RNI NO.: DELENG/2005/15351 MILLENNIUMPOST.IN REGD. NO.: DL(S)-01/3420/2018-20

PUBLISHED FROM DELHI | KOLKATA VOL.16, ISSUE 94 | Monday, 5 April, 2021 | New Delhi | Pages 12 | Rs 3.00 No Half Truths

City: Pg 3 Nation: Pg 5 Film: Pg 12 Delhi looking to start vaccinating Rahul Gandhi in Kerala seeks Shraddha to play double role those below 45 by Apr 15: Sources to woo voters with NYAY in ‘Chaalbaaz In London’

WEEKEND LOCKDOWN IN MAHA, STRICT RESTRICTIONS FROM MONDAY CHHATTISGARH NAXAL ENCOUNTER Bodies of 20 PM Modi reviews Covid situation as India jawans recovered; records this year’s biggest single-day spike toll rises to 22 Says states need to take stringent measures in places witnessing surge OUR CORRESPONDENT Highlights surged to 6,91,597, accounting for 5.54 per cent of the total Govinda, Akshay NEW DELHI: The “alarming” »»India recorded 93,249 new infec- infections. The recovery rate surge in Coronavirus cases tions that took the total COVID-19 further dropped to 93.14 per Kumar test in India remained unabated cases to 1,24,85,509 cent, the data stated. as 93,249 new infections The active caseload was at positive for Covid were recorded on Sunday, the »»The death toll climbed to its lowest at 1,35,926 on Feb- highest single-day rise since 1,64,623 on Sunday with 513 ruary 12, comprising 1.25 per MUMBAI: Actor Govinda September 19, with the Cen- new fatalities cent of the total infections. and Akshay Kumar have Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits a CRPF jawan tre attributing it to a severe » “A detailed presentation tested positive for the novel injured in Bijapur Naxal attack, at a hospital in Raipur, on Sunday PTI decline in the compliance of »Modi directed that central teams was made which highlighted Coronavirus and are under COVID-appropriate behav- consisting of public health spe- that there is an alarming rate home quarantine. OUR CORRESPONDENT a Naxal commander involved iour, pandemic fatigue and lack cialists be sent to Maharashtra, of growth of COVID-19 cases He (Govinda) tested in many deadly attacks on of effective implementation of Punjab and Chhattisgarh and deaths in the country with positive today morning. RAIPUR: Police recovered security forces. containment measures. »»He said the five-fold strategy of 10 states contributing to more His symptoms are abso- bullet-riddled bodies of He rubbished reports Maharashtra, which is the testing, tracing, treatment, COVID- than 91 percent of cases and lutely mild. There’s noth- 20 jawans in the jungles of of “a meticulously planned worst affected, announced a deaths due to COVID,” the ing to worry about. He Chattisgarh Sunday, raising Naxal ambush”, adding, weekend lockdown in the state appropriate behaviour and vac- statement on the review meet- is quarantining at home to 22 the number of security “Security forces fought from 8 PM on Friday and a shut A police constable brings women for COVID-19 test after they cination would be effective in ing said. and taking precautions, personnel killed in a fierce bravely and inflicted a heavy down of private offices, except were caught without wearing face masks, in Jammu, on Sunday PTI curbing the pandemic The presentation high- his wife Sunita Ahuja said gunbattle with Naxals the blow to the ultras during the in the banking and insurance lighted that Maharashtra has on Sunday. previous day — the biggest face-off”. sectors, from Monday night emphasis on 100 per cent all states need to take required mutant strains to the escalation contributed 57 percent of the Meanwhile, Akshay massacre in more than a year Another senior police with employees allowed to mask usage, personal hygiene stringent measures with com- of cases in some states remains total cases and 47 per cent of Kumar took to Twitter to that also left 31 injured. official said the Naxals, work from home, besides other and sanitation at public places, prehensive restrictions in speculative and the measures to deaths in the country in the share his diagnosis and Police had on Saturday around 400 in number, were restrictions. workplaces and health facili- places witnessing high surge control the pandemic remain last 14 days. said he is following all the said five security personnel strategically positioned on a At a review meeting with ties will be organised between to curb the spread. the same, and hence the imple- The meeting was also necessary protocols. were killed in the encounter hillock in front of Tekalguda senior officials, Prime Minis- April 6-14. The reasons for the sharp mentation of various protocols informed that vaccine manu- “I wish to inform and 18 were missing. Two of village and around it. ter Narendra Modi directed Modi said the five-fold rise in cases could be mainly for COVID-19 management is facturers are ramping up their everyone that, earlier this the five bodies were recov- The security personnel that central teams consisting of strategy of testing, tracing, attributed to the severe decline all the more critical in those production capacity and are morning, I have tested ered on Saturday itself, they came under heavy fire fol- public health specialists be sent treatment, COVID-appropri- in compliance of COVID- areas. Sunday saw the biggest also in discussion with other positive for COVID-19. had said. lowing which a few moved to Maharashtra, Punjab and ate behaviour and vaccination appropriate behaviour, espe- daily rise in cases since Sep- domestic and offshore compa- Following all the proto- The remaining three bod- to the deserted village to take Chhattisgarh, where the situ- if implemented with utmost cially in the use of masks and tember 19, when 93,337 fresh nies to augment the same. cols I have immediately ies and also the bodies of 17 defensive positions where the ation was of serious concern. seriousness and commitment social distancing, pandemic infections were recorded. As India races to contain isolated myself. I am under of the 18 missing jawans were Naxals lay in wait, the offi- They are among 10 high would be effective in curbing fatigue and lack of effective The death toll climbed to the fresh wave of COVID- home quarantine and have recovered on Sunday, police cial said. burden states and UTs are con- the pandemic’s spread, accord- implementation of contain- 1,64,623 on Sunday with 513 19, five states of Maharashtra, sought necessary medical said, adding a search opera- Visuals from the spot tributing 91.4 per cent of the ing to an official statement. ment measures at the field level, new fatalities, the health min- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajas- care,” he wrote. Earlier tion is underway to trace the showed bodies of the slain total cases and 90.9 per cent of He called for avoiding said the statement released after istry data updated at 8 AM than and West Bengal have car- in the day, Bandish Ban- missing jawan. jawans lying in the field and the total deaths in the country. mortality under all circum- the prime minister’s review showed. ried out over 43 per cent of the dits actor Ritwik Bhow- The dead include eight on the village streets. The Centre said that a spe- stances by ramping up health- meeting with senior officials. Registering a steady total vaccinations in the coun- mik also tested positive for from the District Reserve An eyewitness said the cial campaign for COVID- care infrastructure and other It was noted in the meeting increase for the 25th straight try, according to the Health COVID-19. MPOST Guard (DRG), seven from bodies of the security person- appropriate behaviour with measures and exhorted that that the exact contribution of day, the number of active cases Ministry data. Continued on P6 the CRPF’s Commando Bat- nel had bullet wounds and talion for Resolute Action also had wounds inflicted by (CoBRA), six from the Spe- sharp weapons. Assam: EC turns down BPF Indonesia: 41 dead in cial Task Force and one from In a major joint offensive, the ‘Bastariya’ battalion of the separate joint teams of secu- landslides, floods CRPF,” Inspector General of rity forces, comprising over Country united in resolve plea to postpone poll in Police (Bastar range) Sundar- 2,000 personnel, launched JAKARTA: Landslides and lage shortly after midnight on raj P said. an anti-Naxal operation from to combat Naxalism flash floods from torren- Adonara island in East Nusa The missing jawanBijapur and Sukma districts Tamulpur, party moves SC tial rains in eastern Indone- Tenggara province. Rescuers belongs to the CoBRA unit, in the South Bastar for- Sonia Gandhi sia killed at least 41 people recovered 35 bodies and at he said. ests, considered as a Maoist and displaced thousands, least five injured, said Lenny He said the anti-Naxal stronghold, on Friday night. Election in Tamulpur will be held on Apr 6 the country’s disaster relief Ola, who heads the local disas- operation was launched The operation was agency said Sunday. More ter agency. based on the intelligence launched from five places - MPOST BUREAU than two dozen others were Flash flooding killed at inputs about the presence of Tarrem, Usoor and Pamed In today’s still missing. least six people elsewhere, Maoists of PLGA (Peoples’ (in Bijapur), and Minpa and NEW DELHI: The Election Commis- Mud tumbled down from according to the National Liberation Guerilla Army) Narsapuram (in Sukma), the paper sion on Sunday turned down a plea of surrounding hills onto doz- Disaster Mitigation Agency. Battalion No. 1 led by Hidma, official said. Continued on P6 the Bodoland People’s Front(BPF) to ens of homes in Lamenele vil- See P8 ... postpone polls in the Tamulpur con- City stituency in Assam as its candidate has joined the BJP under inducement, RESURRECTION DELHI RECORDS MIN TEMP OF 14O C 3 and said under law adjourning elec- tion at this stage is allowed only if a Nation candidate of a recognised party dies. However, the party has also moved the Supreme Court seeking postpone- 13 LABOURERS INJURED 6 ment of polling in Tamulpur. The Bodo Peoples Front (BPF) Edit had moved the poll panel alleging that File photo its candidate from Tamulpur, Rangja it heard the matter. Khungur Basumatary, joined the BJP The list of contesting candidates MATTER OF INTEGRITY 7 on April 1 under inducement. The has already been finalised by the Congress has also joined the BPF in returning officer, according to the International calling for polling to be suspended. EC’s reply to the party. State chief Ripun Bora also called At this stage, an election can be EUROPE RAMPS UP VACCINATIONS 8 for action against BJP leader and adjourned or a recognised political minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, for party is allowed to change its candi- having met Basumatary before he date only in event of death of a candi- Business switched over. date of that recognised political party, The election in Tamulpur will be it said citing Section 52 of the Rep- FPIS INVEST `17,304 CR IN MARCH 10 held on April 6 in the third and last resentation of the People Act, 1951. phase of the Assam Assembly polls. The candidate submitted before The Election Commission (EC) the commission that he has neither Clergyman and servers arrive for the Easter Sunday Mass celebrated by Primate of the Hungarian Catholic Church, Archbishop of Esztergom- Sport said it was not provided with any doc- received any membership letter from Budapest, Cardinal Peter Erdo in the Esztergom Basilica in the City of Esztergom, Hungary, on Sunday. The mass was broadcast on the umentary evidence to suggest that the BJP nor given any letter of dis- Facebook account of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest and by a television channel as due to the pandemic of the novel coronavirus SOCIEDAD WIN 2020 COPA DEL REY 11 Basumatary joined the BJP or that missal or suspension of membership COVID-19 church services are not allowed to be attended by the public in Hungary AP/PTI he was removed from the BPF when by the BPF. Centre rushes 2 helicopters to control forest fires in Uttarakhand There are 40 active fire spots in the forests of Garhwal and Kumaon regions

MPOST BUREAU to get an update on forest fires in the ling the situation, the chief minis- state. Instructions have been issued ter said. DEHRADUN: Forest fires in Utta- to send helicopters and National One helicopter will be stationed rakhand flared up over the past day Disaster Response Force teams to in Gauchar which will collect water prompting the Centre to rush two the state to minimise loss of lives from Shrinagar and the other will be helicopters to the state on Sunday and property due to the wildfires,” stationed in Haldwani which will to bring the situation under control. Since January this Shah said in a tweet. collect water from the Bhimtal lake There are 40 active fire spots in year, there have Rawat called an emergency to extinguish the forest fires. the forests of Garhwal and Kumaon meeting of senior officials of the Forest department officials have regions with Nainital, Almora, Tehri been 983 incidents forest and disaster management been asked not to take any leave and Pauri districts being the worst- of forest fire in the departments and all district mag- and keep a close watch on the situ- hit, forest officials said. istrates to assess the situation and ation, the chief minister said, add- Since January this year, there state affecting 1,292 discuss ways to effectively control it. ing bushes around residential areas have been 983 incidents of forest fire hectares of land He said 12,000 forest depart- are being cleared so that the forest in the state affecting 1,292 hectares ment personnel have been deployed fires do not spread there. of land, they said. and 1,300 fire stations have also A major reason for rising forest Chief Minister Tirath Singh lowing which two helicopters were been set up to stop forest fires. fire incidents in the state is the pau- Rawat informed Union Home Min- rushed in to provide help. The two helicopters have already city of rain during winter. Rainfall ister Amit Shah about the current “I have spoken to Uttarakhand arrived in the state and expressed during winter was less than normal Forest workers engaged in extinguishing the fire in the forests of Tehri district, on Sunday PTI forest fire situation in the state fol- Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat hope that they will help in control- this year, he said. mp millenniumpost 2 City MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 | NEW DELHI HIKE IN CHARGES PROPOSED Body of missing 4-year-old ‘Deplorable’ parking space at boy found in Bulandshahr RAHUL SINGH asked one of my daughters to can be suspected that the boy call him inside but she didn’t might have been killed before GREATER NOIDA: Body of find him outside the house,” being dumped into canal. CP leading to underutilisation 4-year-old boy was recovered said Munendra, victim’s father. “Prima Facie it appears that from a canal in Bulandshahr dis- The family immediately the boy might have been killed trict on Sunday morning around raised an alarm and they began around two to three days ago. four days after he went missing searching for him in neighbour- However, we have sent the body Traffic police propose measures to decongest CP, upgrade parking from his home in Dadri area of ing houses. Unable to find him, for post-mortem and reports are Greater Noida. Victim’s family the family along with locals went awaited. The case is registered alleged that the child was kid- to search in nearby areas, bus in Gautam Buddh Nagar dis- OUR CORRESPONDENT The traffic police napped and killed before being stand and market places but trict but we will cooperate with dumped into the canal. failed to find him. Then they police in their investigations,” NEW DELHI: In a recent study has also suggested As per police, the victim went to Dadri police station to said Santosh Kumar Singh, SSP, of the utilisation of parking the NDMC to has been identified as Daksh, a lodge complaint with police. Bulandshahr. spaces at Connaught Place, the resident of Ved Vihar Colony “When we reported the mat- Vishal Pandey, Additional Delhi Traffic Police has found have fixed rates in Dadri. He was the young- ter to police, they didn’t take Deputy Commissioner of Police, that deplorable conditions of for underground est among three siblings and it seriously. However, we kept Greater Noida said that after the underground parking lot his father works in the power looking for him day and night getting complaint from vic- under Palika Bazaar — a com- and surface-level department. The boy went miss- before cops came to us on Sun- tim’s family, police lodged an mon site for open defecation parking ing from outside his house on day morning and told us that FIR under Section 363 (pun- — has led to its poor utilisa- March 31 around 10:30 am the body of a child has been ishment for kidnapping) of IPC tion and as a remedy, suggested when he was playing with his found in nearby Bulandshahr and started an investigation in to the New Delhi Municipal mercial establishments and two sisters. district. We immediately rushed the matter. Council that a slightly higher their employees to park their “Daksh was standing outside to Bulandshahr and found that Meanwhile, victim’s kin price be charged for vehicles vehicles at the underground the house while both the daugh- the body belonged to our son,” and locals on Sunday after- parked at CP for over four parking adjacent to Palika ters came inside. Around five the father said. noon staged protest at Dadri hours. Bazaar rather than using minutes later when we called A senior police officer from main road by putting the body This was part of a detailed above-ground parking. This him, there was no response. I Bulandshahr police said that it on road. proposal the police have sub- way it would reduce the pres- mitted to civic authorities in a sure on the surface-level park- bid to decongest traffic in the ing in Connaught Place and area and upgrade the unde- also ensure that adequate park- Sai Baba idol ‘broken’ and rutilised parking facilities in ing space is available for the the area. customers coming to Con- “At present, the under- PIC/PTI naught Place, the senior traffic replaced in South Delhi: Report ground parking area in Palika official said. Bazaar is being used only 40 The traffic police has also OUR CORRESPONDENT dent occurred on March 25, man seen breaking the Sai per cent and even the multi- Additional Commissioner During the meetings, immediate repair. There suggested the NDMC to have and a video of a man trying Baba idol with Narsing- level parking system at Baba of Police (Traffic South- NDTA General Secretary was no lift for the elderly or fixed rates for underground NEW DELHI: Locals in a to uproot the idol of Sai Baba hanand Saraswati, the chief Kharak Singh Marg is being ern Range) S D Mishra said Vikram Badhwar had pointed the disabled person,” he had and surface-level parking. Shahpur Jat neighbourhood amid shouts from people priest of a Ghaziabad temple utilised for only about 20-30 the proposal has been made out that one of the main rea- said. The plan to make Con- in South Delhi have demol- that the saint was purport- and an infamous right-wing per cent while the surface park- to set up an enhanced park- sons for the underutilisation Responding to this, the naught Place a vehicle-free ished an idol of Sai Baba edly Muslim, was made pub- Hindu extremist also linked ing is being fully used,” one ing facility at Connaught of underground parking adja- traffic officials said women, dif- zone, to decongest the heri- in a temple and replaced it lic on social media. to inciting Hindus during traffic official said. Place and create space for cent to Palika Bazaar was the ferently-abled persons and the tage shopping arcade contin- with an idol of Lord Ganesha While temple authorities the north-east Delhi riots last The Delhi Traffic Police pedestrians. “pathetic condition” of the elderly who own shops in Con- ued to be delayed for years and amid curt denials from tem- have said that the idol was year. In one video, Saraswati said it has conducted a series According to the latest pro- parking space. naught Place can park their remained only on paper due ple authorities and conflicting not demolished but simply can be seen praising the man of meetings with officials of the posal, the underground park- “There is a safety issue cars at surface-level parking, to stiff resistance from trad- testimonies from other locals removed because it was “bro- for what he had done. New Delhi Traders Association ing facility near Palika Bazaar involved as there is no proper but the NDTA should try to ers, inadequate parking facili- living in the area, according ken”, one priest refused to talk However, when the Scroll. (NDTA) and the NDMC over needs to be upgraded as it lighting, especially on the convince others to start using ties and the lack of a foolproof to a detailed report of the to the news website but told in spoke to the man seen the past two months regard- is in very “bad shape”. Also, lower floors, making the park- the underground parking. traffic management plan that incident, first published by them, “We are in big trouble.” breaking the idol, he first ing a proposal to upgrade the the safety aspect needs to be ing space dark. The vagabonds “We have emphasised on were cited as reasons for the news website Scroll.in. Significantly, the report denied involvement and then parking facility at Connaught addressed as there is no suit- defecate and urinate there. the need to encourage the non-implementation of the As per the report, the inci- also found evidence of the contradicted himself. Place. able lighting. The staircases also needed shopkeepers, owners of com- plan. UNMOVED ‘Jaguar ‘Suspicion of unhealthy marriage Highway patrol teams not proof of harassment and cruelty’ ARNABJIT SUR nothing has come on record nabbed 21’ that the accused persons by NEW DELHI: The fact that their any act of action insti- NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police a woman killed herself after gated the deceased to commit has deployed “Jaguar Highway” “normal wear and tear” in the suicide. patrolling teams at vulnerable family in the initial months of The suicide note as pre- stretches in the north district marriage cannot amount to the sented during the trial, once in a bid to curb street crime, conclusion “that the deceased translated, read: “I have seen REPRESENTATIONAL PIC officials said, adding that these was tortured to such an extent what kind of man he is in this patrolling teams had arrested 21 that she was compelled to one month. Mummy, we can- criminals till March 15, of which commit suicide”, a Delhi court not live together and I’d pre- Court acquits not be “that since any bride had 16 were thieves, two robbers, two ruled, while acquitting the fer peace once and for all died after marriage, now some- people with illegal arms and a woman’s husband and two in- over this fighting every day. woman’s husband, body must be held culprit and snatcher. “To curb street crime laws of charges of harassment Mummy, because there is in-laws of abetment the noose must be meted to fit in North Delhi, a new initia- over dowry and abetment of no point in coming to you it some neck”. tive of deploying Jaguar High- suicide. is better I take this step. This charges The court noted that the way Patrol Teams at vulnerable Additional Sessions Judge is why I am doing all this. I prosecution had miserably stretches, especially Outer Ring Charu Aggarwal in her order have nothing else to say. All mother-in-law Lajwanti and failed to prove harassment over Road, was introduced on Decem- further observed that if a bride is over.” brother-in-law Manoj were dowry. ber 26 last year. The teams have commits suicide in unnatural The court said that the sui- accused of harassing her over “Committing of suicide by been deployed at their designated circumstances within a few cide note only reflects nor- dowry and hence compelling deceased by hanging herself, stretches in three shifts, which days or even a month of her mal wear and tear between her to kill herself. that too within eight months keep patrolling the area round- marriage, the law raises pre- deceased and her husband In their testimonies, both of the marriage, does raise a the-clock,” a senior police offi- sumption against the boy’s and nothing more than that. the father and mother of the suspicion that everything was cer said. The patrolling staff has family “but doesn’t it also show As per the case records, the deceased claimed that imme- not normal,” the court said, so far checked 19,786 vehicles. hyper sensitivity of a girl who deceased Rajwati got mar- diately after marriage, the while quoting from another Farmers raise slogans during a panchayat on the National Highway-9 near Ghazipur on Sunday PTI A total of 3,808 vehicles were did not give time to this pious ried to one Vijay on December accused persons started 2011 judgment, adding: “This checked in January, 10,346 in relationship”. 12, 2013, but almost a month demanding a motorcycle which suspicion, however, cannot be February and 5,632 till March 15, While acquitting the wom- later on January 11, 2014, she was being denied by the father a substitute for the proof of the officer said, adding that 709 an’s husband, mother-in-law killed herself by hanging from to her in-laws. dowry demand of subjecting vehicles have been impounded and brother-in-law of all the a fan at her matrimonial home The court stated that the the deceased to harassment Post St Stephen’s cluster, unis this year so far. MPOST charges, the court noted that in Kishanganj. Her husband, tendency of the court should and cruelty…” rush to tighten Covid rules Now, AAP MLA booked for Ggm: Groundwater levels OUR CORRESPONDENT two staff members had tested ‘threatening’ Hindu priest positive for COVID-19 after NEW DELHI: The increase a trip to Dalhousie in Him- OUR CORRESPONDENT tion for holding out a threat to a down by 5 m in two years in Coronavirus cases in the achal Pradesh in the last week speaker in a video that surfaced national Capital has prompted of March. NEW DELHI: Taking suo motu earlier, a senior police officer said, institutions of higher educa- In a response to the out- cognizance of a video and a tweet, adding the matter is under probe. PIYUSH OHRIE tion here including the Delhi break, college principal John the Delhi Police registered an In the tweet, the AAP MLA University (DU) and the Jawa- Varghese said the inner perim- FIR against AAP MLA Ama- had said that “...his (Saraswati’s) GURUGRAM: In a study harlal Nehru University (JNU) eter of the college is out of natullah Khan on Sunday for tongue and neck both should be conducted by the groundwa- to take necessary steps to con- bounds for all”. allegedly threatening Ghazi- cut off, and he should be pro- ter cell of the Haryana Agri- trol the spread of the virus on “The outer perimeter of abad-based priest and right-wing vided the harshest of punish- culture Department from 2018 their campuses and issued nec- the college may be accessed by Hindu extremist Narsinghanand ment. The law of India does to 2020, the groundwater levels essary guidelines for students, those with relevant and regular Saraswati. not allow us to do this. We have in Gurugram have dipped to staff and other employees on other places will be restricted work after due process at the This comes a day after faith in the Constitution of the five meters below the ground campus. and no outsiders allowed. security counter. Faculty who the police lodged an FIR country.” level. As per the public agency While the DU issued guide- The university has also are scheduled to come to col- against Saraswati on a com- The FIR against Saraswati in 2018, groundwater reserves in lines on Saturday advising stu- cancelled booking of confer- lege may defer their coming till plaint from Khan, who repre- was registered on Saturday for urban Gurugram could be taken Despite being placed in a ‘dark zone’ by dents to stay at home or their ence centre and seminar hall a notification informs them of sents the Okhla constituency. allegedly hurting the religious at 33.2 metres which dipped CGWA 5 years ago, there has been no hostels and avoid physical pres- for any functions till further an improvement in the condi- Taking cognizance of a video and sentiments of Muslims and blas- further to 35.9 metres in 2019 ence for their academic work notice. tion,” a notice by the principal a tweet that have the potential of pheming Islam and Prophet to 38.5 in 2020. improvement in groundwater reserves unless “very essential”, the JNU The JNU circular said that said. causing disaffection among com- Mohammad, the police said. Despite being placed in a on Sunday made it mandatory “any violation would attract clo- Unlike the DU and the JNU, munities, a case under sections Significantly, on Sunday, contro- dark zone by Central Ground Rural Gurugram has also ural waterbodies, lakes and for all to wear masks at all times sure of shop or canteen for two which have allowed sections of 506 (punishment for criminal versial BJP leader Kapil Mishra Water Authority (CGWA) five seen substantial depletion of ponds being filled up due to inside the campus. days initially, and further viola- students to return to campus as intimidation) and 153A (pro- also submitted a police complaint years ago, there has been no groundwater resources in the rabid urbanisation. In a notice, the DU said that tion will be dealt with strictly as part of their reopening process, moting enmity between different against Khan for the same tweet improvement in the replenish- two years between 2018 and In 2019, through public-pri- academic activities and essential per guidelines and norms of the Jamia Millia Islamia so far has groups on grounds of religion, at the Sahibabad police station ment of groundwater reserves 2020. Pataudi’s level dipped by vate partnership an organisation works will continue with ther- government of India, the Delhi not resumed offline operation. race, place of birth, residence, in Ghaziabad. in Gurugram. 2 metres; in Sohna and Far- known as Gurujal was set up to mal screening at gates, social government and the University A Jamia official told that the language etc., and doing acts Police officials at the con- In areas with posh residen- rukh Nagar, the levels dipped address this problem. distancing and wearing masks notification, etc”. varsity will issue guidelines on prejudicial to maintenance of cerned police stations did not tial colonies such as Sikander- by almost one metre each. At present, Gurujal is work- mandatorily, while entry inside This comes as DU’s St Ste- Monday after discussing the harmony) of the Indian Penal say whether this had been con- pur, Udyog Vihar, Chakkarpur A major reason for such ing to revive 25 ponds, of which the Faculty of Science, Faculty phen’s College on Friday noti- situation with HoDs and other Code (IPC) has been registered at verted into an FIR till the time the reserves are at 75 metres rapid depletion was cited as 13 are under the MCG and 12 of Arts, hostels and halls among fied that 13 of its students and staff members. the Parliament Street police sta- this report was filed. below the ground level. the increasing number of nat- are owned by panchayati lands.

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‘IF WE’RE ALLOWED BY THE CENTRE, MASSES COULD BE INOCULATED BY MAY 15’ BJP ‘punishing’ us with NCT Bill Delhi looking to start vaccinating for supporting farmers, says CM OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi CM those below 45 by Apr 15: Sources Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, while speaking at the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Hary- AAISHA SABIR wear masks. ana’s Jind, took sharp aim at “Between April 15 and May the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NEW DELHI: Delhi is expected 15, we are ready to inoculate the Centre, saying that the Union to see the beginning of the next mass if permission and doses government was punishing the phase of the COVID-19 vac- are provided by the Centre,” Delhi government through the cination programme by April one other official said. The Delhi GNCTD Bill, 2021, which hands 15 — for people under the age government has been appealing more executive powers to the of 45, several senior officials of to the Centre to allow it to use L-G ‘s office, simply for his, his the Delhi government have now community centres and schools party’s and his government’s confirmed to Millennium Post. for mass vaccination. District support to farmers protest- One of these officials, from Magistrates have also started ing against the Centre’s three the Health Department, con- identifying such facilities under farm laws. firmed the same and added that their jurisdictions. The CM added that he will vaccine centres will not be shut Meanwhile, the Health continue to support the farm- during any of the upcoming hol- Department had issued an er’s protest at any cost and said would support the farmers’ pro- the entire country is with you, idays for the next two months order directing authorities to that the Parliament passed a test till the end, no matter what all farmers are with you,” the at the least. “optimally utilise” all vaccina- bill stating that the elected gov- price he had to pay for it. chief minister said. The official also said that tion centres in public and pri- ernment officials and the Chief “Today, I was told that farm- He also reminded the farm- the state government is ready vate sectors. Minister would have no power- ers have resorted to ‘chakka jam’ ers that his party-led govern- with an action plan to vacci- “In view of the surge in all of which is to be given to the in entire Haryana. We are with ment had provided water and nate the masses within a month COVID-19 cases in states and Lieutenant Governor. “Is this the farmers in their struggle,” sanitation facilities to the pro- if adequate numbers of doses union territories, it has been why we fought for Indepen- he said. testing farmers even though are provided by the Central decided to optimally to utilise dence?” he asked. “No matter what price I have they faced flack from the Cen- government. all COVID vaccination cen- “When this Bill was being to pay I would support the farm- tral government. “We are now looking out for tres (CVCs) in public and pri- discussed in the Parliament, ers’ protest till the end. Doesn’t He said, “I would like to tell the new strain of viruses and vate sector to ensure a rapid Sushil Gupta was present there. matter how much time it takes them that 300 farmers were protecting the masses against it increase in the pace and cov- Every MP of BJP stood up and but the BJP government would martyred and even if I lose my is our priority along with speed- erage of Covid-19 vaccination,” said that the Kejriwal govern- have to concede to the demands life in this protest, I am not ing up the vaccination process,” A health worker administers COVID-19 vaccine doses to people at Fever Clinic of the District Hospital in Noida PTI stated the order. ment supported the farmers of the farmers,” he added. scared of your punishments.” the senior official said. Delhi has seen a sharp for which we want to punish Kejriwal said that the farm- “All of the other lead- “The homegrown cells are new variant,” the young offi- vaccinated. “Vaccine will not be at all while Chief Minister rise in Covid-19 cases in the them,” he added. ers of Punjab and Haryana have ers and parties want me to not a problem, it is the cases cial said. effective if people stop wearing Arvind Kejriwal has appealed last few weeks with the posi- The CM said that even today, provided the leadership needed become like them - gain a little of UK strain and South Africa The government will work masks,” the official added. to the Centre to scale up the tivity rate jumping from a little he has not changed one bit and is to fight for the cause of the farm- myself and let them gain too. strain that the officials are on spreading and encouraging The senior official also said ongoing vaccination drive along above 1 per cent in early Feb- working with the same honesty, ers, against the three black laws. Then they would not have taken monitoring while working on a covid appropriate behavior even that officials are not consid- with encouraging people to ruary to over 4 per cent by the and so all other political parties “The entire country is with you. away my powers or be against plan to curb the spread of the among those who have been ering lockdown as an option maintain social distancing and end of March. are against him. He said that he I am related to Aam Aadmi but me,” he added. Restros, night clubs fined for At 4,033, Delhi sees biggest 1-day SDMC sets not following COVID norms aside vax spike in fresh Covid cases this yr booth for OUR CORRESPONDENT The cases were registered Hotel in Nehru Place, were under Indian Penal Code sec- fined for not maintaining NEW DELHI: Several restau- tions 269 (negligent act likely social distancing and serving OUR CORRESPONDENT journalists rants, night clubs and hotels to spread infection of disease hookahs, Deputy Commis- COVID-19 here have been fined and face dangerous to life), 270 (malig- sioner of Police (South East) R NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded NEW DELHI: Mediapersons cases for not maintaining social nant act likely to spread infec- P Meena said. 4,033 coronavirus cases on Sun- and journalists above 45 years distancing and serving hoo- tion of disease dangerous to life) Municipal corporations and day, the highest daily count this of age stand to benefit from a kah, police officials said on Sun- and 188 (disobedience to order the excise department have been year, while the positivity rate DELHI recent South Delhi Municipal day following a two-day special duly promulgated by public ser- asked to cancel their licenses, rose to 4.64 per cent from 4.48 Corporation initiative, under drive to crackdown on those vant), Additional Deputy Com- he said. per cent a day ago, according to COUNT which, one of its Covid-19 violating COVID-19 safety missioner of Police (New Delhi) Besides the Epidemic Dis- the health department. vaccination booths in Darya- guidelines. Vikas Kumar said. eases Act, they have been also Twenty-one more people POSITIVITY RATE ganj would be designated for The drive, in which people They also have been booked booked under the Cigarettes died due to the disease, the high- journalists. were also fined for not wear- under Section 3 of the Epidemic and Other Tobacco Products est since January 1, when an 4.64% “There is a special counter ing face masks and spitting in Diseases Act, he said. Act, Meena said. equal number of fatalities were for media persons so that they public areas, was conducted Besides them, nine per- He said a case has also been reported. The number of cumu- ACTIVE CASES don’t have to wait as much as the in places with high footfall, sons were fined Rs 2,000 each registered against Boken Cafe lative cases stands at 6,76,414 A health worker organises samples from passengers for COVID-19 test PTI general public. They can regis- including markets, on Friday for not wearing masks in the for not following COVID-19 and the death toll is 11,081. ter themselves for the vaccine and Saturday. Khan Market area and three protocols. The city had reported 3,567 The number of active cases ernment and private hospitals 13,982 when they walk into the clinic, Giving details about the others for the same reason at Restaurants in the New cases on Saturday and 3,594 rose to 13,982 from 12,647 a day in Delhi, 3,404 are unoccupied, HOME ISOLATION all they require is a government drive in the New Delhi district the Ashoka Hotel in Chanakya Friends Colony sub-division like cases on Friday. The last time before. A total of 86,899 tests, according to government data. ID (AADHAR card) and their area, a senior police officer said Puri, Kumar said. Brijwasi, Al Nawaz, Al Jawahar, the city recorded more than including 54,472 RT-PCR tests, Meanwhile, over 59,000 ben- press accreditation card”, said that FIRs were registered against According to police, in the Zehra Al Noor and Al Bake were 4,000 cases was on December were conducted a day ago, the eficiaries, including more than 7,144 Dr Sita Bhagi, Deputy DHA the owners of Jain Chawal Wala South East district, 10 FIRs were also fined and booked under 4 when 4,067 people were diag- bulletin said. 40,000 in the 45-59 age group, (SHS), SDMC. at Connaught Place, Informal registered and 330 people fined the Epidemic Diseases Act, the nosed with COVID-19. The number of people under received shots of COVID-19 Dr Dagi also said that Bharat Restaurant at Janpath, Clas- for not wearing face mask, not police said. Delhi had reported 2,790 home isolation rose to 7,144 vaccine in the national capi- Over 59,000 Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine is sic Chicken Restaurant at Sha- maintaining social distancing In separate data shared by cases on Thursday, and 1,819 from 6,569 a day ago. The con- tal on Sunday, and only one of people vaccinated being administered at the cen- heed Bhagat Singh Marg and and spitting in public places. police, on the intervening night coronavirus cases on Wednes- tainment zones rose to 2,917 them reported adverse events, tre. “This facility was inau- Choice Chicken Corner Kalina Several night clubs, includ- of Saturday and Sunday, 173 day, 992 cases on Tuesday, 1,904 from 2,618 on Saturday, it said. officials said. It was the first time against COVID-19 gurated on Saturday, and on at Gole Market for not observing ing the M House Club and Bar people and establishments were cases on Monday and 1,881 Of the 6,139 beds set aside that the vaccine jabs were given in city on Sunday Sunday about five media mem- COVID-appropriate behaviour. and Roar Night Club at Eros fined. cases on last Sunday. for coronavirus patients in gov- on a Sunday as well. bers had received the jab while more are expected to show up from Monday onwards’’, Dr Alka CHILLIN’ Gupta, Additional DHA said. City Briefs Switch Delhi: ‘Overwhelming SDMC’s Leader of House Narendra Chawla said that he considered journalists to be GURUGRAM SEES 555 FRESH COVID support from youth in last leg’ “covid warriors” as well which is why it was essential that they CASES, NOIDA REPORTS 61 be given ease of access in get- GURUGRAM/NOIDA: Gurugram on Sunday reported KRISHANGI SINHA tus Hansraj said, “The Delhi duty of every citizen to switch to ting the vaccine. SDMC officials 555 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally here to government has an extremely electric vehicles more so now said that there is a separate reg- NEW DELHI: The last leg of the organised approach towards when the Delhi government has istration, vaccination and wait- 64,953. 210 recoveries were also reported, taking 8-week-long Switch Delhi cam- this initiative and they’re work- launched very attractive subsi- ing/ observation area for media total recoveries to 61,614. There are 2,972 active paign that focused on sensitiz- ing towards promoting EVs dies on the purchase of electric persons at the facility. Nota- patients, of which 2,770 are under home isolation. A ing Delhi’s youth on the benefits amongst youth is commendable. vehicles.” bly, SDMC Mayor Anamika total of over 9.60 lakh samples have been collected in of electric vehicles and Delhi’s It is important for the youth to He added, “The youth need Mithilesh Singh also got her- Gurugram to date. Meanwhile, Gautam Buddh Nagar EV policy saw a large participa- turn this campaign into a mass to be at the forefront of this cam- self vaccinated at a COVID-19 on Sunday reported 61 new COVID-19 cases, taking tion of youth in the campaign, movement to inspire the rest of paign to switch to EVs, as we vaccination center at UPHC the Delhi government said on the country in making sustain- will have to suffer drastic conse- Tughlaqabad on Saturday. the tally here to 26,366, as per the daily bulletin. Sunday in a statement. Students able choices.” quences of climate change in the O and activists came forward in Student environmentalist future. So, let’s take the Switch DELHI RECORDS MIN TEMP OF 14 C large numbers to support the Aditya Dubey, in one other such Delhi pledge that we will switch 16 illegal NEW DELHI: The national Capital recorded a mini- campaign and help spread interaction, said, “The trans- to EVs immediately, or at least mum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, five notches the message to the rest of the portation sector is one of the ensure that our next car, is an plastic mfg below the season’s average, on Sunday, the IMD city’s youth to pledge to make main sources of PM 2.5 emis- electric vehicle.” said. The maximum temperature is expected to settle their first vehicle an electric one, sions in Delhi and contributes The campaign will continue it said. to around 22 per cent of air to engage with different stake- units shut around 36 degrees Celsius, MeT officials said. The In one of the interactions pollution. Electric Vehicles are holders in Delhi to make the relative humidity was recorded at 49 per cent. The involving government officials environment-friendly, futuris- Chief Minister’s vision of mak- weatherman predicted mainly clear skies in the day. A pair of elephants seen inside their enclosure at Delhi Zoological and student and youth stake- tic, and have a low total cost of ing Delhi the EV capital a suc- in 2 mths The skies may turn partly cloudy towards the after- Park after it reopened for visitors PTI holders, Trisha Pavagadhi, operation as compared to pet- cess, the Delhi government’s noon or evening. student and member, Enac- rol and diesel vehicles. It is the statement added. NEW DELHI: The Delhi Pollution Control Commit- DELHI GOVT DIDN’T BUILD ANY HOSP, ON RED, YELLOW AND BLUE LINES tee (DPCC) directed 16 ille- gal plastic manufacturing units FLYOVER BETWEEN 2015 & 2019: BJP in the national capital to shut NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday hit out at the ruling- down operations over the last 6-coach trains to be converted into 8 by yr-end two months, officials have said. AAP in Delhi alleging that it did not build any hos- DPCC teams inspected 25 pital and flyover during its rule between 2015 and OUR CORRESPONDENT Yellow Line (Huda City Cen- trains on these lines to 74 and to 50 per cent of passenger util- industrial units manufacturing 2019. Citing replies to two RTI queries filed in 2019 tre to Samaypur Badli) into 39 respectively, DMRC said. isation every day. Significantly, plastic carry bags in Bawana by Tejpal Singh, a city resident seeking information NEW DELHI: By the end of 8-coaches will be completed “Out of these 120 coaches, these three corridors which and Narela industrial areas about healthcare and infrastructure initiatives by this year, all the trains on the thereby taking the total num- 40 coaches have been procured were initially made operational during February and March. Of the Delhi government, the BJP’s national media in- Delhi Metro’s Red, Yellow and ber of 8-coach trains on this from M/s Bombardier and 80 under Phase-1 were built on these, only nine were comply- Blue line are going to undergo line to 64. coaches from Bharat Earth Broad Gauge having provision ing with norms, an official said. charge and chief spokesperson Anil Baluni said, that conversion as the remaining Subsequently, remaining Movers Limited (BEML),” of running trains up to 8-coach The remaining 16 units by making “false” claims about development works, fleet of 6-coach trains will be nine 6-coach trains on Blue Executive Director (corporate formation. were found violating the Plas- the AAP has cheated people of the national Capital. switched to 8-coach trains by Line (Dwarka Sec-21 to Noida communications), DMRC, “Rest of the Lines from No.5 tic Waste Management rules, “It (RTI replies) exposes the false claims of the AAP adding 120 additional coaches Electronic City/Vaishali) and Anuj Dayal said. to 9 and Airport Express Line 2016. “They did not have a government and brings its bitter reality in front of to three of these corridors. thirty nine 6-coach trains on The conversion is being which were subsequently taken valid consent to operate from the people that it even didn’t initiate construction of The Delhi Metro Rail Cor- Red Line (Rithala to Shahid carried out to increase the car- up in Phase-II and Phase-III the DPCC. The carry bags a single hospital or flyover during the tenure of its poration (DMRC), in a press Sthal New Bus Adda) will be rying capacity of three main are all built on Standard Gauge being manufactured by them note, said that by the end of this converted into 8-coach trains corridors of the Delhi Metro having provision of running were of inappropriate thickness govt in the national Capital.” month, the process of convert- by the end of this year taking i.e., Red, Blue and Yellow Lines, trains up to 6-coach formation (less than 50 microns),” the offi- ing all twelve 6-coach trains on the total number of 8-coach which contribute to almost 40 only,” Dayal further said. cial said. MPOST mp millenniumpost 4 Nation MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 | NEW DELHI MUMBAI ALSO REGISTERED RECORD SINGLE-DAY RISE OF 11,206 CASES Gujarat: Record 2,875-case Maha sees 57,074 new Covid single day spike; 14 deaths OUR CORRESPONDENT

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat cases, highest in day; 222 die on Sunday reported 2,875 COVID-19 cases, the state's highest single-day addition, OUR CORRESPONDENT prising Mumbai city and sat- taking its tally to 3,18,438, the ellite towns saw 19,942 fresh new mark coming a day after MUMBAI: Maharashtra on cases and 45 deaths, taking the a 2815-case spike record was Sunday reported the highest tally to 9,55,313 and the toll set on Saturday, an official said. single-day rise of 57,074 Coro- to 20,623. The day also saw 14 deaths, navirus positive cases while Pune division reported taking the toll to 4,566, and 222 patients succumbed to 13,977 new infections, includ- the recovery count touched the infection, the state health ing 6,321 cases in Pune city 2,98,737, or 93.81 per cent of department said. and 3,307 cases in the twin the caseload, after 2,024 peo- Notably, Maharashtra had city of Pimpri Chinchwad, the ple were discharged, he added. recorded its highest rise in the department said. The number of active cases number of cases in a day after Nashik division added in the state stands at 15,135, Christians visit a church on Easter, amidst spread of COVID-19 diseases, September 17, 2020, when it 7,666 cases in the day, includ- including 163 critical ones, the in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Sunday PTI had added 24,619 infections, ing 2,150 cases in Nashik city, official informed. only the day earlier on April followed by 6,304 cases in Nag- "Of the 14 deaths, eight by 676 in Ahmedabad, 367 in said 2,28,674 people were given 3 with the addition of 49,447 pur division (with 3,111 new were reported in Surat, four in Vadodara and 276 in Rajkot," the first dose of vaccine against cases. cases in Nagpur city). Ahmedabad and one each in he said. COVID-19 and 17,362 people The overall tally of cases Kolhapur division added Amreli and Vadodara. Surat led In a release issued during above the age of 45 were given in Maharashtra now stands at 924 fresh cases, Aurangabad with 724 new cases, followed the day, the state government the second dose on Saturday. 30,10,597 while the death toll division 3,403, including 1,256 is 55,878, it said. in Aurangabad city. Mumbai city also registered Latur division reported MP to restrict movement of people the record single-day rise of 2,883 infections during the day, 11,206 cases on Sunday. People queue up as they wait for their turn to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test before entering the followed by 1,975 detections in Of the 222 deaths in Maha- Akola division. from Chhattisgarh: Chouhan Getaway of India, in Mumbai, on Sunday rashtra, 123 fatalities had PTI Currently,22,05,899 peo- occurred in the last 48 hours, closure of private offices, the- with 4,30,503 active cases said. ple are in the home quaran- BHOPAL: The MadhyaChouhan said they have already citing the spread of COVID- the health department said in atres and salons. whereas the count of recover- Out of the total number of tine and 19,711 others are in Pradesh government will sealed Madhya Pradesh's areas 19 in the neighbouring states. a statement. The weekend lockdown ies rose to 25,22,823 on Sunday people tested so far, 14.66 per the institutional quarantine in restrict the movement of peo- bordering Maharashtra. Chouhan said patience Alarmed by the huge rise in will start from 8 pm on Fridays with 27,508 patients getting cent have tested positive for Maharashtra. ple from neighbouring Chhat- "There will now be restric- is needed to control the cases over the last few days, the and last till 7 am on Mondays. discharged, the department coronavirus, it said. Coronavirus figures in tisgarh to curb the spread of tions on movement from pandemic. state government on Sunday Besides, prohibitory orders said. Maharashtra’s case recov- Maharashtra are as follows: COVID-19 and a lockdown Chhattisgarh. Those who "I will go out with a loud- announced a weekend lock- will be in force during the day- With 1,96,988 new tests, ery rate is 83.8 per cent and the Positive cases 30,10,597, deaths will be enforced in isolated need to come for necessary speaker on my vehicle at 6 pm down and night curfew during time on weekdays, the Chief the total number of samples fatality rate is 1.86 per cent, as 55,878, recoveries 25,22,823, areas whenever needed, MP and unavoidable work will on Monday and appeal to peo- the weekdays from Monday to Minister’s Office (CMO) said tested for coronavirus so far per the health department of active cases 4,30,503, total Chief Minister Shivraj Singh be allowed on humanitarian ple to maintain physical dis- April 30, in addition to a slew in a statement. in Maharashtra has gone up the state. tests 2,05,40,111, tests today Chouhan said on Sunday. grounds and transportation of tance and wear masks," the of other restrictions like the Maharashtra is now left to 2,05,40,111, the department Mumbai division com- 1,96,988. Talking to reporters here, goods will continue," he said, chief minister said. AGENCIES REMEMBERING AMBEDKAR 10 deaths in 24-hour in Himachal

OUR CORRESPONDENT April 7 in the state. Among those who died in SHIMLA: As the campaign the past 24 hours include four in four key towns –Solan, from Una –a district bordering Dharamshala, Palampur and Punjab; two each in Shimla and Mandi, slated to go to the poll Mandi. A 99-year old male died on April 7 for local Municipal at Mandi while another 91-year Corporations, the Covid spread old male lost to the Covid in has sent a worst shock wave. Una. The state witnessed an all- Biggest surge of cases has time high fatality and even been reported from Kangra unusually high number of posi- district with 712 active cases tive cases in the past 24 hours. followed by Solan having 658 With 406 fresh cases and active cases. 10 deaths, Himachal Pradesh community and hoteliers in the has violated the Covid norms. The weekend has seen a is once again a hotspot of Municipal polls. He has misused the helicop- highest influx of the tourists the Coronavirus –a position The educational institu- ters and deputed his ministers to Shimla creating fresh fears Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal lighting the traditional lamp and paying tributes to the Architect of the Constitution of India Dr B R which the state had witnessed tions including schools, col- and MLAs use all tricks to pres- about the infection spread. Ambedkar during ‘Safai Mitra Utthan Sammelan’ at Karnal on Sunday MPOST in October –November 2020. leges and universities have been surise the voters. The citizens The police had a tough time to Eight people had died on closed till April 15 fearing a fur- are subjected to restrictions enforce the mask restrictions Saturday. The total death toll ther spike in the cases.All reli- and also being fined for Rs 2000 as many tourists walked free in the state has risen to 1057, gious and social gatherings for not wearing masks. There without masks. which is an addition of more are banned but the BJP‘s star is no rule for Chief Minister,” Last week, Rohtang Tunnel U'khand: Youth dies 87 pigs die in than 60 deaths in the past 34 campaigners including Chief said PCC president Kuldeep broke a record of 6000 vehicles days. Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Rathore at Mandi on Saturday. crossing the Tunnel to Lahaul But, the state government cabinet ministers are on cam- But the state government Spiti hinting at increased tour- from bullet injury has ruled out imposition of any paign trail in Mandi, Solan and says holding elections to the ists footfall in the state. Mizoram village lockdown simply because of Palampur –all three new cor- Municipal Corporation is a Thirteen students from Del- the fact that the BJP, currently porations formed in October constitutional requirement hi's St Stephen's who returned Three others commit suicide in power, will earn the annoy- 2020. thus cant be stopped. There from Himachal Pradesh were Panic over ASF suspicion ance of the voters –the business “Chief Minister himself are chances of fresh curbs after tested positive. OUR CORRESPONDENT was leading the group when he slipped and fell. As he fell, the AIZAWL: More than 80 pigs linked immunosorbent assay NEW TEHRI: A youth died trigger of the gun on his shoul- died in south Mizoram's Lunglei (ELISA) and polymerase chain Farmers not leaving from a bullet injury while three der went off with a bullet hit- district over the last two weeks, reaction (PCR) tests on tissue Nation Briefs others committed suicide while ting Santosh. triggering panic in the area that samples and serum samples, the on a hunting expedition at a As Santosh bled to death, is near the Bangladesh border, dead pigs were confirmed free protest sites near forest near Kundi village in their friends got scared. an official said on Sunday. The of Porcine Reproductive and ILLEGAL LIQUOR MANUFACTURING UNIT Uttarakhand's Tehri district, While Rajiv fled with the 87 deaths, which happened in Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) an official said on Sunday. gun, three others--Soban, Pan- the Lungsen village, have caused and Classical Swine Flu (CSF), Delhi: Rakesh Tikait BUSTED IN UP’S PRATAPGARH DISTRICT While one of them died due kaj and Arjun--consumed pes- losses to the tune of Rs 40 lakh, he said. PRATAPGARH (UP): An illegal liquor manufacturing to accidental fire from a gun, ticide, saying they were very he said. "Though the cause of the The confirmatory test for AHMEDABAD: Refuting claimed. unit, operating from a cowshed in the Hathigava area the three other committed sui- ashamed of the incident. deaths is yet to be ascertained, ASF is yet to be done at the claims that farmers have left He said farmers from Guja- cide, apparently due to a sense Rahul and Sumit returned it is suspected that the animals National Institute of High Secu- protest sites along the Delhi rat must also join the protest in of the district, was busted in a raid by police and of guilt over the incident, SDM to the village to inform resi- died due to African Swine Fever rity Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) border, Bharatiya Kisan Union large numbers so that the coun- excise department personnel, officials said on Sunday PR Chauhan said. dents about the incident. (ASF)," said Lalhmingthanga, in Madhya Pradesh, Lalh- leader Rakesh Tikait on Sun- try feels confident that cultiva- Seven persons have been arrested, they said. Bottles Their three friends, who Villagers took the three the Joint Director of the Ani- mingthanga said. day said they had gone to the tors from the state from where of liquor hidden in haystacks and equipment were had gone to the forest along friends to the Beleshwar mal Husbandry and Veterinary The preliminary test will be fields to work and would return some of the big leaders hail, seized during the raid on Friday, Additional Director with them, informed villagers Community Health Centre Department. done at the College of Veteri- when the Central government a possible reference to Prime General of Police, Allahabad Zone, Prem Prakash, about it, he said. Chauhan said where Pankaj and Arjun were The first death was reported nary Science and Animal Hus- was "free from West Bengal Minister Narendra Modi and said. “The seized liquor is worth crores,” he said. “The seven friends had left for hunt- declared dead while Soban died on March 21, following which bandry on Monday to ascertain elections". Union Home Minister Amit ing on Saturday night from a during treatment. veterinary officers were sent to whether the dead pigs are sus- Farmers, mainly from Shah, are also against the new factory, which was operating from a cowshed, belongs village in Bhilangana block. All victims were aged the village to ascertain the cause, pected to be infected with AFS, Punjab, Haryana, western laws. to Guddu Singh, and efforts are on to nab him. A num- Rajiv (22) with a loaded gun 18 to 22. he said. As per the enzyme- he said. AGENCIES Uttar Pradesh and Rajast- Exhorting farmers from ber of people have been detained,” Prakash said. han, have been protesting at Gujarat to use tractors to pro- the Delhi border for over 4 test, Tikait said these vehicles HARYANA GOVT’S NEW GUIDELINES LIMIT Direct payment to farmers: Sidhu claims months now against the Cen- are the "tanks of farmers" and NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT FUNCTIONS tre's three agri marketing laws, were put to good use in Delhi CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government on Sunday and have demanded its repeal to remove police barricades. along with a legal guarantee on While former Gujarat chief issued fresh guidelines putting a ceiling on the num- Centre wants to destroy mandi system the minimum support price minister Shankarsinh Vaghela ber of people permitted to attend functions in open mechanism. accompanied Tikait in his rally spaces and indoors, and at funerals in the wake of a OUR CORRESPONDENT records of the state's farmers. Tikait, who reached Gujarat from Ambaji to Palanpur, Con- surge in coronavirus cases in the state. While at most But according to the data to drum up support for the stir, gress MLA Geniben Thakor 200 people would be allowed at events indoor, the CHANDIGARH: Congress collected by the National Sam- began his two-day visit by pray- welcomed the BKU leader crowd capacity outdoors has been put at 500. At leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on ple Survey for year 2012-13, it ing at the Ambaji Temple in when he entered the state ear- Sunday attacked Union Food shows that more than 24 per Banaskantha district and then lier in the day. funerals, a maximum of 50 people would be allowed Minister Piyush Goyal over cent of the land under cultiva- addressing groups in Ambaji Incidentally, Tikait had to attend, the new guidelines stated. Earlier, the limit his letter regarding the issue tion in Punjab is under tenancy, and Palanpur. He told a gath- taken a swipe at the BJP gov- on gatherings was implemented in Gurgaon and of direct payment to farmers he added. ering that the three laws were ernment in Gujarat earlier in Faridabad. and alleged that the central These tenancy contracts are enacted to help businessmen the day by showing his passport government wanted to destroy oral or unwritten in nature, he and not farmers, and the lat- to reporters while entering the MAHA: CASE AGAINST 1,011 PEOPLE and disrupt the state's tried and said, adding that the land under ter had decided to not move state after alighting from a train tested mandi system. tenancy might have increased from the protest sites till vic- in Abu Road in neighbouring OVER RELIGIOUS GATHERING Goyal had written a letter to and not decreased over the tory, that is acceptance of all Rajasthan. BULDHANA: Police have registered a case against the Punjab government asking years. If the sale of wheat crop their demands, was achieved. Asked about whether he 1,011 people for allegedly violating COVID-19 it to implement a system for Former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu addressing a is allowed with ownership "All reports that farmers was carrying a COVID-19 prevention rules by attending a religious gathering direct payment to farmers for rights, then about 25 to 30 per have left the agitation sites are negative certificate, which is press conference, at his residence in Patiala, on Sunday PTI in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, an official said crop procurement. cent farmers will not receive wrong. Farmers come and go. mandatory while travelling The state government was disrupt the age-old, tried and This letter is part of a larger payment for sale of their crops, At present, they have gone to to Gujarat, Tikait showed his on Sunday. The incident took place on Friday when also asked to integrate land tested, and successful mandi conspiracy to stall the procure- he claimed. work in their fields. We have passport and said, "I have all the people took out the annual ‘Sandal yatra’ to the records available with the rev- system that allows for the ment of wheat crops in Punjab The former Punjab minister told them to come back once the documents with me. This shrine of Sailani Baba here, despite such gatherings enue department with the pro- implementation of minimum and destroy the state's agricul- accused the Centre of planning the government is free from is my passport if it is required not being allowed due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, curement portal. support price (MSP) in the tural economy, he alleged. to destroy the state's success- (West) Bengal elections. The to enter Gujarat". Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Ramesh Barkate said. Addressing the media in state. It also intended to cre- Sidhu said according to ful Agriculture Produce Mar- entire government is camp- Tikait will visit Sabarmati The Maharashtra government recently prohibited Patiala, the cricketer-turned- ate a division between arhti- Goyal, the revenue department keting Committee model and ing in Bengal. Once the gov- Ashram on Monday and go to religious, social and political gatherings in the state. politician alleged that the yas (commission agents) and of the state government had all also questioned the timing of ernment returns, we will start Bardoli on the second day of motive of the letter was to farmers in the state, he claimed. the information about the land the letter. negotiations with it," Tikait his Gujarat visit. AGENCIES millenniumpost mp NEW DELHI | MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 Nation 5 PROMISES RS 6K EVERY MONTH TO THE POOR ‘NDA’s double-engine to Rahul Gandhi in Kerala seeks ensure Assam’s growth’ OUR CORRESPONDENT nor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), he ''is also GUWAHATI/SUALKUCHI/ needed for the development of to woo voters with NYAY SORBHOG: Union Home the entire North East''. Minister Amit Shah on Sunday He accused the Congress said a befitting response will be of beginning the election cam- OUR CORRESPONDENT poor person in Kerala is going given to those responsible for paign in the state on the prom- to get Rs 6,000 a month–Rs Highlights the Naxal attack in Chhatisgarh ise of protecting its identity and WAYANAD (KER): As the 72,000 a year–without fail every »»Gandhi, who reached at an appropriate time. pride but ending up "by stating campaign for the April 6 month into his bank account," the venue after offering He also said search opera- that AIUDF Chief Badruddin Assembly polls draws to a the Congress leader, who rep- prayers at the ancient tions are continuing in Chhat- Ajmal is Assam's identity''. close, Congress leader Rahul resents Wayanad constituency Lord Mahavishnu Temple tisgarh following the encounter. ''I just want to ask that when Gandhi on Sunday gave a fur- in the Lok Sabha, said. in Thirunelli, said the idea Bodies of 17 of the 18 Vaishnav saints Srimanta San- ther push to his 'Nyuntam Aay Gandhi has given an jawans missing after the kardeva, Madhavdeva, brave of NYAY was very simple Union Home Minister Amit Shah Yojana' (NYAY) to reach out to increased focus on the NYAY encounter were recovered on addresses media representatives, Ahom general Lachit Barphu- the voters, promising that every scheme in his poll meetings, »»Gandhi has given an Sunday, taking the death toll to at Sualkuchi in Kamrup, Assam kan and Bharat Ratnas Gopi- poor person in the State will get apparently in a bid to counter increased focus on the 22, police said separately. nath Bordoloi and Bhupen Rs 6,000 every month "with- the ruling Left which is relying NYAY scheme in his poll Though Shah arrived at Assam and the North East. Hazarika are linked to Assam's out fail", if the UDF is voted heavily on the welfare schemes Sualkuchi, in Jalkubari constit- Shah said that both Chief pride and identity, can Ajmal to power. implemented by it in the last meetings uency after addressing his first Minister Sarbananda Sonowal represent or occupy the same "The UDF is propos- five years to win votes in the »»Last week, the former rally of the day, to campaign and Sarma are working to space, he asked rhetorically. ing something revolution- crucial polls. Congress president had for NEDA convenor Himanta develop the state and ''we want Earlier addressing an elec- ary.Something that has never In the last five years, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the corner meeting, at said he wanted to ‘test’ Biswa Sarma, he left without this to continue''. tion rally in Sorbhog in Bar- been tried in any Indian state Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF making any speech on learn- Congress had earlier peta district, Shah accused the Vellamunda in Mananthavady, Kerala, on Sunday PTI the scheme in Kerala before," Gandhi told a UDF government has substantially ing of the Naxal attack. He took charged that there was discord Congress of having no discern- meeting organised at Vella- increased the welfare pension Bringing up the NYAY idea country. Earlier in the morn- "Visited Thirunelli Temple, a helicopter to Guwahati en- between the chief minister and ible agenda for Assam's devel- munda in Mananthavady. for the elderly. during the 2019 Lok Sabha ing, Gandhi visited Thirunelli Wayanad early morning today. route to Delhi to take stock of a key minister without naming opment, and asserted NDA's Gandhi, who reached the The welfare pension was Rs polls, Gandhi had described temple in Wayanad with which The calming atmosphere of the situation. them. ''This is a golden oppor- 'double-engine' government venue after offering prayers at 600 when the UDF rule came it as ground-breaking, which he has an emotional link. this place resonates within for Before leaving, the home tunity for the people to give will continue to ensure the the ancient Lord Mahavishnu to an end in 2016. It is now would mark the beginning of An urn containing the a long time," Gandhi wrote on minister told reporters he was BJP and our team another five state's growth. Temple in Thirunelli, said the Rs 1,600 per month, with the the final assault on poverty. ashes of his father and former his Facebook page after visiting appealing to people to vote for years so that we can ensure a Shah claimed the Congress idea of NYAY was very simple. left government increasing the Last week, the former Con- prime minister Rajiv Gan- the temple with AICC general Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flood-free, developed Assam'', was "dividing people" in order "The idea is that we are amount in multiple phases. gress president had said he dhi was immersed in Papa- secretary K C Venugopal. to ensure Sarma's victory by a he said. to rule over them, while the BJP going to put money directly The government has also wanted to "test" the scheme in nasini, a stream connected to He had also offered prayers huge margin. He added that The Union Minister said follows the mantra of 'Sabka into the hands of the poorest ensured that the pension Kerala because if it works here, a famous temple dedicated to at the temple last year and dur- the vote would strengthen the that Sarma's contribution in Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka people in Kerala. And not a amount reaches the beneficia- he wanted to replicate it in all Lord Mahavishnu in the pic- ing his Lok Sabha election cam- hands of Prime Minister Nar- this development process is Vishwas' (with all, development small amount of money. Every ries every month without fail. Congress-ruled states in the turesque village, in 1991. paign in 2019. endra Modi in his work in immense and as the conve- for all and belief in all). Softening of Sarma’s punishment: April 6 polls: Assam: Campaigning for third and last Question raised on EC’s neutrality Campaign phase of Assembly election ends OUR CORRESPONDENT April 1 for reporting contro- ends in TN versial campaign speech of his GUWAHATI: Campaigning initiatives of the BJP. Lower Assam but had to cancel candidates along with those of GUWAHATI: Coming down wife, and wondered why the CHENNAI: The high octane for the third and last phase of Union Home Minister the plan after coming in con- his alliance partners. heavily on Election Commis- ECI is not taking any action. campaign for the April 6 the Assam assembly elections Amit Shah, another star cam- tact with a COVID-19 infected The Assam BJP's campaign sion's relaxation on campaign "There was a decision dur- Tamil Nadu Assembly elec- ended on Sunday. paigner for the BJP, addressed person. Rajya Sabha MPs Mal- trail was led by Chief Minis- ban of BJP minister Himanta ing all party meeting with the tions ended on Sunday at 7 pm, The fate of 337 candidates, a series of election rallies in likarjun Kharge, Dr Nasir Hus- ter Sarbananda Sonowal, state Biswa Sarma, CPI(M) General ECI that media should not be with the stage now set for the including NEDA convenor and Lower Assam constituencies. sain and Dr Akhilesh Prasad unit chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Secretary Sitaram Yechury on under pressure. During course polling on April 6 which will state minister Himanta Biswa He was scheduled to Singh, Rajasthan Chief Min- NEDA convenor Himanta Sunday said there is a "big ques- of election, media must be decide whether it will a hat- Sarma, will be sealed in EVMs address three rallies on the last ister Ashok Gehlot, his Chhat- Biswa Sarma, who has so far tion" on the neutrality of the protected from undue pres- trick of terms for the AIADMK in 40 constituencies on April 6. day of campaigning but had to tisgarh counterpart Bhupesh addressed the highest number poll panel and it should clear sure and it should be allowed or the return of DMK after a An array of national lead- cut short his visit to Assam and Baghel, former chief ministers of election rallies, and other the air on the issue. to work naturally," he added. decade in opposition. ers including Prime Minister returned to New Delhi follow- of Madhya Pradesh and Maha- ministers of the outgoing Addressing a press confer- CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Like Model Code of As many as 3,998 candi- Narendra Modi and Congress's ing the Maoist attack in Chhat- rashtra, Kamal Nath and Ashok assembly. Sarma was barred ence here, the veteran com- Yechury during a Press conference Coduct, which is not a law but dates, including Chief Min- Rahul Gandhi campaigned for tisgarh. BJP chief J P Nadda, Chavan respectively, and AICC by the Election Commis- munist leader claimed the regarding ongoing Assam Assembly an understanding between the ister K Palaniswami, his their respective alliance candi- Union ministers Nitin Gad- leader Randeep Singh Surjew- sion from campaigning for 48 Congress-led Grand Alliance, elections, in Guwahati, on Sunday parties and ECI, this agreement deputy O Panneerselvam, dates. The seats, spread across kari, Narendra Tomar, Jitendra ala campaigned for the 'Grand hours from April 2 for allegedly of which CPI (M) is a con- of safety of media should also DMK President MK Stalin, 12 districts including three Singh, Smriti Irani, Mukhtar Alliance' candidates. making threatening remarks stituent, is coming to power on Saturday. be strictly enforced, he said. AMMK founder TTV Dhina- in the Bodoland Territorial Abbas Naqvi and Anurag 'Mahajoth' or 'Grand Alli- against BPF chief Hagrama in Assam with huge majority The ECI reduced the ban Hazarika is contesting karan, actor and Makkal Nee- Region (BTR), witnessed last- Thakur, and Madhya Pradesh ance' comprises Congress, Mohilary but he appealed for a and a common minimum pro- duration of Sarma after he ten- from Jagiroad constituency. In dhi Maiam founder Kamal minute canvassing by candi- CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan AIUDF, Bodoland Peoples' review and subsequently, it was gramme will be finalised after dered an "unconditional apol- an audio clip telecast by Assa- Haasan, Naam Tamizhar Kat- dates, including 25 women, also campaigned for the party. Front (BPF), CPI(M), CPI, reduced to 24 hours. the formation of the govern- ogy" and assured the poll panel mese news channel Pratidin chi leader Seeman and BJP before the end of campaigning. Rahul Gandhi visited CPI(ML) Liberation, Rashtriya State Congress unit chief ment. "There is a big question that he would abide by the pro- Time, he was heard talking to state unit chief L Murugan are Modi, who had campaigned the Kamkhaya Temple and Janata Dal (RJD) and Anchalik Ripun Bora, Lok Sabha MPs on Election Commission of visions of the model code. the channel's journalist Naz- in the fray. in all three phases, addressed addressed rallies at Chaygaon Gana Morcha (AGM). Pradyut Bordoloi, Gaurav India's neutrality. We want the The Congress hadrul Islam and threatened him Leaders, including two rallies at Kokrajhar and and Barkhetri seats, while his AIUDF chief Badruddin Gogoi and Abdul Khaleque ECI to remove this question. It approached the ECI demand- and another scribe Tulsi Manta Palaniswami and Stalin hit the Tamulpur, both in BTR, and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Ajmal, the BJP's prime target led the party's campaign along is not only the poll panel's duty, ing action against Sarma for his of dragging them out of their campaign trail on the last day, highlighted the signing of the was also scheduled to cam- in this election, carried out hec- with AICC Assam in-charge but a responsibility to the Con- remark that Mohilary would homes, break their legs and even as they have been criss- Bodo Accord and development paign in three constituencies in tic campaigning for his party Jitendra Singh. MPOST stitution of India," Yechury told be sent to jail through cen- make them "vanish". crossing the state for hectic reporters. tral probe agency NIA if he Police registered two FIRs electioneering, the former in COAL SCAM CASES He asserted that Sarma indulges in "extremism" with filed by the two concerned a bid to ensure a record third Nation Briefs should have been disqualified rebel leader M Batha. journalists and merged them term, while the latter is keen to for making the threatening Yechury also slammed into one. The BJP minister upset his rival's chances. statements against Bodoland another BJP minister Pijush has been issued a notice to National leaders–Prime SC to decide name of People's Front chief Hagrama Hazarika, who allegedly threat- appear before police and his Minister Narendra Modi, AHEAD OF PANCHAYAT POLLS, 44 CARTONS Mohilary, but instead 48-hour ened two journalists of dire call recordings have been sent Union Minister Amit Shah, ban on him from campaign- consequences on the day of to forensic lab after seizing his Defence Minister Rajnath judge to conduct trials OF ILLEGAL LIQUOR SEIZED IN UP ing was reduced to 24 hours the second phase of polling on mobile phone. Singh, Congress president MUZAFFARNAGAR: Forty-four cartons of illegal Rahul Gandhi were among NEW DELHI: The Supreme of the Delhi High Court to pro- liquor allegedly meant to be distributed ahead of those who campaigned for the Court is scheduled to decide on vide names of five trial court the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls were seized from EC turns down plea to postpone polls respective ruling and opposi- Monday the name of the judi- judges of "high caliber and a vehicle in Shamli district and one person arrested, tion alliances. cial officer who would replace absolute integrity" for appoint- The Election Commis- special judge Bharat Parashar ing one of them as the special police said on Sunday. The liquor was being brought NEW DELHI: The Election April 1 under inducement. to the party. At this stage, an sion has made it clear that to conduct trials in the sensa- judge to replace Parashar. from Haryana in the vehicle that was intercepted in Commission on Sunday turned The election in Tamul- election can be adjourned or no campaign activity shall be tional coal scam cases pending The bench, also compris- Jhinjhana police station area of the district on Satur- down a plea of the BPF to post- pur will be held on April 6 in a recognised political party is held from now on, including since 2014. ing justices A S Bopanna and day evening, they said. Three people were travelling pone polls in the Tamulpur the third and last phase of the allowed to change its candidate in social media and through The apex court recently V Ramasubramanian, on Mon- in the vehicle. While one was arrested, the other two constituency in Assam as its Assam assembly polls. only in event of death of a can- other forms of electronic com- took note of a letter from the day will take up the issue. managed to escape, Superintendent of Police Sukriti candidate has joined the BJP The Election Commis- didate of that recognised politi- munication that includes SMS. Delhi High Court's Registrar It had on March 15 said, Madhav Mishra said. UP gram panchayat elections under inducement, and said sion (EC) said it was not pro- cal party, it said citing Section Over 6.28 crore eligible General that permission be "We find that Bharat Para- under law adjourning election vided with any documentary 52 of the Representation of the voters will choose 234 mem- granted to nominate or post shar who has acted as a Special will be held in four phases from April 15 to April 29. at this stage is allowed only if a evidence to suggest that Basu- People Act, 1951. bers of the 3,998 contesting the another suitable presiding judi- Judge (PC Act), (CBI)-07, Pati- candidate of a recognised party matary joined the BJP or that The candidate submitted elections. cial officer as special judge in ala House Court, New Delhi, J&K LG VISITS HOSPITAL TO ENQUIRE dies. he was removed from the BPF, before the commission that he In their "final appeal" to place of Parashar who since needs to be replaced, as he has ABOUT FAROOQ ABDULLAH’S HEALTH The Bodo Peoples Front when it heard the matter. has neither received any mem- voters, Palaniswami and Pan- 2014 has been conducting tri- now completed more than 6 (BPF) had moved the poll panel The list of contesting can- bership letter from the BJP nor neerselvam sought votes to als in coal scam cases. years in the same post after SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Gov- alleging that its candidate from didates has already been final- given any letter of dismissal or ensure "Amma rule" contin- A bench headed by Chief having been posted as Special ernor Manoj Sinha visited the SKIMS hospital here Tamulpur, Rangja Khungur ised by the returning officer, suspension of membership by ued in the state, referring to the Justice S A Bobde on March 15 Judge in the above mentioned on Sunday to enquire about the health of National Basumatary, joined the BJP on according to the EC's reply the BPF. AGENCIES party-led government. AGENCIES had requested the Chief Justice court since 19.08.2014." AGENCIES Conference (NC) president and MP Farooq Abdul- lah, who is undergoing treatment for COVID-19. J&K schools Sinha, who met Abdullah’s son and NC vice president Court directs police to re-investigate case Omar Abdullah at the hospital, instructed the doctors for students at the SKIMS to provide best treatment to the MP from Srinagar. “In Srinagar, I met Omar Abdullah up to Class 9 Matter relates to phone conversation of Bhushan, Mulayam, Amar at SKIMS Hospital, Soura. Enquired about Farooq Sahab’s health and instructed the doctors to provide best treatment. I pray for his long and healthy life,” shut till Apr 18 NEW DELHI: A city court Sharma said, while directing and corroborative evidence. has directed the Delhi police to the IO to file the report by Hence this case is being filed the LG’s office tweeted. The LG also offered to shift SRINAGAR: The Jammu probe afresh a 2011 case related March 25. as untraced for want of any suf- the senior Abdullah to another facility or hospital for and Kashmir administration to an audio CD allegedly con- However, the IO failed to ficient evidence. better monitoring and care. on Sunday announced that taining a telephone conversa- file the report, and the court, In its report, the police all schools for students up to tion of former law minister on March 25, said, Let the IO be also rejected a claim made by PANDHARPUR BYPOLL TO BE HELD AS Class 9 will remain closed for Shanti Bhushan, Samajwadi summoned for filing the report Prashant Bhushan, citing a two weeks from April 5 to 18 Party leader Mulayam Singh in terms of previous order for Central Forensic Science Lab- PER SCHEDULE: MAHA DY CM in view of the rising number of Yadav and the then SP leader July 15, 2021. oratory-Delhi report that that PUNE: Even as the Maharashtra government COVID-19 cases in the union Amar Singh. The news regarding the CD the contents of the CD had not on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown and other territory. The court passed the direc- was reported in media earlier been copied from the Amar restrictions to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Physical classes for students tion on January 28, while dis- that month. Singh tapes that did the rounds from classes 10 to 12 will also missing a police plea to close In the purported phone con- be behind the fabrication and committee". following alleged tapping of his by-election to Pandharpur-Mangalvedha Assembly be suspended for a week, Lieu- the case, registered on April versation involving Bhushan, circulation of the audio CD However, he "could not put phone in 2005-06. constituency will be held as per its schedule later this tenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s 15, 2011 following a com- Yadav and Singh, who passed to malign his reputation" and forward any worthwhile evi- Bhushans, who were at that month, state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said. office said in a tweet on Sunday. plaint by Bhushan that the CD away last year, Bhushan alleg- that its circulation among the dence in support of his allega- time non-government repre- The bypoll, necessitated by NCP MLA Bharat Bhalke’s This comes days after the appeared to have been fabri- edly referred to his lawyer-son media "was intended as an tions against Chidambaram, sentatives in a panel constituted death last year, is scheduled to be held on April 17, Jammu and Kashmir admin- cated to malign me and that Prashant Bhushan who can attempt to force him to leave Sibal and Singh except oral to draft the Lokpal Bill follow- which is a Saturday. On Sunday evening, the state istration asked all district its contents were defamatory . manage very well and to a then the joint drafting committee allegations. ing a fast by social activist government said that lockdown will come into effect magistrates to take a call on IO (Investigating Officer) Supreme Court judge. for the Jan Lokpal Bill, since The police report added Anna Hazare, denied that the the continuation of physical is directed to investigate the The police had in April Kapil Sibal and P Chidam- that it is not correct to pro- phone conversation ever took from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday. Apart from classes in schools amid a spike contents of the CD in question 2014 filed an untrace report . baram, then Union Ministers, ceed against anyone only on place and called it a conspir- that, strict restrictions will be in place from Monday 8 in COVID-19 cases in the and file a report, Chief Metro- It said Shanti Bhushan sus- were against his participation the basis of presumptions acy to weaken Anna Hazare's pm onwards. union territory. AGENCIES politan Magistrate Dr Pankaj pected that 'Amar Singh could as co-chairman of the drafting and without any substantial movement. MPOST mp millenniumpost 6 Nation MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 | NEW DELHI ‘Setting up security ‘400 Maoists were armed with LMG’ camps in remote areas ‘Naxals ambushed security personnel with heavy gunfire, looted weapons of security personnel’ to be speeded up’ OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT "They (Naxals) think that NEW DELHI/ RAIPUR: A Sonia condoles death of jawans, says if they mount heavy casualties group of an estimated 400 RAIPUR: Maoists are "frus- on us they can deter us and we Maoists, armed with LMGs, trated" because security camps may not establish new camps. had ambushed security forces country united to combat naxalism have been set up in remote "But this does not happen... deployed for a special oper- areas of Chhattisgarh and there have been many casu- ation, killing at least 22 per- NEW DELHI: Congress pres- jawans who have given their provide all assistance to our this process will be speeded alties in the past too... and as sonnel and injuring 30 others, ident Sonia Gandhi on Sun- lives, and heartfelt con- central paramilitary forces in up now to launch more seri- per government policy the besides decamping with over a day said all are united in the dolences to their families. fighting naxalism with full ous operations against them, force keeps moving forward," dozen sophisticated arms, offi- resolve to combat naxalism The nation owes an enor- rigour," she added. CRPF Director General Kuld- he said. cials said on Sunday. and her party's government mous debt of gratitude A group of around 400 iep Singh said here on Sun- The DG asserted that the The contingent of about in Chhattisgarh will continue to them. Maoists, armed with light day after at least 22 security new camps "will be established 1,500 troops was drawn from to provide all assistance to the "I fervently hope for the machine-guns (LMGs), personnel were killed in fresh and now this process will be CRPF’S specialised jungle war- paramilitary forces in fighting return of our missing sol- ambushed security forces bloodletting. made fast so that we can launch fare unit CoBRA, its regular Hospital staff taking a Jawan for treatment after the Maoists attack the menace with full rigour. diers, and look forward to the deployed on a special opera- The Central Reserve Police more serious operations against battalions, a unit of its Bas- that has killed 22 personnel PIC/PTI In a statement, she said the complete recovery of those tion, killing at least 22 per- Force chief, who arrived in the the Naxals." tariya battalion, the Chhattis- entire country bows before injured," Gandhi said. sonnel and injuring 30 state capital in the wake of the "We keep changing our garh Police affiliated District adding the total strength of ests and a smaller number of the martyrdom of 22 jawans "We are united in our others, besides decamping ambush by Naxals in Bijapur strategy and it is an evolving Reserve Guard (DRG) and security personnel for the oper- security forces camps, an offi- in a gruesome Naxal attack in resolve to combat naxalism. with over a dozen sophis- on Saturday that also left more process," he said. A contingent others. They had launched a ation was 790 and the rest were cer said. Chhattisgarh's Bijapur. The Chhattisgarh Congress ticated arms, officials said than 30 personnel injured, said of 1,500 personnel drawn from search and destroy operation taken as auxiliary and support Out of the total 22 fatali- "I pay homage to these government shall continue to on Sunday. AGENCIES that "lessons are learnt" from six security camps launched along the border of Bijapur- elements for the long-haul ties, the CRPF has lost eight every incident and they will see the cordon and search opera- Sukma district after they got operation. At least 400 Naxals men including seven CoBRA ensued in the jungles which are requisitioned to evacuate the bore bullet shots, indicating and analyse "what changes have tion against Naxals along Bija- inputs of Maoists presence in suspected to be led by the most commandos while one jawan devoid of any foliage at pres- injured personnel, could make that a fierce gun battle took been brought by the Naxals" to pur-Sukma border around the the area. wanted Maoist commander is from the Bastariya battalion ent,” a senior official told the the first landing only after 5 place in the area. effectively counter them. crack of dawn on Saturday. A siege was laid at the crack and leader of the so-called and the rest are from DRG and news agency. PM after the gunfire had ended. About two dozen sophis- Singh said the Maoists The ambush took place around of the dawn on Saturday fol- ‘People’s Liberation Guerrilla Special Task Force. A CRPF Bullets rained from light The security personnel took ticated assault weapons of the are frustrated and troubled noon that day. lowing intelligence inputs that Army (PLGA) battalion no Inspector is still missing, they machine guns (LMGs) and the guard against large trees and slain personnel are also stated because of the induction of five "The Maoists fired from Naxals were undertaking their 1-- Hidma-- and his associate said. “The Maoists drew the Naxals also used low-intensity kept firing till they ran out of to have been looted by the Nax- new battalions in the Bastar some country-made under- Tactical Counter Offensive Sujatha ambushed the forces forces into an ambush with improvised explosive devices ammunition, he added. als even as security officials said region of the state recently and barrel grenade launchers Campaign (TCOC) campaign in an area that is a strong-hold heavy gunfire and encircled (IEDs) to mount the attack that At one location, he added, the search of the area is still on the creation of new bases in (UBGLs) at a party that was in the Jagargunda-Jongaguda- of the Maoists due to the diffi- the security personnel from continued for several hours. seven bodies of the troops were and details are being collected remote areas like Basaguda, Sil- returning from Jogagundam Tarrem axis, the officials said, cult terrain, large tracts of for- three sides. A heavy gun-battle Helicopters, which were recovered and the tree trunks from the ground. ger, Jagargunda and Minpa. after an operation." Take custody of ‘Centre's onslaught has to be taken head on collectively’ OUR CORRESPONDENT some of her party men that she and emerge stronger. Inshallah fancies. Ansari by April 8: should also reconsider the PDP's (God willing)." "They are using their brute SRINAGAR/ NEW DELHI: relations with the National Con- The PDP leader also spoke majority to bulldoze both the Former chief minister Meh- ference and whether staying in about the deterioration of her Constitution and Parliament booba Mufti Sunday dismissed PAGD remains pertinent. relations with the BJP, with with anti-people laws. So, my Punjab to UP govt speculations that the PAGD, an The People's Alliance for which her party had an alliance being vocal on the unconstitu- alliance of six mainstream par- Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), from 2015-2018 in the erstwhile tional scrapping of Jammu and OUR CORRESPONDENT jail is that of the judiciary and ties, was headed for a break-up, a grouping of the National state of Jammu and Kashmir. "It Kashmir's special status, which of the Yogi Adityanath gov- stressing there is no alterna- Conference, the PDP, the Peo- is not about my relations with was again granted to us under CHANDIGARH/ BARA- ernment. The court should tive to staying together as the ple's Conference, the CPI-M, them. Anyone who raises his or this very Constitution, has made BANKI/ BALLIA: Punjab’s monitor the safety and medi- Centre's "onslaught" against the the CPI, the Awami National her voice against their punitive me anti-national and thus threat home department has asked cal facilities given to Mukhtar.” people of Jammu and Kashmir Conference and the JKPM, was actions is labelled anti-national," to the security of India," she said. the Uttar Pradesh government He also said that the has to be taken "head on collec- formed last October ahead of she said. Mehbooba, who was to take custody of gangster- safety of life of any citizen tively". "A coalition of this kind the District Development Coun- Pointing out the ongoing detained in August 2019 hours turned-politician Mukhtar is the responsibility of the will take time to settle down," cil elections. farmers' agitation and arrests before the operative provisions Ansari from the Rupnagar jail government. the People's Democratic Party "...teething problems were Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of some students, activists, jour- of Article 370 were scrapped on April 8, with BSP MP Afzal “This duty increases by (PDP) chief told news agency, expected as far as the PAGD is nalists, politicians and others, and J&K was divided into Ansari on Sunday saying that twice when the prisoner is in terming the recent rumblings concerned. We have been tra- no other alternative but to take sain Baigh, the 61-year-old PDP she said, "Everyone has to pay two union territories, spoke his brother’s “safety” is now judicial custody and by four in the alliance expected "teeth- ditional rivals.” them head on collectively as a chief said it was a "loss". a price for being vocal against about her recent questioning the responsibility of the judi- times, when the state govern- ing troubles". “A coalition of this kind will unit," she said. "But then these are chal- their (the BJP's) anti-people by the Enforcement Director- ciary and the Yogi Adityanath ment files a petition in the Her comments come in the take time to settle down. But Talking about some PDP lenging times for all of Jammu decisions. This country is no ate and reports about alleged dispensation. Supreme Court saying that the backdrop of the exit of one of the seeing the Central government's leaders quitting the party and Kashmir and the PDP is more run in accordance with misuse of the Chief Minister's Mukhtar Ansari, who is hearing of the case is getting PAGD constituents, the Peoples onslaught against the people of in recent times including its no different. But I am sure we the constitution of India, but discretionary funds during wanted in various cases in affected,” the MP said. Conference, and suggestions by Jammu and Kashmir, there is founder member Muzzafar Hus- will rise above these challenges on their (Centre's) whims and her tenure. Uttar Pradesh, has been lodged In its letter, the Punjab in the Rupnagar district jail in home department referred to WAZE CASE Punjab since January 2019 in the March 26 Supreme Court 13 labourers connection with an alleged order that had directed the extortion case. state government to trans- In a letter to the Uttar fer the BSP’s MLA from Mau, Docs suggesting ‘bribes’ paid to ‘govt officials’ seized injured as Pradesh Additional Chief Mukhtar Ansari, to Uttar Secretary (Home), the home Pradesh’s Banda jail in two OUR CORRESPONDENT of now-suspended police club-owner and others about from Ahmedabad in Gujarat investigations suggested scaffolding department of Punjab asked weeks. officer Sachin Waze, who is the documents. and these were handed over that Hiran was called to a for suitable arrangements to Delivering the order, the MUMBAI: The ongoing probe in the custody of the National The officials said that if to Waze through Shinde, the place where he was made be made for the transfer of apex court had also noted that into the security scare outside Investigation Agency till April needed the documents would officials said. unconscious with the help collapses under-trial prisoner Mukhtar Mukhtar Ansari was alleg- industrialist Mukesh Ambani's 7. be shared with Income Tax One of these SIM cards of some drugs before being Ansari. “The said handover is edly involved in various cases house and the alleged murder One of the documents or CBI authorities for further was used by Waze to give a smothered to death. LUCKNOW: Thirteen labour- to be made at district jail Rup- of attempt to murder, mur- of businessman Mansukh shows the name of the office as probe as the NIA is mandated call to Hiran, which turned His vehicle was found ers were injured after a scaf- nagar on/before April 8,” the der, cheating and conspiracy Hiran has led the NIA to well as officers by designation to probe anti-terror cases only. out to be the last call before the outside Ambani's house in folding collapsed while they letter stated. apart from offences under the documents that show some and there was an amount They said the club was businessman was killed. Mumbai on February 25 were working at a power plant It also said that Mukhtar Gangsters Act, lodged in Uttar payments, suspected to be mentioned against their frequented by Waze who The body of Hiran, who with gelatin sticks and a in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra Ansari suffers from certain Pradesh and 10 of these cases bribe money, being made to names, and the same had had even got NareshGor and was in possession of the SUV threat note. district in the early hours of medical conditions and the are at different stages of trial. officials in the Mumbai Police been tabulated month-wise, co-accused VinayakShinde used in the security scare The NIA has said in the Sunday, the company which same may be kept in mind The Uttar Pradesh Police, and the administration, the officials said. employed there. Both of them incident, was found in a creek court that Waze had taken the had employed them said. while making arrangements officials said on Sunday, has set officials said here. The officials suspect that are in the NIA custody at in the Mumbra town of the car from Hiran before allegedly In a letter addressed to the for his transport from Rup- up a special investigation team They said the National the amounts mentioned present. neighbouring Thane district planting the explosives and district magistrate and the nagar jail to Banda jail in Uttar (SIT) to further probe into the Investigation Agency against office and officers The NIA had Thursday on March 5. parking it outside Ambani's superintendent of police, fac- Pradesh. issue of fake documents of the (NIA) is scrutinising the could be the bribe money paid also recovered documents Hiran was allegedly killed house on February 25. tory manager of LancoAnpara Afzal Ansari, who is the ambulance which was used to documents unearthed during every month. pertaining to SIM cards by Waze after reports started Waze was arrested on Power Ltd S K Dwivedi said MP from Ghazipur, told PTI: ferry Mukhtar Ansari from the a raid Thursday on a club at Before sharing further procured through Gor for his surfacing that the case may March 15 by the NIA and is at the iron structure fell around “The safety of Mukhtar after Rupnagar jail to a Mohali court Girgaum in South Mumbai details, the NIA is likely to personal use. Gor is alleged to be handed over to the central present in the custody of the 2.45 am during maintenance he comes to the Uttar Pradesh recently. to probe further the role seek an explanation from the have procured the SIM cards agency for probe. Initial agency till April 7. work. AGENCIES

condoled the death of the security the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) ‘No plans to conduct personnel in the encounter and said said in a statement. Nation Briefs From Page 1 their valour will never be forgotten. Except the essential services shops, The government will continue its medical shops and grocery shops, all fight against the enemies of peace and other shops, markets and shopping NRC exercise, CAA MAN HELD WITH BROWN SUGAR DIES progress, he added. malls will be closed till April 30. Bodies of All these new restrictions will IN CUSTODY, 5 MP COPS SUSPENDED come into effect from Monday 8 pm to be implemented’ MANDSAUR (MP): A 21-year-old man arrested al- PM Modi and will be called ‘Break the Chain’ legedly with brown sugar died in the custody of Mad- 20 jawans instead of ‘Mission Begin Again’, a KOLKATA: Countering oppo- Accusing the TMC of "run- hya Pradesh police in Mandsaur, prompting the force’s campaign that was launched by the sition claims that the BJP, if ning a disinformation campaign top brass to suspend five personnel, an official said on recovered... reviews Covid state government for phase-wise voted to power in Bengal, will against the saffron camp, the reopening of lockdown last year. update the National Register of 64-year-old leader wondered Sunday. Sohail Khan, a resident of Pratapgarh in Ra- The Haryana government issued Citizens (NRC), thereby "taking why the ruling party in the state jasthan, was held on Friday night here with 90 grams situation... fresh guidelines putting a ceiling on away the citizenship rights of is opposing the CAA, which of brown sugar, and was found dead in the custody When the patrolling team the number of people permitted to people", Kailash Vijayvargiya, could be of benefit to many. of the narcotics wing on Saturday morning, Mandsaur dispatched from Tarrem was attend functions in open spaces and the saffron camp's national gen- Bengal has a sizeable popu- Narcotics SP Sunil Tiwari said. Additional Director advancing through the forest near Of the total 7,59,79,651 indoors, and at funerals. eral secretary, on Sunday reaf- lation of Matuas, who had been General of Police SW Naqvi placed sub inspector Jonaguda, around 500 km from the vaccinations carried out till now, Under the new standard firmed that no such plan is on migrating to the state since the state capital Raipur, it was ambushed 3,33,10,437 were carried out in these operating procedure (SOPs), the radar. 1950s, primarily due to reli- Rajmahal, head constable Pirulal Soni and constables by cadres of PLGA battalion of five states. organisers of social, academic, sports, He, however, stated that the gious persecution. The com- Prashant, Dinesh and Kamal under suspension, and a Maoists and a gun battle ensued, he While 2,91,54,577 were first doses entertainment, cultural, religious party intends to implement the munity, with its three million judicial probe has also been ordered. the SP said. said. and 41,55,860 were second doses in and political gatherings must take Citizenship Amendment Act members, influences at least Union Home Minister Amit Shah these five states, according to the data permission from district magistrates, (CAA) and provide rights to four Lok Sabha seats and 30-40 BODY OF MISSING BOY FOUND on Sunday spoke to Chhattisgarh till 7 am on Sunday. the state government stated. refugees who fled religious per- assembly seats in Nadia, North BULANDSHAHR (UP): The body of a three-year-old Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Many states have tightened or Madhya Pradesh Chief secution in neighbouring coun- and South-24 Parganas. boy was found in a canal here on Sunday, days after took stock of the situation following reintroduced restrictions after the Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tries and moved to India. The TMC hopes to politi- he went missing from outside his home in neighbouring the incident, officials said. fresh surge in cases. said his government will restrict "We are only looking for- cally exploit the confusion over Gautam Buddh Nagar district, police said. The boy’s Shah also directed CRPF’s Director Maharashtra government on the movement of people from ward to implementing the CAA CAA implementation to curry family had reported him missing on March 31, they General Kuldiep Singh to visit Sunday announced a weekend neighbouring Chhattisgarh to curb after the elections, as promised favour with the Matua com- said. On Sunday, information was received about the Chhattisgarh to assess the situation. lockdown and night curfew during the the spread of COVID-19 and a in the manifesto. It is an impor- munity, which had voted hands Shah held a high-level meeting weekdays from Monday to April 30, in lockdown will be enforced in isolated tant issue for us, as we strive to down in favour of the saffron body of a child lying in Walipura canal under Kotwali to review the security situation in addition to a slew of other restrictions areas whenever needed. grant citizenship to the perse- camp in the 2019 Lok Sabha Nagar police station area here, the police said. A Chhattisgarh. like closure of private offices, theatres He said they have already sealed cuted refugees. We do not have polls. Training his guns on Ben- police team reached the spot and took custody of the Union Home Secretary Ajay and salons to curb the unprecedented Madhya Pradesh’s areas bordering any plan of conducting the NRC gal CM Mamata Banerjee over body. It was found that the child’s family in Gautam- Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director surge in COVID-19 cases. Maharashtra. exercise, even if we win the elec- her assertion that the "Election Buddh Nagar’s Dadri had reported him missing, they Arvind Kumar and senior officials of The weekend lockdown will start Assam issued fresh notifications tions," he said. According to Commission was working at the said. Inspector, Kotwali Nagar, Akhilesh said the boy the home ministry and the Central from 8 pm on Fridays and last till 7 for mandatory testing of air and train state BJP sources, the new citi- behest of the BJP", Vijayvargiya, Reserve Police Force (CRPF) attended am on Mondays. passengers coming to the state from zenship law will benefit more who is also the BJP's Bengal was eating ice cream outside his house in DadriKot- the meeting. Besides, prohibitory orders will be Mumbai and Bengaluru to check the than 1.5 crore people in India, minder, said it was an irony that wali area of GautamBuddh Nagar on March 31 and The Union home minister in force during daytime on weekdays, spread of virus. including over 72 lakh in West the TMC boss pointed no finger later went missing. Bengal. at the poll panel. MPOST millenniumpost mp NEW DELHI | MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 Editorial 7 EDITORIAL Proven competence

Matter of integrity Successful implementation of programmes like SBM and RSBY shows he Senate Bill 202 or the US state of Georgia’s new voting bill has set off a major political quake that civil servants have the potential to ensure good governance through the nation. As may be remembered, Georgia was a particularly contentious battle- Tground state during the 2020 US elections which ended just finished reading mented by my colleague Anil with a recount and Republicans losing three crucial elec- an outstanding book Swarup. It was also a stupen- tions in one go. Now, this was understandably a hard loss “Method in Madness — dous success and has become for Republicans and Trump as Georgia had reliably been a ALOK RANJAN Insider-Outsider” written the precursor to the intensely conservative state for two decades. Biden winning the state Iby Parmeshwaran Aiyyar who aspirational and ambitious and both its Senate seats was enough to convince the Geor- was Secretary, Government of scheme of Ayushman Bharat. gia GOP majority that there was a need to act. Pushing India, in the Department of Good governance is through this partisan bill with the strength of their majority, Drinking Water and Sanita- required to deliver quality the new voting bill was made into law. The Republicans say tion. He was also the architect public service to the people that the new laws will help restore the integrity of the US behind the immensely success- of this country and the SBM electoral process at a time when the recent elections appar- ful implementation of Swachh or RSBY only go to show that ently called them into doubt. The Democrats assert the Bharat Abhiyaan which cul- there is nothing rotten in the voting laws are among the most restrictive in America and minated in the declaration of system. The same system and seriously limit voting access, particularly to minorities. In India as open defecation free the same set of civil servants terms of publicity for this ‘historic’ bill, the Georgia Repub- (ODF) on October 2, 2019. It can deliver outstanding results, licans have gotten off to a rough start. Georgia Governor is indeed a remarkable read provided, they get political Brian Kemp signed the bill into law under a painting of a about a result-oriented civil support, strong leadership, plantation, a long reviled symbol of American slavery. Then servant who has had an uncon- unambiguous goals and the some provisions in the bill admittedly looked worse than ventional career moving from right kind of motivation. It is they actually are. Consider the much-publicised part of the IAS to the World Bank, and leadership that is important as bill which makes it a felony for anyone to offer “money or then back again as a lateral it helps in building teams, shar- gifts” including “food and drink” to voters standing in line entrant into the Government ing goals, being transparent at a polling booth. Biden and the Democrats have attacked as Secretary. He writes that one and accountable and working this part of the bill as senseless and cruel as it denies people fine morning sitting in Hanoi ODF campaign had to address both infrastructural needs and behavioural inertia on part of people PHOTO: UNICEF with total objectivity. Civil ser- from being given food and water as they stand in long lines. (Vietnam) as a drinking water vants have to be transformed This sounds bad, as does any law that restricts someone and sanitation specialist for the ecation and check the use of and behaviour of people. The ecation. I also strongly believe from being wedded to pro- from giving anyone else water. But it should be noted in a The making World Bank, he was astounded these toilets as cattle sheds or majority of the Indian popula- that instead of taking the entire cess, procedures and regula- sense of fairness that the bill actually allows for poll officers of India ODF to hear the August 15 speech storerooms by the people. India tion live in rural areas and were state of UP which comprised of tions to those having a passion to make available “self-service water” at these booths for of Prime Minister Narendra is a country having a popula- accustomed to open defecation 75 districts I should focus on for delivering results and out- those waiting in line. This makes the whole part of the law proves that Modi in 2014 in which the PM, tion of over 130 billion pro- for generations. Parmeshwaran the 10 districts where the DMs comes. The performance eval- more arbitrary than it is actually cruel. It also draws atten- given the while outlining his agenda for viding sanitary facilities to and his team appointed ‘Swat- had drive and energy and had uation of civil servants should tion from the actually concerning part of the new laws such right kind of the development of the coun- which and making it use the cha Grahis’ (Volunteers) who already done the groundwork also be done on the basis of as legislation that will allow the state legislator to have the try, spoke about sanitation as toilet was a herculean task. My worked as social influencers for the implementation of this indicators they are supposed power to remove county voting officials if a majority of a leadership a national priority and also experience of 38 years as an in each village and commu- scheme. Parmeshwaran and his to fulfil within a time frame. new dedicated board decides that these officials have done and working declared that he intended to IAS officer shows that no proj- nicated, along with the DM team, however, thought other- Of course, this would require a ‘poor’ job. This is important to note because the state make India ODF by October ect or initiative succeeds with- and his team, regularly and wise. They wanted the entire allowing a civil servant to stay legislature in Georgia has been under Republican con- environment the 2, 2019. Parmeshwaran was out strong political will and intensely with the villagers state to be taken up at one go. at a post for a minimum period trol since 2005. As many news organisations and observers civil services are amazed because he felt that backing. Fortunately, for this about the ill-effects of open I was sceptical initially but later of 2 to 3 years. It is also impor- have noted, this is a significant problem for the handful of rarely does a topic like sani- programme, the political will defecation. Mothers had to be events have proved me wrong tant for the political executive Democratic counties in Georgia like Fulton County which in a position to tation get a mention in the emanated right from the Prime convinced that infant mortality as not only in UP but the entire to realise that policymaking is has been a long time target of Georgia Republicans. There deliver good speech of the Prime Minister Ministerial level and percolated is closely linked to this practice country made this goal a reality. their role and they should do is much more but the bill is a bit too massive for detailed of a country and he was excited to the Chief Ministers. Par- as also are several diseases. The While talking of good gov- so with the advice of the civil investigation here. The interesting bit that we will focus on governance to by the vision painted by the meshwaran provided the next name and shame method was ernance, we often lament the servants, but policy implemen- however is how traditionally non-political actors are behav- the citizens PM. A desire to be associated required condition — strong used along with a presentation Indian system and its civil ser- tation should be left entirely to ing in response to the new voting laws. Many significant with the project was born in and passionate administrative of a realistic picture of the kind vices. The making of India ODF the civil service without any American companies such as Coco-Cola and Microsoft his heart at that very moment leadership. He writes that he of filth people were living in is a shining example of the direct interference or through have issued statements condemning the new voting laws in which fructified two years later soon realised that in India it and its impact on their lives. working of the Indian admin- the obnoxious weapon of no uncertain terms. Major League Baseball, one of Ameri- with his appointment as Secre- is the PM, CM and DM (Dis- DMs were assisted by young istrative system and the civil transfer. I read many articles ca’s biggest sporting bodies went several steps further. MLB tary. It is indeed a remarkable trict Magistrate) model which interns, and communication service. It proves that given the of intellectuals who desire recently announced that it would pull its planned 2021 All- story of grit, determination, works. He personally made through films and media was right kind of leadership and reform of the civil services and Star Game and Draft out of Georgia in protests of these leadership and passion that presentations to the CMs to used extensively. The Akshay working environment the civil the administration. The fulfil- new laws. To say this is large is a bit of an understatement. made the seemingly impos- align them with the vision of Kumar starrer “Toilet Ek Prem service is in a position to deliver ment of the above-mentioned MLB events like these are big-ticket events that bring both sible goal a reality. the PM and toured extensively Katha” is an example of case. good governance to the citi- conditions could lead to civil jobs and money to the city and state that host them. Com- Toilets were being con- to meet the DMs to ignite their Parmeshwaran is very clear in zens. We see it happening reg- servants delivering extraordi- ing at a delicate time in the American economic revival, it structed in the villages and cit- zeal for the implementation of his book that this was more ularly at the time of elections nary results. It all appears so is understandable to see why some even on the Democratic ies for the past several years but the programme at the ground a programme of behavioural when the District Magistrate simple and yet does not hap- side see this as a step too far. They argue that such a move is it was definitely a low priority level. Despite sufficient avail- change rather than merely the and his team are free from any pen because of certain vested unlikely to pressure State Republicans but is certain to hurt programme with insufficient ability of funds, the huge tar- construction of toilets. kind of political interference interests. Governance is linked everyday Georgians. Coming after the Democrats man- available funds. The quality of get of construction of toilets I recall being associated and fully empowered to con- to providing a better quality of aged a narrow victory in the state in 2021, this may not be construction used to be poor required close coordination, with this project as chief sec- duct free and fair elections and life to the ordinary citizen and the best message to send considering Joe Biden did more and it was more of an engi- regular review and monitor- retary, UP. Initially, I believed they succeed in doing so. In a systems have to be built which or less ‘advise’ or ‘support’ MLB to pull-out on television. neering exercise without any ing. The important thing, in the CELTS model which was similar vein, I can talk of the will make this possible. But what is worth noting is that there is now an increased effort to change the mindset however, is not merely the con- advocated by many experts and success of the Rashtra Swasthya The writer is an ex-Chief Sec- need amongst many voters, especially young ones, for com- of the people. The result was a struction of toilets but to bring was used in countries like Ban- Beema Yojna (RSBY) which retary, Govt of Uttar Pradesh. panies to now start getting political. Since you no longer total failure to curb open def- about a change in the attitude gladesh to eliminate open def- was conceptualised and imple- Views expressed are personal buy a product but a brand, it has become important for this brand to somehow fall in sync with your belief, including political belief. This was demonstrated last year at the BLM protests as well and is likely a growing pattern. Republicans across the nations are looking to push similar bills into law. Texas is already set to be the next stage in this long-run- ning battle. How much further will corporate America go in their attempt to take a stand? Of course, some question whether they should even be taking a stand. Recent polls Hurdles in peace have shown that an increased number of Republican vot- ers are more tired now of having sports and politics mix than they were five years ago. But those were different, less divided times. Can anyone afford to fence sit in modern The emerging thaw with India has mellowed down the Pakistani approach America now? including that of top leadership, but a faction continues to have a sceptical eye

flurry of activities reckons that China and Pak- augured in bad taste. The DearEditor is noticed in Paki- istani people should be taken speculation that Sheikh was stan in the wake of on board by the Pakistan gov- fired for non-performance or SHANTANU the emerging thaw ernment for transparency. He having lost the Senate elec- NECESSARY BACK-UP MUKHARJI Awith India emanating from the quite bluntly feels pessimis- tion to PPP strongman, Yusuf backchannel diplomacy initi- tic over the developments and Raza Gilani is also far from Let the middle class and elderly be spared from rate cuts on ated by the concerned author- rules out any future of the pro- convincing. It is a strange small savings schemes which are a lifeline for them. They ities on both sides. They have posed talks or the warming coincidence that Sheikh’s pre- bank on the interest rates accrued over years to meet their raised hopes of peace, albeit up. Similar articulations are decessor Asad Umar too was financial needs. Though the interest rates are quite low, the just for the immediate future. seen in the print media and TV removed unceremoniously much-harried common man feels reassured that he has The tone and tenor of the Pak- debates as well. Still, there are amidst his negotiations with something to fall back on. Moreover, the new rate on PPF istani establishment, of late, security and political analysts the IMF. No explanation can was reported to be the lowest since 1974. The government has been less aggressive, con- like Talat Masood who have satisfy people’s inquisitiveness has retracted promptly but still, it owes an explanation as to ciliatory and non-confronta- reacted in an objective and on Hafeez Sheikh’s exit. Sheikh why it took such a mindless and unpopular decision in the tionist. This looks heartening. balanced manner. So we see is a former World Bank hand first place. It is a matter of common sense that the interest The latest of such mellowed that some see no future in the and Imran Khan is sadly mis- rates should have been left unchanged when the country is syntax was spotted on March emerging thaw and they don’t taken that Sheikh was not in still in the throes of the second wave of the pandemic, and 30 when the Pakistani For- even want to give the ongo- tune with Imran’s economic the least that the government can do is to pay attention to eign Minister, who had oth- ing positive developments any policies aimed at alleviation this section of society which is contributing significantly to erwise been very belligerent, chance. Such elements may or of poverty. Well-known jour- the economic recovery. The announcement of a sharp cut in Imran Khan Shah Mahmood Qureshi dis- Shah Mahmood Qureshi has emphasised that India and Pakistan may not have the backing of nalist Zahid Hussain, in his interest rates came as a cruel April Fool joke for small savers closed that India and Pakistan, cannot be in a war-like situation the armed forces or the ISI recent commentary in the and senior citizens. Within 12 hours, the fear of electoral has called for both nuclear powers, cannot but they continue to air their ‘Dawn’, has questioned Imran backlash prompted the retraction of orders. The faux pas resolving all afford to engage in any war- problems including Kashmir Zamir Akram has joined the ire. Such voices can be coun- Khan’s wisdom in getting rid on the government’s part exposes a flawed approach to like situation. He also said as contained in his March 29 sceptics criticising the peace tered by pacifists through dia- of Asad Umar even when he policymaking. After all, the lower interest rates didn’t result the outstanding that in the recent past, there letter. Meanwhile, as part of moves. In an opinion piece logues or media offensives or was only into the eighth month from some overnight decision; they have been part of a problems have been several significant more Confidence Building in a prominent daily, Zamir ignored as long as Prime Min- of his office. Above all, he was well-thought-out and sustained plan to reduce the overall developments that are positive Measures (CBMs), Pakistan Akram has come down heav- ister Imran Khan and Army inducted to fix the economic rates of interest across all types of instruments. The biggest including Kashmir and productive. He touched has lifted restrictions on the ily on the Pakistan government Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa’s rhet- ills. beneficiary of such lower interest would have been the as contained in upon the 2013 Heart of Asia import of cotton and sugar for being a party to the recent oric are devoid of acrimony. Other than political Government itself. The vast majority of people prefer such conference where India and from India. This is yet another process of reconciliation and Fortunately, they are conspic- experts, many others in Pak- savings options because of the perceived safety, and nearly his March 29 Pakistan never criticised each positive sign of coming out of rapprochement. Question- uously quiet in any acerbic istan are also blaming Imran 85 per cent of domestic financial savings are in bank’s fixed letter other. Similarly, at the most a frozen time as there has been ing the political wisdom of criticism of India except that Khan for entrusting sweeping deposits and small savings schemes. Since many of the small recent Dushanbe meet, Paki- no trade between India and his country, Akram feels that on the issue of Kashmir, they powers in the State Bank and savings schemes are designed for specific social targets. The stan Foreign Minister and his Pakistan since August 2019. India has buckled under pres- are maintaining a cautious as there is a complete absence impact of lower interest rates on such schemes translates Indian counterpart, S Jaishan- Resumption of trade ties is sure from the new US admin- approach perhaps for domes- of focus in undertaking eco- into a direct impact on the vulnerable sections of the kar refrained from any blame perhaps the first baby step to istration under President Joe tic consumption. This apart, nomic reforms. However, the population. Rather than looking at it from an accounting game. This too was heartening. move further towards firming Biden to repair ties with Paki- their stance and that of For- new Finance Minister Ham- perspective, the Government should view small savings More importantly, Pak- up a thawing relationship. stan in an apparent bid to dis- eign Minister SM Qureshi are mad Azhar has to double up schemes through a social lens. istan Prime Minister Imran However, hawks watching tance it from China so that the worth taking note of. his efforts to bring back the — YASH PAL RALHAN, JALANDAR via email Khan has responded to Indian Pakistan, including Ambassa- US, as part of the Quad strat- This development notwith- impaired Pak economy on the PM’s greetings conveyed on dor Abdul Basit who was also egy, can address the Chinese standing, the Pakistani Prime rails. millenniumpost.in Pakistan National Day on in India with his country’s threat in a more focused man- Minister has drawn consider- The writer is a retired March 23. This seems a wel- High Commissioner, have not ner. Akram also opines that by able flak from his opponents IPS officer, a security ana- Log on to write letters to the editor or send them to come move as read from the been very charitable over the engaging India in talks, Kash- and news commentators for lyst and a former National [email protected]. You can also send your comments to The Editor, contents of the former’s let- backchannel efforts attempting miris will stand demoralised having axed Finance Min- Security Advisor to the Prime Millennium Post, Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 ter. Imran Khan has called for to usher in peace. Another for- and their cause impaired. For ister Hafeez Sheikh uncere- Minister of Mauritius. Views resolving all the outstanding mer ambassador of Pakistan, the Indo-Pak talks, Akram moniously. This has largely expressed are personal mp millenniumpost 8 World MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 | DELHI Nepali Congress decides to Europe Indonesia landslides and ramps up form govt under its leadership vaccinations floods kill at least 41 people KATHMANDU: Nepal's a faction of the ruling CPN- main opposition party Nepali UML, Janata Samajwadi Party PARIS: The main stadium in Congress has initiated moves and CPN-Maoist Centre will the French city of Lyon opened Several other people are still missing Indonesia to topple Prime Minister K P also join the move if Nepali as a mass vaccination center Sharma Oli and form an alter- Congress takes initiatives to during Easter weekend, and JAKARTA: Landslides and flash boat native government under its form a new government under thousands of people spent the floods from torrential rains in leadership with the support of its leadership. holiday lining up for injections eastern Indonesia killed at least the CPN-Maoist Centre and Prime Minster Oli led gov- elsewhere in France as the gov- 41 people and displaced thou- collision kills other parties. ernment will lose majority in ernment tried to speed up shots sands, the country’s disaster The Central Working Com- the lower house if CPN-Mao- amid a new rush of Coronavi- relief agency said Sunday. More 2 fishermen, mittee of the Nepali Congress ist Centre led by Pushpa Kamal rus cases. than two dozen others were still (NC) on Saturday decided to Dahal Prachanda' withdraws But as Europe faced its sec- missing. take initiative to form a new its support, according to party ond Easter in a row under the Mud tumbled down from 15 missing government under its leader- sources. cloud of the pandemic, some surrounding hills onto doz- ship, according to party's senior On Saturday, Prachanda French cities pushed back ens of homes in Lamenele vil- JAKARTA: A collision between leader Prakash Man Singh. Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli said that the country's politics against President Emmanuel lage shortly after midnight on a cargo ship and a fishing boat The NC will ask Prime had taken a new turn after the Macron's insistence that there Adonara island in East Nusa killed at least two fishermen Minister Oli to step down and Prime Minister Oli's dis- NC decided to seek PM Oli's are no weekends or days off Tenggara province. Rescuers and left 15 missing off Indone- allow formation of a new gov- solution of the House of Rep- resignation and take initiative during vaccination. recovered 35 bodies and at least sia’s main island of Java, officials ernment, said Singh. resentatives in December to form the next government Authorities in Strasbourg, five injured, said Lenny Ola, People inspect damaged buildings at a village hit by flash flood in East said Sunday. The fishing boat If he does not resign, the NC triggered a political crisis in under its leadership. on the German border shut who heads the local disaster Flores, Indonesia, Sunday PTI capsized late Saturday with 32 will move a no-trust motion Nepal. However, in a landmark "I am going to intensify down their vaccination facili- agency. aboard after hitting the Indo- against him in the House of ruling, the apex court in Febru- talks with political parties and ties from Good Friday through Flash flooding killed at least Indonesia’s disaster agency to burst their banks, sending nesian bulk carrier MV Habco Representatives and take ini- ary reinstated the lower house am hopeful that a new gov- Easter Monday a public holi- six people elsewhere, according lowered the death toll late Sun- muddy water into large areas Pioneer off Indramayu district, tiative to form a new govern- of Parliament. ernment will be formed and day in France to allow workers to the National Disaster Miti- day to 41 down from 44 after of East Flores district, Ola said. said Deden Ridwansyah, the ment under its leadership to The political scenario in there will be a new course of a little rest at last, according to gation Agency. Relief efforts search and rescue team reveri- Four injured people were being head of the search and rescue save the democratic achieve- the country worsened after the events," he said at a programme a city official. were hampered by power cuts, fied victims’ data. At least 27 treated at a local health clinic. agency. He said rescuers recov- ments of the past, he added. Supreme Court last month nul- in Kaplivastu. To ensure that residents blocked roads covered in thick people were still missing. Hundreds of people were ered two bodies on Sunday one There is very much possi- lified CPN-MC's merger with Addressing the participants still had access to potentially mud and debris as well as the The bodies of three people still involved in the rescue trapped in a fishing net about a bility of regression threatening CPN-UML. of the program, Prachanda said life-saving vaccines, the city remoteness of the area sur- were recovered after being swept efforts as of late Sunday, Jati meter (yard) beneath the sur- the democratic republic sys- The two parties had merged a new government will soon expanded vaccination hours rounded by choppy seas and away by floods in Oyang Bayang told a press conference. At least face, and another from inside tem hard earned by the people in May 2018 to form a unified be formed and a new politi- and administered all of its its high waves, said the agency’s village, where 40 houses were six villages have been affected by the sunken vessel at 11 meters through various movements, Nepal Communist Party fol- cal atmosphere will be created. weekly supply of doses between spokesperson, Raditya Jati. also destroyed, Ola said. Hun- flash floods and a landslide that (36 feet) underwater. as Prime Minister Oli's uncon- lowing the victory of their A senior leader of CPN- Monday and Thursday. Seasonal downpours cause dreds of people fled submerged cut five bridges on the island, The remaining 15 crew were stitutional move has posed a alliance in the 2017 general Maoist Centre has said that the The city of Sarcelles north of frequent landslides and floods, homes, some of which were car- he said. rescued, and local fishermen threat to democracy, he added. elections. Maoist party will withdraw its Paris was among those where killing dozens each year in Indo- ried off by the floodwaters. Photos released by the and the navy were searching Being the main opposition "We will hold talks with all support to the Oli government officials kept vaccine sites open nesia, a chain of 17,000 islands In another village, Waiburak, agency showed rescuers for the missing, said Wisnu and also a key partner of fram- pro-democracy parties before that would pave way for form- Sunday amid mushrooming where millions of people live three people were killed and and police and military per- Wardana, a spokesperson for the ing the Constitution of Nepal forming a new government," ing an alternative government infections and demand. in mountainous areas or near seven remained missing when sonnel taking residents to sea transportation directorate in 2015 it is our responsibility Singh said. under the leadership of the The surrounding Val d'Oise fertile flood plains. overnight rains caused rivers shelters. AGENCIES general. AGENCIES to protect democracy, he said. Informed sources said that Nepali Congress. AGENCIES region now has the highest Coronavirus infection rate in France, and the situation in Pak anti- Myanmar anti-coup protesters 12 killed, 4 Facebook data on Sarcelles symbolises how the pandemic has worsened exist- terrorism missing after ing inequality. more than 500 mn The city's working class res- launch 'Easter egg strike' idents have higher exposure to court jails ship sinks the virus because many can't YANGON: Anti-coup demon- accounts found online work remotely. Hafiz Saeed's strators in Myanmar, adept at In the area's housing proj- finding themes to tie together in China NEW YORK: Details from that allowed users to search for ects, many families have mul- protests nationwide, took to BEIJING: Twelve people were more than 500 million Face- one another via phone num- tiple generations living in close 5 aides the streets on Sunday holding killed and four remain missing book users have been found ber following revelations that quarters. painted eggs in a nod to Easter. after a fishing boat sank in east available on a website for the political firm Cambridge Language barriers make LAHORE: A Pakistani anti- In the biggest city of Yangon, China's Zhejiang Province on hackers. Analytica had accessed infor- sorting out vaccination terrorism court has sentenced one group marched through Sunday morning, the provin- The information appears mation on up to 87 million arrangements a challenge for five leaders of Mumbai attack the Insein district chanting and cial maritime search and rescue to be several years old, but it Facebook users without their many immigrants. mastermind Hafiz Saeed's singing protest songs and cra- centre has said. is another example of the vast knowledge or consent. In Lyon, French first divi- Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) to dling eggs bearing the slogan The centre said it received a amount of information col- In December 2019, a sion soccer club Olympique nine years of imprisonment Spring Revolution. Many of the report that a boat registered in lected by Facebook and other Ukrainian security researcher Lyon opened its stadium each in a terror financing case. eggs also bore a drawing of the neighbouring Jiangsu Province social media sites, and the lim- reported finding a database and provided 200 volunteer Three of them -- Umar three-fingered salute, a symbol with 20 crew members aboard its to how secure that infor- with the names, phone num- employees to help medical per- Bahadar, Nasarullah and Sami- of resistance to the Feb. 1 coup. had capsized about 100 nauti- mation is. bers and unique user IDs of sonnel and firefighters with a ullah -- have been convicted for In Mandalay, the country's Young demonstrators flash the three-fingered symbol of resistance cal miles east of Zhujiajian, the The availability of the data more than 267 million Face- mass vaccination drive that the first time since the Anti- second largest city, protesters during an anti-coup mask strike in Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday PTI Port of Ningbo Zhoushan in set was first reported by Busi- book users nearly all U.S.- started Saturday. Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore gathered at dawn on motorbikes Zhejiang. ness Insider. According to based on the open internet. Authorities expect 3,000 pronounced its verdict some to shout their defiance of the oners. More than 2,750 have people across the country left The 12 victims were among that publication, it has infor- It is unclear if the current vaccinations per day to be time ago in the terror financing power grab that overthrew the been detained or sentenced, the streets deserted. the 16 people that had been mation from 106 countries data dump is related to this given at the stadium during cases registered by the Coun- democratically elected govern- the group said. Security forces continued recovered, state run Xinhua including phone numbers, database. the first three days. ter-Terrorism Department ment. Myanmar's military has Sunday's so-called Easter to spread fear among ordinary news agency reported. Facebook IDs, full names, "This is old data that was Club president Jean Michel (CTD) of the Punjab police. violently cracked down on pro- Egg Strike follows other themed citizens. Overnight, a resident Rescue vessels and aircraft locations, birthdates, and previously reported on in Aulas expressed hope that the The other two -- JuD testers and others in opposition, days. They included a Flower of Yangon recorded video of from maritime search teams email addresses. 2019," the Menlo Park, Cali- effort would help create social spokesperson Yahya Mujahid with the latest civilian death toll Strike, in which protesters laid a group of soldiers and police and nearby fishing boats have Facebook has been grap- fornia-based company said in cohesion at a time of strain and and senior leader Prof Zafar since the coup at 557, according flowers in public places to honor using sling shots to fire stones joined the rescue operation. pling with data security issues a statement. uncertainty as France entered a Iqbal -- had already been con- to the independent Assistance those killed by security forces, at the windows of homes, break- Search work is still under- for years. In 2018, the social "We found and fixed this third partial lockdown starting victed for many years in other Association for Political Pris- and a Silent Strike, in which ing the night's silence. AGENCIES way, it said. AGENCIES media giant disabled a feature issue in August 2019." AGENCIES Sunday. AGENCIES terror financing cases. ATC Lahore Judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar on Satur- China: 11 dead as truck day handed down nine-year Japan PM aims to calm China- UK PM plans ‘Covid imprisonment to each five of them. The judge also ordered a collides with bus six-month jail term to Saeed's Taiwan tension on US visit passport’ trials to brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul BEIJING: A truck col- Rehman Makki in the same lided with a passenger bus The bus then TOKYO: Japanese Prime Min- of its diplomatic and secu- ton's new sales of arms equip- case. on an expressway in east overturned and ister Yoshihide Suga on Sun- rity policies, and is eager to ment to Taipei. reopen mass events The court found the JuD/ China's Jiangsu Province day said Taiwan's peace and develop close relations with It is important for Japan LeT leaders guilty of offence early Sunday, killing at least collided with two stability is key to the region the new US administration. and the United States to coop- LONDON: UK Prime Minister of terrorism financing. They 11 people and injuring 19 other trucks and that Japan will cooperate Taiwan is expected to be erate and use deterrence to Boris Johnson is set to unveil a had been collecting funds others. with the United States to calm on the agenda as the leaders create an environment where series of measures including and unlawfully financing the The accident took place rising tensions between China seek ways to deal with China's Taiwan and China can find a so-called "Covid passports" proscribed organisation, LeT when the truck crossed sent to a nearby hospital, the and Taiwan. growing security threat in the peaceful solution, Suga said to allow mass events such as (Lashkar-e-Taiba). The court the divider and crashed state-run Xinhua news agency Suga is set to meet with region. on a television talk show sports matches and night clubs has also ordered confiscation into the passenger bus reported. President Joe Biden in Wash- Chinese warplanes are Sunday. to resume safely as England's of assets made from funds on the Shenyang-Haikou Further investigations are ington next week, the US increasingly entering Taiwan- China claims Taiwan as its lockdown is eased in phases. collected through terrorism expressway. underway, the report said. leader's first in-person sum- ese airspace, and China has own territory, to be brought In announcements expected financing, the CTD said. The bus then overturned Road accidents are com- mit since taking office in protested an agreement to under Beijing's control by on Monday, Johnson is expected The JuD leaders were and collided with two other mon in China, where traffic January. bolster cooperation between force if necessary, and it has to lay out details of trial events presented in the court amid trucks. regulations are often flouted Tokyo considers its US the US and Taiwanese coast worked to internationally iso- in the coming months that will UK PM Boris Johnson PTI high security and the media The injured have been or go unenforced. AGENCIES alliance to be the cornerstone guards that followed Washing- late the island. AGENCIES explore how ventilation and was not allowed to cover the testing before and after events The Israeli approach involves a proceedings. could help audiences back into smartphone app and the NHS The CTD of Punjab Police arenas and auditoriums over a app could serve a similar pur- had registered 41 FIRs against England rolls out 5-minute breast year after being shut down to pose here," notes the minister, the JuD leaders, including control the spread of the deadly who has been leading a review 70-year-old Saeed, in terror virus. into the process. According to financing cases. The trial courts The pilot schemes involv- the BBC, the first pilot event have so far decided 37 of them. cancer treatment across health service ing what is being dubbed as will be a comedy night in Liv- The ATC had sentenced "Covid-status certification" will erpool on April 16, where audi- the LeT founder, Saeed, for a include the football FA Cup final ence members will be tested for collective imprisonment of 36 at Wembley Stadium in London Covid before and after the show. years on terror finance charges Patients undergoing chemotherapy will be offered a new combined treatment called PHESGO and are expected to involve a Professor Iain Buchan, of under sections 11-N of Anti- smartphone app or a paper cer- the University of Liverpool, will Terrorism Act 1997 in five cases LONDON: An injection that are on to the single injection, throughout the pandemic, he Chief Executive at Breast Can- ers were told they could begin tificate. The trials will last until be helping to run testing for so far. Saeed's jail terms will cuts the amount of time breast following an NHS deal with the said. cer Now, said: Reducing the offering the treatment in Febru- mid-May, when the next phase the Liverpool-based trials and run concurrently. That means cancer patients spend in hospi- manufacturer. PHESGO is a fixed-dose time patients need to spend ary and the agreement between of lockdown easing is sched- said taking part in the Liver- he will not stay in jail for many tal from two and a half hours to This new injection, which combination of pertuzumab in hospital, this more efficient the health service, the National uled before a complete easing pool pilots would involve "giv- years. He is serving his term as little as five minutes is being can substantially cut treatment with trastuzumab that previ- treatment method also prom- Institute for Health and Care of restrictions by June 21 under ing your consent to take part in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail rolled out as a new, more effec- time for people with breast can- ously would have been given ises to free up precious time Excellence (NICE) and manu- Johnson's roadmap. when you book a ticket; receiv- along with other convicted JuD tive treatment, NHS England cer, is the latest in a series of as separate IV infusions. for healthcare professionals facturer Roche means it comes Vaccination is a hugely pow- ing text messages about hands, leaders. AGENCIES said on Sunday. changes which have meant the The injection will be offered when the NHS is already under at no extra cost to the NHS. erful tool, but it can never pro- face, space, fresh air; minimis- Breast cancer patients NHS has been able to deliver to eligible people with HER2- unprecedented strain due to The Covid-19 pandemic vide 100 per cent protection. ing unnecessary contacts before Public Notice General public notice is hereby informed that my undergoing chemotherapy vital cancer treatment while positive breast cancer, which Covid-19. has underlined the need to That is why we need to look at the event; getting tested within client Mrs. Omkari W/o Late Ajmer Singh R/o H. will be offered a new combined keeping patients safe from accounts for 15 per cent of all Today's announcement use novel approaches that every option potentially avail- 36 hours, ideally as close to the No. 17/108, Dakshinpuri, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar, New Delhi-62 has disowned and debarred his elder treatment called PHESGO, Covid, said Peter Johnson, breast cancers in England, and reflects the latest of continued help to minimise pressure on able to ensure the fastest, safest event as possible; ideally hav- son Satish, Age 37 years with his wife Priti, Age 35 which is injected and takes as NHS national clinical director can be given alongside chemo- advances in breast cancer treat- our healthcare system. We are and most sustainable road back ing a test earlier in the week". years and their children Rishab Kumar, Age 13 Years and Riya Age 10 Years R/o H. No. 17/108, little as five minutes to prepare for cancer. therapy or on its own. ment, and now we hope to see delighted that people in Eng- to normality, writes Cabinet He added: "Don't go on the Dakshinpuri, Dr.Ambedkar Nagar, New Delhi-62 and younger son Bunty Kumar, Age 31 years with and administer, compared with I am delighted that this is The five-minute jab signif- Roche and NHS decision-mak- land will continue to benefit Office minister Michael Gove day if you have any symptoms. his wife Divya, Age 25 years R/o H. No. 17/108, two infusions that can take up now available to people having icantly cuts the Covid infec- ers working together to ensure from the latest advancements in The Sunday Telegraph'. All the events will be in very Dakshinpuri, Dr.Ambedkar Nagar, New Delhi-62, from all immovable and moveable assets and to two and a half hours. breast cancer treatment, limit- tion risk for cancer patients by Phesgo is rapidly made avail- in cancer care, and this news "Given the hit the night-time well-ventilated places and the have severed all their relations with them as they More than 3,600 new ing the time they need to spend reducing the amount of time able across all of the UK so shows how we are advanc- economy and the entertainment ventilation will be studied, and are disobedience and working against and beyond the control of my client. Anyone dealing with them in patients each year are expected in hospital and giving the NHS spent in hospital and frees up that even more patients and ing science to achieve this, sector has taken over the last people will be asked to minimise any manners shall do so at his/her own cost and risk. to benefit from the faster treat- another way to continue treat- time for clinicians in chemo- healthcare professionals alike said Richard Eaton, Breast year, anything which might contacts and get another test Ashok Mahamna Advocate D/2978/2015 Chamber No B-5 Central Market Madangir ment, as well as others who will ing as many cancer patients therapy units. can reap its benefits. National Cancer Lead at Roche help businesses reopen sooner five days after, for the purpose New Delhi-62 Mob 9873154568 switch from the treatment they as possible, as we have done Baroness Delyth Morgan, Health Service (NHS) provid- Products Limited. AGENCIES must be worth considering. of research." AGENCIES millenniumpost mp NEW DELHI | MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 Business 9 Discoms’ total dues to gencos India’s steel output falls by ` 1% to 19.1 MT in Jan-Feb rise 17% to 1.02 lakh cr in Feb OUR CORRESPONDENT registering 8.86 per cent year- period. on-year growth in output Turkey produced 6.4 MT NEW DELHI: India’s crude at 173.2 MT during the said of crude steel in period under Discoms owed a total of Rs 87,888 cr to power gencos in February 2020 steel output fell by 1 per cent period. review. It had produced 5.9 MT to 19.1 million tonnes (MT) According to the World Steel in same period in 2020. during the first two months of Association (worldsteel) data, While Germany produced OUR CORRESPONDENT liquidity infusion for discoms major portion of dues to power 2021, according to worldsteel. China had produced 159.1 MT 6.4 MT steel in January-Feb- under which these utilities gencos, the data showed. The country had produced steel in the same period last year. ruary 2021, Brazil and Iran NEW DELHI: Total dues owed would get loans at economical Overdue of independent 18.9 MT crude steel during the During January-February produced 5.8 MT and 5.3 MT, by electricity distribution com- rates from Power Finance Cor- power producers amount to same period last year. 2021, Japan’s output slipped respectively. panies to power producers poration (PFC) and REC Ltd. 46.31 per cent of the total over- The production for the 6 per cent to 15 MT year-on- With members in every rose nearly 17 per cent to Rs This was a government initia- due of Rs 91,549 crore of dis- 64 countries reporting to the year from 16.1 MT. The US major steel-producing country, 1,02,684 crore in February this tive to help gencos to remain coms in February. worldsteel was 313.1 MT in Jan- produced 13.2 MT steel in the Brussels-based worldsteel rep- year, reflecting persistent stress afloat. Later, the liquidity infu- The proportion of central uary-February 2021, registering period under review. Its output resents steel producers, national in the sector. sion package was increased to PSU gencos in the overdue was a 5 per cent increase compared was at 14.9 MT in 2020. and regional steel industry asso- Distribution companies Rs 1.2 lakh crore and further to 40.21 per cent. Among the cen- to 297.7 MT in the year ago Russia’s output was at 12.4 ciations, and steel research (discoms) owed a total of Rs Rs 1.35 lakh crore. tral public sector power gen- period, the global industry body MT compared to 11.61 MT in institutes. 87,888 crore to power genera- Last month, Power Minister erators, NTPC alone has an data showed. 2020. South Korea’s steel pro- Its members represent tion firms in February 2020, R K Singh had said in a writ- overdue amount of Rs 14,110.26 China remained the global duction was at 11.5 MT, as com- around 85 per cent of the global according to portal PRAAPTI ten reply to the Rajya Sabha crore on discoms, followed by leader in production of steel, pared to 11.2 MT in the year-ago steel production. (Payment Ratification And that “so far, loans of Rs 1,35,497 Damodar Valley Corporation Analysis in Power procurement crore have been sanctioned at Rs 6,200.08 crore, NLC India for bringing Transparency in (under the liquidity infusion at Rs 6,047.48 crore, NHPC at Invoicing of generators). scheme and Rs 46,321 crore Rs 2,538.10 crore and THDC Eight of top-10 most valued cos However, total outstand- against Rs 73,867 crore in same August 1, 2019. have been released to states/ India at Rs 2,004.66 crore in ing dues of discoms towards month a year ago. Under this mechanism, dis- DISCOMs by REC and PFC February 2021. power generation firms in Feb- The overdue amount stood coms are required to open let- (Power Finance Corporation)”. Among private generators, add over `1.2 lakh cr in m-cap ruary slightly dipped from Rs at Rs 92,120 crore in January ters of credit for getting power The minister had also discoms owe the highest over- 1,03,116 crore in January this 2021 and Rs 93,599 crore in supply. explained to the House that due of Rs 17,178.62 crore to NEW DELHI: Eight of the among the top-10 most val- State Bank of India added Rs year and Rs 1,02,676 crore in December 2020. The Central government due to the consequent nation- Adani Power followed by Bajaj top-10 most valued companies ued companies. 12,003.6 crore to Rs 3,30,701.48 December 2020. Power producers give 45 had also given some breathers wide lockdown, the revenues of Group-owned Lalitpur Power together added Rs 1,28,503.47 Infosys added Rs 20,877.24 crore. The PRAAPTI portal was days to discoms to pay bills to discoms for paying dues to the power distribution compa- Generation Company Ltd at Rs crore in market valuation last crore to take its market cap- ICICI Bank’s valuation ral- launched in May 2018 to bring for electricity supply. After power generating companies nies (DISCOMs) nosedived, as 4,817.12 crore, SEMB (Semb- week, with IT majors Tata Con- italisation (m-cap) to Rs lied Rs 10,681.76 crore to Rs in transparency in power pur- that, outstanding dues become in view of the COVID-19-in- people were unable to pay for corp) at Rs 3,178.40 crore and sultancy Services and Infosys 5,90,229.35 crore and Hindu- 4,10,775.37 crore and Kotak chase transactions between overdue and generators charge duced lockdown. electricity consumed. GMR at Rs 2,195.12 crore in leading from the front. stan Unilever saw its valuation Mahindra Bank’s m-cap rose generators and discoms. penal interest on that in most The government had also Discoms in Rajasthan, February 2021. The valuation of Tata rise by Rs 19,842.83 crore to Rs by Rs 6,301.56 crore to reach In February 2021, the total cases. waived penal charges for Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & The overdue of non-con- Consultancy Services (TCS) 5,63,767.05 crore. Rs 3,57,573.74 crore. Bajaj overdue amount, which was To give relief to power gen- late payment of dues in the Kashmir, Telangana, Andhra ventional energy producers jumped Rs 36,158.22 crore to Reliance Industries Finance added Rs 5,236.49 not cleared even after 45 days of eration companies (gencos), directive. Pradesh, Karnataka, Maha- like solar and wind stood at reach Rs 11,71,082.67 crore, gained Rs 17,401.77 crore crore to take its valuation to grace period offered by genera- the Centre enforced a pay- In May, the government rashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana Rs 12,346.04 crore in Febru- becoming the biggest gainer to Rs 12,81,644.97 crore and Rs 3,17,563.53 crore. PTI tors, stood at Rs 91,549 crore as ment security mechanism from announced Rs 90,000 crore and Tamil Nadu account for the ary 2021. Banks sanction `25,586 cr to 1.14L Govt to slap recovery notice on Vedanta’s Stand-Up India accounts in 5 yrs NEW DELHI: The Finance Cairn after Delhi High Court judgment Ministry on Sunday said banks have sanctioned Rs NEW DELHI: The oil ministry are in the process of reviewing the order before a division 25,586 crore to about 1,14,322 will seeks tens of millions of dol- the court’s order, will assess any bench, which on March 26 this beneficiaries under the Stand lars from Vedanta’s Cairn Oil & next course of action” after that. year ruled that “there cannot ‘Contributed `34K cr Up India Scheme in the last Gas after the Delhi High Court The Union Cabinet headed be extension of the Production five years for promoting entre- held that the firm was liable to by Prime Minister Naren- Sharing Contract uncondition- preneurship among women pay higher profit share to the drea Modi had in March 2017 ally, on the same terms and con- to Indian exchequer’ and SC & STs. government in lieu of its Raj- approved a policy for extension ditions which were prevailing The objective of Stand-Up asthan oil and gas block license of production sharing contracts 25 years ago i.e. on 15th May, NEW DELHI: Diversified Chairman Anil Agarwal said. India is to promote entrepre- being extended beyond initial (PSCs) for oil and gas blocks 1995, the effective date.” natural resources firm Vedanta Most of this amount goes neurship amongst women, term, a top official said. beyond their initial term. This It set aside the May 2018 Resources has said it contrib- to the Indian exchequer as Scheduled Castes (SC) & In the interim, the firm’s policy provided that the govern- single judge order. uted $4.66 billion (Rs 34,018 majority of the groups busi- Scheduled Tribes (ST) cate- Barmer basin block licence, ment’s share of profit petroleum “In effect what the Delhi crore) to the public exchequer ness operations are located gories, to help them in start- whose initial 25-year term (earning from sale of oil and gas High Court has said is that in India during the 2019-20 in India. ing a greenfield enterprise in ended on May 15, 2020, has after deducting all expenses) the company has to pay higher fiscal.Its overall contributions The company paid $1,398 trading, manufacturing and Started in April 5, 2016, the scheme has been given an eighth interim would be 10 per cent more dur- profit share after May 15, 2020. to public exchequers of vari- million (Rs 10,205 crore) services sector, by both ready extension, the official, who ing the extended period. So the company is now liable ous countries stood at $4.7 towards royalties to the state and trainee borrowers, the benefited 93,094 women entrepreneurs wished not to be identified, Vedanta’s Cairn sought a to pay higher profit petroleum billion (Rs 34,310 crore) dur- governments of Chhattisgarh, Finance Ministry said in a with outstanding loan of Rs 21,200 crore said. 10-year extension of Rajasthan for the period they operate the ing the fiscal year, Vedanta Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, statement. “Now that the Delhi High PSC, which the government block post May 15, 2020,” the Resources said. Goa and Karnataka based on Under the scheme, bank as of March 23 Court has upheld the govern- approved. But the firm chal- official said. “Consistent with our com- extraction of bauxite, lead- loans between Rs 10 lakh and ment policy, we will issue recov- lenged in Delhi High Court the Vedanta, he said, has the mitment to building on trans- zinc, iron ore, crude oil and Rs 1 crore are provided to at 93,094 women entrepreneurs In case of non-individual ery notices seeking higher profit condition for additional profit option to not agree to the gov- parency, we present our fifth natural gas. In the last seven least one Scheduled Caste/ with outstanding loan of Rs enterprises, 51 per cent of the petroleum since May 15, 2020,” petroleum. A single judge bench ernment condition and relin- tax transparency report. Dur- years, Vedanta has contrib- Scheduled Tribe borrower and 21,200 crore as of March 23. shareholding and controlling he said. of the Delhi High Court in May quish the block. ing FY2019-20, our contribu- uted $46.4 billion (Rs 3,38,720 at least one woman borrower This scheme, which has stake should be held by either “The exact amount is being 2018 upheld the company posi- “Even in that case, the com- tion to exchequer was $4.7 crore) to the exchequer which per bank branch of Scheduled been extended up to 2025, SC/ST and/or Women Entre- calculated but it will be in tens tion that the extension has to be pany is liable to pay additional billion, which accounts for 40 constitutes to around 39 per Commercial Banks. covers SC/ST and/or women preneur and borrowers should of millions of dollars.” on same terms and conditions profit petroleum for the period per cent of our consolidated cent of the company’s consoli- Started in April 5, 2016, entrepreneurs, above 18 years not be in default to any bank/ When contacted, a com- as the original licence. they operate the block post May turnover,” Vedanta Resources dated turnover PTI the scheme has benefited of age, it said. financial institution, it said. PTI pany spokesperson said, “We The government challenged 15, 2020,” he said. PTI DVC focusing Reliance-BP seek buyers for 5.5 mmscmd gas from KG-D6 NEW DELHI: Reliance Indus- Bidders will have to quote ary to sell out 7.5 mmscmd of developing deepwater gas fields is $3.62 per mmBtu. In the February auction, RIL Other buyers include IRM tries Ltd and its partner BP Plc a price linked to Platts JKM gas from the block. viz. the R Cluster (D34), MJ Bidders can seek a supply picked up two-thirds of the 7.5 Energy (0.1 mmscmd), PIL on cost & of UK have sought bids for sale (Japan Korea marker), the liq- At current price, the lowest (D55) and Satellites & Other tenure of 3 to 5 years. The min- mmscmd gas sold. Reliance (0.35 mmscmd) and IGS (0.35 of 5.5 million standard cubic uefied natural gas (LNG) bench- price for the 5.5 mmscmd of Satellites (D2, D22, D29 and imum volume one could ask O2C, an affiliate of RIL, picked mmscmd). operational meters per day of additional mark price assessment for spot gas that RIL-BP are auctioning D30) in the KG D6 block,” the for is 0.01 mmscmd and the up 4.8 mmscmd of gas while Sources said the gas was natural gas that will be avail- physical cargoes. comes to near $6.5 per mmBtu. tender document said. maximum could be the full vol- state gas utility GAIL (India) bought at a price of $0.18 per able for sale from their eastern The lowest bid that can be But they will be entitled to a The gas to be produced from ume on offer. “A Bidder shall be Ltd won 0.85 mmscmd of sup- mmBtu discount to JKM i.e. efficiency offshore KG-D6 block. placed is JKM minus $0.3 per maximum of $3.62 per mmBtu the fields has been granted mar- required to quote the variable plies and Shell 0.7 mmscmd. price of JKM (minus) $0.18 The e-auction is slated for million British thermal unit. The ceiling fixed by the government keting and pricing freedom but denoted as ‘V’ in $per mmBtu Adani Total Gas got 0.1 with tenures ranging from 3 KOLKATA: To improve its bot- April 23 and the gas supply will highest acceptable bid would for a six-month period to Sep- this is subject to a ceiling price terms pursuant to the Gas Price mmscmd, Hindustan Petro- to 5 years. tomline, Damodar Valley Cor- start from late April or early be JKM plus $2.01 per mmBtu. tember 30. The consortium of that the government fixes every formula specified below: Gas leum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) Reliance O2C is the new unit poration (DVC) is focusing on May, according to the tender This is the same benchmark RIL and BP Exploration (Alpha) six month. The ceiling price for Price (in US$/MMBtu (GCV)) 0.2 mmscmd and Torrest Gas that holds the firm’s refinery and cost and operational efficiency, document. the RIL-BP had used in Febru- Limited (a unit of BP Plc) “is April 1 to September 30, 2021 shall be = JKM + V,” it said. 0.02 mmscmd. petrochemical assets. PTI a company official said. Debt management and cost optimisation remain in focus for ByteDance says India’s freeze GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL the multipurpose utility jointly owned by the governments of PUBLIC NOTICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE GENERAL ELECTIONS TO THE West Bengal, Jharkhand and the on bank accounts is harassment Centre, he said. WEST BENGAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2021 The loan burden of the com- pany has been reduced by Rs DGGI told ByteDance it has reasons to believe firm sup- 3,252 crore in FY21 to around Rs 20,300 crore, the official said. pressed transactions and claimed excessive tax credits Additionally, it refinanced its debt which was Rs 23,600 crore MUMBAI: China’s ByteDance Dance India’s employees have transactions and claimed exces- in April 2020 that lowered its has told an Indian court that a been paid their March salaries sive tax credits, the filing shows. interest outgo by Rs 76.83 crore government freeze on its bank due to the account freeze, said ByteDance declined to com- during the fiscal, officials said. accounts in a probe of possible two people familiar with the ment on its court filing but told “We retired Rs 1,900 crore tax evasion amounts to harass- matter. The company told the Reuters on Tuesday it disagrees short-term and Rs 1,352 crore ment and was done illegally, court it has a workforce of 1,335, with the decision of the tax long term debts,” the official according to a filing seen by including outsourced personnel. authority. HSBC declined to said. Reuters. In the 209-page court filing comment, while Citibank did During the year, the dues ByteDance in January lodged on March 25, ByteDance not respond. The court declined from the Jharkhand state gov- reduced its Indian workforce told the High Court in Mum- to grant ByteDance immedi- ernment had been reduced by after New Delhi maintained a bai the authorities acted against ate relief in a brief hearing on 34 per cent to some Rs 6,000 ban on its popular video app the company without any mate- Wednesday. The next hearing is crore. TikTok, imposed last year after a rial evidence and gave no prior scheduled for Tuesday. “This recovery was not part border clash between India and notice, as required by Indian The investigation centres on of the Centre’s discom loan China. Beijing has repeatedly law, before such “drastic action”. potential evasion of taxes related package. If the state government criticised India over that ban Blocking accounts “during to online advertising and other avails the loan, we expect to and those of other Chinese apps. the process of investigation financial dealings between Byte- reduce our dues significantly in An Indian tax intelligence amounts (to) applying undue Dance India and its parent entity the current fiscal,” officials said. unit in mid-March ordered coercion,” ByteDance argued. in Singapore, TikTok Pte Ltd. These measures will have a HSBC and Citibank in Mumbai It is “intended, improperly, to TikTok did not respond to an direct bearing on the bottom- to freeze bank accounts of Byte- harass the petitioner.” email seeking comment. line of the power generator, Dance India as it probed some India’s Directorate General The company has “robust they said. of the unit’s financial dealings. of Goods & Services Tax Intel- business plans in India and is Sd/- The corporation is yet to ByteDance has challenged the ligence (DGGI) told ByteDance not contemplating winding up,” District Magistrate & District Election Officer announce its financial results freeze on the four accounts in a last year it had reasons to believe it said, urging the court to lift the Uttar Dinajpur for fiscal 2020-21. PTI Mumbai court. None of Byte- the company suppressed certain freeze on the accounts. AGENCIES mp millenniumpost 10 Business MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 | NEW DELHI MONETARY POLICY REVIEW OF KEY RATES ‘GST to be levied on goods, ‘Surge in Covid may prompt services in gift vouchers’ OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: Clearing the air RBI to maintain status quo’ over taxability of gift cards or vouchers, the Tamil Nadu bench of the AAAR has ruled that GST would be levied on the underly- The policy repo rate or the short-term lending rate is currently ing goods/ services at the time of redemption such pre-paid at 4 per cent, and the reverse repo rate is 3.35 per cent instruments. Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd has approached the Appellate OUR CORRESPONDENT Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR) against the ruling by MUMBAI: A sudden surge in ‘RBI policy, Covid the Tamil Nadu state Author- of GST will be dependent on according to the nature of the COVID-19 cases and the gov- ity for Advance Ruling (AAR), the provisions detailed in the goods or services supplied in ernment’s recent mandate ask- which had said that GST at 12 GST law. exchange of the voucher ear- ing the central bank to keep trends to drive per cent or 18 per cent would be In its order, the AAAR said lier issued to the customer,” the retail inflation around 4 per levied depending on whether on that vouchers are neither goods AAAR said. cent are likely to prompt the such pre-paid instruments was nor services and the GST law EY Tax Partner Abhishek Reserve Bank to maintain sta- markets this week’ paper based or magnetic strip recognises it as an instrument Jain said the taxability of vouch- tus quo on policy rates at its based respectively. of consideration (non-monetary ers has always been a grey area, first bi-monthly monetary pol- NEW DELHI: RBI inter- ond wave of COVID-19 in Modifying the AAR ver- form) for future supply. both under the pre- GST and icy review for the current fiscal, est rate decision, macroeco- India continues to remain dict, the AAAR has clarified “... since voucher is only an post GST regime. according to experts. nomic data, Coronavirus and the fear of possible that GST will be levied not on instrument of consideration and “This AAAR ruling is wel- The Monetary Policy Com- trends and global cues would lockdowns prevail. Over- the supply of vouchers but on not goods or services, the same come and has provided appro- mittee (MPC), RBI’s rate-set- drive equity markets this all markets are likely to the underlying supply of goods/ is not classifiable separately priate clarity to the industry ting panel, is also likely to rently at 4 per cent, and the (OMOs) or on long-term rates week, analysts said. remain in consolidation services at the time of redemp- but only the supply associated on the taxability of vouchers,” maintain the policy stance reverse repo rate is 3.35 per more generally,” it said. They also said that the mode for some time await- tion and the time for payment with the voucher is classifiable Jain added. accommodative at the next cent. Dhruv Agarwala, Group markets may see some con- ing for fresh positive triggers,” policy review to be unveiled On the forthcoming mone- CEO, Housing.com, Makaan. solidation ahead of the earn- Khemka said. on April 7, say experts. tary policy, Edelweiss Research com and Proptiger.com said ings season which would start Nirali Shah, Head - Equity RBI Governor Shaktikanta said economic recovery is the RBI is walking a tight rope from mid-April. Research, Samco Securities FPIs invest `17,304 cr in March Das headed six-member MPC still uneven and the pace of between COVID-19 cases once “Going ahead, Indian said that a noteworthy event is scheduled to meet from April improvement has slowed of late again rising across the coun- markets are likely to track to look forward to this week NEW DELHI: Continuing ing the period under review. stable during second wave 5 to 7. The policy meet outcome after sharp rebound from lows. try, which could potentially put global cues after the recent would be the central bank’s the buying spree for the third Previously, overseas inves- due to the vaccination drive will be announced on April 7. Further, the recent rebound brakes on the recovering econ- announcement of invest- MPC meet. consecutive month, foreign tors had invested Rs 23,663 and economy looking up, The RBI, experts feel, will in Covid cases poses a fresh omy, and the inflation rate that ment plan by the US Pres- The Monetary Policy portfolio investors (FPIs) crore in Indian markets in he added. wait for an opportune time challenge. is trending upwards. ident. Further, investors Committee headed by the have invested Rs 17,304 crore February and Rs 14,649 crore Morningstar India Asso- to announce monetary action It said the growth and infla- “The apex bank is likely to would now focus on upcom- RBI Governor is sched- in Indian markets so far in in January, on a net basis. ciate Director (Manager with a view to ensure the best tion dynamic warrants contin- keep the repo rate unchanged ing quarterly results which uled to meet from April March. The rising cases of Research) Himanshu Srivas- possible outcome in terms of ued policy support, especially in the upcoming bi-monthly would kick start from mid- 5-7. According to depositories COVID-19 infections are tava said there was a gush of pushing growth without sac- with rising covid cases domes- review of key rates,” he said. April,” Siddhartha Khemka, The PMI data for manu- data, FPIs invested Rs 10,482 affecting investments in the liquidity in the global finan- rificing the main objective of tically. “In all, we expect Mint He said home loan rates Head - Retail Research, Moti- facturing and services sec- crore into equities and Rs Indian markets, Groww co- cial markets after the US containing retail inflation at 4 Street to leave rates unchanged are at historic lows with recent lal Oswal Financial Services tors are also scheduled to be 6,822 crore in the debt seg- founder and COO Harsh Jain announced a pandemic relief per cent with a margin of 2 per and maintain an accommo- cuts by a number of commer- Ltd said. announced this week, which ment during March 1-31. noted. package of $1.9 trillion which cent on either side. dative stance. The key moni- cial banks and a further cut in “Domestically, concerns would also influence trading The total net investment Yet, the markets have flowed into emerging markets The policy repo rate or the torable will be any guidance rates will help the industry and over the fast spreading sec- sentiments. MPOST stood at Rs 17,304 crore dur- been relatively much more like India. PTI short-term lending rate is cur- on open market purchases the overall economy. ITNL TRAI plans survey ‘Import registration compulsory INTEREST WAIVER ON LOANS receives to asses tariff plans for aluminium, copper products’ PSU Banks may have `693 cr NEW DELHI: The commerce NEW DELHI: Telecom regu- being nudged towards a partic- ministry has made import Importer can apply to take `2,000 cr settlement lator TRAI is planning to con- ular type of tariff plan. registration compulsory for duct a consumer-facing survey The concern is whether cer- 46 copper and 43 aluminium for registration not to assess if tariff plans offered tain packs in market tend to be items under non-ferrous metal earlier than 60th hit after SC order from NHAI by operators are meeting actual similar, despite requirements import monitoring system, a day and not later requirements of varied catego- being very different, for differ- move which could discourage NEW DELHI: Public sector interest waiver for the period MUMBAI: IL&FS Transpor- ries of users, a top official said. ent categories of users, includ- inbound shipments of such than 5th day before banks may have to bear a bur- a borrower had availed mora- tation Networks Ltd (ITNL), a Telecom Regulatory ing feature phone users. goods and promote their local the expected date den of Rs 1,800-2,000 crore torium. For example, if a bor- subsidiary of IL&FS, on Sun- Authority of India (TRAI) may TRAI may rope in an manufacturing. arising due to a recent Supreme rower availed moratorium of day said it has received a set- rope in an agency to conduct agency to conduct the sur- According to a notification of arrival of import Court judgement on the waiver three months, the waiver would tlement amount of Rs 673 the survey for it. The survey is vey, which is expected to ini- of the department of commerce, consignment of compound interest on all be for that period. crore for Kiratpur Ner Chowk expected to start soon, said a tially focus on consumers in under the import monitoring loan accounts which opted for The RBI on March 27 last Expressway (KNCEL) and Rs TRAI official privy to the devel- small pockets. The modalities, system importers would have moratorium during March- year announced a loan mora- 20 crore towards claims for opment. While telecom tariffs including medium of conduct- to submit advance information istration under non-ferrous Similarly, the aluminium August 2020, sources said. torium on payment of instal- Chenani Nashri Tunnelway are under forbearance, the sec- ing the survey, will be worked in an online system for inbound metal import monitoring sys- products include ingots, wire The judgement covers loans ments of term loans falling due (CNTL), from the National tor regulator will assess if plans out in coming days. shipments of these products and tem,” according to the noti- rods, aluminium scrap, alumin- above Rs 2 crore as loans below between March 1 and May 31, Highways Authority of India currently being offered in the Asked about the trigger for obtain an automatic registration fication. The system will be ium powder for thermite pro- this got blanket interest on 2020, due to the pandemic, (NHAI). market are consumer-oriented, the survey and if TRAI had number by paying specified fee. effective from April 12 this year cess, certain aluminium tubes interest waiver in November later the same was extended to The amount was received the official said. noted any ambiguities, the offi- The importer can apply for and the facility of online regis- and pipes. The ministry had last year. Compound interest August 31. on March 31, Infrastructure The tariffs plans need to cial said overall the role of the registration not earlier than 60th tration will be available with earlier made similar process for support scheme for loan mora- The apex court order this Leasing and Financial Services cater to actual needs of con- regulator is to keep a watch on day and not later than 5th day effect from April 5. The cop- imports of several iron and steel torium cost the government Rs time is only limited to those (IL&FS) said in a statement. sumers, those looking for voice the market to ensure that the before the expected date of per items include blister copper, goods and coal. The move is part 5,500 crore during 2020-21 and who availed moratorium so The KNCEL project was as well as those who have data sector is functioning smoothly, arrival of import consignment. refined copper, copper bars, cer- of an exercise to reduce import the scheme covered all borrow- the liability of the public sec- foreclosed under the Ministry requirements. The idea is to and consumer interests are “Import of specific items... tain copper rod, copper alloys of unnecessary goods and boost ers including the prompt one tor bank should be less than Rs of Road Transport and High- ensure that consumers are not being addressed. PTI are subject to compulsory reg- and sanitary ware. domestic manufacturing. PTI who did not avail moratorium. 2,000 crore as per rough calcu- ways (MoRTH) guidelines of According to banking lations, sources added. March 2019 for incomplete or sources, initially 60 per cent Besides, they said, the order stalled projects. of borrowers availed morato- does not specify a timeframe CNTL is a completed proj- Mutual Funds invest `2,476 crore in March rium and gradually the per- for the settlement of com- ect, earning annuities, and centage came down to 40 per pound interest unlike last time the Rs 19.6 crore is the claim NEW DELHI: Mutual funds well,” he added. the markets have seen some cent and even less as collection so banks can devise a mecha- amount towards change of invested Rs 2,476 crore in equi- Harsh Jain, co-founder and minor correction from which improved with ease in lock- nism of adjusting or settling it scope, the statement said. ties in March, making it the first COO of Groww believes that the there have been quick recover- down. In case of corporate, this in staggered manner. It said Fagne Songadh such infusion in 10 months, as redemption pressure on mutual ies also. Before that, the markets was as low as 25 per cent as far Meanwhile, Indian Banks’ Expressway Ltd (FSEL), a 100 consolidation in the market pro- funds is reducing as the mar- had been rising sharply over a as public sector banks were Association (IBA) has writ- per cent subsidiary of ITNL, vided investment opportunities kets have remained consistent few months. Mutual funds used concerned. ten to the government to com- had earlier completed its set- to fund managers. and there have been no major these dips to buy new stocks They further said, banks pensate lenders for interest on tlement with NHAI under Kaushlendra Singh Sengar, declines in the market despite and add to existing ones also,” would provide compound interest waiver. PTI the new MoRTH policy on founder and CEO at INVEST19, the second wave. That might Jain noted. stuck-up projects receiving an said mutual funds (MFs) inflow be helping with the investor’s According to Sebi data, MFs amount of Rs 707 crore. in equities will be stagnant in sentiments. put in a net amount of Rs 2,476.5 Other IL&FS projects set- near future. In addition to that, many crore in equities in March. Business Briefs tled under claims and compen- Prior to the inflows, mutual cent from the beginning of the managers to invest in good ideas new opportunities are emerg- Before that, MFs withdrew sation by NHAI till date include funds (MFs) had been with- month. If we see last few quar- if they find them attractive. ing in the stock markets as eco- Rs 16,306 crore from equities Jorabat Shillong Expressway drawing money from equi- ters, the market continued to “While we will have to wait nomic recovery of India takes in February, Rs 13,032 crore SBI CARD SEES OVER 50% TRANSAC- (JSEL) Rs 252 crore; Balesh- ties since June 2020, data surge and many investors were for industry body Amfi’s data shape and investors become in January, Rs 26,428 crore in war Kharagpur Expressway available with the Securities opting to book profits,” Har- on subscription and redemp- more comfortable with the idea December, Rs 30,760 crore in TION FROM ONLINE PAYMENTS: CEO (BKEL) (Rs 8 crore); and ITNL and Exchange Board of India shad Chetanwala, co-founder tion, volatility in markets would of investing in riskier assets like November, Rs 14,492 crore NEW DELHI: SBI Cards and Payment Services (SBI Road Infrastructure Develop- (Sebi) showed. “The markets of Mywealthgrowth said. have also paused the redemp- equities as opposed to tradi- in October, Rs 4,134 crore in Card) has been seeing over 50 per cent of its trans- ment Company (IRIDCL) were a bit volatile in March He, further, said some signs tion till certain extent and hence tional assets like FD, gold, he September, Rs 9,213 crore in actions via online payments such as on groceries, util- (Rs 144 crore) that was settled and at one point of time it was of consolidation in the market the fresh flows also would have added. “In the recent weeks, August, Rs 9,195 crore in July by MoRTH. PTI around minus 4 per cent to 5 per do give opportunities to fund found its way in the market as with the rising cases in India, and Rs 612 crore in June. PTI ity bills, insurance premium, and hopes the trend to go up further as point of sale purchases are yet to pick up, top company executive said. Keeping a watch on the recent coronavirus resurgence in the country across Pak can get sugar cheaper & faster if trade resumes some key locations, SBI Card MD and CEO Rama Mohan Rao Amara said it would be too early to say Sugar prices in retail markets of Pakistan have spiralled sharply up to PKR 100 per kg due to production shortages whether it will have any bearing on people’s purchas- ing behaviour. However, online payments is a trend NEW DELHI: Pakistan can 5,00,000 tonnes of white sugar easily, All India Sugar Trade white sugar, that is, fine sugar 45-60 days from Brazil. high quotes. The lowest bid it which is going to go up further, he added. get Indian sugar cheaper and to boost domestic availability. Association (AISTA) Chair- and not much preferred in Pak- Further, AISTA Vice- received was $540 and $544 per faster if the sugar-deficit neigh- Last week, there were sud- man Praful Vithalani said, istan, he said. Chairman Rahil Shaikh said tonne by Al Khaleez, Dubai. GOVT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT RAM VAN bouring country resumes trade den hopes of trade reopening “It would be a win-win situa- “Through land route via India is the nearest country Last year, Pakistan had con- with India and contain its ris- between the two nations. tion for both the countries if Punjab, white sugar would for Pakistan to import white tracted about 1,25,000 tonnes GAMAN MARG IN UP: ROAD MINISTRY ing retail prices of the sweet- However, Pakistan’s cabi- trade resumes. I want to say cost about $398 tonne (which sugar. The other nearby coun- of sugar in the price range of NEW DELHI: The government has plans to construct ener out there during Ramadan net back tracked on the Pak- that essential commodities includes freight charges and tries are Algeria and the UAE. $425-455 per tonne, Shaikh 210 km Ram Van Gaman Marg in Uttar Pradesh, ac- that will commence soon, sugar istan ECC decision to allow required for human consump- delivery at godown). This rate Importing from Brazil is not said adding that imports cording to the Ministry of Road Transport and High- industry bodies said on Sunday. import of sugar and cotton tion should be kept away from is cheaper by at least $25/tonne viable both in terms of cost and from India will be cheaper ways. Ram Van Gaman Path is a project that seeks Sugar prices in the retail from India. politics.” compared to other nations via distance. than this. markets of Pakistan have spi- Pakistan, which is expect- The neighbouring country, sea route,” he said, and added He also said Pakistan has “If Pakistan contracts sugar to retrace the route believed to have been taken by ralled sharply up to PKR 100 ing sugar production of 5.6 where crushing operations are imports via sea route would not imported any sugar so far from Brazil right now, it would Lord Ram on his way to exile with Sita and Lakshman. per kg due to production short- million tonnes in the ongo- underway, needs white sugar of get expensive for Pakistan after in the ongoing marketing year. take minimum 45 days to get “The proposed 210 km long Ram Van Gaman Marg ages and the country is mulling ing 2020-21 marketing year medium size grain consumed adding port clearance and State-own Trading Corpora- the shipment. In fact, it might connects Ayodhya to Chitrakoot via Faizabad, Sultan- over imports. (October-September), is facing widely out there and which is port-to-godown costs. tion of Pakistan (TCP) had take more days as Brazil ports pur, Pratapgarh, Jethwara, Shringverpur, Manjhanpur The Pakistan Economic a shortage of 5,00,000 tonne, adequately available in India, Not only logistics cost, floated two tenders for import at present are busy and vessels and Rajapur in Uttar Pradesh,” as per a Ministry of Coordination Committee according to Pakistani traders. the world’s second largest sugar Vithalani said Pakistan can of 50,000 tonne each. are not moving fast,” said one (ECC) has recommended the Stating that India can meet producing nation after Brazil. get Indian sugar much faster, However, it had to scrap of the sugar mills owner from Road Transport and Highways document. government to allow import of Pakistan’s entire sugar shortage Whereas Brazil has S-grade within four days compared to the tenders mainly due to Uttar Pradesh. PTI millenniumpost mp NEW DELHI | MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 Sport 11 No. 1 Barty repeats as Miami Liverpool outclass Arsenal in 3-0 win, revive top 4 hopes champ when Andreescu retires LONDON: Liverpool out- classed Arsenal from start to finish in a 3-0 win in the Pre- mier League with a brace for Bianca Andreescu limped through 11 more points before she retired, substitute Diogo Jota and a nut- meg from Mohamed Salah to crying, shaking her head and trailing 6-3, 4-0 during Miami Open final revive the team's hopes for a top four spot. MIAMI: Ash Barty pushed a said. Jota broke the deadlock in forehand winner into the open "She likes to mix it up, the 64th minute after meeting a court as her opponent, Bianca like me. That's not fun to play trademark cross from right back Andreescu, laid on her back in against. I guess I'm getting a Trent Alexander-Arnold to head the far corner, injured yet again. taste of my own medicine." past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd With that, the Miami Open Barty was playing outside of Leno. Four minutes later, Salah final was decided. Australia for the first time since cleverly played the ball through Andreescu limped through February 2020, and she arrived Leno's legs as he squatted down Klopp stressed it's not entirely in came deep in the first half. A 11 more points before she in Miami after a trip that took to try to block the shot. his players' hands, saying other cross from Alexander-Arnold retired, crying, shaking her head 45 hours because of two can- Jota got his second and the teams currently in the top four found stand-in captain James and trailing 6-3, 4-0. celed flights. team's third in the 82nd with a also need to drop points. Milner completely unmarked The No. 1-ranked Barty won "I said to my coach when we fine close-range finish. The -Por "We have to win our games," just inside the area. But Milner's her second successive Miami got here, it can only get better tuguese was only on the field Klopp said. shot flashed just wide of the post title Saturday, and the Austra- from here," she said. for three minutes before scor- "But other teams need to in the 35th minute. lian was already in control of the It did. Barty was one point ing his first. lose. We have to fight and we Roberto Firmino also struck match when Andreescu turned from defeat in her opening "It doesn't matter if you start will fight." two long-range shots in the first her right foot while hitting a match against Kristina Kucova, or come off the bench. You need Arsenal seems destined for half that went very close. forehand and sprawled to the but she gained momentum from to be ready to make an impact," midtable mediocrity as the team Arsenal left back Kieran hard court. Barty hit one more there and will keep her No. 1 Jota said. remained in ninth place with Tierney came off just before shot to win the point, and play ranking next week. It was a morale-boosting win 42 points. halftime with what appeared to continued. With the pandemic lim- for Liverpool and a third suc- Liverpool was unlucky to go be a knee problem after a chal- But during the ensuing iting travel, the 2019 French cessive clean sheet in all com- into halftime with the score still lenge with Milner. The Scot was changeover, a trainer taped Ashleigh Barty, of Australia waves during the Miami Open tennis tournament, in Miami Gardens, Florida PTI Open champion heads into the petitions, lifting last season's at 0-0 after the visitors produced able to walk off unaided. Andreescu's foot, and after clay court season expecting to champion up to fifth place with an attacking spectacle that left Arsenal manager Mikel another game the injury- The tournament was the champion in tournament "I shouldn't belong with that remain away from home for 49 points. Arsenal struggling and chasing Arteta yelled out in Spanish plagued Canadian reluctantly first in the United States for the history when he plays No. group," Barty said with a smile. months. That's just two points behind the game. "paciencia, paciencia," mean- called it quits. 20-year-old Andreescu since she 26-seeded Hubert Hurkacz of "I haven't earned the right to "It's a great start for us," Chelsea, which is letting its grip "We didn't use our chances ing "patience, patience," early "I really do feel for Bianca," won the 2019 U.S. Open. She Poland. Each is seeking the big- be on a list with those champi- Barty said. on fourth place slip after the in the first half," Klopp said on in the second half. But there Barty said. "She has had such sat out 2020 because of inju- gest title of his career. ons. They're genuine champi- "I'm looking forward to what London team lost 5-2 to West before praising his team for really wasn't any chance for his a rough trot with injuries in ries and the Coronavirus pan- Barty made her own break- ons and legends, and I feel very will hopefully be a big season Bromwich Albion in the early a stellar performance includ- players to show composure or the past." demic and now faces another through by winning the 2019 privileged to be mentioned in for us, and hopefully we can kickoff. ing defending throughout the remain calm as the Gunners Andreescu was again tear- possible layoff. Miami championship. The tour- that sentence." play some really good tennis." Jota said Liverpool is aiming match. "For us, it was a very were pinned back by a press- ful at the start of her post- "I'm going to see what's up nament was canceled last year The match between Barty Because the pandemic to win its remaining matches to important statement. If we ing Liverpool side. match news conference, when with my foot, and start visu- at the start of the Coronavirus and Andreescu was their first, reduced tournament revenue achieve a place in the Champi- defend like this, we are diffi- Arteta said he was shocked she explained that her trainer alizing the healing process if pandemic. and a potential friendly rivalry and severely limited attendance, ons League. cult to break down." by his team's performance, say- convinced her to retire rather it's something bad," Andreescu Five other women have looms. Barty dominated from the champion received 300,110, "I think if we do our job I The Reds came forward in ing it was unacceptable. than risk further injury. said. earned consecutive Miami titles: the start of the final with her compared with the 1.35 mil- think we have our chances to waves as Arsenal sat back, with "Liverpool completely "I didn't want to stop," she On Sunday, 19-year-old Stefanie Graf, Monica Seles, strong serve and all-court game. lion Barty won in 2019. Only be there, he said. "Today we did Liverpool frequently creating deserved to win the game, said. "I trusted him, and I knew Italian Jannik Sinner will try Arantxa S nchez-Vicario, Venus "She doesn't play like a lot of 750 fans were allowed on the our job." clear-cut chances. probably by a bigger margin," it was the best decision." to become the youngest men's Williams and Serena Williams. the players on tour," Andreescu grounds per session. AGENCIES Liverpool manager Jurgen The biggest opportunity Arteta said. AGENCIES ‘French ELAVENIL INCLUDED AS CHINKI MISSES OUT 35 rowers, including Open Bhaker to represent India Olympics hopefuls, get RIKAKO IKEE could be QUALIFIES in 3 events in Olympics 2nd dose of Covid vax FOR TOKYO postponed’ NEW DELHI: As many as 35 tion Regatta event to be held in NEW DELHI: World number two reserves in each discipline Indian rowers, including those Tokyo from May 5-7. OLYMPIC PARIS: The French Open one Elavenil Valarivan was on where its shooters have won preparing for Tokyo Olympics Deo said she was hopeful could be postponed as a result Sunday included in a 15-mem- quota places. qualification, have been given that Indian rowers will make the AFTER of the surge in new Corona- ber Indian shooting contingent In the individual events, their second dose of COVID-19 cut for the Tokyo Olympics to be virus cases, according to the for the Tokyo Olympics where Bhaker will be fielded in both vaccine, making them the first held from July 23 to August 8. country's sports minister. the highly accomplished Manu the women's 25m pistol along- sports group in the country to "We are hoping for two boats LEUKEMIA "We are in discussion with Bhaker will represent the coun- side the experienced Rahi Sar- get fully vaccinated. to qualify for the Olympics, we (the French Tennis Federation) try in three events. nobat and in her pet 10m air Apart from the 35 rowers, are hoping to get the qualifica- to see if we should change the However, Olympic quota pistol event with Yashaswini some coaches and other sup- tions from this Tokyo event," date to coincide with a possible winner Chinki Yadav could not Singh Deswal. port staff have also been given she added. resumption of all sports and make the main team despite Besides, the 19-year-old their second dose of COVID- In the 2016 Rio Olympics, major events," minister Roxana winning a gold medal in the one in women's 10m air rifle, Bhaker will partner with Sau- 19 vaccine on Saturday at the only Dattu Baban Bhokanal, Maracineanu said on France Delhi World Cup last month. Elavenil, is the only member in rabh Chaudhary in the 10m air Army Sports Institute in Pune. who won gold in the 2018 Asian Info radio station. It was decided by the the Olympic team to have not pistol mixed event. The shooters "A total of 35 rowers and Games, qualified in men's sin- France begun a third national selection committee secured a quota for herself but were selected based on their per- some coaches and support staff gle sculls and he finished 13th. nationwide lockdown on Satur- that the quota won by Chinki in performed consistently in the formance in the NRAI's Olym- at ASI Pune received their sec- Olympic-bound Indian day which president Emman- the women's 25m pistol would Olympic qualifying cycle, forc- pic qualifying cycle, starting ond dose on Saturday," Rowing archers, who are based at the uel Macron said he expected to be swapped in favour of Anjum ing the National Rifle Associa- with the 2018 Jakarta Asian Federation of India President ASI Pune, have also got their end in mid-May - with Roland Moudgil, to enable her to com- tion of India (NRAI) to include Games which was followed by Rajlaxmi Singh Deo told PTI first dose of COVID-19 vac- Garros set to start on the 23rd pete in the women's 50m rifle 3 her in the women's 10m air rifle World Championship (both in on Sunday. cine and will get their second May till the 6th June. The tour- positions event as India's second team in place of Moudgil. 2018), all four World Cups and The 35 include those who jab next week before leaving nament was postponed by four entry alongside former world To deal with the uncer- Asian Championships in 2019 have been selected to com- for the upcoming World Cup months in 2020 as a result of champion Tejaswini Sawant. tainty caused by the COVID- and selection trials stage 1 and pete in the World Rowing Asia Stage I in Guatemala City, start- the pandemic. AGENCIES Reigning world number 19 pandemic, the NRAI named 2 earlier this year. AGENCIES Oceania Continental Qualifica- ing April 19. AGENCIES Real Madrid beat Australian women’s cricket team Eibar 2-0 before break ODI record for consecutive wins MOUNT MAUNGANUI: The troubled at Mount Maunganui Perry (56 not out) and Ashleigh from this group over a long Liverpool CL clash Australian women's cricket with player of the match Gardner (53 not out) then period of time," Lanning said team won its 22nd consecu- Megan Schutt taking 4 wick- struck impressive half centu- after the match. BARCELONA: Marco Asen- Backups Nacho Fern ndez tive match and surpassed ets to restrict New Zealand to ries to make easy work of the "Those wins have come over Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee celebrates after winning sio and Karim Benzema scored and der Milit o started in a Ricky Ponting's 2003 side to 212 all out after Australia cap- chase with 69 balls to spare and three years, which I think just the women’s 100-meter butterfly at the Japan‚Äôs national in a 2-0 win over Eibar as Real three-man backline along with set a new one-day international tain Meg Lanning won the toss lift the current world champi- shows how consistent we've championships at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Sunday. Madrid tightened the Spanish Ferland Mendy. Toni Kroos was record in a six-wicket vic- and elected to bowl first in the ons past Ponting's star-studded been at this format." Ikee on Sunday qualified for the Tokyo Olympics just two league title race before its meet- also rested, giving Isco Alarc n tory against New Zealand on opening game of a three-match 2003 team with a 22nd straight The Southern Stars years after the was diagnosed with leukemia PTI ing with Liverpool in the Cham- a spot in the starting 11. Sunday. series. victory. have not lost an ODI since pions League. Madrid dominated the game The tourists were rarely Alyssa Healy (65), Ellyse "It's a great achievement October 2017. AGENCIES Asensio had already hit the throughout. Eibar needed goal- woodwork before he opened keeper Marko Dmitrovic to save the scoring in the 41st minute. a one-on-one chance for Ben- Benzema added a second goal zema three minutes into the Sociedad win 2020 Copa del Rey; 2021 final in 2 weeks with a header in the 73rd. match after defender Alejan- Madrid moved to within dro Pozo made a horrible pass three points of leader Atl tico that was poached by the Madrid Sociedad ended a three-decade title drought on Saturday when it beat fierce Basque rival Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Madrid, which faces a tough striker in the box. test at fourth-place Sevilla on Asensio bent a free kick off SEVILLE: After being forced poned since the end of last four times since it last won the that are suffering from COVID Sunday. Barcelona is four points the crossbar before he took the by the pandemic to wait a year season in the hope that the competition in 1984. and cannot enjoy this historic back before it plays Valladolid opener. Casemiro intercepted a to play its most highly antici- Coronavirus pandemic would “This is a tough blow,” Bilbao day? You do not represent the on Monday. pass and immediately sent the pated match in a generation, improve enough to allow fans defender Óscar de Marcos said. values of Athletic or our city,” Madrid hosts Liverpool on ball forward for Asensio, who Real Sociedad can now celebrate to attend the highly anticipated “It’s true we have another final in mayor Juan Mari Aburto wrote Tuesday in the first leg of the used superb control to go past being Copa del Rey champions. clash between the two regional 15 days, but losing a final always on Twitter. quarterfinals of the Champions defender Anaitz Arbilla before Even if the next final is in rivals. hurts. We missed our fans, who Except for the move that League. Four days later it will curling a shot over Dmitrovic. only two weeks’ time. But with Coronavirus still are with us through the good led to Oyarzabal’s goal, it was a play Barcelona in a key match Eibar had been limited to Sociedad ended a three- forcing strict limits on social times and the bad.” match that was dictated by the in the Spanish league, followed two long-range efforts from decade title drought on Satur- gatherings in Spain, officials said Before the match, a few two defenses. Sociedad center- by its second leg at Liverpool midfielder Pape Diop in the day when it beat fierce Basque it was impossible for spectators thousand Bilbao fans violated back Robin Le Normand shut on April 14. first half. rival Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the to be allowed in at Seville’s La public health restrictions in down Bilbao’s striker Iñaki Wil- "We are facing an important Its attack was further dimin- delayed 2020 cup final held in Cartuja Stadium. place for the Coronavirus when liams, while Bilbao’s Martínez week, and the first important ished when forward Bryan Gil, Seville. Bilbao will have another The impact of the virus, they rallied in rowdy, tightly had Bilbao’s best scoring chance thing was to win today," said who debuted for Spain last week, shot in just two weeks when it which has claimed more than packed groups in Bilbao city when his long strike forced goal- Asensio, after scoring a third had to be substituted at halftime plays Barcelona in the 2021 edi- 75,000 lives in Spain, was evi- Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the only goal, holds the center. At least one trash con- keeper Alejandro Remiro to goal in as many games. for an apparent leg injury. tion of the Copa del Rey final. dent even in the celebrations. cup as he celebrates with teammates after winning the final of the tainer was in flames near a palm the ball over the bar just "Now we have the first leg But the visitors were almost Mikel Oyarzabal scored the “There are many people who crowd of mostly young peo- past the half-hour mark. 2020 Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, soccer match between Athletic Bilbao against Liverpool and then gifted an equalizer with half an only goal of an intense, scrappy we would have liked to share ple, many wearing Bilbao’s red- Merino helped tilt the match Barcelona. They will be very hour to play after heavy rain and contest dominated by defense. this with, family and friends and Real Sociedad at Estadio de La Cartuja in Sevilla, Spain PTI and-white shirts. in Sociedad’s favor with a per- demanding matches and we strong winds. A tame-looking The Spain striker drilled his who have left us in the worst Bilbao’s police made pleas on fectly weighted pass. have to be up to the challenge." pass from Lucas Vazquez back penalty kick into the right cor- way possible,” Oyarzabal said its last major trophy. lives,” Alguacil said. “I thought social media for the crowds to Merino’s long ball to meet With Sergio Ramos out with to Thibaut Courtois slipped ner in the 63rd minute after with tears in his eyes. Sociedad coach Imanol of them after our win. I dedicate go home. The city’s mayor also Portu’s run into the area left a left-leg injury, Madrid coach past him and the Madrid goal- Iñigo Martínez fouled Portu Sociedad, which is based in Alguacil dedicated his biggest this cup to them.” criticized the gatherings. Martínez with the choice of Zinedine Zidane rested his other keeper had to slide to kick the Portugués in the box following San Sebastián, had only won the night to those fighting the pan- Bilbao, whose 23 cup titles “Some lunatics are provok- either letting the forward free to first-choice centerback, Raphael ball clear before it crossed his a precise pass by Mikel Merino. Copa del Rey twice previously in demic. “Thanks to the health are second to Barcelona’s record ing incidents before the final. size up goalkeeper Unai Simón, Varane, for the matches ahead. goal-line. AGENCIES The match had been post- its history, in 1909 and in 1987, workers, to those who are saving of 30, has now lost the cup final And what about the families or bring him down. AGENCIES mp millenniumpost 12 Entertainment MONDAY, 5 APRIL, 2021 | NEW DELHI Shraddha to play double role in ‘Chaalbaaz In London’ It is unclear if the film is a remake of the 1989 hit that featured Sridevi

MUMBAI: Actor Shraddha to do a great job with double The producer called ‘Chaal- Kapoor has come on board to Kapoor said she is thrilled to take on the role in the comedy. baaz In London’ a commercial star in the upcoming roman- “For me, there is nobody and modern story catering to tic-comedy ‘Chaalbaaz In Lon- challenge of essaying a double role - her better than her for a film like the pan-India audience. don’, to be directed by Pankaj career’s first. The film is a joint production ‘Chaalbaaz In London’. I also “We are happy to have Parashar, who helmed the 1989 want to thank Mr Bhushan Shraddha again on board. She Sridevi classic ‘Chaalbaaz’. between Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar’s Kumar and Mr Ahmed has been a thorough profes- The film is a joint produc- T- Series and director Ahmed Khan and Khan for trusting in my sional - very dedicated and easy tion between Bhushan Kumar, vision and idea. I can’t wait to to work with and hence was Krishan Kumar’s T- Series Shaira Khan’s Paper Doll Entertainment begin work on this project,” he always our first choice. Also, and director Ahmed Khan added. Shraddha fits the part really and Shaira Khan’s Paper Doll that Bhushan sir and Ahmed us for so many years. Look- It is unclear if ‘Chaalbaaz In well. It will be interesting to see Entertainment. sir feel that I will be able to pull ing forward to this journey,” London’ is a remake of the 1989 two different Shraddhas in one Kapoor said she is thrilled it off. the 34-year-old actor said in a movie that featured Sridevi in a film,” he said. to take on the challenge of “Also, it’s a great opportu- statement. double role. Ahmed Khan, who last essaying a double role-- her nity and a learning experience Parashar, who also helmed Bhushan Kumar said he was worked with Kapoor in the career first. for me to work with Pan- the popular 1985 TV series willing to make the film since 2020 action movie ‘Baaghi 3’, “Although there’s a huge kaj sir who has ‘Karamchand’, said he is confi- he heard its quirky storyline for called ‘Chaalbaaz In London’ responsibility on me, I’m happy entertained dent that Kapoor will be able the first time. his dream project. PTI ‘It used to be so difficult for me to laugh on screen’

ollywood actor T-shirt. He shared the picture Hrithik Roshan He shared a and wrote, “It used to be so has been facing the difficult for me to laugh on cameraB for 21 years now. picture laughing for screen. I was so tensed up all However, the ‘Zindagi Na the camera while the time. But learning to let Aditya Narayan, wife Shweta Milegi Dobara’ star recently go has been one of the joys shared a confession that he sharing his thoughts of my life.” had difficulties laughing in the caption Hrithik’s ‘Super 30’ co- onscreen. star Mrunal Thakur took to test positive for COVID-19 The actor took to his ‘Ins- the comments section and tagram’ handle and shared a caption. dropped an angelic-looking picture laughing for the In the picture, Hrithik emoji while celebrity hair- Actor Ritwik Bhowmik also shared the camera while sharing was seen wearing a crisp stylist Aalim Khan dropped his thoughts in the blue suit paired with a white a heart and fire emoji. AGENCIES news of testing positive for coronavirus

he host of the singing reality show Indian Idol Veteran actor Shashikala 12, Aditya Narayan and This wife Shweta Agarwal, have tested positive for the novel breathes her last at 88 coronavirus, The Covid cases in Mumbai are increasing rap- eteran Bollywood actor Sha- idly and the newlywed duo is shikala breathed her last on the latest victim. Taking to his April 4 at the age of 88. An offi- Instagram, Aditya shared a pic- Vcial statement from her family is still ture with his wife and informed awaited. his fans that he has tested posi- Shashikala has featured in over 100 tive. He asked his fans to stay films while essaying several pivotal safe and follow the safety pre- parts. She earned a lot of accolades cautions. Shweta also reposted for her performance of a negative role the message on her Instagram. in ‘Aarti’ (1962), co-starring Meena Aditya Narayan wrote, Kumari, Ashok Kumar and Pradeep “Hello all! Unfortunately, my Kumar. She is also remembered for her wife @shwetaagarwaljha & I performance in hits like ‘Khubsoorat’, have tested positive for Covid- Taking to his Instagram, singer & host ‘Anupama’ and ‘Ayi Milan Ke Bela’ to 19 & are in quarantine. Please name a few. stay safe, continue to follow Aditya shared a picture with his wife Shashikala had worked with Shah protocol & do keep us in your and informed his fans that he has tested Rukh Khan also in a few films. She prayers. This too shall pass.” played the role of his mother in ‘Bad- Indian Idol 12 judge Neha Kak- positive. He asked everyone to stay safe shah’, while she was also seen in a spe- kar took to comments to wish and follow the safety precautions cial appearance in ‘Kabhi Khushi ‘Twitter’ handle, “Shashikala ji... RIP!” them a speedy recovery. She Kabhie Gham...!’. In 2007, Shashikala was honoured wrote, “Get well soon!!” line to share the news ofhim announce that he has isolated The veteran actor had also essayed with the prestigious Padma Shri award Many new cases are com- testing positive on Sunday himself. “I have tested Covid the role of Salman Khan’s grand- for her contribution to cinema. She was ing up from the TV indus- morning. The actor took to his positive this morning. I have mother in ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, a disciple of Mother Teresa and led an try lately. On Friday, actresses Instagram isolated myself. And am under which also featured Akshay Kumar elusive life. Rupali Ganguli and Kanchi account home quarantine. Hoping to be and Priyanka Chopra in pivotal roles. The funeral of the ace Bollywood Singh also informed that they to up and about soon,” the actor Remembering the veteran actor, actor will be held in a church in are Covid positive. wrote. AGENCIES ‘Hostage’ star Ronit Roy shared on his Colaba. AGENCIES Bandish Bandits actor Rit- wik Bhowmik was next in the ‘BLACK WIDOW’ TRAILER Rapper DMX suffers Scarlett deals with unfinished heart attack business from her past He was on life support Natasha will be seen reuniting with her family since April 3 at the

arvel Studios’ dropped ‘White Plains Hospital’ another trailer of its upcoming much-awaited NEW YORK: DMX’s longtime New debuted film‘M ‘Black Widow’. The new trailer York-based lawyer, Murray Rich- number takes the viewers deeper into the life man, shared the news that the rapper one on the and journey of Natasha Romanoff was on life support since the eve- ‘Billboard before she became an ‘Avenger’. The ning of April 3 at the ‘White Plains 200’ superhero film has Scarlett Johansson Hospital’. chart. The reprising the fan favourite charac- “He had a heart attack. He is quite multiplatinum-selling album was ter. It is headed to theatres this com- ill,” Richman said. anchored by several hits including ing July. Richman added that he could not ‘Ruff Ryders’ Anthem’, ‘Get at Me In the trailer, fans can see Natasha confirm reports that DMX, 50, over- Dog’ and ‘Stop Being Greedy’. aka Black Widow giving a glimpse dosed on drugs and was not sure The rapper had four other what caused the heart attack. chart-topping albums including ‘... ‘Black Widow’ is set “I’m very sad about it, extremely And Then There Was X’, ‘Flesh of sad. He is like my son. He is just a tre- My Flesh, Blood of My Blood’, ‘The between the events of Great Depression’ and ‘Grand ‘Captain America: Civil Champ’. He also released seven events of ‘Captain America: Civil His lawyer revealed albums and earned three Grammy War’ and ‘Avengers: War’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, that he could not confirm nominations. Infinity War’, the time the time when Natasha was on the reports that DMX, 50, Along with his music career, run. In the midst, fans will see her DMX paved his way as an actor. He when Natasha was returning to her Russian roots. overdosed on drugs starred in the 1998 film ‘Belly’ and on the run According to the film’s official and was not sure what appeared in ‘Romeo Must Die’ a synopsis, “Pursued by a force that will couple of years later with Jet Li and stop at nothing to bring her down, caused the heart attack the late singer Aaliyah. DMX and into her struggle to face her past and Natasha must deal with her history as Aaliyah teamed up for the film’s deal with some unfinished business. a spy and the broken relationships left mendous person, tremendous enter- soundtrack song ‘Come Back So far, the audience gets to know in her wake long before she became tainer and tremendous human being. in One Piece’. Natasha will be reuniting with her an ‘Avenger’.” He has so much to offer and so much Over the years, DMX former family, including Yelena ‘Black Widow’ is the first film in to say. Not the run-of-the-mill rap- has battled with sub- Belova, Melina Vostokoff and Alexei ‘Phase Four’ of the ‘Marvel Cine- per, he is a person of great depth,” the stance abuse. The rapper Shostakov/The Red Guardian in the matic Universe’ (MCU). Directed by lawyer shared. canceled a series of movie. The new trailer further builds Cate Shortland and produced by DMX, whose real name is Earl shows to check him- upon their mission to take down the place that has haunted her for a long Kevin Feige, it also stars Florence Simmons, made a splash in rap music self into a rehabili- ‘Red Room’, where she got the train- time. Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel in 1998 with his first studio album tation facility in ing to become an assassin and the ‘Black Widow’ is set between the Weisz. AGENCIES ‘It is Dark and Hell is Hot’, which 2019. PTI