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11 with farmer unions. In the letter, Darshan Pal, , ! he union of the farmers farmers’ leader has recorded in Tprotesting at the borders of writing the farmer unions’ ! the national Capital against decision to reject a recent new farm laws, wrote a letter to Government proposal of blankets among protesters. the Centre on Wednesday, ask- amendments in the new / , The body of Baba Ram ing it to stop holding parallel laws. Singh arrived at KCGMC, but talks with other farmer bodies “In reference to the pro- 65-year-old preacher, the followers (sangat) refused over the deadlock. posal (dated December 9) and Adescribed as a “sant”, com- to get his post-mortem con- With the Government say- your (Agarwal) letter, we want mitted suicide by shooting ducted. His body is being taken ing that it is waiting for the to inform the Government himself dead at Singhu Border to Nanaksar Gurdwara Singhra, reply of the farmers’ leaders, the that farmer organisations held on Wednesday evening. The where thousands of followers Sanyukt Kisan Morcha said a joint meeting to discuss the deceased has been identified as gathered. Tense situations pre- there is no question of respond- proposal on the same day and Baba Ram Singh of Singhra vil- vailed on the gurdwara premis- ing as the farmers’ unions had rejected it,” he stated in his let- lage in Nissing area of Karnal es. One of the followers said, made their stand clear in the ter written in Hindi. district. “Maharaj ji sacrificed for farm- last round of meeting with “We had already made our He was admitted to a pri- ers, Modi ji, now listen to the Union Ministers that they want stand clear in previous talks vate hospital where the doctors farmers. He left behind a sui- the laws to be repealed. that’s why we did not send a declared him brought dead. His cide note in Punjabi language.” In the letter to Union written reply earlier,” he further followers said he was a sant and Baba Ram Singh came to Agriculture and Farmers’ stated. was on the seat of Gurdwara Nanaksar Gurdwara Singhra in Welfare Joint Secretary Vivek Representatives of the Sahib Nanaksar Singhra village. 1990 from Nanaksar Gurdwara Aggarwal, the Sanyukt Kisan Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan) His followers had distributed Jagraon in Punjab. Morcha, which represents from Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday farmers’ bodies mostly from met Tomar and submitted a Punjab, said the Centre should memorandum with sugges- '3('**'*.%*30'!*-(' !)5*3'9%!0:)5)("%*!# stop defaming the ongoing tions on the laws and mini- ( & & & ( ! & , * " - . ( # )'(('3'!$'.(',-'*$*5)( *!* )# 9()(' protests being held at several mum support price (MSP). Delhi border points against The Bharatiya Kisan Union !00)%#7!0'$)!(7-' *-/*%.5)(*-7!(+%00* the three farm laws. (Kisan) has also decided to end New Delhi: The Supreme New Delhi: It is a day of “spe- The letter comes against for now its protest, which it was 01 Court on Wednesday expressed cial joy” for crore of farmers, the backdrop of the holding at district levels in displeasure over repeated Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government holding talks with Uttar Pradesh. requests that senior lawyer said on Wednesday soon after several farmers’ organisations Meanwhile, barricades $ batch of petitions seeking country to resolve the deadlock farmer unions on Wednesday Harish Salve be unmuted and the government approved a from different States who the were set up on the Chilla bor- removal of farmers camping at over the legislations. said constituting a new panel to allowed to raise some “legal subsidy of 3,500 crore to Centre claimed have extended der road, prohibiting vehicular several roads near Delhi bor- In a hearing conducted via break the stalemate on the issue” during the hearing of sugar mills for clearing the dues their support to the new agri- movement from Noida to ders in protest against the three video conferencing, the bench three new agri laws, as indi- pleas seeking removal of of farmers and asserted that it culture laws. Delhi, while Delhi to Noida new agri laws. directed the petitioners to make cated by the Supreme Court, is protesting farmers camping at will also help lakhs of workers Earlier in the day, Union road was open. A bench comprising Chief protesting farmer unions par- not a solution as they want a borders of the national capital. associated with these mills. Agriculture Minister Narendra Also, traffic was diverted Justice SA Bobde, and Justices ties to the pleas and posted the complete withdrawal of the A bench headed by Chief The Government approved the Singh Tomar said that the from the Dalit Prerna Sthal, AS Bopanna and V matter for hearing on Thursday. legislations. Justice S A Bobde told Solicitor subsidy for the export of 60 ongoing farmers’ protest at another site of the farmers’ Ramasubramanian also indi- “Your negotiations with protest- They also said the General Tushar Mehta, repre- lakh tonnes of sugar during the Delhi borders is an “exception” protests, to the Delhi-Noida- cated that the court may form ing farmers have not worked Government should have senting the Centre, that Salve ongoing marketing year 2020- and “limited to one State” and Direct (DND) flyway in the he Supreme Court on a committee having represen- apparently till now,” the bench formed a committee of farmers can join the proceedings on 21 as part of its efforts to help hoped for an early solution as wake of the situation at the TWednesday issued a notice tatives of the Government and told the Centre. and others before the laws Thursday when the pleas them clear outstanding dues to the Government is in talks Chilla border. to the Centre and others on a the farmer unions across the Meanwhile, protesting were enacted by parliament. would be heard again. sugarcane farmers. $% ! & ' & !" employees. sultation platform — Mount Ministry said that its Replying to queries, Virtual Hospital — done across eSanjeevani telemedicine ser- Mohan suggested to the panel metros covering Delhi-NCR, vice has recorded 1 million members that the Facebook Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, consultations. In the wake of fact team consultant has so far ! Uttar Pradesh and Covid-19 crisis, the Ministry not found any such element in Bihar. approved the guidelines on the content posted by the " # Telemedicine entails deliv- telemedicine allowing any reg- acebook’s India head Ajit Bajrang Dal that is violative of ery of health services from a istered medical practitioner to FMohan on Wednesday its social media policies. earing Covid-19 infection, distance using internet and it treat Covid-19 patients remote- deposed before the Information Further quizzing him, BJP MP Fmore Indians, prefer front- not only extends the reach of ly or by using telemedicine Technology Parliamentary Nishikant Dubey asked if the rime Minister Narendra line tools — smartphones — to health services but also tools. Committee where he was ques- Bajrang Dal content was not PModi on Wednesday lit the consult their doctors, instead of improves quality of health The data was collected tioned about a recent report found to be violative of its “Swarnim Vijay Mashaal” from meeting them in person. services besides saving time from an age-group of 20 to 85 that the social media giant is social media policies, then why the eternal flame of the At least 46 per cent Indians and money, according to years. The total respondents in reluctant to ban the Bajrang the Facebook did not deny the National War Memorial here, have favoured telemedicine experts. the survey were 2,406 which Dal due to concerns over the WSJ report and termed it fake. marking the beginning of the option, as per a survey con- The survey comes days included 1,455 males and security of its staff. Last month, a former 50th anniversary year celebra- ducted by online doctor con- after the Union Health around 951 females. Mohan deposed before the Facebook employee made star- tions of India’s victory over panel chaired by Congress tling revelations before the Pakistan in 1971. leader Shashi Tharoor. Delhi Assembly’s Committee In a tweet, Modi said, “On The panel had called him on on Peace and Harmony about Vijay Diwas we recall the # (' * ' & (
the issue of the citizens’ data the functioning of the platform unwavering courage of our safety. and its biases towards politi- armed forces that resulted in a (* " (( + * ! " # Mohan was accompanied cally-connected people. Ex- decisive victory for our nation " #$ $%&' ( ## by Shivnath Thukral, the pub- employee Mark Luckie claimed in the 1971 war. On this special "' # ## lic policy director of Facebook. top managerial posts at Vijay Diwas, had the honour of Param Vir Chakra and Maha As December 16 marks "'& Congress MP Karti Facebook are given to those lighting the ‘Swarnim Vijay Vir Chakra awardees of the the anniversary of the military Chidambaram, along with who have good political affili- Mashaal’ at the National War 1971 war, the Defence Ministry victory, the nation will celebrate )! " Tharoor, questioned Mohan ations. Memorial.” has said. “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” (gold- "*" +' ## about a recent Wall Street Facebook Inc is also facing The Prime Minister was “Soil from the villages of en victory year) through several & # Journal (WSJ) report on ban- the legal ire in the United joined by Defence Minister these awardees and from areas events across the country, and ning the Bajrang Dal on States and it could be forced to Rajnath Singh, the chief of where major battles were it will continue for a year. ,- # # # Facebook, sources said. sell WhatsApp and Instagram defence staff and tri-service fought in 1971 are being Various commemorative $"' + # ## The WSJ report suggested after the US Federal Trade chiefs as he laid wreath and brought to the National War events will be conducted pan- &+ # ## that despite an internal assess- Commission and almost all US paid homage to the soldiers Memorial (NWM),” it said. India wherein war veterans ment calling for a ban on the States have filed lawsuits who made the supreme sacri- India celebrates December will be felicitated, the statement # # # Bajrang Dal, Facebook has not against the social media plat- fice for the country. 16 as Vijay Diwas to com- said, adding that band displays, *& # # ## cracked down on the Hindu form, claiming it used a “buy or Four victory mashaals memorate its victory over seminars, exhibitions, equip- /(- # ### nationalist group due to finan- bury” strategy to kill rivals (flaming torches) will be car- Pakistan during the 1971 war ment displays, film festivals, cial considerations and con- and keep smaller competitors ried to various parts of India, that led to the creation of conclaves and adventure activ- ! " ## ## cerns over the safety of its at bay. including to the villages of Bangladesh. ities will also be held.
%& & !#'P ( ; < Kannur corporation with big margin. !+/=!00&+1"21'" &" But the corporations of Kochi and &'"#(& " & -(&""" he CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Thrissur have ended up as hung 2 " " %2 & +" TFront (LDF), despite handi- houses with both the fronts failing to and converted them into open jails The Chinese Defence Minister )! ",2 4( capped by the gold smuggling scam cross the half-way as prior permission is required to get Wei Fenghe has signed an agreement 52''& " &+ "6 and allegations of massive corrup- mark. akistan has decided to convert in or out of these villages by the with his Pak to deploy 20,000 per- tions, managed to score impressive Out of the 14 district panchay- PGwadar port city into an open jail authorities there. sonnel of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps win in most of the local bodies in the ats in the State, the LDF and UDF by fencing the areas around it. The The fenced areas in Gawadar city to secure the highway and the State which went to the three-phase won nine and five districts respec- decision came following a recent visit will be put under curfew when it pipeline between the two polls during the last week. tively while the BJP-led NDA drew by the Chinese Defence Minister. faces a heightened security threat and countries. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, blank. The Congress-led UDF did In doing so, Islamabad has the security agencies there will be in a late evening media briefing, well by winning 45 of the 86 munic- adopted an age-old Chinese tactic of able to easily clamp curfew and !"!#$%&$'(()(%*+ thanked the people of the State for ipalities while the LDF finished as securing a region through fencing as enforce a crackdown against the reasserting their trust and confidence P runner-up by bagging 35 municipal even the Great Wall of China was Balochs. The move to fence the *,-!.+'+/'("%00'. in the LDF. “The results show that the ! councils. The NDA wrested built with a similar intention. Gwadar will ensure segregation of the Congress-led UDF has become irrel- " #$ Pandhalam and retained Palakkadu The proposed fencing is modeled port city from other adjoining areas New Delhi: Pashtun insurgents on evant in the State while the BJP is not municipal councils with absolute on the lines of similar measures by inhabited by the Balochs who often Friday killed a member of a team of a factor in Kerala. What adds to the the CPI(M) has won absolute major- majority. It also managed to emerge the Chinese government in villages enter the city for various activities, the Counter-Terrorism Department beauty of the win is that this has hap- ity in two of the six municipal cor- as the single largest unit in two more in Tibet and Xinxiang and is aimed expert tracking the development in of Pakistan and disrobed other pened despite the best efforts by porations in the State. The LDF led municipal councils. at securing the Chinese investments the region said. members of the unit and released Central agencies to spread canards by the CPI(M) has established The LDF retained its hold in vil- in the China-Pakistan Economic The Gwadar port city is con- them with the warning not to visit and falsehoods about the Kerala absolute majority in lage panchayats. The front bagged Corridor that faces threat from nected to China via a six-lane high- the area again. The incident occurred Government,” said Vijayan. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and 516 of the 941 village panchayats that Baloch insurgents. way and a gas pipeline which Beijing at Kachai village in Kohat district of According to reports from the Kozhikode municipal corporations went to the polls while the UDF had The Chinese Government has apprehends will be hit by the Baloch Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kerala State Election Commission, while the Congress-led UDF won to content with 375 panchayats. fenced many of the villages in Tibet insurgents. !"#"# 4& ) *5 6 %
11 'Economic Weaker Section' ment of land required for the Satyendar Jain, UD Principal rehabilitation of the people, with DUSIB, at present 115 from where the people have structed. In the third phase, (EWS) and slum dwellers. construction of these flats Secretary Renu Sharma along should be completed in its due acre land is being considered been shifted. 30000 EWS houses will be Kejriwal instructed the should be removed. "The 89400 with other Delhi government timeline. This has to be ensured for construction of EWS hous- As per the project, architect constructed across Delhi. The elhi Chief Minister Arvind officials to ensure the allotment flats will be constructed in officials and DUSIB board so that we can provide shelter es, the land use of the land consultants will be appointed houses will be multi-storeyed, DKejriwal on Wednesday of the flats within five kms of three phases in a total of 237 members. for every poor in Delhi." available with the DUSIB will for the project in two months. and five separate tenders will be chaired a review meeting of the where their slums were locat- acres, with a deadline of 2022- Kejriwal said, "The 'Jahan In a meeting held last be changed by the The 89400 houses will be called each in a lot of 8000 'Delhi Urban Shelter ed and directed to allot land for 2025," he said. Jhuggi Wahin Makaan' policy month, it was decided that the MunicipalCorporations, Delhi constructed in three phases. In houses. The time frame for the Improvement Board' (DUSIB) the purpose as soon as possi- The meeting was also is the flagship policy of the construction project of the Development Authority or any the first phase, 41400 houses construction of houses in the and instructed them to expe- ble. attended by Delhi Urban Delhi government. We have to EWS flats will be carried out on other authority and the con- will be constructed by the year first phase is 24 months, with ditiously allot the flats that have The chief minister also Development Minister and ensure that the construction of the vacant land of DUSIB. Out struction project will also be 2022. In the second phase, a construction cost of Rs. 3312 been constructed for the said that all obstacles in allot- DUSIB Vice-Chairperson the EWS flats for the in-situ of 221 acres of land available carried out on the vacant land 18000 houses will be con- Crores for 41400 flats. + % ' "' 82 * @*"'"5&5& "12 " 82+& +121" 2"5"&" 2& 55& "& 25 "''& + ( & 11 office. The then Delhi Kuch Chehron Ki Haqiqat, Jo 8&1"282''2( "%24(" Government of Sheila Dikshit Topi Pehankar Topi Pehnane $R !-. elhi Bhartiya Janta Party ( so manipulated the affairs that Ka Kaam Karte Hain." The 11 ity rate should be below eight 11 DBJP ) continued their South DMC got space to house Aam Aadmi Party has put up percent, and optimum should protest outside Chief Minister its headquarters in the Civic posters of the allegations lev- inister of Health and be five per cent. If a city has five Akshay Mehta (34) of Laxmi he Economic Offences Arvind Kejriwal’ house Centre owned by North DMC. eled against the corporation, MFamily Welfare Satyendar per cent positivity rate then it /),)/, Nagar, Delhi the owners of the TWing (EOW) of Delhi demanding the release of the Sheila Dikshit’s but has not put its name any- Jain on Wednesday said that means the tests being carried call centre operated in 401 Police has arrested a 72 year- outstanding fund of Rs 13000 Government fixed a high com- where, because they too know the Delhi Government has out are enough. he Chief Minister’s flying from the spot and recovered Rs old man for forging fake prop- crores for the tenth day mercial value rent amount that these allegations are false issued orders to add Delhi Jal Delhi is at two per cent. Tsquad busted two illegal call 8.50 lakh from their possession. erty documents and selling The opposition leaders in which South DMC was sup- and are fraudulent with the Board and electricity depart- Since the past 5 days, positivi- centers operating in Spaze IT While the owner of the sec- them to innocent buyers. Delhi addressed the press con- posed to pay to North DMC. people of Delhi which lead to ment workers in the list of ty rate has been less than three Park, Sohna Road Sector-49 in ond call centre was identified The accused has been iden- ference from the dharna site He said that, CM Kejriwal defamation case. She said that frontline warriors who will per centand since the past 15 Gurugram on Tuesday evening. as Ansh Saxena (28), a resident tified as Darshan Singh, a res- and exposed the malicious wants to create a state of anar- before partition there was only receive the covid vaccine in the days, it has been less than five The Gurugram Police said of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, ident of Kailash Nagar Colony, functioning of the Kejriwal chy in Delhi. Ever since the one corporation and after par- first phase of the rollout. percent," he said. on Wednesday that they have Uttar Pradesh, who was not Shahdara. government. Arvind Kejriwal government tition in 2012 the EDMC had Jain said that positivity Commenting on the avail- busted more than 25 fake call found on the spot but was According to Dr O P State Vice President Rajiv came to power, it has consis- its own office, NDMC had Pt rate was for the first time since ability of beds, he said, "Almost center rackets which were arrested from the vicinity after Mishra, the Joint Babbar, State Treasurer Vishnu tently cut constitutional funds Shyama Prasad Mukherjee May, has come below two per 50 percent ICU beds are avail- being run in Gurugram this a few hours. Commissioner of Police, EOW, Mittal and State Media Head of municipal corporations. Bhawan and SDMC had a land cent and this is a sign of relief. able, but in private hospitals, year till December 13. The culprits disclosed Naveen Kumar were present on Ever since Arvind Kejriwal in Dwarka. In which no office "Third wave is not over yet but occupancy lies somewhere The call centres mostly before the police that they the occasion. Government came to power in was built. On 16 March 2012, it is definitely on the wane. between 80-90 percent. used to cheat US nationals on used to work at a city based call Delhi State President Delhi it stopped paying full reg- it was decided in the Cabinet According to WHO parame- On BJP organising pan- the pretext of redeemed gift center six years ago during Adesh Gupta said that, there is ular constitutional funds to that till the office is built, the ters, Delhi is in safe zone. chayat meeting to explain coupons of values ranging which they got an idea of frustration and despair within the Municipal Bodies. The SDMC will run the office from On the ongoing farmer farmer laws, Jain said, “They from one thousand to five opening a call center. Both the the Aam Aadmi Party of Delhi Delhi Government did not Pt. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee agitation, he said that BJP must should do it at Singhu border. thousand dollars and used to call centers were being operat- today and in this desperation, implement the 4th Delhi Bhavan. The real issue is the address the issue at Singhu They are not addressing the charge 100 to 500 dollars as ser- ed since last month. they are making unwarranted Finance Commission recom- corporation's dues of Rs 13,000 Border itself instead of holding focal point, but are going vice charge per client, the “These fake call centres and ludicrous allegations of Rs mendations on municipal crore and to divert from the panchayats. The farmer laws around in circles. If they want police said. have cheated several US citi- 2500 crore scam on the North funds thus paying hardly 50 issue, the Kejriwal government should be withdrawn," he said. to talk, they should meet the The police have recovered zens on the pretext of provid- a case was registered after a and South Delhi Municipal percent of actually due funds. is making unwarranted charge He said that that were 1617 farmers at Singhu Border. Rs 8.50 lakh and two laptops ing gift coupons. The youths complainant company Capital Corporations. “We challenge In fact in the current financial of scam of Rs 2500 crore. She new cases in Delhi on Tuesday And according to me, there and a hard-disk along with were employed at the call cen- Land & Builders engaged in the CM Arvind Kejriwal to get the year 2020-21 Delhi challenged Manish Sisodia to and positivity rate was below should be no room for discus- other electronic gadgets. tres, which were being operat- business of colonizing in the CBI or any independent agency Government has released hard- debate the conditions of two percent. sion. The farmer laws should be According to the police, a ed without a license issued by area of Village Gokal Pur to investigate the allegations ly 25% of due funds even as 3/4 Schools of Delhi. "WHO states that positiv- withdrawn”. team from the CM flying squad the Department of Shahdara alleged that the leveled against the municipal year has gone by. He said that, MP Hans Raj Hans said led by ACP Inderjeet raided the Telecommunications (DOT),” accused Darshan Singh along corporations and if the allega- the Delhi government officials that, CM Kejriwal, who has call centres which were run- said Inderjeet ACP, (CM flying with others have fraudulently tions turn out to be false, the appointed in the corporation mastered in dharna, is scared ning on the fourth floor office squad). sold properties belonging to the CM should be ready to resign. made a provision within the of dharna these days. For the /011 number 401 and 404, in Spaze “During the questioning, company. Corporation leaders are sitting budget that the dues of the last 10 days, the corporation IT Park building at Sector-49 in the accused revealed that they “Singh on the pretext of on a dharna outside the CM's North Delhi Municipal leaders, including women, are Gurugram following a tip-off . lured thier target on pretext of being GPA holder of directors residence to demand the rights Corporation should be reduced living under the open sky, CM During the first raid, the lucrative gift coupons online of the complainant company of the corporation workers to zero but the standing com- should have shown a some police noticed that 10 people and used to charge nearly 100 fraudulently sold some prop- under the open sky in the cold mittee of the corporation humanity and talked to them. , ) Kandari said that more than 600 including four girls were work- to 500 dollars per client as ser- erties belonging to the compa- winter, the continuous cam- rejected that proposal and this CM first betrayed his Guru locals have returned the white ing in office no 401 while 12 vice charge" he added. ny in connivance with others,” paign of the BJP has established time also no such proposal has Anna Hazare and is now earing action by the ration cards so far which are youths including two girls were “The matter is under inves- said the Joint CP. the fact that in the last 6 years been accepted. betraying the people of FDehradun district adminis- allotted to low income families working in office no 404 who tigation. How the accused was “The accused was arrested , Delhi Jal Board, under the He said that a special ses- Delhi. tration, more than 600 ineligible to get subsidised ration from the were working at the fake call operating the fake call centre on December 15 and was also patronage of Kejriwal govern- sion of one day assembly has MP Gautam Gambhir said local residents have surrendered government. He also added that centers and were communi- it’s a part of an investigation. released on a bail from local ment, both the political lead- been convened tomorrow, but that there is no shame left in their ration cards this year which if anyone is aware of such ben- cating with US nationals. The involvement of other peo- court. The accused had sold ership and officials have Kejriwal has not called a spe- CM of Delhi, women council- were meant for Below Pverty eficiaries who are ineligible to use However, after questioning the ple cannot be ruled out,” the some plots and in the process scammed not only the capital cial session till date to save lors have been sitting outside Line beneficiaries. Several citi- certain ration cards, they can police have released youths officer said. In both cases, FIRs he got possession of some of the Jal Board but also the Delhi, especially when the peo- his house for 10 days, the least zens have complained many complain to the district supply who were working there. under relevant sections of the GPAs which he used to prepare loan money of Rs 50,000 crore ple were struggling with he can do is come to them and times that many from high office. "On receiving any com- In connection with the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and further forged GPAs and received from it. The Delhi BJP Corona. It has been proved talk or call them once. CM income groups remain in pos- plaint against a beneficiary, we incidents, the CM flying wing the IT Act were registered at grabbed some properties and President has said that, the that baseless allegations have Kejriwal, who can put the session of those ration cards ask for the proof of income arrested two brothers identified the Cyber Crime police station sold to innocent purchasers,” people of Delhi very well know been leveled against corpora- honor of the women leader of which are meant to benefit the details of the accused beneficia- as Anshu Mehta (33) and for further investigation. said the Joint CP. that a proposed settlement of tions because the Kejriwal gov- his own party on stake, will not BPL families of Dehradun and ry and if he or she fails to pre- rent dues between two consti- ernment wants to stop the respect the women of Delhi. In through which they get a sub- sent the required documents and tutional bodies North & South constitutional funds of the the Corona crisis, the BJP pro- sidised monthly ration. The dis- details, they are sent a notice and DMCs does not involve trans- municipal corporations and posed to the Aam Aadmi Party trict officials stated that though the allotted ration card is action of a single penny and divert public attention from the government to work together the district supply office issues annulled," informed Kandari. hence involves no scam.” corruption of Delhi Jal Board. but they did not like it and notice to such locals on receiv- Moreover, the officials informed Gupta said that, Municipal The people of Delhi have come returned the Covid Center. ing any complaints but they that one can surrender the yel- ;< Corporation of Delhi was tri- to know the truth of CM CM Kejriwal spent crores on have also asked those high low ration card or white ration furcated in 2012 and in this tri- Kejriwal and are not going to campaigning but did not build income individuals to come for- card which is meant for low Dehradun: Noted Kathak dancer and furcation East & North DMCs caught into his trap. a new school, college or hos- ward and themselves surrender income families to the dealers of national convener of Sparsh Ganga got their own buildings to Slamming CM Kejriwal, pital, and is campaigning to the ration cards. the fair price shops and can begin Abhiyan, Arushi Nishank has received house their Head Quarters but MP Meenakshi Lekhi said that, make Delhi a world class Dehradun district supply to apply to get the new ration the Global Water Women Entrepreneur South DMC did not get a "Dikha Di Hai Isteyaron Ne city. officer (DSO) Jaswant Singh card as per their category. Award – 2020. The award was present- ed to her by the Energy and Environment Foundation in a virtual 2 % programme on Ganga cleanliness, con- 2! ( * servation and augmentation on Dehradun: On the occasion lights his love for his native Wednesday. Budhi Diwali celebrated in the state of Uttarakhand. This soul- Stressing on the need for water con- Jaunsar region, singer Jubin ful rock number has been com- servation, she said, “There is a water cri- Nautiyal released a reprised posed by Rocky and Jubin, and sis looming over 22 cities in the coun- version of his song written by Rocky Khanna. " % try. About 70 per cent of water used is “Aatishbaazi”- his first inter- The singer said, wasted which we should find ways of national collaboration which “Aatishbaazi is extremely spe- conserving and utilising in a proper way was out in August 2020. The cial to me, under strict film ; like by watering plants and so on. PNS song has been roped in to guidelines created especially release as the singer’s first for us as this was at the begin- imachal Pradesh Chief international collaboration ning of lockdown, along with HMinister Jai Ram Thakur with a teen Hollywood thriller a small crew, we were able to on Wednesday said that the film ‘Initiation’. capture the true beauty of small hilly State has Shot amidst the pandemic Uttarakhand which amplified always been the leader in mak- and lockdown, the video high- the new sound.” PNS ing sacrifices for the sake of the country. The Chief Minister was presiding over the Vijay Divas function held at Annadale here to mark the golden jubilee cel- ebration of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Thakur said that it was a day of glory for us and it is also a day to remember the sacri- fices made by our great sons of away from making supreme brave soldiers and many the soil for the cause of the sacrifice while protecting the schemes were being imple- nation. frontiers of the nation. mented for the welfare of ex- It was on this day India Himachal Pradesh has the servicemen. won on December 16, 1971 honour of being called He said that all the depen- after a 13-day long battle with 'Devbhoomi'. dents of 52 martyrs were given Pakistan. Over 93 thousand It was also known as 'Veer an amount of Rs 5 lakhs and soldiers of Pakistan surren- Bhoomi' as lakhs of soldiers employment has been provid- dered before Commander of were serving the Indian Army. ed to the dependents of 48 fam- Indian Army Lt. General Jagjit In the Kargil war, out of the ilies out of these families. An Singh Arora by accepting total 527 martyrs, 52 were ex-gratia grant amount of Rs 20 defeat. from Himachal Pradesh and lakh was being provided to the The brave soldiers of two 'Paramveer Chakra' were next of kin of the soldiers and Himachal Pradesh also created won by Himachali soldiers. It paramilitary forces who laid a history of valour in this war, is a matter of pride for us that down their lives during the war he said. the brave soldiers of the state and Rs 5 lakh to the soldiers He further said that the had received 1096 gallantry belonging to defence and para- brave soldiers of Himachal awards so far, he added. military forces who have over Pradesh have shown The Chief Minister said 50 per cent physical disabilities indomitable courage in every that the State Government is during war and military oper- war and have not even shied committed for the welfare of its ations.
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“We have launched the number to reach out to the families of R armed forces personnel and know their grievances. The families can share their issues , ) stressed that attempts are being that sugar mills have paid cent and suggestions and we will made to mislead the farmers per cent price to sugar cane provide every possible help to he farm laws introduced by regarding MSP whereas in fact farmers for their produce. The them. When our government is Tthe Central government the MSP system is not being payment for rice is being made formed in the state we will take are a big step towards doubling discontinued. It is not good to by RTGS to the accounts of # necessary steps on the sugges- the income of farmers. By mislead the farmers in this case, farmers within 24 hours of the tions. We will stand by the fam- granting the freedom of choice he said. bill being received. Further, the ilies of our soldiers who are to the farmers, these laws will “For the economic better- state government provided a Rs , ) guarding our borders,’’ he enable farmers to sell their ment of farmers, under the PM 36 crore guarantee to restart the quipped. The PCC president produce wherever they get bet- Kisan Samman Nidhi they are private sector Iqbalpur sugar n the occasion of Vijay said that people of Uttarakhand ter price. Chief minister being provided Rs 6,000 each mill so that farmers can be paid ODiwas the Uttarakhand have been at forefront in serv- Trivendra Singh Rawat said this per year. Along with this pur- for their sugar cane. In addition Congress launched a ‘ ing the nation and someone while virtually addressing a chase on MSP is also being to this, farmers are also being Dhanyawad Jawan’ campaign from every third family in the farmers meet in Haridwar on strengthened consistently. The provided upto Rs three lakh on Wednesday. The objective of state is in armed forces or Wednesday. State government has also interest free loan in the state, the campaign is to express Para military force. He remem- Rawat said that the farm taken various measures to dou- added the CM. gratitude to the armed forces bered the contribution of the laws have been made on the ble the income of farmers who Urban Development min- personnel and reach out to soldiers of the state in the basis of the recommendations are free to sell their produce in ister Madan Kaushik, MLAs their families. The party also 1971 war with Pakistan. Singh Chakra and 32 Kirti Chakras. The PCC president also son of SC cell of the party of the Swaminathan committee the Mandi or anywhere else. Yatishwaranand, Pranav Singh launched a Whatsapp number added that a total of 1343 He said that he would try to honoured some of the ex ser- Rajkumar, Lt General ( Retd) and are in the interests of With consistent communica- ‘Champion’, Deshraj Karnwal, 7669643999 for the families of armed forces personnel of visit every soldier’s house in the vicemen on the M C Badhani, Brigadier ( Rtd) farmers. The laws provide tion with farmers their issues Suresh Rathore, Pradeep Batra, the soldiers. Launching the Uttarakhand have been award- next two months and take occasion. K G Behl, Mahanagar Congress choices to farmers who can sell are being resolved in the state,” Adesh Chauhan and Sanjay campaign the Pradesh ed gallantry medals which appropriate steps to solve the The Vice President of President Lal Chand Sharma their produce either in the he said. Gupta were also present in the Congress Committee (PCC) include one Pramavir Chakra, issues and problems faced by Uttarakhand Congress Surya and others were present on the Mandi or the open market. He Rawat further pointed out meet. president Pritam Singh said, six Ashok Chakras, 13 Mahavir the families of soldiers. Kant Dhasmana, the chairper- occasion. & 7 &8 $ #% ( 4 ! *4' & 56-10#R' Dehradun: The newly appoint- ed deputy chairman of the National Rural Health Advisory , ) & + ,-. Council (NRHAC), Sanjay Sehgal took charge of his office , ) giving them permission to he number of novel $ on Wednesday. After assuming operate as per their wish TCoronavirus (Covid-19) charge, he took a meeting with xpressing fears about since it will be unfair to the cases in Uttarakhand climbed / # 0 ( the officers of the health depart- Eadverse impact on their city bus operators. Moreover, & ' sorily get the RTPCR or rapid to 84069 on Wednesday with ment and National Health earnings due to introduction he said that if the department ## ( test of Covid-19 done and pro- the state health department # Mission (NHM) and took stock of electric buses, Dehradun will provide bus terminals duce a negative report before reporting 567 fresh cases of the of progress of schemes of the city bus operators have asked for the operation of electric # ) #% * entering the house. The disease. The authorities also ( department. The director the transport department to buses then such arrangements arrangements for the test would reported the death of three NHM, Dr Anjali Nautiyal gave define the routes of electric should also be made for the , ) be made at MLA hostel. He patients of the disease on the Meanwhile the experts are from Chamoli, 21 each from a detailed account of the vari- buses so that these buses do city buses. He further added said that arrangements for day after which the death toll getting concerned over the Champawat and Pithoragarh, ous schemes of the depart- not run on their routes only that if the administration will he speaker Premchand thermal scanning and saniti- mounted to 1375 in the state. increase in death rate in moun- 20 from Udham Singh Nagar, ment. Sehgal said that NHM is during the rush hours. make bus stops for electric TAgarwal chaired a meeting zation would be made at the The health department dis- tainous districts. The founder 18 from Pauri, 17 from a very important scheme and Since post-Covid, the buses to operate on various of senior officers of govern- assembly entrance. The speak- charged 498 patients from dif- of Social Development for Uttarkashi, 16 from Bageshwar, there is a need to take its ben- business of the city bus oepra- routes, the city buses should ment at his office at Vidhan er added that in view of pan- ferent hospitals on the day. A Communities Foundation 14 from Tehri and three from efit to the masses. He stressed tors is dwindling and they also be allowed to use those Sabha on Wednesday and dis- demic, media persons and total of 75547 patients have (SDC) Anoop Nautiyal said Rudraprayag on Wednesday. on making a proactive strategy have been already blaming the stops. Meanwhile, Dandriyal cussed the security and other guests would not be allowed recovered from the disease so that on December 16, 12.65 The state now has 6140 active for NHM. Taking note of slow alleged operation of Vikrams asserted that electric buses arrangements for the upcom- entry into Vidhan Sabha. He far. The health secretary Amit percent deaths were from cases of the disease. progress of the National Child and autorickshaws for it. Now can also be allowed to oper- ing winter session of the assem- said that former MLAs have Singh Negi was found infected mountainous districts. This Dehradun is maintaining Health Programme, he direct- when the Dehradun Smart ate during late hours, espe- bly. In the meeting the speak- been requested not to come to with Covid-19 on Tuesday fol- percentage was 9.14 on its lead at top of the table of ed that works associated with City Limited (DSCL) is plan- cially near railway stations er directed the officers of the Vidhan Sabha during session lowing which he isolated him- November 16 and 7.36 on active cases with 1776 cases the programme should be expe- ning to operate 30 electric and bus stops so that those assembly secretariat and the and no MLA would be allowed self in his home. October 16. Among the moun- while with 923 active cases dited. The additional mission buses, the city bus operators travelling during the night do police to ensure foolproof secu- to admit any assistant inside the The recovery percentage tainous districts maximum Nainital is at second spot. director of NHM, Dr Abhishek have now expressed that it not have to pay more than the rity arrangements during the assembly building. from the disease now stands at deaths ( 55) have occurred in Haridwar is at third spot with Tripathi explained about the might harm their business if double fare of the usual session. He also directed that Additional chief secretary 89.97 percent while the sample Pauri district. 518 active cases. Pithoragarh activities of the department on the administration will not charges to the three-wheeler the other arrangements for the Radha Raturi, IG Police A P positivity rate is 5.41 percent. The provisional state cap- has 452, Pauri 405, Chamoli Covid-19 pandemic front. He allot the proper routes to vehicles. He informed that he smooth conduct of the house Anshuman, Secretary health P One patient each of the dis- ital Dehradun continues to 345, Almora 339, Tehri 325, also explained the plan of the these buses. has written about these rec- should also be made. The K Pandey, secretary ITDA ease was reported dead at All reel under the onslaught of the Udham Singh Nagar 293, department for vaccination According to the presi- ommendations and objec- speaker held detailed discus- Amit Sinha, B S Manral, district India Institute of Medical disease. Here the health depart- Uttarkashi 273, Bageshwar 196 against the disease. The offici- dent of Dehradun Mahanagar tions to the transport com- sions on the arrangements magistrate of Dehradun Ashish Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, ment reported 194 cases of the and Champawat 151 active ating Director General (DG) City Bus Seva Mahasangh, missioner on Wednesday and made in the wake of the Covid- Srivastava, DG Information M Sushila Tiwari government disease on Wednesday. The cases of the disease. With 144 health services Dr Tripti Vijay Vardhan Dandriyal, the he is optimistic that the com- 19 pandemic for the session. S Bisht, Vidhan Sabha secretary hospital Haldwani and Kailash department reported 123 active cases of Covid-19, Bahuguna and other officers transport department should missioner will consider all the Later talking to the media per- (officiating) Mukesh Singhal hospital Dehradun on patients from Nainital, 57 from Rudraprayag is now at the bot- were present on the define the routes of the elec- points and take appropriate sons, Agarwal said that all the and others were present on the Wednesday. Almora, 37 from Haridwar, 26 tom of the table. occasion. PNS tric buses soon rather than decisions. MLAs would have to compul- occasion. - * O 1'46% & 4 % ( P P2 , ) arate entrance and , ) launched by the Ministry of platform to do the same. exit, underground Housing and Urban Affairs It is noteworthy to mention hief Minister Trivendra parking, food outlets or the immediate and effec- (MoHUA). In this app, the here that MCD achieved 124th - CSingh Rawat has asked and other facilities. Ftive redressal of any sanita- complainant can even check position in the Swacch officials of the Rail Land Travellers will also be tion related issue in the the status of his or her com- Survekshan 2020 and now the , ) are not being allowed entry into Development Authority able to enjoy a 360 Dehradun city, locals can plaint. corporation is trying to get into the secretariat due to which (RLDA) to ensure quality and degrees bird’s eye download Swachhata-MoHUA According to Joshi, the the top 100 cleanest cities of the n protest against the they are facing problems. It is punctuality in the execution of view of Dehradun in app and upload pictures with status of a complaint is marked country in the Swacch IUttarakhand government’s right that precaution should be the Dehradun railway station about an hour from a relevant details to file complain as resolved in the app when the Survekshan 2021 and to decision to restrict the entry of observed to combat Covid-19 redevelopment project. The revolving restaurant which will be received by the matter is settled by the corpo- achieve it, the corporation is general public in the state sec- but keeping the secretariat CM said this while reviewing planned atop a high rising secured swiftly. The railway sta- management of the Municipal ration which can be checked by adopting all the possible mea- retariat, the former chief min- closed is not proper. Measures the status of the project. tower. This will be the first tion will be redeveloped Corporation of Dehradun the complainant too. Moreover, sures. ister and general secretary of like proper scanning of visitors The RLDA vice chairman revolving restaurant of its kind according to international (MCD) for prompt action. Joshi appealed people to down- Since the roadside garbage All India Congress Committee and deploying doctors should Ved Prakash Dudeja sought in the State. The proposed cost standards and the result will Stating this, the chief load this app and register their is one of the major challenges (AICC) Harish Rawat observed be taken,’’ he said. approval from the chief minis- of the project includes Rs 125 provide a good experience to municipal health officer Dr complaints as much as possible for the MCD to tackle, the cor- a fast in front of the secretari- The former CM added that ter for an 83.5 metre tall build- crore for the station and Rs 400 travellers. In addition to Kailash Joshi said that the cor- because it will help to improve poration is also planning to at building on Wednesday. he had appealed to the state ing and the detailed project crore for commercial develop- increasing real estate value, poration is working hard to sanitation facilities in the city start door to door service in all Rawat was accompanied by government to allow entry into report. ment. the project will also boost improve sanitation facilities in besides increasing the possi- the wards and strictly enforce some of his supporters which the secretariat but his appeal It is pertinent to mention The CM advised the tourism capacity and local the city but still, if anyone bility of getting a higher posi- it so that people avoid dump- included senior Congress was ignored so he decided to here that the Dehradun railway MDDA to present the propos- economy. notices any issue in a particu- tion in Swacch Survekshan ing garbage in roadside areas. leader Ganesh Godiyal. Talking observe a silent protest on the station is being redeveloped al for the cabinet’s approval in MDDA vice chairman lar area like roadside garbage, 2021. The officials stated that the cor- to the media persons, Rawat issue. “ It is for the state gov- jointly by the RLDA and the cabinet meeting slated to be Ranvir Singh Chauhan, Urban choked drains, overfilled trash He said that the participa- poration is doing their work said that keeping the secretariat ernment to take a decision on Mussoorie Dehradun held in the third week of Development secretary bins or someone dumping tion of residents of the city but the active participation closed for long is not in the the subject but it is not proper Development Authority January 2021. Shailesh Bagauli and Dehradun garbage in a public area, they along with the efforts of MCD and cooperation of residents is interest of the people. “I to keep people away from their (MDDA). The project is aimed Dudeja said that RLDA district magistrate Ashish can click pictures or make a to maintain better sanitation also essential to maintain bet- received calls from many peo- democratic right for long,’’ he at upgrading the station with had requested approval for Kumar Srivastava were also video and upload them in the facilities in Dehradun is impor- ter sanitation facilities in the ple who complained that they quipped. modern aspects including sep- DPR soon so that RPF can be present in the meeting. Swacchata-MoHUA app tant and this app provides a city. 3 ( ! *% %% $ & . - 6 7 4 . $, The construction agency Chamba Bazaar will be divert- faced immense challenges ed on Uttarkashi-Gangotri $ order Road organisation due to continuous water routes through this tunnel thus B(BRO) has succeeded in drainage problem towards helping to avoid any traffic con- he Supreme Court constructing first tunnel the side of Mathiyana village gestion. Tcollegium has recom- beneath Chamba city on during tunnel excavation The pilgrim’s vehicles on mended transfer of Rishikesh-Gangotri Highway which led to appearance of their way to Gangotri will be Telangana high court in the Garhwal hills of cracks in several buildings able to cross without any hin- chief justice Raghvendra Uttarakhand. The 440 metre above but despite all such drance. “The work on the Rs 40 Singh Chauhan to the construction being done with challenges BRO has suc- crore tunnel project is on the post of Uttarakhand high the help of Australian tech- ceeded in completing the tun- verge of completion. The dec- court chief justice. The nology has reached the final nel construction work suc- oration and lighting work collegium also recom- stage and it will be opened for cessfully and has now begun inside the tunnel is on and once mended elevation of traffic as soon as the decora- giving finishing touches to the it is completed, the tunnel will Uttarakhand high court tion work completes here. project. be opened for traffic hopeful- justice Sudhanshu Dhulia It several shops and build- The painting works along ly in the beginning of next to the post of Gauhati ings were to be demolished with illuminating the tunnel year” high court chief under the Char Dham all with LED lights is on present- said Ashu Rathore chief justice. weather road project in order ly for safe traffic and pedes- engineer BRO. He pointed out Justice RS Chauhan to avoid the demolition the trian movement at the foot- that the pavement quality con- was born in 1959 and after court. While serving as the central government had given path being constructed here. crete is being used in the con- graduating from USA in 1980, chief justice in Telangana high the green signal to build a tun- The railings are being struction of the road inside the he secured his law degree from court, he is credited for having nel under the chamba city installed at the both sides of tunnel to reduce the trebling Delhi university in 1983. He initiated reforms in the system. market to protect the building the road inside the tunnel so due to traffic movement. has served as a justice in the In cases pertaining to Covid-19 and shops from breaking down. that the free flow of traffic is Separate drains are being made Rajasthan high court, management, public health BRO started tunnel work in maintained. Once the tunnel for the drainage of water from Karnataka and subsequently as issues and lake management he January 2019 using the latest is opened for traffic the vehi- the tunnel to avoid any water the acting and then permanent is known for striving to sys- Australian technology. cles that crossed through the logging he added. chief justice of Telangana high tematise the issues. !"#"# 1 R .-711 % % ! ( P ! ( $( of the Department of Telecom, MHz, 2500 MHz bands) in May had approved the spec- upfront and remaining he Union Cabinet on trum auction plan worth Rs amount in a maximum up to TWednesday approved the 5.22 lakh crore which includ- 16 equated annual install- he ongoing farmers’ protest proposal for the auction of ed radio waves for 5G services ments, after a moratorium of Tat Delhi borders is an 2,251.25 megahertz of spec- as well. However, a part of the two years,” the statement said. “exception” and “limited to trum worth 3.92 lakh crore at 300 Mhz of spectrum identified Detailing about National one State”, Union Agriculture the base price. The by the DoT for 5G services is Security Directive, Prasad said Minister Narendra Singh Government, however, has being used by the Navy, and the the directive has been framed Tomar said on Wednesday and decided not to auction fre- Department of Space has also from the perspective of nation- hoped for an early solution as quencies in 3,300-3,600 Mhz made claims on a significant al security. “Considering the the Government is in talks with bands that were identified for portion of these radio waves. need to ensure India’s nation- farmer unions. 5G services. The telecom operators al security, the Cabinet has “There is an atmosphere of Addressing media, has also been demanding the accorded approval for the enthusiasm in the country Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Government to lower the base National Security Directive because of the recent reforms Prasad said the Ministry plans price of 5G spectrum as each on Telecommunication in the farm sector,” he said Haryana, are protesting for These budgetary provi- to issue a notice to invite bids operator will need to shell out Sector,” Prasad said. Under the while referring to the enact- more than two weeks against sions in agriculture and allied in December and hold the around Rs 50,000 crore for the provisions of this directive, the sweetener and the subsidy ment of three new legisla- the three farm laws, saying the sector will strengthen the spectrum auction by March. In required quantum of radio Government will declare a list amount will directly be given to tions.”The ongoing protest is an new legislation will lead to the rural economy and make a bid to tighten security of waves for the next generation of trusted sources and trusted mid ongoing protests by farmers.The minister said both exception and the agitation is dismantling of the MSP farming activities profitable, communications network, the services. Prasad did not reply products for installation in Afarmers, the Cabinet “sugar industry as well as sug- limited to one State. We are (Minimum Support Price) and he said. Cabinet Committee on to questions on the status of 5G the country’s telecom net- Committee on Economic arcane farmers are in crisis” holding discussions and talks. mandi systems and leave them As the standoff continues Security decided to create the spectrum. He said that the work. Affairs (CCEA) has approved because of high domestic pro- I believe there will be an early at the mercy of corporates. between the Government and National Security Directive on Government has retained rules “The methodology to des- assistance of about 3,500 crore duction at 310 lakh tonnes as solution,” Tomar said at a vir- Tomar, who is leading the groups of protesting farmers Telecommunication Sector, of 2016 for payments in the ignate trusted products will be for sugarcane farmers (Ganna against the annual demand of tual conference organised by negotiation with about 40 over the three farm laws, which will mandate service upcoming auction as well. devised by the designated Kisan). The fund would be 260 lakh tonnes. The decision industry body Assocham. farmer unions along with Tomar had on Tuesday said providers to purchase equip- Besides the bid price, the tele- authority, the National Cyber directly credited into the will benefit 5 crore farmers, The minister noted that Food Minister Piyush Goyal the Acts have been welcomed ment from trusted sources. com operator will also need to Security Coordinator. Telecom accounts of the farmers. The said Javadekar, who is also while there is an agitation and Minister of State for in various states and that the The move is widely pay a 3 per cent revenue share service providers are required decision would benefit five Union Environment Minister. going on on one side, there are Commerce Som Parkash, said Centre was willing to contin- believed to be aimed at ban- to the Government every year. to connect new devices that crore sugarcane farmers, their The CCEC observed that also lakhs of farmers coming in the government has taken ue its talks with “genuine ning the use of Chinese equip- “In addition to the bid are designated trusted prod- dependents, as well as five sugarcane farmers sell their support of these laws. Tomar various initiatives during the farm unions” to find a solu- ment in the telecom sector. amount, successful bidders ucts,” Prasad said. lakh workers employed in the produce to sugar mills but highlighted the measures taken COVID-19 pandemic for the tion with an open mind. “The auction will be for will also have to pay 3 per cent “The list of the trusted sugar mills and related ancillary they do not get their dues by the central government in growth of farm sector, includ- The MSP at which the spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 of the adjusted Gross Revenue source and product will be activities. The Centre has also from the mill owners as they the last six years to boost ing a 1,00,000 crore fund for government commits to pro- MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, (AGR) excluding wireline ser- decided based on approval of decided to export 60 lakh tons have surplus sugar stock. The farmers’ income and make creating farm-level infra- cure the produce from farm- 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and vices as spectrum usage a committee headed by the of sugar during the ongoing government would also facili- agriculture sector profitable. structure and setting up of ers is an administrative deci- 2500 MHz frequency bands. charges for the spectrum won deputy national security advi- marketing year 2020-21 as part tate the evacuation of this sur- Thousands of farmers, par- 10,000 FPOs. (Farmer sion and it “will continue as it Spectrum will be offered for through thisauction,” the state- sor. The committee will con- of its efforts to help them clear plus sugar stock that will enable ticularly from Punjab and Producer Organisations). is”, the minister had said. assignment for a validity peri- ment said. sist of members from relevant outstanding dues to sugarcane payment of dues of the sugar- od of 20 years. A total of “Successful bidders may departments, Ministries and farmers. cane farmers. tonne of sugar. expected to be down this year, provided a lump sum export 2,251.25 MHz is being offered pay entire bid amount in one will also have two members Briefing media after the The subsidy would cover India, the world’s second- while Brazil’s crushing will subsidy of Rs 10,448 per tonne, with a total valuation of Rs go (upfront) or may exercise from the industry and inde- meeting, Information and the expenses on marketing largest sugar-producing coun- only start in April 2021. From costing the exchequer Rs 6,268 3,92,332.70 crore (at reserve an option to pay a certain pendent experts. The com- Broadcasting Minister Prakash costs including handling, try, had to offer export subsi- now till April, there is good crore. Mills exported 5.7 mil- price),” an official statement amount (25 per cent for spec- mittee will be called the Javadekar said the Cabinet upgrading and other process- dies during the past two years export opportunity for India,” lion tonnes of sugar against the said. trum won in 700 MHz, 800 national security committee Committee on Economic ing costs and costs of interna- to reduce surplus stocks and officials said. mandatory quota of 6 million The Digital MHz, 900 MHz bands or 50 on telecom,” Prasad said, Affairs (CCEA) has approved tional and internal transport as help cash-starved sugar mills In the previous marketing tonnes set for the 2019-20 sea- Communications Commission, per cent for spectrum won in adding that policy will be a subsidy of Rs 3,500 crore on well as freight charges on clear cane payment to growers. year 2019-20 (October- son (October-September), the apex decision making body 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 formed in 180 days. exports of 60 lakh tonnes of export of up to 60 lakh metric “Thailand’s production is September), the government according to official data. 34 5 6307 80 *9 3 &O 2& ( & : '#:; &- & <# 5"'2 '& "'
A es against persons by Income 22(55 ( ! (# . Tax department under Section fter the Central Board of 132 of the Income Tax Act, 2% ADirect Taxes (CBDT) 1961. The report specifically not the only company engaged Contract farming has report’s findings of extensive mentions instances of prima ndia’s Covid-19 caseload is all in contract farming, but there been in India for the past 30 use of unaccounted cash dur- facie involvement/nexus of pub- Iset to touch one crore any- # # are many companies such as LT years and is being cultivated in ing the Lok Sabha polls 2019 in lic/Govt. servants in unautho- time soon as infection tally Food, EBRO Food, and Sun millions of hectares including Madhya Pradesh by a certain rized/unaccounted cash trans- mounted to 99,32,547 on * Star Overseas that have been in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and political party, the Election actions. Wednesday when 26,382 peo- doing contract farming in many southern Indian states. Commission has asked the The CBDT in April 2019, ple fell ill to virus in a day, while Punjab. And factually, not a single Chief Electoral Officer of said in a statement that part of the deaths rose to 1,44,096 The government has farmer in the country has Madhya Pradesh to lodge a Rs 281 crore of unaccounted with 387 new fatalities. he three controversial farm repeatedly claimed that the lost his land to any corporate criminal case against three IPS cash, “was transferred to the The Union Health Tlaws announced by the contract farming law is going or private company, instead, officers and others whose headquarters of a major polit- Ministry data showed that the Modi Government have agi- to change the fortunes of the the income of farmers who alleged role in the use of black public/government servants in Pradesh to lodge criminal action ical party in Delhi”. Without active Covid-19 caseload of the tated a section of farmers, farmers, but opposition parties went for contract farming has money during the 2019 gener- unauthorized/unaccounted before designated authority, e.g. naming the political party at country stands at 3,32,002, especially from Punjab who are and farmer organizations claim augmented. al elections as per extant elec- cash transactions. Economic Offence Wing, that time, CBDT said that which is 3.34 per cent of the opposing the ‘contract farm that this farm law will make the One of the greatest ben- toral and other relevant laws. The EC said it was recom- Madhya Pradesh against con- around “Rs 20 crore of this cash total coronavirus cases in India. legislations’ even though the corporates dominate the farm- efits of contract farming is the The EC has also asked the mending action after it “delib- cerned for violation as per extant was moved through hawala “The ongoing trend of rich agricultural State had ing and farmers will end up corporates or private compa- Union Home Secretary to ini- erated” upon a report sent to it electoral and other relevant (channels) to the party’s head- contraction of India’s total enacted the same in 2013. becoming just laborers. nies cover the losses over tiate “appropriate departmen- by the CBDT (Central Board of laws. Commission has also quarters from the residence of active cases continues. The As per a report submitted “If the contract farming risks like poor rain or any tal action” against the IPS offi- Direct Taxes) intimating it about directed Union Home Secretary a senior functionary at Tughlak active caseload of the country to the Ministry of Agriculture was so bad, why would tele- other issues which are likely to cers and also asked the Madhya the Income-Tax Department’’s to initiate appropriate depart- Road”. stands at 3,32,002. The share of to convince the protesting com giant Bharti Airtel’s benefit small farmers more. Pradesh chief secretary to “search operations in Madhya mental action against All India The department’s statement active cases in the total positive farmers to call off their strike, ‘Fieldfresh’ and other compa- “The government has undertake a “similar action” Pradesh and its findings of Service officers and also to last year came after raids at 52 cases has further shrunk to the Punjab Government’s con- nies like ITC, Patanjali, Dabur, agreed to include suggestions against a state police service extensive use of unaccounted Chief Secretary, Madhya locations linked to several indi- 3.34 per cent,” the Ministry tract farming has given Godrej Agrovet including of farmers in the new farm officer. cash during the General Pradesh for similar action viduals and entities, including said in a statement here. employment to thousands and have grown in the agriculture laws and if possible, will also EC sources identified the Elections 2019.” While the EC against State officer,” the EC said. Nath. His officer on special duty “India has recorded less benefitted them after a world sector. Contrary to farmers’ amend the laws if at all need- three Indian Police Service did not name the party, it has The EC further stated that (OSD) Pravin Kakkar, his for- than 40,000 daily new cases popular cola drink maker, fears and beliefs, in reality, not ed to benefit the country’s (IPS) officers as Sushovan been widely reported that the it was reported that these enti- mer advisor Rajendra Miglani, since the last 17 days. In the PepsiCo was one of the first a single company of Mukesh farmers. Now, the govern- Banerjee, Sanjay Mane, V CBDT report referred to the ties/individuals engaged in and executives linked to his last 24 hours, only 26,382 per- companies to make the soft Ambani’s Reliance Group is ment is working on a mecha- Madhu Kumar and the state Congress party. unauthorized and unaccounted brother-in-law’s firm Moser sons were found to be infect- drinks after reaping under con- directly or indirectly has got nism to connect small farm- police service officer as Arun “After deliberations, cash contributions to individ- Baer and his nephew Ratul ed with Covid in India. A total tract farming and is still in contract farming,” ers to contract farming so that Mishra. The report specifical- Commission directed to forward uals on behalf of certain polit- Puri’s company Hindustan of 75.84 per cent of the new engaged in contract farming in explained a senior Agriculture their risks are absorbed by ly mentions instances of prima copy of the report of CBDT, the ical party, which is reported to Powerprojects Pvt Ltd were all cases are from 10 States and the state. Ministry official about the corporates under contract facie involvement and nexus of Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya be corroborated during search- raided. UTs. The cola manufacturer is report. farming,” said the report. => P ( 1?@ & =A==! said, according to reports. Scientists from The Nature potentially have the remainder, scuba diver’s delight, the Conservancy and Oregon State despite these countries com- Asunflower sea starfish, a University, who led the listing perational challenges of prising more than 85 percent of key species of ocean has been effort, estimate that 90.6 per Othe global Covid-19 vac- the world’s population. listed as Critically Endangered cent of the sunflower sea star cination programme will be as Up to 40 percent of the vac- by the International Union for population is now lost from the difficult as the scientific chal- cine courses from these vaccine Conservation of Nature outbreak, with as many as 5.75 lenges associated with their manufacturers might poten- (IUCN), which maintains a billion dead from the disease. development, researchers said tially remain for low- and mid- “Red List of Threatened The Nature Conservancy in the journal BMJ and dle-income countries. However, Species”. and University of Washington asserted that nearly a quarter this will depend, in part, on how Citing a 90 per cent decline are partnering to establish a of the world’s population may high-income countries share in the species’ global popula- captive breeding program with not have access to a what they procure and whether tion, the IUCN on December the option for re-introducing Covid-19 vaccine until at least the US and Russia participate in 10 officially placed the sun- individuals to the wild, said the 2022. globally coordinated efforts. flower sea star (Pycnopodia reports. This is a first-of-its kind But the authors point out helianthoides) on the group’s This many-legged star of study by the researchers from that even if all of these vaccine Red List of Threatened Species, Agriculture and Life Sciences, the sea could be seen in coastal the Johns Hopkins University manufacturers were to succeed meaning that it is critically who helped to place the animal waters in Northern America. in the US who analysed pre- in reaching their maximum endangered. The next step is on the Red List. “This high- But during El Niño and the orders for Covid-19 vaccines production capacity, at least a extinction. lights the impacts disease can Warm Blob, a microorganism ahead of their regulatory fifth of the world’s population A partnership of more than have on the stability of our that triggers sea star wasting approval that had been publicly would not have access to vac- 60 institutions had made the nearshore ecosystems.” disease took root, and several announced by countries cines until 2022. official request to the IUCN to Among the largest of the types of sea stars died as ocean around the world. “This study provides an put it under the Crticically sea stars, the sunflower sea star temperatures rose along the By 15 November 2020, sev- overview of how high-income Endangered list.. is close in size to a city street western coast from 2014-2016. eral countries had reserved a countries have secured future “The sunflower star was sewer cover, with a voracious The sunflower star was total of 7.48 billion doses, or supplies of covid-19 vaccines, the most susceptible of the 20 appetite to match. It scoots badly damaged - this aquatic 3.76 billion courses from 13 but that access for the rest of sea star species affected by a along the ocean floor like a behemoth is now scarce, manufacturers, out of 48 the world is uncertain,” they multi-host pathogen and has robotic vacuum cleaner, gorg- although some organisms have Covid-19 vaccine candidates in wrote. rapidly gone from being the ing on everything in its path. since recovered. Scientists pre- clinical trials. “Governments and manu- most common subtidal sea Populations of many sea dict that a whopping more “Just over half (51 percent) facturers might provide much star on the U.S. West Coast to star species dropped precipi- than 5 billion sunflower stars of these doses will go to high- needed assurances for equitable critically endangered,” said tously starting in 2013, with the declined from this epidemic, income countries, which rep- allocation of covid-19 vaccines Drew Harvell, professor of sunflower star the hardest hit, representing over 90 percent of resent 14 percent of the world’s through greater transparency ecology and evolutionary biol- due to warming oceans and sea their total population world- population,” while low and and accountability over these ogy in the College of star wasting syndrome, Harvell wide. middle income countries will arrangements.” !"#"# , " #$% & "'$ ) *+,
$ party in the presence of BJP Tiwari met Adhikari hours papers were not presented to was enjoying here as the When asked to comment will be submerged by the TMC visited Diamond Harbour too president Amit Shah who is after receiving a phone call him personally adding, “I will Transport Minister with two on the developments he said he defectors.” Senior BJP leaders alleged how the Government he fear of multiple defec- scheduled to visit Bengal from from Chief Minister Mamata look into it when I go to the additional portfolios.” had personally not given those Kaliash Vijaybargiya and Dilip was using the officials to false- Ttions ran high in the ruling Saturday. Banerjee from Coochybehar Assembly. Things will be done Calling Adhikari and likes posters but said “those who Ghosh however said that they ly frame the defecting politi- Trinamool Congress with rebel The Wednesday’s quick who assured him of an audi- according to the rule book.” of him as “traitors,” party MP might have given them might would welcome the “clean and cians asking the bureaucrats to party leader Suvendu Adhikari turn of events saw Adhikari ence on December 18 after her Constitutional experts like and senior advocate Kalyan be my good friends as I am an able leaders” like Adhikari and watch out their steps as “note” on Wednesday submitting his depositing his resignation let- return from North Bengal. Udayan Banerjee however Banerjee said, “let him go to admirer of Suvendu Adhikari.” would ensure that they got ade- was being taken of their activ- resignation from the Legislative ter --- which curiously bore no “Though anyone can meet quoted Article 206 saying such BJP … he has higher ambitions Elsewhere Congress Lok quate respect in the party. ities and would be referred to Assembly before joining other date --- at the Assembly secre- anyone in a democracy but it resignations required to be of being a Chief Minister or Sabha Leader Adhir Meanwhile, Adhikari in future. rebel leaders in a closed-door tariat before driving straight to is strange that Jitendra joined presented to the Speaker per- Deputy Chief Minister … let us Chowdhury said that “Mamata reportedly wrote to Governor Sources in the BJP said that meeting at the house of TMC Mandal’s house off Burdwan. the Wednesday’s meeting sonally with dates of resigna- see what he gets there.” Banerjee is getting the taste of Jagdeep Dhankhar about Centre was proposing to pro- MP Sunil Mandal some 80 There other rebel TMC despite being assured by the tion being mentioned in it. In what could bring more the same medicine that she pre- “threats” on his person and to vide special security cover for miles from Kolkata. satraps like Asansol MLA and Chief Minister that his griev- Reacting to the anxiety to the TMC leadership scribed for the other opposition his followers in the wake of at least 25 TMC leaders and Adhikari was likely to Mayor Jitendra Tiwari, and ances would be heard and Wednesday’s developments the Diamond Harbour MLA parties,” while CPI(M)’s Rabin present circumstances. MLAs who might switch side resign from the primary mem- Kalna party MLA and South redressed,” Bengal Minister senior TMC leader Saugato Dipak Haldar on Wednesday Deb said “it was inevitable Adhikari alleged that the in the coming days. Among bership of his party on Friday, Bengal Surface Transport Firhad Hakim said. Roysaid “this is all the fallout too started playing the rebel- that the leaders would quit one State Government was prepar- them 10 would be provided Y- before joining the BJP in Delhi, Corporation Chairman Referring to the technical of Suvendu’s earlier dealings lious tune even as his posters by one … now the question ing false charges against him Plus security while 10 would be sources close to him said Colonel Diptangshu Mukherjee aspects of Adhikari’s resigna- with the BJP… I think he has jointly with those of Adhikari remains to be seen as to and his followers and sought given Y category security. The adding there were chances that joined him in a closed door tion, Bengal Assembly Speaker struck a deal with the BJP for appeared all around his con- whether the BJP will retain its the Governor’s intervention. remaining five are likely to get he could also join the saffron meeting. Biman Banerjee said that the better posts other than what he stituency. original colour or whether it Incidentally Dhankar who X category security. ( ! 7 7 ! 89 9 4+ ! $ at a rally in Coochbehar in that instead of banking on the to send her to jail. North Bengal said how “my loyalty factor she would once Sending across the mes- Kolkata: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul jealous of,” he said. when the Hyderabad-based party was not n a circuitous admission that party leaders are being called up again rely on her own charisma sage of “solidarity” directly to the Muslimeen's (AIMIM) on Wednesday hit Banerjee had earlier said that “there are in the fray. “The BJP won 18 seats when Ithere was huge deficiency of by the BJP and being told to join Banerjee said that only the cor- people and the grassroots back at Bengal Chief Minister Mamata some parties funded by the BJP which are we were not there in 2019. How could they trust quotient within the them. Our trusted leaders like rupt TMC leaders fearing arrest Banerjee said, “I want loyalty Banerjee refuting her chargesthat it was the coming from Hyderabad to cut votes in win those seats… now she is blaming us… Trinamool Congress — which Subrata Bakshi and Anubrata and the ones who would not get from the grassroots level work- “B team” of the BJP saying that all parties this State so as to enable them to win the we have come to contest elections and if saw stronger leaders rebelling Mandal received calls from ticket were joining the BJP. ers of our party, do not bother had the right to work according to their elections … it is time you understand their we are asked we will use our organization frequently — Bengal Chief Delhi and were told to join the “I will never join their ranks about what your leaders are goal. nefarious designs and reject them.” to fight elections.” Minister on Wednesday accused BJP… think how dangerous come what may … they may doing… act to your conscience Referring to Banerjee’s attack on Banerjee said “the BJP is trying to iso- The Muslims who have a good 30 per- the BJP of luring and coercing they are.” send me to jail but I will con- because remember that you can AIMIM and its leader Asaduddin Owaisi, late the Hindu votes and the AIMIM is cent vote in Bengal can impact election the TMC leaders to join their While Bakshi a former MP tinue to work for the people of change your dresses by the day Bengal AIMIM spokesperson Imran playing the Muslim card to win Muslim results in more than 125 seats in the State. ranks. and is one of Banerjee’s most Bengal as I have been doing … but you cannot change your ide- Solanki said that his party had been votes … then what will I do will I eat,” say- The TMC leadership however said that as She sought to rely on her trusted lieutenants, Mandal a Those who are scared of not get- ology… A time has come when working in the region for the past sever- ing how the AIMIM played the catalyst in AIMIM only had impact on the Urdu- personal charisma than on any- party strongman is the TMC’s ting a ticket are leaving, those you have to stand by the party al years and had gain considerable ground the loss of secular parties like the RJD in speaking Muslims and they were cultur- thing else to win the next year’s Birbhum district president who have taken money (and are and turn the things around so which was why it had decided to contest Bihar. Reacting to her statements the ally different from the Bengali-speaking Assembly elections. known for his foul mouth. apprehending arrest) are leav- that you can help Bengal and its elections to further its political goals. AIMIM leader wondered why BJP could Muslims it was the TMC that will get their Banerjee who was speaking In an apparent indication ing,” she said challenging the BJP culture survive.” “There is nothing that others should be win so many seats parliamentary in 2019 votes. PNS 7:;;< * + ' # & ( ( 7( %=>?(* ' 9 8! %( & P ( == '( ) * 0 pay a heavy price for it. The agitation has evoked tremen- @ ) snowfall in the higher reaches. BJP-led Government has dous response across the coun- Jammu: The seventh round of recording the high- Pakistan based handlers mid the ongoing farmers’ hatched a conspiracy to hand try. As many as 30 farmers have polling in the District est polling at n a pin pointed retaliatory of terrorist groups are attempt- Aagitation demanding the over its food grain godowns to died as part of the ongoing agi- Development Council polls in 70.47% followed by Istrike, at least two Pakistani ing to push small batches of ter- scrapping of the three contro- Ambanis and Adanis. The tation. It is in this backdrop that Jammu and Kashmir Baramulla with soldiers were killed by the rorists to infiltrate inside the versial farm laws, Swabhimani Government should realise that on the evening of December Wednesday recorded margin- 59.53% and Indian Army opposite Indian territory taking advan- Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) it is not just Ambani and 20, farmers will light candles in ally higher voter turnout of Kupwara district Sunderbani sector of Rajouri tage of thick foliage and leader Raju Shetti on Adani, the farmers also live in each village of the state to pay 57.22 percent across 31 con- recorded 59.23% district late Tuesday night. inclement weather conditions. Wednesday announced that this country,” Shetti said. homage to the farmers who stituencies. polling, he added. Ground reports indicated, On the other hand, Indian he would take out a farmers’ Shetti charged that the have so far died during the agi- Addressing a press con- Giving district soon after the Pakistani army troops are standing tall, brav- morcha to the Ambani group’s Modi government was thrust- tation. On that evening, the ference in Jammu, the State wise details, the attempted to target the Indian ing intense cold weather con- office at Bandra-Kurla ing the three farm bills down farmers will take an oath to Election Commissioner KK SEC informed that troops deployed at one of the ditions to foil the nefarious Complex in north-central the farmers’ throats to subserve make the ongoing farmers’ agi- Sharma said, “polling was by in Kashmir forward posts in the designs of the Pakistan army. Mumbai December 22 to reg- the interests of the Ambanis tation a success”. and large peaceful across 31 were seen waiting for their Division the polling percentage Sunderbani sector late Tuesday Intelligence reports indicated, ister their protest against the and Adanis. Welcoming Dalit leader constituencies”. He said the turn. Enthusiastic voters of all recorded in Budgam was evening Indian army hit back desperate Pakistan army may Centre’s efforts to impose pro- “No wonder that the Modi and Vanchit Bahujan Jammu division recorded an age groups flocked the polling 45.11%, Ganderbal 53.69%, effectively. target the Indian troops and Ambani-Adani agricultural government is not taking seri- Aghadi.president Prakash average voter turnout of booths to cast their votes. Anantnag 22.46, Kulgam Official sources on ground launch BAT strikes in the policies on farmers. ous cognisance of the ongoing Ambedkar’s decision to join the 71.93% while the Kashmir SEC further informed that 17.98%, Pulwama 11.06% and confirmed, “in a pinpointed region. Talking to media persons farmers’ agitation. We are tak- morcha being organised by in Division recorded 39.52% aver- Jammu division recorded an 6.55% polling was registered in response the Pak army suffered Meanwhile, fresh ceasefire in Pune, Shetti said that the ing out a morcha from the Mumbai on December 22, age voter turnout. average voter turnout of Shopian. fatal injuries. There was no fur- violation was reported along farmers owing affiliation to Mumbai Suburban Collector’s Shetti said: “We (Ambedkar He further said that 393200 71.93% with Poonch district Similarly, in Jammu divi- ther exchange of firing in the the line of control in Nowshera four organisations – SSS, office to Ambani Estate at BKC and I) may have ideological dif- (210479 male and 182721 recording the highest percent- sion poll percentage of 74.38% forward area. The firing sector of Rajouri on Peasants and Workers’ Party on December 22 to register our ferences, but it is nice of him female votes) people exercised age of 80.12% followed by was recorded in Samba, 72.85 stopped immediately”. Ground Wednesday. (PWP), Prahar and Lok protests against the manner in (Prakash Ambedkar) to have their right to franchise for the Reasi district with 76.75% and in Kathua, 67.75% in Ramban, reports suggested , at least two Defence PRO in Jammu, Sangarsh Samiti (LSS) – would which the Modi government joined us for the farmers’ cause. seventh phase across the 75.63% voting recorded in 73.10 in Rajouri, 69.89 per soldiers of the Pakistan army Lt-Col Devender Anand said, march from the Mumbai has bulldozed the farm bill to I welcome his decision”. Jammu and Kashmir Union Udhampur district. The lowest cent in Kishtwar and 68.66% in were killed in the retaliatory fir- “at about 6.00 p.m Pakistan ini- Suburban collector’s office to favour Ambanis and Adanis,” The morcha planned by Territory. turnout in Jammu division was Jammu district. The SEC ing. tiated 'unprovoked' ceasefire the Ambani group’s office at Shetti said. Shetti is the second farmers’ As per reports pouring in in Doda district which record- informed that polling was held Official sources also violation by firing with small BKC on Tuesday next. Giving details of the farm- protest against the farm bills in from different areas, long ed 58.82%. in 1852 polling stations includ- revealed the area South of Pir arms and shelling mortars “If the Modi government ers’ protests in the run-up to Maharashtra. On December queues of voters were seen at The Kashmir Division ing 1068 from Kashmir divi- Panjal is witnessing hectic along the LoC in Nowshera goes ahead and crushes the the morcha to the Ambani 8, farmers across the state had polling booths where women, recorded 39.52% average voter sion and 784 from Jammu activity along the line of con- sector”. He said the Indian farmers’ agitation in a manner group’s office in Mumbai, Shetti joined the “Bharat Bandh” elderly and first time voters turnout with Bandipora district division. PNS trol following fresh spells of army retaliated befittingly. it is doing, then it will have to said: “The farmers’ ongoing organised by the Maha Vikas @D & 24""' 66: , % (+ 8 # &%""& + # 9*; ( * !! ;; ##8&2( & ="4 Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh): Prime just like Republic Day, Independence ) * 0 “We are happy to announce 100% 2472m), (Siddhivinayak to Dadar (Upline Minister Narendra Modi will be the Day, Milad-un-Nabi and Gandhi New Delhi: Union Education Minister Ramesh completion of tunneling work in 4 out of –1106m and downline – 1126m), chief guest at the centenary celebrations Jayanti celebrations are kept above Pokhriyal Nishank on Wednesday announced s it achieved its 35th breakthrough 7 packages. Tunneling in package-4 was (Siddhivinayak to Worli (Upline – 1305m of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) political differences. that the JEE-Mains exam for admission to engi- Anear Dadar Metro Railway station, the particularly a challenging task as all the and downline – 1284m). via video conferencing on December 22 He informed that President Ram neering colleges will be held four times a year Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation stations are located in close proximity to It may be recalled that on November this year. He will attend the virtual Nath Kovind is expected to join other starting 2021 to offer flexibility to students and (MMRC) Ltd announced on Wednesday developments, active road traffic and 6, the MMRC had achieved 34th break- function along with Union Education online centenary functions of the uni- a chance to improve their scores. that it had completed 91 per cent of the popular religious places. Dadar, considered through of the 648-m long tunnel from Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. versity. “Centenary is a great landmark The first edition of the exam will be held from tunnelling work in the 33.50 km-long fully the heart of the city, will provide connec- Churchgate to Hutatma Chowk station. Thanking the PM for accepting the achievement in the history of any uni- February 23 to 26, followed by rounds in March, underground Colaba-SEEPZ Mumbai tivity that will ease commuting woes of Robbins-made Dual mode hard rock invitation to participate in the cele- versity. AMU and its various units as April and May. “We have examined the sugges- Metro Line 3. Mumbaikars”, MMRC Managing Director Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Surya-1 brations marking 100 years of the well as Alumni Associations have been tions received from students and various quar- With its latest breakthrough, the Ranjit Singh Deol said. completed the upline stretch in 292 days university, Vice-Chancellor Professor organising various programmes attend- ters and it has been decided that JEE-Mains will MMRC has so far completed tunnelling “The Herrenknecht made TBM using 506 rings. Mansoor said, “The outreach of the ed by illustrious people from diverse be held in four sessions in February, March, April work in four out seven packages of the Krishna-1, equipped with Earth Pressure Hutatma Chowk is one of the most university during this historical year fields through the virtual mode fol- and May,” Nishank said. underground Colaba-SEEPZ Mumbai Balance technology, had started its main significant stations on the Colaba-Bandra- would immensely help in the growth lowing the Government of India's “The first session will be held from February Metro Line 3. “We have completed 91 per drive on July 7, 2020 and has completed SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor as it provides and development of the university guidelines to curb the spread of Covid- 23-26 and the results will be declared within five cent of tunnelling work and 61 per cent the downline stretch using 805 rings. The proximity to Churchgate station, Bombay and placement of our students in the 19 pandemic,” said the V-C. days from the last date of exams. The move will of civil work,” a MMRC spokesperson overall progress of Dadar Metro Station is High Court, head offices of various banks private and public sectors.” Landmark AMU buildings and ensure that students don't miss out on opportu- said. around 42 per cent,” MMRC’s Director and financial institutions, Consulates of a Mansoor appealed to the universi- structures from the Administrative nities due to clash of exams or due to the COVID- With the 1.12 km-long tunnel from (Projects) S K Gupta said. few countries, Bombay Stock Exchange, ty community to put in all efforts for Block to the Centenary Gate, the 19 situation at present,” the MOE said in a state- Siddhivinayak to Dadar, the MMRC has The Package-4, which comprises Ballard Estate, many hospitals, Colleges, the success of the forthcoming pro- Engineering College Road to the ment. Nishank also said students will be given a completed package number four -- involv- Siddhivinayak, Dadar and Shitladevi sta- Wankhede and Brabourne Stadiums, grammes and asked the staff members, Polytechnic, Morrison Court Road, choice to answer 75 questions (25 each in ing tunneling of 10.96 km length. In all, tions, witnessed 8 breakthroughs Jehangir Art Gallery, National Gallery of students, alumni and AMU's well- Victoria Gate, the University Mosque, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) out of 90 the MMRC deployed three Tunnel Boring (Nayanagar to Dharavi (Upline – 589m Modern Art (NGMA), Asiatic Library, wishers for their active participation. Strachey Hall and the Sir Syed House (30 each in Physics, Chemistry and Machines (TBMs) during the work on and downline – 589m), (Nayanagar to Gateway of India and a number of deli- He requested the people to keep the would be illuminated on December 17 Mathematics). PNS package number 4. Dadar (Upline – 2491m and downline – cious cuisines etc. centenary programmes above politics and 18 evening. IANS 6-.16! * D"D2'
) * 0 said. Pune district, which contin- +&'1" & As 4678 patients were dis- ued to be the worst-affected city- s the total number of positive charged from the hospitals across district in Maharashtra, saw the Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh): An Army dispatched to nab the absconding officer, )!E;%'& ACovid-19 cases came down the state after full recovery, the total number of cases increase to colonel accused of raping his friend's but his room was found locked from out- by 10,218 because of reconcilia- total number of people discharged 3,64,376, while the total number Russian wife after sedating her husband side. tion of figures, Maharashtra on from the hospitals since the sec- of deaths in Pune increased from at the Officers' Mess in Cantonment area, The colonel posted in Kanpur was )C == , / , Wednesday recorded 95 ond week of March this year rose 7642 to 7649. has been arrested booked on Sunday for allegedly raping his Coronavirus deaths and 4,304 to 17,69,897. The recovery rate in Thane district remained in He was arrested late on Tuesday, friend's wife at the Officers' Mess, police 16-year-old girl was infections. the state rose marginally from the third spot --after Pune and police said. said. Aallegedly raped by a mid- A day after as 3442 people 18,80.893. 93.60 per cent to 94.1 per cent. Mumbai – after the total number Superintendent of Police (East) Raj The victim's husband, a civilian, dle-aged man in a village in tested positive for Covid-19 and “Today owing to the recon- With 12 new deaths, the of infections rose to 2,48,371, Kumar Agarwal, said, “Col Neeraj Gahlot lodged an FIR against the Army officer at Shamli district of Uttar 70 more people died of the pan- ciliation process of positive cases Covid-19 toll in Mumbai went up while the total deaths climbed was arrested while trying to flee to an the Cantonment police station. Pradesh, police said on demic in various parts of the state, till November 12 – arising out of from 10991 to 11003, while the from 5408 to 5414. unknown place to evade his arrest.” According to the complainant, his wife Wednesday. there was an increase in both the de-duplication of cases and shift- infected cases went up by 521 to Of the 1,18,71,449 samples The police had launched a manhunt is of Russian origin and has been living in The incident took place in infections and deaths. ing of out of state positive cases take the total infections to sent to laboratories, 18,80,893 for Col. Neeraj Gahlot whose mobile loca- India for 10 years. the Jhinjhana police station With 95 fresh deaths, the to concerned States, total positive 2,84,404. have tested positive (15.84 per tion was traced in the vicinity of officers' The accused allegedly had invited his area on Tuesday, they said. Covid-19 toll in Maharashtra cases of the state reduced by Meanwhile, the number of cent) for COVID-19 until mess on Monday evening but he managed civilian friend to the Officer's Mess and The accused lured the vic- climbed from 48,339 to 48,434. 10218. Similarly because of rec- “active cases” total cases in the Wednesday. to evade arrest. gave him an intoxicating drink which tim, who is mentally chal- Taking into account 4304 onciliation, there is a reduction of state dropped from 71,356 to Currently, 5,09,478 people Cantonment Circle, Additional made him unconscious. The Army officer lenged, to his house and raped fresh infections and reconciled 791 in total recovered cases of the 61,454 The fatality rate in the are in home quarantine while Superintendent of Police (ASP), Nikhil subsequently raped his friend's wife. The her, the minor's mother infection figures, the total infec- state,” a statement put out by the state rose from 2.56 per cent to 3993 people are in institutional Pathak, said that a team headed by accused also allegedly assaulted the woman said in her complaint to the tions in the state went up to state public health department 2.58 per cent. quarantine. Chakeri police SHO Ravi Srivastava was when she put up a resistance. IANS police. !"#"# - 85"422 652%9 &'1&2 "" 7$"&'!&2 "" & +%652%9 &'1&2 ""9 ,",./01&2," 13 &#- # 9 * ( ! * % (/"94! * - ! ( -2& &(&2 "8(" 24(5 '"( "1"("82%!"& " $(%1 # ? ( ( " "&" "%&55 +"22"(1&5 5"82"52 "% ( ? 3=>/ (1@ ( . ( ( !"#$%80/ ? ( he undermining of all 3=>/ (1@ .3A ! major institutions of $ democracy in the 5 3 United States was afoot in all earnest by 3=>/ (1@ ( TPresident Donald Trump in his " / ( four-year tenure — from the + Judiciary and Military to even his own Justice Department, all were B)5. 9 B ) 5 . : # par for course as long as the weak- ening of the institutions solidified C ? Trump’s own chances for a second term. His patent hiring-and-firing ( spree, refusing to cooperate with 5 the Congress on critical investiga- / , D7 tions, attacking independent Press to filling up key appointments with supposed loyalists raised serious / 3 questions about the free and fair 3=>/ (1@ # 3 3 ! functioning of democracy. Not surprisingly, the US had by 2017 . 933!.: slipped from the status of “full democracy” to “flawed democra- B / ( cy” as per the Democracy Index, as published by the Economist ( / Intelligence Unit (EIU). The report C ( had noted: “Trust in political insti- , ( tutions is an essential component Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch institutions, much before the ories are simply unlikely to be of well-functioning democracies. voted against his interests in electoral process had started — entertained by the courts, irre- = Yet surveys by Pew, Gallup and certain cases. White House neither gave any statement or spective of the ideological com- # other polling agencies have Press Secretary Kayleigh did any act to suggest that they position of the majority there- ( confirmed that public confidence McEnany shockingly admitted indeed had succumbed or for- in. The sore loser in Trump was # ( in the Government has slumped to that the key takeaway from the $$$ saken their institutional inde- left fuming: “The Supreme historic lows in the US. This has unfavourable rulings was that pendence, at the altar of Donald Court really let us down. No , had a corrosive effect on the qual- ‘we need more conservative ; /; = Trump. At one stage, General wisdom, no courage!” On the # ( ity of democracy.” justices on the courts’. Trump $,) !E; Milley had publicly expressed contrary, it was the actual / While the systemic changes, did exactly that, with the hur- regret at having mistakenly got demonstration of wisdom and interferences and appointments ried appointment of Justice ,? );;; caught in an overtly political courage by the hallowed insti- were being made towards Trump’s Amy Barett eight days before ,, $$ moment, whilst in uniform — tutions of the US Government , 3=>/ (1@ electoral advantage, somewhere elections, creating a powerful 6- he rightfully acknowledged that that would save it from the sure the popularity polls were still 3 conservative tilt. Tellingly, ?, the optics had diminished the ruin of its revered democracy, giving him nightmares — he Trump had desired that the = , $; apolitical stance of the Armed as was envisaged and enshrined E knew that when push comes to newly appointed Justice Amy Forces. At yet another event by its founding fathers. ( shove, he would need these insti- Barett participate in the forth- ,=);$ later, when the chaos of the elec- From falsely (and prema- ( tutions to be spineless, acquiesce coming election-related cases toral results was dangerously turely) claiming electoral victo- and fall in line with Trump, irre- that went to the courts. $ poised, he tellingly clarified: ry, calling to halt vote counting 5!5 3>(8 / 9/: ! spective of the election results. The Even in the Military realm, ), /$ “We do not take an oath to a to refusing to accept the results //# - telltale signs of Trump’s nervous- when the appointment to the $ ,;)$; king or a queen, a tyrant or a — Trump has done everything P Q 3=>/ (1@ , ness were written all over when for top post of Chairman of the dictator. We do not take an oath possible to degenerate and months he refused to commit Joint Chiefs of Staff to succeed ;), / to an individual...We take an abuse power and respect in the , honouring the poll results and the previous Obama-appointee oath to the Constitution” — democratic processes. . + ensuring a peaceful transition of Gen Joseph F Dundford Jr was ! =) unequivocally indicating that Thankfully, the institutions + ! 9= : 9 : , 8787 power — the seeds of “rigged”, getting considered, President $, ; $ = the US Military was not behold- have shown integrity, steel and “stolen” and “fraudulent” elections Trump had called the shots. As en to anyone. resilience despite the umpteen , ! B)5. were planted well in advance. per protocol and professional ! , Similarly, the Supreme times these were subjected to ( Two specific institutions were decorum, the Defense Secretary Court with an ostensibly tinkering, though Trump has # getting primed for any eventual- has a say in suggesting a name. favourable 6-3 Trump/conser- almost guaranteed a polarised, ity i.e. Judiciary and the Armed Given that the Defense vative tilt, rejected a bid by the fractured and deeply divided Forces. Trump’s initial comfort Secretary at that time was the Texas’s Attorney General, which society with his continuing with a 5-4 conservative majority distinguished former combat- was supported by the President, vanity and petulance, which will in the Supreme Court had given ant James Mattis, his profession- the top military advisor many in the strongest ever indication far outlive his stay at the White him reasons to believe that he al assessment carried weight — a time saw himself at odds with that Trump cannot count on the House. The ongoing Trump * - could persist with controversial Mattis had preferred Air Force the President’s instincts. It was top courts to overturn election saga is a timely reminder for the steps like the travel ban from sev- Chief of Staff Gen David left to him and the subsequent results under flimsy or make- leaderships and institutions in + #? ! @4 * eral Muslim-majority nations, as Goldfein; however it was Defense Secretary, Mark Esper, believe grounds. Not only did other democracies where ten- was upheld by the courts then. But Trump who overruled the to control wild ideas like using the courts reject Texas’s plea dencies to take liberties with * 4) 9 ! ( ! soon and awkwardly so for choice and appointed General military personnel to control challenging the results towards institutions are apparent. Trump, the Supreme Court start- Mark Milley instead. Later, civil unrest on the streets of the the four battleground States but (The writer, a military vet- * $ + , - ed asserting its independent views General Milley had to so often US. Expectedly, Mark Esper too it effectively did so on grounds eran, is a former Lt Governor ! that militated against Trump’s navigate through the minefield was fired and yet another ‘loy- that willy-nilly checkmate sim- of Andaman & Nicobar ) preferences — even Trump’s per- of Trump’s fickle, whimsical and alist’ ushered in. ilar misadventures in other Islands and Puducherry. The - . /( sonal appointees like Justice Brett overtly political theatrics that But to the credit of both the States too. The conspiracy the- views expressed are personal.) )* )*S (, /($ / # 3 0 ) 8& , / 21" "' ;2%" 5&D & 2"" 5%"D 2 E& 2(5 52 D -S "2 4'"2'(&2 &'' 2( 82' 2 2("'"&D 2 8" 5%"2(28" 5""'1' & +& $" 4"82( 2 "&(" &2 2 &+&'5"" 2 5&5 "6$"5&5 "&' $ + 2("6 2 E5*&++ &" 48%"6$"" (+(&2 6$" *26 8& &" &(4& +6 42(" 52( "& +&(&2 )*S 0 ) &"12&4&'&28 5""%2 E8221& &'' 1"5&'' 21"21'""2 "5& +2"&(&2 , 5"& %""& ++2( 6 4"""%"''&%&" 6 ++"&"& "2("6 2"4"282(4&'&&"6 )* 12 ( %9'& ('*%.'#$ ('*%.'#$&'0'9$ 9$)( #.%!9(%9"'$9!3$!%# K@2"*& " / K ?" && ( K;%&;" K?& 2'& 3 )* / & & : & 3 && / )8&3: ( /($ ( They may be entitled to their %4 )* )5 6 - % / 3 views but one should think that Sir — The local body election what is most relevant to the citi- 17 3S results in Kerala are a good gauge " "&' & 8'&2 8&+(" 28 6 1" 5" zens of this country is not what / - / of the public mood in favour of "'"" "'&"4" " "& 2(48(' 25 D ‘they’ think but whether the for- $& +"/2" %" 52%1'""'8&'" 252 D 5 * )*( %4 8781 $ + the ruling Left Democratic Front mer President left a will in which (LDF) just a few months before 2'"&& +1&5"28''"" &'&"%6$"" 28 he mentioned about this book and + 6 )* / the Assembly election. % "1&5"28'%2''&"%&2'' &88"" how its publication should be han- ) 5 3 9) 53: Keralites are known for their 52%1" 2 " & 8'&2 8&+(" (11'&" 4 " dled by the executor of that will. /2" %" 6 8"& 8'&2 &61"5" 2(' & 3 ( political consciousness; they are It is very reasonable to assume that fully aware that whom they vote 24""2 4'"2"1"58''24&'&& "1&5" he did. This alone should be the O ! )* )5 6 O S ) to power matters and they exercise 28'"2%"28""" &'52%%2 &&"H criterion for settling the issue. ) great discernment in electing their $"( 1'" (&"1&5"28''52%D NS Rajan , representatives. The biggest take- %2 &&""" &'22& +(1K2%"28""" D Bangalore away from the results is that the &'&5'"52 2(4'"2&1'"""'&"1&5"K"1"D 2 +"/2" %" &11"" " "&255(D Q / /S ) 53 ( narrow strip of scenic beauty 5&'' (& +"2 +2& + ? 5&&"+"4'"1&5" 1&" & %2" &%12 1' '& " 211'& + " + 3 $S called God’s Own Country contin- "2& + '%& +"6;& 5""1&5"" O /2" %" & " 2 +"D('" ;" 1& + Sir — US President-elect Joseph ) 53 / ues to be a Left bastion immune 52%" 2 12%&" 4 " " 2 & *&''& "" +&& + "&2(2(+2 Biden will have to heal the wounds to a Right-ward shift in politics. /2" %" & " "8& (28"1"2D "1&5"&("&588"5""52%%2 5&&" 6 of a nation that seems to be at war -S The landslide victory is a clear 1'"& "('& + &1" &2 6 5 4""1"5" 2"""-(++'"2 with itself. Biden and Vice # + / endorsement of the Pinarayi '2"/2" %" & O"" % & + "&D "" (" 4"/2" %" 212 (5"&%+& President-elect Kamala Harris will )* # ( Vijayan Government’s laudable 2(%2"25 '""2" & +1&5"&(&2 6 ""% & 8'&2 8&+("&''4"4(""4522 & +(1 (%D take their oaths of office outside the social welfare programmes and %2"& """ & & +&%" %2 "& % & + 4"2%&'" "1"21'"6 US Capitol building as inauguration ( best possible handling of the 2''212%&"" & +52 5""5&2 6 1 Bhagwan Thadani planners make the arrangements. # COVID-19 pandemic as well as 82% & 82(&" 1&%" 28 4'%& + " 1"&2( Mumbai The hidden mechanics of 8< 0 11 ( an unequivocal rejection of the electing a US President have drawn attempts by the Congress and the Winter Session was a good hope Q new scrutiny this year as President (3=>/ = 12 )* BJP to implicate the office of the for discussion and making some Donald Trump continues to deny 6 5 ! / -S Chief Minister in the much hyped Sir — When the 9/11 terror attack progress. But now this hope has Sir — This has reference to the that he has been beaten fair and + ( gold smuggling case. occurred, a Parliament session vanished. The session was can- report ‘Pranab’s son and daughter square even though Biden has offi- 17( ( The CPI(M)-led LDF was called at one day’s notice in celled apparently due to the lock horns over his memoir’ cially secured enough electors to Government can now feel a huge national interest. The same prin- COVID scare but today’s farmers’ (December 16). They have each become the next US President. 3 sense of relief that the orchestrat- ciple should have been applied in rally in Narela was organised by the issued statements either in favour CK Subramaniam ( ed campaign against it has met India where a farmer agitation is ruling party itself, which contra- of suppressing certain portions of, Navi Mumbai = 3 ( with failure. continuing for 20 days and both dicts the Government’s statement. or fully publishing Pranab G David Milton sides are sticking to their guns. Yash Pal Ralhan Mukherjee’s book, The 7 -S / Maruthancode With no solution in sight, the Jalandhar Presidential Years. 0'$$'(*$)3%)#''(B7+!%0>9)+ !"#"# . 48:&360 & !"&30&: !"& <?< ;1 ?;? ? 1 1 1; 1 ' 1 ?C 1<?? < ? ; ;; < << > ?> < P > && &2 ( &" 4"" &4&'&&" LE& L 1 28( &J("; &D) (5('(" ; A 22 "5 "82%(
(%)"#$* 5&< @ *! 9 A % $ ! , / " # ( %! ! * ? # ( - 5 / 1HH7 3 ) 9 RS: / ( . P# / / / 0 O / ( / Q # ( + - $ ( P/ / (!& 56: Q 5 J # 5 - n November 27, through a gazette notifica- / ? tion, the Union Ministry of Environment, / ( OForest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) / J B ( announced the constitution of an Apex Committee 5 () for Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA). This panel has been constituted for the purpose of / ensuring a coordinated response on climate change + 5 / 5 matters that protects the country’s interests and 5 ) J 5 ( ensures that India is on track towards meeting its 5 6 climate change obligations under the Paris # ( Agreement, including its submitted Nationally ? ) Determined Contributions (NDCs). One of the func- . + tions of this committee is to “commission and rec- 5 ( ommend independent research and analytical stud- ? / P5 () Q / ( ies and plan capacity-building and training activi- 5 ) # ( ties” on the above issues. Indigenous research and development (R&D) 5 in India requires greater attention of the Government . in the critical areas of climate change mitigation and = 5 adaptation. It calls for coordinated actions in mis- ( sion mode with concomitant allocation of public # resources — an area that leaves a lot to be desired 5 at present. Even if we were to keep real innovations " # . aside, in a scenario where a substantial share of our ! 5 , climate action is based on imported technologies and 5 % products, adaptive R&D is critical to ensure their optimal performance levels under local conditions, !!, !, $ throughout their lifespan. Moreover, business- encouraging innovation and substantial- resource stress, prioritising short-term This, in turn, leads to the relative 5 $ ? research, too, is an important part of taking a prod- =, , ; ly increasing the number of research and impactful areas over the long-term ones negotiating powers of different countries, = ) uct to its ultimate consumer in a timely fashion. development workers per one million peo- that R&D initiatives tend to be. ones that are knowledge generators vis-à- + 9 1@<4 ( Although as per the Global Innovation Index ) ple and public and private research and Incidentally, the erstwhile Planning vis those who receive them. Investments . + 2020, featuring 131 economies, India has moved up )/ development spending.” Commission, too, had set a goal of two per in R&D then go beyond self-reliance and 3 5 /: to 48th place, it may be noted that globally about $!, ? $ So the big question is, where are we cent of the GDP in the 12th Five-Year Plan, get linked to larger national interests. After ) ( 72 per cent of spending is in sectors like Information ; $ ,$ in this respect? The United Nations i.e., by 2017. However, the worrisome part all, Aatmanirbhar Bharat can only be built and Communications Technology (ICT) hardware ; )! $; Educational, Scientific and Cultural is that investment in R&D by two critical on the solid foundation of R&D-led # and electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals and ,; , Organisation Institute for Statistics tracks sectors — private and higher education, innovations across value chains. As elab- / 0 biotechnology, automobiles, software and ICT ser- =) / these indicators. In 2018, the top countries is even lower. Generally speaking, it is pub- orated by Jaishankar, a self-reliant India 6 > ( vices, with a minimal share of sectors dealing with $ in terms of gross expenditure on R&D lic funding that supports R&D of new is essentially all about building its domes- climate actions. It is imperative, therefore, for the (public as well as private spend) as a share technologies, given the higher risks tic strengths and enhancing its capabili- = $ / ; AIPA to earnestly take up research and innovation / of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), involved and negligible assurance of their ties. For that to happen, India will have to " 6 ! in areas around climate action. It must draw a plan were Israel (4.95 per cent), the Republic commercial success. Private sector fund- enhance its investment in research and . for outcome-oriented collaborative research in pri- $, , ; of Korea (4.8 per cent), Sweden (3.33 per ing may come at a later stage, leveraging technology development in frontier areas, ority areas that are either potentially impacted by = $ cent), Japan (3.26 per cent) and Austria promising outcomes of publicly-funded including those that are of relevance to climate change or contribute to it. Climate action ! ,$ (3.17 per cent). While China stands at 12th early-stage efforts. When Prime Minister intensive climate action. # / can be broadly categorised into climate change mit- position with 2.18 per cent of the GDP Narendra Modi declared in the just-con- However, indigenous research should @8(@D igation and adaptation. ! being its R&D spending, India was at 38th cluded Climate Ambition Summit that, not be confused with isolated research to On the mitigation front are those technologies ;$, place with research spending of 0.65 per “India is not only on track to achieve its be carried out by Indian entities alone. ( / ( that help in the reduction of greenhouse gas /, cent of the GDP. It ranks as one of the low- Paris Agreement targets but to exceed Rather it is all about research and inno- , % 5 # (GHG) emissions, such as renewable energy and ) $ est spenders among the BRICS countries. them beyond expectations” or the UN vations led by India through leveraging technologies for decarbonising in hard-to-abate sec- Not only this, our ranking in another indi- Secretary-General exhorts countries to collaborative competencies of a range of S ;$ $)$ ; tors like steel, cement and heavy transport. At the $ ,; cator, namely, the number of researchers declare a climate emergency until the global players. And it depends on incul- # ( other end of the spectrum are technologies and prac- per million inhabitants (in full time world has reached net zero CO2 emis- cating research temperament among the # ( tices to empower society to adapt to the adverse ,; , employment) is off the mark, too. With sions; obviously this cannot happen on the Indian youth and creating state-of-the-art ( impacts of climate change. Several scientific stud- $ 252 researchers per million inhabitants, we back of imported technologies alone. innovation ecosystems across the coun- 5 ( ies had already cautioned that India should be ready $, are near the bottom rung as compared to As the numerous problems to be try. Above all, we must aspire to be among ) # / 5 ) ( for more extreme weather events — like cyclones, China (1,307), Denmark (8,065) and addressed are local in a country of the size the top nations as per globally recognised / 5 flooding and droughts — on account of the accel- Korea (7,980). This is not a demograph- of India the solutions, too, will have to be R&D and innovation criteria. ) 9 $ : ) erated pace of climate change. ic dividend one would have envisaged. developed indigenously, tailored to our If we can reach seemingly audacious In such a scenario, research focus areas would Indeed, a report on ‘India’s R&D unique but varied requirements, more so renewable energy goals in less than a # 5 include climate-resilient crops, early warning sys- Expenditure Ecosystem’ compiled by the from the perspective of equity and inclu- decade, there is no reason as to why we tems, disaster risk management, resilient coastal Economic Advisory Council to the Prime siveness. The fact that the AIPA is slated cannot set our ambitions high in terms of 9 > : infrastructure, water management technologies Minister (EAC-PM) in mid-2019 laments to provide inputs to the Prime Minister’s excellence in research and innovations, . and public health. For instance, as per the recently that while in absolute terms our R&D Council on Climate Change, must accord too. Considering that public spending on ) 9 ! : released Lancet Countdown report on health and cli- expenditure has increased, as a fraction of it the required heft to overcome usual research is only one part of the pie, busi- # / 5 ( ) mate change, India recorded the highest loss in pro- the GDP, public expenditure on R&D has bureaucratic indifference. nesses and higher educational sectors, too, # 5 ductivity because of extreme heat in 2019. To address been stagnant. It has remained between Viewed from a broader national will have to play their part. Appropriate ) 9 / such challenges, the country needs solutions that suit 0.6-0.7 per cent of the GDP over the last interest perspective, the need for signifi- incentive frameworks could nudge the pri- : / P5 ( its specific demands while taking into account its two decades. Now, India has set a goal to cant and continued public spending on cli- vate sector to scale up its research fund- ) Q / 5 ) climatic conditions, energy consequences, as well as up its R&D spending to two per cent of mate-related research cannot be overem- ing in climate technologies, among other 5 ) 0 # affordability. the GDP by 2022. However, this was in the phasised. And this should certainly not be areas of national importance on one The United Nations’ Sustainable Development pre-Coronavirus era. Now, the implica- limited to supporting public-funded insti- hand and help steer higher education insti- 5 () / ( Goal (SDG) 9 aims to “build resilient infrastructure, tions of large-scale reallocation of public tutions only. Given that in today’s world tutions towards research on the other. The promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation resources for battling the virus have to be technology is a core part of diplomacy as war against climate change requires in- " 5 () and foster innovation.” Target 9.5 of SDG 9 reads seen on such “non-priority” goals. There argued by our External Affairs Minister country arsenal, urgently. “enhance scientific research, upgrade the technolog- is enough evidence from across the globe S Jaishankar, the central role of climate (The writer is Senior Director, Social 9 ical capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, that governments often tend to reduce technologies in geopolitics must be recog- Transformation, TERI. The views expressed : in particular developing ones, including, by 2030, public research funding when faced with nised fully. are personal.) =>? 43:80 7
in bone-chilling cold while respond- them the basic facilities of road, water unique in the sense that certain tecting their land rights. ing to news reporters does not mince and electricity but instead they chose deprived sections (West Pakistan The fact is to the contrary. Section words. It is clear that they are voting to mislead them with false slogans and Refugees, Valmikis and Gorkhas) are 118 in Himachal is restrictive and does for development and employment. It dreams of greener pastures while lin- voting for the first time. (Earlier they not put an absolute ban on the sale and is their sole agenda since they have ing their own pockets with the gener- could vote only for parliamentary elec- purchase of land and property in been deprived of it for long. ous assistance received from successive tions). There are reserved seats for the Himachal. It has provisions through Connectivity, education, health and Central governments. women and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for which, with the approval of the ;; basic amenities still elude the people Kashmir’s identity the world over the first time. A new crop of grassroots Government, anyone can buy land and ! ;; * despite huge amounts of funds received was recognised as a multilingual, leadership is emerging which augers property in the State. However, the new "!+& from successive Central governments. multi-faith, multi-cultural plural soci- well for the future. land law of J&K totally bans the sale $&"" 28"2' O Where did all these funds vanish? ety famous for peaceful co-existence. The Union Territory (UT) of J&K of agricultural land to other than the 1" ''" Reports are surfacing of projects But the political leaders are responsi- now has 100 per cent reservation for existing agriculturists. %"""4"" 5'&%4" & oters decided the fate of 298 shown as completed in files but not ble for the murder of the famous locals in all jobs, including gazetted and However, at long last, the common candidates, including 72 actually existing on the ground. Voters Kashmiri identity. They promoted non-gazetted ones. No other State/UT man has understood how unscruplous & "6*( #"2' O Vwomen, contesting the sev- are openly accusing their leaders of secessionism, separatism and radical- in the country enjoys this unique priv- leaders misled them and deprive them "52 ''"%2( & enth phase of the District Development having cheated them time and again isation, leading to the onslaught on the power to shift to the towns and villages. ilege. The amended land laws were also of basic amenities while filling their %"""%& Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and becoming unreachable and inap- Kashmiri Pandit community, the However, now the process to undo the used by the status quoists to create fear own coffers. They are happy with the "'(&"62 D%"%4" and Kashmir (J&K) on Wednesday. A proachable after the elections are over, indigenous community of the Valley, ills and woes of 70 years of misrule has among the people claiming that their much-awaited change they were yearn- +'24'+2(1285'&%4& + total of 31 DDC constituencies went leaving them to their plight which has forcing them to flee in the face of large- been set in motion with all sincerity. lands would be snatched and forcibly ing for and are hopeful that the rep- to the polls, including 13 in Kashmir not changed during the last 70 years. scale ethnic cleansing. This includes elections to the second purchased by outsiders. People are resentatives they choose for the DDC "" " & +2 " division and 18 in Jammu division. The People have also realised that they were Corrupt leaders delayed the devo- and third tiers of PRI by holding elec- being confused by quoting the protec- will meet their much-wanted basic 2 8"'2 +4"" response of the people across both emotionally exploited with slogans like lution of powers to the grassroots by tions for Block Development Councils tion enjoyed by a few States under needs. 52 & "" %&&2 regions to the elections is a curt mes- self-rule, greater autonomy and so on. not holding elections to the (BDCs) and District Development Article 371. Often people are misled (The author is a Jammu-based vet- &%12&4'"K"8&& " sage to the status quo lobby. Had these leaders been serious and Panachayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Councils (DDCs). ULBs’ elections by drawing comparison with neigh- eran political commentator, columnist, 5" 28 #6 The vast majority standing in committed to the welfare of the peo- Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). They were held, too. bouring Himachal Pradesh stating that security and strategic analyst. The long queues outside the polling booths ple, they could have easily provided were loathe to allow the centre of The ongoing DDC elections are the State has a special provision pro- views expressed are personal.) K " &2&'L !"#"# = 6 & ! !
Washington: The US Congress language urging the Chinese this month. veto the bill as it lacks a repeal the United States government with India and its growing ter- NDAA says that China “should China is also engaged in has officially passed the USD government to end its military The inclusion of this provi- of legal protections for social will send a clear message that ritorial claims. work with” India toward de- hotly contested territorial dis- 740 billion defence policy bill, aggression against India along sion, which Krishnamoorthi media companies. However, China's military provocations of The Senate agreed to escalating the situation along the putes in both the South China which among other things the LAC. led as an amendment when the the NDAA has been passed by India will not be tolerated,” he include the provisions of the bill Line of Actual Control through Sea and the East China Sea. include calling out Chinese China and India have been bill passed the House, reflects Congress for the last 59 years. said. that was passed by the House in existing diplomatic mechanisms China claims sovereignty over aggression against India along locked in a military standoff the US government's strong “Violent aggression is sel- “The United States is com- its version of the bill. and refrain from attempting to all of the South China Sea. the Line of Actual Control along the Line of Actual Control support for its allies and part- dom the answer, and this is mitted to standing with our The House bill contained settle disputes through coercion Vietnam, Malaysia, the (LAC). (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since ners like India in the Indo- especially true for the Line of allies and partners like India in provisions that would express or force. Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan The US House of May this year. Several rounds of Pacific region and beyond. Actual Control, which is the dis- resolving the border standoff the sense of Congress on cross- Attempts by China to have counter claims. Representatives and the Senate talks between the two countries Krishnamoorthi's measure, puted border region that sepa- using diplomatic means,' border violence between China advance baseless territorial Beijing has built up and on Tuesday passed the National to resolve the standoff have not which passed each chamber rates the People's Republic of Krishnamoorthi said. and India and the growing ter- claims, including those in the militarised many of the islands Defense Authorization Act yielded any concrete outcome. with overwhelming bipartisan China from India,” As approved by the confer- ritorial claims of Beijing. South China Sea, the East China and reefs it controls in the (NDAA), which included key The House and Senate ver- support, will become law if Krishnamoorthi said. ence report, the powerful Expressing “significant con- Sea, and with respect to Bhutan, region. Both areas are stated to components of Indian- sions of the bill were reconciled President Donald Trump signs “By including my resolution NDAA says that it is the sense cern” over the continued mili- are destabilising and inconsis- be rich in minerals, oil and other American Congressman Raja by a bipartisan Congressional it. language in the NDAA and of the Congress on the aggres- tary aggression by China along tent with international law, says natural resources and are also Krishnamoorthi's resolution conference committee earlier Trump has threatened to signing that legislation into law, sion of China along the border the border with India, the the bill. vital to global trade. PTI & ( :6 +!* * ( 4%B 2 & Q & Washington: Three blocks from cellphones only gained texting for the transition is for Vice the White House, office space capabilities a few years ago. President-elect Kamala Harris , 7 Washington: Robert Reed says he acknowledging him as president- ularities in the vote count on Fox for more than 500 Biden tran- And many employees will need to receive the highly classified will always believe the 2020 elec- elect, many Trump voters across News and conservative talk radio sition staffers sits mostly idle. to be present at the White President's Daily Brief. *,);;; tion was stolen from President the country seem to be doing the to trust the election's outcome and The government is shipping House to access classified infor- Telework is possible for Donald Trump. The retired police same. doesn't feel he'll ever knows the out laptops so staffers can work mation. some White House staff, and U Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said officer-turned-construction work- Interviews with voters, along true margin of victory. from home. President-elect Joe Biden's team has limited improvements in both secure Eon Wednesday she saw clear progress in the trade er believes fraud marred the vote, with fresh surveys of Republicans, (Biden won the Election Biden, surrounded by just a experience with staffing a phys- and unclassified videoconfer- talks with the U.K., turning a post-Brexit deal from a no matter how many courts reject- suggest their unfounded doubts College by a vote of 306 to 232.) handful of aides in Delaware, is ical office during the pandem- encing have been made over the fleeting possibility into an ever more realistic possibil- ed that claim. about the integrity of the vote But Adams doesn't think the elec- using Zoom to oversee his plans ic. His campaign went all-virtual last two decades. But the lack of ity. Still, a day after the Electoral remain. But there is far less con- tion was rigged enough to change to assume power. in mid-March, clearing out its in-person coordination could Von der Leyen confirmed that the major problems College made Joe Biden's win offi- sensus on what should be done the outcome, even if he But Biden soon will be Philadelphia headquarters and pose an additional challenge to had been reduced to just two — fair competition in the cial, the ardent Trump supporter about it and whether to carry that believes it was “rigged enough entering a no-Zoom zone at the sending staff back to their fam- the new government facing a EU market and fishing rights for EU vessels in U.K. from the suburbs of Lancaster, resentment forward. that it should be questioned more.” White House — just one sign of ilies in Washington, New York multitude of crises. Waters. Even though she still spoke only of a “very nar- Pennsylvania, was ready to move For some, like Reed, the He'd like to see more investiga- the challenges his new admin- and beyond. His transition team Further complicating mat- row” path to a deal, she added that nontheless “I can on. Electoral College vote was the tions. istration will face when it moves plotted out his path to power ters, the Biden team must devise tell you that there is a path to an agreement.” “I think it's pretty much over,” clear end of a process. Others have Republicans across the coun- to Washington in the midst of entirely online. health and safety protocols from It was still far more optimistic than previous com- Reed said of Trump's ongoing vowed to continue to protest with try — from local officials to gov- a pandemic. The closest Biden's team scratch. The Trump adminis- ments coming from British Prime Minister Boris quest to overturn the results of the demonstrations like the one that ernors to Attorney General After months of making a has come to experimenting tration was, at best, a caution- Johnson, and even any assessment of success over the election. “I trust the Electoral turned violent in Washington, William Barr — have said repeat- virtue of the cautious approach with in-person work was elec- ary tale in how not to run a past months. College.” For weeks, Trump has D.C., over the weekend. And edly there is no evidence mass his campaign and transition tion night, when a small selec- workplace during a pandemic. “This is now a case of being so close and yet being been on a mission to convince his some said they hoped GOP lead- voter fraud affected the outcome. team have taken toward tion of masked and socially dis- Despite relying on an so far,” von der Leyen told the EU parliament, which loyal base that his victory was ers would press for more investi- Trump and his allies brought a COVID-19, Biden's prudence tanced aides in Wilmington, aggressive testing regimen that will have to approve any deal brokered with the U.K. stolen and the contest gations to put the doubts Trump flurry of lawsuits, but nearly all will be tested by technology and Delaware, monitored returns in is not available in other work- Britain left the 27-nation bloc in January but for rigged. sowed to rest. have been dismissed by tradition when he arrives on hotel conference rooms, a far places, the West Wing under the rest of this year is still in a transition period that With help from conservative They are people like Scott judges. January 20. cry from running a White President Donald Trump has kept all trade ties the same with the EU. media, polls show he's had con- Adams, a retiree and Trump voter The Supreme Court, which White House computers House 24/7. been the locus of at least two sig- These talks deal with trading relations between the siderable success. But now that the living in Rehoboth Beach, includes three Trump-nominated don't allow the popular video Even now, the most promi- nificant outbreaks of COVID- two sides starting on Jan. 1, which makes a tough time- Electoral College has formalized Delaware, who said he accepts justices, denied requests to hear a conference software Zoom or nent use of the 100,000-plus 19 since Trump himself came line for the negotiations. Biden's win and Republican offi- Biden's victory — but “with reser- pair of cases aimed at invalidating rival systems like Google Meet square feet (9,290 square down with the virus five weeks “The clock puts us in a very difficult position,” said cials, including Senate Leader vations.” Adams said he's heard the outcome of the election in key and Slack. Government-issue meters) of office space reserved before Election Day. AP von der Leyen. Mitch McConnell, are finally too much discussion about irreg- battleground states. AP /"% " " %& 1$ & $(%1&''& 2'" & 2 +2& + 1%( - . "'25 2 '&&+&2 "'" 21"& " &' ( &< &( " # 7 12''&"2("288&5&' *%% B1<( & "&+ Berlin: Germany hit a new Washington: US President Donald litigation,” McEnany said. “Yesterday Washington: Indian-American US Air Dragon,” he posted on his Facebook record level of coronavirus ; * moned to Islamabad from Trump is still involved in ongoing liti- was one step in the constitutional process Force Colonel Raja Chari has been page. This will be the first spaceflight for deaths as it entered a harder Qatar, where they have been gation related to the November 3 presi- leading up to the January 20th date in the selected as the Commander of the Chari, who became a NASA astronaut lockdown on Wednesday, clos- high-level Afghan-Taliban negotiating since September dential election, according to a top Constitution,” she said. SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the in 2017. He was born in Milwaukee, but ing shops and schools to try to Adelegation arrived here on with Afghan government rep- White House official. McEnany defended Trump's litiga- International Space Station (ISS) by considers Cedar Falls, Iowa, his home- bring down stubbornly high Wednesday to hold talks with resentatives, officials close to The statement from White House tion against elections. NASA and the European Space Agency. town, NASA said. new cases. the top Pakistani leadership as the talks said. Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany came President Trump still refuses to con- Chari, 43, will serve as the com- He is a colonel in the US Air Force The country recorded part of efforts to push forward According to a report in a day after members of the Electoral cede, making unsubstantiated claims of mander while NASA's Tom Marshburn and joins the mission with extensive 179.8 deaths of new infections the reconciliation process, amid The Express Tribune, the del- College met in various states and formally widespread fraud during the presidential will be pilot and ESA's Matthias Maurer experience as a test pilot. He has accu- per 100,000 residents over the growing incidents of violence egation will discuss issues of elected Joe Biden, a Democrat, as the 46th election won by Biden. will serve as a mission specialist for the mulated more than 2,500 hours of last seven days, a new high and in Afghanistan mutual interest, in particular, President of the United States. Biden is “I think pursuing legitimate litiga- SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the ISS, flight time in his career. Chari was select- significantly more than the The Taliban Political problems of refugees, relaxation scheduled to be sworn-in on January 20. tion through the judicial system is in no which is expected to launched next year. ed earlier this month as a member of the 149 per 100,000 reported a Commission (TPC), headed and facilitation of Afghan's “The president is still involved in way assaulting democracy. In fact, it's A fourth crew member will be Artemis Team and is now eligible for week ago by the Robert Koch by Mullah Abdul Ghani movement to Pakistan, as well ongoing litigation related to the election. using democrat institutions in the man- added at a later date, following a review assignment to a future lunar mission, it Institute, the country's disease Baradar, is on a December 16- as issues faced by Afghan Yesterday's vote was one step in the con- ner they are to be used: to pursue legit- by NASA and its international partners, said in a statement. control center. 18 visit to Pakistan, traders. stitutional process. So, I will leave that to imate claims with sworn affidavits and NASA said in a statement on Monday. Chari's father Srinivas Chari came It also blew past its previ- according to the Foreign Office The visit of the TPC dele- him,” McEnany told reporters on Tuesday additional evidence,” she said. “Excited and honored to be train- to the US at a young age from ous daily total, with Germany's (FO). gation is part of Pakistan's pol- at a news conference. Trump, she said, believes he certainly ing with @astro_matthias and Hyderabad for an engineering degree. 16 states reporting 952 people “During the visit, the del- icy to reach out to key Afghan McEnany was responding to a was under assault when it comes to the @AstroMarshburn in prep for a trip to “It's official... Next stop: had died of the virus, the egation will meet with the parties in the peace process question if Trump, a Republican, has any investigations into his administration. the @Space_Station,” Chari said in a International @Space_Station! In late agency said. That was far Foreign Minister and call on with a view to facilitating the plans to invite Biden to the White House “The Mueller probe, the unfortunate way tweet on Monday. 2021, I'll fly to humankind's orbital out- greater than the previous daily the Prime Minister,” the FO Intra-Afghan Negotiations that now that the Electoral College has voted. that our FBI was mishandled by folks like “Proud to be working and training post for the first time, continuing our record set Friday of 598 deaths, said. commenced in Doha on “Does the president acknowledge that Joe Andy McCabe, by folks like Jim Comey, with Matthias Maurer and Thomas quest to discover more in space for although included two days of The visit comes after a September 12, 2020. Biden is the president-elect,” she was and weaponised in a political way against Henry Marshburn in preparation for a #Earth. Get ready for #cosmickiss – a figures from the hard-hit east- delegation led by US special “Pakistan will continue to asked. his candidacy and then against his pres- mission to the International Space declaration of love for space,” Maurer ern state of Saxony, which did representative for Afghanistan support an inclusive, broad- “The president is pursuing ongoing idency,” she added. PTI Station aboard the SpaceX Crew tweeted. PTI not report Tuesday. AP reconciliation, Zalmay based and comprehensive Khalilzad, on Monday met political settlement for durable Pakistan's Army chief General peace, stability and prosperity 3* & * &+"& &2(8" Qamar Javed Bajwa and dis- in Afghanistan and the region,” cussed with him the ongoing said the FO. +!* * % Afghan peace process. It is the second visit of the 42 & 11" 4""%& AP reported that Baradar TPC delegation this year after * % ! and his delegation were sum- it visited Pakistan in August. Kankara (Nigeria): Anger, fear and exhaustion. Anxiety has Kathmandu: Nepal's iconic Pashupatinath Temple, overwhelmed many parents in Nigeria's northern village of the 5th century holy Hindu shrine, opened for pil- Kankara who await word on their sons who are among the grims on Wednesday after being closed for nine more than 330 kidnapped by extremists from a government months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. boys' school late Friday. Pashupatinath Temple is the largest temple com- Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist rebels have claimed respon- plex in Nepal and stretches on both sides of the sibility for the abduction of the students from the Government Bagmati River and sees thousands of worshippers Science Secondary School in Kankara. from Nepal and India daily. Hundreds of other students managed to escape by jump- Entry of devotees inside the temple premises was ing the fence during the extremists' attack or by fleeing as prohibited since the Nepal government imposed a they were taken into the nearby forest. lockdown in March to curb the spread of the coro- Boko Haram kidnapped the boys from the school because navirus. Special safety measures have been adopted it believes Western education is un-Islamic, the r to open the temple which is situated in the outskirts ebels' leader Abubakar Shekau said in a video claiming respon- of Kathmandu, said Pradeep Dhakal, chief of the sibility for the attack, according to SITE Intelligence Pashupati Temple Area Trust. PTI Group. AP !"#"# # 9
( - * ! $ (*$$ '3 % . * ! % @9$ 0 :; the prominent gainers, advanc- itive news flows continued to strong commitment to revive 1< ing up to 3.11 per cent. attract investors’ interest in the economy and dismal real ness. These cast great respon- participatory approaches in On the other hand, ICICI domestic equities. Further, interest rate scenario globally sibility on financial education the journey towards greater Bank, IndusInd Bank, NTPC, improving prospects of corpo- continued to act as key tail- ssues concerning cyber secu- providers,” he emphasised. financial literacy, he added. lobal technology services UltraTech Cement, Tech rate earnings recovery, weak winds to attract FPIs flows Irity and data protection must Financial inclusion in the The Governor also stressed Gcompany NTT Ltd. on Mahindra and HCL Tech were dollar index, consistent into Indian equities,” said be addressed to gain confi- country, he said, is poised to that in a large country like Wednesday said Abhijit Dubey among the major laggards, improvement in coronavirus Binod Modi, Head- Strategy at dence of the excluded section grow exponentially with digi- India with an aspiring popula- will succeed Jason Goodall as skidding up to 1.09 per cent. recovery rates, government’s Reliance Securities. in use of technology, which is tal savvy millennials joining the tion, financial education can- its Global Chief Executive ) * Asian bourses closed necessary for promoting finan- workforce, social media blur- not remain just the responsi- Officer.Dubey takes the role broadly higher amid hopes cial inclusion, Reserve Bank ring the urban-rural divide bility of financial sector regu- following over 20 years with quity benchmarks raced to that COVID-19 vaccines and /2' +& ! 7 Governor Shaktikanta Das said and technology shaping the lators. global advisory firm McKinsey Enew peaks for the fourth economic stimulus by govern- on Wednesday. policy interventions. This aspect has been high- & Company.Dubey will join straight session on Wednesday ments around the world will # M&'" * .:75 “Technology, though For harnessing the near lighted in the National Strategy NTT in early February and for- as participants took note of revive economic growth. being a great enabler, can also universal reach of bank for Financial Education (NSFE mally step into his new role on continuously improving European equities surged lead to exclusion of certain seg- accounts across the length and 2020-2025) document which April 1, 2021. He will be based macroeconomic indicators and to 10-month highs on -(%1 *# ments of society,” Das said in breadth of the country, there recommends a multi-stake- at the company’s headquarters positive trends in global mar- prospects of a Brexit trade deal ) * his keynote address at a webi- needs to be greater focus on holder led approach to achieve in London.”We are looking kets. and expectations of swift roll- nar on ‘Investing in Investor penetration of sustainable cred- financial wellbeing of all. forward to welcoming Abhijit The BSE Sensex settled out of coronavirus vaccina- he rupee appreciated 5 Education in India: Priorities it, investment, insurance and “Going forward, increas- to the NTT family in 2021 to 403.29 points or 0.87 per cent tion. old price gained 215 to Tpaise to close at 73.58 for Action’, organised by the pension products by addressing ingly, educational institutions, lead the next generation of our higher at 46,666.46, while the “Domestic equities Gtouch 49,059 per 10 against the US dollar on NCAER. demand side constraints with industry bodies and other business,” Goodall who is the NSE Nifty climbed 114.85 remained in the grip of bulls, gram in the national capital Wednesday, propped up by The RBI Governor added enhanced customer protection, stakeholders like think tanks, current Global CEO for NTT points or 0.85 per cent to recording fresh highs fairly on Wednesday supported by sustained foreign fund that it was imperative to build Das said. The interventions in research institutions should Ltd. said in a 13,682.70 -- record closing for supported by firm global mar- strong global precious metal inflows and a weak greenback trust in formal financial ser- financial education would have come forward to shoulder the statement.Following a three both the benchmarks. kets. Emerging prospects of prices, according to HDFC overseas. Strong domestic vices among the hitherto to be customised in local lan- responsibility of increasing month handover period, Both the indices also additional fiscal stimulus in the Securities. equities also strengthened excluded population. guage and local settings keep- financial literacy through Goodall will retire from his marked their all-time intra-day US and satisfactory progress on In the previous trade, investor sentiment, traders “Adequate safeguards need ing the different target audience appropriate awareness cam- executive role on June 30, 2021 highs of 46,704.97 and coronavirus vaccination bol- gold had closed at 48,844 said. At the interbank forex to be reinforced to address in mind, he pointed out. paigns,” Das said. Financial and will remain as a Board 13,692.35, respectively. stered investors’ sentiments. per 10 gram.Silver price market, the rupee opened at issues of cyber security, data The scaling up of Centre inclusion initiatives in India Director for NTT Ltd, and In the Sensex pack, HDFC, Barring PSU banks, all key sec- jumped 1,185 to 64,822 73.49 against the US dollar confidentiality, mis-selling, cus- for Financial Literacy (CFL) started in the aftermath of first Dimension Data, as well as act ONGC, Bharti Airtel, Asian toral indices recorded gains. per kilogram. It was at and witnessed an intra-day tomer protection and grievance projects across the country at All India Rural Credit Survey as a strategic advisor for the Paints, Titan, TCS and “Encouraging data for key 63,637 per kilogram in the high of 73.48 and a low of redress through appropriate the block level would be the in 1954 with promotion of NTT Venture Capital busi- Mahindra and Mahindra were economic indicators and pos- previous trade. 73.60. financial education and aware- cornerstone of community-led cooperatives. ness. =% 5'" &2 ''M;" ,' "" 2 2&8"1"'01" -./ ( assignment for a validity peri- Mhz of spectrum identified by permissible exit load and notified in the ‘Gazette of India’ constitutional expert and for- od of 20 years. the DoT for 5G services is reducing the timeline for pay- on September 27 after receiv- mer Lok Sabha Secretary- he Union Cabinet on A total of 2,251.25 MHz is being used by the Navy, and the arket regulator Sebi on ment of dividend. Also, the mid ongoing protests by ing the President’s assent. General Subhash Kashyap said: TWednesday approved a being offered with a total val- Department of Space has also MWednesday decided to board cleared a proposal for Athousands of farmers A senior Agriculture “These are national laws applic- proposal for the auction of uation of Rs 3,92,332.70 crore made claims on a significant relax profitability criteria for permitting other modes for against three new Farm Acts Ministry official told PTI: “The able throughout the country. 2,251.25 megahertz of spec- (at reserve price),” an official portion of these radiowaves. becoming a mutual fund spon- payment of dividend and pro- and assertions by some states three farm laws enacted by the They are printed in the Gazette trum worth 3.92 lakh crore at statement said. The industry has also sor with a view to facilitating viding clarity with respect to that they would not notify central government are nation- and that is the notification for the base price. “The notice inviting appli- been demanding the govern- innovation and expansion in payment of interest and penal- these legislations, government al laws. the entire country.” The telecom ministry cation shall be issued in this ment to lower the base price of the MF sector.The regulator has ty in case of delay in dividend officials and constitutional They have come into force “I don’t think it is neces- plans to issue a notice to invite month and by auction will be 5G spectrum as each operator also decided to segregate and payment. With regards to experts said these are already across the country from the sary for states to separately bids in December and hold the conducted by March,” Prasad will need to shell out around ring-fence assets and liabilities sponsor eligibility, Sebi said national laws and therefore date of notification. So, a sep- notify them,” he added. spectrum auction by March, told reporters after the Cabinet Rs 50,000 crore for the of mutual fund schemes, Sebi sponsors that are not fulfilling states are not required to noti- arate notification by each state Farmers, mostly from telecom minister Ravi Shankar meeting.The Digital required quantum of said in a statement after its profitability criteria at the time fy them separately. is not required.” Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Prasad said. Communications Commission, radiowaves for the next gen- board meeting. This is in addi- of making application, will The Farmers In some states, farmers are Pradesh, have been protesting The government, howev- the apex decision making body eration services. tion to the existing require- also be considered eligible to (Empowerment and already taking advantage of at Delhi’s borders demanding er, has decided not to auction of the Department of Telecom, Prasad did not reply to ment of segregating bank sponsor a mutual fund. This is Protection) Agreement of Price various provisions of these leg- the repeal of the three farm frequencies in 3,300-3,600 Mhz in May had approved the spec- questions on the status of 5G accounts and securities subject to having a net-worth Assurance and Farm Services islations, the official added. laws. bands that were identified for trum auction plan worth Rs spectrum.The minister said accounts. The Sebi board also of not less than Rs 100 crore for Act, the Farmers Produce Asked if there was a spe- Enacted in September, the 5G services. 5.22 lakh crore which includ- that the government has approved proposals including the purpose of contribution Trade and Commerce cial provision for the Delhi gov- three farm laws have been pro- “The auction will be for ed radiowaves for 5G services retained rules of 2016 for pay- dispensing with the require- towards the net-worth of the (Promotion and Facilitation) ernment which notified one of jected by the government as spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 as well. ments in the upcoming auction ment to issue physical unit cer- Asset Management Company Act, and the Essential the three farm laws early this major reforms in the agricul- MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, However, a part of the 300 as well. tificates, reducing maximum (AMC). Commodities (Amendment) month, the official said, “It was ture sector that will remove the 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and Act 2020 -- are three farm laws not required.” middlemen and allow farmers 2500 MHz frequency bands. which the central government Expressing similar views, to sell anywhere in the country. Spectrum will be offered for ,.5 - 6 ! "%&5(5 0 (2 - #7 1& (O=># # - ( 2" "D+2N New Delhi: The Automotive stressed, however with unlock- Hyderabad:IIT Hyderabad- mainly imported from China, Component Manufacturers ing of the economy, the sales of incubated startup Pure EV is which is a very critical depen- Association of India on vehicles witnessed improve- collaborating with CSIR- dence necessary for final bat- Wednesday reported a de- ment, month-on-month, in the CECRI on indigenizing tery packs required for electric growth of 34 per cent in indus- second quarter.” Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) vehicles.To address this market try’s turnover during April to However, for the first time technology for electric vehicles. monopoly, CSIR has launched September 2020 period on a ever, the industry witnessed a Pure EV has signed a MoU a project titled, ‘CSIR year-on-year basis.Accordingly, trade surplus with auto com- with CSIR-CECRI to undertake Innovation Centre for Next the turnover of the automotive ponent exports at Rs 39,003 joint research on the produc- Generation Energy Storage component industry stood at crore ($5.2 billion) and imports tion of battery packs, validation Solutions (ICeNGESS)’ with an Rs 1.19 lakh crore (USD 15.9 at Rs 37,710 crore ($5 billion); of LIB cells and addressing the aim to produce LIBs on a 100 billion) for the period April both exports and imports specific requirements to ensure MW scale. Pure EV is an elec- 2020 to September 2020. declined by 23.6 per cent and the suitability of developed tric vehicle vertical of the start- “The auto industry wit- 32.7 per cent, respectively, he LIBs for critical performance at up PuREnergy that is engaged nessed a downturn in FY2019- said.”The aftermarket, esti- the Standard Operating in design and development of 20, the situation further aggra- mated at Rs 31,116 crore, also Procedure (SoP) conditions. advanced LIBs manufacturing vated with the outbreak of the witnessed de-growth of 15 per Lithium battery is the most with core focus on battery pandemic and the lockdown,” cent. Component sales to reliable and commercially- thermal management system, said Vinnie Mehta, Director OEMs in the domestic market viable choice for electric vehi- hence making it one of the top General, ACMA. contracted the most to Rs cles across the world. Currently, picks in this mission. “While the first quarter 87,120 crore (USD 11.6 billion), in India, Lithium cells are IANS for FY20-21 was significantly declining 42 per cent.” PTI , ' 0: ( ! & ( & achieve substantial climate Gas Power.”We believe there New Delhi:Oil marketing com- goals. In addition, the paper are critical and meaningful panies continued to hold back ccelerated and strategic outlines multiple technical roles for both gas power and any change in retail prices of Adeployment of both renew- pathways for gas power to renewable sources of energy to petrol and diesel continuing able energy and gas power can achieve a lower carbon-gener- play, advancing global progress with their wait and watch make substantial progress in ating footprint through the faster today with coal-to-gas stance that has kept the prices combating climate change in use of low and zero-carbon switching while continuing to of the two auto fuels static for the near term, while securing fuels—including hydrogen— develop multiple pathways for past nine days. a path to a lower carbon-emit- as well as carbon capture uti- low-to-zero carbon gas tech- Accordingly, there was no ting world in the future, lization and sequestration nologies in the future,” he said. change in retail price of auto according to a paper published (CCUS) technologies. To help meet urgent cli- fuels on Wednesday with price by GE. “Addressing climate mate goals while at the same of petrol remaining at Rs Rs It noted that just one of change is an urgent global pri- time increasing power demand 83.71 a litre and diesel Rs these two power sources would ority and one that we think we across the globe, the report 73.87 a litre in Delhi.Across the not be sufficient, and when can do a better job of acceler- details the merits of gas-fired country as well the price of the deployed in tandem, they can ating progress on—starting generation as a complement to two petroleum products provide decarbonization at the now—not decades from now,” support and accelerate renew- remained unchanged. IANS pace and scale needed to help said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE able energy penetration. !"#"# *
Nirmal spoke to us over the phone while he was working on board a ship in Germany. His story opens the episode. This is a testament to the kind of trust the research team built with our various guests, including former or current members of the mafia themselves. 8 # ( B How challenging was it to explore this subject? # One of the main challenges was get- ting larger character camps in place. Not 52? only did the researchers have to build %&"1"82%& +'&" relationships of trust with everyone, from "'2%&"2(5& +" victims to the accused, but we also had 288 +&+6 a lot of last-minute dropouts. Especially $"52 with the accused, who fear that the 12" 1&5(" authorities will gun for them on the basis of their interviews with us. We have had 82%2 "28& to navigate through these challenges not 1+&+2 just for one story but for all 12. The scope +%2 of research is so vast because we are "2 incorporating so many different geogra- %(5" phies. All the researchers were working %&"1"D under COVID restrictions, which made access and mobility even more difficult. 82%& +'&"6 But through all of that, we persevered. L %& We are grateful to the team of researchers "+"6 who worked with us and to the stream- %&1"21'" ing platform for being patient given these 5"%& + external challenges. %+&+6 In today’s world of enhanced visual %&2(5& + effects and works, why did you think " 28 a podcast would turn out to be better "52 6 than a visual series for this show? %&4"& +1 Podcasts are a great way to experi- 28"52 28 ment with non-fiction storytelling. It’s a more stripped down version of story- '25'&"O+&+ telling compared to visual series, which 2%"""& can often hide behind big-name actors, " (21"6 lush production design, and enhanced %&4"& +%&" visual effects. We’ve seen the growth of " +"'"82 podcast titled Mafialand. What podcast consumption across the world %52 5"M" would be your instant reaction as and believe that India is heading in the soon as you hear about the show? same direction. What’s fascinating about 2"&" A Well, most or almost all of us would a podcast is that it just does not work if &%+"6 immediately interpret it to be the story 8 the basics of storytelling aren’t in place, of underworlds, dons, drugs and so it’s easier to spot mistakes, but also a weapons. However, only when one goes great way to hone your skills if you are O into the details of it, s/he realises how ! an emerging writer or filmmaker. it has an entirely different take. Mafialand is a glimpse into India’s 01"$$&( "0 ) ! %( You have directed and produced # most flourishing industry, i.e. that of the another crime podcast, The Big Shots mafia. After all, in every corner of the - Dosa King. How was the experience country there’s a mafia, who’s probably Q of exploring this genre with podcasts? #? — at first glance clearing your garbage, The vision for Dosa King was always ( # parking your car, or selling you gro- cinematic. We wanted it to be a char- # + ceries, but we tend to ignore them. The acter study of a great man — P show focusses on issues that operate in researchers would then prepare exten- I think every Indian knows that Rajagopal, the man behind Saravana 8 % # broad daylight, under our very eyes. sive and detailed research dockets, there is something wrong in the way Bhavan. It’s a story everyone thinks they ? 8 8 The Spotify Original is made in col- from which a writer would craft a com- things are going. Every young parent in know, but we found a whole rich world laboration with Sikhya Entertainment. pelling and tight narrative. We would Delhi knows this. Every driver who has behind the headlines. So we were excit- P Its founder and film producer, Guneet give this one brief to all writers: ‘Don’t to park their car in an Indian city knows ed to jump on the opportunity to tell it ( ' ? Monga, delves into the making of the use Google!’ Our ambition was to cre- this. Every person in Bangalore dealing through an immersive podcast, where 8 % ( podcast, and more. Excerpts: ate original work that went straight to with dry water taps knows this. So peo- we could marry narration, dramatised the source, instead of relying on what ple are aware. What we are telling them scenes, and interviews. And given that # ? How did you conceptualise it? was already out there. The purpose was is the scale of the problem, the mafia Spotify recently produced a true crime 8 P 2 The initial idea was to explore the to demonstrate that podcasts can be a modus operandi, and what combating podcast in India, it seemed like the per- world of mini-mafias in India that form of journalism too, but with a twist. this mafia nexus means. We are empow- fect fit. ? 8 control our daily lives. The focus was It was also important to identify the ering them with insight about their own % always on looking at how there is a right audio streaming platform to work lives. What would you say about the sta- mafia hidden in every corner of our with — one that would give you creative tus of this genre in India? Why do you % #( existence, and we don’t even know about freedom and is open to exploring new How did you come across people who think podcasts are dominating the #?P it. We drew a parallel with the under- podcast concepts. have been at the receiving end and were media landscape here? L# 6 world, because that is the immediate ready to open up as these things are We are very excited that podcasts response we get from people when we What research went into it? ”Mafia sirf underworld mein nahi usually done secretly? are gaining ground in India. It shows say the name Mafialand — they think Our co-producer, Confluence hai, Mafia humari galiyon mein hai, One of our most harrowing episodes that people are hungry for exciting sto- 52 ? we are looking at the pulpy world of the Media, is led by a team of established, humare gharon mein hai.” The podcast is Episode 6 — Amreeka ke Jawai, ries, and they want them in different 8'( &'25 & Mumbai mafias. But no! Our show senior investigative journalists includ- says that right from nursery admis- where we explore the immigration forms, and for different purposes. We "122 +% would actually be about something ing Josy Joseph. It has a network of sions in Delhi to getting admission in mafia in Punjab. We had Nirmal Singh, hope that our two original podcasts like the garbage disposal mafia in stringers across the country, who would sports to parking a car, there’s involve- whose teenage son lost his life on his way turn out to be gripping, informative, & +'2 +& Mumbai. That was how we pitched it to bring us the access, the voices, and the ment of mafia all around... What do to the United States, because of the cruel and help further the podcast format in +6 Spotify. story on the ground. The team of you intend to say? conditions this mafia subjected him to. the country. "&%+"" 52&"" "" & " &% -5 "1&" &"''2$D&6 elf-taught filmmaker Ajitpal Singh’s Sdebut feature as a writer-director, L Fire In The Mountains, will have its ' " World Premiere at the prestigious K2 +& &88"" Sundance Film Festival 2021 in the ‘World Cinema Dramatic &"D &"52 @ $! ; /O "4(& &8"("8&'% &'' +6;''""" Competition.’ +& LHM Produced by Jar Pictures, this is "&2' 1"%&""";( 5"=&'%="&'&('' & " 22& + the only Indian film selected among 82& "8&'%,% 10 films in the category, which pre- &O $"8&'% sents the emerging filmmaking talents around the world who offer fresh per- &5&''4"12 (5" 4 spectives and inventive styles. ,2 &";5"'O,;?! The film festival will be held from ,% &=&'%& 2D January 28 to February 3. Normally !2 (5" %& &+&" held in Park City, Utah, the festival has opted for virtual edition this year due 4& O""&"& 2"2 D to COVID-19, combined with the & +28 "5 "'6 drive-in and socially distanced screen- ings around the country. The 82-minute intense family O8 % drama is about a mother who toils to % P save money to build a road in a Fortunate to enjoy audience remote Himalayan village to take her =22''22 A 1EE wheelchair-bound son for physiother- ##4"" 4&""""1"D apy but her husband believes that a support: Chandan shamanic ritual (Jagar) is the reme- &" 5"6$" 5D& & +52 dy. ctor Chandan Roy Sanyal’s passion for cin- "&'" & +22"52%" The film stars Vinamrata Rai in Aema has resulted in a filmography spanning "'228&2( +" the central role of the mother along over 14 years. Way before that he established his &" & +" with Chandan Bisht and Sonal Jha, banner, Proscenium Film Company, under 8& -2& & +" introducing first time young actors which he created a live film titled, In Between from Uttarakhand, Harshita Tewari (2020). The film was presented over (+&% " and Mayank Singh Jaira. It is pro- BookMyShow; it opened to appreciation and & 2%"'"8 duced by Ajay Rai and Alan McAlex attracted 500 viewers. 4"& 6 and co-produced by Amit Mehta tragedy, when my cousin sister are delighted to end this difficult year Artists from several countries A commentary on the vibrant lives of actors, '&"& and Mauli Singh. Amarjeet Kaur died because her hus- on an exciting note. It’s a great joy to have collaborated on the film which the film deals with a few actors auditioning for Ajitpal Singh whose short film band didn’t take her to the hospital be among 10 films from across the includes the veteran French DOP roles amid the emotional turmoil that takes a "=2'2 Rammat-Gammat won ‘Special thinking she was possessed by a world.” Dominique Colin (who collaborated toll on their profession. Chandan’s film borrows &2( +"&D Mention’ at International Short Film ghost. The film is about the clash of Having promoted indie gems, with many auteur filmmakers includ- heavily from his two decades of theatre expe- "" Festival of Oberhausen 2018, is excit- two world views — traditional and Mauli Singh produced her award-win- ing Gaspar Noë and Cédric Klapisch) rience and one and half decade of experience &2 2 ed about Sundance premiere of his modern, with a strong woman at the ning first short film Rammat-Gammat who shot the film, Simon Price from in cinema. 42 &2 debut feature. heart of it. I hope my film will make with Drishyam Films. Excited about New Zealand edited the film along The actor-producer roped in his team of old The self-taught filmmaker and the people ask some relevant questions the premiere of her debut feature, the with Parikshhit Jha, and the music is actors for the one-take film & theatre phenom- ; 2%"" writer-director of the film says, “It’s about their blind faiths.” film publicist turned producer says, composed by Arnaud van Vliet of enon. He reveals that the project is inspired by +"286 been a difficult year for all of us. I am The producer and co-founder of “Over the past seven years as a pub- South Africa. The Indian crew his personal experiences and he remarks that L$&" glad that it’s ending on a positive note Jar Pictures who has produced award- licist, I have passionately promoted includes the production designer he pieced together the script to depict the real- 4"" 4&"D with hopes of vaccine for everyone. winning films such as Berlinale win- some of the best independent films Mausam Aggarwal, sound recordist ity of an actor’s life. ""82%"6 O% On a personal note, I am super ner Killa and Oscar entry from India, premiering at the top film festivals, all Kanishk Bhoklay, sound designer Chandan says, “I am grateful to viewers for thrilled that my first feature is mak- Liar’s Dice and commercial hits like the while harbouring a dream of pro- Mohandas VP, costume designer embracing the film despite it being a relatively '&& +& &(D ing its World Premiere. Sundance has Gangs Of Wasseypur 1 and 2, Nil ducing films which will connect with Karishma Vyas and casting director alien form of entertainment. Everyone associ- &2 ""% been a dream since 2012 when my Battey Sannata and Qarib Qarib the audience across the world. I Taran Bajaj. Additional dialogues are ated with the film is truly excited to bring it back 8%&'4"" first script was selected for Sundance Single, Ajay Rai says, “We are thrilled couldn’t have asked for a better start written by Uttarakhand based actor- to the audiences and we all realise we’re fortu- 88"5" 42%"D Mumbai Mantra Script lab and I expe- to start our film journey here. This is than this. The film is our labour of writer Sudarshan Juyal. nate to enjoy this kind of support. What’s inter- 2 ""'2"" rienced their love and warmth for our second film after to be selected at love and I am excited to see how the Earlier titled Swizerland, the film esting is that because the film is about the hard- independent artists. This dream Sundance, after a gap of seven years. world audience will connect with it.” won two awards, ‘Prasad Lab DI’ and ships of an actor’s life it is relatable to those act- "'K%&D would have remained a dream if my It feels truly special.” On her collaboration with Jar ‘Moviebuff Appreciation’ for the best ing and it is a revelation for those who think act- "2 D producer Ajay had not shown faith in The Jar Pictures producer Alan Pictures, Mauli says, “I worked with WIP project at 2019 Film Bazaar’s ing is just a glamorous job that pays well.” &&2 " M=2 me.” McAlex who did individual projects Ajay and Alan as their publicist. It’s Work-In-Progress Lab. It was also part (The live film will have two shows at 7 pm & 6 Talking about the inspiration Dangal and Amazon series Made in a joy to collaborate with them as a co- of NFDC Screenwriters Lab 2018-19 and 9 pm each on December 19 and 20 on behind the film, Ajitpal says, The idea Heaven as an Executive Producer and producer on my first feature and learn and Marche Du Film 2020’s, Goes to BookMyShow.) of the film came from a personal co-produced A Suitable Boy, says, “We from the best in the business.” Cannes Section. %& ** !"#"# 0) :4& &( 4 " 5
he National Hydrology Project was started in the year 2016 as a Central TSector Scheme with 100 per cent grant to implementing agencies with a budget outlay of 3,680 crore to be spent over a period of eight years. The project aims at improving the extent, reliability and accessibility of information related to water resources and to strengthen the capacity of water resource management institutions in India. The efficient and reli- able information paves the way for an effective water resource development and management. The project, in its mid term, has made significant progress in the fields of water resource monitoring system, water resource information system (WRIS), water resource operation and planning sys- tems, institutional capacity enhancement and trainings. The Minister of State, Jal Shakti, Rattan Lal Kataria, informed that under the NHP, a nation wide repository of water resources data — NWIC has been estab- lished. Approximately 1,900 real time data acquisition stations (RTDAs) have been set up and contract for 6,500 RTDAs have already been awarded. He informed that near real time data acquisition systems (NRTDAs) as well as manual data acqui- sition stations are being set up. India WRIS, water information and manage- ment system WIMS have been revamped. The major success has been bringing all states on board for data sharing on water , & resources, a task hitherto left unaccom- plished by previous governments. resource management and also a stum- Kataria stated that data is a valuable ment was being handled. He also hailed example, opening of gates for dams has so Kataria also directed authorities to bling block in important policy level resource and lack of interest shown by pre- the very first step in this direction of set- far been a manual operation but through ( share the valuable research work carried decision making. vious governments has resulted into ting up of Ministry of Jal Shakti for adopt- NHP, these operations shall be changed out under NHP in public domain and Acknowledging progress made in unavailability of reliable historic data. He ing an integrated approach towards effec- into automatic mode on pilot basis for a hhattisgarh celebrated the completion encourage universities/research institutes data collection, he informed that 12,273 emphasised that the NDA government, tive water management. few dams. Cof two years of Bhupesh Baghel-led globally to benefit as well as contribute surface water stations have been set up by under the dynamic leadership of Narendra He further informed that through He lauded the efforts of Haryana gov- state government by participating in the towards it. He termed NHP as a project 2020 as compared to mere 878 in the year Modi, is trying to amend all historical NHP, the management of water resources ernment in implementing NHP and virtual marathon campaign. More than of national importance. He stated that col- 2016. Around 70,525 ground water sta- wrongs committed by the previous gov- shall witness a sea change since it will informed that Haryana is among the top one lakh people hailing from 28 districts lecting data from scattered agencies posed tions have been set up in a span of four ernments and correct the myopic perspec- adopt an integrated approach and make ten performing states in terms of percent- took part in the virtual race. The Chief a major bottleneck in effective water years. tive with which water resource manage- use of latest cutting edge technology. For age of funds utilised. Minister Baghel also took part in the event. The allocated time for the marathon was set from 6 am till 11 am, but the D9(93+@/#(E (# +/ E@4(E3+@9(939+98+9"E enthusiasm filled statesman continued the marathon even after the deadline had IC is devising better methods to policies has been introduced ly being sold. The facility of online well. Conversational Artificial and customer queries. The chatbot passed. It was organised by the Sports and Lprovide services to its esteemed through LIC’s Customer Portal, switching of funds is free of cost. LIC has also extended the bi- Intelligence/Machine Learning has answered 1,20,75,440 queries so Youth Welfare and Public Relations policyholders in the times of the registered for premier services. One switch is allowed per day per lingual customer care support. enabled bi-lingual chatbot, which far since its launch in January 2020. Department of the state. Unlike the pandemic. The policyholders can This facility is available for New policy through an OTP based The services are now additionally is a one stop platform for provid- LIC is well advanced with dig- commonly held marathon, participants now avail its improved customer- Endowment Plus (Plan 935), authentication system. All rules available in Marathi, Tamil and ing information regarding premi- ital transformation and has in this virtual marathon had to upload centric initiatives. Online facility for Nivesh Plus (Plan 849) and SIIP applicable for offline requests are Bengali. um due date, various products, responded to the pandemic with their running photos or videos on social switching of funds under ULIP (Plan 852), the three plans current- applicable for the online system as The company also has a including the newly launched plans great speed and agility. media. The theme of the event was — Baat Hai Abhiman Kee, Chhattisgarh Ke Swabhimaan Kee. 0 0 !+ 0 Approximately 71,000 people regis- tered to participate in the event but by 11 am more than one lakh people joined the he fifth and the last vessel of designed by GSL and would pro- campaign. Baghel uploaded his photos on Tthe indigenous project for 05 vide for fuel efficiency, crew com- social media while sporting a special t- Offshore Patrol Vessels for Indian fort and excellent sea keeping he Steel Authority of India the category. Considering various shirt. He said that the entire state and its Coast Guard was launched at the qualities. TLimited (SAIL) has been environmental issues leading to zeal is running with me. He motivated hands of Jayanthi Natarajan, While complementing GSL awarded with the prestigious global warming and climate others to run as well. President, Coast Guard Wives for achieving yet another mile- Golden Peacock Environment change, the award encourages The Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat, Welfare Association, in the pres- stone in execution of five Management Award for the year corporates to enhance their envi- School Education Minister Dr Premsai ence of DG K Natarajan, DGICG, CGOPVs Project, DGICG K 2020 by the Institute of Directors. ronmental performance and to Singh Tekam, Forest Minister who was the chief guest for the Natarajan said, “The launching of Anil Kumar Chaudhary, compete with peers to set bench- Mohammad Akbar, Women and Child event at Goa Shipyard Limited. this majestic ship, which is an chairman of SAIL, lauded the marks.” Development Minister Anila Bhedia, The vessel was named as ICGS example of fine workmanship and efforts and said, “SAIL has been SAIL, as its corporate respon- Excise Minister Kavasi Lakhma, Rajya Saksham. Considering the ongo- equipped with most advanced the winner of this award sibility for environment protec- Sabha MP Chhaya Verma, Raipur (Rural) ing restrictions due to COVID-19, machineries, will help Indian for successive two tion, continuously focuss- MLA Satyanarayana Sharma, Raipur the function was held in a scaled Coast Guard in performing mul- years and this es on adopting various Mayor Ejaz Dhebar and many other pub- down manner at GSL in distin- tifarious roles chartered to Indian bears testimo- environmental lic representatives attended the event and guished presence of Flag Officer Coast Guard more effectively.” ny to the measures includ- participated with enthusiasm. Goa Area Rear Admiral Philipose On this occasion Cmde BB efforts ing upgrading of Several bureaucrats including Chief G Pynumootil, NM, chairman Nagpal, CMD GSL, said, “The made by pollution con- Secretary Amitabh Jain and Director and MD of Goa Shipyard Limited launch the vessel within 18 of the nation. These vessels will be launch of the fifth OPV despite the the com- trol facilities, General of Police DM Avasthi, Additional — Commodore BB Nagpal and months from keel laying, which fitted with modern and technolog- serious supply chain constrains pany for treatment and Chief Secretary Subrat Sahu, Principal various other dignitaries. was in June 2019. The vessel is in ically advanced machinery and imposed by COVID-19 is a major sustain- recirculation of Chief Conservator of Forests Rakesh The indigenous project was advanced stage of outfitting and computerised controls systems, feat for GSL. In line with the ship- able and wastewater from Chaturvedi and Secretary to Chief launched by the Prime Minister on will be ready for delivery by making them the advanced patrol yard’s tradition of delivering on environ- individual units Minister Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi November 13 2016. Since then, October 2021 as per the contrac- vessels in service with the Indian time, we are confident to deliver mentally and outfalls, effi- also took part in the campaign. People two vessels have been commis- tual schedule. Coast Guard on delivery. These this last vessel of the project. Our responsible cient handling of from all age groups, gender and diverse sioned and all five have been Entirely designed in-house by 2,400 tonnes vessels will be endeavour has been to maximise steel mak- different solid sections of society participated in the launched. In spite of the ongoing the professionals of GSL, these equipped with features like quick the indigenous content on these ing. This wastes, carbon campaign and made it a huge success. COVID situation and disruptions OPVs will form a formidable part response boats for rescue and ships. I am happy to state that award is one sequestration through Women, children, old-aged and elderly in supply chains, it is creditable for of the Coast Guard Fleet and used anti piracy, gunnery simulators more than 70 per cent indigenisa- of the most afforestation, among people uploaded their pictures on social the shipyard to complete the 100 for protection of Exclusive and many more features. The hull tion has been achieved for these coveted others. Also, the media with the #RunwithChhattisgarh per cent hull construction and Economic Zone of territorial water would be the most efficient form ships.” awards in impact of hashtag. VIT-AP hosts international conference $!,(, $89D IT-AP University, Amaravati, conducted ! Vthree days virtual international conference 6 in the area of applications of fluid dynamics. dvocating natural gas as a motes affordable environment- The conference, ICAFD-2020, is the fifth Acleaner and convenient friendly fuel for transportation international conference in the series. It was antosh Kumar Gangwar, fuel option towards a gas- through compressed natural aimed at establishing a premier internation- SMinister for Labour and based economy, as envisioned gas (CNG) and encourages al forum that brought together scientists, engi- Employment (Independent by the Government of India, convenient, soot-free and neers and industrial experts to present the lat- Charge), and G Kishan Reddy, GAIL has established a workers’ health-friendly ener- est achievements and innovations in the areas Minister of State for Home Natural Gas pipeline network gy for better work environment of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics. Affairs, jointly dedicated new of over 12,500 kms. GAIL has in manufacturing and indus- ICAFD-2020 invited resource persons services and equipment at ESIC been spreading the clean tries. It also advocates the from abroad (USA, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Medical College, Hyderabad. energy to various nooks and usage of cleaner natural gas for South Africa) and reputed universities (IIT, The services and equipment corners of the country by captive power generation for NIT, VIT, Central University) from India for dedicated are: spreading the length of its industries and SMEs. The the talk. The conference was the result of a (i) Innovative portable pipeline network and con- usage of the cleanest fossil long collaborative effort between the School point of care (RTPCR), a user necting more and more num- fuel will help in reducing emis- of Mechanical Engineering, VIT-AP friendly, quick sample process- ber of cities. sions of GHG, thereby, facili- University and the Department of Mechanical ing device for COVID patients. To facilitate energy tating in reduction of air pol- Engineering Science, University of (ii) Remote health mon- empowerment and fuel the lution, climate change, global Johannesburg, South Africa. Paneer Selvam, University of Arkansas, USA. itoring system — COVID BEEP nation, the company has warming and rising sea levels. In the welcome address, VC Dr SV Kota He highlighted the important challenges a services to COVID and Non- launched three testimonial An engagement activity Reddy welcomed the founder and chancellor fluid dynamics researcher has to work in the COVID patients. It’s a compre- videos under it’s online initia- has been initiated along with Dr G Viswanathan, VIT University. Dr Reddy near future for the advancement of this area. hensive indigenously developed tivethe highlighted the role of conference for intel- Dr Viswanathan praised the School of physiological parameter moni- #SpreadingEnergyofHappines. #SpreadingEnergyOfHappines lectual growth of an individual, followed by Mechanical Engineering, VIT-AP University toring system to measure It is to motivate the masses and s initiative, asking netizens to the importance of applications aspects of fluid for organising the conference during the pan- remotely heart rate, blood pres- enhance the usage of natural share their stories, pictures dynamics influencing our daily life. demic. sure, body temperature, respira- gas. These testimonial videos and quotes on how cleaner Dr Pankaj Tambe, chairperson of the con- Dr S Srinivas, co-chair and convener of tory rate and oxygen saturation. showcase an autorikshaw dri- energy has brought conve- ference said that 175 participants registered the conference highlighted the objectives. Dr It is the first of its kind wearable nously developed by modifying pandemic, referral and trans- ver from Bhubaneshwar, a nience and happiness in their for the conference. Hundred participants pre- CLV Sivakumar, registrar, VIT-AP University, device that gives all parameters existing incubators. port increased the risk of infec- homemaker from Patna and lives. GAIL has tied up with an sented their papers. Out of this, 25 participants presented the vote of thanks. He praised the simultaneously. The device can (iv) Round the clock in- tion of SARS-CoV-2. an industrial unit in Bengaluru NGO to plant a tree for every were from USA, Canada, South Africa, efforts taken by Dr S Srinivas, Dr Pankaj be controlled by the doctors house dialysis services with 50 Therefore, with starting of the using natural gas as fuel. comment on social media plat- Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, Tambe, Dr Mohanty, Dr Satyanarayana Badeti, remotely for measuring blood beds: There are about 600 dial- dialysis services, all ESIC The initiative advocates forms. The trees will be geo- West Indies, Australia. The rest of the papers Dr Amit, Dr VR Reddy, S Karthikeyan and Dr pressure. ysis patients in the hospital insured persons and beneficia- the use of uninterrupted, con- tagged and the live location were from different states of India. J Prakash for successfully arranging the con- (iii) COVID-safe incuba- who were being referred to the ries at Hyderabad will get in- venient supply of piped natur- will be shared with the social The inaugural address was given by Dr R ference. tors for new born babies, indige- private hospitals. During the house dialysis services. al gas (PNG) at homes. It pro- media users. * !"#"#
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Rahane will certainly follow the template set by him and there & D =A?G1?@ # 7, ndia captain Virat Kohli on is no ambiguity as far as both of IWednesday backed his them are concerned. deputy Ajinkya Rahane to “do “...We already know the INDIA-AUSTRALIA TEST ENCOUNTERS 8 & #8 a tremendous job” in leading the template that we play with and '#-' #. -* (! side once he goes on paternity how we want to go about things, peerless Virat Kohli and + .9-:!& leave after the first Test against so we are absolutely on the same his “fearless” India would ( # # 38&.3:'; 1< Australia and described their page and I am sure he will do a Alook to unleash their & # relationship as the one built on tremendous job in my absence might on an Australian team )$!0 # # # breaks, is the choice for now. “trust and mutual respect”. as well,” the skipper seemed very which is ready for revenge but For the much-speculated “Well, firstly we had a lot of confident. not exactly in ‘pink of health’ ;& 5"# # wicketkeeper’s slot, Wriddhiman mutual understanding and As of now, Kohli is keen on ahead of the first Day/Night "'& " # # Saha was preferred over the respect over the years, we have setting up the base for Rahane Test starting here at Adelaide explosive but erratic Rishabh had some great partnerships to consolidate once he leaves. Oval on Thursday. Pant. batting together which is based “...The focus remains till Media mogul Kerry Packer, #. D; " #D In the build-up to the series, on trust and understanding on the time I am here is to be while promoting his path-break- -* "'& " D Saha’s fifty in the red-ball first- what needs to be done for the “Jinks has done a tremendous able to provide, you know, ing ‘World Series Day/Night class match was achieved in a team,” Kohli said when asked job in the two tour games and captaincy and leadership and Test matches’ on Channel 9 back < tougher setting than Pant’s 73-ball how he sees Rahane faring in his he seems to be very composed performances as a player to in late 1970s, had an unforget- #. *&4 " D 100 under lights against a second absence. and he knows the strengths of the best of my abilities and table caption “Big Boys Play At -* "'42( " D string Australia A attack. He believes that both have our team and how we need to from then on, I am pretty Night”. Also, Umesh Yadav pre- been on the same page and go about things,” he said. confident that Jinks will do a Even in 2020, there couldn’t dictably, after his good show in know how this team functions. Kohli made it clear that tremendous job.” have been a more appropriate the practice game, got his place in catch-line for a series where at their peak once the sun sets, the side as the third pacer. Kohli’s magnificence meets its allowing the pink kookaburra to On Tuesday, India’s top bat- 0 ( $ 7! match in Steve Smith’s manic pick its pace up. ters were being troubled by consistency, Cheteshwar Pujara’s Never has an Indian team Thangarasu Natarajan’s incoming doggedness challenged by a been so spoilt for choices with deliveries with pink kookaburra ( 7 # much younger Marnus multiple options in place for var- at the Adelaide nets. Labuschagne, ready to show the ious positions. If Natarajan, at 130-plus, can ustralian batting Rookie all-rounder Cameron Green is world that he isn’t a one-season But Indian skipper Virat trouble them so much, then Amainstay Steve made for Test cricket and will make his debut in wonder. All this would be under Kohli made it clear that Shubman Mitchell Starc, the world’s top Smith, whose fitness the pink ball match against India, Australia cap- lights at the Adelaide Oval. Gill and KL Rahul will have to wicket-taker in pink ball Tests, became a cause of tain Tim Paine announced on Wednesday. And then there are those wait for their chances with the can be menacing. concern after he The giant seam-bowling all-rounder made an mean fast men on both sides management deciding to stick to At times, less options make it missed a training impressive hundred in the first warm-up game aiming to instill the fear of pink an out-of-form Prithvi Shaw in easier to choose and Kohli would session, was merely against India A and was drafted into the Test team. ball in twilight zone, creating all the opening slot. hope that he has made the right down with a stiff While he got concussed in the second game due sorts of doubts in the batsmen’s “Shubman hasn’t got oppor- choices so that Ajinkya Rahane back and will play in to a straight drive from Jasprit Bumrah, Paine indi- minds. tunities at this level yet in Test can help India do an encore once the opening Test cated that the baggy green is waiting for him. A Josh Hazlewood versus cricket, so as and when he gets an he takes a break. against India here, “He trained well. If all things go well, Cam Mohammed Shami will be as opportunity it will be great to see skipper Tim Paine Green will be making his Test debut tomorrow enticing a sub-plot as Jasprit how he goes about things, because SQUADS said on Wednesday. (Thursday). Great news for him. Great news for Bumrah bowling those yorkers he is a very, very confident young India (playing XI): Virat Kohli After doing a few stretching exercises and us and great news for all Australian cricket fans,” in reply to Pat Cummins’ barrage man,” Kohli said on the eve of the (captain), Mayank Agarwal, running drills at the Adelaide Oval on Paine said ahead of the series-opener. of bouncers. game. Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Tuesday, Smith had skipped the routine foot- Paine, who batted alongside With a workhorse like Ishant “Prithvi has performed at the Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma ball session and headed straight to the Green in the warm-up game and Sharma missing from Indian Test level, but he will be playing Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), dressing room in some discomfort. has also seen him score a lot of ranks and the enforcer David in Australia for the first time. So, Ravichandra Ashwin, Paine said it was not a serious niggle and runs in Sheffield Shield, is con- Warner absent in the Australian I think it is very exciting to see his Mohammed Shami, Jasprit a day’s rest came as a “blessing in disguise” fident that he has a bright line-up, the teams are evenly progress as well.” Bumrah, Umesh Yadav. for the star. future ahead of him. placed in terms of strength. Can Rahul be fitted in the Australia: Tim Paine (captain & "We expect Steve to be there. He has had “He is really impressive for a However, there will certain- team at some stage? wicketkeeper), Joe Burns, Pat a stiff back a number of times before and you guy of his age and understands ly be some distinct home advan- “KL is obviously a quality Cummins, Cameron Green, can have that if you bat as much as he does his game pretty well. He has tage for Australia along with the player and hence he has been Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, at the nets,” Paine said at the pre-match media smart cricket brain and is experience of playing more included back into the Test squad Travis Head, Moises Henriques, interaction. calm under pressure. He Day/Night Tests. and you know we have to see Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan “He has a stiff back before and yesterday is made for Test cricket,” A Day/Night Test match has what combinations suits the bal- Lyon, Michael Neser, James (Tuesday) was more precautionary. Paine complimented its own little grammar where ance of the team best,” skipper’s Pattinson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Obviously, come tomorrow (Thursday), he the 21-year-old batsmen are expected to attack in statement stressed that Hanuma Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew gets through stiff back and finds a way to West Australian’s the first session while bowlers are 7 + & E (+7 F$ Vihari, with his part-time off- Wade. score runs like he always does,” he added. skills. PTI % 8P % . 4 C ( 2'&1"8"52'"%2 "' ( ( B D 28'" "0% 1 , Benzema had other =A=<;" perfect role model of how a ideas however, putting captain should be. There’s still arim Benzema his team in front before ll India Football Federation )* irat Kohli’s captaincy is work-in-progress as far as cap- Kspared Real Madrid’s making sure of the APresident Praful Patel on Vstill work in progress taincy is concerned. Couple of the blushes on Tuesday points in stoppage time Wednesday acknowledged that imbabwe will host the qual- despite him being a perfect role things I think Virat Kohli can with a winning brace with a clinical finish the country’s bid to host the Zifiers of the 2023 ODI World model for his teammates, feels improve.” which shot the reigning after collecting Luka 2027 AFC Asian Cup will face Cup between June 18 and July former India batsman VVS Laxman touched upon champions to a 3-1 win over Modric’s pass. tough challenge from other 9, according to a revised sched- Laxman, who wants the star to constant experiments with the Athletic Bilbao that draws them Third-placed Madrid competitors but termed it a uled announced by the ICC due chop and change the squad a line-up since Kohli took charge level on points with La Liga gained their fourth straight “natural consequence” of its ris- to the postponements caused by little less for greater stability. and said this can lead to inse- leaders Real Sociedad. win in all competitions and are ing status in the continent. the Covid-19 pandemic. Laxman said Kohli leads by curity among players. Kohli Frenchman Benzema head- equal on 26 points with Unveiling the Bid Book to India, the hosts of the example as far as work ethic is took charge as Test captain in ed home a cross from Dani Sociedad, who face troubled host the continental showpiece rescheduled 2023 ODI World concerned but tends to be a 2014 and was handed the lim- Carvajal with 16 minutes Barcelona at the Camp Nou on in 2027 along with Sports Cup, along with seven other top bit defensive in field set- ited-overs’ leadership in 2017. remaining to put Real ahead Wednesday, and local rivals Minister Kiren Rijiju, Patel said FIFA U-20 World Cup for both sion of interest to host the tour- Super League teams will quali- tings besides the issue of “...There were certain against battling Bilbao, who Atletico Madrid. the AIFF is hopeful of winning men and women is also on the nament. The host country will fy directly for the tournament to changing the squad too times when I felt that he had fought back to level Tuesday’s match was the hosting right of the tourna- cards. So, it is a natural conse- be decided in June next year. be held in October-November. often. becomes little defensive, earlier having lost Raul the game in hand which ment which will be competed quence of having all these top Rijiju, on his part, said the The bottom five teams from “I mentioned so especially with his field Garcia to two quickfire Real had on Sociedad, among 24 teams. level tournaments that we will Government will extend all pos- the Super League will compete many times, the changes. bookings in opening while Atletico have “Competition will be tough bid for the AFC Asian Cup in sible support to the AIFF to win in the 2023 World Cup qualifi- intensity and the “The second thing minutes. played two games but unless you try you will not 2027.” the bid. er, joining the best three teams body language he is chopping and chang- Toni Kroos fewer than their get anything. Just like any other Asian football heavyweights “Indian football need to get from League 2. shows when he’s ing the playing 11. had given two title rivals. bidding country, we are also Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as back (to earlier glory) and we “When we rescheduled the on the field, With experience, I the hosts the Barca are confident of winning the right 2022 FIFA World Cup host need to host big events. This is ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup whether he’s can say that any play- lead in nine points to host the event. There will be Qatar are also bidding for the one of the most prestigious 2023 to October and November batting or er, whether experi- Madrid with a back but diplomatic support also. It is the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Saudi football tournaments and from 2023 it enabled us to extend the fielding, I enced or a newcom- thumping strike play one of country’s bid and AIFF is only Arabia and Qatar submitted the Government side, we will window for qualification events think he leads er, wants that sta- on the stroke of their two a representative,” Patel said. their Bid Books to the AFC on extend all the support,” said the to take place and thereby ensure by example and bility, security, so half-time, but games in “India has arrived in the Monday. minister. “It will be a defining we maximise the opportunity that is so infec- that he can focus Ander Capa rocked hand in the world scene in football. We India is expected to submit moment (if India win the bid). for qualification to be decided tious,” Laxman on performing the capital club six min- hope of giv- have hosted men’s FIFA U-17 the Bid Book on Thursday or I am confident by 2027 the men’s on the field of play,” ICC Head shared his opinion to the best of his utes after the break ing some World Cup and is going to host Friday — the deadline for sub- and women’s team ranking will of Events, Chris Tetley said in a on Star Sports show abilities for the when he shot past momentum to the women’s U-17 World Cup in mission. Uzbekistan has pulled go up and we will be apt to host statement. The ICC also Cricket Connected. team. That’s some- Thibaut Courtois at the what has been a 2022. Then, we are hosting the out of the race. the tournament. So, the whole announced the schedule of the “It rubs off on all thing which Virat Kohli second time of asking. miserable season 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. In April this year, the AIFF nation is supporting the bid,” he World League 2 and the of his team-mates can definitely improve The 32-year-old so far. “The bidding of both the had submitted its official expres- said. Challenge League. and that’s why he’s a on,” he pointed out. ( =A