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     %% %)   ".1 agitation by blocking all entry A day after Shah’s talks the State Governments can be including Congress, NCP, met the President. Opposition parties for an in- points to the national Capital. with farm leaders ended in a given the power to register such DMK, CPI(M) and CPI, urged The memorandum said depth discussion on farm Bills accepted and bills were passed peacefully, expressing their Farmers’ unions insisted on deadlock, the Government on traders and make rules keeping the President to persuade the more than 20 different politi- and that it should be sent to in hurry”. unhappiness. It is the duty of their demand to repeal the Wednesday sent a draft pro- in mind the local situation of Government “not to be obdu- cal parties, including many select committee, “but unfor- “In this cold, the farmers the Government to resolve this three farm laws. They also posal to farmers unions to farmers. rate” and accept the demand of parties running State tunately, no suggestion was are on the streets protesting issue,” he said. threatened to block the Jaipur- allay their concerns about the Delhi highway on December 12 three farm laws. The and hold protest demonstra- Government has proposed to tions in many parts of the make the necessary amend-      country on December 14. ments on at least seven issues, Terming the proposal as including one to allay fears “vague” and an insult to farm- about the weakening of the      ers, Krantikari Kisan Union mandi system. president Darshan Pal said, The Government proposed “We will block the Delhi-Jaipur to include registration provi- highway and sit on dharna at all sion of private traders for trad-   ()   the toll plazas of the country on ing outside regulated mandi, December 12… No tax to be bring in equal taxes for APMC ** %   67879:0 Rajokri NH 8, paid on that day at any toll mandis and private markets to Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam plaza… We will also gherao all provide a level playing field and s the farmers’ unions on Vihar and Dundahera Borders. district headquarters during allow higher courts of appeal in AWednesday rejected the “Singhu, Auchandi, Piao our nationwide protest on contract farming disputes. Government’s proposal to Maniyari, Mangesh borders December 14. We have asked In its draft proposal, the resolve their issues and threat- are closed. NH-44 is closed on the people to protest against Government also said it is en to cut off the national both sides. Take alternate every MP and MLA of the BJP.” ready to provide a written Capital, the Delhi Police on has routes via Lampur, Safiabad, Farmers said that there assurance that the existing suggested alternative routes to Saboli, NH8/Bhopra/Apsara will be sit-ins across the coun- Minimum Support Price commuters entering or exiting borders/peripheral expressway,” try and will boycott (MSP) system will continue. Delhi. the Traffic Police tweeted. Reliance/Adani/ Ambani estab- In the proposal, sent by The Delhi Traffic Police Traffic has been diverted lishments/products across the Agriculture Ministry Joint alerted commuters that the from Mukarba and GTK road country. Secretary Vivek Aggarwal to 13 Tikri, Jharoda, Dhansa Borders and commuters should avoid Soon after farmers reject- farmers’ unions, the are closed for any traffic move- Outer Ring Road, GTK road, ed the Government’s proposal, Government said is ready to ment. “Jhatikara Borders is NH-44, it said. Union Agriculture Minister consider with an open heart the open only for two wheelers and “Chilla Border one car- Narendra Singh Tomar and objections which farmers have pedestrian movement,” it riageway from Delhi to Noida Consumer Affairs Minister on the new farm laws. tweeted. has been opened for traffic Piyush Goyal held a meeting On farmers’ fear that man- The police also said those however other carriageway with Home Minister Amit dis would weaken after the new travelling to Haryana can take from Noida to Delhi is still Shah at his residence. The laws, the Government said an $ %       &     %       %   ' (& )     &%" Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, closed,” it tweeted. Q
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%  :)680A)$: nizance of the “police laxity”, Rajpura-resident Dipesh Patiala Senior Superintendent Grover, and Shamaspur-resi- day after the Excise of Police (SSP) Vikram Jeet dent Karaj Singh — were O' P  
 34 5    6  P ADepartment in Rajpura of Duggal on Wednesday said arrested. A tank, having dis- Patiala district busted illegal that there was a zero-tolerance tilled illegal liquor, was also Rajpura: Following Punjab Prasad said that following would remain more vigilant employee would be spared. been fined. liquor bottling unit, the Punjab policy towards spurious liquor recovered. Government’s crackdown the directions of the Chief while importing it from the Responding to a media Agarwal added that such Police on Wednesday sus- and no police officer would be The Rajpura city police against the illicit trade of Minister, under Operation factories. query, Prasad said that action was being taken by the pended a Station House Officer spared in Patiala district for has booked four persons — liquor in the state under Red Rose against the illicit Excise Commissioner Rajpura and Shambhu areas Excise Department and the (SHO) from Rajpura police showing leniency in dealing Dipesh Kumar Grover (arrest- Operation Red Rose, the state’s trade of liquor in the state, the Agarwal appealed to the peo- were adjacent to Haryana and police across the state and station for laxity. At the same with crime control in the dis- ed), Karaj Singh (arrested), excise revenue has increased excise revenue of the state has ple of Punjab to immediately such a factory may have been crackdown on such illicit time, notices were issued to trict. Hardeep Singh and Gurpreet by 29 percent over the previ- increased by 29 percent over report the illicit trade of liquor set up near the National liquor manufacturers and Superintendent of Police The development comes Singh and some others uniden- ous year. the previous year. on the helpline number 98759- Highway due to strictures on bootleggers in Tarn Taran, (Detective), Deputy four months after a shocking tified under sections 420, 465, Informing this, the state “Due to the increase in the 61126 of the Excise transportation of ENA, but Beas, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Superintendent of Police hooch tragedy incident, that 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Financial Commissioner (Tax) sale of liquor, the Excise Department. “This factory has nobody will be spared, if Amritsar etc. Rajpura, DSP (Detective) and claimed around 113 lives, Code and sections 61, 78 A Venu Prasad, who along Department has, for the first also been caught on the basis found in indulged in this grey “However, major action Crime Investigation Agency shook the state. (2)/1/14 of Excise Act. with Excise Commissioner time increased the quota of of confidential information,” business. has also been taken against the (CIA) in-charge. The excise officials said Dipesh was out on bail for Rajat Agarwal visited the site liquor by 15 percent that he said adding that the people’s He said that the matter is culprits in the rural area. So In a late-night raid, the that a tanker of Extra Neutral his alleged involvement in in Rajpura where the Excise resulted in increase of revenue co-operation is must to erad- being investigated thorough- far, about 13,000 cases have police unearthed an illegal Thanol (20,000 litres), 43 cases operating another illegal liquor Department and Excise Police of Rs 785 Crore,” he said. icate grey business. ly and it would be ascertained been registered and 11,000 liquor factory finding 20,000 of illegal Country Made Liquor manufacturing unit that was seized an illicit liquor bottling Prasad said that the Excise He said that as per the where the liquor was sup- persons have been arrested,” litres of ENA, holograms, bot- (with labeling to Punjab Rasila busted in Ghanour block of plant, said that the policy of Department had already roped Chief Minister’s strict orders, plied. he said adding that the tles, caps, labels being used to Santra), labels, corks and seal- Patiala in May this year. He was ‘Zero Tolerance’ adopted by in stringent measures like the Government and the Replying to another ques- Department has also roped in fill the liquor under the name ing machine has been recov- the kingpin of an illegal liquor the Punjab Government installation of GPRS on trans- Department had made it clear tion, he said that the its own confidential sources to of country-made liquor ered from the manufacturing factory busted at Shambu in towards the trade of counter- porting vehicles that used to that no one, involved in the Department has also raided get the information of the brands. unit-cum-godown. Patiala district, said the police feit and illicit liquor is being carry ENA but to check the business of counterfeit or illic- and inspected the distilleries persons involved in such busi- Taking a serious cog- In the raid, two persons — official. strictly followed. pilferage more minutely, we it liquor or any official or and some factories have also ness. ++" 5  P   '+&%     1 !%,!   2  

%  :)680A)$: wing president Gurmeet Singh Jakhar and Chief Minister's probe into the liquor mafia leadership as well as the ) R    Q  R Meet Hayer. OSD Sandeep Sandhu clearly operations in the Chief Gandhi family and only a am Aadmi Party (AAP) on He said that on Tuesday indicated that the liquor smug- Minister Capt Amarinder probe by a sitting judge of the %  :)680A)$: community, and in all fairness, ening of the mandi system. AWednesday minced no night, yet another liquor fac- glers were being offered cover Singh’s home district of Patiala, Punjab and Haryana High the protestors should have Earlier in the day, the Union words to say that the tory was unearthed at Rajpura, from the Chief Minister's SAD on Wednesday said that Court can expose this nexus,” ubbing the farmers’ decision accepted the offer,” he said. Minister of State for Commerce unearthing of an illicit liquor alleging that the accused Office. the unearthing of an illegal dis- he said. Dto reject the Centre’s pro- The BJP leader suggested and Industry Som Parkash had factory at Rajpura, a day before, Deepesh Kumar Grover and “If Captain cannot dare to tillery of the “gang” which had Grewal alleged that illegal posal to amend the new farm that the farmers should with- stted that the ongoing farmers’ in the home district of Punjab Karaj Singh, who were arrest- take action against his MLAs been busted six months back distilleries as well as cross-bor- laws as “unfortunate”, Punjab BJP draw their agitation in view of protest is in favour of neither the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder ed by the police, were close and OSDs, who are behind proved that the liquor mafia in der liquor smuggling was president Ashwani Sharma on the offer made by the Centre. country nor Punjab and the Singh, and “close links of the associates of Congress MLAs promoting liquor smuggling, Punjab continued to thrive flourishing in Patiala because Wednesday urged the protesting Notably, the farmer leaders farmers should end the agitation arrested persons with Congress Kamboj, Jalalpur and MP he should step down as the due to support from the very the Chief Minister had not farmers to review their decision. rejected the Central Govern- and accept the Centre’s propos- leaders — Rajpura MLA Preneet Kaur. Chief Minister owning respon- top. given clear cut directions to “It is unfortunate that ment’s proposal on the three con- al “if most of their demands are Hardyal Kamboj, Ghanaur Hayer alleged that even sibility for the menace,” he said “It is shocking that an State excise and police officials farmer leaders have rejected the tentious agriculture-marketing met”.“If most of their demands MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur and during the lockdown, illegal while declaring that AAP accused – Dipesh Kumar, who to go after Congress legislators proposed amendments to the laws, saying that they would are considered by the Centre the Chief Minister's wife and liquor factories were busted would gherao Capt Amarinder was the right hand man of of his home district who were three agriculture bills,” said intensify their agitation against then they should conclude the Patiala MP Preneet Kaur — from Rajpura in which Grover's and Preneet Kaur's palace if Congress Rajpura legislator patronizing the mafia ele- Sharma adding that the Centre the legislations with a nationwide agitation,” he added.A day before, proves that the illicit liquor has name had cropped up. “The the Government failed to ini- Hardyal Kamboj, has been ments. has addressed all the major protest on December 14. leaders of farmer unions held a the patronage of the Capt gov- accused is out on bail and again tiate stringent action against nabbed yet again for the second “The Chief Minister has, in concerns about the minimum The Centre has proposed meeting with Union Home ernment”. running illicit liquor trade the Congress MLAs and lead- time in six months for the same this process, not only caused a support price (MSP) and the to give a “written assurance” Minister Amit Shah, Agriculture “The ruling Congress because the government did ers. crime,” said former minister loss of hundreds of crores to the mandi system in the proposed that the existing MSP regime Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, party’s Ministers and MLAs are not take action against its loyal Maheshinder Singh Grewal State exchequer but has also amendments which the “farm- for procurement will continue. and Commerce Minister Piyush hand in glove with the liquor ones,” he added. SAD DEMANDS JUDICIAL adding that it was clear that become a party to supplying ers should accept with grace”. It has also proposed to make Goyal at Shah’s residence, over mafia calling the shots in the He said that the pictures of PROBE INTO LIQUOR Dipesh have no fear of law. slow poison in the name of “The respect for farmers has necessary amendments on at their demands regarding the state,” alleged AAP MLA from the arrested accused with MAFIA OPERATIONS “It is a clear case of patron- liquor to the people of the area,” prompted the Centre to address least seven issues, including one three agricultural laws that were Barnala and party’s state youth Congress president Sunil Demanding a judicial age from the top Congress he said. the issues which affected the to allay fears about the weak- passed earlier in September. 
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 With 16 more succumbing to been collected Chautala on Wednesday sepa- support from all sections, a of big companies and guarding 46 ' #:&" )), " 6        the deadly contagion in the past for COVID-19 rately met protesting farmers at family from a village in Punjab’s :  ; ?5 ) /  " their financial interests, Punjab 24 hours, the state’s death toll testing so far Tikri border saying that the Muktsar district has extended Congress president Sunil 

  from COVID-19 rose to 4,980, in the state, it entire country stands with the support to the farmers’
#& Jakhar on Wednesday said that while 617 fresh cases pushed said. them against the Centre’s new cause in a unique way. gun’ to the couple. in last 20 days, the Central *P   the infection tally to 1,57,928 cases of the novel coronavirus farm laws.Selja, who had met In an apparent attempt to The incident took place at Government had enhanced "       on Wednesday. HARYANA REGISTERS 26 and a recovery rate of 94.20 the farmers near Singhu border, make a notable contribution in the wedding reception of rates of petrol and diesel 20  "" "  As per the state health bul- MORE COVID-19 DEATHS, percent. extended full support to their the farmers’ struggle, a family Abhijeet Singh, nephew of times. letin, six new deaths were 1400 FRESH CASES ongoing agitation. at Sheikhu village in Muktsar Sheikhu village sarpanch “It clearly reflects that 
     reported from Jalandhar; two Twenty-six more people 83 FRESH CASES, ONE Interacting with farmers, district placed a donation box Jasdeep Singh Brar, held on Modi’s priority is big compa-    each from Mohali and Tarn succumbed to the novel coro- DEATH RECORDED IN she said: “It is extremely unfor- at a wedding reception func- December 7 at the village. nies rather than common Taran; and one each from navirus in Haryana, bringing CHANDIGARH tunate that the “annadata” tion, asking the invitees not to “We have collected around man…Modi Government has ,   Barnala, Ludhiana, Pathankot, the death toll to 2,650, while Chandigarh on Wednesday (farmers) of our country are give “shagun” to the newly- Rs one lakh and will in a day not only increased the rates of Patiala, Rupnagar and Sangrur. 1,400 fresh cases raised the reported 83 fresh coronavirus compelled to agitate on the weds but to donate for the or two go to the Delhi borders petrol and diesel but the cyclin- There are 7,325 active State's infection tally to 2,48,079 cases, taking the infection roads in this cold weather, but ongoing farmers’ protest at the and, after finding out what is der of domestic LPG gas has diesel,” he said. COVID-19 cases in the state, as on Wednesday. count to 18,322, while one the Central Government is Delhi border. needed by the farmers there, also been enhanced by Rs 50 Jakhar said that increase in of now—accounting for 4.64 As per the state health more death pushed the toll to adamant on its stand…The A short video clip of the buy those items and give them thereby putting a huge burden price of petrol and diesel was percent. department's daily bulletin, the 297. The city has 897 active government should immedi- reception, also shared by there and then,” said Jasdeep on common man,” he added. making it difficult for every Among districts, Mohali new fatalities included eight COVID-19 cases, according ately repeal these black laws.” Punjabi singer Kanwar Grewal Singh Brar. Punjab Congress chief said strata of society to survive reported highest 125 fresh from Faridabad, five from to a medical bulletin. Selja, a former Union on his Facebook page, is being Punjab Finance Minister that the decisions taken by the whereas LPG’s hike has made cases, followed by 70 in Hisar, three each from Jhajjar, A total of 147 patients Minister, alleged that the BJP- going viral on the social media, Manpreet Singh Badal and Centre were affecting the it difficult for common man to Jalandhar and 64 in Amritsar. Gurugram, two each from were discharged after they led Government at the Centre wherein the DJ is appealing to Punjab Deputy Speaker Ajaib common man, farmers, poor, even run their kitchen. A total of 530 patients Rohtak, Fatehabad and one recovered from the infection, is adopting a dictatorial atti- the gathering to put the ‘sha- Singh Bhatti attended the mar- shopkeepers, and other sec- He demanded that the were discharged after recover- each from Bhiwani, Ambala taking the number of cured tude. It neither heard the oppo- gun’ amount in the donation riage and also gave ‘shagun’, that tions of society. “On one hand, Union Government should ing from the infection, taking and Sonepat districts. persons to 17,128, the bulletin sition’s nor the farmers’ voice box.In the video, the special “we put it in the donation box. the Centre is ignoring the voice immediately roll back the hike the recovery count to 1,45,623 Among the districts which said. As many as 1,55,643 sam- and “imposed these black laws ‘donation box’ was shown We have 50 acres of land. of lakhs of farmers who are sit- in price of LPG, petrol and at the recovery rate of 92.21 reported a big spike in fresh ples have been taken for test- on the peasants”, she claimed. inside the venue, next to the Besides we are commission ting at Delhi to demand revok- diesel. “Likewise, respecting percent. COVID-19 cases included ing so far and of them, 1,36,480 INLD secretary general dance floor, with the DJ mak- agents. This is the least which ing of anti-farmers agriculture the public sentiment, the anti- Twenty-two critical Gurugram (436) and Faridabad tested negative while reports of Abhay Singh Chautala also ing an appeal to the guests to we can contribute from our laws, and on the other hand, it farmers bill must also be COVID-19 patients are on (218). 156 samples were awaited, as reached Tikri border to extend donate money for the farmers side towards our farmer broth- is burdening the common man revoked immediately,” he ventilator support while 155 are Haryana has 11,733 active per the bulletin. support to farmers'' agitation. instead of giving gifts or ‘sha- ers,” he added. with massive hike in petrol and added. ) ! / 0      "  )

        Wi-Fi hotspots, coffee booth, be followed to ensure the safe- three slots — from 9:30 am to Based on the experience and allowed after screening. purchasing Zoo entry tickets.         
  "  # control room, selfie points, ty of visitors, employees, work- 11:30 am, 12 noon to 2 pm, and feedback, hop-on hop-off sys- To provide the minimum The Entry tickets will be valid new rest room, hassle-free ers and animals in Zoo,” he 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. “There will tem may be considered to be essential eatables for the visi- only for two hours after the
   %"  "     parking, touch-free hand wash said. be half an hour breaks for san- opened later for individual vis- tors, the Zoo administration is entry inside zoo.      '  and sanitizer dispensers, etc Sudhagar said that the Zoo itization at 11:30 am, and 2 pm, itor,” he said. planning to operate a canteen “All visitors shall compul-    ' %     have been added in the zoo for will be opened for public for six and the zoo’s entry would close To prevent the spread of inside zoo to serve the packed sorily pass over the medicated (   the visitors, he said. days a week, and remain close at 4:30 pm,” said Sudhagar. contamination and to maintain food items, bottled drinking foot-mat at the entrance of the Considering the COVID- on Monday. The entry for vis- He said that the tickets for self-hygiene, medicated foot water, tea, coffee etc with all the Zoo. Visitors shall undergo %  :)680A)$:51)1 lators of the protocol or rules 19 pandemic, the Zoo admin- itors will be allowed from 9:30 zoo entry, parking, battery mat, touch-free sensor based safety norms. body temperature scanning 6)A)$ will have to shell out Rs 500. istration has decided to tem- am to 4:30 pm, instead of ear- operated carts etc can be hand wash facilities have been The zoo administration while entering zoo premises. Sharing the information, porarily close the Reptile lier schedule of 9 am to 5 pm. booked through online book- provided in zoo entry and has also issued guidelines for All visitors shall strictly main- eopening for the general MC Zoological Park, Chhatbir, House, Nocturnal house, “To ensure the optimal ing, the link for which has been other strategic points. Apart the visitors. “Visitors shall tain social distance while in Rpublic amidst COVID days field director M Sudhagar said Wildlife Safari (Lion safari and carrying capacity in the Zoo at provided in the zoo website — from these, touch-free sanitiz- come to zoo only when they do zoo. Avoid touching barricades from Thursday (December 10), that the Punjab Government Deer safari). Besides, the facil- any point of time, the number chhatbirzoo.gov.in. er dispensers have been not have cough, cold, and fever and other surfaces in zoo so as the world renowned Chhatbir has approved the proposal of ities like Cloak Room, Luggage of visitors entering zoo has Apart from this, cashless installed in all the important symptoms. Adults above 65 to minimize chances of spread Zoo has laid down with strict Department of Forests and or Locker Room has also been been regulated. Maximum of transactions through QR code facilities of zoo. years and children below five and contamination. Movement COVID-19 protocol for the Wildlife Preservation and given withdrawn temporarily, thus 2,700 visitors will be allowed to system and PoS machines will For sanitization of barri- years of age are requested not should be along designated safety of zoo visitors, employ- go ahead for the reopening of advising the visitors not to visit the zoo in a single day till also be available in zoo book- cades, railings outside the ani- to visit the zoo till the normalcy visitor path only and avoid ees, and animals including Chhatbir Zoo on December 10. carry any luggage or any such the normalcy returns. Only a ing counter for those visitors mal enclosures, public ameni- returns in the zoo,” said the Zoo diversions or shortcuts. Visitors cashless and online sale of “The visitors will get the articles requiring these facili- limited number of timed tick- who are unable to do online ties (toilets, drinking water field director. shall avoid spitting in open tickets, only two-hour visit opportunity to see Tiger cubs ties. ets will be available in different booking at home. points, rain shelters, leisure He said that all the visitors areas of zoo. None shall not time, 2,700 visitors a day with — Amar, Arjun and Dilnoor — “Keeping in view of the slot to ensure staggered entry “Initially Battery Operated points etc), a dedicated should compulsorily wear face chew pan masala, gutka and staggered entry, providing on display for the first time. public demand and the and social distancing. The Carts (Ferry) with charter Disinfection Squad has been masks while entering the zoo khaini and spit in zoo premis- medicated mats, touch-free Also, the Indian Fox with her Government’s recent guide- entry tickets will be valid only (reserved) system will only be deputed and there will be fre- premises. “In case, they forget es,” he said. hand wash and sanitizer dis- new born pups will be on pub- lines, the zoo administration for two hours after the entry,” allowed for family or related quent breaks or closure in to carry the facemask, they can Sudhagar added that all pensers at strategic points with lic display for the first time,” he has worked out the Standard he said. persons, who may reserve a full using the facilities. purchase facemask, the counter visitors shall be under the strict a dedicated disinfection squad said. Operating Procedure (SOP) to As per the schedule, the cart at the prescribed rate. Single use plastic will not for which has been created at monitoring and the violators of to disinfect the premises dur- Apart from this, many new prepare towards re-opening of Zoo’s entry will open at 9:30 Social distance norms and safe- be allowed inside zoo, while the entrance of Zoo,” he added. any of the guidelines shall be ing break. facilities and amenities such as Chhatbir Zoo and its facilities am, and maximum of 900 vis- ty measures will be followed by plastic water bottles and med- Only cashless and online imposed fine of minimum Rs That was not all! The vio- Mom and Baby care room, free for the visitors which need to itors will be allowed to enter in the operator as per guidelines. icine containers may be booking will be allowed for 500 per violation per head.   !"#$"$" - %&  
 %'     


tered an FIR on the basis of a sion of USD 5.76 Million to a Ltd. and KRBL DMCC to 0   reference received from Chief middleman named Vipin receive Proceeds of Crime 3 0! 4       Controller, R&D (R&M) and Khanna for influencing the (PoC) which were finally
  DS, Defence Research and said contract in its favour. The received in the bank account of %  67879:0 Avtar Singh Pannun (New York, Justice, a secessionist outfit Indian State by instigating Sikh Development Organisation said kickbacks of USD 5.76 KRBL Ltd in which he is one of USA) Gurpreet Singh Baagi floated in the garb of ‘Human personnel in the Indian army  49) (DRDO), Department of Million were routed by the Directors, it further he National Investigation (UK) Harpreet Singh alias Rana Rights advocacy group’ with its to rise up in mutiny against Defence Research and Embraer SA, Brazil through its said. TAgency (NIA) on Singh ( New York, USA) offices in various foreign coun- India. %  67879:0 Development, Defence subsidiaries to Interdev Investigation conducted by Wednesday filed a chargesheet Paramjit Singh alias Pamma tries like the USA, Canada, the SFJ is also trying to radi- Ministry with regard to the Aviation Services Pte Ltd, the ED so far resulted in against 16 foreign-based (UK), Sarabjit Singh Bannur UK, Australia etc, is a frontal calize youth of Kashmir and he Enforcement allegations that Embraer was Singapore in lieu of sham issuance of provisional attach- Khalistanis in Referendum (UK), Amardeep Singh Purewal organization of Khalistan ter- openly extending support for TDirectorate (ED) has filed being investigated by authori- agreement," the ED said in a ment order of proceeds of 2020 ( Sikhs for Justice) Case. (California, USA), J S Dhaliwal rorist outfits operating from for- secession of Kashmir from a Prosecution Complaint ties of US and Brazil for alleged statement. crime in the form of immov- The chargesheet was filed (Canada), Kulwant Singh eign soils including Pakistan," India, the agency alleged. (chargesheet in police par- employment of an agent in The kickbacks to the tune able properties worth Rs 16.29 before the NIA Special Court Mothada (UK) Dupinderjit the NIA said in a statement. Based on the dossiers pro- lance) against Embraer SA, facilitating the contract for of around USD 3.275 million crore belonging to KRBL Ltd. here under various Indian Singh (UK), Hardeep Singh It further said, "Under this vided by NIA and other agen- Brazil and others in a graft AEW&C Project with were further routed from The provisional attach- Penal Code Sections relating to Nijjar (Canada), Kulwant Singh campaign, numerous social cies, the chief patrons of SFJ case. CABS/DRDO for procurement Interdev Aviation Services Pte. ment order has been con- criminal conspiracy and sedi- alias Kanta (UK), Harjaap Singh media accounts on FaceBook, namely Gurpatwant Singh Besides Embraer, others of three fully modified EMB- Ltd. to KRBL DMCC, Dubai (a firmed by the Adjudicating tion among others besides pro- alias Japhi Singh (California, Twitter, Whatsapp, YouTube Pannun, Hardeep Singh Nijjar named in the chargesheet are 145 aircraft. 100 per cent owned subsidiary Authority under PMLA. visions of Unlawful Activities USA), Sarabjit Singh alias Sabi Channels and a number of and Paramjit Singh alias Embraer subsidiary Interdev Based on the FIR of the of KRBL Ltd.) in lieu of sham Possession of the con- (Prevention) Act, 1967. Singh (California, USA), websites have been launched, Pamma have already been des- Aviation Services Pte Ltd., CBI, the ED had initiated agreement to finally reach India firmed attached properties have The case relates to orga- Jatinder Singh Grewal, (Canada) which are being used to prop- ignated as ‘Terrorist’ under Anoop Kumar Gupta (director investigation under the provi- through KRBL Ltd. projecting also been taken by ED. nized conspiracy by the and S Himmat Singh (New agate sedition as well as enmi- UA (P) Act. of KRBL Limited), KRBL sions of Prevention of Money the same as untainted money, Now Prosecution accused for launching a con- York, USA). ty on the grounds of region and During the course of inves- Limited, Anurag Potdar Laundering Act (PMLA). it further said. Complaint has been filed certed secessionist campaign The chargesheeted accused religion, to radicalise impres- tigation, the NIA identified (nephew of Anoop Kumar "Investigation under Further, investigation before the designated court under the banner of are members of Sikh for Justice, sionable youth, to cause dis- immovable properties belonging Gupta) and others before PMLA has revealed that under PMLA revealed that here seeking confiscation of ‘Referendum 2020’ for cre- an organization declared as turbance to peace and harmo- to terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Special Judge (PMLA) Embraer SA Brazil obtained the Anoop Kumar Gupta, Director attached assets to the tune of Rs ation of so called ‘Khalistan’. ‘Unlawful Association’ under ny and to raise funds for ter- Pannun in Amritsar, here. contract for supply of aircraft of KRBL Limited signed the 16.29 crore apart from award- The chargesheeted accused UA (P) Act. rorist activities." Punjab and terrorist Hardeep The Central Bureau of to Indian Air Force for USD sham agreement between ing punishment to the accused are Gurpatwant Singh Pannun "Investigation in the case SFJ has been attempting to Singh Nijjar in Jalandhar, Investigation (CBI) had regis- 210 million and paid commis- Interdev Aviation Services Pte. persons. (resident of New York, USA), has revealed that Sikhs for undermine the security of the Punjab.   /P 339:+ %     -  0)E6    *   E   Under the Atmanirbhar statement said. employees in establishments sea submarine optical fibre Bharat Rojgar Yojana, the The Cabinet has approved employing up to 1,000 employ- cable to provide high-speed    ) H)
) 4  HE Government will for two years an expenditure of Rs 1,584 ees for two years. broadband to Lakshadweep, provide employee and employ- crore for the current financial PM Wi-Fi Access Network he said. The project, approved %  67879:0    er contribution to the retire- year and Rs 22,810 crore for the Interface (PM WANI) would by the Union Cabinet, entails ment fund for new hires by entire Scheme period - 2020- unleash a massive Wi-Fi revo- provision of a direct commu- aking objection to the so- 4 )60  businesses and entities, Labour 2023, it added. lution in the country, Prasad nication link through a dedi- Tcalled “inaccurate” depic- Minister Santosh Gangwar Under the scheme, the said. This would entail a com- cated submarine Optical Fibre tion of the service in a film, the %  67879:0 said. The scheme would till government will provide sub- plete framework involving mul- Cable (OFC) between Kochi IAF has written to Netflix to 2023 entail an outgo of Rs sidy for two years in respect of tiple elements -- Public Data and 11 islands of Lakshadweep delete the objectionable scenes he Union Cabinet on 22,810 crore and would bene- new employees engaged on or Office (PDO), Public Data -- Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agati, before the film is released. TWednesday approved a fit around 58.5 lakh employees. after October 1, 2020,and up to Office Aggregators and app Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Titled ‘AK vs AK,’ it has a star 22,810-crore outlay for a new "The Union Cabinet, June 30, 2021, Labour Minister providers. "No licence, no reg- Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, cast including Anil Kapoor. employment scheme — chaired by the Prime Minister Santosh Gangawar said in a istration, and no fee would be Kiltan and Kadmat. In its letter, the IAF has Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Narendra Modi has given its briefing on the Cabinet deci- applicable for the PDOs, which "The estimated cost of raised objection to “inaccurate Yojana — that aims at encour- approval for Atmanirbhar sion. could be small shops or even implementation is about Rs donning” of its uniform and aging businesses to do fresh Bharat Rojgar Yojana to boost The Government will pay Common Service 1,072 crore including opera- the language used by actor hiring. employment in formal sector both 12 per cent employees' Centres,"Telecom Minister tional expenses for 5 years. The Anil Kapoor in the trailer of the The Cabinet also approved and incentivize creation of new contribution and 12 per cent Ravi Shankar Prasad told project would be funded by film. Kapoor has since apolo- a framework for the prolifera- employment opportunities employers' contribution i.E. 24 reporters after the meeting of Universal Service Obligation gised. said. ministry. Until last month, tion of public Wi-Fi networks during the COVID recovery per cent of basic wages towards the Cabinet. Fund," an official release said. “The IAF uniform in this The post also read: "This there was no law or through the PM WANI phase under Atmanirbhar EPF (employees provident The Cabinet has also The project is expected to be video is inaccurately donned does not conform to the behav- autonomous body governing scheme. Bharat Package 3.0," an official fund) in respect of new approved the laying of under- completed by May 2023. and the language used is inap- ioural norms of those in the digital content. The govern- propriate. This does not con- Armed Forces of India. The ment regulations also apply to form to the behavioural norms related scenes need to be with- news on social media platforms of those in the armed forces of drawn. @NetflixIndia such as Facebook, Twitter and 4O  $*   O  ./4 India. The related scenes need @anuragkashyap72." Instagram. to be withdrawn,” the IAF Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap In October, the Supreme %  67879:0 Elections were held in 21 districts of "Besides Pilot, four state ministers On the possible outcome of the gov- tweeted. and Netflix India were tagged Court had sought the centre's Rajasthan for the ' 'Panchayat Samiti' and also lost saw the loss of 'Zila Parishad' ernment-farmers talk, Javadekar said The promo also drew sharp in the tweet. response on a petition for reg- n the backdrop of the ongoing nego- 'Zila parishad' with the BJP cornering a seats in their respective constituencies", the question should be addressed to responses from the veteran Recently, IAF had also ulating over-the-top or OTT Itiations between the Government lion's share of the seats. On the ongoing said Javadekar. agriculture Minister Narendra community on social media. objected to the negative por- platforms by an autonomous and the farmers on the new farm laws talks on the demand of farmers, He listed BJP's success in SinghTomar, leading the negotiations. The movie directed by trayal of the force in the Netlflix body. The top court had issued passed by the Centre, the BJP on Javadekar said, " Government is talking Hyderabad local body elections where As the BJP scored over the Congress Vikramaditya Motwane is movie Gunjan Saxena. It had notices to the centre, Ministry Wednesday asserted that the party's win with an open mind...samadhan hoga". he said the party won 49 seats and col- in the Rajasthan local body polls, BJP scheduled to premiere on also objected to the portrayal of of Information and in Rajasthan's 'panchayat samiti' and The BJP leader, however, hastened lected more votes than the ruling president J P Nadda also said that this Netflix on December 24. officers as gender biased in the Broadcasting and Internet and 'zila parishad' elections was a "vote of to say (while answering a question) that 'Telangana Rashtriya Samiti' which victory symbolises the trust the poor, “We have written to Netflix film. Mobile Association of India. approval for agriculture reforms" by the farmers want to "come out of the trap won 55 seats. farmers and labourers have in Modi's and Defence Ministry on the Last month, the govern- In August, the IAF had farmers.The party claimed that the poll of the APMC system". Javadekar said after Bihar assembly leadership. objectionable scenes and fur- ment had issued an order written to the Central Board of results also confirm people's support to Addressing a press conference here victory, the BJP has won Hyderabad and In a tweet, Nadda expressed his ther course of action depends bringing online news portals Film Certification, complaining the "dynamic leadership" of Prime along with the party General Secretary Rajasthan local body polls and is also thanks to women, farmers and other on their response,” an IAF offi- and content providers such as against its "undue negative Minister Narendra Modi. Bhupendra Yadav, the union Minister scoring victory in Arunachal Pradesh rural voters in the Congress-ruled state cial said. We have asked them Netflix, Amazon Prime Video portrayal" in the Netflix movie " About 2.5 crore voters- all kisan- said the margin of victory of BJP can- local polls. for putting "faith" in the BJP. to delete the objectionable and Hotstar under the "Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil from rural Rajasthan- voted in favour of didates in Rajasthan has been big. "Despite Covid 19 , economic prob- The electoral success has come as scenes in the film, the official Information and Broadcasting Girl" farm reforms. Rajasthan local body elec- He said the State Deputy Chief lems and disinformation created by the a shot in the arm for the BJP at a time tions changed the past trend of ruling Minister Sachin Pilot's Tonk 'zila opposition on the farm laws, BJP is when its government at the Centre is party also winning local body polls," said parishad' seat has been won by the BJP. favourite of people .. they are standing locked in a tough bargaining with the Union information and Broadcasting Pilot had recently made overtures behind the party as they know Modi is protesting farmers, demanding roll-    ##$%   and Environment Minister and senior to the BJP following his differences with leading from the front..", claimed the back of three central laws wich, among BJP leader Prakash Javadekar. the state CM Ashok Gehlot. BJP leader . others, allow contract farming.     
  New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Wednesday intervene at this stage as all the seats for the came to the rescue of an 18-year-old student by course were full and moreover, the admission .     '   $" - -   directing the IIT Bombay to grant interim rules had to be followed. admission to him in an engineering course after It had said Siddhant could apply again next
 "   )      he inadvertently lost his seat by clicking on a year for JEE (Advanced).        wrong link in the online admission process. The High Court had initially directed the Hyderabad: Many of the 60 how dedicated you're to com- every country. Siddhant Batra, who hails from Agra, had IIT to consider Siddhant''s petition, after he foreign heads of missions who bat COVID, how focused "There are many vaccines lost his seat for the four-year electrical engi- approached it, as a representation and pass visited the biotech companies you're on helping being produced in countries )0 5 " $66$ neering course in the prestigious IIT Bombay appropriate orders.Siddhant, who had secured in Hyderabad— Bharat Biotech humanity. around the world but there's      67879:0 (ISQ) was collected before the after he "inadvertently" clicked on a "wrong" link All India Rank (AIR) of 270 in JEE Advanced and Biological E — lauded the It is not just commercial or only one country that has the distribution of kits to collect the which was meant to withdraw from the exams and secured admission, claimed in his work being done at the Indian nation first interest. You're manufacturing capacity to pro- yurvedic immunity boost- baseline data, consequently at process. plea that he had clicked the wrong link which facilities for the development of really connecting with the duce sufficient quantities to sat- Aing measures through the 30, 60 and 90th day of the study A bench headed by Justice S K Kaul took was meant to withdraw his seat. Covid-19 vaccines. world and helping all of us," F isfy the demands of citizens in ‘Ayuraksha kit’ have saved front- to capture the various parame- note of the submissions of lawyer Pralhad He intended to freeze the seat, the plea F Svane, Ambassador of Svane told ANI. every country and that's India," line warriors, Delhi cops, from ters at different stages of the Paranjpe on behalf of the student and asked the said.On November 23, a division bench of the Denmark to India, said that Besides the Danish envoy, said Barry O'Farrell. the grip of Covid-19, with just study. IIT Bombay to grant provisional admission to high court dismissed his petition noting that IIT India is not working for com- Australian Ambassador Barry Later in the day, the .48 per cent of the force getting The ayurveda experts him.The bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh had considered his representation and passed mercial or national interest O'Farrell also praised India, Australian envoy also tweeted infected despite being vulner- pointed out that the herbal Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy, issued notice its order. but is also working for coun- saying that it has the manu- while putting up a picture. able to the virus, a study by the intervention has helped in to the prestigious institution and fixed the plea In his petition to the top court, the student tries around the world. facturing capacity to produce "#Hyderabad - the vaccine hub All India Institute of Ayurveda enhancing immunity of police of Siddhant for hearing after winter break. has sought a direction to the IIT to consider his "I was really impressed to sufficient quantities to satisfy of Flag of India - produces a (AIIA) has claimed. personnel, as infection has been Paranjpe said the admission would be sub- case on humanitarian grounds, and requested see how far you have come, the demands of citizens in third of all vaccines manufac- Dr Tanuja Nesari, director as low as .48 per cent of the total ject to final decision of the apex court on the creation of an additional seat to undo his loss. tured globally. from the apex institute under staff. plea of the student. Siddhant, who lives with his grandparents Witnessed first-hand the the Union Ayush Ministry, said The study also analysed The plea was filed in the apex court after the following the death of his parents, in the plea impressive research and man- that for boosting immunity and infection level among the cops Bombay High Court dismissed the petition by said he had worked hard against all odds to crack ufacturing facilities at Bharat increasing quality of life against from Karnataka, Mumbai and noting the submissions of the IIT that it cannot IIT JEE exams. PTI Biotech and Biological E. Coronavirus, the Delhi cops Delhi. Delhi cops who had Limited and the progress India were given the Ayuraksha kit been given Ayuraksha kits is making in its COVID vac- containing 'Kadha' concoction reported least infection, as per cine efforts. Thanks to MEA (herbal tea), 'Sanshmani' tablet the study. The kits are being           India." (made from Giloy), Anu taila ie procured from Indian Medicine "It's a testament to PM's oil to be used as nasal drops and Pharmaceutical Corporation vision who's not only show- four pack of Chyawanprash limited (IMPCL).       !"    casing collaboration but is keen since May. Dr Nesari also talked about to ensure that it's not just India All 80,000 Delhi police 400 patients who were suc- %  67879:0 fatigue (suffered by 90 per cent that receives vaccine but Indian personnel across the 15 districts cessfully recovered from Covid- of respondents), fever (76 per companies play a vital role in of Delhi have been covered, she 19 in their institute through ore eyes are the most signifi- cent) and dry cough (66 per delivering vaccine to the added. ayurveda and only 4 per cent Scant vision-based indicator of cent).Lead author Professor world," said Mahima Datla, "Till date over 2 lakh needed integration with oxygen Covid-19, researchers at the Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Managing Director of the Ayuraksha kits have been dis- and urged the modern allo- Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Vision and Eye Research Institute Biological E Ltd. ANI tributed in two phases with an pathic doctors to work in inte- have said as they found that sore at ARU, said: “This is the first overall compliance of more grated manner to save the peo- eyes were most common when study to investigate the various than 90 per cent. ple from the virus. the participants were infected eye symptoms indicative of con- “To find out its impact, we In fact, pointed out Dr with the virus. beforehand. junctivitis in relation to Covid- took the feedback of the Delhi Nesari, none of the healthcare The study is published in the Eighteen per cent of the peo- 19, their time frame in relation police personnel with the help staff at the AIIA till date has fall- journal BMJ Open ple reported suffering from pho- to other well-known Covid-19 of Public Health Foundation of en ill to the virus as they had Ophthalmology. For the study, tophobia (light sensitivity) as one symptoms and their duration.” India (PHFI) and the results been taking the specified the researchers asked people of their symptoms. This was only While it is important that have been very encouraging," ayurvedic products. She said the who had a confirmed Covid-19 a 5 per cent increase from their ocular symptoms are included in Dr Nesari said, indicating that herbal concoction and tablets diagnosis to answer a question- pre-Covid-19 state. the list of possible Covid-19 there is a wide scope to explore were formulation of time test- naire about their symptoms, Of the 83 respondents, 81 symptoms, we argue that sore the variety of pertinent medi- ed immunity booster herbal and how those compared with per cent reported ocular issues eyes should replace ‘conjunc- cines present in Ayurvedic plants like giloy while medica- before they tested positive. within two weeks of other tivitis’ as it is important to dif- pharmacopoeia which can be tions like anu taila are antimi- The study revealed that 16 Covid-19 symptoms. Of those, ferentiate from symptoms of used more rationally to suit crobial and act as a protective per cent of the participants 80 per cent reported their eye other types of infections, such as every stage of the disease. filter inside the nose and reported the issue as one of their problems lasted less than two bacterial infections, which man- As per Dr Nesari,an throat—the primary entry symptoms. Just 5 per cent report- weeks.The most common ifest as mucous discharge or grit- immune status questionnaire point for the viruses. ed having had the condition reported symptoms overall were ty eyes, she added.   !"#$"$" /

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!   )*        A  $   /)# been neutralised by the security Umar Farooq resident of Sugan ! :;: +<  Kolkata: Former Bengal Chief Minister CHENNAI: Sleuths of the forces in J&K. Out of this 164 Shopian. All the killed terror- Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was on Income Tax Department raid- hree terrorists belonging to were local terrorists and 50 ists were affiliated with pro- Kolkata: BJP president JP Nadda on ning disturbance and inciting people to kill. Wednesday rushed to a private hospital in ed the 100-year old industrial TAl-Badr terror outfit were were foreign terrorists. scribed terror outfit Al-Badr. Wednesday charged the Mamata Banerjee Accusing Chief Minister Mamata South Kolkata following breathing prob- conglomerate Chettinadu killed and five civilians received According to a police Zamir Sadiq Lone in whose Government with “intolerance” and said that Banerjee of “minority appeasement” he said, lems. Group on Wednesday. Taxmen injuries in two different inci- spokesman, after receiving a house the terrorists were hid- the ruling Trinamool Congress would face “I want to remember what Shyama Prasad Bhattacharjee who has been suffering barged into the iconic and dents of terrorist violence in specific input about the pres- ing also received gunshot a stunning defeat at the hands of the saffron Mookherjee had said about discipline and from Chronic obstructive pulmonary dis- opulent Chettinadu Palace, the Pulwama and Baramulla dis- ence of terrorists in Tiken area injuries and was evacuated to outfit in 2021 Assembly elections. tolerance ... it has become all the more rel- ease (COPD) showed drop in saturation residential premises of group tricts of Kashmir on of Pulwama a joint cordon hospital for the treatment of his Nadda who was on Wednesday black- evant in present situation in Bengal,” adding level to 70, hospital sources said adding chairman MAMR Muthiah, Wednesday. and search operation was injuries where his condition is flagged by a section of people in Kolkata how a professor of Jadavpur University was however that his corona report was neg- the adopted son of late M A M In the first incident, three launched by the Pulwama stated to be stable. protesting against the farm laws, said that the sent to jail for forwarding a caricature and ative. Ramaswamy, former chairman Al-Badr terrorists were neu- police, 55RR and 182, 183 BNs In the second incident, at Government of Bengal was so intolerant that how an editor of a newspaper was removed The former Chief Minister who ruled of the Group. tralised by the joint team of CRPF in the area. least four civilians received even the media cannot escape its wrath. from his post for being critical of her. the State for 10 years was being monitored Simultaneous raids were security forces in Tiken area of “During the search opera- splinter injuries in a grenade He was referring to TMC MP Mahua For Bengal Chief Minister Mamata by a board of three doctors and was cur- carried out in more than 50 Pulwama while one civilian, in tion, as the presence of terror- attack in Singhpora area of Moitra’s earlier comment in which she Banerjee....thy name is intolerance,” Nadda rently in the Intensive Care Unit. business premises of the Group whose house terrorists were ists got ascertained they were Pattan in Baramulla district. attacked the Press calling it a community who inaugurated nine party offices in Doctors attending to the veteran which has interests in cement, reportedly hiding, received given opportunity to surrender, Police Spokesman said, at about worth 2 paisa only. Though she apologized Bengal said. CPI(M) leader said “We are treating him. medical colleges, real estate, gunshot injuries during the however, they fired indiscrim- 9.55 a.m terrorists hurled a later she would not withdraw her statement. “There will be no appeasement of any Necessary tests are being conducted at our power generation, steel pro- gunfight. inately upon the joint search grenade upon SSB vehicle at Nadda who arrived in Kolkata in a two- particular community when the BJP will flu clinic, following which we will decide duction, healthcare, coal ter- The killed terrorists were party which was retaliated Singhpora Pattan area of day visit during which he would conduct come to power,” he said adding his party on whether he requires hospitalization.” minal and transportation. The part of groups involved in leading to an encounter”, police Baramulla. organizational meeting with party men at would win 200-plus seats ousting the TMC Later expressing concern for his health details of the raids were yet to many terror crime cases includ- spokesman said. According to a police Diamond Harbour said the people would “lock, stock and barrel.” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote in be released by the IT ing planning & executing sev- In the ensuing encounter, spokesman, the grenade missed throw Mamata Banerjee Government out Attacking the Chief Minister for play- the Twitter wishing him early recovery. Department as the raids were eral major terror attacks on three terrorists were killed and the intended target and explod- because of its intolerance saying the “BJP ing to the minority gallery he reminded how “Concerned to hear that former Chief continuing even at the time of security forces. their bodies were retrieved ed on road. would win 200 seats” in a 294-strong “Bengal Government imposed lockdown Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has going to Press. Sources in the Meanwhile, four civilians from the site of encounter. In this incident, four civil- House. when the entire country was watching the been hospitalised with breathing problems. IT department said they sus- received injuries in a grenade They have been identified as ians received splinter injuries Nadda’s visit to Kolkata coincides with Bhoomi Pujan at Ram Temple in Ayodhya,” Praying for his speedy recovery and wish- pected of large scale tax evasion attack in Singhpora area of Mehraj-ud-Din Lone resident and were evacuated to nearby the State police slapping two FIRs against and said the Chief Minister withdrew lock- ing him well,” she wrote. and would be able to reveal Pattan in Baramulla. of Arigam Pulwama, Umer Ali hospital for the treatment of Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh and party down for celebration of Bakr-Eid a few days State Governor also wished for his anything only after two or So far, 214 terrorists have resident of Dadsara Tral and their injuries. general secretary Kailash Vijabargiya for fan- earlier. PNS speedy recovery. PNS three days. PNS    A      7  4   -     /   00-&" &%  ( )    )  .. % !(      
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..     %   apart from this there were 250 $  %%  @:0 circulating in social media since early
   @6A)@6 central government colonies      #)0 As part of its investigations, the NCP July. “There is no truth in these of the refugees. We declared all also arrested one Mohammed Azam J. wo major developments in the last charges. Speaker’s visit to foreign Aligarh: Many people are liv- engal Chief Minister of the residents of these colonies n the biggest drug seizure made as part Shaikh and recovered 5 kilograms of T24 hours have put the ruling countries and all his interaction were ing on rent in the city without BMamata Banerjee has once as Indian citizens. Ithe ongoing investigations into the Malana Cream Charas, some Opium and CPI(M) in Kerala in a quandary. K with official announcement. Reports any verification. Most of which again vowed to thwart the “The BJP is trying to Sushant Singh Rajput death-related drug Ecstacy worth Rs.13.51 lakhs from his home Surendran, state chief of the BJP linking the Speaker with persons have no police record. The implementation of Citizenship enforce CAA and NRC because case, the made in recent times, the Narcotics at Oshiwara in north-west Mumbai. Shaikh alleged late on Tuesday evening that P involved in gold smuggling scam are police do not even verify the Amendment Act and National they want to demolish the Control Bureau (NCB) has seized Malana is considered the main supplier of Charas Sreeramakrishnan, Speaker of the all fake,” said the Speaker’s Office in a tenants. If it was then the Citizenship Register. Bengali community … They Cream Hash worth around Rs 2.50 crore in the Sushant Singh death-linked drug Legislative Assembly is in cahoots with release on Wednesday. police would also know about Addressing a meeting of want to throw out the Bengalis and arrested the supplier Jinendra Jain alias case. the gold smuggling and hawala cartels The release also said that there Abdullah Danish, who had the Matua community at and then turn Bengal into Rigel Mahakal in connection with the “The ‘Malana Cream’ is the most desir- and his name has been figured in the were nothing unusual in the Speaker’s been in Shami apartment near Bongaon in North 24 Parganas Gujarat which will not be seizure. able Charas in the world and is grown only list submitted by the investigating foreign trips as most of his family Dodhpur in the Civil Line area bordering Bangladesh the Chief allowed.” Giving the details of the drug seizure in the Malana region of Himachal Pradesh. agencies in a sealed cover to the trial members were abroad and it was for 15 years. Minister on Wednesday said The Matuas comprised a and the barest made, NCB’s Zonal Director Its international market price ranges from court. mandatory for him to call on them. When the special police that the BJP was trying to traditional vote bank of the Left Sameer Wankhede said here on Wednesday Rs.40-50 lakh per kilogram,” Wankhede This was followed by Swapna Sreeramakrishnan is the scion of the team arrested SIMI member befool the people with fake Front before switching en masse that the name of Mahakal had figured in the said. The drug seizure and arrests have been Suresh, the kingpin of the gold smug- Purayath family of Perinthalmanna, Danish, the local police also got assurance of providing citizen- to the Trinamool Congress. custodial interrogation of another accused made in the case registered by the NCB in gling scam making a plea to the one of the leading feudal families in shocked. ship through the CAA “but Today the community account Anuj Keshwani who was arrested on connection with the death of actor Sushant Court asking for security to her life as Malabar. Police are now on alert truth to be told there is no need for about 90 lakh voters and can September 7 for his alleged involvement as Singh Rajput. a group of officials called on her in The department of prison, after the Danish story is to provide any citizenship to the throw a good impact on 70 a suppliers of Charas and Hashish in Sushant, it may be recalled, was found prison to warn her from naming Government of Kerala, said that there exposed. It is being said that Matuas as they are already Assembly seats in three districts Mumbai. hanging from a ceiling fan in his closed some of the prominent persons in her was no truth in the charges made by action will be taken against Indian citizens,” as they have of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Mahakal’s arrest came on the heels of room of his duplex flat at Mont Blanc build- statement to the court. Swapna Suresh that her life was in dan- such tenants, who are living been living in this part of the Parganas and Nadia. the raids carried out at Andheri (west) in ing at Bandra’s Carter Road in north-west While the Speaker’s office reject- ger and she should be provided ade- without verification. border for generations and tak- The BJP which has made north-west Mumbai between Tuesday night Mumbai on June 14. ed the charges made by Surendran by quate security in jail. “I was called on The city has a population ing part in elections. an inroad into the TMC’s and early Wednesday. He is the supplier of The NCB has registered two drugs cases Wednesday night, the allegations has by a team of officials who instructed of about 12 lakhs, of which “Refugees come and settle Matua vote bank have promised the Malana Cream Hash – ranked as the in the wake of the investigations launched caused widespread dissatisfaction me not to reveal the names of CPI(M) more than 1.5 lakh people are at a place which subsequently citizenship to the SC commu- purest form of Hashish. He was initially by the CBI into the death of actor Sushant among the party cadre as reports and leaders and other Government offcials living on rent. More than half becomes a refugee colony. In nity --- a large part of which detained and later placed under arrest in the Singh Rajput in June this year upon the videos about Sreeramakrishnan’s liai- who were involved in gold smuggling of the tenants are living with- Bengal there are 94 such state came from Bangladesh post early hours of Wednesday. directive issued by the Supreme Court. son with the controversial women were and hawala transaction. out verification. PNS government refugee colonies … Partition and post 1972 war. % %   !"7   >   +#     8!+9   #       1  %% @  :):$)1 Sandeep, have returned to CHENNAI: The DMK and its Karnataka. the Government. Not anymore. Aligarh from Gandhinagar, allies in Tamil Nadu are making Ranganathan pointed out Now I can sell my crops to the ven after the accused poly- Gujarat after conducting tests, use of the farmers’ agitation in that the Bharat Bandh called by buyer of my choice and that too Egraph test of the Bulgadhi but what is the benefit of such New Delhi to the hilt for polit- the Opposition parties on anywhere in the country. This case has returned to Aligarh information that even a son ical gains, charge farmers in the Tuesday turned out to be a is a path breaking reform,” said Jail, the family is not able to and father cannot be met? A State. M K Stalin, DMK chief, is “damp squib” despite the media Giri. meet them. They said that no month and a half after his son on record demanding the blitzkrieg in Tamil Nadu. “The But he was not willing to prisoner's relatives are being was sent to jail, he tried to visit immediate repeal of the reforms DMK, the Congress and the lambast the DMK and its allies. allowed to meet due to Corona. Aligarh jail to meet him, but enacted by the Centre. But the Communists and their allies “The DMK has been out of The Father of the accused told the jail administration refused, State’s veteran farm leader were behind the show which power in Tamil Nadu since that he visited Aligarh jail and citing Corona. He had tried to Mannargudi Ranganathan, was literally rejected by the 2011 and they are looking for gave an application two times meet for the second time also president of Cauvery Delta people of Tamil Nadu,” said dislodging the AIADMK to meet the son, which was but could not meet. Farmers’ Association and R V Ranganathan. He said the entire Government. That’s the reason rejected. Now neither the CBI team Giri, president, Consortium of farming community in the State why they stage such agitations. The CBI team had taken is coming to Boolgarhi, nor Indian Farmers’ Associations has welcomed the legislations Not a single farmer was present the accused Sandeep, Ravi, they are calling anybody to (CIFA) have a different story to enacted by the Centre. in Tuesday’s demonstrations Ramu and one other in Chandpa police station. Earlier, tell. R V Giri, the anywhere in the State,” said Gandhinagar (Gujarat) for the CBI has interrogated the “These laws were long Virudhachalam based all-India Giri. polygraph and BIOS tests to family of the accused several overdue and should be imple- president of CIFA said barring What stood out on Tuesday find out the truth in the times in addition to the mented all over the country. Let the farmers in Punjab and was the absence of even small Boolgarhi case. After 16 days, deceased's relatives. CRPF per- the politicians play their game Haryana, the entire farming demonstrations anywhere in the 4 accused have returned to sonnel is also deployed to pro- for votes but they should not community was in support of the Cauvery Delta districts of the Aligarh district jail. Guddu tect the deceased's family mem- meddle with these reforms,” the legislations. “I have ten acre Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Singh, father of accused bers. Now the people in the vil- said Ranganathan, the person sugar cane farm and till last year Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Sandeep Thakur, said that he lage are waiting for the report who waged a legal battle for I was forced to sell the crop only Cuddalore, popularly known as got information that all the four of the polygraph and brain Cauvery River water against to sugar factories specified by the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.PNS people, including his son mapping test.      ;'<)  %  
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     O%P     1  447.A     MOSCOW: Russian foreign minister partnership and privileged relations Panaji: Covid-19 positive persons will booths, where infected persons are eli- Sergey Lavrov has accused the US-led with India. This is the goal of the US’s be allowed to vote during the December gible to vote. West of attempting to “undermine” very tough pressure on New Delhi in 12 zilla panchayat elections, only dur- “Covid-19 positive persons will be Russia‘s close partnership and privi- the military and technical cooperation ing the last hour of voting and after allowed to cast their vote during the last leged relations with India. area (with Russia),” the top Russian wearing full PPE gear, according to the hour of the polling day i.e. between 4 Speaking at a meeting of the state- diplomat added. State Election Commission guidelines pm to 5 pm. The block level officers run think-tank Russian International In 2018, India and Russia (SEC) which were issued on shall be instructed to identify the covid Affairs Council via a video link on announced that they have elevated their Wednesday. positive person in each polling station,” Tuesday, Lavrov said the West is seek- strategic partnership into a “special “The required number of PPE kits the guidelines also state. ing to reinstate the unipolar world order privileged strategic partnership”. and hand gloves based on the number Polling staff have been directed to that would include all states but for In October 2018, India had signed of Covid positive persons, shall be pro- regularly sanitise the polling station as Russia and China with which it would a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five vided by the returning officer to the well as regularly touched surfaces and deal later. units of the S-400 air defence missile block level officers, which shall be used articles inside the premises. “‘Poles’ like Russia and China are systems, notwithstanding warning from by the Covid positive persons when “If the temperature is above pre- unlikely to be subordinate to it. the Trump administration that going they come to the polling station for vot- scribed norms, the voter shall be asked However, India is currently an object ahead with the contract may invite US ing,” the guidelines. to sit in the shed for 10 minutes and the of the Western countries’ persistent, sanction. The guidelines also mandate poll second reading will be taken. If the sec- aggressive and devious policy as they The S-400 – known as Russia’s most officials to make a list of Covid-19 pos- ond reading is still higher than the pre- are trying to engage it in anti-China advanced long-range surface-to-air itive persons in each of the 48 con- scribed norms, then the voter will be games by promoting Indo-Pacific missile defence system – can destroy stituencies which are going to poll in the asked to come for polling at the last strategies, the so-called ‘Quad’,” he incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and coastal state, so that proper preparations hour of poll i.e. 4 pm to 5 pm,” the was quoted as saying by the Russian even drones at ranges of up to are made at the respective polling guidelines state. IANS Foreign Ministry. 400 km. The US, Japan, India and Australia Rejecting the objective trends had in 2017 given shape to the long- towards the formation of a multipolar pending proposal of setting up the world, the US-led West has launched “Quad” or the Quadrilateral coalition a “game,” Lavrov said. to counter China’s aggressive behaviour “It has postponed Russia and China in the Indo-Pacific region. for later and is trying to draw all oth- The US says Quad is not an alliance ers into a unipolar world by any means but a grouping of countries driven by possible. For our part, we will promote shared interests and values and inter- a unifying agenda,” he asserted. ested in strengthening a rules-based He said that under the circum- order in the strategically-important stances, the role of contacts between the Indo-Pacific region. political scientists and expert commu- “At the same time the West is nities is becoming much more impor- attempting to undermine our close tant. Agencies   !"#$"$" ' 0 + .  +    " 5    B8 4  " 5   5 ,-,%./01,-02 + ,
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            4-$S         ?(   <    (                6*                            <  on this. The issue is that Tamil   4-$            Nadu politics has undergone a major shift with his decision,”   6         said S Gurumurthy, editor            S  ( Tughlaq, and long time friend of  )      >      the actor. The truth is that both the  ! ;   3   4-$ DMK and the Congress are               ( upset over the development and    >         < S /1        it is reflected in the words of state Congress president K S Alagiri:     4-$  1@AB     3 S 1C1@ )  >   1(0"1 “There is no point in comment-  4-$  A/A    3   /DB 4           S    ing on his decision since it is not          4-$            hursday, December 3, going to benefit the people.” The 2020, will remain etched Congress leader’s words were   + %  S               in Tamil Nadu’s political echoed by CPI(M)’s K 3                     # history for decades to Balakrishnan. “The kind of pol-                    4-$  come. Around noon that itics he is advocating will not cut Tday, reigning superstar of Tamil ice with people,” he said.              <         films, Rajinikanth, declared that he Till December 3, 2020, there     ?  *     %  %     would contest all the 234 seats in was a perception that the DMK  3  + S     (   < $       the forthcoming Assembly election would have a cakewalk over its         6       3  + 5  with his “spiritual” political party rivals. But experts feel that what to be launched in early 2021. Rajinikanth has told the elec- !   < 4-$   < $  *   ? % 3 =  Significant because it took ed his health remains stable. wild and unknown turf with his torate, that instead of focussing           6      !<Indira Gandhi-led Government) ting up the plants. Each plant al” tag attractive to latch on to. Thalaiva said confidently, “It is now as the “father of scientific cor- was set up at a cost of 1 crore Interestingly, Tamil Nadu’s $ #                  S ( or never. We are going to change ruption.” And he made the and what was offered to the fortunes were decided not by        S           $   everything associated with Tamil DMK a family-run enterprise. In independent India, our com- Chief Minister as commission chaste Tamils but by the Kerala-    # $           4-$       Nadu and change them for good. The rationalist DMK may be the munity is classified as a back- was 10 per cent of the total born MGR, the Mysore-born  % S           #   "     If I win, it will be the victory of the only political outfit in the coun- ward community.” investment. Kamaraj asked Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi people. If I lose, it will be their loss,” try, which has an in-house bish- This is not an isolated case. Venkitaraman how much it whose mother tongue was  $        7 F           the polls certainly won’t be a pre- op to spit venom against Hindus The DMK ensured its dominant would cost to set up one sugar Telugu. Even the self-styled pro-                   ( dictable run anymore. The (Bishop Sargunam, the DMK’s position among all castes by des- factory to which the latter tector of Tamil culture,                    +  announcement by Rajinikanth had official spiritual guide). ignating/classifying them as replied, ‘1 crore.’ The Chief Vayyapuri Gopalasamy, popu- the same impact as that of October The DMK’s proposed caste- either backward, OBC or MBC. Minister asked Venkitaraman to larly known as Vaiko, is a Telugu $     #               ( 1972 when the then matinee idol, less society never took off. The paradox is that dominant tell the Japanese to set up one Naidu. So there is nothing sur-              )        M G Ramachandran, who was Karunanidhi opted for the easy communities like Thevar (to more factory so that Tamil prising in the Maharashtrian-     #      3     $S    expelled from the DMK by the then way out by designating all caste- which late AIADMK chief Nadu could get 11 sugar facto- born Rajinikanth claiming legit- Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, based Hindu groups into Jayalalithaa’s aide Sasikala ries. This was recounted by N imacy.    %         2           declared the formation of the Backward, Most Backward and belongs), Vanniyar (Ramadoss), Kalyanasundaram, a close aide There is enough space in $   3  3        "      AIADMK. The political outfit Other Backward Communities. Mukkulathur, Mudaliyaar, of Kamaraj for decades.” Tamil Nadu politics for a charis-      %                launched by MGR was a refreshing Disgusted with this degenera- Naicker , Maravar (the ruling Kolahala Srenivasan, political matic leader after the deaths of experience for the voters, who tion, C Subramaniam, who was clan of Ramanathapuram) enjoy commentator, describes this as Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa.            4-$        were caught between the devil honoured with Bharat Ratna for the status of backward commu- embodying the spiritual politics The 2014 Lok Sabha poll saw the  3  +  4                  7 (DMK) and the deep sea making India self-sufficient in nities and are beneficiaries of of Rajinikanth. NDA poll more than 19 per cent $    3   /01@      % S      (Congress). Politics was not the agricultural production through reservation in educational insti- Even before the star’s votes in the State, dominated till same in Tamil Nadu since then. the Green Revolution, wrote: “I tutions and Government service. announcement, leaders of fringe then by the DMK and the (         6          ( Rajinikanth has no political belong to the dominant commu- This is a big fraud perpetrated parties claimed that he would AIADMK, though it failed to     !               6  experience to speak about but he nity, Kongu Vellalar, with the on the population of Tamil not be able to make an impact. consolidate in 2019 as the DMK        %   4       has a good image as a human being. caste appellation of Gounder. Nadu by the Dravidian outfits, “He will not be able to act inde- swept the results. But Though many film personalities Kongu represents the region according to Prof R pendently. The BJP wants to Rajinikanth is a refreshing expe-                     had launched political parties in the historically known as Vaidyanathan, retired profes- enter the State through him. He rience and if he uses that and the                $  ( State after MGR, (Sarath Kumar, Kongunadu, consisting of the sor of finance at IIM Bangalore, will be another face of the BJP BJP’s organisational matrix, or           * <    %      Sivaji Ganeshan, Vijayakanth, districts of Coimbatore and whose work, Caste As Social and will act that way,” said Thol can convince people that spiri- Kamal Haasan, to name a few) Salem and a part of Capital, is proof of how the ratio- Thirumavalavan, VCK leader. tuality and religiosity would be       2               )  none of them could make any kind Tiruchirappalli. The Kongu nalist Dravidian entity turned Questions are being asked about an easy fit, then the Tamil Nadu 3   S  !                  of impact among the voters till date. Vellalars own the real wealth, Tamil Nadu into a caste-ridden his prospective alliance partners. battle just got interesting.   %   4-$S                ( But there are reasons to believe that land and cattle and thus domi- society. “But these things can wait and (The author is a senior jour-              )       Rajinikanth is here to stay, provid- nate the rest of the community. Rajinikanth is entering this let Rajinikanth himself take a call nalist, The Pioneer)        $   S    3        4   5 6)2

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Institutions working               ( on the principle of common aims share the same   understanding and objectives whereas those #             working on reciprocity engage in a rational cal-          )    *  ! culation of the advantages of an association. He      *          <  * explains this with an example. Imagine that a #            ( roadway connects two farms with a highway,       #            which is now blocked by a boulder. There are two        !    - # farmers. Neither of them is strong enough to remove the boulder by himself. However, when                 the two join hands, it is obviously an organisa-             # tion by common aims. Now, imagine both the   <  <         *  5    ( growers are engaged in subsistence farming and   <   one has a large crop of onions whereas the other <           F    has an abundance of potatoes. A deal to trade a                portion of their respective crops with each other        ) /01/    .0    ( will make both the agriculturists richer and that       =  $  #      ( is the most obvious form of organisation by rec-       A@          3  iprocity.       #         Now imagine the judiciary as an institution :)1:7 working on the principles of reciprocity by engag-                  >  ing itself in a mathematical calculation and draw- /#800)$+ tise the courts and judges, said that one criminalisation of politics. More than treatment needs to be actualised. The #              ( ing out the benefits of its association with dif- 06:7 of the ways in which this could be done 4,500 cases against sitting and former courts can no longer work as unac-   "       ferent branches of the Government. What if this $776 was by increasing the representation of Members of Parliament and MLAs are countable isolated chambers of deliv- 4             happens in a democracy where the judiciary is 4)18@67 women on the Bench. Article 15 of the still pending before several courts ering justice.                ( supposed to remain independent and function 76@#A:@ Constitution of India guarantees to across the nation. So, when India celebrates Human    #            as a sentinel of individual liberty, human rights 4$@7 every citizen that s/he shall not be dis- Worryingly, many of these cases Rights Day today and Minorities Rights          <      and basic freedoms of the citizens? :7$0A:1 criminated on the basis of their gender. have been pending before the courts for day on December 18, the questions that                  This criticism of the judiciary in the recent @E:@17 Despite the presence of Article 15 in the decades. They range from serious and need to be asked to the most important   #               past, that it is an executive court, is by far not just :@)$7 Constitution as a fundamental right, heinous offences like crimes against institution responsible for enforcing                  the most important but also a sensitive one. If 1)6806A only eight women judges have been women, corruption and so on, to these rights, is this: Has the judiciary, the court’s moral and political positioning is in appointed to the Supreme Court out of offences that have long-term impacts on in the recent past, done enough to pro-       #       alignment with the Government, it is problem- ):7 a total of 245 appointments post- the democratic fabric of our country. tect the rights of those who are stand-            < %    atic for the citizens. This is so, because then the 768@E Independence. These include complaints registered ing at the end of the line, those who are        "        court would fail in its most important job, enforc- :79067 Even more crucially, till date, no against crimes like damaging public vulnerable, weak, fragile, historically #              ing the fundamental rights of citizens against the :@17:@)$7 woman has ever served as the Chief property, instigating riots, religious sidelined and come from the lowest          State’s arbitrary, unfair, unjust and unreasonable F#967$)97 Justice of India. This in a country that offences, and so on. strata of the society? #  $   #          actions. The court is supposed to act and func- 7) worships goddesses and reveres women What this has done is that it has If it hasn’t then it needs to. Because < %              ( tion as a counter-narrative to the executive. This E$)A097 as an incarnation of shakti (power). For only inspired a future generation of the judiciary as an institution survives         < S      ( duty becomes even more important in a democ- :01@$0)99+ Constitutional courts that are respon- politicians to commit more of such only on the symbolic value of the image    3  2 2        ?   racy because democracies can tend to slip into 108790678)68 sible to continuously challenge, trans- crimes and get away with it easily. This that it has created for itself. Its extra-            )      ( a majoritarian rule, given that there is a very thin @7E$@ form and redefine stereotypical notions has resultantly weakened the strength ordinarily rich history of the most land- line between the two. of gender, identity and race within the of our democracy as someone who at mark judgments in the past has forced          @           Senior advocates, retired judges, civil soci- :79@71 society, it is important to have wider one time used to commit crimes is now foreign courts to cite them and set them             <  # ety organisations, political parties and even cit- 1$))@E:7 and larger representation on the Bench sitting in the temple of democracy, i.e. as a precedent in their respective juris- %             izens have gone on to criticise the courts for their 1@07+M from those who have had such experi- the Parliament. dictions. If this rich history of the court   C0                 alleged role in selectively protecting human rights ences of their own. Second, it has motivated criminals was to be attacked, it will have long-                 # < of citizens and social activists. The criticism The criticism that the judiciary to commit excesses across the country term impacts which will be irreversible.                extends to the selective listing of cases, delay in works like a hollow chamber, devoid of almost professionally and third, this has The apex court needs to counter the                  hearing on important issues and the highly con- any human emotions, often falling pushed the victims to a position where narrative that it is an executive court by $   F  #           troversial issue of post-retirement jobs for into the trap of “abstract notions of jus- they now prefer not approaching the listing matters of urgent public inter-             #    judges. The judiciary has not responded to these tice”, flowing from complex and incom- court at all even after a crime. Cases, est before Benches without delay and       !   <(  ?  criticisms. prehensible legal jargon, can only be therefore, don’t get reported in our impartially. It needs to add more judges Many citizens believe that such a trend in the answered by increasing diversity with- police stations and instead end with an to the Bar by making the process of #     #        judiciary will see its rise and fall with the rise and in the judiciary and making it more and out of court compromise. Access to jus- appointments to the higher judiciary   (    #     S    fall of populist governments in the country. The more representative. tice is a fundamental right of the citi- more transparent, accountable and                 last time we saw the judiciary working the way Another issue that needs to be zens in this country and yet we see that representative. # 2 3  4    %    )    ( that it is today was during the era of Emergency. focussed on is the huge pendency of a majority of our population doesn’t The judiciary needs to fix the nar-       #      (     And that is a part of its history that India is not cases. There are more than three crore even understand what it means to have rative that offence will not be taken per- # 3    9 #3: )        particularly proud of. Justifiably, the nation does cases pending before several courts in been justly adjudicated. Even cases sonally, and dissent will be appreciat-       )        not want to see history repeat itself in that sense. India. Litigants are often disillusioned where the police commit violation of ed as a form of deliberative democra-        # #3       As we celebrate Human Rights Day today, it is when they approach the courts. Even human rights don’t get heard speedily, cy. Unless the judiciary adopts these as 4    $            important to look into other troubling issues that the smallest of cases, involving little to eroding the faith of the people in the its guiding principles, it will fail in its          <       ( plague the judiciary, which have existed and have no questions of law, take years if not justice system. most important duty and thereafter lose been continuously raised for quite some time decades to be decided. This huge pen- The common perception that its credibility. Both of which are a night-     # #3          now. dency of cases and the continuous delay judges are extremely powerful adjudi- mare for the country today.      Attorney-General KK Venugopal, while in deciding them has had three major cators and that the parties before the (The writer is with the National Law 9        : speaking recently on the ways to gender sensi- consequences. First, it has led to the court will in no case be given biased University, Visakhapatnam)   !                                 

been reduced to penury ever since the 55 per cent), had a booming market State Government as well as the min- tage, it was an effort to bring it at par the States being allowed to renew min- Supreme Court ordered a complete across Indian shores and was export- ing industry and experts are unani- with the MMDR Act that is operative ing leases for 50 years. stop of all mining operations on ed to various countries like Japan, mous in their decision that they want in the rest of the country. Thus, the This has been represented before February 7, 2018 by quashing the sec- South Korea and China. It contributed an end to the status quo. The entire stalemate caused by the delay in har- the Supreme Court through peti- ond renewal of 88 mining leases. The to 30 per cent of the State’s GDP. Now, State Assembly has unanimously put monising the two is definitely not tions, reviews and interlocutory peti- judgment, by a Bench led by Justices the closure of mines has resulted in in a request to the Central Government called for. tions among others, by the Goa Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta, Goa’s lost presence in the internation- to allow Goa to recommence mining The Central Government should Government, the mining industry slammed the “rapacious and rampant al iron ore market and the Goan vari- operations at the earliest, through come forward and resolve the issue of and even the panchayats from the min- exploitation” of Goa’s fragile ecology ant has been replaced by Brazilian and appropriate means. date of applicability of the Abolition ing districts in the State, who have been 0"1&0 137 by private mining lease holders and Australian ones. Prior to December 19, 1961, Goa Act, 1987 and the MMDR amendment devastated by the financial distress aris- said that their “sole motive is to make And it is not just the miners who was a Portuguese territory and min- of 2015/20, by accepting the prospec- ing out of the end of mining. profits, for years.” are suffering in the State. The related early moves towards an environmen- ing concessions were granted under tive time period of lease from the intro- There is an urgent need to decide he clarion call for making India Since then, the State has seen loss of business to those providing tally sustainable industry. Mining in the Portuguese Mining Colonial Laws, duction of the Abolition Act on May quickly and set a credible and consis- atmanirbhar (self-reliant) has a adversely-affected income levels due to logistical support to the mining indus- Goa is not an issue of spoiling the envi- 1906. After Goa became a part of the 23, 1987 for 50 years i.e. till 2037. Thus, tent way forward so that mining Tmajor component of sustainable the decision. This, coupled with the fall try, in terms of trucks, barges and ronment as modern technology and Indian Union in 1961, the MMDR Act, is it important to settle the interpre- operations can start with immediate income and quality employment. The in income from the tourists because of machinery, adds to the problem. The methodology were already used in all 1957 was extended to Goa in October tation that it is prospective and not ret- effect. All the above issues can be tiny State of Goa, with a population of the COVID-19 outbreak, has come as immediate challenge and need is to operations. So the issue in Goa is of 1963. In 1975, notices were served to rospective and the lease thus is enti- resolved in one stroke if the intention 15 lakh, was one with the highest per a double whammy for Goa. Sadly, the restart this major economic operation understanding and harmonising the concessionaires under the Mining tled till 2037. The same can be done is to make Goa a shining example of capita income in the country at one social and financial impact of the apex for the State. Despite the apex court’s two Acts, namely the Mines and Lease Modification Terms Rule, 1956, through a legislative amendment in the an atmanirbhar State contributing to time. The two major pillars of its econ- court’s decision on the population and concerns over the ecology of the Minerals Development and Regulation by the controller of mining leases. This Abolition Act, which is a law applic- the GDP of the country. The resump- omy were tourism and mining. With the State’s prosperity is never an issue State, Goa always had a history of envi- Act, 2015 (MMDR Act) with its was done to bring in parity with the able for the State of Goa and shall not tion of mining activities in the State will almost 100 per cent export, the State in court arguments and goes unno- ronment-friendly mining and its amendments and the Goa, Daman and provisions of the MMDR Act, the affect mining regimes in the rest of the bring great relief to the State and its had a turnover of nearly 6,000 crore ticed, time and again. This is despite notable best practices were demon- Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition Mineral Concession Rule and the country. The State Government has on populace in the short term and sub- from mining itself. Nearly one-fifth of the fact that the halt of mining oper- strated at all international fora as well. and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, Mineral Conservation and multiple occasions sought the inter- stantial benefit in the long run. It will the population of Goa got sustainable, ations has slowed down the entire The ISO 14001 Standards and the 1987, commonly known as the Development Rules (MCDR). vention of the Central Government on also result in Goa being a State with quality employment in mining and its economy of the State and the lives of independent Mineral Foundation of Abolition Act, 1987. This harmonisa- Thus, the end of the Mineral the matter. Goa has requested for the highest per capita income again. related activities. It is sad to talk about its people, too. The iron ore of Goa, Goa (the precursor to the present tion can only come through policy Concession Rule was not to put min- putting an end to the inequitable sit- (The writer is former Secretary to this in the past tense as the State has which has a lower Fe content (around District Mineral Fund concept) were clarification and legal amendment. The ing operations in Goa at a disadvan- uation which arose out of the rest of the Government of India)   !"#$"$"  : 6
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That would be a so-called %  )1:06A@6 Majority Leader Mitch %  )1:06A@6 Monday, prompting criticism it denied his allies’ attempt to al Supreme Court, asking it to “super majority” big enough to McConnell has signaled Jan. 20 and skepticism from some in block the certification of votes freeze all electoral operations S President Donald Trump override a Trump veto. mericans waiting for as the certain date when the resident-elect Joe Biden on Congress. in key state Pennsylvania. while they developed their Uthreatened Tuesday to veto But some Republicans ARepublicans in Congress to country is “going to have the PTuesday made his case for Biden countered the con- The nation’s highest court, arguments. a Pentagon budget bill, as the could end up changing their acknowledge Joe Biden as the swearing-in of the next presi- retired Army Gen. Lloyd cerns by arguing that Austin which includes three Trump- In dismissing the case, the House prepared to vote minds. Trump has several com- president-elect may have to dent.” Austin to be secretary of knows that a Pentagon chief’s appointed justices out of nine, Court put an end to the pro- on the spending blueprint that plaints about the bill. keep waiting until January as The result is a risky stand- defense, urging Congress to duties are different from those did not explain its decision, and cedure and signaled that it is has strong support from both It does not call, as he wants, GOP leaders stick with off like none other in U.S. his- waive a legal prohibition of a military officer. He said none of the members expressed not inclined to get involved in parties. for the abolition of a law known President Donald Trump’s tory. The refusal to agree upon against a recently serving mil- Austin is aware that “the civil- dissent. post-election litigation. “I hope House Republicans as Section 230, which grants litany of legal challenges and the facts of the election threat- itary officer running the military dynamic has been More than a month since Trump had hoped that the will vote against the very weak social media firms protection unproven claims of fraud. ens to undermine voter confi- Pentagon. under great stress these past the November 3 election, high court, whose bench he has National Defense from liability for third-party Tuesday’s deadline for dence, chisel away at the legit- With concern rising in four years,” an allusion to Trump still refuses to concede tipped solidly to the right, Authorization Act (NDAA), content carried on states to certify their elections imacy of Biden’s presidency and Congress about maintaining President Donald Trump’s hir- to Democrat Joe Biden -- who would intervene in his favor. . which I will VETO,” Trump, their platforms. Trump has — once viewed as a pivot point restack civic norms in still- civilian control of the military, ing of numerous retired gen- has a seven million-vote lead - In 2000, the Supreme Court who leaves office January 20, railed against the law repeat- for Republicans to mark Biden’s unknowable ways. Biden suggested he felt a need erals for key posts early in his - and continues to make base- halted a recount in Florida, tweeted using the formal name edly and says giants like win — came and went without Yet some GOP officials see to counter an emerging narra- administration, including less claims of fraud. where George W. Bush was of the legislation. Facebook and Google are much comment. Next week’s the dragged-out process as tive that Austin’s nomination retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis Trump and his allies have only 537 votes ahead of The $740 billion budget biased against him. Dec. 14 Electoral College dead- their best shot at answering the blurs the lines between civil and as defense secretary. filed dozens of lawsuits in sev- Democrat Al Gore, allowing the for 2021 was to be voted on Trump is also displeased line may produce just a few fiery questions, calls and com- military roles. Biden argued that Austin eral key states, almost all of Republican to win the election. Tuesday afternoon by the House with the bill because it calls for more congratulatory GOP calls plaints of their constituents “Given the immense and would work to put the civil- which have been thrown out by The Republican-led state of of Representatives, and go renaming US military bases to Biden. who voted for Trump and urgent threats and challenges military balance “back on the courts. Texas filed another appeal before the Senate over the next that honor Confederate heros Increasingly, GOP law- refuse to believe he legitimate- our nation faces, he should be track.” He said the main reason One of them, brought by Tuesday to the Supreme Court, few days. But it needs Trump’s from the pro-slavery South makers say the Jan. 6 vote in ly lost the race to Biden. confirmed swiftly,” Biden wrote he picked Austin was because Republican congressman Mike requesting the invalidation of signature to become law. from the US Civil War. Congress to accept the “The country needs to in The Atlantic. It was his first he reacts well under pressure. Kelly, challenged the legality of results in four key states, but In July, separate versions of The bill also goes against Electoral College outcome may understand, at least, it was public confirmation that Austin “He is the person we mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania, experts were not optimistic the bill won more than two- Trump’s drive to slash the US be when the presidential win- fair,” Rep. Alex Mooney, R- is his pick for Pentagon chief, need in this moment,” Biden a crucial battleground state. regrding its chance of success. thirds support in both cham- troop presence in Germany. ner becomes official. Senate W.Va., said in an interview. although word had leaked out wrote. *   (      )0 5  $  

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  strengthen mask mandates. poorer areas. Britain approved tor’s chief said in remarks pub- for Israel,” he said on the tar- manufacturers to ramp up pro- dented investment”, both Pfizer security of our nation first,” the  P?';     Biden, who formally intro- Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine this lished on Wednesday. mac at Ben Gurion airport, duction and give the federal and Moderna have announced White House said.       duced his public health team month, raising hopes that the “For the time being they near Tel Aviv, as a fork-lift truck government priority on any that their vaccines are The US has led and will  H       on Tuesday, also announced he tide could soon turn against a have not sought authorisation started unloading the cargo orders it places. approximately 95 per cent continue to lead the world’s
      
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 #1 " General Lloyd Austin as the million globally, hammered will study the data,” freighter. said, were the first to produce Pfizer has developed its an response to the Covid-19      country’s first Black defense the world economy and upend- EMA’s Executive Director Emer The shipment was the first a verifiably safe and effective vaccine outside of ‘Operation pandemic, it said. P?(&  
   secretary. He also picked US ed normal life. Cooke told Italian daily la of eight million doses ordered vaccine. Warp Speed’, but is collaborat- The Trump administra-         Representative Marcia Fudge of Amnesty and other organ- Repubblica, when asked about from US pharmaceutical giant “Together, we will defeat ing with the US Government tion is prepared to ship Covid-     L   Ohio to lead the Housing and isations including Frontline the Chinese and Russian vac- Pfizer BioNTech. the virus, and we will soon end on manufacturing and distrib- 19 vaccine doses to every cor-   
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 team led by an Indian-ori- SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. ductive film. Wednesday, with such condi- Fernandes said airlines are maker said on Wednesday, antibodies that develop in      Agin scientist has developed According to the research They then placed a gold tions expected to become a not likely to set such require- potentially demonstrating if response to Moderna’s vaccine         a rapid, ultrasensitive Covid-19 published in the journal ACS electrode with a predefined trend in the region. ments for travellers. the vaccine is working. candidate.   ")    test using a paper-based elec- Nano, there are two compo- design on top of the graphene “I foresee in Asia anyway, Agencies Roche said the test, which Agencies        trochemical sensor that can nents to this biosensor: as a contact pad for electrical      
 detect the presence of the novel a platform to measure an elec- readout.         coronavirus in less than five trical read-out and probes to Both gold and graphene    "9  minutes. detect the presence of have high sensitivity and con-    
 The researchers from the viral RNA. ductivity which makes this          University of Illinois in the US To create the platform, the platform ultrasensitive to detect         created a graphene-based elec- researchers led by professor changes in electrical signals, the  " trochemical biosensor with an Dipanjan Pan first coated filter researchers noted. 6   
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  Tzoomed to fresh peaks for bling up to 1.29 per cent. according to provisional he scrutiny of the credit ing committee and member of yet another session on Global stocks soared to exchange data. Tsanctions in the ICICI- sanctioning committee, when %   67879:0 to June 30, 2021, Labour Any EPFO member pos- Wednesday, propelled by record levels as investors mon- Videocon loan case by the she was MD and CEO of the Minister Santosh Gangawar sessing Universal Account unabated foreign fund inflows itored progress on COVID-19 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bank”.The ED contended that he Union Cabinet on said in a briefing on the Number (UAN) drawing a and positive cues from global vaccine approvals and distrib- 
7! has highlighted these sanc- the RBI official, in his statement, TWednesday approved Cabinet decision. monthly wage of less than Rs markets. Progress on the ution, even as uncertainty over tions to Videocon Group reiterated that it was an “impru- 22,810 crore outlay for the The government will pay 15,000, who exited employ- Covid-19 vaccine front has the outcome of Brexit talks   (:4 between June 2009 and April dent decision” by the ICICI Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar both 12 per cent employees’ ment during COVID pan- bolstered hopes of economic remained an overhang. 2012, when Chanda Kochhar Bank to increase its exposure to Yojana (ABRY) that aims at contribution and 12 per cent demic from March 1, 2020, to recovery globally as well as in Foreign portfolio investors      was the bank’s Managing Videocon Group by sanctioning encouraging businesses to do employers’ contribution i.E. 24 September 30, 2020, and did India, traders said. (FPIs) remained net buyers in Director and CEO, were an fresh rupee term loan (RTL) of fresh hiring amid the pan- per cent of basic wages towards not join employment in any Maintaining its winning run for ;
 “imprudent decision” and a Rs 750 crore.Sudhakar further demic. EPF (employees provident EPFO covered establishment the fifth session on the trot, the clear case of “conflict of inter- cited the release of security or “The Union Cabinet, fund) in respect of new up to September 30, 2020, will BSE Sensex crossed the 46,000- %   #)0 est on her part”, as per the non-creation of charge by ICICI chaired by the Prime Minister, employees in establishments also be eligible to avail the ben- mark for first time. A   Enforcement Directorate Bank on the assets of the group. Narendra Modi, has given its employing up to 1,000 employ- efit. fter touching a record he rupee strengthened by charge sheet.The 308 page “The primary security cover approval for Atmanirbhar ees for two years. The EPFO will credit the Aintra-day high of Tanother 3 paise to mark its charge sheet, filed by the finan- available with ICICI Bank in Bharat Rojgar Yojana to boost However, the government contribution in Aadhaar seed- 46,164.10, the 30-share bench- ''&Q 
 seven-week high of 73.57 cial probe agency in Special regard to Videocon Group employment in formal sector will pay only employees’ share ed account of members in an mark ended 494.99 points or against the US dollar on PMLA court here last month declined from the existing 2.67 and incentivize creation of new of EPF contribution i.E. 12 per electronic manner. 1.09 per cent higher at  &>3 Wednesday, with sustained and witnessed by IANS, held times to 1.67 times,” he said.He employment opportunities cent of wages in respect of new The EPFO will develop 46,103.50 . foreign fund inflows and firm- that RBI official Malli also claimed that there was a during the COVID recovery employees in establishments software for the scheme and Similarly, the broader NSE ing domestic equities lending Sudhakar, in a scrutiny report “conflict of interest” on part of phase under Atmanirbhar employing more than 1,000 also develop a procedure which Nifty rallied 136.15 points or %   67879:0 support. Traders said weak- dated August 3, 2018 and in his ICICI Bank, as advocates and Bharat Package 3.0,” an official employees for two years. is transparent and account- 1.02 per cent to its new record ening of the American cur- statement to the agency on solicitors for the RTL agreement statement said. An employee drawing a able. high of 13,529.10, extending its old prices fell Rs 118 to Rs rency in the overseas market October 16 this year, revealed between the bank and the The Cabinet has approved monthly wage of less than Rs It will work out the modal- record setting run to the sev- G49,221 per 10 gram in the also favoured the local unit. At that there was “conflict of inter- Videocon under debt consoli- an expenditure of 1,584 crore 15,000, who was not working ity to ensure that there is no enth straight day. It touched its national capital on Wednesday the interbank forex market, est” on the part of Kochhar. dation were Amarchand and for the current financial year in any establishment registered overlapping of benefits pro- lifetime peak of 13,548.90 dur- on a weak global trend, the domestic unit opened at Sudhakar had cited Mangaldas and Suresh A. Shroff and 22,810 crore for the entire with the Employees’ Provident vided under the ABRY with ing the session. according to HDFC Securities. 73.58 against the US dollar “absence of transparency in and Company.He claimed that Scheme period - 2020-2023, it Fund Organisation (EPFO) any other scheme implement- Asian Paints was the top The precious metal had and witnessed an intra-day excluding the charge of securi- the same firm was also appoint- added. before October 1, 2020, and did ed by the EPFO. gainer in the Sensex pack, closed at Rs 49,339 per 10 high of 73.49 and a low of ties and releasing existing secu- ed as the legal firm by the board Under the scheme, the not have a Universal Account About the number of ben- spurting 3.37 per cent, fol- gram in the previous trade. 73.61.The local unit finally rity of Videocon Group taken by of the bank to investigate into government will provide sub- Number or EPF Member eficiaries under the scheme, the lowed by Kotak Bank, Axis Silver prices also declined closed at 73.57 against the as collateral by ICICI Bank and the alleged quid pro quo sidy for two years in respect of account number prior to minister said it is estimated that Bank, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Rs 875 to Rs 63,410 per kg, American currency, register- imprudent decision in sanc- arrangement between Chanda new employees engaged on or October 1, 2020, will be eligi- lakhs of workers will be bene- Reliance Industries and ITC. from Rs 64,285 per kg in the ing a rise of 3 paise - its high- tioning of proposal to Videocon and Videocon group reflecting after October 1, 2020, and up ble for the benefit. fitted through the plan. On the other hand, previous trade. est level since October 22. Group by ICICI Bank, of which conflict of interest. 6  - + , =)    1!
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     #%)=7<   %   67879:0 players are paid a fee for build- “We do not own any food ing and storing the food grains, grains procured from farmers, %   67879:0 tweeted. Andhra Pradesh, %   67879:0 products in India, including ith its name echoing in the ownership of the com- and are in no way connected to '  Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Dettol, Lizol and Harpic, while Wfarmer protests against modity as well as its marketing the pricing of grains,” it said. he Centre on Wednesday Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, he Indian market has mas- in the health segment it has agri reform bills, Adani Group and distribution rights, belong Adani Group said it is in %  67879:0 Treleased 6,195 crore to 14 Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Tsive potential and can be some popular brands like has said it neither buys food to FCI. the business of developing and states as monthly instalment of Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, the source of many future Disprin and Strepsils. grains from farmers nor FCI, it said, controls the operating grain silos for FCI ediaTek, the world’s 4th post devolution revenue deficit Uttarakhand and West Bengal innovations, British FMCG Narasimhan also said the decides the pricing of food procurement and movement of since 2005. It sets up storage Mlargest global fabless grant. “Based on the 15th are the states to whom the major RB Plc’s global CEO post-pandemic world will see grains. food grains for the Public infrastructure after winning semiconductor company, will Finance Commission interim amount has been released. Laxman Narasimhan said on a more permanent reset of The port-to-energy con- Distribution System (PDS). competitive and transparent collaborate with popular recommendations, the Govt Wednesday. consumer behaviour, and the glomerate said it only develops The statement came as tender by the Government of smartphone brands to launch released 6,195.08 crore on The company expects that shift that has happened towards and operates grain silos for farmer groups in their agitation India. the 7nm MediaTek Dimensity 9th December 2020 to 14 States the innovations will unleash the digital is going to stay. Food Corporation of India against the three farm reforms Private rail lines that it built 800U powered smartphones on account of the 9th equated potential of the consumption The pandemic phase has (FCI). bills that among other things as part of these tenders are to in India. The announcement monthly installment of Post class, he said while addressing also led to “reimagining of the “The company has no role give farmers the freedom to sell facilitate the movement of was made on the second day of Devolution Revenue Deficit a session at the CII National consumer’s experiences” and in deciding the volume of stor- their produce to anyone, grains from silo units to their the India Mobile Congress Grant,” Office of Finance FMCG Summit. “conscious consumption”, he age as well as pricing of grain alleged that the legislations distribution centres across 2020. Minister Nirmala Sitharaman “I am deeply optimistic said. “So, I think we are going as it only a service/ infrastruc- were brought to favour Ambani India, the statement said. With Dimensity 800U that a lot of the future innova- to see three things -- you are ture provider for the FCI,” it and Adani. FCI, it said, awarded such MediaTek continues to accel- tion will come from India. I going to see digital... You are said in a statement posted on Some farm groups have contracts with a view to mod- erate the rollout of 5G tech-     have my eyes out for that,” going to see a reimagining of its Twitter handle. alleged that the Adani group is ernising the storage and trans- nology and deliver premium Narasimhan said in his virtu- consumer experiences done in FCI buys food grains from building grain storage facilities port infrastructure in the coun- experiences on mid-tier 5G al address, adding that “the a safe way and the third is a farmers and stores them in silos for hoarding food grains and try so that food grains could be smartphones. The new premi-   HE potential of India is massive”. more conscious consumption,” built through a public-private selling them at a higher price safely stored and quality stuff um smartphones will be RB sells a range of hygiene Narasimhan noted. partnership. While private later. is supplied to the PDS system. launched in January 2021 and    will be one of the first MediaTek powered 5G smart- N4H)60O phones available in India, E  0 E+%(
 <=G       Q according to a Press release New Delhi:The Union Cabinet from the company. on Wednesday approved the    0   The MediaTek Dimensity setting up of Wi-Fi networks '%>>"=       800U – where U stands for for public use without licence Ultra Connected – provides fee under Public Wi-Fi Access    H .  dual 5G SIM capabilities to Network Interface or PM- %   67879:0 over 107 per cent to 135.7 the spokesperson added.In future-ready smartphones. It WANI.The move is aimed at crore in FY20 as compared to November, tech giant Google %   67879:0 clean technology, is critical for enables better consumer access promoting expansion of pub- ocial media giant Facebook 65.3 crore in the preceding fis- had made a similar filing that India. We need to get into a to the highest quality voice call- lic Wi-Fi networks in the coun- SIndia’s revenues grew 43 cal, it added. showed its revenues from India iti Aayog CEO Amitabh whole range of clean energy ing services with VoNR from try.Among other decisions, the per cent year-on-year to about When contacted, a had grown 34.8 per cent to NKant on Wednesday said deployments... It is very impor- either connection. The 5G- Cabinet also approved the pro- 1,277.3 crore in 2019-20, Facebook spokesperson said about 5,593.8 crore in 2019- clean energy is critical for tant for India to get into cut- integrated chip featuring exclu- vision of submarine optical while its net profit more than India is an important market 20 over the previous financial India and it is important for the ting-age technology,” he said. sive MediaTek 5G UltraSave fibre cable connectivity doubled to 135.7 crore, as per for the company.”...We are year. Its net profit was higher country to get into cutting-age Noting that clean technologies technologies provides 2.3Gbps between mainland (Kochi) and regulatory documents. deeply committed to being an by about 23.9 per cent at 586.2 technology. are becoming darling of download speeds. Lakshadweep Islands. Its total income was 893.4 ally in the country’s socio- crore in FY20Facebook India Addressing a virtual book investors, Kant said the solar crore in the financial year economic transformation. We acts as a non-exclusive reseller launch event organised by the industry should not only look ended March 31, 2019, accord- will continue to invest in our of advertising inventory to cus- Observer Research Foundation, at manufacturing for India but ing to Registrar of Companies India operations while working tomers in India. It also provides Kant said India in the long run also for the rest of the world. filing - shared by market intel- with small and large business- IT/ITeS, marketing and other must become a manufacturer “Indian start-ups and ligence firm Tofler. es to help in their economic support services to the of solar products in India. entrepreneurs must get into The net profit increased by recovery post the pandemic,” Facebook group. “Clean energy, powered by new areas of growth,” he noted. )663).      $     / 1 4 9    6
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 The list also includes international stars like Hugh Jackman, Chris Hemsworth, South Korean girl band Blackpink, boy band BTS, actor and )  )0):)::)6)1:)+#)$)90):)   singer Jay Chou, Lee Min-ho and actors         E ) '((8  1  Mahira Khan, and singers Atif Aslam, 5'  P"  Troye Sivan among others. ctors Amitabh Bachchan, Shah using social media to interact with As per the list, Hrithik appeared in      ARukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, their fans, raise awareness, inspire May’s ‘I for India’ concert to raise Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Hrithik optimism and even helped causes like funds for COVID-19 workers. His )  % %  Roshan feature in the Forbes list of Most COVID-19 relief. The list comes Instagram post of the event drew over   )  Influential Celebrities on Social Media without any ranking. two million views. 0   )   in the Asia-Pacific region. The list also In the list, Big B has been credit- Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars list       mentions actors Katrina Kaif, Anushka ed for raising $7 million for COVID- evaluated the candidates based on the N)  Sharma, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shahid 19 relief this year. social media reach and engagement, 1  4   Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, besides singers Describing Akshay as their recent work, impact and advoca- Shreya Ghoshal and Neha Kakkar. Bollywood’s highest-paid actor, the list cy, brand endorsements and business   "O In the inaugural 100 Digital Stars states that the actor donated $4 mil- endeavours. Their recognition profile )  list, Forbes Asia highlights celebrities lion to COVID-19 relief in India and on a local, regional and global level 1   who, despite cancelled physical events took part in the ‘I For India’ fundrais- were also considered.   and activities, managed to remain active ing concert on Facebook Live in May, —IANS  )  0    )         @F08H'?"    !" # :  )     H #   
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   +%$70( 3#30        hen it comes to the audio Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi,      industry, podcast has become Rajasthani, Bhojpuri, and Assamese to   " Wthe new buzzword and a name a few. The other advantage of   favourite. Being able to penetrate mul- releasing the content in regional lan- L0    tiple geographies at the same time, pod- guage is that the podcast hosts can reach )   casts have started gaining huge pop- the rural areas of the country, where the ularity. A combination of the terms, majority of the population is not com- ) 0   )  " “iPod” and “broadcast,” podcast is fortable with speaking or listening to A%(%()"8"M a significantly growing seg- English audios. ment in the country’s When it comes to topics or issues of online entertainment sector discussion, there are different types of O)   and holds great potential for reaching podcasts available to cater to people of     " new heights in the future. all age groups and moods. They can offer Going as per the trends and official content varying from news, to mytho- " "  data, India has an internet user base of logical series, fun stories, and poems, 
' =) 500 million, out of which 40 million tune and even educational content in the local in to listen to a podcast. The market is language based on the geography they   
 led by the Apple Podcasts, which has are trying to target. This is an indicator     around 5.5 lakh active podcasts in 100+ that podcasts have limitless growth ""  > languages available for the users. possibilities when released in the lan- However, the emergence of home- guage preferred by the consumer of the  "      grown podcasting companies in recent content.      = years has been a growth catalyst for the Most of the leading content-gener- industry. ating platforms like YouTube have      According to PwC, the total revenue already started focussing on the Hindi  > "  generated from podcasting is estimated language to increase the engagement rate to reach $1 billion by 2021. Another of their content. Facebook and Google,    =)  report by Google reveals that India is too, have started focussing on native lan-     ? > among the top five countries using guages for enabling mass distribution of =    Google Podcasts app with an increased Not surprisingly, a study conduct- suming content online in their preferred the regional content among the locals. affinity towards on-demand content. ed by KPMG found that 73 per cent of vernacular language, which is enough to The demand for audio content in  =6 )
 Well, now, the growth of podcasts internet users prefer content in vernac- indicate the demand for local language regional languages is rising among  >   are being further fuelled by regional lan- ular language in India, and any compa- content. internet users in India. Hence, it is essen- guages in India and Pulkit Sharma, Co- ny which targets this group is likely to Podcasts in India have successfully tial for podcast platforms to increase the   "   Founder and CEO of Khabri, tells us enjoy an upward growth trajectory. tapped into the growing demand for variety of content they provide in ver-  
 ''=P how. As per DataLabs by Inc24, the esti- online content in vernacular languages. nacular languages. These podcasts in L  ?2 '  India is a country with 22 modern mated market opportunity for vernac- Out of the total number of new inter- local languages can be used to create Indian languages and around 720 recog- ular content in India is 53 per cent bil- net users, nearly 75 per cent of the users social awareness, do storytelling by nised dialects. The linguistic diversity in lion for the year, 2021. Google and belong to tier-II and tier-III towns, out rural people, and bring new talent )     India is increasing the demand for the KPMG’s joint study, titled Indian of which around 80 per cent of them onboard. The increased demand for       information available on various plat- Languages Defining India’s Internet, also want to consume information in their local languages and on-demand content      forms in vernacular languages. With a predicts that by the year 2021, Hindi native or local language. Thus, initially gives podcast platforms the opportuni- growth rate of 33 per cent, the vernac- internet users will surpass the number beginning in the English language, ty to provide a user experience, there-    ular internet ecosystem in the country of English internet users. 90 per cent of podcasts in India have now garnered a by leading to an unprecedented podcast      is thriving. these new internet users will prefer con- regional appeal by providing content in boom in India.       
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0 "  being the human shield to protect their        "M country. It is a story of determination and 1        love for the motherland. Narrated in Hindi by the Indian equestrian, actor and nature  
  H & wildlife enthusiast, Randeep Hooda, the       " show depicts the gruelling training that these Snow Warriors go through at one of the highest regimental centres in the      " world. On lending his voice for the show    P  in Hindi, Randeep Hooda said, “I have always been in awe of Ladakh’s beauty. 4      However, associating with this show, I am - R       %)#: now equally mesmerised by the stories of these warriors, who come with a determi- "'),      nation towards their country and train in thought leader, whose pursuits take place anywhere, including at    :     such extreme conditions only to be able Aand works have always suggest- home, in school, in a playground or     to protect their land. It’s a great initiative ed a major change towards society, even by people they trust. We need   6  by the channel and I am glad to lend my actor Ayushmann Khurrana, due to to help them understand the impor- voice and take this story to every corner his progressive, dialogue-initiating tance of changing their behaviours          of this country.” films and entertainers, has been and responses towards violence as   4   Col. Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), Maha voted as one of the ‘most influential well as increase reporting.” 9 " Vir Chakra awardee said, “Young Ladakhi people of the world’ by TIME According to the National Crime   boys come to join the Ladakh Scouts reg- Magazine. Records Bureau (2018), in India, five    H iment with a desire to do something for He was recently appointed as cases of child sexual abuse are report- their country. Physiologically, they are UNICEF’s Celebrity Advocate for ed every hour. The National Family  H adakh, known for its stunning customised for the existing terrain and cli- their global campaign EVAC (Ending Health Survey reveals that one in five     Llandscapes, beautiful snow- matic conditions of this place and are irre- Violence Against Children). Today, adolescent girls experience physical 4   capped mountains and O)
  > placeable as soldiers to deliver in extreme on World Human Rights Day, the violence since the age of 15 and that
 H sparkling blue waters, is also     P conditions of Ladakh. I am thankful to actor talks about a child’s right to majority of school children are sub- LA   home to Indian Army’s >  =) "  the the show for telling this story to the have a safe environment to grow up ject to physical and mental abuse by Ladakh Scouts, fondly known people of India, encouraging many young and how parents and teachers have a teachers (according to the National  M  as the ‘Snow Warriors.’ This ? "" > boys and girls to do something for their critical role to play in achieving Commission for Protection of Child   " picturesque land is full of sto-      motherland and make it proud.” this. Rights 2012). And these are just the 6  ries of their bravery and sac-      " Issac John, Direct-to-Consumer Ayushmann says, “Violence can reported figures.     rifice. To introduce these    " Head, APAC - Discovery, said, “There was and should be prevented. As parents, Ayushmann, as the Celebrity    courageous sons of the coun- no other show better than Ladakh teachers, members of the communi- Advocate for UNICEF, will be reach- try to the world, Discovery+ is     Warriors: The Sons of the Soil to launch ty and duty-bearers, we all have a role ing out to kids and families to pro-  H all set to launch a visually       the channel’s Originals. The show is a to play. We need to reach out to chil- mote awareness on this mission. He   " spectacular show this year,  " beautiful depiction of the spirit of Ladakh, dren and help them understand that says, “My effort being a part of the    Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the its people and their loyalty towards their they can speak out about the abuse UNICEF will be to reach out to max-   / 1  Soil.     > country. It will provide the viewers an and the violence they face in their imum number of people with mes-    7   Shot in the stunning backdrop > '     unprecedented access to one of the everyday lives to their parents or call sages, showing them the way to end of rugged desert mountains, Ladakh  =) P  world’s highest regimental centres and on the helpline — ChildLine: 1098. violence against all children. I am  A H Warriors: The Sons of the Soil is we’re delighted that we are kick-starting We have to help children understand committed to using my voice, my    exciting and immersive and will give
P with a show that will resonate with every how they can protect themselves.” social media platforms, my talent and     the heroes of mountain warfare the Indian family.” He adds, “We also need to reach my celebrity status to focus the 1  N
" attention they deserve. Born with (The show is now streaming on out to parents, friends, communities country’s attention on the need to larger lungs and genetically condi- Discovery+.) to make them aware how abuse can curb this issue immediately.”   !"#$"$"

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hhattisgarh is the leading tree guards, bamboo furniture manu- )1432 state in terms of preserving facturing, planting of medicinal plants Cforests. During the pandem- under Vanaushadhi Board, etc. ic induced lockdown, the state has Similarly, production of Mahua based achieved a lot in the sector under the 237"$)7$2 energy bar, chocolate, pickle, sanitiser, leadership of its Chief Minister Bhupesh amla based dehydrated products etc. is Baghel. It has made the highest contri- being planned with the help of CFTRI bution in terms of minor forest produce 1     .   ( %)17)%04)78- Mysore. This will provide employment collection during lockdown. Forest to more than 5,000 families. dwellers may earn annual income of         . .      Income of forest dwellers in the upto 2500 crore from forest produce state is increasing. Tea plantations in collection. According to the data .
     
  5  Jashpur and Surguja districts directly received from TRIFED, nearly 4,76,000 benefit the beneficiaries. During the quintals of forest produce worth 112 COVID crisis, 1,000 women got crore has been collected in the state till employment for manufacturing 50 July month this year. While the pan- lakh masks. In the current year, about demic hampered the economy across 12,000 women have received an addi- '  /% /  , A      B% 
)5 the world, tribal people in the state not tional income of 3,23,00000 from pri- CB)D         %  
 only earned livelihood by collecting for- mary processing of tamarind. In order  E?       %        est produce but also boosted the to increase the income of the forest   E/    %    %      growth of state’s economy. dwellers, 18,56,000 fruitful and bene-    
     
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   While the closure of factories dur- ficial plant species were planted on the % 
  5  %      ing lockdown worsened the problem of private land of 10,497 forest dwellers in  %  E.         unemployment across the world, for- 2019. To promote lac production,        % ?1&<:4E est dwellers in the state are getting 36,000 farmers have been selected in employment even during this time of 164 production areas. About 12,000 crisis through forest produce and quintal vermi compost is being pro- herbal medicine collection. New eco- duced every year by 800 beneficiaries. nomic strategies of Chhattisgarh Employment of 30 lakh man-days is Government are transforming lives of being generated through activities like people in the state. Every year nearly ground water conservation, degrada- 15 lakh sacks of tendupatta are collect- tion of degraded forests, wells, etc. ed in the state, which provides employ- About 50 lakh man-days of employ- ment to 12,65,000 tendupatta collector number of forest produce procured by price of Mahua was increased from 17 turing, double-stone construction, drug ment are available under the Narva families. State Government has State Government at minimum support to 30 per kg. The forest produce is being processing, city processing, bell metal, Development Programme under increased the wage rate for tendupat- price has been increased from seven to procured through 866 Haat Bazaars. terracotta handicrafts work etc. About Campa. More than 7,000 tribal youths ta collection to 4000 per sack, which 38. Employment of 10 lakh man-days of is 14,000 youths are provided employ- have got employment through Avarti has turned out be a direct benefit of Keeping in view the interest of for- being created in the state through wood ment through the Forest Development Charai Yojana, production of organic 649 crore for the labourers. The est dwellers in the state, the support art development, lac bangles manufac- Corporation, construction of bamboo manure, seed-fertiliser etc. .   5(  <  
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   % %    5    %   !      :9% >% :% E.     %     !  E     5 !   he Central Reserve Police Force,      %   E+:3 % <   Tthe lead internal security force  
     (+&( '   of the country has a culture of being  1   +    E+ :3%   in close affinity to nature and pre-  
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5  %   serving it. Recently, the force sur-  E passed its own target of planting 22 lakh trees this year by planting 25 lakh trees in a matter of few months after the Home Minister Amit Shah commenced the Akhil Bhartiya Vriksharopan Abhiyaan. The force is now institutional- ising its commitment by signing an MoU with the Haryana Govt which aims at creating a formal basis for cooperation and collaboration between CRPF and Forest Department, Govt of Haryana mployees’ State Insurance approving authority through an online focussing on mission of Green this initiative will be far-reaching tion for this collaboration for next ECorporation (ESIC) during its system. India and to provide a healthy envi- and will be felt all over the country. seven years in eight districts of 183rd meeting held on Monday under ronment to its citizens. This online She also said that the initiative will Haryana was signed by, Rakesh the chairmanship of Santosh Kumar Strengthen its super speciality ser- event which was attended by Dr. turn a forest deficient state into an Kumar, IG Northern Sector for /%     &,1'$ < ' /% '  +&, Gangwar, Minister of State for Labour vices in select ESIC hospitals in A.P. Maheshwari, DG CRPF, Dr. example of afforestation. CRPF and Vineet Garg, PCCF C7GD&  ,  1,C(D!   &1,&AA' & Employment (Independent Charge) Delhi/NCR in first phase Amarinder Kaur, IFS, Principal In his address, DG CRPF (CAMPA) for Govt of Haryana. It ;   ' %% &A    has taken several significant decisions Super speciality services in cardiology Chief Conservator of Forests cum expressed his happiness that the will enable cooperation in planta- 
       % % 1'$  to improve its delivery of medical ser- including nephrology, urology and Managing Director, Haryana Forest force has successfully committed to tion and maintenance of the trees    E&,1'$       1'$    vices and other benefits to workers. oncology will be strengthened in select Development Corporation, and a noble cause that will not only ben- on. Tuned with the new technolo- 
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    % E7   ESIC hospitals in Delhi/NCR and this other senior officers from both the efit us but will help in providing gy, the plantation will also be car-
     %&A ' 5' 5 A Directly run new/approved ESIC hos- will be extended to other hospitals signatory parties. clean environment for the genera- ried out by drones/UAVs to increase  %   %        pitals across the country in a phased manner. Calling this MoU ‘historic,’ Dr. tions to come. green cover on significantly larger %& A E Medical services to the insured Amarinder said that the impact of The MoU which laid founda- stretches of land. workers and their dependants under Engage hospital managers the ESI Scheme are provided primar- The corporation will engage hos- ily through hospitals and dispensaries pital managers with specialisation in run by the State Governments. hospital management or hospital There are, at present, around 1520 ESI administration or health care admin- NTPC to partner Narmada dispensaries and 159 hospitals across istration for maintenance, housekeep- the country, out of which 45 dispen- ing, patient assistance, patient safety Landscape Restoration Project saries and 49 hospitals are directly run and other ancillary activities in ESIC by ESIC while remaining dispensaries hospitals across the country. and hospitals are run by the respective State Governments. Several represen- Engage the services of project man- tatives have received deficient ser- agement consultant vices in ESI hospitals run by State The corporation will also engage Governments due to poor availability the services of project management of equipment and doctors. consultant for monitoring and facilitat- ing execution of hospital and dispen- ESIC beneficiaries to get medical care sary construction projects of ESIC from private empanelled or hospitals from the stage of concept plan to com- )  empanelled under Ayushman Bharat missioning of the project. in areas where ESIC infrastructure is not available Extension of relaxed conditions and n the occasion of the International Day coordinators Sharda Sumand and Madhuram Keeping in view the increase in ESI enhanced benefits for further six Oof Persons with Disabilities, Evara Aparajita said that Adya Singh and Arjun TPC Ltd signed a Memorandum of Environment, Forest and Climate coverage over the recent years and the months Foundation organised an all India Pratap Singh from class six; Neelanjana NUnderstanding (MoU) with Indian Change (MoEF&CC), GoI with the absence of its own medical infrastruc- The corporation has also decided drawing/painting competition. It was aimed Maggo and Akshayanshi Singh from class Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), grant-in-aid from NTPC will be joint- ture in several areas, the corporation to extend the relaxed conditions and at increasing awareness about disability and seven; Kiran from class eight; Kratika Pandey, Bhopal, to implement the Narmada ly implementing this project with has now decided that in areas where the enhanced benefit of 50 per cent of persons with disabilities among the school Avishi Bansal from class nine and Gaurav, Landscape Restoration Project. The pro- Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). ESI infrastructure is not available the average per day earning upto a students. The event was open for students of Simran, Pinky, and Manan Jain from class ten gramme is in partnership with a grant It will participate in this project with within a radius of 10 kms, the benefi- maximum of 90 days under the Atal sixth to 10th standards from all schools of were selected as winners of the competition. in aid from NTPC Ltd and United States funding support from USAID, the ciary can avail medical consultation for Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana to the India. Detailed results will be available on the Evara Agency for International Development international development arm of the OPD services directly from a hospital insured workers who became unem- Lalit Kumar ‘Samyak Lalit,’ Chairman of website. The students will be provided with (USAID) in equal proportions. US Government. empanelled with ESIC or with ployed due to COVID-19 induced Evara Foundation said that a virtual exhibi- certificates and gift hampers. The four-year project will be imple- NLRP’s collaborative approach will Ayushman Bharat without the need for lockdown for a further period of six tion of selected paintings shall be set up on There are some paintings showing prob- mented in Khargone District of Madhya demonstrate the interdependency of the referral from an ESI dispensary or hos- months i.e. upto 30th June, 2021. The www.evara.org. The subject of this compe- lems faced by persons with disabilities and Pradesh in the catchments of selected upstream sustainably managed forest pital. In such cases if admission for eligible workers can file their claims on tition was ‘Inclusion of Students with then some other artworks depict the solutions tributaries of the River Narmada and farm practices on downstream indoor treatment is required, the the ESIC portal (www.esic.in) with the Disabilities’ and the event was titled for these problems. It is heartening to see that between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar water resources. It aims to establish an empanelled hospital will obtain time mobile number, Aadhaar and bank ‘Samadhan 2020.’ the sensitivity is developing among students dams. IIFM, Bhopal, an Autonomous incentivisation mechanism that can sup- bound permission from the ESI details. Announcing the results, the project for all sections of society. Institute under the Ministry of port the riparian forest.

review meeting was held in #$(   !  -  
  Athe auditorium of    Ghaziabad Development Authority on the preparation of RM University, Andhra Pradesh invit- ity research and coordination among the eet The Bijlees, the comic Ghaziabad Loni, Modinagar A8)   
  Sed Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, universities.” Further, Prof Ashutosh took Mbook from NTPC, brought and Muradnagar Master Plan Department of Science and Technology the virtual podium to speak about science, out in association with Amar 2031 based on the Central  
  O#  (DST), Government of India to deliver a technology, and innovation. Picturesquely, Chitra Katha in both Hindi and Government’s Atal Mission for lecture. Prof K Hema Chandra Reddy, he explained, “Innovation pertains to English languages, attempts to Rejuvenation and Urban  ")1:@ 60$)6 Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Council visual imaginations and thinking. present a panoramic view of the Transformation (AMRUT) Of Higher Education, Prof V S Rao, Vice- Knowledge becomes sustainable when company’s presence across the scheme. Chancellor, Prof D Narayana Rao, Pro invention and innovation is balanced. energy value chain. It aims to In the meeting the DDD Vice-Chancellor, faculty members, and Invention uses resources to produce educate young children on the Constituency Private Ltd who more than 700 participants attended the knowledge, whereas innovation deploys significance of electricity with- was selected to prepare the lecture on “Art of Science in the Time of knowledge to generate economic out overwhelming them with engi- briefs about the company’s initia- three master plans by the gov- Virus and Beyond: The Brave New World.” resources” neering jargons. tives to produce 30 per cent of its ernment made a presentation For the first time, virtual avatars were Prof Sharma accentuated that COVID The comic book also presents energy with the help of non-fossil about the progress so far. The created by the students who used applica- taught us the lesson that sustainable the journey of the integrated ener- fuels by 2032. The comic also meeting was held under the tions developed by them. Further, Prof D development can address major challenges. gy player with its commitment to focusses on the company’s concern chairmanship of GDA Vice Narayana Rao commenced the pro- Urging everyone to do their individual job provide affordable, reliable, clean- about the environment and informs President Kanchan Verma. gramme. He informed, “DST has taken up well, he informed that capacity of learn- er and greener energy. the readers about the power major’s There, the survey sheet provid- the daunting task of making India as one ing is the most prized possession. He said, It also provides an interesting goal to plant over 34 million trees ed by NSRA Hyderabad was of the world leaders in science and tech- “Capacity to adapt to change, learn new platform to capture the children’s in and around its power stations related to the collection and nology with several projects aimed at moti- things, and lifelong learning is para- attention to a complex but interest- and its massive drives to save elec- superimposition of the vil- vating talent to be better equipped to face mount to thrive. The convergence of mul- ing subject and imparts knowledge tricity every year. lages, primary and second sion, Kanchan Verma gave the tant company to discharge all future challenges”. tiple disciplines has an instrumental role about not only electricity genera- It also highlights NTPC’s col- stage data collection and pre- necessary guidelines for the the obligations on time. Hema Chandra Reddy delivered a in solving crucial problems. Our education tion but also its safety aspects laboration with Ola and Zoomcar sentation on land use devia- action of the alignment of the The meeting was attended speech on research initiatives in science system must have parallel structures for which is of practical use in our to diversify the electric charging tions and other topics at the current and proposed align- by Chief Officer of NCR and technology introduced by the Andhra multidisciplinary knowledge creation and everyday lives, thereby making it infrastructure across the country relative site. ment of Hindon Strips and Planning Board, SC Gowda, govt. He informed, “Government of AP is research. We should be crossing borders far more pertinent for the younger and the power major’s road map in In the meeting, problems Northern Peripheral Road and Chief Executive of GDA, planning to establish AP state research of knowledge and expanding the bound- lot. bringing about the electric vehicle were faced especially in the Meerut Expressway of RRTS. Ashish Shivpuri, along with all board to promote multidisciplinary qual- aries of disciplines.” The last part of the comic revolution in India. Sajra collection. On this occa- She also instructed the consul- the officials. '  B   !"#$"$"

“We started too late. Great spirit and comeback again. It’s different to the Premier League — you can’t give a team a three-goal lead and expect to come back,” Solskjaer told BT Sport post-match. “We were unlucky towards the end and you almost thought it was in at the last minute there.  “Of course, you can’t say we were good enough; we weren’t.” Leipzig must wait until Wednesday to find out whether they finish first or second 6 
 in the section, after the contest between last season’s runners-up PSG and Turkish cham- pions Basaksehir was interrupted with the score 0-0 in the 14th minute. 6161 PSG, who advanced following United’s A    loss, will claim top spot with victory in Paris. BA  5        +" MOUKOKO MAKES HISTORY +   Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko, aged 16 years and 18 days, . 

&
  became the youngest player in Champions League history as he came off the bench in  %  a 2-1 victory away to Zenit Saint Petersburg. Cameroon-born Moukoko, who made
 his European debut as a 58th-minute sub- B   3