Follow us on: RNI No. APENG/2018/764698 @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 Published From ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW STATUS QUO IS NOT RIGHTS ISSUE HELPS RIL HYDERABAD OPEN BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH THE ANSWER RECLAIM RS 10L CR M-CAP BADMINTON CANCELLED BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *Late City Vol. 2 Issue 213 VIJAYAWADA, FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

PRIYAMANI TURNS COMRADE BHARATHAKKA { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com

‘DRACONIAN' LOCKDOWN “FLATTENED THE RLY REFUNDS RS 1885 CR TO PASSENGERS AVOID NAME ‘DALIT’ IN ALL OFFICIAL GOVT BLACKLISTS OVER 960 FOREIGN GDP NOT CORONA CURVE”: RAJIV BAJAJ WHO BOOKED TICKETS DURING LOCKDOWN TRANSACTIONS: GOVT TABLIGHIS; BARS THEM FOR 10 YEARS "draconian" but porous lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19 has he railways said it has refunded Rs 1,885 crore to passengers who he Karnataka government has asked all its departments and authorities The Union Home Ministry on Thursday blacklisted more than 960 Aended up "flattening the wrong curve" by decimating 's economy Tbooked tickets during the lockdown period and whose tickets were Tto avoid during all official transactions the nomenclature "Dalit" for foreign members of Tablighi Jamaat from traveling to India for ten and leaving it with the "worst of both worlds", industrialist Rajiv Bajaj said cancelled. The Indian Railways had suspended its regular passenger train members belonging to the Scheduled Castes. "All the departments and years. The Home Ministry took the action against the foreign nationals on Thursday, in a severe criticism of the Centre's handling of the pandemic. services during the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the authorities of government of Karnataka are requested that (use of name for their alleged involvement in the activities of Tablighi Jamaat. During a video interaction with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, highly contagious coronavirus in India. "As the trains were Dalit) for all official transactions, matters, dealings, certificates, among Sources claimed that the number of those foreign nationals backlisted Bajaj also said that opening up the economy would be a cancelled en masse, the railways faced the challenge to others," the official circular said. The Constitutional term Scheduled Caste by the Ministry can go up to 2000. It may be Herculean task, and asserted that none other than the Prime return a huge amount of money towards refund to the rail in English and its appropriate translation in other national noted that Maulana Saad, his sons and several Minister should purge people's mind of fear through a "very clear passengers. "The railways has successfully refunded Rs languages should alone be used for denoting the persons members are under scanner for defying the and aligned narrative". "The way India has been locked down is 1885 crore towards cancellation of tickets to passengers belonging to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes GO on lockdown and organising a religious draconian. We tried to implement a hard lockdown which was during the period March 21 to May 31 on tickets booked notified in the presidential orders issued under Article congregation at the outfit's Delhi headquarters porous.” the 53-year-old businessman said. through the online mode," the railways said. 341 of the Constitution, the circular said. - Nizamuddin Markaz – in March this year. Centre issues guidelines on AP justifies GO 203 at KRMB meet, TS vows to ‘stop RLIS’ places of worship reopening PNS n HYDERABAD The Irrigation Department on Thursday made PNS n NEW DELHI l Staggered it clear to the Krishna Krishna l l Only River Management Board Mandatory entry of visitors, Religious places inside con- asymptomatic (KRMB) that the proposal to tainment zones shall remain hand hygiene if possible. construct the Rayalaseema Lift worshippers shall closed for public and those (sanitiser) and l Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) and to outside will be allowed to open, screening. be allowed Preferably enhance the Pothireddipadu Irrigation projects according to the SOPs issued by separate entry head regulator were to better the Union Health Ministry on l No l No and exits for utilise the State’s share of water, neither in the past Thursday to contain the Covid- even as said that it touching of physical visitors. nor in future 19 spread at such venues. l would stop work on the RLIS “at Places of worship get fre- statues/ idols offerings like Common any cost”. Explaining the reason quented by a large number of / holy books prasad/holy prayer mats behind GO 203, which has set A Paramesham people for spiritual solace and etc. water should be off a storm of protests in to prevent COVID-19 spread, it l No entry without avoided Telangana state, the AP govern- chief secretary Adithyanath has changed the designs of the 2 is important that required social face masks ment told the KRMB meeting, Das, arguing the case for projects and hence the KRMB distancing and other preventive l No physical l Managements held at the Jalasoudha in Andhra Pradesh, said that the has to consider those projects as measures are followed in those l Large gatherings contact while to frequently Hyderabad and chaired by A State would lose out due to the new projects. He made it clear premises, the ministry said. /congregation greeting each clean, disinfect Paramesham, that the State does redesigning of projects by that there is no comparison In view of the potential threat prohibited. other premises not mean to deprive Telangana Telangana. He said that the between the proposals of the of the spread of the infection, as of its share of water, but only Pothireddipadu and RLIS pro- projects of TS in undivided AP far as feasible recorded devo- utilise the water allocated to AP jects were taken up in tune with and present projects in tional music or songs may be place," the ministry said, under- hand hygiene (sanitizer dis- played prominently, it said. by the Bachawath Tribunal. the allocation of waters to AP. Telangana. played and choir or singing lining that community kitchens, penser) and make thermal "Staggering of visitors to be Irrigation department special Das said that the Telangana groups should not be allowed, langars, 'Ann-Daan' etc at reli- screening provisions at the done, if possible. Foot wears to 3 the Standard Operating gious places should follow phys- entrance mandatorily. They be preferably taken-off inside Procedures stated. ical distancing norms while should allow only asympto- own vehicle. If needed they Common prayer mats should preparing and distributing food. matic persons in the premises should be kept in separate slots New Industrial Policy to be avoided and devotees should The ministry advised persons and allowing those using face for each individual/ family by bring their own mat or piece of aged above 65, having comor- cover or masks. the persons themselves. Any cloth which they may take back bidities, pregnant woman and Audio and video clips to shops, stalls, cafeteria etc, out- be unveiled on June 26 with them. children below the age of 10 spread awareness on preventive side and within the premises "No physical offerings like years to stay at home and avoid measures for COVID-19 shall follow social distancing PNS n VIJAYAWADA manpower will be provided to prasad/distribution or sprin- visiting religious places. should be regularly played norms at all times," the SOPs industries that will come up in Rajinigandha kling of holy water, etc should According to the SOPs, all while posters on preventive stated. Stating that the State the State. “We will bring the director Basu be allowed inside the religious religious places should ensure measures should to be dis- 3 Government is preparing a new industrial policy in a way new industrial policy to that investors will get permis- Chatterjee dies in promote rapid eco- sion to set up industries his home nomic growth, in the State within 30 Bank cashier Industries Minister days,” Gautam TDP man accuses Mekapati Gautam Reddy said. High Court issues notice booked for Reddy on He said that the Akhila Priya of 5 Thursday said State government Rs 1.5-cr fraud that the policy was of the view that plot to kill him to Govt on legality of SEB would be unveiled mega industrial PNS n MACHILIPATNAM on June 26. parks with world-class PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VIJAYAWADA Speaking after a infrastructure should be A cashier of a nationalised meeting with the industrial set up in all districts, instead of Telugu Desam Party leader A Division Bench of the bank was booked on Thursday task force here, the Minister told limiting them to a particular AV Subba Reddy on Andhra Pradesh High Court on charges of misappropria- the media that the new indus- region. “We will come up with Thursday repeated his accu- on Thursday issued notices to tion of Rs 1.56 trial policy was discussed a comprehensive industrial sation against former minis- the Chief Secretary, Special crore of the threadbare at the meeting. policy by covering all aspects ter Bhuma Akhila Priya and Chief Secretary, the Director- bank He said that the new policy to promote rapid economic her husband Bhargava Ram General of Police and three funds in will be designed to prioritise growth,” Gautam Reddy that they were conspiring to others on the formation of the Krishna four sectors and that land, added. kill him. Special Enforcement Bureau district, water, electricity, and skilled 3 3 (SEB). police said. One Srinivasa Rao of Based on a Prakasam district had filed a complaint from writ petition in the High Court Chief Manager, a case had stating that there was no legal been registered against the Naidu sees scam in house site sanction to the formation of ex-officio principal secretary to al SP or assistant SP in each cashier of the bank branch in the SEB. He said in his petition the government. The SEB district for all the 18 police Nuzvid town and a search was PM's PS Rajeev that the SEB could not be was ostensibly set up to curb units. Seven officers will be of on for him, Circle Inspector P. moves to World formed by merely issuing GO illegal transportation of liquor IPS rank and the remaining Ramachandra Rao said. allotments by YSRCP leaders No 41. and sand in the State. will be non-cadre. The man had allegedly tam- Bank, Navnit The division bench issued The SEB (Liquor and Sand) Assistant superintendents pered with the bank records PNS n VIJAYAWADA that if some beneficiaries have the to WTO notices to the six officials will function as an of police (ASPs) will work and used forged signatures blessing of local YSRCP leaders, wanting to know under what autonomous body and take under the commissioner in over a period of around six Leader of the Opposition N lesser amounts are being collect- rules and regulations the SEB strict measures against these districts and each ASP will months. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday ed from them. was formed. crimes, the Government had have 20 to 30 personnel work- The fraud came to light dur- accused YSRCP leaders of taking The TDP supremo alleged that 8 The State government had said in a statement. ing under him. They would be ing routine audit recently and commissions from poor families with the collection of commis- on May 9, 2020 constituted the The bureau would have a coordinating with district SPs. the total misappropriation was on pretext of distribution of free sions, YSRCP will go down in his- issued a GO creating the commissionerate headed by Border districts, where chances to the tune of Rs 1.56 crore, house sites. Speaking to the tory as the only party that has TODAY Special Enforcement Bureau the commissioner who will be of illegal transportation of police said. media here, Naidu said that dif- resorted to wholesale corruption (Liquor and Sand), which will the head of the department liquor are more, will have IPS Based on findings of an ferent rates have been fixed by the even in welfare programmes ALMANAC be part of the General (HoD) in the rank of Inspector officers as in-charge who will internal inquiry, the bank YSRCP leaders — from Rs 30,000, aimed at improving the living con- Month & Paksham: Administration Department General of Police or above. report to the commissioner. authorities formally lodged Rs 60,000 till up to Rs 1.5 lakh — ditions of the poor families. Jyeshtha & Shukla Paksha and headed by the DGP as the There will be one addition- 3 the police complaint. to sanction house sites. He added 3 Panchangam Tithi : Purnima: 12:41 am (Next Day) Nakshatram: Anuradha: 04:43 pm Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start One more tests positive for Covid-19 in AP Secretariat Kia Motors employee any important work) n Rahukalam: 10:37 am – 12:14 pm PNS VIJAYAWADA As per the government bulletin, a total of 141 new Yamagandam: 03:29 pm – 05:07 pm cases of Covid-19 were added in the state in the found to be infected The Andhra Pradesh Varjyam: 09:58 pm – 11:28 pm Secretariat here is turning out last 24 hours, taking the aggregate to 4,112. As PNS n VIJAYAWADA Gulika: 07:22 am - 08:59 am to be a new hotspot for many as 43 of the new cases were those who came Good Time: (to start any important work) Coronavirus with one more to the state from different parts of the country Coronavirus has reached Kia Amritakalam: 07:08 am – 08:37 am employee testing positive on Motors in Anantapur where Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:48 am – 12:40 pm Thursday, even as 141 new an employee working in the cases were reported in the last another employee attached to asked the staff to work from factory’s body shop was been VIJAYAWADA 24 hours, taking the state the Revenue Principal home. As per the govern- diagnosed with Covid-19. aggregate to 4,112. Secretary was found infected ment bulletin, a total of 141 The patient has been iden- WEATHER The toll too increased by on Thursday. new cases of Covid-19 were tified as a native of Tamil Nadu Forecast: Partly cloudy three to 71, with Guntur, A Special Protection Force added in the state in the last and has been sent for quaran- Temp: 39/29 Krishna and Kurnool reporting constable on duty at the 24 hours, taking the aggregate tine at a facility set up at SKU Kia Motors suggested that Humidity: 48% one death each in the last 24 Legislature building, situated to 4,112. As many as 43 of the University in Anantapur. everyone in the industry Sunrise: 05:40 am hours, a bulletin said. tricts along with those coming General Administration on the same campus, also new cases were those who The company officials are in should be allowed to start Sunset: 06.48 pm The rise in the case were due to the state from other parts of Department and Agriculture tested positive for Covid-19, came to the state from differ- the process of identifying the work only after they are test- Current Weather Conditions to suspected super-spreaders in the country. Department tested positive for following which the ent parts of the country. employees who came in con- ed for Covid-19. Updated June 4, 2020 5:00 PM East Godavari and Guntur dis- After one staffer each of the coronavirus in the Secretariat, Legislature authorities have 3 tact with him. Management of 3 VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 vijayawada 02

elangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, soon after assuming Tcharge in June 2014 prioritised Irrigation projects neither in the past nor in future irrigation facility to about 125 lakh acres in the state. utilisation of river water as per Dubbaka, Medchal, Reservoir. Rangareddy LIS which is a The strategy included its share. The strategy included revival and reengineering Sangareddy, Aler, Bhuvanagiri, From Laxmi Barrage boon to erstwhile revival and reengineering of The share of Telangana in of pending projects to suit to the needs of Patancheru constituencies. (Medigadda) on Godavari Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy pending projects to suit to the River Godavari and River Water was drawn from Mid water will reach and Nalgonda districts. needs of the State and complet- Krishna accounts for 1,266 Telangana State and completing them on fast Manair reservoir through an Kondapochamma Sagar Government also decided to ing them on fast track. As part tmc ft besides another 150 tmc track. As part of this, completion of 23 major approach channel and lifted Reservoir of 15 tmc ft capac- take-up Dindi project, now of this, completion of 23 major ft of surplus waters. But there projects and 13 medium projects was prioritised. from Annapurna Pump House ity in 10 stages, at a height of named after late R Vidyasagar projects and 13 medium pro- were no project to make opti- and poured into Annapurna 618 meters. Rao, benefiting the people of jects was prioritised. mum utilization of this share. Reservoir, thus accumulating Sitarama project works were Nalgonda who have been suf- Pending projects like Through reengineering and 1.7 tmc ft out of its capacity of formally inaugurated by KCR fering from fluoride for Kalvakurti, Bhima, redesigning, KCR ensured This paved way for Laxmi meters height from the sea 3.5 tmc ft. From there, it on February 16, 2016 at decades. Foundation was laid Nettempadu, Koyilsagar, adequate water to South Barrage (Medigadda) on River level, is lifted in ten stages and reached surge pool Rollapadu Village of down for this project on June Midmaner, Singur, Yellampally, Telangana through Palamoor- Godavari, Tummuidihatti, supplied to Kondapochamma (Chandlapur Pump House) Tekulapalli mandal of 12, 2015 and work is at brisk Kinnersani, Palem Vagu, Rangareddy LIS and Dindi Rajapeta on Penganga, Sagar, which is at 618 meters of Ranganayaka Sagar through district. Bhakta pace. Kalvakurti LIS, pending Komaram Bhim, Mattadi Vagu, LIS and to North Telangana Chanaka-Korata and height. In other words, the VANAM JWALA NARASIMHA RAO gravity. Through motors Ramadasu LIS for which foun- for over three decades, is now Nelvai, Jagannathpur etc had through Kaleshwaram. Pimparad barrages on water from is CPRO to Chief Minister installed in Chandlapur Pump dation stone was laid on about to be completed and will been neglected by the previous will get water Penganga River. The agree- being lifted to a height of House, Godavari water is lift- February 16, 2016 by KCR was supply water to 3.5 lakh acres governments and were pun on through BR Ambedkar ment between the two states about half a km. Water will be lifted from ed 490 meters and poured into completed in a record time of in Nagarkurnool and the fast track for completion. Pranahitha and Chanaka- will go a long way in utilisation After its completion, 360 Yellampally Barrage to Mid Ranganayaka Sagar Reservoir. 11 months and the project was Wanaparthy districts. By 2020, irrigation facility Korata projects, Khammam of 967 tmc ft of Godavari water tmc ft of water will be available Manair Reservoir in two stages Godavari water is released to formally inaugurated by KCR Revival of SRSP by way of will be made available for through Sitarama and Bhakta which is Telangana’s rightful from this project. Initially 2 tmc from Nandi and Gayatri pump right and left canals of on January 31, 2017. making available water about 80 lakh acres, meaning Ramadasu projects. For con- share. ft per day will be drawn for 120 houses in link 2. Water will be Ranganayaka Sagar to fill hun- Through this project, 58,000 through reverse pumping from that completion of these pro- tinuous availability of water, The Kaleshwaram project days and thus 240 tmc ft will be lifted from Mid Manair reser- dreds of tanks and check acres in Tirumalayapalem, Kaleshwaram was also a great jects would bring additional the Government is construct- has been described as a man- made available. It has also been voir to Kondapochamma in . Kusumanchi, Nela Kondapalli, success. ayacut of 53.02 lakh acres and ing Tupakulagudem Barrage made engineering wonder by decided to draw additional 1 Sagar in five stages filling The historical , Khammam Rural, The Telangana Government stabilisation of 25.93 lakh (Sammakka Barrage) on River several visitors to the project, tmc ft of water (total 3 tmc ft) Annapurna, Ranganayaka Kondapochamma Sagar Mahbubabad mandals are under KCR has left no stone acres. Godavari near Kantanapalli. that included members of the later since there is abundant Sagar, Mallanna Sagar reser- Reservoir forming part of brought under irrigation. unturned to see that more than To ensure optimum utilisa- This will ensure water avail- Central Water Commission, water availability at Medigadda. voirs enroute in link 4. Kaleshwaram project was for- Seetammasagar one crore acres are brought tion of the State’s share of ability at Devadula through the irrigation experts, representa- The project will bring 45 lakh As part of Kaleshwaram mally inaugurated on May 29 Multipurpose Project is com- under irrigation in the state. water, KCR transformed him- year. tives from other States etc. This acres under irrigation. In Project, River Godavari water by KCR in the presence of ing up at Ammagaripally vil- When the ground reality is self as an engineer and design- Thanks to the initiative of is the largest multistage lift irri- Kaleshwaram, water will be has already reached Tridandi China Jeeyar Swamy. lage in Ashwapuram Mandal this, where is the necessity to er and spent hundreds of KCR, full cooperation of gation project in the world lifted from Laxmi Barrage, Kondapochamma Sagar. By Motors in the Markook Pump of Bhadradri dis- protest in the name of Deeksha hours on reengineering and for projects on being constructed on the fast Saraswathi barrage and Parvati this irrigation facilities, water House were switched on trict on Godavari River 200 by the State Congress unit redesigning of irrigation pro- Godavari, Pranahitha and track. Barrage to Yellampally Barrage is made available to Siddipet, heralding release of River metres downstream against the state government jects. Prior to bifurcation, Penganga Rivers was ensured Water from River Godavari through the Godavari River Sircilla, Husnabad, Godavari waters into Dummugudem Anicut. Work on the pretext of not taking up Telangana could not make full through a historic agreement. at Medigadda, which is at 94 course in link 1. Manakondur, Jangaon, Gajwel, Kondapochamma Sagar is on fast track on Palamoor- irrigation projects? Ration cards to Watson chatbot deployed to new applicants Govt releases Rs 10k each to VIJAYAWADA: Ration cards will be issued to all new applicants in answer Coronavirus queries the State on June 6, civil PNS n VIJAYAWADA supplies ex-officio secretary Kona Shashidhar announced. 2.62 lakh auto, taxi drivers The government has taken the The Andhra Pradesh National PNS n VIJAYAWADA decision to issue new ration l Chief Minister YS Health Mission portal has inte- cards to the beneficiaries Jaganmohan Reddy grated the IBM Watson virtual through village and ward In a move to help auto and taxi announced the transfer of a agent to help the residents secretariats, Shashidhar said. drivers affected due to the total amount of Rs 262.49 quickly get answers to their Speaking to media persons here Covid-19 lockdown, the crore to 2,62,493 queries about Covid-19. on Thursday, he said all the government on beneficiaries under the YSR The chatbot is designed to beneficiaries can apply for ration Thursday disbursed Vahana Mitra scheme during understand and respond to cards at village secretariats. four months in a digital conference with common questions about Shashidhar also said that the advance an annual Collectors and beneficiaries, Covid-19 in English, Telugu and ration cards will be issued within financial assistance an official statement said , IBM said on Thursday. five days from the date of of Rs 10,000 to The virtual agent is deployed l application after examining their each of the 2.62 “The Chief Minister also in a web browser and it is built eligibility. He added that the lakh beneficiaries appealed to the beneficiaries to in a way that it safeguards the l The chatbot is l “In these unprecedented times, arrangements were being made as a part of welfare use the money for the intended privacy of the users, the compa- designed to access to accurate to distribute rice bags to ration scheme. purpose and not for alcohol. ny added. "While the govern- understand and information plays a Chief Minister YS This would put both ment is putting all resources cardholders as part of the door respond to l The virtual critical role in allaying delivery of ration to the Jaganmohan Reddy passengers and the driver into available at its disposal to use, common fears, dispelling announced the transfer of a total trouble,” the statement added. efforts like these go a long way agent is deployed in stakeholders. “Each family will questions a web browser and it is myths and building be provided with bags of 10,15 amount of Rs 262.49 crore to in helping citizens meet their about Covid-19 trust among 2,62,493 beneficiaries under the to auto and taxi drivers to meet unencumbered amount into information needs," Bhaskar built in a way that it kg and the estimated cost of in English, safeguards the privacy citizens,” said manufacturing the bag would be YSR Vahana Mitra scheme dur- insurance premium, licence fees their accounts, which cannot be into the eligibility criteria. The Katamneni, Mission Director, Telugu and Sandip Patel, ing a digital conference with and other recurring expenses. deducted by bankers for any amount will be credited by July National Health Mission and of the users, the Rs 25,” Shashidhar added. Hindi, IBM said company added General Manager, Collectors and beneficiaries, an According to the govern- previous commitment of the 4," he added. Commissioner of Health, on Thursday IBM India/South Asia official statement said. ment, the annual payment of account holders," Jagan said. The government plans to Medical and Family Welfare "The Chief Minister also allowance under the scheme was The Chief Minister asked disburse next week a financial Department, Andhra Pradesh, appealed to the beneficiaries to advanced by four months as the people to check their eligibility assistance under a scheme for said in a statement. calls that users make to the tele- Manager, IBM India/South APSGCOSNU use the money for the intended auto and taxi drivers had no criteria for the scheme in their barbers, washermen, tailors and "I also appreciate the quick phone lines of State services Asia. purpose and not for alcohol. source of income during the respective villages or ward sec- handloom weavers on June 24. turnaround time of the IBM relating to the novel "IBM is the innovation part- demands This would put both passengers past few months due to the lock- retariats. Those who meet the The beneficiaries from the team to include Telugu, the offi- Coronavirus. ner to businesses, governments and the driver into trouble," the down clamped to fight Covid- eligibility but have not received districts who interacted with the cial language of the State, into "In these unprecedented and citizens across the world, regularisation statement added. 19. any amount as yet can reapply Chief Minister thanked him the Watson virtual agent." times, access to accurate infor- and is committed to marshalling The YSR Vahana Mitra was "We announced the calendar under the scheme, he said. for advancing the scheme and The objective of this type of mation plays a critical role in its resources, technology and of services launched on October 4, 2019 for welfare schemes with the "They can also use the also thanked him for various advanced technologies - chat- allaying fears, dispelling myths expertise towards initiatives with an aim to provide an auto and taxi drivers getting Rs Spandana online platform to other welfare schemes they have bots or virtual agents - is to help and building trust among citi- that help to manage Covid-19 VIJAYAWADA:The Andhra annual allowance of Rs 10,000 236 crore transferred as an claim their benefits, if they fit been availing. reduce the waiting times for zens," said Sandip Patel, General outbreak," Patel added. Pradesh State Government Contract and Outsourcing Staff Nurses Union (APSGCOSNU) demanded regularisation of their NGOs stage demo Hospitality industry seeks Naidu betrayed Dalits, services. Addressing the media here on Thursday, union president G Dayamani said that the against freezing of DA government sops, rent waiver alleges YSRCP MLA meeting was convened as PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM PNS n VIJAYAWADA they came to know that the the dearness allowance in the (APHA) Akella During his tenure Naidu government was planning name of Covid-19 for January Venkataramana Murthy. had allocated an estimated to fill vacant posts in the In response to the call given by 2020, July 2020 and January While hospitality, tourism and CSN Raju said that Vizag Dalits were betrayed by the then budget of Rs 13,800 crore in all medical and health the All India State Government 2021. He said that the govern- hotel industry in the State has over 2,000 establishments Chief Minister N Chandrababu four years and had spent only department. She said that Employees Federation (AIS- ment was striving to increasing looks bleak this year due to the (restaurants, hotels, lodges, Naidu, reminded YSRCP MLA Rs 8,201 crore for the welfare of they have been working for GEF), members of the APNGOs working hours in the name of Covid-19 pandemic, the bakeries and food parlours) Merugu Nagarjuna. He stated Dalits, he recalled. Hundreds of the past 10 to 12 years as Association staged a lunch amendment to the labour Visakha Hotel Merchants and majority people are run- that people are not going to fall crores of rupees belonging to contract and outsourcing hour demonstration at laws. Association has asked the gov- ning in the rented establish- for words of TDP chief N SC sub-plan were diverted and nurses and appealed to the all the district head- He said that it was ernment for more sops and ments only and all of them Chandrababu Naidu. Hitting misused by Naidu leaving the government to regularise quarters across the unjust on the part waivers and also appealed to have closed their businesses. A out at Naidu for his remarks on welfare at stake. Even today he them in the vacant posts State on Thursday. of the govern- the property owners (owners few of them offered the gov- Dalit welfare schemes launched is using Dalits to gain political and give notification to fill APNGOs ment to freeze of the establishments) to waive ernment to run as paid quar- by the government, the mileage and backing Dr the remaining vacant posts. Association State the DA at a time 50 per cent of the monthly rent “We are appealing to the antine centres for a nominal MLA said that Naidu Sudhakar is a part of president and when police, till they overcome the losses. government to play a role price, he added. has no moral right that, he reminded. AISGEF vice- medical person- President of the association between the owners of the “We are appealing to the to stand by Dalits “Our Chief VIJAYAWADA president N nel, municipal and CSN Raju on Thursday said establishments and tenants government to include hotels after the insults Minister YS Chandrasekhar secretariat employ- that people running lodges, (people who are running and restaurants to include in he had meted Jaganmohan BULLION RATES Reddy led the demon- ees were working hotels, restaurants, sweet restaurants and lodges in the the MSME scheme recently out to them Reddy always GOLD stration staged at the round-the-clock in the fight shops, bakeries and food par- establishments) to accept 50 launched all over the country. during his stood by the ` 49,180 (10 gm) APNGOs Association office at against Covid-19. He warned the lours are not in a position to per cent of the rent from the Hotel industry is in a deep cri- tenure. promise he had Gandhi Nagar here. Central government of launch- pay rent to their owners from day we commence business till sis so that we are appealing to Addressing a made to public ` 400 Addressing a gathering, ing a massive agitation unless the March 22 to June 30 due to completion of six months peri- the government to save the press conference and he is committed SILVER Chandrasekhar Reddy flayed GO freezing the DA was shut down of business as the od,” said President of Andhra industry, Raju and Murthy on Thursday, he to the welfare of ` 48,900 (1kg) the government for freezing revoked. Covid-19 led to lockdown. Pradesh Hotels Association added. reminded that Naidu Dalits. The estimated ` 1250 should be ashamed of stating budget for Dalit welfare during that ‘Who would wish to be 2019-20 budget was of Rs born in the SC community? and 3,765.39 crore, but the Chief CHICKEN WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY TODAY for this even today he needs to Minister had spent over Rs RATES `/KG tender an apology. The five-year 4,500 crore towards Dalits wel- rule of Naidu is the evilest, filled fare. In a span of one year, Dressed/With Skin `231 Guv appeals to people to take up plantation drive with all false claims and thus he through various welfare initia- Without Skin `262 got rejected by public, he point- tives, lakhs of Dalits were ben- Broiler at Farm `159 PNS n VIJAYAWADA the year 2020 is ‘Celebrate has arisen because we take the plantation of saplings and the environment from ecolog- ed out. efited,” he said. Biodiversity.’ resources given to prevention of pollu- ical imbalance and save the The World Environment Day “Right now, we are passing us by nature as tion. The air we country from deforestation. EGG is celebrated on June 5 every through a difficult situation granted. In a way it breathe, water we “I appeal to people to take year to create awareness about fighting against the Covid-19 is a wake-up call drink and food we up plantation of saplings in a 100 RATES `/ the protection of the environ- pandemic and most coun- for the entire eat are all gifts of massive way all through the HYDERABAD 340 ment. On the occasion, tries are in lockdown. Studies humanity to nature,” he said. year and join hands in the VIJAYAWADA 332 Governor Biswa Bushan suggest that with less and less realise how Prime Minister environment protection by Harichandan said that the human activity, the environ- essential it is to Narendra Modi has conservation of water VISAKHAPATNAM 350 Day is celebrated across the ment appears to have benefit- care for the already given a call resources and prevention of RETAIL PRICE `3.32 world with a different theme ed with clean air and water in nature by conser- to take up massive tree pollution,” the Governor said. (IN VIJAYAWADA) every year and the theme for many places. This situation vation of water, plantation that will protect

Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors, publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. Readers are advised and requested to verify and seek appropriate advice to satisfy themselves about the veracity of any kind of advertisement before responding to any contents published in this newspaper. The printer, publisher, editor and any employee of the Pioneer Group's will not be held responsible for any kind of claim made by the advertisers of the products & services and shall not be made responsible for any kind of loss, consequences and further product-related damages on such advertisements.

Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 vijayawada 03 Tourism hotels to reopen from June 8 Kanna wants Velagapudi PNS n VIJAYAWADA n Minister for Tourism Avanti nitely look into possible sup- Srinivas said tourism has port for the revival of hotel Minister for Tourism Avanti industry in the State, said Srinivas said a decision was incurred Rs 30 core loss of Special Chief Secretary to taken to reopen the tourism revenue for the past three Government Rajat Bhargava, as administrative capital hotels and restaurants from months due to the lockdown who has given full additional June 8 on account of lockdown n charge for Tourism, Culture PNS n VIJAYAWADA It is the right time to revive n Lakshminarayana the attention of the whole relaxation in the State. Archeology and Museums. world though the government Addressing media persons here the past glory of tourism in the All APTDC Harita Hotels BJP State unit president Kanna sought Jagan's attention was using its machinery to sup- on Thursday, the minister said State, he opined. Tourists can will also start operations. In Lakshminarayana demanded to the 170-day long press the stir. Political parties that Chief Minister YS explore temple, beach and eco due consideration of Covid-19, that Chief Minister YS peaceful agitation of and others expressed their sol- Jaganmohan Reddy will inau- tourism across the State, he the staff were well trained on Jaganmohan Reddy announce Amaravati Capital Region idarity with farmers and their gurate nine Command Control said the safety measures and food the continuation of Velagapudi Area farmers, who gave families for continuing their Rooms (CCRs) in a week and hygiene, said Pravin Kumar as the administrative capital away their lands for the agitation in a most disciplined boating activity will commence n The minister said boating operations will resume soon in the IAS, CEO of APTA and MD with immediate effect. construction of the manner honouring the lock- after the CCRs inauguration. State, while Boating Command Control Room operations will be APTDC. Recalling the continuous capital down rules. The minister said tourism commenced after the inauguration by Chief Minister YS Collector MD Imtiaz said in protests of Amaravati Capital He lamented that it is inhu- has incurred Rs 30 core loss of Jaganmohan Reddy due course helpline numbers Region area farmers for the n The BJP chief man that the government has revenue for the past three will be shared with Hotel past 170 days demanding can- n reminded that that their failed to pay heed to their gen- months due to the lockdown. growth rate of 21 per cent in Jaganmohan Reddy. Industry Association. There cellation of three capitals pro- Political parties and others agitation has caught the uine demands. He sought the It is the right time to revive the 2019. Normal life across the world will be some regulatory action posal, the BJP president wrote expressed their solidarity with attention of the whole YSRCP government to respect past glory of tourism in the Furthermore, the minister paralysed due to the Covid-19, for violating the guidelines a letter to the Chief Minister on farmers and their families for world though the the public demand and State, he opined. Tourists can said boating operations will following the precautionary and advised stakeholders to Thursday and urged him to continuing their agitation in a most government was using its announce the continuation of explore temple, beach and eco resume soon in the State and measures, everyone should strictly follow the guidelines. honour the sacrifices of administrative capital at tourism across the State, he Boating Command Control move forward and the govern- Minister for Endowments disciplined manner honouring the machinery to suppress Amaravati farmers by contin- lockdown rules. Velagapudi. said. The Tourism Department Room operations will be com- ment will provide possible Vellampalli Srinivas and MLA uing Velagapudi (Amaravati) the stir He demanded that Jagan has a good track record of menced after the inauguration support, the minister said. Malladi Vishnu were present at as the administrative capital of end all the controversies sur- achievements and tourist by Chief Minister YS The government will defi- the meeting. the State. long peaceful agitation of lands for the construction of rounding Amaravati and other Lakshminarayana sought Amaravati Capital Region Area the capital. He reminded that issues as early as possible and Jagan's attention to the 170-day farmers, who gave away their that their agitation has caught focus on the administration. Two commit TDP man Navy strives for protection suicide in accuses Yanamala claims TDP Krishna dist Akhila Priya... of ocean environment PNS n VIJAYAWADA tenure was a ‘golden era’ PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM n Environment Protection and n The Indian Navy Two persons committed sui- Continued from page 1 Green Initiatives have always been Environment Conservation cide in two separate incidents PNS n VIJAYAWADA n TDP MLC Yanamala Whilst recognising the signif- a key focus area of the Indian Navy. Roadmap (INECR) has on Thursday in Krishna dis- Ramakrishnudu likened Speaking to a television icance of biodiversity, which A responsible multi-dimensional been the guiding trict. In the first incident, channel, said that their sup- Economic growth is vital for Jagan to Tughlaq as he incidentally is the theme for Peyyala Raju (39) hailing from force, the Indian Navy has document and key enabler porters were looking to kill the development of any coun- received public backlash World Environment Day-2020, Rayanapadu of embarked on reducing its for progressively achieving him by joining hands with try or State, opined former on his three-capital ample emphasis is being Ibrahimpatnam mandal con- environmental footprint through this vision of the Indian Ravichandra Reddy, Ram minister and TDP MLC concept accorded within the Navy in sumed cold drink laced with Reddy and others. The TDP Yanamala Ramakrishnudu. He protecting ocean ecology. energy conservation, minimising Navy to add a Green pesticide while doing the work leader alleged that Akhila reminded that during the TDP n The TDP senior leader has Indian Navy has voluntari- marine pollution and use of Footprint to its Blue Water on the railway track near Priya has given supari to tenure, the State has achieved compared the TDP rule to ly implemented all six sched- alternative sources of energy. operations. railway station. those by paying Rs 1 crore. a growth rate of 11.02 per cent golden age of the Guptas ules of International He captured the whole episode Subba Reddy said that the and termed the TDP ruling as in Indian history claiming Convention for the Prevention through a selfie in his mobile Kadapa police foiled the con- a golden era. that all sections of people of Pollution from Ships (MAR- of suicide bid alleging harass- spiracy, thus saving him. Speaking at a press confer- POL) regulations. All Naval ment of railway officials forc- Meanwhile, the police said ence here on Thursday, lived happy life during the ships have been fitted with ing him to resort to the Naidu’s regime and five- that Bhuma Akhila Priya's Ramakrishnudu reminded that Yanamala Ramakrishnudu MARPOL compliant pollu- extreme step. follower had paid huge the State has emerged as a year TDP rule would be tion control equipment such as Immediately after consum- amount to kill Subba Reddy. favorite destination for nation- to golden age of the Guptas in remembered forever in Oily Water Separators (OWS) ing pesticide mixed soft drink, Subba Reddy appealed to al and international invest- Indian history claiming that all history. and Sewage Treatment Plants he returned to his house on a the police to immediately ments but its image took a sections of people lived happy (STP) for treating waste gen- bike and informed about the arrest Bhooma Akhila Priya severe beating due to misad- life during Naidu’s regime and erated onboard. Furthermore, attempt. The alerted family and Bhargava Ram, who were ministration of Chief Minister five-year TDP rule would be country's GDP but now it has to ensure upkeep of harbour been a key focus area of the implementation of these initia- members shifted him to the conspiring to kill him as part YS Jaganmohan Reddy. remembered forever in histo- slipped to ninth place. He waters, accelerated bioremedi- Indian Navy. A responsible tives. Successful institution of government hospital at of a political vendetta. The He alleged that administra- ry, he said. deplored that even the poorer ation technology has also been multi-dimensional force, the green measures in the Navy Mylavaram but as his condi- latest allegations are provok- tion has crippled due to his Yenamala blamed Jagan has sections were facing lots of developed through Naval Indian Navy has embarked has been possible through a tion deteriorated, he was shift- ing serious turmoil in misrule that led to chaos. He he had emptied the state trea- problems as the Chief Minister Materials Research Laboratory on reducing its environmental self-conscious Naval commu- ed to government hospital in Allagadda. Akhila Priya's likened Jagan to Tughlaq as he sury and ripped apart the was implementing his grand- (NMRL), Mumbai. footprint through energy con- nity, well-aware of the neces- Vijayawada for better treat- husband has already been received public backlash on his economy beyond repair. He father Raja Reddy’s With the aim of reducing servation, minimising marine sity of environmental remedi- ment. But he died while under- named in two cases in three-capital concept. said that AP used to be in third Constitution but not pollution from engine pollution and use of alternative ation and energy conservation. going treatment and the fam- Allagadda in Kurnool district. He compared the TDP rule place in its contributions to the Ambedkar's. exhausts, the Indian Navy col- sources of energy. To foster a sense of responsi- ily members of Raju lodged a laborated with IOCL to revise The Indian Navy bility towards the environ- complaint with police. the fuel specifications. The Environment Conservation ment, various mass participa- In the second incident, a new specification surpasses Roadmap (INECR) has been tion events such as mass married woman Swaroopa international norms and the guiding document and ‘Shramdan’ and coastal cleanup Rani belonging to Mortha vil- includes reduced sulphur con- key enabler for progressively drives are organised regularly. lage in Tanuku mandal of 1,900 migrants from Kuwait arrive in State tent, which in the long run, will achieving this vision of the Furthermore, a trophy intro- came to reduce emissions levels as well Indian Navy to add a Green duced to recognise the unit Vijayawada and jumped into PNS n VIJAYAWADA 11 flights arranged by the as maintenance requirements Footprint to its Blue Water adopting the best green prac- the Bandar canal with her two Government of Kuwait. With onboard. operations. tices for the year has proved children. Alert locals rescued Two flights arrived at the this, evacuation of all AP Environment Protection and Community participation useful in encouraging units to the children but could not save Gannavaram airport on June 3 migrants, who registered under Green Initiatives have always has played a major role in the embrace Green initiatives. her. and 4 with 229 migrants and Kuwait Amnesty, will be com- two flights arrived at the pleted. Visakhapatnam airport on June The APNRTS has put con- 3 and 4 carrying 234 migrants. tinuous efforts in talking to the All the migrants have been car- MEA and Embassy of India to Naidu sees scam in house site allotments... ried to their respective district bring back the stranded headquarters for institutional migrants from the shelters in Continued from page 1 taking place in the name of margin amounts going into the house sites to 4.02 lakh people seven days quarantine. Kuwait because of which this house sites. pockets of YSRCP leaders there in over 7,475 acres. He said that Venkat S Medapati, II phase of migrants’ transit is Naidu strongly criticised the The former Chief Minister and the total land acquisition for lakhs of house site pattas were President, APNRT Society, said taking place, he said. YSRCP leaders' alleged looting He stated that the TDP fact- house sites was turned into a given in Visakhapatnam and in all, 1,900 migrants from Reception teams with dis- spree by collecting different finding committee has report- massive scam. On the other other parts of North Coastal Kuwait would return to trict administrative officials, amounts of commissions in ed that Rs 400 crore fraud was hand, the houses already com- Andhra and also Rayalaseema Andhra Pradesh in the second along with APNRTS staff at different villages and areas with- committed in the scam pertain- pleted during the TD regime by the TDP government. phase of flights arriving direct- will be carrying the 1,900 Visakhapatnam and Chennai these airports, have geared up out even basic sympathy for the ing o acquisition of low-lying was not handed over to the ben- The TDP chief alleged that ly in Vijayawada, migrants from Kuwait under airports till June 13. with arrangements for smooth people who are already suffer- lands. eficiaries but they were convert- but all these benefits and hous- Visakhapatnam and Chennai Amnesty under the Kuwait The 1,900 AP migrants, who transfer of these migrants to ing on account of Coronavirus He said lands not worth even ed into Covid quarantine cen- es were stopped to poor people carrying migrants from Kuwait Government Amnesty pro- registered with the Embassy for their respective district head- lockdown. He alleged that in Rs 7 lakh per acre was being tres only because of sheer polit- reflecting YSRC's unchecked under Amnesty. gramme have started arriving availing Amnesty, are being quarters for institutional seven every Assembly segment, scams bought by the Government at Rs ical vengeance. political harassment at every He said that about 11 flights from June 3 at Vijayawada, brought back from Kuwait in days quarantine. worth hundreds of crores were 45 lakh to Rs 70 lakh with the The TDP Government gave step. New Industrial One more AP Secretariat Centre issues Policy to be AP justifies GO 203 at KRMB meet, TS... guidelines Continued from page 1 permission from their respec- tests positive for Covid-19 tive governments. unveiled... Continued from page 1 contacts of the deceased per- “Andhra Pradesh stands to He said that the ratio of on places... Continued from page 1 son were screened and so far lose out due to redesigning of water sharing between AP and Continued from page 1 It is suspected that a 53- only about 100 cases were projects by Telangana,” he said. TS is agreed to be 66:34 as was He mentioned that the gov- year-old person, who recent- confirmed. The meeting, that lasted done in the last year, during The SOPs underlined ernment was planning to ly died of the virus at Gollala The disease spread is not well over 6 hours, was held in current water year till finalisa- maintaining physical distanc- ensure transparency through Mamidada village near only because of one person but the backdrop of complaints tion of decision regarding ing of a minimum of six feet the new policy and also said all Kakinada, might have spread also due to the arrival of peo- from both the Telugu States Minor Irrigation and diversion at all times when queuing up resources in the state will be the virus to several persons. ple from other places. after Andhra Pradesh issued of Godavari waters. for entry and washing hand utilised efficiently. The Minister "It was the only case of Everything is now under GO 203 for enhancement of Paramesham said that it was and feet with soap and water said that the State Government Covid-19 death in our district control in and around G Pothireddipadu head regula- decided to implement before entering the premises. would give priority to environ- and, yes, some 100 people Mamidada," the Collector said. tor’s capacity from 44,000 to Telemetry phase-II on priori- "For air-conditioning/ven- mental concerns along with might have been infected Of the 313 cases reported in 80,000 cusecs. ty and both the states agreed to tilation, the guidelines of investment and providing through him. We have con- so far, Telangana State Irrigation make available necessary funds CPWD shall be followed employment in the industrial ducted over 7,000 tests in the half were "outsiders." Department principal secretary KRMB to consider the drink- Irrigation Project). He said to the KRMB for the purpose. which inter alia emphasises sector. He said that Chief village so far but the disease In Guntur city, the whole- Rajat Kumar told the KRMB ing water share as 20 percent that the Andhra Pradesh state He said that the states have that the temperature setting Minister YS Jaganmohan has been contained," East sale vegetable market on that the State would not allow of the allocation. Rajat Kumar has submitted administrative to transfer the employees by of all air conditioning devices Reddy has clarified that the Godavari Collector D Yetukuru Road was shut down AP to go ahead with the RLIS asked the Board to allocate the permissions on resolving minor issues them- should be in the range of 24- industries which are harmful to Muralidhar Reddy told PTI after 26 coronavirus cases at any cost, it is learnt. Rajat additional waters as AP is Pothireddipadu and RLIS pro- selves. 30 C, relative humidity the environment would not be over phone. were detected a couple of days Kumar said that Telangana diverting 45 tmc ft of Godavari jects. “However, we have It was agreed that the power should be in the range of 40- allowed to set up in the state. The primary and secondary ago. was continuing work only on waters to directed the AP government generated from the common 70 per cent, intake of fresh air the projects that had been through Polavaram and that work on the projects project at Srisailam will be should be as much as possi- approved before bifurcation Pattiseema projects. (Pothireddipadu and RLIS) shared 50:50 during the cur- ble and cross ventilation of the Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Rajat Kumar informed not to be taken forward till fur- rent water year. should be adequate," it said. High Court issues notice Kia Motors Rajat Kumar made it clear KRMB that Palamuru and ther orders issued by the It was also agreed that the Touching of statues, idols that AP would have to obtain Dindi projects have got per- KRMB. AP is stating that they surplus water of the last water and holy books should not be to Govt on legality of SEB employee... permission of the Apex missions when Adithyanath will utilise allocated waters year 2019-2020 would be allowed and large gatherings Council as RLIS was taken up Das, who is now Andhra only from Pothireddipadu and shared in 50:50 ratio till final- remain prohibited. Continued from page 1 ing on the border villages Continued from page 1 after division of the state. Pradesh state Irrigation RLIS,” Paramesham said. isation of the issue by the According to the SOPs, opted to cross over from AP to Giving a PowerPoint presen- Department principal secretary He said after the meeting committee constituted for the spitting should be strictly The primary responsibility other states to buy liquor as the KIA Motors was closed in tation on the projects con- but was Principal Secretary in that both the States have been purpose. prohibited and installation of the bureau was to prevent State government had March following the structed by Telangana state, he undivided AP. directed to submit DPRs of all Regarding the accounting of and use of Aarogya Setu App smuggling of alcohol, prepara- increased liquor prices by 75 Coronavirus outbreak and the brought to the notice of the KRMB chairman the new projects taken up by losses in Nagarjunasagar Left should be advised to all. tion of illicit liquor and cor- per cent. subsequent lockdown. The KRMB the issue 16.5 tmc ft Paramesham responded by them for appraisal and techni- Canal between AP and TS it The management of the ruption in sand transportation Such border crossing were plant was reopened last month water to Hyderabad city, which saying that there was indeed a cal clearance by KRMB/CWC was decided that the existing religious places must ensure in the state. reported from West Godavari, with all preventive measures is mentioned in Bachawath difference of opinion on the and for sanction by Apex committee will make field frequent cleaning and disin- The urgency to constitute Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool such as setting up thermal Tribunal. definition of new projects (with Council. The states agreed to observations during the cur- fection of the floors and the SEB came after people liv- districts. screening and others. He said that he asked the regard to Rayalaseema Lift submit the DPRs with due rent water year also. other surfaces. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 nation 04

SHORT READS INTER-STATE MOVEMENT Lancet issues ‘expression of SC asks NCR states to concern' over scientists’ stance n hold meet on portal PNS NEW DELHI trial (RCT), where the neither the doctors nor the patients PNS n NEW DELHI The Lancet journal has issued know what drug they are on, a statement of concern after conclusions are always subject The Supreme Court Thursday ‘HP govt succeeded in over 100 scientists from across to bias, and The Lancet study said the governments of Delhi, the world flagged discrepancies was not and RCT," explained Haryana and Uttar Pradesh preventing community in its recent study linking the Ram Vishwakarma, Director of must hold a meeting and con- spread of coronavirus’ malaria drug hydroxychloro- CSIR-Indian Institute of sider evolving a common pol- quine with increased death Integrative Medicine (CSIR- icy and portal to facilitate SHIMLA: The Himachal risk during COVID-19 treat- IIIM) in Jammu. inter-state movement in the Pradesh government has ment. Vishwakarma told PTI that NCR which is allegedly succeeded in checking "We are issuing an the ethical process in publish- restricted amid the COVID-19 community spread of Expression of Concern to alert ing scientific studies is to dis- pandemic. coronavirus by ensuring readers to the fact that serious close the database being used A bench headed by Justice institutional quarantine for scientific questions have been in any study, which he said was Ashok Bhushan said these returnees to the state from brought to our attention. We not followed in The Lancet states should endeavour to various red zones across the will update this notice as soon The statement has come after more research. find out a common pro- country, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Thursday. as we have further informa- than 100 scientists from across the "Important scientific ques- gramme and portal for inter- Talking to media here, he said tion," the editors of the journal globe wrote an open letter to the editor tions have been raised about state movement within the said. data reported in the paper by National Capital Region. It asked Solicitor General Affairs (MHA). there was only one active case of The Lancet, Richard Horton, during the first week of May The statement has come Mandeep Mehra et al -- The bench, also comprising Tushar Mehta to take instruc- The plea has sought to which has now risen to 206 after more than 100 scientists questioning the validity of the study Hydroxychloroquine or Justices S K Kaul and M R tions on this issue and posted declare as unconstitutional the after the return of 1.70 lakh from across the globe wrote an which assessed the safety and chloroquine with or without a Shah, further stated that there the matter for hearing after a measures by the district state natives. The state open letter to the editor of The effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine macrolide for treatment of should be a consistent policy in week. administrations of Haryana government spent Rs 4 crores Lancet, Richard Horton, ques- COVID-19: a multinational this regard for the NCR. The counsel appearing for and Uttar Pradesh which for bringing back 51,015 tioning the validity of the (HCQ) in COVID-19 treatment. registry analysis -- published in The apex court was hearing Haryana informed the bench allegedly restrict movement stranded Himachalis to the study which assessed the safe- The Lancet on May 22, 2020," via video-conferencing a plea, that the state has lifted the for permissible activities in state by arranging 2,200 buses ty and effectiveness of hydrox- changes associated with the use Soon after the study was said the editors of The Lancet filed through advocate restrictions on movement at its areas falling within the NCR and 13 trains. ychloroquine (HCQ) in of the drugs HCQ and closely published, the World Health in their statement expressing Anindita Mitra, which has borders. due to "blanket orders of seal- COVID-19 treatment. related chloroquine. Organisation (WHO) paused concern. raised the issue of alleged On May 15, the apex court ing borders without reasonable The research, which was Based on the study, the sci- recruitment of patients to the The research was based on restriction on movement for had sought responses from exceptions". ‘So sorry': Says US published on May 22, was an entists had concluded that the HCQ arm in their SOLIDAR- a database from a company permissible activities in the the Centre and governments of The plea has referred to the envoy over observational study of 96,032 drugs are "associated with ITY clinical trial, which they based in Illinois, US called NCR owing to sealing of bor- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and April 29 order of district hospitalised COVID-19 decrease in-hospital survival resumed on Wednesday after Surgisphere Corporation, ders due to the coronavirus Delhi on the plea which has administrations in Haryana, desecration of statue patients from six continents and an increased frequency of the scientists questioned the which according to the study pandemic. alleged that "complete sealing which is applicable to NEW DELHI: US Ambassador that reported substantially ventricular arrhythmias when study. contains COVID-19 patient The bench said a recom- of borders" within the NCR Gurugram and Sonepat, and to India Ken Juster on increased deaths, and inci- used for treatment of COVID- "If we don't have a double data from hundreds of hospi- mendation suggests that there and restrictions imposed on May 3 public statement by the Thursday apologised for dences of heartbeat rhythm 19." blind randomised controlled tals around the world. should be one common pass movement of citizens was in district administrations of desecration of a statue of for NCR which should be violation of the new guidelines Uttar Pardesh about Gautam Mahatma Gandhi outside the recognised in these states. of the Ministry of Home Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad. Indian embassy in Washington. Unknown miscreants UP CM asks vandalised the statue with graffiti and by spraying paint, 1.07 lakh Indians returned after officials to prepare prompting the Indian embassy Bhupesh orders officials to register a complaint for unlocking with the local law enforcement agencies. The incident is launch of Vande Bharat: MEA PNS n LUCKNOW suspension of IAS reported to have taken place on PNS n NEW DELHI the intervening night of June 2 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and 3. "So sorry to see the Over 1.07 lakh stranded Yogi Adityanath on Thursday officer accused of rape desecration of the Gandhi Indians have returned to the asked officials to make prepa- statue in Wash, DC. Please country from abroad since the rations for “unlocking” the PNS n RAIPUR directed Chief Secretary R P After cyclone, accept our sincere apologies. government launched the state, starting June 8, as per Mandal to suspend him with Appalled as well by the horrific 'Vande Bharat' evacuation mis- the Centre's guidelines. Chief Minister immediate effect and get the Mumbai's air death of George Floyd & the sion on May 7, the Ministry of "The unlock arrangements Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday matter probed by a high-level awful violence & vandalism. We External Affairs said on starting from June 8 should issued orders to suspend an committee," an official state- stand against prejudice & Thursday. It said the govern- be followed as per the IAS officer accused of raping ment here said. quality discrimination of any type. We ment has started preparation Centre's guidelines. The a 33-year-old woman in Pathak was transferred as will recover & be better," Juster for the third phase of the mis- relaxations should be studied Janjgir- Champa district of the Director of Land Records in improves tweeted. The vandalism of the sion after completion of the and implemented according- state, officials said. The chief Raipur from Janjgir-Champa PNS n MUMBAI statue of Gandhi took place in second phase of the evacuation countries. The second phase from Sri Lanka and the ly," an official statement quot- minister also ordered that a on May 26 this year. the midst of the nationwide on June 13. of the evacuation mission Maldives. ed the chief minister as telling high-level committee be In her complaint to Janjgir- Cyclone Nisarga and its protests in the US against the "Around 38,000 persons are was scheduled from May 17 "After the commencement officials during a meeting to formed to investigate the case, Champa Superintendent of accompanying rains seem to killing of African-American expected to be repatriated to 22. However, the govern- of the Vande Bharat mission review arrangements to they said. Police Parul Mathur on have had a positive impact on George Floyd in Minneapolis on under this phase in 337 inter- ment has extended it till June on May 7, a total of 454 flights, resume economic activities On Wednesday, an FIR was Wednesday, the woman Mumbais overall air quality May 25. Several of the protests national flights from 31 coun- 13. including foreign carriers, have and relax other restrictions registered against IAS officer alleged that on May 15 this index, which improved to 17 have turned violent which many tries," External Affairs Ministry Air India has operated 103 brought back stranded Indians. imposed to stem the COVID- Janak Prasad Pathak for year, the officer, then collector on Thursday, the best reading times has resulted in damage Spokesperson Anurag flights under the second phase As of date, 1,07,123 Indians 19 spread. allegedly raping the woman of the district, sexually exploit- for this year as of now, an offi- of some prestigious and sacred Srivastava said. to bring back stranded Indian have returned," he said. Stressing on breaking during his tenure as Janjgir- ed her on the collectorate cial said. monuments. In Washington In the first phase of the nationals from abroad, Those who have returned to chain of infection, the chief Champa collector last month. premises by threatening to Mumbai continued to DC, protesters this week burnt mission from May 7 to 15, the Srivastava said, adding the India included 17,485 migrant minister said, “It is necessary "Taking serious congnisance sack her husband, a govern- receive rainfall on Thursday, a historic church and damaged government evacuated Indian Navy has also made workers, 11,511 students and that death rate should be of the allegations against the ment employee, a police offi- a day after the cyclone made some of the prime properties around 15,000 people from 12 sorties to bring back Indians 8,633 professionals. minimum. officer, the chief minister has cial said. landfall near Alibaug in and historic places like the neighbouring Raigad district. national monument and Lincoln The current air quality of Memorial. Mumbai recorded at noon falls in the good category, that Maha: Minister Ashok WHO's decision to resume HCQ clinical poses little or no health risk, according to the official web- Chavan recovers from site of the System of Air COVID-19, discharged Quality and Weather trial a step in right direction, say experts Forecasting and Research MUMBAI: Maharashtra PWD Minister and senior Congress (SAFAR). PNS n NEW DELHI leader Ashok Chavan, who Group of the Steering The concentration of PM "It is a time tested Committee of the Solidarity 2.5, tiny particulate matter tested positive for coronavirus drug in use for last month, was discharged Terming WHO's decision to Trial wrote to all National less than 2.5 microns in from a hospital here on resume testing of hydroxy- decades. Any Principal Investigators of the diameter which can enter Thursday after recovering from Central team visits chloroquine as a potential Solidarity Trial. deep into the lungs and even treatment for COVID-19 in positive outcome Welcoming WHO's deci- the bloodstream, was record- the disease. After being from the clinical discharged, the former chief its global clinical trial "a step sion, ICMR Director General ed at 15 (good). minister reached his home to a cyclone-hit districts in the right direction", experts exercise will be in Dr Balram Bhargava said, "This is the best record of warm welcome from his family said any "positive outcome" of "ICMR and India have been the year till now. It is due to PNS n the larger interest members. Chavan was BHUBANESWAR Bhubaneswar, he said. the exercise will be in the of the people firm on recommendations the combination of high- admitted to a private hospital The team will then submit larger interest of the people the trial to be continued fol- about the drug based on bio- speed winds and accompany- here on May 25 after his test A seven-member central team its report to the Centre on the globally. lowing a review of safety globally." logical plausibility, in vitro ing rains that the air quality report came out positive for on Thursday began its field damages caused by the The global heath body had data. data and case controlled index (AQI) has improved," coronavirus. The minister was visit to assess the extent of cyclone, an official said. earlier suspended the hydrox- "On the basis of the avail- studies. "It is a time tested SAFAR director Dr Gufran discharged on Thursday after damage caused by Cyclone Prime Minister Narendra ychloroquine (HCQ) arm of able mortality data... the cogent reasons to recommend drug in use for decades. Any Beig said. recovering from the disease, Amphan in the coastal dis- Modi conducted an aerial sur- the clinical trials of experi- members of the Solidarity modifications of the protocol positive outcome from the The overall air quality his office said. He was in tricts of . vey of some of the cyclone- mental COVID-19 drugs over Data Safety Monitoring of the trail and advised that clinical exercise will be in the index (AQI) of the megapo- when he tested positive The team, divided into two affected areas on May 22 and safety concerns. However on Committee unanimously the trial should be continued larger interest of the people lis is likely to be 15 on Friday, for the infection last month and groups, will be visiting the state government has been Wednesday, it recommended agreed that there are no as planned," the Executive globally." SAFAR said. was brought to Mumbai for Balasore, Bhadrak, given Rs 500 crore by the treatment. Chavan is an MLA Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur Centre as advance assistance from Bhokar constituency in districts. One group is sched- for restoration works. . Earlier, state uled to visit Bhadrak district Over 44 lakh people in four Housing Minister and NCP and the other one will be districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Humane, witty, genius: , Lata , leader Jitendra Awhad also going to Jagatsinghpur on Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur tested positive for COVID-19 Friday, an official said. have been affected due to the and was hospitalised for some The central team, led by heavy downpour and high- days. He was later discharged Additional Secretary in the velocity winds triggered by Moushmi remember after recovery. Till Wednesday, Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Cyclone Amphan, as per the the state reported 74,860 Prakash, will hold a meeting preliminary damage assess- PNS n MUMBAI Baat, 'Baaton Baaton Mein', shows and I have seen all of it. COVID-19 cases and 2,587 with senior state government ment report prepared by the '', Basu Chatterjee He gave me so much in life," deaths due to the disease. officials after returning to state government. A gentle genius, a man of is no longer among us. I'm she told PTI. humour and a pioneer in the deeply pained by this news and , who worked middle-of-the-road cinema, is pay my humble tributes to with Chatterjee on three films, how members of Indian film him," she tweeted. also paid tributes to the film- industry, including Amol Megastar Amitabh maker. 10 policemen hurt in stone-pelting Palekar, , Bachchan, who starred with "Deeply saddened to hear Moushmi Chatterjee, Aamir Moushmi in "Manzil", remem- about Basu Chatterjee's passing Khan, remembered veteran bered the director as a "quiet, away. A prolific filmmaker, he during raid on illegal liquor den filmmaker Basu Chatterjee soft-spoken, gentle human". was the pioneer of what came who passed away on Thursday. "Prayers and Condolences to be regarded as middle of the PNS n HAJIPUR (BIHAR) Wednesday night when the Nityanand Prasad and a con- Chatterjee, known for his on the passing of Basu road cinema. I was fortunate to police team reached the area stable sustained injuries on relatable and slice-of-life films veteran filmmaker Basu Chatterjee Lata Mangeshkar Chatterjee... his films reflected have done 3 lovely films with Ten police personnel, includ- after being tipped-off about the their heads, hands and legs such as "" and the lives of middle India," he him 'Swami', '' ing an officer, have been arrival of a liquor consign- while the remaining personnel "Rajnigandha", had been suf- humour. No matter what the ma and commercial cinema. tweeted. and ''. All lifelike injured after they were pelted ment, Mahua Sub-divisional suffered minor injuries, the fering from age-related health situation, he knew how to He kept on making parallel Moushmi, who also worked characters. RIP." with stones during a raid on an Police Officer (SDPO) Nurul SDPO said. issues for a while. He was 93. smile and laugh," the veteran films, without making any with Chatterjee on ?"" Actor-MP Hema Malini illegal liquor den in Bihar's Haque said. The police personnel were Palekar, a frequent collabo- actor told PTI. commercial compromises and and "Do Ladke Dono Kadke" recalled working with Vaishali district, police said on As the police team reached administered first aid at the rator of Chatterjee's, said the Palekar and Chatterjee yet made very successful films," among others, noted that the Chatterjee in her mother's pro- Thursday. the spot, it was pelted with Patepur primary healthcare director was as "simple, worked together on the actor added. filmmaker's movies had a ductions "Swami" and Consumption, transporta- stones by people engaged in centre and later released, he straightforward and enchanti- "Rajnigandha", "Chhoti Si Mangeshkar, who sang the pleasant charm to them. "Ratnadeep". tion, storage or sale of liquor the illegal liquor trade, causing said. ng" as his films. Baat", "Baaton Baaton Mein", female version of "Rimjhim "There was something sweet "He will be sorely missed by is banned in Bihar. injuries to 10 personnel, All the accused have man- "He was a lovely human "" and "Apne Paraye". Gire Sawan" in 1979's "Manzil", about his films. It was my for- his many fans and also by the The incident occurred in besides damaging a police aged to escape but a manhunt being. The best part was that he "If you see the film history, condoled his death. tune that I got to work with film industry of which he was Bundi Chowk in Tisiauta vehicle, he said. has been launched to nab remained so, despite all the he was the one who reduced "I just got to know that the him in so many films. I loved an integral part. Rest in peace police station area on Tisiauta police station SHO them, the officer added. success. He looked at life with the gap between parallel cine- brilliant director of 'Choti Si all his films and even TV Basu da," Malini tweeted. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 nation 05

SHORT READS CARA extends India, Australia ink defence Rajinigandha director Basu timelines for in-country adoption process Chatterjee dies in his Mumbai home NEW DELHI: The apex adoption pact after Modi-Morrison talks n body CARA has extended the PNS MUMBAI n Prime Minister timelines for in-country PNS NEW DELHI early adoption of a adoption process due to the Comprehensive Convention Veteran filmmaker Basu Narendra Modi prevailing situation of COVID- India and Australia on on International Terrorism Chatterjee, known for his remembered 19. In a letter dated May 29 Thursday inked a landmark (CCIT). relatable, light as soufflé brand Chatterjee as a addressed to all state adoption agreement for reciprocal access In his opening remarks, of cinema with films such as resource agencies, district child to military bases for logistics Modi also pitched for a coor- "Rajnigandha" and filmmaker whose protection units and specialised support besides firming up dinated and collaborative “Chitchor”, died on Thursday cinema touched adoption agencies, the Central six more pacts to further approach to come out of the following age related health people's hearts. Adoption Resource Authority broadbase ties after Prime adverse economic and social issues. He was 93. (CARA) said in the wake of the Minister Narendra Modi and impact of the epidemic that has Chatterjee, who is survived pandemic and the prevailing his Australian counterpart infected around 65 lakh peo- by his daughters Sonali said on Twitter. travel restrictions in India, it Scott Morrison held an online ple and killed 3.88 lakh glob- Bhattacharya and Rupali West Bengal Chief Minister has been decided to further summit. ally. Guha, died in his sleep at his Basu Chatterjee Mamata Banerjee said, extend the period of child The Mutual Logistics He said a process of compre- Santacruz residence. "Saddened at the demise of matching with prospective Support Agreement (MLSA) hensive reforms covering "He passed away peaceful- doled the death of the direc- legendary film director and adoptive parents (PAPs) till will allow militaries of the two almost all areas has been ini- ly in his sleep in the morning. tor, who placed the middle screenwriter Basu Chatterjee. June 30. "Further, the timeline countries to use each other's tiated in India as his govern- He hadn't been keeping well class and its everyday joys and He gave us gems like 'Chhoti for filing of the petition in court bases for repair and replenish- ment viewed the coronavirus for quite a while due to old age struggles at the centre of his Si Baat', 'Chitchor', for adoption cases, where the ment of supplies besides facil- crisis as an "opportunity". problems and died at his res- cinematic world. 'Rajanigandha', 'Byomkesh matching process has been itating scaling up of overall In the talks, the two sides also Referring to the virtual sum- idence. It's a great loss for the Prime Minister Narendra Bakshi', 'Rajnigandha' among completed, has also been defence cooperation. mit, the prime minister termed film industry," Ashoke Pandit, Modi remembered Chatterjee others. Condolences to his extended up to June 30 or till India has already signed deliberated on a host of key issues it "a new model of India- president of the Indian Film & as a filmmaker whose cinema family, friends, fans & the the date the Registry of the similar agreements with the including dealing with growing threat of Australia partnership, a new Television Directors' touched people's hearts. entire film fraternity. Courts open, whichever is US, France and Singapore. terrorism, maritime security challenges model of conducting busi- Association (IFTDA), told "Sad to hear of the demise The two Basus along with later," the letter said. The The other pacts will provide ness". It was the first time that PTI. of Shri Basu Chatterjee. His Hrishikesh Mukherjee formed referral of children to the PAPs for bilateral cooperation in in the Indo-Pacific region, reform in the Modi held a "bilateral" virtual The last rites of the film- works are brilliant and sensi- the Hindi cinema triumvirate have also been suspended till areas of cyber and cyber- World Trade Organisation and ways to summit with a foreign leader. maker, who blazed a middle- tive. It touched people's hearts whose ethos lay firmly in the further orders, the letter said. enabled critical technology, deal with the coronavirus crisis The prime minister of-the-road trail in the 1970s and represented the simple middle class and its day-to- mining and minerals, military described his talks with and 1980s, will be performed and complex emotions, as day struggles at a time when technology, vocational educa- Morrison as "an outstanding at the Santacruz crematorium, well as struggles of people. most of was Cong decries govt tion and water resources man- firms through the use of the the region and strongly con- discussion", covering the entire Pandit said. Condolences to his family focused on larger-than-life advertising on agement. India-Australia Double demned the menace in all its expanse of ties between the two Many people in the film and innumerable fans. Om stories of angst and tragedy employment In the talks, the two sides Taxation Avoidance forms and manifestations, strategic partners. industry and outside con- Shanti," the prime minister led by Amitabh Bachchan. also deliberated on a host of Agreement (DTAA) and stressing that there can be no "Our government has decid- NEW DELHI: Congress leader key issues including dealing sought early resolution of the justification for acts of terror ed to view this crisis as an Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on with growing threat of terror- issue. on any grounds whatsoever. opportunity. In India, a process Thursday attacked the Centre ism, maritime security chal- It said both sides also decid- The joint statement said of comprehensive reforms has HC takes up suo over the reported closure of an lenges in the Indo-Pacific ed to re-engage on a bilateral both sides support a compre- been initiated in almost all PCI member Gupta Atlas cycles factory, saying region, reform in the World Comprehensive Economic hensive approach in combating areas. It will soon see results at motu case against while the government was Trade Organisation and ways Cooperation Agreement terrorism, including by coun- the ground level," the prime advertising its economic to deal with the coronavirus (CECA) while suitably consid- tering violent extremism, pre- minister said. Modi also resigns over crisis coal mining package and employment crisis. ering earlier bilateral discus- venting radicalisation, disrupt- conveyed his appreciation to PNS n GUWAHATI generation, in reality factories According to a joint state- sions where a mutually agreed ing financial support to terror- Morrison for taking care of the PNS n NEW DELHI were shutting down and jobs ment issued after the Modi- way forward can be found. ists and facilitating prosecution Indian community in The Gauhati High Court on were being lost. "Yesterday on Morrison talks, both sides dis- The two countries recog- of those involved in acts of ter- Australia, especially the stu- Press Council of India (PCI) Thursday issued notices to the World Bicycle Day, Atlas cussed the issue of taxation of nised that terrorism remains a ror. dents during the "difficult member B R Gupta, group the Centre, state, Coal India cycles' Ghaziabad factory offshore income of Indian threat to peace and stability in The two sides also called for time". editor of a Bhopal-based news and other stakeholders after closed down. More than 1,000 organisation, has resigned taking up a suo motu case people were rendered from his post saying he was against coal mining in the unemployed," Priyanka Gandhi unable to work individually or Dehing Patkai forest. said in a tweet. "We heard in ‘Not in Indian collectively for the media Hearing two public inter- the government's publicity Death of wild elephant in which is in "deep crisis". est litigations (PILs) filed by campaign that a package of this culture to feed "I have tendered my resig- some advocates and a moun- amount has been given, these nation as a Press Council of Referring to salary taineer, the bench comprising many MoUs have been signed, India member," Gupta said. He cuts and job Chief Justice Ajay Lamba so much of employment has Kerala: Headway in probe firecrackers’ been generated. But in reality, said the PCI had the respon- losses, he said and Justice Soumitra Saikia PNS n KOCHI PNS n NEW DELHI sibility to encourage media stated that a suo motu PIL employment for people is media and ending, factories are closing," and media professionals con- has been registered on receiv- the Congress general secretary Significant headway has been It is not in Indian culture to stantly. mediapersons ing a letter from a concerned said. The government will have made in the investigation into feed firecrackers and kill, "But everyone now realises were struggling citizen. The court issued to specify its policies and plans the recent gory death of a preg- Union Environment that the media scenario is in a for social, political notices to various central to save people's jobs, she said. nant wild elephant in a sus- Minister Prakash Javadekar deep crisis. The motto for and state government agen- pected man-animal conflict said on Thursday while tak- which the Council was creat- and economic cies and Coal India Ltd (CIL) in a forest area in Palakkad dis- ing serious note of the death ed was not being fulfilled and justice and fixed July 20 as the date Entire focus of Delhi trict in Kerala, the Forest of a pregnant wild elephant I felt I was not doing anything for next hearing for the suo department said on Thursday. in Kerala after she was fed remarkable for the freedom of motu and the other two PILs. govt is on saving lives A Special Investigation team firecrackers-filled pineapple. media," said Gupta, who is tively being a PCI member," "The chief justice informed of people: Sisodia set up for probing the death of Tweeting about the inci- associated with the Express Gupta added. us that he has registered a suo the elephant, which drew dent that has taken social Group. He claimed that the Referring to salary cuts and motu PIL on the matter. NEW DELHI: The entire focus widespread condemnation, media by the storm, PCI was not a wholly repre- job losses, he said media and Taking up the three PILs, the of the Delhi government is on was questioning several sus- Javadekar said the govern- sentative body for the media. mediapersons were struggling bench issued notices to all saving lives of people and pects, it said. ment will not leave any stone "Then how can we come out for social, political and eco- those concerned from central providing adequate facilities for The elephant had consumed unturned to bring the culprit of the crisis being faced by the nomic justice. and state agencies and fixed COVID-19 patients who need a pineapple filled with power- eral suspects are being interro- pineapple stuffed with crack- to book. media and mediapersons? It is When contacted, PCI chair- the next date on July 20," said hospital care, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said ful fire crackers which explod- gated. SIT formed for the pur- er and this might be a possibil- "Central Government has a big challenge for us. I have person Justice C K Prasad said Rakhee S Chowdhury, the on Thursday. In a joint virtual ed in the animal's mouth in the pose is making a significant ity. taken a very serious note of quit as I have not been able to Gupta's resignation has not advocate of one of the public press conference with Delhi Silent Valley Forest and it died headway in this regard. Forest "There's no conclusive evi- the killing of an elephant in work individually or collec- been accepted yet. PILs. Heath Minister Satyendar Jain, about a week later on May 27. Dept will leave no stone dence that injury to lower jaw Mallapuram, #Kerala. We he also urged people who are The forest department also unturned to ensure max pun- was caused by pineapple will not leave any stone infected by coronavirus but are said it would leave no stone ishment to the offenders," the stuffed wd cracker. However unturned to investigate asymptomatic to remain at unturned to ensure maximum Department said in a tweet. this may be a possibility. Dept. properly and nab the cul- India's Covid-19 tally 2,16,919 home and isolate themselves. punishment to the culprits. However, it also said there has booked offence against prit(s). This is not an Indian Jain said an order had been "In the offence registered as was no conclusive evidence unknown offenders, whose culture to feed fire crackers issued to have 20 per cent beds per the sections of WL (P)A that injury to the animal's identity is being established," and kill (sic),” he said in a reserved in 61 private for hunting the elephant, sev- lower jaw was caused by another tweet said. tweet. with record single-day spike hospitals. "We already have our n dedicated COVID-19 facilities. PNS NEW DELHI Three more private hospitals were added yesterday. And, if India saw a record single-day those private hospitals with 47 more in Assam test +ve for COVID-19 jump of 9,304 COVID-19 mixed use (20 per cent cases on Thursday pushing the n reserved beds) are facing PNS GUWAHATI Bongaigaon, three from nationwide tally to 2,16,919, logistic issues, then they can be Barpeta and one from Baksa, while the death toll due to the fully converted to dedicated At least 47 more people test- the minister said. disease climbed to 6,075 with COVID-19 facilities," Sisodia ed positive for COVID-19 in As many as 76 people 260 new fatalities, according to said. Assam on Thursday, a day were released from various the Union health ministry. after the state recorded its hospitals following their India stood seventh among highest single-day spike of recovery, taking the total the nations worst hit by the 269 coronavirus cases, Health number of those discharged COVID-19 pandemic after the Minister Himanta Biswa to 413. US, Brazil, Russia, the UK, Sarma said. Three international flights Spain and Italy. The total number of have landed at Lokopriyo The health ministry said COVID-19 cases in the state Gopinath Bordoloi the number of active COVID- currently stands at 1,877. International Airport since 19 cases in the country stood tered over 8,000 fresh cases for have recovered from the dis- Among the fresh cases, 33 May 29, an Airport Authority at 1,06,737 till 8 am on the fifth consecutive day, ease in the country so far, with are from Hojai, six from of India (AAI) spokesperson Thursday. according to government data. 3,804 of them recovering in the Himachal govt decides Dhemaji, four from here said. The country has now regis- A total of 1,04,107 patients last 24 hours. to set up sixth finance commission SHIMLA: The Himachal Sonu offers help to Cyclone weakens, veers towards MP Pradesh government on Thursday decided to set up a PNS n INDORE 7 pm on Thursday," he said. Wednesday night, which has sixth finance commission, an 28,000 hit by Nisarga According to the forecast, brought relief from the swelter- official spokesperson said. The Cyclone Nisarga, which weak- the cyclone is likely to have an ing heat. decision was taken in a PNS n MUMBAI ened into a low pressure area, impact in the areas under Barring parts of Gwalior meeting of the state Cabinet is likely to enter Madhya Narmadapuram, Bhopal, Sagar, and Chambal divisions, rainfall chaired by Chief Minister Jai Actor Sonu Sood on Thursday Pradesh by Thursday evening Rewa, Jabalpur and Shahdol occurred in almost entire MP Ram Thakur. The commission said he and his team provid- from the southern parts of the divisions in the coming hours. as an effect of cyclone Nisarga, will review the financial position ed food and rehabilitation to state, instead of the western The meteorologist said that said G D Mishra, senior mete- of panchayats and urban local 28,000 people living close to parts as predicted earlier, an in the 24 hours that ended 8.30 orologist with IMDs Bhopal bodies, he said. The the coastal lines when Cyclone official of the India am on Thursday, the places that office. commission will also make Nisarga made its way to Meteorological Department recorded maximum rainfall "Rains lashed 46 districts out recommendations to the Mumbai. The cyclone spared (IMD) said. include Segaon (136 mm), of the total 52 districts in MP," governor on measures needed India's financial capital, which The severe cyclonic storm Khandwa (132 mm), Sendhwa he said. to improve their fiscal health by is already reeling under the had hit the Maharashtra coast (104 mm), Niwali (102 mm), According to the forecast for determination of appropriate COVID-19 pandemic, after it near Alibaug in Raigad district Sonkatch (100 mm), western parts of the state, taxes, duties, tolls and fees made landfall near adjoining Sonu Sood on Wednesday afternoon. Bhainsdehi (95.4 mm) and heavy to very heavy rainfall and besides the grants in aid to Alibaug on Wednesday. IMD officials said that the Amarpur (94 mm). thunderstorm accompanied by these municipal bodies from Sood, who has been arrang- to fight this is by being each cyclone has weakened into a are likely to continue on Burhanpur. But now this The state government has lightning is most likely to the Consolidated Fund of the ing transport facilities for other's strongest support sys- cyclonic storm before entering Thursday as well, they said. cyclone has lost its intensity put the administration on alert occur at isolated places in next State. The commission will also migrant workers to return to tem. My team and I have dis- from neigh- Talking to PTI, IMD's senior and weakened into a low pres- and told the authorities to be 24 hours. be empowered to examine any their home safely amid the tributed food to over 28,000 bouring Maharashtra, and is scientist Vedprakash Singh sure area." prepared to deal with the situ- Similarly, heavy to very other issue related to pandemic, said they have people from the coastal areas likely to lose its intensity fur- Chandel said, "Our earlier fore- "In the changing weather ation. heavy rainfall, thunderstorm improvement of finances of the moved the people to munici- across Mumbai and rehabili- ther. cast was that Nisarga could conditions, there is a possibil- In some districts, including accompanied by lightning and panchayats and urban local pality schools and colleges for tated them in various schools As a result of the cyclone, enter Madhya Pradesh from ity that Nisarga may enter Indore, citizens were urged to gusty winds with speed reach- bodies, the spokesperson safety. and colleges. We are making parts of Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra between 7 am Madhya Pradesh from its remain indoors. ing 30 to 40 kmph is very like- added. “Today, all of us are facing sure all of them are safe,” received rainfall from and 11 am on Thursday from southern parts like Betul, Several parts of MP have ly to occur at isolated places in tough times and the best way Sood said in a statement here. Wednesday and the showers Khandwa, Khargone and Chhindwara and Seoni around been getting showers since eastern MP, it said. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Now, rural hotspots The real test of COVID-19 management is now as the countryside turns red Samosa and more here seems to be no end to apocalyptic head- lines. First, the Coronavirus robbed lives and The virtual bilateral summit between PMs Modi and Morrison has come at an opportune time Tlivelihoods, then came Cyclone Amphan that led to massive displacement of people and destruc- tion of property, only to be followed by the inva- when both nations face threats from China. This may herald a new strategic partnership sion of desert locusts that destroyed thousands of hectares of farm land. Thankfully, Cyclone Nisarga spared Indians. And now the reverse exo- dus of migrants means that the poor in India’s vast countryside are exposed to the killer virus thanks to the carriers among their returnee villagers. Worst, community spread, though not officially confirmed, has started showing signs. Rural towns, which had hitherto remained insulated from a largescale assault of the virus except as scattered dots, have started seeing a surge. ASHUTOSH MISRA According to official data, a sizeable number of the 145 new Corona hotspots in the ussie Prime Minster Scott country were detected from virgin areas. That States, which received a massive influx Morrison’s tweet about shar- of workers, have seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the last three weeks, is ing a “samosa platter” with proof enough that reverse migration contributed big time to rural incidence. Around Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the lat- 2,147 active cases, accounting for 2.5 per cent of the total cases in the country, ter’sA response saying, “Connected by the were reported from Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and ocean, united by the samosa” made for Madhya Pradesh. Both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the two States which received the a good banter before the inaugural of the first-ever virtual summit between them. maximum number of migrant workers, have seen a two-fold increase in COVID-19 ScoMo with the “samosa fame” and cases ever since they started welcoming them back. In the case of the former, 75 NaMo with the “chai fame” make for an per cent of the migrants from Mumbai and 50 per cent of returnees from Delhi had unbeatable combo to welcome winters in Down Under and plug a gap in diplo- extremely high positivity. As for Bihar, 26 per cent of the labourers returning from matic ties. Coming in the backdrop of Delhi tested positive. In part, limited mobility of the lockdown and to a greater extent, both India and Australia facing tense the lower density of population were the reasons why rural India comparatively saw relations with China, the summit was hugely significant. As for the former, it a low incidence of the disease than its urban counterpart. And if indeed rural India faces tensions along the Line of Actual becomes the hub for the pandemic, the number of daily new cases would grow Control (LAC). The latter has been eco- exponentially, much more than what we are registering at present. As the numbers nomically hit for asking for an indepen- dent inquiry into the origins of the novel are set to rise, it would be a no brainer to guess the plight of this lot simply on account Coronavirus. of the differential treatment it receives. Inarguably, challenges are many. First and More than anything else, the virtu- foremost, rural areas have a less robust healthcare infrastructure to deal with al summit gave a fresh momentum to the bilateral agenda with both nations group to enable uranium standing of opportunities and al elections debacle, the Beijing’s alleged interference Coronavirus cases. Of the 23,582 Government hospitals with 7,10,761 beds in the inking several pacts. While the focus of export and get rid of the challenges. That is thanks to Palaszczuk Government’s swift and influence in internal affairs, country, 19,810 hospitals are in rural areas with 279,588 beds and 3,772 hospi- the media has more or less remained on nuclear outsider tag. Over time, Peter Varghese’s report, ‘An approval to the Adani Mining in politics and academic insti- tals in urban areas with 431,173 beds. In short, rural India has just 3.2 Government similar issues — ranging from both have mastered the art of India Economy Strategy to 2035: operation that remained tutions, Hong Kong protests hospital beds per 10,000 people. It also lacks specialists, units and equipment that Quad/Quad-plus talks, RCEP, Indo- employing the allure of culture From Potential to Delivery,’ enmeshed in unending litiga- and human rights abuses Pacific strategic cooperation, to galvanise relations. If a gar- and the complementary tions and factional political against Uyghurs Muslims have health systems in the city have mobilised to take care of an unexpected swamp. Malabar/AUSINDEX Naval exercises, landed Malcolm Turnbull sat Australia Economic Strategy bickering in Queensland for brought the two partners clos- With 70 per cent of the total population residing in rural areas, a spread of the dis- Indian students in Australia to cyber on the footsteps of the (AES) report by Ambassador over eight years, infused fresh er strategically. ease on a wider scale could lead to a total collapse of the health infrastructure. Further, security and mutual logistics support Akshardham temple in New Anil Wadhwa that provide a life in bilateral ties. In hind- The pandemic has also agreement among others — what had Delhi alongside Modi, blueprint for business and trade sight, the decision could not created a global synergy among rural areas have a significant older population with many vulnerabilities. escaped their attention was their bilat- Morrison, taking a cue from engagements. have been better timed from liberal democracies for a more This demonstrates another round of blunderous planning. First, the migrants should eral journey. This was highlighted by former US President Barack Besides, Australia is the business and trade perspec- transparent, accountable and have been either held at their work sites with food and doles or moved in a sys- Australian High Commissioner Barry O’ Obama, who once cited a addressing its Asian literacy tive. rule-based order. Australia’s Farrell in a compelling speech in New famous Hindi dialogue from a deficiency, too. The New In the fight against demand for an international temic manner before enforcing lockdown protocols. The infectivity was at least not Delhi recently. He said, “Over the last Shahrukh Khan blockbuster Colombo Plan supports over COVID-19, an Australian inquiry into the origins of the as high then as it is now. Second, knowing they were returning, there should have few months and years, India and to charm the Indian audience, 10,000 research fellowships in NGO, Doctors for You, has Coronavirus found favour in been isolation shelters, camps and medical testing units to mitigate a potential epi- Australia have grown closer together. tweeted a selfie with Modi in 40 Asian countries, including provided upgraded medical New Delhi. This, along with the They are at a historical high.” This jour- Hindi saying, Kitna achcha he India, and produces around equipment and set up 20 isola- backing of 137 countries, for demic in these areas. Towards this end, the Centre had already cautioned respec- ney extraordinaire beholds a dozen of Modi (How good is Modi). 900 Australian undergradu- tion and treatment beds in a review of the origins of the tive States to undertake precautions well in advance to prevent the spread of the key determinants and political path- And Modi returned the cour- ates undertaking research, Patna, Bihar. Prime Minister virus under the aegis of the disease. Ideally, the local authorities had to track infected returnees and conduct peri- breakers that deserve a roll call here. tesy the Australian way by study and internships in India. Morrison has also been in World Health Organisation In the early 2000s, the then Prime tweeting, “Mate, I’m stoked But Australia must reinvent the admiration of Prime Minister (WHO) has put more pressure odic assessments of their health before letting them bleed into the community. Already Minister John Howard’s role in placing about our energy in bilateral old 3Cs (Curry, Cricket and Modi’s SAARC COVID-19 on it. shocking incidents of migrants pulling emergency chains on trains and some even bilateral business and trade ties on the relations.” Commonwealth) by nurtur- regional initiative and had Lastly, Australian Senator jumping out of the trains before the arrival of their destination in a bid to escape the high road is incontrovertible. But the set- During his visit to ing a new paradigm: urged him to initiate the G-20 Simon Birmingham, who led a back came with former Prime Minister Australia in 2014, Modi had Constituencies of Country COVID-19 summit, which trade delegation to New Delhi mandatory 14-day quarantine protocol have been reported. With the Government’s Kevin Rudd’s refusal to supply uranium, acknowledged Canberra’s lead- Champions. It must invest in materialised in March. Now in February, had said, “Australia focus completely relegated towards ramping up preparedness in the metropolitan the “monkey-gate” cricket controversy, ership in sports. While people and institutions with secretary-level meets with must look into alternative mar- cities during the lockdown, there’s a need for a shift in focus now. Testing needs to Muhammad Haneef case and Indian Australian cricketers enjoy star language, cultural and area Quad-plus counterparts, kets in the European Union students’ safety concerns. If Prime attraction in the Indian expertise. including Australia, India, and India.” His call must have be ramped up in the rural belt while zoning and mapping need to be done for con- Minister Julia Gillard acted timely and Premier League (IPL), legends Following the Valentine’s Japan and the US, on a week- been heard loud and clear by tainment. Considering the poor knowledge of health providers as well as the peo- decisively to reverse this decision to res- like Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee day terrorist attack that killed ly basis is gathering coordinat- New Delhi. As Australian bar- ple in India’s vast hinterland, the former must be given at least basic training to deal urrect plummeting ties, her successor, and others grace the commen- 41 Indian security personnel in ed response. In Australia, ley farmers look to divert with what’s coming. The latter, too, needs to be communicated clearly about the Tony Abbott addressed the students’ tary box. Now, the Australian Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, Indian students are also play- exports to India, Australian issue effectively by cracking down on Olympic swimming gold the bipartisan Australian sup- ing an outstanding role in pro- businesses are turning to India symptoms of the virus and most importantly, on the need to not panic and stay dubious education providers, tightening medallist Stephanie Rice also port from Morrison, Foreign viding care to the aged, distrib- for answers. Undoubtedly, the calm. Seamless communication and coordination, right from the Central to the State visa rules and stamping out corruption commentates in the Indian Minister Marise Payne and uting food and helping emer- bilateral journey of the two and the district level and empowerment of local self-help groups in COVID manage- in the industry. To some extent, both kabaddi league (a local sport). Penny Wong, leader of the gency services. vibrant democracies has braved leaders also dispelled New Delhi’s per- Other professionals, too, have Opposition in the Senate, cas- Both sides also seem to extraordinary and testing times ment strategies are the need of the hour. There is no time for political blame-games ception of Australia’s pro-China tilt been encouraging marginalised tigating Pakistan for its role in have overcome their mutual which must be remembered as if we want to save the real Bharat. under the Mandarin-speaking Rudd. children and youth to take up nurturing cross-border terror- inhibitions over the China fac- the two leaders herald a new New Delhi has remained grateful for sports in a bid to improve ism, was warmly noted and tor. India’s military standoff in dawn in strategic partnership. Canberra’s stellar support to India’s livelihoods. acknowledged by the Modi Doklam and now in Ladakh (The writer is CEO, Institute entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group Both nations possess a Government. and Australia’s discomfort over for Australia India Engagement, More to quake about (NSG) and securing a waiver from the more nuanced mutual under- Stunned by the 2019 feder- cybersecurity concerns, Brisbane) Experts believe a temblor is on its way given the wave of seismic activity in Delhi-NCR over a short span S O U N D BITE elhi-NCR, already reeling under the onslaught You don’t upset the bear, you Wars, pandemics, deaths, racism, Donald Trump is the first We have already lived through don’t upset Kohli or Dhoni, rapes, diseases, calamities president in my lifetime who our democracy for so many of the Coronavirus, seems to be headed for you don’t upset certain play- and many more... all by our does not try to unite the years. People definitely have Dbig trouble of a different kind if any of the ers, because this is what they hands! We are murderers. American people — does not sentimental values for present recent seismic activity is any indication. The National love. They love confrontation. We seem to be immune to even pretend to try. Instead, name. It (the renaming idea) Centre for Seismology recorded an earthquake Don’t give him any oxygen. learning from our mistakes. he tries to divide us. only has nuisance value. measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale late on the night Former Australia cricketer Actor Former US defence secretary Congress leader of June 3, the epicentre of which was 19 km south- —Dean Jones —Hina Khan —Jim Mattis —M Veerappa Moily east of Noida. And though there were no reports of casualties and damage to properties, the tremors were felt in the entire Delhi-NCR, causing panicked L E T T E R S T O T H E EDITOR residents to check on each other through frantic Act responsibly Government has increased the messages on social media and messaging apps. Not an American dream turnover and investment limit of What is scaring residents the most is the fact that the latest quake is the 11th to strike Ministry of Micro, Small and the Delhi-NCR region in a span of just 45 days, with two previous earthquakes mea- Sir — The total number of his refers to the editorial, “Boots on the street” (June Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) suring 4.6 and 2.9 being recorded on May 29. And the common man is not the only Coronavirus cases in the country 3). Violent protests across the US over the death to bring more units under the new is now over two lakh. This is a Tof an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, at the hands definition. Further, the distress one worried, this wave of seismic activity over such a short span has led some of deadly warning to those citizens, of a Minneapolis police officer lay bare the deep frus- fund of `20,000 crore, if utilised India’s foremost geologists to believe that a temblor of a much greater magnitude who are not following basic tration over continuing racial discrimination in the coun- judiciously, will help stressed may very well be on its way, although they cannot predict the exact time, scale and guidelines issued for their own try. The protests are not just about Floyd’s killing, which MSMEs. And the decision with safety. The Central as well as the was just a trigger. Underlying the demonstrations is pent- respect to farmers will help them location of an earthquake. Sitting on several fault lines, Delhi-NCR falls in the high- State Governments have taken a up anger over systemic violence against the Blacks. decide which kharif crop they risk seismic zone IV region apart from being just 300-odd km away from the main collective decision to restart the Although affirmative action has reduced racial inequal- should grow as sowing will pick boundary thrust fault of the Himalayas. economy with hopes that the cit- ity to some extent, the situation of Blacks with regard up with the onset of the monsoon izens would scrupulously follow to income, housing and medicare lags far behind. season. The Government has The authorities were apprised of the vulnerabilities of Delhi-NCR as early as the all the guidelines while com- The Floyd video displays the prejudice against Blacks example of the President choosing to stoke long stand- increased the MSP for 14 crops. 1960s when a moderate earthquake shook Delhi, resulting in a major power outage. mencing their economic activi- that runs deep and negative stereotypes define how peo- ing racial divides rather than trying to comfort a hurt- This decision needs to be commu- Then the Geological Survey of India had advised the Government to make the city’s ties. People should fight the ple relate to them in society. Worsening unemployment ing community. White nationalists and supremacists, his nicated to the farmers. Corona battle with vigour and situation and political polarisation ahead of the presi- core support base, are reported to be out on the streets, Bal Govind buildings structurally sound enough because the city is a mix of low and high-rises courage. And if they flout norms, dential elections, too, appear to be driving the protests. provoking protesters. Their mobilisation will energise Noida and built on hard and soft soil. The areas next to the Yamuna are particularly vulner- it will be difficult for the Centre Once again, US President Donald Trump has put on dis- Trump supporters and could boost chances of his re- able as the water from the river would turn the water-soaked subsoil to jelly, making and States to handle the situation play his inept and insensitive leadership. His controver- election. Governance failure if the virus becomes widespread. sial comments, suggesting looters in Minneapolis be shot N Sadhasiva Reddy the buildings collapse like a pack of cards. And despite this knowledge being in the Katuru Durga Prasad Rao and that the protesters are “thugs” marked the latest via mail public domain for decades, both the Centre and the State Governments have done Hyderabad Sir — Had the current dispensa- little to quake-proof Delhi-NCR. This, despite repeated reminders by the High Court tion used its mandate for genuine Economic travail evidently dampened economic pandemic slowdown of 2019, it and, hence, it must turn the grim governance, India would have to get their act together, in its orders issued in 2015, 2016 and 2019, asking the spirits, their assessment period will not be able to register a high situation to its advantage. been in a better position to face the Government and authorities concerned to prepare an action plan to fortify buildings precedes it. growth trajectory in future. Ravi Teja Kathuripalli social and economic crises. as per the norms set by the National Building Code 2005. Meanwhile, there has been Sir — Lowering of India’s sover- While the downgrading may Contrary to what Moody’s Hyderabad Instead of opting for a radical an exponential growth and development in Delhi-NCR in the last few decades, result- eign rating by Moody’s and slow- be fodder for criticism pointed may expect, policymakers have to approach, it is introducing half- ing of economic growth to an 11- towards economic policies of the step up and mitigate the worsen- Radical reforms baked reforms. ing in a high population density. The Centre and respective State Governments are year low cumulatively are a warn- Government, it serves as an ing trend. Positive or negative, Rishi Gupta already stretched to breaking point, both in terms of facilities, money, manpower and ing for India. The foremost take- opportunity to run a comprehen- indicators are a reflection of the Via email healthcare facilities. How well they can cope with the added burden of major disas- away from these two assessments sive impact assessment of policies kind of trajectory we record based Sir — This refers to the editorial, is that though they have surfaced in place. Unless the Government on our policies. The rudder still “Another push” (June 2). Within Send your feedback to: ter and relief operations is anybody’s guess. during the pandemic, which has deliberates on reasons for the pre- rests on the Government’s hands a span of one month, the [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN A three-headed POINTCOUNTERPOINT IT IS MURDER. MALAPPURAM IS FAMOUS FOR SUCH WE ARE SAD THAT SOME HAVE USED THIS (TUSKER) monster INCIDENTS. THEY THROW POISON ON ROADS SO THAT TRAGEDY TO UNLEASH A HATE CAMPAIGN AND EVEN 300-400 BIRDS AND DOGS DIE AT ONE TIME. TRIED TO IMPORT BIGOTRY INTO THE NARRATIVE. Wearing of masks, regular washing of hands with —BJP MP AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST —KERALA CHIEF MINISTER soap and social distancing are next to impossible MANEKA GANDHI PINARAYI VIJAYAN for slum dwellers in India due to practical reasons Status quo is not the answer AMIT RAHUL KUMAR RANJAN India will always be subjected to pinpricks at will by China. Is this the way we want to tame the dragon ver 65 million or 22 per cent of India’s total population live in urban slums, which are characterised by acute poverty, and let it become a threat from a challenge? The answer obviously is ‘no’ Oover-crowding, unhealthy living conditions and a weak urban public health set-up. The three important health behaviours pre- scribed as preventive measures for COVID-19 by various govern- ments and international health organisations are wearing of masks, regular washing of hands with soap or sanitiser and social distanc- ing. While all these measures are easy to adopt for the middle class and those belonging to the upper strata of society, it is extremely difficult for slum populations to do so due to practical reasons. According to the latest National Sample Survey (NSS) on drink- ing water and sanitation, in order to meet their daily water require- ment slum dwellers have to walk over 200 metres on an average daily to fetch water. This is because a significant number of slum households depend on public taps/tube wells for drinking water. GUPTA For instance in States like Uttar Pradesh (UP), West Bengal, Odisha ANIL and Chhattisgarh, this percentage ranges from 60 to 82 per cent, he stand-off at Doklam in 2017 has been fol- while in Karnataka, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Andhra Pradesh, lowed by another and bigger face-off in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu (TN) it ranges from 24 to 48 per cent. TEastern Ladakh now, with defence analysts, Also, a large number of households living in slums don’t have diplomats and strategic experts predicting the fre- private toilets/bathrooms. In States like Odisha, Gujarat, West Bengal quency to be almost annual due to the ostensible and UP respectively, the percentage of households that reported Chinese annoyance at the rapid rate of development of infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control no access to private toilets/bathrooms ranged from 47 to 60 per (LAC) by India which neutralises the asymmetry cent. created by the former till now. While on one hand Social distancing is also a major problem for slum dwellers China was actively trying to build a new image of as most of them live in one-room tenements and given the nation- a responsible global power by its increasing partic- al average household size of five members, it is safe to say they ipation in Military Operations Other Than War have a cheek-by-jowl existence. Washing/sanitising of the hands (MOOTW) like peacekeeping, anti-piracy and with soap/sanitiser is an important health hygiene behaviour to tack- humanitarian assistance, on the other it has not shed le the current pandemic crisis. But worryingly, most of the slum its belligerent attitude on the border with India due households wash their hands only with water before having their to the potential threat it perceives from India in its meal, forget about using a soap. Given the low levels of education quest to become a superpower. It continues to encir- cle India through its “Strings of Pearl” and Belt and and also household incomes, it is not surprising that health hygiene Road Initiative (BRI) doctrine. Despite the desire awareness is very poor among slum households, making them a expressed by Xi Jinping in his early years of presi- hotbed of germs and diseases. dency to speedily resolve the border dispute with One of the major problems that slum dwellers face is the fact India, China appears to be in no hurry to resolve that they are not able to get Government facilities/services like water the boundary dispute and on the contrary is becom- IF OUR and sanitation, either because of low awareness about Government ing increasingly aggressive to reach areas as claimed by it and marked in our maps as “Claim Line.” STRENGTH difference lies in assessing the intent of the cation as compared to China. In case of wearing out the opponent while building programmes or because of the fact that they are ineligible for them IS ON THE as they are living in a non-notified slum. Odisha accounts for 72 China’s national goal is to achieve unification adversary. If an adversary has hostile inten- a conflict, India would be at an advantage its own strengths. It has been able to and build a moderately prosperous society by 2050, HIGH SEAS tions as well as a matching military capa- and will be able to concentrate more forces achieve the asymmetry on the LAC as well per cent, Gujarat for 61 per cent, UP for 49.91 per cent and TN AND NOT IN THE for 41.49 per cent of the total slum households who live in non- which would coincide with the centenary year of bility to pursue those intentions it is cat- than China could deploy. No doubt as reorganise and modernise its army. In Communist rule. The Chinese Communist Party MOUNTAINOUS egorised as a “threat.” In the assessment China would bank on collusion with the the process it has begun to be more notified slums. Hence, slum populations are more vulnerable to (CCP) has directed its army, the Peoples Liberation REGIONS, of our policymakers, though China pos- Pakistan Army to tie down Indian troops, assertive on its “Claim Line” by not just COVID-19 because of the low provision of basic amenities and poor Army (PLA) to ensure that no internal or external THEN WHY sesses a strong military capability, it does but even then, it could at best lead to a patrolling but by camping and digging in outreach of municipality services in non-notified slums due to their forces should be able to sabotage China’s econom- ARE WE STILL not harbour “hostile” intentions, hence cat- stalemate. A stalemate would definitely hit those areas. Of late, even in those areas legal status. ic engine or embarrass its national honour. The cur- OBSESSED WITH egorised as a “challenge.” Rightly so, China’s image globally and in other areas where the claim line and the LAC coin- Data from COVID-19India.org as on May 30 show that 10 major rent stand-off is a result of this mandate to the PLA OUR FRONTIERS? because of the stated national goal as men- of conflict and would be a definite loss of cide, China has begun to transgress in cities account for almost 60 per cent of the total confirmed cases because it feels threatened in Aksai Chin, a safe bet tioned above. But it does not take time for face. China has the knack of springing sur- order to provide grazing grounds to the for the PLA till now. Both Aksai Chin and INDIA MUST a militarily strong nation to change its prises. Beijing may well begin with a non- locals. It is testing India’s response so that of the contagion, namely Mumbai (21.15 per cent), Delhi (10.15 TAKE per cent), Ahmedabad (6.15 per cent), Chennai (7.70 per cent), Karakoram Pass are China’s jugular veins. intentions, particularly when the country contact battle; Information Warfare (IW), it can enhance its claim line in those areas In response to the offer of US President ADVANTAGE is known for expansionist and extra-ter- Electronic Warfare (EW), cyber-attacks, as well. In a nutshell, the PLA has become Thane (5.02 per cent), Pune (4.15 per cent), Indore (1.89 per cent), OF ITS GEO- Jaipur (1.08 per cent), Kolkata (1.13 per cent) and Surat (0.86 per Trump for a mediation to resolve the stand-off which ritorial ambitions. precision munitions followed by a surgi- very strong in the mountainous sector as per the US assessment is “very serious”, Indian STRATEGIC Such a policy is good to justify the cal strike. Will we be able to match the through which the LAC runs. Our cent). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has informed his LOCATION ongoing debate of “Gun versus Butter” in Chinese capabilities in the conflict zone? response has been to meet the Chinese The census 2011 report identified that 13.8 million households US counterpart that, “It has been India’s efforts to IN THE a developing economy and a nation bur- In the end, if China does not vacate Indian threat through enhanced deployment — about 64 million people — are located in city slums nation- ensure that the tension does not escalate. It should INDO-PACIFIC dened with a yawning gap between the territory, New Delhi should have other and efforts to improve the infrastructure. wide. That is 17.4 per cent of all urban households in the coun- be resolved through talks at the military and diplo- REGION AND rich and the poor. Fortunately India falls options to exercise. In such a scenario, In other words we have been trying to pit try. In fact, in India’s financial capital Mumbai, over 41 per cent of matic levels. We have already developed a mecha- DEVELOP THE quite low in China’s current threat assess- India should have the option to signal the our strength against the enemy’s strength. the city’s 12.44 million inhabitants live in slums. It is no wonder nism for the same. Negotiations are ongoing ment and “worst-case scenarios.” But can Chinese obliquely (through media, strate- China is happy with status quo and is not between the two countries at the military and diplo- MARITIME India remain happy with status quo or gic community, diplomatic means and so keen to resolve border issues. It feels con- then that COVID-19 cases have been rapidly spreading in Mumbai’s STRENGTH TO Dharavi slum. matic level.” must it plan alternatives to meet growing on) that the conflict may not remain fident of “managing” conflicts along the Going by the statements of the spokesperson TAME THE Chinese aggressiveness and assertive- localised in the trans-Himalayan region LAC. India will always be subjected to pin- Except for Mumbai’s Dharavi, till now we have not had to face DRAGON. a situation where the contagion has spread majorly across the slums of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese ness? but may spread to the high seas. pricks at will by the dragon. Is this the way Ambassador to India, Beijing, too, wants to resolve WHILE DOING “India can end Chinese transgression If the Indian policymakers consider we want to tame the dragon and let it in the country. The implications of a COVID-19 outbreak in the urban the issue mutually. China, before ordering the stand- ALL THIS, if the conflict is taken to Beijing’s worry Indo-Pacific as a soft underbelly of China, become a “threat” from a “challenge?” The slums can be disastrous for the urban poor and the public health off, would have war-gamed the Indian responses and WE NEED TO spot(s),” says Ram Madhav, National have they done enough to encash this answer obviously is “No.” set-up. In the absence of affordable and quality public healthcare, worked out an exit strategy to match each Indian MAINTAIN OUR General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata advantage through capacity and capabil- Strength begets respect and instils fear families living in slums run the risk of deep impoverishment, dis- response. New Delhi’s response, though firm and STRATEGIC Party (BJP). Besieged by a geopolitical sit- ity build-up? The zone of peace and tran- in potential adversaries. China also ease and death. On the other hand, the public health system runs clear, has been traditional and nothing “out of the AUTONOMY uation, which led to a global assault against quility along the LAC espoused between respects strength. India’s strength does not a high risk of getting overrun by patients, only at a scale much worse box.” Hence, as in the past, if China is keen to resolve it, the dragon has decided to be proactive the two nations in the beginning of this lie in the lofty trans-Himalayas but in the than the previous swine-flu outbreaks. the issue, it would buy time, coerce India through rather than succumb to the global pres- century has slowly been turned into a line high seas. “The lion cannot protect him- COVID-19 has an urban face so far and it is going to stay for psychological operations, deception and threat of sure led by the US. It decided to convey of asymmetry through rapid development self from traps and the fox cannot defend a long time. In the short term, the Government must intervene via a conflict to seek a withdrawal on its terms. But India a subtle message to the US’ potential allies of infrastructure on its own side by himself from wolves. One must, therefore, aggressive administrative measures, starting with affordable or free this time is adamant not to succumb to any type of through posturing and aggression in China, thus providing it the capability of be a fox to recognise traps and a lion to pressure keeping in mind the prevailing geopolit- what is referred to as “signalling” in strate- rapid deployment. India is fast trying to frighten wolves,” said Machiavelli, the testing, identification and quarantine of bearers of the virus in slum ical environment loaded heavily in its favour. In that gic terminology. In doing so, it made the catch up but lags behind due to many famous Italian philosopher and writer. In areas. This has to be followed by the provision of door-to-door drink- case, China may agree to find a face-saving settle- cardinal mistake of opening up too many domestic factors. relation to China, India needs to develop ing water and mobile toilet facilities to avoid crowding around water ment for the time being but the dragon is known fronts simultaneously. The South China There was also an attempt to main- both the qualities. points or community toilets. for its vengeance and non-forgiving behaviour. Sea (SCS), Taiwan, Hong Kong and the tain peace through a series of border man- If our strength is on the high seas and In the medium-term, the Government must decongest cities The threat from the dragon may only be Sino-Indian border. Even Australia, a agement and Confidence Building not in the mountainous regions, then why by developing rapid public transport transit systems and shifting deferred for the next campaigning season but not friend of China, joined the global Measures, including the mechanism to are we still obsessed with our frontiers? production networks to different parts of the country. In the long- eliminated. Can the present stand-off be China’s onslaught against it. Japan was also resolve the boundary dispute. But China India must take advantage of its geostrate- term, the Government must aim for slum-free cities via low cost revenge for Doklam with a new recalibrated becoming aggressive. China felt that it had more often than not has been violating gic location in the Indo-Pacific region and housing to the poor strata of population and creating urban agglom- response and so on? Status quo, therefore, is advan- been cornered and its move against India these because of its better capability to man develop the maritime strength to tame the eration centered on production of high value services such as edu- tage China. may prove costly. the LAC viz a viz India. Any effort by the dragon. While doing all this we need to cation, health, information technology and so on. In the mind of our security policymakers China China knows that in the current Indian Army to improve infrastructure on maintain our strategic autonomy. is not a threat but a challenge. The threat/challenge stand-off, militarily, both the Chinese and its side is objected to and resisted by the (The author is a Jammu-based veter- (Kumar is a Young Professional in the Financial Resource divi- posed by an adversary is assessed by the policymak- the Indian Army are equally strong, with Chinese. an, political commentator, columnist, secu- sion at NITI Aayog, while Ranjan is a Senior Research Associate ers based on their capabilities and intent. The major India enjoying shorter lines of communi- China believes in buying time and rity and strategic analyst.) at the Institute for Human Development, New Delhi) It is high time we make time for nature FOREIGN EYE India must ensure that by the time World Environment Day 2021 rolls around, significant progress is made in restoring nature to its former glory

ity. They could not have foreseen that nature is sought to be reimagined We need to realise that this spi- mals to humans, are rising rapidly the environment and biodiversity, people would start realising the and brought back into focus. ralling demand on nature and bio- and it is estimated that in future they India must leverage the new-found value of the smallest of pleasures in We must realise that nature diversity is also increasingly expos- would comprise 75 per cent of the awareness levels of the population to life, such as taking a walk in the park, gives humans the diversity that is ing human life to hitherto unknown global disease burden. secure the interests of nature and meeting friends and family or eating needed for survival, provides dangers. The emergence of COVID- Anthropogenic activities such as ensure that a robust biodiversity is out at a restaurant. All because of resources to develop medicines, 19 has underscored the fact that deforestation, urban expansion, established as a check between GIVE THE STATE COVID-19 and the huge impact it helps absorb carbon, reduces pollu- when biodiversity is destroyed the intensification of illegal wildlife trade harmful viruses and the precious has had on our lives and the global tion and, therefore, mitigates climate natural system that intuitively sup- and thriving wet markets are unwit- health of the population. A STAKE economy. change. But when the same nature ports and secures human life is also tingly building a highway of diseases India must ensure that by the The Government will play a KOTA SRIRAJ The pandemic has changed the and biodiversity is exploited to a destroyed. between the animal world and the time World Environment Day 2021 central role in enabling an global outlook on the environment breaking point, the consequences are The more diverse the ecosystem, human population and this needs to rolls around, significant progress is and biodiversity. And as India and dark and stark. the more difficult it is for one be stopped immediately. logged in restoring nature to its for- economic recovery after the oday is World Environment the world try to limp back to normal- The speed of human progress pathogen to spread rapidly and The ongoing pandemic has mer glory. As part of the same, efforts pandemic. It can pursue Day (June 5) and it is usually cy, we need to build on this new- and growth is impressive and dominate. A severe loss of biodiver- taught some very painful lessons to need to be made to ensure that strategic targets by taking Tmarked by functions organised found regard for the environment unprecedented but sadly detrimen- sity enables harmful pathogens to humanity. India, too, has seen a humanity moves closer to nature and equity stakes in some to raise environmental awareness and and incorporate it into our post- tal for the environment. In the last cross over from animals to humans. never-before societal awareness learns to put nature first in the order rescued companies. It encourage action to protect our COVID-19 recovery plans. This 50 years, the human population has COVID-19 is an unfortunate exam- regarding the environment. This of priority. This will not only ensure planet. Last year, as the world cele- must get reflected in the form of cre- doubled, the global economy has ple of this. awareness has ensured a uniform that we leave a better world for our should use that role and the brated environment day in the usual ation of healthy cities where nature quadrupled and international trade Nature is already sending us a response from all spheres of the soci- children but it will also lend true leverage it affords, to help manner, it could not have imagined and people can thrive harmonious- has increased by ten times. This message but humans are unable to ety to battle a common enemy. This meaning to the theme of this year’s shape the post-COVID-19 that a year later the very same envi- ly. warp-speed development is making decipher the same. This is evident by unity in civil society is priceless and World Environment Day — Time for economy in the wider public ronment which had been degraded This year’s environment day such demands on nature that it the fact that the number of zoonot- can be utilised for furthering com- Nature. interest. for centuries would be regarded theme is “Time for Nature”, where- would need 1.6 planets like the ic infectious diseases, or those dis- mon causes. (The writer is an environmental The Guardian with a new-found respect and humil- in humanity’s relationship with Earth to fulfill all human needs. eases that are transmitted from ani- Given the deteriorating state of journalist) ( editorial) VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 money 08

CAPSULE Instalment to Rupee settles Rights issue helps RIL women Jan 10p lower at Dhan holders 75.57 against reclaim Rs 10L cr m-cap from Friday US dollar PNS n MUMBAI PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n MUMBAI Reliance Industries on Thursday reclaimed Rs 10 Women Jan Dhan bank The rupee depreciated 10 lakh crore market-capitalisa- account holders will start paise to provisionally close at tion mark after its shares getting the third and final 75.57 against the US dollar on Tata AIG launches surged over 2.4 per cent on the instalment of Rs 500 from Thursday as strengthening back of the success of the Friday in line with the US dollar and weak domestic ‘pay-as-you-drive rights issue. announcement made by ReNew Power to equities weighed on investor cover' for private RIL closed at Rs 1,579.95 on Finance Minister Nirmala sentiment. Forex traders said the BSE, a gain of Rs 37.50 or Sitharaman in March. sustained foreign fund inflow cars 2.43 per cent over the previous To help the poor tide over and the revival of business day close. the COVID-19 crisis, the acquire AI startup activities supported the local Mumbai: Tata AIG General Insurance has joined the list of This took the m-cap past Rs government on March 26 unit, but concerns about US- a select few insurers to offer 10 lakh crore - Rs 10.01 lakh announced an ex-gratia pay- China trade tiff dragged the crore to be precise, according ment of Rs 500 to be credit- local unit down. usage-based insurance cover RIL share gained 7.8 per cent in Climate Connect to private car owners which to stock exchange data. ed to women Jan Dhan The rupee opened weak at The stock traded at this level these 34 days, as against 1.7 per account holders for the next PNS n NEW DELHI Machine Learning company, 75.62 at the interbank forex reduces the overall premium last on May 11, 2020. three months starting from specialising in the power market, then gained some payout. The new policy called The oil-to-telecom con- cent rise in Nifty-50 April. Instalment of Rs 500 Clean energy firm ReNew markets domain in India," lost ground and settled for the 'AutoSafe' uses telematics- glomerate on Wednesday for June has been sent to the Power on Thursday said it ReNew Power said in a state- day at 75.57 against the US based next-gen application closed a Rs 53,124 crore rights bank accounts of PMJDY has inked a definitive agree- ment. ReNew's acquisition dollar, down 10 paise over its and device to track the usage issue, India's largest ever, with The firm on April 22 84,000 crore, was the largest women beneficiaries under ment to acquire artificial of Climate Connect is expect- last close. It had settled at of the car and decide on the an oversubscription. announced Facebook buying a issue globally among non- Pradhan Mantri Garib intelligence and machine ed to not only add to its dig- 75.47 against the US dollar on premium. The app helps Since lockdown was 9.99 per cent stake in Jio financial companies in the Kalyan Package. learning startup Climate ital capabilities but also allow Wednesday. During the trad- policyholders save on announced on March 24, RIL Platforms for Rs 43,574 crore. last 10 years. Beneficiaries are requested Connect. it to offer a suite of digital ing session, the local curren- premium by selecting the has generated 67.5 per cent The share has since risen by RIL share gained 7.8 per to follow the schedule to The acquisition will give product offerings to cus- cy touched an intra-day high kilometers-driven, promotes returns for its shareholders, 15.9 per cent. cent in these 34 days, as visit banks and CSPs and ReNew Power access to ener- tomers across the energy of 75.38 and a low of 75.62 safe driving, works as anti- more than double the 28.6 per The rights issue, which against 1.7 per cent rise in money can also be with- gy management services. value chain, it added. against the US dollar. theft device as it comes with a cent returns generated by the closed in 34 days with investor Nifty-50, according to stock drawn via ATMs and BCs, "ReNew Power has signed ReNew Power plans to GPS-based tracking facility. benchmark Nifty-50. commitments exceeding Rs exchange data. the Financial Services a definitive agreement to operate Climate Connect as Last month, Edelweiss General Department under the acquire Regent Climate an independent subsidiary Insurance had also launched a Finance Ministry informed Connect Knowledge that continues to focus on similar product offering through a video message. Solutions Private Ltd building a global team, world similar benefits. Available on PM's PS The transfer has been ("Climate Connect"); a digi- class data integrity and soft- all policies offering personal staggered over a period of five tal -analytics, software devel- ware development processes, accidental cover to the tune of days to avoid a rush at bank opment, Artificial as well as business develop- Rs 15 lakh for owner and Rajeev moves branches. Intelligence (AI), and ment activities, it said. driver, this app also tracks the distance the vehicle has to World Bank, covered, live speed and other driving patterns and offers Navnit to WTO Sales, revenue, bonus kilometers for good Credit outlook negative for driving at the time of the PNS n NEW DELHI renewal, the company said in profitability will a statement on Thursday. Senior bureaucrat Rajeev film production, media: ICRA Topno, private secretary to be impacted in the prime minister, has been PNS n NEW DELHI ICRA said it has a negative credit appointed as senior advisor to Q1, Q2 of FY21 the Executive Director (ED), Ratings agency ICRA on outlook for the film production and World Bank, a personnel Thursday said the credit out- exhibition, print media and TV PNS n NEW DELHI ministry order issued on look for film production and Thursday said. exhibition, print media and broadcasting segments Hospitality major Indian Besides him, Brajendra Anti-dumping duty on television broadcasting seg- Hotels Company Ltd on Navnit who served in the ments is negative due to the Thursday said sales, revenue ICICI Lombard Prime Minister's Office impact of the coron- the-top (OTT) platforms. segments of the Indian M&E and profitability of the com- simplifies claim (PMO) has been appointed as avirus pandemic, ICRA said it has a industry in FY2021," it said. pany will be impacted for the Ambassador and Permanent steel items extended while the same is negative credit out- ICRA Assistant Vice first and second quarter of process for Amphan- Representative of India to the stable for distri- look for the film President Sakshi Suneja said, the current fiscal year due to hit customers World Trade Organisation PNS n NEW DELHI imposed...shall remain in force bution plat- production and "Cinema halls were the first the impact of COVID-19 (WTO), Geneva, Switzerland. up to and inclusive of 4th form opera- exhibition, print ones to shut down, even before pandemic. Kolkata: Private life insurer Topno is a 1996 batch IAS New Delhi, June 4 (PTI) The December, 2020, unless tors and over- media and TV the lockdown started, and are The company in a regula- ICICI Lombard General officer of Gujarat cadre. government has extended anti- revoked, superseded or amend- the-top plat- broadcasting expected to be amongst the last tory filing said that since the Insurance said it has Navnit, a 1999 batch IAS dumping duty on certain vari- ed earlier," Department of forms. segments of the segments to witness relax- situation is exceptional and is implemented a technology- officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, ety of steel products till Revenue said in a notification. Observing Indian M&E ations. This segment will thus changing dynamically, it is driven process to ensure fast served as joint secretary in December 4 this year with a The commerce ministry's that the impact industry. witness a complete loss of rev- not in a position to gauge and safe settlement of claims the PMO between July 2014 view to guard domestic man- investigation arm Directorate of COVID-19 on "Besides the direct enues in Q1 FY2021." with certainty the future for damage to property and and September 2019. ufacturers from cheap imports General of Trade Remedies Indian media and impact by way of lost Even after the theatres impact on its operations. vehicles post cyclone Amphan These appointments coming from China, Malaysia (DGTR) has recommended entertainment (M&E) industry sales due to the shut-down of resume operations post the "We believe there will be in West Bengal. The non-life assume significance as India and Korea. extension of the duty for six is a mix of pain, hope and cinema halls, given the adverse lockdown, occupancy is impact in sales volumes, rev- insurance company has is grappling with an eco- The duty on imports of 'hot months from these countries, opportunities, it said the pan- impact on the overall economy, expected to remain sub-par as enue, and profitability for received over 480 claims for nomic crisis due to coron- rolled flat products of stainless after concluding a probe. While demic has impacted the sector sharp reduction in advertise- consumers, as a means of cau- Q1 and Q2 FY21 as our damage to property and avirus pandemic and these steel 304 series' from the said DGTR recommends the duty in a varied manner. ment spends has been tion, are likely to stay away operations are presently shut vehicles post cyclone organisations play an impor- countries was first imposed by to be levied, the finance min- The sector comprises film observed in April and May from crowded places, she in most geographies, and will Amphan, which killed 98 tant role in deciding different the finance ministry on June 5, istry imposes it. Countries ini- production and exhibition, 2020, and is expected to con- added. ICRA said it expects the gradually ramp up only after people and left behind a trail trade-related activities. 2015, for five years. The duty tiate anti-dumping probes to print media and television tinue over the short-term. credit metrics for the players in the resolution of the pandem- of destruction in West Bengal Five other officers have was imposed in the range of determine if the domestic (TV) broadcasting segments, "This, in turn, will dampen the film production and exhi- ic," Indian Hotels Company on May 20. A total of 386 been appointed to different USD 180-316 per tonne. "The industry has been hurt by a besides distribution platform the revenues and profit mar- bition segments to weaken Ltd (IHCL) said in a filing to claims have been of property economic and trade-related anti-dumping duty surge in below-cost imports. operators (DPOs) and over- gins of the aforementioned materially. the BSE. damage and 95 of motors, a posts abroad. company statement said here on Thursday Any motor or health claims can be registered through ICICI ‘First two quarters of Lombard's ILTakeCare app, it Bharti Infratel board to take call on merger said, adding the insurer's website can be used for PNS n NEW DELHI reporting property or liability The company said FY21 severely hit’ claims simplified and Telecom Infrastructure compa- there can be no contactless claim intimation ny Bharti Infratel on Thursday certainty on PNS n NEW DELHI weekly review mechanism and approval process. said its board will meet on June adopted to review the account 11 to take final decision on the whether the Force Motors expects the first receivables and measures taken merger with Indus Towers. merger will get two quarters of the ongoing fis- to control the capital expendi- The company said there can completed or not cal to be severely impacted by ture. The company said it is be no certainty on whether the the coron- now gradually India's edible oil merger will get completed or not, avirus pan- resuming opera- as each party had retained the three-way joint venture with demic as its tions, as per cus- right to terminate and withdraw British telecom giant Vodafone revenue and tomer requirements imports in May lowest the scheme at any point. The and Vodafone Idea having 42 per profitability and demands fol- board of directors in a meeting cent and 11.15 per cent stake, were hit hard lowing relaxation of on Wednesday took note of the respectively. During the compa- during the guidelines by the status of scheme of arrangement est of the company and its stake- right to terminate and withdraw ny's fourth quarter earnings lockdown government. All of since 2011: SEA between Indus Towers and holders," Bharti Infratel said in the scheme at any point. call, Akhil Gupta, chairman of induced by the health crisis. In its plants and offices in Pune, Bharti Infratel, the company a regulatory filing. "Accordingly, there can be no Bharti Infratel, had admitted that a regulatory filing disclosing Chakan, Pithampur and PNS n NEW DELHI said. Bharti Infratel noted that its certainty whether the merger the impending merger has been the impact of COVID-19, Chennai were closed since India, world's "The board has decided to board in a meeting on April 23 will get completed or not," it an overhang on the company but Force Motors said it has taken March 21 as per government India's imports of edible oil fell leading vegetable meet on June 11, 2020, to take extended the long stop date (or added. Infratel holds 42 per indicated that the matter will be cash flow control and overhead directives of lockdown, which by 40 per cent to 7.07 lakh the final decision on the matter, deadline) for the scheme till June cent stake in the mobile tower decided one way or the other, in control measures to manage has severely impacted the busi- tonnes in May, lowest in the oil buyer, had keeping in mind the best inter- 24 with each party retaining the firm Indus Towers, which is a the next two months. operations with daily and ness of the company. month since 2011, due to imported 11.80 sluggish demand from bulk users like hotels and restau- lakh tonnes of rants which remained shut edible oil in May Cyient appoints due to the COVID-19 lock- CII cautions against increasing fiscal deficit down, trade body SEA said on 2019 Meenu Bagla as Thursday. PNS n NEW DELHI The Reserve Bank of India also expects India, world's Vice President leading vegetable down of hotels, Amid the call for higher pub- GDP growth to remain negative in the oil buyer, had restaurants, can- PNS n NEW DELHI lic spending to spur growth, the current financial year imported 11.80 teens and public CII on Thursday sounded a lakh tonnes of functions in this IT firm Cyient on Thursday note of caution saying that the edible oil in lockdown peri- announced the appointment government should guard financial year. Amid projec- runs the risk of rating down- May 2019. od," the of former Tech Mahindra against increasing fiscal deficit tions of sharp contraction in grades which has conse- Edible oil Mumbai-based executive Meenu Bagla as its that may prompt rating down- global economy, many agencies quences. Moody's has recent- imports have Solvent Vice President and Chief grade resulting in other conse- have downgraded India's ly downgraded India's rating been declining Extractors Marketing Officer (CMO). quences for the economy. growth forecast for the fiscal, from Baa2 to Baa3, the lowest since the imposi- Association of India As CMO, Bagla will be Earlier this week, Moody's indicating a steady moderation in investment grade, with a tion of lockdown from (SEA) said in a statement. responsible for strengthen- Investors Service downgraded in their growth expectation negative outlook on worries March 25 to prevent the Palm oil imports, which ing the brand reach, rele- India's sovereign rating to culminating in widespread over growth and fiscal risks. spread of the coronavirus pan- comprise more than 60 per vance and advocacy to deliv- 'Baa3' from 'Baa2', saying there expectation of deep contrac- "Any further downgrades demic. cent of the total edible oil ship- er accelerated business growth will be challenges in imple- tion. Observing that govern- will make India susceptible to The nationwide lockdown ments, declined by 52.69 per in new and existing markets, mentation of policies to miti- ment spending has been sup- flight of capital and leave its continues to be in place till cent to 3.87 lakh tonnes in the company said. Before join- gate risks of a sustained peri- porting the economy over the currency vulnerable," the June-end, with relaxations in May this year from 8.18 lakh ing Cyient, she served as the od of low growth and deterio- last few years, the CII said for industry body said in the agen- non-containment areas. tonnes in the year-ago month. Global Head of Marketing at rating fiscal position. the situation against the back- the question is how deeply neg- substantive economic recovery da document. "This is the lowest import in Among palm oils, import of Tech Mahindra. She has also In its agenda document drop of COVID-19 pandemic. ative the growth is likely to be, to kick in, government spend- It said the coronavirus- May month since 2011. The RBD palmolein fell sharply to held marketing leadership 2020-21, the CII also refrained There is currently a consen- the chamber said. ing would be crucial. induced lockdowns, wherein drop of import in April and 16,250 tonnes in May this positions at Quinnox, Wipro, from making an estimate on sus amongst economists that The Reserve Bank of India "However, with an increas- economic activity came to a May is mainly due to destruc- year from 3.71 lakh tonnes a Oracle, Aditya Birla Group economic growth this fiscal the Indian economy will wit- also expects GDP growth to ing fiscal deficit and mounting virtual standstill, will deepen tion in demand due to shut year ago. and CSS Corp. year given the uncertainty of ness a contraction in 2020-21, remain negative in the current government debt, the economy the slowdown sharply. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Friday June 5, 2020

explored subway stations in for the project, where the city Japan. The most recent — a has been divided into 98 leopard prowled on the blocks and communities will streets of Hyderabad. And be invited to participate in our air quality got better, Rain Water Harvesting in thanks to less movement of their areas. To those interest- vehicles. ed, RWHs will be installed in PAINTING BACK BLUE Nature definitely did their communities, pits, and reclaim its space. But the big- injection pots for free in ger question now is this: How areas common between vari- can we go back to our daily ous communities. “I tried lives once the lockdown is creating awareness all these lifted, without undoing the years, but that didn’t work. damage control the nature I’m now of the opinion that manage to do itself? If any- unless people are shown how OUR EARTH thing, the world is only bad things will get in person, AND GREEN becoming a worse place to shown what can be done, ust days, it didn’t live in — more viruses, they won’t value conserva- even take longer locust, ice caps melting away, tion,” says Kalpana Ramesh. than a week for etc. She has since been out, nature to heal after Environmentalist and CEO partnering with the govern- J several nations of the Rain Water Project, ment, getting grants, and cre- across the globe Kalpana Ramesh, also known ating awareness about sus- called for a lockdown to fight as the ‘Water Lady’ says it’s tainable living. “It is very the COVID-19 pandemic. time we become more inten- important to create action on Water bodies in our areas tional and put in real efforts the ground. As a good start, became clearer, the sky into conserving what we have we now have a few temples, turned bluer, there also were left. “Be mindful of institutions, corporate offices, wildlife sightings in their resources, going sustainable and communities asking us backyards. Social media was is the only way ahead,” she to help teach them how it replete with videos showing advises. The green warrior works and are willing to us exciting scenes of wild has been shouting her lungs invest their time and money animals walking down streets out for years now but to very into this,” she tells us. in India and other parts of little change. She has been How can we look forward the world. Reportedly, working tirelessly for the to a better tomorrow? Coyotes and foxes were spot- revival of water bodies in and “Sustainable living is the way ted across American cities, around the city. She had been ahead. We have to take water raccoons were seen in going around the city educat- management serious. Ditto Panama, wild boars at ing and offering to help peo- with greenery and other Barcelona’s city centre, a ple put up Rain Water resources. NITI Ayog report- puma in Santiago, and a deer Harvesting pits to conserve ed that Hyderabad is one of water. She recently decid- the 21 cities that could find ed to collaborate with the groundwater problematic government and various after 2020 and that is no organisations including exaggeration. It’s time we the Society for look inwards, see what we Advancement of Human can do to ensure our Endeavour (SAHE) to resources are not depleted, call upon communities to find out what we can do BEFORE AFTER participate in more and about this situation, and take more green ventures. steps towards doing, without Kalpana decided to solely depending on the gov- take matters into her own ernment. Otherwise, we’ll be hands and so came to back to square 1,” she con- What the lockdown did to the environment across the globe had the world life, the ‘Blue Hyderabad’ cludes. project. To increase the This World Environment realise the damage it has done to nature, and how care must also be taken to groundwater levels in the Day, let’s make a promise to city, she joined hands make intentional efforts to ensure we don't go back to old times. On World Environment Day, with the Greater making the planet greener, Hyderabad Municipal bluer. Let’s pay heed to the Environmentalist Kalpana Ramesh talks to RACHEL DAMMALA about Corporation (GHMC), changes the nature around us Hyderabad Metropolitan is going through and make conserving our resources, being responsible citizens, and more... Water Supply and the necessary changes to our Sewerage Board lifestyle to make this a better (HMWSSB) and SAHE place to live in. Fighting for identity

Ramesh Karthik Nayak's writings beautifully describe and educate how the life and culture of tribal communities are different from what pop culture showcases them to be. He speaks to The Pioneer's ENTREPRENEURS SHIKHA DUGGAL on what ike every other through. The same happened he’s writing, he tells us, parent takes with me, my clique felt I will “When you look at a banjaran of Telugu-origin spread delight in their ruin their livelihood by pub- or at first, your eyes he writes, reads and why child’s success, so lishing this book,” informs are set on their colourful out- L did Ramesh adds this B.A. graduate. fits. But their real world is Karthik Nayak’s The birth of his passion for different from anyone’s imagi- positivity amid COVID-19 parents, when he published writing began when he joined nation. Their source of his first ever book titled a private school. A total cul- income back in their tribes hallapalli Kalyan WolfzHowl Strategic old institution has been Balder Bandi on the lives of ture shock, sort of, atmos- varies from what they do in and Anand Instigations, said, “As a the cornerstone of India's the tribe he belongs to. phere turned him into an the city.” He continues, Mahesh Talari, culture and consumer growth story and when- Recently, one of the 22-year- introvert and loneliness “Wandering from forest to C Mumbai-based strategy firm we see nega- ever Indians have faced old’s poems were added into struck him. That’s when forest, the lambadis sell forest entrepreneurs with tive news day in and day adversity, Indian the Telangana’s Degree syl- Karthik Nayak turned to items with the help of an ox their origins in the out and we believe that Railways has stood by labus and also recited at the poetry. Reading and writing cart, which is an important of Telugu states have come people need something them. The initiative has Telugu Literary Festival in the them too, poetry that wanted their lives.” up with a novel thought positive to celebrate. This been created by presence of other prolific to revolutionise the state. The young boy, whose to spread positivity “ACT” on Indian railways WolfzHowl (company tribal poets. On being asked about the mother is a vegetable vendor, amidst the gloom caused is exactly that. Celebrating owned by Kalyan) in What is Balder Bandi all inspiration behind the book felt it’s crucial to encourage by COVID-19. the achievements of our association with about? Karthik Nayak replies, fictional stories too, as there With experience in Indian railways in the Mavcomm (owned by “A few non-fictional books are many communities that strategy, marketing, and fight against COVID is a Anand). vexed me about the uncount- are fighting for their libera- public relations, they celebration of our own Commenting on the able stories that were being tion and their stories must be came up with a campaign ingenuity as a nation. This initiative, Anand Mahesh written about the tribal highlighted. He continues to to laud the efforts of campaign is conceived Talari, Co-Founder & groups, while they were total- search for ‘Asthithva’ or iden- Indian Railways in serv- entirely in-house by the Managing Director, ly different from reality. When I began writing, tity to extricate more knowl- ing the people by not wolves and ex-wolves. Mavcomm Group, said, Hence I took hold of my pen the tribal group edge into his stories and only converting some of Songs written, campaign “We strongly believe in and began writing captivating poems. their bogies into beds to planning, and all the exe- the maxim of ‘Gratitude stories about our tribal com- considered me a be used for COVID-19 cution stimulus were is the only Attitude’. munity.” lunatic. In our tribal patients but also in run- done in our house and is Indian Railways has been The theme of the book is circle, they believe the ning the trains to trans- our personal moment of an integrated part of our centred around the forest port people back home in celebration too. Our aim growing up years and wanderers belonging to the more the educated a the tough times. The from this initiative is just when WolfzHowl told us schedule tribes who use an ox child is, the more campaign consisted of to contribute in spreading their concept we were cart as their prominent explosion of madness two videos which have that light of positivity in quite simply blown away. means of transportation to now become viral on these rather bleak times It’s an honor to be associ- sustain there. Karthik empha- he goes through. The social media. Tollywood of darkness.” ated as partners with this sises that without an ox cart, same happened with actor Vishnu Manchu The campaign which express- the life of the ‘Banjara’ com- me, my clique felt I also came out in support #ThankYouIndianRailways es our appreciation for munity is nothing. of the campaign and initiative was created to the stellar role played by “When I began writing, the will ruin their tweeted his appreciation highlight all the tireless Indian Railways in serv- tribal group considered me a livelihood by to the Indian Railways. work the Indian Railways ing the people and nation lunatic. In our tribal circle, publishing this book Kalyan Ram has been doing during amongst not only the they believe the more the Challapalli, Chief the COVID-19 Covid-19 situation but at educated a child is, the more KARTHIK Strategist and Founder, Pandemic. This 167-year- all times.” explosion of madness he goes 10

Vijayawada Friday June 5 2020 what’s brewing? ‘Touchless hospitality' is the future 10,000 restaurants s the Indian option via official web- Dr Ankur Bhatia, Managing Director of will also contribute sign up for hotel industry site/mobile app, and disin- Executive Director Bird Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, towards raising the level of gears up to fecting rooms are some of Group that owns Roseate informed, “We are also awareness as well as pro- A reopen from the common safety and Hotels and Resorts, tells engaging our guests online vide training to associates June 8, players hygiene measures under- IANSlife, “We at Roseate and asking them for their as these initiatives get NEW CONTACTLESS in the field are taken by hotels. Hotels and Resorts firmly preferences, including pre- implemented across the reimagining ways to serve Roseate Hotels and believe that in the hospital- ordering meals to reduce brand's entire portfolio. customers, giving utmost Resorts has launched an ity industry, we need to touch points as much as Indian Hotels Company importance to hygiene initiative called ‘Care by constantly reinvent our- possible.” (IHCL) is working in close standards and contactless Roseate’ to make their selves according to the The Leela Palaces, Hotels consultation with its long- services. patrons comfortable with needs of our guests and standing global partners, DINING SUITE Veterans feel that the availing hospitality services stay ahead of the game. We who are pioneers in pro- sector is going to get re- in the new normal, post are proud of the fact that THERMAL SCREENING viding smart sustainable s restaurants A total of 40 per cent of prefer to go digital while defined and “touchless lockdown scenario. Roseate Hotels & Resorts is AT ENTRY GATES, solutions for cleanliness prepare to the initial adopters of the providing suggestions or hospitality” is the future. In addition to the above the first hotel chain in and hygiene for the hospi- resume opera- contactless dining solution feedback. Keeping this in mind, hote- mentioned safety measures, India to implement its new WEARING OF MASKS, tality industry. Puneet tion in Unlock hail from metropolitan Speaking on the chang- liers are remodeling their the hotel chain would also initiative ‘Care by Roseate’ Chhatwal, MD and CEO, A 1.0, over 10,000 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, ing restaurant business DISINFECTING HOTEL standard operating proce- follow an alternate room across its six hotels in part- Indian Hotels Company restaurants, Bengaluru, Chennai and ecosystem, Ankit dures towards providing occupancy policy to main- nership with its sister com- VEHICLES, (IHCL), said, “The chal- casual dining or quick-ser- Kolkata, while 30 per cent Mehrotra, Co-Founder & greater care and ensuring a tain social distancing. pany Bird Apps.” TOUCHLESS CHECK- lenges we face are unprece- vice chains including Hard are from Hyderabad, Pune CEO, Dineout said, “The safe environment for their Housekeeping staff would Sarovar Hotels & Resorts IN AND CHECK-OUT dented, but we believe the Rock Cafe, Mad Over and Chandigarh, while the post COVID era would see guests. wear Personal Protection has announced each of its best way for us to demon- Donuts, Mainland China remaining are from tier II the advent of Hospitality Thermal screening at Equipment (PPE). Delivery properties will have a des- OPTION, ETC, ARE strate our commitment is and The Great Kabab and tier III cities. 2.0 at restaurants and other entry gates, display of ‘safe’ and clearance of room ser- ignated person who will be SOME OF THE to give our guests and asso- Factory among others, A recent survey by establishments, not just status in Arogya Setu app vice orders would be just the ‘Covid 19 Coordinator’ ciates the assurance of have partnered with Dineout across 20 cities in from an operations per- for staff and guests, wear- outside the hotel room to ensure the proper SAFETY AND exacting standards of safety Dineout app to provide India presented some spective, but also in terms ing of masks, disinfecting entrance. It also started process is laid down and HYGIENE MEASURES and hygiene.” contactless and safe din- interesting insights on the of the factors determining hotel vehicles, disinfecting providing live kitchen followed. There will be Ritesh Agarwal, Founder ing-out experience to their factors that determine excellence. From aligning a guests luggage, touchless access to its customers via sodium hydrochloride UNDERTAKEN BY and Group CEO, OYO customers. consumer interest while restaurant to the new check-in and check-out camera. solution put in floor mats HOTELS. Hotels & Homes, said, “We With the government choosing a restaurant to social distancing guidelines for disinfecting shoes. are excited and prepared to given restaurants and dine out in the post to adapting new strategies Rooms are going to be ser- host guests with the new malls the go-ahead to COVID era. According to and approaches to secure a viced only once daily and Resorts also sanitised stay experience. reopen their establish- the findings, 81 percent of strong come-back with and in the absence announced the launch of At OYO, our topmost pri- ments from June 8, consumers would prefer a digital alternatives, it’s of the guests. its initiative ‘Suraksha’ in orities are maintaining the Dineout will help restaura- digital menu on their heartening to see such a Ajay partnership with Bureau health, hygiene and well- teurs avoid extraneous smartphones instead of remarkable response from Bakaya, Veritas India to develop being of our guests and contact points inside the physical menus or tablet- the country’s F&B industry. and validate additional staff. Right from our app to restaurants, while still pro- based digital menus. As Our goal is to empower protocols and sanitisation hotel teams, we are work- viding their diners seam- much as 60 per cent of the more than 20,000 restau- procedures. These proto- ing to ensure proper saniti- less and safe dining experi- respondents prefer seam- rants across 20+ cities with cols will be reviewed regu- sation of hotels as well as ence through its end-to- less wallet-based digital 100 percent safe contact- larly and certified by a maintaining social distanc- end contactless dining payments over cash/cards, less dining solutions by the team of hygiene ing with the guests. We are suite. while 84 percent would end of June 2020.” experts from displaying a ‘Sanitised Bureau Stays’ tag for properties Veritas, that clear background audit India checks for sanitisation, who hygiene, and protective equipment. We along with our asset partners, look forward to delivering a safe, secure and comfortable experience for our guests.”

FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2020 sport 11 Nadal not sure about 2020 US Open PTI n NEW YORK

f it weren’t for a pandemic- Players like Serena, Federer caused postponement, the IFrench Open would have been in Week 2 now, and Rafael Nadal itching to return: Evert might still have been in contention for a 20th Grand Slam title. IANS n PARIS going to win four in a row?’ He Instead, he’s home in Spain, prac- was playing awesome tennis and ticing lightly — and wondering ultiple Grand Slam champi- then all of a sudden (season along with everyone else in ten- Mon Chris Evert feels players stopped). He’ll be an interesting nis whether the next Grand Slam who have been around the sport story to see if he can get that tournament, the US Open, will be for a long time like Serena momentum back.” held. Williams, Roger Federer and Djokovic recently announced “If you (ask) me today, I will Rafael Nadal will ‘dive right into that he is hosting a tennis tourna- say, ‘No,’” Nadal said with a shake it’ when tennis resumes post the ment across the Balkan countries of his head during a video confer- Covid-19 pandemic as they know starting on June 13. Playing Test cricket a big ence call with The Associated time is not on their side. The Adria Tour will start in Press and other wire services on “I have a sneaky suspicion that Belgrade in Djokovic’s home Thursday. the players that have been around country of Serbia and followed by goal of mine: Billings “In a couple of months? I for a long time, especially Serena matches in Zadar, Croatia on don’t know. Hopefully, ‘Yes,’” he (Williams), Roger, Rafa, I think June 20 and 21. The next stop is PTI n LONDON continued. they’re going to dive right into it,” in Montenegro on June 27 and 28 “But we need to wait proba- Evert said on French Open’s offi- and the tour ends in Banja Luka, ngland wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings says bly until we have more clear cial website on Episode 11 of Bosnia and Herzegovina on July Ehe doesn’t want to be “pigeon-holed as a white- information about how the virus Chatting with Daniela. 3 and 4. ball cricketer” and has a renewed desire to come evolves and how the situation is “They’re appreciating that good in the Test format, an ambition that took a going to be in New York in a cou- they can be with their family. backseat when he decided to play IPL early in his ple of months. Because, of course, They’re appreciating that they career. New York has been one of the Rafael Nadal grimaces after scoring against Roger Federer during their Roland Garros semifinal match in June 2019 AP/File Picture can rest their bodies. But they also The 28-year-old has never played a Test for places that have been very strong- Tennis, like most sports, has chief executive for pro tennis, months before recently resuming know that time is not England but featured in 15 ODIs and 26 T20Is ly hit by the virus. So let’s see.” been on hold since March because Stacey Allaster, told the AP on training in a less-intense way on their side,” said before a shoulder injury robbed him of chance to Nadal thinks there are two key of the Covid-19 outbreak. Saturday that contingency plans than normal and “not testing my the 18-time Grand be a part of his team’s historic victory in the 50- requirements for the US Open to The ATP and WTA tours are include providing charter flights body.” Slam champion. over World Cup last year. happen — and for tennis to suspended at least until late July. from around the world for play- “I am going very slow, step by Evert also opined that it will “There’s no one else to blame apart from me resume anywhere: assurances The French Open’s start was ers and requiring proof of nega- step, not playing every single day be interesting to see if current really for that (white-ball typecasting),” Billings told about being protected from the pushed back from May tive virus tests before and not practicing much,” he world No1 Novak Djokovic could ESPNcricinfo. coronavirus and having everyone until September. travel. said. Usually at this time of year, regain his momentum. “I think there are opportunities in the Test team be able to fly internationally. Wimbledon was can- “I really believe we he is exerting himself on the red “I feel bad for Novak. He had as well, especially as a batter and also in the wick- “We can’t come back until the celed for the first time in need to be patient, be clay of Roland Garros, where he the momentum,” she said. et-keeping position. I find that really exciting. I situation is completely safe 75 years. responsible,” Nadal said, has won a record 12 of his 19 “Everyone was saying, ‘Is he don’t want to just be pigeon-holed as a white-ball enough in terms of (health),” he A decision about the “and we need to (be) major championships. going to win a Grand Slam? Is he player. I’m better than that,” he asserted. said, “and fair enough in terms of US Open is expected calm and do the things He’s neither optimistic nor Billings spoke about a change in mindset after all the players from every single within weeks; the tournament’s the right way.” pessimistic right now about playing the tournament that I love My mind is focused on trying to competing in the IPL. (country) can travel to the tour- main draw is scheduled to begin Nadal, who turned 34 on whether the French Open can be the most,” Nadal said. recover the normal life. The first “I played four IPLs and you’re not going to turn naments under safe circumstances in New York on August 31. Wednesday, said he didn’t touch played later in 2020. “But at the same time, my thing we have to do is recover the down an opportunity like that as a young player to compete.” The US Tennis Association’s a racket for more than two “I miss playing tennis. I miss mind is not thinking about that. normal.” in terms of a chance to develop.” “Obviously four-day cricket had to take a back seat at that point in time and I just didn’t play any- where near enough cricket. That’s where my mind- Malinga is world's Lanning expects Women’s set has changed a little bit.” best yorker Not safe to train yet: BCB tells players After returning to action, Billings managed just WC to go ahead as planned 34 runs in five T20 innings against New Zealand bowler: Bumrah PTI n DHAKA In Bangladesh 746 people have and was dropped from white-ball squads for South MELBOURNE: Australia’s world-cup win- died and over 55,000 have tested Africa tour early this year. NEW DELHI: India’s pre- ning captain Meg Lanning is hopeful he Bangladesh Cricket Board positive for coronavirus. He could play a few matches for Kent and he mier pacer Jasprit that the women’s ODI World Cup will Thas turned down former cap- “We need to consider the over- made it count by scoring three hundreds in con- Bumrah has described go ahead as planned next year and tain Mushfiqur Rahim and other all situation. We can’t rush into any- secutive Championship innings, including two in Lasith Malinga as the remains confident that their preparation senior players’ request to train at the thing. Many countries are starting a match against Yorkshire at Headingley. “best yorker bowler in for the big-ticket event will not be affect- Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, their activities; we will definitely do Following the omission from South Africa tour, the world” and said the ed due to the coronavirus-forced break. citing health safety concerns amid the same. However, we can’t give an Billings decided not to put his name forward for veteran Sri Lankan has The 50-over World Cup is sched- the Covid-19 pandemic. exact date right now,” Nizamuddin any T20 franchise and was looking forward to the used his mastery over uled to be held in New Zealand in The BCB said the disinfecting said. “We have been working to dis- 2020 season with Kent before the Covid-19 pan- the delivery for a very February-March next year but with the process is yet to be completed at the infect the things we need for train- demic delayed it. long period of time in Covid-19 pandemic taking a toll on Mirpur facility. ing after Eid, and it is in the “The back end of last year proved to myself international cricket. international tournaments such as the “Mushfiq communicated with process. After it is completed we can more than anyone that I can be more than just an “Malinga is the T20 men’s World Cup, there are spec- us, he wanted to begin personal say that we are ready to start crick- average first-class cricketer or quite a good first- best yorker bowler in ulations that it could have a domino training. But we told him that this et training again. class cricketer. That can be as strong a format as the world and he used effect on the women’s event. cricket.Com.Au. is not yet a safe time to do so, he “Then we will see the overall any. “But it was only when I really proved it to it for such a long peri- “At this stage, we anticipate the “The group we’ve got, we’ve played should train at home. Training is situation of the country. After myself last year that that came back to the fore- od. Of time to the best World Cup to go ahead as scheduled a lot of cricket together over a long peri- important, but players’ safety is assessing the overall situation we front of my mind,” Billings said. of his advantage,” (early next year) but have to wait and od of time and if it (the coronavirus) more important to us,” BCB chief will call the players because, you He said his performance in the championship Bumrah was quoted as see how that plays out. We’ve got a plan means we’ve only got a short time to executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury training. But our message was the have to understand, we can’t risk the last year brought “a big turning point” and ignit- saying in a tweet by his in place for what it looks like but also prepare and get ready (for the World was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. same for all. We are working on dis- health of the players in any way ed his ambition to play the traditional format. IPL franchise Mumbai fully understanding things can change Cup), I’ve got no doubt we’ll be able to “A few other players wanted to infecting our facilities. But the job because the players are a very valu- “I want to play Test cricket. That is a big goal Indians. PTI pretty quick,” Lanning told do that. We’ll be ready to go.” PTI know if they could do individual is yet to be completed.” able asset to the BCB.” of mine,” he said. Premier League clubs Playing without fans will Hyderabad Open badminton cancelled agree to 5 subs rule change feel ‘peculiar’: Suarez NEW DELHI: The Hyderabad Open badminton tournament, sched- AFP n LONDON AFP n BARCELONA La Liga is set to restart with uled to be held in August, was Ashwini, Lakshya return to training the Seville derby on June 11 and on Thursday cancelled by the NEW DELHI: Top shuttlers of the total 65 are currently not anagers will be able to arcelona forward Luis Suarez to be completed on July 19, yet sport’s world governing body in Ashwini Ponnappa and in the city but they are very Mmake up to five substitu- Bis in line to return from a the expectation is players will be view of the Covid-19 pandem- Lakshya Sen are among 20-odd keen to come and start train- tions for the remainder of the long injury lay-off when La subjected to safety protocol for ic, days after the unveiling of a Indian players who have start- ing,” he added. 2019/20 Premier League season Liga resumes next week behind several months and stadiums revised calendar. ed training at the Prakash Vimal said training is after clubs agreed to the tempo- closed doors in the heat of the will not be full again until next The tournament, set from Padukone Badminton optional at this stage. rary rule change at a meeting on Spanish summer. year. August 11 to 16, was one of the Academy (PPBA) in Bengaluru The players who are cur- Thursday. Premier League clubs The 33-year old was side- “We are not used to play- three to be held in India in the as the sport took its first step rently training include doubles also agreed to increase the num- lined for four months in ing in so much heat in the calendar announced by the towards resumption after the exponent Ashwini, a three- ber of substitutes available for January after undergoing middle of summer. We are BWF on May 22 to restart the Covid-19 hiatus. time Commonwealth Games selection from seven to nine for To avoid too many stop- surgery on his right knee but adapting to playing with- sport after the pandemic-forced “Some top national players medallist, former world No 13 the remainder of the season. pages, each team will still only could make his comeback on out a crowd which will cancellations since March. have been training for last two Ajay Jayaram, and Lakshya, “For the remainder of the have three opportunities to June 13 when leaders be peculiar,” he said. “BWF and Badminton weeks here. We have 16 courts who had a stellar season with 2019/20 season, the number of make changes as well as at half- Barcelona travel to Mallorca, “We will continue Association of India have agreed spread out and about 20 India five titles last year. substitutes that can be used time. for their first game since to focus on winning to cancel the Hyderabad Open stances have and will continue players are currently practising Besides, India regulars during a match will increase The Premier League early March. games to win the 2020 (11-16 August) — a Super to change in certain countries here. We have separate timings Mithun Manjunath, BM Rahul from three to five players,” will resume with two “I feel very good, league title, which is 100 on the BWF Tour,” the and therefore further updates on and sessions,” Vimal Kumar, Bharadwaj & Maisnam the Premier League said in matches on June 17 as adapting to training what we all want.” BWF said in a statement. the status of tournaments will be head coach and director, PPBA Meiraba are also training there. a statement. Manchester City host with my team-mates. Defending The YONEX-SUNRISE given as and when necessary. said. “Most of the trainees out PTI “Shareholders also Arsenal and Sheffield Returning after an champions Barca India Junior International Grand The BWF also cancelled approved for clubs to United travel to Aston Villa. injury is always diffi- hold a two-point Prix 2020, which was to be held two other tournaments — remain suspended and an Open 2020 (March 3-8), increase the maximum number The remaining nine full cult, because you are a little lead over Real in Pune from August 4-9, has Australia Open and Korea announcement on these will be YONEX Swiss Open 2020 of substitute players on the rounds of fixtures are then scared but I’m enjoying Madrid at the top with 11 also been cancelled. Masters — in view of the glob- made in due course. (March 17-22) and 2020 bench from seven to nine for the expected to be completed in just being back,” Suarez told rounds of matches still to BWF Secretary General al health crisis. The suspended tourna- European Championships (April rest of the 2019/20 season.” five weeks. the club’s website. be played. Thomas Lund said circum- Three tournaments still ments are: YONEX German 21-26). PTI Germany, Portugal in race to Mercedes ‘monitoring’ Bale unlikely to make PL return host this year’s CL final MADRID: Gareth Bale’s agent says joining Real for a then world MUNICH: Germany and Portugal are contenders the Real Madrid forward is record £85 million in 2013. to host the delayed Champions League final Vettel situation unlikely to return to the Premier But he has rarely been a reg- which is due to be moved from Istanbul, a per- LONDON (IANS): Mercedes team “Where could he potentially League because he wants to fin- ular under Zidane and has been son with knowledge of the situation told The principal and CEO Toto Wolff go, where are we with our drivers, ish his career at the Bernabeu. criticised by fans and media in Associated Press. stated they are monitoring and what I said (before) is I Bale is believed to have a Spain for putting more passion A June 17 meeting of UEFA’s executive Sebastian Vettel’s situation who wouldn’t discount Sebastian for difficult relationship with Real into his golf hobby than his Real committee will decide the new location for had earlier announced that he any seat. manager Zinedine Zidane and career. Despite that discord, the August final — with that country also set will be leaving Ferrari at the end “We have looked at the situ- the former Tottenham star has Bale has no plans to demand a to stage the quarterfinals and semifinals, the of 2020 F1 season. ation. Our priority and concen- Porto suffer surprise defeat been linked with a move back to move, according to Barnett. person said. Wolff stated they are happy tration is on our Mercedes drivers AFP n LISBON the Premier League on several “I have no idea what his The priority for the remaining with the racers on their ros- — that’s Lewis (Hamilton), occasions, with Newcastle the value is,” he said. “His salary is Champions League matches is choosing a ter presently but in case the Valtteri (Bottas) and the juniors. he Portuguese Primeira Liga became the latest club to be mentioned as quite high and also where he location accessible to players and officials as situation changes, they could “And only if we can’t find a Tsecond top European football league to suitors for the Wales interna- wants to go is very important in fans are unlikely to be allowed in due to look at Vettel. solution within that group of return on Wednesday following the coron- tional. But Bale’s agent Jonathan his life. I can’t put a figure on it. Covid-19 restrictions. “Sebastian is a four- drivers we will look else- avirus lockdown as leaders Porto fell to a sur- Barnett said the 30-year-old “He’s won nearly every- Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the president time world champion where and then obvi- prising 2-1 loss at Famalicao. would happily remain in Spain. thing in the world, except the of Portugal, this week referenced potential and him suddenly ously Sebastian is in a Fabio Martins broke the deadlock for the “He has a very nice lifestyle. World Cup. So he’s won every- “good news” for football in the Iberian becoming available was very good position,” hosts in the 48th minute, before Porto I don’t see why he doesn’t see his thing else, to come back and nation in August. Two stadiums in Lisbon unexpected. And, he added. equalised 16 minutes from time through Jesus career out at Madrid, probably,” play (in the Premier League) have been floated — with Benfica hosting the therefore, it is a situa- Vettel has won Manuel Corona. Barnett told the BBC on Financially, he will want for would be unbelievable, a big final and Sporting Lisbon’s venue also used. tion that needs to be 14 races for Ferrari But young midfielder Pote had the final Thursday. nothing the rest of his life.” thing. I don’t think he wants to German newspaper Bild reported on monitored,” Wolff said but failed to add to say for Famalicao four minutes later as they “As I’ve always said, he’s Bale has won a host of do that at the moment. He’s Wednesday night that Frankfurt is a poten- during Sky F1 the four titles he won added another famous victory to their league quite happy in Madrid. It’s his medals, including four quite happy to play at Real tial location for the final if Germany is cho- Vodcast as per Fox with Red Bull between double over Sporting this season. life that he wants to lead. Champions League titles, since Madrid.” AFP sen. AP Sports. 2010 and 2013. 12

Vijayawada Friday June 5 2020 tollywood RAKUL is feeling ‘lighter' after turning vegan ctress Rakul Preet Singh says she has been feeling way lighter A since she turned vegan earlier this year. “It was a very con- scious decision (to go vegan) when I heard about the damage that the environment is going through with the number of animals that are killed. The chicken that’s bred doesn’t ever run in open fields. They grow up with a lot of trauma, they grow up with a lot of fear and I think that comes in the meat also that you think is high in protein and that you con- sume,” she said. “I personally have been feeling way lighter ever since I turned vegan. I just feel that my energy levels are to the optimum, I didn’t know that FILMMAKERS shift till the time I converted into a vegan. But I prioritise safety for the big four think it’s great! It’s easily ometime back Koratala and team don’t and more so, is worried these stars have achieved digestible in the there were reports want to rush with things at about the megastar's safety. what they can in the indus- body, it’s not that Megastar this juncture. “Despite fol- He is interacting with other try. Plus, Nag and Venky are hard on your gut S Chiranjeevi-star- lowing all guidelines, directors on whether to let known to be extremely so there are rer Acharya including sanitising shoot- actors over 60 exposed to health conscious. So keeping many benefits would be the first ing spots and using thermal work this soon,” said an all these factors in mind, the and I’ll just say big-ticket flick to recom- scanners to let the crew in, industry insider. directors want to draw out a that try it out for mence shooting later this shooting is still a coordinat- The insider adds that not map which facilitates them yourself, test it month but we now hear the ed practice and it requires just Chiru, it’s a dicey situa- to work without any wor- out for yourself plan has been temporarily the actors to be in close tion for other heroes like ries. While Balakrishna is guys. Give your- suspended for time being. proximity with their make- Nagarjuna, Balakrishna and ready to get back to sets self at least 15 With coronavirus cases in up staff and co-actors for Venkatesh who are well over with a crew of 50, Venkatesh days or 20 days Telangana on the ascent in different phases in a day. 58 and were occupied with has already told Anil and see the differ- the last one week, the mak- Then there is the factor of projects like Wild Dog, unti- Ravipudi to not proceed ence. It’s good for ers want to play the waiting some coronovirus patients tled next with Boyapati and with the pre-production of the environment game. The fact that the film not exhibiting symptoms. So Naarappa respectively F3 until for another three- and it’s good for you is headlined by Chiranjeevi, Koratala is cagey about before Covid-19 outbreak four months,” added the and it’s good for the who is over 60, means that resuming work immediately stalled their shootings. “All insider. animals,” she added. Sirivennela rejoins Twitter early five years Sastry has rejoined Twitter want to share my thoughts after he stopped on Thursday. In his wel- with you to know your tweeting, come note, the lyricist said reactions,” he said. The renowned lyri- that he felt like becoming Padma Shri recipient would N cist Sirivennela active again on Twitter to be tweeting on his old han- Seetharama connect with people. “I dle @sirivennela1955. PRIYAMANIPRIYAMANI turnsturns comradecomrade BharathakkaBharathakka s Priyamani Priyamani’s part. The rung in her actress, who has already 36th birth- shot for a major part, is day on required for the next leg Vedam clocks a decade; A Thursday, of filming - of almost 10 the makers days-when the film gets of Virata back on sets. Parvam unveiled her Set in ’90s backdrop, cast and crew relive memories anticipated look from Virata Parvam sheds the film, where she is light on the Maoist hile it might not playing a key support- movement, specifically have been a big ing role. The makers the moral dilemma that money-spinner, revealed that she will be prevailed back then. A W Vedam, directed seen as comrade joint production ven- by Krish and pro- Bharathakka in the ture between Suresh duced by Arka social-drama laced with Babu and Sudhakar Mediaoworks, ranks as one a love story. “She Cherukuri, it sees an of Allu Arjun and Manchu believes that an impressive roster of Manoj’s best films till date. extremely difficult situ- prominent supporting As it clocked a decade on ation too can lead to actors such as Nandita Thursday, Bunny penned an peace. He role in Virata Das, Sai Chand, emotional thank you note to Parvam is akin to the Easwari Rao and Zarina the principal cast and crew. role played by students Wahab. “A Decade of Vedam . I in French Revolution,” On the other hand, would Like to Thank each film’s lead star Rana the makers of Naarappa and everyone who is a part posted on Twitter while too unveiled of this beautiful journey. I revealing Priyamani’s Priyamani’s look from heart fully thank @dirkrish look. the film, in which she for his vision n passion . Director Venu plays Venkatesh’s wife. And I would like to thank Udugula drew inspira- She is reprising the role @HeroManoj1 #Anushka tion from the revolu- that was essayed by @BajpayeeManoj Ji & many tionary Telangana folk Manju Warrier in the other actors & technicians singer Belli Lalitha for original, Asuran. for their support. Spl THANKS to MMKeeravani garu , gyanahekar garu & other technicians . I heart Later in the evening, about the movie and experi- the film went on to bag four fully thank Arka Media for Bunny revealed he interact- ence even after a decade,” he (Best Film, believing in us . #DECADE- ed with the film’s team on a wrote on Twitter. Best Director, Best Actor OFVEDAM (sic),” he posted video call. “So fortunate and Praised for its narrative and Best Actress). Krish on Instagram on Thursday so nostalgic that everyone style and the issues it later remade the film in morning. has the same warm feeling depicted in a realistic way, Tamil as Vaanam. RRR TO RESUME LATER THIS MONTH ith Telangana gov- wants to be a ready with a see how it goes with a limit- dent India, RRR, a produc- ernment positive schedule chart by the time a ed crew. Depending on the tion venture of DVV about letting the government order is issued, outcome, he will take a call Danayya, revolves around industry to pick granting permissions to film- on when to invite his lead the fictional exploits of two W up where it left off ing. actors later. The filming will real freedom fighters shootings-wise, SS “Rajamouli will be follow- most likely resume later this Komaram Bheem (played by Rajamouli, according to a ing all the guidelines that the month,” stated the informer, NTR) and Alluri Seetharama source, is keen on resuming government will issue. But who further mentioned sets Raju (Charan). Before work on RRR. With huge first not to take any chances, for the proposed Pune Covid-19 hit the film, finances involved for a film he will be conducting a schedule will now be erected Rajamouli managed to com- being made on a budget of three-day shoot with actors in Hyderabad. plete close to 80 per cent of Rs 500 crore, the director other than his lead stars and Set in 1920s pre-indepen- the shoot.