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TAPSEE PRAISES VIDYA FIRE SAFETY CERTIFICATES HK DELAYS POLLS Actor Tapsee Pannu praises Vidya Balan’s CM Naveen Patnaik launches ‘Odisha Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says the govt will ‘marvellous’ acting in a new flick Agnishama Seva’ portal for issuance of fire defer the highly-anticipated elections by a year Shakuntala Devi LEISURE | P2 safety certificates DOWNTOWN | P3 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 121 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 | 2020 12 PAGES | `4.00

IRREGULAR by MANJUL ODISHA UNLOCK 3 Cautious economic reboot nNight curfew from 9pm to 5am nWeekend shutdown in 4 districts & Rourkela

POST NEWS NETWORK auditoriums, assembly halls and sim- ilar places will remain shut during Deficit touches 83.2% I love this education policy; now Bhubaneswar, July 31: Citing the HEFTY FINE FOR VIOLATORS this month. Similarly, there will be no I too can switch subjects the way you switch parties! complexity to balance between re- BHUBANESWAR: With an aim to ensure stricter implementation of Covid-19 norms, social, political, sports, entertainment, booting the economy and preventing the state government has increased fines for violation of the guidelines. The fine for academic, cultural & religious func- of budget estimates COVID-19 spread, the state govern- not wearing a mask or face cover in public places and offices has been increased to tions and other large congregations. ment Friday came up with detailed `1,000 for the first two offences and `5,000 fine for further violation. Violation of All schools, colleges, other educa- `6,62,363cr SHORT TAKES norms for reopening of activities fol- social distancing norms in marriages and commercial establishments is to attract tional/training/coaching institutions, RECORD HIGH lowing Centre’s Unlock 3 guidelines. `10,000 fine. Moreover, the venue will be sealed for 7 days for first offence and for a anganwaadi centres, etc will remain Fiscal deficit in absolute terms at end-June Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said, month for more violations. Besides, not more than 10 people will be allowed to closed for the purpose of teaching. congregate in any place and a fine of `10,000 will be imposed for its violation. 3.5 % FinMin working on “We have to reopen further to nor- However, conduct of examinations, Government loan restructuring malise economic activity & livelihoods. evaluation and other administrative ac- estimate of The situation in our state is better FRESH GUIDELINES tivities will be allowed, Jena said. fiscal deficit than many other states. We have to re- Night curfew will continue in the for 2020-21 in New Delhi: Finance Minister open industries and other economic ac- n ALL COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO REOPEN state from 9 pm to 5 am. This restric- the Budget Nirmala Sitharaman Friday said tivities and for this, we have to issue n SCHOOLS, COLLEGES TO REMAIN SHUT TILL AUGUST 31 tion will not apply to emergency serv- the government is working with the RBI on need for restructuring more relaxations.” n NO PUBLIC, POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS CONGREGATION ice providers including district and of loans to help industry tide The relaxations are in compliance n municipal administration and gov- with orders and guidelines issued by NO RESTRICTIONS ON INTER-STATE AND INTRA-STATE ernment officials on duty. over the impact of COVID-19. The MOVEMENT OF PUBLIC focus is on restructuring. Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Weekend shutdowns will remain in AGENCIES cent of the Gross Domestic n MARRIAGE FUNCTIONS, FUNERALS ALLOWED WITH MINIMUM PEOPLE Finance ministry is actively Affairs, disaster management authorities force in Ganjam, Khurda, Gajapati & Product (GDP) in 2019-20, engaged with RBI on this. In and state health department, he said. Cuttack districts and Rourkela New Delhi, July 31: The mainly on account of poor principle, the idea that there Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in August. Yoga institutes/centres ship will remain closed for public. Municipal Corporation. However, there country’s fiscal deficit dur- revenue realisation which may be a restructuring required, PK Jena said all commercial estab- and gymnasiums will be allowed to There will be no international air travel are relaxations for the first weekend ing the first quarter of this dipped further towards the is well taken, Sitharaman said lishments and offices will be allowed function from August 5, subject to SOPs of passengers, except as permitted by (August 1&2). The shutdown will be fiscal widened to `6.62 lakh close of March because of while addressing Ficci's National to function with minimal staff. which are to be issued by Centre. MHA. Cinema halls, swimming pools, applicable after 1 pm in the first two days crore or 83.2 per cent of the the lockdown. Executive Committee Meeting. Construction activities will continue All religious places/places of wor- entertainment complexes, theatres, of August. budget estimates, mainly As per the CGA data, the The Finance minister also said on account of poor tax col- government's revenue re- that the decision on reducing lections due to the coron- ceipts stood at `1,50,008 crore GST rates on the healthcare and DEVOTION IN THE AIR avirus lockdown. or 7.4 per cent of the budget other products will be taken by GMR KAMALANGA ENERGY ACQUISITION Fiscal deficit during the estimates (BE). During the the GST Council. P11 corresponding period of last same period of the last fis- year was 61.4 per cent of cal, the realisation was 14.5 the budget estimates. per cent of the BE. 3rd plasma bank The government had Tax revenue stood at JSW terminates pegged the fiscal deficit for `1,34,822 crore or 8.2 per comes up in state 2020-21 at `7.96 lakh crore cent of BE during the first Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister or 3.5 per cent of the GDP in three months of the fiscal. Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a ` the Budget which was pre- During the first quarter of plasma bank in Rourkela, third of sented by Finance Minister the last fiscal, the tax rev- the state Friday, saying the state 5,321-crore deal Nirmala Sitharaman in enue was 15.2 per cent of has collected 70 units of plasma February. These figures, how- the BE. In the budget, the in a fortnight for the treatment of Both parties have ever, may have to be revised government had estimated critically ill COVID-19 patients. mutually agreed significantly in view of the the total receipts for the fis- Patnaik, who inaugurated the economic disruptions cre- cal at `22.45 lakh crore. plasma bank at Ispat General to terminate the ated by the COVID-19 crisis. The government's total Hospital in Rourkela through In absolute terms, the fis- expenditure stood at `8,15,944 videoconferencing, said eight transaction given cal deficit stood at `6,62,363 lakh crore or 26.8 per cent patients have so far been crore at end-June, as per of the BE at end-June. discharged from hospitals after continued being cured of coronavirus data by the Controller During the same period of through plasma therapy. P4 uncertainty General of Accounts (CGA). the last fiscal, the total ex- Muslims gather for the Eid al-Adha prayer inside the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia in the Fiscal deficit had soared penditure was 25.9 per cent AGENCIES to working capital and other ad- historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, Friday PTI PHOTO to seven-year high of 4.6 per of the BE. MARKET WATCH justments). New Delhi, July 31: Sajjan Jindal- The transaction has been put on INDEX VARIATION backed JSW Energy Friday said hold given the ongoing uncertainty it has terminated its `5,321 crore and will be revisited once the sit- deal to acquire GMR Kamalanga uation normalises, JSW Energy Gehlot camp MLAs on way to Jaisalmer SENSEX 37606.89 129.18 Energy due to COVID-19 related un- had said in a BSE filing in May. AGENCIES BOURSES NIFTY 11073.50 28.70 certainties. The JSW Energy, in October, calls and pressure was being build appreciated all over. We have main- With elapsing of long stop date, had announced the acquisition on them after the announcement of tained law and order situation as DOLLAR 75.00 `0.09 both parties have mutually agreed of GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd for Jaisalmer, July 31: Fearing “horse- the assembly session from August well but saving the government is to terminate the transaction given `5,321 crore. trading” ahead of the assembly 14. He said the “rate for horse-trad- also important. When the EURO 88.56 `0.11

CURRENCY continued uncertainty due to GMR Kamalanga is a subsidiary session, the Rajasthan Congress ing has increased after the gover- Government of India and home GOLD `53,799 `661 COVID-19 pandemic, JSW Energy of GMR Energy Ltd and operates Friday shifted the party MLAs to nor announced the assembly session ministry is (running) after, public said in BSE filing Friday. a 1,050-MW thermal power plant Jaisalmer from Jaipur where they date”. is supporting us,” he said. SILVER `65,190 `2520 In May, the sale of GMR in Odisha. had been staying at a hotel for over Gehlot said his party has un- AICC general secretary Avinash BULLION Energy’s entire stake in GMR The acquisition was meant to a fortnight. dertaken a campaign to save the Pande said it is the “effort to pro- Kamalanga Energy Ltd to JSW be an all-cash deal and included Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot democracy in the country. ernments are toppled,” he asked. tect the democracy”. “The victory Energy was put on hold due to three plants with 350 MW capac- and other senior party leaders, in- Targeting Home Minister Amit Talking to reporters at the Jaipur will be of the Constitution and WEATHER COVID-19 outbreak. ity each, located in Odisha's cluding AICC general secretary Shah, the chief minister said he airport before leaving for Jaisalmer, democracy,” he said. BHUB CTK In February, JSW Energy had Dhenkanal district, with revenues Avinash Pande and spokesperson took the BJP leader's name as he the chief minister said there will be State Transport Minister Pratap ` MAX 37.2° 35.6° signed a share purchase agree- of 2,195 crore. Randeep Surjewala, also moved to comes (on the forefront) "where the no compromise with the gover- Singh Khachariyawas said the ment to acquire 100 per cent of The GMR Kamalanga Energy, Jaisalmer along with the MLAs in government is toppled". nance as he and his ministers will MLAs were shifted to Jaisalmer so

TEMP MIN 26.5° 25.5° GMR Kamalanga Energy, which a subsidiary of GMR Energy, owns five chartered flights. “What has happened to you...you remain in Jaipur most of the time. that they can be kept united. Forecast Humidity 94% 75% owns and operates a 1,050 MW and operates three units of 350 Gehlot alleged that the MLAs, think how to topple elected gov- “The state government has per- He said the chief minister's strat- Partly (3x350 MW) thermal power plant MW capacity at Dhenkanal in their family members and ac- ernments. How will democracy in formed well in the coronavirus egy is that not a single MLA should Rainfall 2.2mm Nil cloudy sky in Odisha, for `5,321 crore (subject Odisha. quaintances were getting threat the country be saved if elected gov- management. Our efforts have been be poached. SSR death: ED files money laundering case No sand mining on Subarnarekha

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA In his complaint, Rajput's father POST NEWS NETWORK mining against the rules while FRESH TWIST also sought to invoke the provi- trucks carrying the sand were also New Delhi, July 31: The Rhea Chakraborty and some others sions of the Mental Health Care Bhubaneswar, July 31: The not covered as per rules. It was also Enforcement Directorate (ED) are expected to be called for Act, alleging that the "machina- National Green Tribunal (NGT) discovered that the amount of min- Friday filed a money laundering questioning in the case soon, tions" of Chakraborty and her fam- banned sand mining along the ing was more than prescribed. case on the basis of a Bihar Police official sources said ily members had caused his son to Subarnarekha river in the disputed The petitioners in the case al- FIR in which Sushant Singh Rajput’s crack up, despite a successful career areas of Jaleswar. leged that villagers of Panchughanta father has accused actress Rhea The ED is understood to have taken in films, and ultimately drove him The development comes after a in the district were adversely af- Chakraborty and her family of abet- up the case after it analysed the to commit suicide. report submitted by a joint in- fected by rampant and illegal sand ting the Bollywood actor's suicide. contents of the FIR and gathered He also alleged that the actress spection committee which cited mining in the areas. The central probe agency had some independent information was aided by her family mem- several violations of mining and en- The petition said that truckloads recently called for the Bihar police questioning in the case soon, offi- the ED's probe, according to the of- bers, including parents, since vironmental laws by sand miners and Forest pursuant thereto pro- of sand were transported through first investigation report (FIR) and cial sources said. Rajput, 34, was ficials. Rajput’s father Krishna Kumar they all were looking to purloin of the area. hibits sand mining during the mon- the village roads, thereby pollut- after studying it, the ED decided found hanging in his apartment in Singh (74), who resides in Patna, had the assets of his son worth crores “With regard to the adverse find- soons.” ing the area. It was also stated that to slap charges under the Prevention Mumbai's Bandra area June 14. Tuesday lodged a complaint with the of rupees and started interfer- ing of the joint Inspection The NGT said that the inspection excavators and other heavy ma- of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), The ED is understood to have Bihar Police against Chakraborty, ing in all aspects of his life. He also Committee contained in the report, report hinted flouting of several chines were used in mining. y officials said. taken up the case after it analysed her family members and six others alleged that June 6, less than a we direct that there shall be no rules by the miners. “The report of The report also cited lack of mon-

They said an Enforcement Case the contents of the FIR and gathered for abetment to suicide of his son week before Rajput was found mining of sand until further or- the committee has been placed be- itoring by local administration in

k y m c Information Report (ECIR) has some independent information and fraud. Singh has accused hanging from a ceiling of his ders,” the order said. fore us for consideration. On pe- the case besides several other vio- been filed against the accused named about Rajput's income, bank ac- Chakraborty, a budding TV and film house, Chakraborty came to his It also added, “In any case, the rusal of the said report, we find lations of rules. Earlier, the NGT had in the Bihar Police FIR that in- counts and companies. actress and purported girlfriend of place and decamped with many Sustainable Sand Mining that gross infractions are being directed the State Pollution Control cludes Chakraborty, her family and More such details and another Rajput, of having befriended his son of his belongings, including cash, Management Policy Guidelines, committed by the Respondents.” Board, Balasore Collector and oth- six others. Chakraborty and some FIR filed by the Mumbai Police to in May, 2019 with the intention of his laptop, ATM card and other im- 2016 and the notifications issued The inspection report claimed ers to visit the site and submit an others are expected to be called for probe Rajput's death will be part of furthering her own career. portant documents. by the Ministry of Environment that machines were used in sand inspection report to the tribunal. P2 LEARNING TO LOVE MYSELF: DEMI SELENA BACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR Actress Demi Moore says she spent too Pop star Selena Gomez took a break from long changing herself for other people, social media because she felt insensitive and is now learning to love herself. The while posting anything too joyful. After a actress has been married three times week-long hiatus post her 28th birthday last previously, to Freddy Moore, Bruce week, Gomez has returned to Instagram with

y leisure Willis, and Ashton Kutcher. a message to her fans.

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FORTUNE FORECAST Bobby to make Abhishek takes a late digital debut in August Mumbai: Actor Bobby Deol August. The scripted series is ARIES is all set to enter the digital world based on real-life moments from night walk in hospital in August with his upcoming fashion designer Masaba Gupta’s Your work and family film, Class of 83. life. It follows her background, her will vie with each other for your attention. Mumbai: Bollywood actor “Light at the end of the tun- Class of 83 is backed by super- fashion world, family and her foray Merry-making will seem a good idea in Abhishek Bachchan, who is cur- nel! #latenightwalks,” he cap- star Shah Rukh Khan’s banner back into the dating world. It will the evening. Your desire for name and is all praise for rently undergoing Covid treatment, tioned the image. Red Chillies Entertainment. It was also feature her mother, actress fame will meet with success shortly, took a late night walk in the hos- Abhishek received several announced Friday that the film will Neena Gupta. The series is written maybe even today! Ganesha showers his pital. messages from his friends and release on Netflix next month. and directed by Sonam Nair. blessings on you. Sharing the fact colleagues from the industry, The film is directed by Atul Meanwhile, the Janhvi on Instagram, wishing him good health. Sabharwal. Kapoor-starrer Gunjan Saxena: Shakuntala Devi Abhishek Reacting to the post, That apart, Masaba The Kargil Girl is also slated TAURUS posted a pho- Abhishek’s sister Shweta Masaba is also to premiere on Netflix tograph slated to re- IANS As a manager, you may Bachchan Nanda wrote: “Soon”. August 12. able to outclass your col- Mumbai: Only a day to go till Sanya Malhotra, and Amit Sadh from an Filmmaker and choreogra- lease in leagues by a great mar- the film Shakuntala Devi is in prominent roles. AGENCIES empty pher Farah Khan Kunder com- gin, predicts Ganesha. You will soften your made available for everyone to corridor mented: “Get well soon junior.” approach with time and move towards a stream on Amazon Prime Video. in the Abhishek is in the hospital more democratic style of decision-making The biographical drama film hospital. along with his father, veteran rather than the arbitrary protocol that you are used to. stars Vidya Balan as Shakuntala actor Amitabh Bachchan, who Devi, the mathematician and is also battling the coronavirus. the world-class who astounded Abhishek’s actress wife GEMINI the world with her arithmetic Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and their abilities to calculate complex daughter Aaradhya were discharged Your business rivals may math equations in a matter of from hospital after testing nega- compete with you in sales and deals today, warns seconds. tive for Covid-19 July 27. Ganesha. Care and concern must be the The audience looks forward “Thank you all for your contin- two watchwords in all your dealings. to watching the much-antici- ued prayers and good wishes. Hostility may come in the way of love. pated biographical film about Indebted forever. Aishwarya and Those spurned in previous romantic Shakuntala Devi who was also Aaradhya have thankfully tested liaisons may get a chance to pen a new known as ‘the human-computer’ negative and have been discharged love story, says Ganesha. for her astonishing calculation from the hospital,” Abhishek had skills. However, through a dig- tweeted after Aishwarya and ital screening, a few got the Aaradhya’s discharge. CANCER chance to watch the film “They will now be at home. My Today, you may have to recently. father and I remain in hospital do a lot of multi-tasking Actress Tapsee under the care of the medical staff,” at work, predicts Pannu was one of he had added. IANS Ganesha. And you are the few to be a likely to do it with the dexterity of a juggler. You will finish your pending tasks with part of this ease. You will make seemingly impossible special tasks look as simple as blinking. screen- Deepika marks 11 ing and LEO she years of Love Aaj Kal ab- Get ready to bask in applause. Well, not liter- ally, but Ganesha does Mumbai: Deepika Padukone as Meera won foresee you getting that solutely our hearts with her remarkable performance long due recognition today for all the hard loved the in Love Aaj Kal. The actress played the role of work you've put at your workplace. This film and Meera Pandit, the girl who celebrates moder- goes hand-in-hand with the support of Vidya Balan’s nity, but yet is deeply rooted to her culture. As your colleagues and the good wishes of your seniors, especially if it is some new marvelous acting the movie clocks 11 years, Deepika changed project that you are undertaking. in it. She posted: her profile picture and Instagram handle to “Vidya kasam bohot celebrate Meera. pyaari picture banayi hai As Meera, Deepika was absolutely endearing. VIRGO @anumenon1805 She played a regular girl who goes through the @NayanikaMahtani various phases of life. Back then, Love aaj Kal A single-headed mis- @ishita_moitra was the kind of movie that showed a free-spir- sion to be the master of your destiny will @vidya_balan @sanyamal- ited, independent girl who is career-oriented and drive you ahead. Your hotra07 @Jisshusengupta follows her heart. To mark the movie’s 11th management skills will be immaculate, @TheAmitSadh @vikramix anniversary, the actress took to her social media and the fire to succeed will get you up @SnehaRajani @vivekkr- handle and shared a BTS photo of her with and running. Your skill in the managerial ishnani @PrimeVideoIN Imtiaz Ali, the director of Love Aaj Kal, and cap- post will be accentuated by your quick @sonypicsprodns tioned it as, “The eyes say it all...” decision-making and superior analytical ability, says Ganesha. #ShakuntalaDeviOnPrime.” Deepika brought out emotional vulnerabil- The upcoming film ity and at the same time practicality through Shakuntala Devi is directed her portrayal of Meera with the utmost ease. by Anu Menon and pro- Meera remains one of Deepika’s strongest LIBRA duced by Sony Pictures and most memorable characters. It was a All things passionate Networks Productions and straight-from-the-heart performance, a seem to engulf you Vikram Malhotra. The film character that inspired us and continues today. It is one of those moments when chance also stars Jisshu Sengupta, to do so. AGENCIES dictates every possibility of a new romantic love episode in your life. The last time a moment like this came by, Romeo met Juliet. SUDOKU SCORPIO PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers Friends in influential posi- 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. tions will be of much help today. You may plunge into a new business ven- ture without much ado. Appreciation for your abilities and efforts will fly in thick and fast.

SAGITTARIUS A paradigm shift in your temperament and your looks is on the cards today. Your personality will get better as you don some chic attire, jewellery and a rather loud per- fume today. CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN Impulsiveness, which is not really your trait, will be very evident in what- ever work you do today, say Ganesha. Money matters will keep SOLUTIONS you preoccupied for major part of the day, but ironically, your otherwise methodical approach to everything will go for a toss.

AQUARIUS Your dream house or car may well be on its way! The stars proclaim that it's a good time to acquire BREVITY

new assets. So bring out those attractive CROSSWORD brochures and check out your loan prospects.

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There are indications you

k y m will be in hot pursuit of c leisure today, says Ganesha. This will probably be in the form of a short trip to recharge your batteries, and is probably fuelled by your sat- isfaction in the realisation that the role you play within your organisation is consequen- CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU tial, satisfying as well as rewarding. COVID-19 TRACKER P3 BAMBOO CRAFTS SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Artisans prepare baskets World 1,75,74,145 1,10,00,401 6,78,591 using bamboo flakes near Rajmahal Square in India 16,43,686 10,60,016 35,817 Bhubaneswar, Friday

downtown Odisha 31,877 20,518 177

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OHPC pays `30Cr BEAUTIFYING HOLY CITY Fire safety certificates a click away dividend to govt Bhubaneswar: Odisha Hydro POST NEWS NETWORK Power Corporation (OHPC) has paid an interim dividend of Rs 30 Bhubaneswar, July 31: Chief crore to the state for the 2019-20 Minister Naveen Patnaik, Friday, financial year. OHPC chairman launched ‘Odisha Agnishama Seva’ Bishnupada Sethi handed over the portal of the Fire Services depart- cheque to Chief Secretary Asit ment to facilitate issuance of fire Tripathy here Friday. Tripathy safety certificates to different cat- complimented the efforts of OHPC egories of buildings in the state. team in power sector and advised The online system has been them to further sharpen their evolved to allow the users to prevent CM Naveen Patnaik launches online portal for issuance of fire safety capacity through adoption of their physical visits to the offices certificates, Friday. 5T Secretary VK Pandian is also seen OP PHOTO latest technology and business to get the required approvals. Now, reform. Sethi said the balance government under 5T Initiatives October 2, 2020 to allow the people amount for the year would be paid 5T INITIATIVE that aim at bringing Transformation to get most of the Fire Services de- after finalisation of the accounts. The online system Now, the in governance through parame- partment related works accom- has been evolved users can ters of Technology, Teamwork, plished online. Chief Secretary to allow the users log onto the Transparency and Time,” Patnaik Asit Tripathy said that providing CB grills Aditya’s kin to prevent their website and said. The CM said that eight im- online approval to the general pub- physical visits to seek their portant services would be avail- lic is a significant step forward in Bhubaneswar: A Crime Branch the offices to get certification able to the people through the por- providing hassle-free services to team Friday interrogated the required on a real tal and it is likely to aid different the public. deceased social activist Aditya approvals time basis segments of buildings. State Energy Minister Dibya Dash’s wife Bidyashree and other Eight services could be availed by “Eight services could be availed Shankar Mishra, meanwhile, ap- family members at his residence the citizens online including Fire by the citizens online including plauded the works of the State Fire at Trilochan Vihar in Sundarapada Safety Certificates for high-rise Fire Safety Certificates for high- Service department for rendering area in connection with his buildings, multiplexes, shopping rise buildings, multiplexes, shopping their services during disasters. mysterious death. Dash’s body malls and clinical establishments malls and clinical establishments He said that the Fire Services was found on the railway tracks and others and others,” he said. personnel recently worked well in near Lingaraj Temple Road station The government claims that the cyclone Amphan and also helped here July 7. Later, the CB sleuths the users can log onto the website while eight important services are the neighbouring states. He also also visited the old-age home set and seek their certification on a made available through the portal said that it will be developed into up by Dash for enquiry. They Artists draw a mural portraying Sri Jagannath Express at the VIP Road in Puri as part of a beautification drive by the real time basis. in the initial phase, other services a multi-sectoral response force in interrogated the staff and civic authorities, Friday op photo “This is a priority area of my will be added in the next phase the days to come. inmates there. `1L for each BMC ward to fight Covid

Govt offices to work with 50% workforce POST NEWS NETWORK mittee for Covid-19. The Zonal lated to number of households, Deputy Commissioners (ZDCs) family members, ward migrants, eld- POST NEWS NETWORK sub-ordinate offices shall perform ices such as Special Relief attend to any office work of ur- Bhubaneswar, July 31: In a bid to shall prepare action plan for their erly persons, differently-abled, wid- official work with 50 per cent of Commissioner (SRC) and Odisha gent nature, at short notice and be contain spread of Covid-19, the wards for approval through the owers, children below the age of Bhubaneswar, July 31: Revising the employees' strength (all staff in- State Disaster Management available on telephone at all times.” Bhubaneswar Municipal Deputy Commissioner. 10, economically weaker sections its ‘work from home’ order, the cluding Group-A officers) in the Authority (OSDMA), police, fire The government has also an- Corporation (BMC), Friday, planned In order to prepare the plan, the who are having high risk of infec- state government Friday said the month of August 2020 and ensure services, health services, munici- nounced that all of its offices will an array of activities for each ward ZDCs will be assisted by ward su- tion due to the community trans- government offices would func- that the government work does not pal services etc will function in remain closed on Saturdays in under its premises as part of its an- pervisors, community organisers, mission,” a senior BMC official. tion with 50 per cent staff strength suffer.” The departments/heads full strength, read the order. August. nual ward budget and action plan. Anganwadi workers, ASHA karmis The activities to be carried out in the month of August. of offices have been given the lib- Further, the officers/staff who All government employees have Christened as ‘COVID-19 Annual and ANMs. “We have planned to con- will include information educa- As per an order issued by the erty to decide the manner of se- have been provided with VPN fa- been directed to abide by the in- Ward Budget and Action Plan’, it duct meetings to be undertaken tion communication and behav- General Administration & Public lection of employees who will at- cility will continue to work from structions and guidelines issued will ensure that each ward gets with the ward committees, former ioural change communication, Grievance department, “It has been tend office on roster basis. However, home, when not assigned roster from time to time to prevent the Rs 1 lakh per year. This will in- corporators, religious leaders to knowledge dissemination, capacity decided that all the departments and the offices providing essential serv- duty. “They must be available to spread of Covid-19 in the state. clude expenditure for slum com- gather baseline information data re- building among others. SC seeks compliance report on migrant labour crisis

POST NEWS NETWORK KEY OBSERVATIONS New Delhi, July 31: The Supreme The SC bench observed that registration of Court Friday directed Odisha and other migrant workers as directed by the court has state governments to file affidavits de- not been made by the states/UTs tailing the steps taken by them to main- tain database of migrant workers and Owing to this, a large number of migrant provide them livelihood opportunities. workers and unorganised labourers are A three-judge bench of the apex court unable to reap benefits, the bench observed comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah also ob- reached their native places are being Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and served that registration of migrant maintained with their skill, nature of Unorganised workers' Social Security workers as directed by the court has not employment and other details. Let Act, 2008. The apex court observed that been made by respective states. Owing states/UTs may also file affidavits in the several states have made rules under the to this, a large number of migrant work- above regard within a period of three above enactments but all necessary de- ers and unorganised labourers are un- weeks,” the bench said. tails regarding the steps taken by con- able to reap benefits, the bench said. Significantly, the SC had June 9 asked cerned states have not been brought “None of the states or Union the state governments to conduct the on record. “Let affidavits be filed by all Territories has filed any affidavit giv- registration of migrant workers under the states/UTs indicating the steps taken ing details of the compliance of the di- three enactments namely – Interstate by them with respect to above mentioned rections issued by the court June 9. Migrant Workmen (Regulation of enactments within a period of three The states are required to bring on Employment and Conditions of Service) months,” the bench said. record the mode and manner in which Act, 1979, Construction Workers The court has adjourned the hearing records of migrant labourers who have (Regulation of Employment and on the issue for four weeks. Sambalpuri saree gets a ‘Shakuntala’ spin

POST NEWS NETWORK be perfect for her in Shakuntala Devi where she is essaying the role of the Bhubaneswar, July 31: Ace actress mathematical genius,” said Sabat. Vidya Balan was seen wearing a In the video shared officially by Sambalpuri Bandha saree during the Utkalamrita, Vidya Balan is praising promotion of her new movie on math- the Sambalpuri weavers who work so ematical genius Shakuntala Devi which hard. However, they are now suffer- was released on Amazon Prime video ing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. platform, Friday. The actress has expressed hope that The actress shared some images for situation will get better for the Odisha the film promotion where she is seen weavers and also told them to take care wearing a ‘Sambalpur Bandha saree’. of themselves and keep producing The saree has been woven by masterpiece. Sambalpur weavers which BIOPIC ON Amrita said took them one month. Utkalamrita has Amrita Sabat of SHAKUNTALA DEVI been working as Utkalamrita, who pro- brand for last five moted the design, said Mathematical equations are years. The aim is to mathematical equations printed on the outfit designed get global recogni- are printed on the outfit de- first by Bhagwan Meher tion for Odisha signed originally by and Hari Shankar Meher weavers and this is Bhagwan Meher and Hari of Bargarh just one step towards Shankar Meher of achieving that. Bargarh and the symbols The symbols and formulae are It should be stated and formulae are created created using tie and here that in the using tie and dye method. dye method movie Sui Dhaaga Later, the design was repli- starring Varun cated by several In the video shared officially Dhawan and

other artists. by Utkalamrita, Vidya Balan is Anushka Sharma the

k y m c “Last year, when we got praising the Sambalpuri work of Pipli hand- the information that Vidya weavers who work so hard icraft artists received Balan is playing the role widespread appreci- of Shakuntala Devi we con- ation. A couple of Pipli- Vidya Balan dons a Sambalpuri saree tacted her team for making her wear origin designs were also used in the to promote her new movie this particular saree. We felt it would trailer of Sui Dhaaga. P4 SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

OPCC chief seeks urgent steps to State’s nCoV tally nears 32K-mark

k y m Friday’s spike in the daily caseload is the third highest since the outbreak of the pandemic in Odisha c avert community transmission POST NEWS NETWORK/AGENCIES CM inaugurates 3rd plasma bank POST NEWS NETWORK The government should take Bhubaneswar, July 31: The COVID- steps in consultation with differ- 19 caseload in the state crossed the hief Minister Naveen Patnaik soon come up at MKCG Medical Bhubaneswar, July 31: Terming ent political parties instead of 31,000-mark with 1,499 fresh cases Cinaugurated a plasma bank in College Hospital at Berhampur and the overall COVID-19 situation in handing over COVID-19 manage- Friday while eight more deaths Rourkela, third of its kind in the VIMSAR, Burla, he said. Odisha as ‘grim’, the state Congress If the government fails to ment to a handful of officers, were reported, pushing the toll to state Friday, saying the state has col- With this, all the regions of the chief Niranjan Patnaik Friday ex- take quick steps to tackle the he said. 177, an official of the Health and lected 70 units of plasma in a fort- state will have access to plasma pressed fears of community trans- situation, there is a likelihood “Discussions should be held Family Welfare (H&FW) depart- night for the treatment of critically therapy, he said. mission of novel coronavirus if of the state witnessing with political parties, social or- ment said. ill COVID-19 patients. The two other plasma banks al- the government does not take im- community transmission of ganisations and experts to The total number of novel coro- Patnaik, who inaugurated the ready in operation are at SCB mediate measures like ramping novel coronavirus. The strengthen the battle against the navirus patients in Odisha now plasma bank at Ispat General Medical College Hospital in Cuttack up of testing facilities and con- COVID-19 situation is really pandemic,” he said. stands at 31,877, said the of- Hospital in Rourkela and Capital Hospital in ducting door-to-door surveys. grim in the state Advocating the necessity of car- ficial. Friday’s spike in the through videoconfer- Bhubaneswar. Patnaik urged pa- In a letter to Chief Minister NIRANJAN PATNAIK I OPCC PRESIDENT rying out a massive house-to-house daily caseload is the third encing, said eight pa- A person donating plasma tients cured of COVID-19 to vol- Naveen Patnaik, the Odisha survey to identify symptomatic highest since the outbreak tients have so far been untarily donate plasma and make Pradesh Congress Committee patients, the PCC chief said, the of the pandemic in the discharged from hospi- It is heartening to know that 70 it a movement as plasma therapy is (OPCC) president said, the state gov- mandatory for people before they drive should also cover all com- state, official data released tals after being cured of units of plasma have been prepared the only one that has proved effec- ernment should ensure test- are discharged from quarantine mercial and business establish- by the H&FW department said. coronavirus through plasma in 15 days, the Chief Minister said tive against the deadly virus. ing of at least centres and dedicated ments. Immediate steps should be As many as 1,594 COVID-19 cases therapy. adding the plasma bank at Rourkela A person, who had recovered 25,000 samples hospitals, he said. taken to provide all the frontline were reported July 23, followed by Seventeen other patients are im- will serve the COVID-19 patients from the contagion in the first week per day. COVID “If the government COVID Warriors with adequate 1,503 July 26. Of the new fatalities, proving after undergoing the new in western Odisha. of July, donated his plasma during The PCC chief fails to take quick steps number of personal protective four were reported from Ganjam dis- medical procedure, he said. Two other such facilities will the inauguration programme. said, steps should SCARE to tackle the situation, equipment (PPE), he said. trict and one each from Gajapati, be taken to carry there is a likelihood of the Mentioning that the number of Khurda, Nayagarh and Sundargarh. from 29 of the state’s 30 districts. district accounted for the highest COVID-19 patients dying of other out 100 per cent testing in state witnessing community COVID-19 hospitals should be in- “Regret to inform the demise of “Ganjam district reported the high- number of 94 deaths. ailments rose to 37 in the state, the areas from where a high number transmission of novel coronavirus. creased, he said, adding that ade- 8 COVID-19 positive patients while est number of fresh cases (368), fol- A 12 year-old girl of Keonjhar official pointed out. Meanwhile, of positive cases are being The COVID-19 situation is really quate stock of medical equipment they were under treatment in hos- lowed by Khurda (214), Keonjhar (81) district, who had tested positive 772 persons who had earlier tested reported. grim in the state,” the PCC and life-saving medicines should pitals,” the official said. and Sundargarh (75), the official for COVID-19, died of acute peri- positive for the infection recovered COVID-19 tests should be made chief said. be made available in the facilities. The fresh cases were reported said. Of the 177 fatalities, Ganjam tonitis. With this, the number of from the disease Friday. Maritime heritage THREADS OF LOVE gallery unveiled Jail staff instructed to not take POST NEWS NETWORK mobile, money inside prison Bhubaneswar, July 31: A mar- itime heritage gallery was un- POST NEWS NETWORK sic laboratory here so that the ac- veiled at Sanskruti Bhawan here tual date, time and mobile phone by minister of tourism, Odia lan- Bhubaneswar, July 31: Following through which the video has been gauge, literature and culture the viral of a video clip of gangster shot can be ascertained. Jyotiprakash Panigrahi Friday. Tito who is inside the jail, an em- “Prisoners who are found in pos- The gallery is equipped with barrassed prison department has session of contraband articles rare photographs, art and arte- issued an advisory barring pris- should be isolated and kept in sep- facts, antiquities, ports, ports sites, ons officials and staff to take their arate wards and they be checked on ancient currencies, sea routes, mobile phones inside the jail. a daily basis by the jail staff and dur- ships, sea vessels, among others. Superintendents of jails have been ing the day time the jail staff be more On this occasion, the minister asked to direct staff to deposit their vigilant towards such prisoners,” said the maritime gallery, which mobile phones near the entry and Correctional Services, Santosh the DG, Prisons, said. is first of its kind in the state, will exit gate of the jail. Upadhyaya, ordered that if staff Superintendents of jails were di- provide a lot of information to A few days back, an un-dated engaged in guarding duty at pris- rected to ensure that existing CCTV students, scholars and enthusi- video of the Jharpada special jail ons detect contrabands inside jails cameras are made functional and are astic people. went viral showing gangster Tito they will be rewarded and appre- in operation. As per instructions, of- On this occasion, principal sec- staging a durbar inside the jail. ciated with entry in service books ficials should check the entire prem- retary Manoranjan Panigrahi Similarly, another video showing con- and personal files for considera- ises of the barracks everyday. talked about the glorious mar- traband inside Khurda jail brought tion of selection of medals at later Jail staff have been instructed to itime heritage of Odisha, espe- embarrassment to the department. stages. The superintendents have not carry money, mobile or any cially hoe it had added feather to Critics alleged that the advisory been asked to register FIR with the other prohibited articles inside the the South-East Asian economic is an attempt to shoot the messen- local police whenever any objec- jail. The DG, Prisons warned that scenario. A small booklet “The gers who are trying to unearth tionable video clippings are shot in- strict action will be taken against Intimate Encounters: Early Odisha massive illegal activities inside the side the jail. DG, Prisons has asked jail officials if they are found vio- Girls buy eco-friendly Rakhis from the stall of a women self-help group affiliated to the ORMAS and Mission Shakti at and South East Asia prepared by jail. Director General of Prisons and for the clippings to the state foren- lating the instructions. Nayapalli in Bhubaneswar ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival, Friday PIC: BIKASH NAYAK Odishan Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies was also unveiled by the minister along with Odia book Lock Down BMC cremates 161 suspected and COVID bodies Resonance’s students shine written by Manoranjan Panigrahi. The gallery will be kept open for public once the pandemic returns POST NEWS NETWORK Operating Procedure (SOP). BMC is intimated through official from Capital Hospital to the place at CBSE board examination to normalcy. “These deaths also include sus- mail. Following the mail, the rela- where the body is kept. In case a con- Bhubaneswar, July 31: Owing to pected cases in tives of the de- tact is made, the body is kept inside Ankita Mondal and and are declared second state top- spread of misinformation, fear and which people ceased are in- the morgue of the Capital Hospital, Shreya Mohapatra, pers. Splendid performances of Ration distributed social stigma around COVID-19, have died even formed to give which is then taken to Satyanagar students of Resonance seven more students who have more than 100 cases of family mem- prior to any consent for cre- cremation ground so that the fam- scored more than 98% have added to servitors bers of abandoning bodies by their tests as they mation. If the ily members could show the last Bhubaneswar, have more feathers to its success. 36 stu- kith and kin have come to the fore. arrive at city person can be respects. secured 99.2% dents have secured more than 95% Bhubaneswar: The months long While a few of these deceased were hospitals or contacted over “A team including a medical of- and 65 students have secured more lockdown due to COVID-19 COVID positive, others were only other district- phone, it can be ficer from Capital Hospital, an POST NEWS NETWORK than 90% from both campuses of outbreak has rendered the lives of suspected cases. level health- collected di- engineer from the BMC, and rep- Resonance Bhubaneswar. priests at religious places As per the Bhubaneswar care facilities very late. While in cer- rectly or if the person is not trace- resentatives from other police sta- Bhubaneswar, July 31: Centre Head of Resonance miserable since Dakshina is the Municipal Corporation (BMC), the tain cases the families weren’t able able then the consent is obtained tions is dedicatedly doing their Resonance’s Bhubaneswar study Bhubaneswar Alok Saxena said, only source of their income. To civic authorities have helped in to collect bodies owing to move- through the district administration. jobs to receive, transport and con- centres have produced highest qual- “The keys behind the success are support them, the So Am I Foundation Trust has distributed cremating 161 bodies. As COVID ment on restrictions, others denied The BMC Commissioner then duct cremation of the bodies in ity results in CBSE 2020, Class – X to educate and motivate the stu- one month dry rations to 40 Pujaris protocol could not be followed, these taking back the bodies fearing issues an office order to form a conformity with the COVID-19 Board Examination. The exami- dents on how early start of en- of Puri under its Hunger Free bodies which include cases from spread of COVID,” a BMC official team in which a doctor, adminis- Dead Body Management nation was conducted by the CBSE. trance preparation will be bene- Odisha initiative. Earlier, the local and nearby hospitals from stated. trative officers, police representa- Guidelines issued by the Centre,” The institute claimed that Ankita ficial to beat competition, foundation had distributed ration different districts and even from Following the death of a patient tives and engineer as members are said Purandar Nanda, Deputy Mondal and Shreya Mohapatra, balancing board preparation with to around 1,000 priest families of other states have been cremated in COVID hospital or other health- included to oversee the operation. Commissioner of BMC who is students of Resonance other competitive level exami- Puri as well as in Bhubaneswar. by the BMC as per the Standard care facility, it is learned that the After this step, a hearse arrives leading the cremation team. Bhubaneswar, have secured 99.2% nation preparation.” CLOUDY SKY SJTA urged to build sheds for Mahaprasad sale POST NEWS NETWORK SAFETY FIRST Puri, July 31: The Suar and The Suar and Mahasuar Niyog has proposed that the temporary sheds Mahasuar Niyog of Srimandir has should be built at the south and north gates of the shrine for sale of urged the Shree Jagannath Temple Mahaprasad to devotees Administration (SJTA) to set up a few temporary sheds near the Srimandir has been shut for devotees in the wake of Covid-19 shrine for facilitating Mahaprasad pandemic. However, the rituals of the presiding deities are being sale. performed by the servitors The Suar and Mahasuar Niyog has proposed that the temporary In this scenario, many devotees often gather at the south gate of the sheds should be built at the south 12th century shrine to buy Mahaprasad without paying heed to the social distancing norms and north gates of the shrine for sale of Mahaprasad to the devotees. According to the Niyog, the 12th to the social distancing norms in Mahaprasad from the temporary permit us to sell Mahaprasad out- century shrine has been shut for place to curb spread of the viral in- counter by maintaining the social side the shrine. We have urged the devotees in the wake of Covid-19 fection, said the Niyog. distance,” claimed the Niyog. SJTA to set up temporary sheds at pandemic. However, the rituals of In a press statement, the Suar and According to sources, the tem- the south and north gates of the presiding deities are being per- Mahasuar Niyog claimed that the ple administration had written to Srimandir for Mahaprasad sale. formed by the servitors. SJTA had set up a temporary shed the Suar and Mahasuar Niyog ask- We will open a few temporary coun- In this scenario, many devotees near the Srigundicha temple for the ing it to sell Mahaprasad outside ters at the two gates and sell the del- often gather at the south gate of sale of Mahaprasad to devotees Srimandir in accordance with the icacies to devotees by adhering to Srimandir to buy Mahaprasad. during this year’s Rath Yatra. Covid-19 guidelines. the Covid-19 guidelines,” said

Clouds hover over Kathajodi river in Cuttack, Friday, signaling the possibility of rain OP PHOTO The devotees usually pay no heed “Many devotees had bought “Srimandir tradition does not the Niyog.

k y m c P5 SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR state

Beneficiaries lose out to ‘fake’ ration cards Maoist opponents run drive against

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK Martyrs’ Week in Swabhiman Anchal SOME RETAILERS, IT HAS BEEN Jajpur, July 31: Public distribution JAJPUR PDS SCAM ALLEGED, HAVE OBTAINED RATION system (PDS) ration dealers in dif- CARDS IN THE NAME OF DECEASED ULTRAS HOLD PRAJA MELI AT ANDAPALLI AMID SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS ferent panchayats under PERSONS Dharmasala block in Jajpur dis- POST NEWS NETWORK trict have obtained hundreds of A DEALRER OF ANTIA PANCHAYAT ‘Antyodaya’ (ration) cards by show- HAS FOUR ‘ANTYODAYA’ CARDS-- Malkangiri, July 31: Even as ing their family members as genuine TWO OF THEM BELONGING TO HIS Maoists have been observing beneficiaries. DAUGHTERS-IN LAW AND ONE Martyrs’ Week since July 28 in Some retailers, it has been al- EACH TO HIS WIFE AND Malkangiri district, hundreds of leged, have obtained ration cards in DAUGHTER tribals supporting the ultras or- the name of deceased persons. In ganized a massive Praja Meli at the process, a large number of gen- SOME GENUINE BENEFICIARIES Andapalli area in Swabhiman uine beneficiaries are being de- HAVE BROUGHT THE SCAM TO THE Region and paid tribute to the mar- prived of the benefits provided by NOTICE OF JAJPUR DISTRICT tyrs. However, a group of people have ernment and the democratic system. The Maoist opponents pointed out the state government. COLLECTOR, SUB-COLLECTOR AND opposed the Martyrs’ Week and They said in the name of democracy, that Maoists have indulged in dis- A plea against this alleged fake THE PROJECT DIRECTOR OF DRDA started observing Ninda Saptah poor people are exploited while ruptive activities and destroyed distribution of ration cards was since July 30. capitalists are promoted, schools, colleges, roads, health cen- filed in the Orissa High Court a PDS dealers and some staff of the Similarly Rabindra Das, a dealer to avail of the PDS scheme. This has reportedly taken place Significantly, a group of people tres and panchayat buildings in few days back. Since then it has Jajpur Civil Supplies Department,” of Khetrapal panchayat, has cards However, till date steps have not even though security has been tight- in the Swabhiman Anchal has been this area. been alleged that a number of ‘cor- stated Sarbeswar. “If we do not get in the names of his wife and four been initiated to prevent such ened in the area. They had earlier strongly opposing Maoist activi- The posters said, ”When the rupt’ dealers have approached the justice we will seek interference brothers. Allegations have also fake practices. set up a temporary Smruti Stamba ties. whole country is struggling to fight complainants. They are coercing of the court again,” he added. come up against the dealer in Aruha Jajpur civil supplies officer (CSO) (memorial pillars). The Maoists opponents have against Covid, Maoists with help them to withdraw the plea with af- Sources said that among PDS panchayat. Sources said he has Surendra Kumar Hota said action At the Praja Meli, ultra sup- pasted posters at different places, from our enemy country are ob- fidavits stating that the complaints dealers, Chakradhar Bal of Antia managed to obtain ration cards will only be initiated if he gets or- porters were told that many Maoists condemning the observance of the serving Martyrs’ Week. Such act of are false. panchayat has four ‘Antyodaya’ under the name of Parbati Sahani ders from his superiors. had fallen to police bullets last year Martyrs Week. Countering the Maoists is highly condemnable. Sarbeswar Behura, one of the cards. Two of them belong to and Rama Behera, both of whom are “Investigation will be conducted while the ultras had been fighting Martyrs’ Week, the opponents have This Martyrs’ Week should be op- complainants, said the plea will his daughters-in law and one dead. as per the direction of the Collector. for Jal, Jami and Jungle for tribals. started observing Ninda Sapatah posed.” not be withdrawn. “We do not un- each to his wife and daughter. The issuances of these fake However, I have not received any The tribals were convinced about since July 30. INPPF, Koraput district, claimed derstand what evidence is required Jayaram Sahu, another PDS ra- ration cards have been brought complaints on dealers obtaining the ideals and aims of the Maoists. In the posters, they said, “The to have pasted these posters. by the district administration to tion dealer of Uttarapratap pan- to the notice of Jajpur District fake ration cards,” said Hota. He as- The leaders of the Maoist sup- killed Maoists are not martyrs. initiate disciplinary measures chayat, has got cards issued in Collector, Sub-Collector and the sured that proper steps will be im- porters urged people to fight for They have killed many of our in- against the nexus of dishonest the name of his mother, wife project director of DRDA by gen- plemented if complaints are lodged their rights and entitlements. They nocent tribals branding them as block development officers (BDOs), and two brothers. uine beneficiaries who are yet and found to be true. made a scathing attack on the gov- police informers.” Sukinda valley: Mineral Police sniffer dog Ganjam tally breaks 10K mark buried with honours transport raises hackles POST NEWS NETWORK BATTLE AGAINST COVID Nabarangpur, July 31: Tara, the No OPD at LNMCH for 5 days POST NEWS NETWORK sniffer dog of Nabarangpur Police, was laid to rest with full police Koraput: After several employees ice are asked not to take any leave Kaliapani, July 31: Tamaka- honours at the reserve police and patients tested positive for till further orders. Wearing of Mangalpur road in mineral bear- ground here a couple of days ago. COVID-19, the Out Patient Service masks in the hospital has been ing Sukinda valley is considered a Tara, a female Labrador, was ail- (OPD) at Laxman Nayak Medical made mandatory. life line for people and mineral ing for past few days before her POST NEWS NETWORK College and Hospital was sus- 81 new positive cases were re- transportation, but it has been left death. She was 13 and served the pended for five days, informed ported Friday from Koraput dis- in a deplorable condition. Nothing state police for 12 long years. Ganjam, July 31: The total District Collector Madhusudan trict. It took the district’s tally to is being done to repair the road (DMF) for carrying out develop- “Police Tracker Dog (Tara) of number of COVID-19 cases in Mishra. 771. Currently, there are 550 ac- for years. mental activities in mining areas. Nabarangpur unit has passed Ganjam district breached the The doctors and hospital staff tive cases while 221 patients have Local leaders, businessmen and Money from this fund is normally away today. We paid our tearful re- 10,000-mark Friday with 368 fresh who had come in contact with recovered from the disease. So residents have threatened to stop used for providing drinking water spects to her. She gave a very long infections while the toll climbed COVID-19 infected patients have far no deaths have been reported chromite transportation through facilities, education and commu- and illustrious service to police,” to 94 as four more people suc- been asked to undergo 14-day home from the district. the road if no immediate steps are nication facilities to people living said Kusalkar in a tweet from his cumbed to the disease, informed quarantine. Their swab samples taken to repair it. in mining areas. But here the case official handle. health department. will be sent for testing, informed The road is riddled with pot- is different. In recognition of her illustrious The total number of cases in authorities. holes and puddles formed due to ac- Local residents, members of service, she was accorded guard the district now stands at 10,364. The infected patients and staff cumulation of water. The road has business houses and truck own- of honour at her burial at the re- While the total number of active of the hospital have been sent to virtually turned to be a death trap. ers association said they have taken serve police ground in the town in cases in the district stands at a COVID-19 facility for treatment. Everyday minor to major accidents up the issue with the district ad- the presence of Nabarangpur SP 3,134, the number of recoveries Sanitisation of the hospital by occur on this patch and it has be- ministration a number of times, but Nitin Kusalkar. Police personnel has shot up to 7,130. However, the fire brigade is also being done. come a cause of headache for the to no avail. They urged officials to laid wreaths on Tara’s body and there is good news for Ganjam dis- The doctors and employees who local residents. get the road repaired immediately. saluted her while police band trict that Gopalpur NAC was de- are in charge of emergency serv- For transportation of chromite, They threatened if that doesn’t played the bugler before she was clared free from COVID-19. every day thousands of trucks ply happen they will be forced to resort buried. Gopalpur NAC did not report on this road. However, it has been to agitation and in the process they any COVID-19 positive case be- WEEKEND SHUTDOWNS IN DHENKANAL alleged that the district adminis- will stop chromite transportation. tween July 15 and 29. Hence the tration does not undertake any Notably, the foundation stone for NAC shall no longer be considered Dhenkanal: The district admin- on intra-district movement of both measures for the maintenance of converting the Tamaka-Mangalpur a 'Red Zone'. istration will implement week- public and private transporta- the Tamaka-Mangalpur road. So road a four-layer one was laid in “The mission of Ganjam dis- end shutdowns till August 30 to pre- tions. Opening of shops and com- the condition of the road is dete- the month of February, 2017. trict administration is to con- vent a spread in Covid-19 cases in mercial establishments will not riorating from bad to worse on a Tenders have since been called vert 'Red Zones' to 'Green Zones’ Dhenkanal. The weekend shut- be allowed. The administration daily basis. for twice, but work has not pro- has become successful in down will come into effect from also instructed private and gov- Accidents take place on this road gressed. When asked about this Gopalpur. Gopalpur NAC has CO- August 1. The shutdown will be im- ernment organisations to remain on a regular basis. Negotiating the issue, SDO, Road and Building RONA +ve free ULB of Ganjam plemented under the Epidemic closed during the weekends. road has become a nightmare for Department of Jajpur district, district. Monitoring of comor- Diseases Act, 1897, Disaster Movement and gathering of peo- passenger vehicles, especially for Manoj Mahapatra said he has no bid, symptomatic, isolation and Management Act, 2005 and Covid- ple during the shutdown were patients in ambulances. idea as to what has dogged the community involvement are key 19 Regulations 2020, said District banned. Active surveillance, con- There is a District Mineral Fund project. to achieve this feat (sic),' a tweet Collector Bhumesh Chandra tact tracing and implementation by Ganjam Collector Vijay Behera. of social distancing will be carried Amruta Kulange said in a tweet. The restrictions will be imposed out, Behera added. Sans power, LI points remain unused POST NEWS NETWORK FARM CRISIS LOOMS Pritimaya for immediate redressal. Seeking anonymity, an engineer of Champua, July 31: Even as the dis- the electricity department said, “Power trict faces a drought-like situation, farm- supply was disconnected as a live elec- ing activities were badly affected in tric wire hangs there at a lower level.” over 35 acres of Rajia panchayat under Notably, local farmers have been cul- Champua block in Keonjhar after the tivating vegetables over ten years under power department disconnected sup- the Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana. They ply to a lift irrigation point. depend on deep wells for irrigation of Keonjhar farmers have been facing farmlands this Kharif season. The live acute irrigation problems over past wire is said to have been hanging for over three months as there has been spo- ten years and power supply was dis- radic rainfall in the district. Most farm- ers of Maheswarpur village of this pan- connected July 21 this year. lands have become dry and paddy chayat said. On being contacted, Champua Sub- seedlings have died out. Power supply to a lift irrigation point Collector said, “Immediate steps will “Even as local farmers have already located at Maheswarpur area was dis- be taken in this regard keeping in mind started farming activities, they appre- connected on the pretext of safety rea- safety of farmers. Lift irrigation engi- hend drought-like conditions in the days sons. After being affected, local veg- neer and Champua tehsildar have been ahead. There has been no rain over past etable farmers in this area had resorted informed accordingly and assigned the three months,” some vegetable farm- to Champua Sub-Collector Pratap task of restoring supply.” Balasore man has close bond with bees

POST NEWS NETWORK try my best to protect the bees and raise awareness among people across Odisha Balasore, July 31: Bees can frighten the about the importance of beekeeping,” living daylights of anyone. But for this Tukaram said. 34-year-old beekeeper, Tukaram, bees Tukaram is a professional beekeeper. are far more than just insects. Bees are He earns a very good amount from this his best friends. In fact, he even lets business. At a time when a number of 10,000 of them touch his face. young men from his village lost their jobs Born and raised in Tartua village owing to COVID-19 induced lockdown, under Oupada block in Balasore dis- Tukaram gave them training on bee- trict, Tukaram has close companion- keeping. The effort to train more and ship with bees growing up. At a young more people continues.

age, he had a few cool tricks up his Vocation apart, beekeeping has made

k y m c sleeve to impress his friends with hon- has held a special bond with his buddies, him famous in the locality. A huge crowd eybees. while remaining calm and showing no gathers at his firm every time he show- Tukaram was introduced to the bee nervousness as he dealt with them, cases cool tricks with his best friends. world by his grandfather, who was a something he learnt from his grandpa. All the villagers enjoy the ‘Bee Man’ professional beekeeper during his time. “Bees are my best friends and I wished show while maintaining social dis- Aware of the fatal bee stings, Tukaram others too can love my friends as I do. I tancing. P6 SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS AYODHYA In sincerity is the certitude of

victory. Sincerity! Sincerity!

k y m How sweet is the purity of thy c presence? THE MOTHER OF RAM & ABRAHAM

rime Minister Narendra Hindu Brahman, it would be sur- Modi had promised to make mised, is the same as the God of the Varanasi the Global Bible and Allah of in the Quran. New face at PMO PSpiritual Capital, during Hinduism was the global spiri- his 2014 electoral campaign. The tual leader till about a thousand ny appointment in the all-powerful Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is same can be done better for Ayodhya years ago. Till then, it appears, viewed with great interest. So, when P. Amudha, who belongs to the which is now at the centre of global Hindu society adhered to the path A1994 batch IAS from Tamil Nadu cadre, was appointed to the PMO as attention with the construction of of action told by Sage Vasishtha and Joint Secretary on a lateral shift basis for the remainder of her five-year cen- the Ram Temple. followed by Lord Ram. The situa- tral deputation period, observers are speculating about her talent that can The case for Ayodhya stands tion changed dramatically after meet the high standards of the PMO. Before this appointment, Amudha was on the fact that there are re- Adi Shankaracharya came with serving as a professor at the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy of markable similarities between the his teachings. Sage Vasishtha had Administration in Mussoorie. lives of Lord Ram and Ibrahim taught people that “Brahman is Interestingly, minutes after the news of her appointment emerged, Tamil of the Abrahamic religions, namely, truth and the world is His mani- Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami congratulated the IAS officer in a tweet Judaism, Christianity and Islam. festation.” In distinction, and said that she had earned the goodwill of the state government as well as Syed Tariq Abdulla of Rampur The making of the Ram Temple presents an Shankaracharya taught that the affection of the people through her honesty and efficiency. Amudha has has established that Abrahamic “Brahman is truth and the world earned her reputation as an effective field officer and for her ability to take Prophets Adam and Nuh lived in opportunity to reinstate the teaching of Sage is unreal.” The material world be- swift decisions. Her peers recall her work during the Chennai floods in 2015 Bharat India. Might it be that Abraham Vasishtha, which is in essence parallel to the came “unreal.” Shankaracharya, when she was Special Officer for monsoon relief in the state. It’s these qual- Jhunjhunwala too lived in India and is known it appears, made this teaching only ities that may have impressed the PMO to bring her in for what could be the as Ram to the Hindus? If so, Ram teachings of the Abrahamic religions, at the centre to create a detached mode of action. most rewarding and challenging of the assignments for an IAS officer. is not merely the Lord of the of the global religious movement; and to raise He lived actively in the 32 short New RBI deputy governor THE CASE FOR Hindus but the Father of the years of his life. Like Vasishtha, he A search committee headed by BABUDOM Abrahamic religions as well. Lord Ram from a Hindu Avatar to the Global Lord wanted people to engage actively Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba AYODHYA Ayodhya can be developed as in the world but with a sense of de- will interview candidates for the BYTES STANDS ON THE not only the Global Spiritual returned to Ayodhya. Similarly, travelled from Ur in India rather tachment. However, it appears, his post of deputy governor of RBI Capital but also as a centre of pil- Abraham's wife Sarah was forcibly than from Ur in Iraq to make the teachings got perverted and later on August 7. It was meant to be Dilip Cherian FACT THAT grimage for Hindus, Jews, taken to Pharaoh's palace, the Lord House of Worship at Mecca as be- Hindu teachers taught that the held on July 23 but was put off Christians and Muslims at par stuck the Pharaoh with troubles lieved by our Muslim brothers. world was actually unreal and without any explanation. The post had fallen vacant after senior-most deputy THERE ARE with Jerusalem and Mecca. The and Abraham retrieved Sarah and The major difference between there was no benefit to be derived governor NS Vishwanathan demitted office three months before the end of REMARKABLE government has developed the returned to Ai where he was living. Hindu and Abrahamic religions from engaging in action within it. his tenure in March due to health reasons. Besides Gauba, the committee Pilgrimage Circuit covering Bodh The names Ravana and Pharaoh; is that the Hindus undertake idol The result was that the best minds includes RBI Governor Shaktikant Das, financial services secretary Debasish SIMILARITIES Gaya, Lumbini and Varanasi. and Ayodhya and Ai are also sim- worship while the Abrahamic re- of India became inert and we lost Panda and two independent members. BETWEEN THE Ayodhya can similarly be developed ilar. Ram broke his relations with ligions reject the same. They wor- to the Lodhi, Mughals and the The selected name from the interview will be sent to the Appointments as a global pilgrim destination. Lakshmana sometime after their ship the unseen God or Allah. British, and Hinduism has been de- Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister for final approval. LIVES OF LORD Saudi Arabia is today earning return to Ayodhya because the lat- The situation of Hindu religion clining since then. Sources say the panel has shortlisted eight candidates for the posts. RAM AND an income of around $10 billion or ter violated his order of not al- at the time of Lord Ram may have The making of the Ram Temple The RBI Act mandates that the central bank should have four deputy gov- Rs 75,000 crore every year from lowing anyone to intrude upon his been similar. Yoga Vasishtha says presents an opportunity to reinstate ernors -- two from within the ranks, one commercial banker and another an IBRAHIM OF THE pilgrimage to Mecca. We could secret consultations. Abraham that young Ram once returned the teaching of Sage Vasishtha, economist to head the monetary policy department. At present, the RBI has earn four times this money if we also broke his relations with Lot from a pilgrimage to Ayodhya which is in essence parallel to the three deputy governors – BP Kanungo, MK Jain and Michael Debabrata Patra. ABRAHAMIC can establish Ayodhya as the pil- after their return to Ai because and developed disinterest in mat- teachings of the Abrahamic reli- J&K cadre change RELIGIONS, grim centre for the Hindu and herdsmen of the two fought with ters of the world. He asked what gions, at the centre of the global re- The Centre stopped inducting new officers in the J&K cadre of the All India Abrahamic religions. each other. These and many other would be the benefit of engaging ligious movement; and to raise Services after the recategorisation of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union NAMELY, A large number of parallels are parallels in their lives open the in worldly works when the en- Lord Ram from a Hindu Avatar to Territories, J&K and Ladakh, in August last. The process was recently JUDAISM, seen in the life trajectory of Lord possibility that Ram and Abraham tire universe was a mirage and did the Global Lord. Ram and Ibrahim reinitiated, but sources say it has been put on hold again after receiving feed- Ram and Prophet Abraham or could be the same person. not actually exist at all. could be the same person. Teachings back from officers that it would lead to confusion. CHRISTIANITY Ibrahim. The original name of Indeed, the Holy Bible says that At that time, Sage Vasishtha ex- of Sage Vasishtha are parallel to The J&K cadre of IAS, IPS and IoFS officers was to be merged into the AND ISLAM Ibrahim, written as Abraham in the Abraham’s father Terah lived at a plained to Ram that this entire the teachings of the Bible and AGMUT cadre. However, according to the regulations, officers already serv- Bible was Abram, or Ab-Ram, place called “Ur Chaldea.” universe was pervaded by the same Quran. Therefore, we can promote ing in the J&K cadre at the time would continue in the existing cadre. The which means “father Ram.” Thus, Abrahamic religions believe this Supreme Power called Brahman the Ram Temple as a Temple of cadre controlling authority for AGMUT is the Ministry of Home Affairs the name “Ram” is embedded in the was a place named “Ur” in Iraq. and this universe was as real as Ibrahim as well and promote the while the other cadres are controlled by the Department of Personnel and name Ibrahim. Similarly, the names But we have not one but many Brahman. Thus, he advised Ram teachings of Sage Vasishtha. In Training (DoPT). Dasaratha and Terah, Sita and places with the name “Ur”— to engage in his worldly duties, this way we can make Ayodhya Apparently, some officers approached the Centre saying that two officers Sarah; and Lakshmana and Lot Kanpur, Nagpur, Rampur and so seeing Brahman in everything— the Global Spiritual Capital that the of the same batch would end up under different controlling authorities are similar. Ram went to the south on across India. It is possible that the earth, the trees and the relatives. Prime Minister had promised to do which would lead to “confusion” and “create differences” between the offi- with his wife Sita and brother Abraham may have lived in a place Thereafter, Ram abandoned his for Varanasi in 2014; and also, as cers. Seeing the resistance from the babus, the Centre has decided, for now, Lakshmana. Abraham went south by name Ur in India. The Holy idea of giving up the material the global pilgrim destination along not to proceed with the proposed cadre merger. Some officers believe that with his wife Sarah and nephew Quran says that Ibrahim and his world and engaged in actions such the lines of Jerusalem and Mecca. any key decision on the merger will likely happen only after August 15. Lot. Ram’s wife Sita was abducted son Ishmael made a House of as killing Ravana. The core message The writer is a former and taken to Ravana’s palace, Ram Worship which is believed to be the of the Sage was that there is only Professor of Economics at Share a babu experience! Follow [email protected] . killed Ravana and retrieved Sita and one at Mecca. Ibrahim may have one Brahman and no other. The IIM Bangalore. Let’s multiply the effect

WISDOM CORNER SPECTRUM BANKING Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Sometimes good things fall apart, so better things can fall together. MARILYN MONROE Digital finance: New normal & beyond The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His igital finance finds itself at portation, time) keep low-income ital ecosystem. plicity. With that in mind, several mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts an inflection point as the individuals away from saving with Financial institutions are lever- of them who had gone digital re- and finds no other inspiration. Dworld continues to tackle financial institutions. aging technology to revolutionise nounced it to revert to cash be- PEARL S BUCK the socio-economic fallout of the New technologies are rapidly product development, distribution, cause they found old-fashioned Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic could changing the face of finance. risk management, and a deepening methods a better and more reli- be a game changer for digital fi- Digitisation is dramatically chang- of understanding of lower-income able and effective solution. nancial services. It seems as if dig- ing financial services landscape, customers to create flexible, sus- Traditional banks will continue WORDSWORTH ital financial services may become which are being made available tainable and adaptive operating to be the most-trusted financial Moin Qazi and remain the new normal. For where you need, when you need models that meet the unique needs allies of people despite the fact Tabloid financial services providers, dig- and how you need these. of the poor. Technological advances that stringent regulation is effec- ital systems promise to enhance cus- Through its financial inclusion are improving data transmission, tively hamstringing them in re- or a period, British dailies the Times and the Independent were tomer acquisition growth, deepen journey, India has developed its collection, and analysis, enabling mote areas which are being mostly Fexperimenting with smaller formats and it looked as though their success WITH engagement, and lower costs. For financial ecosystem to increase organisations to develop low-cost served by banks. Tech companies may lead other newspapers to emulate them. There has long been a cultural STRENGTHENING customers, they make transactions the last-mile connectivity of fi- distribution models and scalable may be disrupting financial serv- divide in the British press. To paraphrase the view of the culturati around: more affordable, accessible and nancial services to its people. Low- risk-management practices. By ices, but they lack the solid rela- the big-format broadsheet ones, like the Telegraph, Times and Guardian, are OF UPI BY RBI, efficient. There has been an uptick income households and small firms delving deep into data available tionships built up by traditional serious and responsible papers that appeal to an intelligent and cultured in digital payments in areas which can benefit greatly from advances from mobile usage and other banks over generations. audience, while the smaller-format tabloid ones, especially the Sun and DIGITAL PAYMENTS have traditionally been slow to in mobile money, fintech services sources and using algorithms, we India is a country that has one Daily Star, are for people who move their lips while reading and who are only HAVE BEEN MADE embrace it. We should harness and online banking. Strategic ini- can get insightful findings and foot in future and the other in Stone interested in sex and sensationalism. The distaste of many opinion-formers this momentum to accelerate the tiatives like creating technology variables that can help build sur- Age -- almost literally. It had the most for the tabloids may in part be ill-informed and misguided, but it’s a potent SECURE, pace of digital finance adoption. rails that facilitate various inno- rogate financial histories of indi- vibrant and innovative high-tech force. So when the Independent brought out a tabloid-sized version, the COMPARED TO Payment systems have demon- vations (including targeted ini- viduals who do not have formal fi- ecosystems in the world; but along- Times followed suit, what were they to call the format? The Independent strated these are dependable, tiatives such as the Unified nancial documentation. side it’s a planet of hundreds of came up with compact, which might have had the disadvantage of confusing THE PAST durable, and continue to command Payments Interface (UPI), GST, The technology-development millions of people living in vil- the paper with something in a woman’s handbag or a disc you listened to, a high level of confidence from TReDS, Account Aggregator frame- process is one that in general is lages who are happy with a tech- but which avoided the dreaded T-word. Objections to tabloid started a general population. These have work to name a few) have further better left to the private sector, nology that’s hardly more sophis- century ago. It’s a rare example of an invented word that made it big, rather eased age-old pain points in deliv- facilitated this growth. where entrepreneurship and in- ticated than a bullock cart. Thus, too much so for its inventor, Henry Wellcome. He went into partnership in ering financial services to under- With strengthening of UPI by novation naturally happen. The moving to a digital and cashless 1878 with his fellow American Silas Burroughs to set up a pharmaceutical served customers. Money sits in RBI, digital payments have been challenge is that new technologies way of life involves a shift in cul- business in London. They needed a word for the highly compressed pills a virtual account on a server where made secure, compared to the past. have to afford the same degrees of tural pattern, and these are often that his firm produced. Tablet wouldn’t serve, as it was a much older term it can be transferred with the touch To this end, many payment gate- consumer protection and pruden- hard to break. But once broken (literally a little table) that had been used since the 16th Century to mean of a button. In the physical bank- ways have come up to further im- tial security that traditional tools and new ways emerge, new pat- any kind of solid dry medicine made up in small flat rectangles. Wellcome ing set-up, maintenance fees, min- prove digital transfer. This has have. While taking technological terns become solidified as soci- created tabloid from tablet plus the ending -oid that meant “having the imum balance requirements, and made it possible for low-income leaps, we must understand that eties update the way they function. form or likeness of”; this was registered as a trademark in 1884. As well as high indirect access costs (trans- populations to participate in the dig- most people still crave for sim- INFA drugs, the company used the brand name for other products, such as photographic chemicals and tea (though presumably not sold in tablet form). The problem came near the end of the century when people started to use the word for anything of compressed compass, for example for the Ram Mandir, religions Rafale, weapons industry Daily Mail, a newspaper in half-pint format that had been first published in May 1896 under the slogan “The penny newspaper for one halfpenny.” Sir, The Bhumi Poojan of the Lord Sri Ram Sir, French fighter jet Rafale will give us an edge over the neighbours for now. At the same, This was the precursor of all modern tabloids, with an emphasis on short Mandir on August 5 is a momentous occa- this will set in motion a weapons race in the region. Pakistan will also look for better stories simply told, on sport and human interest topics, and with the etters sion and a watershed in the history of re- fighter jets that will be superior to Rafale. China already has a large stock of fighter jets. innovation of a women’s page. The first recorded use of tabloid for this ligious faiths. It will be a red-letter day for Standing on the neutral ground, it has been a gala time for the global weapons industry style of journalism is from the very beginning of the 20th Century, from millions of Indians after a long wait of 492 based in the West. Taxpayers’ money is spent on such obsessions. But, for peace in the the Westminster Gazette of 1 January 1901. TOL THE EDITOR years and a protracted legal battle. Lord Ram, region, weapons purchase is a must. War, insecurity and conflicts are of help to the growth Readers of Orissa POST we believe, is a perfect role model for of the weapons industry. Sunil Pradhan, Khariar, NUAPADA are most welcome to contribute letters mankind. It will be wrong to confine Lord (200 words), articles and Ram only to Hindus. God is beyond caste, Education policy LOL columns (between 750-1250 words). Contributors are creed and religion. He is the supreme per- requested to send their sonality of Godhead and the mankind's Sir, The new education policy is a good step forward. Hope is that a good pan-India policy has SECRET “I smoke three contact numbers and full eternal well-wisher. Confusion should not been evolved in ways as to ensure equal opportunity to all students. Yet, this may not achieve

packs of cigarettes a postal address/email ID. They may also be spread at this auspicious occasion as to the goal of accessibility in terms of ‘education for all’. It will be a monumental task for all

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c woman walked up to a little old day,” he said. “I also drink a case of and suggestions, preferably by email, who must attend and who must not. People the stakeholders. The present problem of education in India is beyond changing the pattern Aman rocking in a chair on whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and to: [email protected] of all faiths should be invited. Saint Kabir alone. It should help achieve the goal of accessibility and equality with justice as the guid- his porch. never exercise.” said, “Call Him Ram or Rahim, God is ing principle. The new policy has not given much weightage to environmental study and cli- “I couldn’t help noticing how happy “That’s amazing,” said the woman, One.” That should be the spirit. mate crisis. We need more accurate planning and investment in a proper framework, with you look,” she said. “What’s your “how old are you?” B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, suggestions drawn from the academia and intellectuals for successful implementation of the secret for a long happy life?” “Twenty-six,” he said. Bhubaneswar-751010 Prabhudutt Dash, BHUBANESWAR education new policy. Biswajit Bhoi, CUO, KORAPUT UTTAR PRADESH WEST P7 BENGAL

SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Somen Mitra’s death leaves c Ayodhya gears up for Aug 5 Bengal Congress rudderless REUTERS PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Lucknow, July 31: Police have PARTY IN QUANDARY been ordered onto the streets of Kolkata, July 31: The death of West Ayodhya where Hindu groups will Bengal Congress president Somen nder Somen next week begin building a temple Mitra has left a deep leadership void U Mitra, the Congress in West on a site contested by Muslims for in the party in decline, as it seeks a Bengal aligned decades in a dispute that has sparked successor to the veteran who could with the CPI(M)-led some of the country’s most bloody revive the party ahead of the as- Left Front to take communal violence. sembly elections due next year. on the ruling TMC The Supreme Court ruled last Mitra, who headed the state and a resurgent year that Hindus, who believe the Congress thrice, died in a Kolkata BJP site in the northern town is the hospital Thursday. birthplace of Lord Ram, a physical According to party sources, the itra’s loss incarnation of Lord Vishnu, be al- lack of young leaders with prom- M came at lowed to build a temple there. ise in its ranks has presented a sit- a time when the party was trying to CCORDING TO PARTY SOURCES, THE LACK Hindus say the site was holy for uation where the Congress will OF YOUNG LEADERS WITH PROMISE IN ITS them long before the Mughals, have to depend on the old guard. forge a third A alternative in the RANKS HAS PRESENTED A SITUATION WHERE India’s most prominent Islamic The three leaders in the reck- state against the THE CONGRESS WILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE rulers, built the Babri Mosque there oning for the post are Rajya Sabha TMC and the BJP OLD GUARD in 1528. The court said Muslims be MP Pradip Bhattacharya, Leader of given another plot of land for a the Congress in the Lok Sabha mosque. Shops that fall on the way to the Ram Janmabhoomi site being given a fresh coat of paint as part of preparations Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and see what happens," a senior Most Congress leaders known Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Ram Temple, in Ayodhya, Friday. Abdul Mannan, the Leader of Congress leader told PTI. for their organisational or orator- whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Opposition in the state assembly. AICC West Bengal in-charge ical skills have switched over to Party campaigned for more than followed,” said the official, who de- who make up about 12 per cent in While India has ended its most Both Bhattacharya and Chowdhury Gaurav Gogoi, who arrived here the TMC in the last two decades, leav- three decades for the temple, has clined to be identified as he is not India, have largely accepted the de- coronavirus restrictions, it has have served as state Congress Thursday night, is likely to hold a ing a leadership vacuum in the been invited to lay the temple’s an authorised spokesman. cision. “We’ve accepted that Hindu maintained a ban on religious president. meeting with the state leaders on state, he said. foundation stone August 5, In 1992, a Hindu mob destroyed temple will be built and there’s no gatherings. "It is unlikely that Adhir the matter. Under Mitra, the Congress in officials said. the 16th-century mosque on the point in creating tension,” said Donations for the temple have Chowdhury will take charge as the "The Bengal unit of the party West Bengal aligned with the “But his visit depends on the site, triggering riots in which about Shakib Noor, a member of a Muslim poured in from Hindus in India state unit chief as he already holds never had any dearth of good lead- CPI(M)-led Left Front to take on pandemic situation and security 2,000 people, most of them Muslims, religious board in Ayodhya. and abroad. The temple should be a very important position in the ers in the past. However, there is no the ruling TMC and a resurgent concerns around it,” said a senior were killed across the country. Nevertheless, authorities in finished by 2022, its supporters say. Lok Sabha. Abdul Mannan and such promising young leader in BJP. official in Modi’s office in New Court battles over the owner- Ayodhya have ordered police to pa- “This is a great moment for the Pradip Bhattacharya are the two pos- the organisation who could helm the Mitra's loss came at a time when Delhi, referring to the novel coro- ship of the site followed. trol the streets and for barricades entire Hindu community,” said sible options with the Rajya Sabha state unit now," the Congress leader the party was trying to forge a third navirus. Since the court ruling last year, to be set up to prevent big crowds Sharad Sharma, a senior member MP having an edge as he has served said, insisting that his identity not alternative in the state against the “Social distancing rules will be tension has eased and Muslims, gathering next week. of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. as the PCC chief in the past. Let's be disclosed. TMC and the BJP. BJP leaders seek CBI probe 105-yr-old Afghan woman Guv invokes Satyajit Ray in into party workers’ death beats Covid-19 in UP hospital fresh salvo at Mamata govt PRESS TRUST OF INDIA PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The woman, who hails from Kabul, had come to visit her grandchildren in Kolkata, July 31: State BJP lead- Kolkata, July 31: Alleging that vi- ers met Union Home Minister Amit Uttar Pradesh earlier this year but eventually got stuck in the lockdown olence and corruption have be- Shah Friday and demanded a CBI come a part of the governance in probe into the deaths of its two PRESS TRUST OF INDIA West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep members who were found hang- Dhankhar hit out at Chief Minister ing in West Bengal's East Midnapore Noida, July 31: A 105-year-old woman Mamata Banerjee’s dispensation and South 24 Parganas districts from Afghanistan was discharged with a reference to Satyajit Ray’s this week. from a hospital in Greater Noida political satire 'Hirak Rajar Deshe' Lok Sabha MPs Soumitra Khan Friday after recovering from COVID- as he completed a year in office. Violence, corruption and and Nishith Pramanik met Shah in 19 in a fortnight, officials said. Dhankhar, whose first year in of- hegemony goondaism New Delhi and urged for an in- Rabia Ahmed was admitted to the fice has been marked by frequent under police protection vestigation by the CBI into the private Sharda Hospital July 16 in face-offs between Raj Bhavan and have become a part of the deaths of 52-year-old Gautam Patra party. Meanwhile, police said Patra a "life-threatening condition" after state secretariat 'Nabanna', said governance; what do in Ghora Mara area of South 24 reportedly ended his life after being getting infected with the novel coro- Ray would never have imagined we call it, Hirak Rajar Deshe? Parganas Thursday and ridiculed for allegedly having sex navirus and spent a week on ven- that similar state of affairs would JAGDEEP DHANKHAR I WEST BENGAL Purnachandra Das (44) in the with a cow. His body was found tilator, they said. prevail in his own state West Bengal GOVERNOR Ramnagar area of the East hanging from a tree Thursday. She had tested positive for the in- as is evident now. Midnapore district Wednesday. Preliminary investigation sug- fection at a private hospital in Noida “Violence, corruption and hege- "The law and order situation in gested that the deceased was ac- after which she was brought to mony goondaism under police pro- led to a steep decline in growth, West Bengal has completely broken cused of having "unnatural phys- Sharda Hospital, a dedicated COVID- tection have become a part of the gov- be it in trade or industry. down. Regularly BJP workers are ical activities with a cow in the 19 facility. ernance; what do we call it, Hirak The governor held that free and being murdered and are hanged village last week over which he She was tested again Thursday support. She was suffering from Fawad, who came to take her back Rajar Deshe?” Dhankhar said. fair elections are key to a healthy by the tree to project it as a sui- was being subjected to public and the result came out to be neg- acute respiratory distress syndrome from the hospital on Friday, said, 'Hirak Rajar Deshe' (In The Land democracy, which he said is not cide," they said in a statement. ridicule. A handwritten note has ative, paving the way for her dis- (ARDS)," Niranjan said. "Before Bakrid, the hospital has of Diamond King), which is a part possible if voting does not take "In the last two days, two of our been recovered from his pocket", a charge Friday ahead of the Islamic The treatment started in com- given my family a gift for a life- of the popular 'Goopy Gyne Bagha place fairly and with the police party workers have been found senior police officer said. A village festival of Bakrid, hospital offi- pliance with the protocols laid by time." Byne' trilogy, is a 1980 Ray classic on playing a partisan role. hanging from a tree. We demand CBI court was held Wednesday over his cials said. Ahmed, who hails from the Indian Council for Medical "Everyone in the family will re- the decaying state of the adminis- Dhankhar said that he expects inquiry into the killing of our two alleged bestiality but no punish- Kabul in Afghanistan, had come Research (ICMR) and the hospi- cite the festival prayer together tration and public welfare that is rel- the present government to follow BJP workers. We have requested ment was given, the officer said. to visit her grandchildren who are tal's own norms for COVID-19, he and celebrate Eid," Fawad said, as evant even in the present times. the Constitution, restore rule of Amit Shah Ji to order CBI inquiry Earlier this month, senior BJP living in Noida earlier this year said. "Her condition started im- his eyes welled up with joy. Stating that there have been law, end police raj, make gover- into both the incident," they said. leader and MLA Debendra Nath but eventually got stuck in the lock- proving after ventilator support Hospital spokesperson Ajit memorable and inspiring experi- nance accountable and transparent, Das was found hanging from a Roy was found dead under myste- down, they said. for seven days. She was given a diet Kumar said Gautam Buddh Nagar's ences during the one year as the gov- avoid constitutional distancing tree near his home by locals on rious circumstances near his house "When the patient was brought, with high-level protein. After this, Additional Chief Medical Officer ernor of West Bengal, Dhankhar from the governor and end cor- Wednesday evening, police said. in North Dinajpur district. she had fever, severe breathless- she was taken off ventilator support V K Singh and Additional District held that there also have been ruption. The district BJP alleged that he Roy was found hanging from a ness and pneumonia. She was also and the woman even started rec- Magistrate Diwakar Singh were painful aberrations. Emphatic in his praise for the was killed by Trinamool Congress ceiling, outside a closed shop near suffering from Alzheimer's. She ognizing the health care staff who present during the woman's dis- "There is a very serious dilu- state over the simplicity of its peo- workers as he had refused to change his home in the Hemtabad area of was unable to identify any rela- were attending her in the ICU," charge and gave her gifts, wishing tion of democratic values... Human ple, rich culture, heritage, he said sides. The TMC rubbished the al- the district, police said. tives also when she was admitted Niranjan said. her well."The hospital staff also rights compromise is virtually that Kolkata is a unique city in the legation as "politically motivated", His family and the party alleged here," Dr Ashutosh Niranjan, the "Now her condition is much bet- presented flowers to the 105-year-old wholesale," he said in a video mes- world for having given several and said a police investigation that it was a "cold-blooded mur- medical superintendent of Sharda ter. She is also eating properly. She woman as she left the hospital de- sage on completion of a year in of- Nobel laureates. would bring out the truth. der by TMC". The police, however, Hospital, said. was discharged from the hospital feating coronavirus after a 15-day fice Thursday, adding that "free- He said the present government The BJP claimed that Patra was quoting the post-mortem report "She had urinal infection and on Friday after the report of her fight," Kumar added. dom that goes with democracy is has distanced itself from what its booth-level worker and was had said that Roy died due to hang- her ECG was also abnormal. The COVID-19 test done Thursday came He said 21 other COVID-19 pa- missing". Corruption has marred Rabindranath Tagore had written killed by the TMC, an allegation ing, and no other injury mark was patient was in a critical state and negative," the senior doctor said. tients were discharged from the and tainted the democratic fabric, -- "Where the head is held high and dubbed as baseless by the ruling found on the body. immediately shifted on ventilator The woman's grandson Ahmad hospital after recovery Friday. he said, holding that all these have the mind is without fear." SIT report on Dubey Sisters of this village stay clear of Raksha Bandhan INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE brothers’ wrist.” PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE Suryanarayan added, “On the likely to be delayed Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), July 31: NO ONE BELIEVE, IF RAKSHA day of Raksha Bandhan, if a child Raksha Bandhan is the festival that IN THE BANDHAN IS is born in the family, then only the celebrates love between brothers BHIKHAMPUR CELEBRATED, EVIL festival will be celebrated. The wait INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE and sisters and protection of the lat- JAGAT MIGHT BEFALL THEM. has been going on for almost three ter by the former from any evil. PURWA MANY UNTOWARD generations. This opportunity has Lucknow, July 31: The report of But in a village in Gonda district no VILLAGE OF EVENTS HAVE not come yet.” All the siblings in this DUMARIADIH the Special Investigation Team one likes the festival. OCCURRED IN THE PAST village will continue to miss the GETS (SIT), set up to probe the Bikru No one in the Bhikhampur Jagat WARNING THEM TO most loved festival till then. EXCITED STAY AWAY FROM massacre in which eight police- Purwa village of Dumariadih gets Though the festival of Raksha ABOUT THIS FESTIVAL men were ambushed and killed excited about Rakhi or even utters RAKSHA Bandhan is not celebrated in Jagat July 3, is likely to be delayed. the festival’s name. BANDHAN OR Purwa, the sisters of the sur- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath They believe, if Raksha Bandhan EVERYONE AWAITS THE rounding villages tie the rakhi on EVEN UTTERS BIRTH OF A CHILD ON had asked the SIT to submit the is celebrated, evil might befall them. the wrists of their brothers. THE RAKSHA BANDHAN, report by July 31. Many untoward events have oc- FESTIVAL’S WHICH THEY BELIEVE “We will follow what our elders According to official sources, curred in the past warning them to NAME WILL END THE have told us. We will not break the the SIT has not been able to get stay away from this festival. DEADLY CYCLE tradition started by our ancestors certain documents needed for the Everyone awaits the birth of a child and will continue following the tra- investigation. the role of the police, his relations on Raksha Bandhan, which they dition,” Suryanarayan opined. These documents are related to with police personnel and the fac- believe will end the deadly cycle. mention of the word Raksha Devnarayan Mishra, Dhruv Bandhan in our family. Since then, Suryanarayan said that they only the 2001 case in which gangster tors which led Vikas' emergence as There are 20 homes in Jagat Bandhan scares people and the sis- Narayan Mishra and Swaminath sisters in the village do not tie a listen to the stories of Rakha Vikas Dubey was acquitted in the a gangster. Purwa, where nearly 200 children ters there refuse to tie rakhis on Mishra -- all have the same story. rakhi on their brothers’ wrists.” Bandhan, but cannot experience murder of the then state minister A member of the SIT said that are scared of ‘rakhi’ (sacred pro- the day. They do not want to break “Whenever sisters tied a thread “A decade ago, on the day of the festivity.

Santosh Shukla inside the Shivli po- documents related to the gangster's tective thread). Even the older gen- the tradition set by their ancestors. on their brothers’ wrists in our Raksha Bandhan, it was decided to Villagers said that most people of

k y m c lice station in Kanpur. call records had also not been pro- eration shares this emotion. Jagat Purwa villagers houses, untoward incidents oc- tie rakhi on the request of the sis- the village do not move out on the Documents related to the bail vided as yet. More than five decades have Suryanarayan Mishra, curred in this village.” ters, but something untoward hap- day of Raksha Bandhan. Jagat granted to the slain gangster in "We will need another month to passed in this village in Wazirganj Satyanarayan Mishra, Sidhanarayan Suryanarayan Mishra said, “In pened that day, too. After this, no Purwa remains silent on the day other cases have also been sought compile the report. We will ask the panchayat that sisters have tied a Mishra, Ayodhya Prasad, Deep 1955, after eight years of one dared celebrate rakhi. Even even as every other sister ties a but not yet received. government for time," the mem- ‘rakhi’ on their brothers’ wrists. Narayan Mishra, Bal Govind Independence, a young man was today, this fear prevents the sis- rakhi on her brother’s hand through- The SIT has been asked to probe ber said. Even in nearby villages, the mere Mishra, Santosh Mishra, killed one fine morning of Raksha ters from tying rakhi on their out the country. The Congress got SECURITY TIGHTENED P8 an opportunity to SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR rule in favour of the Muslim The Delhi Police has sisters in the 1980s. But banned flying of votes were more important sub-conventional aerial for the party than the lives platforms starting from of these women Friday till August 15 as y SMRITI IRANI | UNION WOMEN AND CHILD part of security measure

national DEVELOPMENT MINISTER

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of the INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE in an insulting manner. "In some of after much deliberation. Sources fur- day uote STRICT ACTION the web series like 'Code M' on Zee 5 and ther pointed out that this has been New Delhi, July 31: Any content on 'XXX Uncensored (season-2)' on ALT done "to curtail the incidents which the military will have to obtain a no Balaji, the scenes related to the Army distort the image of the defence forces The Centre objection certificate (NOC) or clear- are far from reality and present a dis- and hurt the sentiments of the defence has approved Def Ministry ance from the Ministry of Defence torted image of the Armed Forces," personnel and veterans". the from now onwards. The decision said a senior government official. Meghalaya The military has been very particular government’s was taken after a few web series al- houses to obtain NOC from them before Some concerned citizens and ex-ser- about its image and the content projected proposal for setting NOC must for legedly presented a distorted image telecasting any film/documentary/web vicemen associations have even lodged in different web series or documen- up an AYUSH of the armed forces. series on army theme in public do- a case against ALT Balaji seeking legal taries or movies. Bollywood films on mil- directorate in the state The Defence Ministry has written a main. The letter was sent by the Ministry action against the producer and the itary go through a mandatory clear- letter to the Central Board of Film of Defence July 27. OTT platform. The over-the-top (OTT) ance process. A L HEK | MEGHALAYA HEALTH MINISTER broadcasting Certification (CBFC), the Ministry of Sources said the ministry had re- media service is a streaming media However, with increased OTT plat- Electronics and Information Technology ceived complaints raising strong ob- service offered directly to the viewers forms, the military feels that it needs and the Ministry of Information and jections about portrayal of Indian via internet. The step to make obtain- to moderate any possible alleged neg- The BJP is like Broadcasting to advise production Army personnel and military uniform ing NOC mandatory has been taken ative depiction of the uniform. flow of the military content river Ganga. Those who join the BJP see CHINESE PRODUCTS’ BAN improvement in their work culture PRAKASH JAVADEKAR | UNION MINISTER Toxic liquor claims 21 lives in Punjab Govt puts imports of AGENCIES Felt saddened 10 die after drinking sanitiser on learning Chandigarh, July 31: Twenty- TV sets on restricted list about the one people have died in Punjab's Amaravati: At least ten alcohol addicts, including three beggars, died death of former three districts allegedly after drink- after allegedly consuming sanitiser as an alternative to liquor in a INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Union Home ing spurious liquor, prompting village under COVID-19 lockdown in Prakasam district of Andhra Secretary and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to Pradesh, police said Friday. The victims of Kurichedu village had New Delhi, July 31: Government Maharashtra's Chief order a magisterial probe, officials been drinking sanitiser for the past few days, mixing it with water has put further squeeze on imports Secretary Ram Pradhan and soft drinks, Prakasam district Superintendent of Police said Friday. of items coming from countries Siddharth Kaushal said in a statement. "We are investigating SHARAD PAWAR | NCP CHIEF The deaths took place in Punjab's whether the sanitiser had any other toxic content. We have sent the such as China by putting imports Amritsar, Batala and Tarn Taran dis- stocks for chemical analysis, Kaushal said. The deceased were of colour television sets of differ- tricts since Wednesday night, an highly addicted to alcohol and its non-availability due to extended ent sizes in the restricted list. SHORT TAKES official statement said. Punjab DGP Covid-19 lockdown in Kurichedu forced them to go for sanitiser that Accordingly, a notification is- Dinkar Gupta said the first five fa- had alcoholic content, police said. Apart from the beggars, the other sued by Directorate General of talities were reported from Mucchal Jalandhar, into the deaths of 21 deceased were poor rickshaw pullers and hamalis, who had a hand- Foreign Trade (DGFT) has put tel- 71 booked in and Tangra villages in Amritsar's people allegedly due to the con- to-mouth existence. Two beggars near a temple were the first to fall evision sets of different types with governments Atmanirbhar Bharat Tarsikka on July 29 night. sumption of spurious liquor, the victim Thursday night. A couple of other persons, who also screen sizes ranging from 36cm to mission that focuses on making triple talaq cases On Thursday evening, two more official statement said. The inquiry complained of some health problems after drinking sanitiser, were 105cm and above in the restricted the country self sufficient by de- Muzaffarnagar: Seventy-one people died under suspicious cir- will look into the facts and cir- undergoing treatment and out of danger, the police added. list of items for imports from ex- veloping domestic manufacturing people have been booked cumstances at Amritsar's Muchhal cumstances leading to the inci- isting free import category. capabilities. The TV industry in and 62 arrested in triple talaq village. One person died at Sri Guru dents, it said. of the IPC (punishment for culpa- death, the statement said. According The restrictions mean that im- India is about Rs 15,000 crore of cases in Shamli district in the Ram Das Hospital in Amritsar after It will be conducted by the ble homicide not amounting to mur- to it, the victims have been identi- port of all listed items would have which more than 36 per cent is last one year, police said being shifted from Tangra. Later, Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar, der) and under provisions of the fied as Mangal Singh, Balwinder to follow a process of verification coming as imports primarily from Friday. Shamli SP Vinit two more deaths were reported along with the Punjab Joint Excise Excise Act, the DGP said. The CM Singh, Dalbir Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and scrutiny by the Commerce China and South East Asia. Jaiswal said 19 cases of triple from Mucchal village while an- and Taxation Commissioner and has promised strict action against Kashmir Singh, Kaka Singh, Kirpal Ministry before any permission is Government has gone for chang- talaq were registered against other two people died in Batala, the SP (Investigation) in districts con- anyone found complicit in the case Singh, Jaswant Singh and Joga given to bring restricted list items ing the export import policy for 71 people and charge sheets also due to the consumption of spu- cerned. and directed police to launch a Singh, all residents of Muchhal into the country. The latest checks TV sets as under the existing were filed in 16 cases against rious liquor. On Friday, five people The CM has given the Divisional search operation to crack down on village; and Baldev Singh of Tangra; on imports follows the govern- ASEAN India FTA many of these 62 people in courts. During died in Batala, taking the death toll Commissioner the liberty to co-opt any spurious liquor manufacturing Those who died in Batala have been ment's earlier decision to make its imports are coming at reduced/zero investigation, nine out of 71 in the city to seven, the DGP said, any civil/police officer or any ex- unit operating in the state. identified as Buta Ram, Bhinda, approval mandatory for foreign duty which cannot be controlled people were found innocent, adding that four fatalities were re- pert to facilitate the expeditious The post-mortem of four peo- Riku Singh, Kala, Kalu, Billa and investments from countries that through increased duty. Hence, ac- the SP added. ported from Tarn Taran. conduct of the probe. ple–-Jaswinder Singh, Kashmir Jatinder. Those who died in Tarn share land border with India, a tions like import restrictions are one Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Meanwhile, police have arrested Singh, Kirpal Singh and Jaswant Taran are Sahib Singh, Harban move which largely restricts FDI of the main actions available to has ordered a magisterial inquiry Balwinder Kaur, a resident of Singh--will be conducted Friday to Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Dharam from China. Restrictions on im- Government by which it could bring Sonia’s condition by the Divisional Commissioner, Muchhal village, under Section 304 ascertain the exact cause of their Singh. ports of TV sets is expected to boost about the necessary checks. improving: Hosp New Delhi: Congress UGC EXAMS president Sonia Gandhi, who DAILY GRIND has been admitted to a private facility here, is Normal rain likely in SC adjourns showing improvement in her condition, hospital authorities matter to Aug 10 said Friday. Gandhi was admitted to the Sir Ganga Aug and Sept: IMD PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Ram Hospital on Thursday evening for routine tests, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA June 1 to September 30. The onset New Delhi, July 31: The Supreme according to a health bulletin. of monsoon over Kerala was on Court Friday refused to pass any New Delhi, July 31: Monsoon is June 1 and until July 30, the coun- interim order on a batch of peti- likely to be normal in the second try had received one per cent more tions seeking cancellation of final CISF personnel half of the four-month rainfall rainfall than normal. year/semester examinations in dies of Covid season, the India Meteorological The northwest division of the September amid the COVID-19 Department (IMD) said Friday. IMD has a 19-per cent deficiency. pandemic and asked the Centre to New Delhi: A Central In its Long Range Forecast for It comprises Rajasthan, Uttar clear the stand of Ministry of Industrial Security Force rainfall in the second half (August- Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Home Affairs (MHA) on the issue. (CISF) personnel has September) of the Uttarakhand, The UGC told the top court that succumbed to COVID-19, 2020 Southwest Punjab, Haryana nobody should remain under the officials said Friday. Sub Monsoon, the IMD and the Union impression that since the Supreme Inspector R K Soloman, said August is territories of Court is examining this issue, the posted at the Farakka Super likely to receive Chandigarh, final year /semester examination Thermal Power Plant in rainfall that is 97 Delhi, Jammu will be stayed. West Bengal, died during per cent of the and Kashmir A bench head by Justice Ashok treatment. He was a Long Period and Ladakh. The Bhushan, which conducted the member of the fire wing of the force, they said. This is Average (LPA). deficiency in hearing through video confer- the 13th death due to the "Quantitatively, the Jammu and encing, said that it is not pass- pandemic in the force and rainfall over the country as a Kashmir and Ladakh is 50 and ing any orders on the issue and the second death in the whole during the second half of 59 per cent respectively. Delhi has posted the matters for further Farakka CISF unit as the season is likely to be 104 per also recorded a deficiency. The cen- hearing August 10. The bench, Wednesday Assistant Sub cent of the LPA with a model tral India division has a three- also comprising Justices R Inspector S K Poddar had error of plus/minus 8 per cent," per cent deficiency. The division Subhash Reddy and M R Shah, succumbed to the virus. the IMD said. comprises Goa, Maharashtra, was informed by Solicitor The LPA rainfall over the coun- Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, General Tushar Mehta, appear- try for the 1961-2010 period is 88 cen- Chhattisgarh, Odisha and the ing for the Centre and the UGC, timetres. Monsoon in the range of Union territories of Dadra and that he would apprise the court Prez, VP warn of 96-104 per cent of the LPA is con- Nagar Haveli and Daman and about MHA's stand on the issue. sidered normal. The official rain- Diu. The two Union territories Mehta said they are only con- nCoV on Id-ul-Zuha fall season in the country is from have recorded deficient rainfall. cerned with final year exams and A delivery man carrying gas cylinder during rain in Lucknow, Friday UNI PHOTO out of over 800 universities in the New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice country, 209 have completed the ex- President M. Venkaiah aminations. "Let nobody remain Naidu wished the people under the impression that since Friday on the occasion of this court is examining this, it Id-ul-Zuha while reminding Bollywood’s daily wage workers battle for survival will be stayed. Let students con- them to be mindful of the tinue with their studies," Mehta ongoing pandemic. Despite generating billions of dollars, world's most prolific film industry has no established scheme to protect its most vulnerable members said. To this, the bench said, "We are not passing any such order." AGENCIES The lockdown cast a spotlight has worked alongside virtually The bench also asked counsel for LOCKDOWN WOES on India's extreme inequality with every major actor, from 1970s mati- Maharashtra to place before it Mumbai, July 31: India’s coron- well-heeled citizens able to hi- nee idol Rajesh Khanna to superstar the June 19 order of the state dis- Three nabbed avirus lockdown made little dif- bernate safely at home while Shah Rukh Khan. aster management committee Bangalore: Three ference to Hindi film industry’s su- watching shocking scenes of a In a good month, the 68-year-old passed in this regard. middlemen have been perstars but for industry's vast huge migrant worker exodus play scraped together around 14,000 ru- "Let the decision (of state dis- arrested in the city for army of low-paid, unskilled work- out on their television and smart- pees. But her income dried up after aster management committee of attempting to sell deer ers it meant unemployment, hunger phone screens. shoots came to a standstill, and she Maharashtra) be brought on antlers or horns procured and homelessness -- with no end in That chasm between the haves has not worked for months. record," the bench said. The top from unknown forest sight even as shoots gradually re- and have-nots is perhaps even more Unlike the younger Shaikh who court said all the affidavits be sources at Rs 5 lakh, an sume. pronounced in Bollywood, where jet- has few industry contacts Mumani's filed by August 7. At the fag end official said Friday. "We Fahim Shaikh used to earn 800 setting megastars rub shoulders long association with leading stu- of the hearing, advocate Alakh have arrested Sundaresh, rupees ($11) a day as a "spot boy" on with tens of thousands of extras, dios meant that she could count on Alok Srivastava, appearing for Manjunath and sets, doing odd jobs such as making spot boys and other junior crew at least a little help, with top ac- some of the petitioners, raised Raghavendra for attempting tea. When Bollywood hit pause on members who exist on the margins tors such as Amitabh Bachchan the issue of plight of students in to sell two deer antlers," productions in March, the 23-year- of the glamorous industry. and Salman Khan sending her gro- the flood affected areas of Assam

y said Central Crime Branch (CCB) Deputy Commissioner old could no longer pay rent. "The spot boys are considered cery vouchers and cash. and Bihar.

"I just wandered up and down, ask- the littlest players, till food arrives But relying on the piecemeal gen- On Thursday, the UGC justified

k y m of Police (DCP) Kuldeep Jain c to IANS. A case has been ing strangers for help and sleep- daily grind in India's most expen- This means that jobs for people late on a set," actress Richa Chadha erosity of individuals has severe lim- its decision directing all univer- registered against all the ing outside cafes," he told AFP. Like sive city. The hugely successful like Shaikh are now few and far wrote on her blog highlighting the itations, as Mumani found out, sities and institutions to hold final three under the Wildlife Act many starry-eyed newcomers, he Hindi film industry is tentatively between. "I am ready to do any- "disastrous" effects of the lock- when mounting medical and house- year/semester examinations in and the accused will be came to Mumbai in pursuit of an coming back to life but with strict thing, I desperately need work," he down. hold expenses left her with a debt September saying it was done to handed over to the forest acting career before his dreams rules including curbs on the num- said. During her half-century-long of 100,000 rupees. "I feel so useless protect the academic future of department. gave way to the pressures of the ber of people allowed on set. 'The littlest players' stint as an extra, Sayeda Mumani and helpless," she told AFP. students across the country. BJP SENDS LEGAL NOTICE TO P9 The MVA (Maha SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR Vikas Aghadi) SIDDARAMAIAH & SHIVAKUMAR government of Shiv Sena, The BJP’s Karnataka unit Friday said it has NCP and Congress is not sent legal notice to the leader of opposition a family, but the three Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief D K parties are in a live-in Shivakumar for their ‘baseless’ allegations

y national relationship of corruption in the procurement of Covid-

k y m DEVENDRA FADNAVIS | BJP LEADER 19 equipment and supplies c

of the day uote Scheduled int’l flights In view of the ‘Only 0.28% nCoV patients on ventilator’ complaint of Dalit AGENCIES suspended till Aug 31 Mahamandelshwar Swami Kanhaiya LG REJECTS DELHI Prabhunanadan New Delhi, July 31: India's COVID- GOVT’S DECISION PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Giri, it would have 19 case fatality rate is progressively been better if he was also invited declining and now stands at 2.18 elhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal New Delhi, July 31: Aviation reg- to the bhoomi pujan ceremony in per cent, one of the lowest globally, D Friday rejected the AAP ulator DGCA on Friday said the Ayodhya August 5 along with 200 while just 0.28 per cent of the total government's decision to allow suspension of scheduled interna- other saints active patients are on ventilator, hotels and weekly markets under tional flights to and from the coun- Union Health Minister Harsh Unlock 3, official sources said. As try has been extended till August MAYAWATI | BSP PRESIDENT Vardhan said Friday. the COVID-19 situation continues 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic. He also said of the total 5,45,318 to be "fragile" and the threat is The suspension of scheduled in- active cases, 1.61 per cent patients still "far from over", the ternational commercial services been approved, the statement said. The MVA need ICU care and 2.32 per cent are lieutenant governor has taken was till July 31. In the wake of the Under the Vande Bharat Mission, government of on oxygen support. Chairing the this decision, they said. Reacting pandemic, overseas flights were Air India and Air India Express Shiv Sena, 19th meeting of the Group of to the LG's move, the Aam Aadmi suspended in late March, while have uplifted 2,67,436 stranded pas- Party said the Centre must stop NCP and Congress Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 cargo flights and those approved by sengers, and other charters have up- interfering in decisions of the will not last long as through video-conference on Friday, the DGCA have been permitted to lifted 4,86,811 stranded passengers there is lack of unity Delhi government and stop Vardhan said India has achieved the undermining its authority. operate. In a statement, the during May 6 to July 30 period, it among the ruling milestone of more than 10 lakh re- Directorate General of Civil added. allies coveries, a recovery rate to 64.54 Aviation (DGCA) said the govern- As part of allowing gradual RAJ THACKERAY | MAHARASHTRA per cent. Shipping (Independent Charge) conducted in a span of 24 hours chloroquine, the statement said. ment has decided to "extend the movement of passenger traffic NAVNIRMAN SENA (MNS) CHIEF "This shows that the active cases Mansukh Lal Mandaviya, MoS through a network of 1,331 labs - In terms of healthcare logis- suspension on the Scheduled amid the pandemic situation, under medical supervision are only Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey - 911 government and 420 private tics, cumulatively 268.25 lakh N-95 International Commercial 'Transport Bubble' agreements The Indian 33.27 pc or approximately 1/3rd of and MoS Home Nityanand Rai – which has taken the cumula- masks, 120.40 lakh PPEs and 1,083.77 Passenger Services to/from India have been signed with the US, National total positive cases,” he was quoted joined the meeting. Speaking on tive number to more than 1.88 lakh HCQ tablets have been dis- up to 2359 hours IST of 31st August". France, and Germany. "Recently, Congress as saying in a health ministry state- the severity of the disease, Vardhan crore tests so far. The GoM was tributed to states/UTs and Central However, this restriction would 'Transport Bubble' agreement has welcomes the ment. “India's Case Fatality Rate said, "Out of the total active cases, briefed on the current status of institutions, it said. During the not applicable for international also been signed with Kuwait to Supreme Court is also progressively reducing and only 0.28 pc patients are on venti- COVID-19 in India and was ap- meeting, National Centre for all-cargo operations and flights uplift stranded passenger both decision which has currently stands at 2.18 per cent, one lators, 1.61 pc patients needed ICU prised about the ramping up of the Disease Control Director Dr Sujeet specifically approved by the DGCA. to/ from India. More similar paved way for the of the lowest globally," he said. support and 2.32 pc are on oxygen domestic production capacities K Singh presented a comparison During the suspension period, arrangements are likely to fruc- construction of the Ram temple in Minister of External Affairs S support.” of various sectors for manufac- on daily cases, deaths and growth more than 2,500 repatriation flights tify and ease passenger move- Ayodhya Jaishankar, Minister of Civil On the country's testing ca- turing PPEs, masks, ventilators rate in 10 countries with the high- by foreign carriers to uplift stranded ments from different countries," JAIVEER SHERGILL | CONGRESS SPOKESMAN Aviation Hardeep Puri, MoS pacity, he said 6,42,588 tests were and drugs such as hydroxy- est caseload, it stated. passengers to/ from India have the statement said.

SHORT TAKES HC DISMISSES ISHRAT JAHAN’S PLEA BOND OF LOVE AND TRUST NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Friday dismissed a petition filed by Congress ex- councillor Ishrat Jahan, challenging an order of the trial court granting more time Mehbooba Mufti’s to the Delhi Police to file a chargesheet against her in a case related to the Delhi detention extended riots, after finding "no merits" in the plea. "Accordingly, finding no merit in the present petition, the same is accordingly, dismissed with no order as Srinagar: The Jammu and DELHI to costs. The trial court shall not get influenced by the observations Kashmir government on made by this Court while passing the order," said a single judge Friday extended the RIOTS bench of the high court presided by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait. The detention of former Chief bench while passing the order observed that there was "no illegality or perversi- Minister Mehbooba Mufti ty" in the order passed by the trial court. "I am of the view that Public Prosecutor under the Public Safety Act had moved an application, for extension of time to file chargesheet, after going (PSA) for another three through the whole matrix of the case and after satisfying himself as per the law. months. An order issued by Learned Judge also after going through the facts and circumstances and mandate Principal Secretary, Home, of provisions of law of the Act mentioned above and after recording his satisfac- Shaleen Kabra, said that in tion had passed impugned order," the order said. order to prevent her from acting in any manner prejudicial to maintenance of public order, the LJP asks EC not to hold Bihar polls in Oct-Nov government directs that the period of NEW DELHI: BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party wrote to the Election Commission Friday detention of Mehbooba against holding the Bihar assembly polls in October-November, when they are Mufti under the PSA be due, saying it will otherwise amount to deliberately "pushing people towards extended for a further death". The party has said resources should now be focussed on curbing the period of three months and COVID-19 crisis and tackling floods in the state and not holding the polls. The LJP she may be lodged in has said that the coronavirus pandemic has already acquired dangerous propor- subsidiary jail, Fairview, on tions and experts believe that it is likely to be more severe by October-November, Gupkar Road here. as it argued that the priority now should be saving people's lives and not holding the elections. The LJP's stand on the elections is opposite to that of the JD(U), which also is a BJP ally, as the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led party has spoken in favour of holding them on time and has been holding organisational meetings in Sajad Gani Lone preparation. The BJP has maintained that any decision on the poll schedule is the released EC's prerogative, while the main opposition RJD has in past called for postponing the elections, citing the coronavirus threat. The EC had sought views of all parties Srinagar: Jammu and on the elections. The LJP said endangering lives of a big population would be Kashmir Peoples Conference absolutely "improper" for holding the elections and noted that over 35,000 people (JKPC) chairman Sajad Gani in the country, including 280 in Bihar, have died of COVID-19 so far. Lone was Friday released People buying rakhi for the upcoming Raksha bandhan festival at a market in Jabalpur, Friday UNI PHOTO from nearly a year-long detention, officials said. Lone was released days ahead of the first anniversary of the ‘Ensure timely payments to health workers, docs’ Centre's move to revoke 51-yr-old man passes Article 370 of the Constitution in August last INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE for doctors and health workers is year, the officials said. Lone being treated as period of leave. also confirmed his release by New Delhi, July 31: The Supreme Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, rep- Class 10 after 33 years taking to Twitter. Court Friday said the Centre is not resenting the Centre, contended be- powerless to ensure that state gov- fore the bench that it should be treated Mohammed Nooruddin, 51, is elated at clearing Class ernments obey its directive in con- as on duty. The bench asked Mehta to Khushbu denies nection with the release of salaries provide necessary clarification. 10 as the T’gana govt has promoted all the students of doctors and healthcare work- The apex court said the Centre without conducting the exams due to the pandemic move to BJP ers, and also asked why quaran- should apprise its stand on this Chennai: Actor and Tamil Nadu tine period of doctors and health issue on the next date of hear- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE this as I was scoring 32 or 33 Congress spokesperson Khushbu workers is treated as leave. ing. The observations were made marks but I decided not to give up," Sundar has categorically The Centre informed the apex powerless to ensure states obeyed its court told the Centre's counsel, "You by the bench during hearing of a Hyderabad, July 31: While the Nooruddin told IANS. refuted all speculation about court that some state governments directive, and asked the Centre's coun- are not helpless. You have to see to it petition seeking timely payment coronavirus pandemic has caused This year, the going was tougher her joining the BJP after she have not paid salaries to doctors sel to ensure that doctors and health that your order is implemented. You of salaries to frontline Covid-19 immense suffering and pain across for him as he had missed the last welcomed the New Education and health workers regularly despite care workers are paid their salaries. have powers under the DM Act. You warriors and doctors. The Centre the world, it has come as a "bless- date to pay the fee to appear in the Policy 2020. Her view was the Centre's directive. The top court has listed the matter for can take steps also." had informed the top court that ing" for a Hyderabad resident exams as a regular candidate and contrary to the party's A bench headed by Justice Ashok further hearing August 10. On the The apex court also asked the it has written to states but all who finally passed his Class 10 ex- had to apply in the open category. official stance on the policy. Bhushan said that the Centre is not non-payment of salaries, the apex Centre why the quarantine period haven't replied. amination after failing in repeated This time, he had to write all six attempts during the last 33 years. papers again. It was in 1987 that Nooruddin, "I was working hard. My daugh- a student of the Anjuman Boys ter who has done B. Com with High School in Musheerabad English as a medium of instruc- JeM, LeT militants trained in Afghan to attack India area, had first appeared in tion, was helping me," said Secondary School Certificate Nooruddin, a father of four in- (SSC) exam. While he cleared all cluding a mentally challenged son. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE As per credible inputs, sources said, ties in Kashmir, has become active the papers, English proved to be However, the exams could not there has been heightened activity of in Afghanistan too. In the last one a hurdle. be conducted due to the Covid-19 New Delhi, July 31: Pakistan LeT and JeM ahead of August 5, the day week, 31 terrorists, including 13 "Since I studied in the Urdu situation and the government de- Army’s Special Service Group (SSG) on which J&K was reorganised last year, Pakistani nationals belonging to medium, English was the biggest cided to treat all the candidates as has trained around 20 Jaish-e- resulting in nullification of Article 370 JeM were killed in an operation by weakness. I wrote the exam every passed. He is happy that he has fi- Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e- A group of three terrorists, including a Afghan security forces in Mirza year but could not secure 35 marks nally passed the SSC but feels Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Afghanistan local youth, as per intelligence Khel in Khogyani district of (out of 100) required to pass the that this should have happened to carry out attacks in India ahead sources, are planning to attack a BSF Afghanistan. paper. I was narrowly missing long ago. of August 5, the first anniversary camp in Kashmir In June, a UN Security Council of the constitutional reorganiza- report had said that not only do tion of Jammu and Kashmir and The report had said that around 6,500 the Taliban and the Al Qaida con- Pakistani terrorists, including 1,000 from August 15, the Independence Day. tinue to cooperate with each other, Jaish and Lashkar, are present in Intelligence sources told IANS Afghanistan but Kashmir-specific Pakistani ter- Pakistan Army's SSG, a special force ror groups, JeM and Lashkar-e- which is skilled in unconventional Incidentally, Pakistan-based chief Taiba (LeT), are sending their train- warfare (cross-border terrorism), has said. There has been a build-up of Jammu region and adjoining bor- of another Kashmir-centric banned ers to Afghanistan to carry out y trained batches of four to five ter- trained Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and der of Punjab. terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, target assassinations.

rorists who are being pushed to in- JeM cadres at forward launching Defence sources told IANS said Syed Salahuddin in his latest audio This was followed by a Pentagon

k y m c filtrate into Jammu and Kashmir pads in Pakistan across the Jammu the security grids have already tape attempted to instigate people report, which said the Afghanistan- from the Line of Control (LoC) and sector, sources said. Security agen- been strengthened across the LoC of Kashmir in the name of Islam, Pakistan border region remains a International Border (IB). cies in J&K believe that a huge and the IB in Jammu and Kashmir. to pick up arms and declare war sanctuary for LeT, Al-Qaida (AQ), "The attacks are to be carried number of terrorists are likely to One attempt at infiltration by against India. al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent out by JeM or LeT terrorists trained make attempts to infiltrate from Pakistan was foiled recently in Pakistan-banned terror outfit (AQIS), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in Afghanistan," a top official source vulnerable points across the IB in Kupwara district. JeM, which runs its terror activi- (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K). China is STUDY INFO P10 testing the SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR world with its Children younger than five years incursions into with mild to moderate Covid-19 Indian territory but have much higher levels of the the tide is turning novel coronavirus genetic against Beijing material in the nose compared MIKE POMPEO | US to older children and adults,

international SECRETARY OF STATE according to a new study

k y m c of the day uote VIRUS FEAR US URGES PAK LOADS OF HAPPINESS TO TAKE ACTION Disinfect face masks with PRESS TRUST OF INDIA petrol. I am not joking Washington, July 31: Expressing RODRIGO DUTERTE | HK delays polls shock and outrage at the killing PHILIPPINES' PRESIDENT of American citizen Tahir A GROUP OF 22 LAWMAKERS ISSUED A Naseem inside a courtroom in STATEMENT AHEAD OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT Pakistan, the US has urged We are Islamabad to immediately keeping ACCUSING THE GOVERNMENT OF USING THE reform its "often-abused" blas- German and OUTBREAK AS AN EXCUSE TO DELAY THE VOTE phemy laws and bring the European interests culprit to justice. in view. The truth is ASSOCIATED PRESS Naseem, 57, accused of blas- that a good life in phemy, was shot multiple times Germany and Hong Kong, July 31: Hong Kong at close range inside Peshawar's Europe depends more and more on how we ensure our security leader Carrie Lam announced Judicial Complex on Wednesday ourselves Friday that the government will as he awaited to be shifted to postpone highly anticipated leg- prison. He died on the spot. ANNEGRET KRAMP-KARRENBAUER | GERMAN islative elections by one year, cit- The attacker was arrested on DEFENCE MINISTER ing a worsening coronavirus out- the spot and the pistol used in break in the semi-autonomous the killing was seized. Chinese city. statement said, referring to the ter- "We are shocked, saddened, There are The Hong Kong government is ritory's official name, the Hong and outraged that American cit- those in power invoking an emergency ordinance Kong Special Administrative Region. izen Tahir Naseem was killed doing their in delaying the elections. Lam said “Otherwise, it is tantamount to yesterday inside a Pakistani court- darnedest to the government has the support uprooting the foundation of the room. Mr Naseem had been lured discourage people of the Chinese government in mak- to Pakistan from his home in from voting by establishment of the SAR.” The closing polling ing the decision. “The announce- city of 7.5 million people has had Illinois by individuals who then locations and targeting minorities ment I have to make today is the a surge in coronavirus infections used Pakistan's blasphemy laws and students with restrictive ID most difficult decision I've had to since the beginning of July. Hong to entrap him," said Cale Brown, laws ... even undermining the Postal make in the past seven months,” Kong has recorded 3,273 infections Principal Deputy Spokesperson Service in an election that's going Lam said at a news conference. as of Friday, more than double the of the US State Department. A man carries balloons on a motorbike at a market in Sanaa, Yemen REUTERS to be dependent on mail-in ballots “We want to ensure fairness and tally on July 1. public safety and health, and need The government has tightened BARACK OBAMA | FORMER US PRESIDENT to make sure the election is held in social distancing restrictions, lim- an open, fair and impartial manner. iting public gatherings to two peo- This decision is therefore essen- ple, and banned dining-in at restau- TRUMP DROPS ELECTION DELAY IDEA SHORT TAKES tial,” she said. The postponement rants after 6 p.m. The lead-up to is a setback for the pro-democracy the elections has been closely INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Even in the Senate, which his opposition, which was hoping to cap- watched, after a national security The President does Republican Party controls, Trump's 5 militants killed italize on disenchantment with the law that took effect in late June New York, July 31: US President not have the authority suggestion was promptly shot down. Lahore: Pakistan's security current pro-Beijing majority to stipulated that candidates who vi- Donald Trump is using the impos- to delay the polls and "We'll find a way to do that again forces Friday shot dead five make gains. olated the law would be barred sible suggestion of delaying elections this November 3" as scheduled, the militants of the outlawed A group of 22 lawmakers issued from running. as a tool to scuttle plans by many the Constitution gives leader of the Republican Majority Balochistan Republican Army a statement ahead of the an- The new law is seen as Beijing's states to allow all voters to cast only the Congress the in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, and claimed to have nouncement accusing the govern- attempt to curb dissent in the city, their ballots by mail and to lay the told a TV interview. thwarted a terrorist attack in ment of using the outbreak as an after months of pro-democracy basis for questioning the validity of power to set the "Never in the history of the coun- the country's Punjab excuse to delay the vote. and anti-government protests in the results. election day try, through wars, depressions and province. The terrorists were “Incumbent pro-democracy leg- Hong Kong last year. After asking in a Thursday morn- the Civil War, have we ever not had also involved in the killing of islators, who represent 60% of the Thursday, 12 pro-democracy can- ing tweet, "delay the Election until a federally scheduled election on five personnel of the law public's opinion, collectively op- didates including prominent pro- people can properly, securely and ing and the election doesn't mean majority in the House of time," he said. enforcement agencies. The pose the postponement and em- democracy activist Joshua Wong safely vote???", he said at an evening anything," he said. Representatives. Senator Kamala Harris, a front- intelligence-based operation, phasize the responsibility of the were disqualified from running news conference: "I don't want a The President does not have the The election day is fixed by an 1845 runner to be the Democratic Party's jointly conducted by the SAR government to make every ef- for not complying with the city's delay. I want to have the election." authority to delay the polls and the law as the first Tuesday in November, vice-presidential candidate tweeted: counter-terrorism fort to arrange adequate anti-epi- mini-constitution or pledging al- "But I also don't want to have to Constitution gives only the Congress unless it falls on the first day of "Donald Trump is terrified because department of Punjab and demic measures to hold elections legiance to the local and national wait for three months and then the power to set the election day the month in which case it will be he knows he's going to lose to intelligence agency ISI in in September as scheduled,” the governments. find out that the ballots are all miss- and the Democrats hold the the next one. @JoeBiden." Rajanpur, some 400 kms from Lahore, led to the killing of five terrorists of the Balochistan Republican AFGHAN PRESIDENT Army, counter-terrorism officials said in a statement. Iran won’t negotiate with US FIRST COVID POSITIVE DASHES HOPES ASSOCIATED PRESS The Trump Eight missing PET DOG IN US DIES ASSOCIATED PRESS Tehran, July 31: Iran's Supreme administration has San Diego (US): A seafaring Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei PRESS TRUST OF INDIA novel coronavirus for several Kabul, July 31: Afghan President tank with 15 Marines and a said Friday his country will not said it is willing to weeks. According to the report, Ashraf Ghani dashed hopes Friday Navy sailor aboard sank near negotiate with the United States talk with Iran “with New York, July 31: A German Buddy's health declined steadily for a start to negotiations with a military-owned island off because America would only use shepherd, 'Buddy', which was the after he developed breathing Taliban insurgents, announcing the coast of Southern talks for propaganda purposes. no preconditions,” first confirmed case of the novel problems and thick nasal mucus the final 400 Taliban prisoners California, leaving one of the The Trump administration has but that the US will coronavirus infection in a pet in April, and he was euthanised whose release is a prerequisite to Marines dead and eight said it is willing to talk with Iran dog in the US has died here, ac- on July 11 after he started vom- start talks, will remain jailed. The missing, authorities said “with no preconditions,” but that continue its cording to a report. iting clotted blood. announcement frustrates US efforts Friday. They were travelling the U.S. will continue its campaign campaign of In June, the United States While it is unknown whether to find an end to Afghanistan's in the amphibious assault of pressure against the Islamic Department of the SARS-CoV-2 years of relentless war. vehicle from the shores of Republic. pressure against Agriculture's virus played a role Addressing the nation on the San Clemente Island to a In a televised speech marking (USDA) National in Buddy's death, Muslim holy day of Eid ul Adha, Navy ship Thursday evening the Eid al-Adha holiday, Khamenei the Islamic Republic Veterinary blood tests indi- Ghani said the 400 Taliban are when they reported that the vehicle was taking on water, said President Donald Trump would Services cated the dog may convicted of crimes he has no au- said Lt. Cameron H. benefit from talks, saying Trump missile programme or its involve- the sanctions affecting the econ- Laboratories have had lym- thority to forgive. Instead, he will Edinburgh, a Marine Corps wants to “use negotiations with ment in regional conflicts. The omy inevitably would stand up (NVSL) had an- phoma, a cancer call a loya jirga — or traditional spokesman for Camp us for propaganda like negotia- other signatories to the nuclear against the ruling system. A sharp nounced the dog of the immune grand council of elders — to decide Pendleton. tions with North Korea.” Khamenei deal — Germany, France, Britain, rise in subsidised gasoline prices being the first pet system. According whether they should go free. was referring to talks between China and Russia — have been led to four days of unrest in cities in the US testing to the USDA, there Trump and North Korean leader struggling to keep it alive. and towns across Iran in November, positive for the is currently no ev- Kim Jong un. Khamenei said the US wants in which Amnesty International virus SARS-CoV- idence that ani- Lanka’s top Trump unilaterally withdrew Iran to give up its nuclear pro- said more than 300 people were 2 behind the COVID-19 pandemic. mals play a significant role in cop arrested America from the nuclear accord gramme, defence facilities and re- killed in clashes with police and Prior to the dog showing signs, spreading the coronavirus. between Iran and Western powers gional authority at the negoti- security forces. one of its owners, Robert Mahoney, However, the novel coronavirus Colombo: Sri Lanka's top in May 2018. Iran later responded ating table. He said economic Tehran has yet to release any of- had tested positive for COVID- may spread from people to animals police officer was Friday by slowly abandoning nearly every sanctions imposed on Iran by ficial statistics about the scale of the 19, and another had symptoms in some situations. The evidence arrested for allegedly aspect of the agreement, though the US are a crime against Iran. unrest, though in June the gov- consistent with the virus. The for this was reported in a study concealing evidence in a it still allows UN inspectors access “The sanctions are apparently ernment acknowledged that secu- owners told National Geographic of two dogs in Hong Kong, pub- weapons case, police said. to its nuclear sites. against Iran's ruling system, but that Buddy developed breathing Shani Abeysekera, former rity forces shot and killed protest- lished in May in the journal director of the Criminal Trump has maintained that the (in fact) they are against the ers. A lawmaker said 230 people problems in mid-April after Nature, showing evidence of in- He said the council would meet Investigations Department deal needs to be renegotiated be- Iranian people inside.” were killed in the anti-government Mahoney had been sick with the fection with the virus. “shortly.” Ghani's announcement (CID), is accused of cause it didn't address Iran's ballistic He said Iranians suffering under protests. was certain to delay the start of ne- concealing evidence in a gotiations between the warring weapons case involving sides and frustrate Washington's former deputy inspector efforts to bring an early end to general of police Vas hostilities, even as they scale down Gunawardena, who is Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha with precautions their presence in Afghanistan. It currently in jail. also comes at the start of a three- Gunawardena was jailed for In Indonesia, worshippers were advised to maintain social distancing during the prayers as the world’s biggest day cease-fire announced by the five years by the Colombo Taliban for the Eid holidays. High Court in 2018 after he Muslim-majority country struggles to contain the spread of the virus The prisoner releases were part was found guilty of of a deal the United States signed threatening Abeysekera, who REUTERS mosque this month following a in Jakarta. in February with the Taliban was investigating a murder court ruling revoking its status as FEST AMID PANDEMIC Elsewhere in Asia, Muslims in- aimed at ending Afghanistan's case against him. Jakarta/Kolkata/ Cairo, July a museum that drew criticism from cluding in Thailand and Malaysia endless wars and sending U.S. 31: Masked and socially distanced Western countries. prayed in or outside mosques wear- troops home after nearly 20 years to fight the coronavirus, Muslims In Lebanon, devastated by eco- ing masks. In Malaysia, while some in Afghanistan, ending America's Vietnam reports around the world held prayers nomic crisis, many found it hard to mosques cancelled the ritual of longest war. Friday to mark the festival of Eid afford traditional Eid customs. In slaughtering livestock, 13 cows were That deal, touted at the time as first virus death al-Adha, with mosques at reduced Tripoli, the country’s second city, killed in the traditional way, but Afghanistan's best chance at peace Hanoi: Vietnamese state capacity and some praying in the there were no decorations or twin- under rules limiting the number in four decades, called for the media reported Friday the open air. kling lights, and no electricity to of animals and people at the Tengku Afghan government to free 5,000 country's first ever death of a Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin power them. Instead, a large bill- Abdul Aziz Shah Jamek mosque Taliban held in jails across the person with the coronavirus Abdulaziz, 84, whose country is board read: “We’re broke.” in Kuala Lumpur. country and the Taliban to free as it struggles with a home to two of Islam’s holiest sites, Around the world, the festival In India, where Eid will be cele- 1,000 government and military renewed outbreak after 99 tweeted holiday congratulations a had to fit in with the realities of brated mostly from Saturday, sev- personnel. The releases were to be days without any cases. The day after leaving hospital in Riyadh. the coronavirus. In Indonesia, the eral states have eased coronavirus a sign of good will and a prereq-

Thanh Nien newspaper said a The Haj pilgrimage is being held in religious ministry asked mosques restrictions to allow worshippers to uisite to the start of negotiations

k y m 70-year-old man died after c contracting the disease while the country with attendance dras- to shorten ceremonies, while many mark the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, cel- different from previous years gather in mosques in limited num- between the warring sides. being treated for a kidney tically reduced. cancelled the ritual of slaughtering ebrated by Muslims to commemo- because we need to follow health pro- bers. “Only small groups of wor- Thursday, the Taliban concluded illness at a hospital in Da In Istanbul, Muslims held Eid livestock and distributing meat to rate Prophet Abraham’s willing- tocols as we perform prayers, like shippers will be allowed into the release of the 1,000 they were Nang where more than 90 al-Adha prayers at Hagia Sophia the community. ness to sacrifice his son Ismail at maintaining social distancing,” mosques,” said Shafique Qasim, a holding, according to Taliban's cases have been reported for the first time since the historic Instead sheep, goats and cows God’s command. said Devita Ilhami, 30, who was senior cleric at the Nakhoda mosque political spokesman Suhail over the past week. building was reconverted to a were being killed in abattoirs to “This year’s Eid al-Adha is very at the Sunda Kelapa mosque in the eastern city of Kolkata. Shaheen. Financial systems are REAL ESTATE BODIES GET P11 designed in wrong ways. SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR DIGITAL PLATFORMS Covid has revealed the weaknesses now. Poor people are all over but the Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep economy does not recognise them. If Singh Puri has launched digital platforms of we can finance them they will move real estate bodies CREDAI and NAREDCO to up the ladder. We are engaged with market residential properties, besides business the formal sector releasing a guide book for affordable rental

housing scheme for migrants

k y m MUHAMMAD YUNUS | FOUNDER, GRAMEEN BANK c of the day uote FB, Google to tap into biz opportunities in India Taxes have generally been PRESS TRUST OF INDIA be to wire up and get thousands of ki- Since then, the Reliance Industries' very high on ranas, small businesses across India, the telecom technology unit has raised money from Oz to make Google, FB industry. It is New Delhi, July 31: Tech giants onboarded onto WhatsApp to do com- a clutch of marquee investors. important that this Facebook and Google - which have in- merce there" and that the company is Earlier this month, Google said it pay for news content is reviewed vested in Mukesh Ambani's Jio excited about the opportunity in India. will pump in `33,737 crore to buy a thoroughly and resources like Platforms - are keen on leveraging the "And once we prove that out with Jio 7.7% stake in the venture, taking the Canberra: The Australian government said Friday it plans to give spectrum, levies should not become partnership to cash in on the fast grow- in India, we're planning on expand- latter's fund raiser since April to over Google and Facebook three months to negotiate with Australian a source for the exchequer, but ing business opportunity in India and ing it to more folks in India and to `1.52 lakh crore. media businesses fair pay for news content. In releasing a draft of should become a force multiplier in expand the learnings to other countries other countries as well. But there's no In the investor call of Alphabet a mandatory code of conduct, the government aims to succeed ensuring economic momentum as well. doubt that India is a huge opportu- (Google's parent firm), its chief Sundar where other countries have failed in making the global digital giants pay for news siphoned from commercial media companies. SUNIL BHARTI MITTAL | During their investor calls, the US- nity," he emphasised. Pichai said the company has announced Google said Australia's draft code was a heavy-handed step that CHAIRMAN, BHARTI AIRTEL based companies highlighted the im- Zuckerberg noted that India "should a 'Google for India' Digitisation Fund portance of the Indian market which be one of the faster-growing business sell things through WhatsApp. We to help Indian Internet users. could impede the digital economy. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said is home to one of the world’s largest opportunities" for the company. want to enable that. That starts with Through this effort, Google will in- Google and Facebook would be the first digital platforms targeted Internet consumer bases. He said a lot of people use WhatsApp, enabling payments," he added. vest approximately $10 billion over by the proposed legislation but others could follow. “It's about a To promote Referring to the investment in Jio especially in India. "There's a huge In April, Facebook had announced the next five to seven years to accelerate fair go for Australian news media businesses, it's about ensuring agri firms, the Platforms, Facebook CEO Mark opportunity to enable small businesses an investment of $5.7 billion (`43,574 and participate in India's burgeoning that we have increased competition, increased consumer protec- government Zuckerberg said the partnership "will and individuals in India to buy and crore) for 9.9% stake in Jio Platforms. tion and a sustainable media landscape,” Frydenberg said. will fund 112 digital economy, he added. startups in the 1st phase with a sum of `11.85 crore in FY’21. The funds will be given to the startups selected by different FOCUSSED ON knowledge partners and agri- Core industrial output business incubators in the area of FinMin working with RBI on DIGITISING MSMEs agro-processing, food technology and value addition IN INDIA: AMAZON NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR | AGRICULTURE contracts 15% in June AGENCIES MINISTER need for loan restructuring On a sequential basis, the Index of Eight Core New Delhi, July 31: E-commerce Industries for June declined by 15% compared to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA To help borrowers deal giant Amazon is focused on digi- Big corporates tising micro, small and medium- decline of 22% during May with turnover New Delhi, July 31: Finance with liquidity crunch sized businesses in India and is of over `500 Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the pandemic, RBI working on getting more sellers on INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE index had shown a growth of 1.2% crores now have Friday said the government is work- board and hiring more people, a in June 2019. In a statement, the only 2 months to ing with the RBI on need for re- had announced a top company executive said. New Delhi, July 31: The produc- Office of Economic Adviser, implement E-invoice structuring of loans to help in- 3-month loan moratorium tion rate of India’s eight major in- Department for Promotion of digital module dustry tide over the impact of dustries remained deep in the red Industry and Internal Trade, said: across various technology COVID-19. "The focus is on re- in March, which was later in June 2020, official data showed "Its cumulative growth during April platforms, which would change the structuring. Finance ministry is extended by another 3 Friday. However, the rate of fall in to June 2020-21 was (-) 24.6%." rules of game in B2B transactions actively engaged with RBI on this. months till August 31 the Index of Eight Core Industries "Final growth rate of Index of RAJAT MOHAN | SENIOR PARTNER, AMRG & In principle, the idea that there decelerated on a sequential basis Eight Core Industries for March 2020 ASSOCIATES may be a restructuring required, is on account of opening up of eco- is revised at (-) 8.6%." well taken," Sitharaman said while nomic activities. The eight core industries com- addressing Ficci’s National torium can defer payment of the in- Guarantee Scheme by public sec- On a sequential basis, the Index prise coal, crude oil, natural gas, re- Executive Committee Meeting. terest and principal component of tor banks and private banks stands of Eight Core Industries for June finery products, fertilisers, steel, ce- SHORT TAKES The Finance minister also said the loan during this period. at `1,30,491.79 crore, of which "We've talked about India many declined by 15% (provisional) com- ment, and electricity. The ECI that the decision on reducing GST Sitharaman said every step which `82,065.01 crore has already been times, but a lot of focus on build- pared to decline of 22% (revised) comprises over 40% of the weight Cognizant’s rates on the healthcare and other the government took, has been done disbursed. ing that out...what's great about a during the previous month (May). of items included in the Index of products will be taken by the GST after exhaustive consultations with As part of the Aatmanirbhar place – all geographies with a Though not comparable, the ECI Industrial Production (IIP). headcount falls Council. Sitharaman said the the stakeholders and within the Bharat Package, the government place like India is we're really fo- ` San Francisco: As global Finance Ministry is working with government. "We have taken these had announced 3 lakh crore cused on digitising the Indian sell- software major Cognizant RBI on the demand of the hospitality steps to ensure that the impact is felt Collateral-free Automatic Loans ers. A lot of micro, small and implements a programme to sector for extension of morato- on the ground," she said. for businesses, including MSMEs. medium-sized businesses there," improve cost structure amid rium, or restructuring. Addressing the concerns over On the suggestion for creation of Amazon Director Investor COVID-19 and optimises its "I fully understand the require- the difficulties faced by the MSMEs a Development Finance Institution Relations David Fildes said during team, the headcount of the ments of the hospitality sector on in taking loans under the to handle the emerging credit re- an investor call. company reduced by 10,500 extension of the moratorium, or Emergency Credit Guarantee quirements of the industry, she He further said, "We launched in the second quarter of this restructuring. We are working with Scheme announced by the gov- said, "The work is going on the new features there to help sup- year as compared to the RBI on this," she said. ernment, she said: "Banks cannot Development Finance Institution. port the digitisation efforts with previous quarter. As of June To help borrowers deal with liq- refuse credit to MSMEs covered What shape it will take, we will some of those brands and just a lot 30, the total headcount of the uidity crunch during the pandemic, under emergency credit facility. If know shortly". of work, great work being done by company stood at 2,81,200, the Reserve Bank had announced refused, such instances must be The minister also said that India that team. They have some goals from 2,91,700 employees on a three-month loan moratorium in reported. I will look into it". is asking for reciprocal arrange- there around getting more sell- March 31. March, which was later extended As of July 23, 2020, the total ments are being asked with the ers on board and hiring many by another three months till August amount sanctioned under the 100 countries with which we have more people as well. So, a lot of 31. Borrowers opting for loan mora- per cent Emergency Credit Line opened up our markets. focus there." HP appoints new India MD SBI Q1 PROFIT New Delhi: Tech major HP Vedanta’s ‘Nand Ghar’ gets BIZ BUZZ Friday said it has appointed Ketan Patel as the managing Flipkart announces benefits SURGES BY 81% director of its Greater India Ambani calls for policy operations. In this role, he ISO certification in state measures to scrap 2G for 6L Samarth sellers will be responsible for the Bangalore: Flipkart has announced more TO `4,189 CR company's business in India, New Delhi: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has POST NEWS NETWORK of three years. benefits for over 6 lakh sellers who are Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a called for urgent policy measures to move away from 2G “Five Anganwadi centres (3 Nand artisans, weavers, craftsmen and owners of AGENCIES statement said. He replaces services, which started 25 years ago, and make it a "part of Bhubaneswar, July 31: Nand Ghar, Ghars) of Kalahandi district got ISO other small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Vinay Awasthi who is moving Vedanta Group’s flagship corpo- certification. The process of trans- history". On the silver jubilee of the 1st mobile phone call New Delhi, July 31: The country's made in India, Ambani said that 2G era feature phones have from the underserved communities in the to a new role as head of Print rate social responsibility (CSR) proj- formation has begun. Planning to country. Earlier, the Samarth sellers enjoyed a largest bank SBI Friday posted kept around 30 crore subscribers away from basic internet Operations for Supply Chain. commission waiver of zero per cent for the first ect, announced that three of its cen- do 100% ISO certification, credit to services. "India still has 300 mn mobile subscribers 81% jump in standalone net profit 6 months of their onboarding the platform and ` tres in Kalahandi district of Odisha, W&CD Block, Vedanta, Nand Ghar trapped in the 2G era. Their feature phones keep to 4,189.34 crore for the first quar- then, the commission varied. Now, after the have received ISO certification. team and KPMG,” Parag Harshad them excluded even from the basic usage of the ter, aided by decline in bad loan and completion of six months at zero commission, Kia Motors The Nand Ghars have been Gavali, District Collector of internet at a time when the world is standing at sale of minority stake in its sub- awarded the ‘ISO 9001 2015’ certi- Kalahandi, said in a tweet. the sellers will be charged a standard 5% sidiary SBI Life Insurance. The crosses 1L sales the doorsteps of 5G telephony. I think commission, at par with the industry standards, fication for providing a wide range CEO Nand Ghar Ritu Jhingon necessary policy steps should be taken to bank had reported a net profit of giving them more scope to grow their business ` New Delhi: Auto major Kia of services including improving said, "We are very proud as a team make 2G a part of history," Ambani said. online, Flipkart said in a statement. 2,312.02 crore in the April-June Motors has crossed the 1- quality of services in early child- to come out with the ISO certifica- quarter of 2019-20. lakh cumulative sales hood education, improved mater- tion for Nand Ghars and Anganwadis. The June quarter profit reflects milestone in India within 11 nal and child healthcare at We look forward to many more mile- MCL sets new record in coal dispatch `1,539.73 crore earned out of sale months since it started doorsteps, improved nutrition out- stones for the Nand Ghar project of 2.1% stake in SBI Life Insurance Bhubaneswar: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, scripted a history after selling vehicles here. The comes and sustainable skill liveli- contributing to inclusive develop- Company, the bank said while an- dispatching highest ever 5,17,448 tonne coal to consumers in a single day. The day witnessed MCL dispatching to company entered the Indian hood for women. ment of our communities". nouncing its first quarter num- market with the launch of consumers 92 rakes: Ib Valley (42) and Talcher (50); a record in the company’s history. The series of new milestones The Nand Ghars that were recog- Vedanta’s 1,400 plus ‘Nand Ghars’ were achieved by various units of the company, like highest 22 rakes despatched by Lakhanpur Area, dispatch of bers. SUV Seltos in August, 2019 nised are located at Basantapada, aims to touch lives of 40 lakh and later on launched 31,106 tonnes (10 MGR rakes) to OPGC with a single platform of lower capacity; record dispatch of 1,00,796 tonne Kansari and Kendubardi villages people, directly impacting 2,00,000 by Basundhara Area and highest-ever dispatch of 11 rakes from Hingula Area. MCL CMD BN Shukla congratulated multipurpose vehicle in Lanjigarh block. The ISO certi- children and 1,80,000 women, Carnival. "Today marks a all team leaders for their work with great sense of responsibly amdi the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. “Records fication has been issued for a period annually. proud moment for Kia Motors are created to be broken and there are many milestones waiting for Team MCL,” said Shukla. India and after the immense success of Seltos and Carnival, we are confident to keep up the positive momentum and lead the OIL SET FOR FRAGILE RECOVERY, REVEALS POLL Indian automobile industry," India MD and CEO Kookhyun REUTERS “A breakthrough of the $40-$45 Shim said. TOWARDS NORMALCY range is possible if the comeback Mumbai, July 31: Oil prices are set of the global economy will be faster Consequently, holding of the for a slow crawl upwards this year Oil is “caught-up in a step-wise and stronger than expected,” LBBW public sector bank in SBI Life has Airtel, Voda-Idea as the gradual easing of coron- re-balancing process” with the analyst Frank Schallenberger said. come down to 55.60% from 57.70%. avirus-led restrictions buoy de- “pieces moving in the right The International Energy Agency Standalone total income increased lose subscribers mand, although a second COVID-19 direction” on the supply side raised its 2020 demand forecast ear- to `74,457.86 crore in the first quar- wave could slow the pace of re- lier this month to 92.1 million bpd. ter of 2020-21, from `70,653.23 crore Bhubaneswar: Private covery, a Reuters poll showed Friday. The poll projected global demand Brent prices have rebounded in the same period a year ago, SBI telecom operators Airtel and The survey of 43 analysts and to contract by between 7.2 and sharply since plunging to an over said in a regulatory filing. Vodafone-Idea have 8.5 million barrels per day constantly been losing trust economists forecast benchmark 20-year low in April, helped by pro- Operating profit of the bank this year ` in Odisha as they failed to Brent crude to average $41.50 a bar- duction cuts by OPEC and its allies increased by 36 per cent to 18,061 add new subscribers in the rel in 2020, up slightly from the starting in May, apart from the crore, against `13,246 crores in $40.41 consensus in last month’s Brent prices have rebounded gradual lifting of lockdowns, prompt- the April-June quarter previous state for last couple of sharply since plunging to an over months. Recently, a TRAI survey and compared with around ing the producer group to decide on fiscal. 20-year low in April report claimed that the $42 average for the benchmark thus easing the record supply reduc- Interest income of the bank

far this year. It is expected to aver- tions from August. rose to `62,638 crore, compared to

k y m service providers have lost c significant subscribers in age $49.85 in 2021. “pieces moving in the right direc- related developments generating year, versus last month’s 6.5-8.7 mil- “The decision to ease curbs pro- `66,500 crore at the end of June 2019, April, 2020. It says, “Bharti The 2020 outlook for West Texas tion” on the supply side, said Harry concerns that the pace of re-open- lion bpd prediction. vides them (OPEC) with an easy registering a growth of 6%. Airtel lost a whopping 2.25 Intermediate rose to $37.51 per bar- Tchilinguirian, head of commodity ing may be impeded.” A promising vaccine for the virus solution to reverse them if the de- However, net interest margin lakh subscribers in April, rel from June’s $36.10. research at BNP Paribas. The poll projected global demand could, however, fast-track economic mand recovery suddenly stalls,” of the bank declined to 3.01% as whereas Vodafone Idea also Oil is “caught-up in a step-wise “It’s in demand recovery where to contract by between 7.2 and 8.5 recovery and in turn boost oil prices, said OANDA senior market ana- against 3.24% at the end of first lost over 75,000 subscribers re-balancing process” with the the uncertainty lies, with COVID- million barrels per day (bpd) this analysts said. lyst Edward Moya. quarter of last year. in April in the state.” P12 SATURDAY | AUGUST 1 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR sports

WILLEY, BILLINGS SHINE AS MORGAN & CO. CRUISE TO WIN AGAINST IRELAND IN THE FIRST ODI POST PANDEMIC Indians’ not effective

y

k k y y m m c ENGLAND DRAW FIRST BLOOD as Wagner’s bouncers c

ASSOCIATED PRESS search of his first boundary on 22, while McBrine’s 40 featured a tow- Southampton, July 31: David ering six over midwicket off Moeen Willey (5/30) celebrated his return Ali, but his patience also ran out as to the England team with a maiden he was caught in the deep. Either ODI five-wicket haul as the World side of those dismissals Simi Singh Champions drew first blood in the was run out after being sent back Royal London series against Ireland attempting a quick single. at the Ageas Bowl. Campher ran out of partners be- Willey was dropped from fore he had the chance to counter- England’s World Cup squad last attack, Willey fittingly ending year to make room for Jofra Archer, Ireland’s innings when last man but with several regulars absent Craig Young toe-ended to mid-off. due to their Test commitments the Campher’s watchful innings en- left-armer took centre stage on his sured England would not have a international return. perfunctory chase in the late evening PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Virat Kohli’s men is going to be In England’s first home ODI since sunshine and that was underlined one of the toughest challenges for winning their first 50-over World when Bairstow was trapped in front Melbourne, July 31: India’s for- Tim Paine’s side since they got to- Cup, Willey’s spell restricted Ireland Sam Billings plays on BRIEF SCORES by off-spinner McBrine after seamer midable pace attack will not be as gether as a group. to 172 all out in 44.4 overs, a total the the off-side during his Ireland 172 Barry McCarthy had limped off in effective as New Zealand speed- “Everyone, although they might hosts overhauled with six wickets innings, Thursday in 44.4 overs (Curtis the first over. ster Neil Wagner in bowling bounc- not admit it, is looking towards to spare. Campher 59 n o, Andy Jason Roy and James Vince both ers during their upcoming tour of that Indian series. It’s going to be England had lurched to 78/4 but McBrine 40; David flickered briefly before succumbing Australia, feels wicketkeeper hard work. They (India) are a fierce Sam Billings (67 n o, 54b, 11x4), in- Willey 5/30) lost to to Young (2/56), lbw and caught be- Matthew Wade. team. They’re as hard a team as I’ve cluded after Joe Denly’s withdrawal England 174/4 hind for 24 and 25, respectively, and Wagner bowling a barrage of ever played in terms of the way due to a back injury, settled the in 27.5 overs (Sam England were in some strife when bouncers and dismissing Australia’s they compete. team’s nerves with an unbeaten Billings 67 n o, Campher struck four balls into his three leading batsmen – Steve “Led by Virat, you can see the way half century in an unbroken 96- Eoin Morgan 36 n o; international career. Smith, David Warner and Marnus he goes about it on the field, you can run stand with skipper Eoin Morgan Craig Young 2/56) Campher (1/26) had accounted for Labuschagne – a combined 10 times see what it means to him and he (36 n o, 40b, 4x4, 2x6). by six wickets. Tom Banton for South Africa’s U- was one of the rare positives for drives all those guys, they jump England got over the line with 22.1 19 side a couple of years ago and his- New Zealand in an otherwise one- on the back of him. It’s going to be overs still remaining at the start tory repeated itself when the sided Test series last season. as big a challenge as this team has of a three-ODI series that marks Somerset batsman top-edged a pull, India are now preparing for a faced for the 12 months we’ve been the start of the ICC Cricket World with Ireland wicketkeeper Tucker four-Test tour of Australia this together.” Cup Super League, forming part taking a challenging catch. summer. “Teams may try it but I Though they achieved their of the qualification process for Morgan had demoted himself to don’t think it will be as successful,” maiden Test series win Down Under India 2023. debutant chopped on while Willey was trapped in front - a decision alongside Kevin O’Brien (22) and six but came to the crease to join Wade told cricket.com.au. in 2018-19, India will be facing a But, on a surface where timing struck twice in two balls as Gareth overturned on review. then Andy McBrine (40, 48b, 3x4, 1x6), Billings, who twice reverse swept “I don’t think anyone in the game sterner challenge when they re- proved troublesome for a number Delany sliced to backward point to Campher survived the hat-trick partnerships of 51 and 66 that helped Singh for four and seemed more has bowled bouncers the way he turn to face an Australian side bol- of batsmen, the day belonged to end a counter-attacking 22 from 16 ball and showed maturity beyond Ireland avoid abject humiliation. confident on a surface that had given bowled and been so consistent, and stered by the presence of Smith Willey, who was chiefly responsible deliveries, before Lorcan Tucker his years in steadying the ship O’Brien holed out as he went in his top order teammates trouble. not gotten scored off while also and Warner alongside an in-form for Ireland teetering on 28/5 after picking up wickets. Labuschagne. being invited to bat first under “I think we’ll see it a bit (from Australia have since then won the sunny skies. India) but I don’t think it will be Ashes after a drawn series in After the players took a knee to as effective as Wagner. He’s done England and crushed New Zealand support Black Lives Matter, Ireland Best is still to come: Willey it for a long time now … to be 3-0 at home earlier this year. Both were saved from free fall by inter- honest I’ve never faced a bowler Warner and Smith were serving national debutant Curtis Campher who is so accurate at bowling their one-year ban for ball-tam- (59 n o, 118b, 4x4), a South African- SOUTHAMPTON: David Willey didn’t want to go to the ground. moving in the right direction and bouncers.” pering during India’s last tour of born all-rounder who qualifies had ‘fallen out of love for the game’ When I was at the ground, I didn’t I feel like my best cricket is still to Wade said the series against Australia. through his mother’s passport. following his last-minute ouster want to be there, and I wanted to come,” he said. The 21-year-old showed no lack from England’s World Cup squad get back to the hotel. I’d fallen out “Circumstances have given me of patience and fortitude in his 59 but after announcing his come- of love with the game, I think,” this opportunity. I didn’t get a look not out in front of the vast swathes back with a maiden five-wicket he was quoted as saying by in over the winter, I missed out NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS of empty seats, before Willey re- haul against Ireland, he said his best ESPNcricinfo. there. The extended break has turned to the attack and ended the is still to come. Willey said the coronavirus- been really good for me. The tim- innings. The 30-year-old pacer, who has forced break actually helped him ing for all of this has worked out Willey’s prowess with the new taken 57 wickets in 47 ODIs, was ig- as he made a successful return to perfectly for me and it was the Sehwag, Sardar in ball is well-known and despite lit- nored for the World Cup last year guide England to a six-wicket win icing on the cake.” tle evidence of significant move- with England preferring Jofra over Ireland in the first ODI Willey said he tasted success for England’s white-ball team, he said: ment, he was still effective as Paul Archer over him. He was also left Thursday. pitching the ball up. “My success has “It’s an unbelievable squad. You out of the limited-overs tours of “It was just special to be out come when I’ve pitched the ball up selection committee Stirling clipped to midwicket be- look at the players that still aren’t fore Ireland captain Andrew New Zealand and South Africa there playing for England again. I’ve previously and really that was what getting a look-in and the guys that Balbirnie was tempted into an ex- last winter. gone away and worked quite hard I tried to do today. I kept the ball full went home from this camp: there pansive drive, only succeeding in Willey said he was at his lowest to get back near my best. It’s been which kept me in the game and I are some brilliant cricketers sat on nicking through to Jonny Bairstow. during his stint at Abu Dhabi T10. a rollercoaster, but I was just out reaped the rewards of that.” the sidelines that are still trying to Saqib Mahmood (2/36) cramped “I just didn’t want to be there. I there enjoying my cricket today. I’m Talking about the depth in find a way in.” Harry Tector for room and the ODI Pandemic pause spurs Focus on grassroots: Bhutia

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA At the same time with the ISL Lewis to race for 2-3 yrs coming in the infrastructure the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA boxer Venkatesan Devarajan as New Delhi, July 31: Former foot- well as sports commentator Manish training ground, the quality of the ball captain Bhaichung Bhutia once New Delhi, July 31: Former India Batavia and journalists Alok Sinha again stressed on the need to focus grounds is also become of a much cricketer Virender Sehwag and and Neeru Bhatia. on grassroots development in order higher standard now — BHAICHUNG BHUTIA hockey stalwart Sardar Singh were The national sports awards are to make a India a force to reckon Friday included in a 12-member given away every year August 29, with at the Asian level. The 43-year-old ‘Sikkimese Sniper’ committee constituted by the sports the birth anniversary of hockey Bhutia explained that by focussing said a lot has changed in terms of ministry to select this year’s icon Dhyan Chand. on the long term goal of strength- the facilities and infrastructure National Sports Awards winners. The panel will also have repre- ening the grass roots, Indian foot- available in Indian football since he Just like last year, the ministry sentation from the Sports Ministry, ball will be able reap its benefits at retired in 2011 “The kind of support, opted for a single selection com- including Sports Authority of India the Asian level and the world stage. competitions, have good training platform competitions they are mittee to pick the awardees among Director General Sandip Pradhan, “We need to produce good qual- facilities and coaches,” he added. playing, the coaching staff the play- both athletes and coaches and it will Joint Secretary (Sports ity players. That’s very important, “These are things that will help in ers are getting right now is much be headed by Retired Supreme Court Development) LS Singh and Target when I say that I don’t mean we the long run. We still need to be much better than what we got. The Justice, Mukundakam Sharma. Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) don’t have good players now. But in strong in the grass root for the national number of matches the national Also there in the panel is CEO Rajesh Rajagopalan. order to compete in Asia and at team to make progress. We should be team plays is three-four times more Paralympic silver-medallist Deepa “Two additional members who the world level we need to produce qualifying for the Asia Cup in U-17 than we played in our initial stages. Malik. “This year too we are con- have been Dronacharya Awardees bigger better players from the grass- and U-15 quite regularly,” he added. “In 2008, ’09 and ’10, we played tinuing with the idea of one se- may be invited by the Chairperson roots,” Bhutia said during an Women’s football in India has quite a few but when I started play- lection committee for all the awards while considering the nomination Instagram live session with the All gathered momentum in recent times ing in 1995, I still remember few as we feel too many committees for Dronacharya Award,” a sports Indian Football Federation (AIFF). with the country set to host the FIFA years we had just two or three will only make things difficult and ministry release stated. ASSOCIATED PRESS at his home circuit of Silverstone Hosting U-17 World Cup for boys U-17 World Cup next year and Bhutia matches the entire year – just one create controversies,” a Sports This year the awards function for a seventh time but for the first was a step in right direction. “Hosting feels it will help unearth talent. “For qualifying for WC or pre Olympics. Ministry source told this agency. might be delayed by a month or Silverstone, July 31: The pan- time without any fans there to the U-17 World Cup was a starting us, it’s important to host under 17s, We were not lucky to get good teams The other members of the com- two because of the COVID-19 pan- demic-enforced break from Formula cheer him on due to the pandemic. point for us. It is important for our 19s, 21s because that is where we we got big countries and we were mittee include former table ten- demic but a final decision on the One could prolong Lewis Hamilton’s The race is the fourth in a cham- age group players to participate in focus more on the grassroots.” out of the tournament,” he said. nis player Monalisa Baruah Mehta, matter is still awaited. career. “The COVID-19 lockdown, pionship that should have begun in whilst it was a negative, in some March. The coronavirus has hit ways it gave a lot of life, a lot of en- the Silverstone race with Sergio ergy to focus on some other things,” Perez forced out after testing pos- Hamilton said Thursday, “and that itive Thursday. Smith praises ‘every captain’s dream’ Stokes time off was a bit of breathing space, and provided a bit of en- Verstappen fastest ergy to perhaps go longer.” PRESS TRUST OF INDIA People haven’t played any cricket tough situations.” How much longer for the 35-year- in British GP practice or for that matter little cricket so Australia will resume their in- old world champion in his 14th New Delhi, July 31: Ben Stokes’ from that perspective, it (IPL) will be an ternational calendar with a white- season? “Ultimately I want to be able Silverstone: Max Verstappen set the intent of wanting to be in the midst even contest. Everyone going in with ball series against England and to perform at the level I am right fastest time in the first practice session of tough situations makes him a Smith said that nothing better than for the British Grand Prix Friday and same sort of preparation —STEVE SMITH now but there is a point at which player that every captain wants in getting to play some quality cricket Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel sat out the physicality and the mental side most of the session with a car problem. his team, said Rajasthan Royals after nearly seven months. can tail off,” he said. “I’ve no divine Verstappen set a time of one minute, skipper Steve Smith about his team’s “Hope they don’t score too many “It will be great being back to right to be here. My goal is to con- 27.422 seconds in his Red Bull to finish premier all-rounder. runs or take too many wickets and playing some cricket. We haven’t tinue to deliver for as long as I can. ahead of championship leader Lewis While Smith is sincerely hoping can save that for the IPL,” Smith told played a game since February and So I do see myself going for at least Hamilton of Mercedes by 0.474 sec- that Stokes doesn’t bring in his A this agency during the screening like most of the world, our country another two or three years.” onds. Lance Stroll was a surprise third game during Australia’s white ball three-part docu-series, Inside Story: was also shutdown, had to find way Hamilton’s Mercedes contract for Racing Point, ahead of Alexander series in England, he wouldn’t mind A Season with Rajasthan Royals. The to get through this Covid experience is due to expire in five months. “I Albon in the second Red Bull and one bit if Stokes saves his best in the series has been produced by Red which has been incredibly different y want to earn my position here,” Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari. Mercedes Royals jersey during upcoming IPL Bull Media House and would be for everyone.”

Hamilton said, “and I feel like every driver Valtteri Bottas only managed in the UAE. aired on Jio TV and Jio Cinemas. Smith admitted that staying in a

k k y y m m c c year that is not a given just be- sixth-fastest. Vettel only completed “It will be great to be able to play Smith was all praise for Stokes who bio-secure environment away from cause I’ve World Championships two laps and didn’t set a time. Ferrari some competitive cricket against a has been in dream form across for- and recently played in Test matches. involved whether he is batting, ‘loved ones’ for extended periods under my belt.” said the team found “something wrong quality England side which has mats in the past year. “I have seen He bowled beautifully and got some bowling or fielding. He wants to be is difficult but people try to make He heads into the British Grand with the intercooler system” of his car few of my Royals teammates (Jofra Stokes go from strength to strength. wickets as well,” Smith said. in hotspots. You want these players relationships work as it’s the way Prix Sunday as the favorite to win and had to examine it. Archer, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler). He had an incredible World Cup “He is a player who wants to be in team as they want to deliver in of life for elite cricketers.

1 Printed and published by Tathagata Satpathy on behalf of Navajat Printers and Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Navajat Printers, B-15 Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010, Odisha;Phone:7894447142(Marketing). Editor: Tathagata Satpathy, RNI No. ORIENG/2011/37159