque toplankton growing under Arctic beneath. Large, dark pools of water to the water beneath. in central Jakarta to the nearby sea ice in conditions that should on the surface of the ice, known as Large, dark pools of presidential palace, which was have been far too dark for anything melt ponds, have increased, lower- under heavy police guard. requiring photosynthesis to survive. ing the reflectivity of the ice. The ice water on the surface of Protests against Governor Using mathematical modelling, that remains frozen is thin and get- the ice, known as melt Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama researchers from the Harvard John ting thinner. have snowballed since Septem- A Paulson School of Engineering “Our big question was, how ponds, have increased, ber when he was accused of and Applied Sciences (SEAS) found much sunlight gets transmitted lowering the reflectivity blaspheming the Quran and sub- that thinning Arctic sea ice may be through the sea ice, both as a func- sequently charged. His trial is still responsible for frequent and exten- tion of thickness, which has been of the ice. The ice that underway. sive phytoplankton blooms, poten- decreasing, and the melt pond per- remains frozen is thin The turnout for Friday’s pro- tially causing significant disruption centage, which has been increasing,” and getting thinner test was small compared with in the Arctic food chain. Phyto- said Chris Horvat, graduate student the hundreds of thousands who plankton underpins the entire Arc- at SEAS. answered the call of hard-line tic food web. Every summer, when “What we found was that we The team’s mathematical model- tic sea ice was thin enough to allow “The metre decline in sea ice thick- different. The foundation of the Arc- Islamic groups to flood central the sea ice retreats, sunlight hitting went from a state where there wasn’t ling found that while the melt ponds large colonies of plankton to bloom ness in the Arctic in the past 30 years tic food web is now growing at a dif- Jakarta for demonstrations in the open water triggers a massive any potential for plankton blooms to contribute to conditions friendly underneath. Today, the researchers has dramatically changed the ecol- ferent time and in places that are less November, December and Feb- bloom of plankton. massive regions of the Arctic being to blooms, the biggest culprit is ice found that nearly 30 per cent of the ogy in that area,” said Horvat. accessible to animals that need oxy- ruary. Jakarta police’s director These plumes attract fish, which susceptible to these types of growth,” thickness. Twenty years ago, only ice-covered Arctic Ocean permits “All of a sudden, our entire idea gen,” he said. AGENCIES of traffic Ermayudi Sumarsono attract larger predators and provides said Horvat. about three to four per cent of Arc- sub-ice blooms in summer months. about how this ecosystem works is estimated the crowd at 13,000 to 15,000. Police estimates are often conservative. Chinese aerospace giant to Earlier on Friday, police said they had arrested Muhammad launch 156 mini-satellites Explosions rock Bangladeshi Al Khaththath, the leader of the Muslim Peoples Forum umbrella BEIJING: A Chinese aerospace giant on Friday an- group, and several other activists for suspected treason. nounced plans for a network of 156 mini-satellites neighbourhood amid army siege “We are not cowed by the to facilitate global broadband coverage. This is the arrest of our leaders,” said a pro- first low orbiting networked satellite project, which DHAKA: Explosions and gun- Earlier on Friday, Bangla- JMB was behind the July 1 ter- tester who identified himself as will orbit 1,000 km above the ground, developed by fire on Friday rocked a Ban- desh police launched an assault Police launched ‘Operation Hit Back’ to ror attack on a Dhaka cafe that Wahyudi. “We’ll keep fighting China amid its wider push for commercial space gladeshi neighbourbhood as on a militant den. flush out militants from their hideouts killed 22 people, including 17 for the dignity of Islam. There’s the army attempted to flush “Our SWAT (Special Weap- foreigners. no room for kafir to lead in this development, the China Aerospace Science and out terrorists from their hide- ons and Tactics) team started after they failed to convince them Thursday’s operation was nation.” The blasphemy case, slurs Industry Corporation (CASIC) said. “The network outs in a northeastern city, operations at their (second) to surrender. The militants in the launched two days after the against Ahok’s Chinese ethnicity is a general satellite platform,” said a CASIC engi- a day after a family of eight hideout,” a police officer in hideout that was targeted on Thursday chief of neo-JMB was killed and the ease with which hard- neer, who added that add-ons and upgrades were committed suicide by blowing Moulvibazar said. Explosions along with three terrorists in liners attracted huge numbers being explored. Small satellites are easy to mass themselves up when security and gunfire rocked the neigh- belonged to Neo-Jamaatul Mujahideen ‘Operation Twilight’ in Sylhet. of people to protest have under- personnel stormed their den. bourhood, witnesses said. Bangladesh inclined to IS IS has claimed several mined Indonesia’s reputation for produce and upgrade at low cost. AGENCIES Police, however, have put The police this week attacks in Bangladesh, but practicing a moderate form of off raids on militant hideouts launched ‘Operation Hit Back’ the government rejects the Islam and shaken the secular gov- at Kotbari in Comilla, and to flush out militants from Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo- were there when the militants presence of foreign terrorist ernment as well as mainstream Barahat in Moulvibazar until their hideouts after they failed JMB), inclined to Islamic State. exploded a powerful device as groups in the moderate Mus- Muslim groups. tomorrow due to low visibility to convince them to surrender. “The suicide explosion we laid the siege to the den,” lim-majority country, blam- Blasphemy is a criminal Finland willing to host amid reports that four mili- The militants in the hide- blew up all who were inside the Monirul Islam, the chief of ing home-grown groups offense in Indonesia, punishable tants have committed suicide out that was targeted on Thurs- hideout...We assume seven to police’s counter terrorism unit, such as the neo-JMB for by up to five years in prison. inside their hideout. day belonged to Neo-Jamaatul eight including minor children had said on Thursday. The neo- terrorist attacks. AGENCIES Ahok will compete in a runoff Trump-Putin meeting election for governor next week against a former cabinet minis- HELSINKI: Finland President ter backed by conservative Mus- Sauli Niinisto on Thursday ‘Putin repeated Vogue cover model kills South Korea’s Park arrested lim clerics. He was popular with toned down media specula- his willingness to Jakarta’s middle class because of tion about a possible meeting his drive to eliminate corruption between Russian and US lead- meet US President herself in B’desh hostel over corruption allegations and his efforts to make the over- ers in Helsinki. in Finland. But flowing polluted city more liv- In an internationally tele- Vogue model has been Mahmuda Begum, super- SEOUL: Former South nine hours, the longest-ever Blue House after her father able. But demolitions of some of vised panel discussion at the the US and Russia found dead in a room intendent of the female hos- Korean President Park Geun- in the country’s history. Park Park Chung-hee, who had the slum neighborhoods that are 4th International Arctic Forum must both be ofA a hostel dormitory in tel, said Athif “always looked hye was arrested early on Fri- had waited overnight for the ruled the country for 18 years, home to millions and ill-consid- (IAF) in Northern Russia, Rus- keen to come to Bangladesh. happy” and “it is hard to believe day raising a possibility for court’s decision in the Seoul was assassinated in 1979 by ered outspokenness proved to be sian President Vladimir Putin Police recovered the body she would commit suicide”. her to serve jail term over cor- Central District Prosecutors’ one of his closest aides. She his Achilles’ heel. AGENCIES had repeated his willingness Helsinki, and the of Raudha Athif, a 21-yr-old Athif posted regularly on ruption allegations, a media Office, a building next to the re-entered the office in early to meet US President Donald meeting must medical student from the Mal- her Instagram, sharing profes- report said. Seoul court. The 65-year- 2013 after being elected the Trump in Finland. dives, at noon on Wednesday sional photos and sketches of A judge in the Seoul Cen- old was seen flanked by two first female President of the Niinisto said a would-be have substance and her death is being treated herself with 31 thousand fol- tral District Court said in a female investigators inside country, but she failed to fulfil meeting had been discussed associated as a suicide. lowers. The student saw mod- statement that Park’s major a black sedan, TV footage her five-year term and left the already a year ago when he with the arctic An hour earlier some of her elling as a hobby rather than criminal allegations could showed, when she was moved office in disgrace. The Consti- met Putin, but the plan had classmates living in the same a career and ultimately pri- be justified and concerns to a detention centre at 4.45 tutional Court removed Park not progressed since, Xinhua development’ building discovered Athif. oritised her desire to become remained over a possibility of a.m. outside Seoul, about 15 from office in a historic ruling news agency reported. Niinisto “We primarily suspect it a doctor over the fashion her destroying evidence, Xin- km away from the prosecu- on March 10, making Park the reaffirmed that Finland is will- is a suicide case. However, we industry. hua news agency reported. tion office. Park supporters country’s first President to be ing to stage a meeting during to Helsinki, and the meeting can’t come to any conclusion “Modelling is a hobby The arrest warrant for thronged around the centre ousted by impeachment. the Finnish chairmanship of must have substance associ- until we get the autopsy report,” rather than a career for me, Park, which was sought by as if they expected the arrest After a check-up, Park the Arctic Council beginning ated with the arctic develop- said Zillur Rahman, officer- since I’m studying to become prosecutors earlier this week, of the former leader, who had was supposed to change in May. ment,” Niinisto said. Putin in-charge of Shah Makhdum a doctor,” she told Vogue India was issued by the court, fol- been viewed as a political icon into prison garb and be “But the US and Russia had described Finland as “a Police Station, to India’s The when they photographed her lowing the Thursday hear- among conservative voters. sent to a solitary cell in the must both be keen to come good neighbour.” AGENCIES Daily Star. last year. AGENCIES ing that had lasted for nearly Park left the presidential detention centre. AGENCIES

millenniumpost.in Facebook launches US Senate lets states millenniumpo NO H ALFst TR U THS defund ‘abortion’ clinics CHANGE OF NAME WASHINGTON: US Senate Republicans, aided by Vice Presi- I, Vinod Kumar Arora S/o new tool to raise funds dent Mike Pence, voted to undo a rule preventing states from Shri Chand Kiran Arora blocking funding for family planning clinics that also provide R/o 1/4676 Street No.- abortions, a media report said. 4 Balbir Nagar Extention, Thursday’s vote was one of a string of showdowns to reverse Shahdara Delhi-110032 for funeral expenses Obama’s administration regulations, but this one unfolded with hereby inform that my all the drama of numerous past conflicts over abortion funding name is Vinod Kumar Arora SAN FRANCISCO: Social — with Pence casting the tie-breaking vote in his role as Presi- but in passport its wrongly networking giant Facebook dent of the Senate, the New York Times reported. “The Congress is mentioned Vinod Kumar has unveiled a new tool that sending a resolution to President (Donald) Trump ensuring that instead of Vinod Kumar will help people raise funds states are not forced to fund America’s abortion giant, Planned Arora, I am declaring that for personal needs like tuition, Parenthood,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of a promi- my name Vinod Kumar medical treatment, pet care, nent anti-abortion group. Taking money away from Planned personal emergency and even Parenthood, the bill’s target, has been a longstanding goal of Arora will be considered for burial expenses. congressional Republicans. AGENCIES in passport and in other Personal fundraisers allow future related issues. people to raise money for themselves, a friend or some- one or something not on Face- book, like a pet. “Personal fundraisers will launch in the US for people aged 18 years or older, and in beta over the next few weeks, as we hope to continue to learn and improve the product to make it even more useful,” Naomi Gleit, Vice President, Social Good at Facebook wrote in a post late on Thursday. “Our charitable giving tools have made it easy for people to ‘Our charitable giving tools have made raise millions of dollars for non profits to support those in need it easy for people to raise millions of directly on Facebook. Today dollars for non profits to support those (Thursday) we are expanding those tools to include personal in need directly on Facebook’ fundraisers, as well as more options for people to continue cation such as tuition, books ters, personal emergency such to fundraise for nonprofits,” or classroom supplies; med- as a house fire, theft or car acci- she added. Personal fundrais- ical such as medical proce- dent and funeral and loss such ers will have a 6.9 per cent + dures, treatments or injuries as burial expenses or living $.30 fee that will go to payment and pet medical such as veteri- costs after losing a loved one. processing fees, fundraiser vet- nary procedures, treatments or Friends can donate ting, security and fraud protec- injuries. They can also solicit in a few taps with secure tion. People can raise money funds for crisis relief such as payments, without leaving to cover costs related to edu- public crises or natural disas- Facebook. AGENCIES 12 business mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 RBI need not print From today, quoting Aadhaar No. all of extinguished mandatory while filing I-T returns currency: SBI study

NEW DELHI: The Reserve Disclosing bank deposits of over `2 lakh post-demonetisation is also a must in new ITR form Bank need not print the entire amount of extinguished cur- NEW DELHI: The govern- bank accounts in the 50-day renumbered as ITR-3 and rency but only Rs 1.15 trillion ment on Friday notified a sim- post demonetisation window. ITR-4 (Sugam) respectively. more from March 24 levels, pler, one-page form for filing ITR 2 and ITR 3 have a There will be no change which will in turn bring down income tax returns while mak- Schedule AL requiring assess- in the manner of filing of ITR the cost of printing in the range ing it mandatory to quote Aad- ees to declare their assets and Forms and all the returns are to of Rs 500-1,000 crore, says a haar number and disclose bank liabilities at the end of the fiscal. be filed electronically. report. deposits of more than Rs 2 lakh Only 6 crore out of 29 However, where return is According to SBI’s research post demonetisation. crore persons having PAN file furnished in ITR-1 (Sahaj) or report Ecowrap, already there The Income Tax Return income tax returns at present. ITR-4 (Sugam), an individual was excess cash floating in the Form-1 (Sahaj) will replace the The e-filing facility for of the age of 80 years or more, system before demonetisation 7-page form, removing a pleth- ITR-1 is enabled from April an individual or HUF whose and secondly, the push for dig- ora of columns on deductions 1 and ITRs can be filed till the income does not exceed Rs 5 ital transactions has shifted a from income claimed. stipulated deadline of July 31. lakh and who has not claimed sizeable population towards Sahaj can be filed by an While the old ITR form too any refund in the return of less cash usage. in financial transactions, it said. individual having income of had column to quote Aadhaar, income, have an option to file “Taking these into account, The process of demone- up to Rs 50 lakh from salary, the government has through an return in paper form. we believe RBI should only tisation has opened up huge house property and interest. amendment to the Income Tax At the time of filing the print Rs 1.15 trillion more potential for digital channels. Currently, SAHAJ (ITR 1) is Act this week made quoting it form, the taxpayer has to fill in from March 24 levels,” the PoS machines, m-wallets and filed by salaried employees and mandatory. PAN, Aadhaar number, per- report said, adding that around mobile banking are the major ITR 2 by individuals and HUFs “The Central Board of sonal information and infor- Rs 1.17 trillion worth of notes available channels for digital whose income does not include Direct Taxes has notified mation on taxes paid. TDS will need not be printed and this transactions. income from business. Income- tax Return Forms be auto-filled in the form. will bring down cost of print- The recent data on digital The government has done (ITR Forms) for the Assess- income from salary or pension, in excess of Rs 2 lakh during only four deductions claims in Post July 1, as per amend- ing in the range of Rs 500-1,000 payments published by RBI away with form ITR 2A (used ment Year 2017-18. one house property and other November 9 to December 30, respect of Section 80C, 80D, ments to the Finance Bill 2017 crore. indicates sharp growth in digi- by individuals & HUFs not One of the major reforms sources like interest. Thereaf- 2016 has to be mentioned. 80G and 80TTA need to be as passed by the Lok Sabha, it Going by the average pace tal payments, but this needs to having income from business made in the notified ITR Forms ter, deduction claims are to be The rationalised ITR will filled. “Simultaneously, the would become mandatory for of printing, the remonetisation grow even more. or profession and capital gains is the designing of a one page stated, followed by computa- “reduce the compliance bur- number of ITR Forms have an assessee to provide the Aad- process could be completed in “The current size of digital and by those who do not hold simplified ITR Form-1 (Sahaj),” tion of taxable income. den to a significant extent on been reduced from the exist- haar number or the number the first fortnight of April, it banking is around Rs 2.3 lakh foreign assets). CBDT said in a statement. Bank details are to be filled the individual tax payer,” the ing nine to seven forms. The showing that he has applied for noted. crore. This size has to increase Sahaj makes quoting of In the new form, parts in the column following that. CBDT said, adding that the existing ITR Forms ITR-2, ITR- Aadhaar in the ITR. The report said there was from the current level to at 12-digit biometric identifier relating to tax computation Details of advance tax, self- move would benefit more than 2A and ITR-3 have been ration- Also ITR 4 (filed by Indi- excess cash floating in the sys- least Rs 3.5 lakh crore (which Aadhaar number mandatory and deductions have been assessment tax payments and two crore tax-payers who will alised and a single ITR-2 has viduals & HUFs having income tem before demonetisation is a conservative estimate of along with Permanent Account rationalised and simplified for tax deducted at source come be eligible to file their return of been notified in place of these from a proprietary business or took place. Even by a conserva- the gap between the actual Number (PAN) and also seeks easy compliance. Besides per- next. income in this simplified Form. three forms,” it said. profession) will now be known tive estimate, there was a min- currency in circulation and details of cash in excess of Rs sonal details, an income tax In the column for provid- Instead of 20 columns of Consequently, ITR-4 and as ‘Sugam’ and ITR-4S will be imum of Rs 2.5 trillion excess required currency in circula- 2 lakh that was deposited in filer needs to disclose only his ing bank details, cash deposited deductions in the old form, ITR-4S (Sugam) have been substituted. PTI cash before November 8, 2016 tion),” it noted. PTI Investors’ wealth B’luru now has 1 of top 3 Shell R&D hubs Feb core sector growth slips up by `27 lakh cr BENGALURU: Shell on Fri- ing to find new solution to fulfil in FY17 as stock day inaugurated its technology the energy needs of the country from 9.4% to one-yr low 1% centre here that can house up to and the world,” Shell’s Projects prices zoom 17% 1,500 experts, who will collab- & Technology Director Harry NEW DELHI: The growth of eight core sectors Performance of The Index of eight core industries increased oratively work on worldwide Brekelmans said. slipped to an over-one-year low of 1 per cent by 1.0% in Feb 2017 compared to a 9.4% NEW DELHI: Investors’ Core growth in Feb 2016. During Apr-Feb 2016-17, innovative energy projects. Sada Iyer, Vice President, in February mainly due to decline in output of the index registered a growth of 4.4% as wealth soared Rs 26.79 lakh The 52 acre “custom built” Engineering, said the centre crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertil- Industries against a 3.5% growth during same period crore during 2016-17 fiscal of the previous fiscal technology centre is one of the brings together R&D staff who isers and cement. Growth rate in per cent Base: 2004-05=100 helped by robust foreign fund three main technology hubs previously worked at separate The growth rate of eight infrastructure sec- Coal Crude Natural Refinery inflow and impressive stock in Shell’s global network of locations in Bengaluru, and tors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery prod- Oil Gas Products market sentiment where the

Research & Development cen- provides additional space for ucts, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity was 10.9 benchmark Sensex surged

7.1

5.9

4.7

3.7

3.3

2.8

1.2 tres, with the other two located high-tech innovation and dem- 9.4 per cent in February 2016. 0.7 nearly 17 per cent. in the Netherlands and USA, onstration facilities. The previous low of 0.9 per cent was recorded The Sensex ended 2016-

-1.7

-1.0

-1.9

-2.3

-2.8

-3.4 company officials said. “By housing all R&D staff in December 2015. In January 2017, these sec- -3.6 17 fiscal with a gain of 16.88 The centre, inaugurated by in one centre, the technology tors grew by 3.4 per cent. Fertilizers Steel Cement Electricity per cent or 4,278.64 points to Minister of State for Petroleum hub will create new opportuni- The core sectors, which contribute 38 per 29,620.50, making investors

11.6

9.1

8.7

7.5

18.3 and Natural Gas Dharmendra ties for multi-disciplinary col- cent to the total industrial production, expanded 6.1 richer by Rs 26.79 lakh crore.

5.0

4.2

15.8

13.5

2.1 Pradhan, houses technical laboration, and drive relevant 4.4 per cent in April-February this fiscal, com- 1.5 The surge in investors’

-0.7 experts, laboratories and tech- and affordable innovations for pared to the 3.5-per cent growth in the same -0.8 wealth was in contrast with

-5.3 nology demonstration units. India and the world,” he said. period the previous financial year, according to -15.8 fall of nearly Rs 7 lakh crore Feb 2016 Apr-Feb 2015-16 Ambassador of Nether- Company officials said Shell the data released by the commerce and industry Feb 2017 Apr-Feb 2016-17 during the 2015-16 fiscal. Dur- lands to India Alphonsus Stoe- in Bengaluru has about 2,500 ministry on Friday. ing 2016-17 fiscal, the 30-share linga and Karnataka Industries people, combining the strength Commenting on the data, rating agency The output of crude oil, natural gas, refinery index touched a 52-week high Minister R V Deshpande were at its IT centre and the new ICRA said: “We expect the IIP to post a sub- products, fertilisers and cement contracted by of 29,824.62 on March 17 this also present. The technology technology centre. dued volume growth in February 2017.” 3.4 per cent, 1.7 per cent, 2.3 per cent, 5.3 per year and a one-year low of centre would function as the Prasad said there is tremen- However, coal and steel recorded a positive cent and 15.8 per cent respectively during the 24,523.20 on April 11. Asia technology hub for the dous expansion in the number growth during the month. month under review. PTI Led by the strong show in Shell group, Shell Compa- of jobs coming to the country the market, the total market nies in India Chairman Nitin from Shell and within almost a capitalisation of BSE-listed Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas (independent Charge) Prasad told reporters here. Dharmendra Pradhan, Shell Project & Technology Director Harry year, Shell India would be the Natural gas price cut slightly to $2.48 per mmBtu companies rose by Rs 26.79 Pointing out that Shell has Brekelmans and Shell Companies in India Chairman Nitin Prasad third largest employer in the lakh crore to Rs 1,21,54,525 been consistently committed to during the inauguration of the Shell Technology Centre in entire group. NEW DELHI: Natural gas price was on Friday cut marginally to $2.48 per crore, its all-time high. Market India, he said “the leadership Bengaluru on Friday PTI Stating that Shell India valuation of BSE firms stood chose our location, our coun- aims to be roughly over a 7,000 million British thermal unit, the fifth reduction in two years. Rate of natural at Rs 94.75 lakh crore in 2015- try because they believe that specific expertise in fields like estry, agricultural and munici- manned organisation by end of gas produced from the existing fields of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas 16 fiscal. the next decade is the decade liquefied natural gas, subsur- pal waste into transportation the year, he said “we will take Corp (ONGC) and Reliance Industries has been cut to $2.48 per mmBtu for The benchmark index of India. Our hope is that from face modelling, data analysis, fuels, with a new demonstra- about 3,000 in Chennai, we a 6-month period from April 1, from $2.5 per mmBtu currently. As per the today ended the last day of the this point we will also continue engineering design, bitumen, tion plant being built at the site, will run about 3,000 in our IT current fiscal on a flat note at to generate the next generation distillation, water technology they said. centre (Bengaluru) by the end new gas-pricing formula approved by the NDA government in October 2014, 29,620.50, down 26.92 points. of technology, the next genera- and enhanced computational “The level of innovation of the year, we will run about gas prices are to be revised every six months. The reduction in prices would A large number of success- tion of services and products.” research. that we have seen here, the 1,000 here (new technology mean lower raw material cost for CNG and natural gas piped to households ful IPOs also ensured that the Shell officials said the cen- It is also helping pioneer quality of the talent that we centre) and about 500 or odd (PNG) and would translate into reduction in retail prices. PTI total investor wealth, measured tre is home to a wide spectrum efforts - using its IH2 (waste to have....it is really fantastic, and spread all across.... that’s the in terms of cumulative valua- of technical disciplines and has fuel) technology - to turn for- joining this together we are try- rough numbers.” PTI tion of all listed shares, rise. PTI In 5 years, basic Foreign rating agencies cheat in Centre to request states to pack phone lines evaluating India, hints CEA dip to 25.22 mn paddy, vegetables in jute bags from 32.17 mn CHENNAI: Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramaniam NEW DELHI: The number on Friday flayed foreign credit NEW DELHI: The Centre will request technology, in better life capacity of roads of landline telephone connec- rating agencies for adopting state governments like West Bengal to when used in their contruction and also tions in the country has shrunk inconsistent standards while package paddy and vegetables in jute bags in containing landslides, apart from curb- over the last five years, stand- evaluating the country, saying as it explores avenues to generate addi- ing pollution. ing at about 25.22 million in that BRICS countries are look- tional demand for jute, Textiles Minister Irani observed that diversification in 2016 against 32.17 million in ing to set up an independent Smriti Irani said on Friday. conjunction with technology was pos- 2012, Parliament was informed rating agency to overcome it. Admitting that the biggest challenge sible in the jute sector and supported by today. Stating that foreign credit for diversification of jute was that many the government but the foundation has to Further, the state-owned rating agencies regularly meet farmers do not have access to certified be strengthened through better farming telecom operators like BSNL him and evaluate the risks seeds, Irani said, to promote its cultiva- practices. She said that farm income goes and MTNL -- which account in the country, he said, “last tion, it has been decided that Krishi Vigyan up with inter cropping and new technolo- for bulk of the fixed line con- time when they (credit ratings Kendras will reach out to farmers and tell gies being inserted. nections -- are making all-out agency) came was in Septem- them about the viability of better farming She mentioned that out of 97 compos- efforts and “regularly” rolling ber 2016 and they said they will practices. “We have seen that Bangladesh ite mills in the country, 88 were in the pri- out attractive schemes to pop- not upgrade rating of India”. has had a higher export (of jute) because vate sector. ularise landline phones in the “You know I might have they have ensured that more of their farm- Irani also said that a Memorandum of country. written scathing OP-ED pages ers are encompassed within the certified Understanding has been signed with the The landline connections after they left. But as a govern- seeds process. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad stood at 24.34 million as on ment official I have to be more Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramaniam “We recently held a meeting with the Textiles Minister Smriti to help the jute industry through design January 31, 2017. responsible. Instead what we Agriculture Minister and invited all the intervention and improve the quality of “MTNL regularly promotes did in the Economic Survey notches below China”, he said. lesser taxes compared to the jute producing states to implore that they Irani pointed out that a their products. landline and broadband ser- was to show how the inconsis- “We call this as poor stan- potential they can. in conjunction with the National Seed Cor- diversified jute product Observing that traditionally the jute vices through print, advertis- tency in some of the standards dards. This is a kind of incon- “The more a city collects poration have more jute farmers using cer- mills are dependent on the packaging ing, FM channels, outdoors employed by the rating agen- sistent evaluation (by ratings property taxes, the better ser- tified seeds. We are hopeful that the states known as geo-textiles orders they get from the Centre and states, and digital media and regu- cies are”, he said. agencies”, he said. To avoid such vices they can provide. It is will comply with that request,” Irani said in is emerging and has she said the Centre was writing to state larly gives attractive tariffs and Subramaniam made these inconsistent standards, the five- unambiguously true. But cities the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour. governments, especially like West Ben- offers to customers,” Commu- comments while delivering a nation group of BRICS coun- like Jaipur collect just three to West Bengal alone produces 78 per cent a huge role to play gal, requesting them to pack paddy and nications Minister Manoj Sinha lecture on ‘Economic Survey tries had decided to set up an five per cent of the potential. of the jute produced in India. in terms of industry rice in jute, which will generate additional said in a written reply in the 2016-17; How India Surprises’ “independent ratings” agency. Bengaluru collects only 10 per “We have continuously engaged with diversification prospects demand of 80,000 metric tonnes. Rajya Sabha. at IIT Madras here. The agency would be based cent as property taxes”, he said. states which are jute producing and have She said the Centre has also requested BSNL too has introduced “If (economic) growth on market-oriented principles, “Even Chennai, I am sure it a huge infrastructure like jute mill com- states to package potatoes and other veg- schemes like ‘Sunday free comes down, risks increase.If and further strengthen the will be collecting about 7-8 per ponent to ensure that they strengthen the emerging and has a huge role to play in etables in jute hessian bags which will gen- calling’ and ‘free night call- there are too much borrowings global governance architecture. cent of property taxes than the industry there, which includes strengthen- terms of industry diversification prospects. erate 40,000 metric tonnes of demand. ing’ to popularise its landline in the country, risks increase. Referring to property tax potential it has. But with the ing the working conditions of the people in She said it would be helpful in the con- For every acre of jute crop, about 6 met- connections. Despite India’s growth going collection in India, he said cit- use of technology, cities can the organised sector,” Irani said. text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ric tonnes of carbon dioxide is absorbed The landline connections up compared to China, the rat- ies like Bengaluru, Chennai, estimate and collect property The Minister pointed out that a diver- call for Smart Cities, as she elaborated on and 4.4 metric tonnes of oxygen is released have fallen 21.6 per cent in the ings agencies have put us seven Jaipur have been collecting taxes better”, he said. PTI sified jute product known as geotextiles is the diversified uses of jute like in building into the atmospehere, she added. PTI last five years. PTI business 13 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp ASCI asks Airtel to modify or 78 cos vanish after raising `356 crore; 17 in Gujarat NEW DELHI: As many as 78 companies are withdraw ‘fastest network’ ad untraceable after raising Rs 356 crore from inves- tors, with Gujarat having the maximum number NEW DELHI: Advertising rable across operators, geog- of 17 such firms, Parliament was informed today. watchdog ASCI has found Bharti Airtel has raphies and consumers,” ASCI These entities are from Andhra Pradesh Bharti Airtel’s advertisement observed. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, claiming it to be “officially” come out with a The ASCI committee West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, fastest network misleading and TVC claiming to referred to the TRAI website among others. has asked the telco to modify or be India’s fastest with respect to the coverage of Vanishing companies are those that fail to withdraw the commercial by Airtel vis-a-vis Reliance Jio and file documents and balance sheets after raising April 11. Bharti Airtel, how- network based on noticed that there is a signifi- funds through public issues and are untraceable. ever, has contested the findings. Ookla’s finding. cant gap between geographi- Cumulatively, these 78 vanishing compa- Upholding the complaint cal dispersion of Airtel and Jio nies have raised about Rs 356.68 crore. Gujarat, filed by rival Reliance Jio Info- Rival Reliance 4G subscribers which could at 17, has the maximum number of such firms, com, the Advertising Standards Jio contested the impact the comparison. followed by Andhra Pradesh (15). Council of India (ASCI) said “Based on this data, the Besides, Tamil Nadu have 9 vanishing firms, that TVC was “misleading” and claim and moved FTCC concluded that the claim Maharashtra (8), West Bengal and New Delhi (5 “contravened Chapters” of its the ad watchdog was not adequately substanti- each), Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Code as well as guidelines on against the ated and the basis of compari- (4 each), Karnataka (2), and Punjab and Odi- disclaimers clauses. son has been so chosen as to sha (1 each). Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram “We have advised the adver- commercial bestow artificial advantage to A total of 238 companies were initially identi- Meghwal tiser to modify appropriately or DUBIOUS CLAIM: Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal the advertiser,” it said. fied by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as van- to withdraw the said TVC and ASCI said that “the claim ishing companies, which raised money through ing growth of Indian corporate sector. the website advertisement by supporting facts with ASCI fully stands behind the accu- 2017 to date, Airtel is still the by the advertiser is not specific public issues, Minister of State for Corporate Besides, number of such companies stood at April 11, 2017,” ASCI said in and strongly believe that our racy and reliability of the meth- clear leader. It is worth not- to 4G technology whereas the Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written 10.22 lakh and 9.52 lakh in 2014-16 and 2013- its order. Rejecting the findings campaign is compliant with all odology used to designate ing that after correcting for the TVC has visuals with reference reply to the Lok Sabha. Of these, 160 companies 14, respectively. of the Fast Track Complaints guidelines. We will be happy Airtel as ‘India’s Fastest Mobile Android limitation, Airtel’s to 4G. The speed comparison have been deleted from the list as they were sub- “The impact of corporate growth on employ- Committee (FTCC) of ASCI, to provide more details, if N e t w o r k’. lead over Jio increases for all visual also has a reference to sequently traced. Presently, only 78 companies ment scenario in the country has not been Bharti Airtel said it would file required, and hope ASCI will The ASCI committee aforementioned date ranges,” 4G in the notification bar and remain untraced, he added. assessed,” Meghwal said. an appeal against it. reconsider its decision,” the observed that “the TVC does Ookla said. shows poor signal strength for To a question on status about DCM Finance, He further said that ministry has taken a “We do not agree with country’s largest telecom firm not state in the claim itself that The ad regulator also ques- the other service provider.” Nova Pumech, Alps BPO Service, Birmingham number of measures to promote growth of cor- ASCI’s decision and will file an said. Bharti Airtel has come out the speed results pertain to tioned the test methodology “The FTCC considered this Thermotech, Kolar Biotech, Mini Software, Pad- porate sector and improve ease of doing busi- appeal as per guidelines,” Bharti with TVC claiming to be India’s only a specific period which of Ookla. representation to be misleading mini Technologies, Punsumi India, Sunstar ness in the country. Airtel said in a statement. fastest network based on Ook- was July-December 2016. “While the advertiser sub- by ambiguity and implication,” Software, Vatsa Corporation, the minister said These include doing away with the payment “Our campaign is based la’s finding. Rival Reliance Jio Besides awarding Airtel as mitted an Ookla certificate, it added. these companies were not identified as vanish- of minimum paid up capital at the time of incor- on findings by Ookla - the contested the claim and moved the fastest for third and the they did not provide an explicit ASCI has granted a per- ing companies. poration as well as declaration of commence- globally recognised leader in the ad regulator against the fourth quarter of 2016, Ookla test methodology to substanti- sonal hearing to Reliance Jio- In a separate query, Meghwal said a total of ment of business by the companies, mandatory mobile speed tests and also a commercial. said that the telecom major is ate that the method is robust Infocom and Bharti Airtel’s 11.58 lakh companies are active in the first 11 common seal for companies has been made benchmark for reputed global Ookla too responded to still the fastest mobile network. to capture that the sample; and representatives with the tech- months of the current financial year, higher than optional and granting various exemptions under operators. We have shared all ASCI decision saying that it “When analyzing data for is representative and compa- nical expert. PTI 10.89 lakh firms in the preceding fiscal, indicat- Companies Act. PTI Toyota sales up Govt collects Africa wants Indian firms to 80% in March, Reform momentum to gather over `2 lakh crore invest in power, infrastructure closes FY17 with pace in coming years: Jaitley from levies on 11% growth petrol and diesel NEW DELHI: AfDB has nent, India is the fifth larg- NEW DELHI: Economic of deficit that existed in India,” asked Indian companies to Exim Bank MD est in terms of foreign direct NEW DELHI: Toyota Kirlos- reforms will continue to gain he said. NEW DELHI: The govern- invest in African power, infra- investment. kar Motor (TKM) on Friday momentum in coming years For development of infra ment on Friday said total col- structure and farming sectors David Rasquinha India’s exports to Africa reported 80 per cent increase as the country looks to push projects, he said, the country lection through excise duty on as it wants strong engagement said that out of grew from $7 billion during in its sales in March at 13,800 growth and attract investment needs a lot of public invest- petrol and diesel has been Rs with the country in terms of 2005 and 2006 to about $25 units driven by its Innova in the infrastructure sector, ment, international investment 2,01,935 crore for the first 11 doing business in Africa. its line of credit billion today. Crysta and new Fortuner mod- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in terms of FDI and funding months of FY 2016-17. African Development Bank of about $2.5-3 While Indian imports from els. The company had sold said on Friday. from various agencies. The excise levy on petrol (AfDB) would like to acceler- Africa during the same time 7,637 units in the same month “India stands out with one “I do see this programme earned Rs 64,509 crore and ate engagement with Indian billion every year, expanded from $5 billion to last year. For the fiscal 2016-17, difference today. Our reform of infrastructure investment while that on diesel garnered government in terms of doing almost half goes $31 billion, he added. TKM posted a growth of 11 per process in India is an ongoing picking up pace over next two Rs 1,37,426 crore. business in Africa, AfDB Pres- Exim Bank MD David Ras- cent at 1,42,500 units as against process. It has picked up pace decades because that’s the Minister of State for ident Akinwumi Adesina said for development quinha said out of its line of 1,28,500 units in the previ- in last two years and I do antic- extent of deficit that we have Finance Santosh Kumar Gang- during his first official visit to projects in Africa credit of about $2.5-3 billion ous fiscal. “Our growth has ipate in years to come, it will projects in India that will sup- in India,” he said. war in a written reply to the India. every year, almost half goes been largely driven by Innova continue to gain pace,” he said port sustainable transport and Out of 450 million euro Lok Sabha said an additional “Rapid urbanisation for development projects in Crysta and Fortuner. We have after inaugurating permanent renewal energy. funding, EIB has committed duty of excise of Rs 6 per litre is and rapid growth of middle business opportunity to inves- Africa. so far delivered 75,000 units of office of European Investment Pointing out that India a loan of 200 million euros to levied and collected on Motor class will lead consumption tors from India, Adesina said. About $2.5 billion worth Innova Crysta and 10,350 units Bank here. is running one of the largest State Bank of India for fund- Spirit (petrol). demand, which is going to AfDB annual general meet- project developments are of Fortuner in five months “Contrary to all the global infrastructure creation pro- ing solar projects across India. He further said an addi- make Africa the place to be. ing is going to be held next under pipeline for the conti- since its launch,” Toyota Kirlos- noises we see in various parts grammes of the world, Jait- Besides, the EIB has also tional duty of excise of Rs 6 per The most important area for month in Ahmedabad where nent, Rasquinha said. kar Motor Director and Senior of the world, there are no voices ley said the country requires committed to releasing second litre is levied on high speed die- investment is power. the funding agency is expected “We have also formed a Vice-President Sales & Market- of protectionism in India and investment in various sectors tranche of 250 million euros sel oil. Electricity, infrastructure to invite business community joint venture with AfDB for ing N Raja said. therefore, we have opened up including public transport, for construction of Lucknow Noting that these levies are and agriculture are other key in order to attract private sec- project development growth The robust demand of the in terms of our economy and water management, sanitation, Metro. deemed to be a cess for the pur- areas,” he told reporters on tor funding. that works with companies to two vehicles helped the com- today we are amongst the most urban development, creation The interest on the loan pose of the Central Road Fund sidelines of Exim Bank (India) He said AfDB is work- come up with projects so that pany make up for five months open economies in the world,” of highways, creation of rural will be at a concessional rate, Act 2000, Gangwar said the interactive session with a visit- ing to minimise investment Indian companies can finance of absence in Delhi-NCR he said. infrastructure etc. SBI Managing Director B Sri- funds accrued under the Cen- ing African delegation. risks of overseas investors to those. Africa gets around $1.2 region during the fiscal when Meanwhile, European “I think in the next two ram said. tral Road Fund are utilised for Almost 645 million people pull-in more foreign direct billion line of credit from diesel cars and SUVs with Investment Bank (EIB) decades, at least I see India’s The interest rate will be development of state roads and in Africa need to have access investment. Exim Bank every year,” he engine capacity of 2,000cc and announced new commitment hands full in trying to expand three-month LIBOR plus 0.99 roads of economic importance to electricity, suggesting huge For African conti- further said. PTI above were banned. PTI of 450 million euro for various this infrastructure and get rid percentage point. PTI and inter-state connectivity. PTI CORPORATE KALEIDOSCOPE DVC to invest `1,094 crore in Khagra-Joydev Coal block

KOLKATA: The Board of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has approved an investment of Rs 1,094 crore in the Khagra-Joydev coal block located in Birbhum District of West Ben- gal. The block allotted by the Centre to DVC for supply of coal to its thermal power plants has a capacity of 103 million metric tonnes. Once developed, the coal block will be operational for 30 years. Apart from spurring industrial growth, the development of the block will generate significant revenue for the state.

PowerGrid has been bestowed with DainikBhaskar India Pride Stage set for Smart Award 2016-17 in the Energy & Power category. The Award was presented by Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State for Railways A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Chief IndianOil ED (CC & Branding) Subodh Dakwale receiving the best PSU and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communication Minister of Haryana Residence at Chandigarh for the project of award in Oil & Gas field category at ‘India Pride Awards’ from Manoj in the presence Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport, India Hackathon construction of Toilet Complexes, Interlocking Paver Blocks and Sinha, MoS, Ministry of Railways and MoS (Independent Charge), Highways and Shipping, at a function held in New Delhi. The award Associated Facilities like LED Lighting under the 2.7 km of Elevated Ministry of Communication and Technology was received by Chetan Varma, GM (Corporate Communications), on Highway Corridor at Panipat behalf PowerGrid 2017 Grand Finale MPOST BUREAU (AICTE), under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource NEW DELHI: The Minis- Development(MHRD) and try of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in Collaboration with i4C, on Friday announced that all Persistent Systems, NASS- preparations have been made COM and RambhauMhalgi for the much-awaited ‘Smart Pabodin(RMP). India Hackathon 2017’ grand On behalf of Ministry of finale on April 1-2, at 26 differ- Civil Aviation, 43 problem ent nodal centres across India. statements were thrown to The Ministry of Civil Aviation students for which more than is a ‘Premier Partner’ in this 350 ideas from teams of young unique initiative. Launched IT students were received. on Nov 9, 2016, in New Delhi, After preliminary evaluation, ‘Smart India Hackathon 2017’ 61 teams were shortlisted who will harnesses creativity and would participate in 36 hours expertise of students, build fun- long grand finale at CATC, nel for Startup India, Standup Allahabad. India campaigns, formulate ‘Smart India Hackathon solutions for improving gover- 2017’ is expected to become nance and quality of life, and the ‘World’s biggest open inno- NLC India Limited has successfully rejuvenated a Bucket Wheel provide opportunity to citizens vation model’ that other coun- HSCC (India) Ltd celebrated its 35th Foundation Day on 30 March Excavator 1572, which has been in service for the past 27 years. to provide innovative solutions tries can replicate. The event NTPC ED (V) Rajesh Kumar inaugurated the Jan Ausadhi Kendra of with the lighting of lamp by Gyanesh Pandey, Chairman and Managing Dr Sarat Kumar Acharya, CMD, NLCIL commissioned the machinery NTPC-Vindhyachal. This is as part of PM’s Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Director , SK Jain Director,(Engg) along with other senior officials of the at the Specialized Mining Equipment (SME) Erection Yard of Mine-I, to India’s daunting problems. accommodates over 1,200 Kendra Yojana company Neyveli on Friday ‘Smart India Hackathon 2017’ teams in the Grand Finale has been conceived by All India with more than 10,000 students Council for Higher Education making their presence. 14 sport mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 India not Sindhu downs Saina in hosting IOC Session in thriller, Sameer bows out 2019: IOA OUR CORRESPONDENT seemed easy for Sindhu but match. Sung Ji had earlier beat NEW DELHI: India has lost its Saina, the fighter and the deter- defending champion Ratcha- bid to host the 132nd Session of NEW DELHI: Rio Olympics mined competitor that she is, nok Intanon 21-16, 22-10 in 49 the International Olympic Com- silver medalist PV Sindhu tried to carve out a fierce come- minutes to avenge for her loss mittee (IOC) in 2019 even as the showed nerves of steel to beat back but Sindhu held on to her at the All England. Italian city of Milan emerged as her compatriot Saina Nehwal advantage to clinch the first The other semi-final will be the front-runner to organise the 21-16, 22-20 to cruise into the game 21-16. fought between Top seed and prestigious event. semifinals of the BWF Metlife Even though Saina lost the 2016 Olympic champion Caro- The IOA's bid to host the Yonex-Sunrise India Open first game, her late charge gave lina Marin and Japanese fourth IOC Session had got the sup- World Superseries played here her some sort of momentum seed Akane Yamaguchi. port of the Sports Ministry but at the Siri Fort Sports Complex that she carried into the second Spaniard Marin won against it is now learnt that the National on Friday. game. Her bodyline shots cre- Japanese Minatsu Mitani 21-10, Capital Region's offer found few The match which was per- ated trouble for Sindhu again 20-22, 21-14 to set-up a clash takers within the world sports haps the biggest in the tourna- and the 21-year-old always had against another Japanese. Yama- apex body. ment’s history saw the World to play catch-up game. guchi got the better of com- "We (IOA) made a bid to No.5 Sindhu start a slight favou- Moreover, Saina showed her patriot seventh seed Nozomi host the 2019 IOC Session and rite considering her recent run experienced as she dictated the Okuhara 21-13, 11-21, 21-18. we got the approval from the of form and she lived up to the pace of the game. Her prefer- Carolina Marin of Spain plays a shot against Mitani Minatsu of Japan In the men’s section, India’s government. It is for the IOC to reputation to qualify for the last ence of playing move the shuttle during their match at the India Super Series badminton tournament at hope were shattered after chose the host city from among four of the India Open for the fast gave her a 12-7 crucial lead. Siri Fort Sports Complex in New Delhi on Friday PTI Sameer Verma went down to the bidders. It is now certain first time in her career. Having put a lot of energy and unseeded Ander Antonsen India is not going to host the Saina began strongly, match- power to be in the lead, Saina At the 19-point mark, “I felt no pressure even when 22-24, 21-19 of Denmark to event," IOA secretary general ing Sindhu stroke per stroke. looked a bit tired and it allowed Sindhu equalised and then Saina she was ahead in the second crash out of the tournament. Rajeev Mehta said. Her bodyline shots on Sindhu Sindhu to comeback. played another successful body- game. I had confidence in myself In another match, top "If the Prime Minister's seemed to be a pre-game tactic Sindhu, who is six years line stroke to be one point away and when it was 20-20 in the seeded Carolina Marin of Spain Office wants, we can bid for and it rattled Sindhu throughout younger than Saina, is at her from taking the tie to the third second it was anybody’s game. beat Minatsi Mitani of Japan the IOC Session in 2021," he the match. However, Sindhu, peak and she doesn’t not hes- game. But a ruthless Sindhu But I belief in myself and was 21-10, 20-22, 21-14 in 57 min- added. India has earlier hosted rising a wave of confidence, itate playing long rallies. She fought back to be at 20-all. confident that I could turn it utes to stay on course to qual- an IOC Session in 1983 in New didn’t flinch. Her repertoire of was aided by Saina’s tiredness Then, Saina made her first around,” Sindhu said after the ify for the finals her first India Delhi. Meanwhile, according to strokes gave, particularly the as the latter placed couple of service error at this critical junc- match. Open title. She will now be up reports, Milan is set to be named PV Sindhu celebrates her win over Saina Nehwal in the quarter-final cross-court ones, her a 15-9 shots wide and long. Sindhu ture and Sindhu made the most Sindhu will now be up against Akane Yamaguchi of as host city of the 2019 IOC Ses- match of India Super Series badminton tournament at Siri Fort Sports advantage, thanks to a spell of also snatched couple of points of it. She followed it up with against World No. 4 Sung Ji Japan who beat her compatriot sion. The announcement will Complex in New Delhi on Friday six successive points from nine. by smashing cross-court to the another powerful stroke and Hyun of Korea which prom- Nozomi Okuhara 21-12, 9-21, be made at this year's Session PTI With a six-point gap, it left of Saina, who couln’t reply. the game over, match sealed. ises to be yet another exciting 21-18. in Lima, Peru. AGENCIES IPL-10: Ashwin, Rahul, Vijay out; some rest for Umesh, Jadeja Mohun Bagan aim to revive NEW DELHI: The Indian resent Rising Pune Supergiants, dra Jadeja also need rest after an a must for India in the upcom- close to the team management Premier League was on Friday will be missing the tournament exacting home season. Umesh, ing Champions Trophy in Eng- had once revealed that when- robbed of some sheen after pre- due to recurrence of sports her- Rohit and Jadeja are automatic land from June 1 and playing 14 ever Rahul played a lofted mier off-spinner Ravichandran nia while Test team openers selections in India’s Champions matches with little gap and lot shot, he would get a jerk on his title campaign in I-League Ashwin and a host of top Indian Murali Vijay (last year’s cap- Trophy squad. of travelling would have only shoulder and physio Patrick players pulled out of the event’s tain of Kings XI Punjab) and However, both Jadeja and aggravated his problem. Farhart needed to come to his 10th edition beginning on April Lokesh Rahul (RCB) are all set Umesh will play the bulk of the The 30-year-old all-rounder rescue. 5, owing to a gruelling interna- to miss the league due to immi- matches but may be given some has featured in all the 13 home There were also reports tional season. nent shoulder surgeries. time to freshen up, when their Test matches this season. He that the Indian team manage- There were unconfirmed It was also learnt that Mum- respective franchises play the has had an unbelievable work- ment had a discussion with IPL reports that Bangladesh’s left- bai Indians captain Rohit first few games. load of bowling a staggering authorities and accordingly the arm ‘cutter master’ Mustafizur Sharma is also recuperating All this after skipper Virat 738.2 overs in which he has BCCI is trying to ensure that Rahaman, who was instrumen- from a knee injury but may be Kohli, inarguably the biggest taken an astounding 82 wickets. the players don’t get jaded by tal in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s available from the first match. draw of the glamorous event, is In case of Rahul and Vijay, the time Champions Trophy IPL triumph, may also skip the Kolkata Knight Riders set to miss a few matches due to both have had injury issues, starts where Kohli’s boys will be cash-rich event. pacer Umesh Yadav and Guja- shoulder injury. especially shoulder, during the defending the title they won in Ashwin, who was set to rep- rat Lions’ biggest draw Ravin- A 100 per cent fit Ashwin is home season. In fact, a source 2013. AGENCIES Harikrishna, Men’s hockey coach Hans Streeder Giri draw at stresses on need to work on defence Shenzen chess BENGALURU: Newly- for three years since the inau- appointed analytical coach I would like to gural edition. tourney Hans Streeder wants the see the team improve "I've seen a lot of these Indian men's hockey side to players closely. They are a very SHENZHEN (CHINA): Indias work on its defensive struc- upon their defence skillful and excited bunch," Grandmaster Pentala Hari- FILE PHOTO ture, which in turn can bol- structure. You can said Streeder, who joined the krishna produced a creditable ster any team's attacking national camp on March 14. performance to earn a draw KOLKATA: Still smarting But Bengaluru coach our plan and will try to snatch capability. only attack freely Before joining India, against top seed Anish Giri from from their AFC Cup defeat, Albert Roca said they would full points," he said. "I would like to see the when you know your Streeder was with the Neth- the Netherlands in the Shenzhen Mohun Bagan will look to like to carry the winning Meanwhile, it is turning team improve upon their erlands junior squad and has Longgang Masters chess tour- return to winning ways and momentum forward. out to a three-way title race defence structure. You can defence is covered. It closely watched and analysed nament here on Friday. revive their I-League cam- "We all know the impor- for the top spot in the stand- only attack freely when you is important to stay the junior Indian team that World No. 14 Harikrishna paign when they face defend- tance of the match and how ings led by Aizawl FC (30 from know your defence is cov- lifted the junior World Cup was determined to make some- ing champions Bengaluru FC big a team Mohun Bagan is as 14), followed by East Bengal ered," the the 58-year-old fresh in doing what in December last year. thing of this contest as the tour- here on Saturday. everybody respect the club. So (27 from 14). Dutchman said at the Sports you do on pitch "I was on the video tower nament entered its final stages. Mohun Bagan squandered it's a big motivation," he said. Asked about their defeat in Authority of India centre for every single match and But Giri was equally resolute their lead to lose to Bengal- Mohun Bagan's defence the AFC Cup, Sen said: "I am here, where a group of 33 core I have watched these boys and held Hari at bay, to make uru FC 1-2 with second-half will be tested once again by not looking back at the AFC probables are training ahead Streeder feels one of the (Oltmans) in the past I know closely. The 11 players from it one of the longest games of strikes from Sunil Chhetri and the forward duo of Chhetri Cup match. Any team can lose of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup key challenges for an analyti- exactly what he expects from that team who are in the camp the day. Sandesh Jhingan in their AFC and Daniel Lalhlimpuia. on a given day. It's all part of starting next month. cal coach is to keep the ses- me so it becomes easier," he here are very talented, no At the end of it, both had Cup group match on March "We will play our full squad the game. This is a different While the Sultan Azlan sions fresh. said. doubt, but I would like them to settle for half a point each. 14. The two heavyweights clash and go for a win. No doubt it match." Shah Cup in April is an "It is important to stay India is not new to to work in a new structure, The draw left Harikrishna at again on Saturday when the will be a tough match. It will Moreover, Bagan's ace Hai- important tournament for fresh in doing what you do Streeder as he has worked understand what's expected the same position on the points I-League resumes after a break. be a test of character for us," tian forward Sony Norde has last year's runners-up India, on pitch. Drills need to be briefly with former coach of them from every session table, fourth, with just two more Bengaluru need a miracle coach Sanjoy Sen said. joined the team on Friday Streeder and chief Coach fresh but not too difficult so Michael Nobbs when the and execute it," he said. rounds to go. to retain the title as they are "I have discussed with the morning. Roelant Oltmans has set their the players can be excited and Indian team visited Rotter- "Whether they are junior Harikrishna will take on placed fifth in the table with 18 boys, we have our strategies. "He (Norde) is tired after sights on the Asia Cup in Ban- upbeat about it. The struc- dam. Streeder was also part or seniors it doesn't matter as Liren Ding of China in the next points from 13 outings, while Having played against a long flight. He is match-fit, gladesh and Hockey World ture needs to be clear for them of the Hockey India League long as they play in the struc- round. Giri, with 4.5 points, is third-placed Mohun Bagan them recently, we have a fair which is a good thing and League Final in Bhubaneswar to execute well. But since I franchise Uttar Pradesh Wiz- ture planned and created for at the second position, just half have 23 points with a match idea about their style of play. would be in my 18-member later this year. have worked with Roelant ards as their analytical coach them," said Streeder. AGENCIES a point behind Ding. AGENCIES in hand. We have to play according to squad," Sen said. AGENCIES Once I wanted to pick up the stump and stab Kohli: Ed Cowan MELBOURNE: Recalling the most intense but bitterly- those series and he said some- said 'Virat that's overstepped following the DRS drama, in that was inappropriate a run-in with Virat Kohli, fought series in recent years. thing that was inappropriate. the mark' and once that was involving the visiting skip- when he toured Australia and former Australia opener Ed Top-notch cricket aside, "Why I make the point of said, he took a step back and per, in the second Test at Ben- the umpire had to intervene. Cowan on Friday said that the series was marked by one 'lost in translation', he said apologised. galuru. Cowan, who scored "We forget that Eng- he once felt like picking up controversy after another with something that was highly "But, there was a moment 1001 runs in 18 Tests with a lish isn't their first language. a stump and stabbing the the two captains - Kohli and inappropriate. A personal I wanted to pick up the stump best of 136, added that he is a It's very easy to sit back and current India captain after Steve Smith - in the eye of a matter that was highly sen- and stab him." big fan of the Indian. say as a player they're bark- being told something "highly raging storm. sitive. Highly inappropriate. The Australians have "I'm a huge fan of his ing something at me that inappropriate". Cowan was quoted as say- But he didn't realise that he'd been targetting Virat Kohli cricket. Don't get me wrong is inappropriate when we India got the better of Aus- ing by Fox Sports, "I had a overstepped the mark until ever since he stopped short he's a phenomenal cricketer. don't try and converse with tralia 2-1 at home in one of very sick Mum during one of the umpire came over and of calling Steve Smith a 'cheat' "I had a little bit of a run- them in Hindi." AGENCIES Federer makes semi-final, Wozniacki reaches Miami final

KEY BISCAYNE: Roger Key Biscayne seven years ago Kyrgios defeated 16th- Federer's run at the Miami in a match he still thinks he seeded Alexander Zverev 6-4, Open was one point from should have won. 6-7 (9), 6-3 in the last of the ending. Down 6-4 in a third- "I got incredibly lucky," men's quarters, a match that set tiebreaker to Tomas Federer said. "Could have lasted 2 1/2 hours. Kyrgios Berdych, the situation was gone either way. Felt like had 16 aces, no double faults officially dire. maybe this one I should have and never faced a break point, Yet even in that moment, lost." though his 19-year-old oppo- Federer still felt some hope. Federer feels right at home nent saved five match points "I had belief I could turn at Key Biscayne, and so does before falling. it around, even then," he said. Caroline Wozniacki - with He recovered and gets to Somehow, he was right, good reason, since she some- face Federer, whom he called and his stellar start to 2017 times practices at the facility. "the greatest of all time and continued. The fourth-seeded The 12th-seeded Wozniacki, a my favorite tennis player." Federer fought off those two part-time South Florida resi- tournaments where I've never struggle, but I've just not had Rafael Nadal and Fabio match points and beat the dent, made the women's final made a finals," Wozniacki the results I wanted." Fognini are the other men's 10th-seeded Berdych 6-2, 3-6, for the first time in 10 tries by said. "I think my best result Federer improved to 17-1 semifinalists, meaning there's 7-6 (6) in the quarterfinals on topping second-seeded Karo- here was semifinals five years this year and will face No. 12 still a chance for Federer- Thursday - avenging a third- lina Pliskova 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. ago. It's always been a tourna- Nick Kyrgios in the semifinals Nadal on Sunday for the set tiebreak loss to Berdych at "This is one of the few ment where I wouldn't say I on Friday. men's crown. AGENCIES Sport 15 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017 mp WILL CHALLENGE SPOT-FIXING CHARGES, BANGLADESH EYE FIRST AWAY ODI SERIES GHOSAL BOWS OUT OF MONTREAL OPEN SAYS KHALID LATIF WIN OVER SRI LANKA CHENNAI: India’s Saurav Ghosal lost to third seed Omar Abdel Mequid of Egypt in four games in the semifinal to KARACHI: Pakistan batsman Khalid Latif on Friday said he will COLOMBO: Bangladesh will be eyeing their first away series bow out of the $25000 Montreal Open, a PSA event. The contest the charges of spot-fixing against him after appearing win when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final One- Egyptian won 10-12, 12-10, 11-7, 17-15, according to the before a three-member anti-corruption tribunal set up by the Day International (ODI) cricket match at the Sinhalese Sports information received here. The match was closely fought for country’s Cricket Board. Khalid and his Pakistan and Islamabad Club here on Saturday. It all fell in place for Bangladesh in most part and as a disappointed Ghosal was to state later, United teammate Sharjeel Khan have both now decided to con- the first ODI and the series could have looked very different he saw a chance in the fourth game to revive hopes. test the spot-fixing charges against them. if rain hadn’t intervened midway through the second game. Virat let emotions affect his Tendulkar praises Umesh, calls Pujara ‘silent warrior’ batting against Oz: Ganguly MUMBAI: Batting great Sachin ods and someone like Umesh Tendulkar has called Chetesh- (Yadav) have played 12 of them, DUBAI: Virat Kohli’s batting “The most memorable win war Pujara a "silent warrior" for so for a fast bowler it is really was affected by his emotional came in conditions actually tai- the quiet manner in which he taxing, that shows that you are outbursts in the acrimonious lor-made for the Australians goes about his business of graft- going to work on your body," Test series against Australia, more than the Indians. The ing long innings in a team full Tendulkar told reporters late feels former captain Sourav fact that India beat the Aussies of strokemakers. on Thursday night here. Ganguly, who is hoping that the at their own game will surely During the fourth and The veteran of 200 Tests Indian skipper “cools down” to give another twist to Virat’s final Test against Australia in added, “Umesh is a kind of a score big again. c apt ai n c y.” Dharamsala, Pujara created a bowler who keeps getting better Ganguly observed that Ganguly also said chief new record by scoring the most with time, the more he bowls the Kohli’s desire to win at any cost coach Anil Kumble played a runs in a Test season, breaking better he gets. And you could see as a captain led to his outbursts. big role in India’s success in the the previous mark set by Gau- that, the last innings of the sea- “Against Australia, he home season. tam Gambhir eight years ago. son that he bowled was possibly (Kohli) probably was so con- “When the BCCI appointed "Pujara has been a silent five-day format. Prior to that, a the best spell,” said Tendulkar. sumed by wanting to win as a three-member panel that had warrior, terrific temperament, 92 in the second innings of the The 29-year-old pacer from captain that he let his emotions Tendulkar, Laxman and me to and somebody who (is) dedi- second Test in Bengaluru played Vidarbha picked up 17 wickets affect his batting. This will also help in the process of selecting cated, disciplined and focused. a key role in India's win. in four Tests against Australia. serve as a lesson for him. He’s a coach, Anil’s vision was as I have seen him from close Tendulkar heaped praise Tendulkar said, “I think such a precocious talent, I hope decisive as his bowling used to quarters and I was impressed on fast bowler Umesh Yadav somebody who bowls good he cools down and gets back be. He wanted India to win in with what I saw. I knew that for showing up through a long reverse swing will always be to scoring big again,” Ganguly India obviously, but outside of this guy is there for long time," home season. effective in India. (The) surfaces, wrote in an exclusive column India too and while he knew it said Tendulkar. "The way guys have shown texture, there is reverse swing for the ‘ICC’ website. was easier said than done, his Pujara's knock of 202 in discipline and commitment, 13 and it happened in Dharam- Ganguly, regarded as one assessment of the situation was the Ranchi Test against Aus- Test matches in a row, I don't shala as well. Umesh bowled a of India’s most successful cap- superb,” he wrote. tralia turned out to be the lon- remember anything like that couple of damn good reverse tains, rated Kohli as among of “With him, I hope the spin- gest innings by an Indian in the happening during our peri- swingers.” AGENCIES the finest in the world while ners, who generally always do describing him as a passion- Ganguly observed that Kohli’s desire to win at any cost as a pick wickets by the bucket Delhi Daredevils ate skipper. captain led to his outbursts. Ganguly also said that the current loads in India, contribute to “There are two Virats for the team’s success when they Aditi Ashok opens me. The batsman and the Indian team has potential to win anywhere in the world travel abroad, just like Anil and officially launch captain. Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) did. “The batsman surely is one in confidence, and match Kohli dropped for a Test in West - in or outside India,” he said. That would fit the last riddle in IPL campaign with even par 72 in of the best in the world because and Ravichandran Ashwin. He Indies last year, I had said Talking about the the jigsaw puzzle Virat and his he has set high standards for tipped Cheteshwar Pujara as Pujara was a special bats- Dharamsala Test, which team will hope to solve.” NEW DELHI: Indian Premier himself, both in terms of fitness the batsman who will be most man and shouldn’t have been according to him was the high- Ganguly rated Steve Smith’s League (IPL) franchise Delhi and the hunger to score big. critical to India’s successes dropped. A small matter of light of the season, Ganguly century in the opening Test in Daredevils (DD) on Friday offi- high winds at ANA The captain is more passion- abroad. 1,316 runs have come from his wrote: “I was sitting at home Pune as one of the best he has cially launched their campaign ate and more of a leader than “More than the results, I bat this season and Pujara will around lunchtime on Day three seen from a visiting batsman. for the upcoming edition of the anything else,” Ganguly wrote. enjoyed the journey, watch- be the most critical for Virat when Australia began its sec- “Not because India didn’t cash-rich league. “He wants to win and win ing how players like KL Rahul, when India start travelling out- ond innings. play well but because Australia’s At the launch, Delhi Dare- every day and while it may not Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh side of the sub-continent.” “Over the next hour or so, captain Smith decided to make devils Chief Executive Office be possible always, I see Virat Yadav gained in confidence and Ganguly said the current I watched a great piece of fast the transition from a good bats- Hemant Dua, GMR Sports not settling for anything that matched the two champions, Indian team has the potential and hostile bowling by the two man to a great batsman dur- Director and former India fast isn’t No 1.” Virat and Ravichandran Ash- to win anywhere in the world. Indians, Umesh Yadav and ing this series. The century he bowler T.A. Sekar and the cap- The former India skip- win,” Ganguly wrote. “And having watched the Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The way scored in Pune ranks amongst tain for the season Zaheer Khan per also shared his delight at “But the one who stood last 13 home Tests, I hope they got the Australians hop- one of the best by a visiting were present. The trio formally watching KL Rahul, Ravindra out was Cheteshwar Pujara. Virat and his team really has ping and succumbing to the batsman in India - and I have inducted the two new recruits Jadeja and Umesh Yadav gain I remember when he was the potential to win anywhere pace, I am so pleased for Virat. seen many,” he wrote. AGENCIES – fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada –into the franchise for the 2017 edition. Experience of bowling on Indian Daredevils captain Zaheer Khan Gujarat Lions a more balanced expressed hope that the side will turn a corner in the season. wickets to help in IPL: Munaf "To have the likes of Pat RANCHO MIRAGE (US): Play was suspended due to (Cummins) and Kagiso India’s Aditi Ashok made a high winds a couple of hours team now than last year: Kotak RAJKOT: Gujarat Lions (Rabada) adds teeth to our creditable start with an even after Aditi finished and 45 medium pacer Munaf Patel bowling attack. They are two par 72 that provisionally minutes later play was called RAJKOT: Gujarat Lions assis- on Friday said experience of of the best in the world. It will placed her tied-42 in the first for the day. tant coach Sitanshu Kotak on bowling on Indian wickets be great fun to interact and share round of the ANA Inspiration The Rookie of the Year in Friday said the present team is would play a key role during ideas. That is the beauty of IPL. golf here. 2016, Aditi has had just two much more balanced as com- IPL’s 10th season, as most of Also we have some other tal- Aditi had three each of starts in 2017 -- one each on pared to the last year’s squad. the wickets in the country were ented players, all this always birdies and bogeys in her LPGA and LET. She was T-52 “I think we have a much batting-friendly. makes my job as a captain very round. The ANA Inspiration at Women’s Australian Open, balanced side as compared to “Experience to play on enjoyable," Zaheer said. is one of the five Majors for which is part of LPGA and our last year’s squad,” Sitanshu Indian wickets, which are bat- Cummins and Rabada were women’s golf, and after her was T-51 at Oates Victorian Kotak, who is in charge of Guja- ting-friendly, is very impor- excited to build on their perfor- maiden appearance at Wom- Open on the LET. rat Lions’ practice session till tant. Luckily, Gujarat Lions mances in India when touring en’s British Open last year, Ladies European Tour the arrival of head coach Brad has medium pacers, who have with their national squads. this is Aditi’s second career member Karine Icher from Hodge, said. enough experience to play on "It is an absolute joy to be Major. France took the early lead “We have more options, par- Indian wickets,” Patel said. involved with a fantastic fran- Aditi, who turned 19 a day on day one, going out in the ticularly in the bowling depart- “I, Praveen Kumar, Man- chise like Delhi Daredevils. I before the start of the year’s morning wave, ahead of the ment, which we didn’t have last preet Gony and Dhaval could not have asked for a bet- first women’s Major, had a forecasted high winds. She time and had to depend on cou- Kulkarni, all the four medium ter opportunity. I have enjoyed rough start with two bogeys posted a five-under par, 67 to ple of bowlers,” he said. pacers have enough experience said, “It’s really a proud feeling bowling in India and hope in her first three holes after lead by one ahead of Michelle “Our bowling was a bit weak he said. up. Suresh Raina has always to play on Indian wickets. We that I am one of the sernior play- to gain some more by bowl- starting from the tenth on a Wie, So Yeon Ryu, Sung Hyun last year and we had to depend According to Kotak, the been a good and top-ranked all have played for the country ers of the squad and will lead the ing alongside the likes of Zak, very windy day. Park and amateur Eun Jeong on a couple of seam bowlers team has plenty of options, par- batsman in the shortest format and have enough experience of bowling department alongwith Kagiso and Shami," said Cum- One of the early starters Seong, who sit in a share of throughout the season because ticularly in the batting depart- of the game,” he said. playing in IPL,” Patel said. other senior bowlers. But I will mins. On his part South Africa's on the first day, Aditi did very second at four-under par at of not having much options. ment as it has openers like Dinesh Karthik is in good “We all know one another as have to carry extra responsibility Rabada also exuded hope for his well to recover from that start the season’s first Major. But this time, the inclusion of Brandon McCullum, Dwayne form scoring century in Deod- well as our skipper very well in of being one of the senior play- first season in IPL. as she birdied 13th and 15th Icher is a five-time winner two experienced bowlers like Smith, Jason Roy and Aaron har trophy final, while Ravindra terms of what he wants from us ers of the squad,” he said. "To make my IPL debut will to get back to even par. on the LET and a three-time Munaf Patel and Manpreet Finch. Jadeja too is in good form and as a bowling unit and that will According to him, Guja- be an exciting time. I have been But another bogey on Solheim Cup player (2002, Gony and two young bowl- “Who will open will be useful in all the three depart- give us an advantage of being rat Lions has a good bowling looking forward to turning up par-4 16th meant she turned 2013 and 2015) who is on tar- ers- Basil Thampi and Nathu decided by the team manage- ments, Kotak said. Gujarat Indians and playing on these unit. “Our main focus would for Daredevils since the auction. in one-over. On the second get to represent Europe for Singh- has put us in a position ment once the head coach Brad Lions will play their first match wickets,” Patel said. be to restrict the opposition I have learnt a lot from the 2015 nine, she played very steady a fourth time under Annika to change the bowling combi- Hodge joins the team, but we against Kolkata Knight Riders When asked about his role as to the lowest possible target,” tour. It will be great to build with one birdie on par-3 fifth Sorenstam at Des Moines in nation as per the conditions,” have a very strong batting line (KKR) on April 7. AGENCIES a senior member of the team, he Patel said. AGENCIES from there," he said. AGENCIES and pars on the rest. Iowa in August. AGENCIES Manchester United, Real Madrid most valued football clubs: KPMG FIFA recommends 48 slots for World Cup 2026 LONDON: According to auditing giants KPMG, Real Both Manchester GENEVA: The Bureau of the The play-off tournament Madrid and Manchester FIFA Council agreed on a pro- will be played in the host Copa America football could United are the most valuable United and Real posed slot allocation among country in November 2025 football clubs in the world. Madrid are valued the six confederations for the and will also act as a test event feature European teams Both Manchester United at $3.09 billion. World Cup 2026, which will for the World Cup. and Real Madrid are valued witness 48 teams in the finals. The Bureau of the FIFA at $3.09 billion. FC Barcelona FC Barcelona According to the proposal Council, composed of the RIO DE JANEIRO: The 2019 Copa America here are third, valued at $2.9 billion, are third, valued on Thursday, the split of 46 FIFA president and the pres- could feature four teams from Europe under a ahead of Bayern Munich, rated at $2.9 billion, direct berths will see Asia idents of each of the six proposal to expand football's oldest continental at $2.35 billion according to get eight direct slots up from confederations, made the rec- tournament. South American football governing KPMG's annual report. ahead of Bayern the four and a half spots they ommendation at its meeting body CONMEBOL is considering a plan to invite The top five is completed Munich, rated at have currently, reports Xin- in Zurich on Thursday and by Arsenal ($1.86 billion) with hua news agency. the proposal will be submit- Spain, Portugal, France and Italy to participate in the next three places going to $2.35 billion Africa will get nine slots ted for the ratification of the the competition, according to Brazilian news ser- Manchester City ($1.71 bil- while CONCACAF, which FIFA Council, whose next vice Globo Esporte on Thursday. It said a meet- lion), Chelsea ($1.6 billon) and the value of their players, TV represents north and central meeting is scheduled for May ing of CONMEBOL officials in the coming weeks Liverpool ($1.39 billion). rights and their ownership situ- America will get six. Oceania, 9 in Manama, Bahrain, two would decide whether the tournament will be Juventus, worth $1.05 bil- ation, notably of the stadiums. which currently has half a slot days prior to the 67th FIFA lion, and Paris Saint-Germain "It allows clubs to compare wherein the top nation from Congress. expanded from its current 10-team format. One ($900.37 million) complete the themselves with each other, to the regional qualifiers faces a In January, the FIFA proposal is to create a 12-team competition fea- top 10. see where they are in the Euro- play-off against the fifth coun- slot will be taken from the teams, one from each confed- Council unanimously decided turing CONMEBOL's 10 South American nations "It's a study that associates pean hierarchy and how they try from either South Amer- quota of its confederation. eration except UEFA, plus one on expanding the FIFA World plus Mexico and the US. "But there is also an several criteria," KPMG Head progress from one season to ica or Asia, will get a full slot. In the event of co-host- more from the confederation Cup to a 48-team competition of Sports Network Jean-Luc another," he added. CONMEBOL, which rep- ing, the number of host coun- of the host country. Two of from its 2026 edition. idea to further increase the number of partici- Leroux was quoted as saying French heavyweights PSG, resents the South American tries to qualify automatically the six teams will be seeded Since then, FIFA, the six pants and include Latin European countries," by ESPNFC. according to L'Equipe, could zone, will get six slots, up will be decided by the FIFA based on the FIFA World confederations and the mem- Globoesporte said. The 2019 Copa America will "These include the popular- move up tp $1.6 billion by 2020 from the current four and a Council. Ranking and they will play ber associations engaged in a be the last to be played in an odd year. From ity of clubs with their number as their owners Qatar Sports half while Europe will get 16. The last two berths will against the winners of the first consultation process, which 2020, the tournament will be held in the same of followers on social media, Investments (QSI) hope to The host country will also be decided through a play- two knockout games involv- resulted in the proposal their sporting potential given increase the club's value. AGENCIES automatically qualify and its off tournament involving six ing the four unseeded teams. above. AGENCIES four-year cycle. AGENCIES 16 mp Entertainment MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 1 April, 2017

Shah Rukh Khan, who will be next seen ‘I must opposite Anushka Sharma for the third have done time in Imtiaz Ali’s untitled film, has something recently completed 25 years in right’ Bollywood

MUMBAI: Shah Rukh Khan says after spend- ing 25 years in Bollywood, he feels he must ‘Intention behind have done something good to achieve the life he leads today. The actor took to Twitter where he announced that he was present at the inau- guration of a new VFX unit of his production MAATR IS NOT house Red Chillies Entertainment for the very first time. “25 years in Mumbai, which have given me commercial success’ my life. For the first time at the opening of RC VFX new office. I felt, I must have done some- thing right,” Shah Rukh tweeted. The 51-year- MUMBAI: Bollywood actor old, who hails from Delhi, started his acting Raveena Tandon, whose next career with the television series ‘Fauji’ in the film Maatr deals with crime late 1980s. He made his debut in movies with against women in society, says Deewana in 1992. the clear intention behind The actor attained superstardom with making the film is to create Baazigar and the rest, as they say, is history. awareness among the audience. Since then, he has given blockbusters like Dil- Speaking here at the trailer wale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota launch of the film, Raveena Hai, Yes Boss, Devdas, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Chak said, “Intention behind Maatr De! India, Chennai Express and Dear Zindagi. is not commercial success but Shah Rukh Khan also announced that he will to spread a message of crime also be attending the 60th San Francisco Inter- against women. This is the national Film Festival (SFIFF). He took to need of the hour, where peo- Twitter to share the news and said that he is ple should start changing their excited to meet his friend filmmaker Brett mindset about women and Ratner. take action against such crim- “Honoured to be at at the 60th #SanFran- inals instead of shaming the films that I completely believe cisco Int Film festival and looking forward to victims based on the length in and I have no idea what I am meeting my friend @BrettRatner. Also mem- of their clothes.” doing next after Maatr. So how ories in SanFran,” Shah Rukh tweeted. Rat- She was present at the many times should I make my ner is one of the co-founders of RatPac-Dune trailer launch along with the comeback? I really do not like Entertainment, a prolific film production and film’s director Aster Sayed and using that word,” the Mohra financing company. One of the oldest film fes- producers Anjum Rizvi and actor said. tivals of the US, SFIFF gets underway on April Manoj Adhikari. Raveena, who As there are many upcom- 5, at the Castro Theatre with the ‘90s-set dram- last appeared in a cameo role ing women-centric films like edy Landline, director Gillian Robespierre’s in Anuraag Kashyap’s “Bom- Noor, Mom, Haseena besides follow-up to her praised indie Obvious Child. bay Velvet”, said she does not the latest Naam Shabana, The Green Fog, a San Francisco Fantasia, like the word “comeback” as according to Raveena, “it is a will bring the curtains down at the festival. she has become very choosy great time in Indian cinema SRK is currently busy filming director Imtiaz about her films. where so many women ori- Ali’s tentatively titled The Ring opposite actor “I used to work in 30 films ented films are being made.” Anushka Sharma. AGENCIES in a year during the early stage “I would say that this of my career. But now I have (phase) should continue,” she reached a point where I will do said. IANS ‘GoT’ season 7 Akshay unveils first poster teaser hints long Paul Walker was the best guy: of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha walk to the throne Jordana Brewster Walk’, the teaser shows Cer- LOS ANGELES: The entire cast of The Fast and MUMBAI: Akshay Kumar Akshay added, “Tayyar sei Lannister, Jon Snow and the Furious series may have remained incredibly has revealed the first glimpse ho jayye Swachch Azaadi ke Daenerys Targaryen advanc- close over the years but its one of the leads, Jor- of his upcoming film Toilet: Ek liye! (Brace yourselves for ing toward their respective dana Brewster, says no one will ever be able to Prem Katha. The 49-year-old a clean freedom)” thrones. Actor Lena Headey’s fill the void Paul Walker has left. actor took to Twitter to share The poster shows Akshay character Cersei Lannister, is Walker made his last appearance in the film’s the poster, which also features and Bhumi dressed in tradi- seen in the Red Keep. Emilia seventh installment, Furious 7. His character, his co-star Bhumi Pednekar. tional marriage attire in an Clarke can be seen walking Brian, left the team, retiring to be with his preg- “Pleased to share, @Toi- interesting way triggering a around the throne room of nant wife, Mia (portrayed by Brewster), and letTheFilm an unusual love debate on cleanliness and our LOS ANGELES: A new teaser a previously unseen castle as their son. Brewster opens up about her friend story will be with you on 11th rights. of the forthcoming seventh Daenerys Targaryen. And Kit and former co-star Walker, who died in a tragic Aug, 2017,” Akshay tweeted. Directed by Shree Narayan season of hit TV series ‘Game Harington as a grim Jon Snow car crash in November 2013, reported Enter- The film, which is based Singh, the film will clash with of Thrones’ is out, and gives is seen in Great Hall of Win- tainment Tonight. “I love Vin (Diesel), I love on the Swachch Bharat Abhi- Imtiaz Ali’s Shah Rukh Khan- out hints about the conflicts to terfell. The seventh season of Michelle (Rodriguez)... But my friendship with yaan initiated by Prime Minis- Anushka Sharma starrer on come. The teaser was released ‘GoT’ will premiere on July 16. Paul was definitely the highlight because he was ter Narendra Modi, will release August 11. It was earlier sup- by HBO on Thursday, reports and the final season will likely the best guy. So, the bond I had with him was in the Independence Day week. posed to release on June 2. PTI dailymail.co.uk. Titled ‘Long air in 2018. IANS definitely the best part,” Brewster says. PTI Perry feels ‘lucky’ Aerosmith’s going strong Pregnancy

LOS ANGELES: Rock band together for 50 years. They say you can control – if everybody it hasn’t been that great, but improved my Aerosmith’s member Joe it has been a “lot of work” to has the same goals, you work there’s something about that Perry believes there is some- stay together and think they towards it through the rough dream that we always had acting:Anne thing unique about being in are “really lucky” to have spots and all that.” when we first got together and a band for a long time and he been able to continue making “And then there’s the stuff we’re still all here, we’re taking feels lucky they have remained music regardless of the ups and that happens that you don’t it day-by-day. There’s some- together for almost 50 years. downs, reports billboard.com. have control over and we’ve just thing about a band that’s been The American rock band, “50 years that’s a long time, been really lucky,” said Perry, together for a long time, you which comprises Perry, Ste- man. I mean, it’s been a lot of the lead guitarist. just can’t bottle it. There’s no ven Tyler, Brad Whitford, Tom work keeping it together and “There are just so many way you can replace what all Hamilton and Joey it’s easy to see how things that can go wrong to tear this experience gives Kramer, has been bands don’t last; a band apart. We’ve seen it all. you,” Perry it’s just life. The band’s had its periods added. IANS Part of it where LONDON: Actor Anne Hathaway thinks her preg- nancy has “added a layer” to her acting career. The 34-year-old star, who gave birth to her son Russell Brand Jonathan 12 months ago, admits being pregnant whilst filming her upcoming to return movie Colossal has improved her performance as lead character Gloria, reported to live radio Femalefirst. “I think that my preg- LONDON: Russell Brand is making his comeback on live nancy may have added a radio this week. The 41-year-old comic actor will host a com- layer to my performance edy slot on Radio X on April 2, after an eight-year hiatus from in this one because I was so live broadcasting, reported FemaleFirst. happy all the time and I just “I’m going to be on Radio X – the show will be about joy, felt this great joy and I love unity and togetherness. Sorry for any offence in advance,” the idea that was who Glo- Brand said. The English actor’s show will be broadcast from ria was.” 11 AM to 1 PM , which will also be transformed into a pod- “She wasn’t depressed. cast and feature a host of special guests. She wasn’t put upon. She Matt Deverson, Radio X Managing Editor, said, “Radio X actually was a party girl and is home to big personalities and we’re incredibly excited to be she always brought the fun welcoming Russell back for his live radio return.” PTI and I think my baby did that too,” Hathaway said. PTI