-, > :     " .     " .   .       !"#$%  (*+,(-./ !  0 .)/ !1    4 O)#04< 340)/2#:+)!)4 - -/4/)  ! " # ""# $!#% %# %#% /0/9/++-# 3)):/+3- !/)0()) /2#- #4- # &#%%# @+   "&'&$(() A @/# ) /  %   0#  !1  /2         

                                                !                                "         )*)+,-.//0- have a glimpse of Varthaman. IAF pilot was shot down and after Varthaman successfully       He will undergo a medical beaten up by the locals in POK brought down a F-16 of  !#      wo days after his Mig-21 check-up at military hospital and opposite Rajouri sector, he Air Force (PAF) which    $%&'%  TBison fighter jet was shot then flown in a special aircraft attempted to destroy the doc- had intruded into Indian air-  " &        down and he was captured in to New Delhi. He will meet his uments in his possession by space in Rajouri sector on      (    Pakistan Occupied family, including his wife, a stuffing them in his mouth. Wednesday at about 10.30 am. " ! (POK), Wing Commander retired IAF officer, and father, His plane was shot down Continued on Page 4 Air Marshal S Varthaman returned to on Friday (retired) now settled in Chennai. ❝ *   ,  *   ❝ -     ",   night via Attari-Wagah border The IAF authorities will then /6         "/     * in Amritsar. His release debrief the pilot in New Delhi.     "4/     /"<   prompted massive celebration Sources said the debriefing      8   - "        "  $%  across the country. procedure entails getting first 9 (  ❝ 9          -/ The released pilot dressed person account from the pilot # #     #    /"/: in khaki trousers and a dark about the sequence of events ❝ :   *           

jacket set foot on Indian soil during his captivity and details ;/9 ")          shortly after 9 pm from Pakistan of interrogation by the Pakistan       "<  ❝ *     / after being handed over to India Armed forces. Since Varthaman        " on other side, where he was was in custody for a brief peri- 9 *       <     """# "   # #   $ accompanied by Indian air od and most probably blind- 9 ( "5, ❝ 5        attaché and a woman official of folded to prevent him from #    # Pakistan foreign office. He was observing the details of the    *   whisked away from Attari bor- place of his custody, the debrief- ❝ */   /9 6<  = der to avoid media glare. ing will be short, they said.       "         =  ($*. (/+$0$    1       2    $  0  Hundreds of people had gath- Reports from Pakistan *           -"*   $$  2   $(  -     ered there since morning to media indicate that after the  65, #     %&& '  & '       New Delhi; The Enforcement Aurangabad, officials said. Prevention of Money Directorate (ED) on Friday “ED is conducting search- Laundering Act (PMLA) earli- carried out searches against for- es under PMLA at the premis- er this month against Chanda    mer ICICI Bank CEO Chanda es of Chanda Kochhar, former Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon pro- chairman ICICI Bank, and Kochhar, Dhoot and others to    !""##  moter Venugopal Dhoot in Venugopal Dhoot of Videocon probe the money laundering connection with a bank loan Group in Mumbai and aspect in the irregular sanction  /12,/1- the joint session of Parliament, fraud case. Aurangabad respectively,” the of Rs 1,875-crore loans by the adding that lower ranking offi- Raids were carried out in at agency said in a statement. ICICI bank to the corporate n a major diplomatic cials would attend to represent least five offices and residential The ED had registered a group. Iachievement, India on Friday Pakistan’s interests. premises in Mumbai and criminal case under the Continued on Page 4 for the first time addressed the “Terrorism and extrem- Organisation of Islamic ism bear different names and Cooperation (OIC) meeting labels. It uses diverse causes. here, and External Affairs But in each case, it is driven by Minister Sushma Swaraj assert- distortion of religion, and a ed that terrorism is destroying misguided belief in its power to lives, destabilising regions and succeed. The fight against ter- putting the world at great peril. rorism is not a confrontation India’s participation came against any religion,” Swaraj, despite strong demand by who is the first Indian Minister Pakistan to rescind the invita- to address the meeting of the 57 tion to Sushma to address the Islamic countries, said. grouping of the OIC which was Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, a        !    O# $$$P  &' ($  P$)  $ turned down by the host UAE, senior Minister in Indira $  *$$+ $, $(  - resulting in Pakistan’s Foreign Gandhi’s Cabinet who later Minister Shah Mehmood became President, was invited address read a verse from the world stands for peace, com- and sisters are a microcosm of Qureshi boycotting the meet. to attend the Rabat conference Holy Koran which says ‘La passion and brotherhood,” she the diversity of India itself,” the “I will not attend Council of in 1969 and then disinvited at Ikrah fiddeen’ — Let there be said. “I carry the greetings of Minister said and asserted that Foreign Ministers as a matter of Pakistan’s instance after he no compulsion in religion. my Prime Minister Narendra “very few” Muslims in India principle for (them) having arrived in the Moroccan capi- “Just as Islam literally Modiji and 1.3 billion Indians, have fallen prey to the poiso- extended invitation as a Guest tal. Since then, India has been means peace, none of the 99 including more than 185 mil- nous propaganda of radical of Honour to Sushma Swaraj,” excluded from all OIC delib- names of Allah mean violence. lion Muslim brothers and sis- and extremist ideologies. told erations. Sawaraj during her Similarly, every religion in the ters. Our Muslims brothers Continued on Page 4  &       ) #+ #   #       , %       & ' "    )*)+,-.#0- /!/0      ! "   State police too received day after banning Jammu & Kashmir "     +23 4* injuries at the encounter site in Achapter of Jamaat-e-Islami for five years     Pulwama as one of the terror- under anti-terror law, Union Home Ministry is mid tensions between India and Pakistan, ists, hiding under the debris, mulling to ban the Valley’s most powerful sep- AChief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora #    5/((2 waited for an opportunity to aratist outfit Hurriyat Conference under said on Friday that Lok Sabha elections will be strike again. Till the time of fil- Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). held as per schedule and asserted that the ive security personnel, ing the report operation was According to highly-placed sources, the Election Commission of India was committed Fincluding a CRPF still going on in the area. Centre is determined to crack down on Hurriayt to holding free and fair polls. Inspector and two State police- A civilian also lost his life. this time around. Two weeks ago, security The CEC, along with other Election men, attained martyrdom CRPF commandant and seven given to 18 Hurriayt leaders was withdrawn. Commissioners, was talking to the media after before eliminating one terror- other jawans of Army and Security and intelligence top brass are of the view concluding a three-day tour of Lucknow to ist during fierce gunfight in CRPF received injuries during that banning Hurriyat will prevent the outfit and review poll preparations in the State. Handwara area of North the fire fight. The search oper- its leaders’ activities and their free run across the To a specific question on whether Lok Sabha Kashmir’s Kupwara district ation was launched by the Kashmir motivating youths for violence. polls could be deferred due to the escalation of on Friday. joint team of security forces Hurriyat leaders are also in close touch with tension on the Indo-Pak border, Arora said, “The In Kupwara security forces past midnight after receiving terrorist organisations, like JeM, LeT and general elections in the country will be held on suffered heavy losses after one credible inputs about the pres- Hizbul in Pakistan, claimed sources, adding that time. We are in direct touch with the of the two terrorists, presumed ence of terrorists at Khanan the agencies have intercepted many conversa- Government and there is no confusion on this dead during the gunfight, rose Babagund in Langate. Several tions with terror outfit leaders and Hurriyat issue.” from the debris and opened local residents were also leaders and many of such conversations exposed Refusing to disclose any possible date for fire on the joint team of secu- injured during clashes with that Hurriyat leaders were simply executing the announcement of rity personnel who arrived at security forces. commands from across the border. Some con- election schedules, the encounter site to recover Also, on late Friday versations were also tracked to ISI top brass, he said discussions the dead bodies of terrorists. evening, three members of a including Col Tanveer Ahmed, who is handling with the Home According to official sources, family, including two chil- many Kashmir based anti-Indian activists. Ministry about a CRPF commandant also dren, were killed in fresh esca- “The fight against terrorism has now availability of para- received serious injuries. lation along the Line of entered the most decisive phase and many ele- forces have been Earlier on February 18, Control in Poonch due to ments are trying to create chaos in this sum- done. two senior officers including heavy shelling by Pakistan mer,” said a senior official. Continued Army Brigadier and DIG of Army. Continued on Page 4 on Page 4 !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./

!     & , +* ,3 $ *  " " %   0 #  )*)+,- complaint at the DSSSB office but I short listing even after she qualified the     )*)+,- strengthen protection regimes, got no help neither I got any receipt examination and also for not responding to strategic information gather- he struggle of the 36-year-old to my complaint nor received any the two complaints filed by the candidate. ocusing on the three Asian ing, and real time sharing of +  Tphysically disabled Rekha mail,” said Rani. The Commissioner who has powers Frhino species under “Greater actionable information on rhino Rani to become a teacher finally The candidate wrote two com- equivalent to a civil court, asked the chair- One” category (Horned rhinoc- crime and its horn trade to yielded a desired result when she plaint letters to the DSSSB person to submit the reply to the showcause eros, Javan rhino and Sumatran secure the rhino population cleared the Delhi Subordinate Chairperson, on February 21 and notice within a week. However, the chair- rhino), New Delhi signed a within and between range coun- R+3 Services Selection Board (DSSSB) February 25, but the Board failed to person of DSSSB did not respond to the multilateral declaration with the tries. for the post of Assistant Teacher 42 4  elicit any reply. . numerous calls and texts made by The representatives of Bhutan, “To initiate research on var- in Delhi Government school but Despite the lackadaisical attitude Pioneer. Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal. ious habitat parameters includ- Rani’s dream shattered when the Board did of Board, the candidate moved to the High Rani who has more than 40 per cent According to a statement ing invasive species threatening    )*)+,- not shortlisted her for the position despite Court and sought help from State com- locomotor disability, had appeared for the released by the Ministry of the suitable habitats of Asian she scored more than the eligibility criteria. missioner of Persons with Disabilities examinations conducted by the Board for Environment, Forest and rhinos and take appropriate he Delhi Cabinet on Friday “Despite several difficulties, I studied against DSSSB. the post of assistant nursery teacher in Climate Change, Wildlife steps to optimally manage the Tapproved the reimburse- and worked hard to become a teacher and Taking cognizance of the complaint filed September 2018. The cutoff under the department, as the rhino range habitats and to explore possi- ment cost of fitting hydraulic after a long time of struggle, I qualified the by the prospective candidate, the TD Physically Handicapped (PH) category was countries will review the popu- bilities of expanding rhino lifts in 1,000 standard floor  examination but even after that the DSSSB Dhariyal, State Commissioner of Persons 70 percent and the candidate scored 71.75 lation of the three Asian rhino ranges within country or CNG buses, a move aimed at  did not shortlisted my name for the vacant with Disabilities on Friday issued a show- fulfilling the eligibility criteria. species every four years to between rhino range countries benefitting differently abled post. Result was out on February 26th and cause notice to the DSSSB Chairperson Moreover, the Delhi Commission for reassess the need for joint for optimal population man- people. The buses are being since then even after being physically hand- Geetanjli Gupta asking her to submit the rea- Woman (DCW) has also issued a notice to actions to secure their future. agement is the objective,” a procured by the Delhi icapped I am travelling daily to register a sons and comments from the Board for not the DSSSB on the matter. The primary objective is to wildlife officials said. Government. commuters has been prepared. The Cabinet meeting According to Delhi chaired by Chief Minister Government official, the reim- Arvind Kejriwal approved the bursement of the Cost shall be proposal of the transport made to the concessionaires, at department for reimbursing the time of actual induction of the incremental cost of fitting buses subject to a supplemen- hydraulic lifts, including annu- tary agreement to be executed al maintenance cost for ten by the concessionaire with the years, to the concerned con- Department about the recovery cessionaires, a statement by of expenses incurred by the Delhi Government said. Government after taking into The hydraulic lifts are to be account the depreciation factor fitted with the 1,000 standard in the eventuality of termina- floor buses, enabling them to be tion of agreement. used by differently abled peo- Pertinently, this payments ple, as directed by the Supreme of yearly AMC charges on per Court and the Delhi High bus basis shall be made to the Court. concessionaires, at the end of “The cabinet approved the each year on actual number of reimbursement of the overall buses and the decision for the cost of fitment of lifts to 1,000 installation of hydraulic lifts in buses, at a benchmark cost of standard floor buses has been 3,63,396 per bus, totalling taken following the directions 36,33,96,000 (including GST), of the Supreme Court of India to the concessionaries,” said and High Court of Delhi. the statement. The technology of fitment The technology of fitting of lifts is new in India for stan- hydraulic lifts is new in India for dard floor buses. The prototype standard floor buses. The pro- of buses with hydraulic lifts for totype of buses with hydraulic wheel chair bound commuters lifts for wheel chair bound has been prepared. #         $  

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book “RSS: Building India Through ASewa” that highlights the sacrifices made by Swayamsewaks in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was released on Friday. The book written by Sudhanshu Mittal was released by Dattatreya Hosabale (Joint Secretary, RSS), Minister of Textiles ((Government of India) Smriti Zubin Irani and Rajat Sharma (Chairman, India TV) in an event held at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, Delhi. The book is published by Har-Anand Publications. Sharing his vision behind writing this book, Sudhanshu Mittal said, “I have writ- ten this book to give recognition to Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) which is the world’s largest non-govern- mental organisation. “It (RSS) has made an immense con- tribution to India and beyond. This book is not just about a perspective but about facts and RSS’s contribution in building the nation,” he said. Member of Parliament, Smriti Irani said, “The book speaks about the real truth. More than 30 lakh women in India are serving through RSS women’s organisation which empowers our country. Through this book, Sudhanshu Mittal has highlighted the sacrifices made by Swayamsewaks in RSS who are working for the welfare of Indian Society across the country, she added. &'(            

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he Delhi Police on Friday busted an TAjmer- based gang of burglars Rajasthan who used to burgle houses in the area of Amar Colony and its surrounding areas. Police have arrested two burglars and a receiver of stolen items in South-east Delhi. Police have also recovered one gold bar, diamond jewellery, expensive wrist watches, foreign currency and tools used to melt gold jewellery from the possession of the accused. The accused have been identified as Sonu (23) and Kalu (24) both residents of Ajmer and a receiver Panna Lal Soni (46) who is also a resident of Ajmer.

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No power tariff Roll back of school fees historic hike in Delhi for Excess fee refunded to Delhi parents after show cause to 449 private schools fourth year in a row

One of the cheapest power and no hike policy in Delhi, residents exult >> Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, Delhi

number of parents and has directed 449 in Delhi received schools to refund the Acheques or got 449 excess fee charged by the adjusted the increased schools in lieu of imple- amount in the subse- private schools in mentation of recommen- NOT ONLY THE BILLS quent months, from a Delhi get show- dations of 6th CPC, fail- number of Private Unaid- cause notice ing which the manage- HAVE GONE DOWN, ed Recognized schools ment of defaulter schools BUT POWER CUTS on account of the excess asking them to roll will be taken over by the HAVE ALSO GONE fee charged, if found back unjustified Government. After the DOWN. DELHI unwarranted after evalu- fee hikes, and government issued such ation. A number of pri- notices, a number of RECORDED LOAD vate schools rolled back refund extra fees schools started issued SHEDDING TO and refunded/adjusted issuing public notices in LOWEST EVER the excess/unjustified newspaper, requesting n the one hand 50% power subsidy came Not only the bills have the energy consumed, FIGURES IN THE fee hike charged by them, either withdrawal of parents to collect the power is becoming into effect as soon as gone down, but power while the usage charge after issuance of show recognition of the default- refund. These schools Oa rare and expen- Chief Minister Arvind cuts have also gone down. has been made applica- HISTORY — 0.14% cause notices to the er schools or for taking were among those identi- sive commodity in most of Kejriwal took over the Delhi recorded load shed- ble as per the usage. OF THE TOTAL defaulter schools running over the management of fied as having over- the states, for the people office. ding to lowest ever figures Chief Minister Arvind CONSUMPTION in the city asking them to the schools if they do not charged the parents in of Delhi it is both cheap Delhi government is in the history i.e. 0.14% of Kejriwal himself had roll back the unjustified comply with the directions unjustified manner after and uninterrupted. committed to resolving the the total consumption. congratulated the Delhi- fee hike. of Directorate of Educa- scrutiny of their acco- While the 50% subsidy problem of consumers and The electricity tariff ites, saying, "There is no Manish Sisodia added, The notice had also tion, Delhi Government. unts. It is imperative to on power tariff continues reducing the burden of includes a fixed charge power tariff hike in Delhi "Since coming to power in warned the private Further, the Govern- mention that the said in Delhi, the government tariff. Since it came to and a usage charge. The for the third consecutive Delhi, we decreased elec- schools that the Govern- ment is also ensuring the committee examined the has also ensured no power power, the electricity bills fixed charge has not seen year, due to an honest tricity tariffs by 50 per ment will take action as compliance of Recom- financial records of aro- tariff hike for the fourth of 90% of the consumers any change, will remain government you elected." cent and also maintained envisaged under section mendations of Justice und 1100 Private Unaided year in a row. The policy of have been reduced by half. constant, irrespective of Deputy Chief Minister that there were no hikes." 24(4) of DSEAR, 1973 for Anil Dev Singh Committee Recognized Schools. Policy is based on the belief that water is a human International acclaim right, not a commodity for Mohalla Clinics overnment imple- mented the policy of Hailed as a path-breaking initiative in healthcare, it’s making a huge Gfree water up to 20,000 litres per family difference to Delhi’s medical ecosystem per month as soon as it came to power. he Aam Aadmi This policy has benefit- Mohalla Clinics KOFI ANNAN ed all stakeholders: citi- T(AAMCs) launched Former secretary general of the United 189 zens reaped benefit of zero by the Delhi government clinics are providing billing, the cross subsidy have brought immense Nations, praised this initiative of the Delhi high-quality primary did not result in any rev- relief to the poor and the Government. His letter to chief minister healthcare to previously enue loss to DJB and needy of the capital. At unserved communities. incentivized lower usage. present these clinics are Arvind Kejriwal described the scheme as They’ve created a buzz It also resulted in increase operational at around "successful and impressive" and added, in functional water 189 locations across the in India and abroad meters. national capital, offering "...you have scaled up the provision of The Government imple- primary healthcare like universal free health services, most notably year of the government, mented its poll promises Delhi government’s basic consultation, tests 189 clinics have been on day one itself, some- and medicines free of in providing free primary healthcare services opened. These clinics are thing unheard of in modern cost to the patients. through your new Mohalla Clinics". offering healthcare solu- Indian politics. The policy These clinics are pro- tions like basic consulta- of removing mixed use cat- water policy pro-poor viding high-quality pri- tions, tests and medicines egory & rationalisatoin of mary healthcare to resi- and foreign governments. Mohalla clinics are the for free. water tariff for commercial dents of Delhi in their International media has first level of Delhi govern- Each clinic has a well- consumes benefited lakhs additional unauthorized improved the efficiency in neighbourhood. They have hailed it generously and ment's "three-tier public maintained infrastructure of traders and small busi- colonies thus water has A transparent its raw water conveyance created a buzz not only in have termed it as the new health roadmap" to make with adequate lighting ness persons who had been provided in 1337 system, as a result 3 India, but internationally model for healthcare. The healthcare accessible to and an air conditioner. non-intensive use of water, unauthorised colonies till tanker water water treatment plants, and are being emulated by Washington Post wrote, "It all, and reduce crowding Mohalla clinics have but had to pay commercial date and work has been distribution system namely Dwarka, Bawana several governments in may well be time for at government hospitals. been a landmark step in water rates, and therefore, taken up for providing and Okhla have been com- India and closely watched America to build mohalla Since the plan was changing the healthcare resulted in reduction in water in 192 unauthorised was implemented missioned thus augment- by international bodies clinics in its cities". introduced in the first landscape in India. their excessive burden. colonies. using GPS/GPRS ing the availability of "Despite being the DJB has managed to drinking water by 80 national capital, we have improve upon its working with schedules of MGD. to drink bottled water. Our and monitoring vis-à-vis Delhi Government gives aim is to provide drinking water and sewage man- operation available top priority to city's water through pipelines to agement. An improved on the internet sewage problems for all households, be it in revenue collection which DJB has taken to authorized or unautho- enabled better delivery of install decentralized rized colonies," said services, which helped in Rejuvenation of 159 exist- sewage treatment plants Finance Minister Manish good governance. Another ing water bodies and cre- in areas which lack sewer- Sisodia. initiative of DJB is the ation of 5 new water bod- age network on a mission A transparent tanker mSeva app which empow- ies are being taken up by mode. water distribution system ers consumers to do their DJB to serve the purpose. For abatement of pollu- was implemented using bill generation, online pay- DJB has installed flow tion in river Yamuna, DJB GPS/GPRS with schedule ments and registration of meters at WTPs and work is executing the project of of operation in different any grievance, thereby giv- is in progress for installing laying of Interceptor Sew- areas put in public domain ing them freedom from flow meters at Primary, ers along three major which eliminated harassment by Meter Secondary & Tertiary dis- drains (Najafgarh, Supple- unscrupulous elements Readers. tribution system. Estab- mentary & Shahadara). operating in water supply To augment the water lishment work is in Commissioning of inter- through private tankers by supply in Delhi, Delhi Jal progress for District ceptor sewer will trap charging exorbitant rate. Board has engaged con- Metering Areas (DMAs) in total 242 MGD of sewage Simultaneously, Delhi Jal sultant for developing its PPP projects Malviya which is flowing into Board made major fresh and brackish ground Nagar, Vasant Vihar and drains. Sewage to the tune improvements in water water resources in Delhi. Nangloi. Further, DJB has of 109 MGD has already pipeline network resulting As a pilot project, DJB has plans to establish DMAs in been trapped. Present in supply reaching con- also taken up revival and command areas of all the progress of the work is stituencies like Dwarka, rejuvenation of some of UGRs across Delhi. These 93% and the project is tar- Sangam Vihar and Tugh- the existing water bodies steps will help in better geted to be completed by lakabad and therefore, and also for creating new availability of water by June, 2019 in a phased moving towards the goal of water bodies, wherein reduction of non-revenue manner. This will improve providing water as a right. treated effluent will be uti- water and ensuring equi- the quality of waste water In last four years water lized for the purpose of table water distribution. flow in the three major has been provided in 406 ground water recharge. Delhi Jal Board has drains significantly. !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./ 3+ +",+ 

New Delhi: "It is good to Varthaman was captured Kapoor, assistant chief of Air )  ##  be back in my country," by Pakistani authorities on Staff, told a posse of reporters   was the first reaction of February 27 after an air combat that the pilot will be taken for    IAF pilot Wing between the air forces of the two a detailed medical examination # # Commander Abhinandan countries, a day after New Delhi as he was subjected to lot of !" #$%#  '#) Varthaman as he set his had conducted counter-terror stress during his nearly three-     +"& foot back on Indian soil. operations in Pakistan's . day captivity. This was stated by an offi- "We are happy to have him "He will be taken for a    *"*" + !",- cial quoting Varthaman back," said a top IAF officer detailed medical checkup. The after he received the pilot shortly after Varthaman was officer has had to eject from a New Delhi: Procedural delays New Delhi: Leaders cutting Sitharaman tweeted, "Proud of at the Attari-Wagah border handed over to Indian author- plane which would have put his and issues relating to docu- across party lines welcomed the you Wing Commander Wagah: "We are soon after his release by ities. Reading out a brief state- body under immense strain," mentation held up the release return of #AbhinandanVarthaman. The happy to have Pakistan. ment, Air Vice Marshal RG K said Kapoor. PTI of IAF pilot Abhinandan pilot Abhinandan Varthman entire nation appreciates your him back," said Varthaman to Indian author- from captivity in Pakistan on valour and grit. You held your a top IAF offi- ities by Pakistan for several Friday and lauded him for his calm in the face of adversity. cer Friday night hours on Friday, official poise and courage and for You are an inspiration to our shortly after the sources said. making the country proud. youth. Salute. Vande Mataram. captured Indian pilot Wing Initially the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Jai Hind." Commander Abhinandan authorities indicated that Modi welcomed the IAF Wing Union Ministers Rajnath Varthaman was handed over to Wing Commander Commander, saying the nation Singh and Ravi Shankar Prasad Indian authorities by Pakistan Varthaman would be handed is proud of his exemplary too lauded the pilot for his at the border point here. over to India at around 4 PM courage. bravery and welcomed him Reading out a brief state- and later they suggested that He said the country's back to the country. ment, Air Vice Marshal R G K he would be released at armed forces are an inspiration "Welcome home. The Kapoor, assistant chief of Air around 6:30 PM. for the 130 crore Indians. entire nation is proud of Wing Staff, told a posse of reporters However, he finally "Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan," that the pilot will be taken for emerged at 9.10 pm Indian Commander Abhinandan! The Singh, the Minister for Home a detailed medical examination time at the Wagah checkpost nation is proud of your exem- Affairs, tweeted. as he was subjected to lot of on the Pakistani side, accom- plary courage. Our armed Prasad tweeted, "Proud of stress during his nearly three- panied by Pakistani rangers, forces are an inspiration for 130 your courage Wing Commander day captivity. the Indian air attache posted crore Indians. Vande Abhinandan! Welcome back The Air Vice Marshal did   *   *$$*    $*0$    1       in the High Commission in Mataram," he tweeted. home. Abhinandan to you. Jai not take any questions from the $ $ $(  - . PTI Defence Minister Nirmala Hind. Bharat Mata Ki Jai." PTI media. PTI

*)    ) #+ 555 The CEC said that the Arora said that while the & 6 ' Commission would soon launch EVMs have been under use for    From Page 1 C-Vigil App where any citizen, on the last two decades, people Arora said that as per a new condition of anonymity, could questioning the EVM’s reliabili-  + ,,,  +7555 notification of the Commission, register poll related complaints ty have not furnished any evi- candidates will have to give and the EC would also constitute dence to substantiate their alle-  ,,, details of their properties abroad, committees to keep an eye on gations. The CEC, accompanied From Page 1 From Page 1 es at seven locations, including on the beside those in the country. social media. by two Commissioners Ashok From Page 1 The searches are aimed at The notification banning the premises of some separatist leaders like “The I-T department will “If a citizen is not willing to Lavasa and Sushil Chandra and During her nearly 17-minute speech, she unearthing additional evidence Jamaat-e-Islami under the UAPA was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in connection look into it, and, if any, discrep- disclose his identity then too, other officials, reviewed poll did not mention Pakistan. Her remarks came in the case to establish the “pro- issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs with a case related to funding of terrorist ancies are found, then it will be authorities will have to publish preparations in the State with amid heightened tension between India and ceeds of crime” in the matter, after a high-level meeting on security, and separatist groups in Jammu and uploaded on Election the action in the media,” Arora senior officials, district authori- Pakistan following the killing of 40 CRPF per- an official said. The case under chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Kashmir. The agency said it recovered Commission website. Candidates said while adding that the App ties and other concerned during sonnel in Kashmir’s by the PMLA was filed by the ED after Modi on Thursday. The notification said “high-tech internet communication will have to file his /her Income was a great success in the recent- their three-day tour. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan, taking cognisance of a CBI the Centre is of the opinion that the setup” from the residence of the Tax return and that of his fami- ly concluded Assembly polls in The number of voters in a member of the OIC, had written a letter to complaint lodged in the matter Jamaat is “in close touch with militant Mirwaiz. It also claimed to have recov- ly members for the last five the five States where 28,000 com- Uttar Pradesh has risen by 25, the grouping demanding the withdrawal of the in January. outfits” and is supporting extremism and ered letter heads of terrorist groups and years,” said the CEC. plaints were received. 45,480 after the revision of elec- invitation to the plenary after New Delhi’s In its FIR, the CBI had militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and visa recommendation letters for admis- Asked about the EC’s stand Expressing satisfactions on toral rolls. During the 2017 counter-terror operations in Pakistan on named Chanda Kochhar, elsewhere. sion in Pakistan-based educational insti- on inflammatory speeches, Arora the preparation for Lok Sabha Assembly polls, the total voters . Swaraj said she is a represen- Deepak Kochhar, and Dhoot According to the official, the deci- tutions from several locations. said, “I have apprised the Chief polls in Uttar Pradesh, the CEC were 14, 15, 16,412 which has tative of a land, that has been for ages a foun- and his companies -- Videocon sion to ban JeI (JK) was taken as “it is Naseem Geelani, son of pro- Secretary and DGP about inten- said that EVMs have been turned increased to 14, 40,61,892. The tain of knowledge, a beacon of peace, a source International Electronics Ltd responsible for formation of Hizbul Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah tion of the poll panel and they into a ‘football’ by some political total voters during 2014 Lok of faiths and traditions, and home to religions (VIEL) and Videocon Mujahideen and providing support to Geelani, and Ashraf Sehrai, chairman of have assured that strict action parties and they were kicking it Sabha elections were from the world — and now, one of the major Industries Limited (VIL). The the terror group in terms of recruits, Tehrek-e-Hurriyat, were among the against offenders in such cases.” whenever they wanted. 13,87,49,076. economies of the world. CBI had also named Supreme funding, shelter, logistics etc… In a way, other separatist leaders whose resi- Energy, a company founded by is a terrorist wing of dences were raided by the NIA team, Dhoot, and Nupower the JeI (JK).” Many Hurriayt also lead- accompanied by local police and CRPF captured pilot as a “peace gesture” the aerial route. However, late in Renewables, a company con- ers are doing the same anti-Indian personnel, officials had said. "555 and the “first step” to open nego- the night, Pakistan conveyed to trolled by Deepak Kochhar, in activities, he added. Meanwhile in Srinagar, the PDP and tiations with India. “In our desire India that the pilot will be returned the FIR. Syed Sallahudin, the chief of Hizbul National Conference on Friday criticised for peace, I announce that tomor- through the Attari-Wagah border Dhoot had allegedly invest- Mujahideen, had contested the 1987 the Centre’s decision to ban JeI, saying From Page 1 row (Friday) and as a first step to and India’s request could not be ed in Deepak Kochhar’s com- Assembly elections in Jammu and it is against the essence of democracy The IAF pilot was part of open negotiations Pakistan will be heeded to, the sources said. India pany Nupower through his Kashmir on a Muslim United Front tick- which allows space to opposing politi- combat air patrol which had inter- returning the IAF officer in our was also mulling sending a special firm Supreme Energy as a quid et, in which the JeI (JK) was a key con- cal thoughts. PDP president Mehbooba cepted the Pakistan jets in Narian custody.” aircraft to Pakistan, the sources pro quo to loans cleared by stituent. Asked about Hurriyat, the offi- Mufti termed the decision as another in Naushera, Rajouri after it tried The IAF said on Thursday it said. Varthaman was finally driven ICICI Bank after Chanda cial said the JeI (JK) is the “brain example of “muscular approach” of the to target an ammunition point of was happy that Varthaman was to the border in a Pakistani mili- Kochhar took over as the CEO behind All Party Hurriyat Conference Centre to deal with the political issue the . The Pakistani jets returning home but dismissed tary vehicle before being handed of the bank on May 1, 2009. (APHC)”, alleging that the Hurriyat is a and wondered if “being anti-BJP” is “anti earlier had dropped bombs at the suggestions it was a goodwill ges- over to the Indian officials. The ownership of conglomerate of organisations with sep- national now”. brigade headquarters of the Army ture insisting it was in line with The Daily Retreat ceremony Nupower and Supreme Energy aratist and terrorist leanings, which has “Democracy is a battle of ideas. in Rajouri but there was no dam- Geneva Convention. “We are very held at the Attari-Wagah border changed hands through a com- been supporting Pakistan-sponsored Crackdown followed by banning of JeI age. happy Abhinandan will be freed front along the India-Pakistan plex web of shared transactions terrorism. “JeI (JK) was instrumental (JK) is condemnable, another example During the aerial engagement tomorrow (Friday) and look for- border in Punjab was cancelled for between Deepak Kochhar and behind Hurriyat with the support of of high handedness and muscular close to the (LoC) ward to his return Air Vice Marshal Friday in view of Varthaman’s Dhoot, alleges the CBI FIR. Pakistan,” the official said. approach of GOI to deal with political between the SU-30 and MIG-21s RGK Kapoor, assistant chief of staff release by Pakistan at this frontier, PNS The National Investigation Agency issue of J&k,” the former Chief Minister of the IAF and F-16s of the PAF, (space) had told a news conference the BSF said. (NIA) had this week carried out search- said in a tweet. Varthaman chased one F-16 and in New Delhi. Asked if the IAF saw A senior official of the force shot it down and it fell in POK. it as a goodwill move, Kapoor had said the martial ceremony was However, his MIG-21 was shot by said “we see it as a gesture in con- called off due to administrative the air defence of Pakistan and sonance with the Geneva requirements. Varthaman ejected before the plane Convention.” Officials said it was estimated crash and landed in POK where he Justifying the Pakistani aerial that over 20,000 people could was captured. strike, Khan had said in Parliament gather on the Indian side to wel- The Pakistani action to attack on Thursday, “the only purpose of come IAF pilot and it could be a ◆ CHANGE OF NAME ◆ Indian military installations came our strike was to demonstrate our security nightmare. Hundreds of a day after the IAF jets destroyed capability and will. We did not people had flocked the Attari bor- I Somaya Vaish, D/O Rama terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed’s want to inflict any casualty on India der since early Friday morning to Kant Gupta (R K Gupta) R/o (JeM) biggest training camp near as we wanted to act in a responsi- catch a glimpse of the IAF pilot. Ward no. 6, Nagar Panchayat, Balakot deep inside Pakistan early ble manner.” Meanwhile, reports in Hence, it was decided to call the Khatritola. Unchahar- on Tuesday. New Delhi suggested that Pakistan ceremony off on Friday so that It came 12 days after the JeM turned down a request by India to nothing untoward happens. Raebareli have changed my claimed responsibility for a suicide send back Varthaman by aerial The Border Security Force name to Saumya Vaishya for attack on a CRPF convoy in route and not through the Attari- (BSF) conducts the ceremony in all purposes. Kashmir’s Pulwama, killing 40 sol- Wagah land border, official sources coordination with their cross-bor- PD(8412)A diers. said Friday. der counterparts Pakistan Rangers. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran They said hours after Khan It involves lowering of the flags of Khan had announced in announced the decision to release the two countries along with foot Parliament there on Thursday Varthaman, India conveyed to stomping manoeuvres of the about the decision to release the Islamabad that he be sent back via troops. !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./

$   $   "  P    #  Q%# + " R   #     73$           #$$$* $ $ *$    / *   ++$       )*)+,- On Friday, the briefing  included the MEA's assess-     n the backdrop of India's ment of the Pakistan Prime  64$0$   Iairstrike at Balakot in Minister's tenure so far, the ##     Pakistan harbouring Jaish-e- member said. )  & &" Mohammed (JeM) “terror The foreign secretary also    +$ **$ #     camp”, the Parliamentary told the panel that an attempt !  1# / Standing Committee on by the to   58& '"! " External Affairs on Friday target military installations   )*)+,- whose MIG crashed after a "You will speak and we #      8 sought the Government to vig- in India was unsuccessful as it with Pakitani F-16 will listen without finding out & A" orously explain to the interna- was thwarted by the Indian tating that creating a situa- had parachuted in Pakistan your intentions," he said, tional community reasons Air Force, which lost a jet in Stion for the return of Wing occupied Kashmir and taken in referring to Khan's comments     behind the Indian decision to the fight back. Commander Abhinandan custody by Pakistan authori- that he was ready for talks.    " hit the terror site across the Another member said the Varthaman from Pakistan in ties. Later, Pakistan Prime In his brief reference to  1-   neighbouring country. foreign secretary detailed the such a short span of time was Minister the Pulwama incident in   )*)+,-        The members of the panel diplomatic measures that the a diplomatic victory, BJP pres- announced that the Indian which 40 CRPF personnel 13  told foreign secretary Vijay ministry took right from the ident Amit Shah on Friday Airforce Pilot would be were killed in a terror attack, wo years after the term of          Gokhale, who debriefed them Pulwama attack to the ensu- slammed Pakistan Prime released as a 'goodwill gesture'. Khan had said on Wednesday, TNational Commission for      3 here about the latest develop- ing air strike, and efforts, Minister Imran Khan for not India, though, held that it was "We know how the families of Other Backward Classes < #3    " 1- ment in the Indo-Pak sphere, thereon, to seek out the inter- condemning the Pulwama ter- her diplomatic victory to have those killed in Pulwama inci- (NCBC) got over, the Central that the Government should national community to brief ror attack and asked how India the pilot released from dent must have felt. We have Government has set up a new           vigorously publicise across the them about the impasse, in an can trust him. Pakistani custody. been the victims of war for commission appointing        3 , world the reasons behind New effort to isolate Pakistan glob- Speaking at the 'India At the convention, BJP decades." Bhagwan Lal Sahni, a BJP        Delhi's move to target the ter- ally. Today Conclave' here, Shah president slammed Pakistan Shah said it may be pos- leader from Bihar's         ror camp, a member later said. Foreign Secretary said, "The air-strikes after the Prime Minister for not con- sible that Khan is not in con- Muzaffarpur, as its new chair-       Gokhale gave details on the Gokhale assured the commit- Pulwama terror attack has demning the Pulwama terror trol, but he should have at man. Shahni assumed charge Centre to make public the   / %& B" fast-paced development after tee that diplomatic overtures now isolated Pakistan global- attack and asked how India can least paid a "lip service" and on Friday. findings of the caste census the February 14 Pulwama ter- to the international commu- ly, this is a victory of our trust him. condemned the attack. BJP leader and former and implement reservation O    5  # ror attack by the JeM in which nity were still underway. diplomacy. Creating situation Shah said the Modi Putting the UPA Varanasi mayor Kaushalendra accordingly. The bill was  # #    40 CRPF personnel were killed He also informed the for the return of pilot Government has been able to Government in the dock for Singh Patel, BJP national sec- passed by the Lok Sabha on  * (#  and also received suggestions members on how India got the Abhinandan in such a short create "fear" among those not giving a befitting reply to retary and former MP Sudha August 2, 2018 superseding    (   from the Standing committee support of the members of span of time is our diplomat- behind terrorism with its the enemy after the Mumbai Yadav from Haryana, and the amendments earlier car-   C!  !  C    members. Organisation of Islamic ic victory". actions against Pakistan-based terror attack in 2008, he said Telangana BJP general secre- ried out by the Rajya Sabha.     1 The panel told the foreign Cooperation (OIC) on the The two neighbouring terrorists, and asserted a mes- the Modi Government has tary Achary Talloju have been The NCBC, which until 3       secretary that the Government issue. countries came on the verge of sage has gone that India is no been the best dispensation appointed as members of the now only had only a recom-     "   should highlight the impact of India, on Friday, for the war with each other after a longer ruled by a dispensation since Independence in commission. President Ram mendatory role on the issue of      the air strike and the infor- first time, addressed the OIC human bomb trained by that was at the helm between responding to terrorism. Nath Kovind approved their inclusion or exclusion of a D     E! C   mation about the extent of meeting in Abu Dhabi where Pakistan based terror outfit 2004-14, referring to the "We have a policy of zero names on Thursday. community in the Central list F      C damage, including casualties, External Affairs Minister Jesh-e-Mohammad (JeM) Congress-led UPA. tolerance against terrorism Sahni, who belongs to of OBCs, will now have all   E    suffered by the JeM. This will Sushma Swaraj is a guest of killed over 40 CRPF personnel Asked about Khan's offer and the Modi Government Nishad community, had con- powers of a civil court when it  " ensure that no international honour. and India on Tuesday crossing for talks with India, the BJP has the will to implement it on tested Lok Sabha polls against comes to handling complaints agency questions the impact Pakistan has boycotted Pakistan airspace and hitting chief said, "He does not have ground. Whenever we are former Defence Minister and welfare measures for 6"     of the strike, a member of the the plenary session of the JeM terror camp at Balakot in two words of condemnation attacked, we will give a befit- George Fernandes on socially and educationally %    committee, said Gokhale, who OIC meet to protest India's Pakistan. that the incident (Pulwama ting reply. Enemies will now Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) backward classes. Until now,  /     was assisted by officials of the participation there. In the ensuing air skir- attack) was wrong. He should think ten times before doing ticket in 2004. He has close the NCSC, which handles such     #     Ministry of External Affairs One of the parliamentary mishes following days Wing condemn it. How can we trust something," the BJP chief links with the Rashtriya cases with regards to Dalits,       (MEA), informed the panel's panel's members also said this Commander Abhinandan you? What are you talking?" said. Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). was also in charge of looking          members about the air strike when a slew of questions were The NCBC was given con- into similar complaints of         on the JeM terror camp in asked to the foreign secretary The panel raised some in the meeting Friday. Tharoor, Arka Keshari Deo, stitutional status by Parliament rights violations of people #-     Pakistan and also about the about the anti-terror strikes queries about the assessment The purpose of the meet- Prof Richard Hay, Jagdambika last year, after repealing the belonging to backward class- D       retaliation by the western against Pakistan. Gokhale was of damage caused by the air ing, described as good and Pal, Magannti Venakateshwara National Commission for es.   " neighbour, a source said. "cautious" about answering strike, but Gokhale informed constructive, was part of "par- Rao, Mohammad Salim, P Backward Classes Act, 1993. The term of the last NCBC Foreign ministry officials them, taking the stand that he that the Defence Ministry was liamentary accountability" and Bhattacharya, Sambhaji The Constitution (123rd chairperson, Justice V   #   had briefed the panel earlier in could not reveal much because better equipped to answer. the MEA gave a briefing in this Chhatrapati, Swapan Amendment) Bill, 2017 was Eswaraiah (retd), got over in #    October when Imran Khan of the "sensitive nature" of the Congress president Rahul regard, a member said. Dasgupta, Chunibhai passed after heated exchanges September 2016, while that of   #     was elected Prime Minister of information and "national Gandhi is a member of the The meeting was attended Kanjibhai Gohel and Kumar in Parliament during which its last member expired by       Pakistan. security". committee but was not present by chairperson Shashi Ketkar. several members urged the February 2017.    ( ,                E  2 $  $ ++$ * E        7$+$  *  # 2      , *$ +    , *$+     "   )*)+,- The senior BJP leader said PR." "I have a bad habit... I tell Difference of opinion can be that BJP would get absolute before 10 lakh Muslims that I there... It is our tradition. Atal nion Minister Nitin majority in the upcoming elec- am a pure RSS man vote me if Bihari Vajpayee, Jawaharlal New Delhi: The Supreme Deputy Commissioner of petitioner-in-person, files an UGadkari on Friday said he tions and the country would go you want otherwise do not Nehru and even Modiji wel- Court Friday asked a woman Police, under whose jurisdic- First Information Report (FIR) is not in the race for the post ahead on the path of develop- regret. I have the conviction to comes the opposition party." lawyer, who was allegedly tion the Tilak Marg police sta- to that effect in the Office of of Prime Minister and termed ment under Prime Minister say this. I am not a calculated Talking about the 'Clean assaulted by some cops outside tion falls, with her complaint appropriate Deputy himself as a "pure RSS" man for while "we are politician. I am a good BJP Ganga' project, Gadkari said, the Delhi High Court premis- for registration of the FIR and Commissioner of Police who is whom the nation is supreme. standing behind him." worker. Country is supreme for "The flow of water in the es last night, to approach a seeking protection. in-charge of the Tilak Marg At the same time, he also Reacting to speculations me. I work for it. It should be Ganga has increased under senior officer of Delhi Police for "Advocate, who is appear- Police Station, New Delhi. She showcased the work done by that in case of a fractured happy, prosperous, strong and the Modi Government. In 13 lodging an FIR in the incident. ing as the petitioner-in-person may also seek police protection his Ministry including the pro- mandate, Gadkari would be become world's economic months from now, river Ganga A Bench comprising in these writ petitions, has since she apprehends danger to jects with Delhi Government, the BJP's consensus Prime power," Gadkari said. will be cleaner." Gadkari also Justices S A Bobde and Deepak mentioned before this court her life," the Bench noted in its which has been at severe odds Minister candidate, and said it "I have come as a sup- clarified his controversial Gupta took note of the sub- today that she has been assault- order. with the Centre. is like "Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen porter in this work and will do where-are-the-jobs statement, missions of the woman advo- ed by some policemen outside The apex court also "I am not in the race to be Sapne" (day dreaming). whatever work is assigned to saying he was misquoted by cate, who has also filed a sex- the High Court of Delhi last allowed the lawyer to file inter- the Prime Minister. PM Modi Asserting that "I am not a cal- me for the country," he reiter- the media as he meant "jobs ual harassment case against an night. locutory application for direc- is the PM and will be the PM culated politician", Gadkari ated. In reply to a query as to have lessened after computer- eminent jurist, that she was "It would be appropriate if tions in the main petitions. even after the elections. I am said BJP would return to power why he was favourite among isation". brutally assaulted by two an RSS man, service to the with absolute majority and the opposition leaders, On projects with Delhi policemen near the high court. nation is my duty. We are all added that this time he was Gadkari said he was a worka- Government, he said in 13 pro- She also alleged that her mobile behind him [PM Modi]. I am going to get 5 lakh votes holic and believes in hard- jects work was on worth 4,500 phone, by which she was film- another worker in the fulfil- against 3.5 lakh in the last elec- work. crore besides the work on ing the cops, was snatched by ment of his vision. Where tions. Asked whether he believed Yamuna, Ramnadi, Kali Ganga them. "You go to the police sta- does the question of me being He said he spoke whatev- in "Congress mukt Bharat", he and 40 tributaries. On ethanol, tion. This is not the police sta- a PM arise?" Gadkari said in a er he felt from within and said the ideologies of both the he said that the plans were to tion,"the bench said. Later, the reply to a query at the India added "Neither I dream it, nor parties are different and "we take 11,000 crore ethanol bench asked the woman lawyer Today conclave on Friday. there is any liaisoning, nor any are not enemies of each other. economy to 2 lakh crore. to approach the office of the    -    3 $   6      *  $ $ *$ +$+$  & "    

  )*)+,- of  553 crore to 1,054 crore for New Delhi: The Supreme od of time. one year. Court on Friday came down The top court was dealing n a major decision to "Surplus production is also heavily on the Haryana with a matter in which it had ear- Iimprove liquidity position estimated in the current sugar Government for passing lier directed demolition of illegal of sugar mills and to help the season 2018-19 which has affect- amendments to an Act which constructions in forest area of sugar industry clear its cane ed the liquidity position of sugar allows construction in Aravalli Aravalli hills in Haryana. dues arrears to farmers, the mills resulting in building up of hills, saying the step will "You are not supreme and Centre has approved the pro- cane price arrears of farmers destroy the forest and this can- supreme is the rule of law," the posal to provide soft loans to which has reached to the level of not be permitted. bench told the counsel appearing   the extent of 7,900-10540 20,159 crore as on February 22, A bench of Justices Arun for Haryana and asked the state crore to the sugar industry. 2019," the statement said. To Mishra and Deepak Gupta not to take any action on the law Government will bear the ensure that farmers are paid their asked the State not to take any allowing constructions in Aravalli interest subvention cost @ 7- dues expeditiously, the Centre further action on the law and area."It is really shocking. You are 10% to the extent of 553 has asked banks to seek bank termed it "shocking" that the destroying the forest...It is not crore to 1,054 crore for one account details of cane growers Haryana government has taken permissible," the court said, year. from mill owners, so that this step despite being told adding that "it is sheer con- Sugar cane arrears to farm- amount is paid directly to farm- earlier by the apex court not to tempt".The bench observed it ers have crossed 20,000 crore in ers. is estimated to decline to 307 do so. had earlier asked Haryana not to the current marketing year 2018- "In order to incentivise the lakh tonnes in the 2018-19 mar- On February 27, the allow any construction in forest 19 (October-September). mills to clear their dues, CCEA keting year (October-September) Haryana Assembly had passed area of Aravalli, but despite that "To help the sugar industry has also decided that the from record 325 lakh tonnes in amendments to an Act, open- the State went ahead with it. clear its cane dues arrears, the approved soft loans will be pro- the previous year, the output will ing up thousands of acres of The amendments to the act Cabinet Committee on vided to those units which have be much higher than annual land to real estate and other were passed by the state assem- Economic Affairs (CCEA) already cleared at least 25 per domestic consumption of 260 non-forest activity that were bly amid vociferous protests and chaired by Prime Minister today cent of their outstanding dues in lakh tonnes. Moreover, mills protected under it for over a walkout by opposition parties. approved the proposal to provide the sugar season 2018-19," the had an opening stock of about century. The Punjab Land soft loans to the extent of about statement said. 100 lakh tonnes of stock from Chief Minister M L Khattar Preservation Act was enacted by 7,900-10,540 crore to the sugar The decision to provide soft previous year's production. had said the Punjab Land then Punjab Government in 1900 industry," an official statement loans comes a fortnight after the In last one-and-a-half years, Preservation (Haryana and it provided for conservation said. Centre raised benchmark selling the Central Government has Amendment) Bill, 2019, was of subsoil water and prevention The Centre will bear the price of sugar at factory gate by taken a number of measures to the "need of the hour", adding of erosion in areas found to be interest subvention cost at the 2 to 31 per kg. bail out sugar mills as well as that it was a "very old" act and subject to erosion or likely to rate of 7-10 per cent to the extent Although sugar production cane farmers. much has changed over a peri- become liable to erosion. PTI !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./

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)    0     Visakhapatnam: Firing fresh      (2(1/- “chowkidar chor bhi darpok bi salvo at the Opposition, Prime hain” ( Chowkidar is not mere- #    Dhanushkodi which was Minister Narendra Modi ongress president Rahul ly a thief but a coward) 3/ Eastern Command Army com- in the eastern mander visited Panagarh Military Himalayas the Indian Army had decid- Station on Wednesday. He was received ed to move the XVII Mountain Strike by Lieutenant General PN Rao, GOC, Corps to its designated headquarters at Brahmastra Corps. The Corps which Panagarh in Bengal from where it can was raised at Ranchi will shortly be be quickly airlifted to selected regions shifting to Panagarh. up in the mountains. “The Army Commander reviewed The move comes against the war- the security situation and operational like situation between India and preparedness of the formation. He Pakistan, sources said adding the XVII emphasised on the need for remaining 3   7 8    $$2  $4 ! 8  :;;<  * 3 *  $*=- $$2 Mountain Corps also known as the ready at all times to meet the emerging O>?  P  *$*$$<:+$  *   $ $    *    $ $ Bramhastra Corps which was raised in security challenges,” said a statement +     =) $** $,#.- /$24 !*+ * $   * 8  January 2014 for specialized actions in from the Eastern Command. * $  1  #$+    $+  $+ $$ )R   " #$   $$2$9  *     "    )*)+,- ailway Minister Piyush    +  RGoyal on Friday released a booklet on the five-year achievements of the ministries under his charge. Highlighting 0  0  the achievements and initia- tives of the Ministry of Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Railways, he said it made safe- Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime ty the foremost priority and Minister Narendra Modi, urging him not to achieved its best ever safety hand over the international airport here to a pri- record in 2018-19. vate entity. Goyal said, “There has $ $4    $  #$   $4  3$ 18@   * $   The Adani Enterprises Ltd had emerged as been 81per cent drop in num-  !  .>/   * $ $$2$9@   *       $4    $   7,  the highest bidder for managing, operating and ber of deaths from 152 in $(  4 ! , $ developing six airports of Airports Authority of 2013-14 to 29 up to January 31, India, including that in Thiruvananthapuram, 2019. This is a result of holis- Baat show for taking up further Goyal said that aspirations will benefit about 15 lakh com- which are to be privatised. tic efforts taken by the ministry developmental projects. of the people of North East muters. In a letter to the PM, Vijayan demanded the including eliminating He added there has been a were fulfilled with completion “Mumbai Suburban airport’s operation be handed over to ‘Unmanned Level Crossings’ quantum leap in capital expen- of 4.94 Kms long Bogibeel Systems is also being mod- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge net- diture. Total capital expenditure Bridge, longest rail-cum-road ernised with ongoing projects (TIAL) floated by the Government-run Kerala work. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha between 2014-19 is 5.1 lakh bridge in India. Now, journey worth more than 70,000 Cr, State Industrial Development Corporation. The Kosh (RRSK) fund of 1 lakh crore which is more than dou- from Itanagar to Dibrugarh is which will benefit about 75 interests of the Centre and the State will be pro- crore has been created for safe- ble of total expenditure during only 180 Kms, reducing the lakh commuters,” he said. tected by this move, and with State backing it ty expenditure”. 2009-14, he said. travel time from 24 hours to Talking about Vande will also pave way for airport’s development, he Goyal reiterated that the “The Railways is connecting only 5 hours. Bharat Express, he said “India’s said. There is lot of opposition from the public focused approach of the India at a faster pace with a 59 Commuter travel in urban first high-tech, energy-effi- to the handing over of the airport’s functioning Government in last five years per cent increase in the average India has been given suffi- cient, self-propelled train is a to a private entity, he said, adding that the same has materialised various projects pace of commissioning New cient attention. Bangalore prime example of the success of company has got the bids for all six airports in for the benefit of the nation and Line / Doubling / 3rd and 4th Suburban System is being Make in India movement. This the country. About 23.57 acres of land was given people. He urged the people of line projects from 4.1 km during developed with ongoing pro- train will be proliferated across for free to the airport for developing it in 2005 the country to put their sug- 2009-14 per day to 6.53 km per jects worth more than 15,700 India and also exported glob- on the condition that the cost of the land would gestions in the popular Mann Ki day during 2014-18,” he added. Crore, he said adding that this ally, he said. be converted to Government equity if a com- pany was formed to manage it, he said. PTI -&& "  6: ##  7 &  Mathura: The mortal remains of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, who was killed in a heli- copter crash in Jammu & Kashmir’s Budgam district, were consigned to the flames in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district on Friday. The body of IAF officer Pankaj Nauhar was taken to the residence of his father, retired Subedar Major Nobat Singh, in Mathura town, said District Magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra. He was taken to his native village in Mant area for cremation. Rudra, the 16-month-old son of Pankaj, lit the pyre with family members beside him. A massive crowed gathered at the funeral amid chanting of slogans. UP Minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary, Mathura MP Hema Malini, RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary were among those present. The widow of Nauhar was given a cheque of 25 lakh by Uttar Pradesh Minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary on behalf of the State Government. A cheque of 5 lakh was also given by the Minister to the IAF offi- cer’s father. The Minister said a member of Nauhar’s family would be given a Government job also and land. PTI            !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./ ,"!" ',   " .    > :    " .   . !!%.1!  ' " )R   & "         3&*     &     /           = :  ,O                  /   3      $      (            (            "9            S        7          ,                (  $          >:          $ 7(?@    *%(A? 2              )     $    (           #         -  .        (           he Punjab Land Preservation     #                  (Haryana Amendment) Act             (PLPA), passed recently by the     +              Haryana Legislative Assembly, has understandably alarmed those      "  #              whoT care for the ecology of the very large part            $    B    of the Aravalli hills that fall in Haryana. The            +        " ( PLPA was enacted in 1900 to “preserve” land in undivided Punjab by curbing activities like        >: )    P(   ( the felling of trees for timber, quarrying for  Q             +      rocks, agriculture, herding and other pastoral                      preoccupations on land notified under it. The Act disallowed all human activity that could                  $   affect the availability of sub-surface water, alter         + 2           the landscape, lead to biodiversity loss and          $    =    other unpredictable consequences. Section 3A of the amended Act states that               the provisions of the PLPA would not apply          +        to “the lands included in the final develop- $    (             ment plans, any other town improvement plans or schemes published under the pro-           + $=  $    visions of” Acts listed under the Section. The +             amended Act would throw open almost #          ;   + :   4;+:5 30,000 hectares of land to a wide range of activities, particularly construction and min-                       ing. The impact would be all the more dev- #   $               astating because its provisions would apply,  *  8    2 2       ;+: “except unless expressly provided,” retrospec- ence of all these species, partic- Air pollution has been iden- the environment and animal                tively from November 1, 1966, when Haryana ularly after the closure of mines. tified as the fifth biggest cause of habitats. The Uttarakhand came into being, and provide legal cover to They will now be forced out mortality in India. Further, Government’s decision to build   2        P         all activities, some of them subjects of law- again. according to studies, as many as a highway through the Corbett                   ( suits, which were clearly in violation of the There will be other conse- an estimated 10,000 people die National Park is an example. Its  Q       $ #     provisions of the Act prior to its amendment. quences. Construction and min- prematurely in Delhi every year construction and the plying of There arises here the question of the Kant ing activity in the Aravalli area as a result of air pollution, and vehicular traffic through it will      ;+:           E Enclave, a residential colony in Faridabad. The and the dust generated by it is residents could live for an addi- have disastrous consequences      $   )     )   Supreme Court had, in the matter of MC bound to increase air pollution ,)0)*-++1) tional nine years if Delhi met for wildlife, particularly tigers.          ;+:   +     ( Mehta Vs Union of India & Others, ordered not only in the adjacent areas but 4 #)L2) )#" World Health Organisation’s air Another is the Maharashtra its demolition on September 11, 2018, on the even in Delhi, the national cap- quality standards. Government’s diversion last year  +        *      ( ground that it was built on forest land. The ital, where things are very grim 4 #02-4 Concern over the alarming of 467.5 forest land in Yavatmal              2     case raised a critical issue — whether in the already and where the situation / (- - ! levels of air pollution in Delhi was district for a cement plant. F8 =  =      F2        $    State of Haryana, land notified under the pro- gets particularly bad in the peri- voiced by the Supreme Court, Further, its recommendation has visions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, od between October and January /-9-<- ,) which on October 24, 2018, led to the clearance, in principle,     >:    2          ( 1900, was forest land or was it required to be every year. According to a expressed shock over the disap- of the grant of 87.98 hectares of  $         2   treated as forest land? The Supreme Court had research paper published by the /0/9/++-/0)//  pearance of 31 hills in the Aravalli land in Kondhali and      $           +    answered in the affirmative. Also, by an order Ministry of Earth Sciences in ,)2# range in Rajasthan and asked the Kalmeshwar ranges to an explo- on December 12, 1996, the Supreme Court October, 2018, 21 per cent of State Government to stop all ille- sives company in Chakdoh for                  2  S had directed that the Centre’s prior approval Delhi’s PM2.5 (particulate mat- !) )0/)1<--# gal mining in an area, measuring manufacturing defence prod- :  $        +       # was necessary for any non-forest activity with- ter smaller than 2.5 micron) air 142 4 115.34 hectares, within 48 hours. ucts. Worse, the land earmarked F8          :  $     P   in a “forest” and that any ongoing activity pollution is caused by the pres- The Bench of Justices Madan B being reportedly in the tiger without that must cease forthwith. ence of dust. - 0)/#)/-0 Lokur and Deepak Gupta corridor between Bor and                    One will have to watch how the imple- The result? The least serious :4++2-4  4 referred to the huge amount the Melghat tiger reserves, the facto- Q   :   $  (     mentation of the amended Act proceeds in afflictions include breathless- Rajasthan Government was ry would prevent the move-        +S           the context of the various orders passed by ness, coughing, sneezing, con- 4 +<- ,) earning from mining activities in ment of tigers between the two. the country’s apex court and how it impacts striction inside the chest, allergy /5/) /0)/# the Aravalli, but said that This alarming tendency      F2      +      ( the suits being heard under the provisions of and aggravation of asthma. The notwithstanding this, it could not mentioned will cause irreparable      :S 7  * = 0    $ the PLPA. Meanwhile, one needs to point out serious illnesses include 12)9) - )+,- endanger the lives of lakhs of damage to the country’s environ-  : P               that its impact on the environment in the areas ischaemic heart disease ,) /-4 /+ people as the disappearance of ment unless reversed. That can around the Aravalli and Shivalik ranges, that (ischaemic stroke) and cere- the hills could be one of the rea- happen only if a strong resistance Q + +              fall within Haryana, will be devastating. These brovascular disease (haemor- /:-/+*,)0) sons for the rise in the pollution is mounted. The sterling role                constitute a critical ecological and biodiver- rhagic stroke), chronic obstruc- ,- !#/0)9)0< level in Delhi-National Capital played by the judiciary, the sity zone that has nearly 400 species of plants tive pulmonary disease and res- Region. It directed Rajasthan’s protests against constructing the and is home to 200 species of native and piratory infections. Besides, a !0-(/+0)/< chief secretary to file an affidavit road through Corbett, and migratory birds. A huge part of the wildlife study by researchers at Columbia regarding compliance of its order Haryana’s PLPA amendment 1   habitat between Asola and Damdama could University’s Mailman School of within a week. Act, are heartening but the be destroyed, leading to the extinction of local Public Health shows that people The assault on the Aravalli in protests need to become much &  )(0  *4  "    wildlife of which there is a variety — leop- living in areas with high pollution Haryana and Rajasthan under- larger for politicians to listen. ards, wolves, hyenas, jackals, porcupines, mon- levels are more likely to have lines the growing tendency to pri- (The writer is Consultant         /  R 5 goose, civets, jungle cats, rhesus macaque and bone fractures as a result of osteo- oritise development in terms of Editor, The Pioneer, and an so on. There has been an increase in the pres- porosis. industry and infrastructure over author)      * +S             )  , -    ,.-      %  /           - O    -:+ , I( /K  -3                  ( -:     *  : ",   ",     "          0           "4 =      "-                        "            "0                   "       "    /!  " 1    %    *    7( &:;7#7(*:    2   3   * (9&8(>+7 7-+(899: +8(*+7 &:;7#7(*: $+-: K+3 K9 3  K#( L  K##                      #          (                                              #           %  2     itary action, had only targetted      terrorist training camps on # 4%2#5                  Pakistan’s soil. On February 27,           Sir — This refers to the editori-              * Pakistani Air Force fighter planes +   %2#         R7#S ( al, “Encashing Pulwama” (March    / 9   :  crossed the Line of Control and       "-            $  *    *  ! #   1). Even as a war-like situation targetted four Indian military was developing with Pakistan,         F  = establishments but missed the tar-  ,  *  %        +S  political parties in India lost no       =         get. Pakistan has always been in         #  (* 8       opportunity to milk the issue for          : O     denial mode whenever it is  O                 ( electoral gains. The first in line   "   L M     O accused of turbo-charging terror- was the ruling BJP, which left no       / =*   'B    ists. It has committed a blunder              $       7  stone unturned to exploit the           "<  by targetting Indian military :    + !              Pulwama attack and the counter                = establishments.   +         %   *   #   air strikes in Pakistan. It seemed            " MC Joshi to have taken all the credit for     L    M     Lucknow 8      (         ( every action taken in response to      :  :( - 3     -            "/   ,   !  *  8  ;    the attack. It is quite bizarre that              "-      O                       #           ( even before the wounds of the 44                  =   -3      = jawans killed in the Pulwama    "-                     =        +S  +       attack had healed, the tempo of            =         " Sir — Now that Wing          <         electioneering picked up as if the         -=:          +-#*&7 Commander Abhinandan  (                  volatile electorate might forget the : "            Varthaman is back, India must Government’s bravado. press the international communi-  ((   (  8           It is too early to foretell the ty on the need for consensus on                    turn of the electoral wind but one    port of the global community. store for them. In the early hours combating terrorism. Without       +S            thing can be said that the valour But this time, Prime Minister on February, 26, 12 IAF Mirage any doubt, world opinion is of Prime Minister Modi as shown Narendra Modi was determined 2000 fighter planes took off from inclined towards India. India must   (           $     in the air strike and the success- Sir — Pakistan-based Masood for decisive action. Terming the various air bases in India and take advantage of this. As expect-                      ful release of Wing Commander Azhar’s terrorist group, Jaish-e- Pulwama attack a very big mis- completely demolished JeM’s ed, Pakistan is eager to engage in ! !              ( ( Abhinandan is being used as a Mohammad (JeM), openly took take by those who committed it, biggest training camp at Balakot peace talks with India. Reviving weapon to thrash the already responsibility for the Pulwama ter- he gave a free hand to the Army and two others in Pakistan and talks can help ease the situation.            :     fragmented opposition. The ror attack on a Central Reserve to choose the time, place and returned safely. Anand                 8  Pulwama development looks god- Police Force convoy. It was confi- strategy to avenge. Pakistan Prime Minister Via email                +    send at least for the BJP. dent that as in the past, the Indian JeM and its patron, the Imran Khan threatened India Rajendra Prasad Singh Government would not go beyond Pakistani establishment, could with retaliation though the Indian $ *2$6                  Delhi lodging protests and calling sup- have never dreamt of what was in Air Force, in a limited non-mil- **:(*&9&7:=;>+'?&> !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./ ,"!" ', #" ''           %%   0    #  $     "'!"'+       '%%  #     #        A%    A #  %   0   0' :       -     L%    #   L$      0 )               # #   $   "$ 0"0 D     !        )(   / (             %  S    2                            +  8  4+85     +        +      !#+   " , &  " (                                          ;      *  , !             %  S      !#+         " G > S   "       # +8         ?H   ?H                        %          ;                =  F  !   +S            :     $  #  !     # %           -     AH        :  8  : % 4 5 ,   )  2 ndia and Pakistan joined the Shanghai    #  E F   , :    ( Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as full mem-   !  E    ++* >   $  2 Iber states during its June 8-9, 2017 summit in 8       ?         Astana, Kazakhstan. Before the addition of the two   ("          ( South Asian nations, the SCO consisted of ,  7  ?HH(       ?? Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and  I +       ++# 4  )  E  Kyrgyzstan. The now eight-member SCO also has four observer states, including Afghanistan and six  * 5< + +  2   ) <   dialogue partners, including Sri Lanka. In total and F  < B  F    F   7     together, they constitute much of the Asian geog-         )+#2 $ *  B +  # raphy with a population of over three billion peo- %        ++#    )  ++2 )+#2 $ ple. The foundational purpose of SCO as the largest * F   B + 4       inter-governmental organisation in the world is to                 *  strengthen mutual trust and promote good neigh- ,)0/#=#4               ( bourly relations among member states. This is to #,42+1)    5        ( be achieved through gradual but consistent efforts /#3)4    ?J    4    ?K   ?K    by SCO member states to engage in multi-faceted -) -</    5 #         cooperation to advance their collective and com- /##)##,) mon interest in the sustainable human and protec- $         )  , :0)#) )4 tive security of the SCO space. Parallel to this, the (/540 F     * F   # 1 F   $ SCO seeks to establish a more democratic and ratio- F   $ F   $          )0040-# nal world order. !042:#/       4 F    E  F  5 1 $  Because sustainable peace makes sustainable F                development possible in Asia and the rest of the ,)-0#2::40    E++# # F  %  :     world, the SCO summits continue emphasising - 0/#0220)  %             the importance of results-driven security coop- ,042!,42 remains the priority for cooperation involved in military conflict, to enhance tions within the SCO’s own borders. The   LH       AH #    eration among its member states, observer states ,)#40)!-4 " within the SCO”, underlining that the military exchanges and trust. This could organisation should lose no time in  B LH              and dialogue partners. The addition of India and ,) -#,42+ three-year programme of action, adopt- improve regional stability.” engaging with the two countries to have     *           ( Pakistan was widely welcomed as a significant (/:42/ ed at the 18th Summit, “envisions hold- Contrary to these expectations, them refrain from further retaliatory mea- opportunity for the SCO to address lingering secu- ing joint drills and counter-terror oper- however, a rapid escalation of violence sures in favour of returning to direct dia-      +   )   (   0)#2+#= rity threats of terrorism, extremism and separatism 40-) ) ations, streamlining a closer exchange of between India and Pakistan since logue for a resolution of mounting ten-                 ( in South and Central Asia. Same intertwined experience and operational information.” February 14, 2019, has been a cause for sions caused by recent developments.     E      !  !    42 )0= threats have provided an enabling environment )0040-#(:+/ He also encouraged the SCO Youth serious concern in the SCO neighbor- While this should be SCO’s immedi-  F   $  ) *      for organised criminality, while also deepening Council to “actively participate in the work hood and the rest of the world. On ate goal, the RATS-SCO should be tasked 1 $  F       O    poverty that denies the youthful populations of 4/-4 40 on preventing the recruitment of young February 14, Pakistan-based terrorist to identify and assess the presence of         %   B     Asia the socio-economic opportunities and facil- /4:-4 1< people to participate in terrorist activities.” group, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), car- major terrorist groups and their support   +8  S "    ities they need to contribute to the sustainable ()(1)0#/)# Building on these and other state- ried out and later claimed a infrastructure throughout the SCO region. +             development and peace of their individual nations ments from the SCO member states, call- on a bus, carrying Indian Central Then it should map out a results-orient-                 ( and collectively to those of the rest of Asia. ing for quick and concrete action to fight Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel ed counter-terrorism plan of action for        %  S      +S  ( That is why Chinese President Xi Jinping at the and eliminate terrorism, the Central in Pulwama district of Jammu & adoption by the SCO member states, 18th SCO Summit in Qingdao called on the SCO’s Military Commission of Russia conduct- Kashmir. The attack killed 44 CRPF men. whose counter-terrorism efforts the       "  7    %   ( expanded membership to move from talk to ed a six-day joint military exercise from This unprovoked act of terrorism was RATS-SCO should verify to ensure no dis-               G 2   action. He stated: “We need to actively implement August 22-29, 2018, in Chelyabinsk internationally condemned with calls on tinction between and among terrorist  ??               ( the 2019-2021 programme of cooperation for com- Oblast, Russia. The joint exercise was ini- Pakistan to rid its soil of terrorist net- groups. In other words, verification by  +8 G =      #   =  )  bating ‘the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism tiated by the Regional Anti-Terrorist works and to dismantle their support RATS-SCO should expose for correction 4          I ++# E   and extremism;’ continue to conduct the ‘peace mis- Structure of SCO (RATS-SCO), which infrastructure, including safe havens duplicitous counter-terrorism policies, *  B   5       G #    sion’ and other joint counter-terrorism included tactical operations with a focus and training facilities. India promised which remain an impediment to effective    LH   (       exercises…We need to give full play to the role of on strengthening counter-terrorism and retaliation and, on February 26, conduct- counter-terrorism in South Asia. B    F   ++# E  + 2  )  SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to facilitate counter-insurgency preparedness, coor- ed surgical air strikes that hit “the As President Ashraf Ghani said while # +  2 2    ++*     ( peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.” dination and cooperation among the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot, condemning the February 14 terrorist                 President Xi added, “Countries are increasing- SCO member states. Around 3,000 sol- Pakistan.” Many militants under train- attack in India, “terrorism is a cancer in ly inter-dependent today… confronted with many diers, including 748 from China, 167 ing at the camp are reportedly to have the region and requires collective efforts  (    G      S  ( common threats and challenges that no one can from India and 110 from Pakistan, par- been killed by India’s air strikes. to root it out.” The SCO can and should               ( tackle alone. Only by enhancing solidarity and part- ticipated in the joint drill. Although the international commu- initiate to lead a collective, region-wide  G #          ( nership, will we be able to achieve lasting stability Indeed, for India and Pakistan, it was nity has called for restraint by India and campaign to fight and eliminate the can-                 +8 and development.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra their first such joint military exercise since Pakistan and de-escalation of tensions cer before it spreads in multiple destruc- G            G Modi, who addressed the summit as a newly admit- their independence in 1947. And this between them, now is the time for the tive ways throughout the SCO region. 7             G ted member state, echoed his Chinese counterpart, raised much hopes about the prospect of SCO’s founding member states to act on Afghanistan has done more than a =          42   ? floating the concept of ‘secure’ to underpin the work the two countries participating in the their often-stated common objectives to lion’s share in fighting terrorism with AH?-5   ++* :    G 7  of SCO: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for econom- ‘Peace Mission 2018’ and future ones to restore, ensure and maintain peace, secu- regional and transnational roots. Our               ( ic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, move beyond decades of routine skirmish- rity and stability in the SCO space. In the full accession to the SCO will only           G 2  ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty and ‘E’ es along the Line of Control and to begin last SCO Summit, President Putin empha- enable us to do a lot more, helping our for environmental protection. He highlighted building inter-military confidence through sised that one of the SCO’s key priorities neighbours, including India, Pakistan,                G +  instability in Afghanistan as an “unfortunate effect SCO measures, thereby easing tensions was to assist “in the political and diplo- China, Russia and Iran, address the F2             E of terrorism”, noting: “I hope the brave steps towards between the two nations. Commenting on matic settlement of conflicts near the intertwined threats of terrorism,  E          =  ( peace taken by President Ghani will be respected this shortly before the joint exercise, Sun external borders of the organisation’s extremism and criminality.    G 8 %           by all in the region.” Zhuangzhi, a professor at the Chinese member states.” (The writer is the Ambassador of   =   G         Moreover, Russian President Vladimir Putin Academy of Social Sciences, told the Any escalatory moves by India and Afghanistan to Sri Lanka as well as Senior        welcomed the accession of India and Pakistan to the Global Times, “It is a rare opportunity for Pakistan could lead to the breakout of a International Security Fellow at the New         ! "# $%& ' SCO. He stressed that “countering terrorism Pakistan and India, which have long been larger conflict with far-reaching implica- America in Washington, DC) -   "     + & % $  ## '&(')$ & %&E+,'% &  --),#%$)&%&'.&&%&/$0",'/' ))$  ,'1% #2- --3. #%4$ #$- '%-%%5&$ ##&/( - 64!789 '&1'4 %(('&

and the vulnerable. Some of the chal- For the self-employed, the the non-poor households, working in inclusion of NHIS in campaign agen- should attract them to the programme. lenges faced by PM-JAY are not very Government partly tax-subsidises pre- the unorganised sector, private volun- da and rising economic prosperity that Korea made it mandatory for its pop- different from those faced by South mium. In addition to contributing tary health insurance is the only option. improved the ability of the self- ulation to join the scheme. India will Korea. The way it dealt with the issues towards premium, all insured members Covering the self-employed — the employed to pay insurance premium. have to look for mechanisms to create holds useful lessons for India. A lot can have to make co-payments at the time why and how: South Korea is an excel- Insuring the self-employed brought semi-mandatory conditions such as be learnt on how to save the self- of seeking care. These co-payments lent example of how premiums from with it challenges of deciding contribu- subscribers of specific services like tele- employed deal from vested interests, vary, depending on the level of health- non-poor households in the unorgan- tion levels, enrolling/collecting contri- com, tapping into affinity groups like generate necessary intel from claims care provider (from physician clinics to ised sector can be leveraged to mobilise butions and administering benefits. housing society members and so forth. data and integrate different schemes tertiary hospital). For the poor, who additional funding for the health sec- South Korea responded to these chal- Also, extending PM-JAY to the 02(:O#-:+4(/< 01 covering different population sub- account for a small share (3 per cent to tor. This is particularly important in a lenges well. unorganised sector has other solid groups. This article will, however, 5 per cent) of the population, the context where public health spending India will soon be confronted advantages such as reduced adminis- /++#+/ uring Prime Minister Narendra focus on covering the self-employed or Government fully subsidises premium has been low and ‘sticky’, which is true with the issue of divergence in the reim- trative costs and greater bargaining Modi’s recent visit to South the non-poor in unorganised sector. and co-payment rates, which are sig- of India. Moreover, the Korean expe- bursement rates paid to hospitals and power as care purchaser relative to care <        DKorea, both countries signed About NHIS: South Korea, now an nificantly smaller or nil. NHIS has a rience informs us that there are poten- ones charged by hospitals to the non- providers. There are good reasons for  (  seven agreements to enhance cooper- advanced nation, was a middle-income well-defined benefit package that cov- tial risks for not bringing this section insured. This divergence will be signif- extending the scheme to the non-poor (3    ation in key areas, including infrastruc- country when its NHIS achieved near ers curative care (including outpatient of the population under the health icant even if the non-poor unorganised unorganised sector workers (and their   "1 ( O ture development, media, start-ups and universal population coverage in 1989. care), diagnosis, emergencies, pharma- insurance programme. workers were to participate in private families). This may not get extended     combating trans-border terrorism and In 1977, Korea made social health ceuticals, health check-ups and the like. In South Korea, extending NHIS voluntary health insurance. This is like- immediately as the scheme is still being international crime. Health could have insurance mandatory for its employees During 2000, the Government integrat- to the self-employed was necessitated ly to become untenable sooner than rolled out to cover the poor and the vul-          been yet another possible area of (including dependents) of large corpo- ed different schemes, each having a sep- due to rising inequity in the amounts anticipated. Unlike South Korea, where nerable. Nevertheless, a plan needs to 3    "/ cooperation as India has much to learn rations. It was gradually extended to arate risk pool into a single scheme with paid by the insured and the uninsured. the Government fully subsidises pre- be put in place for covering the non-      from South Korea, which has over 30 other organised sector workers (includ- a single risk pool. Under NHIS, reimbursement rates to miums only for a small percentage of poor for which the Korean experience      years of experience in implementing the ing dependents). However, in 1989, South Korea’s experience in imple- the health care providers were regulat- its population, India is fully subsidis- is useful. Learning and technical know- National Health Insurance Service NHIS, with identical benefit package, menting NHIS will be useful for India ed. As these rates were restrictive, health ing premium for a significantly high- how from Korea could, perhaps, be for-     (NHIS) scheme that covers its entire was extended to the self-employed (and even though the context is different. care providers were prompted to charge er share of its population. The fiscal bur- malised through a bilateral agreement       population (almost). Currently, India their families). In terms of funding, it While India has social health insurance higher rates to the uninsured, which led den will likely preclude the or through an international agency like       is at the initial stages of rolling out the is a contributory scheme for all organ- for a majority of its organised sector to increasing inequity in the amounts Government from giving any subsidy the WHO.     world’s largest hospital insurance pro- ised sector employees, wherein both employees, it is seeking to provide free paid by the two groups. There were to the non-poor. Even so, extending the (The writer is a development econ-     " gramme, the Pradhan Mantri Jan employer and employee contribute hospital care for the bottom 40 per cent other factors at work, too, notably polit- scheme to the unorganised sector omist, formerly with the Bill & Melinda Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), for the poor towards insurance premiums. of the population through PM-JAY. For ical considerations that led to the workers at full and fair premium Gates Foundation and the World Bank)      !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./

/      * * 3 1 # !$ B9 ( * ;'/<- + 6,!7  89:; $  $ 8989 0 R  

 )*)+,- relief measures will contribute a fiscal stimulus of about 0.45 ndian economy is expected per cent of GDP. to grow at 7.3 per cent in cal- “These measures will sup- I  )*)+,- $ $$    .4/   *       endar year 2019 and 2020, and port growth through con-   ,*$$3  , * > .3,>/    $ B the Government spending sumption over the near term,   $,*#$ $  announced ahead of elections albeit at a fiscal cost... ormer finance secretary this year which will support “In India, Government FAjay Narayan Jha on Friday near-term growth, Moody’s spending announced ahead of joined the 15th Finance said on Friday. elections this year will support Commission as a member, The US-based rating near-term growth,” Moody’s pursuant to the resignation of agency said that the country is said. Shaktikanta Das. less exposed to a slowdown in It said RBI is likely to be Jha, a 1982 batch IAS offi- global manufacturing trade able to maintain their current cer of Manipur cadre, super- growth than other major Asian monetary policy stance after annuated as a Finance economies and emerging mar- some tightening last year. Secretary to the Government of kets and is poised to grow at a The RBI cut its bench- India on February 28. relatively stable pace in the two mark policy rate in February “Ajay Narayan Jha today years. and changed the policy stance joined the Fifteenth Finance “We expect India’s econo- to “neutral” from “calibrated Commission as its member. He   )*)+,- IGST as regular settlement. the impact of rate rationaliza- my to grow around 7.3 per cent tightening”. Inflation measures joins in place of Shaktikanta 7,>    C  #* 4   :;BC The total revenue earned tions effective January”. in both years (2019, 2020),” have steadily declined since the Das who had resigned as a  *** $ C  #* 4$* ST collections in February by the Centre and State The GST Council in its Moody’s said in its quarterly middle of 2018. member of the Commission  * #$ $   *$ >  ** =- Gdropped to 97,247 crore Governments after regular set- December 22, 2018, meeting Global Macro Outlook for 2019 On banking sector, after being appointed as gov-   *,*$ $ #4 ,#.4,/* *$ from 1.02 lakh crore in the tlement in February is 37,095 rationalised the 28 per cent slab and 2020. Moody’s said, although the ernor, Reserve Bank of India,”  $ $7, previous month, the Finance crore for CGST and 39,939 and restricted the highest slab Moody’s growth esti- overall strength of the system an official statement said. Ministry said on Friday. crore for SGST. to luxury, demerit, and sin mates in based on calendar is improving, it remains a con- Jha had also served as the However, compliance Tax experts attributed the goods, besides cement, large year. India, however, mea- straint on the economy. secretary to the 14th Finance improved and the number of reason for dip in GST mop-up screen TV, Air Conditioners sures its economic growth on In February 2019, the gov- Commission which was head- sales return or GSTR-3B filed figures for February to the and dishwashers. the basis of fiscal year (April- ernment provided further cap- ed by former RBI Governor Y for the month of January up to reduction in tax rates on 23 Goods and Services Tax March). ital infusions to public sector V Reddy. February 28, 2019 stood at goods and services, including (GST) collections in the current In 2018-19 fiscal, ending banks. These measures, com- Set up in November, 2017, 73.48 lakh. This is higher than movie tickets, TV, power banks fiscal till February totalled March 2019, Indian economy bined with the application of the 15th Finance Commission, 73.3 lakh returns filed in and monitor screen, with effect 10.70 lakh crore. is estimated to have grown 7 the Prompt Corrective Action headed by former Planning January. from January 1. The Government has low- per cent, lower than 7.2 per framework, which requires Commission member N K “The total gross GST rev- The goods on which GST ered the GST collection target cent in 2017-18. timely recognition of bad loans, Singh, is mandated to recom- enue collected in February has been lowered to 18 per cent for the current fiscal to 11.47 Moody’s said the and resolution of bad loans mend distribution of net pro- 2019 is 97,247 crore of which from 28 per cent include pulleys, lakh crore in the Revised announcement in Interim through the Insolvency and ceeds of taxes between the Central GST is 17,626 crore, transmission shafts and cranks, Estimates, from 13.71 lakh Budget 2019-20 on direct cash Bankruptcy Code, are helping Union and the States, for a peri- State GST (SGST) is 24,192 gear boxes, retreaded or used crore budgeted initially. transfer programme for farm- to address solvency and asset od of five years — April, 2020 4 ! $ ,D4 ->4 ++$$3 $ $  crore, Integrated GST (IGST) is tyres, power banks of lithium- GST collection stood at ers and the middle-class tax quality challenges. to March, 2025, among others. # $$     *$$ 2 $   $$ 46,953 crore and Cess is ion batteries, digital cameras, 1.03 lakh crore in April,  2,$+ -  + 1 , *7 .   / 8,476 crore,” the Ministry video camera recorders and 94,016 crore in May, 95,610 $$      $ *$ +*$  said in a statement. video game consoles. crore in June, 96,483 crore in      The GST collection for EY Tax Partner, Abhishek July, 93,960 crore in August, < &  " February, 2019, is 13.12 per Jain said: “While the GST col- 94,442 crore in September, cent higher than 85,962 crore lections are in line with the 1,00,710 crore in October, O P0-) 8      mopped-up in February, 2018. average collection in this finan- 97,637 crore in November, The Government has set- cial year, it has witnessed a 94,725 crore in December  $$ tled 19,470 crore to CGST and slight dip vis-a-vis the previous 2018 and 1.02 lakh crore in 8:      15,747 crore to SGST from month; a possible reason being January 2019. $    (2(1/- agreements.” Beijing: China said on Friday The carrier is actively it “regrets” a World Trade inancially-stressed Jet engaged with all its aircraft Organization ruling in FAirways on Friday said two lessors and regularly provides Washington’s favour over a more of its aircraft have been them with updates on the dispute on Chinese subsidies to grounded due to non-payment efforts undertaken to improve +$  $$  $    +$*   + wheat and rice producers. of lease rentals. its liquidity, the filing said.  O $ $+$ P  +$  $$  )*P    The decision comes as the With this, the total number The company said it is world’s top two economies try of aircraft taken out of opera- making all efforts to minimize to hammer out an agreement to tions due to cash crunch in the disruption to its network due to         settle a long-running trade airline and its subsequent fail- the the grounding of these $ $ row that has rattled global ure to pay rentals to various planes and is proactively % C  D markets. lessors has gone up to 21 so far. informing and re-accommo-   #   The United States in 2016 In a filing to the stock dating its affected guests. $ $ alleged that China doled out exchanges, the full-service air- The company also contin-   )*)+,- $100 billion in “market price line said, “An additional two ues to provide required and $  support” for wheat and rice as aircraft have been grounded periodic updates to the okerStars India well as corn production, above due to non-payment of Directorate General of Civil Pannounces its association  + levels agreed to at the Geneva- amounts outstanding to lessors Aviation in this regard, it with Bollywood actor based WTO. AFP under their respective lease added. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who  )*)+,- stars in the adverts. The association is designed to o provide a boost for star- strengthen the brand’s reso- Ttups seeking to get listed, nance as it seeks to bring the capital markets regulator Sebi’s concepts of poker to a wider board on Friday approved eas- audience. ing of norms for accreditation Three television com- of investors willing to invest in mercials have been shot, each such new-age entities. with a different narrative. At a meeting here, the Sebi board approved a frame- work for the process of accred- itation of investors for Innovators Growth Platform, which will be the name of the stock exchange platform where new-age startups would be listed. Under this framework, the investor having a demat account will make an appli- cation to the stock exchanges or depositories to be recog- nised as an ‘accredited investor (AI)’.            !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./

$ "   '= # 7    Q R         0     :+7 )       " #"7&   8A     (4#4*      -O L =    =  ,/ 4- ussia on Friday vowed to maintain support for -# /  /  Rthe embattled regime of its Venezuelan   " orth Korea on Friday “friend” President Nicolas Maduro, including with Npromised further negotia- humanitarian aid supplies.  #    tions with the US despite a spec- During talks with Venezuelan Vice President $P  #  # tacular failure to strike a nuclear Delcy Rodriguez in Moscow, Russian Foreign +:&, /       deal at their Hanoi summit, with Minister Sergei Lavrov said President Vladimir         both sides keeping the door of Putin expressed “support and solidarity for his col- #      diplomacy open. league and friend” Maduro in the country’s polit-   "/-     The high-stakes second ical standoff with the opposition.      (   meeting between the North’s “Russia will continue to assist the          leader Kim Jong Un and US Venezuelan authorities in resolving social and         President Donald Trump broke economic problems, including through the       up in disarray Thursday, with- provision of legitimate humanitarian aid,” Lavrov    F " out even a joint statement. told a joint news conference with Rodriguez after- In the aftermath, each wards. $  # D  " sought to blame the other’s Battered by an economic meltdown, Venezuela P E 0 intransigence for the deadlock. Foreign Minister said agency reported on Friday that descended into political crisis when opposition &7-&7/F     Trump insisted Pyongyang Pyongyang had only wanted the two leaders had had a “con- leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim pres- : (   (O wanted all some of the measures eased, and structive and candid exchange.” ident in January and asserted that Maduro was no !    D    sanctions imposed on it over that its proposal to close “all the Relations between the two coun- longer legitimate.          its banned weapons pro- nuclear production facilities” at tries — on opposite sides of the Maduro and his allies — including Russia —  (:        grammes lifted, and this was a its Yongbyon complex was its technically still-unfinished have accused Washington of attempting to carry 1   & 1  bridge too far. best and final offer. Korean War — had been “char- out a coup against his government. The United       But in a rare late-night press Despite the stalemate, the acterised by mistrust and antag- States has recognised Guaido and led a diplomatic   " briefing, the North Korean North’s official KCNA news onism” for decades, it said. campaign in support of his leadership. $ EB   /   &8/    $>  $              -:  */#,- !4  3/ /,/0    he United States on Thursday offered a USD T1 million reward for information on a son of t least 23 Afghan security late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, seeing him Aforces were killed in a Taliban  1)-5- ! as an emerging face of extremism. attack on a joint US-Afghan base The location of Hamza bin Laden, sometimes in southwestern Afghanistan, hina Friday said it has never dubbed the "crown prince of jihad," has been the officials said Friday, as fighting Crecognised India and subject of speculation for years with reports of him continues amid a pause in peace Pakistan as nuclear powers and living in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria or under talks between the insurgents and ruled out extending such a sta- house arrest in Iran. "Hamza bin Laden is the American negotiators. "The tus to North Korea following the son of deceased former AQ leader Osama bin operation is over — 23 security unsuccessful second summit Laden and is emerging as a leader in the AQ fran- forces killed, 15 injured and 20 between US President Donald chise," a State Department statement said, refer- insurgents killed," said Ghafoor Trump and North Korean ring to Al-Qaeda. Ahmad Jawed, a spokesman with leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam. the Ministry of Defence. “China has never recog- nised India and Pakistan as nuclear countries. Our position on this has never changed,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing here. He was replying to a question whether China would recognise North Korea as a nuclear state like India and Pakistan as talks between Trump and Kim at the second summit in Hanoi broke down over Pyongyang’s refusal to give up two nuclear process- ing plants. China has been blocking India’s entry into the 48-mem- ber Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on the ground that New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).            1            !$#(%#) *#%+,+-./ "'##$3  7 * !"

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A ''"+#' !! #'"## $# *"+*!#*  #*' B#*#* $##+"'# '""' #*!" ",- *$'"'+#3  , -" "%#* $'+#,  ' #**" $#$#*"+*#*'B  " +"',O   +  + **    $  $  ),         M  - ,4 -!)#,-4 40)/0(20- ! )#)##-4 O7$++  $ )),  *   ,<)0/1/ 0   ( #      C $ $  ,, P  F        0    1- E he Indian cricket team   - C  0 "       E-C   will continue its experi-          4-    C    4-  / (  ments to figure out the     /              C T    # "    "/  final pieces of a jigsaw puzzle      33  called the 'World Cup squad'     F         " when a five-match ODI series            "            against starts here on         Saturday.   -:   The team is slowly moving The four players in ques- chance of making it to the       into the World Cup mode and tion are KL Rahul, Rishabh team.     -   even a 0-2 loss in the just-con- Pant, Vijay Shankar and With Mohammed Shami 53   1- cluded T20 series won't see any Siddarth Kaul, who are fight- and Jasprit Bumrah being auto-         shift in plans as far as skipper ing for two available slots in matic choices, Kaul will prob-  4-          Virat Kohli and coach Ravi that UK bound 15-member ably get two games to prove his   " Shastri are concerned. squad. worth. But Kohli and coach E         There will be at least four One man who will be Ravi Shastri are not likely to         players for whom the series will keenly tracking the develop- tinker with the core team too     "- be like a 'pre test', a good score ments from the sidelines will be much as a comprehensive     4- (  ensuring that they get 'admit Dinesh Karthik, who still, series win is always an accept-       cards' for the board exams. many believe, has an outside able proposition.   E3 "   (/0- "  their step, even if in the second we knew how to get at "3 456   Madrid were the better them. They left more space and in 10 to fter knocking Real side and had the better 15 minutes we scored three goals.” AMadrid out of the - %  opportunities until the A repeat this weekend in La Liga Copa del Rey, Barcelona chaotic final 30 min- would leave Santiago Solari's side 12 now have the opportunity to send their utes, when a Luis Suarez double and points adrift of Barcelona, who would rivals packing in the title race too. Raphael Varane own goal gave victory effectively have an extra point's advan- Barca's 3-0 victory on Wednesday to the Catalans. tage given their superior head-to-head means Barca will return to the Santiago “They had more chances in the first record. That would be a gargantuan gap Bernabeu on Saturday with a spring in half, it's true," said Gerard Pique. "But to make up with 12 games left.