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The Sikh Times
RNI NO. DELENG/2008/25465
Vol. 12 No. 219
New Delhi, Tuesday, 29 December, 2020
12 pages.
9971359517
2/-
Maharashtra home minister asks CBI to reveal findings of SSR death case probe
Mumbai Maharashtra’s Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Sunday said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should soon clarify whether late actor Sushant Singh Rajput was murdered or died by suicide. Speaking to members of the media, Deshmukh said, “It has been four months since the probe was transferred to CBI. People ask me about the conclusion. I think CBI should soon clarify whether it wassuicide or murder.” His comment comes months after the CBI was handed over the investigation into the actor’s death earlier this year. Deshmukh has also appealed to the agency to reveal findings of the probe in the high-profile case. In July, almost a month after the actor's death, Deshmukh had said a CBI probe is not required in the incident.It may be noted that
Farmers' protest against agri laws enters day 33
the protesting farmer unions had decided to resume their dialogue with the Centre, and proposed December 29 for the next round of talks.
Simmi Kaur Babbar
NEW DELHI: Farmers protest against the
three central contentious agricultural laws entered day 33 on Monday (December 28) as the government and farmers' union leaders prepare for the sixth round of talks on Tuesday. On Saturday, the protesting farmer unions had decided to resume their dialogue with the Centre and proposed December 29 for the next round of talks. They have also decided that a tractor march will be held on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal highway on December 30.Security remained tight at the
Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra apartment on June 14 this year. But in October, the medical board of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) ruled out the murder angle and termed it as death by suicide caused dueto hanging. In the aftermath of his death, several agencies including the ED and NCB launched parallel probes into thedeathof theactor. forcingpolicetodivertvehicularmovement. AAP supremo and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the protest site at Singhu border for the second time and appealed to the Centre to scrap the contentious laws, but the
BJP said he can fix a date and place of his choice where the benefits of the legislation could be explained to him.A lawyer from Punjab allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison on Sunday a few kilometres from the site of a farmers' protest atTikri border and police are trying to verify a purported suicide note in which he said he was sacrificing his life in support of the farmers'agitation.
Delhi borders with hundreds of personnel deployed at Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri where the farmers have been camping. The protests have also led to traffic congestion,
Nitish Kumar says had no desire to become Bihar CM; expresses anguish over 6 JD(U) MLAs joining BJP
Besides his appeal to the CBI, Deskhmukh also spoke about Covid-19 restrictions that have been imposed ahead of the NewYear. Deshmukh said, “Restaurants and other establishments will be shut after 11 pm. Those who want to commute can do so, but more than five people should assemble at public places. This is being done in cities to avoid crowding.”
Rajasthan Congress to launch Samvad Programme to support farmers' protest against farm laws
Patna Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed anguish over six of Janata Dal (United) MLAs joining its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) inArunachal Pradesh.Recently, six out of seven members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) had joined the ruling BJP in Arunachal Pradesh. After the departure of six MLAs, the JD(U) is now left with one legislator in the northeastern state."The party has expressed its deep anguish, displeasure, protest on Arunachal Pradesh development. It is not a good sign for alliance politics," news agency PTI quoted JD(U) secretary general KCTyagi as telling reporters.
Jaipur The Congress has decided to launch Samvad Programme in all districts of Rajasthan to support the ongoing farmers' agitation against three farm laws brought by the central government. The grand-old party plans to organise the state-wide dialogue programme from December 28 to December30. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, "With the motive to further strengthen the voice of protesting farmers against the farm laws, the Rajasthan State Congress Committee will organise farmer dialogue programme state assembly-wise from December 28 till December 30 in every district with the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan".""In this state government's campaign, the dialogue will be established with honourable ministers and representative farmers associated with farmer signature campaign. Moreover, for ensure that the programme is successful at the government, as well as organisational level, the Congress has urged party workers to support farmers in their agitation."The Congress is standing with the protesting food givers for withdrawal of three anti-farmer laws brought by the central government," Ashok Gehlot said.With the motive of strengthening this agitation, the Rajasthan State Congress Committee, along with all colleagues of the ministerial cabinet, is organising state assembly-wise farmer dialogue programme with the slogan
#Jai_Jawan_Jai_Kisan from December 28 - 30. Urge all Congress workers to make this programme successful and support food givers in their agitation. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan", Govind Singh Dotasara, StateCongressPresident, Rajasthansaid.
Army Chief Naravane proceeds on 3-day visit to Republic of Korea
New Delhi Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane has proceeded on a three-day visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 28 to 30 December 2020.During the visit, he will be meeting senior military and civilian leadership of the Republic of Korea, the IndianArmysaid. General Naravane will lay wreath at National Cemetery and War Memorial in Seoul. He is scheduled to call on the Minister of National Defence, ROK Army Chief, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Minister of D e f e n c e A c q u i s i t i o n P l a n n i n g Administration (DAPA) to discuss avenues for enhancing India-ROK defence relations. The Army Chief will also visit the Korea Combat Training Centre in Inje Country, Gangwon Province and Advance Defence Development (ADD) at Daejeon. The visit like other recent ones to foreign countries is aimed at enhancing military diplomacy.The Indian Army chief earlier this month visited United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia from 9 to 14 December as part of India’s military diplomacy in the neighbourhood.This was the first visit by an Indian Army Chief to these two countries.
"The partners should follow the 'alliance politics' as was practiced during Atal Bihari Vajpayees tenure or being followed in Bihar for the past 15 years," Tyagi said.Addressing on the second day of the party meeting, Nitish Kumar further said that he didn't want to become the CM after the BiharAssembly elections. He said that he told the BJPthat the people have given the verdict and it doesn't matter if the CM is from the BJPor the JD(U)." I had no desire to become the Chief Minister. I was pressurised and now I have assumed the post of the CM. Anyone can become the Chief Minister, anyone can be made the Chief Minister, I do not mind," said Nitish Kumar.Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Ramchandra Prasad Singh better known by the initial RCP Singh, a close confidant of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was on Sunday chosen as the new president of JD(U)Without naming the BJP, the party's newly-appointed national president RCP Singh seemed to be sending a message to its alliance partner during JD(U)'s national executive meet on Sunday.Ramchandra Prasad Singh said that the JD(U) neither betray anyone nor does it conspires against anyone."We do not betray anyone, we do not create conspiracies. awareness towards achievements of the government and black farm laws, meetings of workers at the block level, press conferences and public awareness campaign will be organised to make farmers aware about the reality of the black laws,"Ashok Gehlot said.In a bid to
Rahul Gandhi likely to be proposed as Congress chief at party conclave in Rajasthan, say sources
Jaipur Congress will hold the party's national level conclave in Rajasthan early next year, sources have told India Today TV. Congress's conclave will be heldinJanuaryorFebruary2021. According to the sources, the proposal for the re-appointment of Rahul Gandhi as Congress president will be put forth during the conclave.Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been in talks with RahulGandhi'sofficefortheconclave.
While no location has been finalised for the conclave, sources say it will either be held in Udaipur or Jaipur. The final decision on Congress's conclave will be taken after Rahul Gandhi's return fromabroad. During the last national conclave of Congress in Rajasthan, held in 2012 in Jaipur, Rahul Gandhi was anointed as Congress's national vice-president.
With whomsoever we stay, we stay with honesty," said RCP Singh.JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi lashed out at the BJP over the 'love jihad' laws to prevent interfaith marriages. These laws are now in effect in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Recently the Army Chief had visited Nepal and also accompanied Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla to Myanmar.
Telangana suffered loss of Rs 7500 crore since its inception due to MSP
Hyderabad: The Telangana government on The officials underlined that the same Sunday (December 27, 2020) announced that situation is cropping up every year. the state has so far incurred huge losses of They said that the state government over Rs 7,500 crore by giving MSP suffered a loss of Rs 3,935 crore by had set up purchasing centres in the village itself and purchased the agriculture produce on a humanitarian consideration that farmers should not suffer losses. "It is not possible to do the same thing every time. The government is not a business organisation or trader. It is not a rice miller or a dal miller. Sale and purchase is not the responsibility of government. It is not possible to set up purchase centre in the village from next year onwards," the officials at the review meetingunanimouslystated. will be convenient for the farmers to get their produce on the appointed day. Implement this policy strictly," they said.This comes amid the farmers' protests against the three new farm laws. The NDA government at the Centre, however, is repeatedly assuring them that they will not do away with the MSP. However, in the meeting in Telangana Chief Minister's official residence, disturbing signals were sent out to the farmers in the state."Rythu Vedikas (farmers' platforms) are being constructed all over the State. Farmers and officers should meet regularly at the Vedikas. They should discuss and decide on which crops they should cultivate based on the marketconditions.
(Minimum Support Price) to farmers since the newstatewas formedin2014. purchasing paddy, Rs 1,547.59 crore due to corn, Rs 52.78 crore due to sorghum, Rs 413.48 crore due to redgram, Rs 52.47 crore due to red sorghum, Rs 9.23 crore due to black gram, Rs 108.07 crore due to Bengal gram and Rs 14.25 crore due to sunflower.
An extensive discussion took place at the review meeting on Sunday on the purchase of various crops, regulated farming policy, sale and purchase of agriculture produce in the markets and the responsibilities of the Rythu Bandhu Samithies. The discussion also took place on the utilisation of Rythu Vedikas, Besides this, wages paid to Hamalis, and keeping the required seed and fertilisers in adequate quantity available on time, transfer of the required technical knowledge to the farmers and other related issues.
- other administrative expenses, the
- They added, "The new Farm Laws being
implemented in the country allowed the farmers to sell their crop anywhere. Hence,
Bandhu' is a scheme wherein every farmer in Telangana gets Rs 5,000 per acre per season as grant from the state government and as there are two seasons - Kharif and Rabi, each farmer gets Rs 10,000 per acre. This effectively means the number of acres is multiplied by Rs 5000 each per acre. The CM instructed the officials concerned to ensure that every farmer gets the assistance in his bank account directly for every acre.On the other hand, the top officials of various departments said in clear terms that they will not be able to set up 'purchase centres' of crops in the villages from next year.Notably, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government total loss is Rs 7,500 crore, the officials explained.Meanwhile, the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao declared that all the farmers in the state would be given financial assistance under 'Rythu Bandhu' (farmer's friend) scheme from Monday (December 28, 2020) to January 2021. At a review meeting on 'Rythu Bandhu', financial assistanceheld on Sunday at PragathiBhavan, the Chief Minister announced that Rs 7,515 crore financial assistance will be given to 1.52 crore acres of the cultivated land of 61.49 lakh farmers at the rate of Rs 5000 per acre for the 2020 summer season. Notably, the 'Rythu the state government need not set a purchasing They have to formulate strategies from time to centre in the villages and as there is no need. But sale and purchase at the agriculture markets should be done properly. Farmers should not get their produce at one time to the markets, instead, they should get them in a phasedmannerandonturns."
"Rythu Bandhu Samithies, Marketing Committees, Agriculture extension officers should work in coordination and decide which village produces should come to market on which day and issue tokens accordingly. It time on how to get the MSP," the officials said.They further said, "Henceforth, it is better if the State government stops advising the farmers on what crops they should cultivate and where. The government should forthwith stop issuing guidelines on the crops to be cultivated. There is no need for the Regulatory Farming policy. Farmers should decide by themselves what crops they should cultivate. They should sell their produce wherever it gets a more price."
The officials present in the meeting informed that since theTelangana was formed as a state, the government had incurred heavy losses due to purchase of various crops till date to the tune of Rs 7,500 crore due to the purchase of paddy, sorghum, maize, redgram, Bengal gram and sunflower. Though the government had purchased these agriculture produces by paying the MSP, it had to sell them at the lower prices in the market, as there was no demand forthesecrops.
2
New Delhi, Tuesday, 29 December, 2020
THE SIKH TIMES
BUSINESS
NEWS BOX
Petrol, diesel prices unchanged for 21st day – Check fuel prices in metro cities on December 28, 2020
New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices were paused for the the 21st day on Monday after sixthstraightdayofhikes.
Explained: Reason behind
Bitcoin’s meteoric rise in 2020
written off by analysts after the dreaded crash of 2018 has seen a sharp rise in its valuation this year. At present, one Bitcoin is valued at roughly Rs 20 lakh or $27,075. On Sunday, the digital currency almost touched $28,000 after it had crossed $20,000 for the first time just a few days ago. The current market value of Bitcoin has reached a staggering $500 billion, according to cryptocurrency platform Coindesk. It is more than the valuation of Visa, Mastercard andWalmart. Bitcoin’s meteoricrisein Covid-hit2020 Most analysts believe that the Covid-hit year is responsible for the revival and meteoric rise of the digital currency. Many Bitcoin investors have said that the pandemic-hit year offered a perfect environment for the cryptocurrency.Analysts believe there has been a growing acceptance for the digital currency in the current year as traditional currencies and assets took a pounding due to the global economic crisis. Bitcoin’s valuation has also soared as many big brand investors and companies have also stockpiled the digital currency. regarding the cryptocurrency’s future.First, the coin launched in 2009 is known for its wind swings and extreme volatility also faces regulatory hurdles. While the returns on offer are far better than traditional investments, the risk involved is much higher due to the volatility observed in the larger cryptocurrency market.In 2017, the coin saw a similar rally when its value surged sharply, only to crash the following year. So, the cryptocurrency has a reputation of unpredictability,
Bitcoin, the popular cryptocurrency that was more or less written off by analysts after the dreaded crash of 2018, has seen a sharp rise in its valuation this year. At present, one Bitcoin is valued at roughly Rs 20 lakh or $27,075. Here is what aided Bitcoin's meteoric rise in Covid-hit 2020.
Fuel prices were hiked for the sixth straight day on December 7 by the oil marketing companies leading rates to touch 2-yrear high. Petrol price in Delhi was was hiked by 30 paise per litre and diesel by 26 paise, the sixth straight day of increase in rates due to firming international oil prices on Monday. Petrol price in Delhi is at Rs 83.71 per litre while diesel prices are Rs 73.87 per litre, according to notifications from Indian Oil Corporation.Here is looking at the price difference of diesel and petrol in four metro cities on December 26.Petrol and diesel prices that remained unchanged for 48 days, saw a rate revision on November 20 (Friday), as state-run oil marketing companies hiked fuel prices. Rates differ from state to state depending on the incidence of VAT. Taxes make up for nearly two-third of the retail selling price. In September, diesel prices saw first reduction since mid-March when Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) froze rates for 82 days to adjust a record hike in excise duty on auto fuels against falling benchmark cost.Diesel rates had gone up by Rs 12.55 a litre between June 7, when oil firms resumed revising prices in line with cost, and July 25. Diesel price has remained unchanged in the country since July 25, except in Delhi where a reduction in VAT lowered the rate by Rs 8.38 per litre. Petrol price went up by Rs 9.17 per litre between June 7 and June 29 before hitting a pause.
$7,200 dollar at the start of the year to almost $28,000 now.Matt Hougan, chief investment officer of Bitwise Asset Management, was quoted in a Bloomberg report saying that “Bitcoin is moving from a fringe esoteric asset to the mainstream”.
“If it’s going mainstream, there is just so much money on the sidelines that is going to have to come in and establish a position that it leaves me very bullish for 2021,” Hougan a d d e d . W h i l e p r e d i c t i n g t h e cryptocurrency’s future course is difficult, experts believe that the digital currency will continue to gain in 2021 and added that it could become a nice alternative for retail investors to park their money if traditional interestratesremainlow. making it impossible for analysts to give a concrete prediction of its future. However, analysts seem more optimistic about the acceptance of Bitcoin this time.Secondly, the digital coil could face further scrutiny for regulators if it continues its meteoric rally. Several strategists and investors have said Bitcoin trade or the broader cryptocurrency industry could see tighter regulations in future, especially in the United States under Joe Biden’s administration.Most cryptocurrency experts feel that a lot will depend on how countries around the regulate crypto trade, signalling that the air of uncertainty surrounding such trade remains at large.While most experts believe that the digital currency will improve on its position in 2021, they have warned interested investors to be prepared for sharp correctionsand wildvolatility.
New Delh In a year when currency valuations
across the world have suffered due to the coronavirus crisis, one digital currency has managed to register a meteoric rise and a The fact that interest rates on traditional surprising comeback. The value of the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has surged over 200 per cent in 2020. investments hit rock bottom during the year also helped in the rise of Bitcoin as more investors poured their money into the cryptocurrency. As the digital currency saw more investors, its value soared from just
Challengesremain While Bitcoin has managed to shine in Covidhit 2020, there are several concerns
The digital currency that was more or less
Rupee rises 4 paise to
73.51 against US dollar in early trade
Bolstered by pandemic, tech titans face growing scrutiny
Oil prices edged down a tad, with U.S. crude futures down 0.8% at $47.85 per barrel, a Reutersreport said.
Mumbai. The rupee appreciated by
PARIS: Accelerating the transition to an ever more digital existence, the coronavirus pandemic has tightened tech giants' grip on billions of customers' lives.Governments and users are belatedly coming to terms with the power held by the likes of Apple and Amazon, particularly in focus this year thanks to their role in everything from setting up video meetingstodoingourshoppingforus. Most of the planet has spent at least part of 2020 in lockdown, and as Western consumers clicked through Google and Facebook, hundreds of millions of Chinese users turned to Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent or Xiaomi.These "superstars" of online capialism "have given the impression, in this world where so many things that seemed solid are now fragile, that they are above it all and even invincible," said Paris-based economist Joelle Toledano.While governments are spending trillions of dollars to avoid widespread bankruptcies and mass unemployment, shares of these companies have been rising since January: Facebook's stock is up 35 per cent, Amazon 67 per cent and Apple 68 per cent.Zoom, created in 2011 by a Californian engineer, has watched its share price jump 600 per cent in 2020, whileAirbnb's sharevaluedoubledonthedayofitsIPO. their wings, ranging from limits to their power
