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KRITI SEES BRIGHT SIDE N-DEAL TALKS INDIA SQUAD ANNOUNCED Actor Kriti Sanon speaks of the bright side of World powers hold 4th round of high-level talks Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari return to India gloom in new video. ‘What breaks people aimed at bringing the US back into nuclear Test team as BCCI announces squad for WTC deal with Iran final, England series somewhere unites them, too’ LEISURE | P2 INTERNATIONAL | P10 SPORTS | P12

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 37 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | SATURDAY, MAY 8 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00 IRREGULAR by MANJUL Don’t make us go firm: SC to Centre TOP COURT ASKS CENTRE TO KEEP SUPPLYING 700 MT OF SC REFUSES TO INTERFERE WITH THE KARNATAKA HC ORDER ASKING OXYGEN TO DELHI EVERY DAY, WITHOUT FAIL CENTRE TO INCREASE DAILY OXYGEN ALLOCATION TO STATE

AGENCIES Mehra, appearing for Delhi govern- it will not leave Karnataka citizens in ment that the national capital has re- lurch as it refused to interfere with New Delhi, May 7: The Supreme ceived “86 MT today till 9 am and 16 MT the Karnataka High Court order ask- Court Friday made it clear to the Centre is in transit”. ing the Centre to increase the daily that it will have to keep supplying 700 "We want 700 MT to be supplied to oxygen allocation for the state from MT of oxygen to Delhi every day till its Delhi on a daily basis. We mean busi- 965 MT to 1200 MT for treating COVID- Fuel prices at record high Promise only what we can fulfil... like turning order is modified, saying it meant ness, Please don’t force us to be in a sit- 19 patients. India into a superpower! Do not promise “business” and non-compliance may uation where we have to be firm,” the A bench of justices DY Chandrachud hospitals, medicines, oxygen etc!! after fourth straight hike force it to go “firm”. bench said, adding it cannot be that the and MR Shah said the HC order of Two days ago, the top court had supply is made for a day then so many May 5 is a well calibrated, deliberated AGENCIES and diesel price increased stayed the contempt proceedings ini- caveats like “containers are not there” and judicious exercise of power. Friday but its quantum var- tiated by Delhi High Court against cen- and there are difficulties in trans- It refused to accept the Centre’s con- New Delhi, May 7: Petrol ied depending on the level SHORT TAKES tral government officials for non-com- portation are being put. tention that if every high court starts and diesel prices in the coun- of local levies in respective pliance of direction to supply 700 MT Justice Chandrachud, speaking for passing orders for allocating oxygen, try rose again sharply by states. Petrol prices in some 4-digit security of oxygen for COVID patients to Delhi, the bench, said that he has consulted it would make the supply network of the 28 paise and 31 paise per states have breached the code in CoWIN saying “putting officers in jail” would Justice Shah on the issue before the hear- country “unworkable”. litre respectively, Friday as `100 per litre mark while not bring oxygen and efforts should ing on Friday and the view that Delhi The bench told Solicitor General oil marketing CITY FUEL PRICE premium New Delhi: The CoWIN system be made to save lives. has to be given 700 MT LMO daily was Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, companies petrol has ` is introducing a new feature of A bench comprising Justices DY a collective one. that it has read the sequence of events (OMCs) con- PETROL: 92.02 (+0.29) been hover- ` four-digit security code from Chandrachud and MR Shah had said “We want 700 (MT of LMO) to be and it can say that it is “well calibrated, tinued to DIESEL: 89.09 (+0.34) ing above May 8 to minimise data entry however that the Centre will have to en- supplied to Delhi and we mean business. deliberated and judicious exercise cover for that level for errors about vaccination status sure supply of 700 MT of liquid med- It has to be supplied and we do not of power after taking into account the their losses on holding back some time now. With global that would subsequently ical oxygen (LMO) to the national cap- want to be coercive. Our order will this is an all-India pandemic number of COVID-19 positive cases. price rise for past 18 days due crude prices at around $69 reduce inconvenience caused ital daily. take time to be uploaded by 3 pm but situation and it will have to find ways We will not interfere with it”. to state elections. This is a barrel mark, OMCs may to citizens, the health ministry In the proceedings conducted via you proceed and arrange oxygen,” the to ensure oxygen supply to the national The bench said it was looking at the fourth increase in fuel prices have to revise fuel prices said. It has been noticed in video conferencing, the bench Friday bench said. capital. wider issue and “we will not keep cit- in as many days. Across upwards again if there is some instances that citizens was told by senior advocate Rahul Earlier, the top court had said that In another hearing, the SC Friday said izens of Karnataka in lurch”. the country as well the petrol any further firming up. who had booked their appointment for COVID-19 vaccination through the CoWIN portal but did not actually go WhatsApp scraps BSE fixes modalities for vaccination on the scheduled date have received May 15 deadline STATE SEES RECORD SURGE for awarding marks SMS notification that a vaccine dose has been administered to to matric students them, it said. for privacy policy POST NEWS NETWORK AGENCIES 6th grade girl IN VIRUS CASES, 19 DEATHS Bhubaneswar, May 7: The Board New Delhi, May 7: WhatsApp of Secondary Education (BSE) has shoots 3 in US has scrapped its May 15 deadline come up with modalities to award Boise: A sixth-grade girl for users to accept its controver- Test positivity rate at 24.09 pc SOP for rational use of Tocilizumab marks to matriculation students. brought a gun to her Idaho sial privacy policy update and said The High School Certificate middle school, shot and not accepting the terms will not BHUBANESWAR: The state health Tocilizumab is a (HSC), Madhyama and State Open wounded two students and a lead to deletion of accounts. department Friday issued new humanised antibody School Certificate examinations custodian and then was WhatsApp had faced severe guidelines for the rational use of used as an immuno- which were scheduled to be held disarmed by a teacher backlash over user concerns that Tocilizumab injection in treatment suppressive drug from May 3, this year, were can- Thursday, authorities said. The data was being shared with parent of COVID patients. celled due to rising cases of Covid- three victims were shot in their company Facebook. Tocilizumab is a humanised an- It is often used in 19 in the state and directions were limbs and expected to survive, A WhatsApp spokesperson told tibody used as an immunosup- treatment of COVID issued to the Board to come up officials said at a news PTI that no accounts will be deleted pressive drug. This is often used patients in severe with an alternative method of as- conference. Jefferson County May 15 for not accepting the in treatment of COVID patients in cases sessment. In a notification issued Sheriff Steve Anderson says policy update. severe cases when the requirement Friday, the BSE said, “Such a sit- the girl pulled a handgun from “No accounts will be deleted of oxygen escalates and steroids uation has never arisen in the her backpack and fired ‘Steroid in initial days multiple rounds inside and May 15 because of this update and also do not show any results. past and never ever has the Board outside Rigby Middle School in no one in India will lose func- The standard operating proce- can increase viral load’ prepared any alternative method the small city of Rigby, about tionality of WhatsApp either. We dure (SOP) was issued by Additional of assessment to award marks.” BHUBANESWAR: Dr Jayant Panda, 95 miles (145 kilometers) will follow up with reminders to Chief Secretary (Health) PK The marks for School Regular Medicine Specialist from SCB southwest of Yellowstone people over the next several weeks,” Mohapatra. In his letter to all (SR) and Quasi Regular (QR) stu- Medical College, in a state spon- National Park. the spokesperson said in an Collectors, he said, “As such the dents will be given based on their emailed response to a query Friday. availability of the drugs are limited. sored health bulletin programme performances in half-yearly & an- Friday said intake of steroids in the The spokesperson added that POST NEWS NETWORK tine centres and the remaining So the treating doctors should take nual examinations of Class IX initial days of COVID infection could while a “majority of users who 5,324 were local cases. due diligence in prescribing new and second, third and fourth prac- 100 O2 concentrators lead to more viral load. He cautioned have received the new terms of Bhubaneswar, May 7: Odisha Sundargarh district reported drugs / off-label drugs.” tice tests of Class X. The Board will recovered in Delhi COVID patients never to take service have accepted them”, some Friday reported the highest ever sin- the highest 2,073 new positive cases, Discussing the new SOP, he said, steroids without consultation of doc- take into consideration the two New Delhi: Days after four men people have not had the chance gle-day spike of 12,238 new COVID- followed by Khurda (1,828) and “It is observed that hospitals are sub- tors. He said steroids are taken only highest marks in each subject were nabbed for allegedly to do so yet. 19 cases, while 19 more people died Cuttack (916). mitting requisitions for provision if fever fails to subside in infected from the three practice tests con- black-marketing oxygen in the state, a Health Department Only four of the state’s 30 districts of Tocilizumab for COVID patients persons even after seven days and if ducted in Class-X. concentrators, the Delhi Police official said. reported new cases in double dig- at different hours of the day with- there is heavy cough for more days. Moreover, the BSE has decided Friday said they conducted The new cases were found after its. Sundargarh and Khurda ac- out adequate information on the He also asked people to refrain from to analyse results of HSC exami- raids at two upscale testing 50,799 samples Thursday, counted for 32 per cent of the new patient’s condition, investigation taking favipiravir drug without doc- restaurants here and recovered which took the positivity rate to 24.09 cases. Of the 19 fresh fatalities, reports, indications, which is often tors’ consultation. He said the drug 105 more such machines, used per cent -- another grim record, four deaths each were reported making it difficult on the part of the should not be taken by patients in the treatment of COVID the official said. There are 86,950 ac- from Khurda and Sundargarh dis- Expert Committee to recommend having kidney and liver ailments. patients. According to the tive cases in the state at present. tricts, while Ganjam and Puri re- its use and supply from the gov- police, 96 oxygen However, the company did not Odisha has so far reported 5,12,400 ported two casualties each. One ernment source.” hospital authority must submit concentrators were recovered clarify the reason behind the de- COVID-19 cases, while the death patient each died in Angul, Bolangir, “So as a measure to rationalise their requisition for the patients from Khan Chacha Restaurant cision and did not divulge the toll stood at 2,140. Cuttack, Deogarh, Jharsuguda and the supply of Tocilizumab for ap- along with the information in the and nine were seized from Town Hall restaurant, both situated in number of users who have ac- Of the new infections, 6,914 were Kalahandi. So far, 4,23,257 patients propriate use by needy patients prescribed pro forma addressed the Khan Market area. The cepted the terms so far. reported from different quaran- have recovered in the state. and to avoid its stockpiling, the to MD, OSMCL,” Mohapatra said. nation of last four years (2017, recovery of over 100 oxygen 2018, 2019 & 2020) of the schools and concentrators comes after the basing on the best performance of arrest of four men -- Gaurav, the school in last four years, marks Satish Sethi, Vikrant and Hitesh shall be allotted to each candidate -- in Delhi Wednesday. P7 US-Germany rift could scupper vax patent waiver in graded manner. The result of School Ex-Regular (ER) and Correspondence Course MARKET WATCH THE US-GERMANY RIFT, A BOON TO BIG PHARMA, EMERGES AS MORE THAN 3.2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM COVID WORLDWIDE Ex-Regular (CE) students will be decided basing on their perform- AGENCIES moment in the fight against a new situation. I am aware that the ances of past exams. The candi- INDEX VARIATION Covid-19.” government is looking at the new dates having no marks at all in Berlin, May 7: A bold US bid to European Commission President situation and that means, we have any of the past examinations will SENSEX 49206.47 256.71 waive patents on much-needed coro- Ursula von der Leyen, who to wait and see what the Swiss have to appear in an offline exam navirus vaccines was strongly previously voiced reluctance on government will decide based on the when it will be held, the Board BOURSES NIFTY 14823.20 98.40 opposed by Germany Thursday, the issue, said Brussels was ready new situation. The decision will be said. The regular students of State DOLLAR 74.01 `0.31 threatening to derail the proposal to discuss the proposal. taken in Berne and we have to Open School Certificate that requires the consensus of the But Berlin’s decision to come out wait for that,” Switzerland's Examination will have to appear EURO 88.86 `0.02

CURRENCY World Trade Organization mem- strongly against the proposal has Ambassador to India Ralf Heckner for an offline test in coming days GOLD `47,846 `251 bers to pass. now left its fate unclear. told PTI Friday. while the result of ex-regular stu- Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla mean- Bourla, whose company devel- He also noted that Switzerland has dents will be decided based on SILVER `71,347 `334 while told AFP his company was oped the first vaccine authorised in an independent voice and position their past performances. BULLION “not at all” in favour of the meas- the West with Germany’s BioNTech, within the WTO. Supporters of the Madhyama Examination result ure, insisting intellectual property told AFP that it wasn’t possible for waiver say that easing patent re- will also be published analysing is not the main roadblock to more other facilities to develop vaccines strictions will spur production of the performance of the students

WEATHER production and that building new based on mRNA technology. low-cost generic vaccines, helping in Class IX and X exams while the y BHUB CTK plants would be counterproductive. The US-Germany rift, a boon to poor countries that are struggling same method like HSC ex-regu-

The problem was highlighted as big pharmaceutical companies, to immunise their populations. lar will be followed for the

k y m c MAX 39.5° 37.0° India, one of the worst-hit coun- emerges as more than 3.2 million India has been leading the fight Madhyama ex-regular students.

TEMP MIN 27.0° 26.0° tries, continued to register record people have died from the virus States in signaling they are open to tion arising out of the US backing to allow more drugmakers to man- The board has fixed different Forecast Covid-19 cases and deaths. worldwide since the crisis began in the idea of patent waivers for coro- an initiative to temporarily waive ufacture the vaccines, as it faces a deadlines for submission and ver- Humidity 70% 81% Light rain WHO chief Tedros Adhanom late 2019. Share prices of vaccine navirus vaccines. patent rules for COVID vaccines. surge that has seen patients die in ification of the marks in prescribed Rainfall Trace 1.4mm very likely Ghebreyesus hailed the an- manufacturers dropped after the Meanwhile, Switzerland Friday “The US has changed its posi- streets outside hospitals due to bed formats. It has set June 30 target nouncement as “a monumental EU and Russia followed the United said it is looking at the new situa- tion within the WTO and we have and medical oxygen shortages. to publish the result of all exams. P2 HOST INSPIRED BY A PRANK: MARK WAHLBERG UPS FOOD SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR DIRECTOR ROB SAVAGE INTAKE TO 7,000 CALORIES DAILY

Filmmaker Rob Savage says the idea of his new horror film Actor Mark Wahlberg’s current food intake is over Host came to him from a prank. Savage recalls how, while he 7,000 calories daily, to gain weight for his role in was locked in at home due to the pandemic like the rest of the upcoming film Stu. According to his personal

the world, and everyone was catching up over video calls, the chef Lawrence Duran, the 49-year-old star is y

idea came to him to pull off a scary prank with his friends. making a big commitment to his weight gain.

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FORTUNE FORECAST Raveena donates Virushka donates oxygen cylinders ‘What breaks `2 crore for COVID relief Mumbai: Among the celebs, who have ARIES stepped up to help amid the pandemic is Mumbai: Celebrity couple “Virat and I have been hugely going through an unprecedented Raveena Tandon. The actress has donated Anushka Sharma and Virat pained looking at the inexplica- time in the history of our country Today even if you are oxygen cylinders and is urging others to help us, unites us Kohli have started a fundraiser ble suffering that people are going and our nation needs all of us to alone, you may not really feel lonely. You will in any way they can. As the COVID-19 pan- campaign to help people deal with through and we hope that this fund unite and save as many people as desire to listen to your inner self, so that demic continues to rage across the country, the Covid crises at hand. will aid in our fight against the possible. Anushka and you can express yourself more imagina- a number of stars have donated time and re- The couple has collaborated virus that we are all helplessly I have been shocked tively. Ganesha says spend the evening sources to those in dire need. Raveena with crowd-funding platform Ketto witnessing. We are pray- to see humans suf- with your beloved who can listen to shared a picture on Instagram recently and somewhere’ for the campaign #InThisTogether ing for everyone’s fering since last your voice in your silence also. revealed that she had tied up with a foun- and has donated Rs 2 crore for this safety. We hope year. We have dation to donate oxygen cylinders that are Mumbai: Kriti Sanon has spoken of the bright side of initiative. They aim to raise 7 crore that you join been working to- currently in short supply. gloom in a new video. She says what breaks people for Covid relief in India us in our wards helping TAURUS Other celebrities who have lent a helping somewhere unites them, too. Talking about the same, prayers to as many people hand amid the pandemic include Bhumi Kriti posted the video on Instagram, observing how Anushka said: “India is going save as as possible all Today, you need to take Pednekar, Sonu Sood, Priyanka Chopra people were going beyond their capacity to through an extremely difficult many lives through the hold of your emotions. Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and Sushmita help those in need. time and the second wave of as possible pandemic and Ganesha urges you to not Sen among others. “What breaks us somewhere unites the deadly Covid-19 pandemic because we get carried away by your feelings. Instead, now, India wants you should try to maintain a practical, sensi- In a recent interview, Raveena revealed us. Today when I look around it has pushed our country to a are all in our support ble frame of mind. Women are like to fea- that she never gave importance to trolls doesn't matter what your caste state of crisis. It is this to- more than ture prominently in your life during the day. and simply removes them from her life. is or religion is, profession time for all of us to gether.” ever.” The actress believes in staying positive no is, rich or poor, which state come together and Virat IANS matter what the circumstances. She also are you from — nothing do our bit for our said: said that she likes to surround herself with matters. At the end of fellow country- “We GEMINI positive people. it we are all just human men who are in are You will think about the On the work front, Raveena shot for an beings who can feel and serious need of issues faced by other online project last year and spent a couple recognise each other’s support. people as well as about of months shooting in Himachal Pradesh. pain,” she says in the increasing your social standing and ele- vating your social esteem. It is an AGENCIES video. extremely profitable day for those in the “We feel terrible when retail business and hence make the someone is in need and we most of it, says Ganesha. are trying our best to spread the word and get that per- son help. We are total CANCER strangers to each other. We are donating, we are trying There may not be many opportunities visible on to figure a way to end the horizon today. And, each other’s suffering chances are that you and pain. Just a Composer Vanraj may end up getting embroiled in some thought,” she adds. complicated situations, without even a Kriti captioned fault of yours. Relax! Given your people the image: “I skills and lively spirits, you will be able try and see a Bhatia passes away to sail through. silver lining in everything.. a ray of light LEO in the dark, You have to let go of good in the bad.. your stubborn and Ya.. I am that per- obstinate streak. You son.. Main aur will need to compro- mise according to the situation. If you meri tanhayi do not have such an attitude, argu- aksar ments and confrontations with your baatein business partners, friends and family kiya members are possible. karte hain.. Just VIRGO felt like The artist in you will sharing set the floor ablaze my today’s Mumbai: Music director Vanraj Bhatia passed today. You have the bedtime away at his residence in the city Friday. He remarkable abilities of thought.. was 93. a showman and comedian, and people will Thank you Bhatia rose to fame scoring music in an array feel thrilled at your treasure of jokes in the evening, says Ganesha. However, you will for being my of arthouse and middle-of-the-road films in the do well to conserve some energy for other “Dear Diary” seventies and eighties, such as Ankur, Manthan, urgent matters and duties as well. for the night.. Bhumika, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Mohan Joshi hisTogether." Haazir Ho! and 36 Chowringhee Lane, as well as The actress TV shows Wagle Ki Duniya and Banegi Apni LIBRA has just Baat. He was reportedly bedridden due to age- wrapped up related issues. He had not been well for a while Ganesha says you will shooting for the now. be able to show your love and appreciation upcoming film The composer won the National Award for his for your beloved. Small Bhediya. music in Govind Nihalani’s acclaimed Tamas issues will crop up and keep you IANS in 1988 and was a recipient of the Padma Shri tensed and uncomfortable today. Just in 2012. IANS remember good days and old memo- ries and life will seem good again. SUDOKU SCORPIO PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, fill in the boxes in such a You will see every colour CROSSWORD manner that every row, column and 3x3 box contains of the kaleidoscope today the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. — people with different temperaments and differ- ent attitudes, many of whom will surprise you with their reactions. You may be shocked at the way your colleagues or close friends react to your strategies or success.

SAGITTARIUS You may have been experiencing hair loss in the past due to back- breaking stress, but things will begin to clean up today. As complex issues begin to fall in place, you are likely to receive some good news about a promotion or increment. CALVIN AND HOBBES

CAPRICORN You will be overpowered with nostalgia and may long to get in touch with old pals. And as Ganesha SOLUTIONS says, chances are that you may take a lik- ing to your ex-lover, while simultaneously strengthening your social standing. All in all, the day will be a productive one.

AQUARIUS You may huff and puff, but today is not the day when you'll finish what you started. Don't lose BREVITY heart, the future is promising. Take a CROSSWORD break, says Ganesha, you've worked enough. The results are on the way.

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Needless rigidity only

k y m serves to imprison you c within outmoded walls of faulty reasoning. Inculcating some flexibility will give you some much-needed wriggle room to manoeuvre things your way for good, says Ganesha. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU COVID-19 TRACKER P3 TREE IS LIFE SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Workers plant World 15,70,17,740 13,43,56,978 32,74,247 saplings on the median of Janpath in India 2,14,91,598 1,76,12,351 2,34,083 Bhubaneswar, Friday

downtown Odisha 5,12,400 4,31,658 2,140

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State sets `9K-cr crop loan target A TALE OF TWO MARKETS Collectors were asked to ensure smooth credit flow to eligible farmers including sharecroppers

POST NEWS NETWORK PLAN FOR KHARIF 2021-22

Bhubaneswar, May 7: In an aim The state government has been to ensure smooth operation of agri- providing `50,000 agriculture loan to cultural activities during Covid-19 farmers at zero interest rate and upto pandemic, the state government `3 lakh loan at 2 per cent interest has set a target to disburse `9,000 crore crop loans during 2021-22 Crop loans to the tune of `8,320 crore kharif season. were disbursed among 18.73 lakh Cooperation secretary Vir Vikram farmers during last year Yadav has recently written letters to all district Collectors to this ef- The district Collectors were asked to fect. The state government has been obtain valid Aadhaar numbers of the providing `50,000 agriculture loan beneficiary farmers so as to ensure to farmers at zero interest rate and that genuine farmers have access to upto `3 lakh loan at 2 per cent in- the subsidised crop loans terest. Crop loans to the tune of ` 8,320 crore were disbursed among tivation in the state, so as to provide had been made to provide short- the state government has allowed 18.73 lakh farmers during adequate food and livelihood,” Yadav term credit to fisheries, animal all kinds of agriculture and allied last year. said in his letter to the Collectors. husbandry, dairy and poultry sec- activities during the current lock- The Collectors were asked to en- As crop loans sanctioned to farm- tors, he added. down period, Sahoo asked field- sure smooth credit flow to the needy ers have a large interest subven- “Any disbursement of loan in level officers to extend all cooper- and eligible farmers including tion component which is provided deviation of these instructions will ation to the farmers. He also directed sharecroppers. The loan would be by the Centre and the state gov- be considered illegal and the loan to prepare a database of the farm- disbursed through cooperative in- ernment, the Collectors were asked sanctioning authorities shall be re- ers to extend all government-spon- stitutions. to obtain valid Aadhaar numbers sponsible for such illegal dis- sored benefits to them. “The unprecedented situation of the beneficiary farmers so as to bursement,” he said. Kharif agricultural activities in arising out of the pandemic has ensure that genuine farmers have Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Odisha generally start from Akshyay posed challenges like maintaining access to the subsidised crop loans. Arun Kumar Sahoo has directed Trutiya which falls May 14 this the food supply chain and man- The secretary asked to transfer officials to ensure availability of year. As 90 per cent farmers in agement of reverse migration of the crop loans directly to the savings adequate seeds and fertilizers for the Odisha take up paddy cultivation, labourers to the rural areas of our bank accounts of the farmers. farmers in the state. the field-level officials have been state. Such a situation warrants He said small and marginal farm- Sahoo recently chaired a high- directed to encourage the farmers enhancement of agricultural pro- ers, migrants, joint liability groups level meeting to review the pre- for crop diversification and take Ignoring social distancing norms, people in large numbers throng Unit-I vegetable market in Bhubaneswar to buy duction and productivity as well and women self-help groups should paredness for beginning of agri- up cultivation of other cash crops kitchen essentials ahead of the weekend shutdown, Friday. (Bottom) A playground at Chauliaganj in Cuttack being as increase in the area under cul- be given priority. Proper planning cultural operation in the state. Since for better income generation. used as a temporary vegetable market to check overcrowding and ensure social distancing OP PHOTOS Naveen exempts rent of City goes Mumbai Odisha Bhawan in Mumbai NHAI urged to waive POST NEWS NETWORK Navi Mumbai Municipal toll on oxygen tankers way as drive-in Bhubaneswar, May 7: In a good- Corporation has will gesture, Chief Minister Naveen been using Odisha POST NEWS NETWORK Patnaik Friday directed to exempt the rent of Odisha Bhawan at Navi Bhawan as a quarantine Bhubaneswar, May 7: In order vax prog begins Mumbai, which was being used by centre for doctors and to ensure uninterrupted move- the civic body as a quarantine cen- ment of medical oxygen carry- POST NEWS NETWORK tre for doctors and health workers. health workers ing tankers, the state government Since April 2020, the Navi has urged the National Highway Bhubaneswar, May 7: With a view Mumbai Municipal Corporation demic, ordered a complete waiver Authority of India (NHAI) for ex- to reducing rush at vaccination (NMMC) has been using the Odisha of the amount,” the CMO said in emption of toll fees and permis- centres across the City here, the Bhawan as a quarantine centre a statement. sion for free and immediate pas- Bhubaneswar Municipal for doctors and health workers en- The state has been supplying sage of the carriers at the toll Corporation (BMC) Friday launched gaged in Covid-19 duty. medical oxygen to Maharashtra plazas. the first drive-in vaccination pro- “While the rent for using the for the past 15 days on an urgent Since many states are facing gramme at Esplanade Mall here Odisha Bhawan sums up to `2 basis for the treatment of Covid pa- acute shortage of medical oxy- for people eligible for the second dose. crore and 16 thousand, the Chief tients. So far, 19 tankers carrying gen for treatment of critical Covid- Emulating the Mumbai model, Minister, showing humanity and over 314 MT of liquid medical oxy- 19 patients, Odisha is sending out the drive-in vaccination facility has goodwill towards the people of gen has been sent from Odisha to liquid medical oxygen (LMO) to the been made available for 45-plus BMC INITIATIVE Mumbai in the face of this pan- Maharashtra. needy states every day through age group. The vaccination will be n Emulating the Mumbai model, the trucks and tankers. For free pas- carried out at the exit point of drive-in vaccination facility has been sage of LMO tankers, the police the mall’s parking lot. Booking made available for 45-plus age group are also escorting the vehicles Since many states are grappling For free passage of LMO tankers, of the slots for the drive-in vac- Raise frequency of refilling from plants to the Odisha border. with acute shortage of medical the police are also escorting the cination programme began at 5pm n Booking of the slots for the drive- However, the carriers are made to oxygen for treatment of critical vehicles from plants to the Friday. While 400 slots have been in vaccination programme began at halt at toll gates for depositing Covid-19 patients, Odisha is Odisha border made available for May 8, around 5pm Friday O2 cylinders: H&FW dept fees, sources said. sending out LMO to the needy 500 slots would be available from n While 400 slots have been made Therefore, the state govern- states every day through trucks However, the carriers are made to May 10 to 15 on a daily basis, available for May 8, around 500 slots ment has urged NHAI to exempt and tankers halt at toll gates for depositing fees sources said. would be available from May 10 to 15 POST NEWS NETWORK and number of vehicles being sent toll tax and permission for free im- “Eligible citizens will have to on a daily basis for refilling oxygen cylinders in mediate passage of the vehicles Works department additional NHAI, Odisha, Friday. drive into the parking lot of Bhubaneswar, May 7: Health and order to maintain continuity in carrying medical oxygen in secretary Hemanta Kumar Dutta “Take necessary action for ex- Esplanade Mall as per the slots Family Welfare (H&FW) depart- supply. In continuation with the tankers or cylinders at toll plazas has written a letter to the chief emption of charges at the toll booked by them. They are advised The civic body also stated that ment has directed the district existing standard operating pro- at par with ambulances. general manager (technical), gates under NHAI in the state to to wait inside the vehicles till their only two people would be allowed Collectors, municipal corporation cedure (SOP) and necessary guide- facilitate smooth transportation turn. The citizens should not come into the vaccination facility in case heads, CDMOs and others to in- lines already communicated to all, of the vehicles carrying medical out of their vehicles immediately of four-wheelers while one would crease the frequency of refilling some more arrangements are 7K tonne LMO sent to 10 states oxygen in tankers or cylinders to after reaching the facility. The vac- be allowed for two-wheelers. oxygen cylinders. being made. the treating hospitals/Covid Care cination will be carried out at the “Pillion riding is strictly pro- Additional Chief Secretary of The number of vehicles engaged disha has sent at least 383 LMO has been exported from Centres (CCCs) in view of the exit point. After the inoculation, one hibited as it compromises the so- H&FW department PK Mohapatra in transportation of cylinders to Otankers containing 7,007 tonne four districts like Angul, Dhenkanal, Covid pandemic,” Dutta said in can drive out and wait outside the cial distancing norms. Those choos- said that the requirement of oxy- and from the refilling centres must LMO to 10 states till Friday. Jajpur and Sundargarh (Rourkela). his letter. parking lot for 30 minutes for ob- ing to come by car are instructed gen for treatment of Covid-19 pa- be suitably increased, said the new The state has been sending LMO The highest of 153 oxygen tankers In an aim to ensure free and servation,” said BMC to come with their drivers or any- tients is increasing by the day as guidelines. Further, all these ve- tankers to Andhra Pradesh (113 have been moved from Rourkela, fol- smooth supply of LMO, the state Commissioner Prem Chandra one who would ferry them from the positive cases are rising. hicles must be fitted with GPS tankers), Telangana (105), Haryana lowed by Jajpur (94), Dhenkanal government has already imposed Chaudhary. home to centre and vice versa. This Although adequate arrange- tracking system. (48), Madhya Pradesh (37), Uttar (93) and Angul (43). Odisha Essential Services He also said that no vehicle will vaccination centre has been ments have been made in all the dis- The number of times vehicles Pradesh (30) Maharashtra (19), Arrangements have been made (Maintenance) Act, 1988 pro- be allowed inside the parking lot for launched on a pilot basis and we are tricts for oxygen cylinders and carrying empty cylinders and sent Chhattisgarh (17), Tamil Nadu (9), to fill the empty cylinders and a hibiting strikes by the service vaccination without slot booking. planning to open similar centres every health institution in the dis- to refilling centres must be sub- Delhi (4) and Punjab (1) as these special corridor has been formed providers. The Home department The beneficiaries are also requested after analysing the efficacy of the tricts has been tagged to one or stantially increased so as to en- states are grappling with acute for the smooth movement of oxy- has recently issued an order to this to bring their Aadhaar cards and Esplanade drive-in programme,” more cylinder refilling centre, it is sure empty cylinders are not shortage of the life-saving gas. gen tankers. effect that will remain in force verification slips of the first dose, Chaudhary added. The vaccine necessary to augment the frequency stranded at any health institutions. for a period of six months. he added. would be provided for free. NOBLE DEED ULBs told to feed stray animals during lockdown

POST NEWS NETWORK expenditure, the government has fixed `20,000 as per day cost for the Bhubaneswar, May 7: The state gov- Bhubaneswar Municipal ernment, Friday, directed all the Corporation and `10,000 each for urban local bodies (ULBs) to make the four municipal corporations of provision of food for stray animals Rourkela, Sambalpur, Cuttack and in view of the hardship faced by Berhampur. Similarly, the govern- street dogs and animals during the ment has allowed all the munici- 14-day lockdown. palities to spend `5,000 unit cost In a letter issued to all the ULBs, per day while Notified Area Councils the Housing and Urban Development (NACs) can spend `2,000 per day. (H&UD) department has asked all The letter also mentioned that the municipal commissioners of the ULBs may co-opt or partner corporations, executive officers of with voluntary organisations for municipalities to ensure imple- animal welfare. In case of non-avail- mentation of the directive with im- Civic employees feed stray cattle at Laxmisagar in Bhubaneswar, Friday ability of such organisations, ULBs mediate effect. The authorities have can proceed with the welfare work

been asked to meet the expenditure Fund (CMRF) sources. to starvation and other consequential with in-house resources or Mission

k y m c out of the funds available with “Due to resurgence of Covid-19 issues. Therefore, it has been de- Shakti Groups or federations. The them from various sources in- which has resulted in lockdown in cided to make necessary provision authorities have also been asked to cluding own revenue sources or state from May 5 to May 19, thou- of food for such animals during the involve local level officers of the from Special Relief Commissioner sands of stray animals will have a lockdown,” the letter read. As per Fisheries and Animal Resources Social activists relocate destitute people from Rasulgarh Square in Bhubaneswar to shelter houses, Friday, in (SRC) or Chief Minister’s Relief hard time for finding food leading the details of the admissibility of the department. adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols OP PHOTO P4 SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown Fake nCoV testing NHRC seeks ATR Pradhan flags off 100-bed

centre sealed 12,238 new cases take from Cuttack SP

k y m PRESS TRUST OF INDIA on minor’s rape ICU facility in Bargarh c Bhubaneswar, May 7: An unau- thorised Covid-19 testing centre- POST NEWS NETWORK cum-laboratory was sealed in Puri district Friday and a laboratory Covid tally to 5,12,400 Bhubaneswar, May 7: The technician was arrested for al- National Human Rights legedly running the fake unit, PNN/AGENCIES Commission (NHRC) has directed police said. the Cuttack Superintendent of Some rapid antigen test (RAT) Bhubaneswar, May 7: Odisha Police (SP) to submit an action- kits were seized from the labora- Friday reported the highest ever sin- taken report (ATR) in connection tory in Kakatpur area following the gle-day spike of 12,238 cases of with the alleged sexual abuse of a arrest of the accused, Prakash Covid-19, while the disease claimed minor girl. Dash, 36, who did his diploma in 19 more lives in the coastal state, also The SP has been instructed to lab management, a police officer the highest in a day so far, a senior submit the ATR within six weeks said. The technician used to pro- Health department official said. of the receipt of the order of the POST NEWS NETWORK uid medical oxygen requirements vide fake Covid-19 negative cer- The new cases were found after apex rights panel. The NHRC gave in this hour of need. PSUs of tificates to people who wanted to testing 50,799 samples Thursday, the direction while hearing a com- New Delhi, May 7: Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural visit other places, he said. which took the positivity rate to plaint filed by activist Himanshu Petroleum and Natural Gas Gas are stepping up efforts to serve 24.09 per cent, another grim record, Sekhar Nayak on the basis of a Minister Dharmendra Pradhan the national priority of providing Some rapid antigen the official said. news report published in Odia daily Friday inaugurated a 100-bed ICU such medical equipment and fa- test kits were seized Odisha has so far reported 5,12,400 Dharitri. ventilator facility at Vikash Multi- cilities to increase testing, venti- Covid-19 cases, while the death toll According Specialty Hospital in Bargarh dis- lators, availability of oxygen, beds from the laboratory in touched 2,140. At present, there are to the report, trict on virtual mode with ICU facility. I Kakatpur area 78,549 active cases in the state. the family for treatment of critical As the second am happy to know following the arrest Of the fresh infections, 6,914 members of Covid-19 patients. that Bargarh district were reported from different quar- a high school The Union minister wave of Covid has been included in of the accused antine centres and the remaining student said, “The facility has vaccination process 5,324 were local cases, said the Naveen lauds healthcare workers lodged a com- Family been augmented by sweeps through by the help of cor- The incident came to light after official. plaint with Indian Oil Corporation the country, porate bodies,” a government doctor at a com- Sundargarh district reported the hief Minister Naveen Patnaik by prudently using the extra dose Mahanga po- members of Limited in association Pradhan said. munity health centre (CHC) com- highest 2,073 new positive cases, CFriday appreciated the efforts available in each vial as wastage. lice alleging a schoolgirl with Dasari Veer Raju Pradhan said that As the second plained to the police that several followed by Khurda (1,828), Cuttack of healthcare workers in effectively Appreciate the healthcare profes- that a dis- and Gunnam Ram western Odisha wave of Covid-19 Covid-19 test reports bore his name (916), Kalahandi (580), Sambalpur administering Covid-19 vaccines sionals & nurses for their efficiency tance relative lodged a Chandra Rao Memorial sweeps through the as the consultant without his con- (544), Angul (480) and Bargarh (475). and ensuring zero wastage. in administering vaccine to save pre- of the victim complaint Trust at a total cost of too is entering the country, Pradhan said sent. “The doctor suspected the Only four of the state’s 30 districts Taking to Twitter, Patnaik said cious lives (sic).” who used to Rs 11.5 crore.” that western Odisha reports to be forged and immedi- reported new cases in double digits. that the number of people vacci- As on May 6, the number of visit their with Mahanga “Under this project, explosive phase too is entering the ately alerted police,” SP (Puri) Sundargarh and Khurda accounted nated is more than that of the doses doses for the population of above house had police alleging 70 ICU ventilators, 50 explosive phase with Kanwar Vishal Singh told re- for 32 per cent of the new cases. allocated by the Centre as the extra 45 years allocated by the Centre sexually monitors and 200 syringe pumps are test positivity rate (TPR) shooting porters Friday. Of the 19 fresh fatalities, four dose in each vial has been used to Odisha was 61,44,140. The total abused the that a distant being provided by Indian Oil for es- up. The police found that the labo- each were reported from Khurda prudently. doses administered were higher girl repeat- relative had tablishing the facility aimed at “The TPR in some districts of ratory technician was cheating and Sundargarh districts, while Patnaik wrote, “#Odisha has than the allocated doses with edly for over treating critical Covid-19 patients western Odisha is alarmingly high. people by forging prescriptions, the Ganjam and Puri reported two ca- vaccinated more people than the wastage of -2.20%, the Chief a month in raped the in Western Odisha,” Pradhan said. The number of patients requiring SP said. Another person working sualties each. One patient each number of doses allocated by GoI, Minister pointed out. Mahanga minor Notably, 30 ICU beds were already ICU ventilators is rising sharply, at the centre has been detained died in Angul, Bolangir, Cuttack, area of installed at the hospital but were which has strained existing criti- for questioning, police said. Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Gajapati new initiative of a telephone-based Abhay added that border check Cuttack. repeatedly awaiting upgradation. cal care facilities. This CSR inter- The involvement of others in the and Kalahandi. grievance redressal system. posts have been installed close to the However, the local police did The minister thanked IOCL for vention by IOCL will further sup- racket and the source of the RAT So far, 4,31,658 patients have re- He said that under the new ini- neighbouring districts of Andhra not register a case nor did it take providing ICU ventilator facilities plement the efforts of the kits are being investigated, said covered in the state. tiative, people would not visit the Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and West any action on their complaint. for Covid-19 patients in Vikash government in providing timely the Puri SP. Meanwhile, Director General of police station or the SP office to Bengal. Senior officials from the The elder sister of the girl has re- Multi-Specialty Hospital at Bargarh. treatment to Covid patients, thereby Police (DGP) Abhay said that due lodge a complaint. Instead, the po- police and Transport department cently warned of committing suicide He said these ICU beds will defi- reducing mortality rate in the state to the lockdown and shutdown im- lice would come to their doorstep have been deployed there to check near the police station over the al- nitely be very helpful for patients. and particularly in Bargarh and sur- Eminent pala singer posed by the state government, the to collect the same and take suitable unauthorised entry into the leged apathy of Mahanga police. “Corporate sector is working rounding districts in western Balabhadra Panda Odisha Police has come up with a action thereon. Odisha territory. earnestly to meet the nation’s liq- Odisha,” Pradhan added. passes away Thunderstorm to continue BEACH SANS TOURISTS Vaccination halted in Jagatsinghpur POST NEWS NETWORK for another 3 days: IMD Bhubaneswar, May 7: Eminent POST NEWS NETWORK pala artiste Balabhadra Panda,75, POST NEWS NETWORK Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and breathed his last at his daughter’s Mayurbhanj are likely to experience Bhubaneswar, May 7: The state residence at Gandarpur on the Bhubaneswar, May 7: India thunderstorm, Sunday. Hailstorm Health department Friday said outskirts of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Department (IMD) would occur at one or two places of that Covid-19 vaccination drive Thursday night, family sources Friday said light to moderate rain Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur and in Jagatsinghpur was halted due said. His last rites were performed with thunderstorm and lightning will Angul districts on that day. to dearth of shots. at his native village Surangpalli continue to occur in places across Similar weather condition may Meanwhile, the state govern- near Pipli in Puri district with the state for an- prevail in ment has received 2 lakh doses of strict adherence to Covid guide- other three days. Malkangiri, Koraput, Covishield from the Union gov- lines, sources As per IMD’s Rayagada, Gajapati, ernment. By 8pm Friday, the state added. forecast, thun- Nabarangpur, was left with a total of 2,16,540 doses Panda had derstorm with Ganjam, of Covishield and 3,58,820 doses of been decorated lightning and Kandhamal, Covaxin. It has also got 1,14,070 with ‘Bhagawat gusty surface Mayurbhanj, Covaxin doses from its own pro- Bhusan’ title for wind speed reach- Balasore, Jajpur and curement from the manufacturer. his remarkable ing 40-50 kmph is Bhadrak districts, The government Friday or- performance as a likely to occur at Monday. ganised the vaccination drive at 445 pala singer. one or two places Rainfall and thun- active sites of which Covaxin was Office bearers of Sri Neelachal of Keonjhar, derstorm are being administered at 41 sites. Nikhila Utkal Pala Gayak Parishad, Mayurbhanj, witnessed at many The government said that a an outfit of pala singers, condoled Jajpur, Angul, places of the state total of 77,783 persons were vac- the death of Panda. Several pop- Dhenkanal, during past few days. cinated Friday. The state has so far ular pala artistes including Deogarh, Cuttack, Friday, highest of 25 been able to vaccinate a total of Laxmidhar Rout, Prahlad Sahu, Bhadrak, mm rainfall recorded Puri beach wears a deserted look Friday, the third day of the two-week lockdown imposed to curb spread of Covid-19 60,81,454 people. Surendranath Chhotray, Balasore, at Bolangir, followed Chakradhar Barik and Madan Nayagarh, by Angul (20 mm), Mohan Jena have expressed their Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Balasore (8 mm), Phulbani (6.4 grief over Panda’s demise. Rayagada and Koraput districts mm), Nayagarh & Jharsuguda (5 Lingaraj’s Chandan Yatra to be held sans devotees According to them, Panda was a Saturday. mm each), Bhawanipatna (4.8 mm) trend setter and he was instru- Hailstorm is also likely to occur and Koraput (3 mm). Bhubaneswar POST NEWS NETWORK ence of devotees. Only 15 servitors will be allowed to The order further said that no mental in introducing spiritualism at one or two places over the districts and Cuttack too witnessed drizzle The 22-day summer festival is conduct the rituals. The list of the water pouches will be allowed dur- and social messages in pala, a unique of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Friday. Bhubaneswar, May 7: In view of scheduled to begin May 15. The servitors will be shared by the tem- ing the event. Besides, no cultural form of balladry in Odisha. He also Jajpur, it said. Keeping this in view, the Special the pandemic situation in the City civic body has issued the order ple authorities with the BMC prior event would be allowed during the played a key role to popularise Pala A few places of Balasore, Relief Commissioner’s (SRC’s) of- here, the Bhubaneswar Municipal after discussing the issue with the to the festival. The servitors should conduct of the rituals. among intellectuals, they said. Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, fice has issued an advisory to the Corporation (BMC) Friday issued authorities of Lingaraj temple, have RT-PCR negative reports ob- “The guidelines are to be strictly Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Malkangiri, district Collectors to take steps to an order for the organisation of sources said. tained within 48 hours. The servi- followed. Violation of norms will re- Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, circulate the warning message this year’s Chandan Yatra at “The devotees will not be allowed tors will follow covid norms during sult in revocation of the permis- Sudhir Sahoo posted Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, among the public. Lingaraj temple without the pres- to participate in the Chandan Yatra. the ritual,” the order read. sion,” said the order. as Mancheswar IIC

POST NEWS NETWORK 2nd wave jolt to thalassemia treatment, say experts

Bhubaneswar, May 7: In a minor MANISH KUMAR, OP claimed that the Covid surge has about the availability of treat- Central Red Cross Society in reshuffle, senior police officer hugely impacted the overall treat- ment for them which needed to be Cuttack. Sudhir Kumar Sahoo has been Bhubaneswar, May 7: Treatment ment and care of the patients. addressed. Das said that the institution appointed as the new inspector of thalassemia patients and their “Although there is no short- Meanwhile, some blood bank is in contact with regular blood in-charge (IIC) of Mancheswar access to the healthcare facilities age of blood supply at VIMSAR operators claimed that Covid-19 donors to boost the collection of police station. have been severely compromised for the patients, in many areas the has enormously hit the overall blood. With the help of regular The post has been lying vacant amidst the huge surge in Covid- pandemic gave a body blow to blood donation drives. However, blood donors, the care of tha- for the last couple of months after 19 cases in the state during the sec- the overall treatment and care with the regular blood donors lessemia patiens is being ensured. former IIC Jitendra Kumar Sethi’s ond wave of the pandemic, ex- of the patients. There are less the overall care of thalassemics Das said that mostly the pa- removal following departmental perts working in the sector said. blood donations in the state un- is being ensured. tients are young children and proceedings against him over According to doctors and offi- like earlier. There are many pa- “In pre-Covid days, we used have to go for blood transfusion Some blood bank operators claimed some allegations of misconduct in cials at blood banks, routine fol- tients who need blood transfu- According to doctors and to see a collection of around 150 in every 10-15 days. officials at blood banks, routine that Covid-19 has enormously hit the 2020. Sahoo, who was earlier the low-up with doctors and blood sion twice or thrice in a month,” units of blood at our centre but Thalessemia is an inherited follow-up with doctors and blood overall blood donation drives. However, IIC of traffic police station at Puri, donations have received severe jolt he said. donations have received severe with the regular blood donors the during Covid times we are see- blood disorder where the oxygen formally took the charge Friday. amidst the surge in Covid-19 cases Prasad also said that although jolt amidst the surge in Covid-19 overall care of thalassemics is being ing only around 30 units of do- carrying capacity of patients is Meanwhile, the IIC posts at sev- in the state. more treatment options are avail- cases in the state ensured, they added nations per day. We can collect compromised due to less hemo- eral other police stations in the city Head of Transfusion Medicine able now, there is a need to train more units of blood by arrang- globin content in blood. The pa- including that of the Infocity are at VIMSAR, Dr CR Prasad, who many physicians living in rural handle such cases at their own been lack of awareness among ing blood donation camps,” said tients need regular blood trans-

lying vacant. is treating thalassemia patients, as well as urban areas who can level. He also said that there had the patients and their families Dr Chandrika Das, Director, fusion for survival.

k y m c P5 SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state Man held for possessing

pangolin in Mayurbhanj VIGIL ON BORDERS

k y m Admin revives plan to POST NEWS NETWORK c Baripada, May 7: Police arrested a person for possessing a pangolin in Bangiriposi area of work on VIMSAR O plant Mayurbhanj district Thursday 2 night. The pangolin was also res- POST NEWS NETWORK cued. The accused has been iden- tified as Singu Baske. Sambalpur, May 7: Amid an un- Acting on a tip-off, a special precedented surge in Covid-19 cases, squad of the Mayurbhanj dis- the demand of oxygen has gone up trict police conducted a raid at many folds in the state as well as in a place under Bangiriposi po- the country to save the lives of pa- lice limits Thursday night. The tients. cops arrested Baske red-handed An oxygen plant proposed by the while he was striking a deal to government on the premises of sell the endangered scaly ani- VIMSAR in Sambalpur in 2017 has mal weighing 8 kilogram to been pushed under red tape. Now wildlife smugglers. a plan was taken forward to hasten the process to set up the plant so that the growing demand for oxygen at hospitals will be met, a report said. According to the report, when the An oxygen refilling plant is already Boudh and Nuapada. state government had proposed the functional in Sambalpur while two As per a rough estimate, VIMSAR plant in 2017, the district adminis- others are in Jharsuguda. The alone requires 800 mega oxygen tration and the VIMSAR authori- three plants together can refill cylinders per day. However, the ties had immediately initiated the 2400 mega cylinders per day. They daily requirement of the cylinders process and apprised the state gov- cater to the needs of patients in will go up in coming day after the ernment of the ground work status. Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh, third Covid hospital is set up in Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Officials after sealing a border route in Gunpur area of Rayagada district abutting Andhra Pradesh stand guard However, the plan was shelved for Sambalpur. Boudh and Nuapada to check intrusion of migrant workers, Friday OP PHOTO three years. Besides, the Covid Hospital func- Meanwhile, the government has tioning at the district headquar- directed the district administra- working on the oxygen plant. The ters hospital requires 400 to 500 tion to set up an oxygen plant in the district administration and the oxygen cylinders every day. After being rescued, the animal district to meet oxygen require- VIMSAR authorities expect that These three refilling plants also was handed over to the forest Suicide bid by Covid ment as the second wave of Covid- the oxygen plant will be ready in four cater to the needs of several private department, it was learnt. In this Upward Covid-19 trend in 19 has been sweeping the state, to six months. The oxygen plant is hospitals in western Odisha. connection, a case has been reg- patient thwarted playing havoc in different parts. expected to come handy for pa- It is said that the rate at which istered at Bangiriposi police sta- POST NEWS NETWORK Now, the district administration tients facing problems in oxygen Covid-19 has been surging in west- tion and a probe is underway. Sundargarh worries admin has revived the plan of the oxygen availability in emergency. ern Odisha, execution of the plant Notably, Odisha happens to be Baripada, May 7: Amid increas- plant earlier proposed on the VIM- The report said, an oxygen re- in VIMSAR assumes importance. In one of the top six states known POST NEWS NETWORK ing cases of Covid-19 in Mayurbhanj SAR premises. Collector Subham filling plant is already functional in coming days, the demand for oxy- for pangolin smuggling. district, a Covid patient attempted Saxsena visited the VIMSAR and Sambalpur while two others are gen is likely to mount several times. According to Wildlife Crime Sundargarh, May 7: The Covid- suicide at KIMS Covid Hospital at held talks with VIMSAR Director in Jharsuguda. The three plants The VIMSAR Director said all Control Bureau (WCCB), Assam 19 situation in Sundargarh dis- Bankishola Friday, but luckily he Lalit Meher in this regard. can together refill 2400 mega cylin- necessary facilities are on VIM- reported 21 pangolin related trict is turning grimmer by the was saved by firefighters in time. The VIMSAR has necessary in- ders per day. The three refilling SAR premises. “The Collector has crimes, followed by Madhya day. The district reported over 1,000 According to some firefighters, frastructure for an oxygen plant. The plants cater to the needs of people been apprised of the need for the Pradesh (18), Maharashtra (17), new cases May 5 and 1,186 May 6. Bhabatosh Nayak(62) was under authorities have proposed to the in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh, plant. It can take a call on the mat- Sikkim (17), Uttarakhand (10), However, the cases jumped mani- treatment at the hospital. The eld- district administration to start Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, ter,” he added. Odisha and Mizoram (eight). fold with the district reporting erly patient was on ventilator. All 2,073 fresh infections Friday and of a sudden, he removed his ven- along with it four fatalities. The residents of the district are fail- tilator and climbed the terrace to With the new infections, the dis- ing to understand the spike in spite jump down. A six-member fire- trict’s caseload has gone up to of the ongoing lockdown. fighter team was on duty 24X7 at Sans Basudha, tribals feed on creek water 35,728. Among them 25,914 have District Collector Nikhil Pavan the hospital. They swung into ac- recovered from the disease and Kalyan in a tweet Friday urged tion and managed to capture the POST NEWS NETWORK the tribal people, who have been the number of active cases stands the people to follow Covid-19 guide- patient from the terrace. It was struggling with water shortage at 9,605. So far the district has reg- lines strictly which will help in learnt that the elderly patient was Naktideula, May 7: With the onset throughout the year, they suggested. istered 205 deaths. breaking the chain. upset over increasing fatalities of summer, drinking water crisis Villagers say, “We don’t have tube The rapid increase in the Covid- In an earlier tweet, he had shared due to Covid at the hospital. has affected many tribal-dominated wells or open wells in the locality. 19 cases has been a matter of great the bed position in the district and pockets under Naktrideula block in In this situation, we have no other concern for the administration. said there is no shortage still. Sambalpur district. way, but are bound to feed on water As people fail to get adequate from Ghodanala, a creek, that flows quantities of water from tube wells, on the outskirts of the village. In they are compelled to meet their summer, the creek also dries up. Migrant returnees up concern in Nuapada water requirements from pits in a We dig pits in the riverbed and col- creek, a report said. lect water.” POST NEWS NETWORK ers returned from other states. All Under the Basudha Yojana, drink- In monsoon, they also use the of them are mandated to stay at ing water is provided to rural peo- creek water. “Though we have drawn Kharial, May 7: At a time when three temporary medical centres ple. Many villages in the block are attention of the sarpanch, no step Covid-19 caseload and fatalities (TMCs). Some have been sent to deprived of this drinking water is being taken to sort out the potable are on the rise in western Odisha, home quarantine. scheme. water problem,” they rued. migrant workers continue to re- Now, 26 migrant returnees from A case in point is Ambapal, a years ago. The administration has deep tube wells in the area to alle- When contacted, BDO turn to Nuapada from hotspot states Hyderabad were accommodated tribal dominated village in the provided them various facilities viate the situation. Vivekananda Sahu said people of like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana at Amalpalli TMC while 30 others Maoist-affected Panimura pan- like housing and solar lights, but Social activists observed that the Ambapala have apprised the block and Maharashtra. Their return from Mumbai were at Khudapej chayat under Naktideula block. they are deprived of safe drinking government executes the Basudha administration about the water has triggered tension among lo- TMC. 29 migrant workers from About 25 tribal families used to water. Yojana to ensure safe drinking problem. An engineer of the RWSS cals and the administration in Karnatak stayed at Michhapalli reside at Raibania village inside a People said that shortage of water water to people in rural pockets. has been told to make provision equal measure, even though there TMC. reserve forest. The administration has now become a major problem A project under this scheme should for drinking water for the village as are a host of restrictions and pre- A doctor said that antigen test re- dislocated them at Ambapal a few in summer. They have demanded be taken up to deliver safe water to soon as possible,” he assured. ventive measures for their entry. ports of the migrants at Khudapej Two days ago, 94 migrant work- have come out negative. Man provides whiff of life to those gasping for breath

POST NEWS NETWORK isfied helping people in need,” Muna said. “There were 23 cylinders lying unused Keonjhar, May 7: The pandemic has at our home. I polished them and gave brought many Good Samaritans to the them a fresh coat of colour. To fill up fore. Ashok Sharma, nicknamed as the cylinders, I go to the MSP plant, trav- Muna, a resident of Keonjhar town, elling about 40 kilometres both ways. has also emerged as a messiah for many They charge Rs 100 for filling up small patients. cylinders and Rs 300 for bigger ones. I The 47-year-old goes out of his way to could buy only six regulators and masks supply oxygen to serious Covid-19 patients because my budget is limited,” in- undergoing treatment at the Keonjhar formed Muna. district headquarters hospital. He has “If the district administration or 23 cylinders including three small ones any generous person can donate the and six regulators. Muna Sharma required number of regulators and Sharma narrated how it all started. masks, all the cylinders may be used ef- “One night, I was returning home dur- Muna launched the oxygen service fectively,” he added. ing shutdown restrictions. I was de- in the name of his father late This aside, Muna has set up five tained by some policemen and one of Vishwanath Sharma. Initially, he would drinking water kiosks at different lo- them wryly asked if I was carrying serve people known to him and later ex- cations in Keonjhar town. He thanked oxygen. That day, I realised the im- tended support to other patients. his family members for their support. portance of oxygen in fighting Covid- “As I am associated with Covid-19 Keonjhar District Collector Ashish 19 and decided to help the needy ones,” care, spending sleepless nights fre- Thakare said the administration will a visibly satisfied Muna answered. quently is normal. But then I feel sat- extend all possible help to Muna. Nursing school flouts Ex-Dharitri scribe nCov curbs in Kalahandi dies of Covid-19

POST NEWS NETWORK school participated. Berhampur, May 7: Covid-19 More importantly, no claimed the life of another young Bhawanipatna, May 7: prior permission was ob- journalist here in Berhampur A nursing school in tained from the district Friday. Kalahandi district faced administration to con- Pradeep Kishore Sahu, who flak for organising a wel- duct the event. In-charge earlier worked with Odia daily come ceremony for new of the nursing school, Dharitri, was the district corre- students on its premises. Anita Das denied the al- spondent of Odia daily Sambad. A video of the programme legations. She said the Sahu was undergoing treatment has gone viral in which welcome ceremony was for past 15 days at Ashwini Covid students are seen danc- observed following Covid- Hospital at Berhampur.

ing wildly without main- 19 guidelines. However, he lost the battle to

k y m c taining social distancing Kalahandi CDMO, Covid, according to his family norms and wearing masks. Dr Pratap Chandra sources. The 43-year-old jour- According to sources, Behera said the allega- nalist is survived by wife and two a feast was also organ- tions would be investi- sons. Notably, several journalists ised in which 180 students gated and action would have died of Covid-19 in the and management of the be taken accordingly. state over past one month. P6 SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS COVID VACCINE This is faithfulness, to admit

and to manifest no other

k y m movements but only the c movements prompted and guided by the Divine. THE MOTHER FOR A PEOPLE’S VACCINE

he Biden administration’s (and paid for) from other compa- decision to stop oppos- nies, which could in turn sue any ing a proposed Covid-19 other producer using the same Tripura DM under Twaiver of certain intel- technology. lectual property rights under World The TRIPS waiver would elim- Trade Organization rules is a wel- inate this possibility, allowing pro- come move. The US Trade duction to be scaled up rapidly. scanner amid protests Representative acknowledges that With Moderna now indicating that “the extraordinary circumstances it will produce three billion doses hile the administration has been widely rebuked for complacency of the Covid-19 pandemic call for in 2022 alone, the mRNA vaccines in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic, a district magistrate in Tripura extraordinary measures.” While are apparently quite amenable to Wis in trouble for being overly enthusiastic in enforcing night cur- affirming that it “believes strongly expanded production. They are few rules during a marriage in the state capital Agartala. A video that in intellectual property protec- also said to be easily adapted to ac- recorded the incident went viral on social media and political parties are gun- tions,” the Biden administration count for new variants. ning for him. said, “In service of ending this While the rapid development of Covid-19 The case for public production West Tripura District Magistrate Shailesh Kumar Yadav is in the dock for pandemic, supports the waiver of vaccines was a truly impressive achievement, it of such vaccines is clear. “For less his purportedly arrogant behaviour with a bride and groom in the middle those protections for Covid-19 vac- than the US government spends on of a wedding ceremony. Angry citizens and politicians have written to cines.” Already, the US decision has been tarnished by constraints on global the Covid-19 response daily,” notes Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb seeking strict action against Yadav. may be persuading other rich- vaccine supply and the related inequities in the health advocacy organization Some have even demanded an FIR against the official and sought his removal Jayati Ghosh country holdouts in Europe and PrEP4All, “it can build a facility to from service. elsewhere to follow suit. distribution. As of May 4, less than 8% of the produce enough mRNA vaccine In the viral video, Yadav was seen shoving attendees and arrested every- While the rapid development world’s population had received even one dose manufacturing capacity to vacci- one for flouting Covid-19 norms and tearing up a permission certificate for THE BIDEN of Covid-19 vaccines was a truly nate the entire world in one year, the wedding that he himself had signed! Sources say that the CM has formed impressive achievement, it has of any Covid-19 vaccine, while just ten rich with each dose costing only $2.” a committee of two IAS officers to probe the incident and submit a report to ADMINISTRATION’S been tarnished by constraints on countries accounted for 80% of all vaccinations The case for public production Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar for further action. Watch this space for updates. global vaccine supply and the re- becomes even stronger when one DECISION TO lated inequities in distribution. considers that private vaccine pro- Ad hocism rules the roost in J&K administration STOP As of May 4, less than 8% of the tion that led a majority of WTO Bangladesh, many potential vac- ducers have little financial in- If the change of status of Jammu and Kashmir was meant to have a pos- world's population had received members to propose a temporary cine producers with the required centive to meet current global itive impact on governance in the Union Territory, those hopes have been OPPOSING A even one dose of any Covid-19 vac- waiver for Covid-19 drugs, vac- facilities have so far been denied needs. Once the pandemic is con- belied, many believe. Ad hocism has become an integral part of governance PROPOSED cine, while just ten rich countries cines, diagnostics, and other tech- the licenses and technical know- tained, the demand for vaccines is in Jammu and Kashmir as seen accounted for 80% of all vaccina- nologies needed to fight the pan- how to proceed. Not a single phar- likely to revert to much lower from the list of top bureaucrats BABUDOM COVID-19 WAIVER tions. The reason is not just that demic. And yet, even this minor maceutical company has joined “normal” levels. To win the race and officials who are holding more OF CERTAIN rich countries have been buying step has been blocked in the WTO the World Health Organization’s against the virus, we must build than one post. To give just two ex- BYTES up all available doses; it is also TRIPS Council, because (mostly) voluntary facility for sharing tech- and deploy public manufacturing amples, Shaleen Kabra, Principal INTELLECTUAL that there simply have not been rich countries have been priori- nology, the Covid-19 Technology capacities in the US and other Secretary Home, is also discharg- Dilip Cherian enough doses to go around. tizing big pharmaceutical com- Access Pool (C-TAP). countries. And when Covid-19 is ing responsibilities as Principal POPERTY RIGHTS But this scarcity itself is largely panies' interests over global health. Governments in the United brought to heel, these facilities Secretary, Revenue Department and Financial Commissioner, Revenue. UNDER WORLD artificial. Vaccine production has A waiver has become all the States, Europe, and elsewhere, should be maintained for future Similarly, Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development been limited by pharmaceutical more urgent with the coronavirus having given large subsidies to pandemics. Department, is also holding additional assignment as Principal Resident TRADE companies' refusal to share knowl- on the rampage across South develop the approved vaccines, The world desperately needs Commissioner, J&K, New Delhi. ORGANIZATION edge and technology. Though the America and India, where a near- can and should pressure the com- the TRIPS waiver and stronger Sources say that as many as 10 IAS officers in the UT are holding addi- companies producing the approved complete breakdown of over- panies to share the knowledge measures to ensure the transfer of tional charge of different departments and institutions due to a shortage of RULES IS A vaccines have benefited from pub- stretched health services is re- that public money helped provide. knowledge and technology to pro- manpower in the higher echelons of the administration. lic subsidies and publicly funded sulting in a catastrophic loss of We know this can be done, be- duce Covid-19 vaccines. But we J&K has a stipulated strength of 137 IAS officers but only 58 are serving WELCOME MOVE research, they nonetheless have life. Worse, the rapid spread of cause the Biden administration also need to start preparing for in the cadre, of which at least nine officers are on Central deputation. The taken advantage of patent pro- the virus has already given rise to has already persuaded Johnson equally exceptional circumstances Centre is apparently aware of the situation, and it recently moved to depute tections to maintain a monopoly, dangerous new variants. We ab- & Johnson to share its technol- in the future. The knowledge on IAS and Group A service officers to the newly carved out Union Territory. limiting production to their own solutely must vaccinate as many ogy with Merck to boost domestic which our health and prosperity But this seems to have done little to solve the problem which has afflicted factories and a select few other people as possible before vaccine- production of its single-dose vac- depend must be both publicly governance for decades in J&K. companies to whom they have resistant variants emerge. cine. Surely the other companies funded and publicly disseminated. granted licenses. Temporarily waiving IP rights that have benefited from public Ex-IAS officer to probe complaints against Haryana cops These patents are enshrined is essential, but it is only the first support could be pressured to do Jayati Ghosh, Executive Former Haryana Home Secretary and now retired IAS officer Navraj and enforced internationally step. A waiver agreement would ad- the same with producers around Secretary of International Sandhu has been appointed as Chairperson of the Haryana State Police through the WTO’s Agreement dress the previously insur- the world. Development Economics Complaint Authority (PCA). In addition, retired IPS officer Kamleshwar Kumar on Trade-Related Aspects of mountable legal side of the prob- In the meantime, the TRIPS Associates, is Professor of Mishra and retired IAS officer Ramesh Chand Verma have been named as Intellectual Property Rights lem. But much more will need to waiver could increase vaccine pro- Economics at the University of members of the authority. (TRIPS), which allows for action be done to make a “People's duction in other ways as well. Massachusetts Amherst and a Haryana is one among 17 states that set up the PCA to protect the citizens to be taken against countries that Vaccine” universally available as Moderna, which relied almost member of the Independent against abuse of police powers. It adjudicates allegations of improper or shoddy provide compulsory licenses al- soon as possible. completely on US government Commission for the Reform of investigations, refusal to register FIRs, allegations of custodial torture and lowing “someone else to produce The next step is to push for con- funding, has already declared that International Corporate police high-handedness. However, it should be noted that the recommenda- a patented product or process with- crete measures to facilitate the it will not enforce its patent. But Taxation. tion of the PCA are not binding on the state government – which makes the out the consent of the patent transfer of knowledge and tech- its mRNA vaccine uses some PCA merely a paper tiger. owner.” It is this threat of legal ac- nology. From Canada to knowledge that it has licensed ©PROJECT SYNDICATE For as long as five years, the government did not appoint a chairman even as the complaints piled up. Apparently, until 2019, the authority received 681 complaints, but it is not known how many were investigated and forwarded to the government for action. Hopefully, Sandhu’s appointment will make SPECTRUM UNITED STATES up for the lost time.

Share a babu experience! Follow [email protected]. Let’s multiply the effect. America First, Biden-Style WISDOM CORNER f America’s allies were con- European allies, and it will not out- wants to contain Putin’s revan- recently concluded, “the Greens cerned by President Joe Biden’s compete China without European chism in the ex-Communist world are more closely aligned on the con- When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I remarks on foreign policy in cooperation. In her softly, softly way, and block the Kremlin’s efforts to troversial issue of the pipeline with would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used I his address to Congress on April 28, German Chancellor Angela Merkel everything you gave me. ERMA BOMBECK weaken, divide, and ultimately de- the US and Germany’s eastern they had every right to be. Although drove that message home just before stroy the EU. But its refusal to help neighbors, such as the Baltic states Look at the sparrows; they do not know what they will do in the next Biden’s domestic economic agenda Biden took office by pushing the Macron by shipping some of and Poland, than with [Merkel’s moment. Let us literally live from moment to moment. could not have been less Trumpian European Union into fast-tracking America’s excess vaccine supplies Christian Democratic Union].” MAHATMA GANDHI – higher taxes on the wealthy and the EU-China Comprehensive (some of which it is now rightly There are other worrying signs a substantial expansion of the so- Agreement on Investment. sending to hard-hit India) is a gift of Trumpism’s long half-life in US Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others. WINSTON CHURCHILL cial safety net – the foreign policy Biden has been following a form to Putin, who has long encouraged foreign policy. Biden has not lifted Melvyn B. Krauss he outlined was not all that dif- of “America First” policy even in re- Russian banks to offer financial his predecessor’s tariffs on imports ferent from his rococo predeces- sponse to the coronavirus pandemic. backing to Le Pen and her party. of EU steel and aluminum, origi- sor’s “America First” credo. His refusal to send Covid-19 vac- Biden also has a serious prob- nally imposed on dubious national WORDSWORTH IF AMERICA’S As Richard Haass, the president cines to important European coun- lem when it comes to Germany security grounds. And there has ALLIES WERE of the Council on Foreign Relations, tries in dire need and facing im- and Putin. The Nord Stream 2 been no reconsideration of Trump’s Cabal recently noted, “There is more for- portant elections has made his claim pipeline project to import Russian withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific CONCERNED BY eign-policy continuity between that “America is back” sound very gas via the Baltic Sea, circum- Partnership. Although it is clear that his term for a semi-secret political clique is sometimes said to be an PRESIDENT JOE Biden and Trump than first meets doubtful in many European capitals. venting Poland and Ukraine, is a the revised TPP, now led by Japan, Tacronym, from the initials of five leading members of Charles II’s the eye … Trumpism still looms For example, to date, the Biden potential strategic victory for Putin could be a formidable weapon for government of 1667-73 that covered the period of the third Anglo-Dutch war. The BIDEN’S REMARKS large.” So, Biden’s speech was a administration has sent no vac- and threatens to incite suspicion putting pressure on China, Biden five members were Sir Thomas Clifford, Henry Bennet (Lord Arlington), George strange brew: Franklin D. cines to France, despite the fact of Germany among its eastern seems too frightened of Trump’s Villiers (the Duke of Buckingham), Anthony Ashley Cooper (Earl of Shaftesbury) ON FOREIGN Roosevelt’s New Deal mixed with that one of America’s most reli- neighbours. shadow to buck protectionist sen- and John Maitland (Earl of Lauderdale). Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley POLICY IN HIS powerful hints of Trumpian na- able allies, President Emmanuel Apparently in thrall to protec- timents in any way. and Lauderdale — CABAL. Even without detailed knowledge of word history this tionalism. Macron, faces a tight race against tionist thinking, Biden seems unable It is time for US trade and foreign should cause your mental eyebrows to rise in skepticism. The earliest known ADDRESS TO When Biden turned to foreign his main challenger, Marine Le to envisage the type of trade deal that policies to become compatible with acronyms date from around the time of the First World War (the military slang CONGRESS ON policy, his emphasis was on China Pen of the far-right National Rally, would encourage the Germans to Biden’s promise that “America is AWOL, “Absent Without Leave”, is among the earliest, which newspaper reports and the United States, as if Europe in next year’s presidential elec- back away from Nord Stream 2. back.” As it stands, there is too around 1918 demonstrate was being said as a pronounceable word) and yet the APRIL 28, THEY did not exist, and the US could win tion. Biden clearly understands One ray of hope is that the project much continuity between Trump source of cabal is dated on this theory to an acronymic origin some 250 years this competition without the active that a Le Pen victory would be a dis- is now understood to pose serious and Biden in both areas. earlier. The word was indeed applied to the five ministers (in a pamphlet issued HAD EVERY participation of Europeans. To aster for the EU and the transat- environmental threats, which is in 1673), but it was no more than a scurrilous joke based on the accident of their RIGHT TO BE European ears, of course, that sounds lantic alliance, with the only win- one reason Germany’s Green party, The writer is Professor initials. Unfortunately, it’s a joke that has long since gone sour on etymologists, a little bit too close to Trumpian ner being Russian President the likely kingmaker following this Emeritus of Economics at New who have to keep explaining the facts, a problem compounded by historians, contempt. The US could not have Vladimir Putin. autumn’s Bundestag election, York University. who continue to refer to the Cabal Ministry as a convenient shorthand. won the Cold War without its The Biden administration clearly strongly opposes it. As one observer ©PROJECT SYNDICATE

LOL Quota beyond 50% unacceptable Gates’ divorce

Pope and shark fishing and land the Sir, Reservation beyond 50 per cent is unacceptable. Tamil Nadu is already Sir, Apropos, “Bill, Melinda Gates divorcing, after 27 years of mar- boat on the having 69 per cent reservation defying the nine-judge bench Supreme Court riage”, Orissa POST, May 5. Divorce is always sad and stress- ne day, the Pope was in from Italy beach. The Pope says etters directive in 1992. The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark judg- ful for most people who go through it. The Gates are hyper- Oand after a rough week of to the men, "I know that ment showing the Rule Book to Maharashtra government by quashing wealthy, but that doesn’t make them less human. One hopes they meeting archbishops and other there has been a lot of attention and a the Maharashtra law granting quota to the Maratha community in pub- are able to walk the difficult path forward as amicably and gen- religious figures, he decided to go see lot of strife in this election, but I can TOL THE EDITOR lic jobs and educational institutions exceeding the present 50 per cent of tly as possible. And, one of the greatest outcomes of their part- the Galveston shore in Texas. When see that you two men respect each Readers of Orissa POST total reservation. The Supreme Court is right in observing that the reser- nership is their foundation - not only endures, but continues to he arrives in his Pope mobile, he sees other and would help each other in are most welcome to contribute letters vation for the Maratha community is in violation of Articles 14 (Right to move forward with Melinda’s influence. The Gates Foundation a man struggling for his life against a their house of need. You have my (200 words), articles and Equality) and 15 (Prohibition on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or has spent more than $50 billion, mostly on essential global health columns (between 750-1250 shark. Upon a closer look he notices blessings." The Pope packs off and words). Contributors are place of birth) of the Constitution. The blatant violation of the Supreme and development initiatives. Vaccinations, education and cam- that it is John Kerry. Horrified, he drives out of site. Bush asks, "Who requested to send their Court directive by the state governments to subserve the political inter- paigns against HIV/AIDS and malaria have long been on the foun- starts to call for help when a was that?" "That was the Pope Mr. contact numbers and full est of the parties ignores the interest of the unreserved category. At one dation’s agenda, but over the years, Melinda’s voice was heard

speedboat pulls up alongside Mr. President, he is all knowing and in postal address/email ID. They may also point of time the Supreme Court was inclined to ask for how many gen- pushing for an increased focus on family planning efforts - en-

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c Kerry, with George W. Bush and Dick touch with God. Leader of the and suggestions, preferably by email, erations would the reservation continue. The court has also ruled in visaging that family planning makes families healthier, wealth- Cheney on board. Dick Cheney leans Catholic Church," says Cheney. Bush to: [email protected] June 2020 that reservation is not a fundamental right and has wondered ier and happier. As the Gates’ transition into the next phase of over and pulls him out. Then George says, "Well that's all neat and fine, if no backward caste has moved forward. The Apex Court ruling against their lives, we should respect their wish for personal privacy. The W. Busy and Dick Cheney begin to but he doesn't know anything law on Maratha quota will go a long way in check-mating any other state future of their highly influential foundation, though, is more pub- beat the shark to death with baseball about shark fishing. How’s the bait B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, having in its mind to enact reservation laws exceeding 50 per cent. lic than personal. It would be a shame to see it fractured. bats. The two men notice the Pope holding up?" Bhubaneswar-751010 KV Seetharamaiah, HASSAN N Sadhasiva Reddy, BANGALORE P7 DELHI MAHARASHTRA

SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m War rooms, field hospitals helped Mumbai tackle Covid 2nd wave Maha, Delhi among states seeing c AS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY IS REELING UNDER AN UNPRECEDENTED SURGE IN CASES, THE “MUMBAI plateau in Covid cases: Centre MODEL” HAS DRAWN APPRECIATION EVEN FROM THE SUPREME COURT

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ent, Mumbai has 31,695 Covid-19 After the April 17 incident when beds, including 12,754 oxygen beds oxygen in six hospitals ran out, the Mumbai, May 7: A system of and 2,929 ICU ones. BMC sought a protocol for oxygen ward-level ‘war rooms’ where hos- There is no shortage of medical consumption from the Maharashtra pital beds are allocated by civic of- oxygen in the city now, but there government’s Covid-19 task force. ficials and the decision not to dis- were some scary moments when It was decided that oxygen satu- mantle field hospitals were key to on the night of April 16-17 the BMC ration level need not be maintained Mumbai’s success in tackling the had to shift 168 Covid-19 patients beyond 94 per cent, high-flow nasal second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, from six civic hospitals as oxygen oxygen should not be used indis- officials believe. supply ran out. criminately, and there should be As much of the country is reel- Learning a lesson, it started mon- an oxygen consumption audit, ing under an unprecedented surge itoring the movement of oxygen Chahal said. The protocol was con- in cases, the “Mumbai model” has cylinders from plants to hospitals veyed to all 176 hospitals in the city. drawn appreciation even from the in real time. Mayor Pednekar said the BMC PRESS TRUST OF INDIA These are Karnataka, Kerala, West Supreme Court. “We have now deputed six officers also focused on setting up oxygen Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, Since May 1, Mumbai is report- at control rooms to ensure seamless plants. “We didn’t rely only on oxy- New Delhi, May 7: Some of the Health Ministry officials told re- ing less than 4,000 cases every day, supply of oxygen. There is also a gen cylinders, but we set up liquid states that first saw a steady rise in porters Friday. a significant fall from over 8,500 monitoring committee headed by a oxygen plants. Because of this, not Covid-19 cases at the start of the Twelve states have over one lakh cases a day in the first week of deputy commissioner,” Kakani a single person died due to lack of deadly second wave of the pan- active Covid cases, and seven states April. On April 4, the city logged added. During the first wave, the oxygen,” she said. demic are now seeing a plateau of have between 50,000 and one lakh 11,163 cases, the highest so far. On BMC set up a ‘war room’ in each of Chief Minister Uddhav fresh infections, a top official of active cases, the Health Ministry May 6, it recorded 3,056 cases. A field hospital for treating Covid-19 patients in Mumbai the 24 wards to guide patients. Thackeray’s decision to enforce fresh the Health Ministry said Friday. said today. The positivity rate is To be sure, the financial capital Thanks to this system, people are lockdown also helped, she noted. Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat above 15 per cent in 24 states and of the country is still reporting do,” said a bench headed by Justice Commissioner Suresh Kakani, who not needed to run from one hospi- The civic body has already started were among the states hit hardest in the range of 5-15 per cent in more cases daily than the peak of DY Chandrachud, hearing pleas on insisted that jumbo centres should tal to another in search of beds, as preparing for the possible third wave when the second wave of the pan- nine, it said. The Health Ministry 2,848 cases recorded on October 7 the dire situation in Delhi. not be dismantled till March 31, allocation of beds is done by war of the pandemic, she said. demic exploded. In no time hospi- asked the states to prioritise ben- during the first wave last year. As the second wave began, the said the BMC was ready for a new room officials. The number of jumbo Covid fa- tals started sending out SOS for eficiaries waiting for their second But there is no shortage of hos- Brihanmumbai Municipal surge. “The whole system – oxygen, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal cilities will be increased from nine medical oxygen needed for criti- dose of vaccine. pital beds and oxygen for patients, Corporation focused on testing, catering, house-keeping, doctors Singh Chahal said during a recent to 15, including dedicated facilities cal Covid patients and beds started The second wave of the pan- civic officials claimed. contact tracing and treatment be- and nurses – was in place at jumbo interview that war rooms, dash- for children and the disabled, filling up fast, plunging these states demic has hit the country hard, On Wednesday, the Supreme sides ensuring that people followed centres,” he said. boards for bed management, pro- Pednekar said. into big difficulties. with hospitals across states running Court lauded the efforts of au- guidelines. But the decision not to The civic body continued to aug- hibition of release of test report “Jumbo centres, dashboard, oxy- “Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, out of beds and medical oxygen. The thorities to ensure adequate oxygen take down the infrastructure put in ment availability of oxygen and directly to patients and the deci- gen supply and all other things Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, economic toll of the pandemic is supply in Mumbai. place during the first wave proved ICU beds and medicine stocks, he sion not to dismantle jumbo Covid worked effectively. Their effective- Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, also seen to be unprecedented. “Bombay Municipal Corporation to be more crucial. “There would said. “This is why the BMC had facilities proved useful. ness was visible in last three-four Telangana and Jharkhand are the Some 230 million Indians fell is doing some great work, with no have been chaos if we hadn't kept sufficient stock of Remdesivir when The system is on “auto pilot” weeks. This infrastructure needs to states where cases were increasing into poverty due to the pandemic disrespect to Delhi. What they are jumbo COVID centres (field hospi- everywhere there was a shortage,” now, he said. “When I joined, we did be maintained because one cannot earlier, but are now plateauing last year with young people and doing, how they are managing, we tals), oxygen beds, ICU beds ready Kakani said. The number of beds not have a dashboard, our control predict if Covid-19 has run its course gradually,” Additional Secretary women the hardest hit, and the can learn from them. I also under- before the start of second wave,” said was doubled from around 12,000 to room operators used to check with or not,” said Dr Om Shrivastava,an (Health) Arti Ahuja said. current second wave threatens to stand that Maharashtra also pro- Mayor Kishori Pednekar. 24,000 within a month when cases individual hospitals if a bed is avail- infectious diseases expert who is a However, some states are still make matters even worse, a new duces oxygen which Delhi cannot Additional Municipal began to rise in February. At pres- able,” he said. member of the state task force. seeing a daily rise in Covid cases. study has said.

100 O2 concentrators recovered from restaurants DESOLATE STREETS

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Nege Ju Restaurant and Bar in cen- tral market Lodhi Colony was found New Delhi, May 7: The Delhi Police open Wednesday. A man was found conducted raids at two restaurants working on a laptop at the restau- in the national capital and recovered rant who was later found taking over 100 oxygen concentrators, used online orders for oxygen concen- for treatment of Covid-19 patients, trators, police had said earlier. officials said Friday. Police had searched the restau- According to the police, 96 oxy- rant premises and recovered 32 gen concentrators were recovered boxes of oxygen concentrators, one from Khan Chacha Restaurant and box of thermal scanner and one nine were seized from Town Hall Police said during interrogation, box containing N 95 masks, the of- restaurant, both situated in the Hitesh disclosed that they were ficer had said. Khan Market area. hoarding oxygen concentrators in “A case was registered and four The recovery of over 100 oxy- these restaurants following which accused persons were arrested,” gen concentrators comes after the raids were conducted at the joints Deputy Commissioner of Police arrest of four men – Gaurav, Satish at the Khan Market area and the (south) Atul Kumar Thakur had Sethi, Vikrant and Hitesh from equipments were recovered. said. During interrogation, the ac- south Delhi’s Lodhi Colony area The owner of these two restau- cused disclosed about their ware- Wednesday for allegedly indulging rants is a man named Navneet house in Chhatarpur, following in black marketing of oxygen con- Kalra, police said. Kalra also owns which a search was conducted and centrators. After the arrest of the another restaurant where police 387 more units of oxygen concen- four men, the police had recovered had conducted raids and recovered trators were recovered which were 419 oxygen concentrators that were oxygen concentrators on Wednesday. being sold at exorbitant prices in meant to be sold in black market. Earlier, the police had said that black market, the DCP had said. A long exposure photograph shows light trails due to passing of vehicles at the AIIMS flyover during Covid-induced lockdown in New Delhi PTI PHOTO BMC hospital turns AMBULANCE CHARGES `1.2 LAKH 50L Covishield doses meant Covid-hit moms’ for export to be used in India FOR CARRYING PATIENT 350 KM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA istry to supply 50 lakh doses of Covishield to the UK, citing an AGENCIES for oxygen cylinders, medicines He got the number of the am- New Delhi, May 7: Fifty lakh doses agreement with AstraZeneca in cradle for safe delivery and ambulance service have come bulance service from the leads of ‘Covishield' vaccine earmarked this regard, while assuring India New Delhi, May 7: Delhi Police to the fore in the past few weeks. circulating on social media and by the Serum Institute for export to that its own anti-coronavirus vac- The civic-run BYL Nair Charitable Hospital has just Friday arrested one person after A Delhi Police release said 29- they asked for `1.20 lakh, said the United Kingdom have now been cination programme will not be a patient’s family was charged year-old Mimohi Kumar Bundwal, Amanjyot. Desperate, the fam- made available for the inoculation disturbed due to this supply. completed its 1,025th safe delivery for a woman infected `1.20 lakh for an ambulance to an MBBS doctor, had been in the ily agreed. of 18-44 age group in 21 states/UTs “The stock of 50 lakh doses of by Covid-19 - and may walk into record books transport her from Gurgaon to a ambulance business for two years According to the Delhi Police re- in India, amid a surge in COVID-19 Covishield vaccine is now avail- hospital in Ludhiana. now. Over the last one month, he lease, the accused has now re- cases, official sources said. able for inoculation of 18-44 age INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Satinder Kaur, 62, was trans- had been overcharging patients’ funded the amount. The ambu- The Centre's decision to allocate group people in 21 states and UTs,” ported from DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon families, the release said. He was lance has been seized and further these doses to 21 states and Union an official source said. Mumbai, May 7: Marking a sig- to Hi-Care Hospital, Ludhiana, arrested from Inderpuri in Delhi. investigation is on, said police. territories (UTs) came after Prakash The ministry has asked the states nificant achievement, the civic- about 350 km away, May 5. Speaking to the media, Taking note of multiple in- Kumar Singh, director, Government to contact the company and initi- run BYL Nair Charitable Hospital This comes at a time when a Amanjyot, son-in-law of the pa- stances of patients’ families being and Regulatory Affairs at Pune- ate procurement activity promptly. has just completed its 1,025th safe sharp surge in Covid cases in the tient, said they were desperately overcharged, the Delhi govern- based Serum Institute of India, re- While some states have been al- delivery for a woman infected by country is making people scram- looking for beds after her condi- ment has capped the charge pri- cently wrote to the Union health located 3,50,000 doses each, others Covid-19 - and may walk into record ble for medical equipment and tion deteriorated when they got in- vate ambulance services can levy ministry seeking permission for got 1,00,000 doses each and two oth- books, excited officials said. hospital beds. Several instances of formation that a bed was avail- and warned of strict action the same. ers have been assigned 50,000 doses The first such delivery of an in- overcharging patients’ families able in Ludhiana. against violators. The Serum Institute had March each based on the COVID-19 case- fant by a Covid-19 positive mother 23 sought permission from the min- load, official sources said. took place April 14, 2020 at the height of the pandemic at the hos- tively without even drinking water pital run by BrihanMumbai as they wore PPE kits, did all their Municipal Corporation (BMC). duties tirelessly practically 24X7, “Of around 1,025 safe deliveries spending days in hospital without Delhi’s autorickshaws become Covid-19 ambulances so far, there was one set of triplets, going home, and dedicated them- 19 twins and the remaining 984 selves without complaints to the THE DELHI Covid-19 patients. “We must all help each other out were single bundles of joy whose care of the Covid-19 positive preg- Actual ambulances are hard to at this time of need to get out of this first cries brought cheers to the nant women and their special GOVERNMENT HAS come by as a devastating surge in situation,” said Kumar, who wears lives of their anxious parents,” the needs,” said Dr Bharmal. cases overwhelms the healthcare sys- a PPE suit. There is a plastic par- hospital Dean & Director Dr “Covid infection is not congen- KITTED OUT MORE tem. Families have had to make tition between him and the pas- Ramesh Bharmal told this news ital. Even if the mother is infected, THAN A DOZEN their own arrangements including sengers at the back. agency. The achievement comes the unborn baby is not infected paying exorbitant amounts to pri- “If everyone stays home because hand-in-hand with the Supreme but can become positive after com- AUTORICKSHAWS vate ambulance operators to take the they are scared, then who is going Court's observations this week pat- ing in contact with the mom after WITH HAND sick to hospital. to help those in need?” ting the BMC’s handling of the birth,” explained Dr Sushma Malik, The Delhi government, in as- Mohit Raj, founder and execu- Covid-19 situation and asking other head of the departments of neo- SANITISERS AND sociation with a non-profit or- tive director of the Turn Your states like Delhi to follow the natal and pediatrics care. FACE MASKS, WHILE ganisation, has kitted out more Concern Into Action foundation, ‘Mumbai model’. As per protocols, all newborns than a dozen autorickshaws with said the response so far had shown The BMC attributes the success of Covid-infected women are also OXYGEN CYLINDERS hand sanitisers and face masks, the scheme needed more vehicles. of Nair Hospital to the sheer ded- tested and though some infants ARE PROVIDED while oxygen cylinders are pro- “Now we are getting calls not ication of the medical, para-medical born here during the year were REUTERS PHOTO vided on a need basis. The serv- just of Covid patients but from

and support teams at the hospital found positive, they were asymp- ice, which began officially front-line workers who are unable

k y m ON A NEED BASIS c under the guidance of BMC tomatic and later discharged after Tuesday, is free. to find patient conveyance, as well Commissioner IS Chahal, Additional they tested negative, she added. REUTERS Drivers stand near auto rickshaw ambulances, prepared to transfer people Autorickshaw driver Raj Kumar as from people with other ailments,” Municipal Commissioner Suresh Dr Bharmal said that while a suffering from the COVID-19 and their relatives for free in New Delhi has taken patients to the Lok Nayak he said. Kakani, Dr Ramesh Bharmal, and majority or over 60 per cent of the New Delhi, May 7: It’s not the Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Raj added he has received re- other top officers. deliveries were 'normal', the rest most conventional way to get to short of ambulances, authorities uitous three-wheeled autorickshaws Delhi’s largest facility, which is quests from other parts of the coun- “They slogged 6 hours consecu- were through the Cesarian Section. hospital, but with Delhi running have turned some of the city’s ubiq- into makeshift ambulances to ferry overflowing with Covid-19 patients. try to start services there. Central SITARIST PRATEEK CHAUDHURI DIES AT 49 P8 Vista is SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR criminal wastage. Renowned sitarist Prateek Chaudhuri has passed Put people's lives at away after Covid-related issues. The death comes the centre -- not within a week of his father Pandit Debu Chaudhuri your blind arrogance breathing his last May 1, after being infected with to get a new house Covid-19. Prateek Chaudhuri's demise was y RAHUL GANDHI | confirmed Friday evening on the official Twitter

CONGRESS LEADER account of Ministry of Culture, government of India

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of the day uote Modi govt has failed CHAOS AMID PANDEMIC The way in which incidents of political violence, arson and other people of India: Sonia criminal acts are happening in Uttar Pradesh after panchayat polls is a AEGCNIES matter of serious concern Rahul writes to PM New Delhi, May 7: Amid rising MAYAWATI | Former Congress President Rahul COVID-19 cases, Congress presi- BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY SUPREMO Gandhi Friday wrote to Prime dent Sonia Gandhi Friday said it Minister Narendra Modi saying his is not the system but the Modi gov- government's lack of a clear and As far as ernment that has failed the peo- coherent Covid and vaccination Kashmir is ple by not being able to channelise strategy, as well as its hubris in concerned, it resources, and demanded an all- declaring premature victory as the is no secret that party meeting be convened im- virus was exponentially spreading, hundreds, or may be mediately. has placed India in a highly thousands of Addressing the Congress dangerous position. He also said detainees and Parliamentary Party (CPP) meet- that government's failures have political prisoners arrested since ing virtually, she also said the made another national lockdown August 2019 continue to languish in party's performance in the just- almost inevitable, and to prevent a jails both in and outside J-K concluded assembly elections was repeat of the manifold suffering caused by last year's lockdown, MEHBOOBA MUFTI | PDP PRESIDENT very disappointing and MPs must draw "appropriate lessons from the government must act with compassion and provide critical this setback in the spirit of hu- financial and food support to "our In Delhi 1.84 mility and honesty". most vulnerable people". Members of the NSUI Telangana unit during a protest outside Malla Reddy Hospital in Hyderabad PTI PHOTO lakh youth The meeting was attended by have got the the Congress' members in Lok 1st dose of vaccine, Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including India is crippled by a political lead- in first 4 days of 18- Rahul Gandhi. Senior party leader ership today that has no empathy 45 yrs age group and former Prime Minister for the people. The Modi govern- SC asks Delhi HC for speedy hearing opening. In total Manmohan Singh could not attend ment has failed the people of our 38.88 lakh people have got the the meet. "Let us be absolutely country," the Congress president told INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Delhi has increased and number of vaccine in all age groups till clear -- the system hasn't failed. the MPs. She said the Congress CENTRAL VISTA CONSTRUCTION deaths due to Covid-19, have gone yesterday evening The Modi government has been firmly believes that fighting the New Delhi, May 7: Citing that the up. "This matter needs considera- MANISH SISODIA | unable to constructively channelise pandemic is not a "Government Delhi High Court is already seized of tion. Before High Court, we sub- DELHI DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER India's many strengths and re- versus Us" battle but a "Us versus the matter, the Supreme Court Friday mitted that we are concerned with sources. I say this categorically -- Corona" battle. declined to interfere with the Central the 3.5-4km stretch...We're at a stage Vista redevelopment project. where the health system has broken SHORT TAKES A bench comprising Justices down, people are dying", submitted Vineet Saran and Dinesh Luthra. The bench responded that Maheshwari granted the petitioner it is aware of the situation, but the Lawyer on EC’s liberty to mention the matter before court cannot make comments about the Chief Justice of Delhi High the deaths, as it may be taken oth- panel resigns Court for early hearing. erwise. New Delhi: A lawyer, who has The bench also asked the high Luthra said there are 8 sites been representing the court to preferably consider the which are undergoing construc- Election Commission (EC) plea for an early hearing. Solicitor deferred by four to six weeks noth- ment order of the high court raises tion, we're not concerned with all, before the Supreme Court, General Tushar Mehta, represent- ing will happen." He added that the serious doubt. Mehta said that an rather we are only concerned with has resigned from the panel ing the Centre, submitted that the IPL has already been suspended appeal against an adjournment Rajpath, Central Vista stretch and of advocates of the EC, high court has kept the matter for and we are facing an unprecedented would set a wrong precedent. the gardens. Luthra said: "How can saying his values were not in hearing May 17. Covid-19 crisis. Luthra contended before the construction be an essential activ- consonance with the present Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, Mehta submitted that the peti- bench that when human life is con- ity? In a health emergency, we can't functioning of the poll body. representing the petitioners, ar- tioner coming to court by way of a cerned, government has to protect. risk life of workers and their fam- Advocate Mohit D Ram was a gued: "We are facing a humanitar- PIL and filing a Special Leave He added that from April to May, ilies and put more pressure on panel counsel for the EC in ian health crisis. If this project is Petition (SLP) against an adjourn- the positivity rate of Covid-19 in healthcare system." the Supreme Court since 2013. “I have found that my values are not in consonance with the current functioning Karnataka govt of the EC; and hence I withdraw myself from the ‘3rd wave of Covid-19 may not ‘COVID-19 CAN ALSO CAUSE responsibilities of its panel extends lockdown counsel before the Supreme DANGEROUS BLOOD CLOTS’ PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Court,” he said in the resignation letter. happen if strong steps taken’ Bangalore, May 7: Karnataka PRESS TRUST OF INDIA This week it has been one a day Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa AGENCIES Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand of such complications,” said Dr Friday announced lockdown and Uttar Pradesh, are showing New Delhi, May 7: There is in- Ambarish Satwik, vascular and like restrictions with more Journalist Shesh New Delhi, May 7: Two days after early signs of plateauing or de- creasing evidence to suggest that endovascular surgeon at Delhi's stringent curbs from May 10 Narayan dies warning that the third wave of crease in daily new Covid cases." COVID-19 is not just a disease of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The to May 24 in view of alarming Covid is inevitable, Principal About vaccine coverage, she said: the lungs as initially thought but prevalence of blood clot forma- rise in COVID cases. Noida (UP): Veteran Scientific Adviser to the "So far, a total 16.50 crore doses can also cause dangerous blood tion in COVID-19 is high in pa- There was already a curfew in journalist Shesh Narayan Government, K VijayRaghavan have been administered across all clots which need to be immedi- tients who have conditions such place in the state from April 27, Singh passed away Friday Friday stepped back, saying that it eligible categories. Over 12.66 crore ately retrieved to as type-2 which was to end May 12. “The while undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a may not happen if strong steps and people above 45 years have ad- save limbs in Diabetes second wave of COVID-19 is cre- government hospital in Uttar measures are taken. ministered vaccines. 1,59 health some cases, say Mellitus, al- ating havoc across the state as the Pradesh's Greater Noida, Addressing the Union Health care workers, 2.13 crore frontline experts. though the Corona curfew imposed in the officials said. The 70-year-old Ministry press briefing, he said: workers and 11.81 lakh people aged Global studies exact inci- state has not yielded the expected journalist was admitted to “If we take strong steps and meas- between 18 to 44 years have been ad- have shown that dence remains result in reducing the infection the Government Institute of ures, the third wave may not hap- ministered vaccines." the prevalence of unknown, and death rate,” the Chief Minister Medical Sciences (GIMS) pen in all the places or indeed any- As per government data, there are blood clot for- added Dr said. “Therefore, the government after being diagnosed where at all.” He pointed out that there are 24 states where the positivity rate mation known as Amrish has decided to impose a stringent positive for the coronavirus, "It all depends on how much the three factors triggering this fun- is more than 15 per cent, nine states deep vein throm- Kumar, con- measure to check the spread of a hospital official said. guidelines are effectively imple- gal infection: uncontrolled diabetes, have a positivity rate between five bosis (DVT) in hospitalised sultant, cardio-thoracic vascu- the disease and death. Restriction President Ram Nath Kovind, mented at local level." Asked about immunosuppression because of to 15 per cent and three states have COVID-19 patients is 14-28 per lar department, Aakash will be imposed in the entire state Prime Minister Narendra reports of mucormycosis among steroids or any other disease and a positivity rate less than five per cent and is a lower 2-5 per cent for Healthcare in southwest Delhi's from 6 am of May 10 to 6 am of May Modi and a host of politicians Covid-19 patients, NITI Aayog's exposure to a wet surface. cent. The country is reporting daily arterial thrombosis. Dwarka locality. 24,” he said. “All shops and besides media groups paid Member, Health, Prof VK Paul said: "Mucormycosis is absolutely pre- new cases growth rate of one per The India experience is simi- Satwik drew attention to the commercial establishments, ho- their tributes to Singh, a "Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) is ventable and if one's diabetes is cent in the last seven days. lar, said experts, stressing that the Covid-clot connection in a tweet tels, pubs and bars will remain veteran journalist, columnist detected mostly in diabetic patients. under control, there is no reason to Twelve states/UTs have more infection is about the blood ves- earlier this week in which he closed during this period, and political commentator. We want to reassure that there is worry," Paul said. Meanwhile, than one lakh active cases, seven sels as much as about the lungs. posted a picture of a blood clot cast Yediyurappa said. “Essential no major outbreak and we are doing Additional Secretary, Health, Arti states and UTs have 50,000 to one “We are dealing with five-six retrieved from the lower limb goods and services like food, med- proper surveillance of the situa- Ahuja said: "States and UTs, in- lakh active cases, and 17 have less such cases per week on average. arteries of a COVID-19 patient. icine, milk, fruits and vegetables, Lion tests tion." cluding Delhi, Chhattisgarh, than 50,000 active cases. etc will be available from 6 am to Covid +ve 10 am, he added. Bareilly (UP): A lion at the Etawah Safari Park has tested positive for COVID-19 and another was suspected After Bengal defeat, BJP’s woes rise in Northeast to have caught the infection, three days after eight Asiatic INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ists say. Two, he could return to the in the Northeast. supporters briefly after leaving the lions in Hyderabad were Congress with 20 to 30 MLAs, be In neighbouring Tripura, BJP Congress and before joning the BJP. found infected with the virus. Kolkata, May 7: The electoral de- elected the CM and then move to CM Biplab Deb has faced fierce dis- He could also team up with royal "Sixteen samples of 14 feat in West Bengal has suddenly draw in the AGP and BPF to form sidence with rebel legislators camp- scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Asiatic lions at the Etawah opened a can of worms for the BJP a broad-based coalition govern- ing in Delhi on scores of occasions whose TIPRA party has swept the Safari Park had been sent to in the Northeast. ment in Assam. Three, he pushes the seeking his ouster. state's tribal automomous district the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) for In Assam, the BJP failed to gain party high command to accept a The dissident camp is led by for- council polls and its merger with two RT-PCR tests for COVID-19. a majority on its own, winning 60 compromise candidate from the mer health minister Sudip Roy other tribal parties leaves the BJP On Thursday, one lion tested of the 126 seats. Its allies AGP won ranks of his loyalists and emerges Barman, a military school cadet quite vulnerable in a state where 20 positive for the virus, while 9 and BPF 4 seats, but the compe- defacto CM by pushing out the in- and engineering graduate, who like of the 60 seats in the Assembly are another was considered as a tition for the post of chief minister cumbent Sonowal and a possible Sarma is originally from the reserved for Scheduled Tribes. suspected case. The is getting bitter. third candidate Dilip Saikia, Congress. Barman is the son of for- "If Himanta Biswa Sarma is not remaining 12 lions have Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP's Mangaldoi MP and BJP national mer Congress CM Samir Ranjan given the top job and he revolts, he tested negative," IVRI Joint lead strategist in Northeast as the secretary. Sarma began his career Barman and nephew of High Court could make things very difficult Director Dr KP Singh said. convenor of the pro-saffron as a leader of the All Assam Students Justice Sujit Barman. for the BJP top brass in the entire Northeast Democratic Alliance Union, and was inducted into the Since most BJP MLAs are orig- Northeast beginning with Assam (NEDA), seems determined not to Congress by late CM Hiteswar inally Congress turncoats who and Tripura," said Samir Das, an au- 3 injured in loose out on his lifetime ambition is made the CM to consolidate the the party, smarting from nation- Saikia. He moved to the BJP after moved to the saffron camp resent- thor on Assam politics. for the top job. "He accepted party's gains. The 9 AGP and 4 BPF wide reverses, is waiting for the Narendra Modi became the Prime ing the Congress-Left alliances, "It is best they take Sonowal to militant attack Sarbananda Sonowal as Chief MLAs are also firmly behind Sarma, BJP to make a leadership choice Minister. Sudip Roy Barman had to be kept Delhi where he was Union Sports Minister for the BJP's first term in he claimed. and not take a premature jump into Despite his turncoat past and at bay only by the high command's Minister before becoming Assam

y Srinagar: Three security Assam, but having delivered suc- personnel and a civilian were The Congress and its ally AUDF the fray. But if Sarma is not con- his being implicated in many scams, determination to retain an RSS CM. Or else one could brace for

cessfully in meeting all the chal- with 29 and 16 seats between them- sidered for the CM's post, and he re- Sarma is a go-getter, first rate elec- pracharak at the top.

k y m injured in a grenade attack by cascading effects," he added. c militants here Friday, police lenges, it is only natural that the selves, respectively, may not be un- volts, many possibilities will open toral strategist, fund raiser and Roy Burman claims the support The BJP top brass is already fac- said. About 4.45 pm, militants party rewards him with the top willing to draw Sarma out of the saf- up. One, he could form a regional brilliant at making and breaking of 25 of the 36 BJP MLAs and could ing fierce criticism in West Bengal hurled a grenade towards job," said a senior BJP MLA close fron fold if he manages 20-odd BJP party with 30 plus MLAs and form coalitions. He is seen as Delhi's well follow Sarma's lead in Assam where former state president security forces' deployment to Sarma. He claimed that 43 of the MLAs who are originally Congress a government with the support of Man Friday whenever the BJP has if he revolts. Roy Burman could Tathagata Ray has hauled up the at Nawa Bazar area of the 60 BJP MLAs are firmly behind turncoats like him. Congress, AUDF, AGP and BPF. He had problems with its allies or in return to Trinamooll Congress party's poll managers for 'wasting city, a police official said. Sarma and are keen that their leader Congress sources in Assam say has resources to do that, his loyal- forming governments anywhere where he parked himself with his the chance of a lifetime'. BLACK FUNGUS INFECTION IS BACK P9 Goa will SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR impose a strict, Mucormycosis, also known as black state-level curfew, fungus, can turn dangerous if left from May 9 to May untreated, doctors said Friday amid 23, to counter rising reports of re-emergence of the rare Covid-19 cases deadly fungal infection among

y Covid-19 patients across hospitals in PRAMOD SAWANT |

GOA CHIEF MINISTER Delhi, Pune and Ahmedabad

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of the day uote Stalin sworn The BJP Hosps need their own O plants government in 2 the state has failed in COVID According to reports, India so far only has 1,224 tankers with a capacity of 16,732 MT to carry medical management. I oxygen and the Central government is in the process of manufacturing more cryogenic tankers appeal to all my in as TN CM party workers, office-bearers and newly elected INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE hospital Hyderabad, installing oxy- saving gas to patients. panchayat representatives to help gen plants is the need of the hour Delhi Chief Minister Arvind people in all possible way by New Delhi, May 7: As Covid-19 pan- and the “government must ensure Kejriwal Thursday said that they keeping themselves safe demic moves from the urban cen- that it is implemented to avoid oxy- will set up 48 oxygen plants, in- tres to the hinterlands ravaging gen deprivation to the needy pa- cluding 21 that are being imported AKHILESH YADAV | SAMAJWADI PARTY CHIEF the over-burdened healthcare sys- tients in smaller cities and towns from France, across the capital. tem, the medical fraternity urged where the pandemic is surging”. "Medical collage hospital and large The state the government to install oxygen The demand for oxygen has corporate hospitals can have per- government is plants in all hospital premises as oxy- soared “seven-fold” in India amid manent plants, but this is not pos- continuously gen cylinders and concentrators the rising daily Covid-19 cases. sible for small hospitals/nursing making efforts to distribute oxygen as are unable to meet the surge in de- According to the Union Health and homes," Dr Sumant Mantri, Senior per requirement in mand for the life-saving gas. Family Welfare Ministry, the de- Consultant, Pulmonologist at Apollo all hospitals of the The fact is that oxygen concen- mand for life-saving gas spread Hospital, Bangalore told IANS. Dr state. With the assistance of the trators/cylinders cannot reach from 12 states April 15 to as many Pratibha Dogra, Senior pulmo- Central government, 60 oxygen every nook and corner of the coun- as 22 states April 24. nologist from W Pratiksha Hospital plants will be set up in government try and hospitals with their own oxy- In nine days, the demand for Gurgaon said that the hospitals in hospitals with a capacity of 30, 50, gen-generating infrastructure can medical oxygen increased 67 per the country urgently need their 100 and 200 beds in the state only supply oxygen to critical pa- cent. The problem is that liquid own oxygen plants.

ANIL VIJ | HARYANA HOME MINISTER tients in this dire situation. medical oxygen is flammable and, "We have to act urgently to in- In a life-saving measure, a oxy- in most cases, can't be flown and has crease oxygen production to meet gen generator donated by the French to be moved via road, rail or sea, the anticipated amount of oxygen When we say government was installed in record 48 cylinders weighing 40 litres to 60 which takes longer time to reach the requirement by covid patients given PRESS TRUST OF INDIA investment banker, is Minister for 700 MT, it 18 hours at Narayana Super litres each in 24 hours. hospitals. that we are still on the rising curve Finance and Human Resources means (the Specialty Hospital in East Delhi, According to Dr V Ramana An oxygen plant within the prem- Chennai, May 7: Muthuvel Management. Veteran KKSSR amount of medical of the second wave," Dogra said in oxygen to be which is helping the hospital fill Prasad, Senior pulmonologist, KIMS ises can quickly deliver the live- a statement. Karunanidhi Stalin, the DMK pres- Ramachandran is the Minister for supplied) every day ident who led his party to a huge Revenue and Disaster Management. to Delhi. Please do victory in the Assembly polls was Noted party leader from here and not drive us to a situation to take sworn in as the 8th Chief Minister former Chennai Mayor, Ma coercive steps. We are clarifying Rlys delivered STRICT VIGIL of Tamil Nadu Friday. Subramanian is Minister for Health, that it will be 700 MT every day Governor Banwarilal Purohit Family Welfare. K Ponmudi is 2,960 MT LMO to administered the oath of office Minister for Higher Education, ARVIND KEJRIWAL | DELHI CHIEF MINISTER and secrecy to the 68-year old Stalin, Thangam Thnnaarasu Minister different states for whom this would be the first stint for Industries and P K Sekarbabu as CM, in a simple ceremony at is Minister for Hindu Religious INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE the Raj Bhavan here. and Charitable Endowments SHORT TAKES A total of 33 ministers were also Department. New Delhi, May 7: Ramping up sworn in following Stalin, of whom V Senthil Balaji, who was trans- Boy rescued the delivery of medical oxygen 15 are first-time ministers. All the port minister between 2011 and across the country, the Indian 34, including Stalin took the oath 2015 during the previous AIADMK from borewell Railways said Friday that it has as per their conscience and in government headed by J Jodhpur (Raj): A four-year- delivered more than 2,960 MT Tamil, in sync with the decades Jayalalithaa and who joined the old boy was rescued from a Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) old tradition of the DMK. DMK in 2018, is Minister for elec- nearly 90-foot-deep open in 185 tankers through its Oxygen Earlier, Stalin, clad in a white tricity. borewell in a village in Express trains to different states. shirt and dhoti introduced his Certain departments including Rajasthan's Jalore district A Railway Ministry spokesper- Cabinet to Purohit. DMK veteran agriculture and environment have Friday, around 16 hours after son said that the national and general secretary been renamed. Accordingly, agri- he fell into it while playing, teansporter is continuing with Duraimurugan, who had held port- culture department is now police said. The child, its journey to provide relief to the folios like Public Works during the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare identified as Anil Dewasi, people by delivering liquid med- previous DMK rule (2006-11) was ad- and Environment is Department of had fallen into the freshly ical oxygen to various states ministered oath after Stalin and Environment and Climate Change. dug borewell in Lachhri across the country. is designated as Water Resources Stalin's family members including village Thursday afternoon, "So far, the Railways has de- Minister in charge of irrigation his wife Durga and son Udhayanidhi they said. He was livered more than 2,960 MT projects and has portfolios of mines Stalin, who won from Triplicane- rescued around 4.30 am LMO in 185 tankers to various and minerals. Chepauk constituency here, took Friday, police said. "The states across the country," the Home and other portfolios in- part in the event. When Stalin took administration had roped in a spokesperson said. cluding public, general adminis- the oath, beginning with words "I local man, Madharam Suthar from Bhinmal, who used a He said that 47 Oxygen Express tration, all India services, district Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin," his special loop type tool trains have already completed revenue officers, special programme wife's eyes welled up in joy. The devised by him to rescue the their journey. Giving the break- implementation and welfare of dif- DMK chief's elder brother, M K boy," an official said. up, the official said that 174 MT ferently abled persons are with Alagiri's son Dayanidhi and for- LMO has been offloaded in Chief Minister Stalin. mer union minister Dayanidhi Maharashtra, 729 MT in Uttar Security forces on alert amid lockdown in valley UNI PHOTO Palanivel Thiagarajan, a former Maran were present. Pradesh, 249 MT in Madhya Four killed in Pradesh, 305 MT in Haryana, 123 lightning strike MT in Telangana and 1,334 MT in Rangasamy sworn Delhi. Korba: Four members of a Over 90L vax doses still available: Govt family were killed, while two in as Pondy CM others injured after being INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Gujarat (5,76,058), Jharkhand struck by lightning in (5,00,795), Maharashtra (4,84,287), Chhattisgarh's Korea district, New Delhi, May 7: The Centre Bihar (4,55,316), Delhi (4,37,182) and police said Friday. The incident has provided more than 17.35 crore took place Thursday evening, Telangana (3,84,337). when the victims, including vaccine doses to the states and the The Ministry said that the three sisters, were at their union territories free of cost, and Government is leading the fight paddy field near Bichhli village more than 90 lakh doses are still against the Covid pandemic in col- under Kelhari police station available with them, the Health laboration with the States and UT area, an official said. Ministry said, adding over 10 lakh through a "Whole of Government" doses will be received by the states approach. Vaccination forms an and UTs in the next three days. integral component of the five point In a statement, the Union health strategy of the Government in the Lion found dead Ministry said that so far, more than containment and management of Ahmedabad: A lion was 17.35 crore vaccine doses (17,35,07,770) the pandemic (including Test, Track, found dead on the outskirts have been provided to states and UTs Treat and Covid Appropriate of a village located close to free of cost of this, and the total con- Behaviour). AGENCIES Gujarat's Gir forest, a forest He added that presently 18 sumption including wastage is reconciled the vaccine they have (1,50,000), Maharashtra (1,50,000), Goa The Ministry pointed out that official said Friday. The tankers are on the run with more 16,44,77,100 doses. supplied to Armed Forces, (one lakh) Assam (one lakh), Dadar implementation of the Liberalized Pondicherry, May 7: AINRC carcass of a lion, aged than 260 tonnes of LMO which are "More than 90 lakh Covid Vaccine Furthermore, more than 10 lakh and Nagar Haveli (25,000) and and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy leader N Rangasamy was sworn in between five to nine years, expected to reach Maharashtra, doses (90,30,670) are still available (10,25,000) vaccine doses will be re- Daman and Diu (25,000). of Covid-19 Vaccination has as the Chief Minister of was found by a patrolling Haryana and Delhi. with the States and UTs to be ad- ceived in addition by the States/UTs As per the government data, started from May 1 and potential Pondicherry at a brief ceremony party near Navabandar More loaded Oxygen Express ministered. States with negative within the next three days," the Uttar Pradesh (9,63,994) has highest beneficiaries can either register held at the Raj Nivas here Friday village of Gir-Somnath trains are expected to begin their balance are showing more con- Ministry said. So far, Odisha re- balance available doses followed directly on the CoWIN portal and will lead a coalition district Thursday afternoon, journey later Friday night, he sumption (including wastage) than ceived 2.75 lakh doses followed by by Tamil Nadu (6,13,622), Haryana (cowin.gov.in) or through the government of BJP members in the official said. added. vaccine supplied as they have not West Bengal (2,00,000), Uttar Pradesh (6,10,839), Madhya Pradesh (5,79,099), Aarogya Setu app. his cabinet. While Karnataka is the lone southern state with the BJP in the ruling saddle, its induction in the UT cabinet allows the saffron Combating stress and anxiety with natural herbs party expand its footprint, vis-a-vis power in the region. Incidentally, it fared well in Economic fluctuations, unemployment, increased competition, and unattainable high expectations contribute to a rise in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where it won four assembly seats in the psychological and psychosomatic disorders such as frustration, anxiety, depression, phobias, and personality changes Dravidian heartland in the April 6 polls. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE fected the economy of our country. and natural herbs can help relax Bhringraj herbal teas and powder Union Minister of State for Many industries such as hospital- the mind and address most of dissolved in water. Ashwagandha Home and BJP leader Kishan New Delhi, May 7: The ongoing ity, tourism, education and enter- these disorders, he opines. has a long list of health benefits, in- Reddy, who attended the swear- Covid-19 pandemic has struck both tainment are close to or have shut "It is important to resolve and cluding improved endurance, im- ing-in ceremony today, told re- people's mental health and physical down. Due to this many people have handle certain concerns naturally munity, decreased inflammation, porters that BJP and AINRC would health, with necessary protocols either lost their jobs or their re- in order to live a happier life. A and defense against cognitive and have three ministers each and like social distancing and restricted muneration has been cut down by well-known memory-booster, neurological disorders. It can also they would be sworn in over the mobility making the average Indian as much as 50 per cent. Such kinds Brahmi is an angel in disguise for assist you in managing and reduc- next few days. BJP's A feel alienated and low-spirited. of loss of jobs and/or income has your mental well-being, overall. It ing anxiety. This herb's extract has Namassivayam, who was elected In a country which already grap- also put people under a lot of stress has a relaxing, anti-stress effect on soothing properties and encour- unanimously as the leader of the pled with silent mental health issues and mental pressure," says Chawla. the central nervous system. Its fre- ages anti-stress adaptogenic activ- BJP legislature wing, is tipped to pre-pandemic, the current Covid-19 According to him, Ayurveda quent intake will help you combat ity in the brain." be deputy Chief Minister. On y situation has further exacerbated has effective ways of helping an anxiety by calming you down." Due to the existence of anti-oxi- Friday afternoon, Lt Governor

stress and anxiety at an unprece- a result of infectious outbreaks. givers. Regardless of their expo- individual to deal with stress and He further adds,"Bhringraj can dants that can help reduce oxidative Tamilisai Soundararajan admin-

k y m c dented scale, reaching all strata He says: "Individually, new psy- sure to the virus, one can constantly anxiety. Hundreds of medicinal detoxify your body, encourage oxy- stress and free radicals generated istered the oath of office and se- and ages. chological symptoms in people with- feel fear, anxiety and helplessness plants with immune modulator, gen supply to your brain, and make in the body due to stress and anxi- crecy to Rangasamy, giving him his Ayurvedic expert and founder out mental illness may precipitate about being sick, which may lead to anti-oxidant, and memory-en- your brain healthier and stronger, ety, Ayurveda also recommends fourth stint in office of CM. of Vedas Cure, Vikas Chawla, shares or intensify the condition of some- mental breakdowns and poor men- hancing properties are available helping it to fend off stress and consuming tulsi as a preventive Rangasamy, the only legislator to that people may experience a wide one with pre-existing mental ill- tal health." in Ayurveda. Brahmi, ashwa- handle its effects better when in- measure and a remedy to combat be sworn-in today, took the oath in variety of psychological effects as ness, causing anxiety to their care- "The pandemic has severely af- gandha, bhringraj, tulsi, ghee, gested orally in the form of stress and anxiety. Tamil and in the name of God. The original MOUNT SINABUNG ERUPTS AGAIN P10 decision to put in Mount Sinabung in Indonesia’s SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR place that biosecurity order North Sumatra province has until May 15 has proved very erupted again, spewing a thick effective and it will run its ash column up 2,000 metres above full course until that time its peak, said the country’s without any change Volcanology and Geological SCOTT MORRISON |

PRIME MINISTER, AUSTRALIA Hazard Mitigation Centre

k y m international c of the day uote EU leaders attend 1st As we Efforts to bring back US to Iran N-deal understand the rocket has THE US PULLED OUT OF THE LANDMARK 2015 DEAL IN 2018 AFTER THEN-PRESIDENT DONALD in person summit adopted some special technical TRUMP SAID THE PACT NEEDED TO BE RENEGOTIATED designing. Most of Their talks hope to repair the part of the some of the damage the rocket will be burnt during its re- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA entry into the atmosphere. It is Iran wants more coronavirus has caused in highly unlikely to cause any danger Vienna, May 7: World powers held The United States has expressed and harm to the aero activities or a fourth round of high-level talks the bloc, in such areas as its readiness to lift many of its the Earth Friday in Austria aimed at bring- sanctions on Iran at the Vienna welfare and employment ing the United States back into the WANG WENBIN | nuclear talks but Tehran is PRESS TRUST OF INDIA FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, CHINA nuclear deal with Iran, with both demanding more, top Iranian sides signalling a willingness to negotiator Abbas Araqchi told cal talks to move online over the past work out the major obstacles. state media Friday. “The Lisbon, May 7: European Union year in Europe. This is the 27-na- The fight The talks began in early April and information transferred to us from leaders and their large following of tion bloc’s first face-to-face sum- against this Russian delegate Mikhail Ulyanov the US side is that they are also diplomats and advisers are meet- mit in five months, after an ex- despotic tweeted following Friday’s meet- serious on returning to the nuclear ing in Portugal Friday for two days ceptional meeting in Brussels last regime is the fight ing that “the participants agreed on deal and they have so far declared of talks, sending a signal that they December to discuss post-pandemic against oppression the need to intensify the process.” their readiness to lift a great part see the threat from Covid-19 on spending. Another in-person sum- and the fight “The delegations seem to be ready of their sanctions,” Araqchi told their continent as warning, amid mit, in Brussels, is planned for against terrorism. to stay in Vienna as long as neces- state TV. “But this is not adequate a quickening vaccine rollout. later this month. And this is a public duty to fight sary to achieve the goal,” he wrote. from our point of view and Their talks hope to repair some EU leaders appear keen to “try against this regime The US pulled out of the land- more advanced centrifuges in an at- ance would look like. Delegates to therefore the discussions will of the damage the coronavirus has and convey a sense of normalcy, of continue until we get to all our AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI | mark 2015 deal in 2018 after then- tempt to pressure the world powers the Vienna talks concede, for ex- caused in the bloc, in such areas as slowly returning to normal,” says demands,” Araqchi said. SUPREME LEADER, IRAN President Donald Trump said the remaining in the deal — Germany, ample, that Iranian nuclear scien- welfare and employment. In a late Antonio Barroso, a political analyst pact needed to be renegotiated. The France, Britain, Russia and China tists cannot forget the knowledge addition to their agenda, EU lead- at Teneo, a global advisory firm. deal had promised Iran economic — for economic relief. they acquired in the last three years, try to come up with solutions to ers will also discuss Thursday’s That is a key consideration for At present, incentives in exchange for curbs US President Joe Biden says he but it is not clear whether Iran’s new the outstanding issues. US proposal to share the technol- southern EU countries like India is on its nuclear program, and the wants to rejoin the deal, known as centrifuges would need to be de- Iran’s delegate to the talks, Deputy ogy behind Covid-19 vaccines to Portugal, Spain and Greece, where experiencing Trump administration reimposed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of stroyed, mothballed and locked Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, help speed the end of the pandemic. tourism is an economic mainstay. acute and severe heavy sanctions on the Islamic re- Action, or JCPOA, but that Iran away, or simply taken offline. told his country’s state-run IRNA The leaders will also take part in Despite to a slow start in its in- shortages of the public in an unsuccessful attempt needs to return to compliance. Because the US is currently out news agency late Thursday that an unprecedented meeting, via oculation drive, the EU this week Covid-19 vaccines. to bring Tehran into new talks. Iran, which insists it does not of the deal, there was no American his team was trying to reach an video conference, with Prime passed the milestone of 150 mil- AstraZeneca is Iran reacted by steadily increasing want to produce a nuclear bomb, has representation at the talks. agreement as soon as possible but Minister Narendra Modi, whose lion vaccinations and reckons it releasing 60 million vaccines after its violations of the deal, which is said it is prepared to reverse all of Diplomats involved are shuttling be- would not act in haste and would act country needs more help with a can reach what it calls “suffi- due FDA approval this month. We intended to prevent the country devastating virus surge — and who urge the US government to release its violations but that Washington tween the Iranian side and a dele- in Iran’s national interests. “We cient community immunity” in at least 30 million doses of the from obtaining nuclear weapons. must remove all sanctions imposed gation from Washington elsewhere are on a specified path about which can smooth the path to an elusive two months’ time. The European vaccine to India Iran began enriching uranium to under Trump. in Vienna. there are, fortunately, agreements, bilateral trade deal. Commission proposes relaxing re- a greater purity, stockpiling more On the other side is the question Between the high-level meetings, but there are serious obstacles in the Like across much of the world, strictions on travel to the bloc DR. SAMPAT SHIVANGI | than allowed and beginning to use of what Iran’s return to compli- expert groups have been meeting to way as well,” Araghchi said. Covid-19 forced high-level politi- this summer. AAPI’S CHAIRMAN, US

SHORT TAKES COLOMBIA CLASHES Elon Musk to host British officials warn over SNL amidst criticism Bomb attack on AGENCIES Male ex-Prez Indian coronavirus variant Washington, May 7: Technology Male: A probe is underway AGENCIES October, but Public Health England mogul Elon Musk has a new gig in into the explosion in the (PHE) has categorised three dif- addition to his jobs as CEO of elec- Maldivian capital of Male London, May 7: British officials ferent subtypes, all with slightly tric car-maker Tesla and space- during which former declare one of the new coron- different mutations. ship maker SpaceX. He is going to President and Parliament avirus strains first found in India While B.1.617.2 seems to be as host the iconic TV show “Saturday Speaker Mohamed Nasheed a “variant of concern”, due to ev- transmissible as the Kent vari- Night Live” with musical guest sustained injuries, incumbent idence that it spreads more quickly ant, which fuelled much of Miley Cyrus. The creator of SNL President Ibrahim Solih than the original version of the Britain’s second Covid-19 wave, Lorne Michaels is undoubtedly announced. Taking to Twitter virus. thrilled about the attention this late Thursday night, Solih there is no evidence it is resistant said: : “Speaker of Parliament Scientists and doctors have rec- to current vaccines. move has already managed to grab. President Mohamed Nasheed ommended that one version of Other variants of concern in- However, many on social media is currently receiving the variant first found in India, clude variants first identified in had shown their outrage on this treatment at ADK Hospital in known as B.1.617.2, is designated Kent, south-east England, as well move of giving the platform to the Male for injuries sustained a “variant of concern”, as it ap- as South Africa and Brazil. controversial billionaire and SpaceX following an explosion pears to have been spreading more Public Health England (PHE) founder, who has gained more no- outside his residence quickly in the United Kingdom said that weekly variant data, toriety last year by playing down tonight.” than other variants. which had been due Thursday, the coronavirus pandemic. The original India variant, was delayed due to a “processing Aidy Bryant reposted a tweet B.1.617, was first detected in issue.” pointing out that the 50 wealthiest Japan to extend A police armored vehicle is pictured during a protest against poverty and police violence in Bogota, Colombia REUTERS Americans have more wealth than 165 million Americans combined, Covid emergency considering it “a moral obscenity.” Musk tweeted, “Let’s find out just Tokyo: Japan will extend the how live Saturday Night Live re- Covid-19 state of emergency Ukraine, US discuss security ally is” along with a devil emoji, currently in effect in Tokyo, PM JOHNSON’S PARTY Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo concern along Russian border on landing the gig also received a prefectures until the end of lot of negative outrage. “What … the month, the Minister in does this even mean,” wrote Bowen charge of the government’s SWEEPS ASIDE LABOUR INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Yang on Instagram. Chris Redd coronavirus response said and writer Andrew Dismukes are Friday. He told in a meeting Conservative Jill Mortimer beat Labour’s candidate by 15,529 votes to 8,589, a once Kiev, May 7: Ukrainian President also against this decision of send- that a state of emergency unthinkable victory under a Conservative leader Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the ing Musk to the stage. being declared in Aichi and ongoing security situation in the When SNL announced ELon Fukuoka prefectures will AGENCIES disaster. “There’s no hiding from the country’s borders along Russia Musk as the host, a disgusting allow their respective fact this is a shattering result for with visiting US Secretary of State backlash was seen on Twitter, governors and authorities to London, May 7: British Prime Labour, absolutely shattering,” said Antony Blinken in Kiev, accord- maybe what the show producers implement stricter measures Minister Boris Johnson’s Labour lawmaker Steve Reed, a ing to an official statement. have eased after the partial with- were looking for – ‘a negative but in a bid to prevent the further Conservative Party won a new seat member of Starmer’s top team. During the talks Thursday, drawal of Russian troops. widespread publicity’. spread of Covid-19. in parliament Friday, ousting the “It tells us that the pace of Zelensky said that Blinken’s visit During the conversation, Nevertheless, SNL has a long Labour Party in the northern change in the Labour Party has is a signal to Europe and Russia of Zelensky voiced his government’s prevalent history of the show’s stars English town of Hartlepool with a not been fast enough. We need to Washington’s support for Kiev in the commitment to bring sustainable and writers sharing their piece of Top Hefazat sweeping victory that tightens his quicken it up.” wake of the massive military build- peace to Ukraine. “The issue of mind on the hosts they can’t stand. grip on traditional opposition-vot- the Covid-19 crisis. The Conservatives described it up by Moscow in recent weeks along ending the war for Ukraine is a militant arrested ing areas. The overwhelming victory in as an historic day. the border, Xinhua news agency priority, and a priority for each of Dhaka: Police in Bangladesh Conservative Jill Mortimer beat the former industrial port town The by-election, which takes quoted the statement as saying. us,” Zelensky was quoted as saying said Friday that it has Labour’s candidate by 15,529 votes hands Johnson an even larger ma- place outside the normal parlia- Zelensky informed Blinken that by his press service. arrested Gaji Yaqub Osmani, to 8,589, a once unthinkable vic- jority in parliament and increases mentary election cycle, was trig- currently Ukraine’s conflict-hit re- For his part, Blinken said that Hefazat-e-Islam’s central tory under a Conservative leader pressure on Labour leader Keir gered by the resignation of a Labour gion of Donbas is witnessing a de- Washington supports Ukraine’s assistant publicity secretary, who has proved, so far, to be largely Starmer, who faces criticism for lawmaker in March, and is one of crease in sniper fire and the num- sovereignty, territorial integrity for his involvement in the immune to accusations of cronyism not fulfilling a pledge to revive his dozens of votes which took place ber of casualties, while the tensions and independence and stands ready violent carnage carried out and criticism over his handling of party’s fortunes after a 2019 election Thursday. on the Ukrainian-Russian borders to continue its assistance for Kiev. by the militant outfit in Brahmanbaria district and across the country in March. Osmani was arrested Thursday by a special team Covid outbreak threatens Mt Everest climbing comeback plans of Brahmanbaria district police, officials told IANS. NEPAL’S TOURISM But the warmer weather that over fears the disease was spread- tent city at the foot of Everest, in- ushers in safer conditions for scal- ing around base camp. cluding foreign climbers and the INDUSTRY SUFFERED ing Nepal’s dangerous, snow-capped “I have taken a helicopter out of teams of Nepali guides that escort Deadliest gun A DEVASTATING peaks has coincided with a deadly EBC (Everest base camp) back to them to the peak. battle in 16 yrs second wave of Covid-19 infections, Kathmandu after 1 day. The Covid “We are taking all precautions pos- BLOW LAST with active cases in the country situation at EBC is a total shit- sible to make sure that there are no Rio de Janeiro: A bloody and rising six-fold in the last two weeks. storm. I had no clue what I was fly- infections,” said Tashi Sherpa of long gun battle in Rio de YEAR WHEN THE Norwegian climber Erlend Ness ing into,” the US citizen wrote on Seven Summit Treks, the largest Janeiro slum echoed Friday, PANDEMIC PROMPTED spent two nights sleeping in his her Facebook page April 29. climbing agency at Everest. with authorities saying the tent at base camp last month, unsure “It was a heartbreaking decision “We are not visiting other tents, police mission successfully A COMPLETE of what was making him ill. but I’m putting my health first. and even groups within the camps eliminated two dozen SHUTDOWN OF ITS “I was evacuated to Kathmandu Covid at a high altitude does not are not mixing.” criminals while residents and and was tested. My result was pos- sound like something I want to play “We are very scared.” activists claimed human rights itive for Covid,” he told AFP, be- with.” “We don’t have tests here.” Climbers on peaks elsewhere in abuses. It was just after SUMMITS, COSTING coming the first climber with an Officials at a health clinic cater- the country have also run into prob- sunrise Thursday when dozens MILLIONS IN of officers from Rio de Janeiro Everest permit to confirm his in- ing to the climbers say more than lems. An expedition on Dhaulagiri,

fection. “I think I’m not the only one... 30 people have been flown off the the seventh highest mountain in

k y m state’s civil police stormed LOST REVENUE c Jacarezinho, a favela in the Everest, raising fears that coron- back foreign adventurers and have Every team at the base camp knows camp in recent weeks. the world, is in limbo after at least city’s northern zone. When the AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE avirus may scupper a hoped-for issued climbing permits to more the risk of Covid is there and they At least two have tested positive three members tested positive for fighting stopped, there were bumper season on the world’s high- than 400 people, a new record. have to be careful, they should be after returning to the capital Covid this week. 25 dead — one police officer Everest Base Camp, May 7: More est mountain. An Everest permit alone costs careful,” he said. Fellow climber Kathmandu. Nine are being evacuated and and 24 people described by than 30 sick climbers have been This year authorities have eased $11,000 and climbers pay upward of Gina Marie Han-Lee decided to More than a thousand people are others are being tested, the head the police as “criminals.” evacuated from the foot of Mount quarantine rules in an effort to lure $40,000 for an expedition. abandon her expedition last week typically camped at the bustling of their expedition said. We are looking for a pretty SONOVA ACQUIRES CONSUMER BIZ P11 good figure, reflecting the SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR ongoing reopening we have seen. Swiss hearing care solutions provider Sonova With cash in people’s pockets, has acquired the consumer electronics economic activity is looking good business of German audio brand Sennheiser and that should lead to more hiring for an undisclosed sum, the companies right across the country announced Friday. Subject to regulatory

JAMES KNIGHTLEY | CHIEF INTERNATIONAL approval, the plan is to complete the transfer

k y m of the business to Sonova by 2021 end c business ECONOMIST, ING (NEW YORK) of the day uote ‘Fin markets heading ‘India to breach fiscal deficit target in FY22’ for biggest inflation Given the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA were infrastructure (transport, strong Central government scare since early 1980s’ urban development, and power), demand, New Delhi, May 7: India is likely expenditure is likely to INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE export rebate cuts healthcare, agriculture, and rural and stricter to breach its fiscal deficit target in be around the projected development. production curbs the financial year to March 2022 ` "However, given the flare-up New Delhi, May 7: It is inter- imposed in the mainly due to revenue shortfall, 34.8L cr as it looks to in Covid-19 infections in India, esting that FAANG stocks still Tangshan region (which accounted Fitch Solutions said Friday. The maintain its high which has since overwhelmed look like they have peaked out for about 14% of China’s crude steel government is targeting a deficit be- the Indian healthcare system, against the S&P500 despite the production in CY2020), China may tween revenue it earns and what it pandemic-period we expect there to be realloca- fantastic quarterly earnings re- not have excess steel volumes to spends at 6.8% of the gross do- spending so as to bolster tion of spending in favour of ported by these companies last divert to export markets mestic product (GDP) in FY22 (April pace of economic recovery healthcare spending this fiscal week, according to “Greed and JAYANTA ROY | SENIOR VP & GROUP HEAD, 2021 to March 2022). year," Fitch Solutions said adding Fear”. CORPORATE SECTOR RATINGS, ICRA "We at Fitch Solutions forecast healthcare spending is projected the Indian central government "The main driver of our deficit Central government expenditure lakh crore on the back of an im- to be `74,600 crore, 2.1% of total deficit to come in at 8.3% of GDP forecast revision is a downward re- is likely to be around the projected paired outlook for India's economic planned FY22 expenditures, and in FY22," it said. vision to our outlook for revenues, `34.8 lakh crore as it looks to main- recovery in FY22 as a result of the this will likely come in higher SBI does not "Revenue shortfall remains the given that the flare-up in Covid-19 tain its high pandemic-period spend- ongoing health crisis. than projected. have main driver of our wider deficit cases in India and containment ing so as to bolster pace of eco- It did not expect the government Another area expected to see in- immediate view, as we expect the government measures in place will hamper nomic recovery. plans to raise to significantly expand spending creased spending is on the rural capital as a to maintain its spending targets." India’s economic recovery, which will Against this, revenue are likely beyond what has been budgeted. employment scheme - Mahatma ` reasonable profit of Fitch Solutions had previously pro- have a negative impact on fiscal to come in at 16.5 lakh crore, down Based on the FY22 Union Budget, Gandhi National Rural Employment the last fiscal would jected a fiscal deficit of 8%. revenues," it said. from government estimate of `17.8 key spending areas planned for Guarantee (MGNREG) scheme. be ploughed back to take care of foreseeable business growth. We Jefferies analyst Christopher had raised Tier I and Tier II bonds Wood, in his stock market com- earlier. Considering the growth we mentary "Greed and Fear" said had seen last year, we are having a RBI’s liquidity window can in a funny kind of way, the better comfortable capital adequacy ratio 2nd wave’s impact on the numbers these companies re- DINESH KUMAR KHARA | CHAIRMAN, SBI port, the more it is a sign of their control of the marketplace from an anti-trust and other regulatory boost healthcare infra: Crisil standpoints. FAANG refers to lead- During H1 FY2021, the economic growth to ing tech stocks Facebook, Amazon, individual loan AGENCIES The borrowing cost of hospi- Apple, Netflix and Alphabet (for- segment witnessed tals rated by CRISIL are 10.5-11%, merly known as Google). a slower growth. Mumbai, May 7: The `50,000 crore and the new loans taken for ex- "Action on the anti-trust front There was an liquidity window offered by the pansion under this RBI scheme is surely coming sooner or later, extremely strong remain muted: FinMin Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to could be 300-350 basis points just as it has now arrived in China. recovery in H2 which was banks under priority-sector lend- cheaper, leading to substantial in- On top of this, there is the obvious significantly faster and greater than ing to augment Covid-19 health- terest savings. risk of the law of large numbers what we had envisaged at the start care infrastructure will help raise Says Subodh Rai, Chief Ratings as regards maintaining such of the year treatment capacity, and availability Officer, CRISIL Ratings, "Increased growth rates. Meanwhile Greed KEKI MISTRY | VICE CHAIRMAN & CEO, HDFC of medicines and medical equip- availability of funds at low cost & Fear continues to prefer cycli- ment, in India, Crisil said Friday. These include makers and suppli- will incentivise hospitals to aug- cal stocks with the obvious pair Hospitals could be among the ers of vaccines and drugs; hospitals; ment beds, oxygen storage, ICUs trade, in the run up to the inflation biggest beneficiaries as the incre- pathology labs; suppliers of oxygen; and critical medical equipment. scare, that of being long energy and SHORT TAKES mental funding can potentially in- makers of emergency medical Even if half of the funding avail- short tech," Wood said. crease bed capacity in the country equipment; logistics firms; and able is used to add hospital beds "For now, Greed & Fear's con- Tata Motors to by 15-20%, the ratings agency said. Covid-19 patients. through brownfield expansion, it viction remains that the finan- Loans under the scheme, for As many as 354 CRISIL-rated will mean 5 lakh incremental beds, cial markets are heading for the hike PV prices tenures up to 3 years, are available companies with aggregate bank or 15-20% of India's current biggest inflation scare since the to banks at the repo rate till March exposure of `40,000 crore will be el- capacity." early 1980s, which is why equity New Delhi: Tata Motors 31, 2022. Such loans would also be Friday said it will increase igible for such loans. Though phar- In comparison, for entities in fund managers need to remain prices of its passenger AGENCIES STAYING OPTIMISTIC classified under priority sector. maceutical firms account for 68 other health care related sectors razor focused on inflation expec- vehicles (PV) by an average Consequently, banks are expected per cent of rated bank exposure, hos- such as pharmaceuticals, the capi- tations which are likely to be the of 1.8% depending upon the New Delhi, May 7: The impact of The fiscal position of the central to extend these loans below cur- pitals (24% of rated exposure) are tal requirements for enhancing pro- lead indicator of the timing of model and variant from May the second wave of the coronavirus government has witnessed an rent interest rates for companies en- likely to avail majority of the fund- duction capacity of critical Covid- any potential tapering scare,” 8, in order to partially offset pandemic on the economy is likely improvement in recent months gaged in health care activities. ing available. 19 related drugs is not very high. Wood said. the rise in input costs. The to remain muted as compared to the with a revival in economic auto major noted that it first wave, the finance ministry activities during H2 FY21 would offer protection from said in its monthly economic report. BIZ BUZZ the price increase to Admitting that the second wave GST mop-up registered a good customers who have booked of the pandemic has posed a down- growth and collections exceeded COAI raises concern over vehicles on or before May 7. side risk to economic activity in the `1L cr in each of the last Sovereign rating to remain at With effect from May 8, the first quarter of FY2021-22, the re- six months owing to economic current level for 2 years: S&P company will increase prices port said “there are reasons to ex- recovery rumours regarding 5G tech of its PV, averaging 1.8%, pect a muted economic impact as New Delhi: S&P Global Ratings Friday said India's credit rating would be depending on the variant and retained at the current level for the next two years, and the country will compared to the first wave. Learning losses of 0.4% and 1.5%, respec- AGENCIES see a slightly faster pace of growth in the next couple of years that will model, Tata Motors said. to 'operate with Covid-19', as borne tively in April, and the rupee de- support its sovereign rating. S&P, which had by international experience, pro- New Delhi, May 7: Telecom in- preciated by 2.3% to reach 74.51 in March seen the Indian economy growing vides a silver lining of economic re- INR/USD in April. This was mir- dustry body COAI Friday expressed by 11% in the fiscal year to March 2022, saw Twitter tests silience amidst the second wave”. rored by net FPI outflows of $1.18 concern over rumours related to 5G GDP growth rate dropping to 9.8% under the new feature The fiscal position of the central billion in April. technology with the spread of Covid- “moderate” scenario, where infections peak government, it said, has witnessed Domestic financial conditions, 19. The Cellular Operators in May, and falling to as low as 8.2% in New Delhi: Twitter is testing an improvement in the recent nevertheless, continue to remain Association of India (COAI), whose “severe” scenario under which caseload a new Tip Jar feature globally months with a revival in the eco- comfortable with RBI's support to members include Reliance Jio, would peak only in late June. including in India where iOS nomic activities during the sec- liquidity, with open market oper- Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, and Android users can send ond half of FY2020-21. ations worth `3.17 lakh crore car- said it has come across multiple money directly to their As per provisional figures, net di- ried out in 2020-21, it said. messages on social media plat- ` favourite accounts with rect tax collections for 2020-21 are Launch of G-SAP 1.0 towards forms as well as reports in a few re- Department of 50,000 cr liquidity will ease access substantial followers. At the 4.5% higher than Revised Estimates stable and orderly management of gional media mentioning 5G spec- Telecommunications (DoT) and moment, only a small group (RE) and 5% higher than collec- the yield curve is a significant tool trum trials as the probable cause has apprised it of the situation. to emergency services, says PNB MD of people including non- tions in 2019-20 -- the significant for forward guidance. for rising Covid-19 cases. "I appeal fellow citizens to be- Bhubaneswar: RBI has come out with a timely and proactive set of profits, journalists and growth compared to 2019-20 pro- While overall financial condi- "We would like to clarify that ware of these fake messages. announcements for all stakeholders, including individuals, small businesses, creators around the world vides an indication of economic tions remained accommodative, these rumours are absolutely false. Together, we can fight this men- and MSMEs, to mitigate the incipient challenges and support growth who use Twitter in English recovery since the first wave. the report said, credit growth con- We urge people not to fall for such ace of misinformation," Kochhar impulses at the ground level, writes SS Mallikarjuna Rao, MD and CEO, will be able to add Tip Jar to Punjab National Bank (PNB). Simultaneously, measures have been their profile and receive tips. GST mop-up registered a good tinued to be muted at 5.3% as on baseless misinformation. Several said. growth and collections exceeded April 9, 2021. countries in the world have already People have been sharing voice announced for the lending institutions as well The company is also working as the State governments to ensure ample `1 lakh crore in each of the last six Sectorally, the report said, agri- rolled out 5G networks, and people recordings where individuals in to bring Indian payment liquidity & credit flow support. The on-tap providers to Tip Jar. months owing to economic recov- culture, medium industry and are using these services safely. the conversation are heard blam- liquidity of `50,000 crore for Covid related ery, it said, adding, GST revenue reg- trade services led the credit off- "Even the World Health ing 5G trials for the rise in casualties healthcare sector along with the incentives ` istered another record high of 1.41 take in March, while credit to small Organization (WHO) has clarified in India. for banks like priority sector classification and TVS Motor lines lakh crore in April, indicative of con- and large industry and NBFC serv- that there is no correlation be- COAI said there are no 5G trials higher interest on surplus liquidity window tinual economic recovery. ices remained subdued. Easy fi- tween 5G technology and Covid- going on in the country and no 5G will ease access to emergency health services up `40 cr support However, the report noted that nancing conditions enabled the 19," COAI Director General SP towers have been installed as yet. and reaffirms the immediate objective of the second wave of the pandemic corporate sector to raise substan- Kochhar said. “Telecom services are a lifeline for preserving life and livelihood. Similarly, SLTRO New Delhi: TVS Motor hit the market sentiment as Nifty tial funds from financial markets, He added that the industry body the nation, especially in the current of `10,000 crore will facilitate last-mile credit Company Friday said it along 50 and the S&P BSE Sensex recorded it added. has shared concerns with the times,” it said. delivery to MFIs adversely impacted by the with Sundaram Clayton and SS MALLIKARJUNA RAO current wave of the pandemic. its group companies have pledged `40 crore to support the nationwide efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. The funds will be utilised SBI, EIB to invest €100mn in SMEs focussed on ‘climate change’ to provide lifesaving supplies such as oxygen concentrators, PPE Kits, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA gating climate risks, promoting SBI Ventures’ managing direc- medicines and medical social development, job creation, tor and chief executive Suresh equipment across Mumbai, May 7: The European and gender equality at scale,” SBI Kozhikote said the Neev Fund gen- the country. Investment Bank (EIB) and the chairman Dinesh Khara said. erates commercially attractive re- country’s largest lender State Bank He added that the cooperation Innovative solutions often turns while making a significant of India (SBI) Friday entered into with EIB, one of the world's largest positive contribution to society. require innovative forms of NFRA prepares a pact to jointly pump 100 mil- providers of climate finance, will Neev Fund II will provide eq- lion in equity financing into Indian further strengthen and deepen the financing like private equity uity and quasi-equity to SMEs database of cos small businesses focussed on cli- bond between India and the funds. Our partnership with (Small and medium-sized enter- mate change and sustainability. European Union. SBI will create a much- prises), targeting sectors that sup- New Delhi: The National An agreement got signed on the The EIB and SBI will together needed source of equity port the achievement of the UN Financial Reporting Authority margins of the European Union- financing for climate action (NFRA) has prepared a support the new Neev Fund II in- Sustainable Development Goals India leaders meeting in Portugal, vestment fund that will unlock cli- and environmental (SDGs), particularly aiming to provisional database of sustainability solutions companies and auditors that where both the financial institu- mate action and sustainability in- limit climate change through en- come under its regulatory tions agreed to back the initiative, vestment by businesses across offered by innovative SMEs ergy, agricultural, water, and waste ambit. NFRA has the mandate as per a statement. India through new equity financ- CHRISTIAN KETTEL THOMSEN I HEAD OF management technologies. to oversee compliance with SBI already invests in a vehi- ing. OPERATIONS (INDIA), EIB This could include businesses of- accounting and auditing cle called Neev Funds for its impact Under the management of fering solutions for the develop-

investing objectives, and the two SBICap Ventures, an SBI group ergy, electric vehicles, efficient uity or quasi-equity instruments, ment of new technology for cli-

k y m standards by certain class of c companies, described as entities have created 'Neev Fund company, Neev Fund II will invest use of raw materials, and water and it added. needed source of equity financ- mate change, environmental Public Interest Entities. In II' for taking ahead this partnership. up to Euro 100 million in Indian circular economy projects in the “Innovative solutions often re- ing for climate action and envi- protection, electric vehicles, and this regard, a verified and This is one of the EIB's first pri- small and medium-sized enter- country, the statement said. quire innovative forms of financ- ronmental sustainability solutions any other innovative products and accurate database of vate equity investments in India. prises (SMEs) and provide growth The fund will enable Indian in- ing, such as private equity funds. offered by innovative SMEs,” EIB's services that could benefit climate companies and auditors is “Neev Fund II will provide eq- and expansion capital to companies novative and emerging companies Our partnership with the State head of operations in India, action across the world, the state- being prepared. uity to SMEs focusing on miti- offering solutions for clean en- to fund their growth through eq- Bank of India will create a much- Christian Kettel Thomsen, said. ment said. P12

SATURDAY | MAY 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

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k k y y m m c RED DEVILS IN YELLOW SUBMARINES’ RADAR c Cavani scores brace as Manchester United finally reach Villarreal wall too strong to breach for a major final under Solskjaer with 8-5 aggregate Gunners as Arsenal held goalless triumph over Roma in Europa League resulting a 1-2 loss in the semifinals

ASSOCIATED PRESS ASSOCIATED PRESS out of European competition for the Holding had two headers that went IMPRESSIVE SHOW: Manchester United goalie David first time in 25 years. close, but Villarreal’s defense saw Rome, May 7: Manchester United de Gea denies Roma a scoring opportunity with a London, May 7: Unai Emery is Villarreal controlled the first the match out. have finally reached a major final spectacular save, Thursday heading back to the Europa League half, nearly scoring an early goal Emery is already the most suc- under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Not that final — at the expense of the club when Samu Chukwueze fired a cessful coach in the history of the he was in the mood for celebrat- that fired him last season. curling shot in the fifth minute. Europa League, winning it three ing Thursday. Emery’s Villarreal held Arsenal But Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno times in a row with Sevilla from 2014- An inspired goalkeeping per- to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of was alert and palmed the ball out 2016. But he failed on his fourth at- formance by David de Gea ensured their semifinal Thursday, which for a corner. tempt in 2019, when Arsenal lost 1- United were only beaten 2-3 by was enough to secure a 2-1 aggre- The visitors were nearly gifted a 4 to Chelsea in the final. Roma in a wild second leg of the gate win and set up a final against goal in the 14th, when Arsenal mid- Emery pumped his fists and Europa League semifinals, allowing Manchester United May 26 in fielder Thomas Partey’s wild back- screamed in joy at the final whis- the English team to complete an 8- Poland. pass from long range nearly fooled tle before going to shake Arteta’s 5 victory on aggregate. Emery will be looking for his Leno, who had to backpedal quickly hand. Villarreal players were ec- It ended a run of four losses in fourth Europa League title after to get the ball under control. static, celebrating on the field by the semifinals of major tourna- winning three straight with Sevilla Arsenal lacked spark in the first unfurling and holding a big ban- ments in the last 18 months for and then taking Arsenal to the final half, but nearly went ahead in the ner in Spanish that said ‘Nos Solskjaer, who is under pressure two years ago. 26th when captain Pierre-Emerick vemos en Polonia’, or ‘We’ll see to win United’s first trophy since On his first return to the Emirates Aubameyang’s shot hit the outside you in Poland’. 2017. That came in the Europa since being fired in November 2019, of the post. Arsenal’s elimination will anger League, when Jose Mourinho was Emery calmly walked out of the The forward nearly scored again fans further as the team sits mid- manager. tunnel so late that he nearly missed in the 39th through a goalkeeping table in the Premier League and Yet Solskjaer was critical of his the kickoff. He quickly shook his re- error when his shot was spilled by has little chance of qualifying for team for giving Roma so many placement Mikel Arteta’s hand and Geronimo Rulli and the ball even the Europa League next sea- chances at the Stadio Olimpico then watched as his new team held squeezed between his legs. But the son. to turn around a semifinal that a toothless Arsenal at bay without keeper was able to claim it before It’s a situation Arsenal hasn’t looked over after United ever looking seriously threatened. the ball could trickle over the line. been in since the 1995-96 season — scored five second-half goals order in recent weeks. For Arsenal, the failure to over- Aubameyang hit the post again a year that fell between the illus- to win the first leg 6-2 last minute, Roma couldn’t keep United at turn the deficit means the team is in the second half, this time on the trious managerial eras of George week. briefly put Roma bay at the other end as Edinson facing the likelihood of being shut inside. And Arsenal defender Rob Graham and Arsene Wenger. “We played one very good half at 2-1 ahead and that was Cavani showed his prowess as a Old Trafford that got us through,” the least the Italian team de- finisher, opening the scoring in the he said. “The second half today served after regularly breaching 39th minute by taking a touch from was disappointing. Very, very poor.” United’s defense. The visitors Fred’s pass and smashing in a shot Villarreal will be United’s oppo- were thankful for a slew of saves from just outside the area. nent in the May 26 final in the Polish by De Gea in both halves, en- The 34-year-old Uruguayan’s sec- city of Gdansk after beating Arsenal suring Nicola Zalewski’s deflected ond goal, a header from Bruno 2-1 on aggregate in the other semi- 83rd-minute winner on the 19- Fernandes’ cross in the 68th, made final. The second leg finished 0-0, year-old’s debut proved only a it 2-2 and came as a relief for United Thursday. consolation for Roma. because Roma was threatening to Roma created enough clear-cut op- “It was always going to be one score at will. “We ended the match portunities to pull off what would of those games that was going thinking we could have made it to have been another remarkable to be open,” Solskjaer said. “It the final,” Roma coach Paulo comeback, three years ago after it could easily have been 6-6. A Fonseca said. recovered from 4-1 down against strange game of football. Winning the Europa League was Barcelona in the Champions League “Luckily we have one of the Roma’s only potential route back into quarterfinals, winning the second best goalkeepers in the world in the Champions League for next leg 3-0 at the Olimpico to advance. nets,” he added about De Gea, season, when it will be coached by Goals by Edin Dzeko and Bryan who has fallen behind Dean Mourinho after the team chose this Cristante, in the 57th and 60th Henderson in United’s pecking week to part ways with Fonseca.

EL MATADOR’S NIGHT OUT: Edinson Cavani reacts with his trademark celebration after one of his goals against Roma

EXPRESSIONS SAY IT ALL: Villarreal players (in yellow) begin celebrations after the final whistle, while Arsenal players look dejected in London, Thursday WTC FINAL & ENGLAND SERIES Suarez to face Rowers Arjun, Arvind qualify for Tokyo friend Messi in PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Singh were better placed as they were second,” she added. Spanish league Jadeja, Vihari back New Delhi, May 7: Indian row- Arjun Lal and Arvind will be ers Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh the only Indian rowers in Tokyo qualified for the Olympics in men’s Games which open July 23 as the lightweight double sculls event country will not participate in other in India Test squad after finishing second in the final Olympic qualifiers due to the race of the Asia/Oceania COVID-19 pandemic. Continental Qualifying Regatta in “There is another Olympic qual- Tokyo Friday. ifier in Italy but we are not sending Another Indian, Jakar Khan fin- anybody due to the COVID-19 situ- ished fourth in the men’s singles ation. So, this will be our only par- sculls final which offers five Olympic ticipation in the Olympics,” Deo quotas but he missed out as a coun- Arjun Lal Jat (L) & Arvind Singh said referring to the deadly second try gets only one qualifying spot wave in the country which has led from this regatta. The top three Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh this agency. to several countries imposing bans ASSOCIATED PRESS qualify for Olympics in men’s light- had finished second in men’s light- “Jakar Khan finished fourth in on flights from India. weight double sculls event. weight double sculls, they will qual- men’s singles sculls and unfortu- A 14-member Indian team par- Barcelona, May 7: Luis Suarez and “A country can qualify in only one ify,” Rowing Federation of India nately, he will not qualify for ticipated in the event held at the Sea Lionel Messi often spent time hang- boat from this regatta and since president Rajlaxmi Singh Deo told Olympics. Arjun Lal and Arvind Forest Waterway on Tokyo Bay. ing out together at their neigh- boring homes on the Mediterranean coast when taking a break from OLYMPICS QUALIFICATION: NISHA, POOJA OUT OF RACE scoring goals for Barcelona. ZVEREV BEATS It will be less relaxing Saturday when Suarez returns to Camp RAFA IN LAST 8 Nou with AtleticoMadrid, aim- Seema in line for Tokyo berth ing to inflict a major blow on his ASSOCIATED PRESS former team’s title hopes in the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Spanish league. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Madrid, May 7: Alexander Zverev Facing mounting debts and des- THE SQUAD ended his winless streak on clay Sofia (Bulgaria), May 7: Indian perate to reduce its payroll, New Delhi, May 7: The fit-again duo against Rafa Nadal Friday, keep- wrestler Seema Bisla kept herself Barcelona sold the 34-year-old Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and ing the Spaniard from winning a in line for Tokyo Games qualifica- Suarez to Atletico on the cheap Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar batsman Hanuma Vihari returned Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya sixth Madrid Open. tion by reaching the semifinals of at the start of the season. to a 20-man strong Indian squad Rahane (VC), Hanuma Vihari, Zverev beat Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the the World Olympic Qualifiers but The deal, which could reach 6 announced Friday for next month’s Rishabh Pant (Wk), Ravichandran quarterfinals, picking up his third Nisha and Pooja were ousted from million euros (USD7 million), World Test Championship (WTC) Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar consecutive win over the 20-time the competition here, Friday. proved to be a steal for Atletico. final against New Zealand and a Patel, Washington Sundar, grand slam champion — but first on Competing in the 50kg category, While not as mobile as he once five-match series against England. Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, clay. His previous two wins over Seema lost only two points en route was, Suarez’s world-class finishing The selectors also picked four Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Nadal were on indoor hard courts. the semifinals, where she will clash touch gave Atletico coach Diego standby players – Abhimanyu Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh The sixth-ranked German with Poland’s Anna Lukasiak for Simeone the scorer he had failed Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to broke second-ranked Nadal’s a place in the Tokyo Games. to find since Antoine Griezmann Khan, and Arzan Nagwaswalla, fitness clearance), Wriddhiman serve twice in the first set, rallying Seema, who won a bronze at the swapped clubs for Barcelona. the BCCI stated in a press release. Saha (Wk; subject to fitness from 4-2 down, and once in the sec- recent Asian Championship in Suarez missed the first meeting KL Rahul, who underwent a sur- clearance); Standby players: ond. He conceded only two break Almaty, was solid in her defence against Belarus’ Anastasiya The Bulgarian pulled off a breath- of the teams in November due to gery after being diagnosed with Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh opportunities. Yanotava and logged four points taking four-point throw after which the coronavirus. Yannick Carrasco’s appendicitis, and Wriddhiman Saha, Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nadal, who is preparing to play MEN’S FREE STYLE in each of the periods to win 8-0. Nisha could not find a way to break goal — and its smothering defense infected with COVID-19 during the Nagwaswalla. for a 14th title at the French Open, WRESTLER SUMIT MALIK The Indian was more dominant her rival’s defence. Nisha had won — gave Atleticoa 1-0 win that helped recently-suspended IPL, have been had been improving after a slow start against Sweden’s Emma Jonna her opening bout by fall against to build a lead that it is still cling- included subject to their fitness. The WTC final against the Black to his clay season. He lost to Andrey HAD QUALIFIED IN THE Denise Malmgren whom she pinned Poland’s Natalia Iwona Strzalka. ing to with four rounds left. Both Jadeja and Vihari had en- Caps will be held from June 18 in Rublev in the Monte Carlo quar- 125KG THURSDAY AND with 43 seconds to spare to win the Meanwhile, Pooja, the third Atletico play third-placed dured injuries during the away se- Southampton followed by the Tests terfinals then beat Stefanos Tsitsipas bout. Seema used her power better Indian in the competition, fizzled Barcelona a day before second- y ries against Australia earlier this against England from August 4. in the Barcelona Open final. WILL FIGHT FOR GOLD and stayed aggressive. She was out in the 76kg opening bout, losing placed Real Madrid host fourth-

year. Out-of-form spinner Kuldeep The Test series against England Zverev will next face Dominic leading 10-2 when she found a way 3-4 to Lithuania’s Kamile Gaucaite. placed Sevilla on a weekend that

k k y y m m c AGAINST RUSSIA’S c Yadav and pacer Navdeep Saini will start in Nottingham, followed Thiem in a rematch of the 2018 to pin her rival. Three Indian women wrestlers promises to shake up the closest have been left out of the squad, by matches at the Lord’s (August final. Thiem, who lost to Zverev in SERGEI KOZYREV, THE Nisha (68kg) though found the im- have so far qualified for the Tokyo title fight in years. Atletico are which is expected to depart for 12 to 16), Leeds (August 25 to 29), The straight sets in the Spanish capi- 2018 YOUTH OLYMPIC mensely powerful Bulgarian Mimi Olympics – Vinesh Phogat (53kg), two points ahead of both Madrid England for the twin assignments Oval (September 2 to 6) and tal three years ago, defeated John Hristova in her quarterfinal which Anshu Malik (57kg) and Sonam and Barcelona, while Sevilla is a in the third week of this month. Manchester (September 10 to 14). Isner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. CHAMPION she lost by technical superiority. Malik (62kg). further four points behind.

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