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' ') ' %*+,- 2##23 825.9* 42567 -  4+1.152;  +21)33.)+#42;))3 ;1)3 )2;+2% )+#< 2134+35 45-)34)1.); +;)(+( <) ); ;1)43?);#1;. ;)4+;)+-; 4)2+();4 21)23+15 )<N#5(4O 214;)2 4<21;))2=+>)<)2) 3   $&8 ''( &8 9) .!1  ) !   .   *+./0/*1*//                     &$                        12134+     )+ #   gainst the backdrop of a Asudden rise in coronavirus      n a first major reshuffle of top   $  cases in many States, Prime IIPS officers undertaken after Minister on the arrest and suspension of    & Wednesday stressed the need P    explosive laden SUV recovery- for checking the “emerging linked police officer Sachin second peak” of the pandemic Vaze, the Maharashtra     in the country and sought Government shunted out States to create micro-contain-    Mumbai Police Commissioner Industrial Security Force ment centres and speed up the Param Bir Singh and replaced (CISF). vaccination drive.   12134+ him with current Director Singh’s transfer as the In the meeting of Chief General of Police (DGP) Mumbai Police Commissioner Ministers called by him to iving up to its reputation as Hemant Nagrale. was very much on the cards decide new Covid-19 strategy, "    $        %     % '()     *    $ Lthe “pharmacy of the Announcing the appoint- after the embarrassment that Modi said, “Test, track and + ! "# world,” India has played a lead- ment of Nagrale as Mumbai’s the Maharashtra Government treat mantra” should be fol- ing role in supplying vaccine to new Police Commissioner, faced in the wake of the arrest lowed to combat the “second the State Chief Secretary. there’s no wastage,” he told the centres to limit the spread of more than 70 nations in the Maharashtra Home Minister of Mumbai’s Assistant Police peak” of the pandemic. The Prime Minister said Chief Ministers. the virus and pressed the need ongoing fight against the coro- Anil Deshmukh said while Inspector Sachin Vaze by the “Seventy districts of the vaccination should be speeded Modi said States should be to increase RT-PCR resting na pandemic, External Affairs senior IPS officer Rajnish Sheth National Investigation Agency country have seen an increase up and regretted 10 per cent creating micro-containment across the country. Minister S Jaishankar said in has been given additional (NIA) and his suspension in of more than 150 per cent in “wastage” of doses in Andhra the Rajya Sabha on          responsibility of DGP, outgoing connection with the recovery of the last few weeks. If we don’t Pradesh, Telangana and       Wednesday.    ! "# Mumbai CP has been posted as gelatine sticks’ laden SUV near stop it here, a situation of a UP. Lauding India’s initiative in DGP, Home Guards. industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s nationwide outbreak can come “Over 10 per cent vaccine       !" practising people-centric diplo- Jaishankar said India’s reputa- A 1987 batch IPS officer residence in south Mumbai up,” he cautioned. wastage in Telangana and macy, the Elders urged the tion as “pharmacy of the world” Nagrale — the then DGP on February 25 and the subse- Punjab Chief Minister Andhra Pradesh. Vaccine London: People aged over 70 years with hearing difficulties expe- Government to supply the vac- stands reinforced the way it (Technical and Legal) — was quent murder of Thane busi- Amrinder Singh sought per- wastage in Uttar Pradesh is rienced heightened depression, loneliness and memory problems cine to poor countries. reached out to nations in the holding the additional charge nessman Manshukh Hiren. mission for vaccination of one almost the same. The State during the Covid-19 lockdown, according to an online survey Addressing this concern, the midst of a global crisis and sup- of Maharashtra DGP since Earlier, NCP chief Sharad and all. Karnataka too sup- must review why vaccine conducted by UK health experts. “The impact of social isolation Minister said the Indian vac- plied vaccines to 72 nations. It January this year, when he was Pawar had met Chief Minister ported that people in all age- wastage is happening? has been massive on the elderly population, but our survey shows cine was the cheapest in the was appreciated by global lead- given additional responsibility and dis- group be vaccinated. West Monitoring must be done every that people with hearing impairment have been more substan- world. ers and world citizens and after incumbent Subodh cussed the situation arising out Bengal CM evening and pro-active people tially affected,” said Professor Annalena Venneri from the Making a statement on they extended warmth to India Jaiswal was appointed the of Vaze’s arrest. Pawar had was absent and represented by should be contacted so that University of Sheffield’s Neuroscience Institute. P8 “Vaccine Maitri” initiative, and its citizens. Director General of the Central reportedly advised the CM to take swift action to improve the eroded image of the Mumbai Police in the police officer's       P        alleged involvement in the planting of explosive-laden SUV near Ambani's residence and     !"  suspicion about his role in the     circumstances leading to the death of Hiren. While the NIA is currently investigating the    SUV recovery case, ' (   Maharashtra's ATS is looking  !!   1 into the murder of Hiren, whose )    2134+ body was recovered from the Reti Bunder creek area. '  & am Swaroop Sharma, Rthe Bharatiya Janata    Party (BJP) MP from  Mandi in Himachal   12134+ Pradesh, was found hang- ing from the ceiling in his    wo Chinese nationals with official residence in New    Tforged Aadhaar cards were Delhi on Wednesday. ! *   ,  -'.(/  *  0           nabbed at Bagdogra Airport. Prima facie, it appears to  -  !"#      The duo was held at 9.20 be a case of suicide, said     am on Tuesday by the CISF police, adding that how-      while checking tickets and ever no suicide note was   12134+ capable of carrying beyond-     identity documents at the found from the spot. visual-range missiles and other       departure gate of the airport According to a senior MIG-21 Bison aircraft potent weapons.   ! ! " and subjected to intense multi- police official, a PCR call Acrashed in Gwalior on On February 27, 2019, agency interrogation. was received around 7.45 Wednesday killing its pilot Wing Commander       “During checking of trav- am by his aide after the Group Captain A Gupta. The Abhinandan Varthaman flew a     el documents of both the pas- flight and further bound from passports, they had visited parliamentarian did not /" "        mishap took place around MIG-21 Bison and shot down   #  sengers Aadhaar cards Hyderabad to Tirupati by Pakistan in 2018 and 2019. respond to knocks at his "#  10.50 am when the aircraft was an F-16 aircraft of the Pakistan     !  $  appeared to be forged. On Indigo Airlines flight,” the CISF They have visited Nepal and door. taking off for a combat train- Air Force, before his aircraft !   %& !   ' questioning, both the suspect- said in a statement here. exited the Himalayan country “A police team reached the not named. ing mission. went down in a dogfight. He   !        ed passengers revealed their Later, both the suspected on January 13 this year. spot and forced open the door Born at Jalpehar village in The mandatory court of was captured by the Pakistan (      identity as Zhang Jun and passengers, who visited India in and found Sharma hanging Mandi district on June 10, inquiry was ordered to ascer- Army and released two days  " Kaileng who were supposed to 2020, were handed over to the from a ceiling fan. He was 1958, Sharma was a two-time tain the cause of the accident. later.The IAF has lost many travel from Bagdogra to local police by the CISF for fur- taken to a hospital where doc- MP. “A MiG-21 Bison aircraft of MIG-21s and other aircraft in  ! O !!   ! Hyderabad by Indigo Airlines ther investigation. As per their tors pronounced him dead on Presently, Sharma had been IAF was involved in a fatal acci- accidents in the last few years.   !  P arrival,” said Chinmoy Biswal, suffering from various ail- dent this morning while taking In June 2019, the Ministry   )   the Public Relation Officer ments. He was elected to the off for a combat training mis- of Defence informed !      (PRO) of the Delhi Police. 16th and 17th from sion at an airbase in central Parliament that 27 IAF aircraft    L !    )    “An enquiry is underway Mandi Parliamentary con- India,” the IAF said in a tweet. have crashed since 2016.   +  M  ! and the exact cause of his stituency in 2014 and 2019 “The IAF lost Group In 2016-17, six IAF fight- L  (   !  M" death will be ascertained after respectively. Captain A Gupta in the tragic er jets, two helicopters, a trans-  * &  a post-mortem examination,” Following Sharma’s death, accident. IAF expresses deep port aircraft and a trainer  !  he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condolences and stands firm- crashed. In 2017-18, the IAF     The Lok Sabha proceed- expressed grief and tweeted, ly with the family members. A lost two fighter jets and a $%$   %     ings were adjourned till 1 pm “Ram Swaroop Sharma was a Court of Inquiry has been trainer aircraft in crashes. The      )  after an obituary reference to dedicated leader, who was ordered to determine the cause number rose in 2018-19, when   (-.  Sharma. Meanwhile, the BJP always committed to solving of the accident,” it added. the IAF lost seven fighter jets,  !/       )#3)#) cancelled its parliamentary people’s problems. He worked The Soviet-origin MIG-21 two helicopters and two train-  0   ! !!/ party meeting following tirelessly for the betterment of Bison is an upgraded version of ers. At present, the IAF has      series of shootings over Sharma’s death and also called society. Pained by his untime- the MIG-21 aircraft that the around six squadrons of Mig- !   % (  Anearly an hour at three off the joining ceremony of an ly and unfortunate demise. My IAF began inducting in the 21 Bisons. A squadron com-   !   " Atlanta-area massage parlours “eminent” person, who was thoughts are with his family 1960s. The MIG-21 Bison is prises around 18 to 20 aircraft. left eight people dead and raised fears that the attack was another hate crime against     1  Asian Americans.   -  * # $      %    Police arrested a white 21-       * # " year-old Georgia man and said the motive for Tuesday night’s wounds at Gold Spa near attacks wasn’t known, though Atlanta's Buckhead area, where (+      on hold as part of this deal,” Muslim community coming many of the victims were tattoo parlours and strip clubs said Chennithala. out in the open demonstrating women of Asian descent. are just blocks away from man-  ,- .Q R Meanwhile, PC Thomas, against the move to field a “We’re in a place where sions and skyscrapers in one of leader of the Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Mani) faction we've seen an increase in hate the last ungentrified holdouts    54+ and the RSS, which were at log- who was a part of the NDA-led leader. The CPI (M) leadership crimes against Asian in that part of the city. gerheads over a range of issues, by the BJP till Wednesday was forced to replace him with Americans since the pandem- Officers then learned of a call he sensational charge by R buried the hatchet for the time morning, jumped the fence local politician Kunhahammed ic started,” said Georgia state reporting shots fired across TBalasankar, former chief being and vehemently denied and appeared in a UDF meet- Kutty. Similarly, the CPI, which Rep. Bee Nguyen. “It's hard to the street, at Aromatherapy editor of The Organiser, that the charges. ing by noon. He had declared too swears by secularism, had think it is not targeted specif- Spa, and found another woman there was a secret deal between “This statement by him at Kasaragod that he would to withdraw Ajit Koladi, its offi- ically toward our community.” apparently shot dead. the CPI(M) and the Sangh arose out of discontentment remain only with the BJP. cial candidate at Tiroorangadi, The attacks began Tuesday “It appears that they may Parivar, has caused a political over the denial of ticket to him,” The BJP national leader- a Muslim dominated area, and evening, when five people were be Asian,” Atlanta Police Chief earthquake in Kerala. The BJP said K Surendran, Kerala BJP ship on Wednesday announced substitute him with Niyaz shot at Youngs Asian Massage Rodney Bryant said. denied ticket to Balasankar to chief while speaking to the name of Shobha Surendran Pulikkalakathu. Parlour near Woodstock, about White House press secre- contest the April 6 Assembly reporters. “If he had the bless- tion,” Surendran had said while the charges. But former Chief as the candidate from Siji Karuthedathu, author 30 miles north of Atlanta, tary Jen Psaki said President Joe election. ings of the national leadership, announcing the names of can- Minister Oommen Chandi and Kazhakoottam in and political commentator Cherokee County Sheriff’s Biden has been briefed on the Balasankar created a flutter his name should have been in didates. Leader of the Opposition Thiruvananthapuram con- based in Malabar, expressed spokesman Jay Baker said. “horrific shootings” and would in the political circle when he the list,” Surendran added. The fight for supremacy in Ramesh Chennithala said there stituency. The uncertainty in apprehension over the CPI(M) Two people died at the receive an update later told media persons on The allegation has upset the State has shifted back to the was nothing surprising in the the name of the candidate and CPI genuflecting before scene, and three were taken to Wednesday from Attorney Wednesday that there was a the BJP which had exuded CPI(M) and the Congress-led charge as it was a fact. from Kazhakootam has come religious fundamentalism. a hospital where two died, General Merrick Garland and deal between the Kerala BJP confidence and claimed that it fronts. Chances are that the BJP “We in the Congress were to an end with this announce- “This is further proof of the Baker said. FBI Director Christopher Wray. and the CPI(M) for the would emerge as the game- may finish the race as “also the first to bring to light the ment. Jama-at-Islami and About an hour later, police Little is known about the Assembly election so that the changer in Kerala politics. ran”, according to Roy Mathew, secret deal between the BJP and The CPI(M) too was not Popular Front of India swal- responding to a call about a suspect, Robert Aaron Long, of latter could retain power in the “This time Kerala will see a a political commentator. the CPI(M). The Enforcement free from problems in selecting lowing the Congress and robbery found three women Woodstock, and authorities State. third alternative calling the Chief Minister Pinarayi Directorate probe against the the candidates. The con- Communist parties slowly but dead from apparent gunshot haven't specified charges. The BJP’s State leadership shots in Government forma- Vijayan has also repudiated CPI(M) leaders have been put stituency of Kuttiyadi saw the steadily,” said Siji.   !" 

 P                

  4)2+();4 state Finance Minister ‘REVIEW IMMUNIZATION mutation still unclear, the Chief tion and also formulate a sep- Monitors at all hotels, restau-  !!"#$%E Manpreet Badal and SAD pres- STRATEGY’ Minister underlined the need arate strategy for districts rants and marriage palaces to ith the State is witnessing ident Sukhbir Badal had also During the Prime Minister to strengthen viral sequencing with higher case load. ensure COVID Appropriate  ) /     )    % Wa surge in active Covid- tested positive for Narendra Modi’s virtual particularly in Punjab, “as over Talking about the progress Behaviour, he said.         !      19 cases with daily positivity Coronavirus…We are making COVID review meeting with 50 percent positive cases now on the vaccination front, he All schools and Anganwadi !!        %  rate climbing to more than five a policy, we will get stricter the Chief Ministers of all states, are below 40 years of age, and informed the meeting that Centres have been closed, while  !  !  !  % percent, Punjab Chief Minister from tomorrow,” he declared. Capt Amarinder suggested that we need to urgently assess more than 50 per cent health- healthcare workers, who have  )  ! L  !  !M  O) %/  Capt on any area, where weekly testing whether this is due to any care workers (HCWs) and not got vaccinated, have been           Wednesday urged the Centre to ‘IMMUNIZE JUDGES, STU- shows a doubling of positivity variant”. frontline workers (FLWs) have advised to get COVID tested   !!  0      %   review its immunization strat- DENTS, TEACHERS, ETC rates, should immediately be The state had sent a large got the first dose. weekly to ensure their safety     !    !  number of samples for genome More than 1.10 lakh gen- and also the safety of the pub- egy to vaccinate all age groups FOR RESUMPTION OF considered for vaccination of  !     !!     in selected areas. At the same NORMAL ACTIVITIES’ all age groups. sequencing but very few results eral public, aged 60-plus and lic as well. ! %$ %  time, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder also called for “This would lead to better out- had been received, of which 45-plus with co-morbidities,   % ! !  %    !0   announced a “stricter policy” to occupation-based immuniza- comes than the periodic cycles two indicated presence of vari- have taken their first dose of ‘PUNJAB’S TESTING PER  !   ! %       deal with the problem. tion for school and college of vaccination targeting a small ant, he pointed. vaccination. MILLION HIGHER THAN    !   C8 % ! Blaming the surge in cases students and teachers, judges, section of the population at Capt Amarinder again reit- NATIONAL AVERAGE’     on fatigue or laxity in follow- bus drivers, and conductors, each cycle,” he said. erated the demand for permis- ‘TAKEN STEPS TO BATTLE On the testing front, the !   % 3) % - % /       % ing COVID Appropriate panches or sarpanches, mayors Notably, the daily positivity sion by the Centre to use the SECOND WAVE’ Chief Minister revealed that       ! Behaviors, large social and reli- or Municipal Committee pres- rate has climbed to more than State Disaster Relief Fund, Listing out the measures more than 30,000 COVID tests    !!   !!   gious gatherings, and efforts at idents or counsellors. five percent in March from a already available with the State, taken by Punjab Government per day were being conducted !    !!/ 0  .       D !  normalization such as opening MLAs, MPs, among others, to low of less than one percent in for COVID management. The to battle the ongoing second by the State, of which more   !   - $%  of schools and colleges, the pave way for normalization of January. Ministry of Home Affairs, wave, the Chief Minister than 90 percent were through  )!          !  Chief Minister said that large crucial activities and check So far, a total of 1.99 lakh pos- Government of India, may revealed that the State has RT-PCR and less than 10 per-   !  positivity was seen in the State’s super-spreaders. itive cases had been reported issue the approval urgently, he imposed restrictions on social cent Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). ! % !   young population. The Chief Minister advocated from 54 lakh tests and 6,099 stressed. gatherings — maximum of Punjab’s testing per million !   -  .  2   He said that the trend was early opening of the courts to people have died of the infec- 100 for indoor events and 200 has been maintained at higher        ;  5=+2 worrying as the State had end the wait for justice for tion, he added. INCREASE PACE OF VAC- for outdoor events. Nine dis- than national average, he     5=+2   reported a total of 1,475 cases citizens, and also of schools and CINATION, FORMULATE tricts have imposed night cur- added. and 38 deaths on Monday, colleges to bridge the gap ‘STRENGTHEN VIRAL SEPARATE STRATEGY FOR few from 11 pm to 5 am, while Maintaining that all preceded by 1,843 cases and 43 between poor and affluent SEQUENCING’ DISTRICTS WITH HIGHER other districts have been asked arrangements were in place beds, as well as around 800 ven- Level-2 and Level-3 patients deaths the day before. “The families in terms of education. With the role of virus CASE LOAD: SHAH TO CM to assess the situation and take for taking care of the affected, tilators for Level-2 and Level- have been advised to post- The Union Home action accordingly. the Chief Minister said that the 3 COVID patients. Bed occu- pone elective surgeries by two Minister Amit Shah suggest- The state Excise and state has 8,000 oxygen sup- pancy at present is between 10- weeks with a view to create +,      ed that the State should Taxation Department has been ported beds. 15 percent at Level-2 and Level- more beds for COVID patients,  ,,- ,, increase the pace of vaccina- asked to appoint COVID More than 1,500 ICU 3. Private hospitals managing said the Chief Minister. $'&R'      4)2+();4 ramped up its Covid-19 man- have been vaccinated and last .  !"# agement preparations coupled Monday, under Mega Monday    !)!*   aryana Chief Minister with aggressive surveillance, drive record 1.59 lakh people    HManohar Lal Khattar on stringent containment, swift were vaccinated in a single day $%$&% Wednesday said that taking contact tracing, focused clini- in Haryana.   4)2+();4 Minister Capt Amarinder cognizance of the recent surge cal management along with The state has planned to launch Singh’s flagship, “Ghar Ghar  E  of Covid-19 cases, the State has proactive Information such mega drives on every n a major recruitment drive, Rozgar and Karobar Mission”. $$ & '$ Education and Monday and Tuesday to ensure IPunjab Government has ini- “The drive will give Communication (IEC) activi- that every beneficiary receives tiated the process to hire 1,318 employment opportunities to  !    4)2+();4 pursuit of the Sports ties. vaccination doses" he engineers in various govern- the unemployed engineering Department, their livelihood "So far, 7.50 lakh people said. ment departments under Chief graduates who are waiting for   4)2+();4 wenty-six outstanding becomes reality,” he said. the government jobs since 2016 Tsports persons on “When I presented the file when the State Government itnessing a sudden surge Wednesday appointed cops in regarding the appointment of had last recruited 216 engi- Win Covid-19 cases, the Punjab. these players before the Chief neers,” said the state Chief union territory of Chandigarh The state’s Sports, Youth Minister Capt Amarinder Secretary Vini on Wednesday reported 201 Services, and NRIs Affairs Singh, he cleared the file with- Mahajan. fresh positive cases. Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh in a minute,” he said adding Mahajan said that the req- Chandigarh, which is a Sodhi has given appointment that as there were some glitch- uisition for engineering posts in joint capital of Punjab and letters to the sportspersons, es on part of medical, over-age, various government depart- Haryana is in the Centre’s list of offering them jobs in Punjab and documentation, the ments has been sent to the 70 districts, which are witness- Police. “I am glad that we have process of appointing them Punjab Public Service ing a spike in COVID-19 cases fulfilled the promise made by has been delayed. Commission (PPSC), which in the country.The number of the earlier SAD-BJP govern- On the demand of newly- has already started the recruit- positive cases has almost dou- ment,” said Sodhi. appointed players, the Sports ment drive for these posts and bled in Chandigarh in about Out of total 79 left candi- Minister categorically said that advertisement has been issued one week.The active cases dates, three sub-inspector and their legitimate demands would to invite applications for these crossed 1300-mark and stood at 23 constables, most of them be considered in length and posts.Divulging the details, the 1330 in the city till the evening. clinched gold in various games, width. He also directed the Chief Secretary said that the In a relief, no fresh death was have been provided with Principal Secretary Anurag requisition for a total of 1,318 reported in the last 24 hours appointment letters in the first Verma and Director DPS posts includes 1,075 junior and the death count was at phase. Kharbanda to initiate the engineers (civil), 80 junior 359.As per the bulletin, the total Sodhi lamented that required action in this regard engineers (mechanical), 15 case tally reached 23592. 113 renowned sportspersons, who at the earliest. Out of total 26 junior engineers (electrical), 4 males and 88 female residents have attained remarkable outstanding players of different junior engineers (electrical were found infected with achievement at the games disciples, who get job ormechanical), 94 sub-divi- COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. International and National lev- letters included; three Sub sional engineers (civil) and 50 A maximum of 13 fresh cases els, were deprived of their right Inspectors Sarpreet Singh sub-divisional engineers (elec- surfaced in Manimajra. 70 of jobs for their extraordinary (Cycling), Gurinder Singh trical or mechanical). patients have recovered in the achievements by the previous (Volleyball) and Jagdeep She asserted that the selec- past 24 hours taking the total government. “Now, our gov- Kumar (Boxing), while 23 can- tion for these posts would be number of recoveries to 21903. ernment has taken this matter didates have been appointed on done purely on merit basis. 2.84 lakh samples have so seriously and after the long the posts of Constable. “This major recruitment drive far been tested in the city. A is taking place after a gap of five total of 2171 tests were con- years to hire such a large num- ducted in the last 24 hours and ber of engineering graduates by the report of 109 was awaited, the State Government,” she the bulletin added. During a said. The last recruitment drive review meeting chaired by was conducted in 2016 when Prime Minister Narendra only 216 posts were filled. Modi, Punjab Governor and Earlier, in the year 2014, only UT Administrator VP Singh 30 posts were filled and in Badnore informed that though 2012, only 25 such posts were the number of Corona cases filled. had reduced drastically. 

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.*  :           1          214;)2      racking the whip on ineffi-   )*  Cciency in departmental work soon after assuming *  charge, chief minister Tirath   214;)2 ting maps passed by the cultivated by the farmers. Due   )  Singh Rawat ordered the sus- authorities especially in rural to this, the farmers were facing pension of two engineers of the oon after assuming charge of mountainous areas. With this unnecessary problems in sell- *    Public Works Department for Stheir respective depart- order issued a few days after it ing the remaining produce.  inferior quality of work in road ments, many Ministers have was approved in the first cab- In the third decision, the construction. The PWD prin- started taking decisions that are inet meeting under the newly order terminating the services   214;)2 cipal secretary has issued orders likely to elicit appreciation sworn in CM, the building map of outsourced employees of for suspension of both the from various quarters. approval in the areas con- Uttarakhand Purva Sainik he pine trees are a threat to engineers. Taking serious cog- Decisions have been taken by cerned will be done as per the Nigam Limited (UPNL) was Tthe water bodies and the nisance of the case spread the Urban Development system followed before 2016. withdrawn on Wednesday. In a drinking water department through the social media, the department, Sugar Cane In another decision on the written communication to all would enter into a dialogue CM had ordered the suspension Development and Sugar directions of the State minister the departments, the deputy with the forest department on of PWD assistant engineer Ajit Industry department, and for Sugar Cane Development general manager of UPNL, a plan to replace pine trees with Singh and junior engineer Anil Soldier Welfare department and Sugar Industry, Manoj Rawat directed the broad leafed plants near the Kumar for inferior work which are likely to resolve Yatishwaranand, the depart- departments not to terminate water bodies. The Minister for The minister said that he would also be pumped from the ambitious Jal Jeevan between kilometres 154-155 of some of the pending issues of ment has directed that the the services of the employees as Drinking Water Bishan Singh has asked the department offi- the rivers to the tanks wherev- Mission with an objective to the Lakshmanjhula-Kandi- various sections of society. sugar mills will not issue orders decided in the meeting with the Chufal disclosed this during an cials to remain vigilant and er needed,’’ he said. provide drinking water tap in Dugadda-Rathuadhab- The Urban Development for the end of the sugar cane Soldier Welfare minister interaction with the media geared up to meet the dry sea- Chufal said that the every household is going on Dhumakot motor road under and Housing Minister crushing season till all the pro- Ganesh Joshi. persons at Vidhan Sabha on son ahead. “This year we had Detailed Project Reports satisfactorily and the mission the PWD Dugadda provincial Banshidhar Bhagat informed duce of the farmers is pur- On this, Kushagra Joshi, Wednesday. He added that less rainfall due to which there (DPRs) of 100 drinking water would be completed in the year division. Rawat has also ordered that a government order had chased. In addition to this, the the president of the UPNL storage capability of the water is less water in the water bod- projects have been submitted to 2022. “I have directed the offi- a probe into this incident. The been issued to suspend the payment for the sugar cane Employees Union which had bodies in the state has ies. Many of them have already the department. “I have asked cers to complete the mission CM said that corruption and authority of regional develop- should be made on time. This been protesting against the decreased over the years due to dried up. I have asked the the officers to clear the projects before time and make timely negligence in work will not be ment authorities to pass build- order was issued after it came termination orders, said, "We the landslides, construction of department to prepare a plan to costing more than Rs two crore payments to the contractors,’’ tolerated at all. He reiterated ing maps in areas brought to light that the sugar mills have been protesting for 24 roads and blasting activities. “ provide drinking water in the within a month and the pro- he said. On a stern note the that the state government is under their jurisdiction after were contradicting the gov- days and though the govern- In such a situation we need to villages located within 100 jects costing less than Rs two newly sworn in minister said committed to provide a clean, 2016. Bhagat said that the peo- ernment policy and shutting ment has annulled the termi- have a long term plan for metres of roads by tankers. The crore would be cleared by the that the action would be taken transparent and honest admin- ple had for long been facing down, and ordering closure of nation order, we will not return longevity and revival of the habitations located at a distance district magistrates concerned,’’ against the officers found istration. Strict action will be problems caused by long dura- the crushing season before to our jobs till the government water bodies which are a source from the roads would be pro- he said. involved in laxity and corrup- taken at whichever level any tion and cost incurred in get- purchasing all the sugar cane has a dialogue with us." of drinking water,’’ he said. vided water by mules. Water The minister added that tion. gaps are found, he added. .R   #  +    1*    2  /              '  *   214;)2 he Shri Kedarnath Utthan TCharitable Trust (SKUCT) -* tary H C Semwal and Chief *  *   signed a Memorandum of *)*  Executive Officer (CEO) of Understanding (MoU) with Meraki foundation Seemant   214;)2 Power Grid Corporation of  )* Dadwal. Under the plan, the India Limited as part of which )*  capacity building activity of ttarakhand Traffic the corporation has committed      Anganwadi workers and ICDS UDirectorate is planning to contribute Rs 19.3 crore for officers would be undertaken. to conduct a one-month the development projects at ./  Similarly efforts would be made campaign against underage Badrinath.   to increase participation of par- riders in view of increasing The MoU was signed road accidents. According between the State’s Tourism to the directorate, the acci- secretary Dilip Jawalkar and dent cases of underage rid- Powergrid chairman and man- ers have increased consid- aging director K Sreekant. erably in the last few years. As per the MoU, the As per the data provided by the Khurana. According to the amount shall be used for the directorate, a total of 158 vehi- officials, most of the underage construction of a 2.5 kilometre cle users aged below 18 years riders violate the traffic rules long and 10.5 metre wide road had died in road accidents that mainly include riding for efficient traffic manage- while 326 underage riders were without a driving license and ment, facade enhancement of injured from the year 2018 to proper helmet. They disclosed public and Devasthanam Board the year 2020. The director of that such underage riders face buildings, battery-operated   214;)2 ents in preschool activities the traffic directorate, Kewal the risk of accidents also when public transport system, instal- would be made. The foundation Khurana informed that the they try to get away by riding lation of property and wayfind- ith an objective of operates a ‘digital parent guide- traffic directorate is planning to rashly during the checks at ing signages, ambient lighting Wimproving the pre-school line programme’ and so far conduct a one-month cam- checkpoints. A case can also be and drainage management. education, the Women empow- more than 15000 families have paign in which the police filed against the guardian of a Speaking on the occasion vision of Prime Minister employment opportunities for Corporate Social Responsibility erment and child development benefited from it. The deputy would check the two-wheeler minor under section 199 of the Jawalkar said, “Badrinath Narendra Modi and actively the locals.” (CSR). The project is estimat- department of Uttarakhand has director of the department S K vehicles parked in school park- new Motor Vehicles Act if they Dham is one of the most involved in the overall devel- He further informed that ed to be completed within the entered into a Memorandum of Singh, DPO Dehradun ings. In case any rider is found are aware of their wards sought-after destinations of opment of the city's infra- MoU’s worth about Rs 200 time duration of three years. It Understanding (MoU) with a Akhilesh Mishra and Akriti to be a minor, the police would indulging in underage riding. Uttarakhand and attracts pil- structure. We are also ensuring crore are signed with various is also expected that the project Delhi based organisation, the Bhatt from Meraki foundation seize the vehicle and appropri- Khurana has appealed to the grims from all over the world. that all the development pro- Public Sector Units (PSUs) to will benefit nearly 15.6 lakh pil- Meraki foundation. The MoU were present on the ate action would be taken parents to not let their under- Uttarakhand government is jects are environment friendly develop Badrinath as a smart grims every year visiting was signed in presence secre- occasion. against the parents, said age children drive vehicles. working in alignment with the and further aid in boosting the spiritual hill town under Badrinath from 2025 onwards. (&'&* 2 % '()   !      %&$%&  ,%-.   3%   1 1 * from the disease in the state. Tehri 10, Pithoragarh nine,    * 3'% The recovery percentage from Rudraprayag seven, Bageshwar *      the disease now stands at 96.13 five and Chamoli three cases of and the sample positivity rate the disease.    )  is 3.79 percent. Death of no Meanwhile 14179 people   " 2 patient was reported to the were vaccinated in 315 vaccine   health department on the day. sessions on Wednesday. A total "  " 012 34 In the state 1704 patients have of 102282 people have so far succumbed to the disease. fully vaccinated in the state   214;)2 The health department while 143509 senior citizens   214;)2 reported 40 new patients of the (age 60 and above) have n view of the sudden spurt in disease in Dehradun, 34 from received the first shot of the Ithe number of patients of mid fears of a second wave Haridwar, 18 from Udham vaccine. In the state 8029 per- Covid-19 in many states of the Aof Covid-19 in some states Singh Nagar, 13 from Nainital, sons of age 45 to 69 years with country the Uttarakhand gov- of the country, the state health two each from Pauri and co morbidity have got the first ernment has come into an department reported 110 new Pithoragarh and one from dose of the vaccine. In alert mode. For effective con- cases of the disease on Almora on Wednesday. No Haridwar district 117 vaccine trol on the disease the chief Wednesday. The state now has new patients were reported sessions were held on minister a cumulative number of 98,041 from Bageshwar, Chamoli, Wednesday in which 2533 has directed the health depart- ber of vaccination centres set up in the areas with higher   214;)2 rights participated in this patients with the disease. Champawat, Rudraprayag, senior citizens (60 year and ment to undertake the vacci- should be increased if the need number of Covid-19 cases. national seminar including the Incidentally the state reported Tehri and Uttarkashi districts above), 248 persons with co- nation programme in a mission arises. The CM said that the The CM added that the strat- omen empowerment is ones from Arunachal Pradesh, more than 100 new cases after on the day. morbidity, 59 health care work- mode. After attending a video Covid-19 protection protocols egy of Test, Track and Treat Wvital to check the rising Delhi, Nagaland, Uttar many days on Wednesday. The state now has 672 ers and 330 frontline workers conferencing session with such as maintaining physical should be followed to combat substance abuse among chil- Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan The authorities discharged active patients of Covid-19 were vaccinated. In Dehradun Prime Minister Narendra Modi distancing; wearing of masks the disease. The chief secretary dren. Only healthy and and Tripura along with the 35 patients of the disease from with Haridwar at top of the 1897 senior citizens, 93 persons on Wednesday, CM Rawat and sanitation should be fol- Om Prakash, secretary health empowered mothers can make National Commission for different hospitals on the day table with 240 cases. Dehradun with co-morbidity, 188 health directed the officials to lay lowed. He said that special Amit Singh Negi, medical edu- a child stronger and give them Protection of Child Rights following their recovery from has 169, Nainital 101, Udham care workers and 283 frontline special emphasis on the aware- emphasis on RT-PCR tests cation director Yugal Kishore the right directions to tackle (NCPCR). According to the the disease. A total of 94250 Singh Nagar 50, Pauri 35, workers were vaccinated in 38 ness campaign to combat the should be done and micro Pant and others were present issues that push children Uttarakhand SCPCR chief patients have so far recovered Almora 18, Champawat 16, vaccine sessions on the day. disease. He said that the num- containment zones should be on the occasion. towards drug addiction. Usha Negi, many important Former chief minister recommendations were made Trivendra Singh Rawat said this by the participating members -      while addressing the gathering in this seminar which would be %     1  % * on the concluding day of the sent as a joint proposal to the national level seminar of the Central Government and to the      214;)2 ty and know properly.” State Commission for respective state governments. how dangerous Doon Udyog Vyapar Protection of Child Rights “We would suggest issuing a t a time when some states this situation Mandal member Sunil Masson (SCPCR) on the issue of unique identification number   /+# Aare witnessing an alarming can be.” said, “We have told shopkeep- increasing substance abuse on the birth of every child in rise in the number of Covid-19 A shopper ers to adhere to the Covid among children. He asserted order to monitor them till they   214;)2 cases reported daily, compla- at Paltan guidelines. We can only guide that people talk about banning turn 18 years old. The com- cency towards basic guidelines Bazaar, Dinesh them but to penalise those alcohol to restrict its con- missions also suggested a week- ormer chief minister and to prevent the spread of Covid Singh said, who are not following the rules sumption but despite that, alco- ly counselling session for stu- Fgeneral secretary of All is on the rise especially in pub- “Now people is the work of the govern- holism still prevails in states dents to reduce their stress India Congress Committee lic places of the provisional state are used to ment. They need to be stricter like Gujarat and where it level. Using Anganwadi centres (AICC) Harish Rawat has capital Dehradun. While some being outside towards this as the Covid num- is prohibited. Instilling values for easy rehabilitation of chil- accused the Uttarakhand Chief people are still wearing masks and feel free. It bers are rising in some regions in children to avoid the temp- dren indulging in substance Minister Tirath Singh Rawat in public, many are either not is now harder to and we need to be more alert tation to indulge in substance abuse and establishing special for taking false claim of with- wearing them properly or not convince the as responsible citizens.” abuse is the most effective way juvenile homes are among the drawal of cases relating to vio- carrying them at all. general public Dehradun city magistrate to handle it, opined Rawat. points which we would include lation of Covid-19 guidelines A pharmacy student, that we still Kusum Chauhan said that the MLA Vinod Chamoli said that in our proposal to the govern- during the lockdown. He said Suchita Pandey opined, “The need to be care- local police are working the government can work ment,” informed Negi. She stat- that the Supreme Court (SC) people have even stopped ful. Many people don’t seem to our shop, every worker wears towards spreading awareness against the external factors ed that she has been inspired by has directed the state govern- Rawat said that the decision of believing in facts as now they care about the Covid guidelines a face mask but yes sometimes among the public and those that facilitate substance abuse the initiatives taken by the ments to withdraw cases of vio- withdrawal of cases is a judicial think the situation is not as anymore. Social distancing and it's hard to maintain social who are breaking the rules are but only parents can infuse val- commissions of other states in lation of Covid-19 guidelines. one and not administrative alarming as stated. They think sanitizers are rarely found." distancing among customers as also being penalised. “We are ues into children that would restricting substance abuse Taking a dig at CM, Harish one. He said that the SC has that hospitals are faking num- The owner of a shop in we can’t stop them from com- making sure that the Covid prevent them from falling into among children and she would Rawat said that it appears that already given its decision on the bers to make more money Paltan Bazaar, Rajkumar said, ing so, we try to make sure that guidelines are followed prop- this trap. include them too in her pro- he is shrewder than his prede- issue and many states have which is wrong as we are the “We are following the Covid they are wearing face masks erly and no carelessness will be A total of 13 state com- posal letter to the chief minis- cessor. In his Facebook page, already implemented it. ones who are seeing the reali- guidelines we have sanitizers in and are using hand sanitizer accepted,” she stressed. missions for protection of child ter.   !"!  3

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and Jammu and Kashmir. the same rate as the positivi-  !   Concerned at this wastage, the ty rate is increasing.   -   # -  4  Ministry on Wednesday called To handle the increasing       for optimal utilisation of the cases especially in 12 states,      jabs. states have been advised to N  O. / $  Addressing a press con- ensure strict adherence to ;          *%P%   ference, Health Secretary mask wearing, physical dis-         Rajesh Bhushan said that 3.51 tancing and hand hygiene  +   "L+     12134+ was making his point on China crore vaccine doses have been along with greater vigilance          and the WHO. administered till now in the and monitoring at the highest      ! ongress MP Manish “India should not be part country, which include 1.38 levels for all potential events G $  !   %M CTewari on Wednesday of the culpability to allow crore beneficiaries aged 45-60 where crowds gather.  "-    attacked the Government in China to go scot-free. As the years with specific co-mor- “We are advising the        Lok Sabha for “allowing” chair of the WHO executive bidities and those above 60 states to ensure all close con- !H &%      China a “clean-chit” in the board, India must take the ini- years who have been given the tacts of any positive person are   !  !  worldwide spread of tiative to order an inquiry so first dose. traced, isolated and tested in  / !   Coronavirus pandemic that that China, where the virus had Bhushan also expressed 72 hours. They have asked to   !" caused deaths of lakhs of peo- report into the origin of originated, could be held concern at vaccine wastage in identify clusters, focus on sur- ple across the globe. Coronavirus from China has, responsible for spreading the some States and said that veillance and stringent imple-   Speaking in the Lower however, said on February 9, disease throughout the world,” they have been told to opti- mentation of containment  !   House while initiating the 2021, that the “lab leak is he said. mally utilized the shots. zone approach and under-   #.   12134+ 8.34 million COVID-19 vac- debate on Demand for Grants extremely unlikely”. The Congress leader said On the increase in daily take priority vaccination of      ! cine doses were administered for the Ministry of Health, Lashing out at the that so far just 3.5 crore peo- Covid-19 cases from March 1- identified groups in districts . .   - ! day after achieving the worldwide, of which India Tewari said China with the Government, the Congress ple in the country have been 15, he said about 70 districts reporting higher cases,” he  $  4; Ahighest inoculation fig- alone administered 36 per cent tacit support of the World MP said: “What surprises me vaccinated while 5.74 crore in 16 states have registered said.  .+#  / ures, the country’s vaccination of doses, he said. Health Organization (WHO) that Indian Health Minister doses were given to 72 coun- more than 150 per cent There are a few cases of  !     "$ number fell by over 11 lakh This, even as the average of has completely absolved itself chairs WHO and culpability of tries. “It reflects that the increase in active cases, while three more variants of the     2+(  with just over 19 lakh benefi- Covid-19 vaccine wastage in of the proliferation of China’s absolution is happen- Government is giving more 55 districts in 17 states have Coronavirus, UK variant,  )( !" ciaries turning up for their India is 6.5 per cent, with Coronavirus pandemic all over ing at the hand of India”. importance to its vaccine registered 100-150 per cent Brazil variant and South immunisation against Covid- Telangana topping the list at the world. Union Health Minister diplomacy rather than inocu- rise in cases. Noting that the Africa variant and the 34  19 on Tuesday, according to the 17.6 per cent wastage followed He said the WHO, which Harsh Vardhan was in the lation of its own citizens,” he high positivity rate is a mat- Government is keeping a     data available from the Union by Andhra Pradesh (11.6 per has yet not formally put out its house when the Congress MP alleged. ter of concern, he said the tests watch on them, said Dr VK   #. Health Ministry. On March 15, cent), Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka numbers are not increasing at Paul, member, Niti Aayog.       ! !     !   !      **%     0 /  )! %      ,  1     * L    M%           3           (    .          6 3%+   "   12134+ tance to the coronavirus pan- demic. Union Finance 1   1  5(   12134+ the entire ‘techno clothing’      nion Health Minister Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that we are using in the armed !   */ UHarsh Vardhan on has provided 35,000 crore   12134+ Andhra Pradesh and n an effort to give a boost to forces on the positive indi-   1 !    ;$ Wednesday underlined that towards COVID-19 vaccina- Telangana it was revised in Ithe local industry, the armed genisation list, which we were .     India is not giving COVID-19 tion in 2021-22 fiscal. “I suggest he Ministry of Law and 2018. In last 6 years the limit forces will completely ban the earlier calling the negative list !       vaccine to the world at the to the Government to divert TJustice on Wednesday was not increased despite import of winter clothing if the for imports,” Rawat said. “This ) % 1 !    expense of the need of local 35,000 crore to primary health- informed the Parliament that a increase in electorate from Indian textile industry is able means we will completely ban     ")  population. Speaking in the care which is very essential for four-member committee set 834 million to 910 million in to come up with top class the import of these items and  + 3%;   Lok Sabha on Demands for India,” Singari said. Noting that up by the Election Commission 2019 to 921 million now. products, Chief of Defence terrain.” make sure that the defence ser- -+0  = ;   Grants for the health ministry, 60 per cent seropositivity is con- of India (ECI) to examine the Further, Cost Inflation Index Staff(CDS)General Bipin Rawat Making this point at an vices have to depend only on      ) % he noted that the Government sidered immunity and many expenditure limit of candi- during this period has said here on Wednesday. event organised by the the Indian industry as part of     " has not reduced the expendi- cities like Hyderabad have dates contesting elections is increased from 220 to 280 in Soldiers deployed in places Federation of Indian Chamber our Atmanirbhar Bharat sup- ture on health as has been already recorded 54 per cent of likely to submit its report by 2019 to 301 now.” like Siachen glacier, Ladakh of Commerce and port that we wish to give to the   alleged by certain members. seropositivity rate, he said, “I March 31, 2021 while the EC’s In a written reply to ques- and many such places in Industry(FICCI), he said as of industry,” he added. O   P   On the criticism that India is request the government to not proposal to link electoral roll tion related to link voter iden- Arunachal Pradesh are pro- now, a large amount of cloth- Techno clothing is special   #. providing coronavirus vaccine spend money on COVID-19 with the Aadhaar ecosystem to tity cards with the Aadhar, ,the vided with specialised winter ing for the armed forces is clothing that is developed by    -+3 to other countries when it is vaccination.” root out multiple enrolments is ministry said the poll panel has clothing to withstand extreme imported. However, in the past incorporating new technology /  !     needed more at home, the Talking further about under the consideration of the proposed to link electoral roll cold and vagaries of weather. one or two years, there has to make it usable in special cir-   ! !   minister asserted, COVID-19 vaccination, the Government. with the “Aadhaar ecosystem” Urging the Indian industry been a lot of innovation by the cumstances and places such as !  !    “We are not giving (the vac- Health Minister said as many as In a reply to the Lok Sabha, with a “view to curb the men- to innovate and manufacture Indian industry as far as high extremely cold areas, biomed- ! !       cine) at the expense of our own 3.5 crore people have been Union Law and Justice ace of multiple enrolment of such clothing, Rawat said “we altitude clothing is concerned, ical equipment and aircraft. 4      0 people”. He said the government given the jab, adding that India Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad the same person at different are looking at the kind of the CDS said. The Government in      !  has discussed the matter with has so far accounted for 36 per said, “Expenditure limit for a places”. He said this would clothing that can sustain our Highlighting some steps, August last year announced a $! " experts and has tried to strike a cent of the total vaccinations candidate was last revised in require amendments to the soldiers in the kind of extreme he said the armed forces have ‘negative list for imports’ that balance. “The whole world is a conducted across the globe. 2014 while in respect of electoral laws. cold climate (near northern now started placing orders for restricted purchase of 101    family... The whole mankind Earlier participating in the dis- borders of Ladakh) and in the such clothing to the local defence items such as light     !  should benefit from the vac- cussion, Congress MP Manish hot, dry and humid climate in industry. “And if we find that combat helicopters, transport   +  !  % cine,” he added. Vardhan added Tewari said that the COVID-19 '.&& the deserts and the north-east- this thing can take off and sup- aircraft, conventional sub-       that the Government is treating vaccination drive is not going on ern regions where we have the port us, we will not hesitate in marines and cruise missiles +  (      the health sector in a holistic properly, and alleged that the jungle and semi-mountainous putting the entire clothing or from foreign entities. >      manner. Government is giving more * '.&/*%    ! !  Presenting a contrarian per- stress on the export of vaccines ! "L)     0 spective on COVID-19 vacci- rather than inoculation of the     H1CHI nation, YSRCP Lok Sabha MP country’s citizens. Tewari point- 0 $/ !  (78       > "# Sanjeev Kumar Singari asked ed out that so far just 3.5 crore       the Government not to waste people in the country have +  (!%!    35,000 crore on the inoculation been vaccinated, while 5.74   12134+ Crime’ for these channels is to 2".  %   drive and instead use the money crore doses were given to 72 the tune of Rs 46 crore.  1* 3+          %M  in improving the health infra- countries. he Enforcement Directorate The ED had initiated inves-   O      " structure in the country. He Later Lok Sabha passed the T(ED) has provisionally tigation on the basis of an FIR   12134+ crorepatis in the fray. Elections inal cases against themselves in argued that vaccination is a Appropriation Bill 2021-22, attached immovable and mov- registered by the Mumbai Police. to the 126-member Assam their affidavits.   !  waste of money as universal vac- authorising the Government to able properties in the form of Money laundering investi- fter analysing the affi- assembly will be held in three “Among the major par-    cination is neither possible nor draw funds from the land, commercial and residen- gation revealed that People Adavits uploaded on the phases on March 27, April 1 ties, nine (21 per cent) out of  )    warranted. “Now the govern- Consolidated Fund of India for tial units in Mumbai, Indore, Meters / devices also called Bar- Election Commission of India’s and April 6. 43 candidates analysed from        ment is proposing to spend its working as well as imple- Delhi and Gurgaon and balances O-Meters are installed at certain website, the Association for The report, among the the Congress, six (15 per cent)   !/   35,000 on COVID-19 vacci- mentation of its programmes in bank account totaling 32 places/households (approxi- Democratic Reforms (ADR) major parties, 10 (23 per cent) out of 41 candidates analysed ! !   !    nation, this is a waste of money and schemes. The Lok Sabha crore of television channels Fakt mately 1,800 in Mumbai and came out with a report on out of 43 candidates analysed from the Assam Jatiya    %       in my view. COVID-19 vaccine earlier discussed demands for Marathi, Box Cinema and Maha 44,000 in India in total) on the Wednesday saying that of the from the Congress, eight (20 Parishad, three (8 per cent) out  !    "L#  saves us only for 6-9 months grants of different Ministries, Movie under money laundering proportionate basis to mimic the 259 candidates in Assam, 41 per cent) out of 41 candidates of 39 candidates analysed from   %   O    after that 35,000 crore will be including Railways, Education. charges for manipulating TRP of viewership pattern of 197 mil- (16 per cent) candidates have analysed from the Assam Jatiya the BJP and one candidate each         evaporated,” Singari said. Speaker Om Birla later applied television channels. lion households in India for cap- declared criminal cases against Parishad, three (8 per cent) out from the NCP, AGP and the ! !   !     He also noted that crises the guillotine, after which all the Investigation under turing viewership of various themselves and 34 (13 per of 39 candidates analysed from SUCI(C) have declared serious          like COVID-19 occur once in outstanding demands for grants, Prevention of Money channels of different genres and cent) have declared serious the BJP and one candidate each criminal cases against them- ! %M -   100 years, so the government whether discussed or not, were Laundering Act (PMLA) has languages in selected homes to criminal cases against them- from the NCP, AGP and the selves in their affidavits,” the .     #  % should not give much impor- put to vote at once and passed. revealed that the ‘Proceeds of calculate the TRP. selves. Besides, there are 101 SUCI(C) have declared crim- ADR said. #     " %   55(   :  

  12134+ seizures have been made in Besides, freebees value 14. 06 liquor (9.72 crore and precious the State Excise Department, States. Distributing cash, liquor Tamil Nadu, while 112.59 crore and liquor 1.32 crore also metals including gold and silver Income Tax Department, and gifts during the electoral n record seizures from the five crore worth seizures have been confiscated from Tamil Nadu by worth  6.96 crore. Directorate of Revenue process is not permitted under Ipoll-bound States after the made from West Bengal;  flying squads. The flying squad also seized Intelligence, Narcotics Control the law. This expenditure comes model code of conduct came 63.75 crore from Assam; 21.77 The EC data also says West drugs worth 27.09 crore, liquor Bureau, Flying Squads, Static under the definition of “bribery” into effect, the Election crore from Kerala and 5.72 Bengal leads in seizures of nar- ( value Rs 17.25 crore), cash Surveillance Teams and other which is an offence both under Commission has confiscated crore in Puducherry so far. cotic drugs like ganja, heroine, (11.73 crore), freebees (4.87 regulatory agencies to detect section 171B of the Indian cash, liquor, narcotic drugs like Cash seizures (50.86 cr) brown sugar, charas (value Rs 47 crore) and precious metals suspicious movement of cash, Penal Code and under the heroin, ganja, brown sugar and and precious metals (value  61 crore), freebies (value  29.42 (2.82 crore) from Assam. liquor, valuables, narcotics and Representation of the People valuables worth 331 crore. cr) are highest in Tamil Nadu. crore), cash (19.11 crore), The EC is taking help from other items in the poll bound Act, 1951. This has already surpassed the seizure figures of 2016, when the surveillance teams of the poll body had confiscated 225.77 crore from these five states and Union Territory. Interestingly, the EC has identified 259 Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry where the use of black money is expected to be higher. As per the EC data, a max- imum of 127.64 crore worth   !"!  7

 R   2 ; >2LM !   + & $    *(.   ;3.- Patna: Caste-based politics has always been a fea- '$, / 4* %  ture of Bihar's politics and the merger of Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP)          53)#) Patna: Former Union Minister Upendra with the ruling -United is seen as an Kushwaha and two members of the effort of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to strength-    53)#) The TMC’s pledge book assures pucca houses would be constructed fter Suvendu Adhikari it could be turn of Cabinet were among 12 persons who on en its support base. of Rs 500 monthly income to the for the poorer section of the society. Ahis father Sisir Adhikari the veteran MP Wednesday got nominated to the Bihar legisla- With the merger, Nitish Kumar is looking to booklet that could well give the women head of every household To top it all, the manifesto also and former Union Minister from East tive council. Of the dozen seats, 10 had been lying target the Kurmi and Kushwaha voters, and thus, Acommunist manifesto a run for across caste and religion. The amount promises highly subsidized food for Midnapore to join the BJP. vacant since the expiry of term in June last year the development is also likely to pose a big chal- its money Bengal Chief Minister of dole for the Scheduled Castes and all sections of the society at 2,500 The senior Adhikari who is currently the while two others were vacated a year earlier by lenge for the (RJD). Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday Tribes would be Rs 1,000 per month. government-run Maa Canteens. The Trinamool Congress’s East Midnapore chair- members who got elected to the Lok Sabha in Soon after the merger, Nitish Kumar reward- released the Trinamool Congress’ This, in addition to the old age and canteens --- charging Rs 5 per thali man on Wednesday said that he could remain general elections. ed Kushwaha with key post of JD-U's manifesto that critics called a “pro- widow pensions. “All the widows non-veg food with egg curry --- had present in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally Nominations to the 12 seats had been hang- Parliamentary Board President. ject work on social engineering with would get pension,” Banerjee already been started on an experi- at Contai near Nandigram “if Suvendu asks me ing fire on account of a tug of war between the With the merger, the caste credentials of the economic blend.” said. mental basis in Kolkata but were shut to do so.” BJP, which now is numerically superior in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which Should the ruling outfit return to The manifesto apparently bears down after the of elections were The junior Adhikari later told in a rally that NDA in the assembly, and Chief Minister Nitish comprised the BJP, the JD-U, Jitan Ram Manjhi's power it would create five lakh new the declarations of Banerjee’s 10 announced. his father would remain present in the Prime Kumars JD(U). Both parties have, ultimately, set- (HAM) and Mukesh jobs yearly, provide door-to-door commitments (Ongikar) that she ear- The doles apart the manifesto Minister’s meeting adding “he is well within his- tled for six seats each. Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), seems to ration, ensure basic minimum lier referred to in a tweet. “I humbly also announces reservation for capacity as a local MP to remain present in the The MLCs nominated from the JD(U) be strengthened in the state. income for every household (read present my 10 ‘Ongikars’ to build a Mahisya (agrarian community) hith- Prime Minister’s programme.” Considered a include Kushwaha who merged his Rashtriya Lok Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who woman of the house), provide guar- stronger & more prosperous Bengal erto regarded forward castes, Tili and father figure with massive grassroots base inEast Samata Party into the chief ministers party on reacts to any small development in the state, is yet antee-free education credit to stu- so that the wheels of development Sahas (both businessmen classes) - Midnapore senior Adhikari’s formal joining the Sunday last and was immediately rewarded with to comment on the merger. It should be noted that dents, highly subsidised food in keep moving forward in the third -- jointly about 50 lakh-strong BJP could be ashot in the saffron outfit’s arm, a top organisational post. prior to Kushwaha merging his outfit with the JD- Government run canteens, pucca term of our government. The aim is group. experts feel. Also on the list are the minister for build- U, a lot of RLSP leaders including its state houses for millions, OBC reserva- just one, to sustain Bengal as one of The manifesto also promises Meanwhile, the TMC on Wednesday wrote ing construction Ashok Choudhary, the partys President Virendra Kushwaha and General tions to an overwhelming part of the the leading states in the country,” she free ration to every household that to the Election Commissionseeking cancella- voluble spokesman Sanjay Singh, the chief min- Secretary Nirmal Kushwaha had joined the RJD. population the Chief Minister while wrote. would be delivered at every doorstep, tion of Adhikari's voter status from isters close aide Sanjay Kumar Singh alias Kushwaha might have not won a single seat releasing the Trinamool Istahar In an apparent bid to attract the the Chief Minister said adding the Nandigram,alleging that the BJP candidate was Gandhiji, Lalan Saraf and Ram Bachan Rai. during the 2020 Assembly elections and 2019 Lok (manifestro) 2021 said. students and the youth the Chief highly popular “duarey sarkar” not a permanent resident of theplace and that Sanjay Singh returns to the Upper House after Sabha elections, but he had won all the three seats “We will decrease unemploy- Minister quoting the manifesto said (Government at the door steps) he had given false residence details without stay- a gap of nearly three years. it contested in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. ment as 5 lakh job opportunities will a low-interest credit of Rs 10 lakh scheme which was launched post ingthere. The terms of Choudhary, Gandhiji, Saraf and The Congress is not perturbed by the merg- be generated every year,” Banerjee would be provided to students for December last year would be con- Adhikari “has no resided in Nandanayakbar Rai had expired a year ago. From the BJP, the er with state Youth Congress President Lallan said reading out a juicy promise from pursuing higher or specialized edu- tinued in the coming years and village of Nandigram over the past six months MLCs nominated include Janak Ram, a former Kumar saying: "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the booklet for the women voters. cation at minimal 4 percent interest. “every year Duarye Sarkar would be let alone being a permanent resident,” Gopalganj MP who was recently made the states Upendra Kushwaha are two broken 'filaments', you “For the first time ever, a new “No guarantee would be required for organized four times.” Trinamool letter signed by senior leader Derek minister for mines and geology. Others from the can't light a bulb from this. The JD-U has lost its scheme is being launched, wherein the loan and credit cards would be “When TMC came to power our O'Brien read. party include journalist-turned-politician and support and the Assembly polls are example of female heads of 1.6 crore households issued for that.” revenue was about Rs 25,000 crores, The party also said that only a person who state general secretary Devesh Kumar and vice this." will benefit from universal monthly Besides the manifesto also it is now over Rs 75,000 crores,” is an “ordinary resident” can be registered as a president Pramod Kumar Chandravanshi, "After losing prominence in the politics at the income support,” the Chief Minister promises a yearly assistance of Rs Banerjee said in an apparent bid to voter of any constituency. Adhikari had filed besides Nivedita Singh, Ghanshyam Thakur and Centre, Kushwaha is trying to regain it by joining said quoting the manifesto and won- 10,000 to the farmers --- per acre of pre-empt any question by the oppo- false residence details before appealing for a Rajendra Kumar Gupta. The development the JD-U. The caste-based politics can't sustain for dering why the rival BJP had hit the their land. This would come under sition to questioning the source of migration of his name from the electoral lists comes a day after the chief minister was autho- long. Both the leaders have come together for their kitchens hard by rising prices of the Krishak bandhu scheme. Under funding for the huge amount of doles of Haldia to Nandigram the letter read. rised by the state cabinet to take the final call on political benefits. They hardly pose any challenge cooking gas and kerosene oil. the Bangla Awas Yojna 25 lakh her party was promising. Adhikari would not comment on the issue. the names of candidates. PTI for other parties," he added. IANS % 0 ,  , !  /  % 4 '-+"" * % %  *   !       >)  # ,#&  t-Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey !  J  LWednesday assumed command of    54+ prove that his presence has not helped his the Srinagar-based strategic Chinar alliance partners much. 2   )3+();4 Corps on Wednesday. aya Ram Gaya Ram politics which had Another maverick politician who made Lt Gen BS Raju, who is set to take Abeen part and parcel of North Indian a vault face on Wednesday was C K Janu, olice disclosed the case of kidnapping of two-and- over the charge of Director General politics, especially in States like Haryana, the tribal leader from Wayandu. Janu who P-half-year old children in the Kwarsi area police Military Operations (DGMO) in New has taken roots in Kerala. was with the NDA till the 2019 Lok Sabha station and selling them to a childless couples. In this Delhi handed over the baton to him at Electorate in the State were in for some election had dumped the Hindutwa party case, the police has arrested two people who kid- a simple ceremony in the 15 Corps amusing moments as P C Thomas, leader for its upper caste and Brahminical image napped the child. Also, a woman and a male have headquarters. of one of the Kerala Congress factions per- and switched over to the UDF. been arrested from two families buying children. One Lt-Gen Pandey is joining the cru- formed a flying trapeze act which made the But come election time, Janu who was of the people who kidnapped the children is a real cial posting at a time when almost all State politics watch it in bewilderment. spitting venom on the BJP labelling it as brother-in-law of the child. Victimised families also the security parameters remain under Thomas, a former Union Minister of Manuvaadi party returned to the Hindutwa work as daily wage worker. control and the security forces are State in the 1999-2004 NDA Government fold and has become a leader of the NDA. SP City Kuldeep Gunawat said in the audito- enjoying an upper hand after elimi- switched over to the LDF when the BJP “Many candidates who have been rium on the police line, that two-and-a-half-year- nating top leadership of the different in order to jointly work towards the society", Defence spokesman added. failed to win majority in the 2004 Lok fielded by the BJP for the 2021 assembly old Ayan son of Asa Mohammed resident of Gali terror outfits in the recent months. common cause. Lieutenant General DP Pandey, Sabha election. Since then Thomas was polls are turncoats and defectors from par- No. 5, Maulana Azad Nagar, suddenly disappeared Soon after taking over the charge "He expressed satisfaction at the an alumni of the National Defence shuttling between the LDF and the UDF ties like the CPI(M). There are persons who from the house o on October 5, 2020. A lawsuit was Lt-Gen Pandey paid homage at the improved security parameters in the Academy, Pune, was commissioned in depending on who the winner was. switched over to the BJP camp after their filed on 6 October. On 11 March 2021, another two Chinar Corps Memorial at Badami Valley and hoped that a ceasefire on December 1985 and has had an illus- During the 2020 Local Body election failure to get tickets to contest the assem- and a half year old Shoaib son of Jalaluddin also dis- Bagh in Srinagar. He also conveyed his Line of Control would enable an trious military career spanning 35 in Kerala, Thomas was with the LDF. He bly election,” said a senior BJP leader in appeared from Maulana Azad Nagar. Jalaluddin is best wishes to the people of Kashmir. improvement in the security situation. years during which he has held varied graced the inaugural function of BJP Kerala. He expressed his doubt about the a Class IV employee at AMU. A case was also reg- In a press statement, Defence He called for civil society to come for- prestigious command, staff and Kerala chief K Surendran’s Vijaya Yathra at credibility and utility of leaders like Janu istered in the police station in connection with that. spokesman said, "Lt-Gen Pandey ward and jointly work with security instructional appointments. The Kasaragod which was inaugurated by Yogi and Thushar Vellappilli. In both these cases, there was some suspicion of inci- addressed and interacted with troops forces to address the scourge of ter- General Officer has an incisive under- Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar The likes of Thomas and Janu may dent being the same place, same age and same mode of Chinar Corps and exhorted them to rorism". standing of Jammu & Kashmir, having Pradesh. defect further in days to come, said of incident. continue to work with unflinching ded- "General Pandey stated that 2021- served here for multiple tenures since But Thomas made a perfect landing in Sudheer Damodaran, Thrissur based polit- Police questioned the children of the locality. The ication and perseverance ‘in pursuit of 22 is a momentous epoch in the his- 1985, notably as General Officer the UDF camp by Wednesday noon as ical commentator who had worked with children of the neighborhood said that Shoaib was Peace and Stability in Kashmir’. He tory of Kashmir, and an era of peace Commanding, Counter Insurgency political commentators in the State stood Prasanth Kishore in studying the psyche of being fed by his brother-in-law, Sher Mohammed, asked for all combatants to take extra and stability can be ushered in with the Force (Kilo) and as Commander 8 watching with awe. His track records Indian voters. in the lap 2 days ago. steps required to connect with citizens willing support of all sections of the Sector Rashtriya Rifles.  $.   ! N)  O    </*0 " P%            >)  taken by the gov- from the public to make the process >)  ernment and pro- of governance interactive, participa- ttempting to replicate Prime viding the public tive and people-centric, he added. uzaffar AMinister Narendra Modi's model with a platform to According to a spokesman of the MHussain Baig, of 'Mann ki Baat' Lt-Gov of the speak, write and UT administration, there is a dedi- a founding member Union Territory of Jammu and interact with the cated window called “Write to LG” on of the Peoples Kashmir Manoj Sinha Wednesday ini- administration, the website, which gives a portal for- Democratic Party tiated the project “Awaam Ki Baat” - access the website at thereby voicing their suggestions, mat for submitting one’s suggestions. and a close aide of a Radio program by launching its "awaamkibaat.jk.gov.in" , and also ideas and creative proposals. The public is also provided with a former Chief website here at Raj Bhavan. voice their suggestions through the Speaking on the occasion, the Lt dedicated email address ‘welisten- Minister Mufti The main objective behind interactive toll free numbers - Governor observed that Awaam Ki [email protected]’, which too will collect Mohd Sayeed, launching the program is to give a 18005722327 for the Jammu Division, Baat is a leap towards strengthening the useful feedback and channelize it Wednesday joined determined push to strengthening the and 18005722328 for the Kashmir the concept of Jan Bhagidari by invit- to the respective departments. the People’s Government-Public relationship, by Division. ing people’s participation. It will give Pertinently, LG’s Mulaqaat- Live Conference in the presence of its Announcing the decision on ing leaders of the state Mr. inviting suggestions from the public The half-an-hour long Radio voice to the people and a vision to the Public Grievance Hearing has brought Chairman Sajad Gani Lone and his timeline Sajad Lone Muzaffar Hussein Baig is now a and seeking their active participation program to be aired every third administration that is symbolic of the reforms in public grievance redressal other senior party leaders in wrote Wednesday evening, part of the party from where he in Policy formation. Sunday of the month (to start from collective aspirations of the masses, he mechanism, making it more robust Srinagar. "Visited the residence of Muzaffar started his political journey. It is “You Speak, We listen” is the April), is one of the many sequential added. and responsive with Lt Governor tak- A political stalwart, Baig who Beigh Sahib. It is sheer pleasure a nostalgic and a proud moment underlying theme of the project steps of broader program aimed at Awaam Ki Baat is a novel initia- ing first hand appraisal of people’s also served as deputy Chief to converse with him. I was six for all of us". ‘Awaam Ki Baat’. The public can disseminating the progressive steps tive aimed at seeking the feedback grievances every month. Minister under the command of years old when I first met Beigh Baig’s return to JKPC is seen Ghulam Nabi Azad, was also Sahib. I very humbly requested by party insiders as a major credited for scripting PDP's him to again be a part ofPeoples political development in Kashmir ,   roadmap on 'Self-rule'. Conference. A party where he valley in recent times. Baig is - !  / -K (2     However, his relations went started his career from. Pure expected to propel partys'   sour with the PDP top brass after nostalgia". prospects by expanding its base         !    the BJP-PDP alliance collapsed in The official twitter handle of and bringing in new faces to take    June 2018. the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples on the challenges ahead. Speculations were rife in the Conference posted pictures of the Earlier, JKPC’s senior leader 8   - ArrayLucknow: A three day reli- given any health assistance and Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party political circles for a long time meeting along with a brief note, Imran Reza Ansari had also gious meet in Uttar Pradesh's Guru have been asked to leave the tem- (BSP) president Mayawati has over the possibility of him join- "It is with great pleasure we stepped down on Monday from Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh): A Class 5 Dham Mandir near Pratapgarh ple premises. called for making the coronavirus ing the Peoples Conference soon. announce that one of the tower- his general secretary’s post. student was allegedly molested by the has turned into a Covid hotspot This is when novel coron- vaccine free for the poor. principal of her school in Shahjahanpur dis- with several devotees coming to avirus infection is spreading its The BSP president said in a trict, police said. attend the religious meet testing wings across the state. So far, more tweet that if the Corona virus vac- 1    ! ! A case has been lodged against the prin- positive for the deadly virus risk- than six lakh people in Uttar cination is expedited by the cen-   %  cipal, Shamim Ahmed, under relevant sec- ing an outbreak like 'Tablighi Jamat' Pradesh have tested positive for tral and state governments as a !  +( #% tions of the law for child abuse on the basis in New Delhi last year. Covid-19, while 8,750 people los- national policy, it would be better. -  *1 3% of the complaint received from the child's Started on March 13 at ing their lives to the deadly virus. "The BSP, once again, appeals New Delhi: The Election Commission has mother. Mangadh, the event was organized In Uttar Pradesh, the cases are to the centre and state govern- Panaji: Goa is at "increasing risk" vis a vis a resurgence transferred 11 police officials including S The incident took place on Monday but by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat with also on the rise once again despite ments to make the vaccine free for in Covid-19 cases in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Murugan, Inspector General, South Zone in the complaint was lodged on Tuesday. more than 14,000 devotees attend- the vaccination drive being con- families of the poor," she stated. Sawant said on Wednesday. Tamil Nadu and one in West Bengal. The Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev ing the meet flouting all Covid ducted on regular basis and more Mayawati's tweet came on a He also said that no decision had been taken on impos- Commission has ordered that these police offi- Bajpai said that the girl told her mother that norms despite the strict directives than 3 lakh individuals have already day when Prime minister ing a janata curfew or a ban on entry of tourists to the cials should not be assigned any election-relat- she was playing outside her house when given by Chief Minister Yogi been inoculated with vaccine shots. Narendra Modi Prime Minister state, but stated that testing would be increased in the ed work', ahead of Tamil Nadu elections. The Shamim Ahmed took her away and alleged- Adityanath to avoid public gather- Prime Minister Narendra Modi Narendra Modi said that quick and coming days to keep the surge of Covid-19 cases in Commission's order came after special police ly molested her. ing with the danger of the state on Wednesday held a meeting decisive steps were needed to check. observers report. As the girl shouted for help, her fami- entering the second wave of coro- with Chief Ministers over growing immediately stop the emerging Speaking to reporters after a virtual The officers are: ly members came to the rescue and the man navirus. cases of Covid-19 and the ongoing second wave of Covid-19. meeting of all Chief Ministers and heads of Union A Anbarasan, M Velmurugan, H fled from the spot, the police said. As per sources, Covid protocols vaccination drive has come to an In a meeting with chief min- Territories, Sawant also said that he had instructed the Krishnamoorthy, P Govindaraja, M S M The principal, however, said that he was like wearing of masks, social dis- end. While interacting with the isters via video-conference, the state administration to restart fining people who do not Valawan, E Thirunavukkarasu, M on his way to work on his motorbike when tancing, temperature checking and CMs, PM Modi said, "We must stop Prime Minister said 70 districts of wear masks and do not maintain social distancing in Radhakrishanan, P T Subhash and P he saw some children playing. He stopped using of hand sanitizers were being the rising second peak of Covid at the country reported 150 per cent public spaces. "We are concerned about the figures yes- Gopalanchandran. there and asked them to come to school. blatantly ignored at the Ashram the earliest. For this, we need to take increase in Covid-19 cases in the terday, when Goa reported four (Covid-19 related) The Commission has also transfered SP, The girl ran towards her house crying, resulting in thousands of people quick and decisive steps." He fur- last few weeks. deaths and 94 positive cases. Howrah (Rural) Saumya Roy to non-election he said, adding that later, some villagers getting vulnerable to coronavirus. ther said, "If we do not stop this He asked the states to ramp up The risk is increasing in Goa. I appeal to Goans and related post since his wife has been declared as went to the school to allege that she had Devotees who have been tested pandemic, it might create a nation- the vaccination drive amid a rise tourists to wear masks and maintain social distancing Trinamool Congress candidate for Sonarpur been molested by him. IANS positive for the virus have not been al outbreak-like situation." IANS in infection in some states. IANS in public places and wear masks," Sawant said. IANS Dakshin assembly constituency. PNS   !"! 8

1  /$ &&%1'0 !/"!7    6#2 -   "!7   7 )=58#6')44#2     (  2    0&      &    3 '  , 45  #%!5       (                      @      1    .       #         #!   !       O  %                          #                  !0  $ !/ %  N   O  /             !    S    1   ;<                he complexity of the    4      )A           societal tinderbox in     )S                Myanmar has always            ( Tbeen shortchanged for simplistic binaries of “pro-China”     B  1  .   or “pro-India” assumptions, C      R4  S   whereas the realities have been   %          layered and unobvious. Lazy         ,DE-    perceptions that Myanmar’s junta rule (1962-2011 or till 2015 with   %       6     a dummy civilian Government)    *F    DE    was a Chinese borough or, that        *<*? 6  post-2015 till the 2021 coup, S      G  1   Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD Government was decidedly “pro-       (     India” are bereft of subtleties and    %       ( underlying dynamics at play.     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But situationally, viable alternatives, the common instigate attacks against Chinese Myanmar to keep the Tatmadaw the junta will have to gravitate Myanmar citizen has seen factories are common enemies   S                    (Myanmar’s military) entrapped towards the Chinese as that through the Chinese “adapt- of China and Myanmar.”            # 4  S       and beholden to Beijing. remains its only “power option”, ability” with the situations, and But this time, the Chinese  S  "          ;F       *<;= The Chinese ignored inter- despite lurking undercurrents. is increasingly blaming the have been caught flat-footed in  *<*<        (         national sanctions and sup- Similarly, contrary to pub- invisible “Beijing hand” for co- trying to be too clever by half plied the beleaguered junta lic expectations, Suu Kyi’s opting the junta back to power. with their shifty allegiances  %  S   6             with weaponry, critical supplies Government had been As the largest lender, trad- and known interferences in        S             and diplomatic support towards extremely accommodative and er and sovereign investor in the internal strife. Neither the  .      ;+   ;F          its contentious management of welcoming of Chinese largesse, Myanmar, Chinese “invest- pro-democracy civilian parties     )  %H         /  G the Rohingya issue. Given involvement and investments. ments” are at risk with the nor the junta would court India’s “moral insistencies”, New The NLD had signed 38 con- brewing public ire. The Chinese China willingly — but because           1 !        5 Delhi’s support was more tracts, worth an estimated #415-#+.5 Embassy has emerged as a hot it emerges as the only bailout $   )                    ( mealy-mouthed and less forth- $100 billion, towards the 4+)-3)<+( spot for protests and murmurs option in the country, it is         # %            coming for the junta. Yet, the China-Myanmar Economic of Beijing building “firewalls” to always at the forefront of               6    %  S Generals saw through the Corridor (much bigger than 5;##5#41 control the internet and flow of defining Myanmar’s narra- Chinese duplicity and realised the China-Pakistan Economic >#)4)=1 information have gained belief. tive. But perhaps the Chinese (                 India’s “moral” conundrum in Corridor). So, to assume a lin- The international “re-pariahi- have bitten more than they can     H          @   ( its restraint — whereas unsaid ear “pro-India” or “pro-China” ()+12;1211% sation” of Myanmar, which chew in sanctifying the junta’s       S         fears about the controlling position onto either the junta 1=1).#4)# )< traditionally drove it into the return as the citizenry has con- Chinese agenda were clearly or the civilian Government is willing arms of the Chinese, flated the anti-coup senti- felt. Yet, popular perceptions of facile. Situational reality, 5#1#41 may not go so smoothly this ment with the exploitive and #3 the junta’s preference for China realpolitik and stark necessities 453141);#12 time, given the public pressure. expansionist anti-Chinese sen- persisted outside Myanmar. have defined the preferences In an unprecedented timent. The international One such Sino-wary of the prevailing regimes =+1.4);12 expression of blame game, sev- sanctions may not have much Myanmar General was Min Aung in Naypyidaw. +#4+#41 eral Chinese factories in impact given that the junta is Hlaing, who led theatre-level Now, given the invested Myanmar were targeted and set well versed in such tactics, as forces responsible for taking on stakes in the Myanmar econo- #)# )2)"# on fire last week. These Chinese- also due to the expected the Chinese-supported insurgent my (also given the shaky status .+#)#+5)33<% funded projects in Yangon’s Chinese largesse, but the groups in the bloody 2009 clash- of the alternative CPEC), the industrial zone also housed sev- soaked-in-the-blood public es — today, Hlaing has taken over Chinese cannot afford to upset #41>#)+33 eral expatriates, and the local perception and expression of absolute power through a military the junta who have re-seized 4)=1#5 Chinese Embassy issued sever- the anti-China sentiment coup! But again, only China has power — so, the amoral (;)=+#)#1 al SOS and warnings to the offers the almost intractable seemingly pitched in favour of the Chinese “flexibility” makes it authorities and the anti-coup and unresolvable threat to latest junta takeover by calling it the rare country to defend the #5);2. protesters. The Chinese China’s interests. The Chinese “local issue” and posturing neu- junta’s return at global forums. #414+1.1 Government’s mouthpiece, are in a clear conundrum. trality. Consequentially, the optics But, for once, beyond the usual Global Times, asked for the per- (The writer, a military vet- of China playing court to the compulsions of the Myanmar petrators to be booked and eran, is a former Lt Governor junta have gained credence, even dispensations to remain ingra- compensation for the destruc- of Andaman & Nicobar Islands as that may not be the whole- tiated to China owing to their tion. It warned: “Those who and Puducherry. The views hearted view shared within the selfish requirements and lack of maliciously defame China and expressed are personal.) ""6 "$ ""5 #"$6 SOUNDBITE ,    *          "#        # /  !  Sir — This refers to the editorial ‘Crying  !""#$!#$"&' ("+   wolf ?’ (February 17). I concur with the  (    view that if women don’t play fair and (              /   '   >    !  wrongly accuse men of misconduct, they  2 !   # L2#M !   !   ! should also face the music. Although  !!    ! "#! 0 #R          women have equal rights and special laws  ! "   !   /    $ have been made to protect them as they       .          L-.       1   are vulnerable, in my view the existing laws  2#                        *+    ,%*+-    " are gender discriminatory.     .       In most of the cases, it is enough for !   "+     #)     $  .    .   /0$ 1 S      ! a woman to just complain to the police  4)     .   !  0 (      ) F%EEE) O ! %                  1   who take action against the accused with-  !/       2#"           )             ( out confirming whether he is even prima           ! !  !!              -                     #       ( facie guilty or not. The onus of proving .        4 )            ! 5=+2 themselves “not guilty” lies on men. +   !      /     "  ! D         1 S     P(  ! !   !  -( " Further, without knowing the reality,    !!        !    =!!            /    Q        society also looks down upon those who                  %    %   /  ('5 5 9  '5   (            are accused in dowry harassment and !!       "#         !    K.!            4    5 domestic violence cases . Media houses  ! !     0      !!  "# pass judgment long before the court actu- #               !  "            %  ally delivers it. Many women use these laws +         ! !        ! "  /           54(  /  to extort money and blackmail colleagues,     !   %   / % 2                          5   !          %*+ husband and in-laws. The menfolk are the    !    !              " D  !   "+ ultimate victims. No remedy is available   "           ( #!               %             for men to establish their innocence or 4)  L 4)M !   .   ()59    %+ 6                ignorance. Many have served even jail sen-   !   Q tences for no fault of theirs and they were              ( :$5 eventually released. killing but the murder of a law-enforcement bricks from the foundation of the pillar K)             In such a situation if marital rape also officer who was a defender of justice. True, called PSBs.” The Government has       O      becomes a law, many ill-intentioned mar- many of our soldiers are killed by terror- already chosen amalgamation as the   O     1  ried women can use it as a tool to target ists in encounters. It’s ironical that human remedy and brought down the number ) !     $ .    )  %S .$ P   Q    their husbands. They will make their hus- rights organisations never express concern of Public Sector Banks from 19 to ten,   ! band do all the household chores and will when the Army, police or paramilitary per- which includes the five kept out of last /    "                   $  . torture him. If the poor fellow tries to resist sonnel are killed but make an outcry when year’s merger exercise. What is prevent-         6       P)   1)  Q     or refuse, he would be threatened in the terrorists are gunned down by our secu- ing the Government from going for       $                     name of law. Not all women are good- rity forces. another merger exercise involving the  %   54   $          R%  9 $  S intentioned and so are not all the men. The gruesome incident took place a left-out banks, either among themselves /  !" Hence laws should not be gender discrim- week after five serial blasts occurred in or with the Big Five?  "    4 %    :         S inatory. They should be gender neutral. Delhi on September 13, 2008, in which at The Government is ill-advised in the =5 :!$$)$=%5 $: = $  . . 4  R S     ;<   #   S NR Ramachandran | Chennai least 30 people were killed and over 100 matter of privatisation of nationalised K-  !   !          $.S        injured. Though it took more than a decade banks. It is good for the Government if        /               (        for the court to give the verdict, but jus- it decides against going ahead in its # !      P  Q             Sir — Finally, justice was done in the 2008 tice is only delayed and not denied. obsession with disinvestment. It will Batla House encounter case when a Delhi Yash Pal Ralhan | Jalandhar prove to be as much a retrograde step as           $  .  ;=>=       court awarded the death penalty to Ariz demonetisation.  N   K   ! "     / !              ( Khan for murdering Delhi Police inspec-        MR Anand | Vrindavan     *<;?            ( tor Mohan Chand Sharma. Police had Sir — The Finance Minister’s statement    /0$S         9    S   ( sought the death penalty for Ariz, alleged- that the Government is privatising only    1 3 56(     /0$          "  ly associated with the terror outfit Indian two Public Sector Banks is amusing. 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apid urbanisation in India has not met adequate planning, governance and infrastructure devel- Ropment. The impact of the pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of our cities in address-   "5# ing urban densification and the inadequacies of basic            I #    (  services, including power, transportation and sani- :  (      1 $    tation. Given the predominance of informal produc-  tion and labour relations, a cessation of major eco-    1   E: .        5 D419 G  6   :   )S       nomic activities in the cities during the lockdown and beyond has had an adverse socio-economic impact,   (        )         especially on the urban poor. Nevertheless, the out-         "    "  J    break has provided a window of opportunity to      S         rethink the glaring gaps in our cities and the policy       rhetoric. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, @         "        ( Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prioritised      5  "            urban development in the Union Budget 2021-22, which is evident from the nine per cent increase in             P     Q financial allocation from 50,040 crore in the                   Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to 54,581 crore in the         ;<        *<;= FY 2021–22. However, the revised estimate (RE) for #41;11#      #            FY 2020-21 was 46,791 crore, suggesting a decline )--;5)45              #      from the Budget Estimate (BE) owing to the pandem- )+(5;            "      ( ic. The urban sector RE for FY 2020-21 reported the +#+1.5 -1#1     )               capital expenditure at around 22 per cent vis-à-vis ) 5( the 42 per cent envisaged in its BE; thus, highlight- #41 .13=1.<                 1 ing the impact on infrastructure projects too. tion, approval, and implementation of Centres (ICCCs) as 24X7 war rooms February 2021, more than 21 lakh     )             G  =);+5.-1;+52+ Public Transport: Augmentation of transport ;)+(..4 projects at the State level. Nonetheless, for creating situational awareness loans were sanctioned under PM-                ( infrastructure of cities in the form of investment in ).#41.)44 the operationalisation of these and real-time coordination of emer- SVANidhi. But, despite the success of       )            ( metro rails and buses in Chennai, Bengaluru and .;=1.4)%#41 schemes portrays a worrisome picture. gency response services amid the MGNREGS scheme in providing       "     )    ( Nagpur is an important development. An innova- 1).153+=+( As the city selection under the SCM COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, acknowl- some income security to the rural                     ( tive Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is +21R%#41 is based on the city’s competence and edgmentof the loopholes in the imple- people and migrant labour and the "               4 envisaged to enable private sector players to enter the ++-)3 smartness of the proposal, State actors mentation of SCM and AMRUT and cash transfer scheme PM-KISAN for domain of bus services. Importantly, the Budget -1;5; )1 engage themselves in a competitive some policy reorientation with farmer households, there is no simi-                    extends the transport outlay to peripheral areas of mode to attract capital investment and emphasis on co-producing the bot- lar employment guarantee scheme or )    (   %  (        Tier-1 cities primarily through the greener and cheap- +21R)2 to create new institutions like Special tom-up solutions will be useful. cash assistance this year for the poor.                  ( er light rail systems. However, an overt emphasis on .55%4). Purpose Vehicles that are directly con- PMAY: There has been a big push COVID-19 has reignited the PPP is problematic. One of the main reasons for lim- 21 5.#;)#12) trolled by State institutions to man- in urban housing for the flagship housing vulnerabilities of the urban ited private investment in infrastructure is the absence 3+ +#12+ -)#" age the new space. These are headed scheme Pradhan Mantri Aawas poor. It has impacted the real estate of a revenue model, making a large part of the urban #+ 1)2)()+% by the State Government officials and Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) with and construction sector and highlight- infrastructure sector financially non-viable. Lack of #41=);+5. city governments do not have much resources also being raised from ed the need for adequate housing, the enabling PPP legislation, multiplicity of agencies, the (35)3;)+( role in the decision-making process- Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) structural and institutional deficien- inability to select and structure a PPP project, lack- 5+#+1.;1=1)3. es of the SCM projects, thus eventu- such as the Affordable Housing Fund. cies in urban governance and man- adaisical political will towards project implementa- #41-;1);+5. ally weakening the municipal gover- However, the pandemic has highlight- agement. India needs to invest in tion and lackluster citizen participation further com- .#)#155; nance structure. The actual decision- ed the focus on the issue of redevel- urban infrastructure to bridge the plicate the entire process of formulation and imple- ;).-)1. making processes have fallen into a opment of slums, congestion and investment deficit and to upgrade the        %  (       mentation of PPPs. In fact, the relative success of tech- pattern of strict investment logic, informal housing. The Budget has quality of existing services.                 nically simple projects with small gestation periods resulting in preference to larger and provided some indirect benefits for The recent approach of making                 ( emphasises deft crafting of PPP models with a well- costlier infrastructure over the needs the urban housing sector via, an addi- our cities compete among them- defined role of the private sector as well as clear vis- of urban deprived communities. tional deduction of interest amount- selves by various periodic rankings      S "         ibility on both costs and risks, making them viable Several projects under the SCM ing to 1.5 lakh for purchasing an such as the Swachh Survekshan, Ease              ;>      in the long-term. The vulnerability of the urban poor (parking facilities or real estate devel- affordable house and tax breaks for the of Living Index, Municipal           *;            can be addressed through the adoption of an inde- opment or commercial real estate) developers of notified affordable Performance Index and so on, has    *F #   S      #     ( pendent regulatory mechanism with the responsi- seek to build the financial corpus of housing projects as well as rental hous- demonstrated limited impact. Time    )                bility of accurately assessing as well as monitoring the city. Given the SCM’s emphasis on ing projects for one more year up to and again, various global ranking of 1      "           the cost of service delivery by leveraging smart tech- the convergence of funds from other March 31, 2022. The Affordable cities reveals the precarious state of              )    ( nology and use of a cross-subsidy model to ensure schemes, the possibility of transmis- Rental Housing Complexes for ours. The FM has attempted to aug- cost recovery at an overall level. sion of the inherently unequal nature Migrants Workers/Urban Poor ment urban investment with an                    ( Smart Cities Mission (SCM) and AMRUT: of fund allocation for Area Based scheme, launched in 2020 amid the emphasis on private financing.         4  #        ( Even after five years, the progress of the SCM has Development projects into them is set migrant crisis did not see much of a Concomitant institutional reforms     "         been disappointing and the BE for SCM remains the Chattopadhyay is to make the policies more exclusion- push in the Budget. with an explicit focus on empowered )   S            4    same between the FY 2020-21 and 2021-22 at 6,450 Associate Professor of ary. The provision of end-to-end Livelihoods in the lurch: There city governments having enhancing    "             crore. The RE for FY 2020-21 for SCM was 3,400 Economics, Visva Bharti support by the Project Development was an absence of any additional bud- capabilities to develop and implement crore, almost half of the BE, suggesting a continued University and Senior and Management Consultants for getary provisions for urban poverty strategies that are feasible and effec-   4 %                Fellow, IMPRI, while         @      trend in the implementation lag. Also, there has been planning, design, management and alleviation programmes like the tive in their local contexts is urgent- no change in the budgetary provisions for AMRUT Kumar is Director, monitoring of urban projects have led Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana ly needed. Financially empowered city     9    "      ( IMPRI and CIVS as the BE remains the same as 2021-22 at 7,300 crore. Fellow at Ashoka to the splintering of resources away National Urban Livelihood Mission. governments with a clear functional        "       As opposed to the centralised one-size-fits-all University and Asian from the purview of democratic The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s domain can bring self-confidence to              (    ( approach of JNNURM, SCM and AMRUT through Century Foundation. accountability. On a positive note, 45 Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) our cities which can, in turn, lead us            .      ( the Service Level Improvement Plans, provide, at least The views expressed smart cities in India have set up was launched in 2020, to help for- towards fulfilling the vision of a New are personal.     H            ( on paper, some degree of flexibility in the formula- Integrated Command and Control malise 70 lakh street vendors. Till India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.       S "                             ( POINTCOUNTERPOINT                (                 2 ! !      ?                                .  !    .                                          &      !  @ "    1 L!    L            >     >      !       & ,                         

arly forecasts suggest that water resources, lack of data-dri- events in over 40 per cent of itated through transparency in water pricing. Water utilities are of irrigation water could be 2021 might be one of the ven approach to water manage- Indian districts. Flood-prone data sharing. Recently, the often underfunded and their saved in 2030 to 2050, without Ehottest years ever record- ment, inadequate budgetary areas are now becoming Ministry of Housing and Urban operation and maintenance suf- compromising yield, if low-to- ed. If the mercury touches allocation, weak policies and drought-prone and vice-versa, Affairs launched a pilot water fer. While vulnerable popula- high water-saving irrigation record highs while we are still archaic governance structures. increasing water stress. survey under the JJM (U) in 10 tions can be covered through methods are adopted. For recovering from a pandemic, Further, the increasing fre- For the long-term success of cities. Data collected through subsidies, ensuring utilities’ instance, 1 BCM of water saved can India ensure water supply to quency of non-linear tail-end JJM (U), the implementation such surveys should be made financial sustainability, requires from agriculture could provide its vast urban population? risks such as extreme climate strategy should be built on four available on a digital dash- a viable revenue model. To domestic water supply to 4.2 Where do we stand in terms of , 45   events — cyclones, floods, and pillars — identifying vulnerabil- board. The dashboard should enhance revenue collection, million urban households for a water security for our econom- #%!5 $ droughts — and climate ities, data-driven circular water also integrate data on city-level options such as prepaid meters, year. To facilitate water reallo- ic hubs? In the Union Budget change-induced disruption in management, utilities’ finan- water balances, water demand, increased pay points and digi- cations, we need to devise State- 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala the pattern of rainfall, exacer- cial sustainability, and realloca- near-real-time water availabil- tal payment channels, which specific water reallocation Sitharaman signalled that water bates water stress. Delhi recent- tion. First, JJM (U) should ity and quality, wastewater gen- offer discounts and cashback for strategies based on existing security is one of the priorities ly faced water shortages after the focus on districts having a high eration and treatment, the timely payments should be con- institutions, an enabling envi- of the Government and Chamoli flash floods increased proportion of vulnerable pop- potential for water reuse and sidered. ronment and participatory announced an outlay of 2.87 turbidity in water fetched from ulations. While the National rainwater harvesting, and the Finally, we need to ensure stakeholder engagement. lakh crore for the national Jal the Upper Ganga canal. In Sample Survey Office’s (NSSO) status of urban water bodies to water use efficiency across all Equitable and reliable access Jeevan Mission (Urban) JJM(U). recent years, Chennai has been study of urban slums is already phase of implementation. facilitate smooth multi-stake- sectors and reallocate water to safe drinking water is not only The Mission, which has set a the biggest victim of urban available, more data could be Second, we must readily holder interaction. The data- among sectors without compro- a basic right but is also essen- target of supplying piped drink- drought but the ground and sur- crowdsourced through map- adopt a data-driven circular driven approach also has the mising productivity. By 2050, tial to maintain a healthy and ing water connections to 2.68 face water availability in cities athons and inter-Ministerial water management approach potential to minimise wastage the JJM (U) supply would have productive workforce in urban crore urban households by like Delhi, Bengaluru and coordination to identify vulner- for managing urban water by optimising supply. It’s high to be pushed up to at least 54 bil- India. It’s safe to say that the  2026, gets 60,000 crore this Singh is a Research Ahmedabad are also precarious. abilities. India’s drought-affect- resources. It starts with a shift time that we start conducting lion cubic meters (BCM) com- Union Budget’s ambition of financial year. Analyst and Jacob is a Meanwhile, a recent study by ed district hotspots — Rajkot, from the “use and throw — lin- periodic water-use surveys both pared to 17 BCM municipal laying the foundation of India’s It’s a known fact that sever- Communications the Council on Energy, Anantapur, Aurangabad, ear” to a “‘use, treat, and reuse online and offline. water supply in 2010. next phase of growth would al parts of urban India are Associate at CEEW. Environment and Water Barmer, Bijapur, Churu, — circular” approach that Third, if JJM (U) is to suc- How can we source the have fallen short without invest- water-stressed. The crisis stems The views expressed (CEEW) found a shift in the Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur — ceed, we must have a dialogue additional supply? According to ing in water security for urban are personal. requires multi-stakeholder from a myopic understanding of pattern of extreme climate should be prioritised in the first engagement. This can be facil- with citizens on the need for a study, about 20 to 47 per cent areas.   !"!  1

6       $2.7R  5    !*!  /    $  $     ,  <)(5 Wednesday. interrogation, some others who In an apparent reference to were shot dead in a crackdown   )#4 )2 rotesters in Myanmar fired widely broadcast images of a were dragged away without Pslingshots and threw nun in Myanmar, kneeling in mercy and their dead bodies epal Prime Minister KP Molotov cocktails toward lines the street in front of armed are not being returned to their NSharma Oli has called for of security forces after appar- security forces, Francis said: “I, families by junta forces,” it a parliamentary party meeting ently coming under fire too, kneel on the streets of said, repeating widespread and of the ruling CPN-UML on Wednesday, a rare incidence of Myanmar and say: may vio- credible allegations. Thursday as the rift between anti-coup demonstrators fight- lence cease.” The junta has denied any the two warring factions of the ing back against a relentlessly The coup reversed years of abusive actions, but concedes party widened with the rival violent crackdown. slow progress toward democ- protesters have been shot when group convening the national The growing resistance racy in Myanmar, which for taking part in what it has gathering of cadres despite cadres that began on comes after one organisation five decades had languished described as rioting. Its death warning of disciplinary action Wednesday. said that more than 200 people under strict military rule that toll is much lower than others. against those attending it, Yogesh Bhattarai, a key have been killed since the led to international isolation In addition to the vio- according to media reports. leader belonging to the rival February 1 takeover. and sanctions. lence, the junta also initially The meeting will take place faction, said that at least 2,000 At least two people were The independent detained hundreds of senior at Baluwatar, the official resi- leaders and cadres of the party shot dead during protests Assistance Association for politicians and has kept Suu dence of the Prime Minister, are expected to join in the Wednesday in northwestern Political Prisoners, which keeps Kyi, who was the country’s de who is also the Chairperson of national gathering being organ- Myanmar, according to press a tally of deaths related to the facto leader before the takeover, the party, Bishal Bhattarai, ised at the Sanepa-based and social media posts that crackdown, said that as of in custody and charged her party’s chief whip, was quoted Heritage Garden in Lalitpur, included photos of the victims. Tuesday 202 people had been with several crimes that her as saying by myRepublica the report said. Protests against the coup killed, and 2,181 arrested or supporters say are politically newspaper. Party’s senior leader that ousted the elected gov- charged. motivated. “All the party leaders who Madhav Nepal is expected to ernment of Aung San Suu Kyi “Junta forces target pro- State television MRTV won elections with the symbol present a political report on the have shown remarkable staying  '       *                testers but also ordinary peo- announced Tuesday evening ‘Sun’ have been invited to the widening rift in the party and power and largely remained =*    ! " ple using sniper rifles regard- that another leading figure, meeting,” Bhattarai said. his faction’s strategy for the peaceful, despite curbs on less of the time or place,” Dr. Sasa, has been charged The call for the meeting coming days, it said. internet access, the imposi- carry on in the face of the vio- security forces apparently shot Some hurled firebombs, according to association. with high treason, which car- came as the Communist Party The Oli-led faction had tion of martial law in some lence, including lining up plac- at them in the country’s largest while others took aim with “Some injured people were ries a death sentence. He of Nepal-UML’s rival faction led threatened to take disciplinary places, and an extraordinarily ards as stand-ins for themselves city of Yangon, demonstrators slingshots — though the forces arrested and died without remains at large, and though in by Madhav Kumar Nepal and action against those who will violent response by police. or coconuts painted with the initially fled — but then crept were too far away to be hit. access to medical treatment, hiding, has frequently been in Jhala Nath Khanal went ahead attend the event organised by Demonstrators have come words “Spring Revolution.” back to hunker down behind Pope Francis appealed for some individuals have died contact with journalists, diplo- with the two-day national gath- the Nepal-Khanal faction on up with innovative ways to But on Wednesday, after sandbag barricades. an end to the bloodshed on due to being tortured during mats and others. ering of the party’s leaders and Wednesday and Thursday. !$  "6$""#%! $ /   (  2 A) B C  ! !  *0. >    , Q 8 R   3525 use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca reports of blood clotting and as  5    jabs amid some concerns. a temporary measure sus-       +  K Prime Minister Boris “It’s Oxford/AstraZeneca I pended the use of the vaccine     E    )#3)#) the victims were women of said. Atlanta Police Chief UJohnson on Wednesday will be having,” said Johnson, developed by Oxford    $  Asian descent. Rodney Bryant cautioned that indicated that the best safety during his weekly Prime University and being produced ! " eorgia officials said Instead, officials told it was too early to say if it was endorsement he can think of Minister’s Questions (PMQs) by AstraZeneca and also the GWednesday that the sus- reporters that Robert Aaron hate crime. But many members for the Oxford/AstraZeneca session in the House of Serum Institute of India as A    pect in a series of shootings at Long, of Woodstock, said he of the Asian American com- vaccine is to confirm that he Commons. part of a global tie-up.        Atlanta-area massage parlours was a frequent visitor of mas- munity said they felt they had would be receiving the jab as he The UK PM has previous- The World Health 5:  )     -/  that left eight people dead may sage parlours and intended to been targeted. now qualifies under an expand- ly said the vaccines are “safe Organisation (WHO) and the   /   have a “sexual addiction” and eliminate the temptation he “We’re in a place where ed vaccination drive. and work extremely well”. UK and European medicine     !     that it was too early to say if the thought they posed. we’ve seen an increase in hate As the National Health all over-50s, the 56-year-old Around 13 countries, regulators have said the jabs are   !   !% attack was a hate crime. But officials wouldn’t say crimes against Asian Service (NHS) marked the UK PM used the timing to reit- including France, Germany, safe and that there is no evi-  !  ! !     Police arrested a white 21- whether the parlours where the Americans since the pandem- 100th day of its vaccination erate the safety message after Italy and Spain, have sought dence of a causal link between  ! /" year-old Georgia man who shootings occurred were places ic started,” said Georgia state programme by expanding it to some countries suspended the clarifications around some the vaccine and blood clots. they say has taken responsibil- where sex took place. Rep. Bee Nguyen. “It’s hard to >    42 ity for the shootings, while He was on his way to think it is not targeted    denying they were racially Florida and intended to com- specifically toward our com-  <    $B$ )>  !   motivated, though many of mit similar crimes there, they munity.” 4 &7& P0'.Q         0       *)    ! O !4  D 0&%&*&'' & !   %  !   "    Brussels: The European under-delivered, and this          '   ).4+(#5 thing about I’m not going to get Union’s chief executive criti- painfully, of course, reduced the  ! D ! !    ,!Q R the vaccine, I have a right as an cised Anglo- speed of the vaccina-       " "    S President Joe Biden is American, my freedom to not Swedish vaccine- tion campaign,” Usuggesting that some do it.’” maker AstraZeneca European Commission   ! *344   45(5( Washington: President Joe Stephanopoulos that aired Americans who are unwilling The president added: “Why on Wednesday, President Ursula von O  P   Biden says that it will be Wednesday, said he was con- to get vaccinated for the coro- don’t you be a patriot, protect accusing the embat- der Leyen told 5:  )'00 4  he US sanctioned an addi- “tough” for the US to meet a sulting with allies on the pace navirus are unpatriotic. other people?” tled pharmaceuti- reporters.   %    Ttional 24 Chinese and May 1 deadline to of the drawdown. Of Speaking to ABC News in an Biden emphasised that the cal company of Von der Leyen said    /   !  Hong Kong officials over withdraw troops from meeting the May 1 interview that aired Wednesday, three vaccines authorised for delaying Europe’s the company original- !!   ! % Beijing’s ongoing crackdown Afghanistan but that deadline, he said it Biden said he had hoped to get use in the United States are safe coronavirus vacci- ly pledged to deliver 90     LM on political freedoms in the the complete draw- “could happen, but it is politics out of the nationwide and essential to getting the nation campaign million doses of its shot -/  O .  ! semi-autonomous city, just down won’t take tough.” If the deadline is vaccination campaign, and that country past the pandemic. He and warning that in the first three   " ahead of the Biden adminis- much longer. extended, he added, it he’s been surprised by some who noted that the biggest change in the EU is weighing export months of 2021, but later said tration’s first face-to-face talks The deadline to won’t be by “a lot are refusing to get shots. his life since getting vaccinated bans to ensure supplies. it could only provide 40 mil- 3      with China. end America’s longest longer.” Biden said: “I just don’t on TV in December was, “I can “AstraZeneca has unfor- lion, then more recently only 30   !  The sanctions follow war six weeks from Biden, like his pre- understand this sort of macho hug my grandkids now.” tunately under-produced and million. AP  B # 0I  planned changes to Hong now was set under an decessor, has promised      +   Kong’s electoral law endorsed agreement reached by former to end the nearly 20-year con-  2/  ! by China’s ceremonial legisla- President Donald Trump and flict and bring home more     4   L2 4M ture last week, which will give the Taliban, without the buy-in than 2,500 American troops in 9 3            !  a pro-Beijing committee power of the Afghan government. the country — down from   QR    %!!   to appoint more of Hong Biden, in an interview with about 13,000 troops a year   " Kong’s lawmakers. ABC News’ George ago. AP ,: #      )4)4 The Hague (Netherlands): Dutch voters practicing social Washington: Vast amounts of distancing cast their ballots on ancient water may have been Wednesday at thousands of trapped beneath the surface of polling stations across the Mars, according to a NASA- Netherlands on the final day of funded study which challenges a general election overshadowed the current theory that the Red by the coronavirus pandemic. Planet’s water escaped into space. School gyms, churches, Evidence found on the sur- museums and concert halls face of Mars suggests that were pressed into service as abundant water flowed across voting locations by authorities Mars billions of years ago, looking for venues where peo- forming pools, lakes, and deep ple could vote safely amid ris- oceans, and where did all that ing infection rates. In water go has been a matter of Amsterdam, cyclists and dri-   * *M *   N   *  1    investigation. The new study, vers voted in a drive-thru facil- ;    **   $   ! " published in the journal ity at a conference center. Science, shows that a significant Caretaker Prime Minister polls by a wide margin for largest when polls close at 9 portion of Mars’s water — Mark Rutte’s conservative about a year, but the lead has p.M. (2000 GMT), Rutte will be between 30 and 99 per cent — People’s Party for Freedom and been shrinking in recent weeks. first in line to lead talks to form is trapped within minerals in Democracy has been leading If his party emerges as the the next ruling coalition. AP the planet’s crust. PTI "   &&   &    $  .%

  3525 being identified, the Ministry of Justice said the new scheme urglars, thieves and robbers will be a vital extra source of Breleased from prison will be intelligence to help police catch made to wear GPS tags to these persistent offenders. track their movements in a “Being burgled or robbed world-first scheme to crack is devastating and I understand down on neighbourhood crim- how frustrating it is when the inals, the UK government perpetrators can’t be caught, announced on Wednesday. both for the public and the Under the new rules, such police,” said Kit Malthouse, offenders who have served a UK Minister for Crime and prison sentence of a year or Policing. more will be automatically fit- “Tagging these prolific ted with a tag on release, allow- offenders so we know where ing their whereabouts to be they are 24 hours a day should monitored by GPS satellites 24 be powerful persuasion to hours a day for up to 12 months. change their ways and will With more than half of help police find and charge those convicted of theft and them if they don’t. It’s another burglary reoffending within a tool helping probation staff to year and almost 80 per cent of cut crime and keep the public cases resulting in no suspect safe,” he said.   !"! * 0

:.$$-&  !  *  6#= #    ,"1     A+&/A     ! %& &$%$& $% '  #2 !  (    )   L2()M        88"H /  !    * .@8     8"8E /        EFEE  $/ ''.!&.%&   12134+ ") &F"& / !       E ! 'H"&!     !      12134+ tanked by Rs 5,55,400.52 crore FOMC meeting outcome also   12134+  '66.$ '65. ' xperts have pointed out     &&"'C /        in four days to reach Rs caused selling i domestic equi- 9  % 9''8'$ Ethat the provision providing !  > " nvestors have lost over 5.55 2,03,71,252.94 crore. ties,” said Binod Modi, Head he government has asked for concessional income tax  6=$595%4$4%    4   Ilakh crore in four days of “News of rising COVID Strategy at Reliance Securities. Tmessaging firm WhatsApp :56%%   5 rate of 5 per cent on debt return declines in the domestic equi- cases in India and caution ONGC declined 4.95 per to review its proposed priva- for foreign portfolio investors #   2 2  L22M    ty markets. ahead of the US Fed meet cent, the most among the 30- cy policy changes, Minister of  '66$5!:)$$B: has been inadvertently omitted. )  0   /  !   !/ Rising domestic Covid-19 were weighing on investors’ frontline stocks, State for IT and ' 65 9''8'$ Sunil Badala, Partner and    !!   !      ")!!  22% cases and selling in RIL and sentiment,” said Ajit Mishra, followed by NTPC, Sun Communications Sanjay  '66P'6=$59 Head (financial services, tax) at )   !    !     L(+.M banking stocks dragged down VP - Research, Religare Pharma, SBI, IndusInd Bank, Dhotre informed the Lok KPMG in India, said the gov-     !   !0    the 30-share BSE Sensex by Broking Ltd. All BSE sectoral Reliance Industries and Bajaj Sabha on Wednesday. (MeitY) took cognizance of the ernment had in September   !    0    " 562.34 points or 1.12 per cent indices closed lower on Auto. WhatsApp has drawn WhatsApp announcement of 2020 amended Section 115AD to 49,801.62 on Wednesday. Wednesday, with oil and gas, Market heavyweight massive criticism from users its new Privacy Policy stated to of Income Tax Act to accord a        In four days, the ben- power, realty, energy and util- Reliance Industries dipped 2.16 globally, including India, over be applicable to Indian users. concessional income tax rate of   P chamark has fallen by 1,477.89 ities falling up to 3.22 per cent. per cent and was the biggest concerns that data was being To safeguard the interest of 10 per cent on specified income 2- !.! %=   $ points or 2.88 per cent. “Domestic equities contributor in the market shared with its parent compa- Indian users, Meity has asked to funds set up in the    ! The market capitalisation dropped for the fourth con- decline. ny, Facebook. WhatsApp, on its WhatsApp to review the pro- International Financial Services       =   $ of BSE-listed companies has secutive day as concerns per- In the broader markets, part, has maintained that mes- posed privacy policy changes Centre . “While amending  +      O 2 "" taining to recent rise in the BSE midcap and smallcap sages on the platform are end- and also to explain the rationale Section 115AD, it seems that F  !E"#  COVID-19 cases in various indices declined as much as to-end encrypted and that nei- of the same,” Dhotre said in a the provision providing for     !     ;    parts of the country and high 2.28 per cent. ther WhatsApp nor Facebook written reply to the Lok Sabha. concessional income tax rate of ). (  ".  / inflation continued to weigh on At the BSE, 2,188 compa- can see the private messages on Whatsapp has proposed its 5 per cent on specified interest       investors’ sentiments. nies declined, while 795 WhatsApp’s platform. users to accept updated policy to foreign portfolio investors      &"88 “Additionally, weak cues advanced and 142 remained “Ministry of Electronics changes by March 15 if they (FPIs) has been inadvertently     !   !  " from global markets ahead of unchanged. & Information Technology want to continue using the app. omitted,” Badala said. L-          M  +    'HS!     ! ".!!  . !      !    +  "#    (7A:1            ! ! !   O !  (  ! !   -   $ %   "    1    )+ 0!            3    /   * = 0 he rupee on Wednesday 2+ !%(   3. Tclosed flat at 72.55 against   12134+   12134+ certain e-commerce compa-   1()3; “One Time Settlement” scheme the US dollar in a restricted nies alleging violation of FDI to garner the revenue from trade ahead of the final out- round 16.5 lakh people he Government has policy and necessary actions arnataka Mines and penalties imposed on mine come of the US Federal Reserve Ahave benefited from the Treceived complaints against under the provisions of Foreign KGeologyMinister owners for mining beyond meeting. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar certain e-commerce compa- Exchange Management Act, Murugesh R Nirani on limits. “I am your representa- Losses in the domestic Yojana (ABRY) which was nies alleging violation of for- 1999 have been taken for inves- Wednesday informed investors tive and I will take your griev- equity markets and a strength- launched in October to eign direct investment (FDI) tigation by the Enforcement that the government planned to ances to the Chief Minister and ening dollar against major cur- encourage hiring in the coun- policy and necessary actions Directorate,” he said. issue NOCs (No Objection get them redressed. rencies overseas weighed on the try amid the Covid-19 pan- have been taken for investiga- Replying to a separate Certificate) within 90 days at We are planning to issue rupee sentiment, forex dealers demic, Union minister Santosh tion by the Enforcement question, Minister of State for their doorsteps, instead of them No-Objection Certificates said. Gangwar said on Wednesday. Directorate, Parliament was Commerce and Industry having to run from pillar to (NOC) in 90 days and take the Market participants were “As on 9th March, 2021, informed on Wednesday. Hardeep Singh Puri said there post for it. service to your doorsteps,” cautious ahead of the final 16.49 lakh employees were reg- In a written reply to the are 1,569 tea gardens in the He said the government Nirani was quoted as saying by decision of the Federal istered for availing the benefits Lok Sabha, Commerce and country covering total area of was considering introducing a his office in a release. Reserve’s meeting on (under ABRY),” Labour Industry Minister Piyush Goyal 4,20,671 hectares. Wednesday. Minister Santosh Gangwar said said no representation from All Though the US Fed is in a written reply to the Rajya India Chamber of Commerce expected to keep interest rates Sabha on Wednesday. The and Industry (AICCI) was unchanged, investors are focus- scheme has been introduced to received regarding banning of ing on its commentary about incentivize creation of new some big e-commerce compa- the US economy and its pre- employment along with social nies from operating in India. dicted path of interest rate security benefits and restora- “The government has movements going forward. tion of loss of employment dur- received complaints against ing the pandemic.   !"! 0   O$   &' ( '() $ ( &'( ' ( & P L ,- &)- 4 )&& (.//   /&/

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  +#;$7 62%# ;. + +#                                       What fascinated you to  Can you talk about Since the film required O- )  * responsibility towards nature. ing anyway. I feel shooting sign the film? character in detail? Were to shoot in the forest, * /   there just added to the This subject that is very there any reference points were there any on-ground Why is it important to authenticity of it. Just because close to my heart. I had seen while preparing for it? challenges?    show such concepts in main- of that zone you realise you Prabhu (Solomon) sir’s film The character is that of a Not really! It was because P @  stream cinema? are a part of something so Kumki earlier and I knew that young news reporter. She my character didn’t spend *   Every storyteller has the much larger. It’s a humbling he would be able to deal with decides to support Rana’s that much time in the forest. freedom to speak his/her experience shooting in the this subject very well. Just the character in his fight for the It didn’t seem like a tedious /     mind out and to express him- forest. combination of working on the elephants. She doesn’t really process. I personally loved the  *  self/herself. This was what subject that has elephants and succumb to any pressure fact that we were shooting in )  2 the director was passionate What did you learn from knowing Rana (Daggubati) is because she didn’t want to an actual forest where there about. It’s wonderful when the wild? going to be a part of the film, report untruthfully. That was was no network, where we felt    you have the medium that can I don’t have scenes with I wanted to do it. I felt like even very interesting... With a lot connected with nature. I must ) )   give you joy, that can make the elephants but, in general, my character in the film had an of courage, she decides to take say that it was not an easy    P you learn something and that if you ask... All of us as interesting arc. To be honest, a stand. There was no prepa- shoot. There were times where can just touch your heart. As human beings are constantly there was no reason to say no. ration for the part except for it was not comfortable but all had to be patient with its I said, it’s not about being carrying our egos It’s an entertaining film that the fact that I had to speak of that really helped. I feel like process. I really enjoyed shoot- preachy. Especially today, everywhere... Sometimes as has a message as well, some- Tamil and Telugu in the film. they also instinctively picked ing the forest bits. It was very when we are seeing what the people, we spend so much thing that was quite needed for It was a challenge in itself. All people, who they knew would adventurous to be shooting world is going through with time obsessing over things the times. Also, I was seeking the prep was more towards be willing to surrender to the with elephants around. respect to global warming, that don’t require our time to work in a variety of film the language. It was exciting process. And a lot of the part natural calamities everywhere and energy but when you use industries. It has always excit- to be working in two lan- of this film was just about that  An insight into the and, of course, the pandemic... that time and spend with ed me to explore different guages. Of course, I’ll be bet- because it had to look authen- storyline... Is there a I think timely reminders are nature, it changes your per- industries. I have watched ter prepared now because tic. So, yes, it was hot, chaot- subliminal message that necessary but with this film, spective on a lot of things. I Telugu and Tamil cinema quite this was my first time. It took ic and hectic but it was very the film tries to convey? I still like to reiterate that it’s was very inspired by Rana. a bit. a while to grasp but Prabhu fulfilling because we knew Even though it’s a concept really not about trying to The way he has performed is and Rana sir were extremely the larger purpose for which that has been heard before, consciously give out a social beyond words. He really cooperative. the film was being made. We visually it’s absolutely stun- message. It is the by-product pushed himself, be it physical- ning. There are so many dif- of the film. ly with respect to the charac- ferent elements. Every charac- ter. He has very convincingly ter in the film is adding a dif-  Does filming in portrayed himself as Bandev ferent layer to the story. proximity in the jungles in the film. I think I learned Moreover, it’s shown in an disturb animals? a lot in terms of the process of entertaining way and I think Not at all! Full precautions filmmaking. Also, for me, to that’s important. The film is were taken. And because we be a more responsible person not preachy. It’s just trying to are talking about this and in life in general. make sure that the audience making a film, so we have to (The film releases on has a good time and, at the practice what we are showcas- March 26.) same time, comes out of the theatre a little more sensitised, aware and mindful. It shows that while development is important, it’s more important to do it in a sustainable way. We owe it to nature to not take more from it or be wise about it. The key word here is bal- ance. The film highlights the beautiful bond that animals share with human beings. The film will make people realise that they have a sense of   !"!  ) 44 )&& (.//   /&/ NORTH DELHI MAYOR LAUNCHES %4!*  5+  '   *

PLASTIC-FREE MARKET CAMPAIGN 2021 n order to boost loco produc- Ition by adopting the latest tech- nology, Satish Kumar Kashyup, General Manager of CLW, inau- gurated a state-of-the-art, high sensitivity touch triggered new CNC travelling bridge-type 3D co-ordinate measuring machine. This new machine will enable precise measurements of geome- try of loco sub-components such as traction motor, suspension tube, axle box , etc, which will also improve quality and reliabil- ity of sub-components of locomo- tives. It is a fully automatic three- dimensional measuring machine, having touch trigger probe of quick change stylus configuration, live reading and movements with high accuracy, less setup time, flexibility, reduce operator influ- ence and improved repeatability he Mayor of North Delhi Commissioner of the zone, markets in the Sadar Paharganj efforts for working to keep the through various means to make of measurements. This machine of Municipal Corporation, Shashanka Ala, and other offi- zone where citizens can get a city clean and discouraging citizens aware of the bad impact thermal compensator system is TJai Prakash, launched a cers of the corporation were jute or a cloth bag by giving one single use plastic is commend- of single-use plastic on the integrated for taking care of ther- Plastic Free Market Campaign also present. The students of kg of plastic. It’s like a barter sys- able. Prime Minister, Narendra environment,” added he. mal deviations and high rigidity 2021 at Mahila Haat of NDMC Municipal Primary Schools tem. He said that this campaign Modiji has a dream to minimise Prakash further shared that body with granite surface plate at Delhi Gate. On the occasion, showcased the products made will help to reduce plastic waste the single use plastic, North we ourselves would discourage and y-axis guide rail. RS City-Sadar Paharganj Ward by them from waste materials. at the streets and landfill sites. DMC is continuously working plastic and make others stop Sinha/PCMM, J Majhi/PCME, Committee, Chairman The Mayor said that as a Prakash said, “North Delhi towards achieving it.” using single-use plastic. “This RP Mishra/PCEE, SD Mohammad Sadiq, Councilor part of the Plastic Free Market Municipal Corporation is pro- “The North DMC is run- programme would be extended Patidar/PCPO, R Yadav/SDGM & Aley Mohammed, Ravi Kaptan, Campaign, kiosks have been set viding services to the citizens ning an awareness campaign to each and every zone,” he CVO were present along with oth- Rakesh Kumar, Deputy up at various places in the with limited resources. So the against single-use plastics added. ers officers and staff. "   & < # 3, "B! - +42$%< % #,+ '#$+ $-"B #4 he Bureau of Indian General (Policy Research & sumer empowerment. She said, empowered. ower Grid Corporation of the company is now the only TStandards (BIS) celebrated Training), BIS. In his inaugur- “Although there are laws and The consumer organisa- PIndia Limited (POWER- organisation in the country to the World Consumer Rights al address, he emphasised on the rights for protection of con- tions actively participated, GRID) has established an e-ten- have an eProcurement solution Day by organising webinars at importance of responsible use of sumers but the challenge is to expressed their opinions and dering Portal, PRANIT, which on SAP Supplier Relationship various locations in the country plastics, a material which has make a common man aware of challenges in the webinar. It was will lead to less paperwork and Management (SRM), complying through its offices at percolated in every sphere of it and use them extensively in an enriching session where ease of operation, making the ten- with all applicable requirements Headquarters and various human activities. He informed favour of them. BIS is making important issues related to con- dering process more transparent. relating to security and trans- Regional and Branch Offices. that BIS has formulated impor- appreciable efforts through its sumer rights were not only dis- It has been certified by parency as stipulated by STQC. The theme this year was tant standards on plastic and its various outreach programmes cussed but mitigation of various Standardisation, Testing and The company in pursuit of ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’. recycling. He urged the con- in this direction.” impediments and hindrances in Quality Certification Directorate digitalisation has been undertak- The webinar at BIS head- sumers to come forward and Pushpa Girimaji, Author Consumer Safety Advocate, She laid special emphasis on achieving consumer empower- (STQC), Ministry of Electronics ing a number of innovative quarters was inaugurated by NK insist for their implementation and Journalist, Consumer explained how BIS activities consumer surveys and con- ment in the country were delib- and Information Technology, enhancements within SAP SRM Kansara, Deputy Director in letter and spirit. Rights Columnist and are contributing towards con- sumer education to make them erated. Government of India. With this, framework.

ligning with the Prime installation of property sig- "B! - +%C2   $#4 AMinister’s vision to nages, wayfinding signages, develop the ancient holy :  !, ambient lighting, tap-off town of Badrinath as a water supply service and n being declared as Part A. During the FY 2020- spiritual Smart Hill town, struction of road and drainage that will high- Osuccessful bidder The project compris- 21, bidding for five Inter Maharatna CPSE, Power enhancement of public light the aesthetics of this under Tariff Based es establishment of State Transmission Grid Corporation of India buildings façade on both Char Dham pilgrimage Competitive Bidding 400/220 kV new sub-sta- Projects have been under- Limited (POWERGRID) sides of the road. town and maintain its (TBCB), Power Grid tion, 400 kV D/C trans- taken till date and the signed an MoU with The developmental uniqueness. Corporation of India mission lines and associ- company has been Kedarnath Utthan projects worth about 19.3 The pilgrimage town of Limited (POWERGRID) ated sub-station exten- declared as the successful Charitable Trust on March crores will include con- Badrinath is located in a has acquired Ramgarh sion works under build, bidder in all the five pro- 17. The MoU was signed struction of 2.5 km long tough terrain, inaccessible New Transmission own, operate and main- jects. between K Sreekant, CMD, 10.5 m wide road. It will by roads during October- Limited (RNTL), which is tain (BOOM) basis for 35 The acquisition of POWERGRID and Dilip prevent traffic jams and March every year. Despite the project company to years. The transmission Ramgarh New Jawalkar, Secretary, help in efficient traffic the problem, projects will establish Transmission system is an Inter State Transmission Limited is Tourism & CEO, management. High points be completed in three System Strengthening Transmission System pro- the first in the series of Uttarakhand Tourism of this project will be years. It is estimated that Scheme for evacuation of ject situated in state of five projects and acquisi- Development Board, façade enhancement on the projects will benefit power from solar energy Rajasthan and is sched- tion of the remaining four Government of public and Devasthanam around 15.6 lakh pilgrims zones, in Rajasthan (8.1 uled to be completed in project companies is Uttarakhand, for develop- Board Buildings, battery every year, visiting GW) under phase II - 18 months. underway. mental projects like con- operated public transport, Badrinath 2025 onwards. % '&;'%    ;7

#&%&  n order to actualise the IMaster Plan 2031, a marathon rdnance Factory Day is The main achievements of meeting was held for several Oobserved every year on the the company this year are the hours between government March 18 to commemorate the issue of the strategic high departments in the GDA audi- foundation of the first Ordnance explosive HMX for the first torium. The meeting churned Factory at Cossipore near time, bulk manufacture and and suggestions were sought to Kolkata in 1801. issue of 130/155 mm ‘Sharang’ prepare a master plan accord- The Ordnance Factories Gun System to the Indian ing to the likely population and organisation today comprises Army, handing over of the its requirements by 2031. 41 factories organised into five Bullet Resistant Jacket to the In the meeting, DDF con- operational divisions of the Tamil Nadu Police, the issue of sultants apprised the present sit- Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) the first consignment of the 40 uation of Ghaziabad, Loni and and constitute a defence produc- mm Under Barrel Grenade Modinagar Maha Yojana. tion conglomerate with the Launcher UBGL to the BSF; the GDA Vice President, widest range of products in the successful completion of the Krishna Karunesh, sought sug- world. user trials by the 5.56 x 30 mm "B! - +1   gestions from UPSRTC, A major strength of the Joint Venture Protective Transport Department, Ordnance Factories is their Carbine (JVPC), the grant of Housing Development Council ability to effect successful indi- bulk production clearance for and other related departments PAC and officials from other Association, Builder Department, the Deputy genisation. The current indige- the P-7 heavy drop parachute ! P+ for the next 10 years about the departments. Association, Architect Commandant of the Ghaziabad nous content of the products is and the successful completion ower Grid Corporation of India Limited celebrated possible population and the The meeting also discussed Association, will be presented. Municipal Corporation PAC, over 90 per cent and in ammu- of the DGQA trials of the PInternational Women’s Day in all its offices across India needs of bus stand, sewage many measures about the plan. Many suggestions will be the officials of the NDRF and nition items it is 97 per cent. A brake parachute for the Hawk and at PAL Manesar, Haryana on March 8. K Sreekant, CMD treatment plan, etc. The meet- There will be various rounds of sought for the grand plan. the officials of the Forest robust R&D set up has led to trainer aircraft. and all the directors addressed the women employees and ing was attended by GDA the meeting. It will also run on In the meeting held on Department also presented the products of in-house R&D, Issue of the first indigenous- appreciated their valuable contribution. Various bonding Secretary, Santosh Kumar Rai, March 17 and March 20, dur- Tuesday, the UP Manager of the their important suggestions for currently contributing to 25 per ly overhauled T-90 tank is also activities like quizzes, games and felicitations were also UPCIDA Regional Manager, ing which representatives of the UP Housing Development making the master plan 2031 a cent of the overall revenue. a significant achievement. organised. Smita Singh, UPSRTC’s A RM Trade Board Transport Department, the UP Jal Nigam success. $.   

he Centre for Disaster creating awareness and conducting ence for all of us. As far as fire inci- TManagement Studies (CDMS), training programmes from time to dents are concerned, we should Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha time. The university is committed to avoid casual approach as it is a mat- University, conducted a two-day generate trained manpower for the ter of life and death.” He also training programme on fire and life purpose,” he said. expressed his interest for the future safety in hospitals. The first pro- He further said that in the case collaboration with the university in gramme of the series was conduct- of any fire incident, we as an indi- this field. ed at Safdarjang Hospital. vidual should be trained to act as RC Sharma, former director, Around 30 medical staff of var- first responder irrespective of our Delhi Fire Services, emphasised for ious prominent hospitals of Delhi rank and position. Special care is conducting more such training pro- like Safdarjung, ILBS, etc actively needed in the case of hospitals as grammes, especially for doctors. participated in the training pro- here the vulnerable people are DK Shami, Fire Advisor, MHA, gramme. patients. GOI, said, “Preventive measures are The Vice Chancellor of the uni- The Medical Superintendent of need of the hour seeing the rising fire versity, Padma Shri professor Safdarjung Hospital, Dr SV Arya incidents in the hospitals.” He Mahesh Verma, was instrumental in appreciated the initiative of CDMS, stressed on maintaining fire safety initiating such useful training pro- IP university and congratulated the norms and training of hospital staff gramme for fire safety of hospitals. Vice Chancellor for taking the lead as per notification issued by MHA. He said that the fire safety is a mat- and interest in this matter. He fur- A mock fire drill was also conduct- ter of great concern, seeing the ther said that we are fortunate to be ed in the premises of Safdarjung recent fire incidents in various hos- a part of this very useful practical Hospital to explain the first-hand pitals in last couple of years. “We training programme. “It is really response in the scenario of fire inci- have to take pro-active approach by wonderful and enlightening experi- dents.   !"! ) 4   # %R          -5 ,

  !<=.( > did have some runs to defend  &*%0?(($0  but the bowlers hardly troubled 3 %#&( 46)5425647=6825" the opposition batsman with Jos Buttler running away with the contest.   )4 12))2 The team’s number one #0 .% spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has        P      B+ * ndia would aim to take the leaked runs both times India    E'( ! FB %  toss out of equation and put have set a target.   )4 12))2 we have in this format,” Iup a much improved all- Hardik Pandya’s return as Rathour said after India lost round show against a formida- a bowling all-rounder has been hree cheap dismissals can’t the third T20I.   ble England in their to bid to promising but he is yet to take Tchange the fact that KL “This is the time when level the series in the fourth a wicket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar Rahul is India’s “best T20 we need to support him and T20, here on Thursday. has kept things tidy in his batsman” and it won’t be long I am absolutely sure he will The template of win the comeback series but the team that one shot or one innings come back out of the lean toss and bowl has been set in expects him to provide regular will get him back to his best, phase,” the batting coach   ,   the series with the chasing breakthroughs with the new batting coach Vikram Rathour said. team getting home rather com- ball. said, promising support for However, Rathour did fortably. Offie Washington Sundar the struggling opener. agree that rustiness could be   35 post-match presentation. However, India skipper has been the stand out bowler Rahul got out without a reason and all it would take “Other than the result, it’s Virat Kohli has repeatedly for India with four wickets at scoring in two of his last is one good shot to get back outh Africa added salt to been a good series for us. stressed on the need to do well an impressive economy rate of three innings while he man- into the groove. SIndia’s wounds by registering Exposure for the young players, whether they are posting totals 6.95. aged just one run in the series- “I agree they do tend to a five-wicket win over the hosts and opportunity to those play- or chasing as part of their Despite India being 1-2 opener. A part of it could be get rusty when they are sitting in the low-scoring fifth and ers looking for rhythm. preparation for the T20 World down, no major changes are attributed to no game time out but only thing we can do final women’s ODI to seal the Congratulations to South Africa Cup at home later this year. expected in the playing eleven. since the end of T20 series in is to provide them practice. series 4-1 here on Wednesday. for doing so well in our condi- In the two games they lost England, like India, also Australia early December. They are having a lot of net Mithali Raj played a cap- tions,” she added. after batting first, India strug- want to win in all conditions “Anybody can have a lean sessions and even on middle tain’s knock by hitting a well- South Africa’s chase got off gled in the powerplay, which and will be buoyed by their phase and KL has been our (centre strips),” he said. crafted 79 not out but it was only to a disastrous start as the visi- impacted their final total emphatic win in the previous best batsman in T20 format. “That’s all they can do and enough to take India to 188 all tors lost their top three batters despite one batsman (Shreyas game. He is averaging 40 plus with we can just hope that one out. including skipper Sune Luus Iyer and Virat Kohli respective- Buttler being amongst the a strike rate of 145 and 3 fail- innings or one shot and they South Africa then rode on (10) for just 27 runs. ly) going on to make a signif- The express pace of Mark post the third game, a third all- runs is also a cause of worry for ures doesn’t change the fact will be back in form. People Anneke Bosch (58) and Mignon Du Preez (57) and Bosch icant contribution. Wood and Jofra Archer has rounder alongside Hardik India as on his day he can that he is the best batsman like KL Rahul.” du Preez’s (57) half-centuries to (58) the stabilised South Africa’s A lot of it was down to KL also made life tough for the Pandya and Washington demolish any attack in the chase down the target in 48.2 run chase with a 96-run partner- Rahul not being amongst the Indians in the first six overs. Sundar can be drafted into the world. overs. ship for the fourth wicket before runs but Kohli made it amply They have been able to extract side with the choice between Jonny Bairstow, who had a Now England are waiting one ranked team from winning The series marked India’s Indian bowlers pulled things clear that the Karnataka bats- disconcerting bounce from the uncapped Rahul Tewatia and horror run in the two Tests he for the world’s number one the series on Thursday night. return to International cricket back, dismissing both the set man and Rohit Sharma remain surface, putting the batsmen in Axar Patel. played against India, came up batsman Dawid Malan to fire. The hosts winning the toss after 12 months. They were batters in quick succession. their preferred opening combi- two minds. Unlike the first game, with a morale boosting 40 on It will take a special effort should make their task less naturally rusty to start with and At that stage South Africa nation. Going by Kohli’s words Kohli’s sublime 77 ensure India Tuesday. from India to stop the number tough. by the end of the series, it were 131 for five, still needing 58 seemed that they have a lot of runs in 13 overs for a win. work to do if they want to be title Marizanne Kapp (36 not   2)+ contenders for the World Cup out) and Nadine de Klerk (19          : early next year. not out), however, ensured there ollowing his stellar perfor- The batting needs more was no further hiccups as the Fmance in the ongoing series firepower and bowling con- duo shared unbeaten 58 runs for against England, India skipper up two places to 11th while cerns too need to be addressed the sixth wicket to guide South &  /"   Virat Kohli on Wednesday seamers Shardul Thakur (up 14 as spinners, traditionally India’s Africa home. broke back into the top of the places to 27th) and strength, struggled against South For India, left-arm spinner ICC T20 batsmen rankings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (up seven Africa. Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up   )4 12))2 have at the moment is as much fun to play in Kohli, a formerly top- places to 45th) have also gained. Coming back after a long three wickets conceding just 13 as ever. As a really good team, he’s been a huge ranked batsman in the format Jos Buttler has re-entered break, the India players had only runs off her 10 overs. kipper Eoin Morgan is one of the white driver of that alongside a few others. and currently number one in the top 20. His match-winning a handful of training sessions Earlier, Mithali steered Sball “pioneers”, who has propelled English “He is a selfless guy. Today is really about ODIs, gained one slot and a 83 not out has helped him ahead of the series as they also India’s innings after India lost cricket to a different level with his incredi- him and no mean feat to achieve 100 caps,” massive 47 rating points after advance five places to 19th had to undergo a mandatory one three early wickets with the ble leadership, reckons his deputy Jos Buttler. he added. Buttler, who was earlier seen in a unbeaten knocks of 73 and 77 position, just two shy of his week quarantine. scoreboard reading 53 in the Morgan, who had ended his coun- finisher’s role, further said he’s got full back- in the second and third match- career-best 17th position “Clearly, we do need some 13th over. try’s 44-year wait for maiden ODI ing from Morgan to play as an opener es against England, to be placed Shreyas Iyer is up 32 places attained in October 2018. camps before series. We were Together with Harmanpreet World Cup title in 2019, on in T20Is after his skipper promoted fifth. to the 31st spot while Rishabh Jonny Bairstow, who underprepared, coming from a Kaur (30), who retired hurt due Tuesday became the first England him in 2018. KL Rahul remains the top- Pant gained 30 spots to be chipped in with 40 runs has gap. The batting unit tried to to an injury, Mithali shared 71 player and fourth overall to “Now I’ve got the full backing ranked Indian batsmen at the ranked 80th. moved up two slots to 14th improve consistently match by runs for the fourth wicket before make 100 appearances in T20 from Morgs (Eoin Morgan) to go and fourth spot despite three failures Among bowlers, all- position in the list led by his match. Our spinners need to the former left the ground in the cricket. do that and that gives me a lot of con- in the series so far. rounder Washington Sundar is compatriot Dawid Malan. improve,” said Mithali at the 31st over. He celebrated the milestone fidence. And I think, really enjoyed moment with an eight-wicket the role today as I always do,” Buttler, win over India in the third T20. who scored a match-winning unbeat- “He has been a pioneer for en 83, said. -   !/ %  ;  0C English white ball cricketers. “Yeah, it’s (opening) my prefer- He’s always been someone who’s ence in T20 cricket. But I’ll always be been ahead of the curve,” Buttler open-minded, I’m sure certain teams   35 come back after 15 and they will work on it. I “As far as the positives are rhythm and perform as well as told reporters after England’s win may ask me to bat somewhere else months and play a have seen them do it in the concerned, the batting unit is they can,” the coach said. on Tuesday. but I know Morgs is keen for me to ndia women’s team head one-day series and past and I have no doubts getting into its probe, despite Harmanpreet Kaur, cap- Continuing his praise for his open in this team and do that with Icoach WV Raman on retain the focus and at all, they will do in the the fact that not all of them tain of the Indian T20 team, skipper, Buttler said Morgan his backing.” Wednesday said his players intensity that is future.” got big scores, we managed was retired hurt when she was along with Kevin Pietersen have Asked whether the knock has lacked game time and were required to put the The selectors were scores in excess of 250 or batting, but the coach was taken their white ball cricket to a dif- ended the debate over who to open, he short on “mental stamina and opposition under particularly criticised for around 250. confident that she would take ferent level. said: “I think people seem to quite enjoy “cricketing fitness” as the hosts pressure. So, these dropping veteran Shikha “I think what probably the field in the upcoming “They were two guys I always talking about it. And yeah, I certainly some- were blanked 1-4 by South things do happen, it Pandey and young hard- did not go in our favour was three-match T20 series. looked up to in white ball teams and times feel the pressure of that.” Africa in a five-match ODI happens to the best of hitting batter Shefali the fact that the bowlers could “From what I gather, she who could do a bit different, who “Every time I do, I have the opportu- series. players and best of Verma from the squad. not be consistent, as I said ear- (Harman) has sustained a hip could take the game forward and look nity to try and make a case because you “In terms of what tran- teams.” “As far as selection lier, but there is no blaming strain grade one and that will to be ahead of the curve. know there’s obviously loads of us who can spired in this series, it is very The former India issues are concerned, I them at all, because it was be monitored and all the nec- “He’s been a pioneer, as a player to open the batting for this team.” simple: the girls lacked the opening batsman think it is only fair that I expected.” essary procedures are being start with. And certainly as a captain “Eoin is always clear with every single game time, and they’re obvi- though was confi- talk to them if required “Yes, this is something followed. and a leader. He’s taken English white player on what he expects of them, and how ously short in terms of the dent that his players and I talk to them directly,” that the girls will definitely “He progress will be mon- ball cricket to a place, it’s never been much he backs people to do that job. At the mental stamina and the crick- would bounce back quipped Raman. work on (and) quite a lot of itored. I don’t think it is a seri- before, to be honest. He’s done that in moment he wants me to open and backs me eting fitness,” Raman said at strongly. Raman also said that the activities going forward we will ous injury, we might see her quite an incredible way. 100 per cent. So that gives me a lot of confi- during a virtual post-match “I am sure that the bowlers were not consis- also help them to achieve that. take the field in the T20 series, “Everyone enjoys playing for him. dence. You’re not out till the end and to see a press conference. girls would have realised tent, but refused to blame I am sure it won’t be too long as things stand now,” he The environment that he’s created, the group we side home is a fantastic feeling.” “I mean it’s not easy to what was not happening them. before all of them get into their signed off. ! )2;+2 =  ,  eal Madrid avoided (    another early Champions RLeague exit on Tuesday by beating Atalanta 3-1 to win  .  the tie 4-1 on aggregate and " > #   #  reach the quarter-finals for the ! +3) first time in three years. 7  1  )!    Sergio Ramos marked his latan Ibrahimovic looks set to face Manchester return from injury by convert- The 35-year-old Modric ZUnited in AC Milan’s Europa League showdown ing a penalty after Karim and Toni Kroos were dominant with the English giants on Thursday as the resur- Benzema continued his scoring in the absence of the suspend- gent Rossoneri aim to announce their return to the streak by capitalising on a glar- ed Casemiro. big stage. ing error from Atlanta goal- “I feel 27!” joked Modric. The Swede should be in good spirits after keeper Marco Sportiello. “The years on your passport announcing his return to International football after Sportiello’s scuffed clear- don’t matter, it’s about what you nearly five years away on Tuesday, and appears to ance in the first half resulted in do on the pitch.” be winning the race to face his old club in the sec- Benzema being given an easy How Madrid’s veterans ond leg of their last-16 clash at the San Siro. finish at the Alfredo di Stefano would fare against more pol- %  -1 The tie is locked at 1-1, with Milan having the stadium and after an electric ished opposition remains to be slight advantage thanks to Simon Kjaer’s stoppage- start, Atalanta never really seen, after they came up short time away goal in the first leg at Old Trafford last recovered. against Manchester City last Budapest: Kevin De Bruyne’s blister- City has only ever gone beyond the week. Luis Muriel pulled one year and Ajax the year before ing strike set Manchester City on its way quarterfinals once in nine Champions Italian media reported on Tuesday that the vet- back for the visitors late on but that, both in the last 16. to a 2-0 win over Borussia League campaigns, and never under eran forward trained with the rest of the Milan any hopes of a comeback were Also they will be unlikely Monchengladbach and a place in the Guardiola since he arrived as manag- squad and should be available for the first time quickly dashed as substitute to benefit from the same gen- quarterfinals of the Champions League er in 2016. This might be the team’s best since he left his side’s 2-1 win at Roma with a thigh Marco Asensio fired in a third erosity Atalanta afforded them for the fourth straight season under Pep chance given its form — make that 24 injury at the end of last month. for Madrid. across the two legs. Guardiola on Tuesday. wins in the last 25 games in all com- With 14 goals in 14 league games, the 39-year- Zinedine Zidane’s side will Remo Freuler’s red card The Belgium midfielder unleashed petitions — and the fact Guardiola has old was a major reason behind Milan occupying be in Friday’s draw for the last and a late goal spoiled the a first-time shot from the edge of the an injury-free squad at his disposal. top spot in Serie A for large periods of this season eight and with their old guard Italians’ night in Bergamo and area that flew in off the underside of the Gladbach bade farewell to the and his return to Old Trafford for the fit and firing again, they will be it was individual errors from crossbar in the 12th minute, virtually Champions League and the team is first leg had been highly anticipat- hopeful of exceeding what are Sportiello and then Rafael ending Gladbach’s hopes of comeback unlikely to return to the competition ed before he picked up his injury. now dampened expectations of Toloi for the penalty that let after the German team lost the first leg for at least a year and a half, having However to ensure passage to La Liga’s reigning champions. them down again here. 2-0 three weeks ago. dropped to 10th place in the the last eight, Milan will need to “We showed tonight how      *   1     46  “We started strong and Ilkay Gundogan added a second Bundesliga on the back of a losing run turn around a dismal recent much hunger there still is in   P * *    " we were succeeding with our goal by finishing off a flowing team since it was announced that coach record at the San Siro which has this team,” said Luka Modric. pressing,” said Muriel. “It’s a move in the 18th minute and the Marco Rose would be leaving at the contributed to their slipping “We can go far. How far let’s see hour in his second appearance games and 70th in the shame because from our two Premier League leaders had no prob- end of the season to join nine points behind Serie A but today was an important since recovering from a knee Champions League, making mistakes came the two goals lem securing a seventh straight clean Dortmund. It’s now seven leaders Inter Milan having step.” injury while Benzema’s goal him only the fifth player to that cut our legs from under sheet in the competition to seal a 4-0 defeats in a row in all been top themselves lit- Ramos played just over an was his eighth in as many reach that number. us.” win on aggregate. competitions. AP tle more than a month ago.