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VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | SUNDAY, APRIL 4 | 2021 12 PAGES + SUNDAY POST | `4.00 3 BJP MLAs suspended The MLAs, Jaynarayan Mishra, Bishnu Charan Sethi and Mohan Charan Majhi, were suspended for hurling shoes and headphones at the Speaker’s podium

POST NEWS NETWORK Trouble began soon after the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion Night curfew Bhubaneswar, April 3: Three senior brought by Congress members on the BJP MLAs have been suspended from mining issue the ongoing Budget session for hurl- ing shoes and headphones at Speaker Speaker adjourned the House sine die back in 10 dists Surjya Narayan Patro’s podium dur- five working days ahead of schedule ing the House proceedings Saturday. The BJP members are staging an The suspended legislators are “overnight” dharna atnear the Opposition chief whip Mohan Charan Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Majhi, deputy Leader of Opposition Assembly premises and plan to meet Bishnu Charan Sethi and senior BJP the Governor Monday member Jayanarayan Mishra. The Speaker suspended the three leaders ing incident. We could beg apology after examining the video footage. Jayanarayan Mishra Bishnu Charan Sethi Mohan Charan Majhi for any such incident even as I am un- The House Saturday witnessed ugly aware that who were involved in the scenes as BJP MLAs hurled shoes, ear- Meanwhile, BJP members again manded suspension of the BJP mem- watch the video footage of the incident. incident. But, the Speaker has cur- phones and papers at the Speaker’s went to the well and hurled two shoes, bers while another member from BJD, After the meeting, government chief tailed all the constitutional guidelines podium during the proceedings. One of papers and three headphones towards Kishore Mohanty said, “It is the pre- whip Pramila Mallick moved a mo- today. As a Leader of Opposition, I them also threw dustbin inside the House. the Speaker’s podium. Hence, both rogative of the Speaker to take deci- tion to suspend the three MLAs, which was not allowed to speak. The Bills were As the Speaker rejected an adjourn- the Bills were passed in the House sion on which adjournment motion will was adopted. Later, the Speaker an- passed arbitrarily amid heavy ruckus,” ment motion brought by Congress mem- without the participation of Opposition be accepted or not. No one can challenge nounced that the three MLAs have Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik bers on the mining issue, both BJP and members. Following this, the House was him.” Congress Legislature Party been suspended till the end of the on- told reporters outside the House. Congress members alleged that the adjourned till 4 pm. (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra said, going Budget session. He also requested Reacting to the suspension, Mohan Speaker doesn’t want to conduct any As soon as the post-lunch session “What has happened in the House is them to leave the House immediately. Majhi said “I have not hurled shoes. REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO debate on the mining issue in the House. started, many Treasury bench mem- really unprecedented, undesirable However, within next two hours, the Throwing headphone towards If the Speaker has any objection on the bers and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and un-called for. I express my dis- House was adjourned sine die, five Speaker’s podium is not a new incident POST NEWS NETWORK tivities as felt appropriate notice why did he not clarify it earlier, BK Arukha condemned the action of pleasure over the incident.” working days ahead of schedule. in the House.” considering the local situ- the Opposition leaders questioned. the Opposition and demanded exem- However, another senior Congress Till the time of writing this report, However, Mishra welcomed his Bhubaneswar, April 3: In ation, it says. Soon, BJP and Congress members plary action against the BJP members member Santosh Singh Saluja termed BJP members are on an “overnight” suspension. “We are opposing in- view of rising COVID-19 The government has, rushed to the well of the House and cre- for insulting the chair and the House. it as a trivial incident and said he is feels dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi’s justice in the Assembly. If I am sus- cases, the state government however, kept emergency ated ruckus. Unable to run the House, “During my 26 years as a member sorry for the untoward incident. “But statue on the Assembly premises to pended for opposing injustice, I would Saturday announced night services pertaining to health, the Speaker called an all-party meeting of the House, I have never witnessed you should not give much importance protest the suspension order of the welcome it. The Speaker did not allow curfew in 10 districts be- electricity, police, fire serv- and later allowed debate on passing of such an unfortunate incident. Strong to the incident,” he told the Speaker. Speaker. Congress members too staged any Opposition member, including tween 10 pm and 5 am from ice, water supply, telecom, the Odisha Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill punishment should be given for such After hearing the members, the walk-out protesting against the non-ac- Leader of Opposition, to speak dur- Monday. railway and airport out of and the Societies Registration (Odisha act,” Arukha said. Speaker adjourned the proceedings ceptance of their adjournment motion. ing passage of the Bills, which is un- “In the interest of the the purview of restrictions. Amendment) Bill. Senior BJD legislator PK Deb de- and conveyed an all-party meeting to “I am not supporting the shoe hurl- constitutional.” general public and to prevent Employees of the transmission of infection, Information Technology it is directed that night cur- and media houses have been few will be in force in the dis- exempted from the curfew IRREGULAR by MANJUL Police officer killed tricts of Sundargarh, restrictions. Home delivery Covid effect: Srimandir to Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, services have been allowed in US Capitol attack Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, to function during the cur- Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, few hours. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Koraput and Malkangiri Odisha has been consis- remain closed on Sundays from April 5 till further or- tently reporting more than New York, April 3: A vehicle attack at the US ders,” said an order issued 400 new COVID-19 cases AGENCIES the week except Sundays. This will Capitol killed a police officer and the alleged as- by Chief Secretary Suresh daily for the past two days. be as per the schedule of Niti (rit- sailant was shot dead by law enforcement, as Chandra Mahapatra. While 452 more people were Bhubaneswar, April 3: In view of ual) on different days. The public Washington is still reeling from the violent As per the order, all shops, found COVID positive the rising number of COVID-19 darshan of Lords will start latest January 6 riots at the Congress. commercial establishments, Saturday, 461 had tested pos- cases, the Shree Jagannath Temple by 6 am unless notified. The man who allegedly carried out the at- offices, institutions and move- itive Friday. The districts Administration (SJTA) issued fresh There will be complete saniti- tack on Friday afternoon was identified as Noah ment of individuals will be which share borders with Standard Operating Procedure zation of the temple premises on Green, a 25-year-old man from Indiana, who ac- restricted or prohibited be- Chhattisgarh are especially (SOP) Saturday as per which the 12th every Sunday. Night time saniti- cording to his Facebook posts is an adherent of tween 10 pm and 5 am in vulnerable to rapid rise in It is an insult. century shrine will remain open for zation of the temple premises will the Nation of Islam sect, which has been de- these districts. Only essen- infections. Phalke should have been all days of the week except Sunday be conducted twice a week after nounced by mainstream Muslims and has no con- tial activities will be allowed The highest – 77 – fresh given Thalaiva award. for public darshan. “It was discussed that a number closure of the temple for public nections to the faith despite the sect's name. during the curfew period. cases were reported in There will be complete saniti- of suggestions have been received darshan, he said. Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman Collectors and Municipal Khurda district, while west- sation of the temple premises on for making changes in the SOP in There should be strict enforce- said at a news conference that the car rammed Commissioners will issue ern Odisha districts such every Sunday, officials said. view of the increasing trend in ment for ensuring COVID appro- two police officers at a Capitol checkpoint, killing orders for their respective as Nuapada (71), Sundargarh 5 jawans killed in A meeting held with all stake- number of COVID-19 cases,” Kumar priate behaviour by all concerned. one of them and injuring another. jurisdictions for clamping re- (75), Kalahandi (29) and holders under the Chairmanship of said, adding that the matter was “The guidelines issued by the The driver of the car came out wielding a strictions under Section 144 Bargarh (19) too had high encounter with SJTA chief Krishan Kumar had a also discussed in the Chhatisha state government with respect to re- knife and lunged at an officer who shot him, she of CrPC, and ensure strict caseloads. The spurt in in- detailed discussions on the imple- Nijog (servitor bodies) March 23. strictions on persons coming from said. The slain police officer has been identified compliance. Collectors may fections is attributed to Naxals in Ch’garh mentation of guidelines laid down According to new SOP, the tem- other states, shall be scrupulously by Capitol Police as 18-year veteran William also impose any further re- movement of infected peo- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA in the SOP. ple will remain open on all days of followed,” he said. "Billy" Evans. strictions or allow such ac- ple from Chhattisgarh.

Raipur, April 3: Five security personnel were killed and a few oth- Gangrape accused ers injured Saturday in an en- counter with Naxals at a forest in shot dead by cops Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, Kerala’s first transgender candidate a top police officer said. According AGENCIES to the police, some Maoists are also suspected to have been killed Meerut/New Delhi, April 3: during the exchange of fire. One of four men accused of the “The gunbattle broke out in withdraws amid threats, harassment gangrape of a Class X student in Tarrem area (along Sukma and western UP’s Meerut has been Bijapur border) when a joint team AGENCIES paign. The harassment came after I said shot by police as he and his ac- of security forces was out on an that I would not do anything which would complice attempted to escape cus- anti-Naxal operation,” Anannyah Kumari Alex, Malappuram, April 3: All set to be the first surrender my personality,” she stated. tody while being taken to court. Chhattisgarh Director General of the first transgender transgender person in Kerala to contest Alex continued, “I was used by DSJP Police said the two accused - Police DM Awasthi said. the Assembly election, Anannyah Kumari party leaders. They had some plans and Lakhan and Vikas - were arrested The personnel belonging to the person to contest an Alex is now withdrawing from the poll fray. reasons for putting me in the front. But I did- earlier Saturday and were being CRPF's elite Commando Battalion Assembly election in Anannyah Kumari Alex alleged that she n’t understand that earlier. I have a per- taken to court when they snatched for Resolute Action unit (CoBRA), was mentally tortured and received death sonality and my own opinions, and I am not a pistol from one of the police- the District Reserve Guard (DRG) Kerala, is withdrawing threats from leaders of the Democratic ready to surrender that.” men guarding them and tried to and the Special Task Force (STF) Social Justice Party (DSJP) which had nom- Anannyah Kumari Alex further alleged flee. Police also said that in the were involved in the operation, from the election inated her. that DSJP leaders threatened to kill her encounter that the two were pinned he said. “As per the preliminary in- after allegedly receiving Despite the fact that the last date for when she opposed them. They portrayed down near a village. Lakhan formation, five jawans were killed withdrawal of nomination papers has gone me as a prostitute and insulted me, she opened fire, and was then shot in and a few others were injured in death threats from by, 28-year-old Alex has decided to end her claimed. his leg by the cops’ return fire. the gunfight,” Awasthi said, adding leaders of the DSJP election campaign. She was nominated “I wanted to contest the election to ensure “Today both accused were being that further details are awaited. from the Vengara constituency in the representation and equality for transgen- taken to court, when they escaped which nominated her Malappuram district of Kerala against sen- der people in Kerala. But it was the party by grabbing the gun of a Police ior leader PK Kunhalikutty of the Indian that instructed me to contest from the Inspector. A combing operation Union Muslim League representing the Vengara constituency. It was not my deci- was launched... the accused opened

WEATHER United Democratic Front (UDF) and sion initially,” Alex said. fire on police. We returned fire and y BHUB CTK Communist Party of India (Marxist) can- Anannyah Kumari Alex hails from Lakhan was shot in his leg,” Keshav

didate P Jiji representing the Left Democratic Peruman in Kollam district of Kerala. She Kumar, the Superintendent of Police

k y m c MAX 37.4° 36.0° Front (LDF). is Kerala’s first transgender radio jockey. She (Rural), said. Both accused have “The DSJP leaders forced me to speak is also a professional makeup artist and a been re-captured, and Lakhan is TEMP MIN 26.0° 25.4° Forecast poorly of UDF candidate PK Kunhalikutty news anchor employed at a private channel. being treated at a local hospital. Humidity 83% 85% Partly and to criticise the LDF government,” Alex Kerala will go to the polls in a single The young girl was allegedly Rainfall Nil Nil cloudy sky said. “I was also forced by the party leaders phase April 6. The counting of the votes will gangraped by four men (two oth- to observe pardah during the election cam- be done May 2. ers are still on the run) Thursday. LESS IS MORE FOR ME: TOM HANKS, RITA WILSON NOT P2 EIZA ON HER MAKEUP ‘OLD ENOUGH’ FOR COVID VAX SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Actress Eiza Gonzalez likes to put on Hollywood couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, minimal makeup. “It’s really become less who contracted Covid-19 last year, have not is more for me. Obviously when you’re been able to get their Covid vaccinations yet. younger, you feel excited about the fact The couple in their early 60s have been told that that you can wear makeup and start doing they were not “old enough”. “We are in line now

y adult stuff,” the actress said, according to because so many people are vaccinated and

k y m leisure contactmusic.com they’re opening up to the next tier," Wilson said c FORTUNE FORECAST RASHMIKA NERVOUSLY Parineeti’s tips on how to be her best fan ARIES excited working with Big B MUMBAI: Actress would share a few tips to be a good You experience a sense of freedom today. And in Parineeti Chopra has fan of any celebrity,” said the Saina this mood you feel like MUMBAI: grateful to shared what she expects actress. doing all the things that you loved to do Actress Rashmika be working with from her “super fan”, “Respect our space. For in- in your childhood. It is a nice time to take Mandanna will share Mr Bachchan, and and high up on her pri- stance, if we are stepping out your family on an outing, says Ganesha. screen space with veteran never did I think that I’d be ority list is that a fan from somewhere, be it an airport, Given your mood, you may start plan- ning for the future of your loved ones. Amitabh Bachchan in the sharing the screen space with should know how to public events or restaurants, film Goodbye. Rashmika sir so early on in my career. I am give his favourite and fans close in for a selfie says she never imag- totally looking forward for the celebrity sufficient space. without asking -- I think that TAURUS ined she would get a shoot to start off with him and to “I love my fans is a sign of disrespect. You have a hectic day chance to work with make as many memories as possible not just because You know, all of us, we ahead, says Ganesha. the legend so soon in and have fun. I am sure to learn a lot they watch my love our fans and if you You will be immersed in her career. from him,” she says. films and ap- ask me, ‘Parineeti, can your work all day long and will love doing Goodbye is The actress adds that she is nervous preciate my ef- I take a selfie with you?’ so. A lot will get done by the end of the day. Make sure you do not stretch your Rashmika’s second as well as excited. forts. I read mostly I say ‘yes’, unless neck or take unnecessary risks. That will Hindi film, after the “I am truly, nervously excited to start their substan- I am genuinely in rush. be bad for business. Stick to basics. Do upcoming Mission working with sir on the sets of Goodbye. tial feedback But the best way to be not be innovative or speculative. Majnu. This is an opportunity I wouldn’t miss for that at times the best fans is to be re- “I’m the world and I’ll make the most out of it,” turns out valu- spectful towards us, GEMINI truly she says. able. So on one by maintaining lines Rashmika has worked in Telugu films hand they of privacy and It's time you took stock Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade should keep lov- space,” added the of your personal life. Is in the past. In Mission Majnu, ing me the way actress. IANS there someone you want to propose but are afraid to do so? will has been cast along- they do, but I Ganesha advises you not to let the fear side Sidharth of rejection stop you from making an Malhotra. effort. There are strong indications that IANS you will be accepted if you speak your heart today. So let him/her know how you feel. The time to make your dream come true is now. CANCER Ganesha says that this will be a unique and aus- picious day for you. You will get clue and hints of this from morning itself. A religious cere- mony in the house, and thereby invita- tion to guests is indicated. The chance of shifting to a new house is indicated. Ganesha expresses his best wishes. Palash’s son to make Eka Zidkhor Jhia: A reflection of LEO You will have to bear Hollywood debut more responsibilities in the office. You need to how corruption flourishing in society carefully weigh your NEW DELHI: Kinshuk Sen, son of ect. Not only did the team support alternatives before making a decision. Delhi-based band Euphoria’s front me in carrying out the tradition, but On the personal front, you will need to man Palash Sen, is all set to make they all participated actively in POST N EWS NETWORK family. She tries to transform the watch against minor conflicts with your his Hollywood debut with the film doing so!” he said on working in the NATYA DHARA : DAY -3 disreputable existence of the fam- partner cropping up. You will be able to In A Silent Way. Collin Levin film that stars Nicolai BHUBANESWAR: Satabdira ily into a dignified one by work- take part in entertaining and fun activi- Named after Dorian and Kimball Farley. Kalakar, one of the oldest theatre ing hard. ties, says Ganesha. the famous The 26-year-old recalls going troupes of the city, presented the Intelligent Mangala starts a Miles to an audition which “specif- play Eka Zidkhor Jhia, here at venture of producing spices, pickle VIRGO Davis ically asked for the actor to be Bhanja Kala Mandap, Saturday, on and papad involving the family Today is a mixed bag song, the able to play the piano at a the third day of Natyadhara. members. She earns well by sell- of values and pragma- film fol- semi-professional level.” At least four Odia plays, three ing the products and manages to tism, says Ganesha, and if there were to be lows the “This was my first official on first three days and the fourth fulfill family’s financial needs. a competition for the most humanitarian life of four film audition ever. one on the second Sunday, are But corrupt Brajabandhu bounces person, you would be likely to win hands jazz musi- Thankfully, I had prior piano staged every month by the Culture back and takes control of the fam- down. You would do well to make plans cians in Los training from a school ac- Department, Government of ily by destroying Mangala’s busi- to increase your productivity. Ganesha Angeles, and credited with Trinity Odisha in collaboration with ness plan. advises you to look at the big picture, their efforts to Guildhall,” he Odisha Sangeet Natak In the original book, playwright which should not be so difficult for you as you already have a broad perspective. make it in an in- says. IANS Akademi(OSNA) and Odisha Tendulkar tried to give a message dustry that has no Natya Sangh(ONS). that moral values are always LIBRA room for them. Adapted by Ramakanta OP PHOTO threatened by forces of corruption “The entire experience Banerjee from Vijay Tendulkar’s A scene from play Eka Zidkhor Jhia staged at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Saturday and opportunism. It is very likely that you was one of the warmest Marathi play Ek Hatti Mulgi (1967), OSNA Secretary Praboth will arouse immense and most fun experi- the Odia version was designed ion flourishes and a battle against to make a living. But he finds it dif- Kumar Rath, theatre personality jealousy in others with ences of my life. I and directed by Dhira Mallick. it ends in defeat. ficult to continue after the entry Ashok Kar and ONS secretary your success and growth in business. Your business rivals may attempt to dent have always cracked The play is yet another reflec- Brajabandhu, head of the fam- of his daughter-in-law Mangala Lala Biren Roy were guests on your credit worthiness in one way or the a coconut on the first tion of a society in which corrupt ily, resorts to fraudulent methods who is an honest woman, into the the occasion. other. You may prefer to deal with them day of any work proj- subtly rather than confront them openly, Kinshuk Sen feels Ganesha. SCORPIO SUDOKU The grey strands on your PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, fill in the boxes in such a head is not just a colour, CROSSWORD manner that every row, column and 3x3 box contains but speaks about your the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. experiences. Your wisdom will make you take appropriate decisions at work. Ganeshji warns you to stay away from courtrooms and legal issues, or the trap may leave a deep scar. SAGITTARIUS Today is a curiously interesting day for you. While you are always well-groomed, today, you may take that extra bit of care to look best and attract a lot of praise for that too, especially from those glam hounds around you. That immaculate charm you are carrying today will enhance your business fortunes. CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN If wasteful expenditure has left your bank bal- ance a tad below what you had anticipated, you will have reasons to rejoice today, says Ganesha. Cash inflow — and a substantial SOLUTIONS amount of it — is likely and will make you feel nice about your finances. Work will go on as usual. The only change may be a discernible change in the work ambience; it may get a little more comfortable. AQUARIUS Do you wish to have a new car or any other property? Make the bookings today, as it is favourable day to BREVITY make such purchases. You will prioritise CROSSWORD your needs and consider available finances so that you can have your dream car or house. In the evening, you will find solace in temple or any other

religious places, says Ganesha. y

PISCES

k y m c Fear is a part and parcel of life, and while it can not be eliminated, it can certainly be tamed, and that is what you will be doing today. All your suppressed audacity will be on full CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU display, says Ganesha. P3 COVID-19 TRACKER SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD World 13,11,61,893 10,55,81,040 28,54,726

India 1,23,92,260 1,15,69,241 1,64,110

downtown Odisha 3,42,224 3,37,635 1,921

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Woman dies, 3 hurt Distancing helped tribals Capital city has 69 in jumbo attack dreaded criminals POST NEWS NETWORK Khurda, April 3: A woman was keep nCoV at bay: Naidu POST NEWS NETWORK trampled to death by an elephant in the city, other districts or outside state are always under the scan- at Durgaprasad village under PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Bhubaneswar, April 3: Habitual ner of the police. Dhaulimunha gram panchayat in offenders engaged in various Nayapalli police has sent the Khurda district Saturday. Bhubaneswar, April 3: The tribal heinous criminal activities always name of five such dreaded crimi- The elephant also attacked three population in Odisha was largely give the police sleepless nights. It nals to the DCP during the last others, leaving them seriously in- untouched by the Covid-19 pan- is considered the most important couple of years. Four more come jured. The deceased has been iden- demic and their unique custom- duty of a cop to keep strict vigil on from Airfield police. The Khandagiri tified as Manjulata Behera and ary practices and traditions have these notorious criminals police recorded 14 such the injured as Nityananda Behera, helped them keep the infection at and thwart activities We criminals, highest in Mamata Bharimalla and Sasmita bay, Vice President M Venkaiah detrimental to peace have been leaving the city. Similarly, Bharimalla of Durgaprasad village. Naidu said here Saturday while and tranquility of no stone unturned to 10 criminals According to a source, the four citing a study. an area. check illegal activities of have been men- were working at the backyards of The report by Scheduled Castes The officers at tioned as most their houses. Suddenly a tusker dreaded criminals who were and Scheduled Tribes Research police stations are wanted by the came from nowhere and attacked and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) supposed to send arrested or are still at large Jatni police. Manjulata. The elephant took her noted that by habit, tribal people a list of such crim- UMASHANKAR DASH | Likewise, by its trunk, thrashed her to the maintain a reasonable distance inals in their area DCP, BHUBANESWAR Sahid Nagar po- ground and trampled her to death from one another when they walk, to the district super- lice sent names of before attacking others. he said. intendents of police and eight dreaded The villagers rushed the injured DCPs. According to information criminals involved in various to Khurda district headquarters We have great available through RTI, the city has serious and heinous crimes under hospital. Later, Mamata and Sasmita economic potential around 69 such notorious crimi- its jurisdiction. were shifted to AIIMS in and can improve nals under various police limits. Speaking to Orissa POST, DCP Bhubaneswar as their conditions de- the human development The criminals who were involved Umashankar Dash said, “We have teriorated. The incident triggered index on all counts. We can Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Governor Ganeshi Lal and other dignitaries in a number of cases related to the been leaving no stone unturned to tension in the village as hundreds fight hunger, disease, at the 50th convocation of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, Saturday Arms Act, robbery, murder, or any check the illegal activities of of villagers staged a sit-in on the vil- ignorance and every other property offence under the juris- dreaded criminals who were lage road, holding the Forest de- evil that retard our growth A paternalistic attitude is wrong. esty and hard work are the keys to dictions of various police stations arrested or are still at large.” partment responsible for the death. The truth is that we have a lot to success in any field, including M VENKAIAH NAIDU | VICE PRESIDENT learn from tribal communities public life. who live a simple life in harmony “We have great economic po- “Such safe distancing and hy- with nature,” the Vice tential and can improve the human FOREST FIRE giene norms, rooted in the tribal cul- President said. development index on all counts. ture coupled with the natural food, He also urged institutions like We can fight hunger, disease, ig- have helped them stay safe during Utkal University to take up re- norance and every other evil that the pandemic,” Naidu said ad- search on issues faced by tribal retard our growth,” he remarked. dressing the 50th convocation of people and actively contribute to Talking about the rich culture Utkal University here. policy formation for their devel- and history of Odisha, the Vice Universities should focus on opment and well-being. President said the great land of these positive aspects of tribal Naidu also focused on the man- Kalinga taught lesson of peace to communities and include them in agement of natural disasters that Emperor Ashoka. their curriculum, he said. the coastal state faces regularly. He also lauded the daring sea- His comment came at a time “You have seen regular occur- faring merchants of Kalinga, who when India Saturday recorded 89,129 rence of cyclones, floods and established trade links with vari- new Covid-19 cases, the highest droughts in the state. Therefore, it ous countries. daily rise in around six-and-half- is imperative to make disaster “I want you (students) to take in- months, taking the nationwide tally management an integral part of spiration from their stories and of infections to over 1.23 crore. our education from the early days. imbibe the spirit of entrepre- Odisha is home to 62 tribal com- This would prepare us better to neurship and innovation. Our uni- munities constituting 23 per cent face any such calamity in future. versities and educational institu- of the state’s total population. I hope Utkal University will take tions also have an important role “The development and welfare a lead in this regard,” he said. in this. They should equip stu- of these tribal communities should Naidu, while asking students dents with requisite skills so that be our priority. We should approach to be sensitive to the needs of the they can emerge as job creators, not Fire brigade personnel dousing flames that engulfed a cashew forest at Konark in Puri district, Saturday. At least a them with respect and sensitivity. excluded, said that discipline, hon- mere job seekers,” he added. hundred cashew trees were gutted OP PHOTO FRBM, Lokayukta Amendment Bills passed STF seeks 5-day remand

POST NEWS NETWORK instead of the current five years. for leopard skin smugglers Also, designation of professor, Bhubaneswar, April 3: The reader and lecturer will be re-des- POST NEWS NETWORK operating the wildlife crime racket Assembly Saturday passed six bills ignated as professor, associate pro- from there. The accused duo re- including the Odisha Lokayukta fessor and assistant professor in Bhubaneswar, April 3: The Special portedly revealed the fact before the Amendment Bill on the last day of line with all-India pattern. Task Force (STF) has sought the per- STF sleuths during initial the session. The amendment was An OAS officer, not below the mission of the Khurda sessions interrogation. made to the Odisha Lokayukta Act, rank of joint secretary, will now court here for remand of the leop- The task force also released a 2014 to allow re-appointment of the be appointed as registrar of BPUT ard skin smugglers arrested re- mobile phone number (9439263646) chairperson and members of to ensure better and efficient man- cently urging the the panel. agement of the university. Similarly, from citizens to Now, after completion of the an Odisha Finance Service officer Bolagarh share infor- tenure, the chairperson and mem- will be appointed as finance officer area in mation re- bers of the Odisha Lokayukta can Now, after completion of the tenure, the Amendment to the of BPUT. The move is seen as an at- Khurda. lated to get re-appointed in any other state. chairperson and members of the Odisha Biju Patnaik University tempt by the state government to The STF wildlife In the original Act, the government Lokayukta can get re-appointed in any other state of Technology (BPUT) have control in day-to-day univer- sought the crimes in has restricted re-appointment of Act was also passed in sity affairs. court’s ap- their local- the chairperson and members across The House passed a Bill to amend Odisha Fiscal the House to ensure Annual report of the university proval for ity with the the country. Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005 its smooth functioning will be tabled in the Assembly while remand to police. Similarly, the House passed a to allow the state government to raise the level of and achieve the vice-chancellor has been au- unearth STF, the Bill to amend Odisha Fiscal fiscal deficit by another 2 per cent of the GSDP academic excellence thorised to constitute selection com- the possi- specialised Responsibility and Budget mittee for recruitment of teaching ble inter- wing of Management Act, 2005 to allow the and non-teaching posts. state link to the illegal trade of state police dealing with organ- state government to raise the level at least three of state-specific re- said. Similarly, amendment of the Other Bills passed in the wildlife parts. Two criminals, ized crime, has seized 12 leopard of fiscal deficit by another 2 per forms. The balance 1 per cent de- Biju Patnaik University of Assembly include Xavier University Sudhira Behera and Subash skins, six elephant tusks and two cent of the Gross State Domestic pends on the implementation of Technology (BPUT) Act was also Odisha (Amendment) Bill, Odisha Chandra Behera, were arrested deer hide during the last one year. Product (GSDP). four sectoral reforms, each carry- passed in the House to ensure its Advocates’ Welfare Fund from near the block office of The sleuths have also rescued two As per the amendment, addi- ing weightage of 0.25 per cent. The smooth functioning and achieve (Amendment) Bill and Societies Bolagarh on the intervening night live pangolins and 5 kg pangolin tional 2 per cent fiscal deficit in- decision would give an additional academic excellence. Registration (Odisha Amendment) of Thursday and Friday. scales from the poachers. During cludes unconditional borrowing of leeway to the state government to As per the amendment, term of Bill. All the five bills were passed Sources claimed that the STF is the above period, as many as 24 0.5 per cent of GSDP and another go for higher borrowing for meet- office of the vice-chancellor of without any participation of the likely to request the Maharashtra wildlife criminals have been ar- 0.5 per cent bonus for completion of ing its rising capital needs, sources BPUT has been fixed for four years Opposition BJP and Congress. Police to nab the kingpin reportedly rested under 13 cases. Fancy numbers a revenue booster

POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar, April 3: The state gov- ernment, Saturday, reported a two- fold rise in revenue through sale of fancy and preferred vehicle registra- tion numbers in past six months, with total earning standing at Rs 11.24 crore. Taking to Twitter, the State Transport Authority (STA) stated that its rev- enue, which stood Rs 6 crore between October 2019 and March 2020, almost doubled during the same period of 2020-21. It also mentioned that while rev- PIC FOR REPRESENTATION enue from auctioning of fancy numbers was Rs 1.18 crore, income from ad- A total of 11,543 RTO Bhubaneswar-1 collected the highest revenue of vance booking of numbers was owners opted for `2.81 crore followed by RTO Cuttack (1.23 Cr). Rs 10.06 crore. booking their The number OD-02 XX 0001 fetched the highest price of “After the introduction of auto-as- choice number ` 1.75 lakh

signment of registration number, 11,543

k y m c owners opted for booking their choice Cuttack (Rs 1.23 cr). Meanwhile, the introduce paperless and contactless number which was only 5,562 during number OD-02 XX 0001 fetched the high- vehicle registration by introducing the same period of last financial year. est price of Rs 1.75 lakh,” the STA said. document upload through digital sig- Through this, RTO Bhubaneswar-1 The STA had introduced dealer point nature of the dealer. collected the highest revenue of Rs automation from October 6, 2020, mak- Earlier the registration process used 2.81 crore. This was followed by RTO ing Odisha the first state in country to to take 5 to 7 days. P4 SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

`1,066Cr revenue under-assessed: CAG 10 candidates in

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK CLOSE SCRUTINY detailed audit revealed several de- ficiencies in the programme such fray for Pipli bypoll TEST CHECK OF RECORDS Bhubaneswar, April 3: The OF TAX AND NON-TAX as inefficient planning, gaps in co- Comptroller and Auditor General RECEIPTS REVEALED ordination, non-consideration of POST NEWS NETWORK of India (CAG) claimed, in its report UNDER-ASSESSMENT/ passenger footfall and inadequate tabled in the Assembly Saturday, SHORT LEVY/ LOSS OF incentives for operators that con- Bhubaneswar, April 3: The Chief claimed that revenue to the tune REVENUE AGGREGATING TO tributed towards lack of achieve- Electoral Officer (CEO) Saturday of `1,066.28 crore were under as- `1,066.28 CRORE IN 51,182 ment of physical and financial tar- said that a total of 10 candidates are sessed/short levied or lost in 2018- CASES IN 2018-19 gets under the scheme. into the electoral fray who will tus- 19 fiscal. The report also talked about not sle to grab the MLA seat of the The audit report stated that the IRREGULAR imposing required royalty in the Pipli constituency. test checks of 170 out of the 352 EXPENDITURE/PAYMENT mining sector. “Royalty worth `124.26 CEO Sushil Kumar Lohani in units under departments dealing AMOUNTING TO `74.21 crore was short-levied and contri- his interaction with media Saturday There are around 1,740 polling with VAT, entry tax, GST, excise CRORE IN 207 CASES bution towards National Mineral said that a total of 15 candidates had 2,29,998 voters who personnel are duty, stamp duty, registration fees, WERE DETECTED Exploration Trust of `2.49 crore filed their nominations for elec- are eligible to cast now engaged their votes in the in the bypoll motor vehicle Tax and other non-tax THE REPORT SAID THAT THE ASSESSING AUTHORITY FAILED TO APPLY APPROPRIATE PROVISIONS OF THE and District Mineral Foundation tion. While applications of three election. This and their receipts for 2018-19 were complete. ODISHA VALUE ADDED ACT WHICH RESULTED IN SHORT LEVY OF PENALTY WORTH `446.74 LAKH fund of `37.28 crore on sized coal was were rejected during scrutiny, two “Test check of records of tax short realized,” the report said. more withdrew their nominations. includes 1,19,206 maiden round and non-tax receipts revealed under- He also added that besides can- male 1,10,790 of training female and 2 assessment/ short levy/ loss of rev- didates from BJD, BJP and the has already trans-gender voters concluded enue aggregating to `1,066.28 crore Auditor picks holes in drug supply, procurement Congress, four other parties and in 51,182 cases in 2018-19,” the report three independent candidates are A total of 348 wheel chairs have said. now all set to fight for the bypoll. also been arranged for the voters. “Irregular expenditure/payment BHUBANESWAR: The CAG re- The report claimed that (POs) placed for supply of drugs these items locally incurring extra The details claimed that there are For the blind voters, Braille ballot amounting to `74.21 crore in 207 port on Social and General Sector transferring pensions and medical consumables, 791 (23 expenditure. During 2018-19, test around 2,29,998 voters who are el- papers have also been arranged cases were detected. The depart- claimed several irregularities in per cent) POs were partially executed checked health institutions had in- igible to cast their votes in the elec- ments concerned accepted irregu- the drug procurement and supply to the accounts of dead and 252 (7 per cent) POs were not ex- curred extra expenditure of `98.12 tion. This included 1,19,206 male the constituency. larities of `0.31 crore in 149 cases between 2016 and 2019. persons and apathy ecuted at all, which led to less sup- lakh (44 per cent) in procuring med- 1,10,790 female and 2 trans-gender The election watchdog has also pointed out in 2018-19. An amount The reported found several lapses ply of drugs and consumables to the icines worth `2.24 crore,” the re- voters. ensured 102 vehicles for movement of `0.37 crore was realised in four on the part of Odisha State Medical of panchayati raj health institutions,” the report said. port said. Lohani said that a total of 1,740 of differently able voters from their cases pertaining to audit findings Corporation Limited (OSMCL) in institutions led The report also said, “Deficiencies The report also claimed that pay- polling personnel are now engaged homes to the polling booths. These of previous years,” the report added. discharging its duties. The audit in stock management led to expiry ing pensions in the accounts of in the bypoll and their maiden differently able voters would also The CAG report also said that report said that due to shortage of to losses of 349 kinds of drugs valued at `4.18 dead persons and apathy of pan- round of training has already con- be given certificates for availing the assessing authority failed to drug supply, the health institutions crore during April 2017 to May 2019. chayati raj institutions led to losses. cluded. Their first round of vac- such facilities. “A total of 348 wheel apply appropriate provisions of the were bound to procure drugs lo- Equipment, Instrument and Expiry of drugs was due to inef- “Disbursement of old age pension cination was also done during their chairs have also been arranged for Odisha Value Added Act which re- cally at exorbitant prices, leading Furniture (EIF). Delay in finalisa- fective monitoring of indents, dis- in the name of dead beneficiaries, training classes. the voters. For the blind voters, sulted in short levy of penalty worth to loss to the exchequer. tion of procurement plan impacted tribution, consumption, stock po- retention of funds by the Panchayat The CEO said that it has iden- Braille ballot papers have also been `446.74 lakh. “There was inordinate delay of the procurement process and sup- sition of drugs through e-Niramaya Extension Officers for years with- tified a total of 102 critical polling arranged,” the CEO said. The report tried to pick holes in five and seven months in finalisa- ply of drugs and medical consum- software,” the report said. out refunding and manipulation stations while it has also worked out Postal ballot voting will also be al- the planning and expenditures in tion of annual procurement plans ables to health institutions,” the “Short supply of drugs and med- of records resulted in suspected to ensure web casting of a total of lowed for people above the age of 80 the Biju Gaon Gadi Yojana (BGGY) for drugs and medical consumables report said. ical consumables by OSMCL led to misappropriation of government 174 polling booths which is around years, differently abled and Covid- scheme. According to the report, and six to 17 months in respect of “Out of 3,471 Purchase Orders the health institutions procuring money of `10.72 lakh.” 50 percent of the total booths in 19 infected or suspected voters. PROMOTING HYGIENE 452 new cases up nCoV tally to 3,42,224

PNN/AGENCIES AS MANY AS 267 NEW CASES WERE REPORTED Bhubaneswar, April 3: Odisha’s IN QUARANTINE Covid-19 tally mounted to 3, 42, 224 CENTRES, WHILE 185 Saturday as 452 more people tested INFECTIONS WERE positive for the infection, a Health DETECTED DURING and Family Welfare department CONTACT TRACING official said. KHURDA DISTRICT As many as 267 new cases were REPORTED THE reported in quarantine centres, HIGHEST NUMBER OF while 185 infections were detected NEW CASES AT 77 during contact tracing, he said. FOLLOWED BY Khurda district, under which SUNDARGARH (75) Bhubaneswar falls, reported the AND NUAPADA (71) highest number of new cases at 77 followed by Sundargarh (75) and People above 45 years queuing up at a Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, Saturday Nuapada (71). The state's coronavirus death The district administrations are eficiaries were aged above 45. available. toll remained unchanged at 1,921 keeping a close watch on the peo- “It is a good sign that people are “We have urged the Centre for as no fresh fatality was reported ple visiting Chhattisgarh, he said. coming forward to get inoculated. more doses so that we can plan since March 30, while 53 patients The state government has in- We are ready with the necessary in- the sessions 15 days in advance,” have died due to comorbidities oculated over 2.5 lakh people Friday, frastructure and plan to vaccinate Additional Chief Secretary, Health to date. 50,000 more than the daily target. 3 lakh people every day once the re- and Family Welfare, Odisha now has 2, 820 active A total of 1,70,069 of the 2,52,080 ben- quired number of doses are P K Mohapatra said. A cultural event underway at the weekly cleanliness drive on the Grand Road in Puri, Saturday OP PHOTO cases, while 3, 37, 430 people have recovered from the disease thus far. CMC makes norms stringent amid Covid resurge WASSUP TODAY The state has so far tested over Shops in City fined for 91 lakh samples for Covid-19, in- CUTTACK: The Cuttack Municipal IN A NUTSHELL nual functions. This apart, re- BHUBANESWAR cluding 26,700 Friday, while the Corporation (CMC) Saturday is- strictions have been put on the or- state's positivity rate stands at 3.75 sued a new set of guidelines for Only 100 people can gather in a ganisation of centenary, golden n State-level Death Anniversary of per cent, he said. wedding and other ceremonies in wedding ceremony while 50 are and silver jubilee celebrations,” Shahid Raghu-Dibakar, Unit-9, 8.30 flouting Covid norms The state government is wor- the wake of a steep rise in Covid- allowed to participate in the said a CMC official. am. General meeting, Soochana funeral-related ceremonies POST NEWS NETWORK and `13,500 fine collected from other ried over a number of cases being 19 cases. Outfits are bound to seek prior Bhawan, 5.30pm food shops for non usage of mask. reported in districts bordering As per the new guidelines, only No organisation or educational permission from the CMC for hold- n Convention of All Odisha Anganwadi Bhubaneswar, April 3: The Near KIMS, one tea shop ‘Tapri Chhattisgarh, the official said. 100 people can gather in a wedding institution is permitted to hold ing any gathering or event. Taking Ladies Workers’ Association, Prabhujee Bhubaneswar Municipal Time’ was also shut as heavy crowd- While Nuapada reported 71 new ceremony while 50 are allowed to annual functions into account all aspects, the civic English Medium School, 10am Corporation (BMC) Saturday carried ing was observed. cases, Kalahandi registered 29 participate in the funeral-related cer- body may allow outfits and organ- n Opening of Midtown Burn gym, 1st out a Covid enforcement drive at Enforcement was carried out by fresh infections and Bargarh 19. emonies. Any violation will invite penalties isations to organise events with ` Floor, in front of 99 North Navyuga Infocity’s Khao Gali area and Patia BMC additional commissioner Odisha's Minister of State, Home, “It is mandatory to follow Covid- up to 50,000 and imprisonment of maximum of 100 people, said the Hotels & Resorts, Chandaka in North Zone. Laxmikant Sethi, ZDC North D S Mishra said the districts bor- 19 norms at wedding and other cer- around two years official. Industrial Area, 11.30 am During the enforcement, 99 Hints Purandar Nanda and Asst dering Chhattisgarh are report- emonies. The new guidelines will “Any violation of the new guide- n Atmiya Santha Milana of Narayan bar was closed and `5,000 fine was Commissioner, Enforcement, Lilan ing a high number of cases be- be effective from April 6,” said the congregations under the territo- lines will invite penalties up to Seva Sansthan, Kali Temple, collected from 99 North Restaurant Prasad Sahu. Pramod Jena, Harihar cause many people from these civic body. The new guidelines also rial jurisdiction of the CMC. `50,000 and imprisonment of around Janpath, Satya Nagar, 12.10 pm for violation of Covid guidelines. In Rout, Srikant Mohanty and Prasant areas had last month attended a put restrictions on the organisa- “No organisation or educational two years,” said CMC secretary n Odisha Icon Award, Hotel Keshari, Khao Gali, one food van was sealed Pradhan were also part of team, mega cricket tournament in Raipur. tion of conferences and any other institution is permitted to hold an- Latashree Bagh. Master Canteen Square, 5 pm n Release of Jayashree Patnaik’s poetry book, Godabarisha Sahitya Sansad, Unit-3, 5 pm 27 years after formation, Angul still reels under problems n State-level death anniversary meet- ing of poet Gangadhar Meher, Buddha Mandir, Unit-9, 6.30 pm Due to rapid industrialization, people residing in several areas irrigated 1,965 acres of farmland. pensations as they were promised. under Banarpal block have been losing their land. But these The government signed an MoU The district headquarters hos- for a power plant here in 2010 and pital ((DHH) and all the CHCs and Programmes/announcements people are yet to get compensations as they were promised for wassup today may be sent to the project has since been neglected. PHCs have endless problems. They Similarly, president, Talcher have a shortage of doctors and para- [email protected] for record, POST NEWS NETWORK culture. The farmers have been in Suraksha Manch, Muralidhar Sahoo medical staff. A trauma care centre it must also carry the sender’s spotlight for cultivating cash crops said the air pollution problem in and burn unit are yet to be made mobile number for our Angul, April 3: Angul district is cel- like capsicum and broccoli. Similarly, Talcher area is alarmingly in- functional in the DHH. At the same verification, but not for publication. ebrating completion of 27 years of the infrastructure of the district’s creasing, resulting in people suf- time, the demands for transforming being announced as a separate dis- education, health and tourism is fering from respiratory diseases. the DHH into a super specialty hos- trict. Angul was accorded the district getting stronger. While students Neither the administration nor the pital and then to a medical college CLASSIFIED status April 1, 1993. Over the years, from this district have been doing authorities of the mines and fac- have been raised but they are falling the district has achieved a lot but is well in examinations for last couple tories are taking any steps to im- on deaf ears. LOSTAFFIDAVIT still lagging behind in several fields. of years, modernization of health prove the situation. People residing When contacted, District Collector The district is home to many nat- facilities is on. And Satkosia’s rich in Kaniha area are suffering the Siddharth Shankar Swain said the Missing my Original Patta ural resources. Some nationalised biodiversity has been attracting same problem. district is already on the path of Khata No. 366/23, Plot No. companies like Nalco, NTPC and tourists from far and away. Describing the problems of those development. Many projects have 856, Mouza: Ekachalia, At: MCL have played a pivotal role in im- But according to the people of who lost their land to various de- been chalked out. Works on some Gudiapokhari on proving the district’s financial con- the district, the district’s progress velopmental projects, social activist have started. Once these projects are dition. As regards its contribution could have been more if problems properly. According to president, conducted the ground breaking cer- Bauribandhu Sahu said due to rapid completed, the district would emerge Dt.28.03.2021. One who to the state’s exchequer, the district like unemployment, pollution, ir- Jeevan, Jibika O Krushi Jami emony of Sureswaree Irrigation industrialization, people residing in as an example for others. The ad- find out please inform me. has been at the top of the list. rigation, drinking water, land ac- Suraksha Committee, Kishorenagar, Project at Kishorenagar. The proj- several areas under Banarpal block ministration is laying emphasis on Lata Pradhan, M- The district has made tremen- quisition, displacement, and med- Dinabandhu Pradhan, 16 years have ect has not progressed even an inch. have been losing their land. But tourism, health, education, agri-

9778831000. dous progress in the field of agri- ical vacancies had been addressed passed since the state government Had it been completed, it could have these people are yet to get com- culture and sports.

k y m c P5 SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state Girl alleges ragging by seniors

Super specialty healthcare at VIMSAR soon in homoeopathy college

k y m AUTHORITIES HAVE SET OUT TO COMPLETE INFRASTRUCTURE WORK IN NEXT SIX MONTHS c POST NEWS NETWORK Health and Family POST NEWS NETWORK Sambalpur, April 3: A female stu- Welfare Minister Naba Sambalpur, April 3: Super spe- Healthy move dent of the Odisha Medical College Kishore Das has ordered cialty healthcare services will be of Homoeopathy and Research launched soon at VIMSAR in IMSAR assumes importance (OMCHR) in Sambalpur has an inquiry into the for people of western Sambalpur. The hospital authorities V brought serious allegations of rag- Odisha and some neighbouring incident and sought a have set a target to complete the ging against her seniors. The in- states as most of them depend report in three days necessary infrastructure within on its healthcare services cident took place March 31 but next six months. came to the fore Saturday morning. On the other hand, various out- ormer executive member of Meanwhile, Health and Family the national cell, principal of the fits and local intellectuals alleged FVIMSAR, Dr Bikash Hota said Welfare Minister Naba Kishore OMCHR professor Rajendra Kumar that just completing the infra- if the state government does not Das has ordered an inquiry into Singh expressed. structure will not ensure right fill up the posts before the the incident. Das in his letter to “The ragging incident came to healthcare services to people. completion of the super the Additional Chief Secretary, the fore after they received a mail “Before completion of the build- specialty building, it will create Health, has sought a report within and a phone call from the New ing work for the super specialty hurdles in the healthcare three days and take action. Delhi Anti-Ragging Cell April 1. services, the state government According to sources, the vic- Neither the hostel superintendent should approve all posts of doc- operation theatre. Meanwhile, the Patnaik approved various posts at some neighbouring states as most tim alleged that five senior stu- nor have we received any written tors, medical and paramedical staff. VIMSAR authorities have requested the MKCG Medical College and people in this region are dependent dents mentally tortured and ha- or oral complaint of ragging from Such a proposal was placed before the state government to fill up these Hospital in Berhampur. It is ex- on its healthcare services. rassed her. The girl complained in the student yet,” Singh said. the general body meeting of the posts. pected that various posts in the The state government estimated writing in this regard to the National “The incident took place in the VIMSAR,” they observed. Former executive member of VIMSAR will be approved soon. the cost of its infrastructure and Anti-Ragging Cell in New Delhi. girls’ hostel and the complaint According to reports, the super VIMSAR, Dr Bikash Hota said if the As regards the issue, VIMSAR medical implements at `150 crore. Swinging to action, the anti-rag- has been lodged against five stu- specialty medical requires a pro- state government does not fill up the Director Professor Lalit Meher said By March, about 80 percent of the ging cell has directed the OMCHR dents- 4 female students and 1 fessor, an associate professor, an posts before the completion of the a letter has been sent to the state gov- building work has been completed. authorities to initiate a probe and male student. We will complete assistant professor and a senior super specialty building, it will cre- ernment for approval of the posts The super specialty facility will be submit a report. the inquiry by today and the report resident doctor. ate hurdles in the healthcare. in VIMSAR. equipped with five new depart- A team of anti-ragging squad will be submitted to the national Besides, there is a need for an It may be noted here that a few VIMSAR assumes importance ments. The building will have 58 of OMCHR has already initiated a anti-ragging authorities soon,” ICU, an anesthesia professor for an days ago, Chief Minister Naveen in the entire western Odisha and ICUs and 180 general beds. probe following the direction of the principal added. Naveen inaugurates FESTIVAL OF PENANCE MAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT bridge in Ganjam FOREST DEPT DIGS POST NEWS NETWORK TRENCH AROUND Bhubaneswar/Aska, April 3: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik SARISUA HILL inaugurated an important bridge POST NEWS NETWORK in Aska area of Ganjam district Saturday. Khaira, April 3: In an attempt to According to the CM’s Office, the ward off man-animal conflicts, new bridge was constructed in the forest department has started place of two dilapidated bridges of digging a trench in the foothill of the British era. The new bridge will Sarisua hill under Khaira tehsil connect Aska with several im- of Balasore district, a report said. portant destinations of Ganjam. A trench will be dug for two kilo- The distance from Aska, meters while a span of 200 me- Bhanjanagar, Chhatrapur in- tres has been dug. cluding many other places of the Besides, the trench will create district to Bhubaneswar would a hurdle for the mafia who have be minimised. been plundering stone from the The new bridge will benefit Sarisua hill over years. around 3,50,000 locals by provid- Ramda, Bageipur, Baunsagadia, ing better road communication. Kuturipal and Gavar have been “Ganjam is a developed district and witnessing elephant menace a business centre of the state. throughout the year. Denizens in the district have earned The area was declared an eco- a reputation for their hard work. sensitive zone in 2017. Stone min- I hope, the new bridge will bring ing has posed a threat to flora and in better opportunities for business, fauna in the area. The adminis- tourism and other sectors,” CM Servitors performing rituals as the famous Chadak Mela of Chandaneswar Mahadev in Bhograi of Balasore district kick-starts sans devotees tration had closed down 107 stone Patnaik said. amid Covid-19 restrictions, Saturday OP PHOTO mines in the hill. “Better infrastructure is vital for all-round development of a place. Hence, my government has been dedicatedly working for infra de- Silk City requires medical velopment in Odisha. Construction Central team visits Sundargarh to of a number of bridges and laying of roads have brought visible de- velopment. World-class infra- varsity: Ganjam BJD chief review infra for state’s 2nd AIIMS structure is being developed now in the fields of tourism and sports,” POST NEWS NETWORK ical university as the MKCG Medical the CM added. College and Hospital in the city, Health Minister Naba New roads will be laid across the Berhampur, April 3: The demand one of the premier medical col- Kishore Das had written state this year. Accordingly, 30 new for establishment of a medical sci- leges and hospital in the state is a bridges will be constructed. Around ence university in the state is slowly very old institution and has the a letter to Union Health `2,300 crore will be spent. An ad- gaining ground with the ruling BJD necessary infrastructure. Several Minister for a second ditional `1,000 crore under BSY making a strong pitch for the proj- big buildings have come up on the will be spent for new bridges. ect in the Silk City, a report said. hospital premises at several hun- AIIMS at the Sundargarh Sources said the state government dred crores but many of them are Medical College has planned a medical university in lying vacant and unused. and Hospital Neighbours disrobe the state and made an announcement The hospital has all the facilities in the State Assembly to this effect. for medical studies while a grad- woman in public The decision of the Chief Minister uate nursing college also exists proposal is under consideration in has been welcomed in various quar- on its premises. Notably, at an ex- another state. In view of the health POST NEWS NETWORK ters including former Berhampur tended executive committee meet- care requirements of Odisha, it is MLA-cum- BJD’s Ganjam district ing of the district BJD unit, a po- proposed that a second AIIMS may Kendrapara, April 3: Tension president Ramesh Chandra Chyau litical resolution was adopted be considered for Western Odisha flared up in a village under Nikirai Patnaik. where a demand was made to give in the district of Sundargarh, it police limits in this district after While welcoming the decision, autonomous status to MKCG POST NEWS NETWORK After assessment, the team will was stated. a woman was stripped by her Patnaik said the establishment of Medical College and Hospital or to submit its report to the Union As a CSR initiative, an MoU has neighbours and brutally assaulted a medical science university should declare it as a deemed university, Sundargarh, April 3: The prospect Ministry of Health & Family Welfare been signed between the Odisha over a dispute, Saturday. be made in Berhampur which has June 22, 2018. of Odisha having a second AIIMS for setting up of an AIIMS at the government and NTPC to estab- The matter came to the fore all the necessary infrastructure. A demand was also made to fill has brightened up as a central team Sundargarh Medical College and lish a Medical College and Hospital. after a video of the barbaric act cap- Speaking to Orissa POST, Chyau up all vacant posts of doctors and visited the Sundargarh Medical Hospital. The construction of the project has tured in mobile phones by some vil- Patnaik said the number of med- technicians in the medical college College and Hospital, Saturday. Notably, State Health Minister been completed and the equipment lagers went viral on social net- ical colleges in the state affiliated and hospital. The proposal has According to a source, the cen- Naba Kishore Das had written to the procurement process is going on. working sites. The clip depicts the to various universities has in- been sent to the Chief Minister tral team had reached the district Union Ministry for a second AIIMS The hospital is designed for 500 villagers disrobing the woman creased during the rule of the BJD for his appraisal. Since then three Friday and spent the night at a at the Sundargarh Medical College beds and the college will have 100 and mercilessly kicking and punch- government. However, the deci- years have passed but the demand guest house of the NTPC at and Hospital. seats in MBBS. ing her. The villagers were also seen sion for establishment of a uni- is yet to be realised, he said. In this Darlipali. In November 2020, the Chief It may be noted here that former in the video assaulting her with versity especially for medical stud- context, the state government which The technical team visited Secretary had also written a letter Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee lathis. ies is a historic decision. decided in favour of a medical sci- Sundargarh Medical College and to the Union Health Ministry, stat- laid the foundation stone of AIIMS The incident is the fallout of a He said Berhampur is an ideal ence university should establish Hospital Saturday morning to re- ing that a second AIIMS has been Bhubaneswar July 15, 2003. It was longstanding dispute of the woman place for establishment of a med- the institution in the Silk City. view the available infrastructure. established in Bihar and a similar established July 16, 2012. with her in-laws and neighbours. According to a preliminary re- port by the police, the woman of another village fell in love with a youth of the village and eventually married him. Forest set afire to make space for houses However, her marriage turned sour as her in-laws started tor- SOME LOCAL YOUTHS IN SARASKANA AREA OF MAYURBHANJ HAVE BEEN SELLING FOREST LAND TO OUTSIDERS turing her for dowry. Later, she filed a complaint with police and a case POST NEWS NETWORK Though the forest solved. Thereafter, some youths were was lodged in a family court for roped in the committee. hearing. Her in-laws fled the vil- Saraskana, April 3: Even as the state department is aware of Now, these youths are allegedly lage while she continued to live in government and the forest depart- this development, no clearing trees and made plotting the house. Her in-laws allegedly ment are worried over repeated for- of the land. The forest land is being tried to drive her out of the house est fires in parts of the state, portions action has been taken sold for `3 to `4 lakh per decimal. and sought the help of neighbours. of Andhari forest under Deuli range in this direction, it It was alleged that though the for- The neighbours Saturday asked her in Mayrbhanj district were burnt to est department is aware of this de- to vacate the house but disrobed make space for houses, a report said. was alleged velopment, no action has been taken and assaulted her when she re- According to the report, a fire in this direction. fused to oblige, Nikirai IIC Kabuli was spotted inside Andhari forest Mursidabad. They built houses and The tehsil authorities had served Barik said. in the daytime a few days ago. Later, set up shops alongside the NH-49 and notices long ago, but no action is

The woman screamed for help a house was built at this place. inside the forest. being taken. Forest officials said that

k y m c but none responded to her cries. As fire has been sporadically Over last 10 years, some women in land of the gramya jungle belongs to Later, the victim and her perpe- braking out in this forest, a large the name of forest protection started the tehsil administration, but trees trators filed separate complaints number of trees have been reduced This forest is close to NH-49 in area. What is most surprising is selling trees of the jungle and cleared belong to the forest department. at Nikirai police station. Police to ashes. On the other hand, scared Jharpokharia area. Locals alleged that some people sold parts of this the space. As villagers came to know Local environmentalists are wor- registered two separate cases and of fires, wild animals stray into that burning forests has been turned gramya jungle to many people of about it, the forest protection com- ried over such increasing en- launched an investigation. human habitations, locals alleged. into a commercial concern in the West Bengal, Jharkhand and mittee comprising women were dis- croachment of the forest land. P6 SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

Man is a transitional being. He is not final. FOCUS UN ESCAP FORECAST The step from man to superman is the

next approaching achievement in the

k y m earth evolution. It is inevitable because it c is at once the intention of the inner spirit and the logic of nature's process. SRI AUROBINDO TROUBLED ECONOMY

ndia is growing and ought to lakh crore without a public dis- grow after unplanned devas- cussion and at the whims of some tating lockdown of all eco- people at the helms of a few in- Price of Modi years Inomic and social activities. stitutions. The powers of money But the growth story for 2021 re- bill and whether this should be finished writing a book called the ‘Price of the Modi Years’ a few days ago. mains a mystery. The Economic put in check or not is being con- It should be published later this year. It is a history of India since 2014 Survey projected it at 11 per cent, tinuously debated. Nobody has Iand I have examined the facts and the data on various parts of the polity RBI 10.5 per cent, International answered whether such sales would like the economy, national security, governance, the judiciary and so on. I Monetary Fund 11.5 per cent, World help the country or pauperise it. do not want to talk about the contents of the book because it has too much Bank in a wide range of 7.5-12.5 per There is no answer either to detail and in any case some of my views may already be familiar to read- cent, and UN’s ESCAP puts it at 7 how the government promising ers. What I did want to talk about was where some of the material was per cent over a contraction of 7.7 two crore jobs would be able to taken from. per cent through 2020. provide employment to jobless. Of the sources that have been quoted in the book, the one that has been The Economic and Social Survey The unemployment rate in the cited most — 85 times — is a website called TheWire.in. Another website, Scroll.in of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) country declined to 6.52 per cent has been cited 54 times. In comparison, the Times of India has 37 citations. report 2021 states, India entered the in March from 6.90 per cent in The reason for this is that I have found that the websites have carried more pandemic lockdown with subdued February, as per think-tank Centre of the sort of reports that I was interested in than the newspaper. GDP growth and investment. “The for Monitoring Indian Economy The fact is that in the last decade or so these websites and others like them Shivaji Sarkar pace of recovery further moderated (CMIE). This conceals the real like News Click and The News Minute and Alt News have become as important in the fourth quarter 2020-21 with numbers, of job losses during 2020 a source of news as the traditional media like newspapers. Most of these sites estimated year-on-year growth lockdown and does not included were founded by journalists and survive on donations and some grants. They still close to zero.” Plus, India’s millions of under-employed or are not owned by big business houses or traditional media houses, and that 2021 economic output is expected India’s 2021 economic output is expected to semi-employed. The rural sector is one reason why their content is different. Traditional media is depend- INDIA IS to remain below the 2019 level or remain below the 2019 level or K-shaped. This is is in twin-crisis of poor cash flow ent on the Central government for several things. For instance, the Modi gov- GROWING AND K-shaped. This is almost at par and glut of agricultural produce. ernment spends `1,200 crore per year (`100 crore per month) on advertising. with National Statistical Office almost at par with National Statistical Office This is giving rise to discrimina- The Central Public Sector Units spends another `1,000 crore or so. So roughly OUGHT TO (NSO) projection at 8 per cent con- tion, puts brake on industrial and about `200 crore of money is given to media each month, an enormous sum traction 2020-21, showing the lock- (NSO) projection at 8 per cent contraction manufacturing recovery and which comes at a price. GROW AFTER down impact. It estimates that the 2020-21, showing the lockdown impact. It restoration of economic health. Then there are other things, such as licenses for TV stations, free or sub- UNPLANNED pandemic has pushed an addi- estimates that the pandemic has pushed an The rising forex reserves to $582 sidised land allotment and customs and import duties on machinery and tional 89 million people in the re- billion in March are not a very newsprint (the paper that newspapers are made of). Then there are the var- DEVASTATING gion into extreme poverty in 2020. additional 89 million people in the region positive sign either. It speaks of con- ious ’summits’ that big media houses hold where they invite the Prime LOCKDOWN OF On the other hand, ESCAP into extreme poverty in 2020 tracting imports by 46 plus per Minister and various ministers to attend and praises China for becoming the cent and notional value increase speak. When the PM is displeased with a head- ALL ECONOMIC only major economy worldwide (of about 21.7 per cent) in gold line or story, he has in the past cancelled his pres- to achieve a positive annual eco- creasing toll-taxes on roads and con- further uncertainties. So does cer- prices held by RBI since March ence, leading other ministers to also cancel AND SOCIAL nomic growth rate in 2020. But sequent rise in fare, freight and rail tain Indian companies’ truck with 27, 2000. and leading event sponsors to complain that they ACTIVITIES. BUT for the rest of the region, includ- costs, caused 5.03 per cent inflation Myanmar’s military-controlled India’s taxation system has also did not get the full value of their sponsorship. ing India, the recovery is likely in February, 2021, meaning de- firms, slapped with UN sanctions. drawn ire of the US on retro- All these make the traditional media vulner- THE GROWTH to be K-shaped. The economists spite wage contraction an indi- The recent accidental block- spective tax and digital service able to government pressure in a way that the STORY FOR 2021 use U, V and W to forecast differ- vidual’s expenses increased by age of the Suez Canal route could tax, as per a policy restricting im- new websites cannot be. ent kinds of financial future. The over 5 per cent. It may show a ‘bet- add to further inflationary pres- ports in tune with Atmanirbhar And this is why the Modi government has REMAINS A K-shape is a new symbol and por- ter’ GDP in monetary terms but in sures as India’s 5 lakh barrels a day Bharat. Various income-tax rules, introduced the Information Technology MYSTERY trays a troubling, divergent eco- reality it will be a regression, of crude import is to become ex- TDS oppression and many other (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media nomic future, one where the econ- where people’s purchasing power pensive with tanker rates rising at such set of laws like opening up of Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. This oversight mech- omy rebounds unevenly and where reduces. This leads to shrinkage least in the short run. ten-year old cases is causing havoc anism was created without a law and would func- Aakar Patel the wealthy benefit while everyone in production as is indicated by fall The disinvestment drive too has of uncertainties. tion for the Internet as the Ministry of India needs an else gets left behind. in February core sector output by not succeeded during the past The uncertain Indian growth Information and Broadcasting did for TV reg- This also bares the reality that 4.6 per cent. It is exacerbated by low- three years. Even now the policy, story, distress of the people due to ulation. The government was giving itself the independent media the pandemic or not lockdown ering of deposit interest rates, though being steamrolled, is rak- complicated tax policies or little power to censor and regulate all content on the that can report devastated economies like that of taxes on provident fund and other ing up issues of how India would boost to production tells of a pe- Internet and even on messaging services. India, which were trying to im- accumulations, spree on privati- manage its future through an op- culiar lack of thought process. The rules exempt e-newspapers, meaning what is happening prove their conditions pre-pan- sation, including that of giant pressive private sector for which The planning process needs to be that established publishing houses (those which in our country. And demic. The repeated fear psychosis public sector banks to private all labour and financial policies, reactivated for turning the econ- receive money from the government) would be the government is and threatening of partial or com- swindlers. These add to the mar- including interest rates are being omy to a fast track. The Narendra privileged over independent media houses like plete lockdown again is likely to ket uncertainties and further pos- compromised. Had India not ac- Modi government has to be proac- TheWire.in, Scroll.in and NewsClick.in. If you attempting create more business uncertainties sible regression. cumulated such productive public tive in reviewing the policies to re- have a news website and also newspaper then everything it can to and delayed recovery. The flip-flop policy on normal- sector organisations and nurtured generate the economic process, your website will not to be regulated. If you have Coupled with high policy ising relations with Pakistan, as banks, how could it have taken to even thawing its bid for privati- a news website and do not have a newspaper, make sure that this quandary, officially-sponsored the US Defence Secretary visits the sales of family diamonds? sation. India needs to consolidate; your website will be regulated. does not happen price rises through heavy taxes India and consequent refusal of It has also raised questions of the economic growth would be a The Information Technology Act, 2000 did not on petroleum, other fuels, in- Islamabad to walk the talk adds to disposing off assets worth `2.10 corollary. INFA extend to news media, and so the guidelines did not have the legal authority to regulate news media. This change was pushed through by adding powers far beyond those in that parent legislation. The rules gave the government the right to regulate content put out by a “pub- lisher of news and current affairs content”, which is open-ended and vague and arbitrary. The new law also affects you directly as a citizen. It would require mes- SPECTRUM WATER TOWER OF ASIA saging services such as Whatsapp, Signal and Telegram to enable the iden- tification of the creator of a piece of content (for example a cartoon criti- cising the PM that went viral). This requirement of traceability would break end-to-end encryption, which made these messaging services secure. Also, the originator of a message had no control over who forwarded the con- tent, or how many times it was forwarded, or in which fora. Erotic content The unfolding tragedy of Tibet exchanged by a couple or group of friends could land up in a place where it would be seen differently. ibet, famously called the roof The Chinese have created a facade through the process of political China are culturally diverse and The rules say there will be an “oversight mechanism by the Central gov- of the world; a state in the by giving the autonomous region of re-engineering; approximately half have very little to nothing in com- ernment” (censorship) of video content that is published on all web-based Lobsang Sangay & THimalayas neighboured by Tibet, which is what is left of Tibet a million people have already been mon. The Chinese, however, are platforms. The government can block content and also get platforms to pub- India and China has for long been after its repeated geographical di- inducted in PLA from Tibet tribal trying to impose their culture in lish scroll apologies. Major platforms took the cue and put out a joint 'self Karma Choeying in a state of tussle with Beijing. This visions, an autonomy nonexistent regions and some are being engi- Tibet which would subsequently regulation toolkit' that portends self-censorship to align content with what is among the many conflicts cur- in practice. People in Tibet demand neered to serve the agenda of com- mean the lost Tibetan culture. The the government wanted and, more importantly, not publish or broadcast what TIBET AS KNOWN rently brewing in south Asia, prob- the unification of all the parts munist China. One of the major in- freedom of religious expression is it did not want. Presumably they were encouraged by the fact that the Modi ably the worse as far as the power which were historically part of ternationally recognised research even more hit. The interference in government called their executives in and threatened to jail them. TODAY IS ONLY A imbalance is concerned. The water Tibet, and post that want a com- organisations has stated the con- the elections for Dalai Lama by These developments do not bode well for India. The government is extremely tower of Asia has for long wit- plete political, economic and reli- ditions being equally worse as that China is not only protested against, powerful and the Prime Minister is very popular. The Opposition is still find- FRACTION OF THE nessed the cold and dark nights gious freedom. People in Tibet have in Syria. The excruciating pain but the proxy Dalai Lama which has ing its feet and not able to strongly push back against the narrative of reli- HISTORICAL under the communist regime of tried to resist the imperialistic con- shivers the spine when one sees been put in place in Tibet is not even gious authoritarianism. India needs an independent media that can report China. The process of democrati- trol of the communist China in that people are not even allowed to revered by the people of Tibet. what is happening in our country. And the government is attempting every- MAINLAND OF sation is merely a ghost only if Tibet and have always raised their decide on the number of children Tibetans have a strong notion of thing it can to make sure that this does not happen. India was ranked 142nd TIBET. THE that ghost exists. This makes it im- demand for independent Tibet. The they can have. The free and fair being separated from their reli- on the World Press Freedom Index. I wonder where it will be when the new perative for the powers across the inspiration to the people of Tibet process of governance in Tibet is gion and fears of Chinese Buddhism rankings for 2021 come out next month. CHINESE HAVE globe to play their role in fostering comes mainly from outer Mongolia just a mirage and the reality, just taking over Tibetan Buddhism CREATED A FACADE a dialogue between Beijing and and Bhutan, both countries are the opposite. The dilapidated con- under the protection of commu- Tibet, and only recently we have doing quite well in managing their dition of Tibetans is mostly being nist China. This is one of the grave BY GIVING THE seen some improvement on that affairs and their foreign policy. ignored and not reported; however, situations as far as the freedom to WISDOM CORNER front and some progress will hope- The gross human violations in the reports which come out as profess and practice of religion is AUTONOMOUS fully be on its way. Tibet is not a new story and is not Tibetans flee from Tibet in search concerned. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or Tibetan people have struggled hidden from anyone despite the of a peaceful asylum are very dis- The world needs to come to- HELEN KELLER REGION OF TIBET, even touched - they must be felt with the heart. under the mighty and brutal fist of media ban and propagandistic ap- turbing. The missing list of people gether to solve this issue of gross If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never WHICH IS WHAT IS Beijing and since the independ- proach adopted by Chinese gov- from Lhasa and adjoining areas is human rights violation among quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the LEFT OF TIBET ence of China we have been de- ernment to have the control of growing and no political rival is left other conflicts. rewards. BEAR BRYANT manding our separate homeland. one's destiny is the luxury Tibetans unmonitored. Lobsang Sangay Sikyong is AFTER ITS The division of Tibet into smaller don't have. Young people are ab- The fear of losing identity is President of the Tibetan-govern- Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher units and segregating them from ducted from the tribal regions of among the worst fears any com- ment-in-exile, called Central Tibetan storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. RABINDRANATH TAGORE REPEATED the mainland Tibet is a typical ex- Tibet and the same are inducted in munity can encounter. The cul- Administration. Co-author is GEOGRAPHICAL ample of engineering. Tibet as People's Liberation Army, who are tural identity and the religious Karma Choeying, CTA official DIVISIONS known today is only a fraction of then sent to various regions of identity of the people of Tibet are spokesperson. Views are personal. WORDSWORTH the historical mainland of Tibet. mainland China wherein they go among the worst hit. Tibet and IANS Butter no parsnips Third Front Pakistan’s U-turn t’s interesting that you should use the phrase to refer to idleness, since its Iusual associations are with honeyed words. The full expression is fine words Sir, Irrespective of the poll results in five states where Assembly polls are being Sir, Pakistan's recent overtures to mend fences with India, butter no parsnips (or sometimes soft words ... or fair words ...), meaning that held, the Opposition has much work to do. Congress is neither here nor there. particularly on resumption of trade, was perceived as a words alone are useless, especially flattering phrases or fine promises, and you etters At another level, the alliance partners of the United Progressive Alliance welcome development in normalising the historically should judge people by what they do rather than by what they say. Apart from (UPA) appear disillusioned with a lethargic Congress. UPA chairperson Sonia strained relations between the two countries. However, po- that, there’s not a lot more that one can say apart from “origin unknown”. It’s a Gandhi, perhaps for the first time in her long stint, appears to be losing her litical compulsions of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party proverb, which is at least 400 years old: the first example given in the big TOL THE EDITOR grip on the coalition partners. Against this backdrop, revival of the “Third Front” have ensured that the move was successfully scuttled which Oxford English Dictionary is dated 1639: “Faire words butter noe parsnips”. Readers of Orissa POST is being discussed in political corridors. In the early 90s, the coming together does not come as a surprise to India. Reeling under an un- are most welcome to contribute letters of “like-minded” parties saw the beginning of a new front to challenge the Congress favourable economic climate, Pakistan saw reason in importing (200 words), articles and – the “Third Front’. It is Sharad Pawar who is taking the lead in providing the at least cotton and sugar, among other things, from India whose columns (between 750-1250 LOL words). Contributors are much needed push to the Third Front. The 'front' can make some impact if it prices had skyrocketed in recent days. But far from providing requested to send their is able to guard itself from collapsing like a pack of cards due to disagreements relief to its beleaguered people which resumption of trade SMART PIG drive the kids to contact numbers and full and ambitions. Many experienced and able non-BJP and non-Congress lead- with India might have ensured, Pakistan’s insistence for res-

school." "Great, but why postal address/email ID. They may also ers were looked upon with suspicion by the people because of their inability olution of the Kashmir tangle and restoration of Article 370

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c farmer is walking with a the wooden leg?" "The pig is so smart and suggestions, preferably by email, to stay one. One wonders whether some head-strong leaders, like Mamata have, unfortunately, emerged as priorities in its scheme of Aprospective buyer when they see it has a degree in horticulture and to: [email protected] Banerjee, can ever mingle with the rest when it comes to fighting the BJP. However, things. While the Kashmir issue is non-negotiable to India a beautiful pig in the yard, except it philosophy." "Amazing! But why the Sharad Pawar, fresh from his “king-making maneuvers” in Maharashtra, and withdrawal of Article 370 purely its internal matter, India has a wooden leg. The buyer asks, bloody wooden leg?" "Well when you may act as a fulcrum for the third front, if he can bring all non-Congress and hopes that good counsel shall ultimately prevail leading to "Why the wooden leg?" The farmer have a pig that smart you don't eat it B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, non-BJP parties, that are unambiguous in ideology and agree on a common restoration of friendly ties between the two neighbours. replies, "That pig is so smart, I let it all at once!" Bhubaneswar-751010 minimum programme, on a single platform. Ganapathi Bhat, AKOLA Bhaskar Roy, NEW DELHI SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR P7

MAHARASHTRA

WEST

BENGAL

k y m ‘Mamata’s obstructionist mindset Special Court c extends Vaze’s NIA deprived Bengal of jobs, industries’ custody till April 7 AGENCIES defeat. That's why she is criticising everybody and everything, from Haripal (WB), April 3: Prime EC to EVMs. She is abusing me. Minister Narendra Modi Saturday But while abusing me, she has hurt alleged the “obstructionist mind- the self-respect of the people of set” of Chief Minister Didi Bengal by saying they are taking Mamata Banerjee and her has got jittery money to attend our rallies. TMC deprived West after sensing defeat. "Do people of Bengal take money to Bengal of industries and That's why she is attend rallies, Didi? Who are you in- jobs. He claimed the criticising everybody, from sulting while abusing me? You are in- TMC supremo hurt peo- EC to EVMs. She is abusing sulting the people of the state," he said. ple’s self-respect by me and has hurt the self- Modi said he sensed the outcome claiming they are at- respect of the people of of Bengal elections the day polling tending BJP rallies after Bengal by saying they are was held in Nandigram. taking money. The prime taking money to attend "Didi you betrayed people, you ac- minister also mocked our rallies small car ping industries and development. cept defeat," Modi said apparently Banerjee for her frequent Nano's "We all know what happened in referring to Banerjee's angry out- NARENDRA MODI I PRIME criticism of the Electronic MINISTER pro- neighbouring Singur. They used it bursts against central security Voting (EV) Machines and the duction for furthering their politics and forces and Union Home Minister Election Commission (EC). unit from there, Modi then left the people in limbo. Today, Amit Shah while polling was on in "She keeps criticising EVM, the said the TMC used the place for po- it has no industries and farmers Nandigram. EC....If players keep criticising um- litical purpose and then left the are in distress," he said. Banerjee is locked in a keen tus- pires, you should know their "Khela people to fend for themselves. Seeking to punch a hole in the sle in Nandigram with her one- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE THE SPECIAL COURT HAS ALSO Sesh" (game’s over)," he told an elec- "Didi and her party's obstruc- TMC's poll plank of Bengali pride, time loyalist Suvendu Adhikari ASKED THE PROBE AGENCY TO tion rally here in Hooghly district. tionist mindset blocked several in- Modi claimed Banerjee hurt people's who has joined the BJP. Modi also Mumbai, April 3: A Mumbai EXTEND ANY MEDICAL Referring to the Singur move- dustrial, infrastructure and con- self- respect by claiming they at- claimed that Banerjee, in order to sat- Special Court Saturday extended ASSISTANCE THAT MAY BE ment of 2006-08 that forced Tata nectivity projects. I have never seen tend BJP rallies after taking money. isfy her ego, blocked implementa- till April 7 the custody of arrested- REQUIRED BY VAZE FOLLOWING Motors to move out its proposed a party which takes pride in stop- "Didi has got jittery after sensing tion of various central schemes. suspended cop Sachin Vaze - the A PLEA BY HIS LAWYERS prime accused in the SUV and a Thane businessman’s death cases AT THE NEXT HEARING APRIL 7, COVID EFFECT - to the National Investigation THE NIA WILL PRODUCE THE 3 Agency (NIA). MAIN ACCUSED- VAZE, A Maha promotes all Centre withheld funds meant The Special Court has also CONVICTED COP VINAYAK SHINDE asked the probe agency to extend AND A CRICKET BOOKIE NARESH any medical assistance that may GAUR BEFORE THE SPECIAL students in Classes NIA COURT be required by Vaze following a I-VIII without exams for Maha out of bias: Congress plea by his lawyers and also di- rected NIA to furnish a detailed INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE PRESS TRUST OF INDIA health status report of the ac- the death of businessman cused at the next date. Mansukh Hiran in which Vaze Mumbai, April 3: In a signifi- Mumbai, April 3: The Congress in Vaze was produced before the is the prime accused. cant move, the Maharashtra gov- Maharashtra Saturday accused the Special Court by the NAI after At the next hearing April 7, the ernment has decided to promote Centre of short-changing the his remand ended and the agency NIA will produce the 3 main ac- all students studying in Class I to Maharashtra government by with- demanded a further week's custody cused in the case arrested till date Class VIII without exams to the holding its “rightful dues” to tide over of the accused as the probe into - Vaze, a convicted cop Vinayak next level, School Education the Covid-19 pandemic and other the conspiracy angles of both Shinde and a cricket bookie Minister Varsha Gaikwad an- disasters like cyclones and heavy cases was in the final stages. Naresh Gaur before the Special nounced here Saturday. rains that had hit the state last year. Additional Solicitor-General NIA Court. "In view of the ongoing situa- State Congress president Nana Anil Singh, representing the NIA, The NIA has till date seized 9 tion due to Covid-19, all state board Patole also accused the BJP of act- arguing for extension of custody, vehicles used/driven by Vaze, in- students across Maharashtra state ing irresponsibly amidst the pan- said that the investigators have un- cluding the two latest additions - from Class 1st to Class 8th will be demic, a day after Leader of earthed several incriminating ev- an Audi and a white Mercedes promoted to the next class without Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said idences like a DVR of CCTV Benz - which will undergo foren- any examinations," Gaikwad said. that Maharashtra was the only footage, laptops and other things sic tests. However, the minister added state in the country that didn't pro- had also hinted that a lockdown battling pandemic and natural dis- which need to be examined and An SUV Scorpio was found that a decision is pending on con- vide any assistance to the people dur- was inevitable if new cases con- asters like cyclones, floods and heavy verified. near the Antilia on Feb. 25 fol- ducting exams for the students in ing the crisis. tinue to go up. rains on its own. The MVA govern- He added that the NIA is not lowed by the mystery death of Class IX and Class XI and is ex- In his Facebook address Friday "This is irresponsible behaviour. ment is working hard to mitigate only investigating the case of the Hiran whose body was fished out pected soon. night, CM Uddhav Thackeray had Fadnavis should have given infor- the hardships of the people." However, SUV abandoned with gelatin sticks of the Thane Creek marshes on referred to the stringent measures mation on the aid provided by the the Centre had acted out of bias and a threat note near the home March 5, both cases sparking off adopted by various countries to Central government to Maharashtra. against the state by not parting the of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, a major political row, and leading Adityanath calls for check the spread of coronavirus. He For the last year, the state has been rightful share of funds to the state. but also other related cases like to Vaze's arrest March 12. Mamata’s ouster Film crew members booked AGENCIES CM’s video clip sparks war of Falta/Kultuli/Uluberia (WB), for violating Covid-19 norms April 3: Calling upon people to oust the Mamata Banerjee government, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi words between TMC and BJP Adityanath said Saturday that the Palghar, April 3: Police have reg- BJP, if voted to power in Bengal, will istered an offence against some PRESS TRUST OF INDIA around in a wheelchair. ensure security for all women and members of a film crew after more "If she was exercising her leg create job opportunities for the than a hundred people were found Kolkata, April 3: A purported by shaking it then I suggest that she youth. constructing a movie set without video clip where Bengal Chief start walking as that will help her Adityanath, who addressed two adherence to Covid-19 guidelines in Minister Mamata Banerjee is seen recuperate faster." rallies during the day, also said that Maharashtra’s Palghar district, sitting on a wheelchair and moving Taking a jibe at the chief minister, those who had tried to stop Durga an official said Saturday. The case her plastered leg back and forth Rahul Sinha, a senior leader of the puja and Saraswati puja will be was registered Thursday, he said. has gone viral on social media, giv- saffron party, said the TMC put behind bars, if "The work of building the film ing her rivals an opportunity to supremo’s bandage will not buy the saffron party BENGAL set at Suncity grounds in Palghar's claim that she was playing up her her votes. forms government ELECTIONS Vasai had started March 24. Over injuries to win sympathy. "The more she is losing confi- in Bengal. a hundred people worked at the ous to life)," the official of Manikpur The TMC, however, has con- dence the bigger her bandage gets. "You had given 50 years to the site at a time. When a police team police station under Mira demned the "manner in which the People are not buying this... She Congress, 30 years to the com- went there, it was found that none Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police com- party supremo has been insulted", must have forgotten which leg is in- munists and 10 years to the of the workers followed coron- missionerate said. and said the rival BJP should learn jured, and shook the wrong foot. She Trinamool Congress, I urge you to avirus norms like wearing masks Nobody has been arrested in how to respect women. PTI could has already lost the elections, the give five years to the BJP... We will and maintaining social distanc- this connection, he added. The po- not independently verify the au- bandage won't be able to save her change the face of West Bengal. ing," he said. lice did not reveal any further de- thenticity of the video. "This video grab which has sur- from imminent defeat," Sinha said. "The BJP will stop all tortures "Therefore, a case was registered tails, like the name of the film for BJP spokesperson Pronoy Roy, faced on networking websites has Taking strong exception to the re- perpetrated on the women of West against some members of the film which the set was being constructed. who shared the 30-second clip on not been filmed by anybody from the marks made by BJP leaders, state Bengal. It will ensure that youths crew under IPC sections 188 (dis- Maharashtra Friday recorded Facebook, said Banerjee should BJP. It was recorded by some TMC minister Shashi Panja said the saf- get employment opportunities," obedience to order duly promul- 47,827 new COVID-19 cases, the "stop putting up a drama over her party workers. We want her to get fron camp, by raising suspicion the Uttar Pradesh CM said at a gated by public servant), 269 (neg- highest daily count since the pan- injuries" to garner public sup- back to normal life soon, we also over Banerjee’s injuries, has not public meeting in Falta area of ligent act that is likely to spread the demic began, which took the state's port in the midst of the assembly pray for that... But she must stop put- just insulted her but all the women South-24 Parganas district. infection of any disease danger- caseload to 29,04,076. elections. ting up this drama by moving of Bengal. Coins add weight to BEST staff salaries in unwanted way

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Sunil Ganacharya said the BEST A BEST conductor said a private bank for cash collection, has a huge amount of money lying they try to tide over this but some issue was delaying the Mumbai, April 3: A banking in its coffers, but no bank is will- start of the pick-up mechanism. issue with the civic-run ing to take it from the undertaking’s “weighty” problem by A BEST conductor said they try Brihanmumbai Electric Supply 100-150 collection points after a exchanging the coins to tide over this "weighty" problem and Transport (BEST) undertak- contract with a leading private by exchanging the coins with pas- ing has left around 40,000 of its sector bank ended last year. with passengers and sengers and shopkeepers, who employees getting a sizable por- Some BEST employees, who did shopkeepers, who need need it in large numbers to run tion of their salaries in the form not wish to be named, said that their daily businesses. of coins over the past few months, getting a small part of the renu- it in large numbers to Talking to PTI, Shashank Rai, giving their renumeration an un- meration in coins was always run their daily businesses BEST Workers' Union leader, said wanted heft. prevalent. the mechanism of giving coins as The undertaking, which operates "However, the ratio has grown part of salary was unacceptable and a 4,000-bus strong transport system now. I got `11,000 in cash and coins "Several BEST employees stay the inconvenience caused to the as well as supplies electricity to in my last salary, while the coin- in areas like Ambarnath, Badlapur, staff had been conveyed to the ad-

some 10 lakh consumers in the cash amount was `15,000 the pre- Panvel or Virar-Vasai and travel by ministration of the undertaking on

k y m c metropolis' island district, has vious month. We generally get suburban locals. It is very incon- several occasions. been getting massive quantity of `1,000 each, mostly in `2, `5 coins venient and risky to carry so much BEST spokesperson Manoj coins from passengers by way of and `10 denomination notes, and cash, that too in coins," he said. Varade, meanwhile, said an agree- ticket fare, as well as cash for some part in `10, `50, `100 and `500 employee said. mechanism has even led to some He added that the BEST com- ment would be signed with a bank power bills. notes. The rest is deposited di- Ganacharya rued the state of employees defaulting on their mittee had given its nod in January in two to three days, after which the Senior BEST committee member rectly into our bank accounts," an affairs and said this 'coins as salary' EMIs, among other things. for an agreement to be signed with bank will start picking up cash. P8 SOLDIER TO RUN FROM SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR You had given 50 years to the KASHMIR TO KANYAKUMARI Congress, 30 years to the communists Indian soldier Naik Velu P is all set to make his and 10 years to the Trinamool 30th birthday memorable as he left for a mission Congress, I urge you to give five to enter his name in the Guinness Book of World years to the BJP... We will change Records by running from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,

y the face of West Bengal a distance of about 4,300 km, under 50 days

k y m national YOGI ADITYANATH | UTTAR PRADESH CHIEF MINISTER c

of the day uote Cut-money, Syndicate racket FOR A CAUSE If there comes a time when someone’s livelihood has to be snatched, there is hindering Bengal’s growth: PM bound to be anguish. But if there is a dilemma on whether to save a Assam militants urged life or a job, then it is important to to join mainstream: PM give priority to life Tamulpur: Buoyed by a raft of peace UDDHAV THACKERAY | MAHARASHTRA CHIEF agreements with underground outfits MINISTER in the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday made a fervent appeal to militants in Assam I need not who have not surrendered yet to advertise this return to the mainstream as they are as those needed to create an ‘Atmanirbhar bringing five-star Assam’. Addressing an election rally hotel lunch to eat at here in Bodoland Territorial Region’s the courtyard of a (BTR) Baksa district, the prime Dalit home are anti- AGENCIES sistance sent to the state during minister said people of the state have Dalit, anti-backward caste and Cyclone Amphan didn't reach. It rejected violence for development, anti-minority in nature Kolkata, April 3: Launching a was also looted. peace, unity and stability. Accusing scathing attack on the ruling Urging that a double-engine gov- the Congress of encouraging violence, MAMATA BANERJEE | WEST BENGAL Trinamool Congress in West Bengal ernment can only provide all the Modi said, “It is our responsibility to CHIEF MINISTER and Chief Minister Mamata Central benefits to the people of ensure the rehabilitation of those who Banerjee in particular, Prime Bengal, Modi alleged that the rul- have returned to the mainstream Minister Narendra Modi during ing Trinamool Congress is hin- after years of struggle.” Any sudden his second election rally Saturday dering the growth of the state. changes that at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas The Centre has developed 1,000 Howrah Bridge illuminated in blue colour to create awareness on autism on the occasion of World Autism Awareness disturbs the because they have not allowed you existing district said that the cut-money fast-track courts to give prompt jus- to give proxy votes? You should re- Day, in Kolkata PTI PHOTO arrangements may culture and syndicate racket is hin- tice to the women but it is not allowed member that 10 years before, they jeopardise the dering the growth of the state. here. The Centre provides free vac- only gave you the chance to rule procurement Holding back-to-back rallies in cination and Rs 1,000 for pregnant Bengal. You were happy then. Keep SARADHA CASE operations, thereby not only Sonarpur and Haripal in Hooghly women but here the women are de- faith on the people.” 4 astronauts to stay on affecting the food security of the district, Modi said, the extortionists prived of the benefit. The women Suggesting that Banerjee con- nation but also threatening the of Trinamool Congress hoarded don’t get the benefits of Central testing from Nandigram is a big ED attaches livelihood of millions of farmers, the ration sent for the poor by the loan facilities because they will mistake, the Prime Minister said, farm-workers and even traders Centre. During Corona, the Centre have to give cut-money for that, the “There are rumours (though I have busy training schedule `3 cr assets of AMARINDER SINGH | PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER sent 23 lakh metric tonnes paddy and Prime Minister alleged. not verified) inside the party that one lakh metric tonnes pulses and Countering Mamata Banerjee’s she might contest from another INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE simulated. The astronauts will be for that the Centre had to pay nearly allegation against the partisan at- constituency. She will lose in trained on various parameters that TMC leaders Rs 9,000 crore, but the Mamata titude of the Election Commission Nandigram and if she loses from Chennai, April 3: The four Indian will be displayed on the terminals,” AGENCIES SHORT TAKES Banerjee government didn't allow of India (ECI), Modi said, “Why the second constituency also, the astronauts returned to India last he added. the Central benefit to reach you. are you so angry with the ECI and Trinamool Congress can never month after completing their train- The astronauts will later work on New Delhi, April 3: The They hoarded the ration. The as- the security people? Are you angry come to power.” ing in Russia and will undergo dif- the Gaganyaan module as if they Enforcement Directorate (ED) on BJP leader ferent kinds of training here, Indian are flying. Saturday said it has attached as- shot dead Space Research Organisation (ISRO) “These apart, the astronauts will sets worth Rs 3 crore of TMC BSF hands over boy to ASSAM EVM ROW chief K Sivan said. be trained on survival techniques spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, its Gorakhpur: A 52-year-old “They had landed in India March so that they can survive in the sea MP Satabdi Roy and Debjani local BJP leader, a contestant 28. The four astronauts will un- as their landing module will land Mukherjee in the Saradha chit in the panchayat elections in Pak after he crosses IB dergo space mission specific train- on the sea waters,” Sivan said. fund money laundering case. Narayanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Magisterial probe ing in India,” Sivan told IANS. While the astronauts will be It said a provisional order for at- was shot dead while he was PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The four Indian astronauts were trained in Bengaluru and the sur- tachment of the movable and im- returning home after training since February 2020 at the vival techniques in Cochin, ISRO movable properties has been issued attending a public meeting, Ahmedabad, April 3: The Border Gagarin Cosmonaut Training will carry out the engineering work under the Prevention of Money police said Saturday. Three Security Force (BSF) Saturday ordered, 3 arrested Centre (GCTC) belonging to related to Gaganyaaan. Laundering Act (PMLA). people were detained said it has handed over an eight- Glavkosmos which is a subsidiary Glavkosmos had earlier said the following the killing of Brijesh year-old boy to Pakistani rangers, of Russian space corporation four Indian astronauts were trained Singh Friday night in the after he inadvertently crossed the INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Mayank Kumar and demanded Roscosmos. in abnormal descent module land- Moglaha area. The fourth international border (IB) and the release of six people imme- According to Sivan, the four as- ing - in wooded and marshy areas accused is at large, they said. reached India’s Barmer sector Guwahati/Silchar, April 3: The diately. tronauts will continue to train till in winter; on water surface, and Singh was shot around 11 pm from the neighbouring country. Karimganj District Magistrate The Election Commission they board the Indian space mod- in the steppe in summer. and was rushed to the BRD The incident took place at the bor- (DM) has ordered a magisterial in- Friday suspended the presiding Medical College, where ule. The Rs 10,000 crore Indian "In June 2020, all Indian astro- doctors declared him dead, der security fence near border out- quiry and the police arrested three officer, three other polling officials human space flight mission is called nauts-elect passed training in short- police said. post of Somrar in Barmer sector people in connection with the and an armed escort official and Gaganyaan. term weightlessness mode aboard of Rajasthan Friday, officials said. Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ordered re-polling at the Polling Queried about the training the IL-76MDK special laboratory air- As a goodwill gesture, the BSF found in a BJP candidate wife’s Station no 149 in Indira MV School regime here, Sivan said, “The as- craft, and in July, they were trained The central probe agency said Friday handed over a Pakistani vehicle Thursday night, officials said under Ratabari (SC) assembly tronauts will have their physical fit- to lift aboard a helicopter while in a statement that the assets be- Fire engulfs minor boy in a flag meeting with Saturday. constituency after an EVM was ness training that includes swim- evacuating from the descent mod- long to Kunal Ghosh, ex-Rajya 700 huts Pakistan Rangers, the BSF said in A district official said that the found in a BJP candidate’s wife’s ming, jogging. They will also have ule landing point," Glavkosmos Sabha MP from Trinamool a statement. Karimganj DM Anbamuthan MP vehicle Thursday night. academic/theoretical classes as had said. The Indian fighter pilots Congress (CEO of Media Group Gurugram: Some 700 huts April 2, Karim so Yamanu, age (Repeat Anbamuthan MP) has or- “Although the seals of the EVM they have to understand the rocket, were also trained in a centrifuge and Saradha), Satabdi Roy, Lok Sabha were gutted in a massive approximately eight years, had in- dered the magisterial inquiry and were found intact, it has never- and the human space module.” in a hyperbaric chamber to pre- MP from TMC (brand ambassador blaze that broke out at in advertently crossed the IB, entered entrusted Additional District theless been decided to do a re-poll “They will also be trained on pare their organisms for sustain- in Saradha), and Debjani Gurugram’s Nathupur Indian territory and reached up to Magistrate Rajeshan Terang to at the Indira MV School polling simulators. The Gaganyaan mod- ing spaceflight factors, such as G- Mukherjee who is director in village. The cause of the BS (border security) Fence near conduct the probe and submit the station as an added precautionary ule navigation terminals will be force, hypoxia and pressure drops. Saradha Group of companies in fire, which erupted in the BOP (border out post) Somrar of report within three days. measure,” the EC in a statement said Saradha chit fund case. intervening night of Friday Barmer sector (in Rajasthan), it Meanwhile, the police also ar- Friday. Assets worth Rs 600 crore have and Saturday, is suspected to be electrical short- added. He was spotted by alert rested three people for attacking the The statement had said that after been attached in this case till now. circuit. Of the 700 huts, 500 troops on duty, who asked him to private car in which the polling the official car carrying the polled The ED is probing the money were completely gutted. go back. Seeing men in uniform, personnel along the polled EVM EVM machine to Karimganj broke laundering aspect of the alleged Fire personnel evacuated the boy started crying. But BSF men were travelling after the completion down, the officials boarded a pass- ponzi scam since April, 2013. residents from the huts and calmed him and gave him some eat- of the second phase of polling ing private car which was subse- The Saradha group allegedly it took them about five ables and water, the BSF said. Thursday. quently surrounded by a mob of cheated thousands of depositors, hours to control the fire. No The boy seemed to have lost his Three more people are also de- about 50 people who started pelting promising abnormally high re- casualties or injuries have way and reached across IB, as tained for questioning. stones at them. turns on investments in its illegal been reported. According to nearest Pakistan village Somrar Two separate FIRs were also The mob at Kanaishil (under schemes. fire officials, they received a is about three kms from the place, lodged with the police by the Karimganj district) alleged that Ghosh, who is out on bail in call of the incident at 2.08 where the boy was spotted by the driver of the private car and the EVM was being taken to be the case, was suspended from the am. BSF, it said.Soon, on the direc- polling personnel. A delegation tampered with. The private car TMC in 2013 for alleged anti-party tions of HQrs (headquarters), a flag of Congress and its ally All India was owned by the wife of BJP can- activities. He has been questioned meeting was held with Pakistan United Democratic Front didate of the neighbouring by the ED in this case apart from LeT associates Rangers and the minor boy was (AIUDF) met the Karimganj Patharkandi constituency, others. He was later reinstated as arrested in J&K handed over to them. District Superintendent of Police Krishnendu Paul. the party spokesperson. Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police have solved a grenade throwing case and arrested two terrorist associates of LeT, officials What is driving mobile gaming amid the pandemic in India? said Saturday. Police said Dec 12, 2020 unknown terrorists hurled a hand FOR CONSUMERS TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE PROLONGED SOCIAL ISOLATION, ALONG WITH ALL THE ANXIETY grenade towards Police Post Bus Stand which missed the AND AMBIGUITY OF THE LAST YEAR, MOBILE GAMING PROVIDED A CREATIVE OUTLET intended target and exploded outside gate of the police INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE and socialising through gaming ily. Social networking and social use of paid gaming increased by post, resulting in injuries to rose during the last year. messaging platforms are two of the 15 per cent, while ‘freemium’ gam- three civilians. Accordingly a New Delhi, April 3: Amid the pan- Much before the pandemic, mo- prominent channels for consumer ing apps increased by a mere 8 per case was registered by the demic, especially the everything- bile gaming was on the upswing, awareness around new games. cent. It will be interesting to see police and investigation was from-home year, mobile gaming driven by the ubiquitous smart- Today’s gamers have, on an aver- how this trend pans out in 2021 and set into motion. took off spectacularly in India. For phones and the availability of low- age, close to seven games installed beyond. ‘Freemium’ will probably consumers trying to deal with the cost data. on their mobile phones. Among these, continue to be the mainstay. prolonged social isolation, along At CyberMedia Research (CMR), there are at least four games that they When it comes to smartphones, 12 govt offices with all the anxiety and ambiguity our ongoing research around gam- play avidly. Interestingly, men prefer today’s gamers seek more -- more default water tax of the last year, mobile gaming pro- ing has thrown some interesting to unwind with mobile games in the RAM, better battery life, increased vided a creative outlet. insights. For instance, mobile gam- early evening, while women mostly storage, faster touch response and Alibag (Maha): Twelve From my vantage point, I know ing in India is driven by an array chose to play during late night. On an better processors. government Institutions at of loved ones and peers who took to of gamer personas, ranging from the average, the duration of gaming play Smartphone brands are re- Alibag in Maharashtra’s mobile games more fervently dur- serious to the hyper-casual gamers. spans close to 90 minutes. sponding to the evolving mobile Raigad district have not paid ing the past year. As we complete the The growth in mobile gaming was Indians have traditionally en- gaming needs. They seek to differ- water tax worth Rs 40.54 lakh pandemic anniversary, let us pon- led not by serious gamers, but rather joyed freemium offerings and seek entiate themselves with a focus on y to the local civic body in the der over what is actually driving mo- casual and hyper-casual gamers. value. The spike in game time dur- high refresh rates for smoother per-

last six years, a top official bile gaming, and what does the fu- The democratisation of gaming with consumers. Think Puzzles. Or ing intents vary across consumer ing the pandemic led many gamers formance, enhanced displays, and

k y m c said Saturday. Of them, the ture portend. can be traced to the smartphone card games. With ease of access to cohorts. For instance, serious gamers to veer towards paid gaming apps. bigger batteries, among others. biggest defaulter is the Civil As smartphones continue to be usage. With smartphones, the need such ‘freemium’ gaming apps online, primarily play to ‘relieve stress’, For instance, six out of 10 serious As we look ahead, mobile gaming Hospital. Its outstanding the central nervous system of gamers chose paid gaming apps, water tax amount is Rs for dedicated gaming hardware de- more users than before, who typi- while casual and hyper-casual will only continue to become more 36,68,800, Alibag Municipal human lives, the dependence on vices is not felt. No consoles re- cally do not identify themselves as gamers seek to have ‘fun’. The choice while others continued to use mainstream. In doing so, it will be- Council president Prashant phones for work, for learning, and quired. Additionally, mobile gam- ‘gamers’ have taken up gaming. of games is dictated by recom- ‘freemium’ apps. Amidst the na- come more exciting, more immer- Naik said. most importantly, for unwinding ing apps evoke a sense of familiarity Our research points out the gam- mendations from friends and fam- tionwide lockdown in early 2020, sive and more social than before. P9 WOMAN GIVEN TWO DOSES OF VACCINE SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR In a major goof-up, an auxiliary nursing midwife (ANM) was on a phone call as she administered two shots of COVID-19 vaccine to a woman at a primary health centre in Akbarpur area of Kanpur Dehat district, officials said Saturday. As the news reached the woman’s family members, they created uproar at the centre and

y later senior officials including the district magistrate and chief

k y m national medical officer were informed about the alleged negligence. c

of the day uote COVID While the SURGE world came to India braces for COVID curbs a standstill, railway men never DAILY CORONAVIRUS CASES HAVE SURGED FROM AROUND 15,000 IN EARLY MARCH TO 88,000 OR SO AT THE START OF APRIL took a day off, and worked even harder AGENCIES at a great personal PUNJAB’S UK VARIANT risk to keep the wheels of the Mumbai, April 3: India’s biggest economy moving cities braced for stricter lockdowns A POTENTIAL THREAT and other COVID-19 curbs Saturday PIYUSH GOYAL | RAILWAY MINISTER as infections hit a six-month high, NEW DELHI: The UK variant of coron- as a month-long surge continued in avirus found in Punjab is a potential Their Sangh the country third-worst hit by the threat due to its efficiency in spread- teaches them ing, while the double mutant found in pandemic. to attack, non- Maharashtra is a matter of concern, violent satyagrah India’s richest state, Maharashtra, but not a cause to create panic, sug- makes the farmer accounted for more than half of gested CSIR-CCMB Director Rakesh fearless. We will the 89,129 new cases reported by Mishra. Speaking with IANS, Mishra face the Sangh the national health ministry in the said the UK variant has contributed to together - and we will only stop last 24 hours, with a record 47,827 the surge in cases in Punjab. after the three farm laws and three infections. “Somebody had travelled from the UK anti-national laws are repealed The state’s chief minister warned to Punjab, possibly in a group, and citizens of a lockdown if cases con- then people from this group would RAHUL GANDHI | CONGRESS LEADER tinued to rise at their current rate, have gone to several places in Punjab, saying medical infrastructure would which has contributed to the surge,” The BJP- be inadequate in a couple of weeks. said Mishra. When asked why the UK Trinamool tug- In the southern state of variant has not been found majorly in of-war has Karnataka, home to India’s tech cases in the neighbouring states of dented, damaged capital Bengaluru, authorities or- Himanchal Pradesh, Haryana and and derailed the dered gyms to be closed, barred Delhi, Mishra said that may be those development of functions at religious places and infected with the UK variant in Punjab ‘Shonar Bangla’. It is told cinema halls, bars, pubs and have not travelled to places outside time for the people of West Bengal the state, or there has not been a restaurants to limit the number of to show them that they are not super spreader event so far. However, going to be privy to the divisive and people allowed in. it is a matter of time and there is a hate politics of the BJP and India’s capital, New Delhi recorded possibility that cases may show up Trinamool more than 3,500 cases, its highest this The south Asian nation recorded India follows only the United but the shots have been slow to later, Mishra noted. He added that year, but its chief minister ruled out 89,129 new infections and 714 deaths, States and Brazil in infections, with reach India’s 1.3 billion people. JAIVEER SHERGILL | CONG SPOKESPERSON both vaccines, AstraZeneca and another lockdown for now.Daily coro- the ministry said. That was the more than 12 million recorded since Prime Minister Narendra Modi Covaxin, are working well against the navirus cases have surged from biggest daily rise since Sept. 20 and the start of the outbreak. has faced criticism for exporting vac- Punjab variant and the double mutant around 15,000 in early March to the most deaths since Oct. 21, ac- The government has intensified cines produced in India when most found in Maharashtra. 88,000 or so at the start of April. cording to a Reuters tally. its vaccination drive in recent weeks, Indians are yet to get them. SHORT TAKES 2 boys found dead in dam 90 re-contesting SOLITARY SILENCE Bhopal: In a suspected case of drowning, two teenage boys were found dead in Bhopal’s Assam MLAs’ assets Kaliasot dam, police said Saturday. Their bodies were fished out this morning and sent for post-mortem, in- grew 76% since 2016 charge of Kolar police station Chandrakant Patel said. Friday evening, the police had INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE their average assets range is ` 4.44 received a complaint that two crore. The average asset growth city boys, aged 14 and 15 years, had gone missing, he said. New Delhi, April 3: The average for these MLAs, between the Assam assets of 90 re-contesting MLAs Assembly elections of 2016 and fielded by various political parties 2021 is `1.91 crore, the data said. in Assam, including Independent BJP MLA from the Dhakuakhana 8 kg heroin nominees, grew by 76 per cent in the (SC) constituency, Naba Kumar seized, 3 held last five years between 2016 and Doley, has declared maximum in- 2021 -- a hike of around `1.91 crore crease in assets with a rise of `18.22 Hoshiarpur: The Punjab Police -- according to the data released crore, from `7.30 crore in 2016 to has busted a gang of drug by Assam Election Watch and the `25.52 crore this year. smugglers, with the arrest of Association for Democratic Reforms The assets of Nijam Uddin three persons, and seized eight (ADR). Choudhury of the AIUDF from the kg of heroin, an official said Of these 90 MLAs, three BJP Algapur constituency increased Saturday. Addressing the leaders are in by `11.10 crore, Historical Jantar Mantar wears a deserted look during a hot day, in Jaipur PTI PHOTO media here, Senior the top five list from `2.71 crore Superintendent of Police (SSP) showing maxi- in 2016 to `13.81 Navjot Singh Mahal said acting on a tip off, a police team mum increase crore this year. stopped an SUV at Thuana in assets, fol- Of the other village on the Mahilpur- lowed by one two BJP lead- Phagwara road Friday night. from the All ers, assets of EC REDUCES HIMANTA While searching the vehicle, India United Himanta Biswa police seized eight kg of Democratic Sarma from heroin, which was hidden in a Front (AIUDF) Jalukbari con- cavity created near the and another stituency has SARMA’S CAMPAIGN BAN radiator of the car, police said. from the risen by `10.89 INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ground that he is himself a candi- you (Himanta Biswa Sarma) are Bodoland OF THESE 90 MLAs, crore, from`6.38 date in the constituency which is expected or likely to participate, People’s Front. crore in 2016 to New Delhi, April 3: The Election scheduled for poll April 6. The BJP the EC said. Undertrial Assam THREE BJP LEADERS `17.27 crore in Commission in a fresh order leader is contesting from Jalukbari You are directed to ensure com- Election Watch ARE AMONG THE 2021. Saturday gave relief to BJP leader Assembly constituency. pliance of the commissioner’s di- prisoner dies and ADR made Ashok Himanta Biswa Sarma by reducing The commission, having con- rections. the revelations Singhal is an- his ban from campaigning to 24 sidered your unconditional apol- The poll panel Friday had barred Jammu: An under-trial prisoner TOP FIVE based on the hours. ogy and assurance, has decided Sarma from campaigning for 48 died under mysterious other BJP circumstances at a high- analysis of the self-sworn affidavits leader from the Dhekiajuli con- The commission’s order came to modify its order dated April 2, hours on charges of threatening ` security central jail here, of these 90 MLAs who are con- stituency whose assets grew by 9.82 following Sarma’s request to the 2021 and reduce the period of de- opposition leader Hagrama officials said Saturday. Sunny testing the ongoing three-phase crore, from `7.23 crore in 2016 to poll body, mentioning accept my barment from the election cam- Mohilary of the Bodoland People’s Singh, a resident of Deoli Assam Assembly elections which `17.06 crore this year. sincere regret and assurance of paign from 48 hours to 24 hours Front. village, was facing charges in began March 27. The assets of Bodoland People’s abiding MCC (Model Code of to the effect that permission may The EC, in its Friday order had three cases, including that of The third and final round of Front MLA Chandan Brahma from Conduct) in future, and be further be granted for holding any pub- barred Sarma from addressing any murder, registered against him polling will be held April 6, while the Sidli (ST) constituency has pleased to reduce the period of de- lic meetings, public processions, public meetings, road shows, media at Bishnah police station the results will be declared May 2. risen by `6,57 crore, from ` 9.58 barment from election campaign public rallies, road shows, etc., interviews, public processions, and between 2008 and 2010, the The average asset of these 90 crore in 2016 to `16.15 crore this from 48 hours to 24 hours. by the concerned district ad- public rallies, for 48 hours from officials said. MLAs in 2016 was `2.52 crore. Now, year. Sarma had also pleaded on the ministration authorities, where immediate effect from April 2.

ISRO ESPIONAGE CASE Probe panel submits report on Nambi’s illegal arrest

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The espionage case, which had hit Shreekumar, who were later held re- The judgement had said the “en- the headlines in 1994, pertained to sponsible by the CBI for the scien- tire prosecution” initiated by the New Delhi, April 3: A high-level allegations of transfer of certain con- tist’s illegal arrest. The apex court state police was “malicious and it probe panel appointed by the fidential documents on India’s space in its judgement had said, “We think has caused tremendous harass- Supreme Court to take erring cops programme to foreign countries by that the obtaining factual scenario ment and immeasurable anguish” to task for causing “tremendous two scientists and four others, in- calls for constitution of a commit- to Narayanan. “It can be stated harassment” and “immeasurable an- cluding two Maldivian women. tee to find out ways and means to with certitude” that the funda- guish” to ISRO scientist Dr Nambi The 79-year-old former scientist, take appropriate steps against the mental right of life and personal Narayanan in the 1994 espionage who was given a clean chit by the erring officials.” liberty of Narayanan was “gravely case has submitted its report to the CBI, maintained that the Kerala “The criminal law was set in mo- affected”. apex court, sources said. Police had “fabricated” the case tion without any basis. It was ini- The CBI, while giving a clean The SC had September 14, 2018 ap- and the technology he was accused tiated, if one is allowed to say, on chit to the scientist, had said that pointed the three-member panel to have stolen and sold in the 1994 some kind of fancy or notion,” a Siby Mathews had left “the en- headed by its former judge D K case did not even exist at that time. bench headed by the then Chief tire investigation to IB surren- Jain while directing the Kerala gov- Narayanan had approached the Justice Dipak Misra had said. dering his duties” and ordered y ernment to cough up `50 lakh com- apex court against a Kerala High “We are of the view that the ap- indiscriminate arrest of the sci-

pensation for compelling Narayanan Court judgement that said “no ac- pellant was arrested and he has entist and others without ade-

k y m c to undergo “immense humiliation”. The CBI, in its probe, had held that late K Karunakaran over the issue, tion needed to be taken” against suffered custody for almost 50 days. quate evidence. The scientist was arrested when the then top police officials in Kerala that eventually led to his resigna- former DGP Siby Mathews, who His arrest has been seriously crit- The case had caught attention the Congress was heading the gov- were responsible for Narayanan’s tion. was then heading the SIT probe icised in the closure report of the in October 1994, when Maldivian na- ernment in Kerala. The panel, after illegal arrest. Over a period of almost two-and- team, two retired superintendents CBI. From the aforesaid report, the tional Rasheeda was arrested in investigation, submitted its report The case also had its political a-half years, the panel headed by of police, K K Joshua and S Vijayan, harassment and mental torture Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly in a sealed cover to the apex court fallout, with a section in the Congress Justice Jain examined the cir- and the then Deputy Director, faced by the appellant is obvious,” obtaining secret drawings of ISRO recently. targeting the then Chief Minister cumstances leading to the arrest. Intelligence Bureau, R B the bench had added. rocket engines to sell to Pakistan. A submicron particle can MYANMAR'S DEMOCRATIC FIGHT P10 stay in the air for hours and SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR days, depending on the ventilation, ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE so if you have a room that is not Myanmar model Han Lay in Miss ventilated or poorly ventilated then Grand International beauty pageant, these small particles can stay there made heads turn in Thailand for a very long period of time Saturday during an emotive speech NGA LEE (SALLY) NG | RESEARCHER, GEORGIA where she pleaded for “urgent

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

k y m international international help” for her country c of the day uote NO TRADE WITH INDIA: PAK PM Nepal Oppn seeks If you deal With regards to the ECC decision to allow import of sugar, cotton and cotton yarn from India, Khan held consultations with entities not regulated with key members of his Cabinet and decided that Pakistan could not go ahead with any trade with India by the Monetary PRESS TRUST OF INDIA port from the neighbouring coun- Oli’s resignation Authority of Singapore (MAS), try amidst tensions over the remember: You Islamabad, April 3: Prime Minister Kashmir issue. won't be protected by the laws Imran Khan decided that Pakistan India has said that it desires administered by MAS. Before cannot go ahead with any trade normal neighbourly relations with making any investment, please with India under the current cir- Pakistan in an environment free ensure that it is genuine and cumstances after holding consul- of terror, hostility, and violence legitimate, so that you will not fall tations with key members of his India has also told Pakistan that prey to scams Cabinet on importing cotton and “talks and terror” cannot go to-

LEE HSIEN LOONG | PM, SINGAPORE sugar from the neighbouring coun- gether and has asked Islamabad to try, a media report said Saturday. take demonstrable steps against The prime minister after con- terror groups responsible for launch- There are sultations Friday instructed the ing various attacks on India. plans to Ministry of Commerce and his eco- The ECC’s decision had raised conduct a nomic team to immediately take hopes of a partial revival of detailed discussion steps to facilitate the relevant sec- Pakistan-India bilateral trade re- on the current tors, value added, apparel and sugar, domestic requirements, it said. decision be deferred and immedi- lations, which were suspended after status of bilateral by finding alternative cheap sources With regards to the ECC decision ately reviewed, the report said. the August 5, 2019 decision of New relations and their of import of the needed com- to allow import of sugar, cotton and The Cabinet headed by Prime Delhi to revoke the special status of development prospects, including modities, the Dawn newspaper cotton yarn from India, Khan held Minister Khan rejected the pro- Jammu and Kashmir. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE old party, the Prime Minister’s opportunities for further quoted sources as saying. consultations with key members posal of the high-powered com- In May 2020, Pakistan lifted the party has once again landed in strengthening trade, economic and Various proposals have been of his Cabinet and decided that mittee to import cotton from India, ban on the import of medicines Kathmandu, April 3: Nepal Prime fresh trouble. counter-terrorism cooperation presented to the Economic Pakistan could not go ahead with any with Foreign Minister Shah and raw material of essential drugs Minister KP Sharma Oli who is in After the Supreme Court split the MARIA ZAKHAROVA | FM SPOKESPERSON, Coordination Committee (ECC) trade with India under the current Mahmood Qureshi asserting that from India amidst the COVID-19 trouble inside his own party, is Nepal Communist Party into two, RUSSIA which considers these suggestions circumstances, it said. there can be no normalisation of ties pandemic. likely to face tougher days ahead the UML and Maoist Center, now, from an economic and commercial The ECC had decided on com- until New Delhi reverses its deci- India’s move to revoke the special as the primary opposition, Nepali the Prachanda-led Maoist Center We have the point of view. After consideration mercial grounds to recommend sion in 2019 to revoke the special sta- status of Jammu and Kashmir in Congress (NC) has decided to seek is also preparing to withdraw sup- full and by the ECC, its decisions are pre- these imports for the Cabinet's con- tus of Jammu and Kashmir. 2019 angered Pakistan, which down- his resignation and initiate the for- port lent to Oli in 2018 before the unwavering sented to the Cabinet for ratification sideration. Pakistan’s U-turn came a day graded diplomatic ties and expelled mation of a new government under party unification. support of and final approval, the report said. While the decision was not on the after the ECC, under newly-ap- the Indian High Commissioner in its leadership. If Maoist Center withdrew its international In the present case, a proposal was formal agenda of the Cabinet meet- pointed Finance Minister Hammad Islamabad. Pakistan also snapped The decisions were taken at a support, Oli’s party will automat- partners, including presented to the ECC to allow the ing, the issue was brought up by Azhar, recommended importing all air and land links with India Central Working Committee (CWC) ically reduce to a minority gov- Europe and the US. import of cotton, cotton yarn and Cabinet members and the Prime cotton and sugar from India, lifting and suspended trade and railway meeting of the NC. ernment. And one of the proofs of that is the sugar from India keeping in view Minister instructed that the ECC’s a nearly two-year-long ban on its im- services. A section of the party led by for- In that case, either Oli has to conversation I had today with the mer Prime Minister Madhav Kumar take a vote of confidence or face a President of the United States, Joe Nepal is forming parallel party no-confidence motion. Biden. We discussed the situation in Taiwan train crash structures within the UML after Oli Nepali Congress’s decision to Donbas in detail. President Biden MASKED MOB suspended four senior leaders, in- seek Oli’s resignation is a wel- assured me that Ukraine would cluding Nepal, for six months. come step and time has come to re- never be left alone against Russian suspect released, Oli accused Nepal and other move Oli, former Prime Minister aggression leaders for being involved in anti- Baburam Bhattarai said Saturday. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY | PRESIDENT, prosecutors appeal party activities and violating rules Time has come for other opposi- UKRAINE and norms. tion parties to play their role, REUTERS After Oli dissolved the House Bhattarai said, adding, today our December 20, 2020, a section of foremost priority is to remove Oli. SHORT TAKES Hualien, April 3: A Taiwan court party leaders upped the ante against Meanwhile, Oli said that he was Saturday released on bond the the Prime Minister and sought his also aware of what the opposition manager of a construction site resignation. are doing. 23 dead in whose truck authorities believe February 23, the Supreme Court “First withdraw your support Islamist attacks caused a train accident that killed of Nepal reinstated the House but to the government. Then I will re- at least 50 people, but prosecutors Oli refused to step down. sign,” he said, adding that this is Mogadishu: At least 23 vowed to appeal, as family mem- The apex court March 7 dropped not the first time that his resigna- people were killed Saturday bers mourned the dead at the another bombshell invoking the tion has been sought. after Islamist attacks on two crash site. 2018 party merger between Oli's “I cannot resign to meet each military bases in Somalia. Friday’s crash was Taiwan’s UML and Pushpa Kamal Dahal and every demand.” Two suicide car bombers worst rail accident in seven Prachanda's Nepal Communist Meantime, the Nepali Congress’ struck two army positions in decades, when an express train Party-Maoist Center. decision to seek Oli’s resignation the district of Awdhegle hit the truck that had slid down a Nepal, who was earlier close and unseat him, could create a new and Bariire village in the bank beside the track from the with Prachanda, returned to his political equation in Nepal. volatile Lower Shabelle building site. The site’s manager province, dpa news agency mother party but Oli refused to in- If three opposition parties, Nepali reported.“Al-Shabaab is suspected of having failed to corporate them for supporting Congress, Maoist Center and Janata attackers carried out a properly engage the brake. Dahal when the party was united Samajbai Party come together, they complex attack on two The train, with almost 500 peo- under the banner of Nepal will easily unseat Oli. And party military bases in Lower ple aboard, was travelling from Communist Party. leaders have said that now time Shabelle province this Taipei, the capital, to Taitung on People wearing protective masks, who were all tested for COVID, attend a concert by the band ‘Love of Lesbian’ at the After Oli refused to welcome has come to expedite talks between morning,” government the east coast when it derailed in Palau Sant Jordi, the first massive concert since the beginning of the pandemic, in Barcelona, Spain REUTERS Nepal and his faction inside the the opposition to unseat Oli. spokesman Ismael Mukhtar. a tunnel just north of the city of Hualien. Forty people are in hos- pital, from among the 178 reported US adds 916k injured. BANGLADESH TO IMPOSE Prosecutors had applied to a 7 dead in UK after AstraZeneca jab jobs in March court to detain the manager on charges of causing death by neg- WEEK LONG LOCKDOWN INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Washington: US employers ligence, a justice ministry official added 916,000 jobs in March, told Saturday. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE London, April 3 : After more than with the unemployment rate edging down to 6.0 per cent, But a court in Hualien released 18 million people have received vac- the Labor Department the manager, Lee Yi-hsiang, on a Dhaka, April 3: The Bangladesh cinations with AstraZeneca’s jab in reported. Job growth was bond of T$500,000 ($17,525), al- government has decided to enforce the UK, the country’s health regu- “widespread” in the month, though it restricted him from leav- a one-week lockdown from April 5 lator said seven people had died led by gains in leisure and ing Taiwan for eight months and to control the new Covid-19 wave in due to rare blood clots, although hospitality, public and private said he had to stay in Hualien. the country, a Minister announced the cause remains unclear. education, and construction, The court said that while the Saturday. “The benefits in preventing a according to the report truck’s fall into the path of the Bangladeshi Road, Transport Covid-19 infection and its compli- released Friday by the train was possibly due to negli- and Bridges Minister Obaidul home with all sorts of public trans- cations continue to outweigh any Department's Bureau of gence, there was “no possibility of Quader made the announcement in portation suspended. Educational risks and the public should con- Labor Statistics (BLS). conspiracy”. an online press conference in Dhaka instructions were shut from March tinue to get their vaccine when in- Yu Hsiu-duan, head of the Saturday. 17, 2020. vited to do so,” dpa news agency Hualien prosecutors’ office, Meanwhile, the country’s Minister The government ordered offices, quoted June Raine, Chief Executive Kenya stops import said it would appeal against the de- of State for Public Administration public transport system, domes- of the Medicines and Healthcare Reports of unusual blood clot is safe, although it is planning more cision. Farhad Hossain said they would tic flights and stock exchanges to Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as cases in patients who have received consultations in the wake of the de- of COVID-19 vax “The court said there was no rea- soon issue fresh guidelines cover- reopen May 31, 2020, after two saying. the AstraZeneca vaccine have led cisions by national health officials. Nairobi: Kenya has ordered son to keep him in custody,” she ing people and services to be ex- months of lockdown. It had issued The MHRA previously said there some national regulators to place Meanwhile in Britain, more than an immediate suspension on told reporters. “The court changed empted from the lockdown. sets of health safety guidelines for had been 30 cases of rare blood clot restrictions on who can receive 31 million people have received the private importations of it to a surety of $T500,000.” Factories will remain open and protection from the virus, saying events reported out of the 18.1 mil- the jab. first dose of the vaccination, more vaccines citing fears that it Lee’s court-appointed lawyer workers can work shifts by follow- the strict rules would be re-im- lion AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine Canada, for instance, suspended than 18 million of them with may lead to counterfeit declined to comment to reporters ing hygiene rules. The first lock- posed if the situation worsened. doses administered in Britain. use for those under the age of 55 AstraZeneca. inoculations getting into the as he left the court. down, described as a general holi- The pandemic took an alarm- As of March 24, a total of 22 while Germany has largely halted The number of cases has im- country. Private health Family members visited the day by the government along with ing turn in the second half of March cases of cerebral vein thrombosis the jabs for those under 60. proved significantly, with the seven- facilities have been charging site Saturday afternoon to mourn a transport shutdown, had started this year. Bangladesh Friday logged and eight other types of thrombo- Britain has said the vaccine is safe day incidence figure at 55 per 100,000 about $80 for the Russian the dead, some crying out “Come March 26, 2020 after the first Covid- 6,830 new cases of the coronavirus, sis had been reported, the agency for all age groups. inhabitants. There has also been a Sputnik Vaccine, while the back!”, and bringing personal be- 19 cases and deaths were reported. the highest count in a day, taking said, noting that here too, it was un- The European Medicines Agency, significant fall in the number of governments institutions are longings with them like dolls. The public were told to stay at the tally of infections to 624,594. clear whether these were connected. an EU regulator, said the vaccine daily deaths. giving for free AstraZeneca- Oxford vaccines received from the global COVAX initiative that was created to ensure that low- and middle- BRITONS RALLY TO KILL ‘ANTI-DISSENT’ BILL income countries have fair access to vaccines. REUTERS tably in Bristol, southwest England, PM Boris Johnson criticised Days of protests by Extinction where demonstrations turned vio- Rebellion paralysed parts of London London, April 3: Hundreds of lent with officers and a police sta- what he described as in early 2019, action which fuelled 5 dead in Myanmar, demonstrators joined marches and tion bombarded with bricks and “disgraceful attacks” on calls from some politicians for the rallies across Britain Saturday as glass bottles and police vehicles set police to be given the tougher pow- protests continue part of a “national weekend of ac- on fire. officers, but protesters ers to prevent excessive disruption. Nay Pyi Taw: Five people tion” against a proposed new law Prime Minister Boris Johnson have accused police of Demonstrations had not been were killed across Myanmar that would give police extra powers criticised what he described as “dis- using heavy-handed tactics permitted while a coronavirus lock- Saturday as the military to curb protests. graceful attacks” on officers, but down was in place, but restrictions continues to crack down on The Police, Crime, Sentencing protesters have accused police of were eased this week, meaning or- the ongoing protests against and Courts bill would toughen meas- using heavy-handed tactics. “The government are trying to ganised rallies can go ahead pro- the February 1 coup. Despite ures, officers can take to disperse Saturday, climate change group curtail protests - especially BLM viding they are “COVID secure”.

demonstrations, such as imposing Extinction Rebellion (XR) and the and XR - that is what this bill is all In London, police warned, “en-

k y m the threat of violence, people c throughout the country time and noise limits, which cam- Black Lives Matter (BLM) move- about. We want the clauses in this forcement action will be taken, if turned out to oppose the paigners and activists fear would be ment joined other activists for “kill bill about protests quashed,” said needed, in the interests of public military takeover, including in used to curb dissent. the bill” rallies in London and other Mark Duncan, a protestor from the health”. Some senior officers have said Mandalay, Mon and Kayah Since the bill was brought be- towns and cities, including crowd of more than 500 marching the “kill the bill” tag was deliber- states and in the Sagaing and fore parliament last month, there Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and through central London, banging ately provocative as “the bill” is a nick- Tanintharyi regions. have been sporadic protests, no- Brighton. drums and chanting. name in Britain for the police. P11 MICROSOFT PUSHES BACK SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Rising prices certainly do Microsoft has announced to delay not augur well, particularly the reopening of its offices till when this is from cost push September, after it stated to slowly factors arising from reopen Redmond, Washington- higher oil prices based headquarters and nearby MGOVINDARAO| CEA, campuses from March 29 with a

BRICKWORK RATINGS six-stage hybrid workplace strategy

k y m business c of the day uote Surge in commodity prices to impact economy: Ind-Ra The VPT AGENCIES "Though a spike in global agri- As per Ind-Ra, a higher vaccine and ultra-low interest rates the prices of copper, aluminium, tin, maintained cultural commodity prices could are fuelling the surge in commod- nickel and zinc have gone up by 3rd position retail inflation not New Delhi, April 3: Further surge benefit India, it may not move ity prices. 26.3%, 19.2%, 46.6%, 25.1% and among major ports accompanied by a for the second year in global commodity prices will the needle favourably because Consequently, energy commod- 12.4% respectively. In addition, it in succession. The have serious implications for India's India, despite the world's biggest commensurate increase ity prices over the past six months warned against a commodity super year past also saw economy which is still struggling exporter of Basmati rice, ex- have increased by 55.4 per cent, the cycle. an increase of handling iron pellets to come out of the Covid-19 impact, ported just $6.59 billion worth of in wage growth will increase in non-energy commodity This phenomenon occurs as a and finished steel exports from the ratings agency Ind-Ra said. cereals and imported vegetable oil adversely impact the prices is 19.3 per cent. "long-term, above-trend movements port to China As per Ind-Ra, a higher retail in- and pulses worth $9.66 billion Among the major non-energy in a wide range of base material flation not accompanied by a com- and $1.44 billion, respectively, consumption demand subgroups, agricultural com- prices, driven by a structural change K RAMMOHAN RAO | CHAIRMAN, mensurate increase in wage growth in FY20." modities rose by 16%, fertilisers in demand". VISAKHAPATNAM PORT TRUST will adversely impact the con- "On the other hand, India's im- $22.45 billion and $13.14 billion, re- than-expected recovery in demand, 30.2% and metals and minerals by The last such super cycle started sumption demand and in turn in- port bill on oil, coal and nonfer- spectively." the stimulus measures announced 25.1%. in early 2000 and lasted till the vestment revival in the economy. rous metals was $129.86 billion, According to the agency, a faster- by the US, the roll out of Covid-19 On a more disaggregated level, global financial crisis of 2008. Performance in the December quarter shows signs of fatigue creeping JNPT handled 4.7mn in, with most broking entities Gas producers continue to bleed as TEUs container NTPC posts highest registering on-quarter de-growth in revenue, despite continued record traffic in FY21 client additions. This is in contrast power generation of with 18% sequential growth in the govt-dictated prices remain low: Icra PRESS TRUST OF INDIA September quarter

KRISHNAN SITARAMAN | SENIOR DIRECTOR, Mumbai, April 3: Container traf- CRISIL RATINGS The domestic gas price fic at JNPT fell around 6% to 4.7 314 BU in FY’21 million TEUs in the just concluded notified at $1.79 per million financial year, despite March see- POST NEWS NETWORK The strong British thermal unit for the ing the highest growth since the growth in port's inception, impacted by the Bhubaneswar, April 3: NTPC, exports of six months beginning April 1 pandemic-induced lockdown. India’s largest power generating engineering goods remains the lowestsince the The container traffic at the company recorded its highest ever in the month of country's premier container port, group generation of 314 BU in FY March suggests a institution of the modified Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust 21, a growth of 8.2% compared to bright outlook for Rangarajan formula (JNPT) stood at 5.03 million TEUs previous year, according to press re- the sector but one needs to be (twenty-foot equivalent units) in lease, issued by the company. On a cautious before arriving at any 2019-20, it said in a release on standalone basis, NTPC generated conclusion on the basis of short AGENCIES Saturday. 270.9 BU in FY21, an increase of term surge mestic producers, it will benefit turns even as domestic gas pro- In March 2021, the port logged 4.3% over the previous year. MAHESH DESAI | CHAIRMAN, EEPC INDIA New Delhi, April 3: Natural gas gas consumers. The consumers will ducers such as ONGC and Reliance the highest growth in container NTPC group recorded highest- production remains a loss-making also benefit in the long run from the Industries Ltd (RIL)-BP ramp up gas traffic since its inception at 5,27,792 ever single day generation of 1192.42 65810 MW with 4160 MW of ca- proposition for most fields for the expectations of continued supply production significantly." TEUs, while the total traffic rose MU (Group) & 990.65 MU (NTPC). The pacity addition in FY21. On a stand- Indian upstream producers as gov- overhang," Icra said commenting on The absence of a floor and sus- 23.5% to 7.33 million tonne as coal plants registered a PLF of 66% alone basis, NTPC Capacity in- SHORT TAKES ernment-dictated gas price remains the gas price notified by the gov- tained low prices as has been seen against 5.93 million tonne han- with an Availability factor of 91.43%. creased by 4.03% to 52385 MW. at its lowest level, rating agency ernment earlier this week. in the past few years post imple- dled in the same month of 2019-20. In another feat, Singrauli Unit- Along with power generation, Bajaj Electricals Icra has said. As per an Icra note, at such low mentation of the modified The total traffic also dropped 5.31% 1 in Uttar Pradesh, first and the NTPC has also ventured into var- The domestic gas price notified gas prices, gas production remains Rangarajan formula make explo- to 64.81 million tonne in 2020-21 as oldest Unit of NTPC which was ious new business areas like e-mo- declares lay-off at $1.79 per million British ther- a loss-making proposition for most ration and production unviable even against 68.45 million tonne in the commissioned 39 years ago and bility, Waste-to-Energy and par- New Delhi: Bajaj Electricals mal unit for the six months begin- fields for the Indian upstream pro- for benign geologies, Icra noted. previous year. Korba Unit-2 in Chhattisgarh, com- ticipated in the bidding for power Saturday said it has declared ning April 1 remains the lowest ducers notwithstanding some de- "Accordingly, low natural gas “Despite the pandemic, JNPT missioned 37 years ago have distribution of Union Territories. lay-off at its manufacturing since the institution of the modi- cline in oil field services/equip- prices remain negative for the up- alongwith its stakeholders stood achieved more than 100% PLF NTPC is also actively exploring unit located at Shikohabad in fied Rangarajan formula. ment costs. stream sector adversely impacting up to this challenge, and put up a (Plant Load Factor). The stellar Green Hydrogen solutions and cap- Uttar Pradesh. The layoff is Additionally, the ceiling on price However, the depreciation of revenues, profitability and cash ac- strong and spirited fight. Everyone performance of Singrauli and tive industries in its plant premises. with effect from April 3, 2021, for gas produced from deep water, Indian Rupee against US dollar, cruals and the incumbents have pe- has worked against all odds and Korba Units is a testimony to the NTPC Group has 70 Power sta- until further notice, the ultra deepwater, high temperature would aid the realisations of the gas titioned the Government of India to helped the port retain its good expertise of NTPC engineers, tions including 26 Renewable proj- company said in a regulatory and high-pressure fields has also producers but only to an extent. provide a floor price for gas prices." performance in FY21. Operation & Maintenance prac- ects. The group has over 18 GW of filing. “… We have to inform been announced at $3.62 per mmBtu Sabyasachi Majumdar, Senior Spot LNG prices had breached $30 Our high-performance num- tices and NTPC systems. capacity under construction, in- you that the company has for April-September 2021-22 which Vice-President & Group Head, per mmBtu in February 2021 due to bers are a validation of our con- NTPC also realized 100% of the cluding 5 GW of renewable energy declared lay-off, as per the is 10.8% lower than the price ceil- Corporate Sector Ratings, Icra, increase in oil prices, unplanned out- tinuous efforts to empower trade billed amount from the Discoms projects. Uninterrupted supply of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, ing of $4.06 for October-March 2020- said, "Going forward, the supply ages at export facilities in several and make India a foremost player and for the first time, realization electricity through environment- at the Company's 21 which would dampen the devel- glut is expected to keep prices of do- countries, multiple cold waves, in the global maritime sector,” crossed Rs. 1 Lakh Crore. friendly energy projects at afford- manufacturing unit located at opment of such projects. mestic gas low in the near to high shipping rates and delays in said Sanjay Sethi, Chairman, The total installed capacity of able prices has been the hallmark Shikohabad, Uttar Pradesh,” "While this is unfavourable for do- medium term leading to poor re- the Panama canal. JNPT. NTPC Group increased by 5.96% to of NTPC. the company said. GMR launches Big Bazaar launches BIZ BUZZ new vertical Haier unveils big bottom Hyderabad: Infra major GMR Sonalika posts 41.6% Group Saturday launched a mounted refrigerators new business vertical ‘Sabse Bada Offer’ domestic growth dedicated to fostering and Bhubaneswar: Sonalika Tractors has added yet Bhubaneswar: Haier, the global leader in Home Appliances & driving innovation GMR POST NEWS NETWORK another feather of superlative achievement to the hat Innovex - with a vision to of its glorious journey. Sonalika has recorded its Consumer Electronics brand unveiled 17 new variants of Big create an enabling Bhubaneswar, April 3: Big Bazaar, highest ever annual sales of 1, 39,526 tractors in FY’21 framework for innovation and among the leading market share gainers in the Bottom Mounted Refrigerators in 3 India’s leading hypermarket chain, and 4-star range. The new across all aspects of the has always been a pioneer in the in- industry. The company has registered a phenomenal business. GMR Innovexwill additions to Haier’s revolutionary novative offerings it brings for its domestic growth rate of 41.6% over FY’20 volumes, operate on an 'Open which is highest in industry and beaten industry BMR – Bottom Mounted Innovation' model, acting as customers. In keeping with its tra- Refrigerator series flaunt the all- dition of providing Indian con- on Fruits & Vegetables, Big Bazaar growth (est.26.7 %) by a significant margin. Alongside, an 'Innovation Exchange' to Sonalika has recorded its highest-ever annual new magic convertible series that sumers the most value for their is also participating in the New partner with startups, rotavator sales of 50,000 units in FY’21, recording allows temperature to be corporates, innovation shopping, Big Bazaar announces its Year celebrations across various re- double the volumes registered in FY’20.Overall, controlled between a wide range platforms, research new ground-breaking proposition- gions of India- Poila Boishakh in Sonalika Tractors has sold 13,093tractors in March’21, of +9 C to -24 C to cater to the institutions and academia to the ‘Sabse Bada Offer’. Bengal, Bihu in Assam, Ugadi in registering a whopping135% growth over March’20. unique requirements of different bring innovative ideas and For the first time ever, customers Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Raman Mittal, Executive Director, Sonalika Group, food items for retaining their solutions to life and help to will get `500 worth of fruits and veg- Vishu in Kerala, Baisakhi in Punjab said, “Achieving a significant landmark of freshness and nutrition for longer nurture and sustain a culture etables absolutely free on shop- & Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. To phenomenal duration. The magic convertible technology helps in of innovation. ping of `2500. In addition to Big make these festivals happier, Big domestic growth of converting the refrigerator to 14 modes ranging from Bazaar stores, this offer can also be Bazaar has planned lot of excit- 41.6% in FY’21, energy saving mode to surprise party mode. Unlike availed on the hypermarket's ecom- ing offers across all categories. which is highest in other refrigerators, Haier’s Magic Convertible feature merce website and app-shop.big- This entire offer will help cus- industry and allows precise temperature control by every degree to ‘Individual loan biz store food items ranging from chicken, seafood to bazaar.com. The scheme is available tomers to save more on monthly gro- surpassing desserts and ice creams, cereals and vegetables – at a continues to improve’ from April 1 to April 14. cery, apparel, home essentials, industry growth (est. 26.7%).” favorable temperature. New Delhi: Mortgage lender In addition to this mega offer kitchen ware & electronics. HDFC Ltd Saturday said the company's individual loan business continued to exhibit Govt allows further improvement in the January- March quarter 2021 and loans Mega US infra plan, lending rates to strengthen rupee operational flexibility worth `7,503 crore were assigned to its banking subsidiary. "The individual INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE RBI’s interventions in stance and wait for an opportune INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE loan business continued to currency markets and time to announce monetary action see strong improvements New Delhi, April 3: A mega US in- spread of virus and pace of with a view to ensure the best pos- New Delhi, April 3: The gov- during the quarter ended frastructure creation programme inoculations and global risk sible outcome in terms of pushing ernment has allowed further flex- Match 31, 2021. along with likely retention of key appetite will determine fate growth without sacrificing the main ibility to tax filers operating under lending rates and an accommoda- of the currency this week objective of containing inflation." the Quarterly Return Filing and tive stance by the Reserve Bank On the other hand, rising Covid Monthly Payment of Taxes are expected to boost the rupee’s DEVARSH VAKIL I DEPUTY HEAD, RETAIL cases will add pressure on the rupee. (QRMP) scheme of GST. ‘Ramp up testing RESEARCH, HDFC SECURITIES prospects during the upcoming Lately, a new wave of Covid-19 in- These tax filers will now be per- across states’ week. fections has hit several states. This mitted to declare invoices per- New Delhi: Industry body Accordingly, US President Joe between 72.50-73.50." comes at a time when India is try- taining to move- FICCI has urged the Biden recently announced a '$2 tril- Besides, the Reserve Bank’s MPC ing to ramp up the vaccination ment of goods GST government to ramp up lion plus job plan', including $621 bil- is expected to retain key lending drive. and services in FILERS COVID testing across the lion to rebuild infrastructure. If rates and an accommodative stance "RBI’s interventions in currency their quarterly re- states and open up the passed by the US Congress, the plan during the first monetary policy markets and spread of virus and turn form GSTR 1 to be filed in the vaccination for the age group will add pressure on the dollar review of 2021-22. pace of inoculations and global last month of each quarter. 18-45 years, while assuring it against all the EM currencies in- "Next week, market participants risk appetite will determine fate As per an advisory issued by of the complete support of cluding the rupee. will be keeping an eye on the RBI of the currency this week," said the Goods and Services Tax the industry in fighting the "Another US stimulus may keep "The last trade week was very including $621 billion to rebuild in- policy statement; expectation is Devarsh Vakil- Deputy Head of Network (GSTN), the taxpayer pandemic. "We are currently equities buoyant and the rupee volatile for the forex market, especially frastructure. This new package that the central bank could keep Retail Research at HDFC Securities. must ensure that any saved but not

testing about 11 lakh samples strong," Sajal Gupta, Head, Forex and on speculating trading ahead of would certainly be a big positive rates unchanged and wait for some "We expect it to gradually de- Filed/Submitted IFF (Invoice

k y m c a day. Further, there is Rates at Edelweiss Securities told Biden's additional stimulus," said for the US economy if passed by more time before taking any ac- preciate compared to greenback Furnishing Facility) records for the capacity of performing much IANS. "Expect the rupee to trade be- Rahul Gupta, Head of Research- Congress." tion to spur growth," said Gaurang over the next few weeks." first two months of the quarter i.e. more tests with 2,440 labs in tween 72.90 to 73.60 during next Currency, Emkay Global Financial Furthermore, Gupta cited that Somaiya, Forex & Bullion Analyst, The RBI is known to enter the month of Jan-2021 or Feb-2021 the country operational for week." Services. some profit-booking has led to a Motilal Oswal Financial Services. markets via intermediaries to either must be deleted using RESET but- COVID testing," FICCI Last week, the rupee closed at ton before filing GSTR-1 for Jan- President Uday Shankar said. "Biden announced his long- fall in dollar gains. "For next week, "The RBI is likely to continue with sell or buy US dollars to keep the 73.11 per US dollar. awaited $2 trillion-plus job plan, we expect USDINR spot to trade in the accommodative monetary policy rupee in a stable orbit. Mar-2021 quarter. P12 SUNDAY | APRIL 4 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

19-YEAR-OLD ITALIAN ‘CAN PULL MY BODY FOR ANOTHER TWO TO THREE YEARS’

BECOMES FOURTH TEENAGER y

TO REACH MIAMI OPEN FINAL

k k y y m m c AFTER COMING FROM A SET c TEENTEEN DOWN TO BEAT BAUTISTA UMESH STILL AGUT IN SEMIFINALS DETERMINED SINNERSINNER PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, April 3: India pacer Umesh Yadav says he can ‘mostly pull his body for another two to three years’ and wants to make a match-winning contribution in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June. Umesh has played 48 Tests in a ININ FINALFINAL stop-start career and is part of ar- guably India’s best-ever pace at- tack, which also includes Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Despite doing well over the last three years, Umesh is not a sure starter in the playing eleven con- sidering the competition which has gotten stiffer with the emer- gence of Mohammad Siraj. “I am 33 now and I know that I can mostly pull my body for an- other two or three years, and there will be some youngsters who will be arriving (to play). I feel this is just healthy, because it ultimately ends up benefiting the team. “When you have five or six fast GIVING IT HIS ALL: Jannik Sinner reaches for a shot during his match against Roberto Bautista Agut (not in pic) in Miami, Friday bowlers on a tour of four or five Tests, you can play each one of ASSOCIATED PRESS proved to 9-0 in Florida this year, in- terfinals in his French Open debut Sinner went on to hold and broke them for two games to help reduce cluding his second career ATP title in September and is projected to in the final game of the set to even their stress and workload, so it Miami, April 3: Former junior in Delray Beach in January. climb to at least No.24 next week. the match. Down a break in the helps that pack (of fast bowlers) skiing champion Jannik Sinner Djokovic, Nadal and Roger “He has everything, no?” Bautista final set, Sinner rallied again and play for longer,” Umesh told has joined some fast company at the Federer skipped the tournament, cre- Agut said. “He has a big serve, he’s closed out the win with one last ‘ESPNcricinfo’. Miami Open. The 19-year-old Italian ating opportunities for the four big, he moves well, he has very crushing groundstroke to break at Umesh has bowled more at home Friday became the fourth teenager semifinalists. good groundstrokes. Mentally he’s love. than overseas but feels experience to reach the Miami men’s final. “I have a good team. We knew also great and improving. He has a A fist pump was the extent of helps him to perform in all condi- The others: Novak Djokovic, Rafa many players were not coming here, great future.” his celebration. He has an impas- tions. “So I haven’t played much Nadal and Andre Agassi. especially the big three,” Sinner Sinner’s matchup against the sive demeanor he attributes to his overseas, and I haven’t had much “It’s nice, but it doesn’t mean said. “We approached this tourna- No.7-seeded Bautista Agut was a parents, who make their living at experience of those kinds of wick- anything,” Sinner said. “The road ment to go very, very far.” contrast in styles, with Sinner’s a restaurant in northern Italy — his ets. But I’ve played a fair amount which consumes a lot of time, which wait to make a contribution in the to have a big name is long. It’s not On the women’s side, No.1-ranked overpowering groundstrokes grad- dad as a cook, his mother as a server. of Tests so far and learnt with ex- you can never get back. But I have World Test Championship final. done in one week of a tournament.” Ash Barty will play for her second ually wearing down his dogged op- “They are working every day a perience how a particular surface lost very little time to injury peri- “We have worked really hard to Sinner, who chose tennis over consecutive Miami title Saturday ponent. simple job,” he said. “They know will behave. ods, which has kind of helped me get there, and with players like me skiing at age 13, is playing in only against No.8 Bianca Andreescu, Sinner caught a break at 3-all in what it means to work hard.” “As far as the rest of my career lengthen my career. So I haven’t who are not regulars in white-ball his third top-level ATP event. He ral- who edged No.23 Maria Sakkari in the second set, when Bautista Agut Sinner and Hurkacz will play is concerned, thank god that rela- had to compromise a lot on my cricket, it is this that we consider lied in the semifinal to beat Spanish a three-setter, Friday. “I love a chal- let a ball go on break point, and it each other for the first time. Hurkacz, tively I haven’t had that many in- pace as well,” he said. our World Cup. If I am able to per- counterpuncher Roberto Bautista lenge,” Andreescu said, “and I know landed on the line. who defeated No.2-seeded Stefanos juries. And that is satisfying as a fast Umesh had suffered a calf in- form well in that match and we end Agut 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. she’s going to challenge me “I thought that ball was going Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, has bowler, because once a fast bowler jury in Australia but returned to the up winning, being world champions Sinner will next face No.26-seeded Saturday.” out, and it touches the line by one beaten two top 10 opponents in the starts getting injured (regularly), he squad for the final two Tests against will forever be a memory,” he said. Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, who The lanky Sinner, seeded 21st, millimetre,” Bautista Agut said. same tournament for the first time. tends to start struggling, which ul- England at home. However, he did “The match is in England, where advanced to his first ATP Masters has improved his ranking from “Tennis, sometimes it’s crazy, no? He’s projected to move from no 37 timately reduces his (playing) life. not get a game. swing and seam are important, so 1000 final by beating No.4 Andrey 78th at the start of last year. He cre- One ball can make a big difference to a career-high No.27 in next week’s “After an injury, there is the re- Given that he doesn’t play limited I definitely see myself in the play- Rublev 6-3, 6-4. Hurkacz, 24, im- ated a buzz by reaching the quar- in the match.” rankings. covery, and then you need a rehab, overs cricket for India, Umesh can’t ing XI for that game,” he added. Pramod, Kadam enter Blues lose 2-5 vs West Brom Dada obsessed with ‘match-winner’ Pant PRESS TRUST OF INDIA but I was young. That (series) ac- finals at Dubai tourney ASSOCIATED PRESS tually helped me to become a bet- New Delhi, April 3: BCCI president ter cricketer. the best bet to win the title. London, April 3: Struggling West Sourav Ganguly says he is ‘ob- “I came back stronger mentally. PRAMOD In the men’s doubles semifinals, Bromwich Albion caused a big sessed’ with Rishabh Pant’s game I was not fitter, I understood what BHAGAT Pramod and Manoj Sarkar defeated Premier League shock Saturday and calls the swashbuckling India international cricket was all about. their Indian counterparts by winning 5-2 at fourth-place wicketkeeper-batsman ‘an absolute I started to train myself over the pe- Mohammad Arwaz Ansari and Chelsea after the home team had match-winner’. riod of 3-4 years not just physically Deep Ranjan Bisoyee 21-19, 23-21. Thiago Silva sent off in the first The former India captain added but mentally also on how to handle They will face Sukant Kadam and half at Stamford Bridge. that he loves watching the likes of the pressure,” he recalled. Kumar Nitesh in the final. The experienced Brazilian was Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat. “My series in Australia in 1992 ac- However, Pramod and Pala Kohli shown the red card in the 29th “There are some fantastic players tually helped me become a better lost their mixed doubles semifinal minute following two bookings. and I think as President of the cricketer. When I went to England to France’s Lucas Mazur and Christian Pulisic had put Board I should not say who is my in 1996, I was much stronger. I knew PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Faustine Noel 17-21, 5-21. Chelsea in front two minutes ear- favourite player. All are favourite to what it takes to score runs in in- In the SL3 category, participants lier, only to see Matheus Pereira me but I enjoy Kohli, I enjoy Rohit ternational level. Dubai, April 3: Indian shuttlers usually have impairment in one strike twice in two minutes in Sharma,” Ganguly said during an “I had another four years of do- Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam or both lower limbs and poor walk- first-half stoppage time for second- interactive session organised by mestic cricket under my belt where stormed into the finals of their re- ing/running balance. bottom West Brom. Classplus, a platform for educators I kept scoring runs. Those four spective categories in the 3rd Dubai In the SL 4 category, Kadam sailed Callum Robinson grabbed a third to go digital. think what will happen after him, India’s tour of Australia in 1992 years I think was a blessing in dis- Para Badminton Tournament here, into the final with a comfortable win goal for West Brom in the 63rd “I am obsessed with Rishabh then came (Sachin) Tendulkar, but didn’t get a single game, re- guise for me. Failures makes you bet- Saturday. over his German counterpart Marcel minute. Mason Mount tapped in Pant because I think he is just an ab- (Rahul) Dravid, Anil Kumble. When called how that experience Down ter cricketer.” In the SL 3 category, World No.1 Adam. Sukant won the match in from close range to give Champions solute match-winner. Jasprit Bumrah Tendulkar, Dravid left, Virat Kohli, Under and the hard work that fol- Ganguly, who underwent two Pramod beat Malaysia’s straight games 21-11, 21-11. League quarterfinalist Chelsea hope. is good, Mohammed Shami is good, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant took lowed in the subsequent years made rounds of angioplasty at a Kolkata Muhammad Huzairi Abdul Malek In the SL4 category, players have Mbaye Diagne drilled in a low I like Shardul Thakur a lot because over,” he said. “There is so much tal- him a better cricketer. hospital in January after com- 21-7, 21-17 to enter the men’s singles impairment in one or both lower shot to put West Brom 4-2 up and he has got the courage and guts. ent for cricket in India that I think “I consider my 1992 series as a fail- plaining of chest pain, said he is hale final where he will face compa- limbs and minimal impairment Robinson clipped the ball over “There is immense cricketing it will produce world beaters in ure. To be honest I didn’t get much and hearty now. “I am absolutely fit triot Kumar Nitesh. Pramod dom- in walking/running balance, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to talent in India. When (Sunil) every generation.” opportunities to play and I came and fine and back to work, doing inated his semifinal and looks like better compared to SL3. complete a surprise scoreline. Gavaskar was there people used to Ganguly, who was picked for back from the tour of Australia, everything as I did before.” RCB hopeful for title with arrival of Maxwell, Jamieson

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ing champions Mumbai Indians in WEAKNESSES and Sachin, who would be keen to the tournament opener April 9 The RCB pace department does grab on to their opportunities. New Delhi, April 3: Armed with not inspire confidence. Navdeep THREATS: exciting new recruits, including STRENGTHS Saini and Mohammed Siraj lack Maxwell is a vital cog in RCB’s Australia all-rounder Glenn RCB have assembled a strong the experience of bowling with grand scheme of things this sea- Maxwell and New Zealand pacer batting line up on paper. Run-ma- the white ball and have a propen- son. If he tanks with the bat, it Glenn Maxwell Kohli Virat Jamieson Kyle Kyle Jamieson, perennial under- chine Kohli, who enjoys an im- sity of leaking runs. could have disastrous conse- achievers Royal Challenger pressive record as an opener in the Jamieson has struggled in T20Is quences for the side. Bangalore will hope to battle hard league, has already confirmed and has no experience of playing The over-reliance on Kohli and de in their bid for the elusive IPL that he will be opening the in- in India. Other options include Villiers continued last year despite trophy. nings. medium pacer Harshal Patel, and big signings. The Indian batsmen in Balance issues in the squad, in- Partnering Kohli will be the the Australian trio of Christian, the team need to step up to avoid juries and over reliance on skip- highly-talented Devdutt Padikkal Daniel Sams and Kane Richardson. going the familiar route. per Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers who impressed everyone last sea- The squad: Virat Kohli (C), AB marred RCB’s chances to win the son and is in red-hot form. OPPORTUNITY de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, title last season. Off to a brilliant Young wicketkeeper-batsman The presence of several big- Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed start, they ran out of steam to- Mohammad Azharuddeen, who had hitters in the team could go in Siraj, Kane Richardson, wards the fag end of the tourna- a staggering strike-rate of 194.54 in RCB’s favour while chasing big Washington Sundar, Pavan ment, losing five in a row to bow the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and totals. It is also the perfect op- Deshpande, Finn Allen, Shahbaz out in the Eliminator. New Zealand’s Finn Allen are other RCB possess a potent spin bat- has enjoyed a lot of success in The two will have assistance portunity for Maxwell to set the Ahamad, Navdeep Saini, Adam y Having released 10 players ahead attacking options at the top. De tery and it augers well for them the league and will be eager to from Maxwell, who consistently tournament ablaze. A proven Zampa, Kyle Jamieson, Glenn

of the auction, the team manage- Villiers and Maxwell add the fire- that they will be playing a major weave magic with the ball. He will bowls for Australia in white- match winner for Australia, the all- Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Sachin

k k y y m m c c ment focussed on strengthening the power to the middle-order while chunk of their matches on the be joined by the immensely ac- ball cricket and in the Big Bash rounder has been a disappoint- Baby, Mohammed Azharuddeen, batting and pace bowling units. Sachin Baby, experienced Daniel slow tracks in Chennai and curate off-spinner Washington, League, while Australian Adam ment in the IPL. Daniel Christian, KS Bharat, Here’s is a SWOT analysis of Christian and Washington Sundar Ahmedabad. who was Kohli’s go to man in the Zampa is another available leg RCB have two attacking batsmen Suyash Prabhudessai, Daniel Sams the side that will take on defend- add to the depth. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal powerplays last season. spin option. in the uncapped Azharuddeen & Harshal Patel.

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