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Rs 5 • chandigarh • new delhi • weekly • saturDAY • 03 April 2021• volume 21, issue 01 politics 3 st potpourri 8 Congress-Left-ISF Amruta Khanvilkar: alliance, fighting for Actors must focus political relevance, on work, not hopes to be kingmaker 21 platform of release Core sectors’ output Abdul Wasey shrinks 4.6 per cent Covid kills 58 more in Punjab Editor New Delhi: The output of eight core sectors declined The country sees 81,466 new cases, the highest single-day rise in six months by 4.6 per cent in February, the steepest contraction in the last six months which experts said could drag the overall have been reported so far in industrial production in the month into the negative territory. the country, including 54,898 Thanks for supporting All the key segments, including coal, crude oil, natural from Maharashtra, 12,738 gas, and refinery products, witnessed a decline in produc- from Tamil Nadu, 12,585 from FW for two decades tion, according to the official data released on Wednesday. Karnataka, 11,036 from Delhi, The growth rate of the eight infrastructure sectors -- coal, 10,331 from West Bengal, 8,820 As this edition marks the 21st anniversary of The crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, ce- from Uttar Pradesh, 7,220 from Financial World (FW), we take this opportunity to ment and electricity -- stood at 6.4 per cent in February 2020. Andhra Pradesh and 6,926 from express gratitude to our readers for trusting and Last time in August 2020, the sectors had recorded a Punjab. The health ministry supporting us all along. Throughout its more than negative growth of 6.9 per cent. in January this year, the stressed that more than 70 per two-decade-old journey, which started in 2001, the segments have registered a positive growth of 0.9 per cent. cent of the deaths occurred due newspaper witnessed many ups and downs, accolades According to the data, coal production declined by 4.4 to comorbidities. “Our figures and brick bats. But FW never failed to report objec- per cent, crude oil by 3.2 per cent, are being reconciled with the tively, without any bias or prejudice. natural gas by 1 per cent, refinery Indian Council of Medical Re- Receiving and delivering news involves a push and products by a steep 10.9 per cent, search,” the ministry said on its a pull, a cacophony of platforms, a surfeit of devices, fertilisers by 3.7 per cent, steel by website, adding that state-wise an unceasing, unending, unrelenting and unremitting 1.8 per cent, cement by 5.5 per cent distribution of figures is subject 24x7 news cycle - and recycle. For past 240 months, and electricity by 0.2 per cent in to further verification and rec- our colleagues have been working hard to ensure February. onciliation. Cabinet Secretary that you get your news in real time wherever you are. According to Commerce and In- Rajiv Gauba on Friday said the Our teammates have been continuously giving dustry Ministry data, during April- situation in 11 states and union bird’s-eye view on wars and famines, natural and February 2020-21, the eight sectors’’ As many as 81,484 data updated on Friday. 2 while 482 daily deaths were territories is a matter of ‘serious manmade disasters, social and political upheavals, growth declined by 8.3 per cent as compared to (+) 1.3 per new infections The single-day rise in registered on December 6. concern’. economic and environmental crises, disease outbreaks cent in same period of the previous fiscal. cases is the highest recorded The number of people who Taking note of the continuous and pandemics. FW’s enthusiastic and extraordinary Commenting on the figures, ICRA Ltd Principal Econo- were recorded in since October 2, 2020, while have recuperated from the deterioration of the Covid sce- team has been reporting, recounting, narrating, relat- mist Aditi Nayar said that given the sharp base effect, the a span of 24 hours the death toll increased to disease surged to 11525039. nario over the fortnight, Gauba ing and recording history as it unfolds for more than core sector output is expected to expand by 9-11 per cent on October 2 while 1,63,396 with 469 daily new The case fatality rate stood at pointed out that India’s current 1,042 weeks. in March 2021, which should result in a modest growth of 482 daily deaths fatalities, the highest since 1.33 per cent, the data stated. case growth rate of 6.8 per cent Today once again our team of dedicated editors, around 2 per cent in Q4 FY2021. AGENCIES December 6, the data updated According to the ICMR, in March 2021 has surpassed reporters, contributing writers and photographers, were registered on at 8 am showed. Registering 24,59,12,587 samples have the previous record of 5.5 per along with talented designers, sales representatives December 6. a steady increase for the 23rd been tested up to April 1, and cent (June 2020). India has also and administrative support, pledge to keep creating day in row, the active cases 11,13,966 samples were tested reported 5.5 per cent growth the high quality newspaper you, our readers, have Centre defers labour New Delhi: India saw have increased to 6,14,696 on Thursday. The 469 new rate in daily Covid deaths in this come to expect and deserve, each and every week. 81,466 new coronavirus in- comprising 5 per cent of the to- fatalities include 249 from period. While the country was Our FW team also vows to continue chronicling fections being reported in a tal infections, while the recov- Maharashtra, 58 from Punjab, reporting about 97,000 daily change and cataloguing events of the present to pro- codes’ implementation span of 24 hours, the highest ery rate has further dropped to 34 from Chhattisgarh, 19 from new Covid cases at the peak vide a context to the past and a contour of the future. NEW DELHI: The four labour codes will not come into ef- single-day rise in six months, 93.67 per cent, the data stated. Tamil Nadu, 18 from Karnataka, of the pandemic in September We will keep risking our lives and well-being to keep fect from April 1 as States are yet to finalise the relevant rules, taking the COVID-19 tally of As many as 81,484 new in- 11 from Kerala and nine each 2020, it has now reached the our readers out of harm’s way. Both FW editions — which means that there will be no change in take home pay of cases to 1,23,03,131, according fections were recorded in a from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. critical figure 81,000 daily new Chandigarh and Delhi — look forward to serve you employees and provident fund liability of companies for now. to the Union Health Ministry span of 24 hours on October A total of 1,63,396 deaths cases. AGENCIES for many more decades to come. Thanks once again! Once the wages code comes into force, there will be significant changes in the way basic pay and provident fund of employees are calculated. The labour ministry had envisaged implement- ing the four codes on industrial relations, wages, social security Order to cut rates on small savings schemes withdrawn and occupational health safety & working conditions from Farmers plan Parliament march April 1, 2021. The ministry had NEW DELHI: The govern- Banerjee is contesting. even finalised the rules under New Delhi: Announcing ment on Thursday revoked It has been decided that the the four codes. “Since the states their plans for the upcoming a steep interest rate cut on rate of interest on various small have not finalised the rules under two months, farmers, who small savings schemes such as savings schemes for the first four codes, the implementation have been protesting against PPF and NSC, with Finance quarter of 2021-22 starting of these laws are deferred for the the new farm laws at the Delhi Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from April 1 and ending on time being,” a source told PTI. borders, said they will march saying it was an oversight -- June 30, 2021 shall remain According to the source, few to the Parliament on foot in a move being seen as an at- unchanged from those notified states had circulated the draft May, the Samyukt Kisan Mor- tempt by the BJP to contain for the fourth quarter January rules. These states include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya cha said on Wednesday. the fallout of such a decision 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 of Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. Since labour is a concur- “The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha hitting common people amid 2020-21, the finance ministry rent subject under the Constitution of India, both the Centre met yesterday, and decided the ongoing elections in West rates by up to 1.1 per cent across said in an office memorandum and the states would have to notify rules under the codes to that the farmers will be under- Bengal and Assam. various small savings schemes, on Thursday. “This has the ap- bring those into force in their respective jurisdictions. Under taking a march to the Parlia- Elections are also slated including Public Provident proval of competent authority,” the new wages code, allowances are capped at 50 per cent. ment. The date for the march in the coming days in Kerala, Fund (PPF) and National Sav- it said The ministry’’s office This means half of the gross pay of an employee would be is yet to be decided. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. ings Certificates (NSC), had memorandum to roll back basic wages. AGENCIES “It will be joined not just by While the government rou- come a day before the second cut in rates on small savings farmers, but also by women, “We will be blocking the tinely announces interest rates phase of polling in West Bengal, scheme came hours after and unemployed individuals, KMP expressway on April 10 for small savings schemes at the including at political hotbed the finance minister termed and labourers who have been for 24 hours, that is from 11 end of every quarter, Wednes- Nandigram from where West Wednesday’’s notification as Wipro set to acquire supporting the movement,” We will be doing am on April 10 to 11 am on day’’s decision to cut interest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata “oversight”. AGENCIES farmer leader Gurnaam Singh this because the the next day. Aussie firm for $117m Chaduni said. government has not “We will be doing this be- Addressing a press confer- been listening to us. cause the government has not NEW DELHI: IT services major Wipro on Thursday said it ence, he said that the march been listening to us. It has will acquire Ampion, an Australia-based provider of cyber would be carried out in a It has been sleeping. been sleeping. This is to wake security, DevOps and quality engineering services for $117 “peaceful” manner, and spe- This is to wake up the government,” another million (about Rs 857 crore). cial care would be taken that up the government” farmer leader said. The acquisition of Ampion is an important step for Wipro “what happened on January An event to honour the in this direction, and strengthens the commitment towards 26 is not repeated”. them that SKM condemns all farmers who have lost their clients and stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), The leaders also shared their kinds of violence. So the pro- lives during the agitation will Wipro said in a regulatory filing. The acquisition is subject to plans of forming a committee testors will know that if there be organised on May 6. customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is to control protesters if there is any damage of property by “Soil from different parts of expected to close in the quarter ending June 30, 2021, it added. is police action in parliament them, they will have to serve the country will be brought “The purchase consideration is $117 million (1 AUD=0.78 USD),” march. the penalty,” a farmer leader to these borders and a memo- the filing said. Ampion was formed through the merger of IT We will form a committee to said. Farmer leaders also an- rial will be created for all our services providers ‘Revolution IT’ and ‘Shelde’. Revolution IT let the protestors know what nounced their plans to block brothers who have lost their was an IT services company in Australia founded in 2004 and to do in case there is police the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal lives while participating in this Shelde was a digital IT security company founded in 2010 in action during the march. expressway for 24 hours on movement,” a farmer leader Australia. AGENCIES “It will also be made clear to April 10. said. AGENCIES ‘Clean water flows from Haryana, gets polluted in Delhi’ SATISH HANDA Water Supply Board allegations with Haryana state govern- Chandigarh as regard supply of reduced ment, during five months with quantity of polluted water con- effect from October 2019 to Legal department Haryana taining household garbage and February 2020 Haryana state state government has already industrial wastes thrown in was able to get total quantity prepared a reply along with the river at various places in 18,05,884 cusec water in Ya- necessary evidences to produce Haryana while on way to Delhi muna river which included in Supreme Court of India said that Haryana state govern- 12,74,048 cusec water from against a writ moved by Delhi ment will produce all evidences Bhakhra Dam and 5,31,806 Water Supply Board over sup- in the court confirming that cusec water in Yamuna river ply of Yamuna river water to the river water gets polluted flowing across the state and Delhi administration accus- during its 54 km journey in- sharing water with Delhi Wa- ing Haryana for supply of not side Delhi for which only Delhi ter Supply Board. only polluted but also reduced administration is responsible The data further revealed quantity of water. try into Delhi territory at Palla purity of canal water is mea- for increased pollution in river that the quantity of supply Refusing allegations, Hary- was recorded as 2.56 mg each sured on the basis of BOD, water due to neglects. of water in Yamuna river be- ana state government has al- litre water and the quantity of which means the require- Dalal said that the quan- tween October 2020 to Feb- ready prepared reply to submit dissolved oxygen (DO) was ment of oxygen to liquidate tity of water in Yamuna river ruary 2021 was reduced to in the court on the next date of recorded as 7.19 mg each litre live bacteria in the water which in Haryana state has been 14,46,281 cusec which includ- hearing in the case on basis of water in the river, and after should be less than 3 mg per reduced nearly 50% in past ed 11,86,687 cusec water from information by an economic covering nearly 54 km distance litre water. one year, in-spite of the fact Bhakhra Dam and 2,59,594 survey. in Delhi area BOD in river Similarly, DO means quan- Haryana government is sup- cusec water from Yamuna river Survey revealed, when Ya- water was recorded as 37.36 tity of oxygen dissolved in wa- plying 1050 cusec water daily but the quantity of supply of muna river water flowing in mg each litre water and DO ter and should be more than 5 to Delhi Water Supply Board water to Delhi Water Supply Haryana the quantity of bio- recorded as 2.60 mg each litre mg each litre water. as per Supreme Court of India Board has not been reduced logical oxygen demand (BOD) water at Okhla Bairaj. JP Dalal Haryana Agricul- directions. by Haryana state government, in the water at the time of en- According to information, ture Minister denying Delhi According to data available Dalal said. The Financial World — chandigarh 02 saturday • 03 April 2021 City Talks

also read | Distorting India’s historical narratives * P4 | Water remains the looming frontier * P4

‘Adopt Test, Track, Treat strategy’ CM, industrialists discuss Centre advises Punjab & Chandigarh to escalate testing in all districts job quota in Haryana CHANDIGARH: The Union in new COVID cases and about Health Ministry on Wednesday 2,740 average daily cases in the SATISH HANDA urged Punjab and Chandigarh last seven days. During the same Chandigarh to effectively implement the time period, the State has also “Test, Track and Treat” strategy seen a 30 per cent week-on- Chief Minister Manohar Lal and escalate testing till the posi- week increase in new COVID Khattar today said that the tivity rate comes down below 5 deaths and is reporting about state government was com- per cent. 53 average daily deaths. mitted to providing ample The state and the UT were Chandigarh has also followed employment opportunities also asked to significantly in- similar pattern in the last week. to the local youth through 75 crease testing in all districts with The UT has reported nearly 27 per cent quota in private jobs a minimum of 70 per cent RT- per cent week-on-week increase but if required amendments PCR tests, and use of Rapid in new cases and 180 per cent to the policy would be made. Antigen Tests as screening tests week-on-week increase in new Khattar presided over a in densely populated areas as daily deaths. An average of 257 meeting with major indus- well as areas where cluster of daily cases and 14 daily deaths trial associations, chambers, cases are reported. have been reported during the entrepreneurs and other ering, Khattar said state Industry entrepreneurs Union Health Secretary last week. stakeholders on Thursday. government is not willing raised a question over im- Rajesh Bhushan held a high- “Dr Paul re-emphasised the Deputy Chief Minister Dush- to forcible implementation plementation of job quota level meeting with NITI Ayog importance of stringent and yant Chautala also attended of approved ordinance when rule approved by the state member Dr V.K. Paul to re- continued measures to break the meeting. entrepreneurs present in the government when major- view the COVID-19 situation the chain of transmission and “The industry plays a pivotal meeting demanded to roll ity of industry in the state in Punjab and Chandigarh not frittering away the gains role in the state’s development. back the rule likely to harm is unable to get technical as and the measures taken by the ity vaccination of the eligible vaccination capacity in the asked to refocus on effective of collaborative efforts of last The stakeholders gave many industry in the state when well as skilled workers and health authorities for surveil- population groups in districts public and private sector house-to-house surveillance year,” the health ministry state- important and valuable sug- Khattar tied to convince employees of their choice. lance and containment. Dr reporting higher cases and health facilities. to identify active cases with ment said. gestions at the meeting which those present in the meet- Khattar assured entre- Balram Bhargava, DG ICMR transfer unused vaccine doses “The Centre is regularly focus on timely testing, prompt On Tuesday, the Punjab gov- would certainly be incorporat- ing suggesting to work out preneurs that government and Dr Sunil Kumar, DGHS, from one district to another for reviewing vaccine stock, and contact tracing and swift isola- ernment had extended restric- ed before framing the policy. a proposal mutually agreed wants to create sources of MoHFW were also present. optimum utilization of avail- vaccine doses will be continu- tion so as to break the chain of tions to tackle coronavirus with If required, amendments to to solve the issue beneficial employment for unemployed Both the state and the UT able vaccine doses. ally replenished by the Centre transmission. They were also schools and colleges to remain the policy would be made so for the industry as well as youths in the stated but in were asked to mandatorily The health authorities based on the consumption asked to identify clusters, fo- shut for another 10 days. On as to ensure that it is industry- government in the state. no case prepared to cause subject those who have test- should ensure that no sedi- level of the States/UTs,” said cus stringent implementation March 19, the Punjab govern- friendly,” he said. Among those The entrepreneurs said, inconvenience to industry ed negative in Rapid Antigen mentation of vaccine takes a health ministry statement. of micro-containment zone ment had ordered the closure entrepreneurs present in the trade and industry in Hary- entrepreneurs in the state. Test (RAT) to RT-PCR test. place at any level of cold chain All district officers and approach. of educational institutes besides meeting were R.C. Bhargava ana passing through severe He agreed to revise rules in The health ministry further storage. They should also en- the local administration in Punjab has reported nearly 21 gathering restrictions till the Chairman Maruti Suzuki, economic crisis since past this regard that reservation directed to ensure prior- sure maximum utilisation of Punjab and Chandigarh were per cent week-on-week increase month-end. AGENCIES Nikhil Nanda Chairman Es- over a year and most of the in jobs will be applicable for corts Limited, Nishant Arya industrial units have either jobs only up to the monthly from JBM Group, Nirmal been closed down or facing salary ranging between Rs Midha from Minda Group sever sickness thus not pre- 20000 to 25000 instead of BJP flays attack on party MLA Kirron Kher diagnosed with blood and several other prominent pared to bear implementa- Rs 50000 per month and will industry entrepreneurs. tion of any rule forced by the not applicable in case of tech- Chandigarh: The Hary- was not acceptable in a democ- cancer; Anupam Kher optimistic While addressing gath- government at this stage. nical staff or skilled workers. ana BJP on Tuesday held racy. He alleged that the attack protests in the state, burn- on Narang was perpetrated at Mumbai/Chandigarh: speedy recovery to the “inspir- ing effigies of Punjab Chief the behest of the Congress. “We BJP MP and actor Kirron Kher ing, strong, courageous and Minister Amarinder Singh are holding a protest against has been diagnosed with mul- amazing” actor. Chawla said she AAP to oppose high power tariffs in Punjab and demanding his resigna- the Congress-led government tiple myeloma, a type of blood hopes Kirron Kher will surely tion over last week’’s attack in Punjab,” Arora added. cancer, and is on her path to overcome this hurdle. Chandigarh: Punjab’s on party MLA Arun Narang In Panchkula, protesting recovery, her actor-husband An- “Kirronji always radiates main opposition party AAP in Muktsar. BJP workers condemned the upam Kher said on Thursday. positivity. With her spirit and on Wednesday announced it Narang, BJP MLA from incident and said it indicated On Twitter, Anupam Kher strength & a support as strong will launch an agitation from Abohar in Punjab’’s Fazilka a “complete failure” of law and released a statement, also on as you Anupam ji & Sikandar , April 7 against rising electric- district, was allegedly thrashed order in Punjab under the behalf of son Sikandar, that she will surely overcome all ad- ity tariffs in the state. and his clothes ripped off by a Congress regime. They also the 68-year-old actor is cur- Kher from various quarters, with versity (sic)” she said. “Sir we are Punjab Aam Aadmi Party group of protesting farmers at demanded the Punjab chief rently undergoing treatment Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister praying for her,” wrote Chopra. chief Bhagwant Mann said Malout in Muktsar district on minister’’s resignation and in Mumbai. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Anupam Kher also thanked her the party would force the state Saturday. On Tuesday, Hary- called for strict action against “Just so that rumours don’’t Jammu and Kashmir chief min- fans for their constant support government to provide free ana BJP leaders and workers those involved in this incident. get the better of a situation ister Omar Abdullah, and actors and asked them to keep pray- power to people on the lines held protests and raised slo- Several political parties Sikandar and I would like to Suniel Shetty, Juhi Chawla and ing for Kirron Kher’’s speedy of Delhi. gans against the neighbouring in Punjab have condemned inform everyone that Kirron has Parineeti Chopra sending their recovery. Mann said the rising elec- “The mass movement will “Earlier the Akali Dal gov- state’’s chief minister in Jhaj- the Muktsar incident. Punjab been diagnosed with multiple best wishes. “She’’s all heart and that’’s tricity rates have made life be launched next week. This ernment and now the Con- jar, Fatehabad, Panchkula and Governor V P Singh Badnore myeloma, a type of blood cancer. “As far as I know, Kirron Ji why she has so many people that miserable for the people in movement will reach every gress have entered into costly Yamunanagar among other too had condemned the at- “She is currently undergoing is a true fighter and she is defi- love her. So keep sending your the state. “The Captain gov- street, every village, town and agreements with private com- places. tack on Narang and sought a treatment and we are sure she nitely going to beat the cancer. I love to her in your prayers and ernment is increasing power city,” he said in a statement panies keeping in view their The demanded dismissal report from the state govern- will come out of this stronger pray to the Almighty for her full in your heart. “She is well on her prices day by day instead of here. Mann added that volun- personal interests,” he alleged. of the Congress government ment. BJP leaders in Punjab than before. We are very blessed and speedy recovery,” the MP way to recovery and we thank reducing them,” he added. teers and workers of the AAP Party leader Jarnail Singh in Punjab over the law and have been facing the ire of that she is being looked after by chief minister said in a tweet. everyone for their support and The AAP will launch a mass would go door to door to get claimed that the Punjab gov- order situation in the state. protesting farmers, who are a phenomenal set of doctors. “Sorry to hear about this. love,” he added. The family’’s agitation across Punjab over information about electric- ernment would have to “pay Addressing a gathering in Ya- demanding the withdrawal She’’s always been a fighter and Best wishes & prayers for @ statement comes a day after power bills and force the ity bills. crores of rupees” to the three munanagar, BJP MLA Ghan- of the Centre’’s three new takes things head on,” Anupam KirronKherBJP for a com- Chandigarh BJP chief Arun Amarinder Singh-led gov- Power bills will also be private thermal plants even if shyam Das Arora said an attack agricultural laws for the last Kher said in the statement. plete & speedy recovery,” wrote Sood shared Kirron Kher’’s di- ernment to reduce the tariffs, burnt as a symbolic protest, it did not buy electricity from on an elected representative four months. AGENCIES Prayers poured in for Kirron Abdullah. Shetty also wished a agnosis. AGENCIES Mann said. the AAP leader added. them. AGENCIES Search begins for Punjab assures support to ‘arhtiyas’ on MSP Sirsa a hot spot for drugs in Haryana SATISH HANDA gling and sale. Haryana Home uranium in Haryana Chandigarh: Under the Punjab ‘’arthiyas’’ are up in keep writing to the central Chandigarh Minister Anil Vij ordered SATISH HANDA Centre’s pressure for the MSP arms against the Centre’’s lat- government and knocking on HNCB as well as state police Chandigarh payments directly to farmers’ est directive for direct payment its door on the issue. Preliminary information re- to adopt geo-coding system bank accounts, Chief Minister to farmers for grain procure- The chief minister told com- veals that Sirsa district in Hary- to collect data at every police Department of Atomic Ener- Amarinder Singh on Thursday ment. Union Food Minister mission agents that he had ana state adjoining Punjab and station level to fight smuggling gy in the country has started assured ‘arhtiyas’ of his gov- Piyush Goyal on March 27 had already written to the prime Rajasthan states has become and supply of drugs in the state. search for Uranium in mines ernment’s full support for the written to the Punjab govern- minister on March 19, and had a hot spot for smuggling and Haryana state police gath- buried under hilly area at restoration of the older system ment, asking it to implement also spoken to Union Home supply of drugs mainly poppy ered some important infor- Narnaul in Mohindergarh of payment through them. the direct payment of the mini- Minister Amit Shah, who, he husk, opium, charas, heroine mation as regard recovery of district in Haryana state. Singh gave the assurance to mum support price (MSP) to claimed, has assured him of and intoxicated drugs including drugs in the state during year A team of specialists from ‘arhtiyas’ following the Centre’s farmers. all help in the matter. tablet, capsule and injection. 2019 and observed that out of Geological Survey of India latest directive ruling out any banner of the Federation of The chief minister told He further disclosed that In and adjoining areas of total number of drug smuggling has started preliminary sur- further relaxation to the state Arhtiya Association of Punjab, the commission agents that Punjab’s Food, Civil Supplies Haryana, including Delhi- cases reported in Haryana state vey in the area with helicop- and adjoining area at Khetri on the direct benefit transfer, that they would remain an in- he has been seeking time to and Consumer Affairs Min- NCR, have witnessed largest 22% cases of smuggling and ter from 60 meters height in Rajasthan. involving direct online pay- tegral part of the procurement meet Prime Minister Narendra ister Bharat Bhushan Ashu number of drug smuggling sale of poppy husk were reg- from surface in search of According to information, ment to farmers, bypassing system in the state. Modi, who, he said, appeared too had met Shah to discuss cases mainly ‘Chitta’ a drug istered in Sirsa district, nearly stocks of Uranium mineral To meet demand of nuclear ‘’arhtiyas’’, for the wheat crop “My doors are open for you,” to be busy with election cam- the issue. At the meeting, consumed by young generation 25% cases of smuggling and with the help of 24 meter energy in the country India to be bought by the govern- the CM told the ‘’arhtiyas’’ dur- paigns in various states. the Federation of Arhtiya supplied in schools, colleges sale were reported in Palwal wide ring and in case the presently also importing ment agencies on the mini- ing a virtual meeting, in which He told ‘arhtiyas’ that Association of Punjab ac- and universities in the state district which included 16% mission proves successful Uranium from Kazistan, mum support price. they raised the issue of the though he did not expect the cused Haryana of “betray- through a mafia network. Both cases of charas as well as nearly Narnaul will become an im- Canada and Australia against The chief minister told continuance of the existing prime minister to give him ing” them by accepting the Haryana and Punjab police of- 16% cases each for recovery of portant centre for atomic conditional supply that all ‘’arhtiyas’’ or the commission system of MSP payments to time to meet on the DBT issue, DBT proposal of the central ficers jointly had several meet- charas were reported in Jhajjer energy in the country. metals other than Uranium agents, who met him under the farmers through them. he and his government would government. AGENCIES ings to wipe out drug smug- and Karnal districts. Information reveals, stocks will be returned after extract- worth Rs 2.50 lakh ton Ura- ing Uranium. nium exist in the country to According to Hisar Airport be extracted from mines un- officers, permission has been derground in the country at granted by Aviation Depart- Farmers exchange culture and colour on Holi present, which include nearly ment to undertake survey 1.44 lakh ton to be recovered with the help of helicopters Chhavi Bhatia dewars from Punjab if not for Sirsa, Bhiwani camping with their in Andhra Pradesh, 75000 for a period of six months Tikri Border the morcha,” Rambir Singh from Punjabi brethren, mostly from ton in Jharkhand, 10000 presently involved in search Nilokheri said. the Malwa belt since November ton each in Rajasthan and of Uranium at Narnaul, fol- On Monday morning, Sukha Brar Womenfolk, who are assert- 26. With as many as 11 rounds of Meghalya states and nearly lowed by survey work to be was engrossed in a discussion ing their presence at the protest talks between the peasants and 5000 ton in other parts in continued in adjoining area around harvesting when he felt since it began, played Kordha the government hitting a dead the country buried under- in Rajasthan. a whip hitting him. Taking a few Holi with the same feisty spirit end, the former are celebrating ground sufficient to meet the The officers of Atomic En- seconds to gather his senses as he they are holding the fort with. festivals at the protest site itself. demand for about 40 years. ergy Department as well as processed the sharp pain, he saw Riding on the principle of a battle Meanwhile at Singhu, in a In case, Atomic Energy Geological Survey of India his friends, instead of defend- well-prepared is half won, they reverse lesson, Haryana closely Department succeeds in pro- told that there is possibil- ing, running for cover. Bemused had brought lot of spare dupat- witnessed Hola Mohalla celebra- curing Uranium stocks at ity for availability of Ura- and somewhat taken aback, the tas and soaked them in water tions. The three-day long Sikh Narnaul and adjoining area nium stocks in this area at 42-year-old followed suit with overnight. While Haryanvi men festival is celebrated in March, in Rajasthan our country will Loharu, Mohindergarh and women on hot pursuit, all in cel- knew what was in the offing when generally a day after Holi where become Nuclear King. Narnaul in Haryana state as ebratory fun though. odhnis woven into a rope, hence in Punjab, we celebrate Dulendi the tais gheraoed them, witty Nihang Singhs showcase their Atomic Energy Research well as in adjoining Rajast- This was the first time Brar the name Kordha Holi. with dry colours and our main scenes were played every time the martial skills in mock fights. As & Development Directorate han state at Khetri, Neem and many farmers from Punjab The Kisan Aandolan which has festival is Hola Mohalla. I found women went after the Punjabis. they fought in army columns, in India Geological Survey of ka Thana, Udaipurwati, were tasting Haryanavi way of completed more than four months this ritual of beating men rather “Ae vi vadiya shugal mela aa. replete with war-drums at Singhu, India conduct regular sur- Khandela, , Srimadho Pur, celebrating Holi called Kordha on Delhi borders, is offering en- amusing but also felt happy for Sahnu taan pata hi hun chaleya Haryana farmers were left in awe veys to find out new sources Ramgarh, Makrana, Pisan- Holi. As per the tradition in riching lessons in cultural aware- the women that they can vent ki Holi te kutt vi paindi aa(This of the dexterity, fearlessness and of availability of Uranium in gan, Beawar, Nathdwara, Haryana, sisters-in-law play- ness for Punjab and Haryana. their ire, mock or otherwise,” is great fun too. We got to know courage of Guru ki Fauj. Given different parts in the country , Sojat, Bilara,Medta City, fully beat their brothers-in-law From cuisine, attire, lifestyle to grinned Brar. “We are happy today that you also get beaten the ongoing farmers’ protest, the to strengthen nuclear power Didwana,Seekar, Nawalgarh, on Holi for all the mischief and festivals, the factions between the to be sharing our customs with up on Holi),” smiled 62-year-old Nihang Singhs had decided to programmes presently doing Jhunjhunu, Chidawa and pranks they play with them all two cultures are blurring with our brothers from Punjab. Our Gurnam Singh hold Hola Mohalla at Singhu survey at Narnaul in Haryana Pilani. year through. The weapon of people from both the sides em- bhabhis would have never got Tikri border has a lot of farm- border too apart from the annual assault is Kordha(hunter), wet bracing the new insights. “Back the opportunity to thrash their ers from Hisar, Rohtak, Jind, celebrations at Anandpur Sahib. The Financial World — chandigarh saturday • 03 april 2021 03 politics

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NewsBrief Kerala minister quits DMK slams Centre Few in fray hope to be kingmaker electoral politics for ‘IT searches’ Vellore: The DMK on CPI(M) Politburo member Friday condemned the Cen- Congress-Left-ISF alliance seems to be fighting for political relevance Mohammed Salim said, “We tral government for ‘searches’ Kolkata: With the poll are hopeful that the alliance will by income tax officials in the narrative for the assembly be a game changer in Bengal residence of party chief M K poll in West Bengal sharply election. The BJP and TMC Stalin’s daughter Senthamarai polarized between the ruling wanted to make the poll a bi- in Chennai and alleged it has a TMC and opposition BJP, the polar fight. But we have made ‘political objective.’ Party gen- Congress-Left-ISF alliance is it a three-cornered contest. The eral secretary, Duraimurugan fighting to prove the political people are fed up with the mis- said when parties were on the relevance of the parties in it rule of TMC in the state and by verge of completing the cam- and is pinning its hopes to BJP at the Centre”. paign and looked forward to be the kingmaker in case of Congress leader Pradip Bhat- the day of polling, the income a fractured mandate. tacharya echoed him and exud- tax searches in the residence The Congress and CPI- ed confidence that the alliance Kannur: Senior CPI(M) problems... So, I cannot con- of Senthamarai, daughter M-led Left Front, which has will come up with “astonishing leader and Kerala Industries test in elections anymore,” the of his party chief Stalin was been pushed to the margins of results” and can no longer be Minister E P Jayarajan on senior leader added. done with a ‘political objec- politics in Bengal after ruling ignored. “Going by the response Tuesday said he has decided to Asked about Chief Min- tive.’ Income tax officials nei- it for 34 long years, has waived we have received, we are con- bid adieu to electoral politics. ister Pinarayi Vijayan who ther confirmed nor denied the their ideological and political fident of winning the election. A three-time MLA, Jayara- was contesting at the age of searches. AGENCIES differences and came together We will be the kingmaker after jan is one of the several senior 75, Jayarajan said he wasa for the second time after the not a “one election wonder” since 2011 slowly but steadily and is in turn pushing towards the poll. No one can form the leaders who did not get a ticket “great personality” having ex- UP govt withdraws 2016 assembly polls. and is here to stay. shifted to the TMC. the consolidation of Hindu government without our sup- this time as the Left party de- ceptional caliber and energy. The Indian Secular Front The alliance christened as The minority has in fact votes thus benefitting the BJP. port,” Siddiqui told PTI. cided not to field those who Serving as the party’’s district case against ex-DSP (ISF) of cleric Peerzada Abbas “Samyukta Morcha” hopes to acted as a bulwark for the Ma- Although both TMC and Despite a few glitches in have completed two terms. secretary in politically volatile Lucknow: The Uttar Siddiqui is the new entrant to grow at the expense of both mata Banerjee-led party in the BJP have blamed the al- the “rainbow alliance”, the While addressing the media Kannur for long, E P Jayarajan Pradesh government has or- the “unlikely” coalition of the the ruling TMC and opposi- the wake of the saffron surge liance partners for being a Left Front is contesting in 177 here, Jayarajan made it clear was once known as the close dered the withdrawal of a case former rivals of secular, com- tion BJP by eating into their in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. “stooge” of each other, the seats, the Congress 91 seats and that he would not contest in confidant of Pinarayi Vijayan. against former deputy super- munist and religious forces. votes. However, the alliance with saffron camp is happy with ISF in 26. According to sources any form of election from now The Kannur strongman intendent of police Shailendra For Congress and the Left, The saffron party had pock- ISF has its own set of pitfalls ISF’s entry into the poll fray. in both Congress and the Left, onwards. “The partyhas de- had to resign as industries Singh who had slapped the the Bengal assembly poll this eted the opposition votes for as the Congress and the Left It hopes that ISF’s advent the alliance was the need of cided not to field those persons minister in October 2016 Prevention of Terrorism Act time is a battle for political the past few years in the ab- are facing the threat of losing will break TMC supremo the hour. The two parties, who who have already completed over alleged nepotism charges (POTA) on mafia don-turned survival after being squeezed sence of a credible opposition. out on the perception of its Mamata Banerjee’s grip on had fought the 2016 assem- two terms. I have completed soon after the LDF govern- politician Mukhtar Ansari An- out of the state’s poll arena. With ISF of firebrand reli- secular credentials. the minority vote bank, over bly election as an alliance and my term... I have been elected ment came into power. He sari during the term of the For ISF, a first of its kind gious leader Siddiqui in it, the Siddiqui’s outfit is being which it has failed to make a bagged 36 per cent vote share, an MLA thrice and become a ran into rough weather af- SP government, an aide of political outfit in Bengal ‘Samyukta Morcha’ hopes to equated with All India Muslim mark despite unprecedented witnessed a sharp decline in its minister also,” he said. ter the appointment of his Chief Minister Yogi Aditya- formed by a religious leader, eat into the 30 per cent mi- League of pre-independent success in the 2019 Bengal vote percentage within the next Citing his advanced age and nephew P K Sudheer Nam- nath said on Wednesday. A it is a fight to prove that it is nority vote bank, which had India and AIUDF in Assam elections. three years. AGENCIES related ailments as reasons biar -- son of Kannur MP P K case of vandalism and assault to quit electoral politics, the Sreemathi -- as the managing was filed in 2004 against the 70-years-old leader said he director of Kerala Industrial former circle officer, who was would not contest even if the Enterprises Ltd. However, allegedly made to resign un- AIUDF, ISF and IUML ‘new party demands. “I hope the the vigilance and anti-corrup- der political pressure. Singh Kejriwal seeks farmers support in Haryana party will accept my stand. tion bureau, which probed the thanked Adityanath, lauding SATISH HANDA Otherwise, I will try to con- case, had absolved him of the his government’’s “zero toler- Chandigarh secular syndicate’ of Cong vince the party about my po- charges, following which he ance” against crime. “My fam- Guwahati: Senior BJP sition. I am getting old and had been reinducted into the ily and I shall forever remain AAP supremo Arvind Kejri- leader and Union Minis- suffering from various health ministry in 2018.A GENCIES indebted to CM Adityanath wal Chief Minister Delhi now ter Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi for his kindness. AGENCIES makes another attempt to Tuesday termed the All India strengthen his party’s network United Democratic Front in Jagan’s cousin seeks fast in Haryana with the support of Assam, Indian Secular Front Cong fields Ajit Mangaraj farmers in the state. in West Bengal and Indian probe in father’s murder He announced to hold a Union Muslim League in for Pipili by-election New Delhi: Andhra ‘Maha Panchayat’ in support Kerala as the “new secular the second time. Naqvi said Pradesh Chief Minister YS of farmers on April 4, 2021 at syndicate of the Congress”. Assam has achieved newer Bhubaneswar: With Jaganmohan Reddy’s cousin Jind a prominent ‘Jaat’ area in Naqvi, who is here to cam- heights of development under the Congress announcing Suneetha Narreddy Friday which he has also invited senior paign in the Assam Assembly the leadership of Chief Min- the name of Ajit Man- demanded the CBI expedite farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait elections, told PTI in an ex- ister Sarbananda Sonowal in garaj as its candidate for the probe into the alleged and Gurnam Singh Chanduni. clusive interview, “This new the last five years as well as the by-election to the Pi- murder of her father and Past scenario reveals that organising few rallies in the after leaving Congress when secular syndicate is the height due to Prime Minister Naren- pili Assembly seat, polling former minister Y S Vive- every political party or a politi- state and appointed a group joined BJP as state president of hypocrisy of the Congress.” dra Modi’s “determination of for which is scheduled to kananda Reddy, claiming cal leader in the state usually of industrialist at Ambala as started his new career holding Congress is partnering with inclusive development” end- take place on April 17, the any further “delay” may put starts political new venture party’s office bearers but they a public rally preside by Union the three parties mentioned ing “appeasement politics”. battle lines are now clearly witnesses’ lives in danger. or his political career from failed to bring an identification Home Minister Amit Shah in in the ongoing elections in “The impact of remarkable drawn. Vivekananda Reddy -- the Jind in the state. Kejriwal too to party in the state, which was this ground. Dushyant Chautala Assam, West Bengal and changes by Modi in political The by-election is likely younger brother of former now making attempts to have dissolved after some time. Deputy Chief Minister Haryana Kerala respectively. work culture are being wit- to witness a triangular Andhra Pradesh CM the late farmers blessings to launch his Then AAP state president launched his own Jan Nayak The assembly elections nessed on every front - be it fight between the BJD, Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and political party AAP in Haryana Naveen Jaihind too tried hard Janta party after saying good in the four states including economy, national security, Congress and BJP. the paternal uncle of the state once again. Past scenario to establish party’s network bye to INLD from Jind. Assam and Union Territory internal security and foreign Earlier both the ruling BJD and opposition BJP had an- present CM -- was killed also reveals that Kejriwal had in the state. He attempted to Former Haryana Chief Min- of Puducherry is a battle for affairs”, he said appreciating nounced the names of Rudrapratap Maharathy and Ashrit on March 15, 2019 at his attempted to develop AAP net- attract media persons in the ister Bhupinder Singh Hooda mandate between “com- the prime minister’s efforts. Pattnayak as their candidates for the by-election respectively. home in Pulivendula, YSR work together in Punjab and state and organised several prior to ruling in the state for munal vote bank owners” Saying the prime minister While Pattnayak has already filed his nomination papers, Kadapa district. It has been Haryana years ago. meetings with media persons 10 years started ‘Padyatra’ in and “inclusive development is synonymous with “good the BJD and Congress candidates will file their papers on one year since the CBI has However, He succeeded in but all in vain. support of farmers in the state practitioners”,asserted the governance and inclusive de- the last date of filing nomination. been investigating the high- building his party’s network Past political scenario in from Jind. Now Arvind Kjriwal union Minorities Affairs velopment”, the union minis- Ajit Mangaraj had contested from the Pipili assembly profile “murder” case but not in Punjab to some extent but Haryana reveals, most of politi- too holding ‘Maha Panchayat’ minister. When asked about ter said the Modi government segment as a Congress candidate in 2019 election and as much progress been made remained completely unsuc- cal leaders in the state usually in support of farmers at Jind winning prospect of his party, has made every section of the a BJP candidate in 2009 polls. as no charge sheet has been cessful to give a identification start their political activities on April 4 in order to seek their he exuded confidence that the society an equal partner in Similarly, BJP candidate Ashrit Pattnayak, has also filed yet, Narreddy told the to his party in Haryana state. from HUDA ground in sec- blessings hoping to have suc- Assam election results will be progress with the commit- unsuccessfully contested from the Pipili seat twice earlier media. AGENCIES Kejriwal attempted to devel- tor 9 at Jind. Former Union cess in launching his party in “good” for the BJP which will ment to “reform, perform in 2019 as a BJP candidate and as an Independent can- op party’s network in Haryana Minister Ch. Virender Singh Haryana state. form government again for and transform”. A GENCIES didate in 2014. The by-elections for the Pipili seat was necessitated following the demise of the seven time MLA and former minister Pradeep Maharathy in October, 2020. Victim’s family continue ‘State poll results to decide course of national politics’ The ruling BJD headed by Chief Minister Naveen Pat- naik has fielded Pradeep Maharathy’s son Rudrapratap to blame Shivakumar Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Raut also said the “ongoing Maharathy in the by-election. Sanjay Raut on Thursday said Mahabharat” in West Bengal is While both Pattnayak and Mangaraj have previous the results of Assembly polls in more fierce than the real Ma- experience of contesting the polls from Pipili assembly four states, specially Assam and habharat. segment, BJD candidate Rudrapratap Maharathy is new West Bengal, will decide the “Prime Minister Narendra to electoral politics. However, Maharathy said he too has next course of national politics. Modi had said the battle of experience in the election management while working with Talking to reporters here, Mahabharat was won in 21 his father in previous elections. Raut said the BJP is in power days and we will fight the war Apart from being a fresh and youth candidate, Rudra- in Assam, but the Congress has against coronavirus in 18 days pratap also expects sympathy votes as he is contesting from put up a tough fight. and win. But, we haven’’t,” the his late father’s constituency which he represented in the In West Bengal, even though Sena’’s chief spokesperson said. Odisha assembly seven time. Maharathy family also has a the BJP has put all its might to Raut said the entire country sizeable followers and network across the constituency, a defeat (Chief Minister and Trin- is watching the West Bengal BJD leader said. amool Congress head) Mamata polls and people of that are also BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said: “Pipili- Banerjee, she has fought like a has come for a “united and in four states, specially Assam intelligent. “No doubt the battle Delanga segment is a strong fort of BJD. The party’s target Bengaluru: Once again “We got to know through tigress and is “sure to emerge effective” struggle against the and West Bengal, will decide the is tough, but Mamata Banerjee is that Rudrapratap’s winning margin will be more than blaming Karnataka Congress the media that our daughter the winner”, he claimed. BJP’’s alleged attacks on de- next course of national politics. will win,” he claimed. Raut also his later father Pradeep Maharathy, who was popular in President D K Shivakumar will appear before the court. “We can also gauge the mood mocracy and the Constitution, After the elections, the nature of said the “attack” on democracy the region.” for the ‘sex scandal’ allegedly Through you (media),we urge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” and that opposition leaders alliances will be discussed and in the country is not new. BJP deputy leader in Assembly B C Sethy claimed that involving their daughter and the Chief Minister, all the the Rajya Sabha member said. should try present a “credible a clarity will be there.” “Whenever there is an attack, their candidate Ashrit Pattnaik is popular and had lost former Minister Ramesh Jarki- Judges in Karnataka and the Banerjee on Wednesday alternative” to the people of the Even Maharashtra Chief people and opposition parties the elections last time just by about 15,000 votes. “The holi, the family of the woman Home Minister...... you have wrote a letter to non-BJP lead- country. Minister Uddhav Thackeray have fought back. This is the BJP candidate has recently won a gram panchayat in Pi- in the purported video on to consider that our daugh- ers, including Congress chief When asked about the letter, has received a letter from her, strength of our democracy,” he pili which indicated that the people of the segment want Monday said their daughter ter is under pressure for the Sonia Gandhi, saying time Raut said, “The results of polls he said. said. AENCIES change,” Sethi said. AGENCIES was under a lot of pressure. last 20-25 days and has been They also requested the forced to make statements,” courts not to record her state- the woman’s father said. ment as she is ‘under duress’, Speaking to reporters in Be- Politics - A turf Rajinikanth chooses to skip despite promises she be given at least four days lagavi, he said if she appears time to be with them, or kept before the court, she would be Chennai: When he thun- assertive statement in 2017 and 2020, he announced in a press illa,” meaning if not now then in a place under court supervi- relieved from that pressure and dered in 1996 that “even God a 2020 marked with flip-flops conference that he never desired never. sion and provided counselling. her statement should then be cannot save” Tamil Nadu if the which culminated with the ac- to be Chief Minister and that he With the spirited fans once Reacting to the charges, Shi- recorded. “This is our request... then Chief Minister J Jayala- tor finally saying a big no to would enter politics when he saw again rallying behind the vet- vakumar said he doesn’t know she should be given time.” lithaa won a successive term politics, citing his frail health. an upsurge among the people eran, Rajinikanth made another anything and he has nothing The woman’s brother alleged in elections, many saw it as Named for India’s highest yearning for a change ushering in u-turn in December, when he to do with it. that his sister was acting accord- Rajinikanth’s prelude to the cinema honour, the Dada Sa- clean politics, prompting intense said he will not enter politics in “....Let the investigation ing to Shivakumar’s diktats, was political entry of the uncrowned heb Phalke Award on Thursday debates of “will he or won’t he.” view of his frail health, putting an happen, they (family) were given some money by him and king of Tamil cinema known for the year 2019, Rajinikanth’s However, within months, he end to his long-nurtured plans speaking under pressure..if had not been in touch with the for his sureshot hits. larger than image life in screen, seemed to have a change of heart and describing his then hospi- they have proof,let them give family for 20 to 25 days. He said For, cinema to politics his mega hits that raked in the and categorically announced talisation as a God’s warning. it.” The family’s statement the family’s request to the court transition was nothing new moolah and finally a frenzied floating a party in January 2021. “Only I know the pain behind came amid reports that she was to send her to them for at in Tamil Nadu as former chief fan base that often hailed him He even named two seasoned making this announcement,” would appear before a judge least four days to free her from ministers--CN Annadurai, M as ‘Thalaiva’ (Leader) turned politicians, Tamilaruvi Manian the 70-year old actor then said, to record her statement,as her the ‘torture’ and ‘pressure’ she Karunanidhi, M G Ramach- him into a colossal figure in frail health. This, after a 2017 announcement that their ‘Th- and Arjuna Moorthy, to see days before he was to spell out lawyer on Monday moved an was undergoing. If this could andran and Jayalalithaa had the celluloid world. assertion that he would launch alaiva’ who beat up evil men on through the birth of his outfit the contours of his party based application of requisition bfore not be done, the court should successful cinema stints before But his roar of “now or never” a political party and fight from screen black and blue was now ahead of the elections this year, on spiritual politics aimed at a magistrate court and said make arrangements for her blending with politics to lead in politics last year ended with all 234 assembly seats in the ready to clean up the ‘system’ now slated for April 6. This was bringing a total change in the they are awaiting directions peaceful stay under its super- the state. But ever since it was a whimper in the same when he 2021 elections in Tamil Nadu with his political avatar. the best time to take the shot, he Dravidian heartland Tamil on producing her before it. vision. AGENCIES a guessing game, occasional finally said he would not take which enthused his die hard However, their joy was to had said with a catchy Tamil Nadu in the 2021 assembly punch dialogues in films, an the political plunge owing to his fans who had been awaiting an be short-lived when in March phrase “ippo illana eppovum elections. AGENCIES The Financial World — chandigarh 04 saturday • 03 april 2021 Editorial opinion

Only peace can Anubhuti Maurya slams policy document on undergraduate education for an ‘ill-judged view’ bring progress Distorting India’s historical narratives he University Grants Commission (UGC) document in knowledge production. This would make history an on Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Frame- attractive area of study. However, the pedagogy suggested work (LOCF), 2021 for undergraduate education in the course outlines and recommended readings would and prosperity in history begins with the declaration: “History, achieve just the opposite. Tas we all know, is a vital source to obtain knowledge about The introduction of primary material in the classroom — akistan’s Economic Coordination a nation’s soul”. The document seeks to create a student parts of historical texts, archaeological artefacts, coins, visits body that will compete globally and be aware of its glorious to monuments and museums — bring the subject alive for Committee (ECC) has allowed the im- past — one that will reclaim its history as it takes its rightful students. Engagement with these allows students to parse port of cotton and yarn from India. It is place in the new global order. It argues that a “new narra- historical analysis and make their own judgments. However, a definitely step in the right direction. tive” about the nation needs to emerge through a dialogue the readings prescribed in the curriculum do not contain between the past and the present. a single reference to primary archives for history-writing. Islamabad’s decision to suspend bilat- The document is a policy directive to mould undergradu- Further, the suggested readings are devoid of some of the eral trade with New Delhi in August 2019 was pri- ate history education to these ends. However, a critical ex- most important works in different areas of history-writing. P amination of the curriculum reveals that it falls short of its Readings in history, or any academic discipline for that marily a fallout of India’s decision to scrap Article own stated goals. matter, are central to building the discipline. We look at 370 — the constitutional provision that recognised The LOCF makes an argument for inculcating “national older writings and follow the evolution of historiographical the special status of the state of Jammu and Kash- pride”. The first paper of the course is titled the ‘Idea of understanding through critiques and the new questions Bharat’ and seeks to study the “primitive life and cultural of history-writing effectively utilised by colonial historians. posed. To develop critical thinking, students must be encour- mir and afforded it a certain amount of autonomy. status of the people of ancient India”. The five units of the Terms like the ‘Aryan Age’, ‘Hindu society’, and ‘Muslim aged to read divergent opinions and engage with different Another underlying reason for suspending trade course cover the concept of Bharatvarsha; Indian knowledge rulers’ were deployed in colonial historiography to delineate ideological hues of historians. A curriculum framework that between the two countries was also the 200 per traditions, art and culture; dharma, philosophy and ‘Vasud- periods as well as causation in Indian history. These were does not encourage this only provides faulty foundations for haiva Kutumbakam’; science, environment and medical used to pose a contrast between the secular, modern Europe disciplinary education. This curriculum framework, quite cent tariff imposed by New Delhi on Pakistani sciences; and Indian economic traditions. and the backward ‘oriental’ states, with their irrational adher- egregiously, omits some of the finest writings in Indian imports — a move that India implemented earlier The course sits separate from the paper on ancient India ence to religion. By bringing these terms back into use, the history. Instead, a bulk of suggested readings span from that year after revoking its status as a Most Fa- (from the earliest time to 550 CE) while exploring ancient curriculum undoes the work of generations of historians to the 1900s to, at best, 1980s, with a heavy dependence on philosophical, cultural and material traditions under the challenge colonial frames of history-writing and foreground the work of Indologists. The omissions seem deliberate voured Nation following the suicide bomb attack umbrella of the term Bharat. socioeconomic and political processes. and ideologically motivated. Most importantly, rather than on the CRPF in Pulwama. Trade between the two The course presents Bharatvarsha as an “eternal” concept, The paper on medieval and early modern India (History enabling students to critically engage with diverse schools of countries suffered greatly in 2019-20, with India’s as an originary moment of the nation that lies in its ancient of India, 1206-1707) best demonstrates the ideological bias historiography and reaching their own conclusions, it seeks past. If one places this course within the entirety of the in the LOCF. It treats the “Hindu society” and the “Muslim to curtail the resource base available to them. exports to Pakistan dropping nearly 60.5 per cent curriculum framework, it appears as a period untouched society” as discrete entities in the medieval past, replicat- What are the challenges facing a young student in the 21st to $816.62 million, and its imports plummeting by invasions — be it Kushan or Sunga people of the early ing the understanding that these communities existed as century? Climate disaster, democracy, freedom of speech historical period, Timur and Babur of the medieval times, separate nations, an understanding that last had valence and movement, equity in rights and social justice are issues around 97 per cent to $13.97 million. The pro- or the British in the modern period. It suggests an origin in the run-up to the partition of India. that must be considered. This curriculum, with its colonial posal to lift the ban on cotton imports came in the to the nation that is in a pristine ancient past. Further, it presents a history of only north India. In underpinnings, is inadequate in preparing students of the backdrop of a shortfall in raw material for Paki- In this schema, Bharat is an exclusionary concept with contrast, existing history syllabi currently followed in uni- 21st century. New modes of thinking about Big Data, digital little space for land and people south of the Vindhyas, or versities across India have been studying the processes of mapping and visualisations, critical study of the environment, stan’s textile sector, which has reportedly been from the east and the northeast. Further, it communicates sociocultural, economic and political changes in different health and society are all missing from this curriculum. facing issues due to a low domestic yield of cotton no sense that this nation has a history as Bharat, Hindustan, regions like Odisha, the peninsular India, and the Rajpu- Seen in its entirety, the LOCF is determined to project in the country. On top of this, imports from other or India, that as a nation it was crafted into being through tana, Gujarat, Malwa, Bengal regions, among others. But into the past majoritarian and divisive conceptions of the struggle of its people. Instead, it reads the nation into a this latest curriculum framework ignores the rich work in contemporary Indian politics. It is limited and narrow in countries like the US and Brazil have reportedly deep past and renders it into a narrative stuck in the stasis regional history and introduces some regions in the syllabus its understanding of processes of historical change, out of been more expensive, and take longer to arrive of an autochthonous origin. Across the curriculum, changes simply as political formations. touch with the current state of research in the discipline of in history are mapped through the rise and fall of empires, history, and dated in its pedagogy. In 2021, this curriculum in the country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra kings and royal dynasties and acts of violence and movement Pedagogical issues framework seeks to make history education a space for Modi’s letter greeting Pakistan on its national day of armies. There is a preoccupation with violence as a motive Inherent in the LOCF is a pedagogical critique of current passive rote-learning of ideas that had their heyday in 1921. and his counterpart Imran Khan’s response to it force of change, whether it is through the examination of forms of history education. It forcefully argues that young the Aryan invasions or the invasions by Timur and Babur. minds are not “empty vessels” to be filled with “static nar- Anubhuti Maurya teaches history at the Shiv Nadar have also seem to have eased the atmosphere. The The curriculum cleaves closely to the categories and modes ratives”. Young minds, it declaims, must be participants University. Views expressed are her own. need right now is to move forward with guarded optimism as hawks on both sides — who thrive on confrontation — may well try and derail matters. Both nations should start building on the cease- Vikram Soni highlights there are only two unpolluted fresh water sources left in the country fire pact and resume a comprehensive dialogue. For only peace can bring progress and prosperity in the two neighbouring countries and also the Water remains the looming frontier region and the world. hile we are still in the grip of the natural infrastructure at an alarming pace. COVID-19 pandemic, which is Let’s not forget that developed countries have airborne, we have forgotten that stable landscapes and populations whereas another such blight could well India has a growing population, which means Five observations Wcome from contaminated water. NITI Ayog there will be growing consumption. There are On why new COVID-19 vaccines should be cleared and WaterAid, amongst others, have found that two unpolluted fresh water sources left in the over 70% of India’s surface and groundwater country. The first is the water lying below our is contaminated by human and other waste forests; the second is the aquifers that lie below Covid concerns mount this year and is likely to carry viruses. Indiscriminate the floodplains of rivers. Both these sources The rise in Covid-19 cases as part of India’s ‘second human activity is often the reason for envi- provide natural underground storage and are wave’ has the government and public health ronmental degradation and pandemics. The renewable – the rains provide natural recharge authorities truly worried. In many ways, the practice of keeping animals locked together for year after year and it is this recharge which can concern is larger than during last year. mass production of meat produces an artifi- be used to water our cities and towns. There is 1 cial environment that can birth mutations in one sacred conservation condition: we should erstwhile dormant viruses. Earlier, in the wild, use only a fraction of the annual recharge. vaccinations too intensify animals were far away from human habitats. The aquifers underlying forests can provide India has so far administered nearly 6.3 crore doses The viruses they harboured remained isolated. healthy mineral water purely for drinking pur- of Covaxin and Covishield and since March 20, the But today’s practices can spawn viruses that norovirus. Unlike in the developed world, a the healthy minerals and nutrients required poses. Since a person drinks only 2-3 litres of country has been inoculating a little over 2 million can easily transfer to the human population. huge section of the population in India uses by the human body. This is an unhealthy and water a day, the mineral water requirement every day. Once the virus has found its way into the polluted water from sources like rivers, lakes, exorbitantly priced proposition. To neutralise is modest. Such a scheme can provide quality 2 human population, it is bound to proliferate in or groundwater for drinking. the virus, we would need at least an ultraviolet natural mineral water, comparable to Himalyan wastewater. For example, in England, Wales Are we prepared for this? Certainly not. aquaguard treatment. While this won’t take mineral water at `2 a litre, 20 times less than More research work required and Scotland, several wastewater samples Can we be prepared? Very unlikely, even if we out chemical contaminants, it is also costly. the market price. The river floodplains are a More research needs to be conducted on whether were tested and were found to carry traces understood the viruses, and we are not there So, what is the solution? The simple answer great source of water for cities. The Yamuna mortality in the second wave is biased towards the of SARS-CoV-2. Remnants of the virus have yet. Can we decontaminate our water bodies is that there is no technological substitute for floodplains in Delhi already use such a scheme group yet ineligible for vaccination, and whether also been detected in raw sewage across Syd- and groundwater? This could take several living natural resources like pristine natural to provide water to a million people each year. reinfections are an emerging problem. ney. Research at the University of Stirling in decades. The Rhine river in Germany, after 50 water and soil. This means that we must con- Forests and floodplains must be declared as 3 Scotland indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus years of cleaning and stopping the inflow of serve and use our natural living resources. The water sanctuaries. Such schemes work with can spread through sewage water. pollutants and human waste, is still not fit for water beneath our forests is as good as natural nature rather than against it. They can be used Gatherngs should be banned But such water is often discharged into water drinking. But despite the poor quality of water spring water. We must safeguard it for our around the globe. It is important to remember It is hypocritical on the government’s part to allow bodies in India. This is an alarming prospect in India, the government has announced a `3 own lives and for future generations. We have that these evolutionary resources, once lost, will large religious gatherings and political melas in for us as river water or lake water, which carries lakh crore ‘Nal se Jal’ scheme to provide drink- destroyed our natural living resources in our be lost forever. It is time we understood this is election-bound States and also blame normal human waste, sewage, and toxic waste, can be a ing water connections to every rural household rush for development. Our development model natural infrastructure bequeathed to us by nature. movement for the second wave. very generous host for viruses of different kinds by 2024. Since most of the water sources are is always focused on artificial infrastrusture, If we don’t realise this, it will only be our loss. 4 and we do not know where and how they can contaminated, the only way to purify water building highways, industrial plants, high-rise mutate and strike. Some water-transmitted is through reverse osmosis (RO). But though structures. In doing this, we kill our natural Vikram Soni is Emeritus Professor at Jamia Millia new vaccines are need of hour viral pathogens are astrovirus, hepatitis A and RO removes contaminants, it also takes out all resources. As a result, we are running out of and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Views are personal. What is needed is messaging that emphasises the realistic protective abilities from vaccination and physical distancing measures. We also need fresh BOOKS: review 5research and new vaccines. Billions Under states like Bihar, whose dismal health infrastructure had every- letterbox New book traces India’s Lockdown: The one guessing if it would survive Readers’ feedback adds value to the newspaper. Inside Story of India’s Fight a pandemic, and the controversy Please email comments on reports, features and Against Covid-19 around the prescription of hy- fight against COVID-19 droxychloroquine as prophylaxis columns to [email protected]. We will publish By Abantika Ghosh; for healthcare workers, despite them on this page. rom the ‘janata curfew’ of having very short memories. Of The author offers an Bloomsbury; the lack of evidence. to the country’s first Co- course, this is not unfair criticism 406 pages; Rs699 The 406-page “Billions Under vid-19 vaccination drive, as we, far too often, look at issues insight into India’s Lockdown”, priced at Rs 699, is a new book gives readers only fleetingly and superficially. massive machinery Ghosh tracks the pandemic in available for sale on offline and Fdetailed account of India’s battle Having said that, in the twenty the country with accounts from online stores. The author is one against the coronavirus pandemic. years that I have been in this busi- working seamlessly — epidemiologists from the National of the most well-regarded report- The book, “Billions Under Lock- ness, 2020 was the first year in despite some missteps Centre for Disease Control, de- ers in the public health domain in down: The Inside Story of India’s which, for ten months, I followed scribing them as India’s “disease the country and has more than 20 Fight Against Covid-19”, is writ- one story: COVID-19. and missed infections detectives”, bureaucrats, who be- years of experience. rni no. CHAENG/2001/03736 ten by senior journalist Abantika “I may even go as far as to say — against the greatest came the face of the government’s After graduating from Presi- Printed & Published by Swinder Bajwa Ghosh. Published by Bloomsbury, that I lived in a COVID bubble. I challenge the world is Covid-19 response, and public dency College, Kolkata, she did On Behalf of FW MEDIA the book claims to be a “thrilling was writing about it, reading about health experts. her masters in Physiology from Printed at Jagjit Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd tale” of unnamed thousands bat- it and, in whatever time I had left, facing in decades But despite the government’s the University of Calcutta and tling against a little-understood I was answering questions from seemingly dogged resolve to keep has worked with The Statesman, D-12, Industrial Area, Phase-1, Mohali, virus from the frontlines, bring- friends and family. So this book have pushed the country’s infec- the virus at bay, its armour was The Times of India and the Indian Punjab 160059 ing that “gripping theatre and its was perhaps destined to happen,” tion tally to over 11.68 million ever-evolving, and sometimes even Express in the past. Currently, she dramatis personae to life”. writes Ghosh in the book. and the death toll has now risen faulty in the face of an unlikely is with ThePrint, where she heads Printer & publisher Swinder Bajwa When WHO first declared COV- It was on March 23 last year to 1,60,166. and unknown enemy. the team covering COVID-19. Owner* : FW MEDIA ID-19 a global pandemic in March that Prime Minister Narendra The author, with a ringside view “When cops replace health She is keenly interested in non- Published at: Plot no-F5,IT Park,Chandigarh 2020, there was a great deal of ap- Modi announced the nationwide of India’s fight against the deadly workers in the field and cardi- cricket sports, is a voracious reader prehension about how India - the lockdown against COVID-19. A virus, offers an insight into India’s ologists replace epidemiologists and loves to explore the intersec- Chandigarh 160101; Phone: 9888040061 country with the highest TB cases year on since the country went massive machinery working seam- on the policy high table, it spells tion of politics and society. She Editor* Abdul Wasey and diabetes, inadequate health into a ‘janata curfew’ (people’s lessly -- despite some missteps and serious trouble for a country. And lives in New Delhi with two dogs infrastructure and a population curfew), it is facing a second wave missed infections -- against the trouble erupted soon,” Ghosh and some books, and can be found of 1.3 billion - would fare. of coronavirus cases. greatest challenge the world has writes. on Twitter @abantika77. This is (*Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act) “Journalists are usually accused The fresh infections and deaths encountered in decades. Then there are accounts from her first book. The Financial World — chandigarh corporate saturday • 03 april 2021 05 industry

also read | Growth forecast raised to 10.1% * P7 | Timelines cut for investors’ refund * P7 JNPT inaugurates Inter Terminal Route My conscience is clear: Mistry Dominick Rodrigues Mumbai Personally disappointed, says ex-Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry on Supreme Court verdict In a major push for seamless trade, the new Inter Termi- New Delhi/Mumbai: rectly, I hope that the issues I their consequences,” he said. nal Route connecting BMCT Ousted Tata Sons Chairman have raised will cause deeper Mistry said his aim at Tata Terminal with the other four Cyrus Mistry on Tuesday ex- reflection and influence indi- Group, “an iconic institution Container Terminals of JNPT pressed disappointment over viduals concerned to catalyse undergoing a generational was inaugurated at Jawaharlal the Supreme Court order in the change. I sleep with a clear change in leadership, was to Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), In- fight against the conglomerate conscience. “ ensure a robust board-driven dia’s premier container port in over his ouster, but asserted On Friday a bench of Chief system of decision-making and Navi Mumbai, recently. his conscience was clear and Justice SA Bobde and Justices governance that is larger than The Inter Terminal Route he had no doubt about the AS Bopanna and V Ramasu- any one individual”. was inaugurated by Sanjay direction he took regarding bramanian allowed appeals A key focus was to enable Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT the generational change in filed by Tata Group. the directors on various boards in the presence of Unmesh said this will further streamline and also enhancing the train leadership during his tenure. The court said, “All the to discharge their fiduciary Sharad Wagh, IRS, Deputy the movement of rail contain- handling time at JN Port. The apex court order on questions of law are liable to duties without fear or favour, Chairman, JNPT and HODs, ers between BMCT with all the Overall, the new route is ex- Friday had set aside Nation- be answered in favour of the while still ensuring that share- JNPT Terminal Operators and other four Container Termi- pected to increase the rail share al Company Law Appellate appellants Tata Group and holders views were reflected in other stakeholders. nals at the port. “JNPT has also and volume of Transhipment Tribunal (NCLAT) order re- the appeals filed by the Tata strategy and actions, he added. The newly-inaugurated route taken various other initiatives containers in JN Port, Sethi said, storing Mistry as executive Group are liable to be allowed “It continues to be my belief is expected to reduce container under ‘Ease of Doing Business’ adding that this is a yet another chairman of the conglomerate, and those by Shapoorji Pal- that it is by such a model, that movement distance between that has helped save significant significant move by JNPT -- to while allowing appeals filed by lonji Group are liable to be one would protect value for all BMCT and the other JN Port amount of time and cost for the provide ease of doing business the Tata Group. dismissed. and committed beyond the call accusing Ratan Tata of feel- stakeholders in Tata Sons and Terminals from the existing 5 EXIM community,” he said. to the EXIM community -- in its “Every member of society The apex court had on Janu- of duty, through this journey. ing insecure about his legacy, its various group companies,” kms to 2.5 kms in one direction. The ITRHO aims to maxi- endeavour to be among the best looks to institutions such as ary 10 last year granted relief “This is another step in the said he has reflected on his Mistry said. This route is exclusively for the mize train placement, track container port globally. courts to validate and endorse to the Tata group by staying evolution of life for me and actions since his exit from To this end, he said, “My movement of TP (Transhipment) productivity, efficiency and The Jawaharlal Nehru Port the appropriateness of his or NCLAT order by which Mistry my family. We will celebrate the Tata Group. performance was reviewed & ITRHO (Inter Terminal Rail cost-effective handling, while Trust (JNPT) at Navi Mumbai her actions and beliefs. As a was restored as the executive the good times and take the “Over the last four years, I by nearly 50 independent di- Handling Operation) contain- reducing dwell time of import is the biggest container handling minority shareholder of Tata chairman of the conglomerate. knocks on our chins.” have had the opportunity to rectors across multiple Tata ers between BMCT and other ICD boxes, connecting export Port in India -- accounting for Sons, I am personally disap- Reflecting on the Supreme Mistry, who had raised reflect on my actions and on boards that I served. Beyond terminals of JN Port, in offering ICD boxes to respective termi- around 52% of the total contai- pointed by the outcome of Court order, Mistry said, “Life several raised issues related whether I could have handled the performance metric that a smooth and continuous flow nals in time and also increasing nerised cargo volume, across the the judgement with respect is not always fair, but we are to corporate governance and the generational change in speaks for itself and the docu- of ITRHO and TP containers. rail quotient at JNPT. major ports of India. Commis- to our case,” Mistry said in a still the lucky ones – I am lucky transparency, including al- leadership better. In hindsight, mented appreciation for my Noting that the inauguration Trade will be benefitted, as sioned on 26th May 1989, in less statement. to have the unwavering sup- leged Rs 22 crore fraudu- while I may have had many initiatives, I am humbled by of this Internal Terminal Route the new route would ensure than three decades of its opera- He further said, “Although port of my family, friends, col- lent transactions involving imperfections, I have no doubt the continued support I have will help in smoothening the timely connection of export tions, JNPT has transformed I will no longer be able to in- leagues - past and present. I non-existent entities in India or erosion of conviction about received from my former col- overall trade cycle and further containers arriving by trains in from a bulk-cargo terminal to fluence the direction of gov- am grateful to my legal team and Singapore in Tatas’ joint the direction I chose, the in- leagues and other board mem- enhancing efficiency, Sanjay mixed condition to the particular become the premier container ernance of the Tata group di- that has remained steadfast venture with Air Asia, besides tegrity behind my actions and bers”. AGENCIES Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT vessel in any of the terminals port in the country. NewsBrief GS Krishnan takes over as ‘ABLE’ chief Minda plans Rs 250 crore expansion Increase in aviation Coal India sees marginal security fee opposed Bengaluru: G S Krish- K K Narayanan, Vijay Chandru Mumbai: Minda Industries, New Delhi: Global airlines production de-growth nan, formerly regional presi- and Shrikumar Suryanarayan. the flagship of UNO Minda body IATA has requested the KOLKATA: World’s largest dent & MD, Novozymes South “India’’s BioPharmaceutical Group, on Saturday said it will Centre to suspend the planned miner Coal India is likely Asia Pvt Ltd, a Danish biotech segment has played a commend- invest over Rs 250 crore in ex- increase in aviation security fee to post a marginal contrac- company, has taken charge as able role in the discovery and panding its four-wheel light- (ASF) for domestic and inter- tion of its output for the year the new President of India’’s manufacturing of COVID- 19 ing and alloy wheel business to national passengers as it will 2020-21 by 5-6 million tonne leading biotechnology industry vaccine during the pandemic meet the increased demand as be detrimental to the aviation in 2020-21 as its produc- organisation, the Association of and we need to build on this its existing units are operating industry’s recovery efforts, an tion will fall below the 600 Biotechnology-Led Enterprises great momentum and lead the at near capacity. official document said. million mark, sources said (ABLE). world in playing a critical role, As part of this expansion, On March 19, the Civil Avia- on Sunday. In 2019-20, the Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, identifying our capabilities,” the automotive components tion Ministry had said the ASF miner produced 602 million the Executive Chairperson of saidKrishnanwhile taking over maker will set up a new manu- would be increased from Rs tonne down from 606.9 mil- Biocon Limited, will continue as the new ABLE President for facturing plant at Bhagapura 160 to Rs 200 for domestic lion in 2018-19 when it regis- as the association’’s honorary the new General Secretary of 2021-24. in Gujarat at an investment Pune, Chennai and Manesar, ment,” said NK Minda, Chair- passengers and USD 5.20 to tered its highest production. non-executive chairperson, an ABLE. Krishnan added that oppor- of Rs 90 crore to cater to which are operating at near man and managing Director, USD 12 for international pas- It will be the second year in ABLE statement said. Aiming to further catalyse tunities in the BioIndustrial and increased demand for four- capacity. UNO Minda. sengers from April 1. a row when the miner will Krishnan will head a nine- the growth of India’’s USD 70 BioAgriculture are also highly wheeler automotive lighting, “The automotive lighting in- Similarly, in 4W alloy wheels, Conrad Clifford, Regional register degrowth. The miner member executive council that billion BioEconomy, the Asso- promising and require a con- Minda Industries Ltd said in dustry is witnessing a gradual customer preferences are Vice President, Asia Pacific, had projected a 660 million was elected last January for a ciation has also set up an ABLE ducive regulatory framework. a release. shift in technology into more moving towards alloy wheels. International Air Transport tonne production target and three-year term starting on April Business Council, that will be The 4,300-plus Biotech The plant is expected to LED-based lighting products. Though penetration of alloy Association (IATA) wrote a by mid-year the company had 1, 2021. chaired by former ABLE Presi- startups too will contribute commence operations by the With strengthened technical wheels has increased in the last letter to Civil Aviation Minister been expecting to attain 630- The other office-bearers are dent and founder of biotech significantly for the growth of quarter ending March 2022 capabilities in next level of few years, it is still very low in Hardeep Singh Puri on Tues- 640 million tonne of output. Anand Anandkumar of Bug- startup Jananom,P M Murali. the biotech industry and re- and will stabilise in subsequent lighting technologies, we are comparison to developed coun- day, stating that “the aviation Officials attributed Covid-19 works Research as Vice Presi- This Council will comprise quires all the support to grab couple of quarters, it said. well positioned to benefit from tries providing ample opportu- industry is facing the biggest disruptions as the key factor dent & Treasurer, and Ravi all the past presidents of ABLE near-to-market opportunities, The company currently has these technological shifts and to nities for our growth in future, challenge of its history” due to behind lower demand result- Bhola of K&S Partners will be such asKiran Mazumdar-Shaw, he said. AGENCIES manufacturing facilities at achieve leadership in the seg- he said. AGENCIES the pandemic and it is trying ing in a stockpile building to restart itself while ensuring up, compelling the mining it does not become a vector for giant to moderate output. COVID-19. AGENCIES Kirloskar Brothers to Vistara rolls back staff’s salary cut Airlines collect the ASF from passengers when they book Curbs sought on NEW DELHI: Full-service their tickets and then give it carrier Vistara has decided to the government. The ASF cotton yarn exports be debt-free company to roll back the pay cut, im- is used to fund the security New Delhi: The Apparel NEW DELHI: Leading plemented by the airline last arrangement at airports across Export Promotion Council pump makers Kirloskar year, for certain categories of the country. (AEPC) on Saturday urged Brothers Ltd (KBL) is close employees from April while the Clifford told Puri COVID-19 the government to impose to be a debt-free company reduced salaries will continue has devastated the air trans- restrictions on exports of and will continue its growth for the management-level ex- port industry and any such cotton yarn in order to curb journey into domestic and ecutives, including the CEO, costs escalation - the increase prices and increase supply international markets, said according to an e-mail to the in the ASF - in such uncertain for domestic manufacturers. a top company official. airline staff. times will be detrimental to AEPC Chairman A Sakthiv- After being debt-free, The Tata Sons and Singa- its collective recovery efforts. el said despite several ef- the company will focus on pore Airlines joint venture “It is worthwhile to note that forts by the government to cash flow and will not chase airline had in June 2020 an- various other governments and reduce the price of cotton topline (revenue) numbers at nounced a reduction in salary service providers are freez- yarn, it has consistently the cost of profitability, said lished to be debt-free because However, he also added, of nearly 40 per cent of the ”We must remain vigilant in ing or reducing charges in increased in the last four KBL Director Alok Kirloskar. we are not comfortable with “Growing the turnover is im- total workforce till December controlling our costs and be response to the current crisis months and was affecting “As part of that strategy, having large amounts of debt, portant but not at the cost of 31 to deal with low cash flow nimble and flexible in our to facilitate a quicker recovery the entire value chain. “We we will be a debt-free com- which was the case in 2010,” profitability and cash flow. amid weak passenger demand We must remain plan and should be able to of traffic,” he noted. request immediate inter- pany. And, if you look at the he added. Our first objective No. 1 is in the wake of the pandemic. vigilant in controlling take difficult decisions if the “The IATA would respect- vention to increase the numbers at the end of this When asked about the cash flow, No. 2 is profit- This was later extended to our costs and be nimble need arises,” Thng said. fully request the government supply of yarn to domestic year in March, we are almost growth, Kirloskar said, “We ability and No.3 is turnover.” March 31. Vistara will not be paying of India to consider delaying manufacturers. We suggest debt-free as a company,” will continue on the CAGR The key sectors in which ”Our board has approved and flexible in our plan any annual increment in April or suspending the planned that quantitative restrictions Alok Kirloskar told PTI. (compound annual growth KBL operate are water and to cease the pay cut that was and should be able to this year but will review it in increase in ASF rates effective should be imposed on exports On a standalone basis, rate), that is our objective. wastewater, irrigation, indus- implemented for level-1 to take difficult decisions October based on the airline’s April 1, 2021,” he stated. of cotton yarn, specifically on KBL is close to being debt- Even in the times of coro- trial, commercial building level-3 staff from April 1, but if the need arises” financial position in the first The aviation sector has been cotton yarn of 26 counts and free and the next objective is navirus, if you see our third- services, and oil & gas. the leadership team (level 4 two quarters of the new fiscal significantly impacted due to above,” he said. AGENCIES to enhance its ROCE (return quarter numbers, we have KBL gets half of its busi- and level-5) and I will continue year, he informed the employ- the travel restrictions imposed on capital employed), over 25 still shown that we are doing ness directly from consumers with our pay cuts at 15 per the e-mail, also said the airline ees. However, for staff, which in India and other countries TVS Motor reports sales per cent and ROE (return on better than last year, even under the business-to-con- cent and 25 per cent, respec- definitely was not out of the is eligible for variable perfor- in view of the coronavirus equity) about 20 per cent, though coronavirus.” sumer route, and the rest half tively,” Vistara CEO, Leslie woods yet with operating ca- mance for financial year 2020- pandemic. All airlines in In- of 3,22,683 units in March added. In 2019-20, KBL, a flag- from the institutional buyers Thng said in the communica- pacity and revenue still below 21, payments will be made in dia have taken cost-cutting New Delhi: Chennai- “The next objective is, of ship company of the USD from business-to-business tion, reviewed by PTI. pre-COVID level, adding that, May based on company and measures such as pay cuts, based TVS Motor Company course, enhancing the prof- 2.1-billion Kirloskar Group, (B2B) and business-to-gov- A Vistara spokesperson con- the road ahead will continue individual staff performance leave-without-pay and firings on Thursday reported to- itability and enhancing our had reported a revenue of Rs ernment (B2G) channels, firmed the developments to to be challenging, given the in this financial year, he of employees in order to con- tal sales of 3,22,683 units growth after we are estab- 2,097 crore. Alok added. AGENCIES PTI when contacted. Thng, in current state of the pandemic. added. AGENCIES serve cash. AGENCIES in March. The company had sold 1,44,739 units in March 2020, when sales were impacted by the lock- down due to COVID-19. Tech services eye $300-350b in revenues by 2025: Nasscom The total two-wheelers sales were at 3,07,437 units in New Delhi: India’’s tech- With the consumers’’ cent over the next five years, report said. As the competition intensi- March 2021. It was 1,33,988 nology services industry’’s ever-evolving needs, enter- reaching USD 300-350 bil- “The Indian Technology fies, scale and specialisation units in the same month growth can accelerate by 2-4 prises are keeping up with lion in annual revenues if it services sector can utilise the will be critical to succeed in last year, TVS Motor said per cent over the next five continuous innovation, can win in the cloud, AI, cy- potential of deep technologies the next decade of tech- in a statement. Domestic years, reaching USD 300-350 leading to a shifting global bersecurity, and other emerg- like cloud, AI, ML, IoT, etc, nology services, the report two-wheelers sales were at billion in annual revenues on marketplace and 10 per cent ing technologies. This will through effective transfor- said. 2,02,155 units last month. the back of a cloud, artificial annual growth in the IT ser- require closer collaboration mational practices, thereby Providers will need to re- It was at 94,103 units in intelligence AI, cybersecurity, vices sector, generating high among stakeholders across contributing to the overall fresh their service lines and March 2020. Motorcycle and other emerging technolo- returns for shareholders and the private sector, academia, economy in the coming de- offerings and stay relevant to sales stood at 1,57,294 units gies, a report by Nasscom said investors in the last decade, and the government,” it said. cade. The government needs cater to these more digitally in March. It was at 66,673 on Wednesday. it added. Fueling over 50 digital ini- to encourage and support adept enterprises, who expect units in March 2020. Scooter The report - whose re- Being valued at roughly tiatives across sectors like digital literacy and skilling higher-quality services and sales were at 1,04,513 units search and analysis was USD 1 trillion, the technol- banking and finance, health- to ensure its talent, energy, have very different buying last month. It was at 34,191 conducted by McKinsey & ogy services sector is now care, governance, etc, the imagination, knowledge, behaviour, it added. units in March 2020, the Company Knowledge Part- among the most significant technology services industry and unmatched commit- Talent will also be a key dif- company said. Three-wheeler ners - noted that technology- contributors to economic continues to be a prime driver ment unites to address the ferentiator, and the war for sales were at 15,246 units last driven companies are leading growth worldwide, especially of the nation’’s exports and “...India’’s technology of India’’s digital dream with customers’’ surging needs,” acquiring and retaining the month. It was at 10,751 units the path to a faster recovery in India — the industry now provides livelihoods to about services industry could ac- a contribution of 8 per cent Nasscom President Debjani next-gen talent will aggravate a year ago. AGENCIES globally. produces about 27 per cent 4.4 million people. celerate growth by 2-4 per to the overall economy, the Ghosh said. in the future. AGENCIES The Financial World — chandigarh 06 saturday • 03 april 2021 banking finance

also read | 7 convicted in HK for democracy protests * P8 | ICC retains ‘Umpire’s Call’ * P8 Bank credit to rise 10% this fiscal Zero-coupon bond not to Faster GDP expansion and policy interventions to boost credit growth, says ratings agency Crisil be used to recap PSU banks Mumbai: Banking system’s capital expenditure (capex) and the overall NPAs for banks to NEW DELHI: The gov- credit growth will almost dou- also impact on demand which 10.5-11 per cent, it said. ernment is unlikely to take ble to 10 per cent in 2021-22 curtailed the need for working The agency, however, said the zero-coupon bond route to on the economic recovery and capital. With the revival in the NPAs would have been higher further recapitalise public policy interventions, ratings economy, stimulus measures by one percentage point if not sector banks after the Reserve agency Crisil said on Thursday. by the government and the RBI for the policy interventions like Bank of India (RBI) expressed The quantum of gross non- and the Budget’s focus on infra- a moratorium, one-time debt some concerns in this regard, performing assets (NPAs) will structure, the same is expected restructuring and keeping the sources said. rise up to 10.5-11 per cent by the to see an uptick, it said. bankruptcy proceedings on The government, they said, end of 2021-22, which is about In 2020-21, the emergency hold. In the non-banks space, would resort back to recapitali- a percentage point lower than credit guarantee loans scheme the overall assets under manage- sation bonds bearing a coupon what was initially expected, the has been a key factor which ment (AUM) are estimated to rate for capital infusion in these agency said. drove the overall credit growth grow by a slower rate of 5 per banks. The GDP growth is expected for the banking system, it said. cent in 2021-22 and are yet to To save interest burden and to stand at 11 per cent for the Bank credit has shown a ‘V- touch the pre-pandemic levels, ease the fiscal pressure, the newly begun fiscal year, after a shaped’ recovery during the the agency said. government last year decided issued at a deep discount to financial years. 7.7 per cent contraction in the agency said. From a banks’ credit while corporate loans, which second half of the fiscal, the The biggest inhibiting factor to issue zero-coupon bonds the face value, it is difficult to During FY 2018-19, the pandemic-impacted 2020-21, it growth perspective, the agency de-grew during 2020-21, are rating agency added. for the non-banking financial for meeting the capital needs ascertain net present value, government paid `5,800.55 said. The second and third waves said the expansion will acceler- also likely to show a 5-6 per From an asset quality per- company (NBFC) industry will of the banks. they added. crore as interest on such bonds of COVID-19 infections are a ate by 4-5 percentage points to cent jump, it said. The agency spective, the corporate loans will be funding sources to take care The first test case of the As a result, sources said, issued to public sector banks risk to economic recovery but 9-10 per cent in 2021-22. said corporate loans, which show more resilience, and it will of the liabilities side, it said. new mechanism was a capi- it has been concluded to do for pumping in the capital it may not result in widespread The faster credit growth will account for nearly half of the be loans to the retail and micro, Schemes like targeted long-term tal infusion of `5,500 crore away with zero-coupon bond so that they could meet the lockdowns and a faster vacci- be led by retail loans, which are overall bank credit, were sub- small and medium enterprises repo operations have helped the into Punjab and Sind Bank for recapitalisation. regulatory norms under the nation drive will also help, the expected to grow in mid-teens, dued in 2020-21 because of low segment which will drive up sector, it added. AGENCIES by issuing zero-coupon bonds These special bonds are non- Basel-III guidelines. of six different maturities last interest bearing and issued at In the subsequent year, ac- year. These special securities par to a bank, they said adding cording to the official docu- with tenure of 10-15 years are that it would be an investment ment, the interest payment by NewsBrief Realty firm owner grilled over Yes Bank loan fraud non-interest bearing and val- that would not earn any return the government surged three Govt tells RBI to check ued at par. and rather depreciate with each times to `16,285.99 crore to New Delhi: The Enforce- worth over Rs 400 crore. The charge sheet names However, the RBI raised passing year. PSBs as they have been holding retail inflation at 4% ment Directorate (ED) has filed In a statement, the central chairman of Omkar Realtors some concerns with regard This innovative mechanism these papers. New Delhi: The govern- a charge sheet in connection probe agency said the pros- and Developers Kamal Kishore to calculation of an effective was adopted to ease the finan- For the current financial ment on Wednesday asked with its money laundering probe ecution complaint (charge Gupta, its managing director capital infusion made in any cial burden as the government year, interest payment for re- the Reserve Bank to maintain against Mumbai-based realty sheet) has been filed under Babulal Varma, actor-producer bank through this instrument has already spent `22,086.54 cap bonds have been reduced retail inflation at 4 per cent group Omkar Realtors and De- various sections of the Preven- Sachin Joshi (also the promoter issued at par, sources said. crore as interest payment to `19,292.77 crore from with a margin of 2 per cent velopers linked to alleged illegal tion of Money Laundering Act of Viiking Group) and their Since such bonds usually towards the recapitalisation `25,239.4 crore pegged in the on either side for another five- diversion of Yes Bank loan funds (PMLA) before a special court in Mumbai. companies. AGENCIES are non-interest bearing but bonds for PSBs in the last two Budget estimate. AGENCIES year period ending March 2026. To control the price rise, the government in 2016 gave a mandate to the RBI to ICICI Pru Life confident HDFC Bank admits keep the retail inflation at 4 UBI launches ‘uni-carbon card’ per cent with a margin of 2 Dominick Rodrigues per cent on either side for a Mumbai to double biz premiums net banking glitches five-year period ending March MUMBAI: Despite hit by the 31, 2021. “The inflation target Union Bank of India launched its coronavirus pandemic, ICICI for the period April 1, 2021 to “UNI – CARBON CARD” -- an Prudential Life is confident of March 31, 2026 under the Re- HPCL co-branded credit card meeting the 2022-23 target serve Bank of India Act 1934 -- on the Rupay platform of NPCI of doubling the value of new has been kept at the same recently. This co-branded credit business premium over the level as was for previous 5 card is Union Bank of India’s 2018-19 numbers, and has years,” Economic Affairs Sec- maiden joint venture. set an annual growth rate retary Tarun Bajaj said. As a Describing it as an opportunity of around 30 per cent for result of inflation targetting to create value for customers, the same. premium over the same in mandate, the RBI has been RajkiranRai G, MD&CEO, Union customers and provide them solu- Cashback/Rewards in addition to To attain the objective set in 2018-19. “For this, we have able to keep consumer price Bank of India, said “It is a unique tions catering to their needs. The waiver of fuel surcharge, besides April 2019, the second-largest also set a target of growing the bank over the past two index averaging 3.9 per cent card designed with association Union Bank HPCL Co-branded many freebies and offers brought private sector life insurer will around 30 per cent annually The bank has been years, including the recent during October 2016-March one of the largest Public Sector credit card takes us another step out by NPCI such as Entertain- continue to increase its focus over the next two years.” penalised for two outages in the bank’s in- 2020. The six-member MPC, Bank, Union Bank of India and closer to making India a less-cash ment, Lifestyle, Travel, Shopping, on protection and savings Its VNB for the nine months major outages, one ternet banking and pay- which had its first meeting in HPCL -- a leader is fuel retail economy, realizing ‘Digital India’ Food delivery, etc., products. of 2020-21 stood at Rs 1,030 in November 2018 ment system on November October 2016, was given the and Rupay – India’s largest card vision of our Honorable Prime Dinesh Kumar Garg, Executive ICICI Prudential Life Chief crore with a margin of 25.7 per 21, 2020, due to a power mandate to maintain annual payment network. Minister,” he added. While the Director, Union Bank of India Financial Officer Satyan Jam- cent, of which Rs 428 crore and the other in failure in the primary data inflation at 4 per cent until “Union Bank of India is com- Union Bank of India has total said “The present co-branded bunathan told PTI in a recent came in the third quarter. The December 2019 centre,” HDFC Bank had March 31, 2021 with an up- mitted to customer centric prod- network of 9590+ branches and card is first of its kind with HPCL, interaction that the company company’s main focus will be said in a regulatory filing. per tolerance of 6 per cent ucts and processes that enhance 13280+ ATMs across India, use a major player in fuel retail and is well on track to meet the on protection products to meet New Delhi: The country’s The bank has been and a lower tolerance of 2 ease of living. As a Bank, it is our of this card at HPCL retail outlets the cardholder certainly be ben- 2022-23 target of doubling the the target of doubling of VNB largest private sector lender penalised for two major per cent. Not only did the desire to understand needs of our ensures the cardholder getting efited.” value of new business (VNB) by 2022-23. AGENCIES HDFC Bank on Tuesday outages, one in November headline CPI inflation aver- said it is taking steps to 2018 and the other in De- aged closer to the target at 3.9 resolve glitches in its digi- cember 2019. per cent during this period, there are a lot of areas which we tal banking platform and Taking a stern view of the inflation volatility, measured Payworld eyes 60% rise in gross transactions have seen are yet to be covered, restore services on priority. repeated outages, RBI Gov- by its standard deviation, also like the states of Odisha, Assam, “Some customers are ernor Shaktikanta Das had declined to 1.4 during October New Delhi: Fintech firm of Rs 7,500 crore by providing touch Rs 11,000-12,000 crore,” as people do need these services facing intermittent issues said in December the regu- 2016-March 2020 from 2.4 Payworld expects the gross payment interface to sell train Payworld CEO Praveen Dhab- and the competition is less,” accessing our NetBank- lator had some concerns in 2012-16, as per the BofA transaction value carried out tickets, Aadhaar enabled pay- hai told PTI. Payworld is look- Dhabhai added. ing/MobileBanking App. about certain deficiencies Securities report quoting the from its platform to increase by ment services, mutual funds, ing to double its distributors as He said that COVID-19 has We are looking into it on and it was necessary that RBI data. AGENCIES over 60 per cent to around Rs insurance, among others. well as headcount on the field fast tracked the retailers’’ board- priority for resolution. We HDFC Bank strengthens its 12,000 crore in the upcoming “Payworld’’s retail points have to widen its payment network. ing process on the platform apologize for the inconve- IT system before expanding SBI digital services hit financial year. become more than 5 lakh, we “We have right now around through webinars and video nience and request you to further. The company expects to close conduct almost 2 lakh transac- 3,500 distributors. So we want calls compared to the earlier try again after sometime. “... we cannot have thou- Mumbai: The country’s the current financial year with tions every day. Payworld GTV this current run rate, next fi- to double our workforce from mode of physically reaching Thank you,” HDFC Bank sands and lakhs of custom- largest lender State Bank of gross transaction value (GTV) is about Rs 7,500 crore. With nancial year Payworld plans to the sales point of view because out to them. AGENCIES said in a tweet. ers who are using digital India’s customers had to face This is not for the first banking to be in any kind issues on Thursday due to time that the customers of of difficulty for hours to- the unavailability of various Its smart office is a com- the bank have faced service gether and especially when digital services on account plete green initiative which outage. In fact, the bank has we are ourselves giving so of upgradation of the bank’s Indian Bank seeks to boost efficiency will assist in cost saving on been penalised by the Re- much emphasis on digital digital banking platforms. Mumbai: State-owned Indi- poised for better growth,” its printing and stationery, im- serve bank of India (RBI) banking. Public confidence The bank informed its cus- an Bank on Thursday launched Managing Director and CEO proved turnaround time (TAT) for two major outages in in digital banking has to be tomers on Thursday morn- a slew of initiatives including Padmaja Chunduru. and increased productivity of the past. maintained,” Das had said. ing that it is upgrading its new HR vision, chabot and She said the bank’’s primary employees, among others. In December, the RBI HDFC Bank, the larg- digital banking platforms, smart offices to strengthen focus is on customer service The bank, as an amalgam- temporarily barred HDFC est lender by assets in the including Yono, Yono lite, its efficiency. and satisfaction. ated entity, reported a stand- Bank from launching new private sector, has been internet banking, Unified These announcements were The lender’’s Executive Di- alone net profit of Rs 514 digital banking initiatives classified as a systemically Payments Interface (UPI). made on the completion of rector V V Shenoy said the crore for the December 2020 and issuing new credit important entity by the RBI “We will be undertaking one year of amalgamation of new HR vision aims to foster quarter, against a net loss of cards after taking a seri- in the past. It is also the maintenance activities be- erstwhile Allahabad Bank with excellence through a journey Rs 1,739 crore in the year-ago ous view of service outages largest issuer of credit cards tween 2:10 PM to 5:40 PM Indian Bank. In February this of growth, individual develop- period. at the lender over the last and has a significant share on April 1, 2021. During the year, the lender achieved IT ment, and robust employee Its gross non-performing two years. in the payment processing period, INB/YONO/YONO integration of all the branches experience. asset (NPA) improved to 9.04 “RBI has issued an order segment. The bank is the Lite/UPI will be unavail- of erstwhile Allahabad Bank He said the bank has already per cent of gross advances in dated December 2, 2020, largest issuer of credit cards able. We regret the incon- with itself. identified high-level initiatives to focus on leadership develop- employees,” he said. the October-December 2020 to HDFC Bank Ltd with and had 1.49 crore custom- venience caused and request “The foundation (of the to be implemented over the ment and implementation of The lender has initiated a quarter, from 12.69 per cent a regard to certain incidents ers as of September 2020 you to bear with us,” the bank bank) has been strongly next two-three years on the HR initiatives, policies and leadership development plan year ago. Net NPA came down of outages in the internet while on the debit cards said on Twitter. SBI has the laid while going through the HR front. processes to enable the delivery to build a leadership pipeline to 2.35 per cent, from 4.22 per banking/ mobile bank- front, it had 3.38 crore cus- largest network with over change process. The bank is “Going forward, the plan is of a commitment towards our for the future, Shenoy added. cent. AGENCIES ing/ payment utilities of tomers. AGENCIES 22,000 branches and more than 57,889 ATMs across the country. As of December 31, 2020, it had 85 million in- Jaipur: Rajasthan on Thurs- medical relief to all residents Expressing concern on the ternet banking and 19 mil- day began the registration for of Rajasthan,” he said. second wave of coronavirus lion mobile banking users. Rajasthan govt an insurance scheme under “Development works, wa- cases, Gehlot said the state gov- The bank’s number of UPI which each family in the state ter, electricity, education, ir- ernment has imposed certain users stood at 135 million can claim up to Rs 5 lakh every rigation, social welfare and restrictions, which would be at December-end. At pres- launches health year for medical expenses. other sectors are also on the made stricter if the situation ent, the bank has 35 million The state began the regis- government’’s priority list, but worsens. However, he ruled registered users of Yono, the tration for Chiranjeevi Health health is the topmost priority out the possibility of clamping digital lending platform. It insurance Insurance Scheme, announced area for us,” Gehlot said. a lockdown, saying it causes can be noted that on March by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot He said the state govern- losses and is not a solution. 29, customers of the coun- in the state budget 2021-22. ment had launched the “Nirogi The chief minister said if try’s largest private sector scheme for all “Rajasthan has become the Rajasthan” campaign and the required, the state govern- lender HDFC Bank faced first state in the country, where preparations for it, which start- ment would impose stricter problems in accessing its each family will get health in- ed in December 2019, proved restrictions without clamping services due to glitches in Rajasthan has become the first state in surance of Rs 5 lakh each year. to be crucial in March 2020 a lockdown. its digital banking platform. People can get registered and at the time of the coronavirus Health Minister Raghu “Some customers are fac- the country, where each family will get be assured of cashless treat- outbreak. ing capacity is 70,000 now,” ing the possibility of tie-ups Sharma, Parliamentary Af- ing intermittent issues ac- health insurance of Rs 5 lakh each year. ment,” Gehlot claimed in a “The corona management of the chief minister said. He said with foreign universities for fairs Minister Shanti Dhari- cessing our NetBanking / tweet. the government was excellent, Rajasthan’’s “Bhilwara model” nursing-training courses. He wal, Transport Minister Pratap MobileBanking App. We are People can get registered and be assured He said the registrations due to which the recovery rate was praised worldwide and the said the numbers of medical Singh and senior officials at- looking into it on priority for the government’’s cashless was the highest and the mortal- “No Mask, No Entry” slogan colleges, seats in the MBBS and tended the programme dur- for resolution. We apologize of cashless treatment treatment for all have begun ity rate was the lowest in the was followed in the UK also. MD courses have increased in ing which the foundations of for the inconvenience and in the state from today. “It is state. We have strengthened Highlighting the medical the state and the government is various projects were laid and request you to try again after one of our biggest health care our medical infrastructure facilities in the state, Gehlot developing model community a few other projects were inau- sometime. AGENCIES schemes aimed at providing and the per-day corona test- said his government is explor- health centres (CHCs). gurated. AGENCIES The Financial World — chandigarh economy saturday • 03 april 2021 07 policy

Gig economy may support 90m jobs, Growth forecast raised to 10.1% 28th Hunar Haat opens in Goa add 1.25% to GDP India’s real GDP growth to range between 7.5% and 12.5%, World Bank predicts Dominick Rodrigues New Delhi: The World years there was no growth in Panjim bank has raised India’s growth India and there might well have forecast to 10.1 per cent from been over two years, a decline The 28th edition of “HUnar the earlier 5.4 per cent for FY in per capita income. Haat’ -- displaying products 2021-22. It further estimated “That’s such a difference with by indigenous artisans and the country’s GDP growth to what India was accustomed to. craftsmen – was inaugu- range between 7.5 per cent and And it means that there are still rated by the Goa Chief Min- 12.5 per cent. many parts of the economy that ister Dr Pramod Sawant Mumbai: The gig economy The Washington-based have not recovered or have not at the Kala Academy in can serve up to 90 million jobs global lender, in its latest South fared as well as they would have Panjim on March 27. in the non-farm sectors in Asia Economic Focus report without a pandemic. There is Former Goa Chief Min- India with a potential to add released ahead of the annual a huge concern about the fi- ister and Lok Sabha MP 1.25 per cent to the GDP over Spring meeting of the World nancial markets,’ Timmer said. Shri Francisco Sardinha; the “long term’, a report said Bank and the International “As economic activity nor- Union Minister for Minor- the country’s art and culture and craft of different states on Tuesday. The gig economy, Monetary Fund (IMF), said malises, domestically and in ity Affairs Mukhtar Abbas showcased under one roof. of the country and would where workers get hired typi- that the economy was already key export markets, the current Naqvi, Union Minister of Union Minister for Mi- provide benefits to artisans cally for short durations, can slowing when the COVID-19 account is expected to return State (I/C) Shripad Nayak; nority Affairs Mukhtar Ab- and craftsmen of Goa. lead to transactions of over pandemic unfolded. to mild deficits (around 1 per Rajya Sabha MP Shri Vinay bas Naqvi, said that “Hu- The 28th “Hunar Haat’ USD 250 billion over the long After reaching 8.3 per cent cent in FY22 and FY23) and Dinu Tendulkar; Goa Dy nar Haat’, which is held at has been organized under term, the report by the con- in FY17, growth decelerated to capital inflows are projected Chief Minister Shri Chan- different venues in India, the theme “Vocal for Local’ sultancy firm BCG said. The 4.0 per cent in FY20, it said. Highlights by continued accommodative drakant Kavlekar were also has witnessed participation from March 26 to April 4 firm said gig economy is not The slowdown was caused by  india is bouncing back, has opened up many of the monetary policy and abundant present on the occasion. and employment for over with over 500 artisans and a new concept but has seen a decline in private consump- international liquidity condi- Noting that “Hunar Haat’ 5.5 lakh artisans, craftsmen craftsmen from around 30 greater adoption following tion growth and shocks to the activities, started vaccination and is leading in the tions,’ the report said. strengthened “Sabka Sath, and others, besides on virtual states/UTs participating. the advent of technology. financial sector (the collapse of production of vaccination, says officials. Noting that the COVID-19 Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vish- and online platforms http:// These artisans are show- A few years ago, when a large non-bank finance in- shock will lead to a long-lasting was’ with the message “Jaan hunarhaat.org and on GeM casing products like Kalam- concerns were being raised stitution), which compounded  as economic activity normalises, domestically and in inflexion in India’s fiscal trajec- Bhi, Jahaan Bhi’, Sawant Portal for buyers. kari, Bidriware, Udaigiri about a ‘’jobless’’ growth, the pre-existing weaknesses in key export markets, the current account is expected to tory, the report said that the said Hunar Haat’ has been Union Minister of State Wooden Cutlery, products government had pointed to investment, it said. return to mild deficits and capital inflows are projected general government deficit is providing financial benefits (I/C) Shripad Naik said made from cane-bamboo- the growth in gig economy Given the significant un- by continued accommodative monetary policy and expected to remain above 10 to needy artisans and crafts- “Hunar Haat’ emphasized jute, Madhubani painting, jobs. In the short-to-medium certainty pertaining to both per cent of GDP until FY22. As men by not only promoting “Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Moonga Silk, Tussar Silk, term, nearly 24 million jobs epidemiological and policy abundant international liquidity conditions, they say. a result, public debt is projected artisans and craftsmen, but “Vocal for Local’ while being Leather products, marble in skilled, semi-skilled and developments, the real GDP to peak at almost 90 per cent of also promoting the tourism an an effective platform for products, sandalwood prod- shared services roles could growth for FY21/22 can range GDP in FY21 before declining sector of Goa. providing large-scale em- ucts, embroidery, Chanderi be delivered via gig economy, from 7.5 to 12.5 per cent, de- tivity of 30 to 40 per cent, no incredibly challenging, both on gradually thereafter. Describing “Hunar Haat’ ployment opportunities to saree, Black Pottery, Kun- including nearly 3 million pending on how the ongoing clarity about vaccines, huge the pandemic side with the flare As growth resumes and as a platform strengthen- artisans and craftsmen of dan jewellery, glass prod- shared services roles and vaccination campaign pro- uncertainty about the disease. up that is being experienced the labour market prospects ing India’s cultural unity the country. ucts, wooden-clay toys, brass around 8.5 million roles ceeds, whether new restric- And then if you compare it now. It is an enormous chal- improve, poverty reduction is and diversity¸he appealed Rajya Sabha MP Vinay products, Handloom etc. meeting household demand, tions to mobility are required, now, India is bouncing back, lenge to vaccinate everybody expected to return to its pre- to people of Goa and tour- Dinu Tendulkar lauded Besides various musi- it said. and how quickly the world has opened up many of the in India, the official said. pandemic trajectory. ists visiting the state to visit Union Minister for Minor- cal cultural programmes, A majority 70 million ‘’giga- economy recovers, the World activities, started vaccination “Most of the people underes- The poverty rate (at the USD “Hunar Haat’ to encourage ity Affairs Mukhtar Abbas traditional foods from vari- ble jobs’’ are in the construc- Bank said. and is leading in the production timate the challenge,’ he said. 1.90 line) is projected to return the artisans and craftsmen. Naqvi for organising “Hu- ous states such as Mughlai, tion, manufacturing, trans- It is amazing how far India of vaccination, Hans Timmer, On the economic side, Tim- to pre-pandemic levels in FY22, Former Goa Chief Minis- nar Haat’ and encouraging South Indian, Goa, Malayali, portation and logistics, and has come compared to a year World Bank Chief Economist mer said that even with the re- falling within 6 and 9 per cent, ter and Lok Sabha MP Fran- artisans and craftsmen. Punjabi, Bengali food etc are personal services sectors, it ago. If you think a year ago, for the South Asia Region, told bound and there is uncertainty and fall further to between 4 cisco Sardinha said that “Hu- Goa Deputy Chief Minister being displayed at “Bawar- said adding that these will how deep the recession was PTI in an interview. here about the numbers, but it and 7 per cent by FY24, the nar Haat’ highlighted India’s Chandrakant Kavlekar said chikhana’ in the “Hunar be primarily driven by small unprecedented declines in ac- However, the situation is still basically means that over two World Bank said. AGENCIES “Unity in Diversity’ through “Hunar Haat’ displayed art Haat’. business and household de- mand. The consultancy said its estimates are based on a de- Investors’ wealth rises massively Monaco Organises Virtual Economic Mission To India tailed mapping of job-types New Delhi: Investors’ Rs 2,04,30,814.54 crore in Dominick Rodrigues the Principality of Monaco in across industry sectors to wealth grew massively by Rs 2020-21. Mumbai New Delhi. identify opportunity areas 90,82,057.95 crore in 2020-21 On March 3 this year, Besides bilateral presenta- and barriers to unlock- driven by an extraordinary ral- the market capitalisation of The Principality of Monaco tions on both countries’ econo- ing demand for gig-based ly in the equity market, where BSE-listed companies had successfully organized a “Vir- mies, besides sector-specific services. the benchmark Sensex jumped reached its lifetime high of tual’ Trade Mission to Delhi focus on finance, innovation, The potential of the gig 68 per cent. Rs 2,10,22,227.15 crore. “The recently as part of its long renewable energy, trade and economy was determined In an unprecedented ral- bull-run got further strength history of friendship and co- raw materials, presented by using interviews with cor- ly, the 30-share BSE Sensex with the progressive unlock- operation with India, which Indian experts to Monaco porations, including large jumped 20,040.66 points or ing and sharp rebound in the moved up a gear in 2019 after companies, the event wit- corporations and medium, 68 per cent this fiscal year, economy. Discovery of vaccines an Official Visit by HSH the nessed the MEB interacting small and micro enterprises braving many uncertainties comeback towards the latter and optimism it generated gave Sovereign Prince Albert II to directly with Indian profes- (MSMEs), a survey of over due to COVID-19-led disrup- part of the fiscal year, inves- further strength to the bulls. India. economy and signed two coop- The E-Mission was organ- sionals working at: Crédit Ag- 600 urban households, and tions. tors were rewarded with high Globally, markets witnessed a The Monaco Economic eration agreements with coun- ised under the aegis of the ricole Corporate & Investment inputs from industry experts. Market analysts termed returns. huge rally in November. Emerg- Board (MEB), as the govern- terparts in the Indo-French Monaco Embassy in India, in Bank, Link Innovation, Total Over the long term, 2020-21 a roller coaster ride Thanks to the improved ing markets continued to be ment’s operational arm for Chamber of Commerce and partnership with the Indian India and TATA Steel Mining, there will be around 35 for not only Indian markets investor sentiment, the mar- flooded with FPI money,’ V K business policy, held the “vir- Industry (IFCCI) and the Fed- Embassy in France and Mo- and targeted pre-arranged million skilled and semi- but also for equity indices ket capitalisation of BSE- Vijayakumar, Chief Investment tual’ Trade Mission compris- eration of Indian Chambers naco, the Indo-French Cham- individual B2B meetings on- skilled jobs across sectors, globally due to the pandemic. listed companies zoomed Rs Strategist at Geojit Financial ing a 30-strong delegation of of Commerce and Industry ber of Commerce & Industry, line between Monegasque and it added. AGENCIES But with markets making a 90,82,057.95 crore to reach Services, said. AGENCIES key players in the Monegasque (FICCI). and the Promotion Bureau of Indian companies. India biggest recipient of FPI inflows at `2.6L cr Economic output may stay below 2019 level Dr Reddy’s, New Delhi: India has as per data available with the New Delhi: India’s eco- quarter with estimated year- Cipla invest in emerged as the biggest re- depositories. nomic output in 2021 is ex- on-year growth still close to cipient of foreign portfolio Together, the total net FPI pected to remain below the zero. “Despite a robust reduc- investments this fiscal with inflow this fiscal is Rs 2.6 lakh 2019 level despite roll-out of tion in new COVID-19 cases ABCD Tech net inflows worth Rs 2.6 lakh crore as on March 30, 2021. the vaccine to deal with the and the start of vaccine roll- crore, driven by ample liquidity Between March menace of the coronavirus out, India’s 2021 economic in global markets and hopes 2020-March 2021, foreign pandemic, said a report by the output is expected to remain of faster economic recovery, portfolio investors have been United Nations Economic and below the 2019 level,’ it added. according to experts. net buyers in all months ex- Social Commission for Asia Meanwhile, maintaining The current financial year, cept March, April, May and and the Pacific (UNESCAP) low borrowing costs while which witnessed significant September 2020. released on Tuesday. keeping non-performing loans disruptions due to the coro- “The massive fiscal stimulus India, according to the investment, the report said, in check would be a challenge, navirus pandemic, is ending by governments and monetary ‘Economic and Social Survey “Following one of the most it added. on Wednesday. stimulus by central banks of Asia and the Pacific 2021: stringent lockdowns in the In its second advance esti- Investments in the equities has led to inflows into select Towards post-COVID-19 re- world, the economic disrup- mates of national accounts, segment touched Rs 2,74,503 2012-13. visibility, and therefore might emerging markets. India has silient economies’, is estimated tions that the country experi- the National Statistical Office crore, which is the highest V K Vijay Kumar, Chief In- attract increasing FPI inflows been the biggest recipient of to record an economic growth enced mounted in the second (NSO) has projected an 8 per quantum of money recorded vestment Strategist at Geojit in FY22. FPI flows in FY21 amongst of 7 per cent in 2021-22, over quarter of 2020.’ cent contraction in 2020-21, New Delhi: Drug majors ever since the National Secu- Financial Services, said finan- In 2020-21, foreign port- emerging markets because a contraction of 7.7 per cent It added that a subsequent showing the pandemic impact. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and rities Depository Ltd began cial sector, mortgage lenders, folio investors have put in a of the stronger recovery in witnessed in the previous fiscal change in lockdown policies The report futher said China’s Cipla on Wednesday said they making FPI data publicly fintech companies and private net sum of Rs 2.74 lakh crore the economy and surprise on account of the pandemic’s and success in reducing infec- swift and effective response to have entered into a partner- available. insurance players, attracted into equities and pulled out in earnings growth,’ Rusmik impact on normal business tion rates supported an im- COVID-19 enabled it to be- ship agreement with ABCD Previously, the highest in- significant FPI inflows. a total amount of Rs 24,070 Oza, Executive Vice President activity. pressive economic turnaround come the only major economy Technologies LLP which is flow of Rs 1.4 lakh crore into Going forward, he said that crore from the debt segment and Head of Fundamental Observing that India en- in the third quarter. worldwide to achieve a positive to be renamed as IndoHealth the equities space was wit- IT, financials, cement and while hybrid instruments saw Research at Kotak Securities, tered the pandemic with “However, the pace of recov- annual economic growth rate Services LLP. nessed in the financial year pharma have high earnings an inflow of Rs 10,238 crore, said. AGENCIES subdued GDP growth and ery moderated in the fourth in 2020. AGENCIES The two firms are contrib- uting up to Rs 40 crore each corresponding to the contri- bution by the other partners in the target entity which is Muthoottu Mini Financiers to raise Rs 250 crore via NCDs a newly incorporated limited liability partnership (LLP) Dominick Rodrigues Include: Net proceeds of the ing that MMFL is planning to sponse from people due to the As on 30th September and has not commenced any Kochi Issue will be utilized for the open new branches in Delhi, awareness about us. Investors 2020, MMFL had 3,69,019 business activities, they said purpose of onward lending, Mumbai while moving up fur- are drawn to such NCDs be- gold loan accounts -- predomi- in regulatory filings. Muthoottu Mini Financ- financing, and for repayment/ ther in North India. “Private cause of the company’s good nately from rural and semi The proposed business of ers Ltd.(“Muthoottu Mini’/ prepayment of principal and equity is on the table and we track record, high liquidity urban areas -- aggregating to the target entity will be car- ‘MMFL’), announced here to- interest on borrowings of the hope to go public by 2025- and external rating by India Rs 1825.55 crores, which ac- ried out with an objective to day the opening of its public is- Company (Atleast 75%) - and 26. But gold loans remain our Rating as IND BBB/Stable,’ he counted for 97.27% of its total facilitate the digitisation of sue of Secured and Unsecured the rest (up to 25%) for general strength as primary portfolio said, adding that the company loans and advances. Its net the healthcare infrastructure Debentures (“NCDs’) of the corporate purpose. and we were ranked among top maintained 804 branches with Non-Performing Assets for six- in India towards enhance- face value of Rs. 1,000 each. Addressing media virtual- NFDCs nationally,’ he noted 3200 employees in 10 states month period ended Septem- ment of good distribution The 14th NCD Issue opens on ly, Matthew Muthootu, MD, Describing this issue as the and one Union Territory. ber 30, 2020 stood at 0.59%, practices in support of the March 30, 2021 and closes on MMFL, said the company is 5th issue this year, P Mathai, Reacting to questions about lower from the March, 2020 National Digital Health Mis- April 23, 2021, with an option a pioneer in gold loans busi- CEO, MMFL, said the com- fluctuating gold prices, Mathai reported net Non-Performing sion of the government, they of early closure or extension. ness and was established as a pany’s increasing rating in said the company had foreseen Assets of 1.34%. added. The 14th NCD Issue ag- +One Stop Financial Services moving forward highlighted gold prices dropping and had The Secured and Unsecured While Cipla said the na- gregates to Rs125 crore, with Provider+ for the common investor confidence. “One lakh therefore reduced the tenure of NCDs offered through Pro- ture of consideration is cash an option to retain over-sub- man. “About 24,000 tonnes of new pledges are taking place its gold products to 180 days spectus dated March 25, 2021 infusion as capital contribu- scription upto Rs. 125 crore, gold is lying with family house- ness (93.37%), microfinance to lots (40%-50%) of recur- every month. There is growth and later to 90 days. are proposed to be listed on tion towards partnership, Dr aggregating upto a total of Rs. holds and needs to be tapped (4.54%) and other businesses ring customers,’ he replied to in gold loan business in rural Ann Mary George, CFO, the BSE. Reddy’s said the nature of 250 crore. The Issue offers for liquidity in requirements, (2.09%), Muthootu said the a question. and semi-urban markets for MMFL, said the company’s The Lead Manager to the consideration is cash infu- various options for subscrip- including strategizing our in- present business figures were Due to movement restric- tapping potential large market 2018 PAT stood at Rs 1,424 Issue is Vivro Financial Ser- sion as capital contribution tion of NCDs with coupon vestments in specific areas to Rs 2,000 crores with increase tions for customers during gold loans,’ he said. lakhs, Gross NPA ((2.00 vices Private Limited. Vistra and/or loan. Contribution of rates ranging from 9.00% - cater to middle and lower class targeted at Rs 3,500 crores the pandemic, MMFL had To a question as to why the percent of Assets), Financial ITCL (India) Limited is the up to Rs 40 crore is for up to 10.25% p.a. populations,’ he said. including Rs four crore per made tie-ups with banks for company was visiting the debt Assets (1,75, 430.71 lakhs), Debenture Trustee and Link 20 per cent share of profit/ The terms of each options Highlighting MMFL’s branch.’There are no problems customers to access online/ markets so frequently, Mathai and Capital Adequacy Ratio Intime India Private Limited loss in the target entity, the of NCDs offered under Issue business as gold loan busi- in servicing existing debt due gold loans etc, he said, add- said “We are getting good re- at 29.65 (20200. is the Registrar to the Issue. firms said. AGENCIES The Financial World—chandigarh 08 saturday • 03 april 2021 potpourri

Sunny Amruta Khanvilkar: Deol’s Actors must son to make focus on work, not Bollywood platform debut of release ctress Amruta Dharmendra requests fans to ‘shower Khanvilkar is love’ on his grandson Rajveer gearing up for the release of her “The more AMarathi film “Well Done Baby” on OTT. She says her time we spent Rajveer talking about the project, the job is to act well and not be talking about the has stud- more I began to see Rajveer concerned about which plat- on whether it is a feature film think when I choose a char- ied the- as the protagonist in my film,” form her project releases. or an OTT project. For me, acter, I look at it as a chal- project, the more I atre in Avnish said in a statement here. “I feel any kind of work the script, the director, the lenge and if it is something he Deol clan is noth- of Rajveer Deol and Avnish actor.Ra- the UK The makers are yet to finalise that gets a bigger audience is story and the entire ensemble that I have done before, I try ing but excited to Barjatya in a coming-of-age jshri Pro- began to see Rajveer and has the female lead. a win-win situation. I think is important and not where to make it better,” she says. have the youngest love story. A beautiful journey ductions worked as The yet-to-be-titled film is I am getting the best of both it’s going to be showcased.” Talking about “Well Done Deol entering the awaits ahead.” proudly as the protagonist an assistant expected to go on floors in July worlds. Before lockdown, two The actress has worked in Baby”, which also stars ac- Bollywood industry. Announcing his grandson’s announces in my film” director. He this year and is slated for a re- of my very big films were re- digital space earlier, in the tor Pushkar Jog, Amruta TSunny Deol’s youngest son—Ra- debut, Dharmendra took to the collabora- has been train- lease in 2022. leased. One was ‘Malang’ in series “Damaged”. Reflecting says: “My character is a very jveer Deol—is all set to make his the microblogging website, and tion of Rajveer ing under the guid- The movie not only marks Hindi and ‘Choricha Mamla’ on why digital platforms can strong, stubborn, career ori- acting debut. said: “Introducing my grandson Deol and Avnish ance of theatre and film Rajveer’s debut but also marks in Marathi, and both did re- have an edge over feature ented girl, who is working The film, a coming-of-age #RajveerDeol to the world of Barjatya in a coming -of-age director Feroz Abbas Khan, director Sooraj R. Barjatya’s ally well. I think for actors films, Amruta feels it has to through a failed marriage love story, will also mark the cinema along with #Avnishbar- love story.A beautiful journey known for directing plays like son Avnish S. Barjatya’s debut it is important to do our job do with the availability of and in the process of that, debut of Avnish S Barjatya, jatya directorial debut. I hum- awaits ahead.” “Mughal-e-Azam” and “Tum- as a director. He also penned and not think about which stronger content. she gets pregnant. How she Suraj Barjatya’s son, as a writer bly request you all to shower Rajveer’s uncle Bobby Deol hari Amrita”. the script. The movie marks platform (the work) is go- “I feel very confident while has to tackle her dreams and and director. It will be Rajshri the same love and affection on also extended his support. “On Avnish said he decided to the banner’s 59th production. ing to be released. When you doing my work and choosing aspirations along with her production’s 59th film. both the kids as you have on the way to realise his dream cast Rajveer as the newcomer is Rajveer’s older brother Karan work with dedication, every- my character. It is irrespec- baby along with the baby The official Instagram page me. Good luck and Godbless ...Rajshri Productions proudly hard-working and has a charis- Deol made his acting debut with one sees it. Across platforms, tive of it being a project on starts taking a toll on her. A of Rajshri Productions also an- #Rajshrifilms #barjatyas #Deols announces the collaboration of ma about him. “Rajveer speaks Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, in 2019, what I can do is see what I OTT or feature films It’s just very common thing between nounced Rajveer Deol’s associa- #RajveerDeol.” Rajveer Deol & Avnish Barjatya with his eyes. He has a silent with Sunny helming the movie. bring to the table,” she told that OTT gives you an edge me and my character is that tion with the project and wrote: Sunny also shared the an- in a coming-of-age love story. A charisma and is tremendously He will soon appear in Apne 2 IANS. over choosing bolder and she is very connected to her “Rajshri Productions proudly nouncement and wrote, “My son beautiful journey awaits ahead,” hard-working,” he said. co-starring Sunny, Bobby and She added: “For me, choos- more content driven films mom. I had a blast perform- announces the collaboration Rajveer starts his journey as an he tweeted. “The more time we spent Dharmendra. AGENCIES ing scripts does not depend other than feature films. I ing this character.”

said. “The arrested terrorists were Antetokounmpo brothers Six held plotting planning to target the law en- 7 convicted in HK for democracy protests forcement agency and army tences are handed down. Tak- personnel,” the CTD said. ing part in an unlawful assem- enter record books attacks on army Explosives, detonators, cell bly or a riot in Hong Kong can LOS ANGELES: Giannis phones and other articles to result in a maximum sentence Antetokounmpo made it a be used for militancy were of up to 10 years imprisonment family affair on Wednesday recovered from them, it added. for serious offenses. night scoring 25 points and During interrogation, the Ahead of the trial, sup- joining his two brothers on terrorists disclosed that they porters and some of the de- the court as Milwaukee Bucks had been radicalised and mo- fendants gathered outside beat Los Angeles Lakers 112- tivated by ideology of the Teh- the court, shouting “Oppose 97 at Staples Center arena. rik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), political persecution” and Giannis joined forces with but now they were working “Five demands, not one less,” Bucks teammate Thanasis An- for the masterminds based in in reference to demands by tetokounmpo against the Lak- Afghanistan. democracy supporters that ers’ Kostas Antetokounmpo “The terrorists were get- HONG KONG: Seven Hong They were convicted for their include amnesty for those ar- to become just the second ting funds from Afghanistan Kong pro-democracy advocates involvement in a protest held on rested in the protests as well brother trio in NBA history for terror activities. They had were convicted on Thursday Aug. 18, 2019. Organizers said as universal suffrage in the to play in the same game. planned to attack the army on charges of organizing and that 1.7 million people marched semi-autonomous territory. Jrue Holiday scored a the great thing we did was personnel in Rawalpindi and participating in an unlawful that day in opposition to a pro- “So on this day, in a very dif- game-high 28 points for the keep our poise,” Mavs coach Islamabad,” it said. assembly during massive anti- posed bill that would have al- ficult situation in Hong Kong, Bucks who snapped a three- Rick Carlisle said. “We were LAHORE: Pakistan’s secu- nabbed in Lahore - the two In a separate raid, the CTD government protests in 2019 lowed suspects to be extradited political retaliation is on us,” game losing skid. able to get fouled, make free rity agencies have arrested main cities of Punjab province. arrested two TTP terrorists in that triggered a crackdown on to mainland China for trial. Lee Cheuk-yan, one of the The Bucks also spoiled throws and get a key basket six terrorists belonging to During an intelligence- Lahore on Wednesday. dissent. The activists, apart from defendants, said ahead of the the Lakers debut of Andre when we needed.” Afghanistan-based Tehrik- based operation in Rawalpindi The terrorists - identified The seven include media ty- those who have been remanded court session. Drummond as the American Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving i-Taliban terror group who on Wednesday, law enforce- as Abdul Karim and Abdul coon and founder of the Apple in custody on other charges, “We will still march on no centre finished with just four scored 31 points and finished were plotting attacks against ment agencies arrested four Basit - were planning attack Daily tabloid Jimmy Lai, as were granted bail on condition matter what lies in the future. points. In Boston, Luka Don- with a season-high 12 assists army personnel, officials terrorists involved in a grenade on law enforcement agencies well as 82-year-old Martin they do not leave Hong Kong We believe in the people of cic scored 36 points, including as Brooklyn Nets stormed said. blast. The arrested terrorists in Lahore, it said. The CTD Lee, a veteran of the city’s de- and must hand in all their travel Hong Kong, in our brothers seven three-pointers, as Dallas back in the final quarter to According to the Counter had also carried out a grenade recovered IED, a 30 bore pistol mocracy movement. Lai had documents. and sisters in our struggle, and Mavericks held on for a 113- beat Houston Rockets 120- Terrorism Department (CTD), blast in Rawalpindi in 2020 with ammunition, prima cord already been held without bail They will next appear in court the victory is ours if the people 108 win over the Celtics. 108 despite losing James four terrorists were arrested in that killed one person and and a mobile phone from their on other charges related to his on April 16, where mitigation of Hong Kong are persistent,” “I thought when things got Harden to an injury in the Rawalpindi, while two were wounded 15 others, officials custody. AGENCIES pro-democracy activities. pleas will be heard before sen- he said. AGENCIES a little hairy down the stretch, third quarter. AGENCIES ICC retains ‘Umpire’s Call’ China expands virus origin search beyond its border BEIJING: Chinese health of- gin within China, I think this insistence on broadening the European nations’ im- ficials pushed on Wednesday is a scientific misunderstand- research seems partly politi- munisation campaigns against to expand the search for the ing, because the source is still cally motivated in the face of COVID-19 are “unacceptably origins of the novel corona- unclear,” said Liang Wannian, Western criticism. slow” and risk prolonging the virus beyond China, one day the head of the Chinese team The WHO report con- pandemic, a senior World after the release of a closely that worked with the WHO cluded that the virus or a Health Organisation official watched World Health Orga- group of experts. progenitor of it was most said Thursday. nization report on the issue. He said the experts agreed likely carried by a bat, which Hans Kluge, WHO’s re- They also rejected criticism that the place where the first infected another animal that gional director for Europe, that China did not give enough case was identified is not infected a human. said vaccines “present our best data to a WHO team of inter- necessarily where the virus Researchers have not been way out of this pandemic,” but national experts that visited emerged. “Based on this sci- able to trace the bat or the noted that to date, only 10% Wuhan, the Chinese city where entific consensus, we should intermediate animal yet, but of Europe’s population has re- the first cases were detected, have a broader viewpoint in suspicion has fallen on bat ceived one dose and that only earlier this year. terms of sourcing,” he said. could have come from else- countries in Southeast Asia habitats in southwest China 4% have been fully protected “If we limit the study of ori- Experts agree that the virus where, with neighbouring a prime possibility, but China’s or nearby Southeast Asia. with two doses. AGENCIES

DUBAI: The contentious portant it remains,” he added. ‘Umpire’s Call’ will continue Three minor changes to be a part of the Decision Review System, the Interna- The ICC introduced three Mumbai fest focuses on transgender community tional Cricket Council ruled minor changes to the DRS on Thursday, but introduced and third umpire protocols: Dominick Rodrigues John Sheedy, The Family InHarmony, a Mumbai based a few changes to the current “For LBW reviews, the Album (USA) by Anthony Diversity & Inclusion con- DRS protocols. height margin of the Wicket Mumbai, Mar 31: The Kash- Chapman, I’m Alex (Spain) sultancy. As per the existing rule, Zone will be lifted to the top ish Mumbai International by Joss Manz & Itzuri Sán- Recalling the journey of 50% of the ball should be hit- of the stumps to ensure the Queer Film Festival celebrat- chez, Plunge (UK) by David working with the transgen- ting at least one of the three same Umpire’s Call margin ed International Transgen- James Holloway & Samuel der community three and stumps for the batsman to be around the stumps for both der Day of Visibility here Lawrence, The Summer Of 12 half years back, Anupama adjudged LBW on review in height and width. today with a daylong online (Taiwan) by Kuan-Ling Kuo Eashwaran said, “One of the case an umpire’s not out call “A player will also be able program of film screenings and Sunken Plum (China) by first events I attended during has been challenged. to ask the umpire whether a and discussion titled Kashish Roberto F. Canuto & Xiaoxi my research was the Kashish “The Cricket Committee genuine attempt has been Trans*Fest. Xu. QUEER FILM FESTIVAL had an excellent discussion made to play the ball before “This one-day festival of The day-long festival also where I watched this beauti- around Umpire’s Call and deciding to review an LBW LGBTQ films from India and featured a Live Panel Dis- ful Kannada movie Naanu analysed its use extensive- decision. around the world highlights cussion that explores how Avanalla...Avalu based on ly,” ICC’s Cricket Commit- “The third umpire will the life of Transwomen and corporate India is including the life of the trans woman, tee head Anil Kumble said check a replay of any short Transmen, not only their transgender professionals at Living Smile Vidya. This in statement issued by the run that has been called and struggles, but their small workplace and what more was also my first solo movie governing body after the correct any error prior to little victories in finding love and a National Award win- The documentary Ladli, community from the society.” is required to create a more viewing experience and this end of its board meetings the next ball being bowled.” and acceptance by families ning documentary – were which recently won the Na- Other Indian short films trans inclusive work environ- movie, the film festival and on Wednesday. COVID-19 regulations will and society. We are happy to organised under this event, tional Award for Best Social being screened here include: ment and society. The panel- interacting with many won- “The principle underpin- continue to be followed and be doing our bit to support where films were streamed Issue at the recent 67th Na- Guptadhan by Makarand ists were transgender men derful people transformed ning DRS was to correct clear the ICC also decided to allow the Transgender commu- on BookMyShow platform tional Awards, was screened Sawant, Birds Of Paradise by and women professionals my life.” errors in the game whilst en- seven additional players or nity in India”, said Sridhar for global audiences viewing here.. Director Sudipto Kun- Rahul MM, Sex Changed by working with corporates, and The 12th edition of Kashish suring the role of the umpire support staff to accompany Rangayan, festival director at a very modest cost with du said, “At a glance Ladli is Ankit Gupta, Wig by Atanu NGO representatives focused Mumbai International Queer as the decision-maker on the squads for its senior events. of Kashish. proceeds going to Tweet a story about an individual, Mukherjee and Miss Man on skilling trans people to Film Festival is scheduled field of play was preserved... India can now travel with a Four programmes -- In- Foundation, a NGO in Delhi but in a broader context it by Tathagata Ghosh. The in- be career ready. The panel from May 20 – 30, 2021 as an Umpire’s Call allows that to 30-strong squad for the WTC ternational Shorts, Indian working for the welfare of tells about the acceptance ternational selection include discussion was moderated online event and will feature happen, which is why it is im- final. AGENCIES Shorts, a Panel Discussion the transgender community. and adversity faced by the Mrs.McCutcheon (USA) by by Anupama Easwaran from 150 films from 50 countries.