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STYLE DIVA ‘INCITEMENT CHARGE A LIE’ ROHIT TON LIFTS INDIA Actor Katrina Kaif uses a safety pin to issue a Former President Donald Trump’s insurrection Rohit Sharma’s 161 on Day 1 helps India take fresh style statement in her latest incitement charge is a “monstrous lie,” control of second Test against England at the Chepauk Instagram post LEISURE | P2 his lawyers said INTERNATIONAL | P10 SPORTS | P12

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 313 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 12 PAGES + SUNDAY POST | `4.00 Defiant AP holds GP polls in Kotia Elections were held in Kotia area despite Koraput Collector warning his Vizianagaram counterpart that the matter was sub-judice in Supreme Court

POST NEWS NETWORK Pangi said Andhra Pradesh is holding rural polls Saturday despite the op- n On Friday, the apex court issued a Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: Despite op- position from the Odisha government. notice to the Andhra Pradesh position from the Odisha government, On Friday, Koraput district Collector government to file its response on the Andhra Pradesh government Abdaal Akhtar had written to his a contempt petition filed by Saturday held panchayat elections in Vizianagaram counterpart M Hari Odisha, which sought action disputed Kotia gram panchayat. Jawaharlal appealing not to conduct against AP for violating the Supreme Statehood for J&K at Elections were held in Kotia area de- the elections in the disputed region of Court order in 1968 and 2006 spite Koraput district Collector warn- Kotia. n appropriate time: Shah ing his Vizianagaram counterpart not “I am to bring to your attention that Andhra has allegedly also conducted elections in Jumadanga to go ahead as the matter is currently in Contempt Petition No. 172/2021 aris- AGENCIES speaking in the Lok Sabha. panchayat in Malkangiri district, sub-judice in the Supreme Court. ing out of Original Suit No. 10/1968 (The Delivering a speech to Kuladi panchayat in Ganjam The Supreme Court is scheduled State of Odisha Vs. M Hari Jawaharlal district and Gangabada panchayat New Delhi, Feb 13: Union support the Jammu and to hear a plea on Andhra Pradesh in- and Others), the Honorable Supreme in Gajapati district Home Minister Amit Shah Kashmir Reorganisation vading Odisha’s territory February Court of India has been pleased to Saturday reiterated vehe- (Amendment) Bill, 2021, 19. issue notice to the State of Andhra A resident of Phatu Seneri village showing his ink-marked finger after voting in the GP polls mently that his government which seeks to replace an or- Villagers of Patusineri under Kotia Pradesh and post the case to Friday, the chayat. It has changed their names is determined to give full dinance to merge the gram panchayat in Pottangi block 19th February, 2021. In its oral obser- handed over to the counsel for the On Friday, the apex court issued a to Ganjeibadara, Pattuchennuru statehood to Jammu and Jammu and Kashmir cadre were seen queuing up at polling booths vations, the Court has also observed State of Andhra Pradesh,” the Collector notice to the Andhra Pradesh gov- and Pagluchennuru. The Kotia area Kashmir at appropriate of civil services officers in the morning to cast their votes even that should the State of Andhra Pradesh wrote in the letter. ernment to file its response on a con- has 21 villages. Notably, the neigh- time. with the Arunachal after efforts by Potangi BDO and go ahead with its plans as regards the “Considering that the sub-judice tempt petition filed by Odisha, which bouring state has also allegedly con- Asserting that “it will Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Tehsildar to convince the villagers subject mentioned above, necessary con- nature of the matter and Supreme has sought action against the neigh- ducted polls at Jumadanga pan- happen”, he also requested Union Territory (AGMUT) not to participate in the electoral sequences will follow,” said the Koraput Court’s oral observations, you may bouring state over its violation of the chayat under Dhuliputa block in the political parties and its cadre, the Minister clari- process. Collector. kindly desist from going ahead with Supreme Court order in 1968 and 2006. Malkangiri district, Kuladi pan- leaders to understand the sit- fied that the Bill has noth- Police and poll officials from Andhra “The same was pronounced in the any plan to allegedly conduct elec- Andhra Pradesh is holding pan- chayat under Patrapur block in uation of the erstwhile state ing to do with the statehood Pradesh were deployed in Kotia gram presence of counsel for the State of tions inside Kotia gram panchayat of chayat elections in three villages Ganjam district and Gangabada pan- which was bifurcated into of Jammu and Kashmir. panchayat. Andhra Pradesh. A copy of the asso- Pottangi block of Koraput district,” Talaganjeipadar, Patusineri and chayat under Raigada block in two Union Territories – J&K “We will give statehood. Pottangi block chairman Jagatjyoti ciated case documents have been Akhtar said. Phagunseneri in Kotia gram pan- Gajapati district. MORE P5 with a legislative and I have already said that it is Ladakh without one. a temporary system.” “Jammu and Kashmir On the Opposition's ques- will be given statehood at an tion about what happened IRREGULAR by MANJUL BRISK BUSINESS appropriate time...Please in 17 months in J&K after Right to protest understand the situation withdrawal of Article 370, of the Union Territory and the Minister questioned avoid to give any speech “what about your 70 years that misguides the people of rule, if your are asking cannot be anytime, J&K,” Shah said while about our work?” everywhere: SC No date fixed to resume all train services: Rlys THE SC DISMISSED A PLEA SEEKING REVIEW OF ITS AGENCIES being given to the media VERDICT PASSED LAST YEAR ON THE ANTI-CAA about it for last few days. New Delhi, Feb 13: The It is being reiterated again This is just for our safety. Anti-Valentine’s PROTESTERS AFFECTING RIGHTS OF OTHERS Day groups only target those who swear Ministry of Railways that no such date has been in the name of love! PRESS TRUST OF INDIA “The right to protest cannot be Saturday issued a statement fixed for resumption of anytime and everywhere. There saying it has not fixed any all passenger trains op- New Delhi, Feb 13: “The right to may be some spontaneous protests date by which services of erations,” the statement protest cannot be anytime and every- but in case of prolonged dissent or all passenger trains will re- said. PETROL, DIESEL where”, the Supreme Court said as protest, there cannot be continued sume. The ministry said The ministry added that it dismissed a plea seeking review occupation of public place affecting while the Indian Railways more than 65 per cent trains PRICES HIKED AGAIN of its verdict passed last year in rights of others”, the bench said, has been increasing the are running at present and which it had held the occupation of while dismissing a plea by one number of train services more than 250 were added in NEW DELHI: Petrol and diesel public ways during the anti- Shaheen Bagh resident Kaniz in a graded manner, no date January alone. prices touched new record highs CAA protests at Shaheen Fatima and others seek- has been fixed to resume “More trains will be added on Saturday after state-run oil Bagh here was “not ing review of last year’s all passenger train opera- gradually. All factors need marketing companies (OMCs) yet acceptable” verdict of October 7. tions. to be taken care of and in- again hiked prices for the fifth The top court said The top court, which “There have been a se- puts of all stakeholders are consecutive day. As per a notifi- there may be some considered the matter ries of reports in the media to be factored,” it said. spontaneous protests in the judges’ cham- about resumption of full The ministry requested FUEL PRICES IN CITY but in case of pro- bers also rejected the passenger train services people to avoid speculation PETROL `89.12 ( +0.30 ) longed dissent or prayer for open court A roadside vendor with varieties of roses at a wholesale market on the eve of Valentine’s from a given April date. about resumption of all pas- protest, there cannot be hearing in the matter. Day, in Bangalore, Saturday PTI PHOTO Clarification is constantly senger train operations. ` DIESEL 85.78 ( +0.39 ) continued occupation of pub- The apex court had October lic place affecting the rights of 7, last year held that public spaces cation from fuel retailers, petrol others. cannot be occupied indefinitely Massive quake hits Japan price in Delhi was increased by 30 A bench of Justices Sanjay and demonstrations expressing dis- paise from `88.14 per litre to `88.44, Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose and sent have to be in designated places while diesel was hiked saw a hike Kirshna Murari said, “We have pe- alone. It had said occupation of TOKYO: A day after tremors jolted Tajikistan of 36 paise to `78.74. With the lat- rused the review petition and record public ways in the anti-CAA protests and parts of North India, a powerful earthquake est revision in fuel rates, it took of the civil appeal and are con- at Shaheen Bagh locality here was of magnitude 7.1 on the Richter Scale struck the petrol to an all-time high of `88.44 vinced that the order of which re- “not acceptable”. Observing that northern coast of Japan Saturday night. Apart per litre and `94.93 per litre in view has been sought, does not suf- democracy and dissent “go hand in from Tokyo, the quake was felt in Miyagi and Delhi and Mumbai, respectively. fer from any error apparent hand”, the apex court had said con- Fukushima prefectures in Japan’s Tohoku On Friday, the auto fuels in the warranting its reconsideration”. stitutional scheme comes with the region. The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a statement saying, "A powerful national capital retailed at `88.14 The bench, which has passed right to protest and express dis- magnitude 7.1 earthquake, which measured a and `78.38 respectively. Buyers in the order recently, said it has con- sent, but with an obligation to- strong 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity the financial capital will have to sidered the earlier judicial pro- wards certain duties. ` scale - the second-highest level - jolted Miyagi shell out 94.93 for one litre of nouncements and recorded its opin- It had said the mode and manner and Fukushima prefectures in the Tohoku ` petrol and will have to pay 85.70 ion that “the Constitutional scheme of dissent against colonial rule region late Saturday night." "The quake, which per litre for diesel. Petrol price in comes with a right to protest and during India's freedom struggle also felt in Tokyo, where it registered a 4 on the Chennai has been increased to express dissent but with an obli- cannot be equated with dissent in Japanese scale, struck around 11:08 p.m., `90.70 per litre. gation to have certain duties”. a self-ruled democracy. according to the Meteorological Agency. ‘China refused raw data on early COVID cases’

REUTERS to the raw data was especially report. “The WHO people cer- important since only half of tainly felt that they had re- Shanghai, Feb 13: China re- the 174 cases had exposure to ceived much much more data fused to give raw data on early the Huanan market, the now- than they had ever received in COVID-19 cases to a World shuttered wholesale seafood the previous year. So that in it- Health Organization-led team centre in Wuhan where the self is an advance.” probing the origins of the pan- virus was initially detected. A summary of the team’s demic, one of the team’s in- “That’s why we’ve persisted findings could be released as vestigators said, potentially to ask for that,” he said. “Why early as next week, the WHO complicating efforts to un- that doesn’t happen, I couldn’t said Friday. derstand how the outbreak comment. Whether it’s polit- The WHO-led probe had began. ical or time or it’s difficult ... been plagued by delay, con- The team had requested Dwyer, an Australian infec- sponses and how their re- But whether there are any cern over access and bicker- y raw patient data on the 174 tious diseases expert who is a sponses were analysed. other reasons why the data ing between Beijing and

cases of COVID-19 that China member of the team. “That’s standard practice isn’t available, I don’t know. Washington, which accused

k y m c had identified from the early Such raw data is known as for an outbreak investigation,” One would only speculate.” China of hiding the extent of phase of the outbreak in the “line listings”, he said, and he told this news agency While the Chinese author- the initial outbreak and crit- Chinese city of Wuhan in would typically be anonymised Saturday via video call from ities provided a lot of material, icised the terms of the visit, December 2019 as well as other but contain details such as Sydney, where he is currently he said the issue of access to under which Chinese experts cases but was only provided what questions were asked of undergoing quarantine. the raw patient data would be conducted the first phase of re- with a summary, said Dominic individual patients, their re- He said that gaining access mentioned in the team’s final search. P2 CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 CASTS JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SAYS SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR ZAWE ASHTON AS VILLAIN SORRY TO BRITNEY SPEARS Actress Zawe Ashton has been roped in to play the Singer-actor Justin Timberlake has apologised to pop villain in Captain Marvel 2. She will fight it out with star Britney Spears for his illtreatment to her during Brie Larsons Carol Danvers, or Captain Marvel. Nia their relationship . His apology came after a new

DaCosta is directing the film while Megan documentary led to criticism of how he treated the y

leisure McDonnell has written the script. singer when the two were together.

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FORTUNE FORECAST Katrina gives Aahana photobombed on Bawri Chhori set ARIES safety pin a Mumbai: Actress Aahana Never! On sets of #BawriChhori,” Kumra Saturday shared a se- Aahana captioned the photo- Friends, friends, and ries of photographs on social graphs on Instagram. more friends — that's what the day will be all media where she smiles at the The upcoming digital film about. Life seems to be one big party, twist of oomph camera with strangers striking Bawri Chhori also features even if all you're doing is having tea a pose in the background. Rumana Molla, Vikram Koccher together! But reserve the evening for that The photographs were clicked and Niki Walia. The quirky slice- one special friend, suggests Ganesha. Mumbai: Actress Katrina Kaif pins her win- on the sets of Aahana’s forth- of-life film is scheduled to premire ter style statement with a twist of subtle coming film Bawri Chhori in on the OTT platform Eros Now oomph in the latest pictures she shared London. In the photos, Aahana February 19. TAURUS Saturday with fans on social media. stands in front of a car with a cof- Aahana was recently seen in In two Instagram pictures, Katrina wears fee mug in her hand while Rohan Sippy’s sitcom titled As an administrator, you a blue tie-dye and front-open sweater. She strangers smile and wave at the Sandwich Forever where she fea- will command with an iron fist today, predicts prefers to keep the front unbuttoned, but camera from behind. tures alongside Kunaal Roy Ganesha. In the afternoon, you may loosely held together with three oversized “No I was never photo bombed Kapur, Atul Kulkarni and Zakir find change slowly creeping in; you safety pins. during the shooting of this film! Hussain. IANS may discover a more harmonious “Shades of....” she captioned the image ‘Overwhelmed with approach to managing people as along with blue heart and butterfly emo- compared to a dictatorial style. jis. love from people Katrina is currently busy shooting for the horror comedy Phone Bhoot in Udaipur. GEMINI in Northeast’ Your career is finally on Mumbai: Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, track and your dreams don't look too distant any who is currently shooting for Anubhav more. A candlelit dinner with your Sinha’s Anek in Assam, is overwhelmed spouse will leave you wanting for more. with the love he has received in the And you shall get more. A night to Northeast. Reportedly, 40 to 50 people from remember indeed. Ganesha, however, neighbouring villages flock to the set to warns you to hold your horses or an meet Ayushmann and wish him well imminent accident awaits you. for his film. “I’m truly overwhelmed with the love that I’m receiving from the people here CANCER in the Northeast. I have met all those who Today, you will be keen- have been kind enough to come to our ly observing the games She co-stars Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant sets to wish me luck for Anek. It was hum- that people play. But Chaturvedi in the film. The film is directed bling to know that they love my craft and your paranoia will work by Gurmmeet Singh, and produced by Farhan my brand of cinema and I have had in- against you. Certain people are likely to Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. Phone Bhoot teractions with them during shot breaks use it to manipulate you and influence important decisions. has been written by Ravi Shankaran and and post wrap whenever possible,” Jasvinder Singh Bath. Ayushmann said. She is also gearing up for Tiger 3 with “The warmth that I have received from Salman Khan, and her next release is the the people here will always stay with me, LEO Akshay Kumar-starrer cop action drama motivating me to do better and to enter- So what is it that Sooryavanshi. IANS tain my country better,” he added. IANS inspires people to jump off a mountain with nothing but a parachute on their back? Guess you are going to find the answer to that question today, if not literally, then at least metaphorically. Anup Jalota feted at Guru Debaprasad Das Award fest

POST NEWS NETWORK ing art for the stage. folk tradition to it,” said Guru jans including Aisi Lagi Lagan, VIRGO “The main objective of holding this Gajendra Panda, director of the in- Main Nahi Makhan Khayo, Rang The main Bhubaneswar: The 14th Guru festival is to showcase and promote stitution. De Chunariya and Jag Me Sundar Love will bite you today. It will bleed, objective of Debaprasad Das Award Festival or- Odissi Dance as a unique gharana The first presentation of the Hai Do Naam by Anup Jalota. He and break it in two. ganised by Tridhara kicked off adding the essence of tribal and evening was Odissi Dance Drama was accompanied by Pandit Prosenjit The ship of career will organising the Saturday with great enthusiam here Poddar in tabla, Jabahar Mishra in sight port soon, says Ganesha. Dinner at Rabindra Mandap. flute, Pandit Ramlal Mishra in in a candlelit ambience will only help festival is to The highlight on the inaugural sarangi, Kousik Mukherjee in key- raise your spirits. showcase and evening of the three-day event was board and Arindam Ghosh in guitar. felicitation of eminent Bhajan singer The dignitaries present on the promote Odissi Anup Jalota, who was conferred Jalota performing at occasion included former Union with Lifetime Achievement Award Rabindra Mandap Secretary, Dhirendra Kumar Mishra, LIBRA Dance as a for his contributions to Indian Principal Income Tax Commissioner; Today, you seem to have unique gharana, Classical Music. Sankhipta Ramayana by the sen- Niranjan Rath, Secretary, Lok Sevak the Midas touch, so Tridhara, founded by late Guru ior dancers of Tridhara. The com- Mandal, Nishikanta Mishra, CMD, every task you take in said Guru your hands is bound to Debaprasad Das, is a prominent in- posoition was choreographed by Team Admark, Kadambini Editor Iti be a success. You may also want to take Gajendra Panda stitution which treasurers and up- Guru Panda with music by Guru Samanta and Simanchala Panda, time out to spend with your loved ones and holds his distinct style. Das pio- Pandit Haramohan Khuntia. Working President, Tridhara. The lavish them with attention. Also, don't for- neered the reinvention of Odissi However, the main attraction was event was anchored by popular host get to hand out credit to others for their from its ancient form to a perform- Tridhara members perform on the occassion OP PHOTO the rendition of some popular bha- Srinivas Ghatuari. valuable inputs. It pays to be in people's good books. Ganesha advises you to spend your money wisely in the evening.

SUDOKU SCORPIO PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, Your balancing skills may CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers be called to fore today, as 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. some of the important decisions of your life may come calling for judgement today. Later in the day, sudden and unexpected profits are on the cards. In the workplace, reputation and rewards may come for previous efforts.

SAGITTARIUS Ganesha foresees that today, you shall be more selfless and careful than ever. You might be slated to make some profit by involving yourself in shared actions. However, it comes nat- urally to you to mix business with pleas- ure, and you shall make the most of it. CALVIN AND HOBBES

CAPRICORN Every venture is fraught with risks and accompa- nied by uncertainties, but if you have any incli- SOLUTIONS nation to start one of your own today, you won't be in two minds about it, says Ganesha.

AQUARIUS Fortune is mighty pleased with you, so go ahead and play roulette if you wish! Partnerships will work today, as will business deals. But BREVITY somewhere, a dark sentiment may CROSSWORD cloud your thinking. Ganesha says that you should enjoy yourself and take life

a bit lightly. y

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k y m c Your peers will be the cause of a few confronta- tions today. Legal disputes may also arise. Take the advice of your elders to resolve these con-

flicts. Meditative techniques will help restore CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU your calm, says Ganesha. COVID-19 TRACKER P3 FOR LORD’S BLESSING SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Hundreds of devotees World 10,88,29,510 8,08,49,336 23,96,423 queuing up on the Grand Road to visit India 1,08,92,746 1,06,00,625 1,55,550 Srimandir, Saturday

downtown Odisha 3,36,101 3,33,351 1,910

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BJD MPs meet Joshi CRUT drive on No assurance on MSP in farm laws: Swain road safety THE UNION GOVERNMENT IS TRYING ITS BEST TO PORTRAY A PRO-FARMER IMAGE WHICH IS over NMA draft bylaws POST NEWS NETWORK NOTHING BUT A DRAMA, SAYS FS&CW MINISTER RANENDRA PRATAP SWAIN POST NEWS NETWORK Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The crew POST NEWS NETWORK The minister also talked about New Delhi, Feb 13: A delegation of a Mo Bus and the commuters ghost farmers who are trying to of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs were in for a surprise when they saw Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: State Food take benefit from the paddy pro- Saturday met Union Parliamentary ‘Yamraj and ‘Chitargupta’ in a Mo Supply and Consumer Welfare curement system of the state. Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Bus Saturday. (FS&CW) Minister Ranendra Pratap “Several districts are reporting sought withdrawal of controversial As part of 32nd Road Safety Swain Saturday expressed con- good records and are ahead of their draft bylaws by National Awareness Month, three of the cerns over three controversial farm target now. I have ensured that to- Monuments Authority not in Delhi. Prahlad Joshi crew members were dressed up as laws and said that the legislations kens have been issued to genuine (NMA) regarding There promised us that he would god of death and his registrar of hardly talk about assurance on farmers. But we do not want traders Lingaraj and is no permanent look into the matter and Karma to disseminate road safety minimum support price (MSP) and from other states come to our state Brahmeswar tem- director or chairman resolve it,” said Pinaki messages among Mo Bus captains. mandis. and take the benefit of our paddy ples in of NMA and a junior Misra adding that Yamraj and Chitragupta trav- We want to weed out procurement system. Opposition Bhubaneswar. officer is creating such whenever government elled in various routes and handed dummy farmers The FS&CW minister hoped The minister also talked about ghost parties have tried to mislead people,” The delegation confusion seeks support of the over leaflets describing road safety that the state will create a farmers who are trying to take Swain added. comprising Lok BJD on various bills, rules to the crew and travellers. from the system. PINAKI MISRA | BJD MP The Agriculture dept is record in paddy procurement benefit from the paddy procurement He also added, “We will do the Sabha MPs Pinaki they convey it through The crew members were sensi- creating a good database of this year system of the state verification of token beneficiar- Misra, Bhartruhari Pralhad Joshi and that tised to wear seat belt, halt at des- the farmers, who are reaping ies through the Collectors and Mahtab, Anubhav Mohanty, is why the BJD delegation met ignated stops, avoid drunken driv- benefits of paddy in the three controversial farm seen lifting of around 53 lakh met- want to ensure welfare of the farm- Manjulata Mandal and Rajya Sabha Joshi in the absence of Patel. ing and talking over cellphones Bills. The government has not taken ric tonnes of paddy in the state. In ers. We want to weed out the MPs Sujeet Kumar and Bhaskar Misra also said that the Culture while on duty. They were also asked procurement any step to rectify that. The Union the current year, we are lifting good dummy farmers from the system. Rao met Union ministers Pralhad minister had promised the BJD to to maintain lane discipline. RP SWAIN | FS&CW MINISTER government is trying its best to amount of paddy every day. We are The Agriculture department is Joshi and Arjun Ram Meghwal on withdraw three draft notifications. Commuters were requested by portray a pro-farmer image which monitoring the process every year. also creating a good database of the direction of Chief Minister However, the Centre hasn’t with- Yamraj and Chitragupta to report He said, “Union leaders in the is nothing but a drama.” We have completed procurement the farmers who are reaping ben- Naveen Patnaik and demanded the drawn the draft notification issued about any traffic violation by the crew Parliament have said that the mandi The FS&CW Minister also talked of more than 52 lakh metric tonne efits of paddy procurement. We withdrawal of the controversial for Lingaraj and Brahmeshwar when they notice any while travel- system and MSP were there and about the good progress in paddy paddy till now. We are going to cre- are also giving timely payment to draft bylaws. temples. Misra also said that there ling in MoBus. “It is a good attempt will be there in place. However, the procurement this year. “Last year, ate a good record in paddy pro- the farmers through direct bene- “We met Union Parliamentary is no permanent director or chair- by CRUT to sensitise their own crew same has not been reflected well during the Kharif season we had curement this year.” fit transfer (DBT).” Affairs minister as the Culture man of NMA and a junior officer members to follow the traffic rules,” Minister Prahlad Singh Patel was is creating such confusion. said Bishnu Behera, a senior citizen. ` Ganja worth 3.5Cr Oppn targets govt from Odisha on Kotia dispute seized in Mumbai

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Yadav, 25, and Dineshkumar Saroj, 26, were arrested. Mumbai, Feb 13: The Anti- The kingpin of the inter- Narcotics Cell (ANC) of state smuggling racket is iden- Mumbai Crime Branch has tified as Laxmikant Pradhan, seized 1,800 kg ganja worth a resident of Ganjam district POST NEWS NETWORK darkness,” he said. `3.5 crore brought from Odisha in Odisha, the official said. Veteran Congress leader and arrested two persons in the “Members of this racket Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: Narasingha Mishra said, biggest such operation in re- used to bring 5 tonne of ganja Opposition parties Saturday “This is an attack from an- cent past, an official said in Maharashtra every month tried to corner the state gov- other state to Odisha. This Saturday. and around 3 to 4 tonne of it ernment on the controversial has come to the fore when the was distributed in Mumbai issue of intrusion of Andhra Andhra Pradesh government The kingpin of the and neighbouring districts,” he Pradesh into Odisha and the has decided to intrude and said. Milind Bharambe, Joint alleged delay by the govern- announced elections in the inter-state Commissioner of Police ment to move the area. The state government smuggling racket is (crime), told reporters that Supreme Court. now seems to be on a wrong the gang used to hire trucks Odisha BJP President side due to their delayed identified as from Mumbai under the guise Samir Mohanty said, actions,” Laxmikant Pradhan, of importing coconuts, but “Odisha’s public has entrusted The BJD, meanwhile, re- would actually smuggle in upon the task of their safety futed the allegations. BJD a resident ganja. He said the gang used and protection to Chief leader Shashi Behera said, of Ganjam district to unload the smuggled ganja Minister Naveen Patnaik. I “The government is doing at a godown in Bhiwandi in want to ask the CM why the their bit of undertaking de- Thane district. government took such a long velopment works in the On a tip-off, police inter- The man responsible for time to move the Supreme area. Such decisions of the cepted a truck at a foot over distribution of the contraband Court on the raging problem government of Andhra bridge (FOB) on the Eastern in Mumbai and neighbouring of inter-state dispute on Kotia Pradesh which are likely Express highway in suburban areas has been identified as panchayat area,” to escalate inter-state dis- Vikhroli Friday evening and Sabdeep Satpute, he said, He questioned the alleged pute are not good. The found the contraband, he said. adding that money was moved lethargic approach in the case. Union government needs The cannabis was being either through hawala or in “I want to ask what the gov- to intervene in the issue. smuggled in Mumbai from cash. A hunt is launched for ernment is doing on that front. We have moved the SC when Odisha in the truck, the offi- Pradhan, Satpute and other Why the government has kept the election issue came to cial said, adding that Akash members of the gang. the people of the area under the fore.” Showers predicted for February 16, 17 ECoR braces to curb Odisha wins laurels for ‘Drink from Tap’ mission POST NEWS NETWORK an award ceremony held in ing water fit for direct consumption POST NEWS NETWORK mishaps on tracks Lucknow, Friday. from the tap to all households in Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The state CSI, the largest association of urban areas. Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The India To minimise cases of government has received an award IT professionals in the country has After successful completion of Meteorological Department (IMD) of excellence for undertaking smart set up this award in 2002 for recog- pilot projects in 12 zones in Saturday said light to moderate trespassing, ECoR water management system in Puri nising and awarding innovative Bhubaneswar and Puri, WATCO rainfall or thundershower would has planned to city under ‘Drink from Tap’ mission. projects across India through its is now focusing to cover entire occur at some places of Odisha The event was organised by Special Interest Group (SIG) in Bhubaneswar city and Puri along during February 16 and 17. erect boundary walls Computer Society of India (CSI). eGovernance. with Cuttack, Khurda, Jatni and Some places in Nuapada, Water Corporation of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Berhampur towns under the mis- Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, or fences near (WATCO) managing director in October last year, had launched sion. Later, it will be extended to Sundargarh and Deogarh districts sensitive locations Pradipta Kumar Swain has received government from Uttar Pradesh the ‘Drink from Tap’ mission called other urban areas in the state in a are likely to witness light rainfall the award on behalf of the state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at as ‘Sujal’ to provide quality drink- phased manner. February 16. A few places of south interior Odisha - Gajapati, Ganjam, POST NEWS NETWORK crete sleepers have been sanctioned Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, on the stretch between Ranital and Jajpur, Balasore and Bhadrak - Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: East Coast Baudpur in Bhadrak. Apart from will receive shower the next day, Railway (ECoR) has taken a slew of this, a new proposal has been given State to lease out four catamarans the IMD said. Besides, thunder- measures to minimise the unto- for similar works at vulnerable lo- storm with lightning is likely to ward incidents on railway tracks. cations between Bhubaneswar and occur at one or two places of Trespassing is the prime factor be- Retang, Vizianagaram & Nellimarla, POST NEWS NETWORK FILLIP TO TOURISM Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, hind unusual incidents like deaths Gopalpatnam & Visakhapatnam Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh, in ECoR jurisdiction. This apart, and between Kottavalasa & Pendurti Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The state n In 2014, the state government Angul, Bolangir, Mayurbhanj, many incidents of deaths and in- stations. government has decided to lease had procured luxury catamarans Balasore and Keonjhar districts juries are being reported nowa- About 110 new vulnerable places out its four luxury catamarans at under ICZM plan for using them February 17. The Met department days. People sustain injuries after have been identified in ECoR ju- Bhitarkanika, Chilika lake and in selected water bodies of state has issued yellow warning for falling off moving trains and die in risdiction. To reduce these activi- Mahanadi river in an attempt to for tourism/recreation purpose these districts. suicide bids. ties, wide trench will be constructed promote river cruise tourism. Meanwhile, Phulbani recorded The ECoR has identified vul- parallel to track to stop trespassing Tourism department has floated n Two catamarans will be state’s lowest temperature of 10 de- nerable sections where such inci- of animals, pedestrians and bikers. tenders for this purpose. deployed in Bhitarkanika while grees Celsius while all other places dents occur near Bhubaneswar, Barricade by using rail sleepers In 2014, the state government one each will be docked at record a minimum temperature of Cuttack, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road and rail posts would be erected to had procured luxury catamarans Chilika and Mahanadi river above 10 degrees. and Berhampur areas. stop two-wheelers from crossing under Integrated Coastal Zone To minimise cases of trespass- the rail lines. Management (ICZM) plan for using n These catamarans are single ing, the ECoR has planned to erect To reduce unauthorised crossing them in selected water bodies of decker, 20-seater luxury boats, boundary walls or fences near sen- on railway track, ECoR has closed state for tourism/recreation purpose. with twin diesel engines of 38 HP WEATHER sitive locations between crossings by erecting rail posts These catamarans are currently FILE PHOTO each, having a moderate speed BHUB CTK Bhubaneswar-Mancheswar, and deep trenching parallel to track with Tourism department and of about 8 knots

Berhampur-Jagannathpur, Jajpur in order to obstruct the pathways docked at Bhitarkanika backwa-

k y m c MAX 34.6° 33.8° Keonjhar Road Yard and at some of the places. ters in Kendrapara district. To agement and maintenance, sources ated as day cruise vessels at decker, 20-seater luxury boats, with Sambalpur-sambalpur Road sta- Limited height sub-ways will be utilise them for tourism purposes, said. Selected private operators will Bhitarkanika. The other two cata- twin diesel engines of 38 HP each, TEMP MIN 16.4° 15.2° Forecast tions. constructed at some of the places the Tourism department intends be allowed to operate and main- marans will be operated as overnight having a moderate speed of about Humidity 91% 69% Construction of boundary and consent has been received from to give the catamarans to private op- tain the catamarans on lease for a cruise vessels at Chilika lake and 8 knots. The boat has two additional Mainly Rainfall Nil Nil clear sky walls/fences or provision of ob- state government to curb tres- erators on lease basis for augmen- period of 10 years. Mahanadi river. cabins on twin sharing basis with structions by placing unused con- passing. tation, operations, marketing, man- Two catamarans will be oper- These catamarans are single bath and bio-toilets. P4 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Tender floated for Kanupur spill channel project POLITICAL STIR

k y m NHAI PROPOSES EQUAL SHARE DISTRIBUTION; STATE GOVERNMENT AGREES TO BEAR 25% COST c

POST NEWS NETWORK tion project are almost complete except for the river gap portion. Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: Following River closing is a vital activity repeated demands from the state, for impounding the reservoir and the National Highway Authority of this has been inordinately delayed India (NHAI) has floated a tender due to delay in construction of the for the much-awaited Kanupur bridge over the spill channel of spill channel on new NH-520 in Kanupur irrigation project by Keonjhar district. The project has NHAI. remained incomplete due to a fight Later, the project authority between NHAI and the state gov- started the work for the tendered ernment. cost of `40.68 crore of which NHAI In a recent letter to Water agreed to bear 80 per cent. But, Resources Secretary Anu Garg, FILE PHOTO later on, the cost of the bridge was NHAI member (technical) Mahabir revised to `100 crore due to a change Singh said the tender has already while the state government has The NHAI has floated the tender in its design because of under- been invited for construction of agreed to bear 25 per cent of the following repeated demand from the ground geological conditions. As the bridge with a project cost of agreement cost. state government. The water re- the NHAI didn’t agree to bear their `102.40 crore. The target has been “The necessity of construction sources department had taken up share of the 80 per cent of the re- set to complete the project within of the bridge is solely on account the issue with NHAI several times. vised cost, the work came to a halt. 18 months from the date of com- of the spill channel. The cost has Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in The project was conceived 40 mencement. also increased significantly due to November last year had also writ- years ago and three Chief Ministers However, the cost sharing—the site condition. Therefore, may I re- ten a letter to Union Road Transport have laid its foundation on differ- main reason behind the delay in quest you to consider the sharing Minister Nitin Gadkari for early ent occasions. The Kanupur irri- completion of the project—has not of the cost equally between NHAI completion of the bridge project. gation project over river Baitarani been resolved yet. The NHAI has and the water resources depart- According to water resources in Keonjhar will create irrigation proposed the state government to ment,” Singh mentioned in his let- department sources, the dam and for 29,578 hectares in the tribal Student Congress workers demanding resignation of Law Minister Pratap Jena for his alleged role in Mahanga equally distribute the project cost ter. the spillway work of the irriga- dominated Keonjhar district. double murder are courting arrest at Rajmahal Square, Saturday OP PHOTO

59 new Covid cases HEADLESS BODY RECOVERY detected in state Cong flays BJD’s silence on fuel prices Accused duo made to POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK in their income. The government on the other hand has reduced the Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: Odisha's Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The corporate tax for the rich,” he COVID-19 tally mounted to 3,36,101 Pradesh Congress Committee said. recreate crime scene Saturday as 59 more people tested (OPCC) President Niranjan “At the same time the govern- positive for the infection, a health Patnaik, two days before the sched- ment is trying to make the life of POST NEWS NETWORK The torso of the official said. Half of the state's 30 uled Odisha Bandh, addressed the the poor and middle class hell by districts did not report any fresh media Saturday and talked about increasing the burden of taxes on Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The com- deceased was found case, he said. Thirty-four new the preparedness of the party to petrol and diesel prices,” he said. missionerate police Saturday took lying along the cases were reported in quaran- organise the agitation. He also said that he had asked the both the accused in the headless tine centres, while 25 infections Patnaik also questioned the si- Chief Minister of Odisha earlier body recovery case to various places Andharua-Daspur road were detected during contact trac- lence of the BJD government in the to request the Centre to reduce related to the crime for recreation under Chandaka police ing, the official said.Bargarh and state on the inflating petrol and FILE PHOTO their central share of taxes on of the crime. Earlier, the court had Sundergarh districts reported the diesel prices. fuel and also consider reducing permitted the commissionerate limits in the state capital highest number of new cases at “When the UPA government said. He said during the planned to schools or colleges. The bandh their tax share. police to take the duo on a three-day February 4. The nine each. The state now has 787 was there at centre, the BJD gov- Odisha Bandh, emergency med- has been organized to raise a gen- “Such actions can directly bring remand for further probe. active cases, while 3,33,351 people ernment used to come on street to ical, education services and mar- uine cause,” a shy of relief on the people who The accused persons, Angad Das deceased’s mother have recovered from the disease, protest against a mere Re1 to `2 rise riage related works would not be The Congress leader said re- are now marred by the double alias Sanjay and his friend Srikant identified the body 1,910 patients have succumbed to in petrol prices. Where are they affected. He said, “We have de- cent studies had claimed that only whammy of price rise of fuel Das alias Chandu, were first taken the infection and 53 others have now? Have they done some inter- cided to organize it in a peaceful 1 per cent of Indian people has prices and lesser incomes. The to Phuleswari slum in Patrapada Puspalata’s body they had liquor at died due to comorbidities, he said. nal setting with the BJP not to manner. We are not going to block seen a rise. “Most others have ei- farmers, the poor and the mid- area under Khandagiri police lim- the spot. Odisha has so far tested over protest on the issue when the prices medical services, vehicles engaged ther seen stagnation of their in- dlemen are highly affected by the its for the scene recreation. Sanjay Notably, the torso of the deceased 80 lakh samples for Covid-19. of petrol are going up,” Niranjan in marriage functions, kids going come or they have seen a reduction rising prices,” he said. showed the police how he stran- was found lying along the gulated deceased Puspalata with her Andharua-Daspur road under stole at his room over a marital Chandaka police limits in the state SAI hosts global debate competition discord February 3 afternoon. Police capital February 4. The deceased’s Eviction drive at Badambadi bus stand also recovered the stole from the mother identified the headless body room which will be sent for ex- of her daughter February 9. POST NEWS NETWORK dors to hire the rooms. But, they POST NEWS NETWORK Turkey, Tanzania, Thailand, Sri amination. Following the identification, po- were operating vending stalls by en- Lanka, Pakistan, Australia and Later, the accused during the lice succeeded in arresting the ac- Cuttack, Feb 13: The authorities croaching upon the bus stand land. Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: A global de- Namibia. scene recreation revealed that they cused from Dasapalla in Nayagarh of the Odisha State Road Transport As a result, the OSRTC was losing bate competition Saturday was The online session was attended went to different spots searching to district. The decomposed head of Corporation (OSRTC) Saturday re- lakhs of rupees,” Bothra added. held at SAI International to instill by keynote speaker Debanjan find a suitable spot for the disposal Puspalata was also recovered by the moved encroachments from the The OSRTC CMD further re- in children 21st century skills of Chakrabarti, Director East and of the body. Sanjay and Chandu police which was later sent to AIIMS government bus stand at vealed that large scale encroach- communication, collaboration and Northeast India, British Council, also revealed that after beheading Bhubaneswar for identification. Badambadi here. ments on the bus stand was ham- critical thinking. Nick Low, British Deputy High The OSRTC deployed an earth pering free movement of buses The mega online competition Commissioner, Kolkata and Bijaya mover and several other vehicles to and causing troubles to the pas- had students’ participation from Kumar Sahoo, founder & mentor, remove illegal structures from the police officer. sengers. The OSRTC had served no- over 11 countries and 44 schools the SAI International Education ‘Mo Chatashalee’ to bus stand. OSRTC chairman-cum-manag- tices on the vendors to vacate the from across the globe such as Group. “Two platoons of armed police ing director (CMD) Arun Bothra bus stand land. However, the ven- Australia, Kenya, Namibia, New Chakrabarti appreciated sprawl- personnel were deployed to main- said some people were operating dors had approached the Orissa Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri ing sports infrastructure at SAI. He tain law and order during the vending stalls by encroaching upon High Court and managed to se- Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey emphasised on speaking and writ- bridge learning gaps eviction drive. ACP Subhanarayan the bus stand land for last many cure a stay on the eviction notice. and India. With two schools from ing skills. students who partici- Muduli and Badambadi police in- days. “The OSRTC has at least 17 “We have removed the encroach- Kenya, six schools from South pated in the debate. Bijaya Kumar POST NEWS NETWORK charge Rashmi Ranjan Mahapatra rooms at the bus stand for com- ments after the High Court vacated Africa, 27 schools from India and Sahoo congratulated students who were present at the spot,” said a mercial use. We had asked the ven- its stay order,” Bothra added. one school each from New Zealand, participated in the debate. Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: As a step towards bridging the learning gaps among students of primary grade (Class 1-5) in the state, ‘Mo Chatashalee’ initiative was launched 7th International Radio Fair kicks off in City here Saturday by civil society or- ganisations. learning gaps of 4364 schoolchild- Film actress and founder of ren of Class 3, 5 and 8 so that they ‘Sammanita’ Varsha Priyadarshini can be at par with their peers. The ‘Harness potential of community radio’ inaugurated the initiative. She ap- result was encouraging which preciated the efforts of the organ- helped us run this large scale ed- Bhubaneswar: The Radio Club of updates of All India Radio. It is an isation to start a large scale pro- ucation programme,” said Anjan Odisha and the Krishi Vigyan inexpensive tool of infotainment gramme on education for children. Pradhan, convener of Odisha Kendra, Khurda in association with for the rural people. ICAR-CIFA di- The initiative also known as Shramajeebee Mancha; Ruchi ICAR-Central Institute of rector SK Swain said that though #Mission1lakh will cover 1 lakh Kashyap, executive trustee of Freshwater Aquaculture, celebrated there are many information chan- students from 17 districts (Koraput, Atmashakti Trust and Shanti Bhoi, World Radio Day-2021 at VG nels for the farmers, radio is still pop- Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, President, Mahila Shramajeebee Jhingran Auditorium, ICAR- ular in rural areas. He Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Mancha, Odisha. CIFA, Kausalyaganga here, urged the broad- Bolangir, Boudh, Gajapati, “The unique feature of the pro- Saturday. WORLD casters to harness Kandhamal, Nayagarh, gramme is that it will be run The Radio Club of Odisha the potential of com- Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, through community contribution (RACOD) is working for the RADIO DAY munity radio. Jharsuguda, Deogarh and and volunteers will teach these improvement and promo- “Community radio Sambalpur including slums of children free of cost,” they added. tion of radio activities in the has given voice to voice- Bhubaneswar under Khurda dis- Under this initiative, more than state. RACOD is a forum of radio less,” he asserted. On the occa- trict) who mostly depend on gov- 7500 remedial teaching centres broadcasters and professionals sion, guests unveiled a souvenir ernment schools. These students will be run with 10 to 25 children Visitors admiring old radios on display at an exhibition in Bhanjakala Mandap, Saturday OP PHOTO working for the broadcast of radio titled ‘Radio for People’. could not access online educa- each. These will impart educa- contents and programmes for the Four technical sessions – Radio tion during the lockdown due to tion, based on the location and POST NEWS NETWORK munication. “Radio must touch the antique pieces of radios and more community entertainment, em- for Agriculture, Health, Social the lack of resources such as a taking care of the physical dis- nerves of netizens,” said Bikash than 1000 old records have been col- powerment and social development Security and Disaster Response – smartphones, TV or where in- tancing norms. They will be looked Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The 7th Mahapatra, director of Radio lected which are on display here. in Odisha. The event was inaugu- were conducted during the pro- ternet connectivity is erratic that after by a trained volunteer se- International Radio Fair 2021 was Hirakhand Sambalpur. There was Unfortunately, there has been no rated by Padamashree Batakrushna gramme. The valedictory session pushed them to the periphery of lected from the locality. These vol- kickstarted at Bhanjakala Mandap also an online app called Radio special effort from the government Sahoo. He reminisced how people started with speech by Yaswant education. The initiative which unteers will be trained to take re- Saturday. Around 15 stalls were Bhubaneswar which one can down- to conserve such radios and old from rural areas listen to weather Patil, Radio Madhuban of Rajasthan. will have 100 days of learning medial classes for these students organized to commemorate the load on smartphones and can listen gramophone records. The gramo- will serve as an alternative learn- so that they can achieve minimum radio day. to various programmes. phone displayed here was my grand- halls to display my collection of ra- everything shuts down it’s the bat- ing avenue for the children to levels of learning appropriate to Radio Hirakhand 90.8 FM pro- Kaliprasad Panda of father’s dowry gift which I had pre- dios and gramophones. There is no tery operated radio that keeps one bridge learning gaps among them. their class and can bridge the motes community radio and it’s Radhakrishna Radio and gramo- served till date.” government funding to preserve news savvy and alert about hap- “During the lockdown, we started learning gaps, caused due to the based on Sambalpuri language and phone museum Bastapada Sompur Ghanshyam Patnaik, a famous these pieces. People nowadays feel penings.” On day one, around 10 to a Mission 3-5-8 campaign where loss of learning following the out- culture. The radio day is based on Cuttack said, “Collecting radios antique radio collector of Bolagarh, that smartphones are the ultimate 15 radios were sold and many radio we provided remedial classes in break of Covid-19 and subsequent

innovation, evaluation and com- was my passion and more than 80 said, “I need more than 40 large method of entertainment, but when lovers queued up to get their share. 82 blocks of 17 districts to bridge school closure.

k y m c P5 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

JUMBO DEATHS IN KARLAPAT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY DEPENDENCE ON FOREST

k y m 5 JUMBOS DIE IN 13 DAYS c

onsecutive deaths of five Celephants within a span of 13 days in the sanctuary have been a matter of concern for environmentalists and animal lovers across Odisha winging into action, the state SForest Department sent an expert team to the protected area. A killer bacteria type is feared to be swarming through the forests of Karlapat sanctuary, an official said

“A team from Centre for Wildlife Health of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Bhubaneswar will investigate the cause behind the deaths of the elephants and do the field analysis,” Kalahandi divisional forest officer Ashok Kumar said

PNN/AGENCIES phants within a span of 12 days in Initially, anthrax was suspected the Karlapat sanctuary have been to be a probable cause of consecu- Bhubaneswar/Karlapat, Feb 13: a matter of concern for environ- tive elephant deaths in the sanc- An experts’ team Saturday visited mentalists and animal lovers across tuary but it has been ruled out be- Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. cause the symptoms are completely Women carrying headloads of firewood from a nearby forest in Rourkela OP PHOTO Kalahandi district to find out the The forest department sent an ex- different, the DFO added. cause of death of five elephants pert team to the protected area. A “Post mortem of the dead ele- that died under mysterious cir- killer bacteria type is feared to be phants have been conducted and re- cumstances over last 13 days. The swarming through the forests of port is awaited. Laboratory test of Govt tries to obtain Blue Flag BJP observes ‘chakka jam’ in W Odisha fifth elephant died Saturday in the Karlapat sanctuary, an official said. the first elephant conducted in same area. “A team from Centre for Wildlife OUAT revealed that it was due to Beach tag for Haripur, Sunapur POST NEWS NETWORK (Sambalpur Division) January 21 All the carcasses were found Health of Odisha University of Hemorrhagic Septicemia, an acute over a host of farmers’ issues. They near water bodies, officials said. Agriculture and Technology and highly fatal form of bacterial POST NEWS NETWORK beach management committees Sambalpur, Feb 13: Activists of the had a discussion with the RDC Principal Chief Conservator of Bhubaneswar will probe the cause infection marked by fever, hyper- have been formed. Sunapur and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) January 22. The party had then Forest Sashi Pal said, the elephant behind the deaths of the elephants salivation, nasal discharge and dif- Chhatrapur, Feb 13: After the Haripur (Gopalpur) beaches were Saturday observed a three-hour demanded that paddy of local farm- deaths were due to some bacterial and do the field analysis,” Kalahandi ficult respiration. We have sent Puri beach, the state government cleaned. ‘chakka jam’ in various parts of ers be procured from the respective infection. divisional forest officer (DFO) Ashok some samples to the Centre for has initiated efforts to obtain Blue Sanitation drives are routinely western Odisha in support of local mandis by February 7. Consecutive deaths of five ele- Kumar said. Wildlife Laboratory to confirm the Flag Beach status to being carried out on beaches. farmers. They said the state government test report,” deputy director of Haripur(Gopalpur) and Sunapur With development, the two The BJP workers staged demon- should repeal the token system in Veterinary department in beaches in Ganjam. beaches are expected to draw do- strations and dharna at Anithapali procurement while all facilities as Kalahandi district Dharmananda The government has made an mestic and international tourists, Chhak, Goshala Chhak, Remed being provided by the Central gov- Mohanty expressed. outlay of over Rs 1.16 crore to de- it was said. Chak, Sindhurapalank Chhak, ernment be applied for farmers in The PCCF said, “The test result velop Haripur beach so as to boost It may be noted that an eminent Rengali Chhak, Laumal Chhak and Odisha. of the first two elephants at the beach tourism. Meanwhile, the international jury comprising mem- other places along NH-53 in the They alleged neglect by the state OUAT laboratory came out negative tourism and culture department has bers of the United Nations district. Hundreds of trucks and government in the matter of paddy for anthrax. We suspect the infec- granted over Rs 58.06 lakh. Environment Programme (UNEP), buses were left stranded on the NH procurment in western Odisha. tions likely happened from the ele- Besides, a plan outlay of Rs 1.36 United Nations World Tourism for hours. They demanded immediate step phants drinking the water con- core has been made for develop- Organization (UNWTO), The BJP had gheraoed the Office to procure left out paddy stock from taminated by livestock of the nearby ment of Sunapur beach while Rs Foundation for Environmental of Revenue Commissioner farmers. human settlements.” 68.43 lakh has been sanctioned by Education (FEE) and International Water bodies in the area are the tourism department. Union for Conservation of Nature being sanitised. Cattle in the nearby Various development activities (IUCN) usually awards coveted villages are also being vaccinated of the two beaches will be com- ‘Blue Flag’ certification to beaches to prevent any probable spread of pleted in six months. across the globe on the basis of the disease. To hasten the development work, certain parameters. WOMAN MAULED BY BEAR, Ganjam, Gajapati villagers give NOT LEOPARD : FOREST DEPT slip to admin, take part in AP polls POST NEWS NETWORK financial assistance to the kin of the deceased. Nuapada, Feb 13: The incident Notably, Bhanbai had gone to POST NEWS NETWORK of a woman being mauled to death the nearby jungle to collect cashew allegedly by a leopard took a turn apple at 11:00 pm Thursday. It was Patrapur, Feb 13: Even as the with the forest department claim- when she did not return home till Ganjam district administration ing she was not killed by a leopard. evening that the family members claimed to have taken steps to pre- Bhanbai Majhi (47), a resident of started searching for her. They vent residents in bordering vil- Chhotlora under Bharuamunda spotted from a distance that her lages of this block from voting in panchayat and Sadar block of wounded torso was lying close to panchayat elections of Andhra Nuapada district, was killed by a a nullah. And they also saw a leop- Pradesh, their plans were frus- bear, claimed the forest depart- ard sitting near the body. Hearing trated when people voted in the ment. the animal’s roars, the terrified elections, Saturday. But the villagers and the de- villagers returned to the village, Conscious of the district ad- ceased’s family members are not in without bringing the body. ministration’s plan, the candidates a position to buy the forest de- Since the area is a Maoist-in- conducted meetings in the villages partment’s claim. They are reit- fested area, the police and the for- Friday night and arranged buses People going in a tractor to a polling booth in a fringe village erating it that it was a leopard that est department officials were also and tractors so that the voters could killed her. hesitate to go to the forest to re- travel to the booths in Talguranthi ticipate in the panchayat elections. bouring Gajapati to prevent the Meanwhile, the forest depart- cover the body. The body was re- and vote in the election. Many of the As a result, the district adminis- residents of disputed Gudikhala ment has announced Rs 4 lakh as covered Friday. residents even did not put indelible tration’s tall claims of not allow- village in Duratal panchayat from ink on their fingers so as not to get ing people to vote in the panchayat voting in Andhra election was also caught by the district officials in elections were frustrated as sev- frustrated after over 30 people were Ganjam. eral residents voted in the elections. found to have voted in the polls. ‘Ancient money’ found buried in Nayagarh Several people from Kuladi, When questioned by the district Ganjam sub-collector accompa- Satapuri, Gudikhala, Badanasahi, officials, many claimed innocence nied by Patrapur tehsildar Amit POST NEWS NETWORK Banjuasahi and Tumba villages and showed their fingers without Kumar Nayak, Raigad (Gajapati) visited pooling booths across the bor- ink mark. However, some of them tehsildar Leelabati Achari visited Nayagarh, Feb 13: As many as 10 der in the wee hours of Saturday were honest to show their ink the village but the villagers escaped baskets of cowries were found and returned home after casting marked fingers. through their backyard and boarded buried in the earth at Nachhipur their votes before the arrival of Sibaram Sabar of Kuladi village a tractor to vote in the election. village under Ranapur block in district officials in the area. and Kundari Sabar of Satapuri vil- The Andhra government has re- Nayagarh district Friday. The Patrapur block and tehsil lage alleged that the state govern- named the village as Gudikhudi Before the introduction of coins, officials had launched an aware- ment has been neglecting them and provided houses to the resi- people would use cowries as money. ness programme ‘Mo Gaonre Tehsil’ while the Andhra government is dents under Indira Awas Yojana. The They would use them as the huge earthen pot buried under 4 to ‘Mo Nibedan’ and public hearing home-delivering them with pen- neighbouring state has also built an medium of exchange for buying 5 feet deep. camp in five villages on the fringes sion, rations and providing good ed- Anganwadi centre in the village and selling articles. Finding of a Both Narayan and the labour- of Andhra Pradesh after media re- ucation to their children, power and providing allowances, pensions treasure of such a huge amount of ers were taken aback. Upon break- ports claimed that the residents of connection to villages and health- and even financial assistance to ancient money has become a mat- ing the pot, they found 10 baskets Tumba, Duratal and Gudipadar care facilities. Some even went on the residents after Titili cyclone ter of discussion here. of cowries. panchayats voting in the panchayat to allege that the district officials while construction of a drinking Narayan Sahoo, a resident of As the news spread, people, election of the neighbouring state and public representatives only water project is underway. ‘The Nachhipur village, had engaged even from the neighbouring vil- in exchange of various welfare ben- visit their villages and make tall Patrapur block officials even con- some labourers for the construction lages, made a bee line at the spot efits. Notably, two days back, the promises but never implementing ducted a ‘Mo Nibedan’ programme work of his house. While digging to have a look at the money of an- villagers had given in writing to them. Moreover, the attempt by on a mandap constructed by the the earth, they stumbled upon a cient times. the district administration not to par- the district administration of neigh- Andhra government. More firepower to forest officials to tackle poachers

POST NEWS NETWORK Though the forest department n the last five years, the district joint raids in various areas to nab has been conducting investigation, Ihas recorded casualties of 79 the poachers. Dhenkanal, Feb 13: Amid reports it has failed to get any clue about the elephants. 22 have died of According to preliminary inves- of increasing poaching in Hindol poachers. electrocution while six have fallen tigation, the department has inten- range, the forest department has In the wake of poachers’ misad- prey to poachers’ bullets. The rest sified efforts to catch the poachers. decided to equip its staff with more venture challenging the forest offi- of the casualties are due to During the exchange of firing with fire power, a report. cials, the department has woken up disease, age-related ailments and poachers, it was seen that there were The initiative has come after from its slumber. Taking a serious intra-herd conflicts nine poachers armed with guns in poachers are reportedly active in note of the incident, the department the forest, said the DFO. Now, the state n 2016, poachers had killed a some forests of Dhenkanal for ivory. has decided to impart training to government has provided Rs 10 lakh Itusker in Hindol range and cut A tusker was recently shot dead forest officials on firing at Police off its tusks to the forest department to buy new by a group of poachers in Kandhara Reserve line so that they will be able weapons. The forest officials will reserve forest under Hindol range. to counter poachers and timber Poachers had killed a female elephant by laying live electricity wires January 2, be trained in firing at Police Line Five days have passed since the mafia. DFO Dr Prakash Chand 2019. Three other elephants were poached in June, 2019 in Kadla; in September, 2019 Firing Range. The matter was dis-

ivory smugglers decamped with its Gogineni and SP K Shiba Subramani in Sadar range and in February, 2021 in Kandhara reserve forest cussed with the SP, the DFP said.

k y m c tusks. have held talks with in this regard. Meanwhile, an elephant, aged What is worrying was that on After this incident, the forest de- phants in Dhenkanal forests. It has Badamba-Narasinghpur side under 15, was found dead near a creek of the same day, poachers had opened partment is aware of the fact that become a challenge for the officials. Athagarh range in Cuttack. Gobindapur under Kandhara range. 17 rounds of bullets at forest officials poachers have become more active According to the department, there It was learnt that the forest offi- According to the forest department, who were conducting patrolling in than before in the area. They, in fact, are 40 elephants in Kandhara reserve cials of the Dhenkanal and Athagarh the jumbo is likely to have died the area. worried about the safety of ele- forest while 60 elephants are in ranges have decided to conduct from an attack by another elephant. P6 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS ECONOMY Whenever in your life, you meet

with a hardship, take it as a boon

k y m form the Divine’s Grace and it will c become so. THE MOTHER FISCAL APOCALYPSE

iscal prudence is still one or the inability of the govern- of the main issues of con- ment to tax the rich and the cor- cern for economists and porates. Ignoring the urgent Fpolicymakers and it is a Not imposing new taxes or not key criterion in rating the eco- raising the tax rates on the rich is he Budget delivered earlier this month was praised for two things. First nomic strength of a country. The tantamount to giving subsidy to that it was spending money in the right place: capital expenditure, which pandemic-induced recession rich/corporate indirectly. In the Twould create value over the long term. And second that it was trans- through supply disruption and time of resource crunch, exacer- parent. The deficit is three times what it should be but at least the govern- demand compression has ravaged bated by the pandemic, the gov- ment has accepted it. Perhaps these two things are enough to make it a good our economy in such a way that rev- ernment should have imposed Budget, though one does not know. There has not really been any Budget that enue generation has declined and wealth tax on those 100 billion- I can remember that has made any difference to most people’s lives, except spawned a mammoth fiscal deficit. aires whose wealth has increased perhaps one and that was in 1991. Though the government is in de- 35 per cent in the lockdown period. However, it is clear that the budget has ignored something that was ur- nial, an unfettered fiscal deficit The maximum tax rate should gent. The National Family Health Survey 2019-20 conducted by the govern- of 9.5 per cent of GDP in a revised have been enhanced further to ment revealed some terrible numbers. estimate of 2020-21 Budget and reduce dependence on borrow- On four key metrics which represent the nutritional status of children, projected 6.8 per cent of GDP in ing. But the way the government states recorded a significant fall in 2019-20 compared to the levels in 2015-16. next fiscal with concomitant other is generating revenues by in- In states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal, the share of anaemic Santosh Kumar economic malaises indicates not creasing excise taxes on petro- and wasted (low weight for height) children was significantly higher than Mohapatra only fiscal profligacy but the loom- A fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent of the GDP leum products is not only re- the levels recorded 15 years earlier in 2005-06. This indicated a reversal of ing fiscal apocalypse. gressive but hurts the masses by progress that had been hard to win. Even in states such as Kerala, which con- The government has tried to pegged in 2021-22 is too high and will push making everything costlier. tinued to lead in these indicators, the levels recorded in 2019-20 were poorer remain unscathed by attributing the Indian economy into a debt-trap India cannot afford to go on than the 2015-16 figures. IF THE unbridled fiscal deficit to reces- debt splurge given the record The survey put out data for 22 states and sion and improved spending but mammoth contraction of GDP, Union territories and an analysis of 10 major ECONOMY DOES it has failed to contain fiscal deficit rowings and lower funds avail- plea that the same would “not nec- and people are not benefited by states was conducted. Anaemia among chil- NOT GROW BY within the limit in the past too. In able for the private sector to bor- essarily lead to inflation and a de- present debt-induced growth as dren was higher in all the 10 states in 2019-20 2019-20, fiscal deficit was pegged row. The rise in government bor- basement of the currency” if the benefits of growth are garnered compared to 2015-16. In Gujarat, Himachal, 14.4 PER CENT IN at 3.3 per cent but was revised up- rowing to finance an increase in extra money is invested in the by a few but the cascading effects Maharashtra and West Bengal, a higher per- NOMINAL TERM ward to 4.6 per cent of GDP despite the deficit leads to increasing right projects. This shows how of debt falls on the masses. There centage of children were anaemic in 2019-20 than a massive expenditure cut. money supply, triggers a spike in our government changes rules to is a certain limit to what extent were in 2005-06. The percentage of wasted chil- AND 10 PER The grim reality is that there is inflation, and causes interest rates suit its purpose. The duplicity of debt can rise. It is immaterial if it dren was higher in half of the 10 states. In CENT IN REAL no increase in budgeted expendi- to rise. Higher interest rates reduce the government, so-called intel- rises in absolute numbers, but as Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and ture for 2021-22 in real terms when or “crowd out” private investment lectuals, and economists is ex- a proportion of GDP, it should be Bengal, a higher percentage of children were TERM IN 2021-22 compared to revised estimate of and reduce growth. posed as those who earlier op- within a certain limit, say 60 per wasted in 2019-20 compared to 2005-06. In seven previous fiscal. What is outlandish It was also argued that mar- posed higher fiscal deficit, have cent of GDP as determined by the of the 10 states analysed, a higher percentage Aakar Patel AS ESTIMATED, is that to camouflage the govern- ket as well as the investor reacts now started arguing that higher fis- government in past. of children were underweight (low weight for The numbers are THEN THE DEBT ment’s failure, fiscal deficit has negatively to the rise in fiscal cal deficit creates growth-en- According to Nobel laureate age) in 2019-20 compared to 2015-16. Stunting (low been relegated to a secondary role deficit that results in the outflow hancing measures. Citing mod- Joseph Stieglitz, an important height for age) was higher in six out of the 10 not going to PROBLEM MAY in fiscal policy. The government of capital, stock market crash. ern monetary theory (MMT), they lesson of Covid-19 is that one can- states compared to 2015-16. improve ASSUME which was opposed to higher fis- However, it is proved wrong as also argue that sovereign nations not rely on a debt-dependent de- The study also found that incident of diar- themselves. They cal deficit has legalised the bal- Sensex rose 5 per cent or 2315 capable of printing their own velopment strategy. The countries rhoea had increased in half the states includ- ALARMING looning fiscal deficit for failing to point on February 1, the best money cannot ever go bankrupt, around the world that relied on ing Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, will need external PROPORTIONS contain it. It has discarded its Budget-day performance since because they can simply produce debt are now facing difficult times. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bengal. In Bihar intervention from long-term commitment to bring the 1999 even if bond yields spiked due more fiat currency to service debts. A study by the World Bank found it was up from 10.4 per cent in 2015-16 to 13.7 per deficit down to close to 3 per cent to widening fiscal deficit. However, this rule can be applied that countries whose debt-to-GDP cent in 2019-20. the government, of GDP and plans to lower the fis- Relinquishment of fiscal recti- to those countries having reserve ratios exceed 77 per cent for long This is the reality of the situation. We can but that has not cal deficit to 4.5 per cent of GDP tude is not only reflected in the currencies like America. periods, experience substantial debate what has caused this and that can wait only by 2025-26, which may be budget but also was advocated in Fiscal deficit is not bad if the slowdowns in economic growth. for another day. The problem is that the budget happened in changed again. the Economic Survey of 2020-21 money borrowed is spent on cre- But, India’s debt-to-GDP ratio did not acknowledge and therefore did not ac- this Budget In its previous Budgets, the which argues that “counter-cycli- ating assets or the welfare of peo- is around 90 per cent now which commodate for this problem. Modi government had preferred cal fiscal policy” or fiscal slippage ple and within the repayment ca- is much high in any condition. If The mid-day meal scheme, on which crores fiscal consolidation to increasing is justified so as to boost sluggish pacity of the government. But a the economy does not grow by of children depended for their one good meal of the day, found its budget cut welfare expenditure. Economists demand and consumer sentiment. fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent of 14.4 per cent in nominal term from `13,400 crore in FY 2021 to `11,500 crore in 2022. This was lower in nom- advocating more public spending Earlier, a higher fiscal deficit was GDP pegged in 2021-22 is too high and 10 per cent in real term in inal terms than what it had been seven years earlier. Inflation adjusted it was through higher fiscal deficit were also opposed under the plea that and will push the economy into a 2021-22 as estimated, then the 38 per cent lower. The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) meant condemned. rating agencies will downgrade debt-trap. What is worrisome is debt problem may assume alarm- to provide preschool children with food, education, primary healthcare, In the past, it was argued by ratings. But there is a chapter in that the escalating fiscal deficit is ing proportions. immunisation, health check-up and referral services to children under six market economists, even IMF and the Survey attacking rating agen- not due to increased expenditure The writer is an and their mothers was also lower in nominal terms, at `16,888 crore in FY22 World Bank, that the more the fis- cies. Further, printing of money as propounded but primarily on Odisha-based economist versus `18,691 in 2014-15. The programme, running rural anganwadis or creches, cal deficit, the more market bor- is advocated without fear with the account of revenues collapsing and columnist. is meant to improve the nutritional and health status of children “to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child,” to “reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout” and “to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition SPECTRUM SOCIETY and health education.” Inflation adjusted, this figure was 36 per cent lower for 2022 than it had been the year Modi took over. Poshan Abhiyan, the flagship programme to improve nutritional out- comes by 2022, was also damaged. The government had released only 46 per cent of the annual outlay by October 31 and in 2022 the budget was cut by 27 per cent. The Drinking Water and Sanitation department saw its budget Valentine showers are not for beloved alone officially rise from `21,000 crore to `60,030 crore but of that `50,000 crore was for the “Central road and infrastructure fund” suggesting a fudge to avoid ith flowers beginning to Luther King Jr, capable of trans- mother as is the case with beloved; the drift of governments and his- embarrassing questions. The numbers seemed deliberately made hard to com- sprout, weather pleasant forming an enemy into a friend. and today this country direly needs tory. Further, there is all the more pare with previous spends. ICDS was clubbed with Poshan Abhiyan, the Scheme Wand ambience tickling Bracketed with supernatural people with such madness to rout need of love when it is not there! for Adolescent Girls and the National Creche Scheme and the whole thing with romantic vibes in spring sea- powers, the theory and practice of the Britishers.” The Badshah pro- Alas, the magical powers love wields was called Saksham. Its budget for 2022 was less than the previous year’s budget son, it is natural for the young and love defies any rationale. Imbued claimed, “We shall discharge to- often remain confined to the flir- for ICDS alone. also the young at heart to get excited with a tinge of madness, player of morrow’s namaz with you.” tations with a lone lady or two. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, the Centre’s maternity ben- and seek proximity to close ones. the love game proceeds at the pin- Reason of all unreasonable ac- This precisely was the intent when efit programme, was clubbed with the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme for Arrows from the bow of Cupid set nacle of one’s strength, verve and tions, one imbued with enormous Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, girls’ education, the Mahila Shakti Kendra and other general gender budg- one in musing mode irrespective stamina to get over the formidable poise and good sense is not im- “Loving is not just looking at each eting and the whole thing was called Samarthya. It received `2,522 crore in of age, opening vistas unimagined barriers. In the process, one on pervious to the onslaughts of the other but looking in the same di- 2022, less than the `2,858 allocated in 2021. Harish Barthwal earlier. “Love unlocks doors and giving side acquires courage and instinct of love. Admittedly, no rection.” Rather than becoming a The allocation for Ayushman Bharat (dubbed ‘Modicare’ by Amit Shah) opens windows that were not even the recipient, strength. History is words are capable of truly ex- stumbling block in career build- was the same for 2022, `6,400 crore, as it was for the year before. There was there before,” said Mignon replete with numerous examples of pressing the variegated emotions: ing by distracting the lovers, this no provision for minimum wage and health insurance for anganwadi and THERE IS ALL THE McLaughlin. The thought of hug- lovers flaunting all norms and anguish, anger, love or whatever. power must serve as inspiration to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, the individuals whom MORE NEED ging the loved one is enough to courtesies, often risking their lives “Words like nature half reveal and further individual and broader so- Modi had called ‘Covid warriors’. usher in a sense of ‘feel good’. “A to seek what they think they can- half conceal the soul within,” said cial interests. The numbers are not going to improve themselves. They will need external OF LOVE WHEN kiss makes the heart young again not do without. The likes of Romeo Alfred Tennyson. Words always Let the ambit of Valentine’s Day intervention from the government, but that has not happened in this Budget. and wipes out the years,” said & Juliet; Paris & Helen; Shah Jehan elude what heart seeks to bring to extend beyond serving business Whether it was wise on an issue that concerns crores of our children we will IT IS NOT THERE! Rupert Brooke. & Mumtaz Mahal; Napoleon & fore. A hug or kiss is that comes as interests. In US alone, over 190 mil- not know till the government conducts the next survey. Each day of the Valentine’s Week Josephine; Bonnie & Clyde and so handy relief to fulfill the need. “A lion Valentine’s Day cards are sent is associated with a savoury item: on continue to be witnessed in all kiss is a lovely trick designed by na- by 55 per cent people, 55 per cent send Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate communities today. The agony and ture to stop speech when words candies and around 36 per cent Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug the unease of separation of lovers become superfluous,” said Ingrid send flowers. In India, college and WISDOM CORNER Day, Kiss Day and finally the continue to be staple theme in lit- Bergman. When the chemistry of school students go to the extent of Valentine's Day. Initiated by St erature of most languages, both the duo is in unison, there is a be- affixing seals of three heart-like We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as Augustine and celebrated by the classical and modern. The intensity lief that the two together constitute petals symbol on clothes and in ex- EPICTETUS much as we speak. youth and other votaries of love, and immensity of a lover’s enthu- a composite entity like a circle, treme cases on bodies of loved ones. In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be Valentine’s Day owes its origin to siasm is exemplified by a fakir who and either of them alone has no As e-commerce firms and other in- present. FRANCIS BACON the Middle Age belief that birds visits the court of king Bahadur meaning; a half circle is an in- dustries are busy with alluring of- begin to pair in second month of the Shah Zafar. Pleased at the hospitality complete being, says John Donne fers, let us relieve the loaded hearts When you’ve seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of year. The love instinct becomes of the ruler, the fakir thus blessed in his poems. by listening and attending to their mind is waiting there. GEORGE HARRISON particularly dominant around this him, “May you love the native soil The healing touch of love is what woes and unbosoming. day, or perhaps the youth act like as a lover does with his beloved.” The each of us needs in a hectic, stress- The author writes on social, that. Those in love can accommo- Badshah quipped, “Why not like a loaded life. This two-and-a-half let- health and spiritual issues, date in small places, do with little. mother?” The fakir said: “One does ter (Prem in Hindi) is known to besides blogging (www. WORDSWORTH It is the only force, said Martin not go mad when in love with his reverse the course of rivers, change bluntspeaker.com). Makebate

ou’ve almost certainly met makebates — though you probably don’t Take no chances Curb custodial deaths Yknow them by that name — people whose chief aim or pleasure is to spread discord and disharmony. Sir Walter Scott was a great user of this Sir, India appears to be taking Sir, While hearing a case of custodial death, the Supreme Court remarked that death due to custodial vio- word: Elsewhere he may be an useful and profitable member of the no chances with the military lence is abhorrent and not acceptable in a civilized society. The court said: “The custodial violence on the commonweal — here he is but a makebate, and a stumbling-block of etters disengagement in the Pangong deceased, which led to the death is abhorrent and not acceptable in the civilized society. The offense com- offence (The Abbot, by Sir Walter Scott, 1820). Somebody who is a lake area in Eastern Ladakh mitted by the accused is a crime not against the deceased alone, but was against humanity and clear viola- makebate is clearly making a bate. The second half survives today in abate along the LAC. The Indian tions of rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.” The death of undertrial prisoners is com- and debate; it’s from Latin battere, to beat or fight (the first sense of debate TOL THE EDITOR Army has adopted multiple mon in our country. The government should initiate action to curb custodial deaths and establish a in English in medieval times was to quarrel or battle). As a noun, bate Readers of Orissa POST modes to verify China's re- mechanism that will ensure human rights of undertrial prisoners. Amit Singh Kushwaha, SATNA (MP) described discord that was severe enough to result in a fight. British are most welcome to contribute letters ciprocal withdrawal of troops readers might think they recognise in this another form of bate, a fit of rage (200 words), articles and and equipment such as satel- Playing with fire columns (between 750-1250 or bad temper, an example of which appeared in the Daily Mail in January words). Contributors are lite and drone images and 2004: “Shrieking with simulated frustration, Clarkson flew into a bate, requested to send their videography. Given China’s Sir, Lack of adequate firefighting arrangements in many hospitals, especially corporate ones, is not only picked up a hammer and smashed his desktop to smithereens.” But the contact numbers and full history of reneging on its causing irreparable damage to the ailing persons but is also responsible for extra burden on middle class

evidence suggests that this derives from a nineteenth-century respelling of postal address/email ID. They may also agreements, including the families which have to manage funds for better treatment of their near and dear ones. Fire mishaps at renowned

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c the verb bait, to persecute a person with persistent attacks, so that a and suggestions, preferably by email, problems created both at health centres in the twin cities in recent times are an eye-opener for the authorities to see that the safety person was said to be in a bate as a result of being baited. Among the other to: [email protected] Galwan and Hot Spring-Gogra protocols are adhered to as strictly as possible. These hospitals carry on their activities even without ob- senses of bate, one in particular is known to falconers. A hawk that beats its in June last, these are steps in taining licence by the appropriate authorities. This is simply playing with fire. The criminal offences com- wings in agitation and flutters off the perch is said to bate. This is the right direction. mitted by such irresponsible health service providers must be dealt in terms of extant rules. No laxity what- ultimately also from Latin battere, but directly from the intermediate French B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, NJ Ravi Chander, soever should be allowed as it is a question of life and death of patients, who expect services in a safe environment. batre, to beat, linked to the verb to batter. Bhubaneswar-751010 BANGALORE Sanjib Das, CUTTACK RAJASTHAN PUNJAB P7

SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m PM wants to ‘hand over’ farm biz to his ‘2 friends’: Rahul Tough sailing for BJP c

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA bility to tell the truth and it is for the people to listen or not to listen. in Punjab civic polls Jaipur, Feb 13: Continuing a “In February last year, I had scathing attack against PM said 10-15 times that Bharat Mata Narendra Modi over the farm laws is going to suffer drastic losses on the second day of his visit to due to coronavirus. Farmers, amid farm protests Rajasthan, Congress leader Rahul labourers and the poor are going Gandhi Saturday alleged that the to be badly hit but 'press wale' INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE based report card. prime minister wants to ‘hand (media) said he is not a farmer, Already, the ruling party has an over’ the entire agriculture busi- he is anti-national,” he said. Chandigarh, Feb 13: “BJP people edge ahead of the polling with its ness to his ‘two friends’. Gandhi said he kept silence in are advised not to trouble us by ring- candidates having been elected un- Gandhi addressed two farmers' Parliament as a mark of respect to ing the door bell,” reads an advi- opposed at several places. rallies at Rupangarh in Ajmer and 200 farmers who died during the sory at the gate of a house in Punjab For the Akali Dal, which was Nagaur's Makrana. He had ad- agitation against the farm laws amidst the protest of farmers. previously banking on its former dressed farmers' rallies in but not a single BJP MP stood for Banners, posters and advisories ally the BJP for the urban Hindu Hanumangarh's Pilibanga and Sri it. “The Speaker said I should give expressing anger against the saffron voters, it is a 'do-or-die' battle. Ganganagar's Padampur on the in writing. Now, I will give in writ- party over the contentious Central Party President Sukhbir Badal, first day of his two-day Rajasthan ing to the Speaker that all members farm laws have become common who is now a Member of trip Friday. At the Rupangarh rally, in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok across the state during the local Parliament, is eyeing to regain its Gandhi said 40 per cent people of Sabha should observe a two-minute body polls slated for February 14. lost ground ahead of the 2022 as- the country are stakeholders in silence,” he said while expressing Political observers say these sembly elections. the farming business. confidence that the Speaker will polls just a year ahead of the as- He's campaigning aggressively "It is the business of 40 per cent allow this. About the farm laws sembly elections is a 'semi-final' in these polls with saying his wife, people, which includes farmers, he said, “The first law is about for the Amarinder Singh-led Harsimrat Kaur, pulled out of the small and medium businessmen, finishing the mandi system, the sec- Congress government that is eye- Union Cabinet to protest against the traders and labourers. Narendra ond is about allowing unlimited ing to repeat its government against farm Bills, which later became law. Modi wants to give this entire busi- hoarding and the third is about the backdrop of the farm laws that Saying party is not buckling ness to his two friends. This is the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drives a tractor during a farmers’ rally in Ajmer, Friday. PTI PHOTO snatching the rights of farmers has generate a wave of anger under the pressure of politics and objective of the farm laws," he to go to courts.” Here, Gandhi also against the BJP. calling the farm laws as 'black laws', claimed but did not name anyone. while standing on a plat- “Future is being small businesses were hit,” climbed on a camel cart and waived "Narendra Modi said he is giv- form made of two trac- Narendra snatched from the Gandhi said in the farmers' rally. to people. ing options but the options are: tor-trailers while the Modi said he is youth. In front of “Farmers, labourers, traders AICC general secretary Ajay hunger, unemployment and sui- farmers sat or stood giving options but your eyes, the are being sidelined and the path is Maken, chief minister Ashok cide," he alleged. Gandhi, wear- on tractor-trailers the options are: backbone of the being cleared for two-three busi- Gehlot, state Congress president ing a Rajasthani safa or turban, around the platform. hunger, unemployment country is being nessmen. During the coronavirus Govind Singh Dotasra and former reached the rally venue driving a Later in another and suicide broken. It began lockdown, labourers requested the deputy CM Sachin Pilot also ad- tractor with Chief Minister Ashok rally at Nagaur's RAHUL GANDHI I CONGRESS with demonetisa- prime minister to give them tick- dressed farmers. Gehlot and state Congress chief Makrana, Gandhi said LEADER tion, after which ets to go home but he did not yield Earlier in the day, Gandhi of- Govind Singh Dotasra sitting with the backbone of the coun- the to it and waived loans of Rs 1.5 fered prayers at a temple dedi- him. try is being broken, which GST…Gabbar lakh crore of the rich,” he alleged. cated to folk deity Veer Tejaji in The former Congress chief spoke started with demonetisation. Singh Tax… was brought and Gandhi said it was his responsi- Ajmer's Sursura village. NGT directs closure Herbal cigarettes marketed

AAP, which finished second in the 2017 Assembly elections by winning of illegal brick kilns illegally cause of concern 20 out of 117 seats, is campaigning aggressively for its maiden contest in the local body polls PRESS TRUST OF INDIA and District Magistrate may take INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE The products are remedial action against kilns op- THE BJP IS FIGHTING ON TWO WITH SEVERAL OF ITS illegally marketed as FRONTS: FIRST, COUNTERING THE LEGISLATORS, MPs AND New Delhi, Feb 13: The National erating without consent forthwith Chandigarh, Feb 13: Online avail- healthier alternatives ANGER, LARGELY AMONG ALL MINISTERS CAMPAIGNING Green Tribunal has directed the au- and for assessment and recovery of ability of cheap herbal cigarettes to traditional COMMUNITIES, FOR ADOPTING AGGRESSIVELY, CONGRESS IS thorities to take action against the compensation, after following due and 'bidis' which are being illegally cigarettes STUBBORN AND ARROGANT FOCUSING ON DEVELOPMENT illegal operation of brick kilns in process. Similarly, action be taken, marketed as healthier alternatives ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ISSUE, BESIDES ITS SOLID STAND Sri Ganganagar district of in accordance with law, against to traditional cigarettes is a matter These herbal products AGRICULTURAL LAWS. AND FOR THE CAUSE OF FARMERS BY Rajasthan and shut down the units those found non-compliant, and of concern, warn researchers from contain potentially SECOND, IT IS CONTESTING THE PROMISING TO AGAIN INTRODUCE that are running without permis- action taken report filed. Notice the Oral Health Sciences Centre of harmful substances POLLS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AMENDMENT BILLS TO NEGATE sion. is not being issued to individual the Postgraduate Institute of rather than nicotine TWO DECADES WITHOUT THE THE 'DRACONIAN' FARM LAWS A bench headed by NGT kilns, as the statutory authorities Medical Education and Research or tobacco AKALIS, THE OLDEST NDA ALLY IN THE VIDHAN SABHA Chairperson Justice A K Goel also will follow due process while tak- (PGIMER) here. ordered recovery of environmen- ing action, in exercise of their They said that regulations are ur- Similar to the illegal “The BJP is fighting on two Badal is wooing the voters by say- tal compensation for the period of statutory powers, for which hear- gently needed on sale and market- sale of imported fronts: First, countering the anger, ing, "It could not be a party to a gov- illegal operation following due ing by this tribunal is not required,” ing of these products under the cigarettes, without largely among all communities, ernment or alliance that stands process of law. the bench said. healthcare category. adhering to specified for adopting stubborn and arro- opposed to the farmers, farm labour- “For those not having consents, Advocate Pushpinder Singh, ap- These herbal products, contain- health warnings, both gant attitude towards the agricul- ers, arhtiyas and the poor". closure can be immediately, par- pearing for the petitioners, sub- ing potentially harmful substances in pictorial and text tural laws. And second, it is con- AAP, which finished second in the ticularly when show-cause notice mitted that 225 brick kilns are op- rather than nicotine or tobacco, formats, in this testing the polls for the first time 2017 assembly elections by win- has already been given. For those erating without any consent to are being marketed as health-pro- region, the herbal in two decades without the Akalis, ning 20 out of 117 seats, is cam- having consents, it is necessary to operate and should be closed im- moting products, said Oral Health cigarettes and 'bidis' the oldest NDA ally,” he said. paigning aggressively for its maiden verify whether they are meeting the mediately. Sciences Centre's head Krishan are also widely “The anger against the state BJP contest in the local body polls. available in the prescribed pollution norms,” the The tribunal was hearing a plea Gauba, one of the researchers. leaders is not only among the farm- Its leadership, comprising Deputy market bench said. filed by Hakam Singh and others In their research published on- ers but also the common man,” he Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, The tribunal directed that a joint seeking compliance of environ- line in the journal Tobacco Control, added. This reflected from the fact campaigned, urging the voters to committee of the Central Pollution mental norms by the brick kilns in they say the cheap herbal ciga- larity among the youth worldwide, cine; the remainder was manufac- that the BJP has fielded just 670 can- give them a chance to form the Control Board, state pollution con- Sri Ganganagar district in rettes and 'bidis' -- a blend of certain the PGIMER researchers said they turers' own claims. didates against 2,302 wards, mean- next government in Punjab for im- trol board and the District Rajasthan. herbs rolled in 'tendu' leaves -- are wanted to find out the mode of The claims included use as a ing it is not contesting on 71 per cent plementation of welfare schemes Magistrate may look into these as- The plea alleged absence of req- widely available online. availability and marketing of the smoking cessation aid (40 per cent); seats. Also many BJP leaders pre- like that in Delhi. pects and furnish a factual report uisite consents under the Air and They are often marketed as a herbal cigarettes. a stress reliever (19 per cent); and fer to contest as an Independent. Scorning the Aam Aadmi Party's within three months. the Water Acts and siting criteria safer and healthier alternative to tra- In this study, Google, Yahoo and to ease respiratory symptoms, in- In total, there are 9,222 candi- ambition to rule the state as a 'pipe- “The state pollution control board resulting in air pollution. ditional cigarettes, along with var- Bing search engines were used to cluding Covid-19 (15 per cent). dates in the fray for the polls to dream', Chief Minister Amarinder ious other unverified 'health' claims. find retail web pages offering herbal Other claims included use as a eight Municipal Corporations and Singh has said it is ridiculous that The fact is that though these smoking products, including ciga- mood enhancer; a treatment for 109 Municipal Councils and Nagar a party that is totally faceless in products do not contain any nico- rettes and 'bidis'. jetlag; a concentration or energy Panchayats. Punjab should talk of having a tine or tobacco, but have other po- Out of the initial 1,044 records booster; and digestive aid. For the first time, 50 per cent of grand Chief Minister face in the tentially harmful substances, and retrieved, 73 retail web pages were Only 16 per cent of the webpages the seats have been reserved for the 2022 Assembly elections."With just may act as a gateway product to included in the final analysis clarified that the claims 'had not been women. State BJP chief Ashwani a year to go for the Assembly polls, conventional tobacco products, ex- which revealed 24 brands, pro- evaluated by the FDA (US Food and Sharma, whose vehicle was attacked AAP could not find a face from plained Arpit Gupta, a faculty from duced by 18 manufacturers, of- Drug Administration)' or any other when he came in connection with Punjab to campaign in the mu- the PGIMER. fering 189 different flavours in regulatory authority. the campaigning in the border town nicipal elections and had to drag in He advocated that the sale and packs of five to 20 sticks. Nearly Fewer than three per cent cau- of Ferozepur, accused the state gov- non-entities from Delhi for elec- marketing of these products must two thirds (62 per cent) of the tioned: 'Any type of smoking is in- ernment of "murdering democ- tioneering! And now they claim be urgently regulated. webpages sold herbal cigarettes; jurious to health'. And none of the racy" with officials "behaving like they'll find a CM face that will be Similar to the illegal sale of im- 12 per cent sold herbal 'bidis'; and retail web pages listed the possible puppets of the Chief Minister". the pride of Punjab?" said ported cigarettes, without adhering 26 per cent sold herbal 'shisha' or harmful effects associated with This is for the first time that Amarinder Singh Friday, the last to specified health warnings, both hookah. smoking these products. candidates and leaders of a na- day of campaigning. "What can a in pictorial and text formats, in Forty-three websites (59 per cent) Two thirds (67 per cent) of the in- tional party are not being allowed party which sold off the farmers' this region, the herbal cigarettes and spelt out health benefits in their cluded retail web pages didn't re- to campaign or even hold public interests by implementing one of 'bidis' are also widely available in product descriptions, of which 41 quire any proof of age before pur- meetings, Sharma told IANS. the farm laws in Delhi back in the market. per cent claimed the benefits to be chase, and just 22 per cent stated 'not For the Congress, this election November know of Punjab's 'aan, Because of their rising popu- based on complementary medi- to be sold to minors'. is a test of its four-year performance- baan and shaan," the CM asked. BSF shoots dead Pakistani intruder Punjab 13th state to complete ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ reform INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE One Ration Card system reform, One Nation One Ration demic, the Central government along IB in Punjab these 13 states have been granted had on May 17, 2020 enhanced New Delhi, Feb 13: Punjab additional borrowing permission Card System is an the borrowing limit of the states PRESS TRUST OF INDIA has become the 13th state in of Rs 34,956 crore by the important citizen by 2 per cent of their GSDP. Half the country to successfully un- Department of Expenditure. of this special dispensation i.e. 1 Chandigarh, Feb 13: A dertake "One Nation One Ration One Nation One Ration Card centric reform. Its per cent of GSDP was linked to Pakistani intruder was shot dead Card system" reform stipulated System is an important citizen implementation ensures undertaking citizen centric re- by the Border Security Force by the Finance Ministry. centric reform. Its implementa- forms by the states. along the International Border The state has now become el- tion ensures availability of ration availability of ration to Till now, 17 states have carried in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, igible to mobilise additional fi- to beneficiaries under National beneficiaries under out at least one of the four stip- an official of the force said nancial resources of Rs 1,516 Food Security Act (NFSA) and ulated reforms and have been Saturday. crore through Open Market other welfare schemes, especially NFSA and other welfare granted reform linked borrow- BSF troops noted suspicious Borrowings. Permission for the the migrant workers and their schemes at any Fair Price ing permissions. activity near the border fence same was issued by the families, at any Fair Price Shop Out of these, 13 states have im- at around 2:30 am. Sensing threat, Department of Expenditure. (FPS) across the country. Shop across the country plemented the one nation one ra- they opened fire, he said Punjab has now joined 12 other The reform also enables the tion card system, 12 states have A search operation was carried states namely, Andhra Pradesh, states in better targeting of ben- completion of both of the fol- done ease of doing business re-

Saturday morning and the body Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, eficiaries, elimination of lowing actions: Aadhaar Seeding forms, 6 states have done local

k y m c of a Pakistani intruder was Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya bogus/duplicate/ineligible card of all the ration cards and bene- body reforms and 2 states have un- found, the official said. Fourteen Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, holders resulting in enhanced ration cards as well as biometric (e-PoS) devices are essential. ficiaries in the state; Automation dertaken power sector reforms. packets of heroin, one pistol Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Uttar welfare and reduced leakage. authentication of beneficiaries Therefore, additional borrowing of all the FPSs in the state. Total reform linked additional magazine, six rounds and two Pradesh, which have completed Further, to ensure seamless through automation of all Fair limit of 0.25 per cent of the Gross In view of the resource re- borrowing permission issued so mobile phones were recovered this reform. inter-state portability of a ra- Price Shops (FPSs) with instal- State Domestic Product (GSDP) quirement to meet multiple chal- far to the states stands at Rs 76,512 from near the body, he said On completion of One Nation tion card, Aadhaar seeding of all lation of electronic point of sale is allowed to the states only on lenges posed by the Covid-19 pan- crore. The Goa government GOVT ORDERS REMOVAL OF P8 will spend Rs 100 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR crore of the Rs 300 crore ENCROACHMENTS FROM ASI MONUMENTS announced by the Centre for The Centre has ordered the removal of the Liberation Day encroachments from the monuments and celebrations for developing sites protected by the Archeological Survey panchayats and of India (ASI) across the country. Currently,

y national municipality areas there are 3,693 monuments of national

k y m PRAMOD SAWANT | GOA CHIEF MINISTER importance under ASI's protection c

of the day uote Politics over SEASONAL SOJOURN tainted ministers The BJP is ‘Disengagement successful in fulfilling all heats up in Bihar expectations of the people of the state. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE We have worked hard and given happening as per Patna, Feb 13: Politics is heating equal respect to all people. We will up in Bihar over the inclusion of come back again. Let us work allegedly 'tainted' leaders in the together Nitish Kumar government. The latest statement has come SARBANANDA SONOWAL | from former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi ASSAM CHIEF MINISTER India’s intent’ who slammed Tejashwi Yadav for his tweet on CM Nitish Kumar. "A person with the entire fam- The Delhi- ily facing many criminal charges Mumbai is accusing Nitish Kumar," Manjhi Expressway said in a tweet. work is going on. Manjhi's tweet came after RJD (Once completed), it leader Tejashwi Yadav slammed will ease the traffic load on Pune- Nitish Kumar over ignorance of Mumbai Expressway as a bulk of questions of reporters who asked traffic between northern and him about 18 'tainted' ministers in southern states currently pass his cabinet. through the Mumbai-Pune After the cabinet expansion on expressway February 9, Kumar gave berths to 17 new ministers that included NITIN GADKARI | MLAs and MLCs of the BJP, the UNION TRANSPORT MINISTER JDU apart from independent MLAs. Thousands of migratory birds making sojourn in the world famous Dal Lake in Kashmir UNI PHOTO INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Pangong Lake," said the former Under the DGMO, adding that these are the leadership of New Delhi, Feb 13: The Line of friction points where tanks, in- Prime Minister SDRF TEAM Narendra Modi, Actual Control (LAC) demarcated fantry combat vehicles and in- India has by India and China has had many fantry soldiers get face-to-face in Covaxin effective for 9-12 months, CONDUCTS SURVEY strengthened its claims and counterclaims in the very close proximity. defence sector and past, but the latest disengagement "These frictional points have the OF RISHIGANGA RIVER even forced China to buckle down is not happening as per the Chinese probability of clashes. That is what claims made to India in 1959. has been addressed. First, the most no serious side-effects so far: AIIMS INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ANURAG THAKUR | UNION MINISTER "Disengagement at the LAC is not sensitive area on the south bank of happening as per China's 1959 claim. Pangong Lake. The disengagement INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE proved for emergency use and the Dehradun, Feb 13: Amid an alert, It is absolutely incorrect and untrue process has started from there and data from Phase 1 and Phase 2 tri- an eight-member team of the State that India has given in to China's subsequently it will be taken up New Delhi, Feb 13: Mathematical als, and the ongoing Phase 3 trials, Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) SHORT TAKES claim on LAC," former Director in the other sectors," he said. calculations indicate that Covaxin suggest that it is safe and effec- has conducted a survey of a lake General of Military Operations Bhatia said that it is going to be may provide immunity against tive, and by March-end tentatively, in the catchment area of the tur- Rohtak killings: (DGMO), Lieutenant General Vinod a long and tedious process, which Covid-19 for 9 to 12 months, and the data from Phase 3 trials will be bulent Rishiganga river which Bhatia (retd), told IANS. won't be an easy doing. "These there may be a booster shot after available to establish its efficacy." had caused a deluge in Accused nabbed He said that India wanted a sta- are high altitude areas and it will this period elapses, Y.K. Gupta, the When queried on the safety of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district Chandigarh: A wrestling tus quo ante that implies what was take time. They (China) will be President of AIIMS Bhopal and Covaxin and people developing on February 7. coach who allegedly killed the location, position and deploy- vacating the constructions they Jammu, told IANS. side-effects after its administra- The team headed by SDRF five people in Haryana's ment as of April 2020, just before have done, move bunkers and habi- Stressing on the safety and ef- tion, Gupta said: "The vaccine is Commandant Navneet Bhullar Rohtak a day ago was the Chinese forward deployment tants from Finger 5 and Finger 6," fectiveness of Covaxin, Gupta, for- The approval for being given to lakhs of people, and returned to Reni village in Chamoli arrested from near a started in May 2020. "As per that, he said. "So India's aim was the mer Dean (Academics), and ex- Covaxin had faced there are hardly any serious side- district on Saturday evening after Metro station in New Delhi the Chinese position has been at the position of status quo ante and it has Head, Department of effects. Rather there are only minor collecting samples from the lake Saturday, police said. east of Finger 8, a place called been achieved. Now to say that the Pharmacology, AIIMS, New Delhi, unrelenting criticism, side-effects, whuihg indicate the besides filming videos of the area. Sukhvinder was held from Sirijap on the north bank of the position was of 1959 and we have de said that no death has been re- especially when it was effectiveness of the vaccine. No "We will send these samples near the Samaypur Badli Pangong Lake. Our location had facto accepted it is an absolutely in- ported so far due to Covaxin, nor death has been caused by Covaxin and videos to the police head- Metro station around 2.30 pm been a place called Dhan Singh correct statement to make," he said. has there been any case of major administered to scores so far." Commenting on India's vac- quarters in Dehradun for further by the Delhi Police, Thapa. That was the position in Talking about the way forward to re- side-effects, adding that more clar- of healthcare workers cine technology in the backdrop the action," said Bhullar. said Rohtak SP Rahul April 2020, which has been a tra- solve the issue, Bhatia said that first ity will emerge by March end when new mutant coronavirus strain re- Sharma. He told PTI over the ditional position for the last many there should be disengagement from data from Phase 3 trials will be during Phase 1 of the ported in a few countries, Gupta phone that the accused was years," he said. all the friction points and thereafter available to establish the efficacy said: "The Indian vaccine tech- held in a joint operation with vaccination drive Talking about China's 1959 claim, there will be de-escalation and then of Covaxin. The approval for nology with minor tweaking has the the Delhi Police. Sukhvinder, 30, will now be brought to Bhatia said that it is based on too de-induction. The retired officer Covaxin, the homegrown vaccine de- potential to address these new Haryana on a production many interpretations and percep- said that the first step is always to veloped by Bharat Biotech, had faced ics have badgered Covaxin's ap- strains." warrant, said the SP. tions. "The disengagement is tak- resolve the crisis and then take unrelenting criticism, especially proval in the absence of Phase 3 Addressing the attack on the ef- ing place from the friction points things forward step by step, adding when it was administered to scores trial data. Speaking to IANS, Gupta ficacy of Covaxin by many scien- which are the most sensitive on that talks to resolve the border issues of healthcare workers during Phase said, "These are not scientifically tists globally, Yadav said they have Beneficiaries to the north and south banks of should continue. 1 of the vaccination drive. The crit- correct claims. Covaxin was ap- made irresponsible comments. get 2nd nCoV dose New Delhi: The vaccination The SDRF team, which began drive against COVID-19 First phase of Budget its trek on Friday morning, took picked up pace on Saturday NC TO CHALLENGE DDC nearly 13-14 hours to reach the as many beneficiaries who lake where they set up a temporary had received their first shots camp on Friday evening. on day one of the exercise session concludes Significantly, there is a consid- four weeks ago turned up to CHAIRPERSON’S ELECTION erable discharge from the lake get their second dose. The second dose delivery began PRESS TRUST OF INDIA also, Bhullar said. However, he at LNJP Hospital as well and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA years. "Early next week we will refused to comment further on over 20 persons had challenge this undemocratic ac- New Delhi, Feb 13: Lok Sabha the discharge issue saying it is received the second shots Srinagar, Feb 13: The National tion in the courts of law," he said was adjourned on Saturday, ending up to the scientists to take a note by noon, a senior official at Conference Saturday said it would in another tweet. the first phase of the Budget ses- of it. the facility said. mount a legal challenge against Meanwhile, in a statement later, sion which reported close to 100 "We have also found a proper the election of District Development the party said Abdullah rued the "un- per cent productivity and witnessed route to the lake which may help Council chairperson in Budgam fair mode of selection" of DDC 13 privilege notices filed by MPs. in case of any emergency in the district of Jammu and Kashmir, chairman Budgam, terming the The House will reconvene March lost time, the House sat till midnight future," Bhullar said. 82% voter turnout in accusing the administration of entire exercise a clear violation of 8 after recess. The first phase of for several days in a trot. As a re- After fears expressed by some AP panchayat polls "murdering democracy" in the law and rules. Interacting with a the Budget session started January sult, of the total 50 hours avail- villagers, the Uttarakhand gov- Union territory. delegation of the party's eight DDC 29 with President's address to joint able, the house sat for more than 49 ernment on Friday had sounded Amaravati: The second phase NC vice-president Omar democracy in J&K. I met 8 of our members from Budgam who had sitting of both houses of Parliament. hours and the overall productivity an alert after satellite images spot- of polling for 2,786 Abdullah said an independent can- DDC members of Budgam district. called on him at his residence here, The address was boycotted by over was 99.5 per cent. ted the formation of a lake in the panchayats in Andhra didate was made the chairman of There is at least 1 more alliance the party vice-president rued the ac- 20 opposition parties, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla catchment area of the Rishiganga Pradesh ended peacefully with 81. 61 per cent voter District Development Council (DDC) member of Javaid Mustafa Mir's tive involvement of the district ad- the Congress, in support of the de- said the Budget session of river. turnout. The State Election despite his party having eight mem- party so 9 out of a total strength of ministration which, he said, "is- mand of the protesting farmers Parliament ran smoothly and trans- "We have to remain alert as Commission (SEC), in a bers, out of the total strength of 14 & yet in an 'election' an inde- sued blatant threats" about the for the repeal of the three farm acted important business even be- satellite pictures show the for- statement here on Saturday, 14, in the council. pendent member was made the power to detain people for two years. laws. The Union Budget was tabled yond midnight. He said in the first mation of a 400m lake at however, did not provide the He added that his party also had chairman (sic)," he tweeted. "The administration is playing February 1. part of the Budget session, Lok Rishiganga," Chief Minister total number of eligible the support of a member of the Abdullah alleged that all this partisan to curry favor with par- Thereafter, house proceedings Sabha sat for 49 hours and 17 min- Trivendra Singh Rawat had stated. voters. The Andhra Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir People's was done with the "active involve- ticular DDC members; the mode washed out for four consecutive utes against the stipulated time of Top government officials said Director General of Police Movement, a part of People's ment" of the district administration and manner in which the election days over the opposition's demand 50 hours. The house lost an effec- that people have been asked not to Gautam Sawang, in a Alliance for Gupkar Declaration which "issued blatant threats" about of DDC chairman was conducted for separate discussion on farm tive time of 43 minutes due to dis- go near the Rishiganga river and statement, said the second (PAGD). "Talk about murdering powers to detain people for two is a point in case," he said. issues. To compensate the session's ruptions. take all precautions. phase of polls ended peacefully.

6 killed in Raj road mishap CWC conducting simulation studies on new glacial lake Jaipur: Six people, including THE HIMALAYAS HAS MORE THAN 2,000 GLACIAL LAKES OF 10 HECTARES OR MORE four women, were killed and seven others injured when a jeep in which they were PRESS TRUST OF INDIA snowfall of 10 cm on February 15 and also include controlled blast at the on the lake. travelling collided with a 16. The CWC is also examining pos- lake," Haldar said. He, however, The temporary water body was trailer in Sriganganagar New Delhi, Feb 13: The Central sibilities of what can be done if the pointed out that the site is not ac- formed after sediments that the district of Rajasthan Saturday, Water Commission (CWC) is con- water to rises to "critical" level. cessible and it has not been decided Sunday's flash floods brought down, police said. The incident ducting simulation studies on the "We are assessing what could be which agency will execute the con- blocking the mouth of a stream occurred in Rajiyasar when artificial lake formed in the upper the impact if the water level rises trolled blast. that joins the Rishiganga river. the collision left six people stretches of the Rishiganga river following rains and snowfall as pre- "So in case if the controlled blast The CWC chairman said as of dead on the spot. The injured after the catastrophic Uttarakhand dicted by the IMD. We are also study- is not possible, we are also explor- now there is no increase in the were rushed to a nearby flood early this week, and also ex- ing what volume of water would ing other ways to tackle the situa- water level from Joshimath to hospital, police said. All the amining the possibility of carrying be released if the lake bursts and tion," he added. Haridwar. "We are continuously y passengers were from the out a controlled blast to drain out how much time it would take to Haldar said several agencies/ in- monitoring the water levels down-

same family and on their way the water. reach downstream," Haldar told stitutes like the Wadia Institute of stream," he said.

k y m c to Jaisalmer from Sangaria in CWC chairman Saumitra Haldar PTI. He said the lake is 400 metres Himalayan Geology, Defence In a tweet Friday, the CWC said, Hanumangarh district when on Saturday said studies are being in length, 25 metres wide and 60 Research Development Organisation "An artificial Lake has formed the accident occurred on a conducted keeping in mind the fore- state highway. The deceased metres deep. (DRDO), ISRO's Indian Institute of on river Rishiganga in Chamoli were identified as Aarju, Soniya, cast of the India Meteorological "We don't want the size of the Remote Sensing and Uttarakhand district, Uttarakhand, with a Suman, Manju, Anil and Department (IMD) that the area lake to increase any further. We State Disaster Management length of 350 m height of 60 m Bhavishya, the police said. could receive a rainfall of 1 cm and are examining all possibilities that Authority have conducted studies with slope of 10 deg." Happy World Radio P9 Day! Greetings to all NO RESPITE FROM POLLUTION SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR radio listeners and kudos to all those who keep The air quality of the national the radio buzzing with capital mounted to 'very poor' innovative content and music. category, with the hourly This is a fantastic medium, average air quality index at 332 micrograms per cubic meter on y which deepens social connect national Saturday due to low wind speed

NARENDRA MODI | PRIME MINISTER

k y m c

of the day uote R-DAY VIOLENCE CASES LOVE BIRDS One reason why we were able to handle very tough Farmer unions situations like the Ockhi waves, Nipah, the two floods and the global pandemic is the huge support that the people of Kerala gave to the Left government seek high-level PINARAYI VIJAYAN | CHIEF MINISTER OF KERALA TIKAIT SUPPORTS It is good that Priyanka FARMERS’ PROTEST (Gandhi probe Vadra) visited AT MAHAPANCHAYAT Prayagraj, but she AGENCIES The farmers' protests are continuing on should have given the borders of Delhi against the agricul- attention that the tural laws with 'Mahapanchayats' tak- house of her grandfather is situated New Delhi, Feb 13: Protesting farmer unions Saturday demanded ing place to boost the movement and there, and she should have visited spread it across the country while BKU it. Priyanka had shown sympathy a high-level judicial inquiry into the violence during the tractor rally in leader Rakesh Tikait has emerged as towards farmers, but before that the prominent voice of the movement. she should get the land returned to Delhi January 26 and the alleged 'false" cases slapped on the peasants. However, enthusiasm in the farmers is farmers from her husband Robert less in Tikait's absence at the Ghazipur Addressing a press conference at Vadra border protest. Tikait, national the Singhu border, Samyukta Kisan MOHSIN RAZA | UTTAR PRADESH MINISTER spokesperson of the Bhartiya Kisan Morcha leaders asked farmers who A couple poses for photographs in the backdrop of the historic Taj Mahal, ahead of Valentine’s Day, in Agra PTI PHOTO FOR MINORITY EELFARE MUSLIM WAQF Union, told IANS, "This movement is a are getting police notices not to ap- mass liberation movement, people are pear before the force directly and in- in captivity and they have to be The TMC is stead approach the legal cell consti- going to form released, hence the mahapanchayat is tuted by the unions for any assistance. GOA USHERS IN the being held." It has been 80 days of the Kuldeep Singh, a member of SKM's government for the protests and slowly the farmers lead- Arrested Jaish-e-Mustafa third consecutive legal cell, said that a retired judge of ers' properties are being questioned. COLOURFUL term and the party the Supreme Court or high court On this Tikait said, "I do not know how will stay in power should probe the incidents to un- many properties are bing talked about. CARNIVAL FEST for 50 years Trinamool ravel the "conspiracy" behind the I do not have anything, although more than what is being told." chief’s shocking disclosures January 26 violence and the alleged INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ABHISHEK BANERJEE | TMC LEADER "false cases" against the farmers. According to SKM leaders, 16 arrested by Delhi Police in con- INDO-ASIIAN NEWS SERVICE Panaji, Feb 13: Goa ushered in the farmers who had participated in the nection with 14 of the 44 FIRs, colourful festival of Carnival, al- SHORT TAKES tractor parade are still untrace- adding that SKM will provide legal Jammu, Feb 13: Hidayatullah beit on a toned down scale, with able. In the Republic Day violence, and financial aid to all the arrested Malik, the chief of Jaish-e-Mustafa a float parade organised in the over 500 police personnel had been farmers. The Morcha leaders (JeM), a front outfit of Jaish-e- state capital of Panaji on Saturday. Top TRF terrorist injured, while a protestor had died. claimed that "false" cases were Muhammad (JeM) terror group, The parade was led by King On January 26, thousands of being slapped on farmers charg- who was arrested February 6 in Momo, a larger than life ceremo- arrested in Samba protesting farmers who reached ing them with serious offences like J&K’s Jammu city, has made shock- nious king selected by a local car- Jammu: A top terrorist ITO from the Ghazipur border dacoity and attempt to murder to ing disclosures to his interroga- nival committee, who offers to affiliated with The Resistance clashed with the police. Driving "harass" them. "Ten farmers have tors sending the security para- each city, a symbolic key to cele- Front (TRF), wanted in tractors, many of them reached been granted bail so far and five bail phernalia into a tailspin, both here bration. King Momo for 2021 is connection with the killing of the Red Fort and entered the mon- applications have been filed. Priority and in Delhi. Goa-based restaurateur Eric Dias. three BJP workers and a ument, where a religious flag was is being given to those farmers who Malik was arrested from "For three days, King Momo policeman in south Kashmir hoisted. At the press conference, an- are not booked under Section 307 of Sanjwani area of Jammu February rules Goa with the motto of 'eat, last year, was arrested in other leader Ravinder Singh said the IPC or other serious offences," 6 although he had been putting up drink and be merry'. Goa wel- Samba district of Jammu and that 122 farmers had so far been the SKM said in a statement later. in Bhatindi area of the city for gical strike in 2016 and the Balakote lines flight from Srinagar to Delhi comes all carnival celebrating Kashmir, police said Saturday. quite sometime. attack in 2019. on May 24, 2019 and after carrying tourists to our parades," Tourism Zahoor Ahmad Rather alias Malik, according to a top source, Doval had also added to the wor- out the video recce of the NSA's Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said "Sahil", "Khalid" was hiding in has disclosed that he had carried out ries of his enemies across the LoC office, he returned to Srinagar trav- on Saturday, while inaugurating Samba district of Jammu a successful video recce of the of- by his masterly handling of the se- elling in public transport buses. the float parade in Panaji. region and was arrested fice of Ajit Doval, the national se- curity situation in Kashmir in 2019 "He also disclosed of carrying on a specific information by curity advisor, at Sardar Patel when articles 370 and 35A were ab- out recces of the international bor- Anantnag police, a senior police official said. Bhawan in Delhi. rogated and the state of J&K di- der in Samba district of Jammu The TRF is an offshoot of "He disclosed that he had car- vided into two union territories. division in 2019. Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) terror ried out the video recce on the in- To the utter bewilderment of his "The car used in the suicide at- outfit and the arrest of Rather structions of his handler in Pakistan enemies, Doval, with the complete tack in May 2020 in Pulwama was comes a week after police who had directed him to do so be- synergy of all the security agencies, also provided by him. Fortunately, arrested self-styled cause the terrorists were planning was able to ensure that not a shot the car was detected and defused. commander of Lashkar-e- to target some of the highest value was fired in the aftermath of 370 ab- "He looted `60 lakhs from a J&K Mustafa Hidayatullah Malik Indian targets," top source said. rogation. This, according to the Bank case van in Shopian district alias "Hasnain" from Doval is one of the most highly disclosure made by Malik, was in 2020. He has disclosed code names This year, Goa will host only two Kunjwani area of Jammu. protected persons in the country. He more than the terrorists and their and phone numbers of at least 10 carnival parades in Panaji and has been on the terrorist hit list handlers could take. terror handlers active in Pakistan," Margao on account of the pandemic because of his role in the Uri sur- "Malik had taken an Indigo air- top source said. and wearing of face masks has been Forces rescue three made mandatory. Similar parades were traditionally held in all major kidnapped workers towns in the coastal state. Goa's colourful carnival pro- Imphal: Three workers, Sena urges Centre to recall Maha Guv Humidity from masks may cessions, which are normally held kidnapped by Kuki militants in Manipur, were rescued by in February before the holy season security forces from a forest PRESS TRUST OF INDIA an editorial in mouthpiece Leader of Opposition Devendra lessen severity of Covid-19 of Lent are symbolic of Goa's colo- after a fierce gun-battle, 'Saamana'. "Why he is always land- Fadnavis accused the state gov- nial Portuguese legacy. For the police said Saturday. The New Delhi, Feb 13: The Shiv Sena, ing in controversy is a question. ernment of being egoistic. The INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Journal. week prior to the austere Christian police said the armed tribal which is in power in Maharashtra, Recently, he is in news over the use country knows who is indulging "We found that face masks season of Lent, Goa celebrates 'one guerrillas abducted the Saturday accused state Governor of a state government's plane. The in politics of ego. Despite the death New Delhi/New York, Feb 13: strongly increase the humid- last shot at having fun' before the workers at gunpoint Bhagat Singh Koshyari of toeing the governor wanted to go to Dehradun of over 200 farmers during the on- The humidity created inside ity in inhaled air and propose liquor bottles and meat is shunned February 7 when they were BJP's line, and said that if the using the state aircraft. But the going protest on Delhi borders over the mask, which we wear to that the resulting hydration of as part of a 40-day period of reli- busy in the construction of a Centre wants the Constitution to be government denied permission to the three farm laws, the govern- protect ourselves from getting the respiratory tract could be re- gious penitence. Lent concludes bridge at Leikhong in upheld, it should recall him. it. He sat in the aircraft Thursday ment is not ready to withdraw them. or spreading SARS-CoV-2, can sponsible for the documented with the celebration of Easter. Thoubal district. The party also asserted that the morning, but as the plane did not Isn't that ego?" the Uddhav also help in combating Covid-19 finding that links lower Covid- Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) dis- have approval to fly, he had to dis- Thackeray-led party asked. as face masks substantially in- 19 disease severity to wearing pensation is stable and strong, and embark and take a commercial A governor should pursue the crease the humidity in the air a mask," said lead Two Naxals killed added that the Centre cannot use the flight to Dehradun," it said. agenda of the government of the day that the mask-wearer breathes author Adriaan Bax from ‘65% pvt hosps governor's shoulders to take aim at The opposition BJP is creating and not that of the opposition, it in, a new study suggests. National Institute of Diabetes Mandla: Two Naxals, the state government. an issue out of it. But why did the added. This higher level of humid- and Digestive and Kidney in Thane lack fire including a woman, were "Governor Bhagat Singh governor sit in the plane even as the The Sena also criticised the delay ity in inhaled air could help ex- Diseases. killed in a gunbattle with Koshyari is back in news again. government had not given its ap- in governor's approval of 12 names plain why wearing masks has High levels of humidity can safety measures’ police in a forest area of He has been in politics for the last proval for it to fly, the party asked. recommended by the state cabinet been linked to lower disease limit the spread of a virus to the Madhya Pradesh's Mandla many years. He was a Union min- It was a private tour of the gov- for their nomination to the severity in people infected with lungs by promoting mucocil- district, an official said ister and also the chief minister of ernor and as per the law, not only Legislative Council from his quota. SARS-CoV-2, because hydration iary clearance (MCC), a defence Saturday. The intermittent Uttarakhand. the governor, but even the chief The governor of Maharashtra of the respiratory tract is known mechanism that removes mucus exchange of fire took place during the intervening However, ever since he became minister cannot use a state plane is an honourable person. But it is to benefit the immune system, and potentially harmful parti- night of Friday and Saturday, the Maharashtra governor, he has for such purposes. The Chief also his own responsibility to keep according to the paper pub- cles within the mucus from the he said in a statement. always remained in news or landed Minister's Office (CMO) has acted the prestige of the position that he lished in the Biophysical lungs, the researchers said. in controversy," the Sena said in in accordance with law, it said. "But occupies. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Thane, Feb 13: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Saturday said that 65.20 per cent Indian astronomers spot a flare from very rare black hole private hospitals in the city have not complied with fire safety reg- ulations despite repeated re- THE DATA COLLECTED FROM THE FLARE OBSERVED WILL HELP CALCULATION OF THE BLACK HOLE MASS, SIZE OF EMISSION REGION, AND MECHANISM OF minders. In an official release, the THE EMISSION FROM ONE OF THE OLDEST ASTRONOMICAL OBJECTS KNOWN, HENCE OPENING A DOOR TO THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE civic body said that there are 347 private hospitals in the city. The TMC recently conducted a fire INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE the Universe, it said. Such analysis can servational campaign detected the audit of these facilities. Blazars or feeding super massive exceptionally high flare on January However, 28 of them were found New Delhi, Feb 13: Indian as- black holes in the heart of distant provide a lead to probe 16 with the help of Sampurnanand to be shut. Of the remaining 319 tronomers have reported one of galaxies receive a lot of attention mysteries and trace Telescope (ST) and 1.3m Devasthal hospitals, 111 found to have com- the strongest flares from a feed- from the astronomical commu- Fast Optical Telescopes located in plied with the fire safety regula- ing super massive black hole or nity because of their complicated events at different Nainital. tions and submitted the certificates, blazar called BL Lacertae, analy- emission mechanism. They emit stages of evolution The data collected from the flare it said. The remaining 208, which y sis of which can help trace the jets of charged particles travel- observed will help calculation of comes to 65.20 per cent are yet to

mass of the black hole and the ling nearly at the speed of light and of the Universe the black hole mass, size of emis- comply with the fire safety norms

k y m c source of this emission, the are one of the most luminous and sion region, and mechanism of and submit their certificates, the Department of Science and energetic objects in the Universe. relatively small telescope. It was tional consortium of astronomers," (ARIES), an institute of the the emission from one of the old- release said. The civic body has Technology said Saturday. "BL Lacertae blazar is 10 million among the 3 to 4 blazars that was the statement said. A team of as- Department of Science & est astronomical objects known, given time till February 22 to these Such analysis can provide a lead light-years away and is among the predicted to be experiencing flares tronomers led by Alok Chandra Technology, who has been follow- hence opening a door to the origin 208 hospitals for compliance, in the to probe mysteries and trace events 50 most prominent blazars that by the Whole Earth Blazar Gupta from Aryabhatta Research ing the blazar since October 2020 and evolution of the Universe, it absence of which they will face se- at different stages of evolution of can be observed with the help of a Telescope (WEBT), an interna- Institute of Observational Sciences as part of an international ob- added. vere action, it added. I'm not joking ALL OVER-70s URGED P10 when I say this: If SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR you ever work with me and TO GET COVID VAX JABS I hear you treat another People in the UK aged 70 or over colleague with disrespect, who have not yet had a Covid-19 talk down to someone, I vaccine jab have been urged to will fire you on the spot come forward, in a final push by JEN PSAKI | PRESS SECRETARY, ministers to meet their

international WHITE HOUSE

k y m vaccination target c of the day uote Fuel tanker blast ‘Insurrection incitement charge a monstrous lie’ causes massive fire at The death toll from the TRUMP’S LAWYERS BRUCE CASTOR, DAVID SCHOEN AND MICHAEL VAN DER VEEN EACH TOOK TURNS ADDRESSING THE SENATE Afghan-Iran border pandemic increased by 40% in MEMBERS, ON DAY FOUR OF TRUMP’S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, TO DESCRIBE HIM AS A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF LAW AND ORDER January, fuelled by a second wave of infections and new PRESS TRUST OF INDIA of Trump's impeachment trial, to de- TRUMP ment presented by the House man- his opening remarks to dispute the variants that have overwhelmed the scribe Trump as a staunch sup- agers," Trump's lawyer Castor said. Democrats' case that the former pres- continent's public health systems Washington, Feb 13: Donald porter of law and order, not some- IMPEACHMENT The impeachment by the House, ident had incited violence during Trump’s insurrection incitement one who incited the chaos at the during the last two days, was politi- his speech to supporters January 6. MATSHIDISO MOETI | WHO REGIONAL charge is a "monstrous lie" and the Capitol. cal. "Their goal is to eliminate a po- Trump had made allegations of DIRECTOR, AFRICA impeachment proceedings against His attorneys had up to 16 hours litical opponent, to substitute their voter fraud and urged his supporters the former president a "politically over the course of two days to push judgment for the will of the vot- to converge at the Capitol building a REPRESENTATIONAL PIC motivated witch hunt" by the back on House impeachment man- ers," he said as he showed clips of short while before the riot broke out. The year 2020 Democrats, his lawyers said as they agers case that Trump should be con- various Democratic leaders. "To claim that the president in any AGENCIES was presented evidence in the US Senate. victed and barred from running challenging Castor said that the critical issue way wished lawless or violent be- for investment and Trump, a Republican, is accused for future office for inciting the at- in this case is the very narrow issue haviour is a preposterous and mon- Herat, Feb 13: A fuel tanker ex- business in general. of inciting riots in the US Capitol tack on the Capitol to try to stop Joe that is charged against the 45th strous lie. ploded Saturday at the Islam Qala Despite the global January 6 which left five people, Biden's presidential election vic- president. "That issue is did the In fact, the first two messages crossing in Afghanistan's west- economic slowdown including a police officer, dead. tory being certified. 45th president engage in incite- the president sent via Twitter once ern Herat province on the Iranian resulting from the Covid-19 Trump’s lawyers Bruce Castor, There is a complete lack of evi- ment of they continue to say in- the incursion at the Capitol began border, injuring at least seven peo- pandemic, Rwanda registered David Schoen and Michael van der dence on the article of impeach- surrection. Clearly there was no were 'Stay Peaceful' and "No vio- ple and causing a massive fire significant investments in key Veen each took turns addressing ment against Donald Trump, his "We have a complete lack of ev- insurrection,” he said. lence because we are the party of law that consumed more than 500 sectors of our economy the Senate members Friday, day four lawyers told the United States Senate. idence for the article of impeach- Trump's lawyer van der Veen used and order,” the lawyer added. trucks carrying natural gas and

CLAIRE AKAMANZI | CEO, RDB fuel, according to Afghan officials and Iranian state media. It wasn’t immediately clear ALL ILLUMINATED what caused the blast. Wahid Basically, we froze (over Qatali, Herat's provincial governor, UK media watchdog said Afghan first responders did nursing home data requests) not have the means to put out the because then we fire and had requested support were in a position from Iran in the form of fire fight- where we weren't fines KTV for violence, ing aircraft. sure if what we were going to give “For the time being, we can't to the Department of Justice or even talk about the casualties,” what we give to you guys and what Qatali told The Associated Press. we start saying was going to be The intensity of the flames used against us terror references meant ambulances were having MELISSA DEROSA | trouble reaching the wounded or SECRETARY TO NY GOVERNOR PRESS TRUST OF INDIA vealed frames of on-screen text. It getting close to the site of the appeared to be seeking to influ- blast, said Mohammad Rafiq Shirzy, London, Feb 13: The UK’s media ence viewers by conveying a mes- spokesman for the Herat regional watchdog has imposed a total fine sage to them or otherwise influ- hospital. SHORT TAKES of 50,000 pounds on Khalsa encing their minds without their Seven people injured by the fire Television Ltd or KTV in Britain being aware, or fully aware, of have been admitted to the hospi- Sri Lanka scraps for broadcasting a music video and what has occurred, which Ofcom tal in Herat so far, he said. a discussion programme that was found was in breach of its rules of The fire has forced Afghanistan trilateral deal an indirect call for British Sikh to the broadcast. to shut down its electrical supply commit violence and also contained The discussion programme in from Iran, leaving Herat in the Colombo: Sri Lanka has said a terror reference. question was aired live March 30, dark, said Wahidullah Tawhidi, it scrapped the trilateral deal The Office of Communications The skyline with its financial district during an extended lockdown and a demand by the German government for with India and Japan to 2019, as ‘Panthak Masle’. spokesman for the Ministry of develop the Colombo Port’s (Ofcom), the UK government-ap- Ofcom found that the programme more home office possibilities, in Frankfurt, Germany REUTERS Power Supply. Eastern Container Terminal proved media regulatory authority, provided a platform for several (ECT) as the Indian firm issued the order Friday following guests to express views which involved in the project its findings dating back to February amounted to indirect calls to action refused to agree to its new and November 2019. and were likely to encourage or Amazon sues NY SPACEX CREW-4 MISSION EU calls on China to terms. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa's office February 1 Attorney General reverse ban on BBC said that his government has decided to run the Colombo over Covid norms World News channel Port's ECT as a fully-owned NASA assigns 2 operation of the state-run ASSOCIATED PRESS ports authority. Answering INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE the Opposition's query in Beijing, Feb 13: The European Parliament on the deal, Ports New York, Feb 13: In an unusual astronauts to ISS Union Saturday called on China Minister Rohitha move, Amazon has filed a lawsuit to reverse its ban on the BBC Abeygunawardena said a against New York Attorney World News television channel Cabinet sub-committee had General Letitia James in a bid to imposed in apparent retaliation for proposed new terms. stop her from regulating the com- Britain's pulling of the licence of pany’s workplace safety response state-owned Chinese broadcaster to the Covid-19 pandemic. CGTN. 7.1-magnitude REPRESENTATIONAL PIC In the lawsuit filed on Friday, The EU said in a statement that quake jolts Japan Amazon has argued that the reg- Beijing's move further restricted Its order also includes a direction he Ofcom, UK government- ulation of its response to the pan- “freedom of expression and ac- Tokyo: An earthquake for the channel to broadcast a state- Tapproved media regulatory demic is already covered by federal cess to information inside its bor- measuring 7.1 on the Richter ment of Ofcom's findings on a date authority, issued the order law, CNBC reported. ders," and violated both the Chinese Scale struck off Japan’s and in a form to be determined by following its findings dating back The lawsuit by Amazon is an at- constitution and the Universal northeastern Fukushima the watchdog and also for KTV not to February and November 2019 tempt to preempt what it says is AGENCIES station for a long-duration stay. Declaration of Human Rights. Prefecture on Saturday night, to repeat the music video or the a threat by James to sue the com- This will be Lindgren's second trip according to the Japan discussion programme found in fcom has imposed penalties pany "if it does not immediately Washington, Feb 13: NASA has into space, following a 141-day stay Meteorological Agency. The breach of its rules. Oof 20,000 pounds and 30,000 agree to a list of demands, many assigned two crew members to at the space station in 2015 for temblor occurred at around Ofcom has imposed financial pounds on KTV in relation to its of which have no connection to launch on the agency's SpaceX Expeditions 44 and 45. service for failing to comply with 11:08 pm (local time) with its penalties of 20,000 pounds and health and safety and have no fac- Crew-4 mission to the International Part of an Air Force family, he epicentre at a latitude of 37.7 the broadcasting rules 30,000 pounds on Khalsa Television tual or legal basis." Space Station (ISS). NASA astro- was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and degrees north and a longitude of 141.8 degrees east, and at Limited in relation to its service for nauts Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines spent a good part of his childhood depth of 60 km, Xinhua failing to comply with the broad- will serve as spacecraft commander living in England before finishing reported. The quake logged casting rules. The 20,000 pounds incite the commission of crime or and pilot, respectively, for the Crew- high school at Robinson Secondary Upper 6 in some parts of penalty relates to a music video. The lead to disorder. 4 mission, the US space agency School in Fairfax, Virginia. Fukushima Prefecture on the 30,000 pounds penalty relates to a Ofcom also found that it in- said on Saturday, adding that ad- Before being selected as an as- Japanese seismic intensity discussion programme, the Ofcom cluded a reference to the pro- ditional crew members will be as- tronaut in 2009, he was a flight sur- scale which peaks at 7. decision states. scribed terrorist organisation the signed as mission specialists in geon supporting space shuttle and On July 4, 7, and 9 in 2018, KTV Babbar Khalsa, and which in our the future by the agency's inter- space station missions. The statement also said that broadcast a music video for a song view could be taken as legitimis- In response to the lawsuit, the national partners. In December 2020, NASA named Hong Kong's announcement that called 'Bagga and Shera'. Following ing it and normalising its aims and New York Attorney said that she The mission is expected to be him as one of the Artemis Team of its public broadcaster would also Ruling member its investigation, Ofcom found that actions in the eyes of viewers, it will "not be intimidated by anyone," launched in 2022 on a Falcon 9 astronauts helping to pave the way stop carrying BBC broadcasts opposes new tax the music video was an indirect notes. James said in a statement. rocket from Launch Complex 39A for NASA's upcoming lunar mis- added to the “erosion of the rights call to action for Sikhs living in KTV is a television channel "Let me be clear: We will not at NASA's Kennedy Space Center sions. and freedoms that is ongoing" in Warsaw: A junior partner in the UK to commit violence, up to broadcasting largely to the Sikh be intimidated by anyone, espe- in Florida. Hines, a Lieutenant Colonel in the the semi-autonomous Chinese ter- Poland's ruling right-wing and including murder. community in the United Kingdom cially corporate bullies that put Lindgren, Hines and the inter- US Air Force, was selected as an as- ritory since the imposition last coalition says it will not back a It also included brief flashes, under a licence held by Khalsa profits over the health and safety national crew members will join an tronaut in 2017 and will be mak- year of a sweeping new national controversial advertising tax which, when slowed down, re- Television Limited. of working people," he added. expedition crew aboard the space ing his first trip into space. security law. on the media, revealing cracks in the governing bloc. The declaration late Friday by the Agreement party means the ruling coalition would be short of votes in parliament to pass Religion and death penalty collide at US Supreme Court the proposed legislation that critics — at home and abroad ASSOCIATED PRESS This time, liberal and conser- Thomas also would have allowed For most of the modern history of — say would undermine vative members of the court nor- the execution of Smith, who was the US death penalty since the Poland's press freedom and Washington, Feb 13: The Supreme mally in disagreement over death sentenced to die for the 1991 mur- 1970s, spiritual advisers have not variety. Court is sending a message to states penalty issues found common der of 22-year-old Sharma Ruth been present in execution cham- that want to continue to carry out ground not on the death penalty it- Johnson in Birmingham. bers, he said. the death penalty: Inmates must be self but on the issue of religious Alabama had up until 2019 al- The federal government, which allowed to have a spiritual adviser freedom and how the death penalty lowed a Christian prison chaplain under President Donald Trump re- Draghi to be sworn by their side as they are executed. is carried out. employed by the state to be physi- sumed federal executions following in as Italian PM The high court around midnight Justice Brett Kavanaugh, one cally present in the execution cham- a 17-year hiatus and carried out 13 Thursday declined to let Alabama of three justices who said they ber if requested by the inmate, but executions, allowed a spiritual ad- Rome: Former head of the proceed with the lethal injection of would have let Smith's execution the state changed its policy in re- viser to be present in the death European Central Bank, Willie B. Smith III. Smith had ob- go forward, said Alabama’s policy sponse to two earlier Supreme chamber. Mario Draghi has formally jected to Alabama’s policy that his applies equally to all inmates and Court cases. The Biden administration is still accepted the role of Italy's pastor would have had to observe serves a state interest in ensuring Robert Dunham, the executive di- next Prime Minister and will weighing how it will proceed in his execution from an adjacent safety and security. rector of the Death Penalty be sworn in Saturday. Draghi The federal government, which under ex-President death penalty cases. has named his cabinet after room rather than the death cham- But he said it was apparent that Information Center, says the court's The court's order in Smith's case

ber itself. his colleagues who disagreed were Donald Trump resumed federal executions, carried order will most clearly affect states contained only statements from

k y m meeting the Italian president. c He has secured the support The order from the high court fol- providing a path for states to follow. out 13 executions, is allowing a spiritual adviser in the Deep South that have active Kavanaugh and Justice Elena of almost all the main lows two years in which inmates States that want to avoid months execution chambers. Kagan. political parties, following saw some rare success in bring- or years of litigation over the pres- to be present in the death chamber Dunham said most state execu- “Willie Smith is sentenced to the collapse of the previous ing challenges based on the issue ence of spiritual advisers “should tion protocols, which set who is death, and his last wish is to have administration last month, of chaplains in the death cham- figure out a way to allow spiritual as other States and the Federal in a dissent joined by Chief Justice present in the death chamber, do his pastor with him as he dies,” the BBC reported. ber. advisors into the execution room, Government have done," he wrote John Roberts. Justice Clarence not mention spiritual advisers. Kagan wrote for herself. India is the SKILL MINISTRY ROLLS OUT P11 largest SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR producer and consumer FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME of pulses in the world. The Ministry of Skill Development India has almost and Entrepreneurship has said that become self sufficient in it is rolling out the MGNF pulses production programme in all the districts NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR | across India. So far, the programme business AGRICULTURE MINISTER

was working across 69 districts

k y m c of the day uote RBI tightens Speedy economic recovery underway: PHD Chamber investment rules With air travel INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE tors such as unemployment rate, and business activity, immediate emerging as a Economic and business stock market, GST collections, man- policy attention is required towards preferred indicators like for shadow banks New Delhi, Feb 13: A speedy eco- ufacturing PMI, forex reserves, rail- mode of travel due unemployment rate, stock credit access to industry and serv- to safety, efficiency nomic recovery is underway on the market, GST collections, way freight, merchandise exports, ices sectors. Credit disbursement & time saving, we back of higher job creation, strong manufacturing PMI, forex exchange rate and passenger ve- should be the top most priority at are almost touching stock market, healthy GST collec- reserves, railway freight, hicle sales have shown positive se- this juncture by the banking sector," pre-Covid numbers tions and elevated manufacturing merchandise exports and PV quential growth in January 2021 Aggarwal said. PMI levels in January, said indus- as compared to December 2020," "The focus should be on ensuring HARDEEP SINGH PURI | sales have shown positive try body PHD Chamber of has recorded a decline. It decreased Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHD the provision of hassle-free dis- CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER Commerce and Industry. sequential growth in to 62.9 million in January 2021 as Chamber of Commerce and bursements of loans vis-a-vis en- January 2021 as compared Accordingly, 9 out of the 10 in- compared to 64.1 million in previ- Industry, was quoted as saying in a hanced liquidity for MSMEs, es- AGENCIES to December 2020 The dicators of QET of economic and ous month of December 2020. statement. pecially in rural sectors," he added. challenging business activity tracked by the in- SANJAY AGGARWAL I PRESIDENT, PHD As per the data, January 2021 According to Aggarwal, the ex- In addition, Aggarwal cited the New Delhi, Feb 13: Reserve Bank macro- dustry body have shown positive CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY QET performance is in sync with pectations of a positive GDP growth need to lower interest rates for of India (RBI) said Friday new in- economic trends in January. the performance of December 2020, in Q3 and Q4FY21 are becoming consumers and businesses, and vestors who operate from juris- environment, the Out of all the indicators, unem- per cent in January 2021 over while it is better as compared to strong. lesser compliances for MSMEs dictions not in compliance with the Covid-19 pandemic- ployment rate has shown highest se- December 2020. October and November 2020. "At this juncture, to continue the vis-a-vis ease of doing business Financial Action Task Force related lockdown as quential improvement of around 28 However, E-way Bill generation "Economic and business indica- recovery momentum of economic at the ground level. (FATF) must hold less than 20% of well as the overall slowdown in the the voting power in non-banking PV segment along with the cautious finance companies (NBFCs). stance of FOCs towards wholesale MINING ISSUE In a bid to stop money laun- lending led to a contraction in FOC dering, the Reserve Bank of India credit in FY2020 and H1FY2021 (RBI) said investors from non- MANUSHREE SAGGAR | VP & HEAD, ‘Reforms on to make India FATF compliant jurisdictions FINANCIAL SECTOR RATINGS, ICRA K’taka urges Centre would not be treated on a par with those from other countries or re- gions. "New investors from or For one of world’s top economies’ through non-compliant FATF ju- Government, risdictions, whether in existing each life is to clear proposals precious whether PRESS TRUST OF INDIA going to lay a path for India, to be NBFCs or in companies seeking that is from poor or one of the top economies of the Certification of Registration (COR), rich family, urban or New Delhi, Feb 13: Finance world in the coming decades.” PRESS TRUST OF INDIA should not be allowed to directly rural area, male or Minister Nirmala Sitharaman On handling of Covid-19 pan- or indirectly acquire 'significant female and at any level of society. Saturday said that the government, demic, the Finance Minister said, New Delhi, Feb 13: Karnataka influence' in the investee, as defined The situation is alarming. There are undeterred by the Covid-19 pan- "The death rates are the lowest in minister Murugesh Nirani Saturday in the applicable accounting stan- more deaths than in Covid-19. It is demic, has been pursuing reforms the world, active cases have come called on Union Coal and Mines dards," the RBI said. more dangerous than Covid-19 for achieving sustained long-term down... We have actually managed Minister Pralhad Joshi and sought The move comes days after the

NITIN GADKARI | UNION MINISTER growth in a bid to make India one to bend the curve. And as a result, early clearance of four pending central bank had proposed tighter, of the top economies of the world the revival of the economy looks a proposals of the Karnataka State bank-like regulation of the so- in the coming decades. lot more sustainable and this Budget Minerals Corporation Ltd (KSMCL) in three districts, urgent directions called shadow lending sector to Replying to debate on Budget gives necessary impetus." besides discussing other related from the Supreme Court is required prevent the turmoil caused by the SHORT TAKES 2021-22 in Lok Sabha, she said, the The Budget for 2021-22 Responding to the charge of crony issues. to go ahead with the implementa- collapse of an infrastructure fi- Prime Minister did not lose any has provided the capitalism, the minister said, the In the meeting, Nirani, tion of CEPMIZ," Nirani told re- nancing firm in 2018. IDFC Ltd net loss opportunity to continue with the re- highest cap-ex growth of government under Narendra Modi Karnataka's Mines and Geology porters. ` forms and this Budget has set the 34.4 per cent by providing works for common people and not Minister, said the state govern- He urged the Centre to extend narrows to 206cr pace for India to become self-re- more money to railways, for cronies. ment has collected `2,200 crore in "legal and administrative help" in Milk Mantra opens liant or Aatmanirbhar. Reeling out statistics to show District Mineral Foundation (DMF) getting the accumulated fund to New Delhi: IDFC Ltd Saturday roads and defence Earlier this month, the Finance the government's pro-poor policies, fund till now from different dis- the state kitty for implementation reported narrowing of its NIRMALA SITHARAMAN I FINANCE MINISTER Moo booths in Cuttack Minister presented a `34.5 lakh tricts and sought the Centre's help consolidated net loss to she said, measures of providing of Comprehensive Environmental `205.59 crore in the third crore Budget for 2021-22, in the toilets, houses and MUDRA Yojana, to carry welfare schemes for min- Plan for Mining Impact Zone (CEP- quarter ending December backdrop of the pandemic. and defence. rural roads were not meant for ing-affected people. MIZ) in the state, said a minister's 2020. The company had The Budget has laid emphasis on Referring to a series of meas- cronies. "We don't do work for any He also sought legal aid from statement issued after the meet- posted a net loss of v342.67 increasing capital expenditure, ures taken to stimulate the economy cronies, we work for the common the Centre to pursue a long-pend- ing. Nearly `18,000 crore collected crore in the year-ago period. raising allocation for healthcare hit by the pandemic, she said, citizen who believes in the Prime ing case for early release of `18,000 out of fines and levies from iron ore Sequentially, the loss capacity building and development COVID-19 did not deter the gov- Minister," she said. crore funds from the Supreme mines on the direction of the widened from `146.68 crore of agriculture infrastructure, among ernment from taking up reforms, She also took on Congress for Court for reclamation and reha- Supreme Court has accumulated in the second quarter ending others, which are expected to have which are going to be necessary accusing that the government is bilitation of land destroyed by il- over the last six years, it added. September 2020. Total a multiplier effect on the economy. for sustaining long-term goals for favouring certain industrialists legal mining in Ballari, Chitradurga On pending proposals of KSMCL, POST NEWS NETWORK income fell to `106.18 crore She said her Budget for 2021-22, this country. and asked the opposition party to and Tumakuru districts. the minister discussed in detail during the October- has provided the highest capex Emphasising that sustained com- explain how a particular project "In view of the long pendency of and sought early clearance of the Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: Dairy December (Q3) quarter as growth of 34.4 per cent by provid- mitment to reform is blended in in Kerala was awarded on invitation the matter and in order to reha- mining lease areas in Hassan and brand of Odisha, Milk Mantra against `121.53 crore in the ing more money to railways, roads the Budget, she said, “reforms are basis to one of the industrialists. bilitate the mining ravaged areas Udupi districts. have inaugurated Moo booths in year-ago quarter, IDFC Ltd Cuttack to strengthen its distri- said in a regulatory filing. bution network in the state. In first phase, the company has launched 20 Moo booths in Cuttack Sterling, Wilson ‘HALF OF REALME PRODUCTS and plans to create many more MOO Booths across key cities in Solar sign pact Odisha such as Bhubaneswar, New Delhi: Sterling and IN INDIA WILL BE 5G THIS YR’ Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Wilson Solar Saturday said it Balasore and Puri. The entire net- has bagged an order worth INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE work of Moo booths distribution `930 crore in Egypt. It has system will be backed by tech- signed an order worth USD New Delhi, Feb 13: Even though nology to facilitate "freshness" 127.5 million (Rs 930 crore) in the 5G network is still away, smart- right at the retail points and help the Kom Ombo region of phone vendors have started launch- the retailers to have better in- Egypt, a statement by ing 5G-ready devices in India and ventory management. Sterling and Wilson said. The realme on Saturday said it will de- COO of Milk Mantra Sandipan order has been received from mocratise the upcoming technology Ghosh said, “Moo Booths are a Saudi Arabia's leading for the masses in India. key initiative of Milk Mantra to renewable energy company Half of realme products to be bridge the gap between demand and is scheduled to be launched in India will be 5G-ready, and supply of Milky Moo prod- commissioned by first quarter of 2022. Sterling and according to Madhav Sheth, VP, ucts in the market. Wilson Solar has already realme and CEO, realme India & With tech interventions en- executed 5 projects in Egypt. Europe. abling real-time inventory man- "All realme products launched agement, we will be able to mon- above `20,000 will be 5G products. itor and increase efficiency in We will continue to bring the latest operations across the value chain. Voda Idea Q3 5G processors to products in the We are confident that booths will loss narrows sub-Rs 20,000 segment so that users with much enhanced capability in phone vendors like realme are bull- definitely help us keeping our can experience the latest technol- terms of power management, dis- ish on launching 5G-ready devices promise of purity and freshness”. New Delhi: Debt-ridden ogy at versatile price points," Sheth play optimisation, camera support, for the masses, according to mar- Vodafone Idea Saturday told IANS. gaming performance etc, and get ket research firm CMR. reported narrowing of 5G is definitely a trend all over ` consumers future-ready for 5G," realme X7 5G houses India's first ByteDance explores consolidated loss to 4,532.1 the world and realme aims to be the Sheth elaborated. 7nm MediaTek Dimensity 800U 5G crore in the third quarter '5G Populariser' in India, in Europe The smartphone market in India chipset that features dual 5G SIM ended on December 31, 2020, sale of Indian TikTok and other global markets, leading is expected to grow over 10 per cent with enhanced capability. mainly on account of a one- the 5G user experience across dif- (year-on-year) in 2021 and 5G ship- "Even if we remove the 5G part, time gain from stake sale in assets to rival firm Indus Towers. The company ferent segments. ments are expected to grow ten- it is one of the best performing had posted a loss of `6,438.8 "To achieve this, we will introduce fold to cross 30 million units this year. and best designed smartphones in REUTERS crore in the same quarter a 5G-enabled smartphones at de- Even though the 5G network will a 8.1mm slim and light-weight body year ago. VIL sold 11.15% mocratised prices to enable users not be available until late 2022 or in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment," the Tokyo, Feb 13: China's ByteDance stake in Indus Towers on the to experience the latest processor early 2023 in the country, smart- realme executive added. is said to be exploring the sale of the completion of its merger with India operations of TikTok to rival Bharti Infratel for `3,760 unicorn Glance, Bloomberg News crore. reported Saturday. The discus- sions, initiated by Japan's SoftBank ‘Post-road accident financial loss equal to 7 months income’ Group Corp, are private, early and FB Board takes complex, the report said, citing AGENCIES Highlighting the Nadu and Maharashtra, the re- people familiar with the matter. up new case search assessed the social, financial, New Delhi, Feb 13: More than disproportionate impact gender, and psychological impacts New Delhi: Facebook's 75% of poor households in India re- Oversight Board has taken up of a road crash on poor of road crashes on poor and dis- port a decline in their income post a new case related to a user's households, the report advantaged households. post that was shared from a a road traffic crash and financial loss The report recommends policy- Punjabi-language online to them is equivalent to over seven sheds light on the links oriented approaches for saving platform and contained months household income, a World between road crashes, lives and improving the ability of insinuations against RSS and Bank report released Saturday said. victims and their families to get Glance's parent, mobile adver- PM Narendra Modi. While the As high as 44 per cent of the poverty, inequality, back on their feet, including pro- tising technology firm InMobi, post was initially taken down households in rural areas reported and vulnerable road viding immediate financial, med- also owns short-video app Roposo for violating Facebook's at least one death after a road crash ical and legal aid. that has gained in popularity after community guidelines, the compared to 11.6 per cent of house- users in India Bringing out sharp rural-urban TikTok was banned by the Indian social media company later holds in urban areas, the report -- rich households," said the report. HIH counterparts, it said. divide and the disproportionate government in July last year.

restored the content. The Traffic Crash Injuries and Similarly, low income households Highlighting the disproportion- in India. impact on women, the Survey SoftBank is a backer of InMobi

k y m c Oversight Board is an Disabilities: The Burden on Indian (LIHs) reported twice the numbers ate impact of a road crash on poor The study was done in collabo- showed that the income decline for Pte as well as TikTok's Chinese par- independent body set up by Society- stated. "The financial loss of deaths post-crash vis-a-vis high households that pushes them into ration with SaveLIFE Foundation low-income rural households (56 ent, ByteDance, the report added. Facebook last year to look for the poor amounted to more than income households (HIH). a vicious cycle of poverty and debt, – a national non-governmental or- per cent) was the most severe com- Softbank, ByteDance and into hate speech and other seven month's household income, Victims from LIH and rural areas the report sheds light on the links ganisation, and based on the survey pared to low-income urban (29.5 InMobi, did not immediately re- undesirable content on the while it was equivalent to less than are also twice more likely to suffer between road crashes, poverty, in- data collected from four Indian per cent) and high-income rural spond to Reuters request for a platform. one month's household income for a disability after a crash than their equality, and vulnerable road users states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil households (39.5 per cent). comment. P12 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 14 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

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Ton-up Rohit sweeps on Chepauk turner as he along with Rahane helps SCORECARD ASSOCIATED PRESS tory over Cameron Norrie, reach- India reach 300/6 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test against England INDIA 1ST INNINGS ing the fourth round at Melbourne Rohit Sharma c Ali b Leach 161, Melbourne, Feb 13: Daniil Park for the 14th time in 16 trips. Shubman Gill lbw b Stones 0, Medvedev finally worked out how In his immediate future is No.16 less classy in his drives – the front Cheteshwar Pujara c Stokes b Leach to a win a five-setter. The fourth- Fabio Fognini, who had a straight- Ajinkya Rahane UNPLAYABLE: Virat Kohli was and back-foot punches off the pac- 21, Virat Kohli b Ali 0, Ajinkya seeded Medvedev was 0-6 in Grand set win over Australia’s last hope bowled by Moeen Ali (not in pic) ers and those lovely cut shots off the Rahane b Ali 67, Rishabh Pant Slam matches that went to five in the men’s draw, 21st-seeded Alex spinners were batting 33, Ravichandran Ashwin c sets, and his Australian Open third- de Minaur. delightful to Pope b Root 13, Axar Patel batting 5; round match against Filip Seventh-seeded Rublev had a 7-5, watch. Total: 300/6 (88 overs). Krajinovic looked like it was going 6-2, 6-3 win over Feliciano Lopez, Call it irony, Fall: 1/0 (Gill), 2/85 (Pujara), 3/86 all the way. However, he came out ending the 39-year-old Spaniard's Rahane chose a (Kohli), 4/248 (Rohit), 5/249 on top with a 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-0 75th consecutive major tournament. wrong delivery (Rahane), 6/284 (Ashwin). win, Saturday. Two women with titles already from Moeen for play- Bowling: Stuart Broad 11-2-37-0, Olly Some pundits, including John this year are through to the Round ing the sweep and was Stone 15-5-42-1, Jack Leach 26-2- McEnroe, are tipping the 25-year- of 16. Top-ranked Ash Barty, who bowled in the process. 78-2, Ben Stokes 2-0-16-0, old Russian to make his major won the Yarra Valley Classic last This was after he survived Moeen Ali 26-3-112-2, Joe breakthrough in Australia. week for a title in her first tourna- an umpiring howler from Anil Root 8-2-15-1. Medvedev, on a 17-match winning ment back from almost 12 months Chaudhary. streak that includes titles at the on the sidelines, beat Ekaterina But then, he 2020 season-ending ATP Finals, Alexandrova of Russia 6-2, 6-4. Barty was destined said while that’s nice to hear, he’s next faces American Shelby Rogers, to be in got a long way to go. who beat Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3. Rohit’s He’ll have to face unseeded Elise Mertens had a 6-2, 6-1 vic- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA shadow on American Mackenzie McDonald in tory over 11th-seeded Belinda a day when the next round. After that could be Bencic. She’ll take a seven-match Chennai, Feb 13: Rohit Sharma determina- a quarterfinal against No.7 Andrey winning streak into her next match oozed class with an aesthetically tion became Rublev, who helped him win the against Karolina Muchova in the pleasing 161 (231b, 18x4, 2x6) on a chal- his primary ATP Cup title for Russia last week. fourth round. lenging track, helping India seize the capital. It was- World No.2 Rafa Nadal, a 20-time Jessica Pegula had a 6-2, 6-1 win initiative with a solid opening day n’t the easiest major winner, is also in his half over Kristina Mladenovic and will score of 300/6 against England in the of conditions of the draw. Nadal extended his next play No.5-seeded Elina Svitolina, second Test here, Saturday. things at one go. Firstly, he put India outside the off-stump and enticing but for India’s winning streak against fellow left- who won the last nine games to Ajinkya Rahane (67, 149b, 9x4) in a commanding position on a track him to go for a cover drive only to ‘Hit-Man’, dif- handers to 16 with a 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 vic- beat Yulia Putintseva 6-4,6-0. looked equally attractive during which was way more difficult for find his defence breached. ficult has al- his knock and the two Mumbaikars batting than he made it look. If Rohit played those sweeps in ways been the added 162 runs for the fourth wicket, Secondly, he put all the naysayers a regal manner, Rahane was no easiest route. making it worth the effort for the in their place by scoring runs when NEWS IN BRIEF 12,000 who flocked the Chepauk as it mattered the most. The team is Indian cricket welcomed its fans aiming for a comeback after a crush- DRS CONTROVERSY back in the stadium amid the ing 227-run loss in the first Test. 3 more race walkers qualify for Olympics COVID-19 pandemic. Joe Root was marvellous with CHENNAI: A Decision Review System (DRS) referral was Three Indian race walkers qualified for the upcoming Tokyo A score of 350 plus in the first in- his sweep shot during the first Test Saturday restored to England after an error by the third umpire RANCHI: Olympics during the National Open Race Walking Championships here nings will be equivalent to 550 plus but Rohit was simply magnificent on the opening day of the second Test against India here. England were left frustrated and their captain Joe Root miffed Saturday, with Sandeep Kumar and Priyanka Goswami shattering national on any other track and Rishabh with his execution on a doubly dif- records in the men’s and women’s 20km events respectively. The total Pant’s (33 batting) dangerous pres- ficult track on which he gave after a blunder by third umpire Anil Chaudhary denied them the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane and a DRS review. However, a number of Indian race walkers who have qualified for the Tokyo Games has ence could also take India well be- England spinner Moeen Ali (3/112) few moments after it became clear that Chaudhary had swelled to five as KT Irfan (men’s 20km) and Bhawana Jat (women’s 20km) yond the magic figure on this track. a lesson in controlled aggression. erred, England’s review was reinstated. The incident took have already made the cut earlier. The 34-year-old Sandeep clocked 1 hour At stumps, he had debutant Axar The way Rohit put a big front-foot place in the 75th over of the day when a Jack Leach delivery 20 minutes and 16 seconds to win the men’s 20km event while the 24-year- Patel (5 batting) for company. stride outside the off-stump to brushed Rahane’s gloves on the way to the forward short-leg old Goswami emerged victorious in the corresponding women’s event with Rohit had scored six Test hun- sweep deliveries off both Moeen fielder Ollie Pope. As England appealed for a catch off the a time of 1:28:45. Rahul Kumar, who finished second in the men’s 20km dreds prior to this knock but he will and Jack Leach (2/78) will not be gloves, it was turned down by the on-field umpire before race walk event with a time of 1:20:26, also qualified for the Tokyo be the first to admit that in terms of forgotten by all who were fortu- Chaudhary, failing to read the correct passage of play, also Olympics. The Tokyo Olympics qualification time for men’s and women’s conditions on offer and the quality nate to witness the innings. rejected the review thinking that the ball had landed outside the 20km race walk event are 1:21:00 and 1:31:00 respectively. of attack he faced, the seventh one While skipper Virat Kohli (0) leg-stump and that the visitors had appealed for an LBW. would be at the top of the list. was done in by a classical off-spin- However, the visitors appeared to clarify that they were Foxes hunt down Reds Ishan saves Goa’s day On a hot Saturday, Rohit did two ner’s delivery from Moeen – flighted appealing for a catch off the glove and not the bat. Seeing the replays on the big screen, Root was left unimpressed and the LONDON: Alisson Becker on fault GOA: Ishan Pandita struck in the skipper also raised the matter with the on-field umpires. again as Leicester struck a crucial stoppage time to help FC Goa secure Chaudhary turned down that also as England lost a review. blow in the battle for a top-four place a point against Chennaiyin FC as SOCIAL DISTANCING ...WHO CARES! The review was later restored to England as per ICC playing with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool. The their ISL encounter ended 2-2 at the Chennai cricket lovers’ had conditions. As per 3.6.8 of the ICC’s playing conditions: A Reds looked on course for a win, GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Saturday. Player Review categorised as ‘Unsuccessful’ may be a wonderful day after thanks to Mo Salah’s 67th-minute Jakub Sylvestr broke the deadlock in reinstated by the ICC Match Referee at his/her sole discretion strike, with just 12 minutes remaining. the 13th minute. Four minutes later, watching the opening day’s (if appropriate after consultation with the ICC Technical Official However, James Maddison’s free-kick Gaurs were awarded a penalty after play of the second India- and/or the television broadcast director) if the Player Review found its way into the corner in the the ball touched Eli Sabia’s hand England Test at the Chepauk. could not properly be concluded due to a failure of the 78th. Three minutes later, Ozan Kabak inside the CFC box when he was It was also witnessed that technology. There was also some issue over a stumping attempt looked to have covered a Youri tussling for it with Igor Angulo. The sometimes, they even by Ben Foakes against Rohit Sharma when he appeared to drag Tielemans pass, but Alisson raced Spaniard, after being disallowed the ignored the social distanc- his backfoot to a Leach delivery. Though TV replays showed from his line to confuse the situation. first attempt, slotted the ball past the ing norms. But they can’t Rohit’s backfoot to be on the line, the third umpire reckoned Kabak got to the ball, but steered it Goa goalie to his right. Chennaiyin be blamed as it was the some part of it was behind the line and ruled him not out. away from Alisson and straight to took the lead again in the 60th atmosphere the players Jamie Vardy, who put the Foxes up through Lallianzuala Chhangte. were waiting for. front. In the 85th, Barnes completed However, Ishan turned saviour for

the scoresheet with a clean finish. the Gaurs scoring the equaliser.

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