Follow us on: RNI No. APENG/2018/764698 @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 Published From ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW A LONG WAIT FOR TELECOM SECTOR: 2021 TO RING IN ‘LET IT GO & BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH REAL EQUALITY SPECTRUM AUCTIONS, TARIFF HIKES MOVE ON’ BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *Late City Vol. 3 Issue 43 VIJAYAWADA, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable WAS A LITTLE SCARY TO SHOOT: NABHA ON RESUMING SBSB { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com

Be vigilant about Covid CM Jagan picks live wire Adityanath Das for the top job

SNV SUDHIR second wave: CM Jagan n VIJAYAWADA ADITYA ONCE PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM/ a new challenge for all. Chief Minister YS Jagan BRAVED MILITANTS VIJAYAWADA The air passengers are being Mohan Reddy has picked 1987 traced initially with the details batch IAS officer Adityanath Vijayawada: Adityanath Das In the wake of 13 UK returnees being maintained at the Vizag Das to helm the state admin- had once faced militants during testing positive for Covid-19 in airport in coordination with istration as the Chief Secretary. his stint at the prestigious Delhi and Kolkata, the special the district administration. We Currently, he is the special North Eastern Indira Gandhi Thermal power plants officers for Covid-19 in will hold a meeting with the chief secretary to the irrigation Regional Institute of Health & get liquidity boost Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday District Collector tomorrow department handling the cru- Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) braced up for the challenges of and come up with a plan to cial Polavaram project and at Shillong in Meghalaya. He the possible new strain of the keep tab on people coming other irrigation projects which was once kidnapped by Megha- Coronavirus with contact trac- from UK via other domestic are considered very close to the laya-based militant group ing and quarantine rules. airports. And, we will test all chief minister YS Jagan Mohan New Chief Secretary Aditynath Das Hynniewtrep National Liberation The Chief Minister Y S the UK returnees if needed." Reddy. Council (HNLC) alleging that he Jaganmohan Reddy directed The government has though Significantly, Das has been cers are busy with Government was filling all the posts at the 5 the officials to remain vigilant banned the flights from the picked by the CM for the top of India assignments, Abhay hospital with outsiders. HNLC in the wake of emergence of a UK, we may have to verify the job bypassing at least seven Tripathi is at AP Bhawan in claims to represent the Khasi- second wave of the Covid-19. should be cautious and do the have issued orders to recent returnees also, he senior IAS officials belonging New Delhi, Neerabh Kumar Jaintia tribal people, and its aim Citing that the Britain and needful to ensure that we do Collectors and SP's to track explained. to the state cadre. Senior offi- Prasad is the CCLA commis- is to free Meghalaya from the some other countries have not let the new strain impact those who are coming from There are daily flights cers Ajay Sawhney, Reddy sioner. Satish is supervising the alleged domination of the Garos imposed new restrictions, the the citizens adversely as it has abroad and take necessary pre- between Vizag airport and Subramanyam, Sameer important Higher Education and the outsiders (the "Dkhars") CM asked the officials to be done in other parts of the ventive measures." Kolkata and Delhi. Passengers Sharma, Abhay Tripati, JSV Department in the state. from the Indian mainland. alert. world" Special officer for Covid-19, may have landed at Vizag via Prasad, Neerabhkumar Prasad, "I sincerely thank our young 2 Chairing a review meeting Commissioner of Health Vizag district, and principal of other domestic airports. and Satish Chandra have been and dynamic chief minister YS on the Covid-19 situation, CM and Family Welfare depart- Andhra Medical College, PV 2 bypassed to appoint Das as the Jagan Mohan Reddy for repos- and giving me the task. Jagan Mohan Reddy, said, "We ment Bhaskar Katamneni: "We Sudhakar, said: "This is sort of new CS. While first three offi- ing faith and confidence in me 2 RT-PCR tests on people HEALTH SECTOR REFORMS SIT on Vizag land sees arriving from UK Nadu-Nedu works get priority Launching a housing PNS n AMARAVATI PNS n VIJAYAWADA ical college in huge land grabbing programme without Machilipatnam by the end of The Andhra Pradesh govern- Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan December. PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM a concrete plan! ment has ordered a full-scale Reddy said priority should be The Chief Minister direct- screening and testing of peo- given to works under Nadu- ed the officials to take steps The Special Investigation ple coming into the state from Nedu in health sector and for the construction of Team (SIT) constituted to Britain in the wake of a new also adequate funds should be remaining 12 medical col- probe the land scams in Vizag, strain of Covid-19. allocated. leges at earliest. He said the committed during the previ- 2 An RT-PCR test would be He asked to be vigilant in construction of the YSR vil- ous TDP regime, has pre- conducted on all passengers the wake of emergence of a lage clinics should be com- pared its final report. The arriving from the UK and second wave of the Covid-19 pleted by March 31 and the team indicated that large scale those testing negative would and focus on development of works of YSR urban health land irregularities occurred File photo TODAY have to undergo a mandatory super specialty services in hos- clinics should start by the in Vizag and surrounding 14-day home quarantine, major cities using connecting pitals. He held a review meet- end of January. areas. have been filed alleging irreg- ALMANAC according to an order issued flights or other modes of ing on Nadu- Nedu (Health) The officials said the Former IAS officer Vijay ularities in 22A prohibited Month & Paksham: by Health Commissioner transport. on Tuesday. The Nadu-Nedu works of Nadu-Nedu in Kumar, who led the team, lands." Katamaneni Bhaskar. Orders have been issued to works under health sector are PHCs are expected to be said, Covid-19 pandemic The main areas under inves- Margashirsha & Shukla Paksha Those testing positive all district Collectors to track estimated with a total of Rs completed by September delayed their investigation. tigation are: amendment in Panchangam should be shifted to hospital. such passengers and conduct 16,270 crore. 2021 and the works in area "We are ready with the com- section 22(A) of Registration Tithi : Navami: 08:38 pm No direct flights land in AP RT-PCR tests and take neces- The officials said works of The officials said hospitals and community prehensive report of the land Act which prohibited registra- Nakshatram: Revati: 04:33 am (Next Day) from the UK but people come sary precautionary measures. super speciality hospital in that so far 836 health centres would be scam in Vizag revenue divi- tion of land and became a in after disembarking at Palasa are in full swing and completed by December sion. We will submit the report bane for the people, change of Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start 2 procedures have any important work) Hyderabad, Chennai or other they would be completed 2021. to the government whenever classification of government by December next year and been covered under The Chief Minister we are asked to so," he told the land, assignments made to Rahukalam: 12:15 pm – 01:37 pm the works on Kadapa Super YSR Arogya Asara reviewed the implementa- media on Tuesday. ex-servicemen, cases of land Yamagandam: 08:08 am – 09:30 am VANTAGE POINT -NNARSIM Specialty Hospital have and steps are being tion of Aarogyasri scheme, YD Anuradha, a member of grabbing, encroachment of Varjyam: 03:05 pm – 04:53 pm started and are likely to be distribution of health cards the SIT inquiry, said, "The SIT government land by private completed by June 2023. and measures being taken to received more than 1,340 individuals and identification Gulika: 10:53 am - 12:15 pm taken to include The officials said they are additional 638 clear the pending bills of complaints. We have attached of persons responsible for Good Time: (to start any important work) working to call for reverse Aarogyasri scheme. The revenue reports and thor- tampering with the land Amritakalam: 01:51 am – 03:39 am tendering in a week for the procedures under officials said treatment is oughly examined each item records. Abhijit Muhurtham: NIL construction of five multi- this scheme being provided for 2,436 and included it in the report. The alleged Vizag land scam specialty hospitals under procedures under the Most of the irregularities took had created a flutter in polit- ITDA and trying to conduct and Pulivendula in this scheme as per the directions place in Prohibited Lands 22A. ical circles during the previous VIJAYAWADA reverse tendering for the week. of the CM. More than 500 revenue TDP regime. construction of medical col- Tenders would be invited records have been tampered WEATHER leges at Paderu, Piduguralla for the construction of med- 2 with. More than 300 petitions 2 Forecast: Sunny Temp: 30/17 Humidity: 62% Sunrise: 06:42 am Sunset: 05:48 pm Gas leak in AP unit operational negligence: NGT Current Weather Conditions Updated December 22, 2020 5:00 PM PNS n NEW DELHI doing so without consent, the to conduct safety audit of entire bench said. pharma city in Visakhapatnam The NGT held on Tuesday that The green panel agreed with where such units are located gas leak in an Andhra Pradesh the state pollution control and also at all other locations unit in which two people were board (SPCB) and the in the State at the earliest, the VPT chief takes additional killed was due to operational Committee of experts that sep- bench said. The committee negligence and asked the state's arate consent is required for told the NGT that operational Director of Industries to con- manufacturing Benzimidazole, negligence, lack of standard duct safety audit of the phar- being an independent com- operating procedure for trans- charge as DCIL chairman ma city at Vishakhapatnam pound. fer of material from one reac- and other such locations. The tribunal accepted the tor to another and on cleaning PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM 1994 batch IAS officer of UP A bench headed by NGT report filed by the committee of reactors, lack of awareness of cadre. Previously, he worked in Chairperson Justice Adarsh and disposed of the proceed- personnel, non-compliance of Visakhapatnam Port Trust various posts in UP govern- Kumar Goel held that the ings with a direction to com- safety practices by employees chairman K. Rama Mohana ment and his immediate pre- cause of Benzimidazole gas ply with the recommenda- were the causes of incident. Rao assumed the additional vious posting was as Commiss- leakage at Sainor Life Sciences not following standard safety of Benzimidazole without con- tions, including the ones on Two workers were killed and charge of Dredging ioner, Mirzapur, UP govern- factory at Parwada industrial norms under the said rules sent. payment of environmental four hospitalised in June this Corporation of India Limited ment. His expertise includes area was operational negli- requiring onsite and offsite The plea that Benzimidazole compensation, to be overseen year after Benzimidazole the (DCIL) during the Annual Administration, Port & gence of the management and emergency plans, conducting was not final product but for by the statutory regulators. gas leaked at Sainor Life General Meeting on Tuesday. Shipping Sector. its employees. mock drills every six months use in manufacture of We also direct the Director Sciences factory in Parwada K Rama Mohana Rao is a 2 There were serious lapses in and undertaking manufacture Omeprazole did not justify of Industries, Andhra Pradesh area in Visakhapatnam. WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 02 Launching a housing programme without a concrete plan!

he Andhra Pradesh the need to strength- inside flood banks of river. contemplated for the housing programme in rented hous- government, by set- en the state's economy. In all, 17, 436 new colonies are coming This goes against the rules of programme, if thoughtfully es at present? Are they real- Tting a target for Alas! Welfare schemes up in the names of YSR and Jagan river conservation act and diverted, would be enough to ly homeless? These are dif- itself to arrive at a 'satu- are always designed by heightens the danger of flood- realize the dream of Polavaram ficult questions. ration' point in its ambi- rulers to ensure positive under this massive project. The market ing in some of the colonies at present costs. If the state More importantly, the gov- tious housing pro- PIN outcomes at the value of 68, 477acres of land taken for coming up under this housing government keep its welfare ernment has given beneficia- gramme that seeks to POINT hustings. programme. Persons enjoying thoughts aside and focuses ries of this housing pro- eventually eliminate the On Christmas this week, this purpose is a whopping Rs.23, 535 proximity to local legislators on speedy completion of gramme the option to sell category of 'homeless', the unveiling of the gigantic crores. Questions are being raised managed to get their lands Polavaram, in view of its their 'new houses ' after a appears to have bitten off housing programme across included in the massive hous- importance to the state, it can particular period. Wouldn't more than what it can chew. It the state of Andhra Pradesh about the ways in which land has been ing programme for manifold impress upon the Union gov- exercising that option make has been pumping money into will see a finale to 2020. Nearly acquired for this programme increase their surrender value. ernment to grant additional those beneficiaries homeless the programme likened to a 27 lakh people are going to get This will increase the financial funds for the project, which is again? Wouldn't it defeat the black hole, irrespective of its house site pattas in 11, 000 plus burden on the state. In this considered to be the lifeline of very purpose of the pro- worsening financial position. villages across the state. It and influence them to have situation, the act of giving M D RATNA KUMAR quid pro quo, political rivalry Andhra Pradesh in the post- gramme? How would the Things would have been may be a programme without positive feelings towards the financial approval for spend- Senior Journalist has vanished with deals being bifurcation period. larger purpose of bringing better if the housing pro- parallel in the country. Yet, the ruling party. Still, eventually it ing Rs.940 crores towards the struck by individuals crossing In light of the above, it 'saturation' point in the hous- gramme, or any one of the oth- larger questions are: How will lead to further deteriora- housing programme is bound political lines. appears that the housing pro- ing programme with the lofty ers among the Jagan govern- would it affect the economy? tion in the state's financial to have a negative impact on Questions are being raised If one looks at the present gramme has been launched goal of removing the word ment's Navaratnas, were Is it enough if it brings cheers health. the fiscal position. about the ways in which land situation relating to Polavaram without hard thinking or a 'homeless ' be served by mak- designed with foresight, after to large numbers beneficiaries? An unwanted situation has In all, 17, 436 new colonies has been acquired for this irrigation project, which is concrete plan of action. ing some of the beneficiaries hard thinking, and in keeping A close look at the housing already unfolded with the two are coming up in the names of programme. Apart from tak- beset by shortage of funds due Lakhs of beneficiaries, homeless again? with the state's fiscal position. programme suggests that the Telugu states competing with YSR and Jagan under this ing lands of assigned catego- to recent decisions of the presently categorized as Future generations will Any welfare programme is basic element of keeping the each other in getting the massive project. The market ry that have potential to get Union government that 'homeless', are expected to benefit if massive amounts bound to become non-pro- state's financial position intact Centre's approval to obtain value of 68, 477acres of land entangled in court cases, in reduced the project's esti- benefit from the housing are earmarked for 'productive ductive if the only goal is to is conspicuously missing! It loans to meet even their day- taken for this purpose is a some places the land for this mates, it may stand to reason programme. Are all the ben- spending' that leads to cre- garner votes without an eye on will definitely impress voters to-day expenditure. In this whopping Rs.23, 535 crores. programme has been selected that the overall expenditure eficiaries selected for this ation of assets for the state. AP govt spends Rs 84K cr on welfare schemes Nadu-Nedu works PNS n VIJAYAWADA ers had to stand in long queues close to Rs 1510crs per month released as the first installment to get their pension or other to disburse these pensions towards reimbursement of out- get priority... The Jagan Mohan Reddy gov- benefits from the disbursing under several categories standing loans of 8.71 lakh ernment had deposited a offices. Ammavodi: SHGs. Continued from page 1 whopping close to Rs 84,000 More often, they had to face Ammavodi provides Rs YSR Rythu Bharosa: crore in the bank accounts of several problems in availing the 15,000 assistance to mothers The Rythu Bharosa scheme The officials said that so far Chief Minister the beneficiaries of over 15 wel- benefits as either the biometric for sending her children to was launched by Andhra 836 procedures have been Jagan fare schemes through Direct system fails to work or there school up to Intermediate. Pradesh government in June covered under YSR Arogya directed the Benefit Transfer (DBT), in the would be no power supply. The Lunched on January 9, 2020, 2019 aiming to provide finan- Asara and steps are being last one year. poor persons return home dis- Rs 6,349.63crore was trans- cial assistance of Rs. 13, 500 in taken to include additional health While social welfare pen- appointed only for a replay of ferred into the bank account three installments ahead of 638 procedures under the officials to sions under various categories the scene on the next day. of 42.33 lakh beneficiaries. khariff and rabi seasons with Rs scheme. grabbed lion's share in the dis- "The previous government YSR Cheyutha: 7,500 in May, Rs 4,000 in He said the patients should focus on the bursement, a major chunk also too had all the technology, Launched on August 12, the October and Rs 2,000 in be shown the amount of YSR vaccines and went to farmers under Rythu which is being used now, at State spends Rs 4,179.20crores January during the festival sea- Arogya Asara is deposited in Bharosa and women under hand but it preferred to play its annually to about 22.29 lakh son. their accounts by the time their Amma Vodi schemes. The gov- own game of politics and had women belonging to SC, ST, For the second year (in they are discharged from functioning in ernment spent an additional vested the power of disbursing BC, Minorities in the age group 2020), Chief Minister YS hospitals. the countries amount of Rs 14, 189 crore on or sanctioning pensions, ration course of governance, DBT enchanced for old age persons, of 45-60. Jaganmohan Reddy has The Chief Minister direct- other welfare schemes like YSR cards and other such benefits has taken over and disbursing widow, toddy tappers, weavers, Each beneficiary gets Rs released Rs 3,675.25 crores ed the officials to get reports like Britain. Arogyasri, Jagananna in the hands of its lower-rung became easy and transparent, single women, fishermen, ART 18,750 per month for a period towards Rythu Bharosa-PM on the quality standards at Gorumudda, YSR Sampoorna leaders leaving room for dis- while the Village Secretariat (PLHIV) Persons, traditional of four years which aggregates Kisan benefitting 49, 43, 590 government hospitals apart Poshana, Jagananna Vidya crimination, nepotism and cor- system has been playing the cobblers to Rs.2250/- per to Rs 75,000. Subsequently Rs farmer families towards invest- from private hospitals. He Central government has for- Kanuka and house sites distri- ruption. These leaders played vital role. month, disabled persons, trans- 424.93 crores were disbursed to ment incentive ahead of the said the services of mulated guidelines for the bution. havoc with the social system Going one step ahead, the gender and dappu artists to 2.27 lakh eligible beneficiaries khariff season on May 15 and Aarogyasri and helpdesks distribution of the vaccine. The Chief Minister's Office pushing the populace to a government has opened up Rs.3,000/- per month, and also in the second phase taking the Rs 1,114.87 crores was released should be improved on daily Committees are being setup has said that the Direct Benefit point of rebellion which had new vistas in social delivery for people affected with total amount transferred to Rs on October 27. basis. at mandal, district and state transfer (DBT) has come in like reflected in the 2019 election system with the volunteer Chronic Kidney Disease who 4,604.13 crores. The third installment of Rs He said the ANMs should level for the distribution of a boon to the beneficiaries. results that gave YS knocking at the door of the are undergoing dialysis both Jaganannna Vidya Deevena: 1009 crore would be released to be given training at Village the vaccine. Chief Minister YS Jagan Jaganmohan Reddy a thump- beneficiary on the first date of Government and network hos- This is total fees reimburse- 50.47 lakh farmers on Secretariats on protocol and The Chief Minister direct- Mohan Reddy took proactive ing mandate," said a senior every month to handover the pitals to Rs.10,000/- per month. ment and Rs 3,857.39 crore December 29. (Previous year procedures for calling ambu- ed the officials to focus on the initiatives and transferred the minister in Jagan's cabinet. pension amount. The disburse- The enhanced scale of pen- including Rs 1,880 crores due figure Rs 6,534.07 crores) lances for patients. He said vaccines and their function- money directly to the bank The minister added that ment is going on beyond caste, sion came into effect from of the previous government Apart from direct benefit CCTV cameras should be ing in the countries like accounts of the beneficiaries, during the 3,648 km Praja creed, religion or political affil- June, 2019 payable from 1st was released on April 28 ben- transfer schemes, the Chief installed in all network hos- Britain. shunting out the role of mid- Sankalpa Yatra, YS Jagan iation and is being done on sat- July, 2019 onwards. efiting 19 lakh students. Minister also implemented pitals. He said Arogya Mitras Jagan asked the officials to dlemen and infusing trans- Mohan Reddy had seen people uration mode with utter sincer- Also, the Chief Minister YSR Aasara: other welfare schemes like YSR should have positive attitude create awareness among parency into the system in the complaining of such rampant ity and fairness," the minister announced that the pension Launched on September 11 Arogyasri, Jagananna towards patients and all the ANMs and ASHA workers purest form. irregularities and could under- added. enhancement will be effected to handhold women Self Help Gorumudda, YSR Sampoorna information and support and provide training on the Not very long ago, the sys- stand that only four or five per- from July 2021 taking from Groups (SHGs) reimbursing Poshana, Jagananna Vidya should be provided by them distribution of the vaccine. tem was entirely different. sons of the eligible 1,000 peo- YSR Pension Kanuka: the existing Rs 2250 to Rs their outstanding dues benefit- Kanuka and House sites distri- as expected. He instructed the officials Elderly, sick and differently- ple were getting due benefits. Under, YSR Pension scheme, 2500. ing 88 lakh women in the bution to 30 lakh people aggre- The officials explained the to focus on the infrastructure abled people, daily wage earn- "The Yatra has changed the the Pension amount has been Government is spending State, Rs 6,792.21 crores was gating to Rs 14,189.74 crore. facilities available for the facilities required for the storage and distribution of storage of the vaccine at the vaccine. They said Village/ ward Secretariats. VPT chief takes... CM Jagan picks live wire Adityanath... Continued from page 1 698.52 crore of the previous Continued from page 1 ment's view effectively to the Be vigilant about fiscal. The shareholders in the Centre on the necessity of ADITYA ONCE BRAVED MILITANTS During the 44th Annual 44th AGM held on Tuesday I would work hard as a finding the prestigious Continued from page 1 and how it will help the local General Meeting of the approved the above financial team to fulfil the promises Polavaram project as per 2018 communities. Convinced with Company, members approved results for the year 2019-20. made by the Chief Minister price index/estimates. He It is learnt that Adityanath Das him and his argument, Covid second... the financial results for the DCIL has been performing and the mandate given to me. was also successful in was undeterred even in the explanation, the militants had year 2019-20. the dredging at the Port for the I would strive hard to put impressing upon the Centre presence of the armed militants. released Adityanath Das within Continued from page 1 despite the mutation, a Covid- The profit after tax of the past thirty years. The compa- Andhra Pradesh top among all on the Polavaram funding. He They had released him from their hours after he was kidnapped. 19 vaccine will be equally DCIL is Rs. 5.51 crore for the ny also caters to the dredging the other states in the country," is also known as the crisis confinement within no time. An Aditya was in Delhi assignment The aviation ministry on effective against it as there year when compared to Rs. 38 needs of other major ports and Adityanath Das told The manager who can unlock any undeterred Adityanath Das had at AP Bhawan and NEIGRIHMS Monday announced the sus- was no reason to believe that crore for the previous year. Indian Navy. Pioneer. difficult situations related to explained the importance of such away from Andhra Pradesh pension of all flights to and vaccines that have already The operational income of The Company is taking It may be recalled that for- governance and administra- a hospital in northeastern region between 2001 and 2006. from the UK from Tuesday been developed would not be the company in 2019-20 is Rs capital dredging assignments mer Chief Minister late Dr YS tion. until the end of 31 December, effective against the new 749.69 crore when compared on the availability of the ves- Rajasekhar Reddy had select- Adityanath is known for interstate issues. Known for Adityanath Das was born and made it mandatory for all strain. to Rs. 691.74 crores for the sels and other logistic require- ed Adityanath Das for his cru- efficient handling of crucial his integrity and swiftness, on June 30, 1961 in Bihar. He passengers, arriving before India has the second high- previous year. ments. These works were exe- cial 'Jala Yagnam' programme departments like irrigation, Adityanath will be a great joined civil services in 1987 the ban comes into force, to est number of Covid-19 infec- The other income is Rs. 5.60 cuted either under the existing and he proved to be most suc- both in the united state and in asset to the AP government. and started his career as undergo Covid-19 test. tions in the world after the crore, while the company contracts or renewal of the cessful irrigation secretary in new Andhra Pradesh. He His positive attitude is expect- Assistant Collector in The Union health ministry US, with its tally crossing 10 earned an income of Rs. 6.78 contracts entered into with the the history of undivided played a crucial role in ed to fix negative forces in the Vizianagaram district. He has so far denied detecting the millions on the weekend. crore for the previous year. Ports during the previous Andhra Pradesh. reforming the irrigation sec- government, said a senior studied at Banaras Hindu new strain of the Covid-19 Over 1,46,000 people suc- The total income for the year years or new contracts entered Recently he was successful tor and expediting several colleague of the newly- University (BHU) and JNU found in UK earlier. cumbed to deadly is Rs. 755.29 crore against Rs. into during the year. in conveying the state govern- projects by resolving tricky appointed CS. before joining civil services. Experts have said that Coronavirus disease in India.

HYDERABAD BULLION RATES RT-PCR tests on... AP, Odisha settle dispute, to fix border from today GOLD Continued from page 1 second wave of Covid-19. ` 51, 270 (10 gm) He pointed out that Britain The fresh state Covid order and some other countries n AP officials allege Odisha residents occupied Andhra land violating laws ` 110 follows a directive from the imposed fresh restrictions SILVER Union Health Secretary on after a new strain of the virus PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM survey at the disputed border Dumbriguda mand four vil- Revenue department said Odisha. Even the survey also ` 73, 600 (1kg) Monday. Chief Minister Y S was detected. near Kolaput village under lages of Dekkaparu, that the joint survey has showed that the land comes ` 100 Jagan Mohan Reddy, who The Chief Minister also After a joint survey by the both Dumbriguda Mandal in the Bodalamamidi, Nitamamidi exposed that the Odisha gov- under AP. chaired a high-level meeting reviewed the preparedness for the state officials, Andhra Vizag Agency of Andhra and Kolaput have been affect- ernment removed some The tribal also alleged that on the health sector on administration of the Covid- Pradesh and Odisha are gear- Pradesh. ed. boundary pillars and the Odisha government was CHICKEN Tuesday, asked the officials to 19 vaccine whenever it was ing up to fix the border line of Almost a month ago, some The Revenue officials of encroached on some land that responsible for another border RATES `/KG be alert and geared up in the available, a release from the the two states from Wednesday. villagers of Koraput district of Andhra Pradesh said that a belonged to the AP govern- dispute near Tutangi pan- wake of reports of a possible chief minister's office said. The residents of the border- Odisha, along with some offi- joint survey at the disputed site ment. The AP team found that chayat under Dumbriguda Dressed/With Skin `157 ing districts, Vizag of AP and cials and political leaders, has completed a few days ago the original boundary marks mandal. The villagers of Without Skin `178 Koraput of Odisha locked walked into Kolaput panchay- and now officials of both AP were intact as per the 1955 set- Ballakattu, Baldagadda, Broiler at Farm `108 horns after a signboard was at of Dumbriguda mandal in and Odisha will match it with tlement survey by Madras Thokalaseru, Laseru, Sangam SIT on Vizag land sees huge... replaced. Vizag Agency of Andhra respective state maps on the Presidency and the villagers of Valasa and Dhaturu under The special teams from Pradesh side, and allegedly spot. Odisha have encroached the Tutangi Panchayat of EGG Continued from page 1 coming into power, the YSRC Andhra Pradesh and Odisha forcibly encroached over 600 Subsequently, boundary pil- land of AP. Dumbriguda alleged that the RATES `/100 government constituted a new SIT jointly surveyed the disputed metres on the AP side by lars will be put up in presence The tribal activists, led by K forest officials of Odisha gov- The erstwhile government set to conduct a comprehensive border under Dumbriguda removing the signboards and of officials from both sides in Surendra, said that Andhra ernment forcibly occupied VIJAYAWADA 506 up an SIT in June, 2017, headed inquiry into allegations of tamper- mandal in Vizag Agency and stones demarcating the border the coming days. The border Pradesh was formed in 1953, it over 100 metres on the AP HYDERABAD 511 by IPS officer Vineet Brijlal. The ing of land records in Vizag and Koraput. and shifted them over 600 dispute will be settled in a few was entered into revenue side by removing the sign- SIT submitted its report in January, surrounding areas involving 400 The officials from Andhra metres inside the AP area. days much to the relief to the records that these two villages boards and stones demarcat- VISAKHAPATNAM 480 2018 but the TDP government did acres of land in Madhurawada Pradesh and Odisha govern- The incident has occurred in villagers of AP and Odisha would come under ing the border and shifted RETAIL PRICE `5.06 not publish the report. After and Kommadi. ments have completed the joint the Kolaput area under along the border. Dumbriguda mandal and not them. (IN HYDERABAD)

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. Readers are advised and requested to verify and seek appropriate advice to satisfy themselves about the veracity of any kind of advertisement before responding to any contents published in this newspaper. The printer, publisher, editor and any employee of the Pioneer Group's will not be held responsible for any kind of claim made by the advertisers of the products & services and shall not be made responsible for any kind of loss, consequences and further product-related damages on such advertisements.

Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 03

Hardcore Maoist arrested by Vizag Police to check harassment Nilam Sawhney appointed police PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM by mobile loan sharks A Maoist militia commander, as Principal Advisor to CM involved in as many as 27 crim- inal cases, was arrested in Jagan warns stern action PNS n VIJAYAWADA Vizag on Tuesday. During an operation, G. Madugula police against online money lenders Chief secretary Nilam Srilakshmi posted as arrested the Maoist su-pporter, Sawhney, who is set to retire Vanthala Kameswara Rao, a PNS n VIJAYAWADA from the government services municipal secretary resident of Rasarai village under this month end, has been Killamkota panchayat. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan appointed as the Principal PNS n VIJAYAWADA According to the district police, Reddy on Tuesday directed the Advisor to the Chief Minister the accused worked as militia officials to take stringent action with cabinet rank. Orders to Senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, member and then militia com- against online money lenders this effect have been issued by who was shifted from Telangana mander for a period of six years and has announced ex-gratia to the government on Tuesday. to Andhra Pradesh cadre, has for the CPI (Maoist) at the two victims who committed As Principal Advisor to the been posted as secretary of MA Killamkota pocket for the suicide in two separate Chief Minister, Nilam & UD department. The 1988 Pedabayulu Area Committee in PNS n VIJAYAWADA incidents. During a meeting with Sawhney, will look monitor Nilam batch IAS officer was accused in the district. He was reported- officials here on Tuesday, the Health and Covid-19 manage- the Chief Minister Y S Jagan ly involved in several offences, Andhra Pradesh DGP Goutam Chief Minister directed them to ment, Centre-State relations Sawhney had Mohan Reddy's quid pro quo including four murders. Sawang said that the police take stringent action against Guntur district. A video of the and bifurcation issues. She successfully case filed by CBI and was also Police said that in 2013, he were keeping an eye on the those lending money through deceased was released in which will also look after administra- lodged in the jail. After Jagan took part in the murder of cases related to harassment by online apps at exorbitant interest she declared that she had tive reforms including the completed her became CM, she had shown Pangi Prasad and Pangi microfinance mobile loan apps rates and harassing borrowers. committed suicide due to sexual strengthening of Village / stint of more interest to shift to Andhra Srikanth at Kotagunnalu vil- and would conduct special He has announced ex-gratia to harassment. Similarly, the Chief on Dec 31. K Sunitha, Secretary Ward Secretariats and other than a year Pradesh cadre and with the lage in Chinthapalli mandal. drives across the state to check the families of the victims who Minister announced Rs 5 lakh Institutions at various levels in active support of the Jagan to Government, Finance In 2014, he was involved in those cases. He said that these committed suicide in Guntur compensation to the family of the district, District without any government, the Centre had Department and in-charge of the murder of Sindri Karla at mobile apps were operating and Prakasam districts. A Bhuvaneswari, a differently- new Revenue Generating Reorganisation, land resur- shifted her from Telangana to Rallagadda in Chintapalli from Delhi, Gurgon and Noida compensation of Rs 10 lakh was abled village volunteer, who died differences Projects taken up by different vey and titling Act etc. AP cadre. The present MA & UD mandal. He was also accused and warned that the depart- announced to the family of a in a tragic incident at departments within the Finance Apart from this, she will with the CM. secretary, J Syamala Rao has in the murder case of Bachali ment would initiate stern 10th class girl (Sowmya) who Dasarajupalle in Ongole town of Department, is transferred and also take up subjects and pro- She had also been posted as irrigation Balakrishna at Killamkota in action against the culprits. committed suicide in Korrapadu, Prakasam district. secretary in the place of posted as Secretary to jects as allocated by the Chief Government, Social Welfare G. Madugula mandal in 2014. He asked the victims to Minister from time to time. got six months Adityanath Das who has been During the year 2015, he come forward to lodge com- elevated as the chief secretary. Department, relieving Budithi Nilam had set the record extension in Rajsekhar, from the full was involved in the murder of plaints in the concerned police He revealed that Disha category. being the first woman CS of Syamala Rao, has been posted Vanthala Sathya Rao at stations and assured that the mobile application was yield- The DGP said that the two tranches. as Officer on Special Duty in additional charge. the state. In undivided Andhra She is also placed in full Madatakonda in Chintapalli department would take mea- ing good results and appealed police department introduced Pradesh, too only two women Water Resources Department. mandal. He is accused of sures to end the menace. to women to make good use of awards to APSP to encourage He will assume the charge of additional charge of the post of IAS officials Sathi Nair and VC & MD, AP Scheduled Castes torching the earthmoving He said that of the total Disha app by downloading in them. He said that APSP was Minnie Mathew made it to the Sawhney had successfully the post of Secretary to equipment and machinery complaints, 52 per cent were their mobiles. He said that 1.05 a paramilitary force and had Government, Water Resources Coop. Finance Corporation top post. She had become CA completed her stint of more Limited, relieving Budithi of the government while lay- filed by women in the lakh people downloaded FIRs rendered its services in other after the unceremonious than a year without any differ- Department after Adityanath ing roads in several interior Spandana grievance pro- through the Police Seva appli- states also. He said that awards Das, assumes the charge of Rajsekhar, from the full shunting out of the then chief ences with the CM. She had additional charge. villages of Munchingput, grammes and said that anyone cation. He said that AP police were given to APSP employees secretary, LV Subramanyam also got six months extension Chief Secretary to Government Chintapalli and G.Madugula can lodge a petition directly in got 108 awards last year and who rendered good services in from the CMO. Nilam in two tranches. mandals. the police through Spandana. got second place in the ICJS the last year.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA 8,000 per month for the main- Inter-state illegal arms tenance of toilets, including Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Mana Badi works to begin from April purchase of cleaning supplies. Reddy directed the officials to The Chief Minister reviewed start the second phase of Mana Jagananna Vidya Kanuka held 9,476 primary, 822 of 27,438 new Anganwadi cen- standards of the books and to Jagananna Vidhya Kanuka trade racket busted Badi-Nadu Nedu works from here on Tuesday, the Chief tres will be constructed and prepare special videos for teach- scheme and said steps should be April 1 next where 9,476 prima- Minister instructed the officials upper primary, 2,771 16,681 will be revamped at a ing to create interest among the taken to distribute the kits on ry, 822 upper primary, 2,771 to start the Anganwadi first high schools, 473 junior cost of Rs 5,000 crore. The Chief students. He told the officials to the reopening day of schools for at Anakapalle high schools including resi- phase Nadu-Nedu works by Minister said that Anganwadi focus on maintaining clean toi- the next academic year. Quality dential schools, 473 junior col- March 2021 and complete with- colleges, 1,668 schools would be named as YSR lets and appoint a caretaker with should be maintained in all PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM ed the mobile phone numbers leges, 1,668 hostels, 17 DIET in two-and-a-half years. In the hostels,17 DIET colleges pre-primary schools. Minister a minimum pay of Rs 6,000 per items of the kit including school of the people who had threat- colleges, 672 MRCS centres first phase, 6,407 new Thaneti Vanitha and officials month. Based on the student uniform, he said and added that The Anakapalle police in ened him. and 446 Bhavita centres will be Anganwadi centres will be con- and 672 MRCS centres have shown the books pre- strength, up to four caretakers the medium of instruction for Visakhapatnam district Police found that deceased revamped. structed and 4,171 Anganwadi to be revamped pared for pre-primary students. have to be appointed in each seventh class students from unearthed an inter-state illegal person Lokanadha Rao had During a review meeting on centres will be renovated. The Chief Minister asked school. It was estimated that next academic year would be arms trade racket on Tuesday. links with Samrat Dhali and Mana Badi- Nadu Nedu and Through this initiative, a total them to ensure quality in the each school requires Rs 6,250 to English. Samrat Dhali from Abhishek Kumar. They arrest- Udhamsing Nagar in ed Samrat from New Delhi Uttarakhand, Abhishek Kumar who later confessed that on from New Delhi, Mohit from instructions from Abhishek SHORT TAKES Subhana Jhajjar in Haryana Kumar, he procured pistols and Chukka Balagangadhar and magazines from one SHE team vehicles get a political from Gajuwaka in Mohit of Haryana and deliv- YSRCP leaders looting public Visakhapatnam were arrested. ered them to Lokanadha Rao. Giving details of the case, The police arrested Abhishek colour: Atchannaidu seeks probe money, alleges Naidu Inspector of Anakapalle Police Kumar and later released him Station L Bhaskar Rao said as he was bedridden with PNS n VIJAYAWADA women, he added. VIJAYAWADA: Leader of the that one Bheesetti Lokanadha sickness and was unable to State government is Atchannaidu said that state Opposition N Chandrababu Rao consumed poison and move. Mohit was brought to Andhra Pradesh TDP government had already wast- Naidu on Tuesday accused died in King George Hospital Anakapalle and later sent to President K Atchannaidu on more focussed on ed over Rs 3,500 crore for the Ministers and MLAs of in Visakhapatnam while judicial remand after produc- Tuesday urged the AP Director publicity and has changing the colours of gov- eyeing six types of lands in undergoing treatment on ing him in the court. General of Police to take strin- ernment buildings with its the resurvey across the November 28. His relatives Finally, they arrested gent action against the erring completely ignored party flag colours. State. Land scams worth while cleaning the house on Chukka Balagangadhar of officials responsible for apply- The courts have also passed hundreds of crores were December 3 found two pistols, Anakapalle who hatched the ing YSRCP colours to the 'SHE welfare of farmers, poor orders that public properties surfacing across the State. In three magazines and 18 live plan along with the arms deal- TEAM' vehicles in Guntur dis- people and women, and government vehicles the name of land acquisition rounds hidden in the sunshade ers and Loakanadham to trict. In a letter written to the should not be coloured with for free house sites, the of the house. Deceased per- extract money from the peo- DGP, Atchannaidu asked how says TDP leader political party flag colour. ruling party leaders son's father-in-law Karri ple at the gunpoint. He lost the Guntur Urban SP could Stating that the police plundered Rs 4,000 crore. In Sankar Rao informed the money through online gam- launch those politically brand- department should be free of the name of levelling those lands, another Rs 2,000 crore public police about the hidden arms. bling. ed 'SHE TEAM' vehicles on the vehicles which according the YSRCP government for such illegalities, Atchannaidu money was looted. The TDP chief called upon all sections of society Another person Thadi The CI said the deceased December 21. him was "unlawful". giving its party colours to demanded that the DGP to question the YSRCP government in that regard. In 20 months of Prasanna Kumar also lodged Lokanadha Rao procured Stating that colouring the Recalling that the previous those vehicles. order a detailed probe into Jagan's regime, all sections of people were being persecuted. The a complaint that he was threat- arms to kill his wife and government vehicles with flags TDP regime procured over The government is more the incident and initiate sole agenda of the YSRCP leaders is to harass the people in every ened by some persons who father-in-law who had taken of a particular political party is 800 vehicles for strengthening focussed on publicity and has against those responsible for way possible. The public were terrorised with attacks and atrocities. whipped out pistols and all the money he earned while a mistake, he questioned how the SHE teams to ensure completely ignored welfare of giving government vehicles a False cases filed and arrests were made against all dissenting the Guntur Urban SP launched women safety, he criticised farmers, poor people and political colour. voices. The people were being betrayed and looted endlessly, he demanded money. He provid- working in Gulf countries. alleged. Privileges Committee Assistant Central Intelligence Vizag Steel commissions new Coke Officer notification issued meet today VIJAYAWADA: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ministry of Home Affairs Oven Battery worth Rs 2,500 crore (MHA) has started the online application process for recruitment to PNS n VIJAYAWADA Reddy has issued a Privilege the posts of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer, Grade II/ Executive PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM the principal contractors. With Motion notice against the two i.e. ACIO-II/Exe in IB, (Ministry of Home Affairs), Government of unrelenting efforts of the Vizag The Privilege Committee will TDP MLAs for misleading India. Candidates can apply for IB ACIO Recruitment 2020 on or RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Steel along with its project divi- be meeting for the first time the House on various issues before January 9, 2021 on the official website of MHA - mha.gov.in. commissioned its new Coke sion at the forefront, the battery after formation here on and the committee will discuss Candidates seeking to apply for IB ACIO Recruitment 2021 should Oven Battery (COB:5) on could be first-charged with coal Wednesday to discuss the leg- those complaints. be a graduate. The age of the candidates should be between 18 and Tuesday. The first coke was on December 21 and all the 67 islative rights and discipli- On the other hand the TDP 27 years. The selection will be done on the basis of IB ACIO Exam. A pushed down by CMD PK Rath, ovens were charged within 24 hrs nary violations. members have also issued a total of 2,000 vacancies are available under General Central Service, in the presence of Atul Bhatt, which is a unique achievement. Chairman Kakani Privilege Motion notice Group 'C' (Non-gazetted, Non Ministerial). The appointment to the CMD of MECON. The COB#5 The first pushing was complet- Govardhan Reddy will chair against Jagan and minister post will be temporary. However, appointment in permanent capacity project was envisaged with a ed on December 22 marking the committee meeting. It is Kannababu. The Privilege will depend on various factors governing permanent appointment in total cost of about Rs. 2,500 commissioning of COB#5, a likely that the TDP MLAs Committee is likely to discuss such post in force at that time. Successful completion of mandatory crore. momentous event for Vizag Steel. will discuss at the meeting on these notices too. It is possible induction training is a prerequisite for confirmation to the post. While M/s MECON is the All directors and senior officers the privilege notice given to to seek conciliation from the principal consultant for the pro- of RINL and MECON, trade TDP leaders Atchannaidu and members, will make recom- ject, M/s BEC consortium and Union leaders and employees Nimmala Rama Naidu. Chief mendations for actions based VMC bags SKOCH award M/s TATA Projects Limited are were present. Minister YS Jaganmohan on their answers. VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation bagged SKOCH award at the 69th SKOCH Summit and SKOCH Awards- 2020. VMC Commissioner V Prasanna Venkatesh attended the 6th SKOCH Summit and SKOCH Awards-2020 as an eminent panelist on the theme 'State of Governance', along with others speakers. Jagan govt publicising central schemes as its own: BJP Prasanna Venkatesh said that the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation achieved SKOCH 2020 Silver Award for remediation of MSW PNS n VIJAYAWADA Technology in Village Areas Haryana, 100 from dumpsite at Ajith Singh Nagar through bio-mining process by the (SVAMITVA) scheme. The Maharashtra, 44 from Madhya Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. The VMC has been awarded BJP state president Somu Central government aims at Pradesh, 50 from Uttarakhand under the governance sector on the theme of environment and Veerraju accused the state gov- enabling villagers to use a and two from Karnataka. sustainability in the Executive Plus category. As part of the panel, ernment of publicising the property as a financial asset for Talking to reporters, Prasanna Venkatesh briefed the panelists about the process adopted Union government's schemes availing loans and other finan- Veerraju said that the state gov- and various innovative interventions undertaken for 45 acres of land as its own. cial benefits. ernment had spent only Rs at Ajith Singh Nagar, which was covered with mixed Municipal He alleged that Jagan gov- SVAMITVA is a Central 4,000 crore to purchase land Legacy Solid Waste that contained about 3.05 lakh MT of waste. ernment had named Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry for distributing it to the poor, Guntur Municipal Corporation special officer and Guntur District scheme SVAMITVA, issuance of Panchayat Raj. The scheme while the additional Rs 3,000 Collector I Samuel Anand Kumar and GMC Commissioner C of property cards, as YSR aims at providing 'Record of crores have been swindled. He Anuradha expressed happiness over getting Platinum SKOCH Jagananna bhu raksha scheme Rights' to household owners in also said that while the Centre award. Anuradha said that the plastic waste to synthetic fuel (land resurvey) and strongly rural areas and issuing had granted Rs 30,000 crore conversion plant situated at KVP Colony in Guntur is generating 230 objected to it. Property Cards. funds under various heads, but litres of fuel from 500 kg of plastic per day. She said that the fuel is Prime Minister Narendra The beneficiaries of the the government of Andhra used for the GMC sanitary vehicles, which helps to reduce fuel Modi had in October launched scheme are from 763 villages Pradesh could not utilise Rs expenditure. She said that 1,000 cities and towns compete for the Survey of Villages and across six states including 346 12,000 crore of subsidies due SKOCH awards in which Guntur, Khagaria of Bihar and Pune of Mapping with Improvised from Uttar Pradesh, 221 from to its inefficiency. Maharashtra secured platinum awards. WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 nation 04

Court accepts Ideological differences should be closure report on Jet Airways' set aside for development: Modi promoter PNS n ALIGARH (UP) goals. “These are some of the PNS n MUMBAI issues on which we cannot Prime Minister Narendra Modi differ in the name of our polit- A metropolitan court here on on Tuesday said political and ical or ideological (vaicharik) Tuesday accepted the clo- ideological differences should compulsions.” sure report filed by Mumbai be set aside for the sake of This was the first time in police in a cheating case national goals, asserting that over five decades that a prime against Jet Airways, which politics can wait but develop- minister participated in an has been grounded since ment cannot. AMU event, after Lal Bahadur April last year, its promoter Addressing the centenary Shastri attended one in 1964. Naresh Goyal and his wife. celebrations of Aligarh Muslim The PM's address also comes The order came a day after University, he said development against the backdrop of spo- the Bombay High Court should not be seen through the radic protest by AMU stu- rejected a plea of the ED, political prism. dents in past months over which is also probing the case, Without elaborating, he said issues like the new Citizenship to intervene into the matter. some elements driven by self- Amendment Act, and the tar- Earlier, a similar plea by interest and negativity are geting of the campus by some the ED had been rejected by Temple fundraising: VHP bound to feel uneasy when BJP leaders. the metropolitan court and a everyone comes together to Modi stressed on develop- sessions court here. achieve common goals. ment and said it should not be The MRA Marg police "We have to understand that seen through the prism of pol- here in February this year to rope in 5 lakh volunteers politics is an important aspect itics. registered a case against the of society. But in society there PM to address celebrations “When we come together for Jet Airways, Goyal and his PNS n BENGALURU cent to the perennial Sarayu are also issues other than pol- this goal, it is possible that wife on charges of cheating Volunteers river and there is sand to the itics,” Modi said in the speech of Visva-Bharati University some elements feel uneasy. and criminal beach of trust, The VHP will rope in over five depth of 60 to 70 ft. delivered through video confer- Such elements are found in on a complaint filed by city- lakh volunteers to start a door- will start a The three-storey stone struc- ence to a university he called a rime Minister Narendra Modi will address the centenary every society in the world. based Akbar Travels India to-door fundraising drive in door-to-door ture with an estimated life of “mini-India”. Pcelebrations of the Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, on These are people who have Private Limited (ATIPL). Karnataka from January 15 to fundraising drive 1,000 years will be built without He said there is space beyond Thursday through video conferencing, the PMO said on Tuesday. self-interests and to fulfil them The ATIPL alleged that February 27 next year to build using cement and iron rods. ‘siyasat' (politics) and ‘satta' The West Bengal governor and the Union education minister will they can adopt any device and they were cheated of Rs 46 a grand Sri Ram Temple in in Karnataka "For the stability of the struc- (power), which should be also be present during the ceremony, it said. Founded by all types of negativity," the PM crore by the Goyals. The Ayodhya, the outfit's interna- from Jan 15 to ture, engineers from IIT explored by campuses like Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, Visva-Bharati is the oldest central said. But the space occupied by police filed the closure report tional working president Alok Mumbai, IIT Delhi, IIT AMU. “It is natural to have dif- university in the country. Tagore, a Nobel laureate, is one of the such people will shrink when in March, saying they have not Kumar said on Tuesday. Feb 27 next Chennai, IIT Guwahati, CBRI ferences in society,” he said. most revered icons from West Bengal, a state which will go to the the goal is to make a new India, found any evidence of the Addressing reporters here, he year to build a Roorkee, Larsen & Toubro are “But when the issue is securing assembly polls in the first half of the next year. In May 1951, Visva- he said. “Politics can wait, complainant being cheated. said, "We are going to form a working on the foundation national goals, these differ- Bharati was declared to be a Central University and an institution of society can wait. But the coun- The ATIPL later filed a peti- lakh groups comprising volun- grand Sri Ram drawing," he explained. ences should be set aside.” national importance" by an Act of Parliament, the PMO noted. The try' development cannot wait,” tion against the closure. A teers will go to 27,500 villages Temple in According to him, the tem- He listed economic develop- university followed the pedagogy devised by Tagore, though he said. chief metropolitan magistrate in the state and will be able to Ayodhya ple made of stone blocks would ment, education, standard of gradually it evolved in the format in which modern universities He said the poor, the poor, on Tuesday rejected the peti- contact 90 lakh 'devotees' for have a total area of 2.7 acres. living and nationalism (ras- developed elsewhere. The prime minister is the chancellor of the the deprived and the youth do tion of the ATIPL and accept- obtaining the 'Nidhi Samarpan' The construction area is travaad) among the common university. not want to wait any longer. ed the police's closure report. (fund for temple)." 57,400 sq. ft. The length of the Laying out plans for fundrais- hand over money to the depos- shrine would be 360 feet with ing, Kumar said a committee itor, who will deposit the entire 235 feet. It would be a three-sto- called Sri Ram Mandir Nidhi money within 48 hours in des- ried structure with 5 mandaps. Samarpan Abhiyan Samiti has ignated bank accounts. It is expected that by 2024 been formed in the state to over- "Every depositor will have a Shri Ram Lala, the idol of Lord ‘Will BJP leaders quit if party fails to get 200 seats in Bengal’ see the fund collection drive. registered code number at the Rama, shall be established in the According to Kumar, RSS nearest branch of one of the sanctum sanctorum of the main PNS n NEW DELHI Kishor told PTI, reiterating his Bengal, setting off a war of seats in the upcoming polls. functionary N Thippeswamy three banks namely State Bank temple. Along with the temple, assessment. words with BJP leaders on the BJP national general secre- will be the secretary of the of India, Bank of Baroda and there will be several other pro- A day after claiming that the He also clarified that if the microblogging website. tary Kailash Vijayvargiya, the Karnataka Samiti. Punjab National Bank. jects spread over 108 acres, BJP will not cross double dig- saffron party does any better His remarks came after party's pointsman in the state, There will be a committee of Full transparency would be Kumar said adding that all of its in the West Bengal assem- than what he has predicted, he senior BJP leader and Union took a swipe at Kishor, saying saints to guide the Samiti. maintained in the collection," he them will be of world standard bly polls, election strategist would quit his work. Minister Shah's visit to West the country will end up losing Kumar further said the fund added. and marvellous in all aspects. Prashant Kishor on Tuesday Kishor, who managed Bengal during which political a poll strategist after the West would be collected through On the temple project, He underlined that the VHP challenged its leaders to say on Narendra Modi's successful heavyweight Suvendu Bengal elections. tokens of Rs 10, Rs 100, Rs Kumar said Larsen and Toubro does not consider it as yet record that they will quit their campaign for prime minister- Adhikari, nine MLAs and a "Given the ongoing BJP 1,000. For those who donate is building the temple on a turn- another temple but a medium of positions if the party failed to ship in 2014, has been roped TMC MP joined the saffron tsunami in Bengal, once the more than Rs 2,000 there will be key basis whereas Tata social, religious and spiritual get 200 seats. in by TMC supremo Mamata party. new government is formed, a receipt. These donations will Consultancy would be the engi- rejuvenation. "We want to abol- "BJP will struggle to cross Banerjee to boost her party's Shah, considered the archi- the country will have to lose an be exempted under 80G of the neers for the construction. ish all the differences related to double digits and will get less prospects in the West Bengal On Monday, he tweeted tect of the BJP's resurgence in election strategist," Income Tax Act. The VHP He noted that there was a caste, region and linguistics than 100 seats in West Bengal. assembly polls likely in April- that the BJP would struggle to West Bengal, had asserted that Vijayvargiya quipped in Hindi president said every group will challenge facing the engineers as with this temple to build a har- Will quit my work if they do," May next year. cross double digits in West his party will win over 200 on Twitter. consist of five persons who will the temple was coming up adja- monious society...," Kumar said. Two Nigerians held Bihar judicial New farm laws: SHORT TAKES officers caught Rape and murder Farmers protest Jailed PDP youth leader with women at Mumbai Waheed Para wins DDC polls for drug peddling of 5-yr-old: MP DP youth president Waheed PPara, who is in custody of dismissed collector's office the National Investigation in Bengaluru PNS n PATNA cops to visit Jhajjar PNS n MUMBAI Agency for alleged links with militants, on Tuesday won the PNS n BENGALURU Three judicial officers in A group of farmers on District Development Council A total of 3,000 yellow Bihar, who were caught in PNS n BHOPAL A five-year-old Tuesday staged a protest out- (DDC) elections from Pulwama Two Nigerian nationals, and grey coloured compromising position with side the office of Mumbai district in Jammu and Kashmir. including a woman, have been women at a hotel in Nepal a A team of Madhya Pradesh daughter of a migrant suburban district collector Para defeated BJP candidate arrested here on charges of ecstasy pills, totally few years ago, have been dis- police will visit Jhajjar in worker from Madhya over their demand for with- Sajad Ahmad Raina. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said she was drug peddling and 3,000 ecsta- weighing 610 gms missed from service. Haryana where a five-year-old drawal of the Centre's three proud of her party's youth leader to register a win. "Couldn't be sy pills and cocaine, received According to a notification girl hailing from Madhya Pradesh was allegedly new farm laws. The protest- prouder of PDP's @parawahid who won his maiden election by a from the Netherlands and were hidden in layers issued by the state general Pradesh was allegedly raped raped and killed by ers claimed the new laws huge margin of votes. Despite being arrested on baseless charges Ethiopia through postal parcel of table cloth in the administration department and killed, Chief Minister would only benefit big corpo- right after filing his nomination people have shown their love & trust service, seized by the Narcotic on Monday, the dismissed Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on her 30-year-old rates rather than the farm- for Waheed. Hope justice prevails," Mehbooba wrote on Twitter. Para Control Bureau, the central parcels. officials are Hari Niwas Tuesday. ers."We want farmer-friend- was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on agency said on Tuesday. Gupta, Jitendra Nath Singh Chouhan also announced neighbour in Jhajjar ly laws," one of the protesters November 25, a few days after filing nomination papers as a Acting on intelligence and Komal Ram. an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to city, the Haryana said. The protest was sup- People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) candidate. inputs, a team of NCB officials ed several drug rackets in the The notification, which the victim's family. The chief ported by the 'Prahar' organ- arrested Ramla Shedafa Nancy state in the past few months, quotes a communication minister tweeted that he had police said on Monday. isation, headed by Maharash- and Emmanuel Michael when said it suspected that the pass- issued by the Patna High spoken to his Haryana coun- tra minister Bacchu Kadu. Fighting cerebral palsy, they arrived to collect the ports of the arrested Nigerians Court, added that their dis- terpart Manohar Lal Khattar The accused, who has a A group of farmers from parcels at the Foreign Post were fake. missals shall be deemed effec- and requested the latter to take criminal background, had the state has already left for 21-yr-old cracks JEE(Mains) Office here on December 18, MDMA (methylenedioxy- tive from February 12, 2014 stringent action against the allegedly kidnapped the girl Delhi to support the peasants aralysed below the neck, a release from the agency said. methamphetamine), com- and they would stand accused person. from her house and took her who are protesting at borders P21-year-old Tuhin Dey A total of 3,000 yellow and monly known as ecstasy, is a deprived of all post-retire- "The incident of the rape to his residence where he of the national capital since writes exams holding a pen in grey coloured ecstasy pills, party drug that alters mood ment benefits. and murder of a girl from committed the crime, a police November 26. his mouth and operates his totally weighing 610 gms and and perception and reduces Gupta, who was then the Damoh (Madhya Praedesh) in official had said. They are demanding a mobile phone and computer hidden in layers of table cloth feelings of increased energy Principal Judge, family court Jhajjar, Haryana, is extremely The girl's body was recov- repeal of the new agri laws. the same way. This has not in the parcels. and pleasure. at Samastipur, and Singh and sad and condemnable. I talked ered from the house of the Enacted in September, the stopped him from getting The NCB team also recov- The NCB release said the Ram who were then respec- to the Chief Minister of accused and he was arrested. three farm laws have been admission to a prestigious engineering institute. Tuhin, who ered 235 grams of cocaine popularity of such synthetic tively Additional District Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar Chouhan also said that he projected by the central gov- suffers from cerebral palsy, secured Rank 438 in the JEE (Mains) concealed in the inner walls of drugs have increased manifold Judge and Additional Judge- on this issue and urged strict had spoken with a family ernment as major reforms in this year and got admission in information technology at the a corrugated box from anoth- over the past five years in the cum-Chief Judicial action against the guilty," member of the victim. the agriculture sector that will Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology in West er parcel, it said. country. Magistrate at Araria, were Chouhan tweeted. "I am sending a team of remove the middlemen and Bengal's Shibpur. Tuhin has so far undergone 20 surgeries and Preliminary investigation Cocaine, also known as caught by Nepal police dur- A five-year-old daughter of Madhya Pradesh police to allow farmers to sell any- several plates have been inserted into his body to keep his bones revealed that ecstasy pills were coke, is a strong stimulant ing a raid conducted at a hotel a migrant worker from Jhajjar. We will provide all pos- where in the country. straight. A resident of Midnapore in West Bengal, Tuhin prepared sourced from the Netherlands most frequently used as a in Viratnagar. Madhya Pradesh was alleged- sible help to the victim's fam- The protesting farmers for the exam at a coaching institute in Rajasthan's Kota. He had for distribution. The cocaine recreational drug. It was com- They were released later on ly raped and killed by her 30- ily. We are providing immedi- have expressed apprehension cracked the JEE (Advanced) last year but failed to score required was received from Ethiopia, monly snorted, inhaled as though the matter came to year-old neighbour in Jhajjar ate assistance of Rs four lakh that the new laws would pave marks in Class 12. "Everybody in the institute is delighted that the NCB, which said. smoke, or dissolved and inject- light when it was reported in city, the Haryana police said to them. We are with the vic- the way for eliminating the such a candidate has taken admission. I am very glad that he has The bureau, which has bust- ed into a vein, the release said. a Nepalese newspaper. on Monday. tim's family," he added. safety cushion of MSP. received so many awards and he will definitely be a good student for us,” a senior official at the Indian Institute of Engineering Low voter turnout in panchayt and 2 ULB polls in Arunachal Science and Technology (IIEST) said over the phone. PNS n ITANAGAR Deputy Secretary Habung have already won without any have been won by the ruling Two arrested for robbing Lampung said. A total of contest, the official said. party unopposed, State A voter turnout of 25 per cent 4,89,423 voters are eligible to Of the 20 seats of IMC, five Election Commissioner Hage senior citizens in Thane was recorded in the first five exercise their franchise at 1,472 candidates from the ruling BJP Kojeen said. East Siang is the hours of panchayat elections in polling stations to elect mem- have been elected unopposed. only district where elections are wo persons have been Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, bers for 141 Zilla Parishad Voters will decide the fate of being held in all the 120 polling Tarrested for allegedly posing while 30 per cent of electors seats and 1,702 gram pan- 36 candidates- 15 from BJP, 14 stations, he said. as cable mechanics or exercised their franchise for chayat segments and 23 coun- from Janata Dal United, four At least 110 gram panchay- salesmen and robbing senior polls for two urban local bod- cillors for two urban local from National People's Party at segments in the state have citizens in Maharashtra's Thane ies, an official said. bodies- Itanagar Municipal and three from the Congress- fallen vacant due to various city, police said on Tuesday. The Voting began at 7 am with Corporation and Pasighat for remaining 15 wards of reasons. The SEC will take a police have nabbed Ganesh election officials and voters Municipal Council. IMC, he said. final call on conducting by- alias Suban Sanjay Karavade (31) of Dombivli and Sainath Prakash adhering to COVID-19 proto- EVMs are being used for the About 17 candidates are in elections to these seats after the Gaikwad (23) of Ghatkopar, senior inspector Anil Mangle of cols, he said. two civic bodies elections and the fray for eight seats of PMC, current election process is over, Naupada police station. The duo had allegedly gained entry into flats The turnout of voters was ballot papers for panchayats. official said. A total of 258 polling sta- where the BJP and the the official said. by posing as cable mechanics or salesmen and robbed senior moderate in the morning as Safety protocols like wearing More than 8,000 security tions have been identified as Congress are contesting in all As the state administration citizens of valuables, the official said. According to the police, the chilly weather conditions kept masks, maintaining social dis- personnel, including nine com- hyper-sensitive, and 536 as wards and the NPP in one. has declared a holiday on accused were involved in at least 10 such robberies, six reported in most people indoors. The tancing inside the polling panies of Central Reserve sensitive. Polling will end at 4 Elections are not being held Tuesday, all government offices, Naupada, one each in Thane Nagar, Ambernath and two in Shivaji polling percentage is increasing booths and sanitisation are Police Force (CRPF), besides pm. Altogether 6,500 candi- in the Dibang Valley district as banks and commercial estab- Park area of neighbouring Mumbai. The police have seized 97.5 gm as the day progresses, State being followed, the State 7,517 state policemen have dates in 99 Zilla Parishad seats all the segments in both Zilla lishments, besides educational of gold and three motorcycles from the duo, totally valued at Rs Election Commission (SEC) Election Commission (SEC) been deployed for the elections. and 6,401 gram panchayats Parishad and gram panchayat institutions, remained closed. 6.30 lakh, the official said, adding that further probe is underway. WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 nation 05

INDIA CORNER 2 passengers from UK test +ve for Covid MP leads in leopard population; PNS n KOLKATA Health condition of passengers minister congratulates people Two passengers from the UK adhya Pradesh Forest were found positive for arriving from UK to be checked Minister Vijay Shah on COVID-19 after they arrived at MTuesday congratulated the airport here, health depart- PNS n NEW DELHI mutated variant of the citizens over the state having ment officials said on Tuesday. coronavirus there. Six the highest leopard population A flight carrying 222 pas- Amid mounting concern over a passengers travelling on Air in the country.In a message, sengers from the UK arrived at new strain of COVID-19 India's London-Delhi flight Shah said the MP government Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose detected in the UK, the Delhi tested positive for COVID-19 on was working to improve the International (NSCBI) airport government on Tuesday said it arrival, a senior government state's biodiversity. Union on Sunday night, they said. will visit the houses of official said. The flight landed Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday "Twenty-five passengers did passengers who have arrived around 11.30 pm on Monday. released the 'Status of Leopards in India 2018' report, an not have COVID reports with here recently from the UK to In the last two weeks, about estimation using the camera trapping method. The report says India them. So they were taken to a check their health condition. 6000-7000 people have landed had 7,910 leopards as per the estimates of 2014 which increased to nearby quarantine centre, and All passengers arriving from the at Delhi airport, many of whom 12,852 in the 2018 estimates. As per the report, the maximum their coronavirus tests were UK are now being tested for would have travelled to other number of big cats (3,421) were found in Madhya Pradesh, followed conducted. Two of them test- COVID-19 at Delhi airport, places like Punjab from thereon, by Karnataka at 1,783 and Maharashtra 1,690. ed positive," a West Bengal Health Minister Satyendar Jain Jain said. Health and Family Welfare told reporters. "The Delhi "We will go house-to-house and Department official said. government is on alert in the do check-up of passengers to Maha: Bison strays into Pune According to COVID-19 wake of a mutated coronavirus assess their condition, and also protocols, all international department is contacting those arrival at the airport are being on Monday that all passenger strain detected in the UK. The advise them to isolate suburb; rescue efforts on travellers coming to India will who were sitting near the two requested to report to the state flights connecting to the UK situation is being closely themselves for some time," he gaur (Indian bison) have to remain in isolation for persons in the flight and health department immedi- will remain suspended from monitored and mandatory tests said. Sources said passengers strayed into Bavdhan area seven days. requesting them to go for ately if they develop any symp- Wednesday till December 31 are being conducted at the Delhi coming from the UK are being Aof Maharashtra's Pune With help of the airline home isolation for two weeks, tom of the infection," the offi- in the wake of the emergence airport for all passengers administered RT-PCR tests at city on Tuesday morning and concerned and the Airports he said. "Those who have test- cial said. of a mutated variant of coro- arriving from that country," he the airport. Anyone testing efforts are underway to Authority of India, the health ed negative for COVID-19 on Civil Aviation Ministry said navirus there. said. Jain said Delhi has fought negative but with symptoms capture the animal, a forest difficult battles with COVID-19 will be kept in institutional official said.This is a second and all efforts will be made to isolation and those testing such incident after a gaur had London returnee's sample to Sindhu hopeful of travelling to ensure that the improvement negative will also be asked to similarly strayed into the plush made in the management of the go into self-isolation for seven Kothrud area on December 9 pandemic is "not reversed". days, they said. Jain has also and later died after being go to NIV for genomic analysis Thailand from UK despite ban The Civil Aviation Ministry on appealed to those who have captured by a forest team."A gaur has been spotted in Bavdhan- recently come from the UK to PNS n CHENNAI strain seen in the UK." PNS n NEW DELHI travel in the first week of January Monday said all flights from the Baner area of Pune on Tuesday morning. Forest officials and police Also, over 1,000 passengers who There is no travel ban from UK in UK to India and vice versa will monitor their health and go for have rushed to the spot and efforts are on to capture the animal," tests at the slightest of COVID- A passenger who arrived here arrived from the UK in Unfazed by the worsening Thailand, so I can travel from remain suspended from the official said. like symptoms, and inform the from London via Delhi has the past about 10 days were COVID-19 situation in England Doha. The idea is to use the Gulf Wednesday to December 31 in government. tested positive for coronavirus being monitored for symptoms. where she is training right now, route to reach Thailand," said view of the emergence of a andgenomes from his sample All international passengers, on world champion shuttler P V Sindhu, who is managed by would be analysed to see if it arrival, were being Sindhu on Tuesday told PTI that sports management firm Baseline Odisha reports 319 new Covid matched with the new strain of tested for coronavirus and they she remains hopeful of travelling Ventures. Several countries the pathogen detected in the have been advised home or to Thailand for tournaments in around the world, including cases, four fresh fatalities institutional quarantine for 14 India, have imposed bans on United Kingdom, a senior official January despite countries disha's COVID-19 tally said here on Tuesday. The days as per guidelines, he increasingly banning flights from flights on the UK because of a said. The Greater Chennai new and seemingly more rose to 3,26,915 on passenger, who tested positive the UK. Sindhu, who has Tuesday as 319 more has been admitted to the state- Corporation authorities in qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, contagious strain of the O coordination with public health coronavirus in England. people tested positive for run King's Institute of Preventive has been training in London for the infection, while four fresh Medicine and Research here, department were monitoring the the last two months and is The 25-year-old had left for health status of returnees by London in October to focus on fatalities pushed the state's Health Secretary Radhakrishnan scheduled to play her first coronavirus death toll to said. His sample would be sent following measures already in tournament since the break in her nutrition and fitness at the place, he said. Six passengers, Gatorade Sports Science Institute 1,843, a health official said. for genomic analysis to National Thailand. She will have to be in As many as 184 new cases Institute of Virology, Pune for who travelled on Air India's Bangkok by January 3 to and also has been training London- Delhi flight, that arrived alongside British shuttlers Toby were reported in quarantine confirmation, he told compete in the two Super 1000 centres, while the remaining reporters. "It has to be seen if it on Monday have tested positive events (January 12 to 17 and Penty and Rajiv Ouseph at the for COVID-19. National Training Centre. fresh infections were detected matches with that of the January 19 to 24). "I plan to during contact tracing, he said. Sundergarh district reported the highest number of new cases at 72, followed by Angul (35) and Khurda (23). The four fatalities were reported in Khurda, Jajpur, Kalahandi and Puri districts.Fifty-three COVID-19 patients have died Dense fog, due to comorbidities so far, the official said. Odisha now has 3,063 Covid active caseload in active coronavirus cases, while 3,21,956 people have recovered from Gujarat govt issues advisory on sever cold the disease so far, he said. India slumps below 3 L conditions of mucormycosis fungal infection 3 arrested in UP's Azamgarh dist PNS n AHMEDABAD PNS n NEW DELHI 20,000 daily new cases UP parts (19,556) were added to the PNS n LUCKNOW under new anti-conversion law The Gujarat health depart- India's COVID-19 active case- national tally in a day after ment has issued an advisory to load has fallen below 3 lakh, 173 days. The new added Dense fog and sever cold hree people have been doctors and health officials the lowest in 163 days and cases were 19,148 on July 2," conditions prevailed at isolat- arrested in Uttar after some COVID-19 patients comprises just 2.90 per cent of the ministry said. ed places of Uttar Pradesh TPradesh's Azamgarh were recently found infected the total infections, the Union India's active cases per mil- with Churk in Sonbhadra district under the state's new with mucormycosis, saying it Health Ministry said. lion population are amongst district being the coldest anti-conversion law, police a serious but rare fungal infec- The total active cases stand the lowest in the world (219). place in the state recording a said on Tuesday. Balchandra, tion and has an overall "mor- at 2,92,518. On July 12, the The figure is much higher for low of 3.2 degrees Celsius, the Gopal Prajapati and Neeraj tality rate of 50 per cent". active cases had last settled countries like the US, Italy, weather department said on Kumar were arrested in Deeh As per the advisory issued below three lakh at 2,92,258. Brazil, Turkey and Russia, it Tuesday. Jhansi recorded the Kauthaul village on Sunday, on Monday, mucormycosisin- Less than 20,000 daily new underlined.The total recover- highest maximum tempera- Station House Officer of fects people with weak cases (19,556) were added to ies have surged to 96,36,487. ture of 27.1 degrees Celsius, Deedargaj Sanay Kumar Singh said. The three men came to the immune system and having the national tally in a day after The gap between recovered it said. The meteorological village and allegedly organised a meeting at Tribhuvan Yadav's home other existing illnesses. 173 days. A net decline of cases and active cases contin- department has forecast cold to convert people to Christianity, the police officer said. A villager, The health department said 11,121 cases has been record- ues to grow and presently conditions at isolated parts of Ashok Yadav, informed the police, following which the arrests were the advisory is being ed in the total active cases in stands at 93,43,969, the min- Uttar Pradesh over the next made under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of issued after some coron- a span of 24 hours. The share istry said. few days. Religion Ordinance, 2020, he said. avirus patients in Ahmedabad of active caseload in the total A total of 30,376 cases and Rajkot were found infect- cases has further shrunk below have recovered in a span of 24 ed with mucormycosis, which treatment can lead to better with fungal spores in the envi- 3 per cent to 2.90 per cent, the hours. New recoveries have is "serious but rare infection outcome. ronment," it said. ministry highlighted. been exceeding the new cases 2 employees of oil firm kidnapped in Arunachal caused by a group of molds The advisory said people Enlisting some preventive "India has achieved a new continuously since the last 25 called mucormycetes". having diabetes or cancer, or measures, like wearing N95 low in daily cases. Less than days. Monday evening from a ed to have been carried out It most commonly affects those who underwent organ masks, the advisory said these PNS n ITANAGAR drilling site at Kumchaikha either by the NSCN (IM) or the sinuses or lungs after inhal- transplant, stem cell trans- are recommendations and they near Innao, Inspector General the ULFA (I) for ransom," ing fungal spores from the air, plant or people having too "have not been proven to pre- Two employees of an oil com- of Police (Law and Order) police sources said, adding no or the skin after the fungus much iron in the body are at vent mucormycosis". pany have been kidnapped by Chukhu Apa said. Around ransom calls have been enters through a cut, burn or a greater risk of contracting Apart from wearing the N95 suspected militants in 14 armed miscreants kid- received so far. other type of skin injury. this infection. mask, people should avoid Arunachal Pradesh's Changl napped the duo from the site The Arunachal Pradesh "However, it can occur in The health department direct contact with lot of dust, ang district, police said on close to the Manabhum Police has alerted its Assam any part of the body," said the made it clear that mucormyco- wear shoes, long pants and Tuesday. reserve forest, often frequent- counterparts and a massive advisory. sis "cannot spread between gloves while handling soil or A drilling superintendent ed by NSCN (K), ULFA (I) search operation along with It said though the "overall people or between people and moss, and clean skin injuries and a radio operator of the and NSCN (IM) militants, he Army and paramilitary forces mortality rate is around 50 per animals". "People get well with soap and water, said Quippo Oil and Gas Infras said. has been launched, they cent", early identification and mucormycosis through contact the advisory. tructure Ltd were abducted on "The abduction is suspect- added. Akhilesh welcomes Ishrat alleges in court beating, harassment by jail inmates PNS n NEW DELHI that inmate was shifted to Advocate Pradeep Teotia, another jail. There are two release of SP MLA Former Congress Councillor appearing for Jahan, further ladies in her prison cell who SPNS n LUCKNOW downfall. This is victory of Ishrat Jahan, arrested under the beat her up today. While she those who rely on justice," stringent Unlawful Activities alleged that previously also she was offering her morning Samajwadi Party supremo Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi. (Prevention) Act in a north- was beaten up by her inmates, prayers, they objected to it and Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday Fatma is facing 34 criminal east Delhi riots case, alleged started abusing her and beat- termed the release of party cases registered at various before a court here on Tuesday following which one of the inmates ing her,” Teotia alleged. MLA Tazeen Fatma from jail police stations of Rampur dis- that she was beaten badly by was shifted to another jail Advocate Misbah Bin Tariq, as a "victory of those who rely trict while her husband Azam inmates at Mandoli jail and was who was also present at the on justice". Khan has at least 100 cases continuously facing harass- hearing, requested the court to Fatma, 71, who is SP MLA registered against him. ment in prison. way.” plaint also. They keep calling take immediate action and from Rampur and wife of An FIR was filed Additional Sessions Judge It also directed the prison me a terrorist. They also view her situation with party leader and MP against Khan, his wife Amitabh Rawat directed the jail authorities to produce her demanded money from me in urgency as Jahan was a mem- Azam Khan, was on and son Abdullah, authorities to take immediate before the court on Wednesday the canteen,” Jahan alleged. ber of the advocates' Bar. Friday granted bail MLA from Suar seat steps to ensure Jahan's securi- through video conferencing. She further alleged that she Jahan further said she was by a court in a case in Rampur, in ty and ensure that she was not While making the submis- has been facing harassment in suffering from some medical of alleged forgery of August 2019 under harassed further for bringing sions directly to the court, jail for the past four months condition for which she has documents to cap- sections 420 (cheat- her complaints before the Jahan said it was the second and had requested to be shift- not been taken to a hospital ture a piece of land ing and dishonestly court. incident within one month ed to Tihar prison but it was nor any tests conducted. falling under the inducing delivery of The court sought a detailed and was under immense stress refused due to the current Advocate Rizwan, appearing Enemy Property Act. property), 467 (forgery of report from the prison author- due to the continuous harass- COVID-19 pandemic. for co-accused and suspended The MLA was released from valuable security, will) 468 ities on Wednesday on the ment, physically and verbally. Advocate Pradeep Teotia, AAP Councillor Tahir Sitapur jail, where she has been (forgery for purpose of cheat- steps that have been taken to “This is the second incident appearing for Jahan, further Hussain, claimed that most of lodged since February, on ing), 471 (using as genuine a address the issue and to also in a month. In the morning alleged that previously also the accused in the north-east Monday night. "The bail of forged document or electron- state if shifting to her to anoth- To this the judge told the jail "Take all the necessary steps. today at 6:30 Am, they she was beaten up by her Delhi riots cases were facing Rampur MP Azam Khan's ic record), 409 (criminal er jail was required. official, “She (Jahan) seems to Take immediate steps. I don't (inmates) beat me badly and inmates, following which one discrimination in prison, either wife Tazeen Fatma has breach of trust by public ser- When the judge asked the be in a state of utter fear. want to hear that the accused abused me verbally. One of the of the inmates was shifted to by the inmates or jail author- proved that those who practice vant), 201 (causing disappear- Assistant Superintendent of Please talk to her immediate- was further harassed by her inmates even slit her hand so another jail. ities. politics of hatred face defeat in ance of evidence of offence), Mandoli jail whether such an ly and understand the situation. inmates or anybody else that I am punished on a false “One of the inmates beat her He further alleged that the front of the truth. The path of 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of incident has occurred, she con- File a detailed report about the because she complained. I do complaint. Fortunately, the jail up badly previously. A com- accused have been declared as lies on which the BJP is mov- the IPC and section 3 of the firmed it and said necessary steps taken to allay her appre- not want to hear that the pre- officials did not listen to them. plaint was filed before the “terrorists” before conclusion ing leads to injustice and Public Property Act, 1984. steps have been taken. hension and her fear. sent accused is harmed in any I have given a written com- Deputy Superintendent and of the trial. WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Simultaneous polls The EC claims that it is ready for ‘one nation, one poll’ Don’t ignore the kids once the laws are amended, & the Govt’s agenda is clear he debate on “one nation, one poll” has been an ongoing one and looks like the Narendra This is a time for the governments to realign their policies, politics, legislations TModi Government is pursuing it despite con- cerns. Soon after the Prime Minister expressed his and budgetary allocations towards creating a safety net for the most vulnerable own commitment to work towards simultaneous polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora has said that once the legal considerations and amendments were taken care of, the Election Commission (EC) could set the process in motion as it was in the “ready” mode. On the face of it, the favourable aspects would seem attractive, chief KAILASH SATYARTHI among them being the streamlining of costs and s vaccinations begin in apparatus of conducting the election process itself and stemming the prospect one corner of the world, of policy paralysis, with some State or the other due for a mandate every other marking the beginning of recovery from the year. The argument is that with States in India’s federal structure going to polls ACOVID pandemic, we cannot at varied points of time within the Central Government’s mandated period of gov- forget that the majority is fight- ernance, no visionary or decisive steps can be taken or implemented as they ing increasing hunger, poverty and exploitation. This blatant would be subservient to electoral politics which, in this country, tends to be overt- and brazen inequality of the ly populist in nature. Besides, it would rid the country from being in a continu- world we live in has been exposed ous poll mode and go in for a performance mode. But it is in the subtext of the by the grossly unequal response Westminster system which we have adopted, that questions arise about whether of the world to the pandemic. Of the initial $8 trillion that have a unitary system works best for our federal structure. And in the current politi- been released as global COVID cal context, whether it threatens the very idea of regionalism itself, considering relief, only 0.13 per cent has that in a single election, national issues tend to take the centre stage and drown been allocated to the poorest communities. The rest has been out or at least blur pertinent issues of localised interest, something that region- used to bail out big businesses that al parties are usually in better command of and base their political relevance and have multiplied their profits in the bargaining chips on. midst of a global recession. The most grievous casualties of this Although many argue that the voter is evolved enough to make a distinction injustice are our children. between the larger national interest and those of his periphery, there is always a We witnessed that the possibility that the overarching aura of the former could affect the judgment call Government, in partnership with citizens, came forward to mitigate principles of justice that our chil- The year 2021 provides us chains. Faith leaders must unite of the voter at the State level if the prevailing party seeking mandate happens to the immediate crisis of dry rations, dren deserve. In 2015, when the with the opportunity to come to prioritise children within be of a centrist party. And as the results of the last Lok Sabha elections have shown, medical aid and essential needs in world came together and com- together to commit a fair share their communities as a moral the centrist surge has helped the ruling BJP regain its footprint in States where it the most affected communities on mitted to the Sustainable for children in the global wealth responsibility. The media must an unprecedented scale, which is Development Goals, the coun- allocation for their develop- highlight and question the state had been hit badly in the last Assembly elections. Besides, with many regional satraps truly admirable. I am proud of my tries did so with the promise to ment and wellbeing. The new of our children and hold all now in awe of it and the party itself poised to make new inroads in States during children, the survivors of child “leave no child behind”. But we year has been declared the stakeholders accountable for the Assembly elections scheduled for 2021, the BJP thinks it is an idea whose labour and trafficking living in Bal are failing in this. The same com- United Nations Year for the the protection of our children’s Ashram, came forth to make munities that have been discrim- Elimination of Child Labour, rights. Schools, colleges and time has come. This is precisely the reason why the Prime Minister is fast-track- masks for law enforcement, front- inated against for decades, with the objective to revitalise civil society, especially the sur- ing this proposal. Of course, there are complexities. Sidestepping these will require line workers and communities in including minorities, migrants and accelerate the global vivors and youth, must lead constitutional amendments to the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, the anti- Rajasthan. Several individuals and farmers, are the same com- promise to end child labour by from the front in demanding and organisations stepped up at munities where children are 2025 under Sustainable change and accountability, to defection law and others relating to rules of procedure with two-thirds majority in the time of crisis, risking their denied education, nutrition and Development Goal 8.7. This give voice to the voiceless and both Houses. Besides, such a move does not factor in mid-term situations where safety to provide life-saving relief safety. They have historically was an ambitious target from the forgotten children of the world. a State Government may choose to dissolve itself or fall because of a loss of major- and care. But with extremely lim- and structurally been alienated WITH EXTREMELY start but the devastating effects This year has taught us ited access to digital education, from global wealth and develop- LIMITED ACCESS of the pandemic have brought many lessons that we have so far ity. Would the Governor then not call fresh elections or hold on to a moribund overnight loss of household ment, and we will look back at the world to its knees and we are learnt, sometimes unwillingly. It Assembly till the dates of the next round of general elections are announced? What income and no food on the plate this unprecedented period as the TO DIGITAL now facing the risk of the first has placed in front of our eyes if the Central Government falls before the term of the Assemblies end? Such a move for millions of children, we have time when the vulnerable were EDUCATION, ever increase in child labour in the true and bare state of our would then go against the spirit of democracy and lead to an absolutist control of only barely touched the tip of the pushed over the edge into decades. We are at the precipice world, to show us what we have iceberg. While the pandemic did unending cycles of disenfran- OVERNIGHT LOSS of losing the progress achieved long ignored or forgotten. We federal polity. As it is, though we call ourselves a federal state, in reality we are a not create these inequalities, our chisement. To be able to break OF HOUSEHOLD over decades to reduce child have recognised our inherent more centralised union of States. The “One nation, one election” formula would response to it has exposed and this chain of intergenerational labour and to ensure access to interconnectedness and interde- further strengthen this idea. Already, the Opposition, primarily the Left and the Aam exacerbated them to the extent exploitation, governments must INCOME AND NO education for all children. This pendence with each other. But that we risk losing an entire gen- make a tangible and radical FOOD ON THE cannot be allowed to happen most importantly, 2020 has Aadmi Party (AAP), has rightfully warned about the implicit idea of a monolithic eration to child labour, trafficking, shift to a culture of fair share for and each one of us has a role to proven that until each one of us State that such a move might encourage, fuelling such demands as “one nation, child marriage and other forms of the most marginalised children PLATE FOR play, including governments, is safe, nobody is safe. If the peo- one culture, one language”. This centralisation may become more a syndrome than exploitation. This will be an utter and their families. That is the international agencies, business- ple of the world are moving in and complete breakdown of our only way we can end child MILLIONS OF es, faith leaders, media, schools diametrically opposite direc- reform. Former Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy, too, had warned that moral, socio-economic and demo- labour and exploitation, and CHILDREN, WE and colleges and the civil soci- tions of development, the world without administrative alignments and ascertaining the practicalities of implemen- cratic systems. build a world where our children HAVE ONLY BARELY ety. Governments must realign will be too stretched to sustain tation, there is no point pushing through the proposal just for the heck of it. When Now that we are looking learn and thrive. The truest their policies, politics, legisla- itself. We can only truly move towards recovery, it is important to judge of how the world has TOUCHED THE TIP tions and budgetary allocations forward if we do it together. the idea was placed before the Law Commission ahead of the general elections, understand that central to finding responded to the pandemic is the and accountability measures Whenever the world was in it, too, had recommended that in order to equalise timelines, two conditions had the solution is the understanding trafficked child who collapsed OF THE ICEBERG towards creating a safety net for peril, the inherent goodness of to be met: First, a “motion for an early general election must be agreed to by at that the children who are forced to dead on the road because she the most vulnerable communi- humanity of individuals has work are the same children who are walked a 100 km to get home; ties through accessible and ade- shone forth and we have come least two-thirds of all members of the House”. Second, “a no-confidence motion denied education, and the same the child who was made to drop quate social protection. out stronger. We have to reclaim must be passed by the House, and with no alternative Government being confirmed children who are undernourished out of school and was forced to International agencies must our humanity and globalise within 14 days of passing a confidence motion”. The BJP knows it, too, but with and starving. We cannot leave get married because of lack of uphold and enforce multilater- compassion. And we must our children to fend for themselves access to digital education and al efforts to bridge the wealth begin with our children, because the Opposition in tatters, it is keeping up its momentum. in this time of crisis. the child labourer who was gap between nations and set they are all our children. The need of the hour is that our trapped in factories as the global benchmarks for child (The writer is a Nobel Peace children receive their fair share — employer deserted her/him dur- protection measures. Businesses laureate and founder of Kailash a fair share in policies, in budgets ing lockdown. Our children are must ensure transparency, due Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. and in protection. A fair share for the mirrors to the world we are diligence and compliance to The views expressed are Inbound doldrums children is based on fundamental building. create child labour-free supply personal.) With the inbound tourism non-existent this year, locales which depended on foreigners find themselves struggling for survival S O U N D BITE ack in March 2020, when a busload of Italian There is something com- There are threats to the lives I am super excited for the We didn't have any fast tourists in Rajasthan became the first major clus- mon between Shaheen of at least 20 prominent politi- song, ‘Jugni 2.0'. This is my bowlers or bouncy wickets at Bagh and farmers' protest. cians, the majority of whom home when we landed up in ter of COVID-19 cases in India, nobody had any first song release for the year B Don't see any need to are part of the Opposition and it's a fun foot-tapping WIndies. These boys have at inkling that nine months later we would be staring at close Chilla. Is it to create political parties, rallying to song which will make you all least played in all these coun- a hospitality sector that has been gutted by the glob- an artificial scarcity? topple the ruling Government. let loose on the dance floor. tries with these conditions. al pandemic. In a recent interview on The Pioneer Congress spokesperson Pakistan Interior Minister Singer Former India batsman —Kanika Kapoor —Anshuman Gaekwad Conversations, Deep Kalra, the chief executive of —Abhishek Manu Singhvi —Sheikh Rashid India’s largest online travel agency, MakeMyTrip.com, stated that Indians were indulging in ‘Revenge Travel’ L E T T E R S T O T H E EDITOR and that is a term that is being increasingly peddled across the world. It has come to the point that peo- New COVID-19 strain country is considered secondary. CK Jayanthi Ramani ple are even taking “flights to nowhere” so as to get Sir — The news of detection of Nepal has a long, shared history with India Coimbatore onboard aircraft again. However, none of these fac- the new variant of Coronavirus rom times immemorial, Nepal and India have been Missing ethos tors will take away from the fact that international long-haul travel has come to a com- while scouring its genetic bound together in ties of heritage, culture, traditions sequences and the spike in infec- Fand history. For an average Indian, a person from Sir —“Aya Ram, Gaya Ram” is plete standstill. While India still has some air bubbles with nations in the Arabian penin- tions in the UK has caused con- Nepal is as good as an Indian working in different fields, not alien to Indian politics. We sula, Europe and East Asia, only those non-Indian citizens with work and official visas sternation across the world. It has including that of Indian defence forces. It used to be very are habitual to see that educated can travel to India with the exception of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders. come at a time when vaccines heart-warming to see our favourite Gorkha Brigade foot- or uneducated, criminal or law- have begun to be rolled out. ball team playing in Durand and DCM tournaments in abiding, when people join poli- So destinations such as Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan which depended on foreign tourist The UK Government has New Delhi. Never it came to our mind that it is a team tics they have a fixed ideology to inflows find themselves in a piquant situation. responded by imposing tougher made of foreign nationals. Seeing all these commonal- sacrifice their self-respect for While in Goa, the flow of domestic Indian tourists and white-collar migrants who measures and many countries ities, it is very distressing to note the enormous differ- the sake of position and power. have imposed travel restrictions ences that have arisen between the countries. Some And now that the BJP is have shifted to the coastal state has actually led to the local economy growing; in on the UK. It is possible that it introspection is, therefore, required to be done by both trying to offer such people a lol- Kerala and Rajasthan, hotel owners, taxi operators and even tourist guides are star- may be circulating in other parts sides, more from our side being the bigger country, to Has it been a wrong step taken by us in supporting the lipop in one State after anoth- ing at bankruptcy. Indeed, in the southern State, the double whammy of the col- of the world, too. It must be made examine what has gone wrong. Communist Party of Nepal, knowing their internation- er, it has become a matter of clear right at the outset that a lot A number of questions, thus, come to mind. Have al connections? Or have we made a mistake of siding concern. In Karnataka and lapse of tourism and the remittance economy from overseas workers will have a remains to be known about the we, advertently or inadvertently, exhibited a big broth- with the movement for abolishing the monarchy in Madhya Pradesh, the resigna- devastating economic impact in the coming years. The Central Government has taken new COVID-19 strain. It is feared erly attitude towards the Himalayan State that has caused Nepal? However, seeing the present-day influence that tions resulted in the downfall of huge steps to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the overall econo- that the new mutated strain could some sort of insecurity in the minds of Nepalis – a China has been able to establish in Nepal, it is essen- the Opposition Government. my and as economic activity comes back, prospects for India are less pessimistic be a setback in the global fight glimpse of which I got in early ’90s itself during an inter- tial to pay special attention towards our relations with The way the defection of against the pandemic. national course for Asian sub-region that I conducted Nepal since we can’t afford to lose Nepal to China. Suvendu Adhikari with eight than before, even though there will be a contraction for this fiscal year. But the hos- The new strain is not some- in Pakistan, in which a participant was also from Nepal? BP Srivastava,Noida TMC lawmakers and dozens of pitality industry will not recover for many years to come, because even with a vac- thing unexpected. It is cause for others to the BJP took place in cine there is no guarantee that international long-haul travel will return and as we worry that it has emerged as the Cricket travails front of Home Minister Amit dominant strain and is rapidly game has gone down and nose- problem. The bench strength is Shah, it is a reminder from a few are noticing mutations to the virus, a vaccine may not be the panacea that we expect replacing other versions of the Sir — Cricket is a team game dived to an abysmal level in the very poor and so we cannot play months back when PM it to be. Yes, domestic tourism will help the industry and should be encouraged, virus. It will bear on the course of where performance matters. just-concluded Test match. with accomplished batsmen. Narendra Modi declared that 40 India has every possible landscape to offer and is really ‘Incredible India’ from the the pandemic. It is found to be 70 There is a vast difference in the Winning the toss is vital in a To add salt to the injury, there Trinamool Congress MLAs per cent more transmissible and level of cricket played in India Test match situation. are a number of players hurt in the would join the BJP. majestic mountains to sun-kissed sands. But those lower down the food chain in to that extent calls for modifica- and what we displayed at Team India won the toss Indian XI. We did try to do our Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee the domestic travel industry are suffering financially and should be given some suc- tion of the pandemic response. Adelaide and Lord's in the 88 and achieved a handy first best in IPL and got injured in the Faridabad cour through direct cash injections or more. If the industry and its workers are sus- G David Milton years of international cricket. innings lead and, after that, the process. Winning IPL is consid- Kanyakumari With the advent of ODIs rest is history. ered prestigious whereas playing tained well, when things do eventually return to normal, we could see an explosion Send your feedback to: and T-20s, the standard of the The team selection poses a international matches for the [email protected] in travel to this country. WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN Find a middle POINTCOUNTERPOINT HOW CAN MAMATA BANERJEE TRAIN THE GUNS ON FACTCHECK THE SPEECH MADE IN BENGAL BY THE path soon THE BJP FOR THE RECENT EXITS IN HER PARTY? SHE HENCHMAN OF THE TOURIST GANG. SEVEN FALSE LEFT THE CONGRESS TOO. STATEMENTS IN ONE SPEECH. It is in our national interest to resolve this stand off —UNION HOME MINISTER —TMC MP between the farmers and the Centre in a graceful AMIT SHAH DEREK O'BRIEN manner through the process of dialogue A long wait for real equality SHSHANK SAURAV Even though 25 years have passed since the world adopted the Beijing Declaration, rime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to a gurudwara in Delhi has political pundits deducing that the visit was aimed at send- gender equality is still an elusive dream and one of the major casualties of the pandemic Ping a message to the Sikh community which has present- ed a united front against the recent farm legislations. Even though political compulsions are a reality and some gestures could be related to political messaging but it is a fact that Hindus and Sikhs are one. They may have their differences but they can never be separated. It is also a fact that our Constitution entitles everyone to protest peacefully and therefore, the farmers have every right to raise their concerns in a peaceful manner. Some of the issues flagged up by them are valid and the Government has agreed to listen to them. Even the highest executive office of this country has invited the growers for discussions and promised to address their grievances. Asking for outright withdrawal of these legisla- ARCHANA DATTA tions is motivated by anything but farmers’ welfare. Giving a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) he US President-elect Joe Biden’s decision is the core issue in this protest and somewhere I also agree that to choose an all-women communications there should be a provision in law to ensure that private institu- Tteam and opt for more women in his Cabinet is being considered a paradigm shift in tions or large corporations are not allowed to procure farm pro- the gender narrative. It is being compared to the duce below the MSP declared by the Government. As far as the major fight for equity that ushered in voting rights legality of the MSP is concerned, it is already in the statute under for women in the US. Feminists, perhaps, would The National Food Security Act, 2013. The MSP is defined under find some reason to celebrate Biden’s move, Section 2(10) and obligations of the Centre/State governments despite the fact that women hold only 25.1 per and local authorities for procurement and distribution of food grains cent of all seats in Parliaments across the world. are specified under the said Act. And when we look back at the events that unfold- The fear of phasing out the MSP mechanism doesn’t hold ed this year, whatever little sense of contentment any ground because the Government has to keep procuring food we might have got from Biden’s gesture, is short- grains to distribute through the Public Distribution System (PDS) lived! The year witnessed the deepening of the pre-pandemic inequalities and discrimination. It and to achieve other objectives like food security, inflation con- also brought to the fore more disturbing concerns trol and so on. If we keep the economics and legality aside for a about women’s basic human rights. moment, the truth of the matter is that the vote bank politics of While the raging global health crisis instilled our country will never allow any Government to abolish the PDS a fear of contracting infections in people, for scheme and the Government will have to procure grains at the many women and girls, it also unleashed the MSP as long as the PDS scheme is run. threat of intimate partner violence (IPV) consid- Similar to the MSP, the laws should be amended to include ering that they were closeted within their homes a grievance redressal mechanism and farmers should not be left for extended periods due to the lockdowns neces- at the whims and fancies of bureaucrats. The Government can sitated by the outbreak. Over two dozen evidence- simulate the Consumer Forum mechanism in which there are dif- based global research studies corroborate that “the pandemic has raised the profile of violence ferent forums available based on the nature of the dispute. A sep- against women and children.” The home, that is arate body for redressal of the growers’ dispute will ensure speedy ACCORDING supposed to be a safe haven, has turned into a TO MEDIA resolution as well as save the time of the courts which are already brewing ground for extreme brutalities, which overburdened. REPORTS, prompted the UN Secretary General António DEATHS DUE TO There is no doubt that the Indian agriculture laws needed Guterres to call for a “ceasefire.” Sadly, this appeal reforms. This is evident from the fact that the Congress promised for a ceasefire was not made for any battlefront DOMESTIC the abolition of the Agricultural Produce Market Committees Act but for the violence being perpetrated in homes ABUSE IN THE Now, the combined onslaught of 74 per cent of men, a gender gap, that of men, there was little change, both, (APMC) in point 11 and Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in point across the world. UK MORE violence, financial insecurity and has been persisting for the last 25 years. during the pre and post-lockdown 21 of its 2019 poll promise, which was covered under Chapter According to media reports, deaths due to THAN DOUBLED increased unpaid workload on women In Southern Asia, Northern Africa and period. This is not restricted to India 7 of the election manifesto. Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)- domestic abuse in the UK more than doubled in IN THE FIRST is making many of them vulnerable to Western Asia, the rate plummets to less alone, but, has become a global phe- the first two months of the lockdown, while in TWO MONTHS OF greater mental and physical health than 30 per cent. nomenon. In the US, most profession- ruled Delhi was among the first States to notify the farm laws. If the US there was not only an increase in domes- risks. “Women are now doubly prone During the pandemic, women bore al gender gaps are in fact motherhood the Opposition really wants to help farmers, then it should come THE LOCKDOWN tic violence cases but also in the severity of WHILE IN to abortions and mental depression. the major burnt of the economic dis- gaps and many working mothers, in the out with suggested amendments and their proposals should be injuries inflicted. In India, the number of IPV They are 1.5 times more susceptible to ruption as the sectors in which they pre- absence of guaranteed paid maternity discussed in detail. However, none of the Opposition leaders are THE US, THERE complaints went up 2.5 times during the nation- WAS NOT HIV infections and 2.3 times more sus- dominated like food service, retail, leave or affordable childcare, are con- showing the courage to explain how these laws are going to take wide lockdown. This is notwithstanding the fact ceptible to alcohol disorders,” says the entertainment and so on, have been the fronting brutally hard choices between away any existing rights of farmers and they are shying away from that as many as 150 countries have laws against ONLY AN World Health Organisation (WHO). hardest hit. A staggering 72 per cent a job and child care. So is the case in a public debate on this topic. domestic violence. However, many legal experts INCREASE IN A CARE International study reveals women working as domestic help lost Israel, where free early childhood edu- If we see the larger issues around agriculture then the MSP are of the opinion that the laws are “not always DOMESTIC that “women are suffering almost three jobs, while for many women in risky cation and day care, raised women’s is not a solution because this helps only those farmers who have on the women’s side.” VIOLENCE CASES times more from significant mental and stigmatised jobs, it was a “choice overall workforce participation to 74 surplus produce to sell. More than 90 per cent of farmers do sus- In some parts of the world, like Northern BUT ALSO health consequences.” Another survey between unemployment and the risk of per cent, but, the pandemic disruptions Africa, Western Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, 43 IN THE SEVERITY by Total Brain says that “depression has infection.” reduced it to 56 per cent. tenance farming and they produce just enough to meet their own per cent and 35 per cent of the countries respec- increased by 83 per cent in women, India, which already has one of the The UN Women expressed concern requirements. Only a small section of farmers are beneficiaries OF INJURIES tively, are yet to pass any laws against IPV. INFLICTED. IN compared to 36 per cent in men.” As per world’s lowest female labour force par- that “even when the pandemic subsides, of the MSP scheme and if someone believes that a higher MSP Fortunately, India does have a law against a media report “suicide rates among ticipation rates (FLPR), saw the num- women are likely to suffer from long- is a panacea for all the woes of the growers, then s/he has cer- INDIA, THE domestic abuse since 2005. But the available data NUMBER OF IPV young women in Japan and South bers falling even further. The Centre for term setbacks in workforce participa- tainly not understood the issue. seldom reflect the reality, since a large number Korea are already on the rise due to Monitoring Indian Economy’s (CMIE’s) tion and income.” The MSP scheme has been in place for decades and cheap of cases remain unreported. The extended COMPLAINTS increased stress.” In Britain, a study latest data showed a job contraction for Even though 25 years have passed farm credit along with farm loan waiver, tax-free income, various nationwide lockdown made matters worse for WENT UP found that “during the first six weeks both men (104 million ) and women since the world adopted the Beijing dec- kind of subsidies like electricity, fertiliser and so on are already Indian women/girls as many of them failed to 2.5 TIMES of the lockdown, suicidal tendencies (17 million). However, men regained laration, yet, gender equality is still an being given to farmers. An increasing population has reduced the reach the designated helplines, because of the DURING THE had gone up mostly among women and most of their lost jobs by November, elusive dream and one of the major landholding size and farmers must reduce their dependency on wide connectivity gap. While just 46 per cent of NATIONWIDE young adults.” while, women lost 49 per cent of them. casualties of the pandemic. “Women are urban women have their own mobile phones, in Women working from home Moreover, a study indicated that “23.5 yet to become citizens in the real crops to lead a better life. The Government’s initiatives in the field LOCKDOWN the rural areas, it drops to 37 per cent. (WFH) also experience “increased lev- per cent of women employed before the sense. Though in the eyes of the law, of animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries, poultry and so on, The UN chief’s calls for a strategy to counter els of anxiety, stress and sleeplessness, lockdown, were less likely to be re- they may possess equal rights but they should be taken positively and such activities can increase the the perils of the “shadow pandemic”, are yet to as often, the line between personal and employed.” In the case of small women are often treated as subjects, second income of rural households. bear fruit. So far, only 48 countries have incor- work life gets merged.” Be that as it may, entrepreneurs, “most of them (73 per class citizens or lesser mortals. There India is a vast country and there is no one-size-fits-all solu- porated any such measure in their COVID-19 women’s mental health issues are often cent) faced setbacks, with 21 per cent is an implicit bar, either in the garb of tion to the problems of the farmers. The problems of Punjab’s containment blueprint. While commenting on dismissed as “frivolous” or “imaginary” suffering a near wipe out and 35 per patriarchal control or societal norm,” farmers are different from those of the growers from States like why women continue to get the short end of the and seldom receive any medical atten- cent seeing a significant decline in busi- rues Putul Sathe, Professor, Research Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. stick, Beulah Shekhar, Emeritus Professor, tion. A WHO survey (June to August) ness revenues….’, says a report by Bain Centre for Women’s Studies, S.N.D.T. Food “ann” and farmers who are our “annadatas” have a spe- Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, in 130 countries disclosed that critical & Company, a management consultan- Women’s University, Mumbai. While, cial place in our culture and no one should be allowed to defame Coimbatore, says that the “present calamitous sit- mental health services in 93 per cent of cy. The CMIE’s household survey too Beulah Shekhar, says that “women’s rights remain only a rhetoric, just them in furtherance of their political agenda. It is in our national uation has made it abundantly clear that, both, the countries “got disrupted even when flagged a more disturbing impact on the Government and the NGOs, lack prepared- there were growing demands” for help. younger women, whose FLPR went ticking the right boxes, and not a real- interest to resolve this issue in a graceful manner through the ness and like before, there are knee-jerk reactions In the field of gainful employment, down to 8.7 per cent from 14.3 in 2019. ity in India.” process of dialogue. This should be done at the earliest because to adverse developments. Decentralised and mul- too, women are being gradually pushed According to a research, women (The writer is former Director- many lives are being lost in this protracted struggle. It is time to tidisciplinary disaster responses teams led by out. The UN Economic and Social with no children appear to have had the General, Doordarshan and All India smoke the peace pipe. women are the need of the hour. This will aid in Council’s ‘World’s Women 2020’ report, best rebound in terms of employment Radio and ex-Press Secretary, President (The writer is a Chartered Accountant and public policy ana- the effective implementation of gender-sensitive says that only 47 per cent of women are and women with very young children of India. The views expressed are person- lyst. The views expressed are personal) VIJAYAWADA strategies.” part of the labour market, compared to often got a raw deal, while in the case al) Humanity hurtling towards a climate crisis The world has its environmental conservation challenges cut out. It must forge a resilient strategy for 2021 and beyond line (1850-1900). This has been fol- GHG emission curve, similar to the Even though, the global lock- high temperatures and droughts Even as environmental experts dependence on fossil fuels. Just lowed by an unusually cold winter. emergency efforts being made to flat- downs necessitated by the pandem- which caused major wildfires and attributed the freak rains to GHG focussing on these two areas on a war We know climate change as a ten the COVID-19 one. ic gave the world a breather by bring- resulted in a loss of $3 billion to the emissions and global warming, the footing will decrease GHG emissions phenomenon that denotes a gradual Currently, the ambient air pollu- ing down GHG emissions by 17 per agriculture sector. efforts to rein in the same have and reduce ambient temperatures. worsening of our environmental tion caused by ozone and fine par- cent, the resumption of economic India, too, has not been spared slipped time and again and the out- This will result in controlling climat- conditions but, this year has shown ticulate matter is major cause for activity will see the pollution levels the adverse effects of climate change. break has only made the efforts to ic extremities. that the change is rapidly transition- worry as it contributes to 3.4 million climb up soon enough. Unless we A record-breaking cold wave in safeguard the environment that Similarly, allocation of sufficient ing to a climate crisis. This means premature deaths worldwide. How take climate change and environ- December 2019 continued well into much more difficult. This is because, funds is essential to ensure that the more bad news for humanity on the many deaths in India are attributable mental degradation seriously and January and this was accompanied by given the socio-economic impact of battle against climate change is KOTA SRIRAJ environmental front. to this cause needs to be worked out mend our ways, we are headed for heavy rainfall throughout northern the contagion, countries will be fought on an even keel. In order to The University of North Carolina by the Government urgently, as disaster. India. The national Capital received tempted to keep environmental con- ensure this, the diversion of precious uses supercomputers to observe the studies suggest that pollution-relat- The climate crisis being triggered the maximum rainfall in 10 years and cerns on the back-burner in a post- public money for needless projects he COVID-19 pandemic effects of climate change. While pre- ed casualties will be the highest in by the spiraling GHG emissions has this led to a sharp plunge in temper- Corona world. Shoring up their tot- must be identified and curtailed. caused unprecedented human senting its findings at the National densely populated areas. left an indelible mark on the environ- atures in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and tering economies will be their prima- Climate change is a reality but we still Tsuffering and its socio-eco- Institute of Environment Health At the same time, measures to ment this year and has resulted in the Uttar Pradesh (UP). ry concern for a long time to come. do not have a full blown climate cri- nomic impact was felt globally. Sciences-sponsored Global reduce GHG emissions can exponen- exacerbation of extreme weather The vagaries of climate change This will lead to a Catch-22 situation sis on our hands. If we take sustain- Environmental deterioration too, Environment Health seminar in tial boost and aid global efforts to events. One of the most extreme again manifested themselves in the as the pandemic was a result of envi- able development seriously even as seems to have accelerated during this June, the experts stated that save human lives. According to the weather spells was the Atlantic hur- form of untimely rainfall in March. ronmental degradation in the first we pursue our economic recovery time, if the slew of extreme weather unchecked Greenhouse Gas (GHG) figures released by the University of ricane season that saw a record- As many as 222 out of the total 683 place. Along with the rest of the goals diligently, we can hope to events that took place this year are emissions and air pollution were North Carolina, if we are successful breaking 30 storms between June 1- meteorological districts in the coun- world, India, too, has its environmen- leave a better world for future gen- anything to go by. going to pave the way for extreme in bringing down GHG emissions, November 30. Apart from these try received excess rain. This was not tal conservation challenges cut-out. erations. Else, as we have already wit- In fact, 2020 was the third- weather events in the 21st century. approximately 5,00,000 fewer prema- storms and cyclones, heavy rainfall only detrimental for agriculture but India must forge a resilient environ- nessed, climate change can prove to warmest year on record, given that The unanimous conclusion at ture deaths can be achieved by 2030 in several parts of Asia and Africa led also adversely impacted the efforts of ment strategy for 2021 and beyond. be a runaway train. the global mean surface temperature the seminar attended by 400 experts and this number can be taken up to to immense loss of human lives, the Government to contain the Removing bottlenecks in renewable (The writer is an environmental for January-October was 1.1 to 1.2 °C from around the world was that there two million fewer premature deaths property and livelihoods. Brazil, for COVID-19 pandemic which was energy self-sufficiency must become journalist. The views expressed are higher than the pre-industrial base- was an urgent need to flatten the by 2100. instance, saw uncharacteristically spreading fast during that period. a priority along with dialing down of personal) WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 Money 08 Thermal power plants get liquidity boost Govt has received 120-130

PNS n MUMBAI 59,000 crore as of October. The operational costs. overall overdues run up to Rs As against cash advances FDI proposals from China Private sector thermal power 90,000 crore as of March 2020. for these coal purchases, Coal plants are in for better times This includes overdue to India has begun allowing let- PNS n NEW DELHI with a likely Rs 40,000-crore Central, state and private ter of credit facility of 90-180 liquidity boost coming in from capacities and also across coal, days. The government has received government initiatives along gas, hydro and renewables. Even with a three-month over 120 foreign direct invest- with Coal India decision to To reduce the overdues, dis- credit period, coal payments ment (FDI) proposals worth offer longer term credit to coms have already begun sign- worth Rs 1,00,004 crore can be about Rs 12,000 crore from them, says a report. ing into this loan scheme. As of deferred by power gencos, China since April, when it was While the government has end-November, nearly half of helping better cash-flow man- made mandatory for a compa- decided to liquidate the over- the first tranche has been dis- agement, according to the ny from countries sharing land due receivables from state dis- bursed. Given the policy thrust, analysis by the agency. border with India to invest in coms under a rescue package, we expect full disbursement by Together, these two mea- any sector only after getting national miner Coal India has March. sures--relief to discoms under government approval, sources decided to allow private ther- Private coal-based power the loan package, and credit said. mal power plants to get coal on plants should see a liquidity period by Coal India can pro- As per that decision, FDI 90-180 days credit. relief of about Rs 30,000 crore vide a Rs 40,000 crore liquidi- proposals from China need These two measures can given that half of the overdues ty boost to gencos, says the government approval for help them with a liquidity sup- loan scheme to enable discoms ting to operational improve- are owed to them, says the report. investments in India in any port of Rs 40,000 crore, to pay outstanding dues to gen- ments. report. Lower working capital and sector. brownfield projects (means in note stating that a company or improving their overall credit cos. The scheme requires the Delayed payments by state In addition, gencos received easier access to coal will ensure An inter-ministerial com- existing Indian companies). an individual from a country profiles, Crisil said in a report first tranche, accounting for discoms and the weakening relief from Coal India which lower interest burden and bet- mittee has been formed by the In April this year, the that shares land border with on Tuesday. half the package, to be dis- cash flows due to the lock- caters to 80 per cent of their ter operating efficiencies, lend- government to scrutinise these Department for Promotion of India can invest in any sector The government support is bursed immediately and the downs have the overdues to coal demand, which form near- ing stability to the credit pro- proposals, they said adding Industry and Internal Trade here only after getting govern- by way of a Rs 1.2-lakh-crore balance upon discoms commit- private gencos to the tune of Rs ly three-fourths of a genco's file of power gencos. most of the investments are for (DPIIT) came out with a press ment approval. Central Bank 3.75 cr ITRs filed for OIL signs pact with Assam Sensex rebounds 453 points Hydrocarbon & Energy Co launches PNS n MUMBAI PNS n NEW DELHI ment. contactless 2019-20 till Dec 21 Equity benchmark Sensex "The MoU is aimed at estab- PNS n NEW DELHI rebounded 453 points on State-owned Oil India Ltd on lishing a joint institutional debit card Tuesday, tracking strong recov- Tuesday said it has signed a framework to facilitate bilater- PNS n NEW DELHI As many as 3.75 crore taxpay- ery in IT and banking stocks preliminary agreement with al cooperation in hydrocarbon ers have already filed their amid encouraging cues from Assam Hydrocarbon and exploration and development State-owned Central Bank Income Tax returns for European markets. Energy Company Ltd and marketing of natural gas of India on Tuesday said it Assessment Year 2020-21 (fis- After gyrating 968 points in (AHECL) for cooperation in in the state of Assam for has launched contactless cal year 2019-20) till a volatile session, the 30-share oil and gas exploration and mutual benefit," it said. 'RuPay Select' debit card in December 21, the Income Tax BSE index ended 452.73 points development as well as the While Oil India is the coun- association with the NPCI. department said on Tuesday. or 0.99 per cent higher at marketing of natural gas in try's second-largest state- The card was launched by "Do you know that 3.75 46,006.69. Assam. owned explorer of oil and Central Bank of India MD crore taxpayers have already On similar lines, the broad- The memorandum of gas, AHECL is an Assam gov- and CEO Pallav Mohapatra filed their Income Tax Returns The due date has been er NSE Nifty climbed 137.90 understanding (MoU) was ernment firm that was estab- in the presence of NPCI MD for AY 2020-21 till 21st extended from July 31 and points or 1.03 per cent to signed in Guwahati on lished in 2006 for the explo- and CEO Dilip Asbe, at a vir- December, 2020? Have you October 31, 2020, respective- 13,466.30. Monday, OIL said in a state- ration of hydrocarbons. tual event on the bank's filed yours yet? If not, File ly in view of the COVID pan- HCL Tech was the top gain- Securities. about new virus strains and Foundation Day. NOW!," the Income Tax demic. At the close of deadline er in the Sensex pack, rallying Investors once again started efficacy of ongoing vaccina- Additionally, they would department tweeted. for filing ITR without payment around 5 per cent, followed by focusing on safe counters tions," he asserted. be entitled for discounted This includes 2.17 crore of late fees for fiscal 2018-19 Tech Mahindra, Infosys, which are considered to be European markets witnessed health check-ups with this taxpayers filing ITR-1, 79.82 (assessment year 2019-20), PowerGrid, Sun Pharma, L&T resilient from pandemic and sharp recovery after German MONEY MATTERS NCMC, which also has the lakh filing ITR-4, 43.18 lakh over 5.65 crore returns were and Nestle India. IT, pharma, telecom, FMCG pharmaceutical company unique feature of facilitating ITR-3 and 26.56 lakh filing filed by taxpayers. The dead- On the other hand, Kotak and chemicals were in focus, BioNTech said it was confident AITUC members to skip lunch in offline transactions in both ITR-2. line last year too was extend- Bank, HDFC, Bajaj Finance he noted. that its coronavirus vaccine transit as well as retail pur- The deadline to file I-T ed till August 31. and IndusInd Bank were "While concerns of new would work against the new chases. returns by individual taxpay- Giving a comparative among the laggards. strain of coronavirus do not UK variant. support of farmers' protest today Mohapatra said, "State- ers for 2019-20 fiscal analysis of the ITRs filed, the Domestic equities recov- augur well for the markets The variant, detected main- he All India Trade Union Congr-ess owned Central Bank of India (Assessment Year 2020-21) Income Tax department said ered sharply from the day's low globally, India still looks to be ly in London and the southeast (AITUC) and its associate unions is launching two customer ends on December 31, 2020, 3.63 crore ITRs were filed till in a volatile trading day main- better placed compared to oth- of England in recent weeks, has Twill observe December 23 as "Skip utility products on the occa- while the same for taxpayers August 21, 2019, compared to ly aided by strong buying in IT ers. However, markets are like- sparked concern worldwide Lunch" day to express solidarity with sion of 110th foundation day whose accounts require to be 3.75 crore filed till December stocks, said Binod Modi, ly to remain volatile in coming because of signs that it may the relay hunger strike by farmers. of the bank." audited is January 31, 2021. 21, 2020. Head-Strategy at Reliance days until clarity emerges spread more easily. "AITUC Unions to observe 23rd December as 'Skip Lunch' day to express solidarity with the relay hunger strike by the joint front of Kisan organisations," said Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary, AITUC in Gold dips a statement issued on Tuesday. According to the statement the Automated system Samsung unveils AirDresser central government is trying to sidestep the genuine demands of the farmers, the demands which are not only in the interest of farmers Rs 243, silver but are in the interest of the public at large and of course in national interest. The central government, including the Prime Minister, is flagged Kisan Ekta in India for Rs 1.10 lakh declines by resorting to downright falsehoods to malign the farmers' struggle, all PNS n NEW DELHI Rs 216 for the benefit of their corporate masters, she said. South Korean tech giant PNS n NEW DELHI page as spam: FB Samsung on Tuesday intro- With increase in FDI flows, PNS n NEW DELHI duced its advanced smart Gold prices fell Rs 243 to Rs clothing care solution 49,653 per 10 gram in the Social media giant Facebook 'AirDresser' in India for Rs 1.10 national capital on Tuesday, ICICI Bank ups focus on MNCs said Kisan Ekta Morcha's page lakh, which will help users reflecting the weakness in ith the increase in foreign had been taken down after its steam their clothes to remove global price of the precious direct investment into the automated systems found dust, pollutants and germs. metal, according to HDFC Wcountry, ICICI Bank on increased activity and flagged The launch comes at a time Securities. Tuesday said it is upping its focus it as spam, and that the page when various companies are In the previous trade, the on serving the multinational was restored in less than three bringing solutions to sanitise yellow metal had closed at Rs companies (MNCs). The second hours. products and surfaces amid the 49,896 per 10 gram. largest private sector lender is Facebook had faced criti- COVID-19 pandemic. Silver prices also declined looking at services beyond credit cism from various quarters account remained unaffected. Earlier this year, Samsung Rs 216 to Rs 67,177 per kilo- needs of such overseas corporates after the page - which is run While a vast majority of had also launched a UV ster- gram from Rs 67,393 per with an eye on the fee income possibilities, its executive director by a farmers' collective - was work fighting spam is done iliser with wireless charging. kilogram in the previous Vishakha Mulye told reporters. It already serves about 1,500 MNCs taken down on Sunday automatically using recognis- Samsung has launched the look their best, while saving needs and using cutting-edge trade. out of an overall market of up to 5,000 companies, she said. Mulye evening. "As per our review, able patterns of problematic AirDresser, which looks like a time and money, cutting down technology, AirDresser serves In the international mar- said factors like aversion to China, favourable demographics and an our automated systems found behaviour, the company also cupboard, in various countries, on frequent washing or trips to as an efficient solution to ket, gold and silver were improvement in the overall ease of doing business is leading many an increased activity on the relies on human review team including South Korea, the the dry cleaner," it added. refreshing clothing every day, trading lower at USD 1,868 companies to look at investing in India, leading to an increase in (Kisan Ekta Morcha) to work on cases where human US and the UK. Samsung claimed that the Samsung India Senior Vice per ounce and USD 25.70 per foreign direct investment (FDI). Facebook page and flagged it expertise is needed to under- "AirDresser introduces a JetSteam in the AirDresser President, Consumer ounce, respectively. as spam, which violates our stand the context of a partic- new standard of clothing care sanitises clothes and elimi- Electronics Business Raju "Gold prices declined on Community Standards. We ular situation, the spokesper- that addresses unmet con- nates 99.9 per cent of viruses Pullan said. "We are confident stronger dollar index," HDFC Hindustan Foods to invest Rs 125 restored the page in less than son said. sumer needs for a more effi- and bacteria including influen- that consumers will enjoy bet- Securities Senior Analyst three hours when we became "In Q3 2020, out of the 1.9 cient method of refreshing, za, adenovirus and herpes ter clothing care and easier (Commodities) Tapan Patel crore for facility in north India aware of the context," a billion pieces of content revitalising, deodorising and virus. maintenance with AirDresser said. Navneet Damani, VP – Facebook spokesperson said. removed globally for violating relaxing light wrinkles from Apart from clothes, the as it sanitizes clothes and elim- Commodities Research at MCG firm Hindustan Foods on The spokesperson added our policies on spam, we their clothes on a daily basis," device can also be used for inates 99.9 per cent of viruses Motilal Oswal Financial Tuesday said its subsidiary will that the review showed that restored 74.9 million pieces of Samsung said in a statement. sanitising items like leather and bacteria and it will go on Services, said, "Gold saw Finvest Rs 125 crore to set up a only the Facebook page was content globally, when we "Consumers can now quick- accessories and soft toys. to become an essential home some selling pressure after manufacturing facility in north India as affected by the automated sys- identified issues ourselves," ly and conveniently freshen up Created with Samsung's appliance just like the washing trading higher in the early part of its goal to more than double its tems while the Instagram the spokesperson added. their outfits at home to always deep knowledge of consumer machine and dryer," he added. morning session.” revenue to Rs 2,000 crore by fiscal year 2021-22."The company will be undertaking a capital expenditure of Rs 125 crore in the northern region of India, via its wholly-owned subsidiary HFL Consumer Products," Hindustan Foods said in a Telecom sector: 2021 to ring in spectrum auctions, tariff hikes regulatory filing. Hindustan Foods Managing Director Sameer R PNS n NEW DELHI Rating agency Icra expects al spectrum as it looks to aug- education, the nation of 1.3 bil- Kothari said, “The demand for contract manufacturing in the FMCG operators to dial in the next ment its network capacity hav- lion people shifted rather industry is growing rapidly. We are in continuous discussions for Having narrowly escaped a round of tariff hikes over the ing garnered 35 per cent sub- effortlessly online, backed by new projects with our customers which include some of the leading financial collapse, the telecom next one or two quarters, amid scriber market share and a telcos and their fleet of on- brands in this space.” sector is now headed for an a "steady restoration in the much higher share of traffic, ground professionals who auction of airwaves in the next pricing power back to the tel- the Credit Suisse note said. braved all odds to keep the net- quarter, which combined with cos". "A glimpse of the same The upcoming auction is works humming. telcos' network investment was witnessed in Vodafone expected to garner moderate "The telecom sector played a Apollo Tyres launches portal to compulsions and AGR liabili- Idea Ltd (VIL) increasing post- response, though industry stellar role by supporting the ties could hasten tariff hikes in paid tariffs in select circles, just experts believe bids could be in economy... it supported digital foray into online sales space 2021. a few months after the intro- the range of Rs 30,000 crore to services, office work, financial pollo Tyres on Tuesday forayed The Indian telecom market, duction of new tariff plans by Rs 50,000 crore for the services and e-commerce into online sales space with the which once had nearly a dozen Reliance Jio," it said in a latest radiowaves valued at around Rs which kept life going during Alaunch of an e-commerce portal operators, has in recent years note. 3.92 lakh crore. the lockdown," former Trai that allows customers in India to seen exit of some prominent Bharti Airtel -- which has The upcoming auctions Chairman R S Sharma told buy car and two-wheeler tyres. names due to cut-throat com- lost the number one spot in the won't include spectrum bands PTI. This will work on the 'buy online, fit petition and legal cases. market to Mukesh Ambani's Jio that support 5G services, which Progress on tariff floor price offline' model, where consumers It may have been on its way -- has hinted that while it is not can play a crucial role in sup- setting and 5G trials, eluded the can purchase their chosen tyre to becoming a two-player mar- going to initiate tariff hikes, it porting emerging technolo- industry this year, but there was online and book an appointment with Apollo Tyres' dealer nearest to ket in 2020, but the Supreme will follow if others raise prices. gies like AI that hold potential plenty of action elsewhere. Be their location, to get the tyres fitted and serviced, the company said Court agreed to give up to 10 tion on including revenue from outstanding statutory dues of In the ensuing auctions, to add over Rs 7,000 crore to it the Centre's nod to auction in a statement. The service will be initially available to customers in years to telcos to clear Rs 1.47 non-core businesses in calcu- about Rs 50,000 crore, has said Airtel is expected to restrict the economy by 2035. 2,251.25 MHz of spectrum, or Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kochi and will soon be expanded lakh crore of past AGR lating the annual AGR of telcos. that nothing stops the industry itself to renewing expiring While the coronavirus pan- PLI (Production Linked to other cities across the country, it added.Commenting on the (Adjusted Gross Revenue) The impending industry- from increasing prices, even as spectrum across 900 and 1800 demic brought most sectors of Incentive) scheme tailored for launch of e-commerce portal, shop.apollotyres.com, Apollo Tyres dues. The apex court's decision wide tariff hike would improve floor price discussions are on, MHz bands, given its spectrum the economy to a halt, it was communications equipment or President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA) Satish Sharma this year gave a much-needed financial metrics of companies and that it would not shy away holdings through mergers and deep penetration of inexpen- the fund-raising by Jio said the move symbolises the next step in the company's growth breather to struggling telecom and market watchers believe from taking the first step in this acquisitions over last three sive data and voice calls that Platforms or completion of journey in India and its commitment to respond to customer needs. companies that had been on a that 2021 could, well, turn out regard. It recently undertook years while Jio is seen adding helped the nation chug along merger between Bharti Infratel "This e-commerce platform will offer the consumers with a seamless razor's edge since October to be a year of significant postpaid tariff hike, which more spectrum, according to during the lockdown. Be it run- and Indus Towers, the telecom online shopping experience, in addition to enabling an incremental 2019 when the apex court industry repair. were very limited and confined Credit Suisse. ning businesses, buying of counter buzzed right through growth for the local retail partners.” upheld the government's posi- Vodafone Idea, which faces to select plans. Jio may purchase addition- essentials by households or the year. 9

Wednesday December 23, 2020 ‘Knew acting was Determined, what I wanted to do'

Kannada. Later, I went on to do more episodes in the With every new project, we see a new bee in series and then was cast in telly town trying to prove themselves in the the serial produced by the makers of Crime Patrol.” industry. One such Kannada beauty, who is After graduation, the devoted and chic set to entertain the Telugu audiences is actress got into the corporate sector but the acting was fashion diva herself, fitness journey from her Since her heart was pump- Nisarga Gowda. She, who is essaying the where her heart was. She Priyanka studied and childhood to now, Priyanka ing for fashion, within 8 to 9 ultimately quit her job and Fashion and pursued fashion, and tells us, “Fitness has always months, she set off her own lead role of Kalyani in the forthcoming show resumed her acting career wasA actively involved to be a been a part of me. While I label. “While it was picking Inti Guttu, talks to The Pioneer's with Inti Guttu. “In my entire pharma are worlds leader in the frontline medi- was growing up, I was up well, our pharma busi- journey, I was sure acting is cine business. Asked if always a healthy child. My ness too was venturing into K RAMYA SREE about her journey into what I wanted to do. Thanks apart, while one is running a serious parents got my sister and me various areas of growth. I acting, her stint with Crime Patrol, to my supportive family and pharma business and into fitness training at a very looked at the potential a lovely brother, I made my a luxury, the other having the time to be young age. The first couple growth trajectory in both Hyderabad making her feel home and more dreams come true,” says fashionable and of months were quite crazy fashion and pharma and Nisarga. keeping with the for us. After we lost about 15 took up pharma full time,” Continuing in the same is a necessity. trends is a possibili- to 20 kg, everything she tells us. vein, she shares how tough ty, she a says “Why changed. We took fitness Priyanka says she still tries lockdown has been on her, “I Priyanka Not!”. seriously from then on. It to keep fashion in every area quit my job at a wrong time, She attained suc- transformed our lives. of her life, alive because that I feel. I put in my papers Chigurupati, cess in the Working out is more of is really who she is. right before the lockdown. I business of mental fitness for me than She says, “Pharma taught would see my friends and executive director, fashion, attaining a perfect body. me a lot about business, family work, while I sit idle. also had Now, it has become an what to do and what not to. There were no auditions dur- Granules Pharma a cloth- essential part of my life.” It gave me a perspective on ing the lockdown and no ing line She was one of the pio- how to run and build a busi- shoots. The complete phase Inc., is one such of hers, neers in fashion blogging. ness from scratch. Today, if I was tough on me until I and is She started blogging when have to go back to fashion, I bagged Inti Guttu. I had the pas- there was hardly anybody know what I’d have to do.” insecure feeling of what's person who shifted sion- who knew what it meant. For ones looking to start a next. Luckily, my parents ate “When I was 16 or 17, I business, she has some tried never pressured me. That gears from fashion went to the states to do my and tested tips to success. way, I’m very lucky.” college and that’s when the “Firstly, you need to have a As a fresher to the Telugu to pharma for entire fashion thing kicked total business plan. You must industry, the actress says, she into my head. I gained expo- understand your market, tar- felt at home here. Sharing good. She takes sure to fashion outside of get and value proposition. her first-time shoot experi- India. Fashion in India was Secondly, know how deter- ence here, she says, “The cast care of Granules nothing more than the mined you are to see this and crew here made me feel usual trends. I decided growth. Are you prepared to all comfortable. On my first to pursue fashion mar- lose everything you’ve got? day of the shoot, everyone Pharma Inc, USA keting in one of the You have to be prepared to prepared me very well, fashion capitals of learn throughout the jour- although I knew nothing office while the world and I ney. Thirdly, get into the about the language. I was lived there for details. You have to be scared on my first day of the supporting about two years. involved from the grass-root shoot, but even the prompt- What I was level,” she shares. ing, words, everything was Granules India doing is simi- What is more important taught to me, word by word. lar to what — mental fitness or physical Even the minute of the heading their we now call fitness? She explains, minutest things were taken ‘blogging’. “Mental fitness is as impor- care of. All these gave me a There tant as physical fitness. Both out of the homely feeling.” Investor relations were are intertwined and inter- “I have a very funny and linked. If you are not fit isarga, talking about BOX Tom-Jerry kind of relation- wing. In a physically, you are not fit her role Kalyani in ship with my cameraman. mentally as well. If you NInti Guttu says she’s a We keep teasing each other conversation with are not physically fit, it young, feisty girl who is the and pulling each other’s legs takes a toll on your body; apple of her parents’ eyes. about acting from a very for no reason. He keeps The Pioneer your energy levels are Kalyani’s bond with her step- young age. Her passion made teaching me words that I’m low, which ultimately mother (played by Meena her quit a well-paid corpo- not supposed to learn or tell correspondent results in poor performance.” Vasu) will be one of the rate job and follow her anyone. I once said some- For people who want to highlights of the show. Her dreams. Sharing her journey thing wrong I learnt with my no start their fitness journey, spontaneous and bold atti- to acting, the actress tells us, director,” she laughs. K RAMYA SREE, bloggers the biggest message she gives tude makes her deal with “Although my entry into the For Nisarga, Hyderabad back then. I is, “Start young!” She adds, complex situations with telly world happened sud- has become her second she talks about had about 25 to “You shouldn’t only aim at grace and positivity. denly, I have always been home. “I stay for about 15 30,000 followers,” she losing weight. Feeling and Nisarga has always been passionate about acting. I days in Bengaluru and 15 work-life balance says. becoming your true self passionate started my trials at the age of days in Hyderabad. My fami- about fitness and her jour- The fitness enthusiast later should be your ultimate goal 18. While I was doing my ly started calling Hyderabad and having the ney to becoming fit from a returned to India and joined when venturing into the under graduation, a friend of my affinal home,” she con- very healthy child is awe- pharma, her family business, world of fitness. Be disci- mine referred me for an cludes. best of both worlds inspiring. Speaking of her as an intern. plined and rigorous.” episode in Crime Patrol in Shows that received

Bye bye 2020

Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives backlash this year was not so fabulous The show revolves around the four titular women’s privileged interconnected lives and how they deal with Web series and their ups and downs. They actively made the decision to films have become put up their lives for public scrutiny considering them- How XXX Uncensored selves to be the queens! There was the many splash of an integral part of mutated a rape threat to Gucci and glamour, B-town celebrity cameos including our lives, even more Ekta Kapoor Shah Rukh Khan himself, dramatic overkill for the cam- Producer Ekta Kapoor and era and outrageous comments to raise your eyebrows so during the her ALT Balaji web series XXX that received a deadly backlash from trolls. Cyber-bullies lockdown. These Uncensored got mired in a con- termed it as loud, at times bitchy and over-the-top and troversy which managed to cre- almost no interesting insight into the lives of these shows kept us ate a storm on social media Bollywood wives. The show kept everyone wondering: Why was Indian Matchmaking so controversial? entertained in the Ashram termed Hinduphobic against her. If you don’t know Where’s the entertainment? Love it or loathe it, but past few months The show received some criticism on the grounds of normalising already, the erotic-drama that there’s no ignoring the women starring in the show. Headed by filmmaker Prakash Jha, the show and encourages sexism, colourism and casteism. People called out the streamed on ALTBalaji was when we could not courted controversy for its ‘hinduphobic’ nar- creators saying they failed to challenge the regressive beliefs that were under fire for a steamy scene go out or invite rative. This led to the hashtag openly stated. However, many of Taparia’s one-liners from the show that hurt the sentiments of the Sadak 2 boycott #ArrestPrakashJha trending on Twitter! A lot of became viral memes and jokes on social media. While the show public, especially that of Bigg someone to our excitement and criticism continued since the revealed much about longstanding Indian traditions, it did not show Boss 13 contestant Hindustani Mahesh Bhatt homes. However, announcement of this web series. The series the dark and ugly side of an arranged marriage. Messages that women Bhau. It all began when two remains controversy’s was attacked by netizens who called for its ban, under 5 feet 3 inches or ones who aren’t slim are undesired kept police complaints were lodged favourite child with many of these as it also showed Babaji and his ashram being repeated throughout the show. Like Ankita Bansal from the show against her for humiliating and his proclivity to ruffle shows were mired questioned for corrupt practices. The web believes, if we continue to raise our voices collectively against the disrespecting the Indian Army a feather or two. But series seems like a compelling suspense drama misogyny inherent in the matchmaking practice, it will begin to die through a scene in the episode in the beginning of in several about the country’s exploitative godmen. out and our daughters can imagine a better future. of her web series. While people 2020, he was waded controversies! With have the right to raise their into a big row at what multiplied eyeballs A Suitable Boy for promoting love-jihad Gunjan Saxena's battle voices against what they deem appears to be the most inappropriate, threats of rape inopportune time in came added A fresh controversy erupted over Netflix’s web series A Suitable between facts and fiction and molestation and mass his illustrious career. scrutiny, and so Boy after a Bhartiya Janata Party leader alleged that the show hurts Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl based on the trolling is in no way justified. Returning to the silver screen as a director for the first time religious sentiments. At the heart of the debate lies a crucial concern life of one of the first Indian Air Force woman in more than two decades with Sadak 2, ideally it should OTT saw its share that there is no substantive evidence love-jihad exists in India. Isn’t pilots to fly in a combat zone has given way have been a cause for big celebration. But the film was bru- of controversies and it a very patriarchal notion of pro- to a full-blown controversy. Post the release, tally trolled and never welcomed for the return of Bhatt or tecting women? Doesn’t the constitu- the Indian Air Force wrote a letter to the for that matter, its cinematic merits. Worse, the film’s trailer backlash too. tion stipulate this Hindu majority Censor Board objecting its undue negative that released on August 12 became the most disliked trailer Without further country is a secular democracy? To portrayal. A number of IAF officers, includ- and second most disliked video ever on YouTube in the view inter-religious unions as a threat ing Gunjan’s coursemate have claimed that world! The primary reason behind the tsunami of dislikes ado, let’s take a to the integrity of the Hindu commu- officers have been misrepresented. for the film apparently was Bhatt’s open support to actress look at the nity was totally uncalled for! The Nonetheless, students of cinema would know Rhea Chakraborty, whose boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput newsmakers of scene was meant to be a touching that any story script essentially examines was found dead under mysterious circumstances. This left moment in a fictional miniseries but human relationships which forms the pivot. Bhatt’s ambitious comeback movie mired in an unsavoury 2020: a kiss between a young Hindu woman and a Muslim man inside a The rest of the script is woven to illustrate controversy that the filmmaker himself might not have temple sparked controversy and became the latest flashpoint in the the evolution of these relationships. So does wished for at this juncture regardless of his usual liking for country’s identity politics. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl! anything that kicks up a storm. 10

Wednesday December 23, 2020 what’s brewing?

The year that is about to end will go down in history as one that reorganised entertainment as never before in our lifetime. With cinema theatres shut down owing to the Actors who shone pandemic, home entertainment became important, and with television in India having crossed its saturation point long ago, digital was the way to go. on OTT this year

TT brought its own sto- Dalal Street’, was an overnight Bollywood films for a long anthology film, Unpaused. Munna bhaiya of Mirzapur, plateau of sorts, until the web rytelling culture and, star. time, he finally claimed his own and that goes on to show the series Asur happened earlier Oin turn, a new set of “I will continue with more role playing the vile Bhopa popularity of his role in the this year. The psychological actors who would fit into such zeal and excitement. There are Swami in Prakash Jha’s world of Mirzapur. He got a thriller series clicked, and stories. good projects coming my way Aashram this year. headstart with his role of Arshad was suddenly back in Not surprisingly, on-screen and I hope to add more mem- To Chandan’s advantage, the Liquid in the 2011 release, the limelight, winning praises ‘heroes’ have been wholly dif- orable characters in 2021,” he series had two seasons in quick Pyaar Ka Punchnama, but it of fans. ferent this year. This has been told IANS. succession within the same was Munna bhaiya in the web- “Digital media has been fan- the year of Pratik Gandhi’s year, letting the actor stay in the series Mirzapur that made him tastic for actors. I can talk for Harshad Mehta and Abhishek limelight with assurance. As the a household name over two myself, as far as experiments Banerjee’s Hathoda Tyagi. It is right hand man of the nefari- but it seasons. While season one of and risks are concerned. I am a year that will go down as one ous Kashipur wale Baba was the role of an underrated the show happened a while ago, not experimenting or risking when Pankaj Tripathi’s menac- (played by Bobby Deol), police officer Hathiram, in this year’s second season anything, I am finally getting to ing Kaleen bhaiya became a Chandan has become a talking Paatal Lok this year that brought his character to the do the work I have been long- igates the fading line between pop icon of sorts, and Sushmita point character of the popular brought him to the limelight. centre of the story. Diveyenndu ing for and enjoy doing,” he power, deception, and trust. Sen as Aarya Sareen gave crime show. “People are admiring a police PANKAJ TRIPATHI also impressed in web series told IANS. She then went into the zombie a wonky twist like never before. officer’s character who is fight- Bicchoo Ka Khel recently. zone with Betaal. IANS takes a look at the ing through a corrupt system He doesn’t belong to any par- Aahana’s upcoming OTT actors who made their presence trying to prove his self-worth ticular box. He doesn’t come tryst is Rohan Sippy’s sitcom felt and continue to stay alive and seek justice in a post- with the conventional idea of a show Sandwiched Forever, in the minds of the audience, truth world. I even received hero or a villain, yet he man- where she stars alongside Kunal primarily owing to their work RASIKA DUGAL messages from people saying ages to outshine the GenNow Roy Kapoor. She also has a in the OTT space this year. that they could very well relate brigade and emerge as the series coming up based on the From her intense avatar in to the character and the strug- unlikely star of the OTT world. French show Call My Agent, Mirzapur 2 to her suitable stint gle. It feels great to see your This year, he has showcased his also featuring Soni Razdan, in A Suitable Boy to the work being appreciated by peo- brilliance as an actor in projects Rajat Kapoor, and Ayush comedic affair in Lootcase, ple. It gives me a renewed as diverse as Mirzapur 2, Ludo, Mehra. Rasika dominated the OTT sense of vigour to do more such Extraction, Gunjan Saxena: space this year and wowed brilliant work,” Jaideep said The Kargil Girl and Criminal viewers with her diverse roles. JITENDRA KUMAR after the success of the show. Justice: Behind Closed Doors. This year, her web series “It finally feels like this is my SUSHMITA SEN AMIT SADH Delhi Crime became the first After dominating cyber time and may it never pass. I Indian show to get an space with his viral videos, want to give the audience one The year marked Sushmita’s Amit Sadh created a unique International Emmy. Now, she Jitendra arrived in the OTT memorable film after another, return to the acting space with record this year. He had three will soon be seen in the next scene with the hilarious satire one great role after another. a powerful role. She made her releases in the same weekend. season of Out Of Love, which series Panchayat, which has Entertaining the world has comeback through the web The films Shakuntala Devi and PRATIK GANDHI revolves around marriage, infi- emerged as one of the surprise been my long standing wish series Aarya, which is about Yaara, and the web series delity and insecurity. blockbusters of the year, and and I want to do one helluva how her character Aarya is Avrodh: The Siege Within Hansal Mehta’s biographical one of the most watched shows job at it,” he said. pulled into the narcotics busi- opened on July 30, barely 20 drama, Scam 1992: The of 2020 on Amazon Prime ness when her family is threat- days after Breathe: Into The Harshad Mehta Story has Video. ened. Now, Sushmita looks Shadows. turned around Pratik Gandhi’s Jitendra was lauded for his forward to the second season of Amit, who has found success career. Primarily an actor in portrayal of a young secretary ABHISHEK BANERJEE the show. on television as well as the Gujarati theatre and cinema, no of a Panchayat office in a Bollywood screen, is focused one quite kept track that Pratik remote village, a job he is You might forget his appear- on an OTT sojourn for now. BOBBY DEOL had worked in a couple of forced to take up owing to ance in Mirzapur, but you can- His next release is the series Bollywood films such as Mitron tough circumstances. Also star- not ignore the deranged serial Zidd. He also has a series titled The actor has got a second and Loveyatri. ring Neena Gupta, Raghubir killer Hathoda Tyagi in Paatal India Strikes: 10 Days. chance to prove his skills, Becoming Harshad Mehta Yadav and Chandan Sanyal, the Lok. During lockdown, thanks to the digital domain. changed all that. The role made show will soon get a second Abhishek entertained people AAHANA KUMRA And he is making the most of him an overnight sensation. By CHANDAN ROY SANYAL season. with his sinister roles on OTT it. He was seen as Dean Vijay his own confession, Pratik had JAIDEEP AHLAWAT shows like Paatal Lok and After Lipstick Under My Singh in the digital film Class thought the show would not be He made waves all those Kaali 2. He has shared that the Burkha, Aahana found a way Of ’83, and in the successful binge-able, given its jargon- years ago playing Shahid He has been on the fringes of role and success of Paatal Lok into the digital space, and has series Aashram by Prakash Jha. heavy dialogues. Yet it went Kapoor’s buddy in the 2009 Bollywood with roles in films kept him busy through lock- DIVYENNDU SHARMA ARSHAD WARSI been exploring it since then. His role of a fraud godman in onto become a sleeper hit, and release, Kaminey. After playing such as Rockstar, Gangs Of down, and diverted his atten- Her year started on a dramat- the crime drama Aashram has Pratik, essaying the ‘Big Bull of the odd role in many Wasseypur, Raees and Raazi, tion. He is also seen in the For OTT addicts, he is His career in films had hit a ic note with Marzi, which nav- been lauded by all. FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. sport 11 WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 23, 2020 After pep talk, expectant ‘Let it go & move on’ father Virat leaves for India PTI n ADELAIDE The second Test is sched- intent and express themselves uled to be held at the iconic on the field without any inhi- Smith advises deflated India to forget Adelaide debacle & keep moving forward ndian captain Virat Kohli left Melbourne Cricket Ground bition. IAustralian shores on Tuesday (MCG) from December 26-30. While Kohli has departed STEVE SMITH TEST CAREER after a pep talk with his belea- Kohli, who has been lead- for India, his white-ball deputy guered teammates, handing ing the Test team since 2014, Rohit Sharma is quarantining M I Runs HS Avg 100 50 over the mantle of leading the urged his players to show in Sydney. Overall 74 133 7229 239 62.31 26 29 side to Ajinkya Rahane in the AT MCG 7 12 908 192 113.50 4 3 remaining three Tests. Kohli is coming back to Kohli deserves credit for taking AT MCG vs India 1 2 206 192 103.00 1 0 India for the birth of his first child in January. bowlers who can have some Since his first Boxing Day Before boarding his flight paternity leave: Smith good Test careers. Obviously Test appearance in the Ashes back home, the star batsman Adelaide: Australian bats- That was a pretty class display they are missing Ishant (Sharma) 2010-11, the talismanic batsman met his teammates and encour- man Steve Smith on Tuesday against some good bowling on as well, which is a big loss for has smashed four centuries — aged them to give their all in the said Virat Kohli deserves a wicket that was doing a bit,” them in terms of experience.” three of them unbeaten — and remainder of the series, which credit for prioritising the birth Smith told reporters. Smith was out for one, three fifties in seven such games. the visitors trail 0-1 after the of his child over cricket as “I just fist-pumped him at deceived by a beautiful “I always remember watch- heavy defeat in the opening Test. “there would have been a lot the end (of first Test) and said Ravichandran Ashwin delivery, ing the Boxing Day Tests at Long before setting foot on of pressure” on the India ‘Mate safe travels, hope every- in the opening Test and assert- home and with the family after Australia, Rahane had been skipper to stay for the entire thing goes well with the baby, ed that he has learnt his lessons. Christmas. It’s sort of like a entrusted with the responsibil- duration of the ongoing Test and pass on my best to your “The spinners that do well dream-come-true moment in a ity of leading in the team in series. wife.’ That was about it,” Smith here generally those who get way. As a kid, I always wanted Kohli’s absence after the star had Kohli head for home on said. over the top of the ball and beat to play in a Boxing Day Test approached the BCCI for pater- Tuesday for the birth of his “I’m sure there would you with more bounce or in the match,” Smith said. nity leave. first child next month with have been a lot of pressure for air as opposed to ones that “There’s nothing like the The idea behind organising actor wife Anushka Sharma. him to stay but to stand up come around the ball. thrill and you get the shivers the pep talk was to boost the “Obviously, it’s a big loss and want to go home for for “It’s about finding a way to down your spine, and the hairs confidence of the players and for India, not having him for the birth of his first child, it’s adapt and that’s what the best on the back of your neck rise up keep them in a positive frame of the rest of the series. We just a credit for him. It’s a mile- players do around the world. I’ll when you walk out to bat on mind heading into the crucial have to look at the way he stone that he certainly would- hopefully learn something from Boxing Day with the crowd Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. played in the first innings. n’t want to miss.” PTI that, move forward and play a yelling,” added the player , who little bit better in the next game,” averages an astonishing 113.50 he explained. at MCG. On the next match, the star “I like batting at the MCG batsman said he gets shivers on those sort of big occasions. MCG pitch will suit Shaw a lot more: Hussey down the spine from the thrill I’d like to try and make the most IANS n ADELAIDE age of 15.5, prompting both of batting in a Boxing Day Test. of them.” Allan Border and Sunil ormer Australia batsman Gavaskar to say that with a loose FMichael Hussey believes the technique he shouldn’t be play- Smith not only contender Indian team management ing the pink-ball Test. Steve Smith plays shot during his short stay at the crease against India in the first innings of 1st Test at Adelaide CA/Twitter should support underfire open- His competitors for the er Prithvi Shaw and include him opening spot, KL Rahul and PTI n ADELAIDE December 26. “It’s important to keep mov- for captaincy: CA in the playing XI for the second Shubman Gill haved fared bet- “Look, the other day we just ing forward, look at yourself Test starting from Saturday at ter in recent times. ustralian batting star saw some pretty incredible fast individually, what you could PTI n MELBOURNE Eddings told ESPNcricinfo: the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “For Prithvi Shaw, find out Steve Smith has no time bowling. It is probably the best have done better.” “First of all we’ve got three great Shaw was bowled for a sec- about his character. Show that to think about how India I’ve seen our bowlers bowl col- Star pacer Mohammed atting mainstay Steve captains in Meg, Aaron and ond ball duck in the first innings faith in him, give him that belief mightA plot revenge in the second lectively for about five years I Shami’s fractured wrist has dealt BSmith’s reappointment as Tim. We’ve got some great of the first Test and had his and tell him ‘look, we’re backing Test in Melbourne this weekend think,” Smith said in a virtual a double blow to India as talis- Australia’s Test captain is far young leaders coming through. stumps rattled in the second you’. The Melbourne pitch will but he does have a word of media conference. manic skipper Virat Kohli will be from certain as the sport’s gov- So it’s not just about should innings at the Adelaide Oval in suit him a lot more. It certainly advice for the visitors jolted by “The lengths they were hit- on paternity during the last erning body in the country feels Steve take over, it’s about what’s the pink-ball match. won’t have the same pace and the first game’s battering — ting were just impeccable. three Tests. there are some “great young best overal. “I think that selectors should bounce. He’s obviously got enor- “Let it go and move on”. Sometimes that happens, you get “Not thinking too much leaders” coming through the “Steve’s a great young man show some faith in Prithvi Shaw. mous talent,” Hussey said. The Australian troika of a good ball and you nick it...You about India and how they’re system. and he was a good captain Yes, he didn’t get any runs in this “What it does is that it Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins got to let it go and move on and going to come back. For us, it’s Smith was removed from when he was there. Like any Test match but it’s one Test, sends a great message to the rest and Josh Hazlewood produced try and keep yourself in a posi- just about doing the things we captaincy due to his involve- succession there’s planning in against some quality bowling of of the team. It’s like ‘Look guys, one of the finest fast bowling tive mindset,” the 31-year-old need to do well. It’s about just ment in the 2018 ball-tamper- place. Have we sat down as a a difficult pitch to bat,” Hussey even if you have a bad Test here performances in recent times to added. executing what we need to do ing scandal, with Cricket board specifically to discuss the told ESPNcricinfo. worked his way through it and or there, we’re not going to lose dismiss India for their lowest Asked what he feels would out in the middle and doing it Australia (CA) appointing Tim next captain? No we haven’t.” Citing Joe Burns’ example, you see the character of the guy faith in you’. We know you’re Test score of 36 in the opening be the Indian mindset after to the best of our ability,” Smith Paine to the top job. Eddings said CA has given Hussey added: “Joe Burns was and he ended up scoring 50 not good players and we’ll back day-night Test at Adelaide Oval. such a huge defeat, he said: said. On Shami’s absence, Smith However, there have been vice-captaincy to various play- averaging less than seven in FC out.” you. I firmly believe that selec- Australia won by eight wick- “Again every individual is differ- said India still have some qual- speculations recently that Smith ers over the years and will go by cricket. The selectors showed Shaw had failed to get a fifty tors should stick with Shaw ets and the series will now ent, the way they take their dis- ity bowlers in Navdeep Saini and could be reinstated as skipper. the selectors’ recommendation faith in him. He got out cheap- in both the warm-up games despite not looking in great move to Melbourne for the missals, how they think about Mohammed Siraj. Asked about the board’s when the time comes to pick a ly in the first innings but he prior to the first Test, making touch in the Test match,” he Boxing Day Test starting the game after it’s finished. “I think they’re two quality view, CA chairman Earl successor to Paine. slowly got his confidence back, just 62 in four innings at an aver- added. Raina regrets ‘unintentional’, SINGLES New CAC formed at Pak avoid T20 clean sweep NO HOPE OF INDIA BOUNCING BACK: M WAUGH Melbourne: The Indian team has “no hope” of making n AGM will conduct AFP NAPIER After two losses when batting ‘unfortunate’ incident in Mumbai a comeback after the humiliation in Adelaide and will first, Pakistan changed tactics and suffer a 4-0 whitewash in the four-match Test series ohammad Rizwan celebrat- opted to bowl when they won the Mumbai: Former India “He (Raina) always against Australia, feels former batsman Mark Waugh. interview of selectors Med his elevation to the toss, restricting New Zealand to cricketer Suresh Raina, who holds rules and laws laid Asked if India could bounce back after losing the first Pakistan Test captaincy in style on 173 for seven, with Devon was among 34 people arrest- down by governing bodies Test, Waugh said: “No hope, no hope. “I thought New Delhi: The BCCI’s general body on Tuesday, smashing a career-best Conway top-scoring on 63. ed and released on bail by with the highest regard and Adelaide was the Test that they could win on paper and Thursday will form a new Cricket Advisory 89 to stop New Zealand claiming Faheem Ashraf was the pick Mumbai Police for violating will continue to do so in the with Virat Kohli here for just the one Test. I thought the Committee (CAC), which will pick three nation- a series sweep in the third T20 in of the Pakistan attack, taking Covid-19 social distancing future as well,” it added. conditions would suit them. “I just can't see how they al selectors ahead of the series against England, Napier. three for 20. norms at a club here, has Thirty-four people can bounce back (after) Australia whitewashed them on starting February. Pakistan reached New The strategy of chasing down regretted the “unintention- including Raina and the third day. So ‘no' is the answer — four-nil to It is learnt that the committee headed by Zealand’s target of 174 with two New Zealand’s total paid off as al and unfortunate” incident. Bollywood celebrity Australia,” he said on Fox Cricket. Madan Lal was appointed for one meeting and balls to spare, ending on 177 after Rizwan and Hafeez forged a 72- A statement issued by Sussanne Khan were arrest- after the Board’s upcoming Annual General Iftikhar Ahmed sealed the win run partnership that laid the the former batsman’s man- ed after a raid at a posh club NEW COVID STRAIN WILL NOT RISK ENG TOUR: SLC Meeting (AGM) in Ahmedabad, a new CAC will with a six in the final over. foundation for the win. agement team said the 34- near the Mumbai airport on Colombo: The new strain of Covid-19 that has hit the take over and conduct the interviews. But it was Rizwan’s 89 from Hafeez, who was stranded on year old was not aware of the Tuesday for violating social United Kingdom will not jeopardise England's upcoming “Madan Lal, Rudra Pratap Singh and 59 balls, with support from 41- 99 in Hamilton, made 41 from 29 local timings and protocols distancing norms. tour of Sri Lanka even though the development is a Sulakshana Naik were appointed for one meet- run Mohammad Hafeez, that balls including three sixes. at the time of the incident. According to the police, cause of concern, the country's cricket board (SLC) said ing where Sunil Joshi and Harvinder Singh inspired the victory. Rizwan’s innings, the sixth- “Suresh was in Mumbai those arrested in the raid at on Tuesday. Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) medical team feels became selectors,” a senior BCCI source told PTI. It was a hard-fought win for highest by a Pakistan batsman in for a shoot which extended the Dragonfly Experience that the tour starting January 14 is on schedule but “Since all cricket committees will be formed the tourists, who suffered heavy T20s, included a booming six that to late hours and was invit- included seven staffers of additional Covid-19 protocols might be enforced for the after the AGM, the new CAC will be formed and defeats in the two opening match- bounced off the roof of a stand ed by a friend for a quick the club. visitors either before leaving their country or after then the interview process is expected to start es after a rocky preparation that and out of the ground, forcing the dinner post the same prior The 13 women, who arriving here. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, after that,” he added. included Covid-19 quarantine explain my happiness,” he said umpires to select a replacement to him taking his flight were arrested, were allowed SLC's medical team is expected to hold discussions with There are some prominent names who have in Christchurch with no training. after his man-of-the-match T20 ball. back to Delhi. He was not to leave after being served their English counterparts on Tuesday on the matter. applied for the post of selectors from three zones. The win was particularly performance. Daryl Mitchell, on as a field- aware of the local timings notices. The men were The biggest among them happens to be for- sweet for Rizwan, who was Rizwan said the T20 victory ing substitute for the injured and protocols,” said the shown as arrested and SINDHU HOPEFUL OF TRAVELLING TO THAILAND mer India pacer Ajit Agarkar, who has played named on Monday as captain for was an important morale boost- Martin Guptill, took three catch- statement. granted bail later. New Delhi: Unfazed by the worsening Covid-19 more than 200 internationals across formats. the first Test against New Zealand er ahead of the two-Test series es for the Black Caps and Pakistan “Once pointed out, he Police said the raid was situation in England where she is training right now, P V Agarkar is a candidate from west zone while starting December 26 after reg- against the Black Caps. made a nervy finish to the match. (Raina) immediately com- conducted after the club Sindhu on Tuesday said that she remains hopeful of the two big names from north zone are Maninder ular skipper Babar Azam was “We want to take momentum But the solid start to the plied with the procedures remained open beyond the travelling to Thailand for tournaments in January despite Singh and Chetan Sharma. Former Test open- ruled out with a broken thumb. from this into the Test match, so innings ensured the middle order laid out by the authorities permissible time limit and countries increasingly banning flights from the UK. er Shiv Sunder Das is a prominent applicant from “I never thought I’d be made this is very important for us,” he had enough breathing space to and regrets the unfortunate violated Covid-19 Sindhu, who has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, has the east zone. PTI the captain of Pakistan and I can’t said. steer the tourists home. and unintentional incident. norms. PNS been training in London for the last two months and is scheduled to play her first tournament since the break in Thailand. She will have to be in Bangkok by January 3 to compete in the two Super 1000 events (January 12 to 17 and January 19 to 24). “I plan to travel in the first week Tammy’s double whammy sinks Hammers India Open from May 11 of January. There is no travel ban from UK in Thailand, so I can travel from Doha. The idea is to use the Gulf AFP n LONDON duction of forward Said BWF announces calendar for 1st half of 2021 route to reach Thailand,” said Sindhu. Benrahma. They were made to ammy Abraham hit a pay when Abraham, back in the PTI n NEW DELHI nally scheduled in March but post- DJOKER, FEDERER, NADAL WIN ATP AWARDS quickfire late double on starting XI, doubled Chelsea’s poned to December 8-13 due to London: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal TMonday as Chelsea beat lead with 12 minutes to go, set- he India Open Super 500 will be Covid-19 pandemic. It was later can- were among the winners of the ATP's top awards for West Ham 3-0 to reignite their tling their nerves and ending his Theld from May 11 to 16 and will celled altogether. 2020. Djokovic was the year-end No 1 for a record- Premier League challenge after own drought. serve as the last qualification event for The new-look BWF calendar also equaling sixth time after winning four titles including a a consecutive defeats. Two minutes later Chelsea the Tokyo Olympics, the Badminton sees a number of tournaments post- record eighth Australian Open. Federer, who played only The Hammers proved were 3-0 up when Abraham World Federation (BWF) confirmed poned from first and second quarters six singles all year, was the singles fans' favorite for a tricky opponents at an empty fired home from a tight angle in its new calendar for the upcoming of the season, and a handful of Grade record-extending 18th straight year, and Nadal received Stamford Bridge but lacked the after Fabianski had done well to year. The Olympic Qualifying period 2 tournaments cancelled. the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the third firepower to hurt Frank keep out Christian Pulisic’s for Tokyo will restart next year and The BWF World Rankings will year straight and fourth time overall after winning a 13th Lampard’s men, who led early header.The win lifts Chelsea to the first qualifying tournament will be reopen following the HSBC BWF Roland Garros crown. Andrey Rublev was the most through Thiago Silva’s bullet 25 points — one behind fourth- the Swiss Open from March 2 to 7 fol- World Tour Finals 2020 scheduled to improved in rising from No 23 to a career-high 8 after header. placed Everton — while West lowed by German Open from March start from January 27-31 and the cal- winning five titles, more than anyone else on the tour. Chelsea enjoyed a strong Ham stay in 10th place. 9-14.The $400,000 India Open will be culation of the next world rankings start to the season before loss- the last of the 17 events to earn points list will be announced on February 2. CENTRE OKAYS 5 CR FOR SYNTHETIC GROUND es to Everton and Wolves BBC. Mason Mount’s corner. BURNLEY WIN towards sealing berths for the Tokyo The world body also confirmed Raipur: As a result of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh checked their progress but the “We dropped off slightly Timo Werner, who has not Earlier Burnley rediscov- Olympics. that the Thomas and Uber Cup Baghel's initiative, Sports and Youth Welfare Department of victory at the London Stadium and it was important tonight we scored for Chelsea since early ered their sharpness in front of “The qualification period will be Finals, postponed from earlier this the state made another major achievement in the field of lifts them into fifth spot. came back,” he added. November, had a golden chance goal to beat Wolves 2-1 and extended until Week 19 with the year, will now take place in Aarhus, sports infrastructure development in Chhattisgarh. Central Champions Liverpool have West Ham had the ball in to double their lead in the clos- climb out of the relegation Indian Open 2021 being the last tour- Denmark. Government has sanctioned `5 crore for development of opened up a five-point gap at the net in the seventh minute ing minutes of the first period zone. Scoring has been a nament in the qualification period,” “BWF can also confirm the synthetic turf football ground and running tracks for the top of the table but behind after a cleverly worked free but got the ball caught under his headache for Sean Dyche’s men, the BWF said in a statement. TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup sportspersons in Bastar District Headquarters. Development them, just seven points separate kick but Declan Rice was denied feet and Fabianski saved com- who had netted just six goals in “Qualification will be determined Finals 2020 postponed earlier this of synthetic turf football ground is a golden opportunity to second-placed Leicester from by the off-side flag after an fortably. 12 top-flight games before the from the Race to Tokyo Rankings year will now take place in Aarhus in the sports talent of Bastar to polish themselves. Chief 11th-placed Wolves. impressive finish from a tight David Moyes’s team made match. But goals from Ashley published on 18 May 2021. BWF Week 41 of the season and forms part Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Sports Minister Umesh Patel “It was nice to see that at the angle. life uncomfortable for the home Barnes and Chris Wood extend- Council decided that this will also be of a tournament cluster in Denmark has congratulated all the officials and employees of sports end because we had a period at Three minutes later Chelsea side after the break but did not ed their unbeaten league run to used for seedings the Tokyo Olympic alongside the DANISA Denmark department. Chief Minister said that best possible facilities 1-0 where it was tough, we dealt were in front when Silva pow- make the most of their regular four matches, lifting them to Games in 2021,” it added. Open 2021 in Odense during will be provided for sportspersons of Bastar region. with that well,” Lampard told the ered home a header from forays forward despite the intro- 16th in the table. This year, India Open was origi- Week 42.” Agencies 12

Vijayawada wednesday December 23, 2020 tollywood Was a little scary to shoot: Nabha on resuming SBSB The actress speaks to NAGARAJ GOUD on planning to experience her film in a cinema hall, her role, shooting in the new normal and why she is averse to making her digital debut right now

ith Solo Brathuke months preceding the official Slowly though, So Better (SBSB), a announcement, he rang me we got used to popcorn entertain- and said, ‘Nabha garu, there is it,” she states. w er, being the first a crazy role for you and you Shooting in the Sushmita is a fighter: Charan big release after should only play it’. When I new normal is cinema halls across wanted to know the details challenging, she both the Telugu states turned about the project, he said he observes. “I’m try- am Charan, who graced biggest suppor, especially in the opportunities rather than wait- on the marquee lights earlier will get back to me after ing to figure out the presser of his sister making Khaidi No 150,” Charan ing for them and Shoot-out at this month after dimming everything gets finalised. And every new way of RSushmita’s maiden produc- said about his sister. Alair was one such opportunity them for roughly nine when he did give me the nar- wearing a mask and tion venture, Shoot-out at Alair, Charan also expressed his which she got due to ZEE5. months, the film’s female face ration sometime later, I was face shield without in Hyderabad on Tuesday, happiness on Shoot-out at Alair “Anand has been amazing Nabha Natesh is unable to like, ‘Wow, this is amazing affecting my hair described her as a fighter. director Anand Ranga staging with his craft and the project was contain her excitement. “The and I have to do it’. My role’s and make-up. “It was tough to work with her, a his comeback with her sister’s made memorable because of him experience of purchasing a placement is quite different in When you are in stylist, on Rangasthalam. She production venture. “I remem- and his team. The most exciting ticket and watching a film on the story. I’m happy to have a creative field was a stylist on dad’s 150th film ber listening to Oye songs for part of the series was the pres- the big screen is different bagged the role and I enjoyed like films, to fol- as well which I produced. With months en route to the gym. It ence of two big stars Prakash Raj altogether — something, bringing it to life. I thank low social dis- outsiders, you can scream at was a beautiful film. I missed his and Srikanth. They were like a which home viewing doesn’t Subbu for writing it.” tancing is chal- them and make them work movies but I’m glad to see his family. We could handover the offer. I’m excited to watch the The film was also one of lenging but every- but with family members, comeback with my sister and project in time to ZEE due to film in a theatre and see those the first Telugu films to have body is trying to you can’t. Dad would rep- brother-in-law’s maiden produc- our supercharged team led by commercials that appear resumed shooting in August. do their best,” rimand me (while working tion. The series looks fantastic executive producer Saranya and before a movie starts,” Nabha While close to 90 percent notes the petite on the sets of Khaidi No and real,” he noted. manager Prasad,” she said. smiles in a zoom session shoot was wrapped up before actress, who did 150) every time I yelled at Sushmita said that her dad ahead of the film’s silver the first lockdown was get web offers her. But she has always been my always asked her to look for screen roll out this Friday. imposed in March, the team during the lock- In the film, which marks had to shoot for some pend- down but is right the directorial debut of ing songs, which they started now fully concen- Subbu, she plays Amritha, a in late August. Admittedly, trating on a feature girl-next-door. “She is a she was “a little scary” to film career. With the young woman of values and begin with. “There are a lot of industry hit hard by believes in certain things and people on sets and you have the pandemic, many will go to any extent to stick to shoot with actors in close actors and technicians, to them. She is also particular proximity. But our team who draw a big paycheck, Rakul tests positive about what she desires in life,” ensured that proper safety have agreed to take 20 Nabha points out, recalling protocols were followed. percent cuts from their that Subbu, with whom she Everybody got tested before salaries to help producers. worked on Nannu we joined the sets. So, for the Is she ready to slash her Dochukunduvate, had her on first two days I was kind of remuneration? The question his mind for the part even hesitant to touch props, using draws a smile as she says: “I before the project material- sanitisers to clean my hands don’t know… I have to talk for COVID-19 ized fully. “A couple of after every two seconds. to my manager.” akul Preet Singh, who recently began shooting for her forthcoming Hindi pro- r ject Mayday in Hyderabad, has tested positive for COVID-19, and is currently in quarantine. Taking to Twitter, the 30-year-old actor said she is Kajal and “feeling fine” and urged all those who came in her con- tact to get themselves tested. “I’d like to inform everyone that I have tested positive husband for COVID-19. I have quarantined myself. I am feeling fine and will rest up well so that I can be back at shoot soon. Request everyone who met me to kindly get your- self tested. Thank you and please stay safe (sic),” she launch new wrote. Ever since Hindi and Telugu industries resumed work in August, Rakul was one actor who was shooting round the clock, juggling between Mumbai and Hyderabad fre- home décor quently for her multiple assignments. Before she began Mayday, she was on a vacation in Maldives last month, where she was accompanied by her family members. Her upcoming Telugu releases include Krish’s venture Kondapolam (tentative title), where she plays a vil- lage belle, and Chandrasekhar Yeleti’s Check, where she will be seen as a lawyer.

long with her entrepreneur hus- label to all of you. Kitched was born out and that the karigars who are skilled in band Gautam Kitchlu, Kajal of our love for design and our journey these beautiful Indian techniques AAggarwal on Tuesday announced of doing up our first home together. We should be supported. As this is a limited their home décor label named Kitched. are launching with a capsule collection edition collection, shop now to avoid She stated that it was born out of their of cushions —these are all handmade disappointment. We hope you enjoy the love for design and that their aim is to and have a festive theme. The aim of first products from our brand! (Sic).” instantly uplift the décor of your home our brand is that every product will Kajal, who has joined the sets of with a touch of elegance and aesthetic. instantly uplift the décor of your home megastar Chiranjeevi’s Acharya last Posted the actress on her social & will add that touch of elegance and week in Hyderabad, is looking forward media pages, “Gautam & I are delighted aesthetic that you are looking for. We to the release of Mosagallu in Telugu. to present Kitched — our home décor believe that luxury should be accessible Bangaru Bullodu to release next month hile the filming of Sankranti release. Allari Naresh’s next, Posted Naresh on Twitter, Bangaru Bullodu, was “Back to base.... back to the wrapped up more than screens.... back to doing what w a year ago, the pan- we do best — entertainment! demic threw a wrench #BangaruBullodu will see you in the plans of the producers to in theatres this Janurary 2021! release it for summer earlier (sic).” this year. With theatres opening The film is the second direc- up, production house AK torial venture of Nandini Entertainments on Tuesday Nursing Home fame PV Giri. announced that the full-length While Pooja Jhaveri is the lead- comedy entertainer will be ing lady, the supporting cast releasing next month. They also includes the likes of Tanikella announced that the post-pro- Bharani, Posani, Prudhvi, duction works have been com- Vennela Kishore, Praveen, pleted. While they didn’t speci- Sathyam Rajesh, Prabhas fy the date, a source tells us that Sreenu and Rama Prabha. Sai Anil Sunkara is looking at a Kartheek has composed music.