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FOR FANS ONLY JUNTA FOR ECONOMIC REVIVAL 3RD TEST BEGINS TODAY Actor Malaika Arora has shared a video Myanmar’s junta calls for more efforts to revive an A refurbished Motera ground is all set to featuring what she terms as her ailing economy as Western countries mull host the third Test, a D/N one, between and England ‘daily shenanigans’ LEISURE | P2 more sanctions INTERNATIONAL | P10 SPORTS | P12

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 323 | www.orissapost.com | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00 Fuel fire engulfs Assembly

POST NEWS NETWORK Bishnu Charan Sethi, deputy leader of the BJP legislature party, said the SHARP RISE IN FUEL Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: Expressing con- Congress members have moved the PRICES AGAIN cern over the rising fuel prices in the adjournment motion on political in- country, MLAs across party lines NEW : Petrol price Tuesday neared Tuesday engaged in a hot debate on the FUEL PRICES IN CITY the ` 91 per litre mark in the national issue in the Assembly. capital and diesel crossed `81 a litre, as ` Participating in the debate on the ad- PETROL 91.64 (+0.35p) fuel prices were hiked again after a two- DISHA RAVI day pause. Petrol and diesel prices were missibility of an adjournment mo- DIESEL `88.61 (+0.38p) tion over the issue, senior Congress raised by 35 paise per litre each, sending leader Taraprasad Bahinipati said the retail rates to an all-time high, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel GRANTED BAIL BJP government at the centre is loot- tention. “I don’t know how much power retailers. The increase pushed petrol ing people as the petrol price has is there with the state government to ` AGENCIES ` price to 90.93 a litre in Delhi and to breached 100 mark in Malkangiri reduce the fuel price. Neither any of- `97.34 in . Diesel - the most con- district for the first time. ficer nor any representative from the sumed fuel in the country - now comes , Feb 23: Creation Even during Covid-19 pandemic, concerned ministry is present here,” for `81.32 a litre in the national capital of a WhatsApp group or both the centre and the state govern- Sethi said. He said the tax collected on and for `88.44 in Mumbai. Fuel prices had being editor of an "innocu- ment increased tax on petroleum prod- fuel is utilised for welfare activities risen for 12 straight days before hitting a ous Toolkit" is not an of- ucts. The government needs to de- across the country including in . two-day pause button on February 21 and fence, a Delhi court said crease the tax on fuel, said Bahinipati. The centre has provided 15,34,000 22. The increase follows a spurt in oil Tuesday as it granted bail to Another Congress member Santosh Congress MLAs Suresh Kumar Routray, Tara Prasad Bahinipati and Adhiraj free gas connections in Odisha under prices in the international market, on 22-year-old climate activist Singh Saluja too slammed the Centre Mohan Panigrahi (from L-R) cycling to Assembly Tuesday to register their the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana which India is dependent to meet its 85 Disha Ravi in the 'Toolkit' and the state government for putting protests against the unrelenting rise in petrol and diesel prices OP PHOTO (PMUY). "Let the state government per cent of crude oil needs. Brent oil conspiracy case. SHANTANU the price burden on common people. reduce VAT on the petrol and diesel,” crossed USD 66 a barrel on Tuesday as US Ravi faces charges of con- When NDA government was not in he demanded. Opposition chief whip output was slow to return after a deep spiracy and sedition in the MOVES COURT power, the present Prime Minister Mohan Majhi said like other states, freeze in Texas shut production last 'Toolkit' conspiracy case re- ` NEW DELHI: had assured to provide petrol and PETROL `100.29/L AT KALIMELA Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik week. Petrol prices went up by 4.63 per lated to the farmers' agita- Shantanu ` ` litre in February and by 7.22 in 2021. tion and was arrested from Muluk who, diesel at 30 a litre when it comes to BHUBANESWAR: Petrol price touched an all-time high of `100 per litre in Odisha should set an example by decreasing ` ` Diesel rates have gone up by 4.84 a litre along with power. However, they are taking 30 per while diesel rate crossed `88-mark, Tuesday. General Secretary of Utkal Petroleum the Value Added Tax (VAT) on pe- ` Bengaluru February 13. in February and by 7.45 in 2021. Petrol Disha Ravi, is litre from people, Saluja said. Dealers Association Sanjay Lath said fuel price has been increasing due to two troleum products. ` The Delhi Police had con- price has already surged past the 100- accused of Earlier, BJD members hit the streets reasons. The central government has increased the tax while international oil pro- However, Finance Minister Niranjan tended that the Google doc- mark in some places in Rajasthan and being involved in sharing a whenever there was a marginal hike ducers have reduced oil production to gain profit. At Kalimela in Malkangiri dis- Pujari said the state government levies ument tweeted by Swedish Madhya Pradesh, which levy the highest “toolkit” on social media relat- in the prices of petroleum products. trict, plain petrol rose to `97.14 per litre while extra premium petrol cost `100.29 less tax than the central government climate activist Greta value-added tax on the fuel. Retail prices ed to the farmers’ protest, But, now they became silent, the per litre. Similarly, diesel cost `93.86 per litre in the south Orissa town. does and is utilising the funds on wel- differ from state to state. Thunberg to back the farm- Congress MLA said. fare activities meant for people. ers' protest and then deleted, Tuesday moved a Delhi court was created by Ravi and two seeking anticipatory bail. The application moved by Muluk other activists -- lawyer may come up for hearing Nikita Jacob and activist Ex-MLA, aide held Wednesday before Additional IRREGULAR by MANJUL FOREBODINGS Shantanu Muluk. Sessions Judge Dharmender "In my considered opin- Rana. Muluk had got transit for assault, loot ion, creation of a WhatsApp bail from the Bombay High group or being editor of an Court February 16 for 10 days. POST NEWS NETWORK innocuous Toolkit is not an He, along with Ravi and anoth- offence," said Additional er accused Nikita Jacob, was Phulbani, Feb 23: Town police Sessions Judge Dharmender booked for alleged sedition here Tuesday arrested Debendra Rana. It would be worth- and other charges. Kanhar, a former Biju Janata Dal while to observe that there (BJD) MLA of Phulbani Assembly is nothing on record to sug- criminal antecedents and segment in Kandhamal district gest that the applicant ac- having firm roots in the so- and his associate on charge of an cused subscribed to any se- ciety, and send her to jail." assault and loot. cessionist idea, he added. Ravi is already reported The ex-MLA’s aide was identi- "Except for a bare asser- to have been interrogated in fied as Srinivas Kanhar, a police tion, no evidence has been police custody for almost Forget WHO, let’s claim our constable. The duo was produced brought to my notice to sup- about five days and placing medicines are approved by NASA. in the court of sub-divisional ju- port the contention that any any further restraint upon It sounds more authentic. dicial magistrate after registra- violence took place at any of her liberty on the basis of tion of a case, public prosecutor the Indian Embassies pur- general and omnibus accu- Gouri Shankar Behera said. suant to the sinister designs sation would be neither log- The police action came after of the accused and her co- ical nor legal, the Additional Five die in Karn Kamakhya Behera, a resident of conspirators," the judge said, Sessions Judge said. The court Kankili village under Parjang po- allowing bail considering further noted that no specific mine explosion lice limits in Dhenkanal district, the "scanty and sketchy ev- article, sought to be recov- lodged a complaint in Town police idence on record". ered from the possession of CHIKKABALLAPUR: Five persons station in Phulbani. Kamakhya "I do not find any palpa- the accused, has been brought died and one person injured after accompanied by some of his ble reasons to breach the to notice. The resistance to gelatin sticks exploded early Tuesday in a village bordering friends was on his way to a rela- general rule of bail against the bail plea seems to be more Chikkaballapur and Bangalore, the tive’s house at Kasinipadar vil- Students and workers leave for their respective cities after the Pune administration announced partial restrictions citing an increase a 22-year-old young lady, of ornamental in nature, the police said. Mine owners lage under Gochhapada police in Covid-19 cases in Pune, Tuesday PTI PHOTO with absolutely blemish free judge added. successfully hid mining blast limits in the district, February 9. material twice in the last fortnight He failed to find the route to while raids were to be carried out. Kashinipadar village and asked On Tuesday fearing another round passersby for the road. He moved of raid, the mine owner appears to ahead and reached Katringia- CBI may seek Biban’s remand in Anjana case have decided to dispose of the Urmagarh road when Debendra explosives in forested area and his associates waylaid them adjoining the mine, where large impersonating as police and asked POST NEWS NETWORK fused to share with the media de- crime. She reiterated her allega- As per Section 83 of the CrPC, gorges exist. The blast occurred in the whereabouts of Kamkhya. tails of the discussions with the Legal experts tions about the involvement of for- the court can attach the property the stone quarry unit situated in Kamakhya revealed his iden- Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The Central commissioner. The officials told the mer Chief Minister Janaki Ballabh of the absconding offender if he Hirenagavalli village in tity and that of his friend but Bureau of Investigation sleuths press that the discussions were questioned the role of Patnaik and his lawyer friend then fails to appear before the court Chikkaballapur district of Debendra asked them to accom- Tuesday met Commissioner of secret in nature which could not CBI and the state cops Advocate General Indrajit Ray in within a certain period of time. Karnataka. One person has pany them to the police station. He Police Sudhanshu Sarangi at his be disclosed before the press. for failing to have the the case. Sources claimed that had the CBI reportedly sustained injuries. brought them to Phulbani where office in Police Seva Bhavan here. Meanwhile, sources revealed Meanwhile, legal experts ques- officials taken advantage of the Hirenagavalli is a small hamlet in he locked them up and assaulted Sources said the two officials in- that the CBI will soon seek the properties of Biban tioned the role of CBI and the in- specific legal measure, it could Chikballapur taluk in Chikballapur them. Later, they snatched away cluding the investigating officer and court’s permission to take the vestigating officers of the state have succeeded in arresting Biban. district of Karnataka. It is located 86 ` confiscated kms from tech hub Bangalore. P9 10,000 from Jamil, a friend of the lawyer discussed with the po- prime accused, Bibekananda police for failing to request the Notably, the commissionerate Kamakhya and forced Khalid to ac- lice commissioner the details in Biswal, alias Biban, in remand for the case. court for the confiscation of the police, in a secret operation, man- company them to an ATM where connection with the Anjana Mishra further investigation. The CBI will The victim, Mishra, again re- properties of Biban who remained aged to arrest Biban from Aamby MARKET WATCH they made him withdraw `20,000 gangrape case in 1999. conduct a TI parade of Biban for quested the CBI to unravel the absconded for 22 years despite the Valley in Lonavala area of only to snatch it away from him. However, the CBI sleuths re- identification by the witnesses in conspirators behind the heinous issuance of a warrant by the court. February 20. INDEX VARIATION

SENSEX 49751.41 7.09

BOURSES NIFTY 14707.80 32.10 Facebook to restore news services in Australia DOLLAR 72.45 `0.01 AGENCIES alerts on COVID-19, were blocked too, ber of (news) parties." Similar to the Australian government. EURO 88.12 `0.07

CURRENCY drawing severe backlash. Facebook, internet services heavy- "After further discussions, we GOLD `46,831 `70 Melbourne, Feb 23: Social media The Australian government's weight Google is also expected to fol- are satisfied that the Australian giant Facebook on Tuesday said it landmark media bargaining laws, low the media bargaining code. government has agreed to a num- SILVER `69,520 `912 will restore news services in Australia also being called 'the code', is yet to Google and Facebook can avoid the ber of changes and guarantees that BULLION after it reached a revised agreement be passed in its Parliament. code altogether, if they can satisfy address our core concerns about with the government on the proposed Australia government Treasurer the government that enough deals allowing commercial deals that media bargaining laws, which aim Josh Frydenberg, who has held de- with news organisations have been recognise the value our platform pro-

WEATHER to make technology companies pay for tailed discussions with Facebook struck outside it. vides to publishers, relative to the y BHUB CTK hosting news content. Founder Mark Zuckerberg, on "It has been a difficult process, but value we receive from them,"

The dispute on paying news or- Tuesday said: "Facebook has re- these are really important issues. Facebook said.

k y m c MAX 37.3° 35.4° ganisations for sharing journalism friended Australia. Australian news Facebook is now going to engage in "As a result of these changes, we

TEMP MIN 17.1° 15.4° content came to a head last week, will be restored to the Facebook good faith negotiations with the can now work to further our in- Forecast when Facebook banned Australians platform, and Facebook has com- commercial players," he said. vestment in public interest jour- Humidity 83% 68% Mainly from sharing news articles. mitted to entering into good-faith ne- reach agreements to pay for content." commercial deals with news pub- In a statement, Facebook said it nalism and restore news on Rainfall Nil Nil clear sky Inadvertently, some government gotiations with Australian news Frydenberg, quoting Zuckerberg, lishers and that these discussions was "pleased" the company was Facebook for Australians in the pages and announcements, including media businesses and seeking to said Facebook will sign individual "are pretty advanced with a num- able to reach an agreement with coming days." P2 SCOTT DISICK INTRODUCES KATE WINSLET ALMOST DIED WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR TEEN GIRLFRIEND TO KIDS DURING AVATAR 2 SHOOT Television personality Scott Disick reportedly Actress Kate Winslet had to shoot a introduced his girlfriend, teen model Amelia seven-minute underwater sequence for Hamlin, to his three children -- Mason, Penelope James Camerons much-hyped upcoming

and Reign -- in Miami. Scott shares custody of the Avatar 2, and she admits the experience y

leisure children with ex-girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian. literally scared her to death.

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FORTUNE FORECAST has been slated for a Diwali release, I can only be grate- Malaika shares Deepika is ful that I'm getting this launch by YRF,” added Manushi. Prithviraj has been scheduled for a re- her ‘daily inspiration lease November 5. The ARIES film is directed by Dr Chandraprakash Today you are going to Dwivedi. IANS have a great time, but shenanigans’ only if you plan out the right things, says Ganesha. At the work to many: place it will be business as usual with its Mumbai: Malaika Arora Tuesday shared highs and lows. But make some good a video featuring what she terms as her plan for the evening and you will be sur- daily shenanigans. prised. Try something romantic. Malaika posted a clip on Instagram. In the video she is Manushi TAURUS seen playing with a puppy. She dressed in a white tank top Mumbai: Miss India 2017 Manushi Chillar is all set This day your reasoning, and black gym shorts, and for a Hindi film debut in the ambitious historical speculations and conjec- tures could be letting you she completes her look drama Prithviraj. She stars opposite superstar down. You may thus feel with white sneakers Akshay Kumar who essays the title role of Prithviraj dejected because things are not working and a neat bun. Chauhan. She feels lucky that her film is scheduled for out the way you had planned and antici- “My daily release on Diwali, one of the most pated. Be prepared and forearmed. Move shenanigans with important weekends of the year. away from whatever you are doing and our precious little “I'm getting a Diwali debut spend as much time as you can with friends and relatives. feisty #coco... she has similar to the debut Deepika my (can’t say the same Padukone got with Om Shanti for Casper who is sh*t Om. So, I can only consider my- GEMINI scared of coco),” Malaika self fortunate. Deepika is some- A day when you get the wrote alongside the clip. one many girls look up to and is opportunity to show what Malaika is an avid social media an inspiration to many,” said, stuff you are made of. By user and keeps sharing about her Manushi. “Growing up, I re- afternoon, you will be in your elements and will feel almost invincible. Your optimism personal and professional life on the member going to the theatre to will rub off on your colleagues and the digital platforms. watch a movie during Diwali. It atmosphere at the workplace will be noth- Recently, she advised her fans to fol- was evident to us that one of the ing short of electrifying, says Ganesha. low a routine, eat right and work hard biggest films of the year would be to bring balance between their body, released on Diwali and (watch- mind and soul and become the ideal ing films) was a community view- CANCER version of themselves. IANS ing exercise. Today, as my film Today, your action will usher in incredible results, thanks to your forthright approach, 23RD KALINGA NATYA MAHOTSAV foretells Ganesha. Later in the day, you Kalira Atita to be premiered at FEBIOFEST may work on self-improvement and per- sonality development. You may make Bengali play Sappho Chitrangada time travels into past POST NEWS NETWORK some changes in your house. Bhubaneswar: After getting into the race for Oscars, Kalira Atita (Yesterday's LEO Past), an Odia feature film scripted, Do not underscore your directed and produced by filmmaker influence and impor- Nila Madhab Panda, has been selected tance today, says for its world premiere in one of the Ganesha. You hold the oldest global film festivals, the 28th key to many doors, and hence, your abil- Prague International Film Festival, ity to influence people is at its strongest today. In business, this means that you FEBIOFEST. have a major role to play in new deals. Scheduled from April 29 to May 7, it is the longest running and the biggest feature film festival in the world, based VIRGO out of the beautiful city of Prague, Perhaps, your artistic Czech Republic. While releasing the talents will shine out movie's trailer, the filmmaker said, today, says Ganesha. “We have the pleasure to inform you that You will be very happy the film will have another world pre- with your personal belongings, which miere in Prague. I am happy to release you have preserved for years. Later in the day, you may beautify your house the first trailer of Kalira Atita and I hope by adding furniture and artefacts at people will love it and share all over.” appropriate places. The film was also screened at the Panorama Section at IFFI in January. The journey for this film started when LIBRA Nila saw a photo of a hand pump in a Some things are always Bhubaneswar: Dum Dum Shabdomugdho Naatyokendra of staged its new production newspaper in 2006. He was shocked to remembered with fond- Sappho Chitrangada Tuesday, on the second day of 23rd Kalinga Natya Mahotsav, here at Rabindra see the pump drowned in the sea, and ness. Today may be one Mandap. Directed by Rakesh Ghosh, the play was about how ’s ‘Madan’ of the picture showed the horrifying truth of those days when you popular dance drama Chitraganda gets romantically involved with Sappho (an ancient Greek poet- of sea ingression to him. Nila says that tend to get wistful and nostalgic. Let this he has followed the story of sea in- emotion spur you on and later in the day, ess) and Chitranganda (a warrior princess of Mahabharata) with the help of time machine. Ranjan you may strive hard to reconnect with Bose, Lopamudra Guha Neogi and Krishna Roy played the central characters in the drama.The digni- gression for over one and a half decades. your near and dear ones. taries present on the occasion included Kendrapara MLA Sashi Bhusan Behera, retired IAS RN Senapati, He did not follow any screenplay or trict in Odisha, and shot the film with- is a story of the struggle between man OUAT’s VC PK Agarwal and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi secretary Prabodh Kumar Rath. story for this film, but took his team to out makeup, sets and lights. and sea, highlighting the issue of the affected areas in Kendrapara dis- The film, starring Pitobash Tripathy, seawater ingression. SCORPIO You are likely to have an urge to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle SUDOKU today. You will focus on PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, improving your eating habits and con- CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers sider your options for exercise, says 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. Ganesha. On the work front, you will realise that learning to enjoy work is the best way of getting things done. Dawned with this realisation, you will feel complete and content.

SAGITTARIUS Ganesha foresees a gradual weakening in your position. You are most likely to bring trou- bles upon yourself as the day progresses. Good economic gains are expected if you change the hub of your activities. CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN Nothing in the world can be as comforting as the support of your family members, and you will have that in plenty today, especially if you're setting out to refurbish your SOLUTIONS house, says Ganesha. With their support, you can win the world and achieve the impossible, but since everything comes with a price tag — even happiness— get ready to pay for a fat bill; the support of your loved ones won't come cheap.

AQUARIUS Fame and fortune woo you today! And along with recognitions and BREVITY rewards, you receive CROSSWORD encouragement to do even better. Your bosses are pleased, but feel that you haven't really given your 100%.

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k y m Contemplating on the c source which triggered problems for you recently will be the order of the day. Identifying the source is half the work

done; eliminating it is just a matter of initia- CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU tive and courage, says Ganesha. ELDERLY CARE COVID-19 TRACKER P3 WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR An elderly woman being INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD provided with an identity card World 11,24,27,201 8,79,85,886 24,89,512 during a meeting between police and senior citizens in India 1,10,15,864 1,07,10,487 1,56,498 Puri, Tuesday. The meeting was

downtown organised to ensure safety and Odisha 3,36,767 3,34,243 1,914

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CM announces `68Cr package for Pipli RAJIV DUBEY NAVEEN APPROVES THE DESIGN OF PROPOSED ODIA UNIVERSITY AT SATYABADI COVID AN OPPORTUNITY POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: Ahead of the byelection, Chief Minister TO RETURN STRONGER: Naveen Patnaik Tuesday interacted with the people of Pipli and Delang in Puri district through a video- conference and announced proj- HERO MOTOCORP ects worth `68 crore for the area. A wide range of infrastructure projects including roads, irriga- tion, stadiums, bridges and bus The Covid-19 pandemic damaged every economic activity stands will be constructed in the causing losses to all sectors. Amid such a crisis, CEO of area. Naveen said that a Model Rohan Autoriders Private Limited, Rajiv Dubey, School will be opened at Beraboi in Delang where offers a rare glimpse into the current state of the automotive had arrived in 1938. industry and Hero Motocorp’s future plans. Excerpts: As part of the celebration of 100 years of Gandhiji’s first visit to Odisha in 1921, a memorial will be Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik interacting with the people of Pipli and Delang developed at Beraboi, he said. through videoconferencing OP PHOTO n Do you see sales growth post to set up EV factories in Odisha. some. However, Hero’s BS VI ve- On the occasion, the Chief BYPOLL AHEAD lockdown? As a result, three EV plants are hicles were very well accepted Minister said that he has always fo- wide range of infrastructure “The country’s economy is alive Meanwhile, the Chief Minister coming up in the state. for which we posted a good re- cused on the development of the Aprojects including roads, today because of the hard work of has also approved the design of n Hero MotoCorp took the pan- covery. BS VI model was cost- village, women and farmers. “It's irrigation, stadiums, bridges and the farmers. Therefore, I thank the proposed Odia University to be set demic as an opportunity to re- n How do you see the taxation of lier by 15 per cent which was a the smile on the face of the poor bus stands will be constructed in women and farmers,” said the Chief up at Satyabadi (Sakhigopal) in turn stronger. We saw that heavy two-wheelers? big pressure on buyers, but now that gives me the most satisfac- the area Minister. Puri. The state government has vehicles registered growth the market has accepted it. tion,” he said. Model School will be opened During the event, ration cards earmarked 25 acres of land for the which signifies that the economy n GST on two-wheelers is very Remembering former Pipli MLA Aat Beraboi in Delang where were distributed to 1,761 persons in purpose. is on track. Two-wheelers have high, about 28%. The GST has n Any suggestions to government late Pradeep Maharathy, he said, Mahatma Gandhi had arrived in Pipli while 3,059 were given monthly It may be mentioned here that also registered a 15 per cent to come down for the benefit “He has been associated with the de- 1938 pensions. Similarly in Delang, 320 Panchasakha (five friends)- growth Y-o-Y. It is expected that of all stakeholders. Now two- n GST should be reduced on two- velopment of Pipli-Delang for more people were given ration cards and Gopabandhu Das, Krupasindhu the industry will recover at a wheelers have become necessity wheelers and the government than 30 years. He was with you in s part of the celebration of 1,230 were given social security Mishra, Harihar Das, Pandit much faster pace. Hero for all. Therefore, there is need should also take note that in- all your good and bad times. He A100 years of Gandhiji’s first pension while tricycles were dis- Godabarish Mishra and Nilakantha MotoCorp has grown by 15-16 for GST reduction. surance premiums are high. visit to Odisha in 1921, a has worked throughout his life to tributed to 20 persons with dis- Das- had set up Bakula Bana per cent. Odisha is also on the Moreover, the gov- memorial will be developed at n develop Pipli and Delang.” Beraboi abilities. Vidyalaya, the first model open same track. What difficulties compa- ernment should He appreciated the work of the Two public meetings were or- school of the state at Sakhigopal in nies faced during BS VI promote EVs Mission Shakti mothers during the ganised in Pipli and Delanga where 1909. Now, the state government is n What was the two-wheeler implementation? and take coronavirus-induced lockdown and cultural activities without fear of ministers Samir Ranjan Dash and going to set up Odia University at buying trend in Bhubaneswar steps to set the farmers who continued agri- coronavirus during the lockdown. Tusharkanti Behera were present. the same place. during the pandemic? n BS VI was a big chal- up infra- lenge for us. The gov- struc- n Bhubaneswar is an urban mar- ernment placed a con- ture. OPSC told to fill 606 ket with its demand for two- dition that all vehicles POLITICKLE by MANJUL wheelers going up. Due to the have to be registered asst professor posts pandemic, the two-wheeler mar- by March 31, 2020. ket was severely affected. But Now there was a big BHUBANESWAR: Higher Education post pandemic, the city has pressure on RTO. Due department Tuesday wrote to seen 60-70% of the pre-Covid to registration traffic, Odisha Public Service Commission sales. the portal got crashed. (OPSC) for recruitment of 606 It was very difficult to assistant professors at n How do you see the future of meet the deadline and government colleges under Odisha EVs in India? to obey the Supreme Education Services (College Court order Branch) Recruitment Rules, 2020. n All automobile companies are for the In a letter, Higher Education conscious about EVs. But it registra- department additional secretary will take almost 15 years to set tion by JN Sarangi directed the OPSC to up full-fledged infrastructure. March 27. take steps for fresh requisition for Without infrastructure, like The tran- recruitment of 606 numbers of setting up of charging centers, sition assistant professors of EV demand may not rise. The from BS government colleges and also Odisha government is also IV to VI directed to cancel the previous aware of the matter and has was a bit advertisement issued by the provided sufficient incentive trouble- commission. 689 humans, 836 animals killed in 6 years

POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: Over the BILL PASSED FOR CREATION years, human beings have virtually Fake cement unit busted in Cuttack overtaken and captured the habi- OF ODISHA MARITIME BOARD tats of wild animals. As a result, they used to mix damaged ce- the incidents of human-animal con- ment with good ones, pack them flict have become a day-to-day af- Bhubaneswar: The state Assembly The board will decide on in bags of reputed brands before fair and both human beings and an- Tuesday passed Odisha Maritime issues relating to its selling them in the open market imals are being killed in the conflicts. Board Bill, 2020 for holistic devel- across the state. As many as 689 people and 836 opment of maritime activities in the establishment, Sources said that the Silver City animals including 360 elephants state. administration and has virtually become a hub for lost their lives due to man-animal Though the Odisha Maritime manufacturing adulterated items, conflict between 2015 and 2020, Board Bill, 2020, was tabled in the control, management including food stuffs, with police of- Forest and Environment Minister Winter session of the Assembly, it of the existing ficials busting fake units almost Bikram Keshari Arukha told the could not be passed. It was passed and upcoming every other day. Assembly, Tuesday. after a thorough discussion in the In one such instance, the House Tuesday. non-major ports Commissionerate Police had busted persons were killed in An Odisha Maritime Board another fake cement manufac- 102the conflicts in 2015 headed by the Chief Secretary will tract private investments in the turing unit at Surya Nagar under while it rose to 113 in 2016 be established for administration, sector and help develop inland wa- POST NEWS NETWORK Panda, raided the unit and recov- Jagatpur police limits here control and management of non- terways in the state,” he said. ered a huge quantity of adulter- December 22 last year. The offi- elephants died in 2015 major ports and non-nationalised The salient features of the Board Cuttack, Feb 23: The twin city ated cement. “The unit’s owner— cials seized 1,000 bags of adulter- 58while 55 got killed in 2016, inland waterways. State commerce will be to provide construction, Commissionerate Police Tuesday Sanjay Bhola— a resident of ated cement. Around 10,000 bags of 62 in 2017, 82 in 2018, 60 in 2019 and transport secretary will be the maintenance and operation of all busted a fake cement unit operat- Buxibazar in the Millennium City damaged cement, new empty ce- and 43 during last year member secretary of the 12-mem- non-major ports in the state di- ing near Khaira bridge along here, however, managed to flee the ment bags, different equipment ber board. rectly or through public-private- Kendrapara-Chandbali Road here. scene,” Panda said. and tools used for the production In a written reply to a question The board will take a call on the partnership (PPP) mode, he added. Acting on a tip-off, a police team, About the modus operandi, the and packaging of fake cement were raised by Congress MLA Tara while 220 ‘Gaja Bandhus’ have been issues relating to its establishment, Sources said the maritime leg- led by ACP (Zone-I) Amarendra senior police official said that also seized. Prasad Bahinipati, Arukha said deployed for monitoring the move- administration and control, man- islation, once enacted, would also 102 persons were killed in the con- ment of elephants, the minister agement of the existing and up- repeal the Orissa Port Trust Act flicts in 2015 while it rose to 113 in said. Besides, a control room has coming non-major ports and the of 1962. BUS TERMINAL PLAN 2016. Similarly, 111 people were been opened at all forest divisional development of potential port sites Odisha is endowed with a vast killed in 2017, 109 in 2018, 128 in offices and state headquarters here, on the coastline of the state. coastline of 480 km, having rich, 2019 and 126 in 2020, he said. he said. The board will also formulate unique and natural port locations As per the data provided by the To prevent entry of animals into policies, spell out guidelines and and perennial rivers. minister, 58 elephants died in 2015 the human settlements, 1,047 km issue directions for the develop- Out of the 14 sites identified for while 55 got killed in 2016, 62 in solar fencing and 1,250 km trench ment of the port sector and other development of 14 non-major ports, 2017, 82 in 2018, 60 in 2019 and 43 dur- have been created during the 2014- maritime activities in the state, two at Gopalpur and Dhamra are ing last year. 15 and 2019-20 fiscals. Plantation Commerce and Transport Minister operational and two at Astarang Similarly, 199 wild boar or pigs, activities have been undertaken Padmanabha Behera said. and Subarnarekha are in the 84 spotted deer, 74 barking deer, 38 inside the forest areas to feed the her- “It will act as a facilitator and at- pipeline. bears and 26 Sambars succumbed bivorous animals, Arukha added. in fights with human beings during the last six years. Besides, six pangolins, five hye- AIR POLLUTION IN 7 TOWNS ALARMING nas, five jackals, five leopards, five rabbits, four bison, two black bucks, BHUBANESWAR: Seven places Replying to a non-starred query the limits in the places, he informed two civet cats, two chousinghas in the state have been termed as non- raised by MLA Prasanta Behera, the House. (four-horned antelope), one croco- attainment cities due to increase in Arukha said as the air pollution The minister said the state gov-

dile, a jungle cat, one monitor lizard, air pollution, Forest and level is not maintained at normal ernment has chalked out plan to

k y m c four monkeys, a peacock, two Environment Minister Bikram level in the seven places, all have been lessen the air pollution level in pythons, four ratels and a wolf died Keshari Arukha told the Assembly, categorised as non-attainment cities. these locations. Air pollution has due to such fights. Tuesday. The places are: The presence of pollutants – become very serious in urban areas, To prevent man-animal conflict, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Balasore, PM10 and PM2.5 remained high in mainly due to automobile exhausts, OP PHOTO the state government has engaged Anugul, Talcher, Rourkela and the seven cities and towns. However, industrial emissions and con- A mandap near Smasan Kali temple at Khannagar in Cuttack being demolished for the construction of Netaji Bus Terminal 4,130 persons of local community Kalinganagar (Jajpur). the level of SO2 and NoX are within struction works, sources said. P4 WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Left out health, frontline workers told to take vax Man gets back `3.17L

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK lost to fraudsters Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The Health CAN’T REOPEN SCHOOLS POST NEWS NETWORK The victim deposited and Family Welfare (H&FW) de- ` partment Tuesday asked all the FOR CLASS I-VIII NOW: MIN Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The over 3 lakh in the cyber left out health workers and front- Commissionerate Police claimed criminal’s account in line workers to take Covid vac- BHUBANESWAR: Setting aside physical classes will be taken later to have retrieved `3.17 lakh cash cine within the timeline set by the speculations of reopening of after assessing the situation. looted by cyber criminals on the installments between Union Ministry of Health and schools for Class I to VIII students, The state government was con- pretext of setting up mobile tower Jan 23 and Feb 12 Family Welfare. School and Mass Education templating resumption of physi- of a reputed cellular service (S&ME) Minister Samir Ranjan cal classes for students of Class I provider company. The victim was Dash Tuesday clarified that there to VIII from February 23. The stu- identified as Rabindra Chattar, a self with the company on a payment REFUSAL MAY is no plan on resuming physical dents were to attend 60 days of resident of Angul. He has been of `8,500 which he did. classes for the students as of now. physical classes before their final staying with his elder brother Subsequently, he deposited more POSE THREAT The government’s decision came examinations with strict adher- Narayan in Balakati area on the than `3 lakh in the cyber crimi-

ver 85% healthcare workers FILE PHOTO in the backdrop of a spike in Covid ence to Covid-19 guidelines. Notably, outskirts of the city. nal’s account in various install- Ohave so far been vaccinated cases in a few states, including physical classroom teaching for According to sources, Rabindra ments between 23 January and in Odisha Covid vaccine. The state has ers who remain unvaccinated will Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Class IX and XI students resumed received a call from unknown cyber February 12. However, he was con- he state secures third position claimed Covid vaccine doses from put the community in danger,” S&ME minister, however, clari- February 8, while that for Class X fraudster who identified himself vinced that he was trapped after the Tin the country in terms of the Centre as per the number of added the letter. fied that the decision on resuming and XII began January 8. as the staff of a telecom giant in accused continued to demand more vaccination of healthcare health workers and frontline work- The letter further said, “In view India. The criminal told Rabindra money from him. workers and frontline workers ers registered for vaccination. If of this, we hereby direct the health- granted by the government in case ensure that all healthcare and front- that the company required place to Rabindra lodged a complaint said the letter we do not utilise the vaccines al- care workers and frontline workers, of Covid-19 infection.” line workers are inoculated. set up mobile tower in at his house. with the cyber cell February 13 fol- located to us, we will be missing who have been registered for vac- The department directed all the Notably, the state government They also informed the victim that lowing which the cell swung into owever, it has come to notice out on the critical opportunity to cination and now willfully refus- Collectors and commissioners of had begun vaccination of health he would get `12,500 as rent and the action and blocked the money Hthat despite repeated fight the pandemic. Further, those ing the vaccination, will hence- all municipal corporations to pub- workers and frontline workers he would be appointed as a security trail by informing the bank. instructions, a few registered health workers and frontline work- forth cease to enjoy the privileges lish the direction and take steps to January 16. guard at the tower too. They first Rabindra Tuesday received `3.17 health workers and frontline asked Rabindra to register him- lakh lost to the cyber criminals. workers have not taken the first dose of Covid vaccine 62 more test Covid positive in state In a letter to all the district TiE to host ‘Hall of Fame’ Collectors and district magistrates BHUBANESWAR: State’s Covid-19 Friday last week. 19, including 17,392 Monday, and DISHA’S CORONAVIRUS TOLL and commissioners of all munic- caseload mounted to 3,36,767 Tuesday As many as 53 other coronavirus the positivity rate stands at 4.1 POST NEWS NETWORK attend the event. Investors from OREMAINED UNCHANGED AT ipal corporations, Additional Chief as 62 more people tested positive 1,914 AS NO FRESH FATALITY patients have died in the coastal per cent. various parts of India like Secretary (Health) PK Mahapatra for the infection, a senior Health and WAS REPORTED SINCE FRIDAY state due to comorbidities. With reports of surging coro- Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: In a bid to Bhubaneswar Angels, Mumbai said that over 85 per cent of health- Family Welfare (H&FW) depart- LAST WEEK Odisha now has 634 active cases, navirus cases in some parts of foster entrepreneurship through Angels, Unicorn India Ventures care workers have been vacci- ment official said. and 3,34,166 people have so far re- the country, special relief com- mentoring, networking, education, and from 100X VC would be par- nated in Odisha. The state secures Of the fresh cases, 37 were re- ANDHAMAL AND covered from the disease. missioner PK Jena has asked all funding and incubation, TiE ticipating for the startups pitch- third position in the country in ported from quarantine centres KNABARANGPUR DISTRICTS Replying to a question in the the district Collectors and com- Bhubaneswar in association with ing session. A special session on terms of vaccination of health- and 25 during contact tracing. HAVE TURNED ‘CORONAVIRUS Assembly, H&FW Minister Naba missioners of municipal corpo- Startup Odisha will organise ‘Hall pitching is scheduled to be held care workers and frontline work- Sambalpur district recorded FREE’ AS NO ACTIVE CASE Kishore Das said that the state gov- rations to focus on strict imple- of Fame’ February 25 here. with selected startups who can ers said the letter. the highest number of new cases EXISTS THERE ernment has spent nearly `389.59 mentation of health safety About 25 selected startups pitch and get their attention and “However, it has come to no- at 12, followed by Khurda and crore for the treatment of Covid-19 guidelines in public places to con- would showcase their products funding as well. tice that despite repeated in- Cuttack at seven each. Kandhamal cial said. patients since the outbreak of the tain the spread of the disease. and services and 10 startups All participants will also get an structions, a few registered health and Nabarangpur districts have The state’s Covid-19 death toll disease in Odisha. Jena also said special attention would be pitching before investors opportunity to interact with workers and frontline workers turned ‘coronavirus free’ as no ac- remained unchanged at 1,914 as no The state has so far conducted should be given to schools where for funding. Top state govern- investors in a separate Open have not taken the first dose of tive case exists there, the offi- fresh fatality was reported since over 82 lakh sample tests for Covid- physical classes have resumed. ment officials are scheduled to House session. SPL TRAIN BETWEEN INFRA BOOST DIBRUGARH, JEE (Mains) underway KANYAKUMARI at 17 towns in Odisha

POST NEWS NETWORK ducted in two sittings. First sitting will be from 9am to 12pm and the Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The Joint second sitting from 3pm to 6pm. Entrance Examination (Mains) The examinations are being held conducted by the National Testing in adherence to Covid-19 guide- Agency (NTA) in Computer Based lines and face mask has been made POST NEWS NETWORK Test (CBT) mode is being conducted compulsory for candidates. across 331 cities throughout the The Ministry of Education had Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: It has been country from Tuesday to February announced in December 2020 that decided to run a pair of special 26. In Odisha, the examination is JEE-Mains for admission to engi- trains between Dibrugarh and going on at 17 towns. neering colleges would be held four Kanyakumari from February 27. These 17 places where the JEE times a year starting 2021 to offer The Dibrugarh - Kanyakumari (Mains) is being conducted are flexibility to students and a chance - Dibrugarh Special will leave Angul, Bhadrak, Baripada, to improve their scores. While the Dibrugarh every Saturday at Bhawanipatna, Balasore, first edition of the Joint Entrance 7:25pm and depart from Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Examination-Mains (JEE-Mains) Kanyakumari (from March 4) Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, is being conducted now, the sec- every Thursday at 5:30pm. Jeypore, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, ond, third and fourth editions will This train will have halts at Puri, Rourkela and Sambalpur. be held in March, April and May re- Bhadrak, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, The examinations will be con- spectively. DGP (Fire Services) Satyajit Mohanty inaugurates a Civil Defence Training Institute at Baramunda Fire Station in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday OP PHOTO Khurda Road, Berhampur, Palasa, Srikakulam Road, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Duvvada in ECoR jurisdiction and at impor- NLUO GETS VED KUMARI AS NEW VC tant stations between Dibrugarh BMC survey for trade licence begins NEW DELHI: Former Dean and Head of the Faculty of Law at Delhi & Kanyakumari from both the di- University Prof Ved Kumari has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of National rections. POST NEWS NETWORK tify traders under BMC limits op- roadside or mobile vendors are ex- per business unit surveyed. Law University, Odisha (NLU Odisha). Prof Kumari will take charge from Earlier, ECoR had decided to erating without a requisite licence. empted from the survey. On the Notably, more than 50,000 trade Prof Yogesh Pratap Singh, who was serving as Vice-Chancellor in charge run special train between Puri & Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The The survey will take about a month’s basis of the agency’s report, BMC units have been operating within since October last year, following the exit of Prof Srikrishna Deva Rao, who Yog Nagari Rishikesh during Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation time. The agency will collect ward- will assess the revenue loss and the BMC area. However, only 13,000 left to become Vice-Chancellor of National Law University, Delhi. As per Mahakumbh Mela at Haridwar. (BMC) Monday began a survey in wise information along with loca- take actions thereafter. of them have obtained the pre- reports, the Search Committee comprised Vice-Chancellor of Ram three zones under its jurisdiction tion details for easy identification,” According to the civic body scribed licence. Lack of registra- Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMNLU) Lucknow Prof SK to identify traders operating without BMC deputy commissioner sources, the agency will mobilise 40 tion and fee payment has resulted Bhatnagar; NALSAR Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Faizan Mustafa; and licence, an official said. (Revenue) Srimanta Mishra said. field surveyors for the job. The in the civic body suffering a huge former Supreme Court judge Justice AK Patnaik. This Committee CLASSIFIED “The surveying agency will iden- Mishra, however, clarified that agency will reportedly get `47.80 loss of revenue. recommended three names, including Prof Kumari's, to the Chancellor. AFFIDAVITAFFIDAVIT By virtue of an affidavit MATRUBHASHA DIWAS before Executive Magistrate, BBSR, I intend to change my surname from “Haritha IIT-Bhub mulls course in local language: Raja Kumar Mishra” to “Haritha POST NEWS NETWORK itage and culture of the land at- very nutritious fruits for our history, inistry of Education is Chakraborty” after my tached to it. Languages are the most culture, heritage and nation one Mcelebrating ‘Matrubhasha marriage to Mahadeb Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The Indian Diwas’ with the objective of powerful instruments of preserving day,” opined the IIT director. Chakraborty. Henceforth I Institute of Technology (IIT), sensitising people on the need and developing our cultural her- “From time immemorial, all the shall be identified as Bhubaneswar Tuesday celebrated for greater use of mother itage. However, the mother tongues languages not only coexisted to- Haritha Chakraborty for ‘Matrubhasha Diwas’ to com- tongues and other Indian of this country are various ex- gether but also supplemented and memorate ‘Fostering multilin- all purposes. languages for development and pressions of a single soul and each enriched each other. Hence, the gualism for inclusion in education progress of the nation one of us should be proud of this very culture of this land is inclusive. and society’, the theme observed fact,” Raja Kumar said. Limitless is the word that best de- By virtue of an affidavit I by UNESCO this year to promote use ational Education Policy 2020 National Education Policy (NEP) scribes the true meaning of Smt. Ganga Sahu and of mother tongues. Nhas given importance to 2020 has given importance to mother ‘Language’. While learning the local mother tongues since it Meera Sahu (55 yr.), W/o. The Ministry of Education is tongues since it encourages pro- language is very much desirable encourages professional Benudhar Sahu, Vill- celebrating it as ‘Matrubhasha courses in mother languages to fessional courses in mother lan- for outsiders, being parochial about Khallikote, Tell Sahi, Diwas’ with the objective of sensi- reduce the gap within, says guages to reduce the gap within, your mother tongue may not be de- P.O./P.S.- Khallikote, Dist.- tising people on the need for greater IIT-Bhubaneswar director he said. “Having realised this, we too sirable at all. Knowing your mother use of mother tongues and other Ganjam, Aadhaar Card RV Raja Kumar at IIT-Bhubaneswar are thinking tongue is very essential as it help Indian languages for development of some inclusions and coming up in framing of culture. They give No. 837206929478 state that and progress of the nation. over by IIT-Bhubaneswar director The event in progress at IIT-Bhubaneswar OP PHOTO with course in the local language. shape to our thoughts and it conveys both Ganga Sahu and State government’s Mo School RV Raja Kumar. I would like to urge the students to what our soul feels. It is my proud Meera Sahu are one and initiative chairperson, Susmita “India is a land of rich linguis- millennia. This linguistic diversity one of us. Bhasha or language is not carry along the merits of their privilege to say that we are a nation same person for all Bagchi, was the chief guest of the tic diversity. Multilingualism in is an asset which we have inher- just a means for communication; it mother tongue too. As a result, the blessed with many mother tongues,”

purpose. occasion. The event was presided our nation extends back to several ited and it is a resource for each has expressions of emotions, her- seed that is sown today will bear Bagchi said.

k y m c P5 WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

POTATO DISTRESS SALE WELCOMING OLIVE RIDLEY

k y m Traders bank on poor storage infra c POST NEWS NETWORK HOBSON’S CHOICE Kendrapara, Feb 23: Distress sale of potato has hit the farmers hard ONE KG OF POTATO SELLS AT RS 6 IN THE MARKET in this district due to lack of stor- age facilities or food processing BUT THE TRADERS ARE OFFERING RS units in the district, a report said. 300 PER QUINTAL TO THE FARMERS Memory is still fresh when potato was selling Rs 40 a kg two months LACK OF COLD STORAGES AND FOOD PROCESSING UNITS LEAVES NO back but gone are those days as CHOICE FOR THE FARMERS BUT TO farmers now sell the staple to traders CAPITULATE TO THE TRADERS’ at Rs 3 a kg. Farmers in the dis- OFFERS trict now feel entrapped by under- taking potato cultivation as they any storage facilities in the dis- be a success if the latter takes care self-sufficient in tuber production have been forced to sell the tuber at trict. He has estimated that he will to open cold storages in the district in the state and help farmer earn throwaway prices to the traders suffer a loss of Rs 40,000 from the to store their crops. profit from the cultivation and cut due to lack of storage facilities or cultivation. A farmer Kalpataru A young entrepreneur Ratanlal off the dependency of tuber on out- any government owned mandis to Samantaray of Pattamundai said Samal said farmers are resorting to side state. . sell their stock. many residents living outside of distress sale during harvest of po- However, the scheme imple- Sensing better returns, farmers the state had returned to the district tato and tomatoes in the district. mented by the state horticulture Volunteers clean the beach near Rusikulya river mouth in Ganjam as Olive Ridleys are to begin mass nesting OP PHOTO undertook potato cultivation but due to spread of Covid-19 disease in However, this could be done away department has been a failure due there are hardly any takers leading the country. The demand for po- with if the state government pro- to lack of effective implementa- to distress sale. tato was then rising following which motes establishment of food pro- tion. The state government had A potato farmer Bidhu Bhushan the migrants and the local farmers cessing units like tomato sauce and sanctioned Rs 20 crore under the mis- Guised as saints, Mohapatra of Palei village under cultivated the tuber on 30,000 hectare potato chips manufacuturing units. sion in 2017-18 fiscal. Mother-son duo Derabish block said that this year of land. Their hard work bore fruits He said people interested for es- However, the CAG in its 2019 re- men loot mobile he has spent around Rs 1 lakh on po- but they failed to store their produce tablishment of these units are ap- port has claimed that not a single pie tato cultivation on his four acre of due to lack of any cold storage in proaching various banks and the has been spent for the cultivation. shop in Bolangir land. He has reaped a good harvest the district. District Industries Centre (DIC) for He added that the problem can be held for murder but they have been caught on the Moreover, they also failed to sell loans and approvals. However, these resolved through establishment of POST NEWS NETWORK wrong foot when it comes to sell their produce to the government industries are yet to take shape in cold storages, food processing units POST NEWS NETWORK their produce. due to absence of any government the district due to lack of coordi- and government mandis. Saintala, Feb 23: Two looters in He alleged that a kg of potato owned mandis. With the tuber rot- nation between various banks and When contacted, Kanda Jena, guise of saints have looted a mo- Bahanaga, Feb 23: Around 11 sells at Rs 6 a kg in the market but ting in their houses, traders started DIC authorities, he lamented. assistant director of Horticulture bile shop owner of a mobile phone days after killing her younger son, the traders are only giving Rs 300 flocking to them and forced them to Farmer leader Gayadhar Dhal department admitted to the claim and cash at Saitala bank square in a woman along with her elder son per quintal of their produce. They sell their produce at throwaway said that the state government that cold storage could resolve the Bolangir district. was arrested from Ichhapur vil- are forced to sell their produce at prices. He said that the potato mis- launched potato mission in 2015- problem but the district lacks any The incident has been the talk lage under Soro police limits in throwaway prices due to lack of sion of the state government could 2016 with an aim to make the state such units. the town for the looters devising Balasore district Tuesday. a unique way to loot the shop. The arrested mother-son duo According to Ramesh Sahu, the was identified as Sukuri Jena and victim shop owner, Monday, an her son Jagabandhu Jena. They the body in their house. And then Compulsory SUV stopped in front of his shop had killed Balaram Jena - the the duo remained missing for some Why this village and two saints with matted locks, younger son. days. In fact, they were away to garlands of beads around their According to the police, Balaram perform some rituals. retirement for necks and tilaks on foreheads got and Sukuri had a heated verbal The matter came to the fore when down from it. They came straight duel 11 days ago. The scene turned they returned to their village. 35 teachers to Ramesh’s shop and asked him ugly as Sukuri in a fit of rage at- Suspecting something wrong with depends on Chhattisgarh for a glass of water. After empty- tacked her son with a crowbar. Balaram, their neighbours in- ing the glass, while blessing Balaram died on the spot. formed the police. During inter- POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK Ramesh for offering them water, Sukuri then sought help from rogation, Sukuri and Jagabandhu one of them put a tilak of ver- her elder son Jagabandhu to dump confessed to their crime. Sundargarh, Feb 23: The School Bargarh, Feb 23: Sukamanipur is milion on his forehead and sprin- the body so as to avoid police action. Police retrieved the body after dig- and Mass Education department a fringe village of kled holy ash on him. Then the sec- Later, the mother-son duo buried ging up inside the house. has given compulsory retirement sharing borders with Chhattisgarh. ond imposter asked him to show to 34 teachers in Sundargarh. The There is no border issue here, but an android phone. move of the department has caused people of this village completely de- Ramesh showed him a phone flutters among the teachers, a re- pend on Jharkhand amid allega- worth Rs 11,490. Later taking ad- port said. tion that local residents are de- vantages of Ramesh being inat- According to the report, the prived of basic facilities which are NO MOTORABLE ROAD tentive to them, they managed to School and Mass Education de- supposed to be provided by the decamp from the spot with the partment issued a letter- 1537m state (Odisha) government, a re- hardship due to water crisis. They al- mobile phone and money from dated January 1 to the district ad- port said. We have leged that PDS is in mess while mar- the cash box. ministration to identify the teach- This village is in Bhandarpur been ket facility is absent. They depend on After realising that he had been ers above 50 years neglecting their panchayat under Jharbandh block. carrying out Sankara market in Chhattisgarh for robbed of, Ramesh lodged a re- duties, being inefficient and their However, it is 20 km from the block efforts to sale and purchase of goods. port at Saintala police station. inability to teach. On the basis of headquarters. redress the “Under PDS, a beneficiary gets Registering a case, the police have this report, these teachers should Though we stay in Odisha, all problems of seven kg of subsidised rice, apart retrieved the footage captured in be given voluntary retirement. basic facilities like education, health- the village. We are from dal, salt and sugar. But we CCTV installed at Ramesh’s shop However, teachers alleged that care, roads and drinking water are providing more work only get 5 kg of rice,” a villager and launched an investigation. before taking such step, they were remote to us, the locals rued. “Our efforts are on to nab the loot- under MGNREGS… Scope rued. They said they are citizens not served with show cause no- The tribal dominated village has of Odisha and cast votes in the ers,” said Saintala SI Prasanna of work is made through tices or even informed. The teach- a population of 436. The residents state, but sadly they are deprived Naik. ers lamented that their service belong to tribal communities like farm pond creation, of getting benefits of state’s pro- period is yet to expire. Gond, Agharia and Sahanra. excavation and renovation grammes and schemes. Among these teachers are 15 of Interestingly, they speak in Laria of ponds and land leveling. “We are neglected in all sectors. primary school and 19 of high (Chhattisgarhi language) as they A tube well is in the village Sad to say that we are in Odisha, but schools. have long term association with for drinking water have to fully depend on On the other hand, district ed- Chhattisgarh. RUNU LAKRA | BDO, JHARBANDH Chhattisgarh,” said Jayram Siddar, ucation officer Pramod Kumar Agriculture is the mainstay of a village. Sarangi said that on the basis of their livelihood, but lack of irri- V. Our children go to schools and col- However, Jharbandh BDO Runu observation of their conduct and gation facilities is a major stumbling leges in Chhattisgarh, they be- Lakra said, “We have been carry- activities, a report had been pre- block for the growth of this sector. moaned. The area is beset with ing out efforts to redress the prob- pared and sent to the School and The crops are fed by monsoon rains. commuting woes in the absence of lems of the village. We are provid- Mass Education department. For lack of a stable livelihood, good or motorable roads. ing more work under MGNREGS Following a directive from the most people migrate out of their Besides, healthcare is in mess in the area so that they needn’t mi- School and Mass Education de- area in search of work, they added. as there are no doctors at Dabha grate to other states in search of partment, the teachers were given The village has a primary school CHC. In such cases, we go to CHCs work. Scope of work is made premature retirement. But they and an Anganwadi centre. There is at Raipur, Sankara and Basana in through farm pond creation, ex- will be handed out salaries of no school or colleges around for Chhattisgarh, they pointed out. cavation and renovation of ponds three months and pension benefit, our children to continue upper and Drinking water is another problem. and land leveling. A tube well is the DEO added. higher studies after clearing Class In summer, people have to go through in the village for drinking water.” BSF thwarts attack in Malkangiri Maoists want police informers to surrender by Feb 25; warn of death penalty for violators

POST NEWS NETWORK

Muniguda/Chitrakonda, Feb 23: A Maoist banner surfaced at Hanumantapur bus stand under Chandrapur police limits in Rayagada district Tuesday morning while (BSF) jawans thwarted a Maoist attack and recovered some ex- plosives in Malkangiri, reports said.

The banner was found put up near THE SEIZED ITEMS Hanumantapur bus stand, triggering panic among the local residents in the area. The banner was allegedly put up Red Rebels hold Police DG Abhay and po- by the Bansadhara-Ghumusar divisional lice intelligence chief RK Sharma re- committee of outlawed CPI-Maoists. In sponsible for the deaths of Shankar the banner, the Red Rebels have asked Patra and Hemanta Patra from Belghar those who are working as police in- area in Kandhamal district. formers to surrender before them by Meanwhile, reports from Chitrakonda February 25. Those informers who do not in Malkangiri said, Border Security turn up on the said date will pay with their Force (BSF) jawans thwarted a Maoist lives, they threatened. attack. They recovered some explosives After getting information, the Central near Kadalibandha village Tuesday. Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel Based on intelligence inputs, the se- reached the spot and tore off the banner. curity forces had launched a search op- An investigation has been launched, it eration in Hantalguda forest under the was learnt. Swabhiman Anchal of the district. Notably, a group of 15 to 20 armed During the operation, they came across

members of the outlawed outfit had The warning poster a bag under a hill near Kadalibandha.

k y m c dragged Bhabani Shankar Patra, son The bag contained two pressure-acti- of the sarpanch of Bhandarangi pan- 29 night. Later, they killed them. vated landmines, a tiffin bomb, medicines, chayat and Hemanta Patra, a ration As many as seven posters were found clothes and other daily use materials. The shop owner, out of their houses at at Dimiriguda village under Ambadola bomb disposal squad immediately Gochaguda village under Belghar po- police limits in Rayagada district reached the spot and diffused the ex- lice limits in Kandhamal district January February 20. Through these posters, the plosives. P6 WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS ANTI-DEFECTION LAW Beauty you are my way to the

Divine.

k y m THE MOTHER TIME TO FIX GREY AREAS c

he recent development in Pondicherry Legislative Assembly has Learn To Question T once again brought to the fore the lacunae in the anti-de- he egregiously false claim made in the presence of Union Health fection law which needs to be fixed. Minister Harsh Vardhan by Baba Ramdev that his Patanjali product In a democratic parliamentary TCoronil is the “first evidence-based medicine for Covid-19” having polity changing party affiliation World Health Organisation (WHO) certification has shocked the medical com- on part of the legislator who is munity and brought into focus the fraud and thuggery practised in the name elected from one political party of yoga and spiritual powers. Monks and so-called spiritual gurus exerting to another subsequent to the elec- extra-constitutional influence on rulers, including monarchs, Prime Ministers tion raises the issue of principles. and politicians has been a regular practice for centuries in India. However, If dissent is a legitimate demo- it has become a flourishing commercial enterprise in recent times. It goes cratic right, then the legislator without saying political patronage has emboldened these so-called Babas to shifting political loyalty is justified. stoop to any level to satisfy their lust for power and pelf. Of course, the But it is always a difficult task to Union Health Minister cannot be held directly culpable for such false claims draw the fine line between principle yet his presence definitely lent credibility to such baseless utterances. Baba and political opportunism. When Ramdev even had the gumption to call modern medicine a form of “medical a legislator or a splinter group terrorism.” The Health Minister is supposed to supervise implementation breaks away from the parent party of the task of vaccinating the population against Covid-19 at a cost of `35,000 and forms another political en- crore. That is why his silence in the meeting is surprising. What is more sur- Rup tity or merges with another party, prising is the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan is himself a doctor it is preconceived as political op- In a democratic parliamentary polity changing party affiliation on of medicine. portunism, but if one looks from The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is quite rightly bristling with A MAJOR the other end of the spectrum, if part of the legislator who is elected from one political party to anger at the Centre’s endorsement of “an unscientific product” as a drug that the defecting legislator or the splin- another subsequent to the election raises the issue of principles. can be used as a “supportive treatment” for coronavirus. Within 24 hours of DRAWBACK OF ter group is not allowed to move the false claim, WHO clarified that it had not reviewed or certified the effectiveness on, then the denial stifles his dem- If dissent is a legitimate democratic right, then the legislator shifting of any traditional medicine. It was Ramdev who peddled the lie while launch- THE ocratic and political freedom. political loyalty is justified. But it is always a difficult task to draw ing the product on February 19 in the presence of Dr Harsh Vardan and Union ANTI-DEFECTION With a view to regulating po- Minister Nitin Gadkari that a team of the global health body had visited his litical defection, the Constitution the fine line between principle and political opportunism company and given Coronil the licence for sale in more than 150 countries. LAW IS THE of India was amended by the Fifty He also released a “research” paper by Patanjali Ayurved on what he claimed LACK OF Second (Amendment Act), 1985 was the “first evidence-based medicine.” This, according to him, would clear incorporating the Tenth Schedule out obtaining in either case, the of a member of the legislature of precise definition of defection all “suspicions” surrounding Coronil. PRECISE in the Constitution which enu- prior permission of such political under the Tenth Schedule. This itself. Similarly, terms like vol- The complicity of the Union ministers in this dangerous venture is such DEFINITION OF merated the provisions for dis- party, person or authority and paragraph, however, has been held untarily giving up party mem- that the party’s spokesperson Sanju Verma tweeted that Coronil getting ap- qualifications of members of leg- such voting or abstention within by the Supreme Court as ultra- bership and political party have not proval from the Drugs Controller General of India and WHO was “no less DEFECTION islatures, both Parliament and fifteen days from the date of such virus of the Constitution in their been defined. The Anti-defection (than) a huge endorsement for Ayurveda and India’s home grown startup ecosys- state legislatures on grounds of voting or abstention. Over the majority opinion in Kihota Law itself does not expressly take tem that has flourished under the Modi government.” ITSELF political defection. The statement years certain lacunae of the Anti- Hollohon vs. Zachilhua & others into account the activity of a leg- The IMA’s letter to the Union Health Minister dated 22 February 2021, in of objects and reason in the Bill defection Law have come to the in 1993 on the ground of its non- islator outside the legislature. response to these false claims should leave him red faced if he wants to rise stated, “The evil of political de- forefront. One such major con- ratification by the state legisla- Both the Presiding Officers and above his party’s political creed and be true to his medical profession. “Being fections has been a matter of na- genital defect was the clause 4 of tures. The apex body of the all Courts have given their rulings a Health Minister of the country, how justified is it to release such falsely tional concern. If it is not com- the original Anti-defection Law India Presiding Officers Conference and pronouncements on the basis fabricated unscientific product to people of the whole country and how eth- batted, it is likely to undermine the pertaining to provision relating to in an emergent meeting held in 1992 of creative interpretation of the ical was it to promote the product in unethical, wrong and false ways,” IMA very foundations of our democracy ‘split’, which was rampantly mis- unanimously agreed that in mat- Law. As regards the issuance of National President Jayalal asked in his letter. and principles which sustain it…” used by the powers that be leading ters relating to Anti-defection Law ‘whip’, it may be mentioned that The IMA showed courage to warn the government against adulterating But nowhere in the Constitution to unethical practice of ‘horse before the courts, the Presiding the Law Commission of India Ayurveda “on the pretext of market gain to some monopoly corporate and including the Tenth Schedule, has trading’. It was against this back- Officers would furnish the records, under the Chairmanship of Justice create a disaster for humanity.” the term defection been defined. ground that the provision relating if called for and respect the deci- BP Jeevan Reddy in its 170th The Patanjali group has been trying to make profits using the fear of peo- The Tenth Schedule, however, for to splits was deleted from the Tenth sions of the Courts. They would, Report, inter-alia had observed ple for Covid since June 23, 2020 when it first introduced Coronil. But, the the first time mentioned legislature Schedule by the Ninety-first however, not subject themselves to “whips may be issued only when government decided not to give its approval in the teeth of fierce criticism party /political party in the Constitutional Amendment Act, the jurisdiction of the Courts. the voting in the House affects the as it lacked scientific evidence regarding its efficacy. Constitution. 2003. The amendment also pro- Thus, a very healthy convention continuance of the Government Clearly, the phenomenal profit and global market for anti-Covid drugs or As per the provisions of the vided for debarring the defecting has already been established in and not on each and every occasion. vaccines have proved to be too tempting for the group to make a second at- Anti-defection Law, a member of legislators from holding ministe- the relationship between the leg- Such a course would safeguard tempt to get its share in the lucrative business. the legislature is liable to be dis- rial or remunerative political posts islature and the judiciary. All these both the party discipline and free- So-called spiritual mentors such as Rasputin in monarchical Russia and qualified from the membership unless re-elected to the legisla- have certainly brought some degree dom of speech and expression of Dhirendra Brahmachari of India had used their closeness to the powers that of the legislature by the Presiding tures. The amendment further of sanity in the narrative of our the members.” be to advance their personal agenda of greed. Rasputin enthralled Russia’s Officer broadly on two grounds. In stipulated that the total number of political discourse. Emperor Nicholas and Empress Alexandra with his supposed mystic qual- the first place if he ‘voluntarily’ ministers in the council of min- But still there are some grey The writer, a retired joint ity and hijacked the power of the throne during the early years of the last cen- gives up his membership of such isters shall not exceed fifteen per areas which need to be addressed. secretary of the Lok Sabha tury. Dhirendra Brahmachari also had Indira Gandhi under his orbit of in- political party; secondly if he votes cent of the total number of mem- Certain issues relating to the Anti- Secretariat, is a senior fellow fluence during the Emergency and used his political clout for dubious ventures. or absents in the legislature to bers of the legislature, both at the defection Law which have trac- of the Indian Council of Ramdev has been using his skill in yogic exercises for advertising prod- any direction issued by the polit- Centre and the State. The Anti- tion in view of the on-going political Social Science Research at the ucts from his Patanjali stable and building a multi-million dollar business ical party to which he belongs or defection Law originally debarred developments in Rajasthan can Indian Institute of Public enterprise. His closeness to top BJP leadership has turned out to be a boon by any person or authority au- courts in respect of any matter be flagged. A major drawback of Administration, New Delhi. for him. thorised by it in his behalf, with- connected with the disqualification the Anti-defection Law is the lack Views are personal. Political patronage has spawned many funny Babas including Asaram Bapu and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. It’s time the people in government refrain from putting the seal of legitimacy on such unsavoury deeds and the characters involved. While it is easy to blame politicians, the truth cannot be denied that it is the common people who IN JEST THIS flock to these Babas and make them popular. Once these Babas gain a large following, politicians notice and acknowledge them. Change in this system can only come when citizens, looking for a quick fix, also learn to question. Teenage boys just can’t stop eating WISDOM CORNER y 17-year-old daughter Divya It doesn’t matter how many calo- house as fast as possible. When I ask Arrange whatever pieces come your way. needs to put two signs on ries Rahul consumes—he can burn him why he’s in such a hurry, he VIRGINIA WOOLF Mher bedroom door. The first them off just by opening the re- gives me a look that says, “Sorry, Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going. would say, “Caution: Big Mess frigerator door. I didn’t see a speed limit posted.” SAM LEVENSON Inside.” The second would say, “Keep Part of the problem is that Divya hides her snacks from her out: This means you, Rahul.” teenage boys don’t usually have a brother not because she’s greedy, We do not remember days, we remember moments. CESARE PAVESE Rahul, as you’ve probably guessed, balanced diet. They tend to eat a lot but because she knows he’s a ma- is her brother. They’re at an age of carbohydrates and protein, but gician and can make them disap- Melvin Durai where they’d prefer not to share not enough fruits and vegetables. pear. She has learned from expe- WORDSWORTH anything with each other, not even “They’re always hungry, and rience that leaving tasty snacks in parents. Divya is annoyed just to that hunger, and a lack of satiety the kitchen is like leaving a gold IT DOESN’T breathe the same air as Rahul. with small portions, leads to im- chain on a street corner in New Marmalade MATTER HOW If you enter Divya’s bedroom, pulsive eating and eating large por- York City. you’ll find all kinds of things strewn tions,” Dr. Elsie Taveras, the chief I have three children, so if I buy ost writers on food and cookery would probably be very willing to admit MANY CALORIES about, like a tornado went through of general paediatrics at a package of nine cookies, I would- Mthat they’re not as expert in etymology as they are in the culinary arts. RAHUL it. Her closet is just as messy, partly Massachusetts General Hospital n’t want any of the kids to eat more This story proves the point. To be fair, it has been known for many years and because she keeps not just clothes meals an hour. At least that’s how for Children, told the New York than three. But when Rahul sees the was far from new when this appeared: Spanish oranges had been stored CONSUMES—HE there, but also makeup and snacks. it seems. He is constantly eating. He Times a few years ago. “And the cookies, simple arithmetic fails there, and she [Mary] made a new sort of preserve — called after herself as The snacks are usually boxes of will eat an entire plate of rice and foods they are choosing aren’t re- him. This is what he seems to say she told them proudly, for the cook at her grandmother’s chateau of Joinville CAN BURN THEM crackers or bags of chips. curry, and go to his bedroom to fin- ally keeping them full, since foods to himself: “If I have five cookies, had made it to tempt her appetite when she was ill; “Marie est malade,” he OFF JUST BY If you ask her why the snacks ish his homework, only to return with high fiber levels are the kinds my sisters can have two each. And had muttered again and again as he racked his brain to invent something new aren’t being kept in a kitchen cup- 15 minutes later and say to his of foods which do keep people full.” my parents … well, they need to lose for her, and “Mariemalade” they had called it ever since (The Gay Galliard: OPENING THE board, her answer is always the Mom, “I’m hungry!” Before you get the wrong idea, I weight.” the Love Story of Mary, Queen of Scots, by Margaret Irwin, 1942). Mary’s REFRIGERATOR same: “He’ll eat them.” Like any loving mother, she will should emphasise that Rahul is If I complain to my wife, she’ll French connections (she was at one time married to Francis, who was the Everyone in the family knows say something like, “Oh my poor not overweight. If anything, he is say something like this: “At least he Dauphin, the eldest son of the then king of France, Henri II) were enough to DOOR whom she’s referring to: her 14- baby, I’m not feeding you well. What underweight. Like most teenage didn’t eat them all himself. It was peg this extraordinary invention to her. This is yet another case of the way year-old brother. Rahul is still grow- would you like to eat?” Meanwhile, boys, he has a fast metabolism, thoughtful of him to leave some that a good story can triumph over historical veracity. As it happens, the truth ing and has the appetite of a horse. I’m thinking, “How can you still be partly because he’s so active. He en- for his sisters.” is more interesting. The original food wasn’t made from oranges, but from While the rest of the family eats hungry? You just ate as much food joys running, not just as a sport in Thoughtful? Oh yes, he thought quinces. These were cooked with honey and in the process the unpromising three meals a day, Rahul eats three as your sister eats in a month.” school but also to get around the he was full. bitter green fruit was transformed into a sweet pink paste, which was stiff enough to be cut with a knife and be served in slices as a kind of dessert. The first of these preserves were made in Portugal and were called marmelada, from the word for quince in Portuguese, marmelo. This is from the Latin Pondicherry political crisis Privatisation no solution melimelum, a sweet variety of apple, in turn from the Greek, usually translated as summer-apple (an early-ripening type), which seems to have Sir, This is in reference to the news report “Cong govt in Pondicherry Sir, This refers to your thought-provoking article “Privatisation been the name for a type of apple grafted on to a quince rootstock. The falls,” Orissa POST, February 23. Faced with the desertion and resignation no solution” (Orissa POST, February 23). Those who argue in product kept well and was exported to Britain in wooden cases. It was at first etters of legislators, Pondicherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy resigned favour of privatisation should remember that the private sec- a luxury item (customs duty was slapped on it in the fifteenth century, so it even before the floor test. The fall of the government is significant, for it tor is not free from blemish. There is no economic reason to must have been worth taxing) but English cooks later learned to make their comes weeks before the Union Territory will hold elections. The Pondicherry privatise government banks. One of the most adverse affects own. The first name for it was chardecoynes or char de quince, the Old French TOL THE EDITOR development has confirmed, yet again, the failure of the Congress to man- of privatisation will be the widespread economic gap. It will term for a pulp made from quinces, but the Portuguese alternative began to Readers of Orissa POST age its internal affairs. Reports suggest that there had been brewing dis- support the rich people of the society leaving the poor be- appear in the latter part of the fifteenth century; in 1524, the papers of King are most welcome to contribute letters enchantment with the CM’s style of functioning, and legislators were look- hind. Public sector banks, therefore, have a social role which Henry VIII recorded a gift, which in modern English would read, “Presented by (200 words), articles and ing out for political opportunities. Despite being the only southern region is larger than their quarterly profit and loss statements. People columns (between 750-1250 Hull of Exeter one box of marmalade.” An early English recipe called for words). Contributors are where the party is in power, the Congress high command clearly did not pay believe in public sector banks and don’t prefer to deposit their quinces to be beaten to a pulp with a type of apple called wardens, boiled requested to send their enough attention to these rumblings and address the internal discord as in savings in private sector banks. The PSUs have been engaged with honey until the mixture was thick and then spiced with a mixture of contact numbers and full the case of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, where it lost power to the BJP, in producing goods and providing services at affordable prices.

ginger, galingale and cinnamon. The shift to oranges happened rather slowly. postal address/email ID. They may also and was about to lose in Rajasthan. The episode also exposes the utter fail- Will the government not face difficulty in providing low-cost

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, plums, dates, cherries and other and suggestions, preferably by email, ure of the anti-defection law. It fails to stop legislators from shifting allegiances financial services to the rural and poor sections of society? Will fruits were all made into preserves called marmalades. This has continued to to: [email protected] and the ouster of governments due to these shifts. The practical realities private sector banks be able to share the government’s social the present day, though in the UK, as a result of EU regulations, products sold of Indian politics — the ineptness of the Congress and the BJP’s quest for responsibilities? Will private sector banks be able to extend all under the name of marmalade must be made from citrus fruits. In time, the power — and the dysfunctionality of existing legal frameworks such as the types of services to customers across categories which is link with quinces was lost and the historical link with them is preserved only B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, anti-defection law had led to Pondicherry’s pre-poll political shift. today the root purpose of public sector banks? in the name, leaving its origin open to ingenious storytelling. Bhubaneswar-751010 N Sadhasiva Reddy, BANGALORE Vinod C Dixit, AHMEDABAD GUJARAT

PUNJAB P7

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Was beaten up by police: BJP sweeps Guj civic polls, AAP makes inroads c AGENCIES Setback for Congress Ahmedabad, Feb 23: The BJP Rights activist Nodeep Kaur Tuesday appeared on course to Gandhinagar: The people of Gujarat retain power in six municipal cor- have started looking for options porations, winning 409 of the 474 other than the opposition Congress, 23-year-old activist from Punjab claims that she was “targeted and seats where results were declared seeking an alternative to the ruling till evening. BJP in the local body elections of falsely implicated” in the case as she was successful in generating Polling for 576 seats in six municipal corporations in Gujarat. Ahmedabad and five other civic cor- Parties like (AAP), support against the controversial farm laws porations was held February 21. All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul- The counting of votes began Muslimeen (AIMIM), and Bahujan PRESS TRUST OF INDIA that they were manhandled by a Tuesday morning. Samaj Party (BSP) have opened their group formed by the Kundli While Congress has won 43 of accounts in Gujarat. Making a debut Chandigarh, Feb 23: Labour rights Industrial Area, an association of the declared seats so far, the Aam in the state by fielding its candidates activist Nodeep Kaur in her bail plea industrial owners. Aadmi Party (AAP), a new entrant for the six municipal Corporations, before the Punjab and Haryana In the meantime, a team from in these elections, made impressive the AAP gained 27 seats in the Surat High Court has claimed that she was Kundli police station led by the sta- inroads by winning 18 seats so far. ‘Results show people’s faith Municipal Corporation (SMC) against severely beaten up at a police sta- tion house officer reached there A total of 192 seats in Ahmedabad, the BJP's 93 seats, becoming the main tion after her arrest by the Sonipat and immediately on their arrival, 72 in Rajkot, 64 in Jamnagar, 52 in opposition party in the SMC. police last month. they grabbed the petitioner by her Bhavnagar, 76 in Vadodara and in politics of development’ Similarly, AIMIM opened its account The 23-year-old activist, hailing hair and dragged to the side, ac- 120 in Surat were up for grabs in in Ahmedabad by winning two wards from Punjab's Muktsar district, cording to the plea. the elections. The AAP had fielded New Delhi: With the BJP set to re- people have towards politics of de- of Jamalpura and Maktampura, has also claimed that her medical This angered the protesters and 470 candidates across the six tain power in six Gujarat munici- velopment and good governance,” with all its candidates in both the examination was not conducted in the situation became worse when corporations. pal corporations, Prime Minister Modi said in a series of tweets. wards winning. The Congress had a violation of section 54 of the the police resorted to lathi charge Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Narendra Modi Tuesday termed “Grateful to the people of the state stronghold on these areas until now. Criminal Procedure Code. Kaur is on peaceful protesters. A scuffle and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin the victory "very spe- for trusting BJP yet Besides that, the BSP gained three currently lodged in Karnal jail in ensued and the petitioner tried to Patel expressed gratitude to the cial" and said for a party again. Always an ho- seats in ward number 6 of the Haryana. pacify the situation but to no avail, voters and BJP workers for that has been serving nour to serve Gujarat,” Jamnagar Municipal Corporation The Punjab and Haryana High going farmer movement against it said. The petitioner alone was the results. in a state for over two he said. “Today's win (JMC). The people of Gujarat it seems Court Monday had adjourned the the Centre's three new farm laws. caught and arrested by police offi- "The grand victory of the BJP decades to record such across Gujarat is very have rejected the only opposition hearing on her bail plea and posted Kaur, who is a member of the cials. She was beaten, tortured and in these elections is the victory a phenomenal win is special. For a party they have had until now, that of the matter for February 24. Majdoor Adhikar Sangathan, said suffered multiple injuries, it claimed. of the people of Gujarat. This is noteworthy. He said the that is serving in a Congress in many areas. In the bail plea filed through her they mobilized people for a protest The petitioner was taken to the a grand victory of the politics of results of municipal state for over two counsels Arshdeep Singh Cheema at Kundli in Sonipat district against police station in the absence of any development of Prime Minister elections clearly show decades to record such in a tweet. He added that the peo- and Harinder Deep Singh Bains, Centre's new farm laws. The plea woman police official and was Narendra Modi," Rupani said. "The the unwavering faith a phenomenal win is ple of Gujarat have voted for the Kaur stated that she was falsely alleged that the mobilisation of beaten up by police officials, the people of Gujarat have provided a people have in politics of noteworthy. It is heart- politics of work as they are fed arraigned as accused in an FIR local labourers in support of farm- plea alleged. subject to political analysts who can development and good governance. ening to see widespread support up with the politics of the BJP lodged under various sections, in- ers annoyed the administration Kaur was arrested in Haryana's now study how the concept of anti- “Thank you Gujarat! Results of mu- from all sections of society, par- and the Congress. "The people of cluding 307 (attempt to murder) and a plan was devised to stifle the Sonipat January 12, the Haryana incumbency does not apply in the nicipal elections across the state ticularly the youth of Gujarat to- Gujarat wanted an alternative and of the IPC. protest. The bail plea stated that police had earlier said. Sonepat state," he said. clearly show the unwavering faith wards BJP,” he said. the AAP has emerged as a key al- In her petition, the labour rights January 12, the petitioner and MAS police officials had also said that a Delhi Chief Minister and AAP ternative to the present parties. activist claimed that she was "tar- members marched towards a factory police team was attacked with convenor con- pressive gains in the civic body the state, the party said. “Heartfelt Now the upcoming Assembly elec- geted and falsely implicated" in the for demanding payment of pending sticks when they reached the site gratulated the people of Gujarat polls in the state. Kejriwal will congratulations to the people of tion will be fought between the case as she was successful in gen- wages of some workers. and some policemen sustained in- for ushering in a new era of poli- hold a road show in Gujarat Gujarat for ushering in a new era Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP," the erating massive support for the on- The high court was informed juries in the incident. tics after his party registered im- February 26 to thank the people of of politics," the AAP chief said chief minister said. Fresh curbs in Punjab as Covid cases rise Delhi violence accused dares

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Chandigarh, Feb 23: Amid grow- cops to arrest him in Punjab ing concern over rising Covid-19 cases in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Tuesday ordered INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE The leaders should raise their restriction on indoor gathering to voice for all such youth so that gov- 100 and outdoor to 200 persons from Chandigarh, Feb 23: Delhi vio- ernments should know that we are March 1, along with strict en- lence accused and gangster-activist one, the leaders advocated. forcement of mask-wearing and Lakha Sidhana Tuesday dared the Earlier, in a video post, Sidhana social distancing, with testing to police to arrest him as he addressed had asked people to turn up in large be ramped to 30,000 a day. a public rally he called in Punjab's numbers at Mehraj village to show Chairing a high-level virtual Bathinda as a show of strength their support for the protesting meeting to review the situation, he and to express solidarity with those farmers. also authorised the Deputy facing police action for supporting “We have been agitating for seven Commissioners to impose night the cause of the protesting farmers. months. Now, this protest is at its curfew in hotspots in their districts However, leaders of the Samyukta peak...we are holding a big pro- if needed, with micro containment Kisan Morcha distanced themselves gramme in village Mehraj in district strategy to be adopted. from the 'mahapanchayat' that saw Bathinda February 23,” Sidhana He directed the police to ensure tens of thousands of people largely had said. strict enforcement of wearing of comprising youths and women at Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha masks, along with notification of IEC campaign to promote 100 per home, he further directed the Health fresh wave in the state. Mehraj, the ancestral village of Sidhana, named as one of the main Covid-19 monitors by all restau- cent coverage of healthcare and Department to ensure proper mon- On the vaccination front, he said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. If Delhi Police come accused for the violence on Republic rants, marriage palaces, with the frontline workers. itoring of home isolation cases, es- there had so far been 61 cases of Sidhana, who is carrying a re- to arrest anyone in Day, dreamed of making big in pol- ward of Rs 1 lakh for providing in- Department of Excise and Taxation He directed the Health pecially those with comorbidities. minor adverse events following im- Punjab, villagers will itics through the farmers' agitation. to be the nodal agency in this regard. Department to plan for a strate- Apprising the Chief Minister of munisation, while six severe and 14 formation about him, has been Since November 25, he had been gherao (surround) them The Chief Minister said a deci- gise roll-out of vaccine for the eld- measures taken by Punjab Police serious cases had been reported. booked by Delhi Police for insti- quite active in the agitation on the sion on reducing occupancy in cin- erly population and those with co- to enforce adherence to safety pro- All had since recovered, he added. gating violence during the farm- LAKHA SIDHANA borders of the national capital and ema halls will be taken after March morbidities. tocols, DGP Dinkar Gupta said KK Talwar, who is heading the ers' tractor rally at Red Fort on aggressively lobbying for the agi- 1. Private offices and restaurants will Expressing concern over the 3.23 instructions have been issued to state government's expert group Republic Day. agitation and “to give a message that tation to gain momentum. be encouraged to display last tests case fatality ratio, Amarinder Singh field officers to strictly impose on Covid-19, said a detailed analy- “If Delhi Police come to arrest youth is upbeat and not defeated or Sidhana, a small-time gangster done for all employees, he added. took note of the mortality audit restrictions. sis was being done on the recent anyone in Punjab, villagers will disappointed.” who aims to enter politics by re- Directing increased testing, findings that many of the deaths are Earlier, in a brief presentation, spike in positivity rate, which sug- gherao (surround) them,” Sidhana Calling to intensify the agita- flecting himself a social activist, was Amarinder Singh ordered manda- happening within 2-14 days of hos- Health Secretary Hussan Lal in- gested an increase in cases among said at the rally, indirectly refer- tion, speakers at the rally favoured acquitted in several cases before tory testing of 15 contacts per pos- pitalisation. formed the meeting that the dis- young people. ring to his arrest. After the rally, he that reins of the agitation should contesting the 2012 Assembly polls itive, with review to be undertaken He underscored the need for con- tricts of Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, At the current rate, the positiv- left the venue on a motorcycle. be handed over to the youth. They as a candidate of the People's Party by the Health Department. tinued supervision of protocols for Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, SAS ity could go up to four per cent in The rally was called to express asked the farmer union leaders to of Punjab, once led by Manpreet The Chief Minister also took managing patients with comor- Nagar and SBS Nagar had shown two weeks, translating into 800 solidarity with Deep Sidhu, Sidhana, show big heart by saying “they are Singh Badal, who is currently the stock of the vaccination status, un- bidities, especially in private facil- a spike in positivity in recent days, cases per day, he said, stressing the Nodeep Kaur and other arrested with every youth of Punjab who are Finance Minister in the Congress derlining the need to carry out an ities. Citing cases of some deaths at triggering concerns over a possible need for urgent preventive steps. people associated with the farmer being prosecuted by Delhi Police.” government in Punjab. GREAT EXPECTATIONS Endangered lions conquer disease to roam free

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE A cattle-rearing tribe lives among “Translocation is a risk mitiga- the animals in the sanctuary, and tion strategy akin to us getting Gir National Park, Feb 23: Three it is not uncommon to see a pride health or life insurance,” he told AFP. years after a deadly virus struck of lions crossing a highway in the “If something happens to the India’s endangered Asiatic lions region as motorists wait and watch. population in Gir, there is always in their last remaining natural The king of the jungle is also a going to be an additional free-rang- habitat, conservationists are hunt- major tourist attraction, along with ing population of wild lions avail- ing for new homes to help booming leopards, panthers and other big able.” Chellam said the sanctuary prides roam free. cats found in the sanctuary. was also now too small for its steadily The majestic big cats, slightly Around 550,000 people visit the growing lion population. smaller than their African cousins park each year, riding in open-top “There are far more lions than and with a fold of skin along their jeeps as they try to spot the preda- what Gir can hold... these animals bellies, were once found widely tors prowling among pale yellow are not static, they are constantly across southwest Asia. deciduous trees. moving outside and interacting Hunting and human encroach- “It is a very thrilling experience with domestic animals and peo- ment saw the population plunge to to see the lions from close in the ple,” he added. just 20 by 1913, and the lions are wild,” said forest guide Dinesh Efforts to move some lions to now found only in a wildlife in one part of the 1,400 square each animal was given three doses Sadiya. But the 2018 virus outbreak other states have been mired in sanctuary in Gujarat. kilometre forest. each, followed by a booster shot. was a reminder that the steady legal wrangles with the state gov- Following There The canine distem- Cattle and dogs living near the growth in the animal’s population ernment, which wants to keep the years of con- are far more lions per virus -- a highly park were also inoculated as sus- cannot be taken for granted. animals in Gujarat. certed gov- than what Gir can hold... infectious disease - pected carriers of the virus. Authorities have instead pro- ernment ef- these animals are not static, - was detected “We vaccinated the lions in cap- NEW HABITATS posed finding new homes for some forts, the lion they are constantly moving among dozens of tivity and successfully controlled the The lions have low genetic di- lions in other parts of the state. population outside and interacting with the royal beasts, disease and no new outbreak has versity due to their small population “If a lion has not moved for 48 in Gir domestic animals killing at least 11 been observed,” Vasavada said, size, making them more vulnerable hours we can alert our staff,” said National Park and people of them. adding that park rangers were still to epidemics. A 1993 outbreak of Mohan Ram, the park’s deputy con-

has swelled to “We picked all the closely monitoring their health. canine distemper virus in Tanzania’s servator of forests.

k y m RAVI CHELLAM I c nearly 700, ac- WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST lions from the area Serengeti National Park killed a The tracking collars are fitted cording to an offi- and isolated them,” ‘VERY THRILLING EXPERIENCE’ third of its 3,000 lions. around a lion’s neck, helping cial census last year. Dushyant Vasavada, the Lions are a source of pride for Wildlife biologist Ravi Chellam rangers monitor their health and But just three years ago, the con- park’s chief conservator of forests, India, particularly in Gujarat’s said that outbreak underscored the movements, reduce road and rail servation success looked to be in dan- told AFP. Authorities imported spe- Saurashtra region, where man and need to move a few prides to other accidents, and lessen human- A farmer sows maize seeds in a field in Jalandhar, Tuesday. PTI PHOTO ger when several lions started to die cial vaccines from overseas and beast coexist. sites nearby. wildlife conflict. P8 MP OFFICIALS SEAL BANK BRANCH WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Luring Congress MLAs has been their FOR NOT GIVING LOANS modus operandi in all Congress ruled A branch of the State Bank of India was states. We saw this in Karnataka, MP sealed in Shajapur of Madhya Pradesh and now in Pondicherry. They tried it Tuesday by district authorities after it in Rajasthan but people of Rajasthan reportedly failed to provide loans of `10,000 to

y national taught them a lesson applicants under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri

k y m ASHOK GEHLOT | RAJASTHAN CHIEF MINISTER Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi scheme c

of the day uote Govt approves India detects over 24K mutations in 7K Covid variants purchase of Climate change is a Arjun tanks, arms major THE SCIENTISTS PRESENTED THEIR FINDINGS OF ANALYSIS OF OVER 5,000 CORONAVIRUS VARIANTS challenge as natural AND HOW THEY HAVE EVOLVED OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC disasters destroy PRESS TRUST OF INDIA infrastructure. India drew the attention INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE in the UK, South Africa and some of rise in infections in Punjab, New Delhi, Feb 23: The Defence of the world to the issue of disaster other parts of the world. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Acquisition Council headed by management New Delhi, Feb 23: The genetic di- INSACOG is a consortium of 10 is being watched. However, Singh Defence Minister Rajnath Singh agnostic laboratories in India have labs namely DBT-NIBMG Kalyani, added that no evidence so far sug- approved capital acquisition pro- NARENDRA MODI | PRIME MINISTER detected over 24,000 mutations in the DBT-ILS Bhubaneswar, ICMR-NIV gests that the mutations have driven posals of various weapons and strains of SARS-CoV-2 in the last one Pune, DBT-NCCS Pune, CSIR-CCMB the effective transmission in the equipment including 118 Arjun year; top officials told this news Hyderabad, DBT-CDFD Hyderabad, country. “Till now, no correlation has tanks Tuesday. Whenever agency Tuesday. DBT-InSTEM/ NCBS Bangalore, been established between the vari- “Three Acceptance of roads will be The officials added that the mu- NIMHANS Bangalore, CSIR-IGIB ants and the rise in the number of Necessities (AoNs) for an overall blocked, and tations have been detected in around Delhi, and NCDC Delhi, formed cost of `13,700 crore was accorded,” people would be cases reported in a few states. It is prevented from 7,000 variants of the novel coron- with an overall aim to monitor the still under investigation,” he said. the Ministry of Defence said. going to work, or avirus which are under circulation genomic variations in the SARS- “More than 2 lakh mutations in All these Acceptance of children to school, in the country. CoV-2 on a regular basis through a the virus have been recorded glob- Necessities are in the highest pri- there will always be a “We have detected around 24,300 multi-laboratory network. ally. But did all the mutations incite ority category of Defence to stop that mutations in 7,000 variants of the The Centre-run National Centre a rise in cases? The mutations are Acquisition – Buy Indian-IDDM virus currently under circulation,” for Disease Control is the agency of Officials added that the The information was also a natural process of evolution in a (Indigenously Designed, Developed KAPIL MISHRA | FORMER DELHI MLA an official who is a key member of the consortium. mutations have been corroborated by contacts working at pathogen. It is relevant only if it in- and Manufactured). National Task Force for COVID-19 Sujeet Kumar Singh, Director, detected in around 7,000 laboratories which are part of Indian duces a change in the trend of dis- informed. The information was NCDC also confirmed that over variants of the novel SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia ease spread,” Singh explained. (INSACOG) set-up by the Union Health Clash between also corroborated by contacts work- 24,000 mutations in the virus have coronavirus which are under Recently, Council for Scientific Ministry in December last year BJP politicians ing at laboratories which are part been recorded in India. “We have circulation in the country and Industrial Research – Centre and farmers in of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic found these mutations in over 6,000 for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Soram village, Consortia (INSACOG) set-up by the variants and submitted it to an in- One probability being mostly ex- could be attributing to the gradual which is also one of the INSACOG several injured. If Union Health Ministry in December there's no talk in ternational consortium which col- plored since the rise in daily in- spike the country is witnessing for labs, had released a study stating favour of farmers, at last year in the backdrop of the lects the data to predict and analyse fections of the COVID-19 is the pres- the last one week. While Kerala that N440K, a new COVID-19 vari- least have a good attitude towards emergence of a newly identified trends of virus spread in geo- ence of an undetected or multiple and Maharashtra continue to re- ant is spreading a lot more in the them variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus graphical locations,” he said. strains of novel coronavirus which port a surge in cases there, a trend southern states. “DAC has approved capital ac- JAYANT CHAUDHARY | RLD VICE-PRESIDENT quisition proposals of various weapons/platforms/ equip- Centre using ED, CBI to SHOW FESTIVAL ment/systems required by the SHORT TAKES , Indian Navy and Indian Air Force,” the MoD said. The government cleared proposal 2-year-old raped topple our govts: Cong of 118 Made-in-India Mark 1A in UP’s Ballia Arjun tanks and 820 armoured Congress lost its second govt in a year after the vehicles. Ballia (UP): A 12-year-old girl All these acquisition proposals was allegedly raped by her Pondicherry regime fell, following the collapse of the will be indigenously designed, de- neighbour in her village here, veloped and manufactured. These police said Tuesday. The Madhya Pradesh government last year will include inter-alia platforms and incident took place on the systems designed and developed night of February 18 under Puducherry Congress in-charge by Defence Research and Gadwar police station area. Dinesh Gundu Rao told this news Development Organisation The accused has been agency, “The actions of the BJP- (DRDO). arrested, they said. ruled central government using To meet the 'Aatmanirbhar According to the complaint agencies such as CBI, I-T depart- Bharat' goals of the government lodged by the girl’s mother, ment, ED, have threatened, black- on time-bound defence procure- their neighbour, Pawan, mailed and coerced our MLAs.” ment process and faster decision called the minor to his house The party alleged that crores of making and to systematically work on the pretext of some work rupees were used in horse trading towards reducing the time taken and raped her, Station House INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Officer (SHO) Rajiv Singh and to topple its government. for capital acquisition, the DAC also said. “They know that the govern- approved that all capital acquisi- New Delhi, Feb 23: The Congress ment worked for the people, de- tion contracts (delegated and non- lost its second government in a spite the obstacles, despite the non- delegated) other than design and year after the Pondicherry regime cooperation of the Centre.” A tribal man dressed in his traditional attire stands with his domestic yak during Losar Panchayat Kiyato part of the development cases shall be con- Soldier killed in fell, following the collapse of the Gundu Rao said, "the elected Snow Festival in Lahaul- Spiti district PTI PHOTO cluded in two years. accidental firing Madhya Pradesh government last government has been destabilised, year. because of the ‘mafia politics’ of Jammu: An Army jawan was Both Congress governments fell BJP, what they have done in dif- Two workers die, killed in an accidental firing because of resignation of MLAs ferent states in India, what they CBI quizzes Abhishek Banerjee’s wife during training here Tuesday, which reduced the strength of the have done in Maharashtra, what a defence spokesman said. party. The Congress has blamed they have done in Karnataka, in 26 injured in Guj “Gunner Sayan Ghosh of the Union government for misus- Rajasthan, in Madhya Pradesh, in AGENCIES COAL SCAM The CBI officials did not Artillery Regiment suffered ing agencies and pulling down its northeastern states, what they are factory fire fatal injury due to a firing elected governments in states. doing in West Bengal”. , Feb 23: The officials of divulge anything about the accident while carrying out PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Central Bureau of Investigation live firing training at the field course of interrogation. It was (CBI) Tuesday interrogated firing range (in Akhnoor learnt from the sources that sector),” the spokesman said. New Delhi, Feb 23: Agro-chem- Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha The incident occurred around ical major UPL Ltd Tuesday said MP and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew the Central agency sleuths 10.30 am. Family sent to quarantine that two workers died and 26 were Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira injured after a “serious fire” broke at their south Kolkata residence for asked about Rujira’s suspicious out at its Jhagadia plant in the over one hour. After quizzing Rujira, banking transactions through despite being COVID -ve Bharuch district of Gujarat. the federal investigation agency Man, grandsons Other than that, five workers investigators left. a bank in Bangkok killed by jumbos PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ily, told the court that all the mem- were missing, according to the According to sources, the team bers were tested for COVID-19 company. UPL said the accident of CBI investigators was con- to discuss about the answers given place, the federal investigation Sidhi: An elderly man and his New Delhi, Feb 23: A family of when they arrived in New Delhi might have happened due to fire/ex- stantly in touch with their higher by Abhishek's wife and accord- agency officials reached Abhishek’s two minor grandsons have four including two minor chil- from the UK February 20 and de- plosion in the solvent, but did not officials at Kolkata's CBI office at ingly decided the next course of residence to question Rujira been killed by a herd of wild dren which has been sent to 7- spite testing negative they were rule out a “foul play”. The company . They briefed the their investigation. The CBI team Banerjee who was served with a elephants near the Sanjay day institutional quarantine after “illegally and unlawfully” sent meanwhile said it would offer entire interrogation details to the remained tight-lipped after emerg- CBI notice Sunday. Tiger Reserve in Madhya returning from the UK, told the to institutional quarantine. compensations to deceased and office over phone from Rujira ing out of Rujira’s residence which The CBI had also summoned Pradesh's Sidhi district, a forest official said Tuesday. Delhi High Court Tuesday that the Sharma said the action was affected workers. Banerjee's place, Shantiniketan, lo- is named Shantiniketan. The in- Rujira’s sister Maneka Gambhir The incident took place action amounted to “illegal con- illegal as according to the guide- In a regulatory filing, UPL said cated at south Kolkata's Harish terrogation continued for about one for interrogation. A CBI team, Monday night in Haiki village, finement” as they had tested neg- lines published on the Delhi air- that “unfortunately, a serious fire Mukherjee Road. hour and fifteen minutes. along with lady officials, had about 85 km from the district ative for COVID-19. port website, institutional quar- broke out in a plant in shutdown However, the CBI officials did not Earlier in the day, West Bengal reached Maneka's high-rise resi- headquarters, she said. After Justice Prathiba M Singh is- antine was not mandatory for all condition in the early hours of divulge anything about the course chief minister Mamata Banerjee dential complex at Panchashyar the herd of elephants entered sued notice to the ministries of the passengers arriving from the this morning at our Jhagadia unit of interrogation. It was learnt made an unscheduled visit to Monday, at around 12 noon. The the village, Gorelal Yadav and civil aviation and external affairs UK and was applicable only to in Gujarat”. from the sources that the Central Abhishek's residence at Harish team, led by Umesh Kumar, had to his grandsons Ramkripal (12) as also the Delhi government those who tested positive for It further said that fire broke out agency sleuths asked about Mukherjee Road in south Kolkata, wait at the main entrance for some and Ramprasad (13) rushed seeking their stand on the plea COVID-19. at around 1.35 am, followed by “ex- Rujira’s suspicious banking trans- while on her way to the state sec- time till they got the permission out of their house to move to moved by the family which is The petition said that before plosion at one of our plants which actions through a bank in Bangkok. retariat Nabanno. She spent about to go up. Maneka stays at Upohar a safer place. quarantined at Hotel Vivanta in starting from the UK, the family was shut since February 5, 2021 for They also asked about Rujira’s 10-minutes with family and was Luxury Complex (Tower-3) near Dwarka in Delhi. had undergone a COVID-19 test its planned annual boiler inspection”. nationality and passport related in- seen emerging from the building Kolkata’s EM Bypass. The inter- Advocate Ganesh Chand and they were issued a “fit-to-fly” Since the plant was shut, UPL formation. accompanied by Abhishek’s daugh- rogation of Maneka also went on Man dead as car Sharma, appearing for the fam- certificate. said there was no chemical reac- Sources said that the CBI offi- ter, her grand niece. for about three hours Monday, falls into gorge tion in progress at this plant. cials will meet at Nizam Palace Soon after Banerjee left the sources said. Bhaderwah (J&K): A 23-year- old man died Tuesday when his car skidded off the road and fell into a 800-foot-deep Habitat loss is leading to inbreeding of Indian tigers: Study gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, Indian tigers have the highest genetic variation compared to other subspecies of the feline across the world, but their populations continue to be fragmented police said. Sajjad Hussain, a resident of Sanwara village, was driving from Chilli to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA the journal Molecular Biology and Although tigers have received species, and intense population bot- species of the feline, and conducted Malikpora when the accident Evolution, told this news agency. significant conservation attention, tlenecks that may have contributed a variety of population genomic occurred around 10.20 am. New Delhi, Feb 23: While Indian According to Ramakrishnan, mo- the scientists said very little is to inbred individuals. analyses that quantify genetic vari- tigers have the highest genetic lecular ecologist and assistant pro- known about their evolutionary According to the NCBS scien- ability. variation compared to other sub- fessor at the National Centre for history and genomic variation, es- tist, maintaining structural con- They investigated the partition- 6 more killed on species of the feline across the Biological Sciences, Bangalore, this pecially for Indian tigers. nectivity, enabling tigers to move be- ing of genetic variation, possible im- world, their populations continue habitat loss from human activities With 70 per cent of the world's tween protected areas can help pacts of inbreeding, and demo- NH-31 in Bihar to be fragmented by loss of habi- leads to tigers being “hemmed into tigers living in India, the researchers overcome these bottlenecks. graphic history, and possible Patna: Six members of a tat, leading to inbreeding and po- their own protected area.” said understanding the genetic di- “This would require the right signatures of local adaptation. family lost their lives and tential loss of this diversity, says “Now, they can only mate with the versity of tigers in the country is types of habitat between protected While the total genomic varia- three others critically injured a new study that may inform con- other tigers in their own population. critical to the feline's conservation areas, for example having densely tion in Indian tigers was higher y after an SUV rammed into a servation strategies. Over time, this will result in in- worldwide. populated human settlements would than in other subspecies, the study

“As human population started breeding, they will end up mating The results of their three-year not work. Further, there also needs found that several individual tigers

k y m truck in Bihar's Katihar c district Tuesday. This was the expanding, so also their signatures with their relatives,” she explained. long study offer insights into ge- to be functional connectivity, that in the country had low variation, sug- second major accident on on the land. We know that some of “Whether this inbreeding com- population improves their chances nomic variation in tigers and the tigers do actually move,” gesting possible inbreeding. NH-31. The accident took these signatures would result in promises their fitness, their ability of survival in the future, the study processes that have sculpted it. Ramakrishnan added. According to the research, tigers place on the Kursela bridge disrupting the ability of tigers to to survive, we do not yet know,” the said population fragmentation of Based on the results, the scientists In the study, the scientists se- from northeast India were the most after the SUV collided head move,” Uma Ramakrishnan, co-au- molecular ecologist added. tigers can decrease this variation, believe there have been relatively quenced whole genomes from 65 different from other populations on with the truck. thor of the research, published in While genetic diversity across a and endanger them further. recent divergences between sub- individual tigers from four sub- in India. AMAR CHITRA KATHA COMICS TO P9 Will not allow WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Tamil Nadu to use surplus BE PUBLISHED FOR YOUNG READERS water from the inter-state Publishing house HarperCollins India and Cauvery river and will Amar Chitra Katha have announced a new take strong measures to collaboration to publish “a first-time protect the state's

y adaptation of popular ACK comics into a interests

national narrative format for young children”

k y m BS YEDIYURAPPA | KARNATAKA CM c

of the day uote Chinese Prez Xi Jinping may 6 killed in K’taka My Ram Bhakti is inspired by none other than mine explosion Mahatma Gandhi’s Ram Bhakti. His visit India for BRICS summit Ram Bhakti included THE BLAST TOOK PLACE WHILE DISPOSING OF everyone while BJP’s Ram Bhakti is EXPLOSIVES MEANT FOR QUARRYING AGENCIES exclusionary, which is dangerous to n the unity of the country Xi wants to visit India New Delhi, Feb 23: China’s following the thaw in the SIDDARAMAIAH | LOP IN KARNATAKA ASSEMBLY President Xi Jinping might visit ties between the two India later this year for the BRICS countries after months of What we have summit after a thaw in the ties be- border tensions had in the last tween the two countries after months n China’s Foreign Ministry one year was of border tensions. The develop- that a very large spokesman Wang Wenbin ment came after Beijing expressed segment of children extended China’s support who could not its support for India to host this to India assuming the access any formal year’s BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, BRICS chairmanship this education. I think this gap that has China, South Africa) summit later year been created is a very serious one this year. Xi Jinping will visit India for the BRICS summit if the coro- n On February 19, External | AAM AADMI PARTY MLA navirus situation improves. Affairs Minister S Asked about India assuming the Jaishankar had launched In Assam, they BRICS chairmanship this year, India’s BRICS 2021 website have China’s Foreign Ministry at the BRICS Secretariat at PRESS TRUST OF INDIA stringent action against the guilty. established a spokesman Wang Wenbin extended Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in “A high-level investigation into government of China’s support to India in holding New Delhi Chikkaballapur(KTK), Feb 23: Six the incident is underway and strin- double Chief the BRICS summit. people were killed when the gela- gent action will be taken against the Ministers, everyone “We support India in hosting nership and the positive momentum tin sticks they were trying to dis- guilty,” he added. knows this. So, this this year’s BRICS meetings and in BRICS solidarity and coopera- pose of exploded accidentally at a According to police, the incident double-Chief Minister government stand ready to work together with tion,” he said. stone quarry site in a village here took place at Hirenagavalli near or double-engine government has it and other members to strengthen On February 19, External Affairs early Tuesday, police said. Peresandra. pushed Assam to backwardness. communication and cooperation Minister S Jaishankar had launched The incident comes close on the Quarrying was stopped by the po- RIPUN BORA | ASSAM CONGRESS CHIEF in various fields, advance the three- India’s BRICS 2021 website at the heels of a similar blast at a quarry lice on February 7 following com- pillar-driven cooperation in eco- nomic growth and improve global cooperation and rising influence, BRICS Secretariat at Sushma Swaraj site in Yediyurappa’s hometown plaints from the locals against ram- nomic, political and cultural sectors, governance,” Wang Wenbin said. BRICS has become a constructive Bhawan in New Delhi. of Shivamogga January 22, which pant use of gelatin sticks. Yet, it and expand ‘BRICS Plus’ coopera- He added, “The BRICS, consist- force for stability in international While the Chinese Foreign left six dead. continued clandestinely following SHORT TAKES tion to realise solid, sound and sus- ing of emerging markets and de- affairs,” he said. Ministry did not confirm the visit, Karnataka Health Minister K which another raid was carried tained progress in BRICS cooper- veloping countries, is a coopera- “China attaches high importance President Xi Jinping has attended Sudhakar, who represents the out a few days ago and the con- Four-year-old girl ation and to contribute to the tion mechanism with global to the BRICS cooperation mecha- all the earlier annual BRICS sum- Chikkaballapur constituency vis- tractor was warned not to use gel- international community’s efforts influence.” “In recent years, with nism. It stays committed to con- mits, physical and virtual meeting ited the spot and said the bodies of atin anymore. found dead in field to defeat COVID-19, resume eco- growing cohesion, stronger practical solidating BRICS strategic part- held last year. the victims were badly mutilated The men working there went to Shahjahanpur (UP): A four- and scattered all over the place. dispose of the explosives in the year-old girl was found dead Prime Minister Narendra Modi wee hours of Tuesday when it went and another unconscious in a Varavara Rao gets tweeted his condolences to the fam- off accidentally. The driver of the mustard field in FUN TIME ilies of the victims of the blast. vehicle who escaped with severe in- Shahjahanpur district, police “Pained by the loss of lives due juries in the legs and hand told po- said. Both girls are cousins bail in Surjagarh to a mishap at Chikkballapur in lice that the victims took him along and were reported missing Karnataka. Condolences to the be- carrying a bag with them. Monday. The injured girl, mine arson case reaved families. Praying that the in- “They were holding a bag and aged about 7 years, was jured recover quickly.” asked me to drive the vehicle to immediately rushed to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Expressing shock over the inci- the forest. I remained seated in the hospital by local police from dent, Chief Minister BS vehicle but the door was open. where she has been referred Nagpur, Feb 23: The Nagpur Yediyurappa said he has ordered a They went to a secluded place and to the Bareilly Medical bench of Bombay High Court thorough investigation into the suddenly the blast occurred,” said College. It appears that the Tuesday granted interim bail on case and directed the officials to take the driver. accused left the girls, medical grounds to ailing poet- presuming them to be dead, activist Varavara Rao in connec- police said. The girls went tion with a 2016 Surjagarh iron ore missing from outside their house where they were mine arson case. playing on Monday evening. Rao, 82, and advocate Surendra JUDGE, HEARING MURDER Gadling were arrested by the Gadchiroli police in Maharashtra in February 2019 in connection CASE, FEARS ‘FOR LIFE’ 6 held for cloning with the case. fingerprints Justice Swapna Joshi of the AGENCIES HC's Nagpur bench granted bail Shahjahanpur (UP): Six to Rao on similar grounds on Bhopal, Feb 23: A judge in people have been arrested by which the principal bench of the Madhya Pradesh hearing a mur- the Shahjahanpur police that high court on Monday granted der trial in which the accused have seized nearly 500 cloned bail to him in the Elgar Parishad- include relatives and the hus- fingerprints of beneficiaries Maoist links case. band of a BSP MLA, Rambai along with their Aadhaar Thakur, has voiced fear of a plan cards and bank passbooks. to frame him and has alleged that The arrested persons include Gaurav, 26, a graduate who Boys play in the waters of Bay of Bengal at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, Tuesday PTI PHOTO “anything untoward” can hap- Hemant Chauhan, asked about the runs a photocopy shop in pen to him. allegations, refused to comment. Kaant area. Gaurav, who RP Sonkar, an additional ses- The case involves the murder learnt fingerprint cloning sions judge in district Damoh, of a Congress leader, Devendra using glue-gun and adhesive has alleged in a statement that the Chaurasia, March 15, 2019, in online, has allegedly hacked Signboards calling for ‘Boycott police and the accused in the Damoh district. Govind Singh nearly 500 bank accounts of murder case may be conspiring Thakur and his aides are accused the beneficiaries of various to bring up false allegations in the case. Govind Singh is also government schemes. against him. an accused in the 1998 murder Rao suffers from a host of ail- BJP’ come up in UP villages The judge was recording the po- of Congress leader Rajendra ments, including symptoms of de- AGENCIES asked BKU members. Sunday as a part of our ongoing ag- lice statement on action taken Pathak. Currently out on bail, Student found mentia, as per his lawyers. The development came days after itation against the farm laws and on an arrest warrant against granted by the Madhya Pradesh His advocates Firdos Mirza and Bareilly, Feb 23: Days after sign- Bharatiya Kisan Union’s national BJP government. However, it is Govind Singh Thakur – the BSP High Court, Govind Singh is half-burnt in UP Nihalsingh Rathod said the ac- boards calling for boycott of BJP president Naresh Tikait suggested learnt that police in Sambhal re- lawmaker’s husband – when he known to be a strongman with tivist had sought bail on health were put up in Shamli, similar a social boycott of the BJP in Uttar moved the signboards. Since the made the statement about the po- much political clout. Shahjahanpur (UP): In a shocking incident, a student and medical grounds and not on boards came up in Sambhal, stat- Pradesh while addressing a ma- boards were removed in the ab- lice “conspiring with the accused” The murdered Congress of BA second year was merits of the case pertaining to ing that the entry of BJP func- hapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar. sence of villagers and farmers, to malign him. leader's son had alleged that the found in a half-burnt arson at the iron ore mine at tionaries was restricted in the vil- The signboards had come up in there is no evidence that these were He also asked for a letter to be party had given him a free run de- condition under mysterious Surjagarh in Gadchiroli. lages. Police intervened and removed two villages – Chandawli and removed by the police but we are cer- sent to the district sessions judge spite proof of his crimes because circumstances near the “We pointed out to the court the boards. Bhadraula – of Sambhal, which tain that the police removed the urging her to shift the murder the Kamal Nath government at the highway on Nagaria here (Nagpur) the order passed The police move, however, were later, allegedly removed by signboards.” trial to some other court. Judge time needed the BSP to survive. crossing here, police said. by the division bench of was condemned by BKU mem- Sambhal police. Gandhi added, “We condemn Sonkar noted that the police had The Damoh district police had The woman, in her early Justices SS Shinde and Manish bers who said they would now Talking to the media, BKU zonal this action of police as we were not followed the required proce- declared Rs25,000 reward on twenties, was found without Pitale Monday, granting Rao paint walls of their houses and general secretary, Sambhal, Sanjiv not causing any harm to anyone. It dure when it claimed it had gone Thakur’s arrest, but withdrew it any clothes late Monday interim bail for six months shops with similar messages. Gandhi, said, “On the lines of was a part of our ongoing protests to execute the arrest warrant put after the accused submitted mul- evening. She is a student of after considering his health “If police can put up iron nails Shamli, signboards had been put up and if police can put up iron nails out for Govind Singh Thakur. tiple applications of not being in- the Swami Shukdevanand condition,” Mirza told this and barbed fences to stop farm- at the entrance of Chandawli and and barbed fences to stop us, can’t Superintendent of Police volved in the murder case. College. The local residents news agency. ers, can’t we put up signboards,” Bhadraula villages here in Sambhal we put up signboards?” who saw her, informed the police. Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police, S Anand, said that the woman has been admitted to a medical facility and is being A year on, Delhi riot victims say justice still eludes them referred to Lucknow for advanced treatment. MANY OF THE MUSLIM VICTIMS OF LAST YEAR’S BLOODY VIOLENCE SAY THEY HAVE RUN REPEATEDLY INTO A REFUSAL BY POLICE TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST HINDU RIOTERS

ASSOCIATED PRESS he’s been unable to get justice due groups have indicated that BJP Communal clashes in India are to a lack of police interest in his case. leaders and the New Delhi police not new, with periodic violence Drugs worth New Delhi, Feb 23: The shooter “My only crime is that my name force tacitly supported the Hindu breaking out ever since the British `14 cr seized shouted “Victory to Lord Ram,” identifies my religion,” Khan said mobs during the fevered violence. partition of the Indian subconti- the Hindu god, before pulling the trig- at his home in New Delhi’s North New Delhi police did not respond nent in 1947. But in the last seven Imphal: In a major haul, the ger that sent a bullet into Ghonda neighborhood. to repeated requests for comment, years, observers say, religious po- Manipur Police seized banned Muhammad Nasir Khan’s left eye. Many of the Muslim victims of but they insisted last year that their larization fueled by the Hindu na- party drugs, worth `14 crore in Khan placed his trembling hand last year’s bloody violence say they investigation had been fair and that tionalist base of Modi’s party has the international market, in on his bloody eye socket and his have run repeatedly into a refusal nearly 1,750 people had been booked further deepened the fault lines Imphal West district and fingers slipped deep into the wound. by police to investigate complaints in relation to the riots — half of and raised tensions. arrested three persons in this At that moment, Khan was sure he against Hindu rioters. Some hope them Hindus. Minister for Home Many believe the catalyst for last connection, a senior officer would die. Khan ended up surviv- the courts will still come to their help. (State) G Kishan Reddy has like- year’s riots was a fiery speech by

y said. Acting on a tip-off, a ing the violence that killed 53 oth- team of police personnel But others now believe the justice wise told Parliament that police Kapil Mishra, a leader from Modi’s

ers, mostly fellow Muslims, when system under Prime Minister acted swiftly and impartially. party. On February 23, 2020, he gave

k y m intercepted two trucks Sunday c near the Kanglatongbi- it engulfed his neighborhood in the Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist But a letter one senior police of- police an ultimatum, warning them Shantipur area and recovered Indian capital 12 months ago. government has become stacked ficer sent to investigators five months to break up a sit-in by demonstra- around 1.4 lakhs of banned WY But a year after India’s worst against them. after the riots appeared to suggest tors protesting against a new citi- tablets, Imphal West communal riots in decades, the 35- Adding to the sense of injustice them they go easy on Hindus sus- zenship law Muslims say is dis- Superintendent of Police K year-old is still shaken and his at- is that accounts from Muslim vic- Delhi riot-affected families and victims attend a press conference on the topic pected of violence, prompting crit- criminatory, or he and his supporters Meghachandra told reporters. tacker still unpunished. Khan says tims as well as reports from rights of Subversion of Justice, Role of State Agencies, in New Delhi, Tuesday PTI PHOTO icism from the Delhi High Court. would do it themselves. India’s pharmaceutical sector is EL CHAPO’S WIFE ARRESTED P10 strong and well-established and Guzman Emma Coronel Aispuro, WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR has long played a central role in a former beauty queen and the manufacturing life saving vaccines for wife of Mexican drug kingpin global use. We are pleased that the US Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ was arrested pharmaceutical industry has been in the United States and coordinating with Indian companies accused of helping her husband since the beginning of this pandemic international run his multibillion-dollar cartel

NED PRICE US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

k y m | c of the day uote British Queen’s kin 's Supreme Court reinstates dissolved House jailed for sex assault The Chinese Nepal plunged into a Tuesday reinstated the dissolved Bidya Dev Bhandari dissolved the Chief Whip Dev Prasad Gurung government House of Representatives, in a set- House of Representatives and an- were filed in the apex court seek- must know political crisis December back to embattled Prime Minister nounced fresh elections April 30 ing the restoration of the lower that the world is watching its 20 after President Bidya K P Sharma Oli who was preparing and May 10 at the recommendation house parliament. The strangulation of Dev Bhandari dissolved the for snap polls. of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a Constitutional bench comprising human rights – and A five-member Constitutional tussle for power within the ruling Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha, that we must put all options on the House of Representatives bench led by Chief Justice party. Oli’s move to dissolve the Anil Kumar Sinha, Sapana Malla table for holding China accountable at the recommendation of Cholendra Shumsher annulled the House sparked protests from a large and Tej Bahadur KC conducted a government's decision to dissolve section of the Nepal Communist hearing on the case from January NANCY PELOSI | Prime Minister Oli the 275-member lower house of par- tional” and ordered the govern- Party led by his rival Pushpa Kamal 17 to February 19. US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER PRESS TRUST OF INDIA liament, according to a notice issued ment to summon the House ses- Dahal ‘Prachanda’, also a co-chair Oli repeatedly defended his move by the apex court. sion within the next 13 days. of the ruling party. to dissolve the House, saying some AGENCIES We have been Kathmandu, Feb 23: Nepal’s The court termed the dissolu- Nepal plunged into a political As many as 13 writ petitions in- leaders of his party were attempt- at the mercy Supreme Court in a historic verdict tion of the House as “unconstitu- crisis December 20 after President cluding the one by the ruling party’s ing to form a “parallel government”. London, Feb 23: A relative of of the Queen Elizabeth II was sentenced coronavirus Tuesday to 10 months in prison for pandemic over the sexually assaulting a woman at past year. I am imposes curbs on his ancestral castle in Scotland. concerned about Simon Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of people facing difficulties but I also Strathmore, had admitted as- hope of a bright future when people Myanmar’s junta chief saulting the woman in a bedroom overcome the pandemic. UN nuclear inspections at Glamis Castle in February 2020. HIRONOMIYA NARUHITO | JAPAN'S EMPEROR Bowes-Lyon, 34, who is a first AGENCIES cousin twice removed of the queen, pleaded guilty last month, saying In light of the urges economic action Tehran, Feb 23: Iran officially he was “greatly ashamed of my ac- court ruling, has begun restricting international tions which have caused such dis- the inspections of its nuclear facili- tress to a guest in my home.” government must REUTERS ties, state TV reported Tuesday, a “I did not think I was capable of respect the court bid to pressure European coun- behaving the way I did but have had order and ensure Yangon, Feb 23: The leader of tries and US President Joe Biden’s to face up to it and take responsi- that not one of the Myanmar’s junta has called for en- administration to lift crippling eco- bility,” he said. He was sentenced 1,200 individuals is deported today ergetic efforts to revive an ailing nomic sanctions and restore the Tuesday at Dundee Sheriff Court. KATRINA JORENE MALIAMAUV | DIRECTOR, economy, state media reported 2015 nuclear deal. "Over the last year this has in- AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIA Tuesday, as Western countries con- The state TV report gave little de- volved seeking and receiving pro- sidered more sanctions to press tail beyond confirming that Iran had fessional help as well as agreeing the generals to shun a violent crack- made good on its threat to reduce to plead guilty as quickly as pos- SHORT TAKES down on democracy protests. cooperation with International sible. My apologies go, above all, The call for focus on the economy Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. of Iran, Tehran's civilian nuclear to the woman concerned but I came after a general strike shut Iran’s move to limit interna- agency, has promised to preserve would also like to apologise to Pak PM to businesses Monday and huge crowds tional inspections underscores the the tapes for three months and family, friends and colleagues for visit Lanka gathered to denounce the military’s Hlaing, in a meeting with his rul- thorities were following a demo- daunting task facing Biden as he then hand it over to the IAEA — but the distress I have caused them," Feb 1 coup and demand the release ing council on Monday, called for cratic path in dealing with them and seeks to reverse Trump’s policies only if granted sanctions relief. he said. Colombo: Pakistan Prime of elected leader Aung San Suu state spending and imports to be cut police were using minimal force, and return to the deal, the most Otherwise, Iran has vowed to Glamis Castle, near Dundee in Minister Imran Khan will hold Kyi, despite a warning from au- and exports increased. such as rubber bullets, state media significant pact between Iran and erase the tapes, narrowing the win- central Scotland, is the childhood wide-ranging talks with Sri thorities that confrontation could “The council needs to put its en- reported. The security forces have major world powers since its 1979 dow for a diplomatic breakthrough. home of the queen's late mother, Lankan leaders on various get people killed. ergy into reviving the country’s shown more restraint compared Islamic revolution. Iran announced its plans to cease who was born Elizabeth Bowes- issues such as trade, defence The Group of 7 rich countries ailing economy. Economic remedy with earlier crackdowns against “The law has gone into effect implementation of the so-called Lyon. and technology during his one-day visit to the island Tuesday condemned intimidation measures must be taken,” state people who had pushed for democ- from this morning,” said Iranian “Additional Protocol,” a confiden- nation. Khan, who is and oppression of those opposing media quoted him saying. racy during almost half a century Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad tial agreement between Tehran scheduled to arrive in Sri the coup. “Anyone responding to The army seized power after al- of direct military rule. Zarif, reiterating that Iran would and the IAEA reached as part of the Lanka Tuesday evening, will peaceful protests with violence leging fraud in Nov 8 elections, de- Even so, three protesters have no longer share surveillance footage landmark nuclear accord. Malaysia deports hold deliberations with his Sri must be held to account,” group of taining her and much of the party been shot and killed. The army has of its nuclear facilities with the The agreement grants the UN Lankan counterpart foreign ministers said in a joint leadership. The electoral commis- said one policeman died of injuries UN Agency. Inspectors enhanced powers to Myanmar migrants Mahindra Rajapaksa. He will statement. sion dismissed the fraud complaints. sustained during the protests. “We never gave them live video, visit nuclear facilities and watch meet President Gotabaya Protesters gathered again The crisis raises the prospect of The military has accused pro- but recordings were given daily Iran’s program. AGENCIES Rajapaksa Wednesday, the Tuesday though in much smaller isolation and investor jitters just as testers of provoking violence but and weekly,” Zarif said of the Nearly three years ago, former foreign ministry has numbers. There were also small the Covid-19 pandemic has under- U.N. Special Rapporteur Tom IAEA's access to information US President Donald Trump uni- Kuala Lumpur, Feb 23: Malaysian confirmed. This is the first marches in favour of the military, mined consumption and choked Andrews said the millions who recorded by camera monitors. laterally withdrew America from immigration authorities said visit by a Pakistan prime media reported. There were no re- off tourism. Min Aung Hlaing did marched Monday in a “breathtak- “The tape recording of our nu- the nuclear accord and reimposed Tuesday they have deported 1,086 minister to Sri Lanka since ports of violence. not link the protests directly to eco- ing” turnout showed they were pre- clear program will be kept in Iran.” sanctions on Iran that have squeezed Myanmar migrants, breaking a Nawaz Sharif visited the Military chief General Min Aung nomic problems but said the au- pared to face up to military threats. The Atomic Energy Organization its economy. court order to halt their repatri- country in 2016. The bilateral ation following an appeal by two talks are expected to focus human rights groups. on various sectors including Just hours earlier, a high court trade, investment, health, SILENT SUNSET granted a one-day stay order for the education, agriculture, Biden admin rolls back deportation of 1,200 Myanmar mi- technology, defence and tourism. grants to hear an appeal by Trump-era citizenship test Amnesty International Malaysia and Asylum Access Malaysia, AGENCIES The previous admin had which said refugees, asylum-seek- Gender-reveal ers and minors were among those blast kills father Washington, Feb 23: The Biden introduced some being sent back. administration has announced the changes to the Immigration chief Khairul Liberty: An expectant father reversal of the stringent Trump-era Dzaimee Daud said the 1,086 had was killed when a device he policy by reverting to the 2008 ver- naturalisation civics agreed to return home voluntar- was building for a gender sion of the naturalisation test mod- test, called the 2020 ily on three Myanmar naval ships. reveal party exploded, police ule to make the path to US citi- He stressed that they were all in New York have said. zenship more accessible to all civics test Myanmar nationals who were de- Christopher Pekny, 28, was eligible individuals. tained last year and didn't include assembling a device for his US Citizenship and Immigration tential barriers" to the naturali- any Muslim ethnic Rohingya child's gender reveal party in Services (USCIS) announced sation process. refugees or asylum-seekers. the Catskills town of Liberty when it exploded just before Monday that it is reverting to the "This action is consistent with “All of them have agreed to re- noon Sunday, state police 2008 version of the naturalisation the framework of the Executive turn voluntarily without being said. Pekny was killed. The civics test beginning March 1. Order on Restoring Faith in Our forced by any parties," he said in death is the latest in a string The previous Trump adminis- Legal Immigration Systems, which a statement, adding that it was of tragedies blamed on faulty tration had introduced some directs a comprehensive review of part of the department's normal gender reveal devices in changes to the naturalisation civics the naturalisation process to elim- repatriation program. recent years. test, called the 2020 civics test, inate barriers and make the process The statement didn't mention the which increased the number of more accessible to all eligible indi- court order or explain why only questions from 100 to 128 and the viduals," USCIS said in a statement. 1,086 were deported instead of Dozens arrested correct answers in the multiple- "The 2008 civics test was thor- 1,200. choice questions had political and oughly developed over a multi-year Amnesty International called the in Greece protest ideological overtones. period with the input of more than decision “inhumane and devas- Announcing the reversal, the 150 organisations, which included tating.” Thessaloniki: Police clashed USCIS said the agency has deter- English as a second language experts, PTI PHOTO “It appears the authorities rail- with protesters and arrested mined that the revised civics test, 31 people in Greece’s second- educators, and historians, and was roaded this shockingly cruel de- largest city during a applicable for individuals who had piloted before its implementation. portation before any proper demonstration against a new applied on or after December 1, USCIS aspires to make the process President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Doug Emhoff participate in a moment of scrutiny of the decision,” it said campus security law. 2020, "may inadvertently create po- as accessible as possible. silence during a ceremony to honor the 500,000 Americans that died from COVID-19, at the White House, Monday in a statement. Protesters occupied the principal's building at the University of Thessaloniki in northern Greece for several hours Monday and the How rich is Saudi Arabia? Kingdom does the math clashes broke out when police entered the building to remove them. A total of 32 THE PIF’S FINANCES ARE FORMIDABLE. ITS ASSETS HAVE SWELLED TO $400 BILLION AS OF 2020 FROM $150 BILLION IN 2015 people who took part in the protest were fined 300 euros REUTERS Salman has put Public Investment see the government and its key gov- phase,” he said of the project. each for breaking the Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s main ernment related entities such as The PIF’s finances are formida- country’s lockdown rules. Dubai, Feb 23: Saudi Arabia wants sovereign wealth fund, at the cen- PIF as representing substantially the ble. to demystify its finances. The king- tre of reforms aimed at diversify- same risk. Thus the levering up of Its assets have swelled to $400 dom is working on creating a con- ing the economy of the world’s top the broader Saudi complex could at billion as of 2020 from $150 billion Five dead in solidated balance sheet of its as- oil exporter away from fossil fuel. some point impact the government’s in 2015, with the fund bolstered by boat capsize sets and liabilities which will include Under the prince’s chairman- own borrowing costs,” he said. an expected $70 billion payday from items currently kept off the oil- ship, PIF has transformed from a The government media office Saudi Aramco, the state oil com- Cairo: A boat capsized in a rich economy’s books, including sleepy sovereign wealth fund into did not respond to a request for pany, for PIF’s stake in a petro- lake near Egypt’s the investments and debts of its a global investment vehicle making comment. chemical giant and a $40 billion Mediterranean city of powerful sovereign wealth fund. multi-billion dollar bets on hi-tech The government started work- transfer from the central bank’s Alexandria, leaving at least “The main purpose of this pro- companies such as Uber as well as ing in the second half of last year foreign reserves. five people dead, an official gramme is to have a financial equiv- other equity investments and pledg- on the so-called Sovereign Asset It was also the recipient of nearly said. Alexandria’s governor, alent of an MRI of the government ing tens of billions of dollars to and Liability Management (SALM) $30 billion in proceeds from Mohammed el-Sharif,

balance sheet,” a Finance Ministry funds run by Japan’s Softbank. overall debts and assets but the reserves into PIF’s less liquid (and framework and the spokesman said Aramco’s initial public offering in

k y m Monday said three others c were rescued and taken to a spokesman told Reuters, adding Its financial statements are not PIF’s riskier investment profile and less transparent) investments in- it was a ‘long-term project’ with no 2019. hospital. Rescue work was that it would include assets and li- published and it does not feature in infusion of state funding have made creases the overall risk profile of the decision yet made on when and The fund has raised $21 billion in still on for others missing in abilities that are currently “off-bal- the kingdom’s budget, which is pub- its opacity an issue for some in- public sector balance sheet,” said how its results would be disclosed. loans between 2018 and 2019, and is Lake Mariut. He said most of ance sheet”. licly available. vestors. Kirjanis Krustins, a director in “If we use benchmarks we will finalising a new facility expected to the boats in the lake are Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Gulf countries don’t typically “Transfers of wealth from liq- Fitch’s sovereign team. see countries spent a couple of years be over $10 billion in size, sources working without licenses. and de facto ruler Mohammed bin publish information about their uid pools of assets like central bank “Debt investors would tend to to implement the consolidation have said. Post the launch of AMAZON INDIA ROPES P11 Ape’ e-City with WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR swappable technology in IN MAHINDRA’S EVS 2019, we are now introducing Amazon India and Mahindra Electric the fixed battery technology announce a partnership under which the e- solutions to serve the varied commerce major has deployed the latter’s needs of customers electric vehicles in its delivery network as DIEGO GRAFFI | CHAIRMAN AND MD, part of a commitment towards

business PIAGGIO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES PVT LTD

k y m strengthening electric mobility c of the day uote Edu budget slashed Bitcoin plummets as doubts grow over sky-high valuation in two-thirds of Spotify is AGENCIES seeing aren’t sustainable and just Research, a crypto trading firm. deeply The kinds of rallies poorer countries invite pullbacks like this,” said The cryptocurrency’s rapid gains invested in the we’ve been seeing London, Feb 23: Bitcoin plum- Craig Erlam, senior market ana- global audio aren’t sustainable and just in recent months have led to calls streaming meted as much as 17pc Tuesday as lyst at OANDA. “It was an extremely invite pullbacks like this; it from governments and financial ecosystem, and investors grew nervous at sky-high overbought market.” was an extremely regulators for tighter regulation. aims to become the valuations, triggering the liquida- Ether, the world’s second largest overbought market U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet world’s first true audio platform. We tion of leveraged bets and sparking cryptocurrency by market capital- Yellen said Monday that bitcoin CRAIG ERLAM | are here for the long term a sell-off across cryptocurrency isation that often moves in tandem was extremely inefficient at con- SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, OANDA markets. with bitcoin, also dropped more ducting transactions and was a GUSTAV GYLLENHAMMAR | The world’s biggest cryptocur- than 20% to $1,410, down over 30% highly speculative asset. SPOTIFY, VICE PRESIDENT - MARKETS AND rency was facing its biggest daily from last week’s record peak. but may now lead to pressure on the Digital Asset Capital Management. Bitcoin’s high volatility, critics say, SUBSCRIBER GROWTH drop in a month, falling to as low as Cryptocurrency markets have company’s stock price as it has be- Exchanges popular with cryp- is among reasons that it has so far $45,000. In choppy trading, it was last been running hot this year as big come sensitive to movements in tocurrency investors in Asia, in- failed to gain widespread traction AGENCIES Tim’s vast down 15.6%. money managers and companies bitcoin. cluding Binance and Huobi, ac- as a means of payment - an expec- experience The drop took its losses to over begin to take the emerging asset LEVERAGED LOSSES counted for about 70% of liquidations tation that has in part fuelled its rally. Washington, Feb 23: Despite ad- will advance a fifth from a record high of $58,354 class seriously, piling money into the Rising government bond yields of leveraged bets over the last 24 Analysts said that, with few ditional funding needs, two-thirds TVS Motor hit Sunday and underscored the sector and driving confidence among over recent days have hit riskier hours, according to crypto data site fundamental factors by which to of low- and lower-middle-income Company’s long- volatility of the emerging asset - small-time speculators. assets in traditional markets, with Bybt. Bitcoin’s losses were “com- judge bitcoin’s value, key price countries have cut their public standing design though it is still up around 60% A $1.5 billion investment by elec- the caution spilling over into highly pounded by the amount of liqui- levels would play a large part in education budgets since the onset focus to meet the this year. tric carmaker Tesla this month has leveraged bitcoin markets, said dation that has happened in the last determining the direction of of the Covid-19 pandemic, ac- rapidly changing needs of our “The kinds of rallies we’ve been helped vault bitcoin above $50,000 Richard Galvin of crypto fund 24 hours”, said Lan Gu of Alameda crypto markets. cording to a new report. esteemed customers in this The Education Finance Watch dynamic new era 2021, jointly released by the World KN RADHAKRISHNAN | Bank and the United Nations TVS MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTOR AND CEO Indian firms projecting Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Trade deficit with China reduces, said that education budgets are BMW not adjusting proportionately to the Motorrad 7.7pc salary hike in ’21 challenges brought about by Covid- made a 19, especially in poorer countries, striking entry into thanks to Covid, investment curbs The study by global professional services firm Aon Xinhua news agency reported. the cruiser segment In comparison, only one-third with the BMW R 18. AGENCIES analysed data across 1,200 companies from more of upper-middle and high-income Building on the INDIA’S TRADE DEFICIT countries have reduced their budg- success and popularity of BMW’s than 20 industries New Delhi, Feb 23: The disruptions WITH CHINA DECLINED ets, the report showed, adding that first cruiser in India, we now BY 19.39 PER CENT FROM present the BMW R18 Classic with a caused by Covid pandemic and ad- AGENCIES these budget cuts have been "rel- $56.95 BILLION IN 2019 TO reimagined, even more iconic ditional checks on investment helped atively small thus far." $45.91 BILLION IN 2020 character India to reduce its widening trade New Delhi, Feb 23: India Inc is "But there is a danger that future deficit with China in 2020. likely to provide a salary hike of 7.7 cuts will be larger, as the pandemic VIKRAM PAWAH | As per official data, India’s trade INDIAN IMPORTS FROM per cent in 2021, indicating a strong continues to take its economic toll, PRESIDENT, BMW GROUP INDIA deficit with China declined by 19.39 CHINA DROPPED BY 10.87 economic recovery, said a survey and fiscal positions worsen," it per cent from $56.95 billion in 2019 PC AND STOOD AT $66.78 Tuesday. added. The annual report noted to $45.91 billion in 2020. BILLION COMPARED TO The study by global professional that these differing trends imply a SHORT TAKES $74.92 BILLION IN 2019 The decline had largely been services firm Aon analysed data 2021 continue to be the ones from significant widening of the "al- BoI Keonjhar supported by all-time high levels of across 1,200 companies from more last year - information technology, ready large spending disparities" exports of goods and services by INDIAN EXPORTS TO CHINA INCREASED BY 16.15 PC FROM $17.896 than 20 industries. information technology enabled seen between low- and high-income gets new ZM India. BILLION TO REACH $20.87 BILLION IN 2020 About 88 percent of the surveyed services, life sciences, e-commerce countries. While Indian imports from China companies reported that they intend and fast-moving consumer goods, "The learning poverty crisis Bhubaneswar: Umesh Kumar dropped by 10.87 per cent and stood Among the top 15 Indian exports, this category to China (against the to increase salaries in 2021, re- according to Roopank Chaudhary, that existed before Covid-19 is be- Rath, Deputy General at $66.78 billion compared to $74.92 a steep rise was witnessed in 2020 21st in 2019). flecting positive business senti- Partner in Aon's Human Capital coming even more severe, and we Manager has joined as the billion in 2019, Indian exports to ment. "We expect the increment new Zonal Manager of Bank of in ores (75.35 per cent), iron and Among the key agricultural Business in India. are also concerned about how un- India, Keonjhar Zone. Rath China increased by 16.15 per cent steel (336 per cent), aluminium commodities, including sugar, rice, dynamics for 2021 to play out over "It's notable that the sectors that equal the impact is," Mamta started his career in the bank from $17.896 billion to reach $20.87 (2,023 per cent) and copper. oil, etc., in 2019, total exports saw a longer period of time given the were adversely impacted by Covid- Murthi, World Bank vice presi- as Direct Recruitment Officer billion in 2020. This is the highest Iron ore exports stood at $4 bil- an increase of 58.99 per cent from uncertainty and potential impact 19, such as retail, hospitality and dent for human development, said (DRO) in the year 1987. He has level ever for Indian exports to lion making India the fourth largest $125.3 million in 2019 to $199.14 of forthcoming changes," Nitin real estate, are projecting healthy in a statement. "External financ- successfully worked in various China and the first time they have exporter of ores to China. Exports million in 2020. The major con- Sethi, Partner and CEO of Aon's per- increases in the range of 5-6 per cent. ing is key to support the educa- key positions in Odisha over crossed $20 billion. of iron and steel amounted to $2.53 tributors to this increase were formance and rewards business Such numbers reflect their intent tion opportunities of the world's the course of his long 33 years But the souring of bilateral billion, marking a Y-o-Y increase of cane sugar (387.5 per cent), soy- in India, said in a statement. to stay relevant and to control at- poorest," said Stefania Giannini, of tenure and has also gained relations due to prolonged border 336.44 per cent and making India the abean oil (3,050 per cent), rice (184 Despite a tough 2020 with strin- trition, which had increased for assistant director-general for ed- ample experience by working tensions ensured that India-China fourth largest exporter of iron and per cent) and vegetables fats and gent lockdowns, India continues these industries last year." ucation at UNESCO. in Bank’s headquarters in bilateral trade shrank. In 2020 steel to China. Exports of alu- oils (415 per cent). However, the to project the highest salary in- “However, it is also possible that Jharkhand and Mumbai. Rath bilateral trade decreased by 5.64 minium and its articles registered exports of mangos and fish oil de- creases among the BRIC (Brazil, some of the salary increments may has extensive experience in per cent Y-o-Y and stood at $87.65 a massive increase of 2,023.12 per clined dramatically to nil. Tea de- Russia, India, China,) nations, said not translate into higher cash-in- bank’s International branch as billion compared to $92.89 bil- cent to reach $640 million and make clined by 6.94 per cent and fresh the report. hand for employees if organisa- Sebi will introduce Chief Manager. lion in 2019. India the fifth largest exporter in grapes declined by 24.1 per cent. The highest-paying sectors in tions choose to pay higher PF.”. pre-expiry margins

Jet employees’ AGENCIES plea rejected Indian companies adopting Khimji Jewellers celebrates 12th anniv New Delhi, Feb 23: Seeking to Mumbai: A top corporate strengthen the risk management tribunal has rejected the plea connected Cloud strategies POST NEWS NETWORK framework, Sebi will put in place of Jet Airways employees pre-expiry margins on cash settled seeking a copy of the AGENCIES Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The jew- contracts wherein the underly- resolution plan of the ellery brand of Odisha, Khimji ing commodities are deemed to successful consortium of New Delhi, Feb 23: Enterprises in Jewellers Tuesday celebrated the be susceptible to possible near Murari Lal Jalan and Kalrock India are leveraging cloud for ob- 12th anniversary of its iconic 621 zero or negative prices. Capital. The consortium’s jectives beyond business continu- Janpath store in the city. The latest decision -- to be ef- resolution plan has been accepted to restart the now ity and cost, and about 20 per cent As part of the celebration, the fective from April 1, 2021 -- is aimed defunct airline. According to of organisations in the country brand announced lucrative offers at encouraging significant re- the National Company Law will adopt connected Cloud strate- the least impact on their business such as flat 50% off on making duction of open interest as the Tribunal (NCLT), it noted that gies by 2023, an IDC report said operations during the pandemic. charge of hallmarked gold jew- contract approaches the expiry the statutory mandate Tuesday. Through 2023, all enterprises ellery, flat 20% off on certified di- date. requires that the resolution By 2024, over 50 per cent of en- struggle with app modernisation amonds, flat 10% off on MRP of The pre-expiry margin will be plan can only be presented to terprises will replace outdated op- and data integration across Cloud silver jewellery and flat 10% off on applicable on certain commodi- the committee of creditors erational models with cloud-cen- silos. To gain business agility, en- Silver WT. The offers are exclu- ties under the Alternate Risk (CoC) before its approval. tric models that facilitate rather terprises will commit to modern- sively available at Khimji’s Jewellers Management Framework (ARMF). than inhibit organisational collab- izing over half of their existing 612 Janpath and Chandrasekharpur Bhubaneswar.” the brand also announced the Against the backdrop of the oration, resulting in better business applications by 2025, through use stores in Bhubaneswar from The four-storey jewellery store at three winners of its recently held unprecedented event of negative RIL to focus on outcomes. "The new normal will of turnkey cloud-native develop- February 20 to March 7, 2021. Janpath has a wide range of gold Valentine Selfie Contest in col- final settlement price in the crude witness some of the temporary shifts ment and deployment services. Sourabh Das Gupta (CEO) Khimji jewellery product designs of na- laboration with 92.7 Big FM under oil futures markets last year, Sebi green-energy become permanent like hybrid work- "Cloud continues to be the un- Jewellers said, “We are over- tional and international standards. which the customers had to take had prescribed an ARMF that New Delhi: Standalone RIL's force, customer interactions, among derpinning platform for digital whelmed to celebrate 12 successful It should be noted, the store has selfies at ‘Selfie points’ of differ- would be applicable in case of plan to foray into green others," said Rishu Sharma, Principal transformation initiatives and has years of our Janpath store. Since the largest collection of ‘Bala’ or ent Khimji Jewellers stores and near zero and/ or negative prices energy will be also be liked Analyst, Cloud and AI, IDC India. therefore seen an acceleration in its inception, it is not only a jewellery ‘Kangan’ in Bhubaneswar. It also has post it in their social media tag- for any underlying commodi- by investors, brokerage "As businesses prioritise resiliency, demand. Enterprise applications showroom in the city but has been a wide range of diamond, platinum ging Khimji Jewellers official ties/futures. Nomura said in a note. It said agility, and efficiency, they will adopt and software that support and align an iconic landmark for people of and silver jewellery along with sil- page. The winners were given The matter of negative crude oil Reliance has indicated that it cloud-native architectures that allow with organizations' digital trans- Bhubaneswar. We are grateful and ver Wt. silver items. Apart from away gold coins as their prizes. price event was deliberated upon plans to build an optimal mix them to cater to the customer and formation strategy are critical in- thankful to our valued customers jewellery, the store also has wide The names of the winners are by the Risk Management Review of reliable, lean and end-user demands swiftly". vestments," said Swapnil Shende, for trusting us constantly all these watch collection of top interna- Suraj Meher, Sonam Swain and Committee (RMRC) of Sebi. affordable energy using Early adopters of cloud and dig- Senior Market Analyst, Artificial years and making it the most sought tional brands. Guru Ashish Mohanty from "In this regard, one of the sug- solar, wind and batteries. ital technologies have witnessed Intelligence, IDC India. after jewellery store of As a part of the celebration, Bhubaneswar. gestions of RMRC was that Indian Exchanges should consider in- troducing some mechanism to en- courage significant reduction of open interest as the contract ap- US manufacturers grapple with steel shortage, soaring prices proaches the expiry date," the reg- ulator said in a circular Tuesday. consuming manufacturers, pro- Trump’s metal tariffs. Domestic “It is very frustrating,” said Hale THE BENCHMARK voking a new round of calls to end steel mills that idled furnaces last Foote, president at California-based PRICE FOR former President Donald Trump’s year amid fears of a prolonged pan- aerospace parts maker Scandic steel tariffs. demic-induced economic downturn Springs. “I am looking at great busi- HOT-ROLLED STEEL “Our members have been re- have been slow in ramping up pro- ness…but I don’t have any mate- HIT $1,176/TON porting that they have never seen duction, despite a recovery in de- rial supply.” Scandic Springs faces such chaos in the steel mar- mand for cars and trucks, appli- the risk of losing a $1 million annual THIS MONTH; ITS Our ket,” said Paul ances, and other steel products. contract as it can’t find a domestic HIGHEST LEVEL IN AT members have Nathanson, execu- Capacity utilization rates at steel supplier ready to supply 240,000 been reporting that tive director at mills - a measure of how fully pro- pounds of cold-rolled steel. LEAST 13 YEARS they have never seen Coalition of duction capacity is being used – Indiana-based Stone City such chaos in the steel American Metal has moved up to 75% after falling Products, which supplies compo- AGENCIES market Manufacturers to 56% in the second quarter of nents to appliance and automotive and Users. 2020 but is still way below 82% in last companies, is also hard-pressed to Chicago, Feb 23: An aerospace getting hit by a fresh round of dis- data from the Census PAUL NATHANSON | EXECUTIVE The group, February. procure 2 million tons of hot-rolled DIRECTOR, COALITION OF AMERICAN

parts maker in California is strug- ruption in the U.S. steel industry. Bureau. The bench- which represents Steel shipments are up, but still steel a year for a new project.

k y m METAL MANUFACTURERS AND c gling to procure cold-rolled steel, Steel is in short supply in the United mark price for hot-rolled USERS more than below last year’s levels. The company has seen a dra- while an auto and appliance parts States and prices are surging. steel hit $1,176/ton this 30,000 compa- A TIGHT STEEL MARKET matic turnaround in business after manufacturer in Indiana is unable Unfilled orders for steel in the last month, its highest level in at nies in the manu- Steel producer Steel Dynamics last the pandemic lows in the second to secure additional supplies of hot- quarter were at the highest level least 13 years. facturing sector and downstream month said it can’t get enough flat- quarter of 2020 when orders plunged rolled steel from mills. in five years, while inventories were Soaring prices are driving up supply chains, this month asked roll sheets even for its own internal 50%. Its order book is now 25% Both companies and more are near a 3-1/2-year low, according to costs and squeezing profits at steel- President Joe Biden to terminate operations. above pre-pandemic levels. P12

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 24 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

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k k y y m m c VENTURING INTO UNKNOWN c

whatsoever that by the time clock ticks 2:30 pm on Wednesday, the track will bear a bald look, similar to Chepauk. Umesh Yadav passing the fitness test was good news for the Indian camp as Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be dropped from the playing XI. Umesh, along with Ishant and the now injured Mohammed Shami, had polished off twice inside six sessions in the inaugural Pink Test match in Kolkata. But this England team, with Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, will pose a far greater challenge. Hardik Pandya has been kept with the Test team with an eye on his bowling workload but it’s not known whether the team thinks that he is Test match ready. Pandya taking the load of a max- imum 15 overs per innings on a turner PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ease out with ball skidding off the could provide more balance to the surface. playing XI and his big-hitting can tilt Ahmedabad, Feb 23: A virgin When there are so many un- any game in India's favour. Motera strip has become the big known variables that warrant fac- For England, with Moeen Ali talking point as India captain Virat toring, any captain would like to as- back home as part of workload Kohli prepares the right pink ball sess conditions as senior speedster management, Dom Bess is expected questionnaire to trouble a spoilt-for- Ishant said Monday. to be back alongside Jack Leach in choice England in the day-night “This test pink ball test match test the spin department. third Test starting here Wednesday. we are playing in new ground, so for However, whether Anderson and Ahmedabad as a cricketing venue even for us there are a few things Jofra Archer will have Stuart Broad THE SQUADS has been witness to a lot of crick- we don’t know how we will have to or Mark Wood for company is still eting feats in Indian – from tackle (and) all these things,” Ishant not clear. Also, talented batsman INDIA: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Sunil Gavaskar’s famous late cut to said on the eve of his 100th Test Zak Crawley could be back in the Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman complete 10,000 runs in Tests to match. playing XI in place of Rory Burns Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant ’s best bowling figures of His opposite number James while Jonny Bairstow can replace Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj & Umesh Yadav. 9/83 and also him eclipsing Richard Anderson however has no doubts Dan Lawrence at number three. ENGLAND: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic PRE MATCH STATEMENTS Hadlee’s then world record of high- Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack est wickets. Leach, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes & Mark Wood. VIRAT KOHLI Ishant Sharma joining Kapil as New ball swing: I don’t think that is an accurate assessment (that bowl will not the second Indian pacer to play 100 swing). The pink ball does tend to swing a lot more than the red ball. We experi- Tests would add to the momentous enced that when we played for the first time in 2019 (against Bangladesh). occasion and Kohli scoring a hun- Strength & weakness: Not really bothered about what the strengths and weak- dred is just what the 55,000 odd nesses of the English team are. We have beaten them in their home as well, spectators, who would be allowed in, where the ball does way more and hold them out every time so we’re not really might crave for. Third Test begins today as India, England set bothered with that. It’s just about playing well as a team. And yeah, there are The refurbished Sardar Patel many, many weaknesses in the opposition side as well, if you are keen to exploit Stadium looks colossal under lights to play the day/night Test on an unfamiliar them. but the first Test match in many Pitch: If it’s a seamer friendly track for them it’s for us as well. And we probably years would mean that even the have, you know, among other teams, the best bowling attack in the world so home team wouldn’t expect a lot Motera wicket we’re not really bothered by what the ball might bring differently to the table. of advantage. We’re ready for anything that comes our way. It would prefer a square turner Challenging: It is much more challenging to play with pink ball regardless of the to go 2-1 up in a high-stakes game pitch you play on. Especially in the evening, if as a batting team, you are starting but whether it actually gets one re- your innings under lights then that one and a half hour is very challenging. mains to be seen. Spin effect: Yes spin will come into play for sure but I don’t think the new ball As senior opener Rohit Sharma and fast bowlers can be ignored. The pink ball does bring them into the game till was clear in team’s choice of sur- the ball is nice and shiny, something we are very well aware of and preparing face – a turner that helps accordingly. Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar JOE ROOT Patel just like Joe Root would have opted for a green top at the Team combination: We’re going to take our time with the limited information we Headingley or the Old Trafford. have on this ground and pink ball cricket. You know, we are going to make sure, There are a few more questions we give ourselves as much (time) as possible heading into the game before we that would demand answers. How make a decision. would the twilight period be for Spin: I’m sure at some point the wicket will turn. It’s just a question of when. Will it the batsmen as James Anderson happen off the straight, will it happen out of the rough, it might be that this pitch feels that the ball swings more in that deteriorates in a similar fashion to the first one or it might not. We have just got to be phase? ready to react to it. How we operate, I don’t think changes. I think we still got to look Will the extra lacquer on the ‘SG to build pressure for long periods of time trying to squeeze the game. Test Pink’ make it difficult for the R Ashwin: He is a world-class performer. I think it’s been quite tricky for every- Ashwin-Axar combo which wreaked one but as you mentioned, in particular, the left-handers is against him. Because havoc on the Chepauk snake pit? you know how skilful he is, how good his record is against left-handers in world And with a 2:30 pm start, how cricket. So, he is a fine performer at home and guys just have to keep working much will the dew have a bearing hard to try and figure out how they’re going to score every run. during the final session? The ball Motera Stadium: It’s a phenomenal stadium. I’m sure it’s going to see some brilliant would be difficult to grip at that cricket over the years. Hopefully, the wicket can produce some very good cricket and point for slow bowlers and the pitch, the two sides can do that as well. I’m sure the atmosphere within will be electric. despite grass being shaved off, might Ronaldo brace helps Deepak in Strandja Memorial last 8 Bedi undergoes bypass surgery NEUFC move to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA among men and Jyoti (51kg) in the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA went a bypass surgery 2-3 days back 4th after getting women’s draw. on the advice of the doctors,” he told New Delhi, Feb 23: Asian silver- While Naveen defeated American New Delhi, Feb 23: Legendary this agency. “He is currently doing rid of SCEB 2-1 Juve down Crotone medallist Deepak Kumar (52kg) Darius Fulghum in a close fight spinner Bishan Singh Bedi has un- fine and recovering from the surgery advanced to the quarterfinals with that ended 3-2 in his favour, Jyoti dergone a bypass surgery at a city and is expected to be discharged AGENCIES a facile win as Indian boxers got off got the better of Ukraine's Tetiana hospital a few days back after he from the hospital soon,” he added. to a mixed start at the Strandja Kob 4-1. complained of heart problems and Bedi, a former left-arm orthodox Goa, Feb 23: NorthEast United FC Memorial Tournament in Sofia, However, Shashi Chopra (60kg), he is recovering well. spinner, represented India in 67 Tests (NEUFC) moved to fourth with 30 Bulgaria. Lalita (69kg) and Sakshi (57kg) lost The 74-year-old Bedi underwent the and 10 ODIs between 1967 and 1979, points in the points table, two Deepak defeated Kazakhstan’s their opening bouts to bow out of procedure 2-3 days back and he is ex- scalping 266 and 7 wickets respectively. ahead of fifth-placed Hyderabad Olzhas Bainiyazov 5-0 in his the competition. pected to be discharged from the In December last year, Bedi had FC (28), after scripting a 2-1 victory opening bout to make the last In the men’s competition, Naveen hospital soon, according to a close con- protested against the DDCA decision over 10-man SC (SCEB) eight stage. Boora (69kg) and Ankit Khatana fidant of the former India captain. to name the Feroz Shah Kotla sta- in their ISL encounter, Tuesday. Other winners Monday in- (75kg) have got byes into the pre- “As far as I know, he was having dium after its late ex-president and NEUFC broke the lead three cluded Naveen Kumar (91kg) quarterfinals of the tournament. some heart issues and he under- former union minister Arun Jaitley. minutes into the second period. Imran Khan had the ball in the mid- dle of the SCEB half. He waited and served a pinpoint through ball to Suhair into the penalty area. MCFC face Odisha FC; eye ACL berth Suhair shot it into the frame of the goal and the ball ended up in the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Winners Shield if they beat ATKMB back of the net. in their final match February 28. Seven minutes later, the Bambolim, Feb 23: Assured of a MCFC need to shake off the rut Highlanders doubled their ad- play-off berth, title contenders that they find themselves in. After vantage. Nim Dorjee crossed the Mumbai City FC (MCFC) need noth- being the best team for most part of ball into the box from right flank. ing less than a win against bottom- the league, the wheels have come off Sarthak tried to clear the ball first ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo hadn’t scored for placed Odisha FC in an Indian Super right at the end. Lobera’s men have time. Sadly, he sliced the ball off his Juventus since the start of the League (ISL) match here Wednesday won just one of their last six games shin and into the back of the net. Turin, Feb 23: Cristiano Ronaldo month. He came close on a couple in their bid to seal a place in the AFC and are winless in their last three. A crestfallen Sarthak finally scored twice as Juventus got back of occasions before breaking the Champions League (ACL). Their previous game saw them made amends of his mistake in the to winning ways by beating bot- deadlock in the 38th minute when With leaders ATK Mohun Bagan crash to a defeat to Jamshedpur 85th, but it was too little too late tom club Crotone 3-0 in Serie A. he headed in an Alex Sandro cross. dropping points against Hyderabad FC and Lobera knows that the team for SCEB. from Ronaldo could even have had a hat Ronaldo doubled his tally in first- FC, all eyes will be on ’s needs improvement. the left flank took a free-kick and trick in the first half. half stoppage time with another im- MCFC to see if they can manage a Former India international Steven delivered the ball right in the mid- Weston Mckennie sealed the re- pressive header, this time from an win and take the race for the League Dias, who took charge of Odisha dle of the NEUFC. In the crowded sult after the break. Juventus moved Aaron Ramsey cross. Winners Shield to the final day of from interim manager Gerald Peyton, area, Sarthak leaped highest and up to third on the table, eight points The 36-year-old Ronaldo should the season. said his focus will be on the younger headed the ball into the back of the behind Serie A leader Inter Milan, have had a hat trick moments later Odisha have only pride to play for, players ahead of the clash. net to redeem himself. having played a match less. but he fired Ramsey’s pass nar- but they have a chance to spoil “We have really good young play- In between, was y It was Crotone’s fifth successive de- rowly wide of the right post. Mumbai City’s party. A win for ers. I still think that we have a very sent off in the 71st. Deshorn Brown

feat and left it eight points from safety. Crotone never looked like getting Odisha or a draw will hand ATKMB balanced team. But, we have been so was about to get on the ball in the

k k y y m m c c Juventus were looking for a big win back into the match and Juventus the prestigious ACL slot for next sea- unfortunate. Starting off the season, SCEB half. Gaikwad next to the after a disappointing week. The wrapped up the win in the 66th son as they are on 40 points with just Thoiba (Singh) and Saurabh (Meher) Jamaican literally manhandled Bianconeri lost at Porto 1-2 in the when a corner eventually came one match left. played in the central midfield but to bring him to the ground. The ref- first leg of the round of 16 of the through to McKennie and he con- A win for Mumbai City will take after one or two games even coach eree showed him his second yel- Champions League Wednesday, days trolled it on his chest before firing them to 36 points and they can top the Stuart (Baxter) didn’t get much chance low of the night, thus giving after losing at Napoli 0-1 in Serie A. into the back of the net. league stage table and win the League Odisha players go through their training drills ahead of their match vs MCFC to put Indian players,” he said. Gaikwad the marching orders.

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