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PUBLISHED FROM DELHI & KOLKATA VOL. 3, ISSUE 344 | Thursday, 21 December 2017 | Kolkata | Pages 16 | Rs 3.00 NO HALF TRUTHS qNIFTY 10,444.20 (-19.00) qSENSEX 33,777.38 (-59.36) pDOW JONES 24,757.24 (+2.49) qNASDAQ 6,954.73 (-9.12) qRUPEE/DOLLAR 64.11 (-0.07) qRUPEE/EURO 76.11 (-0.41) qGOLD/10GM 29,690 (-10.00) qSILVER/K 38,175 (-75.00) CM HOLDS MEET ‘POST 1980S REFORMS, CABINET APPROVES ‘BEST COMPLIMENT TO ENSURE INEQUALITY RISES IN NEW CONSUMER TO BE CALLED A SMOOTH SAILING INDIA, NOT SO PROTECTION BILL COMMERCIAL FOR BGBS PG3 IN CHINA’ PG5 PG13 HEROINE’ PG16 Quick News44 HOUSE PANEL SAYS IT NEEDS MORE TIME TO STUDY BILL BEFORE GIVING REPORT Youth leaders want Govt set to provide relief Mamata to be centre to disqualified directors Mamata-led protests pay... NEW DELHI: The govern- of 2019 anti-BJP front ment will provide a 3- month window to defaulting compa- OUR CORRESPONDENT nies to submit their annual FRDI Bill shelved for now filings starting January 1, a move that will come as a relief GAUTAM LAHIRI NEW DELHI: Young lead- for hundreds of disqualified ers from across the country directors. The ‘Condonation of Delay Scheme’ NEW DELHI: The controversial Financial Reso- are reaching out to Trin- would be in force from January 1 to March 31, lution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017, amool Congress (TMC) 2018, according to government officials. The has now been put on hold, with the Chairman of chief Mamata Banerjee for scheme would be notified in a couple of days, the Select Committee, BJP MP Bhupendra Jadav, her guidance to take on the one of the officials said. seeking more time from Rajya Sabha Chairman BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha As part of clamping down on illicit fund Venkiah Naidu to present the report . It is also polls, said senior Trin- flows, the corporate affairs ministry has disquali- not clear whether the Select Committee report amool Congress leader, fied more than 3.09 lakh directors of companies will see the light of day in even the next Budget Rajya Sabha member and ing the next Government at which failed to submit annual filings for a long session as most members of the panel want to close Mamata aide Derek the centre.” time. Following the move, concerns were raised study the Bill in depth which will take time over O’Brien on Wednesday. A “I am not surprised that that many directors of genuine companies have the next few months. day after Banerjee report- young leaders from across also been disqualified. Besides, some individuals Opposition MPs feel that the Bill has gone to edly had a telephonic con- the country are reaching moved courts against their disqualification. P12 cold storage as it created mass hysteria among versations with Patidar out to her (Banerjee) for bank customers. Many MPs from even the rul- quota agitation spearhead her guidance and to learn ing BJP have opined to their party leadership that in Gujarat Hardik Patel and from her experiences. She Pvt cos allowed to make this type of legislation may create unnecessary Dalit leader Jignesh Mev- has the finest credentials fear among bank customers ahead of the 2019 ani, O’Brien said that the to take on the BJP in 2019,” Lok Sabha polls. young leaders were cer- he said. ammo for Indian Army The FDRI Bill aims to set up a Resolution Cor- tain to gain from the TMC According to O’Brien, poration which will monitor financial companies, chief, who had the “finest the TMC chief is sure that NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Wednes- categorise them as per their risk profiles and step credentials” to take on the the saffron party could be day announced that it has allowed private sector in to prevent them from going bankrupt by writ- TMC MPs demand the withdrawal of the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill during the BJP in 2019. defeated in the 2019 Lok to manufacture eight selected ammunition for ing down their liabilities. Lok Sabha Speaker Sum- Winter session of Parliament PTI “In the recently held Sabha polls if all the anti- the Indian Army in a major reform initiative. itra Mahajan informed the House that the Joint Assembly elections in West BJP forces came together. The ministry said the aim of the decision is Parliamentary Committee on the FRDI Bill has The joint panel’s motion seeking an exten- commit a virtual dacoity on the bank accounts Bengal, the TMC came “Her experience, track to facilitate development of indigenous capac- been granted an extension “up to the last day of sion could not be moved on December 15 “as of common people through a legislation called back to power with a three- record, role in people’s ity, reduce import dependence and develop a the Budget Session, 2018”. the House was adjourned after making obituary Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill fourths majority. She has movements over the last robust supply of ammunition within the country. These developments come at a time when references. Hence, I have on behalf of the House (FRDI) Bill 2017,” Naik said. shown leadership qualities. four decades, experience “With the long-term objective of building concerns have also been raised in several quar- granted extension of time,” said Mahajan during He was speaking to reporters at Panaji to regis- She was the first to raise as Union cabinet minister capacity within the industry as a robust alter- ters about certain provisions of the Bill which Zero Hour. ter his protest against the bill. “If the bill becomes protests against demon- and the resounding man- native source of ammunition, the government was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August this Meanwhile, Goa Congress chief Shantaram a law, the government can take a stand dishon- etisation, GST, the FRDI date of last year (in the West has approved manufacturing of eight selected year. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Naik on Wednesday termed the Financial Reso- ouring your cheques even if you have funds in Bill. We are confident that Bengal Assembly polls) ammunition for Indian Army by Indian Indus- FRDI Bill, 2017, decided to seek an extension as lution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017, your account and deny you your right to with- after the Lok Sabha polls make her the most credi- try,” the defence ministry said. The Army has its report would not be ready for presentation by as a “virtual dacoity” on the bank accounts of the draw money from your hard earned savings,” in 2019, West Bengal will ble face to take on the BJP,” been reeling under severe shortage of ammu- December 15. common man. “The BJP government is going to explained Naik. play a leading role in form- observed O’Brien. nition and it has been pressing the government to address the issue in view of the security chal- CRIME WAS COMMITTED 17 YEARS AGO lenges the country is facing. At present, various ordnance factories sup- 350 infra projects... Jadhav’s wife and ply ammunition to the armed forces. P7 `2.65 l cr extra costs mother get Pak India’s Most Wanted host Suhaib India developing visa to visit him Illyasi gets life term for wife’s murder bulk drugs to reduce ISLAMABAD: ZAFAR ABBAS counsel sought leniency for import dependence Pakistan on him, saying that he had never DCGI G N SINGH Wednesday issued NEW DELHI: Suhaib Illyasi violated bail conditions and visas to Kulb- of TV crime show India’s Most faced the trial for 17 years. hushan Jadhav’s Wanted fame was sentenced to The counsel also said that wife and mother life imprisonment by a Delhi he is successfully running mag- In today’s to visit Islamabad court on Wednesday. He has azines covering bureaucrats to meet the Indian been held guilty of murdering and has no criminal anteced- paper prisoner on death his wife Anju Illyasi in the year ents. Ilyasi, also the editor-in- OUR CORRESPONDENT depend on a variety of techni- row, the Pakistan Foreign Office said. 2000. chief of Bureaucracy Today ... cal, financial and administrative Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by Additional Sessions Judge S magazine, faced the trial for 17 CITY NEW DELHI: As many as 350 factors. a Pakistani military court on charges K Malhotra also slapped a fine years for the death of his wife. infrastructure projects, each He added that as reported of espionage and terrorism in April, of Rs 2 lakh on the convict and to claim innocence, denied the Anju Ilyasi’s mother Rukma MUKUL GETS ANTICIPATORY BAIL 3 worth Rs 150 crore or above, by the project implementing following which India moved the directed him to pay Rs 10 lakh charges and termed the pro- Singh welcomed the judgement NATION have shown cost overrun of Rs agencies, the main reasons for ICJ in May. to Anju Ilyasi’s family. nouncement of life sentence and expressed satisfaction over 2.65 lakh crore due to various the delays pertain to land acqui- The ICJ halted his execution on Ilyasi, however, continued as “injustice”. Ilyasi’s defence the court’s order. UPCOCA BILL IN UP ASSEMBLY 6 reasons including delays, Parlia- sition, environment and forest India’s appeal pending the final ver- ment was informed on Wednes- clearances, funding constraints, dict by it. “Pakistan High Commis- SANTA’S COMING TO TOWN EDIT day. “As on October 1, 2017, a rehabilitation and resettlement sion in New Delhi issued the visas COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY 8 total of 1,263 projects were on issues, local body/ municipal to the mother and wife of Com- the monitor of this Ministry,” permissions, utility shifting and mander Jadhav to visit Islamabad INTERNATIONAL Statistics and Programme Imple- contractual issues. to meet him, today,” Pakistan For- mentation Minister Vijay Goel The minister also said that eign Office spokesman Mohammad KHALEDA SENDS HASINA LEGAL NOTICE 10 said in a written reply to the Lok the range of delay in the 297 proj- Faisal tweeted. BUSINESS Sabha. ects is from 1-261 months. Major Pakistan had agreed to facilitate “Of these, 297 are showing steps have been undertaken to a meeting of Jadhav with his mother CIL TO BUY OVERSEAS MINES STAKES 13 time overruns, 350 are showing ensure completion of Central and wife in Islamabad on December cost overruns and 103 are show- Sector Infrastructure Projects 25. It also agreed to India’s demand SPORT ing both time and cost overruns. without time and cost overruns. that they be accompanied by an offi- These 350 projects are showing a The steps include rigor- cial of the Indian High Commis- NEHWAL SLAMS BWF 15 total cost overrun of Rs 2.65 lakh ous project appraisal, the On- sion here. crore,” Goel said added. line Computerised Monitoring On Thursday, Pakistan directed The Ministry of Statistics System (OCMS), setting up of its High Commission in New Delhi FOR ADVERTISING and Programme Implementa- Revised Cost Committees in to issue visas to Jadhav’s wife and kindly contact at 9810195709 tion monitors ongoing Central the ministries for fixation of mother. Pakistan claims its security or Sector Infrastructure Projects responsibility, regular review of forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein [email protected] costing Rs 150 crore and above infrastructure projects by the Mubarak Patel from its restive Balo- on time and cost overruns on administrative ministries con- chistan province on March 3 last year the basis of information provided cerned, and the setting up of after he reportedly entered from Iran. FOR SUBSCRIPTION by the project implementation Central Sector Projects Coordi- India, however, maintains that kindly contact at 8800854665 agencies. nation Committees (CSPCCs) Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran or The minister informed the in the states under the respective where he had business interests after [email protected] House that causes for time over- Chief Secretaries for removal of retiring from the Indian Navy. PTI Children dressed up as Santa Claus celebrate ahead of Christmas at their school in Mathura on Wednesday PTI runs are project-specific and bottlenecks. 1.29 lakh safety-related NUMBER OF CROREPATIS ROSE BY 23.5% TO 59,830 BUT THEIR TOTAL INCOME FELL BY `50,889 CRORE Railways posts lying vacant Only 1,648 tax payers showed `5 cr income in FY16 OUR CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI: Over 1 lakh posts related DHIRENDRA KUMAR showed zero income or less than Rs 2.5 income category had the largest number of to the Railways’ safety mechanism were lakh, which is not liable to tax. The data 1.33 crore individuals during AY 2015-16. vacant as of April 2017, the government NEW DELHI: Even though the number released by the CBDT is of 2015-16, which There were 55,331 persons with informed Parliament on Wednesday. In a of billionaires has increased manifold, the is prior to the launch of the demonetisa- income between Rs 1 crore and Rs 5 written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, income tax (I-T) returns filed by tax pay- tion and GST schemes. crore during the latest assessment year Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain ers for salary income over Rs 5 crore are When income tax returns statistics for for which figures have been released. while said that efforts are being made to fill up the just a handful in the country of over 120 the year 2016-17 would be released in Sep- there were 3,020 individuals with income vacant posts expeditiously. crore people. There are only 1,648 taxpay- tember 2018, the country would witness between Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore. “The number of posts lying vacant ers who have reported a salary income a huge increase in the number of taxpay- A total of 1,156 individuals had income in safety cadres over all zonal railways is out process of recruitment in the transport above Rs 5 crore in the assessment year ers, said a senior official. The CBDT data between Rs 10 crore and Rs 25 crore in AY 1,28,942 as of April 2017. The number of behemoth, Gohain said that every stage of (AY) 2015-16. further stated that during AY 2014-15, the 2015-16. The number of individuals in the vacant posts of all loco running categories a written exam takes around three to four According to the income tax returns number of individuals with gross income Rs 100-500 crore group rose to 31 from 17 including drivers is 17,457,” the minister months, which includes issue of notices to statistics for the assessment year 2015-16 of individuals in this category showed Rs of over Rs 1 crore was 48,417 with a cumu- in AY 2014-15. said. The minister further stated that in the candidates requiring about three weeks. released by the Central Board of Direct 50,889 crore less aggregate income than lative income of Rs 2.05 lakh crore. The CBDT data also show that as many past five years, a total of 50,463 candidates The complete recruitment process, Taxes (CBDT), the number of tax payers in the previous year. The combined income of all individual as 4.35 crore income tax returns, includ- had been empanelled for the post of assis- Gohain said, takes one-and-a-half to two earning over Rs 1 crore increased over Surprisingly, as many as 4.07 crore assessees rose to Rs 21.27 lakh crore in AY ing those by corporates, were filed in AY tant loco pilot through railway recruitment years. The railways has witnessed a spate of 23.5 per cent to 59,830 during the assess- individuals filed income tax returns in 2015-16 from Rs 18.41 lakh crore in the 2015-16 with total declared income of Rs boards. Commenting on the long-drawn- accidents in the recent past. ment year 2015-16, but this larger number AY 2015-16, of whom around 82 lakh previous year. The Rs 2.5 lakh-3.5 lakh 33.62 lakh crore. 2 mp around town MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 WHEN INDIAN FICTION REFLECTED The year 2017 witnessed the release of at least three powerful novels, all of which use the medium of art THE BURDEN and fiction to reflect the burden of society

OF SOCIETY (L-R) Authors Arundhati Roy, Kiran Nagarka and Nayantara Sahgal novel that takes its read- in the offering. From Kashmir to Mao- Soon after Roy’s novel came And finally, the year closed with ers into the abyss of pov- ists and transgenders to crony capital- “When the Moon Shines By Day” by the recent release of Kiran Nagarkar’s erty and patriarchy, thereby ism, it is an inward contemplation of Nayantara Sahgal, a member of the “Jasoda”, a commentary on society narrating the sordid uses a master storyteller on the times and Nehru-Gandhi family and a noted narrated as fiction. The readers ques- Aof power and the agony it unleashes; surroundings she is living in. writer who spearheaded the “award tion the protagonist Jasoda, seeking to a dystopian satire that draws a tell- “I speak as a reader and a publisher wapsi” campaign in 2015. The moon understand whether she is a mother, ing portrait of our times; and finally when I say that I turn to fiction, as obviously does not shine by day nor murderer or saint? an international bestseller from India much as to non-fiction, when I seek does the sun shine by night. “Some- “You could characterise ‘Jasoda’ weaves together a writer’s experiences to make sense of our times, or any thing is wrong if one is forced to agree as a novel that explores the incidence as a social and environmental activist time that has gone past us. ‘The Min- with such propositions, or be pun- of female infanticide, its causes and – all of this in fiction. istry of Utmost Happiness’ is a stellar ished for refusing to agree,” Sahgal its consequences in Indian society, Two years ago, there was a spon- example of the sheer humanity of the said, pointing to the larger narrative particularly in the hinterland; or a taneous protest by leading Indian art of the novel. What such a book that she presents in her novel. novel that depicts the generation gap writers who returned their Sahitya does is stand up for integrity: It shows Thus, a character finds her father’s between the acquiescent pre-liberali- Akademi awards in the wake of what us both searing beauty and the fear- books on medieval history disappear- sation generation and the ambitious, they called a growing climate of intol- some ugliness. Arundhati Roy’s book ing from bookstores and libraries. Her confident post-liberalisation genera- erance and a threat to free speech in is an empathetic, hopeful and fiercely young domestic help, Abdul, discov- tion,” said Udayan Mitra, HarperCol- the country. Later, these writers were idealistic response to the epic tale of ers that it is safer to be called Morari lins India. dubbed as those with “vested inter- Independent India. What more can Lal on the street, but there is no such “Perhaps the most important thing ests”, seeking “cheap publicity” at a one ask of a great Indian novel,” asked protection from vigilante fury for his to remember about the book is that time when their books had “stopped Meru Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief, Liter- Dalit friend Suraj. Kamlesh, a dip- the central character is a woman, selling”. Those opposed to them ary Publishing, of Penguin Random lomat and writer, comes up against she is a mother, and her name is pointed out that, as writers, the ideal House India. official wrath for his anti-war views. Jasoda – a name everyone familiar way to put their perspectives before with mythology knows. What the the public was through their writings book is ultimately about, for me, is – and few could disagree with this fun- how myth and reality are at cross- damental point. purposes in today’s India,” he added. Cut to the present: The year 2017 Above and beyond these names are witnessed the release of at least three “When Danniel Comes to Judgement” powerful novels, along with two short by Keki Daruwalla and “Up Coun- story anthologies, all of which use the try Tales” by Mark Tully – both short medium of art and fiction to reflect story anthologies – bringing many the burden of society. societal issues to the fore. The big- Leading the charge with huge pub- gest achievement of these books lies licity and global media attention was in the fact that they have transported the return of writer-activist Arundhati their settings to the ground realities Roy with her novel “The Ministry of of the times we are living in, moved Utmost Happiness”. The novel came away from an elitist urbanscape (the after a hiatus of two long decades, dur- current trend) and, in doing so, they ing which Roy was actively involved in have only rekindled the rich legacy of a number of social and environmental the likes of Raja Rao, Mulk Raj Anand campaigns – a lot of which is reflected and R.K. Narayan. IANS AMBIENCE FASHION WEEKEND’17 Celebrate Christmas, NEW YEAR IN STYLE UMA NAIR Delhi witnessed a weekend full of glitz, glamour and fashion when Bollywood divas like Malaika Arora, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, he winter chill and hand-crafted Shruti Hassan, Divya Khosla, Aahana Kumra and Esha menus make for a perfect cel- Gupta walked down the ramp for Trends, Neeru’s, Marks ebration! The Imperial Hotel & Spencers, Amit GT, Reynu Tandon and Anju Modi at the gears up to mesmerize its guests Ambience Fashion Weekend’17. The two-day exclusive Twith the sound of yesteryear’s carols and fashion marathon took place at Ambience mall, Vasant sparkling festive hues in abundance. Kunj on December 15 and 16 amidst Fashion and Lifestyle The lobby at The Imperial will be Bloggers, Fashion enthusiast’s, Celebrities, Designers and decked with an installation of the colour- imminent personalities from the retail industry. ful forest of Christmas with multi-hued trees hanging from the ceiling adding to the scarlet and green zest. A gingerbread house put together by the Pastry team celebrates the yuletide spirit. Christmas eve and Christmas day will be spearheaded by Executive Chef Prem Kumar Pogakula, with a Christmas treat. A plethora of packages with extensive menus have been unveil a Christmas eve dinner buffet at the historic 1911 Restau- like Spiced apple Year’s eve, featur- rant (all day dining restaurant) from 6:30 mousse, Traditional ing risotto alla par- pm to 11:45 pm. In English style roast plum cake and Plum migiana e pesto di turkey, brussel sprouts, pork loin in a pudding with brandy ovlie nera – par- Shimmering Shruti Hassan blanket, bread stuffing, giblet gravy, cran- anglaise put together mesan cheese berry sauce on the Western Roast sta- with classic wines, risotto cooked Evergreen Malaika Arora tion will rub shoulders with a selection make sure you cel- with sun dried of international cuisine like Shepherd’s ebrate the occasion tomatoes and pie, Grilled chicken, celeriac, blue cheese delectably. topped with black crumble with hot and exquisite Asian The last two days olive pesto, manzo spread namely ‘Kung krapao’ – Prawns of 2017 will present alla griglia e gor- tossed with Thai sweet basil, Silken tofu, an epicurean journey- gonzola dolce, con bell peppers, Chinese cabbage, hot garlic discover the legends spinaci all’aglio e sauce along with Seafood, Indian, Tan- of Italy, India and South-East Asia at each burro e carciofi croccanti-grilled sliced doori favourites and Italian specials, sal- of these restaurants for a gala New Year’s tenderloin with sautéed butter spinach, ads, desserts and cold cuts. The extensive eve dinner on December 31. 1911 offers sweet gorgonzola sauce and fried arti- feast will leave you asking for more. a sumptuous New Year Eve dinner buf- choke amongst other niceties. 1911 Restaurant will feature a lav- fet with a selection of fine delicacies The Spice Route will embrace epicu- ish Christmas Brunch on December 25. like Seared yellow fin tuna nicoise with reans with South East Asian delights for You can fill yourself to the gills, with quail eggs, Tenderloin picattas amongst New Year by Chef Veena Arora with spe- Roasted Lamb, traditional roasted tur- other succulent delights. cialties like ‘Por Pia Phong Curry’ – Thai key along with global cuisine like Basil Relish Tuscan scents and spring rolls stuffed with mince Chicken pesto marinated chicken, cous- delectable Italian fare at flavoured with Thai curry powder; ‘Pla cous stuffed tomatoes, grilled San Gimignano on Thord Krob’ – Crispy Sole fillet wok fried artichokes, Ricotta and spin- New with garlic, white pepper and fresh cilan- ach spanakopita, spiced tro; ‘Yera Arvat Anjj’ – Tiger Prawns deep tomato chutney, Smoked fried and flavoured with Kerala spices. salmon and many more The spectacular New Year Brunch tempting offerings. Buffet will unravel on January 1 An indulgent array 2018 at 1911 restaurant where you can of des- enjoy your favourite world cuisine and serts welcome the New Year in style.

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For editorial, call: 9836072100 3 city mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata |Thursday, 21 December, 2017 Jeet Ganguly, BISWA BANGLA CASE Ruling party Avijit to get CM holds meet to ensure Kolkata Court grants factions clash Bishesh Sangeet anticipatory bail to Mukul in Bhangar Samman OUR CORRESPONDENT KOLKATA: A clash broke smooth sailing for BGBS out between two factions of KOLKATA: The metropolitan the ruling party in the state on OUR CORRESPONDENT magistrate, 12th Court Kolkata, Tuesday at Bhangar in South on Wednesday rejected Mukul 24-Parganas. KOLKATA: Chief Minister Roy’s plea to make a statement Some were beaten up. A car Mamata Banerjee held a high before the court in connection and motorcycles of the leaders level meeting on Wednesday with the criminal defamation were damaged during the clash. in the state secretariat to ensure case filed by Trinamool Con- Abhishek Banerjee The situation came under con- that the Bengal Global Business gress MP Abhishek Banerjee. trol when a large contingent of Summit (BGBS) takes place in The court opined that the at Alipurduar, restraining and police reached the spot. a much better way this year in accused at the present stage, in prohibiting Mukul Roy from It has been learnt that there its new venue, which is Biswa the proceedings, could at best making statements that may was a meeting in a party office Jeet Ganguly Bangla Convention Centre in only appear and seek bail and reveal or tantamount to reveal on Wednesday. Leaders from KOLKATA: The state govern- New Town. nothing else. The next hearing any connection of Abhishek the rival faction also reached ment will confer Bishesh San- BGBS 2018 is going to be will be held on January 30. Banerjee with Biswa Bangla the party office to be present geet Samman on singer and held on January 16 and 17. The Complaint Case No. Marketing Corporation Lim- in the meeting. music director Jeet Ganguly Top industrialists and dele- 68540/2017 for defamation ited and Jago Bangla Media Pri- The situation turned worse and singer Avijit Bhattacharya. gates from different parts of the against Mukul Roy filed by vate Limited or any other body when the other group tried to The award will be given world are going to be present in Chief Minister in October. ensure that accommodation in De, Home Secretary Atri Bhat- Abhishek Banerjee, was fixed or organisation with which he restrict them from entering the by Chief Minister Mamata the summit. Businessmen and It may be mentioned that the hotels in the vicinity should tacharya, Debashis Sen, Addi- on Wednesday before the 12th does not have any traceable and party office. Banerjee at the inauguration entrepreneurs from across the apart from exhibition halls, also be kept available as it may tional Chief Secretary of the Metropolitan Magistrate after valid link. Within a few minutes, the of Bangla Sangeet Mela that is country will also turn up to be banquets and restaurants, there be needed at that time for the state Information Technology an issuance of summon against The said revision applica- heated exchange of words going to be held at Uttirnya on a part of it. is also 112-bed accommoda- delegates. department and Alapan Ban- the accused under Section 204 tion was to be moved by the turned into a scuffle. Right at December 23. In the past years, BGBS tion in the convention cen- Senior ministers includ- dyopadhyay, Additional Chief CrPC on the last occasion that advocate for Mukul Roy on that time, some started dam- Sources in the state secre- has taken place at Milan tre. It has been learnt that the ing the state Commerce and Secretary of the state Transport is, November 28. December 20, 2017, as per aging a car and the motorcycles tariat confirmed that this year’s Mela ground. Chief Minister Chief Minister has directed to Industry minister Amit Mitra, department were also present Mukul Roy sought for bail the letter issued to Abhishek parked near the party office. Bishesh Sangeet Samman will Mamata Banerjee had planned make proper arrangement for state Urban Development in the meeting. and provided a bond of Rs Banerjee’s advocate Sanjay Soon after receiving the be given to Jeet Ganguly and the setting-up of the interna- accommodation of delegates and Municipal Affairs minis- It has been learnt that the 1,000 to this effect, pursuant Basu. information, police rushed to Avijit Bhattacharya for their tional-level convention cen- to be present in BGBS, in the ter Firhad Hakim, Mayor and Chief Minister has directed to which the court allowed the However, when the afore- the spot. Later, a large con- contribution in the filed of tre in New Town and it has meeting held on Wednesday. minister of the state Fire and all concerned ministers and bail. A civil revision application said matter was called up for tingent of police headed by music. come up as eastern India’s big- This year, the accommoda- Emergency Services depart- officials to ensure a foolproof bearing C.O. No. 4136 of 2017 hearing before Justice Harish senior police officers entered Besides honouring the two gest convention centre with tion of the delegates will be in ment Sovan Chatterjee and arrangement for the delegates. was filed by Mukul Roy on Tandon on Wednesday, the the area and brought the situa- legends of the world of music the main auditorium having the convention centre itself. So, minister of state for Infor- The senior officials will be December 15, 2017 before the advocate appearing for the tion under control. with Bishesh Sangeet Samman, a seating capacity of around they do not have to travel even mation and Cultural Affairs visiting the venue and a proper Calcutta High Court, challeng- petitioner, Mukul Roy, did not Police pickets have been some singers and musicians 3,200, which is the highest in a few kilometers to reach the department Indranil Sen were plan of action will be prepared ing the order dated Novem- move the matter, but instead posted to ensure that the law will also be honored with San- the country. The convention venue. Despite that, concerned present in the meeting. to organise BGBS with proper ber 21, 2017, passed by the Ld. sought for an adjournment of and order situation doesn’t geet Mahasamman and Sangeet centre was inaugurated by the officials have been directed to State Chief Secretary Malay coordination. Civil Judge (Senior Division) the same, for a week. deteriorate further. MPOST Samman. It may be mentioned that FOR A CAUSE like Kolkata International Film Festival, Chief Minis- Govt introduces cheque ter Mamata Banerjee has also take n the Bangla Sangeet Mela to a new height and this payment for sellers of plots year around 3,000 artists will be participating in the festival OUR CORRESPONDENT the sale deeds if the payment that will continue from Decem- In a bid to check is not made, which generally ber 24 to 30 at Rabindra Sadan, KOLKATA: In a bid to ensure such a practice, results in unnecessary delay in Sisir Mancha, Phanibhusan that sellers of lands appear at execution of the proposed proj- Vidya Binode Yatra Mancha, the office of additional district the decision of ect of the state government. In Rabindra-Okakura Bhavan , sub-registrar (ADSR) for reg- making payment such a situation, the permission Madhududan Mancha, Mohur istration of sale deeds of any for making payment through Kunja, Hedua park, Madhu- plot that need to be procured through cheques cheques instead of transferring sudan Mukta Mancha and for any state government proj- has been taken it online to the bank accounts Deshapriya Park. The closing ect, it has been decided to make of rayats or sellers for registra- ceremony of Bangla Sangeet payment to sellers through tion of land, which is purchased Mela will continue the entire cheques instead of transfer- bank accounts of rayats/sellers”. under Direct Land Purchase night at Rabindra Sadan. ring the money online to their According to an official, Policy, has been granted. It has The curtain raiser of Ban- bank accounts. it was noticed that sometimes been considered that allowing gla Sangeet Mela was held on It may be mentioned that sellers do not appear at the payment through cheques by December 16 in front of Rabi- the state government makes office of ADSR at the time of giving relaxation to the nor- ndra Sadan in the presence of direct purchase of private registration of the sale deeds mal procedures of making pay- Veteran singer Dwijen Muk- lands to develop different gov- and such incidents are taking ments will ensure the presence hopadhyay, Sriradha Ban- ernment projects. In a bid to place even after the payment of sellers at the office of ADSR dyopadhyay and many other make the process transparent for purchasing the land is cred- at the time of registration. famous singers. Indranil Sen, and easier, the state govern- ited to their bank accounts. In a It has been stated in a the minister of state for Infor- ment had introduced the sys- bid to check such a practice, the order of the Audit Branch of mation and Cultural Affairs tem of direct online transfer decision of making payment the state Finance Department department, was present at the of money to the sellers’ bank through cheques has been in this connection: “The con- curtain raiser programme in accounts. Under the Integrated taken. It was realised by the cerned treasury officer shall State Education minister Partha Chatterjee awarded the Jahar Lal Chandra Merit Scholarships of Rs 50,000 each to 43 Madhyamik toppers which folk artists from differ- Financial Management System state government officials that issue cheques in favour of the across 20 districts of Bengal. U K Chandra, Managing Director, P C Chandra Jewellers and actor-wildlife activist Sabyasachi Chakraborty ent parts of the state showcased (IFMS), the payments are being at the same time sellers of lands rayats or sellers on request of were present at the event PIC/MPOST their talent. MPOST made “through RTGS to the may not be ready to execute the drawing officer.” Youth arrested No repair, construction in protected Karnan walks out of Presidency for uploading objectionable monuments without NOC: ASI Jail after 6 months behind bars pictures on FB OUR CORRESPONDENT ing. Both the tombs are located tor, ASI, Eastern Region, Kol- Ladakh. KOLKATA: Justice C S Kar- vit on the issue before the court. at the Christian Cemetery on kata after submitting details There, with great determi- nan, who came into the lime- Such actions on Justice Kar- OUR CORRESPONDENT DARJEELING: The Archae- Lebong Cart Road, Darjeeling. of plan, elevation etc of the nation, he mastered Tibetan light when he rebelled against nan’s part prompted the Madras ological Survey of India has The Regional Director of proposed structure or mining language in 9 years and stud- the Supreme Court and the High Court to approach the KOLKATA: A young boy has requested the district admin- the ASI, Eastern Region in work for issuance of No Objec- ied original Buddhist literature judiciary, was released on Supreme Court seeking the been arrested for uploading istration, Darjeeling to ensure a letter to the District Mag- tion Certificate. thoroughly. Wednesday from Kolkata’s transfer of the temperamen- objectionable pictures of some that no construction or repair istrate, Darjeeling stated: “I Commenting on this Joyo- He came to Calcutta in Presidency Jail after spend- tal judge. Then Chief Justice of eminent personalities on a social work takes place in the defined request you to issue suitable shi Das Gupta, District Mag- 1831 with many Tibetan man- ing six months behind bars for India CJ Sathasivam ordered networking site. areas of the centrally protected instruction to all the concerned istrate, Darjeeling stated: “As uscripts and prepared a cat- contempt. Madras HC of caste discrimi- the transfer of Karnan to Cal- Police said the accused monuments/sites. departments under your juris- these are national monuments, alogue of them in the Asiatic Justice Karnan, who is the nation since he was a Dalit. He cutta High Court. An enraged formed a group on a social net- Any such work can diction like Municipalities, we will request an ASI team Society. From 1837 to 1842, he first sitting High Court judge also alleged that a fellow judge Karnan then put a stay order working site around two years be undertaken only with Panchayat etc not to permit any to visit and inspect the monu- served as the librarian of the to have been sentenced to jail, ‘deliberately’ touched him with on his own transfer order and ago. Since the new group came prior permission from the construction/re-construction/ ments and suggest protective Asiatic Society in Calcutta and holds other dubious distinc- his foot as he was a Dalit. In demanded a response from the into being, the accused used Archaeological Survey of repair/renovation work in such measures.” made everlasting academic tions. In 2011, he became the January 2014, Karnan crashed CJI. to upload memes relating to India (ASI) in the form of a defined areas of the centrally Born on the 4th April contributions. first judge of a High Court to into another courtroom where A bench of the Supreme film stars and the page gained No Objection Certificate. protected monuments/sites.” 1784 at Koros, Hungary, the As an Indologist and Tibe- move the National Commis- a two-judge bench was hear- Court, led by Justice Khehar, enough popularity. According There are two centrally In case such work has to renowned Tibetologist Alex- tologist this great scholar will sion for SCs and STs, complain- ing a PIL on the selection of then directed the Madras HC to police, the group was named protected monuments/sites be undertaken, the applicants ander Csoma De Koros left his never be forgotten for his pio- ing of harassment by fellow judges. He then lashed out at to stop assigning cases to Kar- as “Specified Tarkata”. namely the Tomb of Alexan- have to send applications to the country to trace the roots of neering works. He breathed his judges. The judge hit the head- the judiciary over unfair and nan and eventually he had to Many people started follow- der Csomo de Koros and Tomb National Monument Authority the Hungarians and braving last in Darjeeling in 1842 on his lines first when he accused biased appointment of judges make his way to the Calcutta ing the page. However, in the of General Llyod in Darjeel- through the Regional Direc- tremendous hardship reached way to Tibet. his fellow colleagues in the and warned of filing an affida- HC. AGENCIES past few months the accused started uploading some objec- tionable pictures of renowned Hakim inaugurates digital personalities. The city police People to get training on orange cultivation in Buxa Hills was receiving complaints in this regard. library on ‘the rebel poet’ The accused has been iden- TARUN GOSWAMI tified as Manimoy Aich, who is Though the number of fruit per tree in OUR CORRESPONDENT ies of Betar Jagat, the magazine a third year student of Physics KOLKATA: The Panchay- the first year would be around 40 to 50 of AIR where he had worked. in a South Kolkata college. He ats and Rural Development KOLKATA: State Urban There will be magazines edited used to stay as a paying guest department has taken up a oranges, from the fifth year each tree Development minister Firhad by Nazrul as well. near Garia station. Police have unique scheme to train peo- will yield 200 to 500 oranges Hakim inaugurated a digi- Though Nazrul did not seized his mobile phone and ple on how to grow oranges in tal library on Kazi Nazrul at have any formal education, he pen drive from his possession. the Buxa Hills in Alipurduar oranges for quite some time. oranges from Buxa area was Nazrul Tirtha in New Town became famous as a poet at the According to a police officer, in North Bengal with a view to The laboratory supplies not famous. During winter, oranges on Wednesday. The library is age of 20 and was known as the the city police had received sev- make them self-reliant. only healthy sapling s but also from this area were sent to the first of its kind in the state. “Rebel Poet”. He was impris- eral complaints in this regard on The money to look after takes active part in training. Dooars. Qualitatively, the Hakim lauded the effort to oned for his criticism of the its Facebook page. It was learnt the saplings will be taken from The district administration oranges were better than its digitise the books of Nazrul British rule and many of his that the accused used to upload the funds available under took the scheme to produce counterparts grown in other and said his poems and songs, poetry books like Agnibina pictures of great men like Rabin- Mahatma Gandhi National Mandarin variety of oranges. parts of North Bengal. that uphold communal har- and Bisher Bashi were banned dra Nath Tagore and Netaji Sub- Rural Employment Guaran- Oranges will be available in far But over the past few years, mony, are still relevant. by the British. His criticism of has Chandra Bose with some tee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. off areas like Adma, Chunab- the orange production in the Initially, all the original communalism was reflected in objectionable comments on the Around 22,557 high yield- hati, Panbari, Buxafort and area has fallen drastically and books of Nazrul that have his poems and essays. photographs. ing saplings have been dis- Phulbari. Those who have many trees got damaged. The become out of print and are Nazrul was a brilliant music After receiving the com- tributed among 309 selected their own land and can join reason being some sort of dis- lying in different libraries in teacher, composer and singer. plaints, the cyber crime cell families. the scheme by getting in touch ease but the poor people could Kolkata have been digitised. The 78 rpm discs of Nazrul’s of Lalbazar started a thorough To implement the scheme per tree in the first year would given training by the district with Rajabhatkhaoa gram pan- not detect the real cause behind The library will have the first songs by Megaphone Records probe into the matter. The offi- and maintain the saplings in be around 40 to 50 oranges, technical officer (horticulture chayat. The panchayat prepared such low production. prints of Nazrul’s own books, and Hindusthan Records cers of the cyber crime cell the first year, every family got from the fifth year each tree will and forestry) and district hor- a list of beneficiaries. In the first Due to this initiative by the manuscripts, notations of Naz- recorded highest sale between examined the pages uploaded 55 days work and in the second yield 200 to 500 oranges. Every ticultural officer. year, the families were given Panchayat and Rural Develop- rul’s songs, advertisements and 1935 and 1939. The revolution- by the group admin. It was not and third year, they got 20 days family will be able to earn any- To implement the project, training in planting the sap- ment department, the farmers booklets of his records, photos aries sang his songs which crit- easy for the investigators to work and it is expected that the where between Rs 40,000 to district administration tied up lings and nurturing them. A are not only getting training to of records and interviews of icised the oppression of British identify the group admin. The trees will start bearing fruits Rs 50,000. with Central Research Labo- sum of Rs 11.35 lakh was allot- produce better quality fruits Nazrul scholars. There will be rule. Some of the Shyama San- cyber crime department officers from the end of third year. Before the commencement ratory in Kalimpong that has ted under MGNREGA. but also enhance their eco- scripts of dramas where Nazrul geets composed by him became managed to identify the group Though the number of fruits of the scheme, every family was been carrying out research on It may be recalled that nomic condition considerably. songs have been used and cop- immensely popular. admin on Tuesday night. 4 city mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 LEAVING NO STONES UNTURNED Councillor’s Blood bank in TL Jaiswal Hospital to husband abuses relieve northern Howrah residents on-duty cop over Mamata reviews prep of OUR CORRESPONDENT car parking KOLKATA: The people staying in the northern parts of urban KOLKATA: An ugly ver- Howrah and its adjoining areas bal duel took place between a will no more have to travel long 42nd Kolkata Book Fair police officer of Bidhannagar distances in search of blood for police commissionerate and their near and dear ones as a OUR CORRESPONDENT the husband of a councillor of blood storage unit is coming the Bidhannagar Municipal up in the state-run TL Jaiswal KOLKATA: Chief Minister Corporation when the latter Hospital. Mamata Banerjee reviewed the allegedly parked his vehicle in It was a long-standing preparation of the 42nd Inter- a no-parking zone near the City demand of the residents of the national Kolkata Book Fair, Centre area in Salt Lake. area to set up a blood bank which is going to be held in a A team from Bidhannagar in the hospital as residents of new venue this time at Central police commissionerate was the area need to travel at least Park in Salt Lake. carrying out a drive against four to five kilometers to reach Residents of the area had to travel at The Chief Minister held illegal parking in some parts Howrah District Hospital to least four to five kilometers to reach a high-level meeting with all of Salt Lake. When the drive get blood when it is immedi- concerned ministers, MLAs was going on near City Cen- ately needed for their near and Howrah District Hospital to get blood and officials to ensure all nec- tre, the husband of a councillor dear ones. when it immediately needed for their essary steps are taken to ensure parked his vehicle in a no-park- Now with the step taken a safe and secure book fair this ing zone. After seeing the inci- to give a complete facelift to near and dear ones time. dent, a sub-inspector of police TL Jaiswal Hospital, people of The book fair this year, stepped up to the vehicle and the area will no longer have the patients and their family before the Bengali New Year.” with France as its focal theme, told the driver that he cannot to travel a long distance to get members. A health park is also com- is going to be inaugurated on park the vehicle in the area. someone admitted in a state- The work to give a face- ing up within the premises of January 30 and from the next The councillors’ husband run hospital and at the same lift to the hospital, which also the hospital. The work of clean- day common people will be allegedly told the on-duty time, the decision has been includes leveling of land in the ing the water bodies and beau- allowed to visit the event. police officer that he can do taken to set up a blood storage 440 cottah plot on which the tifying its banks will also be So, with only a few days left, whatever he wants to do. He unit in the hospital. hospital is situated, has started undertaken. the Chief Minister has enquired Minister had stressed upon the Central Park and vice-versa. ple do not face any trouble due also told the police that he can It may be mentioned that a few months ago and Bengali Moreover, all the wards about the ongoing prepara- need to make proper transport It may be recalled that the to traffic congestion. All steps impose fine for illegal parking. there is a blood bank in How- New Year, (April 14) in 2018 of the hospital and the emer- tion and directed to ensure arrangement for the people vis- Chief Minister had directed have been taken to avoid traf- Police then locked the wheel rah District Hospital and it will has been set as a deadline to gency unit will be renovated, that all aspects are looked into, iting the book fair. It was men- in the last meeting to ensure fic jam when hundreds of pri- of the car. The accused then play a major role in functioning present the hospital in a com- apart from setting up resting so that not even a single per- tioned that there is a place near that there is sufficient num- vate vehicles will pour into the came down from the car and of the new blood storage unit at pletely new form to the resi- rooms for the family members son faces any inconvenience the venue to park around 150 ber of entry and exit points to place. allegedly started abusing the TL Jaiswal Hospital. dents of the area. of patients. in the fair. buses at a time. the fair. Necessary steps have Most importantly, steps on-duty police officer. It may be recalled that When contacted, local The entire hospital will It may be mentioned All steps have been taken been taken in this connection have also been taken so that According to a police per- knee-deep waterlogging was MLA Vaishali Dalmiya said: be brought under the cover- that the previous meeting in to make sufficient number of as well. publishers who will be setting sonnel, the car the accused was a common scene in the hos- “The work is going on in full age of surveillance cameras this connection was held on buses operate to help people The police are also taking up their stalls in the book fair travelling in had a ‘councillor’ pital every year and it used to swing and it is expected that the and a seminar room will also December 8, in which the Chief reach their destinations from all necessary steps so that peo- also do not face any problem. board on it. MPOST lead to inconvenience of both entire work will be completed be set up. Passengers put OFF TO A GRAND START Missing Ghatshila girl’s body up rail block at fished out of Hooghly river Guskara OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT mobile phone of the victim, According to police came to know that the KOLKATA: The body of Sus- preliminary victim used to video chat with KOLKATA: Passengers on mita Roy, a 20-year-old girl some of her friends. She had also Wednesday put up a rail block from Ghatshila in Jharkhand investigation been involved in group chatting. at Guskara station to protest who went missing from the city police are not The roommates told police that against the late running of a few days ago, has been identi- she used to close the door quite trains. fied by her family members on ruling out the often while doing video chats Hundreds of passengers Wednesday. possibility of the with friends. started thronging the Guskara The family members of the Police said that the victim railway station from Wednes- girl alleged that she has been girl committing had an affair with a Ghatshila day morning to protest against murdered. Police are yet to suicide youth who is school teacher the irregularity in the timing of ascertain the cause of her death. there. After coming to the city, trains. They later put up a block According to the preliminary the victim might have devel- on the railway track, alleging investigation, police are not rul- in Kalighat. She went missing oped a relationship with another that the daily commuters have ing out the possibility of the girl on December 11. youth. She used to talk to both been facing inconvenience due committing suicide. She had North Port police station through video chat. to the late running of trains. come to the city for undergoing recovered the body of the victim The family members of the As a result of this, Viswa air-hostess training. from Hooghly river. The family girl told the police that they had Bharati Passenger and Ganade- The family members of the members of the victim identi- talked to the girl for the last time bata Express were stranded at victim lodged a complaint with fied the body in the morgue on on December 10. different stations following the the Kalighat police station. Wednesday. After failing to contact the incident. A few running trains The victim came to the city on According to the prelimi- girl, her family members called were also stranded, resulting in December 6 for taking air-host- nary investigation, police sus- up one of her roommates on inconvenience of the passen- ess training after she enrolled pect the victim might have December 12, who told them gers. As the rail gate at the sta- herself for the training from a been into a triangular love rela- that she had been absconding. tion remained down, the roads Bengal Education minister Partha Chatterjee, MLA Nirmal Ghosh and Panihati Municipality chairman Swapan Ghosh at the private company at Park Street. tionship with two youths from The police are looking into all going through the area became She was living as a paying Ghatshila. possible angles into the inci- closed, with the vehicles com- inauguration of the 5th Panihati Utsav on Wednesday MPOST guest on Iswar Ganguly Street After going through the dent. ing to a standstill. Vehicles were caught in a huge traffic jam on millenniumpost.in a road that connects Guskara with Ayushgram and also on Maoists set Mankar-Durgapur Road. The protesters alleged that Youth injured in Masudan many of the local trains have is now available in everypart of Bengal been running late on a regular station ablaze basis for more than a month. Sometimes the trains run an shootout at Entally SL DISTRICT Centre Name Agent Name Contact No NO NAME hour behind its schedule, as a KOLKATA: A group of Mao- result of which the office-goers OUR CORRESPONDENT been shootout incidents in the ists stormed into and set ablaze 1 East Midnapore TAMLUK N.C.Bera 7501493175 are reaching their office late. Police have Entally area. The local resi- the panel room of Masudan HALDIA Ayesha 9474306356 They alleged that in a previous KOLKATA: A youth suffered arrested two dents also said that they were railway station at around 11:29 Begum,Ranichak few occasions, they had put up injury when some unidenti- persons in this scared to come out of their p.m on Tuesday on the Jamal- DIGHA Kamal Lochan Panda 8906868884 rail blocks in various stations in fied miscreants fired at him houses during night. pur–Kiul section of East- this section. in the Entally area on Tues- connection so far According to police, the ern Railway’s Malda Division 2 West Midnapore MIDNAPORE Balaram Pandit 9932708271 They started the rail block day night. incident was the fallout of and also abducted the on- 3 Jhargram JHARGRAM Champa Maity 9547230220 at around 8 a.m on Wednesday According to preliminary a gang clash between two duty Assistant Station Masters 4 North 24 - Parganas BARASAT/NILGUNJ B N Kundu 9836333630 and demanded that the agita- investigation, police suspect faces covered. groups led by anti-social ele- Mukesh Kumar and Narendra tion would continue until the that it might be a result of a One of the miscreants ments of the area. Police are Mandal. BARRACKPORE Biswajit Ghosh 9830830798 senior railway officials listen to group clash over the posses- took out a gun and shot at investigating the role of the However, the Maoists later BASIRHAT Uttam Biswas 9474574927 their demands. The agitation sion of the area. Police have Roy from point blank range. victim to know if he had any released both of them. 5 Bardhaman BURDWAN Kamal Mukherjee 9332192230 continued till the senior railway arrested two persons - Sukhen The victim received a bullet rivalry with the accused. Civil authorities, RPF 6 West Bardhman ASANSOL Hiralal Sen 9933662126 officials assured them that the Das and Tapas Naskar in this wound in his leg. Local res- Police said that Sukhen and GRP, Jamalpur rushed to matter would be looked into. connection so far. idents alleged that the mis- had been released from jail a Masudan station along with DURGAPUR WARIA Joy prakash Ray 9563601176 / Following this, train services They said that both the creants had fired 6-7 rounds few days ago while the other the operating and engineering 7864818860 were resumed. accused have been involved of bullets but somehow they accused Tapas was released staff of Eastern Railway. NIRSHA Gopal Chatterjee 9386695330 in various anti-social activi- missed the target. After hear- from jail two days ago. Fire at the panel room was millenniumpost.in ties in the area. ing the gunshots, local resi- According to the preliminary extinguished. BARAKAR Jai Bhagwan Singh 9334652173 millenniumpo NO H ALFst TR U THS Police said that the vic- dents rushed to the spot and investigation, police suspect Train services on the sec- 7 Murshidabad BAHARAMPUR COURT Dipak Choudhury 9851612424 tim Chottu Roy (22) was sit- took the victim to NRS Medi- that the accused might have tion were resumed at 5:45 a.m 8 Nadia KALYANI / Dey News Agency 9830609355 CHANGE OF NAME ting along with some of his cal College and Hospital. targeted Chottu due to an old on Wednesday, but were again KANCHRAPARA I, Rupma Sarkar W/o friends on Pottery road at the Local residents said that rivalry. suspended since 6:40 a.m as Motijheel area on Tuesday anti-social activities are on As there was tension Kumar informed that the kid- 9 Howrah HOWRAH CENTRE Manik Lal Bag 9883393201 Partha Sarathi Sarkar night when a gang of 4-5 mis- the rise in the locality, which among local residents fol- nappers would kill them if train /9732243933 D/o Raibindra Nath creants came on two motor- is nothing new. In a previ- lowing the incident, a police movement on Jamalpur–Kiul 10 Purulia PURULIA D.C.Nag 9434130550 Biswas, R/o Basirhat 3 cycles. The accused had their ous few occasions, there had picket was set up in the area. section continued. MPOST 11 Jalpaiguri SILIGURI Toton Saha 9832046238 No Colony, P.O. Basirhat, P.s. Basirhat, Distt- North 12 Hooghly CHINSURAH / CHAN- B.Singh 9883108806 24th PGS Pin- 743412 do DAN NAGAR hereby declare that my One killed, 2 injured in separate road mishaps 13 Birbhum SHANTINIKETAN Anita Shaw 9232162151 date of birth has been 14 Darjeeling DARJEELING Bitta Newspaper 9434131515 wrongly mentioned in my OUR CORRESPONDENT knocked him down. After being informed, including the driver. Accord- Agency husband’s army service After being hit by the vehi- police reached the spot and ing to the preliminary inves- KOLKATA: One person was cle, the victim fell on the road started a probe. They are going tigation, police suspect that 15 Cooch Behar COOCH BEHAR Jayanta Das 9434217084 book as 12.10.1982 in killed and two others have as a result of which he was through the CCTV footages to the accident might have taken 16 Alipurduar ALIPURDUAR Bablu Saha 9733166169 place of 23.06.1982 been injured in two separate crushed under the wheels. The identify the truck. Local resi- place due to poor visibility due Rumpa Sarkar W/o 17 Kalimpong KALIMPONG Sandeep Jain 9832016738 road accidents in the city since victim was walking towards dents alleged that there is no to the fog. Due to the high Partha Sarathi Sarkar Tuesday night. the Hemanta Basu Market traffic management in the area speed, the driver lost control 18 Uttar Dinajpur RAIGUNJ Pradyut Karmakar 9434384154 date of birth 23.06.1982 The first incident took when the accident took place. during late night as a result of over the vehicle and it crashed 19 Dakshin Dinajpur BALURGHAT Sujan das 8670582892 and Rumpa Sarkar W/o place near Brace Bridge sta- Eye-witnesses told police which the number of accidents into the divider, injuring both 20 Malda MALDA TOWN Ashim Kr.Sarkar 7797919580 Partha Sarathi Sarkar tion under Taratala police sta- that the trailer was coming at a is going up. the persons. The injured pas- Others District List date of birth 12.10.1982 tion on Tuesday night when a high speed from Taratala side. In a separate accident, two sengers were rushed to a pri- middle-aged man was crushed After the accident, the driver persons were injured when vate hospital where they were 21 Jharkhand RANCHI Birendra Nath Singh 9431929279 / is identically same and one person vide an under the wheels of a speed- fled from the spot along with the car they were travelling in undergoing treatment. 8409298763 ing trailer. The victim, whose the vehicle. As the vehicle was jumped over the divider after It has been learnt that both affidavit sworn before TATA NAGAR Surender Singh 9835170495 identity is yet to be ascer- at a high speed, none dared losing control. The incident the victims sustained serious the first class judicial DHANBAD S.K.Pandey 8409984151 tained by the police, was try- to stop the vehicle. Local res- took place at New Town in the injuries in the accident. Police Magistrate, Basirhat Court ing to cross a road near the idents rushed the victim to wee hours of Wednesday. have seized the car and are 22 Bihar PATNA Nandalal Yadav 7765012713 as on 20.12.2017 Brace Bridge railway sta- SSKM Hospital where he was Police said that there were investigating to ascertain how tion when a speeding trailer declared brought dead. two passengers in the car, the accident took place. 5 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 mp nation ‘Post 1980s reforms, inequality India developing bulk drugs to reduce import dependence: DCGI rises in India, not so in China’ OUR CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI: India is in the OUR CORRESPONDENT Piketty, Emmanuel Saez and process of developing a range Gabriel Zucman and shows of bulk drugs to reduce import NEW DELHI: Post the 1980s unequal impacts of globalisa- dependence, especially from economic reforms in India tion over past 40 years. China, a top government offi- and China, inequality rose to According to the report, cial said on Wednesday. extreme level here but only income inequality in India has Although a large quantity moderately in China as it reached historically high lev- of bulk drugs is imported from invested more in education, els. It said: “In 2014, the share China, India has enough capac- health and infrastructure for of national income accruing to ity for producing active phar- the bottom 50 per cent of its India s top 1 per cent of earn- maceutical ingredients (API), population, general coordi- ers was 22 per cent, while the Drug Controller General of India’s bulk drug imports from top five nator of a global report on share of the top 10 per cent was India (DCGI) G N Singh said on countries stood at Rs 18,372.54 crore inequality, Lucas Chancel said around 56 per cent.” the sidelines of a CII event here. on Tuesday. The report pointed out that “We are exporting to most of in 2016-17 with China accounting for 66% He said the fact that this rising inequality trend is the developed markets includ- inequality trends vary so in contrast to the 30 years ing EU, US and Japan so there Rs 820.18 crore. thing, which cannot be solved,” greatly among countries, even that followed the country s is capacity, barring some of the Singh said India has both Singh said. when they share similar lev- independence in 1947, when molecules, where we are work- capacity and capability to pro- On the challenges being els of development, highlights income inequality was widely ing, so that (import) depen- duce APIs although produc- faced by Indian pharmaceuti- the important role of national reduced and the incomes of dency may also be curtailed. So, tion of some of the bulk drugs cal industry in terms of scrutiny policies in shaping inequality. the bottom 50 per cent grew at in due course of time that threat was curtailed, driven by market by regulators from across the He also noted that the chal- a faster rate than the national would not be there,” he said. dynamics. world, Singh said: “It is good. lenge for India is how to share average. India’s bulk drug imports “If need arises, the industry, When you are growing, you growth without destroying its It noted that the temporary from top five countries stood the regulator, the scientific fra- should be ready for scrutiny environment. According to end to the publication of tax at Rs 18,372.54 crore in 2016- ternity and the government are and when other regulators are the ‘World Inequality Report statistics between 2000 2010 17 with China accounting for ready to meet the challenges,” coming it gives opportunity to 2018’, inequality rose substan- tion and opening-up reforms. ate level in China as China releasing the report here. by Indian government high- 66 per cent. Singh said.The regulator is con- address our weakness and con- tially in India following pro- “Post 1980s, inequality has invested more in education, The report, launched glob- lights the need for more trans- The country’s import of stantly engaged with the indus- vert it into strength.” found transformation in the risen in China and India. health and infrastructure for ally recently, was coordinated parency on income and wealth APIs from China stood at Rs try on ways to address the issue, The industry should should economy that centred on the Inequality rose to extreme its bottom 50 per cent pop- by economists Facundo Alva- statistics that track the long- 12,254.97 crore in 2016-17, he added. take it as an opportunity, he implementation of deregula- level in India and moder- ulation,” Chancel said while redo, Lucas Chancel, Thomas run evolution of inequality. while that from the US was at “It is an issue but not some- added. ‘India completes HC dismisses Tejpal’s plea seeking Muslim bodies DNA testing of PM’s remarks against Manmohan not consulted on families of 39 forces washout of RS proceedings quashing of rape, other charges triple talaq bill: missing Indians’ OUR CORRESPONDENT Govt tells LS OUR CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI: India has com- PANAJI: The Bombay High OUR CORRESPONDENT pleted the DNA testing of the NEW DELHI: Congress pro- Court on Wednesday dismissed families of 39 Indians miss- tests over Prime Minister Nar- a petition filed by Tehelka’s for- NEW DELHI: Muslim organ- ing from Iraq’s Mosul city endra Modi’s “conspiracy with mer editor-in-chief Tarun Tej- isations were not consulted since 2014 and forwarded the Pakistan” remark against his pal seeking quashing of rape before the government framed samples to Iraqi authorities predecessor Manmohan Singh and other charges levelled a draft bill to criminalise the for matching with the mortal on Wednesday led to a virtual against him by a former woman practice of instant triple talaq, remains in the graves there, the washout of the Rajya Sabha colleague. the Lok Sabha was informed on Lok Sabha was informed on proceedings, even as Chairman Justice Nutan Sardesai of the Wednesday. Wednesday. Venkaiah Naidu said there was Goa bench of the high court Law Minister Ravi Shankar The government has been no question of an apology. dismissed the petition by Tej- then presented before it CCTV him till the time the high court said the government believed making all possible efforts to Noisy protests by the mem- pal, who has been accused of footage of the area outside the decided his plea on dropping that the proposed bill would trace the 39 Indian workers bers of the Congress and other no practice of suspension of serious allegations have been raping the woman during an lift of a five-star hotel, where the charges. help ensure gender justice, missing in Iraq and currently opposition parties seeking Question Hour. Don’t make a levelled against a former Army event in Goa in 2013. he is alleged to have sexually On September 26, the high gender equality and dignity it is trying to obtain proof of an apology from the prime mockery of the House. Already Chief and others. The detailed order is assaulted the woman. court refused to stay the fram- of women. The government their being alive or dead, Exter- minister continued unabated wrong message is going,” a vis- Amidst the din, Deputy expected to be pronounced Public prosecutor Saresh ing of charges against him, and has maintained that since the nal Affairs Minister Sushma throughout the day since the ibly agitated Naidu told the Chairman P J Kurien asked later in the day. Lotlikar contended that the issued a notice to the Goa gov- practice of instant triple talaq Swaraj said in a written reply proceedings began. protesting members when the Petroleum Minister Dhar- The district court in Mapusa charges against Tejpal should ernment seeking its response or ‘talaq-e-biddat’ continues to a question. The Upper House saw two House reassembled at noon mendra Pradhan to move the town had earlier framed charges not be dismissed without trial. to his plea. despite the Supreme Court Asked if the government adjournments during the pre- after the first adjournment. Indian Institute of Petroleum against Tejpal under IPC sec- Tejpal’s plea for anticipatory On December 12, the high striking it down, there is a has initiated and completed the lunch period, till the Chair However, Leader of Oppo- and Energy Bill, 2017 for con- tions 354-A (sexual harass- bail was rejected on November court had reserved its order on need to bring a law. To a writ- DNA testing of the families of finally called it a day a little sition Ghulam Nabi Azad said sideration and passage. ment), 376 (rape) and 376(2) 30, 2013 following which he was his petition seeking the quash- ten question on whether the 39 Indian workers who were after 2 PM. a little before the House was However, as the mem- (k) (rape of a woman by a person arrested. ing of rape and other charges government consulted Muslim kidnapped from Mosul, Swaraj The prime minster’sadjourned for the day, “We bers trooped into the well and being in the position of control Tejpal was lodged in the against him, without specify- organisatons before framing said, “Yes, the government has remarks also had its toll on are not demanding an apol- started raising slogans like or dominance over the woman), Sada sub-jail at Vasco and the ing the date. the draft law, Minster of State initiated the process... DNA proceeding in the Lok Sabha, ogy...But PM should come to “Pradhan Mantri Sharam Karo” and began the trial last month. crime branch charge-sheeted At the last hearing, Lekhi for Law P P Chaudhary replied samples, as received from our where Congress members the House and say that he has (PM have shame) and “Jhoothe The crime branch later him on February 17, 2014 for argued that the charges were in the negative. respective state governments, staged a walkout and boy- made such statements to win Aarop Wapas Lo” (withdraw added to the case IPC sections rape, sexual harassment and without considering the mate- In a separate written reply, have been forwarded to the cotted the proceedings in the the elections...” false allegations), Kurien asked 341 (wrongful restraint) and outraging the modesty of the rial evidence on record, which Prasad said, “The government Iraqi authorities.” afternoon. Raising the issue, Azad the House to maintain order 342 (wrongful confinement), victim. On May 19, 2014 the he claimed, “shows that the is of the view that the issue Urgent steps were taken to In the Upper House, Con- said the prime minister should and let him take up the Bill. 376 (2)(f) (person in the posi- Supreme Court granted Tej- prosecutrix was not restrained, arises from the humanitar- arrange for DNA samples of the gress members raised slo- clarify that he had made “such As the uproar continued, tion of trust or authority over pal interim bail for three weeks confined or her modesty was ian concept of gender justice, family members of the miss- gans and created uproar soon serious allegations” against a Kurien said “the Leader of women, committing rape of to attend the final rites of his outraged by the applicant gender equality and dignity of ing Indians to assist the Iraqi after the House met for the former Prime Minister, a for- the Opposition has raised the such women), 376 C (sexual mother. (Tejpal)”. women and not arising from authorities in their investiga- day. As the protesting mem- mer Vice President and an point. Even without know- intercourse by person in author- The interim bail was later He said after the alleged inci- faith and religion.” He said that tions, she said. The process was bers entered the Well raising ex-Army Chief for winning ing whether government has a ity) and 354 (assault or criminal extended to six weeks. dent, she was with Tejpal in the since the Supreme Court struck initiated after Iraqi authorities slogans, Naidu adjourned the elections and it was an elec- reaction to it, how do you come force to a woman with intent to On July 1, 2014 the apex same lift for the second time the down the practice of instant informed India about the mass House first during Zero Hour tion stunt. to conclusion? The Chair can outrage her modesty). court granted him bail. next day without showing any triple talaq, nearly 66 cases graves found in and around till noon and then during “Not even an ordinary MP do nothing about it. I will be “The detailed copy of the Earlier, on June 16, 2017 the sign of distress. of husbands divorcing their Mosul and Badush areas fol- Question Hour till 2 PM . or a worker can think of join- forced to adjourn the House.” order, by which our petition has trial court at Mapusa heard the The lawyer also claimed spouses through this method lowing the liberation of that Earlier, Chairman Venkaiah ing hands with Pakistan...For When repeated appeals been dismissed, is not with us. arguments in-camera before that the investigating officer were reported. region from the control of the Naidu said there was no ques- the last few days, we have been failed to bring the House to So, we are not able to know on framing the charges. had failed to examine several On December 15, the union terrorist organisation ISIS. tion of giving an apology on the demanding that the PM should order, Kurien said “You don’t which ground it was rejected,” On September 7, the dis- crucial witnesses named by the cabinet cleared the Muslim “The Iraqi Martyr’s Foun- issue as nothing has been stated clarify on it...Tomorrow it is want to work... Can we discuss lawyer Pramodkumar Dubey, trict court in Mapusa refused to prosecutrix in her statement. Women Protection of Rights dation asked for DNA sam- inside the House. his Question Hour... he should with Parliamentary Affairs who represented Tejpal in the drop the charges against Tejpal, The investigating officer had on Marriage Bill, which seeks ples of the close relatives of the “Nobody is going to give clarify,” Azad said. Minister, Leader of the House, high court, said. following which he moved the also withheld the CCTV foot- to make the practice of instant missing Indians for matching apology. Nothing happened Pointing at former Army Leader of the Opposition and Senior lawyer Aman Lekhi, high court bench here. age from the applicant, who got triple talaq “illegal and void” with the mortal remains...,” the in the House. No statement is Chief V K Singh who was pres- Parliamentary Affairs Minis- who argued on behalf of Tejpal Tejpal had sought a stay on it following a Supreme Court and provides for a jail term for minister said. made in the House. There is ent in the House, Azad said ter, the subject you are raising?” in the HC on December 12, had the framing of charges against order, Lekhi said. the husband. ‘India is the 5th most vacation FIR against Hardik Patel Jaya video released with intention deprived country globally’ for holding roadshow on RK Nagar bypoll: AIADMK OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT sans permission CHENNAI: The ruling MUMBAI: Globally India has OUR CORRESPONDENT AIADMK on Wednesday hit been ranked as the fifth most out at the VK Sasikala family vacation deprived country AHMEDABAD: An FIR over the release of a purported due to heavy work schedule, was registered on Wednesday hospital video of late J Jaya- according to a survey. against Patidar quota agita- lalithaa, saying it was a “con- India ranks as the fifth tion spearhead Hardik Patel spiracy” and a “demeaning” act most vacation deprived coun- and around 50 of his support- with an eye on tomorrow’s RK try globally with 60 per cent ers for holding a roadshow on Nagar bypoll. respondents corroborating the city outskirts on December Three days before the sec- The party said this with the view, Expedia Vaca- 11 without permission, police ond phase of Gujarat Assembly amounted to bringing “disre- tion Deprivation Report 2017. said. polls, the rally-cum-roadshow pute” to the late Tamil Nadu Expedia is a full service The Ahmedabad Police on motorcycles and cars was chief minister’s fame and online travel agency. registered the case in connec- organised, which started from image. South Korea stood at num- they get and 28 per cent don’t their time for a long holiday. tion with the roadshow held in Bopal and culminated at Nikol “This demeaning (act) is a ber one position with 82 per take leaves as work schedule A good holiday and dis- Bopal area. area on the other end of the planned conspiracy by the Sasi- cent, followed by France (66 does not allow for vacation or connecting from work at least “Hardik, who heads the city, covering a distance of kala family to bring disrepute per cent), Malaysia (65 per there are not enough staff to once or twice a year is crucial Patidar Anamat Andolan around 15 km. to Amma’s fame and image, the circumstances leading to lodged in a Bengaluru jail. cent) and Hong Kong (64 per cover. for rejuvenating not just the Samiti (PAAS), and his sup- While Bopal area falls done keeping in mind the (RK the hospitalisation and medi- Jayakumar also sought to cent), it added. “It is very important to body, but the mind as, it said. porters were booked under under the jurisdiction of rural Nagar) bypoll,” said senior cal treatment provided to Jay- know who shot the video and if Among the least vacation inculcate an organisational Further, 55 per cent Indi- IPC section 188 for disobeying police, Nikol area is under the AIADMK leader and Fisheries alalithaa till her demise on there was any security “breach” deprived country Norway is culture that promotes healthy ans feel that being vacation the police order,” Bopal Police city police limits. Minister D Jayakumar. December 5 last year. since the late chief minister ranked number one at 38 per work-life balance through deprived results in decreased Inspector I H Gohil said. After the roadshow, Police AIADMK supporters and Questioning the timing of was under Z plus NSG secu- cent followed by the Nether- timely vacations. While tech- productivity at work while 64 Hardik and his support- Commissioner A K Singh had the people will not accept this, the video, the minister repeat- rity cover. lands (39 per cent), Ireland (44 nology helps us leave the office per cent are more focused once ers, who were on their bikes, expressed displeasure over he told reporters here. edly alleged that it was done “Whatever material one has per cent), Sweden (44 per cent) in time, it doesn’t necessar- back from vacation. had organised a roadshow on Patel’s move and said that The minister also asked why with an “intention” to influence in possession in connection and Taiwan (44 per cent). ily mean that we are discon- About 67 per cent Indians December 11, despite being legal action would be taken the TTV Dhinakaran camp, tomorrow’s RK Nagar bypoll. with Jayalalithaa in this con- This online survey was con- nected from work,” Expedia (third globally) have cancelled denied permission by the dis- for holding the event without which released the clip on Sidelined AIADMK leader text, must only be submitted ducted on behalf of Expedia by India marketing head Man- or postponed vacation plans trict authorities, he said. permission. Wednesday, did not approach Dhinakaran, contesting as an before the Commission which Northstar Research Partners meet Ahluwalia said. because of work, after Thai- “Today, we have lodged an Singh had denied permis- the panel constituted by the independent, is taking on rul- the government had consti- from September 4-15, 2017 Indians, the survey found, land (75 per cent), UAE (70 FIR against him and 50 other sion to Prime Minister Naren- state government to probe the ing party’s E Madhusudhanan tuted,” the minister said. among 15,081 respondents have not taken a holiday in the per cent), it pointed out. bikers for disobeying the police dra Modi and Congress chief death of the AIADMK supremo after the RK Nagar seat fell He demanded legal across 30 countries. last six months because 37 per It revealed that 34 per cent notification,” Gohil said. Rahul Gandhi to hold road- with the visual material. vacant following Jayalalithaa’s action against the Dhina- The survey further revealed cent cannot afford a holiday, 36 Indians are even willing to take This is the first FIR against shows in the city during the The one-man enquiry com- death. karan camp for the video, say- that 55 per cent Indians take per cent can’t get time off from a cut in their salary for extra Hardik after the state Assembly campaign which the leaders mission headed by Justice A Dhinakaran is nephew ing it amounted to poll code fewer days of the vacation days work and 27 per cent are saving vacation days. elections. of the two parties had obeyed. Arumughaswamy is probing of Sasikala, who is currently violation. 6 nation mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 Stage set for Cong begins analyses of Guj UPCOCA Bill introduced Arunachal Assembly by-poll results, Rahul to join on Friday in Uttar Pradesh Assembly OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT ITANAGAR: The stage is set AHMEDABAD: Two days for Thursday’s bypoll to two after the Gujarat assembly OUR CORRESPONDENT Arunachal Pradesh assem- poll results, the Congress on War of words over bly seats and poll parties and Wednesday began an exercise LUCKNOW: The Uttar election materials have already to analyse the electoral outcome Pradesh government on power supply in reached the polling stations. at a three-day conclave that will Wednesday introduced in the Polls would be held be attended by party president state Assembly a bill to enact a Aligarh between 7 am and 4 pm Rahul Gandhi on Friday. stringent law on the lines of the tomorrow in Pakke-Kessang During the ‘chintan shi- Maharashtra Control of Organ- LUCKNOW: The Uttarconstituency in East Kameng vir’ (introspection camp), the ised Crime Act (MCOCA) to Pradesh Legislative Council district and Likabali seat in Congress leaders and workers combat land mafia, mining witnessed acrimonious scenes Lower Siang. Joint Chief Elec- will analyse the election results mafia and organised crimes involving the members of the toral Officer D J Bhattacha- district-wise and discuss the in the state. The Uttar Pradesh ruling BJP and opposition par- rjee said that EVMs and road-map ahead in view of the Control of Organised Crime ties over the issue of power sup- Voter-Verified Paper Audit 2019 Lok Sabha polls, state party Bill, 2017, was introduced in ply and laying of underground Trail (VVPAT) system, which president Bharatsinh Solanki Gandhi, who campaigned extensively the House by Chief Minister cables in Aligarh. would be used for the first time said here. in the state for the assembly elections, Yogi Adityanath soon after the by the home department’s bill could be misused to settle Replying to a supplementary in the state, have already been In the elections, the results will address the Congress workers Question Hour. secretary with the additional political scores and feared that question during Question installed in the polling booths. for which were declared on The state Cabinet had director general of police for it might be used to suppress Hour, Power Minister Shri- He said elaborate secu- Monday, the Congress could on Friday recently approved the draft of crime and special secretary law minorities, the poor and down- kant Sharma said the work to rity arrangements have been not wrest power from the BJP the proposed legislation which as its members. trodden sections of the society. make the power cables under- made and state police, ITBP even though its tally increased gress Committee has organised the government, a message has was prepared in consultation Organised crime has been The bill had a provision to ground would be completed by and four companies of central to 77 seats from 61 last time. the ‘chintan shivir’ with the aim been sent across that the BJP with the Law Department for defined in detail in the bill, take over properties amassed March, 2019. paramilitary forces have been The Congress ally Bharatiya of discussing the Assembly poll can have a tough time fighting an effective check on organised Sharma had said. through organised crime, with In the supplementary ques- deployed. The critical polling Tribal Party won two seats, and results and to provide a road- the Congress even in the home crime, mafia and white collared “Kidnapping for ransom, the permission of the court tion, Jagveer Kishore Jain of booths would be covered by along with an independent map to strengthen the organ- state of (Prime Minister) Nar- crimes. Briefing reporters after illegal mining, manufactur- during the course of investiga- the Shikshak Dal had said that CRPF and IRB personnel, he backed by it winning his seat, isation and increase its connect endra Modi and (BJP president) the Cabinet meet last week, ing illicit liquor and its sale, tion, in order to check criminal as per information available said. Altogether 150 polling the tally of the Congress-led with the people, keeping in Amit Shah,” said Gehlot, who is senior minister Srikant Sharma acquiring contracts on the elements from taking advan- to him, the work was yet to personnel have been deployed alliance stood at 80, 12 short mind the 2019 Lok Sabha elec- also attending the camp. had said, “The rule of law is the basis of muscle power, organ- tage of it, Sharma had said. commence. for Pakke-Kessang, while 220 of the simple majority in the tions,” Solanki told reporters. “The way the BJP cam- top priority of the government. ised exploitation of forest pro- The property would be He also sought to know polling personnel would con- 182-member assembly. “For two days, we will meet paigned involving cabinet For this, it is essential that duce, trade in wildlife, fake confiscated by the state gov- that if the work had com- duct the polling in Likabali, The BJP retained power for here in Mehsana, and on third ministers with the prime min- those indulging in mafia and medicines, grabbing of gov- ernment after conviction, the menced, how much of it was the joint CEO informed. the sixth time, though with a day, we will meet in Ahmed- ister himself making emotional goonda activities are identified ernment and private proper- minister had said. completed. The Election Commission reduced score of 99 seats against abad where Congress presi- appeals, the way they misused and a special drive is launched ties, and ‘rangdari’ (extortion) Special courts would be In his reply, Sharma said, has appointed general and 115 in 2012. The Congress per- dent Rahul Gandhi will visit to government machinery for against them...the bill is being will come under the ambit of constituted for hearing of cases “The work has already started expenditure observers to over- formed well in rural areas of address party workers,” he said. polls, and the manner the Elec- brought with this purpose in the new law,” he had said. lodged under the provisions and the specific information see the entire polling process. Gujarat but failed to make a sig- Congress general secretary tion Commission took deci- mind.” He had also said that of this bill and that a state- sought in the supplementary Counting halls have been nificant mark in the urban pock- and election in-charge for Guja- sions, we believe we have done The proposed legislation arrangements were made to level organised crime con- will be collected and the House set up in both the districts for ets. The venue of the conclave on rat, Ashok Gehlot, expressed exceedingly well,” he said. seeks to check organised and check the misuse of the bill trol authority was proposed will be informed about it.” counting of votes which would Wednesday and tomorrow is a satisfaction over the party’s per- Senior Congress leader white-collar crime and mafias, and that cases under it would to monitor gangs involved in To further queries, the min- take place on December 24. resort in Mehsana district and formance in the polls, while Shaktisinh Gohil, who lost from he had said, adding that there be filed only on the recom- organised crime. ister said the additional infor- A total 7,455 voters includ- on the third and final day, the accusing the BJP of “misus- Mandvi in Kutch district, said were 28 provisions in the bill mendations of the committee Those found involved in mation sought by the member ing 3943 females would exer- venue will shift to Ahmedabad ing government machinery” the party could have formed which are not present in the of divisional commissioner and organised crime and having would be collected and the lat- cise their franchise in 29 where Gandhi will be present, and raising questions over government had it won 16 seats existing Gangsters Act. range deputy inspector general security cover would no lon- ter would be duly informed. polling stations in Pakke-Kes- Solanki said. the approach of the Election on which it got defeated by nar- A committee was set up to of police. ger be extended government However, some members sang, while 10608 electorates Gandhi, who campaigned Commission. row margins. examine the draft of the bill Opposition leaders, includ- protection and all white-collar of the SP and other parties including 5331 female voters extensively in the state for the “Both in terms of seats and However, he took solace in which took into account a simi- ing Samajwadi Party chief criminals would be treated as demanded that the supplemen- would cast their votes in 39 assembly elections, will address campaigning, the Congress the fact that the BJP was reduced lar act in Maharashtra. Akhilesh Yadav and BSP such, going by the provisions tary question be answered in polling stations in Likabali the Congress workers on Friday. performed wonderfully well. to “double-digits” despite an The committee was headed chief Mayawati, had said the in the bill. the House itself. constituency. “The Gujarat Pradesh Con- Although we could not form aggressive campaigning.

Siliguri Jalpaiguri TENDER-NOTICE Sealed TENDER are invited by Sena continues its tirade against BJP, NATION BRIEFS Development Authority the Medical Superintendent- Cum-Vice principal, North Ben- gal Medical College & Hospital, BIHAR VIGILANCE BUREAU ARRESTS P.O. Sushrutnagar, Dist Darjeel- hints at EVM tampering in Guj polls ing from intending bidders for TWO OFFICIALS FOR BRIBERY “TENDER FOR SUPPLY OF OUR CORRESPONDENT MEDICINE(D/M-B-170) FOR “If what (Patidar leader) “can stoop to any level” to win PATNA: An additional public prosecutor and a circle NBMC&H” Hardik Patel says is true, then the elections. officer were arrested by the Bihar Vigilance Bureau For more details visit office of MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena the BJP will have to garland “Modi had said BJP will the undersigned during working on Wednesday continued its EVMs also, besides Modi, for win 151 seats, while BJP chief on Wednesday from Sitamarhi and Nalanda districts hours or departmental or official tirade against the BJP over the the Gujarat victory,” the Sena Amit Shah said getting over while accepting bribe. According to a report from website www.nbmch.org/www. Gujarat election results and said. “When some in Mumbai 150 seats would be their real Sitamarhi, vigilance sleuths arrested Satyendra Kumar wbhealth.gov.in. Sd/- hinted at the tampering of are celebrating the win, despite victory. However, the people of Tiwari, additional public prosecutor at the district court. Medical Superindent-Cum-Vice electronic voting machines in the BJP failing to cross even Gujarat did not even give them He was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe Principal the polls. the 100-seat mark in Gujarat, 100 seats,” it claimed. of Rs 21,000. Deputy SP, Vigilance, Maharaja Kanishk MC&H, Sushrutanagar, The BJP retained power in we can say that they have not The party claimed the urban Kumar Singh, who led the vigilance team which laid Darjeeling. Gujarat with a reduced tally of understood the true mean- class had tilted towards the BJP, 99 seats against 115 last time. ing of this win,” the Sena said, but the “real Hindustan” was the trap, said Tiwari had demanded the sum from an The Congress increased its tally referring to the Mumbai BJP on Monday. in villages where the prob- accused in a case with the promise of helping him out. NADIA ZILLA PARISHAD Krishnagar, Nadia from 61 seats in 2012 to 77 this workers bursting fire crack- It said the Gujarat elections lems of farmers and labourers A report from Nalanda district said circle officer of E-Tenders have been invited by time. ers after the results were out showed that the ruling party remained unresolved. Hilsa, Subodh Kumar, was caught red-handed while this office from the bonafied accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. Deputy SP Gopal Contractors for the following works at different sites— NOTICE INVITING e-TENDER Paswan, who led the vigilance team which carried out NIT-72/NZP of 17-18 (SI- 1 to Abridged Notice inviting e-Ten- 2): Repairing of B.T. roads within Centre’s neutrality compromised the operation, said a complaint was received from der for Landscaping & Beautifi- karimpiir-II and Nakasipara Block, cation work at Malda Medical Rinku Devi, resident of a village, that the official had Nadia and NIT- 73/NZP of 17-18 nd (SI- 1 to 3) : Supply of Stainless College & Hospital, Malda (2 demanded bribe for mutation of a piece of land. Steel Plates & Glasses to different Phase) which will be available in Blocks and Municipalities/N.A.A’s the website: https.//wbtenders. in Mahanadi water dispute: BJD GUJARAT, HIMACHAL BJP MPS within Ranaghar/Tehatta Kalyani gov.in . Tender ID. 2017_ Sub-Division. Nadia. MAD_144235_1. Bid submission FELICITATE PRIME MINISTER Total estimated costs are Rs. end date: 05.01.2018 at 5 pm. OUR CORRESPONDENT Not only in the govern- 50.26 lakh and Rs. 225.68 lakh Sd/- Chairman, NEW DELHI: The BJP MPs from Gujarat and Himachal respectively Last dates of submission ment, but neutrality is com- of e-tender are 05.01.2018 and Englishbazar MunicIpality, NEW DELHI: The Biju Janata promised in the Supreme Pradesh on Wednesday met and felicitated Prime 12.01.2018 respectively. Please MaIcia Dal on Wednesday accused Court also. It is a fit case for Minister Narendra Modi for the party’s victory in see website www.wbprd.gov.in or contact to this office. the NDA government of com- taking up as an adjournment Assembly polls in the the two states. “Met party MPs Sd/- promising its neutrality in motion,” he said after Speaker District Engineer, TENDER NOTICE from Himachal Pradesh. Had a wonderful interaction Nadia Zilla Parishad Odisha’s dispute with Chhat- Sumitra Mahajan rejected an Online percentage rate Tender tisgarh over Mahanadi river adjournment motion on the with BJP MPs from Gujarat,” Modi said in tweets. The is invited for 2 (two) Nos. works water- sharing and sought issue. BJP retained power in the PM’s home state by winning for NIT no. 22 of 2017-2018 an urgent debate in the Lok While Odisha is ruled by 99 out of 182 seats and ousted the Congress in HP to of SE/NHC out of 2 (two) Nos. Sabha over setting up of a tri- the BJD, Chhattisgarh is gov- form its government there after a gap of five years. works 1 (one) No. work, in the bunal to resolve differences erned by the BJP. BJP chief Amit Shah was also present in the meetings. district of Uttar Dinajpur under between the two states. When Mahtab repeatedly Uttar Dinajpur Highway Divi- Raising the issue during government has conveyed to asked the Speaker to recon- NO NOC TO ANY MECHANICAL sion & 1 (one) No. work, in the Zero Hour, BJD leader Bhar- the Supreme Court that no sider her decision, Mahajan ABATTOIR BY GOVT: UP MINISTER district of Dakshin Dinajpur truhari Mahtab alleged that tribunal would be set up to said she realised it was an the BJP-led government has resolve the Mahanadi water important issue but would LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on under Dakshin Dinajpur High- gone back on its word on dispute between Odisha and consider other applications Wednesday said no NOC was given to any mechani- way Division. establishing a tribunal as it Chhattisgarh. if submitted by the BJD like a Name of work & Estimated cal abattoir in the state after the formation of the Yogi had promised over a year ago. “Neutrality of the (central) “calling attention motion” to Adityanath government. The government said an order amount put to tender are as Mahtab said the central government is compromised. discuss the matter. follows: for NIT 22 of 2017-18 regarding this was issued to the UP Pollution Con- 1) Kaliaganj-Kunorhat Road Government of West Bengal MP govt kicks off trol Board (UPPCB) by the state urban development from 0.00 Kmp to 2.00 Office of the Member Secretary, DH&FWS & department based on directives of the Supreme Court Km, (1*5.5 mt width to Chief Medical Officer of Health Paschim Medinipur ‘Ekatm Yatra’ for and the National Green Tribunal. “The UPPCB has not 2*5.50 mt width) widening Memo No. :DH&FWS-MID(W)/DPMU/2017/6110 Date : 18.12.17 issued no-objection certificate (NOC) to any mechani- and Strengthening work Rs Sub: - Recruitment Notice on contractual basis Shankaracharya cal abattoir after formation of the new government,” 7,77,77,603.00, (Tender ID. District Health & Family Welfare Samiti, Paschim Medinipur will engage Environment Minister Dara Singh Chauhan said in a 2017_SH_144125_1), personnel for the position as stated below under National Health Mission, statue written reply to a question raised in the state assem- 2) Tapan School More to Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal bly by Ujjwal Raman Singh of the Samajwadi Party. purely on contractual basis. OUR CORRESPONDENT Vikahar Road via Ram- Name of Post :- Accounts Assistant, Vacancy : 01 (UR) After the formation of the Adityanath government, the chandrapur from 0.00 Kmp Eligible candidates should apply by Post in the prescribed format as given government issued stern directives to check function- to 10.50 Km, “Widening & in Department’s Website www.wbhealth.gov.in. Details are also available BHOPAL: The Madhya ing of illegal abattoirs. A letter was sent to all district Strengthening work” Rs. in the same website. Pradesh government has magistrates and police chiefs by then UP Chief Secre- Last date of Application: 08/01/2017 Sd/- launched ‘Ekatm Yatra’ with 9,27,60,025.00, (Tender ID. tary Rahul Bhatnagar to check illegal slaughtering and 2017_S H_144125_2), Member Secretary, DH&FW Samiti an aim to collect metal pieces & Chief Medical Officer of Health to install a 108-feet tall statue of transportation of cattle. In the letter, Bhatnagar said Last date of bid submission Paschim Medinipore Adi Shankaracharya at Omk- slaughter houses in all 75 districts should be inspected of NIT are 15.01.2018 up to areshwar in Khandwa district and strict action taken wherever needed. 2.00 P.M. in the state. Intending bidders are Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad Madhya Pradesh Chief ALL STATIONS UNDER SCR ZONE TO BE requested to visit the website: Cooch Behar Minister Shivraj Singh Chou- 100 PC LED LIT BY MARCH https://wbtenders.gov.in and e-Tender Notice ( in brief) han flagged off the ‘Ekatm this office notice board. Yatra’ in the presence of a large HYDERABAD: All stations coming under the South Cen- E-Tender is herby invited on behalf of Cooch Behar Zilla Corrigendum notice (s) of this / number of saints and seers in tral Railway (SCR) Zone will be 100 per cent LED lit Parishad Press in item-wise rate vide NIT No. WBZP/DE-ET/ Ujjain on Tuesday. these NIT(s) if any will only be th by March 2018, a top official has said. The SCR Zone COB/2017-18(5 Call) for supply of various items of “The contribution of Adi published in the above web- is in the forefront of initiating energy conservation Papers from bonafide Paper Mills/Suppliers Distributors Shankaracharya will be made site. -sd- / Dealers. Detailed information may be had from the memorable by installing his measures, its General Manager Vinod Kumar Yadav website https: // etender.wb.nic.in last date & time for Superintending Engineer statue at Omkareshwar, which has said. Addressing the National Energy Conserva- Northern Highway Circle bid submission : 28/12/2017 at 6.00 PM. may be call at (03582)2277445/222550. Sd/- will be developed as the novel tion seminar held at Rail Nilayam in Secunderabad on P.W. (Roads) Directorate Addl. Executive Officer center of Vedanta Darshan,” Tuesday, Yadav gave an insight into the SCR plans for Govt. of West Bengal Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad Chouhan said while addressing energy conservation. Singatala, Malda Cooch Behar a gathering at Ujjain. 7 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 mp nation Sino-India border talks Bypoll today in Sikandra of Govt clears Rs 1,300-cr skill on Friday in shadow of bandit Phoolan Doklam episode Devi fame OUR CORRESPONDENT dev scheme for textile sector OUR CORRESPONDENT LUCKNOW: Polling will be OUR CORRESPONDENT through reputed training insti- respective sectoral divisions/ NEW DELHI: India and China held tomorrow in the Sikan- tutions relevant to textile sector organisations. will hold the next round of bor- dra Assembly constituency in NEW DELHI: The Union Cab- having placement tie- ups with Skill upgradation will be der talks here on Friday, the Kanpur Dehat district, a place inet on Wednesday approved a textile industry or units, and supported further for entrepre- first after the 73-day-long mil- which gained notoriety after new skill development scheme institutions of the Ministry of neurial development through itary standoff between the two the 1981 Behmai massacre of having an outlay of Rs 1,300 Textiles or state governments provision of MUDRA loans. countries in Doklam in sum- 21 upper caste Rajputs alleg- crore with an aim to create jobs having placement tie-ups with The scheme will be imple- mer months. edly by bandit Phoolan Devi in the organised textile and textile industry or units. mented for the benefit of all Issuing a brief statement and her gang. related sectors. Under the scheme, job sections of the society across on Wednesday, the external The bypoll was necessitated The decision was taken at a role wise skilling targets will the country including rural, affairs ministry said at the following the death of sitting meeting of the Cabinet Com- be based on skill gap identi- remote, LWE affected, North invitation of Ajit Doval, the BJP MLA Mathura Prasad Pal mittee on Economic Affairs fied for various levels including East, J&K by imparting skills in National Security Adviser and on July 22 due to illness. chaired by Prime Minister Nar- entry-level courses, up-skill- the identified job roles. the Special Representative on The BJP has fielded Pal’s son endra Modi here. ing/re-skilling (supervisor, Preference will be given to the boundary question, Yang Ajit Pal Singh, who will fight The scheme will cover the new skill development scheme skilling programme to incen- managerial training, advanced various social groups, SC, ST, Jiechi, State Councillor and tries. We should learn lessons mainly against Seema Sachan entire value chain of textiles, covering the entire value chain tivise the efforts of the industry courses for adapting technol- differently abled, minorities China’s Special Representative from this incident to avoid any of the Samajwadi Party and excluding spinning and weav- of the textile sector exclud- in creating jobs in the organ- ogy etc), recognition of prior and other vulnerable groups. on the issue will visit India on further conflict of this kind in Prabhakar of the Congress ing in the organised sector. ing Spinning & Weaving in ised textile and related sectors, learning (RPL). Under previous scheme of December 22 to hold the 20th the future,” Hua said. party. A total of 12 aspirants Around 10 lakh people are the organised sector, titled it said. Moreover, segment/job role skill development implemented SR-level meeting. Chinese and Indian troops are in the contest, including five expected to be skilled and cer- ‘Scheme for Capacity Build- The scheme is aimed at pro- wise requirement of skill needs by the Ministry of Textiles in Ahead of the talks, Chinese were locked in the border independent candidates. tified in various segments of ing’, the statement said. moting skilling and skill up- will be assessed from time to the XII Plan period, more foreign ministry spokesperson standoff from June 16 when Polling will be held from the textile sector through the The scheme will have gradation in the traditional time in consultation with the than 10 lakh people have been Hua Chunying told a media Indian soldiers stopped Chi- 8.00am to 5.00pm. scheme, out of which 1 lakh National Skill Qualification sectors through the Ministry industry. trained of which more than 70 briefing that this SR meeting is nese personnel from building a More than 3.21 lakh people will be in traditional sectors, an Framework compliant train- of Textiles and providing liveli- Web-based monitoring will per cent were women. not only a high-level channel key road close to India’s ‘chick- are eligible to vote at 391 poll- official statement said. ing courses with funding hood to all sections of the soci- be adopted for steering every “Considering that the for the border issue discussion en’s neck’ corridor. ing booths. Counting of votes At least 70 per cent of the norms as per the Common ety across the country. aspect of implementation of the apparel industry, a major seg- but also the platform for strate- On August 28, India will be done on December 24. certified trainees are to be Norms notified by the Minis- The skilling programmes programme. ment to be covered under gic communication. announced the “disengage- In the 2017 Assembly placed in the wage employment try of Skill Development and would be implemented The skilling requirement the scheme, employs majorly “In 2017, China-India rela- ment” between the soldiers of polls, Pal had polled 87,879 and post-placement tracking Entrepreneurship. through textile industry/units in the traditional sectors such women (about 70 per cent), the tions have maintained a good the two countries. votes, defeating nearest Bahu- will be mandatory under the The objectives of the in order to meet the in-house as handlooms, handicrafts, trend is likely to be continued momentum generally but the The road was being built by jan Samaj Party rival Mahen- scheme, it added. scheme are to provide demand requirement of manpower. jute, silk etc will be considered in the new scheme,” said the Dokalam incident posed a China in an area also claimed dra Katiyar (Bablu), who got “The Cabinet approves a driven, placement-oriented It will also be rolled out as special projects through statement. major test for the two coun- by Bhutan. 49,776 votes. Iranian President India’s first Design University opens 4 IIS officers First year MBBS student raped Rouhani keen to transfered visit India, says campus at Sonipat in Haryana OUR CORRESPONDENT in medical college campus envoy OUR CORRESPONDENT West Scotland, Vancouver Film of future thinking and existing NEW DELHI: The informa- OUR CORRESPONDENT School and Italian University of technology.” tion and broadcasting min- OUR CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI: India’s first Design (IAAD), an official of WUD will be a strategically istry today transferred four BHUBANESWAR: A first design university – World the university said. critical platform for providing senior Indian Information year female MBBS student of HYDERABAD: The Presi- University of Design – was Some of the prominent youth with the tools they need Serives (IIS) officers. a private medical college was dent of the Islamic Republic opened at Haryana’s Sonipat on names in the industry are on to drive India’s future devel- The new transfer orders alleged raped in the college of Iran Hassan Rouhani has Wednesday. Promoted by Om the Advisory board of the Uni- opment. Education is chang- came nearly a month after 24 campus here, police said today. expressed his interest to travel Parkash Bansal Educational & versity –AG Krishna Menon, ing and as we increasingly face officers were shifted. The female student in her to India and the two countries Social Welfare Trust of Mandi Payal Jain, Peter D’ascoli, Ama- the growing challenges of a Another seven officers FIR at Mancheswar Police Sta- are preparing grounds for the Gobindgarh, Punjab, the uni- rdeep Behl and Neha Kirpal. complex socio business envi- have been transferred as the tion alleged that she was raped visit, said Mohammed Haghbin versity is currently located on Speaking on the occa- ronment, high quality trans- regional officers (ROs) at var- by a peon of the college while grahi said: “The incident that male friend in a compromising Ghomi, the Consul General of the NH1 in Rajiv Gandhi Edu- sion, Dr Sanjay Gupta, Director disciplinary education with a ious offices of the Central she was returning to hostel yes- occurred at around 7.30 pm position, while I was coming Iran in Hyderabad. cation City (NCR), Sonipat – General of WUD said, “Con- design foundation and think- Board of Film Certification terday night. yesterday came to the light at from the canteen after having “A great deal of progress has the largest planned integrated temporary Design education ing, becomes more critical than (CBFC). “We have arrested a man around 12 pm. The girl did my dinner. I shouted on them been made between the lead- city for education in India. not only creates value and con- ever, he added. Esther Kar, who was put on based on the complaint of the not know the peon s name. and told that I would take up ers of both the countries. The With the state-of-art infra- tributes to competitiveness, WUD offers creative course “compulsory wait” after Press girl. Both the victim and the We identified the accused and the matter with the Principal,” visit of the President of Iran structure and world class facil- prosperity, and well-being of a on design, fashion, commu- Information Bureau (PIB) DG accused have undergone medi- handed him over to the police.” said Khuntia. is in response to Prime Min- ities, the university has tied nation but also enables collab- nication, visual arts, design Ghanshyam Goel replaced her cal examination,” Bhubaneswar The accused has been iden- Khuntia said: “They ister of India Narendra Modi up with many international oration, hyper-specialization & retail management, and last month as the new DG of Deputy Commissioner of tified as Manoj Khuntia, a resi- requested me not to reveal s visit to Iran recently,” the universities like University of and moving beyond the limits architecture. the Directorate of Advertising Police (DCP), Satyabrata Bhoi dent from Athagarh in Cuttack the matter before anyone and Iranian envoy said in a press and Visual Publicity (DAVP), told reporters adding that the district, police said. Khuntia promised that they would conference. was posted as director general police have also recorded the claimed that he is innocent and never commit same thing in “In the west Asia region, (DG), PIB, Bhopal, according statement of the victim under allegations against him are false college campus. Later, I went India and Iran are two decisive Pvt sector allowed to manufacture 8 to an order on Wednesday. Section 161 CrPC. and baseless. to my room, but the police powers that can cooperate in Anil Kumar Saxena, who The private medical col- “At around 9 PM last night, brought me here at around 4 various fields complementa- was DG, PIB in New Delhi, lege chairman Tirupati Pani- I saw the girl student and her AM today.” rily,” he added. selected ammunition for Indian Army has been made DG, PIB, Kol- As part of strengthening of kata, while K Muthukumar, Government of West Bengal bilateral relations, focus would OUR CORRESPONDENT manufacturing of eight selected fighter aircraft, helicopters, who was DG in PIB, Chennai North Bengal Development Department be on economic and busi- ammunition for Indian Army submarines and main battle has been transferred as DG, Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri ness relations besides cultural NEW DELHI: The defence by Indian Industry,” the defence tanks in India. PIB, Mumbai. affairs, he said. The CG also ministry on Wednesday ministry said. The Army has The prospective manufac- J P Mattu Singh, who was said that the Iranian Govern- announced that it has allowed been reeling under severe turer will be free to select their serving as Additional Director. ment is presently working on a private sector to manufacture shortage of ammunition and it technology partners, negoti- General (ADG), PIB, New proposal from a private airline eight selected ammunition for has been pressing the govern- ate and obtain transfer of tech- Delhi has been posted as ADG to connect Hyderabad and Iran the Indian Army in a major ment to address the issue in nology (ToT). The technology (News) in All India Radio. by a direct flight. reform initiative. view of the security challenges partners could be indigenous The transfers or postings He condemned the US The ministry said the aim the country is facing. or foreign manufacturers. of the officers in the Selection decision to recognise Jerusa- of the decision is to facilitate At present, various ord- The defence ministry said Grade and Senior Adminis- lem as the capital of Israel, and development of indigenous nance factories supply ammu- the indigenous manufacturer trative Grade (SAG) of the IIS termed it as “imprudent and capacity, reduce import depen- nition to the armed forces. will be required to set up a new Group ‘A’ are with immediate provocative”. dence and develop a robust The move comes around six establishment to produce the effect, the order said. The CG called on the inter- supply of ammunition within months after the government ammunition. It said Defence In a seperate order, the national community, Islamic the country. unveiled the ambitious strate- Minister Nirmala Sithara- ministry transferred seven states in particular, to intervene “With the long-term objec- gic partnership model under man has approved a long term officers as RO at various offices and “stop the implementation tive of building capacity within which Indian private sector contract of 10 years with the of the CBFC. of the US decision because it the industry as a robust alter- companies will be allowed to selected ammunition manufac- On November 24, the min- only serves the Zionist regime native source of ammunition, form joint ventures with for- turer, to facilitate a viable com- istry had transferred 24 senior s interests”. the government has approved eign defence majors to build mercial model. officers. Government of West Bengal North Bengal Development Department Army personnel guarding Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri Sino-China border given ABRIDGED -e-NIT e-NIT Name of work Estimated Last date of Bid ref. no. Amount submission liberalised family pension NIT- Renovation and Modernisation of 4691820.00 05/01/2018 128 OF Acoustical work of proposed BlackBox upto 15.00 2017-18 at Ground Floor of Nattya Academy at hours Balurghat, in the District of Dakshin Dinajpur. Sd/- Superintending Engineer North Bengal Development Department

Details can be seen in the Official Website www.wbnorthbengaldev.gov.in For all details and online tender submission visit https://wbtenders.gov.in

Government of West Bengal O/O The Superintending Engineer PWD South Western Electrical Circle OUR CORRESPONDENT Sahid Mangal Pandey Sarani, Midnapur-721101 per cent of last “reckonable” emoluments in comparison to Abridged NIT NEW DELHI: Army person- normal family pension which Notice Inviting e-Quotation No. — WBPWD/SE/SWEC/ nel guarding the over 4,000 provides for 30 per cent of the NIQ30/2017-18 km-long Indo-China border last “reckonable” emoluments. Tender ID: 2017_WBPWD_144349_1 will now get the benefit of the The move comes months liberalised family pension, the after Chinese and Indian Name of Work: Supply and Installation of Fire Detection defence ministry announced troops were locked in a 73-day System at Institute of Mental Care, Purulia----SITC of Fire on Wednesday. At present, border standoff from June 16 detection and annunciation system the liberalised family pen- when Indian soldiers stopped Work Site :Purulia sion is given to army person- Chinese personnel from build- Last date of submission of bid :-03/01/2018 up to 16:55 Hrs. nel deployed along the Line of ing a key road close to India’s & Control and International Bor- ‘chicken’s neck’ corridor. Notice Inviting e-Quotation No. — WBPWD/SE/SWEC/ der (IB) with Pakistan. The ministry said Liber- NIQ31/2017-18 “Defence Minister Nirmala alised Family Pension covers Tender ID: 2017_WBPWD_144354_1 Sitharaman has approved that accidental death or injury sus- Name of Work: SITC of Fire detection and alarm system at the same benefit of Liberalised tained due to natural calami- Purulia Deben Mahato Sadar Hospital, Purulia Family Pension be extended ties such as flood, avalanches, Work Site :Purulia to Army Personnel working landslides, cyclone, fire and Last date of submission of bid :-03/01/2018 up to 16:55 Hrs. along Line of Actual Control lightening or drowning in Further details can be seen in the above mentioned office during (LAC) along India-China bor- river while performing oper- working hours or in Official Website www.pwdwb.gov.in ders,” the defence ministry said ational duties or movements in a statement. in action against enemy forces For all details and online tender submission visit https:// It said the Liberalised Fam- and armed hostilities in opera- wbtenders.gov.in ily Pension provides for 100 tional area. 8 editorial mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 EDITORIAL Communication is the key The trumping Interaction and dialogue are the soul of good governance triangle ince brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and t a crucial juncture in time, when China is accel- outward flourishes, I will be erating its relevance across the globe, particularly brief. Communication is criti- in Asia, the Trump administration has recognised Scal as much in daily life as in politics. India, in its new National Security Strategy, as a SUGATO HAZRA The other important issue that cannot A‘leading global power’. The Trump administration has unam- be missed is that tediousness finally biguously stated that it seeks to deepen its defence partnership scores in communication while brev- with India, while also forging better ties that would propel our ity does not. What is more, however, country’s presence in Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean silence cannot replace brevity as the region. Balancing this proposition, the Trump administration soul of wit. There are several examples also sidelined Pakistan, demanding it reverses its activities of to support the brief preamble. propelling terror and harbouring terrorists in its state. The US Take the Financial Resolution and has, time and again, come out to criticise Pakistan for the role it Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, for has played in furthering terrorism, particularly in South Asia, example. The bill proposes to create a that has proven to be detrimental for the citizens of this region framework for overseeing financial insti- as well as for foreign nationals, including members of the US tutions such as banks, insurance com- Embassy who function out of this area. Yet, when Hafiz Saeed panies, non-banking financial services was released, in the end of November, it displayed that there is (NBFC) companies and stock exchanges little that the international community could do when it came in case of insolvency. The bill presented to Pakistan cocooning terrorists in its home ground, providing in the Lok Sabha in August this year is them with the perfect nourishment to carry on their acts of fur- Hapless citizens under consideration by the Standing thering violence and terror. No amount of bounties, castigation of the country are Committee of Finance of the Parliament. or disrepute on the international front could change Pakistan’s It was expected to be tabled with the ways of conducting its democracy which is crippling by the tired of flourishes Standing Committee observations dur- minute, in the need of urgent revival. Pakistan still manages to during the never ing the winter session. Then the “mass continue unabated because of the tacit support that it receives hysteria’’ started. It was strong enough from its all-weather notorious ally, China. China’s suspension ending elections to get noticed even during the hysteria Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had to step in and clear matters regarding FRDI bill to power has turned the tables of the 20th century, improving in the country. created during the campaign of Gujarat the scope of Asia on the global front. Yet, China’s mischievous Assembly election. more articulate opposition leaders could communicating aggressively in support benefit taking person must stand in a ways of gambling with power have disconcerted most in this What most are There was no discussion in public score brownie points asking for inter alia of GST when prices were going up the queue to get Aadhaar card or rectify the region. Whether to subtly support North Korea’s Kim or rejoice waiting for is domain when the bill was being drafted GST on petroleum. P Chidambaram, a Central Government invited bouncers to omissions there and then link those with Pakistan’s harbouring of terrorists, it has not shied away from nor when this was sent to the Stand- former Finance Minister, asked why the be hurled against it. This is yet another all sorts of financial accounts? Interest- vouching for every aspect that stands in opposition to west- plain and simple ing Committee. In fact, silence of the Government which controlled as many instance of null communication. ing issue never answered is why the rule ern ideals. Given its political strength, burgeoning economy communication efficient communicator, Arun Jaitley as 19 state governments was not keen to An oft-repeated word used in any cannot be applied to real estate where and military power, it stands as a formidable enemy that the who also happens to be the architect introduce GST on petroleum products. analysis on political economy is reform. most ill-gotten wealth gets hidden? west, particularly the USA, seeks to swiftly overcome. There- that will help us of the FRDI bill as the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley responded that there What is a reform? Dictionary says it Hapless citizens of the country are fore, India becomes significant for the US, to be the beacon decide on what of the country has been deafening till was no need to amend any law to intro- means improve or say make better. tired of flourishes during the never end- that will prohibit China from furthering its territorial domina- the cacophony against FRDI Bill woke duce GST for petroleum products. But For example improving India’s rank ing elections in the country. What most tion. China’s conniving ways are known to all. This was espe- should be our him up. When a mighty Government the same needs to be approved by the in the Ease of Doing Business Index is are waiting for is plain and simple com- cially highlighted with the building of the Hambantota Port, priorities led by a political leadership which can GST council where all states are mem- a reform. But ordinary voters are not munication that will help us deciding which it has now secured under its kitty. The port is located at boast of several strong orators get caught bers by a three/fourth majority. The much excited on such feat. For them on what should be our priorities. For a crucial juncture in the Indian Ocean, which qualifies as an unawares on such an important (and answer is technically correct but see what matters is if the government has the sake of ending corruption if the important destination for China to further its dream of build- a necessary) legislation the unavoid- how the Government let the question managed to ease the burden on their Government ends up creating various ing a 21st century maritime Silk Route. Undoubtedly, this has able conclusion is that the Govern- come up to the fore. With global crude life. Take for instance the imposition levels of rent seekers and consultants to been disconcerting for India, which sees itself as the kingpin in ment does not have wit nor interest to prices inching up and Indian retailers of Aadhaar. This will, and perhaps has meet the rules so framed, many would the Indian Ocean region. China now has also made successful communicate. adjusting petrol prices daily unknown already checked (since the Prime Minis- opt for a corrupt system that at least did inroads to the Maldives, with the same intention of cement- FRDI bill stands out in the many to many the retail price went up sharply ter keeps on claiming) pilferage of ben- not make their daily existence as miser- ing the crucial maritime Silk Route. During his recent visit to instances of the current Government over a period. While one reason for efits given to the poor. But look at the able as the headmasterly imposition of Beijing, President Yameen of Maldives rushed to sign a Free inviting trouble with its “I know best’’ the same is that governments – centre flip side. How tough it is to obtain the rules are making. Trade Agreement with China, much to the discontentment of style of the communication process. and states – did not reduce tax on pet- card and how much man hour is spent Gujarat election was a wake-up call. opposition members, who recognise China as a raging dragon Take the case of much appreciated (and rol when prices went up instead kept in procuring one Aadhaar card? This is Even a miserable opposition which is looking to only further its presence without foiling its activi- hated) tax reform – GST (Goods and enjoying the increased revenue. They an unforeseen harassment. Then Aad- clueless about the issues affecting ordi- ties for the sake of the countries involved. The lopsided FTA Services Tax). Before the same was noticed only when people protested the haar is being linked with all financial nary people received support where gives China a complete upper-hand to conduct activities in the implemented the point that was most high price and the usurious level of taxa- transactions. Take a simple case. When the Government failed to reach out. Maldives in regard to travel, tourism, construction, education, harped on was that it would bring in tion. Hence the demand for imposition an insurance premium is paid from an In a democracy, “I only know what is waste management, among others. The business community in lower prices since total tax would be less. of GST on petroleum products received Aadhaar linked bank account and the good for you” type governance does not the Maldives has reacted sharply to the President’ move of sign- When GST was implemented the effect popular support. Not that GST rate on maturity proceeds will come back to a help. Instead of imposition, people want ing the FTA, which provides China with unhindered access to was different. Tax for all services went petroleum products would get adjusted similarly linked account why must one explanation and attention to iron out the carry forth its power mongering activities in the country. China up by 3 per cent. The tax administration automatically when global crude price take the trouble of linking the insurance issues. Interaction (and dialogue) is the pressurised the President into coming to such an agreement by became complicated for ordinary indi- increase but generally it was felt that policy to Aadhaar? Maybe there is some soul of governance. threatening to withdraw any form of Chinese support in the viduals. The middlemen assisting the introduction of GST on petroleum prod- reason but did we hear it from say Arun (The views expressed future, if the President refused to concede to the demands of hapless taxpayer mushroomed. What is ucts would help consumers. Instead of Jaitley why an honest tax paying non- are strictly personal.) the FTA. The re-election of Xi Jinping had already emphasised that China was not willing to draw back from its activities of improving territorial dominance—with the OBOR and CPEC dear already underway. India has reacted sharply against the CPEC Quote martial BJP'S WIN IN GUJRAT EDITOR millenniumpost.in as it passes through a portion of the PoK. By the day, China is furthering its dominance by bringing smaller countries of the Given the sheer disappointment of non-recruitment in Central government services, the effect of Log on to write letters to the Indian Ocean region under its wing and thereby dismantling Leadership is demonetisation and GST, pity with cattle democracy cowing down not cottoned on to the general the sovereignty of these countries. China has displayed little editor or send them to regard for ethics or preservation of each country’s own sover- practiced not so people it has been a presage that BJP’s result in Gujrat election will not be satisfactory as expected. [email protected] eignty. This disgruntles India which sees itself emerging as a much in words as Importance of BJP that snowballed two years back is now waning due to confidence. Election in You can also send your global power. This disconcerts the USA too, which hopes to continue to remain a superpower with other countries bowing in attitude and in Gujrat turns like a scrimmage and Congress chief, Rahul Gandhi, an also-ran has capitalised such comments to The Editor, down to it in subservience. While Trump recognising India as actions weakness. What Congress has put a spell is that it has upheld BJP’s failure to an extent. There must Millennium Post, a leading global power might be a proud moment, it is never- HAROLD S. GENEEN have been a rupture in BJP that should be repaired by the leaders in no time. Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah theless, tilted to protect the US’s own intentions in preserving its autonomy and supremacy. India is increasingly becoming SAMIR CHAKRABORTY Via email Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 a weapon for the USA to counter China in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. India and the US are on the same page in this respect with both hoping to halt China’s acceler- ated territorial prowess. Yet, before succumbing to the praises of the Trump government, India must be cautious of the US’s Reformed realty to ride rough road intent. Further, India must also realise that she herself is a lead- ing country, without the need for recognition by any country in the West. She must posit herself with dignity and affirmity. China’s lack of regard for sovereignty must not be replicated Despite being a year of hardships, 2017 may well be termed as a year of reforms by us in a bid to outdo the dragon in the Indian Ocean region. he year 2017 could well go for the urban poor over and above the down as one of the most pain- 3,076,000 houses sanctioned earlier. That ful for the bruised real estate affordable housing was the flavour of the Agonising winter and housing sector, reeling season was clearly evident from the fact Tunder the short-term disruptive impact that 62 per cent of all new launches in VINOD BEHL of a series of reforms. But then, riding H1 2017 were in the affordable category wonderland high on these landmark reforms, the (less than Rs 4 million price tag), with he quaint hills of Darjeeling have been the perfect regulated and organised realty is set to the trend of "compact homes" catching respite for residents of West Bengal and beyond. The ride out the rough terrain to emerge as up. This year's budget further provided view of the snow-clad mountains, the winding roads, a healthy and sustainable asset class in a booster to the sector. Granting infra- the misty mountain air and the hot chocolate of Gle- the medium to long run. structure status to affordable housing Tnary’s have attracted many a traveller from across the coun- The agony of the real estate sector and abolition of the FIPB requirement try. Yet, the violence that ripped the hill district earlier this was particularly reflected in the worst- were significant policy initiatives to help year has decimated tourism, the primary source of bread and hit residential real estate. The long delays the capital-starved sector. butter for those making a living in the cold of the Kanchen- There were about in completing projects and large-scale The other notable measures included junga. The Gorkha agitation which erupted in the summer of 685,000 unsold delivery defaults badly shattered the con- provision of additional refinance of Rs this year has poisoned the merry and mirth of the mountains, fidence and trust of home buyers, who 20,000 crore (over $3 billion) for the bringing the economy to a complete standstill. With no visitors units across sieven were at war with developers and fight- The agony of the real estate sector was reflected in the worst-hit residential real estate National Housing Bank (NHB), hike willing to risk their lives during the holiday season, the hills major cities till ing it out in the courts -- which saw a in housing outlay from Rs 15,000 crore are now looking at a loss of something close to Rs 55 crores, few developers landing in jail. retail growth in emerging cities. tion of some provisions by a few states to Rs 23,000 crore and allocation of Rs in the winter season alone. Since the 105-day strike began, the September this In the wake of all this, home buy- Despite being a year of hardships, and in turn protecting the interests of 396,000 crore for infrastructure devel- mountains saw a most violent side of human fury, with gun- year. The high ers took a back seat, especially refrain- 2017 may well be termed as the year of home buyers. Besides RERA, another opment. The pro-consumer budget took shots being fired, weapons discovered, mass agitations, clashes ing from buying under-construction reforms aimed at removing regulatory big reform that was undertaken this several other far-reaching initiatives, with the police and authorities, houses and vehicles burnt unsold inventory, housing units and thereby badly hitting hurdles and paving the way for the sec- year was the Goods and Services Tax including increase in personal income down and rampant cases of death and injury. The flipside of together with sales. According to industry statistics, tor's growth. These progressive policies (GST). Currently applicable to under- tax limit with additional benefit in tax the fight for power and an independent state ultimately befell there were about 685,000 unsold units brought in transparency, which was construction properties, it is aimed at slabs, long-term capital gains tax ben- on the citizens who make their living by attending to the tour- the burden of across seven major cities till September reflected in the substantial improve- doing away with multiple taxes and efits on housing, enhancing the scope ists who flock to the mountains religiously. Darjeeling receives complying with this year. The high unsold inventory, ment in India's rankings in JLL's Global checking double taxation, resulting of the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme close to four lakh tourists each year with a complete 100 per together with the burden of comply- Real Estate Transparency Index. Major in the benefit of cost reduction which (CLSS) under the Pradhan Mantri Awas cent hotel booking across the winter season. Compared to the RERA led to a ing with RERA (Real Estate Regulatory structural reforms and changes in FDI developers are required to pass on to Yojana (PMAY) by extending the loan usual approximately Rs 60 crore income that is accrued dur- big slump in the Act) led to a big slump in the launch norms made Indian real estate much consumers. To give full benefit of GST tenure from 15 to 20 years and replacing ing this season, the estimate this year stands at a meagre Rs of new units, though home buyers did more attractive to domestic and foreign to consumers, the government is now built-up area with carpet area as quali- 7.5 crore. It has been three months since the strike ended and launch of new pick up ready-to-move dwelling units investors, with a 70 per cent increase in extending it beyond the construction fying criteria for benefits of the PMAY the violence was put to rest, yet civilians of the plains remain units, though home as they were assured of the safety of FDI in construction as a percentage of stage to final constructed buildings. The scheme. This scheme has now been apprehensive about visiting the mountains that were once a buyers did pick their investment. the total FDI over last three years. Benami Property Act, aided by demon- further extended beyond the EWS/LIG favourite holiday destination. It will be an uphill task for the In view of RERA squeezing funds for The landmark RERA reform empow- etisation, together with restrictions on segment to include the MIG segment. government and businessmen to recuperate from the loss of up ready-to-move residential properties, many developers ered and protected consumers against cash transactions, to a large extent rid Spurred by the positive sentiment this entire season and also ensure that the next year witnesses dwelling units as took to commercial real estate, especially cheating by unscrupulous property real estate of black money (responsible generated by continuous structural a change. To protect the livelihood of the hill dwellers, the gov- as investors preferred this segment due developers. Several of its stringent provi- for the artificial spurt in prices), making reforms, expected improvement in the ernment must take initiatives to propagate the hills as a tourist they were assured to better capital appreciation and good sions are not only deterrent but punitive property more affordable. In fact, all the economic and employment scenario and destination, yet again. This loss, in the long-run, will prove to be of the safety of returns, particularly in pre-leased prop- in nature to ensure a fair deal to con- government's policies -- such as accord- tapering off of the disruptive impact of detrimental for the entire Bengal economy, particularly for the erties. Investors also showed keen inter- sumers in terms of price, quality and ing infrastructure status to affordable RERA and GST, in the months ahead, hill districts. For those with warming memories of Darjeeling, their investment est in the retail sector, with national timely delivery of property -- besides housing and PPPs for affordable hous- the real estate and housing sector is the unfortunate episode of violence has hindered the idea of and international brands entering into fast-track redressal of their grievances. ing -- were all directed at promoting headed for consolidation, with a new reliving holidays in the hills. Concentrated initiatives have to newer destinations in search of organ- Home buyers got a further protective this mass segment to achieve the aim eco-system marked by transparency be undertaken now to not only sell Darjeeling as a safe tourist ised mall space. Global PE fund Black- umbrella with the Mumbai High Court of "Housing for All". and corporate governance. IANS destination but also ensure that the hills do remain safe, away stone invested in a number of malls. ruling that RERA will be applicable to The Housing and Urban Affairs (Vinod Behl is Editor of Realty from the gushes of bullets and agitations. Total retail supply, retailers' expansion ongoing projects as envisaged in the Ministry approved the construction of Plus, a leading real estate monthly. The plans and investments indicate healthy model Central Act, nullifying the dilu- 112,000 additional affordable houses views expressed are strictly personal.) 9 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 mp in focus Planetary limit for nitrogen breached Akshit Sangomla presents India’s first assessment of pollution from nitrogen

or long, a group of agriculture scien- would have net economic benefits of about tists under the Society for Conserva- US$ 170 billion per year globally. tion of Nature (SCN) pondered over a But can India balance its food security question: How does the ever-increas- through increased use of fertilisers and the Fing use of nitrogen-rich fertiliser impact eco- consequential N pollution? Experts say “yes”. systems? It is a sensitive issue given that India’s Raghuram cites that the production of food food self-sufficiency owes a lot to the use of crops and the increase of fertiliser usage are urea that ensured high yields. But SCN, a not currently going hand-in-hand and this coalition of more than 120 scientists with var- was because of other limiting factors. He says, ied expertise, took a call to launch an in-depth “Continuing to increase fertiliser usage with- scientific probe in 2006 with the setting up of out addressing irrigation or other nutrients a specialised group called the Indian Nitro- will be governed by the law of diminishing The assessment gen Group (ING). They studied not just the returns in terms of yield.” Steffen says, “We shows that nitrogen (N) being used for agricultural pur- need to learn how to grow food with much poses but also its increasing emissions from less use of nitrogen (and phosphorus) fertil- agriculture is the transport boom in the country. India as a isation. One of the most prominent ways of the main source country was using and emitting huge amount doing this is so-called precision agriculture, of nitrogen, and its related toxic components. which uses hi-tech approaches to apply just of nitrogen After 10 years of intense studies, without the right amount of nitrogen at just the right pollution in any government help, SCN published the 568- time for the plant’s needs. This eliminates an page compilation of 30 review papers called enormous amount of wastage without affect- India. Within The Indian Nitrogen Assessment, India’s first- ing yields, bringing global nitrogen applica- agriculture, ever such attempt. The Assessment encap- tion down towards or within the planetary sulates the complete journey of nitrogen in boundary. But precision agriculture is only cereals pollute India from different emission sources to the practiced in a few places and needs to become the most. Rice various processes through which it escapes to more widespread, he says. and wheat take the environment and the effects of the pollu- Mark Sutton of the International Nitrogen tion that it causes. It also paves a way forward Initiative says, “Reducing the use of nitro- up the maximum for minimising nitrogen pollution in India gen fertilisers and increasing that of recy- cropped area. by cutting down its emission at the source. cled manures offers the prospect for Indian Nitrogen pollution impacts soil health which in turn brings down the yield of crops (Representational Image) farmers to produce food more securely and Only 33 per cent Patron turns pollutant profitably, while saving the government a of the nitrogen With the Assessment’s publication, India of crops, becoming counterproductive to the agriculture in India has risen to more than earth within which humans can thrive. “The huge amount of money.” “At the same time, has become the third country/entity after the very purpose of fertiliser usage. This happens 300 Gg in 2010. In contrast, world emissions planetary boundary of N (nitrogen) is set at practices that save nitrogen and carbon in applied for US and the European Union to have assessed because of the reduction of carbon content stood at 37,000 Gg as per a 2013 study by the 44 Tg (Tera-grams) per year globally,” says the system are closely coupled, so that bet- rice and wheat the environmental impact of nitrogen on of the soil over a long period of time which International Nitrogen Initiative. William Steffen, emeritus professor of envi- ter nitrogen management contributes to their respective regions comprehensively. The affects its health. There needs to be a balance Unfortunately for India, agriculture is just ronment at Canberra’s Australian National improved soil structure and resilience from through fertilisers Assessment shows that agriculture is the main maintained in the application of fertilisers one of the sources of nitrogen pollution. N University. “Current application of N, primar- drought, erosion and other climatic risks,” is consumed source of nitrogen pollution in India. Within taking into account all the different nutrients. Raghuram, President of ING that prepared ily through fertiliser usage, is about 150 Tg he adds. agriculture, cereals pollute the most. Rice and In a study, quoted in the report, in Ranchi, the Assessment, says, “Sewage and organic N per year, which is over three times greater Sutton says that this provides India with by plants in the wheat take up the maximum cropped area in application of only nitrogen fertiliser reduced solid wastes form the second largest source of than the planetary boundary and well outside a unique opportunity of a leadership role in form of nitrates. India at 36.95 million hectares (ha) and 26.69 the carbon content of the soil by 28 per cent N pollution in India. While this may not be so of the uncertainty range,” he says. terms of global nitrogen management. In million ha respectively; India consumes 17 Mt from the original level while application of in developed countries with better systems for Based on its analysis, SCN advises policies fact, it is already doing so through ING that The rest seeps (million tonnes) of nitrogen fertiliser annually nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium together sewage and solid waste management, includ- for India to increase its NUE to reduce the has published the Assessment and by leading into surrounding as per the data of the Fertiliser Association of reduced it by only 2.9 per cent. ing recovery of nutrients from them, it is one impacts of nitrogen pollution on the environ- the South Asian chapter of the International India. Only 33 per cent of the nitrogen that is But the adverse effect of nitrogen is not of the fastest growing sources of N pollution ment, human health and climate change. A Nitrogen Initiative. environment applied to rice and wheat through fertilisers is limited only to water and soil pollution. Nitro- in India, at least four times faster than that big reduction would be possible by control- Raghuram stresses upon this point. “Our causing a taken up by the plants in the form of nitrates gen in the form nitrous oxide (N2O) is also of fertilisers.” He makes the case for recycling ling the use of fertilisers. For one, this would report has demonstrated that we have all (NO3). This is called Nitrogen Use Efficiency a greenhouse gas (GHG) and a fast rising N from industrial and domestic sewage and reduce the fertiliser subsidy burden on the the scientific capacity needed to assess our cascade of or NUE. The remaining 67 per cent remains contributor to global climate change. Fertil- using it for fertilisers in India. According to Indian government. While other fertilisers reactive nitrogen loads, sources, sinks, flows environmental in the soil and seeps into the surrounding isers are the major emitters of N2O in India him 40 per cent of fertilisers can be saved by were de-regulated by the government after the and future scenarios, as well as identify pos- environment causing a cascade of environ- while vehicular pollution (55.53 Gigagram or closing this cycle in the country. liberalisation of the economy in 1991, urea, sible interventions. If only we leverage this and health mental and health impacts. Gg), industrial and domestic sewage (15.81 Vehicular pollution is also a major con- which primarily contains nitrogen, remains scientific and environmental soft power to impacts The Assessment found that nitrates not Gg) also contribute towards rise of the GHG tributor of NOx, accounting for 32 per cent completely regulated till date. In other words, tweak our environmental diplomacy with only affected surface water but also polluted in the atmosphere according to a 2007 study of the total emissions in India, out of which the government controls the production, the changing times, geopolitics and econom- groundwater sources. A study quoted in the by the Indian Network for Climate Change 28 per cent is from road transport. In Delhi, import and distribution of urea. ics, we can easily demonstrate our potential Assessment found that in parts of Punjab, Assessment. Yashpal Abrol, founder presi- the share of road transport shoots up to the For India, the Assessment finds that based for global environmental leadership. We Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh the NO3 dent and chief patron of SCN, told Down range of 66 to 74 per cent, according to the on a tentative selling price of US $78.8 per have little to lose and possibly a lot to gain.” concentration in dug well water and shallow To Earth that “N2O is 300 times more potent Assessment. The poultry industry in India tonne of nitrogen fertiliser, a cash subsidy In fact, the Indian government might have bore-well water had exceeded the limits pre- as a greenhouse gas as opposed to CO2”. He growing at 6 per cent per year emitted N of around US $7 billion puts a heavy burden inadvertently taken certain steps like man- scribed by the World Health Organization adds, “While carbon has been debated upon to the tune of 0.415 Mt in 2016, which will on the country’s exchequer. The report cal- dating neem-coated urea production which (WHO) by several times. This was the worst extensively by the Inter-governmental Panel increase to 1.089 Mt by 2030. culates that India loses nitrogen worth US can abate a crisis. Neem-coated urea releases in Haryana, where the average NO3 content on Climate Change and under the United $10 billion per year as fertiliser value, while nitrogen at a slower pace giving plants time to in well water was 99.5 mg/litre while the Nations Framework Convention on Climate How N pollution happens the costs of N pollution on health ecosystems absorb it, hence leading to an optimal usage. WHO limit stands at 50 mg/litre. Change, it is time for us to look at N2O and Such an assessment is important consider- and climate are calculated at US$ 75 billion DOWN TO EARTH N pollution also has an effect on soil nitrogen pollution in general in a big way.” ing that we have already breached the plane- per year. It also finds that a relative improve- (The views expressed health which in turn brings down the yield In comparison to 60 Gg in 1950, N2O from tary boundary for nitrogen—the limits of the ment in current rates of NUE by 20 per cent are strictly personal.)

tweet The sources of monsoon water RETWEET A significant amount of rain over the Ganga basin and northeast

India is derived from evaporation of water already on land SHASHI THAROOR @ShashiTharoor t rains about 900 mm during a normal monsoon year over India and if we assume that about 80 RAGHU MURTUGUDDE per cent of India is covered by Met PM @narendramodi on his return Ithis rain, then the estimated volume from Thiruvananthapuram to discuss of water is well over 200 lakh crore #CycloneOckhi &raised the issues buckets. It comes to 2 lakh buckets per mentioned in my letter last week. person. Where does all this water come Appreciate the constructive discussion on from? how to prevent such a national calamity Amey Pathak, a newly-minted in the future &look forward to positive Ph.D. in civil engineering at the Indian outcomes. @PMOIndia Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB) under the guidance of Subimal Ghosh, has explored moisture sources of the summer monsoon. It is generally assumed that most of the water JAVED AKHTAR comes from the Indian Ocean. But @Javedakhtarjadu surprisingly, a significant amount of rain over the Ganga basin and northeast The more we India is derived from evaporation of In many cities of India many so-called water that’s already on land. So recycled understand the rain occurs over the Ganga basin and “fringe groups “ are violently forcing many variability of the Ganga basin also supplies moisture schools and churches against celebrating these moisture to the northeast region that accounts for x ‘mas . Those who think it not causing nearly 25 per cent of its rain. a negative perception in the world and sources at daily Pathak and Roxy Mathew Koll of particularly the west , have their heads in to decadal Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology the proverbial sand (IITM) have prepared a map that shows timescales, the the warm Indian Ocean temperatures in better we will be colors and thin contours and blue thick contours that delineate major moisture PAUL KRUGMAN able to model sources for the monsoon. The main @paulkrugman and predict moisture sources are – the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), Central Indian the monsoon Ocean (CIO), Upper Indian Ocean in addition to (UIO), and the Ganga basin. Recycled rain occurs over the Ganga basin and the basin also supplies moisture to the northeast region (Representational Image) When sea surface temperatures So as I understand it, the Corker/Trump producing more are warmer than 28 degree centigrade, We know that the monsoon has a Most of the moisture during the years. loophole/kickback would let many highly reliable future atmospheric convection is fired up over majestic onset with the June month initial phase of the monsoon is supplied The vicissitudes of the monsoon paid professionals dodge taxes as follows: the ocean. But the warm temperatures accounting for about 20 per cent of from the WIO and CIO and this creates include a later onset and withdrawal first, buy the building you work in. Then projections are also conducive to evaporation the total rain while the main seasonal a north-south see-saw in rain between in the recent decades resulting in a charge yourself an exorbitant rent. This that pumps moisture to the monsoon rain occurs over July-August. The the ocean and land. As the season shorter rainy season while the mean shifts income into your low-tax LLC. Voila! system. The ocean temperatures are monsoon withdrawal typically occurs progresses into July-August, the Ganga monsoon has been decreasing at the Many other scams likely. warming further due to global warming at the end of September. The monsoon basin begins to be a significant source same time. But the warming of the and impacting the evaporation, tends to occur in the so-called active and generates an east-west see-saw in Arabian Sea is enabling a threefold atmospheric convection and the and break spells which can be in the rainfall between the Ganga basin and increase in widespread floods. The rain-band called the Inter-Tropical range of 10-20 days or 30-60 days. northeast India. Monsoon withdrawal more we understand the variability Convergence Zone or the ITCZ over While the researchers and forecasters is, in fact, delayed by the moisture of these moisture sources at daily to PAULO COELHO the Indian Ocean. This zone also have focused on the dynamics of the recycling over the Ganga basin. The decadal timescales, the better we will be @paulocoelho generates moisture-laden low-pressure active/break spells, shifts in onset and oceanic sources are dominant in the able to model and predict the monsoon systems called Monsoon Intra-seasonal withdrawal and the variability and 30-60 day active/break cycles which in addition to producing more reliable Oscillations that propagate towards trends in the monsoon and its extremes, tend to propagate northwestward from future projections. DOWN TO EARTH the Indian subcontinent at timescales not much attention has been paid to the Indian Ocean into the subcontinent. (The author is Professor, Just because we don't say certain things, of 30-60 days. Additional moisture is the role of moisture sources in these These sources are weaker during El Niño department of atmospheric and oceanic carried by strong winds that sweep in processes. Pathak’s work provides a set years. The Ganga basin is dominant in science, University of Maryland. This doesn't mean we don't feel them from the southwest across the Arabian of baseline that can be used to diagnose the 10-20 day lifecycle of active/break article was first published in India Sea as a strong low-level jet, called the the models in greater detail with a focus events and is a critical moisture source Science Wire. The views expressed Findlater jet. on moisture source rendition. for the monsoon during dry monsoon are strictly personal.) 10 world mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata |Thursday, 21 December, 2017 SHAMEFUL TACTIC EU: Brexit transition to Rohingya row: Myanmar bars end by December 2020

BRUSSELS: A transition UN human rights investigator period after the UK leaves the EU will not continue beyond GENEVA: The UN indepen- cooperation with my mandate in June 2014, although the the end of 2020, EU’s chief dent investigator into human and the fact-finding mission government has consistently negotiator for Brexit Michel rights in Myanmar has been suggests otherwise.” refused access to some areas, Barnier said on Wednesday. barred from visiting the coun- She hoped Myanmar’s gov- citing security concerns, the He said that the deadline of try for the rest of her tenure, ernment would change its statement said. December 31, 2020 was “logi- she said on Wednesday. mind, adding that she was “puz- More than 650,000 cal” as it would avoid the com- Yanghee Lee, UN spe- zled and disappointed”, since its Rohingya fled into Bangladesh plications derived from the UK cial rapporteur, said she had Ambassador in Geneva Htin after attacks by Muslim insur- still being subject to the bloc’s been due to visit in January Lynn had told the UN Human gents on the Myanmar secu- rules and obligations once the to assess human rights across Rights Council only two weeks rity forces triggered a response EU’s next multi-annual budget Myanmar, including alleged ago that it would continue to by the army and Buddhist kicks in on January 1, 2021, Efe abuses against Rohingya Mus- cooperate. vigilantes. news reported. lims in Rakhine State, but “Now, I am being told Surveys of Rohingya “The transition period is Myanmar had now told her it that this decision to no lon- refugees in Bangladesh by useful and will enable the pub- the UK should continue to fol- phase are the subject of the next would not cooperate with her ger cooperate with me is based aid agency Medecins Sans lic administration in Britain low EU trade laws and stay in set of negotiations. any more. on the statement I made after Frontieres have shown at to prepare themselves for the the European customs union British Prime Minister “This declaration of non- I visited the country in July,” least 6,700 Rohingya were kind of challenges they will and single market during the Theresa May had asked for the cooperation with my mandate she said. killed in Rakhine state in have to face,” Barnier said at transition phase. Rulings of the transition to last around two can only be viewed as a strong Neither Lynn, nor Zaw the month after violence flared a press conference in Brussels European Court of Justice will years. indication that there must be Htay, spokesman for Myan- up on August 25, MSF said while presenting the EU’s for- continue to apply, the EU said. The country is set to offi- something terribly awful hap- mar’s de facto leader Aung San last week. mal position on the transition. The UK has already said cially leave the bloc on March pening in Rakhine, as well as Suu Kyi, nor Kyaw Moe Tun, The UN High Commis- The cut-off date for the it plans to leave the customs 29, 2019, exactly two years after in the rest of the country,” she a spokesman for the ministry sioner for Human Rights transition phase is contained in union and single market and triggering Article 50 of the said in a statement. of foreign affairs that Suu Kyi Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein has the EU’s guidelines for the next end the supremacy of EU court Treaty on the EU that allows “It is a shame that Myanmar heads, were immediately avail- called the violence “a text- phase of Brexit negotiations. rulings as part of Brexit. But the member states to initiate the has decided to take this route,” able for comment. book example of ethnic cleans- The guidelines state that precise terms of the transition withdrawal process. AGENCIES she said. Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur Lee’s mandate requires two ing” and said he would not be “The government has visits to Myanmar each year surprised if a court eventu- AWAITING ANSWERS repeatedly denied violations throughout Myanmar, partic- have said that they have noth- and she has visited six times ally ruled that genocide had of human rights are occurring ularly in Rakhine State. They ing to hide, but their lack of since taking up the mandate taken place. AGENCIES Myanmar says probe of 2 Reuters journalists almost over 800,000 fewer YANGON: A spokesman for police told him on Tuesday ing to the law. They guaranteed lims flee from a fierce military B’deshi migrants Myanmar leader Aung San Suu that the two men were being that they will act only accord- crackdown on militants in the Kyi said on Wednesday he had detained in Yangon, were ing to the law,” said Zaw Htay, western state of Rakhine. in India: UN been informed that the police “in good condition” and had who wasn’t more specific. The United States and the had almost completed their not been subject to “illegal Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw United Nations have described UNITED NATIONS: The investigation of two arrested questioning.” Soe Oo, 27, completed a week the campaign as ethnic cleans- number of Bangladeshis liv- Reuters journalists, after which A number of governments in detention on Tuesday, with ing of the stateless Rohingya ing in India has come down by a court case against them and human rights and jour- no word on where they were people. The two journalists 800,000 since 2000 and now would begin. nalist groups have criticised being held as authorities pro- were arrested on December 12 stands at 3.1 million, a UN Zaw Htay said the two Myanmar’s authorities for ceeded with an investigation after they were invited to dine report said. reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw holding the pair incommuni- into whether they violated the with police officers on the out- In 2000, there were 3.9 mil- Soe Oo, would then have access cado since their arrest, with no country’s colonial-era Official skirts of Myanmar’s largest city, lion migrants from Bangladesh to a lawyer and be able to meet access to a lawyer, colleagues Secrets Act. Yangon. The Ministry of Infor- living in India, according to members of their families. and family members. Asked The act carries a maximum mation said last week that they the 2017 International Migra- “It will not be long. The if the police were respecting prison sentence of 14 years. had “illegally acquired infor- tion Report released here on investigation is almost done,” their human rights, Zaw Htay The two journalists had mation with the intention to Monday. he said by phone. replied: “Yes, yes, I have told worked on Reuters coverage share it with foreign media”, It said that the number of The spokesman said the them not do those things.” of a crisis that has seen an esti- and released a photo of them migrants from all countries liv- Ministry of Home Affairs and “I told them to act accord- mated 655,000 Rohingya Mus- in handcuffs. AGENCIES ing in India now was 5.2 mil- Pedestrians place flowers, pictures and candles after the opening of a memorial site in Berlin, lion, a fall of 1.22 million from Germany, on Tuesday to honour the victims of the Christmas market terrorist attack on the Breitscheid 2000. square at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church a year ago AP/PTI Unprecedented The definition of interna- Khaleda sends legal notice to tional migrants used in the censure report is broad and takes into Kidnapped Indian account anyone living in a California fire mechanism Hasina, seeks apology from PM country different from their bizman in SA set own and includes refugees and economic migrants, both now second-largest against Poland DHAKA: Bangladesh Opposi- news,” she had said. those immigrating officially free after 137 days tion leader Khaleda Zia has sent She speculated that the and those who do so “irregu- BRUSSELS: The Euro- a legal notice to Prime Minister media may have covered up the larly,” said Bela Hovy, the chief in state history JOHANNESBURG: A 76-year- pean Commission launched Sheikh Hasina, demanding an story due to financial interests, of the Migration Section of the old Indian-origin South African unprecedented disciplinary unconditional apology for her the report said. Mirza Fakh- UN Department of Economic businessman who was allegedly proceedings against Poland remarks on the BNP chairper- rul responded to Hasina’s com- and Social Affairs (UNDESA). kidnapped has been released on Wednesday over its highly son’s alleged assets abroad, a ments the next day, saying that According to data from after 137 days in captivity, a controversial judicial reforms party official said on Thursday. the Prime Minister would have UNDESA’s Population Division media report has said. which Brussels says threaten The legal notice was sent to apologise for the “baseless made available with the report, Omar Carrim was kid- the rule of law. yesterday by 72-year-old Zia’s defamation”. there had been 4.375 million napped outside his store in Pre- The bloc’s executive arm lawyer Mahbubuddin Kho- Zia is accused in several people from Bangladesh living toria on August 3 and released triggered article seven of the kon, Bangladesh Nationalist graft cases, including one in India in 1990. after 137 days, TimesLive EU treaty over what it sees as Party (BNP) Secretary General Khaleda Zia under which she allegedly There are 35,250 people reported. “systemic threats” to the inde- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir misappropriated funds of an from India now living in Ban- Carrim is now recovering at pendence of the Polish judi- told reporters. tigation in Saudi Arabia has orphanage trust named after gladesh, an increase of 12,439 home. “I can confirm the release ciary from the right-wing The notice demands an revealed that Zia and mem- her husband and slain presi- since 2000 when there were of Carrim. He was released in government. Never before unconditional apology that can bers of her family had assets in dent Ziaur Rahman. She is also 22,811, according to the data. Olifantsfontein on Monday,” used, article seven proceedings be issued to the media within the kingdom. On December 7, being tried in another case for The data showed that there A helicopter passes firefighters atop a hillside while coming in for a water said anti-crime activist Yusuf are seen as a “nuclear option” 30 days. Compensation will be Hasina, 70, spoke on the mat- inducting in her Cabinet dur- were about 258,000 fewer peo- drop below E. Camino Cielo in Santa Barbara, California AP/PTI Abramjee. against an EU member state sought through legal means if ter, claiming that Zia had sev- ing the 2001-2006 tenure peo- ple from Pakistan now living in The Carrim family has as they can lead — albeit at the no apology is issued, according eral assets in the Middle East. ple who were opposed to the India than in 2000. There are LOS ANGELES: A wild- will perform a controlled burn thanked relatives friends and end of a complex process — to to the notice, bdnews24.com She had also hit out at the country’s 1971 independence now 1.095 million people origi- fire that’s burned hundreds of to remove swaths of dry brush the community “for all the sup- a suspension of voting rights at reported. Some media outlets media for the limited coverage and subsequently convicted nating from Pakistan in India, homes in coastal mountains as they build containment lines port and assistance since he dis- the European Council. had published a report claim- of the matter. “I haven’t noticed and hanged for committing while there had been 1.353 mil- northwest of Los Angeles is now around Southern California’s appeared in early August”. “It is with a heavy heart ing that an anti-graft inves- any eagerness to publish this war crimes. AGENCIES lion in 2000. AGENCIES the second-largest blaze in Cali- enormous wildfire. “We are most grateful to that we have decided to ini- fornia history. Fire spokesman Captain everyone and we thank the tiate Article 7.1. But the facts State fire officials said the Rick Crawford said on Wednes- Almighty for returning our leave us with no choice,” Com- 425-acre Thomas fire burning day that officials will remove father and brother to us. Thank mission Vice-President Frans Strikes kill 19 in rebel village in Syria’s Idlib in Ventura and Santa Barbara- potential fuels on the fire’s you for all the prayers and the Timmermans told reporters counties is slightly larger than northern edge so that when moral support from the public,” in Brussels. The Dutch com- BEIRUT: Air strikes killed 19 people in a after midnight killed 19 people. battlefield. Thousands of civilians and the 2012 Rush fire in Lassen winds whip up again today the family said in a statement. missioner said that 13 laws village in Syria’s rebel stronghold of Idlib The Observatory said 25 others had fighters have poured into Idlib in the past County. The fire, which is only “there’ll be nothing left to burn.” At the time of his alleged adopted by Poland in the space overnight, a rescue service and the Syrian been injured. Government forces and their year, bussed out of towns and cities which 55 percent contained on Mon- He says residents near the city of kidnapping, pleas were made of two years had created a situ- Observatory for Human Rights said on allies stepped up air strikes against opposi- Syrian troops seized with the help of Rus- day night, is only about 1,200 Ojai could see new smoke from for his release on humanitarian ation where the government Wednesday. tion towns in the Hama countryside, near sia and Iran-backed militias. The province, acres smaller than the state’s the controlled burn. The blaze grounds as Carrim was seriously “can systematically politically The Observatory, a Britain-based war the southern part of Idlib, rebels said last bordering Turkey, is part of Russian-bro- largest fire. That blaze, the 2003 northwest of Los Angeles is the ill and needed constant medi- interfere with the composi- monitoring group, said Syrian government week. The Damascus government lost Idlib kered de-escalation agreements that seek Cedar fire in San Diego, killed third largest in state history. It’s cation. He was due to undergo tion, powers, the administra- or Russian aircraft struck the village. There after insurgents took over the provincial to shore up ceasefires in parts of western 15 people. 50 per cent contained. Some heart surgery the day after he tion and the functioning” of was no immediate comment from the Syr- capital in 2015. It has since become the Syria. Turkey, which had long backed some A firefighter and a fleeing evacuations were lifted Mon- disappeared. Carrim was alleg- judicial authorities. ian military or Russia, which have both only province fully under opposition con- Syrian rebel factions, set up observation civilian have died in the Thomas day and Crawford says more edly hijacked in his car. The car But Timmermans gave repeatedly said they only target militants. trol, and the most populated insurgent- posts in Idlib in October under a deal with fire that broke out on Decem- residents are being allowed to was later found burnt out near Warsaw three months to The strikes pounded the town of Maar held part of Syria. Hayat Tahrir al Sham, Russia and Iran to reduce fighting there. ber 4. It continues to threaten return on Wednesday. a township north of the city. remedy the situation, saying Shureen in the northwestern province of an Islamist alliance spearheaded by the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has 18,000 homes and other build- However, he cautions that Abramjee said that kidnap- Brussels could withdraw the Idlib and the dead included seven children, former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, is the said the Idlib military operation in Idlib ings. Firefighters say decreasing homes are still threatened in ping syndicates had surfaced measures if it did. the Observatory said. dominant rebel force in Idlib. This has was largely completed. winds and higher humidity are parts of Santa Barbara County, in South Africa which Poland’s right-wing Law Idlib’s civil defence, a rescue service raised fears among civilians and Free Syr- The deployment was also seen partly helping them but brush in the where firefighters plan an were targeting particularly and Justice (PiS) government known as the White Helmets which oper- ian Army rebels that the province could aimed at containing Kurdish influence area remains tinder-dry. Crews aggressive air attack on stub- wealthy South African Indian began making changes to ates in rebel territory, said fierce bombing come under attack and turn into a major nearby in northern Syria. AGENCIES taking advantage of calm winds born flames. AGENCIES businessmen. AGENCIES the judiciary after coming to power in late 2015 and says the reforms are needed to combat corruption and overhaul the China’s border city with North Korea eases tourism curbs: Sources judicial system still haunted by the communist era. Brussels BEIJING: Chinese tourists are still visiting nese people are.” in mid-November. “But I‘m not sure where has repeatedly warned Warsaw Pyongyang from China’s border city of Dan- “I think the central government will be they entered from or what visas they were that it views the changes as a dong, tourism sources say, even after authori- very annoyed at Dandong for lifting the travel on,” he said. “If you have a visa to North threat to the democratic prin- ties unofficially halted the tours just ahead of restriction,” the tour operator said. Korea, it doesn’t say where you can and can’t ciples and rule of law Poland US President Donald Trump’s visit to China Tourism to North Korea is not banned go. So once you enter into Sinuiju or Rason, signed up to when it joined the last month. by the United Nations and is one of the few you could travel onwards to Pyongyang. The European Union. The initial A group of 40 Chinese tourists left on remaining ways that North Korea earns North Koreans wouldn’t care,” Cockerell said. phase set in motion by the EU’s Friday from the border city of Dandong to hard currency. The Korea Maritime Insti- Sinuiju and Rason are popular entry commission, the bloc’s execu- Pyongyang, two sources with direct knowl- tute, a South Korean think-tank, estimates points for Chinese tourists travelling over- tive arm, allows member states edge of the matter said, a sign local authori- that tourism generates about $44 million in land into North Korea. China never publicly to “determine that there is a ties have not been strongly enforcing curbs annual revenue for North Korea. announced a ban on Chinese tourists visit- clear risk of a serious breach” on tourist flows. “This is the largest group to The U.N. has ramped up sanctions over ing Pyongyang and strongly opposes uni- of the rule of law. Such a ruling go in from Dandong since the curb,” a tour North Korea’s accelerating missile pro- lateral sanctions, which it says undermines would need the backing of 22 operator said, adding the tourists travelled gramme over the past year, curbing key UN unity. But the day before US President states. Any possible sanctions by train into North Korea for a four-day tour. export industries including coal, seafood Donald Trump’s first official visit to China in would only come at a second The Dandong Tourism Bureau declined and textiles. Simon Cockerell, head of Bei- early November, Reuters exclusively reported stage and would need unani- to be interviewed for this story. When asked Local businesses in China are known times or bad. “There’s always a way around jing-based Koryo Tours which organises that the Dandong Tourism Bureau had told mous support of all EU mem- for comment, China’s foreign ministry said to find ways around policies introduced by government policies,” said one Dandong- travel to North Korea, said he saw 3 to 4 Chinese tour operators based in Dandong to bers, except Poland. AGENCIES they did “not understand the situation.” local authorities or Beijing, whether in good based tourism source. “You know how Chi- busloads of Chinese tourists in Pyongyang halt trips to Pyongyang. AGENCIES world 11 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata |Thursday, 21 December, 2017 mp Philippine leader Divided Catalans face declares unilateral US takes India back to WTO ceasefire for X-Mas moment of truth on MANILA: Philippine Presi- independence bid dent Rodrigo Duterte has declared a 10-day unilateral in solar power dispute ceasefire with communist reb- BARCELONA: Catalans said Assumpta Corell, a els to allow Filipinos to cele- were anxiously preparing 21-year-old university stu- GENEVA: India has failed to and modules. brate a “stress-free” Christmas on Wednesday for a decisive dent from the seaside city of comply with a World Trade Such “local content” season, two weeks after peace regional vote, hoping it will Castelldefels who says she will Organization ruling on solar requirements are banned talks with the insurgents were help settle the bitter dispute vote for Ciudadanos, the cen- power, the United States will because they discriminate in formally scrapped. over independence from Spain trist, anti-independence party tell the WTO’s dispute settle- favour of domestic firms and Presidential spokesman that has divided their region that is scoring high in opin- ment body (DSB) next month, against foreign competitors. Harry Roque said Duterte had and rattled Europe. ion polls. triggering a fresh round of liti- Under an agreement with ordered the army and police to The election pits leaders “People who have one opin- gation, according to an agenda the United States, India had suspend offensive operations of the wealthy northeastern ion will maintain it, people who issued on Wednesday. until December 14 to com- from December 24 to January region’s separatist movement have a different opinion will Renewable energy has ply with the ruling and it told 2 “to lessen the apprehension against candidates who want continue thinking differently, become a hot area of trade the DSB last week that it had of the public this Christmas to stay part of Spain. which is great, but the prob- friction as major economies done so. season”. He said he expected Record turnout is expected lem comes when politics play compete to dominate a sec- “Indian authorities the Maoists and their political but with pro-and anti-indepen- at dividing people even more,” tor that is expected to thrive have held extensive inter- leaders to “do a similar gesture dence candidates neck-and- she said. as reliance on coal and oil nal stakeholder consultations of goodwill.” neck in opinion polls, neither The election campaign has dwindles. since the adoption of the rul- There was no immediate side is likely to win a clear been tense and often surreal, India unveiled its national ings and recommendations of comment from the commu- majority. with axed regional president solar programme in 2011, the DSB to fully comply with nist rebel movement, whose The regional election is Carles Puigdemont hold- seeking to ease chronic energy them,” India said in its state- top leaders and negotiators being closely watched across ing rallies via videolink from shortages in Asia’s third-larg- ment to the DSB. have been living in exile in a European Union still reeling exile in Belgium, and his for- est economy without creating “Accordingly, in compli- The Netherlands since the from Britain’s shock decision to mer deputy Oriol Junqueras pollution. ance with the findings and Fact-sheet late 1980s. Duterte restarted a leave the bloc, and wary about sending out messages and even But the United States recommendations of the DSB »»The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body will hold a meeting on January 12, 2018. During stalled peace process and freed any breakup of the eurozone’s poems to supporters from complained to the WTO in this dispute, India has the meeting, the United States will bring up how it believes India failed to adhere to several communist leaders as a fourth-largest economy. behind bars. in 2013, saying the pro- ceased to impose any mea- a 2016 WTO ruling. The order said New Delhi had broken trade rules by making it gesture of good faith when he The separatist drive has “This is not a normal elec- gramme was discriminatory sures as found inconsistent mandatory for solar power developers to use Indian-made cells and modules came to office last year but he inflamed passions not just in tion,” Puigdemont told sup- and US solar exports to India in the DSB’s findings and »»In 2013, Washington had complained to the WTO, claiming that US exports of solar recently abandoned talks due Catalonia but across Spain, porters Tuesday evening had fallen by 90 percent from recommendations.” items to India had declined by 90% since 2011 because of India’s ‘discriminatory to escalating rebel attacks. with the government in Madrid in a final, virtual rally from 2011. But an agenda for the DSB’s He has vented his fury taking the unprecedented step Belgium. The United States won the next meeting on January 12 practices’. The world trade body ruled in favour of the US in 2016 and gave India till on a near-daily basis at what of stripping the region of its “What is at stake is not case last year, when WTO showed the United States plans December 14 this year to comply with the verdict he considers duplicity by autonomy after its parliament who gets the most votes, but appeals judges ruled India to raise the dispute again, cit- the Communist Party of the declared independence on whether the country (Catalo- had broken the trade rules by ing WTO rules on non-com- complied, Washington could India. But the WTO dispute complex disputes, so the legal Philippines (CPP) and its October 27. nia) or (Spanish Prime Minis- requiring solar power devel- pliance with trade rulings. ask the WTO for permission system is struggling to pro- process is likely to continue for armed wing, the New People’s “I think many positions ter Mariano) Rajoy wins” the opers to use Indian-made cells If India is found not to have to impose trade sanctions on cess a large number of highly a year or more. AGENCIES Army (NPA). AGENCIES have become very extreme,” standoff, he added. AGENCIES US House, Senate pass US, Canada to co-host meeting over N Korea’s nuclear crisis

WASHINGTON: The US and Can- states that were involved in the origi- Tillerson said. “Are there other steps and North Korea spiked as the lead- agree to give up their,” Tillerson said. Trump’s tax reform Bill ada will next month co-host a meet- nal Korean conflict. that could be taken to put additional ers of the two nations taunted each Freeland said the meeting would ing of foreign ministers from around The Vancouver Group include pressure on the regime in North other, with the US President Donald demonstrate international solidarity WASHINGTON: In a major code since 1986. the world, including India, to discuss Australia, Belgium, Britain, Colom- Korea, and how do we further take Trump calling North Korean leader against North Korea’s dangerous and political victory for US Presi- This is seen as a first legis- North Korea’s nuclear threat and ways bia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxem- our diplomatic efforts forward? And Kim Jong-un ‘Rocket Man’. The pres- illegal actions. dent Donald Trump, the House lative victory of Trump in the to improve the effectiveness of the cur- bourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, then how do we prepare for the pros- sure campaign is intended to lead to Freeland said the pressure on of Representatives and the Sen- first year of his presidency. rent pressure campaign against the the Philippines, South Africa, Thai- pects of talk?” he said. talks, Tillerson said, adding that the North Korea would increase until ate have passed his landmark The Bill is expected to clear reclusive nation. land and Turkey. North Korea this year increased US led international community can- its behaviour changes. “We’re confi- tax reform Bill which promises all hurdles by Wednesday. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson “But we also obviously are includ- the pace of its missile programme. not talk unless North Korea is ready dent that this campaign of interna- significant cuts to American The White House has not and his Canadian counterpart Chrys- ing other important parties the Repub- Since February, Pyongyang has fired to talk. tional pressure will lead to the best households and slash to busi- indicated yet as to when Trump tia Freeland made the announcement lic of Korea, Japan, India, Sweden, and off 23 missiles. “And I think as we’ve indicated, outcome for the whole world, I think ness tax. plans to sign the Bill. during their meeting in Ottawa yes- others, who we think are important to On November 29, the North we’re waiting for them to indicate a the only outcome for the whole world, The $1.5 trillion tax Bill However, Trump’s daily terday. The meeting will take place have engaged in this meeting,” Tiller- Korean leader said that his country readiness to talk. But what is impor- which is a diplomatic path to a resolu- needs to be passed by House schedule released to the media on January 16. son told reporters. had achieved full nuclear statehood tant for North Korea to know is that tion of this crisis, a diplomatic path to of Representatives before it can is quite open. After the Cabi- “With the convening of what we’re The participating countries at the after what he said was the successful this pressure campaign will not abate. the outcome that I think we all believe be sent to the White House for net meeting in the morning, calling the Vancouver Group in mid- level of foreign minister will be dis- test of a new missile capable of striking We will not be rolling any of it back. in, which is a nuclear-free Korean the President Donald Trump to there is nothing on his sched- January, this is a convening of foreign cussing how to improve the effective- anywhere in the United States. Fears of It will only be intensified as time goes Peninsula,” she said in response to a sign it into law. ule so far. ministers from the original sending ness of the current pressure campaign, a catastrophic conflict between the US by. It will remain in place until they question. AGENCIES In both the Senate and the Senator Rob Portman said House, the Bill was passed on a the bill will cut taxes for mid- partisan basis, with Democratic dle-class families, reform busi- Qatar emir, lawmakers voting against it. ness tax code to create more Fresh anti-Trump protests IS claims attack on The Senate voted after mid- jobs and higher wages for seeking new night to pass the Bill by 51 to workers, and update inter- airport in Egypt’s Sinai 48 votes. In the House it was national tax code to encour- markets, starts passed by 227 to 203 votes. age jobs and investments in in Palestinian territories CAIRO: An Islamic State affil- clashed with Islamic militants “After years of work, we are America. iate on Wednesday claimed near the el-Arish airport. Five West Africa tour going to enact the most sweep- “This is the first time Con- QALANDIYA: At least nine responsibility for a missile militants and an army captain ing, pro-growth overhaul of gress has passed comprehen- Palestinians were injured in attack the previous day that were killed in the fighting. The our tax code in a generation. sive tax reform legislation in clashes with Israeli troops targeted an airport in Egypt’s officials spoke on condition of Americans are going to see 31 years,” he said. today as fresh protests broke northern Sinai Peninsula dur- anonymity because they were relief almost immediately in the The Democrats were highly out over US President Donald ing an unpublicised visit to the not authorised to brief the form of bigger paychecks and critical of the tax reform Bill. Trump’s recognition of Jerusa- facility by the defense and inte- media. lower taxes,” said Congressman “The American people have lem as Israel’s capital, hospital rior ministers. Defense Minister Sedki Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US been robbed of the substantive sources said. In a brief statement circu- Sobhy and Interior Minister House of Representatives. and exhaustive debate in Con- At the Qalandia checkpoint lated on jihadi websites, the Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar, who Vice President Mike Pence gress they deserve on a $1.5 between the occupied West group said the intended target is in charge of police, were in described the vote as a “historic trillion Bill that will shake up Bank and Jerusalem, Israeli for a decade, a few hundred so far been injured, none of of the “guided” missile it fired el-Arish on an unannounced win” for the American people our entire economy and cripple forces fired tear gas, sound gre- people gathered for a protest in them seriously. at the el-Arish airport yesterday visit when the attack took place, as the Senate voted to deliver our nation’s spending power for nades and live ammunition at Gaza City. A few dozen went to Near daily protests have was the two ministers, and that according to a brief military working families and job cre- decades to come,” said Senator around 1,000 protesters, many the border, with minor clashes broken out since Trump’s the projectile struck an Apache statement. It said an officer ators a tax cut for Christmas. Tom Carper. of whom were throwing stones, reported. An Israeli army controversial December 6 helicopter that was part of their was killed and two others were President “Trump kept According to Wall Street an AFP photographer said. spokeswoman said that “riots” announcement that he would entourage. wounded in the attack, which his promise to deliver a mid- Journal, the tax plan offers Hundreds also gathered in had erupted in several loca- recognise Jerusalem as Isra- The statement, carried by also damaged a helicopter. It dle- class miracle for millions deep tax cuts for businesses, the southern West Bank city of tions, with around “800 rioters el’s capital and move the US the IS-run Aamaq news agency, did not say whether the two of hard-working Americans - lower rates for many individu- Hebron, triggering light clashes throwing firebombs and rocks embassy to the disputed city. could not be independently ministers were at the airport at Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani a great day for the American als and a narrower estate tax. with the army. In Nablus in the and rolling tyres at (Israeli) sol- Today’s protest was origi- verified but resembled previ- the time. President Abdel-Fat- people!” he said. Corporate shareholders, busi- northern West Bank, hundreds diers”. She added: “Soldiers are nally called to protest a planned ous claims by the group that tah el-Sissi met with both min- DOHA: Qatar’s emir was to Once enacted, the legisla- ness owners and most house- marched to an Israeli check- responding with riot dispersal visit by US Vice-President were widely seen as credible. isters in Cairo today, according tour six West African nations tion will represent the most holds will win, at least in the point, AFP reporters said. means.” The Palestinian health Mike Pence, but he has delayed Earlier on Wednesday, security to presidential spokesman Bas- starting on Wednesday in drastic changes to the US tax first few years. AGENCIES In Gaza, sealed off by Israel ministry said nine people had the trip. AGENCIES officials said Egyptian forces sam Radi. AGENCIES search of new markets, six months after Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries cut ties Cardinal Bernard Law, forced to European court says Uber with the wealthy emirate. Trump Jerusalem recognition Foreign ministry spokes- resign over sex scandal, dies is a transport company, in woman Lulwa al-Khater told a press conference that Sheikh ROME: a win for taxi drivers Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s Cardinal Bernard Law, who was forced mission would begin in Mali, to resign in 2002 as archbishop of Boston over a harms Christmas: Catholic leader BRUSSELS: Uber Technologies Inc. suffered a and include stops in Burkina sex-abuse scandal after a two-decade reign as major defeat in its effort to overturn strict rules Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, one of the highest-ranking Catholic officials in JERUSALEM: The Catholic church’s and licensing requirements in Europe after the Guinea and Senegal. the United States, has died, news media said. He top official in Jerusalem on Wednes- bloc’s highest court on Wednesday ruled the ride- The visit is part of Doha’s day criticised Donald Trump’s con- hailing company should be regulated as a trans- drive to open up new mar- was 86. Details of his death were unclear late on troversial recognition of the city as portation service, rather than a digital service. kets and diversify its economy Monday. He lived in Rome, the New York Times Israel’s capital, saying it damaged The judgment by the European Court of Jus- amid an ongoing blockade by said. Law’s resignation in December 2002 amid a Christmas celebrations and led to tice is a blow to Uber’s efforts to use courts to its neighbours, Khater said. scandal over pedophile priests was a dismal end hundreds cancelling trips. lighten its regulatory load and forces it to deal She said the six countries on to an extraordinary career that started in the heat Archbishop Pierbattista Pizza- more directly with national and local govern- the emir’s itinerary had “strong balla, apostolic administrator of the ments that set rules governing car and transport economic potential and oppor- and protest of civil rights advocacy in the US deep Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said services in Europe, according to a report from tunities despite some security south and eventually touched the highest rungs “dozens” of groups had pulled out Dow Jones Newswires supplied to Efe. challenges in some of them”. of church power in Rome. It was a deep fall for of planned visits after being scared Those authorities have sought to hold Uber The emir is to sign coop- Law, who had been warmly welcomed as a bishop off by the announcement and sub- to often-strict rules and licensing requirements eration agreements in health, of great promise when he arrived to take over the sequent clashes. that apply to taxi and traditional car-hire services. education, mining, energy and He added that the heads of the While this particular court case cannot be food security. Boston archdiocese in 1984. The Harvard-educated Christian churches in Jerusalem appealed, Uber can pursue other legal challenges Khater said Qatar will also orthodox theologian was tailor-made to lead the would find it difficult to accept an in courts to defend its business. be providing $13.8 million dol- Catholic stronghold. He was loyal to the Pope, he official request by US Vice-Presi- Uber has tussled with taxi companies and reg- lars to fund a cancer hospital in had administrative experience, he was familiar with dent Mike Pence to visit the city’s ulators around the world for much of its eight- Burkina Faso. holy Christian sites in January, call- policy on one of the most compli- dle East had said they were no longer year history, but the scrutiny has been especially Qatar has sought to estab- Boston from his days at Harvard and as an outsider ing for him to “listen more” to other cated issues in the Israeli-Palestinian willing to meet with Pence, an evan- intense in Europe, Dow Jones added in a report lish new global trade links in an he would be able to bring objectivity and financial Christians. “Of course this created a conflict, has been met with near- gelical Christian, following Trump’s supplied to Efe. attempt to alleviate its regional order to a diocese that had suffered during the tension around Jerusalem and this daily protests across the Palestin- decision. There it has faced local or national bans on at isolation by powerful Saudi school desegregation riots of the 1970s, Boston diverted attention from Christmas,” ian territories. Pizzaballa, the most Asked whether Pence could visit least some of its services in Italy, Germany, Bel- Arabia with which it shares its College professor and church historian Thomas Pizzaballa said of Trump’s December senior Roman Catholic official in the the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be gium, the Netherlands, Spain and Hungary and only land border. 6 decision. “After this there are some Middle East, stressed the church was the site of Jesus’s crucifixion, and sometimes violent protests from entrenched taxi On June 5, Saudi Arabia, O’Connor wrote in his 1998 book, “Boston Catho- tensions in Jerusalem, Bethlehem opposed to “unilateral” decisions on other Christian holy sites in Jeru- services. Uber has long tried to fight local trans- United Arab Emirates, Bahrain lics”. Law’s fluency in Spanish and wide travels also. This scared many people, so the future of Jerusalem. salem, Pizzaballa said it would be a portation laws by arguing it isn’t a transportation and Egypt severed diplomatic in Latin America made him an ideal candidate as we’ve had less people than expected.” Pence was supposed to visit Jeru- “problem” if he wanted to come on company but rather an online platform, which is and economic ties with gas- the diocese welcomed new immigrants who were He stressed, though, that they salem this week, but it was delayed an official visit. protected under EU law from disproportionate rich Qatar, accusing it of links starting to rival the established Irish-Italian popula- would continue with planned Christ- until January. Pence’s team cited key “We cannot say no to pilgrims, regulation. In its judgment, the ECJ said nonpro- to extremist groups and being mas celebrations. votes on US tax reform as the cause we are religious, we cannot say no fessional drivers using their own cars to give rides too close to Shiite Iran, Riyadh’s tion as the dominant force in the church. AGENCIES Trump’s recognition of Jerusa- of the delay. to someone, even if he is the bigger to passengers “must be classified as ‘a service in arch-rival. Doha denies the lem, breaking with decades of US Christian leaders across the Mid- sinner in the world,” he said. AGENCIES the field of transport.’” AGENCIES charges. AGENCIES 12 business mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata| Thursday, 21 December, 2017 Airtel Board okays 'scheme' for Govt set to provide relief takeover of Tata's telco business NEW DELHI: The Board of It also includes Airtel allot- Bharti Airtel, India's largest ting 10 unlisted RPS of Rs 100 telecom firm, on Wednesday face value each to all the Com- for disqualified directors approved an arrangement for pulsory Convertible Prefer- takeover of consumer mobile ence Shares (CCPS) holders of NEW DELHI: The government have filed applications for business of Tata Teleservices, in TTSL, in proportion of their will provide a 3- month window As part of revival, DINs of the directors a deal involving issue of equity holding. to defaulting companies to sub- clamping down concerned would be re-acti- and preference shares. The arrangement also envis- mit their annual filings start- vated subject to NCLT order In October this year, the ages issuance and allotment of ing January 1, a move that will on illicit fund and other conditions, as per the takeover of Tata Group's con- 10 unlisted RPS of Airtel of face come as a relief for hundreds of flows, the Govt draft circular. sumer mobile business by value of Rs 100 each to all the disqualified directors. The decision to come out Airtel on a 'no-debt, no-cash optionally convertible prefer- The 'Condonation of Delay has disqualified with the scheme follows vari- basis' was announced by the tel said the deal would entail ence shares (OCPs) holders of Scheme' would be in force more than 3.09 ous representations, including two firms. demerger of consumer wire- TTSL in proportion of their from January 1 to March 31, from the industry, seeking an "...the Board of Director in less business of Tata Teleser- holding. 2018, according to government lakh directors of opportunity for the defaulting its meeting held on Decem- vices (TTSL) to Airtel except "The shareholding pattern officials. companies which companies to comply with the ber 19, 2017 has approved... Rajasthan circle, which is being of Airtel shall change to the The scheme would be noti- requirements. composite scheme of arrange- demerged to subsidiary com- extent of issuance of the RPS fied in a couple of days, one of failed to submit Till November 30, as many ment between Tata Teleservices, pany Bharti Hexacom. to the shareholders of the trans- the officials said. annual filings for a as 2.24 lakh companies had Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexa- The turnover of TTSL dur- feror company (Tata Teleser- As part of clamping down been deregistered. com and their respective share- ing 2016-17 was Rs 7,366 crore vices)," Airtel added. on illicit fund flows, the cor- long time This would be the second holders and creditors...," Airtel (about 12 per cent of the Rs A similar arrangement has porate affairs ministry has dis- time that the ministry is com- said in a regulatory filing. 62,276 crore turnover of Airtel also been worked out between qualified more than 3.09 lakh Besides, some individu- As per a draft circular, the under the scheme, a company ing out with such a scheme after The Board also approved for the same period). TTML and Airtel. directors of companies which als moved courts against their Director Identification Num- concerned would have to file a the Companies Act, 2013 came another scheme of arrange- Under the first scheme, Under this, equity holders failed to submit annual filings disqualification. bers (DINs) of the disqualified separate form seeking condona- into effect from April 1, 2014. ment between the listed entity Airtel will issue and allot 500 of TTML will be alloted listed for a long time. The ministry's latest scheme directors that have been de- tion of the delay along with a fee In 2014, the ministry had Tata Teleservices Maharashtra unlisted Redeemable Prefer- equity shares in Airtel in the Following the move, con- would provide a 3-month win- activated would be "temporar- of Rs 30,000, it added. come out with a Company Law (TTML) and Airtel and their ence Shares (RPS) of face value proportion of one share (face cerns were raised that many dow for the defaulting com- ily activated" during the scheme In case of defaulting com- Settlement Scheme that also respective shareholders and of Rs 100 each to all equity value of Rs five) each for every directors of genuine compa- panies to make their filings period. panies whose names have been defaulting firms time to make creditors, the filing added. shareholders of TTSL propor- 2014 shares (face value of Rs 10) nies have also been disqualified. starting from January 1. After submitting the filings removed from the register and their filings. PTI Outlining the details, Air- tionate to their holding. held by TTML shareholders. PTI Most PSBs didn't meet performance 7400 Mhz spectrum available for telecom services: Govt

NEW DELHI: The govern- target to qualify for recap: FinMin ment has 7,446 Mhz of spec- Govt may allow 100% FDI in trum available for telecom NEW DELHI: The finance far," the ministry said. services, of which over 80 ministry on Wednesday said The PSBs in which capital per cent is in two new spec- telecom via automatic route it has not provided the entire infusion was made in 2016-17, trum bands identified for amount towards capital infu- include State Bank of India, mobile telephony, Communi- NEW DELHI: The government sion in public sector banks as Punjab National Bank, Canara cations Minister Manoj Sinha is finalising a plan to allow 100 most of them failed to meet the Bank and Bank of India. informed the Lok Sabha on per cent FDI for telecom ser- performance target. Earlier this year, Finance Wednesday. vices through the automatic As part of Indradhanush Minister Arun Jaitley had As much as 770 megahertz route which allows firms to Plan to revitalise state-owned announced a Rs 2.11 lakh (MHz) spectrum is available in attract foreign funds without lenders, the government had crore capital infusion in PSBs, the premium 700 Mhz band, its approval, sources said on proposed to infuse Rs 70,000 including Rs 1.35 lakh crore 58.75 Mhz in 800 Mhz band, Wednesday. crore out of Budgetary Alloca- worth recapitalisation bonds. 15.6 Mhz in 900 Mhz band, The proposal is likely to tions in them. As per sources, the gov- 46.8 Mhz in 1800 Mhz band be considered by the Telecom The plan envisaged Rs ernment is working on the and 275 Mhz in 2100 Mhz Commission, the apex decision 25,000 crore each in 2015-16 modalities for issuing the band, according to the data making body of the Depart- and 2016-17 and Rs 10,000 recapitalisation bonds as it aims shared by Sinha. and 3400-3600 MHz) besides received for 964.8 Mhz spec- ment of Telecom, at its meet- crore each in 2017-18 and per cent was given upfront. to front-load the infusion with The government has identi- frequency bands 700 MHz, 800 trum. The spectrum in 700 ing scheduled for on Thursday, 2018-19. "The remaining amount an aim to strengthen the state- fied two spectrum bands, 3300- MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and Mhz was put for auction in they said. isterial group (IMG) for the So far, it has infused Rs was to be infused based on the owned banking sector. 3400 Mhz and 3400-3600 Mhz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2016 but it could not find any "The TC is likely to con- telecom sector which is reel- 51,858 crore in public sector performance of the respective The 21 PSBs together for telecom services and 6,050 2500 MHz," Sinha said. taker at price of over Rs 11,000 sider raising of FDI limit up ing under debt of around Rs banks (PSBs). PSBs. account for about 70 per cent Mhz of spectrum is available Responding to a query crore per Mhz fixed by the gov- to 100 per cent for all telecom 4.5 lakh crore. The government allocated "However, none of the of the market share. in 3300-3400 Mhz bands only. on use of radiowaves for 5G ernment. It is considered to be services including infrastruc- In its September meet- Rs 22,915 crore in 13 PSBs banks could achieve the set tar- The Nifty PSU index was However, the DoT is mull- services, Sinha said the stan- most suitable spectrum for 4G ture through automatic route," ing, the Telecom Commission during 2016-17 under the first gets and therefore, the remain- down 1.15 per cent on the ing to auction 100 Mhz in the dardisation for 5G technology services. a source said. had in- principle approved the tranche of capital infusion out ing 25 per cent of the allocated National Stock Exchange 3300-3400 MHz band and 175 is expected to be completed The spectrum in 800 Mhz At present 100 per cent FDI extension of time period for the of which Rs 16,414 crore or 75 capital has not been released so (NSE). PTI Mhz in 3425-3600 Mhz spec- around 2020 after which the and 1800 Mhz were earlier used is allowed, of which up to 49 per payment of spectrum bought in trum band. frequency bands, already auc- for 2G services but now tele- cent investment in a company auctions by telcos to 16 years GST refunds to "The government has tioned, can be utilised for its com operators are providing can be done through the auto- from the current 10 years, as Cos invested 3,585 crore already sought recommenda- deployment. 4G services using these fre- matic route. The inflow of over- recommended by the IMG. ` tions from Telecom Regula- The DoT had put 2,354.55 quencies. Radiowaves in 900 seas investment beyond that It had also approved the exporters do tory Authority of India (TRAI) Mhz of spectrum for auction and 2100 Mhz band are being requires government approval IMG recommendation to lower on the applicable Reserve Price in 2016 across seven bands at used for 2G and 3G services but because of security reasons. the interest rate charged over in 72 electronics projects not amount to and related issues for auction of a cumulative base price of Rs gradually telecom operators are The panel is also likely to penalties imposed on service right to use of spectrum above 5.6 lakh crore. Out of this, bids shifting their services to 4G in discuss the relief package rec- providers with slight modifi- `65,000 cr: Govt 3000 MHz (3300-3400 MHz worth Rs Rs 65,789 crore were these bands. PTI ommended by an inter-min- cations. PTI

NEW DELHI: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds to Govt aims to exporters for July-October do Trai mulls ways for companies closing not amount to Rs 65,000 crore finalise National as claimed, Parliament was Telecom Policy NEW DELHI: Electronic firms under Modified Special Incen- informed on Wednesday. operations to return unused balance shortlisted for incentives by the tive Package Scheme (MSIPS) "It is not a fact that Rs by March: Sinha government for manufacturing till date. 65,000 crore (dues) are to be NEW DELHI: Telecom regu- will make all efforts to ensure detailed discussion on how they their products in India have The MSIPS scheme provides refunded to exporters during lator Trai will "quickly" evolve that consumers in such situa- propose to return the unused NEW DELHI: The govern- invested Rs 3,585 crore in 72 subsidy for capital expenditure the July-October quarter as per a mechanism for telcos that are tions do not get "shortchanged" balance to customers. ment is looking to finalise the projects till September this year, -- 20 per cent for investments in available refund claims lodged closing down services or opera- with regard to getting back their Sharma said that while the National Telecom Policy 2018 Parliament was informed on special economic zones (SEZs) with the government," Minis- tions to return the unused bal- unused sum or being given an modalities for such money by March next year, Com- Wednesday. and 25 per cent in non-SEZs. ter of State for Commerce C ance of pre- paid customers. adequate notice period by the transfer will be worked out, munications Minister Manoj "As per the reports provided "So far, under the MSIPS R Chaudhary said in a writ- The mechanisms being operator. the underlying principle is that Sinha informed Parliament on by the applicants approved scheme, incentives of Rs 122.06 ten reply to a question in the weighed include such telcos "We will find a way to ensure where ever possible "custom- Wednesday. under MSIPS, as on 30-09- crore have been disbursed to Rajya Sabha. crediting the unused amount procedure and mechanism for that customers... if there is a bal- ers must get their money back "The Department of Tele- 2017, a total of Rs 3,585 crore the 11 applicants, out of which, Exporters had earlier said to the Aadhaar-linked bank doing that, and specific instruc- ance remaining with operators... in case they are not getting the communications envisages to has been invested in 72 projects the capex subsidy is Rs 113.94 Rs 65,000 crore could get stuck accounts of their consumers in tions will be issued in this regard that such balance comes back to service". formulate a new National Tele- resulting in employment gener- crore and tax reimbursement by the end of October if GST a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) quickly," he said. the pre-paid consumers. Maybe "Let the operators also come com Policy in view of rapid tech- ation of 27,804 persons (direct is Rs 8.13 crore ," Kannantha- refunds do not start flowing type model, Telecom Regulatory Sharma asserted that such we will try out something like up with solutions," Sharma said. nological advancement in the and indirect)," Minister of State nam said. immediately. Authority of India (Trai) Chair- a mechanism was important DBT...It certainly can be done Loss-making telecom opera- sector. The work on formula- for Electronics and IT Alphons Out of the total, highest Besides, Chaudhary said man R S Sharma said. as the unused amount is not leveraging Aadhaar-linked bank tor Reliance Communications tion of the National Telecom Kannanthanam said. investment of Rs 1,034.31 crore the GST implementation in "We are very clear in our "small" and "involves hundreds accounts," he said. The regula- has announced it will shut Policy 2018 has been initiated In a written reply to the Lok has been made in Maharashtra the country has largely been mind that we will find ways to of crores". tor is considering calling spe- down voice call services (and and is targeted to be finalised Sabha, he said the government generating 3,643 direct and indi- smooth, barring a few teething ensure that customers get back "It is certainly a consumer cific telecom operators who are provide only 4G data services by March 2018," Sinha said in has approved 134 applications rect employment. PTI problems. PTI their money. We will evolve a issue," he said adding that Trai switching-off operations for a to consumers). PTI a reply to the Lok Sabha. PTI Sebi is tightening its enforcement system, says Ajay Tyagi MUMBAI: To ease unnec- essary work load, Sebi chair- man Ajay Tyagi on Wednesday ...hikes investment limit ‘Bitcoins cannot be ignored’ said the regulator is trying to revamp its enforcement mech- MUMBAI: Observing that bit- subjecting such trading to laws anism and is also working on for FPI in govt securities coins cannot be ignored, regu- against black money, money tweaking certain regulations lator Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi laundering and frauds so that to make them simpler. NEW DELHI: To boost inflows on Wednesday said the virtual the interest of general public "Sebi is trying to totally of foreign funds into Indian currency so far has not posed remains safeguarded. revamp its enforcement to see capital markets, regulator any systemic and a government A gravity-defying bitcoin that whatever hard action is Sebi on Wednesday raised the panel is looking into it. rally to over Rs 10 lakh a unit, taken should serve as a deter- investment limit for FPI in cen- Currently, bitcoins and any interspersed with 'stories' of rent. We should not be tak- tral government securities to such crypto currencies, are nology that everyone uses and people making crores from ing up many cases that we over Rs 1.91 lakh crore from not an approved product by is useful, should not have reg- thousands, has left the regula- can't handle, which can lead next month. the Reserve Bank or any other ulatory oversight and that's tors flummoxed. to harassment like allegations. Currently, investment limit regulator. something which needs to be The RBI has been issuing We have to simplify it and also for foreign portfolio investors limits will come into effect from "On the issue of bitcoins, encouraged and we are also warnings since 2013, the first revisit the settlement regula- mendations made by the Uday centralised know your client (FPIs) is Rs 1,89,700 crore. January 1, 2018. government is looking into it encouraging it," he said. time when the surge in bitcoins tions," Tyagi said here at CII's Kotak committee report on (KYC) procedure for the entire The move is part of an effort Further, limit for long-term in consultation with the RBI Blockchain technology is caught the attention of Indians, national financial markets corporate governance and has financial system, Tyagi said that by Securities and Exchange FPIs (sovereign wealth funds and Sebi. The panel, also con- used to deal in bitcoins and but risks have multiplied mani- summit. received hundreds of com- Sebi is looking for a more sim- Board of India (Sebi) to push multilateral agencies, insur- sisting of finance and informa- other crypto currencies. fold now in the wake of a sig- "We have also started ments on the same from vari- plified set of norms. inflow from overseas investors ance funds, pension funds and tion technology ministries, is It can be noted that regula- nificant spurt in the valuation rewriting certain regulations to ous stakeholders. "Sebi's view is that KYC in the country's capital markets. foreign central banks) in cen- looking into what to do about tors and government agencies of many such virtual currencies make them simpler," he added. "We are examining them should be simplified. It could "It has been decided to tral government bonds would it," Tyagi said at the financial are in a quandary as even taxing and a rapid growth in initial coin According to the Sebi chief, and will take a final view in be based on PAN or Aadhar," revise the limit for investment increase to Rs 65,100 crore from markets summit organized by bitcoins will amount to giving a issuances. the regulator is working on consultation with other reg- he said. by FPIs in government secu- the existing Rs 60,300 crore. the industry lobby CII. legal status and there is no con- Modelled on the initial pub- tightening the nuts and bolts, ulatory bodies as well as the Besides, noting that capi- rities for the January-March Besides, the new limit for However, he said there sensus on this given the huge lic offers for issuance of new rather than effecting big bang ministry of corporate affairs. tal market segments have been 2018 quarter. Limit for FPIs investment by all FPIs in state should not be any regulatory risks, including money laun- shares in the stock market, some reforms, as this would be ben- We will try to finalise the issue performing well, Tyagi said in central government secu- development loans (SDL) will oversights on blockchain tech- dering and terrorist financing, entities have begun resorting to eficial to everyone. as quickly as possible with con- Sebi is working together with rities shall be enhanced to Rs be Rs 31,500 crore, and that nology saying this is a useful attached with such activities. initial coin offers to raise funds He also said that Sebi is sensus," Tyagi noted. RBI to further improve the cor- 1,91,300 crore," Sebi said in a of long-term FPIs will be Rs technology which should be However, there is a kind from investors, including HNIs examining various recom- On implementing the porate bond markets. PTI circular, adding that the new 13,600 crore. PTI encouraged. "Blockchain tech- of unanimity emerging about and other individuals. PTI business 13 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 mp GAIL seeks reworking of US Cabinet approves new Consumer Protection Bill NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on LNG contract, says Pradhan Wednesday approved a new Consumer Protection Bill that NEW DELHI: State-owned The source said GAIL wants seeks to establish an authority gas utility GAIL India Ltd has the fixed portion to be lowered to safeguard consumers’ rights sought renegotiating the price to bring down landed cost of and has provisions for penalty of LNG contracted from the LNG to around $7 per mmBtu and jail terms in case of adul- US, Oil Minister Dharmendra as against the present $9. teration and misleading ads by Pradhan said on Wednesday. LNG in the spot or current companies. GAIL, India's biggest gas market is available for less than Celebrities endorsing mis- transporter, has deals to buy 5.8 $6 per mmBtu. leading ads are also liable for million tonnes of US LNG per US supplies are scheduled to fine and ban of up to three years. annum for 20 years. begin from the next year. According to sources, the In a written reply to a ques- Cheniere, currently the only Cabinet has approved introduc- tion in the Rajya Sabha, Prad- US company exporting LNG, tion of the Consumer Protection han said the company has held is reportedly not in favour of Bill, 2017, which will result in up to Rs 50 lakh and up to three Protection Authority (CCPA) to multiple discussions with the reopening the signed contracts withdrawal of a bill brought in years’ ban. However, for manu- protect consumer rights. It has liquefied natural gas (LNG) sup- as it expects the signed 'take-or- 2015. In August 2015, the Cen- facturers and companies, pen- provisions for post-litigation plier, the most recent being last pay' agreements to be honoured. tre had introduced the Con- alty is up to Rs 10 lakh and up stage mediation as an alternate month. The LNG contracted from sumer Protection Bill in the Lok to two years’ jail for the first dispute resolution mechanism. "GAIL has held a number ExxonMobil in Australia was Sabha to repeal the 30-year-old offence. The fine will be up to The bill also provides for prod- of discussions with Cheniere indexed at 14.5 per cent of pre- Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Rs 50 lakh and five years’ jail for uct liability action. Energy and Dominion Cove vailing oil rate. The indexation A Parliamentary Standing subsequent offence. The bill also Prime Minister Narendra Point LNG LP for renegotia- Cove Point liquefaction plant. the subject with ExxonMobil," It had agreed to pay Che- agreed was one of the highest Committee had also submitted provides for penalty and up to Modi had recently said that con- tion of the contracts," he said. This follows Petronet LNG Pradhan said. niere a price of $3 per million in the world. its recommendations in April life term jail sentence in case of sumer protection is the govern- "The discussions have been held Ltd successfully reopening the He did not elaborate. British thermal unit (mmBtu) Gorgon LNG at an oil price last year. The consumer affairs adulteration. ment’s priority. at the working level as well as August 2009 deal for import of Sources said GAIL wants to plus 115 per cent of the final set- of $50 per barrel would cost ministry has brought this bill as “The Bill has provisions for “We are in the process of management level." 1.44 million tonnes per annum renegotiate the 2011 sales and tlement price for the New York $7.25 per mmBtu at the load- there were many amendments misleading ads and e- com- bringing a new law on consumer The most recent discussion, of LNG for 20 years from Aus- purchase agreement (SPA) with Mercantile Exchange Henry ing port. Added to that will be to the bill introduced in 2015. merce trade,” Food and Con- protection keeping in mind the he said, was held in November. tralia's Gorgon project. Cheniere Energy for import Hub natural gas futures con- shipping cost and import duty On misleading ads, the sumer Affairs Minister Ram need of the country and busi- GAIL has a deal to buy 3.5 "Petronet has been under of 182.5 trillion British ther- tract for the month in which as also the cost of converting bill provides for fine and ban Vilas Paswan had recently said. ness practices here,” he had said. million tonnes per annum of active discussions with the mal units of LNG (equivalent the relevant cargo is scheduled. the super-cooled liquid gas back on celebrities. In case of first Sources said the new bill He had announced that a LNG for 20 years from Cheniere LNG supplier regarding cer- to approximately 3.5 million Also, 15 per cent of the fixed into its gaseous state, taking the offence, the fine will be up to seeks to enlarge scope of the Consumer Protection Author- Energy and has also booked tain commercial aspects under tonnes) annually, with yearly portion of the contract sales price to $9.5. Rs 10 lakh and a one-year ban existing law and make it more ity would be formed with exec- capacity for another 2.3 million its agreement and has reached fixed fees of $548 million and price will be subject to annual The price has been lowered on any endorsement. For the effective and purposeful. It seeks utive powers for immediate tonnes at Dominion Energy's an understanding related to a term of 20 years. adjustment for inflation. since then. PTI second offence, the fine will be to establish a Central Consumer redressal. PTI ‘Alternative assets industry in India worth $43 bn’ SAIL sends CIL board clears way for 1,000-tonne TMT NEW DELHI: The alterna- in Asia-Pacific such as China and advanced European and ture (62 per cent) are the most tive assets industry in India is and Hong Kong notably more North American economies at prominent asset classes among re-bars for Indo- worth $43 billion across pri- established with assets worth $40,000-60,000. India-based investors. Fuel Supply Agreement vate equity, venture capital, real ($265 billion) and ($108 bil- "This in turn highlights the The report further noted Bangla project estate, infrastructure, private lion), respectively. potential growth for India's that of the India-based insti- debt and hedge funds, says a Meanwhile, the num- alternative assets industry. tutional investors, 60 per cent CIL looking to KOLKATA: The Steel Authority report. ber of active private capi- With GDP growing at 7 per invest in at least one alternative of India Ltd (SAIL) on Wednes- With 221 private capital tal firms in the industry has cent per annum, this is likely to asset class. buy stakes in day said its central marketing fund managers and 46 hedge increased annually, indicative deliver a compounded growth "This may be indicative of organisation (CMO) flagged off fund managers based in the of the growing and burgeoning in Indian alternative assets over how many investors in India overseas mines the first consignment of 1,000 country, the alternative assets industry in India. the long term, as alternative recognise the benefits of expo- tonnes of TMT high corrosion- industry is a small but grow- Mark O'Hare, Chief Execu- assets participation rates in the sure to alternatives, which may NEW DELHI: The government resistant (HCR) reinforcement ing space in India, according tive at Preqin said that for an economy converge on those of include low correlation to tra- on Wednesday said state-owned bars for the Indo-Bangla Mai- to a Preqin report. explanation, one needs to look more developed economies," ditional asset classes, such as Coal India is hunting poten- tree Super Thermal Power Proj- Compared to other major at the level of development O'Hare added. equities and fixed income, and tial avenues for buying stakes ect from Kolkata Port in a barge. markets, the alternatives indus- of the economy, with India According to Preqin, pri- the potential for high risk- NEW DELHI: The Coal tion has helped in achieving in coking coal blocks overseas. The Maitree project is a try in India remains in its having a GDP per capita of vate equity and venture capital adjusted returns," the report India Limited (CIL) Board on accountability in allocation of In a written reply to Lok 50:50 joint venture inked by the infancy, with other countries $6,600, while China at $15,400 (63 per cent) and infrastruc- added. PTI Wednesday cleared the decks for coal. It has ensured access to Sabha, Coal Minister Piyush Bangladesh Power Development signing of Fuel Supply Agree- coal for several stressed plants Goyal said, "CIL (Coal India) Board and the NTPC India for ment (FSA), for supply of coal. thereby also helping the bank- is pursuing available opportu- setting up of two 660MW ther- ‘Food processing Auction of coal linkages to ing sector and overall economy. nities for buying equity stakes mal power plants in Bagerhat NASSCOM signs joint investment with Independent Power Produc- It will also help in affordable in coking coal mines abroad." district of Bangladesh by 2020 sector to attract ers (IPPs) having long-term power through transparent bid- He said though the CIL at an estimated cost of $1.49 bil- Power Purchase Agreement ding on the basis of discount Board had last year advised the lion. The barge would offload $18 bn in 4 years’ China's Dalian Municipal People's govt (PPA) have been concluded suc- on tariffs. company to explore the oppor- the material at Mongla Port of cessfully by CIL whereby 27.18 Under the new policy guide- tunities of acquiring coal assets India's neighbouring country NEW DELHI: India's food pro- BENGALURU: The National kets by leveraging their respec- Million Tonnes of annual coal lines for allocation of coal link- overseas, very few prospective for transportation by road to cessing industry could attract Association of Software and Ser- tive strengths in hardware and linkages have been booked by ages to various segments of blocks in foreign nations have the project site at Moidara vil- an investment of $18 billion vices Companies on Wednes- software," NASSCOM senior 10 successful bidders. power sector issued by Min- come up for sale. lage in Bagerhat district, the in the next four years as this day said it has signed a joint director Gagan Sabharwal said. In a major boost to 24x7 istry of Coal, CIL/SCCL are Coking coal is used mainly steel maker said in a statement. sector provides great business investment with China's Dalian Earlier this year, an MOU Affordable ‘Power for All’ vision to grant coal linkages on noti- in steel-making. Responding to an enquiry opportunity with an annual Municipal People's Govern- was signed between NASSCOM of Government, these FSAs are fied price on auction basis for Stating that the entire floated by the Bharat Heavy growth rate of over 8 per cent, ment to co-develop a collabor- and the Dalian government to expected to result in an annual IPPs having already concluded demand of coking coal is not Electricals Ltd, which has been a top government official said ative technology platform, the promote IOT collaboration generation of over 47 billion domestic coal based PPAs. The met indigenously, Goyal said given the contract by the JV on Wednesday. Sino-Indian Digital Collabora- each other's strengths in tech- between Chinese and Indian units per annum from the bidding parameter will be lev- Indian consumers import met- company Bangladesh-India Addressing a PHD cham- tion Plaza. nology, the NASSCOM said. IT companies. linkage coal, and an estimated elised discount on existing tariff allurgical coal mainly from Friendship Power Company ber conference Food Process- Powered by Artificial Intel- "This cooperative part- NASSCOM said subsequent savings in tariff of approx Rs. that the IPP is willing to provide. Australia. for engineering, procure- ing Secretary J P Meena said ligence (AI) and Internet of nership that we have formed discussions at a local level con- 125cr per annum for period The likely benefit arising out of Six coking coal mines are ment and construction work the food processing sector has things (IoT), the co-created with the government of Dalian verged upon the idea of setting upto 25 years. The introduction the weighted average discount going to be auctioned, he said. of the Maitree project, the a great future and can generate platform will operate in both will help us create a platform up the first NASSCOM IT cor- of SHAKTI policy by Govern- on tariff as quoted by the bid- During April-September of steel maker bagged an order huge employment opportuni- online and offline modes, to where companies from India ridor within Dalian BEST City ment replaced the earlier discre- ders for 2.72 paise/kWh will the ongoing fiscal, 22.6 million for supply of 17,200 tonnes of ties, besides increasing farm- enable matchmaking between and China can come forward to promote IoT & AI coopera- tion based system of granting be around Rs. 127 crores per tonne (MT) (provisional) of corrosion-resistant TMT rebars ers' income. the two ecosystems to leverage to co-develop for global mar- tion between the two nations. PTI coal linkages. This transforma- annum. MPOST coking coal was imported. PTI in phase-1. PTI He mentioned that the gov- ernment received an investment committment of $12.5 billion in 153 IPOs hit Indian the food processing sector dur- RBI may be holding back `2,000 notes: SBI Toyota sold 10.35 mn ing the World Food India event market; $11.6 bn held last month here. NEW DELHI: The Reserve but not supplied in the market," This also means that the vehicles this year That apart, Meena said the Bank of India (RBI) may either said the report authored Sou- share of small currency notes raised in 2017 government has launched a be holding back Rs 2,000 notes mya Kanti Ghosh, group chief in total currency in circulation TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp. Rs 6,000 crore "SAMPADA' or could have stopped printing economic adviser, SBI. now may have touched 35 per NEW DELHI: As many as says it sold 10.35 million vehi- scheme to boost food process- high denomination currency, Interestingly, the report cent in value terms, it added. 153 initial public offers hit the cles around the world this year, ing sector and this programme says a SBI Research report. added, "it is safe to assume" that The government on Novem- Indian stock market this year, up 2 per cent from the previous would attract an investment of Juxtaposing the data pre- Rs 2,463 billion may be on the ber 8 last year had announced raising $11.6 billion, accord- year, and predicts higher sales Rs 31,000 crore or $5 billion. sented in the Lok Sabha recently lower side as the RBI must have demonetisation of high value ing to an EY report that says next year. "If these committments with the one provided by RBI printed notes of small denomi- notes, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, activity "looks good" for 2018 The number, announced on are grounded, we will have an in its Annual Report earlier, The report further said that nation in the interregnum (Rs which together accounted for as well. According to the Wednesday, is likely to put the Co. and Renault SA of France, investment of $18 billion over the SBI Ecoflash report said on as per the Ministry of Finance 50 and Rs 200). 86-87 per cent of the currency report released on Wednesday, Japanese automaker close to last which reported solid sales in the next 3-4 years which is a Wednesday, "we observe" that in the Lok Sabha recently, the "As a logical corollary, as in circulation. the fourth quarter (October- year's No. 1, Volkswagen AG of the first half of this year, has huge investment," the secre- the value of small denomina- RBI has printed 16,957 million 2000 denomination currency The move had lead to huge December) of this year saw 22 Germany. run into some sales problems tary said. tion currency in circulation up pieces of Rs 500 notes and 3,654 led to challenges in transac- cash shortage and large queues IPOs hitting the market, an Volkswagen sold 10.3 mil- after inspections irregularities Meena said the ministry's to March 2017 was Rs 3,501 million pieces of Rs 2,000 notes tions, it thus indeed seems were witnessed at banks for increase of 47 per cent quarter- lion vehicles last year, putting it were reported at its Japanese emphasis is to connect food billion. as on December 8. The total that RBI may have either con- exchange or depositing the on-quarter (Q- O-Q) in terms ahead of Toyota and U.S. auto- plants. Nissan has been doing processing industries to pro- This implies that the value value of such notes translates sciously stopped printing the scrapped currency. of number of deals. "India's maker General Motors. massive recalls and the scandal duction centres and farmers. of high denomination notes was into Rs 15,787 billion. 2000 denomination notes/or The RBI introduced a new BSE, NSE and junior markets Toyota, which sold nearly has dented sales. The secretary expressed con- equivalent to Rs 13,324 billion "This means that the residual printing in smaller numbers Rs 2,000 note as well as new ver- recorded a 74 per cent increase 10.2 million vehicles worldwide Toyota executives repeat- cern that farmers' income and as on December 8, after net- amount of high currency notes after initially it was printed in sion of the Rs 500 note. in deal numbers in 2017 com- last year, said it expects to sell edly say they are not seeking to their living standards have not ting out the small denomina- (Rs 15,787 billion Rs 13,324 ample amount to normalise Subsequently, the RBI, for pared with 2016, with 153 IPOs 10.495 million in 2018. be No. 1 in global vehicles sales improved even as production tion notes from the currency in billion) of Rs 2,463 billion may the liquidity situation," said the first time, also introduced raising $11.6 billion," the report Nissan-Renault, the alliance and that chasing numbers could has increased over the years. PTI circulation on that day, it said. have been printed by the RBI Ecoflash. a Rs 200 note. PTI said. PTI between Japan's Nissan Motor even be unhealthy. PTI BEST PERFORMER AWARD IAF issues request for proposal to HAL for 83 Tejas aircraft NEW DELHI: Faced with try's highest decision making IAF, including weaponisation dling size of its fighter fleet. depleting strength of its fighter body on procurement, had in of the aircraft, had been car- The IAF believes that it has squadron, the Indian Air Force November last year approved ried out. to have a wide mix of aircraft to on Wednesday issued the purchase of 83 Tejas Mark 1 "Tejas is a four-and-half gen- maintain an operational edge request for proposal (RFP) to A by IAF at a cost of Rs 50,025 eration world class fighter jet. over its adversaries. state-run aerospace behemoth crore. There is no doubt about it. We The HAL CMD had said Hindustan Aeronautics Limited The sources said the final can improve its various param- that the four-and-half gener- for the procurement of 83 Tejas deal for the procurement is eters. We are proud of Tejas. ation Tejas would be able to light combat aircraft at a cost of likely to be inked within the Every Indian will be proud of deliver what is expected of it. over Rs 50,000 crore. next five months. it. We will ensure enhancement The lifespan of the jet would The IAF had earlier placed They said out of the 83 in its quality and performance," be a minimum of 30 years just an order with the HAL for 40 LCA, 10 will be used for train- Raju had said. like any other frontline combat Tejas aircraft. ing purposes. There have been views in aircraft, he had said. IISCO Steel Plant bagged the Best Performer Award in energy The RFP for 83 Tejas light According to official figures, the IAF that the Tejas aircraft The combat jets are classi- saving in the Iron & Steel Sector under the PAT(Perform, Achieve & combat aircraft has been issued 14 squadrons of the MiG 21, was not enough to maintain its fied under various generations Trade) Scheme Cycle I of Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE), Ministry on Wednesday, setting the ball MiG 27 and MiG 29 are due combat readiness and it needed depending on their avionics, of Power, Government of India. Ramanuj Prasad, General Manager rolling for finalising the con- for retirement in the next 10 to quickly procure a fleet of for- capability and weapons systems. (Power) received the award on behalf of IISCO Steel Plant at New tract for the mega deal, official years which will bring down the eign single engine fighters to The current fleet of fighter Delhi on National Energy Conservation Day on December 14, 2017 sources said. fighter squadron strength to 19 reduced to 16 by 2032. ing Director T Suvarna Raju deal with any possible security jets with the IAF range from in presence of President Ram Nath Kovind The Defence Acquisition by 2027 from the current 33. In an interview to PTI, had said most of the 42 modi- challenges faced by the country three-and-half generation to Council, the defence minis- The strength may be further HAL Chairman and Manag- fications in Tejas sought by the in the backdrop of the dwin- the fourth generation. PTI 14 sport mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata |Thursday, 21 December, 2017 MITCHELL STARC HAS HEEL BRUISE, INDIA’S PRASAD, SHAIKH TO OFFICIATE DUCKETT TO MISS ENGLAND LIONS TOUR STILL DOUBTFUL FOR 4TH ASHES TEST IN 2018 HOCKEY WORLD CUP AFTER PERTH BAR INCIDENT MELBOURNE: Scans on Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc’s NEW DELHI: India’s Raghu Prasad and Javed Shaikh LONDON: Batsman Ben Duckett has been left out of the Eng- right heel show only bruising, but the leading wicket-taker in was named in the panel of umpires for next year’s land Lions squad to tour the West Indies after pouring a drink the Ashes remains in doubt for the fourth test against England. Hockey World Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar. The over James Anderson in a Perth bar. Batsman Duckett, 23, had Cricket Australia said that lefthander Starc, who sustained the in- International Hockey Federation announced that 25 of- already been fined and suspended from Lions’ matches on the jury on the fourth day of the Perth test where Australia regained ficials representing 19 countries from all five continents Australia tour after the late-night incident ahead of the third the Ashes, would travel with the squad to Melbourne. will officiate at this event. Test which infuriated the team’s management. New Zealand Vidarbha inch ‘No. 1 Test side beat Windies India beat SL by 93 runs in India should by 5 wickets closer to maiden win in every in first ODI Ranji final their biggest T20 victory condition’ WHANGAREI: Doug Brace- well took Chris Gayle’s wicket CUTTACK: India put up a PIC/PTI with his first delivery for New strong all-round show to reg- Zealand in 16 months, helping ister their biggest Twenty20 the home side to a five-wicket International (T20I) win in win over the West Indies in the terms of runs — 93 — in the first of three one-day matches first match against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday. at the Barabati Stadium here Man of the Match Brace- on Wednesday. well ended a lengthy exile from Opener Lokesh Rahul (61) international cricket by dis- played sensibly at the top order missing Gayle (22) and Shai before Mahendra Singh Dhoni NEW DELHI: Out-of-favour Hope (0) in his first over. He (39 not out) and Manish Pan- opener Gautam Gambhir feels went on to take 4-55, includ- dey (32 not out) finished off being the world’s No.1 Test ing the first and last wickets of KOLKATA: Vidarbha stood in quick succession, but the the proceedings in style to take side, India should win in “every the innings, as the West Indies on the verge of making their big blow was dealt on Karna- India to 180/3. condition” as Virat Kohli and were held to 248-9 in 50 overs maiden Ranji Trophy final as taka when Karun Nair (30 off In reply, Sri Lanka were his men embark on a tough after losing the toss. they left fancied Karnataka, 41 balls) was caught behind off bowled out for 87 in 16 overs, Test and limited-overs series An untried partnership chasing 198, in a spot of bother the bowling of Gurbani. thanks to leg-spinner Yuzv- in South Africa starting next between George Worker (57) at 111 for seven on the fourth C M Gautam, too, was dis- ender Chahal (4/23). month. and Colin Munro (49) put on day of their last-four clash, here missed by Gurbani as Karna- Put in to bat, India started India would look to shed 108 for the first wicket and Ross on Wednesday. taka, seeking to reach their off on a good note as openers the tag of poor travellers in Taylor was stranded on 49 not At stumps on the penulti- third Ranji final in five years, Rohit Sharma (17) and Rahul 2018 as the team embarks on a out as New Zealand reached its mate day, Karnataka skipper R found themselves in a precari- added 38 runs in five overs the 15th over by Thisara Per- ers, nor the middle-order right-hander Asela Gunaratne series of overseas tours starting winning target with four overs Vinay Kumar (19) and Shreyas ous position. Both Gurubani before Rohit mistimed a short era. While trying to hit the batsmen showed attributes of (4) was stumped by Dhoni. with South Africa. remaining to take a 1-0 lead in Gopal (1) were batting at the and Siddesh Neral extracted a to mid-on off Angelo Mathews. boundary, Rahul completely putting up a fight. The wickets kept falling Post South Africa, next year the three-match series. Taylor Eden Gardens. Resuming at lot of movement and bounce In his 13-ball innings, the missed and ball went on to hit On a two-paced wicket, — the next one being Dasun India will also travel to Eng- was denied his 39th ODI half 195 for four and with a lead of from the fourth day pitch to Mumbai batsman, who became the stumps. His 48-ball innings India bowlers dropped their Shanaka (1). The Sri Lankan land and Australia, where con- century when the winning run only 79, Vidarbha relied on a trouble the Karnataka batsmen. the second Indian after Virat comprised off seven boundar- pace and the batsmen struggled batsman hit left-arm wrist spin- ditions will not be as conducive came from a wide. solid 55 from Aditya Sarwate, At tea Karnataka were 69/3 Kohli to complete 1,500 runs, ies and one six. with their timings, especially ner Kuldeep Yadav to the hands to the spinners as they are at The second match is in whose primary duty is to take with Nair and Gautam in the managed to hit only two The fall of Rahul’s wicket against Chahal and Kuldeep of Hardik Pandya at long-off, home. Christchurch on Saturday. wickets with his left-arm spin middle. Nair and Gautam tried boundaries. Incoming batsman brought in Pandey. Pandey Yadav. Niroshan Dickwella (13 with the visitors at 58/5. Besides, the famed Indian Bracewell’s absence from bowling, to reach 313 before to forge a partnership but Nair Shreyas Iyer (24) then joined and Dhoni played sensibly and off 8) opened of his stance and Chahal continued his batting line-up will also be the New Zealand team since being all out. Overnight on 71, departed after making a flu- Rahul in the middle and the punished the bad balls. Soon, skied to Rahul at short cover as good show when he scalped tested by the moving ball. he played in a one-day inter- Ganesh Satish was castled by ent 30. duo forged a 74-run partner- India crossed 150 run mark in Sri Lanka lost their first wicket his fourth, this time removing Kohli might have won 20 national against India in Abhimanyu Mithun for addi- Wickets fell in regular ship to help their team to cross the 19th over. with only 15 runs on the board. captain Perera (3) to dash the of his 32 Tests as captain, but Dharamsala in October was tion of only 10 more runs. intervals for Karnataka with 100-run mark without losing The last few deliveries saw Left-handed opener Upul grim hopes of the visitors. Per- the memories of two seasons partly due to a knee injury but R Vinay Kumar and all- the batsmen looking clueless any wickets. some power-hitting from both Thranga (23 off 16) was looking era went up the track but was of home dominance will recede more the result of his latest dis- rounder Stuart Binny picked against Gurbani. Just when things seemed the batsmen especially from good caught until he attempted foxed by a googly and Dhoni quickly if Kohli and India fail to ciplinary lapse. up three wickets apiece and Earlier, Satish and Akshay good in the middle, Iyer was Pandey. Dhoni also displayed slog-sweep a wide delivery dismantled the wickets. deliver on foreign land. He was sentenced to com- Sreenath Aravind had two to Wadkar stitched a partnership dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep some shots and finally closed from leg-spinner Chahal and BRIEF SCORES: “It’s going to be a tough munity service in May for his his name. Chasing a modest of 72 runs for the fifth wicket to in the 13th over when the Indian innings with a six. Dhoni took a sharp catch. INDIA: 180-3 (Lokesh Rahul tour because South Africa is third drink-driving offense. total with more than a day to stretch Vidarbha’s lead. scoreboard was reading For Sri Lanka, Mathews, Sri Lanka further ran into 61, MS Dhoni 39; Angelo a very good side especially in In his defence, Bracewell said spare, Karnataka were off to The lower middle-order, led 112. Iyer played 20 balls and Pradeep and Perera chipped trouble when experienced Mathews 1/19). their own backyard. They have he chose to drive home from a disastrous start as they lost by Sarwate, contributed hand- slammed three boundaries. in with one wicket each. Mathews (1) gave a return SRI LANKA: 87 (Upul Thar- got quality bowling, they have a party to comfort his partner Mayank Agarwal (3) quickly. somely with the bat to take the After adding few more During the chase, Sri Lanka catch to Chahal. anga 23, Kusal Perera 19; Yuz- got quality batting. India really who had phoned to say their Ravikumar Samarth (24) team total past the 300-run runs with new batsmen Dhoni, couldn’t get it going from the The Haryana tweaker vendra Chahal 4/23, Hardik has to play well to beat them,” parrot had died. AGENCIES and Dega Nischal (7) got out mark. AGENCIES Rahul was also sent packing in beginning. Neither the open- bagged his third wicket when Pandya 3/29). AGENCIES Gambhir said. AGENCIES sport 15 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata |Thursday, 21 December, 2017 mp City defeat Leicester to Mumbai City defeat NorthEast ONGC hosts first reach League ever Corporate Cup semi-finals United FC 2-0 in ISL IV clash Para Games LONDON: Manchester City kept alive their hopes of a qua- NEW DELHI: ONGC has druple as they beat Leices- taken a giant leap by hosting ter 4-3 on penalties to reach a corporate initiative – ONGC the semifinals of the English Para Games — from December League Cup. 19-21. With this, ONGC has Arsenal are also through become one of the first corpo- after beating West Ham 1-0. rates to provide a platform that City goalkeeper Claudio promotes participation of spe- Bravo saved Riyad Mahrez’s cially-abled employees in vari- spot kick for the decisive ous sports and showcases their moment following a 1-1 draw talents. ONGC CMD Shashi after regulation and extra time. Shanker inaugurated the event Jamie Vardy also missed in on Tuesday. ONGC CMD Shashi Shanker the shootout for Leicester. Speaking on the occasion, felicitates the winner of Men’s Bernado Silva’s first-half Shanker said: “ONGC is com- 100m wheelchair race goal looked to have given the mitted to ensure social inclu- visitors the win, but Vardy siveness and providing Equal discus throw. scored a stoppage-time penalty Opportunities in Employ- ONGC has been the fore- to take it beyond 90 minutes. ment for the specially-abled, front of sports promotion City can still take a clean in line with the Government among various sections of the sweep of trophies this term of India’s mandate, for which society with a dedicated cor- with Guardiola’s side 11 points various measures are being put porate sports programme that clear at the top of the Premier in place.” He added that ONGC caters to the requirements League and in the knock- currently employs as many as of sportspersons at a grass- out stages of the Champions 282 people with disabilities. root level. Several world-class League. The three-day event will sportspersons have been spot- But Guardiola downplayed witness 120 employees — 100 ted, nurtured and supported by the chance of a quadruple. men and 20 women with dis- ONGC through its structured “That is not going to hap- abilities from 16 work cen- initiatives. pen. Of course not,” he said. tres from across the country It has more than 170 inter- “Come on. What we’re liv- — participating. The first national sportspersons on its ing isn’t real. The situation of ONGC Para Games is focussed rolls representing the country winning 16 or 17 games in a on athletics, badminton and in various sports. ONGCians row in the league and qualify- table tennis. The participants have brought laurels for the ing for the Champions League belong to different categories country in the Olympics, the before we finished the group of disabilities — VH (Visu- Commonwealth Games and stage, and now we’re here play- ally Impaired), HH (Hearing several individual games on an ing with a lot of young players. Impaired) and OH (Orthope- international platform. That is not normal. “In football dically Handicapped). Prominent ONGC you drop points and you lose The events are categorised sportspersons include Virat competitions. I am not think- into eight sub-categories — Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant ing about how many titles, I am Gender-wise, age-wise and Sharma (Cricket), Pankaj thinking about the next game.” disability-wise. A total of 46 Advani (Billiards & Snooker), Kelechi Iheanacho, who PIC/PTI events will be conducted in the Shiva Thapa (Boxing), Kon- moved from City to Leicester three-day extravaganza, which eru Humpy (Chess), Rashmi for 25 million pounds in the GUWAHATI: NorthEast Singh spearheading the attack. Indian winger failed to find the and as they looked hungry want Singh finally doubled his comprises five categories in Kumari (Carrom), M R Poo- summer, struggled to make an United FC coach Joao De Sanju and Everton Santos oper- back of the net from a hand- to restore parity but Mumbai tally and his team’s lead from badminton, three categories in vamma, Kavita Raut (Ath- impact before he helped his old Deus made two changes in the ated on the wings with Thiago shaking distance. backline with Emerson and another Emana pass. Rowllin table tennis, four categories in letics), Ashwini Ponnappa club to a 26th-minute opener. starting XI. Luis Alfonso Paez Santos playing just behind the In the 34th minute, Balwant Vieira in front of them were vig- Borges carelessly misplaced wheelchair and 34 in athletics (Badminton), Heena Sidhu Iheanacho allowed Yaya replaced striker Danilo upfront forward. Emana was deployed Singh scored the opening goal ilant enough to cancel out every a pass facing his own goal including 100 m, 200 m, 400 (Shooting), Yuki Bhambri Toure to take the ball, Gun- and Ravi Kumar came in place in the central midfield along- of the match against the run attack of The Highlanders. as Emana pounced on it. He m, 2 km walk, long jump and (Tennis) among a few. MPOST dogan strode forward to find of Rehenesh TP under the bar side Gerson Vieira. of the play. Emana forwarded NorthEast coach brought unselfishly fed Balwant on his Silva and the winger prodded who was a shown a red card in NorthEast United got an a through ball from a counter in a second change at the hour right who just had to tap in into PANKAJ ADVANI BEGINS WITH 2 WINS the ball under the onrushing their previous match against early chance to draw first blood attack towards Balwant. North- mark introducing winger an empty net. CHENNAI: Multiple times world champion Pankaj Ad- Ben Hamer. Leicester rattled Kerala Blasters. The team as when Marcinho attempted a East goalkeeper Ravi Kumar Malemngamba Meetei in place NorthEast United clearly City and eventually equalized usual lined up in 4-2-3-1 forma- shot at goal. Luis Paes won pos- foolishly came out of his line of defender Nirmal Chhetri. did not have the finishing prow- vani got his campaign underway on Wednesday with in the seventh of eight minutes tion with Len Doungel and Hal- session at the edge of the pen- which made it easy for the The desperation for a goal was ess upfront. They tried their two wins in the main draw of the 7th National 6-Red of stoppage time when Kyle icharan Narazary deployed on alty box and fed Marcinhio but Mumbai striker who placed the evident. hearts out and created several snooker tournament here. He defeated Abhimanyu Walker tangled with Demarai the flanks and Marcinho oper- the Brazilian’s shot rebounded ball in between Kumar’s legs to Around the 65th minute chances in the last 20 minutes of Gandhi (4-0) and R Girish (4-2) in the group matches. Gray in the area and Vardy bur- ating just behind the striker. of the woodwork to keep the find the back of the net. mark, Balwant got an empty the game but failed to produce Meanwhile, R Girish of RSPB ousted local favourite and ied the penalty. Mumbai’s Alexandre Gui- scores intact. De Deus understood the goal to head in his second a goal. Mumbai City FC move junior national champion S Shrikrishna of Tamil Nadu Both sides had chances in maraes rang three changes in The home side dominated urgency and introduced for- goal of the night from Ema- up in the league table fourth extra time before the shootout, the starting XI. Davinder Singh, proceedings in the first quar- ward Danilo in the 39th minute na’s free-kick. Emana curled a position in the league table 10 4-2 in his first group match. Digvijay Kadian white- where Christian Fuchs, Harry Sanju Pradhan and Thiago San- ter of the match creating more in place of defensive midfielder brilliant ball inside the penalty points from seven matches after washed former Asian gold medallist Manan Chandra Maguire and Vicente Iborra tos came into the side in place chances. Unfortunately, they Martin Diaz. He changed the ball which found the striker Wednesday’s win. NorthEast 4-0 in his first match. Earlier, Digvijay had shocked scored for Leicester while Ilkay of Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Sehnaj lacked firepower in the attack- formation of the team to 4-4-2 unmarked in the box. The strik- United, on the other hand, lan- Dhruv Sitwala by defeating him in the qualifying Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Lukas Singh and Rafa Jorda. Mum- ing third. Seminlen Doungel in quest of an equaliser. er’s attempted header though guish in the second last position rounds. Dhruv Sitwala made the first maximum break of Nmecha and Gabriel Jesus net- bai City too were shaped in a missed a sitter in the 26th min- The second half saw the went above the cross bar. with just four points from six 75 in the tournament against D Rajkumar. AGENCIES ted for City. AGENCIES 4-2-3-1 formation with Balwant ute from Marcinho’s pass as the home side with more urgency Just three minutes later, Bal- outings. AGENCIES 2013 Wimbledon champion Nehwal slams BWF for ‘crammed’ calendar NEW DELHI: Top Indian PREMIER BADMINTON LEAGUE CONFERENCE like tennis then they should shuttler Saina Nehwal on have just 4-5 tournaments like Bartoli says she’s coming back Wednesday slammed the BWF Grand Slams with more money for a “cramped” international and coverage. If I were BWF PARIS: Marion Bartoli, the calender, which hardly leaves president that is what I would 2013 Wimbledon champion, any time for players to recover have done. I am happy with says she is coming out of from injuries or be at their best more prize money but so many retirement and returning to at important tournaments. tournaments, I don’t know.” the tennis tour next season. Badminton World Federa- Olympic champion and The 33-year-old French- tion (BWF) has made it man- two-time World Champion- woman made the announce- datory for top shuttlers to play ship gold medallist Carolina ment via a Twitter post on at least 12 tournaments in a Marin also echoed similar Tuesday. revamped schedule for 2018. voices. “The schedule next year “Hi, guys. I have something “Next year’s scheduled by is going to be crazy. After PBL to tell you: I am coming back. BWF is too crammed, it is not we will have three tournaments ... It’s going to be a huge chal- right for the top players. I need and during the season we will lenge,” Bartoli said in a video more time to get the best out of three tournaments. Again answers. It will come down to BWF has made it compul- have so many tournaments, it she put on Twitter. me. I can’t play back-to-back before the World Champi- fitness and my priority will be sory for the world’s top 15 play- would be tough for all the play- “I have still a lot of practice events. I can just participate onship there are three super fitness. I don’t believe in tour- ers in the singles events and top ers,” she said. ahead of me, but I am hoping but can’t win,” said Nehwal on series, so I am not understand- naments anymore, so no tour- 10 pairs in the doubles disci- Marin termed the proposed to be ready for March and the the sidelines of the inaugura- ing why BWF decided to go for nament, no titles, just fitness,” plines to play a minimum of 12 service rule change as “stupid” Miami Open.” tion of the Premier Badminton such a schedule. added the Indian ace, who tournaments or face a penalty. which would be implemented Bartoli mentioned three League (PBL). It will be too tiring, too would play for Awadhe War- Nehwal said: “If BWF is from All England champion- events she is particularly look- “After the PBL we have challenging. “I don’t have any riors for the third season. trying to make badminton ship next year. AGENCIES ing forward to: the French Open, the Fed Cup and, of course, Wimbledon. She surprisingly won her ing the ball before a toss. She who declined to try to defend Arsenal striker Giroud Barcelona accept terms for only Grand Slam title while would stand well inside the her Wimbledon title. seeded No. 15 at the All Eng- baseline to receive an oppo- At a news conference land Club four years ago. Less nent’s serve. And she would before the 2014 tournament, to miss Liverpool fixture than two months later, after hop in place or take practice Bartoli tugged at the col- Mascherano move to CSL losing a match at another tour- swings between points. Her lar of her white top to reveal nament, she abruptly retired first big breakthrough came in strips of blue tape providing ROSICKÝ RETIRES from professional tennis. 2007, reaching the Wimbledon support for her right shoul- PRAGUE: Former Arsenal Bartoli was an original final before losing to Venus der and explained: “Literally, midfielder Tomáš Rosický player and personality during Williams. I can’t even lift my arm every on Wednesday an- her playing career. Then came the magical morning.” She hit two-fisted shots for two-week run to the cham- That, she said, was why nounced his retirement forehands and backhands, just pionship there six years later. she harbored “definitely no from football at the age like her idol, Monica Seles. Bartoli never dropped a set regrets at all” about walking of 37. The Czech made Bartoli was coached by and capped her fortnight with away from tennis back then. 170 appearances for her father, a doctor, and they a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Sabine She since moved on Arsenal before moving to came up with other unique Lisicki in the final, closing the to other pursuits, including his boyhood club Sparta elements. match with an ace. TV commentary, launching She would cross her arms A year later, Bartoli became a shoe line and designing Prague in 2016. AGENCIES before serving, never bounc- the first woman in 17 years jewelry. AGENCIES LONDON: Arsenal key striker coach Arsene Wenger was Olivier Giroud will miss the quoted as saying by Sky Sports Djokovic picks new format for Aus Open warm-up English Premiere League (EPL) on Wednesday. MADRID: Catalan giants Bar- Umtiti has fully recovered club to FIFA. clash with Liverpool on Friday “I think he’s out of Friday celona have accepted the terms from his injury. “Barcelona have not nego- SYDNEY: Former world number one game at an exhibition tournament in following his suspected ham- night. for their star defender Javier The 33-year-old Argentine tiated with any player, so we Novak Djokovic will warm-up for a tilt Abu Dhabi from December 28-30. The string injury against West Ham. “Nowadays you do the scan Mascherano to join the Chi- has made 202 appearances for understand that no irregular- The Frenchman was called 48 hours after the injury. That nese Super League (CSL) in the Barcelona since 2010. He has ity has been committed,” a club at a record seventh Australian Open Serbian world number 12 and volatile off the field after pulling his will happen on Thursday, then January transfer window. also helped the club lift the La spokesman was quoted as say- crown by playing in an innovative Australian Nick Kyrgios will headline muscle with just 13 minutes we’ll have a precise kind of According to reports by Liga title four times and the ing by Spanish website Marca quickfire event at the Melbourne ven- the eight-man Tie Break Tens tour- remaining in the EFL Cup grade on what his hamstring is. Marca, the two parties made Champions League twice. on Tuesday. ue. Djokovic, who has been sidelined nament at Margaret Court Arena at quarter-final at the Emirates “When you listen to him, a deal that will see the Argen- Meanwhile, Catalan foot- The 26-year-old French- since July with a right elbow injury, is Melbourne Park on stadium. Arsenal went on to the pain is quite big, but the tina international depart for ball giants denied pursuing man, however remains highly win the match 1-0 on Tuesday. grade is not always linked China for 10 million euros Atletico Madrid star forward linked with a transfer move to making his long-awaited return to the January 10. AGENCIES “It doesn’t look very good with the intensity of the pain,” ($11.83 m) in the second Antoine Griezmann following English football giants Man- for him (Giroud),” Arsenal Wenger added. AGENCIES half of January, after Samuel the complaint filed by the latter chester United. AGENCIES 16 mp Entertainment MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Thursday, 21 December, 2017 ‘Best compliment to be called a commercial heroine’ Jacqueline considers herself an entertainer and as along as she is entertaining, she doesn’t care about being branded as a commercial actor

NEW DELHI: She made her Bollywood debut in 2009 with Aladin and has been on a roll in Hindi filmdom ever since. Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez has no qualms of being called a “commercial heroine” and says it is the best compliment she’s received. “That would be the best com- pliment I could get. I think commercial cinema is really amazing. There is a reason why they encash as much at the box-office – because people really enjoy watching such films,” Jacqueline told in an interview. “I consider myself an entertainer. If I can make some- one laugh, cry... or entertain (them)... that is very fulfilling for me. So if you brand me like that, then I would be very happy because that’s what exactly I want,” said the actor, who has featured in entertainers like Housefull, Race 2, Kick, Dishoom and Judwaa 2 among many others. Talking about doing socially-relevant films or content- Shahid to work with Imtiaz Ali in his next driven cinema, she said: “Commercial cinema can be any- thing (socially relevant or content driven). If you do not have the content for commercial cinema it won’t work and MUMBAI: A decade after their suc- exciting and interesting,” he added. people won’t buy into it; so you can’t negate commercial cessful stint with the 2007 movie Jab Shahid will start working on “Batti cinema saying that it can’t be based on content or social We Met, Shahid Kapoor is geared up Gull...” in February 2018. The film causes because most of them are.” to collaborate with filmmaker Imtiaz has been in the news over the cast- The actor, 32, said that the only way “commercial cin- Ali for his next project. The director- ing of its female lead. ema can work if the content is very strong”. Jacqueline, actor duo will start working on the As per earlier reports, actor who is co-owner of Delhi Heroes in MTV’s Super project next year after Shahid wraps Katrina Kaif had been approached Fight League, is ecstatic on completing eight years up Shree Narayan Singh’s Batti Gull for the role. But if recent specula- in Bollywood and says there is still a long way to go. Meter Chalu. tions are to believed, Befikre actor “Well, it’s getting better and better, which is all Earlier, there had been Vaani Kapoor may be seen romanc- that you can really hope for. There is still a long way rumours about the two teaming ing Shahid in the film. to go. It actually gives me a lot of happiness because up again, which further inten- Addressing the rumours, I enjoy doing what I am doing... There are so many sified when the director said Shahid quipped, “I have read so experiences to enjoy,” she said. The actor, who was the he had approached the actor many articles about the heroine winner of the 2006 Miss Universe Sri Lanka pageant, with a script. in the film that I feel the whole describes Bollywood as her “first love”. Asked how excited he is to industry is a part of it. So, I am Even though the Bangistan star has been in show- reunite with Imtiaz, Shahid said, both our careers and it’s something work I have loved over the years, very happy and grateful that biz for so long, she has always been open about what- “We are going to do something soon people still talk about.” will be amazing.” The actor was everyone is contributing to ever she does. together and I am really excited. I “Jab We Met is very special and speaking at the Zee Cine Awards on our film.” The female lead “I have been someone who has pretty much always been think Imtiaz is a phenomenally tal- to work with the guy, who gave me Tuesday night here. Shahid said the of the film is expected to open about whatever I do and if you want to guard it (per- ented filmmaker. We made a film Aditya Kashyap (the name of his film’s subject is different from what be announced in a week sonal space) then it’s completely your prerogative and peo- together towards the beginning of character in the film) and whose they have done in the past. “It is very or two, he added. PTI ple should respect it and understand that,” she said. But she added that it’s not necessary that a celebrity needs to open up about everything. You should be able to set those stan- dards for yourself with things you are comfortable open- Don’t look at myself ing up about, and it’s not necessary that you as a celebrity should open up about everything because you are a human being as well. But at the same time people should respect as a celebrity: Ileana what one individual feels to safeguard,” she said. Cur- rently, Jacqueline has two films in her kitty – Drive NEW DELHI: Ileana D’Cruz, an actor and it will be harder. with Sushant Singh Rajput and Race 3 star- who has been acting in films I just wanted to talk about it ring Salman Khan. IANS since 2006, says she doesn’t thinking if I could help some- consider herself to be a “so- one,” she added. The actor, 30, called personality or a star”. In believes that being aware that September, Ileana shot a video there is a problem and that you for a brand. She spoke about need to address it, is important. her struggles with body dys- “Talking about it, opening Ridley Scott knew Spacey was a problem morphic disorder for 15 years. up about it and sharing what Asked how difficult it is for you are going through obvi- NEW YORK: Filmmaker gance. You put that into the a personality to open up about ously will help. But the eventual Ridley Scott “immediately” role of Getty, and Getty is say- personal problems, Ileana- changes can only come from decided to fire Kevin Spacey ing such down-to-earth, prac- said, “I don’t personally look at within you,” she said. It’s a long from his film All the Money in tical and therefore sometimes myself as a ‘so-called personal- process, stressed Ileana. the World when he heard about cruel words, with the com- ity, a star or a celebrity’. “It’s not easy but for me, it the sexual allegations levelled bination of the physicality of “First and foremost, I am was all about saying that ‘You against the actor. The 80-year- Plummer, it makes it, I think, a normal human being like can get there, you can get to the old director then chose veteran even more powerful,” he said. everyone else. For me, it was other end and you can get out actor Christopher Plummer to Scott further said he has just opening up about issues of it if not ducking forever. You replace the “House of Cards” “no real plans to talk that people don’t talk about that will get out of it’,” she added. star in the movie. available? Let’s get into it.’” to Kevin Spacey”. often.” Ileana says speaking up Ileana, who has starred in Talking about his decision, The filmmaker said he is “I wouldn’t know would help in bringing “more Tamil and Telugu films, made Scott told New York Daily glad to have Plummer what I’d say to awareness. I didn’t look at it her Bollywood debut in film- News, “Immediately. I knew on board the proj- him. I’d be from this perspective that I’m maker Anurag Basu’s Barfi!.IANS it was a problem... This kind ect, who will por- speechless of film is a more challenging tray J Paul Getty for the sell. It’s not crashing cars, and in the story about first time drug addicts and monsters... the infamous 1973 in my This was a kind of really epic, kidnapping of his life,” he intelligent view of a family in grandson, 16-year- added. the ‘60s and the ‘70s, which old John Paul Getty PTI was fascinating. III. “Honestly, within about 22 “Christopher hours I was on the phone with essentially is a man ‘Sexiness as a my partners and was saying, with a smile and twin- ‘We gotta replace this, and I kle. At the same time, patriarchal idea know who can do this. Is he he’s a man of great ele- is problematic’

LOS ANGELES: Model Gigi Hadid feels upset when social LONDON: Actor-model Emily Grazia magazine. The Gone Girl media users slate her for an outfit, which initially made her feel Ratajkowski says sexiness is often actor said women continue to be “good” about herself when she first put it on. “There are times viewed through a patriarchal lens, judged on their appearance till when I put something crazy on, and then I go on Twitter and which is a problem that needs date.“People try to put women Gigi Hadid everyone’s like, ‘What are you wearing?’ I’m like, ‘I felt so excited to be addressed. The 26-year- in boxes and stereotype them as to put that on, and it made me feel good to walk out the door’. old actor said those who believe one thing. There’s a need, even “Sometimes you don’t wake up feeling like you want to get women cannot be sexy as well as as a woman, to become a certain dressed and walk out the door, so if you put on something that smart are “sexist”. ‘type’ of girl. But I feel extremely opens up makes you turn into that character or just be excited about look- “It’s sexism, basically. I think multifaceted. One moment I can ing in the mirror, it makes it more fun to go outside,” Hadid told there’s a valid argument behind be super-silly with my friends, W magazine, reports femalefirst.co.uk. the idea that sexiness is patriar- and the next minute I feel like But Hadid finds it “frustrating” constantly being “judged” chal, and that’s problematic. the sexiest woman in the world. about being for her appearance. “But that being said, it can be “And that to me doesn’t “(I’m) trying to also understand that I will not ever be able really limiting to young women change what my core ideals to meet everyone in the world and prove myself to everyone who feel like that’s their self- are, or what I have to say. Just trolled in the world... (it’s) frustrating for me sometimes because I expression; someone telling because someone can be sex- feel like I’m judged in a lot of ways online, and everyone is in them that they can’t do that is ual doesn’t mean they can’t be that way,” she said. IANS suppressing,” Ratajkowski told serious,” she said. PTI